bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatio-temporal distribution of Colorectal Cancer incidence in Cordoba, Argentina
Authors: Canale Marcela G , Muñoz Sonia E , Diaz Maria del Pilar
Published: September 2022

Purpose: To analyse the spatio-temporal distribution of CRC incidence in Cordoba and its association with the level of urbanisation in Argentina (2004-2014).
Methods: An ecological time-series study using data from an 11years (2004-2014) was conducted. Age-standardised incidence rates (ASIR) (standard national and world population) by sex were calculated for the province and 26 counties for CRC in Cordoba using the provincial tumour registry database. Joinpoint regression models were adjusted to provincial ASIRs. Counties’ ASIRs were mapped in quintiles. The counties were grouped into three strata according to urbanisation: High (n1=6, >107,000 inhabitants); Intermediate (n2=13, 33,000-107,000 inhabitants); and Low (n3=7, <33,000 inhabitants). Spatio-temporal correlation analysis of counties’ rates was fulfilled using the multilevel modelling strategy.
Results: ASIRs of CRC in Cordoba province were 30.9 ±1.5 and 24.3 ±1.5 cases/100,000 for men and women, respectively. During 2004-2014, ASIRs tended to decrease (annual per cent change: -0.6; CI95% -1.8, 0.6). Maps reflected different geospatial patterns by sex. CRC incidence in males was higher than in females in all strata (high urbanisation, IRR: 1.66; intermediate, IRR: 1.59; and low, IRR: 1.70). There was a significant downward temporary variation in the most populous counties (3% per year).
Conclusions: CRC presents a non-random spatial pattern across the territory with a decreasing temporal variation in the most populous counties. Differential incidence and temporospatial tendency burden in Cordoba involve sex and urbanisation. Men continue to be the population at greatest risk; this pattern is more noticeable in less urban settings.
Comparing the Diagnostic Performance of QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus with QFT-GIT, T-SPOT.TB and TST: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Yu , Zhou Guozhong , Shi Wei , Shi Weili , Hu Meijun , Kong Defu , Long Rong , He Jian , Chen Nan
Published: September 2022

Background:
QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) is an important test that has emerged in recent years for detecting TB infection. We conducted a review to compare the sensitivity, specificity and positive rate of QFT-Plus with that of QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT), T-cell spot of tuberculosis assay (T-SPOT.TB) and Tuberculin test (TST).
Methods:
PubMed and Embase were searched, without language restrictions, from 1 January 2015 to 31 March 2022 using “Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infections” and “QuantiFERON-TB-Plus” etc. We estimated the sensitivity from studies of patients with active tuberculosis, specificity from studies of populations with very low risk of TB exposure, and positive rate from studies of high-risk populations. The methodological quality of the eligible studies was assessed, and a random-effects model meta-analysis was used to determine the risk difference (RD). We assessed the pooled rate by using a random-effects model. PROSPERO number was CRD 42021267432.
Results:
Of 3996 studies, 83 were eligible for full-text screening and 41 were included in the meta-analysis. In patients with active TB, the sensitivity of QFT-Plus was compared to that of QFT-GIT and T-SPOT.TB, respectively, and no statistically significant differences were found. In populations with a very low risk of TB exposure, the sensitivity of QFT-Plus was compared with that of QFT-GTI and T-SPOT.TB, respectively, and no statistically significant differences were found. Two studies were eligible to compare the specificity of the QFT-Plus test with that of the TST test, and the pooled RD was 0.12 (95% CI 0.02 to 0.22). In high-risk populations, 17 studies were eligible to compare the positive rate of the QFT-Plus test with that of the QFT-GIT test, and the pooled RD was 0.02 (95% CI -0.02 to 0.03). The positive rate of QFT-Plus was compared with that of T-SPOT.TB and TST groups, and no statistically significant differences were found.
Conclusions:
The diagnostic performance of QFT-Plus was similar to that of QFT-GIT and T-SPOT.TB, but was slightly more specific than TST.
A Cross-Sectional Study to Assess the Prevalent Myths and Misconceptions Among the Caregivers of Patients With Cancer
Authors: Kaul Pallvi , Tiwari Ajeet Ramamani , Choudhary Deepti , Walia Rhythm , Garg Pankaj Kumar
Published: September 2022

INTRODUCTION
Certain popular ideas about how cancer starts and spreads—though scientifically wrong—can seem to make sense, especially when those ideas are rooted in old theories. The present study was conducted to assess the prevalence of myths and misconceptions among the caregivers of patients with cancer.
MATERIAL AND METHOD
A hospital-based survey in a tertiary teaching hospital was conducted where caregivers (aged 18–70 years) were administered questionaries containing 10 close-ended questions. The study was conducted in small batches of 20-25 participants per week. The questionnaire was analysed, and a health care worker discussed the questionnaire with the participants and clarified their myths.
RESULTS
A total of four hundred participants were included in the study. The median age of the participants was 45 years (IQR 35-59). The majority of the participants were males (85%, n=340). Table 1 displays the common myths and misconceptions prevalent in the caregivers of patients with cancer.
CONCLUSION
The present study highlights the widespread cancer myths and misconceptions among the caregivers of patients with cancer. Therefore, the need of the hour is to eliminate them to avoid any unnecessary treatment delays and strengthen the emotional and social support system for patients with cancer.
Determination of Urban Drainage Distribution Based on Analysis of Catchment Area Characteristics
Authors: Imaaduddiin Muhammad Hafiizh , Khoiri Mohamad , Saud Ismail , Machsus Machsus , Aini Anissa Nur
Published: September 2022

