bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Climate Change Adaptation Activities Planning and Implementation in Large Cities. Results of research carried out in Poland and selected European cities
Authors: Pancewicz Alina , Anczykowska Wiktoria , Żak Natalia
Published: January 2023

Continuous climate change forces cities to take actions to prevent risks and adapt urban spaces to new conditions. The experience of many European cities in recent years, shows that actions adapting urban space to climate change have become an important part of local policy. The subject of the article is the adaptation activities planned and implemented for climate change in urban spaces. The purpose of this article is to classify and identify adaptation activities carried out in large cities. The authors analysed data from 44 Polish cities and placed them in the context of leading adaptation activities carried out in selected European cities. The purpose of the detailed research is to compare the number of activities planned and implemented on the scale of individual Polish cities, indicating dominant and minority activities. The authors conclude that with the passage of time, climate change adaptation activities will have an increasing impact on shaping the landscape of European cities, including those of Poland. Their number will gradually increase, as will the awareness of the city authorities and the activity of local communities. The types of activity will also change, and with them the quality of urban spaces and the quality of life of residents.
Cultivation of Carbohydrate-rich Microalgae with Great Settling Properties Using Cooling Tower Wastewater
Authors: Ortíz-Sánchez Edwin , Guillén-Garcés Angélica , Morales-Arrieta Sandra , Okoye Patrick Ugochukwu , Olvera-Vargas Hugo , Sebastian Joseph , Arias Dulce María
Published: January 2023

Wastewater treatment and simultaneous production of value-added products with microalgae represent a sustainable alternative. Industrial wastewater, characterized by high C:N molar ratios, can naturally improve the carbohydrate content in microalgae without the need for any external source of carbon while degrading the organic matter, macro- and micro-nutrients. This study aimed to understand the treatment, reuse, and valorization mechanisms of real cooling tower wastewater (CWW) from a cement processing industry mixed with domestic wastewater (DW) to produce microalgal biomass with potential for synthesis of biofuels or other value-added products. For this purpose, three photobioreactors with different hydraulic retention times (HRT) were inoculated simultaneously using the CWW-DW mixture. Macro- and micro-nutrient consumption and accumulation, organic matter removal, algae growth, and carbohydrate content were monitored for 55 days. High COD (> 80%) and macronutrient removals (> 80% of N and P) were achieved in all the photoreactors, with heavy metals below the limits established by local standards. The best results showed maximum algal growth of 1.02 g SSV L− 1, and 54% carbohydrate accumulation with a C:N ratio of 31.24 mol mol− 1. Additionally, the harvested biomass presented a high Ca and Si content, ranging from 11 to 26% and 2 to 4%, respectively. Remarkably, big flocs were produced during microalgae growth, which enhanced natural settling for easy biomass harvesting. Overall, this process represents a sustainable alternative for CWW treatment and valorization, as well as a green tool for generating carbohydrate-rich biomass with potential to produce biofuels and fertilizers.
The cost-effectiveness analysis of the GnRH antagonist protocol and GnRH agonist short protocol for patients with poor ovarian response undergoing IVF–ET: A retrospective study.
Authors: Qin Jinchun , Wei Pingpin , Qin Jie , Liu Liling , Zhang Yisheng , Chi Yan , Tan Weihong
Published: January 2023

Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist (GnRH-ant) regimen and GnRH agonist (GnRH-a) short regimen for patients with poor ovarian response (POR).
Methods: A total of 951 cycles for patients with POR who underwent in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF–ET) in the Reproductive and Genetic Center of The People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from January 2016 to June 2022 were recruited for this retrospective analysis. There were 659 oocyte retrieval cycles in the GnRH-ant regimen group and 269 cycles in theGnRH-a short regimen group. There were 233 embryo transfercycles in the GnRH-ant regimen group and 100 cycles in theGnRH-a short regimen group. The general situations, treatment outcomes and costs of the two groups were compared.
Results: There was no significant difference in the general situation, pregnancy outcome, total oocyte retrieval cost or total embryo transplantation cost between the two groups. However, the oocyte retrieval cost/oocyte retrievalcycle, high-quality embryo cost/oocyte retrieval cycle, and transferable embryo cost/oocyte retrieval cycle in the GnRH-ant regimen group were higher than those in the GnRH-a short regimen group, while the clinical pregnancy cost/embryo transfer cycle and ongoing pregnancy cost/embryo transfer cycle in the GnRH-ant regimen group were lower than those in the GnRH-a short regimen group.
Conclusion: Both the GnRH-ant regimen and GnRH-a short regimen are effective ovulation induction regimens for POR patients, and there is no significant difference in clinical efficacy between the two groups. However, in terms of pregnancy outcome, the GnRH-ant regimen is more favorable and has more economic advantages.
Numerical investigation of the effect of rectangular and semicircular cavities filled with phase change materials installed on the solar wall
Authors: mustafa jawed , Alqaed Saeed , Almehmadi Fahad Awjah , Husain Shahid , Jamil Basharat , Sharifpur Mohsen
Published: January 2023

