bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the accuracy of APHRODITE and CHIRPS satellite-based precipitation products for meteorological drought
Authors: Suliman Ali H. Ahmed , Rajab Jasim M. , Shahid Shamsuddin 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Drought, a serious natural hazard, significantly impacts agriculture, especially in dry regions. Iraq faces a high drought risk yet suffers from a scarcity of rainfall gauges for effective monitoring. Therefore, adequate and accurate datasets are crucial for the country's spatiotemporal classification and monitoring of droughts. This study investigates the feasibility of calculating the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) at various meteorological ground stations (GS) using monthly precipitation data from satellite-based precipitation products (SbPP). For spatial comparisons, Iraq was divided into three Köppen climate zones. Monthly time series from the Asian Precipitation Highly Resolved Observational Data Integration Towards Evaluation (APHRODITE) (1983–2007) and Climate Hazards Group of Infra-Red Precipitation with Stations (CHIRPS) (1983–2017) were statistically compared against GS data in these zones for estimating droughts at 3-, 6-, and 12-month timescales. The SbPPs exhibited reasonable correlations with GS data and effectively represented the spatial distribution of rainfall. A good level of consistency was observed between APHRODITE and GS values in estimating SPI in high-rainfall zones. The study concludes that APHRODITE outperforms CHIRPS in determining the spatial and temporal distribution of droughts in Iraq.
Effects of an HMD-based Attention System on Head and Eye Movement Strategies of Patients with Spatial Neglect
Authors: Kudo Akira , Kato Norio , Miura Takahiro , Tanaka Toshiaki 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background
Spatial neglect is a visual cognitive impairment that causes patients to ignore the space on the contralateral side of the lesion. Here, we confirmed neglect symptoms using spatial differences, investigated the influence of the attention system, and investigated head and eye movements in patients with spatial neglect using a head-mounted display (HMD).
Methods
We recruited eight participants who had a stroke with right-sided lesions (left-sided neglect) and evaluated their neglect symptoms using the Behavioral Inattention Test and Catherine Bergego Scale Test. Participants performed a cube cancellation task in near and far space, using both an HMD-based normal condition and an attention system.
Results
In near space, no significant differences were observed in the cancellation task performance, but a significant difference was detected in gaze distribution, and a positive correlation was detected in the head and eye movement angles. In far space, a significant difference in the cancellation task performance and gaze distribution, along with a positive correlation among the head and eye movement angles, were observed.
Conclusions
These findings do not significantly refute the results of the cancellation task, but they do suggest that the attentional system may positively influence spatial neglect in terms of head and eye movement strategies.
Data-driven characterization of traumatic brain injury severity from clinical, neuroimaging, and blood-based indicators
Authors: Nelson Lindsay , Magnus Brooke , Yue John , Balsis Steve , Patrick Christopher , Temkin Nancy , Diaz-Arrastia Ramon , Manley Goeffrey 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

The conventional clinical approach to characterizing traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) as mild, moderate, or severe using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) total score has well-known limitations, prompting calls for more sophisticated strategies to characterize TBI. Here, we use item response theory (IRT) to develop a novel method for quantifying TBI severity that incorporates neuroimaging and blood-based biomarkers along with clinical measures. Within the multicenter Transforming Research and Clinical Knowledge in TBI (TRACK-TBI) study sample (N = 2545), we show that a set of 23 clinical, head computed tomography (CT), and blood-based biomarker variables familiar to clinicians and researchers index a common latent continuum of TBI severity. We illustrate how IRT can be used to identify the relative value of these features to estimate an individual’s position along the TBI severity continuum. Finally, we show that TBI severity scores generated using this novel IRT-based method incrementally predict functional outcome over classic clinical (mild, moderate, severe) or International Mission for Prognosis and Analysis of Clinical Trials in TBI (IMPACT) classification methods. Our findings directly inform ongoing international efforts to refine and deploy new pragmatic, empirically-supported strategies for characterizing TBI, while illustrating a strategy that may be useful to evolve staging systems for other diseases.
