bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measuring the readiness level for Kaizen projects: a multi-layer Bayesian decision-making framework
Authors: Amoozad Mahdiraji Hannan , Sharifpour Arabi Hojatallah , Garza-Reyes Jose Arturo , Jabbar Abdul
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Acquainting organisations regarding the concepts of Total Quality Management (TQM) and its implementation is one measure that effectively improves their global position and performance. Kaizen is one of the concepts of TQM, which focuses on low-cost organisational transformational methods and often saves consuming significant resources (time, capital, etc.). Using Kaizen in organisational transformation sets efficient guidelines to improve processes agility and leanness and increase manufacturing productivity. Hence, this study aims to identify the key success factors in Kaizen projects and presents a score function that measures the readiness level of organisations to implement Kaizen projects.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review first extracts the key success factors in Kaizen projects. Afterwards, the selected factors are screened via the fuzzy Delphi method using expert opinions from the manufacturing sector of an emerging economy. Subsequently, their importance is cross-examined by the Bayesian best–worst Method (BBWM). The BBWM is one of the most recent multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods that lead to stable, dynamic and robust pairwise comparisons. After analysing the weights of the key factors, a score function is designed so that organisations can understand how much they are ready to launch Kaizen projects.

Findings

According to the findings, “Training and education” and “Employee attitude” played an important role in the success of Kaizen projects. The literature extracted 22 success factors of Kaizen projects, and 10 factors were eliminated through the fuzzy Delphi method. Twelve success factors in Kaizen projects were evaluated and investigated through the BBWM. Matching to this method, “Training and education” and “Employee attitude” weighed 0.119 and 0.112, relatively. Furthermore, “Support from senior management” was the least important factor.

Originality/value

To the best knowledge of the authors, this is the first research in which the success factors of Kaizen projects have been identified and analysed through an integrated multi-layer decision-making framework. Although some studies have investigated the key success factors of Kaizen projects and analysed them through statistical approaches, research that examines the success factors of Kaizen projects through MCDM methods is yet to be reported. Moreover, the score function that measures the level of readiness of each organisation for the successful implementation of Kaizen projects is a unique contribution to this research.
Nexus between economic factors and FDI equity inflows: a causality analysis in ARDL approach
Authors: Kanodia Nikhil Kumar , Mohapatra Dipti Ranjan , Jena Pratap Ranjan
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Economic literature highlights both positive and negative impact of FDI on economic growth. The purpose of this study is to confirm the relationship between various economic factors and FDI equity inflows and find out deviations, if any. This is investigated using standard time-series econometric models. The long and short run relationship is inquired with respect to market size, inflation rate, level of infrastructure, domestic investment and openness to trade. The choice of variables for Indian economy is purely based on empirical observations obtained from scientific literature review.

Design/methodology/approach

The study involves application of autoregressive distributive lag (ARDL) model to investigate the relationship. The long run co-integration between FDI and economic growth is tested by Pesaran ARDL model. The stationarity of data is tested by augmented Dickey Fuller test and Phillip–Perron unit root test. Error correction model is applied to study the short run relationship using Johansen’s vector error correction model method besides other tests.

Findings

The results show that the domestic investment, inflation rate, level of infrastructure and trade openness influence inward FDI flows. These factors have both long and short-term relationship with FDI inflows. However, market size is insignificant in influencing the foreign investments inflows. There lies an inverse relation between FDI and inflation rate.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the study is original. The methodology and interpretation of results are distinct and different from other similar studies.
Ethanologenesis from glycerol by the gut acetogen Blautia schinkii
Authors: Trischler Raphael , Poehlein A. , Daniel R. , Müller Volker
Published: October 2023

The human gut is an anoxic environment that harbours a multitude of microorganisms that not only contribute to food digestion. The microbiome is also involved in malfunctions such as diseases, inflammation processes or development of obesity, but it is also involved in processes that increase the human well‐being. Both, the good and the bad, are mediated by fermentation end products of bacterial metabolism, among others. However, despite a steadily growing knowledge of ‘who lives out there’, little in known of ‘what do they do out there’. The genus Blautia is commonly found in the gut and associated with human well‐being, but the exploration of their metabolic potential has just started. We demonstrate that B. schinkii grows on glycerol by producing acetate and ethanol. Transcriptome studies and biochemical analyses revealed a glycerol dehydrogenase and dihydroxyacetone kinase that funnel the substrate into glycolysis. Consequently, cells also grew on dihydroxyacetone. Cells could be adapted to grow at high (up to 1.5 M) glycerol concentrations but then only ethanol was formed. Ethanol production from glycerol is not only of relevance for the human host but also for potential bioindustrial production of bioethanol from waste glycerol.
Should the Prime Minister Sit in the House of Lords?
Authors: Farrington Conor
Published: October 2023

