bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Point cloud classification and part segmentation of steel structure elements
Authors: Daif Hassan , Marzouk Mohamed 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
The classification and part segmentation of point clouds have gained significant attention in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), especially in the construction industry. However, addressing the dataset directly in AI models remains a challenge, as most existing methods are not well-suited for processing point cloud data. PointNet has emerged as an AI architecture algorithm. It transforms individual points independently to learn local and global features. This research aims to develop a comprehensive framework for classification and part segmentation for point clouds of steel structure elements. The framework enhances the accuracy of the PointNet algorithm, and it consists of three stages: (1) dataset creation; (2) model classification; and (3) part segmentation. First, the dataset creation procedure encompasses modeling steel columns, beams, and braces using Autodesk Revit software. For the classification dataset, a dataset comprising 580 columns and 920 beams is obtained. In the part segmentation dataset, five categories of steel braced frame elements are generated, yielding a total of 21,870 elements for braced frame structures. Several point cloud experiments have been applied, including adjusting the number of points in the point cloud, altering the batch size, and fine-tuning the number of epochs. These experimental settings were systematically investigated to identify the optimal combination that yields the highest (AI) model accuracy. PointNet model achieved 100% accuracy across all classification experiments, while part segmentation experiments reached up to 97.10% accuracy, with a mean intersection over union (MIOU) of 93.70%. The comprehensive analysis of the point cloud dataset is applied on an actual case study to demonstrate the practical features of the proposed research.
Temporal changes and correlates of tobacco and E-cigarettes use among school-going students in Albania: insights from global youth tobacco surveys (2015–2020)
Authors: Dadras Omid 
Published: December 2024

