bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thermo-Hydraulic Management System Employing Single-Phase Water Flow through Microchannels with Micro-Inserts Added Aiming for Performance Improvement
Authors: Kumar Shailesh Ranjan , Singh Satyendra
Published: June 2023

A microchannel heat exchanger effectively evacuates heat from a confined space. This paper attempts to gain insight into the combinatorial repercussions of simultaneously coupling two factors that affect a microchannel’s performance, of which channel size and micro-insert complexity are the two main contributors. With water as the working fluid, an ANSYS-based numerical analysis was carried out for two distinct channel sizes, 1 and 2 mm, both with and without micro-inserts. The Reynolds numbers varied between 125 and 4992 and between 250 and 9985 for the 1 and 2 mm channels, respectively. For the 2 mm diameter channel, adding micro-inserts raised the overall pressure drop with increased Reynolds number. The inclusion of micro-inserts increased the pressure drop in the 1 mm channel at first, and thereafter the pressure drop decreased. Incorporating micro-inserts into the channel resulted in enhanced heat transfer. The trade-off between enhanced heat transfer performance and a larger pressure drop was calculated by evaluating the channel’s overall performance using the thermal performance factor. Micro-inserts were found to be most useful for improving overall performance in the low-to-moderate Reynolds number range, and their effectiveness increased with decreasing channel size. Changing the channel diameter and structure of the design can improve heat transmission through microchannels.
Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of α-Tocopherol Derivatives as Potential Anticancer Agents
Authors: Baj Aneta , Rárová Lucie , Ratkiewicz Artur , Strnad Miroslav , Witkowski Stanislaw
Published: June 2023

α-Tocopheryl succinate (α-TS) and α-tocopheryloxyacetic acid (α-TEA) are potent inducers of apoptosis in cancer cells and efficient suppressors of tumors in experimental model cancer cell lines. They exhibit selective cytotoxicity against tumor cells and very limited or no toxicity toward nonmalignant cells. In the present work, a series of new α-tocopherol derivatives were synthesized as analogs of α-TS and α-TEA. The cytotoxic activity of obtained compounds was tested using three human cancer cell lines, including chronic lymphoblastic leukemia (CEM), breast adenocarcinoma (MCF7), cervical adenocarcinoma (HeLa), and normal human fibroblasts (BJ). The introduction of an alkyl substituent into the ether-linked acetic acid moiety in α-TEA increased anticancer activity. α-Tocopheryloxy-2-methylpropanoic acid with two additional geminal methyl groups was more active against CEM cells compared to α-TEA and non-toxic to normal cells. In order to acquire a deeper understanding of the biological activity of synthesized compounds, a molecular docking study was also conducted. Our research confirmed that vitamin E derivatives are interesting and valuable compounds in terms of their potential therapeutic use as anticancer agents.
The Investigation of Two-Phase Expansion Performance with Indicator Diagram in a Twin-Screw Expander
Authors: Ma Yang , Zhou Yaodong , Zhu Zhenkun
Published: June 2023

Volumetric expanders are proven to be more suitable for small-scale waste heat recovery applications because of their simplicity, reliability, lower rotational speed and lower cost. Unlike turbines, volumetric expanders can work in the two-phase fluid state, which broadens their application fields. To investigate the two-phase performance of volumetric expanders, a specific twin-screw expander was chosen and modeled. The leakage loss and the suction pressure loss were primary concerns in this research. The two-phase expansion process in the expander is presented in detail using the developed mathematical model with an indicator diagram. The influence of several factors, including inlet vapor quality, rotational speed and intake pressure, are investigated. The influence mechanism of the vapor phase and the liquid phase on expander performance is clarified. In brief, this paper presents an illustrative understanding of the two-phase expansion process in twin-screw expanders.
DoseMRT: A Software Package for Individualised Monte Carlo Dose Calculations of Synchrotron-Generated Microbeam Radiation Therapy
Authors: Paino Jason , Cameron Matthew , Large Matthew , Barnes Micah , Engels Elette , Vogel Sarah , Tehei Moeava , Corde Stéphanie , Guatelli Susanna , Rosenfeld Anatoly , Lerch Michael
Published: June 2023

This work describes the creation and experimental validation of DoseMRT, a new software package, and its associated workflow for dose calculations in synchrotron-generated broad beam and microbeam radiation treatment fields. The DoseMRT software package allows users to import CT DICOM datasets into Geant4 for Monte Carlo dose calculations. It also provides basic treatment planning capabilities, simplifying the complexity of performing Geant4 simulations and making our Monte Carlo dose calculation algorithm accessible to a broader range of users. To demonstrate the new package, dose calculations are validated against experimental measurements performed in homogeneous water tank phantoms and the anatomically complex Alderson Radiotherapy Phantom for both broad-beam and microbeam configurations. Additionally, DoseMRT is successfully utilised as the primary method for patient-specific treatment prescription in an in vivo experiment involving tumour-bearing rats at the Imaging and Medical Beamline of the Australian Synchrotron.
Associations between Prayer and Mental Health among Christian Youth in the Philippines
Authors: Del Castillo Fides A. , Del Castillo Clarence Darro B. , Koenig Harold George
Published: June 2023

