bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
La justicia transicional y la lucha contra la corrupción. Una relación compleja pero necesaria
Authors: Linares María Cielo
Published: April 2024

Tradicionalmente, la justicia transicional aborda violaciones de los derechos civiles y políticos. En los últimos años, de la mano de su aplicación en contextos socioeconómicos complejos y reinados por la inequidad y la corrupción, esta visión tradicional comenzó a considerarse inadecuada, requiriéndose una justicia transicional enfocada en lograr la paz positiva. En este contexto, se ha venido analizando el rol que puede tener la justicia transicional en materia de Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible, especialmente el 16, que apunta a la paz y la justicia por medio de la reducción de la corrupción y la promoción de entidades públicas transparentes. Ahora bien, más allá de algunos intentos, los impactos en este sentido todavía son bajos. Partiendo del análisis de la relación entre corrupción y violencia, existen al menos cuatro formas en las cuales la justicia transicional puede aportar en materia de corrupción. La primera parte del estudio de la corrupción como factor estructural de la violencia. La segunda gira en torno a la recuperación de activos. La tercera contribución se da por medio de las medidas de no repetición como el vetting en materia de corrupción. Finalmente, la cuarta está relacionada con la transparencia y rendición de cuenta de sus mecanismos.
Aplicación del derecho internacional para solucionar y evitar otro episodio de corrupción en Colombia, por la irregularidad en la elección de magistrados en la Corte Suprema de Justicia colombiana
Authors: Ortiz Paredes Laura Alejandra
Published: April 2024

La sociedad debe sentirse libre y en la capacidad de exigir una justicia autárquica, imparcial, ágil, competente y que brinde estabilidad. Que le permita al ciudadano convencerse de que sus relaciones jurídicas serán sometidas al imperio de la ley; y de que, de igual forma, lo hará cualquiera que se atreva a contrariar el orden jurídico nacional e internacional. Solo de esa forma se consigue plena credibilidad en las instituciones, en sus agentes y en la administración de justicia, permitiendo que el sistema opere con normalidad. No obstante, la fiabilidad de la justicia se ve continuamente amenazada por la corrupción. Fenómeno que lleva a que se proporcione un servicio arbitrario y desintegrador de derechos, mediante la práctica de conductas delictivas, que buscan beneficios indebidos. El presente estudio busca analizar de manera comparada, la mani- festación de la corrupción, y la propuesta de soluciones que busquen disipar el fenómeno, el cual ha venido protagonizando escándalos en las Cortes Supremas de Justicia, de distintos países.
El derecho de los tratados en los arbitrajes inversor-Estado intra-Unión Europea
Authors: Tamayo-Álvarez Rafael
Published: April 2024

Este capítulo aborda ciertas cuestiones de derecho internacional público relacionadas con los arbitrajes inversor-Estado intra-Unión Europea. Es decir, aquel en el que un inversionista con nacionalidad de un Estado miembro de la Unión Europea demanda, con base en un acuerdo internacional de inversión, a otro Estado con membresía en dicho organismo internacional. Recientemente, el Tribunal de Justicia de la Unión Europea dictaminó que estos arbitrajes son contrarios a ciertos elementos del derecho común europeo. Esto reforzó los argumentos que los Estados miembros esgrimen para objetar la jurisdicción de los tribunales de arbitraje que resuelven las demandas de inversión entabladas en su contra, especialmente, con arreglo al Tratado de la Carta de la Energía. Al examinar tales argumentos, los tribunales de arbitraje deben recurrir a las disposiciones de la Convención de Viena sobre el Derecho de los Tratados. El capítulo tiene como objetivo describir la aplicación de algunas de estas disposiciones en el contexto de los arbitrajes de inversión intracomunitarios.
The Golden Era of International Investment Agreements: Stories behind the Why
Authors: Dangón-Novoa Sara Lucía
Published: April 2024

This paper is concerned with the history behind the sudden spike in international investment agreements’ subscription in the 1990s by capital-importing states. In particular, it reviews the Colombian case so as to respond to the explanation proposed by Andrew Guzman in his text “Why LDCs Sign Treaties that Hurt Them: Explaining the Popularity of Bilateral Investment Treaties”. This paper begins with a brief overview of the existing international legal framework for the protection of foreign direct investment. It then outlines its history and sets out the main arguments proposed by Guzman. This is followed by a discussion of the Colombian political context in the 1990s. Lastly, the paper closes with an assessment of Guzman’s arguments, concluding that capital-importing states actively decided upon the ratification of international investment agreements as a response to their own national political contexts.
Digital and Conventional Workflow for Endocrown Fabrication in Pulpotomy Permanent Tooth: Case Report
Authors:   Dental Department, Manachanachai Hospital, Thailand, Eungnapatanin Mookarin , Thong-ngarm Weeranuch ,   Department of Restorative Dentistry and Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Chiang Mai University, Thailand, Korjaroenrattanakul Tanida ,   Department of Restorative Dentistry and Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Chiang Mai University, Thailand
Published: April 2024

