bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
TMCD: Threshold multi-channel prior-based defogging algorithm for underground coal mine images
Authors: Fan Yingbo , Mao Shanjun , Li Mei , Kang Jitong , Yang Yinglu 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

With the rapid development of image dehazing algorithms, the demand for effective dehazing solutions across various industries has markedly increased. However, the application effectiveness of most existing image dehazing algorithms within coal mine environments remains suboptimal. Consequently, this paper proposes an image dehazing algorithm based on a threshold multi-channel inspection method. The algorithm detects fog density using an enhanced color attenuation prior method, followed by image enhancement in fog-free areas and dehazing in foggy areas through threshold multi-channel inspection. During fog density detection, the algorithm incorporates texture information and illumination invariance features from the HSV space, enhancing adaptability and robustness to different lighting conditions. In the dehazing process, segregating foggy and fog-free images facilitates more accurate and reliable dehazing outcomes. Moreover, by constructing a multi-scale pyramid and employing a guided filtering approach, the algorithm achieves more precise estimation of the image transmittance, mitigates the blocky artifacts common in traditional methods. For video dehazing, a parameter reuse mechanism based on inter-frame similarity is designed, improving the real-time performance of video dehazing. The algorithm was tested on a coal mine dataset and on partial public datasets such as NH-Haze2 and Dense-Haze, achieving experimental results that surpass other algorithms.
The effect of nutrition education based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) on food intake in pregnant Afghan immigrant women: a semi-experimental study
Authors: Riazi Somaye , Ghavami Vahid , Sobhani Seyyed Reza , Shoorab Nahid Jahani , Mirzakhani Kobra 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) report, immigrants are at increased risk of malnutrition. Nutritional deficiencies in pregnancy are a public health concern and around 20 to 30 percent of pregnant women suffer from it worldwide. There has not been any investigation about the effect of any intervention on improving nutritional intake in pregnant Afghan immigrant women. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the effect of nutrition education based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) on food intake in pregnant Afghan immigrant women.
Methods
a semi-experimental study was conducted on 116 Afghan immigrant pregnant women who have the inclusion criteria, were referred to health center No. 2 in Mashhad in 2022, and were randomly assigned to the intervention (56) and control (56) groups. The demographic and the standard 24-hour food reminder questionnaire were the research tools. The intervention consisted of four sessions of 45–60 minutes of nutrition education based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) in groups of 8–10 people. The questionnaires were completed before, immediately, and one month after the intervention by the research units. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 21 software and chi-square, Fisher's exact, independent t, Mann-Whitney, Shapiro-Wilk, repeated measures, Friedman and GEE model tests.
Results
The intake of energy, protein, carbohydrates, and micronutrients such as iron, calcium, zinc, and vitamin D increased in the intervention group immediately and one month after the intervention significantly compared to before the intervention (P < 0.05). Although all these nutrients intake had a significant decrease in control group women (P < 0.05).
Conclusions
Nutrition education based on the health belief model is effective in the nutritional intake of Afghan immigrant pregnant women. According to the importance of getting enough nutrients in pregnancy and its effects on the mother and fetus's health, nutrition education based on the HBM model is suggested for these mothers.
Trial registration:
It is registered in the Iranian clinical trials database (IRCT) under the code: IRCT20220629055312N1, Date of first registration: 25/07/2022
Integrated optimization of train schedules and cotransportation plans for a passenger-freight metro line
Authors: Di Zhen , Zuo Hanqi , Zhou Housheng , Qi Jianguo , Zhang Shenghu 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Against the backdrop of developing metro-based passenger and freight cotransportation plans, this study investigates the integrated optimization problem of train schedules and flow control for a metro line shared by passenger and freight transport, in which passengers and freight share trains. Given a set of time-dependent passenger and freight demands, this problem requires determining the space--time trajectories and passenger/freight capacities for trains while also assigning the demands to these trains. By introducing the train selection variables, carriage arrangement variables and flow assignment variables, the problem of interest is formulated as an integer linear programming model for minimizing the weighted sum of the number of freight carriages, the waiting time of all passengers and the delay of all freights. The primal model has good mathematical properties, i.e., it is equivalent to a mixed-integer linear programming model, which allows the commercial solver to find the exact solution of the model more efficiently. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed method, several numerical examples with different scales are tested. The relevant results show that only by integrating the optimization of train schedules and cotransportation plans can the efficiency of the whole cotransportation system be improved to the greatest extent.
