bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and validation of the Michigan Chronic Disease Simulation Model (MICROSIM)
Authors: Burke James F. , Copeland Luciana L. , Sussman Jeremy B. , Hayward Rodney A. , Gross Alden L. , Briceño Emily M. , Whitney Rachael , Giordani Bruno J. , Elkind Mitchell S. V. , Manly Jennifer J. , Gottesman Rebecca F. , Gaskin Darrell J. , Sidney Stephen , Yaffe Kristine , Sacco Ralph L. , Heckbert Susan R. , Hughes Timothy M. , Galecki Andrzej T. , Levine Deborah A.
Published: May 2024

Strategies to prevent or delay Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD) are urgently needed, and blood pressure (BP) management is a promising strategy. Yet the effects of different BP control strategies across the life course on AD/ADRD are unknown. Randomized trials may be infeasible due to prolonged follow-up and large sample sizes. Simulation analysis is a practical approach to estimating these effects using the best available existing data. However, existing simulation frameworks cannot estimate the effects of BP control on both dementia and cardiovascular disease. This manuscript describes the design principles, implementation details, and population-level validation of a novel population-health microsimulation framework, the MIchigan ChROnic Disease SIMulation (MICROSIM), for The Effect of Lower Blood Pressure over the Life Course on Late-life Cognition in Blacks, Hispanics, and Whites (BP-COG) study of the effect of BP levels over the life course on dementia and cardiovascular disease. MICROSIM is an agent-based Monte Carlo simulation designed using computer programming best practices. MICROSIM estimates annual vascular risk factor levels and transition probabilities in all-cause dementia, stroke, myocardial infarction, and mortality in a nationally representative sample of US adults 18+ using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). MICROSIM models changes in risk factors over time, cognition and dementia using changes from a pooled dataset of individual participant data from 6 US prospective cardiovascular cohort studies. Cardiovascular risks were estimated using a widely used risk model and BP treatment effects were derived from meta-analyses of randomized trials. MICROSIM is an extensible, open-source framework designed to estimate the population-level impact of different BP management strategies and reproduces US population-level estimates of BP and other vascular risk factors levels, their change over time, and incident all-cause dementia, stroke, myocardial infarction, and mortality.
Evaluating the impact of smart technology on academic eagerness, academic seriousness, and academic performance in elementary english language learners as a foreign language
Authors: Izadpanah Siros
Published: May 2024

The proliferation of smart devices in educational settings has prompted a need to investigate their influence on learners’ attitudes and language learning outcomes. Recent advancements in smart technology (ST) have ignited curiosity regarding their impact on academic eagerness (AE), (AS), and academic performance (AP) among elementary English language learners. Despite this, there remains a dearth of comprehensive discussion in this area. This study encompasses all primary language students from the academic year 2023 as its sample. A multistage sampling method was employed for sample selection. The study introduced ST as an intervention over eight 45-minute sessions spanning two months. Data collection instruments included AE assessments adapted from Fredericks et al., an AS questionnaire developed by the researchers, and an AP questionnaire designed by Pham and Taylor. Data analysis incorporated statistical tests such as the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Levene test, and univariate analysis of covariance. The findings yield valuable insights into the impact of ST on AE, AS, and AP, shedding light on its potential advantages and limitations in language learning. Notably, the experimental group (EG) outperformed the control group (CG). These results contribute to the growing body of knowledge concerning ST integration in education and its consequences on AP and learner attitudes. Ultimately, this research aims to provide evidence-based recommendations for enhancing language learning outcomes and experiences among elementary English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students in the digital education era.
Status and trends in the international wildlife trade in Chameleons with a focus on Tanzania
Authors: Isaac Maxim Conrad , Burgess Neil D. , Tallowin Oliver J. S. , Pavitt Alyson T. , Kadigi Reuben M. J. , Ract Claire
Published: May 2024

Chameleons (family Chamaeleonidae) are a distinctive group of reptiles, mainly found in Africa, which have high local endemism and face significant threats from the international wildlife trade. We review the scale and structure of international chameleon trade, with a focus on collection in and exports from Tanzania; a hotspot of chameleon diversity. Analysis used data from the CITES Trade Database 2000–2019, combined with assessment of online trade, and on-the-ground surveys in Tanzania in 2019. Between 2000 and 2019, 1,128,776 live chameleons from 108 species were reported as exported globally, with 193,093 of these (from 32 species) exported by Tanzania. Both global and Tanzanian chameleon exports declined across the study period, driven by decreased trade in generalist genera. Whilst the proportion of captive-bred individuals increased across time for the generalist taxa, the majority of range-restricted taxa in trade remained largely wild-sourced. For Tanzanian exports, 41% of chameleons were from one of the 23 endemic species, and 10 of the 12 Tanzanian endemic species in trade are categorised as threatened with extinction by IUCN. In terms of online trade, of the 42 Tanzanian species assessed, there was evidence of online sale for 83.3% species, and 69% were actively for sale with prices listed. Prices were on average highest for Trioceros species, followed by Kinyongia, Rieppeleon, Rhampholeon, and Chameleo. Field work in Tanzania provided evidence that the historic harvest of endemic chameleon species has been higher than the quantities of these species reported as exported by Tanzania in their annual trade reports to CITES. However, we found no field evidence for trade in 2020 and 2021, in line with Tanzanian regulations that applied a blanket ban on all exports of live wild animals. Literature evidence, however, suggests that illegal trade continued to Europe from seizures of Tanzanian chameleon species in Austria in 2021.
The impact of population aging on SME digital transformation: Evidence from China
Authors: Xie Xueyan , Xu Xiaohui
Published: May 2024

