bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and organic fluorine from sewage sludge and sea sand by pyrolysis
Authors: Hušek Matěj , Semerád Jaroslav , Skoblia Siarhei , Moško Jaroslav , Kukla Jaroslav , Beňo Zdeněk , Jeremiáš Michal , Cajthaml Tomáš , Komárek Michael , Pohořelý Michael 
Published: March 2024

AbstractPyrolysis is one method for treating sewage sludge, particularly in remote areas or decentralised systems. The end product of pyrolysis, sludge-char, can serve as a soil improver. However, there is a lack of comprehensive data on the organic pollutants’ behaviour in sludge-char. In our work, we focused on the behaviour of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). Sludge was pyrolyzed at 200–700 °C to determine the minimum safe temperature for effective PFASs removal. It is important to note that PFASs may not only be mineralized but also cleaved to unanalyzed PFASs and other organofluorinated substances. To address this issue, we incorporated additional measurements of organic fluorine in the experiment using combustion ion chromatography (CIC). Due to the inherent heterogeneity of sludge, containing a variety of pollutants and their precursors, we conducted pyrolysis on artificially contaminated sand. This allowed us to assess and compare the behaviour of PFASs in a homogeneous matrix. Based on our analyses, we determined that a temperature greater than 400 °C is imperative for effective PFASs and organic fluorine removal. The results were verified by analyzing samples from a commercial sludge pyrolysis unit at the Bohuslavice-Trutnov WWTP, which confirmed our measurements. In light of these results, it becomes evident that sludge pyrolysis below 400 °C is unsuitable for PFAS removal from sewage sludge.
Graphical Abstract
On the Performance of Malleable APGAS Programs and Batch Job Schedulers
Authors: Finnerty Patrick , Posner Jonas , Bürger Janek , Takaoka Leo , Kanzaki Takuma 
Published: March 2024

AbstractMalleability—the ability for applications to dynamically adjust their resource allocations at runtime—presents great potential to enhance the efficiency and resource utilization of modern supercomputers. However, applications are rarely capable ofgrowingandshrinkingtheir number of nodes at runtime, and batch job schedulers provide only rudimentary support for such features. While numerous approaches have been proposed to enable application malleability, these typically focus on iterative computations and require complex code modifications. This amplifies the challenges for programmers, who already wrestle with the complexity of traditional MPI inter-node programming.Asynchronous Many-Task(AMT) programming presents a promising alternative. In AMT, computations are split into many fine-grainedtasks, which are processed byworkers. This makes transparent task relocation via the AMT runtime system possible, thus offering great potential for enabling efficient malleability. In this work, we propose an extension to an existing AMT system, namelyAPGAS for Java. We provide easy-to-use malleability programming abstractions, requiring only minor application code additions from programmers. Runtime adjustments, such as process initialization and termination, are automatically managed by our malleability extension. We validate our malleability extension by adapting a load balancing library handling multiple benchmarks. We show that both shrinking and growing operations cost low execution time overhead. In addition, we demonstrate compatibility with potential batch job schedulers by developing a prototype batch job scheduler that supports malleable jobs. Through extensive real-world job batches execution on up to 32 nodes, involving rigid, moldable, and malleable programs, we evaluate the impact of deploying malleable APGAS applications on supercomputers. Exploiting scheduling algorithms, such as FCFS, Backfilling, Easy-Backfilling, and one exploiting malleable jobs, the experimental results highlight a significant improvement regarding several metrics for malleable jobs. We show a 13.09% makespan reduction (the time needed to schedule and execute all jobs), a 19.86% increase in node utilization, and a 3.61% decrease in job turnaround time (the time a job takes from its submission to completion) when using 100% malleable job in combination with our prototype batch job scheduler compared to the best-performing scheduling algorithm with 100% rigid jobs.
Towards an Automated Classification of Software Libraries
Authors: Auch Maximilian , Balluff Maximilian , Mandl Peter , Wolff Christian 
Published: March 2024

