bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of meteorological variables and associated extreme events over North-East India and its adjoining areas using high resolution IMDAA reanalysis
Authors: Gautam Rohit , Borgohain Arup , Pathak Binita , Kundu Shyam Sundar , Aggarwal S.P.
Published: March 2024

The study incorporates first time investigation of the annual trends in precipitation, temperature and related extreme events across a set of 21 study sites of differing altitudes across North-East India and its contiguous areas employing reanalysis datasets of highest spatial and temporal resolution (0.12º; 1-hr) available for Indian subcontinent called Indian Monsoon Data Assimilation and Analysis (IMDAA). A total of ten precipitation and eleven temperature extremes, following the Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices (ETCCDI), have been explored for trend identification at 5% and 1% significance levels combined with change point analysis using the Mann-Kendall (MK)/modified M-K (mMK) and CUSUM charts, respectively. Noteworthy findings were revealed, where most stations exhibited significant annual increases in minimum temperatures, along with a less pronounced trend in maximum temperatures, while some stations showed decreasing annual precipitation. Results revealed predominant significant increasing trends in temperature indices across most of the locations with indices related to warmer nights showing greater significance. However, precipitation indices showed declining trends for majority of the sites except for one location. Change points corresponding to minimum and maximum temperatures characterized by negative to positive shifts outnumbered that to precipitation, which showed rather opposite shifts across majority of the locations. Predominant negative to positive shifts were observed in SU25, TR20, TNx, TX90p, TN90p, TXn and TNn, whereas positive to negative in TXx, TX10p, TN10p and DTR indicating a greater rise in warming scenario rather than cooling scenario. Precipitation indices generally shifted from positive to negative values, except for CWD, which indicates shifting precipitation patterns. The rise in extreme events pose a serious threat to the region and the continuously evolving pattern of climatic variables may have significant implications on human and natural ecosystems over this area of India subcontinent.
Adult-onset Wilm's Tumor: A Case Report
Authors: Egbe Flavius E. , Namuguzi Dan , Masaba Joseph , Babua Philip , Matumaini Hope Kibansha
Published: March 2024

Background
Wilms tumor or nephroblastoma is the most common pediatric renal malignancy. However, the presentation of the adult variant of this tumor is rare, especially in our low-resource setting where there is a diagnostic challenge. This tumor is often missed resulting in a poorer prognosis compared to the childhood variants. We present the case of a young adult with Wilms tumor initially diagnosed as renal cell carcinoma.
Case presentation:
This is the case of an eighteen-year-old boy who presented with a prolonged history of progressive painful left flank fullness, hematuria, low-grade fever, nausea/vomiting, and weight loss in whom examination also revealed hypertension, a tender left flank mass, and left varicocele. Abdominal/chest CT suggested a left renal malignant tumor with inferior vena cava thrombosis, para-aortic lymph node, and lung metastasis presumed to be renal cell carcinoma. Following radical left nephrectomy and histopathological examination, a final diagnosis of stage IV left blastemal-type Wilms tumor was made. The patient was discharged on postoperative day nine and referred for adjuvant chemotherapy and localized radiotherapy to the lung and left flank area. However, he died several weeks after surgery without adjuvant therapy after being lost to follow-up.
Conclusion
This report aims to alert clinicians of adult-onset Wilms tumor when an adult presents with a flank mass especially as this is a rare condition. This should allow for early diagnosis and expeditious management of this disease variant.
Faster both in operative time and functional recovery by the extraperitoneal daVinci SP- based robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: A propensity score matching analysis compared to transperitoneal multiport counterpart
Authors: Ko Young Hwii , Jang Jae Youn , Kim Yeong Uk , Kim Sang Won
Published: March 2024

We aim to investigate the peri-operative outcomes after extraperitoneal single-port based robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (eSP-RARP) utilizing the da Vinci SP system compared to conventional transperitoneal multi-port counterparts (tMP-RARP), in an era when pelvic lymph node dissection (PNLD) was omitted for the node-negative case. With exclusion criteria of volume + 50g, suspicious rectal invasion, and node-positive disease given relatively weak grasping power and limited range of motion from the current SP system, 50 consecutive patients (Since December 2021) with localized prostate cancer underwent eSP-RARP by a single urologist maintaining identical surgical technique for 100 consecutive tMP-RARP cases (Since December 2020). Given initial selection criteria, each group was matched to a 1:1 ratio based on the risk-stratification parameters and the prostate volume. The operative time, which was maintained in each group during the study period, was significantly faster in eSP-RARP groups than in tMP-RARP (149.2 vs. 163.2 minutes, p = .025), while the weight of the removed specimen (27.1 vs. 29.0 g, p = .420) and margin positivity (14.7% vs. 11.7% in pT2, p = .812) were similar. The gas-out (1.5 vs. 1.88 days, p = .003) and solid diet dates (2.26 vs. 3.22 days, p < .001) were faster in the eSP-RARP group. The single-pad continence dates (30.5 vs. 51.9 days, p = .145) and zero-pad continence dates (105.5 vs. 146.2 days, p = .210) were identical. 90-day single-pad continence rate was 92% vs. 82% (p = .142, 52% vs. 56% in zero-pad continence). Based on these, daVinci SP-based RARP restored bowel function faster with shorter operative time through an extraperitoneal approach than the conventional transperitoneal multi-port counterpart while maintaining similar incontinence outcomes in cases without a routine PNLD.
Consistent Cord Blood DNA Methylation Signatures of Gestational Age between South Asian and white European Cohorts
Authors: Deng Wei Q. , Pigeyre Marie , Azab Sandi M. , Wilson Samantha L , Campbell Natalie , Cawte Nathan , Morrison Katherine M. , Atkinson Stephanie A. , Subbarao Padmaja , Turvey Stuart E. , Moraes Theo J. , Mandhane Piush , Azad Meghan B. , Simons Elinor , Pare Guillaume , Anand Sonia S.
Published: March 2024

