bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anaemia and iron deficiency in India: a venous blood-based survey of adolescents, adults, and the elderly in eight states
Authors: Kurpad Anura , Laxmaiah A , Chandak Giriraj , Meshram Indrapal , Raman Rajiva , Sengupta Shantanu , Yajnik Chittaranjan , Sachdev Harshpal , Ghosh Santu
Published: February 2024

Background Capillary-blood based surveys suggest that anaemia is rampant in India. However, these estimates may be inflated as capillary blood haemoglobin (Hb) is an underestimate of its true value. The main cause of anaemia is thought to be iron deficiency (ID), but there are no large-scale surveys to confirm this.Methods A community-based (urban, slum and rural) cross-sectional survey was conducted in eight states across India, to estimate anaemia and ID prevalence from venous blood Hb and plasma ferritin (corrected for inflammation), in adolescents, adults, and elderly of both sexes.Results Anaemia prevalence was 44%, 41% and 45% in adolescent girls, adult and elderly women respectively compared to 24%, 21% and 37% in adolescent boys, adult, and elderly men respectively. The overall prevalence varied widely by state, ranging from 12% in Meghalaya to 70% in Assam. Mild anaemia was predominant, at about 50% of overall anaemia prevalence. ID-associated anaemia (IDA) was less than a third of the overall anaemia prevalence, and varied among age and sex groups, only approaching 45% in adolescent girls. IDA was much lower in mild anaemia. Thus, the major proportion of anaemia in all groups was associated with ‘unknown causes’.Conclusions Anaemia prevalence, when measured by venous blood Hb, was substantially lower than earlier capillary blood-based estimates and was predominantly mild. The prevalence of ID associated anaemia was also much lower than anticipated. The major associated aetiology was that of unknown causes, which needs further investigation. These results have policy implications for anaemia prevention and correction.
Secretory leucocyte protease inhibitor regulates bone metabolism and inflammation in experimental mouse periodontitis
Authors: Terao Yutaka , Sasagawa Karin , Domon Hisanori , Hirayama Satoru , Maekawa Tomoki , Isono Toshihito , Tabeta Koichi
Published: February 2024

Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI), mainly secreted by epithelial cells, is abundant in saliva and other mucus secretions. In healthy periodontal tissues, SLPI maintains homeostasis by modulating immune responses and inhibiting tissue destruction through its neutrophil elastase activity. Recently, decreased SLPI levels have been found in severe periodontitis when compared to healthy individuals. In this study, we hypothesized that intragingival administration of SLPI would inhibit periodontal tissue destruction caused by periodontitis. SLPI administration significantly reduced neutrophil elastase activity in periodontal tissue and alleviated alveolar bone loss in mice. Real-time PCR analysis revealed that SLPI administration downregulated the transcription of proinflammatory cytokines and osteoclast-related factors in gingival tissue. In vitro, treatment of bone marrow macrophages with SLPI resulted in the downregulation of osteoclast differentiation. SLPI also inhibited osteoclast differentiation and promoted osteoblast mineralization in vitro. These findings suggest that SLPI prevents periodontal tissue destruction by affecting inflammation and bone metabolism.
Solving integer linear fractional semivectorial bilevel programs
Authors: FALI Fatima , MOULAÏ Mustapha
Published: February 2024

This paper proposes an exact method to solve an integer linear fractional bilevel problem with multiple objectives at the lower level. The proposed algorithm generates the integer optimal bilevel solution, begining by solving the integer linear fractional program of the upper level. Then, the integer optimal solution obtained is tested for optimality of the main problem without going through all the efficient solutions of the lower level problem. If no optimal bilevel solution is obtained, an efficient cut is added to the upper level problem and the next integer optimal solution is determined. The proposed method is based on a classical branch and bound technique for integer decision variables and efficient cuts, which allows may to avoid a large number of non bilevel solutions, thus, shorten the search domain. A numerical example is given and computational experiments reveal satisfying results.
Mathematics Subject Classi cation (2020) 90C29 90C10 90C26 90C57
Preclinical Setup Standardization of the Novel HugoTM Robotic Platform for Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery
Authors: Bianco Francesco , Pangrazio Marco Di , Toti Francesco , Aguiluz Gabriela , Pozza Gioia , Pinto Federico , Martinino Alessandro , Hassan Chandra , Masrur Mario , Chen Liaohai Leo , Hoyert Kelly , Ryan Laura , Giulianotti Pier Cristoforo
Published: February 2024

Recent years have seen new robotic platforms coming to the market, among these, the Hugo™ robotic-assisted surgery by Medtronic is one of the latest. The most significant innovation brought by Hugo™ is the new modular design based on four independent arm-carts, allowing for multiple docking options and port placement configurations. This variability can be challenging at the beginning of the experience and therefore, the development of standardized guides of application has the potential to accelerate the learning curve, facilitate adoption, and ultimately improve surgical efficiency. We conducted a preclinical study at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where 22 human cadaver labs were used to perform upper gastrointestinal (UGI) surgeries to test different potential system configurations and to investigate the systems safety and effectiveness. We successfully developed a reproducible arm-carts setups and port placement configurations for UGI procedures, without recording any major collisions, technical issues, or conversions. This demonstrates that Hugo™ is safe and effective in performing UGI surgery. The data obtained from this preclinical study has allowed to standardize the approach to the abdominal upper quadrants with Hugo™. Although it’s a preclinical work, the initial clinical experiences that have been published so far are confirming our results.
Implementing learning into practice from continuous professional development activities: A scoping review of health professionals’ views and experiences
Authors: Al-Omary Heba , Soltani Abderrezzaq , Stewart Derek , Nazar Zachariah
Published: February 2024