Increasing population in a city is directly proportional to the increasing demand for land for development. This is inversely proportional to the water catchment area which is decreasing due to land conversion. The water that was supposed to come through the ground turned into a surface stream and overloaded the urban drainage channels. This study analyzes the travel time value (Tc) of the build-up area which will be compared with the peak time value (Tp) in the persiil drainage flow. Results of these Tc and Tp calculation values are then combined to create a linear equation of the influence of watershed characteristics with the large change of land across the city of Surabaya. The linear equations formula analyzed in each district indicate different values. This is due to the influence of differences in the slope of topography and watershed area on each district in Surabaya. The channel scattered throughout the city has different and separate drainage systems from one another depending on the location of its district. This then becomes a consideration to form a formulation of development requirements regarding the relationship of the area of the build-up area with the peak time and volume of the reservoir based on the characteristics of each in order to minimize the flood.
MTL4MHC2: MHC class II binding prediction using multi-task learning from small training data
Authors: Ikkyu Kazuhiro , Nikaido Itoshi
Published: September 2022

Background
Neoepitopes are cancer-specific antigens and significant therapeutic cancer vaccine candidates. Tumor neoepitopes induce an immune response to eliminate cancer cells. This immune activation depends on the binding affinity between antigen peptide and the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), which is an immune receptor. The epitope-MHC binding assay is a technologically difficult, time-consuming, and expensive experiment because it involves HLA protein expression and epitope peptide synthesis. Therefore, prediction methods of these binding affinities have been developed using computational prediction approaches. In particular, because of the wide variety of MHC class II subtypes, there is a need to improve the performance of MHC class II prediction. Here, we propose a novel deep learning model that can predict epitope-MHC class II binding from limited training data.
Results
MTL4MHC2 consists of multi-task Bi-LSTM models, an antigen peptide learning model and an MHC peptide learning model. Each multi-task model shares the MHC class I and II learning parameters. MTL4MHC2 achieves an AUC-ROC score of 82.2%, outperforming state-of-the-art models while maintaining generalization performance.
Conclusions
We have demonstrated the effectiveness of multi-task learning for improving prediction performance from limited training data. MTL4MHC2 can be applied to develop novel cancer vaccines.
The compact genome of a new Caenorhabditis species Caenorhabditis niphades n. sp., isolated from Niphades beetles
Authors: Sun Simo , Kanzaki Natsumi , Dayi Mehmet , Maeda Yasunobu , Yoshida Akemi , Tanaka Ryusei , Kikuchi Taisei
Published: September 2022

The first metazoan genome sequenced, that of Caenorhabditis elegans, impulse animal genome evolution studies. To date > 50 species from the genus Caenorhabditis have been sequenced, allowing research on genome variation. In the present study, we describe a new gonochoristic species, Caenorhabditis niphades n. sp., previously referred as C. sp. 36, isolated from adult weevils (Niphades variegatus), with whom they appear to be tightly associated during its life cycle. Along with a species description, we sequenced the genome of C. niphades n. sp. and produced a chromosome-level assembly. A genome comparison highlighted that C. niphades n. sp. has the smallest genome (59 Mbp) so far sequenced in the Elegans supergroup, despite of being closely related with the largest genome species, C. japonica. The compact genome of C. niphades n. sp. can serve as a key resource for comparative evolutionary studies of genome and gene number expansions in Caenorhabditis species.
The roles of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) in endometrial carcinoma
Authors: Ge Yidong , Ni Xiaoqi , Li Jingyun , Ye Meng , Jin xiaofeng
Published: September 2022

Endometrial carcinoma (EC) is a group of endometrial epithelial malignancies, most of which are adenocarcinomas and occur in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. It is one of the most common carcinomas of the female reproductive system, with a mortality rate only after to ovarian and cervical cancer. Existing studies have shown that the occurrence and development of EC is closely related to estrogen (E2) and estrogen receptor, especially estrogen receptor alpha (ERα). ERα, as a key nuclear transcriptional factor, is mainly an oncogenic factor in EC. Its interaction with upstream, co-regulators and downstream is important in the proliferation, metastasis, invasion and anti-apoptosis of EC. In this review, the structure of ERα and the regulation of ERα in multiple dimensions are described. In addition, the classical E2/ERα signaling pathway and the crosstalk between ERα and other EC regulators are elucidated, as well as a therapeutic target of ERα, which may provide a new direction for clinical applications of ERα in the future.
Advertising Contents of Child Health Drinks in India
Authors: Dey Sri Rajib , Barman Arup , Chakraborty Nilanjana , Elngar Ahmed A.
Published: September 2022

