bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Owners' nonfinancial objectives and the diversification and internationalization of business groups
Authors: Cuervo‐Cazurra Alvaro , Colpan Asli M.
Published: January 2023

Research Question/Issue

Studies on business groups, a collection of legally separate firms operating in unrelated industries under common control, tend to compare the behavior of firms affiliated with business groups and firms that are independent companies. Unfortunately, this ignores the diversity among business groups based on their controlling owner. Hence, in this conceptual article, we study how the types of controlling owners impact the diversification and internationalization of business groups.

Research Findings/Insights

Building on agency theory, we separate business groups into five types based on their ultimate controlling owners (state, labor, family, mutual, and bank) and identify their nonfinancial objectives. We argue that their nonfinancial objectives result in diverging levels of diversification and internationalization of business groups across owner types. Specifically, we propose that state‐owned and bank‐owned business groups have a relatively high level of diversification, labor‐owned and mutual‐owned business groups have a relatively moderate level, and family‐owned business groups have a relatively low level. We also argue that state‐owned and labor‐owned business groups have a relatively low level of internationalization, family‐owned business groups have a relatively moderate level, and mutual‐owned and bank‐owned business groups have a relatively high level. We add depth to these ideas by proposing that pro‐market reforms alter owners' ability to achieve their nonfinancial objectives, leading to diverging changes in business groups' diversification and internationalization across owner types. Specifically, we propose that following pro‐market reforms, state‐owned and bank‐owned business groups experience a large decrease in their level of diversification, labor‐owned and mutual‐owned business groups see a moderate decrease, and family‐owned business groups have a small decrease. We also argue that pro‐market reforms lead state‐owned and labor‐owned business groups to have a small increase in their level of internationalization, family‐owned a moderate increase, and mutual‐owned and bank‐owned to experience a large increase.

Theoretical/Academic Implications

To the business groups literature, we highlight the importance of controlling owners and their nonfinancial objectives as the drivers of business group diversification and internationalization, complementing the usual focus on market imperfections. To agency theory, we highlight the diversity of owners' nonfinancial objectives and explain how these affect strategy, complementing the traditional focus on differences in objectives between owners and professional managers driving strategy.

Practitioner/Policy Implications

Managers can defend decisions based on the often‐unstated nonfinancial objectives of the controlling owners, countering external investors' criticisms of managers misbehaving by not aiming to maximize profits.
Clinical usefulness of end‐tidal CO2 measured using a portable capnometer in patients with respiratory disease
Authors: Suzuki Manabu , Fujimoto Shota , Sakamoto Keita , Tamura Kentaro , Ishii Satoru , Iikura Motoyasu , Izumi Shinyu , Takeda Yuichiro , Hojo Masayuki , Sugiyama Haruhito
Published: January 2023

Introduction

This study aimed to evaluate the correlation and agreement between end‐tidal CO2 (EtCO2) measured with the novel portable capnometer (CapnoEye®) and partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2) levels in patients with respiratory diseases and to compare the efficacy of EtCO2 and PvCO2 in predicting PaCO2 levels.

Methods

We analyzed the correlation and the agreement between EtCO2 and PaCO2 and between PvCO2 and PaCO2 using Pearson's moment correlation coefficient in patients with type 1 and type 2 respiratory failure and both groups overall.

Results

A total of 100 samples were included that comprised 67 men (67%). The mean age of the subjects was 77 ± 13 years. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (43%) was the most common disease. There was a high correlation between EtCO2 and PaCO2 (r = 0.88; p < 0.0001). Sixty‐six PvCO2 samples were obtained, and there was a high correlation between PvCO2 and PaCO2 (r = 0.81; p < 0.0001). Regarding type 2 respiratory failure, there was a high correlation between EtCO2 and PaCO2 (r = 0.81). The Bland–Altman analysis between PaCO2 and EtCO2 revealed a bias of 5.7 mmHg, with limits of agreement ranging from −5.1 mmHg to 16.5 mmHg. In contrast, the analysis between PaCO2 and PvCO2 revealed a bias of −6.8 mmHg, and the limits of agreement ranged from −22.13 mmHg to 8.53 mmHg.

Conclusion

EtCO2 measured by CapnoEye® was significantly correlated to PaCO2 levels in patients with respiratory diseases. Moreover, CapnoEye® may be more useful for predicting hypercapnia conditions in which respiratory diseases are compared with measure PvCO2.
Helical structure of the ventricular myocardium. A narrative review of cardiac mechanics
Authors: Antúnez‐Montes Omar Yassef , Kocica Mladen J. , Olavarria Alberto Sosa , Corno Antonio Francesco , Millan Rocio Aceves , Rosales Carlos Ixcamparij , Sanchez Aparicio Hector Eduardo
Published: January 2023

