bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Environmental impact assessment with rapid impact assessment matrix method during the COVID-19 pandemic: A case study in Tehran
Authors: Abbasi Sina
Published: July 2023

Indiscriminate use of natural resources has adversely affected Iran's environment over the past few decades. Cities have developed irregularly and non-normatively, and project management has been weak, mainly in big cities, causing many problems. Even more of the engineering rules and environmental aspects for projects do not apply. For this reason, projects must undergo an environmental impact assessment (EIA) to determine their environmental impact. One way it can be used for EIA is by using the rapid impact assessment matrix (RIAM). Transparency and objectivity are introduced by minimizing subjectivity. A detailed EIA was conducted in the Tehran project using the RIAM and different options during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the first study combining the method described during the disaster.
Pressure agglomeration of raw, milled and cut-milled pine and poplar shavings: Assessment of the compaction process and agglomerate strength
Authors: Tryjarski Paweł , Lisowski Aleksander , Gawron Jakub
Published: July 2023

The aim of the research was to develop densification characteristics of raw, milled and cut-milled pine and poplar shavings and to determine the strength parameters of pellets, pastilles and granules. To produce agglomerates from hard pine shavings vs. plastic poplar shavings, 19% more specific compaction work was needed and more than 2-times more specific work of pushing the agglomerate out of the die opening. Pine agglomerates had a lower linear expansion than poplar agglomerates and reached a higher single density, and due to the higher content of thermoplastic lignin in the wood, 30.7% and 18.4%, respectively, they were characterised by better radial compression strength parameters; specific deformation energy, maximum tensile stresses at which agglomerates cracked and the largest modulus of elasticity. Milled shavings with a size of 0.62 mm, and especially cut-milled shavings with a size of 0.48 mm and lower cohesion and internal friction angle, were characterised by better compaction parameters than raw shavings with a size of 6.07 mm. Agglomerates made of cut-milled shavings had the highest single density, but the tensile strength was much lower than agglomerates made of raw shavings. The susceptibility to densification of the shavings during sequentially repeated densification of small doses of shavings during the production of pellets was the highest, and the pellets were characterised by the smallest linear and radial expansion and the highest single density of 1081 kg·m–3 and tensile strength among agglomerates. 67% more shavings dose when making pastilles vs. pellets was unfavourable, as it required much more compaction work, and the single density of pastilles was lower by 9.5% and their strength under radial load was significantly reduced. The smallest single density and strength were found in granules produced with the parameters recommended for the production of particleboards; temperature of 170°C and agglomeration pressure of 12 MPa vs. 93°C and 70 MPa for pellets and pastilles, respectively. The higher temperature did not compensate the much lower pressure. Shavings compaction parameters for granules cannot be recommended for the production of a particleboard without a binder, which is usually urea-formaldehyde resin. Along with the die opening diameter, the radial expansion and modulus of elasticity decreased, but other compaction and strength parameters practically did not change.
FastKnock: An efficient next-generation approach to identify all knockout strategies for strain optimization
Authors: Hassani Leila , Moosavi Mohammad R. , Setoodeh Payam , Zare Habil
Published: July 2023

Overproduction of desired native or nonnative biochemical(s) in (micro)organisms can be achieved through metabolic engineering. Appropriate rewiring of cell metabolism is performed making rational changes such as insertion, up-/down-regulation and knockout of genes and consequently metabolic reactions. Finding appropriate targets (including proper sets of reactions to be knocked out) for metabolic engineering to design optimal production strains has been the goal of a number of computational algorithms. We developed FastKnock, an efficient next-generation algorithm for identifying all possible knockout strategies for the growth-coupled overproduction of biochemical(s) of interest. We achieve this by developing a special depth-first traversal algorithm that allows us to prune the search space significantly. This leads to a drastic reduction in execution time. We evaluate the performance of the FastKnock algorithm using three Escherichia coli genome-scale metabolic models in different conditions (minimal and rich mediums) for the overproduction of a number of desired metabolites. FastKnock efficiently prunes the search space to less than 0.2% for quadruple and 0.02% for quintuple-reaction knockouts. Compared to the classic approaches such as OptKnock and the state-of-the-art techniques such as MCSEnumerator methods, FastKnock found many more useful and important practical solutions. The availability of all the solutions provides the opportunity to further characterize and select the most appropriate intervention strategy based on any desired evaluation index. Our implementation of the FastKnock method in Python is publicly available at https://github.com/leilahsn/FastKnock.
Numerical investigation of fluid flowing through rough fractures subject to shear
Authors: Zhu Qiang , Yin Qian , Xiong Feng , Jing Hongwen , Pu Hai , Zhu Chun
Published: July 2023

