Strong Connection Research Articles

Radial basis function neural network based data-driven iterative learning consensus tracking for unknown multi-agent systems

This paper provides a novel data-driven-distributed-consensus control protocol for unknown nonlinear non-affine discrete-time multi-agent systems (MAS) with repetitive properties. The leader’s commands are directed to the followers in the topological graph. The dynamic linearization technology (DLT) is used to build the distributed iterative learning (IL) controller along the iteration axis. In the iterative process, the control gain is automatically adjusted by updating the weight matrix of the high-order radial basis function neural network (RBFNN, HORBFNN). In global control, the higher order parameter (HOP) Newton method is used to achieve global convergence and stability of the control process. All the above processes do not require the understanding of dynamical equations or physical models for each agent, and only use local communication information of multi-agent to achieve consistent tracking of MAS leaders and followers. Based on the strong connection, the convergence performance, stability and boundedness properties of the proposed control protocol in the fixed topology as well as in the iterative topology are validated by a rigorous theoretical analysis. Simulation experiments are conducted to verify the effectiveness of the control protocol.

Understanding the social networks that contribute to diversion in hospital inpatient pharmacies: A social network analysis

BackgroundControlled substances (CS) are ‘diverted’ (stolen) from healthcare facilities via many integrated and diverse mechanisms due to a lack of safeguards. There remains a gap in understanding how healthcare workers (HCWs) leverage their social networks (e.g., their role/tasks and interactions with other roles/tasks) within the medication use process (MUP) that contribute to diversion. Social network analysis (SNA) is an analytic approach used to map and analyze social connections, which can help identify influential interdependence between HCWs and tasks susceptible to drug diversion. ObjectivesTo map the social network structures of MUP tasks vulnerable to CS diversion in two Inpatient pharmacies and compare diversion risks by identifying influential tasks and HCWs. MethodsThis was an exploratory sequential mixed methods study conducted in the Inpatient pharmacies at two large hospitals in Toronto, Canada. Initial analysis used previously collected clinical observation data to identify key pharmacy roles and tasks vulnerable to CS diversion. Subsequently, a cross-sectional survey was conducted to collect demographic information on HCWs and assess their engagement in the identified vulnerable tasks. Clinical observations and survey data were used to perform two-mode SNA to identify connections between HCWs and tasks susceptible to drug diversion. ResultsThe analysis identified different network structures across both sites but highlighted the importance of strategic Pharmacist or Technician Supervisor oversight to moderate-high vulnerability tasks. Pharmacy technicians were found to be the network's most central actors, while Pharmacists had a more supportive role on the network's periphery, providing oversight. Across both sites, there was strong connectivity between HCWs and tasks, indicating a higher level of security against potential undetected diversion. ConclusionBy strategically involving Pharmacists or Technician Supervisors, diversion risk can be mitigated through cross-checking and quality control. Through identifying the network structure of each unit, hospitals can identify opportunities for future interventions to prevent diversion.

Assessment of knowledge, perception, and readiness for telepharmacy-assisted pharmaceutical services among young pharmacists in rural Indonesia

BackgroundThe implementation of telepharmacy technology has expanded significantly, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, to ensure continuous pharmaceutical care services. This practice is vital in rural and underserved areas where access to healthcare is limited. ObjectiveThis study aims to assess the knowledge, perception, and readiness of young pharmacists in rural Indonesia towards telepharmacy-assisted pharmaceutical services. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from January to July 2023 in rural areas of Java, Sumatra, and Kalimantan, Indonesia. A convenience sampling method was employed with the aim of recruiting 520 registered pharmacists under 35 years of age (23–34 years old). Data were collected using an online questionnaire adapted for the local context and analyzed using SPSS version 26.0. ResultsThe study achieved an 86.67 % response rate. Most participants were female (73.1 %) and aged between 26 and 30 years (53.8 %). Nearly all pharmacists (97.1 %) held a Pharm.D degree. The knowledge assessment showed high awareness of telepharmacy's importance and its role during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 96.15 % recognizing the need for a strong internet connection. Positive perception was noted, with 90.38 % agreeing that telepharmacy enhances medication access in rural areas. However, concerns about increased error rates and workload were highlighted. A substantial proportion of pharmacists expressed readiness for conducting drug counselling via video consultation (44.23 %) and showed a willingness to undergo relevant training (59.62 %). ConclusionYoung pharmacists in rural Indonesia demonstrate a good level of knowledge and generally positive perceptions about telepharmacy, with notable readiness among pharmacists with less than five years of experience. While there is notable willingness to engage in telepharmacy practices and training, addressing concerns about workload and data security through targeted support and training will be crucial for the successful implementation of telepharmacy, potentially enhancing healthcare access in rural areas.

