bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spatiotemporal Growth of Seismic‐Scale Syn‐Flexural Normal Faults in the German Molasse Basin
Authors: Eskens Lucas H. J. , Andrić‐Tomašević Nevena , Kumar Ajay , Scheck‐Wenderoth Magdalena 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTFlexure in pro‐foreland basins results from the interplay between (sub)surface loading, foreland plate strength, inherited crustal architecture, and the degree of plate coupling. It is expected that lateral variations in these controlling mechanisms will result in along‐strike variations in the flexural profile of the foreland basin. This will directly influence the position and width of the forebulge, thereby altering the associated extensional stress field in space and time around which syn‐flexural normal faults accommodate deformation. As such, spatiotemporal variations in the growth of the syn‐flexural normal faults in foreland basins may provide valuable information regarding the evolution of an orogen‐foreland basin system. However, the relation between syn‐flexural normal fault growth and the mechanisms controlling foreland basin flexure remains underexplored. Here, we quantify lateral and vertical throw distributions for growth strata of syn‐flexural normal faults in the German Molasse Basin. This allowed us to develop a 4D fault growth model. Our results indicate that the flexure in the German Molasse was associated with both the nucleation of new faults and selective reactivation of pre‐flexural faults, with the latter depending on fault burial depth at the onset of flexure. Furthermore, our results suggest that localisation of the extensional strain and deformation at the top of the European plate during flexure controlled the nucleation site of the syn‐flexural normal faults in the German Molasse. Additionally, the spatiotemporal variation in the onset of syn‐flexural normal fault activity suggests a northward migration rate of 7.8 mm/year of the orogen‐foreland basin system. This is consistent with previous estimates based on other independent methods. Lastly, a west‐to‐east increase in cumulative syn‐flexural offsets down‐dip the normal faults in the German Molasse Basin may have been controlled by orogen‐parallel lithospheric strength variations in the downgoing European plate.
Synthesis and Investigation of Peptide–Drug Conjugates Comprising Camptothecin and a Human Protein‐Derived Cell‐Penetrating Peptide
Authors: Palombi Isabella R. , White Andrew M. , Koda Yasuko , Craik David J. , Lawrence Nicole , Malins Lara R. 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTDrug targeting strategies, such as peptide–drug conjugates (PDCs), have arisen to combat the issue of off‐target toxicity that is commonly associated with chemotherapeutic small molecule drugs. Here we investigated the ability of PDCs comprising a human protein‐derived cell‐penetrating peptide—platelet factor 4‐derived internalization peptide (PDIP)—as a targeting strategy to improve the selectivity of camptothecin (CPT), a topoisomerase I inhibitor that suffers from off‐target toxicity. The intranuclear target of CPT allowed exploration of PDC design features required for optimal potency. A suite of PDCs with various structural characteristics, including alternative conjugation strategies (such as azide–alkyne cycloaddition and disulfide conjugation) and linker types (non‐cleavable or cleavable), were synthesized and investigated for their anticancer activity. Membrane permeability and cytotoxicity studies revealed that intact PDIP‐CPT PDCs can cross membranes, and that PDCs with disulfide‐ and protease‐cleavable linkers liberated free CPT and killed melanoma cells with nanomolar potency. However, selectivity of the PDIP carrier peptide for melanoma compared to noncancerous epidermal cells was not maintained for the PDCs. This study emphasizes the distinct role of the peptide, linker, and drug for optimal PDC activity and highlights the need to carefully match components when assembling PDCs as targeted therapies.
