bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Clinical Application Value of Cytokine Expression Profiles in the Differential Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer
Authors: Chen Rongfa , Liu Linna , Chen Hui , Xing Chao , Zhang Tingting , Pang Yilin , Yang Xunjun 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background
The significance of tumor-secreted cytokines in tumor development has gained substantial attention. Nevertheless, the precise role of tumor-related inflammatory cytokines in prostate cancer (PCa) remains ambiguous.
Objectives
To gain deeper insights into the inflammatory response in the process of PCa.
Methods
A total of 141 cases were collected, including 70 cases of prostate hyperplasia and 9 cases of prostatitis as disease control, 41 cases of postoperative prostate cancer and 21 cases of prostate cancer as PCa group. Additionally, 31 patients undergoing physical examinations during the same period were collected as the healthy control. The levels of 12 inflammatory cytokines in peripheral blood samples were analyzed using flow cytometric bead array technology. The levels of total prostate-specific antigen (TPSA) and free prostate-specific antigen (FPSA) in peripheral blood samples were analyzed using electrochemiluminescence technology.
Results
Our results showed that serum IL-5, IL-6, IL-8 levels were significantly increased in PCa group compared to those in the control group (all p < 0.05). While, the level of IL-2, IL-10, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-12p70, and IFN-α were lower in PCa than in healthy control. The concentration of IL-6 decreased but the concentrations of IL-4, IL-10, TNF-α, and IL-17A increased after surgery, showing significant differences (p < 0.05). The differential upregulation of IL-6 and IL-8 in peripheral blood have diagnostic efficacy in PCa patients.
Conclusion
The peripheral blood cytokines are closely associated with the occurrence and development of prostate cancer, especially the serum levels of IL-6 and IL-8 may be useful as potential predictors of PCa diagnosis.
Stereo Matching Via a Sparsity Constraint for Autonomous Driving
Authors: Liao Lyuchao , Zeng Jiemao , Lai Taotao , Ma Huankun , Wang Zihao , Zou Fumin 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Stereo matching has recently achieved remarkable performance in computer vision applications, particularly in autonomous driving. A large number of studies have shown that the performance of stereo matching can be improved by fully utilizing the feature information of stereo matching image pairs to construct the cost volume. This work proposes an efficient cost volume construction method with sparsity constraint using information-theoretic principles, namely SCNet. Specifically, the features of the image pairs are first subjected to cascading calculations and correlation calculations to obtain the initial concatenation volume and the initial correlation volume. Then, information-theoretic principles are used to handle the initial correlation volume to enhance the correlation with larger-values and suppress the correlation with lower-values. Finally, the handled correlation and concatenation volumes are fused to construct the cost volume for stereo matching. The experiments show that the proposed SCNet has achieved advanced performance in stereo matching on three public datasets: KITTI2012, KITTI2015, and Scene Flow.
Interferometry and dynamics of a transmon-type qubit in front of a mirror
Authors: Liul Maksym 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

