bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhancing the Performance and Accuracy in Real-Time Football and Player Detection Using Upgraded YOLOv5 Architecture
Authors: Zhao Keyan 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe study presents a significantly improved version of the YOLOv5 real-time object detection model for football player recognition. The proposed technique includes feature-tuning and hyper-parameter optimization methods that have been carefully selected to enhance both speed and accuracy, resulting in a superior real-time performance of the YOLOv5 architecture. Furthermore, the YOLOv5 model incorporates a SimSPPF module that enables multi-scale feature extraction with less computational power, making it a highly efficient and effective solution. We selected the GhostNet module to reduce complexity and the Slim scale detection layer for precise bounding box prediction. Our tests, conducted with recordings of multiple football matches, demonstrate that our model accurately detects both the football and players even in complex scenarios with occlusions and dynamic illumination. The suggested method outperforms the original YOLOv5n model in terms of precision, recall, and mean average precision at 0.5 IoU. It is also more computationally efficient. This method has potential applications in live broadcasting, player monitoring, and sports analytics. The upgraded YOLOv5 model demonstrates superior accuracy and efficiency compared to previous methods that rely on traditional image processing techniques or two-stage detectors. This makes it highly suitable for practical, real-world deployments.
An appraisal of the problems related to the application of Casagrande Plasticity Chart and Unified Soil Classification System in classifying lateritic soils in Nigeria
Authors: Afolagboye Lekan Olatayo , Ilesanmi Babafemi Issac , Abdu‑Raheem Yusuf Ademola 
Published: June 2024

AbstractLateritic soil is the predominant soil type in Nigeria, making its accurate classification crucial for understanding its engineering properties in foundation and construction applications. Various classification systems for residual soils exist, based on pedological, geochemical, or engineering criteria. However, the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS) is widely used globally for classifying lateritic soil. It has been noted that the field behavior of many lateritic soils classified under the USCS often does not correspond with their positions on the Casagrande Chart. This review paper examines the classification challenges associated with lateritic soils in Nigeria using both the Casagrande Plasticity Chart and the USCS, focusing on the soil properties that contribute to these difficulties. Existing literature detailing the consistency limits, plasticity characteristics, and grain size distributions of lateritic soils derived from various parent rocks was analyzed to construct a Casagrande Plasticity (CP) classification chart specific to Nigerian lateritic soils. The analysis indicates that most lateritic soils fall above the A-line, in regions typically designated for clay soils, leading to their classification as either low plasticity clay (CL) or high plasticity clay (CH). However, these classifications often do not reflect the primary compositional characteristics of the soils. This discrepancy is likely due to the limitations of the classification tests used for lateritic soils. Factors such as coating and cementing agents, degree of pre-drying, chemical treatment, and mechanical instability can affect the test results. Therefore, it is essential to exercise caution when using the Casagrande chart for classifying lateritic soils, considering the unique attributes of residual soils, including their in-situ structures and properties influenced by weathering effects. Recognizing the limitations and understanding the weaknesses of current classification systems can facilitate the development of more appropriate methods and better evaluation techniques for these critical construction materials.
Process‐Based Atmosphere‐Hydrology‐Malaria Modeling: Performance for Spatio‐Temporal Malaria Transmission Dynamics in Sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Dieng Mame Diarra Bousso , Tompkins Adrian M. , Arnault Joël , Sié Ali , Fersch Benjamin , Laux Patrick , Schwarz Maximilian , Zabré Pascal , Munga Stephen , Khagayi Sammy , Diouf Ibrahima , Kunstmann Harald 
Published: June 2024

