bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Relationship Between Income Level and Road Traffic Deaths: An Empirical Analysis for 22 OECD Countries
Authors: Bayraktar Yuksel , aydin serdar , OLGUN Mehmet Firat , Ozyilmaz Ayfer , Toprak Metin
Published: May 2024

The increase in transportation and travel demands leads to the development of social welfare, and on the other hand, it may adversely affect socio-economic indicators such as death, injury, air pollution and budget deficit. Every day, thousands of people are killed, injured, or disabled due to road accidents around the world. The high cost of fatal and non-fatal road accidents to national economies is important in terms of policies to be implemented. This study aims to examine the relationship between road accidents and income levels in 22 OECD countries. Poisson Regression, Negative Binomial, and Quantile Regression Fixed Effect were used in model estimation. In addition, the convergence of traffic accident deaths for 34 OECD countries was investigated. Fractional frequency unit root test with structural break was used for convergence analysis. The findings of the study show that there is an inverted U-shaped nonlinear relationship between road accident deaths and per capita income. In addition, while the increase in health expenditures reduces the number of deaths due to traffic accidents, the increase in alcohol consumption increases these deaths. The results obtained from the convergence analysis indicates that 21 OECD countries converge to the OECD average, but 13 countries do not converge.
Relationship Between Serum Uric Acid, Nocturnal Hypertension and Risk for Preeclampsia in High-Risk Pregnancies.
Authors: Salazar Martin , Espeche Walter , Minetto Julian , Cerri Gustavo , Ramos Patricia Carrera , Soria Adelaida , Santillan Claudia , Grassi Florencia , Torres Soledad , Carbajal Horacio
Published: May 2024

To analyze the possible association between serum uric acid (SUA) and nocturnal hypertension and to evaluate the ability of these variables (alone or in combination) to predict preeclampsia (PE) we conducted a historical cohort study in 532 high-risk pregnancies. Women were divided according to SUA values and nocturnal blood pressure (BP) into four groups: 1- normal SUA and nocturnal normotension; 2- high SUA and nocturnal normotension; 3- normal SUA and nocturnal hypertension and 4- high SUA and nocturnal hypertension. High SUA was defined by the top quartile values and nocturnal hypertension as BP ≥ 120/70 mmHg, using ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), during nocturnal rest. Risks for PE were compared using logistic regression. SUA had a weak but significant correlation with daytime systolic ABPM (r = 0.11, p = 0.014), daytime diastolic ABPM (r = 0.13, p = 0.004), nighttime systolic ABPM (r = 0.16, p < 0.001) and nighttime diastolic ABPM (r = 0.18, p < 0.001). Also, all ABPM values were higher in women with high SUA. The absolute risk of PE increased through groups: 6.5%, 13.1%, 31.2%, and 47.9% for groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively, p < 0.001). Compared with Group 1, Group 3 (OR 6.29 95%CI 3.41–11.60), but not Group 2 (OR 2.15 95%CI 0.88–5.24), had statistically significant higher risk for PE. Group 4 (women with both, high SUA and nocturnal hypertension) had the highest risk (OR 13.11 95%CI 6.69–25.70). Risks remained statistically significant after the adjustment for relevant variables. In conclusion, the combination of SUA > 4 mg/dL and nocturnal BP > 120/70 mmHg implies a very high risk to developed PE.
Israeli Dentists’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Smoking Cessation Care
Authors: Vishnevsky Tamar , Aperman-Itzhak Tal , Tayeb Itzhak , Zeev Yael Bar
Published: May 2024

Background
The 5A’s model for brief smoking cessation care (SCC) is recommended for dentists to reduce the negative impacts of smoking on oral health. This study investigates Israeli dentists' adherence to the 5A’s guidelines and explores factors influencing their knowledge, attitudes, and practices.
Methods
An online cross-sectional survey was conducted among Israeli dentists during June-August 2020. The questionnaire included sociodemographic, smoking, and professional characteristics; knowledge (10 true/false statements); attitudes regarding SCC (based on the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF)) using 13 statements (1–5 Likert scale), for a composite mean attitude score; and 5A’s performance (1–5 Likert scale, never to always). Two primary outcomes were analysed: 1) performing all of the 5A’s ‘often or always’; and 2) performing ‘always’ the first two steps (“Ask” and “Advise”). Multivariable logistic regression explored the association between the various characteristics and the primary outcomes.
Results
Overall, n = 410 responded. Mean knowledge score was 2.58 (SD = 1.51). Mean attitude score was 2.65 (SD = 0.60). Performance of all 5A’s was low with 14.1% (n = 57) reporting completing all 5A’s ‘often or always’, while 34.1% (n = 139) reported ‘always’ performing ‘Ask’ and ‘Advise’. Specialists had better odds of ‘often or always’ performing the 5A’s (adjusted OR = 2.01, p = .022) and ‘always’ performing ‘Ask and Advise’ (adjusted OR = 1.71, p = .022).
Conclusions
This study highlights the insufficient performance of SCC among Israeli dentists, revealing gaps in knowledge and attitudes related to SCC. Various measures, such as training, automatic referral systems, and integrating SCC as quality measures, may improve SCC provision among Israeli dentists.
Quantifying Digital Transformation Impact on Customer Service Automation in SMEs Using Knowledge Management Approach
Authors: VM Nikhil , Velmurugan V. P
Published: May 2024

