bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of azvudine, molnupiravir, and nirmatrelvir/ritonavir in adult patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Chen Mei-Ping , Jiang Di-Xuan , Rang Jia-Xi , Zhuo Hai-Bo , Zhou Zhi-Guo 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThis study aimed to explore the effectiveness and safety of azvudine, nirmatrelvir/ritonavir, and molnupiravir in adult patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19. This retrospective cohort study included patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 (asymptomatic, mild, and common types) at the First Hospital of Changsha (Hunan Province, China) between March and November 2022. Eligible patients were classified into the azvudine, nirmatrelvir/ritonavir, or molnupiravir groups according to the antiviral agents they received. The outcomes were the times to nucleic acid negative conversion (NANC). This study included 157 patients treated with azvudine (n = 66), molnupiravir (n = 66), or nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (n = 25). There were no statistically significant differences in the time from diagnosis to NANC among the azvudine, molnupiravir, and nirmatrelvir/ritonavir groups [median, 9 (95% CI 9–11) vs. 11 (95% CI 10–12) vs. 9 (95% CI 8–12) days, P = 0.15], time from administration to NANC [median, 9 (95% CI 8–10) vs. 10 (95% CI 9.48–11) vs. 8.708 (95% CI 7.51–11) days, P = 0.50], or hospital stay [median, 11 (95% CI 11–13) vs. 13 (95% CI 12–14) vs. 12 (95% CI 10–14) days, P = 0.14], even after adjustment for sex, age, COVID-19 type, comorbidities, Ct level, time from diagnosis to antiviral treatment, and number of symptoms. The cumulative NANC rates in the azvudine, molnupiravir, and nirmatrelvir/ritonavir groups were 15.2%/12.3%/16.0% at day 5 (P = 0.858), 34.8%/21.5%/32.0% at day 7 (P = 0.226), 66.7%/52.3%/60.0% at 10 days (P = 0.246), and 86.4%/86.2%/80.0% at day 14 (P = 0.721). No serious adverse events were reported. Azvudine may be comparable to nirmatrelvir/ritonavir and molnupiravir in adult patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 regarding time to NANC, hospital stay, and AEs.
Spin glass states in multicomponent layered perovskites
Authors: Pramanik P. , Clulow R. , Joshi D. C. , Stolpe A. , Berastegui P. , Sahlberg M. , Mathieu R. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractTemperature-dependent dc-magnetization and ac-susceptibility curves have been recorded for series of single and double layered Ruddlesden-Popper multicomponent perovskites with chemical formula A2BO4 and A3B2O7, respectively, with (La, Sr) on A-sites and up to 7 different cations on the B-sites (Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu). The phase purity and chemical homogeneity of the compounds were investigated by X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Independently of the composition, spin glassiness is observed in both systems. Scaling analyses suggest the materials undergo spin glass phase transitions at low temperatures. Yet, qualitative differences are observed between the single-layered and double-layered systems, which are discussed in the light of the spatial dimensionality and magnetic interaction in layered oxide perovskites.
Design, simulation and experimental analysis of a monolithic bending section for enhanced maneuverability of single use laparoscopic devices
Authors: Uhlig Kai , Bruk Sascha , Fischer Matthieu , Henkel Konrad , Brinkmann Franz , Körbitz René , Hüttner Ronny , Pietsch Malte , Hempel Phillip , Spickenheuer Axel , Stommel Markus , Richter Andreas , Hampe Jochen 
Published: February 2024

AbstractStandard laparoscopes, which are widely used in minimally invasive surgery, have significant handling limitations due to their rigid design. This paper presents an approach for a bending section for laparoscopes based on a standard semi-finished tube made of Nitinol with laser-cut flexure hinges. Flexure hinges simply created from a semi-finished product are a key element for realizing low-cost compliant structures with minimal design space. Superelastic materials such as Nitinol allow the reversible strain required for this purpose while maintaining sufficient strength in abuse load cases. This paper focuses on the development of a bending section for single use laparoscopic devices (OD 10 mm) with a bending angle of 100°, which enables the application of 100 µm diameter Nitinol actuator wires. For this purpose, constructive measures to realise a required bending curvature and Finite Element Analysis for determining the strain distribution in the flexural region are applied and described for the design of the flexure hinges. In parallel, the influence of the laser-based manufacturing process on the microstructure is investigated and evaluated using micrographs. The deformation behavior of the bending section is experimentally determined using Digital Image Correlation. The required actuation forces and the failure load of the monolithic bending section is measured and compared to a state of the art riveted bending section made of stainless steel. With the developed monolothic bending section the actuation force could be reduced by 50% and the available inner diameter could be increased by 10% while avoiding the need of any assembly step.
