bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
State of the Art Deep Learning Implementation for Multiclass Classification of Black Pepper Leaf Diseases
Authors: Kini Anita S , KV Prema , Pai Smitha N
Published: August 2023

Black pepper is a medicinal plant that is extensively used in Ayurvedic medicine because of its therapeutic properties. Leaf diseases can be diagnosed at an early stage with the aid of a smart computer vision system and timely disease prevention can be targeted. The proposed work represents an intelligent transfer learning technique through state-of-the-art deep learning application to predict the presence of prominent diseases in black pepper leaves. The ImageNet dataset available online is used for training deep neural network, initially. Later, this trained network is utilized for the prediction of the developed black pepper leaf image dataset. The developed data set consist of real time leaf images, which are candidly taken from the fields and annotated under supervision of an expert. The leaf diseases considered including healthy leaves are anthracnose, slow wilt, early stage phytophthora, phytophthora and yellowing. The accuracy obtained with 0.001 learning rate ranges from 99.1–99.5% for the Inception V3, GoogleNet, SqueezeNet and Resnet18 models. This work represents improvement in agriculture and a cutting edge deep neural network method for early stage leaf disease identification and prediction. This is an approach using a deep learning to predict black pepper leaf disease.
Identification of a novel cuproptosis-related gene signature for predicting the prognosis in colon adenocarcinoma based on WGCNA and machine learning
Authors: Wang Dongxue , Yang Funing , Han Guiping , Zhang Jifeng , Wang Hongjia , Xiao Zunyu , Chen Weiyu , Li Ping
Published: August 2023

Background
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a highly aggressive malignant tumor that primarily affects the digestive system. It is frequently diagnosed at an advanced stage. Cuproptosis is a copper-dependent form cell death mechanism, distinct from all other known pathways underlying cell death, tumor progression, prognosis, and immune response. Although the role of cuproptosis in CRC has been investigated over time, there is still an urgent need to explore new methods and insights to understand its potential function.
Methods
The GEO and TCGA gene expression data were systematically explored to investigate the role of cuproptosis in colon adenocarcinoma (COAD). The weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to construct a gene co-expression network and identify the critical module and cuproptosis-related genes (CRGs) correlated with COAD prognosis. A CRGs gene prognostic signature for COAD was identified by machine learning algorithm and validated.
Results
Five hub CRGs (DLAT, CDKN2A, ATOX1, VEGFA, ULK1) were screened and a prognostic risk model for predicting overall survival (OS) was established based on these genes. The model was successfully tested in the validation cohort and the GEPIA database. COAD patients were categorized into high-risk and low-risk groups based on risk scores. The study revealed that patients with higher risk scores were more likely to have a poor prognosis.
Conclusions
These findings suggest that the newly identified five-gene signature may serve as a more reliable prognostic factor than clinical factors like age and stage of disease. These findings offer a theoretical foundation for further investigation into potential cuproptosis-related biomarkers for predicting COAD prognosis in the future.
LAGSSE: An Integrated Framework for the Realization of Sustainable Software Engineering
Authors: Zada Islam , Shahzad Sara , Alatawi Mohammed Naif , Ali Shaukat , Khan Javed Ali
Published: August 2023

Sustainable software development, deployment, and usage will minimize the burden on the economy, environment, and technology along with having positive effects on human beings, and society. Green and Sustainable Software Engineering processes, principles, and practices provide the basis for sustainable software development. However, the continually increasing customer choices and requirements, environmental concerns, and competition among software development industries demand for the availability of reliable and complete sustainable software development approaches to develop lifelong sustainable software. This paper presents a sustainable software engineering framework, named as LAGSSE, by integrating the Agile, Lean and Green approaches. The framework is based on the “OntoSuSD” ontology to represent the diverse Agile, Lean and Green approaches for achieving the software sustainability dimensions, goals, and enablers. The proposed framework is validated using the Delphi method using the expert opinion scenario which has proved LAGSSE as an efficient framework for supporting sustainable software development. The LAGSSE framework is aimed to facilitate the software developers, academia, experts, and policy makers in the software industry, institutions, and government to make policies and develop sustainable software products according to their software sustainability goals and requirements.
Loneliness, Immunological Recovery Patterns, and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) Outcomes in Patients Receiving Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Authors: Lange Lori J. , Ames Steven C. , Ames Gretchen E. , Heckman Michael G. , White Launia J. , Roy Vivek , Foran James M.
Published: August 2023

