关键词： Banking   governance   technology   macroeconomic determinants   human development   bank-specific determinants   G21   O14   G3   Corporate Governance   Technology  

摘要： This study explores the relationship between governance, technological progress, and internet banking adoption in the European Union (EU) from 2000 to 2023, focusing on the global financial crisis of 2008 and the COVID-19 pandemic. Employing a dynamic system GMM methodology, the analysis highlights the pivotal roles of governance quality and technological advancements in driving internet banking adoption. A key contribution of this research lies in its comparative analysis of the two crises. The findings reveal that governance priorities evolved from financial stabilization during the 2008 crisis to fostering digital transformation and cybersecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study also demonstrates the synergistic effects of governance and technological infrastructure in reducing the digital divide, especially in EU states with historically low adoption rates. The practical implications of this research highlight how governance quality and technological advancements collectively influence internet banking adoption. Strengthening regulatory frameworks and improving digital security measures are essential for fostering trust and confidence in digital banking systems. Additionally, the findings emphasize the role of technological infrastructure in expanding access, particularly through enhanced broadband and mobile connectivity, which can drive digital banking even in regions with weaker governance indicators.

摘要： Antimicrobial resistance is a global health concern, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the highest-priority organisms exhibiting this phenotype. Here, we performed a national surveillance integrating patient clinical data of S. aureus isolated from bloodstream infections. We performed genome sequencing, standardized antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and collected clinical metadata of 580 S. aureus isolates collected during 2019–2020. We focused on three predominant clonal complexes (CC1, CC5, and CC8) and assesses their microbiological and clinical significance, as well as their distribution across eastern and western Japan. Furthermore, we conducted a genomic comparison of the isolates of 2019–2000 with those of 1994–2000 and investigated the evolutionary trajectory of emerging clones from the three dominant clonal complexes. We revealed that the emerging MRSA ST764-SCCmecII showed the highest mortality rate within 30 days of hospitalization. This high-risk clone diverged from the New York/Japan clone (ST5-SCCmecII), which was inferred to have undergone repeated infections with phages carrying superantigen toxin genes and acquired antimicrobial resistance genes via mobile genetic elements, leading to its emergence around 1994. Overall, we provide a blueprint for a national genomic surveillance study that integrates clinical data and enables the identification and evolutionary characterization of a high-risk clone. © The Author(s) 2025.

关键词： Maritime corridor   Pilot dispatching   Pilot performance measures   St. Lawrence River  

摘要： This study presents a novel decision support process for a pilot dispatching problem in the St. Lawrence River. It integrates a comprehensive set of time-based performance measures, including working time, waiting time, and skill level differences, to optimize fairness and operational efficiency in pilot dispatching. The proposed process employs a weighted multi-objective model and a goal programming solution method to dynamically rank pilots, continuously updating dispatch plans. A year-long case study in the St. Lawrence River, Canada with 1288 vessels and 200 pilots across four stations showed that the proposed decision support process significantly improved workload distribution, reducing waiting times by 14% and enhancing pilot satisfaction. The findings highlight the potential for more balanced and efficient pilot dispatching approach benefiting for both service quality provided to vessels and the pilots themselves by reducing fatigue and improving performance measures. © The Author(s) 2025.

摘要： ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is considered a critical cardiac condition with a poor prognosis. Shortly after STEMI occurs, the increased number of circulating leukocytes including macrophages can lead to the accumulation of more cells in the myocardium, affecting the cardiac immune microenvironment. Identifying serum biomarkers associated with immune infiltration after STEMI is important for diagnosing and treating STEMI. In this work, we aimed to use integrated bioinformatics and machine learning methods to identify new biomarkers. First, candidate genes closely associated with M1 macrophage immune infiltration and STEMI were obtained using the limma package, the CIBERSORTx package, weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA), and protein‒protein interaction (PPI) networks from the GSE59867 dataset, which comprises peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples. The STEMI patients were subsequently stratified into subtypes using the ConsensusClusterPlus package. Furthermore, using machine learning methods, we identified AKT3, GJC2, HMGCL and RBM17 as the genes with the greatest potential to be associated with STEMI subtypes and with M1 macrophage infiltration during the acute phase of STEMI. Finally, the expression profile and diagnostic value of the four feature genes were validated in the GSE59867 and GSE62646 datasets and in 24 patients using real-time PCR. This study revealed logically and comprehensively that AKT3, GJC2, HMGCL and RBM17, which are derived from PBMCs, could enhance the accuracy of STEMI diagnosis and might provide effective treatment options for STEMI patients. © The Author(s) 2025.

