bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Machine-learning-based analysis of biomedical time-series data: the monitoring and prediction of disease progression
Authors: Zhang Xinren
Published: May 2024

This study examines the spatial and temporal patterns of influenza and malaria incidence using an ARMA-BP combination model. The approach employs the dynamic series method to identify epidemic patterns of these diseases while assessing serial autocorrelation coefficients, performing randomness tests, and establishing a forecasting model. Additionally, it evaluates the impact of seasonal and meteorological factors on the epidemiology of influenza and malaria to ascertain the model’s efficacy in predicting incidence rates and trends. The findings indicate that the peak period for influenza incidence typically occurs during the transition from winter to spring, specifically between weeks 2 and 14. The correlation coefficients between temperature variables and malaria incidence generally ranged from 0.7 to 0.9. The ARMA-BP model demonstrated robust short-term predictive capabilities for influenza, showing a high degree of concordance in predictions for 2021 and 2022, though it performed less satisfactorily for 2023. For malaria, the predicted and actual incidence trends were largely consistent, with prediction errors consistently below 0.01. Consequently, this underscores the need for enhanced data collection on factors influencing disease dynamics. This research provides valuable decision-making support, scientific insights, and theoretical guidance for enhancing disease monitoring and prediction strategies.
Application of statistical models based on survival analysis in the assessment of cancer prognosis
Authors: Zhang Xinren
Published: May 2024

For cancer patients, accurate estimation of patients’ survival time facilitates medical personnel to formulate treatment measures while avoiding the negative impact of poor treatment programs. In this paper, in order to overcome the limitations of the single-factor survival analysis model, the Cox proportional risk analysis method is proposed and combined with Lasson regression analysis at the same time to establish a cancer prognosis risk assessment model. After extracting and preliminary screening cancer gene features and then analyzing the correlation between the features, the most important indicators used for cancer prognosis assessment were summarized. In the correlation analysis of cancer indicators, the number of factors showing a positive correlation with lncRAN in cancer cells was 136, and the number of negative correlations was 92. The correlation coefficients ranged from −2.65 to 0.52. After the ROC curve evaluated the predictive risk model, the areas of 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS curves of cancer patients were 0.7854, 0.8462, and 0.7855, respectively. The number of deaths increased gradually along with the increase in the risk scores, and the model predicted the results more accurately.
Study on the environmental status of Shichigou Village, Rim yu, Qinling Mountains
Authors: Lin Hongyi
Published: May 2024

The article illustrates and analyzes the environmental features of Rim Valley and Shifangou Village in the northern Qinling Mountains. Firstly, the ecological characteristics of Rim Valley in terms of elevation, slope, slope direction, river network, and land use classification were summarized through Arcgis mapping so as to overview the environment of Shifangou village as a sub-body of the Rim Valley; secondly, the environmental data of Shifangou village were obtained through field research, and the village landscape evaluation was conducted according to the local conditions, and the methods used were hierarchical analysis and villagers’ rating method, which were based on four dimensions of village environment: ecological elements, production elements, life elements, and feelings elements. The technique used is hierarchical analysis and villagers’ rating method, which mainly evaluates the rural environment in four dimensions, namely, rural ecological elements, rural production elements, rural life elements, and rural feeling elements, and expands on the basis of the “Three Lives” research method, focusing on people’s feelings towards the countryside, so as to arrive at the basic situation of the environment in Shifangou Village.
Research on Gear Synthesis of Automatic Transmission
Authors: Xue Huiling , Li Lijian
Published: May 2024

The lever method facilitates a straightforward analysis of the motion dynamics of an automatic transmission under various gear settings, offering a simple and intuitive approach to examining planetary gear transmissions. Specifically, the equivalent lever diagram for a parallel-double planetary gear transmission comprises four component points. From a control perspective, a transmission system with two planetary rows can accommodate up to two reduction gears, one direct gear, one overdrive gear, and one reverse gear. In contrast, the equivalent lever diagram for a parallel three-planetary gear transmission includes five component points, with such systems typically supporting up to three reduction gears, one direct gear, two overdrive gears, and two reverse gears. This methodological approach underscores the lever diagram’s utility in delineating the functional capabilities of complex transmission systems.
A Diversified Teaching Model of Business English in Multimodal Perspective
Authors: Gong Shengjie
Published: May 2024

