bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Depression and anxiety symptom network structure among patients with coronary heart disease and association with quality of life: protocol for a multicentre cross-sectional and prospective longitudinal study
Authors: He Zhi-Qing , Wang Qi , Xu Chao-Yue , Yang Jing , Huang Yan-Jin
Published: February 2024

Background

Anxiety and depression are critical mental health problems among persons with coronary heart disease (CHD). The range of symptoms is an important stressor for adverse cardiovascular events, and these symptoms can be involved in various ways during the course of CHD. However, the characteristics and mechanisms of comorbidity between the two mental states from the viewpoint of symptom interactions in patients with CHD remain unclear. Therefore, we aim to apply a symptom-oriented approach to identify core and bridge symptoms between anxiety and depression in a population with CHD and to identify differences in network structure over time and symptomatic link profiles.

Methods and analysis

We designed a multicentre, cross-sectional, longitudinal study of anxiety and depression symptoms among patients with CHD. We will evaluate degrees of symptoms using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire and the WHO Quality of Life-Brief version. Patients will be followed up for 1, 3 and 6 months after baseline measurements. We will analyse and interpret network structures using R software and its packages. The primary outcomes of interest will include centrality, bridge connections, estimates, differences in network structures and profiles of changes over time. The secondary outcome measures will be the stability and accuracy of the network. By combining cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses, this study should elucidate the central and potential causative pathways among anxiety and depression symptom networks as well as their temporal stability in patients with CHD.

Ethics and dissemination

The project conforms to the ethical principles enshrined in the Declaration of Helsinki (2013 amendment) and all local ethical guidelines. The ethics committee at the University of South China approved the study (Approval ID: 2023-USC-HL-414). The findings will be published and presented at conferences for widespread dissemination.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR2300075813.
Qualitative study on stigma as a barrier to emergency contraceptive pill use among university students in the Lango subregion, Uganda
Authors: Kabunga Amir , Kigongo Eustes , Acanga Alfred , Tumwesigye Raymond , Auma Anna Grace , Musinguzi Marvin , Kambugu Caroline Nabasirye , Okalo Ponsiano , Abal Judith Akello , Namata Halimah , Mwesigwa David
Published: February 2024

Objective

The aim of the current study was twofold: to understand the nature and extent of stigma and to learn the reasons behind the decision not to use emergency contraceptive pills among university students in the Lango subregion of Uganda.

Design

An exploratory qualitative study design.

Setting

The study was carried out among university students in Lango subregion of Uganda.

Participants

40 female university students across four universities.

Main outcome measures

Stigma.

Results

Participants (n=40) aged 19–26 exhibited generally positive attitudes towards emergency contraceptive pills, recognising them as empowering and essential. Stigma, however, emerged as a substantial barrier manifested in societal judgements and negative perceptions. Themes included the positive attitude towards emergency contraceptive pills, perceptions of peers and the general public, and perceptions of health service providers.

Conclusion

Stigma significantly impedes emergency contraceptive pill use among university students in the Lango subregion, Uganda. Positive attitudes towards the pills contrast with societal judgements and provider stigmatisation. Tailored interventions addressing knowledge gaps, societal perceptions and healthcare system challenges are crucial for improving emergency contraceptive pill acceptability and utilisation among university students.
Streamlining patient flow and enhancing operational efficiency through case management implementation
Authors: Al Harbi Sultanah , Aljohani Baker , Elmasry Lamiaa , Baldovino Frenk Lee , Raviz Kamille Bianca , Altowairqi Lama , Alshlowi Seetah
Published: February 2024

Background

Improving patient flow in hospitals represents a worldwide healthcare challenge. The objective of this project was to depict the effectiveness of case management in improving patient flow in a tertiary hospital setting.

Methods

Quality improvement methods, including quantitative pre-Lean and post-Lean design, the Plan-Do-Check-Act concept, the Single Minute Exchange of Dies and the ‘demand and supply approach’ of the Institute of Healthcare Improvement, were adapted to examine and modify factors influencing hospital patient flow.

Results

This study (conducted from the last quarter of 2019 through September 2022) resulted in a remarkable improvement in patient flow, as evident from the reduction in average hospital length of stay (from 11.5 to 4.4 days) and average emergency department boarding time (from 11.9 to 1.2 hours) and the improvement of bed turnover rate (from 0.57 to 0.93), (p<0.001, p=0.017, p=0.038, respectively), with net cost savings of 123 130 192 million Saudi Riyals (US$32 821 239).

