bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design and performance analysis of Cobb angle measurement from X-ray images
Authors: Adibatti Spurthi , Sudhindra K. R. , Manisha Shivaram Joshi
Published: October 2023

Scoliosis seems to be the most frequently used type of spinal abnormality. Cobb angle measurement essentially relates to the quantification of the spinal stenosis in degrees, also it is a globally standardized approach for assessing scoliosis. Based on a recent survey, there really is no accurate and comprehensive technique for calculating the Cobb angle programmatically. This problem is crucial in the medical field pertaining to Cobb angle measurement to identify the exact position of Cobb in X-ray images. However, multiple investigations have demonstrated that there is inter and intra-observer variance when assessing the Cobb angle physically. The goal is to create a computer-assisted solution to reduce user-based Cobb angle measuring errors. The preprocessing filters and semi-automatic methods determine the overall architectural curved spine. Using the Cobb technique, results are inaccuracies and improper in the estimation of a scoliotic curvature's peak or bottom vertebra. The curve-fitting approach was used in this investigation to reduce uncertainty. Every patient had a digitally recorded poster anterior radiography image. The polynomial estimation is fitted using user-defined curvature midpoints that correspond to vertebral intersection points. The Cobb angle is computed by taking the first characteristic of the fitted polynomial function and dividing it by the number of vertebrae.
Implemantation of firefly algorithm on Arduino Uno
Authors: Dewatama Denda , Melfazen Oktriza , Fauziyah Mila
Published: October 2023

Not only getting the optimal solution of a problem, embedding the algorithm on the microcontroller is also expected to work optimally without burdening the system and fast response. Getting a microcontroller specification that matches the complexity of an algorithm is necessary so that the system can execute the algorithm perfectly. Values for the basic parameters of optimization algorithms inspired by nature such as the firefly algorithm (FFA) which are interpreted into variables greatly affect the performance of the microcontroller in obtaining the expected optimal solution. The observed performance of the Arduino Uno microcontroller in running the FFA includes execution time and memory capacity required to obtain optimal values based on changes in absorption coefficient, random parameters, iterations, and population. Changes in the absorption coefficient and random parameters affect the optimal value but do not significantly affect the execution time and memory capacity of Arduino Uno. Iteration changes greatly affect execution time and population changes most affect the performance of Arduino Uno. With a dynamic memory capacity of 2 Kb, the FFA can be run with a maximum range of 50 populations and up to 20 iterations.
Text-to-speech on health monitoring bracelet for the visually impaired
Authors: Indrianto Indrianto , Abdurrasyid Abdurrasyid , Susanti Meilia Nur Indah , Ramadhan Arief
Published: October 2023

Text-to-speech (TTS) is a technology that converts text into sound using a phonetization system and is especially useful to be applied to blind aids who need information in the form of sound because of their limitations. To help the visually impaired know their health conditions where the visually impaired feel limited to going out during the pandemic. For this reason, it is necessary to make an aid that can read text-based data such as body temperature, heart rate per minute, and oxygen levels into a voice that can be heard by the blind, the method used in this study is finite state automata (FSA) which is used to split Indonesian words into words according to its syllable patterns and facilitate the pronunciation process which is included in the blind aids so that it is expected to help the visually impaired to be able to find out their health condition. In this study, the test was carried out using the confusion matrix method and the results obtained were 100% accurate, 99.71% accuracy of temperature sensor, 98% accuracy of heart rate, and 95% accuracy of oxygen saturation.
A critical review of the state of computer security in the health sector
Authors: Jáuregui-Velarde Raúl , Hernández Celis Domingo , Yactayo Arias Cesar , Andrade-Arenas Laberiano
Published: October 2023

There is growing concern about IT security in the healthcare sector due to the number of cyberattacks. The objective of the review is to analyze the state of adoption of computer security in the healthcare sector and provide valuable knowledge to researchers and health organizations interested in this field of study. An exhaustive search of international and regional articles on computer security in healthcare organizations was conducted using Scopus, Dimensions, and pubMed databases. Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) statement was used for the selection of articles published between 2018 and 2022. The final number of articles considered is 50. The review explored approaches related to computer security types, mechanisms, and technologies. The findings reveal that blockchain is the most widely used technology to protect medical information. In addition, network, software, and hardware security approaches are employed, using mechanisms such as data encryption, authentication, and access control. Based on these findings, a perimeter security model for the protection of medical information is proposed. In conclusion, these results highlight the importance of adopting robust security measures in terms of networks, software, and hardware, as well as adopting blockchain technology to improve data security in the healthcare sector.
Performance of single axis tracker technology and automatic battery monitoring in solar hybrid systems
Authors: Satria Habib , Nisworo Sapto , Windarta Jaka , B. Y. Syah Rahmad
Published: October 2023

