bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
GIS-Based Assessment of Flash Flood Susceptibility around Thuwal-Rabigh Region, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Shakoor Abdul , Ghumman Abdul Razzaq , Arif Mohammad , Pasha Ghufran Ahmed , Masood Amjad 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Floods have become more frequent and severe across the globe, resulting in considerable loss of human lives, physical infrastructure, and livelihood. It is also applicable to Saudi Arabia, a country recognized for its arid climate, which has witnessed multiple flood events in the recent past; for example, Jeddah, a coastal Saudi city along the Red Sea experienced floods in 2007 and 2009. Flood susceptibility mapping and its spatio-temporal analysis is a vital component of flood mitigation projects as it identifies the most vulnerable regions of the project area based on physical properties. The present study intends to delineate the flood susceptibility zones, in the Thuwal-Rabigh region, located to the west of Saudi Arabia, by using a geographical information system (GIS) based multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) method called the analytical hierarchy process (AHP). The AHP technique was applied to compute the relative weights of nine flood governing factors namely digital elevation model (DEM), topographic wetness index (TWI), slope, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), land use/ land cover (LULC), rainfall, distance to waterways, distance to roads and drainage density. The final flood susceptibility map of the study area was obtained and reclassified into five zones (i.e., very low risk, low risk, medium risk, high risk, and very high risk) by using the overlay tool in ArcGIS. The results show that 39% of the study area has a very high to high risk of flooding. The model's sensitivity analysis demonstrates that the maps are reliable and Rainfall, TWI, DEM and slope appears to have a higher influence in the flood risk mapping of the study area. It was also found that Thuwal, city lies in an area of a very high flood risk zone (15%) and needs appropriate measures to ensure sustainable urban development in the future. This study helps to avoid further urban expansion in flood-prone areas and will assist decision-makers in implementing sustainable flood risk management plans.
Revealing molecular mechanisms of early-onset tongue cancer by spatial transcriptomics
Authors: Patysheva Marina R. , Kolegova Elena S. , Khozyainova Anna A. , Prostakishina Elizaveta A. , Menyailo Maxim E. , Larionova Irina V. , Kovalev Oleg I. , Loos Dmitry M. , Zavyalova Marina V. , Fedorova Irina K. , Kulbakin Denis E. , Polyakov Andrey P. , Yakovleva Liliya P. , Kropotov Mikhail A. , Sukortseva Natalya S. , Lu Yusheng , Jia Lee , Arora Rohit , Choinzonov Evgeny L. , Bose Pinaki , Denisov Evgeny V. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background: Tongue cancer at a young age demonstrates an increase in incidence, aggressiveness, and poor response to therapy. Classic etiological factors for head and neck tumors such as tobacco, alcohol, and human papillomavirus are not related to early-onset tongue cancer. Mechanisms of development and progression of this cancer remain unclear. In this study, we performed spatial whole-transcriptome profiling of tongue cancer in young adults compared with elderly patients.
Methods: Nine patients with tongue squamous cell carcinoma (T2-3N0-1M0) were included and divided into two groups: younger (n=5) and older than 45 years (n=4). FFPE and fresh frozen (FF) samples of tumor tissue from 4 young and 5 older patients, respectively, were used for spatial transcriptomic profiling using the 10x Genomics Visium.
Results:We performed the first successful integration of spatial transcriptomics data from FF and FFPE samples and revealed distinctive features of tongue cancer in young adults. Oxidative stress, vascular mimicry, and MAPK and JAK-STAT pathways were enriched in early-onset tongue cancer. Tumor microenvironment demonstrated increased gene signatures corresponding to myeloid-derived suppressor cells, tumor-associated macrophages, and plasma cells. The invasive front was accompanied by vascular mimicry with arrangement of tumor-associated macrophages and aggregations of plasma cells and lymphocytes organized into tertiary lymphoid structures.
Conclusion: Taken together, these results indicate that early-onset tongue cancer has distinct spatial transcriptomic features and molecular mechanisms compared to older patients.
