bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Should I report abuse? - Attitudes toward doping testing and anonymous reporting in the Whistlebower programme
Authors: Kajtna Tanja , Zajc Luka , Makuc Nina
Published: August 2022

Background Despite all endeavours to prevent it, the use of performance-enhancing substances continues to occur in sports and social science research suggests that doping prevalence is likely much higher than what is found through testing. One of the ways to uncover doping violators is through reporting illicit drug use, through “doping whistleblowing” – the readiness to do so depends highly on the level of our moral development and the motivation to do so. It was exactly this method, which helped uncover some of the biggest doping scandals in sport in the past few years and our purpose in this study was to examine attitudes toward drug testing and anonymous reporting and see, if we can predict an athlete’s intention to report anonymously based on attitudes toward drug testing. Methods 255 top athletes and coaches from Estonia and Slovenia-two small, athletically successful countries-participated in this study, 176 male and 79 female, 156 athletes and 99 coaches form team and individual sports. They filled out an attitudes questionnaire about drug testing and an anonymous report. The participants filled out a questionnaire online. We used t – test to compare subgorups of participants and correlation and linear regression to look for relations between doping attitudes and willingness to make an anonymous report. Results Comparisons of subgroups of participants revealed that female participants are more likely to believe that taking banned substances should be punished but are less likely to make an anonymous report. We also found that coaches seem to be better informed about the issue of doping than athletes and trust NADO more than athletes. We found several correlations between attitudes toward doping testing and those toward anonymous report and we tried to predict the willingness to make an anonymous report. We found several predictors, which were different for men and women. Conclusions NADOs play an important role in creating conditions, which will enable people to report doping anonymously, but it has to be done both through education and through rigorous testing. This will ensure that whistleblowing can become an active part of the fight for clean sport.
An integrated oxygen electrode derived from flexible single-wall carbon nanotube film for rechargeable Zn-Air batteries produced by electro-polymerization
Authors: Hou Peng-Xiang , Meng Yu , Zhao Yi-Ming , Li Jing-Cheng , Shi Chao , Zhang Lili , Liu Chang , Cheng Hui-Ming
Published: August 2022

The development of low-cost, high-activity, and durable integrated bifunctional flexible air electrodes for use in Zn-Air batteries is both challenging and needed. We report a simple and scalable electro-polymerization method to prepare an electrode material of heavily N-doped carbon covering single-wall carbon nanotube (N/C-SWCNT) networks. The resulting core/shell structure hybrid electrode has the flexibility, mechanics, and three-dimensional interconnected porous structure of SWCNT films while containing abundant pyridinic N, which gives it excellent catalytic activity for both the oxygen reduction and evolution reactions (overpotential gap = 0.76 V). A binder-free Zn-Air battery using the N/C-SWCNT film as an oxygen electrode was assembled and showed a high peak power density of 181 mW/cm2, a high specific capacity of 810 mAh/g and stable discharge-charge cycling ability. We also constructed a flexible solid-state Zn-Air battery with not only a high power density of 22 mW/cm2, but also good flexibility and stability.
Classification of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) using Ventral-Dorsal and bottleneck Attention-based Network(VDBAN)
Authors: Zolfaghari Mohammad , Sajedi Hedieh
Published: August 2022

One of the diseases with a high mortality rate worldwide is leukemia or blood cancer. Therefore, a timely and reliable diagnosis of leukemia is essential. Today, Artificial Intelligence and Deep Learning methods can automatically, quickly, and cost-effectively identify many diseases. In this paper, the state-of-the-art Convolutional Neural Network (CNN)based on the proposed attention blocks is introduced for the automatic classification of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) and normal (healthy) cell images. Before sending images to the network, the preprocessing operation, including data augmentation and White Blood Cells (WBCs, or Leuko cytes) segmentation by Circular Hough Transform (CHT), is performed. Then, the proposed network attention blocks are designed and implemented based on the ventral and dorsal pathways of the occipital lobe that process visual information in the brain. The proposed network is ResNet18, in which the VentralDorsal Attention Block (VDAB) is embedded inside its blocks and the Bottleneck Attention Block (BAB) between them. Therefore, it is called Ventral-Dorsal and Bottleneck Attention Network (VDBAN). We designed three networks, including the first model (ResNet18), the second model (ResNet18 + VDAB) and the proposed model ((ResNet18+ VDAB + BAB) or VDBAN), and trained and tested them with similar parameters on the ALL-IDB2 database. The simulation results showed that the proposed model had obtained the highest value in all performance metrics compared to the other two models in the test step.
Patient reported Impact of Emergency Laparotomy on Employment and Health Status in Patients at One Year Post Surgery
Authors: McIlveen Erin Catherine Sloan , Edwards Jennifer , Vella Mark , McKinlay Laura , Hancock Claire , Quasim Tara , Moug Susan J
Published: August 2022

