bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of Treatment Delays on Survival in Uveal Melanoma: Expanded Cohort and Analytical Approaches
Authors: Moghadam Annahita , Gill Viktor Torgny , Sabazade Shiva , Hagström Anna , Stålhammar Gustav 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

The impact of treatment delays on survival in uveal melanoma remains debated. This expansion of a previous study analyzed 1256 patients diagnosed with posterior uveal melanoma between 1983 and 2022 to evaluate the prognostic significance of the interval between diagnosis and treatment. Of these patients, 454 (36%) were treated one month or more after diagnosis (delayed treatment group, DTG). DTG had significantly shorter disease-specific survival (DSS) and overall survival (OS) in stages II and III, but not in stage I. The DTG also exhibited shorter DSS in multiple landmark analyses, and in 778 patients matched by propensity scores based on age and tumor size at diagnosis. Competing risk regression showed an increased hazard ratio (HR) for metastatic death in DTG. An exponential survival regression indicated that a treatment delay of one month or more was associated with a 3% reduction in 10-year OS. In a Markov multi-state model, the HR for transitioning to metastatic death was 1.45 (95% CI: 1.12–1.89) for the DTG. These findings suggest that delays of one month or more in treating uveal melanoma are associated with reduced survival rates in stages II and III. Prompt treatment initiation following diagnosis is recommended to improve survival outcomes.
Wireless Communication Security Defense and Monitoring in Smart Grids
Authors: Duan Junbao , Liu Gengshuo , Zeng Shuyan , Liu Han , Zhang Hongzhi , Li Zhenghao , Zhong Cheng , Liu Donglan 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

With the development of smart grids, wireless communication security issues have become increasingly prominent, including data eavesdropping, denial of service attacks, malicious software, and physical layer threats, which pose a serious threat to the stability and security of smart grid systems. In response to this situation, this article studies the security protection and monitoring of wireless communication in smart grids. A comprehensive security defense and monitoring structure is constructed by using the long short-term memory network technology. Firstly, through the analysis of existing protection mechanisms, a defense and monitoring system integration scheme based on a data sharing platform is proposed. Secondly, functional test, performance test, and security test are conducted based on the proposed system architecture. The low orbit ion cannon (LOIC) tool is used to simulate distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks and verify the performance of the system under different attack intensities. At the same time, load test is conducted using Apache JMeter to evaluate the performance of the system under high loads. Finally, penetration test is carried out using the Metasploit tool to evaluate the system’s ability to resist various attacks. The experimental results show that the accuracy of the system remains between 82.2% and 96.5% under attack frequency of 500–5000 times per second in the functional test, and the response time is extended from 120 milliseconds to 390 milliseconds, indicating high protection capability in low-intensity attacks. The performance test results show that when the number of concurrent requests increases from 500 to 5000, the CPU utilization increases from 30–99%; the memory usage increases from 150MB to 550MB; the system response time is significantly prolonged, reflecting the performance bottleneck under high-load conditions. In the security test, the blocking rates of SQL (structured query language) injection and cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks reach 98% and 97% respectively, demonstrating the system’s effective defense capability against various attacks. In summary, this article provides an effective solution for the security protection of smart grids and points out the shortcomings of the system under high-intensity attacks and loads, providing important references for future research.
Hierarchical Feature Concatenation Fusion Network for Tooth Image Segmentation
Authors: Li Bo , Kong Lingyun , Zhao Mingwei 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Tooth segmentation is a key technology in the field of medical image segmentation, with applications including orthodontic treatment, human identification, and dental pathology assessment. Despite the existence of numerous tooth segmentation models, many fail to adequately consider the impact of background noise on tooth boundaries, which is crucial for dental diagnosis. This paper presents an innovative tooth segmentation network, MCMFormer, which integrates cascade feature fusion and a depthwise separable pyramid pooling module to effectively address the interference of background noise on tooth boundaries. The core of MCMFormer is cascade feature fusion, designed to dynamically select important information from feature maps at different levels to enhance the clarity of tooth boundaries. Meanwhile, the depthwise separable pyramid pooling module effectively integrates multi-level feature information, thereby improving boundary accuracy. Through these innovative approaches, our tooth segmentation network has been rigorously tested in the recent STS data challenge, achieving a score of 0.9431, demonstrating significant advantages in segmenting tooth boundaries.
