bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study of Complaints and Grievances regarding the Treatment and Information Provided to Users of Primary Care in the Sanitary Area of Santiago and Barbanza from 2020–2022. A Cross-Sectional Study in Spain
Authors: Velazquez-Lopez Maria Fernanda , Garcia-Perez Maria , Souto-Pereira Montserrat , Vazquez-Lago Juan M.
Published: June 2023

Primary Health Care is crucial in the healthcare system, being the first level of contact with health services for users and patients to take action using the available resources. Patient care units are created to facilitate direct user participation through the circuit of complaints, grievances, and suggestions, allowing the analysis of the population's unmet expectations and needs. To study complaints and grievances regarding the treatment and information received by users in the Santiago and Barbanza healthcare area during the year 2022. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted, in which complaints filed by patients in the year 2022 in the Santiago and Barbanza healthcare area were analyzed. A total of 326 users who filed a total of 512 complaints were studied in the year 2022, with 358 (70.0%) related to treatment/information. The mean age was 33.5±16.2 years. 72.4% were women (n=236). A Pearson correlation was performed to establish whether there was a dependence between the number of healthcare visits in both primary care and hospital settings in 2022 and the number of complaints filed in the same year. Pearson correlation coefficient was 0.14; 95% CI (0.02 - 0.27), p=0.012. There is a correlation between the number of consultations and the number of complaints filed. Frequent users are more likely to file a complaint. However, there is no correlation between the number of consultations and the likelihood of filing a complaint regarding treatment/information. Therefore, there seems to be a good relationship between healthcare personnel and users, which impacts patient satisfaction.
Right Ventricle Assessment before Tricuspid Valve Interventions
Authors: Cersosimo Angelica , Gavazzoni Mara , Inciardi Riccardo Maria , Adamo Marianna , Arabia Gianmarco , Metra Marco , Raddino Riccardo , Vizzardi Enrico
Published: June 2023

In new Guideline for the Management of Patients with Valvular Heart Disease for tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is focused the importance of measurement of right-sided diastolic pressures and right ventriculography, pulmonary artery pressures, and pulmonary vascular resistance. Assessment of right ventricular (RV) dimensions and function is pivotal to select patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation who may benefit from tricuspid valve intervention. However, with the exception of tricuspid valve annulus diameter, there is no other cut-off value that defines severe RV dysfunction or dilation for this specific group of patients. It may be difficult, if not impossible, to establish a cut-off value of RV dysfunction since the RV may be exposed to pressure and volume overload, myocardial ischemia, intrinsic myocardial disease or pericardial constraint. Furthermore, the response of the RV to tricuspid valve intervention may vary according to each aetiology and the time course of the disease (acute or chronic). Comprehensive assessment of RV function should address in shape remodelling; functional remodelling; tissue remodelling. This assessment should be performed in optimal loading conditions and after euvolemia has been achieved.
It’s now that there is no other cut-off value that defines severe RV dysfunction or dilation for patients with severe TR with the exception of tricuspid valve annulus diameter.
It may be difficult, if not impossible, to establish a cut-off value of RV dysfunction since the RV may be exposed to pressure and volume overload, myocardial ischemia, intrinsic myocardial disease or pericardial constraint. In this review we analyze the relationship between right ventricular (RV) and TR in term of outcomes and mortality predictor in patients undergoing percutaneous or invasive treatment for severe TR.
Utilizing Text Mining for Labeling Training Models from Futures Corpus in Generative AI
Authors: Chou Hsien-Ming , Cho Tsai-Lun
Published: June 2023

For highly time-constrained very short-term investors, reading and extracting valuable information from financial news poses significant challenges. The wide range of topics covered in these news articles further compounds the difficulties for investors. The diverse content adds complexity and uncertainty to the text, making it arduous for very short-term investors to swiftly and accurately extract valuable insights. Variations in authors, media sources, and cultural backgrounds also introduce additional complexities. Hence, performing a bull-bear semantic analysis of financial news using text mining technologies can alleviate the volume, time, and energy pressures on very short-term investors while enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of their investment decisions. This study proposes labeling bull-bear words from a futures corpus detection method that extracts valuable information from financial news, allowing investors to understand market trends quickly. Generative AI models are trained to provide real-time bull-bear advice, aiding investors in adapting to market changes and devising effective trading strategies. Experimental results show the effectiveness of various models, with Random Forest and SVMs achieving an impressive 80% accuracy rate. MLP and Deep learning models also perform well. By leveraging these models, the study reduces the time spent reading financial articles, enabling faster decision-making and increasing the likelihood of investment success. Future research can explore the application of this method in other domains and enhance model design for improved predictive capabilities and practicality.
Porous Gold Nanoparticles: Thermal Stability, Optical Response and Support-Free Synthesis
Authors: Juhász Laura , Erdélyi Zoltán , Cserháti Csaba
Published: June 2023

