bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Political connections and financial performance: the moderating role of director efficacy
Authors: Niazi Murtaza Masud , Othman Zaleha , Chandren Sitraselvi
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Firm performance has become a thriving research field. However, a review of previous studies shows that the answers to several fundamental questions remain vague and require further investigation. Thus, the purpose of this study is twofold. The first is to determine the extent of the involvement of political connections (PCs) in Pakistani-listed companies, and the second is to examine the association between PCs and firm financial performance with director efficacy’s moderating role.

Design/methodology/approach

A data set of 221 non-financial companies listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange for 10 years (2008–2017) was analysed using panel-corrected standard error regression. Additionally, the authors address endogeneity issue by using Hackman two-stage estimation and lagged variables regression.

Findings

The study found that PCs negatively affected the firm’s financial performance, and director efficacy as a moderator strengthened this relationship. The result is consistent with the political economy theory that argues that an unstable political system and a weak judicial system will strongly affect investors and their rights.

Practical implications

The impact of political influence on the corporate sector remains a concern for policymakers, regulators, investors, financial experts, auditors and academic researchers. This study’s findings are that an effective board of directors can strengthen the company’s best practices by controlling political connectedness to protect all the interested parties, particularly investors, and restore their confidence. Therefore, the results of this study can assist all stakeholders when a PCs exists to make the right decisions.

Originality/value

The study extends the literature in terms of theoretical contribution that uses an integrative approach to combine political economy theory, agency theory and resource dependence theory to address the moderating role of director efficacy with an association between PCs and firm financial performance. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no extant research has investigated the association between PCs and firm financial performance using five aspects of PCs, along with moderator director efficacy.
Reciprocal action learning: manager and employee development
Authors: Lyons Paul , Bandura Randall
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is the presentation of a learning model for a manager and employee working collaboratively to make advances in knowledge, skills, work performance and in the quality of their relationship. The model is called reciprocal action learning.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach was to examine concepts and research that could be linked to reciprocal learning. Desired, ultimately, was creation of a proposal that put forth an explanation of manager–employee learning and a means for placing the effort into practice. Theories and concepts are identified in support of the learning approach and its functioning. Action or experiential learning was identified as the vehicle for implementation.

Findings

Substantive, supportive information was identified in the expression of a practical action plan for a manager to use to spring reciprocal learning to life.

Practical implications

The action plan set forth can serve as a model or template for a manager, particularly those managers with little experience in guiding employee learning. Initial use of the concepts and action plan could be regarded as an experiment and could set the stage for additional, more informed efforts at reciprocal learning.

Originality/value

While much empirical and other research addresses employee learning and management/manager learning, there is very little research or material available regarding how a manager and an employee can directly learn together in working on an issue (problem, change, improvement, etc.) in a collaborative fashion that embraces equality.
Are more courses of immunochemotherapy beneficial for the short‐term outcome of locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma?
Authors: Huang Yuanheng , Su Xiaodong , Guo Qiyu , Luo Guangyu , He Haoqiang , Cai Peiqiang , Cai Muyan , Yue Haodong , Wang Zhiqiang , Yang Guozhen , Lin Peng , Zhang Xu
Published: March 2023

Background

Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) monotherapy and neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy have shown promising results in esophageal carcinoma. However, it is still unclear whether more courses of immunochemotherapy are therapeutically better. We aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of three courses of neoadjuvant treatment for patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Methods

Patients with locally advanced ESCC received three courses of camrelizumab plus nab‐paclitaxel and capecitabine before undergoing surgery. Additionally, patients received safety, computed tomography (CT), and endoscopy (with endoscopic ultrasonography and mucosal biopsy) assessments before and in the second and third courses of treatment. We used the CT and endoscopic assessment results from the second and third courses for comparison.

Results

From May 2020 to December 2021, 47 patients were enrolled at Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer Center. In our study, 43 patients completed three courses of preoperative chemotherapy combined with anti‐Programmed cell death‐1 (PD‐1) therapy and radical surgical resection. The toxicity of the third course of immunochemotherapy was mild and well tolerated without increased treatment‐related adverse events (TRAEs) and mortality compared with that of the second course of treatment. In terms of efficacy, an additional course of treatment after the second course of treatment was effective, with increased CT and endoscopy T (clinical T stage) downstaging rates by 16.3% and 25.9%, N (clincial N stage) downstaging rates by 7.0% and 11.1%, and objective response rates (ORRs) by 13.6% and 22.0%, respectively.

Conclusions

Regardless of downstaging or ORR, three courses of immunochemotherapy appear to be superior to two courses of treatment without increasing TRAEs.
Training of novice surgeons using dynamic computer assisted dental implant surgery: An exploratory randomized trial
Authors: Kunakornsawat Wirawat , Serichetaphongse Pravej , Arunjaroensuk Sirida , Kaboosaya Boosana , Mattheos Nikos , Pimkhaokham Atiphan
Published: March 2023

Background

Dynamic Computer Assisted Implant Surgery (CAIS) systems have been shown to improve accuracy of implant placement, thus training in the use of such systems is becoming increasingly important. There is a scarcity of research on how to implement dynamic CAIS training in the settings of postgraduate university education.