Spatial distribution of human brucellosis in mainland China, 2012-2018 ， A Kriging interpolation and spatial-temporal scanning analysis
Authors: Zhao Yuan , Pan Dongfeng , Chen Chen , Zhang Yanfang , Ma Lixu , Li Hong , Liu Shanghong , Guo Zhongqin , Liang Peifeng 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background
Brucellosis is now a public health problem that cannot be ignored in China. However, a detailed study of its spatial distribution is still lacking. This paper aims to understand the spatial distribution of brucellosis in China and provide new research tools and bases for its prevention and treatment.
Methods
Data on the incidence rate of brucellosis from 2012 to 2018 was obtained from the China Disease Control and Prevention Information System (CDCIS). ArcGIS 10.6 software was used to perform kriging interpolation analysis and create a distribution prediction map for brucellosis. Additionally, SaTScan software was utilized to conduct spatial-temporal scanning analysis in order to identify potential spatial changes in China's brucellosis incidence rate.
Results
There is a seasonal trend in the incidence of brucellosis in China, with a higher incidence in the warm season, especially the highest incidence in May. The results of exploratory analysis of kriging data show that the average incidence map, using the second-order Gaussian semi-variance model-log kriging interpolation method, has the highest accuracy. The results of spatial and temporal clustering show that there is a first-level clustering area centered on Heilongjiang and three second-level clustering areas centered on Tibet, Shanxi, and Hubei. The results of China's brucellosis predictive distribution map and the analysis of the scanning statistic show that the high incidence area of brucellosis is located in the northwest part of our country, but there is a tendency to shift to the south.
Conclusion
There are clear spatial patterns of brucellosis in China. In high-incidence areas, it is important to allocate additional prevention and control resources to effectively contain the spread of brucellosis epidemics. In low-incidence areas, it is crucial to promptly identify favorable factors that can help reduce the occurrence of brucellosis.
G9a/GLP inhibitor UNC0642 induces growth arrest in colorectal cancer via induction of ROS generation, coordinated overexpression of GADD genes, and the JNK/p38 MAPK pathway
Authors: Cheng Xiaoyan , Zhang Xiaoli , Hong Tian , Yang Ling , Tu Chenxiao , Yang Shuang , An Yunhe 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and the fourth most common cause of cancer death worldwide. Hence, new therapeutic agents are urgently needed to manage colorectal cancer effectively. The epigenetic abnormalities of chromatin drive the initiation and progression of human cancers. Therefore, DNA methyltransferase and histone deacetylase inhibitors have been developed for clinical use, but no inhibitors of histone methyltransferase are under development for human cancer therapy. H3K9 methyltransferase G9a/G9a-like protein (GLP) is overexpressed in various human cancers, and its knockdown inhibits cancer cell growth, suggesting the cancer-suppressing potential of G9a/GLP inhibitors. UNC0642 is a potent and selective G9a/GLP inhibitor that suppresses breast cancer cell survival and tumorigenesis. In this study, we first tested the anticancer activity of UNC0642 in CRC in vitro and in the mouse xenograft model and further explored the underlying molecular mechanism. We found that UNC0642 inhibited CRC cell proliferation, induced G2/M-phase cell cycle arrest, increased reactive oxygen species level and expression of growth arrest– and DNA damage–inducible genes (GADD), activated p38, and JNK/MAPK signaling pathway. The findings of this study provided new evidence for exploring the potential of UNC0642 for tumor suppressor drug development and might help further explore the biological functions of G9a/GLP in CRC.
