Instrumental Methods Research Articles

Estimation in functional partially linear spatial autoregressive model

Functional regression has been a hot topic in statistical research. However, not much work has been done when response variables are cross-sectionally dependent variables and explanatory variables contain a real-valued scalar variable and a functional-valued random variable. In this paper, we consider a new functional partially linear spatial autoregressive model. Based on the functional principal components analysis and basis function approximation, we obtain the estimators of the unknown parameter and functions through the instrumental variables estimation method. The asymptotic normality and convergence rates of estimators are proved under some mild conditions. In addition, we illustrate the finite sample performance of the proposed estimation method through simulation study and a real data analysis.

Impact of Government-Funded Health Insurance on Out-of-Pocket Expenditure and Quality of Hospital-Based Care in Indian States of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

With its clear focus on financial protection, government-funded health insurance (GFHI) stands out among the strategies for universal health coverage (UHC) implemented by low-to-middle income countries globally. Since 2018, India has implemented a GFHI programme called the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), which covers 500 million individuals. The current study aims to evaluate the performance of GFHI in meeting its key objectives of improving access, quality and financial protection for hospital-based care in two large central Indian states: Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. The study measures access in terms of utilisation of inpatient care. Financial protection was measured in terms of catastrophic health expenditure which was defined as the incidence of out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) above thresholds of 10% and 25% of annual household expenditure. Patient-satisfaction with care was taken as an indicator of quality. A household survey was conducted in 2023, covering a multi-stage sample of 11,569 and 12,384 individuals in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, respectively. Multi-variate analyses were conducted to find the effect of GFHI-enrolment on the desired outcomes. The instrumental variable method was applied to address potential endogeneity in insurance enrolment. Additionally, propensity score matching was done to ensure robustness. Around 71% and 63% of surveyed individuals were enrolled under GFHI in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, respectively. The hospitalisation rate did not differ much between the GFHI-enrolled and non-enrolled population. The average OOPE on hospitalisation was similar for the GFHI-enrolled and non-enrolled patients. The OOPE and catastrophic health expenditure in private hospitals remained very high, irrespective of GFHI enrolment. The pattern was similar in both states. Multi-variate adjusted models showed that GFHI had no significant effect on utilisation, quality, OOPE and catastrophic health expenditure. The above results were confirmed by propensity score matching. Coverage by GFHI enrolment was ineffective in improving access, quality or financial protection for inpatient hospital care despite 5 years of implementation of the programme. Long-standing supply-side gaps and poor regulation of private providers continue to hamper the effectiveness of GFHI in India.

A novel instrumentation approach for achieving in-situ temperature sensing of a Li-ion cylindrical cell under immersion cooling

Battery thermal management systems are critical for high-performance electric vehicles, where the ability to remove heat and homogenize temperature distributions in single cells and packs are key considerations. Immersion cooling, which immerses the battery in a dielectric fluid, can improve cooling efficiency compared to air cooling. However, stringent instrumentation standards make in-situ monitoring under immersion cooling a difficult challenge. This study proposes a novel cell instrumentation method based on the integrated combination of three O-rings, which for the first time achieves in-situ temperature sensing of batteries under oil-immersed cooling conditions. Reliability of the sealing system and instrumentation methodology is ensured by leakage tests and oil corrosion assessment. Data such as cell impedance and discharge capacity also support the success and reliability of the instrumentation process without affecting the battery performance. Compared with natural air cooling, immersion cooling can reduce the temperature rise during battery operation by >10 °C under high C-rate discharge conditions. However, this is accompanied by an increase in radial temperature gradient. The temperature gradient of the cell with oil immersed reaches a maximum of >7 °C, while the temperature gradient under natural cooling under the same test conditions is only 3 to 4 °C. This leads to intensified temperature inhomogeneity of the cell, which may accelerate the local ageing and degradation. Our instrumentation approach contributes to a deeper understanding of the thermal behaviour of batteries under direct immersion cooling, aiding the development of more advanced cooling strategies and associated battery thermal management models.

Crucial textural properties of braised pork to evaluate the oral mastication behavior and its water distribution to influence tenderness.