Purpose

To determine the effectiveness of two modes of CAIS training programs on motor skill acquisition of novice surgeons.

Materials and methods

Thirty‐six postgraduate students without experience in dynamic CAIS systems were randomly assigned to a distributed training program (3 training sessions over 3 days) or a massed training (3 training sessions over the same day). A post‐test involving the placement of one implant was conducted for both groups, 7 days after completion of the training. Surgical time and implant accuracy were recorded and analyzed, using independent t‐tests, with 0.05 significant level.

Results

Both groups reached the accuracy benchmarks expected by current standards in the use of CAIS. No significant differences with regards to accuracy were found between the groups, but a trend was documented favoring performance of distributed (mean difference—0.4, 95% confidence interval—0.7–0.1) in the accuracy at platform level. Distributed training students performed faster than massed for the third trial (mean difference—95.0, 95% confidence interval—178.8 to −11.2).

Conclusions

Novice students reached the accuracy benchmarks with the use of CAIS through both a massed and a distributed training program, while there was a strong but marginally not significant trend for higher accuracy in the distributed group. Students who received the training in the distributed format over the process of different days, performed faster. Trial registered in Thai Clinical Trials Registry: https://www.thaiclinicaltrials.org/show/TCTR20230109002. This clinical trial was not registered prior to participant recruitment and randomization.
Pentanucleotide repeat‐related disorders: Genetics and bioinformatic discovery and detection
Authors: Silveira Isabel , Bennett Mark F.
Published: March 2023

In recent years, a large group of familial epilepsies and hereditary ataxias have emerged, caused by an extraordinary type of a novel pentanucleotide repeat expansion that has arisen in a preexisting nonpathogenic repeat tract. Remarkably, these insertions have occurred in noncoding regions of genes expressed in the cerebellum, but with highly diverse functions. These conditions, clinically very heterogeneous, may remain underdiagnosed in patients with atypical phenotypes and age at onset. They share, however, many genetic and phenotypic features, and discovery or detection of their pathogenic pentanucleotide repeats for diagnostic purposes can be achieved using recent bioinformatic methods. Here, we focus on the latest advances regarding the peculiar group of pentanucleotide repeat‐related disorders beyond epilepsies.
Acción colectiva sindical, sindicalismo social y libertad de los trabajadores en Nueva Zelandia
Authors: PARKER Jane , ALAKAVUKLAR Ozan
Published: March 2023

La libertad de asociación puede englobar el derecho sindical a emprender acciones colectivas en interés de los afiliados. En ese sentido, se presume que los sindicatos aumentan la libertad de los trabajadores. Sin embargo, no se ha estudiado suficientemente la vinculación entre esa libertad, entendida como realización personal, y la acción colectiva sindical que crea coaliciones con la sociedad civil. Partiendo de los conceptos de libertad de Berlin (1969) y MacCallum (1967), en este artículo se evalúa cómo influyen esas coaliciones en la libertad de los trabajadores. Posteriormente, desde una perspectiva democrática radical (Laclau y Mouffe 2001) de la participación sindical en el movimiento de transición justa en Nueva Zelandia, se examina si los sindicatos amplían esa libertad.
Evaluation of fragmented embryos implantation potential using time‐lapse technology
Authors: Lahav‐Baratz Shirly , Blais Idit , Koifman Mara , Dirnfeld Martha , Oron Galia
Published: March 2023

Aim

To examine the implantation potential of fragmented embryos that underwent morphokinetic evaluation in a time‐lapse incubator.

Methods

A retrospective study analyzing 4210 Day 5 embryos which were incubated in a time‐lapse incubator, between 2013 and 2019. Embryos with more than 5% fragmentation (379 embryos) were included in the study. Embryos selected using the general model and re‐examined by our in‐house model. Embryo fragmentation percentage was documented from the first cell‐division (start fragmentation) to its maximal percentage (final fragmentation), and the ratio between them (fragmentation worsening). Data were analyzed with relation to embryo development, embryos transfer or freezing, clinical pregnancy, and live birth rates.

Results

Embryo fragmentation and morphokinetics were found to be independent variables for clinical pregnancy achievements. A higher fragmentation worsening was noted among discarded embryos compared to transferred or frozen embryos (p < 0.0001). Advanced maternal age had a significant negative effect on fragmentation (p < 0.001). Missed abortion rates were similar in fragmented embryos that implanted compared with the overall population. Live birth rates were comparable among embryos which were selected for transfer or freezing by their morphokinetics and had different severity of fragmentation.

