bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Retained Earnings Effect on the Firm’s Market Value: Evidence from Jordan
Authors: Dahmash Firas N. , Alshurafat Hashem , Hendawi Raed , Alzoubi Abdallah Bader , Al Amosh Hamzeh
Published: July 2023

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the retention per share compared to the dividend per share by modeling the firm’s market value as a function of the retention per share and the dividend per share for all firms in the Jordanian context using unbalanced panel data analysis for a sample of 2281 firm years covering the period from 2010 to 2021. The results of the pooled sample indicated a strong positive significant effect for dividends per share. However, the retention per share indicated a negative significant effect on the firm’s market value. The other robustness analysis for the two sub-samples and the financial and non-financial sub-samples indicated the same results, consistent with the pooled sample for the two main explanatory variables.
Heterotrimeric G Protein-Mediated Signaling Is Involved in Stress-Mediated Growth Inhibition in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Yang Soeun , Jung Seohee , Lee Horim
Published: July 2023

Heterotrimeric G protein-mediated signaling plays a vital role in physiological and developmental processes in eukaryotes. On the other hand, because of the absence of a G protein-coupled receptor and self-activating mechanism of the Gα subunit, plants appear to have different regulatory mechanisms, which remain to be elucidated, compared to canonical G protein signaling established in animals. Here we report that Arabidopsis heterotrimeric G protein subunits, such as Gα (GPA1) and Gβ (AGB1), regulate plant growth under stress conditions through the analysis of heterotrimeric G protein mutants. Flg22-mediated growth inhibition in wild-type roots was found to be caused by a defect in the elongation zone, which was partially blocked in agb1-2 but not gpa1-4. These results suggest that AGB1 may negatively regulate plant growth under biotic stress conditions. In addition, GPA1 and AGB1 exhibited genetically opposite effects on FCA-mediated growth inhibition under heat stress conditions. Therefore, these results suggest that plant G protein signaling is probably related to stress-mediated growth regulation for developmental plasticity in response to biotic and abiotic stress conditions.
Atomic Force Microscopy and High-Resolution Spectrophotometry for Study of Anoxemia and Normoxemia in Model Experiment In Vitro
Authors: Kozlova Elena , Sherstyukova Ekaterina , Sergunova Viktoria , Grechko Andrey , Kuzovlev Artem , Lyapunova Snezhanna , Inozemtsev Vladimir , Kozlov Aleksandr , Chernysh Aleksandr
Published: July 2023

The oxygen content in the blood may decrease under the influence of various physicochemical factors and different diseases. The state of hypoxemia is especially dangerous for critically ill patients. In this paper, we describe and analyze the changes in the characteristics of red blood cells (RBCs) with decreasing levels of oxygen in the RBC suspension from normoxemia to hypoxemia/anoxemia in an in vitro model experiment. The RBCs were stored in hypoxemia/anoxemia and normoxemia conditions in closed and open tubes correspondingly. For the quantitative study of RBC parameter changes, we used atomic force microscopy, digital spectrophotometry, and nonlinear curve fitting of the optical spectra. In both closed and open tubes, at the end of the storage period by day 29, only 2% of discocytes remained, and mainly irreversible types, such as microspherocytes and ghosts, were observed. RBC hemolysis occurred at a level of 25–30%. Addition of the storage solution, depending on the concentration, changed the influence of hypoxemia on RBCs. The reversibility of the change in hemoglobin derivatives was checked. Based on the experimental data and model approach, we assume that there is an optimal level of hypoxemia at which the imbalance between the oxidative and antioxidant systems, the rate of formation of reactive oxygen species, and, accordingly, the disturbances in RBCs, will be minimal.
New Efforts to Demonstrate the Successful Use of TRH as a Therapeutic Agent
Authors: Alvarez-Salas Elena , García-Luna Cinthia , de Gortari Patricia
Published: July 2023

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) is a tripeptide that regulates the neuroendocrine thyroid axis. Moreover, its widespread brain distribution has indicated that it is a relevant neuromodulator of behaviors such as feeding, arousal, anxiety, and locomotion. Importantly, it is also a neurotrophic peptide, and thus may halt the development of neurodegenerative diseases and improve mood-related disorders. Its neuroprotective actions on those pathologies and behaviors have been limited due to its poor intestinal and blood–brain barrier permeability, and because it is rapidly degraded by a serum enzyme. As new strategies such as TRH intranasal delivery emerge, a renewed interest in the peptide has arisen. TRH analogs have proven to be safe in animals and humans, while not inducing alterations in thyroid hormones’ levels. In this review, we integrate research from different approaches, aiming to demonstrate the therapeutic effects of TRH, and to summarize new efforts to prolong and facilitate the peptide’s actions to improve symptoms and the progression of several pathologies.
Cerebral-Organoid-Derived Exosomes Alleviate Oxidative Stress and Promote LMX1A-Dependent Dopaminergic Differentiation
Authors: Ji Xingrui , Zhou Shaocong , Wang Nana , Wang Jingwen , Wu Yue , Duan Yuhan , Ni Penghao , Zhang Jingzhong , Yu Shuang
Published: July 2023

