bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patterns of Psychiatric Admissions across two Disasters: L’Aquila Earthquake and COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown
Authors: Barlattani Tommaso , Salfi Federico , Socci Valentina , Renzi Giulio , D'Amelio Chiara , Russo Alessia , Trebbi Edoardo , Rossi Alessandro , Pacitti Francesca
Published: April 2024

Background
This study examined psychiatric hospitalisation patterns in San Salvatore Hospital in L'Aquila during two major crises: the 2009 earthquake and the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. The investigation spans two four-year periods, from 2008 to 2011 and from 2019 to 2022, with a focus on the trimester around the earthquake and the first wave/lockdown of the pandemic.
Methods
We analysed weekly psychiatric unit admissions of adults diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorder, major depression, bipolar disorder, and alcohol/substance use disorder. Four-year periods around the Earthquake and COVID-19 Lockdown were divided into sixteen trimesters, and Generalised linear models were used to analyse the relationship between weekly hospitalisation frequency and trimesters by diagnosis using a Poisson distribution.
Results
Weekly hospitalisations in the earthquake trimester were lower than the previous one for all diagnoses. This reduction persisted for 21, 18, and 33 months after the earthquake for schizophrenia spectrum, bipolar, and alcohol/substance use disorders, respectively.
On the other hand, patterns of weekly admissions around the COVID-19 lockdown remained substantially stable in the short term. However, a consistent long-term hospitalisation increase for all diagnoses characterised the first half of 2022 (the cessation of anti-COVID-19 measures).
Conclusions
The present study's findings indicated that exposure to disasters can have both short- and long-term effects on psychiatric ward admission, holding significant implications for current and future disaster management strategies.
Radiological Study on Fibular Morphology in Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Fan Xuguo , Zhao Yonggang , Wang Neng , Yang Jie , Zhao Guangyu , Luo Shuntian , Liu Zhaoxian , Zhou Liqin , Yang Yanwei
Published: April 2024

Background
To explore the relationship between fibular morphology indicators and knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and the role of fibular morphology in the occurrence and development of KOA.
Methods
This retrospective study enrolled patients with KOA who sought treatment from Hospital A between January 2021 and October 2023. In total, 271 patients (447 knees), comprising 157 males and 124 females, with an average age of 60.11 ± 0.59 years (range from 18 to 86 years), were enrolled according to specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Measurements of hip-knee-ankle (HKA),medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA),tital fibular curvature(TFC),proximal fibular curvature (PFC), distal fibular curvature (DFC),fibula tibia distance (FTD) and fibula tibia area (FTA) were taken. Intraobserver and interobserver reliabilities of all imaging measurements were assessed using intraclass correlation analysis, and the relationship between each indicator and KOA was analyzed using logistic regression.
Results
Patients with KOA exhibited significantly larger HKA and smaller MPTA than did those without KOA. The between-group differences of TFC,PTC,DFC,FTD and FTA were nonsignificant. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that HKA, MPTA, DFCand FTD was statistically significant. K–L grade was significantly positively correlated with HKA and significantly inversely correlated with MPTA. No significant difference in TFC,PTC,DFC,FTD and FTA was observed between patients with and without KOA. Ordinal logistic regression revealed that HKA,MPTA,DFC and FTD was statistically significant. MPTA、PFC and DFC was significantly greater in patients with valgus KOA than in patients with varus KOA. However, the between-group differences of TFC,FTD and FTA was nonsignificant. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that HKA and FTD were statistically significant.
Conclusion
Fibular morphology indicator FTD is a risk factor for the occurrence of KOA, the severity of KOA, and varus KOA, and DFC serves as a protective factor against the occurrence and severity of KOA.
Multiple Cytokine Analysis of Aqueous Humor in Uveitis With or Without Secondary Glaucoma
Authors: Xiao Junyan , Zhao Chan , Cheng Gangwei , Song Hang , Zhang Yang , Zhan Meifen
Published: April 2024

To investigate the concentration of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines of aqueous humor (AH) in uveitis with or without glaucoma, and compare them with patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and age-related cataract (ARC). By using Luminex xMAP® multiplex assays analyses, we assessed levels of 11 cytokines and chemokines, and compared them across groups, including uveitis-secondary glaucoma (USG) (n=16), uveitis without glaucoma (UwoG), (n=16), POAG (n=16), and ARC (n=16) to analyze the correlation between these cytokines and uveitis and intraocular hypertension (IOP). Pro-inflammatory factors MCP-1, MIP-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and transforming growth factors TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 were significantly elevated in the AH of USG eyes. In the case of enhanced anti-inflammatory in the perioperative period, the pro-inflammatory factors in the USG group were still significantly higher than those in the UwoG group (P<0.01). The concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1 in the AH of the USG group and POAG group had the same trend, which was significantly higher than those of the ARC group (P<0.01). Significantly increased levels of MCP-1, MIP-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TGF-β1, and TGF-β2 were found in the AH of USG patients, suggesting that these molecules may contribute to the clinical development of glaucoma in patients with uveitis. Besides there was no statistically significant difference in the levels of cytokines in the AH of USG eyes whether the preoperative baseline IOP was greater than 30 mmHg or not, indicating that the safety of antiglaucoma surgery in USG patients even with baseline high IOP.
Understanding Women With Endometriosis and Their Treatment Expectations: Baseline Results of a Clinical Cohort Study
Authors: Joußen Navin , Meyrose Ann-Katrin , Hirsing Nina , Buchweitz Olaf , Nestoriuc Yvonne
Published: April 2024

