bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EXAMINING CARBON QUANTUM DOTS RESEARCH IN TURKEY: A SCIENTIFIC MAPPING ANALYSIS
Authors: Eskalen Hasan , Kavgacı Mustafa , Özğan Şükrü
Published: December 2024

The bibliometric analysis presented in this work is thorough and comprehensive, carefully examining the wide range of contributions related to "carbon dots" and "carbon quantum dots" in Turkish research from 2014 to 2023. Using Biblioshiny as the major analytical tool and the Web of Science database, this study methodically breaks down the annual trends, regional spreads, institutional ties, authorship trends, and the complex clusters of keywords in this field. After a comprehensive analysis of international and local citations, the research identifies a noteworthy yearly growth rate of 14.72% for Turkey's carbon dot project. Starting with one manuscript in 2014, the research output increased rapidly, reaching sixty critical documents by the end of May 2024. This thorough study clarifies important publication sources; in particular, it emphasizes ChemistrySelect and the publication of Fluorescence as two of the field's top contributors. This thorough evaluation significantly contributes to our knowledge of the state of carbon studies in Turkey, providing priceless insights and a guide to advise and set the direction for future research projects in this continuously developing field, especially for researchers and academics connected with "carbon dots".
ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL FLOW FOR RIVER TYPE HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANT: THE CASE OF KORKUTELI STREAM (ANTALYA)
Authors: Soyaslan İbrahim İskender
Published: December 2024

Considering Türkiye's morphological structure and river beds, it can be seen that it has not yet reached its equilibrium profile. This profile is an ideal structure for installing hydroelectric power plants (HPP). After renewable energy sources, the most environmentally friendly energy source for the ecosystem is HPP. When determining the amount of water to be used in hydroelectric power plants, the amount of water required for the ecosystem that should be discharged to nature should be calculated. The amount of water needed for the ecosystem to maintain its current structure without change is defined as the environmental flow. In this study, the environmental impact and environmental flow of the Korkuteli Stream HPP Project located within the borders of the Korkuteli District of Antalya Province have been determined. Wetted perimeter, flow duration index (Q25, Q50, Q75, and Q95), and base flow methods have been used to determine the environmental flow of the Korkuteli Stream. In calculating environmental flow 44 years of discharges of the Salamur Strait flow observation station (FOS) on Korkuteli Stream have been used. As a result, the optimal environmental flow was calculated at 17% using the wetted perimeter method.
EFFECT OF MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF FILLING MATERIAL ON STATIC AND DYNAMIC BEHAVIOR OF MASONRY ARCH BRIDGES
Authors: Sever Ali Ekber
Published: December 2024

The present study examined the impacts of the mechanical properties of the filling material on the seismic behaviour of masonry arch bridges (MAB). A bridge model that did not exist was selected to achieve this objective. Using this model, bridge models with different filling material properties were created in the SAP2000 computer program. Modal analysis and linear time history analysis (THA) were conducted on the aforementioned models to ascertain the filling material's influence on the bridge's dynamic behavior. The findings of the modal analysis indicated that an increase in the density of the filling material increased in the period, while an increase in the elasticity modulus led to a decrease in the period. As a result of linear THA, it was determined that as the density of the filling material increases, the displacements and stresses increase, and as the elastic modulus increases, the displacements and stresses decrease. As a result of static analysis, it was determined that as the density of the filling material increases, the displacement and stress values increase, and as the elastic modulus increases, these values decrease.
DETECTION OF DUST ON SOLAR PANELS WITH DEEP LEARNING
Authors: Sefer Tuba , Kaya Mahmut
Published: December 2024

Solar energy is an environmentally friendly, clean, and sustainable alternative. The widespread use of this energy source offers excellent environmental and economic benefits. However, some factors affect the efficiency of solar panels. One of these factors is dust. When dust accumulates on the surface of solar panels, it can significantly reduce the efficiency of energy production. Therefore, detecting and quickly removing dust from solar panels is crucial. Managing this process with unmanned artificial intelligence systems, especially in large areas, will provide significant advantages in terms of time and cost. In recent years, convolutional neural networks have achieved significant success in image classification. In particular, transfer learning methods have proven their success in this field. In this study, we aim to solve a new task with limited data using pre-trained deep learning models (EfficientNetB3, ResNet50, MobileNet, VGG19, Xception, InceptionResNetV2, VGG16, ResNet101, DenseNet201, EfficientNetB7) to classify dirty and clean solar panels. These models were chosen because they each have different strengths and have performed well on various tasks. The models with the best performance among these models are combined to improve classification prediction. The proposed ensemble learning approach achieved 99.31% classification accuracy by considering the prediction results of the models with a voting approach. As a result, this approach aims to optimize the maintenance processes of solar energy systems, improve energy efficiency, and support sustainable energy use in the long term.
SÜRDÜRÜLEBİLİR KENTSEL BİYOATIK YÖNETİMİ
Authors: Altın Süreyya
Published: December 2024

