bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Can we rely on the orocecal transit time measured by the lactulose breath test? Simultaneous measurement of Tc99m colloid scintigraphy and lactulose breath hydrogen test in asymptomatic volunteers
Authors: von Muhlenbrock Christian , Landskron Glauben , Massardo Teresa , Muñoz Pablo , Herrera Karin , Madrid Ana Maria
Published: May 2024

INTRODUCTION: The measurement of orofecal transit time (OCTT) has various challenges; its calculation through the detection of hydrogen in exhaled air with lactulose (H2 breath test), a non-invasive and widely used technique, is controversial and not validated in the local population.
AIM: To demonstrate the correlation between techniques for measuring OCTT through the simultaneous use of intestinal scintigraphy with radiolabeled colloid (OCTT-R) and lactulose breath hydrogen test (OCTT-H2).
METHOD: Healthy volunteers over 18 years old underwent a 12-hour fast, followed by oral administration of colloid sulfur mixed with lactulose. Simultaneously, abdominal images were obtained using a gamma camera, and breath samples were collected every 10 minutes for 180 minutes. The lactulose orocecal transit time (OCTT-H2) was considered when the curve elevation exceeded 20 ppm above the baseline value, after the first 60 minutes of the study. The orocecal transit time with radioisotopes (OCTT-R) corresponding to 50% activity of the tracer administered in the cecum was quantified.
RESULTS: Seventeen patients aged between 22 and 77 years (82% women) were included. OCTT-R varied between 73 and 180 minutes and OCTT-H2 between 60 and 130 minutes. OCTT-R with radioisotopes and OCTT-H2 showed a good correlation (r: 0.794; 95% CI: 0.508 - 0.923). Results of orocecal transit time with radioisotopes versus H2 did not have significant differences (p= 0.959).
CONCLUSION: OCTT-H2 is feasible to measure using lactulose as a substrate with a good correlation and no difference with isotopic technique.­­­
A Novel Polyp Retrieval Bag Reduces the Polyp Fragmentation Rate in Colon Polypectomy : A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Chu Jindong , Ma Cuiyun , Min Min , Bi Qian , Shen Wei , Zhang Xueting , Zhang Hanqing , Li Aitong , Liu Yan , Lu Zheng
Published: May 2024

Purpose
The fragmentation of polyps affects complete resection confirmation. The primary aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of a novel polyp retrieval bag for reducing the fragmentation rate of colon polyps.
Methods
Patients with a 5–15 mm colon polyp were recruited and randomized to two groups at a 1:1 ratio. After polyp resection, polyps obtained from patients in the treatment group were extracted using a novel polyp retrieval bag without traversing the instrument channel, while polyps obtained from patients in the control group were collected by traversing the instrument channel, attaching the polyp trap to the instrument channel port and applying suction.
Results
From January to July, 2022, a total of 225 patients were assessed for study eligibility. A total of 204 patients were enrolled in the study, and seven patients with specimen retrieval failure were excluded from the analysis. The polyp fragmentation rate in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group (3.0% [3/100] vs. 17.5% [17/97], P = 0.001). There was no significant difference in the retrieval failure rates between the treatment group and control group (2.0% [2/102] vs. 4.9% [5/102], P = 0.442). There were fewer colonoscope insertions in the treatment group than in the control group (102 vs. 110), but a significant difference was not present (P = 0.065). No significant adverse events were observed in the follow-up.
Conclusions
This study demonstrated that the polyp retrieval bag was safe and feasible for reducing the fragmentation rate of retrieved polyps.
Trial registration:
The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov ( NCT05189912, 1/12/2021).
Applying Metabolomics and Aptamer-based Proteomics to Determine Pathophysiologic Differences in Decompensated Cirrhosis Patients Hospitalized with Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Cullaro Giuseppe , Allegretti Andrew S. , Patidar Kavish R. , Verna Elizabeth C. , Lai Jennifer C.
Published: May 2024

Methods
A case-control study of 97 patients hospitalized at our institution. We performed aptamer-based proteomics and metabolomics on serum biospecimens obtained within 72 hours of admission. We compared the proteome and metabolome by the AKI phenotype (i.e., HRS-AKI, ATN) and by AKI recovery (decrease in sCr within 0.3 mg/dL of baseline) using ANCOVA analyses adjusting for demographics and clinical characteristics. We completed Random Forest (RF) analyses to identify metabolites and proteins associated with AKI phenotype and recovery. Lasso regression models were developed to highlight metabolites and proteins could improve diagnostic accuracy. Results: ANCOVA analyses showed no metabolomic or proteomic differences by AKI phenotype while identifying differences by AKI recovery status. Our RF and Lasso analyses showed that metabolomics can improve the diagnostic accuracy of both AKI diagnosis and recovery, and aptamer-based proteomics can enhance the diagnostic accuracy of AKI recovery. Discussion: Our analyses provide novel insight into pathophysiologic pathways, highlighting the metabolomic and proteomic similarities between patients with cirrhosis with HRS-AKI and ATN while also identifying differences between those with and without AKI recovery.
Microsurgical treatment for superior petrosal sinus dural arteriovenous fistulas
Authors: Sun Liyong , Su Xin , Ma Yongjie , Ye Ming , Hong Tao , Zhang Peng , Zhang Hongqi
Published: May 2024