Seawater-oceanic crust interaction constrained by triple oxygen and hydrogen isotopes in rocks from the Saglek-Hebron complex, NE Canada: Implications for moderately low-δ18O Eoarchean Ocean

Estimations of Earth's earliest surface conditions assume a strong connection between the temperature and oxygen isotopic composition of oceans, balanced by surface weathering and submarine hydrothermal alteration. The oldest preserved supracrustal rocks provide rare opportunities to study and constrain the earliest surface conditions prevailing on the Earth. Here, we present a study of triple oxygen and hydrogen isotopes of hydrothermally altered Eoarchean metamorphosed basalts, ultramafic rocks, and detrital and chemical sediments, from the Saglek-Hebron Complex in northern Labrador, Canada. For the metavolcanic rocks, δ’18O values range from 4.83 ‰ to 8.56 ‰, while Δ’17O values vary from −0.076 ‰ to −0.023 ‰, both higher and lower than the mantle. Accounting for the effects of metamorphism on oxygen and hydrogen isotopic compositions, we demonstrate that triple oxygen isotopic values are preserved from the hydrothermal suboceanic stage, while none of the hydrogen isotope compositions (δD from −77.9 ‰ to −10.7 ‰) are interpreted as primary. Several metabasalt samples from the Saglek-Hebron Complex yielded Δ’17Ο values lower than modern mantle values, which cannot be explained by direct interaction with modern seawater and indicate complex upstream interactions. Our numerical models and Monte Carlo simulation considers one- and two-stage mechanisms of water-rock interaction, including the δ’18Ο and Δ’17Ο isotopic shift effects due to interaction between basalts and chemical sediment-derived fluids. The modelling favors Eoarchean seawater characterized by low δ’18Ο < −8 ‰ at Δ’17Ο up to 0.01 ‰. This model also works for higher Δ’17Ο at lower δ’18Ο. Our results also suggest that without proper modelling of multi-stage water-rock interaction, involving isotopic shifts and input of sediment-derived fluids, exposed sections of altered oceanic crust present only remote evidence of the original seawater. Due to the modeled isotopic shifts and fluid mixing, we favor “weak” coupling of seawater-oceanic crust interaction globally. This potentially reduces the relative importance of submarine hydrothermal alteration in explaining the oxygen isotopic record in submarine basalts across the geologic history.

Cardiac hypertrophy in polycythemia vera: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND The combination of polycythemia vera (PV) with pathological cardiac hypertrophy is uncommon. In this study, we describe a case of PV accompanied by pathological cardiac hypertrophy. It is hypothesized that the pronounced cardiac hypertrophy in this patient has a strong connection with PV. CASE SUMMARY In 2021, a 34-year-old Chinese man experienced chest constriction, shortness of breath, and palpitations during vigorous activity. Each episode lasted several minutes and resolved spontaneously following cessation of vigorous activity. He occasionally experienced syncope and vertigo without a headache. He underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and was diagnosed with “hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)”. He was discharged after receiving symptomatic treatment, which resulted in an improvement. He presented to our department with chest constriction, shortness of breath, and respiratory distress for one month while climbing to the second floor in 2023. His blood pressure was 180/100 mmHg at the time of admittance, and he was receiving antihypertensive treatment. He had a history of PV for 2 years without treatment. Symptomatic treatment was implemented concurrently with the administration of hydroxyurea upon admission. Good blood pressure control was observed during the long-term follow-up, and echocardiography did not reveal any progression of myocardial hypertrophy. CONCLUSION Clinicians managing PV patients should remain highly vigilant regarding the risks of thrombosis and cardiovascular complications, particularly in those with refractory hypertension.

