bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transfusion independence after lenalidomide discontinuation in patients with del(5q) myelodysplastic syndrome: a HARMONY Alliance study
Authors:   Elena Crisà, Díez-Campelo María , Germing Ulrich , Bally Cécile , Myllymäki Mikko , Jädersten Martin , Komrokji Rami , Kubasch Anne Sophie , Haase Detlef , Hofmann Wolf-Karsten , Ali Najla Al , Barraco Daniela , Bargay Joan , Bernal Teresa , López-Cadenas Félix , Calvisi Anna , Capodanno Isabella , Cerrano Marco , Ciancia Rosanna , Crugnola Monica , Kündgen Andrea , Finelli Carlo , Fozza Claudio , Frairia Chiara , Ebeling Freja , Ganster Christina , Jimenez Maria Jose , LATAGLIATA Roberto , Hernandez-Mohedo Francisca , Molero Antonieta , Mora Elvira , Vara Míriam , Perez Clara aparicio , Pietrantuono Giuseppe , Poloni Antonella , Pomares Helena , Recasens Valle , Rüfer Axel , Signori Alessio , Hellström-Lindberg Eva , Fenaux Pierre , Sanz Guillermo , Santini Valeria , Platzbecker Uwe
Published: April 2024

Lenalidomide (LEN) can induce RBC transfusion independence (RBC-TI) in 60–70% of del(5q) myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients. Current recommendation is to continue LEN in responding patients until failure or progression, with likelihood of toxicity and a high cost for healthcare systems. This HARMONY Alliance study investigated the outcome of MDS del(5q) patients who discontinued LEN in RBC-TI. We enrolled 118 patients with an IPSS-R low-intermediate risk. Seventy patients (59%) discontinued LEN for intolerance, 38 (32%) per their physician decision, nine (8%) per their own decision and one (1%) for unknown reasons. After a median follow-up of 49 months from discontinuation, 50/118 patients lost RBC-TI and 22/30 who underwent cytogenetic re-evaluation lost complete cytogenetic response. The median RBC-TI duration was 56 months. In multivariate analysis RBC-TI duration after LEN discontinuation correlated with low transfusion burden before LEN therapy, treatment ≥ 12 LEN cycles, younger age and higher Hb level at LEN withdrawal. Forty-eight patients were re-treated with LEN for loss of response and 28 achieved RBC-TI. These data show that stopping LEN therapy in MDS del(5q) patients in RBC-TI allows prolonged maintenance of TI in a large subset of patients.
A comprehensive catalog encompassing 1376 species-level genomes reveals the core community and functional diversity of anammox microbiota
Authors: Wang Depeng , Meng Yabing , Huang Li-Nan , Zhang Xu-Xiang , Luo Xiaonan , Meng Fangang
Published: April 2024

Background
The anammox process plays a key role in nitrogen removal in environmentally friendly wastewater treatment plants. However, our comprehensive understanding of the anammox process is constrained by the limited taxonomic assignment and functional characterization of anammox microbiota, primarily due to the scarcity of high-quality genomes for most microorganisms.
Results
Here, we report the first global genome catalog of anammox microbiotas and their enormous diversity based on 236 metagenomes. We recovered 7206 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) representing 1376 candidate species, providing extensive microbial coverage (averaged of 92.40%) of anammox microbiota. Analysis of the integrated catalog demonstrated significant associations between anammox microbiota and system type, e.g., coupled systems displayed high microbial diversity and intricate interspecies interactions. We also identified 64 core genera and 44 core species, accounting for approximately 64.25% and 43.97%, respectively, of anammox microbiota. In particular, the core genera with high species diversity exhibited diverse metabolic profiles, and included functional genes for nitrogen, carbohydrate, amino acid, and vitamin metabolism. Finally, we underscored the functional diversity of the denitrifying bacteria Desulfobacillus and Zeimonas, with multiple abundant species in each genus.
Conclusion
The integrated catalog substantially expands our current understanding of the core community and the functional potential of anammox microbiota, providing a valuable resource for future studies on anammox systems.
Transarterial chemoembolization plus radiofrequency ablation and iodine-125 seed implantation for hepatocellular carcinoma in high-risk locations: a propensity score-matched analysis
Authors: Zhang Guilin , Ren Yanqiao , Liu Jiayun , Cao Yanyan , Xiong Fu , Liang Bin , Zheng Chuansheng , Kan Xuefeng
Published: April 2024