We theoretically describe the stationary regime and coherent dynamics of a capacitively shunted transmon-type qubit which is placed in front of a mirror. The considered qubit is irradiated by two signals: pump (dressing) and probe. By changing amplitudes and frequencies of these signals we study the system behaviour. The main tool of our theoretical analysis is solving of the Lindblad equation. We also consider Lindblad superoperators in charge and energy bases and compare the results. Theoretically obtained occupation probability is related to the experimentally measured value. This study helps to understand better the properties of qubit-mirror system and gives new insights about the underlying physical processes.
The Effectiveness of Electrical Stimulation in Swallowing Rehabilitation in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Yılmaz Neslihan Altuntaş , Karaduman Aynur Emine , Öztürk Kayhan , Erdur Ömer 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Purpose
The aim is to investigate the effectiveness of NMES in the functional and electrophysiological rehabilitation of swallowing difficulties in dysphagic children with cerebral palsy.
Methods
Twenty-six children diagnosed with dysphagia, with a mean age of 7.02 ± 2.40 years, were included in the study and randomly allocated into two groups (NMES,n = 16;Sham NMES,n = 10). All participants received swallowing disorder rehabilitation approaches, including oral motor exercises, laryngeal mobilization, thermal-tactile stimulation, and gum massage, totaling 12 sessions. In addition to swallowing rehabilitation, stimulation was applied to the groups. Participants underwent assessments including Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), Clinical Assessment of Head Control, Pediatric Eating Assessment Tool (Pedi-EAT 10), Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS), Karaduman Chewing Performance Scale (KCPS), Swallowing Ability and Function Evaluation (SAFE), and Electrophysiological Evaluation of the Suprahyoid Muscle in four consistencies (spontaneous, liquid, viscous, and solid swallowing).
Results
Both interventions showed no difference in swallowing functionality (p > 0.05). It was found that NMES improved muscle contraction performance in solid foods (p < 0.05). It is noteworthy that swallowing duration and the resting potential of the muscle decreased after treatment in all consistencies for both treatment groups (p > 0.05).
Conclusion
Positive improvements in swallowing performance were observed in both treatment groups after treatment. It was determined that NMES did not have superiority over Sham-NMES in terms of swallowing functionality, but NMES was found to have superiority in the treatment of suprahyoid muscle performance during spontaneous swallowing and solid food ingestion. We believe NMES will be beneficial in increasing muscle strength in solid swallowing.
Thymic Rosai-Dorfmann disease: a case report
Authors: Liu Gaohua , Wang Juan , Jing Min 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD), known as sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy, commonly involves lymph nodes in neck or mediastinum, although extra-nodal involvement was observed in about 40% RDD patients. RDD that merely involved thymus was very rarely reported. We report a RDD case with thymic origin. A 52-year-old male was accidently found to have a 7×6 cm anterior mediastinum lump by chest computed tomography (CT) scan. The mediastinal lesion was resected by surgery and postoperative pathology revealed to be RDD originated from thymus. Regular telephone follow-up after surgery, that was continued for 3 years to date, showed that the patient maintained in good conditions without any relevant symptoms.
Tracking Surface Charge Dynamics on Single Nanoparticles
Authors: Dagar Ritika , Zhang Wenbin , Rosenberger Philipp , Linker Thomas , Sousa-Castillo Ana , Neuhaus Marcel , Mitra Sambit , Biswas Shubhadeep , Feinberg Alexandra , Summers Adam , Nakano Aiichiro , Vashishta Priya , Shimojo Fuyuki , Wu Jian , Vera Cesar Costa , Maier Stefan , Cortes Emiliano , Bergues Boris , Kling Matthias 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Tracing the dynamical behavior of light-induced surface charges on nanostructures is pivotal for elucidating the fundamental processes governing catalysis and light-nanomaterial interactions. Extension to nanoscale surface charge dynamics, however, remained challenging due to the involved length and time scales. Here, we demonstrate direct observation of surface charge dynamics on dielectric nanoparticles under strong-field irradiation using time-resolved reaction nanoscopy. Our technique offers four-dimensional visualization of the spatiotemporal evolution of localized charges on spherical SiO2 nanoparticles, providing unprecedented resolution at the femtosecond-nanometer scale and single-nanoparticle level. Through semi-classical simulations, we reveal the distinct roles and characteristic timescales of diffusion and decay processes driving surface charge relaxation on SiO2 nanoparticles. Quantum dynamical simulations reveal bond-weakening in adsorbate molecules at the nanosurface, attributed to the presence of the surface charges. Unveiling nanoscale charge dynamics and their impact on surface molecular bonding highlights the potential for designing nanomaterials with tailored functionalities, propelling atomic-scale technologies and catalysis to new frontiers.
Studies on Indigenous Knowledge in the Management of Typhoid Fever and Wound Infections Using Calotropis Procera (CP) leaf extracts against Selected Microorganisms
Authors: Amos Jimba Rai 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
The studies on indigenous knowledge in the management of typhoid fever and wound infections using leaf extract of Calotropis procera plant were carried out. The leaf were plucked and air dried to a constant weighed pulverize, soaked with four different solvent; aqueous, n.hexane, ethanol and methanol. Two hundred and fifty gram of the pulverized dried sample was weighed for each solvent extraction and 28.50±1.00 (g), 12.30±1.00 (g), 16.40±1.0 (g) and 22.60±1.00(g) with correspondence weigh of fractionated pure isolates of the extract obtained from column chromatography of 13.00±1.00, 7.20±1.00, 8.80±1.00 and 10.30±1.00 (ml) was obtained. The result of phytochemical analysis revealed the highest active components of tannins, saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, cardiac glycoside and terpenoids in methanolic extracts whereas reducing sugar, phenol, and phlobatannins were absent. Using agar well diffusion methods, the different crude extracts showed visible effect on test organisms compared to the fractionated pure isolates of the extracts and the positive control. The methanolic extracts were observed to be more potent than other solvent extracts on the test bacteria with the concentration of 250mg/ml and 500mg/ml on S. typhi. Fractionated pure isolate of the extract showed highest zone diameter of inhibition of 27.50±0.00 and 35.8±0.00 at the concentration of 50 ml and 100 ml respectively on both gram negative and gram positive bacteria compared to the positive control range from 34.00±1.00 to 49.20±1.00. The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of crude and fractionated pure isolates showed effectiveness on both S. typhi and S. aureus at the concentration of 250mg/ml and 500 mg/lm, 50 ml and 100ml respectively. MRSAshowed a quick declined in the growth of S. typhi and a little longer in S. aureus after the period of 4h and 12 h at the concentration of 25 mg/ml, 500mg/ml, 50 ml and 100ml of crude and fractionated pure isolates of plant extract. Thus, the results indicates that fractionated pure isolate of the extracts were more significantly higher than the crude extracts at 0<0.5 level of significance compared to the positive control; this could be due to the synergism. The finding therefore concludes that Calotropis procera contains a potential source of bioactive compounds that can be used in management of typhoid fever and wound infections.
Machine learning techniques for flood forecasting
Authors: Hadi Fayrouz Abd Alkareem , Mohd Sidek Lariyah , Ahmed Salih Gasim Hayder , Basri Hidayah , Sammen Saad Sh. , Mohd Dom Norlida , Muhamad Ali Zaharifudin , Najah Ahmed Ali 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACT

Climate change resulted in dramatic change in the monsoon precipitation rates in Malaysia, contributing to repetitive flooding events. This research examines different substantial practicalities of machine learning (ML) in performing high-performance and accurate FF. The case study was The Dungun River. IGISMAPs datasets of water level and rainfall were investigated (1986–2000). The Forecasting was implemented for current (1986–2000) and near future (2020–2030). ML algorithms were Logistic Regression, K-Nearest neighbors, Support Vector Classifier, Naive Bayes, Decision tree, Random Forest, and Artificial Neural Network. Simulations were run in the Colab software tool. The results revealed that between 1986 and 2000, there would be an average of (18–55) floods around the Dungun River Basin. Floods occurred rarely before 1985. They have been common since 2000. 35 floods occurred annually on average since 2000. It is predicted that between 2020 and 2030, flooding events would grow on the Dungun River Basin. Most floods occurred due to rainfall between 1 and 500 mm. The maximum frequency of flooding was measured at 110 occurrences at a rainfall of 250 mm. The overall accuracies were 75.61%/ random forest, 73.17%/ KNN, and logistic regression/ 48.78%. Overall, the ANN models had a competitive mean accuracy of 90.85%.
Two Distinct Neuronal Populations in the Rat Parafascicular Nucleus
Oppositely Encode the Engagement in Stimulus-driven Reward-seeking
Authors: Sicre Mehdi , Ambroggi Frederic , Meffre Julie 
Published: February 2024

Background::
The thalamus is a phylogenetically well-preserved structure. Known to densely
contact cortical regions, its role in the transmission of sensory information to the striatal complex
has been widely reconsidered in recent years.

Methods::
The parafascicular nucleus of the thalamus (Pf) has been implicated in the orientation of attention
toward salient sensory stimuli. In a stimulus-driven reward-seeking task, we sought to characterize
the electrophysiological activity of Pf neurons in rats.