The remarkable advancements related to cerebral organoids have provided unprecedented opportunities to model human brain development and diseases. However, despite their potential significance in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease (PD), the role of exosomes from cerebral organoids (OExo) has been largely unknown. In this study, we compared the effects of OExo to those of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived exosomes (CExo) and found that OExo shared similar neuroprotective effects to CExo. Our findings showed that OExo mitigated H2O2-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in rat midbrain astrocytes by reducing excess ROS production, antioxidant depletion, lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and the expression of pro-apoptotic genes. Notably, OExo demonstrated superiority over CExo in promoting the differentiation of human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) into dopaminergic (DA) neurons. This was attributed to the higher abundance of neurotrophic factors, including neurotrophin-4 (NT-4) and glial-cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), in OExo, which facilitated the iPSCs’ differentiation into DA neurons in an LIM homeobox transcription factor 1 alpha (LMX1A)-dependent manner. Our study provides novel insight into the biological properties of cerebral organoids and highlights the potential of OExo in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as PD.
The Continuous Adaptive Challenge Played by Arboviruses: An In Silico Approach to Identify a Possible Interplay between Conserved Viral RNA Sequences and Host RNA Binding Proteins (RBPs)
Authors: Chetta Massimiliano , Cammarota Anna Lisa , De Marco Margot , Bukvic Nenad , Marzullo Liberato , Rosati Alessandra
Published: July 2023

Climate change and globalization have raised the risk of vector-borne disease (VBD) introduction and spread in various European nations in recent years. In Italy, viruses carried by tropical vectors have been shown to cause viral encephalitis, one of the symptoms of arboviruses, a spectrum of viral disorders spread by arthropods such as mosquitoes and ticks. Arboviruses are currently causing alarm and attention, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has released recommendations to adopt essential measures, particularly during the hot season, to restrict the spreading of the infectious agents among breeding stocks. In this scenario, rapid analysis systems are required, because they can quickly provide information on potential virus–host interactions, the evolution of the infection, and the onset of disabling clinical symptoms, or serious illnesses. Such systems include bioinformatics approaches integrated with molecular evaluation. Viruses have co-evolved different strategies to transcribe their own genetic material, by changing the host’s transcriptional machinery, even in short periods of time. The introduction of genetic alterations, particularly in RNA viruses, results in a continuous adaptive fight against the host’s immune system. We propose an in silico pipeline method for performing a comprehensive motif analysis (including motif discovery) on entire genome sequences to uncover viral sequences that may interact with host RNA binding proteins (RBPs) by interrogating the database of known RNA binding proteins, which play important roles in RNA metabolism and biological processes. Indeed, viral RNA sequences, able to bind host RBPs, may compete with cellular RNAs, altering important metabolic processes. Our findings suggest that the proposed in silico approach could be a useful and promising tool to investigate the complex and multiform clinical manifestations of viral encephalitis, and possibly identify altered metabolic pathways as targets of pharmacological treatments and innovative therapeutic protocols.
Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Profiling of Cytochrome P450 Monooxygenase Superfamily in Foxtail Millet
Authors: Li Xiaorui , Wang Linlin , Li Weidong , Zhang Xin , Zhang Yujia , Dong Shuqi , Song Xi’e , Zhao Juan , Chen Mingxun , Yuan Xiangyang
Published: July 2023

The cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (CYP450) are the largest enzyme family in plant metabolism and widely involved in the biosynthesis of primary and secondary metabolites. Foxtail millet (Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv) can respond to abiotic stress through a highly complex polygene regulatory network, in which the SiCYP450 family is also involved. Although the CYP450 superfamily has been systematically studied in a few species, the research on the CYP450 superfamily in foxtail millet has not been completed. In this study, three hundred and thirty-one SiCYP450 genes were identified in the foxtail millet genome by bioinformatics methods, which were divided into four groups, including forty-six subgroups. One hundred and sixteen genes were distributed in thirty-three tandem duplicated gene clusters. Chromosome mapping showed that SiCYP450 was distributed on seven chromosomes. In the SiCYP450 family of foxtail millet, 20 conserved motifs were identified. Cis-acting elements in the promoter region of SiCYP450 genes showed that hormone response elements were found in all SiCYP450 genes. Of the three hundred and thirty-one SiCYP450 genes, nine genes were colinear with the Arabidopsis thaliana genes. Two hundred SiCYP450 genes were colinear with the Setaria viridis genes, including two hundred and forty-five gene duplication events. The expression profiles of SiCYP450 genes in different organs and developmental stages showed that SiCYP450 was preferentially expressed in specific tissues, and many tissue-specific genes were identified, such as SiCYP75B6, SiCYP96A7, SiCYP71A55, SiCYP71A61, and SiCYP71A62 in the root, SiCYP78A1 and SiCYP94D9 in leaves, and SiCYP78A6 in the ear. The RT-PCR data showed that SiCYP450 could respond to abiotic stresses, ABA, and herbicides in foxtail millet. Among them, the expression levels of SiCYP709B4, SiCYP71A11, SiCYP71A14, SiCYP78A1, SiCYP94C3, and SiCYP94C4 were significantly increased under the treatment of mesotrione, florasulam, nicosulfuron, fluroxypyr, and sethoxydim, indicating that the same gene might respond to multiple herbicides. The results of this study will help reveal the biological functions of the SiCYP450 family in development regulation and stress response and provide a basis for molecular breeding of foxtail millet.
Non-Impacted Third Molars: Angels or Devils?
Authors: Wu Rui-Xin , Tian Bei-Min , Gao Rui , Chen Fa-Ming
Published: July 2023