A higher chance of carrying out a successful full pulpotomy is dependent on the coronal restoration. Preservation of healthy dental structure is essential for providing mechanical stabilization of tooth-restoration integrity and increasing the number of suitable surfaces for adhesion. In this case, endocrown was a suitable restoration due to large coronal destruction. However, the preparation design and material selection affect the manufacturing technique. As shown in this case, the CAD/CAM technique demonstrated technical errors such as marginal chipping and overmilling, for these reasons changing to conventional technique for lithium disilicate endocrown fabrication was adopted. After one week of permanent cementation, the restoration was in good condition and abutment was normal with good gingival health.
Effect of Self-etch Silane Contamination on Dentin Bond Strength to Resin Composite
Authors:   Department of Operative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, Paaopanchon Chanakan , Niyatiwatchanchai Boondarick ,   Department of Operative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
Published: April 2024

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of self-etch silane contamination on dentin bond strength to resin composite when using different adhesive systems. Methods: 40 flat occlusal dentin surfaces were prepared and randomly divided into 4 groups (n=10): group ER (Optibond FL); group SE (Clearfil SE bond); group SiER and group SiSE (Monobond Etch and Prime (MEP) followed by Optibond FL and Clearfil SE bond, respectively). Microtensile bond strength (µTBS) data was analyzed by two-way and one-way ANOVA followed by the post hoc Tukey honest test. The failure mode data was analyzed using Pearson Chi-square test. After undergoing different contamination procedures (distill water, phosphoric acid, and acidic primer with and without MEP contamination), 6 additional specimens were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results: The two-way ANOVA indicated that the adhesive system and silane contamination significantly influenced the µTBS. µTBS (MPa) of all (ER 47.79±3.48; SiER 41.16±11; SE 39.77±3.16; SiSE 35.10±4.12) groups were significantly different from each other, except for the SE versus SiER group. The silane contamination significantly decreased the µTBS for both adhesive systems. Adhesive failure was the most common failure mode for the SiER, SE, and SiSE groups. Conclusions: Self-etch silane cross-contamination on dentin negatively impacted the µTBS of etch-and-rinse and self-etch adhesive systems. However, the etch-and-rinse adhesive system may be more effective in mitigating the effects of dentin contamination than the self-etch adhesive system.
The Comparative Study of the Mouse Osteoblast Response to Two Different Platelet-rich Fibrins with Low Speed Centrifugation Concept
Authors:   Graduate Student, Department of Restorative Dentistry and Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Chiang Mai University, Thailand, Domprapagon Patthapong , Tachasuttirut Kathawut ,   Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Chiang Mai University, Thailand, Permpanich Piyanuj ,   Department of Restorative Dentistry and Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Chiang Mai University, Thailand
Published: April 2024

Objectives: To compare the response of mouse osteoblast (MC3T3-E1 cells) to advanced platelet-rich fibrin (APRF) and advanced platelet-rich fibrin plus (APRF+). Methods: Blood was collected from eight volunteers, 25 - 38 years of age (four males and four females) to prepare platelet concentrates APRF (1,300 rpm, 14 minutes), APRF+ (1,300 rpm, 8 minutes). The exudates were collected from both platelet concentrates at day 1, 3, 7 and 14. The level of TGF-β1 from exudates were quantified using an ELISA. MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured with the exudates. The cultured cells were tested with MTT assays, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and mineralization, which were analyzed on day 7 and again on day 14. Results: APRF and APRF+ continuously released TGF-β1 during 14-days period. Only exudates collected at day 1 showed significantly difference of ALP staining between APRF and APRF+ group on day 14 of observation. On day 7 of mineralization assays, cells treated with exudates from APRF+ collected at day 14 resulted in the highest level of mineralization within APRF+ group. On day 14 of mineralization assays, cells treated with exudates from APRF collected at day 7 showed the highest level of mineralization within APRF group. Conclusions: APRF+ released TGF-β1 at day 14 significantly higher than day 1. On day 14 of mineralization, cells treated with exudates from APRF+ collected at day 14 showed significantly higher mineralization than APRF collected at the same time point.
TRANSTORNOS MENTAIS NA PANDEMIA: avaliação da saúde mental de estudantes de medicina
Authors: Silva Correa Reis Giovana , De Melo e Silva Andrícia de Jesus , Santos dos Santos Mainã Cristina , Marcela dos Santos Lopes Andrea , Regina Bastos Neder Patrícia
Published: April 2024

