bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Do geographic distances proxy a high probability of foreign divestment? Evidence from Japanese multinational firms
Authors: Jiang Yanwen , Noma Mikiharu 
Published: September 2023

AbstractWe aim to provide an unambiguous explanation for the positive influence of the geographic distance between a firm's home and host country on divestment decisions of Japanese multinational firms’ outbound merger and acquisition (M&A). Our analysis of 868 acquisitions made by 496 firms in 45 countries and regions from 2005 to 2015 highlights the importance of drawing a clear distinction among various foreign divestment motives before inferring the impact of geographic distances rashly, especially whether it is failure‐driven or global business strategy‐driven. We further find that its impact hinges on parent firm‐ and deal‐level attributes, that is, geographic distance is less salient for large firms, young firms, and foreign operations under a complete control mode; however, the opposite was the case for firms with a high debt burden.
Top management team incentive dispersion and audit fees
Authors: Kalelkar Rachana , Shi Yuan , Xu Hongkang 
Published: September 2023

AbstractWe study whether heterogeneity in pay‐performance sensitivities (PPS) across top management team (TMT) members influences audit fees. Evidence from current literature reveals that the heterogeneity in PPS among TMT affects TMT managers’ motivation to coordinate their activities to manipulate earnings. Since the quality of earnings lowers auditors’ financial reporting risk, we posit that audit fees will be lower when dispersion in the PPS among TMT is high. We demonstrate that audit fees are negatively linked with dispersion in PPS among TMT members. This finding is robust to numerous sensitivity testing. Overall, our findings suggest that firms benefit from the heterogeneity in PPS among TMT members in the form of lower audit fees.
Identification of PPA1 inhibitor candidates for potential repurposing in cancer medicine
Authors: Menteş Muratcan , Yandım Cihangir 
Published: September 2023

AbstractInorganic pyrophosphatase 1 (PPA1) is pivotal to cellular metabolism as it facilitates the hydrolysis of PPi—a by‐product of various metabolic processes that influence cell growth and differentiation. Overexpression of PPA1 enzyme has been linked to diminished patient survival and was shown to influence tumor cell dynamics, thereby positioning it as a potential therapy target for a variety of cancers including colorectal cancer, diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma, and lung adenocarcinoma. Despite this therapeutic promise, there are no known inhibitors of PPA1 as of today. In this study, we searched for potential PPA1 inhibitors using a molecular docking screen of 30 470 compounds with a history of clinical trials and/or US Food and Drug Administration approval. We specifically targeted the active pocket that coincides with the established catalytic domain. Our screen identified promising hits, which we further subjected to ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) filtering. Subsequent molecular dynamics (MD) analyses were conducted on devazepide, quinotolast, and tarazepide—the three substances that successfully navigated all filters. MD analyses reinforced the stability of the protein‐ligand complexes and confirmed ligand binding, as substantiated by our root mean square deviation, radius of gyration and secondary structures of proteins analyses. Furthermore, Molecular Mechanics Poisson‐Boltzmann Surface Area calculations post‐MD identified devazepide and quinotolast as showing higher binding affinities; being supported by principal component analysis, free energy landscape, and dynamic cross‐correlation matrix results. Overall, our study reveals devazepide and quinotolast as potential candidates for PPA1 inhibition which could be considered for repurposing studies that need further experimental validation. These results not only reveal a potential for clinical repurposing for PPA1 inhibition but they also offer valuable insights into the development of future compounds for targeting the crucial PPA1 enzyme.
Generalizations of some Nordhaus–Gaddum‐type results on spectral radius
Authors: Lu Junying , Wang Lanchao , Chen Yaojun 
Published: September 2023

