bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the Risk Exposure of Asia Pacific Banking Industry
Authors: Tai Chu-Sheng
Published: February 2023

Despite its potential benefits, financial globalization also carries some risks, especially for developing countries. The recent 1997 Asian financial crisis is such episode associated with a globalized financial system. In this paper, I examine whether there is any significant impact of the 1997 Asian crisis on the risk exposures of the banking sector for a group of Asia Pacific emerging markets. Using a conditional multi-factor asset-pricing model that allows time variation in the risk premiums, I find that the risk exposure increased during the crisis, with the greatest increase occurring for the crisis countries. However, the incremental increase in the risk exposure has diminished after the crisis. The evidence provided here indicates that the 1997 Asian crisis does not appear to have a permanent effect on the riskiness international banking industries, implying that the financial globalization is still beneficial, at least in the long run. Consequently, the main challenge for policy makers is to manage the integration process as to take full advantage of the opportunities, while minimizing its risks.
Study on Microfinance in China
Authors: Lin Jason , Zhang Zhiqiang
Published: February 2023

This study investigates the relationship between microfinance programs' presence and farmers' welfare and the factors influencing financial demand of rural households. Empirical analysis has been conducted to investigate the detailed impacts that microfinance programs imposed on rural households based on the data collected through surveys. This study provides evidence that support the hypothesis that microfinance leads to increase in borrowers’ household income.
Market Quality and Information Known to Market Makers
Authors: Kosedag Arman , Qian Jinhu
Published: February 2023

Market makers often have concentration of information due to their unique positions in securities markets. Whether their information sources should be made accessible to other market participants is a public policy concern. This article provides insights into the issue in theoretical perspective. We show that disclosure of market makers’ information tends to increase market liquidity and decrease the costs of uninformed trading when the competition in market making is intense. When the competition is weak, however, the disclosure will decrease market liquidity and increase the trading losses of uninformed traders. The results have public policy implications for improving the quality of securities markets and promoting the interest of public investors.
Do Exchange Rates Follow Random Walks? Evidence From the Currency Market in New York
Authors: Chiou Ingyu , Willems John
Published: February 2023

This paper employs non-parametric methods to study the efficiency of four major exchange rates ($/British pound, $/euro, $/Swiss franc, and $/yen), using daily data over the period 1999-2011. Our major findings are as follows. First, each exchange rate is not normally distributed. Second, each exchange rate does not follow a random walk in the runs up and down test. Third, each exchange rate does not follow a random walk in the runs above and below a central point test. We suggest that different time zones of two currencies in an exchange rate, government interventions, and exchange rate overshooting or undershooting may result in market inefficiency. If the transaction cost is small and the foreign exchange market is not weak-form efficient, investors may be able to explore profitable opportunities. Overall, our new evidence suggests that these four exchange rates do not follow a random walk. This result is not consistent with the literature.
Is Renting Better? A Review of the Home Ownership Decision amid Increasing Risk
Authors: Wolf Rob , Domian Dale
Published: February 2023

There has always been an avid debate on the merits of owning versus renting a residence. There is a commonly accepted sentiment that owning a home is a wise investment. However, this sentiment is often unproven or supported with non-substantial evidence. The scholarly literature on the buy versus rent decision has conflicting results. Further, recent events in the US residential real estate market suggest increased asset riskiness which may have a dramatic effect on home ownership. Our research uses a capital budgeting model, similar to the lease versus buy analysis, with the output being the present value of buying instead of renting. The present value model includes the difference in cash flows between buying and renting for two standardized holding periods. A key contribution of the paper is a more accurate estimate of required return on equity, the discount rate in our present value model. As real estate values have recently demonstrated greater risk and the capital structure of homeowners may be highly leveraged, the cost of equity is higher than often suggested. The benchmark model uses point estimates for each variable with subsequent models including scenario analysis for key variables. The results suggest buying is better, in the benchmark model as well as scenarios allowing rents, home appreciation, mortgage rates and required return to vary. However, most scenarios show negative present values are possible, which contrasts the historic view that home ownership always has a positive return.
Financial Flexibility and the Moderating Role of Principal-Principal Conflict
Authors: Estwick Stacey
Published: February 2023

This paper examined the ability of principal-principal conflict to moderate the relationship between financial flexibility and its outcomes, namely investment propensity and dividend payout. Financial flexibility was measured using triple indicators of liquidity, internal funds, and spare leverage capacity. This research used a sample of publicly listed firms in the Caribbean to examine this issue and conducted a secondary data analysis of financial statement data using Generalized Methods of Moments techniques. Testing revealed that principal-principal agency negatively moderates the relationship between financial flexibility and dividend payouts, and positively moderates the relationship between financial flexibility and investment propensity. The results of this study suggested that concentrated ownership may at times positively impact the benefits of financial flexibility through higher levels of investment, but lower dividends maybe paid in the interest of maintaining future financial flexibility. These results reinforce the need for a customized approach to the setting of appropriate corporate governance policy for firms in transitioning markets, which limits the possibility of expropriation of minority shareholders, while promoting the investment benefits and prudent financial management which comes with the identification of block holder ownership.
Information Content of Implied Beta
Authors: Huffman Stephen , Moll Cliff
Published: February 2023