Purpose
Loneliness may compromise health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes and the immunological impacts of loneliness via neuroendocrinological mechanisms likely have consequences for patients who have undergone a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).
Research Approach and Measures:
Loneliness (pre-transplant), immunological recovery (Day 30, Day 100, 1-year post-transplant), and HRQOL (Day 100, 1 year) were measured in a sample of 205 patients completing a HSCT (127 autologous, 78 allogenic).
Results
Greater levels of pre-transplant loneliness predicted poorer HRQOL at Day 100 and 1-year follow-up. Loneliness also was associated with higher absolute neutrophil to absolute lymphocyte (ANC/ALC) ratios in the entire sample at Day 30, which in turn predicted Day 100 HRQOL.
Conclusions
Findings demonstrate that pretransplant loneliness predicts HRQOL outcomes and inflammatory immunological recovery patterns in HSCT patients. The balance of innate neutrophils to adaptive lymphocytes at Day 30 present a distinct profile in lonely individuals, with this immunity recovery profile predicting reduced HRQOL 100 days after the transplant. Addressing perceptions of loneliness before HSCT may be an important factor in improving immunological recovery and HRQOL outcomes.
From Symptoms to Radiotherapy: a Qualitative Assessment of Patient Experience in Newly Diagnosed Adult-type Diffuse Gliomas Cns Who Grade 3 and 4
Authors: Chainey Jonathan , Kim Michael J. , Chan Vivien Ka-Ying , Au Karolyn
Published: August 2023

Purpose Past studies focusing on patient experiences and supportive care needs of patients with new diagnosis of adult-type diffuse gliomas CNS WHO grade 3 and 4 are predominantly in the palliative care literature. Little is known on that subject during the earlier and more acute portion of the patient’s journey. The purpose of this study is to influence clinicians’ attitudes and facilitate the referral process and the development of support services by better understanding the patient’s experience during this acute phase.Methods Adult patients with a new histopathological diagnosis of high-grade glioma, who underwent radiotherapy participated in a semi-structured, face-to-face interview. Descriptive thematic analysis in the tradition of grounded theory was performed.Results Fifteen patients were interviewed, and four themes emerged from the analysis. First, information conveyed by the medical team was frequently disconnected from patients’ understanding regarding diagnosis and treatment. Second, specific events created a lasting impression that the medical system, and at times medical care providers, lacked empathy. Third, patients’ perceptions of shortcomings within the medical system led to decreased trust, particularly regarding the follow-up process. Finally, although respondents identified multiple inadequacies during their journey, they nonetheless acknowledged the great support and quality of services they received.Conclusion This study provides insight into patients’ experiences and perceived shortcomings of the medical system, from the time of presentation until the end of radiotherapy treatment in patients with new diagnosis of high-grade glioma. These findings should influence clinicians’ attitudes and guide systematic changes including delivery of information and the referral process.
Identification of Groundwater potential zones of Alappuzha (Kerala) in south India Integrating AHP and GIS
Authors: Sekar Selvam , Nath Akhila V. , Roy Priyadarsi Debajyoti , Chung Sang Yong , Elzain Hussam Eldin , Carvalho Paula , Perumal Muthukumar
Published: August 2023

Groundwater potential signifies the total quantity of water that occupying in the aquifer, and it varies from one area to another due to change in aquifer properties. This study has been carried out to identify groundwater recharge or groundwater potential area of Alappuzha, Kerala, South India. Investigation on the groundwater potential study is done by Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and also incorporating Geographical Information System (GIS). Eight thematic GIS layers including geology, geomorphology, soil, rainfall, slope, drainage density, land use/ land cover (LULC) and lineament density were chosen. Pair-wise comparison technique was employed to assign weight and rank to these layers and the weighted sum of all these layers aided to create the groundwater potential zone (GWPZ) map of Alappuzha. The map classified the study area in to five zones, very high, high, moderate, poor and very poor. In Alappuzha very high potential zone is extends up to 106 km2 about 8% of the study area. High potential zones spreads over 755.4 km2 (59%) of the area. 311.9 km2 (24%) of Alappuzha is occupied by moderate GWPZ. The poor and very poor GWPZ covers about 85.01 km2 (7%) and 16.9 km2 (1.2%), of the study area respectively. The least unsuitable for subsurface recharge was identified along the coastal stretch, characterized by high drainage density and intense discharge rate.
Application of Electrospun Polyacrylonıtrile(PAN) Nanofıbre Membrane Gel Electrolyte in TiO 2 -Based Electrochromic Devices
Authors: Sarangika H. N.M. , Senadeera G. K.R. , Dissanayake M.A.K.L.
Published: August 2023

Electrochromic devices based on nanofiber membrane gel electrolytes offer several advantages over polymer gel electrolytes. Many advantages such as high chemical stability, easy handling, less leakage, wide working temperature range, and long cycle life show high compatibility of nanofiber membrane electrolytes in different electrochemical power devices. In this work, we have succeeded in replacing the liquid electrolyte, with a nanofibre membrane-based gel electrolyte prepared by the electrospinning method and applied in Electrochromic Devices (ECD). Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) dissolved in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) was used as the electrospinning solution. PAN-based nanofibres were deposited on a spin-coated SnO2 layer, prepared on Fluorine-doped Tin Oxide (FTO) glass substrate. The electrospinning time was changed to obtain the different thicknesses of the fiber mat. Gel-type membrane electrolyte was prepared by soaking the nanofibre membrane electrode in the 1M LiClO4 in PC solution. TiO2electrochromic electrode was prepared by the “doctor blade” method. ECDs were fabricated with the configuration of FTO glass/TiO2/PAN-based nanofibre membrane gel polymer electrolyte /SnO2/FTO glass by sandwiching the two electrodes. Electrochromic performances of ECDs fabricated with nanofibre membrane electrolyte were compared with ECDs fabricated with liquid electrolyte (1 M LiClO4 in PC) and PAN gel electrolyte (PC (0.4g) + EC (0.4 g) + LiClO4 (0.03 g) + PAN). ECDs with nanofibre membrane electrolytes showed the highest transmittance variation of 33.40% in the visible region while identical ECD based on corresponding liquid electrolytes showed a transmittance variation of 35.95%.
Molecular subtypes of breast cancer: Can it be determinant for preoperative MRI planning?
Authors: KARTAL EZGİ , KAYHAN ARDA , GÜNDÜZ NERMIN , DAĞISTANLI SEVİNÇ
Published: August 2023

