bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tidal disruption of white dwarfs in a modified gravity theory with SPH
Authors: Garain Debojyoti , Banerjee Pritam , Chowdhury Shaswata , Sarkar Tapobrata
Published: November 2023

Low energy imprints of modifications to general relativity are often found in pressure balance equations inside stars. These modifications are then amenable to
tests via astrophysical phenomena, using observational effects in stellar astrophysics that crucially depend on such equations. One such effect is tidal disruption of stars in the vicinity of black holes. In this paper, using a numerical scheme modelled with smoothed particle hydrodynamics, we study real time tidal disruption of a class of white dwarfs by intermediate-mass black holes, in the low energy limit of a theory of modified gravity that alters the internal physics of white dwarfs,
namely the Eddington inspired Born-Infeld theory. In this single parameter extension of general relativity,
the mass-radius relation of white dwarfs as well as their tidal disruption radius depend on the modified gravity parameter, and these capture the effect of modifications to general relativity.
Our numerical simulations incorporating these show that departure from general relativity in these scenarios might be observationally significant, and should
therefore be contrasted with data. In particular, we study observationally relevant
physical quantities, i.e., tidal kick velocity and trajectory deviation of the remnant core and fallback rates of the tidal debris in this theory and compare them to the Newtonian limit of general relativity. We also comment on
the qualitative differences between the modified gravity theory and one with stellar rotation.
Quantum synchronization with correlated baths
Authors: Li 李 Lei 磊 , Wang 王 Chun-Hui 春辉 , Yin 尹 Hong-Hao 洪浩 , Wang 王 Ru-Quan 如泉 , Liu 刘 Wu-Ming 伍明
Published: November 2023

We study quantum synchronization under the nonequilibrium reservoirs. We consider a two-qubit XXZ chain coupled independently to their own reservoirs modeled by the collisional model. Two reservoir particles, initially prepared in a thermal state or a state with coherence, are correlated through a unitary transformation and afterward interact locally with the two quantum subsystems. We study the quantum effect of reservoir on synchronous dynamics of system. By preparing different reservoir initial states or manipulating the reservoir particles coupling and the temperature gradient, we find that quantum entanglement of reservoir is the key to control quantum synchronization of system qubits.
Chiral bound states in a staggered array of coupled resonators
Authors: Jin 金 Wu-Lin 伍林 , Li 李 Jing 静 , Lu 卢 Jing 竞 , Gong 龚 Zhi-Rui 志瑞 , Zhou 周 Lan 兰
Published: November 2023

We study the chiral bound states in a coupled-resonator array with staggered hopping strengths, which interacts with a two-level small atom through a single coupling point or two adjacent ones. In addition to the two typical bound states found above and below the energy bands, this system presents an extraordinary chiral bound state located within the energy gap. We use the chirality to quantify the breaking of the mirror symmetry. We find that the chirality value undergoes continuous changes by tuning the coupling strengths. The preferred direction of the chirality is controlled not only by the competition between the intracell and the intercell hoppings in the coupled-resonator array, but also by the coherence between the two coupling points. In the case with one coupling point, the chirality values varies monotonously with difference between the intracell hopping and the intercell hoppings. While in the case with two coupling points, due to the coherence between the two coupling points the perfect chiral states can be obtained.
Improving the predictability of compound dry and hot extremes through complexity science
Authors: Guntu Ravi Kumar , Agarwal Ankit
Published: November 2023

Compound dry and hot extremes (CDHE) will have an adverse impact on socioeconomic factors during the Indian summer monsoon, and a future exacerbation is anticipated. The occurrence of CDHE is influenced by teleconnections, which play a crucial role in determining its likelihood on a seasonal scale. Despite the importance, there is a lack of studies unraveling the teleconnections of CDHE in India. Previous investigations specifically focused on the teleconnections between precipitation or temperature and climate indices. Hence, there is a need to unravel the teleconnections of CDHE. In this study, we present a framework that combines event coincidence analysis (ECA) with complexity science. ECA evaluates the synchronization between CDHE and climate indices. Subsequently, complexity science is utilized to construct a driver-CDHE network to identify the key drivers of CDHE. To evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed drivers, a logistic regression model is employed. The occurrence of CDHE exhibits distinct patterns from July to September when considering intra-seasonal variability. Our findings contribute to the identification of drivers associated with CDHE. The primary driver for Eastern, Western India and Central India is the indices in the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean, respectively, followed by the indices in the Indian Ocean. These identified drivers outperform the traditional Niño 3.4-based predictions. Overall, our results demonstrate the effectiveness of integrating ECA and complexity science to enhance the prediction of CDHE occurrences.
Different bactericidal abilities of plasma-activated saline with various reactive species prepared by surface plasma-activated air and plasma jet combinations
Authors: JIA 贾 Yikang 怡康 , LI 李 Tianhui 甜会 , ZHANG 张 Rui 瑞 , ZHAO 赵 Pengyu 鹏瑜 , WANG 王 Zifeng 子丰 , CHEN 陈 Min 旻 , GUO 郭 Li 莉 , LIU 刘 Dingxin 定新
Published: November 2023