Digital transformation has revolutionized business operations and customer service with the rise of automation. This research aims to quantify the influence of Digital Transformation (DT) on customer service automation and predict open innovation patterns in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) using a hybrid approach. The study will use a combination of quantitative and qualitative analysis methods to assess the extent of DT in SMEs and its impact on customer service automation. Data will be obtained from a trial of SMEs through surveys and interviews to gather information on their adoption of digital technologies and the level of automation in their customer service processes. The convenience sampling method is used for the data collection. However, to successfully implement these technologies, SMEs need to adopt effective knowledge management practices that can enable them to acquire, store, transfer, and exploit the knowledge generated from their interactions with customers driven by a customer-centric approach. Furthermore, the enquiry will develop a predictive model to identify open innovation patterns in SMEs by combining machine learning algorithms with expert knowledge. This hybrid approach will leverage the power of automated data analysis while incorporating the domain expertise of professionals in the field. The utilization of Morphological-Linear Neural Network (MLNN) in conjunction with a Logistic Regression model for addressing complex pattern recognition and prediction tasks. This study predicts the high ratings of brands for the base of customer satisfaction. The proposed work involves a detailed analysis utilizing the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software, specifically tailored for SMEs. Cronbach's Alpha is a quantity of internal consistency or reliability in established items in a questionnaire or survey. The sum of squares between people is 45189.032, with 944 degrees of freedom, resulting in a mean square of 47.870. The findings can help SMEs make informed decisions regarding their DT strategies and potentially drive more effective and efficient customer service operations.
Comparative Analysis of Microplastics Detected in Human Colorectal Cancer Tissues from Two Countries
Authors: Roslan Nur Sakinah , Ibrahim Yusof Shuaib , Lee Yeong Yeh , Anuar Sabiqah Tuan , Yusof Ku Mohd Kalkausar Ku , Ali Ahmad Ammarluddin , Lai Lisa Ann , Brentnall Teresa
Published: May 2024

Microplastics are pervasive in the environment with potential health effects. Our study aimed to compare the physical and polymer characteristics of microplastics found in colorectal cancer samples from the United States and Malaysia. Microplastics were extracted from the tissues using chemical digestion of 10% potassium hydroxide and surface morphology was examined under a scanning electron microscope. Polymeric composition of microplastics incorporated micro-fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in the analysis. Microplastics were detected in all samples, and the Malaysian samples exhibited a higher abundance (32.2 items/g) than the American samples (25.9 items/g). Similar shapes were observed in both groups with fibers being the most abundant. American samples have longer category size (Category II=501-1000 µm) than the Malaysian samples (Category I=<500 µm). Both groups exhibited surface roughness on their microplastics and similar polymer types including polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyamide (PA) and polycarbonate (PC). Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) was only found in the American samples. In conclusion, microplastics are ubiquitous in human tissue samples despite different population and different sampling time.
Insight into the interaction between amino acids and SO2: Detailed bonding modes
Authors: Yang Yue Yang , Yu Jialing , Jiang Xiankai , Lai Keqiang , Miao Junjian
Published: May 2024

Amino acids are a highly effective and enviromentally friendly adsorbent for SO2. However, there has been no comprehensive study of the binding modes between amino acids and SO2 at the molecular level. In this paper, the binding modes of three amino acids (Asp, Lys, and Val) with SO2 are studied comprehensively and in detail using quantum mechanical semi-empirical molecular dynamics simulations as well as high-precision quantum chemical calculations. The results indicate that each amino acid has multiple binding modes: 22 for Asp, 49 for Lys, and 10 for Val. Both the amino and carboxyl groups in amino acids, as well as those in side chains, can serve as binding sites for chalcogen bonds. The binding energies range from − 6.42 to -1.06 kcal/mol for Asp, -12.43 to -1.63 kcal/mol for Lys, and − 7.42 to -0.60 kcal/mol for Val. Chalcogen and hydrogen bonds play a crucial role in the stronger binding modes. The chalcogen bond is the strongest when interacting with an amino group, with an adiabatic force constant of 0.475 mDyn/Å. Energy decomposition analysis indicates that the interaction is primarily electrostatic attraction, with the orbital and dispersive interactions dependent on the binding modes. This work presents a dependable theoretical foundation for the adsorption of SO2 by amino acids, which is valuable for the application of amino acids in the field of adsorbent materials.
Rigid and planar π-conjugated molecules leading to long-lived intramolecular charge-transfer states giving thermally activated delayed fluorescence
Authors: Monkman Andrew , Kulia Suman , Miranda-Salinas Hector , Eng Julien , Li Chunyong , Bryce Martin , Penfold Thomas
Published: May 2024

Intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) is a fundamental chemical process whereby excitation moves charge from an electron donor to an electron acceptor within the same molecule. Thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) exploits the ICT property to harvest triplet excited states, leading to extensive optoelectronic applications, including OLEDs. However, the highly twisted conformation of TADF molecules results in limited device lifetimes. Rigid molecules offer increased stability, yet their typical planarity and π-conjugated structures impede ICT. Herein, we introduce a new paradigm for achieving dispersion-free triplet harvesting in ICT molecules. Using fused indolocarbazole-phthalimide molecules, we demonstrate remarkably stable co-planar ICT states, yielding blue/green-TADF with good photoluminescence quantum yield and a small singlet-triplet energy gap (∆EST) <50 meV. The formation of ICT is dictated by the bonding connectivity between the donor and acceptor fragments, leading to excited-state conjugation breaking, stabilising the planar ICT excited state, revealing a new criteria for designing efficient TADF materials.
Evolutionary trends of preannouncement strategies for platform’s AI updates: full, partial and no-preannouncement
Authors: Li Ping , Bin Wu
Published: May 2024

