bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Machine Learning Insights into Regional Dynamics and Prevalence of COVID-19 Variants in US Health and Human Services Regions
Authors: Hu Lejia , Zhang Xuan , D’Souza Fabian 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background
The COVID-19 pandemic arising from the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in late 2019 has led to global devastation with millions of lives lost by January 2024. Despite the WHO's declaration of the end of the global health emergency in May 2023, the virus persists, propelled by mutations. Variants continue to challenge vaccination efforts, underscoring the necessity for ongoing vigilance. This study aimed at contributing to a more data-driven approach to pandemic management by employing random forest regression to analyze regional variant prevalence.
Methods
This study utilized data from various sources including National COVID Cohort Collaborative database, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, World Weather Online, EPA, and US Census. Key variables include pollution, weather, travel patterns, and demographics. Preprocessing steps involved merging and normalization of datasets. Training data spanned from January 2021 to February 2023. The Random Forest Regressor was chosen for its accuracy in modeling. To prevent data leakage, time series splits were employed. Model performance was evaluated using metrics such as MSE and R-squared.
Results
The Alpha variant was predominant in the Southeast, with less than 80% share even at its peak. Delta surged initially in Kansas City and maintained dominance there for over 5 months. Omicron subvariant BA.5 spread nationwide, becoming predominant across all Health and Human Services regions simultaneously, with New York seeing the earliest and fastest decline in its share. Variant XBB.1.5 concentrated more in the Northeast, but limited data hindered full analysis. Using RF regressor, key features affecting spread patterns were identified, with high predictive accuracy. Each variant showed specific environmental correlations; for instance, Alpha with air quality index and temperature, Delta with ozone density, BA.5 with UV index, and XBB.1.5 with location, land area, and income. Correlation analysis further highlighted variant-specific associations.
Conclusions
This research provides a comprehensive analysis of the regional distribution of COVID-19 variants, offering critical insights for devising targeted public health strategies. By utilizing machine learning, the study uncovers the complex factors contributing to variant spread and reveals how specific factors contribute to variant prevalence, offering insights crucial for pandemic management.
A correlational study of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein on the prognosis of septic patients in the emergency department
Authors: Zhang Ying , Zhang Ye , Zhen Lei , Wang Jia , Hu Le , Dong Hongmeng , Wang Junyu , Wei Bing 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Objective
To explore the predictive value of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) in assessing the risk of death in septic patients, to provide a reference for clinical work.
Methods
Data from 168 septic patients who were admitted to the emergency department of Beijing Chaoyang Hospital from September 2021 to September 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. SPSS25.0 software was used for data analysis and MedCalc 22.013 was applied to generate receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves.
Results
A total of 54 patients were included in the non-survival group and 114 were included in the survival group. Age, respiratory rate, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, LBP and lactate values were higher and the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score and albumin were lower in the non-survival group than in the surviving group (all P < 0.001). Multivariate regression analysis showed that the APACHE II score, SOFA score, LBP and albumin were independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of septic patients. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) values were 0.801, 0.874 and 0.82 for LBP, APACHE II score and SOFA score, respectively, which better predicted the prognosis of septic patients. The AUC value of LBP and APACHE II score was 0.936, which was better than that of APACHE II score, SOFA score and LBP alone (P < 0.001). APACHE II + LBP had a sensitivity of 0.963 and a specificity of 0.798.
Conclusion
LBP is an independent risk factor affecting the outcome of septic patients and has a moderate predictive power of mortality outcome. APACHE II + LBP score has better predictive performance.
Optimal Aircraft Aprons Assignment for Close Proximity Parking Demands
Authors: Chen Chun-Ying , Jiang Shu-Rong 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Major events like COVID-19 can lead to a sudden decline in passenger demand for airlines globally, resulting in the grounding of aircraft by carriers worldwide. To ensure ample parking space, carriers have implemented a close proximity parking strategy for aircraft, ensuring efficient use of available space. When multiple aircraft can park in a single space, inadequate planning may lead to various blockages. This not only raises airline costs but also reduces the operational efficiency of the airport. At present, the problem of assigning airplanes to airplanes in such a close proximity parking situation is planned manually, which is inefficient and may not be the optimal solution for the system. In this study, we employed time-space network flow techniques and mathematical programming to develop an optimal apron assignment model from the perspective of an apron planner. Then, based on the real flight data of Taoyuan International Airport, we conducted a case study and different scenarios. The results show that the proposed model is an effective auxiliary tool to assist the planners in optimizing the aircraft apron assignments under a close proximity parking strategy.