To date, the ventricular myocardial band is the anatomical‐functional model that best explains cardiac mechanics during systolic‐diastolic phenomena in the cardiac cycle. The implications of the model fundamentally affect the anatomical interpretation of the ventricular myocardium, giving meaning to the direction that muscle fibers take, turning them into an object of study with potential clinical, imaging, and surgical applications. Re‐interpreting the anatomy of the ventricular muscle justifies changes in the physiological interpretation, from its functional focus as a fiber unraveling the mechanical phenomena carried out during systole and diastole. We identify the functioning of the heart from the electrical and hemodynamic point of view, but it is necessary to delve into the mechanics that originate the hemodynamic changes observed flowmetrically, and that manifested during the pathology. In this review, the mechanical phenomena that the myocardium performs in each phase of the cardiac cycle are broken down in detail, emphasizing the physical displacements that each of the muscle segments presents, as well as a vision of their alteration and in which pathologies they are mainly identified. Visually, an anatomical correlation to the echocardiogram is provided, pointing out the direction of the segmental myocardial displacement by the strain velocity vector technique.
Structural analysis of human papillomavirus E6 interactions with Scribble PDZ domains
Authors: Stewart Bryce Z. , Caria Sofia , Humbert Patrick O. , Kvansakul Marc
Published: January 2023

The cell polarity regulator Scribble has been shown to be a critical regulator of the establishment and development of tissue architecture, and its dysregulation promotes or suppresses tumour development in a context‐dependent manner. Scribble activity is subverted by numerous viruses. This includes human papillomaviruses (HPVs), who target Scribble via the E6 protein. Binding of E6 from high‐risk HPV strains to Scribble via a C‐terminal PDZ‐binding motif leads to Scribble degradation in vivo. However, the precise molecular basis for Scribble‐E6 interactions remains to be defined. We now show that Scribble PDZ1 and PDZ3 are the major interactors of HPV E6 from multiple high‐risk strains, with each E6 protein displaying a unique interaction profile. We then determined crystal structures of Scribble PDZ1 and PDZ3 domains in complex with the PDZ‐binding motif (PBM) motifs of E6 from HPV strains 16, 18 and 66. Our findings reveal distinct interaction patterns for each E6 PBM motif from a given HPV strain, suggesting that a complex molecular interplay exists that underpins the overt Scribble‐HPV E6 interaction and controls E6 carcinogenic potential.
Results from a test‐and‐treat study for influenza among residents of homeless shelters in King County, WA: A stepped‐wedge cluster‐randomized trial
Authors: Rogers Julia H. , Casto Amanda M. , Nwanne Gift , Link Amy C. , Martinez Miguel A. , Nackviseth Callista , Wolf Caitlin R. , Hughes James P. , Englund Janet A. , Sugg Nancy , Uyeki Timothy M. , Han Peter D. , Pfau Brian , Shendure Jay , Chu Helen Y.
Published: January 2023

Background

Persons experiencing homelessness face increased risk of influenza as overcrowding in congregate shelters can facilitate influenza virus spread. Data regarding on‐site influenza testing and antiviral treatment within homeless shelters remain limited.

Methods

We conducted a cluster‐randomized stepped‐wedge trial of point‐of‐care molecular influenza testing coupled with antiviral treatment with baloxavir or oseltamivir in residents of 14 homeless shelters in Seattle, WA, USA. Residents ≥3 months with cough or ≥2 acute respiratory illness (ARI) symptoms and onset <7 days were eligible. In control periods, mid‐nasal swabs were tested for influenza by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). The intervention period included on‐site rapid molecular influenza testing and antiviral treatment for influenza‐positives if symptom onset was <48 h. The primary endpoint was monthly influenza virus infections in the control versus intervention periods. Influenza whole genome sequencing was performed to assess transmission and antiviral resistance.

Results

During 11/15/2019–4/30/2020 and 11/2/2020–4/30/2021, 1283 ARI encounters from 668 participants were observed. Influenza virus was detected in 51 (4%) specimens using RT‐PCR (A = 14; B = 37); 21 influenza virus infections were detected from 269 (8%) intervention‐eligible encounters by rapid molecular testing and received antiviral treatment. Thirty‐seven percent of ARI‐participant encounters reported symptom onset < 48 h. The intervention had no effect on influenza virus transmission (adjusted relative risk 1.73, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.50–6.00). Of 23 influenza genomes, 86% of A(H1N1)pdm09 and 81% of B/Victoria sequences were closely related.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest feasibility of influenza test‐and‐treat strategies in shelters. Additional studies would help discern an intervention effect during periods of increased influenza activity.
A bottom‐up ontology‐based approach to monitor circular economy: Aligning user expectations, tools, data and theory
Authors: Sileryte Rusne , Wandl Alexander , van Timmeren Arjan
Published: January 2023

With circular economy being high on governmental agendas, there is an increasing request from governing bodies for circularity measurements. Yet, currently existing macro‐level monitoring frameworks are widely criticized for not being able to inform the decision‐making. The criticism includes, among others, a lack of consensus on terminologies and definitions among scholars, politicians, and practitioners, a lack of supporting data and tools and, consequently, a lack of transparency and trustworthiness. To address those needs, a bottom‐up approach to build a shared terminology is suggested as a starting point for monitoring development. The government, data providers, and tool developers are involved in the process of formal ontology development and alignment. The experiment builds upon a use case of the Amsterdam Circular Economy Monitor (2020). First, four ontology development approaches are used to create a theory‐centered, a user‐centered, a tool‐centered, and a data‐centered ontology. The ontologies are later compared, merged, and aligned to arrive at one single ontology which forms the basis of the circular economy monitor. The notes taken during the process have revealed that next to a material flow model, typical of socioeconomic metabolism analysis, policy makers are concerned with actors (i.e., institutions, companies, or groups of people) who participate in the analyzed processes and services. Furthermore, a number of terms used by the decision‐makers lack clear definitions and references to be directly associated with the available data. Finally, a structured terminology alignment process between monitor users, developers, and data providers helps in exposing terminology conflicts and ambiguities.
When does upcycling mitigate climate change? The case of wet spent grains and fruit and vegetable residues in Canada
Authors: Jain Sourabh , Gualandris Jury
Published: January 2023