Background The purpose of this study was to determine whether molecular subtype, which is an important prognostic factor for breast cancer, can be used as a determinant for preoperative breast MRI indication. Concordantly, we also searched for whether women with luminal A subtype tumors with better prognosis may not require preoperative MRI for staging.Materials and methods A total of 150 women who underwent preoperative breast MRI with a diagnosis of breast cancer from January 2015 through December 2018 were included in the study. Subtypes were classified as luminal A, luminal B, HER-2 overexpressing, and triple negative according to immunohistochemical markers. Preoperative breast MRI findings were evaluated due to the ACR breast lexicon. Morphological, kinetic and diffusion features or the presence of additional findings on MRI were compared with molecular subtypes. Statistical analyses were performed between the luminal A subtype and the other subtypes.Results The subtype distribution was luminal A, 30.7%; luminal B, 50%; HER-2 over-expressing, 10%; and triple negative, 9.3%. Tumor size was significantly higher in luminal A subtype than in non-luminal A subtypes (p = 0.03). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups according to morphological, kinetic and diffusion features; the presence of multifocal, multicentric, or contralateral disease; or tumor extension. Additionally, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups according to nipple, skin, pectoral muscle involvement or the presence of axillary and internal mammary lymph nodes.Conclusions The presence of additional findings and local extensive disease in women with breast cancer is seen in luminal A subtype with very high rates. In addition, luminal A subtype was found to be related to increased tumor size. Non-mass enhancements, which are less detectable in other imaging modalities, are also seen in luminal A subtype at the same rate as other molecular subtypes. Consequently, our study showed that preoperative breast MRI must be performed in all molecular subtype groups.
Melan-A Positive cells significantly expressed in immune-targeted follicles of Alopecia Areata
Authors: Awad Sherif , AbdelRahman Amal , Nageh Keroles , Gabril Manal
Published: August 2023

Background
Alopecia areata is characterized by patchy hair loss that can extend to affect all body hair and about 2% of population are affected. Many hypotheses for etiopathogenesis exit but autoimmunity after the hair immune privilege collapse is a widely accepted theory.
Objectives
The aim of this study is to examine the expression of Melan A within hair follicles of alopecia areata as one of the melanocytic markers, in order to correlate melanocyte existence to the induction of the disease.
Methods
Cross sectioned hair follicles within alopecia areata specimens were examined by routine H&E and immunehistochemically for the Melan A marker in 16 alopecia areata patients.
Results
Within the 82 examined alopecia areata follicles, 50 showed positive cellular expression of Melan A. Positive cells ranged from 1 to 20 per follicle. There was a significant increase in count of Melan A positive cell in immune-targeted follicles of alopecia areata with significant positive correlation.
Conclusions
Melan A is clearly expressed in hair follicles of alopecia areata within bulbar region and the suprabulbar outer root sheath and the expression is significantly correlated to the immune mononuclear infiltrates that accompany the pathogenesis of the disease. This relevant finding may confirm that melanocytes carry the antigenic epitope required to initiate the organ specific autoimmunity in alopecia areata and also explain the regrowth of only white hair follicles in some cases with alopecia and the mysterious Thomas More syndrome.
Analysis and modeling of Linux server clustering methods
Authors: Zeynalli Leyla
Published: August 2023

Currently, cluster servers and workstation systems are primarily utilized in high-performance applications and scientific computations. A cluster involves the use of numerous computers, typically PCs or UNIX workstations, along with a significant number of storage devices and unnecessary interconnections to create what appears to users as a single high-capacity system. Cluster computing can be employed for load balancing and achieving high availability. It serves as a relatively cost-effective form of a parallel processing machine for scientific and other applications that require parallel operations. Cluster server systems combine a group of servers to provide a common processing service for clients on the network. The functionality of the methods used in the cluster is crucial for enhancing the continuity and efficiency of operations on servers. This dissertation investigates the specific features, similarities, and differences of these methods. The purpose of this article is to analyze Linux server cluster methods, examine their characteristics, and conduct a deeper analysis of cluster topologies to gain further insights. To achieve this goal, a literature review has been conducted to analyze the discoveries made by other researchers in this field. By utilizing the information gathered from the literature review and following the steps of several operational researches, this study demonstrates that the agility proposed by the Linux Operating System is applicable not only to older devices but also to server clustering and the configuration requirements for various clustering techniques in a real production environment.
The Same Pricing Restrictions, Different Trading Returns: Evidence From China's Interbank Bond Market
Authors: YAO Dongmin , SU Daiyu , ZHAO Jiangwei , CUI Mengqi
Published: August 2023

