Increased Information Content Research Articles

Does information content of a corporate social responsibility report matter for stock mispricing? Evidence from China

We examine the impact of the information content of a firm's corporate social responsibility (CSR) report on stock mispricing using a sample of Chinese firms from 2007 to 2021. By leveraging the recent advances in textual analysis, we apply the Word2Vec technique to detect the information content of a focal firm's CSR report. Our findings suggest that the degree of a focal firm's stock mispricing decreases with increased information content of its CSR report. The results remain robust after considering a variety of sensitivity tests. Mechanism analyses reveal that the information content of a CSR report mitigates stock mispricing by reducing information asymmetry and alleviating investor irrational behavior. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the effect is more salient when firms face higher degree of uncertainty, both at the macroeconomic and industrial levels. Additionally, we document that a higher degree of information content of a CSR report contributes to a higher firm value.

Multipressure Sampling for Improving the Performance of MOF-based Electronic Noses.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a promising class of porous materials for the design of gas sensing arrays, which are often called electronic noses. Due to their chemical and structural tunability, MOFs are a highly diverse class of materials that align well with the similarly diverse class of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of interest in many gas detection applications. In principle, by choosing the right combination of cross-sensitive MOFs, layered on appropriate signal transducers, one can design an array that yields detailed information about the composition of a complex gas mixture. However, despite the vast number of MOFs from which one can choose, gas sensing arrays that rely too heavily on distinct chemistries can be impractical from the cost and complexity perspective. On the other hand, it is difficult for small arrays to have the desired selectivity and sensitivity for challenging sensing applications, such as detecting weakly adsorbing gases with weak signals, or conversely, strongly adsorbing gases that readily saturate MOF pores. In this work, we employed gas adsorption simulations to explore the use of a variable pressure sensing array as a means of improving both sensitivity and selectivity as well as increasing the information content provided by each array. We studied nine different MOFs (HKUST-1, IRMOF-1, MgMOF-74, MOF-177, MOF-801, NU-100, NU-125, UiO-66, and ZIF-8) and four different gas mixtures, each containing nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and exactly one of the hydrogen, methane, hydrogen sulfide, or benzene. We found that by lowering the pressure, we can limit the saturation of MOFs, and by raising the pressure, we can concentrate weakly adsorbing gases, in both cases, improving gas detection with the resulting arrays. In many cases, changing the system pressure yielded a better improvement in performance (as measured by the Kullback-Liebler divergence of gas composition probability distributions) than including additional MOFs. We thus demonstrated and quantified how sensing at multiple pressures can increase information content and cross-sensitivity in MOF-based arrays while limiting the number of unique materials needed in the device.

The scientific articles within the information flow: Adapting to the new trends

The presentation of research outcome is a stage of new knowledge promotion and researcher’s academic development. Today, scientists enjoy the widest communication opportunities, in particular, through publications in academic periodicals as the priority communication chanel. Despite somewhat conservative attitude toward articles as a way of communication, one cannot deny the changing methods of article assessment. These methods are too innovative to assess their potentiality and viability. Then, increasing information content of published articles stipulates continuous search for the instruments to assess content value and relevancy. The study resulted in specification of informative characteristics of scientific articles that influence significantly their representation in the rising flow of scientific information. The authors emphasize that through their well-balanced application, they will increase scientometrical indexes and altmetrics as calculated by the information analytical databases. The authors argue that comprehension of the value of scientific articles in the context of the national science and various disciplines, as well as of the economy-wide informatization, is one of the academic competencies. Within the study, the analysis of scientific articles is based on the publication activity data for the educational organizations of the RF Ministry of Internal Affairs accessible through Science Index system.