More father leave, more babies? Father-exclusive parental leave periods and fertility
Authors: Regueiro-Ons Camila , Pinilla Jaime , López-Valcárcel Beatriz González 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Using national birth records from Spain, we examine the effect of father-exclusive parental leave on fertility. To do so, we run a Bayesian structural time series analysis exploiting the 2-week leave introduction and extensions up to 8 weeks. This methodology allows us to construct a time counterfactual to track the policy effect over time. We find suggestive evidence that, overall, father-exclusive parental leave does not affect the fertility rate of women of childbearing age. But we identify a heterogeneous policy effect once we disentangle the effect by birth order. The birth count of first- and second-order births does not report a change over time with respect to any of the leave entitlements. In contrast, linked to the 4-week extension, higher-order births exhibit a positive effect consolidated over time. With the 4-week benefit implementation, third- and higher-order births increase, on average, by 0.8% and 1.1%. The analysis provides useful policy insights into how work-life reconciliation policies that call active fatherhood can promote fertility.
JEL classification— J08, J13, D13, I12, H31
Benign Tumors and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancers in Patients with Fanconi Anemia
Authors: Enache A. , Sajjad B. , Altintas B. , Giri N. , McReynolds Lisa J. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background
Fanconi anemia (FA) is an inherited bone marrow failure syndrome (IBMFS) characterized by pathogenic variants in the FA DNA repair pathway genes. Individuals with FA have an elevated risk of developing myelodysplastic syndrome, acute myeloid leukemia, and solid tumors. Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is the most effective treatment for FA related bone marrow failure but can increase the risk of cancer development. Information on benign tumors and NMSC is lacking in patients with FA. Our objective was to characterize patients with FA enrolled in the National Cancer Institute IBMFS Study who have experienced non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC) and/or benign tumors (BT).
Procedure
: A total of 200 patients diagnosed with FA were enrolled in the Institutional Review Board approved study “Etiologic investigation of cancer susceptibility in IBMFS: A Natural History Study” (NCT00027274). Through medical records review, we identified 30 patients with at least one NMSC, either squamous cell carcinoma or basal cell carcinoma, or benign tumor. The remaining 170 patients comprised the control group.
Results
Out of 200 patients, 12 had NMSC, 25 had benign tumors, with an age range of 11–64 and 0–56 years, respectively. The median age at HCT was 30.5 years for NMSC patients, 9 years for benign tumor patients, and 9.1 years for controls. The most common genotype observed was FANCA, followed by FANCC and FANCI. Benign tumors spanned diverse anatomical locations.
Conclusion
Early onset NMSC emphasizes the need for consistent monitoring in patients with FA, while the diverse anatomical locations of benign tumors underscore the importance of comprehensive surveillance for timely interventions in managing heightened cancer risk.
Weingarten Surfaces Associated to Laguerre Minimal Surfaces
Authors: Santos Laredo Rennan Pereira , Corro Armando Mauro Vasquez 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
In the work \cite{Laredo}, the author shows that every hypersurface in Euclidean space is locally associated to the unit sphere by a sphere congruence, whose radius function $R$ is a geometric invariant of hypersurface. In this paper, we define the spherical mean curvature $H_S$ for any surface $\Sigma$, which depends on the principal curvatures of $\Sigma$ and the radius function $R$. We then explore two classes of surfaces: those with $H_S = 0$, referred to as $H_1$-surfaces, and the surfaces with spherical mean curvature of harmonic type, denoted as $H_2$-surfaces.
We provide a Weierstrass-type representation for each of these classes depending on three holomorphic functions. We prove that the $H_1$-surfaces are associated to the minimal surfaces, whereas the $H_2$-surfaces are related to Laguerre minimal surfaces. As an application, we present a new Weierstrass-type representation for Laguerre minimal surfaces, and specifically for minimal surfaces. In this way, the same holomorphic data can be used to provide examples in $H_1$-surface/minimal surface classes or in $H_2$-surface/Laguerre minimal surface classes. We also characterize the rotational cases, allowing us to find a complete rotational Laguerre minimal surface.
Ring Finger Protein 141 (RNF141) Mediates Resistance to Sorafenib in Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Its Mechanisms
