bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Internalized Paramagnetic Nanoparticles on Caenorhabditis elegans Locomotion in the Presence of Magnetic Field
Authors: Gourgou Eleni , Mirzakhalili Ehsan , Zhang Yang , Epureanu Bogdan
Published: June 2023

Caenorhabditis elegans nematodes are broadly used to investigate the impact of environmental factors on animal physiology and behavior. Here, C. elegans with internalized paramagnetic nanoparticles were placed inside a magnetic field (MF) to explore its effects on locomotion. We hypothesized that internalized paramagnetic nanoparticles combined with external MF affect C. elegans’ locomotion machinery. To test our hypothesis, we used adult C. elegans fed on bacteria mixed with paramagnetic nanoparticles of 1 μm, 100, and 40 nm diameter. The presence of nanoparticles inside the worms’ body (alimentary canal, body muscle) was verified by fluorescent and electron microscopy. A custom-made software was used to track freely moving C. elegans in the absence or presence of MF, sequentially, for 200 + 200 s. We used established metrics to quantify locomotion-related parameters, including posture, motion, and path features. Key attributes of C. elegans locomotion (stay ratio, forward over backward motion, speed) were affected only in worms with internalized nanoparticles of 100 nm in the presence of MF (reduced speed, increased stay ratio, decreased forward/backward ratio), in contrast to untreated worms. Our work shows that internalized particles of specific properties affect C. elegans locomotion under MF. Hence, it contributes to clarifying the effects of MF and activated nanoparticles on C. elegans locomotion, thus fueling further research.
Machine Learning-Based Prediction of Unconfined Compressive Strength of Sands Treated by Microbially-Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP): A Gradient Boosting Approach and Correlation Analysis
Authors: Talamkhani Saeed
Published: June 2023

The current study applies a soft-computing approach based on the gradient boosting method to predict the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of sands treated with microbially-induced calcite precipitation (MICP). A 10-fold cross-validation method and hyperparameter tuning are performed to find the optimal architecture of the gradient boosting algorithm. A total of 402 data of unconfined compression tests performed on biocemented sands are utilized in this study. The dataset includes eight input parameters: median sand particle size, uniformity coefficient of sand, initial void ratio, calcium chloride concentration, urea concentration, urease activity, optical density of bacteria, and calcite content. The finding demonstrates that the gradient boosting method outperformed five commonly used machine learning algorithms (artificial neural networks, random forests, k-nearest neighbors, support vector regression, and decision trees) in predicting the UCS of biocemented sands. Using the gradient boosting, the predicted UCS has a strong correlation with the actual values (R2 = 0.95). Moreover, a series of correlation and feature importance analyses are carried out over the dataset. The relationships between unconfined compressive strength, calcite content, and initial void ratio are discussed within the article. Furthermore, some guidelines are provided for assessing the effect of environmental factors on the UCS of biocemented sands. For further study, the limitations of this study regarding the insufficiency of data for correlation and environmental modification are addressed.
Passivity-Based Control of Buck-Boost Converter for Different Loads Research
Authors: Zhang Feng , Li Jianguo , Zhu Gejun , Hu Rongyuan , Qu Yaping , Zhang Yujiang
Published: June 2023

Normally, the buck-boost converter adopts single or double closed-loop control, and there are differences in control and parameters for different working modes and loads. In this study, a unified control method, the passivity-based control (PBC), is applied to a buck-boost converter for different loads, including constant resistance load (CRL), constant power load (CPL), and battery load. The PBC is a nonlinear control based on energy dissipation principle, and it has strong robustness to parameter interference and external disturbance, and it also has the advantages of simple design and simple implementation. Although many research studies have been conducted before, the voltage and current-related power losses are considered, and different load models are also compared in this research. The detailed mathematical model, control principle, and controller design of the buck-boost converter are thoroughly analysed. In addition, SIMULINK-based simulation results and experimental verification results of different loads are also given in the paper. Also, the PBC has smaller current overshot and smaller current ripples compared with PI control in different loads condition.
China’s Shale Gas Development Subsidy Analysis and Optimization considering Resource Endowment Characteristic
Authors: Huang Yuming , Zheng Wenlong , Zhang Dingyu , Xu Zhaolei
Published: June 2023

The currently implemented indiscriminate subsidy policy in China is difficult to provide effective incentives for a firm’s investment behavior because it does not take into account the differences in resource characteristics. Thus, this paper puts forward a type of differentiated subsidy that considers resource conditions, consisting of a basic guaranteed subsidy and a variable incentive subsidy. First, from the perspective of the economic efficiency of enterprises, the amount of basic subsidy required by enterprises is calculated by the discounted cash flow method. Then, from the government’s perspective, a variable incentive subsidy amount is calculated by establishing an expectation benefit maximization function using principal-agent theory. The case application shows that due to the superior resources and development conditions of the Fuling block, it requires a significantly smaller subsidy amount than the Weiyuan block which verifies the need to consider regional differences in the design of shale gas development subsidies.
Loxapine in the Treatment of Manic and Psychotic Symptoms in an Individual Intolerant to Multiple Mood-Stabilizing and Antipsychotic Medications
Authors: Im David S. , Capitanov Marina , VandenBerg Amy M.
Published: June 2023

