bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Detection of hepatic steatosis with ultrasound attenuation imaging compared to MRI
Authors: Postigliatti Alvaro , Aris Ricardo , Constenla Diego , Campos Oscar , Schiappacasse Giancarlo , Cea Jerson , González Felipe , Cavada Gabriel , Ginesta Alexandra , Silva Claudio 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Purpose: The main objective of this study was to evaluate the utility of a novel ultrasound technique, Attenuation Imaging (ATI), for detecting hepatic steatosis, comparing the results with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as the reference standard. ATI is a non-invasive, lower-cost, and potentially more available method with a shorter examination time than MRI.
Materials and Methods: A diagnostic test design was employed in a sample of 143 randomly selected patients who underwent both MRI and ATI. This diagnostic test study was conducted and reported in accordance with the STARD (Standards for Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracy) initiative. Pearson's correlation was used to compare the values obtained through ATI and MRI, and regression models was applied to assess interaction and confounding variables. Diagnostic performance was analyzed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and the area under the ROC curve (AUROC).
Results: The ATI and MRI measurements showed a strong correlation (R-squared = 0.9841, p < 0.001). The non-linear regression analysis generated a formula to estimate the percentage of steatosis in MRI based on the steatosis measured by ATI. The ROC analysis revealed an AUROC of 0.8251 (95% CI: 0.75457-0.89565).
Conclusion: The ATI technique demonstrated a strong correlation with MRI for the detection of hepatic steatosis. The non-linear regression used in the study allowed for generating a formula that estimates the percentage of steatosis in MRI based on the steatosis measured by ATI. This indicates that ATI may serve as a more accessible and cost-effective alternative to MRI in detecting and monitoring hepatic steatosis in patients with non-alcoholic liver disease. Clinical Relevance: ATI offers a cost-effective, non-invasive, and accurate diagnostic method for detecting hepatic steatosis, potentially improving access to early diagnosis and treatment.
Modelling transmission of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus in camel populations and the potential impact of animal vaccination
Authors: Dighe Amy , Jombart Thibaut , Ferguson Neil 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Outbreaks of Middle East Respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in humans are driven by recurring zoonotic spillover from camels, leading to demand for camel vaccination. With two vaccine candidates shown to reduce infectiousness, there is a need to better understand transmission of MERS-CoV in camels and assess the potential impact of vaccination. To help address this, we used age-stratified seroprevalence data and a combination of modelling methodologies to estimate key epidemiological quantities including MERS-CoV transmissibility in camels and to estimate vaccine impact on infection incidence. Transmissibility was higher in the Middle East (R0range 3–34) compared to Africa (2–15) and South Asia (2–4), highlighting the need for setting-specific vaccination strategies. Modelling suggested that even if the vaccine only reduced infectiousness rather than susceptibility to infection, vaccinating calves could achieve large reductions in incidence in moderate and high transmission settings, and interrupt transmission in low transmission settings, provided coverage was high (70–90%).
Agro-morphological Characterization Assessment of Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) Varieties
Authors: Howlader Nayan Chandra , Bulbul Mohammad Tanvir Ahmed , Arafat Easir , Rana Md. Sohel , Hasan Md. Ziaul 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Rice (Oryza sativaL.) is an essential constituent of the global food chain. The goals of this study are to assess the field performance, character association and variability of 30 rice varieties (Oryza sativaL.) accessions collected from various locations of Bangladesh. To evaluate the morphological variability, yield variability and correlation, the study employed a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. ACC04 exhibited the highest yield (186.19 g), total number of grains per panicle (197.33), panicle length (29.1 cm), the number of filled grain (188.6), grain length (9.86 mm), grain width (3.34 mm), defective grain length (7.63 mm), defective grain breadth (2.92 mm) and 1000 seed weight (31.26 g) and gave lowest the number of unfilled grain (8.6). It can be concluded that rice accessions exhibit a diverse array of qualitative and morphological traits. The varieties were divided into six groups based on cluster. In Cluster I and III, ACC4 gave the highest performance followed by ACC01 and ACC22 in grain length, grain breadth defective grain length, defective grain breadth and 1000 seed weight. Therefore, ACC04, ACC01 and ACC22 would be best and promising variety for rice production.
Mechanism of Quiescent Nanoplastic Formation from Semicrystalline Polymers
Authors: Kumar Sanat , Mendez Nicholas , Sharma Vivek , Valsecchi Michele , Pai Vighnesh , Lee Johnny , Schadler Linda , Muller Alejandro , Watson-Sanders Shelby , Dadmun Mark , Kumaraswamy Guruswamy 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Polymers are known to spontaneously produce micro (sizes 1μm - 5mm, MPL) and nanoplastics (10nm - 1μm, NPL), but the mechanisms by which environmentally-triggered Å-level random bond breaking events lead to the formation of these relatively large fragments are unclear. Significantly, ~70 % of commercial polymers are semicrystalline, with a morphology comprised of alternating crystalline and amorphous layers, each tens of nanometers thick. It is well-accepted that chain scission events accumulate in the amorphous phase. We show that this leads to mechanical failure of the semicrystalline morphology and the concurrent release of particulate NPL comprised of polydisperse stacks of lamellae even under quiescent conditions. Noncrystalline analogs, which do not have a well-defined microstructure, do not form NPL. While the amorphous phase of the semicrystalline NPL continues to degrade, crystal fragments do not and hence they temporally persist in the environment. These results stress the critical role of polymer microstructure and fracture mechanics on particulate NPL creation.
Synthetic Data for Accessible Learning in Healthcare: Improving Mortality Prediction with Longitudinal Data
Authors: Laribi Hakima , Raymond Nicolas , Taseen Ryeyan , Poenaru Dan , Vallières Martin 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Accurate prediction of medium-term survival after admission is necessary for identifying end-of-life patients who may benefit from earlier goals of care (GOC) discussions. While previous studies have leveraged admission data from electronic health records (EHRs) to predict the hospital one-year mortality risk (HOMR) score, they focused on single admissions, without considering longitudinal patient history and its impact on prognostication. To address this gap, we developed the Ensemble Long Short-Term Memory (ELSTM) neural network, which learns from multiple visits of the same patient to improve the accuracy of the HOMR score. Furthermore, in this work, we generated a synthetic dataset and made it publicly available to encourage further research in this area while safeguarding patient privacy.
Investigating Percentage Depth Dose Curves in Proton Therapy: A Monte Carlo Geant4 Study on Beam Axis Behavior in Phantoms with Varied Clinical PTO Objects
Authors: Yuwei Zhang , Jinhai Liang 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

