bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
State-of-art progress and perspectives on alloy-type anode materials for potassium-ion batteries
Authors: Luo Gang , Feng Xiaoyong , Qian Miaomiao , Zhang Wenzhe , Qin Wei , Wu Chun , Pan Likun
Published: March 2023

The state-of-art progress of alloy-type anodes for potassium-ion batteries and their K+ storage mechanism and structure-property relationship are summarized.
Activating bulk nickel foam for the electrochemical oxidization of ethanol by anchoring MnO2@Au nanorods
Authors: Zhong Shuiping , Zhu Huanlin , Yang Lei , Chi Xiaopeng , Tan Wen , Weng Wei
Published: March 2023

Preparation of MnO2@Au nanorods, which can efficiently activate nickel foam for the electrocatalytic oxidation of ETOH, showing 31% increase in the oxidation current, 28% decrease in Tafel slope, and 40% more reactive sites, is realized.
Iterative learning tracking control for second‐order nonlinear hyperbolic impulsive partial differential systems
Authors: Dai Xisheng , Wu Jing , Zhang Jianxiang , Zhou Guopeng
Published: March 2023

This paper studies the iterative learning control (ILC) for a class of second‐order nonlinear hyperbolic impulsive partial differential systems. Firstly, to follow the discontinuous desired output, a P‐type learning law is adopted, and sufficient conditions for the convergence of the tracking error is established under identified initial state value. The rigorous analysis is also given using the impulsive Gronwall inequality. Secondly, the tracking error of output trajectory is considered in systems with state initial values shifting based on an initial learning algorithm. These results of this paper show that the tracking error on the finite time interval can uniform converge to 0 as the iteration index goes to infinity if impulse number of the systems is only a finite numbers. Finally, two numerical simulation examples are given to verify the effectiveness of the theoretical results.
Mask‐guided image person removal with data synthesis
Authors: Jiang Yunliang , Gu Chenyang , Xue Zhenfeng , Zhang Xiongtao , Liu Yong
Published: March 2023

As a special case of common object removal, image person removal is playing an increasingly important role in social media and criminal investigation domains. Due to the integrity of person area and the complexity of human posture, person removal has its own dilemmas. In this paper, a novel idea is proposed to tackle these problems from the perspective of data synthesis. Concerning the lack of a dedicated dataset for image person removal, two dataset production methods are proposed to automatically generate images, masks and ground truths, respectively. Then, a learning framework similar to local image degradation is proposed so that the masks can be used to guide the feature extraction process and more texture information can be gathered for final prediction. A coarse‐to‐fine training strategy is further applied to refine the details. The data synthesis and learning framework combine well with each other. Experimental results verify the effectiveness of the method quantitatively and qualitatively, and the trained network proves to have good generalization ability either on real or synthetic images.
A new adaptive window‐based guided filtering and interpolation for polarization image demosaicing
Authors: Xie Fei , Liu Shumin , Chen Jiajia
Published: March 2023

This paper presents a new adaptive window‐based guided filtering and interpolation for polarization image demosaicing. Considering the correlation between the polarization channels, the authors use the total intensity S0 as a guide image to guide the interpolation of all channels. The guided filtering is performed with a new adaptive window size selection technique. A novel iterative residual interpolation is proposed to construct accurate full resolution polarization. Experiments are conducted with the sample images from the demosaicking algorithms dataset. Objective evaluations demonstrate that the proposed algorithm can reduce root mean squared error by at least 27% over other methods. Subjective visual inspection can also verify the improvements in the clarity of objects in angle and degree of the linear polarization images.
An energy‐efficient train control approach with dynamic efficiency of the traction system
Authors: Fu Chengcheng , Sun Pengfei , Zhang Jiahui , Yan Keqin , Wang Qingyuan , Feng Xiaoyun
Published: March 2023

The efficiency of the train traction system (TTS) changes dynamically with operating conditions. In this paper, a more realistic dynamic efficiency model of TTS is established considering the power flow and non‐linear loss of TTS. Based on the real model, the optimal control problem of the train with the minimum electric power consumption on the grid side is constructed. The optimal control condition (OCC) and corresponding control force are derived based on the Pontryagin maximum principle (PMP). A dynamic programming algorithm (DP2) with the OCC curve as the state space is designed to obtain optimal results. The proposed model and the method are validated by the comparison of conventional dynamic programming (DP1) and automatic train operation (ATO) measured data. The simulation results show that compared with the traditional TTS constant efficiency model, considering that the TTS dynamic efficiency model has a better energy‐saving effect, and the designed DP2 algorithm has a more obvious energy‐saving effect than DP1.
A deep neural network model with GCN and 3D convolutional network for short‐term metro passenger flow forecasting
Authors: Zhang Xuanrong , Wang Cheng , Chen Jianwei , Chen Ding
Published: March 2023

