bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A simple predictive model for sarcopenia based on the calf muscle maximum circumference
Authors: Wei An , Zou Yan , Tang Zhen-Hua , Guo Feng , Zhou Yan
Published: September 2024

Background: The correlation between calf circumference and sarcopenia has been demonstrated, but the correlation between the calf muscle maximum circumference and sarcopenia has not been studied. This study aimed to explore the relationship between the two and to construct a simple model to predict sarcopenia in hospitalized elderly patients.
Methods: This was a retrospective controlled study of patients >60 years of age hospitalized in the geriatric department of Hunan Provincial People's Hospital. The patients were thoroughly evaluated by questionnaires, laboratory, and ultrasound examinations, including measuring muscle thickness and calf muscle maximum circumference using ultrasound. Patients were categorized into sarcopenia and non-sarcopenia groups according to the consensus for diagnosis of sarcopenia recommended by the Asian Working Group on Sarcopenia 2019 (AWGS2). Independent predictors of sarcopenia were identified by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, and a predictive model was developed and simplified. The prediction performance of the models was assessed using sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) and compared with independent predictors.
Results: We found that patient age, albumin level(ALB), brachioradialis muscle thickness (BRMT), gastrocnemius lateral head muscle thickness(Glh MT), and calf muscle maximal circumference(CMMC) were independent predictors of sarcopenia in hospitalized elderly patients. A predictive model was developed and simplified as Logistic P = - 4.5 + 1.4 × Age + 1.3 × ALB + 1.6 × BR MT + 3.7 × CMMC + 1.8 × Glh MT, and the diagnostic optimal cutoff value of the equation was 0.485. The sensitivity, specificity, and AUC of the model were 0.884(0.807-0.962), 0.837(0.762-0.911), and 0.927(0.890-0.963), respectively, which were significantly higher than those of the independent predictors.
Conclusion: We constructed a simple predictive model for sarcopenia including five variables: age, ABL level, BR MT, Glh MT, and CMMC. The AUC of the model is 0.927, which can help clinicians predict less muscle disease in patients with senile inpatients quickly.
Noninvasive brain stimulation during EEG improves machine learning classification in chronic stroke
Authors: Suresh Rishishankar E. , Zobaer M. S. , Triano Matthew J. , Saway Brian F. , Rowland Nathan C.
Published: September 2024

Background:
In individuals with chronic stroke and hemiparesis, noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) may be used as an adjunct to therapy for improving motor recovery. Specific states of movement during motor recovery are more responsive to brain stimulation than others, thus a system that could auto-detect movement state would be useful in correctly identifying the most effective stimulation periods. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of different machine learning models in classifying movement periods during EEG recordings of hemiparetic individuals receiving noninvasive brain stimulation. We hypothesized that transcranial direct current stimulation, a form of NIBS, would modulate brain recordings correlating with movement state and improve classification accuracies above those receiving sham stimulation.
Methods:
Electroencephalogram data were obtained from 10 participants with chronic stroke and 11 healthy individuals performing a motor task while undergoing transcranial direct current stimulation. Eight traditional machine learning algorithms and five ensemble methods were used to classify two movement states (a hold posture and an arm reaching movement) before, during and after stimulation. To minimize compute times, preprocessing and feature extraction were limited to z-score normalization and power binning into five frequency bands (delta through gamma).
Results:
Classification of disease state produced significantly higher accuracies in the stimulation (versus sham) group at 78.9% (versus 55.6%, p < 0.000002). We observed significantly higher accuracies when classifying stimulation state in the chronic stroke group (77.6%) relative to healthy controls (64.1%, p < 0.0095). In the chronic stroke cohort, classification of hold versus reach was highest during the stimulation period (75.2%) as opposed to the pre- and post-stimulation periods. Linear discriminant analysis, logistic regression, and decision tree algorithms classified movement state most accurately in participants with chronic stroke during the stimulation period (76.1%). For the ensemble methods, the highest classification accuracy for hold versus reach was achieved using low gamma frequency (30–50 Hz) as a feature (74.5%), although this result did not achieve statistical significance.
Conclusions:
Machine learning algorithms demonstrated sufficiently high movement state classification accuracy in participants with chronic stroke performing functional tasks during noninvasive brain stimulation. tDCS improved disease state and movement state classification in participants with chronic stroke.
Differential Prognostic Value of Residual Nodal Burden in Breast Cancer Subtypes
Authors: Thai Christine Hong Ngoc Che , An Selena J. , Haase Conner R. , Selfridge Julia M , Agala Chris B. , Gallagher Kristalyn K. , Spanheimer Philip M.
Published: September 2024

