bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gabor-VGG19 Model for Enhancing COVID-19 Detection through Multimodal Fusion using CT and CXR Images
Authors: Shingan Gautami , Tiwari Shamik , Ranjan Priya
Published: July 2024

Multimodal approaches have gained significant attention in medical research, combining information from different imaging modalities. This paper introduces a multimodal approach for the detection of COVID-19 using Computed Tomog-raphy (CT) and Chest X-ray (CXR) images. Employing a deep learning-based pre-trained VGG19 model, our focus is on evaluating the classification performance of the proposed modified VGG-19 in comparison to single-modal CT images, single-modal CXR images, a multimodal fusion of CT and CXR images, and a multimodal mixture of CT and CXR images. For experimentation, an imbalanced dataset is employed and investigate the impact of multimodality on such datasets. Three augmentation strategies—no augmentation, partial augmentation , and complete augmentation—are implemented to assess their effects on the algorithm’s performance and check robustness with the local dataset. The results indicate that the multimodality fusion-based approach with partial augmentation consistently outperforms both single-modalities and the mixture of multimodalities. This research contributes valuable insights into the potential of multimodal approaches in enhancing disease detection models, particularly in the context of imbalanced datasets associated with COVID-19 diagnosis.
The independent prognostic value of Perioperative HVPG measurements in patients with portal hypertension and received Laparoscopic splenectomy plus esophagogastric devascularization
Authors: Zhang Ming , Wang Dong , Chen Xiao , Liang Defeng , Yang Tao , Cao Yanlong , Huang Bo , Lu Jianguo , Yin Jikai
Published: July 2024

Background
Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) is considered the gold standard for diagnosing portal hypertension (PHT). Laparoscopic splenectomy plus esophagogastric devascularization (LSED) is an important surgery for treating PHT. However, the variation trend of HVPG after surgery is not clear. In addition, whether HVPG could provide precise prognostic information for patients undergoing surgery remains to be further studied. This study aimed to investigate the independent prognostic value of HVPG in LSED.
Methods
From January 2016 to March 2023, 134 patients with PHT underwent LSED at our hospital were retrospectively evaluated. The correlations between clinical indicators and history of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) were analyzed. Among them, 57 patients remeasured postoperative HVPG. Postoperative alterations of HVPG and correlative factors, as well as the relationship between the HVPG and postoperative UGIB, were further investigated.
Results
In this study, we found that 93 patients with preoperative UGIB (16.27 ± 5.73mmHg) had a higher baseline HVPG than the other 41 patients without (14.02 ± 5.90mmHg) (P = 0.04). The mean postoperative HVPG significantly decreased (-3.57 ± 8.09 mmHg, P = 0.001) than baseline, 66% of patients (38/57) experienced the decreased HVPG-response after surgery. The baseline HVPG and preoperative CTP class B were associated with the decreased HVPG-response. Additionally, the patients with postoperative HVPG decreased>20% from baseline exhibited better recurrent hemorrhage-free survival rates than those without (log-rank, P = 0.013).
Conclusion
We found that LSED led to a significantly decreased HVPG, and patients with postoperative HVPG decreased >20% obtained better UGIB-free survival benefits than those without.
Characterization of a SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.5 direct-contact transmission model in hamsters
Authors: Handrejk Kim , Schmitz Katharina S. , Kroeze Edwin J.B. Veldhuis , Dijk Laura L. A. van , Run Peter van , Haagmans Bart L. , Moscona Anne , Porotto Matteo , de Swart Rik L. , de Vries Rory D. , Rissmann Melanie
Published: July 2024

As SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve antigenically to escape vaccine- or infection-induced immunity, suitable animal models are needed to study novel interventions against viral variants. Syrian hamsters are often used because of their high susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 and associated tissue damage in the respiratory tract. Here, for the first time we established and characterized a direct-contact transmission model for SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.5 in hamsters. First, we determined a minimized intranasal dose in a low-volume inoculum required for reproducible infection and viral shedding in male and female hamsters. Next, we determined the optimal co-housing timing and duration between donor and acceptor hamsters required for consistent direct-contact transmission. Finally, we compared viral loads and histopathological lesions in respiratory tissues of donor and acceptor hamsters. Intranasal inoculation of hamsters with 103 TCID50 Omicron BA.5 in 10 µl per nostril led to reproducible infection. Viral loads in the throat measured by RT-qPCR were comparable between male and female hamsters. Notably, shedding of infectious virus was significantly higher in male hamsters. Compared to ancestral SARS-CoV-2, Omicron BA.5 infection reached lower viral loads, had a delayed peak of virus replication, and led to less body weight loss. To ensure consistent direct-contact transmission from inoculated donor hamsters to naïve acceptors, a co-housing duration of 24 hours starting 20 hours post infection of the donors was optimal. We detected mild inflammation in the respiratory tract of donor and acceptor hamsters, and viral loads were higher and peaked earlier in donor hamsters compared to acceptor hamsters. Taken together, we developed and characterized a robust Omicron BA.5 direct-contact transmission model in hamsters, that provides a valuable tool to study novel interventions.
Vestibular Schwannoma Surgery in the Ninth Decade of Life: a case series
Authors: LEFEVRE Etienne , ALCIATO Lauranne , CAUDRON Yohan , JACQUENS Alice , NGUYEN Yann , STERKERS Olivier , KALAMARIDES Michel
Published: July 2024

