bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Light-Weight Network for Small Insulator and Defect Detection Using UAV Imaging Based on Improved YOLOv5
Authors: Zhang Tong , Zhang Yinan , Xin Min , Liao Jiashe , Xie Qingfeng
Published: May 2023

Insulator defect detection is of great significance to compromise the stability of the power transmission line. The state-of-the-art network of object detection, YOLOv5, has been widely used on insulator and defect detection. However, YOLOv5 network has some limitations like poor detection rate and high computational loads in detecting small insulator defects. To solve these problems, we proposed a light-weight network for insulator and defect detection. In this network, we introduced Ghost module into YOLOv5 backbone and neck to reduce the parameters and model size to enhance the performance in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Besides, we added small object detection anchors and layers for small defect detection. In addition, we optimized the backbone of YOLOv5 by applying convolutional block attention module (CBAM) to focus on critical information for insulator and defect detection and suppress uncritical information. The experiment result shows the mean average precision (mAP) 0.5 and the mAP0.5:0.95 of our model can reach 99.4% and 91.7%, the parameters and model weight are reduced to 3807372 and 8.79M, which can easily deploy to embedded devices like UAVs. And the speed of detection can reach 10.9ms/image, which can meet the real-time detection requirement.
Parking Time Violation Tracking using Yolov8 and DeepSORT
Authors: Sharma Nabin , Baral Sushish , Paing May Phu , Chawuthai Rathachai
Published: May 2023

In Thailand, parking time violation is a major problem, especially for mini-marts. At present the task of detecting parking time violation is mainly conducted manually using Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV). This method requires additional human labour to track incoming and outgoing vehicles. Therefore, low cost time violation tracking is needed. To the best of our knowledge, there has not been any research for parking violation detection and tracking conducted for parking time limits. This paper introduces a novel parking time violation detection algorithm using the Yolov8 and DeepSORT tracking algorithms to track vehicles in consecutive frames. The presented parking violation tracking algorithm can provide a guideline for research in parking time violation detection.
Mortality Due to Multi-Drug Resistant Gram Negative Bacteremia in an Endemic Region: No Better than Toss a Coin
Authors: Tsachouridou Olga , Pilalas Dimitrios , Nanoudis Sideris , Antoniou Athanasios , Bakaimi Isidora , Chrysanthidis Theofilos , Markakis Konstantinos , Kassomenaki Angeliki , Mantzana Paraskevi , Protonotariou Efthymia , Skoura Lemonia , Metallidis Symeon
Published: May 2023

The incidence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bloodstream infections (BSI) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Little evidence exists regarding the epidemiology of BSIs and the use of appropriate empirical antimicrobial therapy in endemic regions. Novel diagnostic tests (RDTs) may facilitate and improve patient management. Data from patients with MDR GNB bacteremia at a university tertiary hospital were assessed over a 12-month period. 157 episodes of MDR GNB BSI were included in the study. Overall mortality rate was 50,3 percent. Rapid molecular diagnostic tests were used in 94% of BSI episodes. In univariate analysis, age (OR 1.05 (95% CI 1.03, 1.08) p<0.001), Charlson Comorbidity Index (OR 1.51 (95% CI 1.25, 1.83) p<0.001), Procalcitonin≥1(OR 3.67 (CI 95% 1.73, 7.79) p<0.001) and monotherapy with tigecycline (OR 3.64 (95% CI 1.13, 11.73) p=0.030) were the only factors associated with increased overall mortality. Surprisingly, time to appropriate antimicrobial treatment had no impact on mortality. MDR pathogen isolation, other than Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumanii was associated with decreased mortality (OR 0.35 (95% CI 0.16, 0.79) p=0.011). In multivariate analysis though the only significant factor for mortality was Procalcitonin≥1(OR 2.84 (95% CI 1.13, 7.11) p=0.025). In conclusion, in an endemic area, mortality rates in MDR BSI remain high. High procalcitonin was the only variable that predicted death. The use of rapid diagnostics did not improve mortality rate.
Prevalence and Burden of Comorbidities in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome
Authors: Sircu Victoria , Colesnic Silvia , Covantsev Serghei , Corlateanu Olga , Sukhotko Anna S , Popovici Cristian , Corlateanu Alexandru
Published: May 2023

Repeated desaturation of oxyhemoglobin, micro-arousals, which are typical in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), have negative effects on the health of patients, leading to a wide range of complications such as cardiovascular (arterial hypertension, pulmonary hypertension, chronic heart failure, arrhythmias, myocardial infarction) cerebrovascular (strokes), metabolic (insulin resistance, obesity, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome), gastrointestinal (non-alcoholic liver disease), urinary (chronic renal failure), neuropsychiatric complications and a wide range of malignancies. This in turn has a multilateral effect on familial, occupational and social life, as well as increasing the risk of road traffic accidents or accidents at workplace. Awareness, timely screening and prevention of complications play an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of comorbid conditions. This review focuses on comorbidities in OSAS and the effect of CPAP therapy on their prognosis.
Minimal Access Aortic Valve Surgery
Authors: Kirmani Bilal H , Akowuah Enoch
Published: May 2023

