bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A GIS-Independent method for Stream-Order-Law Ratios Prediction in Catchments for Runoff Estimation
Authors: Akbari Kheirabadi Mostafa , Sabzevari Touraj , Petroselli Andrea , Tarahi Mohsen 
Published: December 2024

Aim of the study(1) present equations that can predict the stream-order-law ratios on the basis of length, slope of the stream and area of the catchment;
(2) apply predicted stream-order-law ratios to estimate direct runoff of catchments by GIUH method.Material and methodsIn order to use GIUH model, the stream network’s characteristics, such as bifurcation ratio (RB), stream-length ratio (RL), stream-area ratio (RA), stream-slope ratio (RS) and overland slope ratio (RSO) must be evaluated. For this purpose, accurate GIS based information of topography and hydrography is often necessary, but in many catchments such information could lack. In this study, equations have been presented that are related to geometrical information of the catchment, such as area, slope and length of the main river, which are available. The presented equations have been developed based on non-linear regressions of data from nine catchments.Results and conclusionsTo validate the proposed method, the data of three other catchments were used. Based on the presented equations, the runoff of Heng-Chi (Taiwan) and Kasilian (Iran) catchments was calculated by GIUH method. Based on the results, the peak runoff error calculated by GIUH model based on regression equations was 10% higher than model calculations based on data obtained from GIS. The average error of the regression equations in estimating the coefficients of RB, RL, RA, and RS in the three case study catchments are 4.7%, 23.5%, 7.1%, 41.3% and 22.9%, respectively. The relative sensitivity coefficient of RB, RL, RA, and RS ratios on peak flow was observed as 0.56, 0.01, 0.92, 0.042, and 1.33 respectively.
A case of treatment-refractory paraneoplastic polymyalgia rheumatica that improved after tumor resection
Authors: Grant Loran , Kim Alex , Beeler Michael , Bresner Jonathan 
Published: December 2024

We present a case of a 53-year-old man whose clinical history, examination, and laboratory markers were deemed consistent with the diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). These symptoms were initially relieved by oral steroids but unexpectedly returned with repeated attempts to taper the steroid dose slowly over time. Among his extensive evaluations for these symptoms, an MRI of the cervical spine was performed and demonstrated an ‘incidental’ thyroid mass. This was eventually diagnosed as papillary thyroid carcinoma and a total thyroidectomy was performed 6 months after his PMR symptom onset. The patient’s refractory PMR symptoms resolved shortly thereafter, and he was successfully weaned from oral steroids. This remission following tumor resection posed an interesting question of a paraneoplastic process, which will be explored here.
Aplicação da termografia infravermelha na análise de manifestações patológicas em uma edificação prisional
Authors: Bento Amorim Adriana Eloá , Costa Anderson Santana da 
Published: December 2024

As edificações prisionais necessitam constantemente de vistorias preventivas, não destrutivas e de rápida execução. Assim, para evitar mais prejuízos ao elemento construtivo, um recurso utilizado pela engenharia de perícias é o método indireto de análise de dano, o qual permite a investigação e análise por meio de técnicas não destrutivas, como a termografia infravermelha (TI) para identificação de manifestações patológicas (MP). Neste contexto, o objetivo geral deste trabalho é analisar as manifestações patológicas em uma edificação penal, destacando a aplicabilidade do uso da TI neste tipo de edificação. As MP, danos visíveis e ocultos foram identificados, classificados e analisados por sistema construtivo, apontando suas prováveis causas, origens e mecanismos, assim como propostas ações de recuperação. Os resultados apontaram que a maior ocorrência de MP é no sistema estrutural, seguido das instalações; e a origem em decorrência da falha de projeto (em especial da cobertura) e na rede elétrica, aliadas à falta de manutenção e especificidade do uso da edificação (danos causados pela ação humana). A aplicação da técnica de TI na investigação de MP contribuiu para a otimização da investigação, como a redução do tempo de coleta, constatação de MP e danos ocultos. E permitiu que a movimentação interna dos privados de liberdade fosse realizada sem a necessidade de desativação local avaliado. Deve-se levar em consideração para trabalhos futuros, a utilização de uma amostra mais representativa para danos específicos causados pela ação humana, como por exemplo, pesquisa em unidades prisionais com maior tempo de uso.