Certas programmable shunt valves with a "virtual off" for intrathecal chemotherapy delivery in infants with high-grade CNS tumors and hydrocephalus
Authors: Dvir Rina , Peled Yair , Levin Dror , Elhasid Ronit , Constantini Shlomi , Roth Jonathan 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Introduction
Current chemotherapy protocols for treatment of embryonal brain tumors in infants may recommend administration of intrathecal chemotherapy, either by a lumbar tap or via an Ommaya reservoir. Children with concurrent hydrocephalus and shunts may have subtherapeutic levels of chemotherapy in the CSF due to constant CSF drainage to extra-CNS compartments. We present our experience in delivery of chemotherapy to young children via programmable valves.
Results
A retrospective analysis of infants with CNS malignancies together with hydrocephalus treated with a shunt and a programmable valve (CERTAS™ Plus Programmable Valves - Integra Life Sciences) was conducted. Five infants 1.1-3 years of age (mean age 2 years) were included. Pathologies included two atypical rhabdoid teratoid tumors, two medulloblastomas, and one metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma. Intrathecal injections were conducted in an outpatient setting unless hospitalization was required for other reasons. 4 children did not require sedation, one child was noncompliant and required sedation. 67 chemotherapeutic administrations were performed directly through the valve while set on a high opening pressure (setting 8) for several hours (35 hydrocortisone + cytarabine, 32 topotecan). There were no infections, leaks, or major complications. One child required a wound revision due to exposure of the proximal catheter related to extremely thin skin. One patient experienced a “stuck” setting of the valve.
Conclusions
Programmable ventriculoperitoneal valves are a safe method for delivery of chemotherapy in infants. This technique may potentially have an added value for children with concurrent shunts, and may also obviate the need for an additional ventricular access device (such as an Ommaya reservoir).
Education about complementary and alternative medicine in cancer self-help groups by trained peers
Authors: Weis Joachim , Jablotschkin Martina , Horneber Markus , Steinmann Diana , Witt Claudia M. , Helmer Stefanie , Bartsch Hans Helge 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Purpose: On average, about 40 % of cancer patients use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in addition to conventional oncological treatment. As there is a high need for information, patients search for information about CAM and share also experiences with peers especially in self-help groups. In this study, we tested and evaluated an educational concept for group leaders in cancer self-help groups how to approach the topic of CAM in their peer-groups.
Methods: The concept has been developed and piloted with health care professionals and representatives of self-help organisations. It aims to inform and discuss CAM in terms of scientific evidence, its possibilities and limits, to reflect user behavior and to inform how to find and evaluate reliable and evidence-based information sources. First, self-help group leaders were educated in an on-site training including various CAM topics aimed to conduct this in their self-help groups. Then, the educated group leader performed this concept in their groups. The concept was evaluated at the level of participants and group leaders with respect to acceptance, usefulness and satisfaction. In a six months follow-up we interviewed the participants by questionnaire to what extent they used the recommended tools and had profited from the program.
Results: A total of n=50 interested group leaders conducted the educational program in their groups. Most common implementation barriers were organizational or structural problems and the feeling of being overwhelmed to manage the program in their groups. A total of n= 423 participants in the group were educated with this program by their group leaders. The majority felt satisfied with the educational program and improved their knowledge about CAM. At the six months follow-up significant more participants consulted their physicians to inform themselves about CAM and felt more confident in finding reliable information about CAM.
Conclusions: In this observational study we were able to implement an educational concept how to approach CAM in cancer self-help groups. Due to some results showing that a substantial percentage of group leaders felt overstrained with the concept we suggest to integrate a CAM professional in the education with the groups. For the future, the effects of the program should be tested by a randomized trial.
Shaping ability of five continuous rotary nickel-titanium instruments in multi-curved root canals: an ex vivo study based on simulated resin blocks
Authors: Su Wenpei , Li Hong , Wang Yaoxin , Wang Hongyuan , Meng Rong 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to comparatively evaluate the shaping ability of five continuous rotary nickel-titanium instruments when preparing root canals exhibiting multiple curvatures.