Officer Gunpoint During Police Stops: Repercussions for Youth Mental Health and Perceived Safety
Authors: Jackson Dylan B. , Fix Rebecca L. , Semenza Daniel C. , Testa Alexander , Ward Julie A. , Crifasi Cassandra K. 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Objective
The present study investigates patterns of officer gunpoint exposure in youths’ direct and witnessed in-person police stops, and whether these exposures shape emotional distress, police violence stress, police avoidance, and diminished safety perceptions.
Methods
Data come from the Survey of Police-Adolescent Contact Experiences (SPACE), a cross-sectional survey of a community-based sample of Black youth ages 12–21 in Baltimore City, Maryland (n = 335), administered from August 2022 to July 2023. We used multivariable negative binomial regression and ordinary least squares regression to estimate direct associations and the Karlson-Holm-Breen method to test for mediation.
Results
Findings indicate that ~ 19% of youth in the full sample, and ~ 33% of youth reporting in-person stops, had been exposed to officer gunpoint during the course of one or more police stops. Net of covariates, experiencing officer gunpoint in multiple stop contexts (e.g., direct and witnessed) was associated with a 188% increase in the rate of emotional distress during stops. Significant associations between officer gunpoint during stops and current police violence stress, police avoidance, and diminished safety perceptions also emerged, and were largely explained by heightened emotional distress among youth at the time of police stops.
Conclusions
Findings suggest that a sizeable subset of our sample had been exposed to officer gunpoint during in-person police stops, and that these exposures may harm the mental health and safety perceptions of youth. Public health approaches are needed to mitigate the mental health harms of experiencing officer gunpoint during adolescence.
Ketogenic Diet Ameliorates NAFLD via Balancing Mitochondrial Dynamics and Improving Mitochondrial Dysfunction
Authors: You Yuehua , Ni Hongbin , Ma Qin , Jiang Lincheng , Cai Jingshu , He Wenjun , Lin Xiaojing , Li Kemeng , Wang Zhuyun , Yan Weiyan , Xiao Xiaoqiu , Ma Li 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background & Aims:
The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) imposes a huge burden on global health management. The ketogenic diet (KD) is considered to be an effective lifestyle to manage NAFLD. Here, we aimed to investigate the effect of KD on metabolic endpoints in NAFLD mice and explore the underlying mechanisms.
Methods
High fat diet (HFD)-induced NAFLD mice were fed with/without KD for 2 weeks in contrast with standard diet-fed (SD) mice. The metabolic endpoints of SD and NAFLD mice were determined by measuring liver fat and plasma ALT and AST. Then mitochondrial morphology of the liver was evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Western blot was performed to identify the changes of mitochondrial dynamics related proteins. Mitochondrial function was assessed by qPCR and ATP content measurement. In vitro, HepG2 cells were treated with palmitic acid (PA), β-hydroxybutyric acid (β-OHB) and/or MFI8. Tom20 fluorescence staining was used to assess mitochondrial morphology. Mitochondrial function was assessed by qPCR, ATP content measurement and JC-1 staining. Furthermore, lipid deposition was examined by Nile Red and BODIPY staining.
Results
KD feeding for 2 weeks showed the improvement on NAFLD phenotype, which was associated withdecreased levels of Fis1 and Drp1 in the liver of NAFLD mice. Furthermore, KD also improved HFD-induced mitochondrial dysfunction as evidence by increased ATP content and the key genes involved in fatty acid oxidation. In vitro, β-OHB also improved PA-induced mitochondrial fragmentation and dysfunction in HepG2 cells. Moreover, β-OHB alleviated PA-induced lipid accumulation, and this effect was blunted by mitochondrial fusion inhibitor MFI8.
Conclusions
Collectively, these findings indicated that KD feeding improved lipid accumulation, balanced mitochondrial dynamics and improved mitochondrial dysfunction in the liver of NAFLD mice.