Fluid flow within fractures in rock formations is rendered complex by the presence of shear-induced and surface roughness. This study employed numerical simulations to investigate the fluid flow behavior in fractures with different surface roughness under shear, where the shear direction is perpendicular to the flow direction. The nonlinear flow of the fluid is observed to have a strong correlation with the confining pressure (Pz), roughness (JRC), and shear displacement (u). The generation of eddy currents is frequently linked to the presence of flow channel intricacies and the velocity of flow at a microscopic scale. The Forchheimer equation could describe the process of nonlinear phenomena accentuation very well. The fracture under Pz caused a reduction in hydraulic transmissivity (T) due to compression. Furthermore, the T change dramatically as the shear process progresse. Based on the analysis of the Forchheimer coefficient (β) and critical Reynolds number (Rec) parameters used to determine the response of nonlinear flow, it appears that an increase in Pz facilitates the transition of the fluid into a nonlinear flow state. Conversely, shearing has the opposite effect and reduces the tendency towards nonlinear flow.
Ramanujan-inspired series for 1/π involving harmonic numbers
Authors: Hou Qing-Hu , He Haihong , Wang Xiaoxia
Published: July 2023

By applying the derivative operator to the known identities from hypergeometric series or WZ pairs, we obtain seven series associated with harmonic numbers. Specifically, six of them are Ramanujan-like formulas for 1/π and the remaining one contains harmonic numbers of order 2. As conclusions, Sun's five conjectural series are proved.
2010 Mathematics Subject Classification. Primary 33D15; Secondary 05A15.
A study on whether government environmental information disclosure from the perspective of media monitoring promotes the development of green transformation of enterprises—Evidence from China
Authors: Zhou Maochun , Niu Yuhua
Published: July 2023

The rapid development of the industrial economy has led to the deterioration of the ecological environment. It is imperative to speed up the construction of a green ecological civilization and to promote the transformation of enterprises into green development, for which the Chinese government has gradually strengthened environmental supervision and formulated a series of environmental regulation policies.Using six years of data related to 620 listed enterprises in the eastern region of China as a sample, the results show that the government's environmental information disclosure will promote the green transformation of enterprises, and media monitoring plays a moderating role between the government's environmental information disclosure and enterprises' green transformation development.The sample companies were divided into heavily polluting companies and non-heavily polluting companies, and the media reports on the environment were divided into non-negative reports and negative reports, in order to examine their impact on the green transformation and development.
A Perspective-Retrospective Analysis of Diversity in Signature-Based Open-Source Network Intrusion Detection Systems
Authors: Asad Hafizul , Adhikari Shashwat , Gashi Illir
Published: July 2023

The signature-based network Intrusion Detection Systems (IDSs) entails relying on a pre-established signatures and IP addresses that are frequently updated to keep up with the rapidly evolving threat landscape. To effectively evaluate the efficacy of these updates, a comprehensive, long-term assessment of the IDSs' performance is required. This article presents a perspective-retrospective analysis of the Snort and Suricata IDSs using rules that were collected over a four-year period. The study examines how these IDSs perform when monitoring malicious traffic using rules from the past, as well as how they behave when monitoring the same traffic using updated rules in the future. To accomplish this, a set of Snort Subscribed and Suricata Emerging Threats rules were collected from 2017 to 2020, and a labelled PCAP data from 2017-2018 was analysed using past and future rules relative to the PCAP date. In addition to exploring the evolution of Snort and Suricata IDSs, the study also analyses the functional diversity that exists between these IDSs. By examining the evolutionary behaviour of signature-based IDSs and their diverse configurations, the research provides valuable insights into how their performance can be impacted. These insights can aid security architects in combining and layering IDSs in a defence-in-depth deployment.
The Use of Persona in Foreign Language Learning Facilitated by Chatbots
Authors: Klimova Blanka , Pikhart Marcel , Al-Obaydi Liqaa Habeb
Published: July 2023

At present, it is natural for young people to use different digital tools to learn a foreign language. The aim of this article is to explore what kind of chatbot for learning a foreign language at A1-B1 level students would welcome and create a persona (i.e., a typical foreign language user) of a chatbot for learning a foreign language. The research employed a quantitative approach using a questionnaire survey to gather data from 109 respondents. The findings revealed that simplicity, quick practice opportunities, gamification features, accessibility, and cost-free usage were the most valued features of chatbots for language learning. The study also highlights the importance of immediate feedback, user-friendly interfaces, and short-term interactions for optimal chatbot usage. Furthermore, the results shed light on the preferred learning methods, such as spoken communication and writing, as well as user goals, including vocabulary expansion, comprehension improvement, and grammar enhancement. By developing personas, educational chatbot developers can tailor the designs and content of chatbots to better meet the needs of learners and thus enhance foreign language learning experiences for them.
Effect of the time domain transient response on processed surface height by the end grinding
Authors: Xiu Xiannan Zou , Li Qingliang , Xiu Shichao , Hou Xiangna Kong , Hou Zhuangzhuang
Published: July 2023

