Transmission Mechanism Research Articles

Placental Infections.

This comprehensive review examines the effects of various infections on pregnancy, focusing on maternal symptoms, fetal outcomes, diagnostic methods, and placental pathology. The paper covers bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections, their mechanisms of transmission, clinical presentations, and histopathologic findings in the placenta. It emphasizes the importance of early detection and intervention, highlighting the challenges in diagnosis due to often asymptomatic presentations. The review also discusses the placenta's role as a protective barrier and its immune defense mechanisms against pathogens. Overall, this paper serves as a comprehensive resource for understanding the complex interplay between maternal infections, placental pathology, and fetal outcomes.

Contamination Characteristics of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Multi-Vector Environment in Typical Regional Fattening House

Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are emerging as significant environmental contaminants, posing potential health risks worldwide. Intensive livestock farming, particularly swine production, is a primary contributor to the escalation of ARG pollution. In this study, we employed metagenomic sequencing and quantitative polymerase chain reaction to analyze the composition of microorganisms and ARGs across four vectors in a typical swine fattening facility: dung, soil, airborne particulate matter (PM), and fodder. Surprisingly, soil and PM harbored a higher abundance of microorganisms and ARGs than dung. At the same time, fodder was more likely to carry eukaryotes. Proteobacteria exhibited the highest propensity for carrying ARGs, with proportions 9–20 times greater than other microorganisms. Furthermore, a strong interrelation among various ARGs was observed, suggesting the potential for cooperative transmission mechanisms. These findings underscore the importance of recognizing soil and PM as significant reservoirs of ARGs in swine facilities alongside dung. Consequently, targeted measures should be implemented to mitigate their proliferation, mainly focusing on airborne PM, which can rapidly disseminate via air currents. Proteobacteria, given their remarkable carrying capacity for ARGs with the primary resistance mechanism of efflux, represent a promising avenue for developing novel control strategies against antibiotic resistance.

Peran Sukuk dalam Stabilitas Moneter di Indonesia

Sukuk as an Islamic financial instrument plays a strategic role in supporting monetary stability in Indonesia. This study explores the relationship between sukuk and monetary policy variables, such as inflation, exchange rate, and economic growth. Sukuk has proven to be a stable instrument that supports sustainable development by mitigating external debt risks. Through the analysis of the monetary policy transmission mechanism, this study identifies the role of sukuk in asset price and exchange rate channels. The results show that sukuk has a positive impact on monetary stability and long-term economic growth.

Covid‐19 pandemic and its impact on capital and output distortions: Evidence from China

AbstractBased on Harrold's neutral technological progress production function, this paper studies the impact of Covid‐19 on output distortion and capital mismatch of China's A‐share listed firms in 2006–2022. It also identifies the ‘positive transmission’ and ‘backward forcing’ mechanisms of this impact effect. The empirical results suggest that there existed positive output distortion and negative capital allocation distortion and the pandemic is found to have exacerbated such distortions, especially in the manufacturing and services industries, the central and eastern regions, high‐tech industries and private firms. In the ‘positive transmission’ mechanism, reducing capital cost and improving technological progress are found to have restrained the distortions induced by the pandemic. In the ‘backward forcing’ mechanism, reducing product price is found to have reduced the distortions, but promoting market share competition is only found to have mitigated output distortion. There is heterogeneity in the efficiency of the transmission mechanisms between industries, regions, technological industry and ownership types. This study provides a solid theoretical basis and empirical evidence guiding central and regional authorities on how to alleviate resource allocation distortions and improve firm performance in response to an unexpected external shock such as the Covid‐19 pandemic.

A review of wrist mechanism design and the application in gastrointestinal minimally invasive surgery of multi-degree-of-freedom surgical laparoscopic instruments.

This paper aims to comprehensively review current designs of Multi-degree-of-freedom (Multi-DOF) wrist mechanisms and the applications of Multi-DOF surgical instruments in gastrointestinal minimally invasive surgery (MIS). By reviewing the advantages and limitations of traditional laparoscopic and robotic surgical instruments, we present the development of Multi-DOF surgical instruments. Then, we summarize the Multi-DOF wrist mechanisms, delineating their pros and cons. Finally, the surgical outcomes and efficiency of Multi-DOF surgical instruments are reviewed. The utilization of Multi-DOF surgical instruments for both benign and malignant gastrointestinal diseases demonstrates perioperative outcomes comparable to traditional laparoscopic and robotic surgeries. In certain aspects, it exhibits advantages such as shorter operative times and faster gastrointestinal function recovery. Further research is needed to effectively combine these driving mechanisms to achieve a new type of transmission mechanism with high rigidity and precision, ample working space, and decoupled degrees of freedom. Multi-DOF surgical instruments offer the advantages of high flexibility and lower costs, displaying good feasibility and safety in practical clinical applications within gastrointestinal surgery. Their promotion in primary care hospitals could benefit a larger patient population. However, more extensive sample-sized multicenter studies are still warranted to elucidate such surgical instruments' advantages further.

