bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Study on the Spatiotemporal Changes and Driving Factors of Habitat Quality in the Yarlung Zangbo River from 2000 to 2020
Authors: Yu CHEN , Yujie KANG , Jingji LI , Yanguo LIU , Qin LIU , Zhengyu LUO , Xiaohui ZHOU , Tingbin ZHANG , Guoyan WANG , Xiaolu TANG , Xiangjun PEI 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

The Yarlung Zangbo River (YLZB), the world's highest-altitude and longest plateau river, its highly vulnerable to global climate change due to its delicate ecological environment. Understanding the changes in habitat quality and their driving factors in the YLZB is crucial for ecological conservation and sustainable development in the region. In this study, we analyze land use data from 2000 to 2020, using land use transfer matrix, habitat quality model, optimal parameter geographic detectors, correlation analysis, and partial least squares structural equation model(PLS-SEM) to explore the spatiotemporal changes in habitat quality in the YLZB from 2000 to 2020. It also quantitatively analyzes the mechanisms driving the differentiation in habitat quality. We also examined the relationships between various driving factors affecting habitat quality differentiation within the basin. The results show that: 1) Forests, grasslands, and unused land cover 94.14% of the basin area. Significant land use changes occurred between 2005 and 2010, with an increase in unused land, forest land, and water bodies, while grasslands, permanent glaciers, and snowfields decreased continuously. 2) The average habitat quality in the YLZB declined from 0.59 to 0.54 between 2000 and 2020, indicating an overall downward trend. Habitat quality patches became more fragmented and diverse, with the most significant decline observed from 2005 to 2010. 3) Habitat quality is higher in the southeast and lower in the west of the study area. From 2000 to 2020, the degraded regions covered a significantly larger area compared to the improved regions. Improved regions, accounting for 17.78% of the area, were mainly concentrated in small basins such as Duoxiong Zangbu and Palong Zangbu. Degraded regions made up 20.48% of the area, and were primarily located in the middle and upper reaches of the YLZB, including counties like Zhongba and cities like Shigatse. 4) NDVI(Normalized Difference Vegetation Index), elevation, and annual average temperature are key factors affecting changes in habitat quality along the YLZB. Elevation indirectly impacts NDVI through its influence on climate conditions, which in turn leads to a decrease in habitat quality. Our study highlights the importance of considering land use changes, such as the conversion of grasslands and the loss of glaciers, in developing effective ecological protection strategies for the YLZB. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the ecological dynamics within the basin and provide valuable insights for sustainable management and conservation efforts.
Evaluating Proxy Tuning for Gaze Tracking in Computer Vision: A Comparative Analysis with Fine-Tuning Methods
Authors: Chen Guangkai 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

This study investigates the effectiveness of proxy tuning in the context of gaze tracking within computer vision, comparing it to traditional fine-tuning methods. Using the Columbia Gaze Data Set, I developed two models: a fine-tuned ResNet-50 and a proxy-tuned ResNet-18. The fine-tuning process updated all layers of the ResNet-50, whereas the proxy tuning employed a smaller expert model and its anti-expert counterpart to adjust the base model’s logits without altering its internal weights. The fine-tuned model showed a consistent decrease in training and validation losses, achieving final losses of 0.6044 and 0.5943, respectively. The proxy-tuned model, despite some validation loss fluctuations, excelled in horizontal gaze estimation with a Mean Squared Error (MSE) of 0.0326 compared to 0.1984 for the fine-tuned model. These results suggest that while fine-tuning is robust for general performance, proxy tuning offers significant advantages for specific tasks. This study highlights proxy tuning as a viable and efficient alternative for adapting large pretrained models to specific tasks in computer vision. Project page: https://github.com/GChenCeph/eye tracking.
