bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fintech and corporate governance: at times of financial crisis
Authors: Najaf Khakan , Chin Alice , Fook Adrian Lean Wan , Dhiaf Mohamed M. , Asiaei Kaveh 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe objective of this research is to probe the moderating role of Big Four auditors (a representative of corporate governance) on the market performance of firms during the pandemic period, with specific focus on Fintech and non-Fintech firms. Design/Methodology: Employing data from 48 Fintech and 140 non-Fintech firms spanning 2010 to 2021, the study utilizes ordinary least squares, quantile regression, and dynamic Generalised Moments Method (GMM) regression to assess the implications of engaging with a Big Four auditor on firms' market performance during the pandemic. The study reveals that Fintech firms, compared to their non-Fintech counterparts, displayed a significantly poorer market performance by 110.4% during the pandemic. Additionally, Fintech firms audited by a Big Four auditor experienced a decline in market performance by 101.9%, indicating a potential negative impact of Big Four auditors' engagement for Fintech firms in crisis periods. The outcomes of this research underscore the importance of corporate governance during financial crises, and its influence on shareholder perception, especially in the context of Fintech firms. As such, it provides meaningful insights for governments, policymakers, and various practitioners including firm shareholders and start-up entrepreneurs. This study introduces a novel examination of the moderating effect of Big Four auditors on firms' market performance during a pandemic, especially in the context of Fintech firms. By shedding light on the relationship between corporate governance and market performance during crises, it fills a significant gap in the existing literature.
Supply/demand interface for disaster resilience assessment of interdependent infrastructure systems considering privacy and security concerns
Authors: Blagojević N. , Stojadinović B. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe ability to swiftly restore functionality following an extreme event is an essential characteristic of a disaster resilient infrastructure system. However, the restoration of functionality of a single infrastructure system often depends on the functionality of other systems that provide resources the considered system needs to operate and recover. Furthermore, infrastructure systems are crucial for the post-disaster functional recovery of the building stock of a community. Thus, community resilience assessment and improvement require a system-of-systems perspective, considering the post-disaster performance of several interdependent infrastructure systems and the building stock at the same time. One of the principal issues in resilience assessment and improvement is that such system-of-systems consideration may require detailed information on the vulnerability and recoverability of numerous components. While such information might be available for certain systems (e.g., housing), for others, the information might be unavailable due to privacy and security concerns (e.g., electric power supply systems or buildings housing important functions). In this paper, we propose a supply/demand interface between the system-of-systems simulator, defined within the interdependent Resilience - Compositional Demand/Supply (iRe-CoDeS) framework, and the individual infrastructure system simulators. Such an interface can be used for regional recovery simulation and resilience assessment of interdependent infrastructure systems, while allowing infrastructure system operators to maintain system’s privacy and/or security. We define a tiered supply/demand interface, where the amount of information provided by individual systems can range from system-level to component-level post-disaster evolution of resource supply and demand, assessed using expert opinion or confidential in-house models. The proposed supply/demand interfaces are illustrated in a semi-virtual case study, assessing the seismic resilience of North-East San Francisco, focusing on the effect of interdependent infrastructure on the functional recovery of residential buildings.