Diagnostic Accuracies of Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy Criteria in the First Thai Pathologically Confirmed Cohort
Authors: Smitasiri Thachamai , Pongpitakmetha Thanakit , Thanprasertsuk Sekh 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Backgrounds
The gold standard of cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) diagnosis are surgical pathology or postmortem examination, which are scarcely done in clinical practice. Thus, the current diagnostic criteria are mainly based on clinic-radiological characteristics, including modified Boston criteria v1.5 [Linn J, et al. 2010] and Boston criteria v2.0 [Charidimou A, et al. 2022], which are magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based, as well as simplified [Sembill JA, et al. 2022] and full [Rodrigues MA, et al. 2018] Edinburg criteria, which are computerized topography (CT)-based. These criteria had been developed based on patients in western countries. Therefore, the application of these criteria in Asian population, especially in South-East Asian, is limited. This study aimed to explore the clinico-radiological characteristics and the accuracy of the current diagnostic criteria among Thai CAA patients.
Methods
Congo Red staining brain histopathological specimens in King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thailand during 2011–2021 were reviewed. Patients’ characteristics were gathered from the best available data in electronic medical records. Each clinical event was analyzed separately. Radiological biomarkers in brain CT and MRI which had been done closet to the pathological confirmed date were systematically rated by trained investigators. Level of diagnosis was assessed based on the modified Boston criteria v1.5, Boston criteria v2.0, and simplified Edinburg criteria.
Results
Eight patients had pathological-confirmed CAA and 11 clinical events from these patients were reviewed. The clinico-radiological characteristics are shown in Table 1. Comparisons of the level of diagnosis between the criteria are shown in Table 2 and the diagnostic accuracy of the criteria using the Boston criteria v1.5 and v2.0 as reference standards are summarized in Table 3. The Boston criteria v2.0 revealed the better sensitivity compared with v1.5 (probable CAA, 63.6% vs 54.4%), likely due to an inclusion of non-hemorrhagic biomarkers; whereas the simplified Edinburgh criteria showed lower sensitivity compared with Boston criteria. The AUC of probable CAA in Boston criteria v1.5 using v2.0 as a reference standard was 0.93 (95%CI [0.76-1.00], sensitivity 85.7%, and specificity 100%).
Conclusions
We performed the application of most recent current diagnostic criteria in CAA Thai population. The larger and well-designed confirmatory study in Asian cohort is needed.
The 9-item Academic Self-Efficacy (ASE) scale: Validity, reliability and measurement invariance across sexes and six Arab nations
Authors: Hemade Ali , Malaeb Diana , Alhuwailah Amthal , Helmy Mai , Barakat Muna , Hallit Rabih , Khatib Sami El , Rahal Mohamad , Rabbani Syed Arman , Alzayer Reem , Farrag Nada H. , Hajjar Rita El , Mallouh Jinan , Obeid Sahar , Hallit Souheil , Fekih-Romdhane Feten 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background: Academic self-efficacy (ASE), the belief in one's ability to succeed in academic tasks, plays a crucial role in student motivation, learning, and performance. Reliable measurement of this construct is essential for identifying students' strengths and areas for improvement. This study aims to translate and validate the Academic Self-Efficacy Scale for use among university students from six different Arab countries.
Methods: Using the Snowball sampling technique, participants (n=2131), university students six Arab countries (i.e., KSA, UAE, Egypt, Lebanon, Oman, and Kuwait), answered the demographic questions and completed the Arabic Academic Self-Efficacy Scale, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-8, and the Multidimensional Social Support Scale.
Results: Confirmatory Factor Analysis proved a one-factor solution for the ASE scale. Adequate composite reliability was found (ω = .96; α = .96). Convergent and concurrent validity was assessed and proven by a negative correlation with measures of psychological distress and positive correlation with measures of social support. Our translation of the ASE scale was invariant across sexes and countries, with females scoring significantly higher than males.
Conclusion: Our Arabic version of the ASE scale is a validated and reliable tool for assessing ASE in Arabic speaking populations, and shall provide means for assessing students’ confidence in their academic abilities and help improve student support.
Development of Molecular Diagnostic Protocols for Simultaneous Identification of Common Bed Bugs (Cimex lectularius) and Tropical Bed Bugs (Cimex hemipterus)
Authors: Han Jeong Heum , Choi Junhyeong , Cho Susie , Lee Si-Hyeock , Kim Ju Hyeon 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background
The resurgence of two bed bug species, the common bed bug (Cimex lectularius Linnaeus, 1758) and tropical bed bug (Cimex hemipterus Fabricius, 1803), in the same geographical regions has been frequently reported recently. Consequently, the rapid identification of these species at infestation sites is crucial for implementing targeted control measures, owing to differences in genetic and physiological traits.