Background
Whilst there has been significant improvement in mortality outcomes after emergency laparotomy, there is little information on longer term outcomes in the year after discharge. The main aim of the study was to assess the impact that an emergency laparotomy has on patients’ health and employment one-year after surgery.
Methods
This study was a questionnaire study conducted in a single centre district general hospital of patients who had undergone an emergency laparotomy between October 2015 and December 2016. Patients were included according to the National Emergency Laparotomy Audit criteria. At screening, patients who were alive at 1 year and had capacity to consent were approached between January and December 2017. Patients underwent a researcher-led telephone interview using a semi-structured questionnaire to assess the impact on overall, general and physical health (Glasgow Benefit Inventory) as well as employment status. The symptoms patients experienced, and their impact were also recorded.
Results
Forty-two patients responded to and completed the questionnaire. Just over one third of patients experienced a deterioration in their general or physical health and twenty-one percent of patients experienced a change in employment. Factors which significantly impacted on health status were stoma issues, postoperative morbidity and a change in employment (p < 0.05). The main symptoms which patients identified as being troublesome were bowel function and stoma issues with a resultant social and psychological impact.
Conclusions
One third of patients experienced a deterioration in their psychosocial and physical health status as well as a change in employment during the first-year post-surgery. Larger research studies are required to define the impact of emergency laparotomy on patients in the longer term and more research is needed to improve perioperative rehabilitation in the post-operative period to ensure optimal functional gain after technically successful surgery.
Identification of aquaporin 3 and cytochrome P450 2J2 as potential biomarkers associated with heart failure caused by idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Sun Mengyi , Li Linping
Published: August 2022

Background
The genetic factors and pathogenesis of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy-induced heart failure (IDCM-HF) have not been understood thoroughly; there is a lack of specific diagnostic markers and treatment methods for the disease. Hence, we aimed to identify the mechanisms of action at the molecular level and potential molecular markers for this disease.
Methods
Gene expression profiles of IDCM-HF and non-heart failure (NF) specimens were acquired from the database of Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). We then identified the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and analyzed their functions and related pathways by using “Metascape”. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was utilized to search for key module genes. Candidate genes were identified by intersecting the key module genes identified via WGCNA with DEGs, further screened via the support vector machine-recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE) method and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) algorithm, and verified using the external data set, to obtain reliable biomarkers.
Results
We detected 490 genes exhibiting differential expression between IDCM-HF and NF specimens from the GSE57338 dataset, with most of them being concentrated in the extracellular matrix of cells related to biological processes and pathways. Finally, thirteen candidate genes were identified via screening. Aquaporin 3 (AQP3) and cytochrome P450 2J2 (CYP2J2) showed high specificity and sensitivity in the GSE57338 and GSE6406 datasets, respectively. In comparison to the NF group, AQP3 was significantly down-regulated in the IDCM-HF group, while CYP2J2 was significantly up-regulated. AQP3 and CYP2J2 might represent new targets for diagnosing and managing IDCM-HF patients.
Conclusion
As far as we know, this is the first study that combines WGCNA and machine learning algorithms to screen for potential biomarkers of IDCM-HF. Our findings suggest that AQP3 and CYP2J2 could be used as novel diagnostic markers and treatment targets of IDCM-HF.
Epithelium-derived SCUBE3 promotes polarized- odontoblast differentiation of dental mesenchymal stem cells and vascularized pulp regeneration
Authors: Wang Zijie , Chen Chuying , Zhang Jiayi , He Jiangdie , Zhang Lin , Wu Jiayuan , Tian Zhihui
Published: August 2022

Background
Signal peptide-CUB-EGF domain-containing protein 3 (SCUBE3), a secreted multifunctional glycoprotein, whose transcript expression is restricted to the tooth germ epithelium (Epi) during the development of embryonic mouse teeth, has been demonstrated to play a crucial role in the regulation of tooth development. Based on this, we hypothesized that epithelium-derived SCUBE3 contributed to bio-function in dental mesenchymal cells (Mes) via epithelium-mesenchyme interactions.
Methods
Immunohistochemical staining and a co-culture system were performed to reveal the temporospatial expression of SCUBE3 protein during mouse tooth germ development. In addition, human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSC) were used as a Mes model to study the proliferation, migration, polarized-odontoblast capacity and mechanism of rhSCUBE3. Novel pulp-dentin-like organoid models were constructed to further confirm the polarized odontoblast-induction function of SCUBE3. Finally, semi-orthotopic animal experiments were performed to explore the clinical application of rhSCUBE3.
Results
The epithelium-derived SCUBE3 translocated to the mesenchyme via paracrine during mouse embryonic development, and the differentiating odontoblasts in postnatal tooth germ could subsequently secrete SCUBE3 protein via autocrine. In hDPSCs, exogenous SCUBE3 promoted cell proliferation and migration via TGF-β signalling and accelerated odontoblastic differentiation via BMP2 signalling. In the semi-orthotopic animal experiments, we found that SCUBE3-pretreatment induced polarized odontoblast-like cells attached to the dental walls and better angiogenesis performance.
Conclusion
SCUBE3 protein expression is transferred from the epithelium to mesenchyme during embryonic development and elaborated the function of epithelium-derived SCUBE3 in Mes, including proliferation, migration, and polarized-odontoblastic differentiation, and their mechanisms. These findings shed light on exogenous SCUBE3 application in clinic dental-pulp regeneration.
Dose government spending an important factor in economic growth? Nonlinear cubic quantile nexus from Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA)
Authors: Shaddady Ali
Published: August 2022

