bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The acoustic presence and migration timing of subarctic baleen whales in the Bering Strait in relation to environmental factors
Authors: Escajeda Erica D. , Stafford Kathleen M. , Woodgate Rebecca A. , Laidre Kristin L.
Published: June 2024

Subarctic baleen whales, including humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), fin (Balaenoptera physalus), and gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus), migrate through the Bering Strait every summer to feed in the rich marine ecosystem of the Chukchi Sea. When and where the whales are found in the region likely reflects fluctuating environmental conditions. Using recordings collected between 2009–2018 from a hydrophone ~ 35 km north of the strait, we identified whale calls during the open-water season (May–December), examined the timing of migration, and investigated potential drivers of whale presence. The acoustic presence of fin and humpback whales varied across the years, with a peak for all three species in October through November. We observed the highest proportion of recordings with humpback whale calls for the peak months of October–November in 2009, 2017, and 2018 (66–80% of recordings); the highest proportion of recordings with fin whale calls in 2015, 2017, and 2018 (75–79% of recordings); and the highest proportion of recordings with gray whale calls in 2013 and 2015 (46 and 51% of recordings, respectively). Fin whales departed the Bering Strait ~ 3 days later per year over the study period (p = 0.02). Both fin and humpback whales delayed their southward migration in years with warmer fall water temperatures (Pearson r ≥ 0.71, p < 0.03). Our models identified day of the year, water temperatures, and the lagged presence of a thermal front the previous month as drivers of the acoustic presence of all three species during the open-water season.
Diagnostic role of computerised tomography in mandibular invasion among patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Singh Lokendra , Singhal Pawan , Bansal Anjali , Tak Dhirendra , Saharan Ravi , Rawat Anshu , Singh Amreen , Anand Mehak , Bairwa Neeraj Kumar , Nirwan Siddharth , Singh Kailash , Sharma Anjani Kumar , Yadav Rajeev
Published: June 2024

Background: Oral cavity malignancy can result from surface epithelium, salivary glands, or submucosal soft tissue. Common symptoms include non-healing ulcers, slurred speech, dysphagia, and neck mass. Pain in the mandible may indicate cortical invasion, while resection increases morbidity and quality of life. Various researches have been focused on the accuracy of clinical examination and imaging technique in predicting tumor invasion of the mandible in oral malignancy.
Methods: A cross sectional observational study was set out to review preoperative clinical and radiological assessment; and post operative histopathological finding of mandibular resection specimen in clinically evaluated and diagnosed cases of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (scc) with mandibular invasion.
Results: 43 individuals of oral cavity scc with mandibular involvement were examined. 12 out of 28 mandibular resections had bone invasion, with numerous tumor entry sites being the most frequent mechanism of invasion, according to post-operative HPE. The positive predictive value (PPV) of contrast enhanced computerised tomography (CECT) scans was 42.8%, as 28 individuals had invasions revealed, sensitivity is almost 100%, specificity is 48.3.
Conclusions: There is an urgent necessity to review the usefulness of radiology in the treatment of mandibulectomy. Combination of clinical and radiological examination increases sensitivity and specificity.
Trial registration: registered retrospectively
Characteristics of patients undergoing bariatric surgery in an underserved minority population - Does OSA affect postoperative weight loss?
Authors: Jog Abhishrut , Mosquera Jorge , Piedra Luis Rodriguez , Singh Ajit , Fan David , Grbach Vincent , Lvovsky Dmitry
Published: June 2024

Obese patients are at increased risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Bariatric surgery is an important therapeutic measure in obese patients for management of weight and management of comorbidities. There is a scarcity of data on OSA, in inner city Hispanic and Black patients who undergo bariatric surgery. Differences between patients with and without OSA have not been assessed in this population. The study aims to answer these questions.
On the Conversational Persuasiveness of Large Language Models: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Salvi Francesco , Ribeiro Manoel Horta , Gallotti Riccardo , West Robert
Published: June 2024

Can large language models (LLMs) create tailor-made, convincing arguments to promote false or misleading narratives online? Early work has found that LLMs can generate content perceived on par with, or even more persuasive than, human-written messages. However, there is still limited evidence regarding LLMs' persuasive capabilities in direct conversations with humans—the scenario these models are usually deployed at. In this pre-registered study, we analyze the power of AI-driven persuasion in a controlled, harmless setting. To this end, we created a web-based platform where human participants engaged in short, multi-round debates with either human or LLM opponents. Each participant was randomly assigned to one of four treatment conditions in a two-by-two factorial design: (1) the conversation partner was either another human or an LLM; (2) the conversation partner either had or did not have access to basic sociodemographic information about their opponent (and thus arguments could be personalized). We find that 64.4% of the time, personalized LLM debaters were more persuasive than humans, given that they were not equally persuasive (81.2% relative increase in the odds of higher post-debate agreement; p < 0.01; N=900). Without personalization, GPT-4 still outperformed humans, but the effect was lower and not statistically significant (p=0.30). Further, our analysis suggests that LLMs use different strategies from human debaters: their texts are harder to read and have more markers associated with logical and analytical reasoning. Overall, our results suggest that concerns around LLM-based persuasion are meaningful and have important implications for social media governance and the design of new online environments.
Prediction of Long-term Carbon Absorption by Applying Regeneration Scenarios for the Forests in South Korea
Authors: Kwon Soon Gil , Kim Junbeum , Hwang Yong Woo , Lata Jean-Christophe
Published: June 2024