Conclusion

Implementing a well-structured case management programme can enhance care coordination, streamlilne transitions, boost patient outcomes, and increase revenues within hospital settings.
Feasibility, acceptability and impact of a clinical decision support tool among primary care providers in an urban, rural and remote site in the Philippines
Authors: Calderon Ysabela , Sandigan Gillian , Tan-Lim Carol Stephanie C , De Mesa Regine Ynez H , Fabian Noleen Marie C , Rey Mia P , Sanchez Josephine T , Dans Leonila F , Galingana Cara Lois T , Bernal-Sundiang Nannette , Casile Ray U , Aquino Maria Rhodora N , Poblete Karl Engelene , Lopez Johanna Faye E , Zabala Herbert , Dans Antonio L
Published: February 2024

Introduction

Strengthening primary care helps address health inequities that continue to persist in the Philippines. The Philippine Primary Care Studies pilot-tested interventions to improve the primary care system. One intervention was the provision of a free subscription to an electronic decision support application called UpToDate (UTD) for primary care providers (PCPs), including doctors, nurses, midwives and community health workers (CHWs). This study aimed to (1) assess the feasibility of using UTD as information source for PCPs in urban, rural and remote settings, (2) determine the acceptability of UTD as an information source for PCPs and (3) examine the impact of UTD access on PCP clinical decision-making.

Methods

Four focus group discussions (FGDs) and two key informant interviews (KII) were conducted to gather insights from 30 PCPs. Thematic analysis through coding in NVivo V.12 was done using the technology acceptance model (TAM) as a guiding framework.

Results

All PCPs had positive feedback regarding UTD use because of its comprehensiveness, accessibility, mobility and general design. The participants relayed UTD’s benefit for point-of-contact use, capacity-building and continuing professional development. PCPs across the three sites, including CHWs with no formal medical education, were able to provide evidence-based medical advice to patients through UTD. However, external factors in these settings impeded the full integration of UTD in the PCPs’ workflow, including poor internet access, unstable sources of electricity, lack of compatible mobile devices and the need for translation to the local language.

Conclusion

UTD was a feasible and acceptable clinical decision support tool for the PCPs. Factors affecting the feasibility of using UTD include technological and environmental factors (ie, internet access and the lack of translation to the local language), as well as the organisational structure of the primary care facility which determines the roles of the PCPs. Despite the difference in roles and responsibilities of the PCPs, UTD positively impacted decision-making and patient education for all PCPs through its use as a point-of-contact tool and a tool for capacity-building.
Northern cod re-establish historical migration patterns linked to capelin: insights from pop-up satellite archival tags
Authors: Rose George A. , Rowe Sherrylynn
Published: February 2024

In May 2012–2015, 90 large (85–117 cm) Northern cod ( Gadus morhua) with pop-up satellite archival tags (PSATs) set to release 1 year later were released from offshore spawning aggregations on the northeast Newfoundland shelf. Forty-nine (54%) transmitted or were recovered; 82% migrated inshore and 15% remained offshore (balance predated). Geo-locations were based on release, capture, and surfacing positions, and at tag-recorded depths <50 m, on Kalman-predicted light-based longitudes matched with coastal bathymetry. Migrating fish moved southwestward on average 5° longitude (350 km) and 2° latitude (222 km) to the northeast coast of Newfoundland, southern Labrador, and northern Grand Bank, as historically from similar release points. Migration onset through the Labrador Current (<0 °C) and arrival inshore were correlated with capelin ( Mallotus villosus) peak spawning, inshore duration with capelin, and cod biomass. Both species were delayed a month from historical norms. The probability of a cod remaining inshore after 1 December was 50%, which could impact time-dependent surveys. Fishing exploitation was 6% and predation 5%. Northern cod have re-established historical spatial migration patterns, with capelin a key influence on timing and duration inshore.
Historical gold mining increased metal(loid) concentrations in lake sediments from Nova Scotia, Canada
Authors: Sivarajah Branaavan , Campbell Linda M. , Smol John P. , Vermaire Jesse C. , Kurek Joshua
Published: February 2024

Historical gold mining operations between the 1860s and 1940s have left substantial quantities of arsenic- and mercury-rich tailings near abandoned mines in remote and urban areas of Nova Scotia, Canada. Large amounts of materials from the tailings have entered the surface waters of downstream aquatic ecosystems at concentrations that present a risk to benthos. We used paleolimnological approaches to examine long-term trends in sedimentary metal(loid) concentrations, assess potential sediment toxicity, and determine if geochemical recovery has occurred at four lakes located downstream of three productive gold-mining districts. During the historical mining era, sedimentary total arsenic and mercury concentrations and enrichment factors increased substantially at all downstream lakes that received inputs from tailings. Similarly, chromium, lead, and zinc concentrations increased in the sediments after mining activities began and the urbanization that followed. The calculated probable effects of concentration quotients (PEC-Qs) for sediments exceeded the probable biological effects threshold (PEC-Q > 2) during the mining era. Although sedimentary metal(loid) concentrations have decreased for most elements in recent sediments, relatively higher PEC-Q and continued exceedance of Canadian Interim Sediment Quality Guidelines suggest that complete geochemical recovery has not occurred. It is likely that surface runoff from tailing fields, urbanization, and climate-mediated changes are impacting geochemical recovery trajectories.
Break Out of a Pigeonhole: A Unified Framework for Examining Miscalibration, Bias, and Stereotype in Recommender Systems
Authors: Ahn Yongsu , Lin Yu-Ru
Published: February 2024

