bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modelling financing mechanisms using mini bonds for green and zero-waste projects
Authors: Bužinskė Julija , Stankevičienė Jelena , Zopiatis Anastasios , Nguyen Thanh Hung 
Published: January 2025

PurposeTo close the gap in scientific literature and practice of applying green finance instruments, such as green mini-bonds, for financing environmentally beneficial projects with the practical application case of municipal waste reduction.Design/methodology/approachIt follows a case study and scenario analysis to investigate the financing options for green and zero-waste projects. Data for the analysis has been collected from the financial reports of waste management companies for the years 2016–2020, operating in the ten counties of Lithuania. Five scenarios have been developed for the study – financing of large-scale projects with company funds, loan financing, EU funds or subsidies, municipal green bond issuance and mixed financing. The investment analysis relies on the cost-benefit analysis principles recommended by the European Commission.FindingsThe research shows that the issuance of green mini-bonds can serve as an alternative to the funding with the EU funds, delivering the same economic benefits and providing better financial performance. Analysis also shows that the issuance of green mini-bonds is the most favourable financing option.Research limitations/implicationsFurther research can be expanded with the analysis of other municipalities in Lithuania to test the relevance of the accuracy of the conceptual model.Practical implicationsResults also show that small issuers, such as municipalities or waste management companies, can create value and cover their financing needs. As a result, municipalities can consider the issuance of mini-bonds to fund environmentally friendly projects.Originality/valueThe research provides alternatives to traditional financing ways such as bank loan financing. A new economic model of scenarios for municipal waste management was developed, and its effectiveness was evaluated.
Methodological reflections on tracing networked images
Authors: Pritchard Katrina , Williams Helen C. , Miller Maggie C. 
Published: January 2025

PurposeMany scholars highlight a need for reflexive methodological accounts to support visual research. Therefore, this paper offers detailed reflection on the methods involved in tracing and analysing 248 commercial images of entrepreneurship. This account supports our published work examining entrepreneurial masculinities and femininities, which conceptualised the gendering of entrepreneurial aesthetics, and proposed the significance of image networks in the reproduction of neoliberal ideals.Design/methodology/approachNow based on further methodological reflexivity, we offer insights on both the possibilities and challenges of tracing networked images by reviewing four methodological complexities: reflexive engagement with online images; working with and across platforms; tracing as a potentially never-ending process and montage approaches to analysis.FindingsOur account focuses on a specific form of imagery – commercial images – on a certain representation – the gendered entrepreneur – and on a particular complex site of encounter – online. This work mapped a visual repertoire of gendered entrepreneurship online by tracing visual constructions of entrepreneurial masculinity and femininity. In this paper, we open the methodological “black box” of our study and explain our belief that methodological advances can only be built through exposing our working practice.Originality/valueThrough our detailed reflective account, we aim to open discussions to aid development and use of complex visual methods online.
Dermoscopic findings in two cases of trichogerminoma
Authors: Miura George , Maeda Takuya , Ujiie Hideyuki 
Published: January 2025