The objective of this paper is to study the trend and pattern of advertising content for child health drinks in India. A detailed analysis of the advertisement content of 5 child health drink brands for 6 years has been undertaken in this study. The majority of the brand's core focus area was growth. The most highlighted nutrient among the brand was protein. Maximum brands have highlighted more than one nutrient in their advertisements. Most of the brands have displayed scientific information and 100% of the brands have shown health benefits in their ads. The celebrity or HCP was present in most of the brand’s advertisements. Regarding location, it was found that in the majority of the brand's advertisements there was a combination of location i.e., home, leisure & shop. All the brands have used rational and emotional appeals in their advertisements. In the majority of the brands' advertisements, the lead voice was female. In child-parent interaction, most of the brands have shown the mother in the parents’ position. However, in the advertisement content, there was no verbal mention of a balanced diet, RDA, and calories which are very important from a child’s health point of view. As there are several studies that suggest the rise in childhood obesity and the association of television advertisements with it. The policymakers also need to closely look into the advertising content and act for the benefit of the child’s health.
An Investigation of the Maintenance Mechanisms of the Quasi- biweekly Pacific-Japan Teleconnection
Authors: Zhu Yu , Chen Ruidan , Song Qingtao , Li Xiuzhen , Guo Yuanyuan , Wen Zhiping
Published: September 2022

The intraseasonal Pacific–Japan (PJ) pattern, characterized by a pronounced quasi-biweekly oscillation, is triggered by deep convection around the western North Pacific. Three possible dynamical mechanisms on multiple timescales responsible for the growth and decay of the quasi-biweekly PJ pattern are proposed in this study based on daily reanalysis data from the Japanese 55-year Reanalysis for the 1958‒2021 period. First, the eastward-propagating wave energy associated with the quasi-biweekly circumglobal teleconnection in the upstream region enters the mid-latitude North Pacific and induces the wavelike barotropic geopotential height anomalies, amplifying the magnitudes of three mid-latitude centers of the PJ pattern by about 40% through their linear constructive interference. Secondly, the barotropic feedback forcing of both high-frequency and low-frequency transient eddies triggered by the pronounced meridional SST gradient over the mid-latitude Pacific is beneficial to the development and persistence of the PJ-related centers to the east of Japan and around the Bering Strait, whereas it damps the PJ-related center in the Gulf of Alaska, increasing the amplitude difference between the former two centers and the latter center. Such feedback forcing also leads to the asymmetry of the positive and negative PJ events. Thridly, dry energy conversion from the background atmospheric circulation and the moist process due to the convective heating over the western North Pacific are both efficient enough to energize the PJ pattern in the developing and mature stages, indicating that the quasi-biweekly PJ pattern can be viewed as a convectively coupled dynamical mode.
Effect of build orientation and post-curing of (meth)acrylate‐based photocurable resin fabricated by stereolithography on the mechanical behavior from quasi-static to high strain rate loadings
Authors: Zirak Nader , Shirinbayan Mohammadali , Saddaoui Ouiza , Mammeri Amrid , Azzouz Kamel , Benfriha Khaled , Tcharkhtchi Abbas , Fitoussi Joseph
Published: September 2022

Stereolithography (SLA) is becoming an important fabrication method among the different additive manufacturing (AM) techniques. This study investigates the effect of high strain rate on mechanical behavior, considering the fact that, materials can be shown different mechanical properties under rapid straining compared to quasi-static loading. In addition, the role of polymerization as a determining factor in the final mechanical properties of the SLA parts is indicated. Regarding, samples based on urethane dimethacrylate resin material were printed in different directions (θ = [0-90]) and post-treatment was performed with respect to the UV and UV with temperature. The effect of high strain rate was analyzed through a servo-hydraulic machine, monotonic, and interrupted tensile tests ranging from 0.3 to 117.4 s-1. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was applied to analyze the failure surface characteristics. The results show the important effect of strain rate on mechanical properties such that by increasing the strain rate, yield stress and ultimate stress were increased. Furthermore, investigation of the strain rate sensitivity during the different steps of the failure indicates more sensitivity of the non-linear zone of the stress-strain curve with strain rate.
The use of the rapid unequal interval interpolation method ( RUIIM) for a non-RTCP NC program and five-axis machining
Authors: chen Wei-Chih , Lin Tzu-Kuan , Teng Hsing-Ming , Tsao chung-chen
Published: September 2022

In industries such as electronics 3C, medical, aviation and energy, multi-axis machining machines are an important element of modern production systems, especially for post-processing, which necessitates the safe operation of control equipment. Some controller and software for five-axis simultaneous machining only interpolate equidistantly between cutter location (CL) points and do not support post-processing using a rotation tool center point (RTCP) so the machining path of the tool has manufacturing errors (overcutting or undercutting) and the workpiece fails to be machined to the correct size. Depending on the maximum allowable error (δMax), this study uses rapid unequal interval sub-point interpolation to perform sub-point interpolation on the original path of the five-axis machining machine, and the sub-point values are output in the computer numerical control (CNC) machining program in C# programming language. The tool tip is then moved to the desired machining position. Finally, an example involving helical milling of a curved surface is used to verify the feasibility of the rapid unequal interval interpolation method (RUIIM). The experimental results show that rapid unequal interval sub-point interpolation gives a more accurate original path that is generated in the CAM and a faster processing speed for the entire controller so the operation speed is increased.
Characterization of a new Komagataeibacter intermedius isolate: nanocellulose production, whole-genome analysis and genetic tractability studies
Authors: Cannazza Pietro , Rissanen Antti J , Guizelini Dieval , Minardi Carlotta , Losoi Pauli , Molinari Francesco , Romano Diego , Mangayil Rahul
Published: September 2022

