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The trend that increasingly places importance on environmental protection, ethical behavior towards all relevant stakeholders, and community involvement puts the business practices of large companies and the consequences that business has on society as a whole under the public’s supervision. For this reason, corporate social responsibility disclosures are constantly gaining importance and attracting the attention of the professional and academic public. The aim of the study is to examine the influence of corporate characteristics (ownership structure, age, and size) on CSR reporting on a sample of corporations whose shares are listed on the Belgrade Stock Exchange in the regulated part of the market in the time period from 2017 to 2021. Panel regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses. The results of the survey indicate that the concentration of ownership and the age of corporations have a statistically significant negative impact, while the size of the corporation has a statistically significant positive impact on reporting on corporate social responsibility in the Republic of Serbia.

Chen Qu,1,&ast; Hong-jian Li,2,&ast; Qi Gao,3 Jun-chao Zhang,1 Wei-min Li1 1Department of Ultrasonography, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Ultrasonography, Huai’an Cancer Hospital, Huai’an, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Ultrasonography, Zhongda Hospital Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Wei-min Li, Department of Ultrasonography, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214000, People’s Republic of China, Tel +8613912362309, Email 1005342597@qq.comPurpose: This study aimed to investigate the alteration trends and overlaps of positive features in benign and malignant thyroid nodules of different sizes based on the Chinese Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (C-TIRADS).Patients and Methods: 1337 patients with 1558 thyroid nodules were retrospectively recruited from November 2021 to December 2023. These nodules were divided into three groups according to maximum diameter: A (≤ 10 mm), B (10– 20 mm), and C (≥ 20 mm). C-TIRADS positive features were compared between benign and malignant thyroid nodules of different sizes. In addition, the trends of positive features with changes in nodule size among malignant thyroid nodules were analyzed.Results: The incidence of positive features in malignant thyroid nodules was higher than that in benign. As benign nodules grow, the incidence of all positive features showed a linear decreasing trend (Z values were 72.103, 101.081, 17.344, 33.909, and 129.304, P values < 0.001). With the size of malignant thyroid nodules increased, vertical orientation, solid, marked hypoechogenicity, and ill-defined/irregular margins/extrathyroidal extension showed a linear decreasing trend (Z = 148.854, 135.378, 8.590, and 69.239, respectively; P values < 0.05), while suspicious microcalcifications showed a linear increasing trend (Z = 34.699, P< 0.001). In terms of overlapping characteristics, group A had a significantly higher overlapping rate than the other two groups, and the overlapping rate of solid indicators remained the highest among all three groups (P < 0.05).Conclusion: Differences in positive features were observed between thyroid nodules of different sizes. Except for suspicious microcalcifications, the incidence of other four positive features decreased with increasing nodule size. In addition, a negative correlation was observed between the overlap rate and nodule size. These results may provide a basis for sonographers to upgrade or downgrade thyroid nodules based on their own experience.Keywords: size, thyroid, C-TIRADS, ultrasound

20CrMnTi steel is widely used in the gear manufacturing field of engineering machinery. The addition of Ti element to steel can effectively improve its low-temperature impact toughness and enhance its mechanical properties. However, during the smelting process of 20CrMnTi, large-sized TiN inclusions are inevitably formed in the steel, which affects its service performance improvement. This paper focuses on the directional modification behaviors of TiN inclusions in 20CrMnTi gear steel by rare earth Ce under deoxygenation conditions of Si–Ca–Ba alloy. The results show that under the deoxygenation conditions of Si–Ca–Ba alone, there are composite inclusions in 20CrMnTi steel with CaAl12O19 as the core and TiN wrapped around the periphery, all of which have sizes greater than 2 μm. This type of inclusion is square or diamond shaped, and the addition of Si–Ca–Ba deoxygenation alone has poor TiN modification effect on gear steel 20CrMnTi. Adding Ce element can effectively improve the nucleation core of inclusions. The CeAlO3–TiN and (CaAl12O19–Ba–Ce)–TiN composite inclusions are formed, and the TiN inclusions are modified in terms of morphology and size. The average size of inclusions decreases from 4.1 to 3.0 μm, which prevented the excessive growth of pure TiN inclusions to some extent.

Abstract Background Bronchial arterial embolization (BAE) has been accepted as an effective treatment for bronchiectasis-related hemoptysis. However, rare clinical trials compare different sizes of specific embolic agents. This study aims to evaluate whether different Embosphere microsphere sizes change the outcome of BAE. Methods A retrospective review was conducted on consecutive patients with bronchiectatic hemoptysis who were scheduled to undergo BAE treatment during a period from January 2018 to December 2022. The patients received BAE using microspheres of different sizes: group A patients were treated with 500–750 μm microspheres, and group B patients were treated with 700–900 μm microspheres. The cost of embolic microspheres (Chinese Yuan, CNY), duration of hospitalization, complications, and hemoptysis-free survival were compared between patients in group A and those in group B. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to identify predictors of recurrent hemoptysis. Results Median follow-up was 30.2 months (range, 20.3–56.5 months). The final analysis included a total of 112 patients (49–77 years of age; 45 men). The patients were divided into two groups: group A (N = 68), which received 500–750 μm Embosphere microspheres, and group B (N = 44), which received 700–900 μm Embosphere microspheres. Except for the cost of embolic microspheres(group A,5314.8 + 1301.5 CNY; group B, 3644.5 + 1192.3 CNY; p = 0.042), there were no statistically significant differences in duration of hospitalization (group A,7.2 + 1.4 days; group B, 8 + 2.4days; p = 0.550), hemoptysis-free survival (group A, 1-year, 2-year, 3-year, 85.9%, 75.8%, 62.9%; group B, 1-year, 2-year, 3-year, 88.4%, 81.2%,59.4%;P = 0.060), and complications(group A,26.5%; group B, 38.6%; p = 0.175) between the two groups. No major complications were observed. The multivariate analysis results revealed that the presence of cystic bronchiectasis (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.12–2.83; P = 0.001) and systemic arterial-pulmonary shunts (SPSs) (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.10–2.72; P = 0.028) were independent risk factors for recurrent bleeding. Conclusions For the treatment of BAE in patients with bronchiectasis-related hemoptysis, 500–750 μm diameter Embosphere microspheres have a similar efficacy and safety profile compared to 700–900 μm diameter Embosphere microspheres, especially for those without SPSs or cystic bronchiectasis. Furthermore, the utilization of large-sized (700–900 μm) Embosphere microspheres is associated with the reduced cost of an embolic agent.

