bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Shape optimization of a corner‐recessed square tall building to reduce mean wind pressure using a multi‐objective genetic algorithm
Authors: Das Arghyadip , Paul Rajdip , Dalui Sujit Kumar 
Published: September 2023

SummaryThe current study aims to determine how the corner recession affects tall buildings with square plans. A series of numerical simulations have been conducted to find the parametric models' wind pressure. Visualization tools, such as contour plots and streamlines, present the wind flow near the buildings. Numerical simulations are conducted using RANS k‐ℇ turbulence models considering a length scale of 1:300. Subsequently, a shape optimization study has been carried out to propose a suitable percentage of corner recession, which should minimize the wind pressure on different faces of the building. As design factors, the amount of corner recession (S) and the wind incidence angle (Ø) are taken, along with the mean pressure coefficients (Cp) on the various building faces. Due to the eight axes symmetry of the building configuration, the random sampling technique is used for the Design of Experiment while accounting for the 0°–45° wind angle of attack. The Response Surface Approximation (RSA) is used to construct surrogate models of the objective functions. The RSA models are validated with wind tunnel test results presented in previously published articles. The optimization study is carried out using the multi‐objective genetic algorithm technique.
Leveraging digital transformation and agile slack to integrate team‐level I‐deals with strategic agility for enhancing international performance
Authors: Luu Tien Dung 
Published: September 2023

AbstractPurposeThe article aims to trace how small‐ and medium‐sized export enterprises thrive in international performance by leveraging potential human resources from team‐level idiosyncratic employment arrangements (I‐deals) and organizational capability from strategic agility through digital transformation and agile slack.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopted a partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS‐SEM) and fuzzy‐set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to test the hypotheses based on evidence from 327 teams at 77 export small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises in Vietnam.FindingsThe findings provide a novel perspective on the critical role of team‐level I‐deals and strategic agility for thriving small‐ and medium‐sized exporters' international performance via the buffering and transforming firm capabilities, namely digital transformation and agile slack.Originality/valueThis study combines the resource‐based view and the dynamic capabilities to examine the impact of firm capabilities with team‐level ideals and strategic agility on international performance.
Allometric models for biomass prediction of Hevea brasilliensis
Authors: Fernando Payagalabaduge Dilhara Hansani , Subasinghe Subasinghe Mudiyanselage Chandana Upul Priyasantha , Lokupitiya Ravindra S. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractTrees contribute to combating global warming by absorbing CO2, thus enhancing the quality of the environment. Sri Lanka maintains about 112,000 ha of Hevea brasiliensis (rubber) plantations, where 85.7% is in the wet zone. When rubber trees decline in latex production, after 30–33 years of planting, they are harvested to regenerate the next cycle. Rubber timber in Sri Lanka is used mainly for manufacturing interior parts of furniture, tool handles, and toys, leaving minimal chances for the emission of CO2 by combustion. Therefore, rubber is a good source of carbon sequestration, which can be used to earn additional benefits for the farmers. Estimating tree biomass helps to assess the carbon sequestration of those trees. Therefore this study aimed to build allometric models to predict the biomass using diameter at breast height (dbh) and total tree height (h). Since uprooting rubber trees is not allowed till maturity, whole‐tree, above‐ground, and stem biomass prediction models were built by uprooting ten 30‐ and 31‐year‐old trees from two rubber estates of the low country wet zone of Sri Lanka. For the rest of the ages, dbh and h prediction models were built by age using data collected from six age classes of rubber trees from the same two estates so those variables could be used as inputs to the biomass prediction models. For dbh and h models, Michaelis–Menten functions performed better than power‐law functions. Biomass was estimated for the stem and large branches by converting respective volumes to weights. Weight measurements were taken directly for biomass assessment for small branches, foliage, and roots. The quality of models was determined based on both qualitative and quantitative evaluations. The finding proved that the biomass of rubber plantations could effectively be estimated by dbh and h over time.
Structural and functional changes in macrophyte species composition in softwater lakes after 60 years of land use
Authors: Ronowski Rafał , Chmara Rafał , Szmeja Józef 
Published: September 2023

