bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fucoidans from Laminaria hyperborea demonstrate bactericidal activity against diverse bacteria
Authors: Beagan Michael L. C. , Bang Line L , Pettersen Jens S. , Grønnemose Rasmus B. , Foertsch Sebastian , Andersen Thomas E. , Ding Ming 
Published: May 2024

AbstractFucoidans are a heterogenous class of fucose-rich sulfated carbohydrates which have attracted increasing attention in cancer and inflammation research due to their bioactive properties. There are reports that fucoidans may have direct antibacterial effects and synergy with antibiotics. However, the literature is conflicting, potentially due to the limited reporting of origin, characteristics, and extraction methods of the fucoidans tested. Here we report the results of 18 defined fucoidans screened for direct, indirect, and synergistic antibacterial effects. 15 distinct fucoidan fractions, isolated from Laminaria hyperborea using a solvent-free extraction process, were characterised for molecular weight, pH, viscosity, and sulfur content. These, together with three commercially available crude fractions, were assessed at concentrations from 0.03125-24 mg mL-1 for minimum inhibitory concentration against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguinis. Furthermore, we tested a selection of fucoidans for antibacterial synergy with vancomycin and indirect antibacterial effects in whole blood survival assays. Reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was performed to assess the stress response in fucoidan-treated S. aureus cultures. We have identified one fucoidan fraction with bactericidal activity against diverse bacteria. This effect is dose-, fucoidan fraction- and bacteria-specific, and furthermore, not related to osmotic stress. No synergistic effects were observed with fucoidan in combination vancomycin. Fucoidans have exciting potential as antimicrobial agents. Further analysis is required to establish the precise molecular characteristics responsible for their potent bactericidal activity.
Mealtime Skill Independence: from Pouch-to-Spoon Fading to Using Chopsticks
Authors: Taylor Tessa 
Published: May 2024

AbstractCompared to solids, less paediatric feeding research has targeted liquids, medication, and teaching independence skills (e.g., fork, chopsticks). No research to our knowledge has reported transitioning from spout squeeze ‘baby food’ pouches, increasing finger-feeding, and teaching steps in scooping, sipping, and biting off portions. We detail a clinical case and depict data teaching comprehensive mealtime independence using multi-element and multiple-baseline designs. A 3-year-old male with paediatric feeding disorder, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), and autism spectrum disorder (level 3) had only one independent skill (yogurt pouch via spout). He did not finger-feed, self-spoon-feed, self-drink, or cup-drink. He participated in a home-based intensive 2-week behaviour-analytic treatment programme. We conducted an assessment comparing novel pouch transition apparatuses, then used pouch-to-spoon fading to teach spoon self-feeding. We taught independence in finger-feeding, open-cup drinking, and four methods of medication administration, then open-cup bolus sipping, self-scooping, biting off portions, fork, and chopsticks (11 skills). He met 100% of goals. Caregivers reported high social validity and relevant culturally significant information, and gains generalised and maintained in follow-up.
Use of a Modified Threshold Function in Fuzzy Cognitive Maps for Improved Failure Mode Identification
Authors: Augustine Manu , Yadav Om Prakash , Nayyar Ashish , Joshi Dheeraj 
Published: May 2024

AbstractFuzzy cognitive maps (FCMs) provide a rapid and efficient approach for system modeling and simulation. The literature demonstrates numerous successful applications of FCMs in identifying failure modes. The standard process of failure mode identification using FCMs involves monitoring crucial concept/node values for excesses. Threshold functions are used to limit the value of nodes within a pre-specified range, which is usually [0, 1] or [-1, + 1]. However, traditional FCMs using the tanh threshold function possess two crucial drawbacks for this particular.Purpose(i) a tendency to reduce the values of state vector components, and (ii) the potential inability to reach a limit state with clearly identifiable failure states. The reason for this is the inherent mathematical nature of the tanh function in being asymptotic to the horizontal line demarcating the edge of the specified range. To overcome these limitations, this paper introduces a novel modified tanh threshold function that effectively addresses both issues.
A comparison of global flood models using Sentinel-1 and a change detection approach
Authors: Risling Axel , Lindersson Sara , Brandimarte Luigia 
Published: May 2024