We investigate when upcycling—defined as treating food by‐products for human consumption—mitigates climate change. Earlier research only modeled pilot‐scale upcycling experiments, which discount its real‐world complexity. To tackle this important limitation, our research involved 130 interviews, life cycle assessment, and a simulation to assess what operational structures made upcycling environmentally sustainable and superior to alternatives such as animal feeding, anaerobic digestion, composting, and landfilling. We considered wet spent grains and fruit and vegetable residues in Canada, two important streams of unavoidable residuals in Western food systems. First, we found that the simulated range of greenhouse gas impacts, +938 to −465 kg of CO2 eq. emissions per tonne of upcycled material, was more optimistic than the ranges available in the literature. No previous estimates existed for the range of impacts for real cases, −18 and −300 kg of CO2 eq. emissions per tonne of upcycled material. Second, net‐negative carbon impacts were achieved only by operational structures with a technological configuration characterized by a total energy consumption lower than 1500 kWh per tonne of upcycled materials and a geographical scale inferior to 260 km (from point of collection to point of sale). Most of the real cases identified during our fieldwork matched these operational prescriptions and achieved a carbon footprint up to 25% smaller than the carbon footprint of the substituted virgin products. Third, our analysis of both best‐case simulated performance and real performance suggested that the positive carbon impact of upcycling was roughly comparable with that produced by animal feeding and anaerobic digestion, but superior to composting and landfilling. Our study illuminates the anatomy of environmentally sustainable upcycling operations and problematizes emergent food recovery hierarchies.
Clinical and clinicopathological features and outcomes of cats with suspected dietary induced pancytopenia
Authors: Glanemann Barbara , Humm Karen , Abreu Mariana , Aspinall Sophie , Buckeridge David , Carveth Hope , Darcy Hannah , Florey Jessica , Frowde Polly , Gajanayake Isuru , Green Kate , Holmes Emma , Hrovat Alenka , Jasensky Anne‐Katherine , Jones Bryn A , Lantzaki Vasiliki , Lo Eve JY , MacDonald Kirsty , O'Brien Kevin , Suárez‐Bonnet Alejandro , Van den Steen Nele , Szladovits Balazs , Willems Annelies , Wilson Helen
Published: January 2023

Background

After a strong epidemiological link to diet was established in an outbreak of pancytopenia in cats in spring 2021 in the United Kingdom, 3 dry diets were recalled. Concentrations of the hemato‐ and myelotoxic mycotoxins T‐2, HT‐2 and diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS) greater than the European Commission guidance for dry cat foods were detected in the recalled diets.

Objectives

To describe clinical and clinicopathological findings in cats diagnosed with suspected diet induced pancytopenia.

Animals

Fifty cats presenting with pancytopenia after exposure to a recalled diet.

Methods

Multicenter retrospective case series study. Cats with known exposure to 1 of the recalled diets were included if presented with bi‐ or pancytopenia and underwent bone marrow examination.

Results

Case fatality rate was 78%. Bone marrow aspirates and biopsy examination results were available in 23 cats; 19 cats had a bone marrow aspirate, and 8 cats had a biopsy core, available for examination. Bone marrow hypo to aplasia—often affecting all cell lines—was the main feature in all 31 available core specimens. A disproportionately pronounced effect on myeloid and megakaryocytic cells was observed in 19 cats. Myelofibrosis or bone marrow necrosis was not a feature.

Conclusion and Clinical Importance

Mycotoxin induced pancytopenia should be considered as differential diagnosis in otherwise healthy cats presenting with bi‐ or pancytopenia and bone marrow hypo‐ to aplasia.
An investigation into an outbreak of pancytopenia in cats in the United Kingdom
Authors: Glanemann Barbara , Humm Karen , Pegram Camilla , Chan Daniel L.
Published: January 2023

Background

In spring 2021 increasing numbers of cats presenting with severe pancytopenia were noted in United Kingdom (UK).

Objective

To describe process and outcome of the investigation performed into the outbreak of pancytopenia in cats.

Animals

Five hundred and eighty client owned cats that presented with severe bi‐ or pancytopenia of unknown cause.

Methods

Real‐time data collection was performed by an online registration forum available to all veterinary surgeons in UK. Data collected included demographics, clinicopathological findings, diagnostic testing, dietary and drug history, outcome and COVID household status. Mycotoxicological feed analysis was performed on feed samples of 3 diets frequently mentioned in the database and 3 control diets.

Results

Five hundred and eighty cats presented to 378 veterinary practices were included for analysis. Case fatality rate was 63.3%. Dietary history was available for 544 (93.8%) cats, of which 500 (86%) were fed 1 of 3 diets (which were recalled midinvestigation). 54 (9.3%) cats were not fed a recalled product, with diet information unknown in 26 (4.5%) cats. Analysis of feed samples revealed concentrations of hematotoxic trichothecene T‐2/HT‐2 mycotoxins greater than recommended by the European Commission in 5/7 recalled diet samples but in none of control diet samples. The trichothecene mycotoxin diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS) was detectable in all recalled diet samples but not in any of control samples.

