bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Model of Qualitative Factors in Forensic-Ready Software Systems
Authors: Daubner Lukas , Matulevičius Raimundas , Buhnova Barbora
Published: May 2023

Forensic-ready software systems enhance the security posture by designing the systems prepared for potential investigation of incidents. Yet, the principal obstacle is defining their exact requirements, i.e., what they should implement. Such a requirement needs to be on-point and verifiable. However, what exactly comprises a forensic readiness requirement is not fully understood due to distinct fields of expertise in software engineering and digital forensics. This paper describes a forensic readiness qualitative factor reference model that enables the formulation of specific requirements for forensic-ready software systems. It organises the qualitative properties of forensic readiness into a taxonomy, which can then be used to formulate a verifiable requirement targeted at a specific quality. The model is then utilised in an automated valet parking service to define requirements addressing found inadequacies regarding a potential incident investigation.
Discovery of Improvement Opportunities in Knock-Out Checks of Business Processes
Authors: Lashkevich Katsiaryna , Mediavilla Ponce Lino Moises , Camargo Manuel , Milani Fredrik , Dumas Marlon
Published: May 2023

Overprocessing is a source of waste that occurs when unnecessary work is performed in a process. Overprocessing is often found in application-to-approval processes since a rejected application does not add value, and thus, work that leads to the rejection constitutes overprocessing. Analyzing how the knock-out checks are executed can help analysts to identify opportunities to reduce overprocessing waste and time. This paper proposes an interpretable process mining approach for discovering improvement opportunities in the knock-out checks and recommending redesigns to address them. Experiments on synthetic and real-life event logs show that the approach successfully identifies improvement opportunities while attaining a performance comparable to black-box approaches. Moreover, by leveraging interpretable machine learning techniques, our approach provides further insights on knock-out check executions, explaining to analysts the logic behind the suggested redesigns. The approach is implemented as a software tool and its applicability is demonstrated on a real-life process.
Isometric Freehand Quadrature of Urban Sights: The “Squares-are-the-Key Method”
Authors: Fritsche Niels-Christian
Published: May 2023

In this paper, I propose the “squares-are-the-key method” as an update of the outdoor freehand-drawing class for architectural design. Let’s generate simplified 2D grids of site and floor plans, transform them to isometric grids, and insert essential height edges, taken from simplified elevations and sections, into it, on site.
Secondary wound closure with a new transparent negative-pressure dressing
Authors: Loske Gunnar
Published: May 2023

Secondary healing surgical wounds can be treated with negative-pressure therapy. Dressing changes can be painful due to the strong adherence of the polyurethane foam placed in the wound. After debridement and conditioning of the wound bed, secondary surgical wound closure with a surgical suture can be performed. Cutaneous negative-pressure therapy is used preventively after primary surgical suturing. Descriptions for secondary wound closure without a surgical suture are not known to date. The preparation and handling of an innovative transparent dressing for the cutaneous application of negative-pressure therapy is demonstrated here. The dressing assembly consists of a transparent drainage film and a transparent occlusion film. Negative pressure is applied via a tubing connector using a negative pressure pump. A new method of secondary wound closure using the transparent negative-pressure dressing is presented based on a case example. The treatment cycle with instructions for making the dressing is shown in a video.
The TSP1-CD47-SIRPα interactome: an immune triangle for the checkpoint era
Authors: Montero Enrique , Isenberg Jeffrey S.
Published: May 2023

The use of treatments, such as programmed death protein 1 (PD1) or cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) antibodies, that loosen the natural checks upon immune cell activity to enhance cancer killing have shifted clinical practice and outcomes for the better. Accordingly, the number of antibodies and engineered proteins that interact with the ligand–receptor components of immune checkpoints continue to increase along with their use. It is tempting to view these molecular pathways simply from an immune inhibitory perspective. But this should be resisted. Checkpoint molecules can have other cardinal functions relevant to the development and use of blocking moieties. Cell receptor CD47 is an example of this. CD47 is found on the surface of all human cells. Within the checkpoint paradigm, non-immune cell CD47 signals through immune cell surface signal regulatory protein alpha (SIRPα) to limit the activity of the latter, the so-called trans signal. Even so, CD47 interacts with other cell surface and soluble molecules to regulate biogas and redox signaling, mitochondria and metabolism, self-renewal factors and multipotency, and blood flow. Further, the pedigree of checkpoint CD47 is more intricate than supposed. High-affinity interaction with soluble thrombospondin-1 (TSP1) and low-affinity interaction with same-cell SIRPα, the so-called cis signal, and non-SIRPα ectodomains on the cell membrane suggests that multiple immune checkpoints converge at and through CD47. Appreciation of this may provide latitude for pathway-specific targeting and intelligent therapeutic effect.
Exact expressions and numerical evaluation of average evolvability measures for characterizing and comparing $$\textbf{G}$$ matrices
Authors: Watanabe Junya
Published: May 2023

