bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gliogenesis from the subventricular zone modulates the extracellular matrix at the glial scar after brain ischemia
Authors: Ardaya Maria , Tiveron Marie-Catherine , Cremer Harold , Dehay Benjamin , Pérez-Cerdá Fernando , Matute Carlos , Soria Federico N. , Cavaliere Fabio
Published: December 2023

Activation of the subventricular zone (SVZ) following cerebral ischemia is one of the brain’s early responses to counteract neuron loss and minimize tissue damage. Impaired brain regions communicate with the SVZ through various chemotactic signals that promote cell migration and differentiation, primarily involving neural stem cells (NSC), neuroblasts, or glioblasts. However, the activation of gliogenesis and the role of newly formed astrocytes in the post-ischemic scenario remain subjects of debate. We have previously demonstrated that adenosine release after brain ischemia prompts the SVZ to generate new astrocytes. Here, we used transient brain ischemia in mice to identify the cellular origin of these astrocytes within the SVZ neurogenic niche and to investigate their role in the pathological process. By combining immunofluorescence, BrdU-tracing, and genetic cell labeling, we tracked the migration of newborn astrocytes, positive for the proteoglycan marker Thbs4, from the dorsal and medial SVZ to the perilesional barrier surrounding the ischemic core, known as the “glial scar”. We found that these Thbs4-positive astrocytes modulate the dense extracellular matrix at the lesion border by both synthesizing and degrading hyaluronan. We also show that while the accumulation of hyaluronan at the lesion site is sufficient to recruit newborn astrocytes, its degradation at the SVZ correlates with gliogenesis. These findings suggest that newborn astrocytes could be a promising pharmacological target for modulating the glial scar after brain ischemia and facilitate tissue regeneration.
Plant breeding simulations with AlphaSimR
Authors: Bančič Jon , Greenspoon Philip , Gaynor Chris R. , Gorjanc Gregor
Published: December 2023

Plant breeding plays a crucial role in the development of high-performing crop varieties that meet the demands of society. Emerging breeding techniques offer the potential to improve the precision and efficiency of plant breeding programs; however, their optimal implementation requires refinement of existing breeding programs or the design of new ones. Stochastic simulations are a cost-effective solution for testing and optimizing new breeding strategies. The aim of this paper is to provide an introduction to stochastic simulation with software AlphaSimR for plant breeding students, researchers, and experienced breeders. We present an overview of how to use the software and provide an introductory AlphaSimR vignette as well as complete AlphaSimR scripts of breeding programs for self-pollinated, clonal, and cross-pollinated plants, including relevant breeding techniques, such as backcrossing, speed breeding, genomic selection, index selection, and others. Our objective is to provide a foundation for understanding and utilizing simulation software, enabling readers to adapt the provided scripts for their own use or even develop completely new plant breeding programs. By incorporating simulation software into plant breeding education and practice, the next generation of plant breeders will have a valuable tool in their quest to provide sustainable and nutritious food sources for a growing population.
Exposure and resistance to lantibiotics impact microbiota composition and function
Authors: Zhang Zhenrun J. , Cole Cody , Lin Huaiying , Wu Chunyu , Haro Fidel , McSpadden Emma , van der Donk Wilfred A , Pamer Eric G.
Published: December 2023

The intestinal microbiota is composed of hundreds of distinct microbial species that interact with each other and their mammalian host. Antibiotic exposure dramatically impacts microbiota compositions and leads to acquisition of antibiotic-resistance genes. Lantibiotics are ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides produced by some bacterial strains to inhibit the growth of competing bacteria. Nisin A is a lantibiotic produced byLactococcus lactisthat is commonly added to food products to reduce contamination with Gram-positive pathogens. Little is known, however, about lantibiotic-resistance of commensal bacteria inhabiting the human intestine. Herein, we demonstrate that Nisin A administration to mice alters fecal microbiome compositions and the concentration of taurine-conjugated primary bile acids. Lantibiotic Resistance System genes (LRS) are encoded by lantibiotic-producing bacterial strains but, we show, are also prevalent in microbiomes across human cohorts spanning vastly different lifestyles and 5 continents. Bacterial strains encoding LRS have enhancedin vivofitness upon dietary exposure to Nisin A but reduced fitness in the absence of lantibiotic pressure. Differential binding of host derived, secreted IgA contributes to fitness discordance between bacterial strains encoding or lacking LRS. Although LRS are associated with mobile genetic elements, sequence comparisons of LRS encoded by distinct bacterial species suggest they have been long-term components of their respective genomes. Our study reveals the prevalence, abundance and physiologic significance of an underappreciated subset of antimicrobial resistance genes encoded by commensal bacterial species constituting the human gut microbiome, and provides insights that will guide development of microbiome augmenting strategies.
Ex ante required rates of return and related factors in Indonesian PPP infrastructure projects
Authors: Wibowo Andreas
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This paper delves into the ex ante rates of return demanded by the private sector in Indonesian public–private partnership (PPP) infrastructure projects and the manifold factors emanating from project attributes that can influence these rates.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper analyzes feasibility studies of 37 PPP projects across different sectors. The studies were carefully selected based on relevance, completeness and validity of data. The analysis uses statistical techniques, including Levene’s tests, t-tests, ANOVA tests, Cohen’s effect size and Pearson correlations, to explore differences in cost of capital and excess returns across various attributes.

