bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Interconnection: Employee Diff, Board Gender Diversity, and Earnings Management
Authors: Hasan Nadif Ahmad
Published: July 2024

This research aims to study how employee diff and board gender diversity impact earnings management in manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) from 2020 to 2022. The secondary data used in this quantitative research comes from audited financial statements and annual reports that can be accessed through the company's official website. The population of this study were 225 manufacturing companies, with a total sample of 43 companies. The method used in determining the model is the purposive sampling method. The results showed that employee diff positively affects earnings management, while board gender diversity does not affect earnings management.
Factors That Affect Tax Aggressiveness With Good Corporate Governance As A Moderating Variable
Authors: Eka Dian , Suryani Lating Ade Irma , Yudhanti Ashari Lintang , Romaisyah Luqita , P.A.C M.Nur Nama Arep
Published: July 2024

The main source of tax revenue is personal income tax. Increasing a company's taxable income has a direct impact on the amount of profit it can make. This creates an incentive for companies to adopt aggressive tax strategies. Companies that adopt aggressive tax strategies can reduce tax revenues for the government. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of managerial character, political connections and firm size on tax aggressiveness, and to examine the effect of competent corporate governance as a moderating factor. To assess audit quality as a measure of corporate governance effectiveness. This study uses a sample of manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) during the period 2019 to 2021. The purposive sampling method was used to select a sample of 48 companies. This study uses a data analysis method that combines multiple linear regression analysis and moderated regression analysis (MRA) and IBM SPSS software version 26. Empirical evidence shows that managerial characteristics and firm size have a significant and positive impact on the level of tax aggression. However, managerial attainment and political affiliation have no significant impact on the propensity to engage in aggressive tax strategies. The impact of effective corporate governance on the moderating effect of audit quality in the relationship between managerial personality and firm size on tax aggressiveness is demonstrated. However, audit quality has no moderating effect on the relationship between executive income and political connections on tax aggressiveness.
The role and perception of the caregiver in a specialized Pediatric Palliative Care Center in medicine preparation and administration: a survey study
Authors: Baratiri Fernando , Zanella Chiara , Roverato Barbara , Mengato Daniele , Camuffo Laura , Pivato Lisa , Avagnina Irene , Maghini Irene , Divisic Antuan , Rusalen Francesca , Agosto Caterina , Venturini Francesca , Benini Franca , Zanin Anna
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND
In pediatric palliative care, the primary caregiver is primarily responsible for managing pharmaceutical therapies. Few data are available regarding the influence of this burden on quality of life in terms of time, concerns as well as a considerable risk of administration errors and adverse effects.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this survey was to look at how the caregiver prepared and administered pharmacological therapy, including any delivery problems, as well as how the caregiver assessed the treatment.
METHODS
Between October 2022 and March 2023, a descriptive single-center survey study was carried out in the tertiary care pediatric palliative center of the Padova University Hospital. Participants are all the people who provide care for children in charge of our center who are younger than 23 years old, receiving at least one drug daily and who cannot self-administer their therapy. The questionnaire consisted of 18 multiple-choice and semi-closed questions, grouped into 4 main topics: therapy preparation, therapy administration, administration errors, and therapy assessment.
RESULTS
A total of 100 survey responses were collected. The most challenging categories have been identified as being therapy preparation and medication dose measurement. 52% of caregivers handle prescriptions at least three times each day, with 32% preparing them for more than 5 minutes. Only 59% of respondents reported enough training. Due to tiredness or the complexity of therapeutic regimens, 14% of respondents reported making a drug mistake in administration in the preceding three months.
Nearly one caregiver in three believed their child "always" used too many drugs. 39% of patients had issues or questions about the prescription and wanted to discuss them with medical experts; 79% of patients believed that seeking assistance from a clinical pharmacist about the prescribed medicaments.
DISCUSSION
Many caregivers of pediatric palliative care patients frequently had trouble planning, preparing and delivering pharmacological therapy to their children. Attempting to simplify medications regimen, choosing formulations that are simple to administer and measure, investing in improved caregiver training, talking about therapies with carers, and involving clinical pharmacists in this process are all potential strategies to improve this condition and reduce their burden.
Diagnosis and Genomic Characterization of the Largest Western Equine Encephalitis Virus Outbreak in Uruguay During 2023–2024
Authors: Tomás Gonzalo , Marandino Ana , Rodríguez Sirley , Wallau Gabriel Luz , Dezordi Filipe Zimmer , de Oliveira André Luiz Sá , Techera Claudia , Calleros Lucía , Grecco Sofía , Williman Joaquín , Pérez Ramiro , Bassetti Lucía , Negro Raúl , Marrero Lucía Moreira , Delfraro Adriana , Vidal Roberto , Panzera Yanina , Pérez Ruben
Published: July 2024