As global warming has become a critical environmental issue, carbon neutrality is required to respond to rapidly changing environmental policies in response to climate change. Forests, the core of carbon absorption sources, are important to achieve carbon neutrality in South Korea; thus, forest management, particularly afforestation, is emerging as an essential factor. Several forest-related studies have been conducted to improve carbon absorption; however, only a few have focused on direct afforestation studies from a long-term perspective. South Korea successfully implemented intensive greening projects in the 1960s and 1970s. However, intensive afforestation is currently causing a severe problem of age-class imbalance, and the carbon absorption rate of forests is expected to decrease sharply in the future, indicating the importance of forest management. This study applied regeneration scenarios to overcome this challenge. The cumulative carbon absorption value for 90 years, from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2109, was set as the baseline. Various changes were made following the circular economy trend for the species and age classes distributed throughout the country, resulting in multiple outcomes of the regeneration scenarios. Comparing the results of this study with the statistics reported by the Ministry of Environment’s Greenhouse Gas Information Center, the difference in the maximum absorption sources confirmed that forest absorption sources, which had been reported to be 6.26% in 2019, could increase up to 8.74% by 2109. In conclusion, forest management is a crucial carbon-neutral strategy that needs to be implemented at the national level. Formulating a detailed plan after determining the long-term direction of forests is important. A more systematic approach should be used for planning and implementing afforestation in the future.
Structural Characterization of Horizontal Visibility Network Based on Time Series of Emergency Disease Visits
Authors: Zhang Linyuan , Zhou Man , Liu Yuqi , Xiong Kezhao , Zhang Li , Wu Chao , Lang Hongjuan
Published: June 2024

The conversion of time series into visualized networks is one of the most important tools for comprehending data patterns and trends. Here, we initially translated hospital emergency data into complex networks through horizontal visualization techniques. Subsequently, we carefully analyzed the topologies of the network structures corresponding to each category of disease by applying the structural statistics approach of network science. Our investigation unveiled that networks constructed by this method exhibit larger clustering coefficients and shorter average shortest paths of the networks, leading to a stronger small-world effect. Moreover, we observed that the average degree of the networks is notably higher for the respiratory diseases, which may be caused by the heightened contagious diseases in the respiratory diseases. Further, by calculating the maximum eigenvalue of the network Laplace matrix, we found that the maximum eigenvalue of the respiratory diseases are generally higher than other categories of diseases. This provides a crucial analytical tool for the proactive prevention of certain specific diseases and more effective response strategies during emergency triage protocols.
Macrophage STING signaling promotes fibrosis in benign airway stenosis via IL6-STAT3 axis
Authors: Shi Hui , Chen YiLin , Yang ChengCheng , Miao YuShan , Shi DongChen , Li Xiang , Zhang YiFei , Xu ChengFei , Dong Yu-Chao , Han Chaofeng , Bai Chong , Sen Tian
Published: June 2024

Benign airway stenosis (BAS) caused by tracheal intubation resuscitation measures is a difficult complication to ignore in the management of critically ill patients. However, the pathogenesis of this disease, which is characterized histologically by tracheal fibrosis, remains poorly understood. It has been shown that post-injury inflammatory processes play a key role in tissue fibrosis. However, we remain unclear about the relationship between inflammation induced by mechanical injury and BAS after tracheal intubation. Here, we found STING expression was increased in trachea after injury and inhibition or deletion of STING can alleviate tracheal fibrosis in BAS mice. Then, we reveal that released tracheal epithelial cell DNA resulting from mechanical injury activates macrophage STING. Further, macrophages with activated cGAS-STING pathway promote fibroblast fibrosis in the trachea via the IL6-STAT3 axis. We determined that the cGAS-STING pathway in macrophages is critical in causing tracheal fibrosis and ultimately benign airway stenosis. Our results provide a key cornerstone for future treatment of benign airway stenosis caused by mechanical injury.
Peripheral immunity affects Alzheimer’s disease by influencing blood-brain barrier function
Authors: Hou Jia-Hui , Jiang De-Ming , Chu Min , Wu Li-Yong
Published: June 2024