Third molars, also known as wisdom teeth, are located in the most posterior of the tooth arch [...]
Post-Exercise Hypotension: An Alternative Management Strategy for Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease?
Authors: Aly Khaled , Yeung Pollen K.
Published: July 2023

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), including hypertension, is a leading cause of death worldwide and imposes an enormous burden on our societies [...]
Empagliflozin Reduces Interleukin-6 Levels in Patients with Heart Failure
Authors: Gotzmann Michael , Henk Pauline , Stervbo Ulrik , Blázquez-Navarro Arturo , Mügge Andreas , Babel Nina , Westhoff Timm H.
Published: July 2023

Background: The inhibition of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT-2) has been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of diabetic and non-diabetic patients with heart failure. The underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood. The present prospective study investigates for the first time the effect of empagliflozin on various soluble markers of inflammation in patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Methods: We included 50 inpatients with HFrEF and diabetes mellitus type 2. A total of 25 patients received a therapy with the SGLT-2-inhibitor empagliflozin in addition to standard medication; the other 25 patients did not receive empagliflozin and were considered the control group. Quality of life, functional status and soluble immunological parameters in serum were assessed at baseline and after 3 months. Results: The baseline characteristics of both groups revealed no significant differences. Patients on empagliflozin demonstrated a significant improvement in the Minnesota living with heart failure questionnaire (baseline 44.2 ± 20.2 vs. 24 ± 17.7; p < 0.001), in distance in the 6-min walk test (baseline 343 ± 145 m vs. 450 ± 115 m; p < 0.001) and in soluble interleukin-6 level (baseline 21.7 ± 21.8 pg/mL vs. 13.7 ± 15.8 pg/mL; p = 0.008). There was no significant change of these or other parameters in the control group (p > 0.05 each). Conclusions: The empagliflozin-induced improvement of quality of life and functional capacity in patients with HFrEF and type 2 diabetes mellitus is accompanied by a substantial reduction of interleukin-6 levels. Thus, anti-inflammatory effects may contribute to the benefits of SGLT-2-inhibitors in heart failure.
Balance Disorders in People with History of COVID-19 in Light of Posturographic Tests
Authors: Dzięcioł-Anikiej Zofia , Dakowicz Agnieszka , Dzięcioł Janusz , Kopko Szymon , Moskal-Jasińska Diana , Gawlikowska-Sroka Aleksandra , Kuryliszyn-Moskal Anna , Kostro Amanda Maria
Published: July 2023

Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), resulting from infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, causes not only flu-like symptoms, such as fever, aches, or a dry cough, but also affects the sensory system, leading to a loss of smell and taste or to neurological deficits in the shape of balance disorders and dizziness. Purpose of the study: Our research aimed to assess the prevalence of balance disorders in patients who had suffered COVID-19. Material and methods: The study group consisted of 73 subjects with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The control group consisted of 50 healthy people with similar demographics. A balance analysis was performed on a tensometric platform, using the Romberg test. Results: Statistically significant differences between the results of the study group and the control group were obtained in the evaluation of the length of body sways and the area of gravity center, both with open and closed eyes, and in the case of maximum body sways with open eyes. Conclusions: Patients who have suffered COVID-19 may suffer from balance disorders detectable by posturographic tests.
Baseline Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms and Sexual Dysfunction in Men with Newly Diagnosed Localized Prostate Cancer
Authors: Song Wan , Kim Jun-Seop , Ko Kwang Jin
Published: July 2023

We evaluated baseline lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and sexual dysfunction in patients with newly diagnosed localized prostate cancer. Data were obtained from a cohort registry of patients with localized prostate cancer scheduled for radical prostatectomy. Before surgery, patients completed a 3-day voiding diary; International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5), and Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC) questionnaires; and a urodynamic study. Data were analyzed according to benign prostatic hyperplasia treatment status and age group. In total, 380 patients (median age, 67 years) were enrolled in this study. On the IPSS, 10.8% of patients had severe symptoms. On the IIEF-5, 8.7% of patients did not have erectile dysfunction and 52.9% had moderate-to-severe erectile dysfunction. On the EPIC, 3% of patients indicated that they did not have urinary control and only 13% responded that their erectile function was good or very good. The mean IPSS and IIEF-5 scores showed significant differences among age groups. Thus, patients with localized prostate cancer show various LUTS and sexual dysfunction at baseline, and these symptoms worsened with increased age.
Efficacy of Serum Ferritin–Zinc Ratio for Predicting Advanced Liver Fibrosis in Patients with Autoimmune Hepatitis
Authors: Moriya Kei , Sato Shinya , Nishimura Norihisa , Kawaratani Hideto , Takaya Hiroaki , Kaji Kosuke , Namisaki Tadashi , Uejima Masakazu , Nagamatsu Shinsaku , Matsuo Hideki , Yoshiji Hitoshi
Published: July 2023