The updated iteration of AI technologies drives platform to continuously update their functionality, platform preannounces updates and applications of AI technologies through preannouncement campaigns. The information contained in these preannouncements not only shapes the expectations of consumers, but also informs competing platforms with relevant information. Therefore, in order to analyze the platforms’ preannouncement behaviors regarding AI technology updates, this paper considers three preannouncement strategies of online platforms in duopoly market: full, partial and no preannouncement, constructs the evolutionary game model to describe the multi-period gaming behaviors between two platforms regarding preannouncement strategies, then obtains the possible stabilizing strategies as well as the related equilibrium conditions, and explores the impacts of platforms’ pricing strategies, the characteristics of consumers market and platforms’ competitive positions on the dynamic evolution of preannouncement decisions. The results show that the full preannouncement strategy isn’t optimal for platform, while consumer preference as well as pricing strategy are key factors influencing whether platform partially preannounce or not. In addition, platform with lower transition fees is more sensitive to consumer preferences and platform competition, with consumer preferences being positively related to platform’s preannouncement and the level of platform competition being negatively related to platform’s preannouncement. Based on the results of findings, this paper provides relevant suggestions for platform management strategies.
Navigating Educational Disruptions: The Gender Divide in Parental Involvement and Children’s Learning Outcomes
Authors: Ciaschi Matías , Fajardo-Gonzalez Johanna , Viollaz Mariana
Published: May 2024

This study analyzes the adjustment in time allocation to school support activities by mothers and fathers during the pandemic across 22 Latin American and Caribbean countries, exploring the repercussions on labor market outcomes and children’s learning losses. Our analysis reveals that mothers experienced a disproportionate increase in time dedicated to children’s educational support compared to fathers, particularly when mothers could work from home. The results suggest that these effects were more pronounced in countries with stringent school closure measures and limited access to in-person instruction. Even as mobility restrictions eased and schools reopened, the additional responsibilities taken on by mothers remained above pre-pandemic levels. Mothers also significantly increased the time spent on non-educational childcare, though to a lesser extent than educational support. We also show evidence indicating a decline in maternal labor force participation and a rise in flexible labor arrangements as mothers allocated more hours to child-related duties. Our study also provides descriptive evidence that children’s learning losses were less severe in countries where the gender disparity in pandemic-related school support was greater.
JEL Classification: I1, J13, J21
Medical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a multidisciplinary team-based approach to the management of community residents with hypertension: an analysis of an interventional follow-up study
Authors: Xu Yingjie , Du Xiushuai , Jin Yan , Wu Yitian , Wu Shuli , Yue Jingwen , Wang Xueting , Shen Hong , Zhao Yue , Xia Weibing , Yang Lihong , Huang Shan , Dong Xiaoyan , Wang Haiyin , Zheng Weiwei , Jiang Li
Published: May 2024

Background
This study assessed the medical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a multidisciplinary team (MDT)-based interventional follow-up in managing hypertension, thereby serving as an evidence base for decision-making in disease prevention and control for community residents.
Methods
We randomly assigned 5,676 community residents in Shanghai’s Changning District to the intervention or the control group and followed them up for two years.
Results
The mean BP of the intervention group decreased from 132.28/79.55 mmHg to 130.73/77.62 mmHg after the follow-up. The prevalence of hypertension in the intervention group (86.1%, n = 2,450) was lower than in the control group (89.8%, n = 2,510) (odds ratio (OR) = 1.30, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.09–1.58, P = 0.004). The ICER of the intervention group was ¥6,837 ($989.135, £792.135) in cost analysis, with the threshold of cost-effectiveness set as the incremental costs per QALY, which was 0.63 times China’s 2017 GDP (gross domestic product) per capita (¥59,960). Additionally, the incremental costs of the intervention group totaled ¥5,128.394 with a QALY value of 2.018, while those of the control group were ¥4,855.406 with a QALY value of 1.978. The ICER of ¥6,837/QALY in the intervention group was far less than 0.63 times China’s 2017GDP per capita (¥59,960), suggesting the economic feasibility of the interventional strategy.
Conclusions
The MDT-based intervention is a highly cost-effective strategy, and it effectively reduces the prevalence of hypertension in community residents, the occurrence of MACEs, and the mortality rate from CVDs while providing scientific medication guidance.
Trial registration: item number 134119b2200.
Road traffic noise and breast cancer: DNA methylation in four core circadian genes
Authors: Thacher Jesse D. , Snigireva Anastasiia , Dauter Ulrike Maria , Oudin Anna , Mattisson Kristoffer , Sørensen Mette , Borgquist Signe , Albin Maria , Broberg Karin
Published: May 2024