Purpose
Residual cancer burden (RCB) index after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is highly prognostic in patients with breast cancer (BC) but does not account for subtype or the precise impact of residual nodal burden (RNB). We aimed to precisely define the effect of RNB on survival by subtypes.
Methods
Adult women with non-metastatic BC diagnosed from 2006–2021 in the National Cancer Database (NCDB) who received NAC followed by surgery within 8 months were included. RNB was also evaluated as a predictor of mortality with multivariable logistic regression. Kaplan-Meier analyses were performed to compare overall survival.
Results
51,917 patients were included. After adjustment, ypN stage was the strongest predictor of mortality, with an odds ratio (OR) of 2.24 (95% CI 2.08–2.41) for ypN1 vs ypN0 and increased with increasing nodal burden - ypN2 vs ypN0 OR 5.03, 95% CI 4.60–5.51 and ypN3 vs ypN0 OR 8.85, 95% CI 7.88–9.93. Stratification of survival curves with higher RNB is most pronounced for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) with an absolute difference of 64% in 5-year overall survival between ypN0 and ypN3 patients, and lowest for the ER+/HER2- subtype with a 25% absolute difference in 5-year OS between ypN0 and ypN3 patients. On interaction analysis, ypN status was a stronger predictor of mortality for the TNBC subtype compared to other subtypes.
Conclusion
RNB has a significantly different impact on survival by BC subtypes. Future study of optimal therapeutic strategies for patients with residual nodal disease after NAC should account for subtype specific differences in prognosis.
Balancing Act: A Qualitative Study on the Dual Nature of Video Game Addiction among medical college students in Chengalpattu district, Tamil Nadu
Authors: Sushmitha G , Eashwar V.M Anantha , Charulatha R. J. , Surya B.N
Published: September 2024

Introduction:
Video games have recently become a significant field that has grown and transformed how people engage with themselves and others. This study aims to understand the motives, needs, and concerns of gamers addicted to video games and to explore the self-perceived impact of video games on college students' social, personal, and academic lives.
Materials and Methods
This was a comprehensive qualitative study conducted among medical students in the Chengalpattu district of South India. We used a semi-structured questionnaire guide to collect data from medical students identified as problem gamers according to the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form (IGDS9-SF) questionnaire. Data was meticulously collected through in-depth interviews and transcribed verbatim. We ensured the reliability of our findings by reaching data saturation after interviewing 25 study participants. Qualitative data were analysed using deductive content analysis with the aid of Qualcoder Software.
Result
The primary themes that emerged from the study highlighted that individuals often use video games as a coping strategy to alleviate stress related to personal and academic pressures and to foster social connections. The benefits reported by participants included mood improvement and enhanced decision-making abilities. On the downside, the negative impacts identified were insufficient sleep, musculoskeletal problems, and impulsive gaming behaviour.
Conclusion
Video games serve as an efficient coping strategy for managing stress and social engagement, offering various benefits such as mood enhancement and improvement in the skills related to decision-making. However, these are overshadowed by drawbacks such as inadequate sleep, musculoskeletal problems and impulsive gaming behaviour.
Molecular analysis of spinal nerve sheath tumors has identified CSH1 as a candidate gene for differentiating between Schwannomatosis and Spinal schwannoma
Authors: Shi Guosheng , Ren Huiling , Zhao Dawei , Zhao Qinglin , Chen Hequn , Luo Xuanbo , Zhao Jingnan , Yan Suwei , Bu Wei
Published: September 2024

Purpose
The most common form of schwannomatosis is characterized by multiple and recurrent spinal schwannomas, exhibiting symptoms similar to those of spinal schwannomas. The molecular factors responsible for tumor multiplicity in schwannomatosis are not yet understood. This study aims to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between intradural spinal schwannomas and schwannomatosis, and explore the underlying mechanisms of schwannomatosis pathogenesis
Methods
We used high-throughput sequencing technology to sequence 30 tumor samples(15 conventional spinal schwannomas and 15 schwannomatosis cases), and identified DEGs between the two sample groups using the limma R package. Using machine learning algorithms to identify more significant biomarkers from the DEGs.We evaluated the diagnostic value of these biomarkers for schwannomatosis using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and an Alignment Diagram. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was employed to explore relevant pathways.
Result
Our findings revealed 249 DEGs, with OXTR, CSH1, SNCAIP, and DPP4 emerging as candidate genes.Subsequent q-PCR experiments validated these biomarkers' reliability. Validation showed that CSH1 expression was elevated in schwannomatosis samples, while DPP4, OXTR, and SNCAIP expressions were decreased compared to solitary schwannoma cells. ROC curves and the Alignment Diagram confirmed the stability and accuracy of our diagnostic model.GO functional annotation and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis indicated that these DEGs might be involved in biological activities related to immunity, inflammation regulation, and tumorigenesis.
Conclusion
We have developed a novel diagnostic model for distinguishing between schwannomatosis and spinal schwannomas. Moreover,These transcriptional changes enhance our understanding of the pathogenesis of schwannomatosis, identify risk factors, and provide insights into new therapeutic targets.
Late Onset of Biliobronchial Fistula — A Serious Complication of Hemihepatectomy for Atrophic Liver with Hepatolithiasis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Yan Chen-Ze , Jia Zhong , Wan Ya-Feng , Zhou He-Shan
Published: September 2024