AbstractWe compared structural and functional changes in macrophyte species composition in softwater lakes with isoetids located along the southern shore of the Baltic Sea (NW Poland) in two time periods (1955–1959 and 2015–2020). The research aimed to determine the trend of changes in macrophyte composition influenced by fields and/or urban fabric, as land use. The land-use pressure measure referred to the volume of land occupied around the lake. In the second time period, the number of plant species in the lakes increased twofold (20 vs. 39), compared to the first period. The average values of species richness were statistically higher (p < 0.001) in the second period (15.7 vs. 8.6). The functional diversity of plants in the lakes revealed statistically significant differences in both periods compared. The FD Rao values calculated for plant life span, growth forms, and FD multi-traits were statistically higher in the second period (p < 0.001). Our findings revealed that the anthropogenic pressure on lakes over a period of 60 years caused a decrease in the share of sensitive species in macrophyte species composition (isoetids and mosses), but an increase in common plants with a completely different set of species functional traits. This is related to the environmental changes that occurred between the two periods studied. First of all, we noticed significant changes in the transparency (visibility) of the water. In the second period, the value of this trait is used in each lake, which uses the transmission of photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) light transmittance to the plant and can affect the species composition. These findings show that an increase in biodiversity can relate to a decrease in freshwater ecosystem function, mainly via lost function of evergreen isoetid species.
Exploring the efficacy of 18F-FDG PET/CT in hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosis: role of Ki-67 index and tumor differentiation
Authors: Yin Yuping , Liu Jiachen , Sun Runlu , Liu Xuming , Zhou Zhangchi , Zhang Hong , Li Dan 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Purpose
The sensitivity of [18F] fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) for detecting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been clarified thoroughly. Our study seeks to explore the association between the Ki-67 index and FDG-avidity in HCC tumors using 18F-FDG PET/CT.

Methods
112 HCC lesions from 109 patients detected by 18F-FDG PET/CT were included retrospectively between August 2017 and May 2022, comprising 82 lesions in the training cohort and 30 in the validation cohort to simulate prospective studies. In the training cohort, lesions were stratified by a lesion-to-liver maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) ratio cut-off of 1.59. The relationships between lesion-to-liver SUVmax ratios and several clinical factors including tumor differentiation, alpha fetoprotein (AFP), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, Ki-67 index et al. were assessed. These findings were subsequently validated in the independent validation cohort.

Results
In the training cohort, group A1 lesions demonstrated a higher Ki-67 index (%, 40.00 [30.00, 57.50] vs. 10.00 [5.00, 28.75], p<0.001) than group A0, the positive correlation between FDG-avidity and Ki-67 index was revealed by multivariate analysis, OR=1.040, 95% CI of OR [1.004–1.077], p=0.030. The calculated cut-off value was 17.5% using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, with an area under curve (AUC) of 0.834 and 95% CI [0.742–0.926], p<0.001. These findings were further validated in the independent validation cohort, with similar results (AUC=0.875, 95% CI [0.750–1.000], p<0.001).

Conclusion
In comparison to tumor differentiation, Ki-67 index demonstrates a stronger association with FDG-avidity in HCC tumors, and when the Ki-67 index exceeds 17.5%, 18F-FDG PET/CT might serve as a useful indicator for HCC.

