bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Macroeconomic Shocks and Conflict: Evidence from Commodity Terms-of-Trade Shocks
Authors: Mineyama Tomohide , Leepipatpiboon Patcharaporn , Castrovillari Chiara 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

This paper analyzes the causal effects of aggregate income changes on the incidence of violent conflicts. We adopt a novel approach by leveraging a country’s commodity terms of trade as a source of exogenous income variation. We find that income changes stemming from commodity terms-of-trade affect conflicts significantly and persistently. The impact of a 1% GDP loss is an increase equivalent to 1.6% of the average conflict incidences. The magnitude is twice as large for low-income countries. Our results also show that the shocks create more violence in countries with higher inequality and less fiscal space, suggesting the transmission channels in play. While prior studies have reported mixed results on the impact of economic shocks on conflicts, we discuss how our novel approach resolves the discrepancies in their findings. Furthermore, we show that there is a second-round effect through spillovers to neighboring countries. Put together with the literature that emphasizes the economic cost of conflicts, our empirical results imply the presence of a vicious feedback loop between weak economic performance and conflicts in a country’s development.
JEL classification: D74, E32, O11.
Global wildfires on a changing planet
Authors: Haas Olivia , Prentice Iain , Harrison Sandy 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

The distribution of wildfires on Earth will change as future climates, land-use, and vegetation change. We use global empirical models of burnt area, fire size and fire intensity to explore alternative trajectories of wildfires in a changing world. Even with ambitious climate-change mitigation, we find a change in wildfire patterns by the end of the 21st century with generally reduced burning in tropical regions but larger and more intense wildfires in extra-tropical regions. With low mitigation, burnt area increases greatly across all vegetation types – overwhelming the declining trend that currently dominates the global signal. These findings suggest that even with high climate-change mitigation, current fire-suppression policies will no longer be effective in much of the world. A move towards integrated fire management, led by regional stakeholders, will be inescapable. Moreover, mitigation scenarios that rely on expanding forest area will be unrealistic unless they are designed with wildfire risks in mind.
Sex Differences in Outcomes among Heart Failure Hospitalizations: Results from the National Inpatient Sample
Authors: Appunni Sandeep , Zhang Yanjia , Khosla Atulya A , Rubens Muni , Giri Abhishek R , Saxena Anshul , Ramamoorthy Venkataraghavan , Doke Mayur , McGranaghan Peter , Chaparro Sandra , Jimenez Javier 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

This study investigated sex differences in clinical characteristics and in-hospital outcomes of heart failure hospitalizations. This study is a retrospective analysis of National Inpatient Sample data, 2016–2019. Heart failure hospitalizations ≥41 years of age were included and stratified by sex. The outcomes of the study were in-hospital mortality, prolonged length of stay, mechanical ventilation, mechanical circulatory support, vasopressor use, and adverse dispositions. Propensity score matching with regression analysis was done to compare outcomes between sex. A total of 4,704,684 primary heart failure hospitalizations were included in the analysis. Of these, 2,447,784 (52.0%) were males and 2,256,899 (48.0%) were females. Regression analysis showed that females had significantly lower odds for mortality (aOR, 0.92, 95% CI: 0.89-0.94), mechanical ventilation (aOR, 0.89, 95% CI: 0.86-0.92), mechanical circulatory support (aOR, 0.54, 95% CI: 0.51-0.58), vasopressor use (aOR, 0.71, 95% CI: 0.66-0.74), and significantly higher odds for prolonged length of stay (aOR, 1.05, 95% CI: 1.04-1.06) and disposition other than home (aOR, 1.32, 95% CI: 1.31-1.34). There were significant differences in outcomes between males and females hospitalized for heart failure. Further research is required to delineate how sex affects several aspects of heart failure, including epidemiology, risk factors, pathogenesis, and response to medications.