Despite the benefits of personalizing items and information tailored to users’ needs, it has been found that recommender systems tend to introduce biases that favor popular items or certain categories of items and dominant user groups. In this study, we aim to characterize the systematic errors of a recommendation system and how they manifest in various accountability issues, such as stereotypes, biases, and miscalibration. We propose a unified framework that distinguishes the sources of prediction errors into a set of key measures that quantify the various types of system-induced effects, at both the individual and collective levels. Based on our measuring framework, we examine the most widely adopted algorithms in the context of movie recommendation. Our research reveals three important findings: (1) Differences between algorithms: recommendations generated by simpler algorithms tend to be more stereotypical but less biased than those generated by more complex algorithms. (2) Disparate impact on groups and individuals: system-induced biases and stereotypes have a disproportionate effect on atypical users and minority groups (e.g., women and older users). (3) Mitigation opportunity: using structural equation modeling, we identify the interactions between user characteristics (typicality and diversity), system-induced effects, and miscalibration. We further investigate the possibility of mitigating system-induced effects by oversampling underrepresented groups and individuals, which was found to be effective in reducing stereotypes and improving recommendation quality. Our research is the first systematic examination of not only system-induced effects and miscalibration but also the stereotyping issue in recommender systems.
Quantifying pH-induced changes in plasma strong ion difference during experimental acidosis: clinical implications for base excess interpretation
Authors: Giosa Lorenzo , Zadek Francesco , Busana Mattia , De Simone Giovanna , Brusatori Serena , Krbec Martin , Duska Frantisek , Brambilla Paolo , Zanella Alberto , Di Masi Alessandra , Caironi Pietro , Perez Emanuele , Gattinoni Luciano , Langer Thomas
Published: February 2024

This paper challenges the assumed equivalence between changes in plasma strong ion difference (SID) and whole blood base excess (BE) during in vitro acidosis. We highlight that redistribution of strong ions, in the form of albumin ionic-binding and transerythrocyte shifts, alters SID without affecting BE. We demonstrate that these expected SID alterations are predictable from albumin and hemoglobin’s charges, or from the noncarbonic whole blood buffer value, allowing a better interpretation of SID and BE during in vitro acidosis.
Minerality in Wine: Textual Analysis of Chablis Premier Cru Tasting Notes
Authors: Biss Alex J. , Ellis Richard H.
Published: February 2024

The term minerality is often used to describe high-quality still white wines produced in cooler regions, such as Chablis. What minerality means in sensory terms and what is responsible for its presence is the subject of debate, however. This study explored the concept of minerality by analysing 16,542 Chablis Premier Cru tasting notes entered into CellarTracker between 2003 and 2022 on wines three to seven years old, together with weather, topography, and soil data for the Chablis area. The top three words used to describe Chablis Premier Cru wine were citrus, minerality, and acidity. Mentions of minerality declined between 1999 and 2019 vintages, whereas those of acidity, salinity, floral, orchard fruit, and stone fruit increased. The trends for minerality and salinity were slightly stronger with the year of tasting (2005 to 2022) than vintage. Bigram analysis indicated that consumers were more than 1.5 times as likely to refer to a stony kind of minerality as a saline one and only rarely smoky minerality. Use of the term minerality was correlated with growing season temperature and sunshine hours (negatively with each), as well as vineyard aspect (negatively with percentage vineyard area facing South or South-West), but not with Kimmeridgian soil type. The results imply that soils and geology are not a principal source of minerality in Chablis wine, but growing season warmth and sunshine are relevant to minerality. There is no simple explanation of minerality in Chablis wine; however, the recent decline in the use of this term for Chablis wine may be a consequence of three factors in combination: (i) it has become less fashionable; (ii) consumers are choosing “saline” instead of “mineral” when appropriate, but retaining it for “stony” sensations; and/or (iii) warming from climate change has reduced minerality.
Application of Slightly Acidic Electrolyzed Water as a Potential Sanitizer in the Food Industry
Authors: Issa-Zacharia Abdulsudi
Published: February 2024