Background
Epigenetic modifications, particularly DNA methylation (DNAm) in cord blood, are an important biological marker of how external exposures during gestation can influence the in-utero environment and subsequent offspring development. Despite the recognized importance of DNAm during gestation, comparative studies to determine the consistency of these epigenetic signals across different ethnic groups are largely absent. To address this gap, we first performed epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) of gestational age (GA) using newborn cord blood DNAm comparatively in a white European (n = 342) and a South Asian (n = 490) birth cohort living in Canada. Then, we capitalized on established cord blood epigenetic GA clocks to examine the associations between maternal exposures, offspring characteristics and epigenetic GA, as well as GA acceleration, defined as the residual difference between epigenetic and chronological GA at birth.
Results
Individual EWASs identified 1,211 and 1,543 differentially methylated CpGs associated with GA in white European and South Asian cohorts, respectively, with a similar distribution of effects. We confirmed that Bohlin’s cord blood GA clock was robustly correlated with GA in white Europeans (r = 0.71; p = 6.0×10− 54) and South Asians (r = 0.66; p = 6.9×10− 64). In both cohorts, Bohlin’s clock was positively associated with newborn weight and length, and negatively associated with parity, newborn female sex, and gestational diabetes. Exclusive to South Asians, the GA clock was positively associated with the newborn ponderal index, while pre-pregnancy weight and gestational weight gain were strongly predictive of increased epigenetic GA in white Europeans. Important predictors of GA acceleration included gestational diabetes mellitus, newborn sex, and parity in both cohorts.
Conclusions
These results demonstrate the consistent DNAm signatures of GA and the utility of Bohlin’s GA clock across the two populations. Although the overall pattern of DNAm is similar, its connections with the mother's environment and the baby's anthropometrics can differ between the two groups. Further research is needed to understand these unique relationships.
Ultrasound-guided superior laryngeal nerve block: a randomized comparison between parasagittal and transverse approach
Authors: Shan Tao , Tan Qilian , Bao Hongguang , Ge Degao , Han Liu , Su Chuan , Ju Yu
Published: March 2024

Background
Different approach ultrasound-guided superior laryngeal nerve block was used to aid awake intubation, but little is known which approach was superior. We aimed to compare the parasagittal and transverse approaches for ultrasound-guided superior laryngeal nerve block in adult patients undergoing awake intubation.
Methods
Fifty patients with awake orotracheal intubation were randomized to receive either a parasagittal or transverse ultrasound-guided superior laryngeal nerve block. The primary outcome was patient’s quality of airway anesthesia grade during insertion of the tube into the trachea. The patients’ tube tolerance score after intubation, total procedure time, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, Ramsay sedation score at each time point, incidence of sore throat both 1 h and 24 h after extubation, and hoarseness before intubation, 1 h and 24 h after extubation were documented.
Results
Patients’ quality of airway anesthesia grade was significantly lower in the parasagittal group than in the transverse group (median grade[IQR], 0 [0–1] vs 1 [0–1], P = 0.036). Patients in the parasagittal approach group had lower tube tolerance scores (median score [IQR], 1[1–1] vs 1 [1–1.5], P = 0.042) and shorter total procedure time (median time [IQR], 113 seconds [98.5–125.5] vs 188 seconds [149.5–260], P < 0.001) than those in the transverse approach group. The incidence of sore throat 24 h after extubation was lower in the parasagittal group (8% vs. 36%, P = 0.041). Hoarseness occurred in more than half of the patients in parasagittal group before intubation (72% vs 40%, P = 0.023).
Conclusions
Compared to the transverse approach, the ultrasound-guided parasagittal approach showed improved efficacy in terms of the quality of airway topical anesthesia and shorter total procedure time for superior laryngeal nerve block.
Trial registration
This prospective, randomized controlled trial was approved by the Ethics Committee of Nanjing First Hospital (KY20220425-014) and registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (19/6/2022, ChiCTR2200061287) prior to patient enrollment. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants in this trial.
Unsatisfactory Response to Acute Medications Does Not Affect the Medication Overuse Headache Development in Pediatric Chronic Migraine
Authors: Frattale Ilaria , Ferilli Michela Ada Noris , Ursitti Fabiana , Sforza Giorgia , Monte Gabriele , Checchi Martina Proietti , Tarantino Samuela , Mazzone Luigi , Valeriani Massimiliano , Papetti Laura
Published: March 2024

