bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection and phylogenetic analysis of kinetoplast DNA of Leishmania infantum infected humans, domestic dogs and sandflies in Northwest Iran
Authors: Behniafar Hamed , Taghipour Niloofar , Spotin Adel , Zare Zabih , Tabaei Seyyed Javad Seyyed , Kazemirad Elham , Moin Vaziri Vahideh , Mohebali Mehdi
Published: March 2024

Leishmaniasis refers to a disease with a wide range of manifestations; and there are three main forms of disease, cutaneous, mucocutaneous, and visceral. Leishmaniasis is one of the diseases with a protozoan agent which is vector-borne. Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is the most severe form that can be fiercely life-threatening if left untreated. VL can be caused by members of Leishmania donovani complex, in Iran, Leishmania infantum is considered the primary causative agent of VL, resulting in a zoonotic form of VL. The two main goals of our work, which followed our prior sero-epidemiological and entomological survey, were to characterize and conduct a phylogenetic analysis of the Leishmania species that infect people, dogs, and sandflies. The samples were collected throughout 2017, from January to December, so blood samples were collected from humans and dogs, while sandfly samples were collected with sticky traps. DNA extracted from all seropositive samples of humans and dogs, 10% of sero-negative human samples, and all collected sandflies were subjected to kDNA-nested-PCR for tracing parasites. A total of 30 samples, including 20 human samples, 8 dog samples, and 2 sandfly samples, were found positive for the kDNA gene of L. infantum. Sequences were evaluated to study the genetic diversity among the six discovered L. infantum. Based on kDNA, the phylogenetic study of L. infantum demonstrated a high level of genetic variety and a relationship between the host, the parasite’s geographic origin, and its genetic diversity.
Research on the relationship between CEO career variety, digital knowledge base extension, and digital transformation in the context of digital merger and acquisition: The case of China’s new generation of information technology firms
Authors: Li Hongyang , Yang Xu , Meng Mingming
Published: March 2024

This study examines the relationship between CEO career variety, digital knowledge base extension, and digital transformation in a digital M&A context. An empirical test was conducted using regression analysis with the digital M&A events of the new generation of information technology firms in China as the research sample. The results reveal that CEO career variety has a positive effect on digital transformation in the digital M&A context and that digital knowledge-base extension plays a mediating role. Moreover, the heterogeneity impact analysis indicated that the moderating effects of geographical distance, knowledge disparity, and cultural difference between target and acquirer firms on the above relationships vary greatly: geographical distance has a negative moderating effect, cultural difference has a positive moderating effect, and the moderating effects of both geographical distance and cultural difference are realized through mediating effects, but none of the moderating effects of knowledge disparity are significant.
Mathematical expansion and clinical application of chronic kidney disease stage as vector field
Authors: Kanda Eiichiro , Epureanu Bogdan I. , Adachi Taiji , Sasaki Tamaki , Kashihara Naoki
Published: March 2024

There are cases in which CKD progression is difficult to evaluate, because the changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and proteinuria sometimes show opposite directions as CKD progresses. Indices and models that enable the easy and accurate risk prediction of end-stage-kidney disease (ESKD) are indispensable to CKD therapy. In this study, we investigated whether a CKD stage coordinate transformed into a vector field (CKD potential model) accurately predicts ESKD risk. Meta-analysis of large-scale cohort studies of CKD patients in PubMed was conducted to develop the model. The distance from CKD stage G2 A1 to a patient’s data on eGFR and proteinuria was defined as r. We developed the CKD potential model on the basis of the data from the meta-analysis of three previous cohort studies: ESKD risk = exp(r). Then, the model was validated using data from a cohort study of CKD patients in Japan followed up for three years (n = 1,564). Moreover, the directional derivative of the model was developed as an index of CKD progression velocity. For ESKD prediction in three years, areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) were adjusted for baseline characteristics. Cox proportional hazards models with spline terms showed the exponential association between r and ESKD risk (p<0.0001). The CKD potential model more accurately predicted ESKD with an adjusted AUC of 0.81 (95% CI 0.76, 0.87) than eGFR (p<0.0001). Moreover, the directional derivative of the model showed a larger adjusted AUC for the prediction of ESKD than the percent eGFR change and eGFR slope (p<0.0001). Then, a chart of the transformed CKD stage was developed for implementation in clinical settings. This study indicated that the transformed CKD stage as a vector field enables the easy and accurate estimation of ESKD risk and CKD progression and suggested that vector analysis is a useful tool for clinical studies of CKD and its related diseases.
The burden of premature adult mortality associated with lack of access to electricity in India
Authors: Hejjaji Vittal , Barbhaya Dweep , Rahimian Amirarsalan , Yamparala Aishwarya , Yakkali Shreyas , Khetan Aditya K.
Published: March 2024

Background

The impact of electricity access on all-cause premature mortality is unknown.

Methods

We use a national dataset from India to compare districts with high access to electricity (>90% of households) to districts with middle (50–90%) and low (<50%) access to electricity and estimate the effect of lack of electricity access on all-cause premature mortality.