Methods: A total of 60 resin-simulated S-shaped root canals (coronal curve; 22°-23° curvature, 5 mm radius and apical curve; 21°-22° curvature and 4 mm radius) were divided into five groups (n=12). The root canals were prepared one of the following five Ni-Ti alloy instruments: Mtwo, Mtwo Blue, Protaper Next, Hyflex CM and Twisted File to the size/taper at 25#/.06. One-way analysis of variance was used for the statistical analysis, with a significance threshold of p<0.05.
Results: Instrument fractures and procedural preparation errors were not observed during canal preparation. Regarding canal deviation and centering ability, the use of Mtwo instruments resulted in a significantly higher deviation and weaker centering ability than the other four groups (p<0.05). At some measurement points, the Twisted File and Hyflex CM showed significantly smallest deviation in the tested instruments (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, all instruments performed well, and the Twisted File and Hyflex CM instruments demonstrated a particularly strong shaping ability in resin-simulated S-shaped root canals.
Microemulsions constructed by a biosurfactant
Authors: Han Lin , Ma Lin , Zhang Liya , Qu Rui , Han Yang , Hao Jingcheng , Dong Shuli 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Due to their biodegradability and low toxicity, biosurfactants have been recently attracted much attention. Here, microemulsions (MEs) are constructed by an excellent biosurfactant, surfactin, via low energy emulsification. Rheological properties, kinetic stability, thermodynamic stability, and long-term storage capacity of microemulsions were characterized. The effect of pH and different gelling agents on the phase behavior and the formation of microemulsion-gels was also explored. Results reveal that the MEs show no significant change in droplet size under high-speed centrifugation, providing great kinetic stability, which enables the MEs to maintain their stability under bumpy and rugged transportation conditions. The MEs are thermodynamically stable and can be restored to their original state after experiencing extreme conditions such as high temperature (58℃) or freeze-thawing cycles, facilitating the use of the MEs under extreme conditions and promoting the shelf-life of production. The addition of different gelling agents did not show any significant changes to MEs and not disrupt the formation of the MEs, meaning that the MEs constructed by surfactin are stable and possess antioxidant potential and moisturizing effects.
A multi-themed and multi-format intervention program for improving dementia literacy among Chinese older adults: Study protocol for a non-randomized controlled trial
Authors: ZHAN nani , ZHUANG zhuang , BU fan , CAI yutin , LUO meilin , ZHANG yunjing , ZHANG xiaolan , WANG yu , LYU qiyuan 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background: Effective intervention is the key measure to improve the dementia literacy of older adults. However, to date, there are no studies on the effectiveness of dementia literacy interventions in China. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a dementia literacy intervention program on the dementia knowledge, attitude, and self-management behavior literacy of elderly adults.
Methods: This study will strictly adhere to the inclusion/exclusion criteria, recruiting 84 community-dwelling individuals aged 60 and above from two community health service centers in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China. Participants will be allocated into a usual care group and a dementia literacy intervention group. The intervention group will receive a multi-themed and multi-format dementia literacy intervention trial through community knowledge seminars, educational videos, WeChat group information push and answer questions, etc. Intervention themes will include dementia knowledge, attitudes toward dementia, and self-management behaviors for preventing and managing dementia. Data will be collected before the start of the intervention study and three months after the intervention study. The primary outcome measures will include dementia knowledge literacy, dementia attitude literacy, and dementia self-management behavior literacy. Data will be managed and analyzed using SPSS 26.0. Ethical approval for this study was granted on 12 June 2023.
Discussion: If proven effective, this dementia literacy intervention program could be widely applied in primary community health centers to enhance dementia literacy among Chinese elderly. Also, the dementia literacy intervention program will provide a reference and a basis for further research on enhancing dementia literacy intervention programs for the elderly.
Trial registration: Registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (NO. ChiCTR2300074788).
