bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of Calcium Silicate-Based vs. Resin-Based Sealers on Pull-Out Bond Strength of Two Universal Adhesive/Resin Cement Combinations for Fiber Posts Cementation
Authors:   College of Dental Medicine, Rangsit University, Pathum Thani 12000, Thailand, Eamsa-ard Pimpinee , Yodmanotham Prattana ,   College of Dental Medicine, Rangsit University, Pathum Thani 12000, Thailand, Saelee Jidapa ,   College of Dental Medicine, Rangsit University, Pathum Thani 12000, Thailand, Awsakulsutthi Pimsiri ,   College of Dental Medicine, Rangsit University, Pathum Thani 12000, Thailand, Poolsawat Poolvalee ,   College of Dental Medicine, Rangsit University, Pathum Thani 12000, Thailand, Ketiphan Yotyothin ,   College of Dental Medicine, Rangsit University, Pathum Thani 12000, Thailand
Published: January 2025

This in vitro study investigated the influence of root canal sealer type (calcium silicate-based vs. resin-based) on the pull-out bond strength of two universal adhesive/resin cement combinations. Forty-eight human premolars were prepared, obturated with either Ceraseal™ (calcium-silicate based) (C) or AH Plus™ (resin-based) (A), and stored at 37°C, 100% humidity for 24 hours. Two adhesive/resin cement combinations were used for fiber post cementation: Single Bond Universal/RelyX™ Ultimate (UT) and ScotchbondTM Universal Plus/RelyX™ Universal (UN). Pull-out bond strength values (Newton) were measured after seven days using a universal testing machine. Then all fiber posts were observed for mode of failure using a stereomicroscope. AH PlusTM and ScotchbondTM Universal Plus/RelyXTM Universal (AUN) had the highest bond strength (263.50 ± 46.47 N), while CeraSealTM and Single Bond Universal Adhesive/RelyXTM Ultimate (CUT) had the lowest (202.88± 38.21 N). The results of the two-way ANOVA indicated a significant main effect for root canal sealer types (P = 0.025); a significant main effect for resin cement types (P = 0.015); and no significant interaction effect between root canal sealer types and resin cement types (P = 0.068). Post hoc Tukey HSD testing revealed significant differences between CUT and CUN (p = 0.008), CUT and AUN (P = 0.003), and CUT and AUT (P = 0.024). The most common failure mode was the mixed type. The type of root canal sealer and the combination of adhesive/resin cements influence pull-out bond strength values. Using the calcium-silicated base sealer may decrease the pull-out bond strength values in certain adhesive/resin cement combinations.
Evaluation of Polyphenolic Content, Antioxidant and Anti-diabetic Activity of Different Solvent Extracts of Sauauria vulcani Korth. Leaves
Authors:   Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Gorontalo, Indonesia, Musa Weny J.A . , Bialangi Nurhayati ,   Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Gorontalo, Indonesia, Kilo Ahmad Kadir ,   Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Gorontalo, Indonesia, Situmeang Boima ,   Department of Chemistry, Sekolah Tinggi Analis Kimia Cilegon, Indonesia
Published: January 2025

Sauauria vulcani serves as a rich source of secondary metabolites, including triterpenoids, steroids, tannins, and flavonoids. The present study aimed to assess the biological activities of the S. vulcani leaves, which is an indigenous plant found in West Indonesia. Dried S. vulcani leaves were macerated with hexane to obtain HPE, ethyl acetate to obtain EPE, and methanol to obtain MPE. The TPC was assessed using the Folin-Ciocalteu method, and the TFC was determined utilizing the aluminum chloride assay. Antioxidant activity was evaluated through the DPPH and ABTS assays. The α-amylase inhibition activity of HPE, EPE, and MPE was assessed using the DNS method. The study identified various secondary metabolites in the extracts, including phenolics, flavonoids, triterpenoids, steroids, tannins, and saponins. MPE exhibited the highest TPC and TFC with values of 38.501 ± 0.891 mg GAE/g and 31.436 ± 0.797 mg QAE/g, respectively. In the DPPH and ABTS assays, MPE showed the highest antioxidant capacity, with IC50 values of 54.74 µg/mL and 61.10 µg/mL, respectively. EPE and MPE of S. vulcani displayed increased levels of polyphenolic content, which contributed to their antioxidant effects. The α-amylase inhibitory studies showed that the extracts of S. vulcani (EPE, MPE) had significant inhibitory effects. This study suggests that the EPE and MPE extracts of S. vulcani have the potential as natural sources of bioactives for drug development.
Demonstration of femtosecond laser induced refractive index change in silk-fibroin hydrogels
Authors: Islam Quazi Rushnan , Gutierrez-Contreras Rocio , Marcos Susana , Knox Wayne H.
Published: January 2025

We present induced refractive index changes in biocompatible silk fibroin hydrogels using two different femtosecond laser systems: one using 400 nm at 80 MHz and the other employing 517 nm at 8.3 MHz. Both modalities produced significant index changes, demonstrating the potential to create custom refractive correctors. Additionally, the biocompatibility and environmentally friendly properties of silk-fibroin make it an ideal platform for developing new types of intraocular implants that incorporate tunable refractive corrections.
Numerical study of high-temperature, disk-based tungsten and molybdenum thermophotovoltaic selective thermal emitters
Authors: Silva-Oelker Gerardo , Jaramillo Fernández Juliana , Toledo Nelson
Published: January 2025