Purpose
Continuing professional development (CPD) is an approach for health professionals to preserve and expand their knowledge, skills, and performance, and can contribute to improving delivery of care. However, evidence indicates that simply delivering CPD activities to health professionals does not lead to a change in practice.
This review aimed to collate, summarize, and categorize the literature that reported the views and experiences of health professionals’ on implementing into practice their learning from CPD activities.
Methods
This review was guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewers’ Manual methodology for scoping reviews. Three databases, PubMed, Embase and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), were systematically searched in February 2023 for articles published since inception. Two independent reviewers screened the articles against the inclusion criteria, and completed the data extraction. Data was summarized quantitatively and the findings relating to views and experiences were categorized into challenges and facilitators.
Results
Thirteen articles were included. Implementation of learning was not the primary focus in the majority of studies. Studies were published between 2008-2022; the majority were conducted in North America and nurses were the most common stakeholder group among HCPs. Five studies adopted qualitative methods, four quantitative studies, and four mixed-methods studies. The reported barriers of implementation included lack of time and human resource; the facilitators included the nature of the training, course content and opportunity for communal learning.
Conclusion
This review highlights a gap in the literature. Available studies indicate some barriers for health professionals to implement their learning from CPD activities into their practice. Further studies, underpinned with appropriate theory and including all relavent stakeholders are required to investigate strategies that may facilitate the integration of learning from CPD into routine practice.
Development of a Prognostic Nomogram for Cancer-Specific Survival in Hepatoid Carcinoma: Insights from a Comprehensive SEER-Based Population Analysis
Authors: Wang# Qing-Zhe , Zhou Yi-Xin , Mu Xiao-Li , Wang Jia-Ling , Zhang Shuang , Chen Ye
Published: February 2024

Background
Hepatoid adenocarcinoma (HAC) is a poorly differentiated extrahepatic tumor that can produce alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). The prognostic factors of HAC have not been fully stated in the literature. Therefore, we present a novel nomogram to predict the cancer-specific survival (CSS) of patients with HAC.
Methods
In total, 265 cases with HAC were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database from 2004–2015. A prognostic nomogram was produced using the discovered risk factors and a Cox proportional hazard regression model. The nomogram's predictive ability was assessed by utilizing the concordance index (c-index), calibration curve, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC).
Results
Multivariate Cox regression showed that metastasis at the liver, surgery, and chemotherapy were independently correlated with CSS. A nomogram was developed using these factors, with a c-index of 0.71 (95% CI 0.71–0.96). Furthermore, calibration curves demonstrated concordance between the predicted survival probability from the nomogram and the observed survival probability. The areas under the curve (AUC) for 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival were 0.80, 0.82, and 0.88, respectively.
Conclusion
Our study successfully formulated a prognostic nomogram that offers promising predictions for the 1-, 3-, and 5-year Cancer-Specific Survival (CSS) of patients with HAC. This nomogram holds potential for practical use in guiding treatment decisions and designing clinical trials.
Beyond Traditional Boundaries: Exploring Vertical Bifacial Photovoltaic System Efficiency
Authors: Badran Ghadeer , Dhimish Mahmoud
Published: February 2024

This paper presents the first comprehensive study of a groundbreaking Vertically Mounted Bifacial Photovoltaic (VBPV) system, marking a significant innovation in solar energy technology. The VBPV system, characterized by its vertical orientation and the use of high-efficiency Heterojunction (HJT) cells, introduces a novel concept diverging from traditional solar panel installations. Our empirical research, conducted over a full year at the University of York, UK, offers an inaugural assessment of this pioneering technology. The study reveals that the VBPV system significantly outperforms both a vertically mounted monofacial PV (VMPV) system and a conventional tilted monofacial PV (TMPV) system in energy output. Key findings include a daily power output increase of 7.12% and 10.12% over the VMPV system and an impressive 26.91% and 22.88% enhancement over the TMPV system during early morning and late afternoon hours, respectively. Seasonal analysis shows average power gains of 11.42% in spring, 8.13% in summer, 10.94% in autumn, and 12.45% in winter compared to the VMPV system. Against the TMPV system, these gains are even more substantial, peaking at 24.52% in winter. These results underscore the VBPV system's exceptional efficiency in harnessing solar energy across varied environmental conditions, establishing it as a promising and sustainable solution in solar energy technology.
Bone loss and osteosarcopenia induced by aromatase inhibitor treatment in elderly patients with breast cancer: the role of intervention with inhibitors of RANK/RANKL system
Authors: casabella andrea , Paladin Francesca , ottaviani silvia , Marelli Cristina , Ponzano Marta , Signori Alessio , Paolino Sabrina , Cutolo Maurizio , Molfetta Luigi , Nencioni Alessio , Murdaca Giuseppe , Monacelli Fiammetta
Published: February 2024

