bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Six-month supplementation with high dose coenzyme Q10 improves liver steatosis, endothelial, vascular and myocardial function in patients with metabolic-dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease: A Randomized Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Vrentzos Emmanouil , Pavlidis George , Katogiannis Konstantinos , Korakas Emmanouil , Kountouri Aikaterini , Pliouta Loukia , Michalopoulou Eleni , Pelekanou Emilia , Boumpas Dimitrios , Ikonomidis Ignatios , Lambadiari Vaia
Published: March 2024

BACKROUND
Metabolic-dysfunction Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) has been associated with increased cardiovascular risk. The aim of this Randomized Double-blind clinical Trial was to evaluate the effects of coenzyme-Q10 supplementation in patients with MASLD in terms of endothelial, vascular and myocardial function.
METHODS
Sixty patients with MASLD were randomized to receive daily 240mg of coenzyme-Q10 or placebo. At baseline and at 6-months, the a) Perfused boundary region of sublingual vessels using the Sideview - Darkfield imaging technique, b) pulse-wave-velocity, c) flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery, d) left ventricular global longitudinal strain, e) coronary flow reserve of the left anterior descending coronary artery and f) controlled attenuation parameter for the quantification of liver steatosis were evaluated.
RESULTS
Six months post-treatment, patients under coenzyme-Q10 showed reduced Perfused boundary region (2.18±0.23 vs. 2.29±0.18µm), pulse-wave-velocity(9.5±2 vs. 10.2±2.3m/s), controlled attenuation parameter (280.9±33.4 vs. 304.8±37.4dB/m), and increased flow-mediated dilation (6.1±3.8 vs 4.3±2.8%), global longitudinal strain(-19.6±1.6 vs -18.8±1.9%) and coronary flow reserve(3.1±0.4 vs 2.8±0.4) compared to baseline (p<0.05). The placebo group exhibited no improvement during the 6-month follow-up period (p>0.05). In patients under coenzyme-Q10, the reduction in controlled attenuation parameter score was positively related to the reduction in Perfused boundary region and pulse wave velocity and reversely related to the increase in coronary flow reserve and flow-mediated dilation(p<0.05 for all relations).
CONCLUSIONS
Six-month treatment with high-dose coenzyme-Q10 reduces liver steatosis and improves endothelial, vascular and left ventricle myocardial function in patients with MASLD, demonstrating significant improvements in micro- and macro-vasculature function.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER AND DATE: NCT05941910, retrospectively registered June 26, 2023
Global epidemiology and implications of PNPLA3 I148M variant in MASLD: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Souza Matheus , Al-Sharif Lubna , Diaz Ivanna , Mantovani Alessandro , Villela-Nogueira Cristiane Alves
Published: March 2024

Background and Aims: PNPLA3
rs738409 variant is a risk factor for onset and progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). We aimed to assess its global prevalence, clinical and histological characteristics, and long-term outcomes in patients with MASLD.
Methods
PubMed and Embase were searched until December 2023 for observational studies on PNPLA3 genotyped adults with MASLD. Proportions were pooled using a generalised linear mixed model with Clopper-Pearson intervals. Continuous and dichotomous variables were analysed using the DerSimonian-Laird method. Subgroup, meta-regression and sensitivity analyses were also performed. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42023449838.
Results
We identified 109 studies (118,302 MASLD individuals) with an overall minor allele frequency of the G allele at PNPLA3 [MAF(G)] of 0.45 (95%CI 0.43; 0.48, I²=98%), adjusted to 0.39 (95%CI 0.36; 0.43, I²=98%) due to publication bias. The highest MAF(G) was found in Latin America and the lowest in Europe. No African countries were identified. Carriers of the PNPLA3 variant had reduced adiposity, altered fat metabolism and worse liver damage/histology than non-carriers. Additionally, only the PNPLA3 GG genotype was associated with mortality and liver-related events. Meta-regressions showed the influence of adiposity, age, diabetes mellitus and glucose on PNPLA3 expression.
Conclusions
This study reveals the global pattern of PNPLA3 and its clinical, histological and outcomes implications in MASLD. Our findings underscore the importance of PNPLA3 genotyping in clinical trials and advocate for personalized medicine approaches. Further research is needed on the genetic epidemiology of underrepresented populations, challenges of incorporating genotyping into clinical practice and gene-environment interactions.
Baricitinib ameliorates inflammatory and neuropathic pain in collagen antibody-induced arthritis mice by modulating the IL-6/JAK/STAT3 pathway and CSF-1 expression in dorsal root ganglion neurons
Authors: Makabe Kenta , Okada Hiroyuki , Tachibana Naohiro , Ishikura Hisatoshi , Ito Norihito , Tanaka Masaru , Chijimatsu Ryota , Terashima Asuka , Yano Fumiko , Asaka Meiko , Yanagihara Dai , Taketomi Shuji , Matsumoto Takumi , Tanaka Sakae , Omata Yasunori , Saito Taku
Published: March 2024

