bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection of HPV-16 in Cervical Swab in Woman with Recurrent Pregnancy
Loss by Real-Time PCR
Authors: Waleed Khalid Raghda , Hamad Humada Yasir , Abdullah Alazzawy Muhannad
Published: August 2023

Human Papilloma Virus is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. It causes a series of neoplasms, including cervical, vulvar, vaginal, penile,
anal, and head-and-neck cancers. The current study aimed to determine the role of
human papillomavirus and its relationship to the incidence of recurrent miscarriages. A cross-sectional hospital-based study was carried out in Kirkuk City on
114 women who had recurrent miscarriages and included 36 women with previous
two or more normal pregnancies as controls. Deep vaginal swabs were collected
from all women enrolled in the study according to the standard procedure of vaginal swab sampling until PCR extraction and amplification tests were done by realtime PCR for qualitative and quantitative. The study showed that 10.53% (12 of
114) of RPL patients tested positive by PCR, while none of the control patients had
PCR +ve results. The mean HPV DNA load detected by RT-PCR from the RPL
group (n=12) was 10.95 copies/cell (range 7.665–15.75 copies/cell). Furthermore,
it demonstrated that the high mean of HPV DNA load (13.724 copies/cell) was
recorded among RPL with a number of abortions (5 and more). It was concluded
that human papillomavirus is highly related to recurrent abortion.
Keywords: RPL; HPV DNA; E6 protein; RT-PCR
Does Matcha tea enhance oral health? A narrative review
Authors: Abdul-Wahab Hind Yarub , Raad Abdulbaqi Hayder
Published: August 2023

Matcha tea is a fine-powdered green tea with a unique "Umami” taste. It is a
popular beverage prepared from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, which
is growing under the shade a few weeks before harvesting the leaves. Consequently, Matcha tea is a green tea possessing distinctive proportions of bioactive
chemicals. The health-promoting effects of Matcha tea are well-documented.
Matcha tea constituents have diverse beneficial biological activities such as anticarcinogenic, anti-stress, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, and enhancing cognitive function. On the other hand, research regarding oral healthpromoting properties of Matcha tea has yet to be conducted. Oral health benefits
of Matcha tea are always granted to green tea. This review highlights the healthpromoting properties of Matcha tea and its chemical composition. Also, it summarizes the oral health benefits of green tea as a representative of matcha tea. It is
highly suggested to investigate the benefits of Matcha tea for enhancing oral
health as it shares bioactive components with green tea but at different proportions.
Keywords: Matcha tea, oral health, Camellia sinensis
Effect of aqueous extract of Vicia faba peels on the mortality of immature stages and the inhibition of emergence of Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) mosquitoes.
Authors: Kadhim Al-Rahimy Sarah , Sajjad AlKhafagi Alaa , Hadi Al- Musawi Balqees , Abbas Al-Essa Rafid , Khawwam Khshayyish Iqbal
Published: August 2023

The effectiveness of the aqueous extract (cold and boiled) of bean peels was studied, and the active compounds were determined by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometer (FT-IR), and concentrations (1, 3, 5) mg/ml were used when treating fourth-instar larvae and the pupae of Cx. quinquefasciatus mosquitoes and its effect on the percentage of the mortality of the fourth larval instar, the pupa stage and the inhibition of emergence of adults when treating the fourth larval instar and pupa stage of the insect in Kerbala governorate for March 2022 to control mosquitoes. Keywords: Culex quinquefasciatus, Plant extracts, Vicia faba.
Mental Health Support for Chinese Healthcare Professionals: Challenges and Opportunities (Preprint)
Authors: Zhang Zheyuan , Moradbakhti Laura , Sun Sijin , Glozier Nick , Chen Juan , Meng Na , Calvo Rafael A.
Published: August 2023

BACKGROUND

Mental health issues like burnout is prevalent among healthcare professionals (HCPs) in China, necessitating specially targeted interventions. However, most evidence-based interventions are developed and validated in the Global North. Whether these approaches are feasible in the Chinese healthcare context remains unclear. More contextual research is needed to inform the design and implementation of mental health support tools for Chinese HCPs.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore multiple aspects among Chinese HCPs, including their work engagement level, along with their knowledge and perceptions concerning mental health and support techniques. By doing so, the research sought to identify challenges and potential opportunities for developing effective and engaging mental health support specifically tailored to Chinese HCPs' needs.

METHODS

This study aimed to explore multiple aspects among Chinese HCPs, including their work engagement level, along with their knowledge and perceptions concerning mental health and support techniques. By doing so, the research sought to identify challenges and potential opportunities for developing effective and engaging mental health support specifically tailored to Chinese HCPs' needs.