The complex composition of braised pork, including lean meat, pigskin, and fat, makes it difficult for sensory evaluation of its texture properties. This study investigated the correlation between sensory texture attributes and physicochemical properties to achieve an objective and comprehensive evaluation of the texture of braised pork. Sensory analysis demonstrated that the overall texture acceptability of braised pork was significantly and negatively influenced by sensory texture attributes (including sensory hardness, chewiness, and toughness), while it was positively impacted by sensory adhesiveness, softness, and juiciness. Shear force and texture profile analysis (TPA) variables, reflecting mastication behavior, were used to characterize the textural properties of braised pork. They were closely related to water distribution, with a higher proportion of immobilized water (P21), indicating a higher water holding capacity and a more tender texture. Correlation analysis between sensory texture attributes and physicochemical properties through partial least squares regression further revealed significant associations between shear force, TPA variables, and sensory texture attributes. Moreover, the proportion of immobilized water (P21) significantly and negatively affected sensory hardness and chewiness, whereas the proportion of free water (P22) significantly influenced sensory toughness. Sensory texture attributes could be well predicted by the physicochemical properties by projecting test samples onto calibration models established by known samples. Therefore, a combination of sensory and instrumental measures can reliably reflect the texture properties of braised pork. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The combination of sensory and instrumental methods is an effective strategy to accurately and objectively evaluate the texture properties of braised pork, which overcomes the limitations caused by the complexity of the composition and texture traits of braised pork. The accurate evaluation and standardization of texture properties is an important premise for the repeatable and stable cooking of traditional braised pork. Furthermore, this research method and findings can also be applied to guide the procedural optimization of smart appliances (e.g., induction cookers) for cooking braised pork.

Methods for Detecting the Patient’s Pupils’ Coordinates and Head Rotation Angle for the Video Head Impulse Test (vHIT), Applicable for the Diagnosis of Vestibular Neuritis and Pre-Stroke Conditions

In the contemporary era, dizziness is a prevalent ailment among patients. It can be caused by either vestibular neuritis or a stroke. Given the lack of diagnostic utility of instrumental methods in acute isolated vertigo, the differentiation of vestibular neuritis and stroke is primarily clinical. As a part of the initial differential diagnosis, the physician focuses on the characteristics of nystagmus and the results of the video head impulse test (vHIT). Instruments for accurate vHIT are costly and are often utilized exclusively in healthcare settings. The objective of this paper is to review contemporary methodologies for accurately detecting the position of pupil centers in both eyes of a patient and for precisely extracting their coordinates. Additionally, the paper describes methods for accurately determining the head rotation angle under diverse imaging and lighting conditions. Furthermore, the suitability of these methods for vHIT is being evaluated. We assume the maximum allowable error is 0.005 radians per frame to detect pupils’ coordinates or 0.3 degrees per frame while detecting the head position. We found that for such conditions, the most suitable approaches for head posture detection are deep learning (including LSTM networks), search by template matching, linear regression of EMG sensor data, and optical fiber sensor usage. The most relevant approaches for pupil localization for our medical tasks are deep learning, geometric transformations, decision trees, and RASNAC. This study might assist in the identification of a number of approaches that can be employed in the future to construct a high-accuracy system for vHIT based on a smartphone or a home computer, with subsequent signal processing and initial diagnosis.

Root canal transportation with ProTaper Next and WaveOne Gold: A systematic review

Root canal transportation is a significant concern in endodontic therapy, impacting treatment outcomes. ProTaper Next (PTN) and WaveOne Gold (WOG) are popular endodontic instrumentation systems used to shape root canals. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the literature on root canal transport with PTN and WOG. Fourteen studies were analyzed, highlighting the overall effectiveness of both systems. The PTN showed potential advantages in minimizing canal transport, while the WOG preserved the original canal shape. Operator experience and canal curvature influence performance. This review provides evidence-based insights to aid endodontic practitioners in making informed decisions for successful root canal treatments. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate and synthesize the literature on root canal transportation with ProTaper Next (PTN) and WaveOne Gold (WOG) instrumentation systems in endodontic therapy. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using the PubMed Central, Scopus, EBSCO, Embase and Web of Science databases from 2000 to 2022. Studies that met the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected for analysis. Data on study design, participant characteristics, intervention details, comparison groups, outcomes, and results were extracted from the included studies. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using appropriate tools, and the findings were synthesized qualitatively. A total of 14 studies were included in the systematic review. The analysis revealed that both the PTN and WOG systems demonstrated overall effectiveness in root canal preparation. PTN rotary files performed adequately with inexperienced operators and showed potential advantages in minimizing canal transportation. On the other hand, WOG files exhibited a conservative approach, preserving the original canal shape. However, variations in performance were observed depending on the instrumentation method, operator experience, and canal curvature. This systematic review provides valuable insights into the ability of the PTN and WOG to manage root canal transport. Both systems demonstrated satisfactory outcomes, with WOG often preserving the natural canal anatomy. The findings suggest that proper operator training and technique play vital roles in achieving optimal results. Clinicians should consider the unique characteristics of each system when selecting instrumentation for root canal treatments. Nonetheless, it is crucial to acknowledge the limitations of the included studies, such as variations in sample sizes and operator experience, which may impact the interpretability of the findings. Future research should address these limitations and further explore the efficacy of these instrumentation systems in various clinical settings. The evidence derived from this systematic review can aid endodontic practitioners in making evidence-based decisions for successful root canal procedures.