Conclusion

Our study shows that fragmented embryos have a potential to implant and therefore should be selected for transfer. Laboratories which do not use time‐lapse incubators for embryo selection, should consider transferring fragmented embryos, since they have an acceptable chance for live birth. Calculation of fragmentation worsening may enhance our ability to predict embryo development. Further research with analysis of more fragmented embryo maybe beneficial. This study was approved by the local ethics committee No. 0010‐19 CMC on April 18th, 2019.
Characterization of three novel HLA alleles: HLA‐B*44:481:02, HLA‐DQB1*03:338N, and HLA‐DQB1*06:467
Authors: Loginova Maria , Smirnova Daria , Paramonov Igor
Published: March 2023

Three novel alleles were characterized by next‐generation sequencing in Russian individuals.
3D bioprinting of gastrointestinal cancer models: A comprehensive review on processing, properties, and therapeutic implications
Authors: Prashantha Kalappa , Krishnappa Amita , Muthappa Malini
Published: March 2023

Gastrointestinal tract (GIT) malignancies are an important public health problem considering the increased incidence in recent years and the high morbidity and mortality associated with it. GIT malignancies constitute 26% of the global cancer incidence burden and 35% of all cancer-related deaths. Gastrointestinal cancers are complex and heterogenous diseases caused by the interplay of genetic and environmental factors. The tumor microenvironment (TME) of gastrointestinal tract carcinomas is dynamic and complex; it cannot be recapitulated in the basic two-dimensional cell culture systems. In contrast, three-dimensional (3D) in vitro models can mimic the TME more closely, enabling an improved understanding of the microenvironmental cues involved in the various stages of cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis. However, the heterogeneity of the TME is incompletely reproduced in these 3D culture models, as they fail to regulate the orientation and interaction of various cell types in a complex architecture. To emulate the TME, 3D bioprinting has emerged as a useful technique to engineer cancer tissue models. Bioprinted cancer tissue models can potentially recapitulate cancer pathology and increase drug resistance in an organ-mimicking 3D environment. In this review, we describe the 3D bioprinting methods, bioinks, characterization of 3D bioprinted constructs, and their application in developing gastrointestinal tumor models that integrate their microenvironment with different cell types and substrates, as well as bioprinting modalities and their application in therapy and drug screening. We review prominent studies on the 3D bioprinted esophageal, hepatobiliary, and colorectal cancer models. In addition, this review provides a comprehensive understanding of the cancer microenvironment in printed tumor models, highlights current challenges with respect to their clinical translation, and summarizes future perspectives.
Effects of processing parameters on the morphologies of complex sesquioxide thin films
Authors: Pinzon Sofia K. , Valdez James A. , Kocevski Vancho , Baldwin J. K. , Uberuaga Blas P. , Kreller Cortney R. , Derby Benjamin K.
Published: March 2023

Controlling and predicting the morphology of lanthanide sesquioxides in thin film form is vital to their use in current applications. In the present study, single and codeposited Sm2O3, Er2O3, and Lu2O3 thin films were grown on yttria-stabilized zirconia (8%) substrates by radio frequency magnetron sputtering at room temperature and 500 °C. The effect of two different substrate temperatures and altering the oxide cation on the structural and morphological properties of the films was analyzed. The thin films were characterized by profilometry, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and x-ray diffraction. The single-component Lu2O3 and Sm2O3 films obtained were of the cubic phase, and the Er2O3 was a mix of cubic and monoclinic phases. It was observed for both the Er2O3 and Lu2O3 films that increasing the substrate temperature to 500 °C resulted in larger grained polycrystalline films. In contrast, large grained polycrystalline films were obtained at both room temperature and 500 °C for Sm2O3 and uneven granularity increased as temperature increased. Codeposition of Lu2O3 and Sm2O3, and Lu2O3 and Er2O3 resulted in a cubic bixbyite phase (the C phase of the lanthanide sesquioxide) solid solution. It was observed that the structure and morphology of the films can be controlled by manipulating deposition parameters. Both substrate temperature and altering the oxide cation contributed to changes in crystallinity and grain structure, which can modify the chemical and physical properties of the films for their applications.
High-Degree Polynomial Integrals of a Natural System on the Two-Dimensional Torus
Authors: Agapov S. V.
Published: March 2023

We study a natural mechanical system on the two-dimensional torus which admits
an additional first integral polynomial in momenta of an odd degree $ N $
and
independent of the energy integral. For $ N=5,7 $, we obtain the estimates
on the number of straight lines in the spectrum of the potential.
Evaluation of bowel preparation regimens for colonoscopy including a novel low volume regimen (Plenvu): CLEANSE study
Authors: Ahmad Ahmir , Marshall Sarah , Bassett Paul , Thiruvilangam Kowshika , Dhillon Angad , Saunders Brian P
Published: March 2023

Background

Poor bowel preparation is the leading cause of failed colonoscopies and increases costs significantly. Several, split preparation, 2 day regimens are available and recently, Plenvu, a low-volume preparation which can be given on 1 day has been introduced.

Aims

Assess efficacy and tolerability of commonly used purgative regimens including Plenvu.

Method

In this service evaluation, patients undergoing screening colonoscopy at St Mark’s Hospital, London (February 2020–December 2021) were provided Plenvu (1 or 2 days), Moviprep (2 days) or Senna & Citramag (2 days).

Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS) score, fluid volumes and procedure times were recorded. A patient experience questionnaire evaluated taste, volume acceptability, completion and side effects.

Results

563 patients were invited to participate and 553 included: 218 Moviprep 2 days, 108 Senna & Citramag 2 days, 152 Plenvu 2 days and 75 Plenvu 1 day.

BBPS scores were higher with Plenvu 1 and 2 days vs Senna & Citramag (p=0.003 and 0.002, respectively) and vs Moviprep (p=0.003 and 0.001, respectively). No other significant pairwise BBPS differences and no difference in preparation adequacy was seen between the groups.