Findings

Based on the statistical analysis, no significant difference exists between the excess return of 200 basis points (bps) and the equity excess return of 0 bps. This suggests that the eligibility criteria for PPP projects require an internal rate of return (IRR) equal to the weighted average cost of capital plus 200 bps or an equity IRR equal to the cost of equity. The variations in the tested variables among diverse project attributes do not exhibit statistically significant disparities, even though specific attributes display moderate to high effect sizes.

Originality/value

This paper represents one of the first attempts to examine the rates of return demanded by the private sector in the context of Indonesian PPP projects. It comprehensively explores the factors that influence these rates, drawing on insights derived from feasibility studies.
Spatial-Temporal Analysis of Residential Housing, Office Property, and Retail Property Price Index Correlations: Evidence from Ten Chinese Cities
Authors: Xu Xiaojie , Zhang Yun
Published: December 2023

Using correlation-based hierarchical analysis and synchronization analysis, this study focuses on monthly price indices for residential homes, office buildings, and retail properties in ten major Chinese cities for the years 2005 to 2021. Through these analyses, one can identify interactions and interdependence among the price indices, heterogeneous patterns in synchronizations of the price indices, and their evolving paths with time. Empirical findings suggest that the degree of real estate price comovements across all property types and cities is relatively low and stable from January 2017 to February 2020, followed by significant increases during the COVID-19 pandemic from March 2020 to January 2021 and significant decreases since February 2021 with the recovery of the economy. Several groups of property types and cities are determined in this study, each of which having its members reveal rather strong but volatile synchronizations of price indices. Rolling importance analysis does not suggest persistent increasing or decreasing trends for the real estate price associated with a specific property type and city. Policy studies on real estate price comovements may benefit from these findings here.
Exploring the Condition of Wards in Malaysia Hospital Buildings
Authors: Jesumoroti Christtestimony , Olanrewaju AbdulLateef , Khor Soo Cheen
Published: December 2023

Hospital buildings condition necessitated the findings of this study especially the state of the wards in the hospital buildings. The objective of this study is to examine the conditions of the wards in the hospital buildings, and proffer recommendations to various stakeholders for enhancement. A quantitative approach was used where the condition of the hospital wards was ranked respectively by the participants were physicians, psychologists, dentists, veterinarians, medical doctors, medical officers, nurses, and other hospital buildings professional users constitute the sample stratum. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 was used to analyse the data; descriptive and inferential such as reliability, validity, and ranking. The salient finding is that polluted ventilation, faulty ceiling lamps, faulty fire alarms, faulty wall (wall finishes/painting) and faulty window handles, were the condition of wards that were ranked highest (slightly bad) and merely affected. This implies that there is the need to use a better maintenance management approach to avert further decline in the condition of the hospital wards. Also, the research findings states that hospital buildings conditions and components of wards could be in the good state at all times using a holistic approach that will reduce more wards component depreciations for quality services outputs for the users. The wards conditions in the hospital buildings could be greatly improved by using proper strategies and maintenance management plans. Most of the studies about hospital building wards had focused on thermal comfort, but there is a paucity of studies that investigate the hospital buildings' condition of wards with low number in respondent active participation. Despite the constant rise in maintenance costs, there are numerous complaints and critiques of hospital buildings reported in the media. The lack of proper consideration for maintenance management and weaknesses in Malaysia hospitals has led to the deterioration of hospital buildings and reduced healthcare services. The study was being able to highlight some beneficial qualities and were also highlights some weaknesses of wards condition in the Malaysian hospital buildings which can tentatively be curtailed so users can be comfortable and satisfied.
Bibliometric Review of Research Trends in Facilities Management Technologies from 2000 to 2023
Authors: Simpeh Fredrick
Published: December 2023