Conclusion and Clinical Importance

Contaminated‐feed induced trichothecene mycotoxicosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis for pancytopenia in cats.
Menopausal hormone therapy and the risk of cataracts in postmenopausal women in South Korea
Authors: Yuk Jin‐Sung , Park Jae Yong , Sim Ha Eun , Hwang Je Hyung
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Postmenopausal women have a higher prevalence of cataracts than men of a similar age. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) on lens opacities in postmenopausal women.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study analysed population‐based health insurance data in South Korea collected from 2002 to 2019. To determine the risk factors associated with cataract, postmenopausal women (N = 2,506,271) were grouped according to post‐MHT use. The treatment group was further divided into the following subgroups: tibolone, combined oestrogen plus progestin by manufacturer, oral oestrogen, combined oestrogen plus progestin by physician and topical oestrogen groups. The main outcome measure was the prevalence of cataracts.

Results

The control group comprised 463,151 postmenopausal women who had never used MHT after menopause, while the treatment group included 228,033 postmenopausal women who had used MHT continuously for at least 6 months. The treatment group had a higher incidence of cataracts than the control group based on Cox proportional hazards ratio analysis. Low socioeconomic status and high parity were identified as risk factors for cataracts, and reduced risk of cataracts was associated with living in rural areas and drinking alcohol.

Conclusions

Women undergoing post‐MHT, including tibolone, had a higher incidence of cataracts. Cataract development should be a concern when examining postmenopausal patients using MHT.
Host‐ and virus‐induced gene silencing of HOG1‐MAPK cascade genes in Rhizophagus irregularis inhibit arbuscule development and reduce resistance of plants to drought stress
Authors: Wang Sijia , Xie Xianan , Che Xianrong , Lai Wenzhen , Ren Ying , Fan Xiaoning , Hu Wentao , Tang Ming , Chen Hui
Published: January 2023

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi can form beneficial associations with the most terrestrial vascular plant species. AM fungi not only facilitate plant nutrient acquisition but also enhance plant tolerance to various environmental stresses such as drought stress. However, the molecular mechanisms by which AM fungal mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades mediate the host adaptation to drought stimulus remains to be investigated. Recently, many studies have shown that virus‐induced gene silencing (VIGS) and host‐induced gene silencing (HIGS) strategies are used for functional studies of AM fungi. Here, we identify the three HOG1 (High Osmolarity Glycerol 1)‐MAPK cascade genes RiSte11, RiPbs2 and RiHog1 from Rhizophagus irregularis. The expression levels of the three HOG1‐MAPK genes are significantly increased in mycorrhizal roots of the plant Astragalus sinicus under severe drought stress. RiHog1 protein was predominantly localized in the nucleus of yeast in response to 1 M sorbitol treatment, and RiPbs2 interacts with RiSte11 or RiHog1 directly by pull‐down assay. Importantly, VIGS or HIGS of RiSte11, RiPbs2 or RiHog1 hampers arbuscule development and decreases relative water content in plants during AM symbiosis. Moreover, silencing of HOG1‐MAPK cascade genes led to the decreased expression of drought‐resistant genes (RiAQPs, RiTPSs, RiNTH1 and Ri14‐3‐3) in the AM fungal symbiont in response to drought stress. Taken together, this study demonstrates that VIGS or HIGS of AM fungal HOG1‐MAPK cascade inhibits arbuscule development and expression of AM fungal drought‐resistant genes under drought stress.
Soil‐plant hydraulics explain stomatal efficiency‐safety tradeoff
Authors: Cai Gaochao , Carminati Andrea , Gleason Sean M. , Javaux Mathieu , Ahmed Mutez Ali
Published: January 2023

The efficiency‐safety tradeoff has been thoroughly investigated in plants, especially concerning their capacity to transport water and avoid embolism. Stomatal regulation is a vital plant behaviour to respond to soil and atmospheric water limitation. Recently, a stomatal efficiency‐safety tradeoff was reported where plants with higher maximum stomatal conductance (gmax) exhibited greater sensitivity to stomatal closure during soil drying, that is, less negative leaf water potential at 50% gmax (ψgs50). However, the underlying mechanism of this gmax‐ψgs50 tradeoff remains unknown. Here, we utilized a soil‐plant hydraulic model, in which stomatal closure is triggered by nonlinearity in soil‐plant hydraulics, to investigate such tradeoff. Our simulations show that increasing gmax is aligned with less negative ψgs50. Plants with higher gmax (also higher transpiration) require larger quantities of water to be moved across the rhizosphere, which results in a precipitous decrease in water potential at the soil‐root interface, and therefore in the leaves. We demonstrated that the gmax‐ψgs50 tradeoff can be predicted based on soil‐plant hydraulics, and is impacted by plant hydraulic properties, such as plant hydraulic conductance, active root length and embolism resistance. We conclude that plants may therefore adjust their growth and/or their hydraulic properties to adapt to contrasting habitats and climate conditions.
The effect of acute and chronic exercise on hepatic lipid composition
Authors: Willis Scott A. , Malaikah Sundus , Parry Siôn , Bawden Stephen , Ennequin Gaël , Sargeant Jack A. , Yates Thomas , Webb David R. , Davies Melanie J. , Stensel David J. , Aithal Guruprasad P. , King James A.
Published: January 2023

