bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Problematic social media use and mental health risks among first-year Chinese undergraduates: a three-wave longitudinal study
Authors: Zhou Wanqi , Yan Zhihao , Yang Zeyang , Hussain Zaheer
Published: September 2023

Introduction

The association between social media use and mental health risks has been widely investigated over the past two decades with many cross-sectional studies reporting that problematic social media use (PSMU) is associated with higher mental health risk such as anxiety and depression. The present study examined the relationship between PSMU severity and mental health risks (depression, anxiety, stress, and loneliness) using a three-wave longitudinal design.

Methods

A total of 685 first-year Chinese undergraduate students (Mean age = 19.12 years, SD = 0.92) completed surveys at three times points with intervals of 3 to 4 months. Results revealed that PSMU was positively correlated with all the mental health risk variables over the three time points.

Results

The prevalence of PSMU increased over the three research waves. Cross-lagged models identified bi-directional relationships between PSMU and mental health risks, while such links were not consistent between different mental health risk variables and can change over different research intervals.

Discussion

This study indicates that PSMU and mental health risks could predict each other in a vicious loop, but the differences between specific mental health risks and the research context (e.g., different term times and experiences in university) should not be ignored. Further research attention should be paid to the prevalence of PSMU and mental health conditions among Chinese first-year undergraduates who appear to have difficulties in adapting to university life.
Development and preliminary validation of an open access, open data and open outreach indicator
Authors: Vlachos Evgenios , Ejstrup Regine , Drachen Thea Marie , Dorch Bertil Fabricius
Published: September 2023

We present the development and preliminary validation of a new person-centered indicator that we propose is named “OADO” after its target concepts: Open Access (OA), Open Data (OD) and Open Outreach (OO). The indicator is comprised of two factors: the research factor indicating the degree of OA articles and OD in research; and the communication factor indicating the degree of OO in communication activities in which a researcher has participated. We stipulate that the weighted version of this new indicator, the Weighted-OADO, can be used to assess the openness of researchers in relation to their peers from their own discipline, department, or even group/center. The OADO is developed and customized to the needs of Elsevier's Research Information Management System (RIMS) environment, Pure. This offers the advantage of more accurate interpretations and recommendations for action, as well as the possibility to be implemented (and further validated) by multiple institutions, allowing disciplinary comparisons of the open practices across multiple institutes. Therefore, the OADO provides recommendations for action, and enables institutes to make informed decisions based on the indicator's outcome. To test the validity of the OADO, we retrieved the Pure publication records from two departments for each of the five faculties of the University of Southern Denmark and calculated the OADO of 995 researchers in total. We checked for definition validity, actionability, transferability, possibility of unexpected discontinuities of the indicator, factor independence, normality of the indicator's distributions across the departments, and indicator reliability. Our findings reveal that the OADO is a reliable indicator for departments with normally distributed values with regards to their Weighted-OADO. Unfortunately, only two departments displayed normal distributions, one from the health sciences and one from engineering. For departments where the normality assumption is not satisfied, the OADO can still be useful as it can indicate the need for making a greater effort toward openness, and/or act as an incentive for detailed registration of research outputs and datasets.
Psychosocial assessment tools for use before transplantation are predictive of post-operative psychosocial and health behavior outcomes: a narrative review of the literature
Authors: Thode Sorin , Perry Keith , Cyr Samuel , Ducharme Anique , Puissant David , Brouillette Judith
Published: September 2023

Introduction

In end-stage diseases, transplantation may be necessary. The limited number of donors led to the development of several pre-transplant psychosocial assessment tools. We summarized the predictive value of these tools before solid-organ transplantation.

Methods

The PRISMA search strategy and the MEDLINE database were used to review the literature. From 1,050 records, we found thirteen studies using four different scales (Millon Behavioral Health Inventory [MBHI], Psychosocial Assessment of Transplant Candidates [PACT], Stanford Integrated Psychosocial Assessment for Transplantation [SIPAT], and Transplant Evaluation Rating Scale [TERS]).

Results

TERS and MBHI were associated with the highest number of positive studies concerning pre-transplant scores and primary outcomes. Psychosocial scales predict in a systematic way psychosocial and health behavioural outcomes, but generated mixed results for mortality and rejection.

Discussion

This narrative review underlines the need for multidisciplinary evaluation and well-conducted clinical trials to assist transplant teams in utilizing psychosocial evaluation effectively during evaluation of candidates.
Landscape, agrobiodiversity, and local knowledge in the protected area “Quebrada de los Cuervos y Sierras del Yerbal,” Uruguay
Authors: Puppo María , Gianotti Camila , Calvete Alejandra , Leal Alejandra , Rivas Mercedes
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Agrobiodiversity and local knowledge are fundamental components in the domestication and structuring of rural landscapes. In a context of threats to agroecosystems resulting from changes in production systems and rural–urban migration processes, the conservation and valorization of agrobiodiversity is a pressing challenge. “Quebrada de los Cuervos and Sierras del Yerbal” is a protected landscape in Uruguay where a rural community of approximately 30 families with a long-standing tradition resides.