Background and Objectives:
Superior petrosal sinus (SPS) dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs), is a relatively common type of tentorial DAVF that sometimes need to be treated microsurgically. The purpose of this study is to analyze the superior petrosal vein (SPV) tributaries observed during surgery, as well as their relationship with clinical symptoms and venous drainage patterns.
Methods
This retrospective study examined a consecutive series of 34 patients with SPS DAVFs who underwent microsurgical treatment at a single institution from 2014 to 2022.
Expected Outcomes:
34 patients had an average age of 52.8 ± 11.8 years (range, 25–73), with 85.3% (29/34) being men. The most common symptoms were venous hypertensive myelopathy (VHM) (55.9%, 19/34) and intracranial hemorrhage or subarachnoid hemorrhage (23.5%, 8/34). 94.1% (32/34) of the lesions were ligated using the standard retrosigmoid approach. Immediate complete occlusion of the fistulas was achieved in all patients. A higher frequency of subarachnoid hemorrhage or intracerebral haemorrhage and venous varix was observed in supratentorial venous drainage pattern (P = 0.047). VHM-related symptoms are more common in infratentorial venous drainage patterns (P<0.001). 90% of SPS DAVFs drained supratentorially via the pontotrigeminal vein. 61.5% of SPS DAVFs drained infratentorially via the vein of the cerebellopontine fissure (VCPF). 90% of cases drained into the perimedullary venous system via the VCPF or TPV, and lateral anterior medullary veins, while the remaining cases drained infratentorially into cerebellar cortical veins.
Discusssion:
Endovascular treatment for SPS DAVFs can be risky, even though most tentorial DAVFs can be effectively treated via TAE. SPS DAVFs can be managed through a standard retrosigmoid craniotomy, leading to favorable clinical outcomes and high cure rates. In cases with supratentorial venous drainage, the most common arterialized tributary of the SPV is the VCPF, whereas in cases with infratentorial venous drainage, the most common arterialized SPV tributary is the PTV.
A retrospective investigation of the effects of chromosome aneuploidy on preimplantation embryos’ development: base on time-lapse
Authors: Chen Zhihui , Yao Yufei , Ma Yanlin , Zhong Qingfei , Zhang Yu , Huang Yuanhua
Published: May 2024

Purpose To investigate the effects of chromosomal aneuploidy on preimplantation embryos’ development by analyzing the morphological and morphokinetic parameters between euploid embryos and aneuploid embryos.Methods Conducted a retrospective analysis of the morphological and morphokinetic parameters of embryos cultured in the Embryo Scope Plus time-lapse incubator and underwent trophectoderm cell sampling for preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) at the Reproductive Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University from June 2019 to September 2022. Statistical methods, including the Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-Square test, were used to analyze the data.Results 1. A total of 1888 embryos from 487 cycles were included, with 724 being euploid embryos (38.30%) and 1164 being aneuploid embryos (61.70%). 2.In embryos that has become blastocysts, aneuploidy of embryonic genome had no effect on morphology of D1 and D2 embryos, had moderate effect on D3 embryos but significantly affects blastocysts, the worse the Gardner score, the higher the aneuploidy rate. 3. The influence of aneuploidy on the morphokinetic of the embryo becomes apparent at t5, with euploid embryos exhibiting faster development compared to aneuploid embryos. 4.There is no evidence to suggest that single chromosome aneuploidies, such as chr-3, chr-7, chr-8, chr-10, chr-11, chr-12, chr-13, chr-15, chr-18, chr-20, and chr-21, has any influence on the morphokinetic of embryos.Conclusion Genomic aneuploidy has an impact on embryo development, but not every stage is affected. Additionally, certain specific single chromosome aneuploidies does not influence embryo development during the preimplantation stage.
Efficient Implementation of AI Algorithms on an FPGA-based System for Enhancing Blood Vessel Segmentation
Authors: Alsharari Majed , Mai Son Thai , Garnier Romain , Reano Carlos , Woods Roger
Published: May 2024

Machine learning offers the potential to enhance real-time image analysis in surgical operations. This paper presents results from the implementation of machine learning algorithms targeted for an intelligent image processing system comprising a custom CMOS image sensor and field programmable gate array (FPGA). A novel method is presented for efficient image segmentation and minimises energy usage and requires low memory resources, which makes it suitable for implementation. Using two eigenvalues of the enhanced Hessian image, simplified traditional machine learning and deep learning methods are employed to learn the prediction of blood vessels. Quantitative comparisons are provided between different machine learning models based on accuracy, resource utilisation, throughput, and power usage. It is shown how a gradient boosting decision tree with 1000 times fewer parameters can achieve comparable state-of-the-art performance whilst only using a much smaller proportion of the resources and producing a 200 MHz design that operates at 1,779 frames per second at 3.85 W, making it highly suitable for the proposed system. A methodology for implementing the AI algorithms onto FPGA is presented and then used to provide additional results by extending the original work to a 512 × 512 image size along with more detailed analysis.
Unveiling ECRAM Switching Mechanism Using Variable Temperature Hall Measurements for Accelerated AI Computation
Authors: Kim Seyoung , Kwak Hyunjeong , Choi Junyoung , Kim Eun , Kim Chaeyoun , Solomon Paul , Lee Junyong , Kim Doyoon , Shin Byungha , Lee Donghwa , Gunawan Oki
Published: May 2024

