bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors Associated with Hospital Length of Stay in Patients with Thoracic Hydatid Cyst Disease Undergoing Surgical Intervention: A Retrospective Study
Authors: ershadi Reza , Salehi Mohammadreza , Roostaei Ghazal , Khoshnam Niloofar , Soltanmohammadi Sara , Amini Hesam
Published: August 2024

Background
Hydatid cyst (HC) frequently affects the lungs, making it the second most common site after the liver. This Study evaluating clinical characteristics, surgical approaches, complications, lab findings, and factors influencing hospital LOS in patients with pulmonary hydatid cysts requiring surgery.
Methods
This retrospective observational study enrolled adult patients who underwent surgery for lung HC between 2017 and 2021. Data were collected using a standardized checklist that included demographics, medical history, laboratory findings, treatment details, surgical characteristics, and risk factors. The primary outcome was LOS. Potential influencing factors included demographics, preoperative symptoms, albendazole use, cyst location and size, extrapulmonary involvement, surgical approach, laboratory findings, and postoperative complications.
Results
A retrospective analysis of 214 patients with pulmonary hydatid cysts identified a male predominance (59.3%; median age, 36 years). Most patients (58.9%) were aged 20–40 and resided in urban areas (65.4%). A history of dog exposure was reported in 25.2% of patients, right lower lobe involvement (51.4%), and synchronous liver cysts in 13.6% of patients. Elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), positive serology, eosinophilia, prolonged air leak (> 5 days), and fever predicted longer hospital stays. Cough (39.3%) was the most common symptom. Cystotomy with capitonnage (95.8%) was the dominant surgical approach.
Conclusions
This study identified elevated ESR, eosinophilia, positive serology, air leak persisting beyond 5 days, and fever as independent predictors of prolonged hospital stay.
Epidemiology of Human Papillomavirus Infection of the Uterine Cervix Among Women in Adama, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Lema Tadesse Fikre , Moleki Mary , Mosalo Annah
Published: August 2024

Background
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection worldwide affecting at least 50% of sexually-active individuals at some point during their life. The world-wide prevalence among women is 11.7%, and the highest prevalence was in sub-Saharan Africa 24%. Persistent human papillomavirus infection with high-risk genotypes is now a well-established cause of cervical cancer (CC) and it was demonstrated that they were present in 99.7% of CC cases worldwide. The main purpose of the study was to determine the epidemiology of HPV infection of the uterine cervix among women in Adama, Ethiopia.
Method
An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 383 women in Adama, Ethiopia, from March-June 2023. A systematic sampling technique was employed to collect data using a pretested, structured questionnaire. The data were entered into Epi-info 7 and analysed using SPSS version 26. Binary logistic regression for bivariate and multivariate analyses with adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% CIs were used to identify factors associated with HPV infection. The level of significance was defined as a p value < 0.05.
Results
The prevalence of HPV infection was 26.6%. The proportions of the most oncogenic high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) genotypes, HPV-16 and HPV-18, were 22.5% and 5.9%, respectively. “Other HR-HPV” genotypes accounted for 63.7%. Being divorced, having postcoital bleeding, having early sexual debut, having multiple sexual partners, having sexually transmitted infections and being HIV-positive were identified as independent factors significantly associated with HR-HPV infection.
Conclusion
There was a greater prevalence of HPV infection in the study area than worldwide. “Other HR-HPV” genotypes were the major oncogenic HR-HPV genotypes identified. Multiple factors were identified as independent factors significantly associated with HR-HPV infection. Awareness creation campaigns and educational programmes about the prevention of HPV infection and associated risk factors need to be implemented in the community.
Analysis of the detection rate and related factors of thyroid nodules in the healthy population
Authors: Han Dandan , Zhang Yu , Zhang Yanyan , Pei Yongbin , Huang Xiaojing , Qin Lijie , Zhuo Yayu
Published: August 2024

BACKGROUND: Thyroid nodules (TNs) are predominantly benign, but some may progress to cancer. Various risk factors, including metabolic diseases, have been linked to TNs, though findings have been inconsistent. This study investigates TN detection and related factors in a healthy population, aiming to develop a predictive model for thyroid disease prevention and treatment.
METHODS: The study included 14,973 participants, assessing TNs through ultrasonography and collecting demographic and biochemical data such as cholesterol, blood glucose, and uric acid. Logistic regression analyzed these factors' association with TN presence.
RESULTS: TNs were found in 54.1% of participants, more frequently in females (58.97%) than males (49.93%), with prevalence increasing after age 40. Significant correlations included higher LDL cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, and BMI. A prediction model demonstrated good predictive capability, with an AUC of 0.84 in the training set and 0.78 in the validation set.
CONCLUSION: The high TN prevalence, particularly among women and older adults, highlights the need for targeted screening programs. Associations with metabolic factors suggest the importance of regular thyroid ultrasonography for early detection and management.
Canine Distemper Virus Spillover Into Wildlife Population in Kampung Besul Lama, Terengganu Malaysia
Authors: Lazarus Bryan Andrew , Sadali Muhammad Farris Mohd , Kamal Farina Mustaffa , Hua Khor Kuan , Wahab Ridhwan Abdul , Kaderi Mohd Arifin , Abdullah Mohd Lutfi , Azizan Tengku Rinalfi Putra Tengku , Ahmad Hafandi
Published: August 2024