Traditional business English pedagogy has predominantly relied on an unimodal teaching approach, which often fails to satisfy the demands of contemporary talent development. Addressing this inadequacy, this study advocates for the establishment of a diversified teaching model from a multimodal perspective. Furthermore, it introduces a comprehensive evaluation framework designed to assess the efficacy of various business English teaching methodologies. This evaluation model employs the K-means clustering algorithm for data segmentation, utilizes both positive and negative indicators for constructing metrics, and integrates the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method with gray system theory for robust analysis. The research was conducted at AB University, where experimental and control groups were established to critically assess the effectiveness of the diversified teaching approaches. Results indicate that the experimental group’s average business English score was 53.1, which is significantly higher by 10.94 points than that of the control group (P<0.01). Moreover, notable differences were observed in students’ classroom behaviors, including course engagement, responsiveness to teachers, and learning attitudes, all showing highly significant improvements in the experimental group (P<0.01). Similarly, in terms of teaching quality, the experimental group significantly outperformed the control group across the dimensions of content design, lecture delivery, and overall teaching impact (P<0.01). This study not only underscores the effectiveness of the proposed diversified business English teaching model but also provides a theoretical and empirical foundation for its evaluation.
Design and Timeliness Analysis of English Teaching Models in Colleges and Universities Combining Perceptual and Behavioral Correlation Algorithms
Authors: Chen Lingyan
Published: May 2024

With the continuous development of education, the way English education presents itself has become more and more complex and diversified. This study focuses on the problem of low quality and efficiency in English teaching, and it centers on the characteristics of perception and behavior in English teaching. To collect data on perception and behavior in English teaching, we first utilize the association rule method in data mining technology. Then, we introduce the technology acceptance model and design the English teaching model of “Knowing and Doing” by combining the collected data. The timeliness of the English teaching model in practice is investigated using the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method on this basis. The English teaching model designed in this paper improved by 10.688 points compared to the previous one, and the improvement was 1.307 points in the third month. In the correlation rule analysis, it can be seen that the probability of English grade A (90 or above) is 70.4% when perceived ease of use, usefulness, and learning behavior occur simultaneously. This study proves the feasibility of the English teaching model in this paper and provides a useful reference for the development of the English teaching model in the future.
Computer simulation of a solar multi-effect distillation multi-stage flash effluent purification system
Authors: Cui Xiajing , Shou Haofang
Published: May 2024

This study integrates multi-effect distillation (MED), multi-stage flash (MSF) evaporation, and solar interface evaporation technologies to enhance water purification processes. We evaluate the material and performance of interface evaporators, with a particular focus on managing the energy balance in solar water evaporation. The research further develops thermal regulation in photothermal materials to maximize light absorption, minimize heat loss, and speed up steam conversion. We employ a novel approach using corn starch and ionic liquid-modified silica hydrogels, noted for their hydrophilicity and broad-spectrum light absorption. The goal is to assess these hydrogels for photothermal conversion efficiency and salt resistance, examining their evaporation performance across various media—pure water, highly saline water, and oily wastewater—and their effectiveness in purifying industrial sewage. Monomer [VEIm]Br and cross-linking agent polymerization occurred to prepare the obtained SiO
2 – PILs.Ag / PPy / SiO
2
– PILs surface of polypyrrole and Ag particles presenting a three-dimensional porous structure is able to enhance the light absorption performance, between 200-2500 nm range of light absorption rate as high as 90%. Experiments proved the introduction of ionic liquid grafted silica on the introduction of the mechanism to improve the thermal insulation and salt resistance for the actual wastewater purification to provide a strategy.
Does the trimline extension and attachment size affect maxillary arch expansion in clear aligner therapy ? A finite element study
Authors: Karsli Nurver , Yildirim Fazilet , Dingiloğlu Arda , Özsoy Ömür Polat
Published: May 2024

Objective

Using finite element analysis (FEA), the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of different aligner trimline extensions and attachment sizes on maxillary first and second molars under expansive forces delivered by clear aligner therapy

Methods

The study utilised 3 mm and 4 mm horizontal rectangular attachments on the maxillary first and second molars. Two main models were created: a High and Flat Trimline Aligner (HTLA), and a Low and Flat Trimline Aligner (LTLA). Six distinct model variations were created for the analysis: (1) LTLA and no attachment (NA), (2) LTLA and 3 mm horizontal rectangular attachment (3HA), (3) LTLA and 4 mm horizontal rectangular attachment (4HA), (4) HTLA and NA, (5) HTLA and 3HA, (6) HTLA and 4HA.

Results

In all models, the crowns of the maxillary molars exhibited buccal displacement, whereas the root displayed palatal displacement. The LTLA-NA model had the greatest displacement of all models, whereas the HTLA-4HA model had the lowest displacement. The greatest PDL stress value was identified in the coronal third region of the palatal root of the molars.

Conclusion

Buccal tipping of the molars was observed during aligner expansion in all models. By increasing the attachment size and heightening the aligner trimline extension, the occurrence of buccal tipping was significantly reduced.
Access equity: key questions and challenges - A report from the 1st workshop of the European Haemophilia Consortium (EHC) Think Tank Workstream on Access Equity
Authors: Skouw-Rasmussen Naja , Savini Laura
Published: May 2024

Introduction

The European Haemophilia Consortium (EHC) Think Tank Workstream on Access Equity aims to identify and address the key challenges to ensuring access equity to healthcare services for people with rare diseases. In this context, access refers to the ability to benefit from any given aspect of treatment and care; equity refers to being ‘fair and impartial’ in providing access.