Minimally invasive approaches to the aortic valve have been described since 1993, with great hopes that they would become universal and facilitate day-case cardiac surgery. The literature has shown that these procedures can be undertaken with equivalent mortality, similar operative time, comparative cost and some benefits in hospital length of stay. The competing efforts of the transcatheter aortic valve implantation for these same outcomes have provided an excellent range of treatment options for patients from the Heart Team. We describe the current state of the art, including technical considerations, caveats and complications of minimal access aortic surgery and predict future directions in this space.
PROJECT BASED LEARNING AND ITS ROLE IN THE PROCESS OF TRAINING FUTURE PROFESSIONAL LEADERS IN UKRAINIAN TECHNICAL UNIVERSITIES
Authors: Romanovskiy Olexandr , Lapuzina Olena
Published: May 2023

Absrtact: the article is devoted to the problem of training future professional leaders of various specialties as organizers of the scientific, technical and social revival of Ukraine. The study found that it is expedient to organize the training of such leaders in engineering higher education institutions, which is especially important in the context of russia's aggression against Ukraine. The analysis of literary sources has shown that the key problems of modern social progress are related to leadership, competitive strategies, and a creative approach to teaching in higher education using innovative learning technologies. An experiment was conducted on the application of problem-based learning technology in the process of training future specialists-leaders at the National Technical University “Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute”. The article presents a number of factors that determine the feasibility of using various forms of problem-based learning in combination with other interactive technologies to solve the problem of improving the quality of training of leaders-specialists in various specialties.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF PROFESSIONAL MOTIVATIONS OF THE FUTURE PSYCHOLOGISTS IN THE CONTEXT OF SITUATIONAL MODELING
Authors: Kvasnyk Olga , Bespartochna Olena , Zemliakova Olena
Published: May 2023

Abstract: key concepts about professional motivation are considered. An overview of theoretical and empirical methods of diagnosis and interventions to develop professional motivation has been made. The structural model of the process of formation and/or development of professional motivation in students of psychologists with the help of situational modeling is displayed.
Delayed Pyogenic Spondylitis at the Same Level as Rod Fracture After Surgery for Adult Spinal Deformity
Authors: Sakuma Yota , Shirado Osamu , Tominaga Ryoji , Iwabuchi Masumi
Published: May 2023

Case:

Rod fracture (RF) occurred at L5-S level in a 79-year-old woman 7 months after spinal corrective surgery for adult spinal deformity (ASD). Four years after the surgery, pyogenic spondylitis occurred at the same level as RF. After the reinforcement of broken rods posteriorly, a transperitoneal approach was used for debridement and bone graft. However, prolonged infection, adhesive ileus, and small bowel perforation led to a total of 3 reoperations, resulting a colostomy. Three years after the reoperation, she was ambulatory with assistance.

Conclusion:

We need to follow-up postoperative ASD patients carefully because a single complication can lead to serious consequences.
Extramedullary Hematopoiesis Adjacent to Vertebral Fracture in a Patient with Pernicious Anemia
Authors: Bennett-Caso Claudia , Srinath Arjun , de la Roza Gustavo , Stock Harlan , Damron Timothy A.
Published: May 2023

Case:

A 68-year-old woman presented with a paraspinal mass of indeterminate imaging characteristics. Workup and computed tomography-guided Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) aspiration revealed extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH) adjacent to a prior compression fracture in the setting of pernicious anemia.

Conclusion:

The combination of findings suggests a possible relationship of the compression fracture and the EMH because of traumatic extravasation of marrow contents, with the patient's underlying anemia possibly providing an underlying predisposition to EMH.
Impact of COVID-19 on Essential Health Care of Rural People in Northern Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Rahman, MBBS, MPH, PhD Md. Matiur , Rahman Md. Aminur , Siddique Md. Kaoser Bin , Islam Md. Rahidul , Rahim Mohammad Mahbub ur
Published: May 2023

Background and Objectives: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has an unpredicted effect on global society. The main objective of this study is to determine the impact of COVID-19 on rural people’s access to health care in Northern Bangladesh.
Methods: A cross-sectional community-based design was used. Data were collected from four different districts in the Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions using the multistage sampling technique. A pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection. SPSS version 25 was used for the statistical analysis.
Results: Among 639 respondents, 59.5% were female, and 40.5% were male. The mean age was 34.3 years (SD ±10). The family income ceiling was reduced to -15.6% for incomes between $10,000 and $20,000, and -12.7% for incomes between $20,000 and $30,000. Because 38.2% of respondents’ income was reduced during COVID-19, they now fall into the income category of ≤10,000 Bangladeshi Taka. Due to a lack of transportation, 41.7% of respondents never sought medical attention. During the COVID-19 period, respondents reported physical illness (24.4%), severe stress problems/mental illness (39.2%), and either injuries or urgent health problems (3.8%).The percentage of respondents who did not seek medical attention because they were afraid of becoming infected with COVID-19 was 30.3%. The majority of respondents, 67.3% (n=188), stated that they were unable to locate any maternal and child health care institutions.
Conclusion and Implications for Translation: The COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant disruption in the delivery of essential health services.To address future COVID-19 outbreaks and similar pandemics, the government and private sector must work together, as well as global collaboration.
 