Background: Chronic migraine (CM) affects 2 to 4% of paediatric patients and has a significant impact on their quality of life. While in adults CM is very often associated to medication overuse headache (MOH), in children MOH prevalence is far lower. Suboptimal response to attack therapies may lead to their reduced assumption, thus preventing MOH development in children and adolescents.
The main aim of our study was to verify whether among CM patients those with a poor response to the attack therapy showed a lower frequency of MOH, compared to those responding to the analgesic drugs. We also checked whether patients receiving prophylactic therapy had a better response to rescue drugs. Lastly, we investigated the frequency of psychiatric comorbidities between responders and non-responders.
Methods: We retrospectively analysed clinical data of all chronic paediatric migraineurs under the age of 18 referred to the Headache Centre at Bambino Gesù Children Hospital June 2021 and February 2023. As primary endpoints, we evaluated: 1) unresponsiveness to acute medication in the whole population, and 2) the frequency of MOH in patients responder and non-responder to abortive drugs. As secondary endpoints, we evaluated the impact of preventive treatment and psychiatric comorbidities on the responsiveness to acute medication.
Results: Seventy patients with CM were assessed during the chosen period. Paracetamol was tried by 41 patients (58.5%), NSAIDs by 56 patients (80.0%), and triptans by 1 patient (1.4%). Fifty-one participants (73%) were resistant to the abortive treatment. The presence of MOH was detected in 27.1% of the whole populations. Regarding our primary aim, MOH was diagnosed in 29% of resistant patients and 22% of responders (p >0.05). Preventative treatment was prescribed to all patients. After 3 months of preventive pharmacological therapy, 65.4% of patients who did not respond to acute medications achieved a response, while 34.6% of patients who were resistant kept not responding (p < 0.05). Among the patients who responded to acute medication, 69% also responded to prophylactic therapy (p < 0.05). Psychiatric comorbidities were detected in 68.6% of patients, with no difference between responders and non-responders (72.2% vs. 67.3%; p=0.05).
Conclusions: Although in pediatric CM unresponsiveness to abortive drugs is highly prevalent, it does not represent a protective factor for MOH. Moreover, responsiveness to abortive drugs is improved by pharmacological preventative treatment and it is not affected by concomitant psychiatric comorbidities.
Study and implementation of a new machine learning algorithm to predict drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex clinical isolates
Authors: SIRRI Naoufal , Guyeux Christophe , Sola Christophe
Published: March 2024

Background
Tuberculosis is a major public health problem, and the diagnosis of multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis is a global health priority. This resistance is mainly caused by mutations in genes coding for drug targets or conversion enzymes, but knowledge of these mutations is incomplete. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) is an increasingly common approach for rapidly characterizing isolates and identifying mutations predictive of drug resistance. Moreover, it promises to circumvent long delays in results; however, this technique has not accounted for the evolution of resistance. In contrast, machine learning methods have been widely applied to predict the resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) to a specific drug in a timely manner and even identify resistance markers. Our main objective was to explore statistical learning algorithms to construct a fast and powerful prediction model to predict drug sensitivity and resistance, thus providing an optimal diagnostic tool to aid in clinical decision making.
Methods
Machine learning approaches were applied to 28,073 (22,458 for training and 5614 for testing) M. tuberculosis isolates that underwent WGS analysis and laboratory drug susceptibility testing (DST) for 10 antituberculosis drugs. The data for these isolates were collected from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database. Boosting models, such as extreme gradient tree (XGBoost), light gradient tree (LightGBM), and a deep neural network model with a new architecture, were used to predict drug resistance. The different proposed models were fitted distinctly for each drug, with the exploration of the 10 most influential feature classes that were used as input features during training to obtain satisfactory performance. The predictive performance was measured using sensitivity, specificity, the f1 score, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the area under the curve (AUC).
Results
All three tools reliably predicted drug resistance. They were able to outperform the AUCs of at least 6 drugs compared to algorithms from other studies, especially for 6 drugs, namely, ethambutol (EMB), kanamycin (KAN), capreomycin (CAP), amikacin (AMK), streptomycin (STR), and ethionamide (ETH). Overall, the best performing model was the deep learning model, which outperformed all existing direct association-based approaches as well as the previously reported machine learning models, with AUCs ranging from 0.97 to 0.99 for 9 drugs.
Conclusion
This work demonstrated the power of machine learning as a flexible approach for drug resistance prediction. This tool is able to consider a significant number of predictors and summarize their predictive ability, facilitating clinical decision making and detection of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the era of increasing WGS data generation.
Primary pineal alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma in an adult patient: a case report and literature review
Authors: Chang Tao , Niu Xiaodong , Liu Yanhui , Yang Yuan , Mao Qing
Published: March 2024