3D metal nanostructures are often the basis of several applications such as in catalysis, plasmonics, medical diagnosis, therapy, drug screening, ophthalmologic, and biomedical applications. Porous gold nanoparticles (PGNs) are intensively investigated due to their outstanding morphological as well as advantageous optical properties. Unfortunately, the thermal stability of these open-porous structures is poor, i.e. even as a result of low-temperature annealing (150$^\circ$C in air), their porosity disappears and they lose their favorable optical properties. In order to preserve their beneficial properties, a thin metal oxide coating can be applied. Changing the coating's thickness and/or composition, the optical response of the PGNs can also be tuned in a wide wavelength region. Moreover, these nanoparticles can be synthesized also in support-free form, which makes them more attractive from an application point of view. This review article summarizes some of the preparation modes of these complex nanostructures (fixed and support-free), as well as their thermal stability and optical responses.
Digital Design of Laser Sintered Metal Grids Supporting Orthodontic Treatment
Authors: Yordanova-Kostova Greta Roussanova , Chalyovski Milen , Gurgurova Gergana , Georgieva Mirela
Published: June 2023

In interceptive treatments in which impacted teeth (incisor or first permanent molar) should be included into the dental arch, the main clinical problem is the provision of an anchorage area and a suitable appliance. The use of laser sintered metal orthodontic grids, designed and printed digitally, has expanded the boundaries of orthodontic treatment, especially in its interceptive phase.
Our aim is to describe a digital model for providing anchorage during orthodontic-surgical traction of impacted teeth in the mixed dentition period.
We present the treatment of three clinical cases with digitally projected and printed metal grids used for anchorage.
In the described clinical cases, individually designed anchorage systems were used. They were created through design software and after that the metal grids were printed. The devices are placed in the oral area and don’t disturb the aesthetics of the patient in any way. The advantages of individual designed metal support grids allow to accommodate the features of relief of the hard palate and alveolar bone. This makes the grids comfortable for the patient and rigid enough to perform orthodontic tractions at the same time. The printed additional grids are applicable in mixed dentition and in complicated clinical cases in permanent dentition. Their individuality allows segmental treatments or treatments in cases requiring additional anchorage further from the active force.
Design of Airfield Rigid Pavement Condition Monitoring and Sensing System
Authors: Luo Yong , Yussof Mustafasanie Bin M
Published: June 2023

This chapter aims to construct a relatively complete, universal, and highly reliable road surface state monitoring and perception system through the research of the A1 contact road reconstruction project of an international airport (hereinafter referred to as the “airport”). The system design is based on on-the-spot investigation, theoretical analysis, and engineering practice, using vibrating string type and resistive strain sensors as sensing means, real-time high-frequency signal acquisition technology as the guide, 4G router for wireless communication technology as the media, and storage technology for monitoring system based on server storage terminals. In combination with engineering background, aircraft motion state, main landing gear configuration, sensor selection and evaluation, and other major factors, the actual monitoring information needs of the plane are fully taken into account, as well as the difference in sensor information types, and the system design is carried out by stratification and classification.
Com@Rehab: An Interactive and Personalised Rehabilitation Activity Based on Virtual Reality
Authors: Silva Carolina , Quaresma Cláudia , Silva Raquel , Carvalho Sara , Costa Rute , Fernández Miguel , Sousa Andreia Pinto de , Londral Ana , Fonseca Micaela
Published: June 2023

Background: This work presents Com@Rehab, a technological patient-centred activity for individuals needing a physical rehabilitation approach and with a specific loss of functionality. Within this scope, this paper focuses on the description of the activity in virtual reality (VR), its components, design and user profile, and its versatility and future adaptability regarding different ages, pathologies and rehabilitation contexts. Methods: The VR activity has been customised according to the patient's clinical needs while replicating an activity of daily living, namely showering. In addition, to validate and get feedback on the developed system, a validation questionnaire was applied to a group of healthy individuals to test the efficiency of the technology that supports the VR activity. Results: Preliminary results show that 94% of the participants recommended the experience, the performance of the various components of the system was successfully implemented, participants quickly adhered to the VR technology, and the UI assistant’s functionality should be improved. Conclusion: This solution creates a more effective, interactive, humanised rehabilitation approach based on a Virtual Reality (VR) activity. The Com@Rehab Communication Module improves human-human and human-machine communication while contributing to health literacy.
Developing fermentation liquid of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens PMB04 to control bacterial leaf spot of sweet pepper
Authors: Wang Fei , Chao Szu-Han , Blanco Sabrina Diana , Tsai Chen-Hsuan , Yang Yung-Yu , Lin Yi-Hsien
Published: June 2023