Exploring the impact of Durvalumab on biliary tract cancer- insights from real world clinical data
Authors: Doleschal Bernhard , Mavroeidi Ilektra-Antonia , Reimann Patrick , Prager Gerald , Schreil Georg , Taghizadeh Hossein , Webersinke Gerald , Burghofer Jonathan , Reichinger Andreas , Kirchweger Patrick , Winder Thomas , Rumpold Holger , Djanani Angela , Morariu-Marina Darius-Catalin , Kasper Stefan , Schuler Martin , Baba Hideo A. , Benda Magdalena , Schneider Eva-Maria , Mink Sylvia 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Introduction
This study assesses the effectiveness of durvalumab with platinum and gemcitabine for biliary tract cancers (BTC). It aims to confirm the Topaz-1 trial results in a real-world context and explore the link between BTC molecular profiles and patient outcomes.
Methods
A retrospective analysis was conducted on 102 BTC patients treated with durvalumab, platinum, and gemcitabine at five cancer centers in Austria and one in Germany from 2022 to 2024. Molecular profiling used targeted DNA and RNA assays. Clinical endpoints, including progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), were assessed using log-rank tests and Cox regression, with correlations to second-line molecular-targeted therapies.
Results
Among 102 patients, 60.8% had intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. The treatment achieved a disease control rate of 71.57% and an overall response rate of 35.11%. Median PFS was 6.51 months, and OS was 13.61 months. Patients under 65 had significantly better OS. Alterations in Chromatin Remodeling or Homologous Recombination Repair genes were not predictive of survival benefit (HR 0.45; p=0.851 and HR 1.63; p=0.26, respectively). Patients with molecular-informed second-line therapy showed a trend towards survival benefit (HR 0.23, p=0.052).
Conclusion
This study confirms the phase 3 trial results of durvalumab with platinum and gemcitabine, providing a substantial real-world dataset with detailed molecular characterization. No specific patient subgroup showed a markedly better response to durvalumab based on conventional NGS panels. Further research is needed to explore the link between immunotherapy responses and molecular subgroups
Default mode network-basal ganglia network connectivity predicts the transition to postherpetic neuralgia
Authors: Wu Ying , Wang Chao , Qian Wei , Wang Lieju , Yu Lina , Zhang Minming , Yan Min 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Background
Neuroimaging study has revealed aberrant network functional connectivities in postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) patients. However, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the relationship between brain network connectivity in acute period and disease prognosis. The purpose was to detect a characteristic network connectivity in the process of herpes zoster (HZ) pain chronification and identify whether the abnormal network connectivity in acute period can predict outcome of HZ patient.
Methods
In this cross-sectional study, 31 PHN patients, 33 recuperation from herpes zoster (RHZ) patients, and 28 acute herpes zoster (AHZ) patients were recruited and underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). We investigated the differences in four resting-state network (RSN) connectivities among the aboved three groups. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was performed to identify whether the abnormal network connectivity in acute period can predict the outcome of HZ patient.
Results
Firstly, we found within-basal ganglia network (BGN) and default mode network (DMN)-BGN connectivity differences, with PHN patients showing increased DMN-BGN connectivity compared with AHZ and RHZ patients, and RHZ patients showing increased within-BGN connectivity compared with AHZ and PHN patients. Moreover, DMN-BGN connectivity was associated with the ID pain score in AHZ patients. Finally, the DMN-BGN connectivity of AHZ patients can predict the outcome of HZ patients with sensitivity and specificity of 77.8% and 63.2%, respectively.
Conclusions
Our results provide evidence that DMN-BGN connectivity in acute period confers risk for the development of chronic pain and can act as a neuroimaging biomarker to predict the outcome of HZ patients.