Background & aims: The effect of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) plus radiofrequency ablation (RFA) (TACE-RFA) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in high-risk locations is not satisfactory. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of TACE-RFA plus iodine-125 (125I) seed implantation (TACE-RFA-125I) therapy with those of TACE-RFA for unresectable HCC (≤5 cm) in high-risk locations.
Methods: From January 2010 to June 2023, the clinical data of 126 patients with unresectable HCC (≤5 cm) in high-risk locations who received TACE-RFA-125I or TACE-RFA treatment were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical outcomes between the two groups were compared after propensity score matching (PSM) analysis.
Results: Forty-six pairs of patients were matched. The local progression-free survival rates at 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-years were 100%, 82.4%, 74.8%, 63.5%, and 54% in the TACE-RFA-125I group, which were significantly higher than 91.3%, 69.4%, 50.7%, 29.4%, and 26.7% in the TACE-RFA group, respectively (p = 0.004). The median progression-free survival in the TACE-RFA-125I group was significantly longer than that in the TACE-RFA group (p = 0.002). The overall survival rates at 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-years were 100%, 93.4%, 80.7%, 74.9%, and 64.7% in the TACE-RFA-125I group, which were significantly higher than 97.8%, 78%, 68.6%, 51.1%, and 45.3% in the TACE-RFA group, respectively (p = 0.011). There was no occurrence of major complications or procedure-related deaths in the two groups.
Conclusions: Compared with the TACE-RFA treatment, TACE-RFA-125I should be a more effective treatment strategy for patients with unresectable HCC (≤5 cm) in high-risk locations.
Feasibility Analysis of Hybrid Renewable Energy System for Power Generation in Pakistan
Authors: Fayyaz Kaynat , Raza Safdar , Hayyat Ahmad
Published: April 2024

In recent years power output from natural energy resources has increased dramatically. Mostly, wind and solar photovoltaicenergy have gotten more attention because they are more established technologies. Jamshoro is the city of Sindh whose geographic location provides sufficient renewable energy resources, enabling it to generate electricity without the need for fossil fuels. This study examines the feasibility of hybrid renewable energy sources to generate electricity by using 6 kW of wind, 4 kW of solar, and required battery backup bank. The simulation of this system is done using SAM software. This system is designed for 25-year project lifecycle. The study's findings indicate that the project's two main issues will be the cost of the solar photovoltaic modules and wind turbine generator.
Metallomic analysis of urine from individuals with and without Covid-19 infection reveals extensive alterations in metal homeostasis
Authors: Leal Ketolly Natanne Silva , Silva Ana Beatriz Santos , Fonseca Elisânia Kelly Barbosa , Moreira Olívia Brito Oliveira , Lemos Lúcio Marco , Oliveira Marcone Augusto Leal , Stewart Alan J. , Arruda Marco Aurélio Zezzi
Published: April 2024

Metal ions perform important functions in the body and their concentrations in cells and tissues are tightly controlled. Alterations in metal homeostasis can occur in certain disease states including infection. In this study urinary excretion of several metals including calcium, cadmium, cobalt, copper, iron, magnesium, nickel, selenium, and zinc in Covid-19 patients (n=35) and control (n=60) individuals, spanning ages and sexes. Urinary samples were analysed using ICP-MS and the differences in metal concentrations between the Covid-19-infected and control groups were assessed using multivariate data analysis and univariate data analysis employing Student's t-test and Pearson's correlation, with significance set at p<0.05. The urinary concentrations of all metals analysed were significantly higher in the Covid-infected group (compared to controls), with the exception of copper, which was markedly reduced. The increase in calcium excretion was lower and magnesium excretion greater in Covid-19-positive individuals aged 41 or over compared to those aged 40 or lower. Whilst the increase in iron excretion was lower, and cobalt excretion greater in Covid-19-positive males compared to females. The study highlights significant alterations in the handling of a range of metals in the body during Covid-19 infection. It also highlights both age and sex-specific differences in metal homeostasis. The results suggest an important role for copper in the body during Covid-19 infection and suggests that urinary concentrations of copper and other metals may serve as markers to predict progression of the disease.
Machine learning-based models for predicting overall and cancer specific survival in upper tract urothelial carcinoma: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Pan Yijin , Ma Huan , Jiao Binbin , Ding Zhenshan , Zhang Yinqiang , Zhang Guan
Published: April 2024

Background
Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is a rare malignant tumor within the urinary system. This study aimed to establish personalized models for predicting the 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival (OS) and cancer specific survival (CSS) of patients with UTUC.
Methods
Data of 2614 cases were obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database and randomly divided into training and test datasets (split ratio=0.7:0.3). Uni- and multivariable COX regression analysis, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso) regression analysis, and a backward stepwise process were employed to identify independent predictors. The importance of predictors was further assessed using Shapley’s Additive Explanations (SHAP). Six machine learning-based predictive models were then established and evaluated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC), and web calculators were developed to enhance the practicality of the best-performing model. (Software: R 4.3.0 and Python 3.10).
Results
Multivariable analysis showed that other races (HR=0.82, P=0.031), non-hispanic (HR =0.75, P=0.011), and localized lesion (HR=0.70, P=0.001) were risk factors. Lasso identified “sex, annual household income, months from diagnosis to treatment, tumor grade, T stage, side of the primary tumor, examination of lymph nodes, radiotherapy and chemotherapy” as independent predictors. The variance inflation factor (VIF) for variables was less than 5. Among the six machine learning models, the Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) performed the best, exhibiting good AUC values in both the training dataset (OS: 0.752-0.767; CSS: 0.785-0.795) and the test dataset (OS: 0.691-0.768; CSS: 0.728-0.792).
Conclusions
Integrating XGBoost with predictive models shows promise, and web calculators may enhance the practicality of models. In clinical settings, clinicopathological (including pT, tumor grade, and the scope of lesions) and demographic factors (including race, sex, and annual family income) are crucial for UTUC prognosis assessment. Treatment strategiesshould consider lymph node examination, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Sex differences in immunotherapy outcomes and tumor-infiltrating immune cell profiles in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Ishihara Hiroki , Fukuda Hironori , Mizoguchi Yukihiro , Yamashita Makiko , Aoki Kazunori , Ishiyama Ryo , Ikeda Takashi , Nemoto Yuki , Shimmura Hiroaki , Hashimoto Yasunobu , Yoshida Kazuhiko , Hirai Toshihito , Iizuka Junpei , Tokita Daisuke , Kondo Tsunenori , Nagashima Yoji , Takagi Toshio
Published: April 2024