By long‐standing convention, the prime minister sits in the House of Commons. This article adopts the perspective of a thought experiment in which the premier moves to the House of Lords instead, exploring the potential advantages and drawbacks of this scenario from multiple perspectives. This move would entail shifts in the prime minister's roles and responsibilities, with knock‐on implications for the day‐to‐day functioning of the upper house. While a red‐bench premier would be less connected with the quotidian dynamics of electoral politics, they could also take a more strategic, long‐term view of politics and engage more actively in deliberative debate in a revitalised second chamber. The shift would also prompt significant debates surrounding non‐elective aspects of the constitution, including the House of Lords, raising important questions about legitimacy and representation. While acknowledging the unlikelihood of such a change, the article argues nonetheless that—as with all thought experiments—taking the possibility seriously can stimulate deeper thinking and challenge conventional assumptions about constitutional arrangements.
Transfer of cetirizine/levocetirizine into human breast milk and estimation of drug exposure to infants through breastfeeding: A human lactation study from the ConcePTION project
Authors: Nordeng Hedvig , Wegler Christine , Lindqvist Annika , Melander Erik , Magnusson Mikaela , Gandia Peggy , Panchaud Alice , Baranczewski Pawel , Spigset Olav
Published: October 2023

Data on drug transfer into human breast milk are sparse. This study aimed to quantify concentrations of cetirizine and levocetirizine in breast milk and to estimate drug exposure to infants. Breastfeeding women at least 8 weeks postpartum and using cetirizine or its pure (R)‐enantiomer levocetirizine were eligible to participate. Breast milk samples were collected at six predefined times during a dose interval (0, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h after drug intake) at steady state. Infant drug exposure was estimated by calculating the absolute infant dose (AID) and the weight‐adjusted relative infant dose (RID). In total, 32 women were eligible for final inclusion, 31 women using cetirizine and one woman using levocetirizine. Means of the individual maximum and average cetirizine milk concentrations were 41.0 and 16.8 μg/L, respectively. Maximum concentrations occurred on average 2.4 h after intake, and the mean half‐life in milk was 7.0 h. Estimated AID and RID for cetirizine in a day were 2.5 μg/kg and 1.9%, respectively. The corresponding values for levocetirizine were 1.1 μg/kg and 1.9%. No severe adverse events were reported. Our findings demonstrate that the transfer of cetirizine and levocetirizine into breast milk is low and compatible with breastfeeding.
The Anthropocene is best understood as an ongoing, intensifying, diachronous event
Authors: Walker Michael J. C. , Bauer Andrew M. , Edgeworth Matthew , Ellis Erle C. , Finney Stanley C. , Gibbard Philip L. , Maslin Mark
Published: October 2023

Current debate on the status and character of the Anthropocene is focussed on whether this interval of geological time should be designated as a formal unit of epoch/series rank in the International Chronostratigraphic Chart/Geological Time Scale, or whether it is more appropriate for it to be considered as an informal ‘event’ comparable in significance with other major transformative events in deeper geological time. The case for formalizing the Anthropocene as a chronostratigraphical unit with a base at approximately 1950 CE is being developed by the Anthropocene Working Group of the Subcommission on Quaternary Stratigraphy. Here we outline the alternative position and explain why the time‐transgressive nature of human impact on global environmental systems that is reflected in the recent stratigraphical record means that the Anthropocene is better seen not as a series/epoch with a fixed lower boundary, but rather as an unfolding, transforming and intensifying geological event.
Evaluating hybrid speciation and swamping in wild carnivores with a decision‐tree approach
Authors: Tensen Laura , Fischer Klaus
Published: October 2023

Hybridization is an important evolutionary force with a principal role in the origin of new species, known as hybrid speciation. However, ongoing hybridization can create hybrid swamping, in which parental genomes are completely lost. This can become a biodiversity threat if it involves species that have adapted to certain environmental conditions and occur nowhere else. Because conservation scientists commonly have a negative attitude toward hybrids, it is important to improve understanding of the influence of interspecific gene flow on the persistence of species. We reviewed the literature on species hybridization to build a list of all known cases in the order Carnivora. To examine the relative impact, we also noted level of introgression, whether fertile offspring were produced, and whether there was mention of negative or positive evolutionary effects (hybrid speciation and swamping). To evaluate the conservation implications of hybrids, we developed a decision‐making tree with which to determine which actions should be taken to manage hybrid species. We found 53 hybrids involving 68 unique taxa, which is roughly 23% of all carnivore species. They mainly involved monophyletic (83%) and sympatric species (75%). For 2 species, the outcome of the assessment was to eliminate or restrict the hybrids: Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis) and Scottish wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris). Both species hybridize with their domestic conspecifics. For all other cases, we suggest hybrids be protected in the same manner as native species. We found no evidence of genomic extinction in Carnivora. To the contrary, some species appear to be of hybrid origin, such as the Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) and African golden wolf (Canis lupaster). Other positive outcomes of hybridization are novel genetic diversity, adaptation to extreme environments, and increased reproductive fitness. These outcomes are particularly valuable for counterbalancing genetic drift and enabling adaptive introgression in a human‐dominated world.
Effects of captions on viewers’ perceptions of images depicting human−primate interaction
Authors: Freund Cathryn A. , Cronin Katherine A. , Huang Michelle , Robinson Natalie J. , Yoo Boaz , DiGiorgio Andrea L.
Published: October 2023

