bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Completion rates for ecological momentary assessments of dietary behaviors during pregnancy and postpartum (Preprint)
Authors: A Sanders Sarah , Omowale Serwaa , Casas Andrea , Kiyanda Alexis , Smith Abigail , Lai Yu-Hsuan , Wallace Meredith , Rathbun Stephen , Gary-Webb Tiffany , Davis Esa , Burke Lora , Méndez Dara Daneen
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND

Background: Collection of dietary behavior data is crucial in childbearing populations. In addition to observed inequities in perinatal dietary intake and quality, burdensome assessment methods used (e.g., 24-hour dietary recall) may limit research participation for some groups. Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) is associated with reduced recall bias and participant convenience, but there is a dearth of studies with diverse cohorts.

OBJECTIVE

Objective: Our aim is to describe participant completion of dietary intake items in EMA surveys, overall and across individual characteristics (e.g., pre-pregnancy body mass index).

METHODS

Methods: Using EMA data from participants in a longitudinal study, we report average completion rates of survey items regarding dietary behavior (e.g., number of meals eaten in a day) across demographic variables (e.g., age) and intersectional strata (e.g., race + age) during late pregnancy and throughout 12 months’ postpartum.

RESULTS

Results: In our analytic sample (N=310), average completion rates were 59.1% during pregnancy, dropping to 52.4% after giving birth. Participants who were older (>30 years), overweight before pregnancy, self-identified as white, working, or earning higher annual income (>$50,000) had higher average completion rates than their counterparts. Examining intersectional strata, we found some variation in survey completion within racial groups. Black participants using a study phone had higher average completion rates during pregnancy and postpartum, but this relationship was reversed for white participants.

CONCLUSIONS

Discussion: We showed relatively stable engagement with EMA surveys in a childbearing cohort across 15 months. Increased completion rates among privileged groups (e.g., white, higher income) may demonstrate the impact of socioeconomic advantages on individual health behaviors. Investigators should consider how intersections between race and other factors (e.g., employment) may impact participation and data collection.
Toward an mHealth App for Early Detection of Relapse in Remitted Depressed Individuals: A Focus Group Study on User Requirements and Concerns (Preprint)
Authors: Coenen Tina , Maerevoet Matthias , Chen Stephanie , De Brouwer Mathias , Van Hoecke Sofie , Koster Ernst HW , Vanden Abeele Mariek MP , Bombeke Klaas
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND

Major depressive disorder is often a recurrent condition, with a high risk of relapse for remitted depressed individuals. Early detection of relapse is critical to improve clinical outcomes. mHealth (mobile health) technologies offer new opportunities for real-time monitoring and prevention of relapse, given that user requirements of the target population are effectively implemented.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated remitted depressed individuals’ user requirements and concerns for an mHealth app aimed at monitoring depressive symptoms and detecting early signs of relapse through integrating both active ecological momentary assessment (EMA) data and passive data from the user’s smartphone and smartwatch.

METHODS

Three focus group discussions were conducted with 17 participants who had a history of depression but were in remission at the time of the study. Prior to the focus group, participants had gained some experience with an in-house designed EMA monitoring app, prompting questions regarding their mood multiple times throughout the day. During the focus groups, feedback and insights were gathered into participants’ expectations, requirements, concerns, and attitudes toward a depression monitoring app. A thematic analysis was performed to identify recurring themes and subthemes, shedding light on the desired user experience and functionalities.

RESULTS

We identified five main themes. Participants highlighted (1) a need for customization settings, particularly in terms of data collection and sharing, and frequency of self-assessments. They also valued (2) positivity in the app’s design through positive reinforcement and journaling features. Additionally, participants emphasized (3) interventions to be the main motivator for adoption and long-term usage. More specifically, they wanted the app to foster self-awareness, self-reflection and insights and to offer support during deteriorations in mental health. Furthermore, participants deemed (4) transparency in data use and machine learning predictions essential for building trust. Participants required these functionalities to bear (5) the user burdens of self-monitoring. Key concerns were for passive monitoring to cause a privacy burden and for active monitoring to raise an emotional burden.

CONCLUSIONS

Considering the vulnerability of potential users, caution is warranted in the design of an mHealth app for depression relapse prevention. Users’ requirements for customization, positivity, interventions, and transparency must be addressed, while minimizing both the emotional and privacy burden. Carefully balancing these design elements is crucial to ensure adoption and long-term user engagement.
Large Language Models Evaluation in Answering Multiple Choice Questions in Biochemistry Course (Preprint)
Authors: Bolgova Olena , Shypilova Inna , Mavrych Volodymyr
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND

Recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), particularly in large language models (LLMs), have started a new era of innovation across various fields, with medicine at the forefront of this technological revolution. Many studies indicated that at the current level of development, LLMs can pass different board exams. However, the ability to answer specific subject-related questions requires validation.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to conduct a comprehensive analysis comparing the performance of advanced LLM chatbots - Claude (Anthropic), GPT-4 (OpenAI), Gemini (Google), and Copilot (Microsoft), against the academic results of medical students in the medical biochemistry course.

