bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modified vermiculite supported Ru nanoparticles as a robust catalyst for the hydrogenation of levulinic acid to γ-valerolactone
Authors: Danhong Yang , Shihong Chen , Lei Wang , Mingdeng Liu , Lanping Lai , Lina Zhou 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Organic-pillared vermiculite was applied as the support to fabricate Ru catalyst via adsorption-precipitation method. The catalytic performances of the catalyst were investigated for the selective hydrogenation of levulinic acid (LA) or methyl levulinate (ML) to γ-valerolactone (GVL). The 100% selectivity of GVL and 100% conversion of LA were obtained at 403 K, 4.0 MPa using water as solvent. Moreover, a good recyclability was observed even after 14 reaction cycles as a slight conversion decrease of the LA and no change of the selectivity of GVL. The Characterization of the fresh catalysts and reused catalysts were performed using various techniques including XRD, FT-IR, N2 adsorption-desorption, XPS and TEM. The catalytic tests and characterization data confirmed that the sample of Ru/Modified-Vermiculite can be taken as a robust and effective catalyst for the conversion of the LA to GVL.
Beyond Aneurysms, Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Unraveling Dural Venous Sinus Thrombosis: A Rare Case Report
Authors: osama Muhammad , Abdullah Abdullah , Noman Mohammad , Khan Hafsa , Nawaz Aishah Binte , Ahmed Shahzaib , Shahzad Farhan 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background
Dural venous sinus thrombosis (DVST) can be challenging for clinicians, especially when presenting with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH)-like symptoms. DVST presents with headache, vision loss, paralysis and seizures.
Case presentation:
We report a case of a 22-year-old male with left-sided weakness, severe headache and loss of consciousness. Examination revealed left-sided weakness and optic disc blurring. Lumbar puncture showed numerous RBCs. MRI brain with Magnetic Resonance Venography (MRV) revealed “left transverse and sigmoid venous sinus thrombosis and minimal subarachnoid hemorrhage.” A diagnosis of SAH secondary to DVST was made. The patient was treated with Apixaban, resulting in resolution of DVST and SAH.
Conclusion
This case highlights the need for early recognition of DVST in SAH patients lacking aneurysmal components or basal cistern involvement and its management with anticoagulation if hemodynamically stable.
Causal Associations Between Liver Function Biomarkers and Prostate Cancer Risk in European and East Asian Populations: A Univariate, Multivariate, and Bidirectional Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Xu Xinyu , Zhu Wenjing , Peng Yu 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background
To investigate the causal relationship between liver function biomarkers and prostate cancer (PCa) in European and East Asian populations using various forms of Mendelian Randomization (MR) and statistical analyses.
Methods
Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), which is strongly associated with exposure factors, was selected as an instrumental variable from genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Inverse variance weighting (IVW), weighted median (WM), MR-Egger, weighted mode, and simple mode were used to investigate the causal relationship between exposure and outcome, and sensitivity analyses were performed to verify the robustness of the results.
Results
Univariate MR analysis suggested a causal relationship between ALT (OR:0.85, 95% CI(0.75,0.95), P:0.005) and AST (OR:0.90, 95% CI(0.81,1.00), P:0.045) and a reduced risk of PCa in European populations, and a causal relationship between total bilirubin (OR:0.94, 95% CI(0.88,1.00), P:0.049) and direct bilirubin (OR:0.91, 95% CI(0.84,0.99), P:0.022) were causally associated with reduced PCa risk in the East Asian population. The association between total bilirubin (OR:0.74, 95% CI(0.55,0.99), P:0.044) and PCa remained significant after multivariate MR analysis adjusting for confounders. In the reverse MR analysis, a causal relationship between PCa and reduced ALT (OR:0.93, 95% CI(0.88,0.98), P:0.007) was found only in the East Asian population. Sensitivity analyses did not reveal heterogeneity or horizontal pleiotropy.