RESULTS

220 valid survey responses were collected, and 10 interviews were conducted. In this sample, Chinese HCPs had a work engagement score of 3.64 (SD=1.19). Participants demonstrated a concerning lack of knowledge on mental health, with 52% unaware of "burnout" and over 70% unfamiliar with its interventions. Strong stigma was identified from their perspectives on mental health issues and seeking support. Participants demonstrated a strong inclination towards self-reliant coping when facing stress and burnout. They also reported a significantly higher preference score for personal space for relaxation as a means of mental health support at work. On the other hand, they expressed a strong aversion towards less private means like group-based support and counselling. Digital interventions for HCPs are currently not common in China but HCPs are open to adopting them, suggesting the potential for larger impact.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, work engagement among Chinese HCPs was found to be significantly lower than that of their counterparts in the Global North. Low mental health literacy and stigma are identified as key challenges when implementing mental health support for Chinese HCPs. Implementation of interventions that inform them about mental health, emphasize privacy, and provide personal space are strongly recommended, as it presents an opportunity to promote mental well-being within this particular cohort. This study offers new perspectives on the cross-cultural dimensions of mental health support and calls for contextually adapted interventions for HCPs in diverse cultural contexts.
Rehabilitation therapy for children with autism based on interactive VR-Motion serious game intervention: a randomized-controlled trial (Preprint)
Authors: Ma XuFeng
Published: August 2023

OBJECTIVE

Children with autism often suffer from multiple complications, so new serious games that are versatile and easy to use are more suitable for them. The purpose of this study is to design and develop a serious game suitable for psychological, social, learning and other multi-functional intervention for autistic children, and to test the rationality of its construction and the effectiveness of its content, aiming at providing effective intervention therapy for autistic children.

METHODS

This study used the methods of pre-experiment and formal experiment. The pre-experiment (n=2): Control group (Yage=123.8 months, SD=32.27 months) experimental group (Yage=119.4 months, SD=29.41 months), in which one male and one female was trained 4 times a week for 4 hours each time for 3 weeks. The formal experiment(n=20): random number sampling method was adopted to sample them into two groups for simultaneous intervention training, 4 times a week for 4 hours each time for 16 weeks.(Yage: 98.76-150.23 month, SD: 17.79-44.81 month, :5:4)

RESULTS

The analysis of formal experimental data shows that the design of this interactive VR-Motion serious game is reasonable, and it has a good effect on the training of social communication and self-living ability of autistic children. In the post-test of wish tracking, df=9; t=-1.155 and p=0.281, it can be seen that the interactive VR-Motion serious game intervention has a good improvement on the social willingness of autistic children.

CONCLUSIONS

The experimental results show that the design of interactive VR-Motion serious game provides excellent guidance for the simulation of autistic children's attempts to socialize and experience warm social emotions, and introduces correct life situations by cultivating their independent willingness to join social interactions during the game and it has good benefits in establishing a stable learning environment.
Stability Analysis of Saka DAM Diversion Tunnel Portal
Authors: Fajrin Febrie Maulana , Pramumijoyo Subagyo , Indrawan I Gde Budi
Published: August 2023

The Saka Dam has a channel in the form of a diversion tunnel. This paper presents the results of rock mass characterization using the Geological Strength Index (GSI) classification and evaluation of the stability of the tunnel portal slope with earthquake loads using numerical methods. Based on the GSI classification, the Saka Dam tunnel portal slope is composed of rock masses that are poor quality, fair, and good. The calculation results show the Saka Dam can experience earthquake loads with an acceleration value of 0.4g. Earthquake loads can cause a decrease in the safety value (SRF) of the tunnel portal slope based on the results of numerical analysis. SRF value of natural portal slope without earthquake effect is 10.23 (inlet) and 1.5 (outlet). SRF value of the design slope portal without earthquake effect is 6.64 (inlet) and 1.76 (outlet), whereas if the earthquake effect is taken into account the SRF value obtained is 20.31 (inlet) and 0.99 (outlet). This shows that the condition of the natural portal slope and the portal slope design planner section of the Saka Dam inlet diversion tunnel is in the safe category. Meanwhile, for the portal slope excavated from the outlet section, modification is needed to obtain a safe slope condition. The results of the modified geometry of the slopes at the outlet section resulted in an SRF value of 1.47 which indicates the slope is stable
Cooling history (from magma ascent to lava extrusion) of the Watuadeg pillow lava, Berbah, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Authors: Suhendro Indranova , Harijoko Agung , Setiawan Nugroho Imam , Wibowo Haryo Edi
Published: August 2023

The Watuadeg pillow lava (WPL) is known as one of the most famous pillow lava outcrops in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, and its origin has been attributed to rapid-cooling process of subaqueous lava extrusion. However, there is no quantitative evidence that implies such hypotheses. Therefore, this study aims to reduce such a gap by revealing the cooling times (t) of WPL on the basis of a quantitative approach. In particular, we measured the size distribution (CSD) and number density (MND) of plagioclase microlites from the core, medial, and marginal (rim) domains of WPL. We found that the CSD slope significantly increases towards marginal zones, namely 30.4ᵒ for the core, 53.4ᵒ for the medial, and 228.1ᵒ for the rim. Because CSD slope is inversely proportional to cooling time ( ), by assuming a typical plagioclase microlite growth rate (G) of 1×107 mm/s, it is therefore inferred that the rim experienced the fastest cooling time (±12.1 hours), followed by the medial and core ((±52.0 and 91.4 hours, respectively). The fact that MNDs value increases toward the marginal zones also does not deny this idea (0.3×1016 m-3 for the core, 1.4×1016 m-3 for the medial, and 2.4×1016 m-3 for the rim), as higher MND with the domination of acicular-spherulitic habit represents a higher degree of undercooling. Because microlite is syn-eruptive product, our estimation represents the cooling time of magma since it migrated from the reservoir to the surface.
Research on the Interaction Mechanism between Farmland Circulation and Non-Agricultural Industry from the Perspective of Equilibrium
Authors: Xiangkun Luo
Published: August 2023