Kentsel atık yönetimi, sürdürülebilir çevre ve küresel iklim değişikliğinin önemli bir bileşenidir. Biyoatıklar, kentsel atıkların %30-65 gibi büyük bir yüzdesini oluşturmaktadır. AB atık çerçeve direktifinde, 2035 yılına kadar belediye atıklarının sadece %10’unun depolandığı atık yönetim planlaması istenmektedir. Ancak, kentsel biyoatık yönetimi gelişmekte olan ülkeler başta olmak üzere tüm ülkeler için ciddi sosyal ve ekonomik zorluklar içermektedir. Halkın gıda israfının önlenmesi hakkında bilinçlendirilmesi veya “attığın kadar öde” gibi maddi teşvikler biyoatığın oluşumunu azaltabilir. Böylece, doğal kaynaklar korunabilir, gıda üretim sürecinden kaynaklanan sera gazı etkisi %15-22 oranında azaltılabilir. Ayrı toplanan biyoatığı kompostlayarak iyi kalitede ve pazarlanabilir gübre üretilir. Kompostlamanın CH4 emisyonu hammadde karbonunun %1-4’ü kadar olduğundan sera gazı oluşumunu önemli oranda engeller. Anaerobik bozunma (AD) süreci, yüksek metan içeren biyogaz üreten, karbon nötr bir süreç olduğundan yenilenebilir bir enerji kaynağı olarak kabul edilir. AD prosesi kullanıldığında oluşan metan hacmi ve elde edilen enerji, gaz yakalamalı deponilere göre yaklaşık 5 kat daha fazladır. Bu çalışmada biyoatık yönetimi stratejileri ve yaklaşımlarına ilişkin mevcut bilgiler daha önce yapılan çalışmalardan derlenmiştir. Böylece belediye biyoatık yönetimi alternatifleri tanımlanarak avantaj ve dezavantajları, uygulama zorlukları, elde edilecek faydalar ortaya konmuştur. Sürdürülebilir biyoatık yönetimi, doğal kaynakların korunmasına katkı sağlar, atığın karbon ayak izi azalır ve madde döngüsü tamamlanır.
KOKLEAGRAM ÖZELLİKLERİ İLE DERİN ÖĞRENME TABANLI SES BİRLEŞTİRME SAHTECİLİĞİ TESPİTİ
Authors: Üstübioğlu Arda
Published: December 2024

Günümüzde ses kayıtları üzerinde yapılan oynamalardan Ses birleştirme (Audio Splicing) sahteciliği veri bütünlüğünü ihlal eden, etkili, gerçekleştirmesi kolay ve oldukça yaygın olarak gerçekleştirilen bir sahteciliktir. İki farklı ses kaydının birleştirilmesiyle gerçekleştirilen bu sahteciliğin, saldırganlar tarafından sahtecilik izlerini gizlemek için uygulanan son işlem operasyonları ile tespitini oldukça zordur. Bu amaçla ses birleştirme sahteciliğini tespit etmek için kokleagram görüntülerini kullanan CNN tabanlı yeni bir yöntem önerilmiştir. Önerilen CNN mimarisine giriş olarak sesin kokleagram görüntüsü verilmektedir. Kokleagram görüntüleriyle eğitilen mimari, şüpheli bir test dosyası verildiğinde, ses dosyasını sahte/orijinal olarak etiketlemektedir. Ayrıca, literatürde genel bir veri tabanı bulunmadığından, bu çalışmada önerilen yöntemin performansını test etmek için TIMIT veri tabanı kullanılarak 2 sn ve 3 sn’lik iki ayrı ses birleştirme sahteciliği veri tabanı SET2 ve SET3 oluşturulmuştur. Önerilen yöntemle SET2 veri seti üzerinde 0.95 Doğruluk, 0.97 Kesinlik, 0.93 Duyarlılık ve 0.95 F1-skor, SET3 veri setinde 0.98 Doğruluk, 0.98 Kesinlik, 0.97 Duyarlılık ve 0.97 F1-skor değerleri alınmıştır. Ayrıca önerilen yöntem, NOIZEUS-4 veri seti üzerinde de test edilmiş ve oldukça yüksek sonuçlar elde edilmiştir. Elde edilen sonuçlar önerilen yöntemin gürültüye karşı dayanıklı ve ses birleştirme sahteciliği tespitini literatürdeki diğer çalışmalara göre oldukça etkin bir şekilde gerçekleştirdiğini göstermektedir.
Distal Radius Fractures in the Elderly: Factors Affecting Treatment Decisions
Authors: Kalimian Tal , Wollstein Ronit
Published: December 2024

Fractures of the distal radius are common and are becoming more so with population ageing. The choice of treatment depends on the specific characteristics of the fracture and the patient’s functional level. Due to a large number of variables contributing to the outcomes of treatment, and our limited ability to account for many of these factors, decision-making remains controversial and differs by geographical area as well as functional and other considerations. We aim to present the current literature regarding some of the elements affecting treatment decisions for distal radius fractures in the ageing population. By better identifying and evaluating patient-specific factors (including occupation, function, social support system etc.) the indications for treatment and ultimate outcomes can improve.
Design and fabrication of a metamaterial with resonators to dissipate mechanical vibrations
Authors: Sánchez-Acevedo Heller Guillermo , Velásquez-Vargas Andrés , Gómez-Castellanos Juan
Published: December 2024