Technologies such as building management systems, building information modelling, computer aided design, virtual reality, internet of things, geographic information systems and robotics have been adopted to achieve effective Facilities Management (FM). However, little attempt has been made to map global research trends in FM technologies. This paper presents a bibliometric review on the application of technology in FM with the aim of determining research trends and gaps in this research area. A total of 107 publications on FM technologies from 2000 to 2023 were reviewed. The analysis was done with the VOSviewer software (version 1.6.13). The analysis focused on bibliographic coupling of countries, co-authorship of authors, citation of documents, and co-occurrence of keywords, which were presented as network visualization maps. The findings revealed that the publication trends in FM technologies have been upwards since 2000, although not completely gradient. Italy, United States, Mainland China, South Korea, Australia, United Kingdom, Sweden, China Taiwan, Canada, and Malaysia are the countries that have had great impact in this research area. Both the keywords and documents citation analysis revealed three distinct phases in the evolution of FM technologies research – energy efficiency technologies, BIM technologies, and advanced BIM technologies/internet of things. It also became evident that Africa lags in this area of research. This study helps to determine the range of technologies used for managing facilities and how such technologies have evolved. This can help facilities managers to become familiar with the current and cutting-edge technologies that could promote effective and efficient FM. Only one data source - Scopus - was used. Therefore, the representation of publications presented in this study are limited. However, the findings contribute to the body of knowledge in FM technologies.
Critical Success Factors for Affordable Housing Projects in Nigeria
Authors: Musa Mohammed Mukhtar , Nafiu Zadawa Abdullahi , Abubakar Muhammad Jamil , Adamu Dandajeh Mukhtar , Sani Shehu Auwalu
Published: December 2023

Housing plays an important role in socio-economic development of any country. However, access to affordable housing is a challenge to many people in developing countries. The purpose of this study is to establish critical success factors for affordable private sector housing projects in Nigeria.  Twenty-six (26) success attributes for affordable housing were identified from literature. A survey questionnaire was designed, and pre-tested, subsequently main survey was performed in which two hundred and eighty (280) questionnaires were administered to experienced researchers, senior managers in public housing agencies, developers and consultants with knowledge and experience in affordable housing. One hundred and seventy-six (176) completed questionnaires were returned completed representing 62.86% response rate. The data collected were analyzed using mean score, factor analysis and stepwise multiple regression analysis. The findings from this study produce four critical success factors for affordable housing projects namely, effective land policies for affordable housing, availability of effective financial institutions, good governance of housing systems, and political will. The results suggested that a well-functioning housing sector must satisfy these factors. It has been concluded that, government has an important role to play in the supply of affordable housing in Nigeria. Thus, government should be committed to supporting affordable housing development through the provision of policy solution and implementation. The study can assist policy makers to understand important factors that influence the success of affordable housing development, and thus include them in the formulation of housing policies in their countries.
Speciation by physiological selection of environmentally acquired traits
Authors: Noble Denis , Phillips Daniel
Published: December 2023

A chance mutation affecting a single or extremely few individuals in a continuous population will be quickly diluted through interbreeding. Charles Darwin fully appreciated this difficulty with relying on natural selection alone, and suggested an enabling role for geographical isolation in the origin of species. However, Darwin also believed in evolution by the inheritance of acquired traits and in populations of interbreeding animals, both of which would need a different isolating mechanism to overcome dilution and play a role in animal evolution. Historically disputed, the inheritance of acquired characters is now increasingly accepted as a phenomenon, and Charles Darwin himself is acknowledged as closely pre‐empting the type of physiology necessary to mediate it in his hypothesis of ‘pangenesis’. In this article, we question how the inheritance of acquired traits might overcome the problem of dilution by interbreeding and contribute to evolution. Specifically, we describe how Darwin's young protégé, George Romanes, developed ideas he discussed with Darwin and extended pangenesis to include a conceivable solution published after Darwin's death: physiological selection of fertility. In light of the ‘rediscovery’ of pangenesis, here we recount physiological selection as a testable hypothesis to explain how environmentally acquired characteristics could become coupled to the generation of species.

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Unification of Higher-Order Dual Programs Over Cones
Authors: Saini S. , Kailey N.
Published: December 2023

This paper unified Wolfe and Mond–Weir-type higher-order symmetric dual multiobjective programs over arbitrary cones. The usual duality theorems are proved for unified dual programs under the assumptions of higher-order [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text]-convexity. Several known results are obtained as special cases. An example is given to show how higher-order Wolfe and Mond–Weir-type symmetric duals can be extracted from our model. An example is presented to show the existence of higher-order [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text]-convex functions.
The effect of three matters on KSS bound
Authors: Sadeghi Mehdi
Published: December 2023

In this paper, we introduce the black brane solutions in anti-de Sitter (AdS) space in four-dimensional (4D) Einstein–Gauss–Bonnet–Yang–Mills theory in the presence of string cloud and quintessence. Shear viscosity to entropy density ratio is computed via fluid–gravity duality, as a transport coefficient for this model.
Unveiling the fifth state of matter: Insights into ultra-hot plasma and its applications
Authors: Bagheri-Mohagheghi Mohammad Mehdi , Pourhassan Behnam , Saridakis Emmanuel , Capozziello Salvatore , Rudra Prabir
Published: December 2023