METHODS

We used 200 USMLE-style multiple-choice questions selected from the course exam database. They encompassed various complexity levels and were distributed across 23 distinctive topics. The questions with tables and images were not included in the study. The results of 5 successive attempts by Claude 3.5 Sonnet, GPT-4-1106, Gemini 1.5 Flash, and Copilot to answer this questionnaire set were evaluated based on accuracy in August 2024. Statistica 13.5.0.17 (TIBC® Statistica™) was used to analyze the data's basic statistics. Considering the binary nature of the data, the Chi-square test was utilized to compare results among the different chatbots, with a statistical significance level of P<.05.

RESULTS

On average, the selected chatbots correctly answered 81.1±12.8% of the questions, surpassing the students' performance by 8.3% (P=.017). In this study, Claude showed the best performance in biochemistry MCQs, correctly answering 92.5% of questions, followed by GPT-4 (85.1%), Gemini (78.5%), and Copilot (64%). The chatbots demonstrated the best results in the following four topics: Eicosanoids (100%), Bioenergetics and Electron transport chain (96.4±7.2), Hexose monophosphate pathway (91.7±16.7), and Ketone bodies (93.8±12.5). The Pearson Chi-square test indicated a statistically significant association between the answers of all 4 chatbots (P<.001- P<.044).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that different AI models may have unique strengths in specific medical fields, which could be leveraged for targeted educational support in biochemistry courses. This performance highlights the potential of AI in medical education and assessment.
Correction: Digital Mental Health Interventions for Alleviating Depression and Anxiety During Psychotherapy Waiting Lists: Systematic Review (Preprint)
Authors: Huang Sijia , Wang Yiyue , Li Gen , Hall Brian J , Nyman Thomas J
Published: October 2024

UNSTRUCTURED
Correction: Data Integrity Issues With Web-Based Studies: An Institutional Example of a Widespread Challenge (Preprint)
Authors: French Blandine , Babbage Camilla , Bird Katherine , Marsh Lauren , Pelton Mirabel , Patel Shireen , Cassidy Sarah , Rennick-Egglestone Stefan
Published: October 2024

UNSTRUCTURED
Plant based mounting materials use for spinning during seed crop rearing by Adopted Seed Rearers (ASRs)
Authors: Singh Amardev
Published: October 2024

Adopted Seed Rearers (ASRs) or P1 seed farmers use locally accessible plants as mounting materials for mounting the matured silkworms under the study they used viz., Dodonaea viscosa, Malotus philipansis, Bambusa nutans, Eucalyptus globulus. Based on the data analysis, significant difference was found when the matured silkworms were mounted on plastic collapsible mountages, which resulted in the highest cocoon yield per 100 dfls (85.45 Kg) and also number of cocoons per kg.
Politics of Identity and Symbolism: A Study of Kennedy’s Play Funnyhouse of a Negro
Authors: Hossain Md Nasir , Aslam Dr. Kunnathil Muhammed
Published: October 2024

Kennedy's Funnyhouse of a Negro offers a poignant exploration of the devastating impact of racism on Black individuals and communities. Through the lens of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), this study examines the play's depiction of social binaries, such as race, gender, and education, to illuminate the struggles faced by the marginalised characters. The central focus is on the character of Sarah, whose obsession with whiteness and control leads to tragic consequences for her Black father. The play's symbolic language effectively conveys the oppressive nature of white culture and the psychological toll it takes on Black individuals. By highlighting the racial tensions and power dynamics within the play, this analysis presents the enduring legacy of racism and its impact on marginalised communities.
Narrativas turísticas y la conformación del patrimonio nacional mexicano a través del análisis de las guías turísticas de Morelos
Authors: Salinas Córdova Daniel
Published: October 2024

Desde principios del siglo xx, las narrativas turísticas de México han utilizado elementos de su historia y cultura, influyendo en la representación y concepción del país tanto nacional como internacionalmente. La dinámica histórica de cómo se crean y evolucionan dichas narrativas turísticas, y el papel que juega el patrimonio en esos procesos, han sido poco atendidos en las discusiones sobre el pasado y presente de México como uno de los destinos turísticos más importantes del mundo.
 
Este artículo aborda la manera en la que se empleó el patrimonio para la promoción de México como destino durante el siglo xx. Siguiendo un enfoque interdisciplinario, la investigación analiza los discursos patrimoniales, las imágenes y la “mirada turística” generada por la industria turística en una serie de guías publicadas entre los años veinte y noventa, esto a través de un estudio de caso en el estado de Morelos. El objetivo es comprender los procesos a través de los cuales el Estado, los promotores turísticos, audiencias y agentes sociales crearon, negociaron, apropiaron y exhibieron nociones de patrimonio cultural en conjunto, conflicto y/o incluso oposición con nuevas identidades mexicanas a lo largo del siglo xx tras la Revolución Mexicana. Al examinar los cambios de las narrativas turísticas sobre Morelos descritas en las guías, esta investigación arroja luz sobre el poco reconocido papel que el turismo ha jugado en la construcción y desarrollo de las nociones de identidad y patrimonio nacional en México.
Antropología genética, sus alcances y oportunidades en México desde el IIA
Authors: Aguirre Samudio Ana Julia
Published: October 2024