Sex differences in the outcomes of advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and the profiles of tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) remain unclear. We retrospectively evaluated data from 563 patients with RCC receiving systemic therapy, including first-line dual ICI combinations (i.e., immunotherapy [IO]-IO), combinations of ICIs with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) (i.e., IO-TKI), TKI monotherapy, and subsequent nivolumab monotherapy. Survival and tumor response were compared between the sexes in each treatment group, and TIIC profiles were compared using 116 RCC tumor samples analyzed by flow cytometry. Progression-free survival (PFS) was shorter in female than in male patients in the IO-IO (p = 0.0227) and nivolumab monotherapy (p = 0.0478) groups. Furthermore, sex remained an independent factor for shorter PFS after adjusting for covariates in the IO-IO (p = 0.0340) and nivolumab monotherapy (p = 0.0322) groups. In contrast, PFS was not significantly different between sexes in the IO-TKI or TKI monotherapy groups (p > 0.05). Overall survival and objective response rates were not significantly different between the sexes in any of the treatment groups (p > 0.05). Some TIIC populations, including that of CD8 + T cells (p = 0.0096), decreased to a greater extent in female than in male patients in the advanced-stage population. The effectiveness of ICIs on PFS was lower in female patients than in male patients, potentially because of the different profiles of the immune microenvironment, particularly the decreased number of CD8 + T cells in females.
Impact Analysis of Hybrid Renewable Energy Penetration on Radial Distribution Feeder of 32-Bus System
Authors: Fayyaz Kaynat , Raza Safdar , Hayat Ahmad
Published: April 2024

The issue of rising energy demand can be mitigated through the use of distributed generating without requiring an expansion of the transmission and distribution network. The transformation of distributed networks from passive to active has occurred because of increased penetration of distributed generation on low voltage feeders. This penetration also compromises the power quality of the system and gives rise to a number of issues, including voltage fluctuations and current swings that exceed the nominal value. This paper utilizes the Power World Simulator (PWS) to investigate the effects of hybrid renewable energy which is combination of wind and solar, on medium voltage feeder voltages through a case study of a 32-bus radial feeder network. Genetic Algorithm were used for finding of optimum value of distribution generation. Additionally, it is recommended to consider the maximum generation penetration without exceeding the nominal voltage restrictions of the feeder. As a result, the voltage drops and line losses were reduced.
Antibacterial and seed germination activities of biosynthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles using aqueous leaf and fruit extract of Annona reticulata
Authors: Shobana C. , Malavika J. P. , Nithya V. D. , Vishwanathan M. , Srinit P. , Ganeshbabu M. , Puneeth N. Prasanna Naga , Sudhakar C , Selvankumar T.
Published: April 2024

In the present work, the zinc oxide nanoparticles were synthesized using an environmentally friendly green synthesis method utilizing Annona reticulata leaf and fruit extracts and compared with the ZnO prepared by the chemical route method. The Rietveld refinement X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern revealed the formation of wurtzite-structured ZnO. The presence of abundant hydroxyl functional groups with Zn-O stretching vibrations was corroborated using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic analysis. The particle size distribution and the morphological analysis were inferred through the Field emission scanning electron microscopic (FESEM) images. The antibacterial potential of the prepared ZnO NPs was evaluated against pathogenic strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli. Based on the zone of inhibition, the fruit-derived ZnO NPs showed higher antibacterial activity, followed by leaf-derived and chemically synthesized nanoparticles. Notably, fruit-derived ZnO NPs exhibited an almost equal zone of inhibition of 21.1 mm at 100 µg and a greater zone of inhibition of 16.9 mm at 50 µg against Klebsiella pneumoniae compared to antibiotic streptomycin. Finally, the germination of Vigna radiata seeds under the influence of ZnO NPs demonstrated that the nanoparticles favoured seed germination at a lower concentration of 2.5 mg. The highest seed germination was observed in green synthesized ZnO NPs (26 cm), with both leaf and fruit-derived nanoparticles exhibiting almost similar impacts on seed germination. The findings indicate that Annona reticulata-derived ZnO NPs could be utilized as potential antibacterial agents.
Proteomics analysis revealed the mechanism of differential egg productive in geese
Authors: Yang Lei , Jia Changze , Li Yanzhong , Zhang Yafei , Ge Kai , She Deyong , Fan Shuhao
Published: April 2024