Background Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, such as baricitinib, are widely used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Clinical studies show that baricitinib is more effective at reducing pain than other similar drugs. Here, we aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the pain relief conferred by baricitinib, using a mouse model of arthritis.
Methods We treated collagen antibody-induced arthritis (CAIA) model mice with baricitinib, celecoxib, or vehicle, and evaluated the severity of arthritis, histological findings of the spinal cord, and pain-related behaviors. We also conducted RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to identify alterations in gene expression in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) following baricitinib treatment. Finally, we conducted in vitro experiments to investigate the direct effects of baricitinib on neuronal cells.
Results Both baricitinib and celecoxib significantly decreased CAIA and improved inflammatory pain as determined by grip strength, while only baricitinib remarkably suppressed neuropathic pain as determined by the von Frey test. CAIA induction of inflammatory cytokines in ankle synovium, including interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6, was suppressed by treatment with either baricitinib or celecoxib. In contrast, RNA-seq analysis of the DRG revealed that baricitinib, but not celecoxib, restored gene expression alterations induced by CAIA to the control condition. Among many pathways changed by CAIA and baricitinib treatment, the interferon-alpha/gamma, JAK-signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathways were considerably decreased in the baricitinib group compared with the celecoxib group. Notably, only baricitinib decreased the expression of colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF-1), a potent cytokine that causes neuropathic pain through activation of the microglia–astrocyte axis in the spinal cord. Accordingly, baricitinib prevented increases in microglia and astrocytes caused by CAIA. Baricitinib also suppressed JAK/STAT3 pathway activity and Csf1expression in cultured neuronal cells.
Conclusions Our findings demonstrate the effects baricitinib has on the DRG in relation to ameliorating inflammatory and neuropathic pain.
Performance Evaluation of Deep Learning-based Covid-19 Diagnosis Software: a Comprehensive Approach Using Convolutional Neural Networks and Ensemble Machine Learning
Authors: Ogunwale Yetunde Esther , Oyedemi Oluyemisi Adenike , Ajinaja Micheal Olalekan
Published: March 2024

Quick diagnosis of COVID-19 through chest X-ray images has gained significant attention due to its potential to aid in rapid screening. In this study, we presented a comprehensive approach utilizing convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for feature extraction from chest X-ray images, followed by an ensemble of classifiers including Decision Tree, Support Vector Machine, Random Forest, and AdaBoost for accurate classification. Our CNN architecture, trained on Google Colab with GPU runtime, comprises 20 layers incorporating Conv2D, MaxPooling2D, Dropout, and fully connected layers with ReLU activation function and a dropout threshold of 0.25, achieving an accuracy of 97.10%. By using a dataset that consists of 33,920 chest X-ray (CXR) images including 11,956 COVID-19, 11,263 Non-COVID infections (Viral or Bacterial Pneumonia), 10,701 Normal with Ground-truth lung segmentation masks provided for the entire dataset from the Kaggle COVID-19 Radiography Database. Our final ensemble classifier, employing Soft voting, attained a heightened accuracy of 97.51%. Moreover, to gain insights into the CNN's internal processes, we visualized intermediate layer activations. Subsequently, we deployed the final model using a Flask API for seamless integration into healthcare systems. Our approach promised efficient and accurate diagnosis of COVID-19 from chest X-ray images, facilitating timely patient management.
Unveiling the future of Ultrasound Chemical Bath Deposition method for flexible supercapacitive electrodes : Impact of cationic precursors on MnO2 flexible electrodes – a case study
Authors: Deshmane Abhinandan , Thakur Amarsingh , Salunkhe Dadasaheb , Bhosale Raghunath
Published: March 2024

MnO2 flexible electrodes (FEs) were synthesized by novel ultrasound chemical bath deposition (UCBD) using aqueous solutions of three different manganese (II) cationic precursors viz. manganese acetate, manganese chloride, and manganese nitrate. 1M aqueous NaOH solution was used as the oxidizer for each precursor. Under optimized preparative conditions, uniform MnO2 films grew on the substrates to form the FEs. XRD analysis confirmed the formation of crystalline MnO2, further corroborated by EDX. FESEM imaging revealed a transition in surface morphology from mud-like structures with manganese acetate to randomly arranged nanoflakes with manganese nitrate. Surface modification was confirmed by contact angle measurements. Cyclic voltammetry showed the specific capacitance (SC) varied with the Mn2+ cation source. Galvanostatic charge-discharge further confirmed this trend. The highest SC of 408.50 Fg-1 was exhibited by electrodes prepared with Mn(NO3)2.6H2O with 90.61 % retention in SC even after 2000 CV cycles.
RETRACTED: Comparative Study of Oxymethylene Ether 3 (OME3) in Isobaric Combustion Mode: Numerical Study
Authors: Al-lehaibi Moaz , Alhamayani Abdulelah
Published: March 2024

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
A Literature Review of Food Analytics
Authors: Elragal Rawan , Elragal Ahmed , Habibipour Abdolrasoul
Published: March 2024

