bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leveraging Digitized Heritage Technologies for Smart Management: Heritage Safeguarding and Interpretation Framework
Authors: Rababeh Shaher Moh'd , Hanaqtah Rahaf Ahmad , Abu-Khafajah Shatha Ahmad
Published: October 2024

Digitized heritage is regarded as an emerging field, with existing studies primarily focusing on one case study or technological aspect. Thus, there remains a notable gap in the literature regarding the understanding of how these technologies can be utilized in smart heritage management. Approaches that harness technological advancements to enhance smart management and aid the decision-making process regarding the use of appropriate technology at various heritage sites remain insufficiently explored. To address this gap, this study conducted a cross-case analysis to survey the use of heritage technologies across selected cases to find underlying trends and correlations related to the scale and technology used. The findings of this study provide insights into the nexus of technology integration into heritage management, highlighting the role of tangible heritage documentation technologies. The present study concludes that smart management framework necessitates an ongoing process involving the integration of cultural heritage data, documentation, and the Internet of Things (IoT). IoT facilitates the connectivity of physical items to the internet, thereby supporting the safeguarding and interpretation of cultural heritage knowledge. Such framework operates through a collaboration platform that engages experts, local communities, and tourists to ensure a meaningful and interactive interconnection.
Phase Transition Oxide-Based Terahertz Metamaterials for Non-Contact Temperature Sensor
Authors: Gong Yong , Leng Jing , Luo Li , Shi Qiwu
Published: October 2024

The temperature sensors play important roles in wide spreading human activities. Non-contact method has great advantages, but the detection precision encounters big challenge. In this work, a double-layer asymmetric terahertz (THz) metamaterial combined with phase transition oxide was proposed to realize non-contact temperature sensor with high sensitivity. The metamaterial exhibits band-stop filtering effects in the simulated transmission spectra. Temperature changes induce a reversible phase transition in VO2, resulting in altered conductivity. Numerical results indicate that the S21 parameter increases from -44.33 dB to -4.78 dB at a frequency of 1.22 THz as the conductivity of the VO₂ film increases from 10 to 5000 S/m, achieving a modulation depth of 89%. This work provide a great insights for the development of metamaterials based high-precision temperature measurement.
An Extensive Review of Leaching Models for Forecasting and Integrated Management of Surface and Groundwater Quality
Authors: Giakoumatos Stephanos , Siontorou Christina , Sidiras Dimitrios
Published: October 2024

The present study is reviewing leachate models useful for proactive and rehab actions to safeguard surface and subsurface soft water which become even more scarce. Integrated management plans of water basins are of crucial importance since intensively cultivated areas are adding huge quantities of fertilizers affecting surface water basins and groundwater. Aquifers progressively are being nitrified on account of the nitrogen-based fertilizers’ surplus, rendering water for human consumption not potable. Well-tested solute leaching models standalone or part of a model package provide rapid site-specific estimates of the leaching potential of chemical agents, mostly nitrates, below root zone of crops and the impact of leaching towards groundwater. Most of the models examined were process-based or conceptual approach. Nonetheless, empirical prediction models, though rather simplistic and therefore not preferrable, demonstrate certain advantages such as extensive calibration database information requirements, which in many cases is unavailable not to mention stochastic approach and the involving of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Models were categorized according to the porous medium and agents to be monitored. Integrated packages of nutrients’ models are irreplaceable element for extensive catchment to monitor the terrestrial nitrogen balanced cycle and to contribute to the policy making as regards the soft water management.
Design and Analysis of A Triple-Input Three-Level PV Inverter with Minimized Number of MPPT Controllers
Authors: Gyawali Bikash , . Rukhsar , Ajmal Aidha Muhammad , Yang Yongheng
Published: October 2024

Photovoltaic (PV) energy has been a preferable choice with the rise in global energy demand, as it is a sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective source of energy. Optimizing the power generation is necessary to fully utilize the PV system. Harvesting more power uses cascading of impedance source converters taking input from low-voltage PV arrays which requires multiple maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controllers. To solve this problem, a three-level inverter topology with a new PV arrangement, offering a smaller size with lower cost is designed in this article. The design criteria for parameters are discussed with the help of the small signal analysis. In this paper, three PV arrays are used to harvest maximum energy, which requires only one MPPT controller and employs a modified perturb and observe (P&O) algorithm, being faster, highly efficient, and reducing the computational burden of the controller. Moreover, a three maximum power points tracker algorithm, which perturbs one parameter and observes six variables, is designed for the selected converter topology. This MPPT algorithm offers better dynamics and is highly efficient with a conversion efficiency of 99.2% during uniform irradiance and 97% efficiency during variable irradiance conditions.
Candidaemia in an Orthopaedic Patient Detected Coincidentally by Peripheral Blood Smear
Authors: Spatha Eirini , Gheorghe Loredana-Mariana , Chaliori Ioulia , Tsagarakis Nikolaos J. , Patsiogiannis Nikolaos , Chaniotaki Sofia K.
Published: October 2024

