bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Revitalising the Coastal Landscape of Qatar: The Urban Renewal Approach in Westbay
Authors: Patel Shikha , John Deepthi , Furlan Raffaello , John Deepthi 
Published: March 2024

Historically, urban development has always been centered on coastal areas – with access to waterbodies – seas, rivers and canals being a significant advantage for movement and trade. With most of the world’s megapolises located on coasts, land reclamation offers a solution for the expansion of city centers which are otherwise restricted by the coastline. The current understanding of urban regeneration and development on reclaimed lands is defined in this study, answering the basic questions of what, why and how. This study aims to assess the urban regeneration on reclaimed coastal land based on the principles of sustainable development defined by existing studies. The literature review establishes a theoretical framework and defines performance-based benchmarks identifying the spatial indicators of urban development. Composite indicators namely open space coverage, land use mix, percentage of coast for people, accessibility to public transportation and amenities, availability of pedestrian paths and cycling tracks and adequate road networks are considered for this framework. The conclusions are drawn based on the results of the analysis of spatial layout using GIS as a tool to map and empirically measure each indicator. The framework is validated using a major land reclamation project, West Bay, in the coastal urban area of ​​the city of Doha. The results determine that West Bay has achieved a good level of sustainability, although there are areas that could be enhanced to further improve the overall sustainability of urban development. These findings can serve as a guide for policymakers and various stakeholders for sustainable urban planning on reclaimed coastal lands.
Optical Coherence Tomography-Based Choroidal Vascularity Index: Tracking Uveitis Progression Over Time
Authors: Agrawal Rupesh , Wei Xin , Loh Nicholas Chieh , Boon Joewee , Bong Jo Earn , Choo Sheriel Shannon , Chua Chun Hau , Rojas-Carabali William , Lee Bernett 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Objectives
To investigate longitudinal changes in choroidal vascularity index (CVI) in uveitis patients with active inflammation at baseline, and at six months.
Methods
This prospective comparative study included 49 eyes of 49 patients with anterior, intermediate, posterior or panuveitis, and 49 eyes of 49 healthy controls. Uveitis patients were recruited at baseline with active inflammation. Clinical data and multimodal imaging including optical coherence tomography were obtained at baseline and six months. Both two-dimensional (2D) subfoveal CVI and three-dimensional (3D) macular CVI were measured using previously published algorithms. Comparison between uveitis and control group as well as between baseline visit and 6 months visit in the uveitis group were performed using ANCOVA model.
Results
At baseline, 2D CVI was lower in the uveitis group (62.4% vs 63.8%, p = 0.007) and 3D CVI also showed a lower trend in the uveitis group (62.0% vs 62.8%, p = 0.109) compared to that of healthy subjects. Within the uveitis group, both 2D and 3D CVI were higher at 6 months compared to baseline, but both were not significant (p = 0.055 and 0.177, respectively). Uveitis patients who were still clinically active at 6 months had lower 2D and 3D CVI at baseline compared to those who were clinically quiescent at 6 months (p = 0.027 and p = 0.008, respectively).
Conclusions
Changes in CVI are correlated with the diagnosis and prognosis of uveitis patients. Lower CVI values at baseline were associated with persistent inflammation after 6 months of follow-up. Thus, CVI may be a useful outcome measure in uveitis management and clinical trials.
Potential healthcare resource use and associated costs of every 2 month injectable cabotegravir plus rilpivirine long-acting regimen implementation in the Spanish National Healthcare System compared to daily oral HIV treatments
Authors: Aparicio Laura Amanda Vallejo , García Victoria Neches , Hernández-Novoa Beatriz , Casado Gregorio , Jodar Ferrán , Pinel Marco , Velasco Daniel Callejo 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Introduction:
HIV treatment currently consists of daily oral antiretroviral therapy (ART). Cabotegravir + rilpivirine long-acting (CAB + RPV LA) is the first ART available in Spain administered every 2 months through intramuscular injection by a healthcare professional (HCP). The objective of this analysis was to assess potential healthcare resource use (HRU) and cost impact of implementing CAB + RPV LA vs. daily oral ART at National Health System (NHS) hospitals.