This work investigates the design of two-dimensional metal-disk-based selective thermal emitters (STEs) for thermophotovoltaic (TPV) applications. A parametric analysis is conducted to study the effect of geometrical parameters on the emittance of the STEs. We focus on STEs made from two refractory metals, tungsten (W) and molybdenum (Mo), including a hafnia spacer. For both metals, we employ a temperature-dependent complex permittivity model to examine the influence of high temperatures on the spectral emission of the STEs. The designed STEs show high emittance, in the electron-hole pair generation range, even at larger angles. Furthermore, we implement a model to quantify the conversion efficiency of a GaSb photovoltaic cell and evaluate the performance of the proposed STE systems at room and high temperatures. The model predicts efficiencies of 20.99% for W and 20.38% for Mo at 1685 K. We found that magnetic polaritons, surface plasmon polaritons, and cavity resonances are responsible for the high broadband emittance obtained and that the emittance at shorter wavelengths is more stable as a function of temperature than longer wavelengths. Additionally, when considering properties at room temperature, the efficiency of the TPV system is overestimated by 15% and 22% for STEs based on W and Mo, respectively, showing the importance of considering the effect of temperature in the design of STEs.
A miniature reflective varifocal vector scanner
Authors: Haidarian Shahab , Wallrabe Ulrike
Published: January 2025

In many optical applications, light manipulations such as scanning, focusing, and beam shaping are typically achieved through separate components. Combining these functionalities into a single component yields a compact, multifunctional device, resulting in higher optical efficiency and easier integration into optical setups. In this work, we introduce a reflective optomechanical device that combines scanning and focusing functions, enabling 3D scanning. Its actuation mechanism enables non-resonant vector scanning, dynamic beam focusing, and precise out-of-plane displacement, allowing it to operate effectively as a piston mirror as well. In the current version, the device can achieve up to ±3.5° mechanical tilt angles, i.e., 14° field of view and a focal power tuning range of ±16 m−1.
Low-complexity cluster-assisting look-up-table-based Volterra decision-feedback equalizer for IM/DD systems
Authors: Zhang Junwei , Tan Heyun , Lau Alan Pak Tao , Li Zhaohui , Lu Chao
Published: January 2025

To address the challenges posed by chromatic dispersion (CD)-induced power fading and nonlinear signal distortions in double-sideband (DSB) intensity modulation and direct detection (IM/DD) transmission systems, a combination of a Volterra feed-forward equalizer (VFFE) and a Volterra decision-feedback equalizer (VDFE) is widely employed. However, the conventional VFFE–VDFE exhibits significant computational complexity, particularly for longer memory lengths. In this Letter, a low-complexity cluster-assisting look-up table-based VDFE (CLUT-VDFE) is proposed to effectively reduce the computational complexity associated with compensating for CD and nonlinear distortions. By utilizing CLUTs, all multiplication operations required for the implementation of the VDFE are completely eliminated. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed CLUT-VDFE, experiments on a C-band 100-Gb/s PAM-4 transmission system over a 60-km standard single-mode fiber (SSMF) are conducted. The experimental results show that the CLUT-VDFE not only achieves comparable equalization performance to the conventional VDFE but also effectively eliminates multiplication operations and significantly saves 48.8% real-valued additions.
Electrohydrodynamic Circulation System and Flow Velocity Measurement of Ultra-Compact Excimer Laser
Authors: Han Jinliang , shen qihui , Dai Yangguang , Shao Jingzhen , Lin Ying , Liang Xu
Published: January 2025

The realization of ultra-compact excimer lasers and the efficient cycling of medium constitute a critical and challenging issue that requires resolution. This study presents the design of an ultra-compact excimer laser with no moving parts, featuring a compact size and lightweight construction, based on the principles of electrohydrodynamics (EHD). By employing an adaptive cascaded Boltzmann convolution framework, an innovative non-invasive velocity measurement method for the ultra-compact excimer laser is developed, characterized by its simplicity and high precision. The experimental results demonstrate that the measured flow velocity is in close agreement with our previously reported theoretical predictions. When the EHD pump voltage is set to 5000V and the electrode spacing is 0.6 cm, the flow velocity at the main electrode of the laser can reach 1.27 m s-1. Furthermore, we design an ultra-compact XeCl laser featuring the axial length of 300 mm and the diameter of 130 mm, and examined its energy output characteristics. The experimental results show that laser energy and stability increase with higher EHD pump voltage at high frequency. When the main electrode voltage is set to 12 kV and the discharge frequency is 100 Hz, the laser can stably output a maximum pulse energy of 2.02 mJ.
Impact of seasonal malaria chemoprevention timing on clinical malaria incidence dynamics in the Kedougou region, Senegal
Authors: Kazanga Betty , Ba El-Hadj , Legendre Eva , Cissoko Mady , Fleury Laurence , Bérard Lucas , Diop Abdoulaye , Sokhna Cheikh , Danfakha Fode , Sagara Issaka , Ndiaye Jean-Louis , Gaudart Jean , Landier Jordi
Published: January 2025

Seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine and amodiaquine is recommended by the World Health Organization since 2012 for clinical malaria prevention in children in the Sahelian region of Africa. In Senegal, SMC implementation began in 2013 and is given to children under 10 years old. This study aimed to describe clinical malaria incidence in the general population during routine SMC implementation and to analyse how SMC timing impacted clinical malaria dynamics in eligible children. We conducted an ecological study in the Kedougou region of Senegal in 27 villages included in the Bandafassi Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS). We calculated weekly Plasmodium falciparum malaria incidence by age group using malaria case data recorded by community health workers and health-posts, and population denominators obtained from Bandafassi Health and Demographic Surveillance System. We used negative binomial generalized additive multilevel models to analyse the incidence of clinical episodes in children under 10 years during the expected SMC prophylactic period and at the end of the transmission period. Malaria incidence was strongly seasonal with a high transmission period starting in June. Children under SMC presented an overall lower incidence compared to older children and young adults. Among children eligible for SMC, the incidence was lowest for approximately 3 weeks after treatment administration and increased subsequently, suggesting a gradual loss of protection. At the end of the high transmission period, a higher malaria incidence was recorded from the 3rd to 6th week after the week of administration of the fourth (final) SMC round. While protecting children under 10 years, SMC warrants adjustment to reduce exposure before the next round, to increase protection of 5–9 years, and to cover the high transmission period completely. The addition of a 5th round of SMC in 2023 was necessary to cover the end of the transmission season, but individual-level studies are required to ensure that drug efficacy and adequate dosing are maintained.
Maternal HIV retesting during antenatal care in selected health facilities in Mayuge district, Uganda: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Kayiwa Farouq , Nabiwemba Elizabeth , Bunani Nelson , Ndejjo Rawlance
Published: January 2025

Vertical transmission of HIV continues to be a key contributor to pediatric HIV infections globally. Routine HIV testing at each antenatal care (ANC) visit can reduce the likelihood of such infections. However, a sub-optimal number of women are re-tested for HIV on their subsequent ANC visits. This study determined the proportion of pregnant women who were retested during ANC and the associated factors in selected health facilities in Mayuge district, Uganda. This was a cross-sectional study that utilized quantitative data collection techniques among 344 randomly selected women recorded as HIV-negative at their first ANC visit in 2022 from records at selected health facilities in Mayuge district. A semi-structured questionnaire designed in Kobo Collect software was utilized to collect the data. The data were collected through in-person interviews or by phone. Descriptive data were reported for the sample, and multivariable modified Poisson regression models were fitted to estimate prevalence ratios for factors associated with HIV re-testing. Out of 344 women attending ANC, 18.6% (64/344) had been retested for HIV. The factors associated with HIV retesting included attending ANC in the second trimester (APR = 0.62; 95%CI:0.40–0.98), attending at least four ANC visits (APR = 2.24; 95% CI:1.22–4.09), having a planned pregnancy (APR = 1.96; 95%CI: 1.14–3.37), being satisfied with the quality of health services provided (APR = 1.79; 95%CI: 1.05–3.04), and having easily accessible HIV testing resources at the ANC clinic (APR = 2.04; 95%CI: 1.08–3.85). HIV retesting during ANC in Mayuge district was low and mostly influenced by ANC-related factors at the individual and systems levels. These factors ought to be addressed to improve the uptake of maternal HIV retesting.
Maternal characteristics and their relation to early mother-child interaction and cognitive development in toddlers
Authors: Preiß Jasmin , Lang Adelheid , Hauser Theresa , Angerer Monika , Schernhardt Peter , Schabus Manuel
Published: January 2025

Early mother-infant interaction is believed to have a significant impact on the social, cognitive, and emotional development of children. These interactions are not only influenced by child and contextual factors but also by the mother’s personality traits and strain. In this study, we investigated the relation between maternal factors such as personality, depressive symptoms, or experiencing of emotions, and (i) children’s early cognitive development and (ii) interaction patterns in a sample of 116 mother-child dyads (mean child age = 18.63 months ± 6.42). Maternal factors were assessed using standardized questionnaires and toddlers’ cognitive development was measured using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development. Interaction patterns were evaluated using the CARE-Index. The study found that children of mothers who scored higher in agreeableness, a personality trait reflecting compassion and cooperation, performed better in cognitive assessments. Additionally, mothers who placed significant importance on their bodily signals to assess their overall well-being had higher scores in the quality of interaction with their child. Statistical trends suggested that mothers with higher levels of conscientiousness, indicative of being organized and responsible, tended to be more responsive in the interaction with their infants, while those with higher levels of neuroticism, characterized by a tendency towards negative emotions, were more likely to have toddlers who inhibit their true negative affect. Finally, there was a trend indicating that maternal depression was associated with increased maternal controlling behavior towards toddlers. Overall, these findings show the intricate relation between maternal behavior and state with dyadic interaction quality. This should underline that optimal infant development is only possible if mothers are well supported especially if in need due to various burdens such as depressive symptoms.
An ensemble deep learning framework for energy demand forecasting using genetic algorithm-based feature selection
Authors: Sakib Mohd , Siddiqui Tamanna , Mustajab Suhel , Alotaibi Reemiah Muneer , Alshareef Nouf Mohammad , Khan Mohammad Zunnun
Published: January 2025