Interplay of Weight Status and Sleep Autonomic Function in Mediating and Moderating the Link Between Disease Severity and Blood Pressure in Paediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
Authors: Chao Yuan , Chuang Hai‐Hua , Lin Wan‐Ni , Hsin Li‐Jen , Fang Tuan‐Jen , Li Hsueh‐Yu , Huang Chung‐Guei , Lee Li‐Ang 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTIntroductionObstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in children is associated with numerous adverse outcomes, including elevated blood pressure. While the associations between OSA, obesity, and autonomic dysfunction are recognised, the precise mechanisms linking these factors and their relationship with elevated blood pressure in children remain unclear.MethodsThis retrospective case series included 76 children with OSA. The relationships between night‐time systolic and diastolic blood pressures, body mass index, and clinical, polysomnographic, and sleep heart rate variability variables were investigated. Mediation and moderation analyses were performed.ResultsCorrelation analyses revealed significant associations between both systolic and diastolic blood pressures with body mass index, age, sex, adenoidal‐nasopharyngeal ratio, apnoea‐hypopnoea index, and sleep low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF) ratio. In multivariable linear regression models, body mass index, adenoidal‐nasopharyngeal ratio, and LF/HF ratio were independently associated with systolic blood pressure, while body mass index and adenoidal‐nasopharyngeal ratio were independently associated with diastolic blood pressure. Mediation and moderation analyses identified a conceptual mediation with a moderated direct path model in which body mass index mediated, and the LF/HF ratio moderated, the relationship between apnoea‐hypopnoea index and systolic blood pressure. Additionally, children with concomitant OSA and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder had a significantly higher LF/HF ratio than those with OSA alone.ConclusionIn children with OSA, the relationship between apnoea‐hypopnoea index and systolic blood pressure was mediated by weight status and modulated by sleep sympathovagal balance. Children with OSA and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder exhibited greater disturbances in sympathovagal balance. Further research is warranted to explore these associations.
Significance of Combining Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid With Targeted Next‐Generation Sequencing in the Pathogen Detection‐Based Diagnosis of Pulmonary Infections
Authors: Liu Jiangbo , Yang Bo , Wu Yu , Yang Guihong , Zha Xiaojiu , Jiang Wei 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTObjectiveIn this study, we investigated the application value of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) combined with targeted next‐generation sequencing (tNGS) in the pathogen detection‐based diagnosis of patients with lung infections.MethodA retrospective analysis was conducted on patients who underwent tracheoscopy and conventional microbiological tests (CMTs) on BALF, coupled with metagenomic next‐generation sequencing (mNGS) or tNGS. This investigation encompassed individuals with suspected lung infections at Tianjin First Central Hospital from March 2023 to July 2023. Diagnostic rates based on pathogens detected via tNGS were compared with CMTs within the tNGS group. Additionally, diagnostic rates obtained through tNGS were compared with mNGS between the two groups.ResultsThe data of a total of 169 patients (78 in the tNGS group and 91 in the mNGS group) were collected, and 145 patients (67 in the tNGS group and 78 in the mNGS group) were finally diagnosed with lung infections. The comprehensive positive pathogen detection‐based diagnosis rate for tNGS was 86.6%, with a single‐pathogen lung infection diagnosis rate of 85.7% and a mixed‐pathogen pulmonary infection diagnosis rate of 88.0%. In contrast, the overall positive pathogen detection‐based diagnosis rate for CMTs was 38.8%, comprising a single‐pathogen pulmonary infection diagnosis rate of 28.6% and a mixed‐pathogen pulmonary infection diagnosis rate of 20.0%. The difference in positive diagnosis rate was deemed statistically significant (p < 0.05). In the mNGS group, the overall pathogen detection‐based diagnosis rate was 89.7%, with a single‐pathogen pulmonary infection diagnosis rate of 84.9%, and a 100% diagnosis rate for mixed‐pathogen pulmonary infections. There was no statistically significant difference in the positive diagnosis rate when compared with the tNGS group (p > 0.05).ConclusionIn patients with pulmonary infections, the diagnosis rate based on BALF pathogen detection using tNGS exceeded that of CMTs, showing no statistically significant difference compared to mNGS.
