bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of mandibular third molar impaction, associated pathologies, and correlation with Temporomandibular joint morphology in Spanish Population: A panoramic radiography study
Authors: ASSIRI HASSAN , Estrugo-Devesa Albert , Egido-Moreno Sonia , Rosello-LLabres Xavier , Hameed Mohammad Shahul , Alqarni Abdullah , Lopez Jose Lopez
Published: October 2024

Background
mandibular third molar is considered as the most frequent impacted tooth in the oral cavity. Its cooccurrence could lead to some impacts including the temromandbular joint symptoms. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the prevalence of impacted mandibular third molar (IMTM), any associated pathologies, and their correlation with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) morphology in the Spanish population.
Methods
the existing records of orthopantomography images; panoramic images (OPGs) of patients visiting the Dental Hospital of the University of Barcelona, aged 18–40 years, having IMTM, were assessed, and interpreted by experienced Oral Radiologists and retrieved from September 2021 and May 2023. OPGs were screened for the type of impaction according to Winter classification system, any associated pathologies, and shape of mandibular condyle.
Results
out of 80 OPGs, 60% were females, and the majority (53.8%) were between 18 and 28 years of age. The prevalence rate of IMTM was 86.88%, with the left side commonly involved. On both sides, oval-shaped condyle and vertical IMTM were the most common, with dental caries and bone loss being the commonly observed pathologies. 15% cases showed sclerotic changes on both sides of TMJ. A statistically non-significant difference (P > 0.05) was observed between associated pathologies and condyle shape. Vertical and mesioangular, followed by horizontally impacted mandibular third molars were observed to be the most prevalent types of impaction, resulting in a statistically non-significant association (P > 0.05) with condylar shape.
Conclusion
The pattern of IMTM in the Spanish population showed the prevalence of vertical impaction, mainly on the left side of the mandible, with a female predominance. The commonly associated pathological changes are dental caries and bone loss, revealing a significant relation with the type of impaction and condyle shape.
Effect of day 3 embryo cell number on the pregnancy and neonatal outcomes of day 4 single embryo transfer from fresh cycles
Authors: Tao Linlin , Zheng Bo , Li Guozhen , Geng Yasong , Guo Yuying , Dai Haoyang , Wang Shusong , Dai Fangfang
Published: October 2024

Background
The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to assess the impact of day 3(D3) embryo cell number on the clinical pregnancy and neonatal outcomes of day 4(D4) single embryo transfer in fresh cycles.
Methods
The study included 431 day 4 single embryo transfer in fresh cycles conducted between December 2018 and June 2023. These cycles were divided into three groups according to the day 3 embryo cell number: 248 cycles in the 7 ~ 9-cell group, 149 cycles in the 10 ~ 13-cell group and 34 cycles in the >13-cell group, and clinical pregnancy outcomes and neonatal outcomes were compared among the three groups.
Results
The clinical outcomes with 10 ~ 13-cell were significantly higher than those of the 7 ~ 9-cell group, regardless of whether the female age was < 30 or ≥ 30 years. The same result could be found when the insemination pattern was IVF, and when the transferred embryos were the grade of complete fusion. There were no differences in neonatal outcomes between different groups.After adjusting for confounding factors, the 7 ~ 9-cell group was associated with lower clinical pregnancy rates and live birth rates compared with the 10 ~ 13-cell group (clinical pregnancy rates: aOR 0.521, 95% CI -1.198~-0.105, P = 0.019; LBR: aOR 0.539, 95% CI -1.122~-0.114, P = 0.016)
Conclusion
The cell number of D3 embryos can be an important reference indicator for D4 embryo selection. When performing day 4 single embryo transfer in fresh cycles, embryos with 10 ~ 13-cell on D3 can be preferentially selected for transplantation to enhance clinical outcomes, especially when the insemination pattern is IVF,and when the transferred embryos are the grade of compaction stage
Predictions of psychiatric hospitalization and emergency department utilization in commercially insured late middle-aged adults with depression
Authors: Xi Wenna , Evans Lauren , Wu Yiyuan , Kim Min-hyung , Ghosh Arnab , Alexopoulos George , Pathak Jyotishman , Banerjee Samprit
Published: October 2024