Many societies around the world are rapidly aging and this has implications for social and economic development. We collect data on NEEQ-listed enterprises from 2010 to 2021 in China and empirically test the effect of population aging on the digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The findings show that population aging has a significant positive impact on SME digital transformation, and private enterprises and enterprises in eastern regions of China tend to benefit more than other regions. The mechanism studies find that population aging positively impacts SME digital transformation by increasing labor costs, facilitating human capital accumulation, and raising savings rates. Furthermore, the threshold effect analyses find that the marginal promotion effect of population aging will weaken with greater aging and will strengthen with a higher level of marketization. Finally, we provide policy recommendations for promoting digital transformation in SMEs against the background of population aging.
Muscle Psn gene combined with exercise contribute to healthy aging of skeletal muscle and lifespan by adaptively regulating Sirt1/PGC-1α and arm pathway
Authors: Gao Ying-hui , Wen Deng-tai , Du Zhong-rui , Wang Jing-feng , Wang Shi-jie
Published: May 2024

The Presenilin (Psn) gene is closely related to aging, but it is still unclear the role of Psn genes in skeletal muscle. Here, the Psn-UAS/Mhc-GAL4 system in Drosophila was used to regulate muscle Psn overexpression(MPO) and muscle Psn knockdown(MPK). Drosophila were subjected to endurance exercise from 4 weeks to 5 weeks old. The results showed that MPO and exercise significantly increased climbing speed, climbing endurance, lifespan, muscle SOD activity, Psn expression, Sirt1 expression, PGC-1α expression, and armadillo (arm) expression in aged Drosophila, and they significantly decreased muscle malondialdehyde levels. Interestingly, when the Psn gene is knockdown by 0.78 times, the PGC-1α expression and arm expression were also down-regulated, but the exercise capacity and lifespan were increased. Furthermore, exercise combined with MPO further improved the exercise capacity and lifespan. MPK combined with exercise further improves the exercise capacity and lifespan. Thus, current results confirmed that the muscle Psn gene was a vital gene that contributed to the healthy aging of skeletal muscle since whether it was overexpressed or knocked down, the aging progress of skeletal muscle structure and function was slowed down by regulating the activity homeostasis of Sirt1/PGC-1α pathway and Psn/arm pathway. Exercise enhanced the function of the Psn gene to delay skeletal muscle aging by up regulating the activity of the Sirt1/PGC-1α pathway and Psn/arm pathway.
Measuring volume fractions of a three-phase flow without separation utilizing an approach based on artificial intelligence and capacitive sensors
Authors: Mayet Abdulilah Mohammad , Fouladinia Farhad , Alizadeh Seyed Mehdi , Alhashim Hala H. , Guerrero John William Grimaldo , Loukil Hassen , Parayangat Muneer , Nazemi Ehsan , Shukla Neeraj Kumar
Published: May 2024

Many different kind of fluids in a wide variety of industries exist, such as two-phase and three-phase. Various combinations of them can be expected and gas-oil-water is one of the most common flows. Measuring the volume fraction of phases without separation is vital in many aspects, one of which is financial issues. Many methods are utilized to ascertain the volumetric proportion of each phase. Sensors based on measuring capacity are so popular because this kind of sensor operates seamlessly and autonomously without necessitating any form of segregation or disruption for measuring in the process. Besides, at the present moment, Artificial intelligence (AI) can be nominated as the most useful tool in several fields, and metering is no exception. Also, three main type of regimes can be found which are annular, stratified, and homogeneous. In this paper, volume fractions in a gas-oil-water three-phase homogeneous regime are measured. To accomplish this objective, an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and a capacitance-based sensor are utilized. To train the presented network, an optimized sensor was implemented in the COMSOL Multiphysics software and after doing a lot of simulations, 231 different data are produced. Among all obtained results, 70 percent of them (161 data) are awarded to the train data, and the rest of them (70 data) are considered for the test data. This investigation proposes a new intelligent metering system based on the Multilayer Perceptron network (MLP) that can estimate a three-phase water-oil-gas fluid’s water volume fraction precisely with a very low error. The obtained Mean Absolute Error (MAE) is equal to 1.66. This dedicates the presented predicting method’s considerable accuracy. Moreover, this study was confined to homogeneous regime and cannot measure void fractions of other fluid types and this can be considered for future works. Besides, temperature and pressure changes which highly temper relative permittivity and density of the liquid inside the pipe can be considered for another future idea.
Spatio-temporal characterization of earthquake sequence parameters and forecasting of strong aftershocks in Xinjiang based on the ETAS model
Authors: Li Ke , Wang Maofa , Zhang Huiguo , Hu Xijian
Published: May 2024