This study examines the accuracy of percentage depth dose (PDD) curves in proton therapy using Monte Carlo simulations through the Geant4 toolkit, focusing on beam axis behavior in various phantom models with clinical Proton Therapy Objects (PTOs). Proton therapy’s efficacy relies on precise dose distribution, especially in heterogeneous tissues that vary in density and atomic composition. Through simulated experiments, this research compares PDD curves across different PTO configurations to evaluate how these variations influence dose delivery accuracy. The findings aim to inform proton therapy optimization for enhanced clinical outcomes.
Somatostatin-expressing interneurons induce early NO-driven and late specific astrocyte-mediated vasodilation
Authors: Vo Thanh Tan , Jung Won Beom , Jin Tong , Im Geun Ho , Lee Soohyun , Kim Seong-Gi 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Somatostatin-expressing (SST) interneurons modulate hemodynamic responses both directly and indirectly, but their precise role remains unclear. Here, we investigated how SST interneurons affect hemodynamics using a combination of electrophysiology, intrinsic optical imaging, calcium imaging, and fMRI with pharmacological, optogenetic, and chemogenetic manipulations. Prolonged optogenetic stimulation of SST neurons induces fast vasodilation through nitric oxide synthase-expressing neurons that co-express SST, and slow vasodilation mediated by astrocytes. Pharmacological blocking of SST receptors suppresses both astrocyte calcium activity and delayed vasodilation, while early vasodilation remains unchanged. Similar neurovascular coupling mechanisms are observed during prolonged sensory stimulation, which also induces both fast and delayed vasodilation. The delayed vasodilation, mediated by the SST-astrocyte pathway, enhances the specificity of cerebral blood volume-weighted fMRI signals to cortical layer 4, as confirmed by chemogenetic inhibition of SST neurons. Our findings suggest that the SST neuron-astrocyte-vascular pathway shapes hemodynamic responses to prolonged stimulation and is critical for achieving high-specificity, laminar-resolution fMRI, which is increasingly pursued in human cognitive studies.
Modelling the compressive strength of non-proprietary ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete: A D-optimal mixture design approach
Authors: JAMES IME EMMANUEL , Okafor Fidelis Onyebuchi , Mama Benjamin Okwudili 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

