bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Progress in the Research on Bioavailability of Nanoplastics to Freshwater Plankton
Authors: Slaveykova Vera I. , Marelja Matea
Published: November 2023

The present review critically examines the advancements in the past 5 years concerning the re-search on the bioavailability of the nanoplastics (NPLs) to freshwater plankton. With a specific emphasis on two bioavailability components: uptake availability and toxico-availability, we dis-cuss the recent progress in the understanding of the adsorption, absorption, trophic transfer and biological effects in phyto- and zooplankton induced by NPLs exposure. The influence of the plankton on the NPLs bioavailability via excretion of the biomolecules and formation of eco-corona is also examined. In spite of the important research developments, there are still con-siderable knowledge gaps with respect to NPLs biouptake and trophic transfer by plankton, as well as a potential adverse effect in natural aquatic systems. As plankton play a critical role in primary production, nutrient cycling and food web structure, understanding the interaction be-tween NPLs and plankton is essential in assessing the potential implications of the nanoplastics pollution for aquatic ecosystem biodiversity and services.
Whole-Body Cryostimulation, a Complementary Treatment for Phantom Limb Syndrome: Preliminary Evidence from a Case Study
Authors: Piterà Paolo , Springhetti Isabella , Alito Angelo , Verme Federica , Fontana Jacopo Maria , Capodaglio Paolo
Published: November 2023

Phantom Limb Pain (PLP) is a challenging condition affecting a significant proportion of amputees. In this article we describe the case of a 54-year-old Paralympic athlete with Phantom Limb Syndrome following right leg amputation and widespread sports-related enthesitic pain, who underwent a Whole Body Cryostimulation (WBC) cycle, an emerging treatment known for its rapid pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects. Assessments were conducted before and after a 10-session WBC cycle, including pain and quality of life assessment, and use of medications. A substantial reduction in enthesitic pain, PLP intensity, paresthesia, tingling related to atmospheric events and an improved function and quality of life were reported after the WBC cycle and lasted for two weeks. One month after WBC, the enthesitic pain following sports activity and PLP gradually returned but with lesser intensity. Similarly, the stump's sensitivity to atmospheric changes returned but with lower frequency. Pain at night remained lower than before WBC with significantly improved quality of sleep. This case study suggests that WBC could be a valuable adjuvant treatment for alleviating PLP. Controlled studies are warranted to validate the findings of this case-report and elucidate the mechanisms underlying the positive effects of WBC in this condition.
Effects of Exogenous Amino Acids on Drought Resistance of Peach (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch)
Authors: Du Hao , Li Min , Zhao Shi Long , Fan Shi Hao , Yu Hai Xiang , Luo Jing Jing , Peng Fu Tian
Published: November 2023

Peach (L.) is a kind of fruit tree with considerable economic and nutritional significance. However, it shows a high sensitivity to drought stress, which has a profound impact on its growth. L-methionine (MET) and L-proline (PRO) are two amino acids synthesized by plants, which play an important role in abiotic stress response. However, their exact mechanism of action remains elusive. Through physiological analysis, MET (500ppm) and PRO (500ppm) treatments can effectively reduce the adverse effects of drought stress on the growth of peach seedlings. Studies have shown that amino acid (AA) can effectively inhibit the stomatal opening of plant leaves and increase the photosynthetic rate. In addition, the application of MET or PRO promoted the accumulation of carbohydrates in leaf tissues, increased intracellular water potential (24%, 24%), reduced osmotic potential (21%, 24%), and alleviated membrane damage caused by drought. Using Evans Blue, nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) and DAB (3, 3-diaminobenzidine) staining experiments, We confirmed that the increase in antioxidant enzyme activity in leaves may be due to the removal of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in vivo, namely the downregulation of malondialdehyde (18%, 19%) ，peroxidase (50%, 5%) and superoxide dismutase (12%, 14%) activities. In addition, the application of exogenous amino acids also improved the root morphology and vitality of peach seedlings, which was conducive to absorbing external buffer substances and alleviating drought stress. In summary, the application of exogenous amino acids can effectively alleviate the effects of drought stress on plants and reduce the harm.
Diagnostic and Prognostic Predictors for the Success of Pulpotomy in Permanent Mature Posterior Teeth with Moderate-Severe Pulpitis: A Scoping Review
Authors: McHugh Helen , Wright Patricia Paule , Peters Chrstine Inge , Peters Ove A.
Published: November 2023

A partial or complete pulpotomy is a type of vital pulp therapy (VPT) that aims to remove the in-flamed, infected pulp, leaving behind healthy, vital pulp that is capable of healing. VPT has gained renewed popularity as a treatment option in permanent mature posterior teeth with irre-versible/moderate-severe pulpitis, its high success rates matching that of root canal treatment (RCT). There is currently no consensus regarding diagnostic and prognostic predictors of success of pulpotomies for managing such cases. Therefore, we conducted a scoping review to identify and analyze how these factors affect the outcome of treatment. A literature search using the PRISMA guidelines was undertaken using PubMed and Scopus on July 7, 2023. A total of 22 studies met the inclusion criteria and were qualitatively analyzed by two reviewers. The follow-ing diagnostic and prognostic factors were recognized and discussed; presenting signs and symptoms, periapical diagnosis, bleeding time, indicators of inflammation (bleeding time, con-centration of inflammatory biomarkers), patient age and medical status, the depth, activity and location of caries, and restorative factors. Based on the studies assessed, there is limited evidence to support their prognostic value. Further research is necessary to identify solid predictors of outcome.
Does COVID-19 Really Exacerbate Urticaria? A Survey of 166 Patients in China
Authors: Yang Qian , Zou Zihao , Cao Wei , Shi Yunzhou , Xiao Xianjun , Chen Sijue , Li Ying
Published: November 2023