关键词： 21st century skills   High school   Inquiry-based learning   Science instruction  

摘要： Educators worldwide are using a variety of approaches to develop students’ 21st century skills, better known as the 4Cs: communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity. As part of a larger QUAN-QUAL mixed method study, this paper describes urban Bangladeshi students, teachers, and site coordinators’ thoughts about the influence of a six-month inquiry-based learning (IBL) science project on middle and high students’ 4C skill development. We analyzed survey data from 109 students and 20 teachers, interview data from site coordinators, and Zoom transcripts to identify areas of growth. Students reported that the project fostered the development of communication and collaboration skills. We also noted gains in critical thinking and creativity skills. Nonparametric statistics confirmed that grade levels have a statistically significant effect on the 4C skills development. However, curriculum type (British vs. National) did not have a considerable influence, showing that teachers can use IBL projects to develop 4C skills regardless of curriculum variations. This study highlights the benefits of providing teachers with professional development that targets design and implementation of IBL to foster 4C skills development across content areas and educational settings. © The Author(s) 2025.

关键词： Escherichia coli   ST131   Multidrug-resistant   Bloodstream infection  

摘要： BackgroundThe multidrug-resistant clone identified as Escherichia coli sequence type 131 (E. coli ST131) has spread worldwide. The current study is one of the first comprehensive investigations to ascertain the prevalence of ST131 and molecularly characterize the ST131-O25b and ST131-O16 subgroups causing bloodstream infections in *** and resultsTo this end, 119 consecutive, non-repetitive E. coli clinical strains were isolated from blood samples of patients with septicemia in different hospital wards for one year in Tehran. The isolates were provided by the laboratories of tertiary hospitals affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences. The disk diffusion method was used to investigate the sensitivity of bacteria to antibiotics. All phylogroup B2 isolates were screened for E. coli ST131 status using a triplex PCR assay that combines the identification of ST131-O25b and -O16 clades. The seven putative virulence factor genes (kpmstII, fimH, afa A, iroN, Sat, ibeA, and ompT) and resistance genes (blaCTX-M-15, blaOXA-48, and blaCMY) were detected by PCR in E. coli ST131 *** highest incidence of antibiotic resistance among 74/119 (62.18%) extended-spectrum beta-lactamases-producing E. coli isolates was observed, respectively, against Nalidixic acid (82%), and Aztreonam (75%), followed by Ciprofloxacin (70%). Twenty out of 74 ESBL-producing E. coli isolates were found to be ST131 (27%), with 13 (65%) ST131-O25b and 7 (35%) ST131-O16 clades, respectively. The ST131-O16 isolates had a higher prevalence of resistance to Ceftriaxone, Amikacin, Aztreonam, and Cefepime than the -O25b ones. Concerning virulence capacity, our findings demonstrated that kpmstII, fimH, and ompT genes were found in 85%, 65%, and 30% of ST131 isolates, respectively. Our results reinforce the surveillance of E. coli ST131 clone dissemination as a major drug-resistant pathogen and an important new public health threat in Iran. Accumulation of multiple virulence fa

关键词： Inflammatory plasma proteins   Cytokines   Glucose metabolism   Admission blood glucose   HbA1c   Myocardial infarction  

摘要： BackgroundTo investigate the association between admission glucose and HbA1c values and inflammatory plasma proteins in hospitalized patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).MethodsThis analysis was based on 345 STEMI patients recorded by the population-based Myocardial Infarction Registry Augsburg between 2009 and 2013. Using the OLINK inflammatory panel, a total of 92 protein biomarkers were measured in arterial blood samples, which were obtained within the scope of cardiac catheterization immediately after admission. The associations between admission glucose and HbA1c levels and the 92 protein markers were investigated using multivariable linear regression *** glucose showed significantly positive associations with the inflammatory markers IL-10, IL-8, IL-6, FGF-21, IL-7, ST1A1, MCP-1, 4E-BP1, SIRT2, STAMBP and IL-18R1 after Bonferroni adjustment. HbA1c values were only significantly associated with IL-18R1. In stratified analyses, admission glucose was not significantly associated with any plasma protein in the diabetes subgroup, while there were several protein markers that showed significantly positive associations with admission glucose in STEMI patients without known diabetes, namely IL-10, CCL20, IL-8, MCP-1 and *** glucose in patients hospitalized due to an acute STEMI seems to be related to an inflammatory and immune-related response, expressed by an increase in inflammation-related plasma proteins in particular in non-diabetic patients with stress hyperglycemia. The present results may open new avenues for the development of biomarkers suitable as potential diagnostic or prognostic clinical markers.

