bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of custom-made VR exergame for at-home Stroke rehabilitation. A longitudinal single-arm study.
Authors: Castillo Julian Felipe Villada , Vega Maria Fernanda Montoya , Cardona John Edison Muñoz , Gallo Oscar Alberto Henao , Lopez Jose Fernando 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Exercise games (Exergames) based on Virtual Reality (VR) have emerged as a promising option for supporting physical rehabilitation in stroke users. As a com- plementary therapy, they offer valuable benefits such as therapy engagement and enjoyment. In this study, we assessed the effectiveness of an immersive, custom- made VR exergame designed for upper limb rehabilitation in stroke participants aged 50 and above. We conducted 14 sessions of 15 minutes involving ten par- ticipants (6 females, ages 58.1 ± 7.5 years old) who volunteered to participate in an assisted at-home rehabilitation process. The study employed a range of
evaluation tests to measure physical rehabilitation and game user experience out- comes. The tests included pre- and post-assessments of range of motion (ROM), the Ashworth spasticity test, and the Borg rating of perceived fatigue question- naire. To evaluate the game participant experience, we used the VR Neuroscience Questionnaire (VRNQ), and the Immersive Tendencies Questionnaire (ITQ). Our results revealed significant improvements in the range of motion for elbow and shoulder flexion, extension, adduction, and abduction. Furthermore, we observed a reduction in Ashworth spasticity, and the fatigue scale showed reduced per- ception comparing the last with the first session, although the difference was insignificant. The VRNQ questionnaire indicated significant enhancements in the domains related to ”Game Experience” and ”Game Mechanics” and an overall reduction of the perceived “Motion Sickness”. In the ITQ questionnaire, partic- ipants reported high levels of ”Attention,” and while there were no significant differences in ”Immersion” and ”Enjoyment,” a considerable improvement was observed in ”Excitement”. In summary, our results indicate that the immersive VR exergame improved the range of motion, spasticity, and overall game user experience among participants with stroke in a longitudinal, single-arm inter- vention. We conclude that using custom-made VR exergames is an effective and motivating tool for upper limb rehabilitation, with positive changes in both clin- ical and perception outcomes, and the positive and measurable effects persist after the first sessions. These findings support using VR exergames as a comple- mentary tool for at-home rehabilitation therapy with good ease of use, improved physical rehabilitation outcomes, and high treatment adherence.
Ecotoxicological Impact of Ad-Hoc Approved Synthetic Insecticides on the Biological Performance of Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Hasan Fazil , Parveen Kahkashan , Bukhari Najat A. , Dhillon Mukesh Kumar , Singh Archana , Gill Rupali , Verma Rajan 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Laboratory assessments were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of seven ad-hoc approved insecticides, namely Chlorantraniliprole, Emamectin benzoate, Spinetoram, Thiodicarb, Chlorantraniliprole + Lambda-cyhalothrin, Emamectin benzoate + Lufenuron, and Novaluron + Emamectin benzoate, against Spodoptera frugiperda. These evaluations were carried out using a diet incorporation assay in a controlled laboratory environment with a temperature of 27 ± 1°C, relative humidity of 65 ± 5%, and a 12:12 (L:D) photoperiod. During the bioassay procedure, it is noteworthy that the doses of all tested insecticides were carefully administered within the minimum range of their recommended field rates. In acute toxicity trials, spinetoram had the greatest impact on reducing the survival of S. frugiperda. Similarly, corrected mortality was highest with spinetoram and lowest with thiodicarb. Additionally, chronic toxicity trials were conducted using life table response experiments (LTREs) in the F1 progeny of the group that had experienced acute toxicity. Extended development with the highest mortality was observed in spinetoram compared to other tested insecticides. Furthermore, life indices parameters like potential fecundity (Pf), natality rate (mx), intrinsic rate of increase (rm), net reproductive rate (mx) and finite rate of increase (λ) was greatly reduced in S. frugiperda treated with spinetoram compared with other insecticides specially thiodicarb. However, mean generation time (Tc), corrected generation time (τ) and the doubling time (DT) was prolonged in spinetoram compared with other tested insecticides. Furthermore, in sex ratio analysis, all tested insecticides, except for thiodicarb, led to a significant decrease in the proportion of females in the population of S. frugiperda. These findings strongly suggest the possible emergence of resistance in S. frugiperda against thiodicarb. Moreover, considering the endorsement of this insecticide by the Government of India through ad-hoc approval, farmers are likely to persist in its application. Hence, it is imperative to conduct further validation of these results, necessitating field evaluations for confirmation.
From Deep Learning Maze to Neural Network Waltz: Unveiling Peak Performance in Stellar Classification (Using SDSS DR17)
Authors: Chatterjee Debashis , Ghosh Prithwish 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Stellar classification based on spectral characteristics plays a pivotal role in astronomy, facilitating the study of celestial bodies’ composition and evolution. In this research, we assess the performance of ten distinct machine learning algorithms in classifying stellar objects using data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). Leveraging features such as ’u’, ’g’, ’r’, ’i’, ’z’, and ’redshift’, with ’class’ as the target variable, we evaluate the accuracy of algorithms including XGBoost, CNN, RNN, AdaBoost, Adaptive Decision Learner, LSTM Networks, GRU, Random Forest Classifier, SVM, and Logistic Regression. Our findings reveal that the Random Forest Classifier outperforms other algorithms with an accuracy of 97.805%, showcasing its efficacy in capturing the complex spectral patterns of stellar objects. Moreover, other algorithms such as XGBoost, RNN, Adaptive Decision Learner, and GRU demonstrate notable accuracies ranging from 96.609% to 97.395%. This study underscores the utility of machine learning in stellar classification, offering valuable insights for astronomical research and enhancing our comprehension of the cosmos.
Development and Components of Chitosan primarily based Microspheres of Glibenclamide
Authors: Jha Souravh , Singh Pinky , Rai Arti 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Microspheres is novel drug delivery system for improving therapeutic action of drug, increasing prolong action, lowering dose frequency of dosage form and to improve patient complies. Microspheres are reducing oral administration side effect such as gastric irritation in stomach. Glibenclamide microspheres were developed by ionotropic gelation method using sodium alginate and chitosan. Calcium chloride was used as a cross linking agent. Prepared microspheres were evaluated for entrapment efficiency, microsphere size, morphology, FTIR, DSC, in-vitro drug release and drug release kinetics. Prepared Glibenclamide microspheres were found discrete, free flowing and spherical. The mean particle size ranged from 349-540 µm and percentage yield ranged between 70 to 98.92%. The size of microsphere was increased by increasing concentration sodium alginate and calcium chloride while the entrapment efficiency was increased with increasing concentration of chitosan. XRD studies confirmed the crystalline nature of Glibenclamide. SEM studies showed that the microspheres are spherical and with rough surface. The in-vitro drug release study was carried out in phosphate buffer pH 7.4. Percent drug release was decreased with increase in concentration of sodium alginate and calcium chloride. Decreased drug release rate was obtained in case of F3 formulation containing sodium alginate and chitosan at 3:1 ratio and 5% calcium chloride as a cross-linking agent. The present study conclusively that Glibenclamide microsphere could be prepared successfully and formulation F3 was shows satisfactory result. The prepare Glibenclamide microspheres to maintain an effective of drug concentration in serum for long period of time and reducing gastric irritation.
The BireyselValue, a Proposed Method for Solving a Classification Problem
Authors: Dahman Deniz 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