Methods

The research aimed at identifying current and abandoned (taperas) domestic contexts, and the plant genetic resources found in the area, categorizing their uses and management practices through interviews and participant observation.

Results and discussion

Ethnographic research revealed 185 species (121 exotic, 64 native) with diverse growth habits, 10 categories of uses, and 11 categories for management practices. The differences found between houses and taperas revealed that the abandonment of activities in rural areas is a relevant factor in the loss of agrobiodiversity. Among the 185 species, a notable group of plant genetic resources of high cultural significance is recognized due to their consensus of use, frequency of management practices, and number of uses. These include introduced fruit trees (peach, citrus, and fig) and native fruit trees (guayabo del país, pitanga, and arazá), vegetable landraces, native trees with multiple uses, yerba mate, and medicinal species such as Aristolochia fimbriata. For domestic contexts, a model of spatial distribution of agrobiodiversity is proposed, cultivated spaces where the plant genetic resources are located in home gardens and small plots, managed spaces where the resources are found in the surroundings of houses, and promoted and intervened wild spaces where the species are used from natural grasslands and wild environments. The obtained information reaffirms the need to conserve this biocultural landscape, placing agrobiodiversity and local knowledge as a focal point in the protected area. The management plan must be formulated with active participation from the rural community, aiming for valorization through integration into agroecological production chains, among other possibilities.
Dietary phytase effects on copper requirements of broilers
Authors: Soster Patricia , Vieira Sergio Luiz , Feijo Julmar Costa , Altevogt Walter Edmundo , Tormes Giovane B.
Published: September 2023

Information on the availability of Cu from plant feedstuffs for broilers in the presence of phytase is scarce. The present research has been conducted with the objective of evaluating the Cu requirements of broilers when fed corn-soy diets with or without phytase. A total of 640 one-day-old male Cobb x Cobb 500, allocated into 80 battery cages with 8 chicks in each, were fed a low Cu content diet (formulated with 8.58 ± 0.21 mg/kg Cu) without phytase from placement to day 7. Starting on day 8, battery cages were distributed into a 2 × 5 factorial arrangement (phytase-added diets X 5 with graded increases of supplemental Cu) until day 28. Feeding treatments (feeds added or not with phytase and 5 graded increases of Cu) were randomly distributed with 8 cages of 8 chicks. The basal non-supplemented feeds were formulated with corn and soybean meal (SBM) without any other significant Cu contributors. Supplemental Cu was from laboratory-grade Cu sulfate pentahydrate (CuSO5H20) which was increasingly added to the feeds. Phytase was added in excess to the producer recommendation (2,500 FYT) and had average analyzed values of 2,768 ± 135.2 FYT/kg whereas analyzed Cu values were: 8.05 ± 0.25, 11.25 ± 0.15, 14.20 ± 0.40, 16.55 ± 0.05, and 19.45 ± 0.45 mg/kg. Statistics were conducted using linear and quadratic polynomial regression models. No interactions occurred between dietary Cu and phytase (p > 0.05) for any response and no effects were found for the individual factors (phytase or dietary Cu) for Ht, Hb, varus, valgus, rotated tibia, and tibia breaking strength, as well as for Cu contents in breast, gastrocnemius tendon, and kidney (p > 0.05). However, the phytase-added diets led to higher BWG, lower FCR, and increased ileal digestible Cu (p < 0.05). The gradual increase in dietary Cu produced linear increases in Cu content in livers, as well as in excreta and retention (p < 0.05). Supplementing phytase at levels expected to maximize phytate degradation was demonstrated to improve BWG and FCR; however, no effects were observed when dietary Cu was increased to a maximum of 19.45 mg/kg. An increase of 8.8% in ileal digestible Cu was observed when birds were fed phytase.
Sexual Harassment and Personality Traits effecting Job Satisfaction as a Moderator
Authors: Khan Shahbaz , Ahmed Khan Owais
Published: September 2023

Organizational culture has been a key factor for many organizational consequences. It has been observed in the previous researches that organizational culture has a direct relationship with job satisfaction. This paper introduce two new moderators namely sexual harassment and personality traits between the organizational culture and job satisfaction. In an Islamic country like Pakistan; high on Hofstede's masculinity and high on glass ceiling for women, sexual harassment from male bosses towards female subordinates and colleagues is of concern. Time and again research has shown the negative outcomes of sexual harassment on the organizational outcomes. For this study a convenience sample of 300 employees was selected from software houses working in twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Standard deviation, correlation, regression and moderation have been used for interpretation of the results. This research will help those project based organizations in retaining their skilled employees for increase productivity and developing the personalities of their employees as strong professionals.
Organizational Culture and Organizational Performance: Investigating the Mediatory Role of Leadership in the Banking Sector of Pakistan
Authors: Mehmood Khalid , Maroof Zaib , Kousar Kiani Dr. Adiqa , Ahsan Cheema Shumaila , Mabood Najam Ul
Published: September 2023