Bacterial nanocellulose (BC) is a highly versatile biopolymer currently pursued as a material of choice in varied themes of biomedical and material science research fields. With the aim to extend the biotechnological applications, the genetic tractability of the BC producers within theKomagataeibactergenus and its potential as an alternative host chassis in synthetic biology have been extensively studied, albeit in modelKomagataeibacterspp. Here, we present a novelK. intermediusstrain capable of utilizing glucose, and glycerol sources for biomass and BC synthesis. Genome assembly identified one bacterial cellulose synthetase (bcs) operon containing the complete gene set encoding the BC biogenesis machinery (bcs I) and three additional copies (bcs II-IV). Interestingly, a gene annotated for cyclic di-GMP binding protein upstream ofbcs IIwhich has not yet been reported inKomagataeibacterspp. was identified from the genome. Investigations on the genetic tractability confirmed plasmid transformation, propagation of vectors with pBBR1 and p15A origin of replications and constitutive and inducible induction of recombinant protein inK. intermediusENS15. This study provides the first report on the genetic tractability ofK. intermedius, serving as starting point towards future genetic engineering of this strain.
De novo Biosynthesis of Vindoline and Catharanthine in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Gao Di , Liu Tengfei , Gao Jucan , Xu Junhao , Gou Yuanwei , Pan Yingjia , Li Dongfang , Ye Cuifang , Pan Ronghui , Huang Lei , Xu Zhinan , Lian Jiazhang
Published: September 2022

Vinblastine has been used clinically as one of the most potent therapeutics for the treatment of several types of cancer. However, the traditional plant extraction method suffers from unreliable supply, low abundance, and extremely high cost. Here we employ synthetic biology approach to engineer Saccharomyces cerevisiae for de novo biosynthesis of vindoline and catharanthine, which can be coupled chemically or biologically to vinblastine. Based on a platform strain with sufficient supply of precursors and co-factors for biosynthesis, we reconstituted, debottlenecked, and optimized the vindoline and catharanthine biosynthetic pathways, representing the most complicated pathways ever reconstituted in microbial cell factories. Using shake flask fermentation, our engineered yeast strains were able to produce catharanthine and vindoline at a titer of 527.1 μg L-1 and 149.3 μg L-1, respectively, without accumulating detectable amount of pathway intermediates. The present study holds great promise for scalable production of vinblastine and other plant natural products.
Aspergillus flavus biomass in harvested maize in Kenya and Tanzania and its relation to aflatoxin levels
Authors: Temba Benigni Alfred , Bakari Gaymary George , Mgonja Frida George , Mushi James Richard
Published: September 2022

Controlling occurrence of aflatoxins in foods must go along with managing the fungi responsible for their production. Abundance and diversity of aflatoxin producing Aspergillus flavus account for accumulation of the toxins in crops, which has been a persistent threat for public health and economy in tropical developing countries. A study was conducted to investigate occurrence and level of A. flavus and relate them to aflatoxin level in maize in Kenya and Tanzania. A total of 786 maize samples were collected at harvesting in selected areas of the two countries for the analysis. Fungal abundance in the samples was expressed as amount of fungal DNA relative to maize DNA. The fungal DNA was quantified by qPCR, targeting internal transcribed space (ITS) gene whereas in maize DNA was quantified through alpha-tubulin gene. The two genes are known to be conserved. Aflatoxins were quantified using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography, coupled to ultra-high sensitivity, ultra-fast triple quadrupole, tandem-mass spectrophotometer. A flavus was detected in 88.5% of 786 tested samples and average fungal load for the samples (log host/pathogen ratio) was 5.53. Aflatoxin occurrence was positive in 31.9% of the samples at an average level of 2.3 ± 0.643 ppb. There was a positive relationship between occurrence and level if the aflatoxin B1 and presence and biomass of A. flavus was proved statistically. The findings of this study intensify the need to give substantial attention on preharvest control of A. flavus in cereal fields as an effort of controlling accumulation of aflatoxin B1 in foods.
Cancer cell-macrophage fusion increases tumor cell heterogeneity and reshapes their microenvironment
Authors: Li Mengtao , Basile John R. , Mallya Sanjay , Lin Yi-Ling
Published: September 2022

The trademark of cancer is the ability to evolve, which lays the grounds for progressive events such as metastasis and recurrence. Although genetic mutations and epigenetic changes have been implicated as the mechanisms, they don’t explain why many cancers develop leukocytic traits. Cell fusion between cancer and somatic cells, particularly macrophages, has been suggested as an alternative pathway for cancer cells to obtain new traits via acquiring exogenous genetic material. In this study, tumor-macrophage hybrid cells were generated, and two clones, both grew slowly yet with very different tumorigenicity, were selected for further study. Despite their very different abilities to form tumors in mice, both clones showed significant abilities to influence the tumor microenvironment. RNA-seq of the hybrid cell clones revealed the differential expression profiles of the hybrid cells that contributed to the biological behaviors. This study emphasizes the role of hybrid cells as potent environmental modifiers that aid tumor survival and evolution despite their minority status among the tumor cells. This study also provides an animal experimental platform to study cancer-myeloid fusion and a potential direction for novel therapeutic interventions.
Study on the formation mechanism of ornamentation patterns in spores and pollen as revealed by finite element method
Authors: Yang Kun-Long , Yang Zhu L. , Wang Pan-Meng
Published: September 2022

