bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predicting Outcomes of Atezolizumab and Bevacizumab Treatment in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Han Ji Won , Jang Jeong Won
Published: July 2023

A combination of atezolizumab with bevacizumab (AB) is the first regimen that has shown superiority compared to sorafenib and is now being used as the systemic treatment of choice for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with Barcelona Liver Cancer Clinic stage C. However, a considerable number of patients do not achieve survival or significant responses, indicating the need to identify predictive biomarkers for initial and on-treatment decisions in HCC patients receiving AB. In this manuscript, we summarized the current data from both experimental and clinical studies. This review will be beneficial for both clinicians and researchers in clinical practice as well as those designing experimental, translational, or clinical studies.
A New Role for Yeast Cells in Health and Nutrition: Antioxidant Power Assessment
Authors: Gosselin-Monplaisir Thomas , Dagkesamanskaya Adilya , Rigal Mylène , Floch Aurélie , Furger Christophe , Martin-Yken Hélène
Published: July 2023

As the use of antioxidant compounds in the domains of health, nutrition and well-being is exponentially rising, there is an urgent need to quantify antioxidant power quickly and easily, ideally within living cells. We developed an Anti Oxidant Power in Yeast (AOPY) assay which allows for the quantitative measurement of the Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and free-radical scavenging effects of various molecules in a high-throughput compatible format. Key parameters for Saccharomyces cerevisiae were investigated, and the optimal values were determined for each of them. The cell density in the reaction mixture was fixed at 0.6; the concentration of the fluorescent biosensor (TO) was found to be optimal at 64 µM, and the strongest response was observed for exponentially growing cells. Our optimized procedure allows accurate quantification of the antioxidant effect in yeast of well-known antioxidant molecules: resveratrol, epigallocatechin gallate, quercetin and astaxanthin added in the culture medium. Moreover, using a genetically engineered carotenoid-producing yeast strain, we realized the proof of concept of the usefulness of this new assay to measure the amount of β-carotene directly inside living cells, without the need for cell lysis and purification.
Effect of Substituents on Molecular Reactivity during Lignin Oxidation by Chlorine Dioxide: A Density Functional Theory Study
Authors: Liu Baojie , Liu Lu , Qin Xin , Liu Yi , Yang Rui , Mo Xiaorong , Qin Chengrong , Liang Chen , Yao Shuangquan
Published: July 2023

Lignin is a polymer with a complex structure. It is widely present in lignocellulosic biomass, and it has a variety of functional group substituents and linkage forms. Especially during the oxidation reaction, the positioning effect of the different substituents of the benzene ring leads to differences in lignin reactivity. The position of the benzene ring branched chain with respect to methoxy is important. The study of the effect of benzene substituents on the oxidation reaction’s activity is still an unfinished task. In this study, density functional theory (DFT) and the m062x/6-311+g (d) basis set were used. Differences in the processes of phenolic oxygen intermediates formed by phenolic lignin structures (with different substituents) with chlorine dioxide during the chlorine dioxide reaction were investigated. Six phenolic lignin model species with different structures were selected. Bond energies, electrostatic potentials, atomic charges, Fukui functions and double descriptors of lignin model substances and reaction energy barriers are compared. The effects of benzene ring branched chains and methoxy on the mechanism of chlorine dioxide oxidation of lignin were revealed systematically. The results showed that the substituents with shorter branched chains and strong electron-absorbing ability were more stable. Lignin is not easily susceptible to the effects of chlorine dioxide. The substituents with longer branched chains have a significant effect on the flow of electron clouds. The results demonstrate that chlorine dioxide can affect the electron arrangement around the molecule, which directly affects the electrophilic activity of the molecule. The electron-absorbing effect of methoxy leads to a low dissociation energy of the phenolic hydroxyl group. Electrophilic reagents are more likely to attack this reaction site. In addition, the stabilizing effect of methoxy on the molecular structure of lignin was also found.
mTOR Signaling Pathway and Gut Microbiota in Various Disorders: Mechanisms and Potential Drugs in Pharmacotherapy
Authors: Gao Yuan , Tian Tian
Published: July 2023

The mammalian or mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) integrates multiple intracellular and extracellular upstream signals involved in the regulation of anabolic and catabolic processes in cells and plays a key regulatory role in cell growth and metabolism. The activation of the mTOR signaling pathway has been reported to be associated with a wide range of human diseases. A growing number of in vivo and in vitro studies have demonstrated that gut microbes and their complex metabolites can regulate host metabolic and immune responses through the mTOR pathway and result in disorders of host physiological functions. In this review, we summarize the regulatory mechanisms of gut microbes and mTOR in different diseases and discuss the crosstalk between gut microbes and their metabolites and mTOR in disorders in the gastrointestinal tract, liver, heart, and other organs. We also discuss the promising application of multiple potential drugs that can adjust the gut microbiota and mTOR signaling pathways. Despite the limited findings between gut microbes and mTOR, elucidating their relationship may provide new clues for the prevention and treatment of various diseases.
Chimerism Testing by Next Generation Sequencing for Detection of Engraftment and Early Disease Relapse in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation and an Overview of NGS Chimerism Studies
Authors: Liacini Abdelhamid , Tripathi Gaurav , McCollick Amanda , Gravante Christopher , Abdelmessieh Peter , Shestovska Yuliya , Mathew Leena , Geier Steven
Published: July 2023