Macroeconomic Policy, Wage Gap and Asset Prices: A Dynamic Dependent Economy Model

The role of financial sector in general and macroeconomic policy in particular is a crucial issue in the study of macroeconomic behaviour of developing countries. This article addresses this issue in terms of a dynamic dependent economy model consisting of traded and non-traded sectors. We use perfect foresight and focus on wage gap between skilled and unskilled labour along with unemployment and movement of asset prices. Based on the structure of the model we examine multitude of transmission mechanisms with implications of monetary policy and decrease in oil subsidy. The several cross effects induced by change in system of parameters have their profound bearing on exchange rate, Tobin’s q, wage gap, level of employment and the sectoral composition output. JEL Codes: E31, E63, F32, F41

Will home-ownership enhance allegiance? The effects of home-ownership on Hong Kong people’s national identity and their mechanisms based on quasi-experimental evidence from HKPSSD

ABSTRACT The social problems especially housing issues have continued to plague Hong Kong residents, affecting their allegiance and the stability. In light of the theoretical framework on institutional-psychological perspective, Hong Kong residents comprehend their own political, socioeconomic environments in terms of their personal characteristics and experiences. Based on these cognitions of their life, the resident sevaluate the overall performance of social development, and then construct their identity as well as source of legitimacy. To acquirein-depth perceptions of the internal mechanism of the residents’ national identity, it is crucial to penetrate the effects of house-ownership to analyse the causes of these challenges in order to optimize the collaboration of social security systems. Utilizing the data set from HKPSSD and using the Home Ownership Scheme as an instrumental variable to exclude endogeneity, this study verifies the enhancement effect and transmission mechanism of house-ownership on the national identity of Hong Kong residents. As a result, house-ownership can effectively enhance Hong Kong residents’ national identity. Further analysis also shows that house-ownership enhances psychological integration and ultimately constructs national identity of Hong Kong people by improving their life satisfaction. Finally, some policy implication has been proposed with perspectives of housing policy enhancement on national identity.

Mechanisms of Noise Transmission in Velocity Broad-Band Seismometers: Modeling and Analysis

This paper focuses on the noise transmission process, presenting a comprehensive noise transfer model for velocity broad-band seismometers, which elucidate the transmission mechanisms of five distinct noise sources. We analyzed the spectral characteristics of the noise transfer functions across the forward path, feedback path, and data acquisition stages, with a focus on gains, corner frequencies, and the 0 dB point. Numerical simulations and experiments using the CS60 seismometer showed excellent agreement with theoretical predictions, validating the proposed model and associated noise optimization strategies. This study identified effective methods to reduce noise transfer gains, including optimizing the input and feedback mechanical constants and refining gains at various stages.

The channels of an impact of a state monetary policy on the regional economy

Relevance. The unified state monetary policy is an important component of the state's economic policy and is aimed at achieving the long-term goal of economic development through ensuring price and financial stability. At the same time, an important limitation of monetary regulation is the use of money market management tools that affect the entire economy as a whole. As a result, monetary regulation, while effective at the level of the entire monetary system, may be suboptimal in certain regions. This problem can be considered most acutely in large federal states and supranational associations with territorial and economic diversity, for example, in the eurozone, the United States and Russia.The purpose is to identify channels for transmitting the effect of the use of monetary policy instruments on regional economic development in conditions of spatial heterogeneity. Objectives: to illustrate the statistical heterogeneity of spatial development, to determine the regional component of the main channels of the transmission mechanism of monetary policy; to consider possible distorting effects associated with interregional heterogeneity.Methodology. In this study, the following methods were used: statistical methods, the method of analyzing the sources of the problem under study, the comparative method.Results. The article substantiates the importance of considering spatial heterogeneity in the planning and implementation of monetary policy in Russia. Calculations of the regional heterogeneity of the main economic indicators have been carried out. The channels of transmission of interbank market rates to the regional level are considered and various views on the spatial and sectoral heterogeneity of the effects are presented.Conclusions. Based on the analysis of the economy's response to PREP shocks, general and economic factors that influence the response of regional systems when using PREP tools have been identified. It is concluded that it is necessary to take into account regional heterogeneity when conducting PREP, as well as to develop regional financial markets. The results obtained can be used for mathematical modeling purposes in further studies of the heterogeneity of the effect of monetary policy in the regions.