The Western Equine Encephalitis Virus (WEEV) is transmitted between mosquitoes and wild birds. Mosquitoes can spread the virus to horses and human populations, causing severe encephalitis and death. The most recent large outbreak of WEEV occurred in the Southern cone of South America from November 2023 to April 2024, affecting many equines and humans in Argentina and Uruguay. We identified and genetically characterized WEEV strains during this outbreak to understand their evolutionary trends and rapid expansion in the country and at international borders. The virus affected 1,086 horses and caused 388 deaths in all regions of Uruguay. We obtained genomes from 15 strains using a novel multiplex PCR assay combined with next-generation Illumina sequencing. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that samples from Uruguay and Brazil collected during 2023–2024 and an Argentine strain from 1958 share a common evolutionary origin and are distinct from North American strains. Phylogenetic and epidemiological data on the outbreak suggest that it originated in Argentina and spread to Uruguay and Brazil, likely by movements of infected birds. Genomic analysis also revealed mispairing in real-time PCR primers and probes that may affect official diagnostic protocols, highlighting the need for assay updates. Our research emphasizes the need to map the genetic diversity of WEEV in South America to understand their epidemiology and develop effective control approaches.
Clinical characteristics and prognosis of nontuberculous mycobacterial empyema: Comparison with nontuberculous mycobacterial disease without empyema and nonnontuberculous mycobacterial empyema
Authors: Suzuki Hitoshi , Ito Daisuke , Shinoda Mari , Shomura Shin , Tanabe Makoto , Sawada Yasuhiro , Inoue Kentaro , Shimamoto Akira , Shimpo Hideto
Published: July 2024

Objectives The purpose of this study was to clarify the clinical characteristics and report the efficacy of our therapeutic strategy for treating nontuberculous mycobacterial empyema (NTM empyema).
Methods The medical records of 302 patients with pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) disease were retrospectively reviewed, and 364 patients with acute empyema were prospectively reviewed to select patients complicated by NTM empyema from September 2014 to December 2022 in our hospital. NTM empyema was defined as a positive NTM culture of pleural effusion samples.
Results
Among 304 patients with pulmonary NTM, 13 had NTM empyema (4.3%). The mean age was 78 years, the mean performance status (PS) was 3, and 9 patients (69.2%) had pneumothorax. Age, male sex, comorbidities, fibrocavitary forms, pneumothorax, and lung cavitation were more common in patients with NTM empyema than in patients without NTM disease. Age, PS, comorbidity rate, pneumothorax incidence, and mortality rate were higher in the NTM empyema group than in the non-NTM empyema group. Similarly, the percentage of patients who were cured of pneumothorax without surgical intervention was significantly lower in the NTM empyema group (15.4%) than in the non-NTM empyema group (78.0%).
Conclusions
This study revealed that NTM empyema has a poor prognosis and is difficult to treat with medication alone. Fistulous NTM empyema should also be added to the indications for surgical intervention. Early surgical intervention should be considered for selected patients with NTM empyema.
Device Optimization of CsPbI 2 Br-based Inorganic Perovskite Solar Cells using Different Hole and Electron Transport Layers via SCAPS-1D
Authors: Siddique Muhammad , Sultan Muhammad , Safeer Syed Hamza
Published: July 2024

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have attracted considerable attention due to their high-power conversion efficiency (PCE) of more than 25% in recent years. However, the thermal instability of these devices is still a challenge for their commercialization. Recently, all-inorganic PSCs based on CsPbI2Br emerged as a new potential candidate for photovoltaic applications due to their long-term thermal stability. The SCAPS-1D software is used to analyze the device parameters of inorganic perovskite solar cells (n-i-p configuration) with varying hole transport layers (HTLs) and electron transport layers (ETLs). Initially, different HTLs such as CuI, Cu2O, CuSCN, and MoOx are employed keeping ETL (TiO2) and the absorber layer (CsPbI2Br) fixed. The highest performance is obtained for devices containing CuSCN as HTL. Furthermore, device performance is further checked by varying the ETL such as ZnO, WS2, and SnO2 keeping HTL (CuSCN) and absorber layer (CsPbI2Br) constant. The results showed that the device with configuration FTO/TiO2/CsPbI2Br/CuSCN/Fe shows better performance. In addition, for each device configuration, the effect of the charge transport layer’s thickness, the effect of absorber layer thickness, band gap, and defect density on the performance of the device has also been studied to obtain the best device performance. The thickness of the charge transport layers, and the absorber layer greatly affect the transport of photo-generated charges within the device,The here the highest power conversion efficiency (PCE) obtained for n-i-p configuration with TiO2 (10 nm), CuSCN (30 nm) and absorber layer CsPbI2Br (520 nm) is 14.66%.The corresponding fill factor (FF) for the given configuration is 76.57%, with short circuit current density (JSC) of 16.4 mA/cm2, and open circuit voltage (VOC) of 1.16 V.
Research on the development trend of cross-disciplinary subjects in universities with electronic information characteristics based on the analysis of citation data--The example of " Chinese electronic information universities"
Authors: WANG QIAN , JIA WEI , LI YUQING , SHI ZHENYUAN , XING YIYI
Published: July 2024