Impact of motor features on non‐motor symptoms in patients with de novo Parkinson's disease: Cognition, depression, anxiety, fatigue, and dysautonomia
Authors: Kwon Kyum‐Yil , Joo Byung‐Euk , You Jihwan , Kim Rae On 
Published: January 2025

AimPatients with Parkinson's disease (PD) present with both motor and non‐motor symptoms, and understanding the interplay between these symptoms is crucial for individualized patient care. This study aims to investigate the relationship between motor features and non‐motor symptoms in patients with de novo PD.MethodsA total of 105 patients were analyzed, focusing on motor subtypes or subscores and their impact on cognition, depression, anxiety, fatigue, and dysautonomia. We utilized the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale–part III (UPDRS‐III) for motor assessment, and various validated scales for non‐motor symptoms.ResultsCompared with tremor‐dominant (TD) patients, non‐TD patients showed severe scores in fatigue and dysautonomia, but no difference in other non‐motor symptoms, including global cognition, depression, and anxiety. Linear regression analysis revealed that the total motor score of UPDRS‐III was negatively related to global cognition (β = −0.4454, P = 0.0121). As a post‐hoc analysis, partial correlation analysis showed that rigidity and bradykinesia subscores were associated with global cognition (r = −0.3527, P = 0.0004; r = −0.2206, P = 0.0299, respectively), whereas the postural instability/gait difficulty subscore was associated with depression, anxiety, fatigue, and dysautonomia (r = 0.2181, P = 0.0319; r = 0.2371, P = 0.0194; r = 0.3659, P = 0.0002; r = 0.3968, P = 0.0001, respectively) but not with global cognition.ConclusionsThese results suggest that motor features in the early stages of PD can serve as important indicators of non‐motor symptoms, potentially guiding more personalized therapeutic approaches. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2025; ••: ••–••.
Influence of the MgO content on zirconia‐toughened alumina ceramic slurry properties and sintered body microstructure
Authors: Shuangyu Liu , Hongtao Chu , Ping Lu , Fulong Zhang , Binhua Wang , Machibya Ferdinand , Jun Gao , Chuanjin Huang , Xi Wang , Juan Hong 
Published: January 2025

AbstractComplex ceramic components fabricated using the Vat photopolymerization ceramic 3D printing technology (VPP) exhibit mechanical anisotropy both within and between the printed layers. To address this issue, the effects of different MgO vol% on the self‐leveling properties, green body forming characteristics, microstructure of the sintered bodies, and mechanical properties of ZTA ceramic slurries were investigated. The results indicate that the layered structure of the ceramic component significantly improved with the addition of 0.75 vol% MgO. The fabricated MgO–ZTA ceramic gear exhibited high surface precision, while MgO enhanced the diffusion coefficient of Al₂O₃. The results showed that the optimized matching of flexural strength (454 MPa), fracture toughness (6.97 Mpa·m1/2), microhardness (2568 HV), and density (3.975 g·cm⁻3) was acquired by ZTA ceramic with a MgO content of 0.75 vol%.The reaction at the grain boundaries produced MgAl₂O₄, which improved boundary strength and prevented abnormal grain growth through a pinning effect, thereby enhancing the mechanical properties of the ceramic components. An appropriate amount of MgO not only reduced the uneven distribution of ceramic particles during 3D printing but also improved the surface precision and mechanical properties of the ceramic components. The research results provide foundational data for the fabrication of high‐performance ZTA ceramic parts.
A comparative study on microstructures and slag resistance of Al2O3–MgO castables with dense and lightweight aggregates
Authors: Chen Qingjie , Chen Rongchang , Zhang Wandi , He Yang , Chen Jidong , Li Nan 
Published: January 2025

AbstractLightweight Al2O3–MgO refractory castables were prepared using microporous corundum–spinel aggregate, which was fabricated using the Kirkendall effect. The physical properties, microstructure, thermal conductivity, and slag resistance of the castables were analyzed using X‐ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermodynamic calculations. A comparative analysis was carried out between these findings and the corresponding ones for dense aggregates of Al2O3–MgO castables. Compared with dense aggregates, the reaction between microporous aggregate and matrix results in a smaller pore size in lightweight aggregate castables. The less soluble spinel in the microporous aggregate contributes to the reduced solubility of lightweight castables in slag, thus enhancing their corrosion resistance. Porous aggregates could absorb more Fe2+/Mn2+ ions from slag than dense aggregates, resulting in an increased viscosity of the slag. This, combined with the small pore size of the matrix, contributes to the superior penetration resistance of the lightweight aggregates castable compared with the dense aggregates castable. Consequently, lightweight aggregate castables exhibit superior corrosion and penetration resistance compared with dense aggregate castables. In contrast to dense aggregates castables, lightweight aggregates castables exhibit a 16.3% reduction in bulk density, an 8.2% decrease in thermal conductivity, and a notable enhancement in slag corrosion resistance.