Effective government regulation of the financial market depends on whether the public interest theory of regulation is established in a market with a relatively high degree of marketization. This study employs the price floor regulation implemented in the Chinese local government bond primary market on August 14, 2018, as a quasi-natural experiment. Utilizing spot trading order flow data from the interbank bond market, we conduct a comparative analysis of the differential responses of bond issuances by different fiscal entities, explore the impact of primary market price floor regulation on secondary market trading, and validate the regulatory mechanisms at play. Our findings indicate that, first, price floor regulations in the primary market effectively rectify pricing distortions for local government bonds with differing levels of fiscal strength. Bonds from high-fiscal-strength local governments, which exhibit greater levels of distortion, experienced a significant increase in the secondary market trading yield rates, whereas those from low-fiscal-strength local governments showed no significant change. Second, price floor regulation in the primary market significantly enhances the liquidity of local government bonds and has a notable impact on the trading yield rates of bonds from high-fiscal-strength local governments. Lastly, primary market price floor regulation substantially broadened the number of trading entities for local government bonds and produced increased trading activity, while the bond trading network exhibited "large-world" characteristics, exclusively elevating the trading yield rates for bonds from high-fiscal-strength local governments. Grounded in the perspective of fiscal demarcations of local governments, this study sheds light on the "black box" of how primary market price floor regulation impacts secondary markets, confirming the interconnectivity between primary and secondary bond markets.
Predictors of early clinical progression of cerebral venous thrombosis: A multicenter retrospective clinical study
Authors: Li Haiyan , Wu Haotian , Zhang Lei , Zhou Li , Deng Chengsong , Ye Fei , Yang Weijie , Lu Zhengqi , Wang Qiujing
Published: August 2023

Background: Anti-coagulation is the mainstay treatment for cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT). A subset of patients might deteriorate despite anti-coagulation. Studies exploring the predictive performance of major risk factors associated with clinical progression (CP) are insufficient in CVT. This study aimed to investigate the predictive value of cerebrospinal fluid/serum albumin ratio (CAR) and other clinical parameters for CP and to guide endovascular therapy in the future for CVT patients.
Methods: A retrospective review was performed from four medical centers between October 2012 and April 2021. The primary outcome was CP. The multiple logistic regression modeling, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were applied to determine the predictive value for deterioration.
Results: We enrolled 123 patients with CVT. 108 (87.8%) were treated with anti-coagulation treatment, 31(25.20%) of whom underwent endovascular treatment. 36(29.27%) were found to have deterioration. The CAR was related to CVT severity, occurrence of progression and modified Rankin Scale score at discharge. The most important risk factors of deterioration in univariate analysis, included decreased level of consciousness, papilledema, epileptic seizure, infection, location score (number of sinuses involved) , D-dimer, and CAR. The multivariate logistic regression analysis included decreased level of consciousness, papilledema, location score (number of sinuses involved), D-dimer, and CAR. This model had a predictive ability to identify deterioration of 91.7%(AUC), with a sensitivity of 79.1% and a specificity of 62.4% in the ROC curve analysis. which was the largest of all predictive value. Patients with a CVT score of ≥6 have at least 80% chance of deterioration.
Conclusions: Decreased level of consciousness, papilledema, number of involved sinuses, D-dimer, as well as CAR are important influence factors in predicting deterioration after CVT. CVT patients with the above clinical features may benefit from early endovascular therapy.
Primary adenosquamous carcinoma of the duodenum: a rare case report with review of literature
Authors: Zhang He-wei , Song Hong-liang , Yu Hai-bo , Ma Zhong-wu
Published: August 2023

Adenosquamous carcinoma of the duodenum is a malignant tumor consisting of adenocarcinoma and components of squamous cell carcinoma, which is extremely rare. There are very few available case reports, and its clinicopathological features and treatment strategies remain difficult to elucidate. We describe a patient diagnosed with adenosquamous carcinoma of the duodenum and perform a literature review of reported cases. A 55-year-old male patient presented with a history of jaundice and fever with pruritus and clay-colored stools. Preoperative investigations suggested an elevation of transaminase, bilirubin, and tumor markers. Enhanced MRI of the abdomen suggested a mass in the descending portion of duodenum and a mass was visible in the pancreatic region, with no distant metastases. Endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract revealed an infiltrative growth mass invading the duodenal papilla in the descending part of the duodenum. The patient underwent Whipple procedure. Histopathological and immunohistochemical examination confirmed adenosquamous carcinoma of the duodenum. Although R0 resection was performed, the cancer developed hepatic metastases 2 months after surgery and the patient died 4 months after surgery.
Monitoring Spatiotemporal Changes of Urban Surface Water Based on Satellite Imagery and Google Earth Engine Platform in Dhaka City From 1990-2021
Authors: Hossain Md. Jakir , Mahmud Md. Munir , Islam Sheikh Tawhidul
Published: August 2023