Background: Late middle-aged adults with depression experience a high illness burden often resulting from multiple chronic conditions. Risk stratification using administrative claims data is a promising method to identify enrollees at highest risk of experiencing psychiatric hospitalization and emergency department (ED) utilization. The goal of this study was to develop and validate a non-proprietary model to identify late middle-aged adults with depression at risk of 1- and 2- year psychiatric hospitalization and ED utilization, with broad applicability to commercially insured adults.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study on 71,682 commercially insured adults aged 55-64 years with depression diagnosis. National health insurance claims were used to capture demographics, health care utilization, and health status during the baseline year. Health status was captured using 70 chronic health conditions, and 46 mental health conditions. The four outcomes were one-year and two-year psychiatric hospitalization and ED utilization.
Results: For 1-year risk of psychiatric hospitalization, the final model achieved an AUC of 0.806, with a sensitivity of ­­61% and a specificity of 85%. For 2-year risk of psychiatric hospitalization, the final model achieved an AUC of 0.781, with a sensitivity of 68% and a specificity of 75%. For 1-year risk of psychiatric ED utilization, the final model achieved an AUC of 0.727, with a sensitivity of 56% and specificity of 78%. For the 2-year risk of psychiatric ED utilization, the final model achieved an AUC of 0.748, with a sensitivity of 67% and a specificity of 72%. The final models for all four outcomes outperformed their corresponding models using only demographics and prior utilization.
Conclusions:Predictive modeling using diagnoses and other demographic characteristics readily available in claims data can be used to identify late middle-aged adults with depression at risk of psychiatric hospitalization and ED utilization. Given the aging of the U.S. population and the significant burden of illness experienced by those with depression and multiple chronic conditions, this approach may assist policy makers and health care administrators in the identification of high-risk patients who may benefit from additional screening and care management interventions.
Exercise Mitigates MPTP-Induced Mitochondrial Fragmentation through the Irisin/AMPK/SIRT1 Pathway
Authors: Li Nan , Wang Bin , Wang Yuanxin , Tian Xin , Lin Junjie , Sun Xun , Sun Yu , Zhang Xin , Xu Haocheng , Li Mingzhi , Zeng Fanxi , Zhao Renqing
Published: October 2024

Purpose
Mitochondrial dysfunction plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD), yet therapeutic strategies targeting mitochondrial function remain limited. Exercise has shown neuroprotective benefits in PD, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. This study aimed to investigate how exercise affects MPTP-induced excessive apoptosis and mitochondrial fission in PD mice, with a focus on the irisin/AMPK/SIRT1 pathway.
Methods
Thirty-two male C57BL/6J mice, aged 7–8 weeks, were randomly assigned to control (n = 8) and experimental groups (n = 24). Mice in the experimental groups were administered intraperitoneal injections of MPTP to induce the PD model. Subsequently, the experimental mice were divided into three groups (8 mice in each group): the sedentary group (PD), the group subjected to ten weeks of treadmill exercise (PDEX), and the group receiving both treadmill exercise and irisin antagonist injections (EXRG). Upon completion of the ten-week intervention, behavioral assessments were performed. Following this, the mice were euthanized to collect brain samples and subjected to immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, ELISA, and Western blot analyses.
Results
MPTP-treated mice exhibited significant motor dysfunction and dopaminergic neuron loss in the nigrostriatal regions, which were ameliorated by a 10-week exercise intervention. Exercise notably reduced MPTP-induced neuronal apoptosis, as evidenced by decreased cellular fragments and abnormal nuclear morphology, increased Bcl-2 protein levels, and decreased Bax expression. Additionally, exercise mitigated abnormal mitochondrial fission in PD mice, as shown by reduced immunohistochemistry and protein expression of Drp1, Fis1, and MFF. In the substantia nigra of PD mice, the expression levels of irisin, p-AMPK, and SIRT1 were decreased but were elevated following the 10-week exercise intervention. However, blocking the irisin signaling by chronic treatment with cyclo RGDyk potentially counteracted the exercise-induced elevations in p-AMPK and Sirt1 expression. Moreover, the beneficial effects of exercise on neuronal apoptosis and mitochondrial fission were reversed by blocking irisin signaling pathways.
Conclusion
These findings suggest that regular exercise is beneficial in alleviating motor dysfunction in MPTP-treated mice, partly achieved through the preservation of dopaminergic neurons, reduction of excessive neuronal apoptosis, and improvement of normal mitochondrial fission. The excise-associated neuroprotective effects are likely linked to the irisin/AMPK/Sirt1 signalling pathway.
Traumatic Brain Injury Exacerbates Alcohol Consumption and Neuroinflammation with Decline in Cognition and Cholinergic Activity
Authors: Wang Jun , Gangal Himanshu , Iannucci Jaclyn , Huang Yufei , Chen Ruifeng , Purvines William , Davis William , Rivera Arian , Johnson Giles , Xie Xueyi , Mukherjee Sanjib , Vierkant Valerie , Mims Kaley , Neill Katherine O' , Wang Xuehua , Shapiro Lee A.
Published: October 2024