Background: Acquired bronchobiliary fistula (BBF) is a rare but life-threatening complication that can occur as a result of oncological processes, inflammatory reactions, parasite infections, thoracoabdominal trauma, or invasive procedures associated with iatrogenic injury. However, the potential etiology of BBF caused by surgical device-derived diathermy burn and its post-burn effects has never been reported.
Case presentation: Herein, we present a case of a 65-year-old woman who developed BBF one month after hepatectomy and presented with refractory irritating cough accompanied by yellow bitter sputum. The diagnosis was confirmed through detection of bile components in the sputum, fiberoptic bronchoscopy examination, andendoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) . Unfortunately, both endobronchial blocker and endoscopic nasobiliary drainage(ENBD) failed to address the condition until surgical removal of the involved subdiaphragmatic fistula followed by pedicled greater omentum tamping were performed. After closure of the fistula during a 5-month follow-up period, she did not experience any further episodes of biloptysis.
Conclusions: For diathermy burn associated BBF , non-surgical management proves difficult due to inadequate or ineffective biliary drainage, so that early surgical intervention should be considered as an effective approach.
Validation Study of the Doctor's Endoscopy Chair and Endoscope Carrying/Manipulation Apparatus
Authors: Toksoz Serdar , Asik Alper , Kizilkan Yalcin , Senel Samet , Sarica Kemal
Published: September 2024

This study aimed to validate the functionality and usability of the doctor's endoscopy chair and endoscope carrying/manipulation apparatus known as EasyFlex. Prototype models of the EasyFlex apparatus were evaluated by five expert urologists specializing in endourology at three different medical centers: Hatay Training and Research Hospital, Ankara Bilkent City Hospital, and Sancaktepe Sehit Prof. Dr. Ilhan Varank Research and Training Hospital. During the evaluation, the surgical and ergonomic benefits of the doctor's endoscopy chair and endoscope carrying/manipulation apparatus were compared with those used during the traditional flexible ureterorenoscopy (fURS) procedures in the management of kidney stones. Evaluation of both systems from ergonomic aspect showed that traditional flexible ureterorenoscopy procedures had significantly higher overall ergonomic efficiency scores than the EasyFlex apparatus, as reported by all participating surgeons (p < 0.001). Additionally, traditional fURS had significantly higher ergonomic scores than EasyFlex (37.6 vs. 12.6, (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the EasyFlex fURS group had significantly lower intraoperative complication rates than the traditional fURS group (11.8% vs. 27%, p = 0.017). When compared with traditional approach, results obtained in our study demonstrated well that EasyFlex apparatus could provide superior ergonomic conditions during fURS procedures. Additionally, the rate of intraoperative complications EasyFlex system has been found to be limited compared to traditional approach.
Prevalence of Dry Eye Disease, Associated Factors and Impact on Quality of Life among Medical Students during the Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Kunboon Attapinya , Tananuvat Napaporn , Uphapong Phit , Wongpakaran Nahathai , Wongpakaran Tinakon
Published: September 2024

This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of dry eye disease (DED), its associated factors, and the impact on quality of life (QOL) and mental health among medical students during the COVID-19 era using online surveys. Participants completed questionnaires covering demography, medical history, and personal data. The Thai version of the Dry Eye-related Quality of Life Score (DEQS-Th) was used for DED screening. The QOL and mental health challenges (support, coping, stress, and depression) were evaluated by the EuroQoL-5 dimensions-5 levels (EQ-5D-5L) and Thymometer questionnaires. A total of 449 participants were analyzed, with a mean age of 21.8 years and 61.5% female. The prevalence of DED was 60.4% (95%CI 55.7–64.8). Preexisting DED (p = 0.001) and refractive errors (p = 0.007) were significantly associated with DED. The DEQS-Th score, the EQ-5D-5L score, and all aspects of mental health challenges were significantly worse in DED participants compared to non-DED participants. The DEQS-Th score was significantly correlated with the EQ-5D-5L index score and all issues of mental health challenges, though these correlations were not strong (r = 0.094 to 0.337, all p < 0.05). This study highlighted the high prevalence of DED among medical students during the pandemic and its negative impact on QoL and mental health.
Retroperitoneal angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma: two cases of rare adult disease and a literature review
Authors: Li Min , Xia Zhenyuan , Yu Xiaoping , Luo Nifei , Xu Guanglong , Zhao Fanyu
Published: September 2024

Background
Angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma (AFH) is a rare and potentially low-grade malignant soft tissue tumor, more commonly found in children and young adults. It typically arises in the deep dermis and subcutaneous tissues of the limbs, followed by the trunk and head/neck regions. Retroperitoneal AFH is exceedingly rare, with local recurrence and metastasis even rarer occurrences.
Case presentation
This report presents clinical, imaging, biopsy, and molecular detection results from two cases of adult retroperitoneal AFH. One case experienced recurrence and metastasis one year post-surgery. Additionally, this article integrates these cases with a literature review of published instances of retroperitoneal AFH.
Conclusions
Retroperitoneal AFH is uncommon; patients with incomplete tumor capsules and surrounding invasion are predisposed to postoperative recurrence and metastasis. A definitive diagnosis relies on pathology. By detailing these two cases of retroperitoneal AFH, we aim to enhance medical professionals' understanding of this disease.
StressFit: A Hybrid Wearable Physicochemical Sensor Suite for Simultaneously Measuring Electromyogram and Sweat Cortisol
Authors: Hossain Nafize Ishtiaque , Noushin Tanzila , Tabassum Shawana
Published: September 2024