Background
The rarity of adult primary cerebral rhabdomyosarcoma (PCRMS) cases has necessitated the adoption of pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) therapeutic protocols, highlighting a critical need for broadening treatment experiences to enhance prognoses.
Case presentation
A brain MRI revealed a mass in the pineal region, extending into the third ventricle, measuring approximately 2.5 x 2.0 x 3.0 cm. The mass showed mild irregular lobulation and heterogeneous enhancement. Intraoperatively, it exhibited characteristics similar to high-grade gliomas, including a grayish appearance, abundant blood supply, firm texture, and indistinct margins adjacent to the bilateral thalamus. The diagnosis confirmed alveolar type PCRMS with FOXO1 gene rearrangement. Despite receiving comprehensive treatment, the patient unfortunately succumbed to the illness eight months after her initial PCRMS diagnosis.
Conclusions
PCRMS in the pineal region, a distinct subtype of RMS, is exceptionally rare and typically associated with a bleak prognosis, suggesting unique tumor characteristics. A multidisciplinary and aggressive treatment approach is crucial. Further research into the molecular makeup of PCRMS in adults may pave the way for more effective, tailored treatments for this aggressive disease.
Classification of Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder with Comorbid Traits and Deep Learning Algorithms
Authors: Chen Xiangning , Liu Yimei , Cue Joan , Han Mira , Nimgaonkar Vishwajit , Weinberger Daniel , Han Shizhong , Zhao Zhongming , Chen Jingchun
Published: March 2024

Recent GWASs have demonstrated that comorbid disorders share genetic liabilities. But whether and how these shared liabilities can be used for the classification and differentiation of comorbid disorders remains unclear. In this study, we use polygenic risk scores (PRSs) estimated from 42 comorbid traits and the deep neural networks (DNN) architecture to classify and differentiate schizophrenia (SCZ), bipolar disorder (BIP) and major depressive disorder (MDD). Multiple PRSs were obtained for individuals from the schizophrenia (SCZ) (cases = 6,317, controls = 7,240), bipolar disorder (BIP) (cases = 2,634, controls 4,425) and major depressive disorder (MDD) (cases = 1,704, controls = 3,357) datasets, and classification models were constructed with and without the inclusion of PRSs of the target (SCZ, BIP or MDD). Models with the inclusion of target PRSs performed well as expected. Surprisingly, we found that SCZ could be classified with only the PRSs from 35 comorbid traits (not including the target SCZ and directly related traits) (accuracy 0.760 ± 0.007, AUC 0.843 ± 0.005). Similar results were obtained for BIP (33 traits, accuracy 0.768 ± 0.007, AUC 0.848 ± 0.009), and MDD (36 traits, accuracy 0.794 ± 0.010, AUC 0.869 ± 0.004). Furthermore, these PRSs from comorbid traits alone could effectively differentiate unaffected controls, SCZ, BIP, and MDD patients (average categorical accuracy 0.861 ± 0.003, average AUC 0.961 ± 0.041). These results suggest that the shared liabilities from comorbid traits alone may be sufficient to classify SCZ, BIP and MDD. More importantly, these results imply that a data-driven and objective diagnosis and differentiation of SCZ, BIP and MDD may be feasible.
Non-Reciprocal Wave Propagations in a One-Dimensional Periodic Structure Modified with a Linkage Mechanism
Authors: Wang Hongyu , Zhao Jian , Wang Xuefeng , Dong Zeyuan , Huang Yu
Published: March 2024

Reciprocity is a fundamental property of wave propagations, and many researchers devoted their efforts to breaking the reciprocity and implementing unidirectional wave propagations. At present, the main method to realize non-reciprocal waves uses aperiodic structure as the wave propagation medium. The non-reciprocal bandgap achieved by this method is narrow and difficult to adjust actively. To improve the controllability of non-reciprocal bandwidth, a one-dimensional (1D) periodic lattice structure based on linkage element is proposed in the work. The linkage element enables the lattice structure to have nonlinear stiffness with respect to the asymmetry of the equilibrium position. This stiffness asymmetry leads to the non-reciprocity of wave propagation, which provides a new idea for the design of non-reciprocal structures. To deal with the strong nonlinearity and high dimensional characteristics of the structure, the improved incremental harmonic balance (IHB) method is used to analyze the dispersion and bandgap characteristics of the structure. The results show that the structure has two bidirectional bandgaps (high and low frequency) and four unidirectional bandgaps, and the position, width and direction of the bandgap can be adjusted by the equilibrium position and mechanical parameters of the structure. The obtained structural properties are verified by numerical experiments.
Bracketing phenes contributing to Phytophthora pod rot resistance in cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.): a potential agroforestry crop
Authors: Minimol JS , Suma B , Mary Anna , Shija T. K , Jose Sherin , Kurian Sainamole P.
Published: March 2024

The level of resistance against Phytophthora pod rot disease was assessed among twenty-four exotic accessions of cocoa by non pricking method of pod inoculation. In the non-pricking method, eleven genotypes were grouped under highly resistant category. Binomial logistic regression model revealed that phenes like polyphenol content, wax, husk polyphenol and calcium content had a negative influence with Phytophthora Resistance. From the present investigation, it was found accessions NA 33, NA 702 and PA 70 showed maximum resistance to disease with high yield potential and those could be utilized for further genetic improvement programmes in cocoa.
Prediction of colon cancer prognosis and treatment based on immune-related lncRNAs and tumor microenvironment
Authors: wang yixuan , Qin Yujie , Zhou Shihong , Wu Yifan , he Jianzheng
Published: March 2024