US sanctions and the reshaping of Chinese innovation strategies

PurposeAs the China–US trade tensions escalate, the implementation of US sanctions has imposed severe restrictions on the innovation resources of Chinese firms. This study introduces the theory of peer effect to investigate whether US sanctions stimulate a homogenization of innovation strategies among Chinese companies in the same industry, thereby giving rise to an innovation peer effect.Design/methodology/approachThis study utilizes a sample of 4,078 A-share listed companies from 2015 to 2021 and employs a multi-period difference-in-differences (DID) model for analysis.FindingsThe findings indicate that US sanctions significantly stimulate innovation inputs among companies in the same industry, but concurrently, they suppress innovation outputs. Moreover, a higher degree of internationalization weakens the promotion of innovation inputs by US sanctions and amplifies the inhibitory effect on innovation outputs. A high proportion of long-term loans offsets the negative impact on innovation outputs, whereas a high proportion of short-term loans diminishes the positive impact on innovation inputs.Research limitations/implicationsThis study elucidates how external shocks impact companies’ innovation capabilities within the same industry, offering a fresh perspective on understanding the influence of China–US trade tensions on innovation among Chinese firms.Practical implicationsChinese firms should view US sanctions-induced technological challenges as opportunities, fostering breakthrough innovations through industry-academia collaboration. Balancing risk and reward is also key when navigating technological innovation and global strategies.Originality/valueThis study comprehensively reflects the impact of the US sanctions on Chinese firm innovation. It lays the foundation for analyzing the transmission mechanism of other trade policies under the framework of trade friction theory.

Generalization Process of the Integrated Mathematical Model Created for the Development of the Production Geometry of Complicated Surfaces

Computer modelling of technical constructions is increasingly carried out using software that includes more detailed knowledge, which requires an increase in the level as well as an expansion of the scope of the geometric knowledge. A significant part of motion transmission mechanisms are worm drive pairs, for which the separation of the parts dealing with the theoretical and practical problems found in the literature can be experienced in numerous instances. Due to the different technical features, in many cases the helical surfaces are not designed and manufactured in a geometrically correct way, or the best solution is not the compulsory chosen. The geometric model describing the production process of the worm surfaces provides the basis for examining the deviation between the surface mathematically determined by the designer and the surface produced. An integrated mathematical kinematic model was developed for the production geometrical analysis of the elements of cylindrical and conical worm gear drive pairs for machining with a traditional thread grinding machine, which causes a serious pitch fluctuating error among several other problems in the case of machining the conical worm. Modelling of the production process of surfaces and the simultaneous study of the manufacturing errors is basically performed with the toolbox of descriptive geometry, including the use of the projective invariants. Knowing the inheritance of the invariants of projective geometry, the aim was the mathematical generalization of the integrated model and the creation of a projective relationship between the reference surfaces of conical and cylindrical spiral surfaces. As a result, the improved constructive geometric model was created, in which the method of analytically creating the projective geometric relationship between the reference surfaces of conical and cylindrical helicoid surfaces has been described for the first time in this article. This procedure is considered the most important result of the present article. Another significance of the further development presented is that during production of the conical helicoid surface, the thread pitch fluctuation has been eliminated. The results obtained, consisting of an improved geometric model, lead to a new geometry of the technological environment regarding the relative position of the cutting tool and the workpiece as well as the relative motion between them.

Interventions to enhance corporate sector engagement in tuberculosis response in Africa: a scoping review protocol

IntroductionTuberculosis (TB) is a significant public health crisis in Africa. TB control programmes implemented by various state and non-state actors in different African countries over the years have recorded significant...

Linking Mechanisms in the Intergenerational Transmission of Mental Health: The Role of Sex in Parent–Adolescent Dynamics

Background/Objectives: This study addresses the significance of mental health concerns by examining the intergenerational transmission of mental health between parents and adolescents. It investigates the serial mediating effects of family resilience, adolescents’ adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and their ability to flourish in the transmission of mental health from parents to adolescents, with a focus on sex differences. Methods: This study used a sample of 54,434 adolescents aged 12–17 from the 2016–2020 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH). Mothers reported on their mental health status and family resilience, and adolescents’ ACEs, flourishing, and mental health problems including depression and anxiety. Serial mediation models were used to assess the hypotheses. Results: The findings revealed that better parental mental health status was associated with fewer mental health problems in adolescents, with significant sex differences observed in these associations. Specifically, in both maternal and paternal models, better parental mental health was linked to higher family resilience, which was associated with fewer ACEs, greater flourishing, and ultimately fewer adolescent mental health problems. Furthermore, maternal mental health had a stronger association with daughters’ mental health, while paternal mental health more strongly influenced sons’. Conclusions: These results highlight the importance of targeted prevention and clinical interventions to disrupt the intergenerational transmission of mental health issues.