Introduction. Endometriosis is still somewhat unknown to the general public, often overlooked and not treated satisfactorily. 20-30% of affected women report persistent pain disability even after successful surgical removal of endometriotic tissue via laparoscopy. Medical factors can not explain this symptom persistence. Therefore, psychological factors, such as treatment expectations, might play a role for treatment outcomes of endometriosis and women’s quality of life. This study aimed to characterise women with endometriosis, describe their treatment expectations before laparoscopy, and identify predictors of treatment expectations.
Method. This study characterizes a clinical cohort of N = 393 women with endometriosis treated in a specialized endometriosis centre in Germany. Treatment expectations were assessed using the Treatment Expectation Questionnaire and the Generic Rating Scale for Treatment Expectations. Medical characteristics were evaluated with a self-conducted case report form.
Analysis. Descriptive and multiple linear regression analyses with ten different treatment expectations as the dependent variable were conducted.
Results. The mean endometriosis-related pain disability score was 30.77 ± 13.28, and the mean somatic symptom severity score was 15.61 ± 5.07. 40.2% (n = 158) of the participants had a high likelihood of having major depression, and 39.9% (n = 157) were highly likely to have a general anxiety disorder. Treatment expectations concerning the laparoscopy of participants were rather positive. Multiple linear regressions show that endometriosis-related pain disability and state anxiety predict treatment expectations of women with endometriosis. Medical characteristics were not significantly associated with treatment expectations.
Conclusion. Affected women are highly physically and psychologically burdened, mostly over several years. Patients with higher pain disability and anxiety are especially prone to negative treatment expectations.
Trial Registration Number: ID NCT05019612 (ClinicalTrials.gov), registration date August 25th.
Artificial intelligence-based density proportion analysis in predicting the invasiveness of neoplastic ground glass nodules
Authors: Xiong Ting-wei , Fu Bin-jie , Li Wang-jia , Lv Fa-jin , Chu Zhi-gang
Published: April 2024

Background: A positive correlation has been observed between CT value and the invasiveness of neoplastic ground glass nodules (GGNs). However, the traditional mean CT value cannot reflect nodule heterogeneity in density.
Purpose: To explore the value of artificial intelligence (AI)-based density proportion analysis in predicting the invasiveness of neoplastic ground glass nodules (GGNs).
Methods: Between January 2019 and May 2023, a total of 687 neoplastic GGNs (247 adenocarcinomas in situ[AISs], 231 minimally invasive adenocarcinomas [MIAs], and 209 invasive adenocarcinomas [IACs]) in 654 patients were retrospectively analyzed. AI software was used to obtain the density histograms of nodules, and subsequently the proportions of the components in lesions with higher density at different density thresholds were recorded. The optimal density threshold and the corresponding proportion cutoff value for determining invasive lesions (ILs) (MIAs and IACs) and IACs were respectively explored by conducting receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.
Results: For determining the ILs and IACs, the optimal density threshold and the cutoff value for the proportion of components with density higher than the threshold were ≥ −350 HU and 17.22% (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.801, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.769–0.830, sensitivity: 51.59%, specificity: 93.52%), and ≥ −250HU and 5.64% (AUC: 0.882, 95% CI: 0.855–0.905; sensitivity: 85.65%, specificity: 76.15%), respectively. In combination with these indicators, the AUCs of the morphological features in predicting ILs and IACs increased from 0.794 to 0.849 and from 0.843 to 0.902 (each P < 0.001), respectively.
Conclusion: AI-based density analysis has a potential role in determining the invasiveness of neoplastic GGNs.
In vitro drug testing using patient-derived ovarian cancer organoids
Authors: Chen Lin-Yu , Chou Yu-Ting , Liew Phui-Ly , Chu Ling-Hui , Wen Kuo-Chang , Lin Shiou-Fu , Weng Yu-Chun , Su Po-Hsuan , Wang Hui-Chen , Lai Hung-Cheng
Published: April 2024