Theory predicts that the additive genetic covariance ($$\textbf{G}$$G) matrix determines a population’s short-term (in)ability to respond to directional selection—evolvability in the Hansen–Houle sense—which is typically quantified and compared via certain scalar indices called evolvability measures. Often, interest is in obtaining the averages of these measures across all possible selection gradients, but explicit formulae for most of these average measures have not been known. Previous authors relied either on approximations by the delta method, whose accuracy is generally unknown, or Monte Carlo evaluations (including the random skewers analysis), which necessarily involve random fluctuations. This study presents new, exact expressions for the average conditional evolvability, average autonomy, average respondability, average flexibility, average response difference, and average response correlation, utilizing their mathematical structures as ratios of quadratic forms. The new expressions are infinite series involving top-order zonal and invariant polynomials of matrix arguments, and can be numerically evaluated as their partial sums with, for some measures, known error bounds. Whenever these partial sums numerically converge within reasonable computational time and memory, they will replace the previous approximate methods. In addition, new expressions are derived for the average measures under a general normal distribution for the selection gradient, extending the applicability of these measures into a substantially broader class of selection regimes.
Expert proposal to analyze the combination of aortic and mitral regurgitation in multiple valvular heart disease by comprehensive echocardiography
Authors: Hagendorff Andreas , Helfen A. , Brandt R. , Knebel F. , Altiok E. , Ewers A. , Haghi D. , Knierim J. , Merke N. , Romero-Dorta E. , Ruf T. , Sinning C. , Stöbe S. , Ewen S.
Published: May 2023

The assessment of valvular pathologies in multiple valvular heart disease by echocardiography remains challenging. Data on echocardiographic assessment—especially in patients with combined aortic and mitral regurgitation—are rare in the literature. The proposed integrative approach using semi-quantitative parameters to grade the severity of regurgitation often yields inconsistent findings and results in misinterpretation. Therefore, this proposal aims to focus on a practical systematic echocardiographic analysis to understand the pathophysiology and hemodynamics in patients with combined aortic and mitral regurgitation. The quantitative approach of grading the regurgitant severity of each compound might be helpful in elucidating the scenario in combined aortic and mitral regurgitation. To this end, both the individual regurgitant fraction of each valve and the total regurgitant fraction of both valves must be determined. This work also outlines the methodological issues and limitations of the quantitative approach by echocardiography. Finally, we present a proposal that enables verifiable assessment of regurgitant fractions. The overall interpretation of echocardiographic results includes the symptomatology of patients with combined aortic and mitral regurgitation and the individual treatment options with respect to their individual risk. In summary, a reproducible, verifiable, and transparent in-depth echocardiographic investigation might ensure consistent hemodynamic plausibility of the quantitative results in patients with combined aortic and mitral regurgitation.

Graphic abstract

The quantitative approach to assess LV volumes in combined AR and MR patients: explanation and algorithm of how to determine the relevant target parameters. LVSVeff—effective left ventricular (LV) stroke volume, LVSVforward—forward LV stroke volume through the aortic valve (AV), LVSVtot—total LV stroke volume, RegVolAR—regurgitant volume through the AV, RegVolMR—regurgitant volume through the mitral valve (MV), LVfilling volume = LVMV-Inflow − transmitral LV inflow, LVOT—left ventricular outflow tract, RFAR—regurgitant fraction of aortic regurgitation (AR), RFMR—regurgitant fraction of mitral regurgitation (MR), RVSVeff —effective right ventricular (RV) stroke volume, RVSVforward—forward RV stroke volume through the pulmonary valve, RVSVtot—total RV stroke volume.
Modal identification of structures with a dynamic behaviour characterised by global and local modes at close frequencies
Authors: Abdelnour Mena , Zabel Volkmar
Published: May 2023

Identification of modal parameters of a space frame structure is a complex assignment due to a large number of degrees of freedom, close natural frequencies, and different vibrating mechanisms. Research has been carried out on the modal identification of rather simple truss structures. So far, less attention has been given to complex three-dimensional truss structures. This work develops a vibration-based methodology for determining modal information of three-dimensional space truss structures. The method uses a relatively complex space truss structure for its verification. Numerical modelling of the system gives modal information about the expected vibration behaviour. The identification process involves closely spaced modes that are characterised by local and global vibration mechanisms. To distinguish between local and global vibrations of the system, modal strain energies are used as an indicator. The experimental validation, which incorporated a modal analysis employing the stochastic subspace identification method, has confirmed that considering relatively high model orders is required to identify specific mode shapes. Especially in the case of the determination of local deformation modes of space truss members, higher model orders have to be taken into account than in the modal identification of most other types of structures.
General diseases and medications in 687 patients reporting on adverse effects from dental materials
Authors: Cieplik Fabian , Hiller Karl-Anton , Scholz Konstantin J. , Schmalz Gottfried , Buchalla Wolfgang , Mittermüller Pauline
Published: May 2023

Objectives

Examination of patients claiming adverse effects from dental materials can be very challenging. Particularly, systemic aspects must be considered besides dental and orofacial diseases and allergies. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate a cohort of 687 patients reporting on adverse effects from dental materials focusing on findings related to known general diseases or conditions or medication-related findings with relevance to their subjective complaints.

Methods

Six hundred eighty-seven patients visiting a specialized consultation on claimed adverse effects from dental materials were retrospectively investigated for their subjective complaints, findings related to known general diseases or conditions, medication-related findings, dental and orofacial findings, or allergies with relevance to their subjective complaints.