Patients rated taste as most pleasant with Senna & Citramag and this achieved significance versus Plenvu 1 day and 2 days (p=0.002 and p<0.001, respectively) and versus Moviprep (p=0.04).

Conclusion

BBPS score was higher for 1 day and 2 days Plenvu versus both Senna & Citramag and Moviprep. Taste was not highly rated for Plenvu but it appears to offer effective cleansing even when given as a same day preparation.
Surgery for rheumatic heart disease in the Northern Territory, Australia, 1997–2016: what have we gained?
Authors: Doran James , Canty David , Dempsey Karen , Cass Alan , Kangaharan Nadarajah , Remenyi Bo , Brunsdon Georgie , McDonald Malcolm , Heal Clare , Wang Zhiqiang , Royse Colin , Royse Alistair , Mein Jacqueline , Gray Nigel , Bennetts Jayme , Baker Robert A , Stewart Maida , Sutcliffe Steven , Reeves Benjamin , Doran Upasna , Rankine Patricia , Fejo Richard , Heenan Elisabeth , Jalota Ripudaman , Ilton Marcus , Roberts-Thomson Ross , King Jason , Wyber Rosemary , Doran Jonathan , Webster Andrew , Hanson Joshua
Published: March 2023

Background

Between 1964 and 1996, the 10-year survival of patients having valve replacement surgery for rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in the Northern Territory, Australia, was 68%. As medical care has evolved since then, this study aimed to determine whether there has been a corresponding improvement in survival.

Methods

A retrospective study of Aboriginal patients with RHD in the Northern Territory, Australia, having their first valve surgery between 1997 and 2016. Survival was examined using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis.

Findings

The cohort included 281 adults and 61 children. The median (IQR) age at first surgery was 31 (18–42) years; 173/342 (51%) had a valve replacement, 113/342 (33%) had a valve repair and 56/342 (16%) had a commissurotomy. There were 93/342 (27%) deaths during a median (IQR) follow-up of 8 (4–12) years. The overall 10-year survival was 70% (95% CI: 64% to 76%). It was 62% (95% CI: 53% to 70%) in those having valve replacement. There were 204/281 (73%) adults with at least 1 preoperative comorbidity. Preoperative comorbidity was associated with earlier death, the risk of death increasing with each comorbidity (HR: 1.3 (95% CI: 1.2 to 1.5), p<0.001). Preoperative chronic kidney disease (HR 6.5 (95% CI: 3.0 to 14.0) p≤0.001)), coronary artery disease (HR 3.3 (95% CI: 1.3 to 8.4) p=0.012) and pulmonary artery systolic pressure>50 mm Hg before surgery (HR 1.9 (95% CI: 1.2 to 3.1) p=0.007) were independently associated with death.

Interpretation

Survival after valve replacement for RHD in this region of Australia has not improved. Although the patients were young, many had multiple comorbidities, which influenced long-term outcomes. The increasing prevalence of complex comorbidity in the region is a barrier to achieving optimal health outcomes.
Mathematical modeling and simulation of biophysics systems using neural network
Authors: Ul Rahman Jamshaid , Makhdoom Faiza , Ali Akhtar , Danish Sana
Published: March 2023

Many of the real-life problems including dynamical structures can be modeled in the shape of differential equations. A number of analytic and numerical methods are being proposed for the solution of these differential equations but for some instances, we may come across a few limitations attached to them. However, theoretically strong and computationally favorable tools such as artificial neural networks can be utilized to approximate the solutions of these differential equations. In this work, we developed mathematical models for some biophysics systems on the basis of their dynamical behavior and opted a neural network having single hidden layer of 50 neurons and Broyden–Fletcher–Goldfarb–Shanno algorithm as an optimizer to simulate the results for population of micro-organisms. The graphical representations of the results obtained both from the neural network and analytic methods are compared for different parameters and we got almost the same results.
Modifying Deutsch potential using Hulthen potential by dielectric response method
Authors: Shourkaei H. Akbarian , Mahdavi M.
Published: March 2023

Achieving the potential for plasma particle interactions by modifying the Deutsch potential has been considered in many studies. One very convenient way to do this is to utilize the method as a dielectric function. In this method, by applying different potentials, it tries to provide corrective terms in the initial potential. As a result of using this method, an effective potential function is obtained from which the plasma characteristics including state equation and thermodynamic features can be derived. Because the screening effects between plasma particles are not taken into account by the Deutsch potential and therefore show different results from the real values, in this paper, we have tried to add corrective terms with the help of Hulthen potential and dielectric response function to it. Thus, an effective potential was obtained and then its equation of state was derived consequently. Finally, the results of this modified potential and the equation of state were compared with the results of other works.
Significance of radiant-energy and multiple slips on convective flow of mono, binary and ternary hybrid nanofluids: A comparative study
Authors: Singla Tanvi , Sharma Sapna , Kumar B.
Published: March 2023