Exercise is recommended for those with, or at risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), owing to beneficial effects on hepatic steatosis and cardiometabolic risk. Whilst exercise training reduces total intrahepatic lipid in people with NAFLD, accumulating evidence indicates that exercise may also modulate hepatic lipid composition. This metabolic influence is important as the profile of saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA), and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) dramatically affect the metabolic consequences of hepatic lipid accumulation; with SFA being especially lipotoxic. Relatedly, obesity and NAFLD are associated with hepatic PUFA depletion and elevated SFA. This review summarizes the acute (single bout) and chronic (exercise training) effects of exercise on hepatic lipid composition in rodents (acute studies: n = 3, chronic studies: n = 13) and humans (acute studies: n = 1, chronic studies: n = 3). An increased proportion of hepatic PUFA after acute and chronic exercise is the most consistent finding of this review. Mechanistically, this may relate to an enhanced uptake of adipose‐derived PUFA (reflecting habitual diet), particularly in rodents. A relative decrease in the proportion of hepatic MUFA after chronic exercise is also documented repeatedly, particularly in rodent models with elevated hepatic MUFA. This outcome is related to decreased hepatic stearoyl‐CoA desaturase‐1 activity in some studies. Findings regarding hepatic SFA are less consistent and limited by the absence of metabolic challenge in rodent models. These findings require confirmation in well‐controlled interventions in people with NAFLD. These studies will be facilitated by recently validated magnetic resonance spectroscopy techniques, able to precisely quantify hepatic lipid composition in vivo.
Case of mastocytemia and systemic mastocytosis in a dog:ProCyteDx and SysmexXT‐2000i scattergram findings, morphologic features, and c‐kit somatic mutation analysis
Authors: Palić Jelena , Heier Annabelle , Acke Els , Hergt Franziska , Turba Maria Elena
Published: January 2023

A 10‐year‐old female Golden Retriever was presented for a recheck after the complete removal of low‐grade complex mammary carcinoma. The in‐house ProCyte Dx automated counts revealed moderate regenerative anemia and moderate eosinophilia. The ProCyte Dx WBC scattergram showed a cloud in an unusual place parallel and to the right of the monocyte dot plot location. Cells were classified as either monocytes or neutrophils with no clear separation. Complete blood count analysis performed in the laboratory on a Sysmex XT‐2000iV analyzer showed moderate regenerative anemia and WBC count within RI; a differential count was not provided by the instrument. On the Sysmex XT‐2000iV DIFF scattergram, neutrophil and eosinophil dot plots were present at the respective locations and appeared separated, but the instrument did not provide numerical results. In addition to the normal lymphocyte dot plot location, the second cloud of cells classified as lymphocytes was displayed to the right of the monocyte dot plot area. On the WBC/BASO scattergram, the second population of cells was present above and to the right of the leukocyte cluster. Morphologic assessment of the blood smear detected mastocytemia with 16% poorly granulated and degranulated mast cells. FNAs from the liver and spleen contained large aggregates of poorly granulated mast cells. C‐kit somatic mutation screening detected the presence of point mutation S479I in exon 9 of the canine c‐KIT gene. This is the first description of abnormal scattergrams from ProCyte Dx and Sysmex XT‐2000iV analyzers in a dog with concurrent mastocytemia and systemic mastocytosis, and where cytologic assessments of a blood smear, liver, and spleen, and c‐kit somatic mutation analysis were performed.
Ultrasound‐assisted photo‐Fenton process for treatment of pulp and paper mill wastewater and reduction of phytotoxicity
Authors: Olabi Asaad
Published: January 2023

The efficiency of classical Fenton (CF) and modified Fenton (MF) as well as photo‐Fenton processes in real wastewater treatment of pulp and paper (P&P) mill was investigated in this study. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) was chosen as the reference measurement for evaluating the treatment's efficiency. After determining the optimum parameters for each process, the effect of adding ultrasound (US) on improving treatment efficiency was examined. In addition, kinetic study and phytotoxicity analysis were conducted under optimum conditions for all processes. With pH 4, reaction time 50 min, 1.2 g/L Fe2+ and 8 g/L H2O2 dosages, the best removal efficiency (RE) of COD was determined to be 82.18% in CF process, and this rate rose to 90.1% when US was added. The best RE in MF process was 84.16% with the application of UV‐C, pH 4, reaction time 50 min, 1 g/L Fe0 and 8 g/L H2O2 doses, although it increased to 93.4% when US was applied. The greatest results in the seed germination test were achieved in US processes with 100% of germination percentage (GP) for spinach and tomato and 90% for cress. In the economic evaluation, when conducting the treatment without US, the estimated relative cost decreased in a 15 and 16%, for CF/UV‐C and CF processes respectively, whereas the CF process was 64% cheaper than the MF process in all applications. The US contributed to enhanced water treatment efficiency by having a significant synergistic impact on Fenton applications. Hence, the combination of photo‐Fenton and ultrasound to treat effluent from P&P mills proved to be an effective and promising technique.
Random subcomplexes of finite buildings, and fibering of commutator subgroups of right‐angled Coxeter groups
Authors: Schesler Eduard , Zaremsky Matthew C. B.
Published: January 2023

