bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Surface Erosion Equations For Biodegradation Analysis Of Several Common Three-Dimensional Shapes
Authors: Dotson Kirk , Pisano Kyle , Renegar D. Abigail 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
This appears to be the first publication to rigorously develop mathematical relationships for the mass loss of common three-dimensional shapes as they progressively diminish in size. Equations were derived for the erosion of the surfaces of circular and square objects due to biodegradation, i.e., the decrease in volume caused by the high catalytic activity of enzymes secreted by microorganisms attached to the object’s surfaces. Surface erosion is the dominant mode of biodegradation for polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) objects resting on the ocean floor. Although the derivations were motivated by a need to assess the time-varying biodegradation and ultimate disintegration of PHA tubes and straws in the benthic environment, generality was maintained during the mathematical development such that the resulting equations are also applicable to other degrading circular and square objects including cylindrical rings, discs, and rods, and square plates, cubes, and prisms. Surface erosion is dominant for some in vivo biodegrading medical devices, so it is believed that the equations will also be useful in the biomedical field. In the theory, surface erosion is expressed in terms of the ratio of the instantaneous mass to the initial mass. The value of this ratio and the relative dimensions of the object establish a surface erosion function and its evolution over the lifetime of the object.
Towards Privacy Preserved Document Image Classification - A Comprehensive Benchmark
Authors: Saifullah Saifullah , Mercier Dominique , Agne Stefan , Dengel Andreas , Ahmed Sheraz 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

As data-driven AI systems become increasingly integrated into industry, concerns have recently arisen regarding potential privacy breaches and the inadvertent leakage of sensitive user data through the exploitation of these systems. In this paper, we explore the intersection of data privacy and AI-powered document analysis systems, presenting a comprehensive benchmark of well-known privacy-preserving methods for the task of document image classification. In particular, we investigate four different privacy methods---Differential Privacy (DP), Federated Learning (FL), Differentially Private Federated Learning (DP-FL), and Secure Multi-Party Computation (SMPC)---on two well-known document benchmark datasets, namely RVL-CDIP and Tobacco3482. Furthermore, we investigate the performance of each method under a variety of configurations for thorough benchmarking. Finally, the privacy strength of each approach is assessed by subjecting the private models to well-known membership inference attacks. Our results demonstrate that, with sufficient tuning of hyperparameters, Differential Privacy (DP) can achieve reasonable performance on the task of document image classification while also ensuring rigorous privacy constraints, both in standalone and federated learning setups. On the other hand, while FL-based approaches present less implementation complexity and incur little to no loss in performance on the task, they do not offer sufficient protection against privacy attacks. By rigorously benchmarking various privacy approaches, our study paves the way for integrating deep document classification models into industrial pipelines while meeting regulatory and ethical standards, including GDPR and the AI Act 2022.
PatchMix: Patch-Level Mixup for Data Augmentation in Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Hong Yichao , Chen Yuanyuan 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have demonstrated impressive performance in fitting data distribution. However, due to the complexity in learning intricate features from data, networks usually experience overfitting during the training. To address this issue, many data augmentation techniques have been proposed to expand the representation of the training data, thereby improving the generalization ability of CNNs. In this paper, we propose PatchMix, a novel mixup-based augmentation method that applies mixup to patches within an image rather than blending between multiple images. Despite the challenge of label mixing, PatchMix generates numerous reliable training samples. Additionally, we propose PatchMix-R to enhance the robustness of the model against perturbations by processing adjacent pixels. Easy to implement, our methods can be integrated with most CNN-based classification models and combined with varying data augmentation techniques. The experiments show that PatchMix and PatchMix-R consistently outperform other state-of-the-art methods in terms of accuracy and robustness. Class activation mappings (CAMs) of the trained model are also investigated to visualize the effectiveness of our approach.