Nos últimos anos houve um aumento considerável da prevalência de transtornos mentais, com destaque para estudantes de medicina. OBJETIVO: Com a pandemia do COVID-19 e as mudanças trazidas por ela, viu-se a necessidade de identificar a prevalência de sintomas de depressão e ansiedade em acadêmicos de medicina de uma universidade do Norte do Brazil durante esse período. MÉTODO: Trata-se de um estudo observacional, descritivo, do tipo transversal, realizado com 240 estudantes de medicina, durante a segunda onda da pandemia do COVID-19. Foi aplicado um questionário validado, via Google Forms para avaliar e classificar sintomas de depressão e ansiedade. Foi utilizado o teste qui-quadrado para avaliar as correlações. RESULTADOS: a partir da aplicação do questionário, pôde-se observar que a em sua maioria os estudantes apresentavam ausência de sintomas de ansiedade e depressão, entretanto, entre os que apresentaram, 14,9% das mulheres apresentaram ansiedade severa. Foi visto que não houve associação significativa entre idade e presença de sintomas de transtorno mental e ainda, observou-se que sintomas de ansiedade e depressão foram mais relatados em alunos do primeiro, segundo e quarto ano. CONCLUSÃO: Conclui-se que os participantes da pesquisa apresentaram níveis leves de ansiedade e depressão, diferindo da maioria dos estudos científicos. Percebeu-se que houve maior prevalência de sintomas moderados a graves de ansiedade na população feminina e de depressão no sexo masculino. A idade média mais acometida foi de 23 anos, em alunos do primeiro e quarto ano.
The Origin and Dispersal of Austroasiatic Languages from the
Perspectives of Linguistics, Archeology, and Genetics
Authors: Yu Jian , Deng Xiaohua , Fan Zhiquan , Yang Wenjiao , Ji Zhi , Wang Chuan-Chao
Published: April 2024

The Austroasiatic (AA) languages comprise a large language family in mainland Southeast Asia (MSEA)
and South Asia. Theoretical, methodological, and material constraints have limited research on the origin
and dispersal of AA-speaking populations within historical-comparative linguistics. With the deepening of
archaeological and genetic studies, interdisciplinary collaboration has become key to solving this problem.
We review the latest hypotheses in linguistics, archaeology, and molecular anthropology and propose
insights on the origin and dispersal of AA languages. The ancestors of the AA-speaking populations were
suggested to be rice farmers living in the Neolithic Age in southern China. Between 3,000 and 4,500
BP, some of these ancestors who spoke Proto-AA migrated from southern China to northern Vietnam,
together with shouldered stone tools and domesticated rice. They mixed with local hunter-gatherers and
expanded to the south of MSEA, giving rise to the Mon-Khmer, Aslian, and Nicobarese populations. They
also spread to the northeast of India to form the Munda-speaking populations. Another group arrived
near Dian Lake in Yunnan about 2,500 BP, where they created the Bronze Drum culture with the Proto-
Tai-Kadai (TK)–speaking populations and later spread eastward to northern Vietnam via Guangxi. Finally,
the Proto-AA–speaking people who remained in southern China mixed with the Proto-TK–speaking
groups from Fujian and Guangdong, leading to a language shift, which we hypothesize was one of the
main reasons for the “disappearance” of AA in southern China.
E-beam synthesized fast-switching TiO2/SnO2 type-II heterostructure photodetector
Authors: Nanda Rajib Kumar , Sarkar Mitra Barun
Published: April 2024

A fast-switching TiO2/SnO2 heterostructure thin-film (TF)
photodetector synthesized by electron beam evaporation technique is
analyzed in this study. The substrate utilized is n-type silicon (Si),
while gold (Au) is employed as the top electrode. To assess sample
morphology and confirm elemental composition, field emission scanning
electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy
(EDS), and chemical mapping were conducted. Structural characteristics
were determined using X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The XRD
analysis confirmed the presence of various phases of TiO2 (anatase and rutile) and SnO2 (rutile). UV-Vis spectroscopy
revealed multiple absorption peaks, at 447 nm, 495 nm,
560 nm, and 673 nm, within the visible spectrum. The
device demonstrates high detectivity (D∗) of 1.737×109 Jones and a low noise equivalent
power (NEP) of 0.765×10−10W. Evaluation of the device’s switching
response through current-time characteristic (I-T) analysis indicates
rapid switching with a rise time and fall time of 0.33 s and
0.36 s, respectively.
Attack on optical cryptosystems by skip connection networks
Authors: Wang Jiaao , Wang Dongfei
Published: April 2024

Optical encryption methods, due to their efficient operation speed and parallel processing capabilities, hold significant importance in securing multidimensional and large-volume data. Enhancing the security of optical cryptosystems from the perspective of cryptanalysis holds significant importance currently. Presently, attack methods against optical encryption are complex, and the effectiveness of these attacks is insufficient. Security analysis solutions face limitations in both breadth and depth. Therefore, this paper proposes an attack on optical cryptosystems based on a skip connection network, demonstrating the susceptibility of optical cryptosystems to attacks based on neural network algorithms. The network model is trained on plaintext-ciphertext pairs, fitting equivalent keys without various additional conditions. It approximates plaintext information in high-dimensional space, directly obtaining corresponding plaintext through ciphertext information, expanding the applicability and enhancing the effectiveness of the attack scheme. Finally, the feasibility and effectiveness of the attack scheme were verified through computer simulations. The experiments indicate that the method proposed in this paper has low computational complexity, wide applicability, produces high-quality decrypted images, and high decipherment accuracy. This provides a universal approach for analyzing the security of various optical cryptosystems from the perspective of chosen plaintext attacks.
A generalized expression for accelerating beamlet decomposition simulations
Authors: Ashcraft Jaren N. , Douglas Ewan S. , Anche Ramya , Dube Brandon D. , Derby Kevin Z. , Furenlid Lars , Kautz Maggie , Kim Daewook , Milani Kian , Riggs A. J. Eldorado
Published: April 2024