Motivated by the conflict between capital market theory and empirical results related to the pricing of systematic and nonsystematic risk, we develop, estimate (using option pricing data), and test a measure of ex-ante systematic risk. In our cross-sectional analysis, we find that our measure of implied beta is significant in explaining the future returns for a sample of 2,864 optionable firms examined during the 1999-2010 sample period. Although we fail to find a significant relationship between a traditional measure of systematic risk, beta, and future stock returns, we do provide evidence of a significant positive relationship between future stock returns and our implied beta measure. However, our robustness tests indicate that the implied beta measure is significant only for smaller firms and for firms with higher ratios of book-to-market equity.
Do Daily Short Sales Forecast S&P 500 Sector Returns?
Authors: Boni Leslie , Majadillas Anne
Published: February 2023

We examine the data for S&P 500 firms for 2009 to 2012 to determine whether daily short selling, aggregated at the industry sector level, forecasts relative returns. Prior research documents short sellers as skilled fundamental analysts and information processors at the individual security level and in aggregate as forecasters of short-term market direction. Intriguingly, we find not only that sector-aggregated daily short sale information does not correctly forecast the short-term relative performance of industry sectors but rather that somecontrarian strategies that are short the least shorted sectors and long the most shorted sectors are profitable on average.
Price Dispersion in Competitive Markets: A Real Options Explanation
Authors: Schrenk Lawrence
Published: February 2023

This paper employs a real option model to analyze price dispersion in highly competitive markets. Explanations of price dispersion typically assume monopolistic competition, so these fail to explain price ranges in markets closely approximating the conditions of perfect competition. Here the price is a real option given by the producer to consumers to demonstrate how price dispersion is possible under minimal conditions: stochastic prices; price rigidity; and differential cost structures.
Large Commercial Banks: Dodd-Frank Effect Versus Trump Effect
Authors: Moll Cliff , Beyer Deborah , Kunkel Robert , Beyer Scott
Published: February 2023

Large commercial banks have been financially impacted by both: (i) the Dodd-Frank Effect, which is the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 and (ii) the Trump Effect, which is the presidential election of Donald Trump in 2016. It is well-known that the Dodd-Frank Act targeted large commercial banks with additional regulatory compliance costs such as the Dodd-Frank Act Stress Test (DFAST), the Durbin Amendment, the Volcker Rule, the Lincoln Amendment, and the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. While the goal of the Dodd-Frank Act is to prevent another 2008 financial crisis, it imposes huge regulatory compliance costs on large commercial banks. The American Action Forum reported the compliance cost at more than $36 billion and 73 million paperwork hours. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) originally calculated compliance costs at $2.9 billion for the first five years, but the estimated cost published in the Federal Register was raised to $10.4 billion. Consequently, while seeking and securing the presidency, Donald Trump promised large commercial banks there would be regulatory rollbacks of the Obama-era legislation. In addition to examining the Dodd-Frank Effect and Trump Effect separately, we will examine the Combined Effect. This paper will add valuable knowledge to government policy makers on how the regulation and deregulation impacts commercial banks, and in a more general sense, how regulatory changes (and even perceived changes) impact firm value.
Size and Book-to-Market: Comparing Factor Loadings, Characteristics, Methodologies, and Time Periods
Authors: Mooney Tim
Published: February 2023

We show new evidence of firm size and book-to-market as priced risk factors in an empirical asset pricing model. A robust size and value premium persists across 1963-1991 and 1992-2017 sub-samples. Characteristics-based models do a better job explaining variation in stock returns than models based on factor loadings. An instrumental variable approach using individual stocks as test assets performs better than one using portfolios. We also present a decile-based measure of size and value with risk premium estimates that are intuitive to interpret. Results have implications for how investors might better understand exposure to systematic risk factors.
Developed Stock Market Integration: New Evidence from the Pre- and Post-Financial Crisis of 2007-2009
Authors: Bruce-Tagoe Carol , Chiou Ingyu
Published: February 2023

This paper studies the interdependence between the U.S. and four other developed stock markets in Canada, Japan, Sweden, and the UK. Specifically, we investigate how the 2007-2009 financial crisis influenced the dynamics of stock market integration among five developed countries by analyzing the short-run and long-run effects of the crisis over two sample periods: pre-crisis and post-crisis. We employ the Johansen co-integration test to verify cointegration and the Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) to examine the short-run and long-run relationships among five national stock markets. The results of co-integration tests confirm the presence of co-integration in both sample periods. The short-run VECM results indicate a significant influence of the U.S. market on four other markets in both periods, suggesting that little diversification benefits exist in the short-run. The pre-crisis long-run results demonstrate significant cointegrating relationships between the U.S. market and each of three markets (in Canada, Japan, and Sweden). The insignificant cointegrating relationship between the UK and U.S. markets in the pre-crisis period, however, becomes significant in the post-crisis period. In contrast, the Japanese stock market, which was initially cointegrated with the U.S. market in the pre-crisis period, loses its cointegrating relationship with the U.S. market in the post-crisis period. Overall, our findings confirm that major national equity markets are, to varying degrees, interdependent in both the short-run and long-run. We also find that a negative shock such as a financial crisis may significantly change the co-movements among national stock markets.
China’s CEO Pay Reform: An Analysis of the Financial Impact on Central State-Owned Enterprises (CSOEs)
Authors: Tong Xiaochuan , Kunkel Robert
Published: February 2023