Genetic Programs Between Steroid-Sensitive and Steroid-Insensitive Interstitial Lung Disease
Authors: Lu Yanjiao , Tang Kun , Wang Shanshan , Gao Pengfei , Tian Zhen , Wang Meijia , Chen Jinkun , Xiao Chengfeng , Zhao Jianping , Xie Jungang 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe effectiveness of corticosteroids (GCs) varies greatly in interstitial lung diseases (ILDs). In this study, we aimed to compare the gene expression profiles of patients with cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) and identify the molecules and pathways responsible for GCs sensitivity in ILDs. Three datasets (GSE21411, GSE47460, and GSE32537) were selected. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) among COP, IPF, NSIP, and healthy control (CTRL) groups were identified. Functional enrichment analysis and protein–protein interaction network analysis were performed to examine the potential functions of DEGs. There were 128 DEGs when COP versus CTRL, 257 DEGs when IPF versus CTRL, 205 DEGs when NSIP versus CTRL, and 270 DEGs when COP versus IPF. The DEGs in different ILDs groups were mainly enriched in the inflammatory response. Further pathway analysis showed that “interleukin (IL)-17 signaling pathway” (hsa04657) and “tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathway” were associated with different types of ILDs. A total of 10 genes associated with inflammatory response were identified as hub genes and their expression levels in the IPF group were higher than those in the COP group. Finally, we identified two GCs’ response-related differently expressed genes (FOSL1 and DDIT4). Our bioinformatics analysis demonstrated that the inflammatory response played a pathogenic role in the progression of ILDs. We also illustrated that the inflammatory reaction was more severe in the IPF group compared to the COP group and identified two GCs’ response-related differently expressed genes (FOSL1 and DDIT4) in ILDs.
Systematic review of mRNA expression in human oocytes: understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying oocyte competence
Authors: Gonzalez Xavier Viñals , Almutlaq Arwa , Gupta Sioban Sen 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe biggest cell in the human body, the oocyte, encloses almost the complete machinery to start life. Despite all the research performed to date, defining oocyte quality is still a major goal of reproductive science. It is the consensus that mature oocytes are transcriptionally silent although, during their growth, the cell goes through stages of active transcription and translation, which will endow the oocyte with the competence to undergo nuclear maturation, and the oocyte and embryo to initiate timely translation before the embryonic genome is fully activated (cytoplasmic maturation). A systematic search was conducted across three electronic databases and the literature was critically appraised using the KMET score system. The aim was to identify quantitative differences in transcriptome of human oocytes that may link to patient demographics that could affect oocyte competence. Data was analysed following the principles of thematic analysis. Differences in the transcriptome were identified with respect to age or pathological conditions and affected chromosome mis segregation, perturbations of the nuclear envelope, premature maturation, and alterations in metabolic pathways—amongst others—in human oocytes.
Targeted ablation of epicardial ganglionated plexi during cardiac surgery with pulsed field electroporation (NEURAL AF)
Authors: Musikantow Daniel R. , Reddy Vivek Y. , Skalsky Ivo , Shaburishvili Tamaz , van Zyl Martin , O’Brien Barry , Coffey Ken , Reilly John , Neuzil Petr , Asirvatham Samuel , de Groot Joris R. 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Background
Modulation of the cardiac autonomic nervous system (ANS) is a promising adjuvant therapy in the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). In pre-clinical models, pulsed field (PF) energy has the advantage of selectively ablating the epicardial ganglionated plexi (GP) that govern the ANS. This study aims to demonstrate the feasibility and safety of epicardial ablation of the GPs with PF during cardiac surgery with a primary efficacy outcome of prolongation of the atrial effective refractory period (AERP).