This study investigates the non-monotonic phenomenon of the government spending-growth nexus in the EECA rigorously using panel data from 19 counties over the period 1995–2019 by applying a nonlinear quadratic estimator and cubic nonlinear estimator to quantile regressions. The preliminary findings revealed a negative linear nexus of government spending and economic growth using a linear model, while the nonlinear models (i.e., quadratic and cubic nonlinear estimators) indicated evidence of nonlinearity in the nexus in the EECA over the study period. Further, the study found strong evidence of the existence of an inverted “N-shaped” (nonlinear cubic) nexus between government spending and growth, which can be interpreted as the typical credit-driven boom-and-bust cycle in most EECA countries. Finally, in elucidating the nexus between government spending and economic growth, the study found that most macro governance and economic variables are relaxing.
A novel mutation of MET in hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer identified by whole exome sequencing: report of a family
Authors: Khongcharoen Natthapon , Laochareonsuk Wison , Boonpipattanapong Teeranut , Saetunga Jirakrit , Kayasut Kanita , Sangkhathat Surasak
Published: August 2022

Background
Hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) is a form of inheritable colorectal cancer. The condition is usually associated with mutations in DNA mismatch repair genes (MMR) such as MSH2 MLH1 MSH6 PMS2 or other genes. In this report of a family, none of associate gene were involved
Case presentation:
The 56-year-old male presented with hematochezia and tenesmus for 5 months. The colonoscopy revealed a rectal tumor at 7 cm above anal verge. Then the tissue biopsy was done. The diagnosis was adenocarcinoma of the rectum of poor differentiation. The immunohistochemistry panel for MMR proteins showed diffusely strong positivity for MLH1 and PMS2 expression and weak positivity for MSH2 and MSH6 but screening for MMR mutations in the index case was negative. Whole exome sequencing was then performed using DNA from 4 family members, the index case, his spouse, their daughter, and their son.
Conclusions
The study identified a mutation on the MET proto-oncogene (c1124A > G) and/or PTCH1 (NM_00264.5: c.4045C > T) as pathogenic variant that explained the inheritance of HNPCC in this family in an autosomal dominant pattern. We concluded that the MET proto-oncogene is a candidate gene for HNPCC.
TROMPA-MER: an open dataset for personalized Music Emotion Recognition
Authors: Gómez-Cañón Juan Sebastián , Gutiérrez-Páez Nicolás , Porcaro Lorezo , Porter Alastair , Cano Estefanía , Herrera Perfecto , Gkiokas Aggelos , Santos Patricia , Hernández-Leo Davinia , Karreman Casper , Gómez Emilia
Published: August 2022

We present a platform and a dataset to help research on Music Emotion Recognition (MER).
We developed the Music Enthusiasts platform aiming to improve the gathering and analysis of the so-called “ground truth” needed as input to MER systems.
Firstly, our platform involves engaging participants using citizen science strategies and generate music emotion annotations -- the platform presents didactic information and musical recommendations as incentivization, and collects data regarding demographics, mood, and language from each participant.
Participants annotated each music excerpt with single free-text emotion words (in native language), distinct forced-choice emotion categories, preference, and familiarity.
Additionally, participants stated the reasons for each annotation -- including those distinctive of emotion perception and emotion induction.
Secondly, our dataset was created for personalized MER and contains information from 181 participants, 4721 annotations, and 1161 music excerpts.
To showcase the use of the dataset, we present a methodology for personalization of MER models based on active learning.
The experiments show evidence that using the judgment of the crowd as prior knowledge for active learning allows for more effective personalization of MER systems for this particular dataset.
Our dataset is publicly available and we invite researchers to use it for testing MER systems.
Online learning for continuous professional development of healthcare workers: An exploratory study on perceptions of healthcare managers
Authors: Byungura Jean Claude , Nyiringango Gerard , Fors Uno , Forsberg Elenita , Tumusiime David
Published: August 2022

Background Due to outbreaks of new diseases, development of new treatment regimens and requirement of evidence-based practice, health professionals continuously need to acquire updated knowledge and skills. This type of learning is known as continuous professional development (CPD). The scarcity of skilled health care professionals in developing countries further increases the need of CPD. Traditionally, face-to-face approach has been preferred as the best mode of CPD. Currently, health professionals have started using online learning for continued professional growth in different parts of the world. Consequently, research studies from different settings are needed to investigate the significance of online learning for CPD. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the importance and challenges attributed to online learning by the managers of health facilities in Rwanda. Moreover, the study aimed to identify the status of infrastructures that could support online CPD, and assess the perceived enhancement and barriers for implementing online CPD. Methods The study used a convergence mixed-method design to explore quantitative and qualitative data from 42 health care managers. A descriptive analysis was conducted on quantitative data while qualitative data were thematically analyzed to inform the study findings. Results It was revealed that 90.5% of managers, who participated in this study, consider positively the use of online learning for CPD. All managers acknowledged that online learning could improve the knowledge and practice skills of health care professionals. Nevertheless, 52.4% of health institutions who participated in this study currently do not use online for CPD. Participants demonstrated challenges such as the lack of access to digital devices, poor or lack of internet access, poor online learning design, low digital skills of healthcare professionals, lack of time dedicated to online learning, and heavy workload of staff. Conclusions These findings indicate then that the managers of health institutions value the importance of online learning for CPD of health professionals. However, online learning should be designed to fit for the purpose and with a high consideration on needs and preferences of healthcare professionals and thereby improve information communication technology infrastructure that support online learning for CPD.
Towards production of renewable diesel over robust Ni nanoclusters highly dispersed on two-dimensional zeolite
Authors: Yu Jihong , Pang Hao , Yang Guoju , Li Lin
Published: August 2022