With the promotion of the construction of "double first-class" and the deepening of cross-disciplinary research, as well as the needs of the development of the electronic information industry, the electronic information characteristics of universities represented by Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications (BUPT), University of Electronic Science and Technology (UEST) and Xi'an University of Electronic Science and Technology (XUEST) have actively developed cross-disciplines to improve their strengths in running schools. This paper takes Web of science™ core collection database and ESI database as the data source, collects the highly cited paper literature data of these three universities with electronic information characteristics, adopts visual analysis technology, intelligent intelligence analysis technology and data mining technology to analyze the current situation of the development of their cross-disciplines, analyze the cross-discipline development situation of the universities with electronic information characteristics, and puts forward the suggestions to promote the high-quality development of cross-disciplines in the universities with electronic information characteristics. We will analyze the current situation of cross-disciplinary development, analyze the development situation of cross-disciplinary development in universities with electronic information characteristics, and put forward suggestions to promote the high-quality development of cross-disciplines in universities with electronic information characteristics.
CFD Analysis of an Inertance Pulse Tube Refrigerator: Exploring the Influence of tapered pulse tube and regenerator
Authors: Kumar Pankaj
Published: July 2024

Extensive studies and research have provided valuable insights into the operational principles of an IPTR (Inertance Pulse Tube Refrigerator). However, it has become apparent that the application of a novel parametric optimization technique is crucial for determining the optimal operating and geometrical parameters that can enhance the performance of an IPTR. This optimization process involves several steps. Initially, the optimal operating frequency is estimated, followed by the optimization of the Inertance tube length, which is the longest component in the system. The subsequent step involves finding the optimal combination of the operating frequency and Inertance tube length. Additionally, the geometry of both the regenerator and pulse tube is optimized by adjusting the tapered angle while keeping the volume constant. By applying this parametric optimization technique to the IPTR under investigation, remarkable improvements have been observed. Specifically, the temperature at the cold heat exchanger of the optimized IPTR is approximately 22% lower compared to previous configurations. These numerical investigations serve as strong evidence of the technique's capability to estimate the desired parameters for enhancing the performance of an IPTR.
Study on Mitigating Membrane Degradation in Degraded Membrane Electrode Assembly of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell through Temperature and Humidity Control
Authors: Lee Seungtae , Oh Sohyeong , Yoo Donggeun , Park Kwon Pil
Published: July 2024

Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have faced challenges in achieve their lifespan goals due to the degradation of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) during long-term operation. To enhance the durability of PEMFCs, it is necessary to research materials that can improve the durability of the membrane and electrodes, as well as to study operating conditions that can reduce degradation. This paper investigated methods to mitigate the membrane degradation of electrochemically degraded MEAs by controlling humidity and temperature among the operating conditions. MEA was degraded electrochemically by conducting open circuit voltage (OCV) holding, and then the degradation rate according to temperature and humidity changes was observed through fluoride emission rate (FER) change. In a degraded MEA, it is shown that increasing cell humidity accelerates membrane degradation. According to linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) results, this was confirmed to be due to the increase in hydrogen permeability caused by the higher humidity. The decrease in temperature lowered the rate of membrane degradation, which is attributed to a decrease in the rate of radical attack and generation resulting from the temperature decrease. Therefore, it was confirmed that to mitigate membrane degradation in electrochemically degraded MEAs, it is effective to reduce temperature and humidity, thereby decreasing the rate of radical formation.
Using Variation Graphs to Enhance Knowledge of Genomic Medicine and Population Genetics in Negev Bedouin
Authors: Oliva Adrien , Foare Rachel , Campbell Peter , Twine Natalie , Bauer Denis , Johar Angad
Published: July 2024

Background The application of genomics in translational medicine has gained significant attention as a means to address health disparities. However, pangenomic approaches have been underutilised with most studies relying on the hg38 linear reference. This hinders human evolution studies in fully leveraging whole-genome data. We evaluate the dependability of a well-established variation graph construction algorithm for inferring effective population sizes (Ne) in the Bedouin against hg38, its effect on allele frequencies and potential impact on medical genetics studies, such as GWAS. Our goal is to apply these insights to characterise genetic variation in East African populations.
Methods The variation graph was built using 14 Somali individuals from the Human Origins dataset, based on their ancestral affinity to East Africans. Ne was obtained using a coalescent approach ('Relate') for variants detected using the graph-based reference, and compared with the hg38-derived variant calls, for Bedouin individuals from the HGDP. The estimates' quality was evaluated through coalescent simulations. The Wilcoxon Rank Sum Test assessed allele frequency differences between graph-based and linear references, applied both at a genome-wide and exclusively for Bedouin-specific GWAS hits.
Results Coalescent analyses revealed that graph-based variants yielded Ne ≈ 17, a 1000-fold decrease from Ne ≈ 79000 for the linear reference. Only the graph-based approach accurately estimated Ne within the 95% CI from simulations (16-19 vs. 324-3468 for hg38). Also, significantly lower rank sum statistics (P-value < 2.2 × 10^-16) were observed for variants from the hg38 reference compared to the graph alignment. Similarly, GWAS variants generated from the graph exhibited lower frequencies (p = 0.023) which could impact the power and interpretation of GWAS and other medical genetics analysis.
Conclusion The pangenomic approach, employing variation graphs, more accurately infers Ne in the Bedouin population compared to the hg38 reference. Our findings contribute to the growing evidence demonstrating the impact of these results on genomic medicine as a whole, including GWAS, personalised medicine, and the understanding of genetic variations in diverse populations, which is crucial for equitable healthcare.
Does introducing outpatient pooling scheme reduce socioeconomic inequality in healthcare utilization? Evidence from a longitudinal study in China, 2011–2020
Authors: Zhang Tao , Yu Meiteng , Liu Jing
Published: July 2024