The main theme of this paper is higher virtual algebraic fibering properties of right‐angled Coxeter groups (RACGs), with a special focus on those whose defining flag complex is a finite building. We prove for particular classes of finite buildings that their random induced subcomplexes have a number of strong properties, most prominently that they are highly connected. From this we are able to deduce that the commutator subgroup of a RACG, with defining flag complex a finite building of a certain type, admits an epimorphism to whose kernel has strong topological finiteness properties. We additionally use our techniques to present examples where the kernel is of type but not , and examples where the RACG is hyperbolic and the kernel is finitely generated and non‐hyperbolic. The key tool we use is a generalization of an approach due to Jankiewicz–Norin–Wise involving Bestvina–Brady discrete Morse theory applied to the Davis complex of a RACG, together with some probabilistic arguments.
Three-Dimensional Evaluation of Dental Arches in Individuals with Syndromic Craniosynostosis
Authors: Pinto Rayane de Oliveira , Tonello Cristiano , Peixoto Adriano Porto , de Jesus Adriana Souza , Santos-Pinto Ary dos , Raveli Dirceu Barnabé
Published: January 2023

Objective. Individuals with syndromic craniosynostosis present alterations in the dental arches due to anomalies caused by the early fusion of the craniomaxillary sutures. This study aimed to compare intradental and interdental dimensions between individuals with Apert and Crouzon syndromes and nonsyndromic controls. Materials and Methods. Digital models were obtained from the archive of a public tertiary care hospital. The sample consisted of 34 patients (Apert n = 18, Crouzon n = 16) and 34 nonsyndromic controls matched for gender and age. Measurements of perimeter, length, intercanine and intermolar distances (upper and lower), overjet, and molar ratio were performed. Statistical comparisons were performed using ANOVA and Tukey tests

p
<
0.05

. Results. Patients with Apert and Crouzon syndromes have severely reduced maxillary transverse dimensions, perimeter, and length of the upper arch compared to the control group

p
<
0.001

. The lower arch is less impacted. Patients with Apert syndrome had an anterior crossbite

p
<
0.001

, while patients with Crouzon syndrome had an edge-to-edge bite

p

<

 

0.011

. Patients with Apert and Crouzon syndromes do not have serious transverse proportion problems when comparing the upper and lower arches. Conclusions. In this sample, both the Apert and Crouzon groups have severely compromised upper arches compared to the control group. Mild dentoalveolar expansion in the maxilla should be sufficient for the transverse adaptation of the dental arches before frontofacial advancement.
Impact Dynamic Analysis and Rubber Impact-Resistant Design of a Launcher
Authors: Zhao Cunsheng , Tong Bo
Published: January 2023

To study the influence of the opening process of a naval ship’s weapon launcher on the local strength of the impact-resistant structure, the load and inherent characteristics of the system were analyzed, a finite element dynamic model and theoretical Kelvin–Voigt single degree of the freedom system model were established, the dynamic response properties of the impact-resistant structure under an impact load were studied, and the impact spectrum of the system at different impact load durations was obtained. The results indicated that the first-order vibration period of the impact-resistant structure was much shorter than the impact load duration, and the dynamic amplification coefficient of the system was close to 1. Consequently, a theoretical model of a single degree of the freedom system was established, while the analytically derived displacement spectrum was consistent with the finite element calculation results. Therefore, the dynamic strength check of this impact-resistant structure could be treated as a static problem. According to the static calculation, the maximum stress of the structure occurred at the root of the base, which was 188.3 MPa, exceeds 0.3 times of the material yield stress specified in the military standard. To meet the military standard, a simplified collision model was established with the thickness of the rubber pad as the reference variable, the combined force on the bottom surface of the rubber pad was extracted, and the resulting equivalent displacement was calculated according to Hooke’s law. The range of the rubber pad thickness was determined as 11.6 mm 

<

 d

<

 12.5 mm to meet the military standard and not affect the normal firing of the weapon.
Cuckoo Algorithm Based on Global Feedback
Authors: Liu Xingyu , Wu Tao , Lai Wuxing , Yuan Hu , Kou Qilong , Yu Jingping
Published: January 2023

This article proposes a cuckoo algorithm (GFCS) based on the global feedback strategy and innovatively introduces a “re‐fly” mechanism. In GFCS, the process of the algorithm is adjusted and controlled by a dynamic global variable, and the dynamic global parameter also serves as an indicator of whether the algorithm has fallen into a local optimum. According to the change of the global optimum value of the algorithm in each round, the dynamic global variable value is adjusted to optimize the algorithm. In addition, we set new formulas for the other main parameters, which are also adjusted by the dynamic global variable as the algorithm progresses. When the algorithm converges prematurely and falls into a local optimum, the current optimum is retained, and the algorithm is initialized and re‐executed to find a better value. We define the previous process as “re‐fly.” To verify the effectiveness of GFCS, we conducted extensive experiments on the CEC2013 test suite. The experimental results show that the GFCS algorithm has better performance compared to other algorithms when considering the quality of the obtained solution.
Efficacy and Safety of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Patients with Cancer and Hepatitis B or C: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Dong Huijing , Xue Chongxiang , Zheng Yumin , Zhang Xu , Hu Zixin , Lu Xingyu , Yu Yixuan , Li Jia , Tan Kexin , Cui Huijuan
Published: January 2023

