bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
VoteDroid: a new ensemble voting classifier for malware detection based on fine-tuned deep learning models
Authors: Bakır Halit
Published: May 2024

In this work, VoteDroid a novel fine-tuned deep learning models-based ensemble voting classifier has been proposed for detecting malicious behavior in Android applications. To this end, we proposed adopting the random search optimization algorithm for deciding the structure of the models used as voter classifiers in the ensemble classifier. We specified the potential components that can be used in each model and left the random search algorithm taking a decision about the structure of the model including the number of each component that should be used and its location in the structure. This optimization method has been used to build three different deep learning models namely CNN-ANN, pure CNN, and pure ANN. After selecting the best structure for each DL model, the selected three models have been trained and tested using the constructed image dataset. Afterward, we suggested hybridizing the fine-tuned three deep-learning models to form one ensemble voting classifier with two different working modes namely MMR (Malware Minority Rule) and LMR (Label Majority Rule). To our knowledge, this is the first time that an ensemble classifier has been fine-tuned and hybridized in this way for malware detection. The results showed that the proposed models were promising, where the classification accuracy exceeded 97% in all experiments.
Investigating the impact of tropical deforestation on Indian monsoon hydro-climate: a novel study using a regional climate model
Authors: Lodh Abhishek , Haldar Stuti
Published: May 2024

This study uses a state-of-the-art regional climate model (RCM) to examine how tropical deforestation affects the meteorology of the Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM). Incorporating insights from existing research on deforestation by climate scientists, alongside evidence of environmental deterioration in semi-arid, hilly and tropical regions of Southeast Asia, this research seeks to elucidate the critical influence of anthropogenic reasons of climate change on the hydroclimate of ISM. Employing “tropical deforestation” design experiments with the ICTP-RegCMv4.4.5.10 RCM the study evaluates the effects on meteorological parameters including precipitation, circulation patterns and surface parameters. This experimental design entails substituting vegetation type in the land use map of RegCMv4.4.5.10 model, such as deciduous and evergreen trees in Southeast Asia with “short grass” to mimic tropical deforestation. Findings reveal that deforestation induces abnormal anti-cyclonic circulation over eastern India curtails moisture advection, diminishing latent heat flux and moisture transport, leads to a decrease in precipitation compared to control experiment scenario. Alterations in albedo and vegetation roughness length attributable to deforestation impact temperature, humidity, precipitation, consequently exacerbating drought and heatwave occurrences. Additionally, the study also explores deforestation-induced feedback on ISM precipitation variability. The study concludes that deforestation substantially alters land-surface characteristics, water and energy cycle, and atmospheric circulation, thereby influencing regional climate dynamics. These findings offer foundational insights into comprehending land-use and land-cover changes and their implications for climate change adaptation strategies.
Appearance of fluid content in Rathke’s cleft cyst is associated with clinical features and postoperative recurrence rates
Authors: Iwata Takamitsu , Oshino Satoru , Saitoh Youichi , Kinoshita Manabu , Onoda Yuji , Kijima Noriyuki , Mukai Kosuke , Otsuki Michio , Kishima Haruhiko
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The contents of Rathke’s cleft cysts (RCCs) vary from clear and slightly viscous to purulent. Surgical treatment of symptomatic RCCs involves removing the cyst contents, whereas additional cyst-wall opening to prevent reaccumulation is at the surgeon’s discretion. The macroscopic findings of the cyst content can reflect the nature of RCCs and would aid in surgical method selection.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the records of 42 patients with symptomatic RCCs who underwent transsphenoidal surgery at our institute between January 2010 and March 2022. According to the intraoperative findings, cyst contents were classified into type A (purulent), type B (turbid white with mixed semisolids), or type C (clear and slightly viscous). Clinical and imaging findings and early recurrence rate (within two years) were compared according to the cyst content type.

Results

There were 42 patients classified into three types. Patients with type C were the oldest (65.4 ± 10.4 years), and type A included more females (92.9%). For magnetic resonance imaging, type-A patients showed contrast-enhanced cyst wall (92.9%), type-B patients had intracystic nodules (57.1%), and all type-C patients showed low T1 and high T2 intensities with larger cyst volumes. Fewer asymptomatic patients had type C. Preoperative pituitary dysfunction was most common in type A (71.4%). Early recurrence was observed in types A and C, which were considered candidates for cyst-wall opening.