In this paper, the Integrated Nested Laplace Algorithm (INLA) is applied to the Epidemic Type Aftershock Sequence (ETAS) model, and the parameters of the ETAS model are obtained for the earthquake sequences active in different regions of Xinjiang. By analyzing the characteristics of the model parameters over time, the changes in each earthquake sequence are studied in more detail. The estimated values of the ETAS model parameters are used as inputs to forecast strong aftershocks in the next period. We find that there are significant differences in the aftershock triggering capacity and aftershock attenuation capacity of earthquake sequences in different seismic regions of Xinjiang. With different cutoff dates set, we observe the characteristics of the earthquake sequence parameters changing with time after the mainshock occurs, and the model parameters of the Ms7.3 earthquake sequence in Hotan region change significantly with time within 15 days after the earthquake. Compared with the MCMC algorithm, the ETAS model fitted with the INLA algorithm can forecast the number of earthquakes in the early period after the occurrence of strong aftershocks more effectively and can forecast the sudden occurrence time of earthquakes more accurately.
Sphingosine-1-phosphate promotes liver fibrosis in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis
Authors: Osawa Yosuke , Kawai Hironari , Nakashima Keigo , Nakaseko Yuichi , Suto Daisuke , Yanagida Keisuke , Hashidate-Yoshida Tomomi , Mori Taizo , Yoshio Sachiyo , Ohtake Takaaki , Shindou Hideo , Kanto Tatsuya
Published: May 2024

Aim

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is one of the most prevalent liver diseases and is characterized by steatosis and the accumulation of bioactive lipids. This study aims to understand the specific lipid species responsible for the progression of liver fibrosis in MASH.

Methods

Changes in bioactive lipid levels were examined in the livers of MASH mice fed a choline-deficient diet (CDD). Additionally, sphingosine kinase (SphK)1 mRNA, which generates sphingosine 1 phosphate (S1P), was examined in the livers of patients with MASH.

Results

CDD induced MASH and liver fibrosis were accompanied by elevated levels of S1P and increased expression of SphK1 in capillarized liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) in mice. SphK1 mRNA also increased in the livers of patients with MASH. Treatment of primary cultured mouse hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) with S1P stimulated their activation, which was mitigated by the S1P receptor (S1PR)2 inhibitor, JTE013. The inhibition of S1PR2 or its knockout in mice suppressed liver fibrosis without reducing steatosis or hepatocellular damage.

Conclusion

S1P level is increased in MASH livers and contributes to liver fibrosis via S1PR2.
Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio as a biomarker of systemic inflammation in systemic lupus erythematosus: A meta-analysis and systematic review
Authors: Lee Young Ho , Song Gwan Gyu
Published: May 2024

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Additionally, the study aimed to establish an association between PLR and SLE disease activity, specifically lupus nephritis (LN).

Methods

We conducted a comprehensive search across Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases to identify relevant articles. Subsequently, we performed meta-analyses to compare PLR between SLE patients and controls, as well as active and inactive SLE cases, along with LN and non-LN groups. Furthermore, a meta-analysis was conducted on correlation coefficients between PLR and various parameters in SLE patients, including the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI), C3, C4, anti-dsDNA, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP).

Results

In total, fifteen studies comprising 1,522 SLE patients and 1,424 controls were eligible for inclusion. The meta-analysis demonstrated a significant elevation of PLR in the SLE group compared to the control group (Standardized Mean Difference [SMD] = 0.604, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 0.299–0.909, p < 0.001). Upon stratification by ethnicity, an elevated PLR was observed in the SLE group among both Asian and Arab populations. Subgroup analysis based on sample size revealed consistently higher PLR in both small (n < 200) and large sample (n ≥ 200) SLE groups. Moreover, when considering disease activity, there was a noteworthy trend of increased PLR in the active disease group compared to the inactive group (SMD = 0.553, 95% CI = 0.000–1.106, p = 0.050). However, the meta-analysis did not demonstrate a significant distinction in PLR between the LN and non-LN groups. Notably, a positive association was established between PLR and SLEDAI (correlation coefficient = 0.325, 95% CI = 0.176–0.459, p < 0.001). Furthermore, PLR exhibited positive correlations with ESR, CRP, proteinuria, C3, and anti-dsDNA antibody levels.

Conclusions

The outcomes of this meta-analysis underscored the elevated PLR in SLE patients, suggesting its potential as a biomarker for gauging systemic inflammation in SLE. Additionally, PLR exhibited correlations with SLEDAI, as well as with key indicators such as ESR, CRP, proteinuria, C3, and anti-dsDNA antibody levels.
A culture-independent nucleic acid diagnostics method for use in the detection and quantification of Burkholderia cepacia complex contamination in aqueous finished pharmaceutical products
Authors: Duong Huong , Minogue Elizabeth , Fullbrook Shannon , Barry Thomas , Reddington Kate
Published: May 2024

The Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) is the number one bacterial complex associated with contaminated Finished Pharmaceutical Products (FPPs). This has resulted in multiple healthcare related infection morbidity and mortality events in conjunction with significant FPP recalls globally. Current microbiological quality control of FPPs before release for distribution depends on lengthy, laborious, non-specific, traditional culture-dependent methods which lack sensitivity. Here, we present the development of a culture-independent Bcc Nucleic Acid Diagnostic (NAD) method for detecting Bcc contaminants associated with Over-The-Counter aqueous FPPs. The culture-independent Bcc NAD method was validated to be specific for detecting Bcc at different contamination levels from spiked aqueous FPPs. The accuracy in Bcc quantitative measurements was achieved by the high degree of Bcc recovery from aqueous FPPs. The low variation observed between several repeated Bcc quantitative measurements further demonstrated the precision of Bcc quantification in FPPs. The robustness of the culture-independent Bcc NAD method was determined when its accuracy and precision were not significantly affected during testing of numerous aqueous FPP types with different ingredient matrices, antimicrobial preservative components and routes of administration. The culture-independent Bcc NAD method showed an ability to detect Bcc in spiked aqueous FPPs at a concentration of 20 Bcc CFU/mL. The rapid (≤ 4 hours from sample in to result out), robust, culture-independent Bcc NAD method presented provides rigorous test specificity, accuracy, precision, and sensitivity. This method, validated with equivalence to ISO standard ISO/TS 12869:2019, can be a valuable diagnostic tool in supporting microbiological quality control procedures to aid the pharmaceutical industry in preventing Bcc contamination of aqueous FPPs for consumer safety.
Attitude toward vaccination against COVID-19 and acceptance of the national “QazVac” vaccine in the Aktobe city population, West Kazakhstan: A cross-sectional survey
Authors: Urazayeva Saltanat T. , Kurmangaliyeva Saulesh S. , Kaliyev Asset A. , Tussupkaliyeva Kymbat Sh. , Issimov Arman , Urazayeva Aisha B. , Tashimova Zhuldyz K. , Mussin Nadiar M. , Begalin Toleukhan , Amanshiyeva Aimeken A. , Nurmaganbetova Gulaiym Zh. , Nurmukhamedova Shara M. , Balmagambetova Saule
Published: May 2024

The scale of emergency caused by COVID-19, the ease of survey, and the crowdsourcing deployment guaranteed by the latest technology have allowed unprecedented access to data describing behavioral changes induced by the pandemic. The study aimed to present the survey results identifying attitudes toward vaccination against COVID-19 among the population of West Kazakhstan, the level of confidence in the national QazVac vaccine, and the role of different sources of information on COVID-19 in decision-making concerning vaccination. A computer-assisted survey was conducted using WhatsApp messenger. Overall, 2,009 participants responded, with a response rate of 92%. Most (83.1%) were immunized against COVID-19; among them, 20.1% obeyed the request of their employers that had been practiced within non-pharmaceutical interventions to contain the disease. The youngest respondents, individuals with a college education, students, and employed people, as well as those with chronic diseases, showed positive attitudes toward vaccination (all p<0.05). About two-thirds of respondents (69.2%) expressed trust in all types of vaccines against COVID-19. Of those who refused vaccination (16.9%), about one-third feared vaccination consequences, and more than a third (38.2%) reported anti-vaccine sentiments. The decisive factors in accepting vaccination were trust in official sources of information (reports of medical experts, etc.) and, mainly, subjectively interpreted sufficiency of information about the disease, which had increased the odds of being vaccinated by 63.9% (OR 1.71, 95% CI [1.3;2.26], p<0.05). Confidence in the domestic QazVac vaccine was expressed by 37.7% of respondents. History and severity of COVID-19 disease did not play a role in positive perceptions of vaccination, while illness after vaccination substantially affected vaccination approval (p 0.021). No significant differences have been observed regarding the overall performance across five vaccines (QazVac, Sputnik V, CoronaVac, Hayat-Vax, and BioNTech/Pfizer) available for Kazakhstan’s population (p 0.27).
Exploiting bacterial effector proteins to uncover evolutionarily conserved antiviral host machinery
Authors: Embry Aaron , Baggett Nina S. , Heisler David B. , White Addison , de Jong Maarten F. , Kocsis Benjamin L. , Tomchick Diana R. , Alto Neal M. , Gammon Don B.
Published: May 2024

Arboviruses are a diverse group of insect-transmitted pathogens that pose global public health challenges. Identifying evolutionarily conserved host factors that combat arbovirus replication in disparate eukaryotic hosts is important as they may tip the balance between productive and abortive viral replication, and thus determine virus host range. Here, we exploit naturally abortive arbovirus infections that we identified in lepidopteran cells and use bacterial effector proteins to uncover host factors restricting arbovirus replication. Bacterial effectors are proteins secreted by pathogenic bacteria into eukaryotic hosts cells that can inhibit antimicrobial defenses. Since bacteria and viruses can encounter common host defenses, we hypothesized that some bacterial effectors may inhibit host factors that restrict arbovirus replication in lepidopteran cells. Thus, we used bacterial effectors as molecular tools to identify host factors that restrict four distinct arboviruses in lepidopteran cells. By screening 210 effectors encoded by seven different bacterial pathogens, we identify several effectors that individually rescue the replication of all four arboviruses. We show that these effectors encode diverse enzymatic activities that are required to break arbovirus restriction. We further characterizeShigella flexneri-encoded IpaH4 as an E3 ubiquitin ligase that directly ubiquitinates two evolutionarily conserved proteins, SHOC2 and PSMC1, promoting their degradation in insect and human cells. We show that depletion of either SHOC2 or PSMC1 in insect or human cells promotes arbovirus replication, indicating that these are ancient virus restriction factors conserved across invertebrate and vertebrate hosts. Collectively, our study reveals a novel pathogen-guided approach to identify conserved antimicrobial machinery, new effector functions, and conserved roles for SHOC2 and PSMC1 in virus restriction.
New

approaches

to assess stability of wood

fiber
Authors: Beuth Elena , Schreiner Maximilian , Lohr Dieter , Meinken Elke
Published: May 2024