Background
The Western Anhui white goose is a highly esteemed breed in our country, renowned for its superior meat quality and exceptional egg-laying performance. As the primary reproductive organ in poultry, the ovary significantly influences the sexual maturation and reproductive capacity of female animals. Understanding the molecular basis underlying nesting behavior in geese relies on understanding the variations in ovarian proteins during different nesting periods. To investigate the effect of proteins on nesting behavior and fecundity, we selected ovarian tissues from three high-and three low-fertility Wanxi white geese.
Result
By employing a tandem mass-tag-based quantitative proteomics method, we successfully identified 4611 proteins, of which 111 exhibited significant differences. KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that these differentially expressed proteins were primarily associated with glycolysis and folate biosynthesis pathways. Furthermore, our protein-protein interaction network analysis demonstrated that the interacting proteins predominantly participated in ribosome function as well as amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism.
Conclusions
The findings of this study establish a foundation for elucidating the molecular mechanism underlying variations in ovarian protein levels among Wanxi white geese with different fecundity.
Fabrication of (PVA-ZnO) nanocomposites and study of morphological, optical and electrical properties
Authors: Mohaimeed Ameen Alwan , Rasheed Maher Hassan , S Murtadha K.
Published: April 2024

This paper's goal is to prepare PVA with ratios of 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 wt% by casting method and with a thickness of 270 ± 5 micrometers. The morphological characteristics were examined (FE-SEM and FTIR) and the results showed that the composites have a homogeneous and granular structure and that ZnO is well distributed within the polymer, The reason for the increased movement of charges is the action of a grid of nanomaterials inserted into the polymer. FTIR analyses the absorption peak seen at 3321.33 cm− 1 is due to O-H bond that indicates the polymer and serves as its identity. The absorbance of the prepared composites showed an increase with increasing concentration of nanomaterials. In addition, the energy gap decreased with increasing concentration(2.8 to 2.5 eV) of nanomaterials, and all optical parameters (α, n, k°, Ɛr, Ɛi) increased with increasing concentration of nanomaterials. For all samples, it is found that the dielectric constant decreases as frequency increases, it also increases with increasing concentration of nanomaterials within the polymer. The decrease in the effect of charge polarization is the main factor in the dielectric loss of the PVA-ZnO nanocomposite, the same time, increasing the concentration of nanomaterials leads to an increase in the value the dielectric loss. The increase in the frequency of the electric field and the increase in the concentration of nanomaterials increases the electrical conductivity. This makes these films useful for electronic applications and light filters, and they can also be used as ultraviolet detectors and humidity sensors.
Diversity and Distribution of Seaweeds in the Androth Island of Lakshadweep Archipelago
Authors: AI Najva , Govindan Rekha
Published: April 2024

The coral lagoons of Lakshadweep have been widely reported to have luxuriant growth of seaweeds. In these coral reef ecosystems, calcareous algae form the important group in seaweeds, as they are essential in the formation of coral reefs. Though several surveys of seaweed growth have been carried out from time to time in different regions of the mainland, Lakshadweep and Andaman-Nicobar Islands, studies are lacking from the Androth island, one of the Laccadivian archipelago islands to identify seaweed growing areas in Androth. Also, there is no significant work to assess the standing crop of seaweeds in Androth. Therefore, this study was attempted to map the distribution and diversity of seaweed species in the Andrott island of Lakshadweep. In agreement with studies on the coastal distribution of seaweed fauna and flora, our study also identified extensive growth of seaweeds species like Halimeda, Chaetomorpha , Boodlea, Composita, Chaetomorpha, Enteromorpha, Padina, Sargassum wightil, Acanthophora specifera etc along the coral coast of Androth island belonging to the Lakshadweep Archipelago.
Comparison of three insect larvae biodegrading polyethylene and role of the intestinal bacterial strains in polyethylene degradation by Galleria mellonella larvae
Authors: Gu Wenxuan , Xie Chenjie , Song Ping , Wang Qinying , NanGong Ziyan
Published: April 2024

Polyethylene (PE) has been described as the most abundant plastic worldwide, such as mulching films and plastic bags. A few insects have been identified to ingest and metabolize polyethylene. In this study, we contrasted the degradation ability of three insect larvae (Galleria mellonella, Tenebrio molitor and Zophobas morio) biodegrading polyethylene. The results demonstrated that G. mellonella has the best digestion ability on polyethylene. Eating and digestion of plastic products for a long time will inevitably cause negative effects on insects. The additional nutrients can improve the health of the PE-degrading insects, thus extending the digestion time of the plastic. Microbial degradation of polyethylene (PE) products has attracted much attention. Here, two bacterial isolates, Fictibacillus phosphorivorans A-2 and Pseudomonas sp. A-3 from the gut of PE-feeding G. mellonella, was suggested to utilize PE. Two bacterial isolates removed approximately 3.57 ± 0.30% and 2.00 ± 0.16% of PE films after 40 days at 30 ◦C, respectively. We demonstrated the ability for PE degradation of F. phosphorivorans A-2 at greater rates than Pseudomonas sp. A-3. The results suggest that supplementing the co-diet affected the physiological properties of the PE-degrading insect and plastic biodegradation. This study enriched microbial resources for PE degradation and provided promising evidence for the biodegradation of PE in the environment.
Drained cavity expansion analysis with a unified hardening (UH) model for clays and sands
Authors: Li Jia-Bin , Li Ming-Guang , Chen Jin-Jian , Candidate Xiao
Published: April 2024