To meet the energy requirement of the world, this work addresses the MHD flow of ternary hybrid nanofluid between two rotating and stretchable disks having porous medium. Thermal radiation effects along with velocity slips at the interface of fluid and disk are considered in this study. Three types of nanoparticles, namely, Al2O3 (alumina), CuO (copper oxide) and Cu (copper), have been taken with water as the host fluid. The flow and thermal characteristics of hybrid (Al2O[Formula: see text]) and ternary (Al2O[Formula: see text]) nanofluids formed by the combination of nanoparticles have been observed. This combination aids in the breakdown of dangerous compounds, environmental purification and the cooling of other equipment. The corresponding equations are modeled in terms of PDEs, and these PDEs are transformed into ODEs using Von Karman similarity transformations. The resulting equations are solved by using finite difference method based ND solver. The rate of heat transfer increases with the rise in thermal Biot numbers. Moreover, the solution predicts that for variations in radiation parameter from 0.5 to 1.5, heat transfer upsurges 88% for traditional nanoparticles, 92.4% for hybrid nanoparticles while for trihybrid nanoparticles, it grows up from 0% to 95%.
Nonlinear Buckling and Postbuckling of Circular Plates Reinforced with Graphene Platelets Using the Shooting Method
Authors: Zhou Qi , Zhang Jing Hua , Zhao Yong Gang
Published: March 2023

The buckling and postbuckling behaviors of functionally graded graphene platelets-reinforced composite (FG-GPLRC) circular plates are studied based on the classical nonlinear von Karman plate theory. The effective Young’s modulus of the composite is estimated using the modified Halpin–Tsai micromechanical model, and the effective Poisson’s ratio is estimated by the rule of mixtures. Governing equations of the problem are derived based on the Hamilton principle and the numerical solutions of critical loads and postbuckling deflection–load relationships are calculated using the shooting method. Different from the existing linear buckling analysis based on the Terriftz criterion, the study with considering the global deformation of the plates, we analyze the influencing factors of the critical buckling loads and postbuckling paths of the FG-GPLRC circular plates subjected to uniformly distributed radial pressure. The results show that the content, geometric parameters and distribution pattern of GPL have great influences on the critical buckling loads and the post-buckling bearing capacities of the circular FG-GPLRC plates.
The p-nilpotency of finite groups with some CSS-subgroups
Authors: Diao Qianyu , Liu Jianjun
Published: March 2023

A subgroup [Formula: see text] of a finite group [Formula: see text] is said to be [Formula: see text]-subgroup of [Formula: see text] if there exists a normal subgroup [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is [Formula: see text]-quasinormal in [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we investigate the [Formula: see text]-nilpotency of the finite groups under the assumption that there is a subgroup [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text] and every subgroup of [Formula: see text] with order [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text] (whenever [Formula: see text]) is [Formula: see text]-subgroup, where [Formula: see text] is a prime dividing the order of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is a Sylow [Formula: see text]-subgroup of [Formula: see text]. As an application of the results, a related problem posed by Heliel et al. in [Finite groups with minimal CSS-subgroups, Eur. J. Pure Appl. Math. 14 (2021) 1002–1014] is solved.
OPTIMIZATION AND INDUSTRIALIZATION OF A METABOLIC HOLTER DEVICE AND SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT
Authors: BORI EDOARDO , MOUTON MEHDI , CANNATARO ROBERTO , ASMUNDIS CARLO DE , INNOCENTI BERNARDO
Published: March 2023

The quantified-self of a person consists in the self-tracking of health and physiological parameters, such as (but not limited to) heart rhythm, energy expenditure, and sleep, using technology and devices such as smartwatches or wristbands, without the need of being supervised by clinicians. The widespread adoption in recent years of wearables, combined with the increased relevance of Internet of Things in healthcare and in exercise equipment, have made self-tracking accessible to a large segment of the population with various performances. In this study, we present the development, optimization, and preliminary validation of a new device aimed to analyze sleep, activity level, and energy expenditure. Based on the results measured with a sensor previously certified (but now out-of-the-market), a machine learning model was trained and validated showing a very satisfying agreement of the results. In order to optimize the software and check the measurement accuracy in vivo, a clinical study on 12 healthy volunteers was performed comparing the results measured by the device with the one obtained by a metabolimeter considered as the gold-standard. The results demonstrated that the device is able to correctly assess energy expenditure, showing a difference lower than 19% of the value given by the gold standard.
Design of Multiplier Circuit Using Carry Save Adder Based on Quantum-Dot Cell Automata
Authors: Das Jadav Chandra , De Debashis
Published: March 2023

The executions of various complex models reliant on quantum-dot cell automata (QCA) are of high eagerness for investigators. So far, the structure of complex adders in QCA is focused on bringing down clock delay, cell count, and logic gates. This paper proposes the circuit format of a 4-bit multiplier utilizing a carry save adder (CSA) and its implementation on QCA. The CSA is framed with another QCA design of the full adder circuit. The CSA gives preferable expansion strategies over Brent–Kung (BK) adder and Landler–Fisher (LF) adder. This multiplier represents fewer cell counts and clock delays conversely with past designs.
Euler
: Detecting Network Lateral Movement via Scalable Temporal Link Prediction
Authors: King Isaiah J. , Huang H. Howie
Published: March 2023