Human wildlife gap has shrunk due to urbanization and agricultural expansion. Domestic animals and wild mammals are pushed closer together, enabling disease transmission between the two groups. Recent discovery in 2019 of Awang Besul, the first Malayan tiger to succumb to the canine distemper virus (CDV) in Kampung Besul Lama, Terengganu highlights the urgency of this issue. Thus, this study identified potential CDV hosts and antigen status of these to formulate efforts to prevent wildlife transmission in Kampung Besul Lama. Potential CDV hosts were captured using baited wildlife traps, and species were identified and documented. Biological samples were also obtained, utilizing nasal and ocular swabs for the detection of CDV via RT-PCR. Multiple different species of small mammals were trapped and three tree shrews Tupaia gais were positive for the CDV antigen. The discovery of CDV antigen in this species, suggests disease maintenance in small mammal populations. Movement of small mammals harbouring disease between Kampung Besul Lama and forests reserve could become the bridge of animal disease transmission between wildlife and domestic groups, which in turn could infect Malayan tigers. Introduction of the CDV virus to wild tiger populations via small mammals could lead to an extinction level event, thus understanding the mode of transmission of the CDV would benefit conservation effort here in Malaysia.
Intestinal Schistosomiasis in remote areas of Southwest Ethiopia, a target region for large-scale Mass Drug Administration
Authors: Nigusu Yared , Bekana Teshome , Chilo Eshetu , Teferi Sisay , Oljira Dereje , Gemeda Dereje , Darge Tefera , Mitiku Abeza , Geda Abdi , Sime Tadesse , Gezimu Wubishet , Gizaw Oda , Tadila Gemechu , Bekana Miressa , Erko Berhanu
Published: August 2024

As 2030 approaches, the World Health Organization's due date for ending intestinal schistosomiasis as a public health problem in all endemic areas, understanding the current trends in the burden of Schistosomiasis among schoolchildren in endemic areas is critical for monitoring the progress, identifying areas for improvement, and developing strategies to plan for instant response to mitigate the burden of Schistosomiasis. From February to April of 2023, 328 students from three primary schools in Southwest Ethiopia participated in an institution-based cross-sectional study in the detection of Schistosoma mansoni. Intestinal schistosomiasis was identified among 242 school children, with a rate of infection of 73.8% (95% CI: (64.8–83.4%)). The rate of infection was higher among study participants aged between 10–13 years [AOR = 1.93, 95% CI: (1.1, 3.44). About 75% of the male participants were infected with Schistosoma mansoni [AOR = 0.83, 95% CI (0.49, 1.41). Nearly half (48.1%) of the S. mansoni infections among study participants were identified as heavy infections. More than half of the male study participants (50.3%) infected with Schistosoma mansoni had heavy infection intensity. Of the total female schoolchildren infected with Schistosoma mansoni, about 44.4% had a heavy infection. The prevalence and intensity of infection of Schistosoma mansoni in the study area are significantly noticeable, raising doubts on either the implementation or effectiveness of the interventional programs in remote areas of southwest Ethiopia. Strategies to end the disease as a public health threat, mainly in remote and endemic areas, should consider novel integrated strategies targeting the life cycle of schistosomes besides the large-scale mass drug administration.
The impact of Naples prognostic score on cognitive impairment in hemodialysis patients-A multicenter study
Authors: Ran Yan , Yang Yuqi , Peng Yanzhe , Da Jingjing , Qian Zuping , Yuan Jing , Zha Yan
Published: August 2024

background
Nutrition and inflammatory status is prevalent in hemodialysis(HD) patients, which is relates to the incident of cognitive impairment(CI). Naples prognostic score(NPS) is a comprehensive measure of patients’ inflammation and nutritional status. This study is to investigate the effect of Naples prognostic score on the risk of incident cognitive impairment in HD patients.
Methods
Two thousand seven hundred twenty-five HD patients were recruited and NPS score obtained based on albumin, total cholesterol(TC), lymphocytes, neutrophils, and monocytes. Cognitive function was assessed with Mini-Mental State Examination score (MMSE). Multiple Cox regression models, interactive analyses were conducted.
Results
Among 2725 HD patients (33.8%) experienced incident CI, the mean MMSE score was 26.87 ± 3.9. After adjusting clinical confounders, the association remained statistically significant, higher NPS was independently associated with increased rate of CI both as a continuous variable (OR = 1.106, 95% CI 1.018–1.202, p = 0.019) and as a categorized variable(OR = 1.552, 95%CI: 1.146–2.110, p = 0.015). The analysis illustrates a negative correlation between NPS and MMSE scores. This relationship was observed both as a continuous variable (β=-0.178, 95% CI -0.321 - -0.035, p = 0.015) and as a categorized variable, compared to those in the NPS 0–1 score group, those with 4 score group was associated with an additional 0.68 faster cognitive decline (p = 0.008). Further explored the relationship between NPS and the incidence of dementia, finding that NPS had higher risk of dementia with multivariate-adjusted ORs of 1.153 (95% CI 1.035–1.286, p = 0.010). Subgroup analysis showed that the effect of NPS on CI was more pronounced in male, under 65 years, low educational levels, without diabetes and Cerebrovascular disease(CVD). Except male, low education level, and non CVD, in patients who HD frequency under 3 times per week the association between NPS and dementia was more significant.
Conclusions
NPS was independently associated with cognitive impairment in HD patients.
Farey tree locking of terahertz semiconductor laser frequency combs
Authors: Li Hua , Liu Guibin , Ma Xuhong , Zhou Kang , Liu Binbin , Zheng Lulu , Bi Xianglong , Wu Shumin , Lu Yanming , Li Ziping , Wan Wenjian , Zhang Zhenzhen , Peng Junsong , Zhang Ya , Zeng Heping
Published: August 2024