China’s Central State-Owned Enterprises (CSOEs) are considered to be inefficient with major agency problems where the interests of management and shareholders are poorly aligned. Rather than making decisions that make the CSOE more profitable and to help grow the economy, management will choose to solve government problems such as social stability and low employment (retain redundant workers). As China grows its socialist market economy and lists its stocks on markets in New York and London, it has become increasingly more important to reduce agency problems to better align the interests of management and shareholders. At long last, China’s CEO pay reform is passed to reform executive compensation at CSOEs. This reform is driven by President Xi and the Central Politburo of the Communist Party of China. Using an event study methodology, we find CSOEs, on average, experience a 3.05 percent increase in market capitalization from China’s CEO pay reform. In dollar terms, the mean market capitalization increase was $89 million, and cumulatively, the twenty-four CSOEs in our sample gained $2.136 billion in market capitalization. We conclude that China’s CEO pay reform was highly successful, and the gains were a result of lower executive compensation expenses without increased perk consumption and tunneling activities.
Sufficient Income and Sustainable Withdrawal Rates for Retirement
Authors: Clayton Ronnie , Davis Lemuel , Schmidt Bill , Scroggins Bill
Published: February 2023

Since the passage of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), numerous companies from throughout the United States have chosen to change from providing “Defined Benefit” pension plans to providing “Defined Contribution” pension plans.  Successful retirement planning is an iterative process that requires the management of many variables. Some are random and unpredictable in scope and magnitude and others are choices we make as our retirement objectives change. It’s essential that changes be incorporated expeditiously to minimize adverse outcomes. One can begin the process by estimating the annual income required to support one’s “retirement lifestyle” if retirement occurred today. Then extrapolate that income to the planned retirement date based upon the expected rate of inflation. A “modified four percent rule” can then be used to estimate the portfolio value required to support 30 or more years in retirement. The financial planner and client should go through this process at least every two years or when major events suggest a change is required. To assist the planner, this paper extends the Four Percent Rule in the following ways: Time in retirement is 16 – 40 years in 2-year increments with an asset allocation range is 0% to 100% stocks in 15 equal steps.
On the Models to Evaluate a Merger/Acquisition Project
Authors: Hsieh Chengho , Shen Yannan
Published: February 2023

We compare and contrast the existing merger/acquisition evaluation models and based on the results, propose a model that is more complete. The model emphasizes on the need to value not only the target firm, but also the acquiring firm such that 1) the increase in debt capacity for each firm due to the coinsurance benefit that stems from the diversification effect by pooling two firms together can be considered and 2) the synergy gains accrued to each firm can be valued by the firm’s own discount rate. The model provides methods to account for the effect of the increased debt capacity on the valuations.
Are Outside Board Chairs Better Than Inside Board Chairs? Evidence From Taiwanese Family Firms
Authors: Chen Pei-Ying , Chen Chia-Wei , Yi Bingsheng , Martinez Jose N.
Published: February 2023

This paper compares the effect of inside and outside board chairs on firm performance using listed family firms in Taiwan from 2000 to 2018. We use Tobin’s Q and Return on Assets to measure firm valuation and operating performance. Family firms with an inside board chair exhibit undervaluation but better operating performance compared to family firms with an outside board chair. However, these results are nuanced and complex, with board independence counteracting on inside board chair. The results are robust using different samples and performance measures.
Forecasting Bank Capital Ratios Using the Prophet Model by Facebook
Authors: Kolari James , Sanz Ivan Pastor
Published: February 2023

This study investigates the efficacy of the Prophet model by Facebook with respect to forecasting bank capital ratios. Bank financial ratios and macroeconomic information are combined to forecast total risk-adjusted capital ratios for 19 large U.S. banks. Using a sample period from March 2005 to December 2020, in-sample results show that the model accurately estimates bank capital ratios over time. As validation, out-of-sample tests indicate that forecasting errors are smaller for Prophet models compared to benchmark ARIMAX models.  Based on these and other results, we conclude that the Prophet model does a good job of forecasting bank capital ratios. By implication, it provides a practical forecasting tool for bank regulatory supervisors, management, and investors.
THE FEATURES OF TEACHER PROFESSIONAL TRAINING IN FINLAND
Authors: Budarina A.O. , Simaeva I.N. , Parakhina O.V. , Chupris A.S. , Shatokhina V.A.
Published: February 2023