Lateral movement is a key stage of system compromise used by advanced persistent threats. Detecting it is no simple task. When network host logs are abstracted into discrete temporal graphs, the problem can be reframed as anomalous edge detection in an evolving network. Research in modern deep graph learning techniques has produced many creative and complicated models for this task. However, as is the case in many machine learning fields, the generality of models is of paramount importance for accuracy and scalability during training and inference. In this article, we propose a formalized approach to this problem with a framework we call
Euler
. It consists of a model-agnostic graph neural network stacked upon a model-agnostic sequence encoding layer such as a recurrent neural network. Models built according to the
Euler
framework can easily distribute their graph convolutional layers across multiple machines for large performance improvements. Additionally, we demonstrate that
Euler
-based models are as good, or better, than every state-of-the-art approach to anomalous link detection and prediction that we tested. As anomaly-based intrusion detection systems, our models efficiently identified anomalous connections between entities with high precision and outperformed all other unsupervised techniques for anomalous lateral movement detection. Additionally, we show that as a piece of a larger anomaly detection pipeline,
Euler
models perform well enough for use in real-world systems. With more advanced, yet still lightweight, alerting mechanisms ingesting the embeddings produced by
Euler
models, precision is boosted from 0.243, to 0.986 on real-world network traffic.
Sensory Analysis and Consumer Preference: Best Practices
Authors: Drake M.A. , Watson M.E. , Liu Y.
Published: March 2023

Sensory science is a multidisciplinary field that encompasses a wide variety of established and newly developed tests to document human responses to stimuli. Sensory tests are not limited to the area of food science but they find wide application within the diverse areas of the food science arena. Sensory tests can be divided into two basic groups: analytical tests and affective tests. Analytical tests are generally product-focused, and affective tests are generally consumer-focused. Selection of the appropriate test is critical for actionable results. This review addresses an overview of sensory tests and best practices.
Adjuvant Efficacy of the ECMS-Oil on Immune Responses against Bordetella bronchiseptica in Mice through the TLR2/MyD88/NF-κB Pathway
Authors: Xiao Chenwen , Huang Yee , Cui Xuemei , Wei Qiang , Ji Quanan , Liu Yan , Fei Su , Pan Yao , Xu Xiangfei , Pan Huang , Bao Guolian
Published: March 2023

Bordetella infection can be efficiently prevented through vaccination. The current study investigated the effects of an extract of Cochinchina momordica seed (ECMS) combined with oil on the immune responses to the inactivated Bordetella vaccine in mice. Serum IgG and IgG1 level was significantly increased in ECMS-oil group compared to any other group (

P
<
0.05

) 2 weeks after immunization, while groups ECMS200 μg/400 μg-oil had a markedly higher level of serum IgG2b and IgG3 than any other groups (

P
<
0.05

). Moreover, lipopolysaccharide/ConA-stimulated proliferation of splenocytes was significantly enhanced in ECMS 400 μg-oil immunized mice in comparison with mice in any other group (

P
<
0.05

). RT-PCR assay revealed that while ECMS800 μg-oil group had significantly higher levels of serum IL-4, IL-10, Toll-like receptor (TLR)2, and IL-1 beta than any other group (

P
<
0.05

), the levels of serum IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10 were markedly increased in ECMS 400 μg-oil group as compared to any other groups (

P
<
0.05

). Blood analysis showed that ECMS800 μg-oil and oil groups had a significantly higher number of immunocytes than any other groups (

P
<
0.05

). There were significant differences in the number of IgG+, IgG2b+, and IgA+ cells in the lung between ECMS800 μg-oil group and any other groups (

P
<
0.05

). Western blot analysis demonstrated that stimulation with ECMS 25 μg/mL or 50 ng/mL led to a significant increase in the expression of TLR2, MyD88, and NF-κB in Raw264.7 cells (

P
<
0.05

). Compared with any other group, the expression of MyD88 was markedly increased in the cells stimulated with ECMS 50 ng/mL, as indicated by the RT-PCR analysis (

P
<
0.05

). Overall, we observed that ECMS-oil efficiently enhanced the humoral or cellular immune responses against Bordetella and suggested that the mechanism of adjuvant activity of ECMS-oil might involve TLR2/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.
Two Dimensional Finite Difference Model with a Singularity Attenuation Factor for Structural Health Monitoring of Single Lap Joints
Authors: Nicassio Francesco , Vergallo Pierandrea , Vitolo Raffaele , Scarselli Gennaro
Published: March 2023

A finite difference algorithm that evaluates the health conditions of a bonded joint is presented and discussed. The mathematical formulation of the problem is developed, paying particular attention to the singularity around the corners of the joint and implementing an original discretisation method of the partial differential equations governing the propagation of the elastic waves. The equations are solved under the only hypothesis of a bidimensional field. The algorithm is sensible to defects in the bonded joint and can be used as an effective structural health monitoring tool, as proven by the experiments that show close agreement with the numerical simulations.
Fusion of Emotional Thinking and Mental Health of Students in Vocal Music Teaching
Authors: Yang Qi , Yu Chao
Published: March 2023