Frequency combs show various applications in molecular fingerprinting, imaging, communications, and so on. In the terahertz frequency range, semiconductor-based quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) are ideal platforms for realizing the frequency comb operation. Although self-started frequency comb operation can be obtained in free-running terahertz QCLs due to the four-wave mixing locking effects, resonant/off-resonant microwave injection, phase locking, and femtosecond laser based locking techniques have been widely used to broaden and stabilize terahertz QCL combs. These active locking methods indeed show significant effects on the frequency stabilization of terahertz QCL combs, but they simultaneously have drawbacks, such as introducing large phase noise and requiring complex optical coupling and/or electrical circuits. Here, we demonstrate Farey tree locking of terahertz QCL frequency combs under microwave injection. The frequency competition between the Farey fraction frequency and the cavity round-trip frequency results in the frequency locking of terahertz QCL combs, and the Farey fraction frequencies can be accurately anticipated based on the downward trend of the Farey tree hierarchy. Furthermore, dual-comb experimental results show that the phase noise of the dual-comb spectral lines is significantly reduced by employing the Farey tree locking method. These results pave the way to deploying compact and low phase noise terahertz frequency comb sources.
Operating principles of coupled feedback networks driving cell fate transitions
Authors: Rashid Mubasher , Hegade abhiram
Published: August 2024

Interconnected feedback loops are prevalent across biological mechanisms including cell fate transitions enabled by epigenetic mechanisms driving phenotypic plasticity of carcinoma cells. However, the operating principles of these networks remain largely unexplored. Here, we identify numerous coupled feedback loops driving phenotypic transition in carcinomas and CD4+ T cell lineage decisions. These networks have three generic structures, serial type (ST), hub type (HT), and cyclic, which we discover to be the hallmarks of lower- and higher-order dynamics. While networks having ST or cyclic topology exhibit multiple alternative states, those having HT topology enable at most two states. Irrespective of the topology, networks with autoregulated genes exhibit multiple states thereby “liberating” network dynamics from absolute topological control. We further show that topologically distinct networks with equal node or loop count exhibit different steady-state distributions, highlighting the crucial influence of network structure on emergent dynamics. Finally, we identify precise gene interaction targets to restrict the multistable network dynamics to a unique state. Our results thus unravel design principles of coupled feedback loops in enabling multiple alternative states while also identifying perturbations to restrict them. These findings can serve as crucial inputs to comprehend multi-fate decisions of cells and phenotypic plasticity in carcinomas.
DFT Prediction of Dichlorvos cyclodextrin complex
Authors: Naili Noura , Benaissa Amina , Chekkal Faiza , Zerizer Mohamed Amine , Zouchoune Bachir , Bouhadiba Abdelaziz , Redjem Nawel
Published: August 2024

In this study, we analyzed the host-guest inclusion complexes involving Dichlorvos and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD). We used the density functional theory with the dispersion correction (DFT-D) method. The computations employed the ωB97XD functional in conjunction with the split valence double zeta 6-31G (d, p) basis set. Our main goal was to look into the molecular structure, molecular interactions, thermodynamic features, inclusion process, and stabilization energies of Dichlorvos and β-CD inclusion complexes in gaseous and aqueous environments. Our findings revealed that the B orientation, where the chlorine atoms of Dichlorvos enter the hole of β-CD on its narrow side, is more energetically stable compared to the A orientation, where the chlorine atoms of Dichlorvos enter the hole of β-CD on its broadside. Furthermore, we thoroughly characterized the hydrogen bonds involved in these inclusion complexes. The non-covalent interaction (NCI-RDG) and independent gradient model (IGM) methods were used to describe these non-covalent interactions. Our results indicate that dispersion forces play an essential role in the hydrogen bond interactions with more electrostatic contribution. Additionally, we employed the energy decomposition method (EDA) to dissect and analyze the various bonding contributions in these complexes. Our findings underscore the critical importance of dispersion forces in stabilizing these complexes while highlighting the substantial influence of electrostatic interactions.
RETRACTED: Flexibility Potential Assessment of Fuel-Cell Hybrid Electric Vehicles Clusters Considering Owners' Willingness to Charge
Authors: Wang Qiujie , Liu Guanhui , Tan Hong , Mohamed Mohamed A.
Published: August 2024

The authors have requested the removal of their preprint from Research Square, due to current circumstances that make preprinting challenging at this time. The author's request does not imply errors or misconduct.
Mechanism of β-Al(OH)3 Scale Formation on Grading Electrode in HVDC Transmission Converters
Authors: Wang Rui , Zhou Weiqing , Li Peng , Wu Huacheng , Li Yongli , Ouyang Yipeng
Published: August 2024

