Transparency Characteristics Research Articles

Tackling Efficiency Challenges and Exploring Greenhouse-Integrated Organic Photovoltaics

Organic solar cells offer benefits such as transparent characteristics, affordability in manufacturing, and the ability to tailor light absorption properties according to specific needs. This review discusses challenges and recent strategies to enhance the power conversion efficiency of organic solar cells, such as bandgap tuning, molecular orbital alignment, active layer morphology engineering, electron-donating and -withdrawing group incorporation, side chain length engineering, a third additive’s insertion, and control of the solubility of materials. The good transparency of organic solar cells makes them ideal for greenhouse-integrated photovoltaics applications. By efficiently absorbing sunlight for photosynthesis and clean energy production, transparent organic solar cells optimize light management, enhance energy efficiency, and minimize overheating risks, resulting in more sustainable and efficient greenhouse operations. This review also evaluates organic solar cell integration in the greenhouse. The implementation of the strategies explored in this review can significantly impact a wide range of performance parameters in organic solar cells. These parameters include the optoelectronic properties, absorption spectrum, open circuit voltage, exciton dissociation, charge transport, molecular packing, solubility, phase separation, crystallinity, nanoscale morphology, and device stability. An optimized organic solar cell design is particularly beneficial for greenhouse-integrated photovoltaics, as it ensures efficient energy conversion and energy management, which are crucial factors in maximizing the performance of the greenhouse.

Metaresearch study highlights the gender gap in randomized controlled trials in dentistry

Background and ObjectivesThis study aimed to assess the gender gap in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in dentistry in terms of authorship, collaborations, metrics, funding and reporting of good research practice and transparecy. MethodsThe search was performed in PubMed for RCTs restricted to English texts in the dental field, indexed from 12/31/2016 to 12/31/2021. Two reviewers screened the studies in line with the eligibility criteria. A total of 844 articles were included. The name and gender of authors, citation metrics, funding, reporting of characteristics of good research practice and transparency were extracted. We considered "collaboration between authors" when the corresponding author was different from the first author. ResultsThe proportion of women as first authors was 46.56% and 40.12% for corresponding authors. The analysis showed that when a woman is the corresponding author, the probability of the first author also being a woman is 57% higher compared to the first author being a man. For “protocol registration” and “data sharing,” the prevalence of reporting was higher when women were first authors. ConclusionA gender gap in dentistry RCTs was identified and related to the participation of women as first and corresponding authors and the collaboration between authors.

A Framework of a Blockchain-Supported Remanufacturing Trading Platform through Gap Analysis

Considering that consumers are more willing to buy products online, companies are increasingly selling remanufactured products online through e-commerce platforms. Notwithstanding the high attention it elicits from researchers and companies, the current study on the remanufacturing trading platform is still in its infancy. Thus, we investigate 20 remanufacturing trading platforms and make a gap analysis among them in terms of (i) business model, (ii) product display, (iii) delivery products, (iv) quality assurance and after-sales service, (v) product review and star rate, and (vi) transaction and payment. On this basis, we analyze features for the development of remanufacturing trading platforms and propose six key applications aimed at filling the identified gaps. The consortium blockchain has the characteristics of security and transparency, high credibility, traceability and unfalsifiability, low cost, and strong scalability, which can provide effective support for the six key applications. Then, we construct the technical framework and the model of a consortium blockchain-supported remanufacturing trading platform. Further, we analyze the coupling mechanism between the consortium blockchain and the remanufacturing trading platform to explain how the remanufacturing trading platform supported by the consortium blockchain achieves the development characteristics. This study provides important guidance for the development, construction, and operation management of remanufacturing trading platforms.

A blockchain-based privacy-preserving auditable authentication scheme with hierarchical access control for mobile cloud computing

Blockchain-based authentication mode, a fundamental solution to prevent unauthorized access behavior, gradually becomes a focus in future distributed mobile cloud computing (MCC) services. However, due to the transparent and immutable characteristics of blockchain, users’ access behaviors are facing huge security and privacy threats. Storing the encrypted data on chain is an effective way to address these issues, but access permission confirmation and update in the form of ciphertext is the main bottleneck. To this end, this paper proposes a blockchain-based unified authentication and hierarchical access control scheme for the MCC environment, which provides both privacy protection and auditability. In the proposed scheme, users can access multiple MCC services with different access permissions using a single credential. To protect the privacy of both users and service providers, while still supporting auditability, the data on the public ledger is blinded using Pedersen commitments. Besides, the proposed scheme provides flexible dynamic updating in encrypted form. Theoretical analysis indicates that the proposed scheme can meet various security and privacy requirements in the MCC environment. Compared with related schemes, it has better communication efficiency. Therefore, the proposed scheme is more suitable for the actual MCC environment.