Methods
To develop molecular diagnostic methods, distinct protocols were established for multiplex PCR and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) using species-specific primers based on species-specific segments of internal transcribed spacer 2 sequences. These methods were optimized for rapid and accurate identification of the two bed bug species.
Results
Both multiplex PCR and LAMP protocols were effective in simultaneously identifying the two bed bug species, even when utilizing DNA released from dead specimens. Notably, the straightforward procedure and minimal time commitment of LAMP make it highly applicable for rapid and accurate diagnosis of bed bugs at infestation sites. The diagnostic accuracy of these methods was validated through a blind test.
Conclusions
The multiplex PCR and LAMP protocols enable rapid and accurate on-site identification of bed bug species, facilitating the timely implementation of species-specific control strategies. This approach ensures effective management tailored to the unique characteristics of each bed bug species.
Is it worth using the Comprehensive Complication Index over the Clavien-Dindo Classification in elderly patients who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy?
Authors: Danilovic Alexandre , Perrone Gustavo , Dias Lucas , Marchini Giovanni , Torricelli Fabio , Batagello Carlos , Vicentini Fabio , Nahas William C , Mazzucchi Eduardo 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Purpose
To compare the Comprehensive Complication Index (CCI) to the Clavien-Dindo Classification (CDC) in an elderly population who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and to identify predictors of postoperative complications in this population.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective study involving patients 60 years and older who underwent standard PCNL at our Institution between 2009 and 2020. Postoperative complications were considered up to 30 days after surgery. Both CDC and CCI were calculated to assess patient outcomes. Length of stay (LOS) and admission to the emergency room (ER) were used as surrogates of postoperative complications.
Results
We included 239 patients with a median age of 65 [63–70] years. 15.5% presented complications and multiple complications occurred in 2.9% of the patients. LOS had a correlation coefficient of 0.291 (p < 0.001) with both CDC and CCI. Admission to the ER had a coefficient of 0.284 (p < 0.001) with CDC and 0.286 (p < 0.001) with CCI. Higher American Anesthesiology Association (ASA) physical status (p = 0.04), higher Guy’s Hospital Kidney Stone Classification (p = 0.02) and lower post-surgery hematocrit level (p = 0.046) exhibited significant univariate correlations with complications. After multivariate analysis, only a higher ASA physical status (p = 0.01) showed independent correlation with complications.
Conclusion
A higher ASA physical status arose as an independent predictor of complications following PCNL in the elderly population. The use of the CCI following this procedure in this population did not yield benefits over the widely used CDC.
Intelligent Irrigation System Based on Humidity and Temperature Predictions for Cocoa Crops in Piedecuesta Santander
Authors: Ortega Rocio Cazes , García Aldo Pardo , Rojas Luis Guillermo Hernández , Pelayo Jorge Saul Fandiño 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Insufficient water, below 70%, limits cocoa growth, reduces production and affects quality due to water stress. On the other hand, excess moisture, above 85%, obstructs air channels in the soil and causes root rot, reducing nutrient absorption and crop yield. These unfavorable water conditions negatively impact both cocoa quantity and quality. Accurate irrigation management, staying within an optimal range of 70-85%, is essential to maximize cocoa production and quality. The project proposes a smart irrigation system for cocoa using Edge Impulse and artificial intelligence to analyze air temperature and humidity, as well as predict rainfall with cloud data. Sensors measure soil moisture in real time near each plant. The system compares the rain prediction with soil moisture, triggering drip irrigation only when moisture is predicted to be lacking and rain is not expected. This integration of Edge Impulse improves efficiency and provides high-performance real-time data analysis.