Conclusion

The clinical characteristics and surgical prognosis of RCCs depend on the nature of their contents.
A tale of government spending efficiency and trust in the state
Authors: Afonso António , Jalles João Tovar , Venâncio Ana
Published: May 2024

This paper empirically links the efficiency and performance assessment of the general government, proxied by efficiency scores, to the trust in government. Government spending efficiency scores are first computed via data envelopment analysis (DEA). Then, relying on panel data and instrumental variable approaches, we estimate the effect of public sector efficiency on citizens trust on national governments. The sample covers 36 OECD countries between 2007 and 2019. We find that the more efficient countries in terms of government spending are Australia, Chile, Ireland, New Zealand, South Korea, Switzerland. Secondly, our main finding is that better public sector spending efficiency is positively associated with citizens’ higher trust in governments. In general, political economy variables and the existence of fiscal rules do not seem to significantly affect our measure of trust. The results hold using alternative proxies for public sector efficiency, alternative measures for trust, specifications with different control variables and different empirical approaches (instrumental variables).
Firms’ borrowing costs and neighbors’ flood risk
Authors: Bassetti Thomas , Dal Maso Lorenzo , Pieroni Valentina
Published: May 2024

This study examines whether Italian firms exposed to physical climate risks incur additional borrowing costs due to spatial spillovers. Using a sample of 419,040 firm-year observations from 2016 to 2019, we find a positive relationship between a firm’s cost of debt and its neighborhood’s average exposure to climate risk. According to our findings, the costs associated with neighborhood climate risk are as relevant as those associated with a firm’s direct risk, with small businesses being the only ones affected by spillover effects. These results may be explained by small enterprises’ lack of financial diversification, poor bargaining power, and strong reliance on credit from financial intermediaries.
A Review on the Use of Large Language Models as Virtual Tutors
Authors: García-Méndez Silvia , de Arriba-Pérez Francisco , Somoza-López María del Carmen
Published: May 2024

Transformer architectures contribute to managing long-term dependencies for natural language processing, representing one of the most recent changes in the field. These architectures are the basis of the innovative, cutting-edge large language models (LLMs) that have produced a huge buzz in several fields and industrial sectors, among the ones education stands out. Accordingly, these generative artificial intelligence-based solutions have directed the change in techniques and the evolution in educational methods and contents, along with network infrastructure, towards high-quality learning. Given the popularity of LLMs, this review seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of those solutions designed specifically to generate and evaluate educational materials and which involve students and teachers in their design or experimental plan. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review of educational applications (e.g., student assessment) of LLMs. As expected, the most common role of these systems is as virtual tutors for automatic question generation. Moreover, the most popular models are GPT-3 and BERT. However, due to the continuous launch of new generative models, new works are expected to be published shortly.
Lineage Thinking in Evolutionary Biology: How to Improve the Teaching of Tree Thinking
Authors: Jenner Ronald A.
Published: May 2024

In 1988, Robert O’Hara coined the now ubiquitous phrase “tree thinking” to highlight the importance of cladistics for proper evolutionary reasoning. This accessible phrase has been taken up widely in the professional, popular, and educational literatures, and it has played an important role in helping spread phylogenetic thinking far beyond the disciplinary borders of systematics. However, the undeniable benefits of the spread of tree thinking have become marred by being widely linked to several misconceptions that were present in O’Hara’s original writings. O’Hara incorrectly considered clades to be the central subjects of evolutionary narratives. By failing to appreciate that clades contain independently evolving lineages, O’Hara has promoted the misleading view that evolution is irreducibly branched. In this paper, I show how an exclusive focus on the branching realm of taxa has created a cladistic blindfold that has caused a form of lineage blindness that has spread widely through the literature dedicated to the teaching of tree thinking. Its symptoms include the rejection of phenomena and concepts that are fundamental to the realm of evolving lineages, including linear evolutionary imagery and narratives, the concepts of anagenetic evolution and missing links, our evolutionary descent from monkeys and apes, and the promotion of the nonsensical concept of collateral ancestors. To avoid simplistic tree thinking, it is crucial to recognize that the realms of taxa and lineages have distinctive features that require different kinds of thinking. I close by suggesting that teaching can be improved by linking tree thinking explicitly to lineage thinking.
Lawscapes
Authors: Mancuso Salvatore
Published: May 2024

Comparative law is a subject always in motion. Scholarly discussion about its methodology is always vivid, in search of better tools to make the different possible comparative endeavors. The paper explores the concept of lawscape and its link with comparative legal methodology. The concept of lawscape will be linked with other relevant concepts in comparative law, like those of legal pluralism, legal transplants, legal formants and legal fluxes to make the necessary connections and find its space within the tools of comparative law.
Don't wait any longer, conceive in time: a systematic review and meta-analysis based on semen parameters after varicocelectomy
Authors: Mei Yangyang , Ji Nuo , Feng Xingliang , Xu Renfang , Xue Dong
Published: May 2024

Background

Varicocelectomy was considered to be beneficial to patients with varicocele-related infertility. However, there are only a few researchers who have explored the relationship between better timing and postoperative semen improvement in patients.

Methods

We conducted this meta-analysis by enrolling published prospective studies to find out the best waiting time after varicocelectomy to wait for better improvement of semen quality. An extensive search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library to identify eligible studies. The included studies were then analyzed comprehensively using STATA software and standardized mean differences (SMDs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals were calculated.