Mechanical vibrations have been a recurring problem in manufacturing industries, so, its control and isolation are a focus of much research. Metamaterials are a new concept about artificial materials with stunned properties. It means that the material’s cellular architecture is designed to improve its mechanical properties, including damping capability. This work proposes a novel metamaterial focus on improving its damping capability. Its cellular architecture is based on a structure to support load and resonators to dissipate vibration energy. The resonators are designed and studied around a specific range of frequencies by a numerical model. Physical models are fabricated by additive manufacture and tested to determine the transmissibility coefficient. The results of experimental tests are reported, and those demonstrate that the damping capability is enhanced by de metamaterial proposed.
Dual Polarization Optical Slicing for C-RAN in 5G Networks based on Radio-over-Fiber
Authors: Puerto-Leguizamón Gustavo , Suárez-Fajardo Carlos Arturo
Published: December 2024

This paper investigates the potential of a dual polarized optical spectral slicing system to enable high-capacity optical links in the Cloud-Radio Access Network (C-RAN) segment based on Radio-over-Fiber (RoF) of a 5G network. The process of signal generation based on optical slicing with dual polarization is described analytically and a conducted experimental demonstration is performed to assess the feasibility of the proposal. Experimental results focus on the Error Vector Magnitude (EVM) measurements for 0.1 nm, 0.5 nm, and 1 nm dual polarized optical slices. Data is experimentally measured for QPSK and 64QAM signals at 1.7 GHz and 3.5 GHz carrier frequencies across 10 km of single mode optical fiber. The results demonstrate that the 0.1 nm optical slice with QPSK at 1.7 GHz leads to an EVM of 2.4%, while an EVM of 4.5% is observed for 64QAM under the same conditions. Additionally, simulation modeling projects the feasibility of RoF transport of 64QAM signals at 1.7 GHz and 3.5 GHz over 25 km and 16 km fiber links respectively.
Integración de la inteligencia artificial y la agricultura de precisión en cultivos de café
Authors: Hernández-Salazar Cristian Andrés , González-Estrada Octavio Andrés , González-Silva Germán
Published: December 2024

La inteligencia artificial (IA) está transformando el sector agroindustrial al facilitar tareas como la predicción del clima, la detección de plagas y enfermedades, y la optimización del uso de agua y fertilizantes. Estas aplicaciones no solo aumentan la eficiencia y sostenibilidad de los sistemas agrícolas, sino que también mejoran la productividad y la resiliencia frente al cambio climático. Este trabajo realiza una revisión sistemática sobre el uso de IA en la producción de café, analizando estudios encontrados en bases de datos reconocidas como Scopus, Web of Science, IEEE Xplore y Google Scholar. La búsqueda incluyó combinaciones de palabras como, "café" AND "machine learning", "inteligencia artificial" AND "agricultura de precisión", "detección de plagas" OR "redes neuronales", AND "sostenibilidad". Inicialmente se identificaron 452 artículos, de los cuales 85 cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión tras un riguroso proceso de selección y exclusión. La revisión identificó que las aplicaciones de IA en la producción cafetera se enfocan principalmente en la detección temprana de enfermedades como la roya del café mediante visión por computadora y redes neuronales convolucionales, la optimización de sistemas de riego inteligentes que integran sensores y algoritmos para reducir el consumo de agua hasta en un 20%, y el uso de robótica agrícola para mejorar la eficiencia operativa y disminuir la dependencia de mano de obra. Las tecnologías, además, fomentan prácticas más sostenibles y mejoran la trazabilidad en la cadena de suministro del café. Los resultados de esta revisión arrojan luces sobre cómo las técnicas de IA pueden optimizar la producción cafetera y contribuir al desarrollo de sistemas agrícolas más eficientes y sostenibles. Este trabajo ofrece un marco de referencia que puede ser útil para orientar investigaciones futuras y guiar a los productores hacia prácticas resilientes frente al cambio climático y las crecientes demandas de sostenibilidad.
Assessment of the Effect of Telephonic Follow-up on Readmissions and Mortality Rate of the Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome and Acute Heart Failure in Rashid Hospital
Authors: Prabakaran Mary Sumitha , Jamil Naser , Thomas Rose Mary , Mohanan Mayamol , Jose Anumol , Chandrabose Akila Jeyasingh
Published: December 2024

Background: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and acute heart failure (AHF) are severe medical conditions that are closely associated with higher rates of readmissions and mortality in hospitals. These conditions pose an exponential challenge to the healthcare system and increase patient burden.
Objectives: This study aims to identify the effect of telephonic follow-up on readmission and mortality rates in Rashid Hospital due to ACS and AHF.
Methods: In 2022, we conducted a prospective study. We divided 805 patients admitted with ACS and AHF in Rashid Hospital into two groups and compared the readmission and mortality rates of patients who were followed up with those who were not. The data collection tool included a demographic questionnaire, which was then analyzed by statistical tests and SPSS software.
Results: There were patients in the follow-up call group versus patients in the nonfollow- up call group. The patients with follow-up calls had a higher survival rate (98.3%) compared with the ones who had not been called (93.4%) (p = 0.003). Readmission rates for follow-up patients were (7.7%) versus (5.9%) for those without follow-up calls (p = 0.429). The study analyzed and investigated the individuals on various other factors; however, no statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups.
Conclusion: The study provides insight into the various factors associated with patients’ outcomes. Even though the association of readmission rate to follow-up was unremarkable, the mortality rate of patients with follow-up was significantly lower.
A New Approach for Brain Tumor Detection Using Machine Learning
Authors: Ibrahim Elsadek Hussien , Abo-Youssef Shaaban Ebrahim , El-Bahnasy Khaled , Fathy Khaled Ahmed Mohamed
Published: December 2024