This research examines the potential use of modern technologies such as big data, data science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, which have penetrated several aspects of our lives, to address food concerns and problems, forming the nowadays called food analytics. We discuss the potential use of such technologies in relation to food problems and shortages. We analyze the opportunities and challenges associated with the use of such technological advancements and the potential benefits for the global food system. We also provide a research agenda with future directions for the application of big data, data science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to the food ecosystem.
Enhancing Real-time Detection of Strawberry Diseases: An Optimized SSE-YOLOv5 Model with Improved Accuracy and Small Object Detection
Authors: Liu Hai-chao , Liang Hao-yu , Liu Ying-hao , Qin Jiang-wei , Zhang Zhiguang , Yu Miao , Luo Yang
Published: March 2024

Strawberries are a highly valuable crop widely cultivated across China, making the strawberry industry a crucial component of the country's agricultural sector. Pests and diseases are significant factors affecting the strawberry industry. However, detecting these issues is complicated in real-world environments. Traditional methods, relying on manual inspection by workers, are highly random and inefficient. To achieve real-time detection of strawberry diseases and deploy the model on mobile devices, we propose an improved neural network, SSE-YOLOv5, which enhances detection accuracy while ensuring the model is lightweight. Firstly, we added a channel attention mechanism, SENet, to the original model. The channel attention mechanism offers an effective way to improve feature selection and enhance model performance. It can increase the model's accuracy and recall rate by automatically identifying and emphasizing important features. Additionally, it provides better interpretability, allowing us to see the features that the model focuses on during decision-making. When dealing with data with rich features and complex patterns, the channel attention mechanism shows superior adaptability. Finally, focusing on key features helps to reduce model complexity and the risk of overfitting. Secondly, we added a small object detection layer to improve the accuracy of detecting small targets. Compared with the YOLOv5 baseline model, the improved SSE-YOLOv5 model increased the mAP by 7.4%, reaching 76.3%. The experiments showed that the accuracy of the improved SSE-YOLOv5 model was 75.2%, and the recall rate was 69.8%. The model's detection performance is excellent and can meet the requirements for real-time detection of strawberry diseases.
Validity and reliability of the Pain Assessment in Impaired Cognition 15 (PAIC15) observation scale in persons with aphasia
Authors: de Vries Neeltje J. , Smaling H.J.A. , Steen J.T. van der , Achterberg W.P.
Published: March 2024

Background
The use of self-report pain scales in persons with aphasia can be challenging due to communication and cognitive problems. An observational scale may be used as an alternative. The aim of this study is to examine the validity and reliability of the observational Pain Assessment in Impaired Cognition (PAIC15) scale that was developed for people with dementia, in persons with aphasia.
Methods
In 14 Dutch nursing homes, persons with aphasia were observed during rest and transfer by two observers using the PAIC15. The PAIC15 comprises 15 items covering the three domains of facial expressions, body movements, and vocalizations. When able, the person completed four self-report pain scales after each observation. The observations were repeated within one week. For criterion validity, correlations between the PAIC15 and self-report pain scales were calculated and for construct validity, three hypotheses were tested. Reliability was determined by assessing internal consistency, and intra- and interobserver agreement.
Results
PAIC15 observations were obtained for 71 persons (mean age 75.5 years) with aphasia. Fair positive correlations (rest: 0.35–0.50; transfer: 0.38–0.43) were reported between PAIC15 and almost all self-report pain scales and, one of the three construct validity hypotheses was confirmed. Results showed acceptable internal consistency. Intraobserver agreement was high during transfer but not during rest, interobserver agreement was high on the three PAIC15 domains during transfer but not during rest.
Conclusions
Recognition of pain in persons aphasia using the PAIC15 observational scale showed mixed yet promising results in this clinical study.
Ketamine-Assisted Buprenorphine Initiation: A Pilot Case Series
Authors: Grande Lucinda A , Hutch Tom , Jack Keira , Mironov Wendy , Iwuoha Jessica , Muy-Rivera Martin , Grillo Jacob , Martin Stephen , Herring Andrew
Published: March 2024

Background:Many people with opioid use disorder who stand to benefit from buprenorphine treatment fail to initiate it due to experience with or fear of both spontaneous opioid withdrawal and buprenorphine-precipitated opioid withdrawal (BPOW). An effective means of minimizing withdrawal symptoms would reduce patient apprehensiveness, lowering the barrier to buprenorphine initiation. Ketamine, approved by the FDA as a dissociative anesthetic, reduced opioid dependence in preclinical studies. It completely resolved BPOW in case reports when infused at a sub-anesthetic level, yet dissociation, which is an altered cognitive state, occurred. However, most patients undergo buprenorphine initiation in the outpatient setting where altered mental status is undesirable. We explored the potential of short-term use of ketamine, self-administered sublingually at a lower, sub-dissociative dose to assist ambulatory patients undergoing transition to buprenorphine from pure mu-opioid agonists.Methods:Patients prescribed ketamine were either 1) seeking transition to buprenorphine from illicit fentanyl and highly apprehensive of BPOW or 2) undergoing transition to buprenorphine from illicit fentanyl or methadone and experiencing BPOW. We prescribed 4-8 doses of sublingual ketamine 16 mg (each dose bioequivalent to 3-6% of an anesthetic dose), monitored patients daily or near-daily, and adjusted buprenorphine and ketamine dosing based on patient response and prescriber experience.Results:37 patients were prescribed ketamine over 14 months. Ketamine reliably abolished fentanyl withdrawal symptoms for up to 72 hours, often prevented severe BPOW when used prophylactically, and often reduced or abolished BPOW. Of the 24 patients who confirmed trying ketamine, 16 (67%) completed buprenorphine initiation, including 12 (75%) of the last 16 patients. Of the last 12 patients who completed initiation, 11 (92%) achieved 30-day retention in treatment. We developed a ketamine protocol that allowed four of the last patients to undergo a smooth buprenorphine initiation over four days. Adverse effects including dissociation did not occur within the effective ketamine dose range.ConclusionsKetamine at a sub-dissociative dose was useful to prevent, reduce and/or treat painful opioid withdrawal symptoms during buprenorphine initiation in the outpatient setting. Further research is warranted to confirm these results and develop reliable protocols for a range of treatment settings.
Orbital Stability of Smooth Solitary Waves for the Novikov Equation
Authors: Ehrman Brett , Johnson Mathew , Lafortune Stephane
Published: March 2024