First-line treatments for schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder include antipsychotics and mood stabilizers, but their use may at times be limited due to severe adverse events. This case describes a 41-year-old male with a history of schizoaffective disorder and polysubstance use who was admitted to an inpatient psychiatry unit for acute manic and psychotic symptoms in the setting of absconding from his residential home and noncompliance with prescribed psychiatric medications. During his inpatient psychiatric hospitalization, he experienced DRESS (drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms) with valproate, nephrogenic diabetes insipidus with lithium, potential neuroleptic malignant syndrome with risperidone, and orthostasis/tachycardia with clozapine. He ultimately achieved stabilization of manic and psychotic symptoms with loxapine without experiencing adverse events. This report highlights the potential utility of loxapine in individuals with schizoaffective disorder intolerant to standard mood-stabilizing and antipsychotic medications.
Downregulated miR-100 Result in High Expression Levels of Chemokine (CXC Motif) Receptor 7 That Predict Recurrence of Lung Cancer
Authors: Gao Liu-Jie , Shao Ting-Ting , Zheng Wan-Zhen , Ding Ji-Yuan , Li Jun
Published: June 2023

MicroRNAs (miRs) have been proved to play significant role in both the tumorigenesis and recurrence of lung cancer (LA). However, the identification of which miR participated in the recurrence of LA, as well as the underlying mechanism are poorly understood. Here in our article, quantitative
analysis of the miR-100 expression in non-recurrent and recurrent LA tissues using real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) revealed that, compared to non-recurrent LA, the expression of miR-100 was significantly downregulated in recurrent ones. Especially, the chemokine (CXC motif) receptor 7 (CXCR7) level
was negatively correlated with the expression of miR-100 in both non-recurrent and recurrent LA cell lines derived from corresponding LA tissues. The following in vitro experiments also confirmed that either miR-100 overexpression or CXCR7 depletion decreased proliferation of recurrent
LA cells. In conclusion, miR-100 may act as a recurrence suppressor in LA through the regulation of CXCR7 expression, which might be a promising target for the prevention of LA recurrence.
MicroRNA-184 Increases the Resistance of Gastric Cancer to Cisplatin via PI3K/AKT/mTOR
Authors: Ding Shunkai , Zhong Keli , Huang Kaibin , Xia Ligang
Published: June 2023

This study sought for investigating the function of miR-184 in resistance of gastric cancer (GC) cells to cisplatin (DDP). Consequently, not only BGC-823 DDP-resistant GC cells (BGC-823/DDP) but also SGC-7901 DDP-resistant cells (SGC-7901/DDP) were upregulated in contrast with their
parent cells. Ectopic expressed miR-184 mimetics increased DDP resistance and increased migration as well as invasion in cisplatin-resistant cells. Nevertheless, miR-184 inhibitors reduced DDP resistance, cell invasion as well as migration in parent cells. Besides, Ncor2 is a direct targeting
gene for miR-184 in GC cells. Ncor2 gene knockout revealed that DDP resistance promoted cisplatin-resistant cells. Conversely, over Ncor2 expression in BGC-823 cells generated the effect of suppressing resistance to cisplatin. Additionally, over miR-184 expression raised the resistance of
cisplatin-resistant cells to DDP, in part arise from the activation of the Ncor2/PI3K/AKT/mTOR signal pathway. miR-184 could also lessen the sensitivity of BGC-823/DDP cells to cisplatin in vivo. To conclude, we evidence that the inactivation of miR-184 or the activation of channel
of its target gene can be served as an innovation to reverse DDP resistance in GC.
Sealing Efficiency of BeeFill 2in1 Filling Technique and Cold Lateral Compaction Technique
Authors: Zhang Ning , Ge Jiuyu
Published: June 2023

Objective: To discuss sealing properties between BeeFill 2in1 warm vertical compaction technique and cold lateral compaction technique. Methods: Group1 BeeFill 2in1, Group 2: cold lateral compaction. The leakage specimens were measured using the transverse root sectioning,
after 1 month. Results: The statistical analysis showed that the frequency of section with void, the percentage of void area and the percentage of sections at 1 mm–13 mm levels, the BeeFill 2in1 group were lower than those of the cold lateral compaction group. Conclusion:
BeeFill 2in1 warm vertical compaction technique has its advantage in dealing with the long oval canal.
Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 3 Subunit D is One Clinical Target and Pre-Tumor Gene for Non Hodgkin Lymphoma to Promote Cell Proliferation Through Warburg Effect by Interacting with GRP78
Authors: Kong Zhong , Liu Yong , Zhu Jing
Published: June 2023

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) is one highly heterogeneous tumor originating from the lymphatic system. Its morbidity rate shows a gradually increasing trend year by year. The present study determined that the possible function and mechanisms of EIF3D on cell proliferation of NHL.
A total of 24 patients with NHL were obtained at Aerospace Center Hospital. In patients with NHL, mRNA and protein expression of EIF3D was up-regulated. Patients with low EIF3D possessed better survival rate. EIF3D stimulated cell proliferation and the number of Edu cells through the activation
of Warburg effect in vitro model of NHLNHL. Sh-EIF3D diminished NHL cell proliferation and the number of Edu cells through the inactivation of Warburg effect in vitro model of NHL. Then, we found that EIF3D reduced GRP78 protein ubiquitination to induce GRP78/Akt proteins, and
si-EIF3D promote GRP78 protein ubiquitination to suppress GRP78/Akt proteins in vitro model of NHL. Our results indicate that EIF3D promote NHL cell proliferation throughWarburg effect by the inhibition of GRP78 protein ubiquitination, suggesting that it may prove to be one clinical
target and pre-tumor gene for NHL.
Semaphorin 4C Plays a Key Role in Colorectal Cancer Cells Development
Authors: Lin Hongyue , Wu Yuzhu , Chen Jinping , Huang Shurong , Zeng Yang , Zheng Wei
Published: June 2023