AbstractLet be a simple graph and the spectral radius of . For , a ‐edge decomposition is spanning subgraphs such that their edge sets form a ‐partition of the edge set of . In this paper, we obtain some sharp lower and upper bounds for in terms of the clique number of and the size of , and discuss what ‐edge decomposition can maximize when is a complete graph. These generalize some Nordhaus–Gaddum‐type results on spectral radius for , due to Nosal, Hong and Shu, and Nikiforov.
The comparative of chitosan and chitosan nanoparticle versus ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid on the smear layer removal: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of in vitro study
Authors: İlhan Hasan , Cakici Elif Bahar , Cakici Fatih 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe purpose of this systematic review of meta‐analysis was to compare the effectiveness of removing the smearing layer using EDTA versus Chitosan (Ch) and Chitosan nanoparticles (Ch‐NPs). A search was performed in four electronic databases (Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane). The included studies were assessed by two reviewers using Joanna Briggs Institute's critical appraisal checklist for the quasi‐experimental studies. Outcomes obtained by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and conventional methods were presented as standardized mean differences alongside 95% confidence intervals. Seven investigations employed 212 single‐root teeth. In the apical section (p = .317, 95% CI = −0.820 to 0.266, Tau2 = 0.387), middle segment (p = .914, 95% CI = −1.019 to 0.912, Tau2 = 1.027), and coronal segment (p = .277, 95% CI = −1.008 to 0.289, Tau2 = 0.378). This meta‐analysis found no difference between Ch, Ch‐NPs, and EDTA in removing the smear layer in the three segments. This systematic review is designed to show evidence related to the PICO question, in which our outcome is smear layer removal and not the clinical success of such a treatment.Research Highlights
The study aimed to compare the effectiveness of chitosan and chitosan nanoparticles with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) in removing the smear layer, a layer of debris and organic material on the tooth surface, through a systematic review and meta‐analysis.
The removal of the smear layer is crucial for successful dental treatments, as it enhances the adhesion of restorative materials and improves the penetration of antimicrobial agents into dentinal tubules.
The researchers conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis, searching various databases of electron microscopy results for relevant in vitro studies comparing the effects of chitosan or chitosan nanoparticles with EDTA on smear layer removal.
The results encourage further exploration of chitosan and chitosan nanoparticles for clinical use in dentistry, while considering their specific applications and long‐term effects.
The impact of COVID‐19 on Japanese patients with eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders during the vaccination era
Authors: Fujiwara Yasuhiro , Sawada Akinari , Higashimori Akira , Nakata Rieko , Tanoue Kojiro , Nishida Yu , Maruyama Hirotsugu , Ominami Masaki , Fukunaga Shusei , Otani Koji , Hosomi Shuhei , Kamata Noriko , Tanaka Fumio , Nagami Yasuaki , Taira Koichi 
Published: September 2023

AbstractBackgroundEosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders (EGIDs) are chronic allergic diseases categorized as eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and non‐EoE EGIDs. Few studies regarding the association between EGIDs and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) have been reported. Although most Japanese individuals received the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) vaccine, the incidence of COVID‐19 remained high in 2022. This study examines the incidence of COVID‐19 in patients with EGIDs during the vaccination era.MethodsPatients with EGIDs who visited our department between October and December 2022 were enrolled in the study. The incidence and severity of COVID‐19 prior to October 1, 2022 were determined. Patients who reported having COVID‐19 also reported their hospitalization history, intensive care unit admissions, and EGID flares. The number of SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccinations received and treatment for EGIDs were obtained from the patients' medical records.ResultsOf 111 patients with EGIDs (65 with EoE and 46 with non‐EoE EGIDs) included in this study, 31 (28%) patients reported having COVID‐19, including 14 (22%) with EoE and 17 (37%) with non‐EoE EGIDs. Fifty‐nine (84%) patients received two or more vaccinations, and 11 (16%) patients received no vaccinations. COVID‐19 was mild in all but one patient who had moderate symptoms. COVID‐19 was not associated with EGID flares. EGID treatments and an unvaccinated status were not associated with an increased risk of COVID‐19.ConclusionCOVID‐19 was mild in patients with EGIDs and not associated with EGIDs flares during the vaccination era. There was a relatively high incidence of COVID‐19 among patients with non‐EoE EGIDs.
PIGO‐CDG: A case study with a new genotype, expansion of the phenotype, literature review, and nosological considerations
Authors: Starosta Rodrigo Tzovenos , Kerashvili Nino , Pruitt Cassandra , Schultz Matthew J. , Boyer Suzanne W. , Morava Eva , Lasio Maria Laura Duque , Grange Dorothy K. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe phosphatidylinositol glycan anchor biosynthesis class O protein (PIGO) enzyme is an important step in the biosynthesis of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI), which is essential for the membrane anchoring of several proteins. Bi‐allelic pathogenic variants in PIGO lead to a congenital disorder of glycosylation (CDG) characterized by global developmental delay, an increase in serum alkaline phosphatase levels, congenital anomalies including anorectal, genitourinary, and limb malformations in most patients; this phenotype has been alternately called “Mabry syndrome” or “hyperphosphatasia with impaired intellectual development syndrome 2.” We report a 22‐month‐old female with PIGO deficiency caused by novel PIGO variants. In addition to the Mabry syndrome phenotype, our patient's clinical picture was complicated by intermittent hypoglycemia with signs of functional hyperinsulinism, severe secretory diarrhea, and osteopenia with a pathological fracture, thus, potentially expanding the known phenotype of this disorder, although more studies are necessary to confirm these associations. We also provide an updated review of the literature, and propose unifying the nomenclature of PIGO deficiency as “PIGO‐CDG,” which reflects its pathophysiology and position in the broad scope of metabolic disorders and congenital disorders of glycosylation.
Postchemoradiation magnetic resonance imaging circumferential resection margin predicts treatment failure after multidisciplinary directed sphincter preservation in low rectal cancer
Authors: Kim Sun Jung , Lee Yong Joon , Park Min Young , Yang Seung Yoon , Han Yoon Dae , Cho Min Soo , Hur Hyuk , Lee Kang Young , Lim Joon Seok , Min Byung Soh 
Published: September 2023