The revolution of IT has increased the competition manifold, consequently enforcing the businesses to target international customers belonging to different culture. Therefore, the current study investigates the relationship between organizational culture and organizational performance. It goes one step ahead and also measures the mediatory role of leadership in the relationship between organizational culture and organizational performance, in the Banking sectors of Pakistan. The instruments used to collect the data regarding organizational culture were developed by Denison and Mishra (1995), organizational performance was developed by Qureshi, (2010) and Leadership was developed by Sergiovanni, Metzeus and Burden (1969). The data was collected through a questionnaire from the banking sector of Pakistan by using convenient sampling technique. SPSS version 20 was used to analyze the results after testing the reliability. Regression analysis was performed to measure the said relationship between the study variables. Findings indicated that organizational culture has a significant and positive impact on performance of the banks. Further the study also evidenced that leadership partially mediates the relationship between organizational culture and banking performance.
Where we are going? Empirical Analysis of Pakistan's Economy
Authors: Kausar Kiani Adiqa , Ullah Sana , Maroof Zaib
Published: September 2023

Since, Pakistan achieved independence, socio-economic development has faced various challenges. The human development index (HDI), published annually, shows several weaknesses. Furthermore, the HDI does not take into account several important indicators, and is an inappropriate mechanism by which to measure human development. The present study assess the level of Pakistan's social economic development (SED) based on 20 developing countries and using new variables. Socioeconomic development is the process of social and economic development in a society which is measured by indicators, such as mean years of schooling, education expenditure (%GDP), life expectancy, health expenditure (%GDP), crime, corruption, GDP, level of employment, GINI index, agriculture, industries, services, exports, investment, and total reserves. In the light of these variables Pakistan's economic development is i n much better condition as compared to social development. Pakistan is socially and economically very backward in latest year.
The Impact of Firm Life cycle on the Corporate Tax Avoidance Strategies
Authors: Abbas Nasir , Seemab Komal , Waheed Abdul , Hussain Shahzad
Published: September 2023

The aim of this research is to evaluate the relationship between rm life cycle stages and corporate taxavoidance. This study has been conducted on the non-nancial sector companies of Pakistan listed on thePakistan stock exchange. The sample consists of 100 companies out of 443 total non-nancial companiesover the period of 2008-2015. Tax avoidance has been estimated using two proxies i.e. GAAP_ETR and LETR.Moreover, rm cycle stages, based on Dickinson's model (2011), have been measured using the cash owoperations of the company i.e. operating, investing and nancing activities. The empirical ndings areconsistent with the Resource Based Theory (RBT) perspective and indicate that there is a signicantrelationship between rm cycle stages and corporate tax avoidance. Furthermore, Robustness tests showthat rms tend to evade taxes in the introductory, shake-out and decline stages; however, rms are less likelyto engage in tax planning in growth and maturity stages of their rm life cycle. In conclusion, companies areless incentivized to engage in tax avoidance in their peek stages due to certain cash ows (stable protstream) and more motivated to do so near their shaky dawn and impending doom (unstable protstream).The results of this thesis have several implications for tax authorities and Government to counter themenace of tax evasion from the Pakistani Economy by enhancing check and balance on rms in theirsubsequent phases of low prots and reduce the ever growing scal decit and black economy.
The Impact of Education on Consumer Behavior in District Dir Lower
Authors: Kiani Adiqa , Muhammad Irshad , Hussain Iftikhar
Published: September 2023

The role and importance of education cannot be ignored. Education plays a significant role in grooming the people in shaping their character buildings and career too. Education provides a healthy society to state. In this context, education has a dominant role in the consumption pattern, food items, health, females’ spending pattern, human capital formation. Education enables the common people to read, write, serve and support their families to live good standard of life. In this study, an attempt is made to explore the impact of education on consumption behavior. We have selected three villages of District Lower Dir for the purpose of collecting primary data. Specifically the impact of academic performance, family composition, family size, farming, use of forming techniques etc. using primary data collected through well designed questioners and applying the linear regression model. Our findings suggest that education plays a significant role on consumption behaviors of households of District Lower Dir.
Contagion between World and Emerging Islamic Equity Markets: An Application of Clayton Copula Technique
Authors: Hashmi Waqar Haider , Khan Dr. Abdul Qayyum , Shaheen Khurram
Published: September 2023

The aim of this study is to examine the contagion between the world Islamic equity market and selected emerging Islamic equity markets including Bahrain, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and UAE. We applied Clayton Copula technique using daily MSCI Islamic indices data from 1st September 2010 to 30th September 2017. The results confirm the existence of contagion between MSCI’s world Islamic equity market and the selected ten Emerging Islamic Equity Markets during the period of study. Past academic discourse is mainly focused on examining the connectivity between conventional and Islamic or developed and underdeveloped markets, whereas, this study focuses on investigating transmission of spillovers from the world Islamic equity market to ten emerging Islamic equity markets. Clayton Copula has been used in this context for the first time.
A Spatial panel Analysis of Carbon Emission and Food security
Authors: Abdullah Abdullah , Qingshi Wang , Zeb Aurang , Ashraf Junaid
Published: September 2023