Unveiling the authentic secrets of traditional herbal medicines: A comprehensive investigation into metagenomic, metabolomic, and quality assessment of two categories of Codonopsis Pilosula from Shanxi Province
Authors: Wu Yuhui , Meng Xianglong , Han Xiang , Bu Zhulin , Li Yuting , Zhan Haixian , Zhang Shuosheng 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Background The main source of Codonopsis pilosula (CP) is the Campanulaceae family Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf., which is one of the traditional herbal medicines in Shanxi Province, China. In Shanxi Province, CP can be divided into two major categories, Lu CP (Lu dangshen in Chinese, LCP) and Tai CP (Tai dangshen in Chinese, TCP), because of their geographical conditions and traits. Since LCP is cultivated on a large scale, it has emerged as one of the commonly prescribed medicines in TCM clinics. TCP predominantly exists as a wild species. The artificial cultivation technology for TCP has not yet been fully developed, and the availability of wild resources for TCP is limited. There have been few comparative studies on the authentic evaluation of the two types of CPs.
Results The findings revealed that the two types of CPs met the quality standards. With respect to the growing environment, TCP and LCP grow in the same longitudinal extent, with a maximum longitudinal span of only 53'. Both regions presented similar natural environments conducive to the growth of CP. Additionally, the lobetyolin content in TCP was greater than that in LCP. The soil microbial abundance in the TCP group was considerably significantly greater than that in the LCP group, and a new genus, Ascobolus, was found in TCP. Additionally, compared with TCP, LCP materials presented elevated levels of metals. These results not only indicate the main ecological and environmental parameters of Shanxi Province as a suitable production area for CP but also offer differential information for comparisons between the two types of CP specifications in Shanxi Province.
Conclusions TCP and LCP share similar geographical environments for growth. However, TCP features a dense ring pattern beneath the stalk, a high content of lobetyolin, and a new flora, Ascobolus, in the root soil.
Brain structural reorganization mediates the relationship between hearing loss and cognitive impairment
Authors: Wang Yao , Luo Jianfen , Li Wenqing , Han Yu , Ma Wen , Liu Siqi , Xu Lei , Fan Zhaomin , Ai Yu , Su Meixia , Ren Fuxin , Li Fuyan , Wang Haibo , Gao Fei 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Presbycusis is a common disease in the elderly linked to cognitive decline. Studies have shown structural alterationsin brain regions associated with hearing and cognitive function in presbycusis patients. However, the neural mechanisms linking brain structure with hearing loss and cognitive impairment remain unclear. This study investigated neuroanatomical alterations associated with auditory and cognitive functions. A total of 67 presbycusis patients and 68 normal-hearing controls underwent magnetic resonance imaging, auditory assessment, and cognitive assessment. Presbycusis patients were divided into presbycusis cognitive preservation (presbycusis-CP) and presbycusis cognitive impairment (presbycusis-CI) subgroups according to Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores. Atrophy of gray matter volume (GMV) was observed in presbycusis patients. The results indicated that GMV of the hippocampus, superior frontal cortex (SFC), and posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) mediated the connection between hearing loss and cognitive impairment. Interestingly, the hippocampus mediated the relationship between the GMV of the SFC and PCC in presbycusis and with the strongest mediating effect (56.14%) in presbycusis-CI patients. Notably, this was not valid in normal-hearing controls and presbycusis-CP patients. Overall, presbycusis patients, especially presbycusis-CI patients, show a specific reorganization pattern of auditory and cognitive-related brain areas and that the hippocampus may be a specific target for presbycusis-related cognitive impairment.