KATP channel–dependent electrical signaling links capillary pericytes to arterioles during neurovascular coupling

The brain has evolved mechanisms to dynamically modify blood flow, enabling the timely delivery of energy substrates in response to local metabolic demands. Several such neurovascular coupling (NVC) mechanisms have been identified, but the vascular signal transduction and transmission mechanisms that enable dilation of penetrating arterioles (PAs) remote from sites of increased neuronal activity are unclear. Given the exponential relationship between vessel diameter and blood flow, tight control of arteriole membrane potential and diameter is a crucial aspect of NVC. Recent evidence suggests that capillaries play a major role in sensing neural activity and transmitting signals to modify the diameter of upstream vessels. Thin-strand pericyte cell bodies and processes cover around 90% of the capillary bed, and here we show that these cells play a central role in sensing neural activity and generating and relaying electrical signals to arterioles. We identify a KATP channel-dependent neurovascular signaling pathway that is explained by the recruitment of thin-strand pericytes and we deploy vascular optogenetics to show that currents generated in individual thin-strand pericytes are sent over long distances to upstream arterioles to cause dilations in vivo. Genetic disruption of vascular KATP channels reduces the arteriole diameter response to neural activity and laser ablation of thin-strand pericytes eliminates the KATP-dependent component of NVC. Together, our findings indicate that thin-strand pericytes sense neural activity and transform this into KATP channel-dependent electrometabolic signals that inform upstream arterioles of local energy needs, promoting spatiotemporally precise energy distribution.

Review on the Structure Design of Morphing Winglets

Winglets have a significant impact on the aerodynamic performance of aircraft. When aircraft are in different flight phases such as takeoff, climb, cruise, descent, and landing, traditional fixed winglets often cannot provide optimal performance gains. If winglets that can morph according to different flight conditions are employed, it is expected that the aircraft’s lift-to-drag ratio and control performance can be optimized throughout the entire flight process. This paper reviews the current research status, from theoretical studies on the performance gains of morphing winglets and design studies based on mechanical transmission mechanisms, smart materials and novel structures, to optimization techniques and testing and verification technologies in the design of morphing winglets. It elucidates two main reasons for the low technological maturity of current morphing winglet research, and points out three areas worthy of further in-depth study.

A Reversed Early Warning Methodology for Optimal Bank Profit Retention Recommendations

ABSTRACTThis study introduces a calibration method for the newest policy instrument in prudential supervision by endogenising profit retention targets via a reversed early warning system, depending on the supervisors' risk tolerance, the exposure to the economy, and the level of financial pressure. We model the likelihood of banking crises in EU jurisdictions within a medium‐term horizon using monthly frequency data to account for the increasing speed of financial shock developments amid the digital revolution, as the March 2023 distress episode indicated. Toward this target, we employ economic, monetary, and financial stress variables, banking size indicators, and leverage ratio. The early warning system is then run to calculate the capital buffer against a presumptive probability standard of the supervisory authority, given the financial stress level and the banking intermediation size. This approach would inform supervisors whether a profit retention recommendation is needed to enhance the shock absorption capacity of credit institutions to preserve banking stability given the existing economic, monetary, and financial conditions. Moreover, it can guide central bankers on their policy mix calibration, avoid frictions in the monetary transmission mechanism, and simultaneously accommodate price stability and financial stability goals. Furthermore, despite its macroprudential input, the regulators could replicate the methodology with microprudential data to derive an alternative but direct measure of capital buffers, complementing the current prudential regulatory approach.

The impact of digital technology on health inequality: evidence from China

BackgroundWith the rapid development of digital technology, it is crucial to explore at the individual microlevel whether digital technology can reduce health inequality and discuss potential transmission mechanisms.MethodsThis study uses data from the 2020 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS 2020) and the ordinary least squares (OLS) method to estimate the impact of digital technology on health inequality. This work then discusses the potential transmission mechanisms through which digital technology influences health inequality. Finally, it analyses the heterogeneity effects of digital technology on health inequality across different groups.ResultsWe find that digital technology has reduced both physical and mental health inequality. Strengthening family support, enhancing health investment, and improving health behaviours are the transmission paths from digital technology to health inequality. Groups with older cohorts, females, less-educated individuals, low-income individuals, and rural individuals benefit more from physical health inequality, whereas the impact of digital technology on mental health inequality does not differ across groups.ConclusionDigital technology has a significant impact on reducing both physical and mental health inequality, with particularly notable benefits for vulnerable populations. It is imperative to focus more on the targeted effects of digital technology on these marginalized groups.