Results

The most frequent subjective complaints were burning mouth (44.1%), taste disorders (28.5%), and dry mouth (23.7%). In 58.4% of the patients, dental and orofacial findings relevant to their complaints could be found. Findings related to known general diseases or conditions or medication-related findings were found in 28.7% or 21.0% of the patients, respectively. Regarding medications, findings related to antihypertensives (10.0%) and psychotropic drugs (5.7%) were found most frequently. Relevant diagnosed allergies toward dental materials were found in 11.9%, hyposalivation in 9.6% of the patients. In 15.1% of the patients, no objectifiable causes for the expressed complaints could be found.

Conclusions

For patients complaining of adverse effects from dental materials, findings related to known general diseases or conditions and medications should be given particular consideration, while still in some patients, no objectifiable causes for their complaints can be found.

Clinical relevance

For patients complaining about adverse effects from dental materials, specialized consultations and close collaboration with experts from other medical fields are eligible.
On the assessment of generative AI in modeling tasks: an experience report with ChatGPT and UML
Authors: Cámara Javier , Troya Javier , Burgueño Lola , Vallecillo Antonio
Published: May 2023

Most experts agree that large language models (LLMs), such as those used by Copilot and ChatGPT, are expected to revolutionize the way in which software is developed. Many papers are currently devoted to analyzing the potential advantages and limitations of these generative AI models for writing code. However, the analysis of the current state of LLMs with respect to software modeling has received little attention. In this paper, we investigate the current capabilities of ChatGPT to perform modeling tasks and to assist modelers, while also trying to identify its main shortcomings. Our findings show that, in contrast to code generation, the performance of the current version of ChatGPT for software modeling is limited, with various syntactic and semantic deficiencies, lack of consistency in responses and scalability issues. We also outline our views on how we perceive the role that LLMs can play in the software modeling discipline in the short term, and how the modeling community can help to improve the current capabilities of ChatGPT and the coming LLMs for software modeling.
Do Parents Enhance Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Youth Anxiety? An Overview of Systematic Reviews Over Time
Authors: Byrne S. , Cobham V. , Richardson M. , Imuta K.
Published: May 2023

The last 20 years has seen debate regarding the merits of involving parents in cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for youth anxiety played out across systematic reviews which have high impact. These reviews examined varying treatment formats in relation to parent involvement, including youth only CBT (Y-CBT), parent only CBT (P-CBT) and family CBT (youth and parent; F-CBT). This is a novel overview of systematic reviews examining evidence for parental involvement in CBT for youth anxiety over the period this was studied. Two independent coders systematically searched for studies in medical and psychological databases using the categories “Review”, “Youth”, “Anxiety”, “Cognitive Behavior Therapy” and “Parent/Family”. Of the 2,189 unique articles identified, there were 25 systematic reviews since 2005 which compared the effects of CBT for youth anxiety with varying parent involvement. Despite systematically studying the same phenomenon, the reviews were heterogeneous in outcome, design, inclusion criteria and often had methodological limitations. Of the 25 reviews, 21 found no difference between formats and 22 reviews were considered inconclusive. Yet while there were typically no statistical differences, consistent patterns in the direction of effects were detected over time. P-CBT was less effective than other formats, suggesting the importance of directly treating anxious youths. Early reviews favored F-CBT over Y-CBT, however, later reviews did not show this trend. We consider the effects of moderators including exposure therapy, long-term outcomes and the child’s age. We consider how to manage heterogeneity in primary studies and reviews to better detect treatment differences where they exist.

Trial registration This protocol is registered with the Open Science Framework: osf.io/2u58t.
Treating colorectal peritoneal metastases with an injectable cytostatic loaded supramolecular hydrogel in a rodent animal model
Authors: Wintjens Anne G. W. E. , Liu Hong , Fransen Peter-Paul K.H. , Lenaerts Kaatje , van Almen Geert C. , Gijbels Marion J. , Hadfoune M’hamed , Boonen Bas T.C. , Lieuwes Natasja G. , Biemans Rianne , Dubois Ludwig J. , Dankers Patricia Y.W. , de Hingh Ignace H.J.T. , Bouvy Nicole D.
Published: May 2023

Patients with peritoneal metastases (PM) of colorectal cancer have a very poor outcome. Intraperitoneal delivery of chemotherapy is the preferred route for PM treatment. The main limitation of the treatment options is the short residence time of the cytostatic, with subsequent short exposure of the cancer cells. To address this, a supramolecular hydrogel has been developed that allows both local and slow release of its encapsulated drug, mitomycin C (MMC) or cholesterol-conjugated MMC (cMMC), respectively. This experimental study investigates if drug delivery using this hydrogel improves the therapeutic efficacy against PM. PM was induced in WAG/Rij rats (n = 72) by intraperitoneally injecting syngeneic colon carcinoma cells (CC531) expressing luciferase. After seven days, animals received a single intraperitoneal injection with saline (n = 8), unloaded hydrogel (n = 12), free MMC (n = 13), free cMMC (n = 13), MMC-loaded hydrogel (n = 13), or cMMC-loaded hydrogel (n = 13). Primary outcome was overall survival with a maximum follow-up of 120 days. Intraperitoneal tumor development was non-invasive monitored via bioluminescence imaging. Sixty-one rats successfully underwent all study procedures and were included to assess therapeutic efficacy. After 120 days, the overall survival in the MMC-loaded hydrogel and free MMC group was 78% and 38%, respectively. A trend toward significance was found when comparing the survival curves of the MMC-loaded hydrogel and free MMC (p = 0.087). No survival benefit was found for the cMMC-loaded hydrogel compared to free cMMC. Treating PM with our MMC-loaded hydrogel, exhibiting prolonged MMC exposure, seems effective in improving survival compared to treatment with free MMC.
An empirical study of the systemic and technical migration towards microservices
Authors: Michael Ayas Hamdy , Leitner Philipp , Hebig Regina
Published: May 2023