This study examines the influence of co2emission on food security proxied by food supply by spatial econometrics models from 2000 to 2014 globally. We also comprised the socio-economic variables in the model for the bias of variables. The global Moran's I and local spatial autocorrelation technique used for spatial dependence, and they suggested the spatial dependence exist in the cross-sectional units. Therefore, we used the spatial panel model to check the spatial spillover effect of co2emisson on food supply. The chosen spatial panel Durbin model outcomes showed that the co2emission, population growth, and unemployment rate have negatively decreased the given country's food supply level and its neighbour countries. Simultaneously, the GDP and arable land are beneficial for the given country and its adjacent countries. Moreover, the real coefficients, direct, indirect (spillover), and the total effects of the carbon emission indicated that the carbon emissions decrease food security levels in both of this country and its nearest neighbouring countries. Therefore, the carbon emissions level needs to be reduced to improve food production (in quality and quantity) and increase the food supply level.
Analysing Crimes And Economic Misery In Pakistan: Ardl Bound Testing Approach
Authors: Zaman Shalil , Khan Atta Ullah
Published: September 2023

The present study explains economic discomfort, financial shocks, and rapid urbanization increase crime in a country. Furthermore, this research work highlights the extent to which economic misery and an increase in urbanization create countless socioeconomic problems in society. The study used annual time series secondary data for the period 1990 to 2021 collected from different sources. Researchers have found very limited evidence of economic misery and crime in the existing literature on Pakistan. Thus, carrying out research work on the subject was the need of the day. The foremost objective of the research work was to examine crime rates in the presence of economic misery, as denoted by Hanke's Annual Misery Index (HAMI) and urbanization in Pakistan. The stationarity of the data has been checked by correlogram and Ljung-Box (LB) statistics. The study used an Autoregressive Distributed Lags approach to investigate how economic misery and urbanization affect criminal activity in Pakistan. The crime model produced substantial results, and the outcomes are consistent with the expectations. The findings revealed that the HAMI and urbanization coefficients are significant with a positive sign, implying that economic hardship and an increase in urban population have exacerbated Pakistan's crime rate. To control crimes, the government might have to adopt new strategies that may decrease economic misery, i.e., keep inflation at a desirable level, reduce unemployment, improve economic growth, and discourage urbanization.
Impact of a Perceived Threat of Terrorism on Job Performance: A Moderated-Mediated Model
Authors: Riaz Adnan , Saeed Muhammad , Hameed Ra Mazhar , Malik Ausima Sultan , Afzal Malik Muhammad
Published: September 2023

This study explores the relationship between the threat of terrorism and the job performance of police employees. It also examines the potential mediating effect of jobrelated anxiety between the threat of terrorism to job performance relationship and the moderating effect of innovative work behaviour among Punjab Police personnel. Multisource (employee and respective supervisor), time-lagged data from 425 respondents, was collected, which shows that the threat of terrorism increases jobrelated anxiety of employees which in turn reduces job performance. Personnel's innovative work behaviour buffers the negative effect of perceived threats of terrorism on job-related anxiety, resultantly the relationship is mitigated for those who are innovative in their work behaviour and practices. In an external environment where terrorism presents a credible threat, organizations can, therefore, encourage employees to exercise innovative ways to enhance security provisions at different levels. The study results showed; a direct association between the perceived Threat of Terrorism (TOT) and Job-Related Anxiety (JRA). While an inverse relationship was emerged between Job-Related Anxiety and Job Performance (JP) and Innovative Work Behaviour (IWB) mitigated the positive relationship between the Perceived Threat of Terrorism and Job-Related Anxiety. Mediation role of Job-Related Anxiety between the perceived Threat of Terrorism and Job Performance was also explored. It shows that when employees feel a threat of terrorism, causes them to feel anxiety which curtails their performance of employees. However, innovative employees diffuse stress by coming up with novel solutions. Our study is limited due to the sample size. Other psychological reservoirs may also be incorporated in the same model to see the mitigating effect. However, managers may provide training interventions to help in developing innovative behaviour.
Cultural Intelligence, Firm Capabilities, and Performance: The Case of German Subsidiaries in Malaysia
Authors: Cortes Bienvenido S. , Ooi Zhengyao
Published: September 2023

The extant literature shows that firm capabilities such as knowledge transfer and innovation are highly related to firm performance. How these relationships express themselves for foreign-based firms operating in global environments is less understood. The objectives of this study are as follows: (1) to examine the differential effects of knowledge transfer and innovation on the performance of German-based companies operating in Malaysia; (2) to determine if these relationships and effects operate via an “intervening variable” or mediator, in this case, competitive advantage; and (3) to determine if another latent variable (cultural intelligence) has an altering or “moderating” influence on the effects of innovation and knowledge transfer on competitive advantage. Analyses of the causal relationships are tested using a sample of 475 respondents working in German subsidiaries in Malaysia and applying a structural equation model. The empirical findings indicate that innovation and knowledge transfer are positively and significantly related to German companies’ overall performance, that these effects are mediated by competitive advantage, and that cultural intelligence interacts with innovation and knowledge transfer to affect the strength of the relationships between innovation (knowledge transfer) and competitive advantage.
Environmental Epigenomes
Authors: Perera Bambarendage P. U. , Silvestre Frédéric
Published: September 2023

