bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Carotid Artery Vibrations by Using Optical Flow Methods on Ultrasound Images and Optical Flow
Authors: Rabiee Saba , Rangraz Parisa , Shalbaf Ahmad 
Published: September 2024

Purpose: This study aims to extract carotid wall vibrations non-invasively and evaluate changes in the carotid artery caused by age, BMI, and sex. Such evaluation can increase the possibility of detecting wall stiffness and atherosclerosis in the early stages and prevent heart attack and death.
Materials and Methods: To extract small vibrations of the carotid wall, the image-tracking method, and optical flow with four different methods were used. The study involved twenty participants, comprising six females and fourteen males, with a mean age of 36.25 years, mean weight of 75.2 Kg, and mean BMI of 25. The posterior wall motion and vibration were extracted using ultrasound RF signals.
Results: 4 optical flow methods, Gunnar-Farneback, Horn- Schunk, Lucas-Kanade, and Lucas-Kanade derivative were used for all samples, and covariance, correlation, P-value, and R-squared were estimated. Results showed the differences in parameters such as age and BMI with carotid wall vibration. These values for age are (Cov = -0.1891, Corr = -0.6770, P-value < 0.001, r2 = -0.4590) and for BMI are (Cov = -0.0564, Corr = -0.6510, P-value < 0.001, r2 = 0.4238), respectively. For gender as a new parameter, a comparison between men’s and women’s vibrations was estimated. The range of measured vibrations by optical flow methods is about 0.0002 µm to 0.1µm, and the mean standard deviation is 0.04967 µm.
Conclusion: The results presented that gender affects the vibration of the vessel wall, which in men is more than in women. In addition, increasing age and BMI may increase the stiffness of the carotid wall and reduce vibrations that were evaluated previously. Using the Gunner-Farneback method as image tracking for small vibrations is the best way with the highest accuracy.
Synthesis of Ag/Cu decorated 3D self-assembled nanowire TiO2 Photocatalyst for Hydrogen Production: A Promising Pathway towards Sustainable Energy Generation
Authors: Wadhai Sachin , Thakur Pragati 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Here synthesis and characterization of TiO2 with different morphologies along with the cost-effective bimetallic decoration on optimized 3D self-assembled nanowire TiO2 (NWT) photocatalyst (Ag/Cu-NWT) with overwhelming hydrogen production rate is reported. All the photocatalysts were well characterised by different characterization techniques. Initially, the effect of morphology change obtained by changing the NaOH concentration has been studied for TiO2. Morphology obtained at 10 M NaOH solution i.e., NWT (678 μmol/g) showed better hydrogen production than morphology obtained at 5M (410 μmol/g), 15M (210 μmol/g) and 20M (160 μmol/g) NaOH solutions. Further with the aim to achieve comparable or better activity low cost photocatalyst as compared to Pt-TiO2 system, NWT was decorated with various Cu percentages and then with minimal percentage of Ag on optimized Cu-NWT photocatalyst. The observed trend for photocatalytic hydrogen production has been found to be P25 TiO2 < NWT < 1.0Cu-NWT < 0.5Pt-NWT ≤ 0.1Ag/1.0Cu-NWT. The marked increase by a factor of 103 in hydrogen production for the optimized bimetallic 0.1Ag/1.0Cu-NWT (10,184 μmol/g) photocatalyst compared to P25 TiO2 (99 μmol/g), nearly threefold increment in hydrogen production than optimized 1.0 Cu-NWT (3,907 μmol/g) photocatalyst and comparable hydrogen production as compared to 0.5Pt-NWT (10,050 μmol/g) may be attributed to the successful synthesis of a highly porous NWT morphology, which offers large surface area, increased light absorption combined with the synergistic effects of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and the Schottky barrier for H+ reduction to H2 gas. The optimization of TiO2 morphology and inexpensive bimetallic decoration strategy opens up promising opportunities for the development of cost-effective photocatalysts in the realm of energy and environment.
Shaping Tomorrow's Doctors: The Impact of Socioeconomic and Institutional Factors on Medical Education Quality in Brazil
Authors: Brito Quécia Hosana Fatel , Silva Flávia Guimarães Menezes , Menezes Rodrigo C. , Avena Kátia de Miranda , Andrade Bruno Bezerril , Quintanilha Luiz Fernando 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Background.