Background and Purpose
Large symptomatic Vestibular Schwannoma (VS) often requires surgical resection, regardless the patient’s age. The aim of this study was to assess the surgical outcomes of patients in their ninth decade of life.
Methods
This monocenter retrospective observational study included patients aged 80 years or older who underwent VS surgery between 2009 and 2020. We retrospectively analyzed their immediate post-surgical and long-term outcomes and complications
Results
Thirteen octogenarians who underwent VS surgery were included, with average age of 83.2 ± 1.97 years old (median 83.5, range 80–86 years). One patient had a Koos-Grade II tumor, and 12 patients had a grade IV. All patients had a preoperative ASA score ≤ 3 and underwent surgery in the supine position. Twelve patients underwent a pre-planned partial resection (PR) and one had a gross-total resection (GTR). Good facial function (House-Brackmann grade ≤ 2) was achieved in 10 patients (77%). We reported three Clavien-Dindo grade ≤ 3 treatment-related complications and no life-threatening complication. Two patients experienced tumor recurrence after PR.
Conclusion
In this series of patients who underwent VS surgery in their ninth decade of life, surgical outcomes were acceptable. Therefore, age alone should not serve as a contraindication for surgery. Preplanned PR is a reasonable attitude in elderly patients.
In the effort to alleviate the pain and suffering of cancer patients: a grounded theory study
Authors: Mangolianshahrbabaki Parvin , Farokhzadian Jamileh , Ahmadi Fazlollah , Khabazzadeh Fatemeh
Published: July 2024

Background and Aim: Pain is a prevalent symptom experienced by cancer patients, significantly impacting their quality of life, emotional well-being, cognitive function, and daily interactions. The effective pain management can alleviate its negative impact and enhance patients’ overall quality of life. This study seeks to explore oncology nurses’ experiences with pain management in cancer patients.
Method: This qualitative study employed a grounded theory to develop a comprehensive theoretical framework based on the experiences of nurses working in oncology departments of hospitals in Iran. The participants consisted of 19 nurses, 2 doctors (an oncologist and a pain specialist), 3 patients, and 2 companions. Purposeful and theoretical sampling methods were used to ensure maximum variations. Data collection involved in-depth, individual, and semi-structured interviews, continuing until data saturation was achieved. The analytical framework proposed by Corbin and Strauss (2015) resulted in the development of a coherent theory.
Findings: The core theory derived from the data revolves around “In an effort to relieve the pain and suffering of patients.” The data revealed the nurses’ experiences with the pain management process, the strategies employed for pain relief, and the factors influencing this process. Persistent pain, the patient’s internal struggles, reliance on medicinal pain relief, contradictory effects of complementary medicine, cultural differences, different characteristics, absence of standardized pain management protocols, and limitations in the healthcare environment and resources underscored the urgency of addressing patients’ suffering. In response to this concern, nurses utilized various strategies, including developing a comprehensive roadmap, using pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, alleviating anxiety during pain, providing patient acceptance, and establishing effective communication. Additionally, they employed organizational strategies at both the individual and departmental levels to effectively manage and alleviate pain, thereby improving patients’ mental and emotional well-being. The outcomes of these strategies varied, resulting in both pain relief and stability in some cases, while they proved ineffective in others, leading to ongoing pain.
Conclusion: This study has highlighted numerous factors that impact the pain management process in patients. These factors can either facilitate or impede effective pain management. The insights gained from the experiences of nurses in this study provide valuable knowledge for doctors and nurses to enhance effective pain management.
18F-PSMA-1007 PET/MR for Early Detection of Biochemical Recurrence of Prostate Cancer in Very Low (≤ 0.5 ng/mL) Prostate-Specific Antigen Levels
Authors: Lin Ko-Han , Wei Tzu-Chun , Shen Shu-Huei , Huang William Ji-Shien , Peng Nan-Jing , Wang Yuh-Feng
Published: July 2024

Purpose
To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/MR (PSMA-PET) in detecting biochemical recurrence (BCR) of prostate cancer (PCa) at very low (≤ 0.5 ng/mL) prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels.
Methods
We recruited 157 PCa patients with BCR post-radical prostatectomy or radiation therapy between May 2021 and January 2023. Among them, 52 patients with PSA ≤ 0.5 ng/mL underwent PSMA-PET imaging. The imaging protocol included multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) and PET data analysis, with lesion classification based on PSMA-RADS version 1.0.
Results
The PSMA-PET imaging demonstrated a 63.5% detection rate for recurrent PCa in patients with low PSA levels. PSMA-PET detected 34 local recurrent lesions, 12 metastatic lymph nodes, and 4 skeletal metastases. Follow-up imaging reclassified initially equivocal lesions, increasing the detection rate to 73.1%. Outcomes from PSMA-PET imaging significantly influenced personalized treatment strategies, impacting clinical decisions for 17% of the participants in our investigation.
Conclusion
PSMA-PET significantly enhances the detection of recurrent PCa at low PSA levels, providing precise localization and aiding in personalized treatment strategies. Further research is essential to optimize its clinical application and validate long-term efficacy.
Latent Class Analysis: A Data Discovery Approach for Exploring dietary intake patterns among Sudanese children aged 0 to 2
Authors: Khamis Gamal Saad Mohamed , Mohammed Zakariya M. S. , Salih Mohyaldein , Gumma Elzain A. E. , Satty Ali , Adam Ahmed M. A. , Hassaballa Abaker A. , Mahmoud Ashraf F. A. , Hamed Omer M. A. , Abdalla Faroug A.
Published: July 2024