Mitochondrial genome variability and metabolic alterations reveal new biomarkers of resistance in testicular germ cell tumors
Authors: Kabelikova Pavlina , Ivovic Danica , Sumbalova Zuzana , Karhanek Miloslav , Tatayova Lucia , Skopkova Martina , Cagalinec Michal , Bruderova Vladimira , Roska Jan , Jurkovicova Dana 
Published: December 2024

Aim: Mutations in the mitochondrial (mt) genome contribute to metabolic dysfunction and their accumulation relates to disease progression and resistance development in cancer cells. This study explores the mutational status of the mt genome of cisplatin-resistant vs. -sensitive testicular germ cell tumor (TGCT) cells and explores its association with their respiration parameters, expression of respiratory genes, and preferences for metabolic pathways to reveal new markers of therapy resistance in TGCTs.
Methods: Using Illumina sequencing with Twist Enrichment Panel, the mutations of mt genomes of sensitive 2102EP, H12.1, NTERA-2, T-cam and resistant 2102EP Cis, H12.1 ODM, 1411HP, 1777NRpmet, NTERA-2 Cis and T-cam Cis cell lines were identified. The mt respiration of the cells was assessed using high-resolution respirometry method (O2k-respirometer Oroboros) and the differential expression profiles of mt respiratory genes were determined using RT-qPCR. Associated preferences for metabolic pathways were compared using Glycolysis/OXPHOS assay.
Results: In resistant TGCT cells, new mutations in mt genes MT-ND1-6, MT-RNR, MT-CO1-3, MT-ATP6 , and MT-CYB were recognized. The respiratory rates of the 1777NRpmet cell line were the highest, while those of the 1411HP line the lowest; rates of the control and all other TGCT cell lines fell between these two lines. The statistically significant differences in gene expression of the respiratory genes were recorded only in NTERA-2 Cis and T-cam Cis cell lines. Sensitive cell lines NTERA-2 and 2102EP preferred oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), while glycolysis was typical for resistant NTERA-2 Cis, 2102EP Cis and 1411HP cell lines. Metastatic 1777NRpmet cells seem to utilize both. An isogenic pair of cell lines H12.1 and H12.1ODM showed the opposite dependence, sensitive H12.1 preferring glycolysis, while resistant H12.1ODM OXPHOS.
Conclusion: In summary, our study identified new mutations in mt genes of resistant TGCT cell lines that are associated with different mt respiration parameters, gene expression patterns and preferences for metabolic pathways, providing potential novel molecular biomarkers that distinguish the resistant TGCT phenotype or specify its histological classification.
Galacto-oligosaccharides alone and combined with lactoferrin impact the Kenyan infant gut microbiota and epithelial barrier integrity during iron supplementation in vitro
Authors: Rachmühl Carole , Lacroix Christophe , Ferragamo Adele , Giorgetti Ambra , Stoffel Nicole U. , Zimmermann Michael B. , Brittenham Gary M. , Geirnaert Annelies 
Published: December 2024

Aim: Iron supplementation to African weaning infants was associated with increased enteropathogen levels. While cohort studies demonstrated that specific prebiotics inhibit enteropathogens during iron supplementation, their mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we investigated the in vitro impact of galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) and iron-sequestering bovine lactoferrin (bLF) alone and combined on the gut microbiota of Kenyan infants during low-dose iron supplementation.
Methods: Different doses of iron, GOS, and bLF were first screened during batch fermentations (n = 3), and the effect of these factors was studied on microbiota community structure and activity in the new Kenyan infant continuous intestinal PolyFermS model. The impact of different fermentation treatments on barrier integrity, enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) infection, and inflammatory response was assessed using a transwell co-culture of epithelial and immune cells.