An overview of the distinctive features of teacher training in Finland, which has had high international student assessment scores for more than 20 years, is presented. The authors adapted the interdisciplinary method of PEST analysis to identify the political, economic, and social aspects of teacher training that enable students of Finnish schools to get high scores in PISA. Several generalized categories of the national education system in Finland are highlighted for analysis in the research. They are the main stages or levels of education, the features of educational policy and standardization of education, the methods of teaching, the content of education, the goals and values of teacher training and the development of a teacher’s personality. The following features of teacher training at Finnish universities have been identified: orientation towards alternative educational policy in contrast to unifying global education reforms; decentralization of planning, content and focus of the curricula in teacher training as a reflection of university autonomy; the significant prevalence of practical and research components over theoretical training of pre-service teachers. The main goal of teacher training is stated by universities and the professional expert community in general; it is supported by the parliament and is defined as training a reflective responsible teacher-researcher capable of making independent educational decisions within the framework of different models and principles of teaching.
SEMANTIC TRANSFORMATIONS IN THE SECONDARY TEXT (on A. Döblin’s fairy tale “Der Ritter Blaubart”)
Authors:   Yakovlev Chuvash State Pedagogical University, Alexeeva M.G. , Kulakova V.V. ,   Yakovlev Chuvash State Pedagogical University
Published: February 2023

The article examines the scope and significance of semantic transformations of the secondary text — the fairy tale Der Ritter Blaubart” by Alfred Döblin. The article reveals that the transformation of the tale, which emerged in the stream of post-modernism, is a complex formation which reveals both the features of a passed epoch — the grammatical phenomena with historical coloring, and the features of modern realities, expressed by stylistic anachronisms. The paper identifies semantic transformations of the original fairy tale, suggesting that the author deliberately refracts the original text through a certain gender and ethnic “prism”. As a result, the primary vector in the space “villain — victim” is shifted: a villain is transformed into a hero, and an innocent victim is taken to heaven. The study reveals the role of landscape descriptions in the secondary text, the forces of nature are mythologized in the secondary text, they become the full participants in the action, which gives the secondary text an exceptional fairy-tale intonation, bringing the secondary text to the folktales.
Unusual Adverse Events in a Patient With BRAF-Mutated Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Treated With BRAF/MEK Inhibition
Authors: Maniar Rohan , Gallitano Stephanie M. , Husain Sameera , Moazami Golnaz , Weiss Michael J. , Shu Catherine A.
Published: February 2023

BRAF/MEK inhibition remains standard of care for treatment of BRAF-mutated non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Although common adverse events (AEs) have been reported through clinical trials and ongoing clinical practice, only a handful of reports have detailed unusual adverse events associated with these medications. This report presents a patient with BRAF-mutated NSCLC treated with dabrafenib and trametinib who experienced 2 unusual AEs—Sweet syndrome and MEK-associated retinopathy—that responded to steroid treatment. The patient was able to continue BRAF/MEK inhibition through a coordinated multidisciplinary approach. This case highlights the importance for all clinicians to recognize unusual AEs associated with BRAF/MEK inhibition, particularly in the setting of expanded use for all BRAF V600E–mutated solid tumors.
Estadística Económica II
Authors: Aranda Gallego Joaquín
Published: February 2023

La elaboración de este texto guía está dirigida a los alumnos de Estadística Económica II, impartida en el segundo año del Grado en Economía en la UMU, para que dispongan de un material adecuado al programa de la asignatura. En él se recogen todos los aspectos teóricos que conforman la asignatura, aportando también ejemplos y ejercicios. Con ello el alumno dispone de un material que le permite seguir la asignatura, sobre todo sus conceptos y elementos más significativos; constituyéndose en una ayuda que, además, debe completarse con las explicaciones de los conceptos y desarrollos que se realizan en las clases.
Danske OA-tidsskrifter og Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ)
Authors: Stegger Gemzøe Anna , Fogtmann-Schulz Alexandra , Sandal Johnsen Solveig , Boserup Thestrup Jesper , Rosenkrantz Hansen Claus , Rindom Riise Rasmus , Iversen Rie Karen Marie
Published: February 2023

Rapporten beskriver et projekt, der skulle få flere danske tidsskrifter optaget i DOAJ. Projektet blev initieret i efteråret 2020 og påbegyndt januar 2021. Baggrunden har været at styrke kommunikation, samarbejde og videndeling på tværs af universitetsbiblioteker inden for Det Kgl. Bibliotek, men også at samarbejde nationalt med andre universitetsbiblioteker, der arbejder med OJS servere (Aalborg Universitetsbibliotek og Copenhagen Business School). Initiativet er igangsat for at øge kvalitet og synlighed af Det Kgl. Biblioteks Open Science services samt styrke OA-tidsskrifterne i forhold til synlighed og trafik.
Démarches de développement territorial et fondations philanthropiques subventionnaires
Authors: Gagnon Frédérik , Racine Sonia , Dunoyer Aline , Bourque Denis , Parent André-Anne , Morin Lucie
Published: February 2023

