bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Grain Size Profile Prediction Method Based on Combined Model of Extreme Gradient Boosting and Artificial Neural Network and Its Application in Sand Control Design
Authors: Liu Shanshan 
Published: March 2024

SummaryThe grain size distribution along the well depth is of great significance for the prediction of the physical properties and the staged sand control design of the unconsolidated or weakly consolidated sandstone reservoir. In this paper, a new method for predicting the formation median grain size profile based on the combination model of extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) and artificial neural network (ANN) is proposed. The machine learning algorithm and weighted combination model are applied to the prediction and analysis of reservoir grain size. The prediction model is improved from two aspects: First, the feature engineering of the XGBoost-ANN model is constructed by using the data of multiple sampling points on the logging curve. Second, the prediction accuracy is improved by increasing the dimension of the prediction model, that is, the XGBoost and ANN single-prediction models are weighted by the error reciprocal method and a combined prediction model containing multidimensional information is established. The research results show that compared with the single-point mapping model, the prediction accuracy of the multipoint mapping model considering the vertical geological continuity of the reservoir is higher than that of the single-point prediction and the coefficient of determination in the testing set can be improved up to 14.5%. The influence of different weighting methods on prediction performance is studied, and the prediction performance of original XGBoost, ANN, and XGBoost-ANN combined models is compared. The combined prediction model has a higher prediction accuracy than the single XGBoost and ANN models with the same number of sampling points and the coefficient of determination can be improved by up to 16.5%. The prediction accuracy and generalization ability of the XGBoost-ANN combined model are evaluated comprehensively. The combined model is used to design layered sand control of a well in an adjacent block, and good results have been achieved in production practice. This study provides a new method with high accuracy and efficiency for the prediction of unconsolidated sand median grain size profile.
Domain-Specific Summarization: Optimizing InLegalBERT for Indian Judgment Reports
Authors: Sharma Saloni , Singh Piyush Pratap 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Indian court judgment reports frequently include complicated words and sentences, making it difficult for the general public and legal experts to understand these legal documents. Legal organizations hire legal experts to provide summaries of complex and lengthy legal texts. Hence, a variety of techniques have been created to construct the summaries. In this research, we utilized the InLegalBERT model, originally trained to perform Legal Statute Identification, Semantic Segmentation, and Court Judgment Prediction tasks on Indian legal documents. In addition to these three tasks, the main goal of this research is to suggest a novel approach to use InLegalBERT to perform downstream tasks of summarization. To evaluate the effectiveness of our summarization strategy, we employed four different models: Legal Pegasus, T5 base, BART, and BERT. Based on the ROUGE-L F1 scores, the suggested approach using the InLegalBERT model is performing the best for Indian legal document summarization with a precision of 0.3022 and a recall of 0.664. Evaluation result Rouge1 F1 is 0.4226, Rouge2 F1 is 0.2604 and RougeL F1 is 0.4023
Evaluation of a personalized game-based learning app for developing young children’s reading skills
Authors: Bang Hee Jin , Siebert-Evenstone Amanda 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

This study examines whether [Reading App], an adaptive, personalized game-based program designed to help young learners build a foundation for reading comprehension and literacy, can improve early reading skills for pre-kindergarteners and kindergarteners (N = 402 treatment, 690 comparison). This study measured the feasibility of implementing [Reading App] in classrooms, teacher and student experiences of using the application, and growth in literacy outcomes between students in classrooms using [Reading App] and students in classrooms not using the application, controlling for baseline performance. Results of hierarchical linear models showed that: (a) kindergarteners who used [Reading App] made significantly greater gains on end-of-year literacy assessment than the comparison group, especially in alphabet knowledge and (b) pre-kindergarteners who mastered at least 16 alphabet skills in [Reading App] experienced greater gains in the skill than comparison group peers. Teacher surveys and interviews suggested that [Reading App] is an easy-to-use, effective, engaging learning resource that empowers them to provide personalized instruction and foster a more equitable classroom environment. The study provides initial evidence of [Reading App]’s effectiveness as a program that can enhance educators’ capacity to address learner variability and provide personalized instruction for all learners.