Background/Aims: The search for noninvasive biomarkers that can efficiently estimate the extent of liver fibrosis progression is ongoing. Although Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4), the aspartate transaminase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), and the Forns index have been reported as useful biomarkers, their investigation in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is limited. This study aimed to examine the usefulness of these serological indices and a newly developed index in predicting liver fibrosis progression in AIH. Methods: The study analyzed data from 190 patients diagnosed with AIH at our institution between 1990 and 2015. Their histological liver fibrosis progression and clinical long-term prognosis were evaluated retrospectively (cohort 1). In 90 patients, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were compared to choose severe fibrosis cases with respect to existing indices (FIB-4, APRI, and Forns index) and the ferritin–zinc ratio (cohort 2). Results: In cohort 1, liver-related death and hepatocellular carcinoma rates were significantly higher in the severe (n = 27) than in the mild (n = 63) fibrosis group (p = 0.0001 and 0.0191, respectively). In cohort 2, liver-related death in the severe fibrosis group was significantly frequent (p = 0.0071), and their ferritin–zinc ratio was higher (median 2.41 vs. 0.62, p = 0.0011). ROC analyses were performed to compare the ability of the ferritin–zinc ratio, FIB-4, APRI, and the Forns index to predict severe and mild fibrosis. Accordingly, areas under the ROC were 0.732, 0.740, 0.721, and 0.729, respectively. Conclusions: The serum ferritin–zinc ratio can noninvasively predict liver fibrosis progression in AIH and be applied to predict long-term prognosis.
Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Patients Who Have Undergone Liver Transplantation: Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Akbulut Sami , Yagin Fatma Hilal , Sahin Tevfik Tolga , Garzali Ibrahim Umar , Tuncer Adem , Akyuz Musap , Bagci Nazlican , Barut Bora , Unsal Selver , Sarici Kemal Baris , Saritas Serdar , Ozer Ali , Bentli Recep , Colak Cemil , Bayindir Yasar , Yilmaz Sezai
Published: July 2023

Background: In liver transplant (LT) recipients, immunosuppressive therapy may potentially increase the risk of severe COVID-19 and may increase the mortality in patients. However, studies have shown conflicting results, with various studies reporting poor outcomes while the others show no difference between the LT recipients and healthy population. The aim of this study is to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on survival of LT recipients. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study analyzing the data from 387 LT recipients diagnosed with COVID-19. LT recipients were divided into two groups: survival (n = 359) and non-survival (n = 28) groups. A logistic regression model was used to determine the independent risk factors for mortality. Machine learning models were used to analyze the contribution of independent variables to the mortality in LT recipients. Results: The COVID-19-related mortality rate in LT recipients was 7.2%. Multivariate analysis showed that everolimus use (p = 0.012; OR = 6.2), need for intubation (p = 0.001; OR = 38.4) and discontinuation of immunosuppressive therapy (p = 0.047; OR = 7.3) were independent risk factors for mortality. Furthermore, COVID-19 vaccination reduced the risk of mortality by 100 fold and was the single independent factor determining the survival of the LT recipients. Conclusion: The effect of COVID-19 infection on LT recipients is slightly different from the effect of the disease on the general population. The COVID-19-related mortality is lower than the general population and vaccination for COVID-19 significantly reduces the risk of mortality.
Patterning of the Vertebrate Head in Time and Space by BMP Signaling
Authors: Zhu Kongju , Spaink Herman P. , Durston Antony J.
Published: July 2023

How head patterning is regulated in vertebrates is yet to be understood. In this study, we show that frog embryos injected with Noggin at different blastula and gastrula stages had their head development sequentially arrested at different positions. When timed BMP inhibition was applied to BMP-overexpressing embryos, the expression of five genes: xcg-1 (a marker of the cement gland, which is the front-most structure in the frog embryo), six3 (a forebrain marker), otx2 (a forebrain and mid-brain marker), gbx2 (an anterior hindbrain marker), and hoxd1 (a posterior hindbrain marker) were sequentially fixed. These results suggest that the vertebrate head is patterned from anterior to posterior in a progressive fashion and may involve timed actions of the BMP signaling.
Dependence Structure and Time–Frequency Impact of Exchange Rates on Crude Oil and Stock Markets of BRICS Countries: Markov-Switching-Based Wavelet Analysis
Authors: Mudiangombe Benjamin Mudiangombe , Mwamba John Weirstrass Muteba
Published: July 2023

This paper used the Markov-switching (MS)-based wavelet analysis technique to study the dependence structure and the time–frequency impact of exchange rates on crude oil prices (West Texas Intermediate (WTI)) and stock returns. Daily data from 1 January 2005 to 1 March 2020 were collected for exchange rates, crude oil prices, and the BRICS stock market returns. The findings indicate that crude oil prices display higher volatility compared to stock returns and exchange rates. Furthermore, the wavelet analysis reveals consistent changes in the co-movement patterns of both volatility regimes, albeit with some variations in the time periods and frequency domains. The time–frequency dependence between Brazilian, Indian, and Chinese stock markets and crude oil is significantly influenced by exchange rates, which play a pivotal role in their co-movement in the medium term. The findings reveal that these three countries share economic interests, have strong economic ties and interdependencies, and may be motivated to cooperate during crisis periods. However, when it comes to Russia and South Africa (SA), exchange rates do not exhibit a long-term impact on the co-movement in time–frequency. Therefore, we recommend investors to look for investment opportunities that are less correlated with the co-moving markets.
The Long Game: A Functional Cure Is Possible with Nucleoside Analogues and the Tincture of Time
Authors: Noverati Nicholas , Yan Vivian , Jun Jay W. , Halegoua-DeMarzio Dina , Hann Hie-Won
Published: July 2023

