Rate Fluctuations Research Articles

Pediatric melanoma incidence and survival: a fifteen-year nationwide retrospective cohort study in Korea.

The aim of this study was to explore the epidemiology of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) and the associated risk factors influencing its occurrence and survival among Koreans aged <20 years. In this retrospective cohort investigation, we identified cases of incident melanoma diagnosed in Korean patients aged 0-19 years between 2004 and 2019, utilizing the National Health Insurance database. We assessed annual fluctuations in age-adjusted incidence rates and examined 5-year survival rates based on various factors, including sex, age, income level, sun-exposed sites, and the Charlson Comorbidity Index. Of 1160 patients, 51.4% were male and 48.6% were female. The mean age of the patients was 11 years, mostly belonging to the top 25% high-income group. The head and neck regions were the most frequently affected sites. The overall age-adjusted incidence rate of melanoma was 0.22 per 100,000 persons. This rate witnessed a decline of 4.5% annually from 2004 to 2012, followed by a subsequent increase of 12.6% annually from 2012 to 2019. Notably, patients with CMM in low-sun-exposed sites exhibited poorer survival rates compared with those in high-sun-exposed areas ( P < 0.05). The incidence of melanomas in children and adolescents in Korea has shown a rising trend since 2012. Further research is needed to investigate the etiology and risk factors in pediatric patients.

분포동학을 통한 중국 위안화 환율의 안정성 및 결정요인 분석

This study is focused on the stability and determinants of the Chinese Yuan (CNY) against the U.S. dollar exchange rate movement. To this end, a distribution dynamics model is introduced. We establish the non-linearity of the Generalized normal (GEN) distribution and estimate the impact of macroeconomic variables, such as interest rates, on exchange rate dynamic conditional probability density functions (PDFs). As the distribution allows for fluctuations in the exchange rate, the conditional probability density function (PDF) reveals a time-varying multimodality (i.e., unimodality and bimodality), based on the change in the shape parameters of the generalized normal (GEN) distribution. A unimodal distribution corresponds to a stable equilibrium for exchange rate movement. In contrast, a bimodal distribution contains an unstable equilibrium. Moreover, the bimodality may offer insights into the exchange rate fluctuations resulting from foreign exchange crises or global financial crises. In contrast with previous research on the linearity between macroeconomic variables and exchange rate movements, this study presents novel evidence on the dynamic non-linearity distribution of CNY exchange rate movements and their determinants. Our empirical analysis results will serve as a reference point for macroeconomic policymakers.

Pembatalan Putusan Badan Arbitrase Nasional Indonesia Berdasarkan Pasal 70 Undang-Undang Nomor 30 Tahun 1999 tentang Arbitrase dan Alternatif Penyelesaian Sengketa Ditinjau dari Sifat Final dan Mengikat: Studi Kasus Putusan Nomor: 104 B/Pdt.Sus-Arbt/2019

The application of the provisions of Article 70 of Law Number 30 of 1999 has resulted in inconsistent interpretations and no firm rules. On the other hand, BANI's decision is final and binding. However, it is not uncommon for parties who are dissatisfied with the arbitration award to file a lawsuit to annul the BANI decision to the district court. This legal research is classified as normative juridical research which aims to examine legal certainty based on literature studies (documents or library research), case approaches, and applicable positive law. The results of this thesis research show that the cancellation of BANI's decision through Decision Number: 104 B/Pdt.Sus-Arbt/2019 was based on allegations that it contained elements contained in Article 70 of Law Number 30 of 1999, namely that after BANI's decision was taken, documents were found that decisive, which was deliberately hidden by Shimizu Corporation and PT. Hutama Karya. Thus, the annulment of the BANI decision Number 854/V/ARBBANI/2016, clearly and clearly includes the reasons for the cancellation of the arbitration award and the judge's considerations regarding the annulment of the BANI Decision through Decision Number: 104 B/Pdt.Sus-Arbt/2019, of the opinion that the claim proposed by Shimizu Corporation and PT. Hutama Karya to BANI, it was proven that there were several documents that were not submitted by Shimizu Corporation and PT. Hutama Karya, however, if the document is submitted, BANI's decision will be different or at least it will not grant the demands of Shimizu Corporation and PT. Hutama Karya in whole or in part, in this case, includes claims regarding fluctuations in the rupiah exchange rate.