Comprehensive analysis of gene mutation in neonatal hyperbilirubinemia caused by inherited diseases
Authors: You Jinying , Xiong Lingyun , Wu Minfang , Fan Junsong , Fu Qihua , Qiu Minghua 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

We performed this study to explore the characteristics of genetic mutations associated with NH and analyze the correlation with genetic diseases. One hundred and five patients with NH were obtained between September 2020 and June 2023 from the second Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen Medical College. We analyzed gene mutations in NH caused by inherited diseases by a 25-gene panel. Seventeen frequently mutated genes were found in the 105 patients. UGT1A1 variants were identified among the 71 cases of neonatal Gilbert syndrome. In these patients with sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) deficiency, the primary mutation identified is SLC10A1. ATP7B mutations primarily occur in patients with hepatolenticular degeneration (Wilson's disease). In addition, we found UGT1A1 and G6PD mutations were higher in the high-risk group than low-risk group, while mutations in SLC10A1, ATP7B, and SLC25A13 were more common in the low-risk group. Conclusions: Gene mutations are significantly associated with NH. This study not only contributes to a deeper understanding of the pathogenesis of NH, but also provides new ideas for its prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
Nurse-led Pre-Chemotherapy Education Programme: its effect on the quality of life and psychological distress among patients with breast cancer; a Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Rani Ruchika , Kaur Sukhpal 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Patients with breast cancer experience various physical symptoms and psychological distress, associated with disease and treatment modalities such as chemotherapy, which adversely affect their quality of life. This demands that nurses take a proactive role in educating and preparing patients and their family members to cope with illness.
Objective: This study aimed to assess the impact of a nurse-led prechemotherapy education (ChemoED) programme on quality of life, and psychological distress among breast cancer patients.
Methods: In a randomized controlled trial, a parallel-group design was used with newly diagnosed patients with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy for the first time at AIIMS, Rishikesh, India. Eighty patients were randomized, with 40 in the experimental group and 40 in the control group. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C-30 (EORTC QLQ C-30) version-3, the EORTC QLQ BR-23 and the Hospital Anxiety and Distress Scale (HADS) were used to assess the quality of life and psychological distress, respectively, of the patients at baseline (before the first cycle of chemotherapy) and at the fourth cycle of chemotherapy.
Results: The mean quality of life scores were significantly greater in the experimental group than in the control group, in terms of global health status (p=0.00), functional scores (p=0.00), and symptom scores (p=0.00). Similarly, the mean HADS score was significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group (p=0.05). Fatigue, nausea/vomiting, and anorexia were the patients' most reported symptoms.
Conclusion: Nurse-led prechemotherapy education programs effectively improve quality of life and reduce psychological distress among chemotherapy patients. The study also reflects the need to develop nurse-led care programs in hospitals that can prepare patients well to cope with disease and treatment in a better way.
Trial Registration: Trial REF/2019/05/025755, date of registration: 26th August 2019
Elevated Serum Growth Differentiation Factor 15 and Decorin Predict the Fibrotic Progression of Metabolic Dysfunction Associated Steatotic Liver Disease
Authors: Chang Jae Seung , Ahn Jhii-Hyun , Kim Moon Young , Park Kyu-Sang 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Background
Mitochondrial dysfunction with oxidative stress contributes to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) progression. We aimed to evaluate the fibrosis predictive efficacy of a novel non-invasive diagnostic panel using metabolic stress biomarkers.
Methods
From a population-based general cohort, 343 volunteers were recruited in the development group and underwent magnetic resonance imaging-based liver examinations, anthropometric and laboratory tests. As an external validation group, 41 patients enrolled in a biopsy-evaluated MASLD cohort participated in this study. Liver fat content and stiffness were measured by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging-proton density fat fraction and MR elastography (MRE), respectively. Serologic stress biomarkers were quantitated by ELISA.
Results
Multivariate regression showed that waist-to-height ratio, growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF15), γ-glutamyltransferase, decorin, and alkaline-phosphatase were independent predictors of hepatic fibrosis (rank-ordered by Wald). The area under receiver-operator characteristics curve [AUROC (95% CI)) of the metabolic stress index for fibrosis (MSI-F) was 0.912(0.85‒0.98) and 0.977(0.92‒1.00) in development and validation groups, respectively. MSI-F also had better diagnostic accuracy (82.6%‒92.4%) than other fibrosis indices in the both study cohorts. MSI-F consistently differentiated fibrosis severities across cohorts of MRE-evaluated general population and biopsy-proven patients with MASLD, while other indices showed no or less discrimination.