Methods
In a single-arm, prospective analysis, patients with or without a history of AF underwent epicardial GP ablation with PF during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). AERP was determined immediately pre- and post- GP ablation to assess cardiac ANS function. Holter monitors were performed to determine rhythm status and heart rate variability (HRV) at baseline and at 1-month post-procedure.

Results
Of 24 patients, 23 (96%) received the full ablation protocol. No device-related adverse effects were noted. GP ablation resulted in a 20.7 ± 19.9% extension in AERP (P < 0.001). Post-operative AF was observed in 7 (29%) patients. Holter monitoring demonstrated an increase in mean heart rate (74.0 ± 8.7 vs. 80.6 ± 12.3, P = 0.01). There were no significant changes in HRV. There were no study-related complications.

Conclusions
This study demonstrates the safety and feasibility of epicardial ablation of the GP using PF to modulate the ANS during cardiac surgery. Large, randomized analyses are necessary to determine whether epicardial PF ablation can offer a meaningful impact on the cardiac ANS and reduce AF.

Trial registration
Clinical trial registration: NCT04775264.
Evaluation of copper slag and stainless steel slag as replacements for blast furnace slag in binary and ternary alkali-activated cements
Authors: Stefanini Laura , Ghorbani Saeid , De Schutter Geert , Matthys Stijn , Walkley Brant , Provis John L. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractCommonly used alkali activation precursors such as blast furnace slag and fly ash will soon become less available due to resource competition, and may cease to be produced in certain regions. This limitation in future supply is a main driving force for the investigation of alternative precursor sources, such as non-blast furnace slags and non-ferrous slags, to produce alkali-activated binders. The current study investigates the incorporation of copper slag (CS) and stainless steel slag resulting from electric arc furnace operations (EAFSS) as partial replacements for ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) in producing alkali-activated materials (AAMs), at paste level. Five binary alkali-activated mixtures with different replacement levels of GGBFS with CS, and three ternary mixtures with both CS and EAFSS as partial and total replacements for GGBFS, are activated by a sodium silicate solution. Replacing GGBFS with CS and EAFSS retards the reaction kinetics, resulting in improved fresh-state properties of the investigated AAMs, better retention of workability and longer setting times. The reaction of alkali-activated 100% CS shows minimal initial exothermic activity until 3.5 h, when a single intense peak appears, representing delayed dissolution and subsequent polycondensation. X-ray diffraction (XRD) data indicate that the main crystalline phases of CS and EAFSS are stable in these alkaline systems; it is the glassy components that react. The use of CS and EAFSS in blended AAMs causes a minor increase in porosity of ~ 1–3% with respect to GGBFS only, and a small reduction in compressive and flexural strengths, although these reach 80 MPa and 8 MPa, respectively, after 28 days, even at a replacement level over 65 wt. %. Conversely, the 100% CS mixture exhibits a one-day compressive strength of 23 MPa, with a negligible increase thereafter. This result agrees with both FTIR and SEM analysis which highlight only minor changes in binder development after two days. It is believed that the unusual behaviour of CS in the investigated mixtures is related to the low availability of calcium in this precursor material.
Evidence to Act: LGBTIQ-Inclusive Family Violence Service Provision in Australia and the Politicisation of Data Gaps
Authors: Lusby Stephanie , Lim Gene , Carman Marina , Bourne Adam 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Purpose
There are inadequate resources available to support lesbian, gay, bi + , trans and gender diverse, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) people experiencing family violence in Australia. Government funding agencies and mainstream family violence service providers regularly state that there is insufficient evidence to justify investment in more inclusive services. This article explores practitioner perceptions of such claims.

Method
21 practitioners from mainstream and specialist LGBTIQ family violence services were interviewed about structural challenges associated with implementing LGBTIQ-inclusive family violence services. Participants’ accounts highlight the political tensions and material repercussions of epistemic definitions of ‘evidence’ as they pertain to LGBTIQ individuals’ experiences of violence within policy environments. Utilizing Carol Bacchi’s feminist policy analysis framework, we ask ‘what is the problem represented to be?’, examining participant perceptions about how evidence is currently positioned in policy and resourcing decisions pertaining to LGBTIQ family violence, and discuss its implications.

Results
Participants overwhelmingly called for more investment in research and data gathering about family violence against LGBTIQ people and provision of effective supports. Even allowing for this, participants indicated that there is also already enough existing knowledge to justify urgent expansion of LGBTIQ-inclusive services.

Conclusions
Expanded provision of services and generating a more robust evidence base about LGBTIQ family violence service needs are critically important and intertwined issues. However, the way that they are currently sequenced in policy and broader sector conversations, where ‘enough’ evidence is required in order to justify increased services, is inhibiting progress on both.
A Logical Analysis of Instrumentality Judgments: Means-End Relations in the Context of Experience and Expectations
Authors: van Berkel Kees , Lyon Tim S. , Pascucci Matteo 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThis article proposes the use of temporal logic for an analysis of instrumentality inspired by the work of G.H. von Wright. The first part of the article contains the philosophical foundations. We discuss von Wright’s general theory of agency and his account of instrumentality. Moreover, we propose several refinements to this framework via rigorous definitions of the core notions involved. In the second part, we develop a logical system called Temporal Logic of Action and Expectations ($$\textsf{TLAE}$$
TLAE
). The logic is inspired by a fragment of propositional dynamic logic based on indeterministic time. The system is proven to be weakly complete relative to its given semantics. We then employ $$\textsf{TLAE}$$
TLAE
to formalise and analyse the instrumentality relations defined in the first part of the paper. Last, we point out philosophical implications and possible extensions of our work.
New characterizations of ruled real hypersurfaces in complex projective space
Authors: Pérez Juan de Dios , Pérez-López David 
Published: August 2023