This study examines the compressive strength of an innovative non-proprietary ultra-high-performance fibre-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) using an approach that combines experimental methods and mathematical modeling. The UHPFRC is developed using Portland limestone cement, river sand, rice husk ash, superplasticizer, recycled tire steel fibre, and water. This study aims to design, optimise, and develop prediction models that accurately predict the compressive strength of UHPFRC at 3, 7, 14, 28, 56, and 90 days, subjected to normal curing in water at 21 °C. A D-optimal mixture design approach was used to design the mixes. The laboratory test results of the mixes were studied, yielding prediction models that accurately predict the compressive strength of the UHPFRC with high values of the coefficient of multiple determinations (R2), insignificant lack of fit test results, low coefficient of variation and standard deviation indicate the precision, reliability and consistency of the models. Numerical optimisation revealed that UHPFRC can be designed with less amount of cement (36%), and recycled tire steel fibre (6.258%), yielding compressive strengths of 83.3 MPa, 91.84 MPa, 99.30 MPa, 105.44 MPa, 108.62 MPa, and 111.79 MPa at 3, 7, 14, 28, 56, and 90 days of curing, respectively. The research outcomes suggest that incorporating rice husk ash and recycled tire steel fibres in UHPFRC not only improves the compressive strength but also promotes sustainability in the construction industry, addresses the issue of standard construction material scarcity, reduces construction material costs, and supports local UHPFRC manufacturing.
Evaluating the potability of domestic water supply sources using water quality index in Kilombero district, Tanzania
Authors: Lwinga Nesto Amulike , Izdori Fides J. , Richard Edwin N. 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACT

The decline in water quality in various bodies of water has led to significant health risks for individuals relying on these sources for drinking and domestic use. The prevalence of waterborne diseases in some areas is attributed by inadequate water quality assessments of supply sources. This study focused on evaluating the potability of domestic water sources in the Kilombero district of Tanzania, where approximately 70% of the population depends on untreated natural sources. Two models were utilized: the Weighted Arithmetic Water Quality Index (WAWQI) and the Canadian Council of Ministers of Environment Water Quality Index (CCME WQI), analysing 15 water quality parameters. The WAWQI identified three groundwater sources as poor quality for consumption, while indicating seasonal improvements in water quality – from 12 in the wet season to 13 in the dry season. Conversely, the CCME WQI classified all 15 sources as potable, with an increase in ‘Excellent’ ratings from 9 to 13 between seasons. The findings showed that all surface water sources were deemed potable, while 67% of groundwater sources met quality standards. The remaining 33% of boreholes were categorized as having poor quality. Overall, both models indicated better water quality during the dry season, with surface water generally exhibiting higher quality than groundwater.
Service Attributes and Acceptability of Digital and Nondigital Depression Management Methods Among Individuals With Depressive Symptoms: Survey Study
Authors: Auyeung Larry , Mak Winnie W S , Tsang Ella Zoe 
Published: November 2024

Background
Academic research on digital mental health tends to focus on its efficacy and effectiveness, with much less attention paid to user preferences and experiences in real-world settings.

Objective
This study aims to analyze service characteristics that service users value and compare the extent to which various digital and nondigital mental health treatments and management methods fulfill users’ expectations.

Methods
A total of 114 people with at least moderate levels of depressive symptoms (as measured by Patient Health Questionnaire–9 score ≥10) completed a web-based questionnaire measuring their awareness and adoption of digital mental health services and their valuation of 15 psychological service attributes, including effectiveness, credibility, waiting time, and more. They were also assessed on their expectations toward seven common mental health treatments and management methods, including (1) face-to-face psychological intervention, (2) medication, (3) guided internet-based psychological intervention, (4) face-to-face counseling service, (5) self-guided mental health apps for depression, (6) self-help bibliotherapy, and (7) psychological intervention via videoconferencing.