Les fondations philanthropiques subventionnaires jouent aujourd’hui un rôle prépondérant dans le soutien aux démarches de développement territorial, palliant partiellement la décroissance des ressources étatiques dans ce domaine. Les rapports des organisations philanthropiques concernées avec ces démarches sont complexes. Un repositionnement de certaines d’entre elles vers une plus grande proximité relationnelle avec leurs donataires soulève plusieurs enjeux. Cet article explore les nouveaux rôles et postures des fondations philanthropiques subventionnaires sous l’angle de la proximité.
Surdoses, pandémie et pratiques de proximité de l’organisme par et pour l’AQPSUD
Authors: Bertrand-Deschênes Antoine , Montmorency Chantal
Published: February 2023

Cet article traite de la prévention des surdoses par L’Association québécoise pour la promotion de la santé des personnes utilisatrices de drogues. Nous présentons sommairement l’organisme d’une perspective historique. Cela nous mène aux défis rencontrés en temps de pandémie et aux forces de l’approche, qui a été plus qu’essentielle. L’approche et les pratiques sont par la suite éclairées par une conception de la proximité articulée à même l’expérience de l’organisme et ses principes fondateurs. Un regard critique est posé et expose les enjeux éthiques de respects des droits et de care que la pandémie est venue exacerber.
Distribution and new hosts of the parasitic fungus Inonotus nidus-pici in Serbia
Authors: Milenković Ivan , Radulović Zlatan , Tomšovský Michal , Sikora Katarzyna , Golubović Ćurguz Vesna , Jovanović Dušan , Karadžić Dragan
Published: February 2023

Since 2013, symptoms indicative of I. nidus-pici infections were recorded in various stands in the central part of Serbia and several tree species from Fagaceae family were affected. After the detailed sampling, isolation and identification of the fungus using both classical and molecular methods, the current distribution and host range were determined. This fungus was recorded at 17 additional localities in the central part of Serbia, and Q. cerris was the most common and most affected host. Further, huge damages were occasionally recorded at Q. petraea, particularly when growing in mixed stands with Q. cerris. In addition, Q. frainetto and Fagus sylvatica were confirmed as new hosts of this pathogen in Serbia. Implications of these findings and potential control measures were discussed.
Contribution to the knowledge of the butterfly diversity (Hesperoidea i Papilionoidea) of Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Authors: Dukić Branislava
Published: February 2023

The paper deals with the fauna of butterflies in the Banja Luka area, located in the northwest part of the Republic of Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina). The paper presents data from the field research and literature. The total number of registered species for the area of Banja Luka is 93, which is quite well considering the size of the researched area. However, the number of species registered in the last survey is about 16% less than the total registered number for this area, which could indicate certain negative trends.
The Principle of "Mirror Reflection" in the Rights and Obligations of Participants in Foreign Economic Activity and Customs Authorities
Authors: Bobrova Anna Vladimirovna
Published: February 2023

The subject of the study is the relationship between the rights and obligations of participants in foreign economic activity and customs authorities, namely, the implementation of the principle of "mirror reflection" in the complex formation of rights and obligations. The purpose of the study is to search for gaps in customs legislation that do not directly link the rights and obligations of customs subjects, as well as to develop recommendations for its amendment. The methodological basis of the study was a comparative analysis of the rights and obligations of customs authorities and their officials with the rights and obligations of participants in foreign economic activity, in particular, declarants, persons subject to customs inspection, and other participants. The novelty of the research lies in the formation and justification of the principle of "mirror reflection" when introducing the rights and obligations of the main counterparties in customs. The study revealed a discrepancy between the rights and obligations of the parties, both in the context of the relations "customs authorities – participants in foreign economic activity", and when comparing the rights and obligations of each of the parties. It was also shown that they are not presented systematically and in full in regulatory legal acts, and their implementation is hindered by the lack of an effective mechanism. The results of the study can be used by the legislative power of the country to amend customs legislation and customs authorities to regulate relations with participants in foreign economic activity. The article develops recommendations for improving the legal basis of relations for customs entities, in particular, it is proposed to bring the rights and obligations of the parties into full compliance, as well as to justify the mechanism of their action within each right and obligation.
Underwater polarization imaging based on two-layer multi-index optimization
Authors: Gao Chen-Dong , Zhao Ming-Lin , Lu De-He , Dou Jian-Tai ,   School of Science, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212100, China
Published: February 2023

Underwater imaging is of great significance in exploring seabed resource , monitoring marine environment, implementing underwater rescue and military reconnaissance, etc. by providing clear vison. Among various underwater imaging techniques, the polarization imaging is considered to be an effective way to improve the quality of underwater imaging. It can realize underwater image restoration by using the difference in polarization characteristic between the target light and backscattered light. A classical underwater active polarization imaging method was presented by Treibitz [Treibitz T, Schechner Y Y 2009 IEEE Trans. Pattern Anal. Mach. Intell. 31 385], in which the degrees of linear polarization (DoLPs) of target light and backscattered light are used to recover clear image. A variety of improved methods have been derived from this, but most of them require background areas and human-computer interaction. Then, a new underwater active polarization imaging method without prior knowledge was presented by Zhao [Zhao Y, He W, Ren H, Li Y, Fu Y 2022 Opt. Lasers Eng. 148 106777], in which the DoLPs of target light and backscattered light can be automatically obtained without background region. However, sometimes the above two parameters are very close and thus introduce a lot of noise into the restored images, for this method takes only the contrast into account.

