bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Classifying Location Points as Daily Activities using Simultaneously Optimized DBSCAN-TE Parameters.
Authors: Macfarlane Gregory S. , Riches Gillian , Youngs Emily K. , Nielsen Jared A.
Published: April 2024

Location-based services data collected from mobile phones represent a potentially powerful source of travel behavior data, but transforming the location points into semantic activities – where and when activities occurred – is non-trivial. Existing algorithms to label activities require multiple parameters calibrated to a particular dataset. In this research, we apply a simulated annealing optimization procedure to identify the values of four parameters used in a density-based spatial clustering with additional noise and time entropy (DBSCAN-TE) algorithm. We develop a spatial accuracy scoring function to use in the calibration methodology and identify paths for future research.
De amor y muerte. Premio Nacional de Literatura Joven Raúl Padilla López 2023
Authors:   Universidad de Guadalajara, Barrón Pérez Gabriel , Cordero Novo Melissa , Laguna Molina Goretti Naomi
Published: April 2024

Amor y muerte son las pulsaciones que mayores pasiones provocan en nuestra especie. Ambas familiares y al mismo tiempo extrañas, pues cualquiera las puede reconocer y constantemente se vive en su horizonte. Pero cuando se manifiestan resultan insólitas. Este volumen contiene el poemario ganador del Premio Nacional de Literatura Joven Raúl Padilla López 2023, Hundir las manos temblorosas, de Melissa Cordero Novo. Un preciso recorrido por la experiencia de quien deja su lugar de origen para sumergirse en distintos paisajes y diálogos, un conjunto de poemas en prosa que también resultan un espléndido viaje por el lenguaje. Al texto ganador lo acompaña la mención honorífica Mi vida no es la luz de Marte, de Goretti Naomi Laguna Molina, poemario en el cual la muerte y amor se presentan como dos horizontes para la interpretación del mundo, tensados en la relación con uno mismo. En las siguientes páginas se encontrarán dos formas de practicar la poesía y dos formas de entender nuestra relación lingüística y humana con la muerte y el amor.
The effects of information from NGOs' financial statements on charitable contributions
Authors: Perica Ivana , Ramljak Branka , Dragija Kostić Martina
Published: April 2024

The purpose of this study is to identify data from the financial reportsof NGOs that influence donors’ willingness to donate. Using logistic regression,the authors attempt to identify the accounting measures associatedwith donations among the NGOs in our sample. The study included a sampleof 2,981 NGOs in Croatia that use a double-entry accounting system. Theresults show that several accounting variables have an impact on donations,including organizational size, volunteer staff, revenue concentration,government grants, business-like income, debt ratio and adequacy of equity.The study has some limitations. First, the sample covered mainly largeCroatian NGOs. Second, by design, the focus was on a broad sample whichincludes different types of organizations, so there is the possibility that theeffects of organizational and financial characteristics on donations are notequal across the sample of different types of organizations. This study helpsto fill the gap in the literature on this topic by examining the relationshipbetween information from NGOs financial reports and giving behaviour. This study also presents new empirical findings from a large sample studyfrom Croatia with a different institutional background. Research results providenew insights into how financial disclosure can meet the needs of donors.
Influence of COVID-19 related media and news on the stock and crypto markets
Authors: Sajter Domagoj , Kuzmić Matija
Published: April 2024

The entire world was significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,leading to confusion and turbulence in healthcare systems, as well as toextreme uncertainty in the financial realm. There was a profound distressin stock markets due to the enormously elevated levels of risk instigated bythe pandemic, which additionally inflated investors’ losses. The contagionwas supplemented by a surge of false stories that appear to be news (“fakenews”) that circulated throughout all media channels, thus additionally amplifyinguncertainty. This paper expands the previous literature by investigatingmedia impact on prominent indices of the stock and cryptocurrencymarkets. RavenPack Panic and Fake News indices were utilized to examinetheir influence on S&P 500 and crypto (Royalton CRIX) indices’ dailymovements by employing OLS and quantile regression. The results exhibitthat there are noteworthy dependencies over the conditional distribution,but they present only a small influence on observed indices. Fake news influencesthe cryptocurrencies’ daily movements in a bearish market, howeverthe effect is very weak. Furthermore, media-induced panic is significant inboth exceptionally bearish and bullish conditions considering S&P 500 dailyreturns, but is also exhibiting low impact.
MetaR, a global database on metabolic rates of ectotherms
Authors: Leiva Felix , Verberk Wilco , Calosi Piero , Rezende Enrico , Mark Felix
Published: April 2024