Utilization of elevation angles and azimuth angles is a very important part in maximizing solar energy into electrical energy in photovoltaic (PV). One way to maximize PV power output is to design a single axis tracker system and take into account the azimuth and elevation angles of the sun using the sun position calculator application. The single axis tracker system is set based on the position of the angle of inclination of the surface of the PV 45°, then the angle of 90° and the angle of inclination of 135°. The test results show that the single axis tracker PV system design can work based on the angle settings that have been programmed. Then the use of a battery control system to support the PV reliability system automatically cuts off electricity when the battery voltage drops below 12 V during cloudy weather conditions and excessive battery usage. The integration of the PZEM-017 module with the battery will support monitoring of battery power usage in real time. PV energy data conversion performance uses single axis tracker technology for maximum power reaching 631.72 Watt DC at 12.00 pm and the lowest power reaching 56.02 Watt DC at 6.00 pm.
Real-time lecture's micro-quality assessment for diabetic students based on IoTs and real-time cloud computing technologies
Authors: Al-Muttairi Alaa Imran , Abdul-Rahaim Laith Ali , Thahab Ahmed Toman
Published: October 2023

Students with diabetes mellitus require more academic attention, intensive flow up, and a moderate temperature environment during classes. In this paper, the learning process for those students is improved by using the internet of things (IoTs) and cloud computing technologies. The proposed system improves lecture quality using lecture micro quality which is based on lecture time segmentation. Therefore, the designed system provides each student with a microcontroller-based node to collect information about his understanding status in a real-time fashion. Based on this information, the system provides the lecturer with real-time statistical calculations about vital parameters such as the understanding status of each student, the level of the classroom's understanding ratio, and the total number of students who did not understand the topic which is being explained. The designed system is practically tested in a real classroom environment. The implemented system is practically tested in a real classroom environment and the obtained results showed up an improvement in lecture quality due to the real-time feedback which informed the lecturer to adapt the learning technique.
A fine tune robust transfer learning based approach for brain tumor detection using VGG-16
Authors: Islam Rakibul , Akhi Amatul Bushra , Akter Farzana
Published: October 2023

Brain tumor recognition by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is crucial because it improves survival rates and allows them to plan treatments accordingly. An accumulation of abnormal cells known as a brain tumor can spread to nearby tissues and endanger the patient. Magnetic resonance imagery is the primary imaging technique which determines the extent of brain tumors. Deep learning techniques rapidly grew in computer vision due to ample data for model training and improved designs on applications. MRI has shown promising results when using deep learning approaches to identify and classify brain tumors. This study uses MRI data and a convolutional neural network (CNN) to create a reliable transfer learning model that classifies tumors under four classes. Brain tumors' unwanted parts are excised, the quality is improved, and the cancer is coloured. By eliminating artefacts, decreasing noise, and boosting the image. The number of MRI images has increased using two augmentation techniques. A number of CNN architectures, including VGG19, VGG16, MobileNet, InceptionV3, and MobileNetV2 analyzed the augmented dataset. Where VGG-16 provides the accuracy of highest level. The best model underwent a hyperparameter ablation investigation, which led to the suggested hyper-tuned VGG16 obtaining 99.21% test and validation accuracy and 99.01% test accuracy.
A comparative study of Gaussian mixture algorithm and K-means algorithm for efficient energy clustering in MWSN
Authors: Ahmad Iman Ameer , Jawad Al-Nayar Muna Mohammed , Mahmood Ali M.
Published: October 2023

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) represent one of the key technologies in internet of things (IoTs) networks. Since WSNs have finite energy sources, there is ongoing research work to develop new strategies for minimizing power consumption or enhancing traditional techniques. In this paper, a novel Gaussian mixture models (GMMs) algorithm is proposed for mobile wireless sensor networks (MWSNs) for energy saving. Performance evaluation of the clustering process with the GMM algorithm shows a remarkable energy saving in the network of up to 92%. In addition, a comparison with another clustering strategy that uses the K-means algorithm has been made, and the developed method has outperformed K-means with superior performance, saving energy of up to 92% at 4,500 rounds.
Comparative analysis of meta heuristics algorithm for differential amplifier design
Authors: Prajapati Pankaj P. , Kshatriya Anilkumar J. , Patel Dhavalkumar N. , Gonsai Sima K. , Tank Hardik B. , Sheth Kinjal R.
Published: October 2023

The design of analog circuits is very essential for the development of system design based on electronics as the world is analog in nature. Furthermore, performance of emerging products depends on analog circuits for reduction of power dissipation and improvement of speed. Though in the system on chip (SoC) analog circuit consumes less, it is more complex to design it due to the analog circuit nature complexity. The job of the evolutionary algorithm (EA) in the process of optimization of an analog circuit based on complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) is to get the appropriate values that can be used for the design parameters of the given circuit in such a way such that all the targeted specification of the given circuit can be obtained. The chaotic serial particle swarm optimization (CSPSO) and cuckoo search (CS) algorithms are lower than to those found through the particle swarm optimization (PSO) and differential evolution (DE) algorithms. The CS algorithm obtained all the desired specifications with less power dissipation and the least total transistor area compared to those attained by the DE and PSO algorithms.
Improving marigold agriculture with an IoT-driven greenhouse irrigation management control system
Authors: Bunpalwong Manasanan , Rukhiran Meennapa , Netinant Paniti
Published: October 2023