Changes of oxidative stress in 3D film to be prepared for echocardiography: A randomized controlled study.

Echocardiography (ECHO) is a nonprocedure that causes acute stress in children. Fear, anxiety, and fluctuations in children's blood pressure and heart rate can potentially lead to alterations in echocardiographic measurements. The insufficient research on virtual reality pediatric preparation applications, particularly in the context of echocardiographic procedures, underscores the necessity for additional studies focusing on pediatric patients. This study sought to assess the impact of virtual reality applications tailored explicitly for ECHO on children's oxidative stress levels. This was a prospective, randomized, controlled experimental study. Forty-eight children (experimental/24, control/24) aged 7 to 12 years who had an ECHO appointment in the pediatric cardiology outpatient clinic in the 3 months from June to August 2019 participated in the study. Participants whose blood analyses showed hemolysis were eliminated, and the study was completed with 37 children in total: 16 children in the experiment and 21 children in the control. Post hoc power analysis was performed for sample adequacy, and the power of the study was found to be 0.99. A 3D film was prepared for the research and applied to the experimental group before the procedure. All children's oxidative stress levels (cortisol, malondialdehyde, nitric oxide) and glutathione levels were checked after ECHO. The stress hormone cortisol and malondialdehyde levels were lower in the 3D-applied experimental group than in the control group. As another crucial anti-stress antioxidant factor, glutathione level increased in the experimental group compared to the control group (P < .05). The research revealed that the 3D film used to prepare ECHO reduces the stress parameters associated with heart risk and may affect the ECHO measurements. At the same time, the study also proved the positive effect of 3D film preparation by increasing the anti-stress factor.

Study on the Impact of RMB Exchange Rate Fluctuations on the Process of RMB Internationalization

Study on the Impact of RMB Exchange Rate Fluctuations on the Process of RMB Internationalization

EXCHANGE RATES AND STOCK MARKET DYNAMICS: ISLAMIC VERSUS CONVENTIONAL FINANCIAL SYSTEMS

This study investigates the changes and persistence in dynamic connectedness between stock market performance and exchange rate fluctuations, comparing conventional and Islamic financial systems. With an eye on a global financial landscape characterized by the integration of capital markets and the adoption of floating exchange rate regimes, it examines the effects of exchange rate variations on the dynamics of the stock market in nine different countries - the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, Singapore, Canada, China, India, Korea, and South Africa. The study employs daily data spanning from November 2015 to July 2023 and uses a comprehensive analysis of three-step methodology, including nonparametric causality-in-quantiles tests, asymmetric slope Conditional Autoregressive Valueat-Risk (CAViaR), and Time-Varying Parameter Vector Autoregressive (TVP-VAR) Connectedness measure. Our results underline the asymmetric impact of exchange rate fluctuations on stock markets and highlights the distinctive characteristics of Islamic financial markets. Comparing Islamic and conventional stock markets in the context of exchange rate fluctuations, this study not only serves to fill a gap in the existing literature but also emphasizes the significance of currency exchange rate swings for global investors, policymakers, and practitioners trying to understand the intricacies of global financial markets.

Empirical comparative study of new field-cast foamed cement insulation systems

In practical building construction, simply judging the insulating performance of the material by its thermal conductivity is not fully comprehensive. Therefore, the study used the “four identical tests” to compare the effects of insulation materials on energy consumption and indoor comfort in actual buildings. New field-cast foamed cement and extruded polystyrene plate insulation materials with lower thermal conductivity are used in Test Houses 1 and 2. The test houses' indoor temperature and energy consumption were monitored. Comparison of two Test Houses shows that, during the heating shutdown, Test House 2 daily temperature dropped 0.5 °C more than Test House 1. Conversely, Test House 2 exhibits a 5.97 % higher temperature fluctuation during heating than Test House 1. Under normal and heating conditions, Test House 2 consumes 2.2 kW h and 1.6 kW h less energy on average than Test House 1, with energy fluctuation rates 13.54 % and 9.33 % higher, respectively. Although the energy consumption of Test House 1 experimental room using the new type of field-cast foamed cement is slightly higher, it exhibits better temperature stability during the heating period, significantly improving indoor comfort. Moreover, it demonstrates good energy-saving potential and durability, making it a better choice for building insulation.