The use of alternative energy sources, particularly solar energy, in buildings is rising and spreading around the globe. In this paper, a solar wall is analyzed using a numerical method. On the wall, a number of obstacles are placed in two shapes, rectangular (REC) and semicircular (SEC). The cavities are filled with organic phase-change materials. This study was performed in a 7-hour period in the absence of solar radiation on the wall for different dimensions of obstacles in 5 different modes. Various temperatures, including exhaust air temperature (TAR), Trombe wall temperature (TWL), and mean volume % of molten PCM in cavities, have been investigated. COMSOL software is used to carry out this numerical study. The results of this study showed that the use of SECs compared to RECs causes the TWL to be higher. In the most extreme case, at a 16 cm aspect ratio, the use of SECs gives a 2.1 ° C increase in TWL relative to the REC one. The outlet TAR is also increased by the usage of SECs. The use of larger dimensions of the cavities has increased the TAR leaving the wall so that the TAR after 7 hours of the absence of solar radiation, in the largest case of SECs, was more than 295.5 Kelvin. The use of SECs also increases the PCM freezing time. In the largest case of cavities, the use of SECs increases the freezing time by 15 minutes compared to RECs.
Automated Detection and Classifying Diabetes Mellitus using CNN
Authors: R.V Aswiga , M KARPAGAM , M Chandralekha , C Sathiya Kumar , S Deena
Published: January 2023

Machine learning algorithms have recently attracted more attention in the medical field and have been successfully used in a variety of medical applications. Machine learning is used to assist medical practitioners to solve complicated problems. Thus to function autonomously without seeking any assistance or help from a person, a well-known branch of machine learning called deep learning completes several related tasks parallely. It is successfully used in a variety of applications, including disease prediction and disease progression. Since tasks are assumed to be related to one another, existing learning methods adapts the Convolution neural network (CNN) to classify the diabetes mellitus disease effectively. To detect the abnormality, the proposed work uses a deep learning network that includes a novel CNN model that splits the data into separate training and testing sets before doing classification. Using CNN, the proposed work achieves better accuracy and outperforms well to the best of our knowledge.
Effects of micro-plastics in non-point source pollution on various water sources, sediments, and fishes
Authors: Kim Dokyun , Mo Kyung , Kim Moonil , Cui Fenghao
Published: January 2023

Detection of micro-plastics (MPs) was performed for various water sources, sediments, and fishes using FTIR, microscopic analysis, and image mapping. To derive correlations between MPs in carp and river crabs in Ansan River (AR), the Pearson correlation coefficients were determined. Carp and river crabs had coefficients of 0.888 and 0.724 AR, respectively. Therefore, AR, carp, and river crabs had a high positive correlation. The MPs detected in sediments were higher than those in main-waterway (MW) and rivers, which was the opposite the MPs in water sources. It is believed that MPs are carried toward shore by ocean tide. The size of most of the sediment MPs was 20-49 µm, representing 64.1% of the entire population. MP pollution by non-point pollution sources (NPS) was investigated, with abundances of MPs between the dry season and rainy season with differences of 2 to 3 times in AR and Ansan River sediment (ARS), respectively. The plastics detected in this study were PET, PP, and PE, which originate from synthetic fibers, scrubs, and packing material. The MPs of various water sources, sediments, fishes, and NPS were detected in this study. It was determined that the inflow of MPs into rivers could have been due to non-point source pollutants from household items, roads, plants, and soil around the water sources.
Examining Facets of Self-Compassion in Relation to Emotional and Disordered Eating Behaviors in a Treatment-Seeking Sample of Adults with Overweight/Obesity
Authors: Kalantzis Maria A , Barnhart Wesley , Braden Abby
Published: January 2023

Research has focused on examining self-compassion broadly as opposed to examining unique relationships exist between negative and positive components of self-compassion and disordered and emotional eating, especially among adults with overweight/obesity. The current study is a secondary analysis of baseline data from treatment-seeking adults (n = 64; 96.8% female) with overweight/obesity. Correlational analyses revealed that higher emotional eating-depression was associated with lower common humanity, higher over-identification, and higher self-isolation. Greater disordered eating was associated with lower common humanity, higher self-judgment, higher over-identification, and lower self-kindness. No significant bivariate relations were observed between self-compassion facets and binge eating severity and emotional eating-anxiety/anger and -boredom. Regression analyses indicated that self-judgment, over-identification, and self-kindness, together, were significantly related to disordered eating. Common humanity, over-identification, and self-isolation, together, were significantly related to emotional eating-depression. Targeting specific facets of self-compassion might be favorable in treating a range of problematic eating behaviors in people with overweight/obesity.
The spatiotemporal trend of extreme temperature-humidity variables and assessing the climatic comfort changes in northern Iran
Authors: Solaimani Karim , Ahmadi Sedigheh Bararkhanpour , Shokrian Fatemeh
Published: January 2023