Influence of grazing intensity on phylogenetic and CSR plant strategy diversity of species-rich grasslands, Mazandaran, Iran
Authors: Bahreini Zeinab , Jafarian Zeinab , Alavi Seyed Jalil , Tatian Mohammad Reza 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Recently more studies have been made to predict plant response to livestock grazing using plant functional traits that can be used as effective indicators to study the adaptation of species under grazing disturbances. Here, we test the responses of different plant diversity (taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional diversity) and strategies (Competitive, stress tolerant, and ruderal) in order to grazing intensity. This study was carried out in Siah Bisheh Rangelands, located in the extreme southeast of Mazandaran province, Iran. In the study area, three sites were selected in an area subjected to low and high grazing intensity (LG and HG, respectively), totaling 6 sites. In each site and condition of grazing intensity, 3 transects of 100 meters were randomly placed, and along each transect, 5 plots (1×1 m2) were sampled at 20 m intervals, totaling 45 m2 per grazing intensity. In each plot, the plant’s crown cover was recorded. To access the evolutionary relationship among species, we generate a phylogenetic tree for the plant communities in the two grazing intensities (76 and 66 species in LG and HG, respectively). In order to estimate plant strategy and functional diversity in different types of rangeland, A competitive, stress tolerant, and ruderal (CSR) plant strategy scheme was applied based on key leaf traits: leaf area (LA), leaf dry matter content (LDMC) and specific leaf area (SLA). Based on the results, higher grazing intensity led to the shift from the ruderal strategy to the stress-tolerance strategy, both at the species level and plot community weighted mean (CWM) traits. Also, higher grazing intensity significantly reduces species richness and diversity but increases the functional divergence evenness and CWM of LDMC. Finally, stress-tolerant and ruderal strategies dominated under high and low grazing intensities, respectively. Our studied results suggest the vital role of plant functional traits in assessing plant strategies.
Massive use of lime for the stabilization of adobes: Cold-formed bricks from Area 11 of the protohistoric city of Giribaile (Spain)
Authors: Torre-López María José de la , Gutiérrez-Soler Luis María , Pérez-Alba Francisco 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
The archaeological site of Giribaile (Vilches, Jaén) has provided numerous examples of lime-rich adobes. The main mineralogical and physicochemical characteristics of this site have been determined from X-ray fluorescence analysis, X-ray diffraction, petrographic optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The analyses allow them to be characterized as cold-formed bricks. The use of lime stabilizes these blocks and gives them greater resistance than conventional adobes. These construction materials have not yet been identified in contemporary contexts of regional Iberian culture, which have specific uses for lime. These materials require a great availability of resources, especially heat strength, and the widespread use of this material in Roman architecture is anticipated. This material is an advanced technology for its time: the middle of the second century BC.
Large Language Models for Qualitative Research in Software Engineering: Exploring Opportunities and Challenges
Authors: Bano Muneera , Hoda Rashina , Zowghi Didar , Treude Christoph 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
The recent surge in the integration of Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT into qualitative research in software engineering, much like in other professional domains, demands a closer inspection. This vision paper seeks to explore the opportunities of using LLMs in qualitative research to address many of its legacy challenges as well as potential new concerns and pitfalls arising from the use of LLMs. We share our vision for the evolving role of the qualitative researcher in the age of LLMs and contemplate how they may utilize LLMs at various stages of their research experience.
Association of the triglyceride glucose-body mass index with the extent of coronary artery disease in patients with acute coronary syndromes: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Yang Xueyuan , Li Kui , Wen Jiaojiao , Yang Changlong , Li Yunhang , Xu Guanxue , Ma Yi 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Background
Studies have shown that insulin resistance is strongly associated with the development of cardiovascular disease, and the triglyceride glucose-body mass index (TyG-BMI index) is considered to be a reliable surrogate marker of insulin resistance. There are limited studies on the relationship between TyG-BMI index and the extent of coronary artery disease in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between TyG-BMI index and the extent of coronary artery disease in patients with ACS.
Methods
Overall, 2,317 patients with ACS who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention at the Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University were included in this study. The TyG-BMI index was grouped according to the tertile method. The extent of coronary artery disease in patients with ACS was quantitatively assessed using the SYNTAX score, which was categorised as low (≤ 22), intermediate (23–32), and high risk (≥ 33).
Results
Both univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses showed no statistically significant association between TyG-BMI index and moderate/high SYNTAX scores in patients with ACS. Subgroup analyses showed that in one-way logistic regression analyses, TyG-BMI index was associated with a high risk of moderate/high SYNTAX scores in female patients [odds ratio (OR) = 1.0076; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.0014–1.0138; P = 0.0160)], and the last tertile group (OR = 2.1100; 95% CI = 1.1200–3.9800; P = 0.0220) had a 2.11 times higher risk of having a moderate/high SYNTAX score than the first tertile group. Restricted cubic spline analysis showed a linear correlation between TyG-BMI index and complex coronary artery disease (SYNTAX score > 22) in female patients with ACS. In these patients, the inclusion of the TyG-BMI index provided limited improvement in the predictive power of the baseline risk model.
Conclusions
Higher TyG-BMI index was linearly associated with the risk of developing complex coronary lesions in female patients with ACS. However, the inclusion of TyG-BMI index provided limited improvement in the predictive power of the baseline risk model for female patients with ACS.