AbstractTobacco use often starts during adolescence, with many adults beginning before 21. This study investigated the patterns and factors associated with tobacco and e-cigarette use among school-aged adolescents in Albania. Data were analyzed from two Albania Global Youth Tobacco Surveys (GYTS) conducted in 2015 and 2020. Participants included 7th-10th grade students (ages 12–16) who completed the survey (n = 9985). Descriptive statistics depicted demographic characteristics, tobacco, and e-cigarette use across survey years. Logistic regression assessed temporal changes and the odds of use across independent variables, adjusting for age and sex. From 2015 to 2020, tobacco and e-cigarette use among students aged 13–15 increased from 12.86 to 14.49% and from 6.8 to 8.8%, respectively. Cigarette smoking declined from 8.4 to 4.3%, but the use of other tobacco products nearly doubled, from 6.4 to 12.3%. Higher odds of use were found among males, older students, and those with more pocket money. Environmental factors like family, peer, and media exposure to smoking increased the likelihood of use. Anti-tobacco messages had no significant impact, while advertising strongly influenced usage. Knowledge of tobacco harms and anti-smoking attitudes correlated with lower odds of use. Increased availability of cigarettes near schools was linked to higher odds of tobacco use. The study highlights gaps in anti-tobacco messaging and the strong influence of advertising, underscoring the need for targeted and effective tobacco control strategies in Albania.
Plastidial thioredoxin-like proteins are essential for normal embryogenesis and seed development in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Fukushi Yuka , Yokochi Yuichi , Hisabori Toru , Yoshida Keisuke 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThiol/disulfide-based redox regulation is a key mechanism for modulating protein functions in response to changes in cellular redox status. Two thioredoxin (Trx)-like proteins [atypical Cys His-rich Trx (ACHT) and Trx-like2 (TrxL2)] have been identified as crucial for oxidizing and deactivating several chloroplast enzymes during light-to-dark transitions; however, their roles remain to be fully understood. In this study, we investigated the functions of Trx-like proteins in seed development. Using the CRISPR/Cas9 system, we generated an Arabidopsis quadruple mutant defective in ACHT1, ACHT2, TrxL2.1, and TrxL2.2 (acht/trxl2). This mutant showed increased seed lethality prior to maturation, with embryogenesis impaired primarily during the heart and torpedo stages, which are critical phases for plastid differentiation into chloroplasts. Using transgenic plants expressing EGFP-fused proteins, we confirmed that ACHT and TrxL2 are localized in plastids during embryogenesis. Additionally, seed development in the acht/trxl2 mutant was further impaired under extended darkness and could not be recovered through complementation with variants of ACHT or TrxL2 lacking the redox-active Cys residue (replaced by Ser). These findings indicate that the protein-oxidation functions of ACHT and TrxL2 are important for plastid differentiation into chloroplasts, embryogenesis, and seed development.
How the internet of things technology improves agricultural efficiency
Authors: Duguma Amenu Leta , Bai Xiuguang 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Meeting the rising global food demand among limited resources necessitates transformative agricultural innovations. The Internet of Things (IoT) emerges as a pivotal technology in modern agriculture, offering data-driven solutions to optimize productivity and sustainability. This review provides a focused exploration of IoT’s transformative role in agriculture, analyzing its integration with big data, real-time monitoring, and precision farming practices. Key insights include global market trends, projections for IoT adoption in agriculture by 2030, and advancements in IoT-related technologies shaping the future of agritech. The review underscores how IoT enhances agricultural efficiency by enabling precise data collection, automated decision-making, and optimized resource use, while addressing operational challenges such as interoperability, scalability, cost constraints, and regulatory hurdles. By consolidating evidence from emerging studies, this work advocates for interdisciplinary collaborations to deepen understanding and innovation in IoT-driven smart agriculture, positioning it as a cornerstone for achieving global food security.
Metastasis-directed stereotactic radiotherapy in patients with breast cancer: results of an international multicenter cohort study
Authors: Fabian Alexander , Buergy Daniel , Weykamp Fabian , Hörner-Rieber Juliane , Bernhardt Denise , Boda-Heggemann Judit , Pazos Montserrat , Mehrhof Nora , Kaul David , Bicu Alicia S. , Badra Eugenia Vlaskou , Rogers Susanne , Janssen Stefan , Hemmatazad Hossein , Hintelmann Katharina , Gkika Eleni , Lange Tim , Ferentinos Konstantinos , Karle Heiko , Brunner Thomas , Wittig Andrea , Nona-Duma Marciana , Blanck Oliver , Krug David 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Metastasis-directed therapy (MDT) for oligometastatic breast cancer (≤ 5 metastases) has shown little effect in specific scenarios of randomized trials. Therefore, we aimed to assess outcomes after metastasis-directed stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) in various clinical scenarios. We conducted an international retrospective cohort study in thirteen centers including breast cancer patients receiving SRT to any metastatic site. Outcomes included local recurrence (LR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Cumulative incidence analysis was used for LR, Kaplan–Meier estimates for PFS and OS. Covariables included patient, disease, and SRT characteristics. We performed univariable and multivariable analyses (MVA). Among 444 patients, 751 metastases were treated with SRT. Of these, 73% were intracranial and 27% extracranial lesions. Oligometastatic disease (OMD) was present in 66% of the patients. LR after two years occurred significantly more often in intracranial (25%) versus extracranial lesions (7%). In MVA of patients with OMD treated for intracranial sites, higher performance status was significantly associated with longer PFS. Further, higher performance status, biologic subtype (HR-pos./HER2-pos.), and MDT to all sites were significantly associated with longer OS. In MVA of oligometastatic patients treated for extracranial sites, biologic subtype (HR-neg./HER2-pos.) and synchronous metastasis were associated with significantly longer PFS, whereas higher grading was associated with significantly shorter PFS. Moreover, biologic subtype (HR-neg./HER2-neg.) was associated with significantly shorter OS. In conclusion, the role of MDT for breast cancer may vary per clinical scenario. Patients with OMD treated for intracranial lesions who had MDT to all sites showed superior OS. Our results should be validated prospectively.
Robots, institutional roles and joint action: some key ethical issues
Authors: Miller Seumas 
Published: December 2024