Authors: Chen Sheng-Xiong , Xie Xiao-Li , Liu Ting , Jin Xiao-Xu , Wang Jun , Jiang Huiqing 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the expression of ring finger protein 141 (RNF141) in hepatocellular carcinoma, its role in sorafenib resistance, and its possible mechanism.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expression of RNF141 in the cancer and corresponding para-cancerous liver tissues of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma was detected using Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining and Western blot. The liver cancer cell line (SMMC7721) and the sorafenib-resistant liver cancer cell line (SMMC7721-S) were transfected with lentivirus to overexpress or silence RNF141, and the IC50 of sorafenib was then measured. Flow cytometry and TUNEL staining were used to detect changes in cell apoptosis before and after overexpression and silencing of RNF141. The levels of the proliferation marker protein, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and the apoptosis marker protein, Cleaved PARP, were detected using Western blot. Additionally, a tumor xenograft model was constructed by subcutaneously injecting RNF141-knockdown SMMC7721 and SMMC7721-S stable transfected strains into nude mice. The study observed and recorded the shape, size, and weight of tumors in each group. Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE) staining and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining of PCNA were used to verify the effect of RNF141 on the efficacy of sorafenib in vivo. Finally, digital gene expression profiling (DGE) was used to further screen the signaling pathways involved in RNF141-mediated HCC resistance to sorafenib.
RESULTS: The study found that the expression of RNF141 was significantly higher in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues compared to corresponding paracancerous tissues (P<0.01), as shown by IHC staining results and Western blot analysis. Hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines that overexpress and silence RNF141, as well as sorafenib-resistant hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines, were successfully constructed. Overexpression of RNF141 resulted in an increase in the IC50 value of sorafenib in hepatocellular carcinoma cells, as well as the ability to resist sorafenib-induced proliferation inhibition and apoptosis. Conversely, silencing RNF141 resulted in a decrease in the IC50 value of sorafenib, and further enhanced sorafenib-induced proliferation inhibition and apoptosis. The digital gene expression profiling results were analysed using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) signalling pathway enrichment analysis, which revealed a significant enrichment of the proteasome signalling pathway.
CONCLUSION: RNF141 may contribute to sorafenib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma through the proteasome signaling pathway.
Exploration of the Big Five: Dimensionality Reduction and Clustering Techniques
Authors: Gioia Flavio 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the BFI dataset using the 'psych' package in R. Through principal component analysis and descriptive statistical techniques such as PCA, histograms and Classification. We explored the dimensions of personality based on 25 evaluative items from the International Personality Item Pool. Columns A-E highlight the behavioral traits of agreeableness, conscientiousness, extraversion, neuroticism, and openness, measured on a 6-point response scale. The results provide significant insights into the correlations among different traits and offer a richer understanding of human personality dynamics.
Cost-utility analysis of risk-based stratified primary care for common musculoskeletal pain presentations: a cluster-randomised, controlled trial
Authors: Kigozi Jesse , Hill Jonathan C , Bromley Kieran , Lewis Martyn , Wathall Simon , Chudyk Adrian , Dunn Kate M , Foster Nadine E , Jowett Sue 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background
Risk-based stratified care (SC) has demonstrated cost-effectiveness versus usual primary care for non-specific low back pain. The STarT MSK trial investigated the cost-effectiveness of risk-based stratified care versus non-stratified usual primary care for patients with the five most common musculoskeletal pain presentations.
Methods
A cost-utility analysis was undertaken over 6-months. The base-case analysis estimated the incremental costs per additional quality-adjusted life year (QALY), using the EQ-5D-5L to generate QALYs, for the overall trial population and for each risk subgroup (low, medium, high risk) for persistent disabling pain. The base-case analysis used the intention-to-treat principle and was performed from an NHS and personal social services (PSS) perspective. Uncertainty was explored with cost-effectiveness acceptability curves. Sensitivity analyses included a healthcare and societal perspective, complete-case, and risk subgroup analyses.
Results
Risk-based stratified primary care showed similar costs to usual primary care, with a small QALY gain of 0.0041 (95% CI -0.0013, 0.0094). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was £1,670 per QALY with a likelihood that stratified care represents cost-effective use of resources of 73% at a willingness-to-pay threshold of £20,000 per QALY. In subgroup analyses, stratified care was only likely to be cost-effective for the subgroup of patients at high risk of poor outcome.
Conclusions
Risk-based stratified primary care for patients with the five common musculoskeletal pain presentations resulted in similar costs and small QALY gains compared to usual, non-stratified primary care overall and therefore, showed inconclusive results overall.
Trial Registration:
ISRCTN Registry ISRCTN15366334; http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN15366334.
Prevalence of Cervical Cancer and Premalignant Cases Based on Pap Smear Screening in Iran in 2022
Authors: Salari Saeideh , Raesi Rasoul , Daneshi Salman , Alian Samakkhah Shohreh , Eshaghi Atefeh 
Published: April 2024

