bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Learning curves of novice residents on cataract surgery simulator: the E3CAPS pedagogic study
Authors: Ducloyer Jean-Baptiste , Poinas Alexandra , Duchesne Léa , Caillet Pascal , Lejus-Bourdeau Corinne , Meur Guylène Le , Weber Michel , Ivan Catherine , Limousin Nadège , Desmidt Thomas , Pladys Patrick , Pisella Pierre-Jean , Bernard Anne , Lardy Hubert , Gohier Philippe , Martin Ludovic , Mouriaux Frederic , Lebranchu Pierre , Khanna Raoul Kanav 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Introduction Training novice ophthalmology residents on the EyeSi® simulator increases cataract surgery safety. However, there is no consensus regarding how much training residents should perform before their first time on patients. We evaluated the French national training program through the analysis of the learning curves of novice residents. Methods Prospective multicentric pedagogic study conducted with French novice residents. Each resident completed the recommended four two-hour training sessions and performed a standardized assessment simulating standard cataract surgery before the first session (A0), at the end of the first (A1), second (A2), third (A3) and fourth (A4) sessions. For each surgical step of each attempt, the following data were collected: score, odometer, completion time, posterior capsular rupture and ultrasounds delivered. Results Sixteen newly nominated ophthalmology residents were included. Median score progressively increased from 95 [IQR 53; 147]) at A0 to 425 [IQR 411; 451] at A4. Despite a significant progression, the “emulsification” step had the lowest A4 scores 86 [IQR 60; 94] without reduction in completion time, odometer or ultrasounds delivered. The rate of posterior capsular rupture decreased linearly from 75% at A0 to 13% at A4 during “emulsification” and from 69–0% during “irrigation and aspiration”. At A4, only 25% [8; 53] of residents had > 80 at each step and only 75% [47; 92] had > 400/500 overall. Conclusion A training program consisting of four two-hour sessions on the EyeSi simulator over four consecutive days effectively enhances the surgical skills of novice ophthalmology residents. Undergoing more training sessions may improve scores and decrease the incidence of surgical complications, particularly at the emulsification step of cataract surgery. The learning curves presented here can reassure residents who are progressing normally and help identify those who need a further personalized training program. ClinicalTrials registration number: NCT05722080 (first registration 10/02/2023)
Analysis and examination of the properties and behavior of floating electrode dielectric barrier discharge plasma for medical application
Authors: Razaghiha Elahe , lotfi Mohammad Reza , khani Mohammadreza , Shokri Babak 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Today, plasma is extensively utilized in biomedicine. Given its widespread use, the presence of unknown variables, and potential hazards like electric shock and burns, this research explores the electrical, optical, and chemical aspects of plasma generated through floating electrode dielectric barrier discharge (FE-DBD). The aim is to ensure the device's electrical safety and evaluate its chemical and thermal properties. Additionally, this study investigates the parameters of the produced plasma. It provides an immunometric assessment and characterization of discharge plasma from the floating electrode dielectric barrier, facilitating device optimization and advancing our understanding of plasma characteristics for tailored biomedical applications.
Study on Overlying Rock Movement and Mine Pressure Behavior in Shallow-buried Close Coal Multi-seam Mining
Authors: Hu Shaoping , Yu Tianbiao 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

In order to reveal the failure morphology and mine pressure behavior of each overburden strata during shallow buried close multi-coal seam mining, this research takes the Shenmu Zhangjiamao mining area as the engineering background, the migration characteristics of shallow buried close-range overburden structure and the distribution law of mine pressure were studied. The results show that: with the gradual mining of 2− 2 coal seam, the front-rear supporting pressure of the unmined coal seam increases first and then decreases, and the compaction strength of the collapsed overburden in the middle of the mined-out area increases gradually. With the mining of 2− 3 coal seams, the displacement of the direct roof of the lower mined-out area and the rock layer of the upper compaction area increases gradually. The peak stress of the concentrated stress area on both sides of the 2− 3 coal seam gradually decreases with the increase of layer spacing. The compaction stress of overburden in the upper goaf decreases gradually, and the peak value of compaction stress in the middle of the lower goaf increases gradually. Through the measured results of the borehole stress sensor, the obvious influence range of the advance support pressure is about 40 m.