Promoting human contact with wildlife can be harmful to animal conservation and welfare by exposing animals to unsafe situations and driving demand for wildlife tourism and exotic pets. Conservationists and researchers justifiably use social media to raise awareness, but professionals posting pictures of themselves with animals can have unintended negative consequences for conservation. Though the International Union for Conservation of Nature Best Practice Guidelines for Responsible Images of Non‐Human Primates suggests researchers and animal professionals provide context in captions of images of humans interacting with primates, there is little research investigating whether this approach is effective. We investigated whether informative captions affect viewers’ desires to have primates as pets and attitudes toward wildlife conservation. Using 4 mock Instagram posts depicting human−gorilla and human−slender loris interactions, we surveyed 2977 respondents to assess the effect of captions on viewers’ perceptions of the images and primate conservation. Likert scale response data were analyzed with ordered probit regression models. Captions clearly contextualizing an image as research resulted in a significantly higher agreement that posts depicted wildlife research (gorilla β = 0.28 [SE 0.06], p < 0.001; loris β = 0.18 [0.06], p = 0.002), but such captions resulted in no significant difference in responses regarding viewers’ desires to own primates as pets or questions regarding the primates’ conservation statuses. Although most participants agreed the primates were endangered, more than 56% and 59%, respectively, stated they would have a gorilla or loris as a pet, that they would make good pets, or both, further supporting the conclusion that captions do not minimize harmful impacts of images of human−primate interactions.
Building references for nature conservation
Authors: Robert Alexandre
Published: October 2023

Conservation references have long been used in conservation biology to compare current biodiversity processes and states with past conditions. However, beyond the paucity of data for the construction of ancient, even prehuman, references, the relevance of these ancient references for studying ecosystems radically modified by human activities is questionable, particularly when the notions of conservation references and conservation objectives are confused and when several conservation ethics coexist that require distinct references. Because of this implicit heterogeneity in the nature of the references and their temporal baseline, conservation references not only have different meanings, but also deliver different messages. I propose establishing a common framework for conservation references to approach past biological systems and build comparable references between studies and projects. The selection of these references (distinct from conservation objectives) should be an early, explicit, standardized, and transparent milestone in any conservation process and these references should be based on state, pressure, or process dynamics, rather than fixed states. Finally, the importance of the diversity of temporal baselines used to build conservation references and to measure anthropogenic impacts should be recognized to understand the biodiversity crisis in its entirety.
Ratcheting behavior of surface‐modified AZ80 magnesium alloy after pre‐corrosion in simulated body fluids with various pH values
Authors: Xiong Ying , He Liuyong
Published: October 2023

AZ80 magnesium alloy was surface treated by micro‐arc oxidation (MAO) and composite of laser shock penning (LSP) and MAO techniques. Untreated and treated specimens were pre‐corroded in simulated body fluids (SBF) with different pH values (pH 4, 7.4, and 9). The ratcheting behavior of all test specimens was experimentally investigated under stress‐controlled loading. The positive or negative value of the ratcheting strain reflects the mechanism of cyclic deformation. The ratcheting strain with negative values is associated with the cyclic deformation being dominated by twinning–detwinning, while the ratcheting strain with positive values is due to dislocation slip playing a dominant role in the cyclic deformation. A higher absolute value of the ratcheting strain means a lower the ratcheting life. Single MAO coating is not conducive to the fatigue life of magnesium alloy in acidic SBF environment, while LSP/MAO composite coating can improve the fatigue life of magnesium alloy under various loading conditions and different pH environment.
Agreement between one stage and chromogenic assays in samples from patients receiving recombinant porcine FVIII (Obizur, Susoctocog‐alfa)
Authors: Guy Susan , Bowyer Annette E. , Shepherd M. Fiona , Maclean Rhona M. , Kitchen Steve
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Recombinant porcine FVIII (rpFVIII) (Obizur, Susoctcog‐alfa, Takeda, Japan) is licensed for the treatment of bleeding in acquired Haemophilia A (AHA). The summary of product characteristics state that monitoring should be by one stage assay (OSA) rather than chromogenic assay (CSA). CSA have been shown to underestimate activity when rpFVIII is added to plasma in vitro.

Methods

Samples from three AHA patients (n = 21) (pre‐ and post rpFVIII) were assessed using FVIII:C assays; OSA methods: Actin, Actin FS, Actin FSL and Pathromtin SL performed on CS5100i (Sysmex, Kobe, Japan); APTT‐SP, SynthASil and SynthAFax performed on ACL TOP (Werfen, Barcelona, Spain). CSA methods on CS5100i: Siemens Chromogenic Assay, Biophen FVIII:C, Technochrom FVIII:C; on ACL TOP: Rox Factor VIII, Coamatic Factor VIII and CRYOcheck Factor VIII.

