bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of Patient Health Services at IPKT RSUD.
Authors: Kartikasari Trisnaning , Mursyidah Lailul
Published: September 2024

The study "Quality of Patient Health Services at the Integrated Cancer Service Installation" conducted at a district general hospital aimed to assess the health service quality for cancer patients. The researchers used a descriptive qualitative method, including observation and interviews, and employed the theory of effectiveness by Parasuraman, Zeithami, and Berry (1988) with indicators such as tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, and empathy. The results indicated a need to increase facilities, good performance by the officers, and positive findings in terms of responsiveness, assurance (5S implementation), and empathy. The implication of the study is to highlight areas for improvement in health service quality for cancer patients. The title for the scientific article could be "Enhancing Cancer Patient Care: A Quality Assessment of Health Services."
Highlight :

The field of quality assessment in cancer care is relatively new, and investigators are just beginning to identify meaningful indicators of quality for many aspects
Cancer centers must assist their patients and families to comprehend the overall prognosis, benefits of treatments, and possible harms fully
The ability to distinguish high-quality from low-quality care across oncology practices remains a challenge

Keywords: cancer, health service quality, assessment, improvement, patients.
Dividend Policy's Role in Company Value: IDX Pharmaceutical Manufacturing (2013-2021)
Authors: Sari Roro Yona Novita , Hanun Nur Ravita
Published: September 2024

This study investigates the interplay between dividend policy, profitability, firm size, and firm value in the context of pharmaceutical manufacturing firms listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. Employing a purposive sampling technique, 54 companies were selected, and Smart Partial Least Square 3.0 program was utilized for statistical analysis. The findings reveal that while profitability exerts no significant influence on firm value, firm size positively impacts it. However, dividend policy does not moderate the relationship between profitability, firm size, and firm value. These results prompt further exploration into the nuanced dynamics of dividend policy and its implications for firm valuation strategies.
Highlights :

Profitability does not significantly affect firm value.
Firm size positively influences firm value.
Dividend policy does not moderate the relationship between profitability, firm size, and firm value.

Keywords: Dividend policy, Profitability, Firm size, Firm value, Pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Influence of Village Funds and Policies on Community Welfare: A Brief Overview
Authors: Fadilah Elmi Nur , Biduri Sarwendah
Published: September 2024

This research investigates the influence of village funds, allocation strategies, policies, and institutional frameworks on community welfare and accountability in village fund management. Utilizing a quantitative approach, a sample of 54 respondents from villages surrounding the Pandaan sub-district was selected using purposive sampling techniques. Data was collected through Google Forms and analyzed using the SmartPLS program, employing both inner and outer model analyses. The findings indicate significant positive effects of village fund variables, allocation strategies, and policies on community welfare. However, village institutional variables were found to have no significant impact on community welfare. These results underscore the importance of effective management strategies and policies in ensuring the welfare of communities in rural settings, thereby informing policymakers and stakeholders involved in local governance and development.
Highlights :

The study examines the influence of village fund management on community welfare in rural settings.
Findings highlight the significance of allocation strategies and policies in enhancing community welfare.
Implications underscore the importance of effective management practices for rural development and governance.

Keywords: Village funds, Community welfare, Accountability, Rural development, Quantitative study
Nuclear Energy's Environmental Imperatives A Global Perspective
Authors: Nishonov Abdulloh Ubaydulloh o’g’li
Published: September 2024

This study explores the requirements and prospects of utilizing nuclear energy amid the global energy crisis, focusing on environmental considerations, regulatory frameworks, and sustainable deployment strategies. Drawing on multidisciplinary approaches and insights from renowned scientists, it examines the environmental impact assessment measures, international agreements, and development prospects associated with nuclear energy. The findings underscore the importance of stringent environmental standards and sustainable deployment strategies for ensuring the viability of nuclear energy as a crucial component of the global energy mix, offering valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders in the energy sector.
Highlights:

Comprehensive analysis of nuclear energy's environmental requirements.
Examination of international agreements regulating atomic energy.
Importance of sustainable deployment strategies amidst the global energy crisis.

Keywords: Atom Energy, Radiation Problems,  Disaster, Harmful Emissions
Technology-Driven Archival Management in Samarinda's Library Service
Authors: Christiana Novianti , Helminasari Shorea , Pratama Prawira Yudha
Published: September 2024

The management of archives is a critical function within governmental and private organizations, ensuring the preservation and accessibility of vital information. General Background: In response to the rapid advancements in information technology, the Government of Samarinda implemented a technology-based archival management system to improve efficiency and effectiveness. Specific Background: The study focuses on the implementation of this system within the Library and Archives Service of Samarinda, where traditional archival challenges such as the fragility of paper documents and the need for quick information retrieval necessitated a shift towards digital archives. Knowledge Gap: Despite the implementation of technology-based systems, there is limited research on their effectiveness within Indonesian governmental institutions. Aims: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of technology-based archival management in the Samarinda Library and Archives Service, focusing on document transfer, storage, indexing, and access control. Results: The findings indicate that the digital archival management system is effective in enhancing the security and accessibility of documents, with processes such as document scanning, digital storage, and indexing significantly improving archival practices. However, challenges such as inadequate storage capacity and network issues persist. Novelty: This study provides new insights into the specific challenges and successes of implementing a technology-based archival system in a governmental context in Indonesia. Implications: The research underscores the importance of continuous improvement in infrastructure and training to fully realize the benefits of digital archival systems, highlighting the need for enhanced server capacity and network reliability to support the increasing volume of digital archives. This study contributes to the broader understanding of digital archival management within the public sector, offering practical recommendations for similar initiatives in other regions.
Highlights:

Efficiency: Digital archives boost accessibility and security.
Challenges: Storage and network issues hinder effectiveness.
Implications: Ongoing infrastructure upgrades are essential.

