bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prescribed Performance Backstepping and Sliding Mode Control for Automated Platoons With Internal Type-2 Fuzzy Logic and Exponential Spacing Policy
Authors: Negash Natnael M. , Tang Shu-Xia , Yang James 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
This study presents a control strategy employing a hybrid backstepping and sliding mode control (BSMC) approach for automated platoons. The control scheme integrates an exponential spacing policy tailored to varying driving conditions and vehicle constraints. We introduce an interval type-2 fuzzy logic system (IT2FLS) to approximate the unknown nonlinear driving resistance term. This technique yields interval outputs, incorporating uncertain mean and standard deviation in the membership functions of inputs, thereby enhancing the system’s adaptability. We include a prescribed performance control using an asymmetric prescribed performance function to ensure string stability and confine spacing errors within a desired range. This technique eliminates the need for complex Laplace transform computations to check string stability. To validate the robustness of the proposed controller, we conduct simulations under fault and fault-free conditions, demonstrating the efficacy of the proposed approach.
Phage-mediated resolution of genetic conflict alters the evolutionary trajectory of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
lysogens
Authors: Suttenfield Laura C. , Rapti Zoi , Chandrashekhar Jayadevi H. , Steinlein Amelia C. , Vera Juan Cristobal , Kim Ted , Whitaker Rachel J. 
Published: August 2024

ABSTRACT

The opportunistic human pathogen
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
is naturally infected by a large class of temperate, transposable, Mu-like phages. We examined the genotypic and phenotypic diversity of
P. aeruginosa
PA14 lysogen populations as they resolve clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat
(
CRISPR) autoimmunity, mediated by an imperfect CRISPR match to the Mu-like DMS3 prophage. After 12 days of evolution, we measured a decrease in spontaneous induction in both exponential and stationary phase growth. Co-existing variation in spontaneous induction rates in the exponential phase depended on the way the coexisting strains resolved genetic conflict. Multiple mutational modes to resolve genetic conflict between host and phage resulted in coexistence in evolved populations of single lysogens that maintained CRISPR immunity to other phages and polylysogens that lost immunity completely. This work highlights a new dimension of the role of lysogenic phages in the evolution of their hosts.

IMPORTANCE

The chronic opportunistic multi-drug-resistant pathogen
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
is persistently infected by temperate phages. We assess the contribution of temperate phage infection to the evolution of the clinically relevant strain UCBPP-PA14. We found that a low level of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-mediated self-targeting resulted in polylysogeny evolution and large genome rearrangements in lysogens; we also found extensive diversification in CRISPR spacers and
cas
genes. These genomic modifications resulted in decreased spontaneous induction in both exponential and stationary phase growth, increasing lysogen fitness. This work shows the importance of considering latent phage infection in characterizing the evolution of bacterial populations.
Anatomical evaluation of the superficial parasternal intercostal plane block
Authors: Harbell Monica , Nelson James A , Langley Natalie R , Seamans David P , Craner Ryan 
Published: August 2024

Background and objectivesFew cadaveric studies have evaluated the dye spread with superficial parasternal intercostal plane (SPIP) blocks. In this study, we examined the dye spread of an ultrasound-guided SPIP block in a human cadaveric model with single and double injection techniques.MethodsSeven single and four double ultrasound-guided SPIP blocks were performed in seven unembalmed human cadavers using an in-plane approach with the transducer oriented parasagitally 1 cm lateral to the sternum. For the single SPIP, 20 mL of 0.166% methylene blue was injected in the second or third intercostal space into the plane between the Pec major muscle and internal intercostal muscles. For the double SPIP, 10 mL of 0.166% methylene blue was injected in the SPIP at one intercostal space with an additional 10 mL injected in the SPIP two intercostal spaces caudally. The extent of dye spread was documented.ResultsFor all SPIP injections, there was consistent mediolateral spread from the sternum to the mid-clavicular line, with many extending laterally to the anterior axillary line. There was craniocaudal spread to a median of 2 intercostal muscles with a single SPIP and 3 intercostal muscles with a double SPIP. There was a median spread to 1 intercostal nerve for the single SPIP and 1.5 intercostal nerves with the double SPIP.ConclusionsThe SPIP block demonstrated limited spread in this cadaver study. A single injection of this block may be of limited value and multiple SPIP injections may be needed to have adequate spread for anterior thoracic procedures.
Health literacy development using a short drama programme for dengue fever control in Thailand
Authors: Padchasuwan Natnapa Heebkaew , Junggoth Rittirong , Maneenin Naowarat , Phimha Surachai , Benchamas Jinthapa , Thammasarn Krittiyanee 
Published: August 2024