Results: A dose-dependent increase in short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus /Leuconostoc /Pediococcus (LLP) growth was detected with GOS alone and combined with bLF during iron supplementation in batches. This was confirmed in the continuous PolyFermS model, which also showed a treatment-induced inhibition of opportunistic pathogens C. difficile and C. perfringens . In all tests, supplementation of iron alone and combined with bLF did not have a significant effect on microbiota composition and activity. We observed a strengthening of the epithelial barrier and a decrease in cell death and pro-inflammatory response during ETEC infection with microbiota fermentation supernatants from iron + GOS, iron + bLF, and iron + GOS + bLF treatments compared to iron alone.
Conclusion: Overall, beneficial effects on infant gut microbiota were shown using advanced in vitro models for GOS alone and combined with bLF during low-dose iron supplementation.
Effect of Acids on Biomass Growth and Development of Chlorella vulgaris Culture
Authors: Vdovychenko Alona , Golub Nataliia , Zieliński Marcin , Levtun Igor 
Published: December 2024

Background. Influence of dissolved nitrogen and sulfur oxides, as components of flue gases, on the cultivation of microalgae Chlorella vulgaris.
Objective. To study biomass production and changes in cells of the microalgae Chlorella vulgaris with the introduction of nitrogen and sulfate acids tor simulate the effects of dissolved nitrogen and sulfur oxides, aiming to develop biotechnology for the utilization of gas emissions by microalgae.
Methods. The effect of the constant introduction of small concentrations of nitrogen (up to 0.47%) and sulfate (up to 1.5%) acids on the development of Chlorella vulgaris cultures, pH changes in the cultural envi­ronment, and biomass growth were studied.
Results. The utilization of gaseous emissions by Chlorella vulgaris depends on the content of nitrogen and sulfur oxides that are constantly supplied to the cultivation medium, the initial biomass concentration, and pH. It was determined that for an initial cells concentration of (85 ± 5)×104 cells/ml in the culture medium, the threshold values of acids that do not cause significant changes in the cultivation process are 0.1% H₂SO₄ and 0.19% HNO₃. At a sulfuric acid concentration of 0.2%, the culture cells become discolored.
Conclusions. It is shown that with a constant supply of sulfuric or nitric acids above the threshold values of 0.1% H2SO4 and 0.19% HNO3, the pH of the culture medium decreases, leading to the suspension of deve­lopment and the death of the Chlorella vulgaris culture. Therefore, controling these parameters will improve the ecological state of the environment and form the basis for developing biotechnology for the utilization of gas emissions by microalgae.
The Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Sweet Solutions to Reduce Preterm Infants’ Pain Level: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis
Authors: Efendi Defi , Kang Yi-No , Natalia Regina , Milanti Ariesta , Marsubin Putri M.T. , Kustanti Christina Yeni , Chen Kee-Hsin 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background: The efficacy of sweet solutions in alleviating pain for preterm infants has been extensively investigated, yet the most efficacious sweet solutions remain unknown.
Methods: We conducted a search in the CINAHL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, Scopus, and ProQuest databases for studies. Randomized controlledtrials (RCTs) utilizing glucose, sucrose, or expressed breast milk for managing pain in preterm infants were included in this study. A random-effects frequentist network meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate outcomes in three pain measurement time points. The primary outcome was the pain level in the reactivity phase. The secondary outcomes were pain in the regulation and recovery phases, as well as heart rate, oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, crying time, and adverse events. P-scores and beading plot were utilized to rank the efficacy of the sweet solutions.
Results: Of 10,043 references, 42 RCTs (2,733 newborns) were analyzed. Compared to the controls alone, glucose (standardized mean difference [SMD], -0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.19 to -0.25]) and sucrose (SMD, -0.56; 95% CI, -1.04 to -0.07]) were associated with lower pain responses in reaction phase. In the regulation and recovery phases, pain reduction was consistently linked to glucose, sucrose, and expressed breast milk. Those interventions were supported by results of P-scores that ranged from 0.877 to 0.917 showing glucose's superiority in the three phases. Glucose was associated with a higher risk of adverse events. Half of the 38 trials had a low risk of bias. Meanwhile, the certainty of the evidence was high to very low.