Keywords: Effectiveness, Archives, Digitalization, E-Archives
Pedagogical Fundamentals Of Development Of Social Activity On The Basis Of Formation Of Standard Competencies In Students
Authors: Dilorom Khoshimova  , N. Khamziddinov
Published: September 2024

In this article, the content of the formation of social activity on the basis of the formation of basecompetences in students, the ability to overcome conflicts and problems that have arisen as a component ofsocial activity, the contribution of students to the development of a worthy place in the future microsium, theanalysis of important components of social activity, which are not always
Course, Pathophysiology, Bacteriological Examination And Treatment Of Salmonellosis In Rabbits And Poultry
Authors: S.M. Urazaliev  , I.Yu.Sultanova
Published: September 2024

The article considers the concept of brand management of trade enterprises, as well as its essence in relation to modern conditions of transformation of market relations. The specific functions of the brand management of trade enterprises in terms of marketing orientation in the context of its elements are identified.
Mounier Emmanuel
Authors:   RAS Institute of Philosophy, Vdovina Irena
Published: September 2024

The article is devoted to the work of Emmanuel Mounier (1905–1950), the founder and leading theorist of the philosophy of French personalism. The philosopher sees the purpose of his teaching in finding a way out of a deep civilizational crisis, in which, in his opinion, by the beginning of the twentieth century, human society found itself. He seeks to find ways to comprehend a qualitatively new civilization based on the effective priority of spiritual values. The central idea in the thinker's views is transcension as a fundamental property of a human personality, overcoming mechanistic connections and conditionalities and striving for "super-being". He also referred to the feeling of human community as the main characteristics of human existence: society was initially included in his definition of personality. The personalist philosopher attached special importance to art in the process of becoming a person. The ideas of personalism by E. Mounier and his associates (J. Lacroix, M. Nedonsel et al.) had a noticeable influence on the philosophical, sociological and aesthetic teachings of the twentieth century, orienting researchers to study the problems of the spiritual content of human activity, human communication, and human community. They became the theoretical basis of a number of areas of theological thought — theology of personality, theology of labor, theology of revolution, theology of liberation.
Comparative Assessment of U-Net-Based Deep Learning Models for Segmenting Microfractures and Pore Spaces in Digital Rocks
Authors: Wang Hongsheng , Guo Ruichang , Dalton Laura E. , Crandall Dustin , Hosseini Seyyed A. , Fan Ming , Chen Cheng
Published: September 2024

Segmentation of high-resolution X-ray microcomputed tomography (µCT) images is crucial in digital rock physics (DRP), affecting the characterization and analysis of microscale phenomena in the porous media. The complexity of geological structures and nonideal scanning conditions pose significant challenges to conventional image segmentation approaches. Motivated by the recent increasing popularity of deep learning (DL) techniques in image processing, this work undertakes a comparative study of DL models, specifically U-Net and its variants, for segmenting multiple targets with distinguished features in digital rocks, including discrete fracture networks (DFNs), pore spaces, and solid rock. Particularly, DFNs have a smaller volumetric fraction over others, bringing in a substantial challenge of imbalanced segmentation. The primary focus is to evaluate the architecture and feature enhancement strategies of various DL models, including U-Net, attention U-Net, residual U-Net, U-Net++, and residual U-Net++. The models were designed as 2.5D, utilizing a central 2D image and its two adjacent upper and lower 2D images as input to provide a pseudo-3D context. In addition, because the ground truth of segmentation was unknown for real-world digital rocks, we created a benchmark data set following the inverse operations of segmentation. The data synthesis started from the label images (i.e., solid rock, pore spaces, and DFNs), followed by simulating partial volume blurring, adding random background noise, and introducing ring artifacts to mimic real raw X-ray µCT images. The data set, which included various rock types (i.e., sandstone and artificial data), scanning resolution, and magnitudes of noise and artifacts, was divided into training and testing data sets with a 90% and 10% ratio, respectively. Moreover, in addition to the conventional pixel-wise evaluation metrics, the physics-based metric of the lattice-Boltzmann method (LBM) simulated permeability provided more comprehensive assessments. The results demonstrated that the residual connections, nested architectures, and redesigned skip connections contribute to the model performance and give the residual U-Net++ the highest accuracy. The improvements were mainly on the boundaries and small targets, especially the DFNs, which dominate the interconnectivity and therefore affect the permeability greatly. This study also rigorously evaluated the efficiency and generalization of each model, demonstrating that the sophisticated architectures achieved excellent practicability and maintained robust performance on completely unseen data, ensuring their suitability for diverse and challenging DRP applications.
The Impact of Axillary Lymph Node Dissection on the Prognosis of Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Mastectomy with Sentinel Lymph Node Micrometastases
Authors: Ye Dengfeng , Ruan Guodong , Lin Yingli , Zhu Jianming , Li Zhian , Tu Chuanjian , DING WU
Published: September 2024