Background Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological cancer. As the primary treatment, chemotherapy has a response rate of only 60–70% in advanced stages, and even lower as a second-line treatment. Despite guideline recommendations, which drugs will be most effective remains unclear. Thus, a strategy to prioritize chemotherapy options is urgently needed. Cancer organoids have recently emerged as a method for in vitro drug testing. However, limited clinical correlations have been assessed with test results from cancer organoids, particularly in gynecological cancers. We therefore aimed to generate patient-derived organoids (PDOs) of ovarian cancer, to assess their drug sensitivities and correlations with patient clinical outcomes.
Methods PDOs were generated from fresh tumors obtained during surgical resection, which was then cultured under matrix gel and various combinations of growth factors. Morphological and molecular characterization of PDOs were assessed by phase contrast microscopy and paraffin-embedded histopathology. Expressions of PAX8, TP53, WT1, CK7, and CK20 were tested by immunohistochemical staining and compared with parental tumor tissues and the human protein atlas database. PDOs were subjected to in vitro drug testing to determine drug sensitivity using Titer-Glo® 3D Cell Viability Assay. PDO viability was measured, and area under the curve calculated, to compare responses to various compounds. Correlations were calculated between selected patients’ clinical outcomes and in vitro drug testing results.
Results We established 26 PDOs, including 15, 11, and 2 from ovarian, endometrial, and cervical cancers, respectively. The PDOs preserved the histopathological profiles of their originating tumors. In vitro drug testing of 10 ovarian cancer PDOs revealed individual differential responses to recommended drugs, and interpersonal heterogeneity in drug sensitivity, even with the same histology type. Among four patients who were platinum sensitive, resistant, or refractory, PDO drug responses correlated well with their clinical courses.
Conclusion In vitro drug testing using ovarian cancer organoids is feasible and correlates well with patient clinical responses. These results may facilitate development of precision chemotherapy and personalized screening for repurposed or new drugs.
CNVoyant: A Highly Performant and Explainable Multi-Classifier Machine Learning Approach for Determining the Clinical Significance of Copy Number Variants
Authors: Schuetz Robert J. , Ceyhan Defne , Antoniou Austin A. , Chaudhari Bimal P. , White Peter
Published: April 2024

The precise classification of copy number variants (CNVs) presents a significant challenge in genomic medicine, primarily due to the complex nature of CNVs and their diverse impact on genetic disorders. This complexity is compounded by the limitations of existing methods in accurately distinguishing between benign, uncertain, and pathogenic CNVs. Addressing this gap, we introduce CNVoyant, a machine learning-based multi-class framework designed to enhance the clinical significance classification of CNVs. Trained on a comprehensive dataset of 52,176 ClinVar entries across pathogenic, uncertain, and benign classifications, CNVoyant incorporates a broad spectrum of genomic features, including genome position, disease-gene annotations, dosage sensitivity, and conservation scores. Models to predict the clinical significance of copy number gains and losses were trained independently. Final models were selected after testing 29 machine learning architectures and 10,000 hyperparameter combinations each for deletions and duplications via 5-fold cross-validation. We validate the performance of the CNVoyant by leveraging a comprehensive set of 21,574 CNVs from the DECIPHER database, a highly regarded resource known for its extensive catalog of chromosomal imbalances linked to clinical outcomes. Compared to alternative approaches, CNVoyant shows marked improvements in precision-recall and ROC AUC metrics for binary pathogenic classifications while going one step further, offering multi-classification of clinical significance and corresponding SHAP explainability plots. This large-scale validation demonstrates CNVoyant’s superior accuracy and underscores its potential to aid genomic researchers and clinical geneticists in interpreting the clinical implications of real CNVs.
Incorporating tumor genomic profiling and drug screening through circulating tumor cell- derived organoids into clinical practice for the management of Gastrointestinal Cancers
Authors: Wu Wen-Chi , Hsu Chien-Fu , Chen Ming‑Huang , Chen San-Chi , Hung Yi‑Ping , Chiang Nai-Jung
Published: April 2024

Purpose
Precision medicine aims to revolutionize healthcare by tailoring treatment regimens. The study aimed to integrate comprehensive tumor genomic profiling (CTGP) by targeted-gene panel sequencing and drug screening by circulating tumor cell-derived organoids (CTOs) into clinical practice for the treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) cancers.
Methods
Nine patients with various GI cancers underwent CTGP and CTO drug sensitivity testing. CTGP results guided targeted therapy and immunotherapy, while CTO drug sensitivity predicted response to chemotherapy and targeted agents. The drug recommendations from two platforms were correlated with the treatment response from the suggested medications retrospectively.
Results
Five patients received therapies aligned with CTGP, including HER2-targeted treatment, immunotherapy, and BRAF/MEK dual inhibition, showing positive responses. CTO drug sensitivity predicted progression under regorafenib (low potential benefit) and good response to chemotherapy with high potential benefit. The combination of CTGP and CTO drug sensitivity may exhibit significant correlation with clinical outcomes during treatment with candidate drugs, demonstrating a sensitivity of 79% and an accuracy of 75%. This encompasses various treatment modalities such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.
Conclusion
The present investigation elucidated the integration of CTGP and CTO drug sensitivity screening into clinical practice in a complementary manner, showcasing a significant correlation between testing results and treatment response. Additional prospective evaluation of these two testing modalities in a large cohort is warranted to confirm whether the inclusion of CTO drug sensitivity screening confers enhanced survival benefits compared to utilizing CTGP alone.
Can Inflammatory Index Parameters be an Indicator of Complexity in Perianal Fistula?
Authors: Celik Osman , Gundogan Ersin , Turk Gamze , Carkit Sedat , Ertan Tamer
Published: April 2024