Education has a transformative power in society, promoting economic and social development. In medical education, the quality of training results in the graduation of well-prepared doctors and directly influences the care provided to the population. In Brazil, the quality of medical training is assessed through the National Student Performance Exam (Enade). This study aims to analyze the institutional, social, and economic determinants of the quality of medical education in Brazil.
Methods.
An ecological study was conducted with 933 Brazilian higher education institutions participating in the Enade for the Medicine course from 2007 to 2019. Public government websites were used to analyze institutional, social, and economic aspects of medical training quality. Group comparisons and a multivariable logistic regression model were conducted to examine the associations between geographic and institutional characteristics with the Enade score, categorizing institutions into high and low score groups.
Results.
The average Enade score of medical schools in Brazil was 2.7, with the highest proportion of high scores in the South (62.4%) and Central-West (57.3%) regions, and low scores in the North (76.4%), Southeast (64.1%) and Northeast (52.6%) regions. The proportion of medical schools with high Enade scores increased over time (p < 0.001), and they demonstrated significantly higher performance in general knowledge tests (+ 10.6%; 64.4 vs 58.20) and specific knowledge tests (+ 16.0%; 65.4 vs 56.4). Geographic location was a determining factor of Enade results. Factors associated with better student performance in Enade included a well-rated didactic-pedagogical organization (OR: 1.62 [CI: 1.10–2.40]), a more qualified faculty in terms of academic degrees (OR: 1.81 [CI: 1.27–2.59]), and being publicly administered (OR: 5.74 [CI: 3.44–9.95]).
Conclusion.
This study highlights significant variations in training quality among medical schools nationwide, with the Center-South region showing a higher proportion of institutions achieving high Enade scores compared to more socioeconomically vulnerable regions. Institutional characteristics such as a well-rated didactic-pedagogical organization, a highly qualified faculty, and public administration are associated with better exam performance.
Species composition, morphological variation, and host preferences of epiphytic bryophytes in dominant forest types in central Himalaya
Authors: Bargali Ravinder , Joshi Rajendra Kr. 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Bryophytes are the second largest group of land plants constituting an essential part of the forest ecosystem. Only limited studies have been carried out on the epiphytic bryophytes of the Himalayan region. The present study was done to assess the species composition, morphological variation, and host preferences of epiphytic bryophytes on the stem bark of four dominant phorophytes namely; Quercus leucotrichophora A.Camus, Quercus floribunda Lindl. ex A.Camus, Quercus semecarpifolia Sm. and Pinus excelsa Wall. in their respective forest sites i.e. Kailakhan (1845–1950 m), Lands’ End (2000–2230 m), Naina Peak (2400–2600 m) and Sigri (2100–2450 m), respectively. The effect of tree canopy and substrate on the epiphytic bryophytes was also analyzed. Fifty-nine bryophyte species were recorded in all phorophytes belonging to 44 genera, 25 families, and nine orders. The maximum number of species belonged to the family Brachytheciaceae (seven) followed by Thuidiaceae (six). Three morphological forms (acrocarpous mosses, pleurocarpous mosses, and leafy liverworts) and five growth forms (tuft, mat, turf, pendant, and weft) were found in collected bryophyte species. Species richness varied from 23 on Q. leucotrichophora to 40 on P. excelsa. A maximum (of 32) species were reported from girth class D (P. excelsa) and a minimum (of nine) from girth class A (Q. floribunda). Tree bark pH and moisture content were found significant factors for the distribution of epiphytic bryophytes in forests. On the basis of regression analysis, Bark pH contributed to 8.64% of species richness, while moisture contributed 21.67% to species of the epiphytic bryophytes. The present study will be highly useful in assessing conservation status and predicting the effect of changing abiotic factors on bryophyte distribution and productivity.