Investigation on high-aspect-ratio silicon carbide ceramic microchannel by using waterjet-assisted laser micromachining
Authors: Han Jinjin , Tong Linpeng , He Bin , Kong Linglei , Li Qilin , Wang Denglong , Ding Kai , Lei Weining 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

The difficult-to-cut characteristics of silicon carbide (SiC) ceramic has limited its processing quality and forming process of functional surfaces. Comparing to direct laser machining (DLM), waterjet-assisted laser micromachining (WJALM) is an alternative technique for SiC ceramic that is capable of reducing thermal-induced damages. In this paper, high-aspect-ratio (HAR) microchannels are fabricated on silicon carbide ceramic by WJALM, and its effectiveness is verified through comparative experiments with DLM. The effects of parametric combination of waterjet and laser parameters on machining responses of geometric structural features and sidewall surface quality are investigated by controlled variable experiments. Results revealed that HAR microchannels with almost no recast layers could be obtained when SiC workpiece was fabricated by a nanosecond laser under the flowing water medium layer. And higher average laser power of 27W, lower scanning speed of 600m/s and medium waterjet velocity of 12/16m/s contributed to larger aspect ratio, more ablation area and superior sidewall quality of HAR microchannels.
Research on key technology of ultrasonic CNC machining programming of honeycomb core parts based on feature recognition
Authors: Hong Weijun , HU Xiaoping , Ji Huawei , Li Ying , Shi Dinghui 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Compared with traditional 5-axis machining, ultrasonic cutting adds a sixth servo axis that controls the cutting direction of the tool in real time, which makes its cutting motion, material removal method and process programming method significantly different from that of traditional cutting machining. Aiming at the problem of difficulty in programming ultrasonic CNC machining of aerospace honeycomb core parts due to the special machining process of non-standard tools, a CNC machining programming method for honeycomb core parts based on feature recognition is proposed. The geometric and topological information of honeycomb core parts is extracted, the low-level data model is transformed into high-level features by logic rules, the machining steps of features are generated by knowledge-based process decision-making, and the process route is formed by combining with the process route rule base to ultimately realize the generation of toolpath. The integration of aerospace honeycomb core part CAD/CAPP/CAM is realized using the NX12.0 and VS2015 secondary development system interfaces.
Association between mixed intake of multi-nutrients and cognitive function among the elderly in northern China: Three statistical models
Authors: Gao Xian , Wang Yan , Li Qingxia , Huang Xin , Sun Yan , Zhou Yutian , Zhu Huichen , Liu Shiyao , Ma Yuxia 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Few studies have considered nutrients as a mixture and their impact on MCI. The generalized linear regression (GLM), weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression, and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models are fitted to estimate the association between intake of a mixture of nutrients and MCI. Comparing the results of the three statistical models, we found that there were similarities and differences in the correlation between nutrients and MCI. Considering the advantages and disadvantages, we recommend estimating the joint effects of nutrients mixture by applying diverse statistical methods. Applying multiple methods appropriate for the study questions and data structures may help obtain a more comprehensive picture of the intake-response relationships. In the future, studies need to move from a “one nutrient at a time” approach to simultaneous analyses of multiple nutrients intakes in order to understand and quantify the joint effect of nutrients mixture on health.
Genomic insights from Enterococcus faecium SMAN_Baghdad isolated from the honey bee gut and analysis of its potential antimicrobial activity against multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Al-Shimmary Sana MH , Al-Thwani Amina N. 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background
Bacterial genetics and molecular biology have been investigated rapidly, accurately and revolutionary by high throughput whole genome sequencing. Enterococcus faecium has recently been widely used in fermentation and as a probiotic in food products to promote health, and its products have been used as alternative compounds to conventional antibiotics for bacterial eradication. Genomic analysis provides rapid information about its diversity and evolution, suggesting a significant molecular basis.
Objective
This study aimed to perform a genome analysis of Enterococcus faecium isolated from the honey bee gut and test the antagonistic activity of its bacteriocin like inhibitor substances against clinically MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Methods
The isolated bacterium SMAN_Baghdad was identified as Enterococcus faecium using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The whole genome of E. faecium SMAN_Baghdad was sequenced and analyzed by bioinformatics tools.