AbstractTrichogerminoma (TG) is a rare, benign, cutaneous adnexal tumor originating from the hair germ epithelium. It typically presents as an asymptomatic, slowly enlarging nodule predominantly on the head, face, or trunk. Despite its benign nature, precise diagnosis is crucial because of its potential to become malignant. There has been no previous report on the dermoscopic findings of TG. In this study, we reviewed the dermoscopic findings of two cases in detail and contrasted them with the pathological findings. In the first case, an 80‐year‐old male presented with a forehead nodule that was initially suspected to be basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Dermoscopic examination revealed arborizing vessels, milia‐like cysts, and comedo‐like openings. Histological examination supported a diagnosis of TG, showing basaloid cell nests with peripheral palisading and pathognomonic “cell balls.” The second case involved a 50‐year‐old female with a nodular lesion on her scalp. Dermoscopy showed arborizing vessels, milia‐like cysts, and blue‐gray ovoid nests. Based on the presence of “cell balls” observed in histopathological examination, this case was also diagnosed as TG. This report is seminal in documenting the specific dermoscopic patterns associated with TG, notably the presence of arborizing vessels in conjunction with features indicative of adnexal differentiation, such as milia‐like cysts and comedo‐like openings. Although differentiating TG from other follicular tumors such as BCC and trichoblastoma based solely on dermoscopy is challenging, these features suggest follicular differentiation in TG. This report contributes uniquely to the existing data on TG, enhancing our understanding of this rare tumor and how to diagnose it.
Genome Analysis of Japanese Yersinia pseudotuberculosis Strains Isolated From Kawasaki Disease Patients and Other Sources and Their Phylogenetic Positions in the Global Y. pseudotuberculosis Population
Authors: Yasuoka Kazuaki , Gotoh Yasuhiro , Taniguchi Itsuki , Nagano Debora Satie , Nakamura Keiji , Mizuno Yumi , Abe Tomoko , Ogura Yoshitoshi , Nakajima Hiroshi , Uesugi Masayoshi , Miura Masaru , Seto Kazuko , Wakabayashi Yuki , Isobe Junko , Watari Takashi , Senda Sonoko , Hayakawa Noboru , Ogawa Eiki , Sato Toshio , Nanishi Etsuro , Sakai Yasunari , Kato Atsushi , Miyata Ippei , Ouchi Kazunobu , Ohga Shouichi , Hara Toshiro , Hayashi Tetsuya 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTYersinia pseudotuberculosis (Ypt) is a gram‐negative bacterium that infects both humans and animals primarily through fecal‒oral transmission. While Ypt causes acute gastroenteritis in humans, an association with Kawasaki disease (KD), a disease that primarily affects infants and young children and causes multisystemic vasculitis, has also been suspected. Although KD represents a significant health concern worldwide, the highest annual incidence rate is reported in Japan. Previously, a geographical origin‐dependent population structure of Ypt comprising the Asian, transitional, and European clades was proposed. However, genomic data on KD‐associated Ypt strains is currently unavailable. In this study, to analyze the phylogenetic and genomic features of KD‐associated strains, we determined the whole‐genome sequences of 35 Japanese Ypt strains, including 11 KD‐associated strains, and constructed a genome set (n = 204) representing the global population of Ypt by adding publicly available Ypt genomes. In a phylogenetic analysis, all sequenced Japanese strains, including the KD‐associated strains, belonged to the Asian clade, which appeared to be the ancestral clade of Ypt, and the KD‐associated strains belonged to multiple lineages in this clade. Strains from patients with Far East scarlet‐like fever (FESLF), a KD‐related disease, also belonged to the Asian clade. Moreover, no KD strain‐specific genes were identified in pan‐genome‐wide association study analyses. Notably, however, the gene encoding a superantigen called Yersinia pseudotuberculosis‐derived mitogen (YPM) showed a distribution pattern highly biased to the Asian clade. Although further studies are needed, our results suggest that Asian clade strains may have a greater potential to trigger KD.
Tenderness in meat and meat alternatives: Structural and processing fundamentals
Authors: Xie Hexiang , Grossmann Lutz 
Published: January 2025