This study introduces StressFit, a novel hybrid wearable sensor system designed to simultaneously monitor electromyogram (EMG) signals and sweat cortisol levels. Our approach involves the development of a noninvasive skin patch capable of monitoring skin temperature, sweat pH, cortisol levels, and corresponding EMG signals using a combination of physical and electrochemical sensors integrated with EMG electrodes. StressFit was optimized by enhancing sensor output and mechanical resilience for practical application on curved body surfaces, ensuring accurate acquisition of cortisol, pH, body temperature, and EMG data without sensor interference. In addition, we integrated an onboard data processing unit with Internet of Things (IoT) capabilities for real-time acquisition, processing, and wireless transmission of sensor measurements. Sweat cortisol and EMG signals were measured during cycling exercises to evaluate the sensor suite’s performance. Our results demonstrate an increase in sweat cortisol levels and decrease in the EMG signal’s power spectral density following exercise. These findings suggest that combining sweat cortisol levels with EMG signals in real-time could serve as valuable indicators for stress assessment and early detection of abnormal physiological changes.
Real-world clinical features and survival outcomes in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients with hepatitis B virus infection
Authors: Yang Wanxi , Zhao Xue , Ma Hongbing , Xu Caigang
Published: September 2024

Objective
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is associated with the incidence and prognosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and previous studies differ in terms of clinical characteristics and prognostic factors. In this study, we explored the clinical features and prognostic characteristics of real-world DLBCL patients infected with HBV.
Methods
Patients with pathologically diagnosed primary DLBCL at West China Hospital of Sichuan University were enrolled. Patients with follicular lymphoma-transformed DLBCL, primary central nervous system DLBCL, and hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis E virus (HEV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), or syphilis (TP) infections were excluded. Ultimately, a total of 941 patients were included in this study. All patients included in the study underwent HBV serum marker testing before treatment. The demographic features, clinical characteristics and treatments of patients with different HBV infection states were collected and analyzed comprehensively to identify prognostic factors for OS and PFS.
Results
Statistical analysis of the data revealed that hepatitis B surface antigen-positive (HBsAg+) DLBCL patients were younger, had more advanced disease at diagnosis, had a greater proportion of germinal center B cell-like lymphoma (GCB) type disease, and had more frequent B symptoms and splenic involvement. There were no significant differences in OS or PFS among patients with different HBV infection statuses χ2 = 0.139, P = 0.933; χ2 = 0.787, P = 0.675); HBsAg + DLBCL patients treated with the R-CHOP/R-CHOP-like regimen had better OS and PFS (χ2 = 7.679, P = 0.006; χ2 = 9.042, P = 0.003); antiviral prophylaxis for HBsAg + DLBCL patients improved OS and PFS (HR: 0.336, P = 0.012, 95% CI [0.143, 0.788]; HR: 0.740, P = 0.032, 95% CI [0.171, 0.925]), and tenofovir improved OS and PFS (χ2 = 4.644, P = 0.031; χ2 = 4.554, P = 0.033).
Conclusions
HBsAg + DLBCL patients have unique clinical characteristics, and the use of CD20 monoclonal antibody based regimens significantly improves the outcome and prognosis of patients with HBsAg + DLBCL; anti-HBV therapy, especially tenofovir, improves the prognosis of patients with DLBCL associated with HBV-presenting infection.
Structural Characterization and Application of Crosslinked Soybean Protein Isolate-Based Oleogel Containing κ-Carrageenan: A Promising Approach for Surimi Product Development
Authors: Yang Xiaoqing , Tan Zhifeng , Wang Zheming , Yu Xiliang , Wang Qi , Yu Chenxu , Dong Xiuping
Published: September 2024

In this study, Soybean Isolate Protein (SPI) based oleogel was constructed by mixing SPI and κ-Carrageenan (κ-CG) using an emulsion-template approach optimized by adjusting SPI/κ-CG ratio. The results demonstrated that the intramolecular and intermolecular hydrogen-bonds between SPI and κ-CG reinforced three-dimensional lattice structure of the oleogels. With the increase of κ-CG content, the oil droplets were more uniformly dispersed in the continuous SPI-κ-CG rigid network, which formed a dense network structure and improved the storage module, loss module, recovery rate, and gel strength of the resulting oleogels. In particular, when the SPI/κ-CG ratio was 9/1, the oleogel was dense and delicate with no oil leakage. This formulation also showed the highest oil binding capacity (OBC, 94.52%) and thermal stability (412.91 ℃). Cryo-scanning electron microscopy showed that the oleo-surimi gel had a dense network structure, and the oil droplets were stably encapsulated in the surimi gel matrix by polysaccharide-protein interfacial membrane. Compared with surimi gel made with the direct addition of liquid oil, the water-holding capacity and textural properties of oleo-surimi gel were effectively improved. The approach of making oleo-surimi gel could lead to innovation in the development of novel surimi products.
OREVI_PCH: An Optimized Resource-Efficient Redaction Mechanism with Integrity Validation in Policy-based Chameleon Hash for IoT Applications
Authors: Ali Shams Mhmood Abd , Yusoff Mohd Najwadi , Teh Je Sen , Hasan Hasan Falah
Published: September 2024