Whole-organism metabolic rate is a key trait for understanding ectotherms’ responses to ongoing environmental change. It represents the interface through which organisms interact with their environment and therefore allows for making predictions across various levels of biological organisation. While much of the variation in metabolic rates is explained by body size and temperature, a considerable part of this variation remains unexplained. Lack of standard research practices, data sparsity and insufficient coverage of various taxa limit our capacity to conduct a meaningful synthesis across the Tree of Life; both in the spatial and the temporal dimension. To overcome these limitations, and acquire a better understanding of the evolution of metabolic rates, we created MetaR: which is to date the most comprehensive database on intra- and interspecific variations in ectotherms’ metabolic rates. This database currently comprises over 95,000 records covering more than 2,400 species across 16 phyla of ectotherms, encompassing both invertebrates and small and large vertebrates from marine, intertidal, freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. MetaR also integrates methodological details, which further improves our capacity, on the one hand, to detect ecological, physiological and evolutionary patterns and, on the other hand, to forecast the functional impacts of global environmental changes across the Tree of Life from a metabolic perspective
Competitive depreciation. a global obstacle to monetary regulatory tasks’ consensus
Authors: Hrona Andriy
Published: April 2024

At the current stage of development of global economy and international economic relations, certain disputes over the goals of regulatory framework on international economic activity may arise. Such regulatory objectives of domestic monetary authorities as promoting the global competitiveness of domestic producers, may contradict the regulatory objectives international monetary authorities. One of such contradictions is competitive depreciation, the concept of which is defined, in particular, by the Articles of Agreement of the International Monetary Fund. The issue of competitive devaluation as a theoretical phenomenon has been studied by such foreign scholars as P. Bergin, D. Corsetti, D. Li, G. Lima, D. McCombie, R. Ribeiro, A. Rodnianski, S. Xiao, L. Tang, Y. Tervala, S. Zhou; among the domestic scholars whose works are devoted to this topic, we can distinguish O. Vinogradova, V. Holiuk, V. Dergachova, M. Kravchenko, Z. Lutsyshyn, N. Reznikova and others. This article analyzes the modern theoretical foundations of domestic currency depreciation as a way to promote gains of competitive advantages on global markets by domestic producers. The purpose of the study is to determine the fundamentals of monetary regulation on which available to monetary authorities mechanisms of influencing the domestic monetary system may simultaneously contribute to gains of global competitive advantages by domestic producers and cause the domestic currency depreciation. The main areas of regulatory activity of domestic monetary authorities that need to be modernized, namely, the mechanism for regulating the money supply in order to facilitate the acquisition of competitive advantages by national producers in world markets have been identified in this article.
Market of educational services at the present stage in Ukraine
Authors: Lysechko Yevhenii
Published: April 2024

In modern conditions, the role of education is growing along with the development of human activity. The issue of the further development of the educational services market is becoming even more urgent, and especially in the conditions of the war in Ukraine. The article focuses attention on the important role of the market of educational services in providing alternative learning opportunities due to security measures. The concept of the market of educational services was analyzed and its main subjects were determined. It is noted that the market of educational services exists in conditions of fierce competition. The author identified the factors affecting the market of educational services. Emphasis is placed on the fact that the educational services market is a leading factor in economic growth, employment and income. The number of students of higher education institutions in Ukraine, the number of foreign students and other indicators of the educational services market were analyzed. It has been noted and proven that education acts as a stabilizing force, and it is especially important during the years of war in Ukraine, despite the fact that some students are abroad. The author singled out serious challenges faced by the education market in Ukraine in the context of Russia’s military aggression. Proposed directions for solving challenges in Ukraine at the current stage.
ASSESSMENT OF THE CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE MARKET BASED ON A FUNCTIONAL APPROACH
Authors: Proshchenko Andrii
Published: April 2024

With the ever-increasing importance of effective customer relationship management for businesses, the problem of choosing the right software arises. With the variety of software solutions, it becomes difficult to determine the best option that would meet the specific needs of the enterprise. The rapid development of this sector, coupled with the variety of software products, makes it difficult to find the right solution that meets business needs and allows for effective customer relationship management. A lack of understanding of the customer relationship management software market has led to a failure to utilize its potential. Lack of consensus on the optimal strategies for using CRM systems and limited research in this area require an active search for solutions to optimize customer relationship management. The purpose of the article is to study and analyze the market for customer relationship management software based on a functional approach to identify a promising direction for the development of this sector. The article highlights the capabilities of CRM systems and the basic tasks they solve. An analysis of revenue dynamics in the global market for customer relationship management software is carried out. The forecasted values of revenue in the global customer relationship management software market for 2024-2026 are determined. The key players in the global customer relationship management software market are identified.
MULTI-VARIANT DIGITAL BUSINESS SYSTEM: INFLUENCE ON CORPORATE CULTURE AND EMPLOYEES’ BEHAVIOR
Authors: Tepliuk Mariia , Mietolkin Viktor
Published: April 2024