Context

As many organizations modernize their software architecture and transition to the cloud, migrations towards microservices become more popular. Even though such migrations help to achieve organizational agility and effectiveness in software development, they are also highly complex, long-running, and multi-faceted.

Objective

In this study we aim to comprehensively map the journey towards microservices and describe in detail what such a migration entails. In particular, we aim to discuss not only the technical migration, but also the long-term journey of change, on a systemic level.

Method

Our research method is an inductive, qualitative study on two data sources. Two main methodological steps take place – interviews and analysis of discussions from StackOverflow. The analysis of both, the 19 interviews and 215 StackOverflow discussions, is based on techniques found in grounded theory.

Results

Our results depict the migration journey, as it materializes within the migrating organization, from structural changes to specific technical changes that take place in the work of engineers. We provide an overview of how microservices migrations take place as well as a deconstruction of high level modes of change to specific solution outcomes. Our theory contains 2 modes of change taking place in migration iterations, 14 activities and 53 solution outcomes of engineers. One of our findings is on the architectural change that is iterative and needs both a long and short term perspective, including both business and technical understanding. In addition, we found that a big proportion of the technical migration has to do with setting up supporting artifacts and changing the paradigm that software is developed.
Bacterial and Metabolic Factors of Staphylococcal Planktonic and Biofilm Environments Differentially Regulate Macrophage Immune Activation
Authors: Seebach Elisabeth , Elschner Tabea , Kraus Franziska V. , Souto-Carneiro Margarida , Kubatzky Katharina F.
Published: May 2023

Abstract

Biofilm formation is a leading cause for chronic implant-related bone infections as biofilms shield bacteria against the immune system and antibiotics. Additionally, biofilms generate a metabolic microenvironment that shifts the immune response towards tolerance. Here, we compared the impact of the metabolite profile of bacterial environments on macrophage immune activation using Staphylococcus aureus (SA) and epidermidis (SE) conditioned media (CM) of planktonic and biofilm cultures. The biofilm environment had reduced glucose and increased lactate concentrations. Moreover, the expression of typical immune activation markers on macrophages was reduced in the biofilm environment compared to the respective planktonic CM. However, all CM caused a predominantly pro-inflammatory macrophage cytokine response with a comparable induction of Tnfa expression. In biofilm CM, this was accompanied by higher levels of anti-inflammatory Il10. Planktonic CM, on the other hand, induced an IRF7 mediated Ifnb gene expression which was absent in the biofilm environments. For SA but not for SE planktonic CM, this was accompanied by IRF3 activation. Stimulation of macrophages with TLR-2/-9 ligands under varying metabolic conditions revealed that, like in the biofilm setting, low glucose concentration reduced the Tnfa to Il10 mRNA ratio. However, the addition of extracellular L-lactate but not D-lactate increased the Tnfa to Il10 mRNA ratio upon TLR-2/-9 stimulation. In summary, our data indicate that the mechanisms behind the activation of macrophages differ between planktonic and biofilm environments. These differences are independent of the metabolite profiles, suggesting that the production of different bacterial factors is ultimately more important than the concentrations of glucose and lactate in the environment.
Artificial Neural Network (ANN)-Based Determination of Fractional Contributions from Mixed Fluorophores using Fluorescence Lifetime Measurements
Authors: Netaev Alexander , Schierbaum Nicolas , Seidl Karsten
Published: May 2023

Here we present an artificial neural network (ANN)-approach to determine the fractional contributions Pi from fluorophores to a multi-exponential fluorescence decay in time-resolved lifetime measurements. Conventionally, Pi are determined by extracting two parameters (amplitude and lifetime) for each underlying mono-exponential decay using non-linear fitting. However, in this case parameter estimation is highly sensitive to initial guesses and weighting. In contrast, the ANN-based approach robustly gives the Pi without knowledge of amplitudes and lifetimes. By experimental measurements and Monte-Carlo simulations, we comprehensively show that accuracy and precision of Pi determination with ANNs and hence the number of distinguishable fluorophores depend on the fluorescence lifetimes’ differences. For mixtures of up to five fluorophores, we determined the minimum uniform spacing Δτmin between lifetimes to obtain fractional contributions with a standard deviation of 5%. In example, five lifetimes can be distinguished with a respective minimum uniform spacing of approx. 10 ns even when the fluorophores’ emission spectra are overlapping. This study underlines the enormous potential of ANN-based analysis for multi-fluorophore applications in fluorescence lifetime measurements.
Synthesis and Functional Properties of La2FeCrO6 Based Nanostructures
Authors: Ateia Ebtesam E. , Gawad D. , Mosry Mohamed , Arman M. M.
Published: May 2023