Plasma-activated water (PAW), as an extended form of cold atmospheric-pressure plasma, greatly expands the application of plasma-based technology. The biological effects of PAW are closely related to the aqueous reactive species, which can be regulated by the activation process. In this study, surface plasma-activated air (SAA) and a He + O2 plasma jet (Jet) were parallelly combined (the SAA + Jet combination) or sequentially combined (the SAA → Jet combination and the Jet → SAA combination) to prepare plasma-activated saline (PAS). The PAS activated by the combinations exhibited stronger bactericidal effects than that activated by the SAA or the Jet alone. The concentrations of H2O2 and

were higher in the PAS activated by the Jet → SAA combination, while ONOO− concentrations were close in the three kinds of PAS and 1O2 concentrations were higher in the PAS activated by the SAA + Jet combination. The analysis of scavengers also demonstrated that H2O2, 1O2, and ONOO‒ in the PAS activated by the SAA + Jet combination, and 1O2 in the PAS activated by the Jet → SAA combination played critical roles in bactericidal effects. Further, the effective placement time of the three PAS varied, and the PAS activated by the Jet → SAA combination could also inactivate 2.6-log10 of MRSA cells after placement for more than 60 min. The regulation of reactive species in plasma-activated water via different combinations of plasma devices could improve the directional application of plasma-activated water in the biomedical field.
A spatiotemporal evolution model of a short-circuit arc to a secondary arc based on the improved charge simulation method
Authors: CONG 丛 Haoxi 浩熹 , WANG 王 Yuxuan 宇轩 , QIAO 乔 Lipan 力盼 , SU 苏 Wenjing 文晶 , LI 李 Qingmin 庆民
Published: November 2023

The initial shape of the secondary arc considerably influences its subsequent shape. To establish the model for the arcing time of the secondary arc and modify the single-phase reclosing sequence, theoretical and experimental analysis of the evolution process of the short-circuit arc to the secondary arc is critical. In this study, an improved charge simulation method was used to develop the internal-space electric-field model of the short-circuit arc. The intensity of the electric field was used as an independent variable to describe the initial shape of the secondary arc. A secondary arc evolution model was developed based on this model. Moreover, the accuracy of the model was evaluated by comparison with physical experimental results. When the secondary arc current increased, the arcing time and dispersion increased. There is an overall trend of increasing arc length with increasing arcing time. Nevertheless, there is a reduction in arc length during arc ignition due to short circuits between the arc columns. Furthermore, the arcing time decreased in the range of 0°–90° as the angle between the wind direction and the x-axis increased. This work investigated the method by which short-circuit arcs evolve into secondary arcs. The results can be used to develop the secondary arc evolution model and to provide both a technical and theoretical basis for secondary arc suppression.
Characteristics of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy of liquid slag
Authors: DONG 董 Changyan 长言 , YU 于 Hongxia 洪霞 , SUN 孙 Lanxiang 兰香 , LI 李 Yang 洋 , LIU 刘 Xiuye 修业 , ZHOU 周 Ping 平 , HUANG 黄 Shaowen 少文
Published: November 2023

Rapid online analysis of liquid slag is essential for optimizing the quality and energy efficiency of steel production. To investigate the key factors that affect the online measurement of refined slag using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), this study examined the effects of slag composition and temperature on the intensity and stability of the LIBS spectra. The experimental temperature was controlled at three levels: 1350 °C, 1400 °C, and 1450 °C. The results showed that slag composition and temperature significantly affected the intensity and stability of the LIBS spectra. Increasing the Fe content and temperature in the slag reduces its viscosity, resulting in an enhanced intensity and stability of the LIBS spectra. Additionally, 42 refined slag samples were quantitatively analyzed for Fe, Si, Ca, Mg, Al, and Mn at 1350 °C, 1400 °C, and 1450 °C. The normalized full spectrum combined with partial least squares (PLS) quantification modeling was used, using the Ca II 317.91 nm spectral line as an internal standard. The results show that using the internal standard normalization method can significantly reduce the influence of spectral fluctuations. Meanwhile, a temperature of 1450 °C has been found to yield superior results compared to both 1350 °C and 1400 °C, and it is advantageous to conduct a quantitative analysis of the slag when it is in a “water-like” state with low viscosity.
Interannual variation in spring weather conditions as a driver of spring wildflower coverage: a 15-year perspective from an old-growth temperate forest
Authors: Jahn Lydia V , Carrino-Kyker Sarah R , Burke David J
Published: November 2023