The food industry has extensively explored postharvest microbial control, seeking viable technologies to ensure food safety. Although numerous chlorine-based commercial sanitizers serve this purpose, many are plagued by constraints such as instability and diminished disinfectant efficacy. These issues arise from exposure to organic matter in wash water, light, or air. As an innovative and promising alternative, slightly acidic electrolyzed water (SAEW) has emerged, captivating attention for its robust sterilization potential and eco-friendliness in agricultural and food sectors. SAEW generated via electrolysis of a diluted hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution with concentrations ranging from 2 to 6% or aqueous solution of sodium chloride (NaCl) in a nonmembrane electrolytic chamber is reported to possess equivalent antimicrobial properties as strong acidic electrolyzed water (StAEW). In contrast to traditional chlorine sanitizers, SAEW leaves less chlorine residue on sanitized foods such fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, meat, poultry, and aquatic products due to its low available chlorine concentration (ACC). Its near neutral pH of 5 to 6.5 not only renders it environmentally benign but also mitigates the production of chlorine gas, a contrast to low pH conditions seen in StAEW generation. The bactericidal effect of SAEW against various strains of foodborne pathogens is widely believed and accepted to be due to the combined action of high oxidation-reduction-potential (ORP) reactions and undissociated hypochlorite/hypochlorous acid (HOCl). Consequently, a burgeoning interest surrounds the potential of SAEW for sanitation in the food industry, offering an alternative to address shortcomings in sodium hypochlorite solutions and even StAEW. It has been hypothesized from a number of studies that SAEW treatment can increase the quality and nutritional value of harvested fruits, which in turn may enhance their ability to be stored. Therefore, SAEW is not only a promising sanitizer in the food industry but also has the potential to be an efficient strategy for encouraging the accumulation of bioactive chemicals in plants, especially if it is used extensively. This review encapsulates the latest insights concerning SAEW, encompassing its antimicrobial effectiveness, sanitization mechanism, advantages vis-à-vis other sanitizers, and plausible applications across the food industry.
Supplementary Text 1 from Cumulative Incidence, Risk Factors, and Overall Survival of Disease Recurrence after Curative Resection of Stage II–III Colorectal Cancer: A Population-based Study
Authors: Boute Tara C. , Swartjes Hidde , Greuter Marjolein J.E. , Elferink Marloes A.G. , van Eekelen Rik , Vink Geraldine R. , de Wilt Johannes H.W. , Coupé Veerle M.H.
Published: February 2024

Methodology for Multiple imputation
FIGURE 1 from Cumulative Incidence, Risk Factors, and Overall Survival of Disease Recurrence after Curative Resection of Stage II–III Colorectal Cancer: A Population-based Study
Authors: Boute Tara C. , Swartjes Hidde , Greuter Marjolein J.E. , Elferink Marloes A.G. , van Eekelen Rik , Vink Geraldine R. , de Wilt Johannes H.W. , Coupé Veerle M.H.
Published: February 2024

Cumulative incidence function for diagnosis of recurrent disease in patients with primary colon (A) and rectal cancer (B), stratified for primary disease stage and presented with the corresponding 95% confidence bands.
Supplementary Figure S9 from Characterizing Neutrophil Subtypes in Cancer Using scRNA Sequencing Demonstrates the Importance of IL1β/CXCR2 Axis in Generation of Metastasis-specific Neutrophils
Authors: Fetit Rana , McLaren Alistair S. , White Mark , Mills Megan L. , Falconer John , Cortes-Lavaud Xabier , Gilroy Kathryn , Lannagan Tamsin R.M. , Ridgway Rachel A. , Nixon Colin , Naiker Varushka , Njunge Renee , Clarke Cassie J. , Whyte Declan , Kirschner Kristina , Jackstadt Rene , Norman Jim , Carlin Leo M. , Campbell Andrew D. , Sansom Owen J. , Steele Colin W.
Published: February 2024

Figure S9: Summary of findings.
Pharmacokinetic Research in Pediatric Extracorporeal Therapies: Current State and Future Directions
Authors: Stitt Gideon , Thibault Céline , Mueller Bruce A. , Cies Jeffrey J. , Daniel Jennifer Morris , Arikan Ayse Akcan , Watt Kevin M.
Published: February 2024

Extracorporeal life support (ECLS), including extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), is a lifesaving therapy for critically ill children. Despite this, these modalities carry frustratingly high mortality rates. One driver of mortality may be altered drug disposition due to a combination of underlying illness, patient-circuit interactions, and drug-circuit interactions. Children receiving ECMO and/or CRRT routinely receive 20 or more drugs, and data supporting optimal dosing are lacking for most of these medications. The Pediatric Paracorporeal and Extracorporeal Therapies Summit (PPETS) gathered an international group of experts in the fields of ECMO, CRRT, and other ECLS modalities to discuss the current state of these therapies, disseminate innovative support strategies, share clinical experiences, and foster future collaborations. Here, we summarize the conclusions of PPETS and put forward a pathway to optimize pharmacokinetic (PK) research in this population. We must prioritize specific medications for in-depth study to improve drug use in ECLS and patient outcomes. Based on frequency of use, potential for adverse outcomes if dosed inappropriately, and lack of existing PK data, a list of high-priority drugs was compiled for future research. Researchers must additionally reconsider study designs, emphasizing pooling of resources through multicenter studies and the use of innovative PK modeling techniques. Finally, the integration of validated PK models into clinical practice must be streamlined to deliver optimal medication use at the bedside. Focusing on the proposed list of highlighted medications and key methodological considerations will maximize the impact of future research.
Optimization and analysis of distributed generation units in distributed system for minimizing losses
Authors: Suriyakumar Bharath , Arumugam Vasuki
Published: February 2024