Background
The association between peripheral immunity and Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been increasingly recognized, but the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. This study aims to investigate whether peripheral immunity affects AD by influencing blood-brain barrier (BBB) function.
Methods
Multiple linear regression models were employed to explore the association between peripheral immune biomarkers [neutrophils percent (NEU%), lymphocytes percent (LYM%), and neutrophils / lymphocytes (NLR)] and AD biomarkers (including AD pathology, cerebral atrophy degree, and cognitive function). Subsequently, multiple linear regression models were performed to investigate the association between BBB-related biomarkers [chemotactic factor-3 (CCL26), CD40 and matrix metalloproteinase-10 (MMP10)] and AD biomarkers. Finally, causal mediation analysis with 10,000 bootstrapped iterations was conducted to investigate the functions of BBB-related biomarkers in mediating the associations peripheral immune biomarkers with AD pathology, cerebral atrophy degree, as well as cognitive function.
Results
A total of 543 participants (38.7% female, mean age of 74.8 years) from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) were involved. NEU%, LYM%, NLR, and CCL26 were significantly associated with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) β-amyloid-42 (Aβ-42), phosphorylated-tau (P-tau), total tau (T-tau)/Aβ-42 and P-tau/Aβ-42, the associations of NEU% with AD pathology were mediated by CCL26 (proportion: 18% ~ 24%; p < 0.05). NEU%, LYM%, NLR, CCL26, CD40 and MMP10 were significantly associated with whole brain, hippocampal volume, middle temporal lobe (MTL) volume, and entorhinal cortex (EC) thickness, the associations of peripheral immune biomarkers with cerebral atrophy degree were mediated by BBB-related biomarkers (proportion: 7% ~ 17%; p < 0.05). NEU%, LYM%, NLR, CCL26, CD40 and MMP10 were significantly associated with global cognition, executive function, memory function, immediate recall, and delayed recall, the associations of peripheral immune biomarkers with cognitive function were mediated by BBB-related biomarkers (proportion: 9% ~ 24%; p < 0.05).
Conclusions
This study suggests that both peripheral immune and BBB-related biomarkers are associated with AD pathology deposition, cerebral atrophy degree and cognitive function, and peripheral immunity may influence AD through influencing BBB function, providing a more robust and comprehensive evidence chain for the potential role of inflammation in AD.
When Clinicians Group Together: A Systematic Scoping Review of Clustering in Patient-Sharing Networks
Authors: Denham Alina , Dadgostar Porooshat , Qin Qiuyuan , Yilmaz Sule , Nooraie Reza Yousefi
Published: June 2024

Background
. Improvements in patient safety and quality of care can be achieved by improvements in clinicians’ teamwork, coordination and communication. Growing research examines the structure and dynamics of clinician networks using social network analysis. Such networks can have clusters of healthcare professionals within them, but systematized knowledge on these clusters is lacking. Our goal was to review the evidence on determinants and characteristics of healthcare professional clustering in patient-sharing networks and their associations with patient outcomes.
Methods.
We searched for English-language peer-reviewed studies published up until January 4, 2021 using PubMed and EMBASE and an existing scoping review on patient-sharing by DuGoff et al (2018). We performed a systematic scoping review in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. We performed title and abstract screening and full-text screening to identify studies that used social network analysis to examine relationships between patient-sharing network clusters and health outcomes. From the twelve eligible studies, we extracted study information such as study design and setting, population, patient-sharing definition, network measures, clustering definition, health outcomes, and reported associations.
Results.
The studies varied considerably in definitions and measures of patient-sharing relations, definitions and structural measures of network clusters, settings, study population, and health outcomes. The general patterns indicate that busier physician networks (i.e., networks with more connections among physicians) are associated with worse health outcomes and better-connected physician networks are associated with better health outcomes.
Conclusion.
The majority of existing studies are exploratory. Rigorous theoretical grounding, interventional studies, and mixed-methods studies would help to strengthen patient-sharing research and advance our understanding of how patient-sharing clustering affects patient outcomes.
Teenage pregnancy proportion, and comparison of maternal and neonatal outcomes with adult pregnancy at a General Hospital in Northern Uganda
Authors: Lapat Jolly Joe , Pebolo Pebalo Francis , Akera Peter , Ochola Emmanuel , Bongomin Felix
Published: June 2024

Background
Teenage pregnancy is a global health concern associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. In Uganda, while teenage pregnancy rates are high, knowledge about their specific risks compared to those of adult pregnancy remains limited.
Objective
We determined the proportion of pregnant teenagers and compared the maternal and neonatal outcomes between pregnant teenagers and pregnant adults at a general hospital in northern Uganda.
Methods
We conducted a comparative, retrospective cohort study involving chart reviews of deliveries at the maternity ward of Anaka General Hospital, Nwoya, Uganda between July 2020 and June 2023. We performed systematic random sampling to include patient charts. All the data were analyzed using STATA software 17 SE. Binary logistic regression was performed to compare adverse pregnancy outcomes between teenage mothers and adult mothers.
Results
Over the 3-year period, 27.6% (n = 1,842) of the 6,662 deliveries were by teenage mothers. The outcomes of 457 teenage and 457 adult mothers were compared. Compared to adult mothers, teenage mothers had a significantly lower prevalence of HIV (2.2% versus 6.1%, p = 0.003). Teenage mothers had higher odds of having an episiotomy performed (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 5.66, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.48–12.90, p < 0.001), low birth weight (aOR = 4.66, 95% CI: 2.66–6.37, p < 0.001) or perineal tear (aOR = 2.61, 95% CI: 1.69–4.02, p < 0.001). However, adult mothers had greater odds of developing pre-eclampsia (aOR = 4.0, 95% CI: 1.59–11.1, p = 0.004).
Conclusions
In this study, approximately 1 in every 4 deliveries were by teenage mothers, with increased risks of maternal and neonatal complications, except for pre-eclampsia which was more common among adult mothers. Therefore, it is crucial to implement targeted interventions and comprehensive education programs aimed at reducing teenage pregnancies and providing adequate antenatal care and support for teenage mothers.
Potential natural hydrosol blend TGLON suppresses the proliferation of five cancer cell lines and also ameliorates idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in mouse model
Authors: Huang Wei-Hsiang , Chang Mei-Lin , Lin Ching-Che , Wang Chih-Peng , Tsai Feng-Jie , Lin Chih-Chien
Published: June 2024