The Earth's climate system is significantly affected by global warming. This study examined the spatiotemporal variations in average and extreme values of relative humidity, temperature, and temperature-humidity index in the northern areas of Iran from 1986 to 2016. The temperature-humidity index was generated for each of the 30 meteorological stations based on relative humidity and temperature data. Previously, trend analysis was calculated in different seasons using ordinary linear and quantile regression methods. For the most part, the results indicate a declining trend in relative humidity and a rising trend in temperature. The highest percentage of decreasing trend slopes for maximum relative humidity (≤-50%) in all seasons, but for maximum temperature, the highest percentage of increasing trend slopes in summer and winter (≥ 30%) identified on the southern coast of the Caspian Sea. However, a decreasing trend (%≤-15) was detected for the maximum temperature in autumn at the northern regions. Average and high values of THI in the summer season (≥ 75) have increased in the western and northern parts with high intensity (≥ 40%). The low values of THI in winter (≤ 30) have increased with a slight slope (20%), which indicates a decline in some of days with cold stress in winter for most regions. The findings of this study are generally useful for identifying changes in weather extremes and their effects on human health.
Study on Electrochemical Machining of Involute Internal Spline of Cr-Co-Mo-Ni High Hardness Gear Steel
Authors: Huang Jingshan , Yao Bin , Wang Xi , Shen Lei , Jin Lin
Published: January 2023

Cr-Co-Mo-Ni high-hardness steel is widely used in critical mechanical transmission components. It has the difficult-to-cut characteristic because of its high hardness and high strength. In the cutting process, the machining cutting force is large, the tool is worn quickly, and the machining accuracy is poorly maintained. In view of the machining problems, this paper carried out a research on the electrochemical machining process of internal spline of high hardness gear steel. Firstly, a two-dimensional geometric model of electrochemical machining electric field simulation is established based on the structural characteristics of the internal spline electrochemical machining fixture. The electric field simulation analysis of internal spline electrochemical machining is carried out based on numerical analysis method. The influence law of electrolyte conductivity, processing voltage and cathode feed speed on electrochemical machining forming is studied. Meanwhile, a three-dimensional model of Electrochemical machining flow field simulation is established, and the flow field simulation analysis of internal spline Electrochemical machining is carried out. The influence law of electrolyte flow direction and electrolyte back pressure on the flow field distribution is explored. The platform of electrochemical machining system is set up. An experimental study on electrochemical machining of involute internal splines is carried out to further optimize the electrochemical machining process parameters. The test results showed that the electrolysis accuracy and efficiency of the 41-tooth involute spline workpiece are optimized when the electrolyte is 8% NaNO3, the back pressure of the electrolyte is 0.2 MPa, the feed speed is 1.8 mm/min, and the processing voltage is 16.0 V. The efficiency and accuracy of this proposed method can meet the actual processing needs. It has important application value for advanced machining technology of high-performance materials.
A New Prediction Data Model of High-Risk COVID-19 Patients with Smart Notification (HRCP-SN) Using a Hybridized Algorithm
Authors: Yenurkar Ganesh , Mal Sandip
Published: January 2023

A web application designed to predict high-risk patients affected by COVID-19 runs a machine learning model at the backend to generate results. The random forest classification technique is used to predict the high-risk status of patients who are COVID-19 positive and are at the initial stage of infection. We used hybridized algorithms to predict high-risk patients, and the model used the patients’ current underlying health conditions, such as age, sex, diabetes, asthma, hypertension, smoking, and other factors. After data preprocessing and training, the model could predict the severity of the patient with an accuracy of 65-70%. According to some studies, random forest ML models outperform other ML models for solving the challenge of predicting unusual events, such as in this case. Pneumonia, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and chronic renal disease were the most contributory variables for model implementation. This project will help patients and hospital staff make necessary decisions and actions in advance. This will help healthcare workers arrange resources and hospital areas for high-risk COVID-19 patients. Thus, this study provides an effective and optimized treatment. Using this application and suitable patient data, hospitals can predict whether a patient will require urgent care.
Effective Prediction Finite Element Model of Pull-out Capacity for Cast-in-place Anchor in High Strain Rate Effects
Authors: Bao Quoc To , Lee Kihak , An Hyoseo , Lee Dohyung , Shin Jiuk
Published: January 2023

Cast-in-place anchors are being increasingly used in many applications including building construction, bridge, and power plants. The anchorage to concrete systems are subjected to tensile, shear and combined loads from a variety of loading circumstances including static, dynamic, and shock loading. Despite extensive studies on these systems, reliable numerical models for predicting the behavior of these anchors are still limited. Therefore, this paper investigated the tensile behaviour of cast-in-place anchorage to concrete systems, to propose an effective model for reproducing anchorage behavior using finite element (FE) methods. Experiments and code-based models for the anchorage system in tension were used to evaluate the numerical models for cast-in-place anchors in concrete, and the most suitable model, with advantages in accuracy and saving analysis time, was chosen. Finally, the FE model was used to study the tensile capacity and related dynamic increase factor (DIF) for various strain rates, anchor diameters, and embedment depths.
Real-time Humanoid Robot Dance System Based on Music Genre Classification
Authors: Lu Swan , Huang Han-Pang , Zhan Ze-Feng
Published: January 2023