Spring ephemerals are wildflowers found in temperate deciduous forests that typically display aboveground shoots for a period of 2 months or less. Early spring, before the canopy leaves out, marks the beginning of the aboveground growth period where ephemerals acquire nutrients and resources via aboveground tissues. Several studies have shown that spring ephemeral reproduction is affected by spring temperature, but few have looked at how weather conditions of the current and previous seasons, including precipitation and temperature, influence aboveground growth. Here, we examine the response of a spring ephemeral community in a temperate hardwood forest to weather conditions during their current and previous growing seasons. For 15 years we estimated percent cover of each species within our community. We highlighted five dominant spring ephemerals within this community: wild leek (Allium tricoccum), cutleaf toothwort (Cardamine concatenata), spring beauty (Claytonia virginica), squirrel corn (Dicentra canadensis) and trout lily (Erythronium americanum). We compared changes in cover on both a community and species level from 1 year to the next with average precipitation and temperature of the year of measurement as well as the year prior. We found precipitation and temperature influence a change in cover at the community and species level, but the strength of that influence varies by species. There were few significant correlations between plant cover in the current year and temperature and precipitation in the 30 days preceding measurement. However, we found significant correlations between plant cover and precipitation and temperature during the previous spring; precipitation and cover change were positively correlated, whereas temperature and cover change were negatively correlated. Overall, cooler, wetter springs lead to an increase in aboveground cover the next year. Learning how individual species within a forest plant community respond to weather conditions is a crucial part of understanding how plant communities will respond to climate change.
Effectiveness of icosapent ethyl on first and total cardiovascular events in patients with metabolic syndrome, but without diabetes: REDUCE-IT MetSyn
Authors: Miller Michael , Bhatt Deepak L , Brinton Eliot A , Jacobson Terry A , Steg Philippe Gabriel , Pineda Armando Lira , Ketchum Steven B , Doyle Ralph T , Tardif Jean-Claude , Ballantyne Christie M
Published: November 2023

Aims

Metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) is associated with high risk of cardiovascular (CV) events, irrespective of statin therapy. In the overall REDUCE-IT study of statin-treated patients, icosapent ethyl (IPE) reduced the risk of the primary composite endpoint (CV death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke, coronary revascularization, or unstable angina requiring hospitalization) and the key secondary composite endpoint (CV death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or non-fatal stroke).

Methods and results

REDUCE-IT was an international, double-blind trial that randomized 8179 high CV risk statin-treated patients with controlled LDL cholesterol and elevated triglycerides to IPE 4 g/day or placebo. The current study evaluated the pre-specified patient subgroup with a history of MetSyn, but without diabetes at baseline. Among patients with MetSyn but without diabetes at baseline (n = 2866), the majority (99.8%) of this subgroup was secondary prevention patients. Icosapent ethyl use was associated with a 29% relative risk reduction for the first occurrence of the primary composite endpoint [hazard ratio: 0.71; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.59–0.84; P < 0.0001, absolute risk reduction (ARR) = 5.9%; number needed to treat = 17] and a 41% reduction in total (first plus subsequent) events [rate ratio: 0.59; (95% CI: 0.48–0.72); P < 0.0001] compared with placebo. The risk for the key secondary composite endpoint was reduced by 20% (P = 0.05) and a 27% reduction in fatal/non-fatal MI (P = 0.03), 47% reduction in urgent/emergent revascularization (P < 0.0001), and 58% reduction in hospitalization for unstable angina (P < 0.0001). Non-statistically significant reductions were observed in cardiac arrest (44%) and sudden cardiac death (34%).

Conclusion

In statin-treated patients with a history of MetSyn, IPE significantly reduced the risk of first and total CV events in REDUCE-IT. The large relative and ARRs observed supports IPE as a potential therapeutic consideration for patients with MetSyn at high CV risk.

Registration REDUCE-IT ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT01492361
The Impact of COVID-19 on Health Anxiety and Perceived Stress Among Persons with IBD: A Population-representative Study
Authors: Shaffer Seth R , Jackson Gia L , Chochinov Sydney , Dolovich Casandra , Graff Lesley A , El-Gabalawy Renée , Yuh-Nan Shaw Souradet , Singh Harminder , Bernstein Charles N
Published: November 2023

Background

The Corona Virus Immune Disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has broadly impacted the mental health of individuals worldwide, especially with restrictions including social distancing and quarantining. Persons with IBD are at increased risk of mental health disorders. The aim was to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic affected adults with a chronic health issue, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), using a population-based sample.

Methods

A survey study in Manitoba was conducted during the second COVID-19 wave in autumn 2020. We assessed proportions of health anxiety and perceived stress using validated measures, as well as stressors during the COVID-19 pandemic. We used univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis to assess predictors of perceived stress and health anxiety.

Results

A total of 1,384 (47.1%) persons responded, with a mean age of 58.0, and 46.9% had Crohn’s disease. Almost three quarters (73.7%) had increased stress, with 37.7% having increased stress about their IBD, and 33.6% worried about their IBD worsening. 46.0% felt increased stress about accessing their doctor or nurse, and 56.5% felt they had good access to their gastroenterologist. Elevated stress and health anxiety were seen in 63.5% and 17.2% of respondents, respectively. Younger age and being on immune-modifying therapy (IMT) was predictive of increased health anxiety and stress. Longer IBD duration was associated with decreased stress, including those on IMT.