AbstractThe demand for meat alternatives based on ingredients sourced from nonanimal materials with equivalent quality of muscle tissue is increasing. As more consumers switch to meat alternatives, a growing body of research has investigated the tenderness and related texture attributes in plant‐based meats to increase consumer acceptance. A deeper understanding of tenderness including the differences and similarities between meat and meat alternatives is crucial to developing products that meet consumer expectations, as it directly influences consumer acceptance. Meat tenderness is commonly quantified using sensory evaluation and instrumental tests and is influenced by various factors such as the intrinsic features of the animal before the slaughter, naturally occurring proteolysis during the post‐slaughter process, and several tenderization techniques. In contrast, meat alternative tenderness can be actively tailored through the selection of ingredients and the operating conditions of the structuring process. Especially, extrusion parameters such as moisture content and barrel temperature can greatly modulate tenderness‐related attributes. Postprocessing methods that have traditionally been utilized for tenderizing have also been applied to meat alternatives, but more studies are needed to fully reveal the underlying mechanisms. This review offers an overview and critical discussion on tenderness, covering the structural origins, influencing factors, analytical methods, oral processing, and tenderization processes for both meat and meat alternatives. The discussion is based on the existing knowledge of muscle tissue, which evolves to critically reviewing how this understanding can be applied to the textural attributes of meat alternatives and what kind of novel tenderization techniques can be developed for these new sustainable food products.
What Are the Performance Indicators for Successful New Product Development Projects in Small and Medium‐Sized Enterprises?*
Authors: Blais Caroline , St‐Pierre Josée 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTNew product development (NPD) has become essential for many small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) to ensure their competitiveness and survival. However, NPD is fraught with pitfalls that can lead to project failure. To increase the likelihood of success, SMEs need to monitor the performance of their NPD projects using accurate indicators. The literature is underdeveloped when it comes to the indicators used by SMEs, with most research focusing on larger companies. Our research aims to fill this gap by taking a closer look at the indicators used by five Canadian SMEs that have successfully carried out NPD projects. Drawing on resource‐based view theory, we identify the stages and activities carried out and the indicators used at different points in the NPD process of SMEs characterized by some resource constraints. Situation awareness theory helps to select quality criteria in the identification of indicators such as measurability. Our results show that a wide variety of indicators are used by SMEs to measure different dimensions of performance. Many of these indicators have not been previously identified in the literature.
6‐Nitrodopamine is an endogenous mediator of rat seminal vesicles contractility
Authors: Fuguhara Vivian , Stocco Gabriel Augusto Oliveira , Britto‐Júnior José , Ribeiro Luiz Fernando , Scarini João Figueira , Mariano Fernanda Viviane , de Souza Valéria B. , Schenka Andre Almeida , Antunes Edson , De Nucci Gilberto 
Published: January 2025

AbstractBackground6‐Nitrodopamine (6‐ND) released from rat vas deferens acts an endogenous modulator of vas deferens contractility.ObjectivesTo investigate whether rat isolated seminal vesicles (RISV) releases 6‐ND, the mechanisms involved in the release, and the modulatory role of 6‐ND on tissue contractility.MethodsRat seminal vesicles were removed and placed in Krebs–Henseleit's solution at 37°C for 30 min, and an aliquot was used to analyze the concentrations of 6‐ND, dopamine, noradrenaline, and adrenaline by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). The effect of mechanical removal of the epithelium and the effects of pre‐incubation of RISV strips with Nω‐nitro‐L‐arginine methyl ester (L‐NAME; in combination or not with L‐arginine), tetrodotoxin (TTX), GKT137831, and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on 6‐ND release were evaluated. For functional studies, RISV strips were mounted in an organ bath and tied to an isometric force transducer. The expressions of tyrosine hydroxylase and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS, type III NOS) were investigated by immunohistochemistry and/or fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).Results6‐ND was the major released catecholamine from RISV strips compared with noradrenaline, adrenaline, and dopamine. Epithelium removal significantly reduced the release of 6‐ND, noradrenaline and dopamine. In RISV strips obtained from animals chronically treated with L‐NAME, the 6‐ND release significantly reduced. Pre‐incubation with L‐NAME reduced 6‐ND release, which was partly restored by co‐incubation with L‐arginine. Pre‐incubation with TTX had no effect on the release of any catecholamine, whereas GKT137831 and H2O2 significantly increased 6‐ND release. All catecholamines produced concentration‐dependent RISV contractions, but 6‐ND was approximately 30× less potent than the others. 6‐ND (0.1 nM) significantly potentiated noradrenaline‐, adrenaline‐, and dopamine‐induced contractions, with such potentiations inhibited by TTX. Immunohistochemistry and FISH assays in RISV tissues identified tyrosine hydroxylase in epithelial cells and eNOS expression in both epithelial and endothelial cells.Discussion and conclusionThis is the first demonstration that epithelial‐derived 6‐ND modulates rat seminal vesicle contractility.
The Relationship Between Family Socio‐Economic Status and Preschool Children Parents' Parenting Sense of Competence: The Chain Mediating Role of Social Support and Psychological Capital
Authors: Yuan Haojie , Yan Zhonglian , Yue Yaping , Zhao Yifei , Lei Jiayuan 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTThe present study investigated the potential mediating role of social support and parental psychological capital in the relationship between family socio‐economic status and parenting sense of competence among preschool parents in China. Stratified sampling was employed for participant selection, with a total of 1473 parents completing questionnaires on family socio‐economic status, social support, psychological capital and parenting sense of competence. The findings revealed positive correlations between family socio‐economic status, social support, psychological capital and parenting sense of competence among parents of preschool children. Moreover, social support and psychological capital were found to play a chain mediating role in the relationship between family socio‐economic status and parental parenting sense of competence for preschool children. These results suggest that high‐quality social support should be provided within the Chinese context to cultivate positive psychological capital and enhance parental parenting sense of competence, thereby mitigating the impact of low family socio‐economic status on parenting stress.
Atopische Dermatitis und die Auswirkungen auf Schwangerschaft und Nachkommen: Eine landesweite bevölkerungsbasierte Studie in Taiwan
Authors: Weng Pei‐Chun , Zhang Jun‐Fu , Kuo Chang‐Fu , Huang Yu‐Huei 
Published: January 2025