The issue of electrode deposits in the cooling water system of HVDC transmission converters has been a persistent challenge for ensuring the safe and reliable operation of the converters. Existing research has predominantly focused on examining the origins and trends of electrode scaling through simulations involving variables such as electric field intensity, dimensions, and surface electric field distribution in the vicinity of the electrode. Nevertheless, there is a significant lack of research examining the impact of current characteristics on the formation of aluminum-containing electrolyte deposits on inert metal electrodes. In this study, a laboratory experiment was conducted to examine the scaling behavior of 304 stainless steel electrodes in an electrolyte solution, aiming to replicate the leakage current characteristics observed in practical grading electrode and elucidate the mechanism responsible for the formation of β-Al(OH)3 in scaling. The findings of the study suggest that stray current leads to the formation of scaling only when it surpasses the decomposition current intensity of water. When the intensity generated by the earthward current reaches one-third of the decomposition current intensity, it can also result in the formation of β-Al(OH)3 scale on the ground electrode. Therefore, the primary determinant influencing the scaling is the earthward current. This observation indicates that the processes by which stray current and earthward current induce the rupture of Al(OH)4− coordination bonds are distinct. The ions in the electrolyte solution exhibit displacement polarization towards the ground electrode as a result of the earth's zero potential constraint. The lack of formation of a Stern layer with ions by the coupling electrode located opposite to the ground electrode hinders the initiation of electrolysis reactions, leading to the absence of Faraday current. This proves that the formation of scale on the ground electrode in the earthward current is a physical process that does not involve electron exchange.
ResTANet: Development of Handwritten Character Recognition using Adaptive Fused Neural Network for Ancient Tamil Document Analysis
Authors: P Hariharan , Sasikaladevi N , Pradeepa S
Published: August 2024

The Tamil handwritten text is a significant in automatic document image analysis, despite prolonged research, Education and Multilingual Communication. In practical scenarios, identifying handwritten Tamil characters poses significant challenges due to the diverse writing styles adopted by individuals. The variations in writing make certain letters particularly challenging to decipher, and only a limited number of individuals may be proficient in comprehending these Tamil character. Here, The ResTANet is developed to improve the quality of the Tamil handwritten character recognition system. The dataset is collected via Mendeley website's (Tamil language dataset), and Gaussian Filtering with Otsu thresholding is used to filter and binarize the data to eliminate noise. We utilized and optimized robust deep learning methods including ResNet101 approach. The essential features are extracted using ResNet101. The parameters such as character length, width, and statistical features are optimized using Adam optimizer. Text quality was assessed experimentally using our model, and its performance is compared with other state of art algorithms and attains 99.37% accuracy. This type of analysis will be useful for document digitalization, Education, Historical document preservation and health care.
Carbon Quantum Dot Sensitized Nanocrystalline ZnO Thin Film for Efficient Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting
Authors: Jangra Ashu , Sahai Sonal
Published: August 2024

Carbon quantum dots (QDs) sensitized ZnO thin films, prepared by a simple route utilizing sol gel spin coating and hydrothermal method have been investigated for photoelectrochemical (PEC) splitting of water. Time of sensitization has been optimized with respect to PEC response. A significant enhancement in photocurrent density and photon to hydrogen conversion efficiency has been witnessed for CQDs sensitized ZnO thin films. PEC results have been analysed with the help of various structural, optical and electrical characterizations, like XRD, TEM, absorption spectra, Photo current density and Mott schottky plot etc. Based on the data a diagram has been proposed for band edge alignment of Carbon QDs with ZnO, which also supports the enhancement in the PEC response.
Improved precision in oxytetracycline detection via fluorescence spectrometry impacted by pH
Authors: Huang Xiaodian , Yang Dong , Song Liang , Jiang Yongcan
Published: August 2024

Accurate quantification of antibiotics in environmental samples is typically challenging due to the low antibiotic concentrations and the complexity of environmental matrices. This paper presents a fluorescence spectrometry method for determining oxytetracycline under alkaline conditions. The ionic distribution of the oxytetracycline solution was analyzed based on its dissociation constant. The dimethylamino group played a crucial role in this method, as it promotes intramolecular charge transfer in the electronic excited state through its electron-donating capability with a lone electron pair. The presented method is straightforward, cost-effective, and holds potential for analyzing oxytetracycline in water sample after further investigation.
Long-distance migration assisted structural trapping during CO2 storage in offshore basin
Authors: Lyu Yanxin , Fang Xiaoyu , Li Hua , Wang Guifeng , Xin Yi , Li Haibo , Liu Weiji
Published: August 2024