Este trabajo revisa y discute los avances en antropología genética en México, considerando la población como ente de cambio evolutivo. Estos datos ayudan al entendimiento de la demografía históricogenética de la población antigua y actual. Se exponen los aportes al conocimiento antropológico generados en el Instituto de Investigaciones Antropológicas de la unam, desde la evolución de la especie humana con el análisis de varios genes implicados en la cognición y el tamaño cerebral, hasta los estudios realizados en el México prehispánico y en la población indígena actual. Se discute el alcance de dicha contribución en diferentes áreas del conocimiento científico y se concluye con la reflexión de cómo los análisis en antropología genética se pueden proyectar hacia el desarrollo del país desde la cultura y la identidad.
Kazuo Aoyama y Rodrigo Liendo Stuardo, editores (2022) Mesoamérica: el estudio de sus procesos de transformación social desde una perspectiva de larga duración
Authors: Martínez Rosas Jesica
Published: October 2024

El libro se compone de catorce capítulos, productos de importantes investigaciones, presentados durante el Primer Congreso Internacional de Mesoamericanistas en Japón, celebrado en el Campus Innovation Center de Tokio, los días 29 y 30 de octubre de 2016, editado y coordinado por Kasuo Aoyama[1] y Rodrigo Liendo Stuardo[2].
 
[1] Doctor en antropología por la Universidad de Pittsburgh. Actualmente es profesor de tiempo completo en la Universidad de Ibaraki (Japón); se ha especializado en estudios sobre arqueología maya, principalmente. Algunos de los espacios en los que ha trabajado son Aguada Fénix, México, Copán, Honduras, Aguateca y Ceibal, Guatemala. Ha colaborado en más de 250 publicaciones sobre la cultura maya y Mesoamérica.
[2] Doctor en arqueología por la Universidad de Pittsburgh; investigador de tiempo completo en el Instituto de Investigaciones Antropológicas, UNAM. Ha estudiado diversos sitios arqueológicos mayas, y desde 1996 ha sido responsable de dirigir el Proyecto Regional Palenque, de los que ha publicado diversos títulos.
La deuda externa como medida de disciplina ambiental. Un cálculo para el caso argentino
Authors: Piccolo Paula , Mora Ain Huerquén , Peinado Guillermo
Published: October 2024

El objetivo del presente trabajo es conectar los impactos del endeudamiento externo argentino con sus efectos ecológicos desde una perspectiva que articula la economía ecológica con la economía política. Esta articulación se da a través del concepto de deuda ecológica entendida como la deuda que generan los países del centro con los países periféricos debido a sus patrones de producción y de consumo. Para el cálculo de esa deuda, se analizan las exportaciones argentinas desde 1961 hasta 2018, a través de distintos precios implícitos de la huella ecológica. Esto permite medir la deuda/acreencia ecológica para el caso argentino y establecer una comparación con la deuda externa.
Percepção do vínculo parental e variáveis associadas ao apego materno-fetal na gestação de alto risco
Authors: Lima Reis Henrique , Cardoso Nogueira Ketylen , Manfroi Edi Cristina , Pereira Gonçalves André
Published: October 2024

Este estudo investigou os efeitos da percepção do vínculo parental, variáveis sociodemográficas e gestacionais na intensidade do apego materno-fetal (AMF) no contexto de gestação de alto risco. Trata-se de um estudo quantitativo e transversal com 119 participantes. Foi aplicado um questionário sociodemográfico, a Escala de Apego Materno-Fetal - Versão Breve e o Parental Bonding Instrument. Os resultados da análise de regressão linear múltipla foram estatisticamente significativos (p < 0,05). O modelo final explicou 28,7 % da variância do AMF e foi composto pelas variáveis de superproteção paterna, cuidado paterno, idade da mulher, idade gestacional e suporte do pai do bebê. Reitera-se que a intensidade do AMF é multideterminada, envolvendo aspectos da história de vida, sociais e situacionais. A percepção da mulher acerca do vínculo paterno durante sua infância e adolescência e o apoio do pai do bebê no período gestacional destacam-se como fatores influentes para a vinculação materno-fetal, indicando a importância do envolvimento paterno ao longo do ciclo vital. São pontuadas implicações para a prática profissional, bem como limitações e recomendações de estudos futuros.
El desafío de la comunicación pública de la ciencia a nivel institucional: una reflexión situada
Authors: Garcia de Souza Javier , Alvarez María Fernanda , Cortese Bianca , Altieri Paula , Monti Carolina
Published: October 2024

En los institutos y centros argentinos de investigación científica no suelen destinarse esfuerzos a la comunicación pública de la ciencia (CPC), lo que debilita el vínculo con la sociedad a la que pertenecen. Por eso, en 2015 el Instituto de Limnología “Dr. Raúl A. Ringuelet” (La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina) creó su Área de Extensión y Comunicación, la que ha coordinado numerosas actividades en ferias de ciencia, escuelas y barrios. A partir de la implementación de un enfoque vincular adaptable a instituciones similares se han logrado articulaciones sólidas con diversos sectores y la revalorización interna de la CPC.
Problems of legislative regulation of facilities created using deepfake technology in Russia and abroad
Authors:   Ростовский государственный экономический университет (РИНХ), Ростов-на-Дону, Россия, Татьяна Владимировна Епифанова , Константин Игоревич Копейкин ,   Ростовский государственный экономический университет (РИНХ), Ростов-на-Дону, Россия
Published: October 2024