AbstractBackgroundThis study aimed to review the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of patients with low rectal cancer (LRC) undergoing preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and investigate the risk factors for treatment failure after sphincter preserving surgery following preoperative CRT based on multidisciplinary approach.ObjectivesPatients who underwent standard CRT and sphincter preserving radical surgery for LRC between January 2000 and December 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Sphincter preservation failure (SPF) was defined as any one of the following: positive pathologic circumferential resection margin, local recurrence, failure to repair ileostomy, or permanent stoma formation due to anastomotic complications.ResultsAmong the 191 patients, there were no overall significant differences between sphincter preservation success (n = 161) and SPF (n = 30) groups. SPF group showed a higher MRI circumferential resection margins (mrCRM) positive rate before and after CRT (before CRT: 33.3% vs. 16.1%, p = 0.027; after CRT: 23.3% vs. 6.2%, p = 0.002). Multivariate analysis showed that only mrCRM after CRT was associated with SPF (hazard ratio = 4.596, p = 0.005). SPF group showed worse 5‐year cancer‐specific survival (51% vs. 92.7%, p < 0.001).ConclusionsMRI‐based assessment of the tumor after CRT plays a crucial role in predicting the success and feasibility of sphincter preservation as well as oncological outcomes in patients with LRC.
Corrosion resistance of nonequiatomic FeNiCrMnAlx high entropy alloys in hexamine as inhibitor in 3.5% NaCl
Authors: Elkatatny Sally , Mohamed Lamiaa Z. , Abd‐Elaziem Walaa , Abdelfatah Aliaa 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe corrosion performance of Fe35Ni20Cr12Mn(28−x)Al(5+x) high‐entropy alloys (HEAs) with varying aluminum (Al) content (x = 0, 5, and 10 at.%) was studied in a 3.5% NaCl solution. Additionally, different concentrations of hexamine inhibitors (0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 g) were employed to enhance the corrosion resistance. Polarization measurements were conducted using a three‐electrode electrochemical cell with a calomel reference electrode. Furthermore, polarization‐dynamics experiments were carried out at room temperature with a scan rate of 0.33 mV/s. The findings indicated that hexamine improved the corrosion resistance of the investigated HEAs. However, the effectiveness of hexamine decreased as the Al content increased up to 15 at.%. In the case of Fe35Ni20Cr12Mn18Al15 HEA with 0.3 g hexamine, the surface exhibited the presence of iron oxides. These results were confirmed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), and elemental mapping, which revealed the distribution of elements under different conditions.
Investigating electrochemical charging conditions equivalent to hydrogen gas exposure of X65 pipeline steel
Authors: Koren Erik , Hagen Catalina M. H. , Wang Dong , Lu Xu , Johnsen Roy 
Published: September 2023