In recent years, the internet of things (IoT) has been used to support the automated farming functions of greenhouses, preventing insects and pests, and stabilizing unsuitable weather and light conditions. Concerning an innovative IoT in agriculture, there are still a number of obstacles to enhancing greenhouses' effectiveness. This study presents the architecture, algorithms, and implementation of an IoT-based automated irrigation control system with temperature and humidity sensors. The system monitors relative humidity parameters using an internet-connected relay that controls irrigation. The relative humidity level is controlled by a 50% threshold. The effectiveness of marigold cultivation can be evaluated by means of marigold stem height, size, number of marigold flowers, and weight of the marigold harvest. The stimulating growth of marigolds is affected in every way by the differences between the proposed IoT system in a greenhouse and the conventional growing method outdoors. This contribution research validates the experimental findings to ensure that the air environment monitoring and irrigation control system consistently increases marigold yield.
Considerations for Selecting Root Coverage Techniques in the Anterior Mandible
Authors: Sabri Hamoun , Barootchi Shayan , Padbury Allan J. , Chan Hsun-Liang
Published: October 2023

The anterior mandible is the most challenging anatomical site for performing periodontal plastic surgeries. Increased demands for optimal root coverage and esthetic outcomes contribute to the development of pedicle flap-based surgical solutions, in contrast to the predominantly used free gingival graft. The aims of this study were to (1) summarize the current literature to identify the mostused techniques, indications, and their efficacy, and (2) provide a decision table for surgeons to navigate through the selection of appropriate techniques. Four main approaches were identified: free gingival graft, lateral sliding, tunneling, and coronally advanced flap. The flap approaches are mostly combined with a connective tissue graft. The decision table considers the patient's chief complaint, local anatomical factors, and technique sensitivity. The table provides a framework for supporting an evidence-based selection of surgical techniques and for studying novel methods to achieve predictable root coverage in the anterior mandible.
Risk Factors for Sudden Cardiac Arrest Among Hispanic or Latino Adults in Southern California: Ventura PRESTO and HCHS/SOL
Authors: Reinier Kyndaron , Moon Jee‐Young , Chugh Harpriya S. , Sargsyan Arayik , Nakamura Kotoka , Norby Faye L. , Uy‐Evanado Audrey , Talavera Gregory A. , Gallo Linda C. , Daviglus Martha L. , Hadduck Katy , Shepherd Daniel , Salvucci Angelo , Kaplan Robert C. , Chugh Sumeet S.
Published: October 2023

Background

Out‐of‐hospital sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a leading cause of mortality, making prevention of SCA a public health priority. No studies have evaluated predictors of SCA risk among Hispanic or Latino individuals in the United States.

Methods and Results

In this case‐control study, adult SCA cases ages 18‐85 (n=1,468) were ascertained in the ongoing Ventura
Pre
diction of
S
udden Death in Mul
t
i‐Ethnic C
o
mmunities (PRESTO) study (2015‐2021) in Ventura County, California. Control subjects were selected from 3033 Hispanic or Latino participants who completed Visit 2 examinations (2014–2017) at the San Diego site of the HCHS/SOL (Hispanic Community Health Survey/Study of Latinos). We used logistic regression to evaluate the association of clinical factors with SCA. Among Hispanic or Latino SCA cases (n=295) and frequency‐matched HCHS/SOL controls (n=590) (70.2% men with mean age 63.4 and 61.2 years, respectively), the following clinical variables were associated with SCA in models adjusted for age, sex, and other clinical variables: chronic kidney disease (odds ratio [OR], 7.3 [95% CI, 3.8–14.3]), heavy drinking (OR, 4.5 [95% CI, 2.3–9.0]), stroke (OR, 3.1 [95% CI, 1.2–8.0]), atrial fibrillation (OR, 3.7 [95% CI, 1.7–7.9]), coronary artery disease (OR, 2.9 [95% CI, 1.5–5.9]), heart failure (OR, 2.5 [95% CI, 1.2–5.1]), and diabetes (OR, 1.5 [95% CI, 1.0–2.3]).

Conclusions

In this first population‐based study, to our knowledge, of SCA risk predictors among Hispanic or Latino adults, chronic kidney disease was the strongest risk factor for SCA, and established cardiovascular disease was also important. Early identification and management of chronic kidney disease may reduce SCA risk among Hispanic or Latino individuals, in addition to prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.
The nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/p53 axis in breast cancer
Authors: Fakheri Hadi , Sajadi Mir Amirhossein , Afrashteh Ahmad , Ma Wenbiao , Xia Lei , Valilo Mohammad
Published: October 2023