Research in epigenetics has dramatically risen during the last decade to include aspects of environmental biology. However, many questions remain regarding the effects of environmental stressors on the epigenome, incorporating the particular role of epigenetic mechanisms in the adaptation and evolution of organisms in changing environments. Epigenetics is commonly defined as mitotically and/or meiotically heritable changes in gene function that occur without altering the underlying DNA sequence. It encompasses DNA (hydroxy)methylation, histone modifications, chromatin structure, and non-coding RNAs that may be inherited across generations under certain circumstances. Epigenetic mechanisms are perfect candidates to extend our understanding of the impact of environmental stressors on organisms and to explain the rapid phenomenon of adaptive evolution. Existing evidence shows that environmental cues can affect the epigenome and modify gene expression accordingly. These changes can then induce phenotypic modifications that are morphological, physiological, or behavioral at the organismal level. In this Special Issue focusing on environmental epigenetics, we provide an overview of influences to the epigenome that are driven by various environmental and evolutionary factors, with a particular focus on DNA methylation (DNAm). Five research groups have contributed insightful studies or reviews on (1) DNAm and demethylation events affected by the exposome; (2) DNAm as a potential biomarker to determine cardiometabolic risk early in life; (3) consequences of DNAm across multiple generations; (4) DNAm variation within natural animal populations; and (5) epigenetic mechanisms in genetically uniform organisms. Collectively, the articles from this Special Issue consistently support that environmental changes can induce long-lasting epigenetic effects within a given organism pertaining to individual risk for disease, or multi-generational impacts that ultimately impact evolution.
Modulation of Cereal Biochemistry via Solid-State Fermentation: A Fruitful Way for Nutritional Improvement
Authors: Kaur Avneet , Purewal Sukhvinder Singh
Published: September 2023

Cereal grains play a vital role in a dietary chart by providing a required number of macronutrients and micronutrients along with health-benefiting bioactive components. Cereal grains, despite being a good source of bioactive compounds, are not able to provide the full dose of bioactive components to consumers. The biochemistry of cereal grains restricts the release of certain dietary components; therefore, a method like solid-state fermentation could be utilized to modulate the chemistry of bioactive components present in cereals. Once modulated, these components can easily be recovered using an optimized extraction medium and other conditions. Fermented grains are better than unfermented ones as they possess a higher amount of certain dietary and bioactive components along with better quality attributes and shelflife. Fermented-cereal-based products can be promoted because of their health-benefiting nature and hidden industrial potential.
Hagen-Poiseuille Flow in a Quarter-Elliptic Tube
Authors: Bacelar Mateus D. , Ferreira Hugo C. M. G. , Alassar Rajai S. , Lopes André B.
Published: September 2023

We present a rare exact solution of the Navier–Stokes equations for the Hagen–Poiseuille flow through a quarter-elliptic tube. Utilizing the separation of variables method, we derive the solution and report expressions for both the volumetric flow rate and the friction factor–Reynolds number product.
Outcomes and Safety of Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs) versus Vitamin K Antagonists (VKAs) amongst Patients with Valvular Heart Disease (VHD): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Patel Ghanshyam , Iskandar Beshoy , Chelikam Nikhila , Jain Siddhant , Vyas Vandit , Singla Tanvi , Dondapati Lavanya , Bombaywala Ali , Peela Appala Suman , Khealani Milan , Mukesh Sindhu , Korsapati Hariprasad Reddy , Korsapati Aishwarya Reddy , Regassa Henok , Jain Nitesh , Patel Urvish , Venkata Vikramaditya Samala
Published: September 2023

Background: Both valvular heart disease (VHD) and atrial fibrillation (AF) frequently coexist. AF is an important cause of arrhythmias with a definitive cardiovascular morbidity. The use of either vitamin K antagonists (VKAs/warfarin) or direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) (also known as new oral anticoagulants (NOACs)) has been the mainstay for preventing stroke and systemic embolism in patients with VHD and/or AF, and this has been broadly discussed. However, there are limited studies on anticoagulation therapy for patients with valvular atrial fibrillation (VAF). The main aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the outcomes (stroke–vascular events and intracranial bleeding) following DOAC and VKA treatment amongst patients with VAF. Methods: We identified clinical trials and observational studies published in the last 10 years. A systematic review and a meta-analysis were performed to evaluate the outcomes of patients with valvular atrial fibrillation following DOAC vs. VKA treatment. Data evaluation was performed using Review Manager 5.4; the endpoints were stroke–vascular events and intracranial bleeding following DOAC and VKA treatment amongst VAF patients. Risk ratios (RR) were evaluated with 95% confidence intervals. Using random effects models, forest plots were obtained. Heterogeneity was assessed by using the I2 statistic. Results: Eight studies were included in this metanalysis, and a total of fifteen thousand two hundred and fifteen patients (DOAC (8732) and VKA (6483)) were pooled. We found a significant risk reduction in stroke–vascular events when using DOACs in comparison with using VKAs (pooled RR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.64–0.90, p = 0.002). A total of 14862 patients (DOAC (8561) and VKA (6301)) were pooled from a total of six studies for intracranial bleeding. We found a significant risk reduction in terms of intracranial bleeding when using DOACs in comparison with using VKAs (pooled RR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.24–0.77, p ≤ 0.05). Conclusions: When compared to VKAs, DOAC agents were found to have less risk of stroke–vascular events and intracranial bleeding. Further prospective studies are essential to establish the efficacy and safety of DOAC agents in patients with various subtypes of VAF.
Studies and Considerations on Forty-Three Gold and Silver Nose Ornaments from the Moche Tomb of the Lady of Cao
Authors: Gigante Giovanni E. , Cesareo Roberto , Bustamante Angel , Fernandez Arabel , Franco Régulo , Azeredo Soraia , Lopes Ricardo T.
Published: September 2023