Rail transit has many advantages, such as large passenger capacity, convenience, safety, and environmental protection, making it the preferred travel mode for most passengers. Deep learning has become an effective method for short‐term rail passenger flow prediction. A deep learning model which combines a graph convolutional network and a three‐dimensional Convolutional Neural Network improved by a residual module and an attention mechanism (ARConv‐CGN) is proposed. First, historical passenger inflow and outflow data are aggregated into three patterns: recent pattern, daily pattern, and weekly pattern separately. The GCN is applied to capture the spatiotemporal and topological information of passenger flows in each pattern. Second, a three‐dimensional convolutional neural network is used to deeply integrate three patterns of passenger flow information. Additionally, a residual module is used to increase the number of neural network layers and prevent the gradient of the deep neural network from disappearing. Finally, an attention mechanism is also introduced to adjust the importance of passenger flow in different pattern, so that improving the performance of the model. Training with passenger flow data from automatic fare collection on weekdays in Beijing and Xiamen provides a good demonstration of the superiority of ARConv‐CGN in metro passenger flow forecasting.
Endoscope reprocessing: Retrospective analysis of 90,311 samples
Authors: Pineau Lionel
Published: March 2023

Background and study aims The contamination level of ready-to-use endoscopes published in the literature varies from 0.4 % to 49.0 %. Unfortunately, the comparison and the interpretation of these results are quite impossible, given the limited number of samples and sites included and the differences observed between sampling, culturing methods, and interpretation criteria.

Methods The objective of this retrospective study was to analyze the results of 90,311 endoscope samples collected between 2004 and 2021 in 490 private or public hospitals in France.

Results Through the full test period, the mean ratio of endoscopes at the action level was 12.6 % (19.5 % including alert level). Of the endoscopy units, 23.0 % had a ratio of compliant endoscopes ≤ 70.0 %. The overall microbial quality of gastroscopes, duodenoscopes, and colonoscopes is improving year by year, whereas an opposite trend is observed for ultrasound endoscopes and bronchoscopes. In 2021, following French guidelines, 13.0 % of the endoscopes should have been quarantined and 8.1 % were at the alert level, meaning that the contamination level of 21.1 % of the endoscopes exceeded what was defined as a maximum acceptable value.

Conclusions This study demonstrates that additional efforts, including implementation of microbial surveillance strategies using a standardized sampling method and periodic observational audits, must be made to improve the overall microbiological quality of endoscopes and reduce the risk associated with their use.
Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis and Acute Encephalitis Following
Vaccination Against SARS-CoV-2: Two Case Reports and Review of
Literature
Authors: Weidauer Stefan , Zeitz Anne , Tafreshi Mona , Hattingen Elke , Arendt Christophe
Published: March 2023

The spectrum of severe neurological complications following COVID-19 vaccination
includes cerebrovascular events, inflammatory diseases of the CNS, cranial and
peripheral nerve involvement and muscle affections. Post-vaccinal acute
disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) and acute encephalitis are rare. We report
on a patient suffering from acute encephalitis and another with post-vaccinal
monophasic ADEM. Beside imaging features typical for acute autoimmune associated
inflammation, cranial MRI disclosed also transient haemorrhagic signal
alterations in some cerebral lesions. To our best knowledge, this has not been
mentioned before in literature. Competing causes were excluded by extensive
laboratory investigations including serial CSF analysis. In line with the
literature, repeated iv high-dosage corticosteroid therapy resulted in
impressive improvement of neurological symptoms in both patients.
Blue-Blood Pig Thorax Model Increases Residents' Confidence in Internal Mammary Dissection
Authors: Gunderson Kirsten A. , Zeng Weifeng , Nkana Zeeda H. , Matabele Wood Kasey Leigh , Lyon Sarah M. , Albano Nicholas J. , Poore Samuel O.
Published: March 2023

Background Preparation of the recipient vessels is a crucial step in autologous breast reconstruction, with limited opportunity for resident training intraoperatively. The Blue-Blood–infused porcine chest wall—a cadaveric pig thorax embedded in a mannequin shell, connected to a saline perfusion system—is a novel, cost-effective ($55) simulator of internal mammary artery (IMA) dissection and anastomosis intended to improve resident's comfort, safety, and expertise with all steps of this procedure. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of the use of this chest wall model on resident's confidence in performing dissection and anastomosis of the IMA, as well as obtain resident's and faculty's perspectives on model realism and utility.

Methods Plastic surgery residents and microsurgery faculty at the University of Wisconsin were invited to participate. One expert microsurgeon led individual training sessions and performed as the microsurgical assistant. Participants anonymously completed surveys prior to and immediately following their training session to assess their change in confidence performing the procedure, as well as their perception of model realism and utility as a formal microsurgical training tool on a five-point scale.

Results Every participant saw improvement in confidence after their training session in a minimum of one of seven key procedural steps identified. Of participants who had experience with this procedure in humans, the majority rated model anatomy and performance of key procedural steps as “very” or “extremely” realistic as compared with humans. 100% of participants believed practice with this model would improve residents' ability to perform this operation in the operating room and 100% of participants would recommend this model be incorporated into the microsurgical training curriculum.