This study presents a novel semi-analytical solution for the drained expansion of cylindrical and spherical cavities with a unified hardening model for both clays and sands (CSUH). The three-dimensional strength of soils is considered using the stress transformation method. Large-strain analyses are incorporated into the developed cavity expansion solution to obtain the entire stress-strain histories of soils in the plastic regions. By formulating the problem as an initial value problem in the Lagrangian scheme using an auxiliary independent variable, the present study solves the problem numerically. A thorough parameter analysis is conducted for both cylindrical-spherical and clay-sand scenarios, and the results are compared with other existing solutions to demonstrate the distinctive attributes of the present solution. It is found that the present solution can effectively capture the evolution processes of both strength and overconsolidation characteristics of soils, as well as the contracting and dilating behaviors of soils. Three key advantages of the present solution are its sufficient accuracy, less and easily determined parameters, and broad applicability in both clays and sands, resulting in extensive application in engineering, including tunneling, pile foundation construction, and cone penetration tests in clay-sand scenarios under drained conditions.
Performance Analysis of Suggestion Mining for Mobile Apps
Authors: Mali Makarand
Published: April 2024

Extracting actionable improvement suggestions from user reviews remains a critical challenge in mobile app development. We propose two novel Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques specifically designed to bridge this gap. The first technique leverages a fine-tuned Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT) model, while the second employs a lightweight DistilBERT model. Both are trained on domain-specific action verbs and phrases indicative of desired app changes within the mobile app domain. We evaluate the effectiveness of these techniques through a comprehensive case study analyzing a substantial dataset of 8,061 Mobile app reviews. Our findings demonstrate the efficacy of these techniques in capturing valuable user insights that can inform development efforts and ultimately enhance mobile app quality. This, in turn, has the potential to translate into a more user-centric experience, potentially leading to increased user satisfaction and reduced app churn. Further research could explore advanced analysis of extracted suggestions to prioritize user concerns and inform targeted development initiatives.
Numerical simulation of heat transfer characteristics of composite structure jet microchannel based on Eulerian method
Authors: Juhui Chen , Wang Junqiao , Li Dan , Lu Wensheng , Meng Fanqi
Published: April 2024

In this paper, in order to investigate the heat transfer characteristics of three-dimensional nanofluid jet microchannel (NJMC), the two-fluid model based on Euler's method coupled with the turbulence model is used to numerically simulate the Al2O3-desionized water jet impingement cooling process, and the results of the study show that the inlet flow rate of the nanofluid can strengthen the degree of its jet focusing and enhance the performance of heat transfer. In this paper, it is also found that the hemispherical micro-rib and side-flow orifices in the nanofluid array jet microchannel (NAJMC) can effectively strengthen the longitudinal vortex and slow down the velocity drift, and the nested micro-rib can effectively reduce the irreversible loss in the flow of nanofluid, and all three of them can make the heat transfer performance of the NAJMC go up. Therefore, in this paper, a nanofluid composite jet microchannel (NCJMC) is designed and numerically simulated, and the entropy production theory is used to analyze and evaluate the heat transfer performance of MCJMC, and it is found that the heat transfer performance of NCJMC is significantly improved compared with that of NAJMC. When the inlet flow rate is the same, its Nu and PEC are increased by 21.3% and 60.0%, respectively, compared with MAJMC, and the total entropy production is reduced by 38.0%.
(Re)understanding the relationship between Fiscal Decentralization and property tax revenue: Insights from developing and developed countries.
Authors: AFFROUMOU TIEMELE ARISTIDE
Published: April 2024

Several countries over the world have experimented with fiscal decentralization policies in order to enhance the autonomy of their respective local governments. This could improve the level of tax revenue and consequently improve public service delivery. In this vein, the present study revisits the impact of fiscal decentralization (FD) on property tax revenue collection in a sample of developed and developing countries over the period 2005–2019. Using OLS fixed effects estimations, we find a strong positive effect of fiscal decentralization on property tax revenues, and a greater level of democracy also contributes to reinforcing the positive relationship between fiscal decentralization and property tax revenue. However, we find that a higher level of control of corruption can cancel the positive effect of fiscal decentralization on property tax revenue. In addition, using quantile regression, the paper shows that countries below the median of property tax revenue are less susceptible to benefit from fiscal decentralization compared to countries above the median levels of property tax revenue. Finally, the study suggests that improving fiscal decentralization can promote property tax revenue collection, which is relevant for both developed and developing countries. The success of policies surrounding the relationship between property tax revenue and fiscal decentralization is contingent upon implementing attendant policies tailored differently across countries with varying initial levels of property tax revenue. Specifically, these policies are unlikely to be effective unless they consider each country’s initial levels of property tax revenue.
JEL classification : H71, H72, H77
Population Status of Boswelia papyrifera dominated woodland in North West Ethiopia
Authors: Nigus Adane Mulat , Wasie Abeje Eshete
Published: April 2024