ZusammenfassungHintergrund und ZieleFrühere Studien haben ein erhöhtes Risiko für Schwangerschaftskomplikationen bei werdenden Müttern mit atopischer Dermatitis (AD) gezeigt. Der Zusammenhang zwischen mütterlicher AD und ungünstigen Schwangerschafts‐ und Geburtsergebnissen bei Asiaten ist bisher jedoch nicht untersucht worden. Ziel dieser Studie war es, den Zusammenhang zwischen mütterlicher AD und ungünstigen Schwangerschafts‐ und Geburtsergebnissen in Taiwan zu untersuchen.Patienten und MethodikIn dieser retrospektiven Kohortenstudie wurden Daten aus der Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database und der Taiwan Maternal and Child Health Database zwischen 2003 und 2019 gesammelt. Es wurden 15 495 Mütter mit AD und 77 475 Mütter ohne AD sowie 19 173 Kinder von Müttern mit AD und 95 865 Kinder von Müttern ohne AD rekrutiert Die Gruppen wurden mittels Propensity Score Matching abgeglichen. Die maternalen und kindlichen Verläufe wurden in den mütterlichen und kindlichen Kohorten verglichen.ErgebnisseMütter mit AD wiesen ein erhöhtes Risiko auf für drohende Frühgeburten, Präeklampsie/Eklampsie, vorzeitigen Blasensprung, drohende vorzeitige Wehen ohne Entbindung, fetale Wachstumsrestriktion, ante‐ und postpartale Blutungen, Anämie, chirurgische Komplikationen, Infektionen, pulmonale und renale Ereignisse mit adjustierten Hazard Ratios von 1,09–1,71. Kinder von Müttern mit AD hatten ein erhöhtes Risiko für AD, allergische Rhinitis, Asthma, Alopecia areata und Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit‐/Hyperaktivitätsstörung mit adjustierten Hazard Ratios von 1,05–2,29.SchlussfolgerungenEs besteht ein signifikanter Zusammenhang zwischen mütterlicher atopischer Dermatitis (AD) und ungünstigen Schwangerschafts‐ und kindlichen Verläufen in Taiwan.
Metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease and cancer risk: A cohort study
Authors: Peng Yu , Wang Peng , Liu Fubin , Wang Xixuan , Si Changyu , Gong Jianxiao , Zhou Huijun , Gu Jiale , Qin Ailing , Song Weijie , Song Fangfang 
Published: January 2025