Graphical abstract
Urologist Workforce and Services in Ethiopia
Authors: Kifle Anteneh Tadesse , Biyani Chandra Shekhar , Bogdanowicz Jacques , Demilow Tilaneh Leyeh , Teferi Getaneh Tesfaye , Tsega Tizazu Abebayehu 
Published: September 2023

AbstractBackgroundUrological conditions are a cause of diminishing quality of life, hence affecting productivity. Despite the need for urological treatment, it was excluded from receiving priority in both United Nation and Lancet commission. Most of the surgeries in sub‐Saharan Africa are open surgeries. The lack of basic endourology equipment and a shortage of experts have limited Africans from receiving the privileges of minimally invasive surgeries, especially in urology. This study describes the socio demographics of the urologists in Ethiopia, the field of services they provide and their access to endourology equipment.MethodsThis study presents data from a survey of urologists in Ethiopia who are members of Urology Society of Ethiopia (USE).ResultsThirty‐three urologists of the 43 responded, making the response rate 76.5%. Qualification by urology residency in Ethiopia accounted for 66.7% of participants, followed by 21.2% by fellowship training abroad after general surgery training. All respondents practice open surgeries and 75.8% perform endourology. Video endoscope and cystoscopy sets were available to all those practicing endourology, with Direct Visual Internal Urethrotomy (DVIU) sets having the next highest availability and Flexible UreteroRenoScope(URS) and laser lithotripters the least accessible.ConclusionsUrology in Ethiopia is in its infancy, where the lack of advanced medical equipment combined with a paucity of qualified urologists have created a huge challenge for the provision of these services.
Ang-2 is a potential molecular marker for lymphatic metastasis and better response to bevacizumab therapy in ovarian cancer
Authors: Volk Annabelle , Legler Karen , Hamester Fabienne , Kuerti Sascha , Eylmann Kathrin , Rossberg Maila , Schmalfeldt Barbara , Oliveira-Ferrer Leticia 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Purpose
In ovarian cancer, there are two main routes of metastasis, namely intraperitoneal and retroperitoneal. Their biologic background is poorly understood. Identifying molecular markers involved might enable the development of tailored therapy regimens. Moreover, no reliable markers for response to anti-angiogenic treatment with bevacizumab are yet established. Angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) is an angiogenic growth factor, involved in lymphatic activation and is associated with tumor progression. Here, we assessed the potential of Ang-2 as a molecular marker in metastasis and treatment of ovarian cancer.

Methods
In our study, quantitative and qualitative protein Ang-2 expression in tumor tissue of ovarian cancer patients was analyzed by Western blot (n = 138) and immunohistochemistry (n = 58). Further, Ang-2 levels in blood samples were quantified in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (n = 38). Expression levels of different tumor spread patterns were evaluated, and survival analyses were made.

Results
We observed that Ang-2 expression is significantly higher in tumors with retroperitoneal dissemination (pT1a–pT3b, pN1) compared to those showing intraperitoneal tumor growth (pT3c, pN0). In addition, patients with high Ang-2 expression have significantly longer overall survival compared to patients with low Ang-2 expression. Patients with high Ang-2 expression benefit significantly from therapy with bevacizumab.

Conclusion
All in all, Ang-2 may serve as a molecular marker for patients with tumors prone to spread to lymph nodes and for patients who might benefit from bevacizumab therapy.
Noble and base metal geochemistry of late- to post-orogenic mafic dykes from central Spain
Authors: Orejana David , García-Rodríguez María , de Ignacio Cristina , Ruiz-Molina Sergio 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe post-tectonic and post-orogenic mafic rocks from the Spanish Central System (SCS) (Iberian Massif) include dyke swarms of shoshonitic (microgabbros) and alkaline (lamprophyres and diabases) geochemical affinity, which register the nature of the metasomatic lithospheric mantle under central Spain. Such magmas sometimes show a direct (or indirect) relationship with the formation of orogenic and intrusion-related gold deposits, which are relatively abundant in the Iberian Massif. The noble and base metal composition of these intrusions shows Primitive Mantle-normalized patterns characterized by positive Au and Co anomalies and fractionated platinum group elements (PGE): from lower Ir-group PGE (IPGE; Ir–Ru) to higher Pd-group PGE (PPGE; Rh–Pt–Pd). The low contents of PGE, together with the base metal contents of pyrite (which is the dominant sulphide phase in the alkaline dykes), is in accordance with low degrees of mantle partial melting and the early segregation of sulphides during magma differentiation. The scarcity of PGE mineral deposits in the Iberian Massif could be explained in part by the apparent lack of PGE enrichment in the Iberian lithospheric mantle. On the contrary, the positive Au anomaly of the SCS mafic dykes represents relatively high Au contents, similar to (and higher than) those of mafic rocks derived from metasomatized subcontinental lithospheric mantle underlying Au-endowed cratons. Several geochemical features point to subduction-related metasomatism of either oceanic or continental nature as the main source of Au enrichment. The Au re-fertilization of the lithospheric mantle under central Spain makes it a potential source in the formation of gold mineralizations.
From genetic correlations of Alzheimer’s disease to classification with artificial neural network models
Authors: Cava Claudia , D’Antona Salvatore , Maselli Francesca , Castiglioni Isabella , Porro Danilo 
Published: September 2023