Relationship of interoceptive accuracy in acne vulgaris patients: A prospective, controlled Study
Authors: Alagöz Elif Nur , Tosun Mustafa , Güner Rukiye Yasak , Akyol Melih 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Acne vulgaris (AV) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition predominantly observed during adolescence. Interoception accuracy (IAc) refers to the ability to perceive internal bodily states such as hunger and thirst. Since the brain and skin originate from the same embryological layer, the ectoderm, it is hypothesized that skin changes and disorders might affect individual perceptions. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between IAc and AV. This study included 94 AV patients and 94 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. The participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), and heartbeat perception task to assess IAc. The severity of acne was assessed using the Global Acne Grading System (GAGS). Acne patients had lower IAc scores than controls did (P = 0.026). Severe depression or anxiety symptoms were associated with lower IAc scores (P = 0.027, P = 0.046). Acne severity did not significantly affect IAc scores. There was a weak negative connection between the DLQI score and IAc (r = -0.208, P = 0.022), suggesting that lower quality of life is correlated with reduced IAc. Gender significantly influenced IAc. As a result, individuals with acne may have a reduced capacity to accurately perceive internal bodily states, potentially impacting overall well-being. Enhancing interoception might positively contribute to AV treatment and management.
Primary Aldosteronism in a Hispanic Cohort: Responses to Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonism and Remission in a Case
Authors: Tapia-Castillo Alejandra , Vecchiola Andrea , Quiñones Paola , Baudrand René , Uslar Thomas , Delgado José , Carvajal Cristian A. , Fardella Carlos E. 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the main cause of secondary arterial hypertension. In this study, we present the medical treatment of Hispanic patients with PA followed for up to 5 years, highlighting the complete cure with pharmacological treatment in one of our patients. Subjects and methods: We studied 32 PA patients, followed every 6 months after starting MRA. A clinical response was the normalization of blood pressure (BP) in the absence of other antihypertensive drugs. The biochemical response was considered with normalization of potassium and renin. Responses to treatment were compared using the defined daily dose (DDD). The effect of MRA was evaluated in vitro. The HAC15 cells were cultured and stimulated with aldosterone and spironolactone for 24-72h, and the apoptotic cell death was measured. Results. At 12 months posttreatment with MRA, 87% of the patients had a total clinical response, and 71% had a total biochemical response. Response to MRA treatment reduced DDD by an average of 70%. Additionally, we observed one PA patients treated with spironolactone after three years, he presented a pharmacological cure with normalization of aldosterone and renin without treatment with spironolactone. The in vitro study shows that spironolactone increased early apoptosis in a 60% and late apoptosis in a 50%. Conclusion. These results suggest the importance of timely diagnosis of PA and specific treatment with MRA, especially in patients with a poor response to treatment. Moreover, remission of PA may occur in some patients after spironolactone treatment due to its suggestive role as an apoptotic agent.
Developing a bio-optical model for monitoring total suspended solids concentration using remote sensing and Google Earth Engine for Barragem Santa Bárbara, Pelotas, Brazil
Authors: Sampaio Daniele Martin , Arejano Luan Martin , Mendes Karen Gularte Peres , Nascimento Letícia Vianna do , Medeiros Camila Ineu , Dutra Pâmela Martins , Guedes Hugo Alexandre Soares 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

The objective of this study was to develop a bio-optical model to predict the concentration of Total Suspended Solids (TSS, mg L-1) in the Barragem Santa Bárbara reservoir using Sentinel-2 satellite imagery, in situ measurements, and the computational capabilities of Google Earth Engine (GEE). TSS monitoring is crucial because it carries other pollutants contaminating water bodies downstream. In this study, multiple linear regression is developed based on the correlation between reflectance values of Sentinel-2 spectral bands and band ratios and in-situ TSS measurements. Data processing and analysis were streamlined in GEE. Bands B5, B6/B4, and B8/B4 yielded the best performance, with a resulting R² value of 0.63 and a root mean square error of 4.58 mg L−1. This proves that the model delivers accurate and reliable estimates of TSS, as did most similar studies. The spatial distribution maps produced by the model revealed a well-defined pattern for the TSS distribution in the reservoir. High TSS concentrations were recorded at the inflow points and the treatment plant's intake because of sediment resuspension and tributary inflow. On the contrary, the decreased water velocity allowed sedimentation at low TSS levels near the dam. These findings show that integrating remote sensing data and in-situ measurement is an effective way to monitor the water quality of reservoirs and provide a low-cost tool for TSS concentration assessment.
Towards an Explainable Artificial Intelligence Approach for Smart Grid Systems
Authors: Alfayan Mahmoud , Hagras Hani 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

As global energy demands escalate, effective management of electrical grids and reducing carbon emissions have become critical objectives. This paper proposes a novel system which employs Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) to enhance the operational efficiency of smart grids by predicting energy consumption and optimizing resource allocation accordingly. The integration of XAI addresses the complexity of grid management by offering transparency into AI-driven predictions, thus fostering user trust and facilitating informed decision-making. The system comprises data collection and preparation, energy consumption prediction using XAI models, and an optimisation module that ensures efficient grid operations. Eventually, this research can be seen as a step forward to further contribute towards sustainable, cost-effective, and reliable smart grid management.