Ameliorative Effect of n-Butanol Fraction of Phoenix dactylifera on Mercury Induced Nephrotoxicity in Wistar Rats
Authors: Abubakar Musa Garba , Agbon Abel Nosereme , Musa Sunday Abraham , Hamman Wilson O. , Oladele Sunday Blessing 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Mercury is a highly toxic substance that poses a serious threat to living organisms. This work evaluated the protective effects of n-butanol fraction of Phoenix dactylifera Linn (BFPD) on mercury-induced kidney toxicity in Wistar rats. 25 rats were divided into 5 groups containing 5 rats each. Group I was administered 2 ml/kg of distilled water; group II was administered 5 mg/kg of mercury chloride (HgCl2); groups III and IV received 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg of BFPD followed by 5 mg/kg of HgCl2 respectively. Group V was treated with 100 mg/kg of silymarin followed by 5 mg/kg of HgCl2. All administrations were oral and lasted for 2 weeks after which the rats were euthanized and blood and kidney samples were collected for biochemical, histological, and histochemical studies respectively. HgCl2 induced oxidative stress resulting in nephrotoxicity in the rats noticeable by altered levels of Na2+, Ca2+, K+, Cl− and HCO3−, and activities of SOD and catalase when compared to the control. However, BFPD treatment ameliorated these alterations. The group treated with HgCl2 showed histological variations in the kidney such as dilated Bowman’s capsule and glomerular shrinkage while histochemical analysis revealed reduced reactivity to glycogen moiety when compared to the control. Treatment with BFPD protected the histoarchitectural properties of the kidney comparable to the control. In conclusion, BFPD protected the kidney against HgCl2-induced nephrotoxicity in rats due to its antioxidant (flavonoid) properties. Therefore, BFPD may be considered a noble candidate for treating and managing HgCl2-related nephrotoxicity.
The effects of modified deep serratus anterior plane block on surgical stress and perioperative neurocognitive disorders in elderly patients undergoing thoracic surgery: a randomized clinical study
Authors: Cheng Jiating , Sun Qirui , Sun Jianliang , Cheng Yuan , Lei Weiping 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background
To evaluate and compare the effects of a modified deep serratus anterior plane block (DSPB) combined with general anesthesia on surgical stress and perioperative neurocognitive disorder (PND) in elderly patients undergoing thoracic surgery, providing a new way to reduce the occurrence of PND in elderly patients undergoing thoracic surgery.
Methods
Sixty-six patients undergoing thoracic surgery were randomly assigned to receive either single-shot DSPB or local block after tracheal intubation using ropivacaine 0.5% 20 mL. The primary outcomes were the visual analog scale (VAS) score at each time point and the Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) score before surgery and after discharge from the hospital (or seventh day postoperative). Secondary outcomes included drug consumption, vital signs, blood gas analysis, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, and serum cortisol levels.
Results
Sixty patients were eventually enrolled in this study. The VAS scores were significantly lower in the DSPB group than in the local block group (all P < 0.05). The difference in blood gas analysis index TCO2 (27.71 ± 3.49 vs 29.31 ± 2.26) in the two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The length of hospitalization in the DSPB group was shorter than that in the local block group (6.03 ± 1.35 vs 7.20 ± 1.49), and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in MoCA scores before surgery and after hospitalization (or the seventh day postoperative), stress indices, vital signs, bispectral index value, blood gas analysis (except TCO2), and drug addiction during extubation at each time point (all P > 0.05).
Conclusion
Compared with local block, DSPB provided a superior analgesic effect with a lower VAS score and shorter length of hospitalization in elderly ptalatients undergoing thoracic surgery. It does not require ultrasound equipment, making it simpler and easier to operate, and is especially suitable for widespread implementation in grassroots hospitals.