Conclusions
MSI-F, as a novel non-invasive index based on a stress-stimulated protective hormone GDF15 and decorin, effectively predicted hepatic fibrosis. Furthermore, MSI-F may serve as pre-screening tool to increase the population that could be excluded from further evaluation, reducing unnecessary invasive investigations more effectively than other indices.
Factors affecting Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus transmission in rural Ugandan households, a longitudinal study
Authors: Sabourin Katherine R. , Marshall Vickie A. , Eaton Will , Kimono Beatrice , Mugisha Joseph , Miley Wendell J. , Labo Nazzarena , Samayoa-Reyes Gabriela , Whitby Denise , Rochford Rosemary , Newton Robert 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Background
We report the impact of HIV infection within a household on oral Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) shedding.
Methods
We enrolled 469 individuals from 90 households. Mouthwash rinse samples collected at three monthly visits, were analyzed for KSHV DNA using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Generalized linear mixed effects logistic models were applied to analyze factors associated with KSHV ever shedding, and among shedders, always versus intermittent shedding. Linear mixed effects models were applied to models of KSHV viral loads. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated to assess the contribution of household-level factors to variations in shedding probabilities. Hotspot analyses of geospatial feature clusters were calculated using Getis-Ord Gi* statistic and visualized using inverse distance weighted interpolation.
Results
Analyses included 340 KSHV seropositive individuals, aged 3 + years, with qPCR results from 89 households. Forty households had 1 + persons living with HIV (PLWH), while 49 had none. Among participants, 149(44%) were KSHV ever shedders. Of 140 who shed KSHV at two or more visits, 34(24%) were always shedders. Increasing number of KSHV seropositive household members was significantly associated with ever shedding [Odds ratio(OR) (95% Confidence Interval(95%CI)):1.14(1.03,1.26);p = 0.013]. Among KSHV shedders, a statistically significant age-related trend was identified with 10–19 years being more likely to be always shedders (type III test p = 0.039) and to have higher viral loads (type III test p = 0.027). In addition, higher viral loads were significantly associated with increasing number of household members [coefficient(95%CI):0.06(0.01,0.12);p = 0.042], increasing number of KSHV seropositive members [coefficient(95%CI):0.08(0.01,0.15);p = 0.021], and living in households with 1 + PLWH [coefficient(95%CI):0.51(0.04,0.98);p = 0.033]. Always shedders exhibited higher viral loads than intermittent shedders [coefficient(95%CI):1.62(1.19,2.05);p < 0.001], and viral loads increased with the number of visits where KSHV DNA was detected in saliva (type III test p < 0.001). Household-level factors attributed for 19% of the variability in KSHV shedding (ICC:0.191;p = 0.010). Geospatial analysis indicated overlapping hotspots of households with more KSHV seropositive individuals and KSHV shedders, distinct from areas where PLWH were clustered.
Discussion
KSHV oral shedding is influenced by multiple factors at the individual, household, and regional levels. To mitigate ongoing KSHV transmission a comprehensive understanding of factors contributing to oral KSHV reactivation and transmission within households is needed.
A Novel Parallel Approach to Image Processing for High-Performance Computing
Authors: Al-Neam Mohammed W. , Abdulrahman Eman H. , Ali Salwa M. 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

As the utilization of big data and the computational requirements have increased the demand for superior image processing procedures has been of supreme importance. When it comes to the large amount of calculations that today’s high-resolution images and computationally heavy algorithms demand, serial computations do not suffice. This paper describes a new parallel algorithm for image processing suitable for application to high-performance computing. Taking advantage of the parallel computing environment and efficient algorithms which are used in the proposed approach, the response time is considerably improved. Data supporting this indeed can be best illustrated by the experiments conducted in this paper and they include filtering, edge detection and segmentation of images. The presented parallel strategy also minimized computational period and scaled effectively with enlargement and compounding of image collections. Such findings suggest significant enhancements in the performance outcomes in contrast to the results obtained from conventional methods suggesting the potential of parallel processing for bringing about revolutionary changes in image processing paradigms in high-performance computing environments.