We study the orbital stability of smooth solitary wave solutions of the Novikov equation, which is a Camassa-Holm type equation with cubic nonlinearities. These solitary waves are shown to exist as a one-parameter family (up to spatial translations) parameterized by their asymptotic endstate, and are encoded as critical points of a particular action functional. As an importantstep in our analysis we must study the spectrum the Hessian of this action functional, which turns out to be a nonlocal integro-differential operatoracting on $L^2(\mathbb{R})$. We provide a combination of analytical and numerical evidence that the necessary spectral hypotheses alwaysholds for the Novikov equation. Together with a detailed study of the associated Vakhitov-Kolokolov condition, our analysis indicates that all smooth solitary wave solutions of the Novikov equation are nonlinearly orbitally stable.
Infantile leigh-like syndrome: A rare presentation of biotin-thiamine responsive basal ganglia disease
Authors: Malmurugan Yathwin Kanagavel , Manokaran Ranjith Kumar , Pasupathy Umpathy , Rangasami Rajeswaran
Published: March 2024

Background Biotin-thiamine-responsive basal ganglia disease (BTRBGD) is an extremely rare, inherited autosomal recessive neurometabolic disorder associated with episodes of sub-acute encephalopathy and seizures. It occurs due to impaired transport of thiamine across the blood-brain barrier and is considered as a treatable condition, if biotin and thiamine supplementation is initiated early. BTRBGD classically presents in childhood, but very rarely can also present as infantile form and adult Wernicke-like encephalopathy. The infantile form, referred to as infantile leigh-like syndrome, is considered the most severe presentation with high mortality rates despite vitamin supplementation. Case presentation : A 3-month-old child presented with irritability and infantile spasms was found to have a pathogenic variant inSLC19A3gene and diagnosed with infantile BTRBGD. MRI brain showed symmetrical T2 hyper-intensities in the bilateral cerebellar hemispheres, thalami, and the basal ganglia. MR spectroscopy revealed an elevated inverted doublet lactate peak, with video EEG was suggestive of multifocal epileptiform abnormality. Patient was diagnosed with infantile BTRBGD through exome sequencing and was started on high-dose biotin and thiamine supplementation, resulting in resolution of the symptoms. Conclusion Neurologists and radiologists need to be aware of and consider suspicion of the disease entity in encephalopathic infants having the characteristic MRI pattern showing bilateral hyper-intensities in the basal ganglia along with elevated lactate, and consider initiating them on empirical high-dose biotin and thiamine supplementation even before acquiring results of the genetic testing as early initiation of treatment can slow the progression of the disease and have a positive impact on patient outcomes.
“Broken souls” vs. “mad ax man” – The portrayal of depression and schizophrenia in the German media. A comparison between 2010 and 2020
Authors: Sittner Madeleine , Rechenberg Theresia , Speerforck Sven , Angermeyer Matthias Claus , Schomerus Georg
Published: March 2024

Purpose
Population studies show the stigma of depression to diminish, while the stigma of schizophrenia increases. To find out whether this widening gap is reflected in media portrayal of both disorders, this study compares the portrayal of depression and schizophrenia in German print media in 2010 vs. 2020.
Methods
We conducted a qualitative content analysis using a mixed deductive-inductive approach to establish a category system. In total, we analyzed 854 articles with the summative approach by Mayring.
Results
The study found a widening gap in the portrayal of schizophrenia and depression in German media between 2010 and 2020. Schizophrenia was depicted increasingly negative between 2010 and 2020, covering more negative stereotypes and focusing on its biological causes. Depression received increased attention and more neutral und professional coverage, with a greater emphasis on psychosocial causes and discussion of treatment options.
Conclusion
By showing a widening gap the study highlights how media may shape public views on mental illnesses and reflects public attitudes at the same time. It emphasizes the need for responsible reporting to combat stigma and promote understanding. Therefore, the authors recommend a balanced coverage that includes accurate professional information about all mental illnesses.
An Analysis of Multi-Criteria Performance in Deep Learning-Based Medical Image Classification: A comprehensive review
Authors: Hisaria Samridhi , Sharma Pratham , Gupta Raksha , Sumalatha Konatham
Published: March 2024