Methods
Online quantitative interviews and cost analysis were performed. Infectious disease specialists (IDS), hospital pharmacists (HP) and nurses were asked about their perception of potential differences in HRU between CAB + RPV LA vs. daily oral ART, among other concepts of interest. Spanish official tariffs were applied as unit costs to the HRU estimates (€2,022).
Results
120 responders (n = 40 IDS, n = 40 HP, n = 40 nurses) estimated an average number of annual visits per patient by speciality (IDS, HP, and nurse, respectively) of 3.3 vs. 3.7; 4.4 vs. 6.2; 6.1 vs. 3.9, for CAB + RPV LA vs. daily oral ART, and 3.0 vs. 3.2; 4.8 vs. 5.8; 6.9 vs. 4.9, respectively when adjusting by corresponding specialist responses. Estimation by the total sample led to an annual total cost per patient of €2,076 vs. €2,473, being €2,032 vs. €2,237 after adjusting by corresponding HCP, for CAB + RPV LA vs. daily oral ART.
Conclusions
These results suggest that the implementation of CAB + RPV LA in NHS hospitals would not incur in increased HRU-related costs compared to current daily oral ARTs, being potentially neutral or even cost-saving.
Accessible Machine Learning and Deep Learning Models Predict Response and Survival in Early Stage Hormone Receptor-Positive/HER2-Negative Breast Cancer Receiving Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy
Authors: Garufi Giovanna , Mastrantoni Luca , Giordano Giulia , Maliziola Noemi , Monte Elena Di , Arcuri Giorgia , Frescura Valentina , Rotondi Angelachiara , Orlandi Armando , Carbognin Luisa , Palazzo Antonella , Miglietta Federica , Pontolillo Letizia , Fabi Alessandra , Gerratana Lorenzo , Pannunzio Sergio , Paris Ida , Pilotto Sara , Marazzi Fabio , Franco Antonio , Franceschini Gianluca , Dieci Maria Vittoria , Mazzeo Roberta , Puglisi Fabio , Guarneri Valentina , Milella Michele , Scambia Giovanni , Giannarelli Diana , Tortora Giampaolo , Bria Emilio 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Hormone receptor-positive/HER2 negative breast cancer (BC) is the most common subtype of BC and typically occurs as an early, operable disease. In patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT), pathological complete response (pCR) is rare and multiple efforts have been made to predict disease recurrence and survival. We developed a framework to predict pCR, disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) using clinicopathological characteristics widely available at diagnosis and after surgery. The machine learning (ML) model trained to predict pCR (n = 463) was evaluated in an internal validation cohort (n = 109) and validated in an external validation cohort (n = 171), achieving an area under the curve (AUC) of respectively 0.86 and 0.81. The models trained to predict DFS and OS were evaluated in the internal validation cohort, achieving a concordance index of 0.70 and 0.69. Our results emphasize the value of including accessible ML algorithms in clinical practice and provide a framework for the development of risk-adapted clinical trials based on ML models.
Studies on Genetic Divergence through Principal Component Analysis and Mahalanobis D2 Analysis for Seed Cotton Yield and Important FiberTraits in G. hirsutum L. Bt Cotton
Authors: CHAPARA RANI , Reddy K.V. Siva , Rani M. Sudha , Sudhamani K. , Grace A.D.G. Diana , Lakshmi N. Venkata , Sreek B. , Lak B. Sree , Rao G.M.V. Prasada 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background:
Cotton is a unique and notable cash crop of India occupying first place in the world’s ranking with an acreage of 130.61 lakh hectares area i.e. around 40% of the world's area (324.16 lakh hectares) whereas, in productivity, India occupied 39th rank with an average yield of 447 kg/ha. The main reason for less productivity is most of the cotton cultivation is under rainfed conditions (https://ministryoftextiles.gov.in/annual-report-2022-2023). Hence, there is an immense need to develop high-yield varieties or hybrids which give higher yields. Therefore, the current investigation was executed to evaluate the association among yield and its attributing traits, genetic variations, genetic diversity of yield and its related traits, fiber quality traits along with sucking pest tolerance in cotton, and to evaluate the associations existing among the elite lines.