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted global healthcare systems. The impacts of SARS-CoV-2 infection on urticaria and its management are unknown. To collect information about patients with urticaria infected with SARS-CoV-2 and to investigate the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on urticaria severity, course, and treatment to better support recovery. This was a questionnaire-based study of patients with urticaria infected with SARS-CoV-2. Changes in urticaria severity (measured with the urticaria activity score (UAS)), course, and treatment were assessed before, during, and after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Mean (± SD) UAS scores were 5.17 ± 1.67, 4.23 ± 1.98, and 4.37 ± 1.93 before, during, and after SARS-CoV-2 infection, respectively (F = 8.839, p < 0.01). The median (IQR) wheal score was 0.464 (0.464, 0.763), 0.464 (0.138, 0.763), and 0.464 (0.138, 0.763) before, during, and after infection, respectively (Kruskal-Wallis H-test, H=12.230, p = 0.02). The median (IQR) pruritus score was 0.695 (0.395, 0.695), 0.394 (0.123, 0.695), and 0.394 (0.123, 0.695) before, during, and after infection, respectively (Kruskal-Wallis H-test, H = 21.001, p < 0.01). Within the limitations of a questionnaire study, urticaria appears to improve during SARS-CoV-2 infection, worsens slightly after recovery, and the frequency of Western medicine use increases.
Eigenfemora – Age at Death Estimation in the Proximal Femur through an Image Processing Approach
Authors: Navega David , Ferreira Maria Teresa , Curate Francisco
Published: November 2023

Estimating age at death is essential to establish a biological profile from human skeletal remains in both forensic and archeological settings. Imaging studies of skeletal age changes in adults have described metamorphosis of trabecular bone structure and bone loss in the proximal femur , as well as changes in morphology during different stages of life. This study aims to assess the utility of a digital representation of conventional X-ray films of the proximal femur for the estimation of age at death in a sample of 91 adult individuals (47 females and 44 males) of the Coimbra Identified Skeletal Collection. The proposed approach showed a root mean squared error (RMSE) of 17.32 years (and mean absolute error of 13.47 years) for females and an RMSE of 14.06 years (mean absolute error of 11.08 years) for males. The main advantage of this approach is the consistency in the feature detection and extraction, as X-ray images projected on the femora space will always produce the same set features to be analyzed for age estimation while more traditional methods rely heavily on operator experience which can lead to inconsistent age estimates among experts.
Impact of the Abo and RhD Blood Groups on the Evaluation of the Erythroprotective Potential of Fucoxanthin, β-Carotene, Gallic Acid, Quercetin, and Ascorbic Acid as Therapeutic Agents against Oxidative-Stress
Authors: González-Vega Ricardo Iván , Robles-García Miguel Ángel , Mendoza-Urizabel Litzy Yadira , Cárdenas-Enríquez Kelly Nabil , Ruiz-Cruz Saúl , Gutiérrez-Lomelí Melesio , Iturralde-García Rey David , Avila-Novoa María Guadalupe , Villalpando-Vargas Fridha Viridiana , Del-Toro-Sánchez Carmen Lizette
Published: November 2023

Previous studies detail that the different blood groups are associate to incidence of oxidative stress-related diseases such as certain carcinomas. Bioactive compounds represent an alternative to prevent this oxidative-stress. The aim of this study was to elucidate the impact of blood groups on the erythroprotective potential of Fucoxanthin, β-Carotene, gallic acid, quercetin, and ascorbic acid as therapeutic agents against oxidative-stress. The impact of ABO blood groups on the erythroprotective potential was evaluate by the elucidated antioxidant capacity, blood biocompatibility, blood susceptibility and erythroprotective potential (membrane stabilization, in vitro photostability and antihemolytic activity). All antioxidant tested exhibited a highest potent antioxidant capacity and presented the ability to inhibit ROO•-induced oxidative-stress without compromising the cell membrane, providing an erythroprotective effect dependent on the blood group. Effect that increased in the presence of antigen A. This result could be key to the prevention of carcinomas associated with antigen A, such as breast and skin cancer. These results revealed a probable relationship between the different erythrocyte antigens with the erythroprotective potential, highlighting the importance of bio-targeted drugs for groups mostly susceptible to certain chronic-degenerative pathologies. These compounds could be applied as additive, nutraceutical or encapsulated to improve its bioaccessibility.
Intracellular Growth Inhibition and Host Immune Modulation of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole in Murine Brucellosis
Authors: Nguyen Trang Thi , Huy Tran Xuan Ngoc , Aguilar Ched Nicole Turbela , Reyes Alisha Wehdnesday Bernardo , Salad Said Abdi , Min Wongi , Lee Hu Jang , Kim Hyun Jin , Lee John Hwa , Kim Suk
Published: November 2023