Objective: Investigate the potential of deep learning, specifically Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), for disease detection and classification in medical image analysis.
Methods and procedures: Review various CNN architectures (ResNet, EfficientNet, MobileNet, VGG, DenseNet) on retinal fundus and brain tumor datasets, evaluating performance through loss, AUROC, accuracy, and precision.
Results: Retinal fundus: ResNet 152 achieved highest accuracy and precision, but also highest loss. Precisions indicate potential for improvement. Brain tumor: VGG 16 achieved highest accuracy and precision, but EfficientNet models displayed poor differentiation between positive and negative classes. CheXpert: MobileNet demonstrated best overall performance. No single model consistently outperformed others across all datasets.
Conclusion: Deep learning shows promise for medical image analysis, with varied performances across different architectures and datasets. No single ”best” model exists, necessitating careful selection based on specific disease and data characteristics. Precision needs improvement in many cases, highlighting an area for further research. EfficientNet models require further investigation for brain tumor analysis.
Clinical and Translational Impact Statement: The paper explores transfer learning’s impact on translating deep learning for medical image analysis, potentially boosting clinical impact. By leveraging pre-trained models and overcoming data limitations, it aims to improve accuracy, efficiency, andgeneralizability, paving the way for real-world medical applications.
Five-year Trends of Fungal Infections in Cirrhotic Patients: Nationwide Study From 2016-2020
Authors: Choday Silpa , Alomar Talal , Wong Robert John
Published: March 2024

Background: Patients with cirrhosis are susceptible to infections due to abnormalities in humoral and cell-mediated immunity. Importantly, fungal infections are associated with delayed diagnosis and high mortality rates, emphasizing the importance of performing fungal cultures and maintaining elevated levels of suspicion in this patient population.
Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzes cirrhotic patients readmitted with bacterial and fungal infections and investigates outcomes, including in-hospital mortality and hospital resource utilization. Data was acquired from the Nationwide Readmission Database (NRD) from 2016 to 2020.
Results: The study included 393,195 index hospitalizations, with 102,505 30-day and 157,079 90-day readmissions from 2016 to 2020. The number of readmissions for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) at 30 days is 8,478 and Spontaneous fungal peritonitis (SFP) is 3,106. The 90-day readmission for SBP is 15,690 and SFP is 5,798. The mean age was 57.9 years. The mean length of stay (LOS) for SBP 30-day readmission is 9.4, while SFP has ranged from 14.9 to 32.3 for various fungal infections, with the highest being Aspergillosis. SFP also has increased hospital charges and mortality rates compared with SBP(P<0.001).
Conclusions: It is observed that there is increased mortality, LOS, and hospital costs for SFP compared to SBP. This study emphasized the importance of considering SFP in the diagnostic workup as fungal infections, particularly for patients who do not respond to antibiotic treatment for SBP. Early recognition and administration of antifungals can be associated with improved outcomes in SFP.
Association between cerebral small vessel disease burden and early neurological deterioration in isolated pontine infarction
Authors: song xiaowei , Hou Duoduo , Zhao Hongliang , Zhang Siyuan , Pengmao Zhuoma , Wu Jian
Published: March 2024

Objective
To investigate the association between cerebral small vessel disease burden and early neurological deterioration (END) in stroke patients with isolated pontine infarction.
Methods
A total of 107 acute isolated pontine infarct patients within 24 hours of symptoms onset were included from a comprehensive stroke center, the mean age is 67 years old. Cerebral small vessel disease burden on brain MRI including white matter hyperintensities (WMH), lacunes, cerebral microbleeds (CMB), and enlarged perivascular spaces (EPVS) were evaluated in each patient. END was defined as an increase of ≥ 1 point on the motor National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) or ≥ 2 points on the total NIHSS score within 72 hours from admission. T-test, chi-square test, and logistic regression were used for statistical analysis.
Results
33.6% (36/107) of them occurred END. Patients in the END group have a higher percentage of hyperlipidemia (66.7% vs. 43.7%, p = 0.024). over 50% of infarction mechanism can be attributed to basilar artery branch disease in both groups (58.3% in the END group and 50.7% in the non-END group). In multivariate regression, neither cerebral small vessel disease total burden nor WMH, CMB, lacunes, and EPVS were associated with END (all P >0.05). Basilar artery intraplaque hemorrhage on vessel wall imaging is associated with END independently (OR = 3.233, 95% CI 1.032–10.123, p = 0.044).
Conclusion
Neither cerebral small vessel disease burden nor its individual imaging features were associated with END in isolated pontine infarction patients. Basilar artery intraplaque hemorrhage is an independent predictor of END in this population.
Nitrogen Influence on Soil Microbial Consortia and Enzymatic Behavior in Legume- Based Maize Agriculture: A Comparative Study
Authors: Kishore A. Sai , D Sreelatha , M Malla Reddy , MV Nagesh Kumar , T Sukruth Kumar
Published: March 2024