ТЕОРЕТИЧЕСКИЕ ОСНОВЫ ВЫБОРА ПАССАЖИРАМИ МАРШРУТНОГО ТРАНСПОРТНОГО СРЕДСТВА В УСЛОВИЯХ ПОВЫШЕНИЯ ИНФОРМАТИВНОСТИ О ДИНАМИЧЕСКИХ ПОКАЗАТЕЛЯХ ТРАНСПОРТНОГО ПРОЦЕССА

The paper discusses issues related to the development of new scientific foundations for the choice of route vehicles by passengers in the conditions of increasing information content about the dynamic indicators of the transport process. A classification of passengers was carried out based on the importance of comfort and travel time, and the most significant categories of citizens for whom comfort is a priority were identified. It is proposed to modernize the passenger information system by providing them with information about the contents of vehicle interiors. The impact of the proposed measures on the quality indicators of passenger transportation is analyzed.

Assignment of the disordered, proline-rich N-terminal domain of the tumour suppressor p53 protein using 1HN and 1Hα-detected NMR measurements

Protein p53 is mostly known for playing a key role in tumour suppression, and mutations in the p53 gene are amongst the most frequent genomic events accompanying oncogenic transformation. Continuous research is conducted to target disordered proteins/protein regions for cancer therapy, for which atomic level information is also necessary. The disordered N-terminal part of p53 contains the transactivation and the proline-rich domains—which besides being abundant in proline residues—contains repetitive Pro-Ala motifs. NMR assignment of such repetitive, proline-rich regions is challenging due to the lack of amide protons in the 1HN-detected approaches, as well as due to the small chemical shift dispersion. In the present study we perform the full assignment of the p531–100 region by applying a combination of 1HN- and 1Hα-detected NMR experiments. We also show the increased information content when using real-time homo- and heteronuclear decoupled acquisition schemes. On the other hand, we highlight the presence of minor proline species, and using Pro-selective experiments we determine the corresponding cis or trans conformation. Secondary chemical shifts for (Cα–Cβ) atoms indicate the disordered nature of this region, with expected helical tendency for the TAD1 region. As the role of the proline-rich domain is yet not well understood our results can contribute to further successful investigations.

Parietal cortical alpha/beta suppression during prospective memory retrieval.

Prospective memory (PM) impairment is among the most frequent memory complaints, yet little is known about the underlying neural mechanisms. PM for a planned intention may be achieved through strategic monitoring of the environment for cues, involving ongoing attentional processes, or through spontaneous retrieval. We hypothesized that parietal spectral power modulation accompanies prospectively encoded intention retrieval, irrespective of PM retrieval approach. A cognitively engaging arithmetic-based ongoing task (OGT) was employed to encourage spontaneous retrieval, with a focal, internally generated PM cue to eliminate OGT/PM trial differentiation based on perceptual or conceptual PM cue features. Two PM repetition frequencies were used to vary the extent of strategic monitoring. We observed a transient parietal alpha/beta spectral power reduction directly preceding the response, which was distinguishable on a single trial basis, as revealed by an OGT/PM trial classification rate exceeding 70% using linear discriminant analysis. The alpha/beta idling rhythm reflects cortical inhibition. A disengagement of task-relevant neural assemblies from this rhythm, reflected in alpha/beta power reduction, is deemed to increase information content, facilitate information integration, and enable engagement of neural assemblies in task-related cortical networks. The observed power reduction is consistent with the Dual Pathways model, where PM strategies converge at the PM retrieval stage.

Increasing Information Content and Diagnosability in Family-Level Classifications.

Higher-level classifications often must account for monotypic taxa representing depauperate evolutionary lineages and lacking synapomorphies of their better-known, well-defined sister clades. In a ranked (Linnean) or unranked (phylogenetic) classification system, discovering such a depauperate taxon does not necessarily invalidate the rank classification of sister clades. Named higher taxa must be monophyletic to be phylogenetically valid. Ranked taxa above the species level should also maximize information content, diagnosability, and utility (e.g., in biodiversity conservation). In spider classification, families are the highest rank that is systematically catalogued, and incertae sedis is not allowed. Consequently, it is important that family-level taxa be well defined and informative. We revisit the classification problem of Orbipurae, an unranked suprafamilial clade containing the spider families Nephilidae, Phonognathidae, and Araneidae sensu stricto. We argue that, to maximize diagnosability, information content, conservation utility, and practical taxonomic considerations, this "splitting" scheme is superior to its recently proposed alternative, which lumps these families together as Araneidae sensu lato. We propose to redefine Araneidae and recognize a monogeneric spider family, Paraplectanoididae fam. nov. to accommodate the depauperate lineage Paraplectanoides. We present new subgenomic data to stabilize Orbipurae topology which also supports our proposed family-level classification. Our example from spiders demonstrates why classifications must be able to accommodate depauperate evolutionary lineages, for example, Paraplectanoides. Finally, although clade age should not be a criterion to determine rank, other things being equal, comparable ages of similarly ranked taxa do benefit comparative biology. [Classification, family rank, phylogenomics, systematics, monophyly, spider phylogeny.].