Life's Essential 8 and Poor Brain Health Outcomes in Middle-Aged Adults.

Mounting evidence points to a strong connection between cardiovascular risk during middle age and brain health later in life. The American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8 (LE8) constitutes a research and public health construct capturing key determinants of cardiovascular health. However, the overall effect of the LE8 on global, clinically relevant metrics of brain health is still unknown. We tested the hypothesis that worse LE8 profiles are associated with higher composite risk of the most important clinical endpoints related to poor brain health. We conducted a two-stage (discovery and replication) prospective study using data from the UK Biobank (UKB) and All of Us (AoU), 2 large population studies in the United Kingdom and the United States, respectively. The primary exposure was the LE8 score, a validated tool that captures 8 modifiable cardiovascular risk factors (blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, body mass index, smoking, physical activity, diet, and sleep duration), organized in 3 categories (optimal, intermediate, and poor). The primary outcome was a composite of stroke, dementia, or late-life depression. We evaluated associations using multivariable Cox proportional hazard models. The discovery stage included 316,127 UKB participants (mean age 56, 52% female). Over a mean (SD) follow-up time of 4.9 (0.4) years, the unadjusted risk of the composite outcome was 0.7% (95% CI 0.61-0.74), 1.2% (95% CI 1.11-1.22), and 1.8% (95% CI 1.70-1.91) in participants with optimal, intermediate, and poor cardiovascular health, respectively (p < 0.001). This association remained significant in multivariable Cox models (intermediate vs optimal cardiovascular health hazard ratio [HR], 1.37; 95% CI 1.24-1.52, and poor vs optimal cardiovascular health HR, 2.11; 95% CI 1.88-2.36, p trend <0.001). The replication stage included 68,407 AoU participants (mean age 56, 60% female). Over a mean (SD) follow-up time of 2.9 (1.41) years, the unadjusted risk of the composite outcome was 2.8% (95% CI 2.49-3.05), 6% (95% CI 5.76-6.22), and 9.7% (95% CI 9.24-10.24) in participants with optimal, intermediate, and poor cardiovascular health, respectively (p < 0.001). This association remained significant in multivariable Cox models (intermediate vs optimal cardiovascular health, HR 1.35; 95% CI 1.21-1.51, and poor vs optimal cardiovascular health, HR 1.94; 95% CI 1.72-2.18; p trend <0.001). Among middle-aged adults enrolled in 2 large population studies, poor cardiovascular health profiles were associated with two-fold higher risk of developing a composite outcome that captures the most important diseases related to poor brain health. Because the evaluated risk factors are all modifiable, our findings highlight the potential brain health benefits of using the Life's Essential 8 to guide cardiovascular health optimization.

Faith over fear? Christian nationalism and cultural fears in the United States

AbstractRecent research demonstrates strong connections between Americans' embrace of Christian nationalism and their beliefs and attitudes towards a host of salient social and cultural issues. Implicit in these explanations is that a stronger embrace of Christian nationalism signals an underlying fear of changes to the broader culture, which are perceived as leading the nation further away from a preferred, mythic past. To date, however, empirical studies have not focused explicitly on the relationship between social fears and Christian nationalism. Using a nationally representative sample of American adults, we examine the relationship between Christian nationalism and Americans' fears about immigrants, Muslims, communism, white racial replacement and gun control. We find that Christian nationalism is strongly associated with fears about ethnoracial ‘others’, as well as fears about losing economic autonomy and access to guns. Overall, our study shows that contemporary Christian nationalism in the United States is situated in a constellation of social fears about ethnoracial purity, as well as about the perceived loss of individual autonomy.