The article attempts to consider the issues of legal regulation and protection of new objects that arise in the process of developing creativity on the Internet. The authors examine the legal regulation of objects created using deepfake technology in Russia and abroad and substantiate why deepfake, under certain conditions, can be classified as such an object of copyright as a work. They consider the best practices in regulating deepfake technologies in various countries that have achieved the greatest success in legal regulation of deepfakes (USA, China and Singapore). The main conclusion of the article is the formulation of proposals for improving Russian legislation to regulate problematic issues associated with the creation of deepfakes.
Socio-political and legal status of Ossetians of South Ossetia as subjects of the Georgian state (XII–XVIII centuries)
Authors:   Горский государственный аграрный университет, Владикавказ, Россия, Валерий Дударович Дзидзоев
Published: October 2024

The article examines a little-known historical and legal problem related to the citizenship of the South Ossetians of the Georgian feudal monarchy and Georgian kings. The little-researched problem raised seems not only relevant from the point of view of Russian history and jurisprudence, but also interesting from the socio-political position of today, when relations between Georgians and Ossetians have significantly deteriorated not only because of the genocide organized by the Georgian authorities against South Ossetians in 1920, 1989-1992 and 2008, but also the complete separation of South Ossetia from genocidal Georgia. The article is debatable, but the facts presented here seem convincing and reasoned.
On the judicial organization in North Ossetia in the pre-soviet, soviet and post-soviet periods (to the 250-th anniversary of the annexation of Ossetia to Russia)
Authors:   Северо-Кавказский горно-металлургический институт (государственный технологический университет), Владикавказ, Россия, Александр Михайлович Цалиев
Published: October 2024

The article examines the features of the judicial system and the exercise of judicial power in North Ossetia in different historical periods. It is argued that they are determined by a complex of specific reasons, among which the reasons of a spiritual-ideological, historical-political, legal and socio-psychological nature stand out. The main role of the Ossetian military intelligentsia in introducing their people to Russian, European culture, way of life, forms of government, including in the sphere of judicial power, is noted. The issues of organization and abolition of various judicial institutions in the 19th-20th centuries, their dependence on local characteristics and frequent transformations of administrative and judicial institutions in this period are considered. The activities related to the establishment of Soviet courts are covered. The new judicial system and the principle of formation of the judiciary in the post-Soviet period are revealed and criticized. The activities of the abolished constitutional (statutory) courts of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation are assessed positively and convincingly. Proposals are being made for the organization of constitutional councils in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation.
Aprendizaje basado en problemas para la enseñanza de matemáticas en administración pública
Authors: Barco Rojas Carlos Andrés , Jimenez Agudelo Mariam Angelly , Raimundo Yaegashi Solange Franci
Published: October 2024

El presente artículo de reflexión destaca la relación entre la actitud negativa hacia las matemáticas y las dificultades que enfrentan los estudiantes en el programa Administración Pública Territorial de la Escuela Superior de Administración Pública. Estas dificultades obstaculizan el desarrollo de habilidades clave para la formación de administradores públicos. Para enfrentar estos desafíos, se propone el uso del aprendizaje basado en problemas como una estrategia pedagógica efectiva. Esta metodología implica que los estudiantes resuelvan problemas reales relacionados con la administración pública territorial, lo que contextualiza el aprendizaje delas matemáticas y lo hace más relevante para su futura carrera profesional. Se ofrece un ejemplo concreto de cómo planificar y diseñar un aprendizaje basado en problemas en la asignatura de Estadística I, incluida en el microcurrículo del programa de la Escuela Superior de Administración Pública. Finalmente, el aprendizaje basado en problemas mejora la actitud de los estudiantes hacia las matemáticas en la administración pública, facilita la aplicación práctica de conceptos matemáticos y fomenta el desarrollo de habilidades de resolución de problemas, superando así el estigma asociado a esta materia.
Body Mass Index, Frailty, and Outcomes in Leadless Pacemaker Implantation
Authors: Sagoo Rajveer , Sagoo Navraj S. , Pham Danh , Srinivasaraghavan Aniruth , Nguyen Katherine , Nguyen Thien An , BS Thien Ly Nguyen , Gill Namandeep , Sharma Virat , Haider Ali S.
Published: October 2024

not-yet-known not-yet-known not-yet-known unknown Background: The
association between body mass index (BMI) and frailty in the context of
leadless pacemaker (LPM) implantation remains underexplored. Objective:
This study aims to investigate the relationship between BMI, frailty,
and outcomes in patients who underwent LPM implantation. Methods: Data
from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 2018-2021 was analyzed for
patients who underwent LPM implantation. Patients were categorized into
five BMI groups: underweight, normal weight, overweight, obese, and
morbidly obese. Frailty was assessed using the Hospital Frailty Risk
Score (HFRS). Results: The study included a weighted cohort of 8,865
patients who underwent LPM implantation. Among frail patients (n=6120),
mortality occurred in 5.0% of obese individuals compared to 7.5% in
non-obese individuals (aOR: 0.763, 95% CI: 0.601-0.968). Frail, obese
patients showed reduced risks of venous thromboembolism (aOR: 0.760,
95% CI: 0.565-0.943), the need for blood transfusions (aOR: 0.826, 95%
CI: 0.690-0.988), and pericardial complications (aOR: 0.778, 95% CI:
0.564-0.925), but demonstrated elevated risks of renal complications
(aOR: 1.284, 95% CI: 1.132-1.458) and device removal/revision (aOR:
2.121, 95% CI: 1.943-2.345). Notably, obese individuals were
significantly less likely to be classified as frail (aOR: 0.591, 95%
CI: 0.124-0.739, p<0.001), with 65% of obese and 78.1% of
non-obese individuals being frail. Conclusion: This study demonstrates
that frail, obese patients who underwent LPM implantation, exhibited a
lower risk of mortality and complications compared to non-obese
individuals, despite facing a higher likelihood of renal complications
and device-related issues. Furthermore, it was found that frail patients
had a lower prevalence of obesity.
A public dataset of aphasic and healthy people during an eye-tracking-based auditory comprehension test
Authors: Alves Michael Douglas Cabral , Souza Paulo , Freitas Maria Isabel , Albornoz Alejandro Durán Carrillo de , Ferreira Marcelo , Ramirez Alejandro
Published: October 2024