Accurate energy demand forecasting is critical for efficient energy management and planning. Recent advancements in computing power and the availability of large datasets have fueled the development of machine learning models. However, selecting the most appropriate features to enhance prediction accuracy and robustness remains a key challenge. This study proposes an ensemble approach that integrates a genetic algorithm with multiple forecasting models to optimize feature selection. The genetic algorithm identifies the optimal subset of features from a dataset that includes historical energy consumption, weather variables, and temporal characteristics. These selected features are then used to train three base learners: Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), Bi-directional Long Short-Term Memory (BiLSTM), and Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU). The predictions from these models are combined using a stacking ensemble technique to generate the final forecast. To enhance model evaluation, we divided the dataset into weekday and weekend subsets, allowing for a more detailed analysis of energy consumption patterns. To ensure the reliability of our findings, we conducted ten simulations and applied the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test to the results. The proposed model demonstrated exceptional precision, achieving a Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 130.6, a Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) of 0.38%, and a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 99.41 for weekday data. The model also maintained high accuracy for weekend predictions, with an RMSE of 137.41, a MAPE of 0.42%, and an MAE of 105.67. This research provides valuable insights for energy analysts and contributes to developing more sophisticated demand forecasting methods.
Identification of novel cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors from marine natural products
Authors: Debnath Abhijit , Mazumder Rupa , Singh Anil Kumar , Singh Rajesh Kumar
Published: January 2025

Cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) are crucial regulators of cell cycle progression and represent important therapeutic targets in breast cancer. This study employs a comprehensive computational approach to identify novel CDK4/6 inhibitors from marine natural products. We utilized structure-based virtual screening of the CMNPD database and MNP library, followed by rigorous filtering based on drug-likeness criteria, PAINS filter, ADME properties, and toxicity profiles. From an initial hit of 9,497 compounds, 2,344 passed drug-likeness and PAINS filters. Further ADME filtering yielded 50 compounds, of which 25 exhibited non-toxic profiles. These 25 candidates underwent consensus molecular docking using seven distinct algorithms: AutoDockTools 4.2, idock, LeDock, Qvina 2, Smina, AutoDock Vina 1.2.0, PLANTS, and rDock. Based on these results, six top-scoring compounds were selected for comprehensive 500 nanosecond all-atom molecular dynamics simulations to evaluate their structural stability and interactions with CDK4/6. Our analysis revealed that compounds CMNPD11585 and CMNPD2744 demonstrated superior stability in their interactions with CDK4/6, exhibiting lower RMSD and RMSF values, more favorable binding free energies, and persistent hydrogen bonding patterns. These compounds also showed lower Solvent Accessible Surface Area values, indicating better compatibility with the CDK4/6 active site. Subsequent in-vitro studies using MTT assays on MCF-7 breast cancer cells confirmed the cytotoxic effects of these compounds, with CMNPD11585 showing the highest potency, followed by CMNPD2744.
Warming accelerated phosphorus release from the sediment of Lake Chaohu during the decomposition of algal residues: A simulative study
Authors: Hu Jiayu , Zhao Qiong , Zeng Ping , Tang Qiang , Sun Qingye , Yin Hongbin
Published: January 2025

Algal decomposition plays an important role in affecting phosphorus (P) release from sediments in eutrophic lakes under global warming. Yet how rising air temperature affect endogenous P release from sediments during the algal decomposition is poorly understood. In this study, effect of increasing air temperature on endogenous P release was investigated. A 22-day laboratory warming simulation experiment was conducted, with the overlying water and sediments collected from Lake Chaohu incubated in microcosms at three temperatures (21, 28 and 37°C). Dynamics of P fractions and related physiochemical properties in water and sediments were measured, and P release rate from sediments was calculated. Rising air temperature significantly reduced redox potential, but elevated pH, dissolved organic carbon (C) and alkaline phosphatase activity in water. For the average value during incubation, rising temperature significantly elevated P release rate and soluble reactive P by 3 times in overlying water, and greatly reduced total organic P (by 19.0%) in sediments, while did not affect total inorganic P in sediments. The NH4Cl-Po and NaHCO3-Po concentrations in sediments showed the greatest decrease (accounting for 97.6% of total decrease) during the experiment. Dynamics of P release rate, soluble reactive P, dissolved organic C in water and organic P, total organic C in sediments during incubation were also differed among different temperatures. The P release rate was significantly and negatively correlated with dissolved organic C and redox potential at all temperatures, negatively correlated with sediment inorganic P at 21°C, while negatively correlated with sediment organic P at 37°C. The results revealed that rising temperature strongly stimulated endogenous P release from sediments during the decay of algal residues, which was mainly due to the acceleration of organic P mineralization Warming-induced changes in the amount and dynamics of dissolved organic C played the dominant role in accelerating P release from sediments.
Partially unraveling mechanistic underpinning and weight loss effects of time-restricted eating across diverse adult populations: A systematic review and meta-analyses of prospective studies
Authors: Quang Duc Tran , Di Khanh Nguyen , Cu Linh Le , Thi Hoa Huyen Nguyen , Quynh Chi Vu Thi , Ngoc Quang Phan , Thi Thuy Bui
Published: January 2025