Electrochemical random-access memory (ECRAM) devices are promising cross-point elements for implementing analog cross-point array-based AI computation accelerators due to their remarkable programmability and high-stability driven by ion movement. However, efforts to investigate the fundamental physical parameters governing switching have been limited by the complexity of ECRAM multilayer film structure and the low mobility and high-resistivity of the oxide material. Additionally, tracking the movement of oxygen vacancies within metal oxides has been challenging compared to other active ions. Herein, we fabricate ECRAM devices with multi-terminal Hall-bar structures and conduct AC magnetic parallel dipole line (PDL) Hall measurements. Using two rotating DC magnets and lock-in technique, we extract key transport parameters such as mobility and carrier density of high-resistivity WO3-x channel layer. Through variable-temperature Hall measurements at 50 - 300 K, we experimentally measure, for the first time, the oxygen donor level at approximately 0.1 eV in WO3-x thin film. In addition, we characterize the resistive switching of ECRAM at low temperatures, for the first time, and reveal that the conductance potentiation is caused by increase in both mobility and carrier density. This phenomenon can be attributed to the reversible changes in electronic and atomic structure supported by density functional theory calculation result. Overall, our experimental study on ECRAM switching mechanism contributes to a deep understanding of the operational principles of ECRAM and provides valuable insights for enabling high-performance and energy-efficient AI computation in analog hardware.
Greedy Minimum-Energy Scheduling
Authors: Bidlingmaier Gunther
Published: May 2024

We consider the problem of energy-efficient scheduling across multiple processors with a power-down mechanism. In this setting a set of $n$ jobs with individual release times, deadlines, and processing volumes must be scheduled across $m$ parallel processors while minimizing the consumed energy.When idle, each processor can be turned off to save energy, while turning it on requires a fixed amount of energy.For the special case of a single processor, the greedy Left-to-Right algorithm \cite{irani_left_to_right_soda_2003} guarantees an approximation factor of $2$.We generalize this simple greedy policy to the case of $m \geq 1$ processors running in parallel and show that the energy costs are still bounded by $2 \OPT + P$, where $\OPT$ is the energy consumed by an optimal solution and $P < \OPT$ is the total processing volume.Our algorithm has a running time of $\mathcal{O}(n f \log d)$, where $d$ is the difference between the last deadline and the earliest release time, and $f$ is the running time of a maximum flow calculation in a network of $\mathcal{O}(n)$ nodes.
Experimental study of the seismic performance of pile groups with integrated building-bridge structure in liquefiable soils: a case study
Authors: KONG Chao , ZHOU Chunjiang , GU Song , DAI Yong , DAI Zhenyang , DU Yixiang
Published: May 2024

The integrated building-bridge structure system exemplifies integrated railway stations in China and has emerged as a new structural approach in recent years. This paper presents a case study on large shaking table tests that explore various seismic responses of a pile group system based on the Kunming South Railway Station. The study focused on the dynamic characteristics of the soil and pile-superstructure. Findings indicate that the pile damage is primarily on the side facing the direction of vibration, with the middle pile experiencing greater damage than the corner pile. Hysteresis is observed in the growth of pore pressure ratio during the liquefaction of saturated soils. Both the bending moment and ground pressure on the pile increase with the degree of liquefaction. The greatest pile bending moment occurs at the interface between liquefied and non-liquefied soil layers. During seismic activity, side piles facing the vibration direction experience increased seismic surcharge loads, while the center piles experience smaller loads due to the isolation effect of the side piles.
The Role of Ethnic Enclaves and Neighborhood Socioeconomic Status in Invasive Breast Cancer Incidence Rates Among Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Females in California
Authors: Truong Alya , McKinley Meg , Gomez Scarlett Lin , Kim Mi-Ok , Shariff-Marco Salma , Cheng Iona
Published: May 2024

Purpose
Few studies have examined whether the incidence rates of invasive breast cancer among Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) populations differ by the neighborhood social environment. Thus, we examined associations of ethnic enclave and neighborhood socioeconomic status (nSES) with breast cancer incidence rates among AANHPI females in California.
Methods
A total of 14,738 AANHPI females diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 2008–2012 were identified from the California Cancer Registry. AANHPI ethnic enclaves (culturally distinct neighborhoods) and nSES were assessed at the census tract level using 2007–2011 American Community Survey data. Breast cancer age-adjusted incidence rates and incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were estimated for AANHPI ethnic enclave, nSES, and their joint effects. Subgroup analyses were conducted by stage of disease.
Results
The incidence rate of breast cancer among AANHPI females living in lowest ethnic enclave neighborhoods (quintile (Q)1) were 1.21 times (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.11, 1.32) that of AANHPI females living highest ethnic enclave neighborhoods (Q5). In addition, AANHPI females living in highest vs. lowest SES neighborhoods had higher incidence rates of breast cancer (Q5 vs. Q1 IRR = 1.30, 95% CI 1.22 to 1.40). The incidence rate of breast cancer among AANHPI females living in low ethnic enclave + high SES neighborhoods was 1.32 times (95% CI 1.25, 1.39) that of AANHPI females living in high ethnic enclave + low SES neighborhoods. Similar patterns of associations were observed for localized and advanced stage disease.
Conclusion
For AANHPI females in California, incidence rates of breast cancer differed by nSES, ethnic enclave, when considered independently and jointly. Future studies should examine whether the impact of these neighborhood-level factors on breast cancer incidence rates differ across specific AANHPI ethnic groups and investigate the pathways through which they contribute to breast cancer incidence.
RETRACTED: Chronological effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Guo Xinyue , Qin Lanqun , Wang Xinmeng , Geng Qian , Li Dongqing , Lu Yingying , Jiang Hua
Published: May 2024