Spores (especially fungal and plant spores) and pollen usually adopt an approximately spheroidal shape and are characterized by variable and distinct ornamentation patterns. However, the mechanisms responsible for the formation of these patterns have not been thoroughly studied. In this study, spores and pollen were simplified into spheroidal core/shell systems. By using finite element method (FEM), the anisotropic stress-driven wrinkles on the systems were evaluated under different ratios of equatorial/polar radii and ratios of effective size/exine thickness, which were in comparison with spore and pollen ornamentation patterns of given species under electron microscopy. We demonstrated that anisotropic stress-driven wrinkles can reproduce various anisotropic patterns of spores and pollen from a mechanical point of view, suggesting that stress is definitely the primary determinant of ornamentation. The ratio of equatorial/polar radii and the ratio of effective size/exine thickness mainly govern the ornamentation patterns. This study provided new insights into the formation and evolution of spores and pollen ornamentation patterns in nature.
Clinicopathological study of surgically treated non-neoplastic diseases of the pancreas with special reference to autoimmune pancreatitis
Authors: Seki Makoto , Ninomiya Eiji , Saiura Akio , Takahashi Yu , Inoue Yosuke , Katori Masamichi , Yamamoto Noriko , Takamatsu Manabu , Kato Yo , Yamada Keiko , Matsueda Kiyoshi , Ohkura Yasuo
Published: September 2022

Purpose
After the popularization of serum immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) measurement and endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) in our institute, surgical resection for non-neoplastic diseases of the pancreas became less common. Although the incidence of such false-positive cases was clarified in the 10-year period after introduction of these measures (2009–2018), these data were not compared with the 30 years before 2009 (1979–2008). This study was performed to determine the percentage of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) that was included during the latter period and how the numbers of false-positive cases differed between the two periods.
Methods
From 1979 to 2008, 51 patients had clinical suspicion of pancreatic carcinoma (false-positive disease). Among these 51 patients, 32 non-alcoholic patients who had tumor-forming chronic pancreatitis (TFCP) were clinically, histologically, and immunohistochemically compared with 11 patients who had TFCP during the latter 10-year period.
Results
Retrospective IgG4 immunostaining of TFCP revealed 14 (43.8%) cases of AIP in the former 30 years versus 5 (45.5%) in the latter 10 years. There were 32 (6.7%) cases of TFCP among 675 patients in the former 30 years and 11 (0.9%) among 1289 patients in the latter 10 years.
Conclusions
When the TFCP ratio of pancreatic resections and the AIP ratio of TFCPs were compared between the two periods, the TFCP ratio was 4.7% versus 0.9% and the AIP ratio was 43.8% versus 45.5%, respectively. These findings indicate that IgG4 measurement and EUS-FNA are imperative for the diagnosis of TFCP.
Autonomous and induced demand in the United States between 1960-2019: A long-run approach
Authors: Pérez-Montiel Jose A. , Sansó Andreu , Pariboni Riccardo
Published: September 2022

This paper presents a long-run study of the relationship between autonomous and induced demand spanning 1960–2019 for the United States. Our exercise can be considered a contribution to the burgeoning empirical literature revolving around autonomous demand-led growth models, which have displayed the potential to establish bridges not only within the Post- Keynesian community, but also between Post- Keynesian economics and other evolutionary and pluralistic approaches to economic growth. In particular, we study the long-run dynamic relationship between autonomous demand - which comprises R&D expenditures, government spending, exports and residential investment - and induced demand. Through a cointegration model with quantile-varying coefficients, we account for the possibility of changes in the relationship between the two variables of interest and demonstrate that the long-run equilibrium relationship between autonomous and induced demand is robust to exogenous shocks and changes in the parameters.
CAWE-ACNN Algorithm for Coprime Array Adaptive Beamforming
Authors: Liu Fulai , Qin Dongbao , Qin Hao , Du Yufeng , Dou Xiuquan , Du Ruiyan
Published: September 2022

This paper presents a coprime array robust adaptive beamforming algorithm based on attention convolutional neural network (ACNN), named as CAWE-ACNN algorithm. Firstly, a spatial attention unit and a channel attention unit are used to construct an attention network that can strengthen the features contributing to beamforming weight vector estimation from spatial and channel dimension, so beamformer output signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) is improved, and an ACNN model is established which is suitable for coprime array beamforming. Then, a virtual array of the coprime array is utilized to achieve direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation, and a least squares method and a quadratic convex optimization problem are used to reconstruct the interference-plus-noise covariance matrix (INCM) and correct mismatched steering vector, respectively. Furthermore, the beamforming weight vector is calculated and it is regarded as the training label of the ACNN model, and the mapping procedure from covariance matrix to beamforming weight vector is completed. Finally, the well-trained ACNN model is utilized to obtain the beamforming weight vector. Simulation results verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Analysis of the genetic stability of insect and herbicide resistance genes in transgenic rice lines: a laboratory and field experiment
Authors: Sun Yue , Chen Zhongkai , Chen Huizhen , Wang Chunlei , Li Bai , Qin Lu , Lin Xiaoli , Cai Yicong , Zhou Dahu , Ouyang Linjuan , Zhu Changlan , He Haohua , Peng Xiaosong
Published: September 2022