Chronic hepatitis B is still prevalent globally. Many patients are treated for many years with nucleos(t)ide analogues to prevent the virus from actively replicating. However, although it typically requires consecutive treatment for more than 10 years, patients can achieve a functional cure from this virus. This case series presents details of functional cures in patients who received varying nucleos(t)ide therapies for an average of 15.3 years before losses of hepatitis B surface antigen and viral load were observed. It is imperative to understand that abbreviating therapy once a functional cure is achieved may be a possibility in treating patients in order to limit the associated costs and side effects of an otherwise lifelong therapy until other cure drugs are approved.
Analyzing Consultancy on Production Systems Based on the Digital Triplet Concept
Authors: Sato Takaomi , Takeuchi Hiroki , Kondoh Shinsuke , Umeda Yasushi
Published: July 2023

This study aims to analyze the process flow of skilled consultants who utilize production improvement know-how and digital technology to enhance production systems in external companies. The concept of a Digital Triplet (D3), which expands the authors’ Digital Twin framework to include the intelligent activity world, is adopted as it aligns with this study’s objective. Given the complexity of the problems faced by production system consulting and the resulting inadequacy of reusing decision-making processes of skilled engineers based on the Generalized Process Model (GPM) using D3, a production system consulting modeling method is proposed. This method incorporates the Generalized Production System Consulting Process Model (GCPM) to generalize the production system consulting process. Using the proposed method, a case study focusing on energy-saving improvements was conducted to describe and analyze the consulting process of skilled consultants. The results show that the proposed method effectively captures the process flow of skilled consultants while considering the iterative structure of the GCPM. Additionally, utilizing the GCPM enables a comprehensive view of the entire process, facilitating an understanding of how knowledge and tools are utilized in various contexts.
A Reliable Prediction Algorithm Based on Genre2Vec for Item-Side Cold-Start Problems in Recommender Systems with Smart Contracts
Authors: Kim Yong Eui , Choi Sang-Min , Lee Dongwoo , Seo Yeong Geon , Lee Suwon
Published: July 2023

Personalized recommender systems are used not only in e-commerce companies but also in various web applications. These systems conventionally use collaborative filtering (CF) and content-based filtering approaches. CF operates using memory-based or model-based methods; both methods use a user-item matrix that considers user preferences as items. This matrix denotes information on user preferences, which refers to the user ratings for items. The model-based method exploits the fact that the input matrix is factorized. CF approaches can effectively provide personalized recommendation results to users; however, cold-start problems arise because both these methods depend on the users’ ratings for items to predict users’ preferences. We proposed an approach to alleviate the cold-start problem along with a methodology for utilizing blockchain that can enhance the reliability of the processes of the recommendations. We attempted to predict an average rating for a new item to alleviate item-side cold-start problems. First, we applied the concept of word2vec, treating each user’s item-selection history as a sentence. Then, we derived genre2Vec based on the skip-gram technique and predicted an average rating for a new item by utilizing the vectors and category ratings. We experimentally demonstrated that our approach could generate more accurate results than conventional CF approaches could. We also designed the processes of the recommendation based on the concept of blockchain addressing the smart contract. Based on our approach, we proposed a system that can secure reliability as well as alleviate the cold-start problems in recommender systems.
Realized Stock-Market Volatility of the United States and the Presidential Approval Rating
Authors: Gupta Rangan , Jaichand Yuvana , Pierdzioch Christian , van Eyden Reneé
Published: July 2023

Studying the question of whether macroeconomic predictors play a role in forecasting stock-market volatility has a long and significant tradition in the empirical finance literature. We went beyond the earlier literature in that we studied whether the presidential approval rating can be used as a single-variable substitute in place of standard macroeconomic predictors when forecasting stock-market volatility in the United States (US). Political-economy considerations imply that the presidential approval rating should reflect fluctuations in macroeconomic predictors and, hence, may absorb or even improve on the predictive value for stock-market volatility of the latter. We studied whether the presidential approval rating has predictive value out-of-sample for realized stock-market volatility and, if so, which types of investors benefit from using it.
Axiomatization of Blockchain Theory
Authors: Goncharov Sergey , Nechesov Andrey
Published: July 2023

