bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Generalist CEOs and stock price crash risk
Authors: Fang Xiaohua , Girardone Claudia , Li Yiwei , Zeng Yeqin
Published: May 2024

We investigate whether generalist chief executive officers (CEOs), that is, CEOs who gain transferable skills across firms and industries, have less incentive to hoard bad news. To address endogeneity concerns stemming from firm–CEO matching, we deploy a difference‐in‐differences method utilizing exogenous CEO turnovers, propensity score matching and entropy balancing matching methods, and Oster's coefficient stability test. Supporting our conjecture, we find a negative relation between CEOs’ general ability index (GAI) and future stock price crash risk. The effect of CEOs’ GAI on crash risk is stronger when labor demand is stronger and when firms have more agency conflicts. Our analysis further suggests that generalist CEOs attenuate crash risk by increasing conditional accounting conservatism and reducing real earnings management. Taken together, our findings highlight the role of CEOs’ general human capital in increasing their tolerance for failure and mitigating the agency problem.
Explaining the improving effect of dough crumb–sheet composite rolling on fresh noodle quality: From microstructure and moisture distribution perspective
Authors: Zhou Xiaoqian , Chen Jin , Zheng Haitao , An Di , Obadi Mohammed , Xu Bin
Published: May 2024

A new technique known as dough crumb–sheet composite rolling (DC–SCR) was used to improve the quality of fresh noodles. However, there is a dearth of theoretical investigations into the optimal selection of specific parameters for this technology, and the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Therefore, the effects of dough crumb addition times in DC–SCR on the texture, cooking, and eating quality of fresh noodles were first studied. Then, the underlying regulation mechanism of DC–SCR technology on fresh noodles was analyzed in terms of moisture distribution and microstructure. The study demonstrated that the most significant enhancement in the quality of fresh noodles was achieved by adding dough crumbs six times. Compared with fresh noodles made without the addition of dough crumbs, the initial hardness and chewiness of fresh noodles made by adding six times of dough crumbs increased by 25.32% and 46.82%, respectively. In contrast, the cooking time and cooking loss were reduced by 28.45% and 29.69%, respectively. This quality improvement in fresh noodles made by DC–SCR came from the microstructural differences of the gluten network between the inner and outer layers of the dough sheet. A dense structure on the outside and a loose structure on the inside could endow the fresh noodles made by DC–SCR with higher hardness, a shortened cooking time, and less cooking loss. This study would provide a theoretical and experimental basis for creating high‐quality fresh noodles.
Pathology of explanted pediatric hearts: An 11‐year study. Population characteristics and implications for outcomes
Authors: Yamasaki Takato , Sanders Stephen P. , Hylind Robyn J. , Milligan Caitlin , Fynn‐Thompson Francis , Mayer John E. , Blume Elizabeth D. , Daly Kevin P. , Carreon Chrystalle Katte
Published: May 2024

Background

As more pediatric patients become candidates for heart transplantation (HT), understanding pathological predictors of outcome and the accuracy of the pretransplantation evaluation are important to optimize utilization of scarce donor organs and improve outcomes. The authors aimed to investigate explanted heart specimens to identify pathologic predictors that may affect cardiac allograft survival after HT.

Methods

Explanted pediatric hearts obtained over an 11‐year period were analyzed to understand the patient demographics, indications for transplant, and the clinical–pathological factors.

Results

In this study, 149 explanted hearts, 46% congenital heart defects (CHD), were studied. CHD patients were younger and mean pulmonary artery pressure and resistance were significantly lower than in cardiomyopathy patients. Twenty‐one died or underwent retransplantation (14.1%). Survival was significantly higher in the cardiomyopathy group at all follow‐up intervals. There were more deaths and the 1‐, 5‐ and 7‐year survival was lower in patients ≤10 years of age at HT. Early rejection was significantly higher in CHD patients exposed to homograft tissue, but not late rejection. Mortality/retransplantation rate was significantly higher and allograft survival lower in CHD hearts with excessive fibrosis of one or both ventricles. Anatomic diagnosis at pathologic examination differed from the clinical diagnosis in eight cases.

Conclusions

Survival was better for the cardiomyopathy group and patients >10 years at HT. Prior homograft use was associated with a higher prevalence of early rejection. Ventricular fibrosis (of explant) was a strong predictor of outcome in the CHD group. We presented several pathologic findings in explanted pediatric hearts.
An aquaculture risk model to understand the causes and consequences of Atlantic Salmon mass mortality events: A review
Authors: Sajid Zaman , Gamperl A. Kurt , Parrish Christopher C. , Colombo Stefanie M. , Santander Javier , Mather Charles , Neis Barbara , Holmen Ingunn Marie , Filgueira Ramón , McKenzie Cynthia H. , Cavalli Lissandra Souto , Jeebhay Mohamed , Gao Wenzhao , López Gómez María Andrée , Ochs Cory , Lehnert Sarah , Couturier Cyr , Knott Christine , Romero João F. , Caballero‐Solares Albert , Cembella Allan , Murray Harry M. , Fleming Ian A. , Finnis Joel , Fast Mark D. , Wells Mark , Singh Gerald G.
Published: May 2024