Results

OSA and CSA varied according to reagent used median OSA 61 IU/dL (range 41.5–81 IU/dL (ANOVA p < 0.0001)) median CSA 46.5 IU/dL (range of method specific medians 36.5–84 IU/dL (ANOVA p < 0.0001)). Amongst OSA, Actin FS was associated with the highest FVIII:C, APTT‐SP was associated with the lowest. Variation in CSA results by different methods was also seen with highest FVIII:C levels obtained using the Technochrom FVIII:C and the lowest levels obtained with Siemens Assay.

Conclusion

The relationship between OSA and CSA was not consistent between method or patient. Previously there has been reports of underestimation by CSA in in vitro spiked samples. Investigation into concentration of phospholipids in the APTT reagents may explain some of these variations.
The effect of virtual reality learning on students' motivation: A scoping review
Authors: Jiang Juming , Fryer Luke K.
Published: October 2023

Background

The COVID‐19 pandemic has greatly impacted education, necessitating alternative methods to traditional face‐to‐face teaching. This dramatic change, in tandem with increasing awareness of the metaverse—a virtual reality (VR) world wherein humanity might learn, work and socialise–has made a clear need for a better understanding of the potential contribution of VR‐based simulation environments for students' learning outcomes.

Objectives

Three research questions regarding the effect of VR experience on students' learning motivation were addressed:

RQ1. What methods have been employed to rule out the novelty effect in VR learning?

RQ2. What motivation theories have been applied to guide the development of VR learning content?

RQ3. What motivation theories have been applied to guide the utilisation of VR in learning activities?

Methods

Applying Arksey and O'Malley's (International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 8, 19–32, 2005) protocol, 14 articles were included in this review.

Results

Most included studies indicated that students' motivation had increased after the VR intervention or was higher than other pedagogical conditions. However, the lack of longitudinal research designs means novelty effects in VR learning cannot be ruled out. Knowledge gaps in study designs and theoretical frameworks are discussed.

Conclusion

Technology and the COVID‐19 pandemic are radically changing teaching and learning methods. More research on the impact of VR simulation learning on student outcomes is needed, with careful theoretical framing to ensure reliable findings. Future studies could explore VR technology to satisfy students' psychological needs and create deeper personal connections.
Determinants of dietary diversity and drivers of food choice among low‐income consumers in urban Kenya, Malawi and Zimbabwe
Authors: Gichohi‐Wainaina Wanjiku N. , Kee‐Tui Sabine Homann , Zoethout Manon , Talsma Elise F. , Edel Immaculate , Hauser Michael
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Rapid urbanisation affects lifestyle and eating habits, predominantly causing a dietary shift that adds challenges to meet dietary recommendations within a complex food system. This research investigated dietary diversity and food choice drivers among low‐income consumers in three urban settlements (Nairobi, Kenya; Bulawayo, Zimbabwe and Lilongwe, Malawi, representing rapid, moderate and slow urban growth patterns, respectively) as a first step towards improving diets across cultures and geographies.

Methods

Mixed methods data collection was employed for this study. Qualitative methods such as rapid foodscape appraisal workshops and food stories in selected low‐income settlements in Nairobi, Bulawayo and Lilongwe were utilised to collect information on the food environments (food balances, infrastructure, safety, policies and institutions). Quantitative data such as socio‐demographic characteristics and dietary diversity were collected via structured questionnaires using Cognitive Edge's SenseMaker® (n = 890, 450 and 440 for Nairobi, Bulawayo and Lilongwe, respectively). The dietary intake of respondents was assessed using a 24‐h recall, which was then converted to the food group diversity score (FGDS).

Results

Different levels of compounded stress affected dietary diversity and quality, including high food prices, concerns about sanitation and hygiene and the role of food standards regulation bodies. The mean FGDS across all locations was lower than the recommended cut‐off of 5 (4.5, 2.8 and 2.6 across Nairobi, Zimbabwe and Lilongwe, respectively). Additionally, in Nairobi, there were gender differences in diet diversity, with men having a higher dietary diversity score than women (4.6% vs. 4.3%; p = 0.004). The majority of respondents in Lilongwe (65%) reported price as the most important driver of food choice, compared to 38% in Nairobi and 42% in Bulawayo.