The increasing use of artificial intelligence algorithms, smart contracts, the internet of things, cryptocurrencies, and digital money highlights the need for secure and sustainable decentralized solutions. Currently, the blockchain technology serves as the backbone for most decentralized systems. However, the question of axiomatization of the blockchain theory in the first-order logic has been open until today, despite the efficient computational implementations of these systems. This did not allow one to formalize the blockchain structure, as well as to model and verify it using logical methods. This work introduces a finitely axiomatizable blockchain theory T that defines a class of blockchain structures K using the axioms of the first-order logic. The models of the theory T are well-known blockchain implementations with the proof of work consensus algorithm, including Bitcoin, Ethereum (PoW version), Ethereum Classic, and some others. By utilizing mathematical logic, we can study these models and derive new theorems of the theory T through automatic proofs. Also, the axiomatization of blockchain opens up new opportunities to develop blockchain-based systems that can help solve some of the open problems in the fields of artificial intelligence, robotics, cryptocurrencies, etc.
Fuzzy Logic to Measure the Degree of Compliance with a Target in an SDG—The Case of SDG 11
Authors: Parra-Domínguez Javier , Alonso-García Maria , Corchado Juan Manuel
Published: July 2023

Sustainable development and its significant challenges motivate various international organisations in a way that has never been seen before. With Europe at the forefront, countries such as the United States want to be included in the progress and what a clear and determined commitment to sustainability means for future generations. Our study aimed to go deeper into the follow-up and monitoring of the development of reliable indicators that make the continuous improvement process in sustainability robust. To this end, and using the fuzzy logic methodology, we applied it to one of the indices that have been developed to date, the “Sustainable Development Report” (in its 2022 edition), working on the specific application of SDG 11. Our results show favourable positions for countries such as Brunei Darussalam, Tonga, Tuvalu, Andorra, and the Netherlands and provide robustness when there is a lack of data quality and improvements in the implementation of the process when experts intervene.
Correction: Mushtaq et al. Super Resolution for Noisy Images Using Convolutional Neural Networks. Mathematics 2022, 10, 777
Authors: Mushtaq Zaid Bin , Nasti Shoaib Mohd , Verma Chaman , Raboaca Maria Simona , Kumar Neerendra , Nasti Samiah Jan
Published: July 2023

In the original publication [...]
Neuroadaptive Asymptotic Tracking Control of Nonlinear Systems with Multiple Uncertainties
Authors: Yang Guichao
Published: July 2023

In this work, several innovative robust neuroadaptive control algorithms are integrated via the command filtered backstepping approach for a class of mismatched uncertain nonlinear systems. They utilize neural network adaptive control to achieve an enhanced model compensation effect. In addition, different robust terms with a positive time-varying integral expression are synthesized for each of the algorithms to address external disturbances. Each of the synthesized control algorithms has a continuous control input and cannot only remove the adverse effects of the “explosion of complexity” inherent in the traditional backstepping technology but also produce an asymptotic tracking result for the closed-loop system via strict theoretical analysis. Comparative simulation verifications are implemented to check the feasibility and practicability of the presented controllers.
Vehicle Make and Model Recognition as an Open-Set Recognition Problem and New Class Discovery
Authors: Vázquez-Santiago Diana-Itzel , Acosta-Mesa Héctor-Gabriel , Mezura-Montes Efrén
Published: July 2023

One of the main limitations of traditional neural-network-based classifiers is the assumption that all query data are well represented within their training set. Unfortunately, in real-life scenarios, this is often not the case, and unknown class data may appear during testing, which drastically weakens the robustness of the algorithms. For this type of problem, open-set recognition (OSR) proposes a new approach where it is assumed that the world knowledge of algorithms is incomplete, so they must be prepared to detect and reject objects of unknown classes. However, the goal of this approach does not include the detection of new classes hidden within the rejected instances, which would be beneficial to increase the model’s knowledge and classification capability, even after training. This paper proposes an OSR strategy with an extension for new class discovery aimed at vehicle make and model recognition. We use a neuroevolution technique and the contrastive loss function to design a domain-specific CNN that generates a consistent distribution of feature vectors belonging to the same class within the embedded space in terms of cosine similarity, maintaining this behavior in unknown classes, which serves as the main guide for a probabilistic model and a clustering algorithm to simultaneously detect objects of new classes and discover their classes. The results show that the presented strategy works effectively to address the VMMR problem as an OSR problem and furthermore is able to simultaneously recognize the new classes hidden within the rejected objects. OSR is focused on demonstrating its effectiveness with benchmark databases that are not domain-specific. VMMR is focused on improving its classification accuracy; however, since it is a real-world recognition problem, it should have strategies to deal with unknown data, which has not been extensively addressed and, to the best of our knowledge, has never been considered from an OSR perspective, so this work also contributes as a benchmark for future domain-specific OSR.
Effect of Chrome and Vanadium on the Behavior of Hydrogen and Helium in Tungsten
Authors: Li Meicong , Zhang Zheng , Li Yangyang , Zhao Qiang , Huang Mei , Ouyang Xiaoping
Published: July 2023