This paper presents a study of the dissociation energy of the N–S poles of a quantum magnetic particle, carried out from both classical and quantum mechanical perspectives. A simple model of a harmonic oscillator is employed to estimate the dissociation energy of the N–S poles, as well as the corresponding breakdown temperature and internal pressure. The results indicate that the separation of magnetic poles occurs in two states: (a) in an ultra-hot plasma medium with extremely high temperatures, such as in the core of a hot star and (b) at extremely high pressures, such as between internal plates in complex superlattices of layered solids. The breakdown temperature is found to be on the order of [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]K, which is only achievable in an ultra-hot plasma environment as the fifth phase of matter. Based on this model, the possibility of dissociation of bonds between N and S magnetic poles for solid superlattices under very high pressures between crystal plates is also calculated. The results suggest that the presence of isolated magnetic monopoles in superlattices of solids under ultra-high-pressure conditions is possible. Consequently, the model proposes that the conductivity of magnetic monopole carriers can be applied in the manipulation of nanomaterials for the production of advanced devices, such as new generations of superconductors, new spin devices and magnetic-electronics, advanced materials with magnetic monopoles and super-dielectrics.
Dwarf Mongoose Optimization with Transfer Learning-Based Fish Behavior Classification Model
Authors: Samhitha B. Keerthi , Subhashini R.
Published: December 2023

Behavioral monitoring can be used to monitor aquatic ecosystems and water quality over time. Using precise and rapid fish performance detection, fishermen may make educated management decisions on recirculating aquaculture systems while decreasing labor. Sensors and procedures for recognizing fish behavior are often developed and prepared by researchers in big numbers. Deep learning (DL) techniques have revolutionized the capability to automatically analyze videos, which were utilized for behavior analysis, live fish detection, biomass estimation, water quality monitoring, and species classification. The benefit of DL is that it could automatically study the extraction of image features and reveals brilliant performance in identifying sequential actions. This paper focuses on the design of Dwarf Mongoose Optimization with Transfer Learning-based fish behavior classification (DMOTLB-FBC) model. The presented DMOTLB-FBC technique intends to effectively monitor and classify fish behaviors. Initially, the DMOTLB-FBC technique follows Gaussian filtering (GFI) technique for noise removal process. Besides, a transfer learning (TL)-based neural architectural search network (NASNet) model is used to produce a collection of feature vectors. For fish behavior classification, graph convolution network (GCN) model is employed in this work. To improve the fish behavior classification results of the DMOTLB-FBC technique, the DWO algorithm is applied as a hyperparameter optimizer of the GCN model. The experimentation analysis of the DMOTLB-FBC technique is tested on fish video dataset and the widespread comparison study reported the enhancements of the DMOTLB-FBC technique over other recent approaches.
Robotic Catheter Ablation: An Evaluation and Prototyping Platform
Authors: Heemeyer Florian , Boehler Quentin , Chautems Christophe , Guido López Leonardo E. , Jáuregui-Abularach Miguel , Merino José L. , Nelson Bradley J.
Published: December 2023

Cardiac arrhythmia affects a large portion of the population, particularly the elderly. As the population ages, the number of patients suffering from this condition is expected to rise, underlining the importance of more efficient treatment methods. Radio-frequency (RF) catheter ablation is the treatment of choice for many cardiac arrhythmias. To recover a normal heartbeat, the abnormal pacemakers inside the heart are first identified and then isolated or destroyed by applying RF energy through the use of an ablation catheter. While the catheter’s design and precise navigation are topics of significant interest, there is currently no standardized evaluation setup to compare different catheter ablation systems. This paper addresses this problem by introducing an evaluation platform including an in vitro anatomical model, a catheter tracking system, and a dedicated graphical user interface. This platform enables performance assessment of catheter ablation systems using various metrics, such as procedure duration, contact stability, ablation angle and user satisfaction. A simulation environment is also presented, allowing for rapid assessment of usability-related parameters. We demonstrate the efficacy of the evaluation platform through a proof-of-concept study, and the efficacy of the simulation environment through evaluating different control gains.
Improving the Forecasting Accuracy Based on the Lunar Calendar in Modeling Rainfall Levels Using the Bi-LSTM Method through the Grid Search Approach
Authors: Darmawan Gumgum , Handoko Budhi , Faidah Defi Yusti , Islamiaty Dian
Published: December 2023

Rainfall is one of the climatic factors that influence various human activities and affect decision making in daily life activities. High intensity of rainfall can turn into a threat and cause serious problems such as causing various natural disasters. Therefore, it is essential to conduct rainfall forecasting to anticipate and enable preventive actions and can be used as a decision consideration in increasing the productivity and mobility of human activities. The aim of this study is to compare rainfall accuracy between the Gregorian and the lunar calendars using the bidirectional long short-term memory (Bi-LSTM) machine learning model through the grid search approach. This method was used because it can capture patterns arising from the simultaneous effects of two asynchronous calendars, Gregorian and lunar, which were used in this study by finding the right parameters. Monthly rainfall data from Bogor City, Indonesia, were used from the period of 2001 to 2022. The results show that the MAPE of the lunar calendar is relatively smaller at 14.82% which indicates the better forecasting ability than the Gregorian calendar which is 35.12%.
The Effect of Diabetes Management Shared Care Clinic on Glycated Hemoglobin A1c Compliance and Self-Management Abilities in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Jiang Tian , Liu Chao , Jiang Ping , Cheng Wenjun , Sun Xiaohong , Yuan Jing , Wang Qiaoling , Wang Yanlei , Hong Shihui , Shen Haiyan , Zhu Dongchun , Zhang Yi , Dai Fang , Hang Jing , Li Jiguo , Hu Honglin , Zhang Qiu
Published: December 2023