Identifying key challenges

At the first virtual workshop of the Access Equity Workstream, participants representing a wide range of stakeholders, including healthcare providers, patient groups, research, and industry, shared their perspectives to identify the key challenges to achieving access equity. It was agreed to prioritise three challenges: 1. Patient journey and pathways; 2. Behavioural change, mindsets and incentives; 3. Budget and resources. The Iceberg Model was used to identify the factors (events, patterns, structures, and mental models) which should be prioritised for future discussions about potential interventions.

From an access equity viewpoint, the key events in the patient journey and pathways that need to be addressed are access to diagnosis, screening and treatment, taking account of the considerable national, regional and local variation in the availability of specialist expertise, genetic testing and counselling. There will be debate about sharing limited budgets to treat small numbers of people with rare disorders with gene therapy, compared to treating much larger numbers of patients with common diseases with cheaper drugs. In terms of behavioural change, mindset and incentives, there is a misalignment of personal, collective, organisational and national needs. Among providers, the ‘savings mindset’ is counterproductive for access equity, and short-termism may result in a restricted allocation of funding for innovative and preventive therapies. Industry mindset is largely transactional instead of outcomes-based and the patient community tends to focus on specific diseases instead of the wider implications for the provision of healthcare services and for society. Budgets and resources are key to access equity; reduced/delayed access to expensive new drugs for rare diseases such as haemophilia is a major issue. Cost-effectiveness prioritisation tools used for health technology assessments (HTAs) do not take into account data from small populations, leading to cost-effectiveness ratios that exceed accepted thresholds, and treatments restricted to subgroups of patients within an approved indication. Benchmarking international pricing, service centralisation and cross-border cooperation for delivery of gene therapy need to be addressed if access equity is to be achieved.
Future Care Pathways – A report from the 1st workshop of the EHC Think Tank Workstream on Future Care Pathways
Authors: Skouw-Rasmussen Naja , Savini Laura
Published: May 2024

Introduction

A care pathway is defined as “a complex intervention for the mutual decision-making and organisation of care processes for a well-defined group of patients during a well-defined period.” The European Haemophilia Consortium (EHC) established a Think Tank Workstream on Future Care Pathways to identify and address key challenges in shaping future pathways that meet the needs of people with rare diseases while remaining practicable and affordable to healthcare providers in countries with different budgets and resources. This workstream is particularly timely as the introduction of innovative therapies is adding to the complexity of care pathways in some rare conditions.

Identifying key challenges

During the first virtual workshop of the Future Care Pathways Workstream on 14 February 2023, stakeholders, including healthcare providers, patient groups, researchers, and industry representatives, agreed to focus on four workable themes/challenges: 1. Prioritisation (cost and evidence); 2. Agreeing on a baseline; 3. Digital health; 4. Fragmentation of healthcare.

Prioritisation relates to economic and financial challenges in justifying the optimisation of a care pathway for a rare disease within the context of other healthcare priorities. Currently, there is too much emphasis on costs to healthcare systems, and not enough on real-life patient experience and indirect costs to patients and their families. Innovation in pathways is generally considered unaffordable, and cost-effectiveness models are difficult to apply to rare diseases. Agreeing on a baseline for a minimum standard of care in a pathway should take into account variability in patient needs, agency and healthcare system resources. A baseline needs to be agreed upon for each stage of a pathway: first clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring and follow-up. Lack of awareness, gender and resource inequalities and gaps in evidence are among the issues that need to be addressed. Digital health holds promise but also brings challenges for future care pathways and must be considered from the viewpoint of all major stakeholders: patients, healthcare providers, tech companies and payers. Digital health systems are often developed in silos and do not allow for effective integration and sharing of data. Collaboration from the beginning is essential to the successful integration of digital tool as in healthcare. Fragmentation of healthcare can arise because people with rare diseases may access care pathways through multiple entry points in primary and secondary care, and they may not experience holistic care that takes account of all their needs. Poor communication at multiple levels (e.g. between clinical stakeholders and between clinicians and patients) is a common problem leading to inadequate treatment and care. Fragmentation may also arise when care pathways do not allow for a patient’s evolving needs when he/she is already on a pathway.
Living, Caring, Learning - Thinking outside the box to solve care challenges in a rare blood disorder
Authors: Hibner Sandra
Published: May 2024