Research on Optimization Method of Music Programming and Music Creation Based on Big Data Technology

The development of music creation is closely intertwined with the progress of computer technology and digital tools, which indicates that the synergy between artistic expression and scientific innovation has reached an unprecedented level. Under the background of social pursuit of continuous upgrading, the schools from pop music to instrumental music demand efficient music creation methods. Therefore, this paper focuses on the application of music programming and its programming ability, and explores the optimization strategy of composition design and execution under the framework of big data technology. By doing so, it aims to accurately meet the needs of music education and research, promote the development of this discipline, and promote the seamless integration and gradual innovation of information technology in music education and teaching practice. In the end, this exploration strives to amplify the harmony between technological progress and artistic creativity and promote the development of the music industry.

The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) after four years of implementation – is it making an impact on quality of inpatient care and financial protection in India?

BackgroundIndia launched a national health insurance scheme named Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) in 2018 as a key policy for universal health coverage. The ambitious scheme covers 100 million poor households. None of the studies have examined its impact on the quality of care. The existing studies on the impact of AB-PMJAY on financial protection have been limited to early experiences of its implementation. Since then, the government has improved the scheme’s design. The current study was aimed at evaluating the impact of AB-PMJAY on improving utilisation, quality, and financial protection for inpatient care after four years of its implementation.MethodsTwo annual waves of household surveys were conducted for years 2021 and 2022 in Chhattisgarh state. The surveys had a sample representative of the state’s population, covering around 15,000 individuals. Quality was measured in terms of patient satisfaction and length of stay. Financial protection was measured through indicators of catastrophic health expenditure at different thresholds. Multivariate adjusted models and propensity score matching were applied to examine the impacts of AB-PMJAY. In addition, the instrumental variable method was used to address the selection problem.ResultsEnrollment under AB-PMJAY was not associated with increased utilisation of inpatient care. Among individuals enrolled under AB-PMJAY who utilised private hospitals, the proportion incurring catastrophic health expenditure at the threshold of 10% of annual consumption expenditure was 78.1% and 70.9% in 2021 and 2022, respectively. The utilisation of private hospitals was associated with greater catastrophic expenditure irrespective of AB-PMJAY coverage. Enrollment under AB-PMJAY was not associated with reduced out-of-pocket expenditure or catastrophic health expenditure.ConclusionsAB-PMJAY has achieved a large coverage of the population but after four years of implementation and an evidence-based increase in reimbursement prices for hospitals, it has not made an impact on improving utilisation, quality, or financial protection. The private hospitals contracted under the scheme continued to overcharge patients, and purchasing was ineffective in regulating provider behaviour. Further research is recommended to assess the impact of publicly funded health insurance schemes on financial protection in other low- and middle-income countries.

How Does the Spatial Structure of Innovation Agglomeration Affect Energy Efficiency? From the Role of Industrial Structure Upgrading

This paper employs the instrumental variable method and the intermediary model to explore the influence of monocentric and polycentric spatial structures of innovation agglomeration on energy efficiency. This paper uses data from 2010 to 2021 in China, and also panel data regression models were used. The findings indicate that the monocentric spatial structure of provincial system innovation agglomeration is primarily concentrated in northeastern and western regions of China, whereas the polycentric spatial structure is mainly distributed in eastern coastal areas. A monocentric spatial structure inhibits the enhancement of energy efficiency, but there is an environmental paradox of excessive resource agglomeration. In contrast, a polycentric spatial structure and its strengthening tendency facilitate the improvement of energy efficiency. A monocentric spatial structure has an inhibitory impact on the improvement of energy efficiency in the three sectors of agriculture, industry, and construction, while a polycentric spatial structure aids it. A monocentric spatial structure further hinders the improvement of energy efficiency by impeding the upgrading of the industrial structure, while the upgrading of the industrial structure driven by the polycentric spatial structure plays a role in enhancing energy efficiency. The policy recommendations of this paper are intended to help coordinate the pace of innovation development between cities, adjust the spatial structure of innovation agglomeration between regions, and promote the upgrading of the comprehensive industrial structure, thereby improving overall energy efficiency.