This article presents a dataset consisting of eye-tracking recordings
obtained from fifteen patients with Broca’s Aphasia and six healthy
individuals. The aphasic volunteers had good hearing and eye function,
which allowed them to use a computer for communication. Data from
aphasic and healthy participants was recorded once in two
Speech-Language Pathology Clinics partners. The experimental design
involved thirty-two recording sessions per participant, each one
corresponding to the execution of the second version of the clinically
validated Test for Reception of Grammar (TROG-2). This dataset can serve
as a valuable benchmark for several applications, as it provides
complementary information of individual insights, improving linguistic
systems, exploring gaze functions, and monitoring cognitive processes in
patients undergoing rehabilitation.
Impact of Climate Risk on Fiscal Space: Do Political Stability and Financial Development Matter?
Authors:   Asian Development Bank, Beirne John , Park Donghyun ,   Asian Development Bank, Saadaoui Jamel ,   Linköping University
Published: October 2024

This paper looks at how pension systems across Asia and the Pacific can overcome common challenges of low contributory coverage, inadequate social pensions, and failure to include the informal sector.
Analytical study of exergetic efficiency of a solar air heater with C-shape roughness element
Authors: Petchimuthu Sureshkumar , Rajendran Sathiya
Published: October 2024

This study analytically evaluates the exergetic efficiency of solar air
heaters incorporating C-shaped rib roughened absorber plates. Compared to
flat plate designs, the proposed geometry significantly enhances energy
performance. Optimal roughness parameters for maximizing exergy efficiency
are identified, providing design guidelines for improved solar air heater
systems. The maximum value of exergy efficiency of the Solar air heater, with
C-shaped ribs was obtained as 5.9%.
The silent assassin: Empirical formulas, molar masses, biosynthesis reactions, enthalpies, entropies and Gibbs energies of biosynthesis and Gibbs energies of binding of Coxsackieviruses A and B
Authors: Popovic Marko , Sekularac Gavrilo , Tadic Vojin , Pantovic-Pavlovic Marijana
Published: October 2024

Coxsackievirus B represents a nightmare for a large number of medical staff. Due to exposure to Coxsackievirus in closed spaces (ambulances and waiting rooms), infections by Coxsackievirus B are a common occurrence. This paper for the first time reports chemical and thermodynamic properties of Coxsackieviruses A and B, and offers a mechanistic model of Coxsackievirus-host interaction. The driving force of the interaction at the membrane (antigen-receptor binding) is Gibbs energy of binding. The driving force of virus-host interaction in the cytoplasm is Gibbs energy of biosynthesis. This paper analyzes the mechanism of hijacking of cell metabolic machinery of susceptible cells.
Coupled simulation on flue gas and steam deviation of final reheater in a 600 MW tangentially fired boiler with reversed separated overfire air under different loads
Authors: Wang Zhengjiang , Wang Xingjun , Yang Yang , Li Jiawei , Su Yongning , Jiang Qi , Li Xiaojun , Xing Wenbin , Yi Jinhao , Liu Hu
Published: October 2024

Flue gas and steam deviation of the final reheater is an inevitable problem
in the tangentially fired boiler due to the remaining gas spinning at the
furnace exit. An in-house one-dimensional process simulation code coupled
with comprehensive three-dimensional combustion simulation was adopted to
accurate investigate the characteristics of the flue gas and steam
maldistribution of the final reheater in a 600 MW supercritical tangentially
fired boiler. Firstly, the combustion simulation result was validated by the
in-house fire-side heat transfer calculation data, then the effect of boiler
loads and reversed separated overfire air (SOFA) deflection angles on the
gas temperature deviation, velocity deviation and outlet steam temperature
of reheater were conducted. The results showed that the deviation of flue
gas temperature and velocity increases as the boiler load decreases. The
reversed SOFA deflection angle plays a crucial role in improving the gas
distribution under low loads, and the deviation of flue gas temperature and
velocity is the smallest when the angle is -18? under 100% boiler maximum
continuous rating (BMCR), 75% and 50% turbine heat acceptance (THA), but it
is the smallest when the angle is -9? under 35% BMCR load. Moreover, the
maximum outlet steam temperature difference between parallel heating
surfaces of the final reheater increases from 84.68 K to 106.48 K as the
boiler load decreases from 100% BMCR to 75% THA, and it is mainly affected
by the flue gas temperature deviation rather than the mass flow rate
maldistribution when the deflection angle changes from -9? to -18?.
Economic Consequences of AS 18: Related-Party Transactions with Principals versus Nonprincipals
Authors: Hope Ole-Kristian , Lu Haihao , Peng Songlan
Published: October 2024