Sweet pepper is an important vegetable in the world. Bacterial leaf spot caused by the pathogen Xanthomonas perforans, is a limiting factor that significantly reduces the quality and yield of sweet pepper To control this disease, the use of chemical fungicides is currently the main disease control method. Thus, we want to develop an alternative method by using antagonistic microorganisms. Under this demand, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens PMB04 has strong antagonistic effects against pathogens and can inhibit the occurrence of diseases. B. amyloliquefaciens PMB04 has the potential for the development of a disease control product. Primarily, PMB04 revealed to contain a strong inhibitory effect against all isolated X. perforans strains. In the inoculation assay, the severity of bacterial spot disease on sweet peppers was reduced by PMB04 bacterial suspensions. To increase the convenience of field application for future prospects, the development of PMB04 fermentation liquid was carried out with different ratios of brown sugar and yeast extract in a 30-liter fermentation tank subsequently. Results exhibited that the fermentation liquid of 3-1 formula obtained the highest bacterial population in a 30-liter fermentation tank. The fermentation liquid of 0.5-0.5 formula was the most stable formula under two different conditions in terms of consistent bacterial population and sporulation. In addition, the 200-fold dilution of 3-1 and 0.5-0.5 fermentation liquids revealed best control efficacy on bacterial leaf spot of sweet pepper. Additionally, the results of the 0.5-0.5 fermentation liquid (PMB4FL) with different dilution concentrations also showed that the 200- and 500-fold dilutions had the best control efficacy. To understand the effect of commonly used copper-containing fungicides on sweet peppers on the application of microbial agent PMB4FL, the effects of copper hydroxide and tribasic copper sulfate on the growth of X. perforans strains and B. amyloliquefaciens PMB04 were assayed. The results exhibited that the above two fungicides did not have any inhibitory effect on the growth of PMB04, but had a strong inhibitory effect on the X. perforans strain. In the follow-up control experiment, the treatment of copper hydroxide had no synergistic effect with PMB4FL to control bacterial leaf spot. We concluded that the use of PMB4FL fermentation liquid alone on the leaves can effectively control the occurrence of bacterial leaf spot in sweet pepper crops.
Design and Implementation of a Versatile openHab IoT Testbed with a Variety of Wireless Interfaces and Sensors
Authors: Tsakalidis Sotirios , Tsoulos George , Kontaxis Dimitrios , Athanasiadou Georgia
Published: June 2023

This paper presents the design and implementation of a versatile IoT testbed utilizing the openHab platform along with various wireless interfaces, including Z-Wave, ZigBee, WiFi, 4G-LTE, and IR, and an array of sensors for motion, temperature, luminance, humidity, vibration, UV, and energy consumption. First, the testbed architecture, setup, basic testing, and collected data results are described. Then, by showcasing a typical day in the laboratory, we illustrate the testbed's potential through the collection and analysis of data from multiple sensors. The study also explores the capabilities of the openHab platform, including its robust persistence layer, event management, real-time monitoring, and customization. The significance of the testbed in enhancing data-collection methodologies for energy assets and unlocking new possibilities in the realm of IoT technologies is particularly highlighted.
A Comprehensive Study on the Effect of Defects on Perovskite Solar Cell Performance
Authors: Ibrahim Hajar Kh , Sabaawi Ahmed M A , Aljwari Qais Th
Published: June 2023

This paper focuses on the impact of defects density and carrier capture cross-section area in the electron transport material (ETM), hole transport material (HTM), and absorber layers on the performance of perovskite solar cells and quantum efficiency (QE). Furthermore, the impact of defects density at the interface between ETM/absorber and absorber/HTM is also studied. SCAPS-1D software is used in the current study in determining solar cell performance. The proposed perovskite solar cell structure is a planar FTO/TiO2/ CH3NH3PbI3/ Cu2O. The results indicated that increasing the defect density in the absorber layer significantly affects cell performance, while in ETM and HTM layers, the cell parameters remain unaffected. It is also found that the defect capture cross-section has a similar behavior to the defect density in the main layers (ETM, absorber, and HTM). In addition, it is observed that by increasing the defects density in the ETM/absorber and absorber/HTM interfaces layer, the cell parameters FF, Jsc, and PCE have been slightly decreased, with no effect on Voc. Moreover, it is also noted that the quantum efficiency QE is sharply reduced. Finally, this paper introduced the correlation between the defect density and the capture cross-section, which is the first attempt to find such a relationship in perovskite solar cells to the knowledge of the authors.
Cultural and Contextual Drivers of Triple Burden of Malnutrition Among Children in India
Authors: Singh Shri Kant , Chauhan Alka , Sharma Santosh Kumar , Puri Parul , Pedgaonkar Sarang , Dwivedi Laxmi Kant , Smith Tallie Lindsey
Published: June 2023

The study examines malnutrition's triple burden, including anaemia, overweight, and stunting, among children aged 6-59 months. Using data from the National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-21), the study identifies risk factors and assesses the contribution at different levels to existing malnutrition burden. A random intercept multilevel logistic regression model and spatial analysis are employed to identify child, maternal, and household level risk factors for stunting, overweight, and anaemia. The study finds that 34% of children were stunted, 4% overweight, and 66% anaemic. Stunting and anaemia prevalence were higher in central and eastern regions, while overweight was more prevalent in the north-eastern and northern regions. At macro-level, the coexistence of stunting, overweight, and anaemia circumstantiates the triple burden of childhood malnutrition with substantial spatial variation (Moran’s I: stunting-0.53, overweight-0.41 and anaemia-0.53). Multilevel analysis reveals that child, maternal, and household variables play a substantial role in determining malnutrition burden in India. The nutritional health is significantly influenced by a wide range of determinants, necessitating multilevel treatments targeting households to address this diverse group of coexisting factors. Given the intra-country spatial heterogeneity, the treatment also needs to be tailor-made for various disaggregated levels.
SUBSTITUSI FLY ASH DAN LIMBAH KACA PADA KOLOM MODULAR BETON PRAPABRIKASI YANG EKONOMIS
Authors: Alifi Muhammad Nur , Habsya Chundakus , Agustin Rima Sri
Published: June 2023