A specialist nurse for over 20 years, Sandra reflects on her experience of finding ways to deliver effective care for a young girl with a very rare clotting disorder. Symptoms of the girl’s disorder were evident from birth and through an emergency use request Sandra and the care team enabled her family to access a treatment that at the time was in clinical trial. Poor venous access meant there was a need to adapt how treatment was administered and she worked with the girl’s parents to ensure that she was treated effectively. Alongside educating the parents, Sandra highlights the importance of her role in educating co-workers and other hospital staff likely to come into contact with the girl, to ensure that she always had access to timely and appropriate care. She also reflects on other instances where thinking creatively enabled patients in her care access to treatments that may not otherwise have been accessible. Now retired, Sandra continues to be involved in advocacy for people with bleeding disorders.
Living, Caring, Learning - Building family relationships in haemophilia care
Authors: Shoemark Robyn
Published: May 2024

With over 35 years’ experience of paediatric nursing, almost half of which she has spent in haemophilia care, Robyn reflects on the importance of taking a family-focused approach and engaging with parents and caregivers. She describes her experience of providing care for a family with two boys with severe haemophilia A and inhibitors, and how listening to and working closely with the parents enabled good outcomes. Robyn points to the central role of nursepatient relationship in haemophilia care but highlights the importance of ensuring that this close therapeutic relationship remains professional.
Exploring patient and clinician perspectives on the benefits and risks of emerging therapies for the treatment of haemophilia: a qualitative study
Authors: Spoors John , Payne Katherine , Wright Stuart , Horsley Will , Bell Sadie , Cairns John
Published: May 2024

Background

Enhanced horizon scanning for emerging treatments has identified that both haemophilia A and haemophilia B pathways will be enriched with a range of new medicines with varying benefit-risk profiles. Patient and clinician views on the balance of the benefits and risks associated with emerging therapies will affect their use for the treatment of haemophilia, while also introducing the need for effective communication strategies to enable informed patient-clinician decision-making.

Aim

This study aimed to explore patient and clinician views on the perceived benefits and risks of emerging therapies for the treatment of haemophilia. The study also aimed to gain insight into clinician-patient communication on benefit and risk and how this shapes decision-making on new therapeutic options.

Methods

Qualitative methods, using online focus groups and one-to-one interviews, were guided by a defined set of questions. Data were collected in 2022 and 2023 from a sample of adult patients identified through the national patient group (The Haemophilia Society) and clinicians identified through the NHS England Clinical Reference Group (CRG) and HAEM-NET. Data were analysed thematically.

Findings

Seven patients and ten clinicians (seven consultant haematologists; three advanced nurse practitioners) participated. Five summary themes were identified, three of which related to clinician-patient communication: (i) active vs. passive patients; (ii) health literacy; (iii) external factors. One theme related to gene therapy perspectives on benefit-risk, and one theme concerned the legacy of the infected blood scandal.

Conclusion

There remains scepticism about gene therapy across all research participant groups, which suggests that uptake is likely to be relatively slow, with divergence anticipated between haemophilia A and B. Treatment decision-making and benefit-risk discussions are complex and multifaceted issues which in haemophilia are heavily influenced by the infected blood scandal. Clinicians frame treatment decision-making which necessitates the requirement for benefit-risk training and high-quality tailored patient gene therapy information materials.
Real-world clinical and psychosocial outcomes among people with mild or moderate haemophilia A treated on-demand in the Italian CHESS II cohort: a real-world data analysis
Authors: Castaman Giancarlo , Mancuso Maria Elisa , Di Minno Matteo Nicola Dario , Sannino Luigi , Tempre Rosaria , Bendinelli Sara , Blenkiron Tom , Burke Tom , Grazzi Enrico Ferri
Published: May 2024

Background

The burden of severe haemophilia A (HA) has been studied extensively owing to the higher bleeding frequency and associated treatment requirements, leaving a clear unmet need for research focused on the burden of mild and moderate HA.

Aims

This study sought to characterise the clinical and psychosocial burden of mild and moderate HA in the Italian cohort of the CHESS II study.

Methods

This was a retrospective analysis of clinical and psychosocial outcomes in a cohort of male adults (≥18 years old) with mild or moderate HA who participated in the cross-sectional CHESS II study (October 2019-November 2020). Treatment patterns, acute and chronic clinical outcomes and mental health indicators were collected via physician-completed forms. Psychosocial outcomes related to impact of HA on social activities, exercise, opportunities, and lifestyle were collected via a participant self-complete questionnaire. All results were reported descriptively.

Results

A total of 113 people with haemophilia A (PwHA) were included, 79 (70%) with moderate HA and 34 (30%) with mild HA, with mean age of 41.4 and 36.6 years, respectively. No one in the sample was receiving a prophylaxis at the time of data capture, with factor VIII use in the 12 months prior reported in 30% and 29% of moderate and mild PwHA, respectively. Ninety-one PwHA (81%) experienced ≥1 bleeding event in the preceding 12 months. People with moderate HA had higher mean annual bleed rate (2.9 vs. 1.1, respectively) and higher prevalence of chronic pain (74% vs. 35%), anxiety (20% vs. 12%), and/or depression (15% vs. 3%). Target joints were reported in 22% and 12% of moderate and mild PwHA, and problem joints in 51% and 12%, respectively. Of 113 participants, 44 (39%) completed the self-complete form (moderate HA, 57%; mild HA, 43%). Overall, 40% vs. 10% of those with moderate vs mild HA reported reducing or giving up social activities, 44% vs. 21% reducing or giving up exercise, 36% vs. 26% missing out on opportunities, and 48% vs. 26% reported HA impacted their lifestyle.