Objective: Purpose of this work was to discuss effects and mechanisms of Sema 4C in colon cancer development. Results: Sema4C were significantly upregulated in cancer tissues (P <0.001). Following transfection, the expression levels of Sema4C mRNA were significantly
downregulated in the si-Sema4C groups compared with those in the si-negative control groups of both HT-29 and SW620 cells (both P <0.001). The apoptotic rate was significantly increased, while the invasive and wound healing rates were significantly suppressed in the si-Sema4C groups
of HT-29 and SW620 cells (both P < 0.001). The results of the RT-qPCR and western blotting analyses revealed that PI3K, AKT, MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA and protein expression levels, respectively, were significantly downregulated, while caspase-3 mRNA and protein expression levels were
significantly upregulated in the si-Sema4C groups of HT-29 and SW620 cells. Conclusion: The findings of the present study demonstrated that the knockdown of Sema4C expression suppressed CRC cell biological activities by regulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Therefore, Sema4C may
act as an oncogene in CRC.
Long Non-Coding RNA-X-Inactive Specific Transcript Promotes the Retinal Ganglion Cell Survival After Optic Nerve Crush Injury by Upregulating miR-36
Authors: Ren Qingjia , Zhang Junjun
Published: June 2023

Retinal ganglion cells (RGC) axons participate in the construction of optic nerve, and prevent the damage of RGC during acute optic nerve injury. IncRNA-XIST is crucial for RGC apoptosis. Our study intends to assess IncRNA-XIST’s role in the regulation of RGC apoptosis in an attempt
to provide a theoretical basis for treating optic nerve crush injury. Two genotypes of mice (wild-type and miR-36 KO) were used to establish an optic nerve crush injury model to investigate the regulatory role of IncRNA-XIST gene in RGCs apoptosis. These mice were then randomly assigned into
control group (WT), injury group, and XIST/injury group. The changes of apoptotic genes and proteins in retinal ganglion cells were analyzed by qPCR, WB and TUNEL staining. In wild-type mice, RGC apoptosis was significantly increased after optic nerve compression injury, and the expression
of Bax and Bad was significantly increased. When the LncRNA-XIST gene was overexpressed before retinal crush injury, the apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells was significantly reduced, and Bax and Bad levels were decreased as compared with model group of optic nerve injury. The results showed
that in wild-type mice, overexpression of IncRNA-XIST gene promoted the survival of RGC after optic nerve crush injury. In addition, upregulation of IncRNA-xist expression in miR-36 KO mice did not reduce retinal ganglion cell apoptosis and alter the apoptotic protein expression after optic
nerve crush injury. Defects of miR-36 alone or overexpression of XIST gene do not cause morphological damage of retina in mice. In mouse ganglion cells, miR-36 expression was up-regulated in both injured cells and overexpressed XIST gene. However, up-regulation of miR-36 caused by overexpression
of XIST gene was more obvious. In addition, in vivo studies of wild-type mice, it was found that overexpression of XIST reduced retinal ganglion cell apoptosis, and this effect was abolished in miR-36 KO mice. In conclusion, lncRNA-XIST reduces ganglion cell apoptosis by upregulating
miR-36 and promotes the survival of RGC after nerve crush injury.
Safety Evaluation of Rock Hyrax (Procavia capensis) Hyraceum: Oral Toxicity Study in Rats
Authors: Aljedaie Manei M. , Akela Mohamed A.
Published: June 2023

Urine from domestic animals has traditionally been used to treat multiple human diseases. Rock hyrax hyraceum (RHH) is a dark brown resin-like substance made up of accumulated feces and urine of rock hyraxes, used in traditional African medicine to treat snake and scorpion bites, as
well as colic, hysteria, epilepsy, and Parkinson’s disease. As there is no scientific backing for the utilization of hyrax hyraceum, there is an urgent need to establish its safety as a medicine. Furthermore, toxicity evaluation facilitates the identification of factors for clinical
surveillance of the potential side effects, as well as the estimation of a preliminary hygienic dose level and dosing frequency range for human clinical trials. The safety of RHH was assessed by administering 2.5 and 5 gm/kg doses of hyraceum crystals dissolved in de-ionized water and administered
to rats orally. We evaluated the acute toxicity profile, as well as the effect of RHH on liver and kidney function and histopathological investigations. The results of this investigation showed that consuming RHH does not have any hazardous effects on liver and kidney function and histopathological
investigations. Drinking RHH did not cause toxicity. These findings are consistent with those of previous studies of drinking cows and camel urine. We encourage more research on hyraceum composition in relation to rock hyrax habitat areas and eating patterns, as we believe it will help us
understand why people practice drinking hyraceum as a medicine.
Assessment of Diamond Rotary Instruments Advertised for Cutting 3Y-TZP Restorations. A Scanning Electron Microscope Analysis
Authors: Alqahtani Abdulaziz S. , AlHelal Abdulaziz A. , Alayad Abdullah S. , Alotaibi Ahmed S. , Alfarraj Fahad A. , Alosaimi Omar S. , Alharbi Ziyad H.
Published: June 2023