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Application of machine learning in the prognosis prediction of malignant large bowel obstruction: a two-cohort study
Authors: Chen Shuai , Zhang Jun-Rong , Li Zhen-Lu , Huang Cang-Dian , Tu Peng-Sheng , Chen Wen-Xuan , Shang-Guan Xin-Chang , Wu Chang-Liang , Chen Xian-Qiang
Published: May 2024

Background
The Colon and Rectal NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines currently identify obstructions as risk factors rather than as specific types. A personalized and intelligent prognostic evaluation system for malignant large bowel obstruction (MLBO) is urgently needed.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective study on 170 MLBO patients who underwent radical excision at two centers. The training and validation sets were randomly derived from the combined data of each center at a 7:3 ratio. We employed machine learning methods, including the logistic regression classifier (LR), linear discriminant analysis classifier (LDA), extreme gradient boosting classifier (XGB), AdaBoost classifier (AB), and light gradient boosting machine classifier (LGBM). These classifiers were based on clinical features (clinical model), radiological features (radiomics model), and their combination (merged model). The best model was identified through the area under the operating characteristic curve (AUC).
Results
Using clinicopathologic parameters, clinicopathologic models XGB achieved an impressive AUC of 0.97 for DFS, and LDA maintained strong performance with an AUC of 0.92 for OS, rather than radio-omics and dual-omics models. Using the Qingdao Center(QD) dataset as a single validation set, the model performance was not ideal due to demographic differences, with AUC values of 0.42 and 0.50 for DFS and OS, respectively. Finally, when cross-training and validating clinicopathological features from two centers were conducted, LDA exhibited exceptional performance for both DFS and OS, with AUCs of 0.96 and 0.95, respectively. Regardless of DFS or OS, the worse prognosis group had higher levels of the following metrics compared to the better prognosis group. [For DFS: pT(p < 0.001), pN(p < 0.006), pM(p < 0.001), monocyte count(0.64 vs. 0.52, p = 0.038), and carbohydrate antigen 199(CA199) (27.59 vs. 15.14, p = 0. 006); For OS: pT(p = 0.002), pN(p = 0.002) and pM(p < 0.001), as well as LVI (p = 0.037), monocyte count(0.68 vs. 0.51, p = 0.005) and CA199 (31.78 vs. 15.88, p = 0.006)].
Conclusions
High-efficacy models for the prognosis prediction of MLBO via clinicopathological features across two centers was constructed. We recommend heightened vigilance for MLBO patients with a high TNM stage, lymphovascular invasion occurrence, elevated CA199 levels, and high monocyte count.
Antarctic subglacial topography mapped from space reveals complex mesoscale landscape dynamics
Authors: Ockenden Helen , Bingham Robert , Goldberg Daniel , Curtis Andrew
Published: May 2024

The landscape shrouded by Antarctica’s ice sheet provides important insights into its history and influences the ice response to climate forcing, yet much of this critical basal boundary remains poorly understood. With ice-penetrating-radar technology yet to be developed to sound the bed of the Antarctic Ice Sheet from space, our understanding of the subglacial landscape has depended upon interpolation between irregularly distributed geophysical surveys. Despite increasing geophysical coverage and sophisticated developments in spatial interpolation, this has led to significant spatial biases in maps of Antarctica’s subglacial landscape. Recently-acquired, high-resolution maps of the ice surface now offer a transformative basis for recovering subglacial topography. We present a new map of Antarctica’s subglacial topography produced by an inversion technique that leverages the principle that stress changes associated with ice flow over bedrock obstacles produce ice-surface topography. Our results significantly enrich our understanding of mesoscale (10s of km width) landforms beneath the Antarctic Ice Sheet, revealing many new features and accentuating knowledge of subglacial mountain ranges and basins. The new map unmasks the true continent-wide spatial distribution of Antarctica’s subglacial roughness and geomorphology, outlines a pathway towards more accurate interpolation of poorly surveyed areas, and guides future targeted geophysical surveying.
Fabrication of robust and sustainable superhydrophobic cotton fabrics via surface micro-dissolve methode for oil/water separation
Authors: Ji Wanli , Zhong Shaofeng
Published: May 2024