Conclusions: Our findings indicate that glucose was ranked best for lowering pain in preterm infants, followed by sucrose and expressed breast milk. Future RCTs are expected to investigate the efficacy of sweet solutions, both alone and combined with other pain management methods, as well as the effects of repeated applications.
Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD42023389288.
Cost-effectiveness analysis of PD-L1 testing associated with pembrolizumab for first-line treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer in China
Authors: Wu Yao , Tao Libo , Liu Chang , Wang Fangxu , Sun Shuang 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in China, and pembrolizumab shows differential efficacy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with different PD-L1 expression levels.
Aim: To assess the cost-effectiveness of PD-L1 testing associated with pembrolizumab for first-line treatment of NSCLC from the perspective of Chinese healthcare system.
Method: Over a lifetime horizon, a three-state partitioned survival model was developed to assess the cost-effectiveness of PD-L1 testing and no PD-L1 testing. In the PD-L1 testing group, patients were stratified by PD-L1 tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥50%, 1-49%, or <1% and received pembrolizumab monotherapy, pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy, or chemotherapy alone, respectively. In the non-PD-L1 testing group, all patients received pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy. Model inputs were obtained from published literature and a healthcare price database, and clinical outcomes from two randomized clinical trials were used. The net monetary benefit (NMB) was estimated for the PD-L1 testing group versus the non-PD-L1 testing group. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses, and scenario analyses were conducted to assess robustness of results.
Results: Using PD-L1 testing to guide treatment led to cost savings of $49,392.7 and a reduction in quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) of 0.234, resulting in a positive NMB of $46,421.7 at a willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold of $12,680.8/QALY (GDP per capita in China, 2023). Findings were robust across sensitivity and scenario analyses.
Conclusion: Using PD-L1 testing to guide first-line pembrolizumab treatment in patients with advanced NSCLC is a cost-effective strategy at a WTP threshold of $12,680.8/QALY for China.
Denosumab Usage in Rare Cemento-Osseous Dysplasia Involves the Whole Mandible, Including the Bilateral Condyle—A Case Report
Authors: Chiang Chieh Ling , Huang Tzu Huan 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background
Cemento-osseous dysplasia is the most common type of apical radiopaque lesion in the tooth-bearing area. However, large destructive lesions are rare. We report a case in which the lesion extended to the bilateral condyle and whole mandible and was managed with denosumab instead of surgical resection.
Case Presentation:
A 45-year-old woman with destructive progressing large cemento-osseous dysplasia involve the whole mandible, including the bilateral condyle and bony expansion, which led to facial deformity and malocclusion. She was hesitant about the surgical option of resection of the whole mandible and turned to the off-label use of denosumab. After 9 months of administration, rapid ossification of the osteolytic lesion was observed, but there was no obvious change in volume. A bone scan with SPE-CT revealed stable disease with no progression.
Conclusion:
Denosumab may be considered a potential medical treatment option to prevent the progression of severe destructive cemento-osseous dysplasia in patients with limited surgical options.
Comparative Study of a Reinforced Concrete Frame Design Based on American Concrete Institute (ACI-318) and British Standards (EN 1992)
Authors: Sebahire Felicien , Nsanzimfura Theoneste , Imanaturikumwe Cyprien , Hafashimana Felix 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

The level of development of a country is generally perceived in its infrastructures that create good working conditions. The availability of decent infrastructure such as houses, roads, airports, dams, etc. not only increases the national revenues but also brings good humor to the population. In most developing countries, civil engineers, architects, and building constructors have to refer to the standards already created from the developed countries, like the United States of America (USA) and Canada with their American Concrete Institute (ACI-318) standard, and the United Kingdom (UK) with its British Standards (EN 1992). The construction of stable and safe infrastructures is based on design before, to check their workability during the exploitation and serviceability. During the design of any structure, standard codes of practice are directly involved because they give an extent to which the design engineer must refer, thus speeding up the task. In this research, EN 1992 and ACI-318 codes were used to compare the results from the design of a reinforced concrete (RC) frame of a commercial building according to the recommendations from both standards. This paper mainly consists of a double note of calculus done on every structural member, such as a panel slab, a continuous beam, a column, and a pad footing. The design was done at Ultimate Limit States (ULS) and Serviceability Limit States (SLS) in both cases. ArchiCAD and LINPRO softwares have been used, respectively, to produce the figures and calculate the shears and moments in structural members. The results showed that the use of BS code needs more time to reach the same final answer as that of ACI, but it provides fewer sectional areas of the main steel reinforcements. Concerning the structural safety and serviceability of the element to be designed, the calculations done on BS code gave much bending moments and axial internal loads in all performed cases. In this study, other researchers and design engineers are invited to conduct similar work by comparing other codes of practice so that developing countries have their own codes of practice.