AbstractIn this article, firstly, cooperative interaction between robots and humans is discussed; specifically, the possibility of human/robot joint action and (relatedly) the possibility of robots occupying institutional roles alongside humans. The discussion makes use of concepts developed in social ontology. Secondly, certain key moral (or ethical—these terms are used interchangeably here) issues arising from this cooperative action are discussed, specifically issues that arise from robots performing (including qua role occupants) morally significant actions jointly with humans. Such morally significant human/robot joint actions, supposing they exist, could potentially range from humans and robots jointly caring for the infirm through to jointly killing enemy combatants.
Association of the interaction between daily step counts and frailty with disability in older adults
Authors: Watanabe Daiki , Yoshida Tsukasa , Watanabe Yuya , Yamada Yosuke , Miyachi Motohiko , Kimura Misaka 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThe differences in the association of objectively measured physical activity with disability between frail and non-frail older adults remain unclear. We (1) evaluated the dose-dependent relationship between daily steps and disability in older adults with and without frailty and (2) examined the interaction between steps and frailty status in relation to the risk of disability. This prospective study used data from 4065 adults aged ≥ 65 years from the Kyoto-Kameoka Study, Japan. The mean daily step count obtained using triaxial accelerometers across ≥ 4 days was recorded. Frailty was evaluated using the validated Kihon Checklist. Disability was identified using the long-term care insurance system’s nationally unified database, with data collected until November 30, 2016. Overall, 385 disabilities were recorded during a median follow-up period of 3.32 years (12,855 person-years). After adjusting for confounders, an inverse association was observed between daily step count and disability risk. The disability risk plateaued at 5,000–7,000 steps/day in non-frail people, whereas step counts showed an almost linear inverse relationship with disability risk in frail people. Low step counts (< 5,000 steps) in frail people were more strongly associated with disability risk than were high step counts (≥ 5,000 steps) in non-frail people. The additive interaction between steps and frailty was associated with the relative excess risk of disability in frail people with low step counts (p for interaction = 0.015). The relationship between daily steps and disability differs between older adults with and without frailty, and the adverse effects of frailty on disability risk depend on physical activity.
Virtual reality in surgery: minimizing stress and pain in patients undergoing minor-surgical procedures under local anesthesia—results of a feasibility study
Authors: Sargut Mine , Novotny Alexander , Friess Helmut , Kranzfelder Michael 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Background
Virtual reality (VR) technology has gained significant importance in medical practice, particularly as an innovative approach to enhance patient experience and comfort. This prospective feasibility study investigates the impact of using VR headsets on stress and pain reduction during port surgeries under local anesthesia.

Methods
In this prospective analysis, patients undergoing port implantation at the Klinikum rechts der Isar Technical University Munich were divided into two groups. The intervention group wore VR headsets during the surgical procedure, while the control group did not. Various validated questionnaires were used to measure psychological parameters such as pain perception, stress, calmness, and relaxation. The amount of local anesthesia administered was also documented.

Results
The study results showed that patients in the VR group required significantly less local anesthesia than those in the control group (p = 0.0025). Pain perception in the VR group was significantly lower (p = 0.028). Additionally, self-assessments regarding calmness, relaxation, and satisfaction were significantly improved in the VR group (p < 0.01). A stronger correlation between higher pain catastrophizing scale scores and anesthetic requirements was observed in the VR group, suggesting that VR may offer particular benefits for patients with increased pain sensitivity. Although gender differences were not statistically significant, a trend toward higher anesthetic requirements in male patients was noted. The evaluation of the VR headsets by patients was overwhelmingly positive, indicating high acceptance of the technology.

Discussion
The use of VR headsets during surgical procedures can significantly enhance patient comfort by reducing pain and stress levels. The high patient acceptance and positive evaluations of VR suggest its feasibility for broader clinical application. However, future studies should address potential cognitive biases, compare VR with other distraction methods, and explore its effects on different patient subgroups. Future research should also consider the role of gender-specific factors in the modulation of anesthetic requirements by VR. Additionally, a comprehensive cost–benefit analysis will be crucial for assessing the economic viability of VR technology in healthcare.