Deoxygenation of bio-derived lipids into renewable transportation fuels is a promising route to decrease the dependence on fossil sources. Ni-based catalysts are high performing and cost-effective in deoxygenation reactions but suffer from severe sintering and aggregation. Herein, a ligand-chelating impregnation method was applied to prepare highly dispersive Ni nanoclusters on two-dimensional (2D) ITQ-2 zeolite. Comprehensive characterization techniques were utilized to monitor the changes of organometallic precursors during activation and to investigate their impact on the dispersion of Ni nanoclusters on ITQ-2 zeolite. The 2D support with a high external surface and abundant surface defects enhances the dispersion and immobilization of the Ni nanoclusters, compared to conventional counterpart zeolites. The protection of Ni2+ cations by organic ligand can suppress the aggregation of Ni species during activation processes, thereby leading to the formation of uniformly distributed Ni nanoclusters on ITQ-2 zeolite. Beneficially from the highly dispersive Ni nanoclusters and immobilization effect of 2D zeolite, the Ni/ITQ-2 material prepared by ligand-chelating impregnation approach showed outstanding activity and stability in the conversion of stearic acid or palm oil to diesel range alkanes. This work opens a boulevard for rational design and precise modulation of metal-based catalysts for the production of renewable diesel.
In situ visualization of opioid and cannabinoid drug effects using phosphosite-specific GPCR antibodies
Authors: Fritzwanker Sebastian , Nagel Falko , Kliewer Andrea , Schulz Stefan
Published: August 2022

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are vital signal transducers that upon activation become phosphorylated on intracellular serine and threonine residues. Although antibodies that specifically recognize the phosphorylation state of GPCRs have been available for many years, efficient immunolocalization of phosphorylated receptors in their tissues of origin has remained elusive. Here we show that GPCR phosphorylation is very unstable during routine immunohistochemical procedures, necessitating the presence of appropriate phosphatase inhibitors throughout both fixation and staining procedures. We provide proof of concept using three out of four phosphorylation state-specific µ-opioid receptor antibodies and show that this approach can be readily extended to other prototypical GPCRs such as the CB1 cannabinoid receptor. In summary, this improved protocol will facilitate the widespread application of phosphorylation state-specific antibodies to monitor the physiological and pharmacological activation of endogenous GPCRs.
AI-based molecular classification of diffuse gliomas using rapid, label-free optical imaging
Authors: Hollon Todd , Jiang Cheng , Chowdury Asadur , Nasir-Moin Mustafa , Kondepudi Akhil , Aabedi Alexander , Adapa Arjun , Al-Holou Wajd , Heth Jason , Sagher Oren , Lowenstein Pedro , Castro Maria , Wadiura Lisa , Widhalm Georg , Neuschmelting Volker , Reinecke David , von Spreckelsen Niklas , Berger Mitchell , Hervey-Jumper Shawn , Golfinos John , Snuderl Matija , Camelo-Piragua Sandra , Freudiger Christian , Lee Honglak , Orringer Daniel
Published: August 2022

Molecular classification has transformed the management of brain tumors by enabling more accurate prognostication and personalized treatment. However, timely molecular diagnostic testing for brain tumor patients is limited [1–3], complicating surgical and adjuvant treatment and obstructing clinical trial enrollment [4]. Here, we developed DeepGlioma, a rapid (<90 seconds), AI-based diagnostic screening system to streamline the molecular diagnosis of diffuse gliomas. DeepGlioma is trained using a multimodal dataset that includes stimulated Raman histology (SRH), a rapid, label-free, non-consumptive, optical imaging method [5–7], and large-scale, public genomic data. In a prospective, multicenter, international testing cohort of diffuse glioma patients (N = 153) who underwent real-time SRH imaging, we demonstrate that DeepGlioma can predict the molecular alterations used by the World Health Organization (WHO) to define the adult-type diffuse glioma taxonomy (IDH mutation, 1p19q co-deletion, ATRX mutation) [8], achieving a mean molecular classification accuracy of 93.3 (±1.6)%. Our results represent how artificial intelligence and optical histology can be used to provide a rapid and scalable adjunct to wet lab methods for the molecular diagnosis of diffuse glioma patients.
Buying vaccines through a single payment as a proxy for procuring vaccines via formularies
Authors: Alves-Maciel Bruno , Proano Ruben A.
Published: August 2022