Nowadays, people's pursuit of artificial intelligence is not limited to the scope of convenience or intelligence. The entertainment use of robots is gradually being considered and used, and the dance of humanoid robots is one of people's pursuit of robots imitating humans and the entertainment of robots. This research uses a real-time beat tracker and a unique humanoid robot dance step designer to design a real-time humanoid robot dance system. Via Ratio was proposed for robot dance, with a real-time beat tracker and music speed estimator. For music, neural networks were used for music genre classification and the GTZAN music dataset was used for the training. In the design of movements, corresponding dance movements will also be designed according to different styles. Some dance motions were designed and make our humanoid robot NINO, which was developed by our lab, success to dance with the beat of the music. Also, the robot can identify the genre and choose the motion corresponding to the music to dance. The experiments for the proposed system and functions were carried out on a life-sized humanoid robot NINO. The results showed that this system can successfully make the robot dance to music and correctly identify the music genre. The main contribution of this research is a dance system designed for a life-sized humanoid robot. Also, some music elements such as genre and rhythm were combined into the dance system. The robot can dance to the beat with Via Ratio and beat tracker. The music genre classification system was designed to achieve the purpose of robot dance being gorgeous, artistic, and not rigid.
Early Outcome of Pediatric Heart Catheterization Procedure for Ventricular Septal Defect, 5 Years Experience in Cardiac Remote Hospital
Authors: Rahayuningsih Tri Yanti , Ardiansyah Rizky , Effendy Zulham , Kurniawan Hendra , Azmi Azmi
Published: January 2023

Background: Cardiac interventions in the child with VSD was required due to the condition followed by the clinical sign of heart failure. Data report about the early outcome, complications, and problems related defect type, size, and conditions that affect the outcome of catheterization of VSD are still limited in Indonesia.
Methods: Retrospective study of child patients with VSD who underwent transcatheter procedures at dr.Chasbullah Abdul Majid General Hospital, Bekasi, from September 2017 to May 2022. Inclusion was VSD patients with weight above 5 kg and had a ratio left to right shunt >1.5:1. Exclusion were multiple congenital anomalies and incomplete data records. Early outcomes after catheterization and problem-related subjects who need to be referred for surgery were analyzed.
Results: From 104 patients, the most common type of VSD was perimembranous 85% followed by doubly committed sub-arterial 12.5% and multiple VSD 1.9%. After the transcatheter procedure, 76% had complete closure, 1.9% had small residual, and 15.4% did not undergo transcatheter closure and had to be referred for surgical closure. Most of the patients with complete closure had smaller VSD sizes with mean of 3.66 (1.17)mm, and small residual defects had mean VSD size of 3.5 (0.70)mm, while patients who had device migration and failed to close VSD were then referred for surgical closure presenting larger VSD size 5.2 (4.46)mm and patients who were indeed referred for surgical correction showed the highest mean of the defect 7.73 (3.80)mm.
Conclusions: Complete closure VSD transcatheter was excellent. The patient had to undergo surgery due to having a larger defect, aortic regurgitation, and multiple VSD.
Sample size determination for point-of-care COVID-19 diagnostic tests: A Bayesian approach
Authors: Williamson Sarah Faye , Williams Cameron J. , Lendrem B. Clare , Wilson Kevin J.
Published: January 2023

Background: In a pandemic setting, it is critical to evaluate and deploy accurate diagnostic tests rapidly. This relies heavily on the sample size chosen to assess the test accuracy (e.g. sensitivity and specificity) during the diagnostic accuracy study. Too small a sample size will lead to imprecise estimates of the accuracy measures, whereas too large a sample size may delay the development process unnecessarily. This study presents a novel Bayesian method to guide sample size determination for diagnostic accuracy studies, with application to COVID-19 rapid viral detection tests. Specifically, we investigate whether utilising existing information (e.g. from preceding laboratory studies) within a Bayesian framework can reduce the required sample size, whilst maintaining test accuracy to the desired precision.
Methods: The method presented is based on the Bayesian concept of assurance which, in this context, represents the unconditional probability that a diagnostic accuracy study yields sensitivity and/or specificity intervals with the desired precision. We conduct a simulation study to evaluate the performance of this approach in a variety of COVID-19 settings, and compare it to commonly used power-based methods. An accompanying interactive web application is available, which can be used by researchers to perform the sample size calculations.
Results: Results show that the Bayesian assurance method can reduce the required sample size for COVID-19 diagnostic accuracy studies, compared to standard methods, by making better use of laboratory data, without loss of performance. Increasing the size of the laboratory study can further reduce the required sample size in the diagnostic accuracy study.
Conclusions: The method considered in this paper is an important advancement for increasing the efficiency of the evidence development pathway. It has highlighted that the trade-off between lab study sample size and diagnostic accuracy study sample size should be carefully considered, since establishing an adequate lab sample size can bring longer-term gains. Although emphasis is on its use in the COVID-19 pandemic setting, it can be usefully applied in other clinical areas.
The prognostic significance of genes involved in glycolysis, immunity, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in glioblastoma
Authors: Meng Yiming , Sun Jing , Zhang Guirong , Yu Tao , Piao Haozhe
Published: January 2023