关键词： Fat content   Triglycerides   Parental effect   Xenia   Cocoa butter crystallization  

摘要： The seeds of Theobroma cacao L. are highly valued for their high content and composition of cocoa butter. Across many plant species, both parental genotypes influence seed lipid traits, but this phenomenon has not been deeply studied in cacao. Here, seeds from reciprocal crosses of cacao genotypes PA150 and SCA6, as well as from open pollinated fruits of PA150 were used to investigate the maternal and paternal influences on cocoa butter content, triglyceride composition, and thermal properties such as melting and recrystallization. Fat content was found to vary significantly among the seeds of the three differentially generated fruits. PA150 open pollinated had the highest significant total fat content (53.84%), followed by PA150 maternal x SCA6 paternal (50.97%) and SCA6 maternal x PA150 paternal (46.87%). The composition of several triglycerides and physical traits were also found to vary significantly among the progeny of these crosses. There were significant differences between reciprocal crosses (PA150 maternal x SCA6 paternal and SCA6 maternal x PA150 paternal) in melting peak temperature, POP and OOO content. There were also significant differences in melting enthalpy, recrystallization peak, POP, POS, SOS, OOO, and PPS content between the PA150 maternal x SCA6 paternal and PA150 open pollinated crosses. Directionality of the cross significantly affected cocoa butter traits tested in this study which is of importance for the development of specified functional traits useful for culinary, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical uses.

关键词： emergency medicine   MRI   multi-profession management   Pharyngitis  

摘要： A 16-year-old man presented to the Accident and Emergence services with a 10-day history of shortness of breath, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea, poor oral intake, chest pain, jaundice, diplopia and reduced urine output. He was initially treated for sepsis, however, subsequent imaging and blood cultures confirmed the diagnosis of Lemierre’s syndrome (LS). LS, also known as necrobacillosis or post-pharyngitis anaerobic septicaemia is comprised of a triad of metastatic septic emboli secondary to pharyngitis, bacteraemia, and internal jugular vein thrombophlebitis. Fusobacterium necrophorum, a Gram-negative anaerobe, is the most common culprit of LS, followed by Fusobacterium nucleatum and anaerobic bacteria such as streptococci, staphylococci, and Klebsiella. LS is also called the forgotten syndrome because although use of antibiotics at first decreased the prevalence of LS, resistance to antibiotics has caused a rise in LS and it is no longer a forgotten disease. LS should be on the differential diagnosis of chest empyema if it follows pharyngitis or tonsillitis with neck pain, lymphadenopathy and sepsis, hence taking a thorough history is the key to diagnose it earlier. It is paramount to do chest X-ray, Doppler ultrasound of the neck veins and computed tomography (CT) scan of the neck and chest to look for features of LS. LS can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated properly. Empirical antibiotic therapy should be prescribed for a minimum of 3 weeks and should cover anaerobic bacteria and Gram-negative rods. © EFIM 2024.

关键词： D-shaped   Excessively tilted fiber grating   Growth-stimulated expressed gene 2   Immunosensor   Molybdenum disulfide  

摘要： A D-Shaped, excessively tilted fiber grating (ExTFG) immunosensor modified with molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) was developed for label-free and specific detection of growth-stimulated expressed gene 2 protein (ST2), a critical biomarker for heart failure. The D-Shaped ExTFG sensor was fabricated by side-polishing an ExTFG along its slow axis to enhance refractive index (RI) sensitivity. It was subsequently biofunctionalized with MoS₂ and anti-ST2 monoclonal antibodies (anti-ST2 MAbs) for ST2 immunoassays. The RI sensitivities of the sensor after side-polishing and MoS₂ coating were thoroughly investigated. Additionally, the immunodetection properties of the sensor were evaluated across varying concentrations of ST2 antigen solutions, as well as its specificity and clinical performance in serum samples from healthy individuals and patients. Experimental results revealed that the sensitivity of the MoS₂-modified D-Shaped ExTFG immunosensor for ST2 reached 0.335 nm/[log(mg/mL)] over a wide linear testing range of 1 ng/mL to 1000 ng/mL, with a detection limit of 0.472 ng/mL. This represents an improvement of approximately 86 % compared to the ExTFG without D-Shaped modification and demonstrates excellent specificity for ST2 biomarkers even in complex clinical sera. The MoS₂-modified D-Shaped ExTFG immunosensor exhibits notable advantages, including stability, practical usability, and high clinical specificity, making it a promising candidate for biomedical and other analytical applications. © 2025 Elsevier B.V.