Results
Our strain genome sequence has 40 contigs, and its genome size is 2,835,588 bp, with a guanine-cytosine(GC) percentage of 38.1%. It comprises 2,667 genes, including 2,599 coding sequences (CDSs) and 68 predicted RNAs (including 60tRNAs and others). Many genes encoding genes involved in the production of probiotics and metabolic properties, such as bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances (e.g., enterolycinA, enterocin SE-K4 and entarocin L50a and b),were detected in BLIS. BLISs exhibit significant antibacterial activity against MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Conclusion
Analysis of genome supported the ability to consider bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances as bactericidal agents instead of common antibiotics.
Mechanical properties of auxetic honeycombs realized via material extrusion additive manufacturing: Experimental testing and numerical studies
Authors: Uspensky B. , Derevianko I. , Avramov K. , Maksymenko-Sheiko K. , Chernobryvko M. 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Combination of experimental testing and numerical analysis is suggested to determine static mechanical properties of the auxetic honeycombs realized via material extrusion. Special specimens, which consist of two honeycombs plates and three steel plates, are used to analyze experimentally shear mechanical properties of honeycombs. Shear testing is simulated using the finite elements software ANSYS. The tests on tension of honeycombs are carried out. These tests are simulated by finite elements software. Plasticity of the honeycomb material and geometrically nonlinear deformations of the honeycomb walls are accounted in honeycomb model. The experimental data and calculations results are close.
Herbarium specimens reveal a cryptic invasion of tetraploid Centaurea stoebe in Europe
Authors: Rosche Christoph , Broennimann Olivier , Novikov Andriy , Mrázová Viera , Danihelka Jiří , Gastner Michael , Guisan Antoine , Kožić Kevin , Müller-Schärer Heinz , Nagy Dávid , Remelgado Ruben , Ronikier Michał , Selke Julian , Shiyan Natalia , Suchan Tomasz , Thoma Arpad , Zdvořák Pavel , Mráz Patrik 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Numerous plant species are expanding their native ranges due to anthropogenic environmental change. Because cytotypes of polyploid complexes show often similar morphologies, there may be unnoticed range expansions (i.e., cryptic invasions) of one cytotype into regions where only the other cytotype is native. We critically revised 13,078 herbarium specimens of diploid and tetraploid Centaurea stoebe, collected across Europe between 1790 and 2023. Based on their distribution in relictual habitats, we suggest that diploids are native across their entire European range, whereas tetraploids are native only to South-Eastern Europe and have recently expanded their range toward Central Europe. The proportion of tetraploids exponentially increased over time in their expanded but not in their native range. This cryptic invasion took predominantly place in ruderal habitats and enlarged the climatic niche of tetraploids toward a more oceanic climate. Our differentiation between native and expanded ranges conflicts with dozens of previous studies on C. stoebe. Thus, herbarium specimens can prevent erroneous assumptions on the native ranges of species, which has fundamental implications for designing research studies and assessing biodiversity trends. Moreover, we demonstrate the value of spatio-temporally explicit data in formulating and testing hypotheses regarding the superior colonization abilities of polyploids in ruderal habitats.
Disproportionately High Rates of Burnout Among Disabled Caregivers During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Streuli Samantha , Beckett Imani , Flores Marlene , Omaleki Vinton , Hassani Ashkan , Le Tina , Garfein Richard , Fielding-Miller Rebecca 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background
Burnout is exhaustion caused by exposure to chronic stress. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, people with disabilities experienced high levels of burnout due to discrimination, barriers to accessing resources, and lack of accommodations. Caregivers have also experienced high levels of burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Background
While researchers have examined burnout among caregivers of disabled children, less research has focused on the experiences of disabled caregivers. We examined the association between caregiver disability and burnout during the pandemic.
Methods
We distributed an online survey to caregivers of children enrolled in socially vulnerable elementary and middle schools in San Diego County, California between September and December, 2022. Our survey included demographic questions, questions about pandemic experiences, and a continuous burnout measure. We analyzed survey data to test our hypothesis that caregivers with a disability experienced higher levels of burnout than their non-disabled counterparts during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. We used multivariable linear regression analysis adjusting for household income and caregiver education level.
Results
Disabled caregivers self-reported higher levels of burnout than non-disabled caregivers (B = 0.72; p < 0.001) during the COVID-19 pandemic in bivariate and multivariable analyses. Caregivers with a higher household income (B = 0.04; p = 0.017) and more education (B = 0.13; p = 0.005) also reported higher levels of burnout.