In this study, we evaluate the possibility of making vaccines more affordable without impacting profits by exploring the effects of selling vaccines as formularies or baskets of vaccines bundled in the same sale. Assuming that countries are grouped into market segments for tiered pricing purposes and are coordinated by a single decision-maker, we propose selling vaccines as formularies by changing their pricing scheme so that buyers make a single lump-sum payment to each vaccine producer for their vaccines. Results show that changing the pricing scheme can improve affordability.
Retinal vascular density changes following phacoemulsification versus phacotrabeculectomy for primary angle-closure glaucoma: A comparative study
Authors: Daneshvar Ramin , Karimi Farshid , Azimi Abbas , Khorrami-Nejad Masoud , Tireh Hossein , Moghaddam Somayeh Ghasemi
Published: August 2022

Purpose:To compare retinal vascular density changes following phacoemulsification vs. phacotrabeculectomy for primary angle-closure glaucoma(PACG).Materials and methods:Sixty-seven glaucoma patients were evaluated in a single center, and those with concomitant PACG and senile cataracts and without a history of prior ocular surgeries, trauma, or monocular status use were recruited. Finally, 59 eligible subjects were assigned to phacoemulsification (‘Phaco’ group, 29 eyes) or phacotrabeculectomy (‘Combined’ group, 30 eyes) surgeries based on the clinical situation. A commercial optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) device was used to measure the retinal vascular density and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness before, one week, one month after surgery.Results:For the RNFL thickness in different areas, a significant difference was found between the pre- and postoperative value only in the nasal area in the 'Combined' group (P<0.05). Among different vascular parameters, ‘inside disc vessel density’ had a significant difference for both ‘all vessels’ and ‘capillaries’ (p<0.05). Furthermore, ‘superficial hemifield vessel density for all vessels’ significantly changed after combined surgery (p=0.049).Conclusions:Despite similar IOP control, the vascular changes following phaco and combined surgery in PACG patients may be different, contributing to functional outcomes of these therapeutic modalities.
Ovarian reserve decreases in women with Crohn's disease: clinical characteristics and risk factors-a case control study
Authors: Xiang Peng , Yao Jia-yin , Li Xiao-lan , Zhang Min , Hu Pin-jin , Zhi Min
Published: August 2022

Background:Crohn’s disease(CD), often occurring in women of child-bearing age, can decline the fertility rate. However, whether it reduces ovarian reserve has been rarely reported. This study aimed to evaluate the ovarian reserve in women with CD from the perspective of anti-müllerian hormone(AMH), and explore the factors that can decrease ovarian reserve. Methods: A case-control retrospective study was designed. We analyzed the AMH levels in a total of 135 CD women and 878 healthy controls. Then using the technique of propensity score matching, the subjected were grouped in a ratio of 1:3, according to age, body mass index and smoking status. Finally, 121 patients were included into the CD group, and 324 into control group, with similar basic characteristics. Serum AMH levels were measured by chemiluminescence.Results: The AMH level in the CD group was significantly lower than that in the control group (2.17±2.23ug/L vs 3.95±2.01ug/L, 95%CI[1.34-2.21], P<0.001). In both groups, the AMH levels decreased as age increased, but without between-group difference in the decreasing rate (P=0.639). Multivariate analysis showed that age>30 years (OR,2.905;95%CI[1.053-8.531], P=0.017), disease activity (OR,4.314; 95%CI[1.561-12.910], P=0.002) and thalidomide use (OR,12.628; 95%CI[4.351 -42.820], P<0.001) were independent risk factors associated with decreased ovarian reserve (AMH＜1.1ug/L). Conclusion: Ovarian reserve is lower in CD women than in healthy women. Age, CD activity and medication of thalidomide are risk factors that an aggravate the decline of ovarian reserve.
Performance Analysis of Hermite Gaussian 8×40 Gb/s DWDM-FSO System using Advance Modulation Schemes
Authors: Sinha Shivaji , Kumar Chakresh
Published: August 2022

Transmission of high-speed optical signals across the free space channel is highly dependent on external characteristics such as scintillation and attenuation as a result of atmospheric conditions that are constantly changing. This paper describes the architecture of an 8×40 Gbps dense wavelength division multiplexed (DWDM)-FSO transmission system based on Hermite Gaussian (HG) channels and incorporates various advanced modulation techniques. In addition, the implementation of a spatial mode laser and an optical boost amplifier decreases the effect of degradation caused by atmospheric attenuation and extends the optical link distance. The performance of the proposed system design is investigated for six modulation schemes including 64-QAM, 16-QAM, 4-QAM, 8-PSK, DPSK, and DQPSK modulations in different atmospheric attenuations conditions under a strong Gamma-Gamma (GG) turbulent channel. It is reported that the optical link performance degrades exponentially with an increase in signal to noise ratio (SNR) for the modulation schemes listed above. 4-QAM and DPSK modulations outperform the rest of the modulation methods for low SNR values as the optical link distance increases. The successful signal transmission of 8×40 Gb/s data over the transmission link distance of about 5 km with an acceptable BER level of 10− 6is achieved.
Probabilistic Behavior Assessment of Semi-Flexible and Flexible Base-Isolated Buildings
Authors: Karimi Mohammad Reza Bagerzadeh , Geneş Mehmet Cemal
Published: August 2022