In 2014, the PCAOB adopted a new auditing standard, AS 18 Related Parties, with the intention of enhancing auditors’ performance in auditing related-party transactions (RPTs). Using hand-collected data, we find significant reductions in both firms’ restatement risk and their engagement in RPTs following the AS 18 adoption. Such reductions are especially pronounced for smaller firms and firms having RPTs with principals, in which related persons in the counterparty of RPTs are the primary beneficiaries, such as CEOs, board chairs, or primary shareholders. We also find that smaller firms having RPTs with principals tend to pay higher audit fees post-AS 18. Our study responds to the PCAOB’s call to assess the economic consequences of AS 18. The findings suggest that AS 18 is associated with improved audit quality and reductions in auditees’ opportunistic RPT activities.

Data Availability: Data are available from public sources as cited in the article and from the authors upon request.

JEL Classifications: M10; M40; M41; M42; M48.
Corporate Tax Enforcement and Business Activity
Authors: Gallemore John , Jacob Martin
Published: October 2024

We examine the consequences of corporate tax enforcement for business activity. Using two different empirical approaches—a regional design and a firm-level design—we document that corporate tax enforcement is negatively associated with business activity, as measured by establishments and employment. This association is economically significant and is robust to tests that mitigate concerns regarding endogeneity and measurement. Furthermore, we find that the negative association between tax enforcement and business activity varies substantially in the cross-section. Specifically, we find that it is weaker for regions and firms with greater access to external financing sources and is stronger for regions and firms where compliance costs are likely higher and for which the ex ante costs of tax enforcement are greater. Our findings suggest that the effects of tax enforcement on business activity are economically important and heterogeneous, which should be of interest to academics and policymakers.

JEL Classifications: H25; H26; R11; R12.
Steatotic Liver Disease in Pediatric Obesity and Increased Risk for Youth-Onset Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Putri Resthie R. , Casswall Thomas , Danielsson Pernilla , Marcus Claude , Hagman Emilia
Published: October 2024

OBJECTIVE

To assess 1) the association between metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in pediatric obesity and youth-onset type 2 diabetes, 2) the joint effect of MASLD and intermediate hyperglycemia on type 2 diabetes risk, and 3) the effect of obesity treatment on type 2 diabetes risk.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A cohort study using the Swedish Childhood Obesity Treatment Register (Barnobesitas Registret i Sverige [BORIS]) (1999–2020) linked with national registers was conducted. We included 10,346 children with overweight or obesity and 59,336 matched control individuals. MASLD was defined by transaminases and diagnosis code, separately. Type 2 diabetes was ascertained from national registers.

RESULTS

In the obesity cohort, median age at type 2 diabetes diagnosis was 16.9 (quartile 1 [Q1], quartile 3 [Q3]: 14.7, 21.4) years, median follow-up was 8.1 (Q1, Q3: 5.1, 11.7) years. Cumulative incidence of type 2 diabetes at age 30 was 22.7% (obesity and MASLD), 9.9% (obesity alone), and 0.7% (control individuals). MASLD was associated with risk for type 2 diabetes (hazard ratio [HR] 2.71 [95% CI 2.14–3.43]), independently of age, sex, degree of obesity, intermediate hyperglycemia, and parental type 2 diabetes. Joint effect of MASLD and intermediate hyperglycemia increased type 2 diabetes risk (HR 9.04 [6.38–12.79]). Optimal response in obesity treatment reduced the risk (HR 0.23 [0.09–0.57]).

CONCLUSIONS

MASLD, defined by transaminases or diagnosis code, in pediatric obesity is associated with increased risk for youth-onset type 2 diabetes. MASLD interacts synergistically with intermediate hyperglycemia to dramatically increase the risk. Optimal response in obesity treatment reduces type 2 diabetes risk, despite MASLD.
Scaling of ultrashort-pulsed laser structuring processes for electromobility applications using a spatial light modulator
Authors: Geiger Christian , Gruendl Alena , Hauschwitz Petr , Tarant Ivan , Hille Lucas , Sommer Alessandro , Hou Bolin , Zaeh Michael F.
Published: October 2024

The structuring of lithium-ion battery (LIB) electrodes and the diffusion media (DM) for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) with ultrashort laser pulses enables improved performance characteristics of both technologies. However, the transfer of the approaches from a laboratory scale to a commercial use has previously been hindered by the low average output power of ultrashort-pulsed (USP) laser beam sources and the limited productivity of single-beam structuring using scanning optics. Recent advancements in the development of USP laser systems have led to a steady increase in the available output power, thereby enabling new fields of applications. This study aims at accelerating the USP laser structuring of LIB electrodes and DM for PEMFCs to industrially relevant processing rates by comparing a single-beam with a multibeam structuring process regarding ablation characteristics and quality. For the multibeam strategy, the shape of the laser beam was modified by a spatial light modulator (SLM). In addition to microholes, the insertion of microchannels was investigated to demonstrate the high flexibility of state-of-the-art SLMs. The geometry of the created structures was measured with a laser scanning microscope, and the different layers were tested for their geometrical and electrochemical properties to compare both technologies. The results confirmed that applying an SLM enables high-quality microstructures with significantly higher structuring rates. Furthermore, this contribution includes a theoretical analysis of the specifications required for a laser setup to reach an industrially relevant productivity of the structuring processes.
Street ‘Doctors’ and Sexual Health: A Medical Anthropological Study of Male Infertility in Telangana, South India
Authors: B* Venkatesh , N Haripriya
Published: October 2024