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a global health challenge, responsible for 30% of injury-related deaths and significantly contributing to disability. Annually, over 50 million TBIs occur worldwide, with most adult patients at emergency departments showing alcohol in their system. TBI is also a known risk factor for alcohol abuse, yet its interaction with alcohol consumption remains poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that the fluid percussion injury (FPI) model of TBI in mice significantly increases alcohol consumption and impairs cognitive function. At cellular levels, FPI markedly reduced the number and activity of striatal cholinergic interneurons (CINs) while increasing microglial cells. Notably, depleting microglial cells provided neuroprotection, mitigating cholinergic loss and enhancing cholinergic activity. These findings suggest that TBI may promote alcohol consumption and impair cognitive abilities through microglia activation and consequently reduced cholinergic function. Our research provides critical insights into the mechanisms linking TBI with increased alcohol use and cognitive deficits, potentially guiding future therapeutic strategies.
Estimating the clinical and economic burden of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) among adult patients in India using the CAP burden of illness questionnaire
Authors: Koul Parvaiz , Dhar Raja , Vora Agam , Hasan Ashfaq , Kumar Prasanna , K Supraja , Mahender Harish , Malalur Chaithanya , Taur Santosh
Published: October 2024

Background
Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), a prevalent lower respiratory tract infection, poses a significant health and economic burden. This study explores the clinical and economic implications of CAP among adults in diverse medical centers in India, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive understanding of its impact.
Methods
A cross-sectional multicenter survey, employing the CAP-Burden of Illness Questionnaire, was conducted among newly diagnosed severe CAP patients treated in seven participating medical centers. Both inpatient and outpatient cohorts were included, and data on symptoms, comorbidities, treatment patterns, and resource utilization were collected. The study involved 188 patients, and statistical analyses were performed using SPSS® (version 22) statistical software.
Results
The CAP-Burden of Illness Questionnaire revealed the persistence of symptoms, impacting daily life and work productivity. Hospitalized patients faced longer recovery times and increased resource utilization. As per the pulmonologists, the hospitalized patients in a private setting had an average length of stay (LOS) of 9 days in the ICU and 5 days in the general ward, whereas at the government hospital, the average LOS in the ICU was an average of 30 days and 8.5 days in the general ward. Average inpatient costs were INR 2,10,862 per patient in private hospitals and INR 5,575 per patient in government hospitals. Non-hospitalized patients reported an average outpatient treatment cost of INR 4,121 per patient in private settings and INR 200 per patient in government hospitals.
Conclusion
The economic analysis sheds light on the disparities in treatment costs, emphasizing the importance of considering healthcare settings. Addressing the multifaceted challenges of CAP requires a holistic approach, encompassing preventive measures, early detection, and targeted management strategies.
Towards all-inorganic antimony sulphide semi-transparent solar cells
Authors: Pareek Alka , Katerski Atanas , Kriisa Merike , Spalatu Nicolae , Krunks Malle , Acik Ilona Oja
Published: October 2024

NiO, a wide band gap hole-transporting material (HTM), is gaining attention in photovoltaics due to its optical transparency, chemical stability, and favourable band alignment with absorber. This study uses NiOx nanoparticle-based HTM in semi-transparent Sb2S3 solar cells via a simple chemical precipitation method. We optimized NiOx layer by varying precursor solution concentration and studied its impact on optical and structural properties, composition of nanoparticles and subsequent effect on the performance of semi-transparent Sb2S3 solar cell. NiOx nanoparticles, deposited from nickel(II)nitrate hexahydrate (precursor solution concentrations of 0.2 M to 1.2 M), were thermally treated by two steps at 90°C for 6 h and 270°C for 3 h. Nanoparticles with crystallite sizes of 6–9 nm had band gaps (Eg) of ca 3.65–3.70 eV. Using 1.2 M concentration yielded the largest crystallites (9 nm), lowest Eg (3.65 eV) while retaining the most organic residues. The highest power conversion efficiency (2.65%) was achieved with NiOx from a 0.5 M precursor, a 60% improvement over HTM-free cells. The effect of precursor solution concentration on the solar cell parameters (efficiency, fill factor, open circuit voltage and short circuit current) are discussed. Present work paves a path toward stable, efficient, and cost-effective all-inorganic Sb2S3 solar cells using NiOx HTM instead of organic counterparts.
High-concentration electrolytes for lithium metal batteries operating at high temperatures
Authors: Luo Lufang , He Jinzuo , Yan Xiao , Qiu Haodong , Zhang Lijiuan
Published: October 2024

Commercialized electrolytes for lithium-metal batteries have a maximum temperature restriction of 60°C, which significantly restricts the use of these batteries in situations with greater temperatures. In this paper, we study the construction of a high-temperature electrolyte system for lithium metal batteries, using 0.5 M LiODFB-EC/EMC (3:7) as the basic electrolyte system, and 1, 2, and 3M LiTFSI were added to form electrolytes with different concentrations, to investigate the effect of LiTFSI concentration on lithium-metal batteries. The mixed lithium salts used in this system are lithium bis(trifluorosulfonyl) imide (LiTFSI) and lithium difluoro-oxalate-borate (LiODFB), with ethylene carbonate (EC) and ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC) as the mixed solvent systems. Additionally, we study the electrochemical performance at 45°C and 70°C. The best battery performance was achieved with batteries built with 3.0M LiTFSI/0.5M LiODFB electrolyte. The LiCoO2/Li discharge performance After 500 cycles, the battery's discharge-specific capacity was 117.8 mAh/g, and its capacity retention rate was 82.8%. Better than previous concentration electrolyte systems, the battery constructed with this electrolyte has a greater discharge-specific capacity and cycle stability at 70°C.
Factors associated with interfacility transfer and follow up of adult HIV positive clients in South Western Uganda
Authors: Karungi Syson , Babeho Shibah , Katushabe Eve , Nakidde Gladys , Nduhukire Timothy , Kabami Jane , Luwaga Rachel
Published: October 2024