The authors studied forty-three beautiful nose ornaments from the Moche tomb of the Lady of Cao, located in the north of Peru, which has been dated to be around 300–400 d.C. Of these items, thirty-nine are composed of a sheet of gold alloy joined together in various manners to a silver alloy sheet, which provides a strong contrast at their interface. Two nose ornaments are on gold alloy and two on silver alloy. These nose ornaments were studied using the following methods: (i) Energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF); (ii) Transmission of monoenergetic X-rays (XRT) and (iii) X-ray Radiography (RAD). The conclusion, deduced from all applied methods, was that two sheets of gold and silver alloys were joined together with various methods, including gluing, mechanically joining, soldering, smelting with the aid of heating or using mercury to create an amalgam. It cannot be excluded that a few areas, visibly appearing as silver, were obtained by depletion silvering from the base Au-Cu-Ag alloy. By analyzing a fragment from the silver area of a nose ornament and by studying a few other nose ornaments from the tomb of the Lady of Cao in situ, G. Ingo and co-workers concluded that a unique sheet of three-component alloy (Ag-Cu-Au), whichemployed and transformed the surface of the objects to appear to be gold and silver by depletion gilding and silvering.
International Transportation Mode Selection through Total Logistics Cost-Based Intelligent Approach
Authors: Patil Rushikesh A. , Patange Abhishek D. , Pardeshi Sujit S.
Published: September 2023

Background: International transportation has grown substantially, causing total logistics costs (TLCs) to rise. Companies are increasingly striving for their reduction. The most crucial factor affecting TLCs is the transportation mode, and its appropriate selection has become vital for firms. Maritime transport is the most preferred mode for international shipments, while air transport is also increasingly preferred due to the rise in underweight and high-frequency shipments, the expectation of reduced delivery times, and inventory costs. However, a thorough comparative analysis is necessary for the selection. Methods: This paper proposes an intelligent approach based on TLCs. Non-linear optimization is adopted for regular replenishment, while maching-learning classifiers are employed to establish a decision boundary for the chargeable weight of shipments. Conclusions: The study assists in decision making and also establishes a country-wide threshold, highlighting the importance of a country-based logistics strategy. The paper successfully establishes the trends and relations between logistics parameters, which assists the logistics decision making. Research identifies the gaps in the existing literature and bridges them by addressing the required concerns.
Atomic-Scale Understanding on the Tribological Behavior of Amorphous Carbon Films under Different Contact Pressures and Surface Textured Shapes
Authors: Chen Zan , Du Naizhou , Li Xiaowei , Wei Xubing , Ding Jiaqing , Lu Shiqi , Du Shuangjiang , Feng Cunao , Chen Kai , Zhang Dekun , Lee Kwang-Ryeol
Published: September 2023

The textured design of amorphous carbon (a-C) film can significantly improve the tribological performance and service life of moving mechanical components. However, its friction dependence on different texture shapes, especially under different load conditions, remains unclear. In particular, due to the lack of information regarding the friction interface, the underlying friction mechanism has still not been unveiled. Therefore, the effects of contact pressure and textured shapes on the tribological behavior of a-C films under dry friction conditions were comparatively studied in this work by reactive molecular dynamics simulation. The results show that under low contact pressure, the tribological property of a-C film is sensitive to the textured shape, and the system with a circular textured surface exhibits a lower friction coefficient than that with a rectangular textured surface, which is attributed to the small fraction of unsaturated bonds. However, the increase of contact pressure results in the serious reconstruction and passivation of the friction interface. On the one hand, this induces a growth rate of friction force that is much smaller than that of the normal load, which is followed by a significant decrease in the friction coefficient with contact pressure. On the other hand, the destruction or even disappearance of the textured structure occurs, weakening the difference in the friction coefficient caused by different textured shapes of the a-C surface. These results reveal the friction mechanism of textured a-C film and provide a new way to functionalize the a-C as a protective film for applications in hard disks, MEMS, and NEMS.
Probabilistic Relative Entropy in Homogenization of Fibrous Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs)
Authors: Kamiński Marcin
Published: September 2023