Electrocoagulation Process for Nutrient Recovery of Agricultural Wastewater: Effect of Calcium Adding, Voltage, and Time
Authors: Oktiawan Wiharyanto , Sarminingsih Anik , Hadiwidodo Mochtar , Purwono Purwono 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Recovery of valuable resources, such as nutrient recovery from wastewater, can help close the nutrient cycle and is interesting to investigate. This study aims to evaluate phosphate recovery and set aside TOC, OC, and IC in agricultural wastewater using electrocoagulation with helix electrode configuration. This study used a Response Surface Methodology (RSM) analysis to perform statistical analysis and modeling using a central composite design (CCD). Variation of calcium concentration, electric voltage, and electrocoagulation time is applied in an electrocoagulation reactor with a helix-shaped stainless steel cathode and a solid cylindrical Mg anode. Based on RSM analysis, calcium concentration, electrical voltage, and electrolysis time significantly affect phosphate recovery and TOC, OC, and IC removal when agricultural wastewater is treated using electrocoagulation with a helical electrode configuration. The lowest phosphate concentration achieved was 0.003 mg/L (99.74% reduction) under operating conditions of 15 V voltage, 15 min time, and two mg/L calcium concentration. The highest TOC allowance is >100% of the initial concentration, TC allowance is 55.79%, and IC allowance is 30.91%. The efficiency of TOC removal in the electrocoagulation process is affected by the formation of metal hydroxides, with higher electrolysis times leading to higher TOC removal efficiency. Higher voltages also improve coagulation and flotation processes in the reactor. Calcium concentration plays a role in enhancing the flocculation process and binding phosphonates from wastewater.
Spatio-temporal response and projection of CO2 capture rates by different rock weathering to climate change in subtropics in China
Authors: Liu Wenpu , Song Yinxian , Men Xianqiang , Chen Zhong , Chang He , Zhang Shitao , Tao Chunjun , Ji Junfeng , Li Shilei , Chen Quan , Ayoko Godwin A. , Frost Ray L. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

The capture of CO2 has become a global research focus. Rock weathering in the natural environment makes significant contributions to the stable carbon capture at both long and short time scales. However, traditional methods of estimating carbon capture potential are still uncertain due to the solely instantaneous carbon capture rates, dependence of measured data, and difficulty in predicting future carbon sink potential. Here, the estimated carbon capture potential of rock weathering using conventional methods and the PROFILE weathering model were compared for the various rocks in subtropics in China. The results showed that the carbon capture rates estimated by the GEM-CO2 model vary from 1.64 to 27.40 mmol·m− 2·d− 1, while 2.63 ~ 13.46 mmol·m− 2·d− 1 by traditional the water chemistry method. Similarly, carbon capture rates calculated by the PROFILE model based on chemical weathering rate of individual specific mineral, ranging from 0.03 to 19.03 mmol·m− 2·d− 1. The results of the PROFILE calculation showed that, the carbon capture rate was 1.30 to 1.99 times in summer than in winter due to the higher temperature and precipitation. In extreme climates, high temperatures (≥ 30°C) and heavy precipitation (≥ 25mm) have increased the capture rate of carbon dioxide by approximately 21.33% and 66.23%, respectively. On the interdecadal time scale, the carbon capture rate increased by 6.1% from 1970 to 2020, due to temperature rising by 1.4°C, precipitation increasing by 2.8%, and partial pressure of atmospheric carbon dioxide (pco2) increasing by 28.4%. Further, we predict an increase in carbon capture rates will change approximately from 4.7 to 5.1% in the period of 2020–2100 under four Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) modes. The findings of this study will offer novel scientific recommendations and methods for future research and policy making on global carbon neutrality.