Chimerism monitoring after allogenic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (allo-HCT) is critical to determine how well donor cells have engrafted and to detect relapse for early therapeutic intervention. The aim of this study was to establish and detect mixed chimerism and minimal residual disease using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) testing for the evaluation of engraftment and the detection of early relapse after allo-HCT. Our secondary aim was to compare the data with the existing laboratory method based on Short Tandem Repeat (STR) analysis. One hundred and seventy-four DNA specimens from 46 individuals were assessed using a commercially available kit for NGS, AlloSeq HCT NGS (CareDx), and the STR-PCR assay. The sensitivity, precision, and quantitative accuracy of the assay were determined using artificially created chimeric constructs. The accuracy and linearity of the assays were evaluated in 46 post-transplant HCT samples consisting of 28 levels of mixed chimerism, which ranged from 0.3–99.7%. There was a 100% correlation between NGS and STR-PCR chimerism methods. In addition, 100% accuracy was attained for the two external proficiency testing surveys (ASHI EMO). The limit of detection or sensitivity of the NGS assay in artificially made chimerism mixtures was 0.3%. We conducted a review of all NGS chimerism studies published online, including ours, and concluded that NGS-based chimerism analysis using the AlloSeq HCT assay is a sensitive and accurate method for donor-recipient chimerism quantification and minimal residual disease relapse detection in patients after allo-HCT compared to STR-PCR assay.
The Electronic Effects of 3-Methoxycarbonylcoumarin Substituents on Spectral, Antioxidant, and Protein Binding Properties
Authors: Vasić Jelena , Dimić Dušan , Antonijević Marko , Avdović Edina H. , Milenković Dejan , Nakarada Đura , Dimitrić Marković Jasmina , Molnar Maja , Lončarić Melita , Bešlo Drago , Marković Zoran
Published: July 2023

Coumarin derivatives are a class of compounds with pronounced biological activities that depend primarily on the present substituents. Four 3-methoxycarbonylcoumarin derivatives with substituents of different electron-donating/electron-withdrawing abilities (Br, NO2, OH, and OMe) were investigated structurally by NMR, IR, and UV-VIS spectroscopies and density functional theory methods. The appropriate level of theory (B3LYP-D3BJ/6-311++G(d,p) was selected after comparing similar compounds’ experimental and theoretical structural parameters. The natural bond orbital and quantum theory of atoms in molecules were employed to investigate the intramolecular interactions governing stability. The electronic effects of substituents mostly affected the aromatic ring that the substituents are directly attached to. The antioxidant properties were investigated by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy towards HO•, and the percentages of reduction were between 13% (6-Br) and 23% (6-OMe). The protein binding properties towards transport proteins were assessed by spectrofluorimetry, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics (MD). The experimentally determined binding energies were well reproduced by molecular docking, showing that the spontaneity of ibuprofen binding was comparable to the investigated compounds. The flexibility of HSA in MD simulations depended on the substituents. These results proved the importance of electronic effects for the protein binding affinities and antioxidant properties of coumarin derivatives.
Enhanced Cell Wall and Cell Membrane Activity Promotes Heat Adaptation of Enterococcus faecium
Authors: Wang Li , Li Aike , Fang Jun , Wang Yongwei , Chen Lixian , Qiao Lin , Wang Weiwei
Published: July 2023

Enterococcus faecium (E. faecium) is widely used in foods and is known as a probiotic to treat or prevent diarrhea in pets and livestock. However, the poor resistance of E. faecium to high temperature processing procedures limits its use. Strain domestication is a low-cost and effective method to obtain high-temperature-resistant strains. In this study, heat treatment was performed from 45 °C to 70 °C and the temperature was gradually increased by 5 °C every 3 days. After domestication, the survival rates of the high temperature adaptation strain RS047-wl under 65 °C water bath for 40 min was 11.5 times higher than WT RS047. Moreover, the saturated fatty acid (SFA) contents in cell membrane and the cell volume significantly increased in the RS047-wl. The combined transcriptomic, metabolomic, and proteomics analysis results showed a significant enhancement of cell wall and membrane synthesis ability in the RS047-wl. In conclusion, one of the main factors contributing to the improved high temperature resistance of RS047-wl was its enhanced ability to synthesize cell wall and membrane, which helped maintain normal cell morphology. Developing a high-temperature-resistant strain and understanding its mechanism enables it to adapt to high temperatures. This lays the groundwork for its future development and application.
Phosphoribosyltransferases and Their Roles in Plant Development and Abiotic Stress Response
Authors: Liu Ye , Wu Peiwen , Li Bowen , Wang Weihao , Zhu Benzhong
Published: July 2023