Catalase, an antioxidant enzyme widely produced in mammalian cells and bacteria, is crucial in mitigating oxidative stress in a hostile environment. This function enhances the intracellular survivability of various intracellular growth pathogens, including Brucella abortus. In this study, to determine whether the inhibition of catalase can inhibit the intracellular growth of Brucella (B.) abortus, we employed 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (3-AT), a catalase inhibitor, in both RAW 264.7 macrophage cells and an ICR mouse model during Brucella infection. The intracellular growth assay indicated that 3-AT exerts growth-inhibitory effects on B. abortus within macrophages. Aside from that, it contributes to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and the formation of nitric oxide. Notably, 3-AT diminishes the activation of the nucleus transcription factor (NF-κB) and modulates cytokine secretion within infected cells. In our mouse model, the administration of 3-AT reduced B. abortus proliferation within the spleen and liver of infected mice. This reduction was accompanied by a diminished immune response to infection, as indicated by lowered levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, and altered CD4+/CD8+ T-cell ratio. These results suggest the protective and immunomodulatory effects of 3-AT treatment against Brucella infection.
Epitope Mapping of an Anti-CD44v4 Monoclonal Antibody (C44Mab-108) using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Authors: Suzuki Hiroyuki , Tawara Mayuki , Hirayama Aoi , Goto Nohara , Tanaka Tomohiro , Kaneko Mika K , Kato Yukinari
Published: November 2023

CD44 is a type I transmembrane glycoprotein, and possesses various isoforms which are largely classified into CD44 standard and CD44 variant (CD44v) isoforms. Some variant-encoded regions play critical roles in tumor progression. However, the function of CD44 variant 4 (CD44v4)-encoded region has not been fully understood. Using peptide immunization, we developed an anti-CD44v4 mAb, C44Mab-108, which is useful for flow cytometry, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. In this study, we determined the critical epitope of C44Mab-108 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We used the alanine (or glycine)-substituted peptides of the CD44v4-encoded region (amino acids 271-290 of human CD44v3-10), and found that C44Mab-108 did not recognize the alanine-substituted peptides of D280A and W281A. Furthermore, these peptides could not inhibit the recognition of C44Mab-108 in flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. The results indicate that the critical binding epitope of C44Mab-108 includes Asp280 and Trp281 of CD44v3-10.
Robo Advising and Investor Profiling
Authors: Gaspar Raquel M. , Oliveira Madalena
Published: November 2023

The rise of digital technology and artificial intelligence has led to a significant change in the way financial services are delivered. One such development is the emergence of robo-advising, which is an automated investment advisory service that utilizes algorithms to provide investment advice and portfolio management to investors. Robo-Advisors collect information about their clients’ preferences, financial situation and future goals through questionnaires, then recommend ETF based portfolios supposed to fit investor’s risk profile. However, questionnaires seem to be vague, and robos do not reveal the methods used for investor profiling or asset allocation. This study aims at contributing by proposing an investor profiling method, based only on the level of relative risk aversion (RRA) of investors. We show how to determine RRA optimal portfolios and compare the performance of our portfolios with portfolios proposed by the Riskalyze platform.
Diabetes-Associated Changes in Skeletal Muscle Function and Their Possible Links with Prediabetes: A Literature Review
Authors: Dlamini Mandlakazi , Khathi Andile
Published: November 2023

The skeletal muscle plays a critical role in regulating systemic blood glucose homeostasis. Impaired skeletal muscle glucose homeostasis associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been observed to significantly affect the whole-body glucose homeostasis, thereby resulting in other diabetic complications. T2DM does not only affect skeletal muscle glucose homeostasis, but it also affects skeletal muscle structure and functional capacity. Given that T2DM is a global health burden, there is an urgent need to develop therapeutic medical therapies that will aid in the management of T2DM. Prediabetes is a prominent risk factor of T2DM that usually goes unnoticed in many individuals as it is an asymptomatic condition. Hence, research on prediabetes is essential because establishing diabetic biomarkers during the prediabetic state would aid in preventing the development of T2DM, as prediabetes is a reversible condition if it is detected in the early stages. Literature predominantly documents the changes in skeletal muscle during T2DM, but the changes in skeletal muscle during prediabetes remain unknown. In this review, we seek to review the existing literature on prediabetic and T2DM associated changes in skeletal muscle function.
Physical Layer Security in Satellite Communication System Using Nulling Based Approach
Authors: Anand Prateek , K. Arti M.
Published: November 2023

The broadcast properties of satellites communication makes transmission less susceptible to eavesdropping or even negative obstruction. Physical Layer Security (PLS) technique prevents privacy of data sent by the sender from being intercepted by illegal hackers, which ensures the confidentiality and transmission security between the sender and authorized users. The evolution of mobile communications has brought new challenges to physical security research. Data security techniques implemented at the physical layer of satellite communication are proving to be effective on many parameters. Considering the down-link of a satellite communication system, with multiple antennas at Earth station (ES), Eavesdropper, as well as on satellite, an eavesdropper wants to hack the signal of the satellite to the ES. We propose a method by which the signal received by the eavesdropper is in a meaningless form. The proposed method uses nulling based approach, in which the signal transmitted by the satellite gets multiplied by a beamforming vector, which is selected in a manner so that no information can be received by the eavesdropper. The performance of the received data at ES is analyzed in terms of symbol error rate.
Hydrological signatures in wetlands in the lithium-rich salar basins of the Andes, South America
Authors: McKnight Sarah , Jenckes Jordan , Boutt David , Moran Brendan , Munk LeeAnn , Corkran Daniel , Kirshen Alexander
Published: November 2023