This article examines the impact of a multivariate digital business system on corporate culture and employee behavior. Advances in technology have led to the emergence of a variety of digital tools and platforms that allow businesses to adapt to a changing business environment. However, the implementation of such systems can have a significant impact on the corporate culture and internal dynamics of the organization. This article examines various aspects of the impact of a multivariate digital business system on corporate culture, including changes in communication methods, risk perception, the structure of internal processes and communication between employees. The study also analyzes how these changes affect employee behavior and their adaptation to the new digital environment. The findings of the article may be useful for organizations considering the implementation of multivariate digital business systems and wish to understand the potential impacts on corporate culture and personnel.
RECOVERY IN THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE OF UKRAINIAN TOURIST SERVICES AT POST-WAR CONDITION
Authors: Ostian Zdenek , Nikolayenko Dmytro
Published: April 2024

Article highlights several issues of recovery and develop in international tourism after the Covid-19 pandemic in conditions of growth war tension in the world. Considered main economic and geopolitical factors what brakes growth of international tourism up to positions, which loss after 2019. Reviewed importance of reducing the negative impact of rising prices for fossil energy due to the overall dynamics of global economic recovery after the Covid-19 pandemic through the diversification of energy sources and increased investment in renewable energy. Highlighted are several issues of disinformation and vaccine-related fake news as negatively impacting factors on the recovery of the tourism sector due to obstacles to successful vaccination in various regions of the world, particularly in China and other countries in the Asia-Pacific region. The analysis conducted reveals weaknesses in protecting the economies of different countries against global economic and geopolitical challenges, regardless of their level of development.
STRATEGIC LEVERS OF STATE REGULATION OF AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Shovkun-Zablotska Lyudmila , Karakai Yulia
Published: April 2024

The article substantiates and carries out a scientific assessment of the effectiveness of development and the peculiarities of the formation of the agro-production sphere in the conditions of our time. The subject-object basis of the research is the activity of enterprises in the agro-production sphere of Ukraine and agricultural enterprises of the Kharkiv region, Ukraine and foreign countries. The economy of the state and its development at the time of management depends more than anything on the progress and efficiency of the business entities of the agro-industrial complex (APC). In this context, agricultural entrepreneurship plays a key role in preserving the integrity of village territories, developing their infrastructure, and shaping the material well-being of the population, which covers not only the rural but also the general economy. In addition, agricultural entrepreneurship plays an important role in macroeconomic indicators, which are actively included in the gross domestic product of Ukraine. It occupies a stable leading position among other branches of the country’s economy.
THE MONETARY-OPPORTUNISTIC NORDHAUS MODEL IN TARGETS OF POLITICAL BUSINESS INFLATION CYCLES
Authors: Khokhych Dmytro
Published: April 2024

Political business cycles reflect the imperfections of democratic institutions and are accompanied by electorally motivated interventions by governments in macroeconomic processes of redistribution of gross national product. This is fraught with potential conflict between political and economic reforms, in particular, hindering the implementation of current development programs aimed at reducing the deficit, curbing money supply growth and inflation, and liberalizing currency regimes and capital markets. This results in overestimated expectations of economic actors regarding the improvement of social welfare, loss of confidence in monetary authorities, and rising inflation. The purpose of the article is to analyze the monetary-opportunistic Nordhaus model in targeting political business cycles of inflation, as well as the impact of economic determinants of cyclicality on monetary policy.
Anti-Corruption Audit: Concept, Types, and Elements
Authors:   State Tax University, Irpin, Ukraine, Mishchenko Tatiana
Published: April 2024

The prosperity of corruption, especially during the war, is one of the threats to Ukraine's national security, political stability and economy. International audit practice shows that anti-corruption audit is an effective tool for combating corruption and financial fraud. The article aims to distinguish the concepts of anti-corruption audit and anti-corruption compliance, to disclose the types of anti-corruption audit and its elements, and to determine the place and role of anti-corruption compliance in detecting and preventing manifestations of illegal corruption actions. Based on the analysis of the essence, two types of anti-corruption audit are distinguished: internal and external, which makes it possible to determine their differences and areas of application. In scientific literature, anti-corruption audit is often equated with anti-corruption compliance, which, in our opinion, is a component of internal anti-corruption audit. This conclusion follows from the general interpretation provided by the International Compliance Association and from the ideology of compliance, which involves compliance with the internal policies and procedures of the business entity. The elements of an anti-corruption audit are defined based on the provisions of international normative acts, the specifics and requirements of the activities of international organizations; however, for Ukrainian practice, it is appropriate to distinguish its main and additional elements based on the specifics of the activities of business entities and public sector entities. The main elements are mandatory for private and public sector entities, and additional ones depend on the field of activity and the level of corruption risks in the surrounding environment. The interpretation of the term anti-corruption audit proposed in the article, the definition of its differences from anti-corruption compliance and the identification of its structural components will contribute to constructing an effective system of combating fraudulent and corruption schemes in the private and public sectors of the Ukrainian economy.
Methodical Aspects of the Integrated Reporting Preparation
Authors:   ", Sherstiuk Oleksandr ,   Institute of Agrarian Economics",   National Scientific Centre, Kyiv, Ukraine
Published: April 2024