The proposed study presents a novel methodology aimed at mitigating losses in distributed generation (DG) systems within distributed networks. This methodology involves the integration and implementation of DG units that utilize non-conventional, sustainable resources, potentially enhancing traditional DG systems. When DG units are located near the point of consumption, they create favorable conditions for voltage support, reduction in energy losses, and lower emissions. The strategic placement of DG units, in terms of both size and location within an existing generation network, is critical for the construction, execution, and operational planning of real-time distribution networks. This optimal positioning is key to maximizing voltage stability and minimizing power loss. The study proposes an innovative strategy to decrease real power losses and improve voltage profiles, which includes optimizing substation capacity by introducing DG units.
Discontinuous Arabic frozen expressions modelization and implementation
Authors: Kourtin Asmaa , Amzali Asmaa , Mourchid Mohammed , Mbarki Samir
Published: February 2024

Frozen expressions hold significant importance in the field of natural language processing, attracting considerable attention from researchers across various languages in recent years. The Arabic language, in particular, boasts a wealth of frozen expressions inherited from the pre-Islamic and early Islamic periods, with persistent usage to the present day. This linguistic richness has motivated researchers to systematically collect, classify, and elucidate these expressions. Various classifications have emerged, addressing aspects such as continuity, discontinuity, allowance for variations, and restriction from variations. Our aim is to produce lexicon-grammar tables of discontinuous Arabic frozen expressions and implement them. Our approach involves the meticulous collection and study of these expressions, followed by the transformation of their lexicon-grammar tables into dictionaries and syntactic grammars within the NooJ platform. This methodology allows us to recognize and annotate these expressions in texts and corpora, even when they exhibit discontinuity. Such recognition has the potential to address several challenges in automatic natural language processing, including the area of automatic translation.
Leveraging renewable energy sources for sustainable traction vehicles
Authors: Nimmagadda Chaitanya , Gopu Veeranjaneyulu , Reddy Palle Deepak , Giridhar Munigoti Srinivasa , Rao Gudipudi Nageswara , Boppudi Sarath Chandra , Prasanthi Parvathaneni Phani
Published: February 2024

In pursuit of sustainable transportation, green energy sources (GES) are taking center stage, propelling traction vehicles like tramways and trolleybuses towards a zero-emission future. Solar is the most prominent source among the available renewable sources and also for the transport system applications. To utilize photovoltaic (PV) source effectively, model predictive controller-based PV maximum power tracking algorithm is used to identify the PV parameters. Equipped with the smart energy storage system (SESS), light traction vehicles rely on the efficiency and reliability of brushless DC (BLDC) motors for smooth operation. However, BLDC motors operate at high voltages, which requires them to be connected to high voltage microgrids. Bridging the gap between ESS/SESS and the high-voltage microgrid with traditional DC-DC boost converters incurs efficiency losses and component stress. This paper tackles high-voltage needs in microgrids through innovative, efficient DC-DC boost converter designs. An innovative finite-control-set based model-predictive control (FCS MPC) controller tackles clean energy harnessing from PV and grid stability in traction applications, enabling optimized power sharing within microgrid constraints.
Chicken tracking for location mapping of lameness chickens using YOLOv8 and deep learning-based tracking algorithm
Authors: Triyanto Wiwit Agus , Adi Kusworo , Suseno Jatmiko Endro
Published: February 2024

The chicken farming industry is one of the biggest food industries that supports the achievement of food security internationally. Farmers need an independent tool that can monitor the welfare conditions of chickens in cages. Using their tools, farmers can ideally detect the condition of chickens. Lameness chickens, can be known for activity and dredging of their location in the cage. Occlusion, and background in the cage are interesting challenges. By observing behavior, image handling practices can be used to identify tainted chicks and provide an early warning of sickness in chickens. In this study, you only look once, version 8 (YOLOv8) which is a convolutional neural network (CNN) network model was chosen to perform the detection, tracking, and mapping of chicken locations. YOLOv8 was combined with various algorithm optimizers to improve training performance, such as root mean square (RMS) Prop, stochastic gradient descent (SGD), ADAM, and ADAMW. Multi-object tracking algorithms such as BOT-sort and ByteTrack are also used to improve tracking performance. Based on the results, YOLOv8 with combinations of optimizer algorithms ADAMW has the best mAP, support, precision and F1-score values compared to the others, with 0.936, 0.993, 0.990, 0.991. Meanwhile, for multi object tracking, ByteTrack is faster in inference time(s) values compared to the others, with 0.2.
Improving the term weighting log entropy of latent dirichlet allocation
Authors: Muhajir Muhammad , Rosadi Dedi , Danardono Danardono
Published: February 2024

The process of analyzing textual data involves the utilization of topic modeling techniques to uncover latent subjects within documents. The presence of numerous short texts in the Indonesian language poses additional challenges in the field of topic modeling. This study presents a substantial enhancement to the term weighting log entropy (TWLE) approach within the latent dirichlet allocation (LDA) framework, specifically tailored for topic modeling of Indonesian short texts. This work places significant emphasis on the utilization of LDA for word weighting. The research endeavor aimed to enhance the coherence and interpretability of an Indonesian topic model through the integration of local and global weights. Local Weight focuses on the distinct characteristics of each document, whereas global weight examines the broader perspective of the entire corpus of documents. The objective was to enhance the effectiveness of LDA themes by this amalgamation. The TWLE model of LDA was found to be more informative and effective than the TF-IDF LDA when compared with short Indonesian text. This work improves topic modeling in brief Indonesian compositions. Transfer learning for NLP and Indonesian language adaptation helps improve subject analysis knowledge and precision, this could boost NLP and topic modeling in Indonesian.
A smart emergency response system based on deep learning and Kalman filter: the case of COVID-19
Authors: Frikha Hounaida , Kamoun-Abid Ferdaous , Meddeb-Makhoulf Amel , Zarai Faouzi
Published: February 2024