Background. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have changed the situation of tumor therapy in recent years. However, for security reasons, those special populations are often excluded from clinical trials, such as infected hepatitis B or hepatitis C patients. ICIs are systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed for the first time in patients infected with hepatitis B or C in this paper. Methods. The relevant studies were searched in PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science until October 2022. Trials and observational studies meeting the inclusion criteria were included. The outcomes included the effectiveness of ICIs in patients with HBC/HCV (ORR, DCR, mOS, and mPFS), the incidence of adverse reactions, high-grade adverse reactions, and abnormal liver enzymes. At the same time, these indexes were compared with those of uninfected patients. Results. A total of 2,625 patients were enrolled, involving 1,179 patients with hepatitis (HBV or HCV). We found that ICIs showed higher ORR (25.80% vs. 18.10%) and DCR (66.22% vs. 58.74%) in patients with hepatitis B/C than those without infection. In terms of survival time, patients with hepatitis virus infection showed longer mOS (15.44 m vs. 13.30 m) but shorter mPFS (4.94 m vs. 5.01 m) than uninfected patients. As for safety data, patients with hepatitis showed a lower incidence of all-grade irAEs (68.02% vs. 70.43%) than uninfected patients, while that of 3-4 irAEs (21.27% vs. 21.79%) was similar in the two groups. However, hepatic dysfunction was more common and serious in hepatitis patients. Four HBVr and no HCVr were observed. Conclusion. According to this meta-analysis, ICIs are effective and safe for patients with hepatitis B or C, but basic liver enzymes have to be evaluated before treatment to avoid liver adverse events.
An Approach for a Multi-Period Portfolio Selection Problem by considering Transaction Costs and Prediction on the Stock Market
Authors: Aburto Luis , Romero-Romero Rodrigo , Linfati Rodrigo , Escobar John Willmer
Published: January 2023

This paper addresses a method to solve a multi-period portfolio selection on the stock market. The portfolio problem seeks an investor to trade stocks with a finite budget and a given integer number of stocks to hold in a portfolio. The trade must be performed through a stockbroker that charges its respective transaction cost and has its minimum required trade amount. A mathematical model has been proposed to deal with the constrained problem. The objective function is to find the best risk-return rate; thus, Sharpe Ratio and Treynor Ratio are used as objective functions. The returns are the same for these ratios, but the risks are not Sharpe considering covariance and Treynor systematical risk. The returns are predicted using a Neural Net with Long-Short-Term Memory (LSTM). This neural net is compared with simple forecasting methods through Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE). Computational experiments show the quality prediction performed by LSTM. The heteroskedastic risk is estimated by Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity (GARCH), adjusting the variance for every period; this risk measure is used in Sharpe Ratio. The experiment contemplates a weekly portfolio selection with 5 and 10 stocks in 122 weekly periods for each Chilean market ratio. The best portfolio is Sharpe Ratio with ten stocks, performing a 62.28% real return beating the market, represented by the Selective Stock Price Index (IPSA). Even the worst portfolio, Treynor Ratio, overcomes the IPSA cumulative yield with ten stocks.
Dietary Sodium Butyrate Changed Intestinal Histology and Microbiota of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), but Did Not Promote Growth and Nutrient Utilization
Authors: Lin Xia , Zhang Chunyan , Cao Kailin , Li Zhendong , Zhao Zhongshen , Li Xiaoqin , Leng Xiangjun
Published: January 2023

The study investigated the effects of dietary sodium butyrate (SB) on the growth performance, nutrient utilization, intestinal histology, and microbiota of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). A high fishmeal diet and a low fishmeal diet were formulated to contain 200 g/kg or 100 g/kg fishmeal, respectively. Coated SB (50%) was supplemented to each of the diets at levels of 0, 1.0, and 2.0 g/kg to create 6 diets. The diets were fed to rainbow trout with initial body weight of

29.9
±
0.2
 

g for 8 weeks. Compared to the high fishmeal group, the low fishmeal group showed significantly lower weight gain (WG), intestine muscle thickness, and significantly higher feed conversion ratio (FCR) and amylase activity (

P
<
0.05

). The supplementation of SB in high or low fishmeal diet did not significantly affect the WG, FCR, protein retention, and the digestibility of dry matter and crude protein (

P
>
0.05

). The supplementation of 2.0 g/kg SB in low fishmeal diet significantly increased the villus height, villus width, and muscular thickness, while the supplementation of 2.0 g/kg SB in high fishmeal diet also significantly increased the intestinal villus height (

P
<
0.05

). In intestinal microbiota, the supplementation of 2.0 g/kg SB significantly increased the abundance of Proteobacteria and Aeromonas, and decreased the abundance of Firmicutes and Mycoplasma (

P
<
0.05

), but the flora at genus and phylum level were not affected by SB supplementation in low fishmeal diet (

P
>
0.05

). In conclusion, the addition of SB in diets containing 100 or 200 g/kg fishmeal did not enhance the growth performance and nutrient utilization of rainbow trout, but improved intestinal morphology and changed intestinal microbial flora.
A Novel Microstructure of 2‐Bit Optical Analog to Digital Converter Based on Kerr Effect Nonlinear Nanocavities in 2D Photonic Crystal
Authors: Al-Hawary Sulieman Ibraheem Shelash , Alkhayyat Ahmed , Shafieezadeh M. Mehdi , Dwijendra Ngakan Ketut Acwin , Khalaf Eman , Muda Iskandar
Published: January 2023