Time-restricted eating (TRE) is a promising and cost-effective dietary approach for weight management. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of TRE on weight loss in three adult populations using pre- and post-intervention analyses while also investigating its underlying mechanism. A systematic search was conducted across four databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and the CENTRAL) up until January 28, 2024, specifically focusing on prospective studies that examined the efficacy of TRE in achieving weight loss. A random effects model was employed to conduct meta-analyses, while heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic (PROSPERO: CRD42023439317). The study encompassed 36 selected studies involving 44 effect sizes and 914 participants. The effectiveness of the TRE was found to vary across health conditions, with modest weight loss observed in healthy individuals (pooled effect size -1.04 Kg, 95% CI: -1.42 to -0.65) and more significant weight reduction seen in participants with chronic diseases (pooled effect size -3.33 Kg, 95% CI: -5.05 to -1.62) and overweight/obesity (pooled effect size -4.21 Kg, 95% CI: -5.23 to -3.10). The observed decrease in body weight could be partially attributed to factors influencing energy balance, as evidenced by the significantly lower mean calorie intake at the end of the intervention (1694.71 kcal/day, 95% CI: 1498.57–1890.85) compared to the baseline intake (2000.64 kcal/day, 95% CI: 1830–2172.98), despite the absence of intentional efforts to restrict energy intake by the participants. These findings support the efficacy of this lifestyle intervention for weight loss maintenance and guide the development of its clinical guidelines.
Exploring knowledge of first aid in epistaxis—25 years on
Authors: Dunne Henry , Abouabdallah Michael , Roscamp Joseph , Birks Samuel , Mcgibbon Kate , Dewhurst Sam , Strachan David , Sharma Rishi
Published: January 2025

Background

Epistaxis is the most common acute disorder managed by ENT services. A 1998 survey (Strachan and England) demonstrated widespread ignorance of correct first aid amongst the public with only 11% of respondents applying correct first aid techniques. Here we repeated and expanded the 1998 study to investigate whether understanding of correct first aid in epistaxis amongst the public and emergency department staff has improved in the last 25 years.

Methods

Posters with links to surveys were displayed in ED waiting rooms, anticoagulation clinics and ED staff rooms in multiple UK centres. Responders were asked three first aid questions: pinch position, head position, and plugging nostrils. A prospective audit was carried out in a single centre over four weeks recording the first aid was being applied at the point of ENT review for patients referred with epistaxis.

Findings

129 members of public responded. 83% do not have correct first aid technique including 77% of those on anticoagulants or aspirin. 116 ED staff responded. 64% do not use correct first aid. Over four weeks 19 patients were referred to ENT with epistaxis and of these, nine were bleeding at the point of ENT review. Adequate first aid was not being applied in 56% of those cases.

Conclusions

Despite the morbidity of epistaxis, and the simplicity of first aid steps, there is concerning lack of understanding amongst the public and ED staff. Education (particularly for staff and the anticoagulated) may reduce emergency attendance in epistaxis patients.
Are men’s gender equality beliefs associated with self-reported intimate partner violence perpetration? A state-level analysis of California men
Authors: Closson Kalysha , Johns Nicole E. , Raj Anita
Published: January 2025

Objectives

To assess the association between gender equality beliefs and self-reported intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration among California men.

Methods

We analyzed men’s data (N = 3609) from three waves (2021, 2022, and 2023) of cross-sectional data from a statewide sample of California adults. We assessed gender equality beliefs using a three-item measure adapted from the World Values Survey, with higher scores representing more gender unequal beliefs (e.g., ‘On a whole, men make better political leaders than women’). We assessed IPV perpetration in the last year by asking a) whether men committed any form of violence in the last year (physical violence, use or threat of violence with a weapon, sexual violence) and b) among those who reported committing violence, who they committed violence against. Those reporting violence against “a spouse or romantic partner” were categorized as perpetrating past-year IPV. Analyses were weighted to yield population estimates. Crude and adjusted logistic regression models evaluated the association between gender equality beliefs and past-year IPV perpetration.

Results

Almost 2% of men–equivalent to more than 280,000 men in California—reported IPV perpetration in the past year [1.9% (95%CI = 1.4–2.5)], and every one-point increase in their gender equality belief scale score [indicative of less gender equitable beliefs] was associated with 2.1 times greater odds of perpetrating past-year IPV (AOR: 2.14, 95%CI 1.61–2.86).

Conclusions

Findings support prior research indicating that patriarchal beliefs reinforce men’s violence against women in relationships and signal a need for violence prevention efforts focused on boys and men to that can include normative belief shifts related to women’s capacities.
Dental caries and related factors in the elderly of the Azar cohort population: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Hosseinpour Sarmadi Maryam , Sharififard Nasrin , Mahboobi Zeinab , Faramarzi Elnaz , Bilehjani Aylin
Published: January 2025

Objective

Oral health is often overlooked among the elderly due to the numerous comorbidities prevalent in this population. However, oral health significantly influences quality of life by affecting both general health and psychological well-being. The present study aimed to assess dental caries in elderly individuals using the DMFT index (decayed, missing, and filled teeth) and to explore its relationship with various factors based on data from the Azar cohort study in Iran.

Materials and methods

In this cross-sectional study, data from the initial phase of the Azar cohort study, which involved 2629 elderly individuals (aged 60 years and older), were statistically analyzed. The Azar cohort study evaluated demographic factors, the history of chronic diseases, and behavioral habits using a well-designed questionnaire administered through face- to -face interviews. The DMFT index was evaluated through oral examination. A negative binomial regression analysis with a log link function was employed to investigate the relationship between the DMFT and related variables, including gender, age, marital status, level of education, socioeconomic status, chronic diseases, smoking, alcohol consumption, and body mass index.

Results

The mean (SD) age of elderly individuals was 64.15±2.91 years. The mean (SD) DMFT was 28.42±6, and the mean (SD) number of missing teeth was 26.58±8.36. Approximately 70.8% of elderly individuals were edentulous. Women exhibited a higher mean DMFT score and a greater number of missing teeth compared to men. The mean DMFT score and its components significantly differed based on the level of education and socioeconomic status. However, no significant relationship was found between the DMFT index and the variables in the multiple regression analysis.