Strength and microstructure evolutions of calcium aluminate cement bonded alumina‐spinel castables containing Cr2O3 in the presence of ZnO
Authors: Liu Jintong , Dong Yifan , Qiu Xin , Ma Haoxuan , Li Tianqin , Liu Xinhong , Jia Quanli 
Published: January 2025

AbstractUnfired calcium aluminate cement (CAC) bonded alumina‐spinel based plug precasts have many advantages including energy saving, shorter placement period, lower cost and good thermal shock resistance in comparison with fired purging plugs. Unfortunately, their strength was drastically decreased in the range of 700°C–1000°C, which was attributed to the destruction of the hydrates network of the castables, and structural spalling was also occurred because of their lower strength. To respond these, a feasible method to fabricate higher strength of unfired precast was proposed by adding ZnO powders, and the effect of the ZnO content on the microstructure and properties of the castables was studied in this paper. Results demonstrate that cold strength of the specimens after heat‐treating at different temperatures increases significantly by rising of the ZnO level, permanent linear change of the castables after firing at 1400°C and 1600°C decreases, and hot strength value noticeably increases from 36.3 to 58.4 MPa, exhibited that cold and hot strength of CAC bonded castables significantly improve via adding ZnO powders. Strengthening mechanism on the strength of ZnO‐bearing castables is ascribed to formation of ZnAl2O4 and ZnCr2O4, and their strengthening effect is much higher than that of the weakening effect by CAC hydration products fired at 600°C–1000°C, and this strength reinforcing effect is intensified with rising of heat‐treating temperature. In addition, ZnCr2O4 and ZnAl2O4 can dispense in MA spinel grains to form spinel solid solution at 1400°C–1600°C, (Al1−xCrx)2O3 solid solution is formed via Cr2O3 reacts with Al2O3. Those favor the densification process of the matrix structure, creating strength reinforcing effect of the ZnO‐containing castables, thereby significantly increase their strength.
How Do User Commitment and Lean Usage Promote Rich Usage in Social Virtual Worlds: Differential and Quadratic Relationships
Authors: Zhou Zhongyun , Fang Yulin , Jin Xiao‐Ling 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTSocial virtual world (SVW) platforms face a critical challenge to retain a sound base of active users, which is key to their success and requires a deep understanding of how much (lean usage) and how exactly (rich usage) users' usage behaviours occur in these platforms. While both lean and rich usage are pivotal considerations in the SVW context, prior research has primarily assumed an omnibus conceptualisation of SVW usage that does not differentiate subtypes of usage. This results in limited knowledge about the sophisticated relationships and differences between lean and rich usage, making it difficult to reconcile inconclusive findings regarding how SVW usage is affected by its antecedents (e.g., commitment). In this paper, we draw upon the tripartite view of system usage to substantiate lean and rich usage constructs in the SVW context. Then, based upon the sociotechnical perspective (particularly the concepts of multifinality and equifinality) and the literature on SVW usage, we develop a research model to investigate the curvilinear relationships between lean usage (manifested in the extent and breadth of usage) and rich usage (represented by task variety and cognitive absorption), and the differential effects of two commitment components (affective and calculative commitment) on rich versus lean usage in the SVW context. Using two‐wave field survey data from 312 users of Second Life (a pioneering SVW platform), we find sophisticated (linear/quadratic) relationships between lean and rich usage constructs: the extent of usage triggers the breadth of usage and task variety, and has a convex (U‐shaped) relationship with cognitive absorption; the breadth of usage is positively related to cognitive absorption and has a concave (inverted J‐shaped) relationship with task variety. Furthermore, we confirm that affective commitment positively affects both lean and rich usage, whereas calculative commitment directly triggers only lean usage (the breadth of usage) but not rich usage. These findings have important theoretical implications for the research on SVW usage and commitment and provide useful insights for SVW practitioners to promote users' prolonged and active usage behaviours.