Conclusion The Blue-Blood porcine chest wall simulator increases trainee confidence in performing key steps of IMA dissection and anastomosis and is perceived as valuable to residents and faculty alike.
Successful Sirolimus Treatment for Recurrent Pericardial Effusion in a Large Cervicomediastinal Provisionally Unclassified Vascular Anomaly: A Case Report
Authors: Moreno-Alfonso Julio César , San Basilio Berenguer María , Sarmiento Caldas María del Carmen , González Cayón Jesús , de la Puente Santiago , Triana Paloma , López-Gutiérrez Juan Carlos
Published: March 2023

Provisionally unclassified vascular anomalies (PUVA) are a group of diseases with unique characteristics that make them unclassifiable within vascular tumors or malformations. We describe a PUVA as the cause of recurrent pericardial effusion and its response to sirolimus. A 6-year-old girl was referred with a cervicothoracic vascular anomaly, a violaceous, and irregular lesion in the neck and upper chest, diagnosed as “hemangioma”. She had pericardial effusion at the neonatal age that required pericardiocentesis, propranolol, and corticosteroids. She remained stable for 5 years, when she presented with a severe pericardial effusion. A magnetic resonance visualized a diffuse vascular image in the cervical and thoracic region with mediastinal extension. The pathological study showed a vascular proliferation in the dermis and hypodermis with positive staining for Wilms' Tumor 1 Protein (WT1) and negative for Glut-1. Genetic testing found a variant in GNA14, for which the diagnosis of PUVA was established. When a pericardial drain was placed without response, treatment with sirolimus was started with resolution of the effusion. Sixteen months later, the malformation is stable and there has been no recurrence of pericardial effusion. In a significant group of patients, definitive diagnosis is not possible despite pathological and genetic analysis. Mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors may become a therapeutic option if symptoms are severe enough, with a low rate of reported side effects.
Predictive Ability of Conventional and Combined Apgar Scores versus Neonatal Resuscitation and Adaptation Score in Early Neonatal Assessment
Authors: Midan Dina A. , El-Gendy Fady M. , Bahbah Wael A. , Alamah Hadeer Y. , Elzayat Rania S.
Published: March 2023

Objective The aim of this study was to assess the Neonatal Resuscitation and Adaptation Score (NRAS) value compared with the conventional and combined Apgar scores in predicting neonatal morbidity and mortality.

Study Design A prospective cohort study was conducted on 289 neonates delivered at the Menoufia University Hospital. Trained physicians measured conventional Apgar score, combined Apgar score, and NRAS for the neonates at 1 and 5 minutes after delivery in the delivery room. Admitted neonates were followed during their stay to detect any adverse outcomes.

Results Morbidities such as the need for neonatal intensive care unit admission, mechanical ventilation, surfactant and inotropes administration, need for extensive phototherapy, intravenous immunoglobulin or exchange transfusion, anemia, metabolic acidosis, abnormal liver and kidney function tests, coagulopathies, hypoglycemia, development of seizures in the first 72 hours of life, and positive changes in cranial ultrasound were significantly higher in neonates who lie within low or moderate NRAS than conventional and combined Apgar scores (p < 0.05). As predictors of mortality, the low and moderate values of the NRAS had higher positive predictive values at 1 (73.91 and 30.61%) and 5 minutes (88.89 and 50.94%) than the conventional Apgar scores at 1 (49.18 and 20.53%), 5 minutes (81.25 and 41.27%) and the combined Apgar scores at 1 (35.63 and 12.45%) and 5 minutes (53.1 and 41.33%).

Conclusion Our study suggests that the NRAS is better than conventional and combined Apgar scores in predicting neonatal morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, a depressed 5-minute NRAS is more predictive of mortality than 1-minute score.

Key Points
Antibodies against Noncatalytic B Subunit of Factor XIII Inhibit Activation of Factor XIII and Fibrin Crosslinking
Authors: Souri Masayoshi , Yokoyama Chikako , Osaki Tsukasa , Ichinose Akitada
Published: March 2023

Background Coagulation factor XIII (FXIII) is a proenzyme of plasma transglutaminase. It comprises two catalytic A subunits (FXIII-A) and two carrier B subunits (FXIII-B). We previously reported that alloantibodies against FXIII-B could promote FXIII clearance in a patient with congenital FXIII-B deficiency who had received infusions of plasma-derived human FXIII (A2B2 heterotetramer).

Objectives We aimed to investigate whether anti-FXIII-B antibodies affect the catalytic function of FXIII.

Methods FXIII activation and fibrin crosslinking were examined in the presence of patient plasma, isolated patient IgG, or rat anti-FXIII-B monoclonal antibodies.

Results Alloantibody levels were increased by repeated infusions of plasma-derived A2B2 heterotetramer, which enhanced binding to the functionally important FXIII-B sushi domains. The patient plasma strongly inhibited cleavage of the FXIII-A activation peptide, amine incorporation, and fibrin crosslinking in normal plasma. Furthermore, anti-FXIII-B alloantibodies blocked the formation of the complex of FXIII-B with FXIII-A, and fibrinogen. Rat monoclonal antibodies against the 10th sushi domain of FXIII-B inhibited the incorporation of FXIII-B to fibrin, FXIII activation (i.e., cleavage of FXIII-A activation peptide), and ultimately fibrin crosslinking in normal plasma, independent of their effect on heterotetramer assembly with FXIII-A. Alloantibody binding to the A2B2 heterotetramer blocked the access of thrombin to the FXIII-A cleavage site, as indicated by the reaction of the alloantibodies to the A2B2 heterotetramer and FXIII-B, but not to FXIII-A.