Long-distance migration assisted structural trapping is an optimal structure for offshore geological carbon storage. Qualitative analysis of carbon trapping efficiency was investigated using CMG software, considering aqueous solubility and geochemistry reactions. CO2 migration, mineral mole changes, geochemical induced PH and porosity variations and carbon storage contribution were also examined. CO2 concentrates near the injection wells and migrates upward along the slightly dipping strata the disparity in density between CO2 and aqueous. After CO2 injection wells shut in, CO2 plume continues to migrate upward along the slightly dipping strata, transporting towards the upper anticline. A large amount of CO2 is still being trapped in the dipping strata due to wettability and capillary effects. Being dissolved CO2 into saline aquifer forming H+, the dissolution of anorthite provided Ca2+ and Al3+ required for the precipitation of calcite and kaolinite over time. Calcite is initially in the dissolved state, gradually converting to the state of precipitation. Dynamics of mineral dissolution and precipitation influence PH and porosity changes. There is a PH decrease area during CO2 migration. The porosity particularly near the wellbores showed a slightly decrease due to the deposition of previously dissolved minerals. The porosity around the top anticline experienced a substantial increase due to mineral dissolution in the formation. The proportion of structural trapping is continuously increasing during the CO2 injection period, and is decreasing during CO2 long-distance migration stage. Residual gas trapping displays the initially increasing and then decreasing trend due to wettability and capillary effects throughout the CO2 migration period. It is observed that long-distance migration assisted structural trapping enhances the long-term security of CO2 storage.
Phylosymbiosis and co-phylogeny in the holobionts of octocorals from the Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea
Authors: Prioux Camille , Ferrier-Pages Christine , Deter Julie , Tignat-Perrier Romie , Guilbert Antonin , Ballesta Laurent , Allemand Denis , Water Jeroen A.J.M.
Published: August 2024

Background
Corals are the foundational species of coral reefs and coralligenous ecosystems.Their success is linked to their symbioses with microorganisms,therefore, the coral host and its symbionts are considered a single entity called the holobiont. But whether there is an evolutionary link between corals and their microbiomes has not been fully investigated. While there is evidence of phylosymbiosis in Scleractinian hexacorals, little is known about the holobionts of Alcyonacean octocorals.
Results
We used 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to explore the composition of the bacterial communities associated with 14 Alcyonacean species (belonging to 10 genera from 5 (sub)orders) collected from the mesophotic zones of the Mediterranean and Red Seas. The low level of disturbance in mesophotic ecosystems allowed us to study potential evolutionary links (e.g., phylosymbiosis and cophylogeny) between these corals and their microbiota. Clear differences were observed between corals from the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. The low diversity and consistent dominance of Endozoicomonadaceae and/or Spirochaetaceae in the bacterial communities of Mediterranean octocorals suggested that these corals may have evolved in parallel with their microbiota. Phylosymbiotic signals were indeed detected and cophylogeny in associations between several bacterial strains belonging to Endozoicomonadaceae or Spirochaetaceae and coral species were identified. Conversely, phylosymbiotic patterns were not evident in Red Sea octocorals, likely due to the high bacterial taxonomic diversity in their microbiota, but cophylogeny in associations between certain coral and bacterial species was observed. Noteworthy were the associations with Endozoicomonadaceae, suggesting a plausible evolutionary link that warrants further investigations to uncover potential underlying patterns.
Conclusions
Overall, our findings emphasize the importance of Endozoicomonadaceae and Spirochaetaceae in coral symbiosis and the significance of exploring host-microbiome interactions in mesophotic ecosystems for a comprehensive understanding of coral-microbiome coevolution.
A Scalable Masked Image Modeling based Self-Supervised Approach for Hand Mesh Estimation
Authors: Li Yanli , Wang Congyi
Published: August 2024

With an enormous number of hand images generated over time, unleashing pose knowledge from unlabeled images for supervised hand mesh estimation is an emerging yet challenging topic. Semi-supervised and self-supervised approaches have been proposed to alleviate this issue, but the reliance on high-quality fine-grained keypoint detection models or conventional ResNet backbones limits them. In this paper, inspired by the rapid progress of Masked Image Modeling (MIM) and Vision Transformer (ViT) in visual classification tasks, we propose a novel self-supervised pre-training strategy for regressing 3D hand mesh parameters. Our approach involves a unified and multi-granularity strategy with a pseudo keypoint alignment module in the teacher-student framework for learning pose-aware semantic class tokens. We adopt a self-distillation manner between teacher and student network based on MIM pre-training for patch tokens with detailed locality. To better fit low-level regression tasks, we also incorporate masked pixel reconstruction tasks for multi-level representation learning. Additionally, we designed a strong pose estimation baseline using a simple vanilla Vision Transformer (ViT) as the backbone and attached a Pyramidal Mesh Alignment Feedback (PyMAF) head for mesh regression. Extensive experiments demonstrate that our proposed approach, named HandMIM, achieves state-of-the-art (SOTA) performance on various datasets. Notably, HandMIM outperforms specially optimized architectures, achieving an 8.00mm PAVPE (Procrustes Alignment Vertex-Point-Error) on the challenging HO3Dv2 test set, thereby establishing new state-of-the-art records in 3D hand mesh estimation.
Crack-SAM: Crack Segmentation Using a Foundation Model
Authors: R Rakshitha , S Srinath , Kumar N Vinay , S Rashmi , V Poornima B
Published: August 2024