AbstractBackgroundFatty liver disease may be associated with increased risks of intrahepatic and extrahepatic cancers. Our objective was to investigate associations between new subcategories of steatotic liver disease (SLD) recently proposed by nomenclature consensus group and cancer risk.MethodsA total of 283 238 participants from the UK Biobank were included. Based on information on cardiometabolic factors, alcohol consumption and the specific aetiology of SLD, individuals were categorized into four groups: no SLD (n = 170 885), metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD, n = 74 510), MASLD with increased alcohol intake (MetALD, n = 23 320) and other SLD (n = 6718). Outcomes were overall incident cancer (n = 39 352) and 21 site‐specific cancers. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate relationships between subcategories of SLD and cardiometabolic factors in MASLD with cancer risk. Population attributable risk (PAR) of cancer associated with SLD was estimated.ResultsMASLD was the most prevalent SLD in the general population. All SLD subcategories were associated with elevated risks of overall cancer, digestive system cancers (except gastric cancer) and breast cancer (HRs 1.079–4.663). Additionally, MASLD was associated with increased risks of renal cancer, endometrial cancer and Hodgkin lymphoma. Compared to MetALD and other SLDs, MASLD has a higher PAR% for the majority of aforementioned cancers. This could be largely explained by its common metabolic abnormalities, dominantly characterized by overweight/obesity and elevated blood pressure, concomitant with hyperglycaemia and hyperlipidaemia.ConclusionsAll subcategories of SLD, particularly MASLD with multiple metabolic abnormalities, were associated with increased risks of multiple cancers, providing a new perspective for cancer prevention.
Disagreement and returns: The case of cryptocurrencies
Authors: Garfinkel Jon A. , Hsiao Lawrence , Hu Danqi 
Published: January 2025

AbstractWe present the first evidence of investor‐trading‐based disagreement's influence on cross‐sectional cryptocurrency daily returns. We interpret abnormal trading volume as investor disagreement and find evidence in support of Miller's disagreement model: when short‐sale constraints are binding, high abnormal volume (high disagreement) assets experience lower future returns. Further supporting Miller, these same conditions associate with higher contemporaneous order imbalance, and ex post decreases in both buying and selling activities, with the former exceeding the latter in magnitude. By contrast, the effect of high disagreement disappears after a coin's margin trading is activated. We conclude that price‐optimism models explain the disagreement‐returns relationship when opinion divergence is likely the dominant determinant of returns.
Interfacial microstructure and mechanical properties of B4C/TC4 brazed joints based on Ag–Cu–Ti + AlN/Mo foil/Nb foil
Authors: Chen Zhaoran , Zhang Zhaoquan , Liu Xuejian 
Published: January 2025

AbstractThe bonding between titanium alloy (TC4) and B4C ceramics was enhanced by employing a Mo foil/AgCuTi–AlN/Nb foil sandwich composite filler. The impact of varying AlN contents and brazing temperatures on the microstructure and mechanical attributes of the joints was explored. The joint strength was augmented through the utilization of AlN doping modification, which had a low expansion coefficient, and the plastic deformation of Mo and Nb foils. The findings revealed that AlN doping could refine the brazing organization of the joint, and the outstanding plasticity of Mo/Nb foils adapted to greater strain mismatches through elastic deformation. The most effective system emerged as nickel‐plated B4C + Mo foil + AgCuTi–3 wt% AlN + Nb foil + TC4, which achieved the highest shear strength of approximately 109 MPa. This represents an enhancement of about 1.5 times compared to the shear strength of the system lacking additional brazing material.
Preparation and dynamics of silicate based sintered materials using high content solid waste
Authors: Ma Minglong , Yang He , Liu Shengnan , Zhou Miao , Wang Yuzheng 
Published: January 2025

AbstractIn this paper, steel slag and fly ash as the main raw materials, silicate‐based sintering materials (SBSM) were prepared by using high‐temperature firing method. The effects of steel slag addition and firing temperature on the linear shrinkage, water absorption, bulk density, and compressive strength parameters of SBSM were studied. The results show that with the increase of steel slag addition and firing temperature, the water absorption rates of SBSM show a trend of first decreasing and then increasing; the volume density, shrinkage rate, and compressive strength show a trend of first increasing and then decreasing. The main phase of SBSM is anorthite; however, a higher amount of steel slag and higher firing temperature can promote the formation of pyroxene phase. The microstructure composed of anorthite, pyroxene, and glass phases is similar to that of “reinforced concrete,” which is more conducive to improving the strength and toughness of the SBSM. By calculating the crystallization activation energy and crystal index, a crystal activation energy of 50.72 kJ/mol is obtained, which is helpful for crystal formation. The crystal index is 1.22, indicating that the crystallization mode in the SBSM is surface crystallization.