An elderly male, with recent COVID-19 and cardiovascular comorbidities, had a prolonged hospitalisation due to periprosthetic joint infection and bacteraemia, post hip hemiarthroplasty. Despite the initial clinical improvement while under targeted antimicrobial therapy, low-grade fever and signs of myelosuppression later occurred. In the May-Grünwald-Giemsa stain of peripheral blood smear (PBS), pseudohyphae among RBCs and phagocytosed blastospores in neutrophils and monocytes were detected, indicating candidaemia and not contamination of the stain. Echinocandin treatment was immediately initiated, and Candida albicans was identified, using multiplex PCR, from the obtained blood cultures. Despite the early initiation of antifungal therapy and the removal of the CVL (central venus line), the patient passed away within the next twenty-four hours. Candidaemia is a leading cause of nosocomial bloodstream infections with very high morbidity and mortality and is associated with multiple risk factors (surgery, CVLs, prolonged hospitalization, concomitant bacterial infection, broad-spectrum antibiotics, immunosuppression). The isolation from blood cultures is the gold standard for candidaemia diagnosis. Detection of candidaemia by PBS is extremely rare, requires an experienced microscopist, and is considered to be an emergency. Clinical suspicion, early laboratory identification, and immediate clinician notification can lead to prompt antifungal treatment.
Drowsiness Detection of Construction Workers: A Proactive Approach to Accident Prevention Leveraging Yolov8 Deep Learning And Computer Vision Techniques
Authors: Onososen Adetayo Olugbenga , Musonda Innocent , Onatayo Damilola , Saka Abdullahi Babatunde , Adekunle Samuel Adeniyi , Onatayo Eniola
Published: October 2024

Construction projects' unsatisfactory performance has been linked to factors influencing individuals' well-being and mental alertness on projects. Drowsiness is a significant indicator of sleep deprivation and fatigue, being able to identify the cognitive and physical preparedness of workers on site to engage in construction tasks. As a consequence of the strenuous nature of the work involved in construction, long work hours, and environmental conditions, drowsiness is commonplace and has received less attention despite being a leading cause of accidents occurring on-site. Detecting drowsiness is essential for determining the safety and well-being of site workers. This study presents a vision-based approach using an improved version of the You Only Look Once (YOLOv8) algorithm for real-time drowsiness exposure among construction workers. The proposed method leverages computer vision techniques to analyse facial and eye features, enabling early detection of drowsiness signs, effectively preventing accidents, and enhancing on-site safety. The model showed significant precision and efficiency in detecting drowsiness from the given dataset, accomplishing a drowsiness class with a mean average precision (mAP) of 92%. However, it also exhibited difficulties handling imbalanced classes, particularly the underrepresented 'Awake with PPE' class, which was detected with high precision but comparatively lower recall and mAP. This highlighted the necessity of balanced datasets for optimal deep learning performance. The YOLOv8 model's average mAP of 78% in drowsiness detection compared favourably with other studies employing different methodologies. The vision-based drowsiness detection system has broad applications in the construction industry. It can be integrated into existing safety protocols, enabling real-time alerts to supervisors or workers when drowsiness is detected. The system improves productivity and reduces costs by preventing accidents and enhancing worker safety. However, limitations, such as sensitivity to lighting conditions and occlusions, must be addressed in future iterations.
Innovative Peptide-Based Plasmonic Optical Biosensor for the Determination of Cholesterol
Authors: Bernardo Ana Lia , Parra Anne , Cebrián Virginia , Ahumada Óscar , Oddi Sergio , Dainese Enrico
Published: October 2024

Plasmonic-based biosensors have gained prominence as potent optical biosensing platforms in both scientific and medical research, attributable to their enhanced sensitivity and precision in detecting biomolecular and chemical interactions. However, the detection of low molecular weight analytes with high sensitivity and specificity remains a complex and unresolved issue, posing significant limitations for the advancement of clinical diagnostic tools and medical device technologies. Notably, abnormal cholesterol levels are a well-established indicator of various pathological conditions; yet, the quantitative detection of its free form is complicated by its small molecular size, pronounced hydrophobicity, and the necessity for mediator molecules to achieve efficient sensing. In the present study, a novel strategy for cholesterol quantification was developed, leveraging a plasmonic optical readout in conjunction with a highly specific cholesterol-binding peptide (C-pept) as a biorecognition element, anchored on a functionalized silica substrate. The resulting biosensor exhibited an exceptionally low detection limit of 21.95 µM and demonstrated a linear response in the 10-200 µM range. This peptide-integrated plasmonic sensor introduces a novel one-step competitive method for cholesterol quantification, positioning itself as a highly sensitive biosensing modality for implementation within the AVAC platform, which operates using reflective dark-field microscopy.
Unilateral Exudative Retinal Detachment and Uveitis Accompanied by a Large Subretinal Deposit on the Macula Secondary to Bartonella henselae Infection
Authors: Liang Tian-Wei , Cui Yan hui , Hu Man , Cao Di , Yan Honggai , Li Li
Published: October 2024

Introduction: To describe a case of unilateral exudative retinal detachment and severe uveitis with a large subretinal deposit in a 6-year-old girl presenting with left thigh lymphadenitis.
Case Presentation: A metagenome next-generation sequencing (mNGS) of the vitreous body was performed, revealing Bartonella henselae. The patient showed the resolution of retinal detachment and uveitis, as well as improvement of left thigh lymphadenitis, in response to systemic and ocular antibiotics and corticosteroids.
Conclusion: Bartonella henselae neuroretinitis may manifest as exudative retinal detachment with extensive subretinal lesions and uveitis. The treatment involving systemic and ocular antibiotics and corticosteroids proved to be effective.
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Antibiotic Use Among Students in Ecuador and Nigeria: A Comparative Study
Authors: Sánchez Redroban José Daniel , Montenegro Cuello Kimberlly Pamela , Rodríguez Proaño Arjuna Alejandro
Published: October 2024