Vocal psychology belongs to the branch of music psychology, which is the cross-study of vocal art and psychology, and is also a new discipline with both theory and application. Vocal singing uses a thinking, conscious person as an instrument that is necessarily governed by the psyche over the physiology, relying on the brain to direct the movement of the singing muscles and the coordination of the vocal organs. The purpose of this thesis is to explore the application of vocal psychology in vocal singing and teaching, to explain the generation and development of various psychological phenomena in singing activities, to reveal the role and significance of various psychological factors, to provide singers with a theoretical basis for psychological aspects, and to correctly understand the scientific laws of the inner psychology of vocal singing. The effectiveness of classroom teaching is reflected in effective and efficient aspects. The effectiveness of a vocal lesson can be measured by the criteria of whether the teaching is oriented, scientific, artistic, and efficient. Effective teaching design is the basis of teaching effectiveness, elaborate teaching organization is the guarantee of teaching effectiveness, and flexible teaching methods are the root of teaching effectiveness; all three need to be closely combined and organically unified. Effective teaching design is a holistic thinking before the implementation of teaching; all factors related to teaching, practice, and evaluation should be fully considered in the teaching design; teachers should take the learning effect of students and the cultivation of employability as the starting point for effective teaching design; and the classroom teaching of “vocal music” is a “process” and teachers should teach in accordance with the teaching design. They should focus on guiding students to experience and cultivate their abilities in a series of “processes” such as the emotion of vocal music, the teaching situation, the effect of listening, the creation of expression, and the aesthetic value. In addition, teachers should combine the teaching methods of transmission and inspiration, classroom teaching, and after-school training and combine relatively fixed teaching methods with flexible teaching methods to maximize the effectiveness of teaching.
A review of convolutional neural network-based computer-aided lung nodule detection system
Authors: Sari Sekar , Sutikno Tole , Soesanti Indah , Akhmad Setiawan Noor
Published: March 2023

Worldwide, lung cancer is the leading cause of mortality and rapidly spreads. Lung tissue that is benign does not grow significantly, but lung tissue that is malignant grows rapidly and attacks the body, posing a grave threat to one's health. This paper provides a literature review of computer-aided detection (CAD) systems for lung cancer diagnosis. Preprocessing, segmentation, detection, and classification are the stages of the CAD system. This review divides the preprocessing into three stages: image smoothing, edge sharpening, and noise removal. Additionally, lung segmentation is divided into three stages: histogram-based thresholding, linked component analysis, and lung extraction. The detecting phase aids in decreasing the workload. Several techniques are briefly described, including random forest, support vector machine (SVM), naive bayes, K-nearest neighbor (KNN), and convolutional neural network (CNN). Classification is the final stage; the image is then identified as containing or not possessing nodules. The prospect of incorporating CNN-based deep learning techniques into the CAD system is discussed. This paper is superior to other review studies on this topic due to its comprehensive examination of pertinent literature and structured presentation. We anticipate that our study may aid professional researchers and radiologists in developing more effective CAD systems for detecting lung cancer.
The evaluation of convolutional neural network and genetic algorithm performance based on the number of hyperparameters for english handwritten recognition
Authors: Munsarif Muhammad , Noersasongko Edi , Nurtantio Andono Pulung , Soeleman Moch Arief
Published: March 2023

Convolutional neural network (CNN) has been widely applied to image recognition, especially Handwritten English Recognition. CNN's performance is good if the hyperparameter values are correct. However, the determination of precise hyperparameters is not a trivial task. This task is made more difficult when combined with a larger number of hyperparameters resulting in a high dimensionality of the search space. Usually, hyperparameter optimization uses a finite number. Previous studies have shown that a large number of hyperparameters can result in optimal CNN performance. However, the studies only apply to text mining datasets. This study offers two novelties. First, it applied 20 hyperparameters and their ranges to handwritten English. Second, this paper conducted seven experiments based on different hyperparameters and the number of hyperparameters. This paper also compares the existing methods, namely random and grid search. The experiment resulted in the proposed model being superior to the existing methods. EX3 is better than other experiments and a larger number of hyperparameters and layer-specific hyperparameter values are unimportant.
Um olhar sobre si: o Teto de Vidro na área da Comunicação
Authors: Pérsigo Patrícia Milano , Athaydes Andréia Silveira
Published: March 2023

Neste artigo, discute-se a metáfora do teto de vidro e do labirinto de cristal, confrontando tais referenciais com os dados do relatório Techo de cristal en comunicación. A partir dessas reflexões, busca-se conhecer a percepção dos profissionais da comunicação da América Latina a respeito de suas próprias realidades organizacionais. Percebe-se que, apesar de a área ter proximidade com as Ciências Sociais Aplicadas, com frequência as desigualdades de gênero estão aí reproduzidas.
Sueli Carneiro, uma mulher preta a frente de seu tempo
Authors: Brito Lívia Magalhães de
Published: March 2023

A obra “Continuo Preta: a vida de Sueli Carneiro”, de autoria de Bianca Santana1, publicada pela editora Companhia das Letras em 2021, traz o percurso de uma das mais importantes ativistas negras do Brasil. Grande nome do movimento negro brasileiro, a relevância de Sueli Carneiro no âmbito intelectual e em favor dos direitos humanos é reconhecida nacional e internacionalmente. Sueli recebeu o diploma de Mulher-Cidadã Bertha Lutz, concedido pelo Senado brasileiro em 2003, por ser reconhecida como uma personalidade feminina de destaque na luta pelos direitos das mulheres pretas. Destaque também para o título de Doutora Honoris Causa, concedido em 2022 pela Universidade de Brasília - UNB, o que lhe permitiu entrar para a história como a primeira mulher negra a receber esta honraria.
Prevalence and Therapeutic Implications of Clonal Hematopoiesis of Indeterminate Potential in Young Patients With Stroke
Authors: Mayerhofer Ernst , Strecker Christoph , Becker Heiko , Georgakis Marios K. , Uddin Md Mesbah , Hoffmann Michael M. , Nadarajah Niroshan , Meggendorfer Manja , Haferlach Torsten , Rosand Jonathan , Natarajan Pradeep , Anderson Christopher D. , Harloff Andreas , Hoermann Gregor
Published: March 2023