Synthesis and Characterization of Cobalt–Organic Framework as an Electrocatalyst for Water Splitting Application

ABSTRACTClimate change is seen as a crucial environmental dilemma that humanity will confront in the upcoming decade. For this purpose, the solvothermal‐assisted technique is used to create metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), which are porous materials characterized by strong connections between organic ligands and metal ions. The MOF discussed here contains cobalt as the metal node and a linker derived from 2‐aminobenzoic acid and terephthalaldehyde. The prepared powder underwent analysis using various techniques including Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area measurement, and thermal analysis. BET analysis revealed a surface area of 1587.06 m2/g, a total pore volume of 0.86394 cc/g, and an average pore size of 1.088 nm. The RGO@Co‐MOF prepared was utilized to evaluate water splitting efficiency, demonstrating favorable catalytic activity like most reported modified MOF catalysts under low current density conditions of 10 mA/cm2.

A roadmap for the future: Teaching humanities in unexpected places

Troubling signs about the state of humanities in higher education are not new, but the steady decline in humanities majors is cause for concern. The humanities, however, play a critical role in society and public life, promoting citizenship and public engagement along with valuable skills. There are untapped opportunities for expanding history, and more broadly humanities, appreciation through cross-disciplinary collaborations and stronger connections with pre-professional programs. History of higher education courses in higher education and student affairs (HESA) programs have the potential to introduce the value of the humanities to a new audience. This article presents the results of the study examining efforts to teach historical thinking skills and appreciation for humanities to future higher education professionals.

Genomic Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) markers and mitochondrial haplotypes illuminate the origins of Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster solaris) outbreaks in the South China Sea.

Outbreaks of the coral predator Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (CoTS) pose a severe threat to coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific Ocean. In 2018, the South China Sea (SCS) experienced significant CoTS outbreaks, leading to extensive coral mortality across the Xisha, Zhongsha, Dongsha, and Nansha Islands, severely impacting the coral reef ecosystem. To explore the origins of these outbreaks, we conducted a comprehensive genomic analysis using data from genomic single nucleotide polymorphism sites (SNPs) and mitochondrial haplotypes. Our analysis reveals that CoTS populations in the SCS, which exhibit moderate genetic diversity and may have undergone positive selection or population expansion. There was limited genetic differentiation among CoTS populations from XS, ZS, and NS groups. Especially between the XS and ZS groups, there was almost no genetic differentiation. The populations from XS, ZS, and NS groups have strong genetic connections with populations in Vietnam and the Philippines. There was high gene flow from Vietnam to the Xisha Islands and from the Philippines to the Nansha Islands, suggesting that the CoTS populations in these regions primarily originate from these neighboring countries. The comprehensive analyses of SNP and mitochondrial genomes have provided valuable insights into the population genetics of CoTS. This research has generated significant genomic resources and facilitated important studies on the genetics of the CoTS species. By identifying potential source populations and understanding the genetic basis of their spread, managers can develop more effective conservation strategies to protect vulnerable coral reef ecosystems in the SCS.

Educational Inequality and Household Dynamics in India: Exploring the Role of Caste Capital

The article uses caste capital as a conceptual tool to analyze educational inequalities by looking at the household-level differences and school differentiation among different caste groups in eastern Uttar Pradesh, India. Caste capital is the social, cultural, and economic assets associated with the hierarchical ranking of a group, which privileged groups could utilize to take advantage of disprivileged others. This includes an informed and conscious effort to create a cultural environment that values and prioritizes education for social and economic advancement. Based on a field survey at the household level, the findings indicate a strong connection between caste, household type, and school choice. The pattern of educational inequality becomes evident whereby individuals from higher caste backgrounds with more affluent households tend to have better educational opportunities. The findings show how caste hierarchy intersects with school choice, creating a hierarchy of educational opportunities producing and reproducing educational inequalities.

'Incense is the one that keeps the air fresh': indoor air quality perceptions and attitudes towards health risk.