Abstrak: Percepatan pembangunan daerah perkotaan memerlukan inovasi komponen bangunan yang ramah lingkungan. Menciptakan bangunan yang ramah lingkungan dilakukan dengan memanfaatkan limbah sebagai bahan pengganti sebagian dari material beton. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pemanfaatan variasi limbah kaca dan 10% fly ash yang mampu menghasilkan produk komponen bangunan ramah lingkungan dan menjadi alternatif komponen bangunan yang ekonomis. Penelitian ini menerapkan metode kuantitatif. Pembuatan kolom praktis dilakukan dengan prapabrikasi segmen kolom. Hasil pengujian dievaluasi berdasarkan pengaruh variasi limbah kaca terhadap daya serap air segmen kolom praktis modular dan kuat tekan aksial kolom praktis modular beton. Hasil eksperimen menunjukkan substitusi fraksi limbah kaca dan 10 % fly ash dapat menurunkan daya serap air pada segmen dan meningkatkan kuat tekan aksial pada kolom praktis modular beton. Nilai daya serap air minimal sebesar 10,826% tercapai pada komposisi kaca 15%. Kuat tekan aksial maksimal kolom praktis modular beton pada umur 28 hari sebesar 8,98 MPa dengan variasi limbah kaca 10%. Prapabrikasi kolom praktis modular beton menghemat biaya pembuatan hingga 47% dibandingkan menggunakan kolom praktis konvensional.
Abstract: Accelerating urban development requires environmentally friendly building component innovations. Creating environmentally friendly buildings is done by utilizing waste as a substitute for some of the concrete material. This study aims to determine the use of glass waste and  fly ash to produce environmentally friendly building components and become an alternative in creating an economical building component. This research applies quantitative methods. Column manufacturing was done by prefabricated column segments. The test results are evaluated based on the effect of variations in glass waste on the water absorption capacity of the practical modular column segment and the axial compressive strength of the concrete modular practical column. The experimental results show that glass fraction substitution and 10% fly ash can reduce water absorption in the segment and increase the axial compressive strength of practical concrete modular columns. The minimal water absorption value of 10,826% was achieved at the glass composition of 15% and the maximum axial compressive strength of practical concrete modular columns at 28 days was 8,98 MPa at a composition of 10% variations glass waste. Prefabricated concrete modular columns save up to 47% manufacturing costs compared to conventional columns. 
Neo-Weberian Reading of Violent Non-State Actors: The Case of Hezbollah
Authors: YETİM Mustafa
Published: June 2023

Multiple-actor reality and the impact of different units, except the states in stratified structural relations, have become more apparent in recent international relations. Specifically, the rising role of Violent Non-State Actors (VNSA) in regions like the Middle East and North Africa, and their challenges to the sole and central position of states, reinforced this idea. Hence, comprehending the possible actorhood of these groups within the structural relations consisting of internal and external realms necessitates alternative concepts and challenging arguments. The Neo-Weberian approach, inspired by historical sociology, offers a grounded and balanced analysis of actors. This approach puts state-society at the center of attention and, thus, looks at all dimensions (both actor and structure) of social relations as ingrained in the theory of structuration. In this way, it seems to capture the complex interactions between actors and structural dynamics, as well as the dynamic transformation of both ontological realities. Along this line, this study intends to illuminate the intriguing aspects and certain advantages of the structuration approach by scrutinizing Hezbollah’s agency, which is a critical VNSA in the Middle East, and its impact on structural relations, as well as its evolution over time. In other words, as a modest contribution to the structuration literature, the mutual interaction between agent and structure is explored via a unique case. This study argues that Hezbollah emerged as a result of the preexisting structural realities and, during the process, it proved its agency and influential role on these stratified structural dynamics. To substantiate these theoretical arguments, the permissive structural conditions in the region and in Lebanon will be explained, and then Hezbollah’s impact as an actor on these structural realities will be surveyed with a special emphasis on Hezbollah’s role over two regional dynamics: Arab uprisings, particularly the Syrian internal war, and its now hegemonic position in Lebanese politics.
RELATIONSHIP OF FOREIGN INSTITUTIONAL OWNERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT INCENTIVES TO TAX AVOIDANCE
Authors:   Universitas Negeri Malang, Pujiningsih Sri , Salsabyla Nisa Aurelya ,   Universitas Negeri Malang
Published: June 2023