Background
Increasing evidence suggests that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are closely related to the development of tumors, and no exception is made in colon cancer, which plays a crucial role in the development, metastasis, and prognosis of colon cancer. In this study, we analyzed the relationship between immune-related genes and lncRNAs and the prognosis of colon cancer based on the tumor microenvironment, and further explored possible small molecule inhibitors in order to provide more directions for clinical medication.
Method
We used transcriptomic and clinical data from colon cancer patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Using weighted gene co-expression network analysis(WGCNA) correlation analysis, the relationship between relevant clinical traits and prognosis was analyzed, and risk-related genes and lncRNAs were identified. Subsequently, we constructed a prognostic correlation model using LASSO regression and validated the model using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. In addition, we performed correlation analyses of risk scores and characteristics for survival and prognosis.
Results
We found 147 immune genes and lncRNAs associated with prognosis by WGCNA analysis, and then used LASSO regression analysis and cross-validation to find 37 immune genes and lncRNAs corresponding to the points with the smallest errors for the construction of prognosis-related models, risk scoring was performed for each sample, and patients were divided into two groups according to the median value: low-risk group and high-risk group. Then differential analysis, survival analysis, prognostic analysis and bioinformatics analysis of tumor microenvironment were performed for genes and lncRNAs in the high and low risk groups to obtain differences in expression levels as well as risk scores in the high and low risk groups, which had a good predictive ability for the prognosis of colon cancer patients compared with other clinical biomarkers. By enrichment analysis, we found that these prognostically relevant genes were associated with multiple biological functions and multiple signaling pathways. In addition, small molecule drugs that can inhibit high-risk genes were found by analyzing genes in the CMAP database in high and low risk groups.
Conclusion
Our study systematically assessed the role of immune-related lncRNAs in the tumor microenvironment and colon cancer prognosis. Risk scores based on genes and lncRNAs can reflect the survival and prognosis of patients with colon cancer. Model validation also shows that the corresponding genes and lncRNAs can be used as reliable biomarkers for predicting the prognosis and treatment response of patients with colon cancer.
Anti-corrosion efficiency of Arum italicum root extracts, green synthesis of silver oxide nanoparticles and their applications for photocatalytic and antimicrobial activities
Authors: Zouied Daoiya , Chettah Wissame , Khalfoui Malika , Dob Karima , Bouzenad Nawal , Boulahsa Asma , Bouhali Hosna , Derdour Karima , Ammouchi Nesrine , Medjram Mohamed-Salah , Zouaoui Emna
Published: March 2024

In this work, we used the ethanolic extract of the Arum italicum plant as a corrosion inhibitor of ordinary steel. The ethanolic extract of the Arum italicum plant is a good corrosion inhibitor of ordinary steel in a 3% HCl solution and their efficiency depends on the concentration and temperature. The electrochemical study by polarization gives an excellent efficiency of 97.85% for a concentration of 750ppm which is in good agreement with the data obtained from EIS (97.21%). The polarization curves for the steel electrode show that the extract is of mixed type. The adsorption of this inhibitor on the steel surface follows the Langmuir isotherm and physisorbed on this surface. Green synthesized of Ag nanoparticles product shows a very significant photocatalytic activity where The photocatalytic degradation efficiency of about 98% observed for Ag NPs in the presence of 150 min of sunlight irradiations. So these observed results strongly indicate that Ag NPs are photocatalytically active under sunlight irradiation. It indicates that sunlight irradiation highly induces the photocatalytic process of Ag NPs. The antimicrobial activity results, reveal significant inhibition diameters for different concentrations of the substance tested against E. coli, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa.. Silver nanoparticles demonstrated efficacy against both gram (+) and gram (-) bacteria, confirming their antimicrobial potential. In addition, a reduction in microbial growth was observed with increasing nanoparticle concentration.
Seismic hazard assessment for Iran in terms of macroseismic intensityy
Authors: Shabani Elham , Albarello Dario , Mahsuli Mojtaba , Eghbali Negar , Varzandeh Saeed Hosseini , Farnetani Federico
Published: March 2024

We present the results of probabilistic seismic hazard assessment for Iran based on a statistical procedure specifically developed to manage macroseismic intensity data. This procedure accounts for the unique characteristics of such data, which are ordinal, discrete, and confined within a finite interval, ensuring a logically coherent approach throughout the analysis. The results of our assessment are then compared with hazard maps generated using a standard approach, allowing for the illumination of significant differences observed both on a national scale and within individual cities. This comparative analysis will be useful in identifying areas of utmost concern, where further studies are strongly recommended to yield hazard estimates of greater robustness and reliability. By pinpointing these critical scenarios, we aim to guide future research endeavors towards providing more accurate and dependable seismic hazard estimates. Identifying these critical situations facilitates the prioritization of resources and interventions, ultimately enhancing seismic risk mitigation efforts across Iran.
Patients' Associations as Co-Creators of Knowledge: Tools and Insights into Stakeholders’ Engagement Process. The Experience of the ProSafe Project for Advancing Treatment Safety in Proximity Medicine
Authors: Moretti Francesca , Colpo Silvia , Montresor Sara , Facchinello Daniela , Robello Raffaella , Mazzi Mariangela , Tardivo Stefano , Stagi Lisa , De Stefano Luisa , Zotti Andrea Ilaria , Ambroso Luigi , Destro Cristina , Leone Salvo , Petruzzelli Davide , Moretti Ugo , Rimondini Michela
Published: March 2024