The “three rights division” is a major innovation in China’s land system. Under the framework of “three rights division”, there are corresponding policy constraints on the circulation of management rights of different types of land. This paper constructs a dynamic equilibrium model of farmland management right transfer from the macro level, and studies the economic connection between farmland circulation and non-agricultural sectors. The results show that there is an obvious economic interaction mechanism between the circulation of agricultural land and the development of regional non-agricultural industries, and circulation is a channel to communicate the flow of factors between the agricultural sector and the non-agricultural sector, and its flow trend is significantly affected by policies. There is a certain threshold for the start of agricultural land circulation, and the critical condition is that the industrial capital stock of the non-agricultural sector reaches a certain level. Therefore, to effectively promote the circulation of agricultural land, we cannot completely rely on the market, and the government’s action is crucial. Based on the analysis, this paper puts forward corresponding policy suggestions on guiding the circulation of farmland and better playing the role of circulation in promoting industrial development.
Improvements in the Horizontal Alignment and Vertical Profile of Balampur Ghat Section in Bhopal-Vidisha State Highway Road (SH-18) using MXRoad Software
Authors: Raghuwanshi Pankaj , Jain Dr. Rajeev , Saraswat Prof. Sanjay , Gangele Deepti
Published: August 2023

Abstract: Geometric design of highway deals with designing of physical visible features of highway those comprise of horizontal alignment, vertical profile, circular and transition curves, superelevation, Summit and valley curves, cross sectional elements, sight distances and other features. From the safety point of view, road geometric features should be well designed as per the IRC recommendation. In this research work, the horizontal alignment and vertical profile have designed of Balampur Ghat section in the Bhopal-Vidisha Road which is in the Madhya Pradesh State of India. The objective of this research work is “Improvements in the Horizontal alignment and Vertical profile of Balampur Ghat Section in Bhopal-Vidisha State Highway Road (SH-18) using MX Road Software”. The design of horizontal alignment and vertical profile have been done for Balampur ghat section approx. 2.0 km in length of State highway no. 18 (SH-18) of Madhya Pradesh. SH-18 is connected to Vidisha from Bhopal in the state of Madhya Pradesh and having heavy commercial traffic. Balampur ghat section is hilly terrain and have two improper horizontal curves along with 6.5% of vertical gradient and because of this reason that section is not safe for deriving therefore it has become an accident-prone area and the accident-prone area have the human and economical losses so it should be improved and re design of the horizontal and vertical alignment for safe design speed. The proposed methodology is on the basis of inventory survey (preliminary survey), topographic survey and MX Road software. In inventory survey take the data of existing road and find the suitable route of alternative alignment if re-alignment is required in the road. Then the topographic survey done on the existing road and alternative alignment. Import the topographic data of the road in MX Road software for generate existing surface of the road for design of horizontal alignment and vertical profile. As per IRC recommendations, there are two alternative alignments designed of the existing ghat section. As per the outputs of this research work, the length of both improved alignments is short as compare to existing road. There are no improper curves at improved alignment and maximum gradient is 4.2% which is less than the existing gradient (6.5%). The minimum design speed is 40-50 kmph which was 20 kmph in existing road. The both two improved alignments are safer as compare to existing alignment and the design speed of the vehicle has been increased. The improved alignment 2 is straighter than the improved alignment The improved alignment has also reduced the human and economic losses.
Design and Development of Neural Network based Controller for the Fault Detection in 33kV-0.4kV Transmission Line
Authors: Choubey Harshit , Pachori Arun
Published: August 2023

The relentless growth of electrical power systems mandates the development of efficient fault detection mechanisms to ensure the reliability and stability of the grid. This research presents a novel approach to three-phase fault detection using a neural network controller implemented within the MATLAB Simulink environment. The proposed model leverages the capabilities of neural networks to accurately identify and classify faults in real-time, contributing to the robustness of power system operation. The heart of the developed solution is a meticulously designed neural network architecture, trained on a comprehensive dataset generated through meticulous simulations of various fault scenarios. Leveraging the advantages of deep learning, the neural network demonstrates its proficiency in discriminating between healthy and faulted system states with high precision. The model's adaptability and capability to handle noise and dynamic variations in fault characteristics underline its efficacy in practical deployment.
La imaginación y la naturaleza como base sustancial en la poesía del movimiento romántico
Authors: Chamorro Daniel
Published: August 2023

En el presente trabajo evidenciaremos, en primera instancia, el modo en que la poética romántica tuvo como sustento significativo a la imaginación; al mismo tiempo, daremos muestras claras de la forma en que los poetas románticos se valieron de la naturaleza para plasmar su facultad efectivamente creadora. Realizaremos esta interpretación, y describiremos los elementos constitutivos del héroe romántico, a partir del fundamento teórico que despliega Maurice Bowra en ‘La imaginación romántica’. Para finalizar, realizaremos un acotado acercamiento a la obra ‘Filosofía del amor’, de Percy Bysshe Shelley; al poema ‘El tigre’, de William Blake; y a la poesía ‘Versos escritos a principios de primavera’, de William Wordsworth, para marcar en ellas algunas de las coordenadas del romanticismo inglés mencionadas en este trabajo.
Arte y política: reflexiones en torno a un complejo cruce
Authors: Ocampo Marisol
Published: August 2023