Objectives: The study aims to know the evolution of ‌the size of the elderly and their geographical ‌distribution in Anbar Governorate for the period (1997-‌‌2020) By showing the numbers and percentages of the ‌elderly in Anbar Governorate during the study period, ‌and what is the geographical distribution of the elderly ‌‌(65 years and over) in Anbar Governorate.‌Method: The study adopted the historical approach to ‌track the phenomenon to understand the historical path ‌of changing the size of the family, with the regional ‌approach within the administrative boundaries of ‌Anbar.‌Results: The study showed that the number of elderly ‌people increased continuously, reaching (29,616) ‌people, by (2.9%), in 1997, to increase to (40,457) ‌people and by (2.7%), in 2007, then the number ‌reached (41,573) people and by (2.2%), of the total ‌population of the governorate in 2020, as the increase ‌in births led to a decrease in the percentage of the ‌elderly compared to the increase in their numbers. She ‌showed that there is a slight increase in the percentage ‌of elderly people in urban areas compared to rural ‌areas, and this is a result of the provision of services to ‌some extent, especially health care.‌Conclusion: The State shall provide data regarding the ‌inventory and census of the elderly periodically and to ‌know their most prominent problems through field ‌visits through the social researcher, periodically, and ‌increase public services, especially health services for ‌the elderly. And work on creating recreational places, ‌gardens or parks for the elderly, as they are in dire ‌need of a clean atmosphere and a change in their daily ‌routine.‌

Background and objective Current studies suggest that for early-stage lung cancers with a component of ground-glass opacity measuring ≤2 cm, sublobar resection is suitable if it ensures adequate margins. However, lobectomy may be necessary for some cases to achieve this. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of size and depth on surgical techniques for wedge resection, segmentectomy, and lobectomy in early-stage lung cancer ≤2 cm, and to determine methods for ensuring a safe resection margin during sublobar resections. Methods Clinical data from 385 patients with early-stage lung cancer ≤2 cm, who underwent lung resection in 2022, were subject to a retrospective analysis, covering three types of procedures: wedge resection, segmentectomy and lobectomy. The depth indicator as the OA value, which is the shortest distance from the inner edge of a pulmonary nodule to the opening of the corresponding bronchus, and the AB value, which is the distance from the inner edge of the nodule to the pleura, were measured. For cases undergoing lobectomy and segmentectomy, three-dimensional computed tomography bronchography and angiography (3D-CTBA) was performed to statistically determine the number of subsegments required for segmentectomy. The cutting margin width for wedge resection and segmentectomy was recorded, as well as the specific subsegments and their quantities removed during lung segmentectomy were documented. Results In wedge resection, segmentectomy, and lobectomy, the sizes of pulmonary nodules were (1.08±0.29) cm, (1.31±0.34) cm and (1.50±0.35) cm, respectively, while the depth of the nodules (OA values) was 6.05 (5.26, 6.85) cm, 4.43 (3.27, 5.43) cm and 3.04 (1.80, 4.18) cm for each procedure, showing a progressive increasing trend (P2 cm demonstrated a higher proportion of cases with resection margins less than 2 cm compared to those with margins greater than 2 cm (29.03% vs 12.90%, P=0.019). When utilizing the size of the nodule as the criterion for resection margin, the instances with AB value >2 cm continued to show a higher proportion in the ratio of margin distance to tumor size less than 1 (37.50% vs 17.39%, P=0.009). The median number of subsegments for segmentectomy was three, whereas lobectomy cases requiring segmentectomy involved five subsegments (P

Abstract Wheat is a staple food crop that provides a significant portion of the world's daily caloric intake, serving as a vital source of carbohydrates and dietary fiber for billions of people. Seed shape studies of wheat typically involve the use of digital image analysis software to quantify various seed shape parameters such as length, width, area, aspect ratio, roundness, and symmetry. This study presents a comprehensive investigation into the water-absorbing capacity of seeds from 120 distinct wheat lines, leveraging digital image analysis techniques facilitated by SmartGrain software. Water absorption is a pivotal process in the early stages of seed germination, directly influencing plant growth and crop yield. SmartGrain, a powerful image analysis tool, was employed to extract precise quantitative data from digital images of wheat seeds, enabling the assessment of various seed traits in relation to their water-absorbing capacity. The analysis revealed significant transformations in seed characteristics as they absorbed water, including changes in size, weight, shape, and more. Through statistical analysis and correlation assessments, we identified robust relationships between these seed traits, both before and after water treatment. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering (AHC) were employed to categorize genotypes with similar trait patterns, providing insights valuable for crop breeding and genetic research. Multiple linear regression analysis further elucidated the influence of specific seed traits, such as weight, width, and distance, on water-absorbing capacity. Our study contributes to a deeper understanding of seed development, imbibition, and the crucial role of water absorption in wheat. These insights have practical implications in agriculture, offering opportunities to optimize breeding programs for improved water absorption in wheat genotypes. The integration of SmartGrain software with advanced statistical methods enhances the reliability and significance of our findings, paving the way for more efficient and resilient wheat crop production. Significant changes in wheat seed shape parameters were observed after imbibition, with notable increases in area, perimeter, length, width, and weight. The length-to-width ratio (LWR) and circularity displayed opposite trends, with higher values before imbibition and lower values after imbibition.

Most developed and emerging economies pay substantial attention to liquidity to understand stock return behavior. However, there is a need for more focus on understanding the impact of such factors on stock returns in developing countries such as Nepal. This study aims to examine the effect of liquidity, size, financial and asset risk, growth potential, and profitability on stock returns in Nepalese commercial banks. A pooled ordinary least squares regression model is utilized, employing data from the Central Bank of Nepal and the Nepal Stock Exchange. There are 249 observations in the data set, which covers the period from 2009/10 to 2019/20. The model considers the impact of trading volume, market capitalization, book-to-market ratio, asset growth, and return on asset on stock returns in Nepalese commercial banks. The results indicate that trading volume, a proxy of liquidity, positively affects stock returns in Nepalese commercial banks. The finding reveals that when other variables are held constant, a 0.288 percent increase in stock returns is expected for a one percent rise in trading volume. However, asset growth and return on assets show a weakly favorable link with stock returns in Nepal. Conversely, the research findings suggest an insignificant inverse correlation between book-to-market and stock returns. A decrease in stock returns of 0.307 percent is expected for a one percent increase in the book-to-market ratio. Similarly, market capitalization has a negligible effect on stock returns in Nepal.

Herein, we report the facile synthesis of ZnSe/HPMC (Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose) nanocomposites by in-situ method. The biodegradable HPMC polymer acts as capping molecule as well as polymer matrix. The optical and structural properties of ZnSe/HPMC nanocomposites were studied by optical absorption, photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD and TEM measurements. Size of the ZnSe nanoparticles was tuned by controlling the pH of the reaction. As prepared ZnSe nanoparticles were spherical in shape, homogeneously distributed in the polymer and XRD patterns exhibit face centred cubic phase. The present method is a novel approach for the synthesis of ZnSe nanoparticles using HPMC as a capping molecule as well as matrix to develop nanocomposite.