Background:

Undetermined stroke etiology hampers optimal secondary prevention in a large proportion of young patients. We explored whether genetic screening for clonal hematopoiesis of indetermined potential (CHIP), a novel risk factor for stroke, could identify patients with myeloid precursor lesions or covert myeloid neoplasm requiring specific treatment.

Methods:

We performed targeted sequencing on 56 genes recurrently mutated in hematologic neoplasms in a prospective cohort of patients with acute brain ischemia between 18 and 60 years. CHIP prevalence was compared with age-matched healthy controls from the Nijmegen Biomedical Study (n=1604) and the UK Biobank (n=101 678). Patients with suspicion of high-risk CHIP or myeloid neoplasm were invited for further hematologic evaluation.

Results:

We included 248 consecutive patients (39% women) of whom 176 (71%) had cryptogenic stroke etiology. Fifty-one (21%) patients had CHIP, 3-fold more than in the general population (7.7% versus 2.6% for the Nijmegen Biomedical Study and 11.9% versus 4.1% for UK Biobank;
P
<0.001 for both). Patients with CHIP were older (median [interquartile range], 53 [50–59] versus 51 [41–56] years;
P
<0.001), had higher carotid intima-media thickness (0.68 [0.58–0.80] versus 0.59 [0.51–0.73] mm;
P
=0.009), and had higher burden of atherosclerosis (29.4% versus 16.7%;
P
=0.04). We invited 11 patients (4.4%) for further hematologic assessment, which in 7 led to the diagnosis of high-risk CHIP and in 2 to the new diagnosis of a myeloproliferative neoplasm with indication for cytoreductive therapy.

Conclusions:

Using genetic screening for myeloid disorders in patients with stroke of predominantly undetermined etiology, we found a 3-fold higher CHIP prevalence than in the general population. We identified high-risk CHIP and previously covert myeloproliferative neoplasms as potential stroke etiologies in 4.4% and 1% of patients, respectively. Our findings demonstrate the diagnostic and therapeutic yield of genetic screening in young patients with stroke. Future studies should investigate the role of CHIP for stroke recurrence and optimal secondary prevention.
A new record family Neopseustidae (Insecta: Lepidoptera) from Chongqing of China, with the first description of the Neopseustis archiphenax female adult
Authors: LV JUN-XIAN , WANG XING , HUANG GUO-HUA
Published: March 2023

In 2022, the insect inventories organized by Prof. Zhi-Sheng Zhang of Southwest University were constructed in Yintiaoling Nature Reserve, Chongqing Municipality, China. The neopseustid moth from Chongqing based on three specimens of Neopseustis archiphenax by light trapping were reported in this paper. The photos of the male and female adults, genitalia, and abdominal special structures are presented with the female described firstly. Also, the DNA barcoding sequence data is provided, and the key to the Neopseustis species is given.
One new genus and nine new species of Linyphiidae spiders from Yintiaoling Nature Reserve, Chongqing of China
Authors: MUHAMMAD IRFAN , WANG LU-YU , ZHANG ZHI-SHENG
Published: March 2023

One new genus and nine new species of Linyphiidae are described here from Yintiaoling Nature Reserve (YNR), Chongqing of China as: Caracladus daguanshanensis sp. n. (both sexes), Centromerus alatus sp. n. (male only), Dicristatus modaoxiensis sp. n. (both sexes), Hypselistes arcus sp. n. (male and female), Ryojius flosculus sp. n. (male only), R. latus sp. n. (male only), Shaanxinus shizhuziensis sp. n. (both sexes), Sinogone caesuma gen. & sp. n. (both sexes), and Walckenaeria hongqiensis sp. n. (both sexes). Detailed descriptions, photographs of genital characters and somatic features are presented.
How and Why People Use Mobile Phones Near Bedtime and in Bed: Israelis’ Narratives of Digitally Enabled Sleepful Sociality
Authors: Zarhin Dana
Published: March 2023

Although prior studies have examined the impact of smartphone use on sleep and there is a growing interest in the interface between mobile phones and society, researchers know little about how and why people use mobile phones before bedtime and in bed. The current research explores this question by drawing on data from sleep diaries and in-depth interviews with 66 Israelis. The results show that the human–mobile phone sleep assemblage generates agentic capacities that allow individuals to engage in a digitally enabled form of what I call sleepful sociality – a sociality marked by sleep. Through the use of mobile phones, individuals create, maintain and/or detach from social relations and fulfil social obligations near bedtime and during sleep, while also trying to facilitate and protect their own and their bed partner’s sleep. These findings enhance the understanding of how technology is enmeshed with sociality and creates new ways of being social.