bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Acute Flaccid Myelitis
Authors: Doi Kazuteru , Hattori Yasunori , Maruyama Akio , Marei Abdelhakim Ezzat , Sakamoto Sotetsu , Sasaki Jun , Hayashi Kota , Fujita Makimi 
Published: May 2024

Background:
Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is a rare debilitating poliomyelitis-like illness characterized by the sudden onset of flaccid palsy in the extremities. The purpose of this study was to report the mid-term clinical course of knee extension in AFM and the effect of contralateral obturator nerve-to-femoral nerve transfer (CONFNT) for restoration of knee extension in AFM.

Methods:
Twenty-six patients with lower extremity palsy due to AFM were referred to our clinic for possible surgical reconstruction. Their median age was 4.0 years, and the first evaluation of the palsy was done at a mean of 6 months after paralysis onset. The paralysis ranged from lower limb monoplegia to quadriplegia. The clinical course of knee extension was assessed using the British Medical Research Council (MRC) grading scale and surface electromyography (EMG). Five patients with unilateral paralysis of knee extension underwent CONFNT.

Results:
The mean follow-up period for 19 limbs with complete paralysis of knee extension (MRC grade M0) in 13 patients who were evaluated for spontaneous recovery was 43 months. No patient who had complete paralysis of knee extension at >6 months and paralysis of the hip adductor muscle had improvement of knee extension to better than M2. Five of the original 26 patients were treated with CONFNT and followed for a mean of 61 months. Two of 5 patients had the CONFNT ≤8 months after paralysis onset and obtained M4 knee extension. Only 1 of the 3 patients with CONFNT performed approximately 12 months after paralysis onset obtained M3 knee extension; the other 2 obtained only M1 or M2 knee extension.

Conclusions:
The paralysis of the lower extremity in our patients with AFM was similar to that in poliomyelitis. However, in AFM, spontaneous recovery of knee extension was possible if there were signs of recovery from hip adductor paralysis up to 6 months after paralysis onset. CONFNT may enhance the recovery of knee extension and seems to be a reliable reconstruction for restoring knee extension if performed no more than 8 months after paralysis onset.

Level of Evidence:
Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Dynamic Multi-Layered Image Encryption scheme using User Driven Chaotic Sequences
Authors: Mathivanan P. , Ashwini K 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

With technological advances, sharing sensitive information, such as multimedia data, especially images, is common. To protect the integrity of such data, advanced encryption algorithms are utmost necessary. The proposed encryption scheme introduces a novel approach that capitalizes on the distinct characteristics of users' authenticated usernames to dictate the sequence in which image blocks are encrypted. The methodology encompasses two key strategies. Initially, a set of four individual chaotic maps - Sin, Chebyshev, Logistic, and Gaussian - are employed for encryption. Also, the image blocks are encrypted with a novel 4D chaotic map. The process begins with segmenting an N×N×3 color image into its red, blue, and green constituents, each of size N×N. These constituents are further subdivided into four arrays, each sized (4×4) × (N/4) × (N/4). The encryption process for various image bands is based on the use of chaotic sequences generated by schemes 1 and 2. These resulting sequences serve as the fundamental encryption keys, guiding a variety of processes including both confusion and diffusion. The proposed encryption schemes, Scheme 1 and Scheme 2 were rigorously evaluated through extensive simulations, comparing their performance with a traditional algorithm. Both procedures demonstrated robustness against statistical analysis differential attacks and showcased NPCR and UACI values closely approximating ideal standards of 99.6 and 33.4, respectively. Notably, Scheme 2, employing the proposed 4D map, outperformed Scheme 1, which used four different chaotic maps, particularly in terms of NPCR and UACI. The schemes exhibited a significant key space of 2540, rendering decryption infeasible within an astronomical time frame of 9.449 × 10130 years. Further, entropy and correlation analysis validation revealed values close to 7.99 and 0, aligning with traditional algorithms' values. Additionally, pixel distribution analyses indicated uniformity along horizontal, vertical, and diagonal directions. The paper introduces an innovative encryption approach that capitalizes on user-specific characteristics and demonstrates superior security and performance compared to conventional methods.