Intermittency transition to azimuthal instability in a turbulent annular combustor

We experimentally study the transition from a state of combustion noise to azimuthal thermoacoustic instability in a laboratory-scale turbulent annular combustor. This combustor has sixteen swirl-stabilized burners to facilitate continuous and spatially distributed combustion along the annular region. Our approach involves simultaneous measurement of CH* chemiluminescence emission of the flame using two high-speed cameras and the acoustic pressure fluctuations using eight piezoelectric pressure transducers mounted on the backplane of combustor. We observe that the transition from combustion noise to azimuthal instability occurs through mode shifting, where the system switches from a longitudinal mode to an azimuthal mode as the equivalence ratio is decreased. Throughout this progression, the combustor exhibits various dynamical behaviors, including intermittency, dual-mode instability, standing azimuthal instability, and beating azimuthal instability. These dynamical states are determined from the acquired pressure signals by decomposing the acoustic pressure fluctuations into clockwise (CW) and counterclockwise (CCW) waves, enabling a reconstruction of the amplitude of acoustic pressure fluctuations, nature angle, (anti-)nodal line location, and spin ratio. The global heat release response is then examined during various dynamical states, contrasting their behavior at different non-dimensional time steps by phase-averaging the fluctuations of the heat release rate over the acoustic pressure cycle. Distinctive flame behaviors were observed based on the direction of pressure wave propagation, showcasing characteristic CCW spinning, standing, and CW spinning heat release patterns. Moreover, our examination of relative phase distributions during various dynamical states, computed by analyzing the phase of heat release rate fluctuations across all burners with respect to one burner, reveals the emergence of diverse patterns in the interaction of neighboring flames influenced by acoustic field.

Monetary policy reaction function: A Bayesian analysis for the BRICS.

This study estimates the monetary policy reaction function (MPRF) in a Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium (DSGE) framework using Bayesian analysis for the emerging economies. DSGE models are suitable for the policy analysis because of their simplicity and prominent role of forward-looking variables. This is a pioneer study investigating the combined effects of credit spreads, fiscal imbalances, and monetary autonomy on interest rates for BRICS member countries. Using real data for the period 1970-2021, the posterior estimates confirm that both credit spread and fiscal imbalance significantly contribute to fluctuations in output, inflation, and interest rates in all the sample economies. The estimates show that fluctuations in the inflation rate are due to supply shocks. The empirical estimates also reveal that fiscal imbalances shock significantly affect output in Brazil, India, and South Africa, whereas, based on real data inflation and interest rate are significantly affected by fiscal imbalance shocks in China and South Africa. Yet, the findings suggest that the effects of various shocks on output and interest rates vary across countries.

Impact of deposition pressure on the structural, nanomechanical, and tribological properties of δ-TaN coatings deposited via magnetron sputtering on Ti6Al7Nb alloy

In the present study, δ-TaN thin films were deposited by reactive magnetron sputtering (physical vapour deposition) on Ti6Al7Nb alloy by varying the deposition pressure (0.8–0.2 Pa). Their crystalline structure, chemical composition, surface roughness, and surface morphology were investigated by using grazing incidence X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive spectroscopy, scanning probe microscope, and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), respectively. Structural analysis results confirmed the deposition of cubic δ-TaN thin films along the (111) basal plane; moreover, spherical dome-like surface morphology was observed by FESEM. Further, to analyze the nanomechanical properties of the deposited δ-TaN coatings, such as hardness (H) and modulus (E), scratch tests were performed utilizing the nanomechanical system. Moreover, friction and wear properties of the coating and bare sample (substrate) were investigated on nano-tribometer equipment using a rotary ball-on-disk type configuration. The stainless steel (SS-316) and silicon nitride (Si3N4) balls were used as the counter materials for the tribological tests. The observations of nanomechanical tests revealed that H (GPa), E (GPa), and H/E ratio values increased from 11.83 to 28.30 GPa, 176.02 to 248.45 GPa, and 0.06 to 0.11, respectively, with the decrease of the deposition pressure. In the scratch test, the highest critical load (cohesion failure) was found for δ-TaN coating deposited at the lowest deposition pressure (0.2 Pa). Tribological results of δ-TaN coatings demonstrated average coefficient of friction (COF) value ranges between 0.066–0.092 and 0.072–0.029 against steel and Si3N4 balls, respectively. The wear rate values were observed to vary from 8.15 × 10−5 to 7.56 × 10−6 and from 1.77 × 10−3 to 8.99 × 10−6 against steel and Si3N4 balls, respectively. Generally, the average COF and wear rate decreased against 316 SS and Si3N4 balls as the deposition pressure of coatings decreased. However, the coating deposited at 0.8 and 0.6 Pa against Si3N4 ball showed early delamination of the coating, resulting in the sudden fluctuation in COF plots and higher wear rate in the range of 10−3 mm3/N.m.