Performance of Structural Concrete Containing Sedimentary Rocks
Authors: Lim Wee Fong , Lee Yang Pin Kelvin , Ho Nyok Yong , Lam Kok Pang 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

In 2014, Singapore commissioned the Jurong Rock Caverns (JRC) for the storage of liquid hydrocarbons. The construction of this first commercial underground storage facility in Southeast Asia had extracted about four million cubic metres of rocks which comprised mainly sedimentary rocks (SR). To offset the development costs of JRC and reduce the reliance on imported natural aggregates, studies were conducted to evaluate its applications in construction. One of the studies has shown that it could be processed into aggregates for road construction. However, SR aggregates found to be susceptible to the alkali-silica reaction (ASR) which posed a concern for concrete production. A preliminary study was carried out to find a way to mitigate this phenomenon and the introduction of ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS) yielded the best outcome. Further study was undertaken to investigate various concrete mixes that contained 100% SR aggregates and different replacement levels of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) with GGBS. The structural performance of these mixes was assessed through a series of mechanical tests. The test results demonstrated that GGBS was effective in suppressing the ASR-induced expansions while meeting the specifications of structural concrete. A comparable performance was also observed when the proposed mixes were benchmarked against the conventional concrete made up of granite aggregates and OPC. This study has led to the development of a new and sustainable construction material in Singapore which offers an alternative to the imported aggregates and a circular economy approach to alleviate the pressing issue of landfill.
Evaluation of HIV Viral Load Surveillance System in Adama Public Health Research, and Referral Laboratory Centre, Oromia Region, Ethiopia
Authors: Bamedo kedir Geda 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background: HIV/AIDS remains a major public health problem in Ethiopia, with large number of people infected. We evaluated the Oromia Regional Health Bureau's achievement of the UNAIDS 95-95-95 global goals of 2025 in response to HIV/AIDS end and the third 95% of people on treatment with suppressed viral load status, to the 2030 SDGs of "ending AIDS" as a public health treat.
Methods: We used a cross-sectional mixed method study with HIV viral load data from 2019 to 2020 in Adama Public Health Research and Referral Laboratory Centre from May to June, 2021, using a semi-structured questionnaire to collect information from the viral load database, 39 key informant interviews from 14 health centers ART focal persons, and surveillance officers. We evaluated system attributes using the CDC 2001 guidelines for evaluating public health surveillance systems.
Results: Of the 79,517 HIV/AIDS data reviewed, about 43.4% were 35-49 years old, while 68.2% were females. Approximately 2% were pregnant women, and 1.7% were breastfeeding mothers. Overall, the viral suppression rate was 95.4%. Standardized documents and materials were in use for the viral load surveillance system function. Data completeness was 60%, data timeliness was 95%, and sensitivity was 98%. There was no consistent feedback.
Conclusions: This study confirmed that the region's overall HIV viral load suppression rate was 95.4%. The majority of system attributes were functioning properly. However, data quality was only 50%. Health workers in ART facilities and surveillance officers required training on data usage, regular feedback and training on data quality and completeness are needed for health centre based health workers.
