A document by Noor Ahmad Akhundzadah. Click on the document to view its contents.

IntroductionStriae Distensae (SD), a well-recognized phenomenon resulting from dermal scaring, it is usually associated with physiological conditions such as pregnancy, growth spurt, rapid weight loss or gain or iatrogenic causes such as topical or systemic corticosteroid administration1. It is aesthetically troublesome and therapeutically challenging. SD early stages appear as flesh-toned atrophic linear plaques that eventually progress to silvery-whitish atrophic plaques.1,2 Most commonly affect dispensable body areas such as the buttock, lower back, thighs, calves, breast and abdomen.3 Rare secondary changes within SD have been mentioned in the literature, including edema, urticaria, dyspigmentation, ulceration, dehiscence and subcutaneous emphysema. Fluid filling these striae are an unusual finding. Very few cases have been reported discussing this phenomenon.4,5 Upon literature review, it was notable that even in the very few case reports of BSD, almost all the patients were on long-term oral steroids as well as having hypoalbuminemia, except for one patient as demonstrated inTable 1 .4 Herein, we report a case of a 17-year-old girl with nephrotic syndrome who was treated with high dose of corticosteroids presented to the day-care unit with Bullous Striae Distensae.

A Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patient Presented With an Unusual Relapse in Central Nervous System: A Case ReportMais Musleh, MD1, Qossay Al Husein, MD2

A document by Abeer Elsayed Fayed. Click on the document to view its contents.

The quick development of technological infrastructure has significantly altered how organizations carry on with work. Subscription-based services are among the results of continuous digitization and customer attrition has become a major problem and a threat to all firms. Customer attrition, alternatively referred to as customer turnover, refers to the departure of customers over time, which is facing challenges in various business industries. To increase the customer retention percentage and for the overall profitability of the industry, customer churn must also be reduced. When organizations recognize client attrition, they can take proactive measures to keep customers. Customer attrition is a terminology adopted by different organizations to encapsulate the defection of clients or subscribers to any phenomenon. With the use of big data architecture, notably Spark, this study presents a web application for extracting telecom data. It uses machine learning algorithms like Logistic regression and K-means clustering, evaluates the performance of the models, and combines hard and soft data in order to predict customer churn more accurately. In addition, label selection will be carried out by assessing each feature’s impurity score independently, and cluster classification will be carried out to select the best cluster based on its metrics. The study concentrates on the crucial machine learning methods for calculating client churn. This can include improving customer service, offering loyalty programs, or adjusting pricing strategies.

A document by Petra Fuehrding-Potschkat. Click on the document to view its contents.

This journey traces the transition from a brief dentistry stint to a neuroimmunology exploration. The narrative unfolds through academic pursuits at the University of São Paulo, Brazil, and subsequent doctoral studies, reflecting on the initial idealism that shaped the pursuit of academia. An unexpected postdoctoral experience at the Centre de Physiopathologie de Toulouse Purpan in France introduced me to immunology, leading to an unexpected passion. Here, I explore uncertainties, decisions, and a pivotal move to Belgium, where collaboration with Adrian Liston at VIB-KU Leuven marked a maturity phase. Amid personal milestones like pregnancy and the challenges of balancing parenthood with a burgeoning career, I would like to highlight the crucial role of support systems and a thriving research environment. My journey so far culminates in the establishment of a lab, the pursuit of a permanent position, and the appointment as an assistant professor at KU Leuven.

In order to solve the concerns of the upper computer of the UAV’s limited storage capacity and the challenge of balancing the detection speed and accuracy of prior models, an upgraded real-time target identification approach ideal for insulator defect detection is created. The algorithm is based on the YOLO v7 detection network and uses Wise-IOU to optimize the loss function, ODConv is used in place of the original convolution module to improve feature extraction, channel pruning, and γ coefficient fine-tuning is performed on the model, the network accuracy, speed, and deployment ability are all generally improved. When compared to the original YOLO v7 method, the enhanced algorithm has an average accuracy improvement of 4.4%, a speed improvement of 28.9%, and a volume reduction of 57.7% when tested on the self-created insulator defect data set.

Surgical management can be considered in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) refractory to drug therapy, posterior nasal neurectomy (PNN) is one of the procedures. We developed a unique and simplified method for PNN, we called modified PNN (MPPN) and investigated the improvement in nasal symptoms after MPNN surgery for allergic rhinitis, other surgical outcomes, and surgical complications. In MPNN, following sufficient coagulation of the mucosa along the base of the inferior nasal turbinate, a full thickness mucoperiosteal incision up to the bony turbinate was performed using energy devices. Surgical manipulations to confirm the posterior nasal nerve, such as elevation of the mucosa, are not necessary with MPNN. MPNN was a simple and safe procedure, and no serious surgical complications were observed. Significant improvement in postoperative nasal symptoms and reduction in medication use compared to preoperative conditions.