Copyright © 2023 Rahman, et al. Published by Global Health and Education Projects, Inc. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0.
How does the use of robots promote carbon reduction?——Spatial correlation and heterogeneity analysis
Authors: Nie Yang , Zhou Yang , WANG HANKUN , Zeng Liangen , Bao Wenchu
Published: May 2023

Along with the continuous improvement of industrial intelligence, the use of robots (UR) is widely used in various aspects of production and life, which is playing an essential role in achieving carbon reduction targets. This paper explores the impact of UR on carbon emissions and analyzes the mechanism by taking 30 provinces in China from 2006 to 2019 as research objects. It found that UR can significantly reduce carbon emissions. However, the degree of marketization plays a masking effect, which limits UR's carbon reduction effect to some extent. Furthermore, the carbon reduction effect of UR is stronger in provinces with lower carbon emissions. Finally, UR has a significant spatial spillover effect on neighboring regions. The improvement of UR level will positively affect the region's and surrounding areas' carbon emission reduction. The relevant findings provide empirical support for further deepening the policy implementation of UR-assisted carbon emission reduction.
SARS-CoV-2 induced B cells generate an anticipatory memory against new virus variants and re-engage in COVID-19 vaccine responses
Authors: Bruhn Matthias , Obara Maureen , Chiyyeadu Abhishek , Costa Bibiana , Salam Abdus , Ziegler Annett , Waltl Inken , Pavlou Andreas , Bonifacius Agnes , Hoffmann Markus , Graalmann Theresa , Pöhlmann Stefan , Eiz-Vesper Britta , Schambach Axel , Kalinke Ulrich
Published: May 2023

During the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous new SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) evolved, many of which escape from antibody responses. Vaccination of COVID-19 convalescent individuals induces antibody responses of superior quantity and quality, which may even neutralize new VOC. We analyzed memory B cells (MBC) from convalescent donors and studied their involvement in COVID-19 vaccine responses. By expressing monoclonal antibodies from immunoglobulin V(D)J sequences of MBC and reverting their somatic hypermutations (SHM) to germline codes, we found that antibody maturation is crucial for the cross-neutralization of VOC. Infection-induced MBC substantially contributed to the subsequent vaccine response. A few dominant clonotypes that used characteristic VH gene segments and that diversified through SHM constituted a large fraction of the responding B cells. Analysis of functional consequences revealed that certain SHM contribute to the formation of an anticipatory memory that is suitable to neutralize virus variants that might emerge in the future.
The theory of thermoelasticity with a memory-dependent dynamic response for a thermo-piezoelectric functionally graded rotating rod
Authors: askar askar , Marin M , Abouelregal Ahmed , Mohamed Badahiould
Published: May 2023

By laminating piezoelectric and flexible materials during the manufacturing process, we can improve the performance of electronic devices. In smart structure design, it is also important to understand how the functionally graded piezoelectric (FGP) structure changes over time when thermoelasticity is assumed. This is because these structures are often exposed to both moving and still heat sources during many manufacturing processes. Therefore, the electrical and mechanical properties of layered piezoelectric materials that are subjected to electromechanical loads and heat sources must be both analyzed theoretically and practically.Classical thermoelasticity cannot solve the problem of the infinite speed of heat wave propagation, so extended thermoelasticity models are proposed. In this paper, the Lord-Shulman theory with the idea of a memory-dependent derivative (MDD) was used to investigate how a moving axial heat source affects the thermomechanical sensitivity of a FGP rod.The physical characteristics of the FG rod are supposed to change exponentially when travelling in the direction of the rod axis. It is further assumed that the rod is held at both ends and that there is no voltage across them.Laplace transform procedures were used to obtain the physical fields being analyzed. A combination of measures of heterogeneity, kernel functions, time delays, and heat source velocities was used to make comparisons between the results discussed and those in previous literature.It was found that a higher value of the inhomogeneity index reduces the dynamic behavior to axial displacement, temperature change, and electric potential.
The Modern Single Shaft Gas Turbine Rotor Stress-Strain State Determination Taking Into Account The Contact Thermoelasticity Problem
Authors: Smetankina Natalia , Morhun Serhii
Published: May 2023

The paper outlines a finite elements refined mathematical model of the stress-strain state of single shaft gas turbine engine that can be used in ground or floating power plants. The mathematical model is taken into consideration the contact thermoelasticity problem in the joint area of disk and blades. On the base of the developed mathematical model the fields of turbine rotor dynamic stresses and displacement have been found too. To make the clear decision about the developed mathematical model adequacy mostly loaded impeller dynamic stresses field has been found and verified by comparison with the calculated results without contact and experimental data. The turbine rotor displacements and dynamic stresses have been found for different forced vibration modes. The obtained results along with the previous studies of this rotor fluid flow and thermal state could be used in further studies of the turbine rotor creep and fatigue strength and blades crack researches.
Nonlinear dynamic analysis of ceramic bearing rotor system considering temperature variation fit clearance
Authors: Zhang Ke , Gao Liuwang , Wang Zhan , Wang Zinan , Zhang Liqi
Published: May 2023