Background
In China, persistent health care inequalities coexist with universal health coverage due to limited financial protection for outpatient care. To address this issue, the Chinese Urban Employee Basic Medical Insurance implemented an outpatient pooling scheme, aiming to alleviate cost-sharing burdens for outpatients. This study assesses the impact of this policy on socioeconomic disparities in outpatient care utilization.
Methods
Data from five waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (2011–2020) were utilized. Outcome variables included the possibility of outpatient visits, visits to hospitals and primary care facilities, as well as outpatient expenditures and out-of-pocket (OOP) payments. Propensity score matching formed a matched sample, and the concentration index (CI) for outcomes was calculated for policy-implementing and non-implementing groups. Decomposition of the CI and its changes were performed to identify the outpatient pooling's contribution to inequalities in outpatient care.
Results
The CI value for the likelihood of outpatient visits decreased from 0.1142 in 2011 to 0.0972 in 2020, with outpatient pooling contributing positively (4.14%) to this reduction. However, inequalities across different facility types increased over time. The CI for visits to hospitals changed from 0.0069 to 0.0431, and the CI for visits to primary care facilities changed from 0.0064 to -0.1091. The implementation of the policy counteracted these growing inequalities. Despite persistent pro-rich inequalities in outpatient expenditures and OOP payments, their CI values exhibited a substantial decline, and outpatient pooling played a pivotal role in steering the trend towards improving equity.
Conclusion
The introduction of the outpatient pooling scheme significantly contributes to diminishing pro-rich inequalities in outpatient care. However, socioeconomic disparities in the utilization of primary care and advanced services continue to widen despite the counteractive effects of policy implementation. Future interventions should adopt a comprehensive approach, extending beyond mere insurance benefits coverage, to address and rectify these persisting inequalities.
Pre-treatment of composite industrial wastewater by Fenton and electro-Fenton oxidation processes
Authors: Omar Basma Mohamed , Ziadeh Mohamed , Ali Menna , El-Sonbati Mervat
Published: July 2024

The present study aims to characterize three industrial wastewater samples collected from petrochemical, food and beet sugar industries to determine the pollution potential and select the appropriate pre-treatment approach. According to the biodegradability profile of the multi-sourced mixed samples, the advanced oxidation process (AOPs) namely, Fenton (F) and Electro-Fenton (EF) were adopted as pre-treatment techniques and the operating parameters such as, time, type of electrodes, pH, voltage, iron and H2O2 concentrations were critically examined. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was conducted to compare the performance efficiency of F& EFAOPs for treating the composite samples. The results revealed that initial values of the composite samples were 7.11, 19.2, 32.6, 19.3, 937, 1512, 860, 3.9, 2110 and 2.34 for pH, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Electrical Conductivity (EC), Salinity, BOD, COD, Oil and grease (O&G), Total Phosphorous (TP), Total suspended Solids (TSS) and Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN), respectively. In addition, electro-Fenton process achieved removal efficiency for COD, O&G, BOD, TSS, and TKN, by 84.3%, 69%, 85%, 72% and 71.27% compared to Fenton which displayed 78.43%, 66%, 69%, 70.1%, and 61%, respectively. Consequently, there are statistically significant differences between the initial and final (pretreated) values of the composite wastewater for the addressed parameters and the EF process was significantly more effective than F. It was concluded that both Fenton and electro-Fenton processes are favorable, eco-friendly and cost-effective options for pretreating real complicated mixed multi-sourced industrial wastewater.
The Role of Education in Moderating the Impact of Development on Environmental Sustainability in OECD Countries
Authors: Sahu Muskan , Prusty Twinkle , Alahdal Waleed M. , Ariff Akmalia Mohamad , Almaqtari Faozi A.
Published: July 2024

This study explores the interconnections among industrialization, urbanization, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and CO2 emissions (CO2e) across 31 OECD countries. In addition, it analyzes how education moderates these relationships. This study employs CO2e as the explained variable, while industrialization, urbanization, and FDI serve as explanatory variables, with education as a moderator. This research utilized Hierarchical regression analysis was used to examine how education moderates the associations among industrialization, urbanization, FDI, and CO2e. Additionally, to validate the reliability of our results, we utilized the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM). The results of this study imply that CO2e levels increase with the level of industrialization and urbanization. The pursuit of education also contributed to the increase in CO2e. Moreover, education and industrialization have detrimental effects on CO2e. This study contributes uniquely to the literature by investigating the moderating influence of education on the relationships between independent variables and CO2e.
Knapsack-Sharing Model for Hybrid Hosting of Enterprise Resource Planning Software on IaaS Clouds
Authors: LAALAOUI Yacine , MHALLA Hedi
Published: July 2024