Glycosylation is a widespread glycosyl modification that regulates gene expression and metabolite bioactivity in all life processes of plants. Phosphoribosylation is a special glycosyl modification catalyzed by phosphoribosyltransferase (PRTase), which functions as a key step in the biosynthesis pathway of purine and pyrimidine nucleotides, histidine, tryptophan, and coenzyme NAD(P)+ to control the production of these essential metabolites. Studies in the past decades have reported that PRTases are indispensable for plant survival and thriving, whereas the complicated physiological role of PRTases in plant life and their crosstalk is not well understood. Here, we comprehensively overview and critically discuss the recent findings on PRTases, including their classification, as well as the function and crosstalk in regulating plant development, abiotic stress response, and the balance of growth and stress responses. This review aims to increase the understanding of the role of plant PRTase and also contribute to future research on the trade-off between plant growth and stress response.
Real-World Effectiveness and Safety of Belantamab Mafodotin Monotherapy in Triple-Class Refractory Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Ntanasis-Stathopoulos Ioannis , Malandrakis Panagiotis , Fotiou Despina , Migkou Magdalini , Theodorakakou Foteini , Roussou Maria , Eleutherakis-Papaiakovou Evangelos , Spiliopoulou Vassiliki , Kastritis Efstathios , Terpos Evangelos , Dimopoulos Meletios-Athanasios , Gavriatopoulou Maria
Published: July 2023

B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) is a promising therapeutic target for multiple myeloma (MM). The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness and tolerability of monotherapy with the conjugated anti-BCMA monoclonal antibody belantamab mafodotin in triple-class refractory patients with MM in real-world practice. Patients refractory to at least one proteasome inhibitor, one immunomodulatory drug, and one anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody received belantamab mafodotin at 2.5 mg/kg intravenously every 3 weeks. Overall, 27 patients with a median age of 65 years (range 41–81) were included. Of these, 52% were male and the median number of prior lines of treatment was 5 (4–10). The overall response rate (partial response or better) was 52%, whereas the disease control rate (stable disease or better) was 70%. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 2 months (95%CI: 0–7), whereas the median PFS among the responders was 12 months (95%CI: 6–18). Regarding the toxicity profile, the most common toxicity was eye toxicity, in 44% of the patients. Keratopathy grade 2–3 was reported in 33.3% of the patients. In conclusion, belantamab mafodotin showed a safety and efficacy profile consistent with the results of the registrational study. Importantly, heavily pretreated patients who responded to treatment derived a substantial survival benefit.
Potential Roles for the GluN2D NMDA Receptor Subunit in Schizophrenia
Authors: Vinnakota Chitra , Hudson Matthew R. , Jones Nigel C. , Sundram Suresh , Hill Rachel A.
Published: July 2023

Glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) hypofunction has been proposed to underlie schizophrenia symptoms. This theory arose from the observation that administration of NMDAR antagonists, which are compounds that inhibit NMDAR activity, reproduces behavioural and molecular schizophrenia-like phenotypes, including hallucinations, delusions and cognitive impairments in healthy humans and animal models. However, the role of specific NMDAR subunits in these schizophrenia-relevant phenotypes is largely unknown. Mounting evidence implicates the GluN2D subunit of NMDAR in some of these symptoms and pathology. Firstly, genetic and post-mortem studies show changes in the GluN2D subunit in people with schizophrenia. Secondly, the psychosis-inducing effects of NMDAR antagonists are blunted in GluN2D-knockout mice, suggesting that the GluN2D subunit mediates NMDAR-antagonist-induced psychotomimetic effects. Thirdly, in the mature brain, the GluN2D subunit is relatively enriched in parvalbumin (PV)-containing interneurons, a cell type hypothesized to underlie the cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. Lastly, the GluN2D subunit is widely and abundantly expressed early in development, which could be of importance considering schizophrenia is a disorder that has its origins in early neurodevelopment. The limitations of currently available therapies warrant further research into novel therapeutic targets such as the GluN2D subunit, which may help us better understand underlying disease mechanisms and develop novel and more effective treatment options.
Rotor Cascade Assessment at Off-Design Condition: An Aerodynamic Investigation on Platform Cooling
Authors: Abdeh Hamed , Barigozzi Giovanna , Franchina Nicoletta
Published: July 2023

Off-design condition of a rotor blade cascade with and without platform cooling was experimentally investigated. The ability of the gas turbine to operate down to 50% to 20% of its nominal intake air flow rate has an important consequence in the change in the inlet incidence angle, which varied from nominal to −20°. Platform cooling through an upstream slot simulating the stator-to-rotor interface gap was considered. The impact of rotation on purge flow injection was simulated by installing fins inside the slot to give the coolant flow a tangential direction. Aerodynamic measurements to quantify the cascade aerodynamic loss and secondary flow structures were performed at Ma2is = 0.55, varying the coolant to main flow mass flow ratio (MFR%) and the incidence angle. The results show that losses strongly increase with MFR. A negative incidence allows a reduction in the overall loss even when coolant is injected with a high MFR. The more negative the incidence, the greater the loss reduction.
Employee Productivity Assessment Using Fuzzy Inference System
Authors: Nikmanesh Mohammad , Feili Ardalan , Sorooshian Shahryar
Published: July 2023