The preparation of durable super-hydrophobic cotton fabrics (CFs) poses a significant challenge for oil-water separation, primarily due to nanoparticle loss and the utilization of toxic auxiliaries. This study proposes a sustainable method for creating superhydrophobic CFs. Initially, CFs are treated with a mixture of NaOH and urea at low temperatures to enhance surface roughness while preserving mechanical integrity. Subsequently, hexadecyl trimethoxysilane (HDTMS) and butane tetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) are applied to reduce fiber surface energy. This combined approach results in CFs with outstanding superhydrophobic properties, boasting a water contact angle of up to 155°, surpassing nanoparticle-based surfaces. Furthermore, these fabrics exhibit remarkable mechanical and chemical stability, along with enduring washing durability. Notably, they demonstrate effective self-cleaning abilities in the presence of liquid contaminants and excellent oil/water separation performance with a high separation efficiency. The developed CFs hold promise for diverse applications in both household and industrial settings.
Technological and Electrophysical Characteristics of Receiving Detectors Based on Si (Ge), Si (Li) and Si (Au) Structures With Scintilator Semiconductor
Authors: A Radjapov S. , I. Maripov
Published: May 2024

The scientific significance of the research results is that new technological processes for the preparation of semiconductor detectors based on the Si(Li) p-i-n structure with nuclear radiation were identifed and their electrophysical characteristics were determined. These results are explained by the fact that they are of great importance in the practical application of various semiconductor devices. The practical significance of the research results is the development and implementation of Si(Li) p-i-n structural detectors based on semiconductor monocrystalline silicon.
Optimal-order Trotter-Suzuki decomposition for quantum simulation on noisy quantum computers
Authors: Avtandilyan A. A. , Pogosov W. V.
Published: May 2024

The potential of employing higher orders of the Trotter-Suzuki decomposition of the evolution operator for more effective simulations of quantum systems on a noisy quantum computer is explored. By examining the transverse-field Ising model and the XY model, it is demonstrated that when the gate error is decreased by approximately an order of magnitude relative to typical modern values, higher-order Trotterization becomes advantageous. This form of Trotterization yields a global minimum of the overall simulation error, comprising both the mathematical error of Trotterization and the physical error arising from gate execution.
Mulching techniques impact on soil chemical and biological characteristics affecting physiology of lemon trees
Authors: Olmos-Ruiz Rafael , Hurtado-Navarro María , Pascual Jose Antonio , Carvajal Micaela
Published: May 2024

Aims
The lemon cultivation methods and techniques are crucial to ensure maximum productivity in the face of climate change. Mulching with plastic is commonly used in citrus production for saving water, but some side effects need to be investigated. In our study, we investigated different plastic and biological mulching on lemon trees determining growth and physiological parameters in relation to soil chemical and biological composition.
Methods
The experiment was divided into four different lines with ten trees per treatment, the effect of mulching with white and black plastic film, dry pruning mulching respect to a non-mulched treatment of lemon tree orchard during a crop season. The impact of these treatments on vegetative growth, stomatal gas exchange and mineral nutrition on plant and soil bacterial communities were evaluated.
Results
Our results showed that the type of mulching significantly influenced in the parameters studied. All mulching treatments increased temperature and soil moisture levels; plastic mulching treatments had significantly higher values in terms of intrinsic water use efficiency; while mulching with dry pruning showed higher microbial activity and higher soil nutrient concentration, leading to increased water use efficiency and productivity.
Conclusion
The results showed that different methods of mulching affected the physiology of lemon trees interacting in a complex way to determine their growth. Specifically, mulching using dry pruning improved the exchange of gases in the plant and plant nutrition which was related to the biological soil health.
The importance of on-request reports for the correct assessment of low macroseismic intensities: the experience of "Hai Sentito Il Terremoto"
Authors: Sbarra Paola , Tosi Patrizia , De Rubeis Valerio , Sorrentino Diego
Published: May 2024

The lower degrees of the macroseismic scales are estimated mainly using the diagnostic related to the percentage of people who felt the earthquake (“felt” percentage). However, estimating this percentage by examining only a sub-sample of people may be biased, as those who complete the questionnaires are predominantly those who have felt the earthquake. One way to solve this problem is to send a specific request to them when an earthquake occurs. The 'Hai Sentito il Terremoto' (HSIT) site began implementing this strategy in December 2008 by allowing users to register on the website. Thanks to contributions from registered users, the HSIT database has been populated with "not felt" reports, which since 2009 have outnumbered the “felt” ones. The diagnostics of registered and unregistered users were analysed separately in a sample of municipalities, showing no difference between the two types of users with the exception of “not felt” reports number. Despite the availability of the "not felt" reports, the experimental “not felt” number is still underestimated when compared to those indicated in the Mercalli-Cancani-Sieberg scale. It was therefore necessary to multiply the number of "not felt" reports by a correction factor, estimated to be 6, to properly use the “felt” percentage as a diagnostic effect. The macroseismic intensity and event magnitude do not affect this correction factor. By using both on-request reports and a correction factor it is possible to overcome the problem of underreporting "not felt" reports, more accurately estimate low intensities, and better define the “felt”-“not felt” boundary.
Endoscopic, ultrasound guided, radiofrequency ablation of aldosterone producing adenomas: A prospective, proof-of-concept trial
Authors: Brown Morris , Argentesi Giulia , Wu Xilin , Ney Alexander , Goodchild Emily , Laycock Kate , Lee Yun-Ni , Senanayake Russell , MacFarlane James , Ng Elisabeth , Kearney Jessica , O'Toole Samuel , Palma August , Munteanu Iulia , Salsbury Jackie , Benu Elena , Ebano Patrizia , Carroll Nick , Gillett Daniel , Tadross John , Marker Alison , Wilson Patrick , Godfrey Edmund , Goodchild George , Bestwick Jonathan , Gurnell Mark , Cheow Heok , Pereira Stephen , Drake William
Published: May 2024