Results

In 2014, out of 597 districts in India, 174 districts had high access, 228 had middle access, and 195 had low access to electricity. When compared to districts with high access, districts with low access had higher rates of age-standardized premature mortality in both women (2.09, 95% CI: 1.43–2.74) and men (0.99, 0.10–1.87). Similarly, these districts had higher rates of conditional probability of premature death in both women (9.16, 6.19–12.13) and men (4.04, 0.77–7.30). Middle access districts had higher rates of age-standardized premature mortality and premature death in women, but not men. The total excess deaths attributable to reduced electricity access were 444,225 (45,195 in middle access districts and 399,030 in low access districts). In low access districts, the proportion of premature adult deaths attributable to low electricity access was 21.3% (14.4%– 28.1%) in women and 7.9% (1.5%– 14.3%) in men.

Conclusion

Poor access to electricity is associated with nearly half a million premature adult deaths. One out of five premature deaths in adult women were linked to low electricity access making it a major social determinant of health.
Deep learning algorithm for the automated detection and classification of nasal cavity mass in nasal endoscopic images
Authors: Kwon Kyung Won , Park Seong Hyeon , Lee Dong Hoon , Kim Dong-Young , Park Il-Ho , Cho Hyun-Jin , Kim Jong Seung , Kim Joo Yeon , Hong Sang Duk , Kim Shin Ae , Yoo Shin Hyuk , Park Soo Kyoung , Heo Sung Jae , Kim Sung Hee , Won Tae-Bin , Choi Woo Ri , Kim Yong Min , Kim Yong Wan , Kim Jong-Yeup , Kwon Jae Hwan , Yu Myeong Sang
Published: March 2024

Nasal endoscopy is routinely performed to distinguish the pathological types of masses. There is a lack of studies on deep learning algorithms for discriminating a wide range of endoscopic nasal cavity mass lesions. Therefore, we aimed to develop an endoscopic-examination-based deep learning model to detect and classify nasal cavity mass lesions, including nasal polyps (NPs), benign tumors, and malignant tumors. The clinical feasibility of the model was evaluated by comparing the results to those of manual assessment. Biopsy-confirmed nasal endoscopic images were obtained from 17 hospitals in South Korea. Here, 400 images were used for the test set. The training and validation datasets consisted of 149,043 normal nasal cavity, 311,043 NP, 9,271 benign tumor, and 5,323 malignant tumor lesion images. The proposed Xception architecture achieved an overall accuracy of 0.792 with the following class accuracies on the test set: normal = 0.978 ± 0.016, NP = 0.790 ± 0.016, benign = 0.708 ± 0.100, and malignant = 0.698 ± 0.116. With an average area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.947, the AUC values and F1 score were highest in the order of normal, NP, malignant tumor, and benign tumor classes. The classification performances of the proposed model were comparable with those of manual assessment in the normal and NP classes. The proposed model outperformed manual assessment in the benign and malignant tumor classes (sensitivities of 0.708 ± 0.100 vs. 0.549 ± 0.172, 0.698 ± 0.116 vs. 0.518 ± 0.153, respectively). In urgent (malignant) versus nonurgent binary predictions, the deep learning model achieved superior diagnostic accuracy. The developed model based on endoscopic images achieved satisfactory performance in classifying four classes of nasal cavity mass lesions, namely normal, NP, benign tumor, and malignant tumor. The developed model can therefore be used to screen nasal cavity lesions accurately and rapidly.
Point Pattern Analysis (PPA) as a tool for reproducible archaeological site distribution analyses and location processes in early iron age south-west Germany
Authors: Bilotti Giacomo , Kempf Michael , Oksanen Eljas , Scholtus Lizzie , Nakoinz Oliver
Published: March 2024

Point Pattern Analysis (PPA) has gained momentum in archaeological research, particularly in site distribution pattern recognition compared to supra-regional environmental variables. While PPA is now a statistically well-established method, most of the data necessary for the analyses are not freely accessible, complicating reproducibility and transparency. In this article, we present a fully reproducible methodical framework to PPA using an open access database of archaeological sites located in south-west Germany and open source explanatory covariates to understand site location processes and patterning. The workflow and research question are tailored to a regional case study, but the code underlying the analysis is provided as an R Markdown file and can be adjusted and manipulated to fit any archaeological database across the globe. The Early Iron Age north of the Alps and particularly in south-west Germany is marked by numerous social and cultural changes that reflect the use and inhabitation of the landscape. In this work we show that the use of quantitative methods in the study of site distribution processes is essential for a more complete understanding of archaeological and environmental dynamics. Furthermore, the use of a completely transparent and easily adaptable approach can fuel the understanding of large-scale site location preferences and catchment compositions in archaeological, geographical and ecological research.
Cytokinin oxidase gene CKX5 is modulated in the immunity of Arabidopsis to Botrytis cinerea
Authors: Wang Ruolin , Li Beibei , Zhang Jiang , Chang Ling
Published: March 2024