Blockchain technology’s decentralized paradigm can enhance the day-to-day operations of industries, including those driven by the Internet of Things (IoT). Blockchain’s immutability is a crucial feature to prevent unauthorized amendment of data. However, the misuse of this feature hinders the adoption of blockchain in the IoT space. Therefore, we need balanced data redaction solutions that will not compromise immutability, specifically in resource-constrained environments. Existing solutions such as the policy-based chameleon hash (PCH) functions offer fine-grained access control over transaction-level redaction but are computationally intensive. Additionally, transaction owners are assumed to be honest, relying entirely on the permissioned blockchain without verifying their credibility. This paper proposes an optimized resource-efficient redaction mechanism with integrity validation in PCH (OREVI_PCH), a construction for blockchain data redaction that has reduced computational requirements. A noninteractive zero-knowledge (NIZK) proof based on the Fiat-Shamir transform is adopted to validate the honest behavior of data owners. The formal definition, concrete construction, and security analysis show that OREVI_PCH achieves complete indistinguishability and insider collision resistance. Performance comparisons between OREVI_PCH and PCH demonstrate improved computational and storage costs. Our findings also show that OREVI_PCH outperforms the current state-of-the-art solutions in terms of initialization, hashing, and adaptation overheads. While OREVI_PCH’s behavior validation mechanism introduces additional overhead, this is reasonable considering behavior validation has not been accounted for in the design of existing schemes. OREVI_PCH also supports more transactions per second, making it better suited for time-sensitive applications.
LumaCam: A Novel Class of Position-Sensitive Event Mode Particle Detectors using Scintillator Screens
Authors: Wolfertz Alexander , Gustschin Alex , Schulz Michael , M. Alexander M. Alexander , Khaplanov Anton , Hirsh Tsviki Y. , Nomerotski Andrei , Morgano Manuel , Tremsin Anton , Mauri Giacomo , Sykora G. Jeff , Losko Adrian
Published: September 2024

A new type of position-sensitive detectors is gaining attention in the neutron community. They are scintillator based detectors that detect the scintillation light on an individual photon basis via an image intensifier and a fast image sensor. Their readout operates in event mode i.e. it produces information about individual neutron interactions, reconstructed from the sensor data, thus enabling to achieve superior spatial and temporal resolutions compared to regular detectors. Although the development of current detectors is focused on neutrons, the concept is also applicable to the detection of other particles such as high-energy photons. This document provides a description on how these detectors are built, how they operate, and what their characteristics are. An example of a detector implementation based on a Timepix3 chip is described to illustrate the detector concept. This includes a detailed description of the event reconstruction algorithm, one of the core components that sets it apart from established detectors. Energy-resolved epithermal neutron radiography was performed at the ISIS EMMA beamline with this detector, illustrating some of the fundamental differences in the data that can be produced with the new type of detector compared to more established types of scintillator based neutron detectors. The term LumaCam is proposed to refer to this new class of position-sensitive event-mode detectors.
Evaluation of wheatstraw, sawdust, banana fronds, maize cobs and cotton hulls substrate combinations for Pleurotus ostreatus cultivation.
Authors: Elyson Silivani , Jonathan ChisangoTawanda , Kudakwashe Chitindingu , Loice ChiguNomathemba
Published: September 2024

The yield and quality of oyster mushroom is largely dependent on the chemical and nutritional content of the substrate. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of different individual substrates and substrate combinations on the perfomance of P.ostreatus for growth and sustainable development of the mushroom cultivation industry in Zimbabwe. Various individual substrates used as treatments, selected for the cultivation of oyster mushrooms were, wheatstraw, cotton hulls, sawdust, maize cobs and banana fronds each of 1kg and replicated 4 times. Various substrate combinations, also used as treatments were, cotton hulls and wheatstraw, cotton hulls and sawdust, cotton hulls and maizecobs, cotton hulls and banana fronds in the ratio 1:1. Each combination weighed 1kg and was replicated 4 times.Compound substrates perfomed much better in terms of biological efficiency and spawn run compared to individual substrates. The highest biological efficiency (76%) and spawn run(17 days) were obtained from combining cotton hulls and sawdust. Spawn run was fastest(12 days) for cotton hulls and wheatstraw combination. Analysis in terms of economic return, revealed that mushroom production was most profitable using cotton hulls and sawdust as substrate with a benefit-cost ratio of 5.7 compared to other combinations of agricultural residues. In terms of spawn run, yield and economic return, combining cotton hulls and sawdust is highly recommended for farmers involved in the cultivation of Pleurotus ostreatus to satisfy increasing consumer demand, whilst decreasing pressure on limited natural resources and preventing ecosystems degradation.
Human-Robot Cooperative Object Transportation with Intention-Driven Manipulation and Trajectory Guidance
Authors: He Xinjie , Gao Qing , Tian Xinyang , Yu Xiaolong
Published: September 2024

This paper addresses the problem of human-robot cooperative object transportation, taking into account human intervention while tracking the desired trajectory. To solve this problem, an object dynamic model during the human-robot transportation is firstly conducted. Then a PID controller is implemented to track the desired contact force and human's position, while other dimensions was moved by a zero-stiffness admittance control framework to facilitate human manipulation. To enhance real-time trajectory correction, a model-predictive controller (MPC) is employed to guide the human to follow the reference trajectory. Meanwhile, an acceleration adjusting factor is designed to switch the motion mode between active interaction and trajectory tracking. Finally, the performance of the proposed approach is verified by a set of experiments under loaded and unloaded transportation conditions.
Soil Moisture Retrieval from Dual-Polarized Sentinel-1 SAR Data over Agricultural Regions Using a Water Cloud Model
Authors: Das Dhananjay Paswan , Pandey Ashish
Published: September 2024