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most prevalent form of primary brain cancer. In the therapeutic therapy of GBM, there are still several ambiguities. GBM patients urgently need further research to find significant prognostic markers and more effective treatment choices. However, current stage-based clinical approaches still need to be improved for predicting survival and making decisions. This research intended to develop a new GBM risk assessment model based on glycolysis, immunology, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) gene signatures. In this analysis, the cohort was constructed using TCGA-GBM data. Leveraging bioinformatics and machine algorithms, we developed a risk model based on glycolysis, immunological, and EMT gene signatures, which was then employed to classify patients into high and low-risk categories. Subsequently, we evaluated whether the risk score was associated with the immunological microenvironment, immunotherapy response, and numerous anticancer drug sensitivity. The unique risk model based on glycolysis, immunological, and EMT gene signatures could assist in predicting clinical prognosis and directing therapy decisions for GBM patients.
Dynamics of a fractional three-species food chain system with mixed functional responses and fear effect
Authors: Wang Yangling , Cao Jinde , Huang Chengdai
Published: January 2023

In this paper, a novel fractional three-species food chain system with Ivlev-type and ratio-dependent functional responses is proposed. Also the fear effect of the middle predator on the prey is taken into account. First the boundedness of the solutions and the existence of positive equilibrium point are investigated for the non-delayed system, and then the delay-induced Hopf bifurcation is dealt with for the delayed system via feedback control method. Some sufficient Hopf bifurcation conditions are obtained based on Hopf bifurcation theorem and stability theorem for fractional dynamical systems. A simulation example is given to support our theoretical results, and especially the effect of the feedback gains and the level of fear on the stability and bifurcation behavior are discussed by illustrations.
Prior Fronto-Orbital Advancement Associated with Complications from Transcranial Midface Surgery in Patients with Syndromic Craniosynostosis
Authors: Wagner Connor S , Pontell Matthew E , Hitchner Michaela K , Barrero Carlos E , Salinero Lauren K , Swanson Jordan W , Bartlett Scott P , Taylor Jesse A
Published: January 2023

Purpose
Our center adopted posterior vault distraction osteogenesis (PVDO) as a first-line intervention for cranial expansion in syndromic craniosynostosis in 2008, and we have a growing cohort of patients undergoing transcranial midface advancement who have not had prior fronto-orbital advancement (FOA). The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether a history of FOA influences the risk profile of transcranial midface advancement in patients with syndromic craniosynostosis.
Methods
Patients undergoing transcranial fronto-facial advancement from 2000-2022 were retrospectively divided into cohorts based on preceding history of fronto-orbital advancement (FOA- and FOA+). Perioperative outcomes including operative time, length of stay, intraoperative dural injury, and complications (Clavien-Dindo score) were compared between groups with appropriate statistics.
Results
Thirty-eight patients were included (15 in FOA- group and 23 in FOA+ group). The overall complication rate was 47% (10% minor, 37% major). Compared to the FOA- group, the FOA+ group had a higher incidence of dural tears (65% v 20%, p = 0.006) and major complications (48% v 13%, p = 0.028). These findings were recapitulated in multivariate logistic regression controlling for other predictors.
Conclusions
Prior FOA is associated with increased rates of major complications and dural tears in patients with syndromic craniosynostosis undergoing fronto-facial surgery. Options for cranial vault expansion that avoid the frontal region, such as PVDO, may favorably alter the risk profile of fronto-facial advancement.
Stability and repeatability of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) of normal pancreas on 5.0 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Authors: Jiang Zhiyong , Sun Wenbo , Xu Dan , Yu Hao , Mei Hao , Song Xiaopeng , Xu Haibo
Published: January 2023

To explore the stability and repeatability of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) of normal pancreas with different field of views (FOV) on 5.0 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. Twenty healthy subjects underwent two sessions of large FOV (lFOV) and one session of reduced FOV (rFOV) DWI sequence scanning. Two radiologists measured the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the pancreatic head, body, and tail on DWI images, simultaneously, using a 5-point scale, evaluate the artifacts and image quality. One radiologist re-measured the ADC on DWI images again after a 4-week interval. Intra-observer and inter-observer at lFOV and rFOV, the ADC values were not significantly different (P >0.5), intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and coefficient of variations were excellence (ICCs 0.85-0.99, CVs <8.0%). The ADC values were lower with rFOV than lFOV DWI for the head, body, tail, and overall pancreas. The high stability and repeatability of pancreas DWI has been confirmed at 5.0 T. Scan durations are reduced while resolution and image quality are improved with rFOV DWI, which is more preferable than lFOV for routine pancreas imaging.
Depression in brain tumor patients – Early Detection and Screening
Authors: Finze Alida , Deleanu Laura , Weiss Christel , Ratliff Miriam , Seiz-Rosenhagen Marcel
Published: January 2023