Ensuring the structural integrity of pavements requires precise crack detection and evaluation. Manual inspections, although essential, are labour-intensive, time-consuming, and susceptible to errors, emphasizing the need for automated visual inspection techniques. This study presents an integrated approach to crack assessment by utilizing advanced visual models such as the Detectron2 model zoo and the Segment Anything Model (SAM) on Dataset A and Dataset B, which contain images from diverse locations with complex backgrounds and varying crack structures. Experiments were conducted using the Detectron2 model with four baseline configurations (mask_rcnn_R_50_FPN_3x, mask_rcnn_R_101_FPN_3x, fast_rcnn_R_50_FPN_3x, and fast_rcnn_R_101_FPN_3x), selected for their proven performance in object detection tasks and their ability to balance computational efficiency with high detection accuracy. Additionally, SAM was fine-tuned with three loss functions (Focal Loss, DiceCELoss, and DiceFocalLoss) chosen for their effectiveness in handling class imbalance and improving segmentation accuracy. Results demonstrate that SAM fine-tuned with DiceFocalLoss outperforms Detectron2 in crack segmentation, achieving mean intersection over union (MIoU) values of 0.69 for Dataset A and 0.59 for Dataset B. The integration of Detectron2 with fast_rcnn_R_101_FPN_3x as the baseline and SAM with DiceFocalLoss involves training the Detectron2 model to generate approximate bounding boxes around objects of interest, which are then used as prompts for the SAM model to produce segmentation masks, resulting in MIoU values of 0.83 for Dataset A and 0.75 for Dataset B. These findings represent significant advancements in crack identification methods, with substantial implications for improving highway maintenance practices.
Congenital Atrio-Ventricular Block: looking for optimal implantation timing. A single tertiary referral centre experience
Authors: Papaccioli Giovanni , Ciriello Giovanni Domenico , Correra Anna , Colonna Diego , Fratta Fiorella , Farina Gabriella , Esposito Raffaella , Romeo Emanuele , Sorice Davide , Orlando Antonio , Oppido Guido , Russo Maria Giovanna , Sarubbi Berardo
Published: August 2024

Background
Congenital atrio-ventricular block (CAVB) affects 1 in 15,000 live births with a mortality rate of 16–30%. It can be associated with congenital heart disease (CHD) or maternal autoantibodies and, less commonly, with viral infections or drug side effects. CAVB detected in utero is more severe, leading to higher neonatal mortality and early pacemaker (PM) implantation. Physicians face challenges in determining if and when to implant a permanent PM. This study reports on the experience of a single tertiary referral center with fetuses and children diagnosed with CAVB, focusing on incidence, PM implantation indications and timing, device types, complications, re-interventions, and long-term clinical outcomes.
Methods
The diagnostic database of the Paediatric Cardiology and Adult Congenital Heart Disease and Congenital and Familiar Arrhythmias Unit was reviewed to identify patients with CAVB from January 1996 to January 2023. Patients were followed for an average of 10.3 ± 7.3 years.
Results
Forty patients (average age 14.3 ± 11.7 years; 57.5% male; 80% with complete CAVB) were included. The median age at diagnoses was 3 (IR 0.06–6.3) years, ranging from in utero to 22 years. Nine patients (22.5%) had symptoms at time of diagnosis, 8 (20%) received a foetal diagnosis of CAVB, and 23 (57.5%) were diagnosed after casual detection of bradycardia during routine exams. Twelve patients (30%) had concomitant congenital heart disease (CHD), one patient had multiple cardiac rhabdomyomas and one had atrio-ventricular septal aneurysm at aorto-mitral junction. After a mean follow-up of 10.3 ± 7.3 years, 24 (60%) patients underwent a PM implant (15 epicardial PM and 9 transvenous PM) with a median time from the diagnosis to the implant procedure of 5 months (IR 1–18). PMs were implanted for symptoms in 45.8% and prophylactically in 54.2%. Cardiologic therapies were significantly associated with PM implantation (HR 9; P = 0.04). In the subgroup of implanted patients, ejection fraction (EF) showed an improvement at the last follow-up compared to the last pre-implantation value (P = 0.02), as was Fractional Shortening (FS) (P = 0.01) and left ventricle z-score end-systolic diameter (P = 0.045). Seven patients in PM group (29.1%) underwent a re-intervention, 6 due to lead failure and 1 due to infective endocarditis. Only 1 death (2.5%) occurred in a preterm infant with a very low body-weight at birth.
Conclusion
Accurate follow-up and optimal timing of PM implantation, including prophylactic pacing as per current recommendations, are associated with good long-term outcomes.
Effect of Lachnanthocarpone on the Structural and Functional Properties of a Protein-starch-based Film: A Promising Alternative for Active Packaging
Authors: Ramirez-Álvarez Milanyela , Mesa-López Kevin , Duarte-Correa Yudy , Mesías Ricardo , Granda-Restrepo Diana
Published: August 2024