Background: Dengue is a viral infection that spreads from mosquitoes to people. It is especially prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. To address the challenges posed by dengue in countries such as Thailand, effective prevention and control to strengthen health literacy at the community level is needed. One way of achieving this goal is to work with village health volunteers (VHVs). This article documents the use of VHVs for dengue fever prevention in Mueang district, Khon Kaen province, northeast Thailand. Method: A quasi-experimental study was conducted. The experimental group comprised 45 people who received a programme that aimed to enhance health literacy through the provision of knowledge and social support by community-based volunteers accompanied by a short drama programme. A group of 45 people receiving health services without the drama programme comprised the comparison group. The duration of the activity was 12 weeks. Data were collected by means of a pre- and post-test survey and were analysed using descriptive statistics and a comparison of mean health literacy and practice scores before and after the intervention. Results: Following programme delivery, the experimental group had a mean health literacy score which was significantly higher than that of the comparison group, while the mean practice score of the experimental group was also higher than that of the comparison group. Conclusion: The results suggest that a health literacy programme which includes a short drama programme could be effective in bringing about desired changes with respect to dengue fever prevention. The programme provided in this study was effective and easy to understand. The model developed here could also be useful in other villages in epidemic areas.
Clinical significance of serum soluble scavenger receptor CD163 in patients with lupus nephritis
Authors: Liu Yanjie , Li Meiyan , Zhang Huamei , Yin Zhe , Wang Xiaoli 
Published: August 2024

Background The soluble CD163 (sCD163) was elevated in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Purpose To study whether serum sCD163 could be used to predict the occurrence and prognosis of lupus nephritis (LN). Research Design The recruited patients were classified into different groups according to standard identification criteria. Study Sample The patients with LN. Data Collection and Analysis 11 indices were analyzed and compared in SLE and LN patients. Furthermore, the level of serum sCD163 was detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Meanwhile, the receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to evaluate the prediction effect of sCD163. Additionally, spearman correlation analysis of serum sCD163 with indices was conducted. Results There were six positive indices and one negative risk factor correlated to LN. sCD163 was elevated in LN patients and could be used to diagnose LN. Importantly, sCD163 was increased in LN patients with a heavy SLE disease activity index. Finally, it was revealed that the level of sCD163 was higher in the LN patients with no response than that with complete or partial response, which also could predict the prognosis of LN. Conclusions Serum sCD163 was elevated in LN patients than in SLE patients, which could be used to predict the occurrence and prognosis of LN.
Pinobanksin Attenuates Cerebral Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury in Rats Through Mitigating the Inflammatory Responses
Authors: Bie Tianmin , Jia Feng , Wang Yongmei , Pan Zhuoyan 
Published: August 2024

Background Stroke is a collection of disorders that develop due to the rapid rupture of blood vessels in the brain or due to the blockage of blood flow. Ischemic stroke (IS) has high mortality as well as morbidity rates. Purpose The current work aimed to investigate the neuroprotective activities of pinobanksin against cerebral ischemic/reperfusion (C I/R) injury in a rat model through its anti-inflammatory properties. Methods Male Wistar albino rats underwent the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) method to initiate I/R injury. The experimental rats were orally treated with pinobanksin at various doses after 2 hours of MCAO operation. The infarct size, neurological score, edema and water content, and Evans blue assay were assessed. The inflammatory cytokines and biomarker (nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)) levels were studied using commercial kits. Histopathological analysis was performed on the brain tissues. Results The treatment with pinobanksin successfully mitigated the neurological deficits, edema and water content, infarct size, and Evans blue leakage in the C I/R-induced rats. The pro-inflammatory cytokine levels were reduced and interleukin-10 was increased by the pinobanksin in the I/R rats. The pinobanksin also effectively reduced NF-κB, PGE2, and COX-2 levels in I/R rats. The pinobanksin treatment effectively attenuated the brain histological alterations. Conclusion Altogether, this work highlighted the neuroprotective activity of pinobanksin in the C I/R injury in rats. The present findings could aid in the development of pinobanksin as a novel therapeutic intervention to prevent or reduce IS-induced brain injury.
Long-term results of 292 CarpoFit®-joint replacements for trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis: a prospective cohort study with a 10-year follow-up
Authors: Joosten Uwe , Jeys Lee M. , Becker Georg , Grüning Christian , Kusmenkov Thomas , Schober Robert , Joist Alexander 
Published: August 2024