Introduction:
Traditionally, completion axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) has been standard for breast cancer patients with positive sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs). However, ALND poses risks of morbidity. Recent trials suggest omission of ALND may be safe in selected cases. Controversy exists regarding ALND omission in mastectomy patients with micrometastases.
Methods:
A retrospective study analyzed data from two databases: Shanghai Jiao Tong University Breast Cancer Data Base (SJTUBCDB) and the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Patients with T1-2 breast cancer and SLN micrometastases undergoing mastectomy were included. Patients were stratified into Non-ALND and ALND groups. Clinicopathological factors and outcomes were compared.
Results:
Among 118 SJTUBCDB patients and 4,884 SEER patients, Non-ALND group exhibited non-inferiority in terms of recurrence-free survival (RFS), locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRFS), breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS), and overall survival (OS) compared to ALND group. Multivariable analysis identified predictors of survival outcomes.
Conclusion:
This study supports the omission of ALND in T1-2N1mi breast cancer patients undergoing mastectomy, demonstrating comparable survival outcomes to those undergoing ALND. Proper patient selection is essential for tailored treatment strategies.
Allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis due to Talaromyces marneffei: The first case report
Authors: Wang Xidong , Zhan Yangqing , Li Shaoqiang , Wan Yan , Liu Hongling , Sun Lan , Li Zhengtu , Qiu Ye , Ye Feng
Published: September 2024

Allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis (ABPM) is a hypersensitivity disease of the lower airways caused by environmental fungi. While Aspergillus fumigatus is the most common pathogen, there has been a gradual increase in the occurrence of ABPM caused by other fungi in the past 20 years. This case report presents the first case of ABPM associated with Talaromyces marneffei (TM). The patient had positive TM results on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) culture and multiple metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS), a total IgE level of 1155 IU/ml, an IgG antibody to Aspergillus level (> 500 AU/ml) that was considerably higher than normal, and CT with central bronchiectasis and mucous embolus. Combined with the patient's clinical symptoms, the diagnosis was TM-related ABPM. Subsequently, the patient achieved favourable therapeutic effects through oral corticosteroid treatment. This case shows us the possibility of noninvasive infection of TM in the lower respiratory tract, improves our understanding of ABPM, and provides a reference for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
Factors Associated With the Intubation of Patients With Acute Respiratory Failure and Their Impact on Mortality: a Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Hohmann Fabio , Midega Thais , Treml Ricardo , Galindo Vinicius , Veiga Gabriele , Machado Isabelle , Kraft Maria Regina , Custódio Sávio , Paolinelli Eduardo , Galdino Felipe , Silva João Manoel
Published: September 2024

Introduction:
Severe respiratory failure often requires intubation and invasive mechanical ventilation. Identifying the factors that lead to this need is crucial, but there are few studies on the evolution of these factors from the onset of symptoms to respiratory failure. This study aims to identify risk factors for invasive mechanical ventilation as well as clinical outcomes in patients with acute respiratory failure considering the time from the onset of symptoms to respiratory failure.
Methods
Retrospective cohort study with patients hospitalized between May 1, 2020 and May 1, 2021. Patients over 18 years of age admitted to Intermediate and Intensive Care Units with positive polymerase chain reaction for SARS-CoV-2, chest computed tomography and inflammatory markers performed within 72 hours of admission were included. Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease using home oxygen, intubation not related to Covid-19, heart failure, previous tracheostomy and hospitalization of less than 24 hours were excluded. The main outcome was to identify the factors that determined tracheal intubation and the evolution of these patients.
Results
Of the 852 patients treated, 302 were excluded, leaving 550, of which 346 required intubation. Intubated patients had a higher body mass index (p = 0.02), a higher SAPS-3 (p < 0.001) and a shorter time from symptom onset to hospitalization (p < 0.001). Until the eighth day of hospitalization, these patients had higher levels of C-Reactive Protein (p < 0.001), Interleukin-6 (p = 0.003) and D-dimer (p < 0.001). Chest computed tomography scans revealed a larger area of ​​lung injury since admission. In the Cox model, SAPS-3 (HR = 1.028, 95%CI 1.002–1.055, p = 0.038) and time to intubation (HR = 1.118, 95%CI 1.021–1.224, p = 0.016) were independent risk factors for mortality. Patients intubated 15 days after the onset of symptoms had a higher risk of mortality (OR = 2.13, 95% CI 1.07–4.23). At intubation, the average respiratory rate was 27.5 breaths per minute, with 85% of FiO2 and ROX index of 4.37. The use of non-invasive ventilatory support was longer in the quartile with more than 15 days until intubation (median of 5 [3–7] days) and the use of a high-flow nasal cannula was associated with a longer time to decide to intubate (p = 0.002).
Conclusion
In patients with Covid-19 and acute respiratory failure, later intubation was associated with higher mortality. Non-invasive ventilatory support strategies can be used as long as there is no delay in using an invasive strategy when necessary.
Associations of the Body Roundness Index with Prediabetes and Diabetes in American Adults: Cross-Sectional Analysis
Authors: Song Shangyi , Yin Jiahui , Liu Yecun , Li Xuhao , Li Meng , Zhang Wenhui , Liu Yuanxiang , Yang Jiguo
Published: September 2024