Tungsten is a promising material for nuclear fusion reactors, but its performance can be degraded by the accumulation of hydrogen (H) and helium (He) isotopes produced by nuclear reactions. This study investigates the effect of chrome (Cr) and vanadium (V) on the behavior of hydrogen and helium in tungsten (W) using first-principles calculations. The results show W becomes easier to process after adding Cr and V. Stability improves after adding V. Adding Cr negatively impacts H and He diffusion in W, while V promotes it. There is attraction between H and Cr or H and V for distances over 1.769 Å but repulsion below 1.583 Å. There is always attraction between He and Cr or V. The attraction between vacancies and He is stronger than that between He and Cr or V. There is no clear effect on H when vacancies and Cr or V coexist in W. Vacancies can dilute the effects of Cr and V on H and He in W.
Multichannel Recovery Potential with Activated Autologous Intraovarian Platelet-Rich Plasma and Its Derivatives
Authors: Sills E. Scott , Wood Samuel H.
Published: July 2023

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an ‘orthobiologic’ with recognized roles in plastic surgery, musculoskeletal disorders, dentistry, dermatology, and more recently, ‘ovarian rejuvenation’. Intraovarian PRP involves a complex secretome discharged after platelet activation, comprising multiple cytokine mediators delivered surgically to older or inactive ovarian tissue. Loss of oocyte meiotic fidelity and impaired fertilization accompanying advanced maternal age are already managed by IVF, but only with eggs provided by younger donors. However, if the observed effect of rectifying embryo ploidy error can be proven beyond case reports and small series, activated PRP (or its condensed plasma cytokines) would deliver a welcome therapeutic disruption that is difficult to overstate. Because shortcomings in ovarian function are presently addressed mainly by pharmacological approaches (i.e., via recombinant gonadotropins, GnRH analogs, or luteal support), autologous PRP would represent an unusual departure from these interventions. Given the diversity of platelet cargo proteins, the target response of intraovarian PRP is probably not confined to oocytes or follicles. For example, PRP manipulates signal networks driving improved perfusion, HOX regulation, N-glycan post-translational modification, adjustment of voltage-gated ion channels, telomere stabilization, optimization of SIRT3, and ribosome and mitochondria recovery in older oocytes. While multichannel signals operating on various pathways are not unique to reproductive biology, in intraovarian PRP this feature has received little study and may help explain why its standardization has been difficult. Against this background, our report examines the research themes considered most likely to shape clinical practice.
Efficiently Removing Hydrogen of H-Supersaturated Liquid Steel in the Vacuum Degasser with Various Gas Injection Modes
Authors: Dai Bing , Li Mingming , Yang Yu , Shao Lei , Zou Zongshu
Published: July 2023

Hydrogen removal of H-supersaturated liquid steel produced in a hydrogen-rich environment in an industrial vacuum degasser (VD) is simulated here using a two-phase (argon–steel) Eulerian model. The dehydrogenation efficiency is evaluated for a series of ladle plug layouts and argon-purging modes. Increasing the plug number from the prototype double-plug of the ladle to four or slightly prolonging the degassing time of a triple-plug ladle enables to obtain the specified dehydrogenation efficiency and the end-point hydrogen level. Varying the plug position of the triple-plug ladle makes no significant difference in the dehydrogenation efficiency, which, however, is improved by adjusting the plug angle. For the triple-plug ladle, the non-uniform argon-purging mode improves the melt hydrodynamic conditions, but the optimal dehydrogenation performance is achieved in the uniform mode. The plug number has the greatest impact on the dehydrogenation efficiency compared to the other ladle designs considered. The high-efficiency dehydrogenation of H-supersaturated liquid steel in the VD can be achieved through using the quadruple plugs, or by using the triple plugs positioned at 0.57R, 0.57R, and 0.41R and the angles of 108.6° and 71.4°, with the uniform argon-purging flow rate.
Implementation of Highly Stable Memristive Characteristics in an Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Resistive Switching Layer of Chitosan-Titanium Oxide with Microwave-Assisted Oxidation
Authors: Lee Dong-Hee , Park Hamin , Cho Won-Ju
Published: July 2023

This study proposes a high-performance organic–inorganic hybrid memristor for the development of neuromorphic devices in the memristor-based artificial synapse. The memristor consists of a solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) chitosan layer and a titanium oxide (TiOx) layer grown with a low-thermal-budget, microwave-assisted oxidation. The fabricated Ti/SPE–chitosan/TiOx/Pt-structured memristor exhibited steady bipolar resistive switching (BRS) characteristics and demonstrated excellent endurance in 100-cycle repetition tests. Compared to SPE–chitosan memristors without a TiOx layer, the proposed organic–inorganic hybrid memristor demonstrated a higher dynamic range and a higher response to pre-synaptic stimuli such as short-term plasticity via paired-pulse facilitation. The effect of adding the TiOx layer on the BRS properties was examined, and the results showed that the TiOx layer improved the chemical and electrical superiority of the proposed memristor synaptic device. The proposed SPE–chitosan organic–inorganic hybrid memristor also exhibited a stable spike-timing-dependent plasticity, which closely mimics long-term plasticity. The potentiation and depression behaviors that modulate synaptic weights operated stably via repeated spike cycle tests. Therefore, the proposed SPE–chitosan organic–inorganic hybrid memristor is a promising candidate for the development of neuromorphic devices in memristor-based artificial synapses owing to its excellent stability, high dynamic range, and superior response to pre-synaptic stimuli.
Flammability of Thick but Thermally Thin Materials including Bio-Based Materials
Authors: Sonnier Rodolphe , Dumazert Loïc , Regazzi Arnaud , Deborde Lily , Lanos Christophe
Published: July 2023