This study aims to examine whether foreign institutional ownership and management incentives can prevent tax avoidance practices in companies. The study was carried out on the manufacturing companies registered on IDX in the 2018-2020 period with 150 observations taken from 50 samples of companies. The sample selection used was purposive sampling. The data were analyzed using multiple regression. The results show that ownership of foreign institutions and management incentives negatively affect tax avoidance, which means that both factors can reduce tax avoidance. This result confirms the perspective of the agency theory used. Likewise, this study helps to enrich agency theory through the role of foreign institutional ownership and management incentives in tax avoidance, and it also helps to assist companies in considering these two factors to minimize tax avoidance practices.
Socio-economic factors influencing the decision to take credit for small entrepreneurs on the example of Yogyakarta city in Indonesia
Authors:   Management Higher Institute YKPN, Kana Any Agus , Nurweni Hari ,   Management Higher Institute YKPN, Anggarini Yunita ,   Management Higher Institute YKPN, Jumintono  ,   University Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Hartati Retno ,   Management Higher Institute YKPN
Published: June 2023

The study aims to figure out the socio-economic factors influencing the decision to take credit from banks by small entrepreneurs. This research is a quantitative study and uses binary logistic regression with the Cumulative Distribution Function (CDF) to determine the form of relationship between the decision to take credit with the influencing factor. Data was collected with questionnaire from 130 entrepreneurs-representatives of small licensed business from five industries in 2022. The samples were taken in stratified random sampling. The results showed that the significant factors which affect the decision to take bank credit were gender, education level, markets served, industry, and collateral. It is concluded that the Bank and the Government of Yogyakarta could introduce the mechanisms which encourage entrepreneurs to be willing to access credit resources from the banks.
Android-based AKSI application usage to improve achievements in accounting learning
Authors:   University Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Jumintono  , Maryanti Sri ,   Lancang Kuning University, Lubis Nurhayani ,   Lancang Kuning University, Jasiyah Rabiyatul ,   Muhammadiyah University of Buton, Priyono Hadi ,   Airlangga University
Published: June 2023

The purpose of this mini-research is to find out the use of learning media for Android-based Acquired Knowledge Systems Inc. (AKSI) applications can improve accounting learning achievement in students of class XII Accounting class of Sekolah Menengah Kejuruan University, Post-secondary (AKL 1 SMK N 1 Kebumen). This research is qualitative. Data collection techniques include interviews, observation, and documentation analysis. The data analysis technique used qualitative descriptive analysis, including data collection, data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. The study findings are as follows. 1) The teachers’ observations about using learning media for Android-based AKSI applications in learning activities indicate that they have implemented the learning process well. 2) The results of interviews with students have shown that: a) the learning process using the Android-based AKSI application media has been implemented well; b) student motivation has increased so that students feel their value increases. 3) The results of the analysis of the value documentation indicate an increase in accounting learning achievement by students, namely, a) before the use of teaching media Android-based AKSI applications are an average of class 66 with students who complete grades above Minimum Completeness Criteria (MCC) 16, b) after the use of learning media android-based AKSI Applications the average quality achieved by 75 with students who scored above MCC 23, then increased again the grade average value to 79 with students who achieved grades above MCC to 26.
Reinforcement Learning for Multi-Well SAGD Optimization: A Policy Gradient Approach
Authors: Guevara J. L. , Trivedi J.
Published: June 2023

Finding an optimal steam injection strategy for a SAGD process is considered a major challenge due to the complex dynamics of the physical phenomena. Recently, reinforcement learning (RL) has been presented as alternative to conventional methods (e.g., adjoint-optimization, model predictive control) as an effective way to address the cited challenge. In general, RL represents a model-free strategy where an agent is trained to find the optimal policy - the action at every time step that will maximize cumulative long-term performance of a given process- only by continuous interactions with the environment (e.g., SAGD process). This environment is modeled as a Markov-Decision-Process (MDP) and a state must be defined to characterize it. During the interaction process, at each time step, the agent executes an action, receives a scalar reward (e.g., net present value) due to the action taken and observes the new state (e.g., pressure distribution of the reservoir) of the environment. This process continuous for a number of simulations or episodes until convergence is achieved. One approach to solve the RL problem is to parametrize the policy using well-known methods, e.g., linear functions, SVR, neural networks, etc. This approach is based on maximizing the performance of the process with respect to the parameters of the policy. Using the Monte Carlo algorithm, after every episode a long-term performance of the process is obtained and the parameters of the policy are updated using gradient-ascent methods. In this work policy gradient is used to find the steam injection policy that maximizes cumulative net present value of a SAGD process. The environment is represented by a reservoir simulation model inspired by northern Alberta reservoir and the policy is parametrized using a deep neural network. Results show that optimal steam injection can be characterized in two regions: 1) an increase or slight increase of steam injection rates, and 2) a sharp decrease until reaching the minimum value. Furthermore, the first region's objective appears to be more of pressure maintenance using high steam injection rates. In the second region, the objective is to collect more reward or achieve high values of daily net present value due to the reduction of steam injection while keeping high oil production values.
Suppressing non-radiative losses in organic semiconductors caused by high-frequency molecular vibrations
Authors: Rao Akshay , Ghosh Pratyush , Alvertis Antonios , Gillett Alexander , Dong Shengzhi , Sneyd Alexander , Cho Hwan-Hee , Evans Emrys , Monserrat Bartomeu , Li Feng , Schnedermann Christoph , Friend Richard
Published: June 2023

