bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Temperature-adaptive thermal management textiles achieve the moisture and heat balance of human body
Authors: Xue Tong , Ma Ruijie , Zhang Xintian , Tao Wenwen , Wang Chaoxia , Yin Yunjie 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Smart textiles with heating and cooling capabilities are highly favored in the field of human thermal management because they not only satisfy the demands for human comfort but also reduce energy consumption. However, due to the subjectivity of thermal comfort, developing textiles with adaptive and personalized thermal management characteristics remains a challenge. Herein, a combination of ultraviolet-induced free radical polymerization and pad-dry-cure process was used to prepare temperature-sensitive P(MEO2MA-co-OEGMA475-co-GMA) cotton fabric (PMOG-cotton). By precisely controlling the amount of OEGMA475, the temperature response of PMOG-cotton can be regulated. Below the lower critical solution temperature (LCST), PMOG-cotton exhibits hydrophilicity. While above the LCST, it shows hydrophobicity. Additionally, the air permeability and water vapor permeability of PMOG-cotton also exhibit responsive characteristics to changes in environmental temperature. PMOG-cotton demonstrates excellent abrasion resistance, mechanical properties, and whiteness. It can provide a warming effect of 2.4°C in cold environments and a cooling effect of 1.3°C in hot environments. This adaptive thermal management textile shows promise for delivering human thermal comfort in complex and dynamic environments.
Development and Evaluation of Low-Jitter Hand Tracking System for Improving Typing Efficiency in Virtual Reality Workspace
Authors: Xu Tianshu , Gu Wen , Ota Koichi , Hasegawa Shinobu 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Virtual reality (VR) technology promises to transform immersive experiences across various applications, particularly within office environments. Despite its potential, the challenge of achieving efficient text entry in VR persists. This study addresses this obstacle by introducing a novel machine learning-based solution, namely the 2S-LSTM typing method, to enhance text entry performance in VR. The 2S-LSTM method utilizes the back-of-the-hand image, employing a two-stream Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) network and a Kalman Filter (KF) to enhance hand position tracking accuracy and minimize jitter. Through statistical analysis of the data collected in the experiment and questionnaire results, we confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed method. In addition, we conducted an extra experiment to explore the differences in users’ typing behavior between regular typing and VR-based typing. This additional experiment provides valuable insights into how users adapt their typing behavior in different environments. These findings represent a significant step in advancing text entry within VR, setting the stage for immersive work experiences in office environments and beyond.
Introducing N2-fixing tree species into Eucalyptus plantations increases organic phosphorus transformation but decreases its accumulation within aggregates in subtropical China
Authors: Xu Haocheng , You Yeming , Wang Yi , Gao Guannv , Ming Angang , Huang Xueman 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Background and aims Soil organic phosphorus (Po) fractions were deemed as potentially significant reservoirs of plant-available phosphorus, profoundly influenced by the physiochemical and biological characteristics of soil. Here we clarify how soil Po fractions and transformation in topsoil aggregates after 15 years of introducing N2-fixing tree species intoEucalyptusplantation. Methods We measured different Po fractions and used phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) and four extracellular enzymes activities as bioindicators of soil microbiota and function, respectively. The research was carried out within a 15-years of monocultureEucalyptus urophyllaplantation (PP) and mixed plantation (MP) ofEucalyptus urophylla×Acacia mangium. Results The mean weight diameter (MWD) was 19.28% greater (P < 0.05) in MP than PP. Soil organic matter (SOM), total nitrogen (TN), NO3−-N, C:P and N:P ratios were notably increased but Po content decreased significantly in bulk soil and most of the aggregates in MP than those in PP. Furthermore, the PLFA contents of total microbes, bacteria, and fungi were more abundant in bulk and aggregate soils in MP than PP. Enzyme activities related to N and P cycles showed significant improvement in bulk and most aggregate soils in MP than PP. Conclusions Our findings extend the evidence that promoting soil Po transformation may be related to the increasing of N availability, SOC, pH, fungi, and AMF colonization. Taken together, our results highlighted the soil Po fractions response to long term N2-fixing tree species application which might be a suitable strategy through efficient management of P in subtropicalEucalyptusplantations.