Chimpanzees engage in competitive altruism in a triadic ultimatum game
Authors: Sánchez-Amaro Alejandro , Maurits Luke , Haun Daniel B. M. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractPartner choice promotes competition among individuals to be selected as a cooperative partner, a phenomenon referred to as competitive altruism. We explored whether chimpanzees engage in competitive altruism in a triadic Ultimatum Game where two proposers can send offers simultaneously or consecutively to a responder who can only accept one of the two competing offers. In a dyadic control condition only one proposer at a time could send an offer to the responder. Chimpanzees increased their offers across trials in the competitive triadic, but not in the dyadic control condition. Chimpanzees also increased their offers after being rejected in previous triadic trials. Furthermore, we found that chimpanzees, under specific conditions, outcompete first proposers in triadic consecutive trials before the responder could choose which offer to accept by offering more than what is expected if they acted randomly or simply offered the smallest possible amount. These results suggest that competitive altruism in chimpanzees did not emerge just as a by-product of them trying to increase over previous losses. Chimpanzees might consider how others’ interactions affect their outcomes and engage in strategies to maximize their chances of being selected as cooperative partners.
Digital design of a spatial-pow-STDP learning block with high accuracy utilizing pow CORDIC for large-scale image classifier spatiotemporal SNN
Authors: Bahrami Mohammad Kazem , Nazari Soheila 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe paramount concern of highly accurate energy-efficient computing in machines with significant cognitive capabilities aims to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of bio-inspired Spiking Neural Networks (SNNs). This paper addresses this main objective by introducing a novel spatial power spike-timing-dependent plasticity (Spatial-Pow-STDP) learning rule as a digital block with high accuracy in a bio-inspired SNN model. Motivated by the demand for precise and accelerated computation that reduces high-cost resources in neural network applications, this paper presents a methodology based on COordinate Rotation DIgital Computer (CORDIC) definitions. The proposed designs of CORDIC algorithms for exponential (Exp CORDIC), natural logarithm (Ln CORDIC), and arbitrary power function (Pow CORDIC) are meticulously detailed and evaluated to ensure optimal acceleration and accuracy, which respectively show average errors near 10–9, 10–6, and 10–5 with 4, 4, and 6 iterations. The engineered architectures for the Exp, Ln, and Pow CORDIC implementations are illustrated and assessed, showcasing the efficiency achieved through high frequency, leading to the introduction of a Spatial-Pow-STDP learning block design based on Pow CORDIC that facilitates efficient and accurate hardware computation with 6.93 × 10–3 average error with 9 iterations. The proposed learning mechanism integrates this structure into a large-scale spatiotemporal SNN consisting of three layers with reduced hyper-parameters, enabling unsupervised training in an event-based paradigm using excitatory and inhibitory synapses. As a result, the application of the developed methodology and equations in the computational SNN model for image classification reveals superior accuracy and convergence speed compared to existing spiking networks by achieving up to 97.5%, 97.6%, 93.4%, and 93% accuracy, respectively, when trained on the MNIST, EMNIST digits, EMNIST letters, and CIFAR10 datasets with 6, 2, 2, and 6 training epochs.