Objective
To employ Latent Class Analysis (LCA) to investigate dietary intake patterns among Sudanese children aged 0 to 2 years and to examine the association of these patterns with sociodemographic factors.
Methods
This study leveraged the Sudan Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2014 data to uncover dietary intake patterns among 7,362 children using latent class analysis (LCA). We investigated class memberships concerning demographic and socioeconomic factors. The model's adequacy was determined using several fit indices, including BIC, AIC, entropy, CAIC, and SABIC, providing a holistic evaluation of the model's accuracy in capturing dietary behaviors.
Results
Three latent classes were identified: Class 1 (55%) with an average nutrition composition, Class 2 (28%) with limited nutrition composition, and Class 3 (17%) with good nutrition composition. Significant associations were found between latent class membership and sociodemographic factors, particularly mother's education level and household wealth. The three-class solution provided the best balance between model fit and class distinction.
Conclusions
The LCA revealed distinct dietary intake patterns and underscored the influence of sociodemographic factors on child nutrition. The findings suggest that targeted nutritional interventions should be developed according to the specific needs of different latent classes. The study also highlights the utility of LCA as a robust statistical and machine learning tool in public health research, capable of informing tailored interventions and policies for improving child nutrition.
Implications:
The study emphasizes the importance of maternal education and socio-economic status in shaping dietary behaviors of children in Sudan. It implies the need for policies that address educational disparities, food security, and economic development as part of comprehensive nutritional interventions.
Advanced Fault Detection in Hydraulic Actuator Cylinders of Heavy Machinery Using Neural Networks
Authors: Wrat Gyan , Ranjan Prabhat , Mishra Santosh Kr. , Jose Joseph T. , Das Jayanta
Published: July 2024

This work presents for detecting internal leakage faults in hydraulic actuator cylinders using signal analysis and a supervised artificial neural network classifier. An artificial leakage is introduced and a signal-based fault detection method is employed to process and transform the signals for internal leakage detection. The analysis focuses on extracting features from the pressure signal, particularly the peaks, which include information as location, height, and width. Once the neural network is trained, it is utilized to classify the fault level into three categories: healthy system, system with low fault, and system with high fault. The proposed technique utilizes pressure signals and extracts features from the peak signals to reduce dimensionality. This method offers advantages such as reduced computational cost through feature extraction and dimensionality reduction, and it is capable of detecting multiple leakage classes. This effective technique based on artificial neural networks for detecting internal leakage faults in hydraulic cylinders.
Human Recombinant Lysosomal β-Hexosaminidase A produced in P.pastoris efficiently reduced GM2 ganglioside accumulation in Tay- Sachs Disease
Authors: Inci Orhan Kerim , Leal Andrés Felipe , Ateş Nurselin , Súarez Diego A. , Espejo-Mojica Angela Johana , Alméciga-Diaz Carlos Javier , Seyrantepe Volkan
Published: July 2024

Tay-Sachs disease is a progressive lysosomal storage disorder caused by genetic mutations in the HEXA gene encoding α-subunit of β-Hexosaminidase A, which leads to GM2 ganglioside accumulation, particularly in the central nervous system. Lysosomal GM2 ganglioside accumulation causes neuropathology and leads to premature cell death in Tay-Sachs patients, and there is no effective treatment yet. Previously, we produced the human recombinant lysosomal β-Hexosaminidase (rhHex-A) in the yeast Pichia pastoris, demonstrating the capacity to be internalized in different cell lines, and the reduction of stored GM2 gangliosides in patients´ fibroblasts and neural iPSCs. In this study, we use mouse fibroblasts and neuroglia from a novel murine model of Tay-Sachs disease and human Tay-Sachs patients’ neuroglia cells to demonstrate whether rhHex-A could reduce the GM2 accumulation. We treated the cells with rhHex-A to a final concentration of 100 nM, and the efficacy was evaluated using qRT-PCR and Immunocytochemical analysis after 24–72 h of incubation. Altogether, our results suggest that rhHex-A-produced in the yeast Pichia pastoris is a promising therapeutic to mitigate GM2 accumulation in Tay-Sachs cells.
Nonlinear Granger Causality and ERA-5 based Approach in Assessing the Impact of ENSO and Climate Variability on Extreme Events in India
Authors: Singh Jahnavi , Kumar Manish , Tiwari Akash , Thakur Swati
Published: July 2024