Conclusion

Moderate PwHA from the Italian CHESS II cohort appeared to have greater clinical morbidity and lifestyle impact than mild PwHA. Psychosocial outcomes were also worse among moderate PwHA, but significant burden was also observed among mild PwHA. These findings, and the absence of prophylactic treatment in the sample examined, highlight that improving management for potentially undertreated mild/moderate PwHA may aid the avoidance long-term clinical morbidity and negative psychosocial impact.
Living, Caring, Learning – Listening to patients with bleeding disorders and not being afraid to advocate
Authors: Witkop Michelle
Published: May 2024

Michelle brought experience of working with people with chronic pain to her role as a bleeding disorders nurse, before going on to develop a research department at the National Hemophilia Foundation (now the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation). Reflecting on the pain experienced by various individuals she cared for, she highlights the importance of listening carefully to what patients have to say and the value of patient-reported information. Michelle explains how understanding this led her into patient advocacy, and how nurses acting as advocates for their patients supports their care and thereby enable people with bleeding disorders to live the best life they can.
Living, Caring, Learning – Collaborating across borders to support a haemophilia patient with a rare complication
Authors: Githinji Cyrus
Published: May 2024

Cyrus, a haemophilia nurse in Kenya, reflects on his experience of treating a patient with a rare complication of haemophilia in a setting with limited access to treatment. The patient developed a debilitating abdominal pseudotumor following an inadequately treated traumatic bleed. After consulting with experts in other countries, surgery was deemed too great a risk. Initiating FVIII prophylaxis with the aim of shrinking the pseudotumour was identified as the most appropriate approach to treatment, however supply issues made it difficult to maintain a prophylactic regimen. When the pseudotumour continued to grow, posing a risk to adjacent organs, an international partnership enabled the initiation of emicizumab prophylaxis through a clinical trial. It was hoped that emicizumab would prevent further bleeding into the pseudotumour and allow it to shrink over time. The patient continued to experience breakthrough bleeding and was withdrawn from the trial after 2.5 years. By this time the supply of FVIII to Kenya through the through the WFH Humanitarian Aid Program had increased and the patient was able to resume FVIII prophylaxis. The pseudotumour is now stable and he continues to be cared for by the same nursing team. Reflecting on this case, Cyrus highlights the value of sharing expertise across borders and working in partnership to try to ensure the best treatment outcome for a patient with a rare complication in a resource-constrained setting. He also reflects on being compassionate in his practice and the importance of a holistic approach to patient support.
Living, Caring, Learning – Setting boundaries for the wellbeing of everyone in bleeding disorders care
Authors: Harrison Cathy
Published: May 2024

Cathy, a haemophilia nurse specialist in the UK, reflects on a challenging patient with a rare inherited platelet disorder. The patient did not attend regular clinic appointments, and when presenting at clinic due to severe bleeding or feeling unwell was often aggressive and abusive towards staff. The care team were concerned that he was putting his health at risk and followed protocols for vulnerable adults to try and ensure he was accessing the care he needed. This involved bringing in expertise outside of the multidisciplinary team (MDT), including non-medical services. Steps were also taken to ensure staff safety and wellbeing through in-house psychological support and the agreement of strategies for dealing with difficult behaviour. Ultimately, it was necessary to find an alternative care pathway for the patient. While acknowledging her disappointment in this outcome, Cathy reflects on how the processes followed have reinforced the development of individualised care plans for all patients with complex needs, and the importance of access to specialist services beyond the MDT. She also highlights considerations around the safety and wellbeing of the care team, the role of discussion and ‘debriefing’, and the value of staff access to psychological support.
Insufficiency of quality of life as the treatment endpoint for balloon pulmonary angioplasty in inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Gong Juanni , Ding Yuan , Wang Jianfeng , Wang Wei , Huang Qiang , Miao Ran , Kuang Tuguang , Yang Suqiao , Li Jifeng , Jiao Xiaojing , Yang Yuanhua
Published: May 2024

Background and Objectives

The ability of a quality of life (QoL) to guide balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) among patients with inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) has not been fully investigated. This study explored the relationship between QoL scores and hemodynamics in CTEPH patients after BPA and examined whether QoL could be applied as a treatment endpoint.

Materials and Methods

This cohort study included patients with inoperable CTEPH who had undergone at least four sessions of BPA. The patients’ demographic and clinical data as well as hemodynamic parameters and scores from the RAND 36-item short-form QoL questionnaire were recorded and compared before and after BPA.