This paper presents a new method for solving a classification problem; the BireyselValue method assumes that the individual traits of a class help to classify an observation based on similarity measures. The method involves three stages to solve the classification problem: the building stage, the training stage, and the prediction stage. The first two stages accomplish two key steps: firstly, five parameters are used to transform any observation of size \(n\) variables into six variables; secondly, subsets of the individual traits of each class are created. As a result, the parameters, the subsets of the individual traits, and a scaled version of the training dataset are saved as a predictive model. Ultimately, the prediction stage uses the elements in the predictive model to transform the observations that are to be classified and of size \(n\) into the size of six variables and to perform similarity measures between the observation and the individual traits of class to make the final prediction. The experimental results obtained on 6 multiclass datasets from different domains showed that the proposed method is efficient at solving classification problems. Moreover, the method can potentially be used for purposes other than solving a classification problem.
Family endowments and multidimensional poverty among urban older adults living alone
Authors: Cui Jinghang , Yin Xingxing , Zhou Rong 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background Disparities in family endowments play a pivotal role in shaping the multidimensional poverty among urban older adults living alone (UOALA).Methods This study conducted an empirical analysis using data from 1656 UOALA in five different cities in China to investigate the relationship between family endowments and the occurrence of multidimensional poverty among UOALA .Results The findings illustrate an expanding and deepening scale of poverty among UOALA, particularly manifested in dimensions of physical health and mental well-being. Females, super-aged adults, and those residing in non-first-tier cities exhibit higher levels of poverty incidence and depth. The study also reveals that while the number of children in a family does not significantly impact multidimensional poverty in UOALA, factors such as children’s proximity of residence and financial situation play a significant role. Moreover, gender differences are observed in the influence of sons and daughters on the poverty status of UOALA .Conclusions Enhancing family eldercare support capacity and improving societal welfare levels emerge as critical policy measures to prevent UOALA from falling into Multidimensional Poverty.
Måleegenskaper ved den norske versjonen av Children’s Global Assessment Scale (CGAS)
Authors: Jozefiak Thomas , Hanssen-Bauer Ketil , Bjelland Ingvar 
Published: April 2024