Over the past few decades, there has been a significant emphasis among hydro-climatologists on understanding the intricate teleconnections that exist between the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and various hydro-meteorological phenomena, such as droughts and floods. Large-scale climatic circulation patterns like ENSO have a profound impact on both global and regional hydrometeorological events. India is also experiencing frequent droughts as a significant climatic calamity; thus, knowing these teleconnections at the physiographical division level would be highly beneficial in improved drought management and planning. In the present study, the long-term trend of meteorological drought was evaluated by two drought indices, viz., the Standardised Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) and the Standardised Precipitation Index (SPI), at time scales of 3, 6, 9, and 12 months using the Modified Mann-Kendall (MMK) Test and Innovative Trend Analysis (ITA) for the period 1901–2021. Furthermore, this study used the Non-linear Granger Causality Test (NGCT) due to its ability to identify complex and nonlinear relationships among variables to investigate the teleconnection between the drought indices and four climate indices (Southern Oscillation Index, Northern Oscillation Index, NINO 3, and NINO 3.4) from 1951 to 2021. ECMWF (European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts) ReAnalysis v.5 (ERA-5) data was used to explore the major climatic cause of the drought. According to the MMK test, the north Deccan and western coast regions show the most significant positive trend in SPEI 12 and SPEI 3 (0.071 and 0.078, respectively), as well as SPI 12 (0.072 and 0.098). In contrast, only the Himalayan region shows the most significant negative trend of -0.205 for SPEI 12 and SPI 12, respectively. Additionally, results from the MMK test and ITA indicate an increasing risk of drought in the Great Indian Desert, eastern and western coasts, and northern and southern Deccan regions. However, a decreasing trend was observed in the Himalayan and Northern Plain regions. The study emphasises that the effect of ENSO on evapotranspiration-based drought (i.e., computed using SPEI) is more significant than precipitation-based drought (i.e., computed using SPI). According to ERA-5 reanalysis data, changes in convective precipitation and rainfall rate, low cloud cover, insufficient vertical moisture divergence, and decreased snowfall rate all contributed to drought in a few locations in India.
Visualizing Molecular Alterations and Peripheral Detections in Asymptomatic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Using b-isox-based Detection
Authors: Wang I-Fan , Ting Chen-Hung , Chang Hsiang-Yu , Liou Gunn-Guang , Yang Chih-Chao , Kuo Yih-Chih , Tsai Li-Kai
Published: July 2024

Proteinopathies cause severe diseases, particularly neurodegenerative ones. Early detection is crucial for effective therapy but is especially challenging in sporadic cases. In this study, we demonstrate that proteinopathy-associated proteins can be accurately isolated from plasma using b-isox in onset-stage ALS, even in sporadic cases. Specific b-isox precipitates were found in 98.5% of ALS patients but were absent in healthy controls, correlating negatively with ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R) scores. Proteomic analysis of these precipitates revealed that sporadic cases had fewer proteins, but with greater changes in their levels compared to familial cases and the newly identified biomarker CA1 forms fibers in vitro and parallels TDP-43 progression, highlighting its significance in TDP-43 proteinopathies. Significantly, the b-isox-based ELISA effectively detects early-stage ALS with an AUC of 0.96 (95% confidence interval 0.922–1.00) for C9orf72 poly(GR) amyloid oligomers, even in asymptomatic stages of non-C9orf72 inherited patients, potentially revolutionizing proteinopathy treatment and understanding.
Data-driven framework for the techno-economic assessment of sustainable aviation fuel from pyrolysis.
Authors: Okolie Jude , Moradi Keon , Rogachuk Brooke , Narra Bala Nagaraju , Ogbaga Chukwuma C. , Okoye Patrick , Adeleke Adekunle
Published: July 2024

The aviation sector plays a crucial role in quickly moving people and goods around the world. It also greatly helps in the economic growth and social integration of countries. As the industry continues to experience rapid growth, there is a tendency for an increase in emissions associated with the industry. Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) presents a way to reduce the environmental effects of the aviation industry by providing a clean-burning, renewable substitute for conventional jet fuel. SAF can be produced from diverse processes and feedstocks. Fast pyrolysis (FP) is a promising thermochemical process for SAF production due to its advantages including low-cost feedstocks, faster reaction times, and simpler technology, making it more cost-effective and scalable compared to other thermochemical processes. However, the preliminary estimation of the economic viability of FP for SAF production is complex and tedious requiring detailed process models and several assumptions. Moreover, the relationship between the feedstock properties and the minimum selling price of fuel (MSP) is often challenging to estimate. To address these challenges, the present study developed a data-driven framework for preliminary estimation of the MSP of SAF from FP. The target output feature is MSP. To enhance model accuracy and predictions, synthetic data was created using Generative Adversarial Networks (GAN) and Variational Autoencoders (VAE), and hyperparameter optimization was conducted using Grid Search. Five surrogate models were evaluated: linear regression, gradient boost regression (GBR), random forest (RF), extreme boost regression (XGBoost), and Elastic net. GBR and RF showed the most promise based on metrics like R², RMSE, and MAE for both original and synthetic datasets. Specifically, GBR achieved a Train R² of 0.9999 and a Test R² of 0.9277, while RF had Train and Test R² scores of 0.9789 and 0.9255, respectively. The use of data from the VAE notably enhanced model accuracy. Additionally, a publicly available GUI has been developed for researchers to estimate the MSP of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) based on biomass properties, plant capacity, and location.
Enhancing tensile properties and suppressing porosity in laser beam welding aluminum alloys via novel oscillation technology
Authors: Tang Jinglong , Su Jie , Sun Jiaqi , Hu Minglie , Luo Zhen
Published: July 2024