Despite the importance of surface water resilience to local ecosystems in arid and endorheic basins, the current understanding of surface water sensitivity to climate-driven hydrologic perturbations in such environments remains limited to basin-scale water budget analysis and often ignores the complex relationships between these surface waters and sources of recharge. We investigate the driving factors of surface water variability and drought vulnerability for the Altiplano-Puna region of the Andes in South America with satellite imagery via the Landsat-based JRC Surface Water Product and the Sentinel mission. We further identify areas of surface water-adjacent groundwater discharge through the normalized difference vegetation index and compare fluctuations in vegetated area to variability in surface water inundation. Regression analysis between surface water inundation and monthly average temperature through FLDAS and precipitation through Terraclimate also provides an opportunity to assess climate-driven sensitivity. Surface waters throughout the Altiplano-Puna show resilience to a prolonged region-wide drought which occurred between 2003 and 2012. However, high-elevation (>4,000 masl) surface water bodies exhibit statistically significant declines in surface water inundation, but these same surface water bodies show the highest post-drought rebounds. Increased sensitivity in vegetated area fluctuation adjacent to areas of higher surface water drought sensitivity indicates that surface water bodies are reliant on groundwater discharge. An exploration of basin attributes further suggests that higher-elevation basins experience higher variability in groundwater and surface water fluctuations, suggesting not only that both systems are closely coupled but also that increasing precipitation at higher elevations introduces more variability in the hydrologic pathways to local surface waters. We present the first regional study of arid, endorheic basins to define mechanisms of surface water resilience and determine the importance of groundwater discharge dynamics in such environments. This study further provides a framework for assessing surface water resilience for both the Altiplano-Puna and other similarly arid regions (e.g. the Tibetan Plateau, the Great basin, etc.).
Research on the variation law of floor stress information entropy in upper protective layer mining based on Brillouin optical fiber sensing
Authors: Chai Jing , Yang Gaoyi , Zhang Dingding , Yang Jianfeng , Li Zhi , Yan Zhe , Wang Zixu , Ouyang Yibo , Lei Wulin , Zheng Zhongyou , Sun Kai , Han Gang , Weng Mingyue
Published: November 2023

The characteristics of floor failure and stress changes during the mining process of protective layers are crucial for determining the effectiveness of pressure relief. Three boreholes were designed in the 21104 fully mechanized mining face of Hulusu Coal Mine to implant optical fibers into the floor of the working face. A fiber optic monitoring system was established to monitor the dynamic evolution of stress in the floor rock mass at different mining distances. Based on the information entropy in information theory, the monitoring results in the fiber optic monitoring system are calculated to obtain the stress information entropy at different mining distances. A quantitative dynamic analysis is conducted on the stress change process of the mining floor rock layer, and the stress change law of the protective layer after mining is verified through numerical calculation and similar simulation experiments. The results indicate that the evolution of stress information entropy can be divided into four stages, namely the original rock stress stage, stress concentration stage, stress release stage, and stress recovery stage. The stress information entropy shows a fluctuating upward trend, indicating that coal seam mining leads to a decrease in the orderliness of the overlying rock system and an increase in disorder. In different spatial evolution processes, there are also significant differences in stress information entropy. In the vertical direction, the entropy value of shallow rock layers changes greatly, while the entropy value of deep rock layers changes slightly. Mining leads to a decrease in the orderliness of the entire overlying rock system, an increase in stress information entropy, and a fluctuating upward trend in stress information entropy. The information entropy of overlying rock deformation and re compaction increases, but the degree of change of the former is greater than that of the latter. The Brillouin fiber optic sensing technology provides a new method for monitoring the stress changes in the protective layer mining floor, achieving quantitative analysis of floor rock failure.
Effect of Chemical versus Mechanical Oocyte Activation on Morphokinetic Embryonic Development in Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia Patients
Authors: Eini Fatemeh , kutenaei Maryam Azizi , Shirzeyli Maryam Hosseinzadeh
Published: November 2023

Objective
Assisted oocyte activation (AOA) is applied in male factor infertility for improving the successful fertilization rate. However, the safety and efficacy of AOA technique remain unknown. The aim of this study is the comparison of two different mechanical and chemical AOA methods on pre-implantation morphokinetic development of embryos derived from oligoasthenoteratozoospermia patients.
Methods
This study was applied in 65 cycles achieved between 2020 and 2022; 137 embryos were derived from ICSI-chemical AOA cycles and 124 embryos from ICSI-mechanical AOA cycles. Morphokinetic characteristics of all embryos were monitored via a time-lapse system.
Results
Our results showed similar morphokinetic development in both early and late-stage embryonic development in two different groups of this study.
Conclusions
Our results suggest that both mechanical and chemical methods AOA have the same effect on morphokinetic pattern of pre-implantation embryo development in oligoasthenoteratozoospermia.
Electron doping of a crystalline conjugated polymer through cation exchange
Authors: Yamashita Yu , Kohno Shinya , Longhi Elena , Jhulki Samik , Kumagai Shohei , Barlow Stephen , Marder Seth , Takeya Jun , Watanabe Shun
Published: November 2023