From the recent international summit i.e. COP-26 and save soil campaign states the need of soil microbial fauna in the ecosystem for upcoming years that bridge the soil-plant relations in the age of extremes. Further activity of microbes is based on enzymatic reactions that takes place above and below the subsoil strata that need to be evaluated in legume-maize based system to turn down the climate change in the world. Thus, keeping in mind the view of treatments with of 6 main-plots: C1N1: groundnut100% RDN-maize, C1N2: groundnut75% RDN-maize, C2N1: soybean100% RDN-maize, C2N2: soybean75% RDN-maize, C3N1: greengram100% RDN-maize, C3N2: greengram75% RDN-maize and 3 sub-plots: F1:100% RDN, F2:125% RDN, F3:150% RDN at Maize Research Centre-ARI, India for 2 years. The conclusive note revealed that residues of greengram integrated with nitrogen doses added up the higher activity of bacterial count, urease, dehydrogenase, acid and alkaline phosphatases in rabi maize soils over soybean and groundnut residual retention. Besides the microbial activity when seen with 150% RDN applied multiplied the decomposition rate and availability of nutritional status compared to lesser doses. This activity was synchronous along the crop stages where highest at 60 DAS. However, interaction effect (Legume residues x Nitrogen gradient levels) was found to be non-significant in both years. This further resemblance that soil macro and microfauna have the inbuilt capabilities to recycle, reproduce the natural balance in the ecosystem within the sustainable ranges of respective localities.
Comparing the Hydrodynamic Piezoelectric Technique with Osseodensification for the Assessment of Internal Sinus Iifting: (a Randomized Clinical Trial)
Authors: Foad Mohamad Fayek , Aziz Yasser Abd El , Hammad Ibrahim , Hassan Khalid S , kotb* Shimaa Hussein
Published: March 2024

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes of internal sinus lifting using osseodensification and piezoelectric surgery approaches on dental implant stability and osseointegration.
Osseointegration is a key factor in the success of implant procedures, serving as a reliable indicator of positive outcomes. Posterior maxilla considered as a challenging area in implant placement, this is due to less dense trabecular bone surrounded by a thin layer of cortical bone which result in suffering in implant stability. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of bone densification and piezoelectric surgical techniques on bone density outcomes in sinus lift procedures.
Materials and Methods: A total of 20 patients were randomly divided into two groups: Group1: patients received dental implant using osseodensification via Densah bur, Group2: patients received dental implant using hydrodynamic piezoelectric sinus lifting. The patients in both groups underwent bone grafting under sinus membrane. Modified bleeding index and probing depth were evaluated at 3, 6 and 12months intervals. An Osstell device was used to determine implant stability by recording the values of implant stability quotient (ISQ) immediately after implant placement and after 3 months. CBCT was performed before, after 6 months and after 12 months to evaluate ridge height, bone density. Marginal bone loss was evaluated after 3 months via periapical radiograph, after 6 months and after 12 months via CBCT.
Results: there were no significant differences between two groups in terms of implant stability, periimplant pocket depth, marginal bone hight at any time of point of the study except bone density
Conclusions: The results proved that both techniques showed a successful result for crestal sinus lifting with excellent clinical outcome and fewer complications
Understanding the Dynamics of Digital Payment Adoption Among Public University Students of Bangladesh: A Quantitative Study
Authors: Das Apu Chandra
Published: March 2024

Digital payment system has gained significant acceptability over the course of time across the world. Our daily life is being more dynamic than before due to the addition of these digital methods of payments. Bangladeshi universities are also mostly under the inclusion of digital payment system. In the current world, universities are adopting technological advancements for the modernization of their daily activities, including the adoption of digital payment systems. This study aims to investigate the utilization and effect of the digital payment system among the university students in various public universities in Bangladesh. By forming a structured questionnaire, primary data has been collected on the frequency of usage, reasons for adoption, perceived transparency compared to traditional methods of payments, impact on transaction speed, administrative burden minimization, major barriers to adoption, effect on financial management, ease of use, and potential for a shift to cashless campus.
Anti-wrinkle efficacy of standardized phenolic acids polymer extract (PAPE) from propolis: implications for anti-aging and skin health
Authors: Radic Bozo , Radic Sasa , Masek Tomislav , Suran Jelena
Published: March 2024

Background
The increasing quest for effective and safe anti-aging skincare solutions has led to a surge in the exploration of natural compounds such as phenolic acids. Despite the proven efficacy of traditional anti-aging ingredients like retinol, their associated side effects have necessitated the search for alternatives.
Aims
This study aimed to assess the anti-wrinkle efficacy of a standardized phenolic acids polymer extract (PAPE) from propolis, employing both in vitro and clinical methodologies to explore its suitability as a novel anti-aging skincare ingredient for sensitive and non-sensitive skin types.
Patients/Methods:
The study comprised of evaluating PAPE effects on key skin health biomarkers in dermal fibroblasts and keratinocytes. A double-blind, randomized clinical trial involving female participants aged 30–70 years assessed the wrinkle-reducing effectiveness of face creams formulated with two concentrations of PAPE (1.5% and 3%) over a 28-day period.
Results
In vitro studies indicated that PAPE could modulate inflammation and tissue remodeling biomarkers. The clinical trial demonstrated that applying PAPE-enriched cream resulted in significant wrinkle reduction, with 25% and 34% improvements for the 1.5% and 3% PAPE formulations, respectively. Subjective feedback from participants further validated the anti-aging efficacy and overall satisfaction with the product.
Conclusion
Incorporating PAPE offers a compelling anti-aging solution, significantly reducing wrinkle depth with a favorable safety profile. The study substantiates PAPE's potential as an effective and safe alternative to conventional anti-aging ingredients, aligning with the cosmetic industry's shift towards natural, evidence-based formulations.
Educación STEAM como estrategia pedagógica en la formación docente de ciencias naturales: Una revisión sistemática
Authors: Camacho-Tamayo Edison , Bernal-Ballén Andrés
Published: March 2024