Mass mortality events (MMEs) are defined as the death of large numbers of fish over a short period of time. These events can result in catastrophic losses to the Atlantic salmon aquaculture industry and the local economy. However, they are challenging to understand because of their relative infrequency and the high number of potential factors involved. As a result, the causes and consequences of MMEs in Atlantic salmon aquaculture are not well understood. In this study, we developed a structural network of causal risk factors for MMEs for aquaculture and the communities that depend on Atlantic salmon aquaculture. Using the Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) technique, we analysed the causes of Atlantic salmon mass mortalities due to environmental (abiotic), biological (biotic) and nutritional risk factors. The consequences of MMEs were also assessed for the occupational health and safety of aquaculture workers and their implications for the livelihoods of local communities. This structural network deepens our understanding of MMEs and points to management actions and interventions that can help mitigate mass mortalities. MMEs are typically not the result of a single risk factor but are caused by the systematic interaction of risk factors related to the environment, fish diseases, feeding/nutrition and cage‐site management. Results also indicate that considerations of health and safety risk, through pre‐ and post‐event risk assessments, may help to minimize workplace injuries and eliminate potential risks of human fatalities. Company and government‐assisted socio‐economic measures could help mitigate post‐mass mortality impacts. Appropriate and timely management actions may help reduce MMEs at Atlantic salmon cage sites and minimize the physical and social vulnerabilities of workers and local communities.
Population aging and saving: Evidence from China
Authors: Kim Dong‐Hyeon , Liu Peiyao , Lin Shu‐Chin
Published: May 2024

Saving is a main source of financing capital and R&D investment, which can facilitate economic growth and development. Saving also acts as a buffer against uncertainty and external shocks, which can smooth growth volatility and promote economic growth. Thus understanding the determination of saving is vital for policymaking. This paper evaluates the saving consequence of population aging in China, a fast growing economy that has been experiencing rapid population aging with high saving rates. However, whether and how population aging affects saving remains controversial. Instead of verifying whether population aging increases or decreases saving, this paper takes a step further to examine potential nonlinearity in the nexus, which allows one to address the reason for inconclusiveness. Using China's provincial data over the period 1989–2019, it indeed finds significant existence of nonlinearity. Household saving follows an inverted‐U process with population aging. The effect holds for regions with moderate saving rates. For regions with the least and highest saving rates, household saving follows a U‐shaped process. Similar results are found for total saving.
Detection of delirium in older patients—A point prevalence study in surgical and non‐surgical hospital wards
Authors: Instenes Irene , Eide Leslie S. P. , Andersen Hege , Fålun Nina , Pettersen Trond , Ranhoff Anette H. , Rudolph James L. , Steihaug Ole Martin , Wentzel‐Larsen Tore , Norekvål Tone M.
Published: May 2024

Aims and Objectives

To (i) determine the prevalence of delirium and identify delirium subtypes in surgical and non‐surgical patients aged ≥65 years, (ii) determine whether certain precipitating factors affect the prevalence of delirium and (iii) review patients' medical records for description of delirium symptoms and the presence of International Classification of Diseases (ICD‐10) coding for delirium in discharge summaries.

Methodological Design and Justifications

Despite being a robust predictor of morbidity and mortality in older adults, delirium might be inadequately recognised and under‐reported in patients' medical records and discharge summaries. A point prevalence study (24‐h) of patients ≥65 years from surgical and non‐surgical wards was therefore conducted in a tertiary university hospital.

Ethical Issues and Approval

The study was approved by the Data Protection Officer at the university hospital (2018/3454).

Research Methods, Instruments and/or Interventions

Patients were assessed for delirium with 4AT and delirium subtypes with the Delirium Motor Subtype Scale. Information about room transfers, need and use of sensory aids and medical equipment was collected onsite. Patients' medical records were reviewed for description of delirium symptoms and of ICD‐10 codes.

Results

Overall, 123 patients were screened (52% female). Delirium was identified in 27% of them. Prevalence was associated with advanced age (≥85 years). The uncharacterised delirium subtype was most common (36%), followed by hypoactive (30%), hyperactive (24%) and mixed (9%). There were significant associations between positive screening tests and the need and use of sensory aids. Delirium symptoms were described in 58% of the patients who tested positive for delirium and the ICD‐10 code for delirium was registered in 12% of these patients' discharge summaries.