Results

Our comprehensive analysis showed that after varicocelectomy, follow-up results within 3 months or longer showed a significant improvement in semen parameters compared to the preoperative period. Notably, no further improvement in semen parameters was observed when the follow-up period reached six months or longer (semen volume: WMD: − 0.07 (− 0.29, 0.16); sperm concentration: WMD: − 1.33 (− 2.33, − 4.99); sperm motility: WMD: 2.31 (− 0.55, 5.18); sperm morphology: WMD: 1.29 (− 0.66, 3.24); sperm total motile count: WMD: 3.95 (− 6.28, 14.19)).

Conclusions

Three months after varicocelectomy may be the optimal time for semen parameters compared to six months or even longer, which means it is also the preferable time for conception. However, more well-designed prospective studies are needed in the future to validate our conclusion.
Metabolomic prediction of severe maternal and newborn complications in preeclampsia
Authors: Idler Jay , Turkoglu Onur , Yilmaz Ali , Ashrafi Nadia , Szymanska Marta , Ustun Ilyas , Patek Kara , Whitten Amy , Graham Stewart F. , Bahado-Singh Ray O.
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Preeclampsia (PreE) remains a major source of maternal and newborn complications. Prenatal prediction of these complications could significantly improve pregnancy management.

Objectives

Using metabolomic analysis we investigated the prenatal prediction of maternal and newborn complications in early and late PreE and investigated the pathogenesis of such complications.

Methods

Serum samples from 76 cases of PreE (36 early-onset and 40 late-onset), and 40 unaffected controls were collected. Direct Injection Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry combined with Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was performed. Logistic regression analysis was used to generate models for prediction of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes in patients with PreE. Metabolite set enrichment analysis (MSEA) was used to identify the most dysregulated metabolites and pathways in PreE.

Results

Forty-three metabolites were significantly altered (p < 0.05) in PreE cases with maternal complications and 162 metabolites were altered in PreE cases with newborn adverse outcomes. The top metabolite prediction model achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) = 0.806 (0.660–0.952) for predicting adverse maternal outcomes in early-onset PreE, while the AUC for late-onset PreE was 0.843 (0.712–0.974). For the prediction of adverse newborn outcomes, regression models achieved an AUC = 0.828 (0.674–0.982) in early-onset PreE and 0.911 (0.828–0.994) in late-onset PreE. Profound alterations of lipid metabolism were associated with adverse outcomes.

Conclusion

Prenatal metabolomic markers achieved robust prediction, superior to conventional markers for the prediction of adverse maternal and newborn outcomes in patients with PreE. We report for the first-time the prediction and metabolomic basis of adverse maternal and newborn outcomes in patients with PreE.
Toxicity of two heavy rare earth elements to freshwater mussels Dreissena polymorpha
Authors: Hanana Houda , Auclair Joëlle , Turcotte Patrice , Gagnon Christian , Gagné François
Published: May 2024

Rare earth elements (REE) are essential components of many electronic devices that could end-up in solid waste disposal sites and inadvertently released in the environment. The purpose of this study was to examine the toxicity of two heavy REEs, erbium (Er) and lutetium (Lu), in freshwater mussels Dreissena polymorpha. Mussels were exposed to 14 days to increasing concentration (10, 50, 250, and 1250 µg/L) of either Er and Lu at 15 °C and analyzed for gene expression in catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), metallothionein (MT), cytochrome c oxidase (CO1), and cyclin D for cell cycle. In addition, lipid peroxidation (LPO), DNA damage (DNAd), and arachidonate cyclooxygenase were also determined. The data revealed that mussels accumulated Er and Lu similarly and both REEs induced changes in mitochondrial COI activity. Er increased cell division, MT, and LPO, while Lu increased DNAd and decreased cell division. Tissue levels of Er were related to changes in MT (r = 0.7), LPO (r = 0.42), CO1 (r = 0.69), and CycD (r = 0.31). Lu tissue levels were related to changes in CO1 (r = 0.73), CycD (r =  − 0.61), CAT (r = 0.31), DNAd (r = 0.43), and SOD (r = 0.34). Although the lethal threshold was similar between Er and Lu, the threshold response for LPO revealed that Er produced toxicity at concentrations 25 times lower than Lu suggesting that Er was more harmful than Lu in mussels. In conclusions, the data supports that the toxicity pattern differed between Er and Lu although they are accumulated in the same fashion.
Effect of nano-TiO2 size and utilization ratio on the performance of photocatalytic concretes; self-cleaning, fresh, and hardened state properties
Authors: Şahin Hatice Gizem , Temel Müge , Koçak Gözde , Mardani Ali , Kara Ali
Published: May 2024

In this study, photocatalysis technology was used to reduce water pollution. Decolorization of Reactive Black 5 using nano-TiO2 (NT) as a photocatalyst was investigated by adsorption and degradation experiments. Effects of NT particle size and utilization ratio on the time-dependent flow performance, compressive-flexural strength, and Bohme abrasion resistance of cementitious systems were investigated. In addition to the NT-free control mixture, a total of six photocatalytic self-cleaning mortar mixtures (PSCM) were prepared using NT in two different particle sizes (28 and 38 nm) and three different ratios (0.5%, 1%, and 1.5%). The PSCM sample containing 38 nm NT exhibited superior performance in terms of photocatalytic properties compared to the 28 nm state. It was observed that the flow performance of PSCM mixtures with NT substitution is adversely affected regardless of the NT type. Mixtures containing NT with a lower particle size (28 nm) had higher compressive and flexural strengths.
Controllable hydrophobization of sands with self-healing polymeric microcapsules
Authors: Qi Rui , Chen Ke , Lin Hongjie , Lourenço Sérgio D. N. , Kanellopoulos Antonios
Published: May 2024