Van der Waals Integrated LiNbO3/WS2 for High‐Performance UV–Vis–NIR Photodetection

AbstractLithium niobate (LN) is widely used in various optoelectronic systems due to its structural anisotropy and ferroelectric feature, which is one of the most essential platforms for next‐generation integrated optoelectronics. However, the insulating and optically transparent characteristics of LN have greatly limited the application in photodetection. Here, a high‐performance LN/WS2 based photodetector is achieved through a van der Waals integration strategy in which the pyroelectric property of LN and the moderate bandgap of WS2 are well combined. Upon light illumination, the light induced carriers in WS2 would increase and the pyroelectric charges of LN will cross the interfacial gap and asymmetrically inject into the WS2, creating an n−/n+ homojunction, thus improving the on‐state current. Under dark conditions, the sudden removal of the laser would introduce an instantaneous enhancement of polarization in the LN lattice, leading to an improved confinement on the remaining carriers in WS2, achieving a lower dark current. In this regard, the configurated device acquires a high on/off ratio more than 104 under zero bias, which represents the best among all the reported LN‐based photodetectors. This work realizes the complementary integration of 2D materials and ferroelectric LN and provides a feasible way for high‐performance photodetectors based on the LN platform.

Leadership characteristics of youth and sport city managers and its role on quality performance, entrepreneurship and excellence from the perspective of the cities administrators

هدفت هذه الدِّراسة التعرف إلى السّمات القيادية الواجب توافرها لدى مديري المدن الشَّبابية والرِّياضية من وجهة نظر الإداريين العاملين فيها، وأثر هذه السّمات في جودة الأداء والرّيادة والتّميز، وكذلك اقترحت هذه الدِّراسة نموذجاً من السّمات القيادية الواجب توافرها لدى مديري المدن الشَّبابية والرِّياضية، كما استخدمت الباحثة المنهج الوصفي، وتم اختيار العيّنة بالطريقة العشوائية، وبلغ عددها (٦١)، (٣٢) رؤساء أقسام، و (٢٩) إدارياً، واستخدام الاستبانة كأداة لجمع البيانات، حيث يتم بناء استبانة خاصة تقيس ستة مجالات: المجال الإداري، ومجال القيادة، ومجال الإبداع والرّيادة والتّميز، ومجال الاستثمار، ومجال العلاقات، ‏ومجال النَّزاهة والشفافية. تم تقنين المقياس من حيث الصّدق والثبات، وللإجابة على أهداف الدِّراسة تم استخدام الرزمة الإحصائية SPSS لتحليل النتائج، وأشارت نتائج الدِّراسة إلى أنّ أهم السمات الإدارية الواجب توافرها هي النَّزاهة والشفافية، من ثم السّمات الإدارية، كما أظهرت نتائج الدِّراسة إلى أنّه توجد علاقة ارتباطية بين السّمات القيادية وجودة الأداء والرّيادة والتّميز، كما أنّ هناك سمات تسهم في التّنبؤ بجودة الأداء والرّيادة والتّميز، كما استطاعت هذه الدِّراسة أن تبني نموذجًا (تصورًا) بسمات مديري المدن، وأوصت هذه الدِّراسة تمكين القيادات الإدارية ومراعاة طرق اختيار مديري المدن ‏وفق السّمات التي تحقق الجودة والتّميز.