Influence of the use of a tablet-based clinical decision support algorithm by general practitioners on the consultation process: the example of FeverTravelApp
Authors: Vibert Jonas , Bourquin Céline , Santis Olga , Cobuccio Ludovico , D’Acremont Valérie 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Aims of the studyDespite proven positive effects on general practitioners’ (GPs) performance and on the management of patients and treatments, adoption of clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) is slow. Several elements have been put forward to explain this reluctance of GPs to adopt these tools. We hypothesise that their influence on patient-physician interaction could play a determining role. We use the case of FeverTravelApp, an App created to help general practitioners manage patients with fever upon return from the tropics.MethodsWe conducted a case-control study by observing and analysing fourteen consultations between seven physicians - using or not the FeverTravelApp - and three simulated patients. Each consultation was video-recorded and analysed using an analysis grid created for the study based on 3 existing tools. To our knowledge, there is no tool that can sufficiently capture the influence of an App on the consultation. After each consultation, simulated patients had to complete the Communication Assessment Tool (CAT), a validated tool for the evaluation of physicians' communication skills by their patients. Finally, each physician underwent a semi-structured interview after using the App. Every physician and simulated patient gave their written informed consent to participate in the study.ResultsThe use of the App influenced many aspects of the consultation, particularly at the level of communication. While using the App, both patients’ and GPs’ talking time decreased and active silence (no one talking while the GP actively performs a task) increased. The GPs tended to watch the App at the expense of the time spent gazing at their patient. However, this strong influence at this level seemed to bother the GPs more than the simulated patients who rated their GP equally when the latter was using the App. This could be explained by the fact that the patients felt better understood by their GP who asked less questions but more specific to a travel medicine consultation and seemed, as a consequence, to understand their problem better.ConclusionsThis study supports the hypothesis that the influence of CDSS on consultation plays a determining role in the difficulty of their implementation. Clinicians should be included as early as possible in the development of the CDSS in order to adapt it to their clinical habits, but also to ensure interoperability of the systems to avoid administrative duplication. In addition, it seems that a tool which allows the clinician to follow the whole clinical reasoning is needed. This could for example take the form of a decision tree. Further research is needed to confirm our findings when CDSSs are used to manage real patients, the ultimate goal being to create CDSSs that are in line with both patients’ and GPs’ expectations.
Acute exercise-induced inflammatory and thrombotic response in hypertensive patients
Authors: Liakos Charalampos I. , Aggeli Constantina , Toutouzas Konstantinos P. , Markou Maria I. , Vyssoulis Gregory P. , Tsioufis Constantinos 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background/Objective: Vigorous physical activity may acutely trigger the onset of an acute coronary syndrome especially in sedentary persons with established cardiovascular risk factors such as arterial hypertension. The rupture of an inflamed coronary plaque and the activation of the coagulation cascade are the main underlying mechanisms. The present study aimed to determine the effect of acute exercise on the inflammatory and thrombotic response in patients with arterial hypertension as compared to normotensive peers.
Methods: After excluding patients with any inflammatory or/and coronary artery disease, a total of 60 non-treated hypertensive patients and 65 normotensive individuals underwent a maximal treadmill exercise testing. Βlood samples were drawn at rest and immediately after peak exercise. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), serum amyloid A (SAA), white blood cell (WBC), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and total fibrinogen (TF) levels, as well as plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) activity were measured.
Results: All biomarkers increased with exercise, except PAI-1, which decreased (P<0.05 for the change between resting and peak exercise for all biomarkers). The normotensive group had less marked (P<0.05) exercise-induced changes than the hypertensive group in hsCRP (7.7 vs. 8.6%), SAA (5.6 vs. 11.9%), WBC (45.0 vs. 51.7%), and PAI-1 (-17.3 vs. -20.1%) and a similar (P=NS) change in IL-6 (23.8 vs. 23.0%) and TF (8.5 vs. 8.5%).
Conclusion: In conclusion, the acute exercise-induced inflammatory and thrombotic response seems to be more pronounced in non-treated hypertensive patients than in normotensive controls. The effect of blood-pressure lowering treatment on the exercise-induced acute phase response remains to be elucidated.