SWRD: A dataset of radiographic image of seam weld for defect detection
Authors: Zhao Xuefeng , Wu Juntao , Zhang Baoxin , Wen Haoyu , Wang Xiaopeng , Li Yan , Yu Xinghua 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

In this paper, we introduce SWRD, a new public dataset containing over 3,600 seam weld X-ray images, categorized into standard seam welds and T-joint seam welds. Each image is annotated with polygonal labels for specific defects, making the dataset suitable for various deep learning tasks such as classification, object detection, and instance segmentation. We also detail the defect formation mechanisms and their corresponding characteristics in X-ray images. To enhance the usability of the dataset for deep learning models, we applied several image processing techniques, including image adjustment, sliding window cropping, and preprocessing. Our experiments with the state-of-the-art YOLOv8 object detection models show promising results, with the YOLOv8m model achieving a mAP50 of 0.66 and a mAP50-95 of 0.49. Given that we used default training parameters and limited training epochs, we anticipate even better performance with further optimization. The complete dataset can be downloaded from: http://www.tz-ndt.com/#/download
Somatic embryogenesis and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation in a number of grape cultivars
Authors: Maletich Galina , Gavrilenko Igor , Pushin Alexander , Chelombit Svetlana , Khmelnitskaya Tatyana , Plugatar Yuri , Dolgov Sergey , Khvatkov Pavel 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Somatic embryogenesis is the preferred method for cell-to-plant regeneration of grapevine. In this study, we tested the embryogenic capacity of inflorescence-derived calli from 10 grape genotypes, representing a diverse group of Vitis vinifera and accessions of non-vinifera Vitis species. Explants produce pro-embryogenic calli when cultured on agarized Nitsch and Nitsch medium supplemented with 1.0 mg l-1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 1.0 mg l-1 6-benzyladenine. Embryogenic calli was developed upon transfer to liquid Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 2.0 mg l-1 zeatin and 0.1 mg l-1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. Somatic embryos were formed upon transfer to a agarized Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 0.1 mg l-1 indolylacetic acid. Plantlets was developed when a obtained somatic embryos was transferred to liquid Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 0.2 mg l-1 6-benzyladenine and 0.2 mg l-1 gibberellic acid. Conversion into morphological normal plants was achieved by rooting the plantlets on agarized half strength Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 0.05 mg l-1 α-naphthaleneacetic acid. This protocol has been successful for the regeneration of ‘Malbec’, ‘Saperavi’ ‘Aligote’, ‘Carménère’ and ‘Podarok Magaracha’ cultivars and ‘SO4’ rootstock. To future biotechnological use of studied cultivars, we established a stable transformation system for it based on Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Following inoculation with the bacteria, somatic embryos were cultured for 4 weeks on liquid Murashige and Skoog medium containing 0.2 mg l-1 6-benzyladenine, 0.2 mg l-1 gibberellic acid, 100 mg l-1 timentin and 50 mg l-1 kanamycin. Explants were then transferred to agarized half strength Murashige and Skoog growth regulator-free media in the presence of 100 mg l-1 timentin and 50.0 mg l-1 kanamycin to select antibiotic-resistant somatic embryos. The resulting somatic embryos were re-cultured in liquid Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 0.2 mg l-1 6-benzyladenine and 0.2 mg l-1 gibberellic acid, 100 mg l-1 timentin and 50 mg l-1 kanamycin to develop transgenic sprouts. Then, the resulting sprouts were transferred to agarized half strength Murashige and Skoog medium to form transgenic shoots. The developed agro transformation conditions yielded stably transformed lines of the Aligote and the Podarok Magaracha cultivars, confirmed by Southern blotting, with an efficiency of 0.36–0.43% transgenes per 100 explants.
Efficient alumina-chromia catalysts with hierarchical porous structure for isobutane dehydrogenation in fixed-bed reactor
Authors: Zolotukhina A. I. , Mamontov G. V. 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

The granulated alumina-chromia (CrOx/Al2O3) catalysts for dehydrogenation of light paraffinic hydrocarbons in a fixed-bed reactor are prepared from the products of thermochemical activation of Al(OH)3 through a one-stage wet mixing method. The role of wood flour addition on the formation of hierarchical porous structure of the catalysts is demonstrated. The high mechanical strength of granules (6.7–10.0 MPa) is achieved despite the presence of macropores in the structure. The role of macropores in the isobutane dehydrogenation under near-real conditions using a bed with the catalyst granules is discussed. The activity rise with the increased addition of wood flour loading and an increase in the amount of macropores is shown. Such data are similar in activity to catalysts used in industry.