Al-Mg alloys are highly susceptible to porosity and elemental evaporation during laser beam welding, resulting in softening of the joints and jeopardizing engineering applications. Oscillating laser bean welding (OLBW) can significantly improve the mechanical properties of the joint by stirring the molten pool to refine the weld grain and suppress porosity. A novel “W” shaped oscillating trajectory was used to couple the laser beam welding in this article, and the OLBW process was systematically investigated to derive the corresponding process window. Meanwhile, based on the optimized process, the effect of oscillation frequency on weld porosity, weld grain morphology and tensile properties were investigated by this paper. The results indicated that the increase in oscillation frequency contributed to the elimination of porosity in the weld, which was less than 0.1% at oscillation frequencies between 2 Hz and 8 Hz. Increasing the oscillation frequency, the tensile strength and elongation increased accordingly, and when the oscillation frequency was 8 Hz, the tensile strength of the weld was 176 MPa, which can reach 85.8% of the base metal. This study further elucidates the mechanism of inhibition of porosity and enhancement of tensile properties by OLBW, with a view to providing guidance for subsequent OLBW of aluminum alloys.
In–situ strain control in epitaxial silicon carbide compound semiconductor
Authors: Myronov Maksym , Jazizadeh Behzad
Published: July 2024

Residual strain in an epilayer grown on a foreign wafer induces epiwafer’s bow, that is often considered undesirable. Wafer bow however, can be advantageous because both the direction and magnitude of strain are vital for the fabrication of various Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS), such as resonators. Here strain control is reported for highly mismatched heteroepitaxy of cubic silicon carbide (3C–SiC) compound semiconductor on silicon (Si), a prized functional material, dependent solely on carbon to silicon ratio (C/Si) during growth. While Si–rich condition enhances growth and generates positive curvature i.e. tensile strain, C–rich condition suppresses growth and produces negative curvature i.e. compressive strain. An optimum region emerges with virtually no strain and superior crystallinity. Our findings are significant for the knowledge of heteroepitaxy of 3C–SiC and may be broadened to heteroepitaxy of other compound semiconductors.
A Multi-modal Computational Fluid Dynamics Model of Left Atrial Fibrillation Haemodynamics Validated with 4D flow MRI
Authors: Parker Louis , Bollache Emilie , Soulez Shannon , Bouazizi Khaoula , Badenco Nicolas , Giese Daniel , Gandjbakhch Estelle , Redheuil Alban , Laredo Mikael , Kachenoura Nadjia
Published: July 2024

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is characterized by rapid and irregular contraction of the left atrium (LA). Impacting LA haemodynamics, this increases the risk of thrombi development and stroke. The precise haemodynamic conditions that precede stroke in these patients are not well defined, in part due to a lack of resolution in current 4D flow MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). In this study we combine a high-resolution CT (computed tomography) reconstruction with motion data and inlet flow rates from 4D flow MRI to create a novel multimodal computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of the LA. Using the 4D flow MRI data we validate the dominant flow structures. Comparing this model with one which assumes rigid walls, a common simplification for such models, shows this assumption has a strong impact on time-averaged wall shear stress (TAWSS) and oscillatory shear index (OSI) in the left atrial appendage (LAA), underestimating these by 61% and 41%, respectively. The dynamic model also yields a more accurate mitral valve outflow when compared with 4D flow MRI measurements. We then applied the model to a cohort of five AF patients prior to catheter ablation, showing in the LAA the low TAWSS and high OSI associated with thrombi growth. We also present a correlation between both LA/LAA volume and pro-thrombotic conditions. Taken together this work demonstrates the importance of LA motion in CFD models that seek to accurately represent LAA haemodynamics, particularly OSI. With further analysis in larger cohorts, LAA OSI may have predictive benefit for stroke in AF patients.
Enhanced Cardiac Vagal Activity and Mood After Low-Dose Hypoxic Gas Inhalation in Healthy Young Adults
Authors: Lee Dongmin , Yamazaki Yudai , Kuwamizu Ryuta , Aoike Naoki , Okamoto Masahiro , Kato Morimasa , Soya Hideaki
Published: July 2024