For molecular semiconductors, exciton-vibration coupling, particularly to high-frequency carbon-carbon stretch modes (1000 – 1600 cm-1), accelerates non-radiative loss, and this limits the performance of light emitting diode (LED), fluorescent biomarkers and photovoltaic devices. Systems with low bandgaps are most affected by this, as captured by the Energy-Gap law1, which predicts that the non-radiative transition rates increase nearly exponentially with the inverse of the number of vibrational quanta needed to span the semiconductor bandgap2,3. Since organic systems are primarily based on carbon-carbon bonds, vibrational coupling to high-frequency modes has been thought to be unavoidable. Here, using broadband impulsive vibrational spectroscopy and first-principles modelling, we demonstrate that when the exciton wavefunction has substantial charge-transfer character with spatially disjoint electron and hole density, high-frequency vibrational modes can be efficiently decoupled from the exciton. For instance, high-efficiency deep-red/NIR LED emitters, based on doublet (TTM-3PCz, TTM-TPA) and thermally-activated delayed fluorescence (APDC-DTPA), do not show any substantial coupling to the high-frequency modes >1000 cm-1. We propose two reasons for this, firstly, localization of high-frequency modes to either donor or acceptor moiety means they do not significantly perturb the exciton energy or its spatial distribution. Secondly, such systems allow for individual selection of hole and electron levels which has enabled empirical optimization of hole donor moieties such as triphenylamine (TPA) and N-phenylcarbazole (PCz). These moieties have nitrogen pz non-bonding character for the hole accepting level which do not efficiently couple to the high frequency vibrational modes that modulate π-bond order. Our results provide a new mechanistic picture of how vibrational modes couple to excitons and exposes hitherto unknown design rules for the suppression of non-radiative decay channels in organic molecules.
Obstructive sleep apnea: a major risk factor for COVID-19 encephalopathy?
Authors: Breville Gautier , Herrmann François , Adler Dan , Deffert Christine , Bommarito Giulia , Stancu Patrick , Accorroni Alice , Uginet Marjolaine , Assal Frederic , Tamisier Renaud , Lalive Patrice H. , Pepin Jean-Louis , Lövblad Karl-Olof , Allali Gilles
Published: June 2023

Background
This study evaluates the impact of comorbid obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) acute encephalopathy (AE).
Methods
Between 3/1/2020 and 11/1/2021, 97 consecutive patients were evaluated at the Geneva University Hospitals with a neurological diagnosis of COVID-19 AE. They were divided in two groups depending on the presence or absence of high risk for OSA based on the modified NOSAS score (mNOSAS, respectively ≥8 and <8). We compared patients’ characteristics (clinical, biological, brain MRI, EEG, pulmonary CT). The severity of COVID-19 AE relied on the RASS and CAM scores.
Results
Most COVID-19 AE patients presented with a high mNOSAS, suggesting an underlying OSA (>80%). Patients with a high mNOSAS had a more severe form of COVID-19 AE (84.8% versus 27.8%), longer mean duration of COVID-19 AE (27.9 versus 16.9 days), higher mRS at discharge (≥3 in 58.2% versus 16.7%), and increased prevalence of brain vessels enhancement (98.1% versus 20.0%). Underlying OSA was associated with a 14 fold increased risk of developing a severe COVID-19 AE (OR=14.52).
Discussion
These observations suggest an association between comorbid OSA and COVID-19 AE severity. Comorbid OSA could be a predisposing factor leading to severe COVID-19 AE and consecutive long-term sequalae.
Selective conversion of methanol to monocyclic aromatics via catalysis relay
Authors: Li Teng , Chung Sang-Ho , Ramirez Adrian , Wu Xiangkun , Yang Chaobo , Zhang Zihao , Wang Haoyi , Magnotti Gaetano , Sarathy S. Mani , Bodi Andras , Hemberger Patrick , Gascon Jorge , Ruiz-Martinez Javier
Published: June 2023

The reliance on methanol as an alternative and sustainable source to produce monoaromatics is challenged by many side reactions. Although the strategy of intentionally incorporating a number of active functionalities (metals and acid sites) in individual catalyst particles can enhance product selectivity, it promotes undesired hydrogen-transfer reactions leading to paraffins and the formation of polyaromatic species causing catalyst deactivation. Here, we report a catalysis relay strategy to control the chemistry by activating methanol differently. Methanol is selectively converted to formaldehyde and light olefins, which follow Prins and Diels-Alder reactions to yield monoaromatics. High selectivity is achieved by the precise location of active sites of different nature in a reactor. The catalyst, which is a combination of inexpensive and commercial ZnO, HZSM-5 and a Zn-ion exchanged HZSM-5, achieves aromatic selectivities of 71.4% initially and above 40% after a 400-h test with full methanol conversion, showing potential for industrial application. In addition, monocyclic aromatics make up nearly all (99%) the liquid products, and BTX (benzene, toluene, and xylenes) account for 91% of monoaromatics, which is advantageous for product separation. This work provides a sound approach to balance product selectivity and catalyst stability via catalysis relay for complex heterogeneous catalytic processes.
WITHDRAWN: Trade engagement, economic growth, and institutional quality on environmental degradation for ASEAN-5 under the Green Belt-Road Initiative
Authors: Huang Di , Loganathan Nanthakumar , Subranmaniam Yogeeswari , Kogid Mori
Published: June 2023