Estimating blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) connectivity and settlement capacity in mid-latitude fjord regions
Authors: Corrochano-Fraile Ana , Carboni Stefano , Green Darren M. , Taggart John B. , Adams Thomas P. , Aleynik Dmitry , Bekaert Michaël 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe mussel industry faces challenges such as low and inconsistent levels of larvae settlement and poor-quality spat, leading to variable production. However, mussel farming remains a vital sustainable and environmentally responsible method for producing protein, fostering ecological responsibility in the aquaculture sector. We investigate the population connectivity and larval dispersion of blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) in Scottish waters, as a case study, using a multidisciplinary approach that combined genetic data and particle modelling. This research allows us to develop a thorough understanding of blue mussel population dynamics in mid-latitude fjord regions, to infer gene-flow patterns, and to estimate population divergence. Our findings reveal a primary south-to-north particle transport direction and the presence of five genetic clusters. We discover a significant and continuous genetic material exchange among populations within the study area, with our biophysical model’s outcomes aligning with our genetic observations. Additionally, our model reveals a robust connection between the southwest coast and the rest of the west coast. This study will guide the preservation of mussel farming regions, ensuring sustainable populations that contribute to marine ecosystem health and resilience.
Quantity and quality of minichromosome maintenance protein complexes couple replication licensing to genome integrity
Authors: Yadav Anoop Kumar , Polasek-Sedlackova Hana 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAccurate and complete replication of genetic information is a fundamental process of every cell division. The replication licensing is the first essential step that lays the foundation for error-free genome duplication. During licensing, minichromosome maintenance protein complexes, the molecular motors of DNA replication, are loaded to genomic sites called replication origins. The correct quantity and functioning of licensed origins are necessary to prevent genome instability associated with severe diseases, including cancer. Here, we delve into recent discoveries that shed light on the novel functions of licensed origins, the pathways necessary for their proper maintenance, and their implications for cancer therapies.
Full seismic waveform analysis combined with transformer neural networks improves coseismic landslide prediction
Authors: Dahal Ashok , Tanyaş Hakan , Lombardo Luigi 
Published: February 2024

AbstractSeismic waves can shake mountainous landscapes, triggering thousands of landslides. Regional-scale landslide models primarily rely on shaking intensity parameters obtained by simplifying ground motion time-series into peak scalar values. Such an approach neglects the contribution of ground motion phase and amplitude and their variations over space and time. Here, we address this problem by developing an explainable deep-learning model able to treat the entire wavefield and benchmark it against a model equipped with scalar intensity parameters. The experiments run on the area affected by the 2015 Mw7.8 Gorkha, Nepal earthquake reveal a 16% improvement in predictive capacity when incorporating full waveforms. This improvement is achieved mainly on gentle (~25°) hillslopes exposed to low ground shaking (~0.2 m/s). Moreover, we can largely attribute this improvement to the ground motion before and much after the peak velocity arrival. This underscores the limits of single-intensity measures and the untapped potential of full waveform information.
Joint resource allocation and security redundancy for autonomous driving based on deep reinforcement learning algorithm
Authors: Zhang Han , Liang Hongbin , Wang Lei , Yao Yiting , Lin Bin , Zhao Dongmei 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAutonomous vehicles navigating urban roads require technology that combines low latency with high computing power. The limited resources of the vehicle itself compel it to offload task requirements to edge server (ES) for processing assistance. However, as the number of vehicles continues to increase, how edge servers reasonably allocate limited resources to autonomous vehicles becomes critical to the success of urban intelligent transportation services. This paper establishes an urban road scenario with multiple autonomous vehicles and an edge computing server and considers two main driving behaviour transition resource requests, namely car‐following behaviour requests and lane‐changing behaviour requests. Simultaneously, acknowledging that vehicles may encounter unforeseen traffic hazards when switching driving behaviours, a safety redundancy setting strategy is employed to allocate additional resources to the vehicle to ensure safety and model the vehicle resource allocation problem in the autonomous driving system. Double‐deep Q‐network (DDQN) is then used to solve this model and maximize the total system utility by comprehensively considering resource costs, system revenue, and autonomous vehicle safety. Finally, results from the simulation experiment indicate that the proposed dynamic resource allocation scheme, based on deep reinforcement learning for autonomous vehicles under edge computing, not only greatly improves the system's benefits and reduces processing delays compared to traditional greedy algorithms and value iteration, but also effectively ensures security.