AbstractNowadays, the use of third-party libraries in software is common. At the same time, the number of published libraries continues to increase. An automated classification should help to maintain an overview and identify similar software libraries. This paper investigates if new approaches can be used to classify all software libraries crawled from Apache Maven repositories into defined classes using machine learning. In addition to tags that are not always available or of poor quality, we examine one feature that is always available—the id. Consisting of group-id and artifact-id, the id of an Apache Maven software library contains valuable information that can help in classification. Through a developed preprocessing and an optimized recurrent neural network (RNN), the tokenised ids should allow a classification of most libraries. Furthermore, we present an optimized approach through a hybrid use of id tokens and tags in combination. Based on the dataset including 28,600 labeled entries, a comparison of various approaches was carried out. The RNN achieved a balanced accuracy of 71.36% by training on tokenised ids. A model trained on tags achieved a balanced accuracy of 92%. However, the new hybrid approach, which combines tags and ids, optimizes the result to 94.12%. While a classification on tags achieves a better result than the more general id-based approach, the applicability is limited to software libraries that are tagged. The hybrid approach, on the other hand, takes advantage of the classification results based on tags when these are available, but includes valuable information from the always available ids.
Validation of a patient-specific finite element analysis framework for identification of growing rod-failure regions in early onset scoliosis patients
Authors: Jayaswal Daksh , Kodigudla Manoj , Kelkar Amey , Goel Vijay , Palepu Vivek 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Growing rods are the gold-standard for treatment of early onset scoliosis (EOS). However, these implanted rods experience frequent fractures, requiring additional surgery. A recent study by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) identified four common rod fracture locations. Leveraging this data, Agarwal et al. were able to correlate these fractures to high-stress regions using a novel finite element analysis (FEA) framework for one patient. The current study aims to further validate this framework through FEA modeling extended to multiple patients.

Methods
Three patient-specific FEA models were developed to match the pre-operative patient data taken from both registry and biplanar radiographs. The surgical procedure was then simulated to match the post-operative deformity. Body weight and flexion bending (1 Nm) loads were then applied and the output stress data on the rods were analyzed.

Results
Radiographic data showed fracture locations at the mid-construct, adjacent to the distal and tandem connector across the patients. Stress analysis from the FEA showed these failure locations matched local high-stress regions for all fractures observed. These results qualitatively validate the efficacy of the FEA framework by showing a decent correlation between localized high-stress regions and the actual fracture sites in the patients.

Conclusions
This patient-specific, in-silico framework has huge potential to be used as a surgical tool to predict sites prone to fracture in growing rod implants. This prospective information would therefore be vital for surgical planning, besides helping optimize implant design for reducing rod failures.
International Comparison of Qualification Process for Medical Product Development Tools
Authors: Uchijima Daichi , Kano Shingo 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Introduction
Qualification of medical product evaluation tools is underway in the United States, Europe, and Japan to reflect the advancements in the basic science of medical products. In Europe and the U.S., Guidance of Guidances (GoG) policies that clarify regulators’processes, tasks, and methods of sponsor involvement are adopted to issue tool guidance. However, in Japan, a non-GoG type policy focusing on supporting the research and development for tools without defining a tool guidance-making process has been adopted.

Methods
In this study, an analytical framework for the lifecycle of development tools was constructed, including pre- and post-tool qualification processes, to compare the two above-mentioned approaches. For this study, Japanese cases were selected as experimental cases, whereas Western cases served as controls. The progress of tool qualification and composition of deliverables were analyzed.

Results and Conclusions
It was indicated that in the GoG type policy, in which processes are defined, and involvement methods are clarified, tool qualification can progress more smoothly than in a non-GoG type policy. This policy indicates that deliverables may have a consistent composition. Contrastingly, GoG-type policies alone present challenges in connecting upstream tools for R&D support.
Matricin Modulates Carbamazepine-Induced Acute Tubulointerstitial Nephritis in Rat Models of Alzheimer’s Disease via MEK-JAK2-STAT3 Signaling
Authors: Iqbal Shabnoor , Omara Timothy 
Published: March 2024