Control of electrical doping is indispensable in any semiconductor device, and both efficient hole and electron doping is required for many devices. In organic semiconductors, however, electron doping has been essentially more problematic compared to hole doping because in general organic semiconductors have low electron affinities and require dopants with low ionization potentials that are often air-sensitive. Here, in this study, we adapt an efficient molecular doping method, so called ion-exchange doping, to electron doping in a polymeric semiconductor. Reduction of the polymeric semiconductor is initiated via one electron transfer from molecular dopants, then the ionized dopants in the resulting air-unstable films are replaced with the secondary ions via cation-exchange. When a specific bulky molecular cation was employed as the secondary ion, ambient stability and crystallinity of doped polymeric semiconductors were improved compared to conventional methods. The presented strategy can overcome a trade-off relationship between reducing capability and ambient stability in molecular dopants, and a wider selection of dopant ions will help to realize ambient-stable electron conductors.
Assessing the quality of microservice and monolithic architectures: systematic literature review
Authors: Hussein Saad , Lahami Mariam , Torjmen Mouna
Published: November 2023

Scalable solutions have become extremely required with the emergence of cloud computing and the transformation to microservices-based applications. Although creating software is challenging, creating a scalable system is far more challenging. A microservices architecture is a collection of smaller, independently deployable services as opposed to a monolithic application, which is created as a single integrated entity. The objective is to pave the way for a generic framework that helps companies and industries in their migration to microservices and get a methodology for evaluation that a company might use to compare its utilisation of microservices. This effort aims to enable enterprises to assess their capacity to successfully adopt microservices through the use of quality criteria. We conducted a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) to find 48 selected research papers over the last four years (2020–2023) and compile pertinent research that provides data about contrasting the quality attributes of monolithic and microservice applications. This study demonstrates how choosing quality attribute metrics can provide a more accurate evaluation of both monolithic and microservice systems. The shift from a monolithic to a microservice-based architecture will be made possible thanks to the relevant indicators we provide. According to the findings of the literature review, the most important quality attributes and subcharacters are: performance, scalability, coupling, cohesion, deployment, security, development, complexity, maintainability, and availability. The findings indicate a rising tendency in the research community towards quality-driven migration to microservices, and numerous researchers take quality characteristics into account in the methods they outline in their work and include quality improvement as one of the migration aims.
Super resolution reconstruction of background oriented schlieren based on the convolution neural network with the gradient loss function
Authors: Xiangyu Wang , Hui Wang , Wang Ning , Chen Xuanren , Liu Xiang
Published: November 2023

In order to refine the displacement field of the background oriented schlieren method, a super-resolution method based on deep learning has been newly proposed in the study, and were compared with the bicubic interpolation. The gradient loss functions were firstly introduced into the hybrid downsampled skip-connection/multi-scale (DSC/MS) model to improve the reconstruction effect. The reconstruction effects of the new loss functions were compared with that of the traditional MSE loss function. The results showed that the Laplace operator with average pooling had better performance than the origin loss function in all the indexes including PSNR, MSE, MSE of the gradient and the max MSE. In these four indexes, MSE of the gradient and the max MSE performed especially better than the others, where the MSE of the gradient reduced from 3.90E-05 to 3.30E-05 and the max MSE reduced from 0.392 to 0.360.
WaveBit - Nonbinary Computation: I Symmetric Cryptography
Authors: Ramírez J. M. , Teodoro Antonio Di , Landaeta J. F. , Contreras E.
Published: November 2023

In this paper, we demonstrate the ability to perform symmetric cryptography with regular continuous waves. The proof of concept has been implemented in the shape of an application programming interface (API) and can be easily used by several popular programming languages.
Dreaming of a Brighter Future? The Impact of Economic Vulnerability on University Aspirations
Authors: Watson Barry , Kong Nancy , Phipps Shelley , Daley Angela
Published: November 2023

We investigate how economic vulnerability (measured in terms of poverty and economic insecurity) impacts the educational aspirations of youth, age 12-15, within an inequality of opportunity framework. Using the Canadian National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth, we find that poverty is associated with reduced university aspirations from the perspective of the youth (8-9 percentage points) and their mother (11-13 percentage points). Further, poverty incidence matters more than depth. Using the dissimilarity index, circumstances contribute to about 20-25 percent of the inequality in educational aspirations, and a Shapley decomposition of these circumstances suggests that, of this observed inequality, 10-15 percent is due to poverty. Interestingly, economic insecurity is not associated with educational aspirations, and this result persists regardless of how we measure insecurity. This may be due to the fact that, over time, poverty is more likely to persist than economic insecurity. Consequently, while the latter may be seen as a temporary shock, the former may create a feeling of hopelessness, thereby reducing aspirations. Controls for academic effort, including standardized test scores, daily reading, and getting good grades do not impact these findings. Results therefore suggest that alleviating child poverty may improve educational aspirations at a critical time in a youth's life.
JEL Codes: I21, I23, I24, I32, D63
Assessment of various types of household water consumption based on critical consumption behaviours using a novel criterion in metropolitan cities
Authors: Abbasi Ali , Kadkhodaei Mohsen
Published: November 2023