The three main genera that produce gum and resin in Ethiopia's lowland forests are Acacia, Boswellia, and Commiphora. Boswellia papyrifera is mainly found in the degraded drylands that are dispersed across many regions of Ethiopia. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the resource status of the northern Ethiopian area of Burie Zuria, which is home to woods dominated by Boswellia papyrifera. Determining the district's Boswellia papyrifera-dominated woodland's regeneration status and quantifying the population structure of the existing species are among the objectives of the study. From 25mx25m, 5mx5m and 1mx1m size plots, tree, sapling and seedling were collected respectively and the collected data was analyzed through a descriptive statistics. According to the findings, the target species, Boswellia papyrifera, had a bell-shaped population structure and a fair regeneration status. Its population structure dominated woods in both the DBH and height class distribution, exhibiting an inverted "J" form. Some species such as Boswelia papyrifera (51.2%), Lannea schimperi (18.06%), and Erythroxylum fischeri (17.6%) had large important value index. The results conclude that the regeneration status and population structures of majority species indicate there is disturbances effect within the area. The finding showed that the population structure of large IVI species was bell-shaped so to sustain such species regular monitoring and conservation activities should be implemented and the finding revealed that the regeneration status of majority species within woodland were fair means there is an anthropogenic disturbance so to minimize such disturbances effect participatory forest management activities should be implement.
The effect and newly developed mechanisms of digital transformation on green innovation: evidence from listed firms in China
Authors: Zhu Lei , Wang Chunyan , Wang Xiaohan , Li Tong
Published: April 2024

This study explores the impact of digital transformation on green innovation and reveals two newly developed mechanisms including technical imprint of senior executives and media attention. The results show that digital transformation of enterprises promote green innovation significantly. In addition, the enabling role of digital transformation on green innovation is reinforced by executives who have a high technological footprint and by firms' significant media attention. These findings not only provide novel insights to drive enterprise green innovation in the digital economy age, but also offer useful measures to policy makers and firms to implement sustainable development in developing countries.
A detail investigation of CT-DNA/BSA binding of new palladium complex by experimental techniques along with molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulations
Authors: Tabatabai Ashraf Sadat Dorafshan , Dehghanian Effat , Mansouri-Torshizi Hassan
Published: April 2024

A novel mononuclear palladium complex, [Pd(dach)(SSA)], where dach and SSA are diaminocyclohexane and sulfosalicylic acid ligands, respectively, has been synthesized and identified utilizing analytical and spectral methods. DFT calculations, namely geometry optimization, MEP, HOMO-LUMO and NBO analysis, have been conducted at B3LYP level by aug-ccpVTZ-PP and 6-311G(d,p) basis sets. By employing MTT assay, the cytotoxicity activity of the aforesaid compound was examined on K562 cell line, which revealed a proper activity compared to cisplatin. To ascertain the lipophilicity of the newly made compound, the partition coefficient measurement was accomplished, which follows the order of cisplatin < Pd(II) complex. Next, investigation of binding properties of the studied compound with DNA of calf thymus and BSA were done by spectroscopic (CD, fluorescence emission and electronic adsorption) and non-spectroscopic (viscosity measurements, DNA gel electrophoresis, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation) methods. Data obtained from UV-Vis studies indicate non–intercalative mutual action. Fluorescence quenching mechanism of the two biomolecules by metal complex is static and the calculated thermodynamic parameters suggests the hydrogen bonding to the DNA and BSA. Further, docking simulation indicated that the studied compound fits into the groove of DNA and the BSA site I. The stability of metal compound-DNA/-BSA in the presence of H2O solvent and over the time were validated via molecular dynamics simulation.
TSPT ReID: Triple Streams with Pos-insertion Transformer for Person Re-identification
Authors: Li Xujun , Rao Liming , Zhang Tengze , Chang Jia , Duan Zhicheng
Published: April 2024

In the process of person re-identification (ReID), the disparity of various datasets caused by different cameras and viewing distances poses challenges. Additionally, the inherent limitation of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) in capturing long-range dependencies exacerbates these challenges. To address these issues, this paper proposes the Triple Streams with Pos-insertion Transformer ReID (TSPT ReID) based on the Transformer architecture. The key design of TSPT ReID, the Triple Streams Transformer Encoder (TST Encoder), establishes multi-head attention layers on three different scales to enhance the correlation between various scales. To enhance the recognizability and robustness of valid pedestrian edges, the Shift Pos-insertion Module (SPI Module) is introduced by adding shift-based position coding in the attention layers without introducing additional parameters. The experimental results show the effectiveness of the model on multiple datasets, achieving 82.9% mAP and 91.4% Rank-1 accuracy on the DukeMTMC, and 83.5% mAP and 85.9% Rank-1 accuracy on CUKH03.
Energy Efficient Congestion Control using Rank-based Ant-Colony Optimization and Random Forest Regression (RAC-RFR) in Wireless Sensor Network
Authors: N.S Julie Joan , D Rajinigirinath , P.S Prakash
Published: April 2024

Currently, plenty of sensor devices have come to use which communicate with each other using Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN). The increase in the number of sensor devices increases the rate of congestion and traffic, as numerous sensed data try to reach the destination node, than the channel capacity. As a result, there is a loss of packets, degradation in throughput, and an increase in energy consumption, thereby degrading the efficiency and robustness of WSN. To address the above-mentioned issues, the paper has proposed a traffic-oriented and resource-oriented congestion control mechanism namely Rank-based Ant-Colony Optimization and Random Forest Regression (RAC-RFR). The Rank-based Ant-Colony Optimization is used for detecting multiple congestion-free paths based on a ranking system that ranks based on the length of the path. The Random Forest Regression is Machine learning-based optimal pathfinder, which chooses the optimal congestion-free path among the paths found by RAC based on the packet loss rate and path rank. From the experimental results conducted the proposed approach showed enhanced performance in terms of throughput, delay, packet loss, queue size, congestion level, and energy consumption against existing congestion control methodologies.
Gender-specific implications of the Waist-to-Weight Index in predicting prediabetes prevalence
Authors: Zhang Yang , Wei Qiangman , Chen Qianzhi
Published: April 2024