Hydrophobized soils have functional hydrophobic coatings to delay or restrict water infiltration and thus prevent infrastructure failure and long-term degradation. Over time, hydrophobized soils will be subjected to degradation under the action of external stresses, leading to the loss of its functional properties. Microencapsulation approaches, initially developed for self-healing applications emerge as a potential solution to enhance, switch (from hydrophilic) or prolong the longevity of hydrophobized soils. The aim of this study is to produce and investigate the effectiveness of microencapsulation to impart hydrophobicity in granular materials in response to external stimuli. In this research, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), with hydrophobic properties, is encapsulated in calcium alginate microcapsules with the ionic gelation method. The effectiveness of the microcapsules to induce hydrophobicity is investigated by mixing sand with microcapsules and quantifying the change of the contact angle and water drop penetration time (measures of hydrophobicity) under an external trigger, i.e., under drying and consecutive wetting–drying cycles. The results show that microcapsules release the hydrophobic cargo (PDMS) during shrinkage. After drying, the PDMS content in sand increased to 0.1–0.8% by mass of sand. The released hydrophobic cargo (PDMS) induced hydrophobicity in sands, reflected by a contact angle increase from 29.7° to at least 87.7°. The amount of polydimethylsiloxane encapsulated is a key parameter controlling the release of hydrophobic cargo. In addition, 4% capsule content in sands is identified as an effective microcapsule content in inducing hydrophobicity.
HyperMRI: hyperspectral and magnetic resonance fusion methodology for neurosurgery applications
Authors: Villa Manuel , Sancho Jaime , Rosa Gonzalo , Chavarrias Miguel , Juarez Eduardo , Sanz Cesar
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a common technique in image-guided neurosurgery (IGN). Recent research explores the integration of methods like ultrasound and tomography, among others, with hyperspectral (HS) imaging gaining attention due to its non-invasive real-time tissue classification capabilities. The main challenge is the registration process, often requiring manual intervention. This work introduces an automatic, markerless method for aligning HS images with MRI.

Methods

This work presents a multimodal system that combines RGB-Depth (RGBD) and HS cameras. The RGBD camera captures the patient’s facial geometry, which is used for registration with the preoperative MR through ICP. Once MR-depth registration is complete, the integration of HS data is achieved using a calibrated homography transformation. The incorporation of external tracking with a novel calibration method allows camera mobility from the registration position to the craniotomy area. This methodology streamlines the fusion of RGBD, HS and MR images within the craniotomy area.

Results

Using the described system and an anthropomorphic phantom head, the system has been characterised by registering the patient’s face in 25 positions and 5 positions resulted in a fiducial registration error of 1.88 ± 0.19 mm and a target registration error of 4.07 ± 1.28 mm, respectively.

Conclusions

This work proposes a new methodology to automatically register MR and HS information with a sufficient accuracy. It can support the neurosurgeons to guide the diagnosis using multimodal data over an augmented reality representation. However, in its preliminary prototype stage, this system exhibits significant promise, driven by its cost-effectiveness and user-friendly design.
Challenges in multi-centric generalization: phase and step recognition in Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery
Authors: Lavanchy Joël L. , Ramesh Sanat , Dall’Alba Diego , Gonzalez Cristians , Fiorini Paolo , Müller-Stich Beat P. , Nett Philipp C. , Marescaux Jacques , Mutter Didier , Padoy Nicolas
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Most studies on surgical activity recognition utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) have focused mainly on recognizing one type of activity from small and mono-centric surgical video datasets. It remains speculative whether those models would generalize to other centers.

Methods

In this work, we introduce a large multi-centric multi-activity dataset consisting of 140 surgical videos (MultiBypass140) of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) surgeries performed at two medical centers, i.e., the University Hospital of Strasbourg, France (StrasBypass70) and Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Switzerland (BernBypass70). The dataset has been fully annotated with phases and steps by two board-certified surgeons. Furthermore, we assess the generalizability and benchmark different deep learning models for the task of phase and step recognition in 7 experimental studies: (1) Training and evaluation on BernBypass70; (2) Training and evaluation on StrasBypass70; (3) Training and evaluation on the joint MultiBypass140 dataset; (4) Training on BernBypass70, evaluation on StrasBypass70; (5) Training on StrasBypass70, evaluation on BernBypass70; Training on MultiBypass140, (6) evaluation on BernBypass70 and (7) evaluation on StrasBypass70.