Rising demand for urban water consumption, especially for household uses, has led to a water crisis in various cities around the world. The amount of household water consumption, as the most important part of urban water use, is significantly affected by the consumers’ behaviours and water saving equipment used. Therefore, it is necessary to mitigate the household water demand by applying effective strategies such as promoting the water conservation culture and installing water saving appliances. For this purpose, consumers’ behaviours should be evaluated and various types of household water consumptions should be ranked. In this research, by distributing questionnaires among the citizens of Mashhad city, the consumer behaviours were evaluated. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was applied to examine the similarity of people's consumption behaviours in various household uses. The results showed that people's consumption behaviours are different. By defining the impact coefficient index and the average impact coefficient index, various types of household water consumptions were ranked using Friedman and Wilcoxon statistical tests. Based on the results, changing consumption behaviours in bathing has the highest efficiencies on reducing water consumption. Dishwashing, using the washing machine and sanitation (toilet) were jointly ranked second. Car washing and tooth brushing were both equally important and ranked third.
Time-dependent Study of Dust Distribution in a Protoplanetary Disc
Authors: Gholipour Mahmoud
Published: November 2023

Recent observational data from ALMA indicate the absence of emission from small dust grains within the inner radius of certain protoplanetary discs, known as transition discs. In this study, we examine the evolution of the dust-to-gas ratio in different regions of a protoplanetary disc (PPD). Using observational reports on the dust opacity in a PPD, our aim is to investigate the dust-to-gas ratio (also known as the grain content factor) in the presence of MRI-turbulence in the disc. Building upon the observational data and previous analytical works, we propose an analytical model that emphasizes the crucial role of dust opacity in the dust distribution of a PPD. Specifically, our model focuses on the energy balance between viscous heating and radiative cooling in a PPD. Through this model, we determine the dust-to-gas ratio in three regions of a PPD. Our findings reveal a significant decrease in the dust-to-gas ratio in the second region of the disc, which holds potential importance in the study of transition discs. Additionally, we observe that the dust-to-gas ratio in the third region is several times larger than in the other regions, which may prove valuable in the study of the formation of large Jovian planets located farther from the proto-stellar object.
Retinal pigment epithelium elevation values as a marker in determining the anatomical prognosis and treatment regimen of type 2 macular neovascularization
Authors: Isık Mehmed , Yozgat Zübeyir
Published: November 2023

Objective
To determine the prognostic value of the RPE elevation area or volume and the other morphological OCT biomarkers in nAMD cases.
Methods
Fifty-one eyes of 51 naive patients with nAMD were included. The treat-and-extend regimen was used. A total of 3 intravitreal doses of bevacizumab (IVB) were administered (loading phase). After the loading phase, two groups were divided according to the presence of IRF/SRF and the absence of IRF/SRF. Three doses of intravitreal aflibercept were loaded in eyes with refractory or recurrent fluid. OCT was used to evaluate central retinal thickness, morphological characteristics, center 3 and 5 mm RPE elevation area and volume.
Results
After the IVB loading, 27 of 51 patients had IRF/SRF, while 24 did not. When the BCVA change in the 3rd, 6th and 12th months was compared between the groups according to the presence of SHRM, the gain was higher in the non-SHRM group. The absence of a sub-RPE hyperreflective column was found to be a risk factor for fluid resistance after IVB loading. Central 3 mm RPE elevation area and volume were different between the two groups. It was observed that while the baseline RPE-3mm-area and baseline RPE-3mm-volume values were incerasing, the risk of fluid resistance after IVB loading was significantly increased.
Conclusion
The RPE elevation area at the central 3 mm at the first presentation may have value as a marker in determining the prognosis of nAMD, and may be considered as an indicator for which treatment regimen can be chosen initially.
A novel semi-supervised approach for semantic segmentation of aerial remote sensing images under limited ground-truth availability
Authors: Chakravorty Anisha , Chakraborty Shounak
Published: November 2023

Conventional semantic segmentation techniques rely heavily on the availability of substantial ground-truth data. However, this prerequisite often proves infeasible in real-world scenarios, particularly when confronted with the labeling complexities inherent in remote sensing images. In this manuscript, a semi-supervised approach has been investigated towards semantic segmentation of remotely sensed images, especially to address the challenge of limited access to ground-truth information. To cover up for the lack of manually collected ground-truth, the unannotated pool of images has been explored to obtain a re-engineered training set. For this purpose, a hybrid integration of a standard semantic segmentation model and an adversarial model has been proposed under semi-supervised setting. The former predict the masks for the unlabelled images when fine-tuned with the available labelled training images (however limited they may be); whereas the latter aids the reconstruction of original input images from the predicted soft(masks) through an adversarial mechanism. This reconstruction, further validated through a reconstruction score, assist in the identification of ‘most-confident’ image-mask pairs to be strategically integrated into the training set. The contribution ultimately is to utilise the unannotated images to meaningfully augment the limited training set. The semantic segmentation model, retrained with the enhanced training set outperforms the state-of-the-art semantic segmen-tation approaches in generating masks for new and unseen images under scarcity of ground-truth annotated images.
The New Laplace Transform: Closed-form Solutions and Applications in Gas Dynamics
Authors: Alharthi N S , Tolba Reda
Published: November 2023