This study examines the impact of trade engagement with China and factors related to economic growth on environmental cleanness for ASEAN countries. This study uses panel cointegration, and causality test covering the period of 1996–2020 to determine the short and long-run relation, and the causality directions. The empirical findings indicate long-run cointegration between the explored variables, in which economic growth and financial development negatively affect environmental cleanness. On the contrary, the negative relationship shows that trade engagement with China, foreign direct investment (FDI) and the current institutional quality level can better promote environmental cleanness. This study also found that the EKC hypothesis existed when the ASEAN-5 pursued economic growth and the Pollution Haven Hypothesis (PHH) did not confirm both the aspects of trade engagement with China trade volume flows in the region facing inverted U-shape condition in the long-run period. There is unidirectional causality running between trade engagement, FDI and institutional quality with carbon emission; and a bidirectional causality running between GDP and financial development with carbon emission. Overall, the empirical findings of this study have contributed to valuable environmental policies in future to ensure that the ASEAN region develops with a sustainable environmental concern under the context of the green Belt-Road Initiative (BRI).
Grit and Academic Resilience During the Covid-19
Pandemic
Authors: Chen Daniel , Ertac Seda , Evgeniou Theodoros , Miao Xin , Nadaf Ali , Yilmaz Emrah
Published: June 2023

Grit, a non-cognitive skill that indicates perseverance and passion for long-term goals, has been shown to predict academic achievement. This paper provides evidence that grit also predicts student outcomes during the challenging period of the Covid-19 pandemic. We use a unique dataset from a digital learning platform in the United Arab Emirates to construct a behavioral measure of grit. We find that controlling for baseline ability, students who were grittier according to this measure before the pandemic, register lower declines in math and science scores during the coronavirus period. Using machine learning, behavioral data in the platform prior to the pandemic can explain 77% of the variance in academic resilience. A survey measure of grit of the same students, on the other hand, does not have significant predictive power over performance changes. Our findings have implications for interventions on non-cognitive skills, as well as how data from digital learning platforms can be used to predict student behavior and outcomes, which we expect will be increasingly relevant as AI-based learning technologies become more common.
Characteristics of the Oral and Gastric Microbiome in Patients with Early-stage Intramucosal Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Chen Han , Jiang Xinzhou , Zhu Fengyi , Yang Ruoyun , Yu Xin , Zhou Xiaoying , Tang Nana
Published: June 2023

Background
Oral microbiome dysbacteriosis has been reported to be associated with the pathogenesis of advanced esophageal cancer, especially the adenocarcinoma type. However, few studies investigated the potential role of oral and gastric microbiota in early-stage intramucosal esophageal squamous carcinoma (EIESC).
Method
A total of 104 samples, including 52 paired salivae and biopsies of the gastric antrum, were collected from 31 patients with EIEEC and 21 healthy controls. The oral and gastric microbiota compositions were compared at different taxonomics, using the amplicon 16s-rRNA sequence. The correlation between oral microbiota and clinicopathological factors was assessed. Co-occurrence networks were established in both oral and gastric microbial communities. Random forest models were used to determine significant microbial biomarkers for differentiating EIESC and control groups.
Results
A total of 292 oral genera and 223 species (excluding unidentified species) were identified in both EIESC and healthy controls. Six oral genera were remarkably enriched in EIESC groups, including the genera Porphyromonas, Shigella, Subdoligranulum, Leptotrichia, Paludibacter, and Odoribacter. LEfSe analysis identified the genera Porphyromonas and Leptotrichia with LDA scores > 3. In the random forest model, Porphyromonas endodontalis ranked the top microbial biomarker to differentiate EIESC from controls. The elimination rate of Porphyromonas endodontalis from the oral cavity to the stomach was also dramatically decreased in the EIESC group than controls. In the microbial co-occurrence network, Porphyromonas endodontalis was positively correlated with Prevotella tannerae and Prevotella intermedia and was negatively correlated with Veillonella dispar.
Conclusion
Our study provides evidence that the dysbacteriosis of both the oral and gastric microbiome was associated with early-stage of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Larger scale studies and experimental animal models are urgently needed to confirm the possible role of microbial dysbacteriosis in the pathogenesis of esophageal cancer, especially at an early stage.
(Chinese Clinical Trial Registry Center, ChiCTR2200063464, Registered 07 September 2022, https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=178563)
Signatures of necroptosis-related genes as diagnostic markers of endometriosis and their correlation with immune infiltration
Authors: Wang XueZhen , Zheng Qin , Sun Man , Zhang Huan , Ying WeiWei
Published: June 2023