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between preoperative inflammatory parameters and disease severity in patients operated for perianal fistula in our clinic between 2013-2021.
Methods: Patients between the ages of 16-78 who were operated on with the diagnosis of perianal fistula in Kayseri Şehir Training and Research Hospital between 2013-2021 and who were followed up afterward were included in the study by retrospective file search method without gender discrimination. Preoperative demographic data, laboratory parameters (platelet, neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, leukocyte, CRP, albumin), surgical procedures, perioperative and postoperative complications, length of stay, and recurrences were noted.
Results: 134 patients with perianal fistula were included in the study. It was determined that 71.6% (n=96) were male, and the mean age was 44.6±13.8 years. Inflammatory parameters such as crp/albumin, neutrophil/lymphocyte, lymphocyte/crp, neutrophil/crp, lymphocyte/monocyte, platelet/lymphocyte were compared with tract length, tract thickness, presence of perifistular inflammation and presence of abscess as criteria for complex fistula formation and cut of values were created. Among these scoring values, crp/albumin, lymphocyte/crp, and neutrophil/crp ratios were statistically significant in predicting the tract characteristics defined for high recurrence and complex fistula.
Conclusion: Inflammation-based scores such as crp/albumin, lymphocyte/crp, and neutrophil/crp ratios can differentiate complex fistula from simple fistula.
The Uganda Housing Modification Study – Association between housing characteristics and malaria burden in a moderate to high transmission setting in Uganda
Authors: Nankabirwa Joaniter I , Gonahasa Samuel , Katureebe Agaba , Mutungi Peter , Nassali Martha , Kamya Moses R , Westercamp Nelli
Published: April 2024

Background: Scale up of proven malaria control interventions has not been sufficient to control malaria in Uganda, emphasizing the need to explore innovative new approaches. Improved housing is one such promising strategy. We describe housing characteristics and their association with malaria burden in a moderate to high transmission setting in Uganda.
Methods: Between October and November 2021, a household survey was conducted in 1500 randomly selected households in Jinja and Luuka districts. Information on demographics, housing characteristics, use of malaria prevention measures, and proxy indicators of wealth were collected for each household. A finger-prick blood sample was obtained for thick blood smears for malaria from all children aged 6 months to 14 years in the surveyed households. Febrile children had a malaria rapid diagnostics test (RDT) done; positive cases were managed according to national treatment guidelines. Hemoglobin was assessed in children aged <5 years. Households were stratified as having modern houses (defined as having finished materials for roofs, walls, and floors and closed eaves) or traditional houses (those not meeting the definition of modern house). Associations between malaria burden and house type were estimated using mixed effects models and adjusted for age, wealth, and bednet use.
Results: Most (65.5%) of the households surveyed lived in traditional houses. Most of the houses had closed eaves (85.5%), however, the use of other protective features like window/vent screens and installed ceilings was limited (0.4% had screened windows, 2.8% had screened air vents, and 5.2% had ceiling). Overall, 3,443 children were included in the clinical survey, of which 31.4% had a positive smear. RDT test positivity rate was 56.6% among children with fever. Participants living in modern houses had a significantly lower parasite prevalence by microscopy (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR=0.80]; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.71 – 0.90), RDT test positivity rate (aPR=0.90, 95%CI 0.81 – 0.99), and anemia (aPR=0.80, 95%CI 0.65 – 0.97) compared to those in traditional houses.
Conclusion: Our study found that even after adjusting for wealth, higher quality housing had a moderate protective effect against malaria, on top of the protection already afforded by recently distributed nets.
Differential contributions of circadian clock genes to cell survival in bipolar disorder patient derived neuronal progenitor cells distinguishes lithium responders and non-responders
Authors: Mishra Himanshu K. , Wei Heather , LeRoux Melissa , Ko Insu , Rohr Kayla E. , Nievergelt Caroline M , Maihofer Adam X , Shilling Paul , Alda Martin , Berrettini Wade H , Calabrese Joseph R. , Coryell William H. , Frye Mark , Gershon Elliot , McInnis Melvin G. , Nurnberger John , Oedegaard Ketil J. , Zandi Peter P. , Kelsoe John R. , McCarthy Michael J.
Published: April 2024

Bipolar disorder (BD) is characterized by disrupted circadian rhythms and neuronal loss. Lithium is neuroprotective and used to treat BD, but outcomes are variable. Past research identified that circadian rhythms in BD patient neurons are associated with lithium response (Li-R) or non-response (Li-NR). However, the underlying cellular mechanisms remain unknown. To study interactions among circadian clock genes and cell survival, and their role in BD and predicting lithium response, we tested selected genes (PER1, BMAL1 and REV-ERBα) and small molecule modulators of ROR/REV-ERB nuclear receptors in models of cell survival using mouse neurons and stem-cell derived neuronal progenitor cells (NPC) from BD patients and controls. In apoptosis assays using staurosporine (STS), lithium was neuroprotective. Knockdown of PER1, BMAL1 and REV-ERBα modified cell survival across models. In NPCs, reduced expression of PER1 and BMAL1 led to more extensive cell death in Li-NR vs. Li-R. Reduced REV-ERBα expression caused more extensive cell death in BD vs. control NPCs, without distinguishing Li-R and Li-NR. In IMHN, The REV-ERB agonist GSK4112 had strong effects on circadian rhythm amplitude, and was neuroprotective in mouse neurons and control NPCs, but not in BD NPCs. Expression of cell survival genes following STS and GSK4112 treatments revealed BD-associated, and Li-R associated differences in expression profiles. We conclude that the neuroprotective response to lithium is similar in NPCs from Li-R and Li-NR. However, knockdown of circadian clock genes or stimulation of REV-ERBs reveal distinct contributions to cell death in BD patient NPCs, some of which distinguish Li-R and Li-NR.
Empower LlaMa 2 for Advanced Logical Reasoning in Natural Language Understanding
Authors: Watanabe Natsumi , Kinasaka Kudoro , Nakamura Akira
Published: April 2024