Background. Active involvement of stakeholders in research is crucial to validate findings and facilitate their practical application for enhancing the health of the participating community. Despite a growing body of evidence on the implementation of participatory research (PR) in various contexts, evidence on practical tools and strategies for translating PR principles into practice is limited. The main aim of the study is to provide a detailed description of the co-creation process of a Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) project, named ProSafe, emphasizing community engagement actions and proposing practical tools and strategies for fostering collaboration. The ProSafe project involves academic researchers, Presidents and members of four Patient Associations (Patient Safety Council, PSC), and a pharmaceutical company which supported the project and facilitated the partenership. The study involves the co-creation of a comprehensive survey exploring and comparing community and healthcare professional perspectives on therapeutic safety challenges arising from the territorial reorganization of the proximity network foreseen by Italian Resilience and Recovery Plan. Results: The structured and problem-oriented methodology of ProSafe identifies several practical tools and strategies for survey and project co-creation, including a SWOT analysis to systematically assess strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, and develop improvement strategies from the co-researchers’ perspective. A framework named OPERA-PACT (Opening a Participatory and Equitable Research Agreement based on Partnership, Awareness, Collaboration, and Trust) was co-created with the PSC to provide a structured way for sharing a formal agreement and commitment toward a set of principles, values, and attitudes that characterize a collaborative partnership. Within the framework, a commitment to continuous monitoring, verification, and feedback is valuable, as it plays a key role in promoting virtuous cycles of improvement and fostering partnership and involvement over the long-term. Conclusions: All instruments, strategies, and methodological insights proposed in the paper may serve as useful and practical support to ensure communities may have increasingly strong voices in research, contributing to producing valid and translational results. The process of partnership identity built with the implementation of OPERA-PACT may help synchronize team members to the right atmosphere and create the basis for future efficient collaboration.
Research on moving liquid level detection method of viscometer in dynamic scene
Authors: Liu Xia , Jing Rongyao , Zhang Kun , Zhao Qinjun , Sun Mingxu
Published: March 2024

In order to solve the problem of false detection of the moving liquid level caused by the vibration of the constant temperature water bath, this paper combines the Type-2 Fuzzy Gaussian Mixture Model (T2-FGMM) and Markov Random Field (MRF) to study a new background modeling method for detecting the moving liquid level in dynamic scenes. The method first considers the output of T2-FGMM as the initial labeling domain of MRF, and then combines the local energy of the labeling domain with the observation energy. The key of this method is to combine the spatiotemporal prior of T2-FGMM with the observation. Comparative experimental results show that the proposed algorithm has better dynamic background detection effect than traditional frame difference method and Vibe algorithm, and can effectively eliminate the influence of the vibration of the constant temperature water bath on the detection of the moving liquid level of the viscometer.
Characterization of the scale system and driving mechanism of wells canals settlement in Turpan oasis
Authors: liu bo , Huang Fojun , Ye Mao , Guo Jianghao , Sha Beining , Wang Wanying
Published: March 2024

Background
Rapid urbanization and industrialization have exacerbated the competition for water resources within the oasis, which has become a major problem for the oasis villages to achieve sustainable development .As a typical closed oasis, the relationship between water and settlement in the Turpan Basin is very sensitive.Therefore, this study is based on multi-period remote sensing imagery and economic data using the bit order-size law and geographic detector the characteristics of spatial and temporal variability of oasis village settlements within the basin and their influencing factors.
Results
The results show that (1) the number and area of oasis countryside settlements in the Turpan Basin have increased rapidly in the past 35 years, but the spatial distribution is uneven, presenting a trend of retrospective growth, forming the spatial characteristics of fewer north and south, and the central part of the countryside along the Flaming Mountains-Salt Mountain presenting the distribution of bead-like agglomerations.(2)The dominant position of larger settlements is obvious, and the number and size of low-grade settlements show rapid and disorderly expansion, resulting in the fragmentation of the size of settlement patches and the widening gap between the first and last settlements.(3) Height, slope, and groundwater are the main natural constraints for the formation of rural settlement scale patterns in the Turpan Basin, and distance to government, roads, artificial canals, and cultivated land area are key socio-humanistic drivers.(4) Settlement evolution in the Aragou-Baiyanghe basin and the Daheyan-Tarlang basin is driven by height and cultivated land area; while shifts in water resource utilization have had the most prominent impact on the formation of spatial patterns of settlement sizes in the Meiyaogou-Ertanggou basin, and in the Kekeya-Kanerqi basin.
Condusions
The research results are of great significance for optimizing the rural settlement structure and realizing the sustainable development of oasis villages in arid areas
Conjunctive effect of harvesting date and supplementary irrigation in different growth stages on peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) under rainfed conditions
Authors: Charvadeh Mehrab Mehri , Rad Marefat Mostafavi , Zakerin Hamid Reza , Sayfzadeh Saeed , Valadabady Seyed Alireza
Published: March 2024