End grinding is a mechanical processing technology that shapes the machining surface with high precision and efficiency. However, there are still some unknown links between the time domain transient response and the workpiece surface under the processing of the end grinding. Besides, the enclosed grinding condition makes it hard to observe the links from the experiments. Numerical simulation is adopted to find the effects of the time domain transient response on processed surface height. This paper presents a grinding system simulation model, which combines the grinding force, the time domain transient response of the wheel, and the rotation speed of the workpiece and wheel. Firstly, the lumped mass method is applied to propose a dynamic model. Secondly, calculate the dynamic grinding force with effective abrasives positions and workpiece surface heights. Thirdly, examine the simulation results consistent with the experiment results. Finally, analyze the simulation results to explore the time domain transient response's effects on the machined surface quality. The result illustrates the change in the workpiece surface height during the grinding. It also shows that the wheel’s angle displacement may be responsible for the varying surface height on the workpiece surface. At the same time, the longer length of grinding time causes a higher grinding surface. Furthermore, the research is noteworthy for improving the workpiece surface quality.
Hauora Māori – Māori health: a right to equal outcomes in primary care
Authors: Sheridan Nicolette , Jansen Rawiri McKree , Harwood Matire , Love Tom , Kenealy Timothy , Aguirre-Duarte Nelson , Arroll Bruce , Atmore Carol , Carryer Jenny , CNZM Peter Crampton , Dowell Anthony , Fishman Tana , Gauld Robin , Hoare Karen , Jackson Gary , Kerse Ngaire , Lampshire Debra , McBain Lynn , MacRae Jayden , Mills Jane , Øvretveit John , Percival Teuila , Perera Roshan , Roland Martin , Ryan Debbie , Schmidt-Busby Jacqueline , Stokes Tim , Stubbe Maria , Watt Daniel
Published: July 2023

Background
For more than a century, Māori have experienced poorer health than non-Māori. In 2019 an independent Tribunal found the Government had breached Te Tiriti o Waitangi by “failing to design and administer the current primary health care system to actively address persistent Māori health inequities”. Many Māori (44%) have unmet need for primary care. Seven models of primary care were identified, including Māori-owned practices. We hypothesised patient health outcomes for Māori would differ between models of care.
Methods
Cross-sectional primary care data were analysed at 30 September 2018. National datasets were linked to practices at patient level, to measure associations between practice characteristics and patient health outcomes. Primary outcomes: polypharmacy (≥55 years), HbA1c testing, child immunisations, ambulatory sensitive hospitalisations (0-14, 45-64 years) and emergency department attendances. Regressions include only Māori patients, across all models of care.
Results
660,752 Māori patients were enrolled in 924 practices with 124,854 in 65 Māori-owned practices.
Māori practices had: no significant association with HbA1c testing, ambulatory sensitive hospitalisations or ED attendance, and a significant association with lower polypharmacy (3.7% points) and lower childhood immunisations (13.4% points).
Māori practices had higher rates of cervical smear and cardiovascular risk assessment, lower rates of HbA1c tests, and more nurse (46%) and doctor (8%) time (FTE) with patients.
The average Māori practice had 52% Māori patients compared to 12% across all practices. Māori practices enrolled a higher percentage of children and young people, five times more patients in high deprivation areas, and patients with more multimorbidity.
More Māori patients lived rurally (21.5% vs 15%), with a greater distance to the nearest ED. Māori patients were more likely to be dispensed antibiotics or tramadol.
Conclusions
Māori practices are an expression of autonomy in the face of enduring health system failure. Apart from lower immunisation rates, health outcomes were not different from other models of care, despite patients having higher health risk profiles. Across all models, primary care need was unmet for many Māori, despite increased clinical input. Funding must support under-resourced Māori practices and ensure accountability for the health outcomes of Māori patients in all models of general practice.
Fish-derived lactic acid bacteria supplementation enhanced the immunity and resistance in Crucian carps (Carassius auratus)
Authors: Li Ruoming , Zhang Meng , Zhou Yuhui , Wei Daimin , Yang Yinghui , Gao Dongpeng , Shan Xiaofeng , Sun Wuwen , Dong Hao , Wang Guiqin
Published: July 2023