A smart irrigation system was implemented, combining data from DTH11 sensors and hygrometer with Edge Impulse, and the algorithm was transferred to an Arduino Uno to control the drip irrigation motor pump in real time. Irrigation is activated only under optimal conditions, considering air and soil moisture. This efficient approach reduces water consumption and optimizes the energy used in irrigation. Integration with Raspberry Pi and Firebase for remote control establishes a scalable and sustainable model for precision agriculture, highlighting the effectiveness of Edge Impulse in modern agricultural resource management.
Improving Performance of Hybrid Zn-Ce Redox Flow Battery by Controlling Ion Crossover and Use of Mixed Acid Positive Electrolyte
Authors: Yu Hao , Pritzker Mark , Gostick Jeff 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

In this study, the crossover of the electroactive species Zn(II), Ce(III), Ce(IV) and H+ across a Nafion 117 membrane was measured experimentally during the operation of a bench-scale hybrid Zn-Ce redox flow battery containing 0.8 mol/L cerium methanesulfonate in 4 mol/L methanesulfonic acid (MSA) or 2 mol/L MSA–0.5 mol/L H2SO4 mixed acid on the positive side and 1.5 mol/L ZnMSA in 1 mol/L MSA on the negative side. As much as 36% of the initial Zn(II) ions transferred from the negative to the positive electrolyte and 42.5% of the H+ in the positive electrolyte crossed over to the negative electrolyte after 30 charge-discharge cycles. Both of these phenomena contributed to the steady fade in battery performance over the course of operation. Based on these findings, additional experiments were conducted in which different amounts of Zn(II) were intentionally added to the positive electrolytes. This action was shown to have several beneficial effects: by reducing the crossover of Zn(II) from the negative electrolyte to the positive electrolyte, the battery coulombic and voltage efficiencies both improved, the decay of battery performance over the 30 charge-discharge cycles was reduced, the kinetics of the Ce(III)/Ce(IV) redox couple were enhanced, and inhibition of O2 evolution was observed. The average energy efficiency over 30 charge-discharge cycles was increased by 19.7% by adding 0.6 mol/L Zn(II) to 4 mol/L MSA positive supporting electrolyte and 6.4% by adding 0.4 mol/L Zn(II) to 2 mol/L MSA–0.5 mol/L H2SO4.
Assessment of Gamified Mixed Reality Environments for Upper Limb Robotic Rehabilitation: Pilot Study on Healthy Adults
Authors: Garcia-Hernandez Nadia , Buccelli Stefano , De Angelis Agnese , Taglione Elisa , laffranchi matteo , deMichieli lorenzo 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Exoskeletons for rehabilitation have the potential to aid movement and promote intensive, task-oriented, and personalized motor training. However, robotic-assisted training and user experience could be further improve by including Mixed Reality Environments (MREs) and using a gamification approach. This paper presents the design and evaluation of a MR solution based on Microsoft Hololens 2 for robot-assisted bilateral shoulder training. It is based on gamified MREs designed to guide and encourage bilateral synchronous and asynchronous movements of the upper extremities while a 6 Degrees of Freedom (DOF) ex-oskeleton (FLOAT) provides motor assistance only to the impared limb. The robotic-assisted bimanual tasks involve the use of rehabilitative tools (such as a dowel rod), as a means to interact with the virtual world and to enable the intact limb guide and control the motions of the disable limb. The gamified MR training solution generates meaningful performance metrics from the kinematic analysis of hands movement, captured by Hololens. The subjective evaluation of the gamified MR solution focused on usability, cognitive load, and user experience. Meanwhile, the objective evaluation encompassed the analysis of the robot-assisted movements with and without gamified MREs, a comparative analysis between metrics obtained from Hololens and Vicon data, and the collection of reference data and trajectories. There were twenty-one healthy adults involved in the evaluation of the system. The results with the gamified MREs highlight 1 excellent system usability, low cognitive load, and high user experience. Additionally , integrating gamified MREs into robot-assisted movements enhances shoulder movements. Data collection with Hololens demonstrated to be reliable and consistent. Furthermore, the normal reference values, paths, and velocity profiles obtained from healthy individuals offer a foundation for assessing the performance of individuals with disabilities. In summary, the introduction of gamified MREs for robot-assisted bilateral shoulder movements marks a significant and promising advancement in rehabilitation technology.