Introduction: The abnormal brain cells consist of brain tumor which leads to severe organ dysfunction and potentially death. These tumors exhibit a wide range of sizes, textures, and locations. Diagnosing brain tumors process is a time-consuming process requiring the expertise of radiologists. Brain tumors are classified as glioma, meningioma, pituitary, and no tumor. As patient numbers and data volumes rise, traditional methods have become costly and inefficient.
Methods: Researchers have developed algorithms for detecting and classifying brain tumors and prioritizing accuracy and efficiency. Deep learning (DL) techniques are increasingly used to create automated systems capable of precisely diagnosing or segmenting brain tumors, particularly for brain cancer classification. This approach supports the use of transfer learning models in medical imaging. This proposed model is a modification to components of Xception model by adding a lot of parameters for increasing the Xception model efficiency.
Results: This proposed Xception model was applied to Masoud Nickparvar braintumor- mri-dataset, achieving an accuracy of 99.6%, sensitivity of 99.7%, and specificity of 99.7% with an F1 score of 99.9%.
Discussion: The efficiency parameters of the proposed model assured that it is an effective model for diagnosing brain tumor. Comparative analysis with other models shows that the proposed framework is highly reliable for the timely detection of various brain tumors.
Conclusion: The results confirm the effectiveness of our proposed model, which attains higher overall accuracy in tumor detection compared to previous models. As a result, the proposed model is considered a valuable decision-making tool for experts in diagnosing brain tumor.
Repeatability and Agreement of Anterion with Pentacam HR and Orbscan II in Corneal Parameters after Photorefractive Keratectomy
Authors: Ostadi-Moghaddam Hadi , Shandiz Javad Heravian , Validad Mohammad Hosein , Mahjoob Monireh , Yekta Abbas Ali , Basharaf Sadegh , Rakhshandadi Tahereh
Published: December 2024

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the repeatability and agreement of Anterion with Pentacam HR and Orbscan II in corneal parameters after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).
Methods: This prospective study involved 42 patients (42 eyes) aged between 20 and 40 years undergoing PRK surgery. Corneal measurements were measured two times using Anterion in order to assess the repeatability of this device. Then, the same parameters were measured using Pentacam and Orbscan in order to determine the agreement of Anterion and the other two devices in measuring corneal parameters after PRK. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) checked Anterion’s repeatability. Also, ICC and means of the 95% limits of agreement (LoA) were used to assess the agreement of Anterion results with those of the two other devices.
Results: Anterion demonstrated high to moderate repeatability in corneal parameters post-PRK, except for anterior flat keratometry (ICC = 0.73), 4th order root mean square (RMS), and horizontal trefoil (ICC < 0.75). While Anterion and Pentacam showed good agreement in corneal topography and tomography (ICC > 0.90, P < 0.05), they were only interchangeable in keratometric parameters. Additionally, no agreement was observed between Anterion and Pentacam in aberration parameters after PRK. Although Anterion and Orbscan exhibited agreement in anterior average keratometry and central corneal thickness (CCT) (ICC > 0.90, P < 0.05), it was not clinically interchangeable.
Conclusion: Anterion demonstrated notable repeatability in most corneal parameters after PRK. Although there was good agreement between Anterion and Pentacam HR in measuring corneal topography and tomography, their interchangeability was limited to other values. Furthermore, Anterion and Orbscan II were not clinically interchangeable.
Acute Aortic Dissection Complicating Emergency Coronary Intervention for Hyperacute Stent Thrombosis
Authors: Nadeem Nadia , Sanjana Vetha Irene , Abdalla Geili , Musa Anas
Published: December 2024

Introduction: Iatrogenic acute aortic dissection resulting from coronary interventions can have fatal consequences. Although it is an uncommon complication during percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), it can arise from various factors. Our case report aims to address this rare presentation further, seeking to enhance preprocedural planning which can result in better outcomes.
Case Report: We describe an intriguing case of an elderly female patient with multiple cardiovascular risk factors who came to our emergency department presenting with chest pain. Her Electrocardiogram revealed an inferior ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) for which she underwent successful primary PCI of the right coronary artery (RCA). Four days later, she had an infero-posterior STEMI, which necessitated immediate coronary angiography. Angiography revealed thrombosis of the stent placed earlier in the RCA. On attempting recanalization of the vessel, an acute aortic dissection was identified and was successfully managed by ostial stenting. Follow-up imaging showed no residual dissection, and the patient was found to be comfortable and stable post-procedure.
Conclusion: We recommend optimizing blood pressure and performing rapid ostial stenting in these cases, irrespective of the dissection’s origin. This will facilitate effective sealing of the entry site and prevent further progression of the dissection. Our report highlights the favorable results achieved with immediate ostial stenting while discussing the conservative approach to managing such cases.
Neurodegenerative Marine Algae Bioactive Compounds: A Viable Cure to Treat Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): A Review
Authors: Mani Ayyandurai , Narayanan Mathiyazhagan , Rajinikanth V.
Published: December 2024