Under high speed and high precision operation, the ceramic bearing rotor system will generate high temperature rise. Ceramic bearings and steel bearing pedestal will produce different thermal deformation due to material differences, which will lead to the non-uniform change of fit clearance. Based on the bearing heat generation and deformation mechanism, the clearance fit model of ceramic bearing rotor system is established, the contact relationship between bearing outer ring and pedestal is analyzed, and the nonlinear dynamic model of ceramic bearing rotor system considering temperature variation clearance fit is established. The nonlinear vibration characteristics of bearing rotor system under the influence of temperature variation fit clearance are investigated, and the system stability is analyzed by using phase plane diagram and bifurcation diagram. Finally, the model is verified with vibration experiments. The results show that the thermal deformation difference between the outer ring and the pedestal increases with the increase of internal temperature. The existence of temperature-varying clearance makes the amplitude of the rotor system fluctuate locally, and the vibration changes from periodic vibration to quasi-periodic motion and lengthens the chaotic period. The stability of the rotor system can be better maintained by properly reducing the bearing fit clearance at high speed. The research results lay a theoretical foundation for the further optimization design of ceramic bearing rotor system.
Efficacy of Electrical Cardiometry in Hemodynamic Status Monitoring of Septic Preterm Neonates: A quasi experimental study
Authors: Abdou Noura Ibrahim , Elmahdy Heba saied , Tolba Osama , Shihab Nihal , Elmesiry Asmaa , El-sheikh Mai , Rowisha Mohammed
Published: May 2023

Background: Sepsis is one of the most encountered pathologies in the neonatal intensive care unit and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Prematurity and low birth weight are the most important neonatal factors predisposing to infection. Many infants with sepsis develop cardiovascular instability, especially preterm. The role of Functional echocardiography for the evaluation of hemodynamic status in sick newborns is limited by the need for a trained provider.
Methods: this is a quasi-experimental study that aimed at proving the efficacy of Electrical Cardiometry in hemodynamic status in septic preterm neonates. 80 septic preterm neonates with gestational ages between (34 0/7 to 36 6/7) weeks admitted to the Tanta University neonatal intensive care unit and met the criteria for diagnosis of neonatal sepsis were enrolled. A control group of 80 matched newborns for gestational age and sex were included. Bedside Echocardiography assessment was performed together with bedside electrical cardiometry monitoring in 1st, 2nd, 3rd days of sepsis manifestations and before discharge.
Data for Statistical analysis was fed to the computer and analyzed using IBM SPSS software package version 20.0. (Armonk, NY: IBM Corp). The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to verify the normality of distribution Quantitative data were described using range (minimum and maximum), mean, standard deviation, median and interquartile range (IQR). The significance of the obtained results was judged at the 5% level.
Results: Stroke volume, cardiac output and cardiac index measurements by both echocardiography and electrical cardiometry were significantly higher in 2nd readings compared to last readings in sepsis group and in comparison, to control group. Correlations between electrical cardiometry and echo were positive as regard stroke volume 2nd readings, cardiac output 2nd readings and cardiac index 2nd readings in both groups.
Conclusion: Electrical cardiometry can be recommended as a useful tool for hemodynamics assessment in late preterm neonates with sepsis.
Serum albumin level as a potential predictor of delayed healing after minor oral surgery among patients aged over 65 years: the results of a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Kimura Taku , Hato Hiroyuki , Sakata Ken-ichiro , Hojo Takayuki , Asaka Takuya , Ohga Noritaka , Sato Jun , Satoh Chiharu , Yamazaki Yutaka , Kitagawa Yoshimasa
Published: May 2023

Background: Older adults compose the significant proportion of patients undergoing minor oral surgery to restore oral function worldwide; however, these procedures possess certain risks of late complications, particularly delayed healing.
Therefore, this study mainly aims to assess the frequency of this type of adverse effects and identify the predictors of delayed healing among patients aged over 65 years.
Methods: A total of 106 participants aged over 65 years who underwent minor oral surgical interventions at the Department of Oral Medicine, Hokkaido University Hospital from 2015 to 2022 were selected from the database and were divided into two healing groups: the non-delayed (n = 87) and delayed (n = 19). The delayed healing was defined as lack of healing for more than 10 days. The clinical parameters for comparison included those of clinical examination and laboratory tests assessed before surgery. Fisher’s exact test, the Wilcoxon rank-sum test, and logistic regression analysis were used to evaluate the results.
Results: Delayed healing was the most frequent postsurgical complication (17.9%) among all the patients. Serum albumin level (odds ratio, 10.0; 95% confidence interval, 2.15–46.6) significantly differed between the groups of patients with and without delayed healing. The multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that serum albumin level of <3.5 g/dL (odds ratio, 10.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.83–56.2) was strongly associated with delayed healing.
Conclusions: This study revealed that the level of serum albumin can predict delayed healing among patients aged over 65 years who undergo minor oral surgery.
Trial registration: Retrospectively registered.
Evaluating the relationship between conditional cash transfer programme on preterm births: a retrospective longitudinal study using the 100 Million Brazilian Cohort
Authors: Ortelan Naiá , Almeida Márcia Furquim , Júnior Elzo Pereira Pinto , Bispo Nivea , Fiaccone Rosemeire L. , Falcão Ila Rocha , Rocha Aline dos Santos , Ramos Dandara , Paixão Enny S. , Ribeiro-Silva Rita de Cássia , Rodrigues Laura C. , Barreto Mauricio L. , Ichihara Maria Yury T.
Published: May 2023