Antibiotic resistance is a global public health issue, largely driven by the misuse of these medications. This study aimed to compare the knowledge, attitudes and practices related to antibiotic use among students in Ecuador and Nigeria through a cross-sectional survey. The results indicated a strong understanding in both countries of the risks associated with inappropriate antibiotic use and the importance of completing prescribed treatments. However, significant differences were noted in the practice of self-medication, which was more prevalent in Ecuador. Additionally, behaviors such as insistence on obtaining antibiotics and the storing of leftover medications were common, underscoring the need for targeted educational interventions. The implications of these findings for promoting responsible antibiotic use are further discussed.
Linking Meteorological Variables and Particulate Matter PM2.5 in the Aburrá Valley, Colombia
Authors: Parra Juan C. , Gómez Miriam , Salas Hernán D. , Botero Blanca A. , Piñeros Juan G. , Tavera Jaime , Velásquez María P.
Published: October 2024

Environmental pollution indicated by the presence of PM2.5 particulate matter varies based on prevailing atmospheric conditions described by certain meteorological variables. Consequently, it is important to understand atmospheric behavior in areas such as the Aburrá Valley, which experiences recurrent pollution events twice a year. This study examines the behavior of specific meteorological variables and PM2.5 particulate matter in the Aburrá Valley. By using statistical analysis tools such as correlation coefficients, principal component analysis (PCA), and multiple linear regression models, the research identifies relationships between PM2.5 and daily cycles of temperature, rainfall, radiation, and wind speed and direction. Data sets were analyzed considering periods before and after the COVID-19 lockdown (pre-pandemic and pandemic, respectively), and specific pollution events were also analyzed. Furthermore, this work considers the relationships between PM2.5 and meteorological variables, contrasting the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods. This study characterizes diurnal cycles of meteorological variables and their relationship with PM2.5. There are consistent patterns among temperature, atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) height, and solar radiation, whereas precipitation and relative humidity show opposite behavior. PM2.5 exhibits similar relative frequency functions during both daytime and nighttime, regardless of rainfall. An inverse relationship is noted between PM2.5 levels and ABL height at different times of the day. Moreover, the PCA results show that the first principal component explains around 60% of the total variance of the hydrometeorological data. The second PC explains 10%, and the rest of the variance is distributed among the other three to eight PCs. In this sense, there is no significant difference between the two PCA analyses with hydrometeorological data from a pre-pandemic period and a COVID-19 pandemic. Multiple regression analysis indicates a significant and consistent dependence of PM2.5 on temperature and solar radiation across both analyzed periods. This work presents new insights that enhance the diagnosis, understanding, and modeling of environmental pollution, thereby supporting informed decision-making and strengthening management efforts.
Adaptive Navigation Based on Multi-Agent RSQM Algorithm
Authors: Magsi Hina , Shah Madad Ali , Abro Ghulam E Mustafa , Memon Sufyan Ali , Hussain Arif , Memon Abdul Aziz , Kim Wan-Gu
Published: October 2024

In the era of industrial evolution satellites are being viewed as swarm intelligence that do not relies on single system but multiple constellations collaborate autonomously. This has enhanced the potential of the GNSS system to contribute in the improved position, navigation and timing (PNT) services. However, Multipath (MP) and Non-line-of-sight (NLOS) receptions remain the prominent vulnerability for GNSS in harsh environments. The aim of this research is to investigate its impact of MP and NLOS on GNSS performance and then proposed a Received Signal Quality Monitoring (RSQM) algorithm. RSQM works twofold: Initially it performs a signal quality test based on fuzzy inference system. The input parameters are Carrier-to-Noise ratio (CNR), Range Residuals (RR) and Code-Carrier Divergence (CCD) and it computes the membership functions based on mamdani method and classify the signal quality as LOS, NLOS, weak NLOS, and strong NLOS. Secondly, it performs an adaptive navigation strategy to exclude/mask the affected range measurements, while considering the satellite geometry constraints (i.e., DOP≤2).. For this purpose, comprehensive research to quantify the multi-constellation GNSS receiver with four constellation configuration (GPS,BeiDou, GLONASS and Galileo) has been carried out in various operating environments. This RSQM based GNSS receiver has capability to identify signal quality and perform adaptive navigation accordingly to improve the navigation performance. The results suggest that GNSS performance in terms of position error is improved from 5.4m to 2.3m averagely in the complex urban environment. Accumulating RSQM with GNSS has great potential for future industrial revolution (Industry 5.0) making things automatic and sustainable like autonomous vehicle operation.
Kernel Principal Component Analysis for Allen–Cahn Equation
Authors: Çakır Yusuf , Uzunca Murat
Published: October 2024