Purpose
Developing mindfulness-based strategies to efficiently improve cardiac vagal activity (CVA) is crucial for enhancing mood and managing stress. Recent studies have suggested that inhaling hypoxic gas could enhance CVA. However, the dynamics of CVA in response to acute hypoxia remain unelucidated, indicating that the proper hypoxic conditions expected to trigger the hormetic stress effect on CVA are unknown. Therefore, we aimed to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the hypoxic conditions required to improve CVA and mood following hypoxia.
Methods
Twenty-one healthy adults were assigned to participate in both hypoxic (NH) and normoxic (NN) conditions. Heart rate variability, saturation of percutaneous oxygen (SpO2), and mood were monitored across the following sessions: Pre (5 min), Hypoxia1–2 (10 min; NH, fraction of inspiratory oxygen (FIO2): 13.5% or NN, FIO2: 20.9%), and Post1–4 (20 min). The Baevsky stress index (SI) was incorporated into the square root. For time domain analysis of CVA, both the standard deviation of NN intervals (SDNN) and the root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) were utilized.
Results
In the NH condition, SpO2 decreased to 88.1 ± 0.6 during hypoxia, accompanied by reductions in log transformed (ln) SDNN and lnRMSSD. After hypoxia, both indicators rebounded, exhibiting a supercompensation phenomenon. Pleasure levels declined during hypoxia but rapidly rebounded afterward, which was linked to fluctuations in lnRMSSD and SI.
Conclusion
We discovered that acute short-term inhalation of low-dose hypoxic gas with an FIO2 of 13.5% enhances both CVA and mood following hypoxia. This strategy could provide a practical resilience-building method.
Cervical Cancer Screening: Awareness and Barriers Among University Students in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. A Cross-Sectional Study.
Authors: Brighton Meshack Mushobozi , Nhungo Charles John , Frumence Gasto
Published: July 2024

Background: Cervical cancer (CC) remains a global public health concern in 2020 and beyond. It is the 4th most frequent cancer in women and stands in the 8th place in terms of most commonly prevalent cancer globally. CC starts in the cervix and is mainly caused by high-risk strains of Human-Papilloma Virus (HPV), which are sexually transmitted. In Tanzania, there is insufficient knowledge and concerns about attitudes and perceived convenience among students regarding CCS despite the increasing incidence of the disease.
Aim: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and perceived convenience of cervical cancer screening among university female students in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Methods: Data was collected using a structured questionnaire from 183 respondents who were randomly selected. The questionnaire was designed to evaluate the participants' knowledge of cervical cancer, their attitudes toward screening, and their perceptions of the convenience of undergoing cervical cancer screening. Information related to demographics and past screening experiences was also included in the questionnaire. Data analysis included both descriptive and inferential statistical methods to examine the responses and identify factors associated with knowledge, attitudes, and perceived convenience.
Results: Among the 183 participants, 94% were aware of cervical cancer, and 56.9% knew about its risk factors. Knowledge about screening was limited to 36.5%, but a noteworthy 88.5% had a positive attitude towards it. There is a very weak positive correlation between the perceived convenience of the test in terms of female university students’ confidence in the physician’s ability to perform a Pap smear correctly and the rate of cervical cancer screening (r(155) = 0.352; P<0.01). Students’ perception of cervical cancer screening was influenced by personal experiences with the disease (P = 000), and their level of awareness correlated with participation in the screening program (P ≤ 0.01).
Conclusion: Despite awareness and positive attitudes, a knowledge gap hampers cervical cancer screening, hindering Pap smear uptake. Healthcare practitioners should prioritize awareness and education, involving nurses who are in the front line in performing cervical cancer screening in awareness campaigns and specialized programs. Authorities should develop strategies to enhance knowledge and prevent cervical cancer in young females.
GCP-YOLOv7: Lightweight underwater target detection model based on YOLOv7
Authors: Gao Yu , Li Zhanying , Zhang Kangye , Kong Lingyan
Published: July 2024

Currently, underwater organism detection tasks are generally carried out with mobile devices. In the field of underwater target detection, it is difficult to deploy the detection model to mobile devices due to the large parameters. The GCP-YOLOv7 based on YOLOv7 was proposed in this paper to cope with problems such as the difficulty of detecting underwater targets in mobile devices and the limitation of hardware resources. Firstly, the ELAN module in the Neck part was lightened by the GhostNetV2 module to reduce model parameters and computation. Secondly, to solve the problems of missing features and lower accuracy that the lightened network may have in collecting feature information, we added the CA attention module after the improved ELAN module to prevent feature missing. Finally, we adopted a 50% pruning rate to prune the overall improved model to reduce the model parameters and computation. Compared with the YOLOv7, the parameters and computation of the GCP-YOLOv7 are reduced by 4.25 and 4.08 times, respectively, and the accuracy is improved by 2.8%.
A Comprehensive Bibliometric Analysis of Big Data and Cyber Security: Intellectual Structure, Trends, and Global Collaborations
Authors: Koca Murat
Published: July 2024

The increasing intertwining of Big Data and Cybersecurity highlights the need for a comprehensive understanding of the scientific landscape in these critical areas. This article presents a rigorous bibliometric analysis that aims to unravel the intellectual structure of Big Data and Cyber Security, shedding light on important trends, influential authors, and emerging themes. In this context, using the keywords Big Data and Cyber Security published between 1975-2024, the Web of Science database was analyzed. According to the study, the Web of Science database indexed its first publication in 2007, with a total of 2.889 publications to date. Bibliometric analysis covers publication trends, citation patterns, authorship networks, and thematic development of research. Through this review, the article identifies key studies, maps collaborative networks, and provides a detailed overview of the global research landscape. Additionally, the study also addresses international collaboration, providing insights into the global distribution of research contributions. The findings not only contribute to the current understanding of Big Data and Cyber Security, but also provide actionable information for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers.
Multi-Wavelength Study of Supernova Remnant SN386 (G7.7-3.7)
Authors: Mwaniki Patrick N. , Wamalwa Dismas S. , Kinyua Dickson M.
Published: July 2024

