bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Soil-transmitted helminth infections: prevalence, incidence, post-treatment infection rate, and associated factors among children and young adults living in rural areas of Gabon
Authors: EDOA Jean Ronald , Adégbitè Bayodé Roméo , Honkpéhèdji Yabo Josiane , Zinsou Jeannot Fréjus , Boussougou-Sambe Stravensky Térence , Woldearegai Tamirat Gebru , Mordmüller Benjamin , Adegnika Ayola Akim , Dejon-Agobé Jean Claude 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background
Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are of public health concern in endemic areas. For efficient control, the epidemiology of the disease needs to be updated. This report assesses the prevalence, incidence, post-treatment infection (PTI) rate, and risk factors of STH infections in two rural areas of Gabon.
Method
In this longitudinal and prospective study, participants aged six to 30 years from Lambaréné and vicinity were included and followed in two consecutive periods of six and nine months. Stool samples were obtained at the beginning and at the end of each follow-up phase (FUP). The Kato Katz technique was used for the detection of STH eggs while harada-mori technique and coproculture were used for the detection of larvae. Prevalence was determined at the three main time points of the study, incidence was assessed during the two study phases, and PTI was defined as an infection detected nine months post-treatment.
Results
A total of 262 participants were included. The overall prevalence of STH infections was 42% (95%CI: 34–50) and 44% (95%CI: 37–51) at baseline of both FUPs, respectively. Trichuris trichiura was the most prevalent species at each time point of assessment. The cumulative incidence at six- and nine-months follow-up of STH was 18% (95%CI: 12–27) and 35% (95%CI: 27–43), respectively, while the incidence rate was 41 (95%CI: 28–55) and 56 (95%CI: 46–67) per 100 person-years, respectively. The PTI rate at nine-months follow-up for T. trichiura, hookworm, and Ascaris lumbricoides was 58% (95%CI: 41–74), 31% (95%CI: 11–59) and 18% (95%CI: 5–40), respectively. The STH infection intensity was generally light.
Conclusion
The prevalence level of STH infection is moderate in the vicinity of Lambaréné, with T. trichiura being the most prevalent species. Our results reveal a rapid spread of the disease in the population mainly following intervention and particularly for trichuriasis, and therefore call for the full implementation of the World Health Organisation’s recommendations in the area, particularly adequate sanitation and hygiene activities.
Trial registration:
clinicaltrials.gov Identifier NCT02769013. Registered 21 April 2016, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02769013
Mothers working to prevent early stillbirth study (MiNESS 20-28): Case Control Study Protocol
Authors: Heazell Alexander EP , Wilkinson Jack D , Morris Rachel K , Simpson Nigel AB , Smith Lucy K , Stacey Tomasina , Storey Claire , Higgins Lucy E 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background: An estimated 1,600 babies die every year before, during or immediately after birth between 20-28 weeks’ gestation in the United Kingdom. Baby loss at this stage of pregnancy has similar impact on parental physical and psychological wellbeing to late stillbirth (>28 weeks gestation). Further, peri-viable (20-22 week) births with signs of life are inconsistently reported as miscarriages or neonatal deaths. Therefore, in this study these legally disparate baby deaths are considered together (“Early Stillbirth”). Observational studies have improved understanding of previously unrecognised potentially modifiable risk factors for late stillbirth (including supine going to sleep position) and have influenced international clinical practice. Evidence is lacking regarding how previously identified and novel exposures may relate to early stillbirth risk.
Methods: This study aims to identify modifiable risk factors for early stillbirth that are amenable to public health campaigns or adaptation of antenatal care. The study design will be a case-control study of non-anomalous singleton baby loss 20+0 – 27+6 (n=316) and randomly-selected control pregnancies (2:1 ratio; n=632) at group-matched gestations, based on the local historic gestation distribution of cases. Data will be collected by participant recall via researcher-administered questionnaire and extraction from contemporaneous medical records. Unadjusted and confounder-adjusted odds ratios will be calculated using logistic regression. Exposures associated with early stillbirth at OR ≥1.5 will be detectable (p<0.05, β>0.80) assuming exposure prevalence of 30-60%.
Discussion: Dissemination of information about modifiable risk factors for stillbirth in late pregnancy (including #sidetosleep) may be responsible for recent reductions in late stillbirths in the UK. Critically, there has been no reduction in early stillbirth (~40% of UK baby losses). Information about modifiable factors associated with early stillbirth is now urgently required to inform clinical practice, to assist expectant mothers/parents to reduce their baby’s risk of early stillbirth, and to help address inequalities in pregnancy outcome. This study will focus on what portion of early stillbirth risk may be mitigated by facilitating positive health exposures among expectant mothers/parents and their partners, or by adaptation of their environment or healthcare provision. Information obtained from this study will enable development of antenatal care and education to reduce risk of early stillbirth.