Background
Transportation noise has been linked with breast cancer, but existing literature is conflicting. One proposed mechanism is that transportation noise disrupts sleep and the circadian rhythm. We investigated the relationships between road traffic noise, DNA methylation in circadian rhythm genes, and breast cancer. We selected 610 female participants (318 breast cancer cases and 292 controls) enrolled into the Malmö, Diet, and Cancer cohort. DNA methylation of CpGs (N = 29) in regulatory regions of circadian rhythm genes (CRY1, BMAL1, CLOCK, and PER1) were assessed by pyrosequencing of DNA from lymphocytes collected at enrollment. To assess associations between modelled 5-year mean residential road traffic noise and differentially methylated CpG positions, we used linear regression models adjusting for potential confounders, including sociodemographics, shiftwork, and air pollution. Linear-mixed effects models were used to evaluate road traffic noise and differentially methylated regions. Unconditional logistic regression was used to investigate CpG methylation and breast cancer.
Results
We found that higher mean road traffic noise was associated with lower DNA methylation of three CRY1 CpGs (CpG1, CpG2, and CpG12) and three BMAL1 CpGs (CpG2, CpG6, and CpG7). Road traffic noise was also associated with differential methylation of CRY1 and BMAL1 regions. In CRY1 CpG2 and CpG5 and in CLOCK CpG1, increasing levels of methylation tended to be associated with lower odds of breast cancer, with odds ratios (OR) of 0.88 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.76–1.02), 0.84 (95% CI: 0.74–0.96), and 0.80 (95% CI: 0.68–0.94), respectively.
Conclusions
In summary, our data suggests that DNA hypomethylation in CRY1 could be part of a causal chain from road traffic noise to breast cancer. This is consistent with the hypothesis that disruption of the circadian rhythm, e.g., from road traffic noise exposure, increases the risk for breast cancer. Since no prior studies have explored this association, it is essential to replicate our results.
Iranian Nurses' Experiences with Interprofessional Collaboration in Oncology Care: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Seyyedin Seyyed Abolfazl Vaghar , Sadeghi-Akbari Ali , Nakhaei Maryam , Bahrami Mahnaz
Published: May 2024

Background
Interprofessional collaboration is essential for the provision of safe and comprehensive care to patients with complex health needs, particularly in oncology care settings. This qualitative study aimed to explore the experiences of oncology nurses in interprofessional collaboration.
Methods
This conventional content analysis study involved semi-structured interviews with 14 oncology nurses in Iran. Sampling was purposeful, and data were collected until saturation was achieved. Data were analyzed using the five steps of the Graneheim and Landman method. Trustworthiness was established using the Goba and Lincoln criteria.
Results
Five categories of interprofessional collaboration emerged from the experiences of oncology nurses: (1) Collaboration in the hands of physicians; (2) Collaboration as a forgotten issue; (3) Vague professional roles; (4) The role of a competent nurse in collaboration; and (5) Complex psychological state of oncology nurses.
Conclusions
Interprofessional collaboration is a complex, interactive, and communicative process that requires nurses to develop their professional roles and competencies. The nursing profession should take a leadership role in promoting interprofessional collaboration in oncology care. The findings of this study highlight the need to create opportunities for collaboration and to clarify professional roles to ensure that the common goal of providing high-quality care to oncology patients is achieved.
Interband Optical Absorption Coefficient of the DMS Ellipsoid Quantum Dot with Rashba Spin Orbit Interaction.
Authors: Babanlı A. M. , Balcı M. , Ovezov M. , Orazov G. , Sabyrov V.
Published: May 2024

In this paper, the effects of temperature, magnetic field, Rashba parameter, Mn atom impurity concentration and ellipsoid radius on the optical absorption coefficient of a dilute magnetic semiconductor ellipsoid quantum dot with spin-orbit Rashba interaction are investigated. Within the framework of the approximation of effective masses, the eigenvalue and the wave vector of the system are calculated. The obtained values are used to find the expression of the optical absorption coefficient for interband optical transitions. According to the results, temperature, magnetic field, Rashba parameter, Mn atom impurity concentration and ellipsoid radius change significantly affects the optical absorption coefficient.
Decoupling Control Strategy of Three-port DC-DC Converter based on Model Prediction
Authors: Wang Junrui , Qiao Xuanjing , Li Linhui , Wang Rui , Qin Hao
Published: May 2024

Due to the use of multi winding high-frequency isolation transformers in the three port isolated bidirectional DC-DC converter to achieve port isolation and power transmission, there is a power coupling problem between each port. This article proposes a Model Prediction Control (MPC) strategy to address this issue. Considering the control objectives for each port of the Three Active Bridge (TAB) DC-DC converter, a discrete predictive model of the TAB converter is established based on phase-shifting modulation and average model. The MPC problem is solved optimally and a predictive controller is designed with control accuracy to achieve decoupling control effect between each port. And the traditional single voltage closed-loop control, diagonal matrix decoupling control, and model predictive control proposed in this paper are compared through simulation. Finally, a TAB converter experimental platform is built based on the DSP control chip TMS320F28335. The experimental results are verified the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed method, as well as its faster dynamic characteristics and power decoupling ability between each port.
Clocking effect on the hydraulic performance and internal flow characteristics of a multistage centrifugal pump
Authors: xu tao , zhai lulu , Liang Weiwei , jin zheliang , jiang lei
Published: May 2024