Background: Previous studies on natural substances for tumor cell inhibition have predominantly concentrated on efficacy, often overlooking safety concerns. This research utilizes "The Greatest Love of Nature (TGLON), a proprietary blend of plant hydrosols, to investigate its potential inhibitory effects on a variety of cancer cell lines while ensuring its relative safety to normal lung cells (MRC-5). Furthermore, initial animal studies have demonstrated that TGLON can mitigate the progression of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis without acute oral toxicity, underscoring its potential utility as a nutritional supplement.
Methods: TGLON, a hydrosol blend developed with specific proportions, underwent initial validation for its constituent composition and safety profile. The blend capacity to inhibit five different tumor cell types and alleviate pulmonary fibrosis was evaluated using cell viability assays and controlled animal experiments.
Results: Dosages were determined to be safe at dilutions greater than 80-fold. At this concentration, TGLON exhibited inhibitory effects on 40.7% of lung cancer cells, 84% of liver cancer cells, 49.8% of breast cancer cells, 38% of stomach cancer cells, and inhibited 52% of leukemic lymphoblasts at a 200-fold dilution. Oral administration of TGLON was found to be safe and effective in reducing Bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in animal models.
Conclusions:Under conditions deemed relatively safe, TGLON demonstrates bioactive properties, such as inhibiting five distinct types of human tumor cells and alleviating pulmonary fibrosis in animal models. These findings highlight its substantial potential as a nutritional supplement for improving overall patient health.
­­Backbone NMR resonance assignments for the VP1u N-terminal receptor-binding domain of the human parvovirus pathogen B19
Authors: Nogueira Maria Luiza Caldas , Lakshmanan Renuk , Rivière Gwladys , Mietzsch Mario , Bennett Antonette , McKenna Robert , Long Joanna R.
Published: June 2024

Parvovirus B19 (B19V) is a human pathogen that is the causative agent of several diseases in infants and adults. Due to a lack of antivirals against this virus, treatment options are limited. The minor capsid protein of B19V has a unique N terminus, named VP1u, which is essential for infection. The VP1u encodes a receptor binding domain (RBD), necessary for host cell entry, and a phospholipase A2 (PLA2) domain, crucial for endosomal escape during cellular trafficking. Both domains are indispensable for infection, making the RBD a plausible drug target for inhibitors against B19V, as it is located on the exterior surface of the virus. To date, no experimental structural information has been available for the VP1u component for any Parvovirus. Here we report the backbone NMR resonance assignments for the RBD of B19V and demonstrate it forms a stable structure. The backbone chemical shifts are in good agreement with a structure predicted by AlphaFold, validating that the RBD contains three helices connected by tight turns. This RBD construct can now be used for further NMR studies, including assignment of full-length VP1u, determination of protein-protein interaction interfaces, and development of B19 antivirals specific to the RBD domain.
Database: BMRB submission code: 52440
Assessment of selective elements in serum and hair samples of women with post-COVID-19 alopecia: copper significance
Authors: Kondrakhina Irina , Kondrakhin Alexey , Nikonorov Alexandr , Nikonorova Eugenia , Deryabin Dmitry , Skalny Anatoly , Kubanov Alexey
Published: June 2024

Hair loss is an unexpected but fairly common complication after recovering from COVID-19. Often, it is the only symptom of infection. Trace elements and metals play an important role in the pathogenesis of both pathological hair loss and the COVID-19 – however, the existing data on the development of these conditions are fragmentary and contradictory. The aim of the study was to assess the levels of Ca, Fe, Mg, Se, Cu, and Zn in the serum and hair of women with post-COVID alopecia and their relationship with trichogram data. The study included 40 women aged 25–41 with complaints of hair loss and a history of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19. Levels of calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), selenium (Se), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) in serum and hair samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The study showed the development of telogen-type alopecia after recovering from COVID-19. The significant decrease in serum Cu levels was characteristic of post-COVID alopecia, however, no correlation with trichological data was found. In hair, the levels of analyzed trace elements were within reference values. A negative correlation between hair Cu and percent of telogen hairs, and a positive correlation with the anagen hairs in the occipital region were found. This study presents, for the first time, evidence of Cu deficiency in cases of post-COVID-19 alopecia. this fact sets the stage for exploring the potential use of Cu in recommended doses for preventing and treating post-COVID-19 alopecia.
A Computational Model of Auditory Chirp-Velocity Sensitivity and Amplitude-Modulation Tuning in Inferior Colliculus Neurons
Authors: Mitchell Paul W. , Carney Laurel H.
Published: June 2024