Results

After BPA treatments, clinical characteristics, hemodynamic parameters, as well as QoL score improved significantly. A physical component summary (PCS) score of 35 or 46 can be used as the cutoff value for predicting better World Health Organization functional classification (WHO FC). Patients who had a higher PCS would have longer 6-min walk distance (6MWD), lower pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), and better cardiac output (CO) both before and after BPA. However, 19 patients (55.9%) with a higher PCS score after BPA did not achieve the goal of mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) ≤30 mmHg. During the follow-up period, a significant reduction of PVR was observed, but the PCS score improved a little.

Conclusions

QoL is a useful tool for assessing the exercise endurance of patients with inoperable CTEPH treated with BPA, but is insufficient to serve as a treatment endpoint for BPA.
Development and status quo of digestive endoscopy in China: An analysis based on the national census in 2013 and 2020
Authors: Jiao Yunfei , Cheng Zhiyuan , Gao Ye , Wang Tianjiao , Xin Lei , Lin Han , Cai Mengxi , Ma Xudong , Li Zhaoshen , Wang Luowei
Published: May 2024

Background and Objectives

Technique and practice of digestive endoscopy are undergoing speedy development all over the world. This study aimed to evaluate its status quo and development in China.

Methods

All hospitals performing digestive endoscopy in mainland China participated in the national census in 2013 and 2020. Retrospective data of hospitals, endoscopists, volumes, and qualities were collected via an online structured questionnaire, and its accuracy and rationality were verified by logical tests and manual reviews. Data from other countries were used to compare with that of China.

Results

From 2012 to 2019, the number of hospitals performing digestive endoscopy increased from 6,128 to 7,470 (1.22-fold), in which primary healthcare played a minor role. The median hospitals per 100,000 inhabitants per provincial region increased from 0.49 (IQR, 0.39-0.57) to 0.55 (IQR, 0.49-0.63). The endoscopists increased from 26,203 to 39,638 (1.51-fold), but their average workload even expanded. Overall volume increased from 28.8 million to 44.5 million (1.55-fold), and most types of endoscopic procedures recorded a high growth rate. Contrastingly, the specific utilization rates were low and paled in comparison with some developed countries. Nationwide, regional utilization rates showed a significant correlation with GDP per capita (P <0.001). Overall qualities of digestive endoscopy were excellent, but certain results of quality indicators posed a huge challenge, such as the detection rates of adenoma and early cancers.

Conclusions

Impressive progress has been made in digestive endoscopy with rapidly expanding economy in China. However, primary healthcare, utilization rates, and income-related inequality of regional services were needed to be improved to promote public health better.
Latest advances on new promising molecular-based therapeutic approaches for Huntington’s disease
Authors: Cheng Yangfan , Zhang Sirui , Shang Huifang
Published: May 2024

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a devastating, autosomal-dominant inherited, neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive motor deficits, cognitive impairments, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. It is caused by excessive cytosine-adenine-guanine (CAG) trinucleotide repeats within the huntingtin gene (HTT). Presently, therapeutic interventions capable of altering the trajectory of HD are lacking, while medications for abnormal movement and psychiatric symptoms are limited. Numerous pre-clinical and clinical studies have been conducted and are currently underway to test the efficacy of therapeutic approaches targeting some of these mechanisms with varying degrees of success. In this review, we update the latest advances on new promising molecular-based therapeutic strategies for this disorder, including DNA-targeting techniques such as zinc-finger proteins, transcription activator-like effector nucleases, and CRISPR/Cas9; post-transcriptional huntingtin-lowering approaches such as RNAi, antisense oligonucleotides, and small-molecule splicing modulators; and novel methods to clear the mHTT protein, such as proteolysis-targeting chimeras. We mainly focus on the ongoing clinical trials and the latest pre-clinical studies to explore the progress of emerging potential HD therapeutics.
Eco-Innovation and Higher Education in the European Union: Exploring the Green Interconnection
Authors: Bucur Louisa-Maria
Published: May 2024

Currently, the emphasis is placed on sustainability, requiring economies to continuously innovate, demonstrating their competence for eco-innovation. This form of innovation is a key concept in today’s world, providing innovative and sustainable solutions to environmental challenges, expecting a high level of education. Thus, this paper aims to explore the relationship between eco-innovation and higher education within the member states of the European Union, concentraiting on the quantitative analysis of the impact of higher education on eco-innovation development in these countries. Applying regression analysis, the eco-innovation index and the level of education in EU countries will be inspected to establish any significant correlation between these two variables. Following the analysis, the collected data involved in the regression method will reveal possible interrelationships and significant influences between the level of education and the degree of eco-innovation development in the member countries of the EU. Conclusively, the research proposes to highlight the influence of higher education in the development of eco-innovation within the European Union. The suggested quantitative analysis could lead to a better understanding of the association between higher education and eco-innovation, revealing the potential that the education sector has in promoting sustainability and a green future for European Union.
The Convergence of Corporate Sustainability and Social Responsibility in Modern Business Contexts: A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Gorski Andra-Teodora , Dumitraşcu Dănuț Dumitru
Published: May 2024