Design and analysis of split ring resonator engraved metamaterial broadband and high gain patch antenna for THz applications

We propose a new split ring resonator engraved metamaterial MIMO patch antenna design which applies in 6–11 THz frequency band. Four different THz antennas are investigated and their results are compared to find the optimized antenna design with superstrate. The four antenna designs evolved by adding superstrate layers and metamaterials in the form of complementary split ring resonators are investigated. They are THz patch antenna (TPA), THz complementary split ring resonator patch antenna (TCPA), THz patch antenna with complementary split ring resonator superstrate (TPACS), and THz complementary split ring resonator patch antenna with complementary split ring resonator superstrate (TCPACS). The results show that the complementary split ring resonator metamaterial added in the patch as well as in the superstrate affects the antenna gain and bandwidth while the addition of the superstrate affects the multiband and gain characteristics. All four designs are optimized and show the multiband response. The TCPACS design exhibits the highest bandwidth of 900 GHz 8.88%) and the highest gain of 9.19 dB. The TCPA design is having highest bandwidth of 530 GHz (5.3%) and the highest gain of 8.05 dB. The TPACS design is having highest bandwidth of 300 GHz (3%) and the highest gain of 7.47 dB. The TPA design is having highest bandwidth of 60 GHz (0.6%) and the highest gain of 6.42 dB. The proposed antenna design with multiband, broadband, high-gain and optically transparent characteristics can be used in Terahertz Wireless Area Networks, Terahertz Wi-Fi, 6 G, Internet of Things, Sensing and Imaging applications. Availability of data and materialsThe data supporting the findings in this work are available from the corresponding author with a reasonable request.

Overviews of reviews in the cardiovascular field underreported critical methodological and transparency characteristics: a methodological study based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Overviews of Reviews (PRIOR) statement

ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate the epidemiology, reporting characteristics, and adherence to the Preferred Reporting Items for Overviews of Reviews (PRIOR) statement of overviews of reviews (overviews) of interventions in the cardiovascular field. Study Design and SettingMEDLINE, Scopus, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched from January 1, 2000, to October 15, 2020. An updated search was performed in MEDLINE, Epistemonikos, and Google Scholar up to August 25, 2022. Overviews of interventions published in English and primarily considering populations, interventions, and outcomes pertinent to the cardiovascular field were eligible. Study selection, data extraction, and PRIOR adherence assessment were performed by two authors independently. ResultsWe analyzed 96 overviews. Almost half (43/96 [45%]) were published between 2020 and 2022 and contained a median of 15 systematic reviews (SRs) (interquartile range, 9–28). The commonest title terminology was “overview of (systematic) reviews” (38/96 [40%]). Methods for handling SR overlap were reported in 24/96 (25%), methods for assessing primary study overlap in 18/96 (19%), handling of discrepant data in 11/96 (11%), and methods for methodological quality or risk of bias assessment of the primary studies within SRs in 23/96 (24%). Authors included data sharing statements in 28/96 (29%), complete funding disclosure in 43/96 (45%), protocol registration in 43/96 (45%), and conflict of interest statement in 82/96 (85%) overviews. ConclusionInsufficient reporting was identified in methodological characteristics unique in overviews' conduct and most transparency markers. Adoption of PRIOR from the research community could ameliorate overviews’ reporting.

Swelling modification by electron beam at chalcopyrite copper indium gallium diselenium thin-film controlled optical features

Electron beam effect on swelling at the sol-gel derived thin film has been examined for chalcopyrite copper indium gallium diselenium thin-film semiconductor nanolayers with optical pransparent features. The copper indium gallium diselenium layers with the optical transparent features were irradiated by negatively charged electron beam which was emmited from Sr-90 radioisotope with 2.86 mCi activity. The swelling was the important parameters to use this thin film at the optoelectronic layers that have affected the safety and operating life of the equipments and systems in nuclear applications.

Design and value analysis of the blockchain-based port logistics financial platform

ABSTRACT Time-consuming ocean transportation for international trades requires enterprises to advance payments for goods, which can be fatal for small and medium enterprises with insufficient self-owned capital. Logistics finance is an effective solution for tackling this problem. However, traditional logistics finance has long been plagued by information asymmetry, tremendous paperwork, and long financing cycles. As a distributed database with characteristics of transparency, traceability, and immutability, blockchain technology shows good potential in addressing pain points on traditional logistics financing platforms. This paper focuses on the operational mechanism and value analysis of the blockchain-based port logistics finance platform. The conceptual architecture of the blockchain-based port logistics finance platform is constructed, and a value analysis model based on the Newsboy Model is established for quantitatively analysing the platform’s value. The results revealed that the introduction of the blockchain into port logistics financing can significantly improve small to medium-sized enterprises’ profitability by providing reliable financing channels. The results also indicate that participants’ profit on the blockchain-based platform may be influenced by the speed of market expansion, initial capital size, and financing cost. This paper also discusses theoretical and managerial implications by providing insights into the participants’ decision-making on the platform under different constraints.