Different researchers analyzed effective computational methods that maintain the precision of Allen-Chan (AC) equations and their constant security. This article presents a method known as reduced order model technique by utilizing kernel principle component analysis (KPCA), a nonlinear variation of traditional principal component analysis (PCA). KPCA is utilized on the data matrix created using discrete solution vectors of the AC equation. In order to achieve discrete solutions, small variations are applied for dividing up extraterrestrial elements, while Kahan’s method is used for temporal calculations. Handling the process of backmapping from small-scale space involves utilizing a non-iterative formula rooted in the concept of the multi-dimensional scaling (MDS) method. Using KPCA, we show that simplified sorting methods preserve dissipation of energy structure. The effectiveness of simplified solutions from linear PCA and KPCA, the retention of invariants, and computational speeds are shown through one-, two-, and three-dimensional AC equations.
A Study on The Semantics of Opposite Compounds in Modern Chinese
Authors: Xingyu Huo
Published: October 2024

In modern Chinese, many words are composed of a pair of morphemes with opposite meanings, such as "左右(left and right)", "褒贬(commendatory and derogatory)", which constitutes an important phenomenon in the field of lexicology. Although the number of opposite compounds is limited, the study of their lexicalization process and cognitive mechanism is of great significance for expanding the research results of modern Chinese lexicology. In addition, the application of opposite compounds in teaching, especially in teaching Chinese as a foreign language, poses challenges and needs to be further studied. In this study, the opposite compounds in the Modern Chinese Dictionary (7th edition) were investigated. According to the relationship between word meaning and morpheme meaning, 260 opposite compounds were divided into three categories: "word meaning = morpheme meaning", "word meaning > morpheme meaning" and "word meaning ≠ morpheme meaning". By analyzing word frequency in a corpus, this study explored the correlation between semantic integration and frequency of opposite compounds. The significance of this work lies in enriching the corpus resources for studying antonymic compounds, solving issues related to meaning and morpheme classification, which enhances existing research and deepens its content. Additionally, it provides pedagogical guidance for teaching Chinese as a second language, aiding learners in mastering antonymic compounds more easily.
¿Mexicanos al grito de guerra?
Authors: Valenzuela Gutiérrez Edwin Carlos
Published: October 2024

¿En qué medida es un medio de comunicación responsable por lo que informa? En este apartado me permito reexionar sobre el linchamiento cometido contra el ucraniano Aleksei Makeev, habitante de Cancún. Más allá de lo que se conoce y en aras de aportar un enfoque distinto expresaré la labor de las redes sociales y medios electrónicos en torno al mencionado evento.
Miguel Méndez, oficio memorístico
Authors: Sánchez Benitez Roberto
Published: October 2024

Los muertos también cuentan (1995) es la única obra galardonada de Miguel Méndez, gracias al Premio José Fuentes Mares de la UACJ en 1991. En esta obra, el autor se detiene a pensar los 500 años del llamado Descubrimiento de América.
La suave patria: un retrato político
Authors: Siller Vásquez Pedro Vidal
Published: October 2024

1921 fue un año importante en muchos sentidos: Venustiano Carranza había sido asesinado y Álvaro Obregón inauguró su primer año de gobierno. Vasconcelos fue nombrado rector de la Universidad Nacional y se resolvió que el escudo de la Universidad Nacional consistiría en un mapa de la América Latina con la leyenda “Por mi raza hablará el espíritu”, con lo que se daba n a la época positivista en México
Transparencia y fiscalización de los partidos políticos en México: una práctica reciente y reticente
Authors: Cadena Inostroza Cecilia
Published: October 2024

La transparencia y rendición de cuentas son prácticas que han permitido, en democra- cias modernas, limitar el abuso del poder y de recursos públicos en bene cio privado. Estas formas de gobierno se caracterizan por sistemas representativos a través de los cuales los ciudadanos no gobiernan, pero tienen libertad para elegir a quienes lo hacen.
Effect of the Communities That HEAL Intervention on Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution: A Cluster-Randomized, Wait-List Controlled Trial
Authors: Freeman Patricia R. , Walley Alexander Y. , Winhusen T. John , Oga Emmanuel A. , Villani Jennifer , Hunt Timothy , Chandler Redonna K. , Oyler Douglas R. , Reilly Brittni , Gelberg Kitty , Douglas Christian , Lyons Michael S. , Holloway JaNae , Vandergrift Nathan A. , Adams Joella W. , Asman Katherine , Baker Trevor J. , Brancato Candace J. , Cheng Debbie M. , Childerhose Janet E. , David James L. , Feaster Daniel J. , Gilbert Louisa , Glasgow LaShawn M. , Goddard-Eckrich Dawn A. , Knott Charles , Knudsen Hannah K. , Lofwall Michelle R. , Marks Katherine R. , McMullan Jason T. , Oser Carrie B. , Roberts Monica F. , Shoben Abigail B. , Stein Michael D. , Walters Scott T. , Watson Josie , Zarkin Gary A. , Jackson Rebecca D. , Samet Jeffrey H. , Walsh Sharon L. , Bassel Nabila El
Published: October 2024

Objectives. To determine whether the Communities That HEAL (CTH) intervention is effective in increasing naloxone distribution compared with usual care.