One of the most important factors involved in the response to oxidative stress (OS) is the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), which regulates the expression of components such as antioxidative stress proteins and enzymes. Under normal conditions, Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) keeps Nrf2 in the cytoplasm, thus preventing its translocation to the nucleus and inhibiting its role. It has been established that Nrf2 has a dual function; on the one hand, it promotes angiogenesis and cancer cell metastasis while causing resistance to drugs and chemotherapy. On the other hand, Nrf2 increases expression and proliferation of glutathione to protect cells against OS. p53 is a tumour suppressor that activates the apoptosis pathway in aging and cancer cells in addition to stimulating the glutaminolysis and antioxidant pathways. Cancer cells use the antioxidant ability of p53 against OS. Therefore, in the present study, we discussed function of Nrf2 and p53 in breast cancer (BC) cells to elucidate their role in protection or destruction of cancer cells as well as their drug resistance or antioxidant properties.
Road Endpoints and City Sizes
Authors: Barsanetti Bruno
Published: October 2023

I examine the long-run effects of the timing of railroad construction on city sizes. I first present a stylized model which predicts that towns that are railroad endpoints for longer become persistently larger. I then show that, in a sample of Brazilian railroad towns, time as endpoint strongly predicts town size: each additional year that a town was a railroad endpoint in the past is associated with a town population 0.107 log points larger in 2010. Additional testable implications of the model and an instrumental variable approach suggest that such association reflects a causal effect.
Poor Substitutes? Counterfactual Methods in IO and Trade Compared
Authors: Head Keith , Mayer Thierry
Published: October 2023

Constant elasticity of substitution (CES) demand for monopolistically competitive firm-varieties is a standard tool for models in international trade and macroeconomics. Inter-variety substitution in this model follows a simple share proportionality rule. In contrast, the standard toolkit in industrial organization (IO) estimates a demand system in which cross-elasticities depend on similarity in observable attributes. The gain in realism from the IO approach comes at the expense of requiring richer data and greater computational challenges. This paper uses the data generating process of Berry, Levinsohn and Pakes (1995), BLP, who established the modern IO method, to simulate counterfactual trade policy experiments. We use the CES model as an approximation of the more complex underlying demand system and market structure. Although the CES model omits key elements of the data generating process, the errors are offsetting, allowing it to fit BLP-based predictions closely. For aggregate outcomes, it turns out that incorporating non-unitary pass-through matters more than fixing over-simplified substitution patterns.
Smartphone Data Reveal Neighborhood-Level Racial Disparities in Police Presence
Authors: Chen M. Keith , Christensen Katherine L. , John Elicia , Owens Emily , Zhuo Yilin
Published: October 2023

Research on policing has focused on documented actions such as stops and arrests—less is known about patrols and presence. We map the neighborhood movement of nearly ten thousand officers across 21 of America's largest cities using anonymized smartphone data. Police spend 0.36% more time in neighborhoods for each percentage point increase in Black residents. This neighborhood-level disparity persists after controlling for density, socioeconomic, and crime-driven demand for policing, and may be lower in cities with more Black police supervisors (but not officers). Patterns of police presence statistically explain 57% of the higher arrest rate in more Black neighborhoods.
Between Imagination and Exegesis: The Masorah Figurata Illustrations of the Two Menorot in Vatican ebr. 14
Authors: Liss Hanna
Published: October 2023

This article will deal with two folios from Ms. Vatican ebr. 14, a Pentateuch (with haftarot and megillot) written by Elijah ben Berekhiah ha-Nakdan in 1239. Both folios display a seven-branched candelabrum (menorah). The one on folio 104r is depicted lying on its side, while the one on folio 155v is standing upright. Both lampstands consist of masoretic material in micrographic script. The article will address both the form and content of the masorah figurata illustrations and relate them to Elijah’s overall pedagogical concept of teaching the Bible with a special emphasis on Hebrew language, grammar, and masorah. In addition, it will address the relationship between biblical text and its visualization, and it will ask whether the concept of peshaṭ exegesis was a necessary tool for visualizing biblical objects.
Sewing Mothers: Re-envisioning Jewish-Christian Relations in Sholem Asch’s “On a Carnival Night”
Authors: Abeliovich Ruthie , Moss Yonatan
Published: October 2023

A close examination of early twentieth-century literature written in Hebrew and Yiddish reveals that many of its first representations of Christianity put a central emphasis on Mary. This fact has been overlooked in previous scholarship fixated on the role of Jesus. Our article aims to fill this lacuna by focusing on Mary’s appearance in a short, controversial story published in 1909 by Sholem Asch. Through a close reading of Mary’s encounter with the matriarch Rachel, we define Asch’s ‘maternal model,’ an alternative paradigm for Jewish-Christian relations. We argue that the marginalization of Mary from the scholarly conversation is not a slipup. Rather, it is part of a gendered scheme that prioritized Jesus over his mother and narratives of persecution and victimhood over care and obligation. We show how Asch’s artfully constructed fictional formation offers a political position founded on empathy and interconnectivity.
Power by Proxy
Authors: Frank Nicholas
Published: October 2023