Objective. We aim to evaluate the impact of diabetes management shared care clinic (DMSCC) on glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) compliance and self-management abilities in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods. This study was a prospective cohort study of patients with T2DM participating in the DMSCC. At baseline and after management, the HbA1c levels were measured, the HbA1c compliance rate were calculated, and the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities-6 (SDSCA-6), Diabetes Empowerment Scale-DAWN Short Form (DES-DSF), and Problem Areas in Diabetes Scale—Five-item Short Form (PAID-5) were completed. These pre- and post-management data were compared. Results. A total of 124 eligible patients were enrolled. After the diabetes management of DMSCC, the average HbA1c decreased and the HbA1c compliance rate increased significantly (P < 0.01). SDSCA-6 showed significant improvement in physical activity, glycemic monitoring, smoking (P < 0.01), and taking medication (P < 0.05). DES-DSF suggested a greater willingness to try to effectively treat diabetes (P < 0.05). PAID-5 indicated significant improvement in diabetes-related emotional distress. Conclusion. DMSCC can help patients with T2DM reduce HbA1c, increase HbA1c compliance, improve diabetes self-management behaviors, empowerment, and diabetes-related emotional distress and serve as an effective exploration and practice of diabetes self-management education and support.
Beta-Carotene Retention and Consumer Acceptability of Selected Products Made from Two Provitamin-A Maize Varieties
Authors: Munkhuwa Victor , Masamba Kingsley , Kasapila William
Published: December 2023

A study was carried out to determine beta-carotene retention and acceptability of selected products made from two provitamin-A maize varieties grown in Malawi, namely, MH43A and MH44A. Beta-carotene retention in the provitamin-A maize products was determined by using a “completely randomised block design” (CRBD) whereby the maize varieties (replicates) were treated as fixed blocks, and similar treatments (analytical tests) were applied in each block. Acceptability of the provitamin-A maize products was determined in 6 to 23-month-old children and their caregivers using a cross-sectional design. Results showed that in three maize products, namely, porridge, maize meal, and fermented maize beverage, there was an increase in beta-carotene, with apparent retentions of 111.13%, 170.27%, and 138.22% for MH43A and 156.50%, 207.13%, and 126.17% for MH44A varieties, respectively. Results on pregerminated maize flour produced from MH43A and MH44A maize varieties showed lower beta-carotene apparent retention values of 63.3% and 84.7%, respectively. Results on acceptability showed that most of the caregivers (47.1%) preferred porridge prepared from MH43A flour compared to porridge prepared from MH44A (30.6%) and the control variety (MH26-white maize) (22.4%). For roasted maize, roasted white maize grains (49.6%) were more preferred compared to the two provitamin-A varieties. Results on acceptability with respect to children showed that most children (63.5% and 53.7%) who tested MH43A and MH44A porridge, respectively, consumed all the porridge. Results from this study have shown that there is a high acceptability of provitamin-A maize porridges amongst children prepared from MH43A (55.5%) and MH44A (51.9%) maize varieties. The study therefore recommends that provitamin-A maize varieties should be promoted through appropriate preparation methods that ensure high beta-carotene retention to address vitamin-A deficiency.
Controlled Release of Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Conditioned Media from a Microsphere/Gel-Based Drug Delivery System for Wound Healing of Tympanic Membrane Perforations
Authors: Bruk Liza A. , Fan Xin , Resnick Jayde L. , DiLeo Morgan V.
Published: December 2023

Chronic tympanic membrane (TM) perforation increases patient susceptibility to infection, hearing loss, and other side effects. Current clinical treatment, surgical grafting, can result in detrimental side effects including nerve damage, dizziness, or hearing loss. Therefore, it is essential to develop novel therapeutic procedures that can induce or accelerate healing in minimally or noninvasive approaches. Cell-free therapies have safety advantages over stem cells and are logistically favorable for clinical use. The regenerative potential by mesenchymal stem cell-conditioned media (CM) has been promising. In this study, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres with CM encapsulated have been developed as a cell-free alternative regenerative treatment for TM perforation. The results suggest that the PLGA microspheres were capable of encapsulating and releasing CM for up to 21 days. The in vitro scratch wound proliferation assays showed increased wound healing ability of CM-loaded microspheres. In vivo guinea pig models treated with CM drops and CM-loaded microspheres using a thermoresponsive gel carrier demonstrated potential for wound healing in TM perforation. These studies provide a basis for further examination of the delivery of stem cell CM and investigation of time-dependent wound healing, long-term ototoxicity, and hearing restoration.
Chemical Fingerprint Analysis and Content Determination of Horned Gallnut and Bellied Gallnut in Galla Chinensis
Authors: Long Xiaomei , Guo Shuang , Gu Jianxing , Zhang Lijun , Liu Haipeng , Fan Yuan , Wen Weibo
Published: December 2023