Multistage centrifugal pumps are widely used in offshore oil production, the petrochemical and coal-chemical industries, and nuclear power fields for their advantages of large flow rate, high pressure, and excellent operation stability. The impellers in such pumps are often fixed with circumferential phase differences to avoid the synergistic excitation vibration of unbalanced mass in the same phase, which is the main cause of the clocking effect in multistage centrifugal pumps. In this study, the clocking effect on the hydraulic and internal flow characteristics of the first three stages of a 5-stage pump under the designed flow rate conditions are investigated. 9 test schemes were designed with the orthogonal design method， and internal flow characteristics measurements were done at 3 different positions of the pump. The results indicate that the clocking effect has minor impacts on the hydraulic performances, with a maximum reduction of lift coefficient of 0.275% and a maximum reduction in efficiency of 1.3%. The impeller pressure pulsation shows a maximum phase departure angle of 90 and a maximum dominant frequency departure phase of 59.17 Hz. The internal flow characteristics of a multistage pump have been improved. Comparing the results of 9 test schemes reveals adjusting the clocking positions of the impellers of the pump can obtain better internal flow characteristics of the whole pump．
Experimental and numerical investigation of cemented and non-cemented collapsible soils
Authors: Meftahi Maryam , LU Yong , Naeini Seyed Abolhasan , Schneider-Muntau Barbara
Published: May 2024

This paper presents findings from an experimental study examining the effects of colloidal nanosilica grouting on the behavior of collapsible soil under monotonic and cyclic loading conditions. Drained and undrained monotonic as well as cyclic triaxial tests were conducted on cemented and non-cemented soil specimens. Results indicated that the injection of colloidal nanosilica enhanced shear strength, reduced excess pore water pressure, and increased the brittleness index of cemented samples. In cyclic triaxial tests, non-cemented soil samples experienced liquefaction within initial cycles, while cemented samples remained stable until the 300th cycle. An elastoplastic constitutive model was employed to describe the mechanical behaviors of cemented and non-cemented soil specimens, showing good agreement between calculated and experimental results. However, slight discrepancies were observed in the trends of pore pressure and volume change for cemented soil. Factors such as incomplete saturation during sample preparation, hydraulic gradients along the length of the sample, colloidal nanosilica compressibility, and instrument sensitivity during data collection can lead to discrepancies between experimental and calculated values.
Reliability aware Task scheduler in Cloud Computing using improved AsynchronousAdvantage Actor critic(A3C) algorithm
Authors: Mangalampalli Sudheer , Karri Ganesh Reddy , Chakrabarti Prasun , chakrabarti Tulika , Margala Martin
Published: May 2024

Task Scheduling problem (TSP) in cloud computing is a critical aspect as diversified tasks from heterogeneous resources comes to cloud console. Mapping these diversified tasks to suitable virtual machines is challenge for the cloud service provider(CSP) to employ an efficient algorithm to tackle TSP. Ineffective scheduling lead to increase in makespan, failures which impacts reliability on CSP. Many authors developed various task scheduling mechanisms to tackle parameters makespan, execution time, energy consumption but very few authors addressed Rate of failures, reliability but there is need to optimize scheduling process in Cloud paradigm as it is a dynamic scenario. In this paper, a reliability aware task scheduler is formulated which calculates task priorities at task manager level to effectively schedule tasks. All priorities are fed to scheduler which is integrated with a deep Reinforcement learning model A3C which improved by adding RCNN to accelerate learning capacity and to extract features accurately mapping tasks to VMs according to their priorities. Simulations are carried out on Cloudsim using fabricated data distributions, real time worklogs. We evaluated our proposed RTSIA3C with baseline algorithms DQN, A2C. Results revealed that RTSIA3C outperformed over baseline approaches by minimizing makespan, rate of failures while improving reliability.
Asymptotic Properties of Conditional Value-at-risk Estimate for Asymptotic Negatively Associated Samples
Authors: jin rong , Tang Xufei , Chen Kan
Published: May 2024

In this article, we investigate the strong consistency of conditional value-at-risk (CVaR) estimatefor asymptotic negatively associated (ANA or $\rho^-$, for short) randoms samples under mild conditions. It is shown that the optimal rate can achievenearly $O (n^{-1/2})$ under some appropriate conditions. We also carry out some numerical simulations and a real data example to support our theoretical results based on finite samples.
MSC: 60G05; 62G20
Advancing Wine Fermentation: Extended Kalman Filter for Early Fault Detection
Authors: Lima Bruno , Luna Ricardo , Lima Daniel , Normey-Rico Julio , Perez-Correa Jose
Published: May 2024

This work proposes an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) state estimation approach for early detection of stuck and sluggish wine fermentations. The goal is to provide accurate information to enologists during fermentation to facilitate timely intervention and decision making. The study investigates the sensitivity of the fermentation process to various factors such as model parameters and initial conditions, especially for unmeasured nitrogen. It also shows how the estimation depends on meaningful sugar measurements, which are not available during the lag phase of fermentation. According to Monte Carlo simulations, the estimation algorithm was able to predict 95% of the problematic fermentations within the first few days. When initial nitrogen measurements are taken into account, a reliable prediction is available on the first day in 80% of the cases, justifying the additional cost. These results support the use of advanced control and monitoring methods in wine production and other alcoholic fermentation processes.
Assessing the Factors Associated with the Respiratory Health of Children Working in Waste Management Activities: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study in Dhaka, Bangladesh
Authors: Bishwas Md. Sajan , Sehrin Farzana , Bayazid Anisur Rahman , Sara Hasna Hena , Quayyum Zahidul
Published: May 2024