Air pollution is of significant environmental and public health concern globally. While much research has historically focused on outdoor air pollution, indoor air pollution has been relatively under-explored despite its strong connection with health outcomes, particularly respiratory health. Studies on air pollution exposure mitigation consistently reveal a significant knowledge gap between the understanding of air pollution as a health risk among lay individuals and expert scientists. This study aimed to assess how people define and understand the concept of 'clean air' within their home setting. We adopted a mixed-methods approach which used a guided questionnaire designed to elicit both quantitative and qualitative data, collected as digital voice notes. The total sample (n = 40) comprised data from two socially different sites of science and non-science events. We compared whether the notion of clean air inside homes differs between these two different social contexts and how views and 'sense' of indoor air pollution are formed. The concept of 'place' facilitated fluidity in our explorative analysis. Insights allowed us to assess the extent to which context mediates individuals' perceptions of indoor air pollution and attitudes towards health risk. We found that individuals' insights were embodied in repetitive day-to-day activities (e.g. cleaning and cooking). Three key themes emerged (1) Stimulative Effects, (2) Contextual Conditions, and (3) Risk Attitudes. Sensory perceptions such as sight, smell and temperature primarily motivated participants to assess air quality inside their homes. These perceptions were shaped by contextual conditions, influencing how individuals perceived their health risk and were subsequently motivated to spend personal time considering or seeking information about household air pollution, or improving their home air quality. Our insights revealed that social, geographical, and contextual factors play a crucial role in individuals' understandings of indoor air pollution. These dimensions should be integrated into designs of effective public health risk communication strategies. Our findings highlight that common lay perceptions and practices intended to improve air quality may pose health risks. Therefore, risk communication about household air pollution must extend beyond objective information by considering contextual factors that shape how people interpret and respond to air quality issues. Not applicable.

Can gold- and USD-backed stablecoins hedge against US stock market volatility? Evidence from a quantile coherency approach

ABSTRACT Emerging markets are increasingly appealing to market participants seeking alternative investments. Using the Quantile Coherency method, this study investigates the interrelatedness between stablecoins backed by two types of traditional assets (gold and US dollars) and the volatility indices of the US stock market across different frequency domains and market conditions. The potential of gold- and USD-backed stablecoins to hedge stock market volatility varies. There is a stronger connection under long-term and extreme conditions than in the short-/medium- and normal markets. The empirical results suggest that the USD-backed stablecoins should be used as hedging assets against US stock market volatility (typically showing a non-negative correlation) rather than the gold-backed stablecoins (which often exhibit a negative correlation). These findings provide valuable insights for market participants and academic research.

Human Operator Mental Fatigue Assessment Based on Video: ML-Driven Approach and Its Application to HFAVD Dataset

The detection of the human mental fatigue state holds immense significance due to its direct impact on work efficiency, specifically in system operation control. Numerous approaches have been proposed to address the challenge of fatigue detection, aiming to identify signs of fatigue and alert the individual. This paper introduces an approach to human mental fatigue assessment based on the application of machine learning techniques to the video of a working operator. For validation purposes, the approach was applied to a dataset, “Human Fatigue Assessment Based on Video Data” (HFAVD) integrating video data with features computed by using our computer vision deep learning models. The incorporated features encompass head movements represented by Euler angles (roll, pitch, and yaw), vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, and respiratory rate), and eye and mouth states (blinking and yawning). The integration of these features eliminates the need for the manual calculation or detection of these parameters, and it obviates the requirement for sensors and external devices, which are commonly employed in existing datasets. The main objective of our work is to advance research in fatigue detection, particularly in work and academic settings. For this reason, we conducted a series of experiments by utilizing machine learning techniques to analyze the dataset and assess the fatigue state based on the features predicted by our models. The results reveal that the random forest technique consistently achieved the highest accuracy and F1-score across all experiments, predominantly exceeding 90%. These findings suggest that random forest is a highly promising technique for this task and prove the strong connection and association among the predicted features used to annotate the videos and the state of fatigue.