Methods. The HEALing (Helping to End Addiction Long-Term) Communities Study (HCS) is a cluster-randomized, parallel-arm, wait-list controlled implementation science trial testing the impact of the CTH intervention on increasing the use of evidence-based practices to lower opioid-related overdose deaths. Communities (n = 67) highly impacted by opioid overdose in Kentucky, Massachusetts, New York, and Ohio were allocated to CTH intervention (n = 34) or wait-list comparison (usual care; n = 33) arms. The primary outcome for this study was the number of naloxone units distributed in HCS communities during the comparison period (July 1, 2021‒June 30, 2022), examined using an intent-to-treat negative binomial regression model.

Results. Naloxone distribution was 79% higher in the CTH intervention versus usual care arm (adjusted relative rate = 1.79; 95% confidence interval = 1.28, 2.51; P = .001; adjusted rates of naloxone distribution 3378 vs 1884 naloxone units per 100 000 residents), when controlling for urban‒rural status, state, baseline opioid-related overdose death rate, and baseline naloxone distribution rate.

Conclusions. The CTH intervention increased naloxone distribution compared with usual care in communities highly impacted by the opioid crisis.

Trial Registration. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04111939. ( Am J Public Health. 2025;115(1):83–94. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2024.307845 )
The Improvement of Intraoperative Motor Evoked Potential after Decompression in Cervical Compressive Myelopathy: Its Significance and Related Factors
Authors: Kwon Jong Yun , Kim Dong Hwan , Nam Kyoung Hyup , Choi Byung Kwan , Han In Ho
Published: October 2024

Objective: This study investigated the relationship between intraoperative motor evoked potential (MEP) improvement after decompression surgery for cervical compressive myelopathy (CCM) and postoperative neurological outcomes, and preoperative factors influencing MEP improvement.Methods: MEP amplitudes were measured prospectively before and after decompression in 38 patients with CCM. The patients were categorized into three groups according to whether the intraoperative MEP slightly decreased, slightly increased, or significantly increased. Functional outcomes were assessed using the recovery rate (RR) and absolute improvement (AI) of the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association score on postoperative days (PODs) 7 and 28. The preoperative characteristics and intraoperative MEP changes among the three groups were compared. Additionally, the correlation between the increase in MEP amplitude during surgery and the extent of improvement in functional outcomes was investigated.Results: The significantly increased MEP group had a lower baseline MEP amplitude (152.46 µV; p=0.009). In the slightly decreased MEP group, the RR was 27.98 ± 32.29% at POD 7 (p=0.010) and 11.61 ± 69.84% at POD 28 (p=0.200); the AI was 0.79 ± 0.80 at POD 7 (p=0.010) and 0.79 ± 1.42 at POD 28 (p=0.100). In the slightly increased MEP group, the RR was 23.75 ± 28.36% at POD 7 (p=0.040) and 28.47 ± 43.38% at POD 28 (p=0.070); the AI was 1.00 ± 1.21 at POD 7 (p=0.030) and 1.08±1.88 at POD 28 (p=0.100). In the significantly increased MEP group, the RR was 41.06 ± 32.01% at POD 7 (p=0.009) and 59.78 ± 34.52% at POD 28 (p=0.006); the AI was 3.08 ± 2.07 at POD 7 (p=0.009) and 4.33 ± 2.54 at POD 28 (p=0.006). Greater intraoperative MEP improvement correlated with better postoperative recovery at 1 month (RR, p=0.010; AI, p<0.001).Conclusion: Intraoperative MEP monitoring is valuable for predicting postoperative neurological outcomes in CCM patients, particularly those with lower baseline MEP amplitudes. Significant intraoperative MEP improvements are associated with better functional recovery. These findings underscore the importance of MEP monitoring in optimizing surgical strategies and predicting neurological recovery.
Emulsion-Stabilized Hydrate Slurries: An Operational Flow Assurance Reality or a False Sense of Security
Authors: Wylde J. J. , Majid A. A. A. , Bbosa B. , Smith R. , Hernandez O. , Asheim C. , Patel Z.
Published: October 2024

In this paper, we provide a detailed case study on a laboratory-to-field strategy evaluating the use of flowline emulsions as a method of chemical-free hydrate control up to 25 vol% water cut. This is now ready to be put into successful operational practice in the deepwater production environment. The oil in question was known to have a strong tendency to emulsify, and a detailed study of the separability of oil and water was necessary to understand the propensity for emulsions to form and, more importantly, break. Rheology studies were used to determine the thermal and shear influences on emulsion stability. These results better aligned the hydrate application testing performed using rocking cell and autoclave methods to determine hydrate formation under dynamic conditions and the propensity for hydrates to form at ever-increasing water cuts. Customized test protocols were required for the hydrate testing to better risk manage the nuanced aspects of hydrate formation, including agglomeration amount and bedding (settling) propensity. The emulsion testing showed a very stable and tight water-in-oil (W/O) emulsion formed that did not invert until >50 vol% water cut. The emulsions were rheologically complex and very temperature and shear dependent. At typical steady-state subsea conditions, significant separation was not anticipated to occur up to and beyond 25 vol% water cut. Hydrate performance testing was able to demonstrate that at shear stresses approximating the flowline, 25 vol% water cut was able to remain emulsified for the whole of the test and was not available to create a significant hydrate slurry. At 30 vol% water cut, significant hydrates formed and were deemed too operationally risky to go untreated. As of the time of this writing, the field is not producing significant amounts of water requiring hydrate control; however, the testing enabled a risk management approach that will require no hydrate control (“do nothing”) for water cuts below 25 vol% for extended shutdowns and cold restart scenarios. Flow assurance strategies and procedures are being updated to reflect this approach. Taking advantage of the use of naturally occurring emulsions to solve deepwater hydrate flow assurance challenges is a novel and developing technique. Successfully risk-managed cases are required to be shared with the industry to drive toward a lower carbon footprint production future coupled with less chemical exposure to the environment.
Indonesian Throughflow promoted eastward propagation of the Madden-Julian Oscillation
Authors: Liu Fei , Ma Libin , Li Mingting , Li Juan
Published: October 2024