Conclusion
VR technology represents a promising method to improve patient experience and comfort in surgical settings. The positive outcomes of this study encourage further research to fully capture and validate the potential of VR in medicine, particularly in pain management and stress reduction during various medical procedures.
Yellow meconium
Authors: Preuß-Wössner Johanna , Sperhake Jan-Peter , Madea Burkhard 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThe intestinal content of newborns is known as meconium, usually described as a black-greenish slimy substance. However, in rare cases, meconium might be yellow. This is of great relevance with regard to the forensic assessment of life birth, i.e. (longer) survival time and possible (breast-)feeding before death. While in older German forensic literature, yellow meconium has been occasionally mentioned from the 19th century on - without any conclusions being drawn from this finding whether the newborn was alive or had been fed -, current forensic literature does not provide information about this phenomenon. No reports of yellow meconium were found in (older) English forensic literature as well. We report two cases of newborn autopsies with yellow meconium and provide a short overview of the respective literature.
AutoZooMS: Integrating robotics into high-throughput ZooMS for the species identification of palaeontological remains at Grotte Mandrin, France
Authors: Oldfield Ellie-May , Dunstan Mark S. , Chowdhury Manasij Pal , Slimak Ludovic , Buckley Michael 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
As the vast majority of excavated palaeontological skeletal remains are fragmentary to the extent that they cannot be identified by morphological analysis alone, various molecular methods have been considered to retrieve information from an otherwise underutilised resource. The introduction of collagen fingerprinting, known as Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry (ZooMS), has become one of the most popular approaches to improve taxonomic data yields from fragmentary bone. However, manual laboratory work remains a barrier to the analysis of larger sample numbers. Here we test the incorporation of liquid-handling robots to further develop ZooMS into a more automated technique using samples excavated from Grotte Mandrin, France. By increasing the faunal identifications of the morphological indeterminable remains at layer B2 (~ 42–44 Ka), from 55 to 1215 (1026 of which were processed via AutoZooMS), we identified a wider range of taxa, now including Ursidae and Mammuthus, as well as further hominin remains. AutoZooMS has the capacity to investigate larger proportions of palaeontological assemblages rapidly and cost effectively whilst requiring little human intervention, aiming to improve our understanding of the human past.
Supporting the continuous development and use of a patient partnership framework in European rare disease networks (ERNs): a scoping review of frameworks in the scientific literature
Authors: Spivack Olivia K. C. , Klein Haneveld Mirthe J. , Louisse Simone , Slater Graham , Hernando Inés 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThe European Reference Networks (ERNs) for rare and complex diseases offer significant potential for building, maintaining and evaluating patient partnership, for which the recently developed ERN Patient Partnership Framework may serve as guidance. This scoping review aims to identify and describe relevant frameworks published in scientific literature, capturing key learning points to inform future updates of the ERN Patient Partnership Framework and promote its use in practice. MEDLINE, Embase, and the Web of Science Core Collection were searched to identify recently published frameworks (2013–2023) focused on patient partnership and aligned with at least one core ERN activity. Framework characteristics were summarised and information pertaining to their content, structure and practical use was extracted. Twelve relevant frameworks were identified, presenting practical approaches, conceptual understandings or both. Five frameworks focused on areas aligned with specific core ERN activities; others had an overarching scope. Frameworks presented various engagement approaches and employed heterogeneous terminology and development methods. Frameworks differed in their content and structure and presented key considerations for use. Our review underscores the importance of providing clear definitions and explanations of patient partnership. It provides insight into how meaningful, and inclusive patient partnership can be promoted within our diverse ERN context and sheds light on the importance of framework implementation as a prerequisite to structured evaluation. Learning points generated from this review will be used to inform future updates of the ERN Patient Partnership Framework and promote its implementation in practice.
Effects of film-stalk spaced dual mulching system on corn growth and yield
Authors: Cao Jinjun , Sun Yaqi , Peng Shuili , Li Wanxing , He Xiaobing , Li Xiaoxia , Li Dan , Jin Kunpeng , Yang Yi , Liu Yongzhong 
Published: December 2024