Results

The model’s performance is markedly influenced by the training data. The worst results were obtained in experiments (4) and (5) confirming the limited generalization capabilities of models trained on mono-centric data. The use of multi-centric training data, experiments (6) and (7), improves the generalization capabilities of the models, bringing them beyond the level of independent mono-centric training and validation (experiments (1) and (2)).

Conclusion

MultiBypass140 shows considerable variation in surgical technique and workflow of LRYGB procedures between centers. Therefore, generalization experiments demonstrate a remarkable difference in model performance. These results highlight the importance of multi-centric datasets for AI model generalization to account for variance in surgical technique and workflows. The dataset and code are publicly available at https://github.com/CAMMA-public/MultiBypass140.
Panarchy to explore land use: a historical case study from the Peruvian Amazon
Authors: Lagneaux Elisabeth G. , Callo-Concha Daniel , Speelman Erika N. , Descheemaeker Katrien
Published: May 2024

The overexploitation of natural resources is an important driver of the global environmental crisis. The scientific community engages in an ongoing debate about the most suitable frameworks for analyzing trends in land use. In this paper, we use the conceptual lens of the adaptive cycle and panarchy to explore complex social–ecological dynamics in the Peruvian Amazon. Through an extensive literature review and interviews with key informants, we provide a historical analysis of extractive activities over the last two centuries in the department of Madre de Dios, Peru. We identify periods of growth, conservation, and sometimes release and reorganization for each resource and for the overall social–ecological system. We identify a general trend toward more diversification in extractive activities over time and inter-scale linkages between adaptive cycles of different time and space scales. Based on these results, we explore future development, hypothesize a possible domination of the agricultural sector, and suggest that land-use policies and management interventions should draw from past lessons to design adaptive land planning. Finally, we present new evidence highlighting the relevance of panarchy for understanding historical changes in complex social–ecological systems and demonstrate its utility in exploring both past land use and future development.
Heavy sets and index bounded relative symplectic cohomology
Authors: Sun Yuhan
Published: May 2024

We use relative symplectic cohomology to detect heavy sets, with the help of index bounded contact forms. This establishes a relation between two notions SH-heaviness and heaviness, which partly answers a conjecture of Dickstein–Ganor–Polterovich–Zapolsky in the symplectically aspherical setting.
Suicide by ligature strangulation and/or hanging inside a motor vehicle: a comprehensive review
Authors: Campobasso Carlo Pietro , De Simone Mariavictoria , Porzio Antonietta , Mazzini Edoardo , Carfora Anna , Feola Alessandro
Published: May 2024

Suicide by ligature strangulation/hanging inside vehicles is uncommon, and only few cases have been reported in the literature. This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive review of reported cases of suicide by ligature strangulation/hanging inside vehicles, analyzing the features of the death scene, of the ligature and furrow, autopsy findings, and causes of death. The comprehensive review was performed following the PRISMA guidelines by using the most common scientific databases. According to inclusion criteria, a total of 20 cases of vehicle-assisted strangulation/hanging were reviewed: 13 cases were assessed as ligature strangulation resulting in 7 complete decapitations and 7 other cases as hanging. All victims were young or adult males, except for one 48-year-old female. Death was assessed as suicide in all cases, except for a possible accidental autoerotic death. In 8 cases, a history of depression or other psychiatric disorders was reported. Toxicological analysis were positive in 7 cases. Hard ligature materials (nylon, steel, plastic, hemp ropes) were used in most cases, but only 13 cases had a well-demarcated furrow. In 2 cases, no internal findings of asphyxia were found. An additional case of ligature strangulation inside a motor vehicle off is also presented, where no autopsy findings of asphyxia were observed, except for a broad pale furrow and monolateral conjunctival petechiae. This study highlights the challenges in classifying suicidal hanging and ligature strangulation in motor vehicles.
Resilience through appropriate response: a simulation study of disruptions and response strategies – case COVID-19 and the grocery supply chain
Authors: Saarinen Lauri , Oddsdottir Hildur , Rehman Obaid
Published: May 2024

In the wake of disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chains (SCs) face unprecedented levels of uncertainty, underscoring the critical need for resilience capabilities. We study how the operational dynamics of SCs influence the efficacy of key resilience capabilities, specifically flexibility and visibility. Utilizing a system dynamics simulation model, we analyze the contingency effects within Finnish grocery SCs, examining how the operational tempo—characterized by lead times, inventory buffers, information updating—affects the efficiency of resilience strategies in response to diverse disruption scenarios. Our model, informed by real-world disruption events and responses, reveals distinct preferences for resilience capabilities based on SC operational dynamics. For fast-moving SCs, flexibility in ramping up capacity emerges as paramount, whereas for slower SCs, enhanced visibility becomes crucial. We contribute to the contingent Resource-Based View (RBV) on SC resilience by proposing that responsiveness is important moderator of flexibility and visibility as resilience capabilities. We highlight the importance of prevention of phantom ordering through improved visibility and caution against destocking following sudden demand declines. By aligning operational dynamics with tailored resilience strategies, our research offers actionable insights for SC managers aiming to navigate future disruptions more effectively.
The Social Impact of COVID-19 on Migrants in Urban Africa
Authors: Tenerowicz Gates , Wellman Elizabeth Iams
Published: May 2024