We demonstrate a model of chirp-velocity sensitivity in the inferior colliculus (IC) that retains the tuning to amplitude modulation (AM) that was established in earlier models. The mechanism of velocity sensitivity is sequence detection by octopus cells of the posteroventral cochlear nucleus, which have been proposed in physiological studies to respond preferentially to the order of arrival of cross-frequency inputs of different amplitudes. Model architecture is based on coincidence detection of a combination of excitatory and inhibitory inputs. Chirp-sensitivity of the IC output is largely controlled by the strength and timing of the chirp-sensitive octopus-cell inhibitory input. AM tuning is controlled by inhibition and excitation that are tuned to the same frequency. We present several example neurons that demonstrate the feasibility of the model in simulating realistic chirp-sensitivity and AM tuning for a wide range of characteristic frequencies. Additionally, we explore the systematic impact of varying parameters on model responses. The proposed model can be used to assess the contribution of IC chirp-velocity sensitivity to responses to complex sounds, such as speech.
A geospatial perspective towards the role of migratory birds and poultry in the spread of Avian Influenza
Authors: Lim Samsung , Jindal Mehak , Stone Haley , McIntyre Raina
Published: June 2024

The unprecedented spread of H5N1 2.3.4.4b since 2020 has resulted in widespread infection in a wider range of avian and mammalian species, raising concerns of a human pandemic. The epidemiologic pattern has shifted from sporadic to persistent, with a shift from Asia to Europe, the Americas and Africa. Cattle farms are now affected in the United States of America. The reason for this spread is unknown. This study investigates the interplay between wild bird migrations, global poultry trading, and the Avian Influenza Virus (AIV) spread, particularly the H5N1 strain, from 2020 to 2023. By examining the migratory behaviors of selected wild birds, we investigated their role in AIV spread, as these birds traverse major flyways from the northern hemisphere to the southern hemisphere, potentially spreading AIV. Concurrently, we analyzed the global poultry trade data to assess its role in AIV's anthropogenic spread, highlighting how human economic activities intersect with natural avian behaviors in disease dynamics. Our findings indicate that both the poultry sector and wild bird migrations significantly contribute to AIV transmission, which helps better understand AIV transmission mechanisms when combined with ecological, epidemiological, and socio-economic perspectives. The results are intended to inform policy-making and strategic planning in wildlife conservation and the poultry trade to improve public health and animal welfare globally.
Unveiling Intersectional Vulnerabilities: Understanding the Varied Impact of COVID-19 Across Diverse Vulnerable Population in South Korea
Authors: Lee Yoonkyoung , Lee Taejin
Published: June 2024

Background
The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been extensive, affecting individuals unequally. Apart from traditional vulnerable groups, new segments of society have emerged as vulnerable during this pandemic. This study focuses on exploring the economic and psychological effects of the pandemic on both traditional and newly recognized vulnerable groups within Korea.
Methods
The study employed multiple logistic regression using micro-level social survey data from Statistics Korea to calculate the odds ratio relating to two categories of vulnerable groups and their economic and mental health impacts. Additionally, through interaction term analysis, we tried to uncover the complex interrelationship between these non-vulnerable groups and target vulnerable groups.
Results
Both the newly identified and traditional vulnerable groups showed higher likelihood of facing economic and mental health challenges compared to non-vulnerable groups. The likelihood of encountering a decrease in income and work-related stress was 2.17 times higher (95% CI = 1.90–2.47) for NVGs, while those belonging to TVGs had a 1.75-fold increase (95% CI = 1.47–2.08). Moreover, female self-employed workers faced higher overall stress at 1.36 times greater risk (95% CI = 1.08–1.71), whereas elderly individuals who are self-employed exhibited lower odds of experiencing such stress at the intersection between TVGs and NVGs.
Conclusion
This research offers in-depth understanding of the diverse impacts of COVID-19 on at-risk groups. Furthermore, examinations that take into account interactions between NVGs and TVGs uncovered subtle effects within subgroup dynamics, suggesting that intersecting factors play a role in different levels of vulnerability. This provides valuable evidence for informing policy decisions and allocating resources.
Controls on the distribution and fractionation of rare earth elements in recent sediments from the rivers along the west coast of India
Authors: Babu Sk. Sai , Rao V. Purnachandra , Mohan M. Ram
Published: June 2024

The sediments of 90 rivers from 5 states along western India were analysed for their chemistry. The major element ratios of sediments suggest lateritic soils in Kerala, lateritic soils admixed with particulates weathered from Fe-Mn ores in Karnataka and Goa and, non-lateritic soils in Maharashtra and Gujarat. The sediments from Archean-Proterozoic (A-P) terrain are strongly weathered, while those from Deccan Traps (DT) terrain are intermediate to strongly weathered. The ∑REE of sediments from Kerala is much higher than in other states. It shows strong correlation with oxides of Fe, Mn and P from A-P terrain and Al, Fe and Ti from DT terrain and, strong correlation with heavy metals from both terrains. The low Sm/Nd and Y/Ho ratios corresponding to high CIA and, high ratios corresponding to high and low CIA are typical. The PAAS-normalized REE shows LREE- and MREE-enriched patterns in the sediments of Kerala and MREE- and HREE-enriched pattern in other sediments. Distinct positive Ce anomaly occurs in the sediments of Karnataka, Goa and south Maharashtra. The Eu anomaly is negative in the silts of south Kerala and positive in other sediments. The primary sources for REEs are adsorbed REEs onto secondary mineral phases and clay minerals and, heavy minerals. The change in REE patterns is primarily related to the source rock composition. Fractionation of REEs is related to the intensity of chemical weathering, supply of REE and transport processes. The average REE composition of river sediments from peninsular India is more mafic than in UCC and World Rivers Average clay.
Comprehensive mm-Wave FMCW Radar Datasetfor Vital Sign Monitoring: Embracing ExtremePhysiological Scenarios
Authors: Sadeghi Ehsan , Skurule Karina , Chiumento Alessandro , Havinga Paul
Published: June 2024

