bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Design of a single computational model to simulate the three foot-rocker mechanisms of the gait cycle
Authors: Muñoz Nicolas Yanguma , Bayod Javier , Portilla Christian Cifuentes-De la 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

The use of computational models of the human foot based on finite element analysis (FEM) offers a promising avenue for understanding the biomechanical internal changes of this structure. Bone and soft tissues have been modeled. However, models reported in the literature often lack a comprehensive representation of the foot's dynamic. This research aims to overcome these limitations by designing a computational model that accurately simulates foot biomechanics during the stance period of the gait in healthy and flatfoot scenarios. The model is focused on analyzing stress variations in soft tissues such as the plantar fascia and spring ligament to provide valuable insights into the internal biomechanics of the foot. The designed FEM foot model includes 26 bones with cortical and trabecular differences, cartilages, ligaments, plantar fascia, and tendons related to foot arch support. The results were evaluated through maximum principal stress, and validations were performed by measuring clinical angles and compared with the range of motion for foot joints. Results show that the plantar fascia and spring ligament suffer a stress increment during mid-stance and toe-off compared to heel-strike. Additionally, as was expected, flatfoot simulations show stress increments in evaluated soft tissues, while surgical treatment scenarios contributed to tension reduction in these regions. The findings emphasize the active role of the plantar fascia and spring ligament, particularly during approximately 50\% of the stance period when the plantar arch is deformed. Results show valuable insights into the internal biomechanics of the foot through computational models.
Sociodemographic and Clinical Determinants of Suicidal Ideation: An Analysis in a Peruvian Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Unit
Authors: Huarcaya-Victoria Jeff , Salvador-Carillo José , Cabrejos-Espinoza Michaell , Ponce-Pantigoso Mercedes , Broncano-Rivera Kelly , Loarte-Cabrera Andrea 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background
Suicidal ideation (SI) poses a significant global health concern, particularly among hospitalized individuals, with gaps in understanding its contributing factors in low and middle-income countries like Peru.
Methods
Utilizing a cross-sectional design, this study examined 940 patients evaluated by the Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Unit at a major Peruvian general hospital. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were assessed, employing standardized instruments such as the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), General Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15), and Clinical Global Impressions (CGI). The prevalence of SI and its associations were explored through bivariate and multivariate analyses.
Results
The prevalence of SI was 19.7%, with notable associations found in patients experiencing moderate-to-severe depression (36.8%) and those rated as moderately to severely ill on CGI (33.2%). Multivariate analysis confirmed these associations, emphasizing the impact of retirement (aPR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.04–2.26, p = 0.032), clinical severity (aPR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.22–1.63, p < 0.0001), and depressive symptoms (aPR = 2.98, 95% CI = 2.13–4.17, p < 0.0001) on SI.
Conclusion
This study provides essential insights into SI factors among hospitalized patients. Identifying risk factors, like retirement and clinical severity, underscores the importance of targeted interventions in the Peruvian general hospital context.
Effects of different algal diets on growth and development of the larvae of the copepod Bestiolina amoyensis
Authors: Ma Zhouyang , Wang Shuhong , Chen Nan , Zhang Yueping 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Copepods are an important food source for many economically important fish larvae. Especially the larvae of copepod, compared to rotifers and artemia, they are a very promising live feed. Bestiolina amoyensis with small body size, nutrient-rich, excellent reproductive capacity and wide range of adaptability, making it being a promising biological feed for aquaculture. However, the effects of different algal diets on the growth and development of B. amoyensis larvae have not been studied. In this study, Isochrysis galbana (Iso), Pavlova viridis (Pav) and Chaetoceros miielleri (Cha) were selected to feed larvae in single- or mixed-species diets: Iso, Pav, Cha, Iso + Pav, Iso + Cha, Pav + Cha, Iso + Pav + Cha. The effects were evaluated by several growth and development indicators, including survival rate, ingestion, development time, and carbon content. The larvae fed Iso or Iso + Pav + Cha had the highest survival rates compared with other diet combinations. The development time of the larvae fed Cha was longer compared with all other algal diets. Ingestion by nauplii (1.72 × 105 cells/ind) and copepodites (3.82 × 105 cells/ind) was highest when fed Iso. The larvae fed a 3-species diet had the highest carbon content compared with other algal diets. Our findings demonstrate that a combination of the 3 species could maximize growth and development of B. amoyensis larvae.