AbstractCarbamazepine is a first-choice anticonvulsant, and its medication is typically well tolerated when compared to lithium and valproic acid. Patients of Alzheimer’s Disease who are administered carbamazepine tend to develop acute tubulointerstitial nephritis. In this study, we established an Alzheimer’s model using scopolamine in Sprague Dawley rats to find out the nephroprotective effect of matricin (a bioactive sesquiterpene isolated from chamomile flowers) against carbamazepine-induced acute tubulointerstitial nephritis and its underlying mechanism of action. Scopolamine (16 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected for induction of Alzheimer’s disease on the 28th day whereas carbamazepine (25 mg/kg) was given daily to induce acute tubulointerstitial nephritis. Treatment with matricin inhibited carbamazepine-induced mRNA expressions of RAS-ERK-MEK-JAK2-STAT3, cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6), and restored the optimal levels of biomarkers of oxidative stress (MDA, SOD and CAT). Further, matricin treatments reinstated biomarkers of kidney function (creatinine, uric acid, and blood urea nitrogen), and refurbished the levels of MDA, SOD, and CAT. Histopathological analyses indicated that there was systemic dilation, tubular necrosis, interstitial edema, and glomerulus nephritis in the medulla region of the kidneys in rats with Alzheimer’s disease that received carbamazepine only. Treatment with matricin reconsolidated histopathology, and only mild glomerulus nephritis were observed in rats with Alzheimer’s disease. These results suggest that matricin could be utilized as a co-supplement with carbamazepine for the treatment of patients with Alzheimer’s disease to minimize the risk of kidney damage.
Residential variations in hypertension prevalence and trends among adults in Bangladesh
Authors: Parvin Shahanaj , Akter Salma , Hossain Md. Ismail , Ali Md. Sabuj , Soni Most Sifat Muntaha 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Introduction
Hypertension is a widespread and life-threatening condition globally, with its prevalence increasing rapidly, particularly among adults. This study aims to examine the trend in adult hypertension prevalence and associated risk factors in both urban and rural areas of Bangladesh from 2011 to 2018.

Methods
Nationally representative cross-sectional data from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey was used at two time points, 2011 and 2018. In our study, we used a two-step approach for variable selection, combining traditional statistical methods ($${\chi }^{2}$$

χ

2

test) with a machine learning algorithm (Boruta algorithm).. This study also employed two different multivariate binary logistic regression models to identify the risk factors that are most closely connected to the presence of hypertension (respectively for urban and rural locations).

Results
According to the study, hypertension has been on the rise in Bangladesh. In 2011, over a third of adults (38.7%) in urban Bangladesh had hypertension, a number that rose by 22.6% in 2017-18. Though rural areas had a lower hypertension prevalence in 2011 (36%), it surged to 64% in 2017-18, surpassing the rate in urban areas. The results of the multivariate analysis showed that age, gender, education, wealth status, area, and survey year had a significant influence on the determinants of hypertension status in connection to place of residence. According to the odds ratio, the prevalence was significantly higher among older respondents, female respondents, wealthy families and higher-educated respondents.

Conclusion
A large proportion of Bangladesh’s adult population suffers from hypertension. A health education program is required to develop appropriate strategies, including appropriate weight control, appropriate physical activity, and healthier eating habits. Health authorities should take initiatives to spread awareness among people, particularly at an older age.
Acceptability and Feasibility of the Plasma Separation Card for an Integrated Model of Care for HBV and HCV Screening Among People Attending HIV Clinics in Cameroon and Uganda
Authors: Picchio Camila A , Nicolàs Aina , Ayemfouo Fofou Ironne Valdèse , Kasone Viola , Guewo-Fokeng Magellan , Tagny Claude T , Nanyonjo Teddy , Nansumba Hellen , Kouongni Yves Nacel , Sezawo Kamdjeu Rita Gaëlle Epse , Seremba Emmanuel , Kouanfack Charles , Ssewanyana Isaac , Njouom Richard , Segura Ariadna Rando , Rodríguez-Frías Francisco , Mbanya Jean Claude , Ocama Ponsiano , Lazarus Jeffrey V. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Sub-Saharan African countries have a high burden of viral hepatitis and poor access to screening and care. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of using the plasma separation card (PSC) for viral hepatitis B and C screening among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Cameroon and Uganda.