Application and enhancement effect of nano-ZnO film preparation technology in the protection of paper artwork

Nano-ZnO has the characteristics of photocatalytic performance and excellent transparency and conductivity. Because of its many excellent properties, it also occupies a very important position in the types of semiconductor materials. Nano-ZnO film preparation technology has been researched and developed and applied in many fields, but there are few applied researches on the protection of paper artworks. The main content of this article is the study of the application and enhancement effect of nano-ZnO film preparation technology on the protection of paper cultural relics. In this paper, the sol-gel process is selected in the common film preparation process, and the configured sol is dipped and lifted. By comparing the paper covered with nano ZnO film and the paper not covered with nano ZnO film in the anti-aging performance test, anti-ultraviolet aging performance test, aging appearance change and the experimental results of the mechanical performance test of the application effect of different papers, the results are investigated. The application and enhancement effect of nano-ZnO film preparation technology in the protection of paper art works. Experimental studies have shown that under the same aging time, the mechanical properties of rice paper covered with nano-Zno film are higher than those of blank rice paper without nano-Zno film. The transverse tensile strength of the paper is increased by 5.88 m/N, an increase of 98%. The vertical tensile strength increased by 3.93 m/N, an increase of about 87%, the vertical folding resistance increased by 16 times, the horizontal folding resistance increased by 15 times, and the vertical tearing strength increased by 4.15 m/N, an increase of about 125%, and the transverse tearing degree is enhanced by 2.21 m/N, which is about 64%. The two kinds of rice paper were subjected to warm-heat aging, and the final results showed that the mechanical properties of the two kinds of rice papers showed a decreasing trend, but the mechanical properties of the rice paper covered by the nano-Zno film decreased at a slower rate, and the final mechanical properties were also lower than that of untreated rice paper. Blank rice paper covered with film is better. The experimental results of ultraviolet light on paper aging show that the nano-Zno film covering the paper will delay the paper aging, and the appearance of the nano-Zno film after ultraviolet light does not change significantly. Under the mechanical performance test of nano Zno film on different types of paper application, the tensile strength, folding resistance and tearing degree of the three papers participating in the experiment have been improved, which shows that the nano Zno film has the advantage of strengthening paper.

Super-Flexible, Transparent Synaptic Transistors Based on Pullulan for Neuromorphic Electronics

With the development of artificial intelligence, super-flexibility and transparent neuromorphic electronics are gradually showing high application value in the fields of wearable see-through electronics and biomedical applications. However, it is still a huge problem to realize synaptic devices with super-flexibility and transparent characteristics. Here, an organic synaptic transistor (OST) based on natural pullulan is fabricated with super-flexibility and high transmittance (~83.3%), which enables it to achieve conformal and non-destructive attachment to arbitrary-shaped objects without affecting viewing. Various synaptic behaviors are successfully simulated even under extreme bending, showing outstanding mechanical stability. Moreover, our OSTs can achieve ultrarapid degradation in ambient water, which will reduce the generation of electronic waste. This work provides a guide for the development of super-flexible and transparent neuromorphic electrons, demonstrating a great step toward next-generation artificial intelligence.

How Dark Is It? An Investigation of Dark Money Operations in U.S. Nonprofit Political Advocacy Organizations

Abstract Claims of dark money influence on U.S. political activity are heard from both left- and right-leaning media, both accusing the other side of undue influence from high net worth political donors on American politics. This article explores the issues of donor control, transparency, and publicness of economic policy advocacy organizations. The study focuses on social welfare nonprofit organizations active in economic policy advocacy, utilizing tax filings to compose an index of transparency based on observed characteristics such as; website verbiage, board size, staffing, fundraising spending, relations to other organizations, and other indicators. All of these variables measure legal behavior, yet as L.H. Mayer describes, some organizations appear to be stretching the boundaries of the rules so egregiously as to be in violation of legal rules, with “little fear of negative consequences” (2018, 194). Organizational tactics can reflect a disinterest in public engagement, or worse, a deliberate attempt to keep the organization’s operations opaque. It is impossible to observe, with current policy, the identity of the donors. Given an index as proposed in this article, however, observers can rank organizations on a scale indicating transparent or opaque characteristics.