Impact of Pan-Cancer Analysis of The Exportins Family on Prognosis, The Tumour Microenvironment and Its Potential Therapeutic Efficacy
Authors: Peng Ying , Li Youheng , Wang Lingmei , Lin Shenlai , Xu Hong 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Objective
This study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the role of the Exportin (XPO) family in cancer development and progression. The XPO family, a group of nuclear transport proteins, has been increasingly implicated in oncogenic processes and tumor growth.
Methods
Utilizing updated public databases, we employed various bioinformatics methods to examine XPO family expression levels and their associations with patient survival, immune subtypes, tumor microenvironment, stemness scores, drug sensitivity, and DNA methylation in different cancers.
Results
We found that XPO family expression varies across cancers, indicating a cancer-specific role. Some XPO members were associated with poor prognosis in certain cancers. Their expression correlated with immune subtypes and tumor purity, with lower expression in tumors having higher stromal and immune scores. There was a significant positive correlation between XPO family members and RNA stemness scores, and varying degrees of correlation with DNA stemness scores. Additionally, XPO expression significantly influenced cancer cell drug sensitivity and was generally negatively correlated with gene methylation, which varied across different cancers.
Conclusions
Our study highlights the distinct roles of XPO family members in cancer, emphasizing their links to immune infiltration, tumor microenvironment, and drug sensitivity. These findings enhance our understanding of XPO's prognostic value and therapeutic potential in cancer, setting a foundation for further research into their mechanisms and applications in cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Perceptions of the Harms of E-Cigarettes, Combustible Cigarettes, and Other Substances Among Adults Who Smoke in the UK: A Mixed Methods Study
Authors: McKeganey Neil , Barnard Gabriel , Notley Sophie , Patton Andrea , Coyle Joanne , Haseen Farhana 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Whilst e-cigarettes have been characterised by public health bodies as substantially less harmful than combustible tobacco products, research shows that a proportion of adults who smoke perceive these devices to be as harmful, or more harmful, than combustible cigarettes. In addition, research also indicates that adults who are smoking are less likely to use these devices to quit smoking when they overestimate the harms of e-cigarettes. In this paper, we focus upon the harm perceptions of a sample of adults who smoke in the United Kingdom. Whilst most of the adults surveyed viewed e-cigarettes as less harmful than combustible cigarettes, around four in ten (41%) viewed these devices as equally harmful as combustible cigarettes, more harmful, or did not know how harmful e-cigarettes were relative to combustible cigarettes. Qualitative interviews with survey participants indicated that the perceptions of relative harm between combustible cigarettes and e-cigarettes were a complex amalgam of beliefs, fears, predictions, reactions, and uncertainties about the long-term impact of e-cigarettes arising from the relative recency with which these devices have been available for widespread use. There is an important need to identify the most effective means through which accurate information around e-cigarettes can be communicated and in doing so to draw upon the diverse range of expertise of those involved in the use, regulation, manufacture, and media reporting of these devices in fashioning those communications.
Efficient estimation of true fixed-effects stochastic frontier models
Authors: Bellio Ruggero , Grassetti Luca 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Fixed-effects modeling has become the method of choice in several panel data settings, including models for stochastic frontier analysis. A notable instance of stochastic frontier panel data models is the true fixed-effects model, which allows to disentangle unit heterogeneity from efficiency evaluations. While such a model is theoretically appealing, its estimation is hampered by incidental panel data effects. This note proposes a simple and rather general estimation approach where the unit-specific intercepts are integrated out of the likelihood function. By applying some theory from composite group families, it is demonstrated that the resulting objective function is a marginal likelihood based on sufficient data reduction with desirable inferential properties. The derivation of the result is provided in full, along with some connections with the existing literature and some computational details. The method is illustrated for two notable models: the normal-half-normal specification and the heteroscedastic exponential model. Some simulation results are provided for the latter model.
Improving the study of plant evolution with multi-matrix mixture models
Authors: Huy Tinh Nguyen , Sy Vinh Le 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Amino acid substitution model is a key component to study the plant evolution from protein sequences. Although single-matrix amino acid substitution models have been estimated for plants (i.e., Q.plant and NQ.plant), they are not able to describe the rate heterogeneity among sites. A number of multi-matrix mixture models have been proposed to handle the site-rate heterogeneity, however, none are specifically estimated for plants. To enhance the study of plant evolution, we estimated both time reversible and time non-reversible multi-matrix mixture models QPlant.mix and NQPlant.mix from the plant genomes. Experiments showed that the new mixture models were much better than the existing models for plant alignments. We recommend researchers to use the new mixture models for studying the plant evolution.