Religion/Spirituality (R/S) has been associated with mental health. Although most Filipinos are Christian, little research has been done on how R/S affects their mental health. To address this research gap, an open-ended questionnaire was conducted on forty-three Filipino Christian youths regarding their thoughts, motives, and emotions about private prayer. Responses were coded and analyzed with the qualitative data analysis software NVivo. A traditional coding method was also employed to contextualize the data. Results show that most respondents define prayer as a way to communicate with God and personally encounter the transcendent. In general, prayer was used to express gratitude, request something, seek guidance, ask for forgiveness, or find psychological comfort. In most cases, participants prayed when they were feeling down or troubled. The majority prayed in silence and with their eyes closed. Most respondents felt calm and relaxed when praying. Many respondents also noted that their conversation with God provided comfort, reassurance, and relief. A theoretical model of causal pathways for the effects of prayer on mental health was used to examine how Filipino Christian youths’ emotional health—a component of mental health—is affected by prayer. Research suggests that prayer guides many respondents in their decisions and life choices. Prayer also may evoke human virtues, such as gratitude, patience, and honesty. For many, prayer is critical to their cognitive appraisal of stressful events and serves as a coping resource. This study has important implications for R/S as a resource for mental well-being among youth in a country with limited mental health services.
Public Administration and Landowners Facing Real Estate Cadastre Modernization: A Win-Lose or Win-Win Situation?
Authors: Busko Malgorzata , Apollo Michal
Published: June 2023

Keeping the real estate cadastre’s database up to date is a very important process. The scope of the modernization works includes, among other things, fieldwork and office (chamber) work carried out by surveyors to update information about land and buildings. Therefore, modernization may result in changes to plot areas; changes to the marking of plots and land use (and, consequently, a change in the property tax); and the disclosure or deletion of buildings and premises, as well as changes to their technical data. The research, based on a case study (rural municipality Serniki, Poland), and supported by a literature review, remote sensing, and digital photogrammetry, clearly showed the importance of initiating the cadastre modernization procedure and obtaining funds for this purpose, which will be beneficial for both parties. Landowners will gain by bringing the current image of their real estate closer to the actual state (e.g., by paying taxes for the real utility of the land), while administrative units will become the beneficiaries of higher tax revenues (up to over 500%). Thus, the analysis carried out on the case study shows positive effects for both parties, and justifies the financial outlay incurred by the administrative units for this process. Moreover, the analysis revealed that, due to the possibility of obtaining funding from other sources, the cost to the public administration may be marginal. Thus, the cadastre modernization procedure should be integrated into regional and national policies.
FastMimic: Model-Based Motion Imitation for Agile, Diverse and Generalizable Quadrupedal Locomotion
Authors: Li Tianyu , Won Jungdam , Cho Jeongwoo , Ha Sehoon , Rai Akshara
Published: June 2023

Robots operating in human environments require a diverse set of skills, including slow and fast walking, turning, side-stepping, and more. However, developing robot controllers capable of exhibiting such a broad range of behaviors is a challenging problem that necessitates meticulous investigation for each task. To address this challenge, we introduce a trajectory optimization method that resolves the kinematic infeasibility of reference animal motions. This method, combined with a model-based controller, results in a unified data-driven model-based control framework capable of imitating various animal gaits without the need for expensive simulation training or real-world fine-tuning. Our framework is capable of imitating a variety of motor skills such as trotting, pacing, turning, and side-stepping with ease. It shows superior tracking capabilities in both simulations and the real world compared to other imitation controllers, including a model-based one and a learning-based motion imitation technique.
Temporal and Spatial Variations of Potential and Actual Evapotranspiration and the Driving Mechanism over Equatorial Africa Using Satellite and Reanalysis-Based Observation
Authors: Nooni Isaac Kwesi , Ogou Faustin Katchele , Lu Jiao , Nakoty Francis Mawuli , Chaibou Abdoul Aziz Saidou , Habtemicheal Birhanu Asmerom , Sarpong Linda , Jin Zhongfang
Published: June 2023

This study investigated the actual evapotranspiration (AET) and potential evapotranspiration (PET) seasonality, trends, abrupt changes, and driving mechanisms with global sea surface temperature (SST) and atmospheric circulation patterns over Equatorial Africa (EQA) during 1980–2020. The spatiotemporal characteristics of mean ET were computed based on a 40-year average at annual and seasonal scales. The Mann-Kendall statistical test, the Sen slope test, and the Bayesian test were used to analyze trends and detect abrupt changes. The results showed that the mean annual PET (AET) for 1980–2020 was 110 (70) mm. Seasonal mean PET (AET) values were 112 (72) in summer, 110 (85) in autumn, 109 (84) in winter, and 110 (58) in spring. The MK test showed an increasing (decreasing) rate, and the Sen slope identified upward (downward) at a rate of 0.35 (0.05) mm yr−10. The PET and AET abrupt change points were observed to happen in 1995 and 2000. Both dry and wet regions showed observed weak (strong) correlation coefficient values of 0.3 (0.8) between PET/AET and climate factors, but significant spatiotemporal differences existed. Generally, air temperature, soil moisture, and relative humidity best explain ET dynamics rather than precipitation and wind speed. The regional atmospheric circulation patterns are directly linked to ET but vary significantly in space and time. From a policy perspective, these findings may have implications for future water resource management.
Suppression of Mainlobe Jammers with Quadratic Element Pulse Coding in MIMO Radar
Authors: Zhang Yiqun , Liao Guisheng , Lan Lan , Xu Jingwei , Zhang Xuepan
Published: June 2023