In our previous work, cytokinin (CK) signaling and biosynthesis were found to be modulated during Arabidopsis defense against infection by the necrotrophic pathogen Botrytis cinerea. Notably, the expression level of CYTOKININ OXIDASE/DEHYDROGENASE 5 (CKX5) was significantly induced in B. cinerea-infected leaves and later in distant B. cinerea-untreated leaves of the same plant. To confirm and determine how CKX5 is involved in the response to B. cinerea infection, transcript levels of CKX family genes were analyzed in B. cinerea-inoculated leaves, and only CKX5 was remarkably induced by B. cinerea infection. Furthermore, CKX5-overexpressing Arabidopsis plants were more resistant to B. cinerea than wild-type plants. Transcription factors (TFs) binding to the CKX5 promoter were then screened by yeast one-hybrid assays. Quantitative Real-Time Reverse Transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis further showed that genes encoding TFs, including WRKY40, WRKY33, ERF6, AHL15, AHL17, ANAC003, TCP13 and ANAC019, were also strongly induced in infected leaves, similar to CKX5. Analysis of ERF6-overexpressing plants and ERF6-and AHL15-knockout mutants indicated that ERF6 and AHL15 are involved in plant immunity to B. cinerea. Furthermore, CKX5 upregulation by B. cinerea infection was affected when ERF6 or AHL15 levels were altered. Our work suggests that CKX5 levels are controlled by the plant defense system to defend against attack by the pathogen B. cinerea.
Talent identification in soccer: The influence of technical, physical and maturity-related characteristics on a national selection process
Authors: King Michael , Brown Matthew , Cox John , McLellan Ross , Towlson Christopher , Barrett Steve
Published: March 2024

The present study examines the influence of technical, physical, and relative age characteristics on players selection success within the Scottish Performance School trials. Ninety adolescent players (81 males, 9 females; mean ± standard deviation: age = 11.3 ± 0.4 years, height = 149.6 ± 6.9 cm, mass 38.1 ± 4.7 kg) performed a battery of physical fitness (20m Sprint, CMJ, 5-0-5 agility test), anthropometric, and 8 small-sided games (SSG; 9v9) as part of a talent identification (TID) programme. Players technical (ball touches, time on the ball, high-speed releases) and locomotor activities (high-speed running distance, sprint distance, accelerations, and decelerations) were monitored using foot-mounted inertial measurements units during SSG’s. The data was analysed using independent sample T-tests. Mann-Whitney U analyses were conducted to examine the differences between groups whose data was determined as being (non)parametric, with Cohen effect sizes applied. Successful players performed significantly better during physical tests (Effect size ± confidence limits: Left 5-0-5 = -0.89±0.13, Right 5-0-5 = -0.51±0.11), had significantly higher locomotor activities during SSG (high-intensity distance = 0.4±26.6, horizontal accelerations = 0.59±1.19) and significantly higher technical outputs during SSG (touches = 0.71±6.1, releases = 0.49±2.5, high-speed releases = 0.59±2.7, time on the ball = 0.52±3.4) compared to unsuccessful players. Successful players had significantly higher locomotor activities and technical outputs during SSG than their unsuccessful counterparts. Monitoring technical and locomotor activities during SSG may compliment or replace physical testing batteries for assessing TID processes in soccer.
Cool head-out water immersion does not alter cerebrovascular reactivity to hypercapnia despite elevated middle cerebral artery blood velocity: A pilot study
Authors: Worley Morgan L. , Reed Emma L. , Klaes Nathan , Schlader Zachary J. , Johnson Blair D.
Published: March 2024

Episodic increases in cerebral blood flow (CBF) are thought to contribute to improved cerebrovascular function and health. Head-out water immersion (HOWI) may be a useful modality to increase CBF secondary to the hydrostatic pressure placed on the body. However, it is unclear whether water temperatures common to the general public elicit similar cerebrovascular responses. We tested the hypothesis that mean middle cerebral artery blood velocity (MCAvmean) and cerebrovascular reactivity to CO2 (CVRCO2) would be higher during an acute bout of thermoneutral (TN; 35°C) vs. cool (COOL; 25°C) HOWI. Ten healthy participants (age: 23±3 y; 4 women) completed two randomized HOWI visits. Right MCAvmean, end-tidal CO2 (PETCO2) mean arterial pressure (MAP), and MCA conductance (MCAvmean/MAP) were continuously recorded. CVRCO2 was assessed using a stepped hypercapnia protocol before (PRE), at 30 minutes of HOWI (HOWI), immediately after HOWI (POST-1), and 45 minutes after HOWI (POST-2). Absolute values are reported as mean ± SD. MCAvmean, PETCO2, MAP, and CVRCO2 were not different between conditions at any timepoint (all P≥0.17). In COOL, MCAvmean increased from PRE (61±9 cm/s) during HOWI (68±11 cm/s), at POST-1 (69±11 cm/s), and POST-2 (72±8 cm/s) (all P<0.01), and in TN from PRE to POST-1 (66±13 vs. 71±14 cm/s; P = 0.05). PETCO2 did not change over time in either condition. In COOL, MAP increased from PRE (85±5 mmHg) during HOWI (101±4 mmHg), at POST-1 (97±7 mmHg), and POST-2 (96±9 mmHg), and in TN from PRE (88±5 mmHg) at HOWI (98±7 mmHg) and POST-1 (99±8 mmHg) (all P<0.01). In COOL, CVRCO2 increased from PRE to HOWI (1.66±0.55 vs. 1.92±0.52 cm/s/mmHg; P = 0.04). MCA conductance was not different between or within conditions. These data indicate that 30 minutes of cool HOWI augments MCAvmean and that the increase in MCAvmean persists beyond cool HOWI. However, cool HOWI does not alter CVRCO2 in healthy young adults.
Redescription of three fossil baleen whale skulls from the Miocene of Portugal reveals new cetotheriid phylogenetic insights
Authors: Figueiredo Rodrigo , Bosselaers Mark , Póvoas Liliana , Castanhinha Rui
Published: March 2024