Background
This research focuses on monitoring the spatiotemporal changes of urban surface water in Dhaka City from 1990 to 2021, utilizing satellite imagery and the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform. Surface water is essential for urban, environmental, and agricultural ecosystems, and its dynamics have significant implications for water resource planning and environmental management.
Objectives
The main objectives of this study are to assess the extent of urban surface water coverage over the last three decades and identify trends of water loss or gain in the study area.
Methods
The study employs Landsat 5 TM and Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS imagery, integrating GEE with machine learning coding and WRI techniques to extract and analyze surface water data efficiently. Traditional remote sensing methods for dynamic monitoring are time-consuming and cumbersome, but GEE offers a user-friendly and accurate approach, providing easy access to satellite data and cloud-based processing.
Results
The results reveal a concerning trend in urban surface water coverage, indicating a significant reduction from 36.23 km² in 1990 to 5.83 km² in 2021, representing a loss of approximately 20 square kilometers or 45 percent of surface water over the last three decades.
Conclusions
The decline is attributed to factors such as unplanned urban expansion, rapid real estate development, and increased industrial and economic activities in the study area. The developed algorithms utilizing GEE offer valuable insights into the maximum and minimum extent of surface water, enabling effective surface water planning and management. These findings contribute to sustainable water resource management and environmental preservation in Dhaka City.
Volumetric measurement of cerebral white matter hyperintensities on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) magnetic resonance images using artificial intelligence
Authors: Kuwabara Masashi , Ikawa Fusao , Nakazawa Shinji , Koshino Saori , Ishii Daizo , Kondo Hiroshi , Hara Takeshi , Maeda Yuyo , Sato Ryo , Kaneko Taiki , Maeyama Shiyuki , Shimahara Yuki , Horie Nobutaka
Published: August 2023

This study aimed to develop a new artificial intelligence software that can automatically extract and measure the volume of white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) in head magnetic resonance (MR) images using only non-thin slice fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequences. We enrolled 1,092 subjects in Japan comprising this non-thin slice Private Dataset. Based on 207 randomly selected subjects, neuroradiologists annotated WMHs using predefined guidelines. The annotated subjects were divided into training (n = 138) and test (n = 69) datasets. The WMH segmentation model, consisting of a U-Net ensemble, was trained using the Private Dataset. For validation, two other models were trained using either both thin and non-thin slice MRI datasets or only the thin slice dataset. The voxel-wise Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) was used as the evaluation metric. The model trained using only non-thin slice MRI showed a DSC of 0.820 for the test dataset, which is comparable to the accuracy of human readers. The model trained using additionally the thin-slice dataset showed an only slightly improved DSC of 0.822. This automatic WMH segmentation model consisting of a U-Net ensemble trained on a non-thin slice FLAIR MRI dataset is a promising new method. Despite some limitations, this model may be applicable in clinical practice.
Introducing a Novel Method for Computing High-Compression Pressure of Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Srivast Abhay P , Pandey Brijesh K. , Gupta A. K.
Published: August 2023

Research has thoroughly examined how individual carbon nanotubes and bundles behave when compressed, using various equations of state such as Murnaghan, Kholiya, and Usual-Tait. A new equation based on the third-order inverse exponential potential function was also utilized. Results showed that the Kholiya equation did not accurately explain the compression behavior of the nanotubes, while the Murnaghan and Usual-Tait equations provided better results. However, the newly developed equation of state agreed with the experimental data. These findings suggest that using more precise approximations for compression can lead to more accurate results for equations of shape at higher compression levels.
How does Inner Perfume affect women's quality of life?
Authors: Son Younsun , Kwon Ki Han
Published: August 2023

Background
Inner Perfume is related to preference, purchase propensity, and reason for use in improving women's quality of life. The purpose of this study is to determine how inner perfumes affect women's quality of life.
Methods
A total of 507 women in their 20s to 40s who agreed with the purpose of this study and voluntarily expressed their intention to participate were analyzed at a 5% significance level using SPSS Win v25.0 through an online survey. To test the validity and reliability of awareness, purchase propensity, and preference, exploratory factor analysis was conducted and Cronbach's ⍺ was calculated.
Results
The reason why women use inner perfume was found to be after recognizing the smell of the Y zone before and after menstruation to hide unpleasant smells, and it was generally positive that the average of inner perfume and preference among respondents was 3.65 (± 0.72) and 3.55 (± 0.65). The important factors considered when purchasing Inner Perfume were high in the order of quality, brand, price, and advertisement.
Conclusions
It was found that quality was considered the most among purchase propensity of inner perfume. Awareness was found to have the most impact on brand among the four factors of purchasing propensity, and preference was found to be affected by quality and advertisement. Most of the respondents use inner perfume to hide the clean feeling and unpleasant smell of Y-zone, and the inner perfume has a positive effect on women's quality of life.
Sampling designs for bark stripping caused by red deer (Cervus elaphus L.): Simulation studies based on nine fully censused stands
Authors: Hahn Christoph , Vospernik Sonja
Published: August 2023