Fifteen countries recently signed the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and formed the world’s largest trade bloc between some of the globe’s largest and fastest-growing economies. Employing a text-as-data analysis, this article systematically compares the text of the RCEP to the previous agreements of its members to determine the sources of language in the RCEP and investigate why particular treaty text is replicated more frequently relative to others. The results indicate that language derived from the multiparty and multicontinental trade agreements of the United States, a state not involved in the RCEP negotiations, accounted for a disproportionate share of the finalized text. These findings highlight the temporal dimension of power asymmetries as well as the importance of treaty design itself in the diffusion of regulatory norms and suggest that specific trade agreements serve as reference points for subsequent agreements.
The Orange Tree and Postcritique in Valeria Luiselli’s Los ingrávidos
Authors: Pearson Iris
Published: October 2023

This essay proposes that Valeria Luiselli’s Los ingrávidos rethinks modes of critical reading in the twenty-first century, arguing that the writer trains her reader in a mode of reading which anticipates Rita Felski’s opposition to critique, relishing acceptance and deference over suspicion and interrogation. By focusing on Luiselli’s intervention into readerly practice in this way, the essay moves beyond stringent national and historicist frameworks which often risk obscuring that novelist’s experimental forms and avant-garde project.
Avant-Garde and Kitsch in María Blanchard’s Neo-Cubism
Authors: De Ros Xon
Published: October 2023

The exceptionality of the women artists who achieved recognition within the circles of the avant-garde in the first decades of the twentieth century involved a number of performative strategies to avoid the risk of being confined to the category of ‘women painters’. The case of María Blanchard, a Spanish painter integrated in the School of Paris, exemplifies the problematics faced by women working in the avant-garde. Her trajectory from synthetic Cubism to neo-Cubist figuration follows the pattern of many of her male contemporaries working under the sociopolitical and market pressures in the post-war period, but the simultaneous assimilation of and ironic distance from the prevailing aesthetic ideologies is a distinctive feature of her style shared by other women artists. As Cubism became mainstream and began to lose its subversive power, Blanchard’s interest in challenging conventional artistic discourses and hierarchies found expression in kitsch aesthetics.
Notes on the Western Palaearctic genus Leptocharis Reitter (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Scydmaeninae)
Authors: JAŁOSZYŃSKI PAWEŁ
Published: October 2023

A morphological study of the Western Palaearctic genus Leptocharis Reitter revealed remarkable differences between L. microphthalmus Meybohm and all remaining congeners. This species is the only Eurasian member of Stenichnini with the mesocoxae not separated by the mesoventral process. A new genus, Turkocharis gen. n., is proposed to accommodate L. microphthalmus. Morphological details of both Leptocharis and Turkocharis are illustrated and discussed, and the Nearctic genus Neladius Casey is indicated as morphologically most similar to the presumably closely related Leptocharis and Turkocharis. As the genus name Leptocharis is of a feminine grammatical gender, specific adjectives previously with masculine endings are corrected to Leptocharis algerica Besuchet, L. cretica (Pic), and Turkocharis microphthalma (Meybohm) comb. n. An updated key for identification of the Eurasian and New Guinean genera of Stenichnini is given.
Optimal Use of Radar Radial Winds in the HARMONIE Numerical Weather Prediction System
Authors: Ridal Martin , Sanchez-Arriola Jana , Dahlbom Mats
Published: October 2023

The use of radial velocity information from the European weather radar network is a challenging task, because of a heterogeneous radar network and the different ways of providing the Doppler velocity information. Preprocessing is therefore needed to harmonize the data. Radar observations consist of a very high resolution dataset, which means that it is both demanding to process as well as that the inherent resolution is much higher than the model resolution. One way of reducing the number of data is to create “super observations” (SO) by averaging observations in a predefined area. This paper describes the preprocessing necessary to use radar radial velocities in the data assimilation where the SO construction is included. Our main focus is to optimize the use of radial velocities in the HARMONIE–AROME numerical weather model. Several experiments were run to find the best settings for first-guess check limits as well as a tuning of the observation error value. The optimal size of the SO and the corresponding thinning distance for radar radial velocities was also studied. It was found that the radial velocity information and the reflectivity from weather radars can be treated differently when it comes to the size of the SO and the thinning. A positive impact was found when adding the velocities together with the reflectivity using the same SO size and thinning distance, but the best results were found when the SO and thinning distance for the radial velocities are smaller than the corresponding values for reflectivity.
Criticality dimension-based probabilistic framework to detect near crashes in a roundabout
Authors: Trullos Juan , Zhang Meng , Junghans Marek , Gimm Kay
Published: October 2023

Background

Preventing fatal traffic accidents towards Vision Zero is a challenge for the society. The collection of critical events from video recorded traffic data is of essential value for a better understanding on how and under what circumstances critical situations evolve. Identified behavioral patterns and derived infrastructural measures cannot only help to make driving safer, but also help to mature automated driving functions (ADFs) to make automated vehicles drive and interact more like humans especially in challenging situations. One flaw when developing ADFs is the dependency on synthetic simulated traffic scenarios.

Method

In this paper, a novel probability-based framework is proposed allowing to measure the degree of criticality C(d) based on two dimensions explaining risk: severity (delta-v) and proximity (distance).

Results

This metric is applied on real data of a roundabout. An initial evaluation of it was conducted using both a novel proposed method that takes the reaction of the second vehicle merged into account, and a practical application that shows a potential correlation between the traffic expert's perceived risk and the metric.