Background:
Oral or cervical cancer is caused by the abnormal growth of cells, which in
90% of cases is caused by the human papillomavirus infection.

Objective:
The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of cervical cancer and premalignant
cases based on the results of Pap smears performed in Jiroft health centers in 2022.

Methods:
This cross-sectional study was conducted on 440 women using a census method, and the
demographic information of the people and the results of their Pap smears were recorded using a researcher-
made questionnaire.

Results:
The average age of the investigated women was 37.20 ± 9.09 years, with the highest frequency
in the age group of 30 to 40 years (44.7%), and the average number of previous pregnancies
was 3.06 ± 2.26 times, with the highest frequency observed in the group 1 to 2 times (50.6%). The
average number of abortions was 0.45 ± 0.86, with the highest frequency (70.4%) related to the group
that had no history of abortion. Out of 440 people examined, 6 (1.4%) with a 95% confidence interval
equal to 0.50-2.94% had abnormal Pap smears.

Conclusion:
The number of pregnancies and the increase in the number of abortions can be factors
influencing the incidence of cervical cancer. By performing a Pap smear screening test with early
diagnosis of the disease in the early stages, it is possible to prevent the spread of this disease in the
body and the transformation of these cells into cancer.
Is Necrotizing Enterocolitis and Spontaneous Intestinal Perforation Part
of Same Disease Spectrum - New Insights?
Authors: Garg Parvesh Mohan , Garg Padma P. , Shenberger Jeffrey S. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract::
The diagnosis of NEC is based on the presence of pneumatosis, dilated bowel loops,
portal venous gas, or pneumoperitoneum on the abdominal x-ray. Published studies suggest that
the appearance of pneumatosis most likely depends on the gestational age, with a shift occurring
between 27-28 weeks. For infants of gestational age under 27 weeks, pneumoperitoneum is the
most likely presentation of bowel injury due to the thin bowel wall and the colonization of the gut
with the non-gas-producing bacteria. Assessment of postoperative morbidity and white matter injury
on the brain MRI at term equivalent age in a cohort of preterm infants failed to identify differences
between SIP and NEC groups when confirmed by histology. These findings illustrate the difficulty
in conclusively identifying cases as SIP or NEC, particularly when gestational age is considered
and raise speculation that both conditions lie on the same spectrum of intestinal injury.
18F-DGPET/CT Imaging of Ovarian Yolk Sac Tumor in a Woman after
Induction of Labor: A Case Report
Authors: Jin Ai-Fang , Luo Zhe-Huang 
Published: April 2024

Introduction::
Ovarian yolk sac tumor (OYST) during pregnancy is rare and usually missed. There are few PET/CT studies on OYST in the literature. We
reported a case of OYST detected by 18F-FDG PET/CT in a woman after induction of labor.