In this paper, an all‐optical analog‐to‐digital converter based on nonlinear with silicon materials is designed and simulated. The proposed structure consists of three nonlinear nanocavity that control the optical signal power intensity. The nonlinear material used is aluminum gallium arsenide (AlGaAs). Aluminum gallium arsenide (AlGaAs) with a linear refractive index of n0 = 1.4 and a nonlinear refractive index of n2 = 1.5 × 10−17. Due to the small path length of the waveguides, the optical signals move a short distance and as a result, the power optical losses along the path are reduced and on the other hand, the speed of the structure is increased. The transmission percentage is between 90% and 100%. The overall dimensions of the structure are 324 μm2. The plane wave expansion (PWE) method is used to calculate the band structure. The two‐dimensional finite difference time domain (2D‐FDTD) method is used to calculate the transmission power spectrum and the simulation results.
The Truck Platooning Routing Optimization Model Based on Multicommodity Network Flow Theory
Authors: Zhang Zexi
Published: January 2023

Truck platooning has been identified as an emerging and promising operational technology with the advantages of fuel consumption savings and carbon emissions reductions. We formulate the truck platooning routing optimization problem as a multi-commodity network flow problem from a transportation optimization and scheduling perspective. Based on fuel consumption savings generated through the reduction of aerodynamic drag by the formation of truck platooning, the route of each truck is also set to be a decision variable needing settlement to facilitate the formation of truck platooning to maximize fuel consumption savings. Considering fuel consumption and detour costs, we construct a truck platooning routing optimization model with minimum overall system fuel consumption as the optimization objective. The output of the routing optimization model could both reflect the composition of each truck platooning on each link and directly show the routings of each truck. To explore the impact of the restrictions on the number of trucks in truck platooning on overall fuel consumption savings, road networks are constructed and the truck platooning routing optimization model is solved by the commercial solver CPLEX. Compared to individual trucks, 8% or 12% fuel consumption savings are achieved, respectively, with the number of trucks being restricted or not restricted in truck platooning. Considering the different fuel reduction rates of the following trucks in platooning on the system performance in terms of the total fuel cost, a sensitivity analysis is also conducted. The results also show that the ideal truck platooning routing plan can be obtained by the proposed model, and the study provides a theoretical reference for the promotion and application of truck platooning.
An Intelligent Diagnostic Method for Multisource Coupling Faults of Complex Mechanical Systems
Authors: Sun Xianbin , Wang Mohan , Zhan Bo , Xiong Yuanyuan , Yu Wei
Published: January 2023

In the actual environment, there are difficult points such as complicated mechanical system fault types, random fault locations, and inconspicuous minor fault signals, which make it difficult to accurately diagnose faults. This paper proposes a new method for fault diagnosis of an adaptive multisensor bearing-gear system based on GAF/MTF (Gramian angular fields and Markov transition fields) and ResNet (deep residual network). First, we establish a multisensor signal acquisition system to monitor the running signals of the bearing-gearbox composite test bench in real time. Faulty parts include multiple types of composite faults of different sizes, different fault types, and different transmission stages. Second, based on GAF/MTFs, the multichannel timing signal collected by using the acquisition system is converted into multichannel pictures, and pictures are fused and compressed into three-channel pictures. Finally, we input these pictures into ResNet for fault diagnosis. The experimental results show that the GAF/MTF-ResNet model has a recognition accuracy of 72.14% for a total of 520 classification label test sets under different motor speeds, different sampling times, and different types of faults. Among them, the accuracy of the motor speed and sampling time is close to 100%, and the accuracy of gearbox failure and bearing failure is 75.25% and 88.97%, respectively. This shows that the method provides new ideas for the composite fault diagnosis of mechanical systems under different working conditions and different types of faults and has theoretical guiding significance.
Spatial-Temporal Feature with Dual-Attention Mechanism for Encrypted Malicious Traffic Detection
Authors: Liu Jianyi , Wang Lanting , Hu Wei , Gao Yating , Cao Yaofu , Lin Bingjie , Zhang Ru
Published: January 2023

While encryption ensures the confidentiality and integrity of user data, more and more attackers try to hide attack behaviours through encryption, which brings new challenges to malicious traffic identification. How to effectively detect encrypted malicious traffic without decrypting traffic and protecting user privacy has become an urgent problem to be solved. Most of the current research only uses a single CNN, RNN, and SAE network to detect encrypted malicious traffic, which does not consider the forward and backward correlation between data packets, so it is difficult to effectively identify malicious features in encrypted traffic. This study proposes an approach that combines spatial-temporal feature with dual-attention mechanism, which is called TLARNN. Specifically, first we use 1D-CNN and BiGRU to extract spatial features in encrypted traffic packets and temporal features between encrypted streams, respectively, which enriches the features of different dimensions, and then, the soft attention mechanism is focused on the encrypted data packets to extract features. Ultimately, the second layer of the soft attention mechanism is used for aggregating malicious features. Several comparative experiments are designed to prove the effectiveness of the proposed scheme. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed scheme has a significant performance improvement compared to existing ones.