Enterprises carry out financial and economic activities under constant changes, which directly or indirectly affect the content, volume and structure of information flows arising from identifying, measuring and formalising data related to economic operations and their results. The article aims to identify the elements of the preparation method of integrated reporting, the application of which by the accountant will help increase the degree of satisfaction of users' information needs. It was established that the preparation of integrated reporting includes three stages: determining users' information needs, obtaining relevant information for forming indicators, and directly filling out forms of integrated reporting. The first stage's goal is to establish the characteristics that should be concise, understandable for most users, and meaningful enough to make adequate management decisions on their basis. An essential aspect of the second stage is the determination of the sources of obtaining the necessary data with the identification of factors that contribute to reducing the cost of acquiring data, ensuring their relevance in terms of the time of receipt and intended purpose, as well as availability and a high level of trust. The preparation of integrated reports involves the selection of an acceptable conceptual basis that would consider the branch and territorial aspects of the functioning of business entities, their organisational and functional structure, policies and procedures for implementing individual financial and economic operations, and segments of activity. An accountant's application in practical activities of the approach to the preparation of integrated reporting disclosed in the article will allow the assessment of the expediency of obtaining individual data based on their importance for users, the ratio of benefits from receiving them, and related costs. Qualitatively prepared integrated reporting will give users confidence that formalised and properly systematised indicators characterise the enterprise's economic activity, taking into account the influence of quantitative, qualitative and cost factors.
Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw – 2024 Update
Authors: Seo David D , Borke James L
Published: April 2024

As the global number of patients with osteoporosis and malignant diseases such as breast cancer, multiple myeloma, and prostate cancer increases every year, there is an associated rise in the use of antiangiogenic medications and antiresorptive medications. With increasing frequencies in the use of antiangiogenic and antiresorptive medications, there is an associated increase in the number of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) cases reported from patients. MRONJ has emerged as a significant comorbidity in cancer patients treated with antiangiogenics or high doses of potent antiresorptive agents, such as bisphosphonates (BPs) or denosumab. MRONJ first emerged from BP-treated cancer patients who presented with a spectrum of dental problems, including delayed wound healing following a dental extraction or oral surgery, exposed bone, soft tissue infection and inflammation, anesthesia, paresthesia, odontalgia, sinus pain, and aching bone pain in the mandible, which continues to be a significant source of problems for dentists, physicians, and patients today. A significant number of MRONJ cases secondary to osteoporosis have also been reported in osteoporotic patients receiving antiresorptive medications. The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) has established diagnostic standards for MRONJ based on pharmacological history, clinical signs, and radiographic findings. However, as the expertise and knowledge base for MRONJ continues to evolve, revisions and refinements for MRONJ pathogenesis and treatment strategies are necessary to reflect the current research status of the disease correctly. This review highlights current scientific information associated with MRONJ to identify and summarize preventative measures, and treatment interventions for reading the impact of this debiliating disorders.
Secondary metabolites that shape the permanent symbioses between Azolla ferns and nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria
Authors:   , Güngör Erbil
Published: April 2024

Azolla has various applications such as green fertilizer, substrate for potting soil, animal feed or even human consumption. The high protein content and growth speed combined with the independence on agricultural land and nitrogen fertilizer, give it strong potential as sustainable protein crop to replace imported soy. Being the only obligate plant-cyanobacteria symbiosis it is furthermore an interesting study subject for fundamental research.

Here we first focus on the chemistry, biosynthesis and spatial distribution of Azolla specialized metabolites that determine the usability of Azolla biomass and protein. We then research how secondary metabolism changes by environmental cues typical for the Netherlands such as a cold winter. We further focus on the biotic interaction between the crane fly Nephrotoma cornicina and Azolla, which share the same wetland habitat. A specialized metabolite from this insect overrules the coordinate differentiation of Nostoc azollae and therefore is of particular interest to reveal how the fern host might control the life cycle of the cyanobacteria. This essential mechanism has not been researched before. Finally, we explore Azolla transformation because of its importance to reveal gene function and the associated molecular mechanisms.
РОЗВИТОК ОРГАНІЗАЦІЙНОГО ВИВЧЕННЯ І ВПРОВАДЖЕННЯ ДОСВІДУ У ЗБРОЙНИХ СИЛАХ УКРАЇНИ ТА ЙОГО ЕФЕКТИВНІСТЬ ПІД ЧАС РОСІЙСЬКО-УКРАЇНСЬКОЇ ВІЙНИ НА ДОНБАСІ (2014–2021)
Authors: Дайсон Том , Пащук Юрій Михайлович
Published: April 2024

У статті розглянуто історичні аспекти розвитку формальних процесів організаційного вивчення та впровадження досвіду (ВВД) у Збройних Силах України (ЗСУ) й ефективність цих процесів під час російсько-української війни на Донбасі (2014–2021).