Development of a Model for Detection and Classification of Diseases in Tomato Plants Using Swin Transformer Architecture
Authors: Valencia Oscar David , Firigua Maria José Capera 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
This research focuses on developing a model for the detection and classification of diseases in tomato plants using the Swin Transformer architecture. The model aims to surpass the accuracy limitations of current Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) methods. The study involves constructing a balanced dataset for various tomato plant diseases, evaluating the model's predictions, and comparing its accuracy with CNN-based models.
Analysis of years of life lost due to premature cancer mortality in the Russian Federation
Authors: Khailova Zh. V. , Kaprin A. D. , Omelyanovsky V. V. , Pustovalov D. N. , Agafonova Yu. A. , Kusakina V. O. , Ivanov S. A. , Shegai P. V. 
Published: November 2023

Background. Burden of disease estimation allows analyses to be carried out integrally, including cause and effect assessment. the rate of life years lost due to premature mortality is part of the burden of disease analysis. given that the burden of cancer is steadily increasing, analysis of the number of years lost makes it possible to identify new strategic directions, as well as to adjust decisions already made, in the health care of cancer patients.Purpose: to estimate the loss of life expectancy as a result of premature mortality from cancer in the population of the Russian Federation.Material and Methods. the analysis was carried out using international statistical databases for disease burden estimation, databases of the Federal state statistics service (Rosstat). to determine the target groups of priority reduction of mortality from neoplasms in the Russian Federation, an estimation of the lost years of life expectancy as a result of premature mortality in the form of the e† (e-dagger) indicator was carried out. the analyzed period of the study was 2010–2019.Results. the Russian Federation is characterized by the smallest share of losses from cancer in the structure of losses from all causes of death compared to the analyzed countries (Japan, France, germany, latvia, lithuania, estonia). However, the share of losses has been intensively increasing for 10 years (in 2010 – 14.79 %, in 2019 – 17.54 %). in comparison with the analyzed countries, Russia is more characterised by losses from cancer at a younger age, with the highest value of life years lost in the age group 60–64 years. the age-standardized number of years lost in men in Russia is 67.1 % higher than in women. in the age group from 25 to 49 years of age, the loss of life expectancy due to cancer in women is higher and accounts for 0.4 years (or 19 %) of all losses, which is not typical of other age groups in which losses in men prevail. A significant regional differentiation of mortality in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation has been revealed, which is also reflected in the number of years lost.Conclusion. the potential of preventive strategies in the Russian Federation has not been fully realized – the loss of life years in young and middle age requires the correction of measures to improve preventive services and oncological care. the revealed regional differentiation allows us to identify regions with high losses for priority solutions.
Colon cancer survival after radical surgery performed in hospitals of the Arkhangelsk region: a population-based analysis
Authors: Bogdanov D. V. , Berezin A. V. , Potekhina E. F. , Mordovsky E. A. , Valkov M. Yu. 
Published: November 2023

Background. surgery is the main method of treatment of colon cancer (cc). Radical surgery performed in non-specialized hospitals can lead to the adverse outcomes.The aim of this study was to assess CC survival after radical surgery performed in state hospitals of the arkhangelsk region (North-West Russia) in 2010–21.Material and Methods. data on all the 2142 cases of radical surgery of CC were obtained from the arkhangelsk regional cancer registry (ARCR). One- and five-year cancer-specific survival rates were estimated by the survival tables; cumulative survival function was calculated by the Kaplan–meier method. Univariate and multiple cox regression analysis was carried out to identify independent predictors associated with CC death risk after radical surgery in state hospitals (incl. sex, age at the time of diagnosis, topography, morphology and stage of CC).Results. less than half (42.8 %) of patients underwent surgery at the arkhangelsk clinical cancer center (accc), a single specialized hospital. one- and five-year survival rates of all patients were 86.5 % (95 % CI: 84.9–87.9 %) and 65.1 % (95 % ci: 62.7–67.4 %), respectively. The 5-year survival rate of patients who underwent surgery in the accc was significantly higher than that in patients who underwent surgery in other state non-specialized hospitals (76.0 % (95 % ci: 72.5–79.0 % versus 49.3–73.8 %, p<0.0001). The relative risk of death of CC patients depended on the state hospital where radical surgery was performed and the stage of CC; it did not depend on patients’ sex, morphology and topography of CC.Conclusion. our results demonstrate the need to search for specific reasons for the relatively low survival in patients after radical surgery performed in non-specialized hospitals.