Results::
We observed a predominance of excitatory over inhibitory responses for all events in the task.
Neurons responded more strongly to the stimulus compared to lever-pressing and reward collecting,
confirming the strong involvement of the Pf in sensory information processing. The use of long sessions
allowed us to compare neuronal responses to stimuli between trials when animals were engaged
in action and those when they were not. We distinguished two populations of neurons with opposite
responses: MOTIV+ neurons responded more intensely to stimuli followed by a behavioral response
than those that were not. Conversely, MOTIV- neurons responded more strongly when the animal did
not respond to the stimulus. In addition, the latency of excitation of MOTIV- neurons was shorter than
that of MOTIV+ neurons.

Conclusion::
Through this encoding, the Pf could perform an early selection of environmental stimuli
transmitted to the striatum according to motivational level
Artificial intelligence in education: Effects of using integrative automated writing evaluation programs on honing academic writing instruction
Authors: Wale Bantalem Derseh 
Published: February 2024

Automated writing evaluation (AWE), which is the result of educational artificial intelligence technology, is a process of scoring and evaluating learners’ written texts automatically. The current study examined the effects of using integrative AWE programs on honing academic writing instruction. It also assessed students’ perceptions towards using these programs. A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest two-group design was used. Test, questionnaire, focus group discussion, and teacher diary were used to collect data from 92 randomly selected participants. The experimental group students learned writing skills with Writerly and Google Docs in integration, but the control group students learned through the conventional paper and pencil feedback system. When the quantitative data were analyzed through independent samples T-test and descriptive statistics, the qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The findings revealed that using the integrated AWE programs honed academic writing instruction because there was a statistical difference between the experimental and control groups in their academic writing performance. Hence, students who learned using the integrated AWE programs honed their academic writing performance because they were able to produce essays that addressed task achievement, coherence and cohesion, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy. However, students who learned through the conventional method were less effective in producing quality essays. Besides, the findings also discovered that the experimental group students had positive perceptions towards using the aforementioned AWE programs because they found the programs interesting, effective, goal-oriented, and supportive. Consequently, this study recommends researchers, curriculum designers, instructional material designers, teachers, and students pay due attention to integrated AWE programs.
Exploring travel for work-life balance: a study on solo woman travellers in bali
Authors: Wiwiek Agustina Ni Ketut , Julio I Kadek Nora , Argapura Kadek Kresna 
Published: February 2024

With the importance of balance in life, the phenomenon of work-life balance is very engaging to be associated with travelling activities, especially solo travel, which became popular during the COVID-19 pandemic as a new trend that emerged. This research aims to analyse the phenomenon of travelling for work-life balance, whether it can be a trend or lifestyle, using an exploratory study approach that focuses on solo women travellers in Bali, especially those from Denpasar City and Badung Regency. Qualitative descriptive methods were used in this study, with data collection techniques through literature studies, observations, and comprehensive interviews of 13 informants consisting of 10 primary informants, 2 key informants, and 1 supporting informant. The selection of informants is carried out using purposive sampling techniques with the Pentahelix approach. With the selection of the primary informant criteria, namely, solo woman travellers in Bali aged 18-26 years, and the criteria of key informants and supporters are academics that have insights into the field of travel, especially in women travellers. The results showed that travelling activities have a strong and significant influence in building new behaviour patterns towards women travellers in Bali in doing solo travelling activities to achieve work-life balance. The need for healing activities for their lives and performance become a motivation and desire that every solo woman traveller in Bali wants to realise. Travelling for work-life balance plays a vital role in achieving productivity and can be a workable lifestyle.
EVOLUCIÓN Y RECUPERACIÓN DE PASTURAS PARA OPTIMIZAR LOS RENDIMIENTOS NUTRICIONALES DE LOS SEMOVIENTES INTERPRETANDO LOS ÍNDICES DE VEGETACIÓN NORMALIZADA USANDO LEVANTAMIENTOS MULTIESPECTRALES
Authors: Gualdrón Guerrero Luis Daniel , Gualdrón Guerrero Oscar Eduardo , Maestre Delgado Marisol 
Published: February 2024