Conclusions

The high prevalence of delirium and limited use of discharge codes highlight the need to improve the identification of delirium in hospital settings and at discharge. Increased awareness and detection of delirium in hospital settings are vital to improve patient care.
OsLCD3 interacts with OsSAMS1 to regulate grain size via ethylene/polyamine homeostasis control
Authors: Hu Wenli , Wang Rong , Hao Xiaohua , Li Shaozhuang , Zhao Xinjie , Xie Zijing , Wu Sha , Huang Liqun , Tan Ying , Tian Lianfu , Li Dongping
Published: May 2024

A fundamental question in developmental biology is how to regulate grain size to improve crop yields. Despite this, little is still known about the genetics and molecular mechanisms regulating grain size in crops. Here, we provide evidence that a putative protein kinase‐like (OsLCD3) interacts with the S‐adenosyl‐L‐methionine synthetase 1 (OsSAMS1) and determines the size and weight of grains. OsLCD3 mutation (lcd3) significantly increased grain size and weight by promoting cell expansion in spikelet hull, whereas its overexpression caused negative effects, suggesting that grain size was negatively regulated by OsLCD3. Importantly, lcd3 and OsSAMS1 overexpression (SAM1OE) led to large and heavy grains, with increased ethylene and decreased polyamines production. Based on genetic analyses, it appears that OsLCD3 and OsSAMS1 control rice grain size in part by ethylene/polyamine homeostasis. The results of this study provide a genetic and molecular understanding of how the OsLCD3‐OsSAMS1 regulatory module regulates grain size, suggesting that ethylene/polyamine homeostasis is an appropriate target for improving grain size and weight.
On the trace fields of hyperbolic Dehn fillings
Authors: Garoufalidis Stavros , Jeon BoGwang
Published: May 2024

Assuming Lehmer's conjecture, we estimate the degree of the trace field of a hyperbolic Dehn filling of a 1‐cusped hyperbolic 3‐manifold by
where is a constant that depends on .
Gauge-invariant cosmological perturbations in general teleparallel gravity
Authors: Heisenberg Lavinia , Hohmann Manuel
Published: May 2024

We study linear cosmological perturbations in the most general teleparallel gravity setting, where gravity is mediated by the torsion and nonmetricity of a flat connection alongside the metric. For a general linear perturbation of this geometry around a homogeneous and isotropic background geometry, we derive the irreducible decomposition of the perturbation variables, as well as their behavior under gauge transformations, i.e., infinitesimal diffeomorphisms generated by a vector field. In addition, we also study these properties for the most general set of matter variables and gravitational field equations. We then make use of these result to construct gauge-invariant perturbation variables, using a general approach based on gauge conditions. We further calculate these quantities also in the metric and symmetric teleparallel geometries, where nonmetricity or torsion is imposed to vanish. To illustrate our results, we derive the energy-momentum–hypermomentum conservation equations for both the cosmological background and the linear perturbations. As another example, we study the propagation of tensor perturbations in the f(G),  f(T) and f(Q) class of theories.
An Analytical GPU-Enabled Framework for the Stacked 3D IC Layouts
Authors: Cheng Xin , Zhou Jinjia , Zhang Zhiqiang , Yu Wenxin
Published: May 2024

Three-dimensional integrated circuits (3D ICs) have recently garnered significant attention as a potential solution to the challenges posed by interconnect scaling in 2D ICs. However, the inclusion of an extra dimension and the introduction of through-silicon vias (TSVs) for interlayer connections have resulted in a significantly more complex compared to traditional 2D placement. In this paper, we propose an analytical framework for the stacked 3D ICs. Specifically, our approach involves the diffusion of standard and macro modules in the presence of wirelength and density forces, followed by a 2D mixed-size placement to optimize placement. To eliminate the overlap between macros, we perform legalization and fix them. The TSV insertions are then conducted, and we fix them in the center of the 3D net. Finally, legalization and detailed placement for cells are performed layer-by-layer. Furthermore, to improve the efficiency of the proposed framework, we propose a GPU-enabled acceleration strategy that accelerates the wirelength computation based on the deep learning toolkit PyTorch. Extensive experimental results on the standard-cell IBM-PLACE benchmarks and large-scale modern mixed-size (MMS) benchmarks demonstrate that the proposed framework outperforms state-of-the-art 3D placement methods.
LIGO-India: A decadal assessment on its scope, relevance, progress and future
Authors: Unnikrishnan C. S.
Published: May 2024

The LIGO-India project to build and operate an advanced LIGO (aLIGO) gravitational wave (GW) detector in India in collaboration with LIGO-USA was initiated as an Indian national mega-science project in 2011. The project relied on the advantage of a head start and cost saving due to the ready availability of most of the aLIGO interferometer components from LIGO-USA, approved by the National Science Foundation. A suitable site was selected and the provisional governmental approval for project was obtained in 2016, immediately following the first direct detection of gravitational waves with the aLIGO detectors. I had discussed the scope and the science case of the project, as well as the plans for its realization by 2022 in a paper [C. S. Unnikrishnan, Int. J. Mod. Phys. D 22 (2013) 1341010, arXiv:1510.06059]. With the KAGRA GW detector in Japan being tuned to be part of the GW detector network, it is now the occasion to assess the progress of the LIGO-India project, and evaluate its relevance and scope for GW science and astronomy. Various key factors in the implementation of the project are reassessed in the backdrop of the projected evolution of the global GW detector sensitivity. In my realistic estimate, it will take more than a decade, beyond 2034, and nearly thrice the original budget to commission and operate the detector with a good fraction of the projected design sensitivity. My decadal assessment points to the eroded scientific relevance of the LIGO-India detector in the GW detector network of the next decade. I argue that the only solution to regain its scientific relevance is to re-plan and relaunch the LIGO-India detector in an upgraded [Formula: see text] version, similar to the projected post-O5 upgrade of the LIGO-USA detectors beyond 2029.
Precision Sensitivity Optimization for Parallel Robotic System Based on Multi-Source Preventive Maintenance
Authors: Tao Mingzhe , Xu Jinghua , Zhang Shuyou , Tan Jianrong , Xu Jingxuan
Published: May 2024