Cloud Computing and Enterprise Resource Planning constitute hot research and application topics thanks to their direct impact on the success or failure of contemporary organizations. The competitive value of an organization relies on how much it adopts Cloud Computing and Enterprise Resource Planning solutions.
This paper describes a knapsack-sharing model for the hybrid hosting of Enterprise Resource Planning software in a cloud environment. Kanpasack-sharing is a combinatorial optimization approach that uses Integer Linear Programming models. On the one hand, the proposed approach allows the Cloud Service Provider to estimate the cost of hosting such complex software by solving a knapsack-sharing problem instance. On the other hand, it helps the organization's management in the fair distribution of the budget among departments and business areas since budget constraints are often present. In addition, the proposed approach helps the organization's management decide what processes to move to the cloud platform and what other processes remain on in-house servers. Moreover, we describe a new improvement of an exact algorithm to solve the knapsack-sharing problem instances with a large number of classes. The experimental work reveals a substantial improvement in running time compared to the most recent algorithm in the literature.
Potential predictors of necrotizing enterocolitis in extremely low-birth-weight infants: Analyses of coagulation and fibrinolysis markers at birth at a single institution during the past decade
Authors: Yano Keisuke , Sugita Koshiro , Harumatsu Toshio , Matsukubo Makoto , Kawano Takafumi , Muto Mitsuru , Torikai Motofumi , Ibara Satoshi , Tokuhisa Takuya , Ieiri Satoshi
Published: July 2024

Purpose
We analyzed coagulation and fibrinolysis markers at birth to identify predictors of the onset of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in extremely low-birth-weight infants (ELBWIs).
Methods
We reviewed the medical records of ELBWIs born at our institution between 2013 and 2022. Patient background and blood test results at birth were compared between the NEC and control groups.
Results
Two hundred forty-six ELBWIs were enrolled in this study (control group, n = 226; NEC group, n = 20). The background characteristics were significantly difference between the two groups. The following coagulation and fibrinolysis markers at birth were compared between the control and NEC groups: prothrombin time (%), 62.2 ± 19.4 vs. 54.2 ± 24.4, p = 0.169; prothrombin ratio, 1.65 ± 0.55 vs. 1.39 ± 0.27, p = 0.052; activated partial thromboplastin time (min), 78.5 ± 31.1 vs. 95.6 ± 40.6, p = 0.083; fibrinogen (mg/dL), 160.7 ± 124.2 vs. 107.3 ± 67.1, p = 0.004; antithrombin III (%), 29.1 ± 7.8 vs. 28.4 ± 9.9, p = 0.083; D-dimer (µg/mL), 3.2 ± 2.5 vs. 11.7 ± 13.9, p = 0.013; soluble fibrin (µg/mL), 30.0 ± 26.9 vs. 35.7 ± 25.4, p = 0.372; thrombin antithrombin III complex (ng/mL), 9.0 ± 7.9 vs. 20.5 ± 28.1, p = 0.082; plasmin-α2 plasmin inhibitor complex (µg/mL), 1.04 ± 0.67 vs. 1.88 ± 3.0, p = 0.254; plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (ng/mL), 23.0 ± 14.3 vs. 42.5 ± 59.5, p = 0.160; and factor XIII (%), 25.7 ± 8.2 vs. 24.7 ± 9.7; p = 0.667.
Conclusions
Low fibrinogen and high D-dimer levels at birth are potential predictors of the onset of NEC in ELBWIs.
In-vitro Expansion and Transduction of Primary Natural Killer Cells Using Feeder Cells Co-expressing Co-stimulatory Receptors and Membrane-bound IL-21
Authors: TRAN Thi Bao Tram , BUI Thi Van  Anh , TRAN Thi Minh Thu , NGUYEN Minh Nguyen , VERHOEYEN Els , TRAN Thi Phuong Diem , NGUYEN Duc Minh Quan , NGO Thai Minh Quan , NGUYEN Thanh Binh , TRAN Nhat Thang , NGUYEN Hoai Nghia , TRAN Le Son
Published: July 2024