Discussion/Conclusions

Our observation of poor‐quality diets provides further evidence of the need for food policies that are cognisant of the nutrition and health of the growing population of the urban poor. Such policies would focus on lowering the costs of nutritious foods as well as ensuring food safety within the complex food system observed in the urban low‐income environment.
Natural variation in STAYGREEN contributes to low‐temperature tolerance in cucumber
Authors: Dong Shaoyun , Li Caixia , Tian Haojie , Wang Weiping , Yang Xueyong , Beckles Diane M. , Liu Xiaoping , Guan Jiantao , Gu Xingfang , Sun Jiaqiang , Miao Han , Zhang Shengping
Published: October 2023

Low‐temperature (LT) stress threatens cucumber production globally; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying LT tolerance in cucumber remain largely unknown. Here, using a genome‐wide association study (GWAS), we found a naturally occurring single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the STAYGREEN (CsSGR) coding region at the gLTT5.1 locus associated with LT tolerance. Knockout mutants of CsSGR generated by clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR‐associated nuclease 9 exhibit enhanced LT tolerance, in particularly, increased chlorophyll (Chl) content and reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation in response to LT. Moreover, the C‐repeat Binding Factor 1 (CsCBF1) transcription factor can directly activate the expression of CsSGR. We demonstrate that the LT‐sensitive haplotype CsSGRHapA, but not the LT‐tolerant haplotype CsSGRHapG could interact with NON‐YELLOW COLORING 1 (CsNYC1) to mediate Chl degradation. Geographic distribution of the CsSGR haplotypes indicated that the CsSGRHapG was selected in cucumber accessions from high latitudes, potentially contributing to LT tolerance during cucumber cold‐adaptation in these regions. CsSGR mutants also showed enhanced tolerance to salinity, water deficit, and Pseudoperonospora cubensis, thus CsSGR is an elite target gene for breeding cucumber varieties with broad‐spectrum stress tolerance. Collectively, our findings provide new insights into LT tolerance and will ultimately facilitate cucumber molecular breeding.
Pulmonary metastasectomy for recurrent metastatic ovarian cancer
Authors: Cheng Feng , Wang Junjian , Chen Qixun , Zhu Jianqing
Published: October 2023

Aim

The prognosis of patients with ovarian cancer with lung metastasis is poor; data on pulmonary metastasectomy for such patients are lacking. This study aimed to determine the safety and feasibility of pulmonary resection as part of cytoreductive surgery for recurrent metastatic ovarian cancer.

Methods

Medical records of patients with ovarian cancer, who underwent pulmonary resection for lung metastasis in our hospital from April 2012 to February 2022, were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

Ten patients were included (median age, 53 years). Five patients had metastatic disease limited to the lungs. Additional surgeries included diaphragm resection, partial hepatectomy, para‐aortic lymph node dissection, and cytoreduction. We achieved complete cytoreduction for all patients without severe complications, and the 30‐day mortality was zero. After a median follow‐up of 23 months, four of the patients experienced recurrence. One patient recurred 9 months after the operation and was lost to follow‐up at 17 months, two died at 68 and 26 months respectively, one is alive with disease (23 months), and six are alive without recurrence, among whom two have survived for 56 and 124 months.

Conclusions

Pulmonary resection for recurrent metastatic ovarian cancer seems safe and feasible, with long‐term survival observed in certain patients. Pulmonary metastasectomy can be performed as part of the debulking surgery for selected patients with relapsed metastatic ovarian cancer. Both the patient lost to follow‐up and the one who died at 26 months, had two lung metastatic nodules and did not receive postoperative chemotherapy, which might have led to relatively poor prognosis.
New Melastomataceae hosts of Chrysoporthe species in Brazil
Authors: Silva Gabrielle A. , Moreira Silvino I. , Ferreira Maria A.
Published: October 2023

The angiosperm Melastomataceae family is one of the most abundant plant families worldwide and in the Brazilian cerrado, with significant environmental importance in regenerating degraded areas, especially those previously occupied by pastures. Recently, Chrysoporthe Gryzenhout & M. J. Wingf. species were reported in Brazil, causing canker, branch dieback, and mortality in native Melastomataceae. This leads to the demand for further investigation and understanding of these pathosystems. During field surveys, typical signs and symptoms associated with Chrysoporthe infection were found in Rhynchanthera grandiflora (Aubl.) D C. and Miconia theaezans (Bonpl.) Cogn. in southern Minas Gerais. Through phylogenetic analysis of the BT1 and BT2 fragments of the β‐tubulin gene and morphological characterization of the isolates obtained, it was possible to identify C. doradensis Gryzenh. & M. J. Wingf. occurring in R. grandiflora and C. puriensis M. E. S. Oliv., T. P. F. Soar. & M. A. Ferr. occurring in R. grandiflora and M. theaezans. Furthermore, pathogenicity assays confirmed the pathogenicity of both species to their hosts.
Quantitative cellular changes in multiple system atrophy brains
Authors: Andersen Alberte M. , Kaalund Sanne S. , Marner Lisbeth , Salvesen Lisette , Pakkenberg Bente , Olesen Mikkel V.
Published: October 2023