Enhancing LlaMa 2 through the integration of a rule-based reasoning layer and a logic inference engine, collectively referred to as LlaMa+, has markedly improved its capabilities in natural language understanding. The performance enhancements were rigorously evaluated using the sophisticated MMLU and LegalBench benchmark datasets, where LlaMa+ showed significant increases in precision, accuracy, recall, and F1-score. These improvements are indicative of the model's advanced ability to interpret and reason with complex texts, reflecting a substantial progression towards AI systems that can engage with human language in a contextually aware and cognitively profound manner. This research not only underscores the enhanced analytical abilities of LlaMa+ but also explores the implications for practical applications in fields requiring nuanced language comprehension such as legal analysis, academic research, and technical problem-solving. Future directions involve optimizing the computational efficiency of these enhancements to ensure wider applicability and exploring autonomous methods for updating the reasoning mechanisms to keep pace with evolving data and applications.
Data Encryption and Decryption Using image Steganography
Authors: Singh Aniket , Zaidi Abbas Raza , Bagh Ranjan Das
Published: April 2024

In today’s digital landscape, safeguarding sensitive information is of utmost importance. This research paper delves into the fusion of data encryption and decryption methodologies with image steganography, aiming to fortify the security of digital data exchange. The integration of the least significant bit (LSB) algorithm facilitates the seamless embedding of encrypted data into images, ensuring concealment from unauthorized access while preserving data integrity. Implemented as a web-based platform utilizing HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, and Django frameworks, the system empowers users with intuitive functionalities for image steganography, encryption, and decryption, fostering a user-friendly and secure data transmission environment.
In today’s digital era, securing sensitive data has become a paramount concern. This research paper delves into the intricate synergy between image steganography and data encryption/decryption techniques to bolster the resilience of data transfer across web infrastructures. The investigation entails the creation of a user-accessible web interface utilizing HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, and Django frameworks, facilitating three pivotal utilities: image steganography, encryption, and decryption. By melding these methodologies, confidential information is covertly embedded within images, fortified with encryption to thwart unauthorized access, and seamlessly decrypted for authorized parties, thereby erecting a formidable bastion of confidentiality and integrity in digital data exchanges. This paper not only presents the theoretical underpinnings but also provides practical insights into the implementation of these techniques within a web environment, thereby contributing to the advancement of secure data communication paradigms in the digital era.
Out-group/in-group personal moral dilemmas in the Kogi worldview
Authors: Cáceres Rafael Gonzalo Angarita , Serrano Jorge Francisco Maldonado
Published: April 2024

This research report studies how Kogi people (a small-scale society located in Northern Colombia, South America) answer personal moral dilemmas (PMD), specifically a cultural adaptation of the Footbridge scenario when the characters in the stories are in-group or out-group. Four moral scenarios were designed in which the indigenous had to judge the possibility of saving either one person or five (1 in-group or 5 out-group; 1 out-group or 5 in-group; 1 and 5 in-group, and 1 and 5 out-group). The main findings were: the participants opted for choices closer to the consequentialist than to the deontological option, and that the group bias allowed them to go from a consequentialist option to a deontological one. Our research suggests that moral judgment in the resolution of personal moral dilemmas is not unitary even within the same human group; it also suggests that moral judgment depends on two contextual factors: the group membership and the social relationship of the experiment’s subjects with the characters of the story.
Smart Assistive Stick for Visually Impaired People using YOLOv8 Algorithm
Authors: Deotale Nilesh , Raut Shubham , Patil Nirmit , Patil Vedashree , Bari Priyal
Published: April 2024

Technologies are constantly evolving, allowing people to live healthier and more convenient lifestyles. Sightless persons are unable to go about their daily lives, such as strolling down the street, meeting friends or family, or performing other routine jobs. In a world of ever-evolving technology, the " Smart Assistive Stick for Visually Impaired People using YOLOv8 Algorithm" represents a remarkable fusion of innovation and compassion. Yolov8 has become one of the most popular object detection models in the deep learning community. Its versatility and real-time capabilities open up new possibilities for computer vision applications
Antioxidant Potential of Calophyllum canum P. F. Stevens: Xanthones, Phenolics, and Radical Scavenging Activity
Authors: Lizazman Mas Atikah , Mian Vivien Jong Yi
Published: April 2024

The isolation and purification of the ethyl acetate of C. canum stem bark have yielded a new α,β-unsaturated δ-lactone compound, canumolactone (8), along with known xanthones, 1-hydroxy-7-methoxyxanthone (1), caloxanthone C (2), trapezifolixanthone (3), ananixanthone (4), euxanthone (5), gentisin (6), 2-hydroxyxanthone (7), and α-mangostin (9). In this study on C. canum extracts, the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and radical scavenging activity (RSA) were investigated to assess the antioxidant potential. The extraction of C. canum stem bark yielded various crude extracts, with the ethyl acetate extract showing the highest RSA (97.14 ± 0.24 %) and TPC (277.33 ± 9.65 mg GAE/g extract). The TFC values varied across extracts, with the dichloromethane extract displaying the highest TFC (117.96 ± 3.35 mg QE/g extract). A strong positive correlation was observed between TPC and RSA, indicating the significant role of phenolic compounds in the antioxidant activity of the extracts. Conversely, the relationship between TFC and RSA was weak, suggesting a minor contribution of flavonoids to the antioxidant potential of the extracts. These findings highlight the importance of phenolic compounds in determining the antioxidant activity of C. canum extracts.
Implementation of a Strengths-Based Nursing Intervention for Supporting Families in Acute Care Settings: Perspectives of Family Members and Nurses
Authors: Kiwanuka Frank , Kopra Juho , Nanyonga Rose Clarke , Sak-Dankosky Natalia , Kvist Tarja
Published: April 2024