AbstractWe consider real hypersurfacesMin complex projective space equipped with both the Levi–Civita and generalized Tanaka–Webster connections. For any nonnull constantkand any symmetric tensor field of type (1, 1)LonM, we can define two tensor fields of type (1, 2) onM,$$L_F^{(k)}$$LF(k)and$$L_T^{(k)}$$LT(k), related to both connections. We study the behaviour of the structure operator$$\phi $$ϕwith respect to such tensor fields in the particular case of$$L=A$$L=A, the shape operator ofM, and obtain some new characterizations of ruled real hypersurfaces in complex projective space.
Rogue waves on the periodic wave background in the Kadomtsev–Petviashvili I equation
Authors: Zhaqilao  , Wurile  , Bao Xia 
Published: August 2023

AbstractRogue waves arising on the background of two families of periodic standing waves in the Kadomtsev–Petviashvili I (KPI) equation are investigated. By the nonlinearization of spectral problem and Darboux transformation approach, the rogue wave solutions of the KPI equation on the Jacobian elliptic functions dn and cn background are derived. Darboux transformation is also used to introduce trigonometric function periodic background for the higher-order rogue wave in the KPI equation. On the plane wave background, some rogue waves, breathers and hybrid waves in the KPI equation are obtained as a byproduct in this paper. Moreover, the results represented in this paper enrich the dynamics of$$(2+1)$$(2+1)dimensional nonlinear wave equations.
Utilization of Rosuvastatin and Endogenous Biomarkers in Evaluating the Impact of Ritlecitinib on BCRP, OATP1B1, and OAT3 Transporter Activity
Authors: Huh Yeamin , Plotka Anna , Wei Hua , Kaplan Julia , Raha Nancy , Towner Justin , Purohit Vivek S. , Dowty Martin E. , Wolk Robert , Vourvahis Manoli , King-Ahmad Amanda , Mathialagan Sumathy , West Mark A. , Lazzaro Sarah , Ryu Sangwoo , Rodrigues A. David 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Ritlecitinib, an inhibitor of Janus kinase 3 and tyrosine kinase expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma family kinases, is in development for inflammatory diseases. This study assessed the impact of ritlecitinib on drug transporters using a probe drug and endogenous biomarkers.

Methods
In vitro transporter-mediated substrate uptake and inhibition by ritlecitinib and its major metabolite were evaluated. Subsequently, a clinical drug interaction study was conducted in 12 healthy adult participants to assess the effect of ritlecitinib on pharmacokinetics of rosuvastatin, a substrate of breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B1 (OATP1B1), and organic anion transporter 3 (OAT3). Plasma concentrations of coproporphyrin I (CP-I) and pyridoxic acid (PDA) were assessed as endogenous biomarkers for OATP1B1 and OAT1/3 function, respectively.

Results
In vitro studies suggested that ritlecitinib can potentially inhibit BCRP, OATP1B1 and OAT1/3 based on regulatory cutoffs. In the subsequent clinical study, coadministration of ritlecitinib decreased rosuvastatin plasma exposure area under the curve from time 0 to infinity (AUCinf) by  ~ 13% and maximum concentration (Cmax) by  ~ 27% relative to rosuvastatin administered alone. Renal clearance was comparable in the absence and presence of ritlecitinib coadministration. PK parameters of AUCinf and Cmax for CP-I and PDA were also similar regardless of ritlecitinib coadministration.