This paper presents a multi-source preventive maintenance (MPM) based precision sensitivity optimization method for parallel robotic systems. Taking a parallel mechanism as an example, the input error can be divided into finite mutually independent uncertain error sources, and the probabilistic error model is established by the Monte Carlo stochastic method. Considering that several times of maintenance can lead to an increase of the accuracy degradation factor, a generalized hierarchy maintenance yield model is established, where the cost of preventive maintenance and failure replacement maintenance are distinguished between the independent error source and the overall error source. The nonlinear relationship between the maintenance yield per unit cost and influencing factors, including the error threshold and the maintenance times is obtained, which allows to develop an optimal maintenance strategy. Preventive maintenance is introduced to avoid unintended failure of the mechanism while extending the lifetime. The high-precision parallel mechanism has demonstrated promising applications in medical, industrial and other fields, and its economic benefits can be effectively improved by incorporating the MPM method. The experiment of manufacturing human lung models using a parallel 3D printing device demonstrates that the MPM method can improve the long-term precision and reliability of the parallel device, and the optimized human lung contour tracking precision can be improved by up to 55.56%.
An SRGM Using Fault Removal Efficiency and Correction Lag Function
Authors: Behera Anup Kumar , Agarwal Priyanka
Published: May 2024

Software reliability growth models (SRGMs) have shown remarkable research since the early 1970s. Usually, growth models are used throughout the software testing process to determine the failure pattern, consumption of testing efforts, total expected cost and reliability. Many existing models start with the underlying premise that defects are found and immediately fixed. But in reality, initially faults are detected, isolated and then corrected. This study enhances the SRGM by including the detection and correction procedure to address this discrepancy, considering the correction lag function and fault removal efficiency. In addition, this study also examines the overall anticipated cost and reliability associated with the suggested model. Furthermore, numerical outcomes are shown using actual datasets to verify the validity of the proposed model.
Predicting Weld Quality in Duplex Stainless Steel Butt Joints During Laser Beam Welding: A Hybrid DNN-HEVA Approach
Authors: Poornima Chodagam Lakshmi , Rao Chalamalasetti Srinivasa , Varma Dantuluri Narendra
Published: May 2024

Duplex stainless steel (DSS) welding is critical for producing structures and components in a variety of industries. Because traditional optimization approaches cannot manage the complexity of welding, additional solutions must be investigated. This study addresses the need for a systematic exploration of the welding parameters affecting the quality and performance of DSS butt joints, specifically employing fiber laser welding. This study focuses on butt joints in UNS S32304 and 304L using a fiber laser. Welding process parameters were systematically varied, including laser power, scanning speed, beam diameter, and focal position. To efficiently examine the parameters in the design space, the response surface methodology (RSM) with Box–Behnken design (BBD) was used. The combination of the specific parameter values used in the 7th run (Laser Power: 1600 W, Scanning Speed: 2000 mm/min, Beam Diameter: 1.5 [Formula: see text]m, Focal Position: 30 mm) led to better yield point stress (YPS), maximum tensile stress (MTS), break stress (BS) and reduction in area (RA). ANOVA and lack of fit analysis confirmed the significance of the experiment. In particular, the selected welding parameters significantly influenced all responses. A hybrid machine learning method of deep neural network (DNN) and human eye vision algorithm (HEVA) was used for predicting weld quality during laser beam welding (LBW). The hybrid DNN-HEVA consistently outperformed other optimization methods (RSM-BBD, FNN, CNN, and RNN) across key welding quality parameters. High [Formula: see text]2 values (0.9922, 0.9962, 0.9983, and 0.9907) indicated a strong correlation between predicted and actual values for all calculated responses. Lower RMSE, MSE, and MAE values were also highlighted in the precision of predicted values to the experimental data.
Automation Inspection in Metal Fabrication: Enhancing Sheet Metal Forming Processes with Automation, Machine Vision and Image Correlation for Quality Assurance
Authors: Kumar S. Pratheesh , Balasubramanian N.
Published: May 2024

This review emphasizes the evolving need for automated inspection in metal fabrication processes due to the increasing complexity of design advancements over the years. The study explores various defect detection algorithms and evaluates their effectiveness in enhancing the accuracy and reliability of the inspection process. Machine vision plays a crucial role in this context, contributing significantly to the precision of the inspection process in metal fabrication. Its ability to handle complex tasks ensures a thorough assessment of manufactured components. The paper also explores the use of digital image correlation (DIC) as a key tool in quality assurance for metal fabricated products. This technique provides detailed insights, enabling a thorough understanding of structural integrity and defect identification. By integrating insights on automated inspection through defect detection algorithms, machine vision and DIC, this review aims to advance quality assurance methodologies in the ever-evolving field of metal fabrication.
Harnessing Metal Nanoparticles: Revolutionizing Cancer Therapy Through Targeted Drug Delivery and Tumor Microenvironment Modulation
Authors: Dudhat Kiran
Published: May 2024