Conclusion

The high prevalence of edentulism and the elevated DMFT scores in the elderly population of the Azar cohort indicate a poor oral health status among older individuals. Providing the dental services within the primary health care system for the adults, can be beneficial in improving oral health in old age.
The influence of board, CEO, and audit committee chairman busyness on the value relevance of accounting information in Saudi listed firms
Authors: Alomair Abdulrahman , Al Naim Abdulaziz S.
Published: January 2025

This study investigates the impact of board, CEO, and audit committee chairman busyness on the value relevance of accounting information in Saudi listed firms from 2018 to 2022. Utilizing a data of 125 Saudi firms, the research investigates how the busyness of these key governance figures influences the relevance of earnings per share (EPS) and book value per share (BVPS). The findings reveal that board and audit committee chairman busyness significantly enhance the value relevance of EPS, suggesting that their broader networks and strategic oversight improve financial reporting. Conversely, CEO busyness negatively affects the value relevance of BVPS, indicating that divided attention and reduced managerial oversight hinder performance monitoring. These results underscore the dual roles of governance figures and their influence on financial reporting quality. These results highlight the dual effects of governance busyness on financial reporting quality. The study provides novel insights into an emerging market context, offering practical recommendations for policymakers and corporate leaders in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. It emphasizes the need for regulatory frameworks to manage director workloads, ensuring enhanced financial reporting and governance effectiveness.
Numerical testing method and mechanical property evaluation of large particle size asphalt mixture
Authors: Qian Chengduo , Mu Minghao , Zhu Bingchen , Liu Xinqiang , Wang Zheng , Bi Haisong , Jiang Yingjun
Published: January 2025

The large particle size asphalt mixture with nominal maximum aggregate size 53 mm(LSAM-50) has good technical and economic performance and will become an effective technical way to build a full-thick long-life asphalt pavement with Chinese characteristics. In order to reveal the mechanical properties and influencing factors of LSAM-50 in depth, a numerical test method for the mechanical properties of the large particle size LSAM-50 asphalt mixture was developed, and a reasonable specimen size for LSAM-50 performance test was proposed by combining the numerical test and the indoor test. The results show that: LSAM-50 numerical test conditions are the calculation time step 10−3 s/step, the loading rate is 2 mm/min (uniaxial compression numerical test) and 50 mm/min (splitting numerical test) when LSAM-50 numerical experiment calculation rate and numerical experiment accuracy are better; after the size of the specimen reaches 200×160mm, the influence of the size effect is eliminated. The reasonable specimen size of LSAM-50 is Φ200mm×h160mm; the LSAM-50 numerical test method and the indoor test have low error Less than 10%.
N-terminomics profiling of host proteins targeted by excretory-secretory proteases of the nematode Angiostrongylus vasorum identifies points of interaction with canine coagulation and complement cascade
Authors: Germitsch Nina , Kockmann Tobias , Schnyder Manuela , Tritten Lucienne
Published: January 2025

The cardiopulmonary nematode Angiostrongylus vasorum can cause severe disease in dogs, including coagulopathies manifesting with bleeding. We analysed A. vasorum excretory/secretory protein (ESP)-treated dog plasma and serum by N-terminome analysis using Terminal Amine Isotopic Labelling of Substrates (TAILS) to identify cleaved host substrates. In plasma and serum samples 430 and 475 dog proteins were identified, respectively. A total of eight dog proteins were significantly cleaved at higher levels upon exposure to A. vasorum ESP: of these, three were coagulation factors (factor II, V and IX) and three were complement proteins (complement C3, C4-A and C5). Comparison with human motif sequence orthologues revealed known cleavage sites in coagulation factor IX and II (prothrombin). These and further identified cleavage sites suggest direct or indirect activation or proteolysis of complement and coagulation components through A. vasorum ESP, which contains several proteases. Further studies are needed to validate their substrate specificity.
The role of psychosocial factors in mediating the treatment response of epidural steroid injections for low back pain with or without lumbosacral radiculopathy: A scoping review
Authors: Stensland Meredith , McGeary Donald , Covell Caleigh , Fitzgerald Elizabeth , Mojallal Mahsa , Lugosi Selena , Lehman Luke , McCormick Zachary , Nabity Paul
Published: January 2025

Epidural steroid injections (ESIs) are often used to treat low back pain (LBP) due to lumbosacral radiculopathy as well as LBP without a clear component of radiculopathy, in some cases. While it is increasingly recognized that psychosocial factors are associated with pain outcomes, few studies have assessed the contribution of these factors to common pain interventions like ESIs. This study aimed to summarize the scope and nature of how psychosocial factors are accounted for in research on ESIs for the treatment of LBP with or without lumbosacral radiculopathy and to identify gaps and recommendations for future research. A scoping review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis-Scoping Review Extension framework was conducted. Publications dated before September 2023 were searched in PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar. Of the 544 records identified through database searching, a total of 51 studies cumulatively totaling 10,447 participants were included. Sample sizes ranged from 12 to 5,104 participants. Of the 51 included studies, only 10 (20%) analyzed and reported the relationship between at least one psychosocial variable and post-injection pain at any follow-up timepoint. The other 41 (80%) included no analyses examining ESI response as a function of psychosocial variables. Based on the studies that included analysis by psychosocial variables, poor psychosocial functioning appears to be associated with inferior treatments outcomes following ESI for back pain with or without lumbosacral radiculopathy. Relative to the vast body of literature on ESIs for LBP and lumbosacral radiculopathy, minimal attention has been directed to the influence of psychosocial factors on ESI treatment outcomes. Future research evaluating predictors of the effect of ESI on pain relief should include development of more comprehensive models containing modifiable psychosocial variables as predictors of ESI response.
Kynurenines and aerobic exercise capacity in chronic kidney disease: A cross-sectional and longitudinal study
Authors: Wallin Helena , Jansson Eva , Erhardt Sophie , Wallquist Carin , Hylander Britta , Jacobson Stefan H. , Caidahl Kenneth , Rickenlund Anette , Eriksson Maria J.
Published: January 2025