Beskrivelse: Children’s Global Assessment Scale (CGAS) ble laget av David Shaffer og medarbeidere i 1983. Den skåres av kliniker og er et mål på barns psykososiale funksjonsnivå i den siste måneden før vurderingstidspunktet på en skala fra 1 (lavest fungering) til 100 (utmerket fungering). Den anbefalte aldersgruppen er 4-16/17 år. Det tar mindre enn 10 minutter å skåre CGAS. Det er ikke kjent om det er krav til kompetanse for å skåre CGAS. Ny informasjon om oversettelse og opphavsrett i 2022. Det foreligger nå en offisiell godkjent norsk oversettelse av CGAS. Denne er godkjent av rettighetshaverne ved Colombia University i USA for fri non-profit bruk både digitalt og i papirformat. Den ble oversatt i august 2022 av Lars Ravn Øhlckers, Børge Idar Mathiassen og Ketil Hanssen-Bauer, på vegne av Universitetssykehuset Nord-Norge. Litteratursøk: 34 norske artikler ble inkludert. Av disse hadde 19 flere enn 100 deltagere. De fleste studiedeltakerne var barn i 6-18 års alder, men også noen oppfølgingsstudier av voksne ble inkludert. De inkluderte studiene varierte betydelig med hensyn til type klinisk utvalg og det var både tverrsnitts- og longitudinelle studier. Psykometri: Vi fant tilfredsstillende dokumentasjon på konvergens-, diskriminerende og prediktiv validitet og interraterreliabilitet, men noe mindre på endringssensitivitet. Det manglet studier av test-retest reliabilitet. Konklusjon: Vi anbefaler bruken av den norske versjonen i både forskning og klinikk under forutsetningen av at man systematisk trener klinikere i skåringen.
Evaluation of hydraulic adequacy of runoff disposal in urban watersheds of rapidly expanding towns
Authors: Dagnachew Adinew Chansler , Abebe Awass Adane , Mohammed Bushira Kedir , Yisihak Ukumo Tigistu , Edamo Muluneh Legesse 
Published: April 2024