Results:
Analysis of variance manifested a substantial variation for all studied traits boll weight, seed index, and lint yield. It was noticed that the evaluations of phenotypic variances were a little higher than genotypic variances for many of the characters and observed low environmental variances indicating a lesser amount of influence of environment on these traits. Direct selection can be practiced in heterosis breeding on lint yield, seed cotton yield/ha, plot weight, number of monopodia/plant, number of bolls/plant, micronaire, number of sympodia/plant and lint index as these traits showcased a high heritability coupled with high genetic advance per percent mean (GAM). The association studies discovered that the seed cotton yield/ha manifested a positive significant kinship with plant height (0.91), number of sympodia/plant (0.87), number of bolls/plant (0.96), boll weight (0.91), lint yield (0.94), GOT (%) (0.72), plot weight (0.98) and uniformity index (UHML) (0.48) signifying that the surge in seed cotton yield is due to increase in one or more of the above traits. Three principal components (PCs) out of sixteen PCs manifested eigenvalues (> 1) with a maximum share of the total variability (80.93%). The traits lint yield, lint index, seed cotton yield, plot weight, number of bolls/plant, boll weight, plant height, number of sympodia/plant, ginning out turn, seed index, and uniformity index contributed maximum share to the total divergence. Wide genetic divergence was observed between clusters IV and IX (1621.59) followed by clusters IV and VI (1178.50) and clusters IV and X (1031.41).
Conclusion
Based on PCA about the D2 analysis the elite lines LH Bt Cotton − 7, 8, 12, 27, 22, 20, 24, 2, 17, 11, 14, 26, and 20 were found to be genetically diverse. Hence, these lines can be exploited in future breeding programs to develop better-performing varieties/hybrids and also for breeding for advanced lines.
Exploring the link between academic orientation and alcohol-related harm among adolescents. - Does the inclusion of a disadvantaged group add to the social gradient?
Authors: Thor Siri , Landberg Jonas , Karlsson Patrik , Gripe Isabella 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background
This study aimed to examine the social gradient in self-reported alcohol-related harm (ARH) among young alcohol consumers by including a largely overlooked group of disadvantaged adolescents. We also explored the extent to which such a gradient could be attributed to differential exposure or differential vulnerability to risk factors.
Method
Cross-sectional survey of upper-secondary students (n = 3044) in Sweden. Negative binomial regressions estimated the relationship between academic orientation (higher education preparatory; HEP, vocational; VP and introductory; IP) and ARH. To assess the contribution of explanatory factors, we estimated models that included risk factors such as heavy episodic drinking (HED).
Results
A graded association was observed between academic orientation and ARH, with more ARH among students in IP (IRR = 1.77) and VP (IRR = 1.45) than in HEP. Adjustments for risk factors attenuated the estimates by approximately half, but there was still 17% more ARH in VP and 43% more in IP than in HEP. The additive interaction test indicated a positive and significant interaction for students in VP who engaged in HED, versus students in HEP, who did not.
Conclusion
The findings suggest a negative gradient in the association between academic orientation and ARH, where the most disadvantaged group of adolescents also experienced the highest levels of ARH. While differential exposure and vulnerability to HED account for a significant proportion of the excess risk among VP students, HED seems to be less important relative to other risk factors among IP students. More research is needed to identify the mechanisms underlying the elevated levels of ARH among the most disadvantaged group—students enrolled in IP.