A lack of stability in the expression of Bacillus thuringiensisgenes (CRY) and the dialaninophosphate resistance gene (BAR) in transgenic rice plants can lead to the loss of important characters. The genetic stability of transgenic expression in high-generation lines is thus critically important for ensuring the success of molecular breeding efforts. Here, we studied the genetic stability of resistance to insect pests and herbicides in transgenic rice lines at the molecular and phenotypic levels in a pesticide-free environment. Southern blot analysis, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays revealed high stability in the copy numbers and expression levels of CRY1C, CRY2A, and BAR in transgenic lines across different generations, and gene expression levels were highly correlated with protein expression levels. The insecticide resistance of the transgenic rice lines was high. The larval mortality of Chilo suppressalis was 50.25% to 68.36% higher in transgenic lines than in non-transgenic control lines. Percent dead hearts and percent white spikelets were 16.66% to 22.15% and 27.07% to 33.47% lower in transgenic lines than in non-transgenic control lines, respectively. The herbicide resistance of the transgenic rice lines was also high. The bud length and root length ranged were 2.53 cm to 4.20 cm and 0.28 cm to 0.73 cm higher in transgenic lines than in non-transgenic control lines in the budding stage, respectively. Following application of the herbicide Basta, the chlorophyll content of the transgenic lines began to recover 2 d later in the seedling and tillering stages and 3 d later in the booting and heading stages, by contrast, the chlorophyll content of the non-transgenic lines did not recover and continued to decrease. These findings revealed high genetic stability of the resistance to insect pests and herbicides across several generations of transgenic rice regardless of the genetic background.
Intraplatform and Interplatform Competition ——Evidence from E-Commerce Platforms
Authors: Qu Chuang , Liu Hanzhen , Sun Hongfei
Published: September 2022

Based on the essential characteristics of two-sided markets, this paper analyzes the role of competition between users within platforms in the competition between platforms from three aspects: user scale effect, platform stickiness effect and platform competition effect. We found that in the most realistic oligopoly market structure, the effect of platform competition plays a leading role, and competition between users within platforms intensifies competition between platforms. Because ranking competition is a unique competition mode in internet platforms, this paper further investigates the role of ranking positions on platforms’ multiple types of competition. Top-ranked merchants have a strong platform competition effect due to flows and sales volume, which has a positive effect on competition between platforms. However, this effect weakens with the backward-ranking of positions and leads to an overall negative effect. Finally, this study conducts a heterogeneity analysis of different platform modes and shows that the internal market concentration of self-operating e-commerce is significantly more concentrated and that the effect of merchant competition on platform competition is weaker than that of platform e-commerce.
The Predictive Prognosis Score around Primary Debulking Surgery (PPSP) improves diagnostic efficacy in predicting the prognosis of ovarian cancer comparable to FIGO staging
Authors: Kawahara Naoki , Kawaguchi Ryuji , Waki Keita , Maehana Tomoka , Yamanaka Shoichiro , Yamada Yuki , Kimura Fuminori
Published: September 2022

Background: In recent years the pretreatment inflammatory responses have proven to predict the prognosis, but no report exists analyzing the combined inflammatory response both of the pre- and post-surgical treatment. The current study aims to extract the factors predicting the prognosis and create novel predictive scoring.
Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at our institution between November 2006 and December 2020. Demographic and clinicopathological data were collected from women who underwent primary surgical staging. We created the scoring system named the predictive prognosis score around primary debulking surgery(PPSP). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess its efficacy in predicting progression-free survival(PFS) and overall survival(OS). Cox regression analyses were used to assess its time dependent efficacy. Kaplan-Meier and the log-rank test were used to compare the survival rate.
Results: A total of 235 patients were included in the current study. The cut-off value of the scoring system was six. Multivariate analyses revealed that an advanced International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics(FIGO) stage (p<0.001 for PFS; p=0.038 for OS), the decreased white blood cell count difference (p=0.026 for PFS) and the high-PPSP (p=0.004for PFS; p=0.002 for OS) were the independent prognostic factors. Cox regression analysis also supported above results.
Conclusions: The PPSP showed good prognostic efficacy in predicting the ovarian cancer prognosis comparable to FIGO staging.
Assessment of spatial and temporal water quality distribution of Lake Ludas, Serbia
Authors: Horvat Zoltan , Horvat Mirjana , Pastor Kristian
Published: September 2022