AbstractAdvances in numerical algorithms, improvement of computational power and progress in remote sensing have led to the development of global flood models (GFMs), which promise to be a useful tool for large-scale flood risk management. However, performance and reliability of GFMs, especially in data-scarce regions, is still uncertain, as they are difficult to validate. Here we aim at contributing to develop alternative, more flexible, and consistent methods for GFM validation by applying a change detection analysis on synthetic aperture radar (CD-SAR) imagery obtained from the Sentinel-1 imagery, on a cloud-based geospatial analysis platform. The study addresses two main objectives. First, to validate four widely adopted GFMs with flood maps generated through the proposed CD-SAR approach. This exercise was conducted for eight different large river basins on four continents, to account for a diverse range of hydro-climatic environments. Second, to compare CD-SAR-derived flood maps with those obtained from alternative remote sensing sources. These comparative results offer valuable insights into the reliability of CD-SAR data as a validation tool, more specifically how it stacks up against flood maps generated by other remote sensing techniques.
Scintillation analysis of gaussian beams in anisotropic and uniaxial media
Authors: Basdemir Husnu Deniz , Elmabruk Kholoud 
Published: May 2024

AbstractScintillation of Gaussian beams both in anisotropic and uniaxial media is examined numerically utilizing the split step approach. Both the point-like and the power scintillation indices of Gaussian beams that propagate for a 5 Km in anisotropic and uniaxial media are investigated. The effect of turbulence strength on the scintillation level is also studied. In this regard, the scintillation level of the three components of Gaussian beam both the anisotropic and the uniaxial are analysed and compared with the scintillation of the fundamental Gaussian beam. The provided results show that the x-component of the Gaussian beam as propagate in both the anisotropic and the uniaxial media has the lowest scintillation. In addition, in uniaxial medium, the three components of the Gaussian beam have a power scintillation level less than the fundamental Gaussian.
A news-based economic policy uncertainty index for Nigeria
Authors: Salisu Afees , Salisu Sulaiman , Salisu Subair 
Published: May 2024

AbstractIn this study, we develop the first daily news-based Economic Policy Uncertainty (EPU) index for Nigeria, which was previously not covered in recent EPU indices. The need to track economic uncertainties in Nigeria becomes crucial for investment and policy, especially with the renewed interest in the country as an important investment destination. To construct the EPU index, we use relevant keywords from articles in prominent newspapers in the country, covering the aftermath of the global financial crisis and the COVID pandemic, with a data scope of January 2010 to November 2022. We evaluate the predictability of the index by examining its connection with economic and financial variables like exchange rates, stock prices, and inflation in Nigeria. The results are robust to alternative model specifications, data frequencies, and multiple forecast horizons. We hope to extend this exercise to other useful indices, including Geopolitical Risk, Financial Stress Indicators, and Monetary Policy Uncertainty, which are not readily available for Africa, including Nigeria.
Biochar from co-pyrolysis of biological sludge and woody waste followed by chemical and thermal activation: end-of-waste procedure for sludge management and biochar sorption efficiency for anionic and cationic dyes
Authors: Bakari Zaineb , Fichera Michelangelo , El Ghadraoui Ayoub , Renai Lapo , Giurlani Walter , Santianni Daniela , Fibbi Donatella , Bruzzoniti Maria Concetta , Del Bubba Massimo 
Published: May 2024