Cetotheriidae is a family of baleen whales that went nearly extinct during the Pleistocene (excluding Caperea marginata). For a long time, the Cetotheriidae family has been seen as a problematic clade, but in the past two decades there have been various studies trying to resolve the phylogeny of this group. In 1831, Alexandre Vandelli described three cetotheriid skulls, found during a gold exploration at Adiça beach (Portugal). These specimens constituted the first Portuguese vertebrate fossils ever published in the literature. Another skull was added to the “Vandelli skulls” by Jacinto Pedro Gomes, in 1914, during a survey of the Museu Nacional de História Natural collections without giving information on the origin of this skull. In 1941, Remington Kellogg states that one of the original “Vandelli skulls” is no longer present in the Museu Nacional de História Natural collections. Until today, there is no information on how, or exactly when, the fourth skull and one of the original three “Vandelli skulls” appeared and disappeared, respectively. Since their discovery, all the attempts to describe these specimens were not based on direct observations and no comprehensive phylogenetic analysis have included the three skulls. Here we provide a detailed anatomic description, a new phylogenetic analysis and a palaeoecological reconstruction of these specimens, clarifying their relationships within the Cetotheriidae family and fostering the importance of these historical specimens to the modern comprehension of fossil whale evolution. In addition, our results support that Cephalotropis nectus is a valid species with an emended diagnosis. We also concluded that two specimens belong to a new genus, forming two new fossil species (new combinations).
Social isolation and depression as risk factors for weight loss of 5kg or more among older Korean adults
Authors: Bae Youngjoon , Pachucki Mark C.
Published: March 2024

Given a well-known overlapping prevalence of social isolation with loneliness and depression among older adults, this study aimed to contextually investigate the relationship of these constructs with weight loss of more than 5kg in a year, with a special focus on the intersection of living alone and marital dissolution as key dimensions of isolation. The data were obtained from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA) from 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2018, with an adult sample of those aged 65 and older (n = 5,481). The study evaluated several critical dimensions of social isolation: living alone, transition to living alone, infrequent social contact with children or friends, and infrequent social participation. These dimensions were examined individually and as a composite scale, along with loneliness and depressive symptoms, to determine their association with weight loss of 5kg or greater among older men and women. Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) regression models enabled investigation of whether socially isolated men and women tended to lose 5kg or more in weight, given other confounding factors. Surprisingly, the results showed no evidence of such a trend. However, significant associations were found between weight loss and changes in living alone and marital status. For older men, transitioning to living alone without a change in marital status was linked to significant weight loss. For older women, transitioning to living alone following widowhood or divorce was the risk factor. These relationships remained significant even after adjusting for depression and a wide range of covariates. Additional analysis testing a cumulative effect revealed that only depression was a risk factor for being underweight at the last observation. Therefore, to prevent a clinically risky extent of weight loss, health policies for older Koreans should focus on those who transition to living alone, especially due to spousal bereavement or divorce (among women) and separation from living with children (among men).
Impact of obesity on outcomes of rotator cuff repair: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ma Xiaojun , Shen Jia , Wan Jun
Published: March 2024

Background

To synthesize the existing evidence on the association between obesity and rotator cuff repair outcomes such as pain, shoulder function, range of motion, and complications.

Methods

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus databases for relevant observational studies (cohort and case-control) and randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The target population in the included studies comprised adults who had undergone rotator cuff repair procedures. The outcomes of interest were functional outcomes (such as range of motion), pain scores, patient-reported outcome measures, and complication rates (such as re-repair and readmission rates). We applied random-effects models and calculated pooled effect sizes reported as standardized mean differences (SMDs) or relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals.

Results

We analysed data from 11 studies. In most, the follow-up periods ranged from 12 to 60 months. Obese individuals experienced greater pain (SMD 0.30; 95% CI, 0.10, 0.50) and lower shoulder function (SMD -0.33; 95% CI, -0.54, -0.12) than other individuals in the long-term post-operative follow-up. Obese individuals also had higher risks of complications (RR 1.48; 95% CI, 1.11, 1.98) and readmission (RR 1.35; 95% CI, 1.27, 1.43), but a similar likelihood of re-repair (RR, 1.27; 95% CI, 0.82, 1.95) than non-obese/normal BMI individuals. While the forward flexion and external rotation functions were comparable, obese individuals displayed less internal rotation function than other individuals (SMD -0.59; 95% CI, -0.87, -0.30).

