bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sedimentary Sequences of Krishna River Delta to Identify Paleo Depositional Environments
Authors: Koyya Naga Murali Krishna , Ch Ravisekhar , K Satyanarayana Reddy , Chenapathi Tirupathi 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Deltas play a crucial role in the economic and environmental development of the region, thus they gain much attention from the Government, as well as scientists, and researchers for different developmental activities. In this regard, the grain size studies are important to provide clues to the sediment provenance, transport history and depositional conditions. In addition to that, Foraminifera studies provide insights into the environmental changes of the deltaic regions, and they are used for environmental reconstructions. Thus, the present work focuses on textural and micropaleontological studies to identify depositional environments. Inturu core four sedimentary sequences were identified from bottom to top viz. river channel, estuarine channel, mud flats and flood plain. Nizampatnam core, seven sedimentary sequences were identified from bottom to top viz. river channel, estuarine channel, mud flats, flood plain, estuarine channel, mud flats and estuarine channel which represents sub environments of fluvial and estuarine systems. Coarse-grained and fine-grained sediments are related to the high energy, and low-energy conditions respectively. The presence of microfossils like Asterorotalia trispinosa, Asterorotalia subspionsa, Asterorotalia dentata, Asterorotalia gaimardi, ammonia tepida, nonionella and cibisides indicates an estuarine environment. Repetition or overlapping of environments indicates lateral shifting of the river course whereas, neotectonic activity or sedimentary basin subsidence or progradation of delta causes vertical shifting. The polymodal nature of river sediments indicates that these sediments might be contributed by various sources i.e. drainage basin, reworked sediments of the river bed load, river bank eroded sediments and addition of fine-grained material due to alteration of pre-existing minerals of the main sedimentary unit. The unimodal sediments suggested that the sediments were contributed by a single source or they had not undergone any post-depositional changes.
Radioactive concentrations and natural radionuclide risks in Ha Long Bay and Ba Che Estuary sediments, Vietnam
Authors: Nhon Dang Hoai , Hai Phan Son , Thanh Tran Duc , Bui Thi Thanh Loan , Ve Nguyen Dac , Vuong Bui Van , Luu Nguyen Thi Mai , Long Tran Huu , Dung Pham Tien , Tiep Nguyen Van , Chien Hoang Thi , Nghi Duong Thanh , Nam Le Van 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Near the coast, the Ba Che Estuary and Ha Long Bay are influenced by both natural processes and man-made activities. The radioactive contents of 226Ra, 40K, and 232Th and the radiation risk indices of nine sediment cores were determined to assess the impact of radiation on the environment and humans.
The 40K, 232Th, and 226Ra had average radioactivity concentrations of 383, 41.3, and 24.2 Bq/kg, respectively. The Radium equivalent activity (Raeq), absorbed dose rate (ADR), equivalent annual effective dose (AEDE), representative gamma index (Iγr), index active use (AUI), external hazard index (Hex), and annual gonadal equivalent dose (AGDE) were 112.7 Bq/kg, 52.1 nGy/h, 0.06 mSv/y, 0.83, 0.75, 0.30, and 367.7 µSv/y, respectively. These results showed that the 40K and 226Ra radioactivity concentrations were within the allowable range, while the 232Th concentration was higher than the global average.
These radionuclides receive their source from the mainland, and there are moderate to strong positive correlations between 40K and 232Th and between 232Th and 226Ra. The nine sediment cores were split into two groups: Group 1 was close to the shore, and Group 2 was both far from and close to the shore. The higher radiation risk indices in Group 1 suggested a potential health risk for ecosystems close to the shore.
Robotic Assisted TKA May Allow for Smaller Poly Sizes compared to Manual TKA with Simultaneous Removal of Hardware
Authors: Lachance Andrew D. , Edelstein Alexander , Shahsavarani Shaya , Steika Roman , Stilwell Mason , Lutton Jeffrey 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Introduction: TKA after previous hardware around the knee is a challenge to preserve bone while boney landmarks are distorted. Robotic assisted (RA) TKA may assist in simultaneous hardware removal and TKA due to preoperative planning and retention of bone. The aim of this study is to identify if there are differences in component and functional outcomes dependent during simultaneous removal of hardware around the knee and TKA.
Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on patients undergoing simultaneous ROH and TKA over a 10-year period at a single institution. Patients were required to have at least 6 months of follow up. Data extracted included surgical technique, demographics, range of motion (ROM) at 1 year, complications, need for augments and utilization of revision components.
Results: There were a total of 31 simultaneous ROH and TKA found in the EMR that met inclusion criteria including 23 manual and 8 RA-TKA with ROH. RA-TKA patients had significantly smaller poly sizes (p=0.017). There was a trend for decreased need for augments (p=0.544) and stems (p=0.315) in the RA-TKA group although this was not statistically significant. Postoperative flexion (p=0.973) or extension (p=0.351) at 1 year did not vary. Notably, one patient in the manual revision group required a hinged knee, and one manual patient required an MUA.
Conclusion: Patients undergoing ROH and RA-TKA had a statistically significant decrease in poly size with a trend of less revision component utilization. RA may allow for more boney preservation via CT guided preoperative planning and precise boney cuts.
Acute kidney injury induced by snakebites in children
Authors: Messias Nayara Casagrande , Silva Stephanie Soares da , Silva Denise Bousfield da , Santos Claudia Regina dos , Hallal Ana Luiza Curi , Sinha Rajiv , Bresolin Nilzete Liberato 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Background: Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is the main complication of snakebites, most associated with the Bothrops species in South and Central America. However, the reported incidence of AKI induced is not well established in the pediatric population. We aimed to evaluate the frequency of AKI and its risk factors in children victims of Bothrops snakebites.
Method: Children aged 0-18 years who were victims of Bothrops snakebites in the state of Santa Catarina - Brazil during the period from 2014 to 2020 were retrospectively enrolled in the study and evaluated for AKI using the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) definition and staging.
Results: 463 cases of bothropic accidents were studied. Of those, 15.9% (n=74) of the patients developed AKI, 94.5% (n=70) of them being classified in stage I. The most affected age group was 8-12 years old (28.3%). Medical care occurred in less than 3 hours in 82.6% of cases. Pain (93.3%) and edema (93.5%) were the main symptoms observed. Complications were: secondary infection (10.7%), compartment syndrome (0.8%) and skin necrosis at the site of the bite (1.7%). In contrast to children who did not develop AKI, chidlren who developed AKI had leukocytosis (p=0.017), alteration of urinalysis (p=0.012), systemic manifestations (p=0.026), severe initial classification (p<0.001), compartment syndrome and local necrosis (p<0.001).
Conclusions: There was a statistically significant correlation between the group that developed AKI and a high serum level of leukocytes and alteration of urinalysis, mainly hematuria and proteinuria, as well as the presence of systemic manifestations, severe initial classification, compartment syndrome and local necrosis.
Spermiogenesis in Aplacophora (Mollusca) provides insight into evolution of Bilateria
Authors: Buckland-Nicks John , Hodgson Alan N. 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Sperm structure among species in each Class of Aplacophora is highly conserved but between the two Classes is radically different. This together with numerous morphological differences between the two groups, suggests a long separation and a likely paraphyletic relationship, which has been suggested in the past but is not supported by molecular analyses. All Caudofoveata examined have unique externally-fertilizing ect-aquasperm found nowhere else in the Animal Kingdom. Solenogastres fertilize internally with introsperm like those described for Epimenia australis but differ in details of length and number of specific components, providing insights to relationships among them. Furthermore, the solenogaster introsperm shares at least nine characters with introsperm of the bilaterian lineage Nemertodermatida, but shares none of these characters with the sperm of Caudofoveata, Polyplacophora (chitons), or Xenoturbellida and few with Acoela. However, a recent re-analysis of molecular data points to the re-organization of Xenacoelomorpha due to Long Branch Attraction and its separation into a basal Nemertodermatida plus a “Xenacoela” clade related to Ambulacraria. If the shared sperm characters of Solenogastres and Nemertodermatida are plesiomorphies not homoplasies, this would provide support for phylogenies that place Solenogastres basal to Mollusca. If true, then basal Bilateria would have a direct link with Protostomia. Recent discoveries of minute worm-like bilaterian body and trace fossils in Ediacaran deposits suggest that earliest bilaterians were meiofaunal and preceded the great Cambrian explosion by millions of years.