AbstractNine biochars were produced by co-pyrolysis of sawdust and biological sludge following the “design of experiment” approach. Two kinds of sludge (both deriving from the treatment of mixed industrial-municipal wastewater) and two types of woody waste were selected as categorical predicting variables, while contact time, pyrolysis temperature, and sludge percentage were used as quantitative variables. Biochars were analysed for their product characteristics and environmental compatibility based on the European Standards (EN 12915–1:2009) for materials intended for water treatment (i.e. ash content, water leachable polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and elements), as well as for specific surface area (SSA), using them as response variables of a multivariate partial least square multiple regression, whose results provided interesting insights on the relationships between pyrolysis conditions and biochar characteristics. Biochars produced with sludge and/or providing the highest SSA values (258–370 m2 g−1) were selected to undergo a sustainable chemical treatment using a by-product of the gasification of woody biomass, complying in all cases with European Standards and achieving therefore the end-of-waste status for sewage sludge. The biochar deriving from the highest percentage of sludge (30% by weight) and with the highest SSA (390 m2 g−1) was thermally activated achieving SSA of 460 m2 g−1 and then tested for the sorption of direct yellow 50 and methylene blue in ultrapure water and real wastewater, compared to a commercial activated carbon (AC). The biochar showed Langmuir sorption maxima (Qm) 2–9 times lower than AC, thus highlighting promising sorption performances. Qm for methylene blue in wastewater (28 mg‧g−1) was confirmed by column breakthrough experiments.
Intensive antihypertensive treatment does not lower cerebral blood flow or cause orthostatic hypotension in frail older adults
Authors: Weijs Ralf W. J. , de Roos Bente M. , Thijssen Dick H. J. , Claassen Jurgen A. H. R. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThis study aimed to examine the effects of intensive antihypertensive treatment (AHT), i.e., systolic blood pressure target ≤ 140 mmHg, on cerebral blood flow, cerebral autoregulation, and orthostatic hypotension, in a representative population of frail older adults. Fourteen frail hypertensive patients (six females; age 80.3 ± 5.2 years; Clinical Frailty Scale 4–7; unattended SBP ≥ 150 mmHg) underwent measurements before and after a median 7-week AHT targeting SBP ≤ 140 mmHg. Transcranial Doppler measurements of middle cerebral artery velocity (MCAv), reflecting changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF), were combined with finger plethysmography recordings of continuous BP. Transfer function analysis assessed cerebral autoregulation (CA). ANCOVA analysed AHT-induced changes in CBF and CA and evaluated non-inferiority of the relative change in CBF (margin: -10%; covariates: pre-AHT values and AHT-induced relative mean BP change). McNemar-tests analysed whether the prevalence of OH and initial OH, assessed by sit/supine-to-stand challenges, increased with AHT. Unattended mean arterial pressure decreased by 15 mmHg following AHT. Ten (71%) participants had good quality TCD assessments. Non-inferiority was confirmed for the relative change in MCAv (95%CI: -2.7, 30.4). CA remained normal following AHT (P > 0.05), and the prevalence of OH and initial OH did not increase (P ≥ 0.655). We found that AHT in frail, older patients does not reduce CBF, impair autoregulation, or increase (initial) OH prevalence. These observations may open doors for more intensive AHT targets upon individualized evaluation and monitoring of hypertensive frail patients.Clinical Trial Registration: This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05529147; September 1, 2022) and EudraCT (2022-001283-10; June 28, 2022).
Genome integrity as a potential index of longevity in Ashkenazi Centenarian’s families
Authors: Andrawus Mariana , David Gil Ben , Terziyska Ivana , Sharvit Lital , Bergman Aviv , Barzilai Nir , Raj Srilakshmi M. , Govindaraju Diddahally R. , Atzmon Gil 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe aging process, or senescence, is characterized by age-specific decline in physical and physiological function, and increased frailty and genomic changes, including mutation accumulation. However, the mechanisms through which changes in genomic architecture influence human longevity have remained obscure. Copy number variants (CNVs), an abundant class of genomic variants, offer unique opportunities for understanding age-related genomic changes. Here we report the spectrum of CNVs in a cohort of 670 Ashkenazi Jewish centenarians, their progeny, and unrelated controls. The average ages of these groups were 97.4 ± 2.8, 69.2 ± 9.2, and 66.5 ± 7.0 respectively. For the first time, we compared different size classes of CNVs, from 1 kB to 100 MB in size. Using a high-resolution custom Affymetrix array, targeting 44,639 genomic regions, we identified a total of 12,166, 22,188, and 10,285 CNVs in centenarians, their progeny, and control groups, respectively. Interestingly, the offspring group showed the highest number of unique CNVs, followed by control and centenarians. While both gains and losses were found in all three groups, centenarians showed a significantly higher average number of both total gains and losses relative to their controls (p < 0.0327, 0.0182, respectively). Moreover, centenarians