AbstractWith the goal of eradication by 2030, Malaria poses a significant health threat, profoundly influenced by meteorological and hydrological conditions. In support of malaria vector control efforts, we present a high‐resolution, coupled physically‐based modeling approach integrating WRF‐Hydro and VECTRI. This model approach accurately captures topographic details at the scale of larvae habitats in the Nouna Health and Demographic Surveillance Systems in Sub‐Saharan Africa. Our study demonstrates the proficiency of the high‐resolution hydrometeorological model, WRF‐Hydro, in replicating observed climate characteristics. Comparisons with in‐situ local weather data reveal root mean square errors between 0.6 and 0.87 mm/day for rainfall and correlations ranging from 0.79 to 0.87 for temperatures. Additionally, WRF‐Hydro's surface hydrology reproduces the seasonal and intraseasonal variability of the ponded water fraction with 96% accuracy, validated against Sentinel‐1 data at a 100‐m resolution. The VECTRI model demonstrates sensitivity to surface hydrology representation, particularly when comparing conceptual and detailed physical process models, for variables such as larvae density, mosquito abundance, and EIR. The model's ability to replicate the seasonality of malaria transmission aligns well with available cohort malaria data suggesting its potential for predicting the impacts of climate change on mosquito abundance and transmission intensity in endemic tropical and subtropical zones. This integrated approach opens avenues for enhanced understanding and proactive management of malaria.
First Observations of Severe Scintillation Over Low‐to‐Mid Latitudes Driven by Quiet‐Time Extreme Equatorial Plasma Bubbles: Conjugate Measurements Enabled by Citizen Science Initiatives
Authors: Sousasantos J. , Rodrigues F. S. , Gomez Socola J. , Pérez C. , Colvero F. , Martinis C. R. , Wrasse C. M. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractLow‐cost instrumentation combined with volunteering and citizen science educational initiatives allowed the deployment of L‐band scintillation monitors to remote sense areas that are geomagnetically conjugated and located at low‐to‐mid latitudes in the American sector (Quebradillas in Puerto Rico and Santa Maria in Brazil). On 10 and 11 October, 2023, both monitors detected severe scintillations, some reaching dip latitudes beyond 26°N. The observations show conjugacy in the spatio‐temporal evolution of the scintillation‐causing irregularities. With the aid of collocated all‐sky airglow imager observations, it was shown that the observed scintillation event was caused by extreme equatorial plasma bubbles (EPBs) reaching geomagnetic apex altitudes exceeding 2,200 km. The observations suggest that geomagnetic conjugate large‐scale structures produced conditions for the development of intermediate scale (few 100 s of meters) in both hemispheres, leading to scintillation at conjugate locations. Finally, unlike previous reports, it is shown that the extreme EPBs‐driven scintillation reported here developed under geomagnetically quiet conditions.
Placebo effects in randomized trials of pharmacological and neurostimulation interventions for mental disorders: An umbrella review
Authors: Huneke Nathan T. M. , Amin Jay , Baldwin David S. , Bellato Alessio , Brandt Valerie , Chamberlain Samuel R. , Correll Christoph U. , Eudave Luis , Garner Matthew , Gosling Corentin J. , Hill Catherine M. , Hou Ruihua , Howes Oliver D. , Ioannidis Konstantinos , Köhler-Forsberg Ole , Marzulli Lucia , Reed Claire , Sinclair Julia M. A. , Singh Satneet , Solmi Marco , Cortese Samuele 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThere is a growing literature exploring the placebo response within specific mental disorders, but no overarching quantitative synthesis of this research has analyzed evidence across mental disorders. We carried out an umbrella review of meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of biological treatments (pharmacotherapy or neurostimulation) for mental disorders. We explored whether placebo effect size differs across distinct disorders, and the correlates of increased placebo effects. Based on a pre-registered protocol, we searched Medline, PsycInfo, EMBASE, and Web of Knowledge up to 23.10.2022 for systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses reporting placebo effect sizes in psychopharmacological or neurostimulation RCTs. Twenty meta-analyses, summarising 1,691 RCTs involving 261,730 patients, were included. Placebo effect size varied, and was large in alcohol use disorder (g = 0.90, 95% CI [0.70, 1.09]), depression (g = 1.10, 95% CI [1.06, 1.15]), restless legs syndrome (g = 1.41, 95% CI [1.25, 1.56]), and generalized anxiety disorder (d = 1.85, 95% CI [1.61, 2.09]). Placebo effect size was small-to-medium in obsessive-compulsive disorder (d = 0.32, 95% CI [0.22, 0.41]), primary insomnia (g = 0.35, 95% CI [0.28, 0.42]), and schizophrenia spectrum disorders (standardized mean change = 0.33, 95% CI [0.22, 0.44]). Correlates of larger placebo response in multiple mental disorders included later publication year (opposite finding for ADHD), younger age, more trial sites, larger sample size, increased baseline severity, and larger active treatment effect size. Most (18 of 20) meta-analyses were judged ‘low’ quality as per AMSTAR-2. Placebo effect sizes varied substantially across mental disorders. Future research should explore the sources of this variation. We identified important gaps in the literature, with no eligible systematic reviews/meta-analyses of placebo response in stress-related disorders, eating disorders, behavioural addictions, or bipolar mania.
Climate change and inequality
Authors: Parsons Ella Sandrine , Jowell Ashley , Veidis Erika , Barry Michele , Israni Sonoo Thadaney 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
This review explores how climate change is manifesting along existing lines of inequality and thus further exacerbating current health disparities with a particular focus on children and future generations. Climate change risk and vulnerability are not equally distributed, nor is the adaptive capacity to respond to its adverse effects, which include health consequences, economic impacts, and displacement. Existing lines of inequality are already magnifying the adverse effects of climate change. Today’s children and future generations will experience a disproportionate number of adverse climate events than prior generations, especially children in lower-income populations, communities of color, and Indigenous communities. In order to mitigate the crisis of inequity accompanying the climate crisis, systemic action must be taken on a global scale – with a focus on protecting children and future generations, and in empowering youth-led environmental activism and engagement in climate policy.