Background
Prediabetes and diabetes are associated with obesity, and the body roundness index (BRI) is a new obesity index that more accurately reflects body fat and visceral fat levels. The relationships between BRI and prediabetes and diabetes are currently unknown, and we aimed to investigate the relationships between BRI and the prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the 2005–2020 NHANES, which included a total of 46,447 participants. We used restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis, logistic regression analysis, and subgroup analysis to assess the associations of BRI with prediabetes and diabetes. We assessed the ability of the BRI and body mass index (BMI) to identify prediabetes and diabetes patients via receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and area under the curve (AUC) analysis and compared the results via the Delong test.
Results
Of the 46,447 participants aged 18 years and older included in the study, 15808 had prediabetes and diabetes. According to the fully adjusted models, a positive association was observed between BRI and the prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes (OR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.14–1.20; P < 0.0001). Compared with those in the lowest quartile, individuals in the highest quartile of BRI had a 125% increased risk of prediabetes and diabetes (OR = 2.20, 95% CI: 1.88–2.57; P < 0.0001). The associations between BRI and prediabetes and diabetes persisted in the subgroup analyses. ROC analysis revealed that the BRI (AUC = 0.695) was a stronger predictor of prediabetes and diabetes than BMI was (AUC = 0.651).
Conclusions
An elevated BRI is associated with an increased prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes in the U.S. population, and the BRI is a stronger predictor of prediabetes and diabetes than BMI is. Maintaining an appropriate BRI is recommended to reduce the incidence of prediabetes and diabetes.
Evaluating Institutional Electives - Insights from stakeholders
Authors: Poorey Ketaki , Manzoor Abid , Mittal Sachendra , Tiwari Mukesh
Published: September 2024

Background:
Elective courses offer students the opportunity to pursue specialized interests beyond the standard curriculum. India adopted electives formally from MBBS 2019 batch, aligning with Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME). Challenges in organizing, teaching, and assessing electives persist, with disparities in execution and student perceptions. This project aims to assess the Electives program's effectiveness, gathering data on stakeholders' experiences and identifying challenges and recommendations to serve students' educational objectives and enhance their learning experience.
Aim
To Evaluate Institutional Electives in Undergraduate Medical Curriculum.
Objectives:
1. To analyze the students' & faculty perceptions for the elective program.
2. To identify the challenges faced by the students & faculty during electives.
3. To formulate recommendations based on the insights gathered from focus group discussions (FGDs) and survey responses.
Methodology:
Observational Qualitative Study, which will include volunteers from the MBBS 3rd year part 1, admission batch 2020 students and all the faculty and administrators involved in the Electives Program. Their perception on the effectiveness and overall impact of the Electives program would be collected in the form of questionnaires and Focused group discussions would be conducted to know in detail the challenges, best practices and recommendations from faculty and students to improve the Electives program.
Results:
The study found high satisfaction with the Electives program among both students and faculty. They emphasized that the time duration of direct engagement, teaching methodologies and assessment criteria had a significant impact on their choices and satisfaction. Participants provided suggestions for revising the electives to be more structured, clinical-oriented and the addition of sports/general electives to the pool.
Conclusions:
Gathering the stakeholder perceptions, challenges, and recommendations regarding the Electives program it is clear that Electives have immense potential to make an effective educational impact.
Proteomic mechanism of sugar and organic acid metabolism during Korla fragrant pear (Pyrus sinkiangensis Yü) fruit development
Authors: Wang Yi , Deng Yonghui , Jiang Wei , An Shijie , Ma Ling , Wang Zhengdong , Zheng Qiangqing , Yan Pan , Chen Qiling
Published: September 2024