showed a lower total length of genomic material lost, suggesting that they may maintain superior genomic integrity over time. We also observe a significance fold increase of CNVs among the offspring, implying greater genomic integrity and a putative mechanism for longevity preservation. Genomic regions that experienced loss or gains appear to be distributed across many sites in the genome and contain genes involved in DNA transcription, cellular transport, developmental pathways, and metabolic functions. Our findings suggest that the exceptional longevity observed in centenarians may be attributed to the prolonged maintenance of functionally important genes. These genes are intrinsic to specific genomic regions as well as to the overall integrity of the genomic architecture. Additionally, a strong association between longer CNVs and differential gene expression observed in this study supports the notion that genomic integrity could positively influence longevity.
Spanish Adaptation and Psychometric Properties of the Protective Behavioral Strategies for Marijuana Scale: The Protective Behavioral Strategies for Cannabis Scale (S-PBSC)
Authors: Sanchez-Garcia Manuel , Carmona-Márquez José , Bravo Adrian J. , Fernández-Calderón Fermín 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe Protective Behavioral Strategies for Marijuana scale (PBSM) was initially developed using samples of university students in USA. A community sample of Spanish young adults was recruited to provide the Spanish full-length and short versions of the Protective Behavioral Strategies for Cannabis use (S-PBSC; S-PBSC-SF). We followed a rigorous item-selection process to select the most relevant items from the original 50-item pool developed by Pedersen et al. (2016), on the basis of evidence of reliability, evidence of validity according to the internal structure (factor loadings, invariance across genders and university status, and differential item functioning [DIF]), and evidence of validity based on the relationships between S-PBSC scores and cannabis outcomes. Our findings support a 31-item unidimensional measure and a 13-item short form with excellent fit and internal consistency, invariant across genders and college status and free of DIF. Both the S-PBSC and S-PBSC-SF scores were associated with reduced cannabis use and consequences.
PSFHSP-Net: an efficient lightweight network for identifying pubic symphysis-fetal head standard plane from intrapartum ultrasound images
Authors: Qiu Ruiyu , Zhou Mengqiang , Bai Jieyun , Lu Yaosheng , Wang Huijin 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe accurate selection of the ultrasound plane for the fetal head and pubic symphysis is critical for precisely measuring the angle of progression. The traditional method depends heavily on sonographers manually selecting the imaging plane. This process is not only time-intensive and laborious but also prone to variability based on the clinicians’ expertise. Consequently, there is a significant need for an automated method driven by artificial intelligence. To enhance the efficiency and accuracy of identifying the pubic symphysis-fetal head standard plane (PSFHSP), we proposed a streamlined neural network, PSFHSP-Net, based on a modified version of ResNet-18. This network comprises a single convolutional layer and three residual blocks designed to mitigate noise interference and bolster feature extraction capabilities. The model’s adaptability was further refined by expanding the shared feature layer into task-specific layers. We assessed its performance against both traditional heavyweight and other lightweight models by evaluating metrics such as F1-score, accuracy (ACC), recall, precision, area under the ROC curve (AUC), model parameter count, and frames per second (FPS). The PSFHSP-Net recorded an ACC of 0.8995, an F1-score of 0.9075, a recall of 0.9191, and a precision of 0.9022. This model surpassed other heavyweight and lightweight models in these metrics. Notably, it featured the smallest model size (1.48 MB) and the highest processing speed (65.7909 FPS), meeting the real-time processing criterion of over 24 images per second. While the AUC of our model was 0.930, slightly lower than that of ResNet34 (0.935), it showed a marked improvement over ResNet-18 in testing, with increases in ACC and F1-score of 0.0435 and 0.0306, respectively. However, precision saw a slight decrease from 0.9184 to 0.9022, a reduction of 0.0162. Despite these trade-offs, the compression of the model significantly reduced its size from 42.64 to 1.48 MB and increased its inference speed by 4.4753 to 65.7909 FPS. The results confirm that the PSFHSP-Net is capable of swiftly and effectively identifying the PSFHSP, thereby facilitating accurate measurements of the angle of progression. This development represents a significant advancement in automating fetal imaging analysis, promising enhanced consistency and reduced operator dependency in clinical settings.
Graphical abstract
Growth of Community Outpatient Care in the Veterans Affairs System After the MISSION Act
Authors: Yoon Jean , Gujral Kritee , Dismuke-Greer Clara , Scott Jennifer Y. , Jiang Hao 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Background
The Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks (MISSION) Act of 2018 authorized a major expansion of purchased care in the community for Veterans experiencing access barriers in the Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system.