Conclusion

Persons with IBD reported high rates of stress and health anxiety early in the COVID-19 pandemic, especially among those on IMT. It will be important to determine how this evolved over time and to what extent this impacted on disease course.
Vitamin C derivative/AA2P promotes erythroid differentiation by upregulating CA1
Authors: Tan Xiaoyu , Li Meng , Liang Yue , Ruan Xiuyan , Zhang Zhaojun , Fang Xiangdong
Published: November 2023

Vitamin C is used to treat anaemia; however, the mechanism through which vitamin C promotes erythroid differentiation is not comprehensively understood. The in vitro erythroid differentiation induction system can reveal the differentiation mechanism and provide erythrocytes for clinical transfusion and anaemia treatment. This process can be promoted by adding small-molecule compounds. In this study, we added l-ascorbic acid 2-phosphate sesquimagnesium salt hydrate (AA2P), a derivative of vitamin C, to an erythroid differentiation system induced from umbilical cord blood haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in vitro and detected its effect on erythroid differentiation using single-cell transcription sequencing technology combined with non-targeted metabolism detection. AA2P increased the proportion of late basophilic erythroblasts, upregulating the expression of erythroid-related regulatory molecules GATA1, KLF1, ALAS2, and the globins HBG and HBB. CA1 is a target gene of AA2P, and CA1 knockdown affected the expression of globin-related genes. AA2P also increased glycolysis and decreased oxidative phosphorylation to facilitate terminal erythroid differentiation and enhanced the proliferation of early erythroid progenitors by altering the cell cycle. These results provide a reliable basis for using vitamin C to improve the efficiency of erythropoiesis in vitro and for the clinical treatment of anaemia.
Mutating the maternal haploid inducer gene CsDMP in cucumber produces haploids in planta
Authors: Yin Shuai , Li Sen , Sun Lei , Shi Kexin , Fan Shanshan , Liu Xingwang , Ren Huazhong
Published: November 2023

Mutation of DOMAIN OF UNKNOWN FUNCTION 679 MEMBRANE PROTEIN in cucumber induces in vivo maternal haploids and suggests prospects for cucurbit breeding.
Preliminary investigation of organ-protective effects of fullerenol in vivo in acute toxicity during doxorubicin therapy in healthy pigs
Authors: Injac Rade , Djordjevic Aleksandar , Strukelj Borut
Published: November 2023

Objectives

The potential protective effect of fullerenol [C60(OH)24, Frl], a strong antioxidant, was investigated at a single dose of 25 mg/kg, administered orally (per os; p.o.) and intraperitoneally (i.p.), in the liver, lung, kidney, heart and spleen of healthy pigs, prior to doxorubicin (Dox)-induced toxicity at a single i.p. dose of 10 mg/kg.

Methods

We used the F1 generation of an in-vivo pig model (whose parents were Swedish Landrace and Large Yorkshire) to explore whether Frl, administered 6 h for p.o. and 30 min for i.p. prior to Dox treatment, could protect organs against damage caused by oxidative stress.

Key findings

According to the macroscopic, haematological, biochemical and physiological results, Frl exerted a potential protective effect on all investigated organs (heart, liver, lung, spleen and kidney) in pigs after i.p. administration. However, the results from Frl p.o. administration were inconclusive, therefore warranting further investigation.

Conclusions

Frl at a low dose of 25 mg/kg demonstrated satisfactory organ protection against Dox-induced toxicity in healthy pigs after i.p. injection, However, additional follow-up studies in pig models of cancer and with longer Dox and Frl treatment periods would be required to further delineate the optimal and clinically relevant conditions for Frl administration.
Case Report of Gas Gangrene after Reconstructive Surgery with Anterolateral Thigh Flap for Resection of Oral Cancer
Authors: Escandón Lauren , Matsui Chihiro , Tanaka Takakuni , Nishimura Takayoshi , Imai Takumi , Mizuno Hiroshi
Published: November 2023

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) type I is an acute subcutaneous tissue infection that can promptly disseminate generating crepitus. If not accurately diagnosed and expeditiously treated, it becomes a life-threatening infection. In this report, we present a 65-year-old man who developed a case of NF after a hemiglossectomy resecting a tumor in the dorsal surface of the tongue. A biopsy was performed, and he was pathologically diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma (T2N1M0). The patient underwent preoperative oral cleaning. Right hemiglossectomy was performed by cervical dissection, pull-through style, with tooth removal on the right mandible and a left anterolateral femoral flap reconstruction. Routine intraoperative lavage was performed with 2000 mL of saline solution. Cefazolin 1gr was administered two times per day postoperatively. Four days after primary surgery, the flap circulation was inadequate; therefore, a computed tomography scan was taken, which indicated gas in the ventral neck area. Tooth extraction was the suspected etiology. Debridement was performed; the abscess was drained and cultured, indicating the presence of Staphylococcus haemolyticus and Escherichia coli. It seems that the abscess was not formed by NF, but rather by leachate reservoir associated with the head and neck tumor. After debridement, re-reconstruction was performed with a deltopectoral flap and pectoralis major myocutaneous flap. When NF is present after a neck dissection, there is a risk of disruption due to the direct invasion and inflammation into the carotid artery. Therefore, it is important to provide adequate oral cleaning care before the surgery and early suspicion of the diagnosis.
Characteristic processes of human evolution caused the Anthropocene and may obstruct its global solutions
Authors: Waring Timothy M. , Wood Zachary T. , Szathmáry Eörs
Published: November 2023