Korla fragrant pear (Pyrus sinkiangensis Yü) fruit development involves complex physiological and biochemical processes; however, few data are available at the proteomic and metabolomic levels, which would be helpful for understanding the molecular mechanisms of fruit and quality development. In our study, Korla fragrant pear was investigated across three important stages, namely, early development (5 weeks after flower blooming, WAF), middle development (10WAF), and near ripening (15WAF), via tandem mass tag (TMT) labeling technology. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography‒tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC‒MS/MS) was subsequently performed to detect changes in the concentrations of sugars and organic acids in pear fruits at different developmental stages. Through proteomic and metabolomic analyses, we identified a total of 8487 proteins expressed during pear fruit development, and 3762 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were characterized in Korla fragrant pear at three fruit development stages. Moreover, 27 soluble sugars and 43 organic acids were found to accumulate differentially in the fruit at different developmental stages. The functional annotation of the DEPs revealed that many were involved in flavonoid biosynthesis, starch and sucrose metabolism, fructose and mannose metabolism, galactose metabolism, galactose metabolism and organic acid metabolism. The expression of proteins related to sugar metabolism and accumulation increased with increasing fruit development stage, which was consistent with the trend of soluble sugar content during fruit development. All 6 disaccharides, including cellobiose (Cel), lactose (Lac), maltose (Mal), trehalose (Tre), phenylglucoside (Phe) and sucrose (Suc), detected in this study were present at low levels in the early stages of fruit development but accumulated in large amounts from 15 WAF to 20 WAF, which may explain the high sweetness of ripe Korla fragrant pear. In addition, the expression levels of proteins related to organic acid metabolism were consistent with the trends of organic acid contents detected by UPLC‒ESI‒MS during fruit development. The contents of 34 organic acids are low in ripe Korla fragrant pear, and the ripe pear fruits used for consumption contain mainly nine organic acids, which are 2-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, homovanillic acid, pyruvic acid, cis-aconitic acid, 3-methyladipic acid, hydroxyphenyllactic acid, taurine, fumaric acid and tartaric acid. The low levels of organic acids detected during fruit development may explain the low organic acid content of Korla fragrant pear. Thus, our proteomic and metabolomic analyses reveal the molecular basis for the characteristics of high sweetness and low organic acidity in Korla fragrant pear.
Optimal Deep Barcodes for Fast Image Retrieval
Authors: Khosrowshahli Rasa , Kheiri Farnaz , Bidgoli Azam Asilian , Tizhoosh Hamid Reza , Makrehchi Masoud , Rahnamayan Shahryar
Published: September 2024

Binary encoding of features has proven to be a versatile tool for optimizing data processing and memory efficiency in various machine learning applications. This includes deep barcoding of images for retrieval of similar cases among millions of indexed images. Despite the recent advancement in barcode generation methods, converting hyperdimensional feature vectors (e.g., deep features) to compact and discriminative binary barcodes is still an urgent necessity and widely an unresolved problem. MinMax barcoding of features is one of the efficient binarization methods, where the accuracy of the generated barcodes is inherently dependent on the feature order due to its computation process. In this paper, we propose a combinatorial evolutionary framework for optimizing barcodes. The primary goal is to determine an optimal permutation of extracted deep features, leading to more accurate barcodes. The performance of the proposed model has been assessed in downstream image retrieval tasks using a variety of datasets. This evaluation includes medical images from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), a comprehensive publicly available dataset, as well as images from a COVID-19 dataset. In addition, the model's performance was tested on diverse non-medical image collections, such as CIFAR-10 and Fashion-MNIST. Our findings demonstrate that optimizing barcodes significantly enhances retrieval accuracy across a wide range of applications, highlighting the applicability and potential of barcodes in various domains.
Bartter Syndrome Type 2 in Adolescence: Clinical Features and Genetic Confirmation
Authors: Lamichhane Seshkanta , Wasti Kushal , Bajracharya Manil Ratna , Karki Buddha Bahadur , Achhami Eliz
Published: September 2024

Background
Bartter Syndrome (BS) is a rare salt-losing tubulopathy characterized by impaired sodium reabsorption and excessive salt excretion. Type II Bartter Syndrome, usually presenting in the neonatal period, is associated with mutations in the KCNJ1 gene. Reporting this case adds to the limited data on late-onset presentations of BS type 2, highlighting its clinical variability.
Case Presentation:
An 18-year-old female presented with polydipsia, frequent urination, muscle cramps, and fatigue. She was found to have hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis, hypercalciuria, and hypomagnesemia. Imaging revealed bilateral renal medullary nephrocalcinosis. Genetic testing identified heterozygous mutations in the KCNJ1 gene, confirming BS type 2. The patient's birth weight was 2.7 kg, with no history of polyhydramnios or post-natal complications. Management included potassium and magnesium supplementation, and NSAIDs to inhibit prostaglandin synthesis.
Conclusions
This case underscores the importance of considering rare genetic renal tubular disorders like BS type 2 in patients with persistent electrolyte abnormalities, polyuria, and nephrocalcinosis. Genetic testing is crucial for diagnosis and management, which can significantly improve the patient's quality of life and prevent disease progression.
Spatial Immunogenomic Patterns Associated with Lymph Node Metastasis in Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Meng Fanjie , Li Hao , Jin Ruoyi , Yang Airong , Luo Hao , Li Xiao , Wang Peiyu , Zhao Yaxing , Chervova Olga , Tang Kaicheng , Li Qing , Cheng Sida , Hu Bin , Li Yun , Sheng Jianpeng , Yang Fan , Carbone David , Chen Kezhong , Wang Jun
Published: September 2024