This paper explores the social impacts of COVID-19 on migrants living in three major African cities: Accra, Johannesburg, and Nairobi. Given the importance of social support networks to mobile populations, particularly in areas with limited access to essential services, understanding how the pandemic disrupted social relations underscores the broader health and economic impacts of COVID-19 on migrant communities. Using a large scale 2021 survey of nine migrant neighborhoods located across three African mega-cities, we comparatively analyze migrant social interactions during the first year of the pandemic. We find that while migrant social interactions decreased in Accra and Nairobi, living in Johannesburg was significantly associated with unchanged or increased social interactions in the first year of the pandemic. We situate these findings with municipal and country-level variation of COVID-19 policy responses within each city. In particular, we illuminate how the severity of the pandemic and response in South Africa may have catalyzed opportunities for migrants to increase social engagements within their everyday lives. By understanding how compound challenges impacted migrant life, this paper contributes to the emerging area of comparative studies on the effects of COVID-19 on migrant populations, and urban populations within the Global South more broadly.
Zinc Deficiency After Bariatric Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Jiao Yuwen , Liu Yanheng , Chen Shuai , Tang Liming
Published: May 2024

Bariatric surgery has become an effective method for treating severe obesity and its related complications. While the effectiveness and safety of BS have been widely confirmed, micronutrient deficiency has emerged as a long-term complication after surgery. Literature was collected through online searches of PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase databases, as well as manual searches. A total of 15 studies, with a sample size of 2993 cases, were included. The studies found that the risk of zinc deficiency increased gradually at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after surgery compared to pre-surgery levels. Subgroup analysis revealed that serum zinc levels decreased by 9.40% (95% CI − 16.44%, − 2.36%) at 1 year after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, 9.33% (95% CI − 10.73%, − 7.92%) after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and one-anastomosis gastric bypass, and 22.30% (95% CI − 30.14%, − 14.46%) after biliopancreatic diversion/duodenal switch. Meanwhile, the total prevalence of zinc deficiency at 1 year after surgery was 26.1%. In conclusion, zinc deficiency worsens and serum zinc levels decrease after bariatric surgery. It is recommended that patients undergoing weight loss surgery undergo regular monitoring of serum zinc levels and receive timely zinc supplementation therapy.
The Role of Cerebellum and Basal Ganglia Functional Connectivity in Altered Voluntary Movement Execution in Essential Tremor
Authors: Passaretti Massimiliano , Piervincenzi Claudia , Baione Viola , Pasqua Gabriele , Colella Donato , Pietracupa Sara , Petsas Nikolaos , Angelini Luca , Cannavacciuolo Antonio , Paparella Giulia , Berardelli Alfredo , Pantano Patrizia , Bologna Matteo
Published: May 2024

Substantial evidence highlights the role of the cerebellum in the pathophysiology of tremor in essential tremor (ET), although its potential involvement in altered movement execution in this condition remains unclear. This study aims to explore potential correlations between the cerebellum and basal ganglia functional connectivity and voluntary movement execution abnormalities in ET, objectively assessed with kinematic techniques. A total of 20 patients diagnosed with ET and 18 healthy subjects were enrolled in this study. Tremor and repetitive finger tapping were recorded using an optoelectronic kinematic system. All participants underwent comprehensive 3T-MRI examinations, including 3D-T1 and blood-oxygen-level dependent (BOLD) sequences during resting state. Morphometric analysis was conducted on the 3D-T1 images, while a seed-based analysis was performed to investigate the resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) of dorsal and ventral portions of the dentate nucleus and the external and internal segments of the globus pallidus. Finally, potential correlations between rsFC alterations in patients and clinical as well as kinematic scores were assessed. Finger tapping movements were slower in ET than in healthy subjects. Compared to healthy subjects, patients with ET exhibited altered FC of both dentate and globus pallidus with cerebellar, basal ganglia, and cortical areas. Interestingly, both dentate and pallidal FC exhibited positive correlations with movement velocity in patients, differently from that we observed in healthy subjects, indicating the higher the FC, the faster the finger tapping. The findings of this study indicate the possible role of both cerebellum and basal ganglia in the pathophysiology of altered voluntary movement execution in patients with ET.
Centralized exchanges vs. decentralized exchanges in cryptocurrency markets: A systematic literature review
Authors: Hägele Sascha
Published: May 2024