Cancer remains a significant global health burden, claiming countless lives annually and incurring substantial direct and indirect economic costs. Despite advancements in therapeutic modalities, conventional cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery, are often hampered by limitations such as insufficient efficacy, dose-dependent side effects, high costs and patient tolerability. This has spurred extensive research into novel therapeutic approaches for this life-threatening disease. Metal nanoparticles (MNPs) have emerged as promising tools in cancer therapy due to their unique physicochemical properties spanning the past two decades. Owing to their size similarity to biological molecules, MNPs possess the inherent ability to penetrate cellular barriers, making them ideal carriers for targeted drug delivery. These multifunctional nanoplatforms offer distinct advantages over conventional therapeutics by enabling targeted delivery of anticancer agents to specific tumor sites, thereby enhancing therapeutic efficacy and minimizing systemic side effects. Photodynamic therapy and sonodynamic therapy represent particularly promising strategies that leverage MNPs for cancer treatment. This review delves into the potential applications of MNPs in modulating the tumor microenvironment, paving the way for the exploration of this vast and rapidly evolving field of nanomedicine.
Optimal impulsive control in RNA interference mediated by exogenous dsRNA with physiological delays
Authors: Li Changguo , Pei Yongzhen , Liu Zhenzhen , Zhang Ruimin
Published: May 2024

Therapeutic agents acting on RNA, including RNA modification, RNA editing and RNA interference (RNAi), play a vital role in gene function study, signaling pathway, drug discovery, disease treatment, vaccine development and so on. Therein, RNAi as an emerging gene therapy has been widely applied in many cancer studies by silencing oncogenes or specific mRNA in malignant tumor cells. Mechanism and efficiency of RNAi are the key issues of RNAi technology. RNA silencing involves dynamic modeling, analyses and optimal control of RNAi gene system. Physiological delay and Hill response describing off-target are considerable elements involving RNAi efficiency. In this paper, we first formulate a four-dimensional RNAi model with time delays and Hill functions, and then investigate the complex dynamic behaviors including the number, existence and stability of internal equilibria and Hopf bifurcations of single delay and two delays. Furthermore, based on the specific mRNA degradation adopted in impulsive patterns, we build an optimal problem by adding exogenous dsRNA at alterable time points in variable dosages in a treatment session. By the method of gradient formula, we can find the optimal impulsive time and proportion of dsRNA. Finally, simulation indicates that (1) physiological lags not only raise the oscillations of mRNA but also cut down the levels of cost; (2) smaller delays and larger rates of siRNA–mRNA complex formation and dsRNA synthesis imply the rapid composition of RISC and fast synthesis of dsRNA leading to more desirable therapeutic schedule, which affords evidence for gene regulation and RNAi; (3) a larger half-saturation coefficient characterizes a unique and stable higher targeted mRNA, whereas a smaller half-saturation coefficient generates bistability in which the higher and lower targeted mRNAs simultaneously emerge; and (4) the bistability will provide a good guidance to control, suppress and degrade targeted mRNA.
Glaucoma surgery experiments using digital microscope-integrated optical coherence tomography and OCT-compatible instruments
Authors: Jiang Tianliang , Fan Jinyu , Tang Ning , He Yi , Shi Guohua
Published: May 2024

There is a certain failure rate in traditional glaucoma surgery because of the lack of depth information in microscope images. In this work, we present a digital microscope-integrated optical coherence tomography (MIOCT) system and several custom-made OCT-compatible instruments for glaucoma surgery. Sixteen ophthalmologists were asked to perform trabeculectomy and canaloplasty on live porcine eyes using the system and instruments. After surgery, a subjective feedback survey about the user experience was taken. The experiment results showed that our system can help surgeons easily locate important tissue structures during surgery. The custom-made instruments also solved the shadowing problem in OCT imaging. Surgeons preferred to use the system in their future practice.
Molecular Docking and Ligand-Binding Analysis of Amidine Derivatives Targeting Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli Bacterial Strains: An In Silico Approach
Authors: Abidin Asmaa Zainal , Khoo Kuan Shiong , Sulong Nor Akmalyati , Rahim Khoirul Solehah Abdul , Zango Zakariyya Uba , Algarawi Maha , Eisa M. H. , Aldaghri Osamah , Lim Jun Wei , Tong Woei-Yenn , Ibnaouf Khalid H.
Published: May 2024