Aim
To evaluate changes in family members´ perceived support and family nursing practice following the implementation of a nurse-led family strengths-based intervention in adult intensive care units.
Design
This was an implementation study that utilised a single-group pre-post-test quasi-experimental design.
Methods
The intervention involved three elements: assessment of family strengths, development of family strengths, and feedback. To support the delivery of the intervention, the intervention and supporting information was manualized. The Icelandic Family Perceived Support Scale and the Family Nursing Practice Scale were administered to family members (n = 34) and nurses (n = 30) respectively. Study outcomes were measured at baseline (TO) and immediately after the intervention (T1). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and a repeated measures-MANOVA.
Results
family members´ perspectives on family support (emotional and cognitive support) improved after implementing the intervention. Improvements were also observed in nurses´ practice skills appraisal scores but not in nurse-family relationship scores.
Conclusion
The nurse-led family intervention implemented in intensive care settings can be a valuable tool for supporting families and nurses´ skills of working with families during the trajectory of care. Further research is needed to explore the intervention´s comparative effectiveness in diverse contexts using larger samples and randomized controlled trials with longer follow-up periods.
Impact:
Family strengths can be leveraged when designing approaches aimed at providing emotional and cognitive support to family members during the trajectory of care in acute care settings. The intervention framework based on Strengths-Based Nursing is an insightful way to facilitate nurse-family interaction and a way to enhance nurses´ practice skills of working with families.
Patient or Public Contribution:
The elements of the intervention tested in this study were directly informed by the experiences of patients´ family members. Patients´ family members were also consulted during the design stage of the intervention.
Das Buch im Buch als Archiv
Authors: Blumenrath Svenja
Published: April 2024

Die Masterarbeit von Svenja Blumenrath mit dem Titel "Das Buch im Buch als Archiv" ist eine interdisziplinäre Zusammenführung von Literaturwissenschaft und Archivstudien. Anhand von sieben ausgewählten kinder- und jugendliterarischen Werken analysiert die Autorin die Funktion des Buches im Buch als Archiv für die erzählte Welt. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass das Buch im Buch nicht nur als narrative Struktur dient, sondern auch als Archiv fungiert, das Erinnerungen und Wissen bewahren, aber auch verwehren kann. Diese Erkenntnisse bieten neue Einblicke in die Verbindung von Literatur und Archivwesen.
EFEITO DAS DOSES DE DEJETO LÍQUIDO DE SUÍNOS NOS ATRIBUTOS FÍSICOS, QUÍMICOS E ELETROQUÍMICOS EM UM LATOSSOLO DO CERRADO
Authors: da Silva Raysa , de Jesus Wagner , Soares Mário , Barros Ariane , Weber Oscarlina
Published: April 2024

EFFECT OF LIQUID SWINE WASTEWATER DOSES ON PHYSICAL, CHEMICAL AND ELECTROCHEMICAL ATTRIBUTES IN A CERRADO OXISOL. The addition of organic residues enhances soil and plant organic matter and nutrient content. To gauge the impact of varying liquid swine waste (LSW) levels on soil, we studied changes in a clayey Oxisol’s physical, chemical, and electrochemical traits from the Cerrado. LSW doses (0, 50, 150, 450, 600 m3 ha-1) were applied to the 0-0.20 m layer in a randomized design with three replicates. Post a 30-day incubation at 60% field capacity, the soil underwent mineralogical, physical (clay dispersed in water - CDW), chemical (sodium adsorption ratio - SAR, cation exchange capacity - CEC, base saturation - V%), and electrochemical (pH in H2O and KCl, ∆pH, point of zero charge - PZC, point of zero salt effect - PZSE, surface electric potential - ψo, and electrical conductivity - EC) analyses. The levels of exchangeable Ca, K, Mg, Na, and available P increased with increasing LSW doses. Increasing LSW doses in the soil led to an increase in EC, but soil salinization was not observed at the highest dose. With the application of LSW doses, there was a decrease in pH, ∆pH, PZSE, and an increase in CEC, PZC and ψo. Despite the increase in ψo, low clay dispersibility was observed.
Assessment of the carbon neutral capacity of ecological slopes: A case study of wet-spraying vegetation concrete ecological river revetment
Authors: Luo Yujie , Xu Weisheng , Xu Qing , Chen Buqing , Shi Hongcai , Ye Jianjun
Published: April 2024