A deep learning approach to enhance accuracy and diversity of recommendation for interdisciplinary journals
Authors: Yang Donghui , Wang Huimin , Shi Zhaoyang , Zhu Kehui 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

To meet scholars' need to recommend both higher accuracy and diversity when submitting interdisciplinary papers, this paper proposes an improved journal diversity recommendation method based on the attention mechanism in deep learning. This method can retain all key information in long texts by using the attention mechanism. It identifies and stores the research directions and hotspots covered in different papers across journals to extract common research topics for each journal type. Five deep learning models based on attention mechanism are introduced, 104,176 paper abstracts from 111 Web of Science journals are used to fine-tune the models. After learning on training set and model testing on the test set, recommendation accuracy and diversity results are calculated for 9 categories. Finally, the recommendation accuracy and diversity of the 5 attention mechanism based deep learning models are compared with benchmark models across different journal types. The experimental results demonstrate the feasibility and superiority of this method comprehensively considering the metrics of accuracy and diversity at a large scale. It provides theoretical and practical advancements to develop an effective journal recommender system which helps scholars to make wise decision for journal submission.
Does Dometic Tourisim Drive the Infation Rate or the Inflation Restricts the Domestic Toursim? A Case Study of Uzbekistant Using Vector Autoregressive (VAR) Model
Authors: Chaudhary Naina , Kler Rajneesh , Priyanshu Deepa , Mouqdadi Mahera , Arora Manik , Ather Danish 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Utilizing a Vector Autoregressive (VAR) model, the present study investigates the multifaceted relation between domestic tourism and the inflation rate in Uzbekistan. By applying annual inflation rates and monthly-adjusted data on the number of domestic tourists from January 2016 to September 2023, this study examines whether an upsurge in tourism activity influences inflation or if an increase in inflation impedes domestic tourism. Time series analysis, ACF and PACF plots, and unit root tests are employed as methodological approaches to validate stationarity in the tourism data and stationarity at first difference in the inflation data, respectively. While in the beginning, Johansen tests for cointegration assert that two variables are co-integrated at first, but later they are not. The outcomes deriving from the VAR model hint at the existence of a strong, unidirectional connection between the incoming tourists and subsequent inflation where the effects show up at 1st lag. This discovery put a spotlight on the fact that domestic tourism would increase due to inflation-bound measures. Accordingly, these research enable the grasp of the economic dynamics between inflation and tourism which are important pieces of information which can be useful for the government officials of Uzbekistan in their efforts to sustain stable economy and promoting domestic tourism at the same time.
Quality of long-term follow up and results of sleeve gastrectomy: 5-year prospective observational cohort study. 114 cases
Authors: Soufron Jacques , Burnel Dominique 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Introduction Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is the most used procedure worldwide for the treatment of morbid obesity. Despite sustained weight loss and improvement of comorbidities in most patients, it can also be associated with late complications and weight regain. International guidelines therefore recommend multidisciplinary long-term follow-up. The aim of this study was to examine the quality of 5-year follow-up and weight loss of patients who underwent SG in our center in 2013.
Patients and methods A total of 111 patients were analyzed in this study. Follow-up was considered consistent when the patient complied with the procedures of our bariatric center, and with international and national guidelines, and attended at least one biologic assessment and follow-up clinic every year in the postoperative period. Follow-up was considered intermediate if there was a proof of regular follow-up by a general practitioner (GP). Follow-up was otherwise considered inconsistent.
Results Forty-two of the 111 patients (39%) had regular follow-up by the bariatric center and 37 (33%) by their GP. No follow-up could be traced for 32 (29%) patients. Mean (±SD) difference between body mass index (BMI) at the time of surgery and at 5-year follow-up was 12.6 ± 6.0 kg/m2 for patients who were followed in the bariatric center vs. 11.8 ± 5.1 kg/m2 for those followed by their GP (p=0.38). Mean Total Weigh Lost % (%TWL) was 29.9 ± 11.1% for the first group and 29.1 ± 14.2% for the second group (p = 0.4).
Conclusion The rate of patients lost to follow-up is concerning. However, those patients who attended regular follow-up visits had a real long-term benefit of SG and follow-up by a GP only seemed to be effective.