Natural Killer (NK) cells are an important population of the immune system and NK cell based therapy shown great potential in the treatment of cancers. However, to apply NK cells clinically, producing a large number of cells with high cytotoxicity remains a challenge. Current strategies focus on employing different irradiated feeder cells to stimulate NK expansion, maturation, and cytotoxicity. Current strategies focus on employing different irradiated feeder cells to stimulate NK expansion, maturation, and cytotoxicity. While co-stimulatory signals play critical roles in promoting NK cell proliferation and activating their functions, the exploitation of these signals for expanding NK cells has not been fully explored. Therefore, we generated different feeder cells expressing the co-stimulatory molecule CD80 with 4-1BBL or membrane-bound IL-21 to identify the optimal engineered feeder cells for expanding NK cells from umbilical cord blood. We then evaluated the transduction efficacy of a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) construct into expanded NK cells using various lentiviral vectors. Our results showed that CD80 in combination with membrane-bound IL-21 provides optimal expansion of NK cells from cord blood. These expanded NK cells display strong cytotoxicity to the target cells upon transduction with baboon endogenous virus (BaEV) envelope glycoprotein pseudotyped vector expressing a specific CAR..
Interpreting Pretext Tasks for Active Learning: A Reinforcement Learning Approach
Authors: Kim Dongjoo , Lee Minsik
Published: July 2024

As the amount of labeled data increases, the performance of deep neural networks tends to improve. However, annotating a large volume of data can be expensive. Active learning addresses this challenge by selectively annotating unlabeled data. There have been recent attempts to incorporate self-supervised learning into active learning, but there are issues in utilizing the results of self-supervised learning, i.e., it is uncertain how these should be interpreted in the context of active learning. To address this issue, we propose a multi-armed bandit approach to handle the information provided by self-supervised learning in active learning. Furthermore, we devise a data sampling process so that reinforcement learning can be effectively performed. We evaluate the proposed method on various image classification benchmarks, including CIFAR-10, CIFAR-100, Caltech-101, SVHN, and ImageNet, where the proposed method significantly improves previous approaches.
Double Cross-Linking Strategy for High-Performance, Thermally Stable Aerogels: A Breakthrough in Extreme Environment Applications
Authors: Ren Si-Jia , Liu Zhijie , Long Xin , Liao Jia-Xuan
Published: July 2024

High-performance insulating aerogels are optimal thermal protection materials for extreme environments such as aerospace. However, the large-scale application of traditional inorganic aerogels is constrained by their brittleness, hygroscopicity, and complex process conditions. Furthermore, the temperature resistance of organic aerogels is limited, despite their high mechanical strength and low-cost advantages. In this study, a composite aerogel material with a double cross-linking structure and strong interactions was successfully prepared by acid-catalysed ring-opening and supercritical drying processes using methyltrimethoxysilane as the silicon source, combined with phenylaminoated polybenzoxazine monomers and carboxylated cellulose nanofibers as the reinforcement materials, and introducing fumed hydrophobic silica. The material displays excellent mechanical properties, with a compressive strength of up to 34 MPa, and is capable of withstanding more than 500 ml of water without significant deformation. Furthermore, the aerogel exhibits a low density (0.175–0.232 g/cm³), good hydrophobicity (contact angle of 142°), and excellent thermal stability. This study presents a novel approach to the development of thermal protection materials that combine high strength and excellent thermal insulation properties.
Conversion, Prediction, and Application of Strength Parameters for Grouted Reconstructed Rock Mass
Authors: Zhang Ermeng , Liu Lang , Xu Yanchun , Wu Qiang , Fei Yu , Lin Yabin , zhang bo
Published: July 2024

Ultrasonic detection has emerged as a rapid method for acquiring rock mass sound velocity and converting it into an elastic modulus parameter, a pivotal technique for investigating the in-situ mechanical properties of rock masses. Despite its significance, accurately deducing rock mass strength from elastic modulus remains a formidable challenge and a pressing issue in the realm of protorock parameter research. This study introduces an innovative artificial intelligence-driven methodology for transforming elastic modulus and strength parameters specific to coal measures through rigorous data analysis and experimental validation. By integrating two illustrative engineering cases, we explore the complexities of water inrush and floor heave issues encountered in tunnels traversing fault zones. The novel strength parameter calculation approach is benchmarked against previous studies, highlighting its superior advantages in terms of effectiveness and applicability. In essence, this research offers a comprehensive framework and practical workflow for translating in-situ acoustic parameter-derived elastic modulus into rock mass strength, serving as a valuable resource for future endeavors in mine water control research.
Estimating lung cancer risk from e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products based on biomarkers of exposure and of potential harm (b) Results
Authors: Lee Peter N. , Coombs Katharine J. , Fry John S.
Published: July 2024