Research and application of excavation and anchoring machine airborne advanced exploration drilling rig
Authors: LIU Zhixiang , LI Zhenyu , ZOU Kang , XIE Chunxue 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Considering that ‘exploration must be explored’ is a measure that must be strictly implemented in roadway excavation, and the large volume of the integrated machine makes it impossible for conventional advanced drilling rigs to deploy and drill in front of the integrated machine quickly and easily. In this paper, a new type of airborne advanced exploration drilling machine is proposed. Based on the analysis of the working conditions and functional requirements of the excavation face, the overall structure design and operation process design of the new advanced exploration drilling rig were completed. In order to improve the mutual adaptation of the new advanced drilling rig and the integrated machine of improve the intelligent level of the advanced drilling rig and complete the drilling operation efficiently. In this paper, the key technologies such as automatic control technology, kinematics analysis, interference collision detection technology and coupling mechanics analysis of advanced drilling rig are studied. Firstly, based on the kinematics analysis of the system, a collision detection method suitable for the equipment is proposed by using the bounding box collision detection technology. Then, the overall architecture of the control system is proposed. According to the hardware and software of the overall architecture design system, the coupling mechanical model of the advanced drilling rig and the anchor machine is established. The mechanical effects and strength of the connecting parts of the advanced drilling rig and the anchor machine under various working conditions were analyzed, and the feasibility and reliability of the structural design were verified. Finally, the industrial test of the advanced drilling rig was carried out in the coal mine site. The test results show: excavation and anchoring machine airborne advanced exploration drilling rig developed in this paper basically meet the requirements of the current advanced water exploration and drainage drilling process parameters in most coal mines. Compared with the traditional operation method, the advanced drilling rig of the anchor machine studied in this project only needs to manually control the hydraulic valve group to complete the start-up preparation deployment of the drilling rig. The overall efficiency of advanced exploration has increased by 35 %.
Nutcracker syndrome: First case causing left renal intraparenchymal varicose veins
Authors: Uğur Ramazan , Şimşek Abdulmuttalip 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Our aim in this case is to report a new finding regarding Nutcracker syndrome (NCS), which is a variation of the left renal vein.
Methods
We present a very rare anatomical variant of the left renal vein(LRV), with a preliminary diagnosis made by ultrasound and NCS as a differential diagnosis with computed tomography (CT) and diagnostic CT angiography.
Results
The patient in our case was a 30-year-old woman with chronic abdominal and flank pain and increased sensitivity in the flank area. Neither hematuria nor proteinuria was detected in the urinalysis. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography(CT) showed that there were two separate LRVs draining the lower and upper poles. It was observed that the vein draining the lower pole narrowed significantly between superior mesenteric artery and abdominal aorta and then continued to widen. This view showed that we were faced with a typical NCS. What made our case different and unique from typical NCS was that it had renal intraparenchymal varicose veins. Treatment of NCS includes open, laparoscopic and robotic surgical repair and endovascular/extravascular stent placement. Treatment of symptomatic NCS includes open, laparoscopic, and robotic surgical repair and endovascular/extravascular stent placement. Except for the presence of hematuria causing severe anemia, deterioration in kidney functions and serious pain, patients are followed conservatively, and our patient is also followed conservatively.
Conclusion
This case we present is the first case accompanied by renal parenchymal varices in the literature.