Conclusion Anti-FXIII-B antibodies binding to the A2B2 heterotetramer and FXIII-B inhibited FXIII activation and its crosslinking function despite being directed against its noncatalytic subunit (FXIII-B).
Association of Selected Fitness Variables with Perceived Performance Levels in Lawn Tennis Players
Authors: Manchanda Sukriti , Saxena Shobhit , Sharma Pooja , Rizvi Moattar Raza , Sharma Ankita , Ahmad Irshad , Kachanathu Shaji John
Published: March 2023

Objectives Lawn tennis is an explosive sport that involves various fitness parameters such as explosive strength, endurance, power, and agility. Improved physical fitness leads to superior athletic performance. The coach's perception is contingent upon his perception of the player at the time the athlete is comparing himself to the coach. Thus, this study aimed to determine the association between chosen fitness factors and perceived performance by coach in lawn tennis players. Thus, the study aims to detect the relationship between different fitness variables and perceived level of performance in lawn tennis player.

Materials and Methods Fifty-two lawn tennis players from two sports academies were measured for various parameters of fitness and perceived performance level as rated by the coach.

Statistical Analysis The association between selected fitness metrics and perceived performance in lawn tennis players was investigated using Pearson's correlation test. Furthermore, the data were analyzed with paired t-test for male and female group, and ANOVA was used to analyze the difference between the levels of performance.

Results Fatigue index, closed kinetic chain upper extremity stability (CKCUEST) test, and peak power and energy expenditure taken by metabolic equivalent (MET) calculation was found to be statistically different between males and females. While comparing BMI with the peak power, there was a weak positive correlation for males, while for female there was no correlation. Metabolic equivalent, energy expenditure, and peak power were positively correlated with the level of performance; however, fatigue index and level of performance had a negative nonsignificant correlation.

Conclusion Peak power, fatigue index, energy expenditure, and BMI were found to be associated in males, but not in females. Peak power and energy expenditure were connected to performance in both genders.
Knowledge and Practices Regarding Oral Hygiene, Cariogenic Diet Intake, and Dental Check-Ups Among Registered Nurses in Nigeria: A Pilot Study
Authors: Kanmodi Kehinde Kazeem , Amoo Babatunde Abiodun , Nwafor Jacob Njideka , Nnyanzi Lawrence Achilles , Ogbeide Mike Eghosa , Hundeji Abdullahi Adamu , Adetunji Charles Oluwaseun
Published: March 2023

Objectives To investigate the knowledge and practices of registered nurses in Nigeria concerning oral hygiene, cariogenic diets, and dental check-ups through a pilot study.

Methods This study was an online survey of 129 registered nurses in Nigeria. Data were collected via the WhatsApp social media using an electronic questionnaire (Google form). Data analysis was done using the SPSS version 26 software (IBM Corp, New York, USA).

Results The response and completeness rates of this pilot study were 41.7% (129/311) and 96.9% 9125/129), respectively. The majority (62.2%) of the respondents were females. The majority (89.1%) had average/above average score on basic oral health knowledge; however, there was no significant relationship between their level of basic oral health knowledge and their sociodemographic characteristics (p > 0.05). The majority (66.7%) of the respondents brushed twice daily, 86.8% used a fluoridated toothpaste, and 60.5% changed their toothbrush every 3 months. Furthermore, more than half (55.8%) consumed sugary snack/drink on daily basis, while 55.0% rinsed their mouth with water immediately after taking sugary snack, and only 55.8% did floss their teeth. Among those who flossed their teeth, only 37.5% did it once daily. It is also striking that 26.4% of the respondents had never visited a dentist for a dental check-up.

Conclusion Study findings showed a high level of basic oral health knowledge and a lower level of appropriate oral self-care practices among nurses in Nigeria. However, there is a need for a nationally representative study of nurses in Nigeria to further establish these findings.
Misidentification of Plasmodium Species by Cross-Reacting Primers and Cerebral Malaria Caused by Plasmodium vivax
Authors: Rai Anoopkrishna , Pinto Deepak Sebastian , Rai Praveen , Teerthanath Srinivas , Karunasagar Indrani , Adiga Rama
Published: March 2023

Introduction The clinical presentation of a case as cerebral malaria with molecular identification confirming it as Plasmodium vivax underlines the importance of using molecular tools to identify the species and type of malaria. The possibility of the relationship between the complication observed during clinical diagnosis and the multifactorial molecular changes could likely be the reason for terming it cerebral malaria.

Methods We report four cases analyzed using the quantitative buffy coat technique followed by classical Giemsa stained thick-film microscopy, and nested polymerase chain reaction for the genus-specific region of Plasmodium targeting 18S rDNA followed by species-specific identification with a different set of primers and products confirmation with sequencing.