The accurate retrieval of soil moisture plays a pivotal role in agriculture, especially in effective irrigation water management, as it significantly affects crop growth and crop yield. For accurate estimation of surface soil moisture (SSM) over agricultural landscapes, the Water Cloud Model (WCM) using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data is one of the promising and widely used semi-empirical models. However, estimating SSM across vegetated regions is still challenging due to the considerably backscattered radar signal affected by vegetation. The present study mainly focuses on the robustly investigated capability of dual-polarized Sentinel-1 SAR-derived vegetation descriptors in the WCM in SSM retrieval over wheat crops. The vegetation descriptors used in the study are radar vegetation index (RVI), backscattering ratio, Polarimetric radar vegetation index (PRVI), dual Polarization SAR vegetation Index (DPSVI), and Dual Polarimetric radar vegetation index (DpRVI). The performance of different vegetative descriptors in WCM was evaluated using statistical indicators, i.e., coefficient of determination (R2), Nash Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE), percent bias (PBIAS), and root mean square error (RMSE). The results of the WCM model illustrate that all the models show acceptable results, which confirms that this vegetative descriptor can be useful to estimate the soil moisture over the wheat crop in the study area, except for DPSVI. Furthermore, the results revealed that model performances gradually decrease as the crop enters the complex stages. In addition, WCM model results suggest that models are performing better in predicting the higher moisture content (> 30%), followed by medium moisture levels (15–30%) and lower moisture levels (< 15%). In summary, the overall finding demonstrates that PRVI outperformed other models in terms of statistical indicators value for calibration (R2 = 0.728, NSE = 0.727, PBIAS = -2.67%, and RMSE = 2.985%) and validation (R2 = 0.728, NSE = 0.684, PBIAS = -13.666%, and RMSE = 4.106%). Thus, overall results proved that the WCM model has considerable potential to retrieve SSM over wheat crops from Sentinel-1 satellite data.
A Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein from Alternaria alternata triggers cell death and negatively modulates immunity responses in chrysanthemum
Authors: Dong Boxiao , Sun Yanyan , Zhang Jing , Liu Ye , Guan Zhiyong , Chen Sumei , Chen Fadi , Jiang Jiafu , Fang Weimin
Published: September 2024

Chrysanthemum black spot disease is a common fungal disease caused by A. alternata, which has severely hindered the development of the chrysanthemum industry. However, there are few reports on pathogenic factors in A. alternata, especially regarding GPI-APs. In this study, we identified a GPI-AP, Aa049, from A. alternata. Bioinformatics predictions suggest the presence of a GPI anchoring modification site at the C-terminus of its amino acid sequence, which is relatively conserved among different Alternaria Nees. Transient overexpression of Aa049 in Nicotiana benthamiana can induce plant cell death (PCD), and the appearance of necrosis depends on its native signal peptide. Compared with the wild-type strain, the morphology and growth rate of the colony and mycelia of the ΔAa049 deletion mutants did not change. Still the integrity of the cell wall was damaged, and the virulence of the strain was significantly reduced, indicating that Aa049 plays an essential role as a pathogenic factor in the infection process of A. alternata. Furthermore, the results of quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and physiological indicators suggested that the virulence of Aa049 may be exerted through the synthesis and clearance pathways of ROS. This study reveals that GPI-APs in A. alternata can act as virulence factors to aid pathogen invasion, providing a potential target for the development of future biopesticides.
Immunolocalization and immunoexpression levels of the novel peptide phoenixin-14 and its receptor GPR173 in the gastrointestinal tract of calves and adult domestic cattle (Bos taurus taurus)
Authors: Kras Katarzyna , Osiak-Wicha Cezary , Arciszewski Marcin B.
Published: September 2024

Phoenixin (PNX), an ancient but newly discovered neuropeptide, is involved in various physiological processes, such as food intake, cardiovascular functions, reproductive functions, and stress regulation. The peptide is derived from the precursor protein small integral membrane protein 20 (SMIM20) and acts through the GPR173 receptor. Due to its relatively recent discovery in 2013, there is a gap in research regarding its localization in specific organs. There are no data in the literature concerning its location and level in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of domestic cattle, which are among the world's main livestock animals. Due to the fact that PNX exhibits a highly conserved structure across species, it is likely that it performs key functions in the body. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the immunolocalization and immunoexpression levels of PNX-14 and GPR173 in the GIT segments of calves and adult cattle. Study material, including GIT sections of two age groups, adults and calves of domestic cattle (n = 6), was obtained from a slaughterhouse. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunohistochemical (IHC) analyses were performed. Analyses revealed low levels of PNX-14 in the GIT of both age groups, with localization restricted to epithelial cells across all examined GIT segments. The highest levels were observed in the rumen and reticulum, higher in adults than in calves, whereas the levels in the abomasum and intestines were higher in calves than in adults. This distribution may result from the delayed development of forestomachs in calves. The higher level of GPR173 than PNX-14 and its broader distribution may suggest that PNX-14 is not the only ligand for this receptor. Overall, the results suggest that both peptides may play protective roles related to the immune response, regulate digestive and absorptive functions, and due to receptor presence in nerve fibres, may play a role in regulating GIT secretion and motility. These findings could potentially facilitate further research into the therapeutic potential of targeting PNX-14 and GPR173 in managing gastrointestinal disorders in domestic cattle and other species.
A Two-Stage Digital Damage Diagnosis Method for Traffic Marking Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Gu Zongwen , Wu Zhizhou , Liang Yunyi , Zhang Keya
Published: September 2024