From pore to process: ultra-efficient SF6/N2 continuous separation using inexpensive robust MOF composites
Authors: Yang Qiwei , Li Jinjian , Chen Yuting , Ke Tian , Yang Liu , Zhang Zhiguo , Ren Qilong , Bao Zongbi 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Physisorption presents a promising alternative to cryogenic distillation for capturing the most potent greenhouse gas, SF6, but existing adsorbents face challenges in meeting diverse chemical and engineering concerns. Herein, with insights into in-pore chemistry and industrial process design, we report a systematic investigation that constructed two novel low-cost composites pellets (Al(fum)@2%HPC and Al(fum)@5%Kaolin) coupled with an innovative two-stage Vacuum Temperature Swing Adsorption (VTSA) process for the ultra-efficient recovery of low-concentration SF6 from N2. Record-high selectivities (> 2×104) and SF6 dynamic capacities (~2.7 mmol/g) were achieved, while exceptional SF6 productivities (~58.7 L/kg), yields (~96.8%), and recyclability (~1000 cycles) were demonstrated in fixed-bed adsorption-desorption experiments under mild regeneration conditions. 2D solid-state NMR/in-situ FTIR, DFT-D binding/diffusion simulation analyses revealed the multi-site binding mode and the ultra-fast diffusion of SF6 within the channels. The proposed VTSA processes successfully met the dual stringent requirements of both environmental protection and electricity equipment operation: the SF6 recovery of 99.91% accompanied with a SF6 purity/working capacity of 99.91%/2.1 mmol/g, which significantly outperformed the industrial employed adsorbent zeolite 13X and showed only 19% the energy consumption of the cryogenic distillation.
Effect of Positive Thinking Skills Training Program on Psychological Adjustment among Psychiatric Patients’ Caregivers
Authors: Hay Nahed Hafez Abd El – , Mahmoud Amal Sobhy , Berma Abeer El-Sayed 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background: Psychiatric disorder is becoming a major public health problem. Prolonged caregiving responsibilities to psychiatric patients can deplete the family's energy, resulting in exhaustion and increased negative emotions, such as feelings of despair, guilt, depression, and helplessness, and a significant decrease in their psychological adjustment which requires adequate support and training.
Aim: The present study aims to explore the effect of the positive thinking skills training program on psychological adjustment among psychiatric patients’ caregivers.
Method: A quasi-experimental research design (Non-randomized controlled trial) was utilized in this study one group (pre, post-test, and follow-up) in the psychiatric outpatient clinic at Port Said Psychiatric Health Hospital and Addiction Treatment. A purposive sample of 66 psychiatric patients’ caregivers. Eight sessions of positive thinking skills training were carried out in the form of small groups for four months. Two tools used for data collection consisted of Tool I: The Positive Thinking Scale, Tool II: The Psychological Adjustment Scale, in addition to the Personal and Clinical Data Sheet of the studied psychiatric patients' caregivers.
Results:The current study revealed that there were highly statistically ‎significant differences between the mean score of total psychological adjustment in the immediate post-program with mean ±SD (35.2±5.2) and at follow-up phase with mean ±SD (33.8±5.5) compared to a pre-program with mean ±SD (11.4±8.8)as (p<0.001).
Conclusion: The positive thinking skill training program had a positive significant effect in improving the total psychological adjustment score among studied psychiatric patients’ caregivers. The study recommended the application of the positive thinking skill training program by the health profession at Port Said Psychiatric Health Hospital and Addiction Treatment to ensure continuity of care for psychiatric patients' caregivers
Trial Registration Number (TRN)
The study was approved and registered by the Research Ethics Committee (REC), Faculty of Nursing/ Port Said University with trial registration number (NUR 13/3/2022 - 11).
Correlation Analysis of Disease Perception, Ruminative Rumination, and Psychological Resilience in Elderly Patients with Acute Stroke
Authors: Lin Yan , Chen Zhihan , Zhou Weiqing , He Mengjiao , Zhang Jinhua , Guo Hua , Wang Lina 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to explore the psychological status of elderly patients during the acute phase of stroke and to examine the correlation between Illness perception, rumination, and psychological resilience.