Unilateral aldosterone-producing adrenal adenomas (APAs) are the potentially curable cause of 5% of all cases of hypertension. At present surgical removal of a whole gland is the only approved option for achieving cure, with uncertain long-term outcomes. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided trans-gastric radiofrequency ablation (EUS-RFA) offers a less invasive alternative to total adrenalectomy for the treatment of left-sided APAs. We aimed to determine whether EUS-RFA of APAs is safe and evaluate its likelihood of success in curing primary aldosteronism.
We conducted a multi-centre feasibility study of EUS-RFA as a nonsurgical, adrenal-sparing treatment for left-sided APAs. The primary endpoint was safety, judged by the occurrence of pre-specified major hazards (intestinal haemorrhage, infarction or viscus perforation); and the secondary endpoints were biochemical and clinical efficacy (Primary Aldosterone Surgical Outcome (PASO) criteria).
28 participants (21 male, 7 female, mean age 57.7 +/- 10.3 years; 16 White, 11 Black, 1 Asian), underwent 35 ablations on one (n=21) or two (n=7) occasions. None of the pre-specified major hazards occurred. There were 21 biochemical and 12 clinical successes. These were complete in 16 and 4 participants, respectively, associated with >75% eradication of the APA, judged by molecular imaging.
EUS-guided trans-gastric RFA is a safe alternative to total adrenalectomy for the treatment of left-sided APAs and can lead to complete PASO success when most of the APA is ablated.
Harnessing Medicinal Chemical Intuition from Collective Intelligence
Authors: Gkeka Paraskevi , Llompart Pierre , Minoletti claire , Amaning Kwame , Bianciotto Marc , Filoche-Romme Bruno , Foricher Yann , Mas Pablo , Papin David , Rameau Jean-Philippe , Schio Laurent , Marcou Gilles , Varnek Alexandre , Moussaid Mehdi
Published: May 2024

Over the last decade, the combination of collective intelligence with computational methods has transformed complex problem-solving. Here, we investigate if and how collective intelligence can be applied to drug discovery, focusing on the lead optimization stage of the discovery process. For this study, 92 Sanofi researchers with diverse scientific expertise participated anonymously in a lead optimization exercise. Their feedback was used to build a collective intelligence agent that was compared to an artificial intelligence model developed in parallel. This work has led to three major conclusions. First, a significant improvement of collective versus individual decisions in optimizing ADMET endpoints is observed. Second, for all endpoints apart from hERG inhibition, the collective intelligence performance exceeds the artificial intelligence model. Third, we observe a complementarity between collective intelligence and AI for complex tasks, demonstrating the potential of hybrid predictions. Overall, this research highlights the potential of collective intelligence in drug discovery. The entire dataset, including questionnaire responses, and developed models are available for access on GitHub.
Experimental Detection of Embedded Rebar Corrosion in Concrete with Ground Penetrating Radar
Authors: Jalal Khadiza Binte , Yazdani Nur , Beneberu Eyosias , Rahman Mohd Mezanur
Published: May 2024

Reinforced concrete structures have been extensively investigated using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) for qualitatively analyzing corrosion-induced degradation. However, no reliable quantitative model exists for the corrosion evaluation of the embedded steel rebars. Such corrosion may significantly impact the strength, serviceability and long-term durability of concrete structures. This study involved an experimental work to determine the relationship between the rebar corrosion quantity and the maximum amplitude as well as the two-way travel time (TWTT) of the GPR electromagnetic wave. A direct current was impressed into embedded steel rebars in concrete beams immersed in a 5% saltwater solution to induce accelerated corrosion. GRP data were collected before saline submersion and at 10-day intervals. A multivariate regression equation with high reliability was developed to estimate corrosion-indued rebar mass loss with independent variables, including concrete cover, rebar diameter, age of the reinforced concrete, concrete strength and GPR scanning parameters.
Motor-free telerobotic endomicroscopy for steerable and programmable imaging in complex curved and localized areas
Authors: Ren Hongliang , Yuan Sishen , Xu Chao , Cui Beilei , Zhang Tinghua , Liang Baijia , Yuan Wu
Published: May 2024

Aberrations in intraluminal epithelia are precursors to a plethora of critical conditions, including various cancers, where early detection is crucial for patient prognosis. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) endoscopy has emerged as a promising imaging technique that provides high resolution in micrometers and imaging depth in millimeters. However, conventional proximal-scanning OCT endoscopes face challenges in imaging tortuous lumens. Motor-driven distal-scanning OCT endoscopes afford potential solutions but pose thermal and electrical risks to tissues. Crucially, these systems lack the requisite compact steering mechanisms for effective navigation within complex luminal organs, commonly involving tooltip deformations, including bending, torsion, and compression. Here, we present a motor-free telerobotic OCT endoscope of a 1.28 ~ 2.28-mm long magnetic rotator integrating a rotatable diametrically magnetized cylinder permanent magnet (RDPM) with a light reflector. Utilizing an external magnetic field effectively mitigates heat effects induced by current and voltage, yielding a maximum voltage of less than 0.02 mV and a temperature rise of no more than 0.5 °C even during continuous operation lasting one hour. Furthermore, a learning-based approach is developed to correct the common OCT imaging distortions resulting from nonuniform rotation within curved luminal organs. The endoscope demonstrates remarkable maneuverability, enabling steerable angles up to 110° under a magnetic field strength of ~ 500 mT and a gradient of ~ 0.06 mT/mm. In-vivo studies on mouse colons validate the endoscope's ability to deliver reliable angular control for localized 3D imaging, unaffected by bending and without the need for feedback. This advancement in intraluminal microimaging introduces a new guidewire-independent technique in endomicroscopy, enhancing safety and potentially improving patient care.
Lab to Emergency: Establishment and validation of automated method for rapid biodosimetry
Authors: Vijayalakshmi J. , Chaurasia Rajesh Kumar , Nair Pooja , Shirsath K.B. , Priya T Lekha , Paul Solomon F.D. , Srini K. Satish , Bhat N.N. , Khan Arshad , Sapra B.K.
Published: May 2024