Case Presentation::
A 19-year-old woman after induction of labor because of severe malformation presented with abdominopelvic mass, laboratory tests revealed
significantly elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level and elevated carbohydrate antigen 125 level. Abdomino-pelvic CT showed a cysticsolid
mass of 82×152×167mm arising from the right ovary with abundant intratumoral vessels and intense enhancement in the solid part. Further
evaluation of 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging showed significantly increased 18FDG uptake (SUVmax7.7) by the solid component of the ovarian mass
and slight 18FDG-avid perihepatic effusion. The mass was resected and was confirmed to be the right OYST, After four courses of chemotherapy,
the patient was followed up by PET/CT and had a complete metabolic response.

Discussion::
18F-FDG PET/CT is a useful imaging modality for diagnosis and evaluation of OYST.
Serbian Version of the eHealth Literacy Questionnaire (eHLQ): Translation, Cultural Adaptation, and Validation Study Among Primary Health Care Users
Authors: Vujkovic Branko , Brkovic Voin , Pajičić Ana , Pavlovic Vedrana , Stanisavljevic Dejana , Krajnović Dušanka , Jovic Vranes Aleksandra 
Published: April 2024

Background
As digital health services are increasingly developing and becoming more interactive in Serbia, a comprehensive instrument for measuring eHealth literacy (EHL) is needed.

Objective
This study aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and investigate the psychometric properties of the Serbian version of the eHealth Literacy Questionnaire (eHLQ); to evaluate EHL in the population of primary health care (PHC) users in Serbia; and to explore factors associated with their EHL.

Methods
The validation study was conducted in 8 PHC centers in the territory of the Mačva district in Western Serbia. A stratified sampling method was used to obtain a representative sample. The Translation Integrity Procedure was followed to adapt the questionnaire to the Serbian language. The psychometric properties of the Serbian version of the eHLQ were analyzed through the examination of factorial structure, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability. Descriptive statistics were calculated to determine participant characteristics. Differences between groups were tested by the 2-tailed Students t test and ANOVA. Univariable and multivariable linear regression analyses were used to determine factors related to EHL.

Results
A total of 475 PHC users were enrolled. The mean age was 51.0 (SD 17.3; range 19-94) years, and most participants were female (328/475, 69.1%). Confirmatory factor analysis validated the 7-factor structure of the questionnaire. Values for incremental fit index (0.96) and comparative fit index (0.95) were above the cutoff of ≥0.95. The root mean square error of approximation value of 0.05 was below the suggested value of ≤0.06. Cronbach α of the entire scale was 0.95, indicating excellent scale reliability, with Cronbach α ranging from 0.81 to 0.90 for domains. The intraclass correlation coefficient ranged from 0.63 to 0.82, indicating moderate to good test-retest reliability. The highest EHL mean scores were obtained for the understanding of health concepts and language (mean 2.86, SD 0.32) and feel safe and in control (mean 2.89, SD 0.33) domains. Statistically significant differences (all P<.05) for all 7 eHLQ scores were observed for age, education, perceived material status, perceived health status, searching for health information on the internet, and occupation (except domain 4). In multivariable regression models, searching for health information on the internet and being aged younger than 65 years were associated with higher values of all domain scores except the domain feel safe and in control for variable age.

Conclusions
This study demonstrates that the Serbian version of the eHLQ can be a useful tool in the measurement of EHL and in the planning of digital health interventions at the population and individual level due to its strong psychometric properties in the Serbian context.