To establish an objective and comprehensive methodology to analyse the connections and differences between horned gallnut (HG) and bellied gallnut (BG) in Galla Chinensis (GC). The HPLC fingerprints from 15 batches of HG and 15 batches of BG were performed, and chemometric analysis including similarity analysis (SA), hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA), principal component analysis (PCA), and orthogonal partial least squares discrimination analysis (OPLS-DA) was also set up. The results showed that the similarity of all batch samples was more than 0.9. In fingerprint analysis, 8 distinct common peaks were detected, among which gallic acid (GA), 1,3,6-tri-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose (TGG), and 1,2,3,4,6-O-galloyl-D-glucose (PGG) were identified by comparing with the standard compounds. Meanwhile, samples were clearly grouped into two classifications corresponding to HG and BG. This study demonstrated that HPLC fingerprints coupled with chemometric analysis could be applied to discriminate HG and BG and evaluate the qualities of HG and BG rapidly, which provided a certain experimental basis for the selection of GC raw materials and subsequent use.
Estado Actual de los Gobiernos Corporativos después de la Primera Aplicación de la Norma de Carácter General N° 341 de la SVS
Authors: Novakovich Gübelin Marjorie , Peralta Herrera Luis Mauricio
Published: December 2023

El Gobierno Corporativo (GC) es el conjunto de instancias y prácticas de la empresa en el proceso de toma de decisiones que contribuyen a la creación de valor a lo largo del tiempo, en un marco de transparencia y responsabilidad organizacional hacia las partes interesadas de la Empresa. Un buen GC debe incorporar y desarrollar permanentemente prácticas de incentivos y respeto a los derechos de los accionistas y a los grupos de interés que participan directa o indirectamente en la Empresa, a objeto de obtener beneficios conjuntos de ésta. La presencia de numerosos grupos económicos en Chile, de origen nacional y extranjeros, sumada a la alta concentración de propiedad de éstos, generó que los organismos fiscalizadores nacionales, como lo es la SVS, emitiera la Norma de Carácter General (NCG) N°341. Ello en consideración a la importancia que reviste para el mercado de valores que las sociedades anónimas abiertas revelen sus políticas y prácticas de gobiernos corporativos, de forma que los inversionistas tengan suficiente información respecto a ello.
Impactos de la Aplicación de la NIC 41 en los Activos Biológicos: Una Comparación entre Panamá y Chile
Authors: Rivera Ramos Mirna , Peña Cortés Angélica
Published: December 2023

Esta publicación tiene por objeto analizar desde una óptica contable la aplicación de la NIC 41 y realizar una comparación de los procesos de transformación de los activos biológicos en una realidad avícola panameña y una chilena. El ciclo productivo avícola, específicamente del pollo, comprende crianza, fecundación, incubación y engorde y su relación con la medición, valorización, revelación y presentación en los estados financieros de los activos biológicos avícolas bajo la normativa internacional NIC 41, que trata el tema de la agricultura y la gestión en sus procesos biológicos. El objetivo es proponer una metodología de valorización de activos biológicos avícolas, la cual permitirá contar con un sistema de medición y valorización de dichos recursos aplicando criterios establecidos en la NIC 41.
Principles of Ritual Prayer: An 18th Century Catechism in Bahdini Kurdish
Authors: Öpengin Ergin
Published: December 2023

This article presents an edition and linguistic analysis of a verse catechism in the Bahdini dialect of Kurdish. The manuscript of the text is dated to late 18th century and is held among the Oriental manuscripts collections of the Berlin State Library. The text is a didactic verse on the principles and rules of the Islamic ritual prayer (ṣalāt), belonging thus to the catechism or in its Turkish-Arabic term ʿilm -i ḥāl genre. It is the oldest example of the catechism genre, different from creeds, in Kurdish literature that started in the late 16th century. The text is edited here within the context of religious treatises in Kurdish and analysed for its historical-linguistic and dialectological aspects that illustrate Early Modern Kurdish.
“Denomination Doesn’t Matter”? A Proposal for a Receptive Ecumenical Missiology from a Theological Action Research Project on Methodists and Catholics Engaging Together in Social Action
Authors: Butler James
Published: December 2023