Methods: A mixed-method research approach was employed. In the qualitative study, 13 elderly patients with acute stroke were interviewed based on semi-structured interview guides and recordings. The data were transcribed, and thematic content analysis was conducted. In the quantitative study, a cross-sectional survey was conducted on 240 elderly acute stroke patients using paper-based questionnaires, and data analysis was performed using SPSS25.0 and AMOS24.0.
Results: From the qualitative analysis, we identified risk factors affecting the psychological status of elderly patients with acute stroke, which can be summarized into four major themes and six categories: lack of stroke-related disease knowledge and cognitive bias, single-source of disease information; significant sequelae, concern about medical expenses; apparent symptoms of anxiety and depression, disease uncertainty, and fear; sense of disease gain. In the quantitative analysis, results indicated that illness perception had a direct effect on psychological resilience (β=-0.34, P<0.01) and rumination (β=0.51, P<0.01). Also, rumination was directly related to psychological resilience (β=-0.24, P<0.01). In addition, illness perception was indirectly related to psychological resilience (β=0.51*-0.24=-0.12, P<0.01) mediated through rumination rumination.
Conclusion: Improving the level of rumination in elderly patients with acute stroke can mitigate adverse Illness perception and enhance psychological resilience. This study provides a theoretical basis for developing relevant intervention measures.
Ratios of Prostate-Specific Antigen to Albumin, C-reactive Protein, and Haemoglobin Concentration are Valuable Markers to Predict Patients with Either Prostate Cancer or Benign Prostate Hyperplasia
Authors: Mensah-Bonsu Yaw Adjei , Appiah Kwaku Addai Arhin , Dedjoe Victor , Djankpa Francis Tanam , Ainooson George Kwaw , Ntim Emmanuel Amankwah 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Prostate Cancer (PCa) diagnosis using PSA alone leads to unnecessary biopsy due to the non-specificity of PSA for PCa. Changes in systemic inflammation variables with the development and progression of PCa cancer have been widely acknowledged. This study evaluated the potential utility of ratios involving changes in serum PSA with changes in systemic inflammatory components: serum albumin, C-reactive protein, and full blood count differentials, to differentially predict PCa biopsy in a cohort of pre-biopsy patients. Methods: We prospectively analyzed data from 110 patients who underwent prostate biopsy between September 2022 and September 2023. Age, PSA, full blood count, serum albumin (ALB), serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and biopsy pathology results of the patients were analyzed. Based on biopsy findings, patients were grouped as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and PCa. Results: Analyses of ratios involving PSA and the selected inflammatory markers led to wider discriminating values between PCa and BPH. The mean PSA-to-ALB, PSA-to-Hb and PSA-to-CRP ratios were significantly lower in the BPH group compared with the PCa group. AUROC curves analysis at cut-off points of PSA-ALB˃1, PSA-CRP˃250 and PSA-Hb˃2.5 resulted in specificity and positive predictive values for PSA-to-ALB ratio of 93% and 91% respectively, PSA-to-Hb ratio of 86% and 80% respectively and PSA-to-CRP ratio of 78% and 77% respectively. Unconditional regression analysis showed that PSA-to-CRP, PSA-to-Hb and PSA-to-ALB ratios were independent predictors of positive PCa biopsy. Conclusion: This preliminary study suggests that, the combination of PSA with changes in serum inflammatory variables in ratios improved the diagnostic accuracy more than the use of PSA alone. These ratios may assist in the differential prediction of PCa and BPH, especially where biopsy services are not readily available in Low- and Middle-Income countries.
Navigating the brain: the role of 18F-FDG PET/CT in pinpointing epileptic foci
Authors: Doroudinia Abtin , Afrazeh Fatemeh , Karam Mehrdad Bakhshayesh , Emami Habib 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background
Epilepsy is a chronic neurological condition marked by recurring seizures. The 18F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) technique is thought to be useful for determining the location of epilepsy. However, its ability to detect the epileptic zone in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to determine the role of 18F-FDG PET/CT in localization of temporal and extratemporal epilepsies in patients with refractory epilepsy.