Results Primers targeting P. knowlesi generated the expected product size of 153 base pairs that, upon sequencing, matched with the P. vivax sequence reflecting the relatedness of the species. Likewise, primers targeting P. ovale generated a 456 product whose sequence matched the P. vivax sequence.

Conclusion Infection with P. vivax can potentially cause cerebral malaria, and P. vivax can cause severe malaria complications alone or mixed with other species and can show cerebral malaria signs, which are typically associated with P. falciparum infections. The sequence relatedness reflects the genome similarity between P. knowlesi and P. ovale with P. vivax. The need to reconfirm with an additional set of newly reported primers is mandatory.
Socioeconomic Risk Factors for Preterm Birth in Manipur, Northeast India: A Community-Based Study
Authors: Devi Thangjam Chitralekha , Singh Huidrom Suraj
Published: March 2023

Background Preterm birth (PTB) is one of the world's leading health concerns, affecting both the mother and the children. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence and socioeconomic factors associated with PTB among the Meitei women of Manipur.

Materials and Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in postpartum Meitei women of Manipur. Participants were 126 postpartum women that gave birth to a singleton live-born infant and were classified as women giving birth before 37 weeks of gestation (PTB) and women giving birth at ≥37 weeks (term). Data were compared using univariate analysis, and the association of socioeconomic factors with PTB was determined through multivariate logistic regression using Statistical Package for Social Sciences 25 version software program, and statistical significance was taken at a p-value < 0.05.

Results The overall prevalence of PTB is 23.01%, of which 13.79% are of extremely preterm. This study revealed a significant association of PTB with mother's occupation (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 4.46, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.40–14.26, p = 0.012), tobacco consumption during pregnancy (AOR = 2.90, 95% CI: 1.01–8.33, p = 0.048), having family history of PTB (AOR = 3.14, 95% CI: 1.09–9.04, p = 0.034), and early age at menarche (AOR = 4.26, 95% CI: 1.49–12.12, p = 0.007).

Conclusion The study highlights the high prevalence of PTB and its association with various socioeconomic factors. Such community-specific studies should be performed to understand the differential risk factors of PTB to control premature death in under 5 years children and to promote women's reproductive health.
The Outcomes of Treatment in Infants with Short Bowel Syndrome
Authors: Tran Quynh Anh , Ngo Tam Thi , Nguyen Tran Thi Ngoc , Le Son Thanh , Ho Thanh Chi , Thai Thao Khac , Tran Hung
Published: March 2023

Objective We reviewed 50 infant cases with short bowel syndrome (SBS) to examine the treatment outcome of SBS management in a tertiary hospital in Vietnam.

Material and Methods A case series was performed at the National Children's Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam. A total of 50 cases with SBS were reviewed. Clinical and laboratory characteristics before and after treatment were collected.

Results The most common cause of SBS was necrotizing enterocolitis. Common clinical symptoms included watery stools, dehydration, and malnutrition. After treatment, the patient's weight, albumin, and prothrombin improved markedly. There are 72% of children with good or fair treatment results. The rate of sepsis was high (18%). There was one case with complications of catheter infection and one case of liver failure. Three children died during treatment, one died from septic shock and multiple organ failure, and two died from respiratory failure.

Conclusion This study showed promising treatment outcomes in pediatrics.
Cyber loss model risk translates to premium mispricing and risk sensitivity
Authors: Peters Gareth W. , Malavasi Matteo , Sofronov Georgy , Shevchenko Pavel V. , Trück Stefan , Jang Jiwook
Published: March 2023

In this paper we focus on model risk and risk sensitivity when addressing the insurability of cyber risk. The standard statistical approaches to assessment of insurability and potential mispricing are enhanced in several aspects involving consideration of model risk. Model risk can arise from model uncertainty and parameter uncertainty. We demonstrate how to quantify the effect of model risk in this analysis by incorporating various robust estimators for key model parameters that apply in both marginal and joint cyber risk loss process modelling. Through this analysis we are able to address the question that, to the best of our knowledge, no other study has investigated in the context of cyber risk: is model risk present in cyber risk data, and how does is it translate into premium mispricing? We believe our findings should complement existing studies seeking to explore the insurability of cyber losses.
The political influence of an interest group: A comparative study on the Muslim minority in the United States and Britain
Authors: Jan Einat
Published: March 2023

The article proposes to examine the existing political influence of the Muslim minority in the United States and Britain. The academic literature rarely refers to the component of political power as a tool that can explain the application of policy. Therefore, the analysis in the article will focus on several criteria comparatively between the two countries. The criteria include the influence of colonialism, the demography of the Muslim minority, the identity of the citizen as “Muslim”, integration policies, and the influence of the Muslim lobby. The article will show how these criteria prominently explain the political power of Muslim minorities in the intra-communal public sphere in Britain, in contrast to their relative weakness in the political sphere in the US. This is in accordance with the relative political power in each country. This article offers a new understanding of the political power of civic groups.
Cost stickiness, earnings forecast accuracy, and the informativeness of stock prices about future earnings: evidence from China
Authors: Li Jia , Sun Zhoutianyang
Published: March 2023