AbstractPrevious research has examined the relationship between ESG disclosure and firm value, but it has yet to fully explain how the former can increase the latter. Thus, the current study aims to fill the research gap by analyzing the relationship between ESG disclosure and firm value with competitive advantage as a mediating variable. This research was conducted in Indonesia on the ground that Indonesia is a developing country with a great potential for an increased economy even though its ESG implementation is still less optimal. This study employed the purposive sampling method with the criteria that the companies to be included as the sample were non-financial companies listed on the IDX and were consistent in disclosing ESG and publishing their financial reports. The sample of this study comprised 42 non-financial companies in Indonesia within the 2015–2021 period, with a total of 252 observations were conducted. The data were analysed using PLS-SEM with WarpPLS 7.0 to test hypotheses and draw conclusions. The findings showed that ESG disclosure did not affect firm value. However, when competitive advantage was included as a mediating variable in the relationship between the two variables, the results showed a significant positive direction toward firm value. This research contributes to the practical implications and development of signal theory and resource theory, especially in accounting and sustainability disciplines in the context of non-financial companies.

Microscopy is often the first step in microplastic analysis and is generally followed by spectroscopy to confirm material type. The value of microscopy lies in its ability to provide count, size, color, and morphological information to inform toxicity and source apportionment. To assess the accuracy and precision of microscopy, we conducted a method evaluation study. Twenty-two laboratories from six countries were provided three blind spiked clean water samples and asked to follow a standard operating procedure. The samples contained a known number of microplastics with different morphologies (fiber, fragment, sphere), colors (clear, white, green, blue, red, and orange), polymer types (PE, PS, PVC, and PET), and sizes (ranging from roughly 3-2000 μm), and natural materials (natural hair, fibers, and shells; 100-7000 μm) that could be mistaken for microplastics (i.e., false positives). Particle recovery was poor for the smallest size fraction (3-20 μm). Average recovery (±StDev) for all reported particles >50 μm was 94.5 ± 56.3%. After quality checks, recovery for >50 μm spiked particles was 51.3 ± 21.7%. Recovery varied based on morphology and color, with poorest recovery for fibers and the largest deviations for clear and white particles. Experience mattered; less experienced laboratories tended to report higher concentration and had a higher variance among replicates. Participants identified opportunity for increased accuracy and precision through training, improved color and morphology keys, and method alterations relevant to size fractionation. The resulting data informs future work, constraining and highlighting the value of microscopy for microplastics.

Purpose: This retrospective study aims to describe anatomical parameters of omphaloceles and to analyze their association with anatomical, genetic, or syndromic malformations. Methods: Cases were selected from digital records of two university centers, a certified regional registry and personal records. Patients from 1998 to 2018 with omphalocele and live birth (LB), termination of pregnancy due to fetal anomaly (TOPFA) and fetal death (FD) were included. Cases born outside Western Switzerland and/or with upper or lower coelosomy were excluded. Results: We analyzed 162 cases with the following distribution: 57 (35%) LB, 91 (56%) TOPFA and 14 (9%) FD. TOPFA was significantly more frequently performed in cases with non-isolated omphalocele, i.e., omphaloceles with associated major malformations (especially cardiovascular and genitourinary), genetic/chromosomal anomalies, or syndromes. For LB, associated anatomical malformations, genetic or chromosomal anomalies were not significantly associated with the size of the omphalocele or the liver involvement. Conclusions: The proportion of cases resulting in TOPFA was higher among fetuses with major malformations, genetic or chromosomal anomalies. Despite the large size of this cohort, and in contrary to previous publications, the size of the omphalocele and/or liver involvement does not allow for conclusions regarding the presence or number of associated malformations, genetic or chromosomal anomalies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A graph is said to be k -factor-critical if deleting any of its k vertices results in a graph with a perfect matching. In this paper, we establish three sufficient conditions for a graph with given minimum degree to be k -factor-critical. These three sufficient conditions include the following: the size condition, Q -index condition and distance spectral radius condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cactus is a connected graph in which each edge is contained in at most one cycle. We generalize the concept of cactus graphs, i.e., a k -cactus is a connected graph in which each edge is contained in at most k cycles where k ≥ 1. It is well known that every cactus with n vertices has at most ⌊ 3 2 (n − 1) ⌋ edges. Inspired by it, we attempt to establish analogous upper bounds for general k -cactus graphs. In this paper, we first characterize k -cactus graphs for 2 ≤ k ≤ 4 based on the block decompositions. Subsequently, we give tight upper bounds on their sizes. Moreover, the corresponding extremal graphs are also characterized. However, for larger k , this extremal problem remains unsolved. Besides, we prove that every 2-connected k -cactus (k ≥ 1) with n vertices has at most n + k − 1 edges, and the bound is tight if n ≥ k + 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The A α -matrix of a graph G was defined by Nikiforov in 2017 as A α (G) = α D (G) + (1 − α) A (G) , where α ∈ [ 0 , 1 ] , D (G) and A (G) are the diagonal matrix of degrees and the adjacency matrix respectively. The largest eigenvalue of A α (G) is called A α -index of G. In this paper, we completely determine the extremal graphs with maximal A α -index among all graphs with size m , domination number γ and no isolated vertices for α ∈ [ 1 2 , 1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: The most important part of an orthodontic attachment (bracket or tube) is the tube or slot for the insertion of the orthodontic wire. Aligning teeth along the archwire according to angular values preadjusted in the bracket slots (or tubes) requires a very precise size accordance between the archwires and slots. The aim of this study was to perform a nanotomographic analysis of the geometric features of molar tubes for direct bonding in terms of their dimensions and angles of their inner walls and analyze the presence of metallurgic imperfections. (2) Methods: Orthodontic tubes (n = 100) for upper right first molars from five different manufacturers (3M-Victory Series, Adenta-Bond Sing, Dentaurum-Ortho Cast M, GC-L LP, and ORMCO-Accent), 20 tubes each, were subjected to nanotomographic analysis. Measurements of the inner channel of the tubes, angles between the walls, and analysis of metallurgic imperfections were performed using high-resolution computed tomography. (3) Results: height measurements differed by 4–14% from ideal values declared by manufacturers, whereas the angles ranged from reducing by a maximum 1% comparing to values declared (hypodivergent walls) to increasing by a maximum 4.5% (divergent walls). (4) Conclusions: 1. The sizes of channels measured were slightly larger than those declared by manufacturers. 2. Slight deviations in wall parallelism and angles between the walls were found. 3. Some tubes were characterized by manufacturing defects of the metal. 