The main aim of this work is to deliver uncertainty propagation analysis for the homogenization process of fibrous metal matrix composites (MMCs). The homogenization method applied here is based on the comparison of the deformation energy of the Representative Volume Element (RVE) for the original and for the homogenized material. This part is completed with the use of the Finite Element Method (FEM) plane strain analysis delivered in the ABAQUS system. The probabilistic goal is achieved by using the response function method, where computer recovery with a few FEM tests enables approximations of polynomial bases for the RVE displacements, and further—algebraic determination of all necessary uncertainty measures. Expected values, standard deviations, and relative entropies are derived in the symbolic algebra system MAPLE; a few different entropy models have been also contrasted including the most popular Kullback–Leibler measure. These characteristics are used to discuss the influence of the uncertainty propagation in the MMCs’ effective material tensor components, but may serve in the reliability assessment by quantification of the distance between extreme responses and the corresponding admissible values.
Application of KNN and ANN Metamodeling for RTM Filling Process Prediction
Authors: Chai Boon Xian , Eisenbart Boris , Nikzad Mostafa , Fox Bronwyn , Blythe Ashley , Bwar Kyaw Hlaing , Wang Jinze , Du Yuntong , Shevtsov Sergey
Published: September 2023

Process simulation is frequently adopted to facilitate the optimization of the resin transfer molding process. However, it is computationally costly to simulate the multi-physical, multi-scale process, making it infeasible for applications involving huge datasets. In this study, the application of K-nearest neighbors and artificial neural network metamodels is proposed to build predictive surrogate models capable of relating the mold-filling process input-output correlations to assist mold designing. The input features considered are the resin injection location and resin viscosity. The corresponding output features investigated are the number of vents required and the resultant maximum injection pressure. Upon training, both investigated metamodels demonstrated desirable prediction accuracies, with a low prediction error range of 5.0% to 15.7% for KNN metamodels and 6.7% to 17.5% for ANN metamodels. The good prediction results convincingly indicate that metamodeling is a promising option for composite molding applications, with encouraging prospects for data-intensive applications such as process digital twinning.
Advancements in Nickel-Phosphate/Boron Based Electroless Composite Coatings: A Comprehensive Review of Mechanical Properties and Recent Developments
Authors: Chintada Vinod Babu , Gurugubelli Thirumala Rao , Tamtam Mohan Rao , Koutavarapu Ravindranadh
Published: September 2023

Nickel-Phosphate/Boron (Ni-P/B) electroless coatings have been widely used to improve physical and mechanical properties in various industrial applications, including the automotive, aerospace, chemical processing, food, oil and gas, electronic, textile, and printing industries. Electroless nickel coatings are one of the most popular surface-coating methods due to their low cost and short processing time. The purpose of this review is to look at several coating materials and the existing processes for making electroless coatings on different materials. The improvement of Ni-P/B composite coatings by the incorporation of secondary particles into an alloy matrix at the macro, micro, and nano levels is explained in detail. Process parameters like type of surfactant, annealing temperature, size of the reinforcement material, and reducing-agent percentage on mechanical characteristics like hardness, high-temperature oxidation behaviour, friction, coefficient, wear, and corrosion have been broadly researched and illustrated clearly.
Is the Universe Anisotropic Right Now? Comparing the Real Universe with the Kasner’s Space-Time
Authors: Parnovsky Serge
Published: September 2023

We investigate possible astronomical manifestations of space-time anisotropy. The homogeneous vacuum Kasner solution was chosen as a reference anisotropic cosmological model because there are no effects caused by inhomogeneity in this simple model with a constant degree of anisotropy. This anisotropy cannot become weak. The study of its geodesic structure made it possible to clarify the properties of this space-time. It showed that the degree of manifestation of anisotropy varies significantly depending on the travel time of the light from the observed object. For nearby objects, for which it does not exceed half the age of the universe, the manifestations of anisotropy are very small. Distant objects show more pronounced manifestations; for example, in the distribution of objects over the sky and over photometric distances. These effects for each of the individual objects decrease with time but, in general, the manifestations of anisotropy in the Kasner space-time remain constant due to the fact that new sources come from beyond the cosmological horizon. We analyze observable signatures of the Kasner-type anisotropy and compare it to observations. These effects were not found in astronomical observations, including the study of the CMB. We can assume that the Universe has always been isotropic or almost isotropic since the recombination era. This does not exclude the possibility of its significant anisotropy at the moment of the Big Bang followed by rapid isotropization during the inflationary epoch.
Spatiotemporal Distribution of Tuberculosis in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia: A Hotspot Analysis
Authors: Bekele Dereje , Aragie Solomon , Alene Kefyalew Addis , Dejene Tariku , Warkaye Samson , Mezemir Melat , Abdena Dereje , Kebebew Tesfaye , Botore Abera , Mekonen Geremew , Gutema Gadissa , Dufera Boja , Gemede Kolato , Kenate Birhanu , Gobena Dabesa , Alemu Bizuneh , Hailemariam Dagnachew , Muleta Daba , Siu Gilman Kit Hang , Tafess Ketema
Published: September 2023