Ordered double perovskite La2FeCrO6 nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized via the citrate auto-combustion technique. The prepared sample was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), and Raman spectroscopy, which confirmed the double perovskite structure of the studied sample. XRD illustrated that the investigated sample has an orthorhombic structure with an average crystallite size of 25.3 nm. La2FeCrO6 NPs exhibit a porous structure and spongy morphology, as determined through analyses using Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) specific surface area and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The studied sample exhibits anti-ferromagnetic (AFM) behavior with weak ferromagnetic (FM) components, as an example of d5(Fe3+)–d3(Cr3+) systems. The AFM behavior is caused by the super-exchange interaction between [Fe3+(d5)–O–Cr3+(d3)], according to the Kanamori–Goodenough (KG) rule. This behavior is induced by the pdπ hybridization between the eg orbital of the transition metal and the pσ orbital of the oxygen, while the one induced by the pdσ hybridization is FM. The number of excited-state configurations mediated by the pdπ hybridization in the Fe–Cr pair is greater than that mediated by pdσ hybridization. Pb(II) heavy metal ions are used in adsorption studies. The electrostatic nature of the bonding between Pb(II) and the La2FeCrO6 nano ferrite sample is thought to be the main cause of the observed high sorption of La2FeCrO6 to a Pb(II) ion. La2FeCrO6 has a favorable morphology, which bodes well for its prospective applications in Li-ion batteries, water purification, and gas sensors.
Skills, availability, willingness, expected participation and burden of sharing visual data within the frame of web surveys
Authors: Iglesias Patricia A. , Revilla Melanie
Published: May 2023

Although there is literature on the willingness to share visual data in the frame of web surveys and the actual participation when asked to do so, no research has investigated the skills of the participants to create and share visual data and the availability of such data, along with the willingness to share them. Furthermore, information on the burden associated with answering conventional questions and performing visual data-related tasks is also scarce. Our paper aims to fill those gaps, considering images and videos, smartphones and PCs, and visual data created before and during the survey. Results from a survey conducted among internet users in Spain (N = 857) show that most respondents know how to perform the studied tasks on their smartphone, while a lower proportion knows how to do them on their PC. Also, respondents mainly store images of landscapes and activities on their smartphone, and their availability to create visual data during the survey is high when answering from home. Furthermore, more than half of the participants are willing to share visual data. When analyzing the three dimensions together, the highest expected participation is observed for visual data created during the survey with the smartphone, which also results in a lower perception of burden. Moreover, older and lower educated respondents are less likely to capture and share visual data. Overall, asking for visual data seems feasible especially when collected during the survey with the smartphone. However, researchers should reflect on whether the expected benefits outweigh the expected drawbacks on a case-by-case basis.
Occam’s razor, machine learning and stochastic modeling of complex systems: the case of the Italian energy market
Authors: Mari Carlo , Mari Emiliano
Published: May 2023

In the spirit of Occam’s razor, we propose a parsimoniuos regime-switching model for describing the complex dynamics of electricity and natural gas prices observed in real markets. The model was built using a machine learning-based methodology, namely a cluster analysis to investigate the properties of the stable dynamics and a deep neural network appropriately trained on market data to drive transitions between different regimes. The main purposes of this study are twofold: (1) to build the simplest model capable of incorporating the main stylized facts of electricity and natural gas prices, including dynamic correlation; (2) to define an appropriate calibration procedure on market data. We applied this methodology to the Italian energy market. The results obtained show remarkable agreement with the empirical data, satisfactorily reproducing the first four moments of the empirical distributions of log-returns.
Bank failure prediction: corporate governance and financial indicators
Authors: Alzayed Noora , Eskandari Rasol , Yazdifar Hassan
Published: May 2023

This paper reiterates the importance of corporate governance in banks. Failure prediction studies have mainly relied on using financial ratios as predictors. The most suitable financial predictors for banks are financial ratios following the CAMEL rating system. Also, corporate governance has been proven to be an important aspect of banks, especially after the financial crisis. Given its importance, the novelty of this paper is to test the ability of corporate governance to increase the accuracy and extend the time-horizon of bank failure prediction in the US market. Using discriminant analysis, we predict the failure of banks insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation from 2010 to 2018. Using financial and non-financial predictors, we find that combining CAMEL ratios with corporate governance variables not only increases the accuracy of prediction but also extends the time horizon to three years before failure. We also show that bank earnings is a more significant predictor than capital structure and asset quality. The results further reveal that CEO compensation, voting rights and institutional ownership are significant predictors. These results are robust when using logit regression and out-of-sample examination. This study shows that corporate governance plays a key role in the success or failure of banks. The regulatory implication of this paper is that more attention needs to be directed to corporate governance and earnings aspects of banks rather than focusing on capital structure.
Distribution of trees in medieval areas of East-Central European cities ‒ regularities and peculiarities
Authors: Mizgajski Andrzej , Trzaskowska Ewa , Dubis Lidiya , Zajączkowski Dominik , Borysiak Janina
Published: May 2023