Due to their adaptability, plastics are used in everyday products, including food, which need to be protected to avoid spoilage reactions like lipid oxidation. However, today, the interest is in developing active food packaging materials with natural compounds such as α-Tocopherol and Lachnanthocarpone(2,6-dihydroxy-9-phenyl-1H-phenalen-1-one). The first is a natural antioxidant that has been successfully incorporated in based films. The second is a powerful natural antioxidant, with more than twice the activity of Trolox in vitro, which has scarcely been explored for its application in food or food packaging. The objective of the study presented here was twofold: first, it intended to evaluate, through a solvent-casting technique, the effects of these two antioxidants on some properties of films based on cassava starch and concentrated whey protein. Second, it aimed to analyze the biodegradability and functionality of lachnanthocarpone for developing active packaging using a commercial fresh-semi-hard cheese as a reference food. Results of the study showed significant differences between the films with antioxidants and the control film (without antioxidants), thus, the latter had the highest light transmittance of the films, indicating that the food was subjected to more significant oxidative damage. On the other hand, the former showed biodegradability characteristics and less quantity of hexanal production after 30 days of storage, which demonstrated its protective effect on the reference food, leading to lower lipid oxidation. These results suggest that the developed films with incorporated antioxidants are a promising alternative for reducing plastic food packaging materials, with the added value of oxidative protection.
Experimental investigation οf bio-based polymers reinforced with graphene oxide
Authors: Gargala Aikaterini N. , Polydoropoulou Panagiota V. , Tserpes Konstantinos
Published: August 2024

Graphene oxide (GO) is a commonly used additive to enhance the mechanical properties of epoxy polymers. The efficiency of GO can be significantly influenced by various parameters, such as the quality of GO and the homogeneity of its dispersion. Efficient dispersion of graphene within the epoxy medium can notably improve the mechanical properties of multifunctional polymers. This work aims to maximize the effect of GO on the mechanical properties of bio-based polymers by synthesizing high-quality GO and achieving efficient dispersion in the epoxy. To this end, we investigated the effect of adding solvents (acetone, THF) on the mechanical behavior of multifunctional bio-based polymers subjected to several types of static loading. Five different types of materials were examined: neat epoxy resin as the reference material, enhanced epoxy resin without solvent, enhanced epoxy with acetone solvent, enhanced epoxy resin with THF solvent, and epoxy resin enhanced with pure graphite powder. The concentration of GO or graphite was maintained at 0.5 wt%. The findings were analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and Raman Spectroscopy. A significant increase in the tensile strength of polymers filled with GO without solvent was observed compared to the enhanced materials with solvents. Additionally, the fracture toughness properties were improved. SEM analysis of the fracture surfaces revealed resin penetration into the graphene sheets, indicating strong bonding of the amino groups to the graphene oxide in the case of the enhanced epoxy resin without solvent. In contrast, in the enhanced epoxies with the two types of solvents, the bonding between the GO and epoxy appeared to be either deteriorated or destroyed. TGA analysis revealed that both the neat and GO-reinforced resins without solvent were thermally stable up to 360°C, beyond which the material began to melt and decompose. Raman spectra showed the vibrations of the epoxy ring during the curing process, with the intensity of the observed peaks indicating the quantity of free epoxides in the samples. Finally, it was revealed that the enhanced material with GO exhibited reduced intensity (fewer free epoxides) due to the connection of epoxides with the functional groups on the surface of the graphene oxide.
Human Fields and Their Impact on Brain Waves
Authors: Acosta-Elias Jesus , Mendez-Moreno Santiago , Vital-Ochoa Omar , Espinosa-Tanguma Ricardo
Published: August 2024

During brain function, various groups of neurons fire synchronously. When these groups are very large, the signal amplitude can be high enough to be measured on the surface of the scalp using Electroencephalography (EEG). These electrical waves exhibit certain patterns depending on the brain's activity, whether it is asleep, awake, or performing mental calculations. Additionally, these patterns can be modified by external factors, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). TMS involves bringing an antenna that generates variable electromagnetic fields close to specific areas of the skull to treat certain pathologies. Given that the human body naturally generates magnetic fields, a question arises: Can these fields influence the EEG by modulating neuronal function, causing a resonance effect, or through some unknown interaction? This study investigated whether approaching the palm of the hand to the top of the head could induce effects in the EEG. We found that 7 out of 20 subjects exhibited changes in their EEG, specifically an increase in the amplitude of certain frequency bands.
Association between skeletal muscle mass to visceral fat area ratio and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Tang Si-yun , Wu Hui , Liu Meng-ran , Li Jing , Lu Yi-chen , Cao Rui-li , Lu Gu-qin , Li Xiao-hua
Published: August 2024

Methods A cross-sectional design was used in this study. We investigated the Skeletal muscle mass to visceral fat area ratio (SVR), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and insulin resistance (IR) in 201 patients with T2DMwho treated in the outpatient department and ward of the Department of Endocrinology of the Seventh People's Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine between June 2022 and March 2023. Appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM), total body fat (TBF), visceral fat area (VFA), and basal metabolic volume were measured using multifrequency bioimpedance analysis method. The percentage of body fat to body mass (TBF%), appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI), and SVR were calculated.
Results Patients were divided equally into three groups (Q1–Q3) according to SVR levels. Compared with the Q3 group, in both Q1 and Q2 groups, waist-hip ratio, neutrophils, NLR, fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), triglycerides, total cholesterol, free fatty acid, TBF, TBF%, and VFA were all increased (P<0.005), whereas lymphocytes, insulin sensitivity index (ISI), ASM, ASMI, basal metabolic rate, and SVR were all decreased (P<0.005).
Conclusion There is a correlation between SVR and IR in T2DM patients, suggesting that SVR has certain clinical value in the early warning of IR in T2DM.
Dynamic Adaptive Scaling Network for Camouflaged Object Detection
Authors: Wang Lili , Ruan Kang , Yan Pu , Zhao Yang , Wang Xu
Published: August 2024