Introduction: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a neurodegenerative disease that causes muscle weakness, paralysis, and death, develops when motor neurons begin to die. There are few proven treatments for ALS, and because the disease is incurable, the exact cause is unknown, making it a devastating condition. According to recent research, marine algae may contain bioactive substances that can be used to treat ALS.
Methods: The comprehensive review of recent publications focused on bioactive compounds extracted from various species of marine algae, including their mechanisms of action against oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and apoptosis in ALS. The publications were reviewed in scientific journals (ScienceDirect, Springer, Taylor & Francis, and MDPI) and indexed in several databases (Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, and so on).
Discussion: Compounds derived from marine algae, including polyunsaturated fatty acids, fucoxanthin, and polysaccharides, exhibit potential neuroprotective effects by modulating neuroinflammation and oxidative stress levels. Fucoxanthin, fucosterol, and alginate demonstrated potential in mitigating oxidative damage and inflammation, which are critical factors in the pathogenesis of ALS.
Conclusion: Bioactive compounds obtained from marine algae demonstrate considerable potential as therapeutic agents for ALS, owing to their capacity to influence multiple pathways linked to oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. Further investigation is required to comprehend their mechanisms and medicinal value, as well as develop novel alternative treatments for ALS.
Color Assessment of Screw-Retained Implant Prostheses Access Hole Fillings: An In-Vitro Study
Authors: Sarrafzadeh Arash , Nakhostin Afrooz , Jadidi Soheila , Safari Malihe
Published: December 2024

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the aesthetic aspect of screw-retained restorations by examining three different types of filling materials used for the access cavity, highlighting the significance of aesthetics in implant restorations.
Materials and Methods: In this laboratory investigation, simulation samples of screw-retained restorations were filled with flowable composite resin (group F), opaque and flowable composite resin (group O) and porcelain plug (group P) at baseline (T0). The samples were subjected to thermocycling twice (T1 and T3), undergoing 1000 cycles in coffee, orange juice, and distilled water, followed by washing performed after each thermocycling (T2 and T4). Colorimetric analysis and surface roughness measurements were conducted, and the data were statistically analyzed using.  two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), ,Tukey post hoc, two-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), and paired-t test. P<0.05 was considered significant.
Results: The type of filling material had a significant effect on the color difference observed between the restoration and filling materials (P<0.05). Notably, samples from group P exhibited a more pronounced color difference at T4, despite showing a lower color difference at T0, when compared to group O.
Conclusion: The use of porcelain plugs did not provide a notable advantage over the combination of flowable and opaque composite resins, particularly given the difficulties in fabricating and positioning porcelain plugs within the access cavity. Therefore, it is recommended to utilize flowable composite resins in conjunction with an opaque composite resin layer beneath, to effectively conceal any dark shades from the underlying metal.
Single Nucleotide Polymorphism of IL-18 (Rs 1946519) in Recurrent Aborted Iraqi Women and Its Association with Toxoplasmosis
Authors: Fadhil Sabreen Hadi , Saheb Entsar Jabbar
Published: December 2024

Background: We aimed to shed light on the risks of elevated levels of IL-18 in aborted women with toxoplasmosis by evaluating the risk or protective function of alleles or genotypes for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of IL-18 (rs 1946519), which might be related to the susceptibility to toxoplasmosis.
Methods: IL-18 levels in patient and control blood samples were determined using ELISA, and the SNP IL-18 (ra 1946519) was subjected to the high-resolution method.
Results: Compared to healthy pregnant women (HP), the IL-18 serum levels of recurrent abortion with toxoplasmosis (RAWT), recurrent abortion without toxoplasmosis (RAWOT), and healthy non-pregnant (HNP) women decreased with significant differences. Additionally, a strong association between patients and controls was found in the SNP IL-18 data. RAWT and RAWOT with the genotypes AA and AC had significantly lower IL-18 serum levels than women HP, according to the distribution of IL-18 serum levels by SNP.
Conclusion: The serum level of IL-18 varied by genotype in patients with substantial differences compared to controls, while the SNP of IL-18 has been linked as a risk factor in toxoplasmosis-infected recurrent abortion women.
Molecular Detection and Characterization of Haemonchus spp. in Cattle in Nigeria
Authors: Banwo Olamilekan , Jeremiah Olalekan , Adesina Rofiat , Adeyemo Abraham , Fagbohun Olusegun
Published: December 2024