Introduction
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is still a significant public health problem with a prevalence of 37.7 million worldwide. In Uganda, awareness of HIV status among adults is at 80.9%, 96.1% of People living with HIV are on ART treatment and 92.2% having viral load suppression as of 2021. Proper linkage, follow up and retention in care are key to successful treatment of people living with HIV. Guidelines for Inter-facility transfer of HIV clients stipulate officially documented transfer of clients to ease access to ART and client follow up. These guidelines though existent, translation into practice is unclear with evidence of self-transfers and registration of transferred clients as ‘ART naïve’ in the new facilities. We therefore sought to assess the prevalence of transferred clients, factors associated with the transfer and follow up of transferred HIV clients in Kabale District in South Western Uganda.
Methods
A concurrent mixed methods study design was employed. Quantitative data was collected among 183 consecutively sampled adult HIV positive clients who had transferred into the selected facilities using a semi-structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS 16. A total of 4 counsellors and 2 expert clients that were purposively selected and subjected to in-depth interviews regarding challenges in transferring of clients. The data obtained was thematically analyzed.
Results
A total 183 transferred in clients were interviewed, 69.9% were documented transfers and 30.1% were self-transfers. Psychosocial factors were significantly associated with being officially transferred (Chi square value 5.471, df- 1, p value − 0.02) while majority of the clients who self-transferred had structural factors as reasons for transfer. Only 32.8% of the transferred clients had been followed up after transfer contributing to a follow up rate of only 17.9%. Mis-identification of the self-transferred clients and poor interfacility communication emerged as the major challenges to follow up.
Conclusion
The high prevalence of self-transferred clients and lack of follow up create a great challenge in linkage and retention into care of people living with HIV. Therefore rigorous mechanisms for official transfers and follow up of clients at all levels are necessary to improve client retention in care.
Comparing 2D SLAM Algorithms: A Novel Benchmarking Framework for Map Quality Assessment
Authors: Dhaoui Riadh , Ahmed Zuhair A. , Houda Taha , Dhaoui Chaher
Published: October 2024

Evaluating SLAM algorithms is critical in determining their performance and suitability for specific applications. This paper introduces a novel benchmark framework for quantitatively assessing 2D SLAM map quality through two stages: preprocessing and evaluation. The preprocessing stage focuses on correcting the SLAM map according to the ground truth map to ensure comparability. This consists of image registration and thinning operation. In the evaluation stage, the resulting SLAM map is compared with the ground truth using various methods: Map Similarity, Geometric Distance Measurement, and Correspondence Matching. To aid in environment selection, we introduce the Environment Complexity Matrix (EnviCM), which categorizes environments into simple, complicated, and complex based on coverage area and feature density. EnviCM assists researchers and developers in making informed decisions regarding SLAM algorithm suitability for the chosen environment, leveraging outcomes from the evaluation stage. The evaluated SLAM algorithms are the widely used Gmapping, Hector SLAM, and Cartographer.
Maternal Healthcare-seeking Behaviour and Timely Childhood Vaccination in Low- Resource Agricultural Areas of Nigeria
Authors: Adejoorin Mobolaji Victoria , Salman Kabir Kayode , Salawu Mutiat Bukola
Published: October 2024

Background
Maternal healthcare-seeking behavior is a key determinant of childhood vaccination rates. Understanding this behavior among mothers makes improving vaccination rates and reducing preventable disease incidence possible. Maternal Healthcare-seeking Behavior (MHB) in rural Nigeria is low, with high maternal mortality. Empirical evidence linking MHB to the vaccination of children is limited; therefore, the effect of maternal health-care-seeking behaviour on the timely immunization of children in low-resource agricultural areas in Nigeria was investigated.
Method
Secondary data sourced from the 2018 National Demographic Health Survey were utilized in this study. Information on vaccines collected by the children, prenatal care, timing of first ante-natal, number of ante-natal visits during pregnancy, assisted by a skilled attendant, and post-natal care by mothers was extracted from 2,751 women with under-five children. It was analyzed using descriptive statistics, multiple correspondence analysis, and an extended ordered logit model.
Results
Women in rural Nigeria seek the use of maternal healthcare facilities moderately with a mean value of 0.54 while most (55.85%) of the children are unimmunized. The MHB and husband’s education improved partial vaccination in children, while the husband’s education and mother's full employment in agriculture improved the child’s full vaccination status.
Conclusion
It was concluded that MHB improved child vaccination status in low-resource areas in Nigeria. Therefore, policies to facilitate better use of maternal healthcare facilities should be formulated and upheld. The government should also try to create mini health centers in major markets across states where pregnant mothers can have their antenatal care and vaccines can as well be administered to children. Also, implementing programs and policies to improve child vaccination in low-resource areas in Nigeria should be considered.
A Robust Underwater Image Enhancement Algorithm
Authors: Hu Kuo-Jui , Pan Yi-Tsung , Jiang Li-Wei , Lee Sin-Der , Kao Sheng-Long
Published: October 2024