Understanding the impacts of the Indonesian Throughflow (ITF) on the eastward propagation of the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) is crucial for accurately simulating the MJO and achieving high-skill sub-seasonal predictions. Our analyses demonstrate a significant enhancement of MJO eastward propagation due to the strong ITF. Blocking the ITF decreases the eastward sea surface temperature (SST) gradient over the tropical Indian Ocean, hindering MJO propagation across the Maritime Continent (MC). Removing the MJO circulation-induced intraseasonal variability of the ITF transport also weakens the eastward propagation of the MJO, as the MJO easterly winds enhance the ITF transport and warm the eastern tropical Indian Ocean. These experiments reveal that mean and intraseasonal variability of the ITF transport contribute to 73% and 42% of the eastward propagation of the MJO over the MC, respectively. The findings presented in this study highlight the significant role of the ITF in shaping the propagation of the MJO.
The Effect of Endometrial Thickness on The Day of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Injection on Reproductive Outcome in Clomiphene Citrate and Intrauterine Insemination Cycles
Authors: Aksan Alperen , Dilbaz Berna , Erturun Ayse Gülen , Dilbaz Serdar , Sarıkaya Dilara
Published: October 2024

Backround:
To evaluate the effect of endometrial thickness (EMT) on the day of Human Chorionic Gonadtropin(hCG) injection on reproductive outcome in clomiphene citrate and intrauterine insemination cycles (CC + IUI).
Methods
Overall 640 cycles in couples with unexplained infertility or WHO Category 2 normogonadotropic anovulatory women and met the inclusion criteria were analyzed retrospectively. Our study was approved by Ministry of Health, Health Sciences University Etlik Zübeyde Hanim Women’s Institutional Board (30/12/2020-90057706-799) who applied to Reproductive Endocrinology Department of a tertiary center between February 2019 and February 2020 and received ovulation induction with CC + IUI. The demographic characteristics and EMT at the hCG injection day were compared in the group with a clinical pregnancy with those who failed to achieve pregnancy.
Results
Out of the evaluated 640 cycles, 92 cases had a high β-hCG (14.4%) and 80 (12.5%) resulted in a clinical pregnancy. While 23 (23/640, 3.6%) of the cases with clinical pregnancy experienced spontaneous abortion, 52 (8.1%) resulted in live birth. Maternal age, duration of infertility and clomiphene citrate dosage were found to have an impact on the clinical pregnancy and live birth ratio. The cut-off value for endometrial thickness is 8.45 mm (sensitivity 49.4%, specificity 55.3%) for clinical pregnancy. The incidence of biochemical pregnancy was less while the incidence of clinical pregnancy (p = 0.010) and live birth (p = 0.002) was high in cases with an EMT > 8–9 mm on the day of β-HCG injection
Conclusion
Higher pregnancy rates have been reported at certain EMT values. However, cycle success can be predicted not only by EMT but also by considering other factors such as female age, infertility duration, and endometrial pattern.
The impact of preoperative maintaining antithrombotic medications for clinical outcomes in patients undergoing non-coronary endovascular interventions
Authors: Li Jiaqi , Fu Linlin , Zhang Yepeng , Qiao Tong , Wang Baoyan
Published: October 2024

It is common for patients on antithrombotic medications to undergo endovascular interventions. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of preoperative maintaining antithrombotic medications on perioperative clinical outcomes, especially intraoperative blood transfusion, in patients undergoing these procedures. A total of 5743 patients who underwent endovascular interventions from January 2019 to December 2022 were identified and divided into four groups based on the preoperative antithrombotic medications. Clinical outcomes, including blood transfusion, hematoma and pseudoaneurysm, were analyzed using multivariate logistics regression. Subsequently, patients were stratified according to whether they received blood transfusion. All-cause mortality, adverse cardiovascular events and infectious events were used to evaluate the impact of blood transfusion. The stabilized inverse probability of treatment weights (IPTW) with using propensity score was employed to adjust for covariate imbalance. Compared to patients not receiving any antithrombotic medications, those undergoing dual antiplatelet therapy or anticoagulant therapy exhibited an increased risk of requiring blood transfusion (OR: 2.05, 95%CI: 1.30-3.23; OR: 1.92, 95%CI: 1.22-3.03). Additionally, patients receiving anticoagulant therapy demonstrated a higher risk of hematoma (OR: 2.71, 95% CI: 1.20-6.13). No significant difference in the incidence of pseudoaneurysm was observed. Subgroup analysis indicated that the risk of blood transfusion varied according to the type of anesthesia, number of puncture sites and renal function, with a significant interaction (P < 0.05). Patients who required blood transfusion had significantly higher rate of one-year all-cause mortality (HR: 2.18, 95% CI: 1.10-4.32) and three-month infectious events at three months (HR: 4.92, 95% CI: 1.72-14.06). Preoperative maintaining dual antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy increased the risk of blood transfusion in endovascular interventions. Blood transfusion was independently associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality and infectious events. Interventional physicians should assess thrombosis and bleeding risks preoperatively, and determine whether to discontinue antithrombotic medications and avoid liberal blood transfusion.
C–C motif chemokine ligand 14 characterization for prediction of persistent severe AKI in post-cardiac surgery children
Authors: Brandewie Katie , Alten Jeffrey A , Goldstein Stuart L. , Rose James , Kim Michael E , Ollberding Nicholas J. , Zang Huaiyu , Gist Katja M
Published: October 2024