CONSIDERATION OF MORPHOLOGICAL-FUNCTIONAL CHANGES IN THE COMPONENTS OF CALOT’S TRIANGLE IN ACUTE CHOLECYSTITIS AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON THE SPECIFIC LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY TECHNIQUE IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE CHOLECYSTITIS

From 2018 to 2023, a study was conducted on 89 (100%) patients operated on for acute cholecystitis in the surgical department of the Storozhynets Multidisciplinary Hospital for Intensive Care.The goal is to study the clinical features of acute cholecystitis based on the results of surgical treatment in the general surgery department of a multidisciplinary district hospital for intensive care.Materials and methods. From 2018 to 2023, 89 patients who underwent surgery for acute cholecystitis were studied in the surgical department of the Storozhynets Multidisciplinary Hospital for Intensive Care. Clinical, laboratory, instrumental examinations, and surgical treatment were performed on 89 patients of various age groups (from 18 to 74 years) with manifestations of acute cholecystitis. The patients were divided into two groups. The diagnosis was confirmed clinically, laboratory, by instrumental methods, intraoperative examination, and histological study of the removed specimens. The state of changes in peripheral blood was assessed: the number of erythrocytes, hemoglobin content, number of leukocytes, leukocyte formula, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and leukocyte intoxication index according to the Kalf-Kalif formula. Statistical processing of the material was performed using the t-test with the determination of the probability corresponding to the Student's t-criterion. When performing statistical processing, the arithmetic mean (M) and the reliability of differences in study results (p) relative to the indicators of different groups were calculated. The results were considered reliable when the confidence coefficient was less than or equal to 0.05.Results. The results of our laparoscopic cholecystectomies for grade I and II (moderate) severity of acute cholecystitis (according to the International Classification) showed a quantitative advantage in prioritizing the laparoscopic method of surgical intervention. However, in the presence of a purulent-inflammatory process in the hepatobiliary zone, priority is given to performing cholecystectomy by the "open method," involving highly experienced surgeons in the surgical team. This option of cholecystectomy is advisable mainly for severe acute cholecystitis (stage III of the pathological process) with a purulent-necrotic process in the hepatobiliary zone detected at the preoperative stage and in the case of peritonitis. Contraindications for laparoscopic cholecystectomy include chronic duodenal obstruction, gangrenous-perforative cholecystitis, and diffuse peritonitis. Considering the features of surgical tactics for treating acute cholecystitis confirms the need for its differentiated determination based on already developed tactical and therapeutic recommendations, the effectiveness of which is evidenced by the accumulated experience of the international school of surgeons and confirmed by our clinical results.Conclusions. 1. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is currently performed for both chronic and acute cholecystitis. 2. The most optimal time for performing "laparoscopic cholecystectomy" is the first two days from the onset of the inflammatory process in the gallbladder. 3. Performing laparoscopic cholecystectomy considering anatomical landmarks according to the recommendations for "safe cholecystectomy" by Steven Strasberg (1992, 1995 - SVS) and Gary G. Wind (1999) is an effective component of successful laparoscopic cholecystectomy for chronic cholecystitis and in the early stages of acute inflammatory processes in the gallbladder. 4. For acute destructive cholecystitis, the "elephant trunk" technique is practically preferred.