Impact statement

Our review offers a current summary of the ways in which inequality is manifesting with respect to climate change in children and future generations.

Rather than use a systematic review, we opted to use a theoretical framework to guide our review. We divided the effects of climate change into three effect pathways: via disruptions in (i) climate and weather, (ii) ecosystems, and (iii) society.

By dividing our review in this theoretical framework, we can better suggest targeted public health interventions at each effect level. Furthermore, we are able to successfully identify literature gaps and areas of future research.
Photoacoustic imaging for non-invasive assessment of biomarkers of intestinal injury in experimental necrotizing enterocolitis
Authors: Weis Jared A. , Rauh Jessica L. , Ellison Maryssa A. , Cruz-Diaz Nildris , Yamaleyeva Liliya M. , Welch Cherrie D. , Zeller Kristen A. , Weis Victoria G. 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is an often-lethal disease of the premature infant intestinal tract, exacerbated by significant diagnostic difficulties. In NEC, the intestine exhibits hypoperfusion and dysmotility, contributing to disease pathogenesis. However, these features cannot be accurately and quantitively assessed with current imaging modalities. We have previously demonstrated the ability of photoacoustic imaging (PAI) to non-invasively assess intestinal tissue oxygenation and motility in a healthy neonatal rat model.

Methods
In this first-in-disease application, we evaluated NEC using PAI to assess intestinal health biomarkers in an experimental model of NEC. NEC was induced in neonatal rats from birth to 4-days. Healthy breastfed (BF) and NEC rat pups were imaged at 2- and 4-days.

Results
Intestinal tissue oxygen saturation was measured with PAI, and NEC pups showed significant decreases at 2- and 4-days. Ultrasound and PAI cine recordings were used to capture intestinal peristalsis and contrast agent transit within the intestine. Intestinal motility, assessed using computational intestinal deformation analysis, demonstrated significant reductions in both early and established NEC. NEC damage was confirmed with histology and dysmotility was confirmed by small intestinal transit assay.

Conclusion
This preclinical study presents PAI as an emerging diagnostic imaging modality for intestinal disease assessment in premature infants.

Impact

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating intestinal disease affecting premature infants with significant mortality.

NEC presents significant clinical diagnostic difficulties, with limited diagnostic confidence complicating timely and effective interventional efforts.

This study is an important foundational first-in-disease preclinical study that establishes the utility for PAI to detect changes in intestinal tissue oxygenation and intestinal motility with NEC disease induction and progression.