This paper presents an investigation into finding the closed-form solution for a physical system in gas dynamics (GD), which is described by a set of partial differential equations (PDEs). The methodology employed involves utilising Laplace transforms to convert these complex equations into simpler ordinary differential equations (ODEs). In this study, we introduce the incorporation of first-order and second-order Bessel functions within Laplace transforms. Through our approach, we demonstrate that this method accurately solves ODEs and provides insights into various physical and engineering phenomena. The results obtained provide compelling evidence that Laplace transforms offer an effective way to obtain accurate solutions to ODEs, thereby enhancing our understanding of mathematical principles underlying diverse physical systems. Furthermore, these novel transformations hold promise for applications in engineering mathematics and mathematical physics computer programs. Specifically , this study highlights their potential relevance in investigating electron and ion movement within space plasma environments such as Titan-one of Sat-urn’s moons-as well as explaining electron escape from its atmosphere. These findings contribute valuable knowledge towards advancing our comprehension of gas dynamics phenomena while paving the way for future developments in computational modelling.
Fraud Detection in Fintech Leveraging Machine Learning and Behavioral Analytics
Authors: Josyula Hari Prasad
Published: November 2023

Fraud detection in the fintech sector is a critical area of concern as financial transactions increasingly shift to digital platforms. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of enhancing fraud detection in fintech by combining machine learning techniques, leveraging behavioral analytics, and adopting RegTech solutions. The objective is to develop a holistic approach that strengthens fraud prevention strategies, ensures regulatory compliance, and safeguards the interests of customers and financial institutions. The paper begins with an introduction that sets the context by highlighting the growing importance of fraud detection in the digital financial landscape. It outlines the research objectives, scope, and structure of the paper. Subsequently, the methodology section details the data collection process, the selection and comparative analysis of machine learning models, the integration of behavioral analytics, and the implementation of RegTech solutions. The paper concludes with a summary of findings and contributions, emphasizing the significance of adopting a holistic approach to fraud detection in the fintech industry. It underscores the need for financial institutions to embrace advanced technologies, comply with data privacy regulations, and collaborate within the industry to combat financial crimes effectively.
Impact of green HRM practices on bank employee service behaviors
Authors: Sayed Uddin Md , Atikur Rahaman Md. , Bin Latif Wasib , Das Dona Priyanka , Kundu Debashis
Published: November 2023

This study aims to examine the influence of green human resource management (HRM) practices on the service behaviors of bank employees operating in the banking sector of Bangladesh. The study endeavors to offer valuable insights into the effectiveness of green HRM practices in enhancing practices and employee service behaviors in the banking sector. The results indicate that green human resource management practices have a beneficial influence on employee service behaviors by green knowledge sharing, green training and development, green performance appraisal, green reward system. This study also emphasizes how green HRM practices affect banks in terms of organizational sustainability, employee motivation, talent acquisition and retention, and the necessity of ongoing evaluation and improvement. Moreover, the current study used convenience sampling techniques to collect data from 258 workers of several commercial banks in Bangladesh using a self-reported questionnaire that had been modified from other studies. 95% confidence interval was used to accept the hypotheses during regression analysis. The results show that each and every hypothesis is supported, whereas hypothesis tests were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0. The results show that employees’ knowledge sharing tendency, training facility, performance appraisal and reward system have a significant and positive impact on bank employees’ service behavior. This study may contribute to the growing subject of sustainable HRM and offers useful advice for banks looking to include environmental sustainability into their HRM plans to spur progress and enhance service.
CATALYTIC CARBON DOTS FOR BACTERICIDAL ACTIVITY THROUGH ENHANCED REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES GENERATION
Authors: Hu Xiaoling , Li Boxuan , Liu Yazhen , Li Baojian , Fang Ling , Zhou Quan , Zhang Wenping
Published: November 2023

Owing to merging antibiotic resistance, the synthesis of novel antibacterial agents becomes increasingly important. Carbon dots (CDs) belong to a new class of carbon-based nanomaterials that have shown great potential in combating emerging and drug-resistant infections due to their unique optical properties, such as excellent biocompatibility and easy surface modification. Herein, light-treated CDs (LCDs) with enhanced antibacterial activity and low drug resistance were synthesized by using a simple one-pot hydrothermal method. LCDs can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) under the light-emitting diode light, which kill two pathogenic bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli). In addition, in vitro experiments show that the liquid crystal displays excellent biocompatibility. Due to the visible photo-oxidative activity, LCDs can be used as photodynamic therapy agents, providing efficient bactericidal activity. This study provides a simple way to modify CDs that lead to new properties.
Listy Kolegium Kościelnego Wyznania Ewangelicko-Augsburskiego do architekta Chrystiana Piotra Aignera (1756-1841) w związku z nieznanym projektem kaplicy pogrzebowej na cmentarzu luterańskim w Warszawie oraz zestawienie wydatków związanych z budową tejże
Authors: Skrodzka Agnieszka
Published: November 2023