Malaria transmission in the coastal zone and in the center of Cote d’Ivoire during the dry season
Authors: Gouamene Tinma J. R. , Edi A.V.Constant , Kwadio Eric , Gbalegba Constant N. G. , Zahouli Julien Z. B. , Koudou Benjamin G. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background: Malaria remains a threat in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Côte d'Ivoire. In Côte d'Ivoire it is endemic and represents the leading cause of hospital consultations, morbidity and mortality. The strong climatic variations that exist between coastal and savannah areas of Cote d’Ivoire suggest that vector control interventions should be scheduled according to the eco-epidemiological diversity. This study evaluates bioecological parameters of vectors and malaria transmission in two health districts, one coastal and one central of Côte d'Ivoire.
Methods: The study was conducted in the coastal (Jacqueville) and savannah (Béoumi) areas of Côte d’Ivoire from November 2018, at the end of the rainy season to March 2019, in the dry season. Human Landing Catches (HLC) were conducted monthly at the study sites to determine Anopheles vector species composition, aggressive density, aggression cycle, and biting location (indoor/outdoor of houses) as well as entomological parameters of malaria transmission. Mosquitoes were collected over 12 hours, from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am. Mosquitoes infectivity was revealed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for P. falciparumcircumsporozoite protein. A random sample of 100 An. gambiae s.l. including all CSP-positive females, were further classified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) at the species and molecular form levels.
Results: In Jacqueville 853 (99.7%) An. gambiae s.l., and 3 (0.35%) An. pharoensis were collected. In Béoumi 811 (96;3%) An. gambiae s.l., 23 (2; 73%) An. funestus and 8 (0; 95%) An. pharoensis have been found. An. coluzzii represented the only species of the An. gambiae s.l., complex in Jacqueville while. Among the An. gambiae s.l samples tested in Beoumi, 58% (n= 29) were An. coluzzii and the rest (42%; n= 21) was An. gambiae s.s The human biting rate (HBR) in Jacqueville increased from 5.7 (b/p/n) in November to 17.3 (b/p/n) in March. Conversely in Béoumi the HBR decreased from 16.4 (b/p/n) in November to 0.69 (b/p/n) in March. In Jacqueville, the entomological inoculation rate (EIR) varies from 0.21 to 0.56 (ib/p/n) with the pic of 0.56 (ib/p/n) in February. In Béoumi no infection was detected in the parous An. gambiae s.l samples tested during the study period.
Conclusions: This study evaluates bioecological parameters of vectors and malaria transmission in two health districts, one coastal and one central of Côte d'Ivoire.
Multinational Firms and the Economic Self-Reliance of North American Cities
Authors: Ahmed Soha , Zaidi Faraz , Rozenblat Celine 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

The economic development of cities is heavily influenced by multinational corporations (MNCs), whose presence and interconnections with their subsidiaries across various regions and continents significantly shape their global operations and potential expansions. North America serves as a pivotal hub for numerous leading MNCs globally, and cities within this region play a vital role in establishing both local and global economic relationships. This research aims to investigate these tightly coupled interdependent networks of cities facilitated by MNCs and their subsidiaries, with a specific focus on North American cities and urban centers.
Through the analysis of empirical data spanning four distinct time periods (2010, 2013, 2016, and 2019), the analysis aims to uncover intriguing insights. Particularly noteworthy is the prevalence of robust intra-regional ties observed within North American over the studied period. Such connectivity fosters economic self-reliance the cities and urban centers, and stimulates sustainable economic growth.