In this work, an underwater active polarization imaging method based on two-layer multi-index optimization is proposed. First, the mutual information and contrast are taken as the upper objective functions, and the Pareto optimal solution set is obtained by the multi-objective genetic optimization algorithm. Second, the information entropy is taken as the lower objective function to obtain the optimal parameters from this optimal solution set. Based on the optimal parameters, the restored images are obtained. According to the difference between the DoLPs of target light and backscattered light, these restored images are further improved by the digital image processing method.

The experimental results indicate that our method can not only enhance image details effectively but also balance various evaluation indexes of the imaging quality to obtain high-quality restored images. The proposed algorithm is suitable for underwater targets with low and high DoLPs, with or without background regions.
Editorial Essay. The research group Embodied Making and Learning at the University of South-Eastern Norway
Authors: Gulliksen Marte S.
Published: February 2023

There is no one history of the research group Embodied Making and Learning (EMAL). EMAL is an interdisciplinary research group that addresses the phenomenon of embodied making and learning. We work together to achieve three main aims: to enhance quality in our research, to further community and cooperation between researchers, and to contribute to developing our field nationally and internationally.
Growth and shell hardness of the apple snail Pomacea flagellata Say, 1829, reared at three calcium concentrations
Authors: De Jesús-Navarrete Alberto , Aguilar Sanchez Derian J. C. , Ortiz-Hernández María C.
Published: February 2023

The snail Pomacea flagellata inhabits aquatic systems with high calcium concentration and it is important to food webs; unfortunately, its natural populations are decreasing due to overfishing and habitat destruction. Here we tested the effect of three water calcium concentrations on the growth and hardness of snail shells in triplicate recirculation culture systems for 12 weeks. In each culture, 100 juvenile snails were seeded at constant density and fed with balanced tilapia feed. Thirty snails were randomly collected every 15 days and measured in length and total weight. The size, weight, and shell hardness of the snails for the 500 mg/L calcium treatment were significantly higher than the mean size of the snails in the other treatments (300 mg/L and 243.33 mg/L). The calcium supply in the culture promotes growth and allows the snails to produce healthier and stronger shells, in addition to improving their growth rate, which is important for the management of the species.
Bioinformatics prediction and experimental verification of a novel microRNA for myocardial fibrosis after myocardial infarction in rats
Authors: Guo Qianqian , Wu Dandan , Jia Dongdong , Zhang Xinyue , Wu Aiming , Lou Lixia , Zhao Mingjing , Zhao Mengzhu , Gao Yijie , Wang Manman , Liu Menghua , Chen Meng , Zhang Dongmei
Published: February 2023

Background

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous noncoding single-stranded small RNAs. Numerous studies have shown that miRNAs have pivotal roles in the occurrence and development of myocardial fibrosis (MF). However, miRNA expression profile in rats with MF after myocardial infarction (MI) is not well understood. The present study aimed to find the potential miRNA for MF post MI.

Methods

SPF male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat models of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were established by ligating the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery, while sham-operated rats were only threaded without ligation as a control group. Hematoxylin-eosin and Masson trichrome staining were used to detect myocardial histopathological changes for model evaluation. The differentially expressed miRNAs were detected by using the Agilent Rat miRNA gene chip in the myocardial tissue of the infarct marginal zone. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were performed by DAVID. The expression of miR-199a-5p was verified by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). Transfected miR-199a-5p mimics into cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) to construct cell models of miR-199a-5p overexpression. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was employed to validate the target gene of miR-199a-5p. The protein expression of the target gene in CFs transfected with miR-199a-5p mimics were detected by Western blot.

Results

Myocardial fibrosis was exacerbated in the model group compared with the control group. Thirteen differentially expressed miRNAs between the two groups were screened and their expression levels in the model group were all higher than those in the control group. The expression of miR-199a-5p was significantly increased in the model group in qRT-PCR, which was consistent with the results of the gene chip. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the target genes of miR-199a-5p were enriched in the insulin signaling pathway. Furthermore, dual-luciferase reporter assay indicated that miR-199a-5p could negatively regulate the expression of GSK-3β. After transfection, the expression of miR-199a-5p was increased in the miR-199a-5p mimics group. The protein expression of GSK-3β was decreased in CFs transfected with miR-199a-5p mimics.