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterised by a combined symptomatology of parkinsonism, cerebellar ataxia, autonomic failure and corticospinal dysfunction. In brains of MSA patients, the hallmark lesion is the aggregation of misfolded alpha‐synuclein in oligodendrocytes. Even though the underlying pathological mechanisms remain poorly understood, the evidence suggests that alpha‐synuclein aggregation in oligodendrocytes may contribute to the neurodegeneration seen in MSA. The primary aim of this review is to summarise the published stereological data on the total number of neurons and glial cell subtypes (oligodendrocytes, astrocytes and microglia) and volumes in brains from MSA patients. Thus, we include in this review exclusively the reports of unbiased quantitative data from brain regions including the neocortex, nuclei of the cerebrum, the brainstem and the cerebellum. Furthermore, we compare and discuss the stereological results in the context of imaging findings and MSA symptomatology. In general, the stereological results agree with the common neuropathological findings of neurodegeneration and gliosis in brains from MSA patients and support a major loss of nigrostriatal neurons in MSA patients with predominant parkinsonism (MSA‐P), as well as olivopontocerebellar atrophy in MSA patients with predominant cerebellar ataxia (MSA‐C). Surprisingly, the reports indicate only a minor loss of oligodendrocytes in sub‐cortical regions of the cerebrum (glial cells not studied in the cerebellum) and negligible changes in brain volumes. In the past decades, the use of stereological methods has provided a vast amount of accurate information on cell numbers and volumes in the brains of MSA patients. Combining different techniques such as stereology and diagnostic imaging (e.g. MRI, PET and SPECT) with clinical data allows for a more detailed interdisciplinary understanding of the disease and illuminates the relationship between neuropathological changes and MSA symptomatology.
The European administrative space over time: Mapping the formal independence of EU agencies
Authors: Ruffing Eva , Weinrich Martin , Rittberger Berthold , Wonka Arndt
Published: October 2023

Throughout the past decades, the EU's agency landscape has continuously expanded in size and scope. In this article, we address the lack of longitudinal data on EU agencies' formal independence. We introduce a newly revised index to measure the formal independence of EU agencies from other EU institutions over time. Applying a rules‐as‐data approach we coded 206 regulations and amendments to develop a new dataset covering the formal independence of all 39 EU agencies from 1975 to 2022. This longitudinal overview provides first insights about the development of formal independence at the case and population levels. At the case level we identify frequent, albeit gradual reforms of EU agencies' independence. At the population level, we observe remarkable stability in overall independence, but find stark variation across different independence dimensions. Overall, EU‐level principals have shifted over time from controlling individual decisions to controlling the agencies' general decision‐making apparatus.
The shock of COVID‐19 and the shock of rapid vaccine development on the value of senior life settlement contracts
Authors: Ortiz Carlos E. , Stone Charles A. , Zissu Anne
Published: October 2023

In this paper, we develop a model that can capture how COVID‐19 and the subsequent rapid vaccine development against COVID‐19 impacts the value of pools of senior life settlements. The pandemic unexpectedly boosted the mortality rates of senior citizens who had prior diagnoses of certain health conditions. Our model accounts for the existence and concentration of these COVID‐19 comorbidities in portfolios of senior life settlements. It is the concentration of assets linked to the mortality rates of a group who is at elevated risk to COVID‐19 and who is also the primary beneficiaries of the COVID‐19 vaccine that we examine. We illustrate how the shock of the pandemic increases the value of senior life settlements and how the accelerated development and distribution of COVID‐19 vaccines moderated this increase. Our model is general enough to simulate the impact on other financial contracts that are linked to individual mortality rates. These would include life insurance contracts, annuities, and health insurance policies.
Product mix adjustments and import competition in Vietnam's manufacturing industries
Authors: Nguyen Tien Dzung , Nguyen The Kien , Vu Xuan Nam
Published: October 2023

In this article, we make use of Vietnam's annual enterprise surveys to investigate the product selection and product mix responses to import competition in manufacturing firms. We estimate the effect of imports from Vietnam's free trade agreement partners on firms' product scope and sales concentration, controlling for firms and industry characteristics and the conditions in export markets. The empirical results consistently indicate that Vietnam's manufacturing firms narrow the product scope and concentrate on better selling products in response to rising import competition. Given the dominant presence of quality sorting in the manufacturing industries, our analysis suggests an aggregate quality improvement as firms reallocate sales towards high‐quality products in responses to competition.
The impact of foreign demand shocks on organisational hierarchies
Authors: Bonilla Santiago , Polanec Sašo
Published: October 2023

According to the theory of knowledge‐based hierarchies, a sufficiently large change in firm size should induce firms to change their organisational structure by adding or dropping organisational layers. In open economies, one of the main determinants of firm size is the volume of foreign sales, and its changes may also trigger reorganisations. However, changes in foreign sales are not only driven by foreign demand shocks alone, but also by firm characteristics like productivity and quality, which in theory confound both foreign sales and organisational structure. We construct a set of Bartik‐type measures of exogenous foreign demand shocks, and test whether firms respond to these shocks by changing their hierarchical structure. For this purpose, we combine transaction‐level trade data and employer–employee data for a set of Slovenian manufacturing firms that were engaged in exporting during the 1998–2011 period. While we find a positive relationship between changes in actual exports growth and number of organisational layers, we find no evidence that exogenous foreign demand shocks lead to adding or dropping organisational layers.
Intensity‐modulated radiotherapy and chemotherapy for canine right atrial tumors: A retrospective study of seven dogs
Authors: Moirano Steven , Turek Michelle , Sanchez Diana , Vail David , Van Asselt Nate , Lawrence Jessica , Forrest Lisa
Published: October 2023