Recent advancements in non-invasive health mon-itoring technologies underscore the potential of mm-WaveFrequency-Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) radar in real-time vital sign detection. This paper introduces a novel dataset,the first of its kind, derived from mm-Wave FMCW radar,meticulously capturing heart rate and respiratory rate undervarious conditions. Comprising data from ten participants, in-cluding scenarios with elevated heart rates and participants withdiverse physiological profiles such as asthma and meditationpractitioners, this dataset is validated against the Polar H10sensor, ensuring its reliability for scientific research. This datasetcan offer a significant resource for developing and testingalgorithms aimed at non-invasive health monitoring, promising tofacilitate advancements in remote health monitoring technologies.
Hybrid covariance super-resolution data assimilation
Authors: Barthélémy Sébastien , Counillon François , Brajard Julien , Bertino Laurent
Published: June 2024

The super-resolution data assimilation (SRDA) enhances a low-resolution (LR) model with a Neural Network (NN) having learned the differences between high and low-resolution models offline and performs data assimilation in high-resolution (HR). The method enhances the accuracy of the EnKF-LR system for a minor computational overhead. However, performance quickly saturates when increasing the ensemble size due to the error introduced by the NN. We therefore combine the SRDA with the mixed-resolution data assimilation method (MRDA), into a method called ''Hybrid covariance super-resolution data assimilation" (Hybrid SRDA). The forecast step runs an ensemble at two resolutions (high and low). The assimilation is done in the HR space by performing super-resolution on the LR members with the NN. The assimilation uses the hybrid covariance that combines the emulated and dynamical HR members. The scheme is extensively tested with a quasi-geostrophic model in twin experiments, with the LR grid being twice coarser than the HR. The Hybrid SRDA outperforms the SRDA, the MRDA, and the EnKF-HR at a given computational cost. The benefit is the largest compared to the EnKF-HR for small ensembles but even with larger computational resources it is worth using a mix of high and low resolution members. Besides, the Hybrid SRDA, the EnKF-HR, and the SRDA, unlike the MRDA, prevent the smoothing of dynamical structures of the background error covariance matrix. The Hybrid SRDA method is an attractive solution because it is customizable to available resources.
A New Multi-Mode Adaptive In-Vehicle GNSS Navigation and Positioning Algorithm Based on Environment Perception in Urban Environments
Authors: Ma Wenzhuo , Yue Zhe , Lian Zengzeng , Li Kezhao , Sun Chenchen , Zhang Mengshuo
Published: June 2024

In this paper, we address the current state of the need for accurate real-time positioning of vehicles in urban environments and the low precision of existing Kalman-based in-vehicle GNSS navigation algorithms, considering the fusion of navigation positioning and visual environment perception. we propose a new multi-mode adaptive in-vehicle GNSS navigation and positioning algorithm based on environment perception in urban environments. First, we use low-cost environment perception devices to capture vehicle environment information in real time and determine the vehicle driving state based on vehicle status switching and the optical flow method. Second, based on the already determined vehicle driving state, we adapt the vehicle state model to solve the problem of low precision of existing Kalman-based GNSS vehicle navigation and positioning algorithms. Then, considering that vehicles frequently stop during operation, we accurately determine the vehicle's location information based on the judgment of the vehicle's stationary state. Finally, after verifying the effectiveness and reasonableness of the algorithm through simulation experiments, we design actual in-vehicle navigation experiments, and compared with the common algorithm, our proposed algorithm significantly improves the actual GNSS positioning accuracy of vehicles in urban environments by 27%.
Experience of Mothers with Preterm Newborns in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Nigist Elleni Mohammed Memorial Comprehensive Specialized Hospital in Hossana: A Phenomenological Study
Authors: Eriso Melaku , Selamu Markos , Tumiso Hamdela , Bubamo Bisrat Feleke , Agide Feleke Doyore
Published: June 2024