This study evaluates the carbon neutrality of eco-slope protection projects to understand their role in climate change mitigation. Utilizing life cycle assessment, it defines system boundaries and compiles inventories to calculate and analyze carbon emissions and assimilations of a wet-spraying vegetation concrete eco-slope protection project in China, simplifying previous methodologies and emphasizing the critical role of vegetation. Findings indicate lifecycle carbon emissions total 608.01 tCO2e, broken down by source as follows: material (54.69%), maintenance (40.11%), energy (3.27%), transport (1.32%), and workforce (0.6%). Slope protection plants are estimated to assimilate 2,676.30 tCO2. The project is estimated to reach carbon neutrality in its 4.59th year, with an anticipated net carbon sink contribution of 2,068.29 tons over its lifespan. These results underscore eco-slope protection projects’ significant carbon neutral capacity, highlighting their importance in combating climate change and fostering the civil engineering industry's green transformation.
Design of an improved process optimization model for enhancing the efficiency of the wastewater treatment process
Authors: Pande Pournima , Hambarde Bhagyashree
Published: April 2024

Efficient wastewater treatment is crucial for environmental protection and ensuring the availability of potable water. However, existing optimization models often fall short in effectively analyzing historical data, optimizing dosages, or predicting optimal process parameters. This paper aims to address these challenges by proposing an advanced process optimization model that enhances the efficacy of wastewater treatment processes. Our objectives include the development of a novel method for optimizing various aspects of the treatment procedure using Auto Encoders (AE), Genetic Algorithm (GA), and Vector Autoregressive Moving Average (VARMA) models. Extensive experimentation with multiple datasets and samples, including the Melbourne Wastewater Treatment Dataset, Urban Wastewater Treatment, and Global Wastewater Treatment, was conducted to validate our model. The results demonstrate significant improvements in our proposed model, with an average improvement of 8.5% in treatment quality, a 4.9% reduction in delay, and a 9.5% increase in water purity compared to recently proposed models. We conclude that our model provides a valuable framework for optimizing wastewater treatment in a variety of settings due to its adaptability and effectiveness. Future research could explore the integration of additional advanced techniques and real-time monitoring systems to further enhance the model's precision, efficiency, and robustness.
Dye-assisted analysis of fluoride in water using UV–visible spectrophotometry: a preliminary study
Authors: S. Durodola Solomon , Tovide Oluwakemi O. , Oyebode Bukola A. , Ogundoro Taiwo J. , Adekunle Abolanle S. , Ogunfowokan Aderemi O. , Oyekunle John A. O.
Published: April 2024

Dye-assisted method for the analysis of fluoride content of water has been developed in this study using dyes obtained from some flowering plants. This was done to evaluate the potentials of locally accessible dyes in spectrophotometrically detecting F– levels in fluoride-containing water samples. Dye solutions obtained from scarlet jungle flame, Hibiscus flower, Peacock flower or Barbados pride, Royal poinciana, Pink bauhinia, Barbados lily, or Easter lily were adopted to monitor absorbance and corresponding concentrations of serially prepared F− concentrations in a range of 0.001–0.012 ppm. Dye from the Hibiscus flower gave an optimal performance with R2 = 0.9792. Using this dye, the F– content in water samples obtained from tap waters from Moremi Estate, Modomo, Asherifa, Postgraduate Hall of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and a well water sample from Modomo gave 0.052, 0.053, 0.053, 0.058, and 0.061 ppm, respectively. A comparison of these values indicated that all the water samples monitored were safe for human consumption without experiencing health challenges as the maximum F– limit for potable water recommended by WHO was not exceeded. This study concluded that dye from Hibiscus flower could satisfactorily assist in monitoring F– content in water where ion-selective electrodes are not readily accessible.
Withdrawn: Recent Development in Optoelectronic Sensing of Organomercuric Species and its Discrimination Over Inorganic Mercury
Authors: Daga Pooja , Dey Nilanjan
Published: April 2024

Since the authors are not responding to the editor’s requests to fulfil the editorial requirement, therefore, the article has been withdrawn from
the journal "Current Organic Chemistry".

Bentham Science apologizes to the readers of the journal for any inconvenience this may have caused.

The Bentham Editorial Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at https://benthamscience.com/editorial-policies-main.php

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submitting a manuscript the authors agree that the copyright of their article is transferred to the publishers if and when the article is accepted
for publication.
Plant-Derived Proteins/Peptides for the Management of Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Malviya Rishabha , Uniyal Prerna
Published: April 2024

:

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a neurological condition that worsens over time and has a
gradual start. It has a significant impact on the well-being of human beings. Peptides are substances
produced from plants that have been revealed to inhibit the progression of Alzheimer's disease
disorders, making them a promising strategy for the prevention of Alzheimer's disease. Nevertheless,
because of the enormously convoluted pathophysiology of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and
the recognition that the majority of research on the action of plant-derived peptides is solitary instead
of sufficiently comprehensive, the development and implementation of Plant-derived
Alzheimer-prevention Peptides (PADPs) have been constrained. The molecular pathways of
PADPs, AD-prevention activity, and some perspectives on current advanced technologies have
been discussed in this review. Additionally, the review provides a summary of the current techniques
available for obtaining PADPs, as well as in vitro and in vivo protocols for evaluating the
activity of PADPs in preventing Alzheimer's disease. Additionally, the fundamental concepts for
the manufacturing and utilization of PADPs have been developed in this study.
Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis): Exploring its Cognitive Enhancing Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential in Neurodegenerative Disorders
Authors: Chandra Phool , Ali Zeeshan , Fatima Nishat , Sharma Himanshu , Sachan Neetu , Sharma Krishana Kumar , Verma Anurag
Published: April 2024

Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis), also called C. pluricaulis Choisy (C. pluricaulis),
is a longstanding shrub also known by the names C. microphyllus Sieb. as well as C.
prostratus Forsk and it’s employed as a traditional people’s remedy for a number of illnesses
such as memory enhancement in Ayurveda and Conventional Chinese Medicine system. It is primarily
utilized as a memory enhancer and brain stimulant for the treatment of central nervous
diseases like stress, depression, and sleeplessness. Traditional Indian medications are used. Anxiolytic,
neurological (Alzheimer's, Huntington's, Epilepsy, but also Depressant) antioxidants, analgesics,
immunomodulatory, antibacterial, antihyperlipidemic, and cardioprotective actions are
just a few of the medicinal qualities of this herb that have been linked to them in historical publications.
Therefore, identifying and scientifically validating herbal remedies helps advance Ayurvedic/
Unani studies. Various biological phytoconstituents, including the alkaloids (convolamine),
flavonoids (kaempferol), and polyphenolic compounds (scopoletin, sitosterol, and ceryl
alcohol), have been linked to the therapeutic benefits of this botanical. Several active substances,
such as scopoletin, kaempferol phytosterol, as well as -sitosterol, which was extracted from flying
sections of C. pluricaulis, have been demonstrated to work as GABAA agonists that might explain
the antianxiety and CNS depressant properties of shankhpushpi. To compile data for this article, a
Systematic Literature Review on C. pluricaulis was conducted.
A Green Technology for the Extraction of Essential Oil Using Microwave and Ultrasound-assisted Techniques
Authors: Barik Pallavi , Dagar Komal , Makhija Rahul , Singh Alamjot , Asati Vivek
Published: April 2024

Background:

Essential oils are utilized in various food applications and are a rich source
of naturally occurring volatile components. The extraction of essential oils has used conventional
techniques for several years, but these methods require a long duration of time, more solvent, and
high energy. However, recent advancements have led to novel and eco-friendly techniques that significantly
enhance the essential oil yield while minimizing the use of resources.

Method:

This study describes the recent research on the extraction of essential oils and their components,
focusing on microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE).

Result:

This review explores the instrumentation, mechanism, and applications behind MAE and
UAE. It also describes the emerging technologies for the extraction of essential oils, along with their
optimized conditions.

Conclusion:

These techniques represent a more sustainable and efficient approach for the extraction
of essential oil from various plant sources, aligning with the principles of green chemistry.
Application of Time-of-flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry in Lithium-ion Batteries
Authors: Li Pengwei , Xia Xiaoning
Published: April 2024

Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) is becoming a powerful
tool in the Lithium-Ion Batteries (LIBs) field due to its excellent resolution and sensitivity, as well as
its ability to provide spectrally and depth-resolved information. The perspective comprehensively
delves into the application of ToF-SIMS in two major areas of LIBs research. Firstly, the article elucidates
how ToF-SIMS has been instrumental in deciphering the Solid Electrolyte Interphase (SEI)
composition and analyzing electrolyte aging. The insights gleaned from such studies have paved the
way for enhancing the longevity and safety of LIBs. Secondly, we explore the role of ToF-SIMS in
scrutinizing the distribution of interface reactions, which are critical for understanding charge and
discharge mechanisms. The analysis aids in optimizing the interface properties, thereby improving
battery performance. Such detections are paramount in ensuring the safety and operational stability
of batteries. Overall, the integration of ToF-SIMS in LIBs research offers a promising avenue for the
development of advanced and safer energy storage systems.
Investigation of TiO2 Nanoparticles Influence on Tensile Properties and
Thermal Stability of Dry and Wet Luffa-Epoxy Nanocomposites
Authors: Anbukarasi K. , Mala D. , Senthilkumar N. , Hussain S. Imran , Kalaiselvam S.
Published: April 2024

Background:

Recently, progress has been made toward understanding the efficiency of
polymer composites with natural fibres. With the hope of enhancing the characteristics of polymer
composites supplemented with natural fibres in a watery environment, TiO2 nanoparticles have been
used to improve their performance in the field.

Method:

These nanoparticles were filled in luffa-epoxy components at 1, 3, and 5% volume fractions.
A combination of x-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was utilized to
conduct the structural examinations. The nanoparticle spread was captured by field emission scanning
electron microscopy.

Result:

Results show that dry nanocomposite's tensile strength and modulus have increased by 74%
and, 13%, 137%, and 50% compared with epoxy and 40 vol% luffa-epoxy (E/L) composites, respectively.
In wet nanocomposites, maximum reduction in tensile strength and modulus were observed as
27.4% and 16.54%, respectively. The diminished water absorption and thickness swelling percentage
of nanocomposites were recorded as 98% and 91.8%, respectively. The onset temperature of these
nanocomposites was scattered in the range of 379-393°C, with a maximum char residue of 38%.

Conclusion:

The increase in the percentage of residue indicates the effectiveness of epoxy's flame
retardant, improved thermal stability, diminished water absorption (approximately 2%), and 95% retention
of wet composites' tensile properties. These results provided data support for improving the
application of nanocomposites in the automobile field and to develop possible patents on the new
material development.