A One-dimensional Model of the Lymph Flow in a Contractile Lymphangion
Authors: Girelli Alberto 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

The lymphatic system relies on the rhythmic contractions of lymphangions to move lymph against the pressure gradient caused by the heart's pulsation. Lymphangions are the segments of the collecting lymphatic vessels between two valves, and they function as both pumps and conduits, contracting to push lymph forward against adverse pressure gradients and serving as conduits when there is a favorable pressure gradient, inhibiting contractions with the help of nitric oxide. In this paper, we propose a one-dimensional model using the theory of quasilinear hyperbolic systems to describe the fluid flow in a lymphangion. To this aim, we use a phenomenological pressure-cross sectional area relationship taking into account most of the information available in the literature. We solve the obtained differential equations numerically and the solution obtained is in accordance with the literature results. Furthermore, through the solution derived from these numerical simulations, we gain the capability to elucidate and enhance our comprehension of lymphatic flow dynamics within the lymphangion.
The impact of intermittent and continuous training on the levels of CIDE and Perilipin-1 proteins and their effect on the size of lipid droplets in the visceral adipose tissue of obese male rats
Authors: Bai Yan , Yang Xiao , Li Jian 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background: Intense interval training and moderate-intensity continuous exercise produce lipid droplets that change size and impact visceral adipose tissue.
Methods: 50 male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups, each consisting of 8 rats, in order to accomplish this objective. Regarding dietary intake, 2 clusters of 32 rats were subjected to a normal or elevated fat diet over 10 weeks. Post the induction of obesity, 16 animals were euthanized, with an equal number originating from both the high-fat and normal diet cohorts. The ramifications of a high-fat diet were examined through the utilization of samples. The remaining 24 rats were randomly allocated to 3 groups: a sedentary high-fat diet control group, a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) protocol group, and a moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) protocol group. The 12-week training program had 5 sessions per week. Western blot measurement of perilipin-1, CIDE, and Oil-Red proteins assessed lipid droplet size.
Results:Research indicates that HIIT and MICT training significantly decreased CIDEc protein levels (p<0.05) but not CIDEa. CIDEc protein upregulation and perilipin-1 downregulation cause obesity in high-fat diets.
Conclusion:HIIT and MICT training reduce fat droplet size and CIDEc protein production. Enhancing perilipin-1, which breaks down fats, may reduce obesity by lowering lipid droplets and weight.
Influence of Matrix and the Fibre Orientation on the Mechanical Performance and Slope Protection of Three Dimensional Geosynthetic Cementitious Composite Mats
Authors: R Manju , T Sakthivel , U Sindhu Vaardini 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Slope protection is necessary to prevent wave action from causing erosion on the upstream slope. In sufficient slope protection, an upstream slope might develop a major erosion problem. Slopes can be stabilized by adding a surface cover, digging and modifying (or regrading) the slope geometry, installing support structures to buttress the slope, or controlling groundwater in slope material through drainage. Though the types are typically involved in high manpower and time, In the recent past, Geosynthetic Cementitious Composite Mats (GCCMs) reinforced with spacer fabric has become increasingly popular because of its lightweight, high strength, and minimal contamination when compared to standard concrete. It is a potential material for use in various civil engineering disciplines, including water construction, pipelining, slope protection, military applications, and so on. In this study, CC slope protection's mechanical characteristics and stability are examined. First, the tensile strength and compressive strength of CC were tested. Short-term laboratory testing results show that the tensile and flexural strength of 3D spacer Geosynthetic Cementitious Composite Mats is relatively higher, and it is very durable. For Geosynthetic Cementitious Composite Mats, there was more constraint in the direction of the load applied, which caused the tensile stress and flexural strength that were created in the matrix to be higher.
Netflix Stock Price Movements Prediction Using News Sentiment Analysis
Authors: Phong Nguyen Anh , Long Nguyen Cao 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
This study aims to evaluate the influence of sentiment on stock prices and thereby forecast stock prices on Netflix using machine learning technology. To do this, the author collected information about news articles related to Netflix from the Nasdaq website and Netflix stock prices from the Yahoo Finance website from 2018 to 2022. The author used three machine learning methods including: Multinomial Naive Bayes model with the Bag of Words, Multinomial Naive Bayes model using TF-IDF and Multinomial Naive Bayes model using Word2vec encoding to evaluate the forecasting performance. The results show that the most effective forecasting model is Multinomial Naive Bayes model using Word2vec encoding, from which it is recommended to adjust stock price forecasting models through sentiment from press news, so consider this model in forecast.