This study explores the efficacy of desonumab in mitigating aromatase inhibitor-induced bone loss (AIBL) and osteosarcopenia in elderly women with breast cancer. The study involved 60 patients (female sex > or equal 65) with non-metastatic breast cancr and undegoing adiuvant endocreine therapy (Letrozole and Tamoxifen). Patients were divided as follows: 30 patients undergoing denosumab therapy (60 mg via subcutaneous injection every 6 months) and 30 patients undergoing bisphosphonate therapy (oral alendronate 70 mg/week). For each patient of the desonumab group bone status and muscoloskeletal composition was assessed by bone densitometry together with comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) and body composition at baseline and after one year of treatment. A significant improvement for trabecular bone score (TBS) at hte lumbar spine, relative skeletal muscle index (RSMI) and whole-body composition (arm, legs and trunk) were observed in the desonumab group compared with the bisphopshonate group. These findings underscore the role of desonumab as an effective strategy in managing AIBL and osteosarcopenia in elderly women with breast cancer and undergoing adjuvant endocrine therapy, which is crucial for improving quality of life, preventing functional decline, and optimizing treatment outcomes
Differences in Sleep EEG Coherence and Spindle Metrics in Toddlers With and Without Language Delay: A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Hong Xinyi , Farmer Cristan , Kozhemiako Nataliia , Holmes Gregory L , Thompson Lauren , Manwaring Stacy , Thurm Audrey , Buckley Ashura
Published: February 2024

Background: Sleep plays a crucial role in early language development, and sleep disturbances are common in children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Examining sleep microarchitecture in toddlers with and without language delays can offer key insights into neurophysiological abnormalities associated with atypical neurodevelopmental trajectories and potentially aid in early detection and intervention.
Methods: Here, we investigated electroencephalogram (EEG) coherence and sleep spindles in 16 toddlers with language delay (LD) compared with a group of 39 typically developing (TD) toddlers. The sample was majority male (n = 34, 62%). Participants were aged 12-to-22 months at baseline, and 34 (LD, n=11; TD, n=23) participants were evaluated again at 36 months of age.
Results: LD toddlers demonstrated increased EEG coherence compared to TD toddlers, with differences most prominent during slow-wave sleep. Within the LD group, lower expressive language skills were associated with higher coherence in REM sleep. Within the TD group, lower expressive language skills were associated with higher coherence in slow-wave sleep. Sleep spindle density, duration, and frequency changed between baseline and follow-up for both groups, with the LD group demonstrating a smaller magnitude of change than the TD group. The direction of change was frequency-dependent for both groups.
Conclusions: These findings indicate that atypical sleep EEG connectivity and sleep spindle development can be detected in toddlers between 12 and 36 months and offers insights into neurophysiological mechanisms underlying the etiology of neurodevelopmental disorders.
Trial registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01339767; Registration date: 4/20/2011
Attitude of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences students towards research
Authors: Mahmoodi Firooz , Beheshti Hannaneh
Published: February 2024

Introduction: Research is essential for societal development and medical sciences. Medical schools should train researchers and promote a research culture. This study assessed the attitude of medical students at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences (TUOMS) towards research.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive design was used to collect data from 268 randomly selected medical students. A questionnaire adapted from Sobczuk et al. measured their attitude towards research. Data analysis was performed using one-sample and Friedman statistical tests in SPSS 26 software.
Results: The results indicated that the students had a positive attitude towards research, but lacked motivation and participation. They rated logical thinking and scientific contribution as the most important aspects of research attitude. The main barriers to conducting research were knowledge gap and financial problem.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that the students are interested in research, but need more support and guidance. The university should offer courses on research methods, increase awareness of research importance and benefits, provide facilities and resources, and enhance attention from officials and professors.
Using Small Area Estimation to Produce Reliable Transportation Statistics: The Case of Household Trips Estimation at The Census Tract Level
Authors: Al-Khasawneh Mohammad B. , Cirillo Cinzia
Published: February 2024

This paper proposes Small Area Estimation (SAE) methods on linked datasets to generate reliable transportation statistics in cases where data on travel behavior is limited or missing. Specifically, household person trips are estimated at the census tract by linking data from the Regional Travel Survey (RTS), the American Community Survey (ACS), and US Census 2020 data. The proposed SAE modeling framework integrates direct and synthetic estimations to produce accurate statistics. Several small area estimation techniques have been employed, including regression-based models and population synthesis for areas with zero samples, as well as the Fay-Herriot model for areas with small samples. For the regression-based models, we assessed several models, including linear, Poisson, negative binomial, and random forest models, using cross-validation analysis. The Fay-Herriot method is also applied to improve estimation precision by combining direct and synthetic estimation approaches. Results showed the proposed methodology's effectiveness in generating reliable estimates in both cases of missing or limited samples. The research highlights the potential of SAE methods in enhancing transportation analysis by integrating diverse datasets and reducing the survey data collection burden. These findings have practical implications for researchers, policymakers, and transportation planners seeking reliable estimates for smaller domains and subgroups using existing data sources.
Deep-Learning Methods for Efficient Real-Time Droplet Tracking in Crop-Spraying Systems
Authors: Huynh Truong Nhut , Nguyen Kim-Doang
Published: February 2024