The Criterion of the Cassie–Baxter and Wenzel Wetting Modes and the Effect of Elastic Substrates on It

AbstractControlling the wettability using microstructures has been studied because of many applications. In particular, bio‐mimetic microstructures modeled after the self‐cleaning properties of the lotus leaf have been extensively studied. Despite many studies successfully achieving the fabrication of superhydrophobic to superhydrophilic surfaces through the manipulation of microstructures, the effect of rough surfaces on contact angle remains an area of inquiry. In this study, conical microstructures with well‐defined geometric parameters are fabricated over a silicon wafer. They are replicated into soft matter that has transparent and flexible characteristics. From the measurement of the contact angle for fabricated surfaces, the prediction of the criteria for transitioning from the Cassie‐Baxter state to the Wenzel state can be suggested. Furthermore, the fabrication of an inexpensive, transparent, elastic, and superhydrophobic surface based on truncated micro‐conical structures in PDMS can be suggested.

Blockchain-Enabled Internet of Vehicles Applications

Internet of Vehicles (IoV) is a network that connects vehicles and everything. IoV shares traffic data by connecting vehicles with the surrounding environment, which brings huge potential to people’s life. However, a large number of connections and data sharing will seriously consume vehicle resources during the interaction. In addition, how to build a safe and reliable connection to ensure vehicle safety is also an issue to consider. To solve the above problems, researchers introduce blockchains into IoV to build a safe and reliable vehicle network relying on the distributed account structure, immutable, transparent and security features of blockchains. We have investigated the application of blockchains in IoV in recent years, and have summarized and compared these studies according to their purposes. On this basis, we also point out the future trends and opportunities.

Flexible and transparent MXene-platformed ultrafast photodetector for encrypted signal communication in self-powered operation

The record-high responsivity of 0.34 A W−1 is achieved by flexible and transparent Ti3C2Tx-platformed photodetectors (PDs) in self-powered operation. Transparent technology is suitable for future human electronic interface. The Ti3C2Tx/3D semiconductor (Tx = –F, –OH, –O, –Cl) structure has gained considerable attention in the design of high-performance optoelectronic devices. In particular, the unique mechanical and hydrophilic properties of Ti3C2Tx are favored for large-scale flexible photodetectors. However, the self-powered operation and transparency have remained unexplored for Ti3C2Tx/3D semiconductor-based flexible PDs. To access portable and implantable electronic devices, Ti3C2Tx was comprehensively utilized as an active electrical window and charge-transporting layer for transparent PDs. Density functional theory revealed the better charge-transporting channel due to the Ti3C2Tx-functional layer, resulting in the elevated pyro-phototronic current of Ti3C2Tx/Al2O3/ZnO/Ti3C2Tx/ITO/polyethylene terephthalate (PET) PDs. Based on the ultrafast photo-response of the PD (8 μs), an optically transparent (> 68 %) communication system was developed. The flexible and transparent PD (TPD) can process the incident Morse codes of encrypted optical signals to text (“MXENE TPD”) information effectively. This study combines the transparency and self-reliant characteristics into a wearable MXene/bulk semiconductor-based PD, exhibiting great potential for applications in energy-efficient imaging, communication, and health monitoring systems.

Achieving Triple Benefits in a Platform-Based Closed-Loop Supply Chain: The Optimal Combination between Recycling Channel and Blockchain

In order to solve the problem of false recycling, where the real recycling volume does not match the theoretical one, blockchain is widely used in practice due to its characteristics of transparency, traceability, and tamper resistance. To study its value in academics, this paper focuses on a closed-loop supply chain (CLSC) consisting of a manufacturer and an online platform. This paper discusses the implementation conditions of blockchain, the impact on enterprise decision making, and manufacturer recycling channel selection, and the triple benefits of economy, environment, and society in the CLSC with blockchain empowerment are achieved. Because of the nontransparency of the supply chain, the problem of false recycling is always present. To further solve the problem of false recycling, the recycler decides whether to implement blockchain or not. Through analysis and numerical examples, it is concluded that the greater the difference between real and theoretical recycling volumes, the greater the need for blockchain implementation. At the same time, three major effects of blockchain implementation are defined as decision incentive effect, marketing leverage effect, and incentive alignment effect, which reveal the impact of blockchain on increasing the motivation of CLSC members to make efforts, expanding the market size by improving brand goodwill, and avoiding the inconsistency between the manufacturer and the platform in the preference of the recycling channel. In addition, under blockchain empowerment, a cost range of blockchain implementation is defined, where both the manufacturer and the platform are better off, as well as the optimal recycling channel, which achieves the triple benefits of the CLSC.