Aim:To examine the cutting efficiency and amount of material removed from crown-cutting diamond burs from a different manufacturer on zirconia using an electric handpiece.Material and Methods:The performance of super coarse diamond bur round-end from five different manufacturers that were commercially advertised as zirconium crown cutters were assessed. The five manufacturers and their respective diamond bur models tested were super coarse Group 1: Dimond bur, Group 2: Zirconia Diamond Bur, Round End Cylinder, Meisinger, Group 3: 4ZR Zirconia Cutter Diamond Crown Removal Bur, Group 4: Brasseler Dental Diamond Bur, Group 5: Expanded SS White®Lineup of Zirconia Cutting Diamonds. The qualitative assessment of diamond burs (before zirconia cutting) and (after zirconia cutting) was assessed using a scanning electron microscope. The mean cutting distance and material removed for each group were calculated and analyzed using one-way ANOVA.Results:The highest cutting efficiency was found in group 2 and the lowest efficiency was observed in group 5. Post-SEM images of rotary zirconia cutting instruments in groups (Post G1-G5) demonstrate pullout, wear, chipping, and loss of the diamond grains in general.Conclusion:Zirconia Diamond Bur (G2) was found to be suitable. Whereas, (G5) Expanded SS White®Lineup of Zirconia Cutting Great White®Z Diamonds is less effective.
Identification of Epithelial FTL Expression as an Important Predictor for Prognosis of Colon Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Sun Ziyang , Zhang Siqi , Zhao Lei , Wang Shuhao , Lin Zhenhua , Jin Aihua
Published: June 2023

Ferroptosis has been shown to be a non-self apoptotic, iron ion-catalysed, controlled cell death process involving cellular lipid oxides. The gnes that may affect ferroptosis may be candidate biomarkers. But the value and predictive value of ferroptosis-related genes in colorectal adenocarcinoma
(COAD) are not fully understood. Therefore, we analyzed the expression status in COAD and healthy colon tissue using GEO, GEPIA and HPA databases. The role of predictive and genetic alterations of ferroptosis-related genes were investigated using cBioPortal, HPA, PrognoScan, STRING, GeneMANIA
and LinkedOmics databases. Then, immunohistochemistry staining was performed to detect the both epithelial and stromal expression of FTL in COAD. Using FerrDb and GEO databases, the transcript levels of XBP1, TSC22D3 and YWHAE were identified to correlate with advanced
tumor stage, FTL, DUSP1, TSC22D3 and GDF15 were related to poor prognosis of COAD. As immunohistochemistry staining shown that FTL was significantly up-regulated in COAD tissues. Cox survival analysis and KM survival analysis indicated that high epithelial FTL levels
is associated with a poor prognosis in COAD.
Reconstruction of the Oncolytic Maraba MG1 Virus from a Fully Synthetic DNA Genome
Authors: Mahmoud Ahmad Bakur , Albaradie Omar A. , Moglan Abdulaziz M. , Alroqi Fayhan , Alkayyal Almohanad A.
Published: June 2023

Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are engineered to replicate selectively within cancer cells and destroy them while also inducing an immune response against the virus and the tumor. The Maraba MG1 strain is a double mutant of the Maraba virus that preferentially targets and kills cancer cells
while minimizing harm to normal cells through interferon-dependent mechanisms. In preclinical tumor models, MG1 has demonstrated potent antitumor effects. Here, we demonstrate the feasibility of using synthetic DNA genome technology to engineer MG1 to develop a biosimilar oncolytic virus by
modifying one of its commonly used restriction enzyme sites for an easy one-step cloning process. The ability to precisely modify the genome sequence of the virus allows greater control over its properties, and the simplified process of gene insertion accelerates the development of new therapies.
Our platform will support the translation of this virus as a cancer treatment and provide a streamlined platform for personalized MG1 immunotherapy.
LMO1 Promotes the Development of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Regulation of bcl-2 and bax
Authors: Zhang Jianfeng , Peng Bojian , Li Zhuowen , Zhang Yuan , Zhang Yongjun , Lu Xiushan , Cao Yanwen , Dai Zijun , Xiong Chuanyin
Published: June 2023