Precise assessment of bark stripping damage is of high economic importance, since bark stripping makes wood unusable for saw timber and it is the basis for compensation payments for game damage. Bark stripping is clustered and more frequently observed on small trees, so that standard forest inventories optimized for volume or volume increment are unlikely to be optimal.
In this study we analysed different sampling designs (random sampling, systematic sampling), sampling intensities, tree selection methods (fixed radius plot, angle count sampling) and number of plots and plot sizes (plot radius: 2-20 m; basal area factor: 1-6m²/ha) for bark stripping assessment. The analysis is based on simulation studies in 9 fully censused stands (9026 trees). Simulations were done for actually assessed damage and randomly distributed damage and each scenario was repeated100 times with different random points or different random grid locations.
Systematic sampling was considerably more precise than random sampling. Sampling intensities to attain a standard error of 10 % ranged between 12 and 18 % dependent on the plot size. For a given sampling intensity, precision increases with decreasing plot size or increasing basal area factor. This implies, however, that numerous plots need to be measured, which is unlikely to be the cheapest alternative, when travel costs are high. Differences between tree selection by fixed radius plots or angle count sampling were minor. For sampling bark stripping we recommend fixed radius plots with a radius of 4-6 m and a sampling intensity of 10-15 %.
On Generalized Class of Appell-Type ChangheePolynomials
Authors:   Khaled Aldwoah1, Muhyi Abdulghani , Nisar Kottakkaran Sooppy
Published: August 2023

In this article, we aim to present a new interesting generalization of the Changhee polynomials, namely, the 2-variable generalized Appell-type λ-Changhee polynomials. The generating function and some significant results for these polynomials are established. Certain related properties and identities are also investigated. Further, we use Mathematica to discuss the zero distributions of certain members of the 2-variable generalized Appell-type λ-Changhee family.
AMS Subject Classification: Primary 05A10; 05A15; 33C47secondary 11B83
A New Circuit‑Level Leakage Power Reduction Technique of Static Logic Gates for Analog to Digital Converter in CMOS Technology using Virtuoso
Authors: Banu Sufia , Gupta Shweta
Published: August 2023

The total power in a device is composed of three basic components, having dynamic power due to switching activity, static power while the device in sleep mode and short circuit power while a short amount of current flows from power supply rail (VDD) to ground terminal (GND). The dynamic power component in a CMOS circuit is dominating at lower technology nodes. With scaling, having lesser than 65nm regime the leakage power increases than dynamic power that becomes challenging for the VLSI design engineers. This paper describes a new circuit level leakage power reduction technique called as Input Leakage Controlled Stack Transistor-ILCST for CMOS circuits at circuit level that is been used in 4-bit flash Analog to Digital Converter applicable for deep brain neurostimulator. Analog to Digital Converters (ADC) are crucial for transforming analogue signals from the real world into digital data in the form of 0 and 1. Flash is the most popular ADC owing to its fast speed nature. In this study, a 4-bit flash ADC with a, sample and hold (S/H), comparators and a priority encoder are designed and simulated. To perform sampling process, the sample and hold circuit is utilized. An encoder is a necessary component of a Flash ADC. It converts the comparator output-generated thermometer code (TC) into binary code (BC). The speed, area, and power must all be taken into account while designing the flash analogue to digital converter. Work is implemented using 45nm technology node and carried the simulations in Cadence Virtuoso tool. The static power is reduced significantly using the proposed technique.
Trend in extreme climates across southwestern Ghana and the implications for natural resources development
Authors: Tannor Salamatu J. , Tischbein Bernhard , Greve Klaus , Borgemeister Christian
Published: August 2023

The use of reanalysis data as pseudo observational data to analyze extreme climate events is cautioned for inconsistencies for which complimenting climate hazard analysis using observed data is imperative especially in rural West Africa where the impact is severe. Beside the effects of changing climate, is the impacts of resource extractivism that dominate rural landscapes of countries within the Mossi-Baule domain. Using available observational hydroclimatic data, the study examines the spatio-temporal trend in climate extremes and the implications for natural resources managers within southwestern Ghana. The results confirm decreasing trend in number of near normal wet years compared to extreme wet and dry years as well as significant changes in extreme rainfall and temperature across the forest zones of Ghana. Stations located in miningscapes such as Sefwi (Moist semideciduous forest) and Axim (Evergreen forest) had the highest number of dry rainfall years, and the lowest number of wet rainfall years. Similarly, extreme events such as percentage warm nights and days are significantly increasing whereas cool days and cool nights are significantly decreasing across the entire southwestern Ghana. The implications for sustainable mining can be severe including operational aspects such as infrastructural and production systems, sustainability best practices coupled with regulatory consequences. Rural livelihood resources and biodiversity are double burden by the effects of changing climate and extractive activities just as the hydrologic regime of transboundary river basins within southwestern Ghana. Emphasis for watershed approach to climate change adaptation within miningscapes is vital as illustrated in the study.
OGD-pretreated astrocyte-derived extracellular vesicles attenuates intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH)-induced BBB disruption through miR-27a-3p /ARHGAP25 /Wnt/β- catenin axis
Authors: Hou Ying , Xie Ye , Liu Xiaoxuan , Chen Yushan , Zhou Fangfang , Yang Binbin
Published: August 2023