Background: Haemonchosis is a major parasitic infestation in ruminant livestock, causing significant economic losses annually. The causative organisms are helminths of the genus Haemonchus spp. Detection of the causative agent is important for effective management and control of the disease. Molecular detection and characterization of parasites is a very dependable approach for parasite identification, especially where morphological characterization is unreliable.
Methods: To detect and characterize Haemonchus species in cases of haemonchosis at a Municipal abattoir in Ibadan, Nigeria; abomasal samples were collected from cattle at the abattoir. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect and amplify 320 bp internal transcribed spacer-2 (ITS-2) and 400 bp external transcribed spacer (ETS) genes of the adult worms in the samples. Multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic tree reconstruction were carried out to further confirm the presence of the worms.
Results: PCR, multiple sequence alignment, and phylogenetic reconstruction confirmed the presence of H. placei in the abomasal samples and further confirmed the species as a distinct species of bovine worms at the abattoir. Multiple sequence alignment also revealed genetic sites that can be employed to distinguish H. placei from H. contortus and H. similis.
Conclusion: Molecular techniques; PCR and sequence analysis are very important and reliable in the diagnosis of parasitic diseases. This will help to formulate effective control measures for eradication of the parasite.
Genetic Diversity of Strongyloides stercoralis with Attention to Clinical Features in Patients Originated from Three Endemic Provinces in the North and South of Iran
Authors: Semnan Sahar , Beigom Kia Eshrat , Sharifdini Meysam , Darabi Enayat , Fakhrieh-Kashan Zohre
Published: December 2024

Background: Strongyloides stercoralis is one of the neglected tropical diseases. We aimed to verify the genetic diversity of S. stercoralis with attention to clinical features of the infection in patients using the Cox1 gene and DNA sequencing.
Methods: Using parasitological methods, S. stercoralis was isolated from stool samples of patients who had been referred to Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. The patients originated from three endemic provinces of Iran including Guilan and Mazandaran in the north and Khouzestan in the south of Iran. After recording the clinical symptoms of the patients, DNA extraction of the isolates, PCR, and sequencing of the Cox1 gene region were performed. The gene sequences were analyzed by Chromas, Bio edit, and Dna SP 6.0, and phylogenetic analysis using MEGA 7.
Results: Overall 10 isolates of S. stercoralis were collected from patients 55 to 73 years old. Among the patients, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and cutaneous clinical symptoms were the most common, respectively. Ten isolates were classified into 4 haplotypes, 2 of which were specific to this study. Haplotypes 2 and 3 were placed in a subclade with haplotypes including isolates from dogs in Cambodia. Haplotype 4 which is hereby introduced in the world for the first time included an isolate from a patient with hyper-infection syndrome and disseminated strongyloidiasis.
Conclusion: The Cox1 gene showed genetic diversity for S. stercoralis isolates. Accordingly, no significant genetic difference was observed between the sequences from patients with hyper-infection and non-hyper-infection. The only isolate from a patient with disseminated and hyper-infection strongyloidiasis was genetically different from all other isolates in the present study.
Prevalence and Clinical Aspects of Trichomonas vaginalis Infection among High-Risk Women in Karaj, Iran
Authors: Bairami Amir , Kabir Kourosh , Alaei Behrouz Abbasi , Bahadory Saeed , Rezaeian Mostafa
Published: December 2024

Background: Trichomoniasis is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis, which causes health and emotional damages to the sufferers annually. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of T. vaginalis and its related risk factors among the high-risk women in the city of Karaj, central Iran.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between October 2021 and September 2022. In all 192 samples were taken from high-risk women referred to the center for vulnerable women and also from women in Fardis Prison of Karaj. All samples were examined by culture and microscopic method.
Results: The overall prevalence of T. vaginalis in high-risk women was estimated at 7.8% (15/192). Subgroup prevalence was also assessed according to the severity of symptoms, and no significant association was observed between the prevalence and the symptoms’ severity.
Conclusion: Due to the high prevalence of the parasite among vulnerable/high-risk women, particularly in people with poor socioeconomic conditions, preventive health measures in this high-risk group seem necessary. Nevertheless, given that men have no symptoms but may be carriers of the parasite, the same study is also recommended for men.
Fasciola hepatica Diagnosed with Endoscopic Ultrasound and Treated with Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio Pancreatography: A Case Report
Authors: Akkuzu Mustafa Zanyar , Yavuz Ahmet , Ebik Berat , Karabulut Ümit , Üzel Ali , Bacaksız Ferhat
Published: December 2024

This article discusses Fasciola hepatica infection, a zoonotic parasite that lives in the liver bile ducts. A 31-year-old female patient was diagnosed with symptoms such as nausea, increased liver enzymes, and right upper quadrant pain for about a year. The parasite was detected in the common bile duct by Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) and removed by Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio Pancreatography (ERCP). Treatment was performed with 10 mg/kg triclabendazole. Eosinophilia, abdominal pain, and dietary history are important clues in the diagnosis of infection. Imaging methods, especially EUS, play a critical role in diagnosis. With this method, parasites can be seen as mobile hyperechogenic structures. If untreated, parasites can survive in their hosts for many years, therefore early diagnosis and treatment are important in preventing complications. It is recommended to monitor the eosinophil levels and serological test results of patients after treatment. As a result, EUS is a very valuable diagnostic tool in suspected cases.
Lung Cyst Hydatid Extracted via Bronchoscopy and the Necessity of Surgery: A Case Report
Authors: Karcioglu Oguz , Kara Ayşen , Kurtulan Olcay , Uysal Serkan , Selçuk Ziya Toros
Published: December 2024