La agricultura de precisión ha experimentado avances significativos mediante el aprovechamiento de tecnologías como el uso de drones y la captura de imágenes espectrales. La aplicación del índice NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) se ha convertido en una herramienta clave para la identificación de coberturas vegetales, permitiendo analizar la salud de los cultivos con gran precisión y la estimación del área ocupada según la densidad de biomasa. La combinación de estas tecnologías facilita la generación de tasas de crecimiento diario de la vegetación, lo que resulta fundamental para proyectar la recuperación de pasturas. En este trabajo, el NDVI se empleó para evaluar la salud y prever la necesidad de ajustes en la gestión y manejo de la pradera y los requerimientos del pasto kikuyo, Las proyecciones basadas en estos datos ofrecen una herramienta valiosa para la toma de decisiones, asegurando que las estrategias de recuperación de pasturas sean adecuadas y efectivas a medida que se optimizan los rendimientos para la nutrición de semovientes. El presente artículo se enfoca en el seguimiento de la evolución de la pastura de kikuyo, específicamente en un predio del municipio de Pamplona, Norte de Santander, la ventana de tiempo para el desarrollo del seguimiento se determinó en cuatro meses, en los cuales se efectuó un levantamiento multiespectral por mes, con la información obtenida se determinaron tasas de crecimiento diario y la proyección de los días para el restablecimiento del pasto, concluyendo que los tiempos de reposo de las praderas para un adecuado manejo es inversamente proporcional a la cantidad de área cubierta con material vegetal en óptima condiciones al inicio del restablecimiento de la pradera.
The Application of Multimodal Teaching Model Based on VAR Model in English Teaching in Colleges and Universities
Authors: Li Panpan 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
In this paper, a multimodal teaching model based on vector autoregressive (VAR) model is constructed for English teaching in colleges and universities, and the model is optimized and improved. The VAR model can predict the potential future paths of the specified variables in the model, and thus measure the long-term equilibrium relationship of multiple variables in English teaching in colleges and universities. This model was empirically studied in the multimodal teaching of four listening, speaking, reading and writing aspects. The results of the study show that the students in the experimental group significantly improved their performance in the listening test, in which the average scores of Groups A, B, and C were 18.49, 20.265, and 21.99, respectively, with a p-value of 0.000, which is lower than the 0.05 level of significance. Most of the students think that the multimodal English film and video clip teaching mode helps improve English thinking ability and fluency of oral expression. Regarding reading comprehension, the average score of the experimental class reaches 20.89 while the control class is 16.8, with a p-value of 0.001, indicating that the practical class is significantly better than the control class. Regarding writing instruction, most students also preferred multimodal instruction and recognized its positive effects. The application of multimodal teaching mode based on VAR model in English teaching in colleges and universities is practical and can significantly improve students’ listening, speaking, reading and writing abilities.
Exploring the Online Platform Construction of English Movie Audiovisual Speaking Blended Teaching Mode Based on POA Theory of Production-Oriented Approach
Authors: Li Shuhui , Zhu Yanli 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
This article is concerned with improving college students’ English audiovisual speaking ability in the context of the development of the times. Based on the SPOC (Small Private Online Course) teaching platform and the POA (Production-Oriented Approach) theory, the article constructs a blended teaching mode of English movie audiovisual speaking course. This model extracts English movie audiovisual features through the multimodal fusion of audiovisual correlation perception and audiovisual recognition. The article adopts CRNN (Convolutional Recurrent Neural Network) model and 3D convolutional structure to build a multimodal audiovisual speech recognition model for English movies. The differences between blended and traditional teaching are analyzed and the effects of integrated teaching are explored through a study of South China Agricultural University students. The study results show that the combined teaching is 0.699 points higher than the traditional teaching method in the average normalized gain score, and the audiovisual speaking ability of the students in the experimental class has improved by 76.04%. The blended teaching of English movie audiovisual speaking based on SPOC platform can effectively enhance students’ audiovisual speaking ability, thus promoting students’ cross-cultural communication ability.