Conclusion
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing difficulties faced by disabled caregivers who often struggle to balance the demands of caregiving with their available resources. Targeted programs and policies are needed to support disabled caregivers during health emergencies that exacerbate existing inequities in access to resources.
Clonogenic survival measurement of human glioblastoma (U87) cells cultured in 3Dbio-phantom after proton and X-ray irradiations
Authors: Kartini Dea A. , Karoon Pharewa , Malad Yuwadee , Tippayamontri Thititip , Sanghangthum Taweap , Talabnin Chutima , Kobdaj Chinorat 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most malignant brain tumor and is resistant to conventional radiotherapy. Proton radiotherapy utilizes accelerated proton beams to irradiate deep-seated tumor or cancer cells with minimum ionization in the entrance channel and maximum ionization in the tumor region, thanks to its inverted dose profile. The aim of this work is to investigate the response of human glioma (U87) cells grown in a 3D bio-phantom after irradiation using X-rays and proton beams.
Methods: U87 cells have been cultured in matrigel matrix inside 96-well plate and incubated for 48 hours. Next, cells were irradiated using 6 MV X-rays and 70 MeV monoenergetic proton beams. Post-irradiation, the surviving cells were determined by a colony formation assay and cell survival fractions were plotted to obtain the survival curves of U87 after X-ray and proton irradiation.
Results: The response of cells in the 3D bio-phantom following X-ray and pro-ton irradiations demonstrated an increased survival fraction in the high dose region compared to cells in the monolayer. However, U87 cells showed more sensitivity towards proton irradiation compared to X-ray irradiation, regardless of the culture setup. Finally, we obtained the RBE10% value of 1.15 for cells in 3Dbio-phantom and 1.29 for cells in monolayer.
Conclusion: Based on the results, proton irradiation produces more cell killing compared to X-ray irradiation, and proton therapy could be an alternative treatment for treating glioblastoma without harming the neighboring healthy tissues.
Bryant-Li-Bhoj neurodevelopmental syndrome: a case report in China and literature review
Authors: Wei Ying , Dai Kun , Gao Jinzhi , Chen Ling , Rong Zhihui 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background Bryant-Li-Bhoj’s neurodevelopmental syndrome is an extremely rare neurodevelopmental disorder caused by germline variation of the H3-3A or H3-3B gene. Similar reports have not been found in China, and there are only two similar reports in the world.
Case presentation: A female child, full-term cesarean section, had intermittent convulsions and feeding difficulties shortly after birth. She had special facial features such as a small jaw, a narrow forehead, and a narrow palatal arch. The skin of the head and neck was loose and redundant. The muscle tone of the limbs was reduced, the primitive reflex was weakened, and hearing and vision were impaired. Genetic testing revealed a heterozygous missense mutation in the H3-3A gene, c.365C > G ( p.P122R ), which indicated the diagnosis of Bryant-Li-Bhoj neurodevelopmental syndrome type 1. The disease is extremely rare and has not been reported in China.
Conclusion: The prognosis and progression of Bryant-Li-Bhoj’s neurodevelopmental syndrome are still unknown. Early genetic testing can help make an early diagnosis and clarify the direction of diagnosis and treatment.
Reconstruction of the lymphatic system by transplantation of a centrifuge-based bioengineered lymphatic tissue
Authors: Kusamori Kosuke , Obana Shu , Itakura Shoko , Murahashi Mutsunori , Nishikawa Makiya 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

The increasing incidence of cancer and surgical procedures for its treatment have accelerated the demand for the development of treatments for secondary lymphedema after lymphadenectomy (LD). We demonstrated that a bioengineered tissue with a lymphatic network composed of lymphatic endothelial cells and mesenchymal stem cells fabricated by a centrifugal cell stacking technique effectively treated secondary lymphedema. The centrifuge-based bioengineered lymphatic tissue (CeLyT) survived long after transplantation and restored the lymphatic flow in LD mice. CeLyTs transplanted into LD mice formed a lymph node-like structure and suppressed lymphedema in LD mice. In addition, the lymph node-like structure was composed of transplant- and host-derived cells including a wide range of immune cells. Furthermore, an injection with the immunostimulant CpG1018 induced the release of proinflammatory cytokines in the lymph node-like structure formed in LD mice. Taken together, CeLyTs composed of lymphatic endothelial cells and mesenchymal stem cells reconstructed the lymph node and has great potential for the treatment of secondary lymphedema.