AdvShadow: Camouflaged Adversarial Attacks via Conditional Diffusion Model-Generated Shadows
Authors: Lang Dapeng , Zhou Zheng , Hao Hongyi , Liu Zechao , Huang Jinjie , Chen Deyun 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Adversarial examples pose a significant challenge to the robustness of deep neural networks(DNNs).Traditional adversarial attacks often lack semantic features and concealment. This paper proposesAdvShadow, an adversarial example generation algorithm based on a conditional diffusion model. Ad-vShadow dynamically adjusts shadow perturbations to attack sensitive regions of images, generatingvisually realistic shadow effects that deceive deep models. Our approach ensures that the adversarialshadows seamlessly integrate with image features, enhancing attack concealment and effectiveness.Experiments on multiple datasets demonstrate that AdvShadow achieves high attack success rateswhile maintaining high image quality, as evidenced by improved structural similarity index (SSIM)and peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) scores. This study not only provides a novel adversarial attackmethod but also sheds light on the robustness of deep learning models against stealthy attacks. Theraw data Oxford-IIIt-Pet required to reproduce the above findings are available to download fromOxford-IIIT Pet Dataset. Code will be released in AdvShadow
Leptospirosis And Brucellosis Mixed Cluster Investigation In A Rural Pastoral Community Of Dairy Farmers In Uttarakhand, India, 2023-2024
Authors: Khatoon Farida , Vedachalam Srividya K , Choudhary Sushma , Joshi Subodh Kumar , Jain Pankaj Kumar , Bahurupi Yogesh , S Fareeduzzafar , Singh Meenu , Singh Pankaj Kumar 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Background
Leptospirosis and Brucellosis are bacterial zoonoses prevalent in South-East-Asia. We investigated a case-cluster of these diseases reported in October 2023 from Ward X, Uttarakhand, India, identified through a One-health camp, among Van Gujjars, a rural pastoral community. We describe epidemiology of cases and possible exposures.
Methods
We extracted line-list of leptospirosis cases from the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, Uttarakhand, and One-health camp records from ward X. Suspect cases (leptospirosis or brucellosis) were sudden onset of fever or myalgia from 1/8/2023 to 07/01/2024 in ward X residents. Confirmed cases were suspect cases positive by IgM ELISA. We conducted an active case search in ward X. We interviewed suspect cases on socio-demographics, symptoms, and exposures (flood water contact, animal abortus contact); and frontline healthcare workers on awareness of these diseases.
Results
Among the 300 residents across 85 households in ward X, we identified 50 suspect cases, among whom 25 were confirmed. The cluster began in September 2023 following flooding and continued until January 2024, with no deaths. Confirmed cases included 13 leptospirosis, seven brucellosis, and five mixed leptospirosis-brucellosis. The median age of cases was 35 years (range 17–82), 82% females, and all were Van Gujjars. Symptoms included fever (78%), myalgia (60%), and arthralgia (58%). All reported contact with flood water, and animal abortus. Frontline healthcare workers were unaware of these diseases.
Conclusions
This mixed cluster of leptospirosis and brucellosis in ward X followed flooding, predominantly affecting female Van Gujjar dairy farmers. We sensitized the healthcare workers on identification of suspect cases to improve case detection.