Despite the well-known mechanical properties of the Lead Core Rubber Bearing (LCRB) system, it can act variously under different forms of ground motion with various components. Since the performance of seismically isolated buildings is unpredictable and varies under the several types of ground motions with different components, and as it depends on the variation of the mechanical properties of the base isolation systems, the probabilistic behavior of the semi-flexible and flexible base-isolated buildings has been evaluated in terms of preserving the structural system and vibration-sensitive contents. In this direction, four important key parameters of the LCRB system have been considered as variable parameters, and 94 pulse-like ground motions, whose pulse period ranges between 0.5 sec and 13 sec, have been selected from PEER strong ground motion database center. In this respect, a Monte Carlo simulation was performed and 28200 time-history analyses were implemented for each of the buildings selected in this study. Finally, detailed insight into the variability of seismic response was given to understand the behavior of the base-isolated buildings and the effect of the mechanical parameters of the base isolation systems considering the different components of the pulse-like ground motions.
Patterns of coexistence between two mesocarnivores in presence of anthropogenic disturbances in Western Himalaya
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Meghna , Biswas Suvankar , Dasgupta Tryambak , Krishnamurthy Ramesh
Published: August 2022

Species' coexistence depends on species-specific resource utilization in a given habitat. Human disturbances in this context can constrain the realized niche by altering their community dynamics. In this study, we considered Western Himalaya as a case study to test the hypothesis that human disturbances influence mesocarnivore coexistence patterns. We regarded red fox and leopard cat as the focal species and assessed the coexistence patterns in low and high human disturbance areas in three dimensions: spatial, temporal and dietary habit. We used camera trap detections and mitochondrial DNA-based species identification of faecal samples. We used generalized linear mixed-effect modelling (GLMM), activity overlap, Levin’s niche breadth and Pianka’s overlap index to capture the spatial, temporal and dietary interactions respectively. We found that red fox and leopard cat coexisted by spatial segregation in low human disturbance area, whereas dietary segregation was the means of coexistence in high human disturbance area. We observed a broader dietary breadth for red fox and a narrower for leopard cat in high human disturbance area. The altered coexistence pattern due to differential human disturbances indicates intensive anthropogenic activities adjacent to natural forests. It can link to increased opportunities for shared spaces between mesocarnivores and humans, leading to future disease spread and conflicts. Our study contributes to scant ecological knowledge of these mesocarnivores and adds to our understanding of community dynamics in human-altered ecosystems. The study elucidates the need for long-term monitoring of wildlife inhabiting interface areas to ensure human and wildlife coexistence.
Improvement of lamination process of banana pseudo stem/polylactic acid: mechanical-thermal and biodegradation analysis
Authors: Kittikorn Thorsak , Jitjaicham Sujinda , Chanwetwirot Chinchuta , Malakul Ramitanun , Kadea Suding
Published: August 2022

This research was to investigate the effect of silanization of 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as a binder and compatibilizer for the production of a pulp fibre sheet based agricultural waste of banana pseudo stem fibre and laminating with polylactic acid (PLA), respectively. The modification of PVA was successful by a confirmation of FTIR. As a result of mechanical-thermal analysis (DMTA), the modified PVA performed prominence as a compatibilizer in the combination of PLA and pulp sheet for the lamination process. It influenced to improve storage modulus roughly up to 50% while performing more viscous. Similarly, the tensile test also confirmed the improved properties. Interestingly, the biocomposite laminate as used in the modified PVA showed more hydrophilic rather than unmodified. A microbial growth test by Aspergillus niger also revealed the modified PVA influencing more severe biodegradation on the laminate.
Consumer perception of brand equity based on environmental sustainability in the Amazon: development and validation of a scale
Authors: Diego Luiz , Holanda Francisco Sandro Rodrigues
Published: August 2022

PurposeBrands gradually became the core dimension and strategic asset of branding for organizations of all sizes, and today many companies adopt various forms of green marketing activities as part of their strategies. In this sense, this study aimed to develop and investigate the psychometric properties of precision and validity of a scale for brand evaluation equity based on the environmental sustainability of the Amazon in the Brazilian context.Design/methodology/approachThe scale was validated by adopting the norms described in the Standards standards. As samples for testing, eight companies from the Amazônia UP program participated in this research, having data interviews applied to 262 potential consumers.discoveriesA scale with 23 items was constructed and validated, and after evaluation by the specialists, 22 items were obtained, divided into four dimensions: Quality perception — POQ(5 questions); Strategic Brand Positioning – SBP (10 questions); Willingness to buy — WIB(2 questions) and Innovation in retail — BRI (4 questions). Three items were modified because they presented the CVC at 0.8, being accepted after the adjustments. The instrument items showed good internal consistency (0.877) regarding their domains. As for DIF data, the scale invariably works for older and younger people for almost all items, except item BRI 04.Research limitations/implicationsThis article fills the gap in the literature by developing a scale to assess consumer perception of brand equity and environmental sustainability. However, the findings are limited to the variation in the data collection since, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic period, most participants chose to fill in the scale online. Thus, the scale data are limited by the context in which the research was applied.practical implicationsThe development and subsequent validation of the contextualized psychometric scale fills an important gap in the academic literature, providing a better understanding of the perception of potential consumers about the brand. Sustainable brand equity that generalist scales could not measure. Likewise, the scale provides essential information for brand entrepreneurs who aim to develop their products sustainably, an important tool for managers to test and validate the extent to which new advertising materials demonstrate brand authenticity.Originality/ValueThe present study contributes to the directional and effective branding of brands related to environmental sustainability, mainly from tropical forests such as the Amazon rainforest. Furthermore, the findings suggest that the instrument developed and validated cross-culturally can be applied to potential consumers aged between 19 and 64 years of both sexes.
Given Names Change Consumption Decisions: Evidence from the Female Body Image Market in China
Authors: fang Zhou , Bian Yong
Published: August 2022