CART (Cocaine- and Amphetamine-Regulated Transcript): A New Identified Intrafollicular Mediator in Ovulation Induction Protocols

Background/Objectives: This study investigates the relationship between cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) expression, leptin, and hormone profiles—specifically progesterone, testosterone, androstenedione, estradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)—across four distinct ovulation induction protocols (HMG, HMG/hCG, rFSH, and rFSH/hCG). It also investigates the relationship between follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) Ser680Asn polymorphisms, CART expression, and in vitro fertilization (IVF) results, with the goal of better understanding how CART and FSHR polymorphisms affect ovarian response and oocyte quality. Methods: Data were obtained from 94 women who underwent controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) as part of their IVF therapy. Hormone levels, CART expression, and FSHR polymorphisms were measured across all four ovulation induction procedures. Statistical studies were undertaken to investigate the relationships between CART expression, hormone levels, and IVF results. Results: The study found no significant difference in body mass index (BMI) amongst the four stimulation procedures (p-values varied from 0.244 to 0.909). CART expression did not show a significant correlation with hormone levels throughout the whole cohort (progesterone, testosterone, androstenedione, FSH, hCG, and estradiol; p &gt; 0.05). However, CART levels were adversely linked with the number of follicles &gt; 12 mm (r = −0.251, p = 0.018), total oocyte count (r = −0.247, p = 0.019), and oocyte maturity (r = −0.212, p = 0.048). Furthermore, there was a strong negative connection between CART expression and thyroid hormone T3 (r = −0.319, p = 0.048). Among FSHR polymorphisms, the SER/SER genotype was related to greater CART levels (mean 4.198 ± 2.257) than the SER/ASN and ASN/ASN genotypes (p = 0.031). Conclusions: These data indicate that CART expression and FSHR polymorphisms may influence ovarian response and oocyte quality in IVF patients, possibly acting as biomarkers for evaluating ovarian outcomes in various ovulation induction procedures.

Survey and molecular characterization of begomovirus, and assessment of yield losses caused by leaf curl disease of sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

A comprehensive survey was conducted during winter (rabi) and rainy (kharif) seasons of 2019–20 to 2021–22 in the Kurnool, Nandyal, and Prakasam districts of Andhra Pradesh, focusing on the incidence of leaf curl disease in hybrid sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) crop. The results revealed a high incidence of the disease, ranging from 40–94.5% across most of the surveyed hybrid varieties. Leaf curl-infected samples collected from the surveyed fields were analyzed by PCR using specific primers for the DNA-A component of the virus to confirm the presence of the pathogen. The PCR-amplified fragments were cloned and sequenced. Sequence analysis revealed that the sunflower isolate (Snf-AP) shared 99.2% nucleotide identity with the tomato leaf curl Karnataka virus (ToLCKV), which infects sunflower crops in Karnataka. This indicates a strong geographical and genetic connection between the viral strains affecting sunflowers in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. This genetic similarity is significant, as it suggests that the same or closely related viral strains are responsible for sunflower leaf curl disease across broader regions. The disease was found to affect sunflowers at all growth stages, with the highest incidence (42.3%) observed at the star bud stage. Infection at the star bud stage leads to substantial seed yield losses, with reductions of up to 82.8%. This level of damage underscores the economic impact of early infections, as yield losses of this magnitude can severely affect the profitability of sunflower farming. Additionally, a positive correlation was found between the whitefly population, weather parameters, and disease development.

Advances in Optical and Thermal Remote Sensing of Vegetative Drought and Phenology

In recent decades, remote sensing of vegetative drought and phenology has gained considerable attention from researchers, leading to a significant increase in research activity in this area. While new drought indices are being proposed, there is also growing attention on how variations in phenology affect drought detection. This review begins by exploring the crucial role of satellite optical and thermal remote sensing technologies in monitoring vegetative drought. It presents common methods after revisiting the foundational concepts. Then, the review examines remote sensing of land surface phenology (LSP) due to its strong connection with vegetative drought. Subsequently, we investigate vegetative drought detection techniques that consider phenological variability and recommend approaches to improve the detection of vegetative drought, emphasizing the necessity to incorporate phenological metrics. Finally, we suggest potential future work and directions. Unlike other review papers on remote sensing of vegetative drought, this review uniquely surveys the comprehensive advancements in both detecting vegetative drought and estimating LSP through optical and thermal remote sensing. It also highlights the necessity and potential applications for these practices.

The association between precuneus cortex thickness and mild behavioral impairment in patients with mild stroke.