Recently, accurately segmenting objects from backgrounds has become a significant challenge for Camouflaged Object Detection(COD). Currently, traditional single-view approaches have limitations in predicting the boundary of camouflaged objects. Moreover, a fixed scaling ratio fails to fully explore imperceptible clues between camouflaged objects and background surroundings. To overcome these obstacles, we propose a triplet network via dynamic adaptive scaling strategy, named Dynamic Adaptive Scaling Network for Camouflaged Object Detection(DASNet). It mimics the behavior of humans dynamically adjusting observation distances when observing indistinct objects to zoom in and out images. Specifically, we design a dynamic adaptive scaling module(DASM) to obtain the optimal scaling ratios for each view. In addition, we design the multi-view feature fusion module(MVFF) and the multi-scale feature fusion module(MSFF) to guide the learning of multi-view and multi-scale features and enhance feature representation. Extensive experiments demonstrate that the proposed DASNet outperforms 23 other representative methods on three public datasets.
Enhancing Time-Series Access Control Using Deep Recurrent Neural Networks and Generative Adversarial Networks
Authors: Mohammadi Nasibeh , Rezakhani Afshin , Seydjavadi Seyd Hamid Haj , Asghari Parvaneh
Published: August 2024

In this research, we introduce an innovative Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) system incorporating the novel attribute of "access history" and deep learning techniques, specifically time-series neural networks such as Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) and Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) networks, to enhance decision-making accuracy. The system includes key components such as Policy Decision and Enforcement Points, access log management, and an offline-trained deep learning model for real-time access validation. Our proposed method improves accuracy by integrating Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) to generate realistic synthetic data for training. Experimental results on various datasets, including real-world and synthetic data, demonstrate the superior performance of our model over traditional and recent methods, achieving an accuracy of over 98% in complex access control scenarios.
Effects of general anesthesia combined with epidural block on stress response and shift of T helper cells in patients after cervical cancer surgery
Authors: Li Wei , Zhang Ying , Lv Jianrui , Zhang Yong , Luo Bin
Published: August 2024

Objective
To evaluate the effects of general anesthesia combined with epidural block on the stress response and shift of T helper (Th) cells in patients after cervical cancer surgery.
Methods
A total of 106 patients undergoing radical surgery of cervical cancer were randomly assigned into a general anesthesia combined with epidural block (observation) group and a general anesthesia (control) group. Peripheral blood was collected before anesthesia (T0), during anesthesia maintenance (T1), as well as 10 min (T2), 1 d (T3), 2 d (T4) and 7 d after surgery (T5). The levels of cytokines interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-4 (IL-4) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) were detected by ELISA, and IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio was calculated.
Results
Compared with the control group, the observation group had significantly lower levels of GH, PRL and Cor, proportions of Th2 and Treg cells, and levels of IL-4 and TGF-β1 during anesthesia maintenance and at each time point after surgery (P < 0.05), but higher proportion of Th1 cells, Th1/Th2 cell ratio, IFN-γ level and IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
General anesthesia combined with epidural block can better alleviate the stress response and protect the immune function of patients after cervical cancer surgery.
Promising resistance donors for yellow mosaic and charcoal rot diseases in soybean (Glycine max, L.)
Authors: Amrate Pawan Kumar , Nataraj Vennampally , Shivakumar M , Shrivastava Manoj , Rajput Laxman Singh , Mohare Salikram , Agrawal Nisha , Mandloi Saloni , Anand Kumar Jai , Ratnaparkhe Milind B. , K Bhojaraja Naik , Gupta Sanjay , Singh K. H.
Published: August 2024

Soybean in India is facing many production challenges in the form of biotic and abiotic stresses. Among biotic stresses, yellow mosaic and charcoal rot diseases are causing significant yield losses. Current study was undertaken to identify promising genotypes for yellow mosaic and charcoal rot diseases and higher yield under high disease pressure. A total of seventy-eight genotypes were screened for resistance against yellow mosaic and charcoal rot diseases, and grain yield under sick plot conditions across three years (2021, 2022 and 2023). In addition, these genotypes were also evaluated for seedling charcoal rot resistance through artificial inoculation. Genotypes JS 94 − 67, EC 34372, JS 21–78, JS 21–73, JS 21 − 05 and PS 1024 were found to be promising donors for yellow mosaic disease, while JS 22 − 18, JS 22 − 12 and JS 21 − 05 showed stable field resistance against charcoal rot disease. Through artificial inoculation for charcoal rot resistance, least AUDPC was found in JS 22 − 10 followed by PS 1613, JS 22 − 12, JS 22 − 16, JS 2–05, JS 22 − 15, JS 22 − 18 and KDS 1073. Two genotypes, JS 94 − 67 and JS 21 − 05 were found to superior resistance donors for both the diseases, while JS 22 − 10 and PS 1613 were found to be the best resistance sources for seedling charcoal rot disease. Genotypes identified for different traits will be used by us as parents in developing high-yielding, yellow mosaic and charcoal rot resistant cultivars to sustain the soybean production in India.