The impact of justice on information sharing and innovation performance: a social exchange theory perspective

PurposeWith more demand-driven innovation activities, manufacturers must proactively engage in information sharing activities with their customers for better innovation performance. This study aims to inquire into the impacts of information sharing activities between manufacturers and customers (including information system usage and information content sharing) on manufacturers’ innovation performance and considers interfirm justice (including distributive justice, procedural justice and interactional justice) as information sharing antecedents.Design/methodology/approachThe social exchange theory is applied to develop the conceptual model. The authors examine the conceptual model with the structural equation modeling approach using data collected from 213 Chinese manufacturers.FindingsInteractional justice promotes information system usage. Both interactional justice and procedural justice increase information content sharing, while distributive justice decreases it. Information content sharing directly improves innovation performance and fully mediates the relationship between information system usage and innovation performance.Originality/valueThis research enriches empirical studies on justice-information sharing relationships by systematically investigating the impacts of three types of justice on different information sharing activities. It also adds to the application of social exchange theory in the practices of interfirm justice and information sharing. Besides, it probes into influencing mechanisms of different information sharing activities, information system usage and information content sharing, on innovation performance. The findings can guide firms to implement interfirm justice and information sharing practices for superior innovation performance.

Quality Data from Messy Spectra: How Isometric Points Increase Information Content in Highly Overlapping Spectra.

Spectroscopic techniques are immensely useful for obtaining information about chemical transformations while they are happening. However, such data are often messy, and it is challenging to extract reliable information from them without careful calibrations or internal standards. This short introductory review discusses how isometric points (points in a spectrum where the signal intensity remains constant throughout the progress of a chemical transformation) can be used to derive high-quality data from messy spectra. Such analyses are helpful in a variety of (bio-)chemical settings, as selected case studies demonstrate.

Особенности и характер влияния частоты вращения коленчатого вала на величину импульса реакций опор, оцениваемых при диагностировании двигателя внутреннего сгорания

The development of universal diagnostic parameters with increased information content and the possibility of prompt registration and processing will help assess the current state of individual elements and the diagnostic object as a whole. As a universal diagnostic parameter characterizing the technical condition of the internal combustion engine, the authors propose to use the reaction impulse of the engine supports, the value of which depends on the crankshaft speed. Using a laboratory installation that includes a D-243 diesel four-stroke four-cylinder engine and a set of measuring equipment, the authors studied the process of changing the impulse of the reactions of the internal combustion engine supports when changing the crankshaft speed in the idling mode. When conducting research, they used methods of regression, system and statistical analysis. It has been established that in the crankshaft speed range of 600 to 2200 min-1, the maximum value of the bearing reactions for each cycle of engine operation changes from 345 to 122 N. In the range of 600 to 1000 min-1, the minimum value of the bearing reactions for each engine cycle changes -272 to -305 N and increases to -109 N at a maximum frequency of 2200 min-1. The maximum momentum of the support reactions is observed at a crankshaft speed of 1000 min-1 and averages for positive and negative reactions of the supports, respectively, 17.34 and -17.35 kNs. At the maximum speed of the crankshaft, the momentum of the support reactions reaches 9.28 and -9.29 kNs for the positive and negative reactions of the supports, respectively. The results obtained can be used to improve the methods for diagnosing internal combustion engines, as they can help exclude the infl uence of the crankshaft speed on the measurement result.