This study demonstrates the feasibility and exceptional promise for the use of PAI to non-invasively assess oxygenation and motility in the healthy and diseased infant intestine.
Social determinants of health inequalities in early phase clinical trials in Northern England
Authors: Rae S. , Shaya S. , Taylor E. , Hoben J. , Oluwashegun D. , Lowe H. , Haris N. , Bashir S. , Oing C. , Krebs M. G. , Thistlethwaite F. C. , Carter L. , Cook N. , Greystoke A. , Graham D. M. , Plummer R. 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Background
Early phase clinical trials in Oncology represent a subspecialised area where UK patient selection is influenced by access to Experimental Cancer Medicine Centres (ECMCs). Equity of access with respect to social determinants of health (SDoH) were explored for two major ECMCs.

Methods
A retrospective cohort study including all referrals to Newcastle and Manchester ECMCs in 2021 was completed. Consent to screening or pre-screening was stratified against SDoH characteristics, including: Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) decile, ethnicity and distance to centre.

Results
1243 patients were referred for trials. IMD quintile 1 (most deprived) patients had reduced likelihood of referral compared to expected population models (OR, 0.67; 95% CI: 0.55 to 0.80, p = <0.0001). IMD quintile 5 (least deprived) had increased likelihood of referral (OR, 1.46; 95% CI: 1.17 to 1.82, p = 0.0007). Living beyond median distance from Manchester reduced the likelihood of consenting to trials (OR, 0.72; 95% CI: 0.55 to 0.94, p = 0.015). Ethnicity data represented a White British propensity.

Conclusions
Inequalities in socioeconomic and geographic factors influence referral and enrolment to early phase clinical trials in Northern England. This has implications for equity of access and generalisability of trial results internationally and warrants further study.
Hormone replacement therapy and cancer mortality in women with 17 site-specific cancers: a cohort study using linked medical records
Authors: Cardwell Chris R. , Ranger Tom A. , Labeit Alexander M. , Coupland Carol A. C. , Hicks Blánaid , Hughes Carmel , McMenamin Úna , Mei Xue W. , Murchie Peter , Hippisley-Cox Julia 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Background
There is limited evidence on the safety of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) in women with cancer. Therefore, we systematically examined HRT use and cancer-specific mortality in women with 17 site-specific cancers.

Methods
Women newly diagnosed with 17 site-specific cancers from 1998 to 2019, were identified from general practitioner (GP) records, hospital diagnoses or cancer registries in Scotland, Wales and England. Breast cancer patients were excluded because HRT is contraindicated in breast cancer patients. The primary outcome was time to cancer-specific mortality. Time-dependent Cox regression models were used to calculate adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for cancer-specific mortality by systemic HRT use.

Results
The combined cancer cohorts contained 182,589 women across 17 cancer sites. Overall 7% of patients used systemic HRT after their cancer diagnosis. There was no evidence that HRT users, compared with non-users, had higher cancer-specific mortality at any cancer site. In particular, no increase was observed in common cancers including lung (adjusted HR = 0.98 95% CI 0.90, 1.07), colorectal (adjusted HR = 0.79 95% CI 0.70, 0.90), and melanoma (adjusted HR = 0.77 95% CI 0.58, 1.02).