Overall biomass yield on multiple nutrient sources
Authors: Sauer Uwe , Golan Ohad , Gampp Olivia , Eckert Lina 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Microorganisms utilize nutrients primarily to generate biomass and replicate. When a single nutrient source is available, the produced biomass increases linearly with the initial amount of the available nutrient. This linear trend can be predicted to high accuracy by “black box models” that consider growth as a single chemical reaction with nutrients as substrates and biomass as a product. Since natural environments typically feature multiple nutrients, we extended the black box framework to include catabolism, anabolism, and biosynthesis of biomass precursors to quantify co-utilization of multiple nutrients on microbial biomass production. The model differentiates between different types of nutrients: degradable nutrients that first must be catabolized before they can be used from non-degradable nutrients that can only be used as a biomass precursor. Experimentally, we demonstrated that contradictory to the model predictions, there is a mutual effect between different nutrients on Escherichia coli’s nutrient utilization, where the ability to utilize one is affected by the other; i.e., for some combinations the produced biomass was no longer linear to the initial amount of nutrients. To capture such mutual effects with a black box model, we phenomenologically added an interaction between the metabolic processes used in utilizing the nutrient sources. The phenomenological model qualitatively captures the experimental observations and, unexpectedly, predicts that the produced biomass does not only depend on the combination of nutrient sources but also on their relative initial amounts – a prediction we validated experimentally. Moreover, the model predicts which metabolic processes – catabolism, anabolism, or precursor biosynthesis – is affected in each nutrient combination.
Nitrogen-doped carbon dots: A powerful new fluorescent dye with substantial effect on bacterial cell labeling
Authors: Lee Sin-Jen , Zheng Ya-Yun , Chen Wen-Ming , Hsueh Yi-Huang 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Carbon dots (CDs), minute carbon nanoparticles with remarkable luminescent properties, photostability, and low toxicity, show potential for various applications. CDs synthesized using citric acid and urea are the least toxic to biological environments. Here, we aimed to explore the effect of CDs synthesized using citric acid and urea at 50%, 33%, and 25% (CDs 1/1, 1/2, and 1/3, respectively) weight ratios in a microwave on bacterial cell fluorescence sensing and labeling. The nanoscale properties of CDs were investigated via transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering particle size analysis. X-Ray powder diffraction confirmed the graphitic structures of CDs. X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that nitrogen content increased gradually with increasing urea ratios, indicating functional group changes. Transient photoluminescence decay periods demonstrated superior fluorescence intensity of CDs 1/3 under blue, green, and red lights. The use of CDs was notably more efficient than traditional methods in staining bacterial cells. Fluorescence microscopy of 10 g-positive and 10 g-negative bacteria highlighted enhanced staining of gram-positive strains, with CDs 1/3 presenting the best results. The CDs exhibited excellent photostability, maintaining post-staining fluorescence for 100 min, surpassing the performance of conventional dyes. CDs could serve as potential fluorescent dyes for the rapid discrimination of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria in the future.
The Performance of OpenAI ChatGPT-4 and Google Gemini in Virology Multiple-Choice Questions: A Comparative Analysis of English and Arabic Responses
Authors: Sallam Malik , Al-Mahzoum Kholoud , Almutawaa Rawan Ahmad , Alhashash Jasmen Ahmad , Dashti Retaj Abdullah , AlSafy Danah Raed , Almutairi Reem Abdullah , Barakat Muna 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background: The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare education is inevitable. Understanding the proficiency of generative AI in different languages to answer complex questions is crucial for educational purposes.
Objective: To compare the performance ChatGPT-4 and Gemini in answering Virology multiple-choice questions (MCQs) in English and Arabic, while assessing the quality of the generated content.
Methods: Both AI models’ responses to 40 Virology MCQs were assessed for correctness and quality based on the CLEAR tool designed for evaluation of AI-generated content. The MCQs were classified into lower and higher cognitive categories based on the revised Bloom’s taxonomy. The study design considered the METRICS checklist for the design and reporting of generative AI-based studies in healthcare.
Results: ChatGPT-4 and Gemini performed better in English compared to Arabic, with ChatGPT-4 consistently surpassing Gemini in correctness and CLEAR scores. ChatGPT-4 led Gemini with 80% vs. 62.5% correctness in English compared to 65% vs. 55% in Arabic. For both AI models, superior performance in lower cognitive domains was reported.
Conclusion: Both ChatGPT-4 and Gemini exhibited potential in educational applications; nevertheless, their performance varied across languages highlighting the importance of continued development to ensure the effective AI integration in healthcare education globally.