Automatic Detection, Classification, and Segmentation of Sagittal MR Images for Diagnosing Prolapsed Lumbar Intervertebral Disc
Authors: Sayed Md. Abu , Rahman G.M. Mahmudur , Islam Md. Sherajul , Islam Md. Alimul , Park Jeongwon , Mahmud Hasan , Akram Himon , Shahriar Rahat 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Magnetic resonance (MR) images are commonly used to diagnose prolapsed lumbar intervertebral disc (PLID). However, for a computer-aided diagnostic (CAD) system, distinguishing between pathological abnormalities of PLID in MR images is a challenging and intricate task. Here, we propose a comprehensive model for the automatic detection and cropping of regions of interest (ROI) from sagittal MR images using the YOLOv8 framework to solve this challenge. We also propose weighted average ensemble (WAE) classification and segmentation models for the classification and the segmentation, respectively. YOLOv8 has good detection accuracy for both the lumbar region (mAP50 = 99.50%) and the vertebral disc (mAP50 = 99.40%). The use of ROI approaches enhances the accuracy of individual models. Specifically, the classification accuracy of the WAE classification model reaches 97.64%, while the segmentation model achieves a Dice value of 95.72%. This automatic technique would improve the diagnostic process by offering enhanced accuracy and efficiency in the assessment of PLID.
Reconfigurable Robot Swarms for Terrain Traversal with Passive Coupling Mechanisms
Authors: Yi Sha , Singh Shashwat , Seo Allison , Pierre Ryan St. , Sycara Katia , Temel Zeynep 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

In biological swarms, army ants and bees have demonstrated the ability to form functional structures for collaborative tasks. Achieving similar functionality with robot swarms requires forming connections between robots using electrical, magnetic, or mechanical means. Our research introduces the PuzzleBots—robot swarms equipped with passive coupling mechanisms that enable collective behavior. These mechanisms leverage the individual mobility and dexterity of each robot to achieve complex assemblies. By coupling together, PuzzleBots can form both rigid and flexible structures that significantly enhance their ability to navigate challenging terrains. Rigid structures offer high load-bearing and transportation capabilities, while flexible structures provide compliance with environmental geometries. We demonstrated that these assembled structures can be precisely controlled using our distributed Model Predictive Control framework, enabling them to traverse rough and discontinuous terrains. Our results show that passive coupling in robot swarms not only improves terrain traversal capabilities but also enhances adaptability to different environments through reconfiguration, surpassing the capabilities of individual robots.
Identification of reproduction-related genes in the hypothalamus of the sheep (Ovis aries) using the ONT full-length transcriptome sequencing technology
Authors: Wang Tong , Ji Zhibin , Xiao Xue , Zhu Dejie , Li Hengyi , Li Xinyu 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

The hypothalamus is the coordination center of the sheep (Ovis aries) endocrine system and plays an important role in the reproductive processes of the sheep. However, the specific mechanism by which the hypothalamus affects sheep reproductive performance remains unclear. In this study, the hypothalamus tissues of high-reproduction small-tailed Han sheep and low-reproduction Wadi sheep were collected, and full-length transcriptome sequencing by Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) was performed to explore the key functional genes associated with sheep fecundity. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened and enriched using DESeq2 software through Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). Approximately 41.75 million clean reads were obtained from the hypothalamus tissues of high- and low-reproduction sheep; after quality control, 32,194,872 high-quality full-length sequences and 2,114 DEGs were obtained, including 1,247 upregulated genes and 867 downregulated genes (P adjust < 0.05, |log2FC|>1). Some DEGs were enriched in oocyte meiosis, progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation, estrogen signaling pathway, GnRH signaling pathway and other development-related signaling pathways. The constructed protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks identified the reproduction-related genes, such as GSK3B, PPP2R1B, and PPP2CB. The results of this study will enrich and supplement the genomic information available for small-tailed Han sheep and Wadi sheep, as well as expand the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of animal reproduction by the hypothalamus, and also provide reference data for further investigations on the mechanism of high reproduction in sheep.