Conclusion

Our study identified miR-199a-5p could promote the progression of myocardial fibrosis after myocardial infarction by targeting GSK-3β, which provides novel targets for diagnosis and treatment of MF.
Certificações agroecológicas e canais de comercialização: ecoinovação, redes e governança territorial
Authors: Stroparo Telma Regina , Floriani Nicolas
Published: February 2023

Com o objetivo de discutir a inserção de produtos agroecológicos nos canais de comercialização, o presente artigo atrela princípios da ecoinovação à produção e certificação de produtos e processos advindos da agricultura familiar. Apresenta uma nova territorialidade, onde formam-se redes de agricultores e, por meio de organização social, há a certificação por pares e consequente uso de selos, atestando a qualidade do que é vendido. Debate-se, neste interim, agroecologia, sistemas participativos de certificação, ecoinovação, inovação social, redes, mercados e canais de comercialização. Metodologicamente, trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa de cunho teórico que busca a reflexão crítica sobre a temática. Os resultados apontam para a crescente problematização das formas de apropriação, por diversos atores sociais, dos saberes agroecológicos pela racionalidade instrumental (tecnocientífica) e econômica, condicionando a autonomia e criatividade do sistema socioprodutivo local àquelas lógicas. Por outro lado, a constituição de redes alternativas para vendas conjuntas, seja com apropriação de novas tecnologias - como aplicativos e/ou websites, implica, sobremaneira, em mudança de paradigmas não apenas da agroecologia, mas também por parte dos consumidores que aderem a um novo comportamento social.
Perioperative Factors Influencing Outcome in Palliative Cancer Surgery at a Tertiary Cancer Care Institute in Northeast IndiaA Retrospective Study
Authors: Ninu Marie , Kakati Barnali , Chintey Dokne , Kakati Sonai Datta
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Surgical palliation of malignancy is defined best as a procedure used with the primary intention of improving Quality of Life (QoL) or relieving symptoms caused by an advanced malignancy. Surgical procedures for palliation include resections, reconstruction, functional repairs, drainage, and biopsy. Primary benefits include QoL improvement through symptom prevention or control, with survival advantage as a secondary benefit. Aim: To evaluate mortality (30 days and 6 months), length of hospital stay and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) stay and QoL among patients undergoing palliative surgery for advanced cancer. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at Dr. B. Borooah Cancer Institute, India, from September 2020 to March 2021. The clinicodemographic profile, tumour type and staging, treatment, investigations, surgery, anaesthesia and complications were studied. The outcome was defined by mortality, length of hospital stay and quality of life. Descriptive statistics was used for analysis. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant at 5% level of significance. Results: A total of 86 patients underwent palliative surgeries, out of which 52 (60.5%) were females and 34 (39.5%) were males with the mean age of 49.6±15.9 years. Among them, 8 (9.3%) died within 30 days of surgery and 11 (12.8%) at six months after surgery. There was a significant association of mortality with pallor, deranged Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), co-morbidities, chemotherapy, type of surgery and anaesthesia but not with age, sex, type and stage of cancer, American Society of Anaesthesiology (ASA) status and General Condition (GC) of the patient. The mean duration of postoperative hospital stay was 15.8 days and mean ICU stay was 0.8 day for all patients. Patients with pallor had longer duration of hospital and ICU stay. Type of surgery was significantly associated with hospital stay but not with ICU stay. On evaluating the quality of life using Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score, it was seen that the number of patients with poor ECOG scores (3 to 5) increased significantly from 10 (11.63%) to 13 (15.12%) in the immediate postoperative period. Conclusion: Patient factors affected the outcome after palliative surgery more than surgical and anaesthetic factors. The high mortality rate of 12.8% warrants detailed prospective studies in the future.
ASTHAPANA BASTI IN TRANSIENT HYPERTENSION DUE TO MALAGRAHA: A CASE STUDY
Authors: Thombare Santosh S. , Ginode Atul G.
Published: February 2023

Background: Health is a state of complete physical, mental, spiritual, and social well-being. Hypertension is one of the most alarming health problems of the present era due to a sedentary lifestyle and environmental factors. Transient hypertension is quite common. Recognizing whether the recorded high blood pressure (BP) is episodic or primary hypertension is essential. Several factors are causing transient hypertension, like stress, anxiety etc. Gastric distress is one of the causes of transient hypertension. Correction or elimination of these factors can normalize blood pressure (BP). Labelling a person as hypertension increases disease incidence and subjects them to unnecessary treatment and drug toxicities. Aim: This case study aimed to assess the effect of asthapana basti in transient hypertension due to malagraha. Materials and methods: a patient with malagraha and high blood pressure with no history of hypertension is selected for the study. The patient is treated with asthapana basti instantly. The effect of therapy (asthapana basti) was assessed based on the change in blood pressure and related symptoms. Result: As mala graham releases by the therapy. The high blood pressure came to normal within an hour, and associated symptoms also got relief. Conclusion: Transient hypertension (episodic high blood pressure) due to malagraha (constipation) can be treated with asthapana basti.
EFFICACY OF TRISUGANDHA ARKA KAVALA IN THE MANAGEMENT OF MUKHADOURGANDHYA WITH REFERENCE TO HALITOSIS
Authors: Vishwakarma Pallavi Hemant , Pradhan Nilakshi S.
Published: February 2023