Methods
This is a cross-sectional study carried out between 05/2021 and 03/2023 including 192 PLHIV in Cameroon (n = 104) and Uganda (n = 88). Basic sociodemographic variables and whole blood samples were collected. Adequate filling with blood of PSCs was used to determine feasibility together with participant responses to questions on acceptability. A logistic regression model was carried out to assess the relationship between PSC acceptability and factors of interest.

Results
70% of participants reported PSC as an acceptable viral hepatitis screening tool, and it was significantly more accepted in Uganda than Cameroon (100% vs. 43.2%, p < 0.001). Similarly, 75% of PSCs had at least one spot sample filled and were viable for analysis, 99% were correctly filled in Uganda and 53.4% in Cameroon. Reported ease of method performance (aOR: 24.77 95% CI 2.97-206.42, p = 0.003) and reduced collection time (aOR: 3.73 95% CI 1.26–11.04, p = 0.017) were associated with greater odds of PSC acceptance. HBsAg + and anti-HCV + prevalence were 11.1% and 1.0%, respectively.

Conclusions
In spite of country differences, overall, the PSC was reported as a feasible and acceptable viral hepatitis testing method. Acceptability and feasibility of the method must be explored in heterogeneous target communities and qualitative research to better understand country-specific barriers and facilitators should be carried out.
Controlling roll-yaw coupling with aileron and twist design
Authors: Brincklow J.R. , Montgomery Z.S. , Hunsaker D.F. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractMost simple ailerons produce adverse yaw. However, with proper aileron placement and wing twist, an aileron can produce proverse or neutral yaw, eliminating the need for aileron-rudder mixing, differential aileron deflection or Frise ailerons. The relationship between wing planform, aileron placement and lift distribution is studied here for a special class of optimal lift distributions that minimise induced drag for a variety of design constraints. It is shown that a wing employing the elliptic lift distribution will always produce adverse yaw, independent of aileron design or operating condition. However, for wings employing other optimal lift distributions, the ailerons can be placed to produce proverse or neutral yaw. A numerical lifting-line algorithm is used to explore the impact of aileron design on a wide range of wing planforms and lift distributions. Results can be used in the early stages of design to correctly place ailerons with respect to desired roll-yaw coupling.
Lessons learned from shallow subglacial bedrock drilling campaigns in Antarctica
Authors: Braddock Scott , Venturelli Ryan A. , Nichols Keir , Moravec Elliot , Boeckmann Grant V. , Campbell Seth , Balco Greg , Ackert Robert , Small David , Johnson Joanne S. , Dunbar Nelia , Woodward John , Mukhopadhyay Sujoy , Goehring Brent 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
We review successes and challenges from five recent subglacial bedrock drilling campaigns intended to find evidence for Antarctic Ice Sheet retreat during warm periods in the geologic past. Insights into times when the polar ice sheets were smaller than present serve as guiding information for modeling efforts that aim to predict the rate and magnitude of future sea level rise that would accompany major retreat of the Antarctic Ice Sheet. One method to provide direct evidence for the timing of deglaciations and minimum extent of prior ice sheets is to extract subglacial bedrock cores for cosmogenic nuclide analysis from beneath the modern ice sheet surface. Here we summarize the lessons learned from five field seasons tasked with obtaining bedrock cores from shallow depths (<120 m beneath ice surface) across West Antarctica since 2016. We focus our findings on drilling efforts and technology and geophysical surveys with ground-penetrating radar. Shallow subglacial drilling provides a high risk, high reward means to test for past instabilities of the Antarctic Ice Sheet, and we highlight key challenges and solutions to increase the likelihood of success for future subglacial drilling efforts in polar regions.
A Novel Homozygous Variant in the MCOLN1 Gene Associated With Severe Oromandibular Dystonia and Parkinsonism