Objectives Evaluate the association of early postoperative urinary c-c motif chemokine ligand 14 (CCL14) and persistent severe acute kidney injury (AKI) in pediatric post-cardiac surgery patients.Methods Retrospective single center cohort study of patients < 18 years of age undergoing cardiac surgery who provided a biorepository urine sample within the first 24 postoperative hours. Persistent severe AKI was defined as any AKI stage lasting for ≥ 72 hours with at least one time point of AKI stage 2 or 3 during that time frame. Patients with persistent severe AKI were matched 2:1 with non-AKI patients on age and sex. Urine samples were measured for CCL14 concentration. Logistic regression was used to evaluate associations between CCL14 and persistent severe AKI.Results Persistent severe AKI occurred in 14 (5.4%) patients and was more common in patients with higher surgical complexity and longer cardiopulmonary bypass and cross-clamp duration. Patients with persistent severe AKI had longer median cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) (5 [3, 10] vs. 2 [1.5, 5.5], p-value = 0.039) and hospital length of stays (13.5 [7.8, 16.8] vs. 6 [4, 8], p-value = 0.009). There was no difference in CCL14 levels between patients with and without persistent severe AKI (46.7 pg/ml [31.0, 82.9] vs. 44.2 pg/ml [25.1, 74.9], p-value = 0.49) in univariable and logistic regression.Conclusions In this heterogenous cohort of children undergoing cardiac surgery, CCL14 was not associated with persistent severe AKI. Future studies are needed to evaluate the use of CCL14 for predicting persistent severe AKI in children
Re-evaluating the timing of sequential cranial ultrasound screening in very preterm infants for predicting neurodevelopmental outcomes: A Population Study
Authors: Ramdass Sunaina , Disher Tim , Vincer Michael , Afifi Jehier , Ahmad Tahani
Published: October 2024

Objective:
The accurate prediction and early detection of neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) is a crucial endeavor in caring for very preterm infants (VPI). Sequential cranial ultrasound (CUS) is the standard of care for imaging evaluation. There is no consensus on the timing and frequency of CUS screening. At our institution four time points CUS are performed for screening. We hypothesize that the 2-week CUS is not necessary for NDI prognostication.
Materials and methods:
In this retrospective, multi-center, population-based cohort, we included all liveborn VPI born 220-306 weeks gestation between January 2004 and December 2018 who had a neurodevelopmental assessment at 36 months corrected age. A model with and without 2-week CUS was compared to a reference model including gestational age, infant sex, and 6-week CUS.
Results:
Out of 786 preterm babies born during the study period, 656 survivors were included in the analysis. 30% of our cohort has NDI as per clinical assessment. The mean gestational age was 27.8 weeks with the mean birth weight being 1133 grams, and 55% being male infants. One in three survivors developed NDI when assessed at 36 months of corrected age.
There was no strong evidence that the addition of the 2-weeks CUS meaningfully contributes to the risk prediction of any NDI or major NDI. Models with and without the 2-week CUS showed nearly identical performance across a broad set of metrics.
Conclusion:
The comparison of two methods of sequential CUS screening showed reliable performance of the 3-time points model to predict NDI at 36 months of corrected age.
The efficacy and safety analysis of immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy with or without targeted therapy versus chemotherapy alone as second-line treatment for advanced biliary tract malignant tumors
Authors: Jiang Chengzhi , Yang Liu , Kong LingYang , Fang Tianyuan , Chang Lele , He Lei , Ma Qian , Cheng YiBo , Wang Wanying , Ma Zhigang , Li Qingwei , Tao Ji
Published: October 2024