Moral Disengagement and Charitable Giving: Experimental Evidence From South Africa
Authors: Chingwere Fadzayi , Nicholls Nicky , Yitbarek Eleni 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTMoral disengagement has been linked to harmful behaviour and reduced inclination to assist others. Charitable giving, a form of assistance to others, is an important form of domestic resource mobilization in middle‐income countries. Moral disengagement can impact decisions regarding charitable giving by enabling individuals to rationalize less generous behaviour. We conducted a survey to investigate how moral disengagement varies across demographic groups and whether moral disengagement helps explain charitable giving. Because studies have shown that interventions can reduce moral disengagement, research highlighting groups demonstrating more moral disengagement can help to target such interventions. Understanding factors associated with moral disengagement can also show whether such interventions might be worthy of investment. We find higher moral disengagement for men and younger and less educated and unemployed respondents. Moral disengagement was a significant predictor of self‐reported less frequent charitable giving but not of the amount donated in an incentivised giving task.
A Mixed Method Study of Nursing Students' Experiences of Discrimination Within Their Programs
Authors: Dhari Shivinder , Slemon Allie , Handlovsky Ingrid 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTAimThis research aimed to explore nursing students' experiences and perspectives on discrimination within nursing programs across classroom and clinical contexts, as well as structural discrimination through institutional policies and processes.DesignConvergent mixed methods.MethodsSurvey and individual interviews to capture students' experiences and perspectives on discrimination within nursing programs.ResultsQuantitative findings suggest that the majority of nursing students (79.2%) self‐reported experiencing discrimination during their nursing program. These experiences stem from racism, homophobia, transphobia, and mental health stigma. While most of these experiences were reported in clinical contexts from nurses, patients, and clinical educators, students also reported experiencing discrimination in classroom and program contexts through nurse educators, peers, and policies. Qualitative findings provided nuanced insights into these discriminatory experiences across contexts and sources. Additionally, findings suggest that the majority of the students perceive stigma and discrimination to be a significant issue within nursing education and recommend priorities for addressing this issue.ConclusionsDespite nursing professions' central commitment to addressing discrimination and promoting social justice, stigma and discrimination faced by nursing students within nursing programs remain a significant concern.Implications for ProfessionPreventing discrimination and promoting social justice within nursing is a central responsibility of the nursing profession. Student‐identified priorities suggest an upstream approach that involves education for nurse educators and staff to redress ongoing discrimination experienced by nursing students.ImpactThis research contributes to the growing empirical evidence that nursing students experience discrimination within nursing programs across clinical, classroom, and program contexts and highlights student‐identified priorities for addressing discrimination.Patient or Public ContributionNo patient or public contribution.
The Effect of CEO Overconfidence on Corporate Disclosures Amid a Pervasive Shock: Evidence From the COVID‐19 Pandemic
Authors: Jory Surendranath , Ngo Thanh , Susnjara Jurica 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTWe investigate how CEO overconfidence affect firms’ voluntary reporting of COVID‐19 exposure using text‐based measures of firm‐level COVID‐19 pandemic exposure reports. Our analysis of 3038 firm‐quarter earnings conference calls in 2020 reveals that overconfident CEOs express a less pessimistic tone, compared to non‐overconfident CEOs when discussing their firms’ exposure to the pandemic, and these results hold under various robustness checks. Additionally, a more pronounced negative pandemic exposure sentiment predicts weaker subsequent operating performance among non‐overconfident and overconfident CEOs alike. While increased negative sentiment leads to worse stock performance among firms with non‐overconfident CEOs, this predictive power is significantly weakened for overconfident CEOs. Our findings provide insights into how CEO overconfidence can affect firms’ disclosure behavior during a crisis and contribute to the literature on CEO overconfidence and pandemic‐related disclosures.