In the wake of the decarbonisation of the entire economy, the use of peat in horticulture is under increasing pressure. In Germany, wood fibre is by far the most important substitute in growing media for professional horticulture. However, due to readily microbial degradability and a wide C:N ratio, nitrogen immobilization is a major problem of wood fibre products and considerably limits their use. Concurrently, stability of wood fibre is assessed by incubation experiments in which the change of mineral nitrogen is measured. However, these experiments have three shortcomings: First, they are quite labour and time-consuming as incubation period is up to 21 days. Second, if long-term fertilizers – especially urea-aldehyde condensation products – are applied by the manufacturer, the experiments only provide information about the stability of the N balance, but not about the stability of the material itself. Third, comparability and repeatability of the incubation experiments are rather poor. To overcome these shortcomings new approaches to evaluate stability of wood fibre were tested.

The setup of the first approach is similar to the currently used incubation experiments. However, the incubation period is only five days and additionally to change in mineral nitrogen from the beginning to the end of the experiment, carbon mineralization is analysed continuously by Oxitop®-C measuring heads. The second approach focusses on the characterization of readily decomposable nitrogen and carbon fractions in the wood fibre. On the one hand, hydrolysable nitrogen and carbon is measured and on the other hand, a stepwise thermal fractionation of carbon under pyrolytic conditions is done.

The results of the two approaches are compared to nitrogen immobilization measured in common incubation experiments and further validated by nitrogen balances deduced form short-term pot experiments with Chinese cabbage.
Role of vitamins and nutrients in the management of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): a narrative review
Authors: El-Sayed Rehab , Saad Alamri Eman , El-Sayed Mohamed , Salem Alshehri Ohod , E. Altawil Afnan , Zaitone Sawsan
Published: May 2024

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common psychiatric disorder that affects individuals across all age groups, including children, adolescents, and adults. The etiology of ADHD involves lack of a number of nutrients and food components. However, certain dietary strategies have been suggested as additional therapy in this condition. Google Scholar, SCOPUS, and PubMed were among the databases searched for the studies. This review shed light on the correlation of dietary patterns with ADHD and to provide a concise summary of the current research about the practical application of dietary therapies. In the research, unhealthy eating habits were positively correlated with ADHD, but healthy eating habits were negatively correlated. Furthermore, there is a notable correlation between ADHD and a lack of certain nutrients, including iron, zinc, magnesium, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and vitamin D. The main limitation of this narrative review is the lack of scientific evidence. Although these dietary modifications are promising strategies for ADHD management, a stronger scientific proof is needed to be validated.
Natural History and Outcomes of Individuals With Functional Bowel Disorder: A 9-year Population-Based Longitudinal Study
Authors: Chen Binrui , Du Lijun , Zhang Yawen , Cen Mengsha , Luo Liang , Xu Mengque , Kim John J. , Dai Ning
Published: May 2024

INTRODUCTION:

Long-term studies characterizing the natural history of functional bowel disorder (FBD) from community-based settings and exploring association with psychological factors are sparse. We aimed to evaluate the evolution of symptoms, health outcomes, and association of FBD with psychological disorders in Chinese population.

METHODS:

Individuals identified from random sampling of residents of Hangzhou, China, participated in a baseline survey in January 2010. Follow-up phone survey was conducted in December 2018. FBD was diagnosed based on Rome III criteria.

RESULTS:

Among 452 individuals (mean age 44.6 ± 15.3 years, 174 [38%] male) who completed the study, the prevalence of FBD was 36.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 32.6–40.0%) at enrollment and 36.1% (95% CI 32.3–39.8%) at follow-up survey (P = 0.94). However, 214 individuals (47%) had interval change in diagnosis. Although no difference in incidence of organic disease or death was observed, a higher proportion of patients with FBD (16/164, 9.8% vs 9/288, 3.1%; P = 0.003) compared with those without FBD received non-cancer-related abdominal and/or pelvic surgery during follow-up. FBD was associated with anxiety and/or depression at initial (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.7, 95% CI 1.7–2.7, P = 0.02) and follow-up (AOR = 8.0, 95% CI 3.2–20.0, P < 0.001) surveys. Diagnosis of FBD at baseline was associated with new-onset anxiety and/or depression at follow-up (AOR = 3.2, 95% CI 1.2–8.3, P = 0.01).