We present a comprehensive multi-wavelength study of Supernova Remnant SN386 (G7.7-3.7), integrating existing observations from radio, X-ray, and optical wavelengths. Radio observations from MOST and VLA reveal a nearly circular shell with extended bright regions in the west and south borders, while MeerKAT observations reveal thin filaments with faint blowouts along the perimeter. The blowouts suggest the localized magnetic field weakening at the boundaries of G7.7-3.7 and non-uniform mass outflow from the progenitor star. The radio emission analysis indicates a flat spectrum, \(\alpha\) \(\simeq\) -0.32, with a steep spectral index, $\alpha$ $\simeq$-0.6, at the west border. MeerKAT polarization studies reveal magnetic field orientation aligned along the filaments rather than the overall shell structure as in MOST. X-ray morphology unveils a non-uniform distribution of X-ray emissions with bright arc-like features corresponding to southern radio emissions. The X-ray spectroscopic analysis shows that the arc-like feature is characterized by under-ionized plasma with low ionization timescale, 2.4 \(^{+1.1}_{-1.3}\) \(\times\) 10 \(^{10}\) cm \(^{-3}\) s, inferring a shocked age of 1.2 ± 0.6 kyr consistent with the supernova of 386 CE. Optical observations reveal filamentary structures aligned in the east-west direction with X-ray emission in H$\alpha$ + [NII], [OIII] and [SII] narrow-band filters. Optical long slit spectroscopy of one filament reveals [SII]/H$\alpha$ = (1.6-2.5) expected for shock-heated SNR and [NII]/H$\alpha$ greater than 2 indicating a gas enriched in nitrogen, suggesting collision with circumstellar material forming optical filaments. The study suggests a multi-faceted nature of G7.7-3.7, with localized weakening of magnetic field on the edges of non-uniform mass outflow, expanding in non-uniform density ISM and interacting with ISM mixed with circumstellar material.
Individual Differences in the Effects of Neighborhood Socioeconomic Deprivation on Intertemporal Decision-Making and Psychotic-Like Experiences in Children
Authors: Cha Jiook , Park Junghoon , Cho Minje , Lee Eunji , Kim Bo-Gyeom , Kim Gakyung , Joo Yoonjung
Published: July 2024

This study elucidates the influence of socioeconomic environments on neurodevelopment and psychiatric vulnerability in children. Employing advanced machine learning-based causal inference (IV Forest), we analyzed the impact of neighborhood socioeconomic deprivation on delay discounting and psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) among 2,135 children. Our findings reveal that greater neighborhood deprivation correlates with increased future reward discounting and elevated PLEs, particularly hallucinational symptoms, over 1-year and 2-year follow-ups. Vulnerable children in these settings exhibited notable neuroanatomical changes, including reduced limbic volume, surface area, and white matter, and heightened BOLD reactivity in the prefrontal-limbic system during reward tasks. These findings highlight the complex interplay between environmental factors and brain reward mechanisms in shaping PLE risk, advocating for early, targeted interventions in socioeconomically disadvantaged communities. This research not only extends our understanding of environmental influences on child psychology but also guides personalized intervention strategies and prompts reflection on broader societal impacts.
Optimizing Exclusive Breastfeeding Duration: Clinical Determinants and Health Outcomes in Infants from Edo State, Nigeria
Authors: Mabadeje Oluwatosin Francisca , Adekola Temitope Racheal , Olasehinde Olusanya , Binang Helen B. , Nwaogu Precious Udoka
Published: July 2024

Background: Breastfeeding, especially exclusive infant breastfeeding is universally recognized for its essential benefits in promoting infant health and development. However, there is a paucity of knowledge of key factors influencing its practice in developing nations. This study investigates exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) practices, socio-economic factors influencing breastfeeding and health outcomes in Edo State, Nigeria.Methods:A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Edo State, Nigeria, encompassing urban and rural settings. Data were collected from 257 mothers with infants aged 0-12 months using a standardized questionnaire adapted from the National Health and Demographic Survey. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS 16.0, with descriptive and multivariate logistic regression identifying factors influencing EBF practices. Qualitative data were thematically analyzed.Results:An overwhelming majority of respondents (99.6%) acknowledged the importance of breastfeeding for child health. Despite this, breastfeeding practices varied, influenced by socio-economic challenges and support availability. About 69.4% of children had never been diagnosed with any health conditions, and 93.7% had never been hospitalized for such conditions. Among the respondents, 68 mothers practiced EBF for 0-5 weeks, 77 for 6-10 weeks, and 83 for more than 11 weeks. Significant multivariate effects were observed for occupation (F = 3.179, p = 0.025), family income (F = 3.152, p = 0.026), parity (F = 3.055, p = 0.029), birth information (F = 7.304, p < 0.001), and EBF (F = 87.605, p <0.001). The most common health issues leading to hospitalization included severe jaundice, respiratory infections, and congenital anomalies. Economic activities and family support were cited as crucial in overcoming breastfeeding challenges. The prevalence of positive health outcomes and low hospitalization rates underscores the protective effects of breastfeeding amid socio-economic constraints.Conclusion: The study highlights a strong community awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding, coupled with relatively positive child health outcomes in Edo State. However, economic and support-related challenges persist, affecting sustained breastfeeding practices. Strengthening healthcare services, supporting economic stability for mothers, and enhancing educational and community support systems are recommended to improve breastfeeding outcomes and, consequently, child health.
Insights into the Pace-of-Life Syndrome hypothesis: Exploring the Influence of personality on Movement Ecology in Crotalus atrox
Authors: Cunha Oceane Da , Mead Joshua J. , Sanchez Braulio A. , Pollard Kajaya J. , Johnson Jerry D. , Seymoure Brett M.
Published: July 2024