The existing treatments have no satisfactory outcomes for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). LMO1 is abnormally expressed in several tumors, but its relationship with HCC is unclear. Therefore, we intend to evaluate LMO1’s role in HCC and the clinical significance. The HCC patients
cancer tissues and adjacent tissues were collected. LMO1/control-siRNA was transfected into HepG2 cells followed by analysis of relevant protein expression by immunohistochemistry and Western blot, LMO1 mRNA level by qPCR, cell proliferation by CCK8 assay and apoptosis by flow cytometry. LMO1
positive rate was significantly elevated in HCC tissues relative to adjacent tissues. LMO1 expression was related to TNM stage and lymph node metastasis of tumor tissues (P <0.05). Patients with positive LMO1 level had a lower cumulative survival rate than those with negative expression
(P <0.05). TNM stage, lymphatic metastasis and LMO1 expression were identified to be independent risk factors affecting HCC survival; cells transfected with LMO1-siRNA showed significantly reduced proliferation, increased cell apoptosis and upregulated bax as well as downregulated
bcl-2 (P < 0.05). In conclusion, LMO1 may affect the occurrence and development of HCC through regulation of the bcl-2/bax expression.
Does Digital Campaigning Make a Difference for Individual Candidates in an Open List Proportional Representation System? The Case of the 2019 Election in Belgium
Authors: Vanden Eynde Gunther , Maddens Bart
Published: June 2023

This article looks at the equalization/normalization problem through the lens of campaign spending and investigates the effect of expenses for digital tools on the electoral result of individual candidates in an open list proportional representation system. A multilevel analysis of the campaign expenses of 1253 serious contenders in the Belgian 2019 concurrent federal, regional, and European elections shows that the investment in both owned Web 1.0 media and paid Web 2.0 media does not have an effect on electoral performance. Investing in traditional tools, by contrast, does have a significant positive effect. While most candidates use digital tools, they invest only a small part of their budget in these, which may explain the absence of a digital expense effect. These findings put the use of digital campaigning in perspective, showing that the effect of paid online tools should not be overestimated, and that the role of traditional campaigning is still dominant.
Low Self-Esteem, High FOMO? The Other Side of the Internet Troll
Authors: Santos Isabella Leandra Silva , Nascimento Lima Débora Cristina , Almeida Dias Ericarla Verônica , Galdino Pessoa Thais Emanuele , Tomaz Paiva Tamyres , Pimentel Carlos Eduardo
Published: June 2023

The present study aimed to observe the impact of self-esteem and FOMO on online trolling, investigating the mediating role of antisocial online content exposure. A total of 300 social media users (27.68 years, SD = 7.15, SE = .41) participated in the study. Data analysis showed statistically significant model-fit indices (CFI = .99, GFI = .98, TLI = .98, RMSEA = .02 | 90% CI .01–.03|, SRMR = .04) to the mediation model: both self-esteem (direct effects: λ = −0.17, p < .01, indirect effects: λ = −.06, p < .05) and FOMO (direct effects: λ = .19, p < .01, indirect effects: λ = .07, p < .01) were related to online trolling, both directly and indirectly, trough antisocial online content exposure. It is possible to conclude that the objective was achieved, highlighting the importance of both personal factors and contextual characteristics of the internet in the perpetuation of online aggression.
Progress and Unfinished Business: Hepatitis B in the United States, 1980-2019
Authors: Bixler Danae , Roberts Henry , Panagiotakopoulos Lakshmi , Nelson Noele P. , Spradling Philip R. , Teshale Eyasu H.
Published: June 2023

During 1990-2019, universal infant and childhood vaccination for hepatitis B resulted in a 99% decline in reported cases of acute hepatitis B among children, adolescents, and young adults aged <19 years in the United States; however, during 2010-2019, cases of acute hepatitis B plateaued or increased among adults aged ≥40 years. We conducted a topical review of surveillance strategies that will be critical to support the elimination of hepatitis B as a public health threat in the United States. In 2019, notifiable disease surveillance for acute hepatitis B showed continued transmission, especially among people who inject drugs and people with multiple sexual partners; rates were highest among people who were aged 30-59 years, non-Hispanic White, and living in rural areas. In contrast, newly reported cases of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) were highest among people who were aged 30-49 years, Asian or Pacific Islander, and living in urban areas. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey documented the highest CHB prevalence among non–US-born, non-Hispanic Asian people during 2013-2018; only one-third of people with CHB were aware of their infection. In the context of universal adult vaccination (2022) and screening (2023) recommendations for hepatitis B, better data are needed to support programmatic strategies to improve (1) vaccination rates among people with behaviors that put them at risk for transmission and (2) screening and linkage to care among non–US-born people. Surveillance for hepatitis B needs to be strengthened throughout the health care and public health systems.
Estimating the Distribution and Convergence of County-level Healthcare Resources Allocative Efficiency in China Based on DEA and Spatial Panel Model
Authors: Sun Jialiang , Sun Zesheng , Yang Chenyi , Shen Yuqing
Published: June 2023

Although China’s 2009 New Healthcare Reform aimed to correct the imbalance in the spatial allocation of healthcare resources with a focus on the county level, its impact on county-level allocative efficiency evolution and convergence remains unclear. This paper for the first time performs a spatial analysis to explore the distribution, evolution, and convergence of the allocative efficiency of healthcare resources with county-level data. This paper uses the sample data of 158 countries in Henan Province, China, to evaluate the evolution and convergence of the allocative efficiency of healthcare resources. Based on the estimated Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) allocative efficiency, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and spatial descriptive analysis, we explore the county heterogeneity and efficiency evolution; a spatial panel model is then utilized to test the county-level convergence of the allocative efficiency of healthcare resources. Although the number of efficient counties has not increased, the number of inefficient individuals keeps decreasing, and the allocative efficiency of municipal districts is lower than that of nonmunicipal counties. There exists a positive spatial correlation of allocative efficiency in Henan Province, and significant and robust convergence results can be found at the county level after China’s 2009 reform. This study reveals a diversified picture of China’s county-level spatial evolution of allocative efficiency in healthcare resources, showing a more balanced spatial distribution of allocative efficiency since the triggering of China’s 2009 reform. However, long-term investment incentives and a targeted allocation of healthcare resources are still needed to promote further efficiency convergence and increase the number of counties with efficiency.
Development and Well¯being: Maritime Infrastructure and Ocean Grabbing on the Colombian Pacific Coast
Authors: Franz Tobias , Gómez Diana , Idrobo C. Julián , Corzo Olga
Published: June 2023