Spray systems in agriculture serve essential roles in the precision application of pesticides, fertilizers, and water, contributing to effective pest control, nutrient management, and irrigation. These systems enhance efficiency, reduce labor, and promote environmentally friendly practices by minimizing chemical waste and runoff. The efficacy of a spray is largely determined by the characteristics of its droplets, including their size and velocity. These parameters are not only pivotal in assessing spray retention, i.e. how much of the spray adheres to crops versus becoming environmental runoff, but also in understanding spray drift dynamics. This study introduces a real-time deep-learning-based approach for droplet detection and tracking, which significantly improves the accuracy and efficiency of measuring these droplet properties. Our methodology leverages advanced AI techniques to overcome the limitations of previous tracking frameworks, employing three novel deep-learning-based tracking methods. These methods are adept at handling challenges like droplet occlusion and varying velocities, ensuring precise tracking in real-time potentially on mobile platforms. The use of a high-speed camera, operating at 2000 frames per second, coupled with innovative automatic annotation tools, enables the creation of a large, accurately labeled droplet dataset for training and evaluation. The core of our framework lies in the ability to track droplets across frames, associating them temporally despite changes in appearance or occlusions. We utilize metrics including Multiple Object Tracking Accuracy (MOTA) and Multiple Object Tracking Precision (MOTP) to quantify the tracking algorithm's performance. Our approach is set to pave the way for innovations in agricultural spraying systems, offering a more efficient, accurate, and environmentally responsible method of applying sprays. This is a significant step toward sustainable agricultural practices.
Condensation of membrane receptors can be controlled via specific adhesion to supported lipid bilayers with nanoscale topography
Authors: Hu Jinglei , Li Long , Hou Ruihan , Shi Xinghua , Ji Jing , Różycki Bartosz , Song Fan
Published: February 2024

Developing physical methods to modulate biomolecular clusters and condensates on cell membranes is of great importance for understanding physiological and pathological processes as well as for stimulating novel therapeutic strategies. Here, we propose an effective means to control biomolecular condensation on the cell membrane via specific adhesion to a supported lipid bilayer (SLB) with nanoscale topography. The specific adhesion is mediated by receptors in the cell membrane that bind their ligands anchored in the SLB. Using Monte Carlo simulations and mean-field theory, we demonstrate that the nanoscale topography of the SLB can enhance condensation of the receptors associated with lipid microdomains. This enhancement originates from (i) an interplay between the receptor-ligand binding and membrane bending, (ii) an effective attraction between the receptor-ligand complexes induced by thermal undulations of the membrane, and (iii) a rigidity difference between the membrane matrix and lipid microdomains. Our results indicate that SLBs with nanoscale topography proves an effective physical stimulus for tuning condensation of membrane adhesion proteins and lipids in cell membranes, and can serve as a feasible option to control and direct cellular activities, e.g., stem cell differentiation for biomedical and therapeutic applications.
RETRACTED: OTUB1 Regulates Ferroptosis to Inhibit Myoblast Differentiation into Myotubes by Deubiquitinating P62
Authors: Wei Limin , Li Yanhong , Tan Helin , Peng Yue , Liu Qian , Zheng Tingting , Li Feng , Xu Zhongxian
Published: February 2024

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Uncertain prelabor rupture of membranes at term and associated delivery outcomes
Authors: Geron Yossi , Negrin Noam Rozner , Matot Ran , Hendin Natav , Danieli-Gruber Shir , Shmueli Anat , Hadar Eran
Published: February 2024

Background
Prelabor rupture of membranes (PROM) is a common obstetrical event, but its diagnosis is frequently challenging. The aim of the study was to determine whether equivocal PROM cases are associated with adverse outcomes.
Methods
A retrospective study was conducted in a tertiary medical center between July 2012 and March 2022. The cohort consisted of women diagnosed with term PROM (≥ 37 gestational weeks), divided into two groups: (1) certain PROM - suggestive history of a watery vaginal discharge confirmed by visualization of fluid leaking from the cervix or pooling in the vagina on speculum examination; (2) uncertain PROM - suggestive history of a watery vaginal discharge not supported by speculum examination. All patients were hospitalized and gave birth spontaneously or following either expectant management for up to 24 hours from PROM or induction. The primary outcome measure was cesarean delivery rate. Secondary outcome measures were adverse maternal and neonatal events.
Results
A total of 2012 women were included in the study, 1750 with certain PROM and 262 with uncertain PROM. The cesarean delivery rate was 5.8% in the certain PROM group and 8.8% in the uncertain PROM group; the difference was not statistically significant (p = .074). There was a significant between-group difference in the rate of cesarean delivery due to failed induction on univariate analysis (0.69% vs 2.67%, respectively, p = .007), but it was not maintained on multivariate logistic regression (OR 0.37, 95% CI 0.117–1.172). Other maternal and neonatal outcomes were similar in the two groups.
Conclusions
In our study, following the same management guidelines for equivocal cases of ruptured membranes as for confirmed cases of term PROM did not compromise maternal or fetal outcomes.
Oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy with hepatic arterial versus intravenous infusion in metastatic colorectal cancer.
Authors: VALERY Marine , Tanguy Marie Laure , Gelli Maximiliano , Smolenschi Cristina , Hollebecque Antoine , Boileve Alice , de Sevilla Elena Fernandez , Tselikas Lambros , Bonnet Baptiste , Goere Diane , Taieb Julien , Boige Valérie , Ducreux Michel , Malka David
Published: February 2024