Capturing clear images in underwater environments is a major challenge in marine engineering. There are many issues to consider in obtaining clear underwater images. Such as climate, environment and human factors. The most important reasons are the atomization effect caused by dispersion and the color cast caused by inconsistent energy attenuation of each wavelength when light propagates in water. We propose a deep learning model for inferring a degradation model to further improve image dynamic range through a network-guided underwater image enhancement network architecture with multicolor space embedding and convolutional media transfer. Fixed an issue with limited dynamic range and brightness in underwater images. Quantitative and qualitative results show that our network performs relatively well in the Underwater Image Enhancement Benchmark (UIEB) dataset compared to other recent methods, and is expected to be applied to different types of underwater work and environments in the future. Image enhancement. And reduce the degradation problems that often occur with underwater images.
Experience-guided, Mixed-precision Matrix Multiplication with Apache TVM for ARM processors
Authors: Castelló Adrián , Martínez Héctor , Catalán Sandra , Igual Francisco D. , Quintana-Ortí Enrique S.
Published: October 2024

Deep learning (DL) generates new computational tasks that are different from those encountered in classical scientific applications. In particular, DL training and inference require general matrix multiplications (gemm) with matrix operands that are far from large and square as in other scientific fields. In addition, DL models gain arithmetic/storage complexity, and as a result, reduced precision via quantization is now mainstream for inferring DL models in edge devices. Automatic code generation addresses these new types of gemm by 1) improving portability between different hardware with only one base code; 2) supporting mixed and reduced precision; and 3) enabling autotuning methods that, given a base operation, perform a (costly) optimization search for the best schedule.
In this paper, we rely on Apache TVM to generate an experience-guided gemm that provides performance competitive with the TVM Auto-scheduler, while reducing tuning time by a factor of 48×.
A Single Multi-Task Deep Neural Network with a Multi-Scale Feature Aggregation Mechanism for Manipulation Relationship Reasoning in Robotic Grasping
Authors: Dong Mingshuai , Bai Yuxuan , Yu Xiuli
Published: October 2024

In stacked object scenes, effectively perceiving the positional relationships between objects is crucial for enabling robots to grasp safely. However, most existing methods rely on single-scale features with limited representational capability, ignoring the benefits of multi-scale features. In this paper, we propose a multi-task grasp detection model for stacked object scenes based on multi-scale feature fusion. We design a Multi-Scale Feature Aggregation (MSFA) module to fuse features, enhancing the feature maps' ability to represent objects of varying sizes. Additionally, we leverage features from multiple views to predict object positional relationships. In particular, the local Intersection Region Feature (IRF) significantly enhances the model's capability to identify positional relationships between objects while improving computational efficiency. Experimental results on the Visual Manipulation Relationship Dataset (VMRD) demonstrate that our model surpasses current state-of-the-art methods. Furthermore, we conducted grasping experiments in real-world stacking scenarios, which verified the model's effectiveness and generalization capability.
Combining multiple sources of relationships in a network to advance understanding of physicians' beliefs regarding peer-effects
Authors: Zhao Yifan , Bobak Carly , Murphy Megan , Sacks Olivia , Liu Lili , Ray Natasha , Barnato Amber , O'Malley Alistair James
Published: October 2024

Patient-sharing physician networks are increasingly recognized as valuable tools for examining physician relationships in healthcare research. However, very few studies have examined the reliability of such networks and summary measures derived from them in relation to directly measured physician relationships. In this study, we evaluate the level of congruence between a survey-based network derived from survey responses to specific name-generator questions and a patient-sharing network derived from claims data. We also examine the association of summary measures derived from either network with physicians' beliefs about peer influence in medical practice. Statistical models with hierarchical and multiple-membership structures were used to estimate the strength of the associations. We found that a survey measure indicating whether a physician was nominated by others was significantly associated with their survey reported beliefs about peer influence. We also observed significant associations between the physicians' structural importance in the network reflected in their eigenvector and betweenness centrality in the patient-sharing network and their beliefs about peer influence. This study of multi-source network relational information advances our understanding of physician survey responses and yields more precise predictions of physician beliefs toward peer-influence than either data source alone. Overall, we found that patient-sharing networks are an important alternative to directly measured survey-based name-generator questions in health services research and other applications. While patient-sharing networks recover some of the information in directly measured peer physician nominations, they also contain distinct information that is helpful for interpreting healthcare insights.
Examining Factors Associated with Experiencing Cardiac Arrhythmias in Black and White Breast Cancer Survivors Who Received Anthracyclines or Trastuzumab
Authors: Sutton Arnethea , Zhao Jinlei , He Jian , Tossas Katherine , Bottinor Wendy , Sheppard Vanessa
Published: October 2024