The Colombian government’s proposal for the Tribugá Port project puts in evidence the juxtaposition of dominant approaches to development and place-based well-being strategies of local communities. The extension of the national maritime infrastructure network follows mainstream development narratives centered around the spatial reorganization and expansion of capitalism to cater to the needs of industrial and commercial accumulation. Ethno-development plans and interviews indicate that local well-being initiatives rooted in local livelihoods, identity, culture, and environmental conservation form the basis for resisting the Tribugá Port project. Such well-being perspectives not only provide a different understanding of development but also are likely to lead to a different outcome because they foster inclusive and sustainable processes and a sense of solidarity, self-determination, and self-management of resources.

La propuesta del gobierno colombiano para el proyecto del Puerto de Tribugá pone en evidencia la yuxtaposición de enfoques dominantes para el desarrollo y las estrategias de bienestar implementadas en los sitios de comunidades locales. La extensión de la red nacional de infraestructura marítima sigue las narrativas principales de desarrollo centradas en la reorganización espacial y la expansión del capitalismo para satisfacer las necesidades de la acumulación industrial y comercial. Los planes de etnodesarrollo y las entrevistas indican que las iniciativas locales de bienestar arraigadas en medios de vida locales, la identidad, la cultura y la conservación del medio ambiente forman la base para resistir el proyecto del Puerto de Tribugá. Tales perspectivas de bienestar no solo proporcionan una comprensión diferente del desarrollo, sino que también es probable que conduzcan a un resultado diferente porque fomentan procesos inclusivos y sustentables, así como un sentido de solidaridad, autodeterminación y autogestión de los recursos.
Interethnic Union Formation Among 1.5- and Second-Generation Immigrants: The Role of Cultural Proximity
Authors: Qvist Hans-Peter Y. , Qvist Jeevitha Yogachandiran
Published: June 2023

We examine 1.5- and second-generation immigrants’ union formation patterns in Denmark and how they relate to the cultural proximity between their countries of origin and Denmark as indicated by religion, values, and language. Drawing on administrative register data on 71,122 1.5- and second-generation immigrants from 120 different countries of origin, we use multilevel discrete-time event history analysis to examine the nexus between cultural proximity and union formation patterns. These models rigorously control for time-varying individual factors and changes in opportunity structures in local partner markets. Our results suggest that religion strongly relates to the 1.5- and second-generation immigrants’ union formation patterns. At the same time, this is not the case for the other cultural factors when we account for religion. Specifically, our results suggest that 1.5- and second-generation immigrants from non-Christian and especially from Muslim countries are less likely to form interethnic unions with natives and more likely to form intraethnic unions with same-country immigrants than their Protestant-background counterparts. Moreover, these patterns are most pronounced for women. Overall, we conclude that religion remains a strong predictor of interethnic union formation with natives among 1.5- and second-generation immigrants in Denmark and discuss the implications of this finding.
The Action of Non-Action: Walter Benjamin, Wu Wei and the Nature of Capitalism
Authors: Ng Julia
Published: June 2023

Beginning with a discussion of adaptations of François Jullien’s understanding of ‘potential born of disposition’ and ‘silent transformation’ in two recent analyses of capitalist contemporaneity (by Bennett and Dufourmantelle), this essay argues that as a philosophical tool, ‘China’ bears within it a rich and underanalysed genealogy that reframes critical theory’s approach to nature and its objects in a new geopolitical context. The remainder of the essay then unpacks the intellectual history and textual philology of one earlier and pivotal moment of critical theory’s entanglement with ‘China’: Walter Benjamin’s transformation of ‘non-action’, or wu wei, into a complex for thinking through possibilities of what he might, with Jullien, call not-being in debt to Being.
Inadequate therapeutic responses to glucocorticoid treatment in bronchial asthma
Authors: Matsumura Yasuhiro
Published: June 2023

Bronchial asthma (BA) is a heterogeneous disease. Some patients benefit greatly from glucocorticoid (GC) treatment, whereas others are non-responders. This could be attributable to differences in pathobiology. Thus, predicting the responses to GC treatment in patients with BA is necessary to increase the success rates of GC therapy and avoid adverse effects. The sustained inflammation in BA decreases glucocorticoid receptor (GR, NR3C1) function. Meanwhile, GRβ overexpression might contribute to GC resistance. Important factors in decreased GR function include p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase-dependent GR phosphorylated at Ser226, reduced expression of histone deacetylase 2 following activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-δ signaling pathway, and increased nuclear factor-kappa B activity. MicroRNAs, which are involved in GC sensitivity, are considered biomarkers of the response to inhaled GCs. Some studies revealed that inflammatory phenotypes and disease-related modifiable factors, including infections, the airway microbiome, mental stress, smoking, and obesity, regulate individual sensitivity to GCs. Therefore, future investigations are warranted to improve treatment outcomes.
Environmental Benefits of Using New Last-Mile Solutions and Using Electric Vehicles in China
Authors: Song Liying , Wang Bin , Bian Qian , Shao Lihua
Published: June 2023