Geodesic tasks of global monitoring

The rapidly developing anthropogenic impact on the environment generates a need for a monitoring system based on aerospace methods of Earth observation. The foundation of monitoring feasibility study is cartographic materials based on aerospace information as well as traditional geodetic methods. One of the main elements of any sectoral and global monitoring system is the definition of the list of objects, with allocation of qualitative and quantitative characteristics. In the context of global monitoring, this process is performed more appropriately on the basis of remote sensing materials. In this case structural analysis of aerospace monitoring information support becomes very important. Detailed elaboration of monitoring object interpretation features allows increasing information content of cartographic materials. When interpreting boundaries of monitoring objects, the most important are plan outlines and internal structure of the researched object. Effective investigation of environmental monitoring problems on a global scale is based on integrated use of aerospace, topographic and geodetic methodology. The author's concept of classification of cartographic support for global monitoring expands the research tools for the assessment of global processes of change in the Earth's surface. The use of predictive cartographic materials in the step-by-step monitoring of global exogenous processes is the most effective tool for fixing changes in landforms.

Expansion microscopy of neutrophil nuclear structure and extracellular traps

Neutrophils are key players of the immune system and possess an arsenal of effector functions, including the ability to form and expel neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in a process termed NETosis. During NETosis, the nuclear DNA/chromatin expands until it fills the whole cell and is released into the extracellular space. NETs are composed of DNA decorated with histones, proteins, or peptides, and NETosis is implicated in many diseases. Resolving the structure of the nucleus in great detail is essential to understand the underlying processes, but so far, superresolution methods have not been applied. Here, we developed an expansion-microscopy-based method and determined the spatial distribution of chromatin/DNA, histone H1, and nucleophosmin with an over fourfold improved resolution (<40–50 nm) and increased information content. It allowed us to identify the punctate localization of nucleophosmin in the nucleus and histone-rich domains in NETotic cells with a size of 54–66 nm. The technique could also be applied to components of the nuclear envelope (lamins B1 and B2) and myeloperoxidase, providing a complete picture of nuclear composition and structure. In conclusion, expansion microscopy enables superresolved imaging of the highly dynamic structure of nuclei in immune cells.

Monitoring hormone and small molecule secretion dynamics from islets-on-chip.

Tissue functions such as hormone secretion involve the interplay of multiple chemical signals and metabolic processes over time. Measuring the different components involved is useful in unraveling the interactions, but often requires use of multiple analytical techniques. The challenge of measuring the necessary components with temporal resolution is greater when tissue samples are limited. Here, an accessible microfluidic platform compatible with multiple measurement techniques to monitor cell secretions has been developed. The platform is applied to islets of Langerhans, micro-organs involved in glucose homeostasis and diabetes. The device houses 1 to 8 islets and the perfusion fluid can be controlled to change conditions, e.g., glucose concentration, in seconds. Samples are collected in fractions and split for offline analysis. The device is paired with a scaled-down immunoassay, AlphaLISA, for hormone quantification and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry for small molecule quantification to study secretion dynamics. The combined system allows the first simultaneous measurement of insulin, glucagon, biogenic amines, and amino acids from islet secretions. The combined measurements revealed correlation in secretion events and differences in timing of release between hormones and biogenic amines and amino acids. These efforts decreased the number of islets required compared to standard approaches, thus decreasing necessary animal use, reagent use, and cost, while increasing information content achievable from one sample. The microfluidic device is a suitable platform for in-depth characterization of secretion from small tissue samples.

Exercise increases information content and affects long-term stability of hippocampal place codes.

Physical exercise is known to augment brain functioning, improving memory and cognition. However, while some of the physiological effects of physical activity on the brain are known, little is known about its effects on the neural code. Using calcium imaging in freely behaving mice, we study how voluntary exercise affects the quality and long-term stability of hippocampal place codes. We find that running accelerates the emergence of a more informative spatial code in novel environments and increases code stability over days and weeks. Paradoxically, although runners demonstrated an overall more stable place code than their sedentary peers, their place code changed faster when controlling for code quality level. A model-based simulation shows that the combination of improved code quality and faster representational drift in runners, but neither of these effects alone, could account for our results. Thus, exercise may enhance hippocampal function via a more informative and dynamic place code.