Purpose
To explore how WWI correlates with prediabetes prevalence.
Methods
analyzing data from 13,688 individuals with prediabetes and 14,753 non-diabetic individuals, multifactorial logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between WWI and the incidence of prediabetes, considering variables such as age, gender, BMI, race, and various health markers, and compared with BMI, WC (Waist Circumference), and WHt (Waist-to-Height Ratio).
Results
The study found a direct and significant association between an increase in WWI and an increased prevalence of prediabetes, especially in the highest WWI quartile (Q4). Gender differences were also significant in the prevalence of prediabetes, and the evaluation effect of WWI was on par with WC and greater than that of BMI and WHt.
Conclusion
WWI has been proven to be a key indicator for assessing the prevalence of prediabetes, emphasizing the need for gender-specific approaches in health strategies.
Attenuation of c-Myc expression in breast cancer by hesperidin-mediated stabilization of its promoter proximal G quadruplex region
Authors: Choudhury Satabdi Datta , Ghosh Sandip , Kumar Prateek , Bhardwaj Aparna , Singh Krishna , Singh Aakriti , Kumar Amit , Basu Biswarup , Giri Rajnish , Choudhury Diptiman
Published: April 2024

The G-Quadruplex (G4) silencer element (Pu-27), an epigenetic regulator located upstream of the c-Myc promoter, when stabilized and restored to its basal expression, presents a potential avenue for effective anticancer therapy. This study investigates Hesperidin, a citrus flavanone, as a potential breast cancer therapy by targeting the c-Myc G-quadruplex (G4) silencer element, Pu-27. Hesperidin showed strong interaction with Pu-27, indicated by a binding score of -7.241 and the formation of hydrogen bonds with five regions of Pu-27 G4, with a binding free energy of -48.344 kcal/mol. Increasing Hesperidin concentration significantly increased Pu-27 G4 ellipticity and melting temperature, suggesting structural stabilization. Atomic force microscopy revealed higher-order nanostructure formation in Pu-27 G4 with Hesperidin. Functional assays demonstrated reduced Pu-27 primer dimer PCR product and mTFP expression with increasing Hesperidin concentration. Selective cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, attenuation of clonogenicity and migration, along with downregulation of c-Myc expression both in vitro and in vivo in mice tumor models, further supported Hesperidin's potential as a breast cancer therapeutic. These findings highlight Hesperidin's ability to interact with the c-Myc G4 element, influencing cancer cell behavior, and suggest its promise as a therapeutic agent for breast cancer.
WITHDRAWN: Application of poly(Clove Oil)-Based Organo-Hydrogels for Drug Delivery Systems
Authors: Dudu Tuba Ersen , Alpaslan Duygu , Turan Abdullah , Aktas Nahit
Published: April 2024

Organo-hydrogels, which are polymeric and biocompatible materials, can control the rate of drug release and enable drugs to reach target sites easily. In the presented study, clove oil-based organo-hydrogels were synthesized for the first-time using agar(A), glycerol(G), and clove oil(ClO), which have biocompatible, antioxidant, and therapeutic properties, and were used as drug release support material for the first time. Gel(AG), hydrogel(p(AG-m) and p(AG-g)), and organo-hydrogels(p(AG-m-ClO) and p(AG-g-ClO) based) were synthesized by redox polymerization technique using N,N, methylenebisacrylamide(MBA) and glutaraldehyde(GA) crosslinkers. In addition, to observe the effect of the amount of clove oil, organo-hydrogels were synthesized with different oil ratios(between 0.1–0.3 mg).In this way were synthesized six different organo-hydrogels. Vitamin D and 5-Fluorouracil(5-Flu) were selected as model drugs. The structure of gel, hydrogel and organo-hydrogels cross-linked with MBA or GA reagent were elucidated by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy(FTIR),swelling analysis, blood coagulation, hemolysis analysis, and Antioxidant analysis. The FTIR results showed that the structure of Agar and Glycerol based gel and hydrogels was changed after adding clove oil. The results of blood clotting, hemolysis, and antioxidant analysis showed that the organo-hydrogels prepared were blood and biocompatible. The swelling analyses showed that varying amounts of clove oil affected the swelling capacity of organo-hydrogels. The slow-release properties and release kinetics(Zero-order kinetic(ZoKM),First-order kinetic(FoKM),Higuchi(HKM), and Korsmeyer-Peppas model(KPKM)) of organo-hydrogels as a function of pH were also investigated. The results showed that these new organo-hydrogels were not only blood compatible and biocompatible but also had good slow-release properties that can effectively improve the utilization of drugs.
A Novel Unambiguous Acquisition Algorithm Based on Decomposition and Reconstruction of Sub-correlation Functions for Semi-integer CPM Signals
Authors: Xie Mingming , Xue Rui
Published: April 2024