Conclusion

Quantifying risk on each of the collected real traffic scenarios makes testing ADFs possible in further more reliable and significant scenarios like near-crashes.
Summary-data based Mendelian randomization identifies gene expression regulatory polymorphisms associated with bovine paratuberculosis by modulation of the nuclear factor Kappa β (NF-κß)-mediated inflammatory response
Authors: Badia-Bringué Gerard , Canive Maria , Fernandez-Jimenez Nora , Lavín José Luis , Casais Rosa , Blanco-Vázquez Cristina , Vázquez Patricia , Fernández Almudena , Bilbao Jose Ramón , Garrido Joseba M. , Juste Ramón A. , González-Recio Oscar , Alonso-Hearn Marta
Published: October 2023

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified host genetic variants associated with paratuberculosis (PTB) susceptibility. Most of the GWAS-identified SNPs are in non-coding regions. Connecting these non-coding variants and downstream affected genes is a challenge and, up to date, only a few functional mutations or expression quantitative loci (cis-eQTLs) associated with PTB susceptibility have been identified. In the current study, the associations between imputed whole-genome sequence genotypes and whole RNA-Sequencing data from peripheral blood (PB) and ileocecal valve (ICV) samples of Spanish Holstein cows (N = 16) were analyzed with TensorQTL. This approach allowed the identification of 88 and 37 cis-eQTLs regulating the expression levels of 90 and 37 genes in PB and ICV samples, respectively (False discorey rate, FDR ≤ 0.05). Next, we applied summary-based data Mendelian randomization (SMR) to integrate the cis-eQTL dataset with GWAS data obtained from a cohort of 813 culled cattle that were classified according to the presence or absence of PTB-associated histopathological lesions in gut tissues. After multiple testing corrections (FDR ≤ 0.05), we identified two novel cis-eQTLs affecting the expression of the early growth response factor 4 (EGR4) and the bovine neuroblastoma breakpoint family member 6-like protein isoform 2 (MGC134040) that showed pleiotropic associations with the presence of multifocal and diffuse lesions in gut tissues; P = 0.002 and P = 0.017, respectively. While EGR4 acts as a brake on T-cell proliferation and cytokine production through interaction with the nuclear factor Kappa β (NF-κß), MGC134040 is a target gene of NF-κß. Our findings provide a better understanding of the genetic factors influencing PTB outcomes, confirm that the multifocal lesions are localized/confined lesions that have different underlying host genetics than the diffuse lesions, and highlight regulatory SNPs and regulated-gene targets to design future functional studies.
Comparative genomics analysis provides insights into evolution and stress responses of Lhcb genes in Rosaceae fruit crops
Authors: Li Xiaolong , Jiang Zeyu , Zhang Chaofan , Cai Kefan , Wang Hui , Pan Weiyi , Sun Xuepeng , Gao Yongbin , Xu Kai
Published: October 2023

Background

Light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b binding proteins (Lhcb) play crucial roles in plant growth, development, and the response to abiotic stress in higher plants. Previous studies have reported that Lhcb genes were involved in the phytochrome regulation and responded to different light and temperature conditions in Poaceae (such as maize). However, the evolution and functions of Lhcb genes remains poorly characterized in important Rosaceae species.

Results

In this investigation, we conducted a genome-wide analysis and identified a total of 212 Lhcb genes across nine Rosaceae species. Specifically, we found 23 Lhcb genes in Fragaria vesca, 20 in Prunus armeniaca, 33 in Malus domestica ‘Gala’, 21 in Prunus persica, 33 in Rosa chinensis, 29 in Pyrus bretschneideri, 18 in Rubus occidentalis, 20 in Prunus mume, and 15 in Prunus salicina. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Lhcb gene family could be classified into seven major subfamilies, with members of each subfamily sharing similar conserved motifs. And, the functions of each subfamily was predicted based on the previous reports from other species. The Lhcb proteins were highly conserved within their respective subfamilies, suggesting similar functions. Interestingly, we observed similar peaks in Ks values (0.1–0.2) for Lhcb genes in apple and pear, indicating a recent whole genome duplication event (about 30 to 45 million years ago). Additionally, a few Lhcb genes underwent tandem duplication and were located across all chromosomes of nine species of Rosaceae. Furthermore, the analysis of the cis-acting elements in the 2000 bp promoter region upstream of the pear Lhcb gene revealed four main categories: light response correlation, stress response correlation, hormone response correlation, and plant growth. Quantitative expression analysis demonstrated that Lhcb genes exhibited tissue-specific expression patterns and responded differently to low-temperature stress in Rosaceae species.

Conclusions

These findings shed light on the evolution and phylogeny of Lhcb genes in Rosaceae and highlight the critical role of Lhcb in pear’s response to low temperatures. The results obtained provide valuable insights for further investigations into the functions of Lhcb genes in Rosaceae, and these functional genes will be used for further fruit tree breeding and improvement to cope with the current climate changes.
RFC2 promotes aerobic glycolysis and progression of colorectal cancer
Authors: Lou Fuchen , Zhang Mingbao
Published: October 2023

Background

Replication factor C subunit 2 (RFC2) participates in the growth and metastasis of various malignancies. Our study investigated the roles of RFC2 in colorectal cancer (CRC).