Purpose: Racial disparities exist regarding cardiovascular (CV) toxicities following breast cancer treatment; however, studies on racial differences in cardiac arrhythmias are lacking. This study examined associations between demographic and clinical factors and arrhythmia diagnosis in Black and White breast cancer survivors.
Methods: This study included a retrospective cohort of Black and White women who were diagnosed with breast cancer and who received potentially cardiotoxic treatment. Cardiac arrhythmia data were captured via International Classification of Diseases, Tenth and Ninth Versions (ICD-10 and ICD-9). Experiences with cardiac arrhythmias were compared across racial groups. The associations of demographic and clinical factors with cardiac arrhythmias were evaluated using logistic regression for all women and in race-stratified models.
Results: Cardiac arrhythmias were experienced by 33% of the total 860 women (mean (SD) age 50.3 [10.7] years). In bivariate analyses, Black women were more likely to experience arrhythmias when compared to White women (p=0.006). In race-stratified multivariable analysis, controlling for age and treatment, Black women >50 years were less likely to experience arrhythmias when compared to Black women <50 (adjusted odds ratio (OR): 0.50; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.29, 0.87) years. Black women with hypertension were 2.7 times more likely to experience arrhythmias than Black women without hypertension [95% CI: 1.52, 4.82]. White women with obesity were more likely to experience arrhythmias than White women with normal/underweight (OR: 1.97: [1.18, 3.28]).
Conclusion: Survivors with chronic conditions like hypertension and obesity may require enhanced cardiac surveillance. Further investigation into hypertension management in Black survivors may shed light on its impact on CV toxicities in this group.
Floatable Artificial Leaf to Couple Oxygen-Tolerant CO2 Conversion with Water-Purification
Authors: Sheng Hua , Zhang Zhiyong , Wang Yang , Xie Yangen , Takemoto Toru , Zhao Qi , Huang Qing , Huang Xingmiao , Zhang Boyang , Song Wenjing , Chen Chuncheng , Zhao Jincai
Published: October 2024

To enable open-environment application of artificial photosynthesis, the direct utilization of environmental CO2 via an oxygen-tolerant reductive procedure is necessary. Herein, we introduce an in-situ growth strategy for fabricating two-dimensional heterojunctions between indium porphyrin metal-organic framework (In-MOF) and single-layer graphene oxide (GO). Upon illumination, the In-MOF/GO heterostructure facilitates a tandem CO2 capture and photocatalytic reduction on its hydroxylated In-node, prioritizing the reduction of dilute CO2 even in the presence of air-level O2. The In-MOF/GO heterostructure photocatalyst was integrated with a porous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane to construct a floatable artificial leaf. Through a triphase photocatalytic reaction, the floatable artificial leaf can remove aqueous contaminants from real water while efficiently reducing CO2 at low concentrations (10%, approximately the CO2 concentration in combustion flue gases) upon air-level O2. This study provides a scalable approach for the construction of photocatalytic devices for CO2 conversion in open environments.
Monoterpenes in Your Beverage: A Flavoring Catalyst for Faster Aging?
Authors: Zhao Anda , Li Zhen , Gao Xiang , Wu Jiang
Published: October 2024