Damage constitutive model and mechanical properties of a concrete‒limestone composite after acid corrosion
Authors: Wang Jie , Du Bin , Shen Mingxuan , Li Yukun , Yuan Shisong 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Long-term erosion by acidic solutions in karst regions leads to continuous deterioration of the physical and mechanical properties at the interfaces of engineering structures, adversely affecting their operational performance. To investigate the degradation patterns of the mechanical properties and corrosion mechanisms of the concrete‒limestone composite (CLC) after exposure to acidic corrosion, three kinds of CLC samples treated with acidic solutions of different pH values were fabricated. Mechanical property analysis was conducted via triaxial compression testing methods. Lemaitre's strain equivalence hypothesis was utilized, and on the basis of the assumption that the strength of rock microelements follows a Weibull distribution, the damage to microelements due to acidic corrosion was combined with compressive failure. The study results indicate that acidic corrosion significantly affects the mechanical properties and failure modes of CLCs. As the pH of the solution decreased from 7 to 5 and then to 3, the peak strengths of the samples decreased by 16.6% and 11.92%, respectively, whereas the elastic moduli decreased by 25.36% and 23.13%, respectively. Furthermore, with increasing confining pressure, the peak and residual strengths of the composite significantly improved; the residual strength increased from 8.2 MPa to 86.93 MPa as the confining pressure increased from 0 to 10 MPa. Finally, by introducing a damage constitutive model corrected for postpeak residual strength, the stress‒strain full-process curves of CLCs under different degrees of acidic corrosion were more accurately simulated. The validation results confirm the applicability and accuracy of the established model, providing a theoretical basis and technical support for understanding and predicting the mechanical behavior of limestone–concrete structures in acidic environments.
Cooperative metaheuristic algorithm for global optimization and engineering problems inspired by heterosis theory
Authors: Cai Ting , Zhang Songsong , Ye Zhiwei , Zhou Wen , Wang Mingwei , He Qiyi , Chen Ziyuan , Bai Wanfang 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Swarm Intelligence-based metaheuristic algorithms (MAs) are widely applied to global optimization and engineering design problems. However, these algorithms often suffer from two main drawbacks: susceptibility to the local optima in large search spaces and slow convergence rates. To address these issues, this paper develops a novel cooperative metaheuristic algorithm (CMA) inspired by Heterosis theory. Firstly, the CMA population is divided into three subpopulations for cooperative evolution. Subsequently, the Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm is employed to conduct global and local searches. To enhance global search capability and prevent the algorithm from getting trapped in the local optima, Levy flights are utilized. For fine-tuning local searches, the Ant Colony Optimization algorithm is applied, utilizing path exploration and pheromone updates to guide and refine the search process. Then, the global optima of the three subpopulations are shared through a ring information exchange mechanism, combined with an elite attribute-based learning strategy to accelerate convergence. Additionally, to ensure population stability and diversity, a similarity-based strategy is used to dynamically adjust the communication frequency among subpopulations, facilitating smooth transitions between exploration and exploitation. To validate the effectiveness of CMA, this study evaluates the algorithm using 26 well-known benchmark functions and 5 real-world engineering problems. Experimental results demonstrate that CMA outperforms the 10 state-of-the-art algorithms evaluated in the study.
Study on the occurrence characteristics of arsenic in copper matte
Authors: Wang Dawei , Tang Jinyao , Song Yuxia 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

The occurrence characteristics of arsenic in matte phase are unclear, which leads to the current treatment technology not being able to remove arsenic from matte phase significantly, thus causing a large amount of arsenic to affect smelting links such as copper converting and electrolytic refining. This paper uses instrumental analysis such as XRD, SEM-EDS, MLA and chemical analysis methods such as chemical phase extraction to comprehensively analyze the occurrence characteristics of arsenic in matte phase. The results show that the occurrence states of arsenic in matte are mainly arsenic sulfide, arsenic oxide, arsenate and residual arsenic. Most of the arsenic is in residual state in matte; arsenic in matte is extremely stable and difficult to exchange with the outside world; in high-grade matte, the arsenic content is relatively high. The main occurrence state of arsenic is copper-based complex alloy compounds, in which the arsenic content is about 1%-10%. Since the metal bond between Cu-As is extremely stable, it is difficult to separate arsenic from it, which is also the key to the difficulty in completely removing arsenic from matte.