During an epidemic, the transportation of patients to emergency departments and the monitoring of their physiological parameters pose significant challenges in this critical scenario. Swift and efficient diagnosis has the potential to rescue the lives of these patients. The objective is accomplished through the utilization of deep learning to categorize information into emergencies, prioritizing its dispatch. In this article, we present a sophisticated emergency system that employs deep learning to swiftly transmit vital information from emergency patients to the hospital that can provide the highest quality healthcare for these individuals. The fusion method integrates data obtained and refined from patients' electronic medical records with data acquired by the wireless medical sensor network during the transportation phase. Subsequently, the process of choosing the parameters is employed as inputs to the learning model. The data gathered and educational outcomes, such as emergency notifications, are transmitted through Wi-Fi and 5G devices in our sophisticated system. The proposed contribution achieves a 98% accuracy with a runtime of 1.53 seconds. This discovery demonstrates the efficacy of our system, particularly in the context of epidemic situations such as COVID-19.
Preserving a Legacy: Ensuring the Access and Conservation of the Harold (Harry) G. Fowler (1950–2018) Ant Collection and Data
Authors: WAZEMA CLAUDIA TIEMI , SILVA OTÁVIO GUILHERME MORAIS DA , MAGALHÃES FABRÍCIO SEVERO , PRADO LÍVIA PIRES DO , NAGATANI VICTOR HIDEKI , SILVA NATHALIA SAMPAIO DA , VAZ JULIANA APARECIDA CALISTO , SILVA PAULO HENRIQUE ALVES DA , ULYSSÉA MÔNICA ANTUNES , CAMACHO GABRIELA PROCÓPIO , FREITAS GISELY DA SILVA , BRANDÃO CARLOS ROBERTO FERREIRA , MORINI MARIA SANTINA DE CASTRO
Published: February 2024

Biological collections are important repositories of biodiversity, as they include various types of data potentially useful to different areas of science and can contribute to the establishment of biodiversity conservation policies. For a long time, scientific collections were considered only as physical databases; in this context Harold G. Fowler (1950–2018) built an ant collection at the Universidade Estadual Paulista, campus Rio Claro (São Paulo state, Brazil), over the course of a 34-year career, comprising around 20,000 ant specimens. Most specimens came from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, but many others came from distinct locations in Brazil and abroad. After his death, the collection was left without the necessary curatorial care for a period of time, which required a project to be conceived for its recovery and conservation, with the goal of incorporating it to the Zoology Museum of the University of São Paulo (MZSP). In addition to applying modern technical curation protocols, other activities such as checking, material identification and digitization of the information contained on the sample labels were carried out, forming an accurate database. This process enabled the identification of new distribution records and the discovery of possible undescribed species and unpublished natural history data. After validating this information, we counted 524 valid species and 201 morphospecies belonging to 105 genera and 10 subfamilies. In addition, we integrated technical curation activities with scientific outreach to draw the general public’s attention to the importance of biological collections, thus fostering interest in science, biodiversity and nature conservation. Our work highlights the importance of preserving the areas sampled by Fowler’s research group. The preservation of vouchers using curatorial practices reinforces the role of scientific collections as important tools for the study, understanding and preservation of biodiversity.
Two new species of Dasybasis Macquart from the Peruvian Andes of Cusco (Diptera: Tabanidae: Diachlorini)
Authors: GONZÁLEZ CHRISTIAN R. , YÁBAR ERICK
Published: February 2024

Two new horse fly species, Dasybasis mancoi sp. nov. and D. huaynai sp. nov. (Diptera: Tabanidae: Diachlorini), are described from the Peruvian Andes near Cusco on the basis of morphological features, including those of the female genitalia. Digital photographs of both species and of the terminalia of both females and of one male are provided. The two new species are related to D. bulbula Coscarón & Philip, as evidenced by their similar morphological characteristics.
Adaptability and crack resistance effect of continuous fiber anti-crack composite sealing layer
Authors: Li Zhiyong , Hao Changfeng , Su Junling
Published: February 2024