The success of an organization hinges upon the effective utilization of its human resources, which serves as a crucial developmental factor and competitive advantage, and sets the organization apart from others. Evaluating staff productivity involves considering various dimensions, notably structural, behavioral, and circumferential factors. These factors collectively form a three-pronged model that comprehensively encompasses the facets of an organization. However, assessing the productivity of employees poses challenges, due to the inherent complexity of the humanities domain. Fuzzy logic offers a sound approach to address this issue, employing its rationale and leveraging a fuzzy inference system (FIS) as a sophisticated toolbox for measuring productivity. Fuzzy inference systems enhance the flexibility, speed, and adaptability in soft computation. Likewise, their applications, integration, hybridization, and adaptation are also introduced. They also provide an alternative solution to deal with imprecise data. In this study, we endeavored to identify and measure the productivity of human resources within a case study, by developing an alternative framework known as an FIS. Our findings provided evidence to support the validity of the alternative approach. Thus, the utilized approach for assessing employee productivity may provide managers and businesses with a more realistic asset.
Insecticidal Effect of Diatomaceous Earth Formulations for the Control of a Wide Range of Stored-Product Beetle Species
Authors: Agrafioti Paraskevi , Vrontaki Mariastela , Rigopoulou Marianna , Lampiri Evagelia , Grigoriadou Katerina , Ioannidis Philippos M. , Rumbos Christos I. , Athanassiou Christos G.
Published: July 2023

Diatomaceous earth (DE) formulations are promising alternatives over the use of traditional insecticides. In the present study, a series of laboratory bioassays was carried out to assess the efficacy of three diatomaceous earth formulations, i.e., Silicid, Celatom® MN-23, and SilicoSec®, for the control of a wide range of stored-product insect species in soft wheat. The species tested were Tribolium confusum, Tribolium castaneum, Sitophilus oryzae, Sitophilus granarius, Rhyzopertha dominica, Oryzaephilus surinamensis, and Alphitobious diaperinus. Different dose rates, i.e., 0 (control), 100, 300, 500, and 1000 ppm, were used for each of the aforementioned dust formulations. Mortality levels of the exposed individuals were assessed after 3, 7, 14, and 21 days of exposure. Moreover, progeny were counted 65 days later. Based on our results, dust formulations were effective for the control of most of the stored-product beetle species tested. Among the DE formulations tested, Silicid could adequately control the stored-product insect species. Complete suppression of offspring was observed only for secondary species (T. confusum, T. castaneum, O. surinamensis, and A. diaperinus). For primary species (S. oryzae, S. granarius, and R. dominica), the lowest number of progeny was observed in wheat treated with Silicid. For instance, in the case of R. dominica, significantly fewer individuals were produced in Silicid-treated wheat at the highest dose rate. The results of the present study aim to encourage the utilization of DE in stored-product protection as an integrated pest management tool. Additional experimentation is required to apply the tested DE formulations in the field and on different surfaces.
Mechanoecology and Chemoecology: Physical and Chemical Interactions between Insects and Plants
Authors: Salerno Gianandrea , Rebora Manuela , Gorb Stanislav
Published: July 2023

Plants and herbivorous insects, as well as their natural enemies such as predatory and parasitoid insects, are united by intricate relationships [...]
Leveraging the Academic Artificial Intelligence Silecosystem to Advance the Community Oncology Enterprise
Authors: McDonnell Kevin J.
Published: July 2023

Over the last 75 years, artificial intelligence has evolved from a theoretical concept and novel paradigm describing the role that computers might play in our society to a tool with which we daily engage. In this review, we describe AI in terms of its constituent elements, the synthesis of which we refer to as the AI Silecosystem. Herein, we provide an historical perspective of the evolution of the AI Silecosystem, conceptualized and summarized as a Kuhnian paradigm. This manuscript focuses on the role that the AI Silecosystem plays in oncology and its emerging importance in the care of the community oncology patient. We observe that this important role arises out of a unique alliance between the academic oncology enterprise and community oncology practices. We provide evidence of this alliance by illustrating the practical establishment of the AI Silecosystem at the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center and its team utilization by community oncology providers.
Factorial Validity of the German KABC-II at Ages 7 to 12 in a Clinical Sample: Four Factors Fit Better than Five
Authors: Renner Gerolf , Schroeder Anne , Irblich Dieter
Published: July 2023