Background Preterm births increase mortality and morbidity during childhood and later life, which is closely associated with poverty and the quality of prenatal care. Therefore, income redistribution and poverty reduction initiatives may be valuable in preventing this outcome. We assessed whether receipt of the Brazilian conditional cash transfer programme - Bolsa Familia Programme, the largest in the world - reduces the occurrence of preterm births and explored how this association differs according to prenatal care and quality of Bolsa Familia Programme management.Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed involving live singleton births from 2012–2015 to mothers registered in the 100 Million Brazilian Cohort from 2004–2015, considering a deterministic linkage with the Bolsa Familia Programme payroll datasets and similarity linkage with the Brazilian Live Birth Information System. The exposed group consisted of newborns to mothers who received Bolsa Familia from conception to delivery. Our outcomes were infants born with a gestational age < 37 weeks: (i) all preterm births, (ii) moderate-to-late (32–36), (iii) severe (28–31), and (iv) extreme (< 28) preterm births compared to at-term newborns. We combined propensity score-based methods and weighted logistic regressions to compare newborns to mothers who did and did not receive Bolsa Familia, controlling for socioeconomic conditions. We also estimated these effects separately, according to the adequacy of prenatal care and the index of quality of Bolsa Familia Programme management.Results 1,031,053 infants were analyzed; 65.9% of the mothers were beneficiaries. Bolsa Familia Programme was not associated with all sets of preterm births, moderate-to-late, and severe preterm births, but was associated with a reduction in extreme preterm births (weighted OR: 0.69; 95%CI: 0.63–0.76). This reduction can also be observed among mothers receiving adequate prenatal care (weighted OR: 0.66; 95%CI: 0.59–0.74) and living in better Bolsa Familia management municipalities (weighted OR: 0.56; 95%CI: 0.43–0.74).Conclusions An income transfer programme for pregnant women of low-socioeconomic status, conditional to attending prenatal care appointments, has been associated with a reduction in extremely preterm births. These programmes could be essential in achieving Sustainable Development Goals.
Communication skills-based training about medication switch encounters: mixed-method study on pharmacy staff and patients’ experiences
Authors: Schackmann Laura , Koster E.S. , Dijk Liset van , Vervloet Marcia , Heringa Mette
Published: May 2023

Background.
Non-medical medication switches can lead to difficult conversations. To support pharmacy staff, a communication training has been developed based on two strategies: (1) 'positive message framing' to emphasize positive elements of the message and (2) 'breaking bad news model' to break the news immediately and address emotions.
Aim.
To assess how patients and trained pharmacy staff experience the application of communication strategies for non-medical medication switch conversations and which are barriers and facilitators for the application.
Method.
The Kirkpatrick training evaluation model (level 3 (‘behavior’, including barriers and facilitators) and 4 (‘results’) was used. Trained pharmacy staff registered conversation characteristics and asked patients to fill in a questionnaire. Semi-structured interviews with trained participants were conducted. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and interview data was analyzed thematically.
Results.
Of the 39 trained participants, 21 registered characteristics of 71 conversations, 31 patients filled in questionnaires, and 13 trained participants were interviewed. Level 3: participants self-reported they applied (aspects of) the strategies, though indicated this was not (yet) a standard process. Interviewees indicated signs of increased patient contact and job satisfaction. Time, face-to-face conversations, colleague support, and patient cooperation were facilitators. Level 4: participants were satisfied with most conversations (89%) post-training, particularly with addressing emotions (74%). Patients were (very) positive (77%) about the communication, particularly about clear explanations about the switch.
Conclusion.
Pharmacy staff’s learned behavior includes being able to apply aspects of the strategies. The training results show first signs of better patient-pharmacy staff relationships and increased job satisfaction.
Entropy Removal of Medical Diagnostics
Authors: He Shuhan , Chong Paul , Yoon Byung-Jun , Chung Pei-Hung , Chen David , Marzouk Sammer , Black Kameron , Sharp Wilson , Goldstein Joshua , Raja Ali , Lee Jarone
Published: May 2023

Shannon entropy is a core concept in machine learning and information theory, particularly in decision tree modeling. Decision tree representations of medical decision-making tools can be generated using diagnostic metrics found in literature and entropy removal can be calculated for these tools. This analysis was done for 623 diagnostic tools and provided unique insights into the utility of such tools. This concept of clinical entropy removal has significant potential for further use to bring forth healthcare innovation, such as the quantification of the impact of clinical guidelines and value of care and applications to Emergency Medicine scenarios where diagnostic accuracy in a limited time window is paramount. For studies that provided detailed data on medical decision-making algorithms, bootstrapped datasets were generated from source data in order to perform comprehensive machine learning analysis on these algorithms and their constituent steps, which revealed a novel thorough evaluation of medical diagnostic algorithms.
Expression of microRNAs ‘let-7d and miR-195’ and apoptotic genes ‘BCL2 and caspase-3’ as potential biomarkers of female breast carcinogenesis
Authors: Ibrahim Basma A. , Hegazy Abdelmonem Awad , Gobran Mai Ahmed , Zaitoun Mohamed Abdallah , Elmigdadi Fayig , El-Gindy Gehane A. , Hegazy Salwan Abdelmonem , Alashkar Elsayed M. , Omar Walaa E.
Published: May 2023