Background
Aging is characterized by the progressive deterioration of tissue structure and physiological functions. While the impact of sugar and artificial sweeteners in beverages on biological aging, mediated through increased body mass index (BMI) and obesity, has been well-documented, the potential effects of other food additives, particularly monoterpenes, have not been thoroughly explored. This study aimed to investigate the association between high exposure to monoterpenes in beverages and biological age acceleration.
Methods
Included in the current study were 1,217 adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in 2013–2014. Beverage intake was assessed through the 24-hour dietary recall. Serum levels of three monoterpenes—limonene, α-pinene, and β-pinene were used to estimate monoterpene exposure. Biological age was assessed using phenotypic age (PA), with acceleration calculated as the difference from chronological age. Multiple statistical approaches, including linear regression, restricted cubic spline (RCS) models, quantile g-computation (Qgcomp), and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR), were employed to analyze associations between beverage intake, monoterpene exposure and biological aging. Furthermore, mediation analyses were conducted to explore the mediated effects of monoterpenes and BMI on the association of beverage intake with PA acceleration.
Results
High beverage intake (β = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.26, 1.62) and increased exposure to monoterpenes, particularly limonene (β = 1.65, 95% CI: 0.55, 2.76) and β-pinene (β = 1.35, 95% CI: 0.53, 2.18), were associated with accelerated PA. In the RCS analyses, the effects of limonene and β-pinene on PA acceleration exhibited both linear and nonlinear. In the Qgcomp model, the mixed exposure of three monoterpenes had a significant positive relationship with PA acceleration (β = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.12, 0.37). Moreover, we observed antagonistic effects between limonene and each of α-pinene and β-pinene concerning the acceleration of biological aging in the BKMR model. Additionally, limonene and BMI were identified as parallel mediators of the relationship between beverage intake and PA acceleration.
Conclusion
The study provides novel insights into the detrimental effects of high monoterpene exposures in beverages on biological aging. These findings highlight the importance of considering a broader range of food additives in public health guidelines, as their impact on long-term health outcomes may be significant.
Explore of potential targets and mechanisms of hesperetin in treating metabolic dysfunction-associated steatosis liver disease via network pharmacology and in vitro experiments
Authors: Wu Yi , Lin Ying , Xu Shan , Su Dan , Yang Hao , Tang Lidan
Published: October 2024

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatosic liver disease (MASLD) is a serious public health issue globally; however, there is no specific drug treatment. Hesperetin, a flavonoid extracted from citrus, possesses multiple pharmacological properties. However, limited reports have elucidated the pharmacological targets of and molecular mechanisms underlying hesperetin on lipid metabolism disorders in MASLD. First,in vitroexperiments confirmed the ameliorative effect of hesperetin on lipid accumulations. Second, putative target genes of the compounds were screened using public databases. MASLD-related targets were obtained through data mining of the GEO database. Third, a PPI network was constructed to screen for the core targets through the STRING database. Additionally, GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were performed on the key targets to identify the enriched genes with specific biological themes. We analyzed the binding mode of hesperetin to the key targets using molecular docking. Finally, the potential mechanism by which hesperetin affects MASLD was validated experimentally on an invitromodel. The current evidence suggested that hesperetin ameliorated lipid accumulation by inhibiting the IL-6-mediated STAT3-SOCS3 signaling pathway. Our findings provided novel insights into the underlying mechanisms and the clinical potential of hesperetin in MASLD management or prevention.
A Token-Agnostic Approach to Controlling Generated Text Length in Large Language Models
Authors: Foster Kiannah , Johansson Andrew , Williams Elizabeth , Petrovic Daniel , Kovalenko Nicholas
Published: October 2024

The rapid expansion of language models has led to increased demand for precise control over text generation, particularly in terms of output length. Traditional token-based methods often struggle with consistency across languages and text coherence, presenting challenges in tasks that require strict length adherence. A novel token-agnostic approach has been developed to address these limitations, leveraging semantic structures such as sentences and paragraphs to manage length dynamically. Through this method, text generation becomes more flexible and adaptable to a variety of languages and writing styles, ensuring that length constraints are respected without sacrificing fluency or relevance. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the method when implemented with Llama, yielding high precision in length adherence and text quality across multiple evaluation metrics. This approach offers a robust solution to the ongoing challenge of managing output length in text generation, with potential applications spanning numerous domains, from summarization to content creation.
Embedding Generative AI as a digital capability into a year-long MSc skills program
Authors: Smith David P. , Sokoya Dami , Moore Skye , Okonkwo Chinenya , Boyd Charlotte , Lacey Melissa M. , Francis Nigel J.
Published: October 2024

The arrival of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) into higher education has brought about significant transformations in assessment practices and pedagogical approaches. Large Language Models (LLMs) powered by GenAI present unprecedented opportunities for personalised learning journeys. However, the emergence of GenAI in higher education raises concerns regarding academic integrity and the development of essential cognitive and creative skills among students. Critics worry about the potential decline in academic standards and the perpetuation of biases inherent in the training sets used for LLMs. Addressing these concerns requires clear frameworks and continual evaluation and updating of assessment practices to leverage GenAI's capabilities while preserving academic integrity. Here, we evaluated the integration of GenAI into a year-long MSc program to enhance student understanding and confidence in using GenAI. Approaching GenAI as a digital competency, its use was integrated into core skills modules across two semesters, focusing on ethical considerations, prompt engineering, and tool usage. The assessment tasks were redesigned to incorporate GenAI, which takes a process-based assessment approach. Students' perceptions were evaluated alongside skills audits, and they reported increased confidence in using GenAI. Thematic analysis of one-to-one interviews revealed a cyclical relationship between students' usage of GenAI, experience, ethical considerations, and learning adaptation.
Knowledge and awareness regarding cholera epidemic among Syrian private university students (non-medical colleges)
Authors: hamsho Belal Mohammad , ajoub Fadel Mohammad , Al-Daher Nizar
Published: October 2024