Objective
The treatment of biliary tract cancer (BTC) keep still limited, especially after the progress of first-line treatment. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been proved effects in various of solid tumors, so as BTC. But their efficacy and safety in patients with advanced BTC are still need further exploration.
Methods
The clinical information of 126 patients diagnosed with advanced BTC between 2014 and 2024 who received the first-line therapy or neoadjuvant therapy but assessing progress or intolerance were retrospectively reviewed. All patients were treated with chemotherapy, while 57 of them were treated with ICIs in combination targeted therapy or not, the other 69 of them were not. Therefore, we divided the patients into two groups, SC (simple chemotherapy) and CT (combined treatment), then we analyzed the benefit of adding ICIs with or without targeted therapy according to efficacy, adverse events, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), progressive disease (PD), and the influence of various factors and effectiveness.
Results
The mean PFS was 4.68 months for CT group and 3.50 months for SC group. And the mean OS was 30.26 months for CT group and 17.14 months for SC group. The PFS and OS were prolonged by 1.18 months and 13.12 months with ICIs with or without targeted therapy respectively, and the difference were statistically significant (p = 0.0012; p < 0.001). The objective response rate (ORR) was 5.26% (3/57) for the CT group versus 1.45% (1/69) for the SC group, and the disease control rate (DCR) was 54.39% (31/57) versus 33.33% (23/69), respectively. Regression analysis demonstrated that factors such as TNM stage, T stage, histological grade, whether CA199 decreased, and therapeutic evaluation grade were related to OS (p < 0.05). For the treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs), the highest grade 3–4 adverse effects was hemoglobin count decreased (29.37%).
Conclusion
Our study showed that ICIs combined with chemotherapy with or without targeted therapy exhibited good antitumor activity with acceptable safety and could be recommended as second-line treatment for patients with advanced BTC.
Effect of tele-training tai chi versus strength exercise on markers of oxidative stress and muscle mass in older Mexican women during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Hernández-Álvarez David , Rosado-Pérez Juana , Gavia-García Graciela , Arista-Ugalde Taide Laurita , Aguiñiga-Sánchez Itzen , Osorio Edelmiro Santiago , Vaquero-Barbosa Nayeli , Mendoza-Núñez Víctor Manuel
Published: October 2024

Background Physical exercise teletrining can be a good option to maintain intrinsic capacity, especially in confinement situations such as the one experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. To determine the effect of tele-training tai chi vs. strength exercise on markers of oxidative stress and muscle mass in Mexican older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A quasi-experimental exploratory study of a convenience sample of 38 older women who participated in a zoom tele-exercise program, divided into two groups: (i) tai chi group (TCG) n = 19; (ii) strength training group (STG) n = 19. All participants had blood markers of oxidative stress (OxS), inflammation and body composition parameters assessed at baseline and after six months of tele-exercise training. Results Adherence to the tele-training by zoom program was observed in more than 80% of the participants. A statistically significant decrease in the concentration of carbonylated proteins was found in the TCG compared to the STG (TCG, baseline 47.30 ± 5.16, post. 37.09 ± 12.90 vs. STG, baseline, 35.64 ± 13.96, post. 47.68 ± 16.85, p < 0.05), in addition to a decrease in the oxidative stress index (TOS/TAS) in the TCG compared to the STG (TCG, base-line, 9.34 ± 6.88, Post. 5.79 ± 3.95 vs. GST, baseline 5.35 ± 2.39, post 13.24 ± 7.07, p < 0.01). Likewise, a greater increase in the ratio of free fat mass and skeletal muscle mass was observed in the TCG compared to the STG with borderline statistical significance (p = 0.06). Conclusion Our findings suggest that tai chi tele-training by zoom has a significantly greater antioxidant effect than ST linked to an increase in fat-free mass and skeletal muscle mass. Therefore, the use of remote digital platforms, such as zoom, may be an option for healthy aging interventions through the tai chi tele-training to maintain or improve intrinsic capacity.
Unravelling Africa’s raw material footprints and their drivers
Authors: Osei-Owusu Albert , Danquah Michael , Towa Edgar , Cabernard Livia
Published: October 2024

African economies, reliant on resource extraction and exports, face rising demand for their critical minerals essential to the green transition and net-zero targets. To capitalise on these opportunities, Africa must address environmental concerns and regulatory, technological, and financial challenges in decoupling growth from resource use while pursuing decarbonisation. This study applies an environmentally extended input-output analysis, leveraging the Resolved Exiobase database, to estimate the global raw material footprints of 51 African nations from 1995 to 2018. It employs the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator and panel regression models to quantify the effects of diverse variables on these footprints. The findings showed that the raw material footprints of Africa’s production and consumption grew by 60 per cent (3.65-5.76 Gt) and 58 per cent (2.85-4.55 Gt), respectively, from 1995 to 2018, mainly due to biomass and non-metallic minerals. Our findings also show that Africa’s share of outsourced consumption footprints increased from 14-32% over the studied period, while over 40% of its production footprint embodied in exports. These findings underscore the urgent need for policy reforms in Africa to address the challenges of resource overexploitation, extreme rent-seeking and bad governance. Such reforms are critical for decoupling economic growth from Africa’s material consumption and its related environmental impacts to achieve sustainable development in the region.
Research on Student Performance Prediction Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Xu Wenjin , Gao Chang , Yang Hongning
Published: October 2024

Student performance serves as a crucial indicator for assessing learning outcomes across various educational institutions. Conducting reasonable predictions and analyses can provide insights into students' future academic achievements. Predicting student performance is a significant research direction in the current exploration of educational data analysis patterns. Accurate predictions can assist educational administrators and teachers in promptly identifying academic risks, optimizing the allocation of scarce educational resources, and consequently improving education quality and learning outcomes. This paper establishes a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) prediction model, constructing training and testing datasets using PyTorch tensors based on existing student information data. By extracting target information columns, the model identifies patterns within the data and ultimately predicts a student's score in a specific subject for their next exam. Upon completing the predictions, the results are displayed in a chart alongside existing scores for analysis, providing a reference for developing subsequent training programs.