La tendencia por la educación STEAM ha despertado el interés de la comunidad académica. Dadas las revisiones no sistemáticas encontradas en la literatura sobre la formación en educación STEAM para docentes de ciencias naturales, es interesante realizar una clasificación sistemática y determinar los aportes que tiene esta desde un punto de vista empírico. El objetivo es caracterizar estudios que permitan conocer los aportes de la formación con este enfoque a los docentes.  A partir de metodología de la declaración PRISMA se hace una revisión de estos estudios, desde el año 2017 al 2023. La recolección de datos se dio en los repositorios Google Académico, Web of Science, Scopus y Science Direct. Se definieron criterios de inclusión y exclusión para la selección de los artículos. En el análisis se categorizaron los estudios en muestra, diseño y resultados. Este tipo de formación para docentes de ciencias naturales mejora la actitud de motivación por la enseñanza científica en contextos reales, es útil para la solución de desafíos globales y promueve uso de las metodologías activas. Se evidencia que el enfoque es novedoso y puede desarrollar habilidades comunicativas y creativas en los docentes de ciencias. Se recomienda avanzar en más estudios de formación empíricos.
Resisting Eco-colonialism Through Indigenous Epistemologies and Performances in Nigeria
Authors:   Theatre Arts Programme, Bowen University, Iwo Osun State, Nigeria., Ohenhen Stanley Timeyin , Abakporo Princewill Chukwuma ,   Theatre Arts Programme, Bowen University, Iwo Osun State, Nigeria.
Published: March 2024

The lands and natural resources of indigenous communities in the Global South have been severely exploited thereby leading to a major decline in the ecosystem, following centuries of colonization. The research intends to investigate and demonstrate the relevance of indigenous cultural epistemologies and traditional performances, in challenging and reversing the ecological degradation brought about by colonialism in Nigeria. Relying on the postcolonial, and environmental justice theoretical frameworks, an examination of the literature and case study centred on the indigenous populations in Ogoniland in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria will be deployed. Through an exploration of the traditional performances of the Ogoni people, which are deeply rooted in their indigenous cultural epistemologies, encompassing their customary knowledge structures, rituals, and worldviews, this study aims to illuminate the deep ecological understanding that has supported this Nigerian, Niger Delta community for several generations. Additionally, it aims to acknowledge the vital role that indigenous peoples play in maintaining a variety of ecosystems as well as their deeply ingrained spiritual and cultural ties to the natural world. The study examines creative practices and effective eco-restorative projects led by the indigenous people of Ogoniland that defy the colonial-era models of resource extraction and industrial development. The research intends to contribute to the current global conversation on decolonization, environmental stewardship, and the importance of inclusive and diverse viewpoints in sustainable development. The research concludes that indigenous cultural epistemologies and traditional performances provide vital resources for engaging the ecological issues that Ogoniland and other locations in Nigeria for that matter, face by elevating the voices and knowledge of indigenous peoples.
Unravelling the Linguistic Tapestry: A Discursive Study of Gender Portrayal in Select Indian Electronic Advertisement
Authors:   Research Scholar, Indian Institute of Technology, BHU, Varanasi., Pathak Shubham , Mondal Ipsita , Mishra Swasti
Published: March 2024

This discursive study explores the portrayal of empowering women in advertisements, shedding light on the evolving narrative within the realm of marketing and media. The analysis delves into the discursive strategies employed by advertisers to construct empowering representations of women, examining linguistic, visual, and cultural elements. Through a comprehensive review of diverse advertisements, this study investigates how these portrayals shape societal perceptions of women’s roles and identities. The research seeks to unravel the underlying discourses that either challenge or perpetuate traditional gender norms, assessing the impact of these representations on both individual and collective consciousness. By critically examining the discursive dimensions of women’s empowerment in advertising, this study provides insights into the socio-cultural implications and the potential role of advertisements in fostering positive societal change.
Locating Empire and Capitalism in Amitav Ghosh’s The Living Mountain: A Fable for Our Times
Authors:   Department of English, Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut, India & Assistant Professor of English, Kamala Nehru College, University of Delhi,, Kumar Amit , Sharma Vikas ,   Department of English, Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut, India
Published: March 2024