Background
Breakdown of blood brain barrier (BBB) is one of the key mechanisms of brain injury following intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Astrocytes interact with endothelial and contribute to the regulation of neurovascular coupling via paracrine signaling factors. Increasing number of studies now point to astrocyte-derived extracellular vesicles (ADEVs) as an important way of intercellular information communication. However, the role of ADEVs in the regulation of the BBB integrity after ICH remains unclear.
Methods
EVs were obtained from astrocytes with or without oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) pre-stimulation and the role of ADEVs in ICH was investigated ICH rat model and ICH cell model. The potential regulatory effect of ADEVs on endothelial barrier integrity was identified by TEER, western blot and immunofluorescence in vitro. In vivo, functional evaluation, Evans-blue leakage and tight junction proteins (TJPs) expression were analyzed. MiRNA sequencing revealed that microRNA-27a-3p (miR-27a-3p) was differentially expressed miRNA in the extracellular vesicles (EVs) from OGD-pretreated astrocytes, compared with normal control. The regulatory mechanism of miR-27a-3p was assessed using Luciferase assay, RT-PCR, western blot and immunofluorescence.
Results
OGD-activated astrocytes reduced hemin-induced endothelial hyper-permeability through secreting EVs. OGD-activated ADEVs alleviated BBB dysfunction after ICH in vivo and in vitro. MicroRNA microarray analysis indicated that miR-27a-3p is a major component that was highly expressed miRNA in OGD pretreated-ADEVs. OGD-ADEVs mitigated BBB injury through transferring miR-27a-3p into bEnd.3 cells and regulating ARHGAP25/Wnt/β-catenin pathway.
Conclusion
Taken together, these findings firstly reveal that EVs from OGD pre-stimulated astrocytes improve functional recovery through counteracting BBB injury by regulating endothelial ARHGAP25/Wnt/β-catenin axis after ICH. EVs released from hypoxia astrocytes might be a novel strategy for the targeting treatment of ICH.
Inherited Corporate Control and Inequality: Evidence from the COVID Crisis
Authors: Bordeerath Bordin
Published: August 2023

This paper examines wealth inequality during the COVID crisis. Measuring inequality by comparing billionaires’ wealth with equity markets, I find that the COVID crisis causes inequality to grow more rapidly by 23.6 ppt and even more in low-income countries where heir billionaires’ wealth surges faster than founder billionaires’ wealth by 18.0 ppt. Moreover, such increase in inequality from heir billionaires is higher in countries with weaker financial institutions. If heir billionaires are more adept at rent seeking than founder billionaires because family connections can be inherited more reliably than entrepreneurial talent, this paper raises the plausibility that crises give rise to rent seekers in countries with weak financial institutions.
JEL classification: G20, G30, O10
Early versus Delayed CT-guided Celiac Plexus Neurolysis for Palliative Pain Management in Patients with Advanced Pancreatic Cancer: a Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Lu Fan , Tian Jie , Li XueHan , Yin Lin , Wang RuRong
Published: August 2023

Introduction: Abdominal and back pain is the most frequent symptom in patients with pancreatic cancer, with pain management being extremely challenging. This study aimed to evaluate pain control, opioid consumption, pain-interfered quality of life, and survival after early and delayed computed tomography (CT)-guided celiac plexus neurolysis (CPN).
Methods: A retrospective analysis of pancreatic cancer patients receiving CPN for pain (n = 56) between June 2018 and June 2021 was done. The patients were grouped as early group (n = 22) and delayed group (n = 34) on the basis of the presence of persistent refractory pain according to Expert Consensus on Refractory Cancer Pain.
Results: Both groups were comparable in demographic characteristics and baseline pain conditions measured using the Numeric Rating Scale (5.77 ± 1.23 vs. 6.27 ± 1.21; p = 0.141). The pain scores were significantly reduced in both groups; early CPN resulted in significantly lower scores from 3 to 5 months. The opioid consumption gradually decreased to a minimum at 2 weeks but increased at 1 month (35.56 ± 30.14 mg and 50.48 ± 47.90 mg, respectively); significantly larger consumption from 2 to 4 months was seen in the delayed group. The total pain interference was lower than baseline in all patients, with significant improvement after early CPN in sleep, appetite, enjoyment of life, and mood. The average survival time of the two groups was comparable.
Conclusions: Early application of CT-guided CPN for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer may help reduce pain exacerbation and opioids consumption, without influencing the survival.
Effect of hepatitis B virus on semen quality: a systematic review and meta- analysis
Authors: Xu Yuting , Gan Kai , Hou Liqing , Wang Huawei , Mo Hui , Liu Liu , Wen Wen , Rao Meng , Tang Li
Published: August 2023