Large eddy simulation study of atmospheric boundary layer flow behind smooth-to-rough surface roughness transitions
Authors: Mondal Kingshuk , Kethavath Naveen N. , Ghaisas Niranjan S. 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

The atmospheric boundary layer flow downstream of a smooth-to-rough (S→R) surface roughness (z0) transition is studied using large eddy simulations (LES). Conducting LES of the flow over an S→R transition requires overcoming two numerical challenges. First, the flow behind the transition needs space in the vertical direction for the outer boundary layer to develop without adversely affecting the flow near the surface. Vertical padding of the computational domain is employed for this purpose. Numerical experiments show that it is sufficient to set the padding height equal to the incoming boundary layer height. Second, an abrupt change in z0 leads to large oscillations in the flow statistics. To reduce these oscillations below an acceptable threshold, the S→R transition needs to be smeared over a few grid points. Numerical experiments for a wide range of roughness ratios show that smearing the roughness transition such that dz0/dx is 0.01 or less keeps the oscillations in the wall shear stress under 5% of the overall jump across the S→R transition. With these two numerical fixes, the LES are validated against two experimental datasets with roughness ratios 4.34 and 150. Several internal boundary layer height analytical models are evaluated using the LES data. Three models are found to be reasonable over a range of roughness ratios. An analytical model for the turbulence inten sity, previously developed for a rough-to-smooth transition, is found to predict the TI reasonably for S→R transitions as well.
Assessing the Role of Forest Canopy Drag on Experimental Fire Behavior using Coupled Atmosphere-Fire Large-Eddy Simulations
Authors: ANTOLIN William , ROCHOUX Mélanie , MOIGNE Patrick LE 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Wind plays a central role in wildland fire behavior, and understanding the interaction between the atmospheric surface layer and fire-induced dynamics in forested environments is an emerging topic that requires detailed numerical studies. The main objective of this study is to assess whether the forest canopy surrounding the well-known FireFlux~I experimental grass fire influences the near-surface turbulent atmospheric flow and the fire spread, and whether a coupled atmosphere-fire model, including an explicit tree drag force parameterization, can capture these fire-wind-canopy interactions. The results show that the coupled Meso-NH/BLAZE model at 10-m or finer resolution captures these effects before and during the passage of the fire front. Before the fire, a quadrant analysis shows the presence of sweep-ejection dynamics typical of forested environments in the coupled simulations, together with the development of a Kelvin-Helmholtz instability above the canopy interacting with a recirculation zone. During the fire, a quadrant analysis based on a wavelet transform to robustly extract velocity fluctuations shows a combined influence of sweep-ejection motions and fire-induced buoyancy on the fire spread and the fire-induced wind. The ensemble coupled simulations capture the influence of the canopy well and demonstrate that the observed signal is directly influenced by the canopy. However, the buoyancy-driven outflow is not captured in the coupled simulations, probably due to insufficient resolution, as this process is highly intermittent and involves much smaller coherent structures. There is therefore great potential for coupled atmosphere-fire models to perform attribution studies and provide insights into wildland fire behavior.
An Analysis and Projection of Diabetes Prevalence in East England Region
Authors: Xie Ying , Anjum Nasreen , Pierscionek Barbara , Kiran Mahreen , Partac Magdalena , Wang Yue 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Purpose: Diabetes Mellitus has emerged as a leading cause of mortality in the United Kingdom (UK), posing a significant public health concern. With 4.3 million diagnosed cases and a surge of 148,951 registrations in 2021-22, the gravity of the issue is evident. In light of this, health education authority needs to understand and analyse regional population health profiles to produce a means of addressing current and future gaps in the workforce and inform workforce planning. To facilitate this need, this study aims to investigate the complex interrelationship between demographics factors, socioeconomic factors, and access to healthcare service provisions, including levels of deprivation, population density, number of General Practitioner (GP) practices, and list size of GP practice, along with their impacts on the prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus within the six Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) in East England. Additionally, the study projects future changes in these factors and assesses the potential impact of these changes on healthcare workforce requirements in the studied regions.
Methods: The findings were derived from econometric regression models. Demographic analyses were performed at both the ICS and regional levels.
Results: Demographic analyses revealed that decreasing number of GP practices, increasing deprivation levels, larger GP list sizes, and higher population density are all linked with increased number of registrations. However, regional disparities exist.
Conclusion: As the prevalence of diabetes remains a critical public health issue, understanding the influences of various socioeconomic and demographic factors, and access to healthcare service provisions on its occurrence is imperative. Additionally, the study projects future changes in these factors and assesses the potential impact of these changes on healthcare workforce requirements in the studied regions.