Popular media, street medicine sellers, and pharmacists are major sources of knowledge on sexual health and procreation in India, causing misconception and anxiety. Drawing from a larger ethnographic study on male infertility in southern India, the paper focuses on the ways in which men acquire knowledge about their health and navigate their health seeking behavior when faced with a diagnosis of infertility. Often men gather knowledge about sexual health from sources that are not necessarily well regulated. This information is usually incomplete, incorrect or exaggerated, creating confusion. We concentrate on ‘street medicine sellers’ who form a major segment of information for men about sexual health, in the process explicating local etiologies of sexual health and reproduction. This study contributes to the small but emerging literature on masculinities, calling for more research on male understandings of infertility and sexual health.
Late-Onset Myasthenia Gravis in a Patient with Recurrent Breast Cancer: A Case Report
Authors: C* Shea , J Klein , DOA Hussain
Published: October 2024

Introduction: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by fatigable weakness, typically affecting voluntary muscles. Myasthenia gravis as a paraneoplastic syndrome (PNS) of a thymoma is well known, but it is rare to have MG PNS due to extrathymic neoplasms. Case: We present a case on an 80-year-old female who was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis in the presence of recurrent metastatic breast cancer. Discussion: The question remains whether MG is truly a neoplastic syndrome of breast cancer, or if older individuals are more likely to suffer from both breast cancer and late-onset myasthenia gravis (LOMG) at the same time. It was found that those diagnosed with LOMG are more likely to have extrathymic neoplasms. Regardless, the underlying malignancy should be treated, MG treatment should be initiated, and if PNS is suspected immunosuppressants are indicated. Conclusion: This case highlights the complexity of classifying MG in elderly patients with a concomitant neoplasm, but nonetheless, MG as a PNS of breast cancer remains a possibility.
Navigating Ethical and Social Responsibilities in Responsible Computing
Authors: M* Ramchandra
Published: October 2024

Responsible computing has emerged as a critical paradigm in the era of digital transformation. This paper explores the concept of responsible computing, its benefits, and the ethical and social responsibilities associated with the use of computational technologies. Additionally, we propose a mathematical model to evaluate responsible computing practices. The discussion further highlights future directions and the importance of fostering a responsible computing culture in academia and industry
Women’s Expectations and Experiences of Childbirth: A CrossSectional Study
Authors: P Hirwa , E* Nazik
Published: October 2024

This study was carried out with the aim of determining the expectations and experiences of women during childbirth. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 117 women. The data were collected in two stages (before and after childbirth). Data were collected from using Personal Information Form, obstetric Information Form and The Thai Childbirth Expectation & Experience Questionnaire (TCEEQ). It was found that 76% of the TCEEQ items that each woman expected to happen did happen (fulfilled expectations), whereas 24% of these items did not happen (Unmet expectations). Of the items each woman did not expect to happen, 35% of the items actually did happen (Unexpected experiences) and 65 % of these items did not happen (Null experiences). It was found that there was a significant correlation between mean score of fulfilled expectation and satisfaction with the birth. (p=0.000). In this study, it was found that the women were satisfied with intrapartum care and most of their expectations were met. Overall, while there is a significant amount of research on this topic, there is still much to be learned about women’s expectations and experiences during childbirth, particularly from their perspectives.
AI-Enhanced ECG diagnosis system for acute myocardial infarction with LBBB: Constant-Q transform and ResNet-50 integration
Authors:   National School of Applied Sciences, University of Cadi Ayyad, Marrakesh, Morocco, Elfatouaki H. , Adnane L. ,   National School of Applied Sciences, University of Cadi Ayyad, Marrakesh, Morocco, Charafeddine A. Z. ,   Polydisciplinary Faculty of Sidi Bennour, Chouaib Doukkali University, Morocco, Mohamed A. ,   National School of Applied Sciences, University of Cadi Ayyad, Marrakesh, Morocco
Published: October 2024

This study introduces an advanced Electrocardiogram (ECG) diagnostic framework that melds signal processing techniques with deep learning models to significantly boost accuracy in identifying acute myocardial infarction (MI) and MI related to left bundle branch block (LBBB). By merging the Constant-Q Transform (CQT) with a pre-trained model, this system showcases exceptional performance, an impressive 98.99% accuracy and a remarkably low 0.0029% training loss after 100 trained epochs. Rigorous 10-fold cross-validation substantiates and fortifies these findings. This novel approach streamlines the complexities of diagnostics by consolidating 12-lead ECG data and harnessing CQT for precise time-frequency domain analysis. Notably, this methodology not only enhances MI detection accuracy but also presents potential for enhancing healthcare outcomes. It holds promise in minimizing misdiagnoses, thereby propelling advancements in patient care for critical cardiac conditions. This paradigm shift marks a significant stride in ECG-based diagnostic systems, offering far-reaching implications for improved medical practices and patient well-being.
Investigatory analysis of the natural hazards on the Indian coastline
Authors:   Mathematics Division, School of Advanced Sciences and Languages, VIT Bhopal University, Agrawal M. , Manickam A. ,   School of Sciences, Division of Mathematics, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Deokate A. ,   School of Computing Science and Engineering, VIT Bhopal University, Nagrale P. ,   Savitribai Phule Pune University Public, Maharashtra, Gharote S. ,   Savitribai Phule Pune University Public, Maharashtra, Ojha A. ,   School of Computing Science and Engineering, VIT Bhopal University
Published: October 2024