ABSTRACT

The growth of cities significantly alters natural catchments by increasing impervious surfaces and necessitating the installation of an appropriate drainage system. Arba Minch is rapidly expanding and facing street flooding. The objective of this study is to assess the hydraulic adequacy of runoff disposal in urban watersheds located in rapidly expanding towns. Stormwater Management Model (SWMM) was used to perform rainfall-runoff simulation. Personal Computer SWMM (PCSWMM) was used to carry out calibration and validation in the watershed. The primary and secondary data were used. Five Land Use/Land Cover (LULC) categories identified were asphalt, cobble, vegetation, bare soil, and roof. The result shows 33.49% area is covered with highly impervious land cover. The overall calibration and validation are a very good fit with the observed flow. The total runoff volume of 9494.15 km3 was generated from the town area which is 13.7 km2. The peak runoff determined from 373 sub-catchments varied from 0.01 to 4.48 m3s−1. According to the simulated result, 7.46% of existing drainage channels were flooded. Anticipating future runoff generation, this study evaluates the inadequacy of existing drainage channels in urban areas. Hydraulic analysis is recommended before constructing drainage structures to protect from flooding.
Schistosoma mansoni infection in residents of a riverside community in Eastern Amazon
Authors: Dias Isabelle Helena Lima , Fonseca Álvaro Luan Santana , de Sousa Sergei Rodrigo Magalhães , Gouveia Maria Isabel Montoril , Ribeiro Layana Rufino , de Oliveira Goveia Christiane , Nogueira Joyce Favacho Cardoso , Enk Martin Johannes , Souza e Guimarães Ricardo José de Paula , Lima Karla Valéria Batista 
Published: April 2024

ABSTRACT

Schistosoma mansoni worms cause a waterborne parasitic disease called schistosomiasis. It commonly affects individuals in lack of sanitation structure. In Brazil, Pará state has Belém as one of the worst sanitation-ranking places in 2023, where schistosomiasis transmission was already documented. This study reports the occurrence of schistosomiasis in residents of Ilha das Onças, an island next to Belém. Stool samples were obtained from participants over 2 years old, all residents from Furo do Rio Grande, one of the rivers on the island. The Kato-Katz technique was performed for parasite investigation in the stool samples. Each participant responded to a sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire. The residences were georeferenced for map designing. Three out of 263 participants were S. mansoni positive, all men, ages ranging from 19 to 41 years old, with low parasitic load. Malacological surveys were carried out, but no Biomphalaria snails were found. Risk factors for schistosomiasis establishment are present on the island, and the lack of sanitation makes it a potential risk area. Malacological surveys are highly encouraged as preventive measures, as well as health surveillance for riverside populations, generating data that will help health authorities in the management and planning of preventive control actions.
Prefiltration pilot study with drum filters
Authors: Asp Tobias , Nunes Joana , Tumlin Susanne 
Published: April 2024

ABSTRACT

The Rya wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Gothenburg, Sweden, is facing new and stricter effluent requirements and an increased predicted flow and population. A pilot study was done to evaluate drum filters as a possible space-efficient pretreatment compliment to the conventional pre-settling tanks. The pilot trials proved that the drum filter was able to reduce organic materials and phosphorus at different loads. The reduction was similar between two different pore sizes (100 and 300 μm) and the suspended solids (SS) effluent concentrations (35–200 mg/L) was similar to the conventional pre-settling tanks (40–130 mg/L). The two pore sizes had similar maximum flow capacities but the 300 μm was able to maintain that capacity for a longer time and higher influent SS concentrations. Chemical precipitation was able to increase the reduction of both SS and phosphorus. The drum filters could handle higher SS peaks during tunnel flush events while maintaining similar effluent SS concentrations as during normal operation. It became clear when analyzing the results that daily average data did not capture bypass events caused by momentaneous peaks in either influent SS or flow. Hourly data analysis is needed to correctly design and dimension a pre-filtration process with drum filters.
Enhancing anaerobic digestion efficiency in dairy waste water treatment: a comprehensive review of enzyme-based pre-treatment by microorganisms in South Africa
Authors: Moodley Hugendra Rishay , Gutu Laurah , Ayinde Wasiu B. , Ikumi David , Basitere Moses 
Published: April 2024