El texto intenta introducir a los y las lectores en una compleja vinculación: la del arte y la política. Para reflexionar en torno a dicho entrecruzamiento se propone una serie de tres casos para pensar cuestiones inherentes a ambos campos con algunas preguntas que buscan abrir el debate. El primero de ellos es el arte durante la Revolución Rusa, el segundo sobre el arte y el nacionalsocialismo y el tercero, el arte y la dictadura cívico-militar argentina de 1976.
La finalidad sin fin en la obra de arte contemporáneo
Authors: Arbe Verónica Nieves
Published: August 2023

El objetivo de este artículo es reflexionar sobre la finalidad en las obras de arte contemporáneas, en particular en las manifestaciones artísticas de producción más reciente, en las cuales se observa una vuelta al ready made de inicios del Siglo XX, cuyas producciones se centran en la transformación de objetos de uso cotidiano en obras de arte, las que a su vez conviven con otras manifestaciones artísticas contemporáneas como: el arte conceptual, la performance, la instalación, la intervención, y el arte de inmersión. Nos interesa resaltar en particular cómo a través del pasaje de objeto técnico (cotidiano) a objeto de arte se abre una instancia de reflexión que nos permite descubrir sus cualidades estéticas. El abordaje teórico lo efectuamos a partir de categorías provenientes tanto del campo de la filosofía, la sociología, el arte, como así también desde la teoría del arte. Perteneciente al campo de la filosofía, nos basamos en los postulados de Maurizio Ferraris (2019) sobre la teleología o finalidad sin fin de los objetos estéticos que resultan de ese pasaje de objeto cotidiano a obra de arte. Desde el área de la teoría del arte, nos basamos tanto en los conceptos teóricos de Rosalind Krausse sobre el arte expandido (1979) como de las categorías de arte conceptual y desmaterialización elaborados por Lucy R. Lippard y John Chandler (2011). A su vez, desde una perspectiva opuesta a la de Maurizio Ferraris, presentamos los postulados del artista plástico y escritor, Antonio García Villarán (2019), en particular, la categoría creada por el propio autor, Hamparte, la cual es empleada por el artista para referirse a una clase de arte contemporáneo.
El empresario hotelero y su percepción del Alumno Secundario en Santa Cruz en tiempos de Covid 19
Authors: Oyarzún Marcos
Published: August 2023

En este reporte, focaliza la atención sobre la situación de los empresarios turístico y su mirada sobre el ingreso de los jóvenes egresados de los colegios secundarios de la zona de referencia y de las características que se configuran en ese tránsito. Haciendo hincapié en aquellos empresarios que han sido afectados por la reciente pandemia del Covid 19 y sus diferentes vicisitudes atravesadas.

Existe una creciente preocupación ciudadana por la forma en que los alumnos egresados encuentren su primer trabajo con la mejor formación posible. Para ello se debe detectar y aplicar todos los mecanismos que faciliten dicho tránsito. Existen varios interesados, entre ellos los mismos alumnos, los empleadores y los gestores educativos.

El objetivo del reporte pretendió determinar cómo el sector empresario de las pymes fue afectado por la pandemia, sus consecuencias en su faceta gestora, la situación de los integrantes de la cadena de valor, el apoyo gubernamental y el manejo de los recursos humanos que laboran en su empresa, observando a los jóvenes egresados locales.

Se utilizó una triangulación de datos temporal como la búsqueda de fuentes secundarias, entrevista en profundidad y encuesta semiestructurada para aproximarse a tal realidad del empresario. Los resultados determinaron una alteración del perfil del empresario en el tiempo, su búsqueda de soluciones en forma solitaria, al cambio de su manera de dirección y su necesidad de un tipo de empleado con características de autocuidado y sociabilidad.
Devenir de la escolarización secundaria: un estudio en tiempos de (post) pandemia en la ciudad de Caleta Olivia
Authors: Bain María José , Cestare Mariela , Villagran Carla
Published: August 2023

La escuela trama tiempos, espacios, prácticas pedagógicas, regulaciones de las conductas que se re-inventan y sedimentan en la organización escolar y en las condiciones de escolarización previas, produciendo nuevas materialidades (Villagran, 2020) que son clave para los procesos de enseñanza y de aprendizaje, aún más, luego del shock de la pandemia (Grinberg, Verón y Bussi, 2020). 

En los tiempos del post confinamiento, las materialidades de los procesos de enseñanza y de aprendizaje pivotan en la virtualidad y la presencialidad entre viejos y nuevos formatos (Pineau, 2005; Serra, 2020; Southwell, 2009, 2020; Redondo, 2020). Si algo hemos aprendido con la pandemia es que las pantallas no suplen las escuelas, las plataformas no reemplazan los espacios y lo corpóreo de estar con otros, los videos no simulan la explicación docente y la danza que supone ir y venir para que otros comprendan (Villagran, 2021).