Subjective well-being can be predicted by the caudate volume and promotion focus
Authors: Matsunaga Masahiro , Ohtsubo Yohsuke , Ishii Keiko , Tsuboi Hirohito , Suzuki Kohta , Takagishi Haruto 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

It is a well-known fact that the caudate nucleus is associated with motivational behaviors and subjective well-being. However, there are no longitudinal studies that have examined the relationship between brain structure, behavioral orientations, and subjective well-being. This study analyzes data from our previous longitudinal study to examine whether future subjective well-being can be predicted by the volume of the caudate nucleus. We also examined whether behavioral orientation, based on the regulatory focus theory showing two orientations: promotion and prevention focus, was related to the volume of the caudate nucleus. Voxel-based morphometry analysis indicated that the left caudate volume was positively associated with rating scores for future subjective well-being and promotion orientation. Furthermore, mediation analysis indicated that promotion orientation significantly mediated the relationship between future subjective well-being and left caudate volume. The findings indicate that future subjective well-being can be predicted by the volume of the left caudate nucleus, and that this relationship is mediated by promotion focus orientation.
A simplified symbolic computation method based on Hirota bilinear equations for constructing multiple-order rogue waves
Authors: Tang Lu , Zeng Hang 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

The computation of higher-order rogue waves can be a time-consuming process.Hirota bilinear equations with controllable centers for all orders of rogue wave solutions can be solved by a simplified symbolic computation method.Only one-third of the computational effort needed by the original method is required by the simplified one, for very high orders. For instance, simpler first- to fourth-order rogue waves, as well as fifth-order rogue waves that were previously unpublished, are yielded by the simplified method for a generalized (2+1)-dimensional Kadomtsev-Petviashvili equation. To be honest, the obtained results in this paper substantially improve or complement the corresponding conditions in the references [17,18]. As a consequence,~this paper gives a new idea to derive high-order rogue waves for the generalized (2+1)-dimensional Kadomtsev-Petviashvili equation.
Sero-prevalence and risk factors of hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Adigrat General Hospital, Eastern Tigrai, Northern Ethiopia
Authors: Abay Getachew Kahsu , Gebrewahd Aderajew , Berhe Brhane , Belay Getachew , Tesfanchal Birhane , Kahsay Tsega , Fseha Berhane , Tadesse Senait , Birhane Mulugeta , Gebre Mulualem , Petrucka Pammla 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the most common health problems, causing high mortality and heavy economic burden worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the sero-prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) and associated risk factors among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Adigrat General Hospital Northern Ethiopia.
METHODS
Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted from January to March, 2024 among 385 pregnant women. Participants were selected through systematic random sampling method. Socio demographic and associated factors data were collected using a structured questionnaire and 5 milliliter blood sample was collected. The data were entered to EPI Info and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics were computed. Bivariate and multi-variant regression analysis was employed to measure the association values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.
RESULTS
The overall sero-prevalence of HBsAg among the 385 study subjects enrolled was 10.4% (n = 40). HBsAg was common in all age groups. The infection was higher those who had history of multiple sexual partner (22.7%),ear-piercing (13.4%), history of abortion (27.6%), history of delivery (26.3%) and history of genital mutilation (35.7%).In multivariate logistic regression being unmarried (AOR 8.57; 95% CI 3.20-22.93) ,being illiterate (AOR 12.06; 95% CI 3.07–47.33) ,history of ear piercing (AOR 5.66; 95% CI 1.65–19.45), history of abortion (AOR 8.16; 95% CI 3.18–20.95), history of home delivery (AOR 6.69; 95% CI 1.26–35.53) and history of genital mutilation (AOR 9.77; 95% CI 2.64–36.18) of acquiring HBV infection compared to their counterparts.