Background – Oxaliplatin, a major drug in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), is responsible for a cumulative, dose-limiting peripheral neuropathy (PN). Whether the hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) route can limit oxaliplatin-induced PN in comparison with intravenous (IV) route has not been specifically explored so far. Methods – We compared the frequency and severity of PN in oxaliplatin-naive patients with mCRC included in trials that evaluated treatment with oxaliplatin administered either by HAI (ACCORD 04, CHOICE, OSCAR, and PACHA-01 trials) or by IV route (FFCD 2000-05 trial). We retrieved anonymized, prospectively collected data from trial databases for the ACCORD 04, CHOICE and FFCD 2000-05 trials; and through a review of Gustave Roussy patients’ electronic medical records for PACHA-01 and OSCAR trials. The primary endpoint was the incidence of clinically significant PN (grade 2 to 4) according to the cumulative dose of oxaliplatin received. Secondary endpoints were time to onset of neuropathy as a function of the cumulative dose of oxaliplatin, discontinuation of oxaliplatin for neurotoxicity, and safety. Results – 363 patients were included (IV, 300; HAI, 63). 180 patients in the IV group (60%) and 30 patients in the HAI group (48%) developed clinically significant PN, with no significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.23). No difference was shown in the time to onset of PN, neither (p = 0.23). Conclusion – The administration of oxaliplatin HAI rather than IV in the treatment of mCRC does not seem to reduce the incidence, precocity and severity of PN.
Effect of freez thaw on the solubility the Mesozoic limestone (a case study: Iran, Dorfak karstic area, Guilan province, North of Iran)
Authors: Dehban Maryam , Ghobadi Mohammad Hossein , Mohseni Hasan
Published: February 2024

The present study attempts to survey the Dorfak karstic area in the Guilan province (north of Iran) in terms of engineering geology. To reach of purpose, was collected sample of four lithological unites. Laboratory tests were done to determinate physical, chemical and mechanical properties. Examining the value of softening and freezing coefficients vs. the value of solubility and solubility rate constant shows adversely relation between three variables. Also, any significant relationship wasn’t observed between these coefficients and the solubility rate constant values in samples exposed to 60 freezing-thawing cycles. Because the internal area increasing of porosity due to freezing-thawing cycles was non-calculable for the determination of the solubility rate constant. To investigate the effects of the specific surface area on the value of solubility, SEM images of the samples was prepared in different modes. The study of the effects of the specific surface area in the dissolution process shows that with increasing the specific surface area, the value of calcium ions dissolved in the water in both cases (primary types and Cir. After F-T samples) has increased. Also, by plotting the solubility rate constant value in both cases before and after 60 freezing-thawing cycles vs. the specific surface area was proved that with increasing the specific surface area, the solubility rate constant value in the primary types (P) has increased. In samples after freezing-thawing cycles (Cir. After F-T), solubility rate constant values decreased with an increasing specific surface area. Because the rise of in the area created in these samples due to freezing-thawing cycles was non-calculable for the determination of the solubility rate constant.
Multi-Modal Human Action Recognition in videos using LSTM with Feature Fusion
Authors: Bharathi A. , Sri M.
Published: February 2024

Over past few decades, Human action recognition (HAR) in RGB-Depth videos has been extensively studied on the availability of economical depth sensors. Presently, unimodal methods such as skeleton-based and RGB video-based have achieved significant advancements by utilizing progressively larger amounts of data. Nevertheless, there has been a challenge of extracting the temporal feature in RGB video, spatial feature in skeleton sequence. To solve this challenge, we propose Skeleton-RGB Feature Fusion LSTM (SRF-LSTM) network to combine the skeleton and RGB stream modalities and to recognize actions. The fusion of RGB video and skeleton sequences capture both temporal and spatial information effectively. The proposed SRF-LSTM model performs better with an average accuracy of 90.4% than state-of-the-art techniques on NTU RGB-D dataset.
Carbon beam transmission therapy reverses iron deposits and microglia-driven neuroinflammation and induces cognitive improvement in an Alzheimer’s disease mouse model.
Authors: Lee Won-Seok , Choi Younshick , Kokubo Toshiaki , Hamano Tsuyoshi , Zaboronik Alexander , Ishikawa Takasaki , Chang Won-Seok , Kim EunHo , Kim Jong-Ki
Published: February 2024