In ecumenical social action and mission it is common to hear phrases like, ‘denomination doesn’t matter’, and ‘we are all just Christians’. This reflects a wider tension with modern ecumenism between doctrinal and practice-based approaches to ecumenism. In this theological action research project on Methodists and Catholics engaging together in social action many espoused this pragmatic approach to action over ecclesial tradition. However, in practice they engaged with the complexities of ecumenical life and ecclesial tradition, many in significant ways. Drawing on the themes of receptivity, identity and practical wisdom seen in their practice and their understanding of ecumenism as something which is ‘lived’ rather than ‘done’, I offer a receptive ecumenical missiology. This ecumenical missiology, based in a pneumatological receptivity, offers an integrated way forward, overcoming many of the tensions between practice, mission and doctrine felt within modern ecumenism.
Sin Stocks and SEC Filing Reviews
Authors: Cunningham Lauren M. , Joo Taylor
Published: December 2023

In this study, we examine whether and how SEC regulators adjust their oversight processes when there are conflicting risks, specifically among sin stock firms operating in potentially controversial industries, such as alcohol, gaming, and tobacco. On the one hand, we would expect increased scrutiny from SEC staff if they believe that companies willing to offer these sin-related products and services are more likely to skirt SEC disclosure guidelines. On the other hand, if the SEC staff leverage the additional scrutiny these firms are already subjected to from investors, industry regulators, and auditors, we would expect decreased scrutiny from SEC staff. Consistent with the latter, we observe that the SEC is less likely to issue comments on the annual report of sin stock firms. Among those receiving a comment letter, there are no statistically significant differences in rigor or tone, on average. In additional analyses, we find limited evidence that specific reviewer characteristics are associated with differential treatment for sin stock firms in terms of rigor. Finally, we find that among firms that did not receive a comment letter, sin stock firms are less likely to restate their financial statements in the future. Collectively, we interpret this evidence as the SEC efficiently reducing scrutiny on sin stock firms, relative to non-sin stock firms, during the earlier phases of the review process, with minimal differences in the later phases of the review process.
Traffic Congestion Cause Identification Method for Urban Main Roads
Authors: Xiaoxi Cai , Yanping Xiao , Lei Zhang
Published: December 2023

Identifying the causes of congestion is the key to solving traffic congestion. To improve the efficiency of congestion control, this paper establishes a congestion cause identification method based on the three stages of pattern recognition, source tracing, and cause discrimination. The K-means algorithm was proposed to calculate the frequency threshold of recurrent congestion, trace the sources of congestion according to the rules of congestion propagation time sequences, build a congestion fault tree based on causal logic relationships, and determine the occurrence probability and importance of each cause by using the expert scoring method and cloud model. The test results showed that the method is promising and could provide support for scientific congestion control.
ESSENTIALIZED UTILITY: Organizational Adaptation to Diversity Initiatives
Authors: Simon Samantha J.
Published: December 2023

Contemporary U.S. organizations are increasingly adopting diversity initiatives. However, what diversity means and how these efforts are implemented remain contested. This article uses the case of women in policing to examine how organizational diversity initiatives can either alleviate or entrench existing inequalities. Drawing on 1 year of ethnographic fieldwork at four police training academies and 40 in-depth interviews with officers, I argue that during the onboarding process, police departments use women to bolster the existing masculine organizational ethos of policing. Police departments use a framework of essentialized utility, in which essentialized perspectives of minoritized groups—in this case, women—are used to reify organizational inequalities.
Demanding a Voice? Worker Participation in the British Interwar Management Movement
Authors: Maclean Mairi , Shaw Gareth , Harvey Charles
Published: December 2023

It is often assumed that industrial sociology scarcely existed as a topic of study before the Second World War. Here, we illuminate its antecedents by showing social relations in work organisations being vigorously debated by workers and managers in the Rowntree lecture conferences, an integral part of the British interwar management movement (1918–1939). The reported debates and discussions constitute a form of ‘citizen sociology’. We explore the movement, previously examined solely from management’s viewpoint, from the workers’ perspective, accessing their lived experience through first-hand accounts provided in lectures. Our main contribution is to show how employee demands were progressively neutralised over the period, absorbed into nominally shared concerns for efficiency, as welfare provision was reconceived as labour management. We document this evolution through the lectures, expressed in participants’ own words. This was achieved not by disregarding worker representatives, but counter-intuitively by engaging with them directly and inviting them into the conferences.
Optimization of geometrical factors for enhanced performance of carbon fiber reinforced polymer cores under transverse loading
Authors: Pradhan Mohan Kumar
Published: December 2023