Background

The causes of reduced aerobic exercise capacity (ExCap) in chronic kidney disease (CKD) are multifactorial, possibly involving the accumulation of tryptophan (TRP) metabolites such as kynurenine (KYN) and kynurenic acid (KYNA), known as kynurenines. Their relationship to ExCap has yet to be studied in CKD. We hypothesised that aerobic ExCap would be negatively associated with plasma levels of TRP, KYN and KYNA in CKD.

Methods

We included 102 patients with non-dialysis CKD stages 2–5 (CKD 2–3, n = 54; CKD 4–5, n = 48) and 54 healthy controls, age- and sex-matched with the CKD 2–3 group. ExCap was assessed as peak workload during a maximal cycle ergometer test. Plasma KYN, KYNA and TRP were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Kidney function was evaluated by glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and estimated GFR. The CKD 2–3 group and healthy controls repeated tests after five years. The association between TRP, KYN, KYNA and ExCap in CKD was assessed using a generalised linear model.

Results

At baseline, there were significant differences between all groups in aerobic ExCap, KYN, KYNA, TRP and KYN/TRP. KYNA increased in CKD 2–3 during the follow-up period. In CKD 2–5, KYNA, KYN/TRP and KYNA/KYN were all significantly negatively associated with ExCap at baseline, whereas KYN and TRP were not. Kynurenines were significantly correlated with GFR (p < 0.001 for all). Including GFR in the statistical model, no kynurenines were independently associated with ExCap at baseline. At follow-up, the increase in KYN and KYN/TRP was related to a decrease in ExCap in CKD 2–3. After adjusting for GFR, increase in KYN/TRP remained an independent significant predictor of a decline in ExCap in CKD 2–3.

Conclusion

Aerobic ExCap was inversely associated with plasma levels of kynurenines in CKD at baseline and follow-up.
Binaural speech intelligibility for combinations of noise, reverberation, and hearing-aid signal processing
Authors: Kates James M. , Lavandier Mathieu , Muralimanohar Ramesh Kumar , Lundberg Emily M. H. , Arehart Kathryn H.
Published: January 2025

Binaural speech intelligibility in rooms is a complex process that is affected by many factors including room acoustics, hearing loss, and hearing aid (HA) signal processing. Intelligibility is evaluated in this paper for a simulated room combined with a simulated hearing aid. The test conditions comprise three spatial configurations of the speech and noise sources, simulated anechoic and concert hall acoustics, three amounts of multitalker babble interference, the hearing status of the listeners, and three degrees of simulated HA processing provided to compensate for the noise and/or hearing loss. The impact of these factors and their interactions is considered for normal-hearing (NH) and hearing-impaired (HI) listeners for sentence stimuli. Both listener groups showed a significant reduction in intelligibility as the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) decreased, and showed a reduction in intelligibility in reverberation when compared to anechoic listening. There was no significant improvement in intelligibility for the NH group for the noise suppression algorithm used here, and no significant improvement in intelligibility for the HI group for more advanced HA processing algorithms as opposed to linear amplification in either of the two acoustic spaces or at any of the three SNRs.
Short-term impact of low air pressure on plants’ functional traits
Authors: Lembo Silvia , Niedrist Georg , El Omari Bouchra , Illmer Paul , Praeg Nadine , Meul Andreas , Dainese Matteo
Published: January 2025

Lower atmospheric pressure affects biologically relevant physical parameters such as gas partial pressure and concentration, leading to increased water vapor diffusivity and greater soil water content loss through evapotranspiration. This might impact plant photosynthetic activity, resource allocation, water relations, and growth. However, the direct impact of low air pressure on plant physiology is largely unknown. This study examined the effects of low air pressure, alone and combined with two water inputs, on different functional traits of three plant species transplanted from montane grasslands at 1,500 m a.s.l. during the first four weeks of their early phenological stage: Trifolium pratense, Hieracium pilosella, and Brachypodium rupestre. Using the terraXcube Ecotron facility which can simulate different climatic conditions, we isolated the effect of air pressure from those of other, related environmental factors (temperature, humidity, and solar radiation) by simulating three different elevations with corresponding air pressures: 1,500 m a.s.l. (85 kPa, control scenario), 2,500 m a.s.l. (75 kPa), and 4,000 m a.s.l. (62 kPa) and we used two different water regimes to observe the combined effect of low air pressure and the impact of varying water inputs on plants. In T. pratense and H. pilosella, we observed an increase in stomatal conductance but a reduction in aboveground biomass at the lowest pressure compared to the control scenario after four weeks of incubation. Contrastingly, B. rupestre showed an interactive effect of air pressure and water treatment on chlorophyll and biomass nitrogen content, which were reduced under higher soil water conditions at 85kPa. This study serves as an initial step in isolating the specific impact of air pressure on plant physiology, demonstrating the potential of the facility for future research. The mixed response patterns across species highlight that atmospheric pressure could be a driving factor to consider when assessing plant responses along elevational gradient.
Existence of solutions for discontinuous systems of
Stieltjes differential equations
Authors: Cora Víctor , López Pouso Rodrigo
Published: January 2025