Traditional anti-crack seals are greatly affected by temperature effects and lack adaptability, making them vulnerable under extreme conditions. Therefore, a novel composite sealing layer material for crack prevention was proposed. This material combines fibers with a fine anti-slip
wear layer, which is placed on top of the crushed stone layer. Furthermore, the XFEM was utilized to analyze the adaptability and anti-crack effectiveness of the continuous fiber anti-crack composite sealing layer. The conducted experiments revealed that as the cracks in the base pavement
widened from 1.0 mm to 2.0 mm, there was an observed increase of 11.4% in stress intensity factor. A variation in the stress intensity factor of 6.3% was observed within the specified range of crack width when the modulus of the continuous fiber anti-crack composite sealing layer was fixed
at 300 kPa. These results are of vital importance in comprehending the performance of this material in terms of crack resistance adaptability and its influence on practical applications.
Nondestructive assessment of ZnO surge arrester operating condition based on time-domain dielectric characteristics
Authors: Xie Pengkang , Yin Zhaoqi , Liu Weidong , Xu Shengqin , Chen Lixue
Published: February 2024

Given the expansion of the economy and the rise in electricity demand, it is imperative to ensure the safe operation of the power system. Zinc oxide (ZnO) surge arresters play a crucial role in preventing overvoltage that can potentially harm the grid. The study presents an innovative
non-destructive assessment approach for evaluating the working condition of ZnO surge arresters based on time-domain dielectric characteristics, aiming to guarantee their safe functioning within the power grid. The proposed technique provides a platform for conducting aging experiments updates
the procedure for preparing piezoresistors in ZnO surge arresters and examines their performance. Furthermore, a test bed was utilized to investigate polarization/depolarization currents. The findings revealed that the pressure-sensitive voltage exhibited a minimum value of 693.09 U1mA
·cm2 using the traditional solid-phase approach while employing the chemical precipitation method with a 2:1 alcohol-to-water volume ratio resulted in a maximum value of 1028.41 U1mA ·cm2. Under the traditional solid-phase method, the voltage
gradient varied from 411.04 V·mm−1 to 585.12 V·mm−1 when using the chemical precipitation method with an alcohol-to-water volume ratio of 2:1 V ·mm−1. The condition of ZnO surge arresters can be evaluated non-destructively
by the polarization/depolarisation charge differential, which increases with the average service life. In conclusion, this study provides methodological criteria for assessing ZnO surge arrester conditions to ensure safe operation of power grids.
Therapeutic effect of saikosaponin-d on airway allergy in asthma
Authors: Yin Yandan , Ruan Guiying , Su Qunyan , Li Lingfei , Zheng Nan , Hong Yan
Published: February 2024

Saikosaponin-d (SSd) is a compound extracted from Bupleurum chinense, a traditional ethnic medicine known for its antipyretic and analgesic properties. In this study, our research group established a mouse allergic asthma model with ovalbumin (OVA) as the inducer, and evaluated
the therapeutic effects of different SSd groups. We measured lgE levels, cytokine levels, and the number of innate lymphocytes 2 (ILC2) to assess the effect of SSd on allergic asthma, and detected miR-155 expression. The results show that SSd reduces the levels of inflammatory factor in asthmatic
mouse models, alleviating airway inflammation by inhibiting the regulation of lung ILC2. At the same time, it can reduce the downstream inflammatory level factors. In addition, SSd reduced the expression of miR-155 in the lung. These results suggest that SSd plays an important role in the
treatment of airway inflammation, and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of miR-155.
Study on the effect of elastic band resistance training combined with nano-protective gear on postoperative muscle strength and balance ability
Authors: Xu Xuexue , Chen Yumei , Jin Liya , Zhu Ya , Liang Pingping , Zhang Chunmei
Published: February 2024

This study explored the effect of elastic band resistance training combined with nano-protective gear on post-operative muscle strength and balance ability in elderly patients with hip fracture. A sample of 100 elderly patients with hip fractures who received treatment at the Department of Traumatology and Orthopedics in our hospital from July 2020 to December 2021 were selected for this study. These patients were randomly assigned to either the observation group or the control group, with 50 patients in each group. Rehabilitation exercises were conducted for both groups starting six weeks after surgery. The control group received traditional rehabilitation training, while the observation group engaged in elastic band resistance training combined with nano-protective gear. The study compared the fracture healing time, hospitalization time, and complication rate between the two groups. Additionally, the study assessed the calcaneal bone mineral density, grip strength of both upper limbs, Harris hip joint function, and daily living activity assessment scale (BADL) in both groups at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after surgery. Furthermore, the balance ability (TUGT), fall efficacy (MSFE) and nursing satisfaction of the two groups of patients were evaluated 6 months after surgery. The hospitalization time and fracture healing time of patients in the observation group were significantly shorter than those in the control group. During follow-up at various time points (3, 6, and 12 months) after discharge, the observation group exhibited significantly higher Harris hip scores, BADL scores, quality of life scores, balance ability (TUGT) scores, and fall efficacy (MSFE) scores compared to the control group. Furthermore, the observation group had a lower incidence of complications and higher nursing satisfaction (92%) compared to the control group (74%). The findings of this study suggest that combining elastic band resistance training with nano-protective gear can improve postoperative muscle strength, balance ability, joint function, alleviate negative emotions, enhance daily living ability, improve quality of life, and increase nursing satisfaction in elderly patients with hip fracture.
Association of interarm blood pressure difference with selected body circumferences among Walter Sisulu University community
Authors: Mthethwa Wenzile S. , Ramoshaba Nthai E. , Mampofu Zuqaqambe M.
Published: February 2024

Background

A high interarm blood pressure difference (IAD) has been identified as a precursor of vascular diseases. Anthropometric measures for obesity such as body circumferences including waist circumference (WC), mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and neck circumference (NC) have been associated with a high IAD in Western countries. However, the prevalence of IAD and its association with body circumferences in South African communities such as universities is not well established. Therefore, this study aimed at investigating the correlation of IAD with selected body circumferences among the Walter Sisulu University (WSU) community.