Results

RFC2 expression was upregulated in CRC tissues and cells. High RFC2 expression was associated with poor prognosis. Knockdown RFC2 inhibited proliferation, induced apoptosis, and suppressed migration and invasion of CRC cells. CREB5 was a transcription factor of RFC2, and CREB5 knockdown suppressed RFC2 expression. Furthermore, RFC2 promoted aerobic glycolysis and MET/PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

Conclusion

RFC2 promoted the progression of CRC cells via activating aerobic glycolysis and the MET/PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.
Does disaster-related relocation impact mental health via changes in group participation among older adults? Causal mediation analysis of a pre-post disaster study of the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake
Authors: Matsuoka Yoko , Haseda Maho , Kanamori Mariko , Sato Koryu , Amemiya Airi , Ojima Toshiyuki , Takagi Daisuke , Hanazato Masamichi , Kondo Naoki
Published: October 2023

Background

Disaster-related relocation is associated with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, especially in older adults. Disaster-related relocation often deprives survivors of opportunities for social group participation, potentially deteriorating their mental health. On the contrary, the relocation could also be an opportunity for optimizing social relationships, ending/reducing unwanted participation. This study examined the potential mediation effects of changing participation for the link of disaster-related relocation to mental health.

Methods

We analyzed a pre-post disaster dataset of functionally independent older adults from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study. Following the 2013 survey, a follow-up survey was conducted seven months after the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake (n = 828).

Results

The causal mediation analyses indicated that compared to no relocation, the relative risk for experiencing major depressive episodes among those relocating to temporary housing was 3.79 [95% confidence interval: 1.70–6.64] (natural direct effect). By contrast, the relative risk for those renewing (either ceased or started) group participation was 0.60 [95% CI: 0.34–0.94] (natural indirect effect).

Conclusions

Optimization of social ties according to a renewal of group participation status might have protected older adults in temporary housing against depression.
Evaluation of the effectiveness of the human-baited double net traps and BG traps compared with the human landing catches for collecting outdoor Aedes albopictus in China
Authors: Wu Yuyan , Hou Juan , Liu Qinmei , Wang Jinna , Li Tianqi , Luo Mingyu , Gong Zhenyu
Published: October 2023

Dengue fever is one of the biggest threats to public health in China, causing huge disease burden and economic loss. Aedes-mosquito surveillance could be a cornerstone for predicting the risk of Aedes-borne diseases and evaluating the effect of vector management during diseases outbreaks. The human landing catch (HLC) method is regarded as the “gold standard” for catching Aedes mosquitoes, but it potentially exposes field professionals to vectors of known or unknown pathogens. Human-baited double net (HDN) was recommended to replace HLC for emergency monitoring in China when Aedes-borne diseases break out, but it had been reported with low efficiency for capturing Aedes mosquitoes. In this study, we compared HLC with HDN and BG traps for field Aedes albopictus monitoring, with the aim of evaluating the effectiveness of HDN replacing HLC and finding an effective and safe alternative to the HLC for monitoring Aedes albopictus. Six sites in Hangzhou, Shaoxing, and Yiwu, Zhejiang Province, China, were chosen to conduct outdoor HLC, HDN, and BG trap catches from June to October 2021. The tests were performed 3 h apart: 8:30–9:30 AM, 16:30–17:30 PM, and 17:30–18:30 PM. A total of 2330 adult mosquitoes were collected, and Aedes albopictus was the most abundant species in all three catches with 848(98.95%), 559(97.39%) and 867 (96.44%) caught in HLC, HDN and BG traps respectively. Compared to HLC, HDN collected significantly less Ae. albopictus and Ae. albopictus females per trapping period (P < 0.001, P < 0.001), whereas no statistical differences were found between the HLC and BG trap (P = 0.970, P > 0.05). Statistically significant positive spatial correlations for Ae. albopictus sampling was found between HLC and HDN traps (r = 0.543, P < 0.001) and HLC and BG traps (r = 0.658, P < 0.001). In conclusion, both the BG trap and HDN have a significant positive spatial correlation with HLC, making them safer alternatives to HLC for Ae. albopictus monitoring in China. However, with better a sampling efficiency, being less labor intensive, and no human-baited attraction bias, the BG trap could be a better choice than the HDN trap.
A scoping review linking early childhood caries to violence, neglect, internally displaced, migrant and refugee status
Authors: Folayan Morenike Oluwatoyin , Schroth Robert J. , Ayouni Imen , Nguweneza Arthemon , Arheiam Arheiam , Al-Batayneh Ola B. , Virtanen Jorma I. , Gaffar Balgis , Duangthip Duangporn , Sun Ivy Guofang , Mohebbi Simin , Feldens Carlos A. , Tantawi Maha El
Published: October 2023

Background

The aim of the scoping review was to identify and synthesize the available literature concerning the relationship between the status of refugees, migrants, and internally displaced persons (IDPs) and Early Childhood Caries (ECC) as it relates to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG 16).