Generation of specific aptamers for constructing CoOOH nanozymes-based colorimetric aptasensor for detection of fleroxacin in milk

The misuse or abuse of fleroxacin (FLE) in livestock and aquaculture can result in elevated levels of FLE in animal-derived foods, posing significant health risks to humans. Detection of FLE has been relying on instrumental analysis methods that need expensive equipment and longer analysis time. Herein we report the first isolation of two specificity aptamers against FLE (FLE-9 and FLE-51) by capture-SELEX, characterized them well and explored the binding mechanism. Furthermore, FLE-9 was selected to construct a CoOOH@Apt based biosensor. The catalytic activity of the biosensor was evaluated using the Michaelis equation, revealing a Vmax of 4.87×10−8 M s−1 and a Km of 0.11 mM. These results suggest that the affinity of CoOOH@Apt is higher than that of CoOOH nanozymes. In the present of FLE, the aptamer FLE-9 specifically binds to FLE, distancing itself from CoOOH nanozymes and thereby reducing the catalytic activity of the biosensor. Finally, the label-free colorimetric aptasensor was successfully applied to detect FLE, with a detection limit of 4.26 ng/mL. The recovery rates ranged from 96.70 % to 101.70 %, with a relative standard deviation (RSD) below 3.02 %. This study presents promising probes and a novel strategy for the determination of FLE in milk samples, contributing to improved food safety monitoring.

A green solution for eliminating methylene blue and crystal violet dyes using eco-friendly zinc oxide nanoparticles synthesized from Dracaena trifasciata

Modern technological development has unavoidably resulted in more pollution, especially in aquatic environments. While extensively utilized in various industries, cationic dyes pose a significant threat to both the environment and human health, ranking among the most hazardous pollutants. When exposed to these dyes, one may experience skin irritation and allergic dermatitis because they are frequently mutagenic, toxic, carcinogenic, and resistant to biodegradation. The continued release of these dyes into the environment exacerbates human health and ecosystem concerns. This work investigates the possibility of eco-friendly zinc oxide nanoparticles, which are produced by the co-precipitation method from leaf extracts of the Dracaena trifasciata plant, also referred to as snake plant, for the elimination of the cationic dyes methylene blue and crystal violet. This work presents a novel approach for synthesizing eco-friendly zinc oxide nanoparticles using leaf extract from Dracaena trifasciata. To examine the eco-friendly zinc oxide nanoparticles, characterization studies were carried out using various instrumental methods. The best conditions for removing methylene blue and crystal violet were found through batch adsorption investigations, which produced removal percentages of 86 % and 88 %, respectively, under specific conditions. The eco-friendly zinc oxide nanoparticles achieved maximum adsorption capacity and effective removal of methylene blue and crystal violet dyes under the following conditions: a pH value of 10, nanoparticle concentration of 0.06 g, reaction time of 50 min, dye concentration of 50 mg/L, and reaction temperature of 40 °C. Isotherm investigations demonstrated that the adsorption of methylene blue dye by eco-friendly zinc oxide nanoparticles followed the Temkin isotherm model, whereas the adsorption of crystal violet dye followed the Freundlich isotherm model. The kinetic parameters describing the adsorption of methylene blue and crystal violet dye onto eco-friendly zinc oxide nanoparticles were identified as pseudo-first-order and Elovich models, respectively. Following the above-mentioned studies, eco-friendly zinc oxide nanoparticles were subjected to additional characterization in order to assess their potential for wastewater treatment.

Bespoke instrumental variables with non-ideal reference populations.

Recently, a bespoke instrumental variable method was proposed, which, under certain assumptions, can eliminate bias due to unmeasured confounding when estimating the causal exposure effect among the exposed. This method uses data from both the study population of interest, and a reference population in which the exposure is completely absent. In this paper, we extend the bespoke instrumental variable method to allow for a non-ideal reference population that may include exposed subjects. Such an extension is particularly important in randomized trials with nonadherence, where even subjects in the control arm may have access to the treatment under investigation. We further scrutinize the assumptions underlying the bespoke instrumental method, and caution the reader about the potential non-robustness of the method to these assumptions.

Nanoscale lipid domains determine the dynamic molecular portraits of mixed DOPC/DOPS bilayers in a fluid phase: A computational insight

Lateral heterogeneity, or mosaicity, is a fundamental property inherent to cell membranes that is crucial for their functioning. While microscopic inhomogeneities (e.g. rafts) are easily detected experimentally, lipid domains with nanoscale dimensions (nanoclusters of nanodomains, NDs) resist reliable characterization by instrumental methods. In such a case, important insight can be gained via computer modeling. Here, NDs composed of lipid's head groups in the mixed zwitterionic dioleoylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC) and negatively charged dioleoylphosphatidylserine (DOPS) bilayers were studied by molecular dynamics. A new algorithm has been developed to identify NDs. Unlike most similar methods, it implicitly considers the heterogeneous distribution of lipid head atomic density and does not require subjectively chosen parameters. In DOPS-rich membranes, lipids form more compact and stable NDs due to strong interlipid interactions. In DOPC-rich systems, NDs arise due to the “packing” effect of weakly bound lipid heads. The clustering picture is related to the physical properties of the bilayer surface: DOPS-rich systems show more pronounced surface heterogeneity of hydrophilic/hydrophobic regions compared to DOPC-rich ones. The results obtained are important for the effective quantitative characterization of the “dynamic molecular portrait” of a membrane surface – its “fingerprint” characterizing dynamical distribution of its physicochemical properties.