Utility of Magnetocardiography and Stress Speckle Tracking in Detection of Coronary Artery Disease.

Introduction: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of death and disability in developed countries. While exercise testing is recommended for diagnosing stable angina pectoris, its limited sensitivity and specificity have been questioned. Myocardial strain is a promising predictor of significant CAD. Aim: To evaluate the utility of myocardial strain obtained by 2D speckle tracking at rest and under stress combined with stress magnetocardiography for detecting CAD in patients with stable or low-risk unstable angina pectoris. Methods: A total of 108 patients meeting the inclusion criteria underwent coronary angiography within 48 h of admission. Myocardial strain was assessed using 2D speckle tracking at rest and during dobutamine stress alongside stress magnetocardiography. Results: Global longitudinal strain at stress showed a moderate correlation with significant CAD (r = 0.41, p <0.0001) and with coronary occlusion severity (r = 0.62, p <0.0001). Strain at stress had a sensitivity of 74.1% and specificity of 76.7% for detecting CAD at a cut-off value of -19.1. The ST fluctuation rate from magnetocardiography demonstrated the highest sensitivity for CAD detection. Conclusions: Longitudinal strain parameters and stress magnetocardiography are effective non-invasive methods for predicting CAD in patients with stable angina, potentially reducing the need for invasive assessments.

Study on the Correlation Between Exchange Rate Fluctuations and the Global Economy Based on Macroeconomic Models

Study on the Correlation Between Exchange Rate Fluctuations and the Global Economy Based on Macroeconomic Models

The Impact of Multi-Currency System On Public Sector Procurement Performance in Zimbabwe

The purpose of the study was to examine the impact of multi-currency system on public sector procurement performance in Zimbabwe using evidence from government ministries of agriculture, defence and local government. In line with the positivism philosophical framework the study used correlational research design, deductive research approach, quantitative research methodology and a structured questionnaire to collect primary data from 171 participants comprising of procurement and finance officers in the three ministries. The study confirmed a statistically significant impact of multi-currency system on public sector procurement performance. All multi-currency system dimensions that include exchange rate fluctuations, foreign currency shortage and multiple currency usage induced inflation were found to significant positive predictors of both procurement cost and supplier price. Exchange rate fluctuations were confirmed to have the greatest positive impact on both procurement cost and supplier price in the public sector.

The Managerial Economics Implications Of Rupiah Exchange Rate Fluctuations On Investment And Corporate Growth

The managerial economics implications of Rupiah exchange rate fluctuations on investment and corporate growth are critical considerations for businesses operating in Indonesia's volatile economic environment. This study, conducted through an extensive literature review, explores the multifaceted impacts of exchange rate volatility on corporate decision-making and performance. Key findings indicate that fluctuations in the Rupiah increase investment risks and uncertainties, adversely affecting private sector investment and corporate growth. The review highlights that exchange rate volatility escalates production costs and diminishes profit margins, thereby impeding business expansion and competitive positioning in international markets. From a managerial perspective, effective risk management strategies such as hedging and portfolio diversification are essential for mitigating exchange rate risks. Additionally, efficient resource management and operational efficiency are pivotal in cushioning the adverse effects of currency fluctuations. The study underscores the importance of dynamic pricing strategies and financial instruments in stabilizing cash flows and sustaining growth amidst economic turbulence. This paper contributes to the theoretical and practical understanding of exchange rate impacts on managerial decisions and provides actionable insights for businesses to navigate currency volatility. Future research should focus on empirical analyses to validate the findings and explore case studies across various sectors to further elucidate the nuances of managing exchange rate risks in different business contexts.