Conclusion

Obesity was associated with unfavourable outcomes after rotator cuff surgery, including increased pain, reduced shoulder function, high risks of complications, and readmission. These findings emphasize the importance of addressing obesity-related factors to improve post-operative outcomes.
The trajectories of CD4 T lymphocytes over time in patients who have defaulted on treatment for tuberculosis in a cohort of people living with HIV, Recife/PE
Authors: Cunha Rossana , Filho Demócrito de B. M. , M. Albuquerque Maria de Fátima P. , Lacerda Heloísa R. , Diniz George T. N. , Montarroyos Ulisses R. , Rodrigues Laura C. , Vilela Moura Líbia Cristina R. , Ximenes Ricardo A. A.
Published: March 2024

Background

The CD4 T lymphocyte count in people living with HIV (PLHIV) is a predictor for the progression of the disease (AIDS), survival and response to antiretroviral treatment (ART). A CD4 T lymphocyte count of less than 200 cells/mm3 is indicative of a greater risk for the onset of opportunistic diseases and death. Defaulting on treatment for tuberculosis (TB) may impact immune recovery in PLHIV who are taking ART. The aim of this study was to investigate an association of the CD4 lymphocyte with TB treatment Trajectory and with death.

Methods

A cohort of PLHIV over eighteen years of age and who were taking ART and who had defaulted on pulmonary TB treatment. Latent Class analysis was used to identify different trajectories of CD4 T lymphocyte counts over time.

Results

Latent class 1 (High CD4 trajectory) grouped individuals together who were characterized as maintaining a low probability (0 to 29%) of a CD4 count ≤ 200 cells/mm3over time, while latent class 2 (Low CD4 trajectory) grouped individuals together with a high probability (93% to 60%), and latent class 3 (Fluctuating CD4 trajectory), grouped individuals with a fluctuating probability (66% to 0%). The chance of defaulting on treatment earlier (≤ 90 days) was four times higher in latent class 2 (Low CD4 trajectory). Although there was no statistical significance, there was a higher frequency of deaths in this same latent class.

Conclusion

Individuals with a high probability of a CD4 count ≤ 200 cells/ mm3 should be monitored in order to avoid treatment default and thereby prevent death. New studies should be conducted with a larger sample size and a longer follow-up time in PLHIV who initiated ART treatment early so as to support clinical decisions for a better understanding of immune behavior.
Computationally reproducing results from meta-analyses in ecology and evolutionary biology using shared code and data
Authors: Kambouris Steven , Wilkinson David P. , Smith Eden T. , Fidler Fiona
Published: March 2024

Many journals in ecology and evolutionary biology encourage or require authors to make their data and code available alongside articles. In this study we investigated how often this data and code could be used together, when both were available, to computationally reproduce results published in articles. We surveyed the data and code sharing practices of 177 meta-analyses published in ecology and evolutionary biology journals published between 2015–17: 60% of articles shared data only, 1% shared code only, and 15% shared both data and code. In each of the articles which had shared both (n = 26), we selected a target result and attempted to reproduce it. Using the shared data and code files, we successfully reproduced the targeted results in 27–73% of the 26 articles, depending on the stringency of the criteria applied for a successful reproduction. The results from this sample of meta-analyses in the 2015–17 literature can provide a benchmark for future meta-research studies gauging the computational reproducibility of published research in ecology and evolutionary biology.
Loxapine inhibits replication of hepatitis A virus in vitro and in vivo by targeting viral protein 2C
Authors: Matsuda Mami , Hirai-Yuki Asuka , Kotani Osamu , Kataoka Michiyo , Zheng Xin , Yamane Daisuke , Yokoyama Masaru , Ishii Koji , Muramatsu Masamichi , Suzuki Ryosuke
Published: March 2024

No antiviral drugs currently are available for treatment of infection by hepatitis A virus (HAV), a causative agent of acute hepatitis, a potentially life-threatening disease. Chemical screening of a small-compound library using nanoluciferase-expressing HAV identified loxapine succinate, a selective dopamine receptor D2 antagonist, as a potent inhibitor of HAV propagation in vitro. Loxapine succinate did not inhibit viral entry nor internal ribosome entry site (IRES)-dependent translation, but exhibited strong inhibition of viral RNA replication. Blind passage of HAV in the presence of loxapine succinate resulted in the accumulation of viruses containing mutations in the 2C-encoding region, which contributed to resistance to loxapine succinate. Analysis of molecular dynamics simulations of the interaction between 2C and loxapine suggested that loxapine binds to the N-terminal region of 2C, and that resistant mutations impede these interactions. We further demonstrated that administration of loxapine succinate to HAV-infected Ifnar1-/- mice (which lack the type I interferon receptor) results in decreases in the levels of fecal HAV RNA and of intrahepatic HAV RNA at an early stage of infection. These findings suggest that HAV protein 2C is a potential target for antivirals, and provide novel insights into the development of drugs for the treatment of hepatitis A.
Forest stand delineation using airborne LiDAR and hyperspectral data
Authors:   Institute of Forest Resource Information Techniques, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China, Xiong Hao ,   Key Laboratory of Forestry Remote Sensing and Information System, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing100091, China,   School of Geospatial Engineering and Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, China, Pang Yong , Jia Wen , Bai Yu
Published: March 2024