The purpose of this paper is to realize the intelligent inspection of the damage degree of traffic marking. Therefore, a two-stage method based on deep learning is proposed, that is, traffic marking inpaint is performed first, and diagnosis is performed later, to ensure the data quality of digital diagnosis. Firstly, a arrow damaged traffic marking dataset is collected and created. In inpainting stage, Data-driven traffic marking inpainting model (TMIN-GAN) based on generative adversarial network (GAN) is constructed. An automatic labeling method is presented based on FE-Mask R-CNN to train TMIN-GAN. It generated the label relying on the mask generated by instance segmentation. In diagnosis stage, the damaged traffic markings and corresponding repaired images are processed using grayscale conversion, bilateral filtering, etc. Subsequently, the processed images are subjected to comparison using the Learned Perceptual Image Patch Similarity (LPIPS) evaluation metric. The experimental results demonstrate that traffic marking inpainting by the TMIN-GAN, compared by hand, reduces inpainting time from 10 seconds to milliseconds. This provides an excellent foundation for damage diagnosis. In TMIN-GAN training, the difference between PSNR value of the mask based on FE-Mask R-CNN and that of the manual annotation is only 2.35\%. This demonstrates the feasibility of automatic annotation based on FE-Mask R-CNN masks. Compared by PSNR and SSIM evaluation indicators, the rationality and superiority of using LPIPS for traffic marking damage diagnosis is demonstrated and get the range of divided damage levels.
Unveiling The Experiences of Operation Room Nurses on Ethical Issues: A phenomenological study in Adama Hospital Medical College, Ethiopia, 2022
Authors: Beriso Yohannes Midekso , Alemu Wudma , Mulugeta Tefera
Published: September 2024

Background
Operating room nurses face frequent ethical issues and as key members of health care team must go beyond mere awareness of ethical principles to make ethically sound decisions in complex and challenging environment. Immediate resolving of these issues helps mitigate moral distress and its associated symptoms, such as anxiety and decreased job satisfaction, while enhancing patient care. A deeper understanding of ethical issues in the OR will help tailor interventions and policies to address real-world challenges, improve patient care, and better support healthcare professionals.
Objective
This study explored the lived experiences of operating room nurses with ethical issues at Adama Hospital Medical College in Adama, Ethiopia, in 2022.
Method
A qualitative study using the hermeneutic phenomenological method was conducted at Adama Hospital Medical College from March 15, 2022 to April 15, 2022. Eighteen nurses were selected as participants using maximum variation purposive sampling. The data was collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews. The data was then imported into Atlas Ti 8 software to be coded and categorized. To ensure trustworthiness, the basic principles were applied. Data analysis was conducted based on the Van Manen method and the results were summarized using thematic analysis.
Results
The study reveals two main themes and eight sub-themes regarding ethical issues faced by operating room nurses. The main themes were issues related with safeguarding patient dignity and professional commitments, while sub-themes include breaches of dignity, untruthful communication, overcrowded ORs, patient expectations, lack of informed consent, and breach of sterilization standards.
Conclusion
Upholding ethical principles and standards are critical for improving patient care and fostering positive relationships. Concepts like devotion to professional commitment, patient dignity, and collegial respect are crucial for participants. Addressing ethical concerns and ensuring compliance will enhance healthcare delivery in perioperative settings.
Evaluating nano- and microplastic particles as vectors of exposure for plastic additive chemicals using a food web model: Implications for risk to human health
Authors: Gouin Todd , Whelan Michael J.
Published: September 2024

Nano- and microplastic particles (NMPs) represent potential hazards for humans and wildlife, including as vectors for chemical exposure (including plastic additives and chemicals sorbed from the surrounding environment). The leaching of chemicals from NMPs has been identified as a potential exposure pathway but risks to human health under environmentally relevant conditions remain unclear. Here, we describe a modification of the ACC-HUMANSTEADY bioaccumulation model to include dietary exposure to NMPs containing either accumulated chemicals from the surrounding environment or embedded plastic additive chemicals (PACs). Chemical transfer to humans and wildlife is described using two-film resistance concepts assuming spheroidal or cylindrical particles of different sizes. The relative contribution of NMPs and environmental media to the estimated daily chemical intake in humans was assessed for various exposure scenarios, for both a range of hypothetical chemicals with varying physicochemical properties and four well-studied PACs [bisphenol-A; the plasticizer Di(2-Ethylhexyl)Phthalate (DEHP); the brominated flame retardant decabrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE-209); and a phenolic benzotriazole used as a UV-inhibitor in plastic, 2-(2H-Benzotriazol-2-yl)-4,6-bis(2-methylbutan-2-yl)phenol (UV-328)]. Results imply that NMPs can act as sources of exposure to chemical additives when the ingestion rate of 1 µm NMPs is > 10 mg d− 1, and the concentration of hydrophobic plastic additive is > 5% wt wt− 1. The contribution made by NMPs as vectors of exposure decreased with increasing particle size and with decreasing ingestion rates. Human health risks for specific PACs are negligible when the ingestion rate of NMPs is < 100 µg d− 1. Data uncertainties are high regarding the characterization and quantification of the ingestion rates of NMPs by humans and wildlife, including the particle sizes and polymer composition, as well as on the presence of PACs in NMPs. These data gaps need to be addressed if the issue of NMPs as vectors of exposure to chemicals is to be fully understood. We suggest that mechanistic and holistic models represent efficient and effective tools to help prioritize research needs and support decision making.
Sector-Specific Supply and Demand Shocks: Joint Identification
Authors: Ivashchenko Sergey
Published: September 2024