Background
Insoluble iron deposits often exist as iron oxide nanoparticles in protein aggregates, impaired ferritin, or activated microglia, and have been implicated as a major culprit of neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease. However, no crucial evidence has been reported to support the therapeutic effects of current iron chelators on the deposition of various molecular forms of insoluble iron.
Methods
We investigated the therapeutic effect of carbon ion stimulation (CIS) via the use of a transmission beam on insoluble iron deposits and the associated biological response in AD mouse brains.
Results
Compared no treatment, CIS dose-dependently induced a 33–60% reduction in the amount of ferrous-containing iron species and associated inclusion bodies in the brains of AD mice. CIS induced considerable neuroinflammation downregulation and conversely anti-inflammatory upregulation, which was associated with improved memory and enhanced hippocampal neurogenesis.
Conclusions
In conclusion, our results suggest that the effective degradation of insoluble iron deposits in combination with pathogenic inclusion bodies plays a role in promoting AD-modifying properties and offers a potential carbon ion treatment option for AD.
GWAS and transcriptomic analysis identify OsRING315 as a new candidate gene controlling amylose content and gel consistency in rice
Authors: Nie Shuai , Chen Luo , Zheng Minhua , Dong Jingfang , Ma Yamei , Zhou Lian , Wang Jian , Chen Jiansong , Hu Haifei , Yang Tifeng , Zhao Junliang , Zhang Shaohong , Yang Wu
Published: February 2024

Background
Cooking quality is the main factor determining the market value of rice. Although several major genes and a certain number of QTLs controlling cooking quality have been identified, the genetic complexity and environmental susceptibility limit the further molecular breeding for cooking quality improvement.
Results
This research conducted a genome-wide association study to elucidate the QTLs related to cooking quality including amylose content (AC), gel consistency (GC) and alkali spreading value (ASV) by using 450 rice accessions consisting of 300 indica and 150 japonica accessions in two distinct environments. A total of 54 QTLs were identified, including 25 QTLs for AC, 12 QTLs for GC and 17 QTLs for ASV. Among them, 10 QTLs were consistently observed by the same population in both environments. Six QTLs were co-localized with the reported QTLs or cloned genes. The Wx gene for AC and GC, and ALK gene for ASV were identified in every population across the two environments. The qAC9-2 for AC and the qGC9-2 for GC were defined to the same interval. The OsRING315 gene, encoding an E3 ubiquitin ligase, was considered as the candidate gene for both qAC9-2 and qGC9-2. The higher expression of OsRING315 corresponded to the lower AC and high GC. Three haplotypes of OsRING315 were identified. The Hap 1 mainly existed in the japonica accessions and had lower AC. The Hap 2 and Hap 3 were predominantly present in the indica accessions, associated with higher AC. Meanwhile, the GC of accessions harboring Hap 1 was higher than that of accessions harboring Hap 3. In addition, the distribution of the three haplotypes in several rice regions was unbalanced.
Conclusion
The three traits of cooking quality are controlled by both major and minor genes and susceptible to environmental factors. The expression level of OsRING315 is related to AC and GC, and this gene can be a promising target in quality improvement by using the gene editing method. Moreover, the haplotypes of OsRING315 differentiate between indica and japonica, and reveal the differences in GC and AC between indica and japonica rice.
Predictors of improvement in disease activity in childhood and adolescent Crohn's disease - an analysis of age, localization, initial severity and drug therapy: data from the Saxon Pediatric IBD-Registry in Germany (2000-2014)
Authors: Weidner Jens , Zoch Michele , Kern Ivana , Reinecke Ines , Bathelt Franziska , Manuwald Ulf , Peng Yuan , Henke Elisa , Rothe Ulrike , Kugler Joachim
Published: February 2024

Introduction: The escalating worldwide prevalence of Crohn's disease (CD) among children and adolescents, coupled with a trend toward earlier onset, presents significant challenges for healthcare systems. Moreover, the chronicity of this condition imposes substantial individual burdens. Consequently, the principal objective of CD treatment revolves around rapid inducing remission. This study scrutinizes the impact of age, gender, initial disease localization, and therapy on the duration to achieve disease activity amelioration.
Methods: Data from the Saxon Pediatric IBD-Registry in Germany were analyzed over a period of 15 years. In addition to descriptive methods, logistic and linear regression analyses were conducted to identify correlations. Furthermore, survival analyses and Cox regressions were utilized to identify factors influencing the time to improvement in disease activity. These effects were expressed as Hazard Ratios (HR) with 95\% confidence intervals.
Results: Data on the clinical course of 338 children and adolescents with CD were available in the registry. The analyses showed a significant correlation between a young age of onset and the severity of disease activity. It was evident that treatment with anti-TNF (Infliximab) was associated with a more favorable prognosis in terms of the time required for improvement in disease activity. Similarly, favorable outcomes were observed with the combination therapies of infliximab with enteral nutrition therapy and Infliximab with immunosuppressants.
Conclusion: Our analysis of data from the Saxon Pediatric IBD Registry revealed that the timeframe for improvement of disease activity in pediatric Crohn's disease is influenced by several factors. Specifically, patient age, treatment modality, and initial site of inflammation were found to be significant contributors. The study provides important findings that underline the need for individualized treatment.
Physical and optical properties of bismuth borate glass doped with different rare earth ions A 2 O 3 (A= La, Ce, Nd, Sm)
Authors: Kashif I. , Ratep A.
Published: February 2024