The Steepest Slope to a Quantum Few-Body Solution
Authors: Recchia Paolo , Basu Debabrota , Gattobigio Mario , Miniatura Christian , Bressan Stéphane 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Quantum few-body systems are deceptively simple. Indeed, with the notable exception of a few special cases, their associated Schrödinger equation cannot be solved analytically for more than two particles. One has to resort to approximation methods to tackle quantum few-body problems. In particular, variational methods have been proposed to ease numerical calculations and obtain precise solutions. One such method is the Stochastic Variational Method, which employs a stochastic search to determine the number and parameters of correlated Gaussian basis functions used to construct an ansatz of the wave function. Stochastic methods, however, face numerical and optimization challenges as the number of particles increases.
We introduce a family of gradient variational methods that replace stochastic search with gradient optimization. We comparatively and empirically evaluate the performance of the baseline Stochastic Variational Method, several instances of the gradient variational method family, and some hybrid methods for selected few-body problems. We show that gradient and hybrid methods can be more efficient and effective than the Stochastic Variational Method. We discuss the role of singularities, oscillations, and gradient optimization strategies in the performance of the respective methods.
Examining Deviant Peer Association as a Predictor of Dual Systems Model Development: Testing for Moderation Effects of Age
Authors: Wojciechowski Thomas 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

The dual systems model is a prominent developmental framework that focuses on the role of cognitive development for understanding risk for antisocial behavior during adolescence. Prior research has implicated deviant peer association as a potential risk factor for atypical cognitive development. The present study builds on the prior literature by examining deviant peer association as a predictor of the development of sensation-seeking and impulse control and examines age of exposure as a moderator of these relationships. Data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study were analyzed. Ordinary least squares regression was used to examine relationships of interest. Greater deviant peer association was found to predict diminished impulse control. Deviant peer association did not significantly predict sensation-seeking. Neither of these relationships were significantly moderated by age. Message framing may have implications for the treatment of impulse control issues.
The impact of COVID-19 on antimicrobial use and resistant bacteria in the Nordics: a regression modeling approach
Authors: Tran Tam T. , Krolicka Adriana , Tiwari Ananda , Pitkänen Tarja , Lood Rolf , Ásmundsdóttir Ásta Margrét , Wikmark Odd-Gunnar 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Background
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic constituted the largest global health crisis in recent generations and led to economic fallout. It may also have disrupted the pattern of antimicrobial use (AMU) which subsequently affected the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The development of AMR remains a grave human health concern. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on AMU and AMR in the Nordics.
Methods
Nordic AMU data (2017-2022) were extracted from national annual reports (for both humans and animals) and the European Surveillance System (TESSy) (for humans only). Nordic human AMR data (2017-2022) were extracted from TESSy. Multilevel linear regression and negative binomial regression models were used to fit the TESSy data. Data between 2017 and 2019 were categorised as the pre-COVID-19 time, while data between 2020 and 2022 were the post-COVID-19 time.
Results
Denmark had a remarkably greater AMU in animals (about 10 times greater) than Norway, Sweden, and Finland over a 6-year span (2017-2022). Iceland had the highest human AMU, while Sweden had the lowest. Fitting a multilevel linear regression model to human AMU data showed that all variables, except for COVID-19 time, were significant predictors, including drug categories, countries, and sectors (p-values < 0.05). Negative binomial models were used to fit resistant Gram-negative and Gram-positive isolates in the Nordics. The results showed that species, countries, and drug categories were statistically significant predictors. COVID-19 time was only statistically significant in the model fitting the resistant Gram-negative isolate data. Moreover, there were significantly fewer Gram-negative resistant isolates in the pre-COVID-19 time than those in the post-COVID-19 time (p = 0.003, 95% CI: -0.42, -0.09). Among the Nordics, Iceland had the lowest number of resistant isolates; however, lack of national AMR surveillance and high human AMU still remain a great concern for Iceland.
Conclusions
This study showed that the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on AMR in the Nordics. This finding underscores the need to establish standardized AMR surveillance at both national and regional levels in the Nordics. Such a standard protocol would facilitate timely information sharing which will improve our preparedness for and response to future pandemics and/or large-scale outbreaks.