Global challenges such as climate change, the Covid-19 pandemic, and geopolitical instability have driven organizations to embed sustainability into their strategies and operations, moving away from the profit-driven mindset to a broader emphasis on societal value. Sustainability, today a widespread concept in academia and business, requires balancing social, environmental, and economic responsibilities to achieve long-term success. Embracing the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) model, organizations aim for profit while also positively impacting society and the environment. However, there is a prevailing tendency to emphasize rights over responsibilities, a pattern that needs to shift in order to promote sustainability. This paper contributes to the body of knowledge on corporate sustainability by exploring its relationship with social responsibility. A bibliometric analysis was conducted on a sample of 9,378 documents processed using VOSviewer. The study examines the interplay between sustainability, social responsibility, and corporate sustainability, mapping out key concepts and visualizing their networks. Furthermore, the links to other key themes such as performance, management, innovation, strategy, governance, supply chain management, leadership, stakeholders, and others were also explored. Social-responsibility disclosure was also found to be an emergent topic in terms of organizational accountability and transparency.
Asymmetric Effects of Local and Global Business Cycle Variations on the Sectoral Industrial Production in Singapore
Authors: Iqbal Javed
Published: May 2024

This paper investigates the sensitivities of Singapore’s sectoral industrial production to local and global business cycle variations using the auto-regressive distributed lag (ARDL) model in the nonlinear and asymmetric cointegration framework. By employing monthly time series data from Jan 1983 to Dec 2022 the study corroborates the commonly held view that durable industries are pro-cyclic to thelocal business cycle. However, the nature of cyclic sensitivity is different if viewed from a global perspective. Industries including pharmaceutical, computer, and motor vehicles industries flourish in both the local and global business cycle booms. Almost all industries having long-run linkages with global industrial production are also affected by global production growth in the short run. However, consistent with earlier studies for Southeast Asian countries, very few industries exhibit short-run asymmetries in their relationship with local and global business cycles. We found that incorporating long-run information also improves the forecasting ability of sectoral industrial production growth in Singapore.
Digital Transformation: A quantitative analysis of Romanian SMEs
Authors: Mihu Cantemir , Herciu Mihaela
Published: May 2024

With the expansion and omnipresence of digital technologies in most aspects of human life, organizations have felt the need to implement changes. Thus, digital transformation has become imperative, with organizations having to adapt to the new standards imposed by a digitalized world. This paper analyses the digital transformation in Romanian SMEs using a methodology based on quantitative analysis of data collected through a questionnaire. The aim is to understand how these companies’ approach and implement digital transformation, as well as the impact of this process on management strategies and business models. The analysis of the quantitative research results will focus on the demographic profile of the companies, the stage of the digital transformation process, the impact on business performance, investments in digital transformation and predictive models. This work makes a significant contribution to understanding and promoting digital transformation among SMEs, providing a specific and relevant insight into the Romanian SME context.
Are Women Recognized in the Digital Economy? Experiences of Developed Economies
Authors: Ristanović Vladimir , Šostar Marko , Hak Mario
Published: May 2024

Data and debates about the role of women in the digital world are gaining increasing importance in the study of gender and the digital economy. This paper explores the complex relationship of the role of women in the digital economy over the last two decades. The analysis used a review of the literature of scientific works and documents of official international institutions. All available sources indicate progress in recent years, but challenges remain. Several samples were created, and quantitative analysis assessed trends over time. The general conclusions suggest that the role of women in the digital economy is increasingly pronounced and significant. The results of the study confirm global expectations that promote the role of women in the digital economy (glass ceilings), where women work in key positions (women on boards) and participate in decision-making (glass cliffs). The regression econometric model shows that the role of women in the digital economy is increasingly important to recognize women who use Internet networks to a greater extent (business, social), those with above basic overall digital skills, as well as ICT experts. The paper ends with a list of potential recommendations for the modern framework of the digital economy.
Developing Inclusive Models of Value Chain Financing
Authors: Săvescu Roxana Florența
Published: May 2024

This paper presents a framework for designing external financial intervention mechanisms in the form of partnership agreements between financial institutions and different economic participants involved in the farm machinery supply chain. The scope of these partnership agreements is to facilitate small farmers’ access to loans when purchasing agricultural equipment. The research methodology and research results are drawn from desk and field research conducted on the emerging agricultural market. Several inclusive conceptual models of financing mechanisms based on business relationships between financial institutions, small farmers and either the suppliers of agricultural equipment or buyers of agricultural outputs are presented.
Entry Mode in the Presence of International Outsourcing
Authors: Lingga Doriani , Simanjuntak Damiana
Published: May 2024