Research on cryptocurrency exchanges, consisting of both centralized exchanges (CEXs) and decentralized exchanges (DEXs), has seen a significant increase in contributions in recent years, driven by growing interest in the conceptual design of cryptocurrency markets. Through a comprehensive review of literature published between January 2019 and September 2023, I identify and analyze different dimensions of the ongoing CEX vs. DEX debate. While DEXs emphasize decentralization, user control, and resistance to censorship, CEXs offer higher liquidity, advanced trading features, and a more established track record. Regulatory challenges, such as Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance, also feature prominently in the literature and influence the choice of exchange for both traders and policymakers. In addition, I observe a growing interest in the design of pricing functions for CEXs and DEXs, particularly in the area of automated market makers (AMMs). Finally, based on my findings, I outline future research opportunities in this context and derive research gaps as well as recommended actions for practitioners.
Benthos meets plankton: isopods sampled in the Japan Trench by means of plankton nets fixed to large bottom trawls
Authors: Brandt Angelika , Bergmeier Franziska , Casaubon Anchita , Kano Yasunori , Kelch Andreas , Knauber Henry , Okamoto Kai , Ohta Mizuki , Shiraki Shoki , Yamamoto Daiki , Kojima Shigeaki
Published: May 2024

During the KH-23–5 expedition aboard the RV Hakuho Maru to the Kuril-Kamchatka (KKT) and Japan Trenches (JT) in September 2023, we deployed bottom trawls equipped with plankton nets, resulting in a high number of supra- and epibenthic benthic organisms, particularly of isopod crustaceans (Peracarida, Malacostraca). In total, we sampled 2656 specimens of Isopoda spanning at least 14 families and the suborder Epicaridea across 28 stations. Notably, five families were represented by more than 100 specimens each: Munnopsidae led with the highest number of specimens (1123 individuals), followed by Haploniscidae with 564, Macrostylidae with 430, Ischnomesidae with 245, and Desmosomatidae with 188 individuals. Station C8 yielded the highest number of individuals (502), while only one isopod was retrieved from station F11. Our findings document the efficacy of employing additional plankton nets,and we recommend the increased use of bottom trawls deployed with plankton nets in future expeditions.
A dance fly (Empididae: Hilarempis Bezzi) from the Foulden Maar Fossil-Lagerstätte (Early Miocene, New Zealand)
Authors: Kaulfuss Uwe , Sinclair Bradley J.
Published: May 2024

New Zealand has a diverse and highly endemic fauna of dance flies (Empididae) with much of its diversity found in the tribe Hilarini. Here we report the first fossil of a dance fly from New Zealand from lacustrine diatomites of the earliest Miocene Foulden Maar Fossil-Lagerstätte in Otago. Hilarempis otagoensis sp. nov. is described from a single male specimen and assigned to the tribe Hilarini based on characters of the wing venation. This new species represents the first fossil record of the predominantly southern temperate genus Hilarempis Bezzi and the second fossil record of the subfamily Empidinae from the Southern Hemisphere. The articulated preservation suggests that Hilarempis otagoensis sp. nov. lived among riparian vegetation on the shore of the Foulden Maar palaeolake and probably drowned while skimming the water surface in search for prey or nuptial gifts.
Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the liver after adrenal neuroblastoma surgery: a case report
Authors: Shen Qiyang , Liu Xingyu , Zhang Lijie , Li Tao , Zhou Jianfeng
Published: May 2024

A boy aged 55 months was diagnosed with stage IV Neuroblastoma (NB) of the right adrenal gland 2 years ago. Preoperative chemotherapy was given and he was then treated with retroperitoneal tumor resection and lymph node dissection. After surgery, the children were transferred to the Hemato-Oncology Department for chemotherapy according to the high-risk group NB, with outpatient follow-up every 6 months. In the second postoperative year, abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a rounded hypodense area in the upper part of the right posterior lobe of the liver, with marked inhomogeneous enhancement in the venous phase after enhancement, which was surgically resected, and postoperative pathology confirmed inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) of liver. The patient was not given any special treatment after surgery. In this study, whole transcriptome sequencing was performed on the postoperative specimen of adrenal NB and the specimen of IMT of liver. This unusual case emphasizes the need for close monitoring of second tumor development in NB survivors even in the absence of known predisposing factors.
Green Innovation Adoption in Turkish and Iranian SMEs: The Effect of Dynamic Capabilities and the Mediating Role of Absorptive Capacity
Authors: Çeli̇k Ali Kemal , Yildiz Tayfun , Aykanat Zafer , Kazemzadeh Siamak
Published: May 2024