This study attempted to evaluate the potential for biofilm formation and the probiotic properties of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from the crucian carp (Carassius auratus) intestine and to determine their antibacterial activity against crucial injurious bacteria of fish. The biological features test was carried out to obtain LAB with well-resistant pH, trypsin, bile and antibiotic challenge, and biofilm formation capacity. The most promising LAB isolates, y11 and y78 were identified as Lactobacillus johnsonii and Weissella confusa using 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. We discovered that oral LAB additives improved immunity in the crucian carp by increasing immune-related expression of immunoglobulin M (IgM), superoxide dismutase (SOD), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), and lysozyme (LYS) in serum and interleukins (IL-10 and IL-1β), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in organs. After the introduction of Aeromonas veronii TH0426 for 15 days, the survival rate of crucian carps was determined as follows: the protection rate of group y11 was 45%, and group y78 was 65% when challenged with 109 CFU/ml density. So, this experiment successfully selected two LAB strains as the bioprotective agents and provided theoretical support through the available data for further LAB application in aquaculture.
Comparison Of Aminothermal And Hydrothermal Synthesis Of SAPO-34: Impact Of Synthesis Conditions On Catalyst Characteristics And MTO Catalytic Performance
Authors: Zare Motahare , Nazari Mohadese , Behbahani Reza Mosayebi , Hamidzadeh Marzieh
Published: July 2023

The present study investigates the aminothermal synthesis of SAPO-34 using various templates, including morpholine, diethylamine, triethylamine, triethanolamine, diglycolamine, and diisopropylamine, under static conditions. The catalyst's characteristics were assessed through XRD, SEM, and EDS analyses, and the catalytic behavior of the samples was studied in the MTO reaction. The results indicate that only morpholine leads to the formation of pure SAPO-34, and it is essential to regulate the crystallization time to prevent the formation of SAPO-20. Furthermore, the impact of the order of reactant addition and the intensity of stirring during aging on catalyst characteristics was investigated, and the outcomes were compared to those of the hydrothermally synthesized sample. The findings reveal that the aminothermal method reduces the crystallization time and enhances silica incorporation. However, this technique is recommended for the synthesis using polar templates or in the presence of polar additives. The utilization of non-polar templates such as DEA and TEA resulted in very thick pastes. The catalytic performance of the aminothermal samples was comparable to that of the hydrothermal samples, with a methanol conversion of over 98% and a selectivity to light olefins of approximately 80%. Nevertheless, the impact of preparation, aging, and post-treatment conditions on the hydrogen transfer index and alkanes production was significant.
Multi-Label Classification with Label Clusters
Authors: Gatto Elaine Cecília , Ferrandin Mauri , Cerri Ricardo
Published: July 2023

Multi-Label Classification is the task of simultaneously predicting a set of labels for an instance. Typically, two approaches are used: global, which trains a single classifier to deal with all classes at once, and local, which divides the problem into many binary problems. In both approaches, learning label correlations is still an open issue. In this paper, we propose a method to cluster the label space and find partitions of disjoint correlated labels called hybrid partition, which can be considered in-between the local and global, combining the benefits of both. Our proposal entails: i) clustering the label space based on label correlations; ii) generating and validating the resulting hybrid partitions; iii) selecting the optimal partitions between them; and iv) evaluating their performances. Since we are also interested in analyzing how hybrid partitions are close to the best possible partitions, we compared our results with the ones obtained using partitions found by an oracle, an exhaustive, and a random search. The oracle and exhaustive strategies generate all possible label partitions for a dataset. While the oracle chooses the best one based on the test set alone, the exhaustive choices are based on validation. Experiments on eight well-known multi-label datasets revealed that both our proposal and the random partitions achieve superior or competitive results compared with the others. This indicates that the conventional global and local approaches may not accurately account for label correlations, requiring significant improvements. In this case, clustering the label space can be a solution.
Current and prehistoric human mobility in North Neuquén: an approach using complex networks and stable isotopic mixing models
Authors: D’Abramo Sergio L. , Perez S. Ivan , Gonzalez Paula N. , Gobbo Diego , Moscardi Bruno F. , Bernal Valeria
Published: July 2023

The study of the seasonal mobility and use of space by human populations that inhabited the North of Neuquén (Patagonia, Argentina) over time is a subject of great interest. In this study, we develop a frame of reference for investigating the past seasonal mobility in the region by examining the connectivity between areas of summer and winter camps used by contemporary transhumant herders. Our weighted bipartite network analyses show that the seasonal mobility of current herders exhibits a modular organization with winter and summer camps located at short distances − 7 and 100km–. Then, the applicability of this framework was assessed by analyzing δ18O values obtained from prehistoric human remains from the Curi Leuvú basin and current river water from North Neuquén and South Mendoza to construct an isoscape and infer the geographic origin of human samples. The isotope results agree with the expectations derived from the framework developed here, showing a preferential use of the closer summer camps of the Tromen massif and Domuyo volcano by groups settled in the Curi Leuvú basin, although a large proportion of the δ18O values are consistent with the permanence in the winter area throughout the year. This interpretation is consistent with the expectations derived from the analysis of the mobility of current herders and is compatible with foraging movements of individuals or small groups from the winter areas to the nearest summer areas.
Technology is an Asset: Enhancing EFL Learners’ Vocabulary Knowledge and Listening Comprehension through CALL
Authors: Barjesteh Hamed , Isaee Hossein
Published: July 2023