Most primary cardiac tumors in dogs are located in the right atrium/atrial appendage, with hemangiosarcoma being the most common. The aims of this retrospective, case series were to describe outcomes for seven dogs with right atrial tumors treated with hypofractionated intensity‐modulated radiotherapy and concurrent vinblastine and propranolol. One dog had a complete response, four dogs had partial responses and two dogs had stable disease after treatment. Effusions resolved in all dogs. Median progression‐free survival was 290 days. Five dogs died from metastatic disease, one dog from unrelated neoplasia, and one dog is alive. Median overall survival was 326 days. Three dogs with confirmed hemangiosarcoma survived 244, 326, and 445 days. Two dogs developed clinically significant, but nonfatal, cardiac arrhythmias. One dog that received three courses of radiation had subclinical myocardial and arterial fibrosis at necropsy. Hypofractionated chemoradiotherapy was well tolerated and may provide clinical benefit in dogs with right atrial tumors.
Digital Identity and Promotion of Research Works Case Study of Social Science Researchers at Taiwanese Institutions
Authors: Almassry Hazem , Eid Amel
Published: October 2023

This study explores the intricate domain of digital identity, elucidating the mechanisms involved in its formation within the digital landscape. It underscores the paramount significance of digital identity as a catalyst for disseminating scientific content, especially in an era where researchers must cultivate a prominent online presence to reflect their scholarly engagements across diverse digital arenas, often constrained by the algorithms governing search engines. The study critically assesses the nature and attributes of digital identities among social science scholars affiliated with Taiwanese universities, scrutinizing their overall effectiveness and level of engagement. Comprising both theoretical and practical dimensions, the research first delves into the theoretical underpinnings of digital identity. It then shifts its focus to an empirical analysis of the digital activities undertaken by social science researchers within Taiwanese academic institutions across four prominent platforms: Research Gate, Google Scholar, ORCID, and Twitter.
The Theory of Substantial Cognitive Capacity of Criminal Defendants with Mental Disorders in China: Theoretical Content and Judicial Application
Authors: Jiang Pengfei
Published: October 2023

When dealing with criminal cases involving defendants with mental disorders in China, the theory of substantial cognitive capacity holds significant importance. Although derived from the insanity defense rule of the U.S. Model Penal Code, this concept exhibits certain distinctions. Forensic experts in China frequently deem defendants with mental disorders as lacking substantial cognitive capacity, thus rendering them not criminally responsible. The Chinese theory of substantial cognitive capacity possesses its unique characteristics, setting China apart from other countries in addressing the insanity defense issue. Consequently, introducing this Chinese theory to scholars in other jurisdictions holds considerable academic value. However, the interpretation of substantial cognitive capacity and its relation to cognitive capacity remain subjects of controversy in China, with inconsistent application of this theory. Specifically, some scholars have advocated the theory of common sense cognitive capacity, effectively challenging the mainstream theory of substantial cognitive capacity. The author contends that substantial cognitive capacity should be comprehended from the perspective of the dialectical unity of “phenomenon” and “essence”. The term “substantial cognitive capacity” should be employed from a negative standpoint to underscore the progressive link between the possession of “formal” cognitive capacity and the loss of “substantial” cognitive capacity, while the theory of common sense cognitive capacity should be dismissed. The proper judicial application of the theory of substantial cognitive capacity aids in adhering to the normative requirements of criminal law, emphasizes the logic of stratified criminal theory, and furnishes the judiciary with a theoretical instrument for appropriately handling criminal cases.
Probabilistic Fatigue Data Analysis Using Physics-Guided Mixture Density Networks
Authors: Chen Jie , Liu Yongming
Published: October 2023

A Physics-guided Mixture Density Network (PgMDN) model is proposed for uncertainty quantification of fatigue data analysis in this paper. It integrates a Mixture Density Network for probabilistic modeling and physics knowledge as regularizations. This model can handle arbitrary distribution of data (e.g., strongly non-Gaussian, multi-mode, and truncated distributions). The physics knowledge from parameters and their partial derivatives is used as equality/inequality constraints. The training of the physics-guided machine learning is formulated as a constrained optimization problem. To train the neural network with the commonly used backpropagation algorithm, the constrained optimization problem is transformed to an unconstrained one using a dynamic penalty function algorithm. With the physics constraints, the required training data sized can be reduced and the overfitting problem can be mitigated. The PgMDN is applied for fatigue stress-life curve estimation for multiple data sets. Some discussions are given to illustrate the effectiveness of incorporating the physics knowledge, the improvement of the dynamic penalty function method compared with the static method, and the benefits achieved from the distribution mixture compared with a single Gaussian distribution.
Topology Morphing in Lattice Structures Through Tensile Buckling
Authors: Sundararaman Venkatesh , McHale Ciarán , P. O’Donnell Matthew , V. Chenchiah Isaac , Weaver Paul M.
Published: October 2023