Unlike much of the existing research into the environmental impacts of home shopping and delivery activities, which focus on evaluating the operational efficiency of home delivery failures, this paper aims to investigate the CO2 emissions associated with treatments of failed-delivery parcels. The paper considers the potential environmental profits from using some innovative home delivery solutions: 1) the utilization of new home delivery solutions, under which the self-pickup point (SPP)/smart cabinet (SCB) is used as an intermediate address for customer’s collection and 2) upgrading fuel-powered goods vehicles to battery vans to make deliveries. Two sets of vehicle routing problem models for fuel-powered vans and battery vans are established. A sample network comprising of 500 customers and several SPPs/SCBs in Beijing, China, is proposed in the case study, to verify the proposed models and heuristics. The numerical results suggest that: 1) reductions in CO2 per average parcel delivered by new home delivery solutions increase with the ratio of home delivery failures, 2) it is proved that using battery freight vehicles obtains more environmental benefits than using the fuel-powered vans, and 3) customers’ personal trips for collecting their failed-delivery packages from the local depot or SPPs/SCBs share a large proportion of CO2 per parcel.

The research has practical implications for both government and industry practitioners. Possible suggestions include: 1) promote a cleaner transportation mode for residents, by encouraging them to either take the bus or drive a battery passenger car, 2) careful design of a combined SPP and SCB network in urban areas, and 3) accelerate the process of vehicle electrification in the logistics industry by issuing allowances for purchasing electric vehicles from the government.
Asphalt Concrete Mix Design Optimization Using Autoencoder Deep Neural Networks
Authors: Rivera-Pérez José , Al-Qadi Imad L.
Published: June 2023

Asphalt concrete (AC) balanced mix design (BMD) is based on the selection of aggregate gradation, component volumetrics, and binder content to control pavement cracking and rutting potential. The Illinois Flexibility Index Test (I-FIT) and the Hamburg Wheel Tracking Test (HWTT) results, used to predict cracking and rutting potential, respectively, are used in the BMD approach. However, BMD generally relies on a trial-and-error process to identify the aggregate gradation and binder content needed to meet volumetrics and optimize I-FIT and HWTT results. Minimizing or eliminating the trial-and-error process would increase productivity and accuracy. Therefore, this study proposes an autoencoder deep neural network (ADNN) to develop optimized AC mix design alternatives that can meet a prescribed flexibility index (FI) and rut depth (RD). Autoencoders are a type of neural network designed for representation learning composed of an encoder and a decoder. The encoder detects a structured pattern in the original input data to create a compressed representation of the AC mix design. The decoder reconstructs the compressed representation. The proposed autoencoder is composed of an encoder of five hidden layers, a latent space of one node, and a five-hidden-layer decoder. Models were created from a database of 5,357 data sets that include mix properties, I-FIT FI, and HWTT RD (after data preprocessing was conducted). An autoencoder was then trained to predict the total binder content, and aggregate gradation based on a target mix type, FI, and RD.
The Teaching of Writing Across the Curriculum in School Years 4-6 in Sweden
Authors: Sturk Erika
Published: June 2023

This study explored disciplinary writing in grades 4-6 and the potential of writing to learn and learning to write across the curriculum to prepare the pupils for their future writing. Using Ivanič’s discourses of writing as an analytical framework, observation protocols from 104 observers in 374 lessons in 76 Swedish schools were analyzed exploring school writing in the different curriculum subjects. Analysis of the data reveals that in most lessons the teachers required their pupils to write with a single focus on reinforcing learning, enacting three of Ivanič’s seven discourses of writing: thinking and learning discourse, skills discourse, and social practices discourse. Much less frequently overall but commonly in language lessons, teachers required their pupils to write with a dual focus, developing writing proficiency while reinforcing learning. In these cases, all of Ivanič’s discourses were enacted. The results suggest potential for a dual focus on writing to learn and learning to write to further develop the pupils’ writing across the curriculum.
Best Practices for Reasonableness of Compensation Analysis in Taxation Disputes
Authors: Reilly Robert F.
Published: June 2023

The U.S. Tax Court case Clary Hood, Inc v. Commissioner involves a closely held C corporation’s dispute regarding the reasonableness of executive/shareholder compensation tax deductions. There was no dispute in this litigation that CHI was an extremely successful specialty construction company during the tax years at issue. And, there was no dispute in this litigation that Clary Hood, the company CEO and (with his wife) shareholder, was largely responsible for the construction company’s success during the tax years at issue. The disputed issue in the litigation was whether the bonuses paid to Hood in 2015 and 2016 exceed a reasonable amount of executive compensation for the services Hood actually performed for the company. In its memorandum decision, the Tax Court provided a fulsome discussion of the methodology and analysis it applied in addressing this reasonableness of executive/shareholder compensation issue. This judicial discussion provides meaningful practical guidance.
Modelling the relationship between teaching methods, assessment methods and acquisition of 21st employability skills among university graduates
Authors: Segbenya Moses , Atadika Dzifa , Aheto Simon-Peter Kafui , Nimo Esther Bema
Published: June 2023