The problem of suppressing mainlobe deceptive jammers, which spoof radar systems by generating multiple false targets, has attracted widespread attention. To tackle this problem, in this paper, the multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar system was utilized by applying a quadratic element phase code (QEPC) to the transmitted pulses of different elements. In the receiver, by utilizing the spatial frequency and Doppler frequency offset generated after decoding, the jammers were equivalently distributed in the sidelobes of the joint Doppler-transmit-receive domain and were distinguishable from the true target. Then, further spatial frequency compensation and Doppler compensation were performed to align the true target to the zero point in the transmit spatial and Doppler domains. Moreover, by designing appropriate coding coefficients, the jammers were suppressed by data-independent Doppler-transmit-receive three-dimensional beamforming. However, the beamforming performance was sensitive to angular estimation mismatches, resulting in performance degradation of jammer suppression. To this end, a center-boundary null-broadening control (CBNBC) approach was used to broaden the nulls in the equivalent beampattern by generating multiple artificial jammers with preset powers around the nulls. Thus, the false targets (FTs) with deviations were sufficiently suppressed in the broadened notches. Numerical simulations and theoretical analysis demonstrated the performance of the developed jammer suppression method.
Implementing Cloud Computing for the Digital Mapping of Agricultural Soil Properties from High Resolution UAV Multispectral Imagery
Authors: Pizarro Samuel , Pricope Narcisa G. , Figueroa Deyanira , Carbajal Carlos , Quispe Miriam , Vera Jesús , Alejandro Lidiana , Achallma Lino , Gonzalez Izamar , Salazar Wilian , Loayza Hildo , Cruz Juancarlos , Arbizu Carlos I.
Published: June 2023

The spatial heterogeneity of soil properties has a significant impact on crop growth, making it difficult to adopt site-specific crop management practices. Traditional laboratory-based analyses are costly, and data extrapolation for mapping soil properties using high-resolution imagery becomes a computationally expensive procedure, taking days or weeks to obtain accurate results using a desktop workstation. To overcome these challenges, cloud-based solutions such as Google Earth Engine (GEE) have been used to analyze complex data with machine learning algorithms. In this study, we explored the feasibility of designing and implementing a digital soil mapping approach in the GEE platform using high-resolution reflectance imagery derived from a thermal infrared and multispectral camera Altum (MicaSense, Seattle, WA, USA). We compared a suite of multispectral-derived soil and vegetation indices with in situ measurements of physical-chemical soil properties in agricultural lands in the Peruvian Mantaro Valley. The prediction ability of several machine learning algorithms (CART, XGBoost, and Random Forest) was evaluated using R2, to select the best predicted maps (R2 > 0.80), for ten soil properties, including Lime, Clay, Sand, N, P, K, OM, Al, EC, and pH, using multispectral imagery and derived products such as spectral indices and a digital surface model (DSM). Our results indicate that the predictions based on spectral indices, most notably, SRI, GNDWI, NDWI, and ExG, in combination with CART and RF algorithms are superior to those based on individual spectral bands. Additionally, the DSM improves the model prediction accuracy, especially for K and Al. We demonstrate that high-resolution multispectral imagery processed in the GEE platform has the potential to develop soil properties prediction models essential in establishing adaptive soil monitoring programs for agricultural regions.
Augmented GBM Nonlinear Model to Address Spectral Variability for Hyperspectral Unmixing
Authors: Meng Linghong , Liu Danfeng , Wang Liguo , Benediktsson Jón Atli , Yue Xiaohan , Pan Yuetao
Published: June 2023

Spectral unmixing (SU) is a significant preprocessing task for handling hyperspectral images (HSI), but its process is affected by nonlinearity and spectral variability (SV). Currently, SV is considered within the framework of linear mixing models (LMM), which ignores the nonlinear effects in the scene. To address that issue, we consider the effects of SV on SU while investigating the nonlinear effects of hyperspectral images. Furthermore, an augmented generalized bilinear model is proposed to address spectral variability (abbreviated AGBM-SV). First, AGBM-SV adopts a generalized bilinear model (GBM) as the basic framework to address the nonlinear effects caused by second-order scattering. Secondly, scaling factors and spectral variability dictionaries are introduced to model the variability issues caused by the illumination conditions, material intrinsic variability, and other environmental factors. Then, a data-driven learning strategy is employed to set sparse and orthogonal bases for the abundance and spectral variability dictionaries according to the distribution characteristics of real materials. Finally, the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) optimization method is used to split and solve the objective function, enabling the AGBM-SV algorithm to estimate the abundance and learn the spectral variability dictionary more effectively. The experimental results demonstrate the comparative superiority of the AGBM-SV method in both qualitative and quantitative perspectives, which can effectively solve the problem of spectral variability in nonlinear mixing scenes and to improve unmixing accuracy.
Mitigation of Millimeter-Wave Radar Mutual Interference Using Spectrum Sub-Band Analysis and Synthesis
Authors: Yin Mingye , Feng Bo , Li Yanbing
Published: June 2023