Mechanical Performance Study of PVA Fiber-Reinforced Seawater and Sea Sand Cement-Based Composite Materials
Authors: Diao Rongdan , Cao Yinqiu , Michel Mushagalusa , Wang Ang , Sun Linzhu , Yang Fang 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Due to the swift progress in the construction sector, there is a global concern about the potential scarcity of river sand and freshwater resources. The development of new construction materials is considered an inevitable trend for industry growth. PVA fibers, known for their strong corrosion resistance, cost-effectiveness, and high toughness, have the potential to enhance the corrosion resistance and seismic performance of structures in marine environments. However, their mechanical properties and durability in the seawater and sea sand environment are not well understood. Therefore, the investigation of the impact of seawater and sea sand on the mechanical properties and durability of PVA fiber-reinforced cement composites is considered crucial. A mechanical performance analysis of PVA fiber-reinforced seawater and sea sand fiber cement composites was conducted in this study. PVA fiber volume fractions of 0%, 0.75%, and 1.5%, cement composite matrix strength grades of C30 and C50, and curing periods of 28 days, 90 days, and 180 days were examined, investigating their influence on the bending toughness of PVA fiber-reinforced seawater and sea sand cement composites. Material failure modes, crack propagation patterns, and load-deflection curves were obtained through experiments, and various bending toughness indices of the beams were calculated. Specific conclusions include the influence of different seawater concentrations at different curing periods on the initial cracking load and bending toughness of materials with varying strength grades and fiber content; the formulation of calculation formulas for predicting bending strength and corresponding deflection, which fit well with the experimental results; and the development of a calculation model for the bending toughness index of PVA fiber-reinforced seawater and sea sand cement composites, providing an effective prediction of material bending toughness.
Seismic damage evaluation and failure mechanisms of historical masonry walls based on numerical method
Authors: Xu Dunfeng , Xie Qifang , Hao Wenming 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Masonry walls, which serve as a distinct structural element in numerous historical buildings, have frequently been damaged or even collapsed because of unexpected events such as earthquakes. The paper analyzes the seismic damage evaluation and failure mechanisms of historical masonry tower walls located in Xi’an, China. For this purpose, three-dimensional finite element models of historical masonry tower walls were established based on numerical method and analyzed through the explicit dynamic procedures. The numerical model is firstly verified by the testing results from the scaled historical tower wall specimen. The comparison results show a high accuracy in load-displacements relationship and the error does not exceed 3%. Then, the damage indexes (DI) based on the different damage models are calculated and the performance levels of historical Chinese tower walls are proposed accordingly. The effects of vertical compressive stresses, height width ratios and opening ratios on the seismic damage evaluation of the historical tower masonry walls are also analyzed. Finally, the shear bearing capacity of masonry tower walls based on calculation formulas are calculated and the stiffness of the wall under different aspect ratios are further analyzed.
Development of a RT-DETR-based model for detecting two wheelers helmet
Authors: Liu Liwei , Yue Xinbo , Lu Ming , He Pingge 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

The field of helmet detection faces challenges due to small targets, complex backgrounds, and confusion with neighbouring objects. This paper proposes a faster real-time two-wheeler helmet detection model based on the real-time detection transformer (RT-DETR) to address these issues. FRT-DETR includes a new FasterRNet structure designed using model re-parameterisation technique to improve detection performance while meeting real-time requirements for practical applications. Secondly, the proposal introduces a mixed global attention (MGA) module to address the issue of object confusion with neighbouring objects. The module combines channel and spatial information, as well as local and global information, resulting in a significant improvement in network performance. A new module called the cross-stage partial parallel atrous convolution (CSPPAC) is proposed to increase the receptive field. This is achieved by using convolutions with different atrous rates to capture multi-scale information and enhance feature representation. Additionally, the detection performance for small-sized helmet objects is improved through the use of a new channel-gated up-sample and down-sample to strengthen meaningful features and suppress redundant and irrelevant features. The experimental results indicate that FRT-DETR enhances the mean average precision (mAP) by 2.3% and increases the inference speed to 111.3 frames per second (FPS). These improvements significantly enhances the model's capability in detecting small objects and dense scenes, meeting the real-time requirement while ensuring detection accuracy. Therefore, it provides an effective solution for real-time detection of two-wheeler helmets.