4. Efforts should be made to further improve the production process of orthodontic attachments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between fish total length and otolith length, width, and weight were inspected in the golden grey mullet, Chelon auratus, collected from the Mediterranean Sea coast of Libya and Ain Ziana, an inland lagoon located northeast of the Libyan coast. Chelon auratus is considered a valuable marketable fish in Libya. The main aim of the study was to estimate the statistical relationship between fish total length and the otolith length, width, and weight. This information will be noteworthy in the upcoming analyses on the biology of this species, which will provide critical information about feeding, age and growth of this species. Linear and non-linear regression models were used. The regression equations for each locality were significantly different, with exception of the right and left weight of individuals collected from the Mediterranean Sea coast as well as for the Ain Ziana Lagoon. The regression relationships were more homogeneous in Ain Ziana Lagoon than in the Mediterranean Sea, where there was greater variation in total length and otolith characteristics. The results obtained from this investigation were the first to address the relationship between otolith morphometric and total length for golden grey mullets collected from two localities in the Libyan waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ensemble perception refers to the ability to accurately and rapidly perceive summary statistical representations of specific features from a group of similar objects. However, the specific type of representation involved in this perception within a three-dimensional (3-D) environment remains unclear. In the context of perspective viewing with stereopsis, distal stimuli can be projected onto the retina as different forms of proximal stimuli based on their distances, despite sharing similar properties, such as object size and spatial frequency. This study aimed to investigate the effects of distal and proximal stimuli on the perception of summary statistical information related to orientation. In our experiment, we presented multiple Gabor patches in a stereoscopic environment, allowing us to measure the discrimination threshold of the mean orientation. The object size and spatial frequency were fixed for all patches regardless of depth. However, the physical angular size and absolute spatial frequency covaried with the depth. The results revealed the threshold elevation with depth expansion, especially when the patches formed two clusters at near and far distances, leading to large variations in their retinotopic representations. This finding indicates a minor contribution of similarity of the distal stimuli. Subsequent experiments demonstrated that the variability in physical angular size of the patches significantly influenced the threshold elevation in contrast to that of binocular disparity and absolute spatial frequency. These findings highlight the critical role of physical angular size variability in perceiving mean orientations within the 3-D space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We can grasp various features of the outside world using summary statistics efficiently. Among these statistics, variance is an index of information homogeneity or reliability. Previous research has shown that visual variance information in the context of spatial integration is encoded directly as a unique feature, and currently perceived variance can be distorted by that of the preceding stimuli. In this study, we focused on variance perception in temporal integration. We investigated whether any variance aftereffects occurred in visual size and auditory pitch. Furthermore, to examine the mechanism of cross-modal variance perception, we also investigated whether variance aftereffects occur between different modalities. Four experimental conditions (a combination of sensory modalities of adaptor and test: visual-to-visual, visual-to-auditory, auditory-to-auditory, and auditory-to-visual) were conducted. Participants observed a sequence of visual or auditory stimuli perturbed in size or pitch with certain variance and performed a variance classification task before and after the variance adaptation phase. We found that in visual size, within modality adaptation to small or large variance, resulted in a variance aftereffect, indicating that variance judgments are biased in the direction away from that of the adapting stimulus. In auditory pitch, within modality adaptation to small variance caused variance aftereffect. For cross-modal combinations, adaptation to small variance in visual size resulted in variance aftereffect. However, the effect was weak, and variance aftereffect did not occur in other conditions. These findings indicate that the variance information of sequentially presented stimuli is encoded independently in visual and auditory domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether breast cancer patients at stage T2N0 with tumor size ≥4 cm and <4 cm. Method: Patients with T2N0 stage breast cancer diagnosed between 2010 and 2019 were analyzed in 2 groups as <4 cm (T2a) and ≥4 cm (T2b) in the study using the SEER 17 Research Plus database. The patients' clinicopathological characteristics and oncological outcomes were included. Group comparisons of prognostic factors, overall survival (OS), and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were made. Results: In this study, which involved 70971 patients, the T2a group had higher 5-year OS rate (87.2 ±.2 vs 80.8 ±.5%) and 5-year CSS rate (93.7 ±.1% vs 89.4 ±.4%) than the T2b group (P <.001). Univariate analysis revealed that the overall risk of death was 1.5 times higher in T2b than T2a (HR: 1.533 [95% CI: 1.450-1.622], P <.001), whereas multivariate analysis demonstrated the risk was 1.4 times higher (HR: 1.384 [95% CI: 1.307-1.466], P <.001). The risk of cancer-specific death was 1.7 times higher in univariate analysis (HR: 1.691 [95% CI: 1.561-1.832], P <.001) and 1.4 times higher in multivariate analysis (HR: 1.420 [95% CI: 1.309-1.541], P <.001). Conclusion: Overall survival and BCSS rates in stage T2b breast cancer patients are significantly lower than in T2a patients. Tumor size ≥4 cm in breast cancer is a negative predictor of prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores cryptocurrency investment strategies by adapting the robust framework of factor investing, traditionally applied in equity markets, to the distinctive landscape of cryptocurrency assets. It conducts an in-depth examination of 31 prominent cryptocurrencies from December 2017 to December 2023, employing the Fama–MacBeth regression method and portfolio regressions to assess the predictive capabilities of market, size, value, and momentum factors, adjusted for the unique characteristics of the cryptocurrency market. These characteristics include high volatility and continuous trading, which differ markedly from those of traditional financial markets. To address the challenges posed by the perpetual operation of cryptocurrency trading, this study introduces an innovative rebalancing strategy that involves weekly adjustments to accommodate the market's constant fluctuations. Additionally, to mitigate issues like autocorrelation and heteroskedasticity in financial time series data, this research applies the Newey–West standard error approach, enhancing the robustness of regression analyses. The empirical results highlight the significant predictive power of momentum and value factors in forecasting cryptocurrency returns, underscoring the importance of tailoring conventional investment frameworks to the cryptocurrency context. This study not only investigates the applicability of factor investing in the rapidly evolving cryptocurrency market, but also enriches the financial literature by demonstrating the effectiveness of combining Fama–MacBeth cross-sectional analysis with portfolio regressions, supported by Newey–West standard errors, in mastering the complexities of digital asset investments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A unified qualitative model is presented to study the impact of size, shape, crystal structure and dimension on the energy band gap of nanostructures. The formulated approach is based on the Bond energy model used to determine the relative melting temperature of nanosolids. The model approach depends on size, dimension, crystal structure and shapeof nanomaterial. The study is done on AlN, AlP, AlAs, GaN, GaP, GaAs. The formulation is obtained using the Arrhenius relation of electrical conductivity and is used to determine energy band gap expansion with respect to diameter/height of the nanostructures of different shapes. Depending on the shape of the nanomaterial, the surface area to volume ratio varies in nanomaterials that results in the change in the energy band gap value in nanostructure of same size. The study reveals that parameters viz. size, size, shape, crystal structure and dimension results in change in energy band gap value that enhance the possibility of tuning the optical properties of nanostructures. The model results are compared with the simulated and experimental data available and good agreement of model results with compared data is observed. The shifts in band gap energy of valence and conduction band is determined from the study in GaAs nanosolid. Drop in size at nano level results in increase the band gap energy leading to Raman blue shift. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total dominating set in a graph G $G$ is a set of vertices of G $G$ such that every vertex is adjacent to a vertex of the set. The total domination number γt(G) ${\gamma }_{t}(G)$ is the minimum cardinality of a total dominating set in G $G$. In this paper, we study the following open problem posed by Yeo. For each Δ≥3 ${\rm{\Delta }}\ge 3$, find the smallest value, rΔ ${r}_{{\rm{\Delta }}}$, such that every connected graph G $G$ of order at least 3, of order n $n$, size m $m$, total domination number γt ${\gamma }_{t}$, and bounded maximum degree Δ ${\rm{\Delta }}$, satisfies m≤12(Δ+rΔ)(n−γt) $m\le \frac{1}{2}({\rm{\Delta }}+{r}_{{\rm{\Delta }}})(n-{\gamma }_{t})$. Henning showed that rΔ≤Δ ${r}_{{\rm{\Delta }}}\le {\rm{\Delta }}$ for all Δ≥3 ${\rm{\Delta }}\ge 3$. Yeo significantly improved this result and showed that 0.1ln(Δ)