Background: Children working in the waste management sector are vulnerable to respiratory health issues due to their high exposure to hazardous waste. This study aimed to examine the prevalence and determine the factors associated with respiratory symptoms among children involved in waste management activities in urban Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 335 children aged 5-17 years working at Secondary Transfer Stations (STSs) in waste management activities in Dhaka city in July 2021. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, the nature of work, exposure to hazardous materials and conditions, smoking habits, and the knowledge of personal protective equipment (PPE) were collected using a structured questionnaire. Multistage cluster sampling and snowball techniques were used to recruit respondents. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify significant predictors of respiratory symptoms, with a p-value less than 0.05.
Results: The prevalence of respiratory symptoms among the children was 52.5%: dry cough (68.75%), followed by wheezing (13.64%), chest congestion (4.55%), and asthma (3.98%). Children working more than 60 hours per week were more likely to report respiratory symptoms (AOR: 3.41; 95% CI: 1.32-8.75). Additionally, children exposed to dust, fumes, and smoke have more than thirteen times the risk of respiratory symptoms than children without these exposures (AOR:13.5; 95% CI: 3.52-64.9). Belief in the effectiveness of protective masks was not significantly correlated with a lower incidence of respiratory symptoms.
Conclusion: This study highlights the high prevalence of respiratory symptoms among child waste workers in Dhaka City. This suggests that high levels of exposure to dust and long working hours increase the risk of respiratory symptoms among child waste workers in Dhaka City. Improved waste management practices, reduced working hours, effective use of PPE to reduce dust and fume exposure, and targeted health policies could mitigate respiratory symptoms of children working in the waste management sector.
Longitudinal associations of plasma amino acid levels with recovery from malarial coma
Authors: Granger Donald L. , Ansong Daniel , Agbenyega Tsiri , Liddle Melinda S. , Brinton Benjamin A. , Hale Devon C. , Lopansri Bert K. , Reithinger Richard , Bisanzio Donal
Published: May 2024

Background
Disordered amino acid metabolism is observed in cerebral malaria (CM). We sought to determine whether abnormal amino acid concentrations were associated with level of consciousness in children recovering from coma. We quantified 21 amino acids and coma scores longitudinally and analyzed data for associations.
Methods
In a prospective observational study, we enrolled 42 children with CM. We measured amino acid levels at entry and at frequent intervals thereafter and assessed consciousness by Blantyre Coma Scores (BCS). Thirty-six healthy children served as controls for in-country normal amino acid ranges. We employed logistic regression using a generalized linear mixed-effects model to assess associations between out-of-range amino acid levels and BCS.
Results
At entry 16/21 amino acid levels were out-of-range. Longitudinal analysis revealed 10/21 out-of-range amino acids were significantly associated with BCS. Elevated phenylalanine levels showed the highest association with low BCS. This finding held when out-of-normal-range data were analyzed at each sampling time.
Discussion
We provide longitudinal data for associations between abnormal amino acid levels and recovery from CM. Of 10 amino acids significantly associated with BCS, we propose that elevated phenylalanine may be a surrogate for impaired clearance of ether lipid mediators of inflammation contributing to CM pathogenesis.
Exploring the Potential of Oryza sativa derived Candidate miRNAs to Target Rice Tungro Bacilliform Virus (RTBV) Genome
Authors: Awan Mudassar Fareed , Suddal Tauheed , Bibi Rozina , Iqbal Muhammad Shahzad , Irshad Asma , Ahsan Muhammad Umair , Yahya Muhammad , Rab Sofia Obaidur
Published: May 2024

Background: Rice tungro disease (RTD) poses a serious threat to global rice cultivation, primarily afflicted by Rice tungro bacilliform virus (RTBV) and Rice tungro spherical virus (RTSV) strains. This challenge demands innovative approaches presenting a computational procedure to identify potential candidate miRNAs from Oryza sativa based mirBase repository that can predict target sites in RTBV and RTSV genome.
Results: Through our insilico based analysis utilizing different target prediction algorithms, five potential rice derived miRNAs were screened with maximum potential to target the RTBV genome. The candidate miRNAs include osa-miR166a-5p, osa-miR156g-3p, osa-miR413, osa-miR426, and osa-miR160a-5p. Additionally, seven miRNAs were predicted to explore their potential to target the RTSV genome i.e., osa-miR530-3p, osa-miR414, osa-miR390-5p, osa-miR156h-3p, osa-miR164b, osa-miR166c-3p, and osa-miR160a-5p. These miRNAs underwent effective evaluation, including free energy estimation and secondary structures were determined to ensure their efficacy in genome silencing. Moreover, site conservation analysis revealed conserved domains inside target sites. The screened miRNAs underscoring their immense potential to trigger robust mRNA intervention in viral genome. Furthermore, phylogenetic trees were also constructed to interpret the evolutionary relationships among closely related species providing valuable insights into the evolutionary standing of RTBV and RTSV. This study presents a holistic computational framework exploring potential candidate miRNAs derived from Oryza sativa with good capability to target RTBV and RTSV genomes.
Conclusion: These findings hold considerable promise for the development of RNA-based strategies aimed at mitigating the impact of rice tungro disease, thereby contributing to sustainable rice production and global food security.
The ROS mediates MCUb in mitochondria-regulated apoptosis of TM4 cells induced by titanium dioxide nanoparticles
Authors: Sun# Chenhao , Wang# Qianqian , Dong Ruoyun , Lei Yuzhu , Hu Yunhua , Yan Yizhong , Song Guanling
Published: May 2024