The pace-of-life syndrome hypothesis predicts individuals, populations, and species that experience different ecological conditions will differ in spatial ecology resulting in contrasting life history strategies. We investigated the effect of personality on spatial ecology of the western diamond-backed rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox), and tested the predictions that bolder, more active, and exploratory individuals will move more and have larger territories compared to shyer, less active individuals. We tracked 14 rattlesnakes for one year and assessed their personality in captivity across four different axes: activity, boldness, exploration, and reactivity. Bolder and more active individuals travelled more than shy, less active individuals, but only during the non-mating season. Shy individuals increased movement significantly more than bold individuals during the mating season, thus leading to no significant difference in movements between shy and bold individuals during the mating season. Moreover, less bold and less active individuals were more responsive to changes in reproductive status. These results suggest the existence of two different strategies for resources acquisition within the same population, indicating that the pace-of-life syndrome hypothesis may be context-dependent. Ultimately, we show that the existence of different life-history strategies within the same population are dependent upon the reproductive status of these individuals.
Mental health practitioners’ perceptions and adoption intentions of AI-enabled technologies: an international mixed-methods study
Authors: Cecil Julia , Kleine Anne-Kathrin , Lermer Eva , Gaube Susanne
Published: July 2024

Background:As mental health disorders continue to surge, exceeding the capacity of available therapeutic resources, the emergence of technologies enabled by artificial intelligence (AI) offers promising solutions for supporting and delivering patient care. However, there is limited research on mental health practitioners’ understanding, familiarity, and adoption intentions regarding these AI technologies. We, therefore, examined to what extent practitioners’ characteristics are associated with their learning and use intentions of AI technologies in four application domains (diagnostics, treatment, feedback, and practice management). These characteristics include medical AI readiness with its subdimensions, AI anxiety with its subdimensions, technology self-efficacy, affinity for technology interaction, and professional identification.Methods:Mixed-methods data fromN= 392 German and US practitioners, encompassing psychotherapists (in training), psychiatrists, and clinical psychologists, was analyzed. A deductive thematic approach was employed to evaluate mental health practitioners’ understanding and familiarity with AI technologies. Additionally, structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine the relationship between practitioners’ characteristics and their adoption intentions for different technologies.Results: Qualitative analysis unveiled a substantial gap in familiarity with AI applications in mental healthcare among practitioners. While some practitioner characteristics were only associated with specific AI application areas (e.g., cognitive readiness with learning intentions for feedback tools), we found that learning intention, ethical knowledge, and affinity for technology interaction were relevant across all four application areas, making them key drivers for the adoption of AI technologies in mental healthcare.Conclusion: In conclusion, this pre-registered study underscores the importance of recognizing the interplay between diverse factors for training opportunities and consequently, a streamlined implementation of AI-enabled technologies in mental healthcare.
The Prevalence of High-Stress Paint-Only Bike Lanes in 442 U.S. Cities
Authors: Garber Michael D , Passmore Reid , Crist Katie , Rojas-Rueda David , Benmarhnia Tarik
Published: July 2024

Background
The most common on-road bicycling facility in the U.S. is the paint-only bike lane, yet these lanes may not necessarily provide an inviting bicycling environment for all ages and abilities of potential bicyclists. Many such lanes in the U.S. are on roads with a level of traffic stress exceeding what most potential bicyclists would tolerate, but the prevalence of high traffic stress on paint-only bike lanes in the U.S. has not been described.
Objective
We measure the prevalence of high traffic stress on paint-only bike lanes in U.S. cities and assess variation in this measure by socioeconomic and geographical characteristics.
Methods
We gathered data on the level of bicycling stress created by PeopleForBikes from 442 U.S. cities. Using OpenStreetMap data, PeopleForBikes classifies how stressful a roadway would be for most adults to ride on following established criteria. We defined the high-stress prevalence on paint-only bike lanes as the proportion of the total lane-length of paint-only bike lanes classified as high stress. We performed robustness checks to address potential limitations of OpenStreetMap.
Results
After adjusting for potential overestimation due to missing data, 61% of the length of paint-only bike lanes were high stress. This prevalence was highest in the South (65%) and West (64%) and lowest in the Northeast (25%).
Conclusions
On most paint-only bike lanes in the U.S., most adults would not feel comfortable bicycling. Reducing this stress prevalence could not only improve the appeal and safety of bicycling but could also improve the safety and climate-resilience of the broader transportation system.