Trial registration: NCT06005272
Supportive Relationships with Parents, Teachers, and Peers and Student’s Subjective and Objective Stress Levels
Authors: Hoferichter Frances , Lohilahti Jonne , Hufenbach Miriam , Grabe Hans Jörgen , Hageman Geja , Raufelder Diana 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

During adolescence, students increasingly report suffering from stress and school burnout, which poses a risk to students’ healthy development. However, social support may counteract perceived stress according to the Buffering Hypothesis and the Conservation of Resources Theory. In search of factors that would support healthy student development, studies have primarily focused on self-report data and neglected biophysiological processes. Addressing this research desideratum, this study examined whether perceived social support buffers the interplay of self-reported stress considering biophysiological markers (i.e., cortisol, alpha-amylase, oxidative stress, and telomere length). 83 secondary school students (Mage = 13.72, SD = 0.67; 48% girls) from Germany participated in a questionnaire study and biophysiological testing. Moderation analyses in R revealed that support from parents moderated the relationships between psychological stress as well as cynicism and inadequacy at school linked to alpha-amylase. Whereas teacher support buffered against the increase of oxidative stress related to cynicism and inadequacy.
Adaptive Quadtree Splitting Parallelization (AQSP) algorithm for the VVC standard
Authors: González-Ruiz Alberto , Díaz-Honrubia Antonio Jesús , Tapia-Fernández Santiago , García-Lucas David , Cebrián-Márquez Gabriel , Mengual-Galán Luis 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

The Versatile Video Coding (VVC) standard, also known as H.266, was released in 2020 as the natural successor to the High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) standard. Among its innovative coding tools, VVC extended the concept of Quadtree (QT) splitting to the Multi-Type Tree (MTT) structure, introducing binary and ternary partitions to enhance HEVC's coding efficiency. While this brought significant compression improvements, it also resulted in a substantial increase in encoding time, primarily due to VVC's larger Coding Tree Unit (CTU) size of 128×128 pixels. To mitigate this, this work introduces a flexible parallel approach for the QT traversal and splitting scheme of the VVC encoder, called Adaptive Quadtree Splitting Parallelization (AQSP) algorithm. This approach is based on the distribution of Coding Units (CUs) among different threads using the current depth level of the QT as a basis to minimize the number of broken dependencies. In this way, the algorithm achieves a good trade-off between time savings and coding efficiency. Experimental results show that, when compared with the original VVC encoder, AQSP achieves an acceleration factor of 1.70$\times$ with 4 threads at the expense of a negligible impact in terms of BD-rate. These outcomes position AQSP competitively in comparison to other state-of-the-art approaches.
Environmental tobacco smoke exposure exaggerates bleomycin- induced collagen overexpression during pulmonary fibrogenesis
Authors: Wang Qixin , Goracci Chiara , Sundar Isaac Kirubakaran , Rahman Irfan 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is known to cause lung inflammatory and injurious responses. Smoke exposure is associated with the pathobiology related to lung fibrosis, whereas the mechanism by which ETS exposure augments lung fibrogenesis is unclear. We hypothesized that ETS exposure could exacerbate fibrotic responses via collagen dynamic dysregulation and complement activation. C57BL/6J and p16-3MR mice were exposed to ETS followed by bleomycin administration. ETS exposure exacerbated bleomycin-induced collagen and lysyl oxidase overexpression in the fibrotic lesion. ETS exposure also led to augmented bleomycin-induced upregulation of C3 and C3AR, which are pro-fibrotic markers. Moreover, overexpressed collagens and C3 levels were highly significant in males than females. The old mice (17 months old) were exposed to ETS and treated with bleomycin to induce fibrogenesis, since fibrogenesis is an aging-associated disease. Fewer gene and protein dysregulations trends were identified between ETS exposure with the bleomycin group and the bleomycin alone group in old mice. Based on our findings, we suggested that ETS exposure increases the risk of developing severe lung fibrotic responses via collagen overexpression and lysyl oxidase-mediated collagen stabilization in the fibrotic lesion. ETS exposure also potentially affected the complement system activation induced by bleomycin. Further, male mice were more susceptible than females during fibrogenesis exacerbation.
Rudolf Wolf to Alfred Wolfer: The Transfer of the Reference Observer in the International Sunspot Number Series (1876–1893)
Authors: Bhattacharya