Temperature, mosquito feeding status and mosquito density influence the measured bio-efficacy of insecticide-treated nets in cone assays
Authors: Mseti Jilly Jackson , Maasayi Masudi Suleiman , Lugenge Aidi Galus , Mpelepele Ahmadi B , Kibondo Ummi Abdul , Tenywa Frank Chelestino , Odufuwa Olukayode G. , Tambwe Mgeni Mohamed , Moore Sarah Jane 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Background
The World Health Organization (WHO) cone bioassay is routinely used for the evaluation of insecticide treated nets (ITNs) bioefficacy for product pre-qualification and confirmation of continued ITN performance during operational monitoring. Despite its standardized nature, variability is often observed between tests. This study investigated the influence of temperature in the testing environment, mosquito feeding status and mosquito density on cone bioassay results.
Methods
Cone bioassays were conducted on MAGNet (alphacypermethrin) and Veeralin (alphacypermethrin and PBO) ITNs, using laboratory-reared pyrethroid resistant Anopheles funestus sensu stricto (FUMOZ) mosquitoes. Three experiments were conducted using standard cone bioassays following WHO recommended test parameters with one variable changed in each, 1) environmental temperature during exposure: 22–23˚C, 26–27˚C, 29–30˚C, and 32–33˚C, 2) feeding: 6 hours sugar starved, blood-fed, or sugar-fed before exposure and 3) mosquito density per cone: 5, 10, 15, and 20. For each test, 15 net samples per treatment arm were tested with 4 cones per sample (N = 60). Mortality after 24, 48 and 72 hr post exposure to ITNs was recorded.
Results
There was a notable influence of temperature, feeding status and mosquito density on Anopheles funestus mortality for both types of ITNs. Mortality at 24 hours was significantly higher at 32–33˚C than 26–27˚C for MAGNet [19.33% vs 7%, OR = 3.96, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.99–7.87), p < 0.001] and Veeralin [91% vs 47.33%, OR = 22.20 (11.45–43.05), p < 0.001]. Mosquito feeding status influenced the observed mortality. Relative to sugar fed mosquitoes, MAGNet induced higher mortality among blood-fed [7% vs 3%, OR: 2.23 (95% CI :0.94–5.27), p = 0.068] and significantly higher mortality among starved mosquitoes [8% vs 3%, OR: 2.88 (95% CI:1.25–6.63), p = 0.013] while Veeralin showed significantly lower mortality among blood-fed mosquitoes [43% vs 57%, OR:0.56 (95% CI:0.38–0.81), p = 0.002] and no difference for starved mosquitoes [58% vs 57%, OR:1.05 (95% CI:0.72–1.51),p = 0.816]. Mortality significantly increased with increasing mosquito density for MAGNet e.g., 5 vs 10 mosquitoes [7% vs 12%, OR: 1.81 (95% CI: 1.03–3.20), p = 0.040] and Veeralin [58% vs 71%, OR 2.06 (1.24–3.42) p = 0.005].
Conclusions
The study highlights that the testing parameters, temperature, feeding status and mosquito density significantly influence the mortality measured in cone bioassays. Careful adherence to testing parameters outlined in WHO ITN testing guidelines will likely improve the repeatability of studies within and between product testing facilities.