Conclusions
We observed no evidence of increased cancer-specific mortality in women with a range of cancers (excluding breast) receiving HRT.
A replication-deficient gammaherpesvirus vaccine protects mice from lytic disease and reduces latency establishment
Authors: Bland Wesley A. , Mitra Dipanwita , Owens Shana , McEvoy Kyle , Hogan Chad H. , Boccuzzi Luciarita , Kirillov Varvara , Meyer Thomas J. , Khairallah Camille , Sheridan Brian S. , Forrest J. Craig , Krug Laurie T. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractGammaherpesviruses are oncogenic viruses that establish lifelong infections and are significant causes of morbidity and mortality. Vaccine strategies to limit gammaherpesvirus infection and disease are in development, but there are no FDA-approved vaccines for Epstein-Barr or Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus. As a new approach to gammaherpesvirus vaccination, we developed and tested a replication-deficient virus (RDV) platform, using murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (MHV68), a well-established mouse model for gammaherpesvirus pathogenesis studies and preclinical therapeutic evaluations. We employed codon-shuffling-based complementation to generate revertant-free RDV lacking expression of the essential replication and transactivator protein encoded by ORF50 to arrest viral gene expression early after de novo infection. Inoculation with RDV-50.stop exposes the host to intact virion particles and leads to limited lytic gene expression in infected cells yet does not produce additional infectious particles. Prime-boost vaccination of mice with RDV-50.stop elicited virus-specific neutralizing antibody and effector T cell responses in the lung and spleen. In contrast to vaccination with heat-inactivated WT MHV68, vaccination with RDV-50.stop resulted in a near complete abolishment of virus replication in the lung 7 days post-challenge and reduction of latency establishment in the spleen 16 days post-challenge with WT MHV68. Ifnar1−/− mice, which lack the type I interferon receptor, exhibit severe disease and high mortality upon infection with WT MHV68. RDV-50.stop vaccination of Ifnar1−/− mice prevented wasting and mortality upon challenge with WT MHV68. These results demonstrate that prime-boost vaccination with a gammaherpesvirus that is unable to undergo lytic replication offers protection against acute replication, impairs the establishment of latency, and prevents severe disease upon the WT virus challenge. Our study also reveals that the ability of a gammaherpesvirus to persist in vivo despite potent pre-existing immunity is an obstacle to obtaining sterilizing immunity.
De novo DNA-based catch bonds
Authors: van Galen Martijn , Bok Annemarie , Peshkovsky Taieesa , van der Gucht Jasper , Albada Bauke , Sprakel Joris 
Published: June 2024

AbstractAll primary chemical interactions weaken under mechanical stress, which imposes fundamental mechanical limits on the materials constructed from them. Biological materials combine plasticity with strength, for which nature has evolved a unique solution—catch bonds, supramolecular interactions that strengthen under tension. Biological catch bonds use force-gated conformational switches to convert weak bonds into strong ones. So far, catch bonds remain exclusive to nature, leaving their potential as mechanoadaptive elements in synthetic systems untapped. Here we report the design and realization of artificial catch bonds. Starting from a minimal set of thermodynamic design requirements, we created a molecular motif capable of catch bonding. It consists of a DNA duplex featuring a cryptic domain that unfolds under tension to strengthen the interaction. We show that these catch bonds recreate force-enhanced rolling adhesion, a hallmark feature of biological catch bonds in bacteria and leukocytes. This Article introduces catch bonds into the synthetic domain, and could lead to the creation of artificial catch-bonded materials.
Improving postharvest quality and vase life of cut rose flowers by pre-harvest foliar co-applications of γ-aminobutyric acid and calcium chloride
Authors: Ehsanimehr Narges , Hosseinifarahi Mehdi , Abdipour Moslem , Eshghi Saeid , Jamali Babak 
Published: June 2024

AbstractRose flowers (Rosa hybrida L.) are highly perishable and have a limited vase life. This study evaluated the effects of preharvest foliar applications of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and calcium chloride (CaCl2), individually and combined, on antioxidant responses and vase life of cut Jumilia rose flowers. Treatments included foliar sprays of GABA at 0, 20, 40, and 60 mM and CaCl2 at 0, 0.75%, and 1.5%, applied in a factorial design within a completely randomized setup before harvest. Results showed GABA and CaCl2 interaction (especially, 60 mM GABA and 1.5% CaCl2) significantly increased enzymatic antioxidants including superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase, as well as non-enzymatic antioxidants such as flavonoids, carotenoids, phenolics, and antioxidant activity in petals compared to control. SOD activity in roses, treated with CaCl2 (1.5%) and GABA (60 mM), peaked at 7.86 units. mg−1 protein min−1, showing a nearly 2.93-fold increase over the control (2.68 units. mg−1 protein min−1). A parallel trend was observed for CAT activity. These treatments also reduced petal malondialdehyde content and polyphenol oxidase activity. Protein content and vase life duration increased in all treatments. Plants treated with a combination of GABA (20 mM) and CaCl2 (0.75%), GABA (60 mM) and CaCl2 (1.5%), or GABA (40 mM) individually exhibited the longest vase life duration. The co-application of GABA and CaCl2 improved the antioxidant activity and postharvest quality of cut roses by reducing PPO activity and MDA contents, increasing protein content and prolonging vase life. This treatment is a potential postharvest strategy to improve antioxidant capacity and delay senescence in cut roses.