A multi-use deep learning method for CITE-seq and single-cell RNA-seq data integration with cell surface protein prediction and imputation.

CITE-seq, a single-cell multi-omics technology that measures RNA and protein expression simultaneously in single cells, has been widely applied in biomedical research, especially in immune related disorders and other diseases such as influenza and COVID-19. Despite the proliferation of CITE-seq, it is still costly to generate such data. Although data integration can increase information content, this raises computational challenges. First, combining multiple datasets is prone to batch effects that need to be addressed. Secondly, it is difficult to combine multiple CITE-seq datasets because the protein panels in different datasets may only partially overlap. Integrating multiple CITE-seq and single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) datasets is important because this allows the utilization of as many data as possible to uncover cell population heterogeneity. To overcome these challenges, we present sciPENN, a multi-use deep learning approach that supports CITE-seq and scRNA-seq data integration, protein expression prediction for scRNA-seq, protein expression imputation for CITE-seq, quantification of prediction and imputation uncertainty, and cell type label transfer from CITE-seq to scRNA-seq. Comprehensive evaluations spanning multiple datasets demonstrate that sciPENN outperforms other current state-of-the-art methods.

Extension of the functionality of the software for MD-simulation of the SH-synthesis of intermetallides in Ni-Al and Ti-Al nanosystems

The subject of research: the methodological and functional capabilities of specialized software packages of free access LAMMPS and OVITO and author's programs used for simulation of SHS-microkinetics in heterogeneous systems.&#x0D; Purpose of research: to increase information content, 3D-visualization, and adequate interpretation of the processes of structural-phase transformations at interfaces of the layered, layered-block nanoscale Ni-Al and Ti-Al systems.&#x0D; Methods and objects of redearch: the molecular dynamics simulation method implemented in the basis of the LAMMPS software package simulates the process of initiation and propagation of the SHS combustion wave in the systems under study, and using the OVITO package, 3D-visualization of the processes of dissolution, diffusion, and motion of the SHS combustion wave front is carried out.&#x0D; Main results of research: it is shown that the development by the author of software modules for calculating one-dimensional temperature and density profiles of the synthesized material along the direction of combustion wave motion, as well as for calculating and visualizing the 3D-structure of the distribution of synthesized intermetallic interlayers at the interface in nanoparticles with the Ni-Al "core-shell" structure (and similarly for Ti-Al) allows, in contrast to the OVITO package, to detect heterophase intermetallic structures in such systems. As a result of a large series of computational experiments on simulation of microkinetics in the studied nanoscale Ni-Al and Ti-Al systems, it has been established that the software package created by the author with support for parallel computing, which, in addition to the licensed packages LAMMPS and OVITO, integrates author's software modules, has new broader functionality in the methodological aspect of the study of the problems of physical chemistry of the SHS process and is a vivid example of the created software engineering tools in this area of research.

Imputation of Ancient Whole Genome Sus scrofa DNA Introduces Biases Toward Main Population Components in the Reference Panel.

Sequencing ancient DNA to high coverage is often limited by sample quality and cost. Imputing missing genotypes can potentially increase information content and quality of ancient data, but requires different computational approaches than modern DNA imputation. Ancient imputation beyond humans has not been investigated. In this study we report results of a systematic evaluation of imputation of three whole genome ancient Sus scrofa samples from the Early and Late Neolithic (∼7,100–4,500 BP), to test the utility of imputation. We show how issues like genetic architecture and, reference panel divergence, composition and size affect imputation accuracy. We evaluate a variety of imputation methods, including Beagle5, GLIMPSE, and Impute5 with varying filters, pipelines, and variant calling methods. We achieved genotype concordance in most cases reaching above 90%; with the highest being 98% with ∼2,000,000 variants recovered using GLIMPSE. Despite this high concordance the sources of diversity present in the genotypes called in the original high coverage genomes were not equally imputed leading to biases in downstream analyses; a trend toward genotypes most common in the reference panel is observed. This demonstrates that the current reference panel does not possess the full diversity needed for accurate imputation of ancient Sus, due to missing variations from Near Eastern and Mesolithic wild boar. Imputation of ancient Sus scrofa holds potential but should be approached with caution due to these biases, and suggests that there is no universal approach for imputation of non-human ancient species.