Instrumental diagnosis of cognitive impairment in workers engaged in the maintenance of agricultural machinery

Workers engaged in the maintenance of agricultural machinery are exposed to a number of production factors in the course of their work, which can be considered as risk factors for the development of cognitive impairment. The purpose of the work: to diagnose cognitive disorders using informative instrumental methods of examination of mental functions, such as cognitive evoked potentials P 300, ultrasound duplex scanning of brachiocephalic arteries in combination with the determination of the atherogenicity index. In order to diagnose the stages of cognitive impairment early, optimal quantitative and qualitative signs in combination with professional experience and age have been determined. Each feature was evaluated in points, which are further summarized. The stages of cognitive impairment are determined by the sum of the points.

Assessment of the Drinking Water Quality in Shendam Local Government Area of Southern Senatorial District of Plateau State, Nigeria

Introduction: Access to clean water is fundamental to human health. The importance of water to human’s health and wellbeing is encapsulated in the human right to water, reaffirmed by the united nation in 2010. The, aim of this study was to assessed the quality of drinking water in Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State Nigeria. Place and Duration of Study: The water samples were collected from Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State Nigeria. 20 samples of the water were collected in the month of May from different locations within the study area. Methodology: The samples were analyzed using automated instrumental methods prescribed by standard methods for the analysis of water and wastewater and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA, 2010). Results: The results showed SO42- range from ND to 69.00mg/L; pH 6.93 to 7.69; NO3- 4.40 to 113.08 mg/L; PO42- 1.48 to 69.00 mg/L; Cd range from 0.002 ± 0.03 to 0.036 ± 0.005 mg/L; Ni, from 0.002 ± 0.010 to 0.162 ± 0.013 mg/L; Cr, ND to 0.337 ± 0.051 mg/L; Pb 0.012 ± 0.002 to 0.213 ± 0.029 mg/L. The calculated average daily intake (ADI) for Cd, Ni, Cr and Pb were within acceptable limits while the hazard quotients (HQ) for some of the metals were >1, while some are < 1 signifying that some of the population would experience non-cancer risks due to exposure to these metals in drinking water. The bacteriological study of the water samples also revealed that the water samples were all polluted with bacteria and coliforms. Conclusion: From the foregoing, these drinking water sources, therefore require treatment before consumption to minimize or avoid the incidences of water-related diseases.

The impact of earnings opacity on corporate social responsibility: insights from Vietnamese listed firms

PurposeThis paper studies the association between earnings opacity and corporate social responsibility disclosures of firms listed on the Vietnamese Stock Exchange.Design/methodology/approachWe utilize a dataset comprising a sample of all listed Vietnamese firms for the period of 2014–2022. Data regarding corporate social responsibility information are gathered manually. Following Dechow et al. (1995), Kothari et al. (2005) and Bhattacharya et al. (2003), earnings opacity is measured by using three proxies, including abnormal accruals, earnings smoothing and loss avoidance. Our hypothesis was tested via ordinary least squares (OLS) regressions. To address endogeneity problems, we use the two-stage instrumental variable method (IV-2SLS) as well as the generalized method of moments (GMM) to ensure the robustness of our results.FindingsWe find that earnings opacity is positively related to corporate social responsibility disclosures. Cross-sectional analyses indicate that managers of firms disguise their opportunistic behaviour by disclosing more information about corporate social responsibility. The evidence also shows that firms experience long-run underperformance when having higher earnings opacity and greater sustainability disclosures. Our results remain robust even after correcting for endogeneity using the IV approach and the GMM method.Practical implicationsEvidence from this study can serve as a warning signal to the investment community, highlighting that some methods aimed at enhancing a firm’s corporate social responsibility disclosures might be used to obstruct other unethical activities. Moreover, the results of this study can help regulators gain a better comprehension of firms' reporting patterns concerning corporate social responsibility initiatives. It should not only reform the corporate social responsibility regulation but also impose stronger litigation for firms to enhance the quality of corporate social responsibility disclosures.Originality/valueWe are the first to present evidence regarding the relationship between earnings opacity and corporate social responsibility disclosure in Vietnam.