AbstractFilm-stalk spaced dual mulching is a new type of cultivation measure that is increasingly highlighted in semi-arid areas in China. Despite its potential, there is limited understanding of how different mulching materials affect both soil quality and crop yield in these areas. To address this gap, we conducted a two-year (2020–2021) field experiment in central China to explore the yield-enhancing mechanisms and assess the impact of various mulching materials on soil and corn yield. The experiment comprised six treatments, i.e., plastic film-whole stalk spaced mulching in fall (PSF), plastic film-whole stalk spaced mulching in spring (PSS), black and silver plastic film-whole stalk spaced mulching in spring (BPSS), biodegradable film-whole stalk spaced mulching in spring (BSS), liquid film-whole stalk spaced mulching in spring (LSS), and non-mulching cultivation (CK). Results revealed that BPSS demonstrated the most significant yield increase, surpassing CK by a notable 10.0% and other mulching treatments by 2.4%–5.9%. The efficacy of BPSS lied in its provision of favorable hydrothermal conditions for corn cultivation, particularly during hot season. Its cooling effect facilitated the establishment of optimal temperature conditions relative to transparent mulching, leading to higher root growth indices (e.g., length and surface area), as well as higher leaf photosynthetic rate and dry matter accumulation per plant. Additionally, BPSS maintained higher average soil moisture content within 0–100 cm depth compared with biodegradable mulching and liquid mulching. As a result, BPSS increased activities of urease, catalase, and alkaline phosphatase, as well as the diversity and abundance of soil bacteria and fungi in the rhizosphere zone of corn, facilitating nutrient accessibility by the plant. These findings suggest that selecting appropriate mulching materials is crucial for optimizing corn production in drought-prone areas, highlighting the potential of BPSS cultivation.
The evaluation of depression prevalence and its association with obesity phenotypes in a community-dwelling aged population
Authors: Abbasloo Faezeh , Ebrahimi Pouya , Ghadimi Delaram , Sharifi Farshad , Ayati Arian , Moodi Mitra , Khorashadizadeh Masoumeh , Fakhrzadeh Hosein , Zaki Zadeh Amin , Ramezani Pedram , Pirdehghan Reza , Nooraeen Sara , Moradi Ali , Payab Moloud , Ebrahimpur Mahbube 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Background
Depression is one of the most debilitating mental disorders and a risk factor for many other chronic diseases that are commonly seen in the geriatric population. It has been claimed in previous studies that depression can be associated with obesity in this age group, but there is no common consensus between their results.

Aim
This study aims to evaluate the association between depression metabolic syndrome and obesity phenotypes in community-dwelling older adults living in the East of Iran.

Method and materials
As a part of the Birjand Longitudinal Aging Study, this retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on participants older than 60. They were categorized based on their body mass index and components of metabolic syndrome into four phenotypes: metabolic non-healthy obese (MNHO), metabolic healthy obese (MHO), metabolic healthy non-obese (MHNO), and metabolic non-healthy non-obese (MNHNO). The relative risk ratio (RRR) of the obesity phenotypes, the severity of depressive symptoms, and the 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were evaluated by univariate and multinomial logistic regression.

Results
Of 1344 eligible participants, 268 (19.94%) had depression. Moderate, moderate-severe, and severe depression were observed in 179 (13.32%), 67 (4.99%), and 22 (1.64%) participants, respectively. Our findings showed a non-significant increase in the RRR of mild depressive symptoms in MNHO (RRR:1.22, 95% CI 0.56–2.66) and severe symptoms in MNHNO (RRR:1.20, 95% CI 0.02–63.17) females. However, in male participants, the RRR of moderate-severe depressive symptoms only increased non-significantly for the MNHO category (RRR:1.34, 95% CI 0.45–3.98).

Conclusion
We did not observe a meaningful association between depressive symptoms and obesity phenotypes. Also, other than malnutrition or its risk, various severities of depressive symptoms correlate with different sociodemographic and medical risk factors among male and female senior citizens.