We propose that the global environmental crises of the Anthropocene are the outcome of a ratcheting process in long-term human evolution which has favoured groups of increased size and greater environmental exploitation. To explore this hypothesis, we review the changes in the human ecological niche. Evidence indicates the growth of the human niche has been facilitated by group-level cultural traits for environmental control. Following this logic, sustaining the biosphere under intense human use will probably require global cultural traits, including legal and technical systems. We investigate the conditions for the evolution of global cultural traits. We estimate that our species does not exhibit adequate population structure to evolve these traits. Our analysis suggests that characteristic patterns of human group-level cultural evolution created the Anthropocene and will work against global collective solutions to the environmental challenges it poses. We illustrate the implications of this theory with alternative evolutionary paths for humanity. We conclude that our species must alter longstanding patterns of cultural evolution to avoid environmental disaster and escalating between-group competition. We propose an applied research and policy programme with the goal of avoiding these outcomes.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Evolution and sustainability: gathering the strands for an Anthropocene synthesis’.
A content-based metric for social media influencer marketing
Authors: Chang Sue-Ting , Wu Jia-Jhou
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The study aims to propose an instrument for measuring product-centeredness (i.e. the extent to which comment content is related to a product) using word embedding techniques as well as explore its determinants.

Design/methodology/approach

The study collected branded posts from 205 Instagram influencers and empirically examined how four factors (i.e. authenticity, vividness, coolness and influencer–product congruence) influence the content of the comments on branded posts.

Findings

Post authenticity and congruence are shown to have positive effects on product-centeredness. The interaction between coolness and authenticity is also significant. The number of comments or likes on branded posts is not correlated with product-centeredness.

Originality/value

In social media influencer marketing, volume-based metrics such as the numbers of likes and comments have been researched and applied extensively. However, content-based metrics are urgently needed, as fans may ignore brands and focus on influencers. The proposed instrument for assessing comment content enables marketers to construct content-based metrics. Additionally, the authors' findings enhance the understanding of social media users' engagement behaviors.
Modeling the enablers of AACSB implementation in business schools: ISM-Fuzzy MICMAC analysis
Authors: Kundu Goutam Kumar , Moovendhan M.V. , Wankhade Nilesh G.
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The study aims to explore and classify the key enablers of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) implementation in business schools.

Design/methodology/approach

By applying the Interpretive Structural Model (ISM) approach, it builds a hierarchical model of the identified enablers of AACSB implementation. Additionally, the Fuzzy Matriced Impacts Croises-Multiplication Applique and Classement (FMICMAC) technique is used to classify and determine the influence of these enablers on the implementation of AACSB accreditation.

Findings

The paper presents an ISM model of the identified enablers and draws managerial insight from it. Categorization of the key enablers into four groups helps in understanding the relative influence of each group of enablers on the AACSB implementation in business schools.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed model of the key enablers will help business schools that are pursuing AACSB accreditation prioritize the enablers. As the study has considered experts' opinions to establish the model, some amount of bias cannot be discounted.

Originality/value

The development of the ISM model of the key enablers of AACSB implementation in business schools is a unique attempt. The findings will help business schools focus on the key enablers that influence implementation of AACSB standards.
The strategic role of R&D outsourcing practices and partners in the relationship between product modularization and new product development efficiency
Authors: Wang Xiaozhen , Lee Hanna , Park Kihyun , Lee Gukseong
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The study aims to explore the conditional relationships between product modularization and new product development (NPD) efficiency. It is postulated that R&D outsourcing plays an important mediating role. Furthermore, the level of competency trust is considered an essential factor in moderating the indirect effect of product modularization on NPD efficiency via R&D outsourcing practices.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on transaction cost economics theory, this study suggests a moderated mediation model that addresses how product modularization effectively promotes NPD efficiency via outsourcing practices. The hierarchical regression and PROCESS macro model were conducted to test the hypotheses based on survey data from 273 manufacturing firms in China.

Findings

Product modularization enhances NPD efficiency directly and indirectly through the external collaboration of R&D outsourcing. Furthermore, the role of product modularization in R&D outsourcing practices is more effective when the competency trust in R&D outsourcing partners is high.

Originality/value

By showing the critical role of external collaboration, this study provides valuable insights into how manufacturing firms utilize product modularization to achieve desired NPD performance more effectively.
The effect of customer-base concentration on the relationship between patents and financial performance
Authors: Kunieda Yosuke , Takashima Katsuyoshi
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Prior research has produced conflicting results on the relationship between firm-level patenting activity and financial performance. To identify a factor that impacts the results, this study tests whether the level of customer-base concentration (defined as focusing on a small number of major customer sales transactions) changes the relationship between firm-level patenting activity and financial performance (return on assets: ROA).