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) can cause mitochondrial apoptosis of TM4 cells, but the mechanisms behind this process are not yet clear. The aim of this study was to evaluate if the accumulation of ROS caused by TiO2 NPs inhibits MCUb expression, causing mitochondrial calcium overload and ultimately leading to cell apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway. TM4 cells were exposed to different concentrations of TiO2 NPs (0, 25, 50, 75, 100 µg/mL) for 24 hours. We measured the cell viability, ROS level, MCUb and VDAC1 expression, mitochondrial and cytoplasmic Ca2+ level, MMP, apoptosis rate, and the key proteins related to apoptosis via the mitochondria pathway (Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase 3, Caspase 9, p53 and Cyt c). The effect of NAC on MCUb expression, calcium homeostasis, and cell apoptosis were also measured in this study. The results showed that compared to TM4 cells in control group, TiO2 NPs significantly increased ROS level, downregulated MCUb expression, prompted the Ca2+ level in mitochondria and cytoplasm, and enhanced the mitochondria-regulated apoptosis, starting from the 50 µg/mL TiO2 NPs group. However, NAC significantly increased the expression of MCUb, attenuated Ca2+ level in mitochondria and cytoplasm, and reduced the mitochondria-related apoptosis of TM4 cells compared with those in TiO2 NPs group cells. In conclusion, TiO2 NPs induced ROS accumulation which inhibits the expression of MCUb. The deceased MCUb level leads to Ca2+ overload in mitochondria, which causes TM4 cells apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway. The results of this research elucidate the role of ROS in regulating mitochondrial calcium overload through MCUb for the first time when TM4 cells were exposed to TiO2 NPs, and the results also supplement the molecular mechanism of cell apoptosis induced by TiO2 NPs.
To What Extent Does Green Finance Influence Carbon Intensity: The Role of Green Innovation and Industrial Structure
Authors: Chen Jingpeng , Lin Haiying , Wang Yidi , Cai Zigong
Published: May 2024

Against the backdrop of global climate change and slowing economic growth, nations are urgently seeking strategies to both stimulate economic recovery and reduce carbon intensity (CI). In this context, China has prioritized the expansion of green finance as a pivotal mechanism for fostering green transformation and securing sustainable growth. This study delves into the effect of green finance on China's CI. Employing an empirical analysis across 30 Chinese provinces from 2007 to 2020, this paper leverages the entropy method to forge a comprehensive green finance indicator. The findings show green finance diminishing CI, predominantly driven by green innovation and industrial structure. Further examination using the threshold effect model reveals a pronounced threshold impact of green innovation and industrial structure on the efficacy of green finance in reducing CI, with the inhibitory effect of green finance peaking within an optimal threshold range. The heterogeneity test reveals that, compared to the western and northeastern regions, green finance has a more pronounced inhibitory effect on CI in the eastern and central regions. The research findings of this paper provide a perspective on how green finance facilitates the reduction of regional CI.
Parent-Mediated Eye Gaze Intervention in Young Autistic Children: ADOS-BOSCC Outcome Study
Authors: Husu Elina , Helminen Terhi M. , Muuvila Mari , Lauttia Jenni , Eriksson Kai , Nevalainen Jaakko , Kylliäinen Anneli
Published: May 2024

This study investigated the generalisation of a brief parent-mediated eye gaze intervention outcome across communication partners and different aspects of social behaviour in preschool-aged autistic children. ADOS-BOSCC change scores were compared between intervention and control groups in the short-term and long-term, showing no significant differences in domain-level changes. Item-level findings indicate that intervention showed generalisation of eye gaze across communication partners in the semi-structured researcher-child interaction after the intervention. Interestingly, the intervention seemed to partly alter the course of generalisation development in gestures and integration of vocal and non-vocal communication. Intervention temporarily slowed the progress in these areas, as evidenced in the control group’s greater improvement in the short-term. However, in the long-term, the intervention group achieved the same level as the control group in the gestures and integration. Overall, results indicate that parent-mediated interventions can facilitate the generalisation of children’s learning in targeted social skills across different contexts.
Novel insights into causal effects of lipid and lipid-lowering targets with autoimmune thyroid disease: A Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Su Chang , Tian Juan , He Xueqing , Chang Xiaona , Wang Guang , Liu Jia
Published: May 2024