DISCUSSION:

Although the prevalence of FBD remained stable, transformation of symptoms was common over time. Patients with FBD may have increased risk of receiving non-cancer-related abdominal and/or pelvic surgery. FBD symptoms at baseline increased the risk of new-onset anxiety and/or depression by 3.2-fold over the next 9 years.
The Impact of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Proton Pump Inhibitor Use on the Risk of Repeat Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Cai Jennifer X. , Algara Miguel , Lo Wai-Kit , Kapur Sunil , Chan Walter W.
Published: May 2024

INTRODUCTION:

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been associated with increased incidence/recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the impact of GERD and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy on outcomes of AF catheter ablation remains unclear. We aimed to assess the association between the presence of GERD and risk of repeat AF ablation, stratified by PPI therapy.

METHODS:

A retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients with paroxysmal/persistent AF undergoing initial ablation in January 2011–September 2015. GERD was defined by endoscopic findings, objective reflux testing, or clinical symptoms. The association between GERD/PPI use and time to repeat ablation was evaluated by time-to-event analysis with censoring at the last clinic follow-up within 1 year.

RESULTS:

Three hundred eighty-one subjects were included. Patients with GERD (n = 80) had a higher 1-year repeat ablation rate compared with those with no GERD (25% vs 11.3%, P = 0.0034). Stratifying by PPI use, patients with untreated GERD (37.5%) more likely needed repeat ablation compared with reflux-free (11.3%, P = 0.0003) and treated GERD (16.7%, P = 0.035) subjects. On multivariable Cox regression analyses, GERD was an independent risk factor of repeat ablation (hazard ratio [HR] 3.30, confidence interval [CI] 1.79–6.08, P = 0.0001). Specifically, untreated GERD was associated with earlier repeat ablation compared with no GERD (HR 4.02, CI 1.62–12.05, P = 0.0013). However, no significant difference in repeat ablation risk was noted between reflux-free and PPI-treated GERD groups.

DISCUSSION:

GERD was an independent predictor for risk of repeat AF ablation within 1 year, even after controlling for major cardiovascular comorbidities and confounders. PPI therapy modulated this risk, as repeat ablation-free survival for PPI-treated GERD was noninferior to reflux-free patients.
Unveiling the Relationship Between ESG Scores and Firm Performance in India: A System GMM Approach
Authors: Dwibedi Pruthiranjan , Pahi Debasis , Sahu Antarjyamisahu
Published: May 2024

This paper investigates the impact of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) scores as well as individual pillar scores on the firm performance in the Indian context. Even though a lot of research has been conducted world-wide concerning this issue, a conclusive result has not yet been derived. Being an emerging economy, India is at a nascent stage of research related to ESG issues, and past research indicates a mixed result. In order to avoid the potential endogeneity issue, this paper used a dynamic panel approach of system GMM. This paper considered data from 59 non-financial companies listed under the NSE 500 index. Data was collected from the Thomson Reuters Refinitiv Eikon database over a period of 11, spanning from 2010 to 2021. The finding suggested a significantly negative impact of ESG score on firm performance measured by Tobin's Q and ROA, which indicates a non-linear U-shaped relationship. Net profit margin and closing price are used as alternative, dependent variables to check the robustness of the models and show consistent results. The environmental pillar score and social pillar score showed a negative impact on firm performance, whereas the governance pillar score showed a positive impact on market performance but negatively impacted financial performance. The key takeaway from this paper is that, if firms continue to improve ESG disclosure, it will positively impact firm performance in the future.
Propensity Score Matching and a Difference in Difference Approach to Assess ESG’s Influence on Indian Acquirer Performance
Authors: Neethu T C , Arun T C
Published: May 2024

This research involves an in-depth analysis of the intricate relationship between Environmental, Social, and Governance scores and the financial and operational performance of Indian acquirers. The research methodology employed herein entails a meticulously crafted design, incorporating a blend of the Propensity Score Matching and Difference-in-Differences model. This strategic amalgamation serves to rigorously assess the impact of ESG factors on the performance outcomes of Indian acquirers involved in M&As. The empirical findings of this study reveal a robust and statistically significant correlation between M&A endeavours and ESG considerations. Notably, the research discerns that M&A activities tend to exert an adverse influence on ESG performance metrics within the Indian corporate landscape. This nuanced insight underscores the multifaceted interplay between strategic corporate actions and the broader sustainability and governance landscape, thereby offering valuable implications for scholars and practitioners in finance and corporate strategy.
Unlocking Trade Credit Opportunities and Working Capital Efficiency through ESG Disclosure
Authors: Mathath Nidhin , Kumar Vinod
Published: May 2024