The physical, structural, and optical features of Bi2O3-B2O3-A2O3 (A = La, Ce, Nd, Sm)-based glasses were examined by measuring the density, optical band gap, volume access, spacing between boron atoms, and infrared (FTIR) and optical analyses. To obtain the optical band gap (Eopt), we applied the extinction coefficient approach. Our work demonstrates how the optical band gap forms and how atomic numbers correlate with all the physical attributes. The fiber ability of the research glasses was good. The glass samples studied are ideal for use as the fiber core material, and The Nd3+ connection is an ionic bond, whereas the Sm3+ link is a covalent bond, according to the bonding parameter. The optimal ions for effective luminescence were determined using spectroscopic techniques.
Bioinformatics Analysis Identified a Crucial Role of Tumor Immune Cell Infiltration in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Li Jiajing , Liu Qi , Zhang Ting , Du Qian
Published: February 2024

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent and aggressive malignancy with limited treatment options. Therefore, the identification of novel drug candidate target genes is crucial for the development of effective therapeutic strategies for HCC. In this study, we employed deeply bioinformatics analysis to identify potential therapeutic targets for HCC. Key genes were identified in HCC, and gene ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway networks were constructed to explore their biological functions and associated pathways. CDK1 and DLGAP5 were highly expressed in HCC and associated with poor prognosis. Additionally, CDK1 and DLGAP5 were found to be associated with tumor immune cell infiltration to promote HCC. These findings provide valuable insights into the development of novel therapeutic approaches for HCC.
A novel multi class disease detection of chest x-ray images using deep learning with pre trained transfer learning models for medical imaging applications
Authors: alsekait Deema mohammed , Krishnamoorthy Mahendran , Muthusamy Suresh , Balakrishnan Baranitharan , Sri S. , Panneerselvam M. , Rameshkumar M. , Abualigah Laith , Saber Abeer , Salama Diaa
Published: February 2024

Images from chest X-rays (CXR) are thought to help observe and research various kinds of pulmonary illnesses. Several works were suggested in the literature for recognizing unique lung diseases, and only a few studies were focused on developing a model to identify joint classes of lung diseases. A patient with a negative diagnosis for one condition may have the other disease, and vice versa. However, since many illnesses are lung-related, a patient can have multiple illnesses simultaneously. This paper proposes a deep learning (DL)-based pre-trained transfer learning (TL) model for effectively detecting and classifying the multiclass diseases of lung CXR images. The system involves five phases: preprocessing, dataset balancing, feature learning, feature selection, and multiclass classification. Firstly, the CXR images are preprocessed by performing filtering, contrast enhancement, and data augmentation. After that, the dataset balancing is performed using the Synthetic Minority Oversampling Technique (SMOTE). Next, the features are learned using a spatial and channel-attention-based Xception Network (SCAXN). The optimal features are selected using nonlinear decreasing inertia weight-based rock hyraxes swarm optimization (NIWRHSO). Finally, the multiclass classification uses a soft sign-incorporated bidirectional gated recurrent unit (SBIGRU). Two public datasets, COVID-19 Radiography (C19RY) and Tuberculosis CXR (TB-CXR), have been obtained from Kaggle, and the outcomes confirmed that the proposed system attains superior results to prevailing methods.
Assessing the Effects of Water and Soil Pollution on Human Health and Fish Populations in the Shohor Modhumoti River, Gopalganj, Bangladesh
Authors: Hossain Md. Rajib , Sanyal Sudershon , Islam Rifat
Published: February 2024

A river is important for both terrestrial and aquatic life forms. The flow of water in rivers, lakes, and streams is influenced by a variety of factors, including the land use and waste management, resulting in major alterations to the flow of the water. In this study, the physio-chemical and microbiological parameters of the river Shohor Modhumati water have been assessed. The samples were collected from three different locations on 10th January of 2023 and 27th February from the Shohor Modhumati river of Gopalganj Sadar Upazila. The biological analysis included identifying bacteria in MacConkey and TCBS(Thiosulfate-Citrate-Bile-Sucrose) agars. The spread plate techniques have been used to identify the bacteria in both the water and soil samples. The results showed that the bacteria in the water samples have a wide range of functional diversity and also contain pathogenic bacteria that can be harmful to humans and fish biodiversity. Physicochemical study included various tests including parameters such as ammonia, alkalinity, TDS, DO. The result of the analysis showed the bacterial load in the river which make it unsuitable for household and recreational use and also below standard for fish biodiversity.
Reconstructing Masked Faces using Variational Quantized Variational Auto Encoders and Recognition using DCNN-ELM Hybrid Framework
Authors: Agarwal Chandni , Bhatnagar Charul , Mishra Anurag
Published: February 2024