Conclusion
There are differences in the causal relationship between liver function biomarkers and PCa in European and East Asian populations. ALT and AST are protective factors for PCa in European populations, and total bilirubin and direct bilirubin in East Asian populations. PCa decreases ALT levels in East Asian populations, which may be one of the characteristic manifestations of PCa paraneoplastic syndrome. Overall, these findings provide ideas for clinical prevention, monitoring and treatment of PCa.
Improving the time-efficiency of initial mental health assessment (triaging) using an online assessment tool followed by a clinical interview via phone: A randomised controlled trial
Authors: Fernando Irosh , Gupta Rahul , Simpson Kate , Szwec Stuart , Carey Mariko , Conrad Agatha , Heard Todd , Lampe Lisa 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background:
The need for time-efficient and accessible mental health assessment is a priority in the face of high and increasing demand and limited resources in the context of progressive increase over time in the percentage of adults experiencing high or very high levels of psychological distress. Although there is broader supportive evidence for using online assessment as a potential solution, there is relatively little evidence from randomised controlled trials.
Objective:
To investigate whether patient online self-reported clinical information can save clinician time in mental health assessment via phone.
Methods:
Patients referred by general practitioners via fax during business hours between February 2020 and June 2022 were randomly allocated to either the intervention (self-reporting of clinical information followed by clinician assessment) or control (assessment as usual). Time to complete assessment (call duration) was the outcome measure.
Results:
Out of 758 referrals assessed for eligibility, 377 (49.34%) entered the study and were randomised. Out of 184 allocated to the intervention arm, assessment was completed in 125, but only 81 were included in the analysis, mostly due to clinician error in completing assessment without using self-reported data, due to inexperience with the novel process. Of 193 referrals allocated to the control arm, only 135 completed assessment and were included in the analysis. Average assessment completion times in the control arm was 25.19 minutes (standard deviation (SD) of 11.5 minutes) and 20.76 minutes (SD 7.49 minutes) in the intervention arm respectively, with a mean difference of 4.43 minutes (17.59% time reduction). When a mixed effects linear model was used to adjust for potential seasonal effect and correlation of outcome within clinicians, a statistically significant reduction of 3.29 minutes (P = 0.016, 95% CI (5.85, 0.73)) was still demonstrated by using online assessment.
Conclusion:
Use of online self-report clinical assessment by patients can save time to complete subsequent clinician assessment. Greater time-saving can be expected with increased clinician familiarity with using online self-reported data.
Trial registration
(registered retrospectively)
Registry: Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ACTRN).
Registration number: anzctr.org.au ACTRN12624001293550.
Date of registration: 24/10/2024.
Application of Generative Adversarial Networks in Geoelectrical Field Data Interpretation
Authors: Shahnas M. Hosein , Alile O. M. , Pysklywec R. N. 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

The geoelectrical survey method generates subsurface cross-sections images based on physical properties, but requires solution of an inverse problem with potential ambiguities in model interpretation and substructure uncertainties. The integration of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and machine learning computational approaches is adopted in this study to reduce these ambiguities and uncertainties as well as the labour-intensive nature of the standard computational approach. A data set collected from landfill locations in Nigeria is inverted by the conventional geophysical method of interpretation using the RES2DINV software. The inverted data (true resistivity tomography images) along with the source data (apparent resistivity images) are used as training samples to develop predictor models based on the Pix2Pix conditional generative adversarial networks (Pix2Pix-cGAN). Initial results with a small number of training samples reveal about 89% structural similarity between the true resistivity topography obtained by the standard inversion method and those predicted by the Pix2Pix translator. Our novel approach can be applied to the analysis of seismic data from the lithosphere and mantle.
The Role of Monocyte to High-Density Lipoprotein Ratio in Predicting Dialysis Adequacy; ; A Cross-Sectional Study From Turkey
Authors: Biricik Mehmet , Yılmaz Üstün 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Objective
This study aimed to explore the direct correlation between the monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein ratio (MHR) and the effectiveness of dialysis in hemodialysis (HD) patients.