International outsourcing affects firms’ decisions in various ways. We develop a model to analyze the entry mode behavior of a foreign firm on entering a domestic market when international outsourcing takes place. Being vertically integrated, the foreign firm can either produce in-house input or (partially) outsource it from an outside input supplier. Such practices can be widely observed in real life, in which a firm may outsource some input despite being able to produce the input by itself for various strategic advantages. Depending on its strategy of obtaining input, we consider two entry modes, export and FDI, and derive conditions under which the foreign firm chooses one entry mode over the other. Among the findings, we present a case in which an increase in tariff may raise the likelihood of the foreign firm choosing export. The reason is that the tariff raises the input price and, hence, the rival’s marginal cost. Therefore, such a case prevails when the tariff is high enough to weaken the domestic firm but not too high that it harms the foreign firm. We feature several other interesting cases highlighting the roles of entry costs and in-house input production costs.
Exploring the Relationship Between Google Trends and Cryptocurrency Metrics
Authors: Orăştean Ramona , Mărginean Silvia Cristina , Sava Raluca
Published: May 2024

Bitcoin and Ethereum are the two largest cryptocurrencies in the world by market capitalization and trading volume and the most popular despite high price fluctuations. This paper analyzes the relationship between Bitcoin and Ethereum metrics and the internet search interest on cryptocurrencies. As the literature shows, Google searches signal investor attention and Google Trends has proven useful for nowcasting economic and financial indicators. We aim to find the impact of Google Trends on Bitcoin and Ethereum prices, trading volumes and market capitalization since 2015 and discuss the potential correlations and patterns that may exist between these metrics and Google search interest. Through correlation and time-series analysis, we provide insights into the dynamics of this relationship and its implications for understanding cryptocurrency market behavior. The interest in cryptocurrencies tracked by Google Trends is a good indicator of measuring the social interest in the cryptocurrency market that drives a price movement. On the other hand, the price fluctuations of Bitcoin and Ethereum generate media and social attention and increase the interest in these cryptocurrencies. We also observe a positive effect of Google Trends values on trading volumes. The findings could help investors to understand the cryptocurrencies dynamics and build their trading strategies and could be of special interest to policymakers.
Innovationspolitik für die Transformation zur Klimaneutralität
Authors: Peterson Sonja , Semrau Finn Ole
Published: May 2024

Rapid deployment and developments in green innovations are crucial for achieving climate neutrality. While market-based policy instruments are the backbone of climate policy, governmental support for research and development (R&D) complements an efficient policy mix that supports green innovations at all stages of the innovation process. Nonetheless, international R&D support has declined over the last decade. In an international comparison, Japan is at the forefront of green R&D support. Germany is also a leader in R&D support, but its market-based environmental policy stringency remains low, which undermines the importance of an adequate climate policy mix.
CO2-Bepreisung und Industriepolitik
Authors: Bardt Hubertus
Published: May 2024

Carbon pricing is a central instrument of a market-based climate policy. However, the different international price levels vary greatly, thereby creating new distortions of competition. To compensate for this, state aid for transformation efforts becomes relevant. Industrial policy therefore has a new and difficult role to play in the transformation.
Klimageld: wichtig, aber kein Allheilmittel
Authors: Holzmann Sara
Published: May 2024

With the rise in the carbon price since the beginning of the year, the carbon dividend is once again a hot topic. Hopes are high that an imminent carbon dividend will ensure social equity and create more public support for climate policy. But are these expectations realistic or is this instrument and its effects exaggerated? This article calls for some expectation management when it comes to the carbon dividend, because as important as it is, socially just climate protection is much more than just mitigating rising carbon prices.
Werden die Notlagenschulden je zurückgezahlt?
Authors: Kasseckert Markus
Published: May 2024

This paper analyses Germany’s approach to repaying emergency debts. It explores legal frameworks, fiscal implications and challenges in debt management. Despite legal obligations, public discourse often misunderstands the details of repayment, raising concerns about fiscal sustainability. The paper calls for transparent and accountable debt management to ensure intergenerational fairness.
Alleinerziehende in der Betreuungsplatzvergabe: Status quo und Handlungsempfehlungen
Authors: Steinberg Hannah S. , Schüller Simone , Öztürk Yasmin , Klein Thilo , Schober Pia
Published: May 2024

Single parents and their children benefit particularly from early childhood education and childcare programmes. Nevertheless, almost a third of single parents in Germany who need childcare for their children under the age of three are unable to find it. Although around 70 % of day care providers claim to take the single-parent criterion into account when allocating slots, the prevailing allocation procedures cannot guarantee that this is implemented. This article shows how transparent allocation criteria can be designed nationwide and how their implementation can be realised through suitable, centralised, municipal allocation systems. Particularly in (western) German regions with a high unmet demand for institutional childcare, single-parent status should be considered as an independent criterion in addition to other factors such as employment and child age.