Trees in the densely built-up historical cores of cities increase the aesthetic values of the cityscape as well as lower the effect of the urban heat island. The research aimed to determine the spatial distribution of tree populations in the medieval parts of cities. The investigation included three cities in Central and Eastern Europe: Poznań and Lublin in Poland and Lviv in Ukraine. The oldest parts of these cities share similar origins, the same continental biogeographical region, and comparable climatic conditions. This study considered indicators of occurrence, density, species composition, and spatial distribution of trees. The study identified different types of management concerning trees. In Poznań, trees are actively introduced in public spaces. In Lublin, there is the largest share of trees in the backyards and self-seeding is common. In Lviv, there are new plantings in private and public spaces. Lviv is distinguished by its large share of native trees, and in Poznan and Lublin, new plantings include artificially shaped, small spherical crowns.
The sensitivity of the zebrafish embryo coiling assay for the detection of neurotoxicity by compounds with diverse modes of action
Authors: von Hellfeld Rebecca , Gade Christoph , Baumann Lisa , Leist Marcel , Braunbeck Thomas
Published: May 2023

In the aim to determine neurotoxicity, new methods are being validated, including tests and test batteries comprising in vitro and in vivo approaches. Alternative test models such as the zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryo have received increasing attention, with minor modifications of the fish embryo toxicity test (FET; OECD TG 236) as a tool to assess behavioral endpoints related to neurotoxicity during early developmental stages. The spontaneous tail movement assay, also known as coiling assay, assesses the development of random movement into complex behavioral patterns and has proven sensitive to acetylcholine esterase inhibitors at sublethal concentrations. The present study explored the sensitivity of the assay to neurotoxicants with other modes of action (MoAs). Here, five compounds with diverse MoAs were tested at sublethal concentrations: acrylamide, carbaryl, hexachlorophene, ibuprofen, and rotenone. While carbaryl, hexachlorophene, and rotenone consistently induced severe behavioral alterations by ~ 30 h post fertilization (hpf), acrylamide and ibuprofen expressed time- and/or concentration-dependent effects. At 37–38 hpf, additional observations revealed behavioral changes during dark phases with a strict concentration-dependency. The study documented the applicability of the coiling assay to MoA-dependent behavioral alterations at sublethal concentrations, underlining its potential as a component of a neurotoxicity test battery.
Toxicity of bisphenol A (BPA) and its derivatives in divers biological models with the assessment of molecular mechanisms of toxicity
Authors: Rybczyńska-Tkaczyk Kamila , Skóra Bartosz , Szychowski Konrad A.
Published: May 2023

The aim of the study was to determine totoxicity of bisphenol A (BPA) and its derivatives (bisphenol S (BPS), bisphenol F (BPF), and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA)) due to its high accumulation in environment. The performed analysis revealed the toxicity of the BPA, BPF, and BPS against Kurthia gibsoni, Microbacterium sp., and Brevundimonas diminuta as the most sensitive, reaching microbial toxic concentrations in the range of 0.018–0.031 mg ∙ L−1. Moreover, the genotoxicity assay shows the ability of all tested compounds to increase in the β-galactosidase level at the concentration range 7.81–500 µM (in Escherichia coli, PQ37). In turn, the matbolic activation of tested bishpenols has caused the enhacement of the genotoxicity and cytotoxicity effect. Interestingely, the highest phytotoxicity effect was pointed for BPA and TBBPA at the concentrations of 10 mg ∙ L−1 and 50 mg ∙ L−1, which cause the inhibition of root growth by 58% and 45%, respectively (especially for S. alba and S. saccharatum). Furthermore, the cytotoxicity analyses show the ability of BPA, BPS, and TBBPA to significantly decrease the metabolic activity of human keratynoctes in vitro after 24 h of treatment at the micromolar concentrations. Simialry, the impact of the certain bisphenols on proliferation-, apoptosis-, and inflammation-related mRNA expression was shown in tested cell line. Summarizing, the presented results have proved that BPA and its derrivatives are able to show high negative effect on certain living orgnisms such as bacteria, plants, and human cells, which is strict related to pro-apoptotic and genotoxic mechanism of action.
Comparison of image quality, arterial depiction, and radiation dose between two rapid kVp-switching dual-energy CT scanners in CT angiography at 40-keV
Authors: Kaga Tetsuro , Noda Yoshifumi , Nagata Shoma , Kawai Nobuyuki , Miyoshi Toshiharu , Hyodo Fuminori , Kato Hiroki , Matsuo Masayuki
Published: May 2023

Purpose

To compare the quantitative parameters and qualitative image quality of dual-energy CT angiography (CTA) between two rapid kVp-switching dual-energy CT scanners.

Materials and methods

Between May 2021 and March 2022, 79 participants underwent whole-body CTA using either Discovery CT750 HD (Group A, n = 38) or Revolution CT Apex (Group B, n = 41). All data were reconstructed at 40-keV and with adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction-Veo of 40%. The two groups were compared in terms of CT numbers of the thoracic and abdominal aorta, and the iliac artery, background noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the artery, CT dose-index volume (CTDIvol), and qualitative scores for image noise, sharpness, diagnostic acceptability, and arterial depictions.