Technology-enhanced language instruction has attracted researchers’ attention in language teaching and learning in recent decades. Accordingly, the present mixed-methods study is an attempt to investigate the effect of Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) on the EFL learners’ vocabulary development and listening comprehension. In doing so, 60 intermediate EFL learners were conveniently chosen for the quantitative phase of the study, and were divided into one experimental group (n= 30) and one control group (n= 30). The same instructor taught vocabulary tasks and listening skill to both groups, using computer software for the experimental group and the traditional method for the control group for 10 sessions during 5 weeks straight. In order to look into the effect of CALL instruction, quantitative methodology was employed. By analysing the mean scores of the learners’ pre-test and post-test, it was revealed that the incorporation of computer software in English Language Teaching (ELT) classes resulted in learners’ significant improvement in vocabulary learning and listening comprehension. Then, the qualitative phase of the study began and 24 learners from the same experimental group were invited to semi-structured interviews to share their experiences of CALL classes with the researchers. The qualitative analysis of learners’ data manifested two thematic categories: 1) technology is an asset to EFL learners, and 2) technology makes the input more comprehensible. Findings of the study contributed to the conscious use of technology-enhanced instruction through computer and mobile tools to provide an interactive learning atmosphere for the EFL learners, and to help them develop language skills and sub-skills, which seems beneficial for both EFL learners and teachers as ubiquitous technology is becoming an inevitable member of teaching and learning community.
Numerical analysis of heat and mass transfer during beef roasting based on three-dimensional transport model
Authors: Wang Xiaodan , Zheng Jiaxin , Dong Yanli , Jiang Shaoping , Tian Jiaxue , Chang Ping , Liu Dengyong
Published: July 2023

A 3D mathematical model of beef roasting was established, based on the porous media theory. The model considered the transport of liquid water by capillary diffusion and pressure gradient, as well as transport of the vapor by binary diffusion and pressure gradient. A non-equilibrium formulation was used to calculate the evaporation rate. The finite element software COMSOL Multiphysics5.6 was used to solve the coupled partial differential equations. The model was validated by experiment, and good consistency between the predicted and experimental results was obtained. The maximum temperature difference was 4.9℃,and RMSE value both was 3.2℃. The maximum moisture content difference was less than 1.34%, and the RMSE value was 0.91%. Finally, the effects of oven air temperature and thermophysical parameters on heat and mass transfer during beef roasting were analyzed. Compared with single-phase models, the model established in this paper considered the transport of liquid water, vapour, and air inside. The research process was helpful for deeply understanding the mechanism of convective roasting.
An Anoikis-related LncRNA Signature: Integrated Analysis of Immune Infiltration Landscape in Patients with Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Immunotherapy
Authors: Zhou Xianqiang , Zhang Tiansong
Published: July 2023

Liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide and any factor causing metastasis contributes to its poor prognosis. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) plays an important role in promoting the poor progression of LIHC. And the occurrence of anoikis resistance is also essential for tumor metastasis. The study aimed to establish an anoikis-related lncRNA (ARlncRNA) signature for LIHC. The raw data were obtained from the TCGA and GeneCards databases. Using the univariate Cox methods (p < 0.05) and the LASSO (10-fold cross-validation) regression analysis, we first identified a lncRNA-associated signature which consisted of AC100812.1, AL365295.1, AC073352.1, ELFN1-AS1, LINC00513, and MIR4435-2HG. Furthermore, we constructed a risk model based on the ARlncRNAs scores and evaluated it from different perspectives, including survival prognosis, clinical characteristics, signaling pathways, levels of immune cell infiltration, and drug sensitivity. The results of validation indicated that the prognostic performance of the lncRNA-associated risk score is excellent and is more suitable for constructing a prognostic model than other clinical features. We finally identified 3 LIHC subtypes and made predictions on their immune infiltration landscape and drug sensitivity. Our study elucidated the mechanisms of LIHC metastasis and its immune infiltration landscape, which was of great significance in expanding our understanding of LIHC progression and facilitating patients’ personalized management.
Pediatric Diabetes Prediction Using Deep Learning
Authors: El-Bashbishy Abeer El-Sayed , El-Bakry Hazem
Published: July 2023