Multidimensional intelligence test batteries such as the KABC-II are widely used in clinical practice. Although validity evidence should be provided for all intended uses of a test, data on the factorial validity of the KABC-II mostly relies on the standardization samples and raises some concerns about the adequacy of the factor structure. Confirmatory factor analyses of the KABC-II core subtests were conducted in a sample of 627 children who had been assessed in German Centers for Social Pediatrics. The standard structure of the KABC-II was superior to unidimensional models but, as in previous research, evidenced cross-loadings and a high correlation between Planning/Gf and Simultaneous/Gv. Pattern Reasoning was more closely related to Simultaneous/Gv than to Planning/Gf. A four-factorial structure combining subtests from Planning/Gf and Simultaneous/Gv to form a common factor emerged as a better representation of the data. Story Completion showed a secondary loading on Knowledge/Gc. On average, most subtest variance was accounted for by the general factor. Models with bonus points for fast responses generally fitted worse than those without. Clinicians should be aware that Planning/Gf and Simultaneous/Gv measure both visual and fluid abilities. Scales of the KABC-II should not be interpreted as dimensions independent of the general factor.
New Prospects of Waste Involvement in Marine Fuel Oil: Evolution of Composition and Requirements for Fuel with Sulfur Content up to 0.5%
Authors: Nelyubov Dmitriy V. , Fakhrutdinov Marat I. , Sarkisyan Alena A. , Sharin Evgeniy A. , Ershov Mikhail A. , Makhova Ulyana A. , Makhmudova Alisa E. , Klimov Nikita A. , Rogova Marina Y. , Savelenko Vsevolod D. , Kapustin Vladimir M. , Lobashova Marina M. , Tikhomirova Ekaterina O.
Published: July 2023

Research was carried out on the possibility of involving oil refining wastes and petrochemical by-products in marine fuel oil. It was shown that the properties of the studied products (VAT distillation residue of butyl alcohols, heavy pyrolysis tar, desalted phenol production tar, waste motor oil mixture) mainly differ from primary and secondary oil refining products used in this fuel with increased toxicity (hazard classes 2 and 3). A clear disadvantage of waste motor oils is an increased content of metals, particularly zinc, calcium and phosphorus, which leads to high ash content. Recommended concentrations for introducing components into marine fuels are given. The influences of the composition and sulfur content on operational properties and quality indexes of VLSFO were also studied. It is shown that the use of products of deep hydrotreatment of vacuum-distillate fractions of oil processing can worsen its protective (anticorrosive) properties and colloidal stability; therefore, a reduction of sulfur content below 0.1% in this fuel is inexpedient without the use of additives. The requirements for VLSFO quality indicators have been developed. Application of VLSFO corresponding to the developed requirements will provide an increase in performance of ship power plants and the stability of VLSFO quality, which will contribute to cost reduction of ship owners when using it.
Microplastic Pollution and Its Potential Correlation with Environmental Factors in Daya Bay, South China Sea
Authors: Liu Peiqin , Liao Hongping , Deng Yongyan , Zhang Wenqi , Zhou Zhixi , Sun Di , Ke Zhixin , Zhou Aiguo , Tang Huijuan
Published: July 2023

Microplastics (MPs) have been given considerable attention due to their risk to aquatic organisms in marine environments. In this study, MPs’ abundance and their potential correlation with environmental factors were investigated from 26 sites in Daya Bay, South China Sea. The results showed that the abundance of MPs was 1.8–13.87 items/L in surface water and 190–823 items/kg (dry weight) in sediment. The most abundant shape of MPs in both water and sediment was fiber, the most abundant particle size was 0.5–1 mm and the most abundant color was transparent. In addition, the most common polymer type of MPs was polyethylene terephthalate (PET), followed by rayon (RY), polypropylene (PP), cellulose (CL) and polyethylene (PE). The abundance of MPs in sediment was significantly correlated with sediment organic N and C (p < 0.05), while that in surface water had no significant correlation with the environmental factors except dissolved oxygen (p > 0.05). A factor analysis showed that MPs in sediment might share similar sources with organic N and C, which were mainly from the autochthonous sedimentation of marine organisms, and MPs might sediment jointly with organic matter. In summary, this study reflects on MP pollution and the potential correlation with environmental factors, providing essential data for governmental agencies to formulate microplastic pollution control policies.
A Method for Multi-Beam Bathymetric Surveys in Unfamiliar Waters Based on the AUV Constant-Depth Mode
Authors: Wang Junsen , Tang Yulin , Jin Shaohua , Bian Gang , Zhao Xinyang , Peng Chengyang
Published: July 2023

Given the lack of systematic research on bathymetric surveys with multi-beam sonar carried by autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) in unfamiliar waters, this paper proposes a method for multi-beam bathymetric surveys based on the constant-depth mode of AUVs, considering equipment safety, operational efficiency, and data quality. Firstly, basic principles for multi-beam bathymetric surveys under the constant-depth mode are proposed based on multi-beam operational standards and AUV constant-depth mode characteristics. Secondly, a vertical effective height model for the vehicle is established, providing vertical constraints and a basis for determining fixed depth in constant-depth missions. Subsequently, according to these basic principles and the vertical effective height model, the operational process for multi-beam bathymetric surveys in unfamiliar waters under the AUV constant-depth mode is outlined. Finally, we validate the proposed method through sea trials in the Xisha Sea of the South China Sea. The test results show that the method proposed in this paper not only ensures the vehicle safety operation and multi-beam data quality, but also improves the operation efficiency by about 68%, demonstrating the reliability of the proposed method and its significant engineering value and guidance implications.
Differences in the Destination of Savings According to Gender, and Its Economic Rights Implications
Authors: Arredondo-Trapero Florina Guadalupe , Guerra-Leal Eva María , Vázquez-Parra José Carlos
Published: July 2023