Microevolution and phylogenomic characterization of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Type A: An outlook of 2022-2023 outbreak
Authors: Ahmad Ashfaq , Majaz Sidra , Saeed Aamir , Noureen Shumaila , Rahman Hamid Ur , Nouroz Faisal , Xie Yingqiu , Amin Amr 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
A communal respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes mild to severe illness, predominantly in older adults, or people with certain chronic medical conditions, and in children. Symptoms may include runny nose, cough, fever, and difficulty breathing. In most cases, the infection is mild and resolves on its own, but in some cases, it can lead to more serious illness such as bronchiolitis or pneumonia. The RSV genome codes for ten proteins, NS1, NS2, N, P, M, SH, G, F, M2 and L. We aimed to identify the RSV geographical distribution and transmission pattern using site parsimonious frequencies, and investigate hotspot regions across the complete RSV genomes. These results indicated that RSV strains circulating in South and North America are not mixed to the European samples, however, genomes reported from Australia are the direct decedents of European samples. Samples reported from the United Kingdom were found diverse. Further, this report provides a comprehensive mutational analysis of all the individual RSV genes and in particular the 32 hotspot substituting regions circulating across the globe in RSV type A samples. This is the first comprehensive analysis of RSV type A that features mutational frequencies across the whole genome providing more clues for epidemiological control and drug development.
A National Cross-Sectional Survey on Community Spinal Cord Injury Patient Profiles, Health-Related Quality of Life and Support Services in China: Implications for Healthcare and Rehabilitation
Authors: pan hongxia , Ding Mingfu , Zhu Liang , xin sun , Liu Rui , shaolong ai , lu tian , Wei Quan 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is defined as a damage to the spinal cord that causes serious and permanent changes in function; it has a high incidence, high cost, high disability rate and adult onset and has become a global health priority. National epidemiological data on SCI in China are available for only a limited number of provinces and are mostly outdated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to provide a national cross-sectional investigation of epidemiological data on individuals with SCI in China.
Methods
A total of 3055 SCI patients aged 8–78 years were included in this cross-sectional study, which was conducted between May 2023 and September 2023. We collected detailed information, including general demographic characteristics, employment status, etiology, years lived with disability (YLD), family structure, caregiving status, income, available health insurance, paralysis type, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Descriptive statistics and Kolmogorov‒Smirnov analyses were also conducted to analyze demographic and injury features. The t test and Mann‒Whitney test were employed to evaluate differences across distinct groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the associations between HRQoL and other factors.
Results
Overall, 88.89% of the survey respondents were aged 15 to 59 years. The male-to-female ratio was 2.36:1. The etiology of the disease varied: 45.36% of the quadriparesis cases were caused by car accidents, more than 1/3 (35.93%) of the paraplegia cases were caused by falls, and myelitis emerged as the leading cause of nontraumatic SCI. In terms of injury sites and paralysis type, 65.51% of the paraplegia patients had complete SCI, and 53.11% of the tetraplegia patients had incomplete SCI. Considering functional recovery, 9.58% of the patients reported improvement. A total of 50.28% of the respondents were unemployed. In addition, 75% of their income fell below both the national mean and median levels. Furthermore, the HRQoL was significantly lower in the SCI population than in the control group and was mainly affected by injury site, income and age (p < 0.05).
Conclusions
SCI patients in communities in China had low HRQoL and reemployment rates. Convenient and cost-effective community rehabilitation and vocational rehabilitation are conducive to promoting the reemployment of patients with SCI and reducing disease-related burdens, and national basic public medical services and sound healthcare systems are conducive to improving the HRQoL of individuals with SCI.
A Novel Species of Myoviridae Bacteriophages Targets Carbapenem Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii via a Non-capsular Receptor
Authors: Kenney Patrick O. , Sojar Hakimuddin , Kisliuk Nelli , Miller Roy , Richter John , Carlino-MacDonald Ulrike , Luo Ting L. , Lebreton Francois , McGann Patrick T. , Gómez-Duarte Oscar G. , Russo Thomas A. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Increasing antimicrobial resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii has resulted in limited to no treatment options. Bacteriophage therapy promises to assist in filling this treatment void. Six related phages (AB1I1L, AB1I1M, AB1I1P, AB1I1T, AB2I2, AB2I3) that target A. baumannii were isolated from wastewater and possessed an icosahedral structure and contractile tail consistent with myoviridae. Purified phage of high quality and low endotoxin levels (< 0.5EU/mL) demonstrated rapid adsorption and potent lysis. Encouragingly 18/40 (45%) tested clinical isolates were susceptible to one or more members of this phage species, including 11 of 27 (41%) carbapenem resistant A. baumannii isolates. Importantly, pools of phage tolerant/resistant A. baumannii that developed after exposure to each of the six phages were highly susceptible to human ascites mediated bactericidal activity ex vivo. An unusual and potentially important feature of this phage species is that the bacterial capsule is not their receptor; in fact, capsule impedes phage activity. Whole genome sequencing did not identify bacterial virulence or resistance genes or phage lysogenic genes. Taken together, these phages are potential candidates for phage therapy and warrant additional preclinical evaluation as a treatment modality for XDR-A. baumannnii.