En este marco, indagamos sobre algunas características que hacen a la educación en el contexto de pandemia y (post) pandemia en una escuela secundaria de la zona norte de la provincia de Santa Cruz. Desde un diseño de investigación cualitativo, realizamos entrevistas en profundidad a estudiantes y directivos. Presentamos aquí algunos de los resultados más relevantes producto de la tarea analítica.
Stabilizer entropies and nonstabilizerness monotones
Authors: Haug Tobias , Piroli Lorenzo
Published: August 2023

We study different aspects of the stabilizer entropies (SEs) and compare them against known nonstabilizerness monotones such as the min-relative entropy and the robustness of magic. First, by means of explicit examples, we show that, for Rényi index 0≤n≤2, the SEs are not monotones with respect to stabilizer protocols which include computational-basis measurements, not even when restricting to pure states (while the question remains open for n≥2). Next, we show that, for any Rényi index, the SEs do not satisfy a strong monotonicity condition with respect to computational-basis measurements. We further study SEs in different classes of many-body states. We compare the SEs with other measures, either proving or providing numerical evidence for inequalities between them.Finally, we discuss exact or efficient tensor-network numerical methods to compute SEs of matrix-product states (MPSs) for large numbers of qubits. In addition to previously developed exact methods to compute the Rényi SEs, we also put forward a scheme based on perfect MPS sampling, allowing us to compute efficiently the von Neumann SE for large bond dimensions.
Opportunities (but also Challenges) in Applying Artificial Intelligence to Human Resource Management within Companies
Authors: Baena Luna Pedro
Published: August 2023

In the field of Human Resources Management, as in other functional areas of the companies, there has been an increase in the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, resulting from its ability to generate value not only in employees but this is easily transferable to customers and consumers. We are currently witnessing a paradigm shift in business management, in which the role of managers is essential to address the challenges of an ever-increasing application of AI to all areas of an organization.
Human Papillomaviruses - known knowns, known unknowns, and unknown unknowns!
Authors: Munger K , Gelbard Maya K.
Published: August 2023

There has been an explosion in the number of papillomaviruses that have
been identified and fully sequenced. Yet only a minute fraction of these
has been studied in any detail. Most of our research efforts have
focused on the E6 and E7 proteins of “high-risk”, cancer-associated
human papillomaviruses (HPVs). Interactions of the high-risk HPV E6 and
E7 proteins with cellular targets, the p53 and the retinoblastoma tumor
suppressors have been investigated in minute detail. Some have thus
questioned if research on papillomaviruses remains an exciting and
worthwhile area of investigation. However, fundamentally new insights on
the biological activities and cellular targets of the high-risk HPV E6
and E7 proteins have been discovered and previously unstudied HPVs have
been associated with human diseases. HPV infections continue to be an
important cause of human morbidity and mortality and since there are no
antivirals to combat HPV infections, research on HPVs should remain
attractive to new investigators and biomedical funding agencies, alike.
Study on the Epidemiological Characteristics of Common Enterovirus among Pediatric Patients in Hangzhou, China: A Comparison between the Pre-COVID-19, COVID-19 Pandemic, and Post-COVID-19 Periods
Authors: Sun Yanhong , Zhou Jianming , Tian Dandan , Nie Wenjian , ye qing
Published: August 2023

Nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) against coronavirus disease 2019
(COVID-19) reduced the prevalence of coronavirus among children and
influenced the transmission of other viruses. This study investigates
the impact of NPIs on human enterovirus (HEV) among children in
Hangzhou, China. We collected and analyzed the laboratory results and
clinical data of children diagnosed with hand, foot, and mouth disease
(HFMD) or herpangina (HA) during the following periods: pre-COVID-19
(January 2019 to December 2019), COVID-19 pandemic (January 2020 to
December 2022), and post-COVID-19 (January to August 2023). A total of
38,582 specimens that met the inclusion criteria were enrolled, of which
1,777 (5.58%) tested positive for enterovirus. In comparison to the
pre-COVID-19 period, which had 695 (5.63%) HEV-positive specimens, the
numbers dramatically decreased to 69 (1.19%), 398 (5.12%), and 112
(1.58%) in 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively, but significantly
increased to 503 (9.00%) in 2023. Seasonal peaks of infections occurred
between May and August each year, with positive rates of 10.58%,
25.27%, 31.74%, and 10.97%, respectively. Notably, June and July
accounted for half of all cases, with a rate of 57.01%. The difference
in the positive rates of HEV infection between males and females was
statistically significant (P<0.005), with 5.12%
(1,084/21,176) and 4.43% (693/15,629) testing positive, respectively,
resulting in a male to female ratio of 1.56:1. Among the same age
groups, children aged 3-5 years and 5-7 years had the highest positive
rates at 11.03% (342/3,102) and 10.03% (205/2,024), respectively,
after synthesizing five years of data. The detection rate of
HEV-positive cases increased with age, but after the age of 7, the rate
declined. The detected types of HEV indicated that enterovirus 71
(EV-A71) and coxsackievirus A16 (CV-A16) are no longer the two common
pathogens causing HFMD and HA. In conclusion, NPIs for COVID-19 are
highly effective in reducing the transmission of HEV. However, the
relaxation of NPIs results in a resurgence of HEVs, surpassing
prepandemic levels. Active awareness and surveillance of the
epidemiological characteristics of HEV are essential for preventing,
controlling, and managing the development of HFMD and HA, as well as
contributing to the development of a multivalent HFMD vaccine.
Cost-efficiency potential of solar energy on a global scale: Case studies for Si solar modules with PERC and heterojunction structures
Authors: Fujiwara Hiroyuki , Kobayashi Tomoya , Katayama Hirotaka , Kinden Yosuke , Kato Yoshitsune , Aya Youichirou , Hashiguchi Taiki , Kanematsu Daiji , Kobayashi Tomonao , Terakawa Akira
Published: August 2023

Levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) is a crucial metric for assessing
the socio-economic cost-efficiency potential of various energy sources
including solar photovoltaics. Nevertheless, accurate LCOE estimations
for commercialized high-efficiency Si solar modules with passivated
emitter and rear cell (PERC) and silicon heterojunction (SHJ) structures
have been lacking. In this study, we present the first global LCOE
estimates for a PERC module (20% cell efficiency) and a SHJ module
(23% cell efficiency), which have been derived by (i) performing
rigorous energy-yield calculations with full-spectral and
temperature-dependent simulations that incorporate all essential
meteorological effects and (ii) considering country-specific capital
costs and discount rates. Moreover, to determine the universal global
LCOE, the LCOEs for three distinct installation capacities (100 MW for a
utility, 500 kW for a commercial, and 5 kW for a residential system)
have been unified by selecting an appropriate system size at each
location based on a population density. We find that the LCOEs of both
PERC and SHJ systems are below 3 cent/kWh in 2020 US dollar in many
areas of China, Saudi Arabia, the United States, Australia, Chile, and
Botswana where the conditions of a high energy yield, low population
density, low capital cost, and low country-risk premium are satisfied
simultaneously. In contrast, many European countries exhibit a moderate
LCOE of 3~5 cent/kWh. Notably, Japan and Russia exhibit
quite high LCOEs (6~10 cent/kWh) primarily due to
significantly higher installation costs and moderate energy yields.
Importantly, the global LCOEs of the PERC and SHJ modules are quite
similar, with the SHJ module showing a slightly better cost performance
in the regions near equator due to its low temperature coefficient.
Conversely, the PERC module demonstrates cost advantage in the northern
hemisphere due to a lower module cost.
How plant toxins cause early larval mortality in herbivorous insects. An explanation by modeling the net-energy curve
Authors: CHAKRABORTY SUMAN , Schuster Stefan
Published: August 2023

Plants store chemical defenses that act as toxins to herbivores, such as
toxic isothiocyanates (ITCs) in Brassica plants, hydrolyzed from the
precursor glucosinolates (GLSs). Fitness of herbivorous larvae can be
highly affected by these toxins, causing immature deaths. Theoretically,
toxins can inordinately reduce larval fitness to death. We model this
phenomenon by a set of ordinary differential equations and establish a
direct relationship between feeding, toxin exposure and net energy of a
larva, where the fitness of an organism is proportional to its net
energy according to the optimal foraging theory. Our equations explain
that toxin exposure can steeply reduce larval net energy to zero at an
instar stage. Since herbivory needs energy, the only choice left for a
larva is to stop feeding at the time point. If that time-point is
significantly earlier than the end of the last instar stage, the larva
dies.
Unveiling the Suitable Habitats and Conservation Gaps of Tridacna maxima in the Indo-Pacific Core Area Based on Species Distribution Model
Authors: Liu Shenghao , Li Tingting , Cong Bailin , Yang Leyu , Zhang Zhaohui , Zhao Linlin
Published: August 2023

Tridacna maxima (T. maxima) are widely distributed in shallow areas near
coral reefs and hold significant commercial value as a food source and
for marine tourism. However, it has been extensively harvested and
depleted in many regions, leading to it being listed as endangered
species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
While marine protected areas (MPAs) are considered effective
conservation tools, it remains uncertain whether existing MPAs
adequately protect these vulnerable giant clams. Here, we employed a
Species Distribution Models (SDMs) approach, combining occurrence
records of T. maxima with environmental variables, to predict their
distribution and capture spatiotemporal changes. The findings revealed
the importance of land distance and light at bottom in determining the
distribution of T. maxima, with suitable habitats predominantly found in
shallow coastal waters rather than deep sea areas. Furthermore, we
modeled potential distribution areas for T. maxima in 2050 and 2100
under different climate change scenarios, highlighting varying impacts
on suitable habitats across different model predictions. To evaluate
current conservation gaps, we conducted an analysis by overlaying
suitable areas with existing protected areas. The results showed that
the potential distribution area of T. maxima is 1,519,764.73 km2,
accounting for only 16.10% of the total protected areas. It became
evident that the existing protected areas are insufficiently large or
well-connected, suggesting their ineffectiveness in safeguarding giant
clams. Therefore, management efforts should focus on establishing a
network of MPAs along the coastlines of West Pacific-Indonesia, matching
the dispersal capability of giant clams. These findings provide valuable
insights for the conservation of endangered giant clams, offering a
scientific foundation for designing MPA networks in the Indo-Pacific
region.
Unprecedented genetic diversity suggests importance of understudied PFam54 paralogs to Lyme borreliosis spirochetes
Authors: Wülbern Janna , Windorfer Laura , Sato Kozue , Nakao Minoru , Hepner Sabrina , MARGOS Gabriele , Fingerle Volker , Kawabata Hiroki , Becker Noemie , Kraiczy Peter , Rollins Robert
Published: August 2023