This paper explores the impact of firms’ ESG performance on their trade credit financing and working capital efficiency, utilizing a sample of 586 Indian firms listed on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) from 2015 to 2022. The study offers robust evidence supporting the positive connection between superior ESG disclosure and trade credit, as well as the negative link between ESG disclosure and the cash conversion cycle. These findings underscore the role of ESG disclosure in increasing suppliers’ willingness to extend trade credit and facilitating efficient working capital management practices. The result shows that improved ESG disclosure practices increase payable turnover days and reduce both inventory turnover and receivable turnover days, reflecting the enhanced operational efficiency and market power of the firm.
Predictive Analysis of S&P BSE Greenex Index: Unlocking Insights for Sustainable Investments
Authors: Nazareth Noella , Reddy Y V
Published: May 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to reduced economic and industrial activities, prompting a noticeable transition towards a more sustainable way of life. This could indicate that we are on the path to reducing our carbon footprint in the long term. Consequently, analysed the performance of India's sustainability index, the S&P BSE GREENEX, which assesses the sector-wise carbon performance of stocks. It comprises stocks selected based on their energy efficiency performance using publicly disclosed financial and energy data. Forecasting the stock market is critical when formulating investment strategies. Considering the profound negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global stock markets, investment decisions are becoming increasingly challenging and riskier, especially when channelling funds towards green technologies and clean energy. This study analysed the predictive accuracy of the Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) deep learning model for Indian companies that promote sustainability through their investment decisions during and after the COVID-19 period. The empirical outcomes demonstrate the ability of the LSTM model to generate fairly precise predictions for a wide spectrum of companies across diverse sectors; during and after the crisis. These findings provide valuable insights for investors seeking to make informed decisions regarding sustainability-focused investments as represented by the S&P BSE GREENEX Index.
The Rise of Finfluencers: A Digital Transformation in Investment Advice
Authors: Singh Shallendra , Sarva Mahesh
Published: May 2024

The primary aim of this study is to investigate the extent to which finfluencers can be considered experts who fulfill the critical role of information intermediaries contributing to the efficiency of financial markets. To assess this, we assembled a manually collected dataset consisting of recommendations made by finfluencers. We conducted an event study to analyze both short-term and long-term effects on stocks. The findings reveal that, on average, all stocks examined during the event window [-10, +10] days exhibit a noteworthy Cumulative Abnormal Announcement Return (CAAR). The outcome suggests that, in the short term, finfluencers may not be deemed as experts. In contrast, the long-term Buy-and-Hold Abnormal Returns (BHAR) were positive and also statistically significant. Considering these results and the frequent absence of financial licenses among finfluencers, along with their tendency to endorse risky investments, we endorse SEBI's action in issuing a consultation paper (dated 25th August 2023) to regulate unregistered finfluencers. These measures are aimed at safeguarding inexperienced investors from taking undue risks and ensuring the integrity of financial markets.
Exploring Algorithmic Solutions for Effective Decisions Concerning Investments in Equity Stocks Amidst Financial Disruptions Using the COVID 19 and Sub-prime Crises as Case Studies
Authors: Mainkar Shaunak , Borawake Hemangi , Ranjane Tanishq
Published: May 2024

Investors face a basic dilemma during a financial crisis i.e., whether to exit and re-enter or to continue with the existing set of positions. The timing of entry and exit plays a crucial role in determining the rate of returns generated by a portfolio. Thus, the problem faced by investors during a crisis is whether to exit or to continue and how to determine the timing of exit if the first option is chosen. This research paper attempts to find solutions to the problems faced by investors. The research paper focuses on addressing the parameters used to determine the exit and re-entry and the time factor associated with it. A timely entry in the right stocks will lead to a good return on the portfolio. The research paper is an attempt to determine the factor by which rate of return is affected if the norms of timely entry and exit are followed. The team of researchers has identified two specific times in the history of financial markets when the fall in the markets was considerable and led to a lot of confusion amongst investors. These two times are the case studies for comparison: The first one is the sub-prime lending crisis in 2008-09 and the second one is the fall due to COVID-19 in 2019-20. These two events underline the fact that decision making in the financial markets is a very subjective domain and the returns are dependent on the system followed by the investors.
Biases in Capital Market Instrument Investing Decisions: A Study from India
Authors: Agarwal Sakshi , Singh Saurabh
Published: May 2024

This study examines the influence of different behavioral biases on the investment choices made by individual investors in the Indian capital market. The study utilizes a cross-sectional design, which entails gathering a substantial amount of data at a specific point in time. The study employed a survey methodology to collect data from a sample of 497 individual investors using purposive and snowball sampling. The data was collected using structural equation modeling (SEM), utilizing SPSS version 25 and AMOS version 26 as statistical software. This study characterizes individual investors as displaying irrational conduct. The study reveals a significant and positive association between representativeness, anchoring, and loss aversion biases and the investment decision-making process of individual investors in India. This study will enhance the current corpus of literature by examining the field of behavioral finance, which is gaining acknowledgment. Furthermore, few researchers have specifically examined these biases in developing countries, such as India.
The Influence of Emotions and Social Value Orientation on Risk Tolerance and Sustainable Investment Choices
Authors: Verma Surbhi , Kanna Ashu
Published: May 2024