Background: Cholera is defined as an acute bacterial infection caused by Vibrio cholerae, and the main clinical feature of cholera is watery diarrhea, therefore cholera represents a global threat to public health and a sign of underdevelopment in a country. An important factor contributing to the spread of cholera is the lack of public knowledge and awareness of its transmission methods and early measures to diagnose and treat cholera symptoms, therefore it is important to understand the public knowledge and awareness of this disease to reduce its transmission.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at the Syrian Private University, during the period from 12/6/2024 to 27/8/2024. The number of participating students was 208 male and female students, from non-medical colleges at the university. This was done through a questionnaire distributed electronically and in paper form.
Results: Our study included 208 students from the Syrian Private University, males (51%) and females (49%). The most participating age group was "21-25" (52.9%). The most participating students were "Information Engineering" students (43.8%). They answered that the causative agent of cholera is "bacteria" (51.4%). The most important symptoms of cholera were answered "acute watery diarrhea" (54.3%). They answered about the spread of cholera: contaminated water (93.8%). Contaminated food (88%).
Conclusion: We found that the level of knowledge of the participating students at the Syrian Private University is average to weak, and the attitudes and practices of students in some of the points raised are unsatisfactory. We recommend conducting awareness campaigns about the cholera epidemic and further studies at the population level.
The Influence of Asset Depreciation Methods on the Efficiency of Economic Activities of a Transport Corporation
Authors:   Siberian State University of Communications, Novosibirsk, Fedorovich Vladimir O. , Fedorovich Tatyana V. ,   Novosibirsk State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering
Published: October 2024

The relevance of the study is due to the search for modern, most advanced and convenient approaches for transformation and digitalization, for the formation of financial savings sufficient for the renovation of assets. The study of the dependence of depreciation policy, financial stability and the efficiency of economic activities of transport corporations allows us to determine the main directions of asset renovation. The object of the study is the process of forming a depreciation strategy for transport corporations aimed at creating sufficient financial savings. Sufficiency is determined by the real possibility of providing the required volumes of financing for the renovation of public pension facilities. The purpose of the work is to develop a methodological approach for the formation of a depreciation strategy as part of improving the financial management of national transport corporations. The tasks that required their solution to achieve this goal required: consideration of the general theoretical foundations associated with the study of modern developments on the formation and development of a depreciation strategy for replenishing one’s own sources of investment finan­cing; development of an effective depreciation strategy for a transport corporation. Strategies based on the use of combined methods of calculating depreciation, taking into account their impact on the efficiency of business activities; analysis of methods for calculating depreciation based on objective and reliable information, namely, accounting and tax accounting data. The research is based on the methods of induction, deduction and general cognition. Using the example of an operating passenger suburban railway corporation, the results of a study of the influence of the choice of depreciation methods (depreciation bonus) of the active part of production fixed assets on taxation, efficiency and quality indicators of its production, economic and financial activities are presented. The results of the study have proved that when using methods of logical, statistical and correlation analysis, it is possible to use scenario approaches as the main tool for developing a rational depreciation policy for a suburban passenger railway corporation. The conclusions are based on practical recommendations for the formation of an accounting policy of a railway corporation, allowing to accumulate funds and form strategic savings sufficient for the complete restoration of active fixed assets.
Geoecological Mapping of Urbanized Territories of the Transbaikal Territory Using a Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Kochev Denis V.
Published: October 2024

Floods pose a serious threat to economies and communities, but their danger is often underestimated. As a result, potentially dangerous areas of economic territories are subject to intensive development, which leads to damage when they are flooded. The use of modern methods of remote sensing of the Earth in combination with deep learning algorithms can significantly increase the efficiency and accuracy of mapping these territories and makes it possible to effectively manage them, optimizing the processes of planning and development of territories, reducing damage due to flooding. The object of the study is flood-prone areas of settlements in the Transbaikal Territory. The goal of the study is to improve geoecological mapping of the economic use of residential areas of the Transbaikal Territory that are prone to floods during the inter-flood period. The research objectives are as follows: image processing; visualization of objects belonging to different classes of economic use; analysis and assessment of changes within hazardous areas; checking the results obtained using a convolutional neural network; development of a software product that allows you to inform interested parties about the presence of dangerous territories. The methodology and me­thods are presented by research methods in the field of remote sensing of the Earth and processing of cartographic information. High-resolution remote sensing data, freely distributed by Google Earth services, and data from UAVs were obtained. The data is given in raster format and has a coordinate reference. Data processing has been carried out using the U-Net convolutional neural network and image processing by using a neural network and visualization of objects belonging to different classes of economic use of territories. A retrospective analysis and assessment of development changes in hazardous areas has also been peformed. The data obtained show active individual construction in the danger zone. The adequacy of the results obtained using a convolutional neural network was checked. A software product has been developed to determine the presence of hazardous areas within populated areas, which can significantly increase the efficiency and accuracy of mapping economic activities in populated areas.