BackgroundBreast cancer (BC) is the most common cause of cancer-related death among women world-wide. Let-7d and microRNA-195 (miR-195) are members of microRNAsthat are well-known tumor suppressors involved in the regulation of apoptosis, invasion, and other cellular functions. However, the roles of these microRNAs in BC progression remain controversial. This study aimed to explore the correlation between the expression of let-7d and miR-195 and apoptosis-related genes (ARG) “B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) and caspase-3 (CASP3)” as potential biomarkers of breast carcinogenesis.MethodsIt was a retrospective case-control study where expression of let-7d, miR-195, CASP3, and BCL2 was evaluated using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR); and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was used to determine expression of BCL2 and CASP3 in BC tissues versus normal breast tissues (NT)samples.ResultsExpression of let-7d and miR-195 was significantly reduced within BC tissues compared to NT (P: < 0.0001); and there was a statically positive correlation between them (r=0.314,P: 0.005). They have also been correlated to biomarkers’ expression of genes related to apoptosis. There was a statistically significant positive association between CASP3, and both let-7d, and miR-195 relative gene expression (r=0.713,P: <0.0001 and r=0.236, P: 0.03, respectively); in contrast, there was a statistically significant negative association between the relative gene expression of BCL2, and let-7d, and miR-195 (r=-0.221,P: 0.04 and r=-0.311,P: 0.005, respectively).ConclusionsLet-7d and miR-195 have been suggested to be involved in BC by modulating the ARG including BCL2 and CASP3. The qRT-PCR and IHC studies verified that low expression of let-7d and miR-195 prohibit apoptosis via downregulating CASP3 and increasing BCL2 expressions promoting BC progression These results also hypothesize that let-7d and miR-195 along with apoptotic biomarkers (BCL2 and CASP3) can be used in the future to introduce novel, non-invasive molecular biomarkers for BC into clinical practice.
RNA-Seq-Based Transcriptome Profiling of Early Fruit Development in Chieh-qua and Analysis of Related Transcription Factors
Authors: Du Xuan , Liu Na , Lu Panling , Wang Ying , Lu Bo , Tian Shoubo , Zhang Zhaohui
Published: May 2023

Background Chieh-qua (Benincasa hispida Cogn. var. Chieh-qua How.) early fruit development started post pollination. With the continuous expansion of the fruit, the soluble solid content of the fruit decreased. Although there was transcriptomics study on the early fruit development of cucumber, there was no report on the early fruit development of chieh-qua. In this study, fruit transcriptome of 0-, 3- and 7-days post pollination were compared.
Results 104747 unigenes in the range of 201–14,209bp with a N50 length of 2119bp and 161282 transcripts were assembled from clean reads and comparing with 6 public databases for similarity searching. Principal component analysis separated the fruit ages into three groups. Compared with the 0 dpp (C), there were differences in the expression of 12982 and 6541 genes in the fruit tissue 3 dpp and 7dpp respectively. Compared with 3 dpp (B), there were 14314 differentially expressed genes in the fruit of 7dpp (A). According to the analysis of transcription factors, 213 nuigenes in MYB_superfamily was obtained. Among them 94 unigenes of MYB_superfamily differentially expressing in three stages. In the differential expression analysis of pairwise comparison, eight unigenes (Gene_id: TRINITY_DN32880_c1_g2,
TRINITY_DN35142_c2_g2, TRINITY_DN32454_c11_g6,
TRINITY_DN34105_c2_g7, TRINITY_DN32758_c3_g3,
TRINITY_DN33604_c4_g10, TRINITY_DN34466_c3_g1,
TRINITY_DN35924_c3_g2) are homologous to MYB59, MYB-GT3b, MYB18, MYB4, MYB108, MYB306, MYB340, MYB-bHLH13. And these unigenes are significant differences among the three groups of comparison. Further, MYB59 and MYB18 exhibited higher expression during the fruit pollinated for one week. While, MYB4, MYB-GT3b, MYB108 and MYB306 showed the highest expression levels in the fruits that have been pollinated for three days. Additionally, MYB340 and MYB-bHLH13 have showed higher expressions at the stage of unpollinated.
Conclusion These results indicate that MYB59, MYB-GT3b, MYB18, MYB4, MYB108, MYB306, MYB340, MYB-bHLH13 could play crucial roles in chieh-qua fruit development, defence, and blossom. Overall, this study provides a basis for further investigations of the MYB_superfamily genes of early fruit expansion in chieh-qua.
Hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy for brain metastases in lung cancer patients: Dose‒response effect and toxicity
Authors: Pan Kaicheng , Wang Bing , Xu Xiao , Liang Jiafeng , Tang Yi , Ma Shenglin , Xia Bing , Zhu Lucheng
Published: May 2023