Continuous phase modulation (CPM) is a nonlinear modulation scheme known for its excellent frequency and power efficiency. CPM with a semi-integer modulation index greater than 1 not only has spectral splitting characteristics like binary offset carrier modulation but also exhibits superior tracking performance and compatibility. However, the multiple side peaks in the autocorrelation function (ACF) of the semi-integer CPM signals introduce ambiguity threats in signal acquisition, and most existing ambiguity cancellation methods are not suitable for CPM signals due to the nonlinear nature of CPM signals. Therefore, a novel unambiguous acquisition algorithm based on decomposition and reconstruction of sub-correlation functions (DRSCF) is proposed for semi-integer CPM signals. The algorithm further decomposes the first pulse amplitude modulation waveform after Laurent decomposition to obtain sub-signal waveforms suitable for CPM signals and reconstructs the unambiguous correlation function by a nonlinear combination of sub-correlation functions. Subsequently, energy loss compensation is performed using ACF. Theoretical analysis and simulation results show that the proposed technique effectively eliminates the ambiguity threat in the acquisition process of semi-integer CPM signals at the expense of some detection performance loss while maintaining the narrow correlation peak characteristics of semi-integer CPM signals.
Streptomyces small laccase expressed in Aspergillus niger as a new addition for the lignocellulose bioconversion toolbox
Authors: Sidar Andika , Voshol Gerben P. , El-Masoudi Ahmed , Vijgenboom Erik , Punt Peter J.
Published: April 2024

Laccases are multi-copper oxidases that are usually composed of three Cu-oxidase domains. Domain one and three house the copper binding sites, and the second domain is involved in forming a substrate-binding cleft. However, Streptomyces species are found to have small laccases (SLAC) that lack one of the three Cu-oxidase domains. This type of SLAC with interesting bioconversion activities have not been reported in Aspergillus niger. In our research, we explored the expression and engineering of the SLAC from Streptomyces leeuwenhoekii C34 in A. niger. Genes encoding two versions of the SLAC were expressed. One encoding the SLAC in its native form and a second encoding the SLAC fused to two N-terminal CBM1 domains. The latter is a configuration also known for specific yeast laccases. Both SLAC variants were functionally expressed in A. niger as shown by in vitro activity assays and proteome analysis. Laccase activity was also analyzed toward bioconversion of lignocellulosic rice straw. From this analysis it was clear that the SLAC activity improved the efficiency of saccharification of lignocellulosic biomass by cellulase enzyme cocktails.
Implication of acacia gum for cereal-legume-millet-based composite flour: Nutritional and functional attributes and biological activity
Authors: Vaduguru Viswanath , Puttananjaiah Mohankumari Honganoor
Published: April 2024

This study evaluated the nutritional and functional properties, bioactive compounds and scavenging activities of composite flour (rice, ragi, cowpea and black gram) formulations with and without acacia gum. Bioactive components such as total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and antioxidant activity were also analyzed. The protein and ash contents were greater in F3-AG, at 15.47 ± 0.76% and 2.69 ± 0.25%, respectively. F2-AG had the highest WAC (%) of 135.74 ± 1.80, followed by F3-AG with 119.19 ± 1.01. F2 + AG had the highest oil absorption capacity (66.71 ± 0.82%), followed by F1 + AG (65.90 + 1.20%). The foam capacity of the different flour formulations ranged from 11.47 to 15.20%. The FC of F3 + AG (15.20%) was found to be high among the other formulations. FS was most common in F2-AG (88.55%), followed by F2 + AG (80.58%). The highest EA was observed for F1 + AG (42.05%), followed by F2 + AG (40.58%). The highest ES was observed for F2 + AG (59.18%), followed by F3 + AG (50.18%). PAC was greater in the composite flour (6.40–6.70 mg/g) than in the individual flours (0.47–5.49 mg/g). Compared with those in the F1-AG and F2 + AG groups, the protein content in the S1-AG and S2 + AG groups was increased. The main objective of this study was to enhance the nutritional quality and functional properties of the product prepared from composite flour. The results also suggested that blending cereals and pulse flour could enhance the functional properties and bioactive components of composite flours.
Examining the Impact of Green Logistics Practices on Supply Chain Resilience
Authors: Gupta Reena
Published: April 2024

This qualitative study investigates the nexus between green logistics practices and supply chain resilience, elucidating their interplay and implications for organizational performance. Through in-depth interviews with supply chain professionals and sustainability experts, key themes and patterns emerge, revealing the multifaceted nature of sustainability initiatives and their impact on resilience within supply chains. Findings highlight the importance of adopting a holistic approach to sustainability, integrating environmental, social, and economic considerations to create synergies between green logistics and resilience. Despite organizational challenges and barriers, tangible benefits such as cost savings, operational efficiencies, and brand reputation are identified, underscoring the strategic value of sustainability as a driver of competitive advantage and long-term viability. Future research directions include longitudinal studies to assess the long-term impact of green logistics practices, comparative analyses across different organizational structures and supply chain configurations, and interdisciplinary approaches to develop holistic frameworks for assessing sustainability-resilience synergies. Managerial implications suggest prioritizing sustainability, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and leveraging digital technologies to enhance supply chain visibility and risk management capabilities. In summary, this study contributes to a nuanced understanding of how green logistics practices can enhance supply chain resilience, guiding organizations towards sustainable and resilient business practices.