Background: Depression is reported in up to 90% of cancer patients but to this date a standardized screening tool for depression specifically modified for patients diagnosed with brain tumors is lacking. Thus, this study aims to develop an adapted screening tool and identify a suitable time slot for screening.
Methods: 61 Patients with brain lesions were interviewed prior to neurosurgical resection. For screening purposes, established depression scores were used. A study-specific questionnaire (SSQ) was developed based on patient interviews prior to the trial. Two subgroups were analyzed: patients with benign and patients with malignant tumors (including brain metastases). As a subgroup within malignant lesions, patients with glioblastoma (GBM) were also analyzed separately.
Results: 87.5% of patients with GBM presented with results suggestive for depression on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) 21 days after surgery. A decline in patients with benign brain tumors (p = 0.0058) and an increase in patients with malignant tumors (p = 0.0491) could be shown over time for CES-D scores. In this study, we established a new screening tool for depression. In patients diagnosed with GBM the number of patients needed to screen for identification of symptoms of depression was 1.59.
Conclusions: Considering the high prevalence of depression in patients diagnosed with GBM, we strongly encourage their routine screening during follow-up appointments. We consider our adjusted SSQ screening tool as a suitable and simple screening questionnaire, being less time consuming than preexisting methods as well as adapted to this specific patient group.
Specific detection of Escherichia coli using a phage-assisted ß-galactosidase assay
Authors: Hosseini Anahita , Mas Jordi
Published: January 2023

Fast and reliable detection of microbial contaminants in food, water and environmental samples is critical for an efficient public health management. Most available methods provide good results although many of them have a number of drawbacks ranging from low sensitivity to the need of sophisticated equipment, the use of expensive reagents or the participation of highly skilled personnel. This work describes an easy to implement method for the detection of E. coli in liquid samples using a robust non-specific ß-galactosidase assay made highly selective through the use of a specific T4 lytic phage as a permeabilization reagent. The assay is performed in 96 well plates using MUG (4-methylumberlliferyl-ß-D-galactopyranoside) as the enzyme substrate and has a total length of 90 minutes. The method is able to detect 75 cells of E. coli. Under the conditions of the assay this corresponds to a concentration of 1.49·103 cells·mL− 1 of sample. For the analysis of field samples, we produced an extended version of the assay that incorporates preconcentration and preincubation steps with a total running length of 7.5 hours. When tested with field samples and compared with Colilert-18 the method performed well, with a limit of detection of 96 cells·100 mL− 1.
A Generic Approach to Extract Object-Centric Event Data from Relational Databases
Authors: Berti Alessandro , Park Gyunam , Rafiei Majid , Aalst Wil van der
Published: January 2023

Process mining provides a collection of techniques to gain insights into business processes by analyzing event logs.Organizations can gain various insights into their business processes by using process mining techniques.Such techniques use event logs extracted from relational databases supporting the business process as input.However, extracting event logs is challenging due to the size of the data, and it remains ad-hoc. Existing commercial tools partly support the extraction of event logs, but they are proprietary and focus on the mainstream processes such as Purchase-To-Pay (P2P) and Order-To-Cash (O2C).Moreover, the extracted event logs suffer from well-known deficiency, convergence, and divergence issues.For example, due to convergence events are unintentionally duplicated causing unreliable or confusing performance diagnostics.In this paper, we propose an approach to extract event logs for generic business processes while avoiding the aforementioned issues.More in detail, we extract object-centric event logs from a relational database by using an abstraction layer of the database, called Graph of Relationships (GoRs), designing blueprints with domain knowledge, and converting the database and blueprint into object-centric event logs.We fully implemented the proposed approach, can extract object-centric event logs from SAP ERP systems, and evaluate the utility and scalability of the proposed approach.
Mid- to late Holocene sea-level rise recorded in Hells Bells 234U/238U ratio and geochemical composition
Authors: Schorndorf Nils , Frank Norbert , Ritter Simon M. , Warken Sophie F. , Scholz Christian , Keppler Frank , Scholz Denis , Weber Michael , Olguin Jeronimo Aviles , Stinnesbeck Wolfgang
Published: January 2023

Hells Bells are underwater secondary carbonates discovered in sinkholes (cenotes) southeast of Cancun on the north-eastern Yucatán peninsula, Mexico. These authigenic calcite precipitates, reaching a length of up to 4 m, most likely grow in the pelagic redoxcline. Here we report on detailed 230Th/U-dating and in-depth geochemical and stable isotope analyses of specimens from cenotes El Zapote, Maravilla and Tortugas. Hells Bells developed since at least ~ 8 thousand years ago, with active growth until present day. Initial (234U/238U) activity ratios (δ234U0) in Hells Bells calcite decreases from 55 to 15‰ as sea level converges toward its present state. The temporal evolution of the geochemistry and isotope composition of Hells Bells calcites thus appears to be closely linked to sea-level rise and reflects changing hydrological conditions (desalinization) of the aquifer. We suggest that decelerated leaching of excess 234U from the previously unsaturated bedrock traces Holocene relative sea-level rise. Considering this proxy the resulting mean sea-level reconstruction contains half as much scatter, i.e. improves by a factor of two, if compared to previously published work for the period between 8 and 4 ky BP.
First cytogenetic characterization of the parasitoid wasp Brachymeria (Pseudobrachymeria) vesparum Bouček, 1992 (Hymenoptera, Chalcididae)
Authors: Santos Rafael de Jesus , Pinheiro Tailan Silva , Bitencourt Jamille de Araújo , Miranda Adrianne Oliveira , Júnior Juvenal Cordeiro Silva
Published: January 2023