Paraxial diffraction modeling based on the Fourier transform has seen widespread implementation for simulating the response of a diffraction-limited optical system. For systems where the paraxial assumption is not sufficient, a class of algorithms has been developed that employs hybrid propagation physics to compute the propagation of an elementary beamlet along geometric ray paths. These “beamlet decomposition” algorithms include the well-known Gaussian beamlet decomposition (GBD) algorithm, of which several variants have been created. To increase the computational efficiency of the GBD algorithm, we derive an alternative expression of the technique that utilizes the analytical propagation of beamlets to tilted planes. We then use this accelerated algorithm to conduct a parameter-space search to find the optimal combination of free parameters in GBD to construct the analytical Airy function. The experiment is conducted on a consumer-grade CPU, and a high-performance GPU, where the new algorithm is 34 times faster than the previously published algorithm on CPUs, and 67,513 times faster on GPUs.
Deep learning-based inverse design of multi-functional metasurface absorbers
Authors: Huang Yikun , Liu Xiaoshan , Liu Mulin , Chen Jing , Du Wei , Liu Zhengqi
Published: April 2024

A novel approach—integrating a simulated annealing (SA) algorithm with deep learning (DL) acceleration—is presented for the rapid and accurate development of terahertz perfect absorbers through forward prediction and backward design. The forward neural network (FNN) effectively deduces the absorption spectrum based on metasurface geometry, resulting in an 80,000-fold increase in computational speed compared to a full-wave solver. Furthermore, the absorber’s structure can be precisely and promptly derived from the desired response. The incorporation of the SA algorithm significantly enhances design efficiency. We successfully designed low-frequency, high-frequency, and broadband absorbers spanning the 4 to 16 THz range with an error margin below 0.02 and a remarkably short design time of only 10 min. Additionally, the proposed model in this Letter introduces a novel, to our knowledge, method for metasurface design at terahertz frequencies such as the design of metamaterials across optical, thermal, and mechanical domains.
Ranking of cell clusters in a single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis framework using prior knowledge
Authors: Oulas Anastasis , Savva Kyriaki , Karathanasis Nestoras , Spyrou George M.
Published: April 2024

Prioritization or ranking of different cell types in a single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) framework can be performed in a variety of ways, some of these include: i) obtaining an indication of the proportion of cell types between the different conditions under study, ii) counting the number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between cell types and conditions in the experiment or, iii) prioritizing cell types based on prior knowledge about the conditions under study (i.e., a specific disease). These methods have drawbacks and limitations thus novel methods for improving cell ranking are required. Here we present a novel methodology that exploits prior knowledge in combination with expert-user information to accentuate cell types from a scRNA-seq analysis that yield the most biologically meaningful results with respect to a disease under study. Our methodology allows for ranking and prioritization of cell types based on how well their expression profiles relate to the molecular mechanisms and drugs associated with a disease. Molecular mechanisms, as well as drugs, are incorporated as prior knowledge in a standardized, structured manner. Cell types are then ranked/prioritized based on how well results from data-driven analysis of scRNA-seq data match the predefined prior knowledge. In additional cell-cell communication perturbations between disease and control networks are used to further prioritize/rank cell types. Our methodology has substantial advantages to more traditional cell ranking techniques and provides an informative complementary methodology that utilizes prior knowledge in a rapid and automated manner, that has previously not been attempted by other studies. The current methodology is also implemented as an R package entitled Single Cell Ranking Analysis Toolkit (scRANK) and is available for download and installation via GitHub (https://github.com/aoulas/scRANK).
Protective role of protease-activated receptor-2 in anaphylaxis model mice
Authors: Nakazawa Maho , Tochinai Ryota , Fujii Wataru , Komori Mao , Yonezawa Tomohiro , Momoi Yasuyuki , Maeda Shingo
Published: April 2024

Anaphylaxis is a severe life-threatening hypersensitivity reaction induced by mast cell degranulation. Among the various mediators of mast cells, little is known about the role of tryptase. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate the role of protease-activating receptor-2 (PAR-2), a receptor activated by tryptase, in murine anaphylactic models using PAR-2-deficient mice and newly generated tryptase-deficient mice. Anaphylaxis was induced by IgE-dependent and IgE-independent mast cell degranulation in mice. PAR-2 deficiency exacerbated the decrease in body temperature and hypotension during anaphylaxis; however, the number of skin mast cells, degree of mast cell degranulation, and systemic and local vascular hyperpermeability were comparable in PAR-2 knockout and wild-type mice. Nitric oxide, which is produced by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), is an indispensable vasodilator in anaphylaxis. In the lungs of anaphylactic mice, PAR-2 deficiency promoted eNOS expression and phosphorylation, suggesting a protective effect of PAR-2 against anaphylaxis by downregulating eNOS activation and expression. Based on the hypothesis that the ligand for PAR-2 in anaphylaxis is mast cell tryptase, tryptase-deficient mice were generated using CRISPR-Cas9. In wild-type mice, the PAR-2 antagonist exacerbated the body temperature drop due to anaphylaxis; however, the effect of the PAR-2 antagonist was abolished in tryptase-deficient mice. These results suggest that tryptase is a possible ligand of PAR-2 in anaphylaxis and that the tryptase/PAR-2 pathway attenuates the anaphylactic response in mice.
Factors associated with mortality of elderly people due to COVID-19: Protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Silva Junior Danyllo do Nascimento , de Sousa Mata Ádala Nayana , Silva de Medeiros Gidyenne Christine Bandeira , Marques Marilane Vilela , dos Santos Thais Teixeira , de Sousa Monteiro Maria Eduarda , Costa Gabriela Góis , d´Orsi Eleonora , Parra Eva Vegue , Piuvezam Grasiela
Published: April 2024