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health concern in low- and middle-income countries including Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess the spatiotemporal distribution of TB and identify TB risk factors in Ethiopia’s Oromia region. Descriptive and spatiotemporal analyses were conducted. Bayesian spatiotemporal modeling was used to identify covariates that accounted for variability in TB and its spatiotemporal distribution. A total of 206,278 new pulmonary TB cases were reported in the Oromia region between 2018 and 2022, with the lowest annual TB case notification (96.93 per 100,000 population) reported in 2020 (i.e., during the COVID-19 pandemic) and the highest TB case notification (106.19 per 100,000 population) reported in 2019. Substantial spatiotemporal variations in the distribution of notified TB case notifications were observed at zonal and district levels with most of the hotspot areas detected in the northern and southern parts of the region. The spatiotemporal distribution of notified TB incidence was positively associated with different ecological variables including temperature (β = 0.142; 95% credible interval (CrI): 0.070, 0.215), wind speed (β = −0.140; 95% CrI: −0.212, −0.068), health service coverage (β = 0.426; 95% CrI: 0.347, 0.505), and population density (β = 0.491; 95% CrI: 0.390, 0.594). The findings of this study indicated that preventive measures considering socio-demographic and health system factors can be targeted to high-risk areas for effective control of TB in the Oromia region. Further studies are needed to develop effective strategies for reducing the burden of TB in hotspot areas.
Improving construction quality assessment
Authors:   JSC ", Goryainov I.V. ,   Mosmetrostroy",   , State University of Land Management
Published: September 2023

At the moment, the quality of construction work has increased significantly. This is due to the evolution of the construction industry as a whole. More modern technologies, high-quality construction equipment are used, automatic design systems have improved. A more demanding attitude of the customer and the buyer also improves the quality of construction work. At the same time, there are a number of serious negative factors that reduce the quality of work: a high proportion of government orders, outdated regulatory framework, traditional problems of the construction industry. All this does not allow the quality of construction to grow at a high rate. Reforming these points will help to increase the growth rate of quality.
X-ray diagnosis of temporomandibular disorders combined with the pathology of the cervical spine
Authors: Gerasimova L. P. , Matvienko A. N. , Novikov Yu. O. , Khaybullina R. R. , Sorokin A. P. , Gadiullin A. M.
Published: September 2023

Relevance. Given the high prevalence of temporomandibular disorders and the multiple causes of the disease, specialists assign an important role to the rational diagnosis of temporomandibular disorders.Material and methods. The study included 84 patients aged 21 to 55 years old. Of these, 69 patients were diagnosed with temporomandibular disorders. They formed group 1. The 2nd control group included 15 patients without TMDs (with no complaints of the dentoalveolar system). All patients underwent X-ray diagnosis: cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) 200 x 170 mm of the skull, including the area of C1 and C2 cervical vertebrae in the closed and open mouth position. The study used the Planmeca ProMax® 3D CT scanner.Results. All examined patients with TMDs showed the spinous process deviation angles α from the Y axis (p ≤ 0.001), which indicated 100% involvement of the cervical spine in this pathology. Subgroup A comprised 60.1% of the subjects, where the mean angle in the closed mouth position was 12.90 ± 0.55 degrees, and in the open mouth position, the mean value was 9.2 ± 0.48 degrees, the deviation angle decreased by an average of 3.7 degrees. Subgroup B included 39.9% of the subjects, where the average value was 4.50 ± 0.66 degrees in the closed mouth position and 8.40 ± 0.75 degrees in the open mouth position. The angle of deviation increased by 3.9 degrees.Conclusion. In patients with temporomandibular disorders, the proposed method of CBCT diagnosis (200 x 170) allows detection of the cervical spine (C2 region) pathology by one axial view image in the closed and open mouth position.
Deployment of Three-Body Chain-Type Tethered Satellites in Low-Eccentricity Orbits Using Only Tether
Authors: Jia Cheng , Meng Zhongjie , Wang Bingheng
Published: September 2023

The tethered TSAR (tomographic synthetic aperture radar) system is a group of tethered SAR satellites that can be rapidly deployed and provide a stable baseline for 3-dimensional topographic mapping and moving target detection. Successful deployment is critical for TSAR tethered system. This paper discusses the deployment strategy for a 3-body chain-type tethered satellite system in a low-eccentric elliptical orbit. Two deployment strategies are discussed. Then, the tension on the tether is used to deploy it to the desired length and suppress its sway motion, resulting in an underactuated and input-constrained system. Hierarchical sliding mode control (HSMC) with anti-windup technology is employed to overcome the above challenges. In addition, the proposed approach includes the use of a disturbance observer to estimate the second derivative signal and a robust differentiator to estimate the sliding surfaces of the unacted subsystem. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed deployment strategy is verified by MATLAB/Simulink.