CONCLUSIONS
The result showed that HBV was highly prevalent in our study area. Being unmarried, Low educational level, ear piercing, abortion, home delivery and genital mutilation were significantly associated with HBV infection. Therefore, this finding suggests that health education programs should be given to the community to raise the awareness of mothers.
Optimal Design of CFRP Plates For Strengthening RC Flat Slab-Column Connections: Parametric Study and GWO-Based Optimization
Authors: Kohneposhi Zana , Azizian Hadi , Haddad Omid , Ghaderi Seyed Jamil 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

The present study assesses the efficacy of carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) plates in enhancing the strengthening of reinforced concrete (RC) flat slab-column connections under both punching shear and seismic loading conditions. A comprehensive parametric analysis is conducted using the Abaqus finite element software, encompassing 33 distinct models with variations in key parameters including loading conditions, number of fiber layers, orientation, thicknesses, and dimensions of the CFRP plate. The numerical model is validated through experimental testing of a laboratory-scale prototype, demonstrating a mean error of 5.2% relative to experimental data, indicating satisfactory accuracy. Furthermore, an optimal design approach for CFRP plates is developed employing the gray wolf optimization (GWO) algorithm. The primary objective of this optimization framework is to mitigate damage in the slab-column connection under loading. Computational simulations are performed simultaneously in Abaqus and MATLAB to determine the optimal geometric parameters of CFRP for retrofitting the connection. The results demonstrate that CFRP plates with optimal parameters can reduce more than 90% of the damage incurred at the slab-column connection. The results, together with the CFRP optimization model developed using GWO, can be practically utilized for the optimal design of CFRP plates to reinforce structures.
Fuzzy-logic-based collision risk model to evaluate the safety of signalized intersections at the cycle level
Authors: Fu Hanbing , Zhou Zhuping 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

The safety assessment of signalized intersections is usually carried out by developing statistical and data-driven methods based on data aggregated at some temporal and spatial level (e.g., yearly or hourly; interval or approach segment). However, such aggregations suffer from significant simplifications that obscure patterns of potential spatiotemporal security risks within the level of data aggregation.The existing alternative indicators, Surrogate Safety Measures (SSMs), cannot effectively describe the real-time collision risk process of cross conflicts. This research presents a vehicle collision risk model based on fuzzy logic to express the real-time collision risk process of intersection conflicts in signalized intersections and proposes a function analysis method to perform a new characterization of the safety risk mode of signalized intersections.A signalized intersection with double right-turn lanes is selected as the research site, and about 1 hour of traffic video data recorded by a UAV is used to extract vehicle trajectory data. The proposed risk model is based on the characterization of the collision risk function, which can reveal the time distribution cycle of the risk of each lane within the signal. There is a difference between the same turning traffic movements of the opposite direction in the same phase. It is necessary to distinguish between two types of traffic movement in the opposite direction in the same phase.The proposed model has the potential to be used to facilitate active safety management and optimize signal timing while considering traffic safety on a more granular level.
Spearmint enhances lettuce biomass and provides microbes to co-cultured lettuce in a decoupled aquaponic system
Authors: Atique Faiqa , Juottonen Heli , Kytöviita Minna-Maarit 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Aquaponics, where recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) and hydroponics are combined to grow fish and plants, is a promising farming technique for sustainable food production. We investigated whether lettuce yield in aquaponics can be enhanced by companion plants and the role of companion plant-derived microbes. Lettuce and companion plants (spearmint, rucola, wormwood) were grown for 30 days in hydroponic units in RAS effluents in three time replicates. The growth of lettuce increased when grown with spearmint and rucola. Companion plants also influenced the bacterial community composition in lettuce. In particular, lettuce grown with spearmint or wormwood contained bacteria that potentially originated from the companion plant. A specific subset of bacterial taxa from spearmint were also associated with increased lettuce growth. On the other hand, the microbial community in mature lettuce did not develop markedly from the RAS effluents. However, the factor with the largest effect on plant growth and bacterial community composition was time replicate. In conclusion, the companion plants particularly spearmint enhanced the growth of lettuce through facilitation and potentially by providing lettuce with bacteria associated with increased growth. Our results emphasize the importance of the bacterial components and temporal fluctuations in optimizing aquaponics productivity.