Phagocytosis model of calcium oxalate monohydrate crystals generated using human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived macrophages
Authors: Okada Tomoki , Okada Atsushi , Aoki Hiromasa , Onozato Daichi , Kato Taiki , Takase Hiroshi , Ohshima Shigeru , Sugino Teruaki , Unno Rei , Taguchi Kazumi , Hamamoto Shuzo , Ando Ryosuke , Shimada Issei S , Hashita Tadahiro , Iwao Takahiro , Matsunaga Tamihide , Yasui Takahiro 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Macrophages play a role in nephrolithiasis, offering the possibility of macrophage-mediated preventive therapies. To establish a system for screening drugs that could prevent the formation of kidney stones, we aimed to develop a model using human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived macrophages to study phagocytosis of calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) crystals. Human iPSCs (201B7) were cultured. CD14 + monocytes were recovered using a stepwise process that involved the utilization of growth factors and cytokines. These cells were then allowed to differentiate into M1 and M2 macrophages. The macrophages were co-cultured with COM crystals and used in the phagocytosis experiments. Live cell imaging using a super-resolution microscope was used to visualize phagocytosis. Intracellular fluorescence intensity was measured using imaging cytometry to quantify phagocytosis. Human iPSCs successfully differentiated into M1 and M2 macrophages. M1 macrophages adhered to the culture plate and moved COM crystals from the periphery to the center of the cell over time, whereas M2 macrophages did not adhere to the culture plate and actively phagocytosed the surrounding COM crystals. Fluorescence assessment over a 24-h period showed that M2 macrophages exhibited higher intracellular fluorescence intensity (5.65 times that of M1 macrophages at 4.5 h) and maintained this advantage for 18 h. This study revealed that human iPSC-derived macrophages have the capacity to phagocytose COM crystals, presenting a new approach for studying urinary stone formation and highlighting the potential of iPSC-derived macrophages as a valuable tool to screen drugs related to nephrolithiasis.
Group Acceptance Sampling Plans for Truncated Life Tests based on Type-I Heavy-Tailed Exponential Distribution
Authors: Nwankwo Bright Chimezie , Obiora-Ilouno Happiness O. , Mutairi Aned Al , Mustafa Manahil SidAhmed , Obulezi Okechukwu Jeremiah 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
An investigation into one of the sub-models suggested in the type-I heavy-tailed family of distributions was carried out in this article. The model is named type-I heavy-tailed Exponential (TI-HTE) distribution. The characterizations of the model were derived and discussed. The distribution parameters were estimated utilizing the maximum likelihood approach. We further designed group acceptance sampling plans (GASP) for the rejection or otherwise of units of items in a manufacturing system based on the TI-HTE model. Simulation studies for the GASP and real-life applications were deployed highlighting the significance of the proposed model in capturing extreme behaviors beyond conventional exponential or heavy-tailed distributions.
Design, implementation, and evaluation of the first year of an anti-racism curriculum for a family medicine residency program in Atlanta, GA
Authors: Gertz Alida M , Smith Michele , Thomas Davon , Ti Angeline , Eaddy Charles , Vamos Cheryl , Bohn Joe 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background: Racism in medicine is a recognized problem that contributes to health care disparities.
Objectives: This curriculum was designed to educate primary care residents by providing the historical perspective to understand racism in medicine while also giving them the tools to work towards deconstructing and reconstructing the systems that propagate racism.
Methods: To evaluate the curriculum, from 2021-2023, a mixed-methods approach was used consisting of (1) pre- and post-curriculum surveys for learners, (2) focus groups discussions (FGDs), and (3) examination of change in change in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) values among patients of color.
Results: Four FGDs (24 residents/faculty) indicated that although residents felt an anti-racism curriculum would be useful, some were doubtful about how effective it would be. Most requested that any teaching be evidence-based and action-oriented. Twenty-five of 27 (93%) of residents and students rotating with the program at that time responded to the pre-curriculum survey, and 18 of 25 (72%) participated in the late-curriculum survey. Aftercompleting the curriculum, residents had greater awareness of the problem. Most felt more prepared to deal with racism in their practice. With respect to patient-oriented outcomes, HbA1c did not change among black vs non-black patients but did decrease for Hispanic vs non-Hispanic patients.
Conclusions: Based on this preliminary evaluation, implementation of an anti-racism curriculum for primary care residents was perceived to be effective by the residents at teaching anti-racism concepts and may have led to small improvements in the health of patients in the residency clinic.
Discussion: Ongoing quality improvement and sustainability efforts are needed.
Morning Exercise Affects the Absorption of Oral Levothyroxine: A Pilot Study
Authors: GEZER Emre 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Levothyroxine (LT4) is the first-line hormone replacement therapy for hypothyroidism. Several factors which have an influence on oral LT4 absorption have been previously described; however, the influence of exercise on oral LT4 absorption has not been reported, yet. It was aimed to investigate the possible effect of morning exercise, right after LT4 ingestion, on the absorption of LT4 tablets in this study.