Millimeter-wave radars are widely used in automotive radars because of their all-weather and all-day operation capability. However, as more and more radar sensors are used, the possibility of mutual interference between radars increases dramatically. Severe interference increases the noise level, affects target detection performance, and can lead to missed detection and wrong detection. In this study, a novel solution to the problem of mutual radar interference is introduced. The method is based on the analysis and synthesis of spectrum sub-bands. Specifically, the received radar signal is partitioned into sub-bands, after which interference mitigation is carried out in each sub-band. Finally, the signals are reconstructed to obtain interference-free data. The effectiveness of this approach is evaluated using both a simulated multi-target scenario and a real-life experimental environment. The results demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms existing techniques in terms of interference mitigation while exhibiting rapid processing speeds.
Smart Chemical Sensor and Biosensor Networks for Healthcare 4.0
Authors: He Lawrence , Eastburn Mark , Smirk James , Zhao Hong
Published: June 2023

Driven by technological advances from Industry 4.0, Healthcare 4.0 synthesizes medical sensors, artificial intelligence (AI), big data, the Internet of things (IoT), machine learning, and augmented reality (AR) to transform the healthcare sector. Healthcare 4.0 creates a smart health network by connecting patients, medical devices, hospitals, clinics, medical suppliers, and other healthcare-related components. Body chemical sensor and biosensor networks (BSNs) provide the necessary platform for Healthcare 4.0 to collect various medical data from patients. BSN is the foundation of Healthcare 4.0 in raw data detection and information collecting. This paper proposes a BSN architecture with chemical sensors and biosensors to detect and communicate physiological measurements of human bodies. These measurement data help healthcare professionals to monitor patient vital signs and other medical conditions. The collected data facilitates disease diagnosis and injury detection at an early stage. Our work further formulates the problem of sensor deployment in BSNs as a mathematical model. This model includes parameter and constraint sets to describe patient body characteristics, BSN sensor features, as well as biomedical readout requirements. The proposed model’s performance is evaluated by multiple sets of simulations on different parts of the human body. Simulations are designed to represent typical BSN applications in Healthcare 4.0. Simulation results demonstrate the impact of various biofactors and measurement time on sensor selections and readout performance.
Analysis of Pharmaceutical Processes in Chinese Medicine Based on Quantity and Measure Value Transfer: A Case of Salvia miltiorrhiza Purified Extract Preparation
Authors: Qian Junhui , Chen Yu , Tai Yanni , Tang Zhilong , Wang Zhenhua , Guo Kunling , Liu Xicheng , Gong Xingchu
Published: June 2023

Quantity and measure value transfer is widely used to examine the correlation between the quality of Chinese herbs, Chinese herbal intermediates, and Chinese patent medicines. This study performed a quantity and measure value transfer analysis to assess the total solids yield, phenolic component yield, and phenolic component purity in the Salvia miltiorrhiza purified extract (SMPE) preparation process. The amount of extracted total solids was between 45–250 mg/g following the processes of reflux extraction, vacuum concentration, lime–sulfuric acid refining, first ethanol precipitation, second ethanol precipitation, first acidification, alkalization, thermal hydrolysis, and second acidification. Regarding yield and purity, Danshensu ranked first among all phenolic components. Additionally, a quantitative index defined as the total variation (TV) value was proposed to describe the consistency of the SMPE preparation process. The batch-to-batch variation in the SMPE came from the variable in herb quality and the preparation process, and the latter contributed more. The contribution of individual processes to the total variation (TVP) was proposed as an index to measure the impact of processes on batch-to-batch consistency. According to the TVP value, the lime–sulfuric acid refining process, the first ethanol precipitation process, and the second acidification process were all deemed crucial. When the similarity algorithms for the composition of the intermediates and SMPE were examined, the Euclidean distance outperformed the Pearson correlation coefficient, Spearman correlation coefficient, and cosine of the pinch angles. Based on the variation in the average Euclidean distance (ΔDj¯) during the process, the second ethanol precipitation, alkalization, and thermal hydrolysis processes were determined to be critical. This study clarified the primary causes of extract quality fluctuation, identified the critical processes, and examined the pharmaceutical process of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) from the standpoint of quantity and measure value transfer. The method can be used as a reference for the analysis of other TCM pharmaceutical processes.
Determinants of E-Government Use in the European Union: An Empirical Analysis
Authors: Horobeț Alexandra Lavinia , Mnohoghitnei Irina , Zlatea Emanuela Marinela Luminița , Smedoiu-Popoviciu Alexandra
Published: June 2023