Tidal marsh restoration is becoming an increasingly common tool to plan for future sea level rise. Subsided marshes' elevation can be restored through sediment additions, which may necessitate the reestablishment of vegetation. Understanding key actions to increase vegetation cover at areas that remain persistently bare following elevation restoration is a critical component of a project's long‐term success. Dominant species can shape ecosystem function, as well as ameliorate stressful environments. We transplanted the dominant species, Salicornia pacifica, into bare areas of a restored tidal marsh in central California, United States, 3 years following a sediment addition. We tested salt hardening of plants before transplanting, targeted irrigation, transplant size, and planting configuration to identify management actions that could help vegetation persist in the most stressful areas of the high marsh. Weekly targeted irrigation until the first rains began was critical for small plant survivorship. We found that larger plants had increased survivorship and contributed higher amounts of growth and cover but did not facilitate the performance of nearby smaller plants. After 2 years, we determined that using lone, larger plants was more cost‐effective than multiple smaller plants at our tidal marsh. However, performance was highly site‐specific with dramatically less growth at a drier site with sandier soil. Our results highlight the importance of identifying site‐specific restoration strategies that either ameliorate or help plants tolerate stressful conditions, contributing to the continued success of tidal marsh restoration for climate resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This work aimed at studying the self‐assembly of lignin macromolecules towards lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) with green solvents and shedding light on a tailor‐made production of LNPs through a meticulous study of different variables. The methodology (antisolvent to lignin solution – method A; or lignin solution to antisolvent – method B), the lignin solvent, the flow rate of solvent/antisolvent addition, the lignin solution loading and the washing step (centrifugation vs dialysis) were examined. Remarkably, method B enabled achieving desired LNPs (127.4–264.9 nm), while method A induced the formation of lignin microparticles (582.8–7820 nm). Among lignin solvents, ethanol allowed the preparation of LNPs with the lowest hydrodynamic diameter (method B=127.4 nm), while the largest particles (method A=7820 nm) were obtained with ethylene glycol. These latest particles were characterized as heterogeneous, irregular, and highly aggregated when compared for instance with γ‐valerolactone counterparts, which showed the most homogeneous (PDI=0.057–0.077) and spherical particles. Moreover, decreasing lignin solution loading enabled the reduction on LNP size and Zeta potential. Dialysed samples allowed the formation of LNPs with lower hydrodynamic size, reduced aggregation, and higher homogeneity. Furthermore, dialysis provided high stability to LNPs, avoiding particle coalescent phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the importance of studying Earth systems and climate change. It explains that Earth systems, such as the atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, biosphere, and cryosphere, help us understand how the planet works and supports life. The article also highlights the impact of human activities on Earth systems and the current drought conditions in the United States, particularly in the southwest and western states. It emphasizes the need for proactive measures to mitigate and adapt to climate change, including improving irrigation methods, desalination, demand management, and respecting the rights and interests of Native American tribes. The article concludes by suggesting various ways individuals can contribute to reducing the effects of climate change, such as using renewable energy sources and supporting local businesses that promote climate-smart practices. [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of Dilemas Contemporáneos: Educación, Política y Valores is the property of Dilemas Contemporaneos: Educacion, Politica y Valores and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This research aims to provide an index model for strengthening MSMEs based on factors that influence the implementation of the green industry, namely size, profitability, management ownership, and profitability. This research used a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design to explain and interpret quantitative results by collecting and analyzing follow-up qualitative data. The population used in this research is all MSMEs in the Borobudur area. The cluster random sampling technique was used to determine the final sample of 70 observations based on the type of MSME business. Based on the results, the size and profitability of MSMEs have a positive effect on the implementation of the green industry in MSMEs, while management ownership and leverage have no effect on the implementation of the green industry in MSMEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoparticles (NPs) are increasingly being used in medical, electronic, energy, and agricultural applications due to their unique properties that often arise due to the high surface area-to-volume ratio. However, this characteristic along with the high reactivity of NPs make these materials highly dynamic in environmental settings. Thus, several transformations can take place when these materials enter the environment that determines their transport, toxicity, and fate of them in our environment. These transformations, and more specifically oxidative dissolution and sulfidation, are directly impacted by the characteristics that a NP has in addition to the surrounding environmental conditions. Therefore, this review aims to summarize how NP characteristics (size, coatings, etc.) and other important environmentally relevant conditions (oxic/anoxic waters, natural organic matter, etc.) impact the oxidative dissolution and sulfidation of several metal and metal oxide NPs. The impact of these factors is crucial to understanding and predicting the environmental risks of these materials in a wide range of applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bronchial arterial embolization (BAE) has been accepted as an effective treatment for bronchiectasis-related hemoptysis. However, rare clinical trials compare different sizes of specific embolic agents. This study aims to evaluate whether different Embosphere microsphere sizes change the outcome of BAE. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on consecutive patients with bronchiectatic hemoptysis who were scheduled to undergo BAE treatment during a period from January 2018 to December 2022. The patients received BAE using microspheres of different sizes: group A patients were treated with 500–750 μm microspheres, and group B patients were treated with 700–900 μm microspheres. The cost of embolic microspheres (Chinese Yuan, CNY), duration of hospitalization, complications, and hemoptysis-free survival were compared between patients in group A and those in group B. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to identify predictors of recurrent hemoptysis. Results: Median follow-up was 30.2 months (range, 20.3–56.5 months). The final analysis included a total of 112 patients (49–77 years of age; 45 men). The patients were divided into two groups: group A (N = 68), which received 500–750 μm Embosphere microspheres, and group B (N = 44), which received 700–900 μm Embosphere microspheres. Except for the cost of embolic microspheres(group A,5314.8 + 1301.5 CNY; group B, 3644.5 + 1192.3 CNY; p = 0.042), there were no statistically significant differences in duration of hospitalization (group A,7.2 + 1.4 days; group B, 8 + 2.4days; p = 0.550), hemoptysis-free survival (group A, 1-year, 2-year, 3-year, 85.9%, 75.8%, 62.9%; group B, 1-year, 2-year, 3-year, 88.4%, 81.2%,59.4%;P = 0.060), and complications(group A,26.5%; group B, 38.6%; p = 0.175) between the two groups. No major complications were observed. The multivariate analysis results revealed that the presence of cystic bronchiectasis (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.12–2.83; P = 0.001) and systemic arterial-pulmonary shunts (SPSs) (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.10–2.72; P = 0.028) were independent risk factors for recurrent bleeding. Conclusions: For the treatment of BAE in patients with bronchiectasis-related hemoptysis, 500–750 μm diameter Embosphere microspheres have a similar efficacy and safety profile compared to 700–900 μm diameter Embosphere microspheres, especially for those without SPSs or cystic bronchiectasis. Furthermore, the utilization of large-sized (700–900 μm) Embosphere microspheres is associated with the reduced cost of an embolic agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A graph G is said to be k -extendable if every matching of size k in G can be extended to a perfect matching of G , where k is a positive integer. We say G is 1-excludable if for every edge e of G , there exists a perfect matching excluding e. In this paper, we first establish a lower bound on the size (resp. the spectral radius) of G to guarantee that G is k -extendable. Then we determine a lower bound on the size (resp. the spectral radius) of G to guarantee that G is 1-excludable. All the corresponding extremal graphs are characterized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent data have identified that certain risk factors for rupture differ between small and larger intracranial aneurysms (IAs). Such differing risk factors make up 5 out of the 6 predictor variables used in the PHASES score, which raises the question on whether IA size has a significant effect on the score's performance. Patients who were diagnosed with an IA incidentally or due to a subarachnoid hemorrhage between 2015 and 2023 were selected for potential inclusion. The median IA size of the cohort was chosen as the cutoff point to categorize small and large (6 mm). The PHASES score was calculated for all patients, and a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to evaluate the classification accuracy of PHASES in predicting rupture for small and large IAs. A total of 677 IAs were included. Among the IAs, 400 (58.9%) presented as UIAs and 279 (41.0%) as subarachnoid hemorrhage. The average PHASES score was 2.9 and 6.5 for small (n = 322) and large (n = 355) IAs, respectively. The PHASES score performed significantly lower for predicting rupture in smaller IAs (area under the curve: 0.634) compared with the larger (area under the curve: 0.741) (P = 0.00083). PHASES was shown to underperform on small IAs. The decision to treat small unruptured IAs remains highly controversial, and the development of a new score to estimate the annual rupture rate while accounting for IA morphology is of great need. Our findings can help encourage future researchers to develop such a score. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this review, we examine mammalian body size as it reflects life history and genomic composition, with a primary focus on canids and the domestication of the gray wolf. The range of variation in body size is greater among Carnivora than any other terrestrial order. In the Canidae, this range is some 2 orders of magnitude. Macroevolutionary patterns (eg, Bergmann's rule and Cope's rule) that have been proposed in the past often fail to comport with modern studies on this aspect of carnivoran evolution. Clades often begin with small to medium size (mesocarnivorans) and diversify mostly in a right-skewed (larger) direction. The observed variation in body size reflects phenotypic plasticity in response to life history. As with many Mammalia, historically high gene flow (hybridization and introgression) among canid lineages has been a crucial source of genomic variation (nuclear and mitochondrial), yielding the potential for high plasticity of phenotypes such as body size. In addition, epigenetic marks connect genetic expression with environmental conditions in the manifested phenotypes. Among Mammalia generally, a larger size is associated with a longer life span, reflecting the foregoing genomic composition and environmental influences over a long geological time. However, the larger modern domestic dog breeds trend toward shorter life spans. The latter appears to reflect genetically mediated phenotypes that emerged secondary to domestication but nonetheless against a background of broadly and deeply conserved developmental and physiological patterns and body plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Small extracellular vesicle (sEV)‐mediated intercellular communication is increasingly the key for the understanding of venous malformations (VMs). This study aims to clarify the detailed changes of sEVs in VMs. Subjects and Methods: Fifteen VM patients without treatment history and twelve healthy donors were enrolled in the study. sEVs were isolated from both fresh lesions and cell supernatant, and were examined by western blotting, nanoparticle tracking analysis and transmission electron microscopy. Western blot analysis, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were adopted to screening candidate regulator of sEV size. Specific inhibitors and siRNA were employed to validate the role of dysregulated p‐AKT/vacuolar protein sorting‐associated protein 4B (VPS4B) signaling on the size of sEVs in endothelial cells. Results: The size of sEVs derived from both VM lesion tissues and cell model was significantly increased. VPS4B, whose expression level was mostly significantly downregulated in VM endothelial cells, was responsible for the size change of sEVs. Targeting abnormal AKT activation corrected the size change of sEVs by recovering the expression level of VPS4B. Conclusion: Downregulated VPS4B in endothelial cells, resulted from abnormally activated AKT signaling, contributed to the increased size of sEVs in VMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In this study, we discuss the dietary characteristics of different sizes and types of dogs (n = 75) from sites relating to different social strata and time periods in Lithuania from the 12th to the 18th C AD. Results demonstrate that the size, type, diet, and health of canines from different time periods and sociocultural environments varied, and elite dogs had different nutrition values to urban canines. Overall, carbon isotopic signals indicate that dogs' diets were based on C3 plant environment foods (cereals and animals), while freshwater fish was more important for some individuals in coastal Klaipėda/Memelburg Castle. In the Middle Ages, the consumption of plant-based foods was likely higher compared to the early modern period, but this varied according to the particular individual. Our study also revealed that the diet was not related to the individual's size. Compared to pigs, dogs had a higher intake of animal foods in their diet. In general, the nutrition of the studied canines was similar to that of the rural human population of the same period. This article presents the results of research that focused on the nutrition and related health issues of medieval and early modern dogs found in the territory of present-day Lithuania. In this study, we present bone collagen carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope ratios for seventy-five dogs recovered from seven sites which were dated back to the between the 12th and 18th C AD. In addition, by studying the remains of almost 200 dogs, we were able to estimate changes in the sizes and morphotypes of canines across over 600 years. On the basis of stable isotope and historical data, as well as the osteometric analysis, we discuss the dietary patterns of different sizes and types of dogs from the sites related to different social strata and time periods. The results of our study