W Archiwum Głównym Akt Dawnych znajdują się dokumenty dotyczące działalności Kolegium Kościelnego gminy ewangelicko-augsburskiej w Warszawie. Wśród nich ostatnio odnaleziono nieznane źródła, których edycja stanowi przedmiot niniejszej publikacji. Zawierają one informacje na temat zamówienia przez gminę u Chrystiana Piotra Aignera projektu kaplicy pogrzebowej na cmentarzu luterańskim w Warszawie. Dokumenty te stanowią dwa listy skierowane do Aignera, oraz kosztorys. Z dokumentów wiadomo, że do kosztorysu dołączony był pierwotnie także projekt kaplicy, który obecnie zaginął. Zamieszczone w dokumentach informacje stanowią istotny wkład w pełniejsze rozpoznanie dorobku polskiego architekta.
Między legendą a kultem. Wokół osoby i dzieła o. Honoriusza Kowalczyka OP (1935-1983)
Authors: Zygner Leszek
Published: November 2023

Artykuł omawia działalność o. Honoriusza Kowalczyka, duszpasterza akademickiego z Poznania, którego pamięć pozostaje wciąż żywa, mimo że od jego śmierci mija 40 lat. Jest on uważany przez wiele osób za ofiarę represji komunistycznych wobec Kościoła katolickiego w Polsce. Uchodzi za postać, która już za życia owiana była legendą, a po śmierci stała się przedmiotem swoistego kultu.
Perché quei dodici spiriti sapienti nel IV cielo di Dante? Un inno alla cultura
Authors: Sodi Manlio
Published: November 2023

Osiemsetna rocznica śmierci Wielkiego Poety leży u początków tego studium, które przedstawia dusze dwunastu uczonych uwiecznionych przez Dantego w czwartym niebie. Zbliżając się do takich osobistości zauważamy różnorodne formy kultury, które naznaczyły historię i nadal rozświetlają ją mądrością ich dzieł. Z tego spostrzeżenia wypływa hymn na cześć kultury, która jaśnieje również w poezji Dantego.
From Plants to Therapies: Exploring the Pharmacology of Coumestrol for Neurological Conditions
Authors: Singla Madhav , Verma Smriti , Thakur Kiran , Goyal Ahsas , Sharma Vishal , Sharma Diksha , Porwal Omji , Subramaniyan Vetriselvan , Behl Tapan , Singh Sachin Kumar , Dua Kamal , Gupta Gaurav , Gupta Saurabh
Published: November 2023

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Neurological disorders are possibly the most prevalent and have been identified to occur among individuals with autism beyond chance. These disorders encompass
a diverse range of consequences with neurological causes and have been regarded as a
major threat to public mental health. There is no tried-and-true approach for completely
protecting the nervous system. Therefore, plant-derived compounds have developed significantly nowadays. Coumestrol (CML) is a potent isoflavone phytoestrogen with a protective effect against neurological dysfunction and has been discovered to be structurally
and functionally similar to estrogen. In recent years, more research has been undertaken
on phytoestrogens. This research demonstrates the biological complexity of phytoestrogens, which consist of multiple chemical families and function in various ways. This review aimed to explore recent findings on the most significant pharmacological advantages of CML by emphasising neurological benefits. Numerous CML extraction strategies and their pharmacological effects on various neurological disorders, including PD,
AD, HD, anxiety, and cognitive impairments, were also documented.
Docking of T6361 Analogues as Potential Inhibitors of E.coli MurA
Followed by ADME-Toxicity Study
Authors: Boulhissa Ilham , Boucherit Hanane , Chikhi Abdelouahab , Bensegueni Abderrahmane
Published: November 2023

Background::

Developing more potent antibacterial agents is one of the most important
tasks of scientists in the health field due to the problem of antibiotic resistance. Among the antibiotic
targets, we mention MurA (UDP-N-Acetylglucosamine Enolpyruvyl Transferase), which is a key
enzyme of peptidoglycan biosynthesis of the bacterial cell wall.

Objective::

Our objective was to search for new inhibitors of the bacterial enzyme MurA by docking
the analogues of its inhibitor T6361, a derivative of 5-sulfonoxy-anthranilic acid.

Methods::

990 analogues of T6361 were docked in the first binding site of E.coli MurA (open form)
using the FlexX program, and the ADME-Toxicity profile of the best ones was evaluated by SwissADME
and PreADMET web servers.

Results::

Docking results revealed two T6361 analogues to provide better energy scores than T6361,
and have similar interactions with the binding site of E.coliMurA namely,3-{[2-(piperidine-1-carbonyl)
phenyl]sulfamoyl}benzoic acid and 3-{[2-(pyrrolidine-1 carbonyl)phenyl]sulfamoyl}benzoic
acid. Moreover, the two molecules were found to possess good pharmacokinetics and low toxicity.

Conclusion::

We propose two analogues of T6361 as new potential inhibitors of MurA enzyme. Their
good ADME-Toxicity profile qualifies them to reach in vitro and in vivo assays as future lead molecules.