Longstanding outdoor anti-/deicing performance of photothermal mosquito-eye-like micro-nanostructure arrays
Authors: Zheng Yongmei , Zhou Maolin , Zhu Lingmei , Gao Chang , Yu Dongdong , Luo Qaing , Hou Yongping 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Photothermal icephobic surfaces, poised to revolutionize the anti-icing technology landscape, face significant hurdles in stability, photothermal efficiency, and cost-effectiveness that impede their transition to practical applications1-6. Here, inspired by the superhydrophobic and antireflective micro-nanostructures of mosquito compound eyes7,8, we show a strategy to design a stable and efficient icephobic surface with mosquito-eye-like micro-nanostructure (IPMM). The unique bionic micro-nanostructures are created through the self-assembly of candle soot on the microspine. The IPMM demonstrates an impressively low adhesion force of 25.4 µN at -5°C. The distinctive mosquito-eye-like micro-nanostructures of the IPMM achieve a high robustness against liquid pressure, facilitating the rapid rebound of impacting droplets even at temperatures as low as -9°C. Furthermore, the mosquito-eye-like micro-nanostructure enhances photothermal efficiency by capturing geometric light. Under one sun illumination, the IPMM exhibits a temperature rise rate of up to 9°C·min-1, resulting in remarkable photothermal defrosting (2.03 kg·m-2·h-1) and deicing efficiencies (13.32 kg·m-2·h-1). During outdoor photothermal deicing test, the IPMM eliminates an ice layer (8 mm thick) within 1360 s, notwithstanding the adverse effects of temperature variations induced by cold wind. This studying offers a feasible approach for crafting icephobic surface endowed with stable anti-icing and photothermal deicing properties, poised to propel the anti-icing field towards greater economy, simplicity, and efficiency.
Evaluation of Flood Hazard Vulnerabilities and Innovative Management Strategies in Afghanistan's Central Region
Authors: Mushwani Hayatullah , Arabzai Abidullah , Safi Lutfullah , Ullah Hayat , Afghan Amirullah , Parven Afshana 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

This study assessed flood hazard vulnerable areas and highlighted flood management strategies in central Afghanistan to enhance flood resilience. The study utilized geospatial techniques, AHP, a comprehensive literature review, and key informant interviews for flood management strategies. The lack of region-level flood management policies, flood hazard mapping, and poor flood management governance are key challenges. This study found significant flood vulnerability in Panjsher, Parwan, Wardak, Kapisa, and Kabul. Geographic Information System (GIS) methods categorize flood hazard vulnerable areas as follows: very high (3750 km²), high (4327 km²), moderate (5481 km²), low (6923 km²), and very low (8365 km²) From a total land 28,846 Km2. Interviews revealed flood management and solution strategies, such as pre-flood strategies (local plans, building codes, drainage systems, dams, monitoring, stakeholder engagement) and post-flood strategies (shelter, medical care, evacuations, infrastructure recovery, economic restoration, and public health). Therefore, the government and responsible NGOs are encouraged to implement flood hazard management strategies to reduce the risk and vulnerability to flood hazards.
Sarcopenia in cirrhotic patients waiting for liver transplantation: is diabetes an additional aggravating factor?
Authors: Grancini Valeria , Gaglio Alessia , Alicandro Gianfranco , Cogliati Irene , Oliverio Andreina , Resi Veronica , Pigotskaya Yana , Giacchetti Federico , Orsi Emanuela 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Diabetes is a well demonstrated risk factor for poor prognosis in people with chronic liver disease. Conversely, the presence of hepatopathy may affect glucose homeostasis. In people with cirrhosis, sarcopenia is related to increased pre- and post-liver transplantation (LT) mortality. Diabetes mellitus and sarcopenia are both known complications of end-stage liver disease but, to date, no studies aimed at assess the clinical impact of their co-presence in LT-candidates are available. We performed a cross-sectional, single-center, observational study to assess the presence of sarcopenia in 112 people with cirrhosis and waiting for LT to investigate any correlation between this condition and the presence of glucose abnormalities. In our population, 10 (8.9%) subjects was diagnosed as sarcopenic. Diabetes appears to be strongly associated with sarcopenia in individuals with cirrhosis, affecting 100% of people from the sarcopenic (S) group (vs 59.8% in the non-sarcopenic -NS group). Subjects from the S group were older and showed lower BMI and fat mass vs subjects from NS group. Concerning to dietary behaviors, individuals from the S group showed adequate protein intake and achieved the recommended daily intake of fibers, as recommended in the context of nutritional trainings, routinely proposed to this population. In conclusion, the recognition and metabolic characterization of such frail individuals would allow to target them with structured nutritional and lifestyle educational programs, with the aim to achieve a better metabolic status in view of LT.