Association of serum IL-6 with negative symptoms in stable early-onset schizophrenia
Authors: Chen Peng , Yang Haidong , Wang Junjie , Zhu Zhenhua , Zhao Huimin , Yin Xuyuan , Cai Yuan , Zhu Hongliang , Fu Jialin , Zhang Xinzhu , Sun Wenxi , Hui Li , Zhang Xiaobin 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background:
Accumulating evidence suggests that the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) contributes to the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the relationship between serum IL-6 concentration and the clinical features of early-onset schizophrenia (EOS).
Methods:
We measured serum IL-6 levels from 74 patients with chronic schizophrenia, including 33 with age at onset < 21 years [early-onset schizophrenia (EOS) group] and 41 with onset ≥ 21 years in [adult-onset schizophrenia (AOS) group], and from 41 healthy controls. Symptom severities were evaluated using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS).
Results:
Serum IL-6 concentrations were higher in both EOS and AOS groups than healthy controls (F = 22.32, P < 0.01), but did not differ significantly between EOS and AOS groups (P > 0.05) after controlling for age, body mass index, and other covariates. Negative symptom scores were higher in the EOS group than the AOS group (F = 6.199, P = 0.015). Serum IL-6 concentrations in the EOS group were negatively correlated with both total PANSS-negative symptom score (r = -0.389, P = 0.032) and avolition/asociality subscore (r = -0.387, P = 0.026).
Conclusion:
Patients with early-onset schizophrenia may have more severe negative symptoms than those with adult-onset schizophrenia during the chronic phase of the illness.IL-6 signaling may regulate negative symptoms and its avolition/asociality subsymptoms among the early-onset chronic schizophrenic patients.
Genetic Analysis and QTL Mapping for Pericarp Thickness in Maize (Zea mays L.)
Authors: Gong Guantong , Jia Haitao , Tang Yunqi , Pei Hu , Zhai Lihong , Huang Jun 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Proper pericarp thickness protects the maize kernel against pests and diseases, moreover, thinner pericarp improves the eating quality in fresh corn. In this study, we aimed to investigate the dynamic changes in maize pericarp during kernel development and identified the major quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for maize pericarp thickness. It was observed that maize pericarp thickness first increased and then decreased. During the growth and formation stages, the pericarp thickness gradually increased and reached the maximum, after which it gradually decreased and reached the minimum during maturity. To identify the QTLs for pericarp thickness, a BC4F4 population was constructed using maize inbred lines B73 (recurrent parent with thick pericarp) and Baimaya (donor parent with thin pericarp). In addition, a high-density genetic map was constructed using maize 10K SNP microarray. A total of 17 QTLs related to pericarp thickness were identified in combination with the phenotypic data. The results revealed that the heritability of the thickness of upper germinal side of pericarp (UG) was 0.63. The major QTL controlling UG was qPT1-1, which was located on chromosome 1 (212,215,145–212,948,882). The heritability of the thickness of upper abgerminal side of pericarp (UA) was 0.70. The major QTL controlling UA was qPT2-1, which was located on chromosome 2 (2,550,197–14,732,993). In addition, a combination of functional annotation and DNA sequencing analysis screened two candidate genes, Zm00001d001964 and Zm00001d002283, that could potentially control maize pericarp thickness. This study provides valuable insights into the improvement of maize pericarp thickness during breeding.