The present study proposes a novel technique for the early prediction of diabetes with the utmost accuracy. Recently, the contemporary methodologies of artificial intelligence and in particular Deep Learning (DL), have proven to be expeditious in the diagnosis of diabetes. The model that is supported has been constructed with the implementation of two hidden layers and a multitude of epochs of Deep Learning Neural Network (DLNN) utilizing the Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) technique. We proceeded to meticulously adjust the hyperparameters within the fully automated DLNN architecture, with the aim of optimizing data pre-processing, classification and prediction. This was accomplished by a novel dataset of Mansoura University Children's Hospital Diabetes (MUCHD), which allowed for a more comprehensive evaluation of the system’s performance. The system is validated and tested on a sample of 548 patients, each exhibiting 18 significant features. Various validation metrics were employed to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the results like K-folds, leave-one-subject-out and cross-validation approaches with various statistical measures of accuracy, f-score, precision, sensitivity, specificity and dice similarity coefficient. The high-performance level of the proposed system can help clinicians to accurately diagnose health and different diabetes grades with a remarkable accuracy rate of 99.8%. According to our analysis, the implementation of this method results in a noteworthy increase of 4.15% in overall system performance when compared to the current state-of-the-art. As such, we highly recommend the utilization of this method as a promising tool for forecasting diabetes.
Implications of Dobbs v. Jackson for patients and providers: a scoping review
Authors: Zhu David T. , Zhao Lucy , Alzoubi Tala , Shenin Novera , Baskaran Teerkasha , Tikhonov Julia , Wang Catherine
Published: July 2023

Introduction
On June 24, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson overturned the right to abortion set forth by Roe v. Wade, granting states the authority to regulate access to abortion services. This has led to widespread bans, threatening patients’ access to, and healthcare providers’ abilities to provide, the full spectrum of reproductive health services. The ruling disproportionately affects marginalized groups, exacerbating existing social disparities in health and is an emerging public health crisis.
Methods
We conducted a scoping review to evaluate the impact of Dobbs on patients’ health outcomes and access to health services, as well as on medical trainees’ and healthcare providers’ ability to access abortion training and provide reproductive health services. The search was based on the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRSIMA-ScR) guidelines. We searched eight bibliographic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Embase, PsycINFO, Google Scholar, Science Direct, JSTOR, and Web of Science) and three preprint servers (medRxiv, bioRxiv, and Europe PMC) using various combinations of keywords related to ‘abortion’ and ‘Dobbs v. Jackson’ on March 22, 2023. Four reviewers independently screened the studies based on pre-specified eligibility criteria and one reviewer performed data extraction for pre-identified themes.
Results
A total of 18 studies met the inclusion criteria. We found that Dobbs led to a surge in demand for contraception, compounded existing travel- and cost-related barriers to access, increased polarizing views on social media (e.g., Twitter), and evoked significant fears and concerns among medical trainees regarding their scope of practice and fears of legal repercussions for offering standard-of-care and related services to patients seeking abortions.
Conclusion
Our study offers valuable insights into the clinical implications of Dobbs on patients’ health outcomes and access to health services, as well as providers’ reproductive health practices.
Sleeping for one week on a temperature-controlled mattress cover improves sleep and cardiovascular recovery
Authors: Moyen Nicole E. , Ediger Tatiana R. , Taylor Kathryn M. , Hancock Erin G. , Holden Lucas D. , Tracy Emma E. , Kay Philip M. , Kotzen Kevin J. , Irick Charles R. , He David D.
Published: July 2023

Body temperature should be tightly regulated for optimal sleep. However, various extrinsic and intrinsic factors can alter body temperature during sleep. We examined how sleep and cardiovascular health metrics were affected by sleeping for one week with vs. without an active temperature-controlled mattress cover (the Eight Sleep Pod). 54 subjects wore a home sleep test device (HST) for four nights each with the Pod on and off (> 300 total HST nights), while also collecting sleeping heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV). With the Pod on, men’s deep and light sleep increased by 14 and 23 min, respectively, while women’s REM sleep increased by 9 min. Sleeping HR (-2%) and HRV (+ 7%) significantly improved with Pod on. To our knowledge, this is the first study to show that a continuously temperature-regulated bed surface can significantly 1) modify time spent in sleep stages at specific points in the night, 2) improve thermal comfort and perceived sleep quality, and 3) enhance cardiovascular recovery (HR and HRV) during sleep.
Firm’s Climate Change Risk and Firm Value: An Empirical Analysis of the Energy Industry
Authors: Muhammad Naseer Mirza , Bagh Tanveer , Iftikhar Kainat
Published: July 2023

We explore the impact on firm value by numerous factors in the energy industry using panel data from 2010 to 2020. The analysis employs different econometric methods, including fixed-effects, random-effects, two-stage least squares, and generalized method of moments. Our main variables of interest are firm value, firm-level climate change risk, fixed assets, leverage, dividend yield, market capitalization, and assets tangibility. The result suggests that investors are valuing energy firms less due to their exposure to climate change risk. We found that climate change risk, fixed assets, firm leverage, and assets tangibility are negatively related while market capitalization and dividend yield are positively related to firm value. These findings have important implications for energy firms, policymakers, and investors. Energy firms need to consider climate change risk in their investment decisions to maintain their market value, and policymakers should encourage firms to disclose their climate change risk to improve market efficiency. Finally, investors need to incorporate climate change risk in their investment strategies to mitigate potential financial losses.
Financial Component of the Waste Management System
Authors: Ziabina Yevheniia , Acheampong Stephen
Published: July 2023