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has become a significant health crisis, marked by high mortality rates on a global scale, with mortality from the disease being notably concentrated among the elderly due to various factors.

Objective

This study aims to investigate the biological and non-biological factors associated with COVID-19 mortality rates among the elderly worldwide.

Methods

The following databases will be consulted: PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Web of Science and ScienceDirect. Longitudinal observational studies (cohort and case-control—risk factors) will be included. The risk of bias, defined as low, moderate, high, will be assessed using the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Quality Assessment Tool for observational cohort and cross-sectional studies. Two independent authors will conduct the searches, and any possible disagreements will be resolved by a third author. Heterogeneity between study results will be assessed using a standard X2test with a significance level of 0.05, and an I2value will be calculated to further assess heterogeneity. The random effects model for meta-analyses will be adopted to distribute the weight between the studies and standardize their contributions. The meta-analyses will be conducted using RevMan software.

Discussion

Despite the numerous publications on COVID-19 mortality among the elderly, there is still a gap in knowledge, as there is no systematic review and meta-analysis that summarizes the main biological and non-biological associated factors globally.

Conclusion

The results of this study will consolidate the latest evidence and address gaps in the overall understanding of biological or non-biological associated factors. This knowledge will facilitate the development of appropriate health strategies for this demographic group and pave the way for further research.

Trial registration

PROSPERO (CRD42023400873).
Wastewater based epidemiology as a surveillance tool during the current COVID-19 pandemic on a college campus (East Carolina University) and its accuracy in predicting SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks in dormitories
Authors: White Avian , Iverson Guy , Wright LaNika , Fallon John T. , Briley Kimberly P. , Yin Changhong , Huang Weihua , Humphrey Charles
Published: April 2024

The COVID-19 outbreak led governmental officials to close many businesses and schools, including colleges and universities. Thus, the ability to resume normal campus operation required adoption of safety measures to monitor and respond to COVID-19. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of wastewater-based epidemiology as a surveillance method in monitoring COVID-19 on a college campus. The use of wastewater monitoring as part of a surveillance program to control COVID-19 outbreaks at East Carolina University was evaluated. During the Spring and Fall 2021 semesters, wastewater samples (N = 830) were collected every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from the sewer pipes exiting the dormitories on campus. Samples were analyzed for SARS-CoV-2 and viral quantification was determined using qRT-PCR. During the Spring 2021 semester, there was a significant difference in SARS-CoV-2 virus copies in wastewater when comparing dorms with the highest number student cases of COVID-19 and those with the lowest number of student cases, (p = 0.002). Additionally, during the Fall 2021 semester it was observed that when weekly virus concentrations exceeded 20 copies per ml, there were new confirmed COVID-19 cases 85% of the time during the following week. Increases in wastewater viral concentration spurred COVID-19 swab testing for students residing in dormitories, aiding university officials in effectively applying COVID testing policies. This study showed wastewater-based epidemiology can be a cost-effective surveillance tool to guide other surveilling methods (e.g., contact tracing, nasal/salvia testing, etc.) to identify and isolate afflicted individuals to reduce the spread of pathogens and potential outbreaks within a community.
Future land use prediction and optimization strategy of Zhejiang Greater Bay Area coupled with ecological security multi-scenario pattern
Authors: Bao Shengwang , Cui Wanglai , Yang Fan
Published: April 2024