Mukhadourgandhya is mentioned in many Ayurvedic diseases; likewise, halitosis can be seen in many diseases. Mukhadourgandhya (halitosis) is quite an embarrassing and bothersome condition. Causative factors for Mukhadourgandhya are oral unhygienic, dental causes, throat disorders and non-oral causes like gastritis, etc. Among 10 people, 7 of them show this condition. Using the chlorohexidine solution for gargling shows various side effects. In this present study, Trisugandha Arka, an Ayurvedic formulation mentioned in the Ayurvedic text on Mukhadourgandhya, was selected, and the Arka formulation was prepared as mentioned in the text. Kavala was selected as the mode of administration as this procedure is indicated in Mukhadourgandhya condition. 5 patients of mukhadourgandhya (halitosis) condition were given Trisugandha Arka for Kavala for 7 days. The assessment of the condition was done before and after treatment. The result of the study was assessed after comparing the condition before and after the completion of the study. The Trisugandha Arka has aromatic oil and antimicrobial action and Vata-Kapha Hara properties which prove effective in the condition of Mukhadourgandhya.
CLINICAL EVOLUTION OF KADALI KSHARA SUTRA IN THE MANAGEMENT OF BHAGANDAR WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO FISTULA-IN-ANO
Authors: Gupta Bal Govind
Published: February 2023

Background: Bhagandar or fistula is an anorectal disease affecting many of the world's population and decreasing the quality of life after haemorrhoids. This disorder's most common etiological are Cryptoglandular origin, Fissure in ano, haemorrhoidectomy, Infections, trauma and malignancy. Kadali kshara sutra is explained in Ayurvedic classics for the management of Bhagandar. So, betterment of human-being and to rule out the clinical efficacy of Kadali kshara sutra in Bhagandar or fistula-in-ano, this study was conducted. Aims and Objectives: To determine the clinical effectiveness of Kadali kshara sutra in Bhagandar management. Methodology: 10 patients of Bhagandar were selected randomly from the Shalya O.P.D of sex, race, and religion. All the ingredients were purchased from the local market and authenticated by the RSBK department, and Kadali kshara sutra was prepared in a teaching pharmacy under an aseptic method. Conclusion: Kadali kshara sutra showed 61.77% clinical efficacy in managing Bhagandar.
EFFECT OF SHIRODHARA IN THE MANAGEMENT OF NEUROPSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS: A REVIEW
Authors: KP Anju , Rathi Kavita , Ojha Nisha Kumari
Published: February 2023

Background: There is an increased prevalence of neurodevelopmental and neurobehavioral disorders and other psychological issues. These all are considerably increasing in the paediatric age group in the present era. Children are the nation's future and tomorrow's citizens; it is a big concern for a paediatrician. All neuropsychiatric disorders are considered under the broad term unmada in Ayurveda. As per the pathophysiology of unmada, manas or chitta is affected. For this samprapti vighatana, there is a need for calming therapies like Shirodhara. Shirodhara also has many effects on sareerika and manasika doshas. To search and re-evaluate the possible mode of action of Shirodhara in different neurodevelopmental, neurobehavioral, and other psychotic disorders and also find the effectiveness of Shirodhara in neuropsychiatric disorders.
ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF TURMERIC: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Authors: Jain Arti , Jain Sourabh , Gupta Hirdesh Kumari , Mehta Abhishek
Published: February 2023

Turmeric, or Curcuma longa, is a popular healing herb in Ayurvedic medicine. Due to its potential health benefits, including antimicrobial properties, it is being used in herbal medicines to treat several systemic diseases, especially in the Indian subcontinent. In this review, we have given an up-to-date overview of the anti-infective properties of the turmeric plant, with a particular focus on its antibacterial activity. Published articles relevant to the research questions were searched in their database (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science). Additionally, studies were searched through snowballing. The articles were included as per eligibility for data extraction. The included articles were assessed on quality reporting, and results were presented using descriptive analysis. This literature review aimed to illustrate the therapeutic properties of the plant “Curcuma longa”. A total of 32 publications out of 671 articles were selected through online and snowballing literature searches. Of these 32 articles, 22 were original research articles, and 9 were systematic reviews after removing the duplicates and non-eligible studies. Most of the original articles analysed were from India. In view of rapidly emerging antimicrobial resistance amongst the prevailing pathogens, the present study highlights the need to explore alternate preventive and treatment strategies that are safe, effective, and economical compared to existing methods. There is immense scope of such studies focused on the possibilities of mining the antimicrobial potential of bioactive phytochemicals derived from herbal sources like turmeric.