Cytogenetic analyses have been widely used to understand evolutionary processes and to resolve taxonomic uncertainties in insects. In particular, the mapping of specific chromosomal regions might provide insights about the genome organization and interspecific relationships. Considering the importance of this approach and the scarcity of chromosomal data in some groups of Hymenoptera, this study provides the first cytogenetic characterization of the parasitoid wasp Brachymeria (Pseudobrachymeria) vesparum Bouček,1992. This species was characterized by 2n = 10 metacentric chromosomes. The heterochromatin was located at pericentromeric and terminal regions, being particularly conspicuous, occupying a large part of chromosomes from pair 2. In addition, GC+ sites were detected at interstitial region of two chromosomal pairs. The present data was useful to infer the chromosomal rearrangements involved in speciation within Brachymeria besides providing cytotaxonomic markers for further comparative cytogenetic studies.
Investigating lake drought prevention using a DRL-based method
Authors: ghayoomi hadi , Partohaghighi Mohammad
Published: January 2023

Drought and decrease in the level of lakes in recent years due to global warming and excessive use of water resources feeding lakes is of great importance and this research has provided a structure to investigate this issue. First, the information required for simulating lake drought is provided with strong references and necessary assumptions. Entity-Component-System (ECS) structure has been used for simulation which can consider assumptions flexibly in simulation. Three major users (i.e., Industry, agriculture, and Domestic users) consume water from ground water and surface water (i.e., streams, rivers and lakes). Lake Mead has been considered for simulation, and the information necessary to investigate its drought has also been provided. The results are presented in the form of scenario-based design and optimal strategy selection. For optimal strategy selection a deep reinforcement algorithm is developed to select the best set of strategies among all possible projects. These results can provide a better view of how to plan to prevent lake drought.
WITHDRAWN: Application of multiple occupational health risk assessment models for metal fumes in welding process
Authors: Pourhassan Bahman , Nasirzadeh Nafiseh , Beigzadeh Zahra , Karimi Ali
Published: January 2023

Welding fumes have an important role to create the adverse health effects. So, the aim of this study was to use of multiple occupational health risk assessment models for metal fumes in welding process.
This cross-sectional study was conducted among welding workers. Sampling of heavy metals such as Sn, Zn, Al, Fe, Cd, Pb, Cu, Mn, Ni, Cr, and As was provided based on the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) method 7300 and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). Risk assessment was managed by four methods including Malaysia's method, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Essentials (COSHH model), Chinese OHRA standard (GBZ/T 298-2017) and EPA method. Also, Monte Carlo simulation was used to examine the uncertainties in EPA method by using the Crystal Ball tool. To compare the models, the risk levels of each model were converted into the risk ratio and SPSS 22.0 software was used to the statistical analysis. The consistency of the two occupational health risk assessment models was examined by Cohen's Kappa.
Risk ration was the highest level for Cr (VI) fumes in all models. Also, carcinogenic risk was unacceptable for all examined fumes. Moreover, non-carcinogenic risk was the highest (HI>1) for As fumes. Mont Carlo simulationssuggested that exposure time (ET) had a significant effect on the risk. Also, there was a good consistency between Malaysia method/ GBZ/T 298-2017 and COSHH model/GBZ/T 298-2017.
Therefore, it is recommended that the engineering and administrative controls should be provided to reduce exposure.
Exposed Population to Hot and Cold Extremes in MENA for Paris Climate Agreement Temperature Goals
Authors: Hamed Mohammed Magdy , Ali Zulfiqar , Nashwan Mohamed Salem , Shahid Shamsuddin
Published: January 2023