The main problem this article addresses is that women are more vulnerable than men in economic terms. The aim of this research is to identify the differences in the destination of savings according to gender and its implications related to their economic rights. Chi-Square tests were performed to test for the existence of statistically significant differences in the destination of men’s and women’s savings, based on the National Survey on the Destination of Savings in Mexico (ENIF). The hypothesis to be tested is that there is a gender difference in the way in which the destination of savings is allocated. As a result, it is possible to see that women focus their savings on issues related to health and education at home, in contrast to men, who tend to protect their own economic future by focusing their savings on remodeling or buying real estate or starting or expanding a business. In this sense, the hypothesis is partially verified in 4 of the 8 savings destinations. This article is motivated by the desire to identify this possible economic gap between genders, considering that it is an issue that affects the economic and personal future of women.
Gender Diversity and Human Capital Efficiency in Australian Institutions: The Moderating Role of Workforce Environment Quality
Authors: Miglani Seema , Obeng Victoria
Published: July 2023

We examine the relationship between board gender diversity and human capital efficiency and further consider the moderating role of workforce environment quality from the perspectives of profit-making and loss-making firms. Using a sample of 2700 firm-year observations from listed Australian firms for the period 2008–2019, we found a positive relationship between the presence of females on boards and human capital efficiency which was more pronounced for loss-making firms as against profit-making firms. Additionally, the relationship between gender diversity and human capital efficiency was moderated by the quality of workforce environment with the moderating effect being more pronounced for loss-making firms as compared to profit-making firms. Board gender diversity plays a substitutive role in the management of human capital efficiency for loss-making firms where investment in human capital development is limited.
Exploring Implied Certainty Equivalent Rates in Financial Markets: Empirical Analysis and Application to the Electric Vehicle Industry
Authors: He Yifan , Rachev Svetlozar
Published: July 2023

In this paper, we mainly study the impact of the implied certainty equivalent rate on investment in financial markets. First, we derived the mathematical expression of the implied certainty equivalent rate by using put-call parity, and then we selected some company stocks and options; we considered the best-performing and worst-performing company stocks and options from the beginning of 2023 to the present for empirical research. By visualizing the relationship between the time to maturity, moneyness, and implied certainty equivalent rate of these options, we have obtained a universal conclusion—a positive implied certainty equivalent rate is more suitable for investment than a negative implied certainty equivalent rate, but for a positive implied certainty equivalent rate, a larger value also means a higher investment risk. Next, we applied these results to the electric vehicle industry, and by comparing several well-known US electric vehicle production companies, we further strengthened our conclusions. Finally, we give a warning concerning risk, that is, investment in the financial market should not focus solely on the implied certainty equivalent rate, because investment is not an easy task, and many factors need to be considered, including some factors that are difficult to predict with models.
Decoupling Analysis of Carbon Emissions and Forest Area in China from 2004 to 2020
Authors: Zhu Shusen , Sun Hui , Xia Xuechao , Yang Zedong
Published: July 2023

As the largest ecological carbon sequestration systems on the Earth, forests play a significant role in reducing carbon dioxide, and countries around the world are actively expanding their forest areas. However, China’s carbon emissions and forest area have shown an upward trend, which has seriously hindered the implementation of forestry carbon sequestration projects. This paper analyzed the temporal variation, spatial distribution, and deviation degree of the forest area and carbon emissions in China from 2004 to 2020 by using a decoupling model and a coordination model. Firstly, according to the decoupling model, the national carbon emissions and forest area are negatively decoupled. At the provincial level, Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Guizhou, Yunnan, and Gansu have weak decoupling. Expansive link areas include Shanxi, Henan, Hubei, Ningxia, and Xinjiang. The other 19 provinces show expansive negative decoupling. Secondly, according to the coordination model, national carbon emissions are coordinated to the forest area. Zhejiang, Fujian, Jiangxi, and Guangdong are basically coordinated provinces. More coordinated provinces include Ningxia. The other 25 provinces are coordinated provinces. Finally, according to the comprehensive measurement model, Inner Mongolia, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Hainan, Jilin, Anhui, Liaoning, and Heilongjiang are high-quality expansive negative decoupling provinces. Chongqing, Hunan, Tianjin, Shandong, Hebei, and Guangxi are moderate to strong expansive negative decoupling provinces. This study not only provides a new perspective for analyzing forest carbon sinks, but also provides theoretical guidance for enhancing the natural carbon sink capacity, helping to achieve global carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals.
Reputation, Network, and Performance: Exploring the Diffusion Mechanism of Local Governments’ Behavior during Inter-Governmental Environmental Cooperation
Authors: Zhao Yihang , Xiong Jing , Hu De
Published: July 2023