The land use changes driven by human activities press a incredible menace to zonal ecological security. As the most active urban cluster, the uncontrolled expansion of cities in the bay area exerts enormous pressure on the ecosystem. Therefore, from the perspective of ecological conservation, exploring future land use optimization patterns and spatial structure is extremely essential for the long-term thriving of the bay area. On this basis, this research integrated the System Dynamics model (SD) as the quantity forecast model and the PLUS model as the spatial emulation model and established the Land Use/Cover Change (LUCC) Simulation Framework by setting the constraints of Ecological Security Multi-Scenario Patterns (ESMP). By setting four scenarios in future, that is, Business As Usual (BAU), Priority of Ecological Protection (PEP), Balanced Development Scenario (BD), and Priority of Urban development (PUD), this research predicts LUCC in the Zhejiang Greater Bay Area (ZGBA) in 2035 and explored land use optimization patterns. The results indicate that by 2035, under the scenarios of BAU, BD, and PUD, the construction land will observably grow by 38.86%, 19.63%, and 83.90%, respectively, distributed mainly around the Hangzhou Bay Area, Taizhou Bay Area, and Wenzhou Bay Area, primarily achieved by sacrificing ecologically sensitive lands such as forests to achieve regional high economic growth. Under PEP, the growth of construction land retards, and forest experiences net growth (11.27%), with better landscape connectivity and more cohesive patches compared to other scenarios. Combining regional planning and analysis at the city scale, Hangzhou Bay area (Hangzhou, Huzhou, Jiaxing, Shaoxing, Ningbo) can adopt the BD development scenario, while Zhoushan, Taizhou, Wenzhou and Fuyang County of Hangzhou can adopt the PEP development scenario. This research furnishes a novel mechanism for optimizing land use pattern in ecological security perspective and offers scientific guidance for land resource management and spatial planning in ZGBA.
Does the opening of producer services promote the wage growth of the downstream manufacturing industry?—Empirical evidence from Chinese manufacturing listed companies
Authors: Zhang Zhibin , Wang Dian
Published: April 2024

Based on the vertical connection between upstream and downstream industries, a unique theoretical model is constructed to analyse the impact mechanism of the opening of producer services on downstream manufacturing wage growth. The empirical tests are carried out using the data of China’s manufacturing listed companies from 1999 to 2020. Our findings indicate that the opening of producer services has an inverted-U-shaped impact on downstream manufacturing wage growth, and the average level of the opening of producer services in the sample period is lower than the corresponding threshold. Overall, it is in the stage of promoting the wage growth of the downstream manufacturing industry. The opening of producer services mainly affects the wage growth of the downstream manufacturing industry through two channels: labour productivity and labour income share. The results of heterogeneity analysis show that the wages of capital and technology-intensive and low-competitive manufacturing industries are relatively strongly promoted by the opening of producer services. Therefore, promoting the orderly opening of producer services and strengthening the technological links between industries will help promote the wage growth of downstream manufacturing industries.
Electron plasma diagnostics in ELTRAP by electron cyclotron resonance heating method
Authors: Khan Faisal , Ikram Muhammad , Rashdan Mostafa , Elsayed Fahmi , Ahmad Pervaiz , Khandaker Mayeen Uddin
Published: April 2024

Electron cyclotron resonance heating method of Particle-in-Cell code was used to analyze heating phenomena, axial kinetic energy, and self-consistent electric field of confined electron plasma in ELTRAP device by hydrogen and helium background gases. The electromagnetic simulations were performed at a constant power of 3.8 V for different RF drives (0.5 GHz– 8 GHz), as well as for 1 GHz constant frequency at these varying amplitudes (1 V—3.8 V). The impacts of axial and radial temperatures were found maximum at 1.8 V and 5 GHz as compared to other amplitudes and frequencies for both background gases. These effects are higher at varying radio frequencies due to more ionization and secondary electrons production and maximum recorded radial temperature for hydrogen background gas was 170.41 eV. The axial kinetic energy impacts were found more effective in the outer radial part (between 0.03 and 0.04 meters) of the ELTRAP device due to applied VRF through C8 electrode. The self-consistent electric field was found higher for helium background gas at 5 GHz RF than other amplitudes and radio frequencies. The excitation and ionization rates were found to be higher along the radial direction (r-axis) than the axial direction (z-axis) in helium background gas as compared to hydrogen background gas. The current studies are advantageous for nuclear physics applications, beam physics, microelectronics, coherent radiation devices and also in magnetrons.
Inhibition of cytosine 5-hydroxymethylation during progression of cancer precursor lesions in the uterine cervix
Authors: Moshi Jobran M. , Ummelen Monique , Smedts Frank , Ramaekers Frans C. S. , Hopman Anton H. N.
Published: April 2024