In inadvertent radiation exposure scenarios, accurate measurement of absorbed dose by biodosimetric techniques is crucial, especially when physical dosimetry is unavailable or in dispute. Chromosomal aberrations like dicentric (DC) and micronuclei (MN) are widely used for biodosimetry, with the former being the gold standard for individual dose assessment. However, both methods are labour-intensive requiring skilled analysis. This study aims to assess and compare the frequency and accuracy of DC and MN scoring through manual and automated methods. It investigates the establishment and validation of dose-response curves, in the dose range of 0-5 Gy, for 60Co-γ-ray-induced DC and MN using peripheral blood samples from three human volunteers. Statistical analysis confirmed dose-dependent increases in aberration frequencies, with Poisson distribution validation for all dose points. The manual and automated scoring methods yielded notable differences in linear and quadratic coefficients. Correlation analyses demonstrated substantial agreement between manual and automated scoring methods, particularly for MN (R2= 0.98). Towards validation, 16 dose-blinded samples were analysed for both endpoints using manual and automated scoring methods. Results yielded a close match between estimated and delivered doses, particularly evident with automated scoring (of both DC and MN) displaying superior accuracy for most of the doses. Notably, the variation was minimal, with -1.96% for DC and 2.85% for MN at 0.5 and 4 Gy, respectively. Automated scoring was approximately 15-20 times faster than manual scoring, suggestive of a faster practical option, especially in emergency scenarios such as criticality accidents and radiological emergencies, thus facilitating speedy triage and medical decisions.
An enhanced work research method for improving efficiency of cuttings of tree plantations on flat and sloping terrains using a cutting-cycle productivity model
Authors: Palander Teijo , Ovaskainen Heikki , Lauren Annamari , Pasi Antti
Published: May 2024

The aim was to model and identify the most productive cutting methods by comparing forward felling technique (C) with sideways techniques outside (A and D) or inside cutting edge (B and E). First, drone video material of each tree was analyzed by comparing time distributions of work phases. Then, the relation between this input data and harvester’s production data was analyzed by regression models. A Quadratic model predicted the productivity precisely (R2 = 0.95). This model explained the effective-hour productivity in cutting cycle with dummy variables of harvesting conditions. The productivity was explained by tree size and cutting cycle time, while effects of operator and harvester were eliminated successfully according to statistical analysis. In the pine (Pinus taeda) plantations on flat terrain, cutting method B was 4.8 m3/E0h more productive than method A, and 6.7 m3/E0h more productive than method C. In eucalyptus (Eucalyptus saligna) plantations cutting method E was identified 1.8 m3/E0h more productive as compared to cutting method D on sloping terrain. Of the time-cycle variables, time consumption of the “moving of tree” changed statistically most significantly between the cutting methods, of which the methods that used sideways felling technique inside cutting edge were most efficient. This modeling structure can be recommended for precise work studies in similar harvesting conditions.
Forecasting Bitcoin Prices: A Comparative Study of Machine Learning and Deep Learning Algorithms
Authors: Alizadegan Hamed , Radmehr Arian , Ilani Mohsen Asghari
Published: May 2024

The cryptocurrency market, particularly Bitcoin, has witnessed significant volatility, making accurate price prediction a challenging yet crucial task. This research explores the application of four powerful machine learning algorithms), Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM , Long Short Term Memory (LSTM), Bidirectional Long Short Term Memory (BiLSTM) and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), for forecasting Bitcoin prices. The study focuses on evaluating the predictive performance using Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) as the evaluation metrics. The LSTM and Bi-LSTM, a type of recurrent neural network (RNN), are known for that ability to capture long-term dependencies in time series data. On the other hand, LightGBM and XGBoost, a gradient boosting framework, excels in handling large datasets efficiently and delivering accurate predictions. By employing these algorithms, this research aims to enhance the accuracy of Bitcoin price predictions compared to traditional methods. The experimental setup involves training and validating the models on historical Bitcoin price data. The MAE and RMSE metrics are utilized to assess the models' predictive accuracy, providing a comprehensive evaluation of their performance. The comparative analysis of machine learning models sheds light on their strengths and weaknesses in the context of cryptocurrency price prediction. The results showcase the importance of employing advanced machine learning techniques in forecasting financial time series, highlighting the potential for improved decision-making in cryptocurrency trading and investment strategies.
A study on the reverse Euler Sombor index of various graphs
Authors: B. Kirana , M.C. Shanmukha , A. Usha
Published: May 2024