demonstrate that the size, type, diet, and health of canines from different time periods and sociocultural environments varied. Overall, carbon isotopic signals indicate that dogs' diets were based on C3 plant environment foods (cereals and animals), while freshwater fish was more important for some individuals in coastal Klaipėda/Memelburg Castle. The stable isotope analysis supported the historical records, indicating that cereals were highly important in the diet of elite dogs. Meanwhile, urban dogs had a different nutrition. In the Middle Ages, the consumption of plant-based foods was likely higher compared to the early modern period. Our study also revealed that the diets of dogs did not correlate with individual size. Compared to pigs, dogs had a higher intake of animal foods in their diet. In general, the nutrition of the studied canines was similar to that of the rural human population of the same period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current, 8th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) anatomic classification and staging model for uveal melanoma does not fully separate survival estimates for patients with advanced stages of the disease (e.g., IIIB and IIIC). Furthermore, some tumors in higher size categories have a smaller volume than tumors in lower categories. Therefore, we developed a novel model for prognostication of metastatic mortality based on estimations of tumor volume. Retrospective, multicenter case series of patients with uveal melanoma involving the choroid, ciliary body, or both. Six thousand five hundred twenty-eight consecutively registered patients treated at 3 tertiary ocular oncology centers on 2 continents between 1981 and 2022. Data on survival, tumor size, and extent were collected for all 6528 patients. Tumor volume was estimated using a simple equation based on largest basal diameter and thickness. Volume-based size categories and stages were developed and validated in independent patient cohorts using competing risk analyses, and correlations with cytogenetic and cytomorphologic features were examined. Cumulative incidence of metastatic death. The 6528 patients were distributed over 7 stages based on estimated tumor volume and anatomic extent (V stages IA, IB, IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB, and IIIC), with a 15-year incidence of metastatic death ranging from 7% to 77%. A new category, V1 min , and corresponding stage IA, were introduced, indicating an excellent prognosis. Metastatic mortality in V stage IIIC was significantly higher than that in V stage IIIB (P = 0.03), whereas incidence curves crossed for patients in AJCC stages IIIC vs. IIIB (P = 0.53). Univariable and multivariable competing risk regressions demonstrated higher Wald statistics for V stages compared with AJCC stages (1152 vs. 1038 and 71 vs. 17, respectively). The frequency of monosomy 3, gain of chromosome 8q, and epithelioid cytomorphologic features increased with tumor volume (R 2 = 0.70, R 2 = 0.50, and R 2 = 0.71, respectively; P < 0.001) and showed similar correlations with both AJCC and V stages. Anatomic classification and staging of ciliary body and choroidal melanomas based on estimation of tumor volume improves prognostication of metastatic mortality. Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flat slab is a widely utilized structural system, especially in commercial, residential, and parking garage structures. It has major advantages, including its architectural flexibility and low construction cost. In contrast, it undergoes a major deficiency where bending and shear stresses are concentrated within a very small region, resulting in the well-known brittle punching shear failure. In addition, the slab's capacity is further reduced under the effect of elevated temperature or opening existence. In this study, the RC flat slab behavior was examined under the effect of different temperatures (23, 200, 400, and 600) °C, square opening side length (70 or 200) mm, and the opening location with respect to the column's side in a parallel direction (0 (directly) or 60 mm away). A total of twenty square-shaped specimens of 1000 mm side length and 100 mm total depth were tested, with each of five tested at one temperature value under the effect of concentrated loading applied at the top of a 150 mm square central column. Results revealed that the load–deflection curve behaves like the concrete stress–strain curved under elevated temperatures, where it flattens and moves downward and to the right under increasing temperature values. In addition, increasing the exposed temperature reduces the stiffness of the specimen under investigation significantly, even at a low-temperature value (200 °C). The most significant reduction is observed at the initial loading stage, and differences regarding the opening existence and its size are major. The differences in toughness were found to be significant upon creating an opening within the flat slab regardless of its size, with its being increased by increasing the opening size and location. Finally, the ACI 318 code punching shear predictions were also provided and compared with the experimentally obtained ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is shown that in Peter the Great Bay, the southern part of the range of the threaded sculpin Gymnocanthus pistilliger, its maximum size is larger than in the more northern waters off western Kamchatka. Reliable records of the species in trawl catches begin when individuals reach an absolute body length of 20 cm. Since males reach smaller sizes than females, their records, especially in the north, are less comprehensive. The growth rates of fish in Peter the Great Bay are higher, which is why the fish of the same age are larger here than in the waters off the Kamchatka Peninsula. The weight of individuals of the same size in the bay is also larger. The best growth rates in the area located to the south is determined by more favorable conditions of the aquatic environment. Despite the differences in growth rates, the maximum age of fish reached in populations is similar. The sex ratio with a predominance of females is also similar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consumers' tendency to avoid purchasing cosmetically "suboptimal" fruits and vegetables has been widely recognized as a significant contributor to food waste. However, the mechanisms that shape and influence this tendency remain largely unknown. The current study evaluates the impact of visual perception and taste experience on willingness to purchase and quality perceptions of fresh produce, focusing on two types of suboptimality: small size and abnormal shape. The study employed a 3 × 2 between-subjects factorial design in which participants indicated their perceived quality and willingness to purchase suboptimal tomatoes and sweet peppers in three informational conditions: viewing the vegetable picture (no taste), view then taste (participants tasted a slice after viewing the vegetable picture), and taste then view. The results revealed that, as expected, the abnormally shaped vegetable was judged less favorably than the normal one. The small-sized vegetable was judged more favorably than the regular one, in contrast to the current size regulations applied by retailers. Tasting significantly increased people's willingness to purchase the abnormally shaped produce, but had no effect on the willingness to purchase the abnormally sized produce, nor did it impact the perceived quality of the abnormal products. This study highlights consumer bias towards aesthetic qualities and suggests that direct taste experiences can alter perceptions towards accepting visually imperfect produce, thereby contributing to sustainability and food-waste reduction efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The southern Gulf of Mexico presents a wide diversity of habitats and fish, which makes it important for its natural resources, and the expansion of the fishing, port, and oil industry. In the present study, physicochemical parameters, and the biomass, density, and functional arrangement of the fish community were contrasted over 32 stations and three years (2011–2013) to establish a baseline and assess constraints in the ecosystem diversity and resilience. Were recorded 102 species classified into 14 functional groups (FGs) and four functional independent species (FIS). The species with the greatest effect on the ecosystem due to their biomass and density are three benthic carnivorous species Ariopsis felis, Eucinostomus gula, and Syacium gunteri, and the most