Data process and water resources management in Morocco: Issues and challenges
Authors: Jamil Hicham , Jamal Elhassan , Rissouni Youssef , El Mansouri Bouabid , Moumen Aniss , Chao Jamal 
Published: February 2024

This article will examine the data collection process, management flow, and decision-making process through interviews with public sector representatives responsible for water management.Natural resources have always been at the heart of the world’s most important government strategies. The development of economies is contingent upon the effective management of a country’s water resources, which in turn requires good water governance that depends on the collection of sufficient data and an effective data management system (1), especially with climate change continuing to impact this resource around the world.The management of natural resources, in general, necessitates collecting data and raw measurements, resulting in storing a large volume of data. Therefore, Big Data Analytics (BDA) technology is considered a primary means of processing such data. However, while Big Data technologies offer a suitable solution for ensuring optimal and rapid use of data, the success of functional and technical designs can only be guaranteed by maintaining complete control over the processing and decision-making processes.
Radiation dose fractionation and its potential hormetic effects on male Glossina palpalis gambiensis (Diptera: Glossinidae): a comparative study of reproductive and flight quality parameters
Authors: Kaboré Bénéwendé Aristide , Taqi Syeda Dua , Mkinga Athumani , Morales Zambrana Anibal E , Mach Robert L , Vreysen Marc JB , de Beer Chantel J 
Published: February 2024

One of the most critical factors for implementing the sterile insect technique for the management of tsetse is the production of large quantities of highly competitive sterile males in the field. Several factors may influence the biological quality of sterile males, but optimizing the irradiation protocols to limit unwanted somatic cell damage could improve male performance. This study evaluated the effect of fractionation of gamma radiation doses on the fertility and flight quality of male Glossina palpalis gambiensis. Induced sterility was assessed by mating irradiated males with virgin fertile females. Flight quality was assessed using a standard protocol. The male flies were irradiated as pupae on day 23–27 post larviposition with 110 Gy, either in a single dose or in fractionations of 10 + 100 Gy and 50 + 60 Gy separated by 1-, 2- and 3-day intervals or 55 + 55 Gy separated by 4-, 8-, and 24-hour intervals. All treatments induced more than 90% sterility in females mated with irradiated males, as compared with untreated males. No significant differences were found in emergence rate or flight propensity between fractionated and single radiation doses, nor between the types of fractionations. Overall, the 50(D0) + 60(D1) Gy dose showed slightly higher induced sterility, flight propensity, and survival of males under feeding regime. Dose fractionation resulted in only small improvements with respect to flight propensity and survival, and this should be traded off with the required increase in labor that dose fractionation entails, especially in larger control programs.
Chewing lice of Bearded Reedling (Panurus biarmicus) and diversity of louse-host associations of birds in reed beds in Slovakia
Authors: Sychra Oldřich , Sušilová Lucie , Najer Tomáš , Literák Ivan , Papoušek Ivo , Martinů Jana , Trnka Alfréd , Capek Miroslav 
Published: February 2024

A total of 1,621 wild birds representing 34 species were examined for chewing lice in reed beds in southwestern Slovakia during the pre-breeding migration 2008–2009 and 2016–2019. A total of 377 (23.3%) birds representing 15 species were parasitized by 26 species of chewing lice of 12 genera. Dominant genera were Penenirmus (with dominance 32.6%) and Menacanthus (29.4%), followed by Brueelia (12.6%), Acronirmus (10.8%), Philopterus (7.7%), and Myrsidea (4.2%). We evaluated 33 host-louse associations including both 1) host-generalist, parasitizing more than one host species and host-specific lice, occurring only on a single host species, and 2) lice species with large range geographic distribution, reported across the range of the distribution of their hosts and lice species with only occasional records from a limited area within the range of their hosts. The Bearded Reedling, Panurus biarmicus (Linnaeus, 1758), was parasitized by two species of chewing lice, Menacanthus brelihi Balát, 1981 and Penenirmus visendus (Złotorzycka, 1964), with conspicuously different prevalences (5.6% vs. 58.2%, respectively; n = 251). New material enabled us to redescribe both species of lice: the first one is resurrected from previous synonymy as a valid species. A fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene was sequenced from these two species in order to assess their relative phylogenetic position within their genera. Our study demonstrates the importance of an adequate identification of parasites, especially on rarely examined and endangered hosts.