Methods
This comprehensive cross-sectional study meticulously analyzed data from 145 HD patients from three centers. Blood samples were rigorously collected from each participant to determine MHR.
Results
The gender distribution showed that 74 (51.03%) participants were female and 71 (48.97%) were male, with an average age of 53.23 ± 14.70 years. Notably, 30 (20.68%) patients had Kt/V ≤ 1.3. The study uncovered a significant correlation between MHR and dialysis effectiveness (p < 0.028). Patients exhibiting a higher Kt/V demonstrated a lower MHR.
Conclusion
This study has successfully pioneered the exploration of the correlation between MHR and dialysis adequacy. The findings strongly suggest that MHR could serve as an essential indicator of dialysis adequacy in HD patients.
Injectable Double-Network Hydrogel as Soft Bioelectronics for Epileptic Discharge Monitoring Via Engineered Two-Dimensional-Materials
Authors: Zhang Ru , Rana Md Sohel , Lin Huang , Qian Kun 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Single-component hydrogels often grapple with the formidable challenge of meeting multifaceted capability requirements essential in practical applications, including conductivity, adhesiveness, injectability, and resistance to stretching and bending. In response, we harness a double-network hydrogel (DNH) strategy, augmenting it with engineered two-dimensional-material transition metal boride (MBene) as an enhancer. This innovative strategy enables the creation of MB-DNH hydrogel, showcasing favourable injectability, conductivity, robust adhesion to brain tissue, and resilience against bending and stretching. Consequently, it empowers us to analyze and monitor epileptic abnormal discharges. Regarding conductivity, MB-DNH (0.24 ± 0.009 mS/cm) outperforms two single-network hydrogels (PEDOT: PSS and polyacrylamide), exhibiting enhancements of 0.84 and 25.6 folds, respectively. Regarding adhesiveness, MB-DNH excels, showing increments of 128.8% and 117.7%, respectively, compared to two single-network hydrogels. For mechanical capability, MB-DNH demonstrates favourable resistance to stretching and bending with relative standard deviation (RSD) values of 1.03% and 1.35%, respectively, following 50 stretching and 30 bending cycles. In practical applications, MB-DNH enables electroencephalogram (EEG) recording and monitoring of abnormal discharges in epileptic mice. We envision that this double-network hydrogel strategy, anchored by MBene, will substantially advance precise and efficient EEG recording, propelling progress in brain-machine interfaces and human-computer interaction.
Development of Indicator System for Early Warning of Clinical Nursing Critical Values in General Wards: A Delphi Study
Authors: Xiong Weixin , Xie Fenglan , Li Qin , Chen Ying , Yang Hongmei , Wu Jieli , Li Jianying , Chen Zhihao , Hu Xiaoqin , Hu Lijing 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to develop an indicator system for early warning of clinical nursing critical values for implementation in general wards.
Background: By assessing multiple physiologic parameters simultaneously, subtle changes in a patient's clinical status are more easily recognized. However, the literature indicates that existing early warning systems, such as the early warning score, are primarily used in critical care, pre-hospital emergency care, and other fields. There is a lack of consensus on early warning systems for clinical nursing critical values in general wards, and effective and feasible quantitative indicators in nursing risk prevention are lacking.
Methods: The research involved literature retrieval, theoretical analysis, and qualitative research. A preliminary screening of nursing critical value warning indicators was conducted, and a draft was established. A Delphi survey was carried out with the participation of 148 experts from clinical nursing, nursing education, and nursing associations. The present study was guided by the Conducting and Reporting of Delphi studies (CREDES) modified recommendations and the STrengthening the Reporting of OBservational studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) checklist.
Results: In the two Delphi survey rounds, the recovery rates for the two questionnaires were 96.62% and 99.32%, respectively. The authority coefficients were 0.854 and 0.871, respectively, with coefficients of variation ranging from 0.08 to 0.23. The final early warning system for clinical nursing critical values in general wards comprised 10 first-level indicators and 23 second-level indicators.