Досліджено основні етапи становлення та прогресу колективного ВВД у ЗСУ, що характеризується двома послідовними системами аналізу та засвоєння уроків (АЗУ): Системою узагальнення та поширення досвіду (2014–2018) і Системою вивчення та впровадження досвіду (2019–2021). За результатами емпіричного дослідження, проведеного за участі військовослужбовців ЗСУ, а також опрацювання джерельних матеріалів, зокрема, архівних і нормативних документів, оцінено дієвість процесу ВВД у сприянні реформуванню ЗСУ відповідно до оперативних потреб. Незважаючи на те, що після ескалації російської агресії у 2014 році було зроблено певні позитивні кроки, спрямовані на імплементацію у діяльність ЗСУ найкращої світовї практики ВВД, було зроблено висновок, що ефективність процесу АЗУ, отриманих під час війни на Донбасі, в цілому була низькою.

Обгрунтовано необхідність проведення низки організаційних заходів із удосконалення діяльності ЗСУ для зниження негативного впливу бюрократичної політики та недосконалої організаційної військової культури на процес ВВД. Виокремлено важливість покращення спроможності цивільного керівництва України здійснювати ефективний контроль за розвитком ВВД, необхідність підтримки цих зусиль із боку США і НАТО.
МІЖ ВЛАДОЮ І СУСПІЛЬСТВОМ: СОЛДАТИ-ВТІКАЧІ РОСІЙСЬКОГО ВІЙСЬКА У СЕРЕДИНІ ХІХ СТ.
Authors: Скрипник Анатолій Юрійович
Published: April 2024

У статті на основі архівних джерел та законодавчих актів досліджено та проаналізовано причини дезертирства солдат із частин регулярної армії Російської імперії. Наводяться наукові трактування й оцінки цього явища в працях сучасних українських істориків. У хронологічному порядку представлена еволюція військового та цивільного законодавства, яке створювалося з метою тотального придушення прагнення солдатів покинути військову службу, та співчуття місцевого населення до їх долі у вигляді приховування і допомоги втікачам, що на той час кваліфікувалися державою як кримінальні вчинки.

Показана взаємодія військового командування середньої ланки та повітових виконавчих, поліційних і судових установ губерній щодо розшуку, виявлення та покарання втікачів і подальшого направлення їх до штрафних рот та робітничих батальйонів.

Одним із основних завдань проведеного дослідження стала об'єктивна оцінка такого явища, як дезертирство. Доведено репресивний характер дій чиновників цивільних силових установ та офіцерського складу регулярних частин.

Разом з тим, показано протиріччя і конфлікти між представниками різних верств тогочасного соціуму у Правобережній Україні, в центрі якого опинилися втікачі з армії, а саме – мотивації до доносів, полювання на людей за грошову винагороду, зведення рахунків сільського начальства з односельцями тощо. Науково аргументовано, що дезертирство було одним з численних вад у недосконалому кріпосницькому механізмі військової машини російської держави.
Prediction of Chronic Kidney Disease Degeneration with Machine Learning
Authors: Harrison Jamiree , Aminian Manuchehr , Berryman Anna , Brennan Georgia , Cao Zaoshu , Chang Claire S. , Jones Quindel , Kim Yena , Matsuda Kimberly , Metherall Brady , Tsiorintsoa Sandra , Varzgani Nilofar , Wagenius Per
Published: April 2024

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a progressive condition during which the kidneys fail to filter blood properly. Many moderate to late-stage symptoms exist for CKD but no prominent symptoms exist for early CKD, making it historically difficult to diagnose and treat. CKD can be triggered by infections, certain medications, dehydration, drug abuse, as well as spiraling blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Still, CKD is oftentimes overlooked when these triggers are present. For these combined reasons, we provide methodologies for cleaning pertinent data sets to conduct an exploratory analysis of patient profiles. Once we analyze how patient features correlate with CKD and identify important features for diagnosis, we train various machine learning classifiers to predict what stage of CKD a patient is in without invoking the features that are explicitly indicative of CKD. We then validate our models using out-of-sample test data.
Evaluation of women’s aging influence on sperm passage inside the fallopian tube using 3D dynamic mechanical modeling
Authors: Nassir Mayssam , Levi Mattan , Wiser Amir , Shaked Natan T.
Published: April 2024