Follow-up supportive policies and risk perception influence livelihood adaptation of anti-poverty relocated households in ethnic mountains of southwest China

The poverty alleviation relocation program (PAR) is a milestone project in breaking spatial poverty traps in ethnic mountainous regions and provides a key solution for eradicating global absolute poverty. As direct participants in the restructuring of environmental and livelihood systems, the livelihood adaptation of relocated households is fundamental to the sustainable development of human-land systems in resettlement sites and the consolidation of the success of poverty alleviation. This research constructs an adaptive integration analysis framework of “external disturbance-adaptation process-adaptation outcome”, by utilizing questionnaire data from relocated households in the Liangshan Yi minority area of Southwest China, and employing a formative structural equation model to investigate the transmission mechanisms and heterogeneous effects of PAR on livelihood adaptation across different resettlement characteristics. The results indicate that: (1) External disturbance of PAR facilitates positive adaptation outcomes, with follow-up supportive policy as the most significant determinant, which contributes directly to adaptation outcomes and indirectly through improved learning and self-organization capacity. Conversely, risk perception has a negative impact on adaptation outcomes and further exacerbates adverse impacts by reducing buffering capacity. (2) The pathways influencing subjective and objective adaptation outcomes demonstrate heterogeneity. PAR has a positive impact on subjective adaptation, but a non-significant effect on objective adaptation, self-organization capacity and buffering capacity are the most important direct drivers and mediating variables affecting both, respectively. (3) Resettlement characteristics exert a moderating effect on livelihood adaptation. The positive effect of follow-up supportive policy on learning capacity and the marginal contribution of learning capacity to adaptative strategies being greater in mid-to-long-term resettlements. Buffering capacity of village resettlements and subjective adaptation of town resettlements are more beneficial from follow-up supportive policy.

Impact of Repo Rate Changes on Indian Banking Sector's NPA Ratio (2015–2023)- An Analytical Study

This study examines the impact of changes in the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) repo rate on the Non-Performing Asset (NPA) ratios of Indian Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) during 2015–2023. The repo rate, a critical monetary policy tool, influences the cost of credit and overall economic liquidity. Through an analytical approach utilizing secondary data from RBI publications and peer-reviewed journals, the study explores how repo rate fluctuations affected asset quality, particularly the Gross NPA (GNPA) ratios of SCBs. Key findings indicate that a consistent decrease in the GNPA ratio, from 11.2% in 2018 to 3.7% in 2023, was observed alongside phased repo rate adjustments. These adjustments reflect improved monetary transmission mechanisms and better risk management within banks. Stress testing of macroeconomic factors reveals that policy rate changes have significantly influenced the GNPA ratios under varying economic conditions, highlighting the critical interplay between monetary policy and banking sector resilience. This research provides valuable insights for policymakers and banking institutions on maintaining financial stability in the face of evolving macroeconomic challenges. Keywords • Repo Rate • Non-Performing Assets (NPA) • Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) • Monetary Policy • Financial Stability • Banking Resilience

Heat transfer modeling and vacuum brazing of SiCp/ZL102 composites brazed with Al77Cu20Ti3 filler

55% SiCp/ZL102 composite was vacuum brazed utilizing Al77Cu20Ti3 filler. Shear testing was used to investigate the mechanical properties of the joints while SEM, EDS, and XRD were used to analyze the microstructure of the joints and the Al77Cu20Ti3 filler. ABAQUS software was used to examine the brazing process's heat transmission mechanism. Thermodynamics was used to describe how compounds develop at the junction. The findings indicate that the Al77Cu20Ti3 filler alloy's grain size was refined. The filler's solidus and liquidus dropped to 527.13 ℃ and 565.04 ℃, from 540.33 ℃ and 580.07 ℃, respectively. The joint's interface was dense, and its maximum shear strength of 75.38MPa was achieved when vacuum brazed at 590 °C for 30minutes. In the weld, ternary compounds of Ti, Al, and Si were mostly produced. The simulation indicated that throughout the heating process, heat was radiated to the workpiece's surface. First, SiC particles with better thermal conductivity saw a rise in temperature. Lastly, internal heat conduction kept the workpiece's total temperature constant. The base materials conducted heat to the filler, distributing the temperature differential in a circular pattern.