Lyme borreliosis (LB) is the most common vector-borne disease in the
Northern Hemisphere caused by spirochetes belonging to the Borrelia
burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl) complex. Borrelia spirochetes circulate in
obligatory transmission cycles between tick vectors and different
vertebrate hosts. To successfully complete this complex transmission
cycle, Bbsl encode for an arsenal of proteins including the PFam54
protein family with known, or proposed, influences to reservoir host
and/or vector adaptation. Even so, only fragmentary information is
available regarding the naturally occurring level of variation in the
PFam54 gene array and its impact on Borrelia pathogenesis. Utilizing
whole genome data from isolates (n=141) originated from the three major
LB-causing Borrelia species across Eurasia (B. afzelii, B. bavariensis,
and B. garinii), we aimed to characterize the diversity of the PFam54
gene array in these isolates to facilitate understanding the evolution
of PFam54 orthologs on an intra- and interspecies level. We found an
extraordinarily high level of variation in the PFam54 gene array with 39
PFam54 paralogs belonging to 23 orthologous groups including five novel
paralogs. Even so, the gene array appears to have remained fairly stable
over the evolutionary history of these Borrelia species. Interestingly,
genes outside Clade IV previously associated with host or, proposed,
vector adaptation more frequently displayed signatures of diversifying
selection. Taken together, our findings support the idea that non-Clade
IV orthologs could play a larger role in host and/or vector adaptation
than previously thought.
Lysine is a Potential Antidote for Paraquat Poisoning Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis
Authors: Yang Wenyu , Meng Xiaoxiao , Zhu Yong , Ma Xinrun , Cao Zuoran , Wang Mengmeng , Dai Wentao , Tao Yiming , Jian Xiangdong , Tian Rui , Yang Zhengfeng , Wang Ruilan
Published: August 2023

Background and Purpose Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is an irreversible lung
disease with little efficient treatments. Epithelial-mesenchymal
transition (EMT) in alveolar type II (AT II) cells is an initial process
for PF in response to multiple insults. We previously identified
paraquat (PQ), inducing acute lung injury and PF, as an agonist for
STIM1, promoting STIM1-TRPC1 association for intracellular calcium
burden and thus EMT. Here, we investigated the strategy targeting
STIM1-TRPC1 association and excessive calcium influx in treating PF.
Experimental approach Co-immunoprecipitation was for STIM1-TRPC1
association analysis. Western blotting and Real-time quantitative
reverse transcription PCR (QPCR) were for EMT analysis. Calcium imaging,
flow cytometry, and luciferase report assay were for analyzing calcium
signaling. ELISA, histomorphology, and PQ-poisoned mice or cynomolgus
model were for evaluating the efficacy of lysine in treating PF.
Retrospective analysis was for analyzing the correlation between the
severity of PQ poisoning and blood calcium levels. Key Results Lysine
treatment significantly reduces PQ-raised STIM1-TRPC1 association,
excessive calcium influx, and thus EMT in AT II cells. As a result,
lysine treatment strikingly decreases the mortality of PQ-poisoned mice,
with a fully recovery of PQ-induced PF. Immune cells activation, largely
occurred accompanied with epithelial damages and PF, are almost
normalized with lysine treatment in PQ-poisoned cynomolgus model. A
negative correlation between the blood calcium levels and the prognosis
were observed in PQ-poisoned patients. Conclusions and Implications
These results demonstrate lysine as a potential antidote for PQ-induced
PF and provide evidence for maintaining calcium homeostasis as a
potential strategy for treating PF.
Seguridad biológica y ensayo in vitro de expresión génica en PBMC de caninos vacunados experimentalmente contra Toxocara canis
Authors: Jaramillo-Hernández Dumar Alexander , Lesmes Rodriguez Lida Carolina , Alcantara Neves Neuza Maria
Published: August 2023

La toxocariasis es una zoonosis desatendida de alta prevalencia e impacto en la salud pública de poblaciones empobrecidas del mundo, su agente causal es el nematodo del género Toxacara. Actualmente se utilizan antiparasitarios de amplio espectro para afrontar la enfermedad, sin embargo, no existe una vacuna para prevenirla. El objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar la seguridad biológica de ensayos clínicos experimentales de vacunología inversa; y así mismo evaluar la respuesta in vitro de PBMC de caninos previamente vacunados con las proteínas recombinantes rTcVcan y rTcCad de Toxocara canis, a través del ensayo de expresión génica medida por RT-qPCR de citocinas IL-5, IL- 6, IL-17A, IL-10, TNF-α e INF-Ɣ. Como resultado, una vez realizados los ensayos clínicos para la vacunación de los cachorros, no se observaron diferencias con respecto a los rangos de referencia de los análisis de hematología, así como de los análisis de las funciones hepática y renal en los cachorros y; por otra parte, en los ensayos de expresión génica en PBMC, únicamente el gen ACTB se expresó con éxito, los genes referentes a las citocinas no presentaron resultados estadísticamente significativos. En conclusión, las formulaciones aplicadas no fueron tóxicas y no tuvieron efectos adversos en los animales experimentales y los ensayos de expresión génica en PBMC de los cachorros vacunados con las proteínas recombinantes rTcVcan y rTcCad contra T. canis no presentaron resultados concluyentes con respecto al éxito de estos procedimientos en la primera fase de la vacuna experimental.
Conservación ex situ del elefante africano (Loxodonta africana): caracterización de la reserva de elefantes más grande de Latinoamérica
Authors: Chacón García María Clara
Published: August 2023