Patients and Methods
Patients with primary hypothyroidism who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were offered to participate in a 6-week morning exercise programme and those who agreed to participate were enrolled in our study. Patients were required to have a walk for 30 minutes with a regular speed right after taking their daily LT4 treatments and start having breakfast the first hour after LT4 intake. Pre- and post-exercise TSH levels were recorded and TSH percentage change was calculated.
Results
All patients had decreased TSH levels after the exercise programme. There was a significant decrease in TSH levels (p < 0.001). A significant positive correlation between TSH percentage change and daily dose of LT4 per kg of body weight was also shown.
Conclusions
This is the first study which demonstrates the significant positive effect of morning exercise on the absorption of LT4 tablets. In addition to that, it was also found that as the daily dose of LT4 increases, the percentage decrease of TSH level becomes greater.
Investigating YOLO Models Towards Outdoor Obstacle Detection For Visually Impaired People
Authors: He Chenhao , Saha Pramit 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
The utilization of deep learning-based object detection is an effective approach to assist visually impaired individuals in avoiding obstacles. In this paper, we implemented seven different YOLO object detection models viz., YOLO-NAS (small, medium, large), YOLOv8, YOLOv7, YOLOv6, and YOLOv5 and performed comprehensive evaluation with carefully tuned hyperparameters, to analyze how these models performed on images containing common daily-life objects presented on roads and sidewalks. After a systematic investigation, YOLOv8 was found to be the best model, which reached a precision of 80% and a recall of 68.2% on a well-known Obstacle Dataset which includes images from VOC dataset, COCO dataset, and TT100K dataset along with images collected by the researchers in the field. Despite being the latest model and demonstrating better performance in many other applications, YOLO-NAS was found to be suboptimal for the obstacle detection task.
Advancing Alzheimer’s Disease Risk Prediction: Development and Validation of a Machine Learning-Based Preclinical Screening Model
Authors: wang bingsheng , Chen Lingling , Shi Aili , shi yankai , Qi Wenhao , Yao Jiani , cao shihua , Lou xiajing , Dong Chaoqun , Zhu Xiaohong , Wang Bing , He Danni , Chen Yanfei 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) poses a significant challenge for individuals aged 65 and older, being the most prevalent form of dementia. Most existing Alzheimer’s disease risk predic- tion tools have high accuracy, but the complexity and limited accessibility of current AD risk prediction tools hinder their practical use.
Objective: Our goal was to leverage machine learning techniques to develop a prediction model that is not only highly efficient but also cost-effective.
METHODS: Utilizing data from 2,968 individuals sourced from the National Alzheimer’s Coor- dinating Center, and we constructed models, including gradient-enhanced machines and random forests, as well as commonly used logistic regression models. For modeling purposes, we employed two popular machine learning algorithms, Random Forest and XGBoost, along with traditional logistic regression methods. The models’ performance was evaluated based on five key criteria: the Brier score, accuracy (ACC), specificity (SPE), sensitivity (SEN), and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).
RESULTS: The average age of the 2968 participants was 71.1 years, with a standard deviation of 6.8 years, and 60.3% were female. The prevalence of AD was 23.15% (n= 687). The machine learning-based Boruta algorithm identified 16 significant predictors from 33 potential risk factors, with a minimum Root mean squared error (RMSE) of 0.27 when the top 5 variables were selected (education level, depression, rapid eye movement sleep disorder, age, anxiety).We used the SHAP feature in the Gradient Boosting Decision Tree Model importance to rank the top 20 significant predictors and selected the top 4 variables: edu- cation level, age, marital status, and depression to construct our model based on cross-validation results. Compared to the logistic regression model, the integrated algorithm XGBoost and the random forest model performed better. Notably, XGBoost outperformed other models, achievingan AUC score of 0.78, ACC score of 0.691, SPE score of 0.677, SEN score of 0.739, PRE score of 0.403, and Brier score of 0.140.