Efficient governments, defined as those that provide digital public services and effectively support their citizens through modern tools and channels, can be the result of a variety of factors, including education, urbanization, infrastructure, and economic growth as measured by GDP per capita. Existing research, however, has not provided a convincing answer to this question. At the same time, there is an undeniable increase in the availability and use of digital government services, with disparities in the range of services offered and access to infrastructure. Based on an empirical data set from 2008 to 2020, we propose an investigation into the determinants of e-government use in European Union countries. We use quantitative analysis based on the generalized method of moments (GMM) to explain why people use e-government. Furthermore, we substantiate the results found using the GMM methodology applied to panel data with Granger causality, which shows the contribution of variables to the current values of the other variables over time, highlighting the powerful influences between them. We discovered that education is the most important determinant factor for e-government use in the European Union, but there are some surprising findings, such as the negative correlation between internet use and e-government indicators, or the fact that a better government does not automatically result in economic growth. Rather, a developed country establishes the foundation for its citizens to use public services efficiently.
Research on Government Regulations, Cognition and Farmers’ Willingness of Straw-to-Field
Authors: Chen Hong , Wang Haoyan , Li Yanqiu
Published: June 2023

Contemporarily, the promotion and application of straw-to-field technology plays an important role in developing high-quality green agriculture, alleviating agricultural non-point source pollution and realizing the double carbon target. As the main subject of straw-to-field, a farmers’ willingness directly determines their straw-to-field behavior. To explore the influencing factors of farmers’ straw-to-field willingness and to improve the comprehensive utilization level of straw, this paper researches the relationship between government regulation, farmers’ subject cognition and straw-to-field willingness based on the survey data of 733 farmers in Heilongjiang province, and it examines the mediating role of farmers’ cognition in the process of government regulation affecting farmers’ willingness of straw-to-field. The results evidence that policy incentives and administrative constraints affect farmers’ willingness of straw-to-field by influencing ecological and technical cognition. However, farmers’ cognition of the cost and benefit of straw-to-field is biased; thus, this factor cannot effectively transform the willingness of straw-to-field into action.
Corporate Social Responsibility and the Willingness to Eco-Innovate among Chilean Firms
Authors: Villegas Luis E. , Acuña-Duarte Andrés A. , Salazar César A.
Published: June 2023

Adopting social responsibility can be a key strategy for firms to mitigate the impact of production on the environment, contributing to a more sustainable business model. Based on the triple bottom line perspective, we analyze the effect of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) on the willingness to allocate resources to eco-innovation among companies in a developing country. Firm-level data from the Fifth Longitudinal Survey of Chilean Firms are used to estimate a binary probit model for the willingness to eco-innovate and a Heckman sample-selection model for total expenditures and investment in eco-innovation. Results confirm that legal regulations and R&D efforts are drivers of eco-innovation among Chilean firms. Larger-sized and export-oriented firms also exhibit a higher willingness to eco-innovate. The main findings show a positive influence of CSR policy on the willingness to eco-innovate and on the resulting resource allocation decision. Interestingly, the evidence reveals that while financial and environmental CSR dimensions only affect the probability of adopting eco-innovation, the social CSR dimension also increases the amount firms spend on eco-innovation. This result suggests that social CSR may act as a complement to other CSR dimensions. These results are robust when controlling for firm-level specific effects under sample-selection models.
Does Urban Agglomeration Promote the Development of Cities? Evidence from the Urban Network Externalities
Authors: Fu Wenfang , Luo Chuanjian , Yan Modan
Published: June 2023

This paper discusses whether urban agglomeration can promote urban growth from the perspective of network externalities. Although agglomeration externalities play an important role in promoting regional development, improved accessibility makes urban network externalities an influential force in reshaping regional economic growth. This paper identifies the urban network based on the data of train frequency and travel time data among 271 cities in China. Then, the spatial Durbin model is used to investigate the effect of urban agglomeration on economic growth from the perspective of urban network externalities. The results demonstrate that there are significant network externalities among cities in China, which play a pivotal role in boosting urban growth. Interactions among cities produce cross-regional spillovers, causing network externalities to no longer be dependent on geographical proximity. This is significantly different from agglomeration externalities that are limited to a certain regional scale. As the scope of the urban network expands, network externalities become more pronounced. Different regional characteristics all lead to heterogeneous results of network externalities. The construction of high-speed railways, as well as the well-developed urban network system, strengthen the positive impact of network externalities. Smaller cities benefit more from higher-level urban networks than regional networks.
Business Intelligence Strategies, Best Practices, and Latest Trends: Analysis of Scientometric Data from 2003 to 2023 Using Machine Learning
Authors: Gurcan Fatih , Ayaz Ahmet , Menekse Dalveren Gonca Gokce , Derawi Mohammad
Published: June 2023

The widespread use of business intelligence products, services, and applications piques the interest of researchers in this field. The interest of researchers in business intelligence increases the number of studies significantly. Identifying domain-specific research patterns and trends is thus a significant research problem. This study employs a topic modeling approach to analyze domain-specific articles in order to identify research patterns and trends in the business intelligence field over the last 20 years. As a result, 36 topics were discovered that reflect the field’s research landscape and trends. Topics such as “Organizational Capability”, “AI Applications”, “Data Mining”, “Big Data Analytics”, and “Visualization” have recently gained popularity. A systematic taxonomic map was also created, revealing the research background and BI perspectives based on the topics. This study may be useful to researchers and practitioners interested in learning about the most recent developments in the field. Topics generated by topic modeling can also be used to identify gaps in current research or potential future research directions.
Digital Finance and Corporate Sustainability Performance: Promoting or Restricting? Evidence from China’s Listed Companies
Authors: Hu Sumin , Zhu Qi , Zhao Xia , Xu Ziyue
Published: June 2023