Background
Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) with lymph node (LN) metastasis is associated with poor prognosis, yet the specific mechanisms involved remain unclear. The objective of this investigation is to elucidate the immunogenomic landscape associated with LUAD with LN metastasis.
Methods
We utilized broad-panel next-generation sequencing (NGS) on a cohort of 257 LUAD patients who underwent surgical treatment. This approach allowed us to understand the molecular landscape of tumors and identify targetable driver-gene alterations. We also employed multiplex immunohistochemistry (mIHC) on the propensity score matching cohort, which enables comprehensive profiling of the tumor immune microenvironment while preserving cellular metaclusters, interactions and neighborhood functional units. By integrating data from both NGS and mIHC, we not only discerned spatial immunogenomic patterns within this meticulously matched cohort but also developed and independently validated a predictive model for LN stage.
Results
Our analysis revealed distinct patterns of immunogenomic alterations correlated with LN metastasis stages. Specifically, increased mutation frequencies in genes such as PIK3CG, ATM, BRD4, and KMT2B were observed alongside LN metastasis. Additionally, an enrichment of macrophages and regulatory T cells was associated with the immunogenomic patterns. Furthermore, a novel predictive model for LN metastasis likelihood was developed, offering potential benefits for patients ineligible for surgery.
Conclusions
This study offers an in-depth analysis of the genetic and immune profiles in LUAD with LN metastasis, identifying key immunogenomic patterns linked to metastasis. The creation of a predictive model from these insights marks a critical advancement in personalized treatment, underscoring its promise for enhancing patient management.
Integrating 18 F-FDG PET/CT Radiomics and Body Composition for Enhanced Prognostic Assessment in Patients with Esophageal Cancer
Authors: Zhou Yeye , Zhou Jin , Cai Xiaowei , Ge Shushan , Sang Shibiao , yang Yi , Zhang Bin , Deng Shengming
Published: September 2024

Background This study aimed to develop a predictive model utilizing radiomics and body composition features derived from 18F-FDG PET/CT scans to forecast progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) outcomes in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).Methods We analyzed data from 91 patients who underwent baseline 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging. Radiomic features extracted from PET and CT images and subsequent radiomics scores (Rad-scores) were calculated. Body composition metrics were also quantified, including muscle and fat distribution at the L3 level from CT scans. Multiparametric survival models were constructed using Cox regression analysis, and their performance was assessed using the area under the time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) and concordance index (C-index).Results Multivariate analysis identified Rad-scorePFS (P = 0.003), sarcopenia (P < 0.001), and visceral adipose tissue index (VATI) (P < 0.001) as independent predictors of PFS. For OS, Rad-scoreOS (P = 0.001), sarcopenia (P = 0.002), VATI (P = 0.037), stage (P = 0.042), and body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.008) were confirmed as independent prognostic factors. Integration of the Rad-score with clinical variables and body composition parameters enhanced predictive accuracy, yielding C-indices of 0.810 (95% CI: 0.737–0.884) for PFS and 0.806 (95% CI: 0.720–0.891) for OS.Conclusions This study underscored the potential of combining Rad-score with clinical and body composition data to refine prognostic assessment in ESCC patients.
Follicular lymphoma or diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: a population based analysis of epidemiological and health economic aspects in Germany
Authors: Berger Karin , Moertl Bernhard , von Bergwelt-Baildon Michael , Obermueller Dominik , Pawlowska-Phelan Dorota , Dreyling Martin
Published: September 2024

Epidemiological data and information on resource consumption, costs and clinical outcomes of the care of patients (pts) with follicular lymphoma (FL) or diffuse large b-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in Germany are rare. Objective of this study was to generate information filling these evidence gaps. This retrospective cohort study (2015–2020) is based on anonymized, longitudinal health claims data. Subgroup analyses on pts with stem-cell transplant (SCT) were performed. About n = 950 annual prevalent FL-pts and n = 1.360 DLBCL-pts were analysed per year. Mean age of FL-pts was 67 years (SD ± 13), 50,7%-females. In the DLBCL-cohort mean age was 68,6 years (SD ± 13,6), 44,4%-females. The share of “agranulocytosis and neutropenia” as an example of the analyzed side effects was: FL 7,2% and DLBCL 16%. Of the FL-pts 64% had min. one hospital admission, with mean 2 admissions (SD ± 2,3) and a mean duration of 21 days (SD ± 44,7) per year. In the DLBCL-cohort 78% had a hospitalization with 2,9 admissions (SD ± 3,1) and 29 inpatient days (SD ± 47,5). Mean annual costs: FL €15.258 per-patient (SD ± 20.367) and DLBCL €23.455 (SD ± 32.892) per-patient. Mean 12-month costs after autologous-SCT were: FL €46.270 (SD ± 21.936) and DLBCL €56.558 (SD ± 45.926); for allogeneic-SCT (only DLBCL-cohort): €161.662 (SD ± 75.266). This study demonstrate a high burden associated with malignant lymphomas. A considerable number or side effects is documented, indicating a difference between the entities. Length of inpatient stay is stressful for patients and associated with significant costs. Total spending for r/r-pts who require intensive treatments like SCTs are significant. Future efforts including linkage to additional data sources with complementary clinical-information are needed.
Using Machine Learning Models to Predict the Impact of Template Mismatches on Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Assay Performance
Authors: Knight Brittany , Otwell Taylor , Coryell Michael P. , Stone Jennifer , Davis Phillip , Necciai Bryan , Carlson Paul E. , Sozhamannan Shanmuga , Schubert Alyxandria M. , Yan Yi H.
Published: September 2024