A Study of Efficacy and Outcomes of Two Techniques of Mechanical Thrombectomy in Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Shavi Tejesh , Pandey Paritosh , Acharya Ullas V 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background Endovascular mechanical thrombectomy (A Direct Aspiration First Pass Technique [ADAPT] and Solitaire stent retrieval techniques) as an emergency reperfusion therapy in acute ischemic stroke patients avoids secondary brain insult and thereby prevents permanent neurological deficits. As studies comparing the two thrombectomy procedures are scarce, we evaluated their efficacy.
Methods In this prospective observational study done at Manipal Hospitals Bangalore, 75 patients were separated into two groups based on the final reperfusion technique employed: ADAPT group with 39 patients who underwent contact aspiration technique and Solitaire group with 36 patients who underwent stent retrieval thrombectomy. The rate of successful reperfusion (modified treatment in cerebral infarction scores [mTICI]); functional outcomes (modified Rankin scale [mRS] and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS]) at 24 hours, 1 month and 3 months postintervention; and the adverse events were compared between the two groups.
Results Successful reperfusion was significantly higher in the ADAPT group. Mean NIHSS and mRS scores reduced significantly postintervention for both groups, but was greater for the ADAPT group, while mortality and other adverse events were significantly greater in the solitaire group.
Conclusion Mechanical thrombectomy is an effective reperfusion therapy for acute ischemic stroke patients. Comparing the two techniques revealed better outcomes for ADAPT, than stent retrieval technique.
Conversion to Autologous Breast Reconstruction with Latissimus Dorsi and Immediate Fat Grafting in Patients with Previous Implant Failure: An Efficient, Reproducible, and Safe Technique
Authors: Couto-González Ivan , Brea-García Beatriz , Fernández-Marcos Adrián Ángel , Taboada-Suárez Antonio 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Introduction Implant-based breast reconstructions (IBBRs) increased last years despite the growing indications for radiotherapy in the treatment of breast cancer. As a result, complications and reconstructive failures associated to IBBR have increased. Autologous breast reconstruction (ABR) using fat-augmented latissimus dorsi (FALD) has become popular in recent years.
Methods We aimed to evaluate conversion to ABR using latissimus dorsi and immediate fat grafting in 61 cases with IBBR failure.
Results Immediate reconstruction was found significatively related with an increased number of surgeries resulting from IBBR complications (p < 0.001). Note that 41% of the cases presented a grade III/IV Baker and Palmer capsular contracture, 29% implant extrusion, and 21% implant infection. Mean survival of the first implant was 16.95 months. ABR process was completed in 47% of cases with a single surgery. Statistically significant differences were observed between this fact and previous IBBR failure due to infection (p = 0.03) or extrusion (p = 0.01). Mean volume of fat graft was 429.61 mL, mean length of the surgical procedure was 3.17 hours, and the average length of hospital stay after surgery was 2.67 days. Only 3.3% of the cases developed some major complication. None of the cases presented reconstructive failure.
Conclusion FALD is a very safe total ABR technique, an important fact in patients with previous reconstructive failures. The large volume of fat that can be grafted in a single surgery allows the reconstruction of breast in a reasonable size. The reduced length of surgery and hospital stay make the FALD technique an option to consider when an autologous but efficient and safe reconstruction is desired.