Purpose - The intricacy of the decision-making process has increased due to the inherent uncertainty surrounding investments. Therefore, the study aims to investigate the impact of individuals' Social Value Orientation (SVO), Emotional Instability (EI), and demographic factors on their Financial Risk Tolerance (FRT) levels. Additionally, it aims to investigate whether SVO and EI influence the adoption of socially responsible investment (SRI) funds and the diverse investment choices made by individuals. Methodology - A convenient sampling technique was employed to gather data from 355 Indian retail investors through a structured questionnaire. Subsequently, the collected data was then examined and interpreted using binary logistic regression and chi-square tests facilitated by the SPSS 26 software. Findings - The results emphasize that SVO, EI, Age, Marital status and Gender are significant predictors of investors' FRT. Furthermore, our study unveils that investors with a pro-social mindset are more inclined to invest in SRI funds compared to those who prioritize themselves. Originality – The current study contributes to the existing literature by introducing a novel and unexplored variable, i.e., SVO, for academic consideration in risk tolerance. Moreover, this study imparts a profound understanding of behavioural finance by illuminating the influence of investors' values and emotions on their inclination to embrace risk. Social Implication - By examining investors' preferences and interests in SRI, we gain valuable insight into the growing importance of sustainable funds. This aligns harmoniously with the overarching pursuit of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as these conscientious investment funds scrutinize and eliminate companies that harm society.
Green credit and bank performance in Indonesia
Authors: Andaiyani Sri , Muthia Fida , Novriansa Agil
Published: May 2024

A new challenge for the banking sector In Indonesia is integrating social aspects in firm performance reports. Green Credit is expected to substantially drive capital allocation to sustainable development which eventually will impact the pattern of production and consumption in the future. In this study, using commercial bank data in Indonesia, we estimate an empirical model of the effect of green credit on bank performance in Indonesia during the period 2015 to 2021. We employ a panel dynamic model using the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM). We differ bank performance twofold which are return on asset (ROA)). The main finding shows that green credit significantly abates bank performance since some green economy projects focus on the public welfare. Therefore, green credit could not result in high returns. The government should formulate a policy of providing incentives to banks that offer green credit. Thus, it could encourage the willingness of banks to lend more funds to the green economy.
Pudarnya Eksistensi dan Pegeseran Nilai Jajanan Tradisional: Studi Kasus Es Gempol Pleret di Semarang
Authors: Kurniawan Nathaniel , Hanjani Vania Pramudita
Published: May 2024

Globalisasi telah merambah kepada semua aspek masyarakat, tidak terkecuali pada perubahan preferensi masyarakat pada sektor kuliner. Kuliner terutama pada jajanan tradisional mengalami pelunturan eksistensi yang disebabkan oleh berubahnya selera mayoritas masyarakat di suatu daerah. Hal tersebut terjadi pada es gempol pleret, sebuah jajanan pasar yang awalnya memiliki identitas budaya sebagai simbol jajanan tradisional khas Kota Semarang. Pada masa kini eksistensi es gempol pleret mulai luntur di tengah popularitas jajanan lain yang masuk ke Kota Semarang. Es gempol pleret, yang dulu populer sebagai jajanan yang menyegarkan, kini harus redup di era modern. Hal itu secara sederhana dibuktikan dengan sedikitnya pedagang es gempol pleret yang ditemui, kurang dikenalnya jajanan ini oleh para generasi muda, dan ekspansi dari jajanan ini yang tidak terlihat. Artikel ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui alasan mengapa simbolisme dalam jajanan es gempol pleret memudar, dan mengapa keberadaan jajanan ini sulit bertahan di tengah kehidupan modern di Kota Semarang. Studi ini menggunakan pendekatan interpretivisme simbolik yang dipopulerkan oleh Clifford Geertz, dengan asumsi bahwa pemahaman manusia terhadap sesuatu akan sejalan dengan makna dan nilai yang melekat pada hal tersebut. Studi ini akan didukung oleh data dari berbagai artikel dan hasil wawancara dengan beberapa penjual es gempol di Kota Semarang.
Performance evaluation and user experience of BT-50 transportation unit with automated and scheduled quality control measurements
Authors: Tabata Minori , Nakai Rie , Kajihara Kyoko , Nakagawa Hiromi , Yamasaki Shinichi , Hayashi Fumiaki , Mokuda Sho
Published: May 2024

Objectives

Even in the current era of hematology analyzer automation and peripheral equipment, quality control sample measurement remains a manual task, leading to variability in quality control data and increased workload. In this study, we evaluated the performance of quality control measurement using the BT-50 Transportation Unit (BT-50, Sysmex, Kobe, Japan), equipped with a scheduled automatic quality control function, to ensure measurement accuracy and streamline the workflow of hematology testing.

Methods

We evaluated the automatic measurement performance of quality control samples using the BT-50 for six representative blood test parameters: WBC (white blood cell), RBC (red blood cell), HGB (hemoglobin), HCT (hematocrit), PLT (platelet), and RET% (reticulocyte percent). We evaluated the equivalence and compared measurement accuracy between the BT-50 and the manual method. We then compared the variability to other laboratories and confirmed the stability of quality control samples. We also evaluated changes in workflow and staff resources before and after the introduction of the BT-50.

Results

The quality control measurement results for the BT-50 and the manual method were found to be equivalent for all six parameters. The variability measured by the BT-50 was lower for some parameters compared to the manual method. Furthermore, the workflow was streamlined by reducing manual processes, resulting in increased efficiency.

Conclusions

We confirmed the performance of quality control measurements using the schedule function of the BT-50. Introducing the BT-50 reduced the operator’s workload, improved operational efficiency, and promoted the standardization of quality control measurements.