Background: Epidemiological data on the lung cancer relative risk (RR) from using e-cigarettes or heated tobacco products (HTPs) is scarce. Our first paper described methodology to estimate this using data on biomarkers of exposure (BOE) and potential harm (BOPH). This used RR estimates for cigarette smokers and users of other tobacco products (e.g. cigars) and data on biomarker levels for smokers, other product users and non-users. It was then applied, to illustrate the methodology, to evidence from three studies reporting BOE data for smokers and users of e-cigarettes and/or HTPs.
Aim: To estimate the lung cancer RR for e-cigarette and HTP use from studies providing relevant biomarker data for smokers and users of e-cigarettes and/or HTPs.
Methods: Searches were carried out for terms where relevant biomarker data were identified previously, and papers identified providing data for smoking and for either e-cigarettes or HTPs. Our main RR estimates for e-cigarettes and HTPs were derived from results for biomarkers showing significant (p<0.01) fit to the regression model used, and no significant (p<0.01) misfit to the non-user RR of 1.0. Sensitivity analyses were carried out, as previously described.
Results: Our estimated RR for e-cigarettes, based on 10 different biomarkers, is 1.83 (95% CI 1.53-2.19), represents 6.5% of the excess risk (ER = RR−1) for cigarette smokers. The RR generally varied little in sensitivity analyses, but increased markedly where the restriction to significant model fit was removed, the results combined then including some very large and implausible RRs.
Our estimated HTP RR of 1.44 (95% CI 0.41-5.08) represents 3.4% of the ER for smokers. This RR estimate is as given previously, no additional biomarker studies being found satisfying the requirements for inclusion in the combined estimates. As noted previously, sensitivity analyses little affected this estimate.
Conclusions: Our methodology has limitations, but is useful for estimating disease risk where epidemiological data is absent. Applying it to biomarkers with satisfactory model-fit suggests the lung cancer risk from e-cigarettes is much less than from cigarettes. Limited data indicates the risk from HTPs is also low. Future research using additional biomarker data can extend these findings.
Competitive positioning and market share of selected insurance companies: case of Nigeria
Authors: Ololade A. Ajetunmobi , Adefulu Adesoga , Grace Olubisi Makinde , Idowu Nwankwere
Published: July 2024

The insurance industry contributes to the smooth running of the economy. Unfortunately, not every country develops insurance at a high level; that is, the level of insurance penetration is low. This is happening in Nigeria. Therefore, this study aims to establish the effect of competitive positioning on the market share of selected insurance companies in Lagos State, Nigeria. The study adopts a survey research design. A structured instrument was used for data collection using the modified six-point Likert-type scale. The questionnaire was divided into three sections (about respondents’ demographic factors, competitive positioning, and market share). The population was 2,183 management-level employees from the 20 selected insurance companies. The sample size of 507 was determined using stratified random sampling and proportionate method. Test-retest method was used to validate the instrument, while the reliability was determined through internal consistency method. The Cronbach Alpha coefficients ranged from 0.71 to 0.88. Response rate of 86.7% was achieved. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for analysis. Findings reveal that competitive positioning components have a significant effect on market share (Adj.R2 = 0.194, F(5. 434) = 22.097, p < 0.05). The results demonstrate that if all the competitive positioning components were set to zero, the market share of selected insurance companies in Lagos State would be 6.537, which is a positive value. Thus, competitive positioning components significantly affect market share. As a result, this study found that insurers would benefit from increasing their focus on developing the strategic asset and research and development aspects of competitive positioning to expand their market share.
Acknowledgments The researchers acknowledge the contributions of the anonymous reviewers for the useful comments in making the article better. We acknowledge the management of the University that made it mandatory for the supervisee to publish two articles from their thesis, one in the name of the supervisor as the lead author, while another in the name of the supervisee as the lead author. The research assistants are acknowledged for the cooperation during the field work and the management of the insurance companies engaged for the study. The inputs of the supervisors are greatly acknowledged.
Evaluación de las necesidades formativas del tutor de la UNED y de la UOC
Authors: Rodríguez Fernández Noemí
Published: July 2024

En este artículo se presenta  una evaluación de las necesidades formativas de los tutores a distancia atendiendo a las dos universidades a distancia más grandes asentadas en el territorio español, como son la UNED y la UOC. Se trata de una investigación educativa-descriptiva con una orientación cuantitativa y cualitativa en donde se recurre a la combinación del cuestionario, la entrevista semiestructurada y el análisis documental  y normativo para la recogida de la información.  A la hora de identificar las necesidades formativas de las dos muestras seleccionadas, partiremos de sus perfiles docentes y tareas específicas acordes con las funciones orientadoras, didactas y sociales, propias de la acción tutorial a distancia y/o virtual.
Cytomegalovirus and Mortality Risk: Is there also a Role in Obstructive Lung Diseases?
Authors: Virgili Fabrizio , Guerra Stefano , Midulla Fabio , Martinez Fernando D. , Halonen Marilyn , Nenna Raffaella
Published: July 2024

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a ubiquitous pathogen that causes asymptomatic infections
in the healthy immunocompetent host but is responsible for severe disease in immunocompromised
individuals, graft failure, and congenital disabilities. Recent research implicates CMV as a
crucial determinant of immunosenescence (detrimental age-related alterations responsible for the
decline of immune responsiveness) and, more generally, a marker of life expectancy. CMV serostatus
has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular, respiratory, oncological, and non-specific
mortality in a number of intriguing, if not entirely clear, studies. Through a deep and extensive
selection of the most updated and relevant literature on the matter, we summarized the most
significant evidence concerning the role of CMV in immunosenescence, as well as all-cause and
disease-related mortality. As is widely known, viral infections play a substantial role in the development
and progression of respiratory disorders and are a well-established trigger for their exacerbations.
Consistent with current observations correlating CMV seropositivity to mortality by
chronic pulmonary disease, in the second part of the review, we focused on CMV involvement in
obstructive lung disorders. In light of available evidence, CMV serostatus could represent a useful
biomarker for risk stratification or even an underestimated target in the pathogenesis of several diseases.
Considering the somewhat conflicting results and the potential clinical implications for a direct
role of CMV in multiple chronic diseases, including obstructive lung diseases, we hope the
present work encourages further investigation on the topic.
Metal Complexing Indicator Displacement Assays (M-IDAs)
Authors: Rather Ishfaq Ahmad , Ali Rashid
Published: July 2024