The development of internet platforms and information technology has accelerated the transformation of conventional finance. Emerging digital finance is expected to optimize the allocation of credit resources and thereby promote a sustainable transition for corporations. However, whether, and to what extent, digital finance empirically affects this process is still not well understood. This paper investigates the role of digital finance in promoting corporate sustainability performance by exploring its impact on green enterprise innovation and its mechanism using a two-way fixed effects model and a mediating effects model. The findings suggest the following: (i) The impact of digital finance on the sustainable performance of enterprises follows a U-shaped (coef. = 0.00, t = 2.43) pattern, where digital finance initially restricts and then promotes the sustainable performance of enterprises. This conclusion remains robust even after considering endogeneity. (ii) The mechanism analysis indicates that digital finance enhances sustainability performance by reducing corporate financial volatility (coef. = −0.00, t = −4.06) and promoting long-term performance growth (coef. = 6.69, t = 4.88). (iii) The positive effects of digital finance on sustainability performance are more significant for non-state-owned firms (coef. = 0.00, t = 5.42), firms located in cities with a lower GDP per capita (coef. = 0.00, t = 2.40), and smaller firms (coef. = −0.00, t = −2.59) in their initial stages. These results imply that China should accelerate digitization in the financial markets and thus further develop its potential for sustainable development.
A New Two-Parameter Discrete Distribution for Overdispersed and Asymmetric Data: Its Properties, Estimation, Regression Model, and Applications
Authors: Alrumayh Amani , Khogeer Hazar A.
Published: June 2023

A novel discrete Poisson mixing probability distribution with two parameters has been developed by combining the Poisson distribution with the transmuted moment exponential distribution. It is possible to deduce several mathematical properties, such as the moment-generating function, ordinary moments, moments about the mean, skewness, kurtosis, and the dispersion index. The maximum likelihood estimation method is utilized to estimate the model’s parameters. A thorough simulation study is utilized to determine the behavior of the generated estimators. Estimating model parameters using a Bayesian methodology is another primary topic of this research. The behavior of Bayesian estimates is evaluated by first charting the trace, then generating 1,005,000 iterations of the Markov chain Monte Carlo method. In addition to this, we suggest a new count regression model that uses Poisson and negative binomial models in an alternating fashion. In conclusion, asymmetric datasets derived from various research areas are utilized for practical applications.
Gender Gaps in Mode Usage, Vehicle Ownership, and Spatial Mobility When Entering Parenthood: A Life Course Perspective
Authors: Yang Hung-Chia , Jin Ling , Lazar Alina , Todd-Blick Annika , Sim Alex , Wu Kesheng , Chen Qianmiao , Spurlock C. Anna
Published: June 2023

Entry into parenthood is a major disruptive event to travel behavior, and gender gaps in mobility choices are often widened during parenthood. The exact timing of gender gap formation and their long-term effects on different subpopulations are less studied in the literature. Leveraging a longitudinal dataset from the 2018 WholeTraveler Study, this paper examines the effects of parenthood on a diverse set of short- to long-term outcomes related to the three hierarchical domains of mobility biography: mode choice, vehicle ownership, spatial mobility, and career decisions. The progress of the effects is evaluated over a sequential set of parenting stages and differentiated across three subpopulations. We find that individuals classified as “Have-it-alls”, who start their careers, partner up, and have children concurrently and early, significantly increase their car uses two years prior to childbirth (“nesting period”), and they then relocate to less transit-accessible areas and consequently reduce their reliance on public transportation while they have children in the household. In contrast, individuals categorized as “Couples”, who start careers and partnerships early but delay parenthood, and “Singles”, who postpone partnership and parenthood, have less pronounced changes in travel behavior throughout the parenting stages. The cohort-level effects are found to be driven primarily by women, whose career development is on average more negatively impacted by parenting events than men, regardless of their life course trajectory. Early career decisions made by women upon entering parenthood contribute to gender gaps in mid- to longer-term mobility decisions, signifying the importance of early intervention.
Validity of Rapid Antibody Testing for COVID-19 Vaccine in Homeless People
Authors: Hwang Se-Min , Jung Yun , Seo Jiyeon , Jung Yoomi , Park Shinae , Seo Haesook
Published: June 2023