Cell-free matrix derived from adipose mesenchymal stromal cells enhances corneal rehabilitation via delivery of nerve regenerative PGRN

Promotion of corneal dense network of nerve is a promising method to treat severe corneal injury, yet with limited effective drugs. In our previous work, decellularized matrix of adipose derived mesenchymal stromal cells (ADMSCs), named as DMA, presented excellent conjunctival repair capacity with proper suture resistance and immune modulatory characteristics. Thus, we intended to investigate their potential application in facilitating corneal repair after alkali burn. Owing to the transparent characteristic of DMA, DMA could be applied as novel ocular bandages with nutritious function. In this study we found that cornea treated with DMA showed accelerated recovery compared with those received amniotic membrane (AM) treatment by fluorescein staining, slip-lamp examination, OCT and corneal nerve immunostaining. Further, in order to find key components responsible for the faster recovery, high-throughput proteomic analyses were conducted and more than 2000 proteins, including associated signaling pathways, were identified in DMA. Intriguingly, progranulin (PGRN), one of enriched proteins identified in DMA, was firstly recognized for its neurotrophic role in alleviation of corneal damage. To sum up, DMA exhibited a potent clinical application with a cocktail of key therapeutic factors, in which PGRN was a crucial factor in promoting neurite outgrowth and re-establishing homeostasis of the cornea.

Evaluación metodológica de las revisiones sistemáticas basadas en la utilización de sistemas de inteligencia artificial en radiografía de tórax

IntroductionIn recent years, systems that use artificial intelligence (AI) in medical imaging have been developed, such as the interpretation of chest X-ray to rule out pathology. This has produced an increase in systematic reviews (SR) published on this topic. This article aims to evaluate the methodological quality of SRs that use AI for the diagnosis of thoracic pathology by simple chest X-ray. Material and methodsSRs evaluating the use of AI systems for the automatic reading of chest X-ray were selected. Searches were conducted (from inception to May 2022): PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Two investigators selected the reviews. From each SR, general, methodological and transparency characteristics were extracted. The PRISMA statement for diagnostic tests (PRISMA-DTA) and AMSTAR-2 were used. A narrative synthesis of the evidence was performed. Protocol registry: Open Science Framework: https://osf.io/4b6u2/. ResultsAfter applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 7 SRs were selected (mean of 36 included studies per review). All the included SRs evaluated “deep learning” systems in which chest X-ray was used for the diagnosis of infectious diseases. Only 2 (29%) SRs indicated the existence of a review protocol. None of the SRs specified the design of the included studies or provided a list of excluded studies with their justification. Six (86%) SRs mentioned the use of PRISMA or one of its extensions. The risk of bias assessment was performed in 4 (57%) SRs. One (14%) SR included studies with some validation of AI techniques. Five (71%) SRs presented results in favour of the diagnostic capacity of the intervention. All SRs were rated “critically low” following AMSTAR-2 criteria. ConclusionsThe methodological quality of SRs that use AI systems in chest radiography can be improved. The lack of compliance in some items of the tools used means that the SRs published in this field must be interpreted with caution.

The Occurrence of Recent-Subrecent Seabed Acoustic Anomalies and Its Relationship with Structural Uplift around the Waipoga Trough, West Papua-Indonesia

Marine Geological Institute acquired high-resolution seismic and acoustic data during a survey in the Waipoga Trough-West Papua in 2018. The profiles show acoustically blanking, turbid, and cloudy occur along the trough floor over 3,000 km2. Many accoustic chimneys are breaking through the seabed of recent and subrecent sediment layers. It is suggested due to the local expulsion of methane gas. The pockmarks occur as transparent and turbid acoustic characteristics. They locally have relief down to 2-10 m below the seafloor with horizontal dimensions up to 25 -100 m in width. Methane formation due to the rapid deposition of organic-rich sediment down the uplifted area around the trough, associated with thrust fold tectonics is suggested as a triggering agent for the acoustic anomaly formation.