JEL Classification Codes: C11, C53, E37
Exploring the Physical and Optoelectronic Properties of Co 2 ZrZ Compounds: Insights from Computational Analysis and Thermoelectric Characterization
Authors: Houari Mohammed. , Mesbah Smain , Lantri Tayeb , Bouadjemi Bouabdellah , Boucherdoud Ahmed , Khatar Abdelhak , Akham Amel , Haid Slimane , Achour Belkacem , Bentata Samir , Matougui Mohamed 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
The current study examines the physical properties of Co2ZrZ compounds (Z= Pb, Bi and As) using the Wien2k calculation code. The Anisimov and Gunnarsson approach is used to calculate the Hubbard parameters for Cobalt (Co) and Zirconium (Zr). The results indicate that Co2ZrBi and Co2ZrAs have metallic characteristic, however Co2ZrPb displays semi-metallic behaviour. The energy gap calculations provide values of 0.328 eV (GGA) and 1.102 eV (mBJ-GGA) in the G-X-direction. The valence bands of Co2ZrBi and Co2ZrAs are primarily influenced by the Co-D-eg and Co-D-t2g states in both spin channels. Infrared transitions with energy levels below 0.56 eV indicate a decrease in the ability of electrons to move, which is compensated by an increase in ultraviolet absorption. The Co2ZrZ compounds have potential for space solar energy applications as they possess the ability to absorb UV light and improve conductivity. The effective ultraviolet (UV) absorption of Co2ZrPb has the potential to be advantageous for satellites and space missions. Within the high-energy range, the refractive index decreases to a value below one, which signifies "Super-luminescence". Additionally, plasmatic oscillations have a further impact on optics. The thermoelectric investigation of Co2ZrPb using BoltzTraP code reveals a predominance of P-type charge carriers, suggesting a high level of electrical conductivity and a low resistance. The ZT values of Co2ZrPb oscillate between 0.99 (at 50 K) and 0.84 (at 1500 K), which are close to unity, this indicates that Co2ZrPb is appropriate for thermoelectric applications.
Mast cells express IL17A, IL17F and RORC, are activated and persist with IL-17 production in resolved skin of patients with chronic plaque-type psoriasis
Authors: Benezeder Theresa , Bordag Natalie , Woltsche Johannes , Teufelberger Andrea , Perchthaler Isabella , Weger Wolfgang , Salmhofer Wolfgang , Gruber-Wackernagel Alexandra , Painsi Clemens , Zhan Qian , El-Heliebi Amin , Babina Magda , Clark Rachael , Wolf Peter 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Little is known about IL-17 expression in psoriasis and the actual cellular source of IL-17 remains incompletely defined. We show that high numbers of IL-17 + mast cells persisted in resolved lesions after treatment (anti-IL-17A, anti-IL-23, UVB or topical dithranol) and correlated inversely with the time span in remission. IL-17 + mast cells were found in T cell-rich areas and often close to resident memory T cells (TRM) in active psoriasis and resolved lesional skin. Digital cytometry by deconvolution of RNA-seq data showed that activated mast cells were increased in psoriatic skin, while resting mast cells were almost absent and both returned to normal levels after treatment. When primary human skin mast cells were stimulated with T cell cytokines (TNFα, IL-22 and IFNγ), they responded by releasing more IL-17A, as measured by ELISA. In situ mRNA detection using padlock probes specific for transcript variants of IL17A, IL17F, and RORC (encoding the Th17 transcription factor RORγt) revealed positive mRNA signals for IL17A, IL17F, and RORC in tryptase + cells, demonstrating that mast cells have the transcriptional machinery to actively produce IL-17. Mast cells thus belong to the center of the IL-23/IL-17 axis and high numbers of IL-17 + mast cells predict an earlier disease recurrence.