Background
Some studies have suggested that hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection adversely affects semen quality, but the conclusions have been inconsistent. The purpose of our study was to systematically assess the effect of HBV infection on semen parameters.
Methods
We searched electronic databases for studies published from January 1980 to November 2022. Eleven studies were included in the analysis. Primary outcomes were semen volume, sperm concentration, sperm morphology, sperm motility and sperm progressive motility. We also conducted a subgroup analysis between China and other countries.
Result
Compared with the semen quality of HBV-negative men, HBV infection had an adverse effect on semen volume (MD: −0.20 mL, 95%CI: −0.32 to − 0.09, P = 0.0004), sperm concentration (MD: −4.46×106/mL, 95%CI: −7.09 to − 1.84, P = 0.0009), sperm morphology (MD: −2.49%, 95%CI: −4.35 to − 0.64, P = 0.008), sperm motility (MD: −6.85%, 95%CI: −11.53 to − 2.18, P = 0.004), and sperm progressive motility (MD: −6.63%, 95%CI: −10.24 to − 3.02, P = 0.0003). However, HBV infection did not significantly affect total sperm count (MD: −31.50×106, 95%CI: −74.11 to 11.10, P = 0.15). The effects of HBV on semen quality were inconsistent between the subgroups.
Conclusion
HBV infection adversely affected sperm concentration, motility, morphology, and semen volume. However, the effects on total sperm count remain unclear. Due to the significant heterogeneity among studies on some semen parameters, further researches are needed to clarify the effect of HBV infection on semen quality and male fertility.
Effectiveness and Tolerance of Multi-Corrective Topical Treatment for Infraorbital Dark Circles and Puffiness
Authors: Rajabi-Estarabadi Ali , Hartman Corey L. , Iglesia Sofia , Kononov Tatiana , Zahr Alisar S.
Published: August 2023

Treatment of infraorbital dark circles and under-eye puffiness is challenging due to its multifactorial nature and lack of broadly applicable, effective treatments. A daily skincare treatment option that is multi-modal, effective, and tolerable across a broad patient population is an unmet need. A multi-corrective topical eye cream (MTEC) formulated with Tetrahexyldecyl (THD) ascorbate (vitamin C), prebiotic Inula Helenium, bioavailable peptides, botanical extracts, chrysin, and caffeine, is hypothesized to improve the appearance of infraorbital dark circles and under-eye puffiness by targeting micro-vasculature congestion and permeability, melanin accumulation and hemoglobin degradation related pigmentation, and skin health.
An IRB approved, open-label, 12-week clinical study set out to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of the MTEC across a broad patient population including varying ethnicities and Fitzpatrick Skin Types (FST). Female subjects (n = 40) ages 35 to 60 years old, with moderate to severe under-eye dark circles, moderate under-eye puffiness, and mild-to-moderate fine lines were enrolled into the study. Objective (Chromameter, VISIA® imaging, and Laser Doppler) and subjective assessments (clinical grading and self-assessment questionnaire) were conducted at baseline and post-baseline timepoints.
The MTEC efficaciously demonstrated short-term and long-term improvements in objective and subjective assessments across a broad patient population. Specifically, the MTEC demonstrated significant improvement of infraorbital dark circles, mainly by the reduction of micro-vasculature congestion and permeability, melanin and hemoglobin degradation related pigmentation. Topical application of the MTEC may offer an effective and tolerable treatment option for infraorbital dark circles and puffiness.
Bone turnover and mineralisation kinetics control trabecular BMDD and apparent bone density - insights from a discrete statistical bone remodelling model
Authors: Castoldi Natalia M. , Pickering Edmund , Sansalone Vittorio , Cooper David , Pivonka Peter
Published: August 2023

The mechanical quality of trabecular bone is influenced by its mineral content and spatial distribution, which is controlled by bone remodelling and mineralisation. Mineralisation kinetics occur in two phases: a fast primary mineralisation and a secondary mineralisation that can last from several months to years. Variations in bone turnover and mineralisation kinetics can be observed in the bone mineral density distribution (BMDD). Here, we propose a statistical spatio-temporal bone remodelling model to study the effects of bone turnover (associated with the activation frequency Ac.f ) and mineralisation kinetics (associated with secondary mineralisation Tsec) on BMDD. In this model, individual basic multicellular units (BMUs) are activated discretely on trabecular surfaces that undergo typical bone remodelling periods. Our results highlight that trabecular BMDD is strongly regulated by Ac.f and Tsec in a coupled way. Ca wt% increases with lower Ac.f and short Tsec. For example, a Ac.f = 4 BMU/year/mm3 and Tsec = 8 years result in a mean Ca wt% of 25, which is in accordance with Ca wt% values reported in quantitative backscattered electron imaging (qBEI) experiments. However, for lower Ac.f and shorter Tsec (from 0.5 to 4 years) one obtains a high Ca wt% and a very narrow skew BMDD to the right. This close link between Ac.f and Tsec highlights the importance of considering both characteristics to draw meaningful conclusions about bone quality. Overall, this model represents a new approach to modelling healthy and diseased bone and can aid in developing deeper insights into disease states like osteoporosis.