Authors: Ghasemi Aida , Eslami Ardakani Mahdieh , Togha Mansoureh , Yazdi Narges , Lang Anthony E. , Amini Elahe , Rohani Mohammad , Alavi Afagh 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACTBackground:Mucolipidosis type IV (MLIV) is a rare, progressive lysosomal storage disorder characterized by severe intellectual disability, delayed motor milestones and ophthalmologic abnormalities. MLIV is an autosomal recessive disease caused by mutations in the MCOLN1 gene, encoding mucolipin-1 which is responsible for maintaining lysosomal function.Objectives and Methods:Here, we report a family of four Iranian siblings with cognitive decline, progressive visual and pyramidal disturbances, and abnormal movements manifested by severe oromandibular dystonia and parkinsonism. MRI scans of the brain demonstrated signal abnormalities in the white matter and thinning of the corpus callosum.Results and Conclusions:Whole-exome sequencing identified a novel homozygous variant, c.362C > T:p. Thr121Met in the MCOLN1 gene consistent with a diagnosis of MLIV. The presentation of MLIV may overlap with a variety of other neurological diseases, and genetic analysis is an important strategy to clarify the diagnosis. This is an important point that clinicians should be familiar with. The novel variant c.362C > T:p. Thr121Met herein described may be related to a comparatively older age at onset. Our study also expands the clinical spectrum of MLIV associated with the MCOLN1 variants and introduces a novel likely pathogenic variant for testing in MLIV cases that remain unresolved.
A spectrum of physics-informed Gaussian processes for regression in engineering
Authors: Cross Elizabeth J. , Rogers Timothy J. , Pitchforth Daniel J. , Gibson Samuel J. , Zhang Sikai , Jones Matthew R. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractDespite the growing availability of sensing and data in general, we remain unable to fully characterize many in-service engineering systems and structures from a purely data-driven approach. The vast data and resources available to capture human activity are unmatched in our engineered world, and, even in cases where data could be referred to as “big,” they will rarely hold information across operational windows or life spans. This paper pursues the combination of machine learning technology and physics-based reasoning to enhance our ability to make predictive models with limited data. By explicitly linking the physics-based view of stochastic processes with a data-based regression approach, a derivation path for a spectrum of possible Gaussian process models is introduced and used to highlight how and where different levels of expert knowledge of a system is likely best exploited. Each of the models highlighted in the spectrum have been explored in different ways across communities; novel examples in a structural assessment context here demonstrate how these approaches can significantly reduce reliance on expensive data collection. The increased interpretability of the models shown is another important consideration and benefit in this context.
Processed food consumption and risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in South Africa: evidence from Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) VII
Authors: Godbharle Swapnil , Kesa Hema , Jeyakumar Angeline 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
We aimed to analyse the association between processed food consumption and the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in South Africa. In this empirical study, we analysed nationally representative secondary data obtained from the South African Demographic and Health Survey (SADHS) VII. The survey included 13,288 occupied households, of which 11,083 were interviewed. In the interviewed households, 12,717 eligible adults aged 15 and older were identified and 10,336 were successfully interviewed. The study included four processed food groups (i.e. fried foods, takeaway foods/fast foods, salty snacks/packed chips, and processed meats) and eight NCDs (i.e. hypertension, cardiac arrest, cancer, stroke, hypercholesterolaemia, diabetes, chronic bronchitis, and asthma). As per the logistic regression results following adjustment, none of the disease states showed association with all four processed food groups. However, at least three processed food groups showed a significant positive association with hypertension, cardiac arrest, and diabetes. Two processed food groups showed significant positive association with stroke, and chronic bronchitis; one with hypercholesterolaemia and asthma; and cancer was not associated with any food groups. Processed meat and salted snacks/packed chips were each associated with five chronic conditions. In summary, we found that the consumption of any of the processed food groups increased the risk of NCDs in the South African population. Enabling policy and regulatory efforts in the production and distribution of processed foods, combined with improved awareness among the population need to be prioritised for immediate action. Facilitating the populations to choose traditional healthy diets would be a sustainable strategy for the prevention of NCDs.