(1) Background: There is a paucity of data regarding the validity of rapid antibody testing for SARS-CoV-2 vaccine response in homeless people worldwide. The objective of this study was to evaluate a rapid SARS-CoV-2 IgM/IgG antibody detection kit as a qualitative screen for vaccination in homeless people. (2) Methods: This study included 430 homeless people and 120 facility workers who had received one of BNT162b2, mRNA-1273, AZD1222/ChAdOx1, or JNJ-78436735/AD26.COV2.5 vaccines. They were tested for IgM/IgG antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein with the STANDARD™ Q COVID-19 IgM/IgG Plus Test (QNCOV-02C). ELISA/competitive inhibition ELISA (CI-ELISA) was subsequently run to assess the validity of the serological antibody test. (3) Results: The sensitivity of homeless people was 43.5%. The status of homelessness was related to a lower agreement between serological antibody testing and CI-ELISA (adjusted OR (aOR), 0.35; 95% CI, 0.18–0.70). However, the Heterologous boost vaccine presented higher agreement between serological antibody testing and CI-ELISA (adjusted OR (aOR), 6.50; 95% CI, 3.19–13.27). (4) Conclusions: This study found weak agreement between the rapid IgG results and confirmatory CI-ELISA testing in homeless people. However, it can be used as a screening test for the acceptance of homeless people with heterologous boost vaccination in facilities.
Host Cell Response to Rotavirus Infection with Emphasis on Virus–Glycan Interactions, Cholesterol Metabolism, and Innate Immunity
Authors: Raque Molly , Raev Sergei A. , Guo Yusheng , Kick Maryssa K. , Saif Linda J. , Vlasova Anastasia N.
Published: June 2023

Although rotavirus A (RVA) is the primary cause of acute viral gastroenteritis in children and young animals, mechanisms of its replication and pathogenesis remain poorly understood. We previously demonstrated that the neuraminidase-mediated removal of terminal sialic acids (SAs) significantly enhanced RVA-G9P[13] replication, while inhibiting RVA-G5P[7] replication. In this study, we compared the transcriptome responses of porcine ileal enteroids (PIEs) to G5P[7] vs. G9P[13] infections, with emphasis on the genes associated with immune response, cholesterol metabolism, and host cell attachment. The analysis demonstrated that G9P[13] infection led to a robust modulation of gene expression (4093 significantly modulated genes vs. 488 genes modulated by G5P[7]) and a significant modulation of glycosyltransferase-encoding genes. The two strains differentially affected signaling pathways related to immune response, with G9P[13] mostly upregulating and G5P[7] inhibiting them. Both RVAs modulated the expression of genes encoding for cholesterol transporters. G9P[13], but not G5P[7], significantly affected the ceramide synthesis pathway known to affect both cholesterol and glycan metabolism. Thus, our results highlight the unique mechanisms regulating cellular response to infection caused by emerging/re-emerging and historical RVA strains relevant to RVA-receptor interactions, metabolic pathways, and immune signaling pathways that are critical in the design of effective control strategies.
High-Level Drug-Resistant Mutations among HIV-1 Subtype A6 and CRF02_AG in Kazakhstan
Authors: Sanaubarova Ainur , Pujol-Hodge Emma , Dzissyuk Natalya , Lemey Philippe , Vermund Sten H. , Leigh Brown Andrew J. , Ali Syed
Published: June 2023

HIV incidence in Kazakhstan increased by 73% between 2010 and 2020, with an estimated 35,000 people living with HIV (PLHIV) in 2020. The development of antiretroviral drug resistance is a major threat to effective antiretroviral therapy (ART), yet studies on the prevalence of drug resistance in Kazakhstan are sparse. In this study on the molecular epidemiology of HIV in Kazakhstan, we analyzed 968 partial HIV-1 pol sequences that were collected between 2017 and 2020 from PLHIV across all regions of Kazakhstan, covering almost 3% of PLHIV in 2020. Sequences predominantly represented subtypes A6 (57%) and CRF02_AG (41%), with 32% of sequences exhibiting high-level drug resistance. We further identified distinct drug-resistant mutations (DRMs) in the two subtypes: subtype A6 showed a propensity for DRMs A62V, G190S, K101E, and D67N, while CRF02_AG showed a propensity for K103N and V179E. Codon usage analysis revealed that different mutational pathways for the two subtypes may explain the difference in G190S and V179E frequencies. Phylogenetic analysis highlighted differences in the timing and geographic spread of both subtypes within the country, with A62V-harboring subtype A6 sequences clustering on the phylogeny, indicative of sustained transmission of the mutation. Our findings suggest an HIV epidemic characterized by high levels of drug resistance and differential DRM frequencies between subtypes. This emphasizes the importance of drug resistance monitoring within Kazakhstan, together with DRM and subtype screening at diagnosis, to tailor drug regimens and provide effective, virally suppressive ART.
COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy among the General Population: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Abdalla Sawsan Mustafa , Mohamed Elsadig Yousif , Elsabagh Hala Mostafa , Ahmad Mohammad Shakil , Shaik Riyaz Ahamed , Mehta Vini , Mathur Ankita , Ghatge Sharad Balasaheb
Published: June 2023