This experiment carried out as split factorial based on randomized complete block design with three replications in the experimental field of the Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center of Guilan Province, Astara, Iran. Four levels of irrigation including rain-fed condition (IR0), irrigation at the flowering stage (IRF), irrigation at the pod formation stage (IRP), and irrigation at the flowering stage + irrigation at the pod formation stage (IRF + IRp) in the main plot and three levels of harvesting date inclusive of August 22 (HD1), September 6 (HD2) and September 21 (HD3) in the sub plot, comprised experimental treatments. Result indicated that all measured physiological characteristics improved under supplementary irrigation conditions except unsaturated oleic acid and saturated palmitic acid. The greatest biological yield (8091.67 kg ha− 1), seed yield (2375 kg ha− 1), oil yield (1181.60 kg ha− 1), protein yield (458.33 kg ha− 1) and unsaturated linoleic acid (30.94%) were obtained in response to (IRf + IRp) × HD3 interaction. Hence, two stages of supplementary irrigation (IRf + IRp) and late harvesting date (HD3) increased biological yield by 64.26%, seed yield by 32.33%, oil yield by 76.88% and protein yield by 63.31%. Whereas, the greatest unsaturated oleic acid (58.35%) was achieved in the first harvesting date (HD1) and rainfed conditions and the quality of peanut oil enhanced in response to water deficit. Generally, the results revealed that the supplementary irrigation had great potential for increasing plant growth period and improving peanut yield under rainfed conditions. Hence, supplementary irrigation along with delay in harvesting date could be recommended to increase crop productivity and sustainability of peanut yield under rainfed conditions.
Mild SARS-CoV-2 infection with the Omicron variant mimicking metastatic cancer on whole body 18-F FDG PET/CT imaging
Authors: Helmsdal Gunnhild , Clemmensen Sissal , Mortensen Jann , Kristiansen Marnar Fríðheim , Petersen Maria Skaalum , Johannesen Herborg L
Published: March 2024

We present a case with unusual findings on nuclear imaging after mild SARS-CoV-2 infection. 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography showed activity in the lower thoracic spinal column, in portal lymph nodes, and in the terminal ileum and surrounding lymph nodes, all suspicious for metastatic cancer. Three months later, the findings had either disappeared or were considered reactive.
Loneliness and mental health issues among Vietnamese migrants in Japan: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Yamashita Tadashi , Quy Pham Nguyen , Nogami Emi , Yamada Chika , Kamiya Kuniyasu , Kato Kenji
Published: March 2024

Background: Loneliness is a major factor hindering the health of migrants. There is concern that social changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to the acculturation gap with their host country, exacerbated loneliness among Vietnamese migrants in Japan.Therefore, this study aimed to clarify the prevalence of loneliness and examine the relationship between mental health and loneliness among Vietnamese migrants in Japan.
Methods: We used a cross-sectional study design using a self-administered questionnaire. The data were collected from May 2 to June 6, 2022. The target population for this study was Vietnamese migrants living in Japan, 213 of whom were included in the analysis. The questionnaire consisted of items regarding participants' characteristics, socioeconomic status, social support, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, and University of California Los Angeles 3-Item Loneliness Scale. Logistic regression analysis was performed with depressive (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 ≥ 10 points) and anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 ≥ 10 points) symptoms as dependent variables and loneliness (University of California Los Angeles 3-Item Loneliness Scale ≥ 6) and other socioeconomic factors as independent variables.
Results: The mean age of the participants was 26.8 ± 4.4 years. The study included 112 men (52.6%) and 101 women (47.4%). Their mean years of residence in Japan was 4.4 ± 2.5 years. 53 (24.9%) had a Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score ≥ 10. 30 (14.1%) had a Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 score ≥ 10. 81 (38%) had a University of California Los Angeles 3-Item Loneliness Scale ≥ 6. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that depressive symptoms were associated with loneliness (OR: 6.06; 95% CI: 2.84–12.90). Factors associated with anxiety disorders included loneliness (OR: 12.46; 95% CI: 3.93–39.51).
Conclusions: Loneliness can cause various mental disorders, and social changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic have increased loneliness over time. In this study, approximately 40% of Vietnamese migrants living in Japan were lonely, and loneliness was one of the factors contributing to their depressive and anxiety disorder symptoms. Currently, the number of Vietnamese migrants living in Japan is rapidly increasing, and reducing their loneliness may contribute to improving their mental health and wellbeing.
Improving CNC Turning Machine Precision through Vibration Analysis for Clamping Error Detection Employing Principal Component Analysis
Authors: Ullah Aman , Chan Tzu-Chi , Xie Zhong-Yan
Published: March 2024