Preterm Birth Risk Stratification through Longitudinal Heart Rate and HRV Monitoring in Daily Life
Authors: Feli Mohammad , Azimi Iman , Sarhaddi Fatemeh , Sharifi-Heris Zahra , Niela-Vilen Hannakaisa , Liljeberg Pasi , Axelin Anna , Rahmani Amir M. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Preterm birth (PTB) remains a global health concern, impacting neonatal mortality and lifelong health consequences. Traditional methods for estimating PTB rely on electronic health records or biomedical signals, limited to short-term assessments in clinical settings. Recent studies have leveraged wearable technologies for in-home maternal health monitoring, offering continuous assessment of maternal autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity and facilitating the exploration of PTB risk. In this paper, we conduct a longitudinal study to assess the risk of PTB by examining maternal ANS activity through heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV). To achieve this, we collect long-term raw photoplethysmogram (PPG) signals from 58 pregnant women (including seven preterm cases) from gestational weeks 12-15 to three months post-delivery using smartwatches in daily life settings. We employ a PPG processing pipeline to accurately extract HR and HRV, and an autoencoder machine learning model with SHAP analysis to generate explainable abnormality scores indicative of PTB risk. Our results reveal distinctive patterns in PTB abnormality scores during the second pregnancy trimester, indicating the potential for early PTB risk estimation. Moreover, we find that HR, average of interbeat intervals (AVNN), SD1SD2 ratio, and standard deviation of interbeat intervals (SDNN) emerge as significant PTB indicators.
Ezetimibe anticancer activity via the p53/Mdm2 pathway: Implications for RBBP6
Authors: Twala Charmy , Russell Bonnie , Malindisa Sibusiso , Munnik Chamone , Sooklal Selisha , Ntwasa Monde 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Ezetimibe is used to treat cardiovascular disease as it blocks the sterol transporter Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1 (NPC1CL1) protein. However, recent evidence indicates that ezetimibe inhibits several cancers, indirectly by reducing circulating cholesterol or via specific signalling pathways. Our in-silico studies indicate that ezetimibe binds to the Tp53 binding domain in Mdm2, forming a more thermodynamically stable complex than nutlin3a. Moreover, we show that Tp53 functions in complex with the Retinoblastoma Binding Protein 6 (RBBP6), another negative regulator of p53, and Mdm2. RBBP6 is dysregulated in many cancers, and various studies and may be a prognostic biomarker for certain cancers. We show that ezetimibe inhibits the growth of several cancer cell lines at concentrations that are not toxic to a normal cell line. Thus ezetimibe is probably active against cancers that overexpress Mdm2. Moreover, inhibitors of RBBP6 may be combined with ezetimibe for effective anticancer activity. Due to poor oral bioavailability ezetimibe must be administered parenterally for cancer treatment.
Traditional medicine regulation status and challenges in Malawi and Nigeria
Authors: Mponda John Samson , Muula Adamson Sinjani , Choko Augustine , Ajuwon Ademola Johnson , Moody Jones Olanrewaju 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background The World Health Organization encourages governments to develop legal frameworks for the regulation of traditional medicines to ensure their safety, quality, and efficacy. There is very little published research on the availability of herbal medicine regulatory tools and the extent of compliance by manufacturers in many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. The study assessed the current situation on traditional medicine regulatory frameworks and compliance of herbal medicinal products among people living with HIV/AIDS in Malawi and Nigeria. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was done using a structured questionnaire and checklist to collect data from officers, premises, and herbal medicinal products. Twenty-three officers from the Medicines Regulatory Authorities and Ministries of Health from Malawi and Nigeria were interviewed. Thirty-one small-scale manufacturers and sixty-six herbal medicinal products from Malawi, and twenty-eight herbal medicinal products from Nigeria were evaluated. Results The Pharmacy and Medicines Regulatory Authority scored 7.7% in Malawi while the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control in Nigeria, scored 77.0% on the 13-item regulatory checklist. The Ministry of Health, Malawi scored 28.6% while Nigeria scored 71.4% on the 7-item checklist of regulatory requirements. Both countries had no regulations on traditional medicine practice, and traditional and complementary medicine had not been integrated into the health system. Most manufacturers performed poorly on personnel hygiene (58.6%) and were non-compliant with cleaning production equipment (69.0%), inadequate storage room (72.4%), and lack of documentation on standard operating procedures (SOPs) for cleaning equipment and premises (93.1%). There was non-compliance on the list of names of active ingredients (45.5%, 93.0%, p < 0.001), list of quantities of active ingredients (12.1%, 53.6%, p < 0.001), list of side effects (9.1%, 57.1%, p < 0.001) and storage conditions (15.2%, 67.9%, p < 0.001) in Malawi and Nigeria, respectively. Conclusion Malawi lacked a well-established regulatory framework for the regulation of herbal medicines and with evidence of poor compliance with manufacturing and labeling requirements. This may have contributed to the production of more herbal medicinal products with questionable quality and safety putting the public at risk in Malawi than in Nigeria.