Deep representation learning for clustering longitudinal survival data from electronic health records
Authors: Qiu Jiajun , Hu Yao , Li Frank , Erzurumluoglu Abdullah Mesut , Braenne Ingrid , Whitehurst Charles , Schmitz Jochen , de Jong Johann 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Precision medicine can be defined as providing the right treatment to the right patient at the right time, and it requires the ability to identify clinically relevant patient subgroups with high accuracy. The increasing availability of large-scale longitudinal electronic health records (EHR) datasets has provided major opportunities for artificial intelligence and machine learning in mining such complex datasets for identifying novel disease subtypes. However, disease subtypes often exist in the context of certain disease-relevant risk events, and current efforts have been limited by stratifying patients either only by disease trajectory or only by event risk, largely ignoring the interactions between the two, which can result in subgroups that still display great heterogeneity in event risk and/or underlying molecular mechanisms. To capture such interactions, novel methods are needed that allow for clustering patients simultaneously by disease trajectory and event risk,
To address this current gap in the literature, we developed TransVarSur (Transformer Variational Survival modeling). TransVarSur integrates a Transformer-based Gaussian mixture variational autoencoder with time-to-event modeling to capture complex relationships between cluster-specific EHR trajectories and survival times. We validated TransVarSur by showing superior performance relative to a range of baseline methods that either ignore longitudinality or the interactions between disease trajectories and event risk, on both synthetic and real-world benchmark datasets with known ground-truth clustering. We then applied TransVarSur to 1908 Crohn's disease patients from the UK Biobank and successfully identified four clusters displaying both divergent EHR trajectories and divergent progression towards the risk event intestinal obstruction. A further analysis of the clusters revealed known clinical and genetic factors relevant in Crohn's disease and progression to intestinal obstruction.
In conclusion, we demonstrated TransVarSur’s ability to disentangle interactions between disease trajectories and risk events to more accurately stratify a patient population into clinically and genetically relevant subgroups. Hence, it can be a powerful tool in the development of precision medicine approaches.
CNN Models for Accurate Pose Localization
Authors: ELOUNI Achref , royer eric , thierry chateau 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Visual Localization is the problem of estimating the camera pose of a given image relative to a visual representation of a known scene. The estimation process becomes increasingly difficult due to factors such as a large quantity of outliers and changes in viewpoints. To overcome these challenges, we leverage semantic segmentation algorithms to enhance the localization performance. We propose three distinct approaches that effectively combine semantic and visual information, allowing us to assign more than one label to each keypoint. We compare the performance of these methods against state-of-the-art techniques and evaluate the scenario where only mono labels are utilized. The evaluation is conducted on four datasets (Dubrovnik, Rome, Aachen, and Vienna). Through extensive experimentation, we demonstrate that by incorporating both visual and semantic information, the accuracy of pose estimation can be significantly improved in terms of both time efficiency and precision.
Characterization and Properties of PVC/Talc composites
Authors: bendjaouahdou Chaouki 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of talc (TC) on the properties of a polychloride vinyl (PVC) polymer used in the fabrication of electrical cable sheath. The resulted blend, based on TC and PVC polymer was prepared by dry blending followed by melt calendering. The results obtained showed a clear improvement of the blend mechanical properties (tensile strength, shore A hardness and elongation at break) when the amount of the talc was 1 wt. %. The thermal stability (deshydrochloration or Beilstein test) is maximal wh e n t he c o n cen t r at i on of t he talc was equal to 1 wt. %. A morphological analysis (optical microscopy) revealed that for 1 wt. %. of talc concentration there is a uniform distribution of talc particles inside PVC matrix. Moreover, water absorption did not exceed 0.15 wt % for all studied talc concentrations.