Background Lung cancer is the main cause of brain metastases, and approximately 40% of lung cancer patients are found to have brain metastasis during the course of the disease. For patients with limited brain metastases, hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (HSRT) has been proven feasible. However, the optimal dose schedule of HSRT remains inconclusive. We aimed to investigate the dose response and toxicity in patients treated with HSRT.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed of lung cancer patients treated with 5-fraction HSRT for 1–10 brain metastases at Hangzhou Cancer Hospital from January 1, 2019, to January 1, 2021. All patients were followed up with MRI every 3 months after HSRT. The 1-year intracranial local control rate (iLC) was estimated using the Kaplan‒Meier method. The adverse radiation effects (AREs) were evaluated according to the criteria of the CTCAE 5.0.Results Forty patients with 70 brain metastases were reviewed. The median prescription dose was 30 (range, 25–40) Gy. The median maximum diameter of brain metastases was 1.3 (range, 0.6-4.0) cm. The 1-year iLC was 75.6% for patients treated with ≤ 30 Gy vs. 88.8% for patients treated with > 30 Gy (P = 0.09). For patients treated with HSRT combined with targeted therapy, immunotherapy and chemotherapy, the 1-year iLC was 88.9%, 100%, and 45.0%, respectively. No significant associations were observed between maximum diameter, tumour location, pathological type, or number of brain metastases. The rate of all-grade AREs was 32.5%. All AREs were grade 1–2 except for 2 patients with a total dose of 40 Gy who experienced grade 3 headache.Conclusions Increasing the prescription dose of HSRT for brain metastases is expected to improve local control, but the occurrence of side effects should also be carefully considered. Systemic therapy can impact the iLC rate, and individualized treatment regimens need to be developed.
Novel linkage approach to join community-acquired and national data
Authors: Tochel Claire , Pead Emma , McTrusty Alice , Buckmaster Fiona , MacGillivray Tom , Tatham Andrew J , Strang Niall , Dhillon Baljean , Bernabeu Miguel
Published: May 2023

Background: Community optometrists in Scotland have performed regular free-at-point-of-care eye examinations for all, for over 15 years. Eye examinations include retinal imaging but image storage is fragmented and they are not used for research. The Scottish Collaborative Optometry-Ophthalmology Network e-research project aimed to collect these images and create a repository linked to routinely collected healthcare data, supporting the development of pre-symptomatic diagnostic tools.
Methods: As the image record was usually separate from the patient record and contained minimal patient information, we developed an efficient matching algorithm using a combination of deterministic and probabilistic steps which minimised the risk of false positives, to facilitate national health record linkage. We visited two practices and assessed the data contained in their image device and Practice Management Systems. Practice activities were explored to understand the context of data collection processes. Iteratively, we tested a series of matching rules which captured a high proportion of true positive records compared to manual matches. The approach was validated by testing manual matching against automated steps in three further practices.
Results: A sequence of deterministic rules successfully matched 95% of records in the three test practices compared to manual matching. Adding two probabilistic rules to the algorithm successfully matched 99% of records.
Conclusions: The potential value of community-acquired retinal images can be harnessed only if they are linked to centrally-held healthcare care data. Despite the lack of interoperability between systems within optometry practices, data linkage is possible using robust, almost entirely automated processes.
Exploring the current state of medical education in obstetrics and gynecology: A nationwide survey among German teaching coordinators
Authors: Meyer Bastian , Riedel Fabian , Amann Niklas , Graf Anna , Stuehrenberg Antonia , Ritter Viktoria , Wallwiener Markus , Heublein Sabine , Recker Florian , Weiss Martin , Riedel Maximilian
Published: May 2023

Background: Obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) is an essential medical field that focuses on women’s health. Universities aim to provide high-quality healthcare services to women through comprehensive education of medical students. The objective of the present survey was both to ascertain perspectives on the teaching methods, resources, and challenges faced by medical educators in the field of OB/GYN in Germany and to identify possible room from improvement. The survey was conducted with teaching coordinators from most German university OB/GYN departments.Methods: A questionnaire was sent to the teaching coordinators in all 41 OB/GYN departments at German university hospitals. The survey was delivered via email with a link to an online survey platform.Results: The study received 30 responses from 41 universities. In addition to standard teaching formats, such as lectures, seminars, and clinical clerkships, the universities differed in their additional teaching offerings. Gynecological history-taking and general gynecology had the highest rates of learning success, while subfields such as reproductive medicine and urogynecology performed poorly. E-learning was found to be widely used and was considered advantageous. While good teaching was found to be essential and valued by students, a shortage of resources for medical education was noted.Conclusion: The present study provides valuable insights into the current state of medical education in OB/GYN at German universities from the perspective of teaching experts. We discuss approaches to overcoming current obstacles and offer suggestions for improvement.
Clinical features of neuromyelitis optica combined with or without connective tissue disease
Authors: FANG XUE , Gu Shue , Zhang Junmei , DU Dandan , Chi Shuhong , Li Haining
Published: May 2023