Results

The median CT number of the abdominal aorta (p = 0.04) and SNR of the thoracic aorta (p = 0.02) were higher in Group B than in Group A, while no difference was observed in the other CT numbers and SNRs of the artery (p = 0.09–0.23). The background noises at the thoracic (p = 0.11), abdominal (p = 0.85), and pelvic (p = 0.85) regions were comparable between the two groups. CTDIvol was lower in Group B than in Group A (p = 0.006). All qualitative scores were higher in Group B than in Group A (p < 0.001–0.04). The arterial depictions were nearly identical in both two groups (p = 0.005–1.0).

Conclusion

In dual-energy CTA at 40-keV, Revolution CT Apex improved qualitative image quality and reduced radiation dose.
Model predictive control for compliant feed drives with offset-free tracking behavior
Authors: Leipe Valentin , Hinze Christoph , Lechler Armin , Verl Alexander
Published: May 2023

Industrial machine tool feed drives are predominantly controlled by cascade control due to their low tuning complexity and inherent robustness. However, the cascaded structure requires the inner cascades to have higher dynamics than the outer cascades, which limits the achievable dynamic accuracy. Direct control approaches, which substitute the position and velocity cascade, offer the potential to utilize the unused potential. A promising approach is model predictive control (MPC), which optimizes the manipulated variable with a plant model along a prediction horizon. However, model uncertainties between the nominal model and the real plant lead to tracking errors. Therefore, this paper presents, a linear MPC (LMPC) and an adaptive MPC (AMPC) with an additional integral action to robustly compensate for model mismatches. Both controllers use a compliant model, are real-time capable with a sample rate of $${{2}\,\textrm{kHz}}$$

2

kHz

and consider state and input space constraints. The AMPC accounts for position-varying stiffness and friction. The controllers are experimentally compared with classical P-PI cascaded control on a ball screw drive. They show a tracking error reduction of $${{37}{\,\%}}$$

37

%

(LMPC) and $${{44}{\,\%}}$$

44

%

(AMPC) during a high speed motion profile and an increase in bandwidth of $${{180}{\,\%}}$$

180

%

(LMPC) and $${{184}{\,\%}}$$

184

%

(AMPC), resulting in significantly improved dynamic accuracy.
The impact of environmental and social sustainability on the reshoring decision making and implementation process: insights from the bicycle industry
Authors: Fratocchi Luciano , Mayer Julia
Published: May 2023

After decades of huge production offshoring, companies are increasingly re-evaluating their production footprint, often implementing so-called reshoring strategies. Among them scarce attention has been devoted to the near-shoring option, i.e., relocation to the home region. At the same time, the impact of environmental and social sustainability on such strategies is an emerging issue within the reshoring scholars’ debate. This paper aims to shed new light on this debate focusing on the bike industry. To reach the research aim, a single case study was investigated, regarding an Austrian bike manufacturer that decided to near-shore the assembling phase to Poland in 2021. Collected evidence was analyzed through an interpretative framework based on the extant literature, allowing us to understand the impact of environmental and social issues on the reshoring decision making and implementation process, and its outcomes. The analyzed case study shows that environmental and social issues may play different roles when near-shoring decisions are taken and implemented. However, it emerges that the magnitude of such impacts may differ among the specific levels of analysis investigated (namely drivers, barriers, enabling factors and outcomes) and the sustainability pillar investigated (environmental vs. social one). The debate on sustainability impacts on a firm’s relocation strategies is still in its infancy, moreover the near-shoring alternative was not considered earlier in the academic debate. Therefore, this paper is the first attempt to shed new light on this issue and also proposes some future research avenues.
Laparoscopic treatment of ventral hernias: the Italian national guidelines
Authors: Campanile Fabio Cesare , Podda Mauro , Pecchini Francesca , Inama Marco , Molfino Sarah , Bonino Marco Augusto , Ortenzi Monica , Silecchia Gianfranco , Agresta Ferdinando , Cinquini Michela ,   the Italian Laparoscopic Ventral Hernia Guideline Group, Agresta Ferdinando , Cirocchi Roberto , Piccoli Micaela , Vettoretto Nereo , Campanile Fabio Cesare , Cinquini Michela , Albanese Elena , Ansaloni Luca , Antinori Armando , Baccari Paolo , Berta Rossana , Ceccarelli Graziano , Cuccurullo Diego , Diomede Francesco , Esposito Clelia , Ferrari Giovanni Carlo , Graffigna Guendalina , Monzani Roberta , Olmi Stefano , Placidi Tiziana , Bonino Marco Augusto , Inama Marco , Molfino Sarah , Pecchini Francesca , Podda Mauro , Clerici Alice , Radu Victor , Silecchia Gianfranco
Published: May 2023