Background: Dyslipidemia has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several diseases, including thyroid dysfunction and immune disorders. However, whether circulating lipids and long-term use of lipid-lowering drugs influence the development of autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) remains unclear.
Methods: Two-sample and two-step Mendelian randomization (MR) studies were performed to assess the causal relationships between circulating lipids (LDL-C, TC, TG, and ApoB) and seven lipid-lowering drug targets (ApoB, CETP, HMGCR, LDLR, NPC1L1, PCSK9, and PPARα) with AITD. Mediation analyses were conducted to explore potential mediating factors.
Results: There was no clear causality between circulating lipids (ApoB, LDL-C, TC, and TG) and AITD (p > 0.05). ApoB inhibition is related to a reduced risk of autoimmune thyroiditis (AT) (OR = 0.462, p= 0.046), while PCSK9 inhibition is related to reduced Graves' disease (GD) risk (OR = 0. 551, p = 0.033). Moreover, PCSK9 inhibition (OR = 0.735, p = 0.003), LDLR inhibition (OR = 0.779, p = 0.027), and NPC1L1 inhibition (OR = 0.599, p = 0.016) reduced the risk of autoimmune hypothyroidism (AIH). Mediation analysis showed that NPC1L1 inhibition and PCSK9 inhibition exerted effects on AIH through IL-4 and FGF-19 levels. And the effect of PCSK9inhibition on GD through TNF-β levels.
Conclusions: There was no clear causality between circulating lipids (ApoB, LDL-C, TC, and TG) and AITD. Lipid-lowering drug target gene inhibitors reduced the AITD risk by modulating inflammatory factors.
Structural insights into transcription regulation of the global virulence factor PhoP from Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Shi Jing , Song Qian , Feng Zhenzhen , Wen Aijia , Liu Tianyu , Xu Liqiao , Ye Zonghang , Xu Simin , Gao Fei , Xiao Liuxiang , Zhu Jiapeng , Das Kalyan , Zhao Guo-Ping , Feng Yu , Lin Wei
Published: May 2024

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), remaining as the leading cause of the worldwide threat Tuberculosis, relies heavily on its transcriptional reprogramming of diverse stress genes to swiftly adapt to adverse environments and ensure infections. The global virulence factor PhoP plays a pivotal role in coordinating transcription activation or repression of the essential phosphate-nitrogen metabolic remodeling genes. However, what defines PhoP to deferentially act as an activator or a repressor remains largely unexplored. Here, we determine one cryo-EM structure of Mtb RNAP-promoter open complex, three cryo-EM structures of PhoP-dependent transcription activation complexes (PhoP-TACs) consisting of Mtb RNA polymerase (RNAP), different number of PhoP molecules binding to different types of well-characterized consensus promoters, and one cryo-EM structure of Mtb PhoP-dependent transcription repression complex (PhoP-TRC) comprising of Mtb RNAP, PhoP, the nitrogen metabolism regulator GlnR and their co-regulated promoter. Structural comparisons reveal phosphorylation of PhoP is required for stabilization of PhoP-TACs, PhoP specifically recognizes promoters as novel tandem dimers and recruits RNAP through extensively interacting with its conserved β flap and σAR4 domains. Strikingly, the distinct promoter spacer length and PhoP-GlnR interactions in PhoP-TRC constrain the upstream DNA into a distinct topology and retain PhoP in a novel ‘dragging repression mode’. Collectively, these data highlight the dual regulatory mechanisms of PhoP-dependent transcription regulation in governing stress adaptation. These findings provide structural basis for developing potential anti-tuberculosis drugs and/or interventions.
Hormones and human capital
Authors: Taylor Leon , Korosteleva Anastassiya
Published: May 2024

Do hormones determine human capital by rewarding learning? The key prediction that the paper tests is that real gross domestic product, in total or per capita terms, which is indirectly produced by hormones, correlates positively with life expectancy. This would be because the biological justification of hormones is to enable the species to flourish. We develop a dynamic optimization model of how hormones affect life expectancy and test a reduced form of it with a panel dataset of 181 countries over the period from 2015 through 2020, yielding more than a thousand observations. Independent variables include the growth rate of GDP (which is a proxy for the growth rate of hormones), the share of youths in the national population (an alternative proxy for the growth rate of hormones), the share of middle-aged adults in the population (which measures family learning about health, which can increase life expectancy), the rate of enrollment in secondary schools among age-eligible youths (which measures general education), the female share of the population (which measures the impact on life expectancy of hormones that promote trust, such as oxytocin), the infant mortality rate, and country fixed effects. All data are from the World Development Indicators of the World Bank. We conclude that institutions may account for more of the economic impacts on life expectancy than hormones do.
Code: 10, 20, 30
Accessing CKM suppressed top decays at the LHC
Authors: Faroughy Darius A. , F. Kamenik Jernej , Szewc Manuel , Zupan Jure
Published: May 2024

We propose an extension of the existing experimental strategy for measuring branching fractions of top quark decays, targeting specifically t\to j_q Wt→jqW, where j_qjq is a light quark jet. The improved strategy uses orthogonal bb- and qq-taggers, and adds a new observable, the number of light-quark-tagged jets, to the already commonly used observable, the fraction of bb-tagged jets in an event. Careful inclusion of the additional complementary observable significantly increases the expected statistical power of the analysis, with the possibility of excluding |V_{tb}|=1|Vtb|=1 at 95\%95% C.L. at the HL-LHC, and accessing directly the standard model value of |V_{td}|^2+|V_{ts}|^2|Vtd|2+|Vts|2.
AdvNF: Reducing mode collapse in conditional normalising flows using adversarial learning
Authors: Kanaujia Vikas , Scheurer Mathias S. , Arora Vipul
Published: May 2024

Deep generative models complement Markov-chain-Monte-Carlo methods for efficiently sampling from high-dimensional distributions. Among these methods, explicit generators, such as Normalising Flows (NFs), in combination with the Metropolis Hastings algorithm have been extensively applied to get unbiased samples from target distributions. We systematically study central problems in conditional NFs, such as high variance, mode collapse and data efficiency. We propose adversarial training for NFs to ameliorate these problems. Experiments are conducted with low-dimensional synthetic datasets and XY spin models in two spatial dimensions.