Adults’ dental caries burden through the DMFT index: Tanzanian national pathfinder survey
Authors: Nyamuryekung’e Kasusu , Mbawalla Hawa , Mlangwa Matilda , Masalu Joyce 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background: Dental caries remains the most prevalent chronic disease globally. The DMFT (Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth) index is a key metric in oral epidemiology to quantify the prevalence and severity of dental caries. This study aims to assess the dental caries burden among adults in mainland Tanzania using the DMFT index.Methods: A national pathfinder survey was conducted using a cross-sectional design across fourteen districts in thirteen regions of mainland Tanzania. Site selection followed the World Health Organization’s (WHO) basic oral health survey methods, employing a modified stratified-cluster sampling approach. Adult participants completed electronic questionnaires prior to clinical dental examinations. Questionnaires gathered sociodemographic data, self-rated dentition status, tooth brushing practices, and dental caries status using the DMFT criteria. All data collection and dental examinations adhered to WHO standard criteria. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23. Frequencies were calculated to determine the proportions of participants' mean DMFT components. Bivariate associations were analyzed using Mann Whitney u-test and Kruskal Wallis to compare DMFT components with sociodemographic characteristics and self-rated dentition status.Results: The survey included 1,386 participants aged 30–34, 35–44, and 50+, with 713 females (51.4%). Nearly half of the participants (49.1%) were aged 50 years or older. The mean DMFT score was 4.63 (SD 5.4), with 76.6% experiencing dental caries. The Missing teeth component accounted for the largest portion of the mean DMFT (52.4%), followed by the Decayed teeth component (45.8%). Only 3.5% of participants with dental caries had tooth fillings. Higher median DMFT scores were observed among females, participants aged 50 or more, with lowest education levels and poor self-rated dentition status. Increased DMFT scores were linked to brushing less than once daily (p < 0.05)and not using a toothbrush daily (p < 0.01).Conclusion: The high dental caries prevalence (76.6%) and sociodemographic disparities highlight the need for an integrated approach combining preventive measures, oral health promotion and improved access to dental services to address this challenge effectively in Tanzania.
The Comparison of Dexmedetomidine and Midazolam Used for Sedation of Patients Undergoing Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy: A Prospective Comparative Study
Authors: Ghoul Ibrahim , Alkaissi Aidah , Sadaqa Wael , Abdoh Qusay , Khilfeh Shadi , Nazzal Raneen , Almasri Muath , Adas Amro 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background: Endoscopic procedures are essential for diagnostic testing, examining, and treating a wide range of disorders like gastrointestinal tract blood loss, foreign object removal, and many other complicated procedures such as Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. An endoscope is an irritating and painful procedure. during which patients should be anesthetized to avoid mobility, pain, coughing, gagging, and nausea. So, sufficient analgesia and sedation agents should be given and monitored with minimal side effects or complications. These agents can keep patients'response to pain and verbal stimuli without failing respiratory or cardiovascular function. The current study aims to compare and investigate the efficacy and safety of Midazolam versus Dexmedetomidine in terms of respiratory, hemodynamic, analgesia, sedation, patient satisfaction, endoscopist satisfaction, and adverse effects in patients undergoing upper endoscopy at An-Najah National University Hospital.
Methodology: A prospective observational study was performed on 68 patients ( aged 18-60) undergoing upper endoscopy using theAmerican Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Physical Status Classification System (grades one and two). The study was conducted at An-Najah National University Hospital, Nablus-Palestine, between October 2021 and January 2022. All subjects received information about the purpose of the study, the study protocol, and the consent form was obtained from each subject.
Results: Regarding patient satisfaction, the Dexmedetomidine demonstrated much higher satisfaction, minor discomfort, and less anxiety than Midazolam with P<0.05. Regarding endoscopy specialists, the satisfaction, discomfort, gagging, retching, and technical difficulty showed that Dexmedetomidine outperformed the Midazolam with P<0.05. Dexmedetomidine patients recovered faster than Midazolam patients with p <0.05, Midazolam needs 2.4 ± 7.7 minutes to be sedated while Dexmedetomidine needs 9.5 ± 1.1 minutes , and this difference is significant since the p <0.05. Regarding side effects occurrence, Dexmedetomidine had fewer side effects than the Midazolam, but with no statistically significant difference. Regarding vital signs, there is no significant difference between Midazolam and Dexmedetomidine.
Conclusions: Dexmedetomidine outperformed Midazolam in recovery time, patient satisfaction, endoscopy specialist satisfaction, discomfort, anxiety, and retching; Dexmedetomidine appears to be a useful alternative to Midazolam for sedating patients during upper endoscopy because it is both safe and effective.