La drástica disminución de poblaciones salvajes del elefante africano (Loxodonta africana) en los últimos 50 años, nos ha obligado a complementar los programas de conservación in situ con poblaciones bajo cuidado humano, las cuales funcionan como banco genético y sensibilizan a la comunidad respecto a la pérdida de la especie. En conjunto con la Fundación Internacional de Elefantes (IEF), el parque de conservación de vida silvestre Africam Safari participa en la conservación del elefante africano apoyando y financiando proyectos que buscan preservar la especie y manteniendo en sus instalaciones a la manada de elefantes más grande de Latinoamérica. El siguiente reporte tiene como objetivo caracterizar los principales procesos realizados dentro de Africam Safari, mediante los cuales se logró la reproducción efectiva de los ejemplares y el posterior nacimiento de más de 10 crías de elefante africano en los últimos 6 años.
Explaining Away Intentional Misstatements: Do Management-Provided Excuses Decrease Auditor Skepticism?
Authors: Hamilton Erin L. , Smith Jason L. , Carlisle Melissa
Published: August 2023

When auditors identify a misstatement, they typically engage in client inquiry to understand the misstatement’s cause (e.g., whether due to error or fraud). If a misstatement was caused intentionally, client management may attempt to reduce auditor skepticism by making their behavior seem unintentional (an excuse) or appropriate (a justification). Using two experiments, we examine the type of explanation managers use to conceal their fraudulent intent and its effectiveness in reducing auditor skepticism. We predict and find managers use excuses (e.g., “I forgot”), rather than justifications, to “explain away” fraud caused by omission/inaction (omitting information from a source document) as opposed to active misrepresentation (providing misleading information). When these same excuses are provided to auditors, we find they have a skepticism-decreasing effect, particularly when used to explain misstatements resulting from omission. Together, our findings suggest managers’ ability to conceal fraud may persist even after the auditors have identified an intentional misstatement.
Strength of Audit Firms’ Human Resource Systems and Client-Level Audit Outcomes: Evidence from a Multiple Source Study
Authors: Pruijssers Jorien L. , Simac Ines , Willekens Marleen
Published: August 2023

SYNOPSIS

We examine whether differences in HR systems among audit firms can affect client-level audit outcomes. Based on the audit quality framework of Knechel, Krishnan, Pevzner, Shefchik, and Velury (2013b) and the strategic HRM literature, we posit that audit firms with stronger HR systems are likely to deliver more desired audit outcomes, ceteris paribus. Building on systems theory, we outline and capture a wholistic picture of the audit firm HR system as consisting of three dimensions: competency-, motivation-, and opportunity-enhancing practices. We draw on two distinct data sources for our analyses: a survey allowing us to tap into the HR systems of large audit firms servicing PIE clients in The Netherlands and corresponding client-level archival data to measure audit outcomes. Our results suggest that HR systems are an internal context factor affecting client-level audit outcomes. Supplemental analyses indicate that competency- and opportunity-enhancing HR practices are associated with more desirable audit outcomes.

Data Availability: Part of the data are available from the sources cited in text.

JEL Classifications: M42; O15.
The Impact of Account-Level Inspection Risk on Audit Program Planning Decisions
Authors: Detzen Dominic , Gold Anna , Wright Arnold
Published: August 2023

SYNOPSIS

Prior research suggests oversight inspections lead to unintended consequences by motivating auditors to manage inspection risk. The current study provides evidence of the impact of a misalignment between inspection and mis-statement risks at the account level, where planning decisions are made. We predict auditors feel pressures to address more immediate inspection risks at the expense of adequately responding to mis-statement risks as prescribed by auditing standards. Employing an experiment with 182 experienced auditors, we manipulate account-level inspection risk (low or high). As hypothesized, auditors plan more hours for an account with higher inspection risk and correspondingly assign fewer audit hours to other accounts with lower inspection risk, even if mis-statement risk is high for those accounts, suggesting an unwarranted shift in audit efforts. Our findings suggest inspection risks impair auditors’ effort allocation decisions and thus may undermine the audit risk model as the normative benchmark for program planning.

Data Availability: Contact the second author.

JEL Classifications: M42; M48.
The Consequences of Income Tax Subsidies: Evidence from the Restaurant Industry
Authors: Rane Scott G.
Published: August 2023

I examine the consequences of the implementation of the 45B Credit, an employer payroll tax subsidy (administered as an income tax credit) intended to encourage honest wage reporting for tipped employees. I find evidence suggesting that wage reporting for tipped employees increased following the implementation of the 45B Credit. I also find evidence suggesting that this credit influenced investment and economic performance. Specifically, I find that 45B Credit firms increased investment and experienced greater profitability and growth compared to non-45B Credit restaurant firms. Overall, these findings suggest that the implementation of the 45B Credit had important intended and unintended consequences. This study provides insights into the relation between firms, industries, and tax subsidies, which should be useful to lawmakers when reviewing the net benefits of this tax subsidy and other tax subsidies in the future.

Data Availability: Data used from publicly available sources.