Design/methodology/approach

Using a longitudinal secondary dataset from Japanese manufacturers from 1991 to 2016, this study investigates the interaction effect between firm-level patenting activity and customer-base concentration. With additional analysis using multiple profitability measures, this study provides robust evidence that customer-base concentration is an important factor in changing the relationship between firm-level patenting activity and financial performance.

Findings

The analysis results show that there is a positive relationship between firm-level patenting activity and ROA. In addition, this relationship is positively moderated by the customer-base concentration. This means that suppliers can improve the performance of the patenting activity by concentrating on their customer base.

Originality/value

By identifying a moderating factor between patenting activity and financial performance, this study advances the interpretation of conflicting results in patent research. Moreover, this study reveals a situation where customer-base concentration, which has a direct negative impact on financial performance, leads to better financial performance. This also indicates that firm-level patenting activities may compensate for the negative aspects of customer-base concentration.
Early Patent Disclosure and R&D Investment in Family Firms
Authors: Hussinger Katrin , Issah Wunnam Basit
Published: November 2023

This paper shows that the American Inventor's Protection Act, which introduced the disclosure of patent applications after 18 months, that is, before a grant decision is taken and, hence, before it is known whether the respective technology will receive legal protection, is associated with a reduction of family firms’ research and development (R&D) investment. This suggests that early disclosure of patent applications is perceived as a threat to family firms’ innovation activity and discourages their R&D investment. This finding deserves our attention because family firms account for a large share of the US economy, and a reduction in their R&D investment can have long‐term consequences.
Hepatocellular carcinoma risk decreases as time accrues following hepatitis C virus eradication
Authors: Vutien Philip , Kim Nicole J. , Moon Andrew M. , Johnson Kay M. , Berry Kristin , Green Pamela K. , Ioannou George N.
Published: November 2023

Background

It is unclear whether the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) decreases over time following hepatitis C virus (HCV) eradication.

Aim

To determine if patients who have accrued longer time since sustained virologic response (SVR) have a lower risk of HCC than those with less time since SVR

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all HCV‐infected Veterans Affairs patients who achieved SVR before 1 January 2018 and remained alive without a diagnosis of HCC as of 1 January 2019 (n = 75,965). We ascertained their baseline characteristics as of 1 January 2019 (time zero), including time accrued since SVR and followed them for the subsequent 12 months for incident HCC. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression to determine the association between time since SVR and HCC risk after adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, sex, diabetes, hypertension, body mass index, alcohol use, Charlson Comorbidity Index, Fibrosis‐4 score, HCV genotype, hepatitis B virus co‐infection and HIV co‐infection.

Results

96.0% were male; mean age was 64.6  years. Among those with cirrhosis (n = 19,678, 25.9%), compared to patients who had accrued only ≥1 to 2 years since SVR (HCC incidence 2.71/100 person‐years), those who had accrued >2 to 4 years (2.11/100 person‐years, aHR 0.80, 95% CI 0.63–1.01) and >4 to 6 years (1.65/100 person‐years, aHR 0.61, 95% CI 0.41–0.90) had progressively lower HCC risk. However, HCC risk appeared to plateau for those with >6 years since SVR (1.68/100 person‐years, aHR 0.70, 95% CI 0.46–1.07). Among those without cirrhosis, HCC risk was 0.23–0.27/100 person‐years without a significant association between time since SVR and HCC risk.

Conclusions

Among patients with cirrhosis and cured HCV infection, HCC risk declined progressively up to 6 years post‐SVR—although it remained well above thresholds that warrant screening. This suggests that time since SVR can inform HCC surveillance strategies in patients with cured HCV infection and can be incorporated into HCC risk prediction models.
Low non‐relapse mortality and good haematological and renal responses after autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in multiple myeloma patients with renal insufficiency at transplant: A prospective Société Francophone de Greffe de Moelle‐Thérapie Cellulaire observational study
Authors: Garderet Laurent , Ouldjeriouat Hafida , Bekadja Mohamed‐Amine , Daguenet Elisabeth , Bigot Noemie , Vincent Laure , Roos‐Weil Damien , Vignon Marguerite , Ikhlef Souhila , Abraham Julie , Escoffre‐Barbe Martine , Lioure Bruno , Nacer Redhouane Ahmed , Lafon Ingrid , Mariette Clara , Karlin Lionel , Morel Pierre , Gilis Lila , Le Ray Emanuelle , Blouet Anaïse , Nguyen Quoc Stéphanie , Boffa Jean Jacques , Ronco Pierre , Lambert Jerome , Cornillon Jérôme
Published: November 2023