Molecular assays are critical tools for the diagnosis of infectious diseases. These assays have been extremely valuable during the COVID pandemic, used to guide both patient management and infection control strategies. Sustained transmission and unhindered proliferation of the virus during the pandemic resulted in many variants with unique mutations. Some of these mutations could lead to signature erosion, where tests developed using the genetic sequence of an earlier version of the pathogen may produce false negative results when used to detect novel variants. In this study, we assessed the performance changes of 15 molecular assay designs when challenged with a variety of mutations that fall within the targeted region. Using data generated from this study, we trained and assessed the performance of seven different machine learning models to predict whether a specific set of mutations will result in significant change in the performance for a specific test design. The best performing model demonstrated acceptable performance with sensitivity of 82% and specificity of 87% when assessed using 10-fold cross validation. Our findings highlighted the potential of using machine learning models to predict the impact of emerging mutations on the performance of specific molecular test designs.
Study on energy-autonomous technology for energy consumption performance and climate adaptation in independent public toilets
Authors: Bi Dapeng , Zhao Zhonghua , Huang Qunwu , Wang Yiping
Published: September 2024

Public toilets are a vital safety feature for urban operations. Most independent public toilets currently necessitate the installation of energy, water, and sewage piping networks in order to function properly, and they frequently waste a significant amount of energy and water resources during the operation and disposal of excreta. The energy-autonomous technology (EAT) of freestanding public toilets can address the energy-balancing issue of toilet operation and excreta disposal. To assess the climate adaptability of this technology, the study employed DesignBuilder building energy simulation software to model and analyze energy use. According to the data, Nanning is the greatest choice in high-irradiance and high-temperature locations, while Xining provides the most advantage in high-irradiance and low-temperature areas. Battery management may be necessary in Lhasa, Xining, and Tianjin to balance supply and demand. Higher irradiance locations reduce emissions better, and Tianjin’s more balanced summer and winter energy usage makes it an excellent location to use EAT. The independent public toilets can be configured to meet usage demands without being limited by energy or water sources with EAT. This presents a novel idea for the promotion and use of toilets in water-scarce or underdeveloped areas where access to hygienic, sanitary toilets is limited.
Estimation of Daily Reference Evapotranspiration using Machine Learning and Deep Learning Techniques with Sparse Meteorological Data
Authors: Nayak Ajit Kumar , Sarangi A , Pradhan S , Panda R K , Jeepsa N M , Satpathy B S , Kumar Mithlesh
Published: September 2024

Accurate estimation of evapotranspiration is very crucial for enhancing the real time irrigation scheduling and decision making in water resources planning. Traditionally, empirical methods are used to calculate the reference evapotranspiration using available meteorological data. However, in many areas, such data is limited or unavailable for ETo estimation. Hence, this study aims to explore data-driven models like machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) for estimating ETo with minimal meteorological data. In this study, five ML models, including linear regression (LR), random forest (RF), support vector regression (SVR), XGBoost, KNN regression, and two deep learning methods such as feedforward neural networks and long-term short-term memory (LSTM), were used to estimate the reference evapotranspiration (ETo) over the Phulnahara canal command area using various combinations of meteorological parameters. The results of these models were compared with the Penman-Monteith-based ETo. The Penman-Monteith-based ETo exhibits a significant positive correlation with sunshine hour and maximum temperature, displaying correlation coefficients of 0.8 and 0.6, respectively, while RHmin and RHmax demonstrate a negative correlation. The findings revealed that when all climate data is available, the coefficient of determination (R2) rises to 0.98. However, when data is limited, it drops to 0.78. The SVR model outperformed other ML models with all input combinations. However, KNN emerged as the most reliable model for estimating ETo with input data of maximum and minimum temperature. Interestingly, we found that even using just three parameters (temperature, wind speed, and relative humidity) or two-parameter combinations (temperature and relative humidity or temperature and wind speed) can yield promising results in ETo estimation. The findings of this study offer valuable insights for estimating ETo in regions with limited climate data, which is crucial for effective agricultural water management.
Impact of Motivational Interviewing on Psychosocial and Symptom Outcomes During Breast Cancer Endocrine Therapy
Authors: Ellis Charlotte , Reeder-Hayes Katie , Drier Sarah , Waters Austin R. , Spencer Jennifer C , Wheeler Stephanie
Published: September 2024