AbstractIn this study, we systematically investigate electrochemical hydrogen charging conditions equivalent to hydrogen gas pressures relevant for hydrogen transportation in X65 pipeline steel. By performing hydrogen gas permeation, a relationship for Sieverts' law was established, which was used in combination with electrochemical hydrogen permeation to determine the equivalent hydrogen pressure. The results revealed that cathodic protection simulated condition at –1050 mVAg/AgCl was equivalent to a hydrogen pressure of 12.3 bar. The addition of thiourea, a hydrogen recombination poison, and changing the applied potential in the cathodic direction increased the equivalent hydrogen pressure. In this way, an electrochemical charging condition equivalent to a potential hydrogen gas pressure for hydrogen transportation (200 bar) was determined.
Electrochemically Driven Assembly of Chitosan Hydrogels on PEDOT Surfaces
Authors: Da Silva Aruã Clayton , Amadou‐Douah Celine , Koiliari Stavriani , Du Jinfei , Chauhan Riya K. K. , Paterson Thomas Edward , Minev Ivan Rusev 
Published: September 2023

AbstractHydrogels are attracting interest in the field of bioelectronics due to their ability to serve as coatings on electrodes, improving the electrochemical interface, addressing the mechanical mismatch, and offering potential for localized drug or cell delivery. Challenges persist in integrating hydrogels with electrodes typically composed of metals and/or organic semiconductors. Here, an electrochemically driven method is introduced for direct growth of chitosan hydrogels onto poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) surfaces. The growth of ionic gelation chitosan is triggered by electrical release of a specific dopant, tripolyphosphate (TPP), from PEDOT. As a result, chitosan hydrogels grow directly from the PEDOT surface and firmly attach to it. Although this process temporarily reduces PEDOT to the benzoid structure, its unique electroactivity allows for reversible conversion to the quinoid structure after chitosan hydrogel assembly. Once assembled, the chitosan hydrogel coating can be further functionalized. The introduction of covalent cross‐links and incorporation of additional interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) are explored. Electrochemical characterization reveals that an interface with favorable properties is formed between PEDOT and ionic‐covalent chitosan, functionalized with a PEDOT IPN. The electroactivity of the proposed method surpasses any other PEDOT/chitosan system reported in the literature. These results underscore the potential of this material for bioelectronics applications.
Ultraviolet Light Responsive N‐Nitroso Polymers for Antibacterial Nitric Oxide Delivery
Authors: Qiu Yusheng , Zhao Taoran , Lu Xin , Yuan Qingchun , Gregg Sharon , Nze René‐Ponce , Xiao Bo 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThis study investigates the incorporation of active secondary amine moieties into the polymer backbone by co‐polymerizing 2,4,6‐tris(chloromethyl)‐mesitylene with three diamines, namely 1,4‐diaminobutane, m‐phenylenediamine, and p‐phenylenediamine. This process results in the stabilization of the amine moieties and the subsequently introduced nitroso groups. Charging bioactive nitric oxide (NO) into the polymers is accomplished by converting the amine moieties into N‐nitroso groups. The ability of the polymers to store and release NO depends on their structures, particularly the amount of incorporated active secondary amines. With grafting photosensitive N‐nitroso groups into the polymers, the derived NO@polymers exhibit photoresponsivity. NO release is completely regulated by adjusting UV light irradiation. These resulting polymeric NO donors demonstrate remarkable bactericidal and bacteriostatic activity, effectively eradicating E. coli bacteria and inhibiting their growth. The findings from this study hold promising implications for combining NO delivery with phototherapy in various medical applications.
The impact of digital transformation on corporate innovation: Roles of analyst coverage and internal control
Authors: Zhou Yang (Eric) , Xu Jingjun (David) , Liu Zhiying 
Published: September 2023

AbstractIt is critical to explore the mechanisms by which digital transformation (DT) influences firms' innovation performance (IP) in the pervasive digital epoch. This study constructs a serial mediation model to test the underlying mechanism of how DT affects IP. We find that DT can promote IP significantly, and such impact is heterogeneous. Mechanism tests reveal that analyst coverage and internal control quality have the serial mediation effects in the path of DT affecting IP. These findings still hold after several robustness checks. Our discoveries provide new theoretical and practical implications to the DT and innovation research domains.
Very high‐energy electron dose calculation using the Fermi‐Eyges theory of multiple scattering and a simplified pencil beam model
Authors: Ronga Maria Grazia , Deut Umberto , Bonfrate Anthony , De Marzi Ludovic 
Published: September 2023