Primary and incisional ventral hernias are significant public health issues for their prevalence, variability of professional practices, and high costs associated with the treatment In 2019, the Board of Directors of the Italian Society for Endoscopic Surgery (SICE) promoted the development of new guidelines on the laparoscopic treatment of ventral hernias, according to the new national regulation. In 2022, the guideline was accepted by the government agency, and it was published, in Italian, on the SNLG website. Here, we report the adopted methodology and the guideline’s recommendations, as established in its diffusion policy. This guideline is produced according to the methodology indicated by the SNGL and applying the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) methodology. Fifteen recommendations were produced as a result of 4 PICO questions. The level of recommendation was conditional for 12 of them and conditional to moderate for one. This guideline's strengths include relying on an extensive systematic review of the literature and applying a rigorous GRADE method. It also has several limitations. The literature on the topic is continuously and rapidly evolving; our results are based on findings that need constant re-appraisal. It is focused only on minimally invasive techniques and cannot consider broader issues (e.g., diagnostics, indication for surgery, pre-habilitation).
Phase-type representations of stochastic interest rates with applications to life insurance
Authors: Ahmad Jamaal , Bladt Mogens
Published: May 2023

The purpose of the present paper is to incorporate stochastic interest rates into a matrix-approach to multi-state life insurance, where formulas for reserves, moments of future payments and equivalence premiums can be obtained as explicit formulas in terms of product integrals or matrix exponentials. To this end we consider the Markovian interest model, where the rates are piecewise deterministic (or even constant) in the different states of a Markov jump process, and which is shown to integrate naturally into the matrix framework. The discounting factor then becomes the price of a zero-coupon bond which may or may not be correlated with the biometric insurance process. Another nice feature about the Markovian interest model is that the price of the bond coincides with the survival function of a phase-type distributed random variable. This, in particular, allows for calibrating the Markovian interest rate models using a maximum likelihood approach to observed data (prices) or to theoretical models like e.g. a Vasiček model. Due to the denseness of phase-type distributions, we can approximate the price behaviour of any zero-coupon bond with interest rates bounded from below by choosing the number of possible interest rate values sufficiently large. For observed data models with few data points, lower dimensions will usually suffice, while for theoretical models the dimensionality is only a computational issue.
Occurrence, fate, and impact of engineered metal/carbonaceous nanomaterials in the environment, detection, and quantitation methods
Authors: Hendricks N. , Olatunji O. , Ofori I. , Gumbi B. P.
Published: May 2023

Nanomaterials (NMs) are nanoscale materials of different shapes that are made of a variety of materials such as carbon, silicon, and transition metals. Wastewater treatment plants and nano-enabled consumer products have been identified as major sources of nanomaterials in the environment. Findings from many research studies revealed nanomaterials to be toxic to non-targeted species. Despite presenting an ecological risk to the environment and human health, little is known about the occurrence, formation, transport, and environmental impacts, owing to limited regulated quantitative and sensitive techniques for their assessment. More also, the realisation of nanomaterials' impact on the environment depends on emerging analytical methods. Therefore, it is paramount to continuously develop and optimise analytical methods that are promising to sensitively detect and quantify the nanomaterials in trace and ultra-trace levels in the environment. In this review, we discuss engineered metal/carbonaceous nanomaterials; production, pathways, fate, impact, toxicity, and their analytical methods of detection and quantification from the current literature.
Evaluation of biopesticides for the control of Erwinia amylovora in apple and pear
Authors: DuPont S. Tianna , Cox Kerik , Johnson Ken , Peter Kari , Smith Tim , Munir Misbakhul , Baro Aina
Published: May 2023

With increasing organic acreage and scrutiny of antibiotics use, alternatives to antibiotics for the control of Erwinia amylovora are of interest to stakeholders. At the same time failures of minimally tested, newly marketed products have resulted in severe infections leading to costly tree and orchard removal. We evaluated antibiotic alternatives in 8 Washington, 3 Oregon, 3 New York and 2 Pennsylvania field experiments conducted 2013 to 2022. Antibiotic alternatives included essential oils (thyme and cinnamon extracts), mineral compounds (potassium aluminum sulfate), oxidizers (peracetic acid-peroxide), soluble coppers (copper octanoate, copper hydroxide, copper sulfate pentahydrate), and biological controls (Aureobasidium pullulans, Bacillus subtilis, bacteriophage). Studies were conducted in ‘Bartlett’ and ‘dAnjou’ pear, ‘Gala’, ‘Cameo,‘ and ‘Red Delicious’ apple with 4 to 6 single-tree replicates arranged in a randomized complete block inoculated with E. amylovora at 80–100% bloom. In summary analysis of 8 Washington trials Alum (potassium aluminum sulfate), Blossom Protect (A. pullulans) and several copper products (Previsto, Mastercop, Instill) provided good disease suppression of 70–73% similar to antibiotic checks. Several essential oil, copper, and peracetic acid-peroxide and biological products (Serenade Opti, Cueva, Oxidate 5.0, Jet Ag, Thyme Guard and Thymox) provided intermediate disease suppression between 45 and 62% significantly better than the water-treated control. In multistate trials Alum with 2–3 applications provided good control in most experiments (means 2019: WA 79%, NY 77%, PA 57%; 2020: OR 86%, NY 65%, WA 28%; 2021: NY 87%, WA 50%). Essential oils with 3–4 applications provided intermediate control NY 2021 81% control 23% thyme oil, 70–85% control NY 2020, 2021 60% cinnamon oil.