The article summarizes the arguments and counterarguments within the scientific debate on the development of the waste management system in the context of financial impact. The main goal of the research is to determine the impact of the financial component on the waste management system in Ukraine and the world. The systematization of literary sources and approaches to solving the problem in the waste management system proved that a specific number of publications is published in the subject area - natural sciences. At the same time, it is necessary to pay attention to the fact that the interest in the research topic is constantly growing, especially actively since 2018, which indicates the intensification of the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in the world. The urgency of solving this scientific problem lies in the fact that the improvement of the waste management system, the search and implementation of ecologically and economically effective solutions in waste processing require significant financial investments. The study of the issue of the financial component in the waste management system in the article is carried out in the following logical sequence: the first stage – analysis of research relevance based on statistical data; the second stage is a comparative analysis of the dynamics of searches for the keyword "waste management" in the Google search engine using the Google Trends toolkit, in the period from 2004 to 2022 worldwide; the third stage – formation and processing of the research base based on data from the scientometric databases Google Scholar, Scopus and Web of Science; the fourth stage is bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer software version 1.6.19. Systematic, comparative and bibliometric analysis methods became the methodical tools of the conducted research, 2004-2022 was chosen as the research period. Ukraine and other countries of the world were chosen as the object of the study. The article presents the results of a bibliometric analysis on the researched topic, which testified that the dynamics of publishing activity is increasing, the scientific alliances of authors are expanding, which indicates a global level of interest in the search for the most ecologically and economically effective solutions in the waste management system. The study empirically confirms and theoretically proves that the financial component in the waste management system is an integral determinant of influence, which must be taken into account when determining strategic directions for improvement. The results of the conducted research can be useful for further scientific activity on the chosen topic.
Study of the Standard Relationship between the Money Supply and the Exchange Rate in Algeria during the Period (1990/2020)
Authors: Aid Lamine , Benelbar M'hamed
Published: July 2023

This study aims to examine the relationship between the money supply and the exchange rate in Algeria between 1990 and 2020. We analyze the economic conditions that characterized this period, including the shift from a directed economy to a market economy, as well as Algeria's participation in the International Monetary Fund and World Bank programs. To understand the impact of the exchange rate on the money supply in the short and long term, we utilize the Engel-Granger co-integration method. We employ (Auto Regressive Distributed Lag/ARDL) model to measure the relationship between the two variables. Our findings indicate that there is a statistically significant positive effect of the money supply on the exchange rate at a 1% significance level (P=0.001 < 0.01). The limits tests for co-integration through F-statistic also indicate co-integration between the exchange rate and money supply, aligning with economic theory. During the post-reform period (2000-2014), we observe that net foreign assets played a marginal role in covering the monetary mass compared to state and economy loans, which continuously increased, particularly since 2009. It is important to note that our study relies on comprehensive and reliable data from official sources that collect economic data in Algeria. Additionally, economic assumptions may impact our results and may not be applicable in all cases. Nonetheless, our study contributes to the existing literature on the relationship between the money supply and the exchange rate and sheds light on the specific case of Algeria.
The role of financial literacy in ensuring financial inclusion of the population
Authors: Didenko Iryna , Petrenko Karina , Pudlo Tomasz
Published: July 2023

This work summarizes the arguments and counterarguments in the framework of the scientific debate on the issue of financial literacy. The main purpose of the research is to identify the key factors and behavioral patterns inherent in managing personal finances. Systematization of literary sources and approaches to solving the problem of insufficient level of financial literacy among different segments of the population indicates that it is necessary to promote financial education of the population, especially vulnerable segments. This concerns the issues of financial inclusion, improvement of financial education, and development of practical skills for making financial decisions. The urgency of solving this scientific problem is caused by the rapid development of financial services. The study of the problems of the theoretical foundations of financial literacy in the work is carried out in the following logical sequence: analysis of the publications, analysis of available databases, and statistical analysis. The methodological tools of the research were the Python programming language, in particular the stats model’s library. The object of the research is patterns of behavior with personal finances. The article presents the results of empirical statistical analysis, which showed that the difference in financial decisions of individuals is due to age, level of education, employment, and level of family income. Financial decisions such as saving or borrowing have been found to be related to financial literacy and influence financial confidence. The study empirically confirms and theoretically proves that financial literacy is a fundamental factor in the level of financial well-being and closely correlates with financial behavior patterns. The results of the research can be useful for further scientific developments.
Transparency and Corruption Prevention in Financing Climate Action
Authors: Bozhenko Victoria , Buriak Anna , Bozhenko Andrii , Roienko Oleksandr
Published: July 2023