Gram-negative bacteria represent a formidable challenge due to their exhibition of elevated resistance to various antibiotics. This study delves into the crisis posed by antimicrobial resistance (AMR), focusing on the alarming rise of bacteria (Gram-negative), such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), notorious for their severe infections. By examining the binding interaction with antibiotics (ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, trimethoprim, pentamidine, furamidine, and oligoamidine) and bacterial protein targets, the study utilized molecular docking and ligand-binding analysis. The result reveals different LibDock scores with the bacterial strain. Higher scores indicate stronger binding. Pentamidine exhibited the highest scores with all bacterial strains. CDOCKER energy due to interaction was computed to analyze the molecules binding with the bacteria, and pentamidine stood with higher CDOCKER value, indicating strong binding affinity. The work also assessed the antibiotics likeness using the rule of Lipinski’s five (RO5), and several antibiotics conform to the criteria. Molecular dynamics simulations were conducted to estimate compound stabilities, revealing stable conformations. The results revealed a stable potential energy (PE) profile for 5V7A Chain B. The RMSD profiles exhibited deviations within certain time intervals, indicating potential conformational changes in the antibiotics.
Investigating Economic and Climate Signals in Groundwater Data
Authors: Pereira Mekha , Reed-Spitzer Zoey , Condon Laura , Colby Bonnie
Published: May 2024

Hydrologic, climatic, regulatory and economic factors interact in complex ways to influence groundwater conditions. These relationships can be difficult to measure and model but are important for water management and for considering viable futures for regional economies. This paper proposes a strategy for an improved understanding of how groundwater levels reflect signals of regulatory, economic and climate factors. Most existing econometric studies of groundwater use focus on large-scale irrigated agriculture and urbanized areas in first world nations, where groundwater extraction data is available. In much of the world, groundwater extraction data are not available for individual farms and other water users. The goal of this study is to explore the responsiveness of groundwater levels (a more widely available measure of groundwater conditions) to regulatory, economic and climate signals in rural areas, using a growing body of remotely sensed land cover data. Pooled Ordinary Least Squares econometric models examine the effects of regulatory, climatic and economic factors on groundwater levels in rural Arizona. Groundwater regulations, recharge projects, housing units and irrigated acreage have statistically significant relationships to groundwater levels in the study areas. This approach can be valuable for understanding factors that influence groundwater conditions and which may be useful in managing groundwater use in widespread areas where groundwater extraction data is unavailable.
The Transformation of the Tobacco Industry Through Technological Development and Changing Consumer Habits
Authors: Hegedűs Dániel
Published: May 2024

The aim of this study is to examine the phenomenon of non-consumption and its impact on the tobacco industry. Utilizing industry data, we illustrate the challenges arising from changing market conditions. Non-consumption significantly affects manufacturing companies; a decline in tobacco use reduces their revenue and underutilizes production capacity. In the 21st century, growing environmental and health consciousness among consumers is leading to decreased demand for tobacco products, impacting the industry and its associated companies. This downturn is reshaping the tobacco industry, with production shifting to regions experiencing a rise in tobacco use. Tobacco processing companies face the challenge of adapting to these market changes. Companies focused on mass production, due to their specific production models, struggle more to adapt compared to those already equipped for flexible production.
First-Principle Prediction of a Ground State Crystal Properties of a One-dimensional Nanotube-like Structure on Bismuth
Authors: Tse Geoffrey
Published: May 2024

First-principle calculations and density functional theory (DFT) have been combined to comparatively investigate the band structure, phonon spectrum, and optical and elastic properties of one-dimensional nanotube-like Bi. Our calculation reveals that Bi exhibits metallic properties, based on the valence band top (VBT) that lies above the conduction band bottom (CBB), and this is known as a negative bandgap. The optical bandgap is found to be very small, with a value of 257[Formula: see text]meV. The absorption coefficient is observed to be very high, up to [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text]. This quantity falls within the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) region. According to our reflectivity data, up to 82% of light has been reflected, which could be suitable for optical coating. Our elastic calculations further suggest the Bi-material should be brittle and covalent. Our data provide a deep understanding of various properties of Bismuth and could be useful to other theoretical and experimentalists.
Mitogenomic Characterization of South African Leopards and the Effect of Past Climatic Events
Authors: Tensen Laura , Emami-Khoyi Arsalan , Khan Anubhab , Camacho Gerrie , Swanepoel Lourens , Fischer Klaus
Published: May 2024

Revealing phylogeographic structure is important for accurate subspecies delineation and understanding a species’ evolutionary history. In leopards (Panthera pardus), there are currently nine subspecies recognized. On the African continent, only one subspecies occurs (P. p. pardus), although mitochondrial DNA from historical samples suggests the presence of three putative continental clades: (1) West Africa (WA), (2) Central Africa (CA), and (3) Southern Africa (SA). So far, whole genome data did not recover this phylogeographic structure, although leopards in the southern periphery of their distribution range in Africa have not yet been investigated in detail. The Mpumalanga province of South Africa is of particular interest, as here, the CA and the SA clade possibly meet. The aim of this study was to characterize the first mitogenomes of African leopards from Mpumalanga, to help clarifying how South African leopards fit into continental patterns of genetic differentiation. Complete mitogenomes from nine leopards, including a strawberry leopard, were assembled de novo and included in phylogenetic analysis, in combination with 32 publicly available mitogenomes. Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood analyses identified two deeply diverged putative clades within South Africa, which were more genetically distinct than two subspecies in Asia. The clades dated back to 0.76-0.86 million years ago, indicating that they originated during the climatically unstable Mid-Pleistocene, as seen in other large mammals. The Pleistocene refuge theory states that the maintenance of savanna refugia in East and Southern Africa promoted the divergence between populations. As such, leopards may reflect the unique climatic history of southern Africa, which has resulted in eminent and endemic genetic diversity.
Stability and Reactive Power Sharing Enhancement in Islanded Microgrid via Small-Signal Modeling and Optimal Virtual Impedance Control
Authors: Bennia Ilyas , Daili Yacine , Harrag Abdelghani , Alrajhi Hasan , Saim Abdelhakim , Guerrero Josep M.
Published: May 2024