The Relationship Between Visceral Adiposity Index and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: zhou haoran , li tianshu , li jie , Zhuang Xin 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background and aim: Relationships between the visceral adiposity index (VAI) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have been underexplored.The purpose of this study is to explore correlations between VAI and T2DM in adults in the US.
Methodsang and results: Based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2018, 11,214participants aged 20 years or older were included in a cross-sectional study. Multifactorial logistic regression analysis and smoothed curve fitting analysis were performed to investigate links between VAI and the prevalence of T2DM，as well as the stability and incidence between subgroups.In a fully adjusted continuous model, the aggregate population risk of T2DM increased 0.43-fold with each 1-unit increase in VAI [odds ratio (OR) = 1.43; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.35-1.50]. In the fully adjusted categorical model with VAI scores stratified by quartiles, results showed a higher T2DM advantage among participants in the second, third, and fourth quartiles (Q2: OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.06-1.71; Q3: OR 2.46, 95% CI 1.95-3.11; Q4: OR 4.42, 95% CI 3.55-05.50 ). Compared with Q1, the prevalence of T2DM in the total population increased 3.42-fold in Q4. The above results indicated that VAI was positively associated with the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus, which was consistent and nonlinear with the smoothed curve-fitting analysis (P for non-linear =0). Subgroup analyses after adjusting for covariates showed that keeping with the overall population results, it also was found that there was an interaction between sex and hypertension in the subgroups.
Conclusions: VAI was nonlinearly and positively associated with the prevalence of type 2 diabetes and was more prevalent in women, non-hypertensive than in men, hypertensive populations.
Abnormal sensorimotor network in brain functional connectivity in herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia patients
Authors: Jiang xiaofeng , Yan Yi , Xie Yangyang , Li Zihan , Zou Wanqing , Qin Shuhong , Lu Jing , Kuang Hongmei , Gu Lili , Jiang Jian 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the changes in resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) of the sensorimotor network(SMN) in patients with herpes zoster(HZ) and postherpetic neuralgia patients(PHN). Then, We applied machine learning to distinguish PHN/HZ patients from healthy controls(HC).
METHODS: HZ (n=53), PHN (n=57), and HC (n=50) were included, and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) was performed on them. Seed-based and ROI-to-ROI analyses were applied to evaluate connectivity inside and between the SMN and other voxels throughout the brain. After that, we used machine learning to separate patients with PHN/HZ from those with HC.
RESULTS: Compared to HC, there was a substantial reduction in functional connectivity between the lateral SMN (R), lateral SMN (L), and superior SMN in PHN patients. There was a disruption of rsFC between SMN subregions and several brain regions (insula, parietal, occipital, and superior frontal gyrus) in PHN. These damaged FCs were linked positively with clinical data (such as mood scores, disease duration, and VAS scores). Furthermore, We discovered that the rsFC value of SMN could successfully classify PHN patients from other types of pain with an accuracy of 85.7% when applied to a machine-learning approach.
CONCLUSION: Significant changes occurred in the rsFC of SMN in HZ and PHN. Suggesting that the role of SMN in HZ/PHN may help understand the pathophysiology and development of these diseases.