Forest stands, crucial for inventory, planning, and management, traditionally rely on time-consuming visual analysis by forest managers. To enhance efficiency, there is a growing need for automated methods that take into account essential forest attributes. In response, we propose a novel approach utilizing airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and hyperspectral data for automated forest stand delineation. Our approach initiates with over-segmentation of the Canopy Height Model (CHM), followed by attribute calculation for each segment using both CHM and hyperspectral data. Two rules are applied to merge homogeneous segments and eliminate others based on calculated attributes. The effectiveness of our method was validated using three types of reference forest stands with two indices: the explained variance (R2) and Intersection over Union (IoU). Results from our study demonstrated notable accuracy, with a R2 of 97.35% and 97.86% for mean tree height and mean diameter at breast height (DBH), respectively. The R2 for mean canopy height is 81.80%, outperforming manual delineation by 7.31% and multi-scale segmentation results by 2.13%. Furthermore, our approach achieved high IoU values, which indicates a strong spatial agreement with manually delineated forest stands and leading to fewer manual adjustments when applied directly to forest management. In conclusion, our forest stand delineation method enhances both internal consistency and spatial accuracy. This method contributes to improving practical performance and forest management efficiency.
Accuracy of behavioral responses in early detection of autism spectrum disorders in children aged 18 months to 4 years with speech delay
Authors: Danu Nugroho , Handryastuti Setyo , Mangunatmadja Irawan , Pusponegoro Hardiono D.
Published: March 2024

Background Early detection of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in children with speech delay is important to improve outcomes. Behavioral responses to calling, teasing, poking, and blocking can be used to screen for ASD in daily practice.

Objective To evaluate the accuracy of behavioral responses to stimuli in detecting ASD in children aged 18 months to 4 years with speech delay.

Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in children with speech delay aged 18 months to 4 years who visited the Outpatient Clinic of Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta. Subjects were stimulated while playing by poking, teasing, calling, and blocking (stopping the child’s play using the examiner’s hand) and were assessed for their responses. Lack of seeking eye contact with the examiner following the stimulus was considered as a response suggestive of ASD. Independent diagnosis based on DSM-V criteria was considered the gold standard to diagnose ASD or non-ASD.

Results A total of 109 children were included in this study, with an average age of 32 (SD 7.4) months. There were 52 subjects (47.7%) with ASD and 57 subjects (52.2%) with non-ASD. Behavioral response analysis revealed that calling, blocking and teasing had high sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) for identifying ASD. The poking response had the highest specificity to rule out ASD compared to other stimuli, with 75% sensitivity (95%CI 63.2% to 86.7%), 93% specificity (95%CI 86.3% to 99.6%), 90% PPV (95%CI 82% to 99.3%), and 80% NPV (95%CI 70.7% to 89.9%). When all behavioral responses were combined, with lack of a response to all four stimuli considered suggestive of ASD, we obtained 100% specificity, 42% sensitivity, 100% PPV and 65% NPV.

Conclusion The combination of behavioral responses had high specificity, sensitivity, PPV, and NPV for early detection of ASD in children with speech delay.
Clinical spectrum and outcomes of the 2019-2020 pediatric diphtheria outbreak in Yemen
Authors: Bawazir Omar Abdul-Rahman Bawazir , Binkroom Noor Abdulaziz , Binghouth Abdulla Salem
Published: March 2024

Background Diphtheria is an acute bacterial infectious disease characterized by serious morbidity and mortality. Outbreaks continue to occur in developing countries despite national vaccination programs. Vaccination, early recognition the disease, and adequate intervention are needed to avoid devastating outcomes.

Objective To describe the clinical spectrum of childhood diphtheria and its association to outcomes during the 2019-2020 diphtheria outberak in Yemen.

Methods This was a retrospective study to assess the demographic, clinical features, and outcomes of paediatric respiratory diphtheria in patients with diphtheria during the outbreak from September 2019 until May 2020 admitted at Mukalla Maternity and Children Hospital. We used SPSS 22 version for data analysis.

Results There were 34 culture-confirmed diphtheria cases included in this study, their age ranged from 13 months to 15 years old. Most of the cases (76.5%) happened to children at more than 5 years old. There was no gender difference. Of these 34-positive diphtheria, 79.4% from Hadramout and 17.6% from Shabwa governorate. Most of the cases (35.3%) were admitted in December. More than half of the patients (52.9%) were unimmunized. Fever, sore throat, and enlarged tonsils were presented in all patients, dysphagia (82.4 %), pseudomembrane (91.7%), bull neck (52.9%), and stridor (8.8%) were also found in some patients. Complications included acute renal failure (20.6%), disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), shock (17.6%), and myocarditis (8.8%). Significant poor outcome (P< 0.05) was associated with bull neck, myocarditis, acute renal failure, DIC, and shock. The case fatality rate (CFR) was 20.6%.