High‐dose melphalan followed by autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation is widely used in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) patients as upfront therapy. However, the safety and efficacy of transplantation in patients with renal insufficiency (RI) are controversial. We followed a multicentre (16 SFGM‐TC centres) prospective cohort of 50 newly diagnosed MM patients with a serum creatinine clearance of <40 mL/min at transplantation. Patients received a recommended dose of melphalan of 140 mg/m2. The primary end‐point was the non‐relapse mortality at Day 100. One death occurred during the first 100 days post‐transplant. The median time to neutrophil engraftment was 12 days and to platelet engraftment was 13 days. The haematological response improved in 69% of patients, with best responses from partial response (PR) to very good partial response (VGPR) (10%), from PR to complete response (CR)/stringent complete response (sCR) (16%), from VGPR to CR/sCR (39%) and from CR to sCR (2%). At 2 years, the overall survival was 84%, the progression‐free survival was 70% and the cumulative incidence of relapse was 20%. The renal response improved in 59% of patients, with the best renal responses post‐transplant being minimal (9%), partial (2%) and complete (48%). Autologous transplantation was safe and effective in myeloma patients with RI at transplant.
ResNLS: An improved model for stock price forecasting
Authors: Jia Yuanzhe , Anaissi Ali , Suleiman Basem
Published: November 2023

Stock prices forecasting has always been a challenging task. Although many research projects adopt machine learning and deep learning algorithms to address the problem, few of them pay attention to the varying degrees of dependencies between stock prices. In this paper we introduce a hybrid model that improves stock price prediction by emphasizing the dependencies between adjacent stock prices. The proposed model, ResNLS, is mainly composed of two neural architectures, ResNet and LSTM. ResNet serves as a feature extractor to identify dependencies between stock prices across time windows, while LSTM analyses the initial time‐series data with the combination of dependencies which considered as residuals. In predicting the SSE Composite Index, our experiment reveals that when the closing price data for the previous five consecutive trading days is used as the input, the performance of the model (ResNLS‐5) is optimal compared to those with other inputs. Furthermore, ResNLS‐5 outperforms vanilla CNN, RNN, LSTM, and BiLSTM models in terms of prediction accuracy. It also demonstrates at least a 20% improvement over the current state‐of‐the‐art baselines. To verify whether ResNLS‐5 can help clients effectively avoid risks and earn profits in the stock market, we construct a quantitative trading framework for back testing. The experimental results show that the trading strategy based on predictions from ResNLS‐5 can successfully mitigate losses during declining stock prices and generate profits in the periods of rising stock prices.
Prediction of molecular phenotypes for novel SCN1A variants from a Turkish genetic epilepsy syndromes cohort and report of two new patients with recessive Dravet syndrome
Authors: Teralı Kerem , Türkyılmaz Ayberk , Sağer Safiye Güneş , Çebi Alper Han
Published: November 2023

Dravet syndrome and genetic epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFS+) are both epilepsy syndromes that can be attributed to deleterious mutations occurring in SCN1A, the gene encoding the pore‐forming α‐subunit of the NaV1.1 voltage‐gated sodium channel predominantly expressed in the central nervous system. In this research endeavor, our goal is to expand our prior cohort of Turkish patients affected by SCN1A‐positive genetic epilepsy disorders. This will be accomplished by incorporating two recently discovered and infrequent index cases who possess a novel biallelic (homozygous) SCN1A missense variant, namely E158G, associated with Dravet syndrome. Furthermore, our intention is to use computational techniques to predict the molecular phenotypes of each distinct SCN1A variant that has been detected to date within our center. The correlation between genotype and phenotype in Dravet syndrome/GEFS+ is intricate and necessitates meticulous clinical investigation as well as advanced scientific exploration. Broadened mechanistic and structural insights into NaV1.1 dysfunction offer significant promise in facilitating the development of targeted and effective therapies, which will ultimately enhance clinical outcomes in the treatment of epilepsy.
Failure assessment of hip stem due to pelvic positioning and femoral stem loosening
Authors: Framawy Atef M. , Abd‐Elhady Amr A. , Ahmad Seleem S. E. , Sallam Hossam El‐Din M.
Published: November 2023

The hip joint is subjected to different loads, leading to hip stem failure from the crack nucleation to the final implant failure. The main objective of the present work is to assess hip stem damage due to pelvic positioning and femur movement. The three‐dimensional finite element analysis (3D FEA) was created to simulate the artificial hip joint subjected to static or cyclic loading. The fatigue crack growth rate in the hip stem was investigated based on the extended finite element method (XFEM) with the cycle fatigue approach. The femoral stem loosening during adduction and abduction movements, which may have occurred, was considered. The numerical results showed that the von Mises stress value increases as the loosening distance increases, which appears with the decrease of the cup positioning angle. Furthermore, the pelvic positioning does not affect the crack initiation site, while the loosening and femur movement affect the crack initiation site. On the other hand, the fatigue crack growth rate was affected by pelvic positioning, loosening, and femur movement.
Platelet indices and angiogenesis markers in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy
Authors: Dionisio Laura Mattana , Favero Giovani Marino
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Activated platelets exert a key role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia (PE). There is evidence of distinctive patterns of platelet indices in PE in comparison to healthy pregnancies, therefore these indices can be potential tools for PE detection, risk stratification, and management. Considering the vascular aspects of its pathophysiology, PE is characterized by the increased levels of soluble FMS‐like tyrosine kinase‐1 (sFlt‐1) an antiangiogenic factor, and reduced placental growth factor (PlGF), a proangiogenic factor. This study aimed to assess the platelet indices in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and its correlation with angiogenesis‐related biomarkers.