Background: Endometriosis (EMS) occurs when normal uterine tissue grows outside the uterus, causing chronic pelvic pain and infertility. Endometriosis-associated infertility is thought to be caused by unknown mechanisms. In this study, using necroptosis-related genes, we developed and validated multi-gene joint signatures to diagnose EMS and explored their biological roles.
Methods:We downloaded two databases (GSE7305 and GSE1169) from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and 630 necroptosis-related genes from the GeneCards database and the GSEA database. The limma package in R software was used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). We interleaved common differentially expressed genes (co-DEGs) and necroptosis-related genes (NRDEGs) in the endometriosis dataset. The DEGs functions were reflected by gene ontology analysis (GO), pathway enrichment analysis, and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). We used CIBERSORT to analyze immune microenvironment differences between EMS patients and controls. Furthermore, a correlation was found between necroptosis-related differentially expressed genes and infiltrating immune cells to understand the molecular immune mechanism better.
Results: Compared to the control group, this study revealed 10 NRDEGs in EMS. There are two types of immune cell infiltration abundance (activated NK cells and M2 macrophage) in these two datasets, and the correlation between different groups of samples is statistically significant (P<0.05). MYO6 has a high correlation with activated NK cells in two datasets consistently. HOOK1 has a high correlation with M2 Macrophages in two datasets consistently.
Conclusions: We identified 10 necroptosis-related genes in EMS and assessed their relationship to the immune microenvironment. MYO6 and HOOK1 may be novel biomarkers and treatment targets of the future.
Rejuvenation engineering in metallic glasses by complementary stress and structure modulation
Authors: Sopu Daniel , Spieckermann Florian , Fellner Simon , Wright Jonathan , Cordill Megan , Gammer Christoph , Wang Gang , Stoica Mihai , Eckert Jürgen , Bian Xilei
Published: June 2023

Residual stress engineering is very widely used in the design of new advanced lightweight materials. For metallic glasses the attention has been on structural changes and rejuvenation processes. High energy scanning X-ray diffraction strain mapping reveals large elastic fluctuations in notched metallic glasses after deformation under triaxial compression. Microindentation hardness mapping hints to a competing hardening-softening mechanism after compression and further reveals the complementary effects of stress and structure modulation. Transmission electron microscopy proves that structure modulation and the distribution of elastic heterogeneities under room temperature deformation relates to the shear band formation. Molecular dynamics simulations provide an atomistic understanding of the confined deformation mechanism in notched metallic glasses and the related fluctuations in the elastic and plastic strains. Thus, future focus should be given to stress modulation and elastic heterogeneity that together with structure modulation may allow to design metallic glasses with enhanced ductility and strain hardening ability.
Carbon emissions from urban takeaway delivery in China
Authors: Zhong Yiqiang , Bai Xuemei , Huang Wei , Liu Lingxuan , Zhu Rongxuan , Zhai Yuanxiao , Zhang Yin , Cui Shenghui
Published: June 2023

Online food delivery has become a popular mode of urban food consumption in China as its underlying business mechanism, Online To Offline (O2O), gaining popularity. However, the environmental impacts of a rapidly expanding online food delivery industry and its potential to mitigate environmental burdens remained unexplored in China. Our research found that Chinese cities generated 8.37 MtCO2-equivalent (CO2e) from 13.07 billion times of deliveries in 2019, including transport and packaging. The transportation-related GHG emissions were 7.45 MtCO2e in 2019, with an average of 0.057 kg CO2e per order and an average of 0.011 kg CO2e per capita. These emissions have surged from 1.55 MtCO2e in 2014 to 13.75 MtCO2e in 2021. We predict that this figure will increase further to 29.83 MtCO2e by 2035. However, with a range of policies such as replacing motorcycles with electric bikes and optimizing traffic routes, it is possible to mitigate such GHG emissions by 43.88 ~ 109.70 MtCO2e between 2023 and 2035. These findings highlight the need for further research into the environmental impact of online food delivery and the potential for mitigating it.
Robust Fixed-Time Cooperative Control for High-Order Nonlinear Multi-Agent Systems via Event-Triggered Communication
Authors: Zhang JieRui , Zhang WeiLun , Xia Hongwei , Ma GuangCheng
Published: June 2023

This article presents a robust fixed-time cooperative control scheme for heterogeneous high-order nonlinear multi-agent systems under switching directed graphs. A fixed-time leader-states estimator with event-triggered communication is first designed to reconstruct the essential information since only a fraction of agents can access the leader. Subsequently, a disturbance observerbased fixed-time dynamic surface controller is developed with the estimated state from the leader. The fixed-time convergence of the whole closed-loop system is proved by Lyapunov stability theory. Finally, numerical simulations elucidate the validity of the theoretical result. The salient contributions of this article are twofold: the designed novel event-triggered mechanism can preset the boundaries of triggering intervals, which not only excludes Zeno behavior but also avoids no triggering within an exceedingly long time; and the requirement that mismatched disturbances or their derivatives are bounded is removed in the controller design, reducing the conservatism of the result.