The high strength-to-weight ratio and ease of manufacturing of composite materials make them widely used across a variety of industries. A commonly used method of improving composite structure load-bearing capacity is to employ carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) cores. The mechanical properties of CFRP, however, vary in different directions due to its anisotropic behavior. Due to higher tensile strength along the fibers, anisotropy can lead to failure based on directions other than the fiber orientation. A thorough analysis of CFRP core failure modes has been conducted. Experimental analysis, finite element analysis, and micromechanical modeling techniques have been used in these studies. In this research, specific emphasis has been placed on understanding failure behavior under transverse loading conditions. Failure modes have been thoroughly examined in relation to geometric parameters such as interference, wedge angle, and friction coefficient. Modeling CFRP core failure and displacement behavior was carried out using FEA simulations to validate the research findings. A comparison of the obtained results with existing literature ensured that they were accurate and reliable. Additionally, response surface methodology was employed for optimization, aiming to minimize two critical factors: radial compressive stress and core displacement. By minimizing these factors, the performance and reliability of CFRP cores in applications related to grid capacity can be enhanced. The analysis of the research data revealed that the friction coefficient and interference play significant roles as interacting factors, albeit with opposite impacts on the stresses within the CFRP cores. The optimal values for interference and friction coefficient were found to be 0.0224 mm and 0.4, respectively, to minimize radial stress. Furthermore, the wedge angle exhibited a substantial influence on core displacement, with an optimal value of 3.5°.
Behavioural economics theories in information-seeking behaviour research: A systematic review
Authors: Qi Jinglin , Han Zhengbiao , Zhong Huan
Published: December 2023

This study aims to systematically reveal the application of behavioural economics theories in information-seeking behaviour research to promote the theoretical development of information-seeking behaviour research. A systematic review method was utilised to collect 92 relevant articles published from 1989 to 2022. The temporal development of these articles, research themes, and the theoretical contributions of behavioural economics theories to information-seeking behaviour research were organised and analysed. The findings are as follows: First, behavioural economics theories have been applied in information-seeking behaviour research for more than30 years and have entered an accelerated development stage. Second, behavioural economics theories are widely adaptable to information-seeking behaviour research. Early behavioural economics theories are applicable to 10 research topics such as information-seeking stopping behaviour and information evaluation, while contemporary behavioural economics theories are applicable to 16 research topics: information-seeking strategies and health information-seeking. Third, behavioural economics theories have produced four contributions to information-seeking behaviour research by revealing the mechanisms underlying information-seeking behaviour, exploring behavioural and cognitive strategies in information-seeking behaviour, interpreting the biases underlying information-seeking behaviour, and constructing theoretical models for information-seeking behaviour.
Effects of electroacupuncture on intestinal microflora and plasma metabolites in an insulin-resistant mouse model of type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Cao Linhui , Zhou Sheng , Li Jianjun , Chen Kefang , Xue Xiaojin , Yi Wei
Published: December 2023

Objective:

To investigate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at ST36 on intestinal microflora and plasma metabolites in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), to provide a theoretical basis and guidance for the clinical treatment of T2DM by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

Methods:

Sixteen T2DM db/db mice were randomly divided into treatment (T, n = 8) and model (M, n = 8) groups, and a further eight normal db/m+ mice reared under the same conditions served as a non-diabetic control group (C, n = 8). The general conditions of mice were observed weekly. After obtaining blood and stool samples, the mice were euthanized. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) was measured using a glucometer and fasting insulin (FINS) was measured in plasma by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Liver and colon tissues were embedded in paraffin and subjected to hematoxylin–eosin (HE) staining to observe pathological changes in these tissues. In addition, 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequencing was performed to analyze changes in the intestinal flora and metabolomics was employed to assess changes in metabolites in the blood.

Results:

EA significantly reduced FBG and FINS levels and alleviated pathological damage to the liver and colon. Furthermore, EA increased intestinal community richness and diversity by decreasing the relative abundance of Clostridium and incresasing the relative abundance of Lactobacillus. EA also reduced D-fructose levels in T2DM mice according to plasma metabolomics.

Conclusion:

EA has a positive regulatory effect on the intestinal flora and can regulate blood glucose and improve insulin resistance in T2DM model mice.
Conclusiveness of the Cochrane Reviews in Family Nursing: A Meta-research Study
Authors: Kajiwara Kohei , Ito Yoshiyasu , Tsubaki Michihiro , Kobayashi Masamitsu , Kakeda Takahiro , Kako Jun
Published: December 2023

This study established the clinical conclusiveness of Cochrane reviews (CRs) in family nursing. We extracted relevant characteristics of CRs to determine the methods of obtaining high-level evidence for family nursing. We performed a systematic search of all CRs on family nursing published in the Cochrane Library between January 2014 and April 2023. After screening 1212 titles and abstracts, we identified seven potentially relevant articles. Upon reviewing their full texts, we included six CRs with a total of 34 interventions. Of these, 22 (64.7%) interventions were conclusive and 12 (55%) were inconclusive. Thus, the number and percentage of conclusive CRs is lower in family nursing versus other fields.
Governing neo-nationalism, trade unions and industrial relations: the cases of Hungary and Poland
Authors: Becker Joachim
Published: December 2023

Neo-nationalist parties emerged victorious in Hungary and Poland after the financial crisis as a political consequence of disenchantment with the neoliberal approaches ushered in by EU accession and subordinate economic integration. This article analyses, in a comparative perspective, the strategies adopted by the governing neo-nationalist parties in Hungary and Poland with regard to trade unions and industrial relations as part of their broader political-economic projects.