This study aims to project extreme temperatures and the population exposed to them in the MENA region for two Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP1-1.9 and 1-2.6), representative Paris climate agreement goals of 1.5 and 2.0°C temperature rise limits, respectively, for two future periods, near (2020-2059) and far (2060-2099). The daily maximum (Tmax) and minimum (Tmin) temperature of Global Climate Models (GCMs) of the Coupled Model inter-comparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) were used to estimate twelve temperature indices, while the population distribution for the historical and future periods was used to estimate the changes in the population exposed to temperature extremes. The results revealed an increase in days with Tmax>45°C (D45Tmax) by 30 and the population exposure to D45Tmax by 20 million person-day by 2099 for SSP1-2.6. In contrast, there will be a decrease in the days with Tmin<0°C (D0Tmin) by 11, which would cause a decrease in the population exposed to it by 36 and 480 million person-days in the far future for both scenarios. The change in temperature extremes would mostly affect the populations in Mauritania, Algeria, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, UAE and Qatar. For a temperature rise of 2.0 °C, the percentage of the population exposed to the hot extreme will increase between 0.5 and 5.2% by 2059 and between 1.8 and 18.1% by 2099, indicating a significant increase in the population exposed to the hot extreme for only 0.5 °C rising temperature. However, the overall impact will be more in reducing the cold extremes than increasing the hot extreme.
Australian fire weather variability using calibrated long-term reanalysis data
Authors: Biswas Soubhik , Chand Savin S. , Dowdy Andrew J. , Wright Wendy , Foale Cameron , Zhao Xiaohui
Published: January 2023

Spatiotemporal variability on multi-decadal time scales can be observed in weather conditions associated with wildfires. The climatic factors that drive this variability in fire weather conditions have been studied using bias-corrected 20th Century Reanalysis data of the mean state and extreme values of the McArthur Forest Fire Danger Index (FFDI) from 1876 to 2014. In particular, the association of this time series with the climate drivers of El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), Southern Annular Mode (SAM) and Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation (IPO) are analysed using several techniques. The potential for long-term changes in the relationships between the climate drivers and seasonal FFDI values is also explored by breaking the total time period into two epochs. Composite analysis was performed to separate the phases of ENSO, IOD and SAM and determine which phase combinations influence severe fire weather conditions the most. The most severe fire weather conditions were observed during a specific combination of ENSO, IOD and SAM phases, with results mapped to show spatial and seasonal variations in this over Australia. Long-term changes in the relationships between fire weather conditions and the three climate drivers (ESNO, IOD, SAM and IPO) are documented. These findings are based on a longer time period than similar previous studies, intended to help contribute to the range of guidance available for long-range fire weather outlooks and enhanced decision-making for fire agencies.
Risk factors for postoperative fever after laparoscopic adrenalectomy focusing on hormones produced.
Authors: Izawa Mizuki , Takeda Toshikazu , Anno Tadanori , Yasumizu Yota , Tanaka Nobuyuki , Matsumoto Kazuhiro , Morita Shinya , Kosaka Takeo , Mizuno Ryuichi , Asanuma Hiroshi , Oya Mototsugu
Published: January 2023

Purpose: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is widely performed for a number of hormone-producing tumors and postoperative management depends on the hormones produced. In the present study, we conducted a retrospective analysis to clarify the risk factors for postoperative complications, particularly postoperative fever after laparoscopic adrenalectomy.
Methods: We analyzed 406 patients who underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy at our hospital between 2003 and 2019. Postoperative fever was defined as a fever of 38°C or higher within 72 hours after surgery. We investigated the risk factors for postoperative fever after laparoscopic adrenalectomy.
Results: There were 188 males (46%) and 218 females (54%) with a median age of 52 years. Among these patients, tumor pathologies included 188 primary aldosteronism (46%), 75 Cushing syndrome (18%), and 80 pheochromocytoma (20%). Postoperative fever developed in 124 of all patients (31%), 30% of those with primary aldosteronism, 53% of those with pheochromocytoma, and 8% of those with Cushing syndrome. A multivariate logistic regression analysis identified pheochromocytoma and non-Cushing syndrome as independent predictors of postoperative fever. Postoperative fever was observed in 42 out of 80 cases of pheochromocytoma (53%), which was significantly higher than in cases of non-pheochromocytoma (82/326, 25%, p<0.01). In contrast, postoperative fever developed in 6 out of 75 cases of Cushing syndrome (8%), which was significantly lower than in cases of non-Cushing syndrome (118/331, 35.6%, p<0.01).
Conclusion: Since postoperative fever after laparoscopic adrenalectomy is markedly affected by the hormone produced by pheochromocytoma and Cushing syndrome, it is important to carefully consider the need for treatment.
How do farmers' perceptions and attitudes toward agricultural water consumption behaviors can lead to unsustainability; evidence from Mahabad plain, Lake Urmia, Iran
Authors: Farahmand Hamid , Tajrishy Massoud , Isaai Mohammad Taghi , Ghoreishi Mohammad , Mohammadi Mohammadreza
Published: January 2023

There has been much attention paid to Lake Urmia's catastrophic desiccation by researchers and the government. An in-depth semi-structured interview and thematic analysis were used in this study to examine irrigation behavior and crop type selection decisions. 73% of farmers believe that there is no need to reduce their water consumption, 87% do not look for rain forecasts since they regard the government as responsible for water supply or have very few crop alternatives to choose from. In choosing the type of product, 77% only consider economics and do not consider environmental objectives, and 71% do not think drought conditions affect irrigation decisions. Educating farmers and increasing their collaboration role are therefore necessary. Therefore, these variables are the basis for extending psychological theories such as TPB to predict farmers' behavior to a much greater extent. While this study focused on one region, its findings are applicable to similar circumstances worldwide.