This paper uses the data from the Chinese capital market to study the relationship between cost stickiness, earnings forecast accuracy and stock price information content. The empirical results show that: (1) Cost stickiness significantly affects the earnings response coefficient of stock prices. Lower cost stickiness improves the ability of current returns to reflect future earnings, which is manifested in higher future earnings response coefficient (FERC). (2) Cost stickiness significantly reduces the future earnings response coefficient of non-state-owned enterprises, but does not reduce the future earnings response coefficient of state-owned enterprises. It can be seen that investors have different attitudes towards cost stickiness of listed companies with different property rights in the process of investment decision-making. (3) Cost stickiness significantly increases stock prices synchronicity and decreases the number of company-specific information reflected in stock prices. Further analysis shows that cost stickiness increases earnings forecast accuracy, which is the partial intermediary mechanism for cost stickiness to improve FERC and reduce stock price synchronicity. This paper not only enriches the relevant literature of cost stickiness and earnings response coefficient, but also shows that cost stickiness is an important factor affecting the information efficiency of capital market.
Using adult learning characteristics and the humanities to teach undergraduate healthcare students about social determinants of health
Authors: Brown Elizabeth A. , Kinder Hannah , Stang Garrett , Shumpert Wendy
Published: March 2023

Authors used an andragogy framework to help undergraduate allied health students better understand social determinants of health (SDOH) using a photo essay assignment. The study examined students’ perceptions of SDOH in various communities, description of health outcomes associated with their chosen SDOH, and lessons learned and suggestions to improve the assignment for future cohorts. Data were extracted from photo essays from 2019–2021 and entered in Microsoft Excel and Word for data analysis after course completion. Conventional qualitative content analysis was used to analyze student evaluation data from open-ended questions. Data were extracted from 53 student essays from 2019 to 2021. Most photo essays described communities in South Carolina (n = 42, 79.2%), urban areas (n = 37, 69.8%), or intermediary SDOH (75.5%). Several themes emerged concerning lessons learned (awareness and empathy are key to addressing SDOH), health equity (collaboration is necessary to provide resources, especially for underserved populations), and constructive feedback for the instructor (more time to discuss SDOH and assignment with peers and instructor). Faculty must work with students to think about more upstream factors like policy and cultural and societal values. Collecting evaluation data, specifically lessons learned and constructive feedback for faculty, can help faculty continuously improve course topics and assignments. Following a transparency framework can support student success and help faculty become effective leaders in the classroom while teaching subjects like SDOH and social justice.
Dynamics of multidimensional poverty and its determinants among the middle-aged and older adults in China
Authors: Wang Qun , Shu Lu , Lu Xiaojun
Published: March 2023

The aim of this study was to understand the dynamics of multidimensional poverty and its determinants among mid-aged and older adults. We used 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2018 data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. We utilised basic descriptive statistics, the poverty transition matrix, Kaplan–Meier estimates, and the discrete-time proportional hazards model for data analysis. From 2011 to 2018, the incidence of multidimensional poverty among mid-aged and older people basically decreased, but the average poverty intensity remained stable. Most mid-aged and older adults had transient multidimensional poverty. The longer an individual remained multidimensionally poor, the smaller the probability of exit from poverty; The longer an individual remained nonpoor after escaping from poverty, the smaller the probability of returning to poverty. As to other factors, individual characteristics, family structure, living arrangements, social capital, and living areas significantly affected the risks of multidimensional poverty exit and reentry. Based on these results, the government should implement targeted interventions for frail older adults with the identified characteristics to prevent them from persistent multidimensional poverty or return to poverty.
Application of GIS and AHP for land use suitability analysis: case of Demirci district (Turkey)
Authors: Topuz Mustafa , Deniz Mehmet
Published: March 2023

The current study aims to create a land use suitability map for the Demirci district of Manisa province in which the Analytical Hierarchy Process, one of the multi-criteria decision-making techniques, and Weighted Overlay methods are used. Eleven factors (soil, LCC, OSC, erosion, soil depth, elevation, slope, aspect, geomorphology, temperature, and precipitation) affecting land use were determined according to previous similar studies and expert consultation. Priorities of basic land use types were also designated based on expert consultation. After this process, layer maps were created using GIS software. With these layer maps, a land use suitability map of the district was drawn through an analytic hierarchy process and weighted overlay analysis. The suitability of the land in terms of three different forms of use, namely forest, meadow-pasture, and agricultural areas was revealed. As a result of the study, it has been revealed that the most incompatibility between the current land use and land use suitability is in agricultural land. The results also indicate that most of the areas which should be pasture are used as agriculture and forest areas. The southern slopes of the Simav-Demirci Mountains, Asi Tepe, and its surroundings are suitable for forest areas. The study not only contributes to the local and national economy by revealing unsuitable land uses in the research area suggesting different ways of use but also helps the continuity of the ecosystem by ensuring the protection of natural areas.
Global Accelerometer-derived Physical Activity Levels from Preschoolers to Adolescents: A Multilevel Meta-analysis and Meta-regression
Authors: Chen Han , Liu Jiling , Bai Yang
Published: March 2023

Background

Global level physical activity surveillance studies were primarily based on self-report data that could generate inaccurate results.