Results
A Friedman test with a Dunn posttest showed the average importance rank of “effectiveness” was significantly higher than all other measured attributes. “Privacy,” “credibility,” and “cost” were ranked as equally important. Participants rated face-to-face psychological intervention the most effective management method, while other digital management methods were perceived as less effective. Medication was perceived as the least appealing method, while other methods were deemed equally appealing. Face-to-face psychological intervention, medication, and counseling were considered less satisfactory due to their higher costs and longer waiting times when compared to digital services. Repeated measures ANOVA showed some forms of management method were more likely to be adopted, including guided internet-based psychological intervention, psychological intervention via videoconferencing, face-to-face psychological intervention, and face-to-face counseling services provided by a counselor as compared to self-guided mobile apps, self-help bibliotherapy, and medication.

Conclusions
The study highlights the importance of considering multiple service attributes beyond effectiveness in depression management methods, despite effectiveness being regarded as the most crucial factor using the rank method. Compared to nondigital services, digital services were identified as having specific strengths as perceived by users. Future dissemination and promotion efforts may focus on debunking myths of guided internet-based psychological intervention as a less effective option and promoting the particular service strengths of digital services.
Interprofessional Team Training With Virtual Reality: Acceptance, Learning Outcome, and Feasibility Evaluation Study
Authors: Neher Andrea N , Wespi Rafael , Rapphold Benjamin D , Sauter Thomas C , Kämmer Juliane E , Birrenbach Tanja 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
Effective interprofessional teamwork is vital for ensuring high-quality patient care, especially in emergency medicine. However, interprofessional education often fails to facilitate meaningful interaction among health care disciplines. It is therefore imperative to afford early opportunities for cultivating interprofessional teamwork skills. While in-person simulation-based training has been shown to improve performance, this is resource-intensive, especially if it involves multiple professions. Virtual reality (VR)–based training is an innovative instructional approach that demands fewer resources and offers the flexibility of location-independent learning.

Objective
This study aimed to develop and evaluate the acceptance, learning outcome, and feasibility of an interprofessional team (INTEAM) training course that included a VR simulation of a neurological emergency case.

Methods
This 1-group study used a pre- and posttest design to evaluate the 2-hour INTEAM training course for nursing and medical students. The course included an e-learning part, VR simulation, and debriefing. The main learning objectives were derived from the entrustable professional activity 6, namely to handle a common problem in emergency medicine (headache due to subarachnoid hemorrhage and epileptic seizure) that requires interprofessional collaboration, including a structured handover. We used validated and self-constructed questionnaires, pre- and posttests, and open questions to assess the acceptance, learning outcome, and feasibility of the course.

Results
The data of 42 students (21 nursing and 21 medical students) were analyzed and showed good usability in the System Usability Scale (median 72.5, IQR 65‐80). The perception of usefulness (median 6, IQR 5.8‐6.9) and ease of use (median 5.9, IQR 5.1‐6.3) was good among all students. There was a significant increase in the handover performance from pre- (median 8, IQR 6‐9) to posttraining (median 8, IQR 7‐9; z=−2.01; P=.045; r=0.33) and of the confidence in caring for patients with seizures (median 3, IQR 2‐3 and median 3.5, IQR 3‐4, respectively; z=−3.8; P<.001; r=0.60). In 67% (14/21) of the simulations, technical issues occurred, but all simulations could be carried out completely.

Conclusions
The new INTEAM training course was well received by nursing and medical students. The handover skills and confidence in caring for patients with seizures were improved after the course. Despite technical challenges with the VR simulations, none required termination, and this demonstrates that our approach is feasible. These promising results encourage the use of VR simulations for team training in the education of nursing and medical students.
भोपाल जिले के शिक्षक शिक्षा महाविद्यालयों में कार्यरत शिक्षकों में दायित्व बोध एवं नवाचार के प्रति जागरूकता का अध्ययन. (A Study on the Sense of Responsibility and Awareness Towards Innovation among Teachers in Teacher Education Colleges in Bhopal District)
Authors: Sahu Pushp Lata 
Published: November 2024