The fire reaction of various types of flammable lightweight materials is investigated using a cone calorimeter. The influences of parameters such as sample density, sample mass, effective heat of combustion and heat flux on the mass loss after exposition are discussed. Interpretations of the hemp fibers’ tests results lead us to propose a phenomenological model able to calculate the peak of heat release rate (pHRR) of such thermally thin materials, with or without flame retardant. A database gathering the whole results of tests performed on a large set of materials including fibers, bio-resources panels, bio-based concretes and fabrics is used to validate the proposed model. Interestingly, the model is found to be relevant also for denser wood specimens. The model is based on the distinction of the contributions of the exposed top layer and the deeper layer to the combustion. Indeed, in such materials, the heat conduction is limited (either by the intrinsic properties of the material or by the formation of an insulating char) and therefore the pHRR only depends on a limited volume of materials directly absorbing the heat flux from the radiant cone. Accuracy and limitations of the model are discussed.
Color Reversion of Refined Vegetable Oils: A Review
Authors: Chen Xiaozhong , Sun Shangde
Published: July 2023

During the transport, storage, and consumption of edible vegetable oils, the color of some freshly refined oils is gradually darkened, which is known as the color reversion. The oil industry has been plagued by the issue for a long time because the dark color of the oil is related to its poor quality and low acceptability for consumers. Color reversion of refined vegetable oils is primarily related to the processing pigments, especially tocored, which is the oxidation product of γ-tocopherol. However, the underlying molecular action mechanism of tocored is not yet fully understood due to the complex transformations of tocored in oil systems. This paper presents a brief description of oil color, followed by an overview of research progress on the mechanism of color reversion. In particular, the effect of minor components (phospholipids and metal ions) on color reversion is highlighted in an attempt to explain the remaining mysteries of color reversion. Furthermore, the measures to restrain color reversion by quality control of the oilseeds, the adjustment of technical parameters of processing, and the storage conditions of refined oils are summarized to provide some references for the oil industry.
Effect of the Cu2+/1+ Redox Potential of Non-Macrocyclic Cu Complexes on Electrochemical CO2 Reduction
Authors: Kim Kyuman , Wagner Pawel , Wagner Klaudia , Mozer Attila J.
Published: July 2023

Cu2+/1+ complexes facilitate the reduction of CO2 to valuable chemicals. The catalytic conversion likely involves the binding of CO2 and/or reduction intermediates to Cu2+/1+, which in turn could be influenced by the electron density on the Cu2+/1+ ion. Herein we investigated whether modulating the redox potential of Cu2+/1+ complexes by changing their ligand structures influenced their CO2 reduction performance significantly. We synthesised new heteroleptic Cu2/1+ complexes, and for the first time, studied a (Cu-bis(8-quinolinolato) complex, covering a Cu2+/1+ redox potential range of 1.3 V. We have found that the redox potential influenced the Faradaic efficiency of CO2 reduction to CO. However, no correlation between the redox potential and the Faradaic efficiency for methane was found. The lack of correlation could be attributed to the presence of a Cu-complex-derived catalyst deposited on the electrodes leading to a heterogeneous catalytic mechanism, which is controlled by the structure of the in situ deposited catalyst and not the redox potential of the pre-cursor Cu2+/1+ complexes.
Antioxidant Activities, Anticancer Activity, Physico-Chemistry Characteristics, and Acute Toxicity of Alginate/Lignin Polymer
Authors: Hoan Nguyen Xuan , Anh Le Thi Hong , Ha Hoang Thai , Cuong Dang Xuan
Published: July 2023

Alginate/lignin is a synthetic polymer rich in biological activity and is of great interest. Alginate is extracted from seaweed and lignin is extracted from corn stalks and leaves. In this paper, antioxidant activities of alginate/lignin were evaluated, such as total antioxidant activity, reducing power activity, DPPH free radical scavenging activity, and α-glucosidase inhibition activity. Anticancer activity was evaluated in three cell lines (Hep G2, MCF-7, and NCI H460) and fibroblast. Physico-chemistry characteristics of alginate/lignin were determined through FTIR, DSC, SEM_EDS, SEM_EDS mapping, XRD, XRF, and 1H-NMR. The acute toxicity of alginate/lignin was studied on Swiss albino mice. The results demonstrated that alginate/lignin possessed antioxidant activity, such as the total antioxidant activity, and reducing power activity, especially the α-glucosidase inhibition activity, and had no free radical scavenging activity. Alginate/lignin was not typical in cancer cell lines. Alginate/lignin existed in a thermally stable and regular spherical shape in the investigated thermal region. Six metals, three non-metals, and nineteen oxides were detected in alginate/lignin. Some specific functional groups of alginate and lignin did not exist in alginate/lignin crystal. Elements, such as C, O, Na, and S were popular in the alginate/lignin structure. LD0 and LD100 of alginate/lignin in mice were 3.91 g/kg and 9.77 g/kg, respectively. Alginate/lignin has potential for applications in pharmaceutical materials, functional foods, and supporting diabetes treatment.