Background: The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is important to save the lives of preterm newborn babies; however, mothers are challenged by several stressful conditions during their stay. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the experiences of mothers with preterm newborns in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Nigist Elleni Mohammed Memorial Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Hossana, Central Ethiopia.
Methods: A descriptive-phenomenological study was conducted. The data were collected by conducting an in-depth interview and field notes with 13 purposefully selected mothers. The data were collected from September 2023 to February 2024. An inductive thematic analysis approach and Atlas Ti8 Software Version 8.4 were used to code the data. Trustworthiness was ensured by implementing the Guba criteria of credibility, transferability, dependability, and conformability.
Results: A study identified five main themes, 10 sub-themes, and 90 codes. These include the emotional experiences of mothers, mothers’ expectations, the needs of healthcare professionals, health facility-related factors, and perceived incompetence in taking care of preterm infants.
Conclusion: Mothers with preterm babies in the NICU experienced negative emotions. This is demonstrated by the mothers’ responses on shortage of medicine, inadequate laboratory tests, lack of bathroom, inconvenient toilet, and insufficient water. Lack of confidence to care for their infants, despite receiving several avenues of support from nursing staff was raised as an important public health problem. The healthcare providers deliver adequate support to help mothers cope with their infants' hospitalization and improve their confidence to take care of their infants.
Safety and Completion of Prophylactic Treatment for Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Children
Authors: Wang Yi , Niu Yayan , Zhang Jianping , Ye Zhijian , Wu Meiying , Yu Xin
Published: June 2024

Background
To investigate the safety and completion rate of prophylactic treatment for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in children.
Methods
Patients who met the diagnostic criteria for LTBI and voluntarily accepted prophylactic treatment were enrolled from the outpatient department of Suzhou Fifth People’s Hospital from January 1, 2018, to February 28, 2021. According to age, participants were divided into a children's group (≤ 14 years old, 84 cases) and a teenage and adult group (> 14 years old, 69 cases). Depending on the different prophylactic treatment regimens, the completion rate and incidence of adverse drug reactions were compared between the different treatment groups.
Results
Close contact history with a pulmonary tuberculosis patient and malnutrition were the main risk factors for LTBI in children. The incidence of adverse drug reactions among children receiving prophylactic treatment was not higher than that among teenagers and adults, and 3 months isoniazid and rifapentine (3HP), 3 months isoniazid and rifampin (3HR), and 4 months rifampin (4R) regimens had better completion rate. However, the 3HP and 3HR regimens had a greater number of adverse drug reactions, especially the 3HR regimen. Only one patient progressed to active tuberculosis within 2 years of prophylactic treatment.
Conclusion
The 3HP, 3HR, and 4R regimens showed higher completion rates in children with LTBI, while the 4R and 3HP regimens demonstrated better safety. Preventive treatment can significantly reduce the risk of progression from LTBI to active tuberculosis in children.
Systematic review of health research using internet search data
Authors: Thompson Matthew , Chan Calvin , Daniels Elisabeth , Obana Kevin , Taylor James , Grailey Kate , Schneider Renee , Flatley John , Sounderajah Viknesh , Darzi Ara
Published: June 2024

Novel types of digital data, including internet search data, have potential to improve understanding of early predictors of serious health conditions and enable timely management. While many studies have used aggregate anonymized search trends in this way, what is less clear is the predictive or diagnostic value of online searches at the individual level. While an increasing number of studies have used these kinds of data, this research method is still emerging. We therefore undertook a systematic review of published research that has assessed the predictive or diagnostic value of individual internet search data. MEDLINE and Embase were searched through March 2024 for studies utilising individual internet search data to predict or diagnose patient disease status. Due to the heterogeneous nature of the design, methodology and reported outcomes of included studies, a narrative synthesis of studies and pre-specified outcomes was performed. Study quality was assessed with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and PROBAST tool. Twenty-three studies met the inclusion criteria. Conditions of interest encompassed mental health, neurological conditions, malignancies, and miscellaneous healthcare presentations. Data on individuals’ search history were obtained from search engines using anonymous search queries (Bing, Yahoo!) or from consented participants (Google) where consent rates ranged from 20–70%. Wide variability in AUROC (range: <0.53 to > 0.99), sensitivity (range: 0.44 to 0.81) and F1 score (0.36 to 0.80) were reported. Studies noted a range of predictive linguistic, temporal, and other features (e.g., spelling error frequency). This review demonstrated that the use of individual internet search data holds diagnostic and predictive potential, with evidence of strong associative features. However, there was significant variability regarding conditions of interest, methodology, and predictive models used. Given the common use of internet searches by patients as part of their healthcare journeys, individual search data holds significant potential, and justifies further research, including the use of established diagnoses.
Stock price prediction with SCA-LSTM network and Statistical model ARIMA-GARCH
Authors: Mehtarizadeh Homa , Mansouri Najme , zade Behnam Mohammad Hasani , Hosseini Mohammad Mehdi
Published: June 2024

Forecasting the stock market is one of the most challenging things for investors to do to increase their profits. The stock market is predicted using statistical strategies and learning tools. The objective of this study is to predict the closing price of the stock using Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) network modified by Sin-Cosine Algorithm (SCA), Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) and Generalized Auto Regressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity (GARCH) statistical models which is called LSTM-SCA-ARIMA-GARCH model. An evaluation of the proposed method was performed using time series that are of varying stability. In this work, the data of 8 stocks including State Bank of India Network (SBIN), Oracle Corporation (ORCL), Microsoft Corporation (MSFT), Halliburton Company (HAL), Goldman Sachs Group Inc (GS), Cognizant Technology Solution Corporation (CTSH), Bank of America Corp (BAC) and Amazon (AMZN), which included closing stock price have been predicted on a daily and weekly basis, and the daily prediction was more accurate than the weekly prediction. In general, for daily prediction the SCA-LSTM-ARIMA-GARCH model 83.37%, 84.05% and 55.8% better than LSTM, Combination of LSTM and Particle Swarm Algorithm (LSTM-PSO) and LSTM-ARIMA, respectively.
Chronic diesel exhaust exposure induced pulmonary vascular remodeling a potential trajectory for traffic related pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Mu Chaohui , Li Qinghai , Niu Yong , Hu Ting , Li Yanting , wang Tao , Yu Xinjuan , Lv Yiqiao , Tang Huiling , Jiang Jing , Xu Haibin , Zheng Yuxin , Han Wei
Published: June 2024