Conclusion
Ritlecitinib does not inhibit BCRP, OATP1B1, and OAT3 and is unlikely to cause a clinically relevant interaction through these transporters. Furthermore, our findings add to the body of evidence supporting the utility of CP-I and PDA as endogenous biomarkers for assessment of OATP1B1 and OAT1/3 transporter activity.
Is India’s largest fertilizer manufacturer misleading farmers and society using dubious plant and soil science?
Authors: Frank Max , Husted Søren 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Background and Aims
The accessibility and relatively low cost of nitrogen (N) fertilizers have been a gift to humankind and made it possible to feed the exponentially growing world population. The excessive use of N, in combination with a poor N use efficiency (NUE) in crop production, is associated with severe environmental impacts, and the scientific community has repeatedly warned that the safe operating space for N within the planetary boundaries has been exceeded. In the light of these considerations, a global player and India’s largest fertilizer manufacturer, the Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative (IFFCO), has recently developed and patented a nanotechnology-based fertilizer marketed as Nano Urea (liquid). Strikingly, the producers state that it is now possible to replace a 45 kg bag of conventional urea, containing 21 kg N, by foliar application of just 20 g N in the form of nano urea (NU). If so, N from this novel high-tech fertilizer product should be able to increase the NUE of crops more than 1000 times compared to conventional urea. This year, the Indian government and IFFCO announced plans to massively boost production by building 10 new factories, with an annual production capacity of 440 million bottles NU by 2025 and to expand export of the product to another 25 countries, mainly situated in Asia, Africa and South-America. In the marketing of NU, IFFCO states that there is scientific evidence for distinct beneficial properties in terms of higher crop yields and reduced negative environmental impacts. Similar ambitions have recently been presented for Nano Zinc, Nano Copper, and Nano Di-Ammonium-Phosphate, a product that entered the market in March 2023.

Methods
In this Opinion Paper, we compare the claims made by IFFCO scientists to the existing scientific evidence in the field of foliar nanofertilizers.

Results
We observe that NU is a poorly described product with no scientifically proven effects. The product is marketed with misleading and wrong statements about its fertilizer efficiency, the underlying plant uptake pathways, and the environmental friendliness.

Conclusion
The expectations raised by IFFCO are far from reality and may lead to large-scale yield losses with serious consequences for food security and the livelihood of farmers. At the same time, the confidence in innovative sustainable products as well as the science behind them may be threatened. Based on the IFFCO case, and considering the booming emergence of novel nano based fertilizers appearing all over the world these years, it is clear that much more priority should be given to scientifically prove their efficacy and mode of action, before they are launched on the markets.
Native mycorrhizal communities in maize roots as affected by plant genotype, starter fertilization and a seed-applied biostimulant
Authors: Ujvári Gergely , Grassi Arianna , Cristani Caterina , Pagliarani Irene , Avio Luciano , Blandino Massimo , Capo Luca , Giovannetti Manuela , Turrini Alessandra , Agnolucci Monica 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Background and aims
One of the most promising strategies for sustainable intensification of crop production involves the utilization of beneficial root-associated microorganisms, such as plant growth-promoting bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). The aim of this study was to investigate whether a seed-applied biostimulant, based on the bacterial strain Bacillus amyloliquefaciens IT-45 and a plant polysaccharide extract, and crop enhancement tools, such as hybrids with contrasting early vigor and nitrogen (N) plus phosphorus (P) starter fertilization, and their interactions, shape the communities of native root-colonizing AMF symbionts in maize.

Methods
A factorial growth chamber experiment was set up with two maize genotypes in natural soil. Mycorrhizal colonization was evaluated after root staining. The diversity and composition of AMF communities were assessed by PCR-DGGE of the 18S rRNA gene and amplicon sequencing.

Results
N and P fertilization determined a consistent reduction of AMF root colonization and, in combination of biostimulant, a reduction of AMF richness. The biostimulant alone generally did not affect AMF colonization or the community biodiversity. In addition the effect of the two factors were modulated by maize genotype. In all treatments, predominant AMF were represented by Glomus sp. and Funneliformis mosseae, while populations of the genus Rhizoglomus were rarely detected in biostimulant and NP fertilization treatments.

Conclusion
The results of this study increase our understanding of how the biostimulant seed treatment may affect native AMF communities, depending on NP fertilization and maize genotype and may improve the implementation of innovative tools in sustainable and resilient agroecosystems.