Remote Sensing Image Super-Resolution Reconstruction by Fusing Multi-Scale Receptive Fields and Hybrid Transformer
Authors: Liu Denghui , Zhong Lin , Wu Haiyang , Li Songyang , Li Yida 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

To enhance high-frequency perceptual information and texture details in remote sensing images and address the challenges of super-resolution reconstruction algorithms during training, particularly the issue of missing details, this paper proposes an improved remote sensing image super-resolution reconstruction model. The generator network of the model employs multi-scale convolutional kernels to extract image features and utilizes a multi-head self-attention mechanism to dynamically fuse these features, significantly improving the ability to capture both fine details and global information in remote sensing images. Additionally, the model introduces a multi-stage Hybrid Transformer structure, which processes features at different resolutions progressively, from low resolution to high resolution, substantially enhancing reconstruction quality and detail recovery. The discriminator combines multi-scale convolution, global Transformer, and hierarchical feature discriminators, providing a comprehensive and refined evaluation of image quality. Finally, the model incorporates a Charbonnier loss function and total variation (TV) loss function, which significantly improve training stability and accelerate convergence. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method, compared to the SRGAN algorithm, achieves average improvements of approximately 3.61 dB in Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR), 0.070 (8.2%) in Structural Similarity Index (SSIM), and 0.030 (3.1%) in Feature Similarity Index (FSIM) across multiple datasets, showing significant performance gains.
Towards Equitable Maternal Care in Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injuries (OASI): Co- developing strategies for reducing risks and improving the lived experience of women and families of ethnically diverse origin
Authors: Olakotan Olufisayo , Lim Jennifer , Bhavsar Mina , Siddiqui Farah , Ayaz Rabina , Henry Gillian O’Brady , Sudhakar Vedhapriya , Pillay Tilly 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background: Women from minority ethnic groups are found to have the highest prevalence for obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASI) or third and fourth degree occurring during childbirth. Co-producing strategies with the target individuals/community is key to producing care and services that will meet their needs, resulting in higher chances of effectiveness. Incorporating the voice of mothers experiencing higher risk of OASI to develop strategies to improve OASI care are required.
Aim: To co-develop, with women and families at high risk for and with lived experience of OASI, strategies aimed at improving their care and well-being.
Methodology: Women and families at high risk of, and with lived experience of OASI in Leicester, UK, were invited, through our local maternity and neonatal voices partnership, to participate in a virtual focus group discussion (FCD). Seven women of diverse ethnic background with lived experience of third- and fourth-degree perineal tear between 1 to 5 years, participated in the study. The discussion was recorded and transcribed. The data was analysed using the five-step thematic analysis approach by Braun and Clarke.
Results: The group of women identified strategies that would provide culturally appropriate OASI care, namely: linguistically accessible prenatal resources, comprehensive midwifery training, updated prenatal education, standardized postpartum care, and the inclusion of fathers in prenatal education, empathetic care, and trust, as well as community engagement and education.
Conclusion: This highlights the important role of co-developed care in improving maternal healthcare for women with OASI from diverse ethnic backgrounds. Integrating the voices of women directly affected by OASI can offer valuable insights for the development of culturally sensitive policy and practice in maternal care.