Methylation and hydroxymethylation of cytosine moieties in CpG islands of specific genes are epigenetic processes shown to be involved in the development of cervical (pre)neoplastic lesions. We studied global (hydroxy)methylation during the subsequent steps in the carcinogenic process of the uterine cervix by using immunohistochemical protocols for the detection of 5-methylcytosine (5-mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC) in paraffin-embedded tissues of the normal epithelia and (pre)malignant lesions. This approach allowed obtaining spatially resolved information of (epi)genetic alterations for individual cell populations in morphologically heterogeneous tissue samples. The normal ectocervical squamous epithelium showed a high degree of heterogeneity for both modifications, with a major positivity for 5-mC in the basal and parabasal layers in the ectocervical region, while 5-hmC immunostaining was even more restricted to the cells in the basal layer. Immature squamous metaplasia, characterized by expression of SOX17, surprisingly showed a decrease of 5-hmC in the basal compartments and an increase in the more superficial layers of the epithelium. The normal endocervical glandular epithelium showed a strong immunostaining reactivity for both modifications. At the squamocolumnar junctions, a specific 5-hmC pattern was observed in the squamous epithelium, resembling that of metaplasia, with the typical weak to negative reaction for 5-hmC in the basal cell compartment. The reserve cells underlying the glandular epithelium were also largely negative for 5-hmC but showed immunostaining for 5-mC. While the overall methylation status remained relatively constant, about 20% of the high-grade squamous lesions showed a very low immunostaining reactivity for 5-hmC. The (pre)malignant glandular lesions, including adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) and adenocarcinoma showed a progressive decrease of hydroxymethylation with advancement of the lesion, resulting in cases with regions that were negative for 5-hmC immunostaining. These data indicate that inhibition of demethylation, which normally follows cytosine hydroxymethylation, is an important epigenetic switch in the development of cervical cancer.
Unpaid caregiving and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic—A systematic review of the quantitative literature
Authors: Ervin Jennifer , Fleitas Alfonzo Ludmila , Taouk Yamna , Maheen Humaira , King Tania
Published: April 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic imposed additional and specific challenges on the lives and wellbeing of informal unpaid carers. Addressing an important gap in the existing literature, this systematic review (prospectively registered with PROSPERO CRD42022376012) synthesises and evaluates the quantitative evidence examining the association between unpaid caregiving and mental health (compared to non-caring), during the pandemic. Five databases were searched (Medline, PsycInfo, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science) from Jan 1, 2020, to March 1, 2023. Population-based, peer-reviewed quantitative studies using any observational design were included, with screening, data extraction and quality assessment (amended NOS) independently conducted by two reviewers. Of the 3,073 records screened, 20 eligible studies (113,151 participants) were included. Overall quality of evidence was moderate. Narrative synthesis was complemented by Effect-direction and Albatross plots (given significant between-study heterogeneity precluded meta-analysis). Results indicate that the mental health of informal carers, already poorer pre-COVID compared to non-caregivers, was disproportionally impacted as a result of the pandemic and its associated public health containment measures. This review highlights the vulnerability of this group and should motivate political will and commensurate policies to ensure unpaid caregivers are better supported now, in the medium term, and crucially if, and when, another global public health emergency emerges.
Living on the edge: The sensitivity of arthropods to development and climate along an urban-wildland interface in the Sonoran Desert of central Arizona
Authors: Uhey Derek A. , Hofstetter Richard W. , Earl Stevan , Holden Jerry , Sprague Tiffany , Rowe Helen
Published: April 2024

Preservation of undeveloped land near urban areas is a common conservation practice. However, ecological processes may still be affected by adjacent anthropogenic activities. Ground-dwelling arthropods are a diverse group of organisms that are critical to ecological processes such as nutrient cycling, which are sensitive to anthropogenic activities. Here, we study arthropod dynamics in a preserve located in a heavily urbanized part of the Sonoran Desert, Arizona, U.S.. We compared arthropod biodiversity and community composition at ten locations, four paired sites representing the urban edge and one pair in the Preserve interior. In total, we captured and identified 25,477 arthropod individuals belonging to 287 lowest practical taxa (LPT) over eight years of sampling. This included 192 LPTs shared between interior and edge sites, with 44 LPTs occurring exclusively in interior sites and 48 LPTs occurring exclusively in edge sites. We found two site pairs had higher arthropod richness on the preserve interior, but results for evenness were mixed among site pairs. Compositionally, the interior and edge sites were more than 40% dissimilar, driven by species turnover. Importantly, we found that some differences were only apparent seasonally; for example edge sites had more fire ants than interior sites only during the summer. We also found that temperature and precipitation were strong predictors of arthropod composition. Our study highlights that climate can interact with urban edge effects on arthropod biodiversity.
Mathematical modeling and dynamics of immunological exhaustion caused by measles transmissibility interaction with HIV host
Authors: Ozsahin Dilber Uzun , Khan Najeeb Alam , Aqeel Araib , Ahmad Hijaz , Alotaibi Maged F. , Ayaz Muhammad
Published: April 2024

This paper mainly addressed the study of the transmission dynamics of infectious diseases and analysed the effect of two different types of viruses simultaneously that cause immunodeficiency in the host. The two infectious diseases that often spread in the populace are HIV and measles. The interaction between measles and HIV can cause severe illness and even fatal patient cases. The effects of the measles virus on the host with HIV infection are studied using a mathematical model and their dynamics. Analysing the dynamics of infectious diseases in communities requires the use of mathematical models. Decisions about public health policy are influenced by mathematical modeling, which sheds light on the efficacy of various control measures, immunization plans, and interventions. We build a mathematical model for disease spread through vertical and horizontal human population transmission, including six coupled nonlinear differential equations with logistic growth. The fundamental reproduction number is examined, which serves as a cutoff point for determining the degree to which a disease will persist or die. We look at the various disease equilibrium points and investigate the regional stability of the disease-free and endemic equilibrium points in the feasible region of the epidemic model. Concurrently, the global stability of the equilibrium points is investigated using the Lyapunov functional approach. Finally, the Runge-Kutta method is utilised for numerical simulation, and graphic illustrations are used to evaluate the impact of different factors on the spread of the illness. Critical factors that effect the dynamics of disease transmission and greatly affect the rate and range of the disease’s spread in the population have been determined through a thorough analysis. These factors are crucial in determining the expansion of the disease.
Weaving community-based participatory research and co-design to improve opioid use treatments and services for youth, caregivers, and service providers
Authors: Turuba Roxanne , Katan Christina , Marchand Kirsten , Brasset Chantal , Ewert Alayna , Tallon Corinne , Fairbank Jill , Mathias Steve , Barbic Skye
Published: April 2024