Conclusions: The development indicator system for early warning of clinical nursing critical values in general wards is both scientifically grounded and practical. It provides accurate guidance to clinical nurses, particularly junior nurses, enabling timely identification of changes in patient conditions, avoidance of adverse events, and the assurance of clinical nursing safety.
Implications for Nursing Management: The development and establishment of indicator system for early warning of clinical nursing critical values in general wards will help to identification of changes in patient conditions, avoidance of adverse events, and the assurance of clinical nursing safety.
Assessing the diagnostic precision of multispecies automated hematology analyzers for red blood cell counting in sheep: A method comparison study
Authors: Amjad Warda , Sattar Saba , Lashari Mushtaq Hussain , Abbas Sikander , Farooq Umer , Ur-Rehman Zia , Rashid Haroon , Idris Musadiq , Qayyum Sumama , Shahzad Khawar Ali , Almutairi Saeedah Musaed , Nasreen Shagufta 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background
The RBCs of sheep are small, non-nucleated and normally round in shape, with marked variations in its shape which makes their counting bit tricky. The present method-comparison analysis aims to ascertain diagnostic precision of two multispecies automated veterinary hematology analyzers (RBC-R and RBC-B) in comparison to three manual hematological counting techniques (using hemocytometer with three different dilutions, RBC-1, RBC-2 and RBC-3) for RBC counting in apparently healthy Sipli breed of sheep (n = 60) from Pakistan.
Results
Results revealed lowest CV (15.4%) for RBC-R. The RBC-R for overall and group-wise data was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher (7.29 ± 0.14×1012/L) than other four methods, though within normal physiological range for sheep. However, the remaining four methods showed non-significant (P ≥ 0.05) difference between each other. But the values were not within the normal physiological range for sheep being far lower (4.0-5.6×1012/L). Moderate direct relationship was revealed only between RBC-R and RBC-B as ascertained through logilinear regression, Bland and Altman test, Cronbach’s alpha and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient.
Conclusions
It is concluded that manual methods of RBC counting in sheep using hemocytometers may not be reliable. Furthermore, the multispecies hematology analyzers catered data having higher skewness, kurtosis, CV% and accuracy/precision. We recommend a broader need within veterinary hematology for species-specific calibration and the establishment of custom RIs, particularly in regions where resource-limited settings may rely on imported multispecies hematology analyzers that are calibrated primarily for more widely studied animals.
Global, regional, and national burden of gynecological diseases, 1990-2021: an analysis based on the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021
Authors: Cheng Xi , Ca Xiting , Ma Jinzhao , Chen Li , Yao Bing 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background
Gynecological diseases exert a significant influence on women's health throughout their lives. These conditions can lead to both physical and psychological distress in women and may also adversely affect their daily and family lives.
Methods
Data on the prevalence, incidence, disability-adjusted life years (DALY) and mortality due to gynecological diseases were retrieved from the GBD study 2021 for 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2021. The counts and age-standardized rates (per 100 ,000) are presented, along with their corresponding 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs). Estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) in prevalence, incidence, DALY and mortality rates for total gynecological diseases and its subtypes from 1990 to 2021 were computed using linear regression analysis to examine secular trends.