Methods

Data regarding the links between the status of refugees, migrants, and internally displaced persons (IDPs) and Early Childhood Caries (ECC), and the associations between ECC and maternal and child exposure to physical and sexual abuse, insecurity, crime, exploitation, torture, and displacement were extracted. The search was carried out in January 2023 across three databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus). Only publications in English with accessible full texts were included. Descriptive statistics were utilized to summarize the categories of the retrieved papers, and graphical representation was employed for visualization purposes. The relationships between the publications and each of the 10 targets of Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG 16) were also assessed.

Results

Forty-five studies were reviewed. Most studies (42.2%) originated from the Americas Regions, while no studies were identified from the Africa Region. A significant portion (46.7%) of the papers focused on abuse, violence, and neglect as risk factors for ECC. Migrants, refugees, and IDPs were the most investigated populations (44.4%). Only one study specifically focused on IDPs and migrants respectively. The prevalence of untreated caries was higher among migrants, refugees, and IDPs compared to the host community, ECC was more prevalent among children who experienced abuse, neglect, or were in protective care. The was no clear direction on the associations between ECC and intimate partner violence, adverse childhood experiences, and wars. In terms of the SDGs, the reviewed publications addressed four targets (SDG16.1, SDG16.2, SDG16.3, and SDG16.5) out of the ten targets outlined in SDG 16.

Conclusion

There is available evidence regarding the connections between ECC and war, refugees, migration, violence, and neglect, as outlined in SDG 16. Future studies are needed to investigate how forced movements directly affects ECC status, how disruptions of peace and stability is a risk factor for ECC, and the associations between ECC and other indicators related to SDG 16 targets.
The effect of secondhand smoke exposure on dental caries and gingival health among schoolchildren in Damascus, Syria: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Misrabi Ghalia , Karkoutly Mawia , Bshara Nada
Published: October 2023

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of secondhand smoke on dental caries and gingival health among schoolchildren in Damascus, Syria.

Materials and methods

This was a cross-sectional study. It was carried out at government schools in Damascus, Syria. This study included healthy children aged 10 to 13 years old. Schoolchildren were interviewed to answer the researcher-administered questionnaire to obtain answers regarding demographic information and family smoking behavior. A dental examination was performed by a dentist, and the number of decayed (D), missing (M), and filled (F) permanent teeth (DMFT) was scored based on the World Health Organization (WHO) 1997. A gingival examination was performed using the modified gingival index (MGI) and Silness-Leo plaque index (PI) to assess gingival inflammation and plaque accumulation, respectively.

Results

A total of 284 schoolchildren participated. More than half (61.26%) of them were exposed to secondhand smoke (SHS), and about half of them (52.11%) resided in a house with at least one cigarette smoked in a day. About one-third of the passive smokers (33.30%) had poor plaque control, with a statistically significant difference from non-passive smokers (p < 0.05). The multivariate regression model showed that the number of smokers at home was significantly associated with the DMFT score, dental plaque accumulation, and gingival inflammation (p < 0.1). However, the number of cigarettes smoked at home in a day was not a predictor for dental caries and gingival status (p = 1.000).

Conclusions

Within the limitations of this study, the number of smokers at home appears to have more adverse effects on children’s oral health compared to the quantity of smoke inhaled. In addition, SHSe was associated with more dental plaque accumulation among schoolchildren.
Design and evaluation of blended teaching in the smart classroom combined with virtual simulation training in basic nursing courses
Authors: Meng Ya , Song Jian , Yu Xiaojing , Xu Xiaoxia , Zhang Hao
Published: October 2023

Objective

This study explored the application effect of smart classrooms combined with virtual simulation training in basic nursing courses for nursing undergraduates.

Methods

In this quasi-experimental study, a total of 135 undergraduate nursing students in the 2021 matriculating cohort were selected as the research subjects. The experimental group of Class 1 had 71 students, and a blended teaching design utilizing a smart classroom and virtual simulation training was adopted. The control group of Class 2 had 64 students, and traditional lecture-based teaching design was adopted. After the course, the independent learning ability scale, test scores and teaching effectiveness questionnaire were used to evaluate the teaching effect. All tests had a maximum score of 100.

Results

Nursing undergraduates in the experimental group had scores of 86.32 ± 8.25 for virtual simulation training and 84.82 ± 9.04 for peer-assisted learning. The scores of the theoretical examination, experimental examination, and subjective questions in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The approval rate of nursing undergraduates in the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group for four items (Ps < 0.05). Among the 71 students, most students (91.55%) claimed that the use of instructional designs increased the fun of the classroom. In addition to the dimension of information literacy, the total score of independent learning ability and the other three dimensions of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The teaching design combining smart classrooms and virtual simulation training can be applied to realize online blended teaching and classroom informatization, improving the academic performance and independent learning ability of nursing undergraduates, and thus achieving good teaching effects.