Hesitancy about receiving vaccines has been deemed a global danger to public health by WHO. The sociocultural backgrounds of the people have an impact on vaccine acceptance. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of sociodemographic factors on COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy as well as to identify the factors that contributed to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the primary variables causing COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy among residents of Pune. The general population was sampled through simple random sampling. The minimum sample size was determined to be 1246. The questionnaire inquired about the individuals’ sociodemographic information, vaccination status, and reasons for vaccine hesitancy. Results: In total, there were 5381 subjects, 1669 of whom were unvaccinated and 3712 of whom were partially vaccinated. Fear of adverse effects (51.71%), fear of losing a few days of work (43.02%), and inability to secure a vaccine slot online (33.01%) were the most frequently cited reasons. An older population (>60 years, p = 0.004), males (p = 0.032), those who were literate (p = 0.011), those of lower middle socioeconomic status (p = 0.001), and smokers were significantly associated with fear and mistrust of the COVID-19 vaccine, while mistrust of the vaccine was greatest among individuals from the upper and lower middle classes (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Vaccine hesitancy due to concerns about the side effects and long-term complications was prevalent among the elderly, males, those from the lower middle class, and smokers. This study emphasizes the importance of communicating effectively about the vaccine’s efficacy, its distribution, and vaccination sites.
The Effect of University Students’ Levels of Knowledge about HPV Infection and the HPV Vaccine on Their Health Beliefs: Health Sciences Students
Authors: Ergün Sibel
Published: June 2023

The aim of this study was to determine health sciences students’ levels of knowledge about HPV infection and the vaccine and their health beliefs, to compare them in terms of individual characteristics, and to examine the relationship between their knowledge of the HPV infection/vaccine and their health beliefs. The data of the study were collected from Health Sciences Faculty students through a face-to-face setting (n: 824). The data tools used in the study were the identification form, the health belief model scale for human papillomavirus infection and vaccination, and the human papillomavirus knowledge scale. The results showed that (1) although the students’ levels of knowledge about HPV infection and the vaccine were low, (2) they did perceive HPV infection to be a severe problem. According to the multilinear regression analysis performed, the main predictor of the perceived severity (β = 0.29; 95% Cl: 0.04, 0.07), obstacle (β = 0.21; 95% Cl: 0.01, 0.04), and sensitivity (β = 0.22; 95% Cl: 0.02, 0.06) subscales of the HBMS-HPVV was general HPV knowledge. It was also determined that as the students’ knowledge about HPV increased, their health belief levels regarding HPV infection and the vaccine increased as well (n: 824). In conclusion, for nurses and other healthcare professionals to be effective in informing individuals, they should have knowledge of HPV infection and the vaccine. In this context, the necessary education and advice about the importance of HPV infection and the vaccine should be provided to students receiving education in the field of healthcare.
BNT162b2 Vaccination after SARS-CoV-2 Infection Changes the Dynamics of Total and Neutralizing Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2: A 6-Month Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Hernández-Bello Jorge , Sierra-García-de-Quevedo José Julio , Morales-Núñez José Javier , Santoscoy-Ascencio Guillermo , Díaz-Pérez Saúl Alberto , Gutiérrez-Brito Jesús Alberto , Muñoz-Valle José Francisco
Published: June 2023

This study aimed to analyze the dynamics, duration, and production of total and neutralizing antibodies induced by the BNT162b2 vaccine and the possible effect of gender and prior SARS-CoV-2 infection on the generation of these antibodies. Total antibodies were quantified via chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA), and neutralizing antibodies were quantified using the cPass SARS-CoV-2 kit. Individuals with a history of COVID-19 produced twice as many antibodies than vaccinated individuals without prior SARS-CoV-2 infection, with an exponential increase observed in just six days. In those without a COVID-19 history, similar antibody production was reached 45 days after vaccination. Although total antibodies decline considerably in the first two months, the neutralizing antibodies and their inhibitory capacity (>96%) persist up to 6 months after the first dose. There was a tendency for higher total antibodies in women than men, but not at the inhibition capacity level. We suggest that the decline in total antibodies should not be considered as an indicator of loss of protective immunity because most antibodies decay two months after the second dose, but neutralizing antibodies remain constant for at least six months. Therefore, these latter antibodies could be better indicators for estimating the time-dependent vaccine efficacy.
Assessing the Quality of Life of Dogs with Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Their Owners
Authors: Díaz-Regañón David , Sainz Ángel , Rodríguez-Franco Fernando , Villaescusa Alejandra , Olmeda Patricia , Morcillo Ana , García-Sancho Mercedes
Published: June 2023

The aim of the study was to assess the quality of life (QoL) of dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and the impact on the life and relationship of the owner. An online questionnaire based on a Likert scale score (1–10) was designed to assess items related to dog QoL, owner QoL, and the owner–dog relationship. Responses from 110 dog owners (30 with IBD and 80 healthy dogs) were included in the study. IBD dogs had significantly lower overall QoL (p < 0.001), health (p < 0.0001), and level of activity (p = 0.049). Owners of dogs with IBD reported lower overall QoL (p < 0.001). The scores for how their dog’s QoL might affect their own QoL (p = 0.028), how much their dog limited their social life, leisure time, or daily activities (p = 0.015), and how often they felt burdened by caring for their dog (p = 0.006) were significantly higher in the IBD group when compared to the healthy group. In addition, IBD dog owners were more likely to see their dogs as children (p = 0.0004). IBD has a negative impact on affected dogs and their owners regardless of the severity of the disease.