We report a prospective consecutive series of CarpoFit® (Implantcast, Buxtehude, Germany) trapeziometacarpal prostheses used between 2006 and 2014 for 292 patients with stage I–III trapeziometacarpal arthritis who remained symptomatic after conservative treatment. Patients were assessed at 3 months, 6 months and 1 year postoperatively for thumb movement, pinch strength and by validated patient-derived outcome scores and radiographs. Follow-up at 5 and 10 years was by outcome scores alone. Complications and revisions were recorded. Of the patients, 91% were either satisfied or very satisfied with their treatment at 10 years. Pain relief and functional outcomes were significantly improved within 3 months. Results were sustained during the entire observation period. The implant survival was 95% after 10 years. Prosthetic arthroplasty is a reliable treatment option for trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis and the CarpoFit® prosthesis has excellent long-term results for patient satisfaction, functional scores and implant survivorship. Level of evidence: III
Comparing discrete choice and machine learning models in predicting destination choice
Authors: Rahnasto Ilona , Hollestelle Martijn 
Published: August 2024

AbstractDestination choice modeling has long been dominated by theory-based discrete choice models. Simultaneously, machine learning has demonstrated improved predictive performance to other fields of discrete choice modeling. The objective of this research was to compare machine learning models and a multinomial logit model in predicting destination choice. The models were assessed on their predictive performance using metrics for both binary classification and probabilistic classification. The results indicate that machine learning models, especially a random forest model, could bring improvements in prediction accuracy. The more data was used in training the models, the better the machine learning models tended to perform compared to the multinomial logit model. With less data, the multinomial logit model performed comparatively well. The findings are relevant for the field of destination choice modeling, where evidence on the use of machine learning models is very limited. In addition, the unbalanced choice sets of destination choice models with multiple non-chosen alternatives increases the need for further research in model fit and parameter tuning.
Anthropogenic disturbance has altered the habitat of two Azorean endemic coastal plants
Authors: Rego Rúben M. Correia , Moura Mónica , Olangua-Corral Maria , Roxo Guilherme , Resendes Roberto , Silva Luís 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Background
Anthropogenic threats are causing alteration of coastal areas worldwide. Most of the coastal biodiversity is endangered, taking a particular toll on island ecosystems, like the Azores. To better understand the biotic and abiotic factors constraining the distribution and conservation status of two endemic plants, Azorina vidalii (Campanulaceae) and Lotus azoricus (Fabaceae), we performed a global survey of coastal plant communities in the archipelago, also covering environmental descriptors, natural and anthropogenic threats. Moreover, we revised their IUCN conservation status and estimated the population fractions within protected areas.

Results
Non-indigenous plants were commonly found in plots with or without the target endemics, contributing to the absence of well-defined coastal plant communities. Nonetheless, indigenous taxa commonly occurred at the plots with L. azoricus. With a larger area of occurrence, A. vidalii ecological niche differed from that of L. azoricus, the latter being restricted to dry and rocky sea cliffs, mostly in Santa Maria Island. Besides the presence of invasive plants, signs of habitat destruction, trampling and grazing, and of natural threats, such as coastal erosion, were commonly observed.

Conclusions
Occurrence data indicated an endangered status for both species, although this would change to critically endangered for L. azoricus when using smaller-sized occurrence cells. Both species are threatened since their habitat is restricted to a very narrow vegetation belt, strongly limited by sea influence and human pressure, and with the frequent presence of invasive plants. While focusing on two endemic plants, our study allowed a broader view of the impact of anthropogenic disturbance on Azorean coastal plant communities.
Universal health coverage saves more lives among severely ill COVID-19 patients: A difference-in-differences analysis of individual patient data in South Korea
Authors: Moon Daseul , Jeon Jeangeun , Park Jieun , Choi Min-Hyeok , Kim Myoung-Hee , Choi Hongjo 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Background
Universal health coverage (UHC) ensures affordability of a variety of essential health services for the general population. Although UHC could mitigate the harmful effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on patients and their socioeconomic position, the debate on UHC’s scope and ability to improve health outcomes is ongoing. This study aimed to identify the impact of UHC policy withdrawal on the health outcomes of South Korea’s severely ill COVID-19 patients.

Methods
We used a propensity score matching (PSM) and difference-in-differences combined model. This study’s subjects were 44,552 hospitalized COVID-19 patients contributing towards health insurance claims data, COVID-19 notifications and vaccination data extracted from the National Health Information Database and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency from 1 December 2020 to 30 April 2022. After PSM, 2460 patients were included. This study’s exposures were severity of illness and UHC policy change. The primary outcome was the case fatality rate (CFR) for COVID-19, which was defined as death within 30 days of a COVID-19 diagnosis. There were four secondary outcomes, including time interval between diagnosis and hospitalization (days), length of stay (days), total medical expenses (USD) and the time interval between diagnosis and death (days).