In the context of integrating Renewable Energy Sources, Microgrid (MG) development is pivotal, particularly as a foundational technology for Smart-Grid evolution. Despite advancements in control techniques, challenges persist in ensuring system stability and accurate power sharing across diverse operational conditions and load types. The objective of this research is to control numerous paralleled inverters-based distributed generators (DGs) that contribute to power sharing in an island MG. The proposed methodology involves developing an innovative small-signal model for islanding MGs that incorporate virtual impedances. Subsequently, optimization algorithms based on Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) are proposed and compared for designing the virtual impedances. These algorithms analyze all potential operating points, aiming to minimize reactive power mismatches while maximizing MG stability. The suggested objective function facilitates the simultaneous achievement of these objectives. The proposed approaches were tested using MATLAB-Simulink software, and the comparison of the results between conventional approach and the proposed optimal approaches shows significant improvement in terms of the dynamic response during load changes, such as a decrease in response time by up to 20%, a reduction in overshoot percentage by approximately 15%, and a settling time improvement of nearly 25%. These quantified improvements highlight the effectiveness of the GA and PSO methods in minimizing the reactive power-sharing error while optimizing MG performance and stability.
Estimates and Predictors of Mortality, Stroke Recurrence, and Functional Dependency 1‐Year after Ischemic Stroke: A Prospective Multicenter Longitudinal Cohort Study in Central Norway
Authors: Phan Ailan , Indredavik Bent , Lydersen Stian , Morsund Åse H. , Seljeseth Yngve M. , Ildstad Fredrik , Wethal Torgeir
Published: May 2024

Background. Stroke incidence and mortality have drastically decreased in high‐income countries in the past twenty years. In this study, we provide updated estimates on mortality, recurrent stroke, and functional dependency among patients with first‐ever ischemic stroke and assess predictors associated with poor outcomes with a focus on age, vascular factors, stroke severity, function, and comorbidity burden. Methods. MIDNOR STROKE is a multicenter prospective longitudinal study including patients with first‐ever ischemic stroke admitted to stroke units in Central Norway during 2015‐2017. Data on survival, stroke recurrence, and functional dependency were collected during hospital stay and follow‐up. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models and logistic regression models were used to analyze predictors of mortality, stroke recurrence, and functional dependency. Results. A total of 794 participants were included in the study. After a year, 7.6% of the participants had died, 5.8% had a recurrent stroke, and 13.6% experienced functional deterioration to dependency. Multivariable analysis revealed that age (HR: 1.07, 96% CI: 1.03, 1.10), stroke severity (HR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.13), comorbidity burden (low: HR: 4.05, 95% CI: 1.48, 11.10; moderate: HR: 5.44, 95% CI: 2.06, 14.40; and high: 7.72, 95% CI: 2.85, 21.00), and coronary artery disease (HR: 2.40, 95% CI: 1.32, 4.38) predicted all‐cause death. Statin therapy predicted improved survival (HR: 0.39, 95% CI: 0.21, 0.75). High age (HR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.14) and increased stroke severity (OR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.17, 1.38) predicted elevated risk of functional dependency at one year. Conclusions. In this study, we have demonstrated that 1‐year survival following first‐ever ischemic stroke was high compared to previous reports and that statin therapy predicted improved survival. The risk of recurrent stroke after one year was found to be low compared to previous studies. Approximately 14% of stroke survivors who were initially functionally independent experienced deterioration to functional dependency. In addition to older age and stroke severity, increased comorbidity burden and a history of coronary artery disease predicted poor stroke prognosis. Interventions aimed at reducing stroke severity may improve patient outcomes. Furthermore, prevention efforts targeting conditions such as CAD and reducing overall comorbidity burden in stroke patients may favorably improve survival. This trial is registered with NCT03962127.
Direct Extraction and Determination of Free Nicotine in Cigarette Smoke
Authors: Li Li , Wen Jing , Deng Yuyang , Yang Juan , Yuan Yue , Shen Yi , Liu Guoce , Tian Yonghong , Lei Dean
Published: May 2024