Purpose

To investigate global accelerometer-measured daily moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) changes from preschool age to adolescence as well as gender differences in MVPA while adjusting for the geographic regions and major MVPA cut points.

Methods

A comprehensive search was conducted through August 2020 that includes 30 databases such as Academic Search Ultimate, Child Development & Adolescent Studies, Education Full Text, ERIC, General Science, PsycINFO, ScienceDirect, and SPORTDiscuss. We included both cross-sectional and longitudinal MVPA tracking studies with daily MVPA being measured by waist-worn accelerometers and determined by either Freedson 3 METs, 4 METs, or Evenson cut points for preschoolers, children, and adolescents.

Results

Researchers analyzed 84 studies reporting on 124 effect sizes with a total of 57,587 participants. The combined data showed significant MVPA differences among various continents of participants (p < .001) or cut points (p < .05–.001) for both preschoolers, children, and adolescents. Globally, when continents and cut points were controlled, individuals’ daily MVPA time decreased every year by an average of 7.88, 10.37, and 6.68 min from preschool age to adolescence, preschool age to children, and children to adolescence, respectively. When cut points and continents were controlled, boys had significantly higher daily MVPA than girls for all three age groups (p < .001).

Conclusions

Globally, individuals’ daily MVPA starts to decline dramatically as early as the beginning of preschool age. Early intervention is needed to counteract the high decline rate in MVPA.
Cost-effectiveness of physical activity programs and services for older adults: a scoping review
Authors: Pinheiro Marina B , Howard Kirsten , Oliveira Juliana S , Kwok Wing S , Tiedemann Anne , Wang Belinda , Taylor Jennifer , Bauman Adrian , Sherrington Catherine
Published: March 2023

Background

Evidence supporting physical activity for older adults is strongly positive. Implementation and scale-up of these interventions need to consider the value for money. This scoping review aimed to assess the volume of (i) systematic review evidence regarding economic evaluations of physical activity interventions, and (ii) of cost utility analysis (CUA) studies (trial- or model-based) of physical activity interventions for older people.

Methods

We searched five databases (January 2010 to February 2022) for systematic reviews of economic evaluations, and two databases (1976 to February 2022) for CUA studies of physical activity interventions for any population of people aged 60+ years.

Results

We found 12 potential reviews, two of which were eligible for inclusion. The remaining 10 reviews included eligible individual studies that were included in this review. All individual studies from the 12 reviews (n = 37) investigated the cost-effectiveness of structured exercise and most showed the intervention was more costly but more effective than no intervention. We identified 27 CUA studies: two investigated a physical activity promotion program and the remainder investigated structured exercise. Most interventions (86%) were more costly but more effective, and the remaining were cost-saving compared to no intervention.

Conclusions

There is a scarcity of reviews investigating the value for money of physical activity interventions for older adults. Most studies investigated structured exercise. Physical activity interventions were generally more effective than no intervention but more costly. As such an intervention could be cost-effective and therefore worthy of wider implementation, but there is a need for more frequent economic evaluation in this field.
IK-DDI: a novel framework based on instance position embedding and key external text for DDI extraction
Authors: Dou Mingliang , Ding Jiaqi , Chen Genlang , Duan Junwen , Guo Fei , Tang Jijun
Published: March 2023

Determining drug–drug interactions (DDIs) is an important part of pharmacovigilance and has a vital impact on public health. Compared with drug trials, obtaining DDI information from scientific articles is a faster and lower cost but still a highly credible approach. However, current DDI text extraction methods consider the instances generated from articles to be independent and ignore the potential connections between different instances in the same article or sentence. Effective use of external text data could improve prediction accuracy, but existing methods cannot extract key information from external data accurately and reasonably, resulting in low utilization of external data. In this study, we propose a DDI extraction framework, instance position embedding and key external text for DDI (IK-DDI), which adopts instance position embedding and key external text to extract DDI information. The proposed framework integrates the article-level and sentence-level position information of the instances into the model to strengthen the connections between instances generated from the same article or sentence. Moreover, we introduce a comprehensive similarity-matching method that uses string and word sense similarity to improve the matching accuracy between the target drug and external text. Furthermore, the key sentence search method is used to obtain key information from external data. Therefore, IK-DDI can make full use of the connection between instances and the information contained in external text data to improve the efficiency of DDI extraction. Experimental results show that IK-DDI outperforms existing methods on both macro-averaged and micro-averaged metrics, which suggests our method provides complete framework that can be used to extract relationships between biomedical entities and process external text data.
Scalable subsampling: computation, aggregation and inference
Authors: Politis Dimitris N
Published: March 2023