ABSTRACT
The escalating global demand for dairy products due to population growth has led to increased production in the dairy industry, resulting in a significant rise in wastewater generation. This wastewater, laden with contaminants such as fats, oils, and greases (FOGs), biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), nitrogen, and phosphorus, poses a threat to freshwater sources. Anaerobic digestion (AD) is considered the optimal treatment method for dairy wastewater, but the high-fat content poses challenges like reactor clogging. To overcome this, various authors propose and implement an enzymatic pre-treatment strategy that improves FOG and organic content removal, increases biogas production, and addresses economic and environmental concerns. Despite the proven efficacy of enzymatic pre-treatment, a significant drawback is the associated cost. However, it remains a promising strategy for enhancing the biodegradability of complex organic compounds in dairy effluents. This review delves into the crucial role of enzyme-producing microorganisms in enhancing AD efficiency for dairy wastewater treatment, emphasizing their potential benefits and addressing the economic and environmental considerations associated with this approach.
Unveiling the Molecular Mechanism of Diosmetin and its Impact on
Multifaceted Cellular Signaling Pathways
Authors: Varshney Krishna Kumar , Gupta Jeetendra Kumar , Srivastava Rajnish 
Published: April 2024

Background:
Diosmetin is an O-methylated flavone and the aglycone part of the
flavonoid glycosides diosmin that occurs naturally in citrus fruits. Pharmacologically, diosmetin is
reported to exhibit anticancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant, oestrogenic, and anti-inflammatory activities.

Objective:
This comprehensive review was aimed to critically explore diverse pharmacological activities
exhibited by diosmetin. Along with that, this review can also identify potential research areas
with an elucidation of the multifactorial underlying signaling mechanism of action of diosmetin
in different diseases.

Methods:
A comprehensive collection of evidence and insights was obtained from scientific journals
and books from physical libraries and electronic platforms like Google Scholar and PubMed.
The time frame selected was from year 1992 to July 2023.

Results:
The review delves into diosmetin's impact on cellular signaling pathways and its potential
in various diseases. Due to its ability to modulate signaling pathways and reduce oxidative
stress, it can be suggested as a potential versatile therapeutic agent for mitigating oxidative stressassociated
pathogenesis.

Conclusion:
The amalgamation of the review underscores diosmetin's promising role as a multifaceted
therapeutic agent, highlighting its potential for drug development and clinical applications.
Effect of Statins on Serum Levels of TNF-alpha and Interleukin-6 in Patients with
Kidney Disease: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials
Authors: Razi Bahman , Aslani Saeed , Imani Danyal , Salehiyeh Sajad , Fasihi Mahdieh , Reiner Željko , Sahebkar Amirhossein 
Published: April 2024

Background and Objectives:
Some clinical trials have indicated the beneficial effects of statins in
patients with kidney disease, while others have reported no positive effect of statins in these patients. We conducted
this meta-analysis to identify the effects of statins on serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Tumor
Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-α) in patients with kidney disease

Designs and Methods:
A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science
databases to identify all studies published from inception to August, 2022. The major outcome variable
was the Weighted Mean Difference (WMD). Eligible studies were stratified based on target population, intervention
duration, dosage and type of statins, and solubility of statins.

Results:
Meta-analysis performed on seven publications (8 studies), including 213 patients with kidney disease
and 188 control individuals, indicated that the concentration of IL-6 was marginally decreased in patients
with kidney disease following statin therapy disease (WMD = -1.15 pg/mL; 95% CI = -2.33 to 0.04, P = 0.05,
I2 = 68.5%). The findings of subgroup analysis based on the dosage of statins showed that neither highintensity
nor moderate/low-intensity statin treatment could significantly influence the serum level of IL-6.
Lipophilic statins were more effective than hydrophilic statins, and they marginally decreased the levels of
IL-6 (WMD = -1.21 pg/mL; 95% CI = -2.43 to 0, P = 0.05, I2 = 55.7%). Meta-analysis of four publications
(five studies) with 157 patients with kidney disease and 132 control subjects showed that statins reduced the
serum levels of TNF-α in patients with kidney disease when compared with control individuals (WMD= -2.66
pg/mL; 95% CI = -4.26 to -1.06, P <.001, I2 = 63%).

Conclusion:
Statins only marginally decreased the concentration of IL-6 in patients with kidney disease,
but neither high-intensity nor moderate/low-intensity statin treatment could significantly influence the level of
IL-6. However, statins reduced serum levels of TNF-α in patients with kidney disease.