Green innovation (GI) adoption of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) especially in middle-income economies plays a significant role to reduce negative impacts of environmental issues and to gain competitive advantage. The main objective of the present paper is to examine the mediating role of absorptive capacity (ACAP) on the relationship between dynamic capabilities (DC) and GI adoption in the context of Turkish and Iranian SMEs, two middle-income economies. For this purpose, a well-established online questionnaire is administered to 296 top executives of Turkish and Iranian SMEs operating in energy industry, a highly dynamic market. Using Hayes Process Macro Model, the results of this paper reveal that ACAP has a significant effect on GI adoption of Iranian SMEs but this effect of ACAP is insignificant in terms of Turkish SMEs. The empirical evidence obtained from the present paper also puts forward that DC positively influnce GI adoption in Turkish SMEs, however, the corresponding relationship is not significant for Iranian counterparts. For both middle-income economies, ACAP has a statistically significant mediating role on the relationship between DC and GI adoption of SMEs. Strategic alliances engagement and governmental incentives on GI investments are recommended to overcome certain barriers of SMEs including resource shortages and to improve ACAP and DC that enhance GI adoption of Turkish and Iranian SMEs in the future. As far as is known, this is the first study that compares possible antecedents of SMEs’ GI adoption in two middle-income economies.
Generation of induced pluripotent stem cells from an individual with early onset and severe hypertrophic cardiomyopathy linked to MYBPC3: c.772G > A mutation
Authors: Ribeiro Marta , Jager Joanna , Furtado Marta , Carvalho Teresa , Cabral Joaquim M. S. , Brito Dulce , Carmo-Fonseca Maria , Martins Sandra , da Rocha Simão Teixeira
Published: May 2024

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is frequently caused by mutations in the MYPBC3 gene, which encodes the cardiac myosin-binding protein C (cMyBP-C). Most pathogenic variants in MYPBC3 are either nonsense mutations or result in frameshifts, suggesting that the primary disease mechanism involves reduced functional cMyBP-C protein levels within sarcomeres. However, a subset of MYPBC3 variants are missense mutations, and the molecular mechanisms underlying their pathogenicity remain elusive. Upon in vitro differentiation into cardiomyocytes, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from HCM patients represent a valuable resource for disease modeling. In this study, we generated two iPSC lines from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of a female with early onset and severe HCM linked to the MYBPC3: c.772G > A variant. Although this variant was initially classified as a missense mutation, recent studies indicate that it interferes with splicing and results in a frameshift. The generated iPSC lines exhibit a normal karyotype and display hallmark characteristics of pluripotency, including the ability to undergo trilineage differentiation. These novel iPSCs expand the existing repertoire of MYPBC3-mutated cell lines, broadening the spectrum of resources for exploring how diverse mutations induce HCM. They additionally offer a platform to study potential secondary genetic elements contributing to the pronounced disease severity observed in this individual.
Node classification in complex networks based on multi-view debiased contrastive learning
Authors: Li Zhe , Zhou Lei , Hou Yandong , Ji Min , Hang Zhuanzheng , Chen Bolun
Published: May 2024

In complex networks, contrastive learning has emerged as a crucial technique for acquiring discriminative representations from graph data. Maximizing the similarity among relevant sample pairs while minimizing that among irrelevant pairs is pivotal in contrastive learning. Therefore, careful consideration must be given to the design of sample pairs in contrastive learning. However, existing node-level self-supervised contrastive learning often treats the enhanced representation of a central node as a positive sample, while considering representations of all other nodes as negative samples. This approach can lead to conflicts in downstream tasks on some graph data, as nodes of the same class are treated as negatives during learning. Precision in sample pair design is essential for enhancing the performance of contrastive learning. To address this issue, this paper introduces a negative sample debiased sampling contrastive learning (NDSCL), specifically tailored for node classification tasks. In particular, this method integrates contrastive learning with semi-supervised learning. A trained classifier assigns pseudo-labels to unlabeled data, and debiased sampling is applied to negative samples. Unlike other methods that focus on negative sample selection, NDSCL also addresses the imbalance in pseudo-label distribution by employing debiasing techniques. Finally, in conjunction with diffusion augmentation, the model is provided with diverse views as inputs to maximize the retention of underlying semantic information. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed model significantly outperforms baseline models in node-level classification tasks across multiple network datasets. Moreover, the model not only enhances accuracy but also improves computational speed and memory requirements for handling large-scale graph data structures.
Sla-former: conformer using shifted linear attention for audio-visual speech recognition
Authors: Xiao Yewei , Huang Jian , Liu Xuanming , Zhu Aosu
Published: May 2024

Conformer-based models have proven highly effective in Audio-visual Speech Recognition, integrating auditory and visual inputs to significantly enhance speech recognition accuracy. However, the widely utilized softmax attention mechanism within conformer models encounters scalability issues, with its spatial and temporal complexity escalating quadratically with sequence length. To address these challenges, this paper introduces the Shifted Linear Attention Conformer, an evolved iteration of the conformer architecture. Shifted Linear Attention Conformer adopts shifted linear attention as a scalable alternative to softmax attention. We conducted a thorough analysis of the factors constraining the efficiency of linear attention. To mitigate these issues, we propose the utilization of a straightforward yet potent mapping function and an efficient rank restoration module, enhancing the effectiveness of self-attention while maintaining low computational complexity. Furthermore, we integrate an advanced attention-shifting technique facilitating token manipulation within attentional mechanisms, thereby enhancing information flow across various groups. This three-part approach enhances cognitive computations, particularly beneficial for processing longer sequences. Our model achieves exceptional Word Error Rates of 1.9% and 1.5% on the Lip Reading Sentences 2 and Lip Reading Sentences 3 datasets, respectively, showcasing its state-of-the-art performance in audio-visual speech recognition tasks.