Subsampling has seen a resurgence in the big data era where the standard, full-resample size bootstrap can be infeasible to compute. Nevertheless, even choosing a single random subsample of size b can be computationally challenging with both b and the sample size n being very large. This paper shows how a set of appropriately chosen, nonrandom subsamples can be used to conduct effective, and computationally feasible, subsampling distribution estimation. Furthermore, the same set of subsamples can be used to yield a procedure for subsampling aggregation, also known as subagging, that is scalable with big data. Interestingly, the scalable subagging estimator can be tuned to have the same, or better, rate of convergence than that of θ^n. Statistical inference could then be based on the scalable subagging estimator instead of the original θ^n.
Association between hearing sensitivity and dopamine transporter availability in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Garasto Elena , Stefani Alessandro , Pierantozzi Mariangela , Cerroni Rocco , Conti Matteo , Maranesi Simone , Mercuri Nicola B , Chiaravalloti Agostino , Schillaci Orazio , Viziano Andrea , Moleti Arturo , Sisto Renata
Published: March 2023

In a previous study, we observed: (i) significant hearing function impairment, assessed with pure tone audiometry and distortion product otoacoustic emissions, in patients with Parkinson’s disease, compared with a matched control group, and (ii) lateralization of the hearing dysfunction, worse on the side affected by more pronounced Parkinson’s disease motor symptoms. This study investigates the association between the basal ganglia dopamine transporter availability and the hearing function in Parkinson’s disease patients, focusing also on the lateralization of both dysfunctions, with respect to that of the motor symptoms, and introducing a further distinction between patients with left-sided and right-sided predominant motor symptoms. Patients with right-handed Parkinson’s disease with a recent estimation of 123I-FP-CIT striatal uptake were audiologically tested with pure tone audiometry and distortion product otoacoustic emissions. Thirty-nine patients were included in the study. A statistically significant association was found, in the left-side predominant group only, between the distortion product otoacoustic emission levels and the contralateral dopamine transporter availability, and between the hearing threshold and the dopamine transporter availability difference between the ipsi- and the contralateral sides. The hearing impairment lateralization correlated to the motor symptom asymmetry was found significant only in the left-side predominant patients. The association between hearing function and basal ganglia dopamine transporter availability supports the hypothesis that the peripheral hearing function decline associated with dopamine depletion is involved in Parkinson’s disease development, with a significant difference between patients with left- and right-sided predominant motor symptoms. These findings also suggest that peripheral hearing function evaluation and its lateralization could be key elements for subtyping the disease.
Plasma glycocalyx pattern: a mirror of endothelial damage in chronic kidney disease
Authors: Valera Gemma , Figuer Andrea , Caro Jara , Yuste Claudia , Morales Enrique , Ceprián Noemí , Bodega Guillermo , Ramírez Rafael , Alique Matilde , Carracedo Julia
Published: March 2023

Background

Endothelial damage and cardiovascular disease complicate chronic kidney disease (CKD). The increased atherogenicity observed in patients with CKD can be linked to microinflammation and endothelial damage. Circulating endothelial glycocalyx degradation products, such as perlecan and decorin, tend to be elevated in CKD. We aimed to explore the association between the plasma perlecan and decorin levels and this pro-inflammatory and atherogenic state by studying monocyte subpopulations and intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 expression in patients with CKD.

Methods

We studied 17 healthy controls, 23 patients with advanced CKD, 25 patients on haemodialysis, 23 patients on peritoneal dialysis and 20 patients who underwent kidney transplantation. Perlecan and decorin levels were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and the monocyte phenotype was analysed using direct immunofluorescence and flow cytometry.

Results

The plasma perlecan levels were higher in patients with CKD than in the healthy controls. These levels were associated with a higher prevalence of ICAM-1+ monocytes. Conversely, patients with advanced CKD (pre-dialysis) had higher plasma decorin levels, which were associated with a reduced ICAM-1 expression per monocyte.

Conclusions

Elevated perlecan levels in CKD may be associated with a higher prevalence of ICAM-1+ monocytes and a pro-inflammatory phenotype. Elevated decorin levels may act as a negative regulator of ICAM-1 expression in monocytes. Therefore, perlecan and decorin may be related to inflammation and monocyte activation in CKD and may act as potential markers of endothelial damage.
CD-BCM:Cross-Domain Batch Certificates Management Based On Blockchain
Authors: Yao Shixiong , Li Pei , Chen Jing , Zeng Yuexing , Chen Jiageng , Wang Donghui
Published: March 2023

With the development of information networks, the entities from different network domains interact with each other more and more frequently. Therefore, identity management and authentication are essential in cross-domain setting. The traditional Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) architecture has some problems, including single point of failure, inefficient certificate revocation status management and also lack of privacy protection, which cannot meet the demand of cross-domain identity authentication. Blockchain is suitable for multi-participant collaboration in multi-trust domain scenarios. In this paper, a cross-domain certificate management scheme CD-BCM based on the consortium blockchain is proposed. For the issue of Certificate Authority’s single point of failure, we design a multi-signature algorithm. In addition, we propose a unified structure for batch certificates verification and conversion, which improve the efficiency of erroneous certificate identification. Finally, by comparing with current related schemes, our scheme achieves good functionality and scalability in the scenario of cross-domain certificate management.