The vibration caused by mechanical manufacturing will lead to unpredictable changes in product quality, which will increase the manufacturing cost. Plenty of research is imposed to establish a normal vibration coefficient or to develop an accurate and efficient production process. Therefore, various health diagnosis methods and feedback mechanisms are obtained, such as dynamic feature Detection, machine tool state Detection, cutting chatter analysis, health state feedback of specific parts in the machine tool, and so on. This study analyzes the lathe and establishes the vibration analysis and health diagnosis method used for NC lathe or traditional machine tools through the vibration signals generated by different clamping states. Before the spindle speed reaches 2000 rpm, 5 experiments at an interval of 250- rpm and three clamping states are executed. Moreover, the vibration signal is obtained using the intelligent prediction and diagnosis performance system, analyzed in the frequency domain, matched with the root mean square result, and checked for the accuracy of the vibration signal data and vibration eigenvalues. Then, digital tools are used to filter the signal according to the filtered outliers and the matching results of feature extraction. Principal component analysis (PCA) and the projection matrix are used to evaluate 37 features and reduce the dimension of the data, to obtain the vibration data distribution map under different rotating speeds of each clamping state. It can identify the distribution range and tightness of the distribution map under each clamping state. In the above experiment, the signal data of each 250-rpm interval and three clamping states were collected and compared. The results show that it is feasible to use the PCA method to determine the change of vibration value in the CNC lathe and establish a health state feedback data set based on the vibration change mechanism.
Breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of breastfeeding education among undergraduate nursing students in mainland China: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Yang Yuanyuan , Liu Huijuan , Yang Jing , Li Bian , Shen Zhijuan , Zhou Xiaoling , Lu Hong
Published: March 2024

Background
China has the largest population in the world. While breastfeeding statistics have improved in the most recent decade, the exclusive breastfeeding rates remain low. Nurses with baccalaureate degrees are becoming the mainstay of China's nursing workforce and are an important force in supporting breastfeeding. To date, there is little evidence regarding breastfeeding education for undergraduate nursing students in mainland China. This study aims to explore the breastfeeding knowledge level and attitudes of undergraduate nursing students in mainland China, as well as their perceptions on breastfeeding education.
Methods
This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. An online questionnaire survey was conducted from October to December 2023 among 428 undergraduate nursing students from 22 medical universities/colleges in different regions of mainland China.
Results
Most student participants (96.96%) expressed supportive attitudes toward breastfeeding. The average correct response rate of the breastfeeding knowledge questionnaire was 54.80%. Students who reported having received breastfeeding education/training at school, or having obstetric or pediatric internship experience had significantly higher mean knowledge scores compared to others (p < 0.05). Overall, 92.99% (398/428) of students surveyed stated they would like more education on breastfeeding within the undergraduate nursing school curriculum. Case-based learning (CBL) and simulation were the most desired teaching methods for theoretical classes and practical classes, respectively.
Conclusions
The breastfeeding knowledge of undergraduate nursing students needs to be improved. Breastfeeding education included in the nursing curriculum should be strengthened, to adequately prepare students to support breastfeeding.
The development of a neutral buoyancy and virtual reality training system for training suborbital scientists
Authors: Seedhouse Erik L.
Published: March 2024

In 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 Blue Origin’s New Shepard and Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo (SS2) flew dozens of spaceflight participants (SFPs) on suborbital spaceflights. The SFPs, whether they were scientists or space tourists, each paid $450,000 or more for their ticket. With each flight providing between 180 and 240 seconds of microgravity time, this meant each second of microgravity time cost at least $2500 and the consequence of performing a task incorrectly could be extremely costly. In spaceflight, the tactile-kinesthetic and vestibular systems are affected by microgravity. While astronauts who visit the International Space Station (ISS) have time to adapt to microgravity, SFPs have little time to adapt because the time from rocket ignition to microgravity is less than 5 minutes. Compounding this lack of adaptation is the fact that suborbital SFPs may only have two or three days of preparation compared with many years training for an ISS astronaut. To evaluate the extent to which training in an analog environment can help scientist SFP’s prepare for their flights, this study evaluated the effectiveness of two spaceflight analog training modes, one that took that place in a neutral buoyancy environment (NBE) and one that took place in a virtual reality (VR) rendered environment (VRE). This study compared how much time was saved by practicing suborbital tasks in these environments across four groups. Results indicate that an analog-based learning environment positively affects the cognitive and affective domains of scientist SFPs thereby reducing training time and errors.
Small target detection in aerial images of road scenes based on improved YOLOv7
Authors: Liu Yang , Zhang Chuhan , Shi Fubin , Wei Yuning
Published: March 2024

Small target detection in aerial road images is challenging, and the existing detection models are not suitable for small targets with dense, complicated background and occlusion in aerial images. Therefore, a new small target detection model based on YOLOv7 model is used for small target detection in UAV road scenes. We have made four improvements: (i) a new head for detection is added to the original YOLOv7 model to detect tiny-scale targets. (ii) we use the SimAM attention to focus on areas with small-scale targets. (iii) In the downsampling stage, SPD-Conv model is added to replace the original CNN model to improve the capacity to identify small targets of low resolution in aerial road images. (iv) CARAFE model is introduced to enhance feature fusion and reduce information loss. To demonstrate the feasibility of the model, the first set of contrast experiments were first performed on the Drone dataset, the mAP0.5 value is increased by 8.8% compared with that of the original YOLOv7. Then, experiments are also carried out on the VisDrone2019 dataset. In comparison with the original YOLOv7, the mAP0.5 value of the improved YOLOv7 is increased by 7.2%. This model is equally effective for dense and obscured small targets, our detection performance of the improved YOLOv7 is superior to that of recent methods.