The article summarises the arguments and counter-arguments within the scientific debate on enchancing the climate finance transparency. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the mechanism of climate finance and identify the key challenges that hinder the effective climate fund monitoring system. The relevance of addressing this research problem is due to the fact that the largest recipients of international climate finance are countries with high corruption risks, low standards in protection human rights, low trust in law enforcement and judicial authorities, etc. Therefore, the reporting and the quality of the reports prepared on the funds received under international assistance programmes is an important component of establishing long-term relations and trust between donor-countries or receipient-countries. The article examines the issue of climate finance transparency in the following logical sequence: analysed scientific publications on the issues of transparency and corruption in climate finance, examined the institutional mechanism of global climate finance, analysed the scale of climate finance in the world, and identified the main challenges in improving the transparency and efficiency of climate funds. The study was conducted using empirical (observation, description) and theoretical (grouping, synthesis, abstraction) research methods. The paper substantiates that the strengheting transparency of climate finance in developing countries requires a comprehensive approach - on the one hand, improving the level of justice, judiciary, enchancing the work of local regulatory authorities, developing legislation in recipient countries of international financial assistance, and on the other hand, improving the methodology of integrated accounting and reporting on the receipt and use of climate funds, as well as tracking the effects of project implementation. The study found that the key challenges that hinder the formation of an effective climate funds monitoring system are: a data collection and reporting system, an accounting and reporting system, and a coordination system.
Sustainable Marketing and its Impact on the Image of the Company
Authors: Sujanska Lucia , Nadanyiova Margareta
Published: July 2023

In recent years, sustainability has become increasingly important in a company's image. Customers are becoming more environmentally conscious and demanding that the companies they do business with are also taking steps to reduce their environmental impact. By adopting sustainable practices, companies can demonstrate their commitment to positively impacting the world and building customer trust. This scientific article aims to contribute to a better understanding of the role of sustainability in shaping consumer perceptions of a company's image and provide insights that can help companies develop more effective sustainability strategies and build stronger brand images. The study utilised general scientific methods for processing data, and the data obtained from the online survey were assessed using mathematical-statistical methods and statistical hypothesis testing. Sustainability has become an important aspect of a company's image. With increasing environmental awareness among consumers, companies are expected to take responsibility for their impact on the planet and society. Sustainability in a company's image has become an important aspect of its brand identity, and it can significantly impact its reputation, success, and long-term viability. Consumers are increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of the products they buy and use, and many of them have started to prefer companies that use sustainable practices and produce eco-friendly and sustainable products over those that are not. Companies that embrace sustainability and prioritise environmental and social responsibility are more likely to thrive in a rapidly changing business landscape where consumers are increasingly interested in sustainability and ethical practices. By embracing sustainability, companies can create a positive reputation, build customer trust, and drive long-term success. The added value of the scientific article is that it provides valuable insights and strategies for practising sustainable marketing, which helps to build the company's image. By analysing the impact of sustainability on a company's image, we contribute to the opportunities for companies to improve the brand image and reputation of the company, which can positively increase customer loyalty and trust and gain a competitive advantage in their industry. Therefore, this scientific paper can provide businesses with valuable insights to differentiate themselves from competitors, attract new customers, and increase profit.
Salmonella enterica species isolated from local foodstuff and patients suffering from foodborne illness: Surveillance, antimicrobial resistance and molecular detection
Authors: AlShaheeb Z. A. , Thabit Z. A. , Oraibi A. G. , Baioumy A. A. , Abedelmaksoud T. G.
Published: July 2023

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Salmonella enterica in raw chicken meat, eggs, and ready-to-eat foods containing poultry products and among patients suffering from diarrhea as a result of ingestion of this foodborne pathogen in Baghdad, Iraq. It assesses the antibiotics susceptibility, virulence and pathogenicity of S. enterica isolates. Thirteen Salmonella spp. isolates from foodstuff and seven from clinical patients were recovered from 80 and 20 samples, respectively. Isolates from foodstuff samples displayed the highest resistance to nalidixic acid (69.23%), followed by chloramphenicol (53.84%). Salmonella spp. isolated from clinical samples showed resistance to both azithromycin and cefotaxime at the same percentage level (71.42%). The results of antibiotic resistance gene amplification (gyrA, mphA) were analyzed and showed that these genes were present in 100% and 50% of phenotypically resistant isolates, respectively. Virulence genes invA, avrA, and sipB were found on average in 86% of food isolates, accounting for 69.2%, 92.3%, and 95%, respectively. In addition, the detection of these virulence genes among clinical isolates showed their presence at the same level (85.7%). Our study revealed that unhygienic chicken slaughterhouses and lack of food safety management are strong indicators of a high probability of the Salmonella presence in our food products in the Iraqi markets.