The selective behavior of local governments during regional environmental cooperation could generate a diffusion effect through the black box of reputation mechanism. This study incorporates the reputation mechanism, social capital, and environmental governance performance into a unified analysis framework, empirically testing the moderating effect of the implementation rate of environmental cooperative projects (indicating reputation) on the relationship between two types of social capital and environmental governance performance among cities in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) and Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (BTH) regions. The inter-governmental environmental cooperation news and policies are collected by Data Capture technology as a dataset, and a set of social-economic data is also adopted. The spatial econometric regression results show that an increase in reputation could both strengthen the leadership and coordination ability (bridging social capital) of the central cities in the YRD and BTH regions, thus improving their environmental governance performance. However, the bonding social capital path could only significantly work in the BTH region, which unexpectedly increases pollutant emission through excessive internal cohesion. The results indicate that a “community of entangled interest” should be constructed among cities within urban agglomerations, which requires local governments to weaken the concept of their administrative boundary. At the same time, in order to avoid excessive internal condensation, a clear division of rights and responsibilities is also necessary during continuous inter-governmental environmental cooperation. We believe that these findings could provide empirical evidence for local governments to avoid failing to the traps of “agglomeration shadow”.
Spatial Spillover and Convergent Mechanism of Urban–Rural Financial Imbalances: Evidence from China
Authors: Yu Ying , Li Yong , Ge Pengfei , Rong Hua
Published: July 2023

Based on the perspective of financial geography, this study analyzed the convergent mechanism of urban–rural financial imbalances under the influence of spatial spillover through the theoretical framework of spatial process, spatial action, and spatial convergence. Then, we empirically tested the spatial spillover, spatial difference, and spatial convergence of urban–rural financial imbalances in China from 1991 to 2021. We found that urban–rural financial imbalances showed significant spillover effects and heterogeneous characteristics. Spillovers based on financial radiation and exclusion were apparent during the urban financial agglomeration stage, decreasing with geographical distance, and had an essential impact on the convergence of provincial urban–rural financial imbalance. As such spillovers declined during the financial diffusion period, new spillovers at the technology and information dimensions, which were less geographically constrained, came into play and contributed to urban–rural financial convergence. The policy implications are that it is necessary to pay attention to the spatial interaction of urban–rural financial inequality, correctly use their spillover effects to achieve financial convergence, and activate new spatial spillover channels according to their spatial interaction mode changes for further urban and rural financial convergence.
Are Stylistic Neologisms More Neological? A Corpus-Based Study of Lexical Innovations of Women and Men
Authors: Llopart-Saumell Elisabet , Cañete-González Paola
Published: July 2023

To deepen on the study of the concept of neologicity, an exhaustive review of the literature was carried out. Once the different parameters related to this concept were isolated, we realized that some of them were also used to determine the communicative function of neologisms. For this reason, first, we correlated the objective criteria to classify neologisms as prototypical of the denominative or the stylistic function with the parameters related to the neological quality. Second, we defined new criteria, both linguistic and chronological, to broaden the scope of our analysis. Afterwards, all the criteria were applied to a corpus of neologisms from newspaper articles and journalistic blogs in Spanish written by women and men. The results confirmed that neologisms with stylistic features tend to be more neological than denominative neologisms. Consequently, they are usually less frequent lexical units used in general or informal contexts. In addition, they tend to be the result of unproductive word formation rules that might contain subjective linguistic components and also tend to be more recent.
An Efficient Methodology Combining K-Means Machine Learning and Electrochemical Modelling for the Determination of Ionic Diffusivity and Kinetic Properties in Battery Electrodes
Authors: Capron Odile , Couto Luis D.
Published: July 2023

This paper presents an innovative and efficient methodology for the determination of the solid-state diffusion coefficient in electrode materials with phase transitions for which the assumption of applying the well-known formula from the work of Weppner et al. is not satisfied. This methodology includes a k-means machine learning screening of Galvanostatic Intermittent Titration Technique (GITT) steps, whose outcomes feed a physics-informed algorithm, the latter involving a pseudo-two-dimensional (P2D) electrochemical model for carrying out the numerical simulations. This methodology enables determining, for all of the 47 steps of the GITT characterization, the dependency of the Na+ diffusion coefficient as well as the reaction rate constant during the sodiation of an NVPF electrode to vary between 9 × 10−18 and 6.8 × 10−16 m2·s−1 and between 2.7 × 10−14 and 1.5 × 10−12 m2.5·mol−0.5·s−1, respectively. This methodology, also validated in this paper, is (a) innovative since it presents for the first time the successful application of unsupervised machine learning via k-means clustering for the categorization of GITT steps according to their characteristics in terms of voltage; (b) efficient given the considerable reduction in the number of iterations required with an average number of iterations equal to 8, and given the fact the entire experimental duration of each step should not be simulated anymore and hence can be simply restricted to the part with current and a small part of the rest period; (c) generically applicable since the methodology and its physics-informed algorithm only rely on “if” and “else” statements, i.e., no particular module/toolbox is required, which enables its replication and implementation for electrochemical models written in any programming language.
Fabrication of Multi-Walled Structure through Parametric Study of Bead Geometries of GMAW-Based WAAM Process of SS309L
Authors: Vora Jay , Pandey Rudram , Dodiya Pratik , Patel Vivek , Khanna Sakshum , Vaghasia Vatsal , Chaudhari Rakesh
Published: July 2023