The fallopian tubes play an important role in human fertility by facilitating the spermatozoa passage to the oocyte as well as later actively facilitating the fertilized oocyte transportation to the uterus cavity. The fallopian tubes undergo changes involving biological, physical, and morphological processes due to women aging, which may impair fertility. Here, we have modelled fallopian tubes of women at different ages and evaluated the chances of normal and pathological sperm cells reaching the fertilization site, the ampulla. By utilizing a unique combination of simulative tools, we implemented dynamic three-dimensional (3D) detailed geometrical models of many normal and pathological sperm cells swimming together in 3D geometrical models of three fallopian tubes associated with different women’s age groups. By tracking the sperm cell swim, we found that for all age groups, the number of normal sperm cells in the ampulla is the largest, compared with the pathological sperm cells. On the other hand, the number of normal sperm cells in the fertilization site decreases due to the morphological and mechanical changes that occur in the fallopian tube with age. Moreover, in older ages, the normal sperm cells swim with lower velocities and for shorter distances inside the ampulla toward the ovary. Thus, the changes that the human fallopian tube undergoes due to women’s aging have a significant influence on the human sperm cell motility. Our model of sperm cell motility through the fallopian tube in relation to the woman’s age morphological changes provides a new scope for the investigation and treatment of diseases and infertility cases associated with aging, as well as a potential personalized medicine tool for evaluating the chances of a natural fertilization per specific features of a man’s sperm and a woman’s reproductive system.
Sagittal balance parameters measurement on cervical spine MR images based on superpixel segmentation
Authors: Zhong Yi-Fan , Dai Yu-Xiang , Li Shi-Pian , Zhu Ke-Jia , Lin Yong-Peng , Ran Yu , Chen Lin , Ruan Ye , Yu Peng-Fei , Li Lin , Li Wen-Xiong , Xu Chuang-Long , Sun Zhi-Tao , Weber Kenneth A. , Kong De-Wei , Yang Feng , Lin Wen-Ping , Chen Jiang , Chen Bo-Lai , Jiang Hong , Zhou Ying-Jie , Sheng Bo , Wang Yong-Jun , Tian Ying-Zhong , Sun Yue-Li
Published: April 2024

Introduction: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is essential in diagnosing cervical spondylosis, providing detailed visualization of osseous and soft tissue structures in the cervical spine. However, manual measurements hinder the assessment of cervical spine sagittal balance, leading to time-consuming and error-prone processes. This study presents the Pyramid DBSCAN Simple Linear Iterative Cluster (PDB-SLIC), an automated segmentation algorithm for vertebral bodies in T2-weighted MR images, aiming to streamline sagittal balance assessment for spinal surgeons.

Method: PDB-SLIC combines the SLIC superpixel segmentation algorithm with DBSCAN clustering and underwent rigorous testing using an extensive dataset of T2-weighted mid-sagittal MR images from 4,258 patients across ten hospitals in China. The efficacy of PDB-SLIC was compared against other algorithms and networks in terms of superpixel segmentation quality and vertebral body segmentation accuracy. Validation included a comparative analysis of manual and automated measurements of cervical sagittal parameters and scrutiny of PDB-SLIC’s measurement stability across diverse hospital settings and MR scanning machines.

Result: PDB-SLIC outperforms other algorithms in vertebral body segmentation quality, with high accuracy, recall, and Jaccard index. Minimal error deviation was observed compared to manual measurements, with correlation coefficients exceeding 95%. PDB-SLIC demonstrated commendable performance in processing cervical spine T2-weighted MR images from various hospital settings, MRI machines, and patient demographics.

Discussion: The PDB-SLIC algorithm emerges as an accurate, objective, and efficient tool for evaluating cervical spine sagittal balance, providing valuable assistance to spinal surgeons in preoperative assessment, surgical strategy formulation, and prognostic inference. Additionally, it facilitates comprehensive measurement of sagittal balance parameters across diverse patient cohorts, contributing to the establishment of normative standards for cervical spine MR imaging.
Blockchain in the courtroom: exploring its evidentiary significance and procedural implications in U.S. judicial processes
Authors: Wang Xukang , Wu Ying Cheng , Ma Zhe
Published: April 2024

This paper explores the evidentiary significance of blockchain records and the procedural implications of integrating this technology into the U.S. judicial system, as several states have undertaken legislative measures to facilitate the admissibility of blockchain evidence. We employ a comprehensive methodological approach, including legislative analysis, comparative case law analysis, technical examination of blockchain mechanics, and stakeholder engagement. Our study suggests that blockchain evidence may be categorized as hearsay exceptions or non-hearsay, depending on the specific characteristics of the records. The paper proposes a specialized consensus mechanism for standardizing blockchain evidence authentication and outlines strategies to enhance the technology’s trustworthiness. It also highlights the importance of expert testimony in clarifying blockchain’s technical aspects for legal contexts. This study contributes to understanding blockchain’s integration into judicial systems, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to its admissibility and reliability as evidence. It bridges the gap between technology and law, offering a blueprint for standardizing legal approaches to blockchain and urging ethical and transparent technology use.
Intelligent railroad inspection and monitoring
Authors: Qian Yu
Published: April 2024