Congenital Bilateral Periostitis: Differential diagnosis and a case report
Authors: Elia Anna , Kostin Egor , Charalambous Elena , Orfanos Ioannis 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background
Periostitis, characterized by radiological findings of periosteal new bone formation, can result from various factors including trauma, drugs, infection and tumors. Among infants up to six months of age, common causes of periostitis include physiologic periostitis of the newborn, Caffey disease, periostitis related to prostaglandin use, and congenital syphilis. The differential diagnosis of bilateral symmetrical periostitis in newborns and infants within this age range is important as it contributes to the possibility for early treatment.
Case presentation:
A 3-month-old girl, born at 38 weeks by natural birth and with unremarkable prenatal history, presented with multiple episodes of vomiting, loss of appetite, fever, saddle nose, prominent forehead, maculopapular rash with vesicles in both palms, and a palpable liver. Her weight was below the 3rd percentile on growth charts. The infant's syphilis serum screening test was reactive, leading to further testing. Treatment with crystalline penicillin G was administered, and diagnostic investigations revealed symmetrical periostitis affecting the diaphysis of bilateral femorae and tibiae.
Conclusion
This case report highlights the importance of considering congenital syphilis in the differential diagnosis of bilateral symmetrical periostitis in newborns and infants up to six months of age. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are crucial. This case report adds to the orthopedic literature by presenting a unique case of congenital syphilis-associated periostitis, emphasizing the significance of considering this etiology in similar clinical scenarios. Increasing awareness of such cases can lead to prompt diagnosis and intervention, ultimately contributing to better clinical outcomes in affected infants.
Biochar reduces containerized pepper blight caused by Phytophthora capsici
Authors: Yu Ping , Qin Kuan , Crosby Kevin , Ong Kevin , Gentry Terry , Gu Mengmeng 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Phytophthora blight caused by Phytophthora capsici is a serious disease affecting a wide range of plants. Biochar as a soil amendment could partially replace peat moss and has the potential to suppress plant diseases, but its effects on controlling phytophthora blight of container-grown peppers have less been explored, especially in combination of biological control using Trichoderma. In vitro (petri dish) and in vivo (greenhouse) studies were conducted to test sugarcane bagasse biochar (SBB) and mixed hardwood biochar (HB) controlling effects on pepper phytophthora blight disease with and without Trichoderma. Sugarcane bagasse biochar and HB were blended with the commercial substrate (CS, peat-based) at 10% (SBB10, by volume), and 10%, 30%, 50%, 70% (HB10, HB30, HB50, and HB70, by volume), respectively, and CS (CS100) was used as the control. Both in vitro and in vivo studies used randomized complete block design with three treatment factors: pathogen (without or with inoculation of P. capsici), biochar (different biochar treatments), and Trichoderma (without or with inoculation). In vitro results showed that Trichoderma inhibited P. capsici growth while biochar did not have significant beneficial effects. In vivo results showed that plants grown in HB30 and HB50 had similar or higher plant growth index and shoot dry weight than the control regardless of pathogen presence. In the presence of the pathogen, plants grown in HB30, HB50, and HB70 had significantly lower disease severity, and disease incidence ratings than the control, while Trichoderma did not show beneficial effects on controlling the disease. In conclusion, HB replacing 30% and 50% peat moss in substrate could reduce pepper blight disease caused by P. capsici without negatively affecting plant growth.