Background
As one of the most common traffic-related pollutants, diesel exhaust (DE) confers high risk for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. However, its impact on pulmonary vessels is still unclear.
Methods
To explore the effects of DE exposure on pulmonary vascular remodeling, our study analyzed the number and volume of small pulmonary vessels in the diesel engine testers (the DET group) from Luoyang Diesel Engine Factory and the controls (the non-DET group) from the local water company, using spirometry and carbon content in airway macrophage (CCAM) in sputum. And then we constructed a rat model of chronic DE exposure, in which 12 rats were divided into the DE group (6 rats with 16-week DE exposure) and the control group (6 rats with 16-week clean air exposure). During right heart catheterization, right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) was assessed by manometry. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in lung tissues and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured by qRT-PCR and ELISA, respectively. Histopathological analysis for cardiovascular remodeling was also performed.
Results
In DET cohort, the number and volume of small pulmonary vessels in CT were positively correlated with CCAM in sputum (P<0.05). Rat model revealed that chronic DE-exposed rats had elevated RVSP, along with increased wall thickness of pulmonary small vessels and right the ventricle. What’s more, the MIF levels in BALF and lung tissues were higher in DE-exposed rats than the controls.
Conclusion
Apart from airway remodeling, DE also induces pulmonary vascular remodeling, which will lead to cardiopulmonary dysfunction.
Asc-2P Sustains Mitochondrial Glycolysis and Promotes Neural Progenitor Cell Activation via Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 7
Authors: Zhao Jian , Wang Ying , Fang Jing , Hu Ganlu , Tang Kailin , Zeng Xianglu , Wang Changzheng , Yu Yongcun , Zeng Tao , Cao Zhiwei , Fan Guoping
Published: June 2024

Human neural progenitor cells (hNPCs) have been reported to exist in various regions of the central nervous system (CNS) throughout the lifespan and to maintain homeostasis of the CNS. The endogenous NPC pools as well as their function decline during aging, neurodegeneration, or brain damage; therefore, supplementation with hNPCs or enhancement of the potency of endogenous NPCs could lead to potential treatments for these diseases. Here, we showed that 2-phospho-L-ascorbic acid (Asc-2P) promoted hNPC proliferation and differentiation by maintaining mitochondrial glycolysis under growth factor-lacking conditions. Upregulation of metabotropic glutamate receptor 7 (mGluR7) expression by Asc-2P treatment and retention of mGluR7 on the plasma membrane by the specific group III mGluR antagonist alpha-methylserine-O-phosphate (MSOP) promoted the formation of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) and mGluR7 complex on the cell membrane, thereby enhanced the phosphorylation and activation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) response element-binding protein (CREB), maintained mitochondrial glycolysis, thus enhanced hNPC proliferation and differentiation in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, Asc-2P treatment alleviated pathogenesis and related cognitive decline in an Alzheimer’s disease mouse model. Taken together, our findings indicated that modulation of mGluR7 by Asc-2P and/or its antagonists could be promising pharmaceutical and therapeutic options against neurodegeneration and related diseases.
Mental health literacy and the prevalence of depression among college students: a cross- sectional study in Iran
Authors: Panahi Rahman , Moghadam Mohaddeseh Ramezani , Pakdaman Fatemeh , Amjadian Mohiadin
Published: June 2024

Background and objectives:
Considering the high prevalence of depression among students and the fact that the factors that cause depression among students play a significant role in its prevention and control, and also considering the important role of mental health literacy in depression incidence, this study aimed at determining the relationship between mental health literacy and the prevalence of depression among students.
method
In a descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study, 270 students of Qaenat Faculty of Medical Sciences, Iran, were selected to participate in the study in the second semester of 2023–2024 through simple random sampling. The data were collected through demographic and background characteristics, depression (Beck Questionnaire), and mental health literacy questionnaires (MHLQ). The data were analyzed using SPSS 23 software and descriptive statistics and regression.
Results
Mental health literacy was at an average level in the students. Also, the results showed that 67.7% (180 people) were free of depression and the prevalence of mild, moderate, and severe depression was 15% (40 people), 9.8% (26 people), and 7.5% (20 people) respectively among them. The results showed that mental health literacy, having a history of depression, and doing physical activity were effective factors in the prevalence of depression.
Conclusion
The prevalence of depression was higher among students with insufficient levels of mental health literacy, having a history of depression, and those with insufficient physical activity. Therefore, it is suggested to pay more attention to such students in designing educational programs to prevent depression among them.