The Inflation Rate and the Prices of Building Materials in Benin City

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the inflation rate and the price of building materials in Benin City to aid in mitigating the adverse effects of the inflation rate on the construction industry. The trend in the variables from 2017 to 2023 was investigated, and their relationship was assessed and determined using Spearman’s correlation and Regression analysis. Data on the inflation rate was collated from the Central Bank of Nigeria, while prices of the selected building materials were obtained from market surveys. Findings revealed that the inflation rate had the highest value in 2023, and the prices of the chosen building materials had an upward trend from 2017 to 2023. The yearly change in the variables revealed that a percentage increase in the inflation rate produced the highest increase of 3.34% in the price of 1.5mm single-coil cable and the lowest increase of 0.93% in the price of Granite. Correlation analysis indicated that the prices of the building materials had a direct relationship and an inverse relationship with the inflation rate. Regression analysis showed that for every unit increase in the inflation rate, the price of Granite would experience the highest increase by ₦5693. In contrast, the price of Sandcrete block would experience the lowest increase by ₦10. It was recommended that the Government provide an enabling environment that will promote the local production of building materials to reduce dependency on imports and the effect of inflation rate fluctuations.

Seroepidemiology of bovine herpesvirus-1 in goats in south-western Iran.

Widely regarded as one of the chief causes of diseases in cattle population, bovine herpesvirus-1 (BoHV-1) has the potential to infect sheep and goat, making them potential reservoirs or hosts for this virus. Thus, preventive measures against BoHV-1 in cattle should not overlook the ability of this virus to infect other animals. Therefore, the focal point of this study was to ascertain the seroprevalence of BoHV-1 in 300 healthy goats, the relationship between host and the environmental determinants of infection, and the contributing role of goats in the epidemiology of the BoHV-1. In order to pinpoint the existing antibodies to BoHV-1, the obtained sera were analyzed by Virus Neutralization test. According to this test, the seroprevalence of BoHV-1 appeared to be 64.33% in southwestern Iran. What logistic regression disclosed was that the odds ratio between age and infection with BoHV-1 was 0.83 (p=0.01), representing a decrease of 17% as goats grew one year older. In addition, females manifested a higher relative frequency of infection compared to males, with the odds of infection in female goats being registered at 1.88, compared to those in males (p=0.2). Moreover, contrasted with goats lacking any history of abortion, those with a history of abortion featured 1.1 as the odds ratio (p=0.87). The seroprevalence in Hendijan, Ahvaz, Shushtar and Dasht e Azadegan was detected to stand at 73.24, 71.30, 55.56 and 47.06 percent, respectively, with 6% of fluctuation in the infection rates being attributed to various geographical locations under the scrutiny of this study (p=0.003). Having attested the marked seroprevalence of BoHV-1, the definitive role of goats in the epidemiology of this virus as a secondary host or reservoir was confirmed by the present study, necessitating the strict monitoring of BoHV-1 in goats by animal health authorities in areas where BoHV-1 abounds in cattle.

Severe COVID-19 in HIV/Leishmania infantum coinfected patient: a successfully managed case report

BackgroundCoronavirus disease 2019 originated in China and swiftly spread worldwide, posing a significant threat to public health. Caused by SARS-CoV-2, it manifests as a flu-like illness that can escalate to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, potentially resulting in fatalities. In countries where HIV/Leishmania infantum is endemic, the occurrence of concurrent SARS-CoV-2/HIV/Leishmania infantum infections is a reality, prompting inquiries into appropriate clinical management.Case presentationWe present the case of a 48-year-old woman who was hospitalized for 36 days across three different hospitals in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. She was diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2/HIV/L. infantum coinfection. The patient exhibited severe COVID-19 symptoms, including fever, productive cough, and dyspnea. Throughout her hospitalization, she experienced oxygen saturation levels of ≤ 93%, along with fluctuations in blood pressure, respiratory rate, and heart rate. Her blood tests revealed lymphopenia, leukopenia, and neutropenia, while laboratory results indicated abnormal levels of d-dimer, AST, ALT, lactate dehydrogenase, ferritin, and C-reactive protein. A computed tomography scan revealed 75% involvement of the lung parenchyma with patchy ground-glass opacities.ConclusionAgainst all odds, the patient was discharged. The leukopenia associated with HIV/L. infantum may have played a decisive role. Further studies are necessary to better understand diagnostic strategies and clinical management measures for HIV/L. infantum coinfected patients who are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The Mismatch Between Macroeconomic Stability and Declining Stock Performance of Digital Banks in Indonesia: An Empirical Study of 2022-2023