Integrating the voices of service users and providers in the design and delivery of health services increases the acceptability, relevance, and effectiveness of services. Such efforts are particularly important for youth opioid use treatments and services, which have failed to consider the unique needs of youth and families. Applying community-based participatory research (CBPR) and co-design can facilitate this process by contextualizing service user experiences at individual and community levels and supporting the collaborative design of innovative solutions for improving care. However, few studies demonstrate how to effectively integrate these methods and engage underserved populations in co-design. As such, this manuscript describes how our team wove CBPR and co-design methods to develop solutions for improving youth opioid use treatments and services in Canada. As per CBPR methods, national, provincial, and community partnerships were established to inform and support the project’s activities. These partnerships were integral for recruiting service users (i.e., youth and caregivers) and service providers to co-design prototypes and support local testing and implementation. Co-design methods enabled understanding of the needs and experiences of youth, caregivers, and service providers, resulting in meaningful community-specific innovations. We used several engagement methods during the co-design process, including regular working group meetings, small group discussions, individual interviews and consultations, and feedback grids. Challenges involved the time commitment and resources needed for co-design, which were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and limited our ability to engage a diverse sample of youth and caregivers in the process. Strengths of the study included youth and caregiver involvement in the co-design process, which centered around their lived experiences; the therapeutic aspect of the process for participants; and the development of innovations that were accepted by design partners.
Validation of two immunoassays for oxytocin measurements in human saliva
Authors: López-Arjona Marina , Cerón José Joaquín , Mateo Sandra V. , Contreras-Aguilar María Dolores , Martínez-Subiela Silvia
Published: April 2024

The objective of this research was to develop and validate two immunoassays for oxytocin measurement in human saliva, one using a monoclonal and the other a polyclonal antibody against oxytocin, whose affinity for oxytocin was tested by an antibody mapping epitope analysis. These assays were analytically validated and used to compare oxytocin concentrations with those obtained with a commercial kit before and after the extraction or reduction/alkylation (R/A) treatments to saliva samples. The assays were also used to evaluate changes in salivary oxytocin concentrations following a physical effort and an induced psychological stress, which have previously been described as situations that cause an increase in salivary oxytocin. Both assays showed to be precise and accurate in the validation studies, and the antibodies used showed a defined binding region in case of the monoclonal antibody, whereas the polyclonal antibody showed binding events through all the oxytocin sequence. Although the monoclonal and polyclonal assays showed a positive correlation, they give results in a different range of magnitude. Both assays showed significant increases in oxytocin concentrations when applied after the physical effort and the psychological stress. This study shows that a variability in the reported values of oxytocin can occur depending on the assay and indicates that the use of different types of antibodies can give a different range of values when measuring oxytocin in saliva.
An empirical assessment of the influence of digital transformation on sports corporate sustainability
Authors: Wang Haixia , Lu Laibing , Fu Yidan , Li Qiuying
Published: April 2024

The trend of digital transformation fosters enterprise change, helps cultivate enterprises’ own competitive advantages and is crucial to the advancement of sports enterprises’ sustainable development in the framework of the emerging digital economy as a national strategy. However, there have been few empirical studies on the microlevel of digital transformation and its impact on the sustainability of sports organizations. Therefore, the sustainable growth dynamic model is used to construct indicators of corporate sustainability by referencing 48 sports corporations listed on Shanghai and Shenzhen A-shares markets and the New Third Board in China from 2012 to 2021. The intrinsic relationship between digital transformation and the sustainable development of sports enterprises and the underlying mechanism of action are explored by constructing a panel fixed effects model, a chain mediating effects model, and a panel threshold model. The most important contribution is as follows: To provide a useful reference for analyzing enterprise digital transformation, a more complete indicator indicating the extent of corporate digital transformation is built. The micro viewpoint broadens our awareness of sustainable development in sports organizations and deepens our understanding of the interaction model between sustainable development and enterprise digital transformation. This study provides methodical evidence and insights for an accurate understanding of digital transformation for sustainable enterprise development, looking into the "black box" of the mechanism between digital transformation and sustainable business development. The results show that digital transformation significantly aids sports enterprises in their pursuit of long-term sustainability. Heterogeneity tests demonstrate the pivotal role of digital transformation in advancing the sustained growth of sports firms and high-tech sports enterprises situated in the eastern region of China. Regarding transmission mechanisms, the chain mediating effect of enterprises’ digital transformation on improved technological innovation and TFP, which in turn promote long-term business growth, has yet to be validated. Further examination exposes that within the context of the correlation between digital transformation and the sustainability of corporations, there is a single threshold effect based on financing restrictions and operational costs and a double threshold effect based on operational efficiency.