Railways are essential to the global transportation infrastructure, providing eco-friendly and economical solutions for the movement of freight and passengers. Inspecting and maintaining extensive rail networks timely poses significant challenges. My group and collaborators have focused on automated railroad inspection technologies, emphasizing the use of deep learning and computer vision to overcome the limitations of traditional manual inspections. Our research introduces groundbreaking real-time inspection methods, leveraging a specialized dataset of railroad components for enhanced instance segmentation models, achieving unprecedented accuracy and inference speeds. The developed computer vision systems efficiently detect track components and their changes over time, and also quantify rail surface defects. Additionally, our work extends to improving railroad crossing safety, utilizing deep learning frameworks for the detection of unusual pedestrian behaviors and object identification, aimed at reducing crossing incidents and improving emergency response times. Our future research directions aim to further refine the cost-effectiveness and autonomy of railroad inspection systems. Through these innovations, we hope to aid in the inspection and maintenance of railroads, offering practical solutions for railroad and other civil engineering applications.
Investigation of metal ion binding biomolecules one molecule at a time
Authors: de la Torre Micaela , Pomorski Adam
Published: April 2024

Metal ions can perform multiple roles ranging from regulatory to structural and are crucial for cell function. While some metal ions like Na+ are ubiquitously present at high concentrations, other ions, especially Ca2+ and transition metals, such as Zn2+ or Cu+/2+ are regulated. The concentrations above or below the physiological range cause severe changes in the behavior of biomolecules that bind them and subsequently affect the cell wellbeing. This has led to the development of specialized protocols to study metal ion binding biomolecules in bulk conditions that mimic the cell environment. Recently, there is growing evidence of influence of post-transcriptional and post-translational modifications on the affinity of the metal ion binding sites. However, such targets are difficult to obtain in amounts required for classical biophysical experiments. Single molecule techniques have revolutionized the field of biophysics, molecular and structural biology. Their biggest advantage is the ability to observe each molecule’s interaction independently, without the need for synchronization. An additional benefit is its extremely low sample consumption. This feature allows characterization of designer biomolecules or targets obtained coming from natural sources. All types of biomolecules, including proteins, DNA and RNA were characterized using single molecule methods. However, one group is underrepresented in those studies. These are the metal ion binding biomolecules. Single molecule experiments often require separate optimization, due to extremely different concentrations used during the experiments. In this review we focus on single molecule methods, such as single molecule FRET, nanopores and optical tweezers that are used to study metal ion binding biomolecules. We summarize various examples of recently characterized targets and reported experimental conditions. Finally, we discuss the potential promises and pitfalls of single molecule characterization on metal ion binding biomolecules.
Study of andrographolide bioactivity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa based on computational methodology and biochemical analysis
Authors: He Lihui , Song Lai , Li Xuanhao , Lin Shibo , Ye Guodong , Liu Huanxiang , Zhao Xiaotian
Published: April 2024

Andrographolide is one of the main biologically active molecules isolated from Andrographis paniculata (A. paniculata), which is a traditional Chinese herb used extensively throughout Eastern Asia, India, and China. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, often known as P. aeruginosa, is a common clinical opportunistic pathogen with remarkable adaptability to harsh settings and resistance to antibiotics. P. aeruginosa possesses a wide array of virulence traits, one of which is biofilm formation, which contributes to its pathogenicity. One of the main modulators of the P. aeruginosa-controlled intramembrane proteolysis pathway is AlgW, a membrane-bound periplasmic serine protease. In this work, we have used a set of density functional theory (DFT) calculations to understand the variety of chemical parameters in detail between andrographolide and levofloxacin, which show strong bactericidal activity against P. aeruginosa. Additionally, the stability and interaction of andrographolide and levofloxacin with the protein AlgW have been investigated by molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations . Moreover, the growth and inhibition of biofilm production by P. aeruginosa experiments were also investigated, providing insight that andrographolide could be a potential natural product to inhibit P. aeruginosa.
Neurocognitive function in procedures correcting severe aortic valve stenosis: patterns and determinants
Authors: Ranucci L. , Brischigiaro L. , Mazzotta V. , Anguissola M. , Menicanti L. , Bedogni F. , Ranucci M.
Published: April 2024

Background

Neurocognitive changes occurring after a surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) or transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) procedure for the correction of severe aortic stenosis (AS) have not been widely addressed and, if addressed, have produced conflicting results. The purpose of this study is to identify the pre-procedural neurocognitive pattern and its determinants in a setting of elderly (>65 years) patients with severe AS undergoing SAVR or TAVI and the changes occurring at a 2–3 month follow-up.

Methods

This was a prospective cohort study included in the Italian Registry on Outcomes in Aortic Stenosis Treatment in Elderly Patients. Patients were assessed both before and after (2–3 months) the procedure using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test. Data on periprocedural demographics, clinical factors, and outcome measures were collected.

Results

Before the procedure, 70% of the patients demonstrated a MoCA score <23 points, which was indicative of cognitive dysfunction. The factors associated with neurocognitive dysfunction were age, functional capacity, chronic heart failure, and hemoglobin levels. After the procedure, there was an overall improvement in the MoCA score of the patients, but 28% of the patients showed a reliable worsening of their condition. The factors associated with MoCA worsening were platelet transfusions and the amount of red blood cell units transfused.