In this paper an attempt to define vertex degree-based topological index, reverse Euler Sombor index is made and established its mathematical properties. Reverse Euler Sombor index ($REU(G)=\sum_{uv\in E(G)}\sqrt{\left(\Delta-d_u+1\right)^2+\left(\Delta-d_v+1\right)^2+\left(\Delta-d_u+1\right)\left(\Delta-d_v+1\right)}$, where $c_u=\Delta-d_u+1$ for any vertex $u \in V(G)$ and $\Delta$ is the maximum vertex degree of the graph G) of standard graphs like path, cycle, complete, crown, star, wheel, friendship, ladder, butterfly, complete bipartite, helm, regular are determined. The bounds of reverse Euler Sombor index are found using famous Cauchy-Schwarz inequality and Jensen inequality. This study is extended for computing reverse Euler Sombor index for family of thorn graphs.
Anais XXI JOIA - XXI Jornada Odontológica Integrada dos Acadêmicos da Universidade Federal do Ceará, 2023
Authors: Mendonça Juliano Sartori , Ribeiro Thyciana Rodrigues , Santiago Sérgio Lima
Published: May 2024

Caro(a) leitor(a), A Jornada Odontológica Integrada dos Acadêmicos da Universidade Federal do Ceará (JOIA) é um evento voltado aos estudantes e profissionais de Odontologia, que foi criada no ano de 2002 e, desde então, busca expor temas que contribuam para a formação cientifica dos participantes, através de palestras, minicursos e hands-on, ministrados por profissionais renomados. Além disso, a JOIA disponibiliza espaço para que graduandos e profissionais tenham a oportunidade de mostrar sua produção cientifica em diferentes modalidades e categorias. Na vigésima primeira edição, a JOIA foi realizada entre os dias 19 e 21 de outubro de 2023, presencialmente, no edifício BS Design Corporate Towers, estruturada com uma programação cientifica com palestras e apresentações de trabalhos científicos. A grade científica foi composta por palestrantes nacionais de grande relevância, nas áreas de cirurgia bucomaxilofacial, dentística, endodontia, harmonização orofacial, implantodontia, periodontia e prótese dentária. A XXI JOIA propiciou a todos os participantes a oportunidade de expor suas produções científicas, mediante apresentações de trabalhos nas modalidades acadêmico ou profissional, nas categorias painel ou fórum. Ademais, a Jornada ofereceu aos participantes a possibilidade de se candidatar para apresentar no VI Prêmio Dr. Ricardo Martins, para apresentações de graduandos em inglês, e no III Prêmio Dra. Lidiany Rodrigues, para os profissionais apresentarem os resultados de suas pesquisas. Assim, a XXI Jornada Odontológica Integrada dos Acadêmicos da Universidade Federal do Ceará promoveu uma troca de experiências e vivências, com uma notória qualidade cientifica e que despertou o interesse pelo ensino, pela pesquisa e pela extensão, sendo os anais do evento apresentados nesta edição.
Comissão Organizadora/XXI Jornada Odontológica Integrada dos Acadêmicos da Universidade Federal do Ceará - XXI JOIA, 2023
Compositional effects on the etching of fossil confined fission tracks in apatite
Authors: Fu Hongyang , Trilsch Florian , Jonckheere Raymond , Ratschbacher Lothar
Published: May 2024

Fission track analysis is a thermochronologic method for dating rocks and reconstructing their low-temperature thermal histories. We investigate the influence of the apatite composition on the etching of fossil confined fission tracks and its consequences for the fission track method. We conducted step-etch experiments with 5.5 M HNO3 at 21 °C on samples with etch pit diameters (Dpar) spanning most of the range for natural apatites (Panasqueira: 1.60 µm; Slyudyanka: 2.44 µm; Brazil: 3.92 µm; and Bamble: 4.60 µm) to determine their apatite etch rates vR (the rate at which each lattice plane is displaced parallel to itself) as a function of crystallographic orientation (ϕ′). Our measurements revealed significant differences between the four samples. We fitted three-parameter functions, vR = a(Dpar)ϕ′ eb(Dpar)ϕ′ + c, describing vR as a function of the angle to the apatite c-axis for our hexagonal samples (excluding Bamble) and Durango apatite. Both parameters a and b exhibit a linear correlation with Dpar, whereas the constant c is small (~0.1 µm/min) and its between-sample variation is negligible at the resolution of our measurements. Bamble exhibits a different, bimodal relationship between vR and ϕ′, which we fitted with a sum of two sine functions. In all cases, including Bamble, there is a striking correlation between the angular frequencies of horizontal confined tracks and the magnitude of the apatite etch rate vR perpendicular to the track axes. This result shows that the sample of confined tracks selected for measurement and modeling is to a much greater degree determined by the etching properties of the apatite sample than by geometric or subjective biases. The track etch rate vT is constant along most of the track length but varies from track to track. The mean vT correlates with Dpar, so that tracks etch to their full lengths in a shorter time in faster etching apatites. The mean rate of length increase between etch steps, vL, also correlates with Dpar. The length increments of individual tracks are however irregular. This points to an intermittent structure at the ends of the tracks.