Recent advances in electrochemical detection of common azo dyes.

Food forensics is an emerging field and the initial part of this review showcases the toxic effects and the instrumental methods applied for the detection of the most commonly used azo dyes. Electrochemical detection has a lot of advantages and hence the significance of the most important techniques used in the electrochemical detection is discussed. The major part of this review highlights the surface modified electrodes, utilized for the detection of the most important azo dyes to achieve low detection limit (LOD). A thorough literature study was conducted using scopus, science direct and other scientific databases using specific keywords such as toxic azo dyes, electrochemical detection, modified electrodes, LOD etc. The recent references in this field have been included. From the published literature, it is observed that with the growing interests in the field of electrochemical techniques, a lot of importance have been given in the area of modifying the working electrodes. The results unambiguously show that the modified electrodes outperform bare electrodes and offer a lower LOD value. According to the literature reports it can be concluded that, compared to other detection methods, electrochemical techniques are much dependable and reproducible. The fabrication of the electrode material with the appropriate modifications is the main factor that influences the sensitivity. Electrochemical sensors can be designed to be more sensitive, more reliable, and less expensive. These sensors can be effectively used by toxicologists to detect trace amounts of harmful dyes in food samples.

Electrospun Poly-ε-Caprolactone Nanofibers Incorporating Keratin Hydrolysates as Innovative Antioxidant Scaffolds.

This manuscript describes the development and characterization of electrospun nanofibers incorporating bioactive hydrolysates obtained from the microbial bioconversion of feathers, a highly available agro-industrial byproduct. The electrospun nanofibers were characterized using different instrumental methods, and their antioxidant properties and toxicological potential were evaluated. Keratin hydrolysates (KHs) produced by Bacillus velezensis P45 were incorporated at 1, 2.5, and 5% (w/w) into poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL; 10 and 15%, w/v solutions) before electrospinning. The obtained nanofibers were between 296 and 363 nm in diameter, showing a string-like morphology and adequate structural continuity. Thermogravimetric analysis showed three weight loss events, with 5% of the mass lost up to 330 °C and 90% from 350 to 450 °C. Infrared spectroscopy showed typical peaks of PCL and amide bands corresponding to keratin peptides. The biological activity was preserved after electrospinning and the hemolytic activity was below 1% as expected for biocompatible materials. In addition, the antioxidant capacity released from the nanofibers was confirmed by DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities. The DPPH scavenging activity observed for the nanofibers was greater than 30% after 24 h of incubation, ranging from 845 to 1080 µM TEAC (Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity). The antioxidant activity for the ABTS radical assay was 44.19, 49.61, and 56.21% (corresponding to 972.0, 1153.3, and 1228.7 µM TEAC) for nanofibers made using 15% PCL with 1, 2.5, and 5% KH, respectively. These nanostructures may represent interesting antioxidant biocompatible materials for various pharmaceutical applications, including wound dressings, topical drug delivery, cosmetics, and packaging.

How can bottom-up citizen science restore public trust in environmental governance and sciences? Recommendations from three case studies

Citizen science is currently at the forefront of environmental scientific research and public policy for its potential to improve environmental governance, restore epistemic trust and help address some of the most stressing environmental challenges. Although citizen science is gaining increasing popularity, there is little empirical evidence to support these claims and demonstrate how bottom-up citizen science shapes public trust in environmental governance and science. In this paper we reflect on three grassroot environmental citizen science initiatives in Cameroon, Japan, and the UK to identify and present an instrumental framework which includes trustee attributes and conditions that influence how epistemic trust is shaped, and which should inform citizen science and other participatory practices. We explain that citizen science is an approach which enables political processes through the construction of well-informed techno-scientific arguments, which expose deficit assumptions about the public’s ability to participate in knowledge co-production process. To avoid repeating the failures of the past and risk amplifying issues of public distrust further, we provide suggestions built around key trustee attributes which can be incorporated in citizen science practices and we urge that environmental policy needs to create clear policy frameworks to enable the generation of actionable data, especially when such approaches are initiated and implemented as instrumental public participation methods.