Conclusion Fever, sore throat, tonsillitis, pseudomembrane, and bull neck are high index suspicion of diphtheria and anticipation of ominous outcome. The shifting of occurrence of diphtheria to older age group indicates the need for booster(s) diphtheria toxoid vaccine in addition to improving and strengthening the current immunization program.
Effects of non-pharmacological methods on post-operative procedural pain management in neonates admitted in the neonatal intensive care unit: A systematic review
Authors: Sharma Abhishek , Sharma Nidhi , Chahal Aksh
Published: March 2024

Background In the post-operative period during the NICU stay, neonates must undergo various painful procedures. Non-pharmacological methods may be beneficial in managing the harmful effects of procedural pain on the development of neonates in their early life.

Objectives To investigate the effect of non-pharmacological methods on post-operative procedural pain in neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care units.

Methods A search in electronic databases was done to identify randomized clinical trials published from 2010 to 2020 that encompassed neonates undergoing painful procedures in the NICU and followed PRISMA guidelines. Studies with non-human subjects, neonates with unstable vital signs, non-clinical studies, and incomplete methodology were excluded. PubMed, Cochrane, and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) were evaluated respectively using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and Health Sciences Descriptors (DeCS).

Results Two reviewers examined articles independently and found 11 articles that met the study's inclusion criteria, with a total of 955 neonates with non-pharmacological methods of pain management in neonates. Non-pharmacological methods, such as massage therapy, oral sucrose, kangaroo mother care, and facilitated tucking showed significant reduction in pain scores among neonates who underwent painful procedures in NICU. Outcomes showed variability in effectiveness, emphasizing the need for tailored approaches.

Conclusions The findings indicated that non-pharmacological methods can effectively manage pain in neonates admitted to the NICU. Pain management improves the clinical condition of neonates and promotes parents-neonate bonding, with consequent reduction in length of stay in the hospital.
Complete atrioventricular block in an adolescent with acute rheumatic fever: a case report
Authors: Sunbanu Samlek Elisawyn
Published: March 2024

Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is an autoimmune, multiorgan inflammatory disease that occurs in genetically susceptible individuals after group A-hemolytic streptococcal infection. Carditis and polyarthritis are the most common symptoms of ARF. Repeated streptococcal infections can cause recurrent valvulitis and valvular heart disease.

Prolonged atrioventricular conduction (first-degree heart block) is a well-known symptom of ARF, occurring in one-fifth to three-fifths of patients. This condition is a minor criterion for diagnosing ARF based on Jones's criteria. Advanced conduction delay, such as a second-degree or a complete atrioventricular (AV) block, is a rare condition of ARF that can occur before symptoms like carditis, polyarthritis, and Sydenham chorea appear. We present a case of ARF in an adolescent with complete AV block.
Container Security in Cloud Environments
Authors: Oluyede Michael Sanya , Mart Joseph , Olusola Akinbusola , Olatuja Gabriel
Published: March 2024

A

bstract:

The widespread adoption of containers in modern software applications has introduced new challenges to security and integrity. Containers, known for their lightweight and portable nature, facilitate agile deployment across diverse environments. However, this popularity has led to security risks such as vulnerabilities in container images, misconfigurations, and insecure runtime environments. This paper addresses these challenges by proposing automated and robust security techniques integrated into continuous integration and continuous development pipelines. The work emphasizes the importance of a solid security policy, container image scanning, orchestration security, and runtime monitoring. The study also identifies specific issues faced by the DevSecOps community and proposes initial fixes to fortify container security.

In the cloud environment, containers play a pivotal role in application deployment by sharing the same OS kernel, reducing resource requirements, and minimizing start-up times. Despite their advantages, weak container isolation poses security challenges, including privilege escalation and information leaks. To mitigate these concerns, the paper conducts an in-depth analysis of existing access control mechanisms for container security. It discusses challenges in architecture modeling and presents use cases for fulfilling security requirements, encompassing container, inter-container, and

host protection. The work emphasizes the need for both software and hardware solutions to enhance container security.

Containers have emerged as a lightweight alternative to virtual machines, supporting microservices architecture. The container market is growing rapidly, but security concerns remain a significant barrier to adoption. This paper surveys existing literature on container security, categorizing it into four use cases: protecting containers from internal applications, inter-container protection, safeguarding the host from containers, and defending containers froma malicious or semi-honest host. The analysis reveals that software-based solutions, leveraging Linux kernel features and security modules, address the first three use cases, while the last use case relies on hardware-based solutions. The paper concludes with highlighting open research problems and future directions to guide further exploration in container security.
Impact of HIV Infection on Liver and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Veterans With Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease
Authors: Wong Robert J. , Yang Zeyuan , Yeoh Aaron , Do Albert , Ahmed Aijaz , Cheung Ramsey
Published: March 2024

INTRODUCTION:

Hepatic steatosis is highly prevalent in people living with HIV. It remains unclear whether HIV in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is associated with greater risks of liver disease progression and cardiovascular disease (CVD). We aim to evaluate the impact of HIV infection on risks of liver and CVD outcomes among US Veterans with MASLD.