representative due to their great length are two benthopelagic carnivorous species, Trichiurus lepturus and Fistularia petimba (~ 234–200 cm total length). There was no spatial or temporal variation related to the physicochemical variables, biomass, density, and functional arrangement and due to the functional diversity and redundancy found, we can conclude that the southern Gulf of Mexico is a stable ecosystem and thus might be resilient. We recommend monitoring seven FGs and four FIS to ensure the balance between the redundant and unique functions in the ecosystem is maintained: ZoNS and ZoNM representing the most redundant functions; ZoS, ZoM, ZS, and NM since they present highly specific diets; PZoM is the only FG including plant matter in their diet; PZoS which include plant matter, and ZoZM, ZM, and NS because of their unique function in the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat is a staple food crop that provides a significant portion of the world's daily caloric intake, serving as a vital source of carbohydrates and dietary fiber for billions of people. Seed shape studies of wheat typically involve the use of digital image analysis software to quantify various seed shape parameters such as length, width, area, aspect ratio, roundness, and symmetry. This study presents a comprehensive investigation into the water-absorbing capacity of seeds from 120 distinct wheat lines, leveraging digital image analysis techniques facilitated by SmartGrain software. Water absorption is a pivotal process in the early stages of seed germination, directly influencing plant growth and crop yield. SmartGrain, a powerful image analysis tool, was employed to extract precise quantitative data from digital images of wheat seeds, enabling the assessment of various seed traits in relation to their water-absorbing capacity. The analysis revealed significant transformations in seed characteristics as they absorbed water, including changes in size, weight, shape, and more. Through statistical analysis and correlation assessments, we identified robust relationships between these seed traits, both before and after water treatment. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering (AHC) were employed to categorize genotypes with similar trait patterns, providing insights valuable for crop breeding and genetic research. Multiple linear regression analysis further elucidated the influence of specific seed traits, such as weight, width, and distance, on water-absorbing capacity. Our study contributes to a deeper understanding of seed development, imbibition, and the crucial role of water absorption in wheat. These insights have practical implications in agriculture, offering opportunities to optimize breeding programs for improved water absorption in wheat genotypes. The integration of SmartGrain software with advanced statistical methods enhances the reliability and significance of our findings, paving the way for more efficient and resilient wheat crop production. Significant changes in wheat seed shape parameters were observed after imbibition, with notable increases in area, perimeter, length, width, and weight. The length-to-width ratio (LWR) and circularity displayed opposite trends, with higher values before imbibition and lower values after imbibition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent observations of nontrivial spin textures and topological Hall effect (THE) in 2D van der Waals (vdW) ferromagnets have stimulated high interest in both fundamental physics and prospective spintronic applications. However, effectively manipulating spin textures and their exhibiting THE, which is the prerequisite for topology‐based 2D vdW devices, remains challenging. Here, the effective manipulation of the magnetic bubbles and THE is achieved in Fe5GeTe2 (FGT) crystals by utilizing Lorentz imaging and electrical transport measurements. The density and size of magnetic bubbles can be modulated effectively as the temperature and lamella thickness change, indicating the role of magnetocrystalline anisotropy and long‐range magnetic dipolar interaction is demonstrated, respectively. More importantly, the spin configurations of bubbles along with THE signal vary with sample thickness, demonstrating a topological transition between skyrmion bubbles and trivial bubbles. The key point lies in the presence or absence of Bloch lines in the stripe domain at different thicknesses. This study presents the reliable manipulations of spin textures and THE in FGT, which may provide valuable insights into the design of 2D vdW devices in spintronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent observations of nontrivial spin textures and topological Hall effect (THE) in 2D van der Waals (vdW) ferromagnets have stimulated high interest in both fundamental physics and prospective spintronic applications. However, effectively manipulating spin textures and their exhibiting THE, which is the prerequisite for topology‐based 2D vdW devices, remains challenging. Here, the effective manipulation of the magnetic bubbles and THE is achieved in Fe5GeTe2 (FGT) crystals by utilizing Lorentz imaging and electrical transport measurements. The density and size of magnetic bubbles can be modulated effectively as the temperature and lamella thickness change, indicating the role of magnetocrystalline anisotropy and long‐range magnetic dipolar interaction is demonstrated, respectively. More importantly, the spin configurations of bubbles along with THE signal vary with sample thickness, demonstrating a topological transition between skyrmion bubbles and trivial bubbles. The key point lies in the presence or absence of Bloch lines in the stripe domain at different thicknesses. This study presents the reliable manipulations of spin textures and THE in FGT, which may provide valuable insights into the design of 2D vdW devices in spintronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand the relationship between the radioactive cesium (Cs) concentration in muscle of Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus and the species' biological characteristics (size, sex, and age) under conditions of ecological equilibrium (i.e., distributed among ecosystem components over sufficient time, and with nearly constant ratios of Cs concentration in organisms to the concentration in water) as existed before the accident at the Fukushima Dai‐ichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS), Japan, in 2011, we examined stable Cs, as it is thought to exist in equilibrium in the environment and behave similarly to radioactive Cs in aquatic animals. The concentration of stable Cs in 241 P. olivaceus (range 216–782 mm total length [TL]) collected in Sendai Bay, approximately 90 km north of the FDNPS, in June–July 2015 was expressed as an exponential function with size as an independent variable; the results show the concentration of stable Cs doubled with an increase in TL of 442 mm. Next, to evaluate the cause of the size‐dependent change in stable Cs concentration, we examined 909 individuals (200–770 mm TL) collected in September 2013–July 2015 to determine their feeding habit based on size. Analysis of the frequency of occurrence of prey organisms in stomach contents showed that sand lance Ammodytes japonicus (55–180 mm standard length [SL]) was the most consistently consumed across size classes. Analysis on a wet‐mass basis showed that A. japonicus and anchovy Engraulis japonicus (65–130 mm SL) were the main food of P. olivaceus sized 200–599 mm TL, whereas chub mackerel Scomber japonicus (120–230 mm SL) and two species of flatfishes (180–205 mm SL) were abundant in the diet of P. olivaceus sized ≥600 mm TL. All these prey items were presumed to have similar concentrations of stable Cs. Based on the above, the effect of diet on the relationship between stable Cs in muscle and fish size was considered negligible. That the diet of P. olivaceus largely did not change with size was also confirmed by C and N stable isotope ratios in P. olivaceus and their prey species. Therefore, the Cs–size relationship is probably determined by changes in the balance between the rate of Cs intake from food and seawater and the excretion rate during growth, both of which change as functions of body mass. Values of stable Cs concentrations among environmental components and animals appear to be a valid indicator for understanding the radioactive Cs distribution in the marine environment and aquatic animals under the equilibrium state, as existed before the 2011 nuclear accident. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]