This work presents the analysis of both spatial and temporal water quality distribution of Lake Ludas in the Republic of Serbia using water quality data from 2011 to 2018 at three different locations. By including a set of standard methods, the initial 15 water quality parameters were reduced to 7 parameters representative for the upcoming temporal and spatial considerations. The selected parameters were subjected to a series of tests such as spatial and temporal analysis. Principal component analysis (PCA) was employed to present the variation of the measurements most efficiently and identify spatial and temporal tendencies. The PCA was expanded by the utilization of biplots providing a more comprehensive understanding of the measurements. Finally, the overall state of the lake's quality was evaluated using the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Water Quality Index method for each sampling location, both annually and for the overall time interval, and as one representative value for the whole lake. The presented research lead to several conclusions, including the need for more detailed future measurements. It was shown that a reasonable monitoring approach leading to reliable conclusions should include much denser data in space and time. Furthermore, the necessity of three sampling locations remains relevant. In fact, it would be preferred to have a shorter list of monitored variables covering denser time and space data acquisition than having more diverse quality parameter evaluation at fever locations or temporally sporadic measurements.
Addressing diverse learner preferences and intelligences with emerging technologies: Matching models to online opportunities
Authors: Zhang Ke , Bonk Curtis J.
Published: September 2022

This paper critically reviews various learning preferences and human intelligence theories and models with a particular focus on the implications for online learning. It highlights a few key models, Gardner’s multiple intelligences, Fleming and Mills’ VARK model, Honey and Mumford’s Learning Styles, and Kolb’s Experiential Learning Model, and attempts to link them to trends and opportunities in online learning with emerging technologies. By intersecting such models with online technologies, it offers instructors and instructional designers across educational sectors and situations new ways to think about addressing diverse learner needs, backgrounds, and expectations. Learning technologies are important for effective teaching, as are theories and models and theories of learning. We argue that more immense power can be derived from connections between the theories, models and learning technologies.

Résumé : Cet article passe en revue de manière critique les divers modèles et théories sur les préférences d’apprentissage et l’intelligence humaine, avec un accent particulier sur les implications qui en découlent pour l’apprentissage en ligne. L’article présente quelques-uns des principaux modèles (les intelligences multiples de Gardner, le modèle VAK de Fleming et Mills, les styles d’apprentissage de Honey et Mumford et le modèle d’apprentissage expérientiel de Kolb) et tente de les relier à des tendances et occasions d’apprentissage en ligne qui utilisent les nouvelles technologies. En croisant ces modèles avec les technologies Web, les instructeurs et concepteurs pédagogiques dans les secteurs de l’éducation ou en situation éducationnelle se voient offrir de nouvelles façons de tenir compte des divers besoins, horizons et attentes des apprenants. Les technologies d’apprentissage sont importantes pour un enseignement efficace, tout comme les théories et les modèles d’apprentissage. Nous sommes d’avis qu’en établissant des liens entre les théories, les modèles et les technologies d’apprentissage, il est possible d’obtenir un résultat plus puissant.

This article has been translated to Armenian. Click here for the translation.
Operational risk management of using electronic and mobile money
Authors: Mishchenko Volodymyr , Naumenkova Svitlana , Grytsenko Andrii , Mishchenko Svitlana
Published: September 2022

The extensive use of electronic and mobile money causes additional risks, which complicates the work of electronic money issuers (EMIs) and the functioning of payment systems. The paper aims to investigate operational risk management in the process of using electronic and mobile money. A classification of operational risk types was carried out and the forms of their manifestation in payment systems using electronic and mobile money were characterized. The list of key risk indicators has been compiled to assess the operational risk factors of payment systems using mobile and electronic money; a classification of costs (losses) as a result of the implementation of operational risk events is proposed, dividing them into direct and indirect. Based on the statistics of the International Monetary Fund and the National Bank of Ukraine, the use of electronic and mobile money in certain countries of the world is analyzed. The results on the intensity of electronic money use are presented, and the value of the electronic money multiplier in Ukraine is calculated. To improve operational sustainability of EMIs, a general scheme for organizing the operational risk management process in payment systems using electronic and mobile money is presented. Particular attention is paid to the regulatory and supervisory measures aimed at supporting the operational sustainability of EMIs and payment systems under their control. The issues discussed in this paper are relevant for the debate directed at the implementation of balanced approaches to operational risk management in the process of using electronic and mobile money in developing and emerging economies.
How does strategic flexibility make a difference for companies? An example of the Hungarian food industry
Authors: Yousuf Allam , Kozlovskyi Serhii , Mahfod Leroux Jomana , Rauf Abdul , Felfoldi Janos
Published: September 2022

Nowadays, strategic flexibility and its effect on organizational performance are crucial to discuss. Moreover, organizations, especially industrial companies, should estimate how flexibility as a mechanism can improve organizational performance. The Hungarian food industry is highly significant in the industrial sector of the Hungarian economy. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to evaluate how the performance of the Hungarian food industry is affected by strategic flexibility, using supply and demand uncertainty as moderators. It is a quantitative and causal study. A survey was conducted to collect the primary data from a proposed sample of managers at the target companies. As a result, 301 valid responses have been analyzed in SPSS. Regression analysis, correlation, and moderation analysis are used as well. The results indicated that strategic flexibility generally enhances the performance of the target companies, and 20.3% of changes in companies’ performance are related to strategic flexibility. The flexibility of resources affects only the operational performance, while the flexibility of coordination positively affects company performance; it has a 44.2% influence. The findings also showed that uncertainty does not moderate the relationship between strategic flexibility and target firms’ performance. Thus, strategic flexibility is considered as one-effect mechanism in a stable business environment. In all cases, strategic flexibility should be applied in addition to other managerial techniques to enhance company performance.
NORMAS DE PROTEÇÃO DOS DIREITOS NO CÓDIGO DE DEFESA DO CONSUMIDOR NA RELAÇÃO DE CONSUMO NO COMÉRCIO ELETRÔNICO
Authors: Araujo Claudio Rodrigues
Published: September 2022