Global fitting for high-accuracy multi-channel single-molecule localization

Multi-channel detection in single-molecule localization microscopy greatly increases information content for various biological applications. Here, we present globLoc, a graphics processing unit based global fitting algorithm with flexible PSF modeling and parameter sharing, to extract maximum information from multi-channel single molecule data. As signals in multi-channel data are highly correlated, globLoc links parameters such as 3D coordinates or photon counts across channels, improving localization precision and robustness. We show, both in simulations and experiments, that global fitting can substantially improve the 3D localization precision for biplane and 4Pi single-molecule localization microscopy and color assignment for ratiometric multicolor imaging.

Two-dimensional numerical simulation of spontaneous potential logging data with account to clay content of a reservoir by finite element method

Spontaneous polarization potential (SP) logging remains one of the most widely used geophysical methods of borehole investigation. However, for a long time its interpretation was based on empirical dependences and analytical solutions in simplified formulations. At present the development of the method is associated with the development of new approaches to numerical modeling and quantitative interpretation of SP logging data. Application of numerical algorithms makes it possible to considerably increase information content and resolution of SP method. Nevertheless, most of the currently proposed approaches rely on a simplified description of SP signal formation, which may lead to errors in data interpretation for complex reservoir intervals. In this work, we propose an algorithm for numerical simulation of SP logging data as applied to the study of clayed fluid-saturated reservoirs. The physical and mathematical model of SP signal formation in terms of coupled fluxes for the case of electrochemical SP source is considered. The software realization of the algorithm includes a two-dimensional numerical simulation of SP signals based on the application of the finite element method in the axially symmetric model of the geological medium. The character of SP signals for reservoirs of different thickness at four values of the reservoir water saturation coefficient is studied, as well as the dependence of the shape and amplitude of the SP anomaly in a water- and oil-saturated clayed reservoir on the content and type of clay mineral. The obtained results, aimed at the development of the SP method, improve the quality of SP diagrams interpretation for the study of clayed reservoirs.

Motion corrected fetal body magnetic resonance imaging provides reliable 3D lung volumes in normal and abnormal fetuses.

ObjectivesTo calculate 3D‐segmented total lung volume (TLV) in fetuses with thoracic anomalies using deformable slice‐to‐volume registration (DSVR) with comparison to 2D‐manual segmentation. To establish a normogram of TLV calculated by DSVR in healthy control fetuses.MethodsA pilot study at a single regional fetal medicine referral centre included 16 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) datasets of fetuses (22–32 weeks gestational age). Diagnosis was CDH (n = 6), CPAM (n = 2), and healthy controls (n = 8). Deformable slice‐to‐volume registration was used for reconstruction of 3D isotropic (0.85 mm) volumes of the fetal body followed by semi‐automated lung segmentation. 3D TLV were compared to traditional 2D‐based volumetry. Abnormal cases referenced to a normogram produced from 100 normal fetuses whose TLV was calculated by DSVR only.ResultsDeformable slice‐to‐volume registration‐derived TLV values have high correlation with the 2D‐based measurements but with a consistently lower volume; bias −1.44 cm3 [95% limits: −2.6 to −0.3] with improved resolution to exclude hilar structures even in cases of motion corruption or very low lung volumes.ConclusionsDeformable slice‐to‐volume registration for fetal lung MRI aids analysis of motion corrupted scans and does not suffer from the interpolation error inherent to 2D‐segmentation. It increases information content of acquired data in terms of visualising organs in 3D space and quantification of volumes, which may improve counselling and surgical planning.