Objective
To study the symptoms, clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, imaging, treatment and prognosis of neuromyelitis optica (NMOSD) with or without combined connective tissue disease (CTD).
Methods
The 226 NMOSD patients diagnosed at Ningxia Medical University General Hospital were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of concurrent CTD. The clinical data and prognosis of NMOSD patients with combined CTD were analyzed and followed up. At the same time, NMOSD patients with combined CTD were compared with NMOSD patients without the presence of CTD in terms of laboratory tests, imaging tests, and the similarities and differences between the two groups were analyzed.
Results
CTD combined with NMOSD mostly occurred in females, and the most prevalent form of CTD is systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). It has a variety of symptoms, the majority of which are visual loss or limb weakness and numbness, and the majority of patients are positive for AQP4-IgG. The symptoms resolve significantly after sequential hormonal shock therapy in the acute phase, but the relapse rate is high. Meanwhile, it was revealed that when compared between NMOSD patients with combined CTD and NMOSD patients without combined CTD, there was a significant difference between the recurrent events (including recurrence rate and number of recurrences) and degree of remission (p<0.05).
Conclusions
The high incidence of CTD combined with NMOSD in women and the high recurrence rate suggest that adjuvant immunosuppression should be given to further reduce recurrence.
Development and validation of predictive models for mortality of cases with COVID-19 (Omicron BA.5.2.48 and B.7.14): A retrospective study
Authors: Li Peifang , Yang Huiliang , Wu Jinyu , Ma Yanfei , Hou Ailin , Chen Jiali , Ning Ning
Published: May 2023

Background With the emergence of new COVID-19 variants (Omicron BA.5.2.48 and B.7.14), predicting the mortality of infected patients has become increasingly challenging due to the continuous mutation of the virus. Existing models have shown poor performance and limited clinical utility. This study aims to identify the independent risk factors and develop a practical predictive model for mortality among patients infected with new COVID-19 variants.Methods Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data of COVID-19 patients were retrospectively collected at our hospital between December 22, 2022, and February 15, 2023. Logistic regression (LR), decision tree (DT), and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) models were developed to predict mortality. Those models were separately visualized via nomogram, decision trees, and Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP). To evaluate those models, accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, precision, Youden’s index, and area under curve (AUC, 95% CI) were calculated.Results A total of 987 cases with new COVID-19 variants (Omicron BA.5.2.48 and B.7.14) were eventually included, among them, 153 (15.5%) died. Noninvasive ventilation, intubation, myoglobin, INR, age, number of diagnoses, respiratory, pulse, neutrophil, and albumin were the most important predictors of mortality among new COVID-19 variants. The AUC of LR, DT, and XGBoost models were 0.959, 0.878, and 0.961, respectively. The diagnostic accuracy was 0.926 for LR, 0.913 for DT, and 0.977 for XGBoost. XGBoost model had the highest sensitivity (0.983) and specificity (0.940).Conclusion Our study developed and validated three practical models for predicting mortality in patients with new COVID-19 variants. All models performed well, and XGBoost was the best-performing model.
The effect of plant growth regulators, basal medium and light on micropropagation of Allium jesdianum Boiss. & Buhse
Authors: Zare Mahdi , Rabiei Mohammad , Mohammadi Shahram
Published: May 2023

Allium jesdianum Boiss. & Buhse. is a pharmaceutically valuable plant that is threatened with extinction due to over-exploitation of wild plants. In vitro culture of plants is a favorable alternative for the conservation of endangered plant species. To establish an efficient protocol for micropropagation of Allium jesdianum, the effects of plant growth regulators, basal medium, and light were studied in this experiment. Basal parts of collected bulbs from Zagros Mountains in Iran were surface sterilized and placed on five different basal media with different concentrations of IBA, NAA, BAP and kinetin and kept under dark and light conditions. The results showed that among the exogenously applied PGRs, IBA at concentrations of 1 and 2 mg/l was the most convincing PGR for shoot and bulblet regeneration. The best results were obtained with CLC and MS media under light. Higher NH4+ also increased regeneration. Our experiment may have implications for plant growth and conservation, as well as for in vitrobreeding and drug development.
Developing an assessment of online learning literacy for physical education teachers (OLLPET) in China
Authors: Tian Hengxing , Sun Mingzhu , Yin Zhihua , Liu Haohui , Li Fangfei
Published: May 2023

The globalization of education is becoming increasingly competitive. The convenience of online learning helps countries actively respond to this challenge by overcoming geographic barriers and, during medical emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic, facilitating safe, accessible, high-quality education. This two-stage study developed a tool for assessing online learning literacy for physical education (PE) teachers (OLLPET) using two rounds of the Delphi method and one round of expert ranking consultations with 15 PE experts from universities, primary and secondary schools, and teaching-research staff to draw up, revise, and finalize an evaluation index system for OLLPET. Our OLLPET evaluation index system includes three first-level indicators—online learning values (OLV), online learning essential character (OLEC), and online learning key competencies (OLKC)—with equal weighting given to OLV (0.367) and OLKC (0.367) and slightly less given to OLEC (0.267). The OLLPET is a theoretical yet practical tool that governments, schools, and teachers can use to evaluate PE teachers’ online learning literacy to improve their learning capacity in a targeted manner.
Higher Order Symmetric Duality in Nondifferentiable Fractional Variational Problems Over Cone Constraints
Authors: Khatri Sony , Singamsetty Purusotham
Published: May 2023

This paper focused on a pair of higher order nondifferentiable symmetric fractional variational programming problems defined over cone constraints and explores the pertinent duality output based on the idea of higher order (C,α,ρ,d)- convexity and established weak, strong and converse duality theorems. In order to support the definitions, a numerical example is given. Further, a static case of the problem is also constructed.