Conclusion

The correction of severe AS leads to an improvement in neurocognitive function after 2–3 months. This improvement does not differentiate between SAVR and TAVI after matching for pre-procedural factors. The only modifiable factor associated with pre-procedural neurocognitive function is anemia, and anemia correction with red blood cell transfusions is associated with a worsening of neurocognitive function. This leads to the hypothesis that anemia correction before the procedure (with iron and/or erythropoietin) may limit the risk of a post-procedural worsening of neurocognitive function.
Exploration of latent early literacy profiles in German kindergarten children using a newly developed app
Authors: Stuhr Christina , Yumus Melike , Meindl Marlene , Jungmann Tanja , Hughes Charmayne Mary Lee
Published: April 2024

Introduction

This study explores the effectiveness of the tablet-based EuLeApp© assessment tool in identifying distinct latent early literacy profiles among German kindergarten children aged between 4.0 and 7.0 years. Additionally, the study investigates how factors such as age, biological sex, and language impairment contribute to the manifestation and prevalence of these latent literacy profiles.

Methods

Utilizing latent class analysis on a diverse sample of 285 children, we administered a prototype of the EuLeApp© assessment tool to measure early literacy skills (i.e., print awareness, concepts of print, word awareness, phonological awareness, alphabet knowledge, and narrative skills). The sample included children aged between 4.0 and 7.0 years from various demographic backgrounds. Analysis involved identifying distinct early literacy profiles based on the assessment results. We also examined the influence of age, biological sex, and language impairment on the manifestation and prevalence of these profiles.

Results

The analysis revealed four stable and interpretable early literacy profiles: Exceptional Performers (17%), Typical Performers (41%), Marginal Performers (35%), and Subpar Performers (7%). These profiles were found to be shaped by the complex interplay of age, biological sex, and language impairment status among the children.

Discussion

These findings underscore the importance of employing person-centered methodologies to characterize early childhood literacy profiles, providing a framework for tailoring intervention programs to suit the unique characteristics and requirements of individual children.
Advancements in culture technology of adipose-derived stromal/stem cells: implications for diabetes and its complications
Authors: Shi Yinze , Yang Xueyang , Min Jie , Kong Wen , Hu Xiang , Zhang Jiaoyue , Chen Lulu
Published: April 2024

Stem cell-based therapies exhibit considerable promise in the treatment of diabetes and its complications. Extensive research has been dedicated to elucidate the characteristics and potential applications of adipose-derived stromal/stem cells (ASCs). Three-dimensional (3D) culture, characterized by rapid advancements, holds promise for efficacious treatment of diabetes and its complications. Notably, 3D cultured ASCs manifest enhanced cellular properties and functions compared to traditional monolayer-culture. In this review, the factors influencing the biological functions of ASCs during culture are summarized. Additionally, the effects of 3D cultured techniques on cellular properties compared to two-dimensional culture is described. Furthermore, the therapeutic potential of 3D cultured ASCs in diabetes and its complications are discussed to provide insights for future research.
The genetic association between hyperthyroidism and heart failure: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Liu Jun , Wu Gujie , Li Shuqi , Cheng Lin , Ye Xinping
Published: April 2024

Background and aims

Hyperthyroidism is an endocrine disease with multiple etiologies and manifestations. Heart failure (HF) is a common, costly, and deadly medical condition in clinical practice. Numerous studies have suggested that abnormal thyroid function can induce or aggravate the development of heart disease. However, no study has demonstrated a causal relationship between hyperthyroidism and heart failure. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the causal link between hyperthyroidism and HF.

Methods

Summary data for genetically predicted hyperthyroidism were obtained from a genetic association study. The data examined for genetically determined all-cause heart failure came from 218,208 individuals from the FinnGen Consortium. Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was used to estimate the causal link between hyperthyroidism and heart failure. Statistical analyses were conducted using the inverse variance-weighted, weighted median, simple median, weighted mode, MR-PRESSO (number of distribution = 5000), MR-Egger, and leave-one-out.

Results

The results of the inverse-variance weighted analysis indicated a causal association between hyperthyroidism and an increased risk of all-cause heart failure (IVW: β=0.048, OR=1.049, 95%CI: [1.013 to 1.087], P=0.007). Similarly, the weighted median approach demonstrated a positive correlation between hyperthyroidism and all-cause heart failure (OR=1.049, [95% CI, 1.001-1.100]; P=0.044). Additionally, no horizontal pleiotropy or heterogeneity was observed. The leave-one-out analysis revealed that the majority of the SNP-driven associations were not influenced by a single genetic marker.

Conclusion

Our study observed a causal relationship between hyperthyroidism and all-cause heart failure. Hyperthyroidism may associate with heart failure genetically.