PURPOSE: Adjuvant endocrine therapy (ET) is recommended to women with hormone receptor positive (HR+) breast cancer for 5-10 years to reduce recurrence risk and mortality, but adhering to ET for this full period is challenging, with adherence lower in Black women and those under 50. We sought to understand how participation in a patient-centered counseling intervention affected health-related quality of life (HRQoL), recurrence worry, and treatment related symptoms.
METHODS: We conducted a single arm pilot study over a 12-month period, consisting of five counselor-led motivational interviewing (MI) counseling sessions. Eligible participants were over 18 years old, English speaking, and had stage I-III HR+ breast cancer. Survey data collected at baseline and 12-months assessed HRQoL and cancer recurrence worry. Endocrine symptoms were assessed at the 12-month time point, reported descriptively, and age-stratified to examine if symptom burden and age were related.
RESULTS: Of the 42 women who initiated the intervention, 35 completed the baseline and 12-month surveys. Most participants were over 50 (63%), non-Black and non-Hispanic (63%; 97%). Overall patient-reported anxiety and depression decreased, though only the change in anxiety was statistically significant. Cancer worry increased slightly among participants. The most reported endocrine symptoms were hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, disinterest in sex, and joint pain, with no significant differences by age.
CONCLUSION: This study shows early promise in the efficacy of MI to improve patient-reported HRQoL and treatment-related endocrine symptoms.
Computational modelling of water-fuelled Hall Effect Thrusters
Authors: Tejeda Jesús Manuel Muñoz , Perales-Díaz Jesús , Knoll Aaron
Published: September 2024

This paper presents a Particle-In-Cell code designed for the simulation of water-fuelled Hall Effect Thrusters, including two different propellants: water vapour and oxygen (the latter being intended for water electrolysis propulsion with oxygen supplied through the anode and hydrogen through the cathode). The reactive model is structured in two stages, encompassing not only the initial reactions of water vapour and oxygen molecules (1st stage) but also the reactions of the diatomic and monoatomic products resulting from them (2nd stage). Specifically, the model accounts for 45 reactions in the case of water vapour and 18 reactions in the case of oxygen, including the most relevant excitation events for each species. The Particle-In-Cell code uses a combination of a 0-dimensional model with a 2-dimensional model. The 0-dimensional model provides initial neutral and electron densities, as well as the most significant reactions, to facilitate the convergence of the 2-dimensional model without the computational burden of starting a simulation from scratch. The 0-dimensional model reveals that the reactions considered within the 2nd stage are crucial for the plasma species composition of the discharge. The oxygen plasmas consist mainly of O+ and O2+ ions in a similar proportion, while double and negative ions do not play a significant role. Neutrals (O2 and O) also show similar distributions, depending on the thruster’s operating conditions. Water vapour plasmas are dominated by OH+ , H2O+ , H+ , and O+ ions, with other species such as H2+ , O++ , and negative ions being negligible. The neutral population is predominantly composed of monoatomic H particles. The O-dimensional model also demonstrates that all ionisation fractions of the species follow an exponentially increasing trend with the electron temperature. Finally, the 2-dimensional model provides additional insight into the plasma evolution, electron temperature, power losses coming from the reactive model and equilibrium points of the system.
Comparative study of the performance of α-MnO2 and amorphous manganese dioxide air electrodes for zinc-air batteries
Authors: Gu Chengyang , Zhang Zhenzhong , Zhang Xioamin , Zhao Fangxia , Chen Haoyi , Tang Xingfeng
Published: September 2024

In order to determine the optimal crystalline form of manganese-based catalysts for zinc-air battery cathodes, this paper successfully synthesised nano α-MnO2 and amorphous manganese dioxide (AMO) materials by hydrothermal and liquid-phase co-precipitation methods, respectively. The results showed that the spherical AMO material had larger specific surface area and more mesopores than the rod-like α-MnO2. Moreover, AMO have abundant structural defects and short-range ordered atomic arrangements that can enhance the ion diffusion kinetics and improve the catalytic performance of the materials. Through electrochemical tests, it was found that the AMO materials have better catalytic properties compared to α-MnO2. At a current of 10 mA/cm2, its discharge specific capacity reached 575.2 mAh/g, which was 11.1 % higher than that of 517.8 mAh/g for α-MnO2. In the long-cycle test, the initial round-trip efficiency of the electrode prepared of AMO was also better than that of α-MnO2. However, when the AMO electrodes were charged and discharged for a long time, part of the AMO would be converted to α-MnO2, which led to a gradual decrease in the cycling stability of the AMO electrodes. Therefore, this paper concludes that AMO materials are superior to α-MnO2 as catalysts for zinc-air batteries.
Gesamtauswertung Universitätsweite Studierendenbefragung 2023
Authors:   Das Präsidium der Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main, Winkler Antonia , Mordel Julia
Published: September 2024

Die dritte universitätsweite Studierendenbefragung fand zwischen Ende November 2022 und Ende Januar 2023 statt und setzte damit den fünfjährigen Turnus der Befragung fort (Wintersemester 2012/13, Wintersemester 2017/18). Im vorliegenden Bericht werden die Informationen des Basisbogens der Studierendenbefragung 2023 dargestellt, wobei vornehmlich einzelne (univariate) Fragestellungen deskriptiv betrachtet und die Ergebnisse als Grafiken und/oder Tabellen dargestellt werden.