This study examines the mismatch between macroeconomic stability and the stock performance of digital banks in Indonesia over the period 2022-2023. The results of the analysis show that the USD/IDR exchange rate and Bank Indonesia interest rate have a significant negative effect on stock prices, while inflation shows no significant effect. These findings suggest that despite stable macroeconomic conditions, the share prices of digital banks experienced a significant decline, indicating market inefficiencies. This study makes a theoretical contribution by revealing the role of exchange rate and interest rate fluctuations in influencing the stock performance of digital banks in emerging markets. In conclusion, factors such as investor sentiment, market behavior, and the influence of digital financial technology need to be taken into account in developing strategies to support the stability and growth of the digital banking sector in Indonesia. The results of this study are important for policymakers, regulators, and market participants in dealing with the challenges faced by the digital banking sector in Indonesia. Keywords Digital banking, macroeconomic stability, stock performance, market inefficiency.

Exploring the Spillover effects of tail risk fluctuations in the RMB exchange rate—The time-frequency and quantile connectivity perspective

This study constructs spillover indices from a volatility spillover network perspective using the Quantile Vector Autoregression (QVAR) model, capturing the RMB exchange rate's tail risk and time-frequency effects across varying shock sizes. Empirical results show that the QVAR-based spillover index more effectively captures the tail risk spillover effects across different quantiles. In the time domain, spillovers between RMB exchange rates are dynamic and particularly sensitive to extreme contingencies. In the frequency domain, RMB exchange rates demonstrate significant spillovers, primarily at low frequencies. During extreme upward events, dynamic observations show high-frequency spillovers surpassing low-frequency ones as dominant drivers in the tail spillovers of the RMB exchange rate. Additionally, the analysis of tail dependence indicators indicates a strong asymmetry in RMB exchange rate correlations, emphasizing market participants' heightened sensitivity to unfavorable shocks. These findings can serve as a reference for policymakers to strengthen risk management of the RMB exchange rate.

Perfluorooctanoic acid efficient chain reaction degradation in multifunctional iron-sulfur mineral augmentation geobiochemical remediation system

Serious contamination of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) has aroused global concern. General biotransformation or iron-based materials did not meet efficient PFOA elimination. Here, specific green and low-carbon microorganism-biochar pellets, multi-component and multifunctional iron-sulfur (FexSy) mineral pellets, and a microbe-FexSy interaction device were developed to solve this problem. The multi-scale (molecular, interface, and column scales) research method combined with the multi-process reaction model was constructed to explore PFOA removal mechanism. Results revealed that microbe-FexSy interaction achieved excellent PFOA degradation performance and retention effect, with degradation rate λ (0.213 h−1) increased by 113 % than FexSy (0.100 h−1) device. The distribution coefficient Kd and kinetic adsorption α increased by 18.54 % and 22.61 %; the fraction of kinetic sorption increased by 63.83 % in microbe-FexSy device (77 %) than alone FexSy (47 %) device. Delftia and Pseudomonas combined with Fe2+ drove an efficient cycle chain reaction for PFOA. Quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) model prediction results indicated that intermediates exhibited lower biotoxicity than PFOA. Furthermore, NO3– further increased the retention effect of microbe-FexSy device for PFOA with little reaction rate fluctuation, making it promising for eliminating PFOA contamination, especially in NO3– type of groundwater. It provided an efficient technology and device based on microbe-mineral interaction in remediating PFOA-contaminated groundwater.