Incorporating, by design, tensile buckling into the macroscopic response of lattice structures offers a novel approach for adaptive (meta-)material/structure development. In this study, we explore the potential of utilizing the simultaneous tensile buckling of adjacent cells to induce a transformation in lattice topology. Unit cells are passively transformed from rectangle-like to triangle/pentagon-like unit cells, with an associated change in the effective macroscopic properties. This approach provides a new route to elastically tailor the non-linear response of (meta-) materials/structures. The paper explores the behavior of such a system through finite element analysis. The results identify: i) that the initial lattice internal topology (rectangular) is dominated by membrane effects, ii) a negative region of stiffness is associated with the transformation phase, and iii) once formed, the new topology (triangular/pentagonal) exhibits positive stiffness in both compression and tension.
A Machine Learning Framework for In-Situ Microstructural and Kinetics Analysis of Thermoplastic Composites While Processing Under a Polarized Microscope
Authors: Li Shuangshan , Wynn Mathew , Zobeiry Navid
Published: October 2023

There has been a significant increase in thermoplastic composite applications in aerospace in recent years. Semi-crystalline thermoplastics like polyetheretherketone (PEEK) nucleate and grow crystalline structures called spherulites. Addition of carbon fibers forms a crystal structure called transcrystallinity. Processing parameters such as thermal uniformity, dwell time, and temperature history influence crystallinity and crystal morphology in thermoplastic composites. To investigate crystal morphology, neat PEEK and PEEK-carbon fiber composite samples are melted and cooled down while observed under a polarizing light microscope with a heating stage. A classification machine learning model based on the YOLOv3 algorithm is developed and applied to microscopy images to determine spherulite size and count in real-time. A segmentation model based on the U-Net algorithm is used to separate spherulites that have grown and impinged. The impingement of these crystal structures creates boundaries that are difficult to detect in the micrograph. The U-Net model is also used to identify transcrystalline regions that nucleate from carbon fibers. The use of these models in situ provides a unique real-time perspective of the kinetics of different crystals that form in varying processing parameters, part geometries, and reinforcement types.
Self-Propagation Deployable Space Structures Based on Bistable Mechanism
Authors: Li Jiaan , Mu Ruinan , Huo Keyan , Zhang Lu , Zhao Haifeng
Published: October 2023

With the increasing demand for large-scale space structures, such as solar power satellites and space telescopes, new deployment mechanisms are needed to improve the construction efficiency and simplify the maintenance in orbit as well. A self-propagation chain structure, which consists of bistable units, is considered as a potential choice for deployable structures recently.

A self-propagation chain structure is proposed, and it is applied to the deployable need of the radial rib antenna. Firstly, a curved rib comprising bistable units in series is designed to realize the shape transformation from the folded (curved) state into the deployed (straight) one. Then, the kinematics and dynamics equations governing the motion are derived to investigate the propagation mechanism. The influence of structural parameters of each unit to the deploying process are studied comprehensively. Finally, a deployable radial rib antenna driven by a self-deployed mechanism is realized by utilizing the spiral chain as the rib. The results demonstrate that the proposed deployable structure has the advantages to preserve the deployment stability and shape accuracy. This work provides a novel idea to design the deployable structures with self-propagating mechanism in space.
Are There Cases in Which Classical Beam Theories Fail to Compute the Fundamental Frequency?
Authors: Carrera Erasmo , Augello Riccardo , Petrolo Marco
Published: October 2023

Beam structures are widely used in many engineering applications. Well-known examples are aircraft wings and helicopter rotor blades in aerospace engineering, and concrete beams in civil constructions. When dealing with this kind of slender structures, one-dimensional (1D) models are the primary engineers‘ choice. These models are based on the Euler-Bernoulli and Timoshenko theories. The former does not account for transverse shear effects on cross-section deformations. The latter provides a model which, at best, foresees a constant shear-deformation distribution on the cross-section. As a result, they both consider the cross-section of the structure as rigid. This strong approximation has basically no effect when dealing with compact cross-sections. But when the cross-section has a more complicated geometry and has thin-walled portions, the approximation has a strong influence on the modelling capability of classical theories.

In this work, those aspects are underlined with practical examples. Computationally heavier two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) models are used to model the same structures to build reference results, and they are compared with those obtained with classical 1D models. The attention is given to the modal characteristics and, in particular, to the first frequency. The capability of the classical models to catch the first frequency is here related to geometrical properties of the cross-section.