Results
After the UHC policy’s withdrawal, the severely ill patients’ CFR increased to 284 per 1000 patients [95% confidence interval (CI) 229.1–338.4], hospitalization days decreased to 9.61 days (95% CI −11.20 to −8.03) and total medical expenses decreased to 5702.73 USD (95% CI −7128.41 to −4202.01) compared with those who were not severely ill.

Conclusions
During the pandemic, UHC may have saved the lives of severely ill COVID-19 patients; therefore, expanding services and financial coverage could be a crucial strategy during public health crises.
Modelling bluetongue and African horse sickness vector (Culicoides spp.) distribution in the Western Cape in South Africa using random forest machine learning
Authors: de Klerk Joanna , Tildesley Michael , Labuschagne Karien , Gorsich Erin 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Background
Culicoides biting midges exhibit a global spatial distribution and are the main vectors of several viruses of veterinary importance, including bluetongue (BT) and African horse sickness (AHS). Many environmental and anthropological factors contribute to their ability to live in a variety of habitats, which have the potential to change over the years as the climate changes. Therefore, as new habitats emerge, the risk for new introductions of these diseases of interest to occur increases. The aim of this study was to model distributions for two primary vectors for BT and AHS (Culicoides imicola and Culicoides bolitinos) using random forest (RF) machine learning and explore the relative importance of environmental and anthropological factors in a region of South Africa with frequent AHS and BT outbreaks.

Methods
Culicoides capture data were collected between 1996 and 2022 across 171 different capture locations in the Western Cape. Predictor variables included climate-related variables (temperature, precipitation, humidity), environment-related variables (normalised difference vegetation index—NDVI, soil moisture) and farm-related variables (livestock densities). Random forest (RF) models were developed to explore the spatial distributions of C. imicola, C. bolitinos and a merged species map, where both competent vectors were combined. The maps were then compared to interpolation maps using the same capture data as well as historical locations of BT and AHS outbreaks.

Results
Overall, the RF models performed well with 75.02%, 61.6% and 74.01% variance explained for C. imicola, C. bolitinos and merged species models respectively. Cattle density was the most important predictor for C. imicola and water vapour pressure the most important for C. bolitinos. Compared to interpolation maps, the RF models had higher predictive power throughout most of the year when species were modelled individually; however, when merged, the interpolation maps performed better in all seasons except winter. Finally, midge densities did not show any conclusive correlation with BT or AHS outbreaks.

Conclusion
This study yielded novel insight into the spatial abundance and drivers of abundance of competent vectors of BT and AHS. It also provided valuable data to inform mathematical models exploring disease outbreaks so that Culicoides-transmitted diseases in South Africa can be further analysed.

Graphical Abstract
Survey of Hematology/Oncology Program Leaders on Equity and Global Health Opportunities for Fellows
Authors: Falade Ayo S. , Hornstein Paula R. , Slater Sarah E. , Triedman Scott A. , Buswell Lori A. , Fadelu Temidayo A. 
Published: August 2024

PURPOSE The study assesses the current state of global oncology (GO)/hematology training opportunities in US fellowship programs. METHODS We developed a comprehensive survey of 64-Likert multiple-choice and open-ended questions. The survey was electronically distributed to fellowship program leaders at Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited adult hematology/oncology fellowships. Program directors received three reminders after which survey was sent to assistant program directors or division heads for programs not represented. RESULTS A total of 171 programs were eligible for the survey. We received 42 (24.6%) responses; 40 were included in the analysis, and two were excluded for declined consent and incomplete responses. The programs include large academic (81.6%) and community hospitals (10.5%). Of the respondents, 18 (48.6%) reported offering some opportunities for global health training, and half reported interest among current fellows. Most programs (29, 82.9%) had three or fewer faculty engaged in GO research. Institutional training grants were available in 15 (39.5%) programs, of which six (40%) allowed for global health research. Of the 18 programs offering global health training activities, most (15, 83.3%) report less than a quarter of their trainees currently participate in GO experiences. The most commonly perceived barriers to GO opportunities include competing priorities (85.3%) and lack of faculty mentors with GO-related experience (82.4%). Conversely, the most commonly perceived facilitators include established partnerships outside the United States (97.0%) and dedicated institutional funding (93.9%). CONCLUSION Our survey demonstrates that although there is significant interest among fellowship trainees, a minority of the fellowship programs offer GO opportunities. Providing GO opportunities would require programs to establish partnerships with institutions outside the United States and to have systematic approaches of addressing other barriers, including enhancing funding and mentorship.