METHODS:

Using national Veterans Administration data from 2010 to 2022, we created a propensity score-matched cohort of MASLD patients with vs without HIV. Primary outcomes were incidence of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) among patients with vs without HIV and patients with MASLD-HIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART) vs not on ART. Secondary outcomes included incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events and overall survival.

RESULTS:

The propensity-matched cohort included 920 MASLD patients with HIV and 920 MASLD patients without HIV and was similar in demographics and comorbidities. Compared with MASLD patients without HIV, incidences of cirrhosis and HCC were similar among MASLD with HIV. Compared with MASLD patients without HIV, incidence of major adverse cardiovascular event was higher among MASLD patients with HIV (5.18 vs 4.48 per 100 person-years,P= 0.03). Overall 5-year survival was significantly lower among MASLD patients with HIV and even lower among those not on ART.

DISCUSSION:

Among US Veterans with MASLD, concurrent HIV infection, and particularly not being on ART, is associated with greater risks of CVD and decreased overall survival. No differences in risks of cirrhosis or HCC were observed.
Achieving Health Equity and Eliminating Health Disparities Based on Nursing Philosophical, Theoretical and Ethical Perspectives
Authors:   King Hussein Cancer Center, Kh. Alhusamiah Bushra
Published: March 2024

Background: Nowadays, there has been a growing emphasis on the topic of health equity, which refers to the fundamental principle of addressing and resolving disparities in health outcomes and the factors that influence them, such as social determinants. The pursuit of health equity entails a dedicated effort towards achieving the utmost level of health and wellbeing for every individual, while also paying particular attention to those who are most vulnerable to experiencing poor health due to their social circumstances. Purpose: This paper aimed to delve deeply into the concepts of health equity and disparities in healthcare from nursing perspectives, exploring various philosophies, theories, and ethical principles. Furthermore, it aimed to highlight the crucial role that nursing professionals play in promoting health equity and eradicating health disparities. Methods: A scoping review was conducted to identify relevant international reports and literature published in English, multiple electronic databases including Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), ProQuest, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, SAGE Journals, and PubMed were searched. Results: Nursing professionals have a significant role in achieving health equity and eliminating health disparities. Therefore, there has been a growing emphasis on the importance of achieving health equity, enhancing caring and healing connections as the core of professional nursing, alongside the use of theory-guided practice approaches, and nursing philosophies. Consequently, professionals in the field are actively seeking more practical methods that incorporate a sense of purpose and significance into their work to achieve equity based on essential nursing philosophies and theories. Conclusion: Nurses have a unique and advantageous role in the healthcare system, as they have the ability to make a substantial impact on addressing the underlying factors that contribute to health disparities. Furthermore, nurses work closely with interdisciplinary teams, harnessing the power of collaboration and teamwork to effectively implement a range of strategies aimed at promoting fair and equal access to healthcare for all individuals. Implications for Nursing: Nursing professionals have a crucial role in promoting and maintaining health equity, which has been increasingly recognized and emphasized. In addition, they are in a unique position to lead the way in patient care and can make a significant impact in addressing the underlying causes of health disparities by understanding and acknowledging the various factors that influence a person's health and overall well-being. Keywords: Nursing philosophy, Nursing theories, Ethic principles, Health equity, Health disparities.
A C
2,α,β
estimate for complex Monge–Ampère type equations with conic sigularities
Authors: Huang Liding , Tian Gang , Wang Jiaxiang
Published: March 2024

In this paper, we give an alternative approach to the C
2,α,β
estimate for complex Monge-Ampère equations with cone singularities along simple normal crossing divisors.
Improved deep learning segmentation of outdoor point clouds with different sampling strategies and using intensities
Authors: Harintaka Harintaka , Wijaya Calvin
Published: March 2024

The rapid growth of outdoor digital twin data sets and advancements in 3D data acquisition technology have sparked interest in improving segmentation performance using deep learning. This research aims to analyze and evaluate different sampling strategies and optimization techniques while exploring the intensity information of outdoor point cloud data. Two sampling strategies, random and stratified sampling, are employed to divide a limited data set. Additionally, the data set is divided into point cloud data with and without intensity. The PointNet++ model is used to segment the point cloud data into two classes, vegetation and structure. The results indicate that stratified sampling outperforms random sampling, yielding a considerable improvement in mean intersection over union scores of up to 10%. Interestingly, the inclusion of intensity information in the data set does not universally enhance performance. Although the use of intensity improves the performance of random sampling, it does not benefit stratified sampling. This research provides insights into the effectiveness of different sampling strategies for outdoor point cloud data segmentation. The findings can contribute to the development of optimized approaches to improving segmentation accuracy in outdoor digital twin applications using deep learning techniques.