The objective of this research was to examine the association between precuneus cortex thickness and mild behavioral impairment (MBI) in patients with mild stroke. Seventy-two patients were evaluated by high-resolution 3T magnetic resonance and the mild behavioral impairment checklist (MBI-C). To determine the association between precuneus cortex thickness and MBI, we adjusted for demographics, vascular risk factors, and laboratory examination indicators in logistic regression analysis. In addition, we used mendelian randomization to further study the association through genetic databases. Of the 72 mild stroke patients in this study, 26 had MBI. We found a strong negative connection between precuneus cortex thickness and MBI after adjusting for any confounding variables. In patients with an initial mild stroke, the thinner the precuneus cortex, the higher the risk of MBI (OR: 0.02; 95% CI: 0.00-0.39; P < 0.05). Our study has uncovered a significant negative association between the thickness of the precuneus cortex and MBI. This finding provides a novel viewpoint for the radiological diagnosis of MBI, thereby augmenting the contribution of imaging to the diagnostic process of MBI and advancing the prediction of dementia. Specifically, in patients who have suffered mild stroke, a reduction in the cortical thickness of the precuneus has been pinpointed as crucial radiographic evidence of preclinical cognitive impairment. This insight could potentially facilitate earlier detection and intervention strategies for cognitive decline.

A committed brand facing moral dilemma crises: the role of inferred goodwill and self-brand connection in consumer regret

Purpose In an era of blurred moral boundaries, brands face “moral dilemma crises”, which are distinguished from traditional crises. Based on expectancy violations theory, this study aims to explore how consumers interpret (inferred goodwill) and evaluate (consumer regret) the precrisis committed brands, reinforced by corporate ability and responsibility (expectancies) during moral dilemma crises and whether self-brand connection moderates this relationship. Design/methodology/approach The main study used a scenario-based online survey with a purchased beauty brand, analyzed via structural equation modeling and PROCESS macro, to examine the effects of corporate ability and responsibility on regret, mediated by inferred goodwill and moderated by self-brand connection. A validation study with a fictitious brand used an online experimental design, analyzed with t-tests and ANCOVAs. Findings When corporate ability and corporate responsibility are considered together, corporate ability negatively impacts inferred goodwill (boomerang effect), whereas corporate responsibility positively impacts inferred goodwill (buffering effect). Inferred goodwill acts as a mediator that reduces regret. The negative impact of corporate ability on inferred goodwill and regret becomes stronger among consumers with strong self-brand connections. However, self-brand connection does not moderate the relationship between corporate responsibility and inferred goodwill. Originality/value This research extends the application of expectancy violations theory to moral dilemma crises, differentiates between the effects of corporate ability and responsibility, highlights the role of inferred goodwill and regret and explores the moderating effects of self-brand connection, providing tailored insights for brand management.

Sustainable Practices in Brazilian Ports: Aligning with SDGs 9, 13, and 14

Objective: This study aimed to analyse the disclosure of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in reports published by ports and terminals with the highest cargo movements. Theoretical Framework: The research is grounded in key concepts of sustainability and sustainable development, focusing on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 14 (Life Below Water). Method: This exploratory and descriptive research employed content analysis of sustainability, integrated, and annual reports from Brazilian public ports (BPP) and private port terminals (PPT) to identify key sustainable practices aligned with SDGs 9, 13, and 14. Results and Discussion: The study highlighted the Brazilian port sector's focus on developing sustainable mechanisms, driven by technologies such as radars and cameras, and fostering investments in research and development, reinforcing a commitment to SDG 9. Likewise, initiatives targeting the reduction of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, enhancing operational efficiency, and supporting the energy transition were prominent, demonstrating alignment with SDG 13. However, fewer practices were observed for SDG 14. Research Implications: The findings have significant implications for both academia and the port sector. The clear focus on SDGs 9 and 13 within the Brazilian port industry underscores the sector's commitment to innovation and climate action. Conversely, the study revealed a substantial gap in practices aligned with SDG 14, despite the strong connection between ports and marine ecosystems.