Maximizing Profit of Network Operators through Task Offloading in Mobile Edge Computing and Computational Resource Allocation
Authors: Aboul Sherif M. , Kader Hala M. Abd El , Eid Esraa M. , Ali Shimaa S. 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Mobile edge computing is universally recognized as a crucial catalyst for the development of next-generation low-latency services and applications on mobile devices that have limited resources. The concept of delegating computationally intensive tasks to the cloud. To realize this concept, these efforts typically concentrate on optimizing system energy consumption and minimizing latency. The idea is to enable user equipment to utilize cloud resources due to limitations in user resources, facilitating dynamic sharing of computational instances among multiple users in the cloud, thus achieving efficient utilization of core cloud resources. To realize this concept, this paper employs the Cloud Radio Access Network (C-RAN) with Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) architecture comprising a pool of Baseband Units (BBU) integrated with a MEC server, along with multiple Remote Radio Heads (RRHs) situated alongside mobile terminals equipment. This configuration assists users in executing computationally intensive tasks and simultaneously generates additional profits for the network operator. This paper explores the profitability of computational offloading from the perspective of a network operator. The decisions to offload, along with the joint optimization of radio and computational resources, lead to a mixed integer nonlinear optimization problem, which is non-deterministic polynomial-time (NP) hard. Firstly, calculate the maximum profit by using three optimization algorithms: a normal Genetic Algorithm (GA), a heuristic-based Fast Genetic Algorithm (FGA), and Spectrum efficiency-based Joint Optimization for Offloading and Resource Allocation algorithm (SJOORA). Subsequently, the optimization problem of the input resource allocation. Next, the maximum profit is calculated in various scenarios to determine the most suitable algorithm for each situation.
The Association of Early Pregnancy Dyslipidemia with Preterm Birth in Twin Pregnancies: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Zhou Li-Yang , Xu Zhou , Wen Li , Chen Xin-Zhen , Yao Ying-Ling , Liu Rui-Ling , Zhang Yong-Jia , Zhong Zhao-Hui , Fu Li-Juan , Chen Gong-Li , Ding Yu-Bin 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background
Maternal lipid metabolism has been implicated in elevating the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, the precise relationship between early pregnancy dyslipidemia and the risk of preterm birth in twin pregnancies remains unclear.
Methods
This retrospective cohort study included women with twin pregnancies between January 2018 and December 2023. Early pregnancy blood lipid profiles, including total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglyceride (TG) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), were examined. Dyslipidemia was diagnosed based on the diagnostic criteria outlined in the 2016 guidelines for the prevention and treatment of dyslipidemia in Chinese adults. Preterm birth was defined as birth occurring before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association of early pregnancy dyslipidemia with preterm birth in twin pregnancies.
Results
A total of 613 women with twin pregnancies were included, and 141 women were complicated with dyslipidemia. The incidence of preterm birth in the dyslipidemia group was significantly higher than in the group without dyslipidemia (64.60% vs. 50.40%). After adjusting for confounding factors, dyslipidemia was associated with a higher risk of preterm birth (adjusted OR: 1.71; 95% CI: 1.13–2.58). Nevertheless, thees associations exhibited variability contingent upon the chorionicity and mode of conception of twins. The positive associations between early pregnancy dyslipidemia and preterm birth retained significance solely among spontaneously conceived (SC) twins or dichorionic diamniotic (DCDA) twins. No statistically significant association was observed between dyslipidemia and other secondary outcomes.
Conclusion
Early pregnancy dyslipidemia was associated with a higher risk of preterm birth in twin pregnancies, with the positive associations persisting significantly among SC twins or DCDA twins. The comprehensive assessment of lipid profiles in the first trimester may prove advantageous for patients monitoring and the implementation of interventions aimed at mitigating adverse pregnancy outcomes.