The accurate determination of the free nicotine content in cigarette smoke is crucial for assessing cigarette quality, studying harm and addiction, and reducing tar levels. Currently, the determination of free nicotine in tobacco products primarily relies on methods such as pH calculation, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME), and traditional solvent extraction. However, these methods have limitations that restrict their widespread application. In this study, the free nicotine in cigarette smoke was directly extracted by using cyclohexane according to the traditional solvent extraction method and detected via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Compared with the traditional two-phase solvent extraction, our experimental method is easy to execute and eliminates the influence of aqueous solutions on the original distribution of nicotine in cigarette smoke particulate matter. Furthermore, the presence of protonated nicotine in tobacco does not affect the determination. Compared with HS-SPME and NMR spectroscopy, our approach, which involves solvent extraction followed by chromatographic separation and instrumental detection, offers simplicity, improved precision, better detection limits, and reduced interference during the instrumental detection stage. The standard addition recoveries in the conducted experiment ranged from 96.2% to 102.5%. The limit of detection was 2.8 μg/cig, and the correlation coefficient R2 for the quadratic regression of the standard curve exceeded 0.999. The relative standard deviation for parallel samples was between 1.7% and 3.4% (n = 5), fully meeting the requirements for the determination of free nicotine in cigarette smoke. Analysis of cigarette samples from 38 commercially available brands revealed that the content of free nicotine ranged from 0.376 to 0.716 mg/cig, with an average of 0.540 mg/cig, and free nicotine accounted for 39.1%–88.8% of the total nicotine content.
Adaptação em quadrinhos e sua autonomia em relação ao discurso literário
Authors: Bitazi Fernanda Isabel
Published: May 2024

This paper aims at demonstrating, based on the central idea that every adaptation is a cultural product as autonomous and creative as its hypotext, that comics adaptations recreate the form and the content of its literary base-text through their own syntactic resources. Such fact is essential to justify the infeasibility of creating a hierarchy of arts based on aesthetic inferiority and superiority. Thus, the comics adaptation “The Match Girl”, made by Brazilian comics artist Fabiano Barroso, will be analyzed in comparison with its hypotext, the short story “The Little Match Girl”, by Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen.
Os quadrinhos brasileiros de humor autorais no século XXI
Authors: Santos Roberto Elísio dos , Padovani Flavio
Published: May 2024

Tem como objetivo principal identificar e analisar as temáticas das histórias em quadrinhos que tratam de assuntos candentes e em pauta na atualidade. Dos quadrinistas da atualidade, destacam-se Allan Sieber e André Dahmer, que aparecem no cenário midiático da internet como autores de quadrinhos para domínios virtuais. O estudo tem o intuito de analisar o fenômeno da passagem de um suporte para outro, aspecto que constitui uma grande inovação dessa linguagem.
Cruzando gêneros
Authors: Assis Érico , Gordon Ian
Published: May 2024

Discute as graphic novels sob o ponto de vista das Bildungsromane, defendendo que elas propõem uma modalidade de Bildungsroman na qual o processo é mais importante que o desfecho. Enfoca especialmente as narrativas autobiográficas em quadrinhos, analisando a obra Fun Home, de Alison Bechdel.
Pra lá de onde o gênero faz a curva: as mudanças no perfil do público leitor de mangás shoujo e shounen
Authors: Silva Beatriz Corrêa Oscar da , Magaldi Carolina Alves , Freitas Laura Rodrigues de
Published: May 2024

It aims to discuss the intrinsic relations between gender and manga, in order to grasp the contemporary changes on the profile of shoujo and shounen manga readers. To that end, we explore the history of manga as a narrative, as well as a representation of feminine and masculine patterns; we discuss the characteristics of shoujo and shounen subgenres; as well as analyze the most popular manga among readers whose gender opposes the demographic of said work, while substantiating this study through Hans Robert Jauss’s Aesthetic of Reception Theory (1994 [1970]), as a means to problematize the contemporary turns in Japanese comics.
O Instagram como suporte para publicação de quadrinhos: vantagens e desvantagens da publicação em uma rede social
Authors: Almeida Maiara Alvim de
Published: May 2024

As digital social networks became more popular, they represent themselves as a medium for publishing and consuming art works in general, among which we highlight comics. Publishing in a social network is posed not only as an option, but also as something mandatory for authors, considering the visibility this medium represents, theoretically. This possibility entails a number of positive aspects for both artists and audiences, but it also comes with a great deal of negative aspects as well. Keeping these in mind, this paper aims to present both positive and negative aspects linked to publishing comics on a social network.
Medo e identidade: o impacto da violência em Desconstruindo Una
Authors: Bertolazzi Angélica Regina Gonçalves
Published: May 2024

A period of Una's life was guided by fear, which triggered a painful process of identity deconstruction. In view of this, the main objective is to verify if fear is a constituent factor of the identity of the protagonist of the autobiographical comic Becoming Unbecoming (Una, 2018), since this emotion is evoked by the memories of a victim of sexual abuse during childhood and adolescence. In this way, a bibliographical survey was carried out, which allowed the construction of the theoretical foundation related to fear (Bauman, 2008; Tuan, 2005), identity (Woodward, 2012) and the language of comics (Ramos, 2010), when perceiving the relevance of fear and its verbal-visual metaphorization in Una's identity process. Through the interpretive analysis, fear was confirmed as a substantial factor in the constitution of identity and its re-signification, from the moment the protagonist decides to end the silence and intends to be a voice for other victims of sexual violence.
Teses e dissertações do PPGCOM-ECA-USP (1º de Julho de 2022 a 30 de Junho de 2023)
Authors: MATRIZes
Published: May 2024

sem resumo