Predictive analysis, comparative analysis, and image processing can provide vital insights into understanding natural phenomena. Water bodies surround India on three sides, so natural disasters (cyclones, floods, and other related hazards) and rising water levels due to meteorological fluctuations are common occurrences. The coastal states of India, due to their diverse nature, are constantly exposed to various risks. The study focuses on the changes and disasters in the Indian Ocean surrounding the Indian shorelines. A systematic approach has been employed to examine the fluctuations in meteorological factors of nine Indian coastal states for the period of 2001–2021. The fluctuations were computed for four meteorological seasons Summer (March–May), Monsoon (June–September), Post-monsoon (October–November), and Winter (December–February). These fluctuations are studied, and trends are put forward to examine their effects on natural disasters. The results of the study focus on the correlations between the factors and disasters and their respective predictions.
The analysis of occupants' thermal comfort in a residential building in Tangier, Morocco
Authors:   Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, Innovative Technologies Laboratory, High School of Technology, Abidouche A. , Kaddouri H. ,   Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Experimentation and Modelling Team in Mechanics and Energy Systems, National School of Applied Sciences, Hamdaoui S. ,   Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, Innovative Technologies Laboratory, High School of Technology, Ait Msaad A. ,   Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, Innovative Technologies Laboratory, High School of Technology, Driouch I. ,   Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Experimentation and Modelling Team in Mechanics and Energy Systems, National School of Applied Sciences, Saidi Hassani A. M. ,   Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Experimentation and Modelling Team in Mechanics and Energy Systems, National School of Applied Sciences
Published: October 2024

Bioclimatic design is currently one of the most important steps in passive building design adapted to outdoor climatic conditions. However, the Moroccan Thermal Building Regulations (RTCM) primarily focus on the building envelope and its energy performance, often overlooking occupant comfort. To address this gap, a bioclimatic analysis of the Mediterranean climate in Tangier was conducted to determine the percentage of thermal comfort naturally provided by this climate and to identify suitable passive strategies for buildings in the region. The results indicate that Tangier's climate can provide up to 28% thermal comfort. Consequently, the most effective passive strategies for buildings in Tangier include shading techniques, high thermal mass, internal heat gains, and direct passive heating. Furthermore, implementing these strategies can enhance occupant comfort by 6% and reduce the building's energy demand by 11.74%.
An Arabic question generation system based on a shared BERT-base encoder-decoder architecture
Authors:   LISAC Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences Dhar El Mahraz, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Lafkiar S. , En Nahnahi N. ,   LISAC Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences Dhar El Mahraz, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University
Published: October 2024

A Question Generation System (QGS) is a sophisticated piece of AI technology designed to automatically generate questions from a given text, document, or context. Recently, this technology has gained significant attention in various fields, including education, and content creation. As AI continues to evolve, these systems are likely to become even more advanced and viewed as an inherent part of any modern e-learning or knowledge assessment system. In this research paper, we showcase the effectiveness of leveraging pre-trained checkpoints for Arabic questions generation. We propose a Transformer-based sequence-to-sequence model that seamlessly integrates with publicly accessible pre-trained AraBERT checkpoints. Our study focuses on evaluating the advantages of initializing our model, encompassing both the encoder and decoder, with these checkpoints. As resources for Arabic language are still limited and the publicly datasets for question generation systems in Arabic are not available, we collected our dataset for this task from various existing question answering, we used this latter to train and test our model. The experimental results show that our model yields performance was able to outperform existing Arabic question generation models in terms of the BLEU and METEOR scores,by achieving 20.29 as BLEU score and 30.73 for METEOR. Finally, we assessed the capability of our model to generate contextually relevant questions.
Large-scale recommender systems using Hadoop and collaborative filtering: a comparative study
Authors:   Laboratory of Computer and Systems Engineering, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakesh, Chafiki M. E. , Banouar O. ,   Laboratory of Computer and Systems Engineering, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakesh, Benslimane M. ,   Sciences, Engineering and Management Laboratory, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez
Published: October 2024

With the rapid advancements in internet technologies over the past two decades, the amount of information available online has exponentially increased. This data explosion has led to the development of recommender systems, designed to understand individual preferences and provide personalized recommendations for desirable new content. These systems act as helpful guides, assisting users in discovering relevant and appealing information tailored to their specific tastes and interests. This study's primary objective is to assess and contrast the latest methods utilized in recommender systems within a distributed system architecture that relies on Hadoop. Our analysis will focus on collaborative filtering and will be conducted using a large dataset. We have implemented the algorithms using Python and PySpark, enabling the processing of large datasets using Apache Hadoop and Spark. The studied approaches have been implemented on the MovieLens dataset and compared using the following evaluation metrics: RMSE, precision, recall, and F1 score. Their training times have also been compared.