Simulating the effect of rainwater harvesting on flood mitigation: the case of Asunción, Paraguay
Authors: Thiessen-Anttila Annette , Castier Marcelo , Barreto Paula De Barros 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

This work uses computer simulations to assess the effect of rainwater harvesting on the mitigation of flash floods in Asunción, Paraguay, where local rainfalls frequently cause damages, disruptions, and personal harm. Minute-by-minute rainfall data available for the year 2017 were used to select the storms for this study. Terrain, hydrographic, land cover, buildings information, and street maps were retrieved from various freely available sources. One of the hydrographic basins in the municipality of Asunción was chosen for analysis. Terrain and buildings data were merged so that the simulations predict how the built structures divert water flow. An effective rainfall equation was derived to account for the collective effect of thousands of rainwater harvesting systems (RWHS), which were assumed to be installed under different scenarios. The HEC-RAS software (Hydrologic Engineering Center River Analysis System, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) was used. Three specific locations within the simulated basin were selected for a detailed study. Two peak flow rates were observed in most scenarios: the first of them is the immediate outcome of the rainfall and the second results from the downhill water flow. According to the simulations, the RWHS delay the largest peak flow rate by a few minutes (from 3 to 21 min, depending on the case), which might guide the possible deployment of early warning systems. In a scenario of RWHS with large tanks, installed on every roof – taken as the upper limit of what could be accomplished – reductions of up to 52.2% and 73.3% in the first and second peak flow rate, respectively, were calculated under a heavy rainfall. Under a moderate rainfall, these values were 45.5% and 78.1%. If it is considered that only 50% of the roof area is connected to RWHS, with smaller storage tanks, the peak flow rate reductions are of up to 17.7% (first peak) and 17.8% (second peak) under a heavy rainfall. Under a moderate rainfall, the corresponding values were 23.1% and 40.3%. The overall conclusion is that the effect of RWHS on flood mitigation, as measured by the peak flow rate, is highly dependent on the rain intensity and location. This points out the need for detailed analyses prior to decisions about public policies that might promote the installation of RWHS.
Does mild cognitive impairment accelerate age-related changes in physical function and body composition? A three-year longitudinal follow-up study
Authors: Makizako Hyuma , Akaida Shoma , Tateishi Mana , Shiratsuchi Daijo , Kiyama Ryoji , Kubozono Takuro , Takenaka Toshihiro , Ohishi Mitsuru 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

This prospective study examined the impact of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) on age-related changes in physical function and body composition among community-dwelling older adults. Older adults aged 70 years and above (n = 180) completed at baseline and three-year follow-up assessments of physical function and body composition. Participants were divided into the MCI and non-MCI groups based on baseline status. A two-way repeated-measures analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), adjusting for age and gender, was used to analyze the group (MCI and non-MCI) by time (baseline and three-year follow-up) interaction. No variables had significant group by time interactions. Stratified analyses by gender confirmed a significant group by time interaction on BMI (F = 5.63, p = 0.02) and ASMI (F = 6.33, p = 0.01) among women (adjusted for age). The close associations of MCI with shrinking and muscle mass loss have important implications for targeting interventions among MCI women.
Pain and the Perception of Space in Fibromyalgia: Effects of Pain in Estimations of Distance
Authors: Scandola Michele , Beccherle Maddalena , Polati Enrico , Pietroni Giorgia , Rossato Elena , Schweiger Vittorio , Moro Valentina 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

The Economy of action hypothesis postulates that bodily states rescale the perception of the individual’s environment’s spatial layout. The estimation of distances and slopes in navigation space (i.e. the space reachable by locomotion) is influenced by sensations relating to body condition and the metabolic cost of the actions. The results of the studies investigating the impact of pain on distance estimation remain inconclusive. 28 women suffering from chronic pain and fibromyalgia (FM), and 24 healthy controls (HC) were assessed for musculoskeletal, neuropathic, and visceral pain. In a VR-mediated task, they observed a 3D scenario and estimated the distance of a flag positioned at different distances (1, 2, 3, 4 or 5m) on virtual ramps with either a 4% or 24% inclination. Overestimation of distances in the steeper ramp condition was expected, if participants executed the task by internally simulating the movement. The results showed a dissociation between the effects of musculo-skeletal and visceral-neuropathic pain on distance estimations. According to the Economy of action hypothesis, the HCs estimated the distances as being farther away when the ramp was more inclined (i.e. at 3m and 5m and with a 24% inclination). Furthermore, visceral and neuropathic pain were found to affect the performance of this group. In contrast, there was no effect related to the different ramp inclinations in the FM group, indicating that in the presence of chronic widespread pain, automatic, bodily-based estimations of the potential cost of actions in space are compromised.