As a sub-class of colorimetric indicator displacement assays (C-IDAs) as
well as fluorimetric indicator displacement assays (F-IDAs), metal indicator
displacement assays (M-IDAs) involve primarily the coordination of metal ions with a
target receptor and subsequent coordination of colorimetric or fluorimetric indicator
with complexed metal ions and also with the target receptor. The chronological
addition of an interested analyte brings the displacement of the colorimetric or
fluorimetric indicator from the metal ion and the receptor, which in turn illustrates the
binding affair either through colorimetric or fluorescence Turn-ON/OFF response. The
authors have illustrated the role of M-IDAs in the detection of various indispensable
analytes through a vast number of examples and deduced their need in various domains
from future perspectives. The authors are of the opinion that this chapter will bring new
dimensions to metal coordination chemistry in general and sensor development in
particular.
IDA-based Differential Sensory Arrays and Assays
Authors: Rather Ishfaq Ahmad , Ali Rashid
Published: July 2024

For the pattern-based recognition of various metal species and bioanalytes,
nature has stimulated an emergent supramolecular domain of synthetic receptor arrays
and assays. It is not always necessary for a synthetic receptor to be selective for a
particular analyte in a differential receptor array, but the inclusive signal response from
a typical sensory array must be diagnostic for the target analyte. This new category of
molecular recognition is rapidly advancing with various groups constructing novel
array platforms as well as receptors. Owing to easy operation and better selectivity, the
sensory array has gained significant attention in the realm of complex system analysis.
Besides the conceptual background, the authors have elaborated on the applications of
various differential arrays through numerous examples. The authors believe that this
chapter devoted to IDA-based differential sensory arrays and assays will bring a new
episode of IDA-based chemosensors for target analytes. 
Electrochemical Sensors Based on Indicator Displacement Assays
Authors: Rather Ishfaq Ahmad , Ali Rashid
Published: July 2024

Owing to the low cost, fast response, easy miniaturization, portable
instrumentation, and multiple analyte detection capabilities, electrochemical sensors
stand out in the realm of sensing and thus occupy a prominent place in analytical
supramolecular chemistry. Over the past several decades, the recognition of
biologically and environmentally vital analytes via electrochemical responses (increase
or decrease in current density), has attracted much attention from supramolecular
chemists. The fabrication of electrochemical sensors through a competitive sensing
phenomenon known as indicator displacement assay (IDA) has made them more
realistic for target analyte detection. In this chapter, besides discussing various types
and techniques of electrochemical sensors, we envisioned discussing diverse IDAbased electrochemical sensors for saccharides, biomarkers, neurotransmitters, and
various other analytes. The authors are of the viewpoint that this chapter will meet the
needs of the researchers working on the design, fabrication, and application of IDAbased electrochemical sensors.
Microbiome in Teenagers – Acquisition and Development
Authors: Chatterjee Pallabi , Aziz Isra Aman , Singh Amarjit , Singh Aditi
Published: July 2024

Adolescence is the stage of life between childhood and adulthood, ranging
from 10 to 19 years. It is a distinct period in human development and crucial for setting
the groundwork for long-term health. Teenagers grow quickly in terms of their
physical, cognitive, and emotional development.In the body of teenagers, major
changes in microorganisms take place. With the development of these changes in the
microbiome of teenagers, diseases are also developed. Teenagers are the future of the
world. Microbiota and diseases have an impact on their emotions, thoughts, decisions,
and interactions with others and their environment. This chapter is written to
acknowledge the readers about the resident microorganisms of the human body during
adolescence and the many kinds of changes that occur in the microbiome due to
lifestyle changes.
Cancer in Adolescents
Authors: Awasthi Prankur , Hasan Saba
Published: July 2024

Cancer may become the cause of death due to lifestyle changes among
adolescents. It is becoming widely understood that our lifestyle choices have a big
impact on our likelihood of getting cancer. Numerous unavoidable risk factors are
responsible for most malignancies; however, to lower the likelihood of getting cancer,
we may alter our lifestyle. Having a balanced diet, controlling your weight, exercising
regularly, abstaining from alcohol, and avoiding tobacco use are all examples of
healthy lifestyle choices that can reduce your risk of acquiring cancer. Using
information from human research, we give data in this chapter on the correlation
between specific lifestyle factors and their contribution to the development of prostate,
breast, colon, and lung cancers.