In the present study, an attempt is made to investigate and optimize the bead geometries of bead width (BW) and bead height (BH) of SS-309L using an SS316L substrate by employing a gas metal arc welding (GMAW)-based wire-arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) process. The Box–Behnken design approach was used to conduct the trials of single-layer depositions with input variables of travel speed (TS), voltage (V), and gas mixture ratio (GMR). The developed multi-variable regression models were tested for feasibility using ANOVA and residual plots. The data obtained indicated that V had the most significant impact on BW, followed by TS and GMR. For BH, TS had the most significant impact, followed by GMR and V. The results of single-response optimization using a passing vehicle search (PVS) algorithm showed a maximum BH of 9.48 mm and a minimum BW of 5.90 mm. To tackle the contradictory situation, a multi-objective PVS algorithm was employed, which produced non-dominated solutions. A multi-layered structure was successfully fabricated at the optimal parametric settings of TS at 20 mm/s, of voltage at 22 V, and of GMR at 3. For multi-layer structures, fusion among the layers was observed to be good, and they were found to be free from the disbonding of layers. This revealed the suitability of the PVS algorithm for generating suitable optimal WAAM variables. We consider the current work highly beneficial for users fabricating multi-layer structures.
Effect of Imperial Smelting Process Slag Addition in Self Compacting Concrete Concrete on the Efficiency of Electrochemical Chloride Extraction
Authors: Szweda Zofia , Mazurkiewicz Janusz , Konečný Petr , Ponikiewski Tomasz
Published: July 2023

This paper presents the analysis of how ISP slag addition affects the effectiveness of chloride extraction from self-compacting concrete. Corrosion processes were initiated by chloride ions added to concrete by the method accelerated with an electric field. Corrosion of reinforcement was monitored using the method of linear polarization resistance (LPR). Polarization measurements of steel reinforcement and chloride profiles were analysed to evaluate the effectiveness of electrochemical extraction. Microstructural analysis was conducted on a specimen of concrete after migration and extraction of chlorides. The presence of chloride ions and the application of an electric field during migration were tested with respect to the changed microstructure of concrete evaluated on the basis of image analysis using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The research contributes to a better understanding of the corrosion processes caused by the presence of chloride ions in concretes in which ISP slag was used as a substitute for sand in various amounts. Thanks to the treatments of concrete with already corroding reinforcement bars, it can be concluded that the moderate replacement of sand with ISP slag limited to 25% allows for the effective inhibition of corrosion processes taking place in these concretes. However, it is not possible to completely withdraw already started corrosion processes in steel. The observations of the microstructure of concrete in which sand was completely replaced with ISP slag indicate that after prolonged use of the chloride extraction process, we can expect a change in the microstructure and the formation of ettringite, which may cause the concrete structure to burst. The obtained information will contribute to the development of modelling methods for chloride ion extraction from a wide range of currently used concretes.
Investigation of Damage and Creep for Bedding’s Carbonaceous Slate with Chemical Erosion Effect
Authors: Zeng Weihao , Chen Zhenghong , Xie Yunpeng , Chen Qiunan
Published: July 2023

Tunnel projects in the southwestern mountainous area of China are in full swing. According to the tunnel burial depth, structural characteristics, and chemical erosion environments of the Lixiang railway tunnel, carbonaceous slate specimens obtained in the field were taken to experimentally investigate the physical, mechanical, and creep characteristics of the bedding’s slate specimens after chemical erosion. The results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicate that chemical erosion leads to internal damage in the carbonaceous slate specimens, and the internal damages are increasing with the increase of erosion days. Moreover, the specimens’ ultrasonic test (UT) results prove that specimens with smaller bedding angles suffer a more serious erosion and induce more internal cracks. Under conventional triaxial compression conditions with 40 MPa of confining pressures, the conventional triaxial compressive strength (σs) decreases with the decrease of the bedding angle and the increase of erosion days, and the failure modes of the specimens are mainly controlled by oblique shear fractures and accompanied by the occurrence of slip dislocation fractures between the bedding inclination. Under creep conditions with 40 MPa of confining pressures, the final deformations of specimens are increasing with the increase of erosion days, which means the longer the erosion days, the greater the deformations. The failure modes of the specimens under creep conditions are controlled by shear fractures, and for the specimen with a 60° bedding angle and long-term erosion, there are block separations and many cavities along the shear planes. Therefore, more attention should be paid to prevent serious failure of the surrounding rock if the surrounding rock has a bedding angle of 60° or suffers long-term erosion.