AbstractSporadic Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a complex neurological disorder characterized by many risk loci with potential associations with different traits and diseases. AD, characterized by a progressive loss of neuronal functions, manifests with different symptoms such as decline in memory, movement, coordination, and speech. The mechanisms underlying the onset of AD are not always fully understood, but involve a multiplicity of factors. Early diagnosis of AD plays a central role as it can offer the possibility of early treatment, which can slow disease progression. Currently, the methods of diagnosis are cognitive testing, neuroimaging, or cerebrospinal fluid analysis that can be time-consuming, expensive, invasive, and not always accurate. In the present study, we performed a genetic correlation analysis using genome-wide association statistics from a large study of AD and UK Biobank, to examine the association of AD with other human traits and disorders. In addition, since hippocampus, a part of cerebral cortex could play a central role in several traits that are associated with AD; we analyzed the gene expression profiles of hippocampus of AD patients applying 4 different artificial neural network models. We found 65 traits correlated with AD grouped into 9 clusters: medical conditions, fluid intelligence, education, anthropometric measures, employment status, activity, diet, lifestyle, and sexuality. The comparison of different 4 neural network models along with feature selection methods on 5 Alzheimer’s gene expression datasets showed that the simple basic neural network model obtains a better performance (66% of accuracy) than other more complex methods with dropout and weight regularization of the network.
Sweat gland nerve fiber density and association with sudomotor function, symptoms, and risk factors in adolescents with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Rasmussen Vinni Faber , Schmeichel Ann , Thrysøe Mathilde , Nyengaard Jens Randel , Christensen Ann-Margrethe Rønholt , Vestergaard Esben Thyssen , Kristensen Kurt , Terkelsen Astrid Juhl , Karlsson Páll , Singer Wolfgang 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Purpose
To quantify sweat gland nerve fiber density in adolescents with diabetes. Additionally, to investigate associations between sudomotor innervation, sweat responses, and possible risk factors for sudomotor neuropathy.

Methods
Cross-sectional study where 60 adolescents with type 1 diabetes (duration > 5 years) and 23 control subjects were included. Clinical data, quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test, and skin biopsies were obtained. Skin tissue was immunostained and imaged by confocal microscopy. Quantification of the sweat gland volume and three-dimensional reconstruction of the nerve fibers was performed using a design-unbiased technique.

Results
Adolescents with diabetes had a significant reduction of maximum and mean values of nerve fiber length and nerve fiber density in sweat glands compared to controls (p values < 0.05). No association between nerve fiber density and sweat responses was found (p = 0.21). In cases with reduced sweat gland nerve fiber length, nerve fiber density, and volume, the sweat response was reduced or absent. Height, systolic blood pressure, time in hypoglycemia, and total daily and basal/total insulin dose were positively correlated to sweat response, while low-density lipoprotein, and HbA1c were negatively correlated with sweat response (p values < 0.05). Other microvascular complications and high cholesterol levels increased the relative risk for reduced sweat gland nerve fiber density.

Conclusion
Our findings of reduced sweat gland innervation in a selected group of adolescents add new knowledge about the structural changes that occur in autonomic nerves due to diabetes. Evaluating both the sweat gland innervation and sweat gland volume was important for understanding the association with sweat responses. Further research is needed to understand its clinical relevance.
Renewable electricity capacity planning with uncertainty at multiple scales
Authors: Ferris Michael C. , Philpott Andy 
Published: September 2023

AbstractWe formulate and compare optimization models of investment in renewable generation using a suite of social planning models that compute optimal generation capacity investments for a hydro-dominated electricity system where inflow uncertainty results in a risk of energy shortage. The models optimize the expected cost of capacity expansion and operation allowing for investments in hydro, geothermal, solar, wind, and thermal plant, as well as battery storage for smoothing load profiles. A novel feature is the integration of uncertain seasonal hydroelectric energy supply and short-term variability in renewable supply in a two-stage stochastic programming framework. The models are applied to data from the New Zealand electricity system and used to estimate the costs of moving to a 100% renewable electricity system by 2035. We also explore the outcomes obtained when applying different forms of CO2 constraint that limit respectively non-renewable capacity, non-renewable generation, and CO2 emissions on average, almost surely, or in a chance-constrained setting, and show how our models can be used to investigate the merits of a proposed pumped-hydro scheme in New Zealand’s South Island.
A Halmos–von Neumann Theorem for Actions of General Groups
Authors: Hermle Patrick , Kreidler Henrik 
Published: September 2023

AbstractWe give a new categorical approach to the Halmos–von Neumann theorem for actions of general topological groups. As a first step, we establish that the categories of topological and measure-preserving irreducible systems with discrete spectrum are equivalent. This allows to prove the Halmos–von Neumann theorem in the framework of topological dynamics. We then use the Pontryagin and Tannaka–Krein duality theories to obtain classification results for topological and then measure-preserving systems with discrete spectrum. As a byproduct, we obtain a complete isomorphism invariant for compactifications of a fixed topological group.
Spatio-temporal joint modelling on moderate and extreme air pollution in Spain
Authors: Wang Kai , Ling Chengxiu , Chen Ying , Zhang Zhengjun 
Published: September 2023

AbstractVery unhealthy air quality is consistently connected with numerous diseases. Appropriate extreme analysis and accurate predictions are in rising demand for exploring potential linked causes and for providing suggestions for the environmental agency in public policy strategy. This paper aims to model the spatial and temporal pattern of both moderate and extremely poor PM$$_{10}$$10concentrations (of daily mean) collected from 342 representative monitors distributed throughout mainland Spain from 2017 to 2021. We first propose and compare a series of Bayesian hierarchical generalized extreme models of annual maxima PM$$_{10}$$10concentrations, including both the fixed effect of altitude, temperature, precipitation, vapour pressure and population density, as well as the spatio-temporal random effect with the Stochastic Partial Differential Equation (SPDE) approach and a lag-one dynamic auto-regressive component (AR(1)). Under WAIC, DIC and other criteria, the best model is selected with good predictive ability based on the first four-year data (2017–2020) for training and the last-year data (2021) for testing. We bring the structure of the best model to establish the joint Bayesian model of annual mean and annual maxima PM$$_{10}$$10concentrations and provide evidence that certain predictors (precipitation, vapour pressure and population density) influence comparably while the other predictors (altitude and temperature) impact reversely in the different scaled PM$$_{10}$$10concentrations. The findings are applied to identify the hot-spot regions with poor air quality using excursion functions specified at the grid level. It suggests that the community of Madrid and some sites in northwestern and southern Spain are likely to be exposed to severe air pollution, simultaneously exceeding the warning risk threshold.