Amitav Ghosh entitles the opening section of his nonfiction on climate change The Great Derangement: Climate Change and the Unthinkable (2017) as “Stories.” Here, Ghosh highlights the significance of stories and storytelling practices in re-imagining our age of global warming and climate change. He displays how stories function as stimuli for the resurgence of our imaginative power to re-cognize the “unthinkable”, the non-human world and the intricate relations between humans, nonhumans and the natural environment. Drawing upon the insightful studies of the ecological aesthetics of stories and storytelling in the age of Anthropocene, the paper discusses how environmental storytelling as part of indigenous orality is reinvented by Ghosh in his latest fiction The Living Mountain: A Fable for Our Times (2022) which tends to look at the Anthropocene through the prism of empire and capitalism.
Experimental investigation of the efficiency of stone revetment for different temporal variations with the static water condition
Authors: Jamal Mohsin , Khatun Supia , Jha Shivendra , Mehta Darshan , Dixit Sudhanshu , Kumar Vijendra , Tiwari Deepak Kumar
Published: March 2024

The objective of this study is to determine the optimum size of stone revetment for different water standing durations and critical drawdown rates for 80% height of flood. The model bank was constructed using soil sourced from the Parlalpur ferry ghat of the Ganga River in Kaliachak, West Bengal, with a field density of 1,500 kg/m3 achieved by maintaining a 10% moisture content (MC) in the model bank soil. The model riverbank was prepared considering Froude (F) similitude having a distorted depth scale of 1/20 and a linear scale of 1/200. In this study, effective stone sizes (D10) – 2.33, 3.22, 4.58, 6.31, and 8.84 mm – were used. These stone sizes were investigated in conjunction with three water standing durations: 15, 30, and 45 min. The bank slope was prepared at 1V:1.5H, and a drawdown ratio of 80% was maintained. The effectiveness of stone revetment size was analysed in terms of the percentage loss of stone revetment and the percentage loss of the model bank's cross-sectional area. The outcomes of this study indicate that the 6.31 mm stone size exhibits optimal performance.
MBR and GAC filtration followed by UV disinfection – implications for wastewater reuse at full scale
Authors: Takman Maria , Paul Catherine J. , Davidsson Åsa , Jinbäck Moa , Blomqvist Stefan , Cimbritz Michael
Published: March 2024

Influences of upstream wastewater treatment on the process combination of granular activated carbon (GAC) and ultraviolet (UV) disinfection were studied and the implications of this for wastewater reuse were assessed. GAC is an efficient chemical barrier but contributes little to the removal of indicator bacteria, and generally increases total bacteria concentrations, necessitating disinfection with UV radiation, for example, to ensure the safe reuse of wastewater. The efficiency of UV disinfection is impacted by factors such as particle concentration and UV absorbance of the water and is thus affected by upstream treatment processes. A full-scale wastewater treatment plant with a membrane bioreactor (MBR) followed by GAC filtration was compared to a treatment plant with a conventional activated sludge process and sand filtration, followed by GAC filtration. The removal of indicator bacteria was higher by the GAC filter that was preceded by an MBR. A UV fluence of 400 J/m2 was sufficient to reach irrigation water quality for both process combinations and to meet the criteria for microbial drinking water quality in the MBR + GAC effluent. One sample was selected for chemical analysis, comprising approximately 100 parameters, demonstrating that the MBR + GAC + UV (400 J/m2) effluent met all drinking water criteria except for nitrate levels.
Public opinion risk perception of decision makers’ in transboundary watershed emergency water supply
Authors: Wang Chunbao , Zhou Haiwei , Liu Liming , Zhang Yukuo
Published: March 2024

In recent years, the number of public opinion risks related to sudden transboundary drought events has continued to increase. Research on the perception of public opinion risks has become an indispensable and increasingly important part of emergency management research in transboundary watersheds. Based on relevant literature and interview materials, an exploratory theoretical construction was conducted using the grounded theory research method. The research results indicate that four main categories of public opinion risks, namely, political, economic, ecological and environmental, and socio-cultural, have a significant impact on the perception of public opinion risks among decision-makers in transboundary watershed emergency water supply. The formation mechanisms of decision-makers’ perception of public opinion risks vary in each of these four categories. This research not only enriches the relevant research on the influencing factors of decision-makers’ perception of public opinion risks in theory but also provides decision-making reference and guidance for transboundary watershed water resource management in practice.
Wątki ekologiczne zwerbalizowane w albumie przyrodniczym Niny Grzelak "Poznajemy las"
Authors: Węgorowska Katarzyna
Published: March 2024

Ecology, as it is broadly understood, is an integral part of the contemporary life of humankind. Numerous ecology principles stated in various publishing proposals remind us of a human’s duties to the environment around them (including the forest). Acccordingly, the purpose of this article is to discuss selected ecological themes presented in Nina Grzelak’s naturalist album „Poznajemy Las”. The subject of linguocultural considerations, on the other hand, is the verbal content: verbal texts and/or verbal comments complementing the beautiful and carefully selected visual texts; photographs and drawings, which together fit not only into the nowadays fashionable ecological discourse, but also contemporary didactics and, above all, education. A thorough reading of the excerpted ecological and biological proposal makes the following clearer to understand: the peculiarities of the forest ecosystem; the habitat of the dead forest trees; the acoustic qualities of the forest, and it reminds us, among other things, of the pragmatic use of the forest tree, and pro-ecological human activities in the forest in winter. All this „linguistic and visual data” make Nina Grzelak’s proposal an unforgettable ecolecture, which while arousing people’s curiosity, and it has an eco-educational purpose.