Echinococcus granulosus remains a global public health issue. Although predominantly affecting the liver, the lungs are the second most affected organ and often undergo surgical intervention. Here, a case managed by bronchoscopy and medical therapy is presented. A 26-year-old woman was presented with a cough, hemoptysis, and a 5 kg weight loss in the last two months. Chest imaging identified a 4 cm centrally cystic mass lesion in the middle lobe of the right lung, which was suspicious of lung cancer. Bronchoscopy revealed a whitish, plastic-like object that was difficult to extricate and obstructed the middle lobe bronchus. We removed the material and purulent secretions covering it and opened the middle lobe bronchus totally. The histopathological study verified its consistency with hydatid cyst. There was no evidence of a hydatid cyst on computerized thomography after bronchoscopy. The lesion in the left lobe of the liver, confirmed to be suggestive of a hydatid cyst via ultrasonography, was treated using the PAIR technique. We administered oral albendazole to continue the treatment. It may be a reasonable approach to postpone surgery in order to preserve lung tissue in patients who have undergone complete removal of hydatid cyst material via bronchoscope.
Acute Kidney Failure Confused with Thrombocytopenic Thrombocytic Purpura in Malaria: A Case Report
Authors: Gurkaynak Pinar , Gocen Nejla Yılmaz , Yanık Ahmet Mert
Published: December 2024

Malaria has become widespread, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, owing to disruptions experienced during the Covid-19 pandemic. Both cerebral malaria and acute kidney injury are important indicators of severe malaria. Depending on the degree of acute renal failure, hemodialysis/hemofiltration treatment is required. Our patient was a 22-year-old male from the Republic of Chad. The patient with confusion came to our country 15 days prior and was admitted to the internal medicine intensive care unit. Initially, Thrombocytopenic Thrombocytic Purpura (TTP) was considered because of clinical and laboratory similarities. As the patient had a history of coming from an endemic area, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and splenomegaly, malaria was considered. The patient was diagnosed with falciparum malaria due to the presence of multiple ring-shaped trophozoites and banana gametocytes. The patient with cerebral malaria, hyperparasitemia (parasite load 15%), hyperbilirubinemia and acute kidney injury was considered to have severe malaria. Intravenous artesunate was planned, but since it could not be obtained immediately, oral artemether+lumefantrine was started, and the patient became conscious at the 24th hour of treatment. During the follow-up, the patient's creatinine levels increased to 6.9, and the patient was subjected to hemodialysis several times. After effective hemodialysis and antimalarial treatment, the patient was discharged without sequelae on the 20th day of hospitalization. This case report is thought to be important in that it emphasizes that the diagnosis of malaria may be delayed due to its confusion with microangiopathic hemolytic anemias, and that it emphasizes the importance of correct management of complications.
Molecular Tracking of Leishmania major in an Archived Rattus norvegicus Spleen Sample in Iran: A Case Report
Authors: Allahmoradi Mahya , Najafi Faezeh , Koosha Mona , Kazemirad Elham , Latifi Alireza , Naddaf Saied Reza , Mirjalali Hamed , Mohebali Mehdi , Hajjaran Homa , Otranto Domenico , Mowlavi Gholamreza
Published: December 2024

Rodents are the primary reservoir hosts for zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) caused by Leishmania major. Knowing reservoir hosts is crucial for leishmaniasis surveillance and control programs in endemic areas. In this study, we examined an archived spleen of Rattus norvegicus obtained during a pest control program in 2000 in Tehran, the capital of Iran. The sample was analyzed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing to determine the presence of Trypanosomatidae based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) 1 gene. Amplification and sequencing of the discriminative region of the ITS1 gene followed by BLAST analysis showed the highest similarity with L. major isolates. Also, the phylogenetic analysis revealed that our sample was grouped with L. major isolates retrieved from the GenBank database. This finding might support the claim that R. norvegicus acts as a potential reservoir host for L. major. Further studies, including a survey on more rodent samples as well as studying sandflies in the area, might uncover the possible presence of such pathobiological conditions in ZCL transmission in urban and suburban settings.
DeepWei-Cu: A Deep Weibull Network for Cure Fraction Models
Authors: Abuelamayem Ola
Published: December 2024

Introduction: Survival analysis including cure fraction subgroups is heavily used in different fields like economics, engineering and medicine. The main core of the analysis is to understand the relationship between the covariates and the survival function taking into consideration censoring and long-term survival. The analysis can be performed using traditional statistical models or neural networks. Recently, neural network has attracted attention in analyzing lifetime data due to its ability of efficiently estimating the survival function under the existence of complex covariates. The goal of this study is to develop a parametric neural network that can sufficiently predict survival data with cure fraction. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time a parametric neural network is introduced to analyze mixture cure fraction models.
Methods: In this paper, we introduce a novel neural network based on mixture cure fraction Weibull loss function. Results: Alzheimer disease dataset as long as synthetic dataset are used to study the efficiency of the model. We compared the results using goodness of fit methods in both datasets with Weibull regression.
Conclusion: The proposed neural network has the flexibility of analyzing continuous data without discretization. Also, it has the advantage of using Weibull distribution properties. For example, it can analyze data with different hazard rates (monotonically decreasing, monotonically increasing and constant). Comparing the results with Weibull regression, the proposed neural network performed better.
Estimating Causal Effect of Two-Dose COVID-19 Vaccination on Hospitalization: A Propensity Score Matching Approach
Authors: Taherizadeh Mahboobeh , Shakeri Mohammad Taghi , Akhlaghi Saeed , Farkhani Ehsan Mosa
Published: December 2024