The reconstruction of the face has historically been a significant issue in medical and forensic science. The presence of COVID-19 has added a significant new dimension. To model a new face, plastic surgery and informatics are employed, representing cyber forensics with challenges. The classic facial recognition techniques suffer from major drawbacks when face masks are widely used. As a result, new techniques are now being tried and tested to reconstruct a face from a collection of masked facial images. To determine the identification accuracy and other parameters/metrics, these faces are compared to real-world images of the same subject. Our research focuses on the task of post-mask face reconstruction, addressing the pressing need for precise and reliable techniques. We evaluate the effectiveness of three key algorithms: Edge Connect, Gated Convolution, and Hierarchical Variational Vector Quantized Autoencoders (HVQVAE). We use two synthetic datasets, MaskedFace-CelebA and MaskedFace-CelebAHQ, to rigorously assess the quality of reconstructed faces using metrics such as PSNR, SSIM, UIQI, and NCORR. Gated Convolution (GC) emerges as the superior choice in terms of image quality. To validate our findings, we employ five classifiers (Vgg16, Vgg19, ResNet50, ResNet101, ResNET152) and explore Extreme Learning Machine (ELM) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) as novel approaches for face recognition. A comprehensive ablation study reinforces our conclusion that Generative Convolution (GC) excels among the three models. Our research offers valuable insights into face reconstruction amid widespread mask usage, emphasizing innovative methodologies to address contemporary challenges in the field.
Cardiotoxicity from Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors (BTKi) – an analysis of an administrative health claims database
Authors: Vallabhaneni Srilakshmi , Adusumalli Srinath , Wu Jingyi , Groeneveld Peter W. , Gerson James , O’Quinn Rupal P.
Published: February 2024

Background:
First generation Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors (BTKi) such as ibrutinib have been associated with cardiovascular toxicities. Newer generation BTKi (e.g.,acalabrutinib and zanabrutinib) have been associated with lower incidence of cardiotoxicity in clinical trials.
Objective:
Given paucity in real-world data on the overall cardiac risk factor profile, especially with the newer BTKi, our study evaluated the incidence of cardiotoxicity with various BTKi among a large, commercially insured population of patients.
Methods:
We performed a retrospective cohort analysis of all adults with a diagnosis of B-cell malignancy undergoing treatment with BTKi acalabrutinib and ibrutinib between January 2018 and June 2020 using Optum’s de-identified Clinformatics® Data Mart Database. We then identified patients who had pre-existing cardiac disease one year prior to starting BTKi, and six months after starting BTKi to keep drug exposure rates similar. New incidence of atrial fibrillation/flutter, hypertension, bleeding, ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation and sudden cardiac death were compared with standard Chi Square or Student t-test where appropriate. Multivariate logistic regression models were also estimated to evaluate for confounding.
Results:
A total of 1691 patients were included in the final analysis. 1595 (94%, median age 75 (19–90) years, 61% male gender) patients received ibrutinib, and 96 (6%, median age 73.5 (32–90) years, 62.5% male gender) patients received acalabrutinib. The median duration of drug exposure of ibrutinib was 238 (2-1084) days vs 150 (30–870) days for acalabrutinib. There was lower new incidence of atrial fibrillation/flutter (4.6%-vs-17%, p = 0.014), hypertension (6.3%-vs-25%, p = NS), ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation (0% vs 1.5%, p = NS) in the acalabrutinib group within six months of drug exposure compared to ibrutinib, of which only the lower incidence of atrial fibrillation/flutter was statistically significant. This was despite the finding of a higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation/flutter at baseline in patients receiving acalabrutinib.
Conclusions:
There was lower incidence of new atrial fibrillation/flutter with acalabrutinib when compared to ibrutinib in a real-world cohort of patients.
Quantum Neural Networks: A Novel Architecture for Hybrid Quantum-Classical Algorithms
Authors: Gundu Srinivasa Rao
Published: February 2024

The capacity of quantum computing to tackle complex problems faster than general computers might lead to industry revolutions. However, actual implementation is problematic due to limited qubit coherence and inherent noise. Using Quantum Neural Networks (QNNs), hybrid quantum-classical algorithms successfully address optimization problems by combining the benefits of both quantum and traditional computer paradigms. The interface layer, the classical layer, and the quantum layer make up the three fundamental parts of the suggested design. The architecture's performance is contrasted with existing methods to demonstrate its advantages in terms of speed, accuracy, and scalability. With the help of this innovative design, difficult issues that are outside the capabilities of conventional computers can now be tackled, offering a workable solution for issues with finance, logistics, and medication development.
Connecting the Dots Between Stance and Fake News Detection with Blockchain, Proof of Reputation, and the Hoeffding Bound
Authors: salah Ilhem , Jouini Khaled , Pachon Cyril-Alexandre , Korbaa Ouajdi
Published: February 2024

Combating fake news is a crucial endeavor, yet the complexity of the task requires multifaceted approaches that transcend singular technological solutions. Traditional fact-checking, often centralized and human-dependent, faces scalability and bias challenges. This paper introduces a novel blockchain-based framework that leverages the wisdom of the crowd for an authority-free, scalable, automated and reputation-driven fact-checking. Within this framework, stance detection acts as an automated means of opinion retrieval, while the Proof of Reputation consensus mechanism fosters an environment where reputable contributors have greater influence in shaping news credibility. Concurrently, the Hoeffding bound is used to allow the system to adapt to evolving contexts. In contrast to Machine Learning -based approaches, our framework avoids the need for periodic retraining to update a model’s frozen knowledge of the world. The experimental study conducted on real-world data demonstrates that the proposed framework offers a promising and efficient solution to combat the spread of fake news.