Methods

The groups for the study were: control (n = 114); gestational hypertension; (n = 112), and PE (n = 42). The platelet indices included were platelet counts (PLT‐I and PLT‐F), mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), plateletcrit (PCT), platelet large cell ratio (P‐LCR), and immature platelet fraction (IPF# and IPF%). Serum levels of sFlt‐1 and PlGF were assessed.

Results

PLT‐I, PLT‐F, and PCT% were lower in PE, while MPV, PDW, P‐LCR, IPF%, and IPF# were increased. The parameter MPV presented the best performance for the discrimination of PE. There was a moderate positive correlation between sFlt‐1 levels and MPV, PDW, and P‐LCR.

Conclusion

Platelet indices can be potentially applied as additional tools for the diagnosis and management of HDP. Activated platelets may act as an extra source of sFlt‐1 in PE.
The effects of comprehensive competence‐based training on competence development and performance improvement of smallholder farmers: An Ethiopian case study
Authors: Tarekegne Chalachew , Wesselink Renate , Biemans Harm J. A. , Mulder Martin
Published: November 2023

Low yield/hectare gains, food insecurity and environmental unsustainability are challenges experienced by the agriculture sector in Ethiopia despite substantial government investment. Although there are many factors that contribute to the poor performance of the sector, smallholder farmer competence gaps are principal among them. This study aims to examine the effects of Comprehensive Competence‐Based Training (CCBT) on the competence development and performance improvement of smallholder farmers using the authentic professional core task during maize planting as a problem context. We applied a 3‐week randomized (control group pretest posttest) design and single‐blind field experiment to test the impact of CCBT through provision of a training to two comparable farmer groups using conventional ‘Low‐CBT’ and innovative ‘High‐CBT’ implementation levels. The samples included ‘High‐CBT’ (N = 220) and ‘Low‐CBT’ (N = 220) groups of smallholder farmers in the West Gojjam Zone in Ethiopia. Data on competence development and performance improvement of farmers were collected from themselves, trainer Development Agents and Trained Assessors. The yield in quintal/hectare gains for each smallholder farmer was collected twice (before and after the intervention). Repeated (pretest, posttest) MANOVA and ANOVA measurements were used to analyze the data. The results revealed that the development of smallholder farmer competence in ‘High‐CBT’ was higher than in ‘Low‐CBT’ training. Comparisons of performance in both the authentic job situation and in terms of yield in quintal/hectare gains in the two groups revealed a better performance of both groups. However, the ‘High‐CBT’ group performed better than the ‘Low‐CBT’ group in both the authentic job situation and in terms of yield in quintal/hectare gains. We obtained 31 and 41 quintal/hectares of maize for the ‘Low‐CBT’ and ‘High‐CBT’ groups, respectively, which are better than the baseline average 22 quintal/hectare for both groups. These findings underscore the relevance of CCBT, especially when the design principles of CBE are integrated well in the training programme (which was called ‘High‐CBT level’), for improving performance, in this case gain in yield per hectare of smallholder farmers, which potentially results in the increase of household food security.
ACOVMD: Automatic COVID‐19 misinformation detection in Twitter using self‐trained semi‐supervised hybrid deep learning model
Authors: Birunda S. Selva , Devi R. Kanniga , Muthukannan M. , Babu M. Mahesh
Published: November 2023

During the COVID‐19 pandemic, online social networks are extensively utilized, more than ever before by 8.4%, resulting in the propagation of false information related to COVID‐19. Despite the existence of many fake news detection models; annotation inconsistency, memory consumption, accurate and self‐trained efficient algorithms for detecting the emerging COVID‐19 misinformation tweets are still challenging. Hence, the main aim of this work is to come up with a self‐trained semi‐supervised model that accurately and automatically detects the reliability of emerging COVID‐19 tweets without delay. In this work, COVID‐19 tweet dataset is created in English Language from the period January 2020 to January 2022 as a ground truth database. Then self‐trained semi‐supervised hybrid deep learning model is proposed to train both supervised and unsupervised components simultaneously using the created dataset. The proposed model is self‐trained repeatedly and the model gets updated to predict the reliability of upcoming COVID‐19 tweets that differ from training tweets. We performed experiments multiple times by limiting the percentage amount of labelled tweets shown to the model, namely 80%, 50%, 40%, 30%, 20% and 10% labelled tweets, respectively. Experimental results show that the proposed model achieves 80.92% accuracy and 98.15% accuracy in the 10% and 80% label‐seen experiments, respectively. This shows a clear rising trend in the performance curve. Therefore, this technique will be useful for effectively classifying voluminous amounts of emerging tweets generated as part of the COVID‐19 infodemic. The proposed model may efficiently use a huge amount of unlabelled tweets and enhance the model's generalization performance.