Introduction: To estimate the effectiveness of two-dose COVID-19 vaccination in reducing hospitalization, accounting for complex confounding factors in observational studies.
Methods: Researchers applied propensity score methods to adjust for confounding variables, comparing their performance to traditional covariate adjustment methods. Multiple Logistic Regression and Propensity Score Matching were employed to analyze the data, ensuring a balanced comparison between vaccinated and unvaccinated groups.
Results: Both analytical methods demonstrated a significant reduction in the likelihood of hospitalization among vaccinated individuals. The adjusted odds ratios (OR) were 0.29 (95% CI: 0.26, 0.31) via logistic regression and 0.32 (95% CI: 0.30, 0.34) using propensity score matching.
Conclusion: The study confirms the effectiveness of two-dose COVID-19 vaccination in decreasing hospitalization. It highlights the importance of using meticulous approaches like propensity score methods to assess real-world impacts in complex observational data settings
Determinants of Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnant Women Attended at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Zimbabwe from January - December 2022
Authors: Nhamo Loice , Salissou Tanko Mahamane , Makengo Olivier Sundika
Published: December 2024

Background: Globally 2.73% of pregnant women suffer from hypertension. Currently, there is still a gap of knowledge in Zimbabwe on hypertensive disorders of pregnancy hence the present study.
Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted. The structured checklist was used to extract data. HBP was measured two times on the right arm using an electronic device (OMRON HEM-7261) with an average of two readings. Patient records were used to collect secondary data from prenatal care visits and laboratory tests. We used simple random sampling methods to screen prenatal care records for pregnant women. All pregnant women at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in 2022 were eligible and constituted our study population. The sample size was determined statistically by power analysis using epidemiological information, this yielded a sample of 240. The Prevalence of HBP in pregnancy and risk factors were determined by Fisher exact test Graph Pad (Prism version6.0), P < 0.05 was set as statistically significant.
Results: 240 pregnant women were enrolled given a prevalence of HBP of   25%. Most pregnant women having HBP are 36 to 40 years old and located in urban areas (92%, n = 55). Gestational age 33 % (n = 5), Gravida 3-4 (33%, n = 13) Parity 3-4 (74%, n = 25), and Multiple Pregnancy (25%, n = 5) were the most associated with HBP. Pre-existing hypertension was the most common comorbidity 92%.Family history of HBP (OR = 4.62, 95%, CI = 1.4-15.1), p = 0.016) and age being < 30 years OR= 0.26, 95%, CI = 0.14-0.49), p = 0.0001) were associated with HBP.
Conclusions: The prevalence of HBP in pregnancy was higher (25%) than the worldwide prevalence of 2.7% and risk factors are mainly age and family history of HBP.
Archives, criticism and politics: annotations for interpreting silences
Authors: Peixoto Priscilla Alves
Published: December 2024

What is inherited when there is a collective commitment to forgetfulness? This is the question that opens this essay, which deals with the institutionalization (or not) of archives by art critics who dedicated themselves to architecture during the 1950s. The hypothesis explored is that these processes bear the marks of the civil military dictatorship that was installed in Brazil between the 1960s and 1980s, and the amnesty process. Concentrating on the study of the personal collections of Mário Pedrosa, Mário Barata and Quirino Campofiorito, this text analyzes the different processes that influenced the entry of documentation and books by these three critics into archives, museums and libraries. As an approach, the essay takes an unusual path: it starts from reflections on the work of the philosopher Paul Ricoeur in which the author addresses the relationships between forgetting, amnesty and mourning. However, the development of the text is also based on questions raised by a book of literature – Antes de Nascer o Mundo [Before the World was Born] by the Mozambican author Mia Couto –, above all, on what can be inferred from the action of her main character, the ‘silence tuner’.
Traumatic Stress and Coping Experiences of Health Professionals Working in Earthquake Zones: A Phenomenological Study
Authors: Emirza Elif Güzide , Uzun Sevda , Şenses Medine
Published: December 2024

Objective: This study aimed to examine the traumatic stress and coping strategies of healthcare professionals who provided services during the earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş on February 6, employing a phenomenological approach.
Method: The study, which utilized the phenomenological method, involved conducting semi-structured in-depth interviews face-to-face with 20 healthcare professionals who provided services during the February 6 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes. Researchers used the snowball sampling technique to recruit participants and continued interviews until no new information emerged. Researchers recorded and transcribed all interviews for analysis. They applied thematic analysis to the data, ensuring the study aligned with the COREQ checklist for reporting.
Results: The data analysis revealed three main themes (thoughts and feelings about healthcare provision, the effects of the earthquake, and traumatic stress and coping experiences) along with eight sub-themes: thoughts, feelings, mental, physical, social, traumatic stress, effects, and coping.
Conclusion: Healthcare professionals who provided services during the February 6 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes experienced significant psychosocial effects from the traumatic stress they faced. They encountered substantial difficulties in managing these stressors. The study advocates for implementing necessary measures and support systems to help healthcare professionals effectively cope with stress in disaster situations.