A globalização e os avanços que foram trazidos pelos meios tecnológicos vem impactando sobremaneira na vida das pessoas. Partindo da internet, as pessoas realizam aquisições de produtos e serviços devido aos seus benefícios e praticidades trazidos pelos meios tecnológicos. Entretanto, isso tudo não é um “mar de rosas”. Os consumidores precisam ter cautela a esse frenético trilho do consumismo eletrônico, sendo que, para a ocorrência da prestação jurisdicional eficiente em qualquer espécie transacional, os consumidores precisam ter conhecimento e fazer valer seus direitos consumeristas. Desta forma, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo analisar se as normas de proteção dos direitos com tutela no Código de Defesa do Consumidor e suas alterações trazem garantias para a real proteção na relação de consumo no comércio eletrônico. Conclui-se que, o Código de Defesa do Consumidor, do jeito em que encontra, tem insuficiências para o combate das demandas emergentes dessa relação consumista, e menos ainda consegue fazer a recuperação da confiança desses consumidores. A legislação atual precisa dar seguimento ao fluxo, levando em consideração que esses projetos de leis e, de alguns que já se tornaram leis, tal como a Lei n° 14.181/2021, alteram o Código de Defesa do Consumidor e faz o fortalecimento do comércio eletrônico. Essas alterações precisam ter realização da maneira mais ágil possível, sendo que, o comércio mundial continuará tendo crescimento decorrendo da globalização e das evoluções tecnológicas, e fazer a tutela dos direitos dos consumidores acabará permitindo que mais transações comerciais no comércio eletrônico tenham ocorrência e venham a se tornar realidades.
Matthias Bel and the Russian Academic Milieu during the Enlightenment
Authors:   University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava, Souckova Tatana
Published: September 2022

Since the 1950s the Czech, Slovak, and Hungarian scholars have carried out research aimed at analysing the personal correspondence of Matthias Bel, a Hungarian polymath and one of the most significant intellectuals of the first half of the 18th century in the Habsburg monarchy. Analysis of Bel’s letters has revealed many interesting facts about Bel’s life as a Baroque scholar. It has also brought to light the sphere of his collaborations with various colleagues, both domestic and foreign ones. Amongst Bel’s contacts, there were also German scientists from the St Petersburg Academy of Sciences, most importantly, Gottlieb Siegfried Bayer and Christian Goldbach. With the recent emergence of the projects supporting the publication of the bilingual Latin-Slovak translations of Bel’s major work Notitia Hungariae novae historico geographica, historians have been seeking for to widen a range of its possible interpretations or to compare Bel’s opus magnum with similar works of his contemporaries. The study thus focuses on the analysis of a trace, which Bel’s communication left in the Russian historical milieu in the first half of the 18th century. On the basis of historical sources, and with corresponding relevant scholarship, a connection with Vasilii Nikitich Tatishchev’s work Istoriia rossiiskaia is outlined. With Bayer being in contact with both Bel and Tatishchev, a rather unexpected bridge was built between the Hungarian and Russian science in the era of the early Enlightenment. The aim of the study is to introduce new, and yet unpublished discoveries about the work of Matthias Bel and Vasilii Nikitich Tatishchev.
Amanats and Diplomats in Russian-Caucasian Relations
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Daudov Abdulla Kh. , Dvornichenko Andrey Yu. ,   St. Petersburg State University
Published: September 2022

Studying the history of the North Caucasus and the relations between Russia and the peoples of North Caucasus is one of the main tasks of national scholars. Unfortunately, the number of researches into this theme is not large. That is why an interesting book written by F. A. Ozova, a well-known Caucasian historian, is worthy of attention. Her book is devoted to the institute of amanatism in the context of the Russian-Caucasian relations during 16th–19th centuries. This is a high-quality research based on a wide range of historical sources of different origins. Some of these sources are introduced into the scholarships for the first time. The historian created a very bright and detailed portrait of the institute of amanatism, which enables readers to see a colourful multitude of such amanats: from noble dukes to ragged boys seen by A. Pushkin during his journey to Arzrum. However, it is difficult to agree with some ideas concerning the historical development of Russia and Cherkessia and also with the role of the institute of amanatism in their relations. The author tends to modernize the history of Cherkessia / Kabarda to a large extent, perceiving it as some feudal and some estate-representative state. Nevertheless, according to the modern approach and level of the knowledge, the character of many institutes both in the mountains and on the plains was archaic. The institute of amanatism served first of all as some tool of annexing new lands to Russia.