AbstractBackgroundVery high‐energy electrons (VHEE) radiotherapy, in the energy range of 100–200 MeV is currently considered a promising technique for the future of radiation therapy and could benefit from the promises of ultra‐high dose rate FLASH therapy. However, to our knowledge, no analytical calculation models have been tested for this type of application and the approximations proposed for multiple scattering with electron beams have not been extensively evaluated at these high energies.PurposeIn this work, we discuss the derivation of a simple and fast algorithm based on the Fermi‐Eyges theory of multiple Coulomb scattering for fast dose calculation for VHEE beams (up to 200 MeV). Similar to the Gaussian pencil beam models used for electron or proton beams, this pencil beam kernel is separated into a central and an off‐axis term. Monte Carlo simulations are performed to compare the analytical calculations with simulations and to determine the parametrizations used in the model at the highest electron energies.MethodsThe normalized electron planar fluence distribution is described in water according to the Fermi‐Eyges theory of multiple Coulomb scattering and a double Gaussian distribution model. The main quantities used in the model and their calculation (mass angular scattering power, mean energy, range straggling) are discussed and tested for electron energies up to 200 MeV. The TOPAS/Geant4 Monte Carlo (MC) toolkit is used to compare analytical calculations with MC simulations for a theoretical pencil beam irradiation and to find the best parameters describing the range straggling. The model is then tested on a realistic simulation of a pencil beam scanning beamline with treatment field dimensions up to 15 × 15 cm2 and for deep‐seated targets.ResultsRadial dose distributions of a pencil beam in water were calculated with the model and compared with the results of a complete Monte Carlo simulation. A good agreement (within 2%/2 mm gamma passing rate superior to 90%, and a mean deviation between calculated and simulated pencil beam radial spread smaller than 0.6 mm) was observed between analytical dose distributions and simulations for energies up to 200 MeV and field sizes up to 15 × 15 cm2.ConclusionsA parameterization of an electron source and an analytical pencil beam model were proposed in this work, thereby allowing a suitable reproduction of the lateral fluence of a VHEE beam and good agreement between calculations and simulated data. Further improvement of the method would require the consideration of a model describing the large‐angle scattering of the electrons. The results of this work could support future research into VHEE radiotherapy and might be of interest for use together with VHEE broad beams produced by scanned narrow pencil beams.
Weight‐independent effects of Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass surgery on remission of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in mice
Authors: Axelrod Christopher L. , Langohr Ingeborg , Dantas Wagner S. , Heintz Elizabeth C. , Vandanmagsar Bolormaa , Yang Shengping , Zunica Elizabeth R. M. , Townsend R. Leigh , Albaugh Vance L. , Berthoud Hans‐Rudolf , Kirwan John P. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractObjectiveObesity is a driver of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and interventions that decrease body weight, such as bariatric surgery and/or calorie restriction (CR), may serve as effective therapies. This study compared the effects of Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass surgery (RYGB) and CR on hepatic function in mice with obesity and NAFLD.MethodsC57BL/6J mice were fed a high‐fat diet to promote obesity. At 16 weeks of age, mice were randomized to sham surgery (sham), RYGB, or CR weight matched to RYGB (WM). Body weight/composition, food intake, and energy expenditure (EE) were measured throughout treatment. Liver histopathology was evaluated from H&E‐stained sections. Hepatic enzymes and glycogen content were determined by ELISA. Transcriptional signatures were revealed via RNA sequencing.ResultsRYGB reduced hepatic lipid content and adiposity while increasing EE and lean body mass relative to WM. Hepatic glycogen and bile acid content were increased after RYGB relative to sham and WM. RYGB activated enterohepatic signaling and genes regulating hepatic lipid homeostasis.ConclusionsRYGB improved whole‐body composition and hepatic lipid homeostasis to a greater extent than CR in mice. RYGB was associated with discrete remodeling of the hepatic transcriptome, suggesting that surgery may be mechanistically additive to CR.