Names play important roles in Chinese culture; people often obtain their first impression of others by interpreting their names. As “feminine qualities” are favored in the naming of girls, many females receive names with implications of beauty in China. How do these names impact the life of Chinese females? In this paper, which uses survey data from 314 Chinese female as a sample, we tested the impact of beauty in a name on people’s consumption decisions in the body image market. According to the results of a ordinary linear regression, we found that a direct implication of beauty in names results in an increase of 9.51k CNY in appearance improvement consumption on average, which is approximately 43% of the average spending in appearance improvement in our sample.. Additionally, with mediation analysis, we found that this impact is partly caused by the Chinese culture in which people obtain impressions of others through their given names.
Using Conjoint-based Experimental Design to Assess Willingness to Purchase Florida Peaches
Authors: Ames Zilfina Rubio , Brecht Jeffrey K. , Olmstead Mercy A. , Colquhoun Thomas A. , Keene Shea A.
Published: August 2022

Although consumers are not very familiar with peach production in Florida, Florida peaches are the first domestic peaches produced in the United States, being available from mid-March through early May. Moreover, Florida peach acreage has increased 8.5-fold in the past 10 years. Using a conjoint-based experimental design and analysis, we measured U.S. consumer reactions to diverse groups of ideas describing peaches, including production regions, and identified attributes that positively and negatively influence consumer preference. The main objective of this research was to identify external and internal attributes that make the “ideal peach.” Are consumers willing to pay more for a locally grown peach? Will consumers prefer a Florida peach instead of a Georgia or California peach? The top three peach attributes identified were “juicy and fully ripe,” “strong peach aroma and sweet peach taste,” and “grown in Georgia.” Cluster analysis revealed two segments of consumers: consumers in the first segment focused on physical aspects of the peach, and consumers in the second segment were concerned with peach production regions and health benefits. The findings from this research will be helpful in developing marketing programs for Florida peaches as an item that is perfect for snacking because of their small size and desirable texture and flavor.
Perspectives of Teachers on Supporting The Participation of Students with Learning Disabilities in Inclusive Secondary Schools: A Qualitative Study
Authors:   Department of Special Education, Faculty of Human Development, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, 35900 Tanjong Malim, Perak, Malaysia, Hosshan Hasrul ,   Centre for Disability Research and Policy, University of Sydney, Camperdown NSW 2006, Australia
Published: August 2022

Inclusive education is a strategy to provide opportunities for students with learning disabilities (LD) to interact with their typically developing peers in the classroom. Moreover, teachers play a vital role in aiding the participation of students with LD in mainstream settings. This study explores the views of mainstream and special teachers on inclusive education in Malaysia. The study focuses on describing and understanding school inclusion practices along with the teachers’ roles in supporting the participation of students with LD within the mainstream school environment. Six teachers were recruited through purposive sampling for the interview, whereby the interviewed data was subjected to thematic analysis. The findings emphasised the need for school-classroom interventions that reflect teachers’ professionalism, the network connection of students with LD in schools, the importance of student's placement in mainstream school settings, together with challenges encountered by students with LD to develop interactions and relationships with mainstream teachers and typically developing peers. In conclusion, the study revealed teachers’ readiness on supporting regular education experience for students with LD in mainstream classrooms. The results can also be used to map effective inclusive education practice strategies and policies in Malaysia.
Proposition d’une typologie des pratiques effectives de programmation visuelle
Authors: Parent Simon
Published: August 2022

Cet article présente les résultats d’une étude de cas multiples menée auprès de 18 élèves du primaire au Québec, Canada. L’objectif de celle-ci était de proposer une typologie des pratiques effectives de programmation visuelle d’élèves du primaire. En plus d’offrir un portrait détaillé des pratiques mobilisées par les élèves dans le cadre de cette recherche, nous présentons une typologie des tâches de programmation visuelle pour des élèves du primaire en nous appuyant d’une part sur la littérature, et d’autre part sur les données empiriques de l’utilisation d’un scénario pédagogique qui permet aux élèves de mobiliser leurs habiletés en programmant un robot humanoïde appelé NAO. Cette proposition de typologie compréhensive et adaptée offre un potentiel pédagogique non négligeable, que ce soit quant à la conception de scénarios pédagogiques mobilisant la programmation visuelle à l’enseignement primaire, ou au développement de manuels ou guides pédagogiques destinés aux élèves ou aux enseignants du primaire.
ULTRA-SONOGRAPHIC ESTIMATION OF ENDOTRACHEAL TUBE SIZE IN PAEDIATRIC PATIENTS UNDERGOING SURGERY IN PRONE POSITION: A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL CLINICAL STUDY
Authors: Panse Neha , Shah Bansari , Yalgudkar Hrishikesh
Published: August 2022