This article proposes a technique for computing sign restrictions in large-scale models. The technique is applied to a Bayesian vector autoregression (BVAR) model with 16 industries (16 growth rates, 16 inflations), and the interest rate. The results demonstrate that the suggested technique can yield different implications for the density of relevant measures compared to the conventional random draw approach. Shocks identification is more accurate for suggested approach in experiments with simulated from DSGE model data. The usage of industry specific data and identification of demand and supply shock have large influence on identification of MP-shocks. It reveals important elements of transmission mechanics of monetary policy including differences in magnitude (up to 10–100 times) and shape of responses on MP-shocks, differences in historical decomposition, differences in importance of demand and supply shocks for interest rates dynamic. Variance decomposition shows decrease of relative importance of its own shocks to industries with switching from short-run to long-run decomposition. There are some similarities with input-output tables and some differences those open questions for future researches.
JEL-classification: C32, C51, E32, E52
Draft genome of Albugo candida Indian variant causing white rust in Brassica juncea unravel variations based on geographic distribution
Authors: Mehta Samridhi , Tomar Rakhi , Kumari Ankita , Rai Prajjwal , Yadava Yashwant Kumar , Rao Mahesh , Iyyappan Yuvaraj , Nallathambi P. , Bashyal Bishnu Maya , Akhtar Jamil , Meena Prabhu Dayal , Bhattacharya Ram Charan , Gupta Ashish Kumar
Published: September 2024

Background
White rust disease elicited by biotrophic pathogen, Albugo candida is a leading cause of yield losses in oilseed Brassica crops, especially widely cultivated B. juncea. The highly diverse nature of the A. candida pathogen and its ability to adapt to various agro-climatic conditions across the globe has posed significant challenges in effectively managing this disease. Therefore, development of a successful control strategy leveraging genomic data of the white rust pathogen is important because it can reveal profound insights into the identification of different forma specialis, phylogenetics, evolution patterns, population biology, secretome and pathogenesis thus, contributing to the oilseed cultivation in India and across the globe. In the present investigation, high quality draft genome of virulent Ac2v race of A. candida infecting B. juncea was generated by Nanopore and Illumina technologies.
Results
The raw sequencing data was assembled into a genome of 36.88 Mb with 415 scaffolds and N50 = 301.91kb. The variant analysis showed 1,24,974 SNPs with an average density of 3.3 per kb genome against Ac2vPB assembly. Approximately 24.29% of the genome consists of repetitive elements, including 1039 SSRs. A total number of 13,715 coding genes were revealed in the genome with an average distribution of 359.03 genes per Mb. Out of these predicted genes, 11,556 were annotated based on sequence homology and 355 were predicted as effectors with no transmembrane domain and N terminal signal peptide. The annotation of 355 effectors revealed that 141 of them had homologs, while rest 214 were novel. Additionally, phylogenetic analysis through average nucleotide identity revealed a similarity of 99.64% between the Canadian and Indian Ac2v isolate. Furthermore, 10 new contigs were identified in the Indian isolate that showed no sequence similarity to the Canadian isolate, suggesting variation within the race based on the geography.
Conclusion
Altogether, the present work provides genomic resources and framework for the dissection of this complex pathogen which will help refining our understanding of the Albugo-Brassica interaction.
Integrated GIS-Based MCDA and Machine Learning Techniques in Flood Susceptibility Mapping in Ala River Basin, Nigeria
Authors: Adeyemi Adedoyin Benson , Komolafe Akinola Adesuji , Nakalembe Catherine Lilian , Ismaila Racheal Opeyemi , Adebayo Adebowale Daniel , Babayemi Oluwaferanmi Enoch
Published: September 2024

Flooding is a recognized form of natural disaster that can lead to loss of life, destruction of critical infrastructure with consequences impacting critical sectors including agriculture and health. This study aims to map out flood susceptible areas within the Ala River basin of Ondo State, Nigeria by integrating the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) technique and Support Vector Machines (SVM) Machine Learning (ML) model. Nineteen factors including elevation, slope, aspect, curvature (profile and plan), roughness, flow direction, flow accumulation, drainage density, distance from the river, TWI, STI, SPI, soil, geology, NDVI, NDMI, LULC, and rainfall were considered as input parameters. Flood susceptibility maps generated from each of these approaches were combined to create a more comprehensive flood susceptibility map of the study area. The AHP analysis has a consistency ratio of 1.8%. Precision, recall, f1-score, accuracy score, and ROC-AUC curve were used in evaluating the AHP-MCDA and SVM-ML model. Based on the evaluation, the combined flood susceptibility map result showed the best performance with the AUC score 0.74, SVM-ML with a score 0.73, and the AHP-MCDA having the least score of 0.59. As these results demonstrate, multiple approaches are required to mitigate flooding.