Results
Globally, the age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR) of gynecological diseases changed from 38464.52 (95% UI: 35074.96, 41639.33) per 100,000 women in 1990 to 37750.54 (34405.04, 40970.48) per 100,000 women in 2021 (EAPC=-0.09), the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) changed from 19845.39 (17240.30, 22479.96) per 100,000 women in 1990 to 18836.41 (16468.62, 21225.90) per 100,000 women in 2021 (EAPC=-0.26), the age-standardized DALY rate (ASDR) changed from 727.74 (511.70, 1009.23) per 100,000 women in 1990 to 678.64 (474.94, 947.95) per 100,000 women in 2021 (EAPC=-0.31), the age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) changed from 0.2 (0.16, 0.29) per 100,000 women in 1990 to 0.21 (0.15, 0.24) per 100,000 women in 2021 (EAPC = 0.2). Low SDI countries had the highest ASRP [40164.16, (36843.68,43308.06) per 100,000], ASIR [23702.50, (20505.89, 26699.26) per 100,000], ASDR [861.52 (612.16,1180.93) per 100,00], and ASMR [0.54 (0.35, 0.71) per 100,000] in 2021. The middle SDI countries had the lowest ASPR [36872.20 (33434.97,40173.15) per 100,000], ASIR [17168.96 (14932.05, 19318.55) per 100,000], and ASDR [624.54 (434.72, 882.25) per 100,000]. High SDI regions had the lowest ASMR [0.06 (0.05, 0.06) per 100,000].
Conclusions
In 2021, the global prevalence rate, incidence rate, and DALY rate of gynecological diseases exhibited a modest decline in comparison to 1990, whereas the mortality rate underwent a slight elevation. Female individuals of varying ages, regions, and SDI levels confronted diverse burdens stemming from gynecological diseases.
Regime-switching model estimates the impact of trade openness on the economic growth of the Arab Maghreb Union
Authors: BOUATTOUR Mariem , KANOUN Salem , HELALI Kamel 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

This paper examines the non-linear effects of trade openness on economic growth in the five Maghreb countries—Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Libya, and Mauritania—from 1990 to 2021, using the Panel Smooth Transition Autoregression (PSTAR) model. The results confirm the trade-led growth (TLG) hypothesis, but this relationship is only significant when trade openness exceeds a threshold of 98.145%. Causality tests support this finding, highlighting the need for trade infrastructure improvements and trading partners' diversification. Furthermore, promoting a comprehensive politico-economic integration between the union members helps the AMU to overcome its structural limitations and to rationalize the substantial end-proven benefits of trade openness with the rest of the world.
JEL Classification: F14; C24.
Mental health prevalence and care access among U.S. adolescentsduring the COVID-19pandemic:
Results from the National Survey of Children’s Health
Authors: Xu Lei , Luo Huabin , Lu Wenhua , Talwar Divya 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Objectives: The growing mental health problems among children and adolescents’ countries to be a public health concern in the US. And such concerning trend was exacerbated by the COVIVD-19 pandemic and has led to a mental health crisis among the youth. Using a national representative sample, we accessed the impact of COVID-9 on mental health and access to mental health care access among adolescents.
Methods: Data were taken from the 2019 and 2022 National Survey of Children’s health (NSCH), an annually collected survey on the health and well-being of the children in the U.S..A total of 31,258 teenagers ages 12-17 years were included in this analysis. The two main outcomes were (1) mental health problems (yes/no), and (2) mental healthcare access (yes/no) in the past 12 months. We ran separate multiple logistic regression models to assess the changes in mental health problems and access to mental health care from 2019 to 2022.
Results: Overall, our results indicated a higher prevalence of mental health problems was reported in teenagers in 2022 (30.6% 95% CI: 29.4-31.9%) than in 2019 (26.9%, 25.2-28.6%) (p=0.001). In the mental health problems model, adolescents who are “Non-Hispanic Black”, “parents with higher education levels” and those “who experience childhood adverse events” were found more likely to have mental health problems (all p<.001); In the access to mental healthcare model, we found that adolescents girls were more likely to have got access to mental health care than boys (AOR=2.15, 95% CI:1.80-2.58). Adolescents from “families with higher income”, “with insurance coverage”, “with adverse childhood experiences”, “living in the neighborhood with more amenities and “living in urban areas” were more likely to have accessed mental health care than their counterparts. (all p<0.05).
Conclusions: We found the prevalence of mental health problems in children increased while the prevalence of access to mental health care decreased from 2019 to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This trend should be closely monitored. And special efforts are needed to help those children who are affected.