Objective
To estimate changes in primary care, mental health, and emergency/urgent care visits in the VA and community fiscal years (FY) 2018–2021 and differences between rural and urban clinics.

Design
A national, longitudinal study of VA clinics and outpatient utilization. Clinic-level analysis was conducted to estimate changes in number and proportion of clinic visits provided in the community associated with the MISSION Act adjusting for clinic characteristics and underlying time trends.

Participants
In total, 1050 VA clinics and 6.6 million Veterans assigned to primary care.

Main Measures
Number of primary care, mental health, and emergency/urgent care visits provided in the VA and community and the proportion provided in the community.

Key Results
Nationally, community primary care visits increased by 107% (50,611 to 104,923), community mental health visits increased by 167% (100,701 to 268,976), and community emergency/urgent care visits increased by 129% (142,262 to 325,407) from the first quarter of 2018 to last quarter of 2021. In adjusted analysis, after MISSION Act implementation, there was an increase in community visits as a proportion of total clinic visits for emergency/urgent care and mental health but not primary care. Rural clinics had larger increases in the proportion of community visits for primary care and emergency/urgent care than urban clinics.

Conclusions
After the MISSION Act, more outpatient care shifted to the community for emergency/urgent care and mental health care but not primary care. Community care utilization increased more in rural compared to urban clinics for primary care and emergency/urgent care. These findings highlight the challenges and importance of maintaining provider networks in rural areas to ensure access to care.
Aqueous removal of Cr(VI) by Citrus sinensis juice-coated multi-walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Amaku James Friday , Taziwa Raymond 
Published: May 2024

AbstractA novel adsorbent was prepared from multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and Citrus sinensis juice extract-modified MWCNTs (OJMW) and characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), BET and thermogravimetric analysis. The results showed that the nanotubes exhibited good surface area, pore size, functional groups, and robust stability at elevated temperatures (308 and 313 K). The adsorbent was applied in water for the sequestration of Cr(VI). The adsorption of Cr(VI) on MWCNTs and OJMW was influenced by factors of adsorption. Optimum removal of Cr(VI) was attained at 180 min contact time, 0.05 g adsorbent dose, and solution pH 2 for MWCNTs and OJMW. The kinetic behaviour of the Cr(VI) adsorption onto MWCNTs and OJMW was governed by the pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetic model, respectively. The equilibrium data obtained for the uptake of Cr(VI) onto MWCNTs and OJMW fitted satisfactorily with Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models, respectively. Meanwhile, MWCNTs and OJMW exhibited monolayer adsorption capacities (qmax) of 44.72 and 12.26 g g−1, respectively, at 298 K. The adsorption process was spontaneous and feasible. The direction of energy flow in the uptake of Cr(VI) onto OJMW and MWCNTs followed endothermic and exothermic adsorption processes, respectively. The adsorption–desorption experiments showed that OJMW had good regenerative abilities.