CONCLUSION: Individual characteristics and psychological status are more critical than past history. Machine-learning-based AD risk assessment tools for older adults can be easily accessed and show some accurate discrimination, which may be useful in guiding preclinical screening for AD in the elderly population.
Numerical simulation of potential impulse waves generated by Mogu toppling rock slope at varying water levels in Lianghekou Reservoir, China
Authors: Chen Shi-zhuang , Xu Weiya , Zhang Guike , Wang Rubin , Yan Long , Zhang Hailong , Wang Huanling 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Reservoir impoundment and water level fluctuation often trigger slope instability and its secondary disasters, such as potential impulse waves, posing a serious threat to the safety of people along the reservoir and the dam area, causing economic losses and even catastrophic consequences. This study delves into a thorough field investigation and monitoring of engineering geological conditions and deformation mechanisms the Mogu toppling rock slope. Impoundment is the primary factor inducing slope deformation, and the cumulative displacement of sliding body has not converged, signifying potential instability. Coupling the elasto-visco-plasticity model and the RNG turbulence model in FLOW3D, an actual surge disaster near Lianghekou Reservoir dam area is reenacted to validate reliability of the numerical method. On this basis, a three-dimensional model is established to calculate potential impulse waves generated by Mogu toppling rock slope, and the risk of the dam is evaluated. Under varying water level conditions, the simulated heights of impulse waves do not surpass the dam elevation, demonstrating a satisfactory safety margin. Given the inherent danger of landslide-induced wave disasters, continuous attention is warranted, and preventive measures and suggestions are proposed to address these concerns. Additionally, the contributions of water level fluctuations to the head wave height, the run-up wave height on the opposite bank and the dam, and the attenuation rate of wave height along the river channel are explored. The results in this study present significant reference values for the early warning and prevention of comparable reservoir landslides and potential landslide-induced waves worldwide.
Overview and Quantitative Analysis of Glioma Palliative Care Assessment Scales: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Xiao Zhiyuan , Yang Tianrui , Cao Yaning , Chen Wenlin , Li Junlin , Liang Tingyu , Wang Yaning , Wang Yuekun , Guo Xiaopeng , Zhang Yi , Wang Yu , Ma Wenbin 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Background: Patients diagnosed with glioma face substantial challenges with poor prognosis, high symptom burden and care needs. The scope of palliative care has also been defined by the WHO (World Health Organization). Palliative care for glioma has no clear and precise scope. Assessment scales in the setting of palliative care for patients with glioma that are used to assess the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs among others. However, the assessment scales used in palliative care (PC) for glioma were varied.
Purpose: The aim of this study was to gather a comprehensive range of palliative care requirements specific to glioma patients, along with the evaluation tools employed. To present an overview and quantitative analysis of assessment scales utilized to evaluate the palliative care issues and symptom burden suffered by patients with glioma throughout their illness.
Methods: The reporting of this systematic review is in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We conducted a generalized search for articles in the Pubmed, Web of Science, Medline, EMBASE, and CINAHL databases. The quantitative study was defined as studies that utilized one or more scales to evaluate the physical, psychosocial, and spiritual needs in patients with glioma. All screened articles were assessed for eligibility and underwent two rounds of collaborative selection.
Results: A total of 3218 studies were screened, from which 74 scales were extracted from 70 articles and utilized 178 times. The scales cover mood, quality of life (QoL), supportive care needs, symptoms, caregiver assessment, ability of living, social support, cognitive, performance status, personality, and others. The largest number of scales was in the mood category (n=15), followed by supportive care needs (n=13), QoL (n=11), and the smallest number of scales in the personality (n=2) and performance status (n=2). The most frequently used scales were QoL (f=41, 23%), mood (f=40, 22%), and supportive care needs (f=24, 13%), and the least frequently used scales were personality (n=4, 2.2%) and others (n=3, 1.6%). Most of the studies focus on mood, QoL, supportive care needs, and symptom assessment.
Conclusions: We have provided the first systematic statistical analysis of assessment scales used in palliative care for glioma, which reflects of how established different areas of research are. The scales used were varied and inconsistent, future researchers can refer to the scales according to the research questions and population characteristics.