Methods
This is a cross-sectional study examining patients with refractory epilepsy who were admitted to Masih Daneshvari Hospital, Iran. This study includes patients with refractory epilepsy who had normal brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results. The seizure focus was indicated by two professional neurologists using a video-electroencephalography monitoring (VEM). All patients received an intravenous injection of FDG at a dosage of 4.6 MBq/kg. The patient's records and FDG PET/CT results were then checked, and if they were congruent, the patient would undergo surgery and resection of the epileptic region. The data were reported using descriptive statistics. We also used Cohen's kappa coefficient (k) test to assess interrater agreement between temporal lobe localization and congruency with FDG-PET data.
Results
Our investigation revealed that 65.60% of seizures occurred in temporal lobe, with 67.96% exhibiting congruent PET results. Furthermore, 25.4% had a focus in frontal lobe, while only 12.5% showed congruent PET results. Temporal lobe was the focus of the majority (92.1%) of congruent PET data, as well as 36.3% of partially congruent PET data and 42.3% of incongruent PET data. PET scans revealed that 28.1% were negative, with 47.7% clinically focused in temporal lobe, 38.6% in the frontal lobe, and 13.6% only partially localized. In addition, the interrater agreement for seizure focus localization in temporal lobe was 0.71, indicating substantial agreement.
Conclusion
FDG PET/CT was shown to be an acceptable technique for identifying DRE, namely, temporal lobe epilepsy. The gold standard methods can provide more accurate epilepsy zone localization, resulting in better FDG PET/CT congruency.
Fast and High Precision Control Approach: Polyline Analysis and Optimal NURBS Interpolation for CNC Machine Tools
Authors: Kelekçi Ethem , Kizir Selcuk 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

In CNC operations, smooth motions generated using a parametric curve such as NURBS, Bezier curve, and B-spline are crucial for surface quality and machine control. A parametric curve is formed by microlines in CAD/CAM software; however, instead of microlines, polylines are used to define a parametric curve to prevent an increase in NC-file size. It is also possible to see situations where smooth motion is not required due to production requirements. In these cases, point-to-point motion is necessary instead of smooth motion. In this study, a polyline analysis algorithm is proposed to classify the normal line and polyline within the NC-file. A global tool path smoothing method is also applied, where the data points in a polyline group are converted into NURBS because CAD/CAM software commonly uses NURBS as a parametric curve for precision control of CNC machines. In addition, this study presents an optimal feedrate scheduling algorithm for the NURBS curve that generates an optimal feedrate profile for each segment by considering critical parameters such as segment length, initial and final velocity of each segment, maximum jerk, acceleration, and velocity. As the proposed algorithm is compatible with existing feedrate scheduling methods in which different feedrate values at the transition point of the NURBS segments are determined, this study provides an important contribution to the literature. The proposed methods in this study are verified by operating a spherical surface using industrial NC-files on a 3-axis CNC-Milling machine. The proposed methods demonstrate effective performance in experiments that require precision production operations.
Outpatient Tapering of Buprenorphine in Opioid Use Disorder Pregnancies may Improve Neonatal Outcomes
Authors: Shah Darshan , Adelli Rakesh , Chroust Alyson , Lewis Nicole , Olsen Martin 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Objective:
The main objective of the study was to compare neonatal outcomes; the incidence of NOWS, length of hospital stay (LOS), admission to neonatal intensive care (NICU), treatment with morphine and head circumference between newborns of mothers who had tapering of buprenorphine (T group) during pregnancy to non-tapering of buprenorphine (NT group.
Study Design:
It was a prospective, pilot, case-control trial of pregnant women done in North-East Tennessee in pregnancy with opioid use disorder (OUD) in tapered (T) group as a part of clinical contract while NT group did not taper medication.
Results:
Significant differences observed in maternal buprenorphine doses, 1.47 versus 7.6 (p < 0.0001), and neonatal outcomes; average birth weight and head circumference (p < 0.05) and admission to NICU (p < 0.05) between the two groups by t test.
Conclusion:
Comprehensive outpatient buprenorphine tapering can be done in OUD pregnancy with improved neonatal outcomes.