We introduce new transversality conditions in terms of
derivatives with respect to a nondecreasing function
g
:

R

⟶

R

, and we use them to prove the existence of solutions for
discontinuous systems of Stieltjes differential equations, i.e.
differential equations where usual derivatives are replaced with
derivatives with respect to the derivator
g
. The proof of our main existence result leans on some interesting
new results on
g
-derivatives also proven in this paper.
„A jogállamiság fogalma távolinak tűnhet a kínai megközelítéstől, de Kínában is létezik egyfajta rule of law” – Interjú Szunomár Ágnessel, a Budapesti Corvinus Egyetem docensével
Authors: Szunomár Ágnes
Published: January 2025

A Világpolitika és Közgazdaságtan szerkesztősége interjút készített Szunomár Ágnessel
Kína jelenét és jövőjét illetően. Az interjúból kiderül, hogy Kína globalizációs elképzelései
elsősorban a többpólusú világrend kialakítására irányulnak és a kínai vezetés nem törekszik
hegemón nagyhatalomként pozicionálni magát. Azt is megkérdeztük, hogy hogyan viszo-
nyul Kína a jogállamiság szellemiségéhez és hogyan képzeli el alkalmazkodását a globális
partnerséghez. Az interjú során érintettük az Európai Unió és Kína kapcsolatát is, mely
alapján egy kölcsönös gazdasági és technológiai függés képe látszik kirajzolódni, amelyben
a lassú egymáshoz igazodás tűnik a legreálisabb forgatókönyvnek. Interjúnkat az orosz-kí-
nai kapcsolatokra vonatkozó kérdésekkel zártuk.
A fejlődésgazdaságtan újabb statisztikai mérföldköve: az ökoszisztéma
Authors: Szabó Dorottya
Published: January 2025

Az Európai Bizottság 2020-ban publikálta az azóta is meghatározó fontosságú uniós szin-
tű, új ipari stratégiáját. Ebben a stratégiai dokumentumban vázolták fel először az ipa-
ri ökoszisztémákra vonatkozó EU-s koncepciót, ami a Bizottság megfogalmazása szerint
a gazdasági szereplők hálózatának egy olyan új megközelítése, amely magában foglalja
az értékláncok minden elemét: az induló kisvállalkozásoktól kezdve a legnagyobb cégeken
és az akadémiai szférán keresztül a szolgáltatókig és beszállítókig egyaránt. Az ipari straté-
gia publikálása óta a Bizottság több olyan, évenként esedékes jelentés-sorozatába beépí-
tette az európai gazdaság ipari ökoszisztémákra épülő megközelítését, mint például az éves
egységes piacra, valamint a kkv-k teljesítményére vonatkozó jelentések.
A középosztály forradalma – György László könyvbemutatója
Authors: György László , Szabó Csege
Published: January 2025

György László magyar közgazdász, szakpolitikus, egyetemi docens új, „A középosztály for-
radalma” címet viselő könyvének bemutatója a Corvinus Egyetem Faculty Clubjában került
megrendezésre. A rendezvény nagy érdeklődésnek örvendett mind a szakmabeliek és a
hallgatók körében, hiszen a középosztály szerepe és megerősítésének lehetőségei kiemelt
kérdéskör a gazdaságpolitikában. A rendezvényen a szerző beszélgetőpartnere Balog Ádám,
a Budapesti Kereskedelmi és Iparkamara alelnöke volt.
Statisztikák a magyar társadalomról
Authors: Kozák Sándor
Published: January 2025

A szakirodalomban vita folyik a középosztály méretéről, megoszlásáról. Ehhez illusztrálásként
néhány statisztikai adatot, ábrát közlünk anélkül, hogy a vitában állást foglalnánk. Az ábrák
forrása az Eurostat, illetve a KSH adatbázisa, de minden ábra saját szerkesztés.
Kína gazdaságpolitikai dilemmái és a politikai gazdaságtan
Authors: Gervai Pál , Mátyás-Péter Tamás , Tósoki Samu , Trautmann László
Published: January 2025

A tanulmány tárgya Kína gazdasági fejlődésének értelmezése a globalizáció politikai gaz-
daságtana szemszögéből. A tanulmányban azt mutatjuk be, hogy Kína fejlődése a 20. és
a 21. században szorosan kapcsolódik a globalizáció előrehaladásához. A globalizáció a kö-
zös fejlődés kerete, a jogállami normák, az emberi méltóság egyetemessé válása. Kína je-
lenlegi gazdasági problémái abból fakadnak, hogy nem elég következetes ennek követésé-
ben. A tanulmány állítása szerint ehhez az szükséges, hogy a 20. század ideológiai örökségét
Kína újraértelmezze, a szocialista elméletből csak azokat az elemeket őrizze meg, amelyek
összeegyeztethetők a jogállamisággal. Ehhez az elméleti lépéshez arra is szükség van, hogy
a nyugati szövetségi rendszer a jogállamiságot és ne a kapitalizmust állítsa a középpontba.
A tanulmányban azt is bemutatjuk, hogy többek között Kína külgazdaságpolitikájában már
történtek erre utaló elemek, mindenekelőtt az elektromos autók termelésében.