Methods

A total of 230 participants, 117 males and 113 females, consisting of 185 students and 45 staff members from WSU, aged 18–27 and 18–63 years respectively, participated in this cross-sectional study. The selected body circumferences: WC, MUAC, and NC were measured using standard procedures. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured in both arms simultaneously using automated machines. IAD was achieved by calculating differences in SBP and DBP between the left (L) and right (R) arms, (R -L), and getting the absolute value, L–R (|L–R|).

Results

14.78% of the participants had an interarm SBP difference (IASBPD) ≥ 10 mmHg, and 4.35% of participants had an interarm DBP difference (IADBPD) ≥ 10 mmHg.

In a Pearson’s correlation analysis, IASBPD was positively correlated with the selected body circumferences (WC, r = 0.29; P < 0.001; MUAC, r = 0.35; P < 0.001; NC, r = 0.27; P < 0.001) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) (r = 0.30; P < 0.001). In the multivariable-adjusted regression analyses, IASBPD was positively associated with MUAC (adjusted R2 = 0.128, β = 0.271 (95% CI = 0.09; 0.60), P = 0.008), and NC (adjusted R2 = 0.119, β = 0.190 (95% CI = 0.01; 0.32), P = 0.032) only, adjusted for MAP, age, gender, body mass index, smoking, and alcohol. There was no association of body circumferences with IADBPD.

Conclusion

A high IAD is common among students and staff members of the WSU community. Furthermore, IAD showed a positive correlation with MUAC and NC. These body circumferences can serve as indicators of high IAD, aiding in the early detection and prevention of vascular diseases.
Deep learning segmentation of the choroid plexus from structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): validation and normative ranges across the adult lifespan
Authors: Eisma Jarrod J. , McKnight Colin D. , Hett Kilian , Elenberger Jason , Han Caleb J. , Song Alexander K. , Considine Ciaran , Claassen Daniel O. , Donahue Manus J.
Published: February 2024

Background

The choroid plexus functions as the blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barrier, plays an important role in CSF production and circulation, and has gained increased attention in light of the recent elucidation of CSF circulation dysfunction in neurodegenerative conditions. However, methods for routinely quantifying choroid plexus volume are suboptimal and require technical improvements and validation. Here, we propose three deep learning models that can segment the choroid plexus from commonly-acquired anatomical MRI data and report performance metrics and changes across the adult lifespan.

Methods

Fully convolutional neural networks were trained from 3D T1-weighted, 3D T2-weighted, and 2D T2-weighted FLAIR MRI using gold-standard manual segmentations in control and neurodegenerative participants across the lifespan (n = 50; age = 21–85 years). Dice coefficients, 95% Hausdorff distances, and area-under-curve (AUCs) were calculated for each model and compared to segmentations from FreeSurfer using two-tailed Wilcoxon tests (significance criteria: p < 0.05 after false discovery rate multiple comparisons correction). Metrics were regressed against lateral ventricular volume using generalized linear models to assess model performance for varying levels of atrophy. Finally, models were applied to an expanded cohort of adult controls (n = 98; age = 21–89 years) to provide an exemplar of choroid plexus volumetry values across the lifespan.

Results

Deep learning results yielded Dice coefficient = 0.72, Hausdorff distance = 1.97 mm, AUC = 0.87 for T1-weighted MRI, Dice coefficient = 0.72, Hausdorff distance = 2.22 mm, AUC = 0.87 for T2-weighted MRI, and Dice coefficient = 0.74, Hausdorff distance = 1.69 mm, AUC = 0.87 for T2-weighted FLAIR MRI; values did not differ significantly between MRI sequences and were statistically improved compared to current commercially-available algorithms (p < 0.001). The intraclass coefficients were 0.95, 0.95, and 0.96 between T1-weighted and T2-weighted FLAIR, T1-weighted and T2-weighted, and T2-weighted and T2-weighted FLAIR models, respectively. Mean lateral ventricle choroid plexus volume across all participants was 3.20 ± 1.4 cm3; a significant, positive relationship (R2 = 0.54-0.60) was observed between participant age and choroid plexus volume for all MRI sequences (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Findings support comparable performance in choroid plexus delineation between standard, clinically available, non-contrasted anatomical MRI sequences. The software embedding the evaluated models is freely available online and should provide a useful tool for the growing number of studies that desire to quantitatively evaluate choroid plexus structure and function (https://github.com/hettk/chp_seg).