Background: ETT is important in securing paediatric airway and its right size plays crucial role in paediatric patients. The airway anatomy in paediatric patients is different from adults hence requires precise ETT size. The subglottic diameter being the narrowest portion of upper airway, determines the ETT size. USG is safe, reliable, non-invasive tool used to estimate the narrowest subglottic diameter to estimate the correct ETT size. Conventional formulae included age and height. Concerns in prone position include accidental extubation,secretions, difficult airway access, increased abdominal pressure, increased FRC. Methods: Sixty patients in the age group 1-4 years posted for PSARP under GA were included in the study. USG guided ETT size was estimated and compared with conventionally estimated size. Results:The size of ETT predicted by USG was more appropriate than that estimated by physical indices(p<0.005). ETT size estimated by age-based formula was 2nd nearest to best fit tube. 65% patients were intubated in 1st attempt while 31.6% required 2nd attempt and 3.33% needed 3 attempts to get intubated with the best fit ETT. Conclusion:USG is useful and reliable screening modality in estimating appropriate ETT size especially in paediatric patients undergoing surgery even in prone position such as PSARP.
EXPANSIVE SOIL STABILIZATION USING IRON ORE TAILINGS
Authors:   Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Vidyavardhaka College of Engineering, Mysore-570002, Karnataka, India., L. Chethan , N. Nandushree ,   Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Vidyavardhaka College of Engineering, Mysore-570002, Karnataka, India., Kumara B. Naveen ,   U.G Student, Department of Civil Engineering, Vidyavardhaka College of Engineering, Mysore-570002, Karnataka, India., Kumar B. Karthik ,   U.G Student, Department of Civil Engineering, Vidyavardhaka College of Engineering, Mysore-570002, Karnataka, India.
Published: August 2022

The foundation of the natural world is the soil, which is prevalent in many parts of India and has a high silt content, low strength, and weak bearing ability. The loads placed on these soils during construction or during the structures useful life are too great for them to bear. In India, expansive soil covers 20 percent of the land. To enhance the functionality of expansive soils, soil stabilization is used.In this research work, an attempt has been made to use Iron Ore Tailings (IOT) an industrial by-product as stabilizing agent for expansive soil. In this study, expansive soil is replaced with IOT from 0% to 30% at 5% interval. It was found from the experimental observations that the values of Liquid limit and Plastic limit decreased with increase in percentage of IOT. Free swell index shows a total decrement of 55% at 30% IOT content. MDD of standard and modified compaction increased with higher percentage of IOT whereas the OMC decreased accordingly. CBR values of un-soaked condition yielded whereas no penetration resistance was observed in soaked condition. Swelling pressure effectively decreased to a total of 50% at 30% IOT content. Hence, it can be concluded that IOT will help in improving the mechanical properties of expansive soil.
FRACTURE ONCONGENITAL SHORT FEMUR: A CASE REPORT
Authors:   Department of Pediatricsurgery, Faculty Of Medicine And Pharmacy of Agadir, UniversityIbnZohr, Agadir, Morocco., Amine Oukhouya Mohamed , Abdellaoui Hicham ,   Department of Pediatricsurgery, Faculty Of Medicine And Pharmacy of FÃ¨s, UniversitySidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah, FÃ¨s, Morocco., Tazi Mohammed ,   Department of Pediatricsurgery, Faculty Of Medicine And Pharmacy of FÃ¨s, UniversitySidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah, FÃ¨s, Morocco., Atarraf Karima ,   Department of Pediatricsurgery, Faculty Of Medicine And Pharmacy of FÃ¨s, UniversitySidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah, FÃ¨s, Morocco., Abderrahmane Afifi Moulay ,   Department of Pediatricsurgery, Faculty Of Medicine And Pharmacy of FÃ¨s, UniversitySidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah, FÃ¨s, Morocco.
Published: August 2022

Background:Congenital short femur is characterized by a global femoral hypoplasia, classified in 5 types, type1 is a simple hypoplasia, revealed in our patient in the context of a fracture. Clinical case:The article presents a clinical observation of a one month old male infant who admitted on account of trauma of the leftlowerlimb,an x-ray revealed a fracture on congenital short femur type 1. Discussion: Short congenital femur is the most common growth deficiency of the femur, with five types: type 1: simple hypoplasia of the femur type 2: short femur with angulation type 3: short femur with coxa vara type 4: deficiency of the proximal end of the femur type 5: aplasia of the femur, a short congenital femur may be unrecognized and only diagnosed at walking age, or as in our case discovered in the context of a fracture, according to the literature no case of short congenital femur discovered in the context of a fracture in children has been found. Conclusion: The short congenital femur is a rare malformation of the lower limb, after birth the diagnosis is based essentially on X-rays which can be of fortuitous discovery.