प्रस्तुत अध्ययन का उद्देश्य भोपाल जिले में स्थित राष्ट्रीय अध्यापक परिषद द्वारा वर्ष 2024 में संचालित शिक्षक शिक्षा महाविद्यालयों में कार्यरत शिक्षकों में दायित्व बोध एवं नवाचार के प्रति जागरूकता का अध्ययन करना था। जिसके लिए चार उद्देश्यों का निर्माण किया गया उन उद्देश्यों की पूर्ति के लिए शोधार्थी ने कल 150 उत्तरदाताओं का चयन संभाव्य न्यादर्श विधि द्वारा किया। जिनमें से 100 महिलाएं एवं 50 पुरुषों का चयन उत्तरदाताओं के रूप में किया, और 20 प्रश्नों की एक प्रश्नावली का निर्माण आंकड़ों के संकलन के लिए किया। अध्ययन में यह पाया गया कि जिन शिक्षकों में अपने दायित्वों के प्रति सजगता अधिक थी, वे अपने शिक्षण में नवाचार अपनाने के प्रति अधिक इच्छुक थे। शोध से यह भी स्पष्ट हुआ कि सीमित संसाधन नवाचारों को पूरी तरह अपनाने में बाधक हैं, लेकिन शिक्षकों ने डिजिटल तकनीक और सक्रिय शिक्षण विधियों को अपने शिक्षण में शामिल करने की आवश्यकता को पहचाना। निष्कर्षों से यह संकेत मिलता है कि शिक्षकों की जिम्मेदारी और नवाचार आपस में गहराई से जुड़े हुए हैं और इनका प्रभाव शिक्षण की गुणवत्ता और छात्रों की सहभागिता पर पड़ता है।

The purpose of the present study was to examine the sense of responsibility and awareness toward innovation among teachers working in teacher education colleges operated by the National Council for Teacher Education in the Bhopal district in the year 2024. For this, four objectives were formulated, and to fulfill those objectives, the researcher selected 150 respondents through the probable sampling method. Among them, 100 women and 50 men were chosen as respondents, and a questionnaire of 20 questions was developed for data collection. The study found that teachers who were more aware of their responsibilities were more inclined to adopt innovations in their teaching. The research also revealed that limited resources are a hindrance to fully embracing innovations, but teachers recognized the need to incorporate digital technology and active teaching methods in their instruction. The conclusions indicate that responsibility and innovation among teachers are deeply interconnected, and they have a significant impact on the quality of teaching and student engagement.
Parte I. Reconocimiento geológico del área de Petlalcingo-Santa Cruz, Municipio de Acatlán, estado de Puebla
Authors: Pérez-Ibargüengoitia J. M. , Hokuto-Castillo Alfonso , De Cserna Zoltan 
Published: November 2024

El área estudiada se encuentra a unos 200 km al sureste de la ciudad de México, en la región limítrofe de las subprovincias Altipaís Oaxaqueña y Cuenca del Balsas Mexcala, de la provincia fisiográfica de la Sierra Madre del Sur de México. La secuencia sedimentaria descansa sobre un zócalo metamórfico, compuesto de esquisto de sericita y cuarcita incluidos en el Esquisto Acatlán, de edad precámbrica o paleozoica. La unida sedimentaria más antigua consiste en 600m de conglomerado, arenisca y limolita, de color rojo y de origen continental, que constituye la Formación Tecomazúchil, de edad jurásica media. Sobreyace a esta unidad, con contacto transicional, una caliza con espesor aproximado de 100 m, que forma la caliza Chimeco, de edad jurásica tardía (oxfordiana), que a su vez está seguida por unos 400 m de caliza arcillosa y limolita calcárea que constituyen la Formación Mapache , también de edad jurásica tardía (kimeridgiana-portlandiana). Discordantemente sobre esta formación descansa la Formación Morelos, de edad cretácica tardía (albiana) que consiste en unos 400 m de caliza y dolomita. Sobre las unidades estratigráficas mesozoicas plegadas y erosionadas fue depositada la Formación Huajuapan, de edad terciaria (eocénica-oligocénica), que consiste en unos 200 m o más de conglomerado calizo, arenisca y limolita, todos de color rojizo, y caliza de agua dulce. El área comprende una porción del flanco oriental de un anticlinal amplio y abierto con rumbo N-S. Los estratos de este flanco muestran una inclinación promedio de 20° al E. La foliación de las rocas metamórficas que afloran en el núcleo de este pliegue es NNE-SSW. Numerosas fallas transversales, cortan el flanco de este pliegue y son posteriores al plegamiento de las rocas mesozoicas.
EQUINOIDES DEL CRETÁCICO MEDIO DE COLIMA
Authors: Buitrón-Sánchez Blanca E. 
Published: November 2024

Se describen dos especies de equinoides (Salenia texana Credner y Heteraster mexicanus (Cotteau), Echinodermata: Echinoidea) procedentes del Estado de Colima. Las capas que contienen equinoides se han asignado a el Albiano.