This study modelled the effect of teaching and assessment methods on the acquisition of 21st employability skills among 784 postgraduate and undergraduate students sampled from a public university, using the cross-sectional survey design. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data which was analyzed with Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The study found that learner-centred pedagogy and summative assessment methods had a statistically significant relationship with employability skills. Furthermore, the learner-centred method significantly mediated the relationship between the teacher-centred method and employability skills; and summative assessment also significantly mediated the relationship between formative assessment and employability skills. It was recommended that assessment methods should shift away from long hours of sit-down examinations to a more practical progressive assessment with more scores and time to be able to equip graduates with employability skills.
A framework for practically effective creation of postprocessors for 5-axis CNC machines with all possible configurations and working mechanisms
Authors: Chu Anh My , Le Minh Thai , Hoang Ngoc Ha , Le Chi Hieu , Egbe Uyi-Osa , Gao James , Zlatov Nikolay , Packianather Michael S
Published: June 2023

The 5-axis CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machining plays an important role in manufacturing, especially in making parts of complex shapes such as turbine or propeller blades. However, there are always challenges of generating 5-axis CNC machining programs when working with different 5-axis CNC machines of various structures; and 5-axis CNC programs must be automatically generated by CNC postprocessors which calculate the inverse kinematics and convert the Cutter Location data to the CNC programs that are used for operating 5-axis CNC machines. Since the family of 5-axis CNC machines has a wide spectrum of machine configurations, with hundreds of mechanisms of 5 degrees of freedom, it is therefore practically challenging for engineers and CNC machine operators to create CNC postprocessors for specific 5-axis CNC machines. It is more challenging to create CNC postprocessors if engineers or CNC operators do not have strong backgrounds and professional skills in mathematical modeling and kinematics of machines. This paper presents a universal and intuitive framework and practical guidance to create CNC postprocessors for all 5-axis CNC machines, with the focus on a novel mathematical formulation of inverse kinematics of three main groups of 5-axis CNC machines. The case studies of creating CNC postprocessors with the commercially available 5-axis CNC machines were successfully demonstrated, in which the simulation scenarios and experiments were implemented to verify the created CNC postprocessors. The proposed frameworks and guides for generating CNC postprocessors can be conveniently and effectively applied in industrial practices, without the required strong backgrounds and skills for engineers or CNC operators in mathematical modeling and kinematics of machines, especially mathematical modeling of multibody systems.
An improved particle swarm fuzzy PID for adaptive control of temperature in CFRP induction heating
Authors: Liu Meijun , Cheng Liwei , Xu Jiazhong , Zhang Xiaobing , Zhang Hao
Published: June 2023

An Improved Particle Swarm Optimization-Based Fuzzy PID Control Algorithm(IPSO-PID) is used to address the problem of poor CFRP molding quality caused by the inadequate adaptive capability and slow response time of the induction heating temperature control system during the curing process of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) by electromagnetic induction heating. The three PID parameters are optimized and self-adjusted using the improved algorithm. This algorithm combines the advantages of PSO and Fuzzy-PID algorithms. It guarantees the control accuracy and search performance of the improved algorithm during the iterative process and prevents the improved algorithm from settling for the local optimal solution. The outcomes of simulation and experimentation demonstrate that the algorithm significantly improves the controller’s capacity for adaptation and shortens the adjustment period. In contrast to the conventional PID algorithm, this algorithm is better suited for controlling the temperature of electromagnetic induction heating CFRP because it reduces overshoot and steady-state error more than it does.
Dynamic response of rolling element bearing with compound fault considering defect-rolling-element interaction
Authors: Luo Wei , Yan Changfeng , Liu Yaofeng , Wang Zonggang , Tian Yu , Wu Lixiao
Published: June 2023

Dynamic modelling of rolling element bearing (REB) is a significant method to explore the vibration mechanism generated by fault, and it is the theoretical basis of fault diagnosis of REBs. Aiming at the complexity of defect-rolling-element interaction under radial load, the whole contact process of rolling element (RE) passing over defective area of outer or inner ring is analysed in detail. The impact force excitation function is derived by rotation and revolution velocity of RE. A four degree-of-freedom (DOF) dynamic model of REB with compound fault of both inner and outer raceway surface is developed by considering the time-varying displacement, impact force excitative and elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) condition, and the novelty of the model is that the improved impact force excitation function is used. The experimental validation is carried out on test tig of Machinery Fault Simulator. The change of impact force with shaft speed and defect size is analysed. It is shown that the simulation results of the proposed model are closer to experimental results. A mapping method from defect-rolling-element-defect (DRED) behaviour to time is proposed to study the vibration characteristics of DRED behaviour, the results show that the amplitude of vibration will decrease when the same RE collides with inner and outer raceway defects simultaneously. When the same RE collides with inner and outer raceway defect successively, the amplitude of vibration will reach the maximum during the inner raceway defect rolling over each RE once. The proposed model can be used in practical application to study the influence of compound defects on vibration response of REB.