Key Points Inverted papillomata are benign sinonasal tumours with high recurrence rates. Inverted papillomata recurrence is increased if operated on by a non-fellowship trained rhinologist. Inverted papillomata recurrence can be detected earlier in cases managed by specialist rhinology services. Inverted papillomata should be managed through a clear treatment pathway for sinonasal tumours. Other risk factors associated with increased recurrence include Krouse stage 3 and involvement of the frontal or maxillary sinuses.

Design and Economic evaluation of high voltage transmission line is a complicated process.This paper presents the design process of a 765 KV 100 km long Moheshkhal - Madunaghat transmision line .This study investigates the power transfer capability, line parameters, locational marginal price, and losses.These values are based on analytical methods. A six-bundule conductor model is developed using 30 - 60 - 90 triangle properties. AC optimal power flow is used to validate a three bus test system and evaluate the techno-economic benefits of the 765 KV transmission line. The system load forecast is built based on GDP elasticity method. Two types of conductors ,a cardinal and a tern, are used. The results show that compared to the hexa bundle tern conductor, the bundle of six cardinal ACSR conductor is better for a propesed transmission line. The conductor surface gradient is permissible limit to suppress the audiable noise. Several plausible case studies are examined.The study indicates enhancing the Matarbari- Madughat 400 KV line to 765 KV after 2035.

Lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender individuals have persistent obstacles pertaining to their sexual orientation and gender identity, including but not limited to discrimination, prejudice, assault, limited access to healthcare, and inadequate social support. The present study investigates whether there are racial-ethnic differences in the physical and mental health (MH) of sexual and gender minorities (SGMs). Data from 28,345 adults who participated in the 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System answered questions regarding sexual orientation (SO), transgender identity (TI), physical health (PH), and MH. SO, and TI were associated with overall general health, acute MH, acute PH, and specific chronic conditions. SO, and TI were associated with acute MH, PH chronic conditions, and overall general health, but not acute PH. Bisexuals had more chronic conditions than heterosexuals and worse acute MH than heterosexuals. SO, and TI strongly predicted acute PH and MH status respectively. These findings can assist healthcare providers in developing strategies to reduce health disparities among SGMs.

The dyes with the aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties are significant for a wide range of studies. However, the existing AIE dyes still lack a readily tunable fluorescence switch. Herein, we described a type of structurally distinct dye family (named as XD dyes) with AIE properties. Significantly, the new XD dyes exhibit the advantageous feature over the traditional AIE fluorophores by possessing the intrinsic spirocyclization as a regulatable fluorescence switch. The AIE properties of XD dyes were examined by the spectroscopic studies, particle size analysis, transmission electron microscope, scanning electron microscope, and solid fluorescence. Furthermore, the quantum chemical calculation, molecular dynamics simulation and recombination energy calculation provide the insights into the structural characteristics and the aggregation process of XD dyes. The development of this unique class of dyes could afford new perception and insights for the development of supreme functional fluorescent dyes and probes.

Every year, more and more women are diagnosed with breast cancer, making it the most frequent malignancy among women. Obesity has been recognized as one of the key risk factors for breast cancer development. Although the exact mechanisms by which obesity promotes breast cancer progression remain unclear, several have been identified as likely contributors: insulin resistance, chronic inflammation and inflammatory cytokines, adipokines, and sex hormones. Several disorders, including obesity and breast cancer, have been shown to have altered microRNA (miRNA) expressions, although the implications of miRNAs in obesity-linked breast cancer are just now becoming clear. Obese cancer patients may benefit from using miRNAs as therapeutic targets and noninvasive indicators for diagnosis and prognosis. Recent research has shown that some foods and other dietary components may inhibit the development of cancer and obesity by influencing the production of microRNAs. In this review, we compile the most recent data available on microRNAs (miRNAs) and the molecular targets they regulate in obesity-related breast cancer. Here, we discuss the protective functions of miRNAs in obesity-related breast cancer and the mechanisms by which dietary variables affect miRNA expression. New therapeutic options for the treatment of obesity-associated breast cancer are needed to lessen the disease's prevalence, hence this review was conducted in that spirit.

The rapid expansion of impermeable surfaces in cities has a major impact on urban hydrology. Infiltration of rainwater is reduced and water runs off faster with higher runoff peaks. Urban trees as stormwater management tools are becoming more relevant to reduce flood risks in addition to other ecosystem services. An in-situ field experiment to measure throughfall on Norway maple ( Acer platanoides) and small-leaved lime ( Tilia cordata) was conducted to determine the interception of solitary urban trees with different degrees of surface sealing in the city of Freiburg, Germany. The relationships between rainfall characteristics, tree morphological traits, and the interception behavior were investigated with eight trees per species. 76 recorded rainfall events were evaluated from April to September 2021. Average interception values were higher for small-leaved lime (70.3 ± 6.6%) than for Norway maple (54.8 ± 10.3%) and hence much higher than in a typical forested environment. The average interception loss of all recorded events was 2.58 ± 0.60 mm for Norway maple and 3.73 ± 0.29 mm for small-leaved lime. For both tree species, significant linear correlations were found between the relative interception and other factors like rainfall depths, the leaf area index (LAI), and the plant area index (PAI) (adj.R 2 > 0.45). In contrast to Norway maple, small-leaved lime also showed significant relationships of several tree morphological parameters with the interception (adj.R 2 > 0.43). LAI, which also effects the interception, of both tree species significantly decreased with the degree of surface sealing. Our results provide a better understanding of the interception process of solitary trees for different urban sites and allows to parameterize interception based on measurable properties. However, further field experiments with various tree species need to be conducted to obtain a larger database for typical parameters in models and to support urban planners in managing stormwater runoff.

Emerald ash borer (EAB) ( Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire), an invasive, phloem-feeding beetle native to Asia, has killed millions of ash ( Fraxinus spp.) trees in North America since it was detected in southeast Michigan in 2002. Consistently high mortality of black ash ( Fraxinus nigra) and green ash ( F. pennsylvanica) which often occur in riparian forests is a concern given their role in regulating soil moisture and shallow groundwater levels. We monitored hydrologic processes in a riparian forest in southwest Michigan to assess impacts of EAB invasion and subsequent ash mortality. From 2018-2022, we recorded soil moisture, depth to groundwater and meteorological variables at 15-min intervals throughout the growing season in a canopy gap following EAB-caused ash mortality and in adjacent, unaffected forest in the Augusta Creek riparian zone. Groundwater contributions to evapotranspiration (ET G) were estimated using a groundwater level fluctuation (WLF) method. Significant differences in volumetric soil moisture content (16-26% higher in the gap than forest), average depth to water (10 cm in the gap vs 70 cm below land surface in the forest) and mean daily ET G (0.6 in the gap vs 3.0 mm per day in the forest) persisted across four growing seasons. Within the gap, prolonged saturation of the near surface may be contributing to a shift from a forested riparian ecosystem to herb and sedge-dominated wetland. These differences have implications for an array of riparian zone ecosystem services, a concern given the extent of ash mortality already sustained in much eastern North America.

The hydrological regulation function of glaciers in different watersheds is different. This study took the Yanggong River Basin (YRB) and Urumqi River Basin (URB) as two typical cases, to explore the runoff change differences and their responses to climate factors during 1979-2017 using the Mann–Kendall test and correlation analysis method. In the past 39 years , the annual runoff in the YRB showed insignificant trend of increasing first and then decreasing. In contrast, the URB’s increasing trend was significant. In the YRB, from the 1980s to the 2010s, the monthly runoff extremum occurred earlier than before, and the peak value is decreased. The time of monthly runoff extremum in the URB has not changed, but the peak value is increasing. Both basins showed an increasing trend in the annual temperature from 1979 to 2017, and the temperature rise in the URB was faster than in the YRB. The precipitation in the two basins did not show a significant increase or decrease trend from 1979 to 2017. The main influencing factor of runoff change in the YRB is the precipitation during flood season. The temperature rise causes an accelerated melting of the glaciers and snow cover, which, in combination with the summer precipitation change, contributed to the increase of runoff in the URB. In continental glacier basins with many glaciers, the regulation function of glaciers on total runoff is more significant.

Sonification, or the practice of generating sound from data, is a promising alternative or complement to data visualization for exploring research questions in the life sciences. Expressing or communicating data in the form of sound rather than graphs, tables, or renderings can provide a secondary information source for multitasking or remote monitoring purposes or make data accessible when visualizations cannot be used. While popular in astronomy, neuroscience, and geophysics as a technique for data exploration and communication, its potential in the biological and biotechnological sciences has not been fully explored. In this review, we introduce sonification as a concept, some examples of how sonification has been used to address areas of interest in biology, and the history of the technique. We then highlight a selection of biology-related publications that involve sonifications of DNA datasets and protein datasets, sonifications for data collection and interpretation, and sonifications aimed to improve science communication and accessibility. Through this review, we aim to show how sonification has been used both as a discovery tool and a communication tool and to inspire more life-science researchers to incorporate sonification into their own studies.

Capercaillie in Scotland have declined in number and contracted in range since the 1970s, most remaining in Strathspey on the northwest flank of the Cairngorm mountains. Strathspey, however, is popular for recreation and suffers anthropogenic disturbance from visitors and their use of new forest tracks and remote, off-track areas. Disturbance reduces the area of forest available to Capercaillie. Refuge areas wherein the creation of new tracks is not allowed, and in which recreation is not encouraged, are a management option that might mitigate such effects. We simulate this possibility for the area covered by Forest and Land Scotland’s Strathspey Land Management Plan. Spatially explicit, stage-based matrix models assessed the potential of protecting this population with refuges under ‘optimistic’, ‘central’ and ‘pessimistic’ scenarios based on observed demographic data. Fifteen potential refuges comprised less-disturbed areas of forest still used by Capercaillie. We simulated population growth using combinations of 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 12 and the full complement of 15 refuge areas. An increasing Capercaillie population could be sustained by a network of refuges, but refuges could not arrest a wider population decline due to causes other than disturbance. This suggests that refuges could play a role in mitigating the increasingly damaging effects of disturbance on Capercaillie in the Strathspey LMP but that the birds’ long-term prospects will depend upon improving their performance more widely.

A document by Stefano Martinetti. Click on the document to view its contents.

Singlet Oxygen (SO) is among the most potent reactive oxygen species, and readily oxidizes proteins, lipids, and DNA. It can be generated at the plant surface by phototoxins in the epidermis, acting as a direct defense against pathogens and herbivores (including humans). SO can also accumulate within mitochondria, peroxisomes, cytosol, and the nucleus through multiple enzymatic and non-enzymatic processes. However, the primary location of SO in plants is in the chloroplast, where it results from transfer of light energy from PhotosystemII to triplet oxygen. SO accumulates in response to diverse stresses that perturb chloroplast metabolism, and while its short half-life precludes exiting the chloroplast, it participates in retrograde signaling through the EXECUTER1 sensor, generation of carotenoid metabolites, and possibly other unknown pathways. SO thereby reprograms nuclear gene expression and modulates hormone signaling and programmed cell death. While SO signaling has long been known to regulate plant responses to high-light stress, recent literature also suggests a role in plant interactions with insects, bacteria, and fungi. The goals of this review are to provide a brief overview of SO, summarize evidence for its involvement in biotic stress responses, and discuss future directions for the study of SO in signaling and defense.

Drought threatens plant growth and related ecosystem services. The emergence of plant drought stress under edaphic drought is well studied, whilst the importance of atmospheric drought only recently gained momentum. Yet, little is known about the interaction and relative contribution of edaphic and atmospheric drought on the emergence of plant drought stress. We conducted a gradient experiment, fully crossing gravimetric water content (GWC: field capacity-permanent wilting point) and vapour pressure deficit (VPD: 1-2.25kPa) using five wheat varieties from three species ( Triticum monococcum, T. durum & T. aestivum). We quantified the emergence of plant drought stress on molecular (ABA), cellular (stomatal conductance), organ (leaf water potential) and stand level (evapotranspiration). Plant drought stress increased with decreasing GWC across all organisational levels. This effect was magnified non-linearly by VPD after passing a critical threshold of soil water availability. At around 20% GWC plants lost their ability to regulate leaf water potential via stomata regulation, followed by the emergence of hydraulic dysfunction. The emergence of plant drought stress is characterized by changing relative contributions of soil vs. atmosphere and their non-linear interaction. This highly non-linear response, consequently, is likely to abruptly alter plant-related ecosystem services in a drying world.

In engineering practice, the strength of layered rock often changes in a gradient manner, and the failure mode and strength under dynamic loads of strength gradient composites are important indicators for evaluating their mechanical properties. The Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) technology can measure the material’s constitutive relationship under a fixed strain rate, which is one of the basic means of dynamic mechanics testing. This article uses the SHPB device to conduct dynamic compression tests on sandstone gradient rock, studies its dynamic mechanical properties, and combines the DIC method to study the deformation field and strain field of the test piece, analyzing the dynamic failure mode of strength gradient composites under different impact speeds. By introducing the concept of equivalent wave impedance, it systematically expounds the impact of the impedance ratio in gradient composites and the length of incident waves on the transmission coefficient.

Powder compression is essential in the storage and transportation processes. The compression characteristics of pulverized coal, rice husk and lignocellulose were compared under mechanical and gas pressurization respectively. The experimental results showed that the descending order of relative packing density was lignocellulose > rice husk > pulverized coal under mechanical pressurization, while an opposite trend was observed under gas pressurization. The effect of cohesion properties on compression results, such as inter-particle adhesion force and powder bed cohesion, was also investigated. For mechanical pressurization, the powder bed of cohesive biomass had higher void fraction, which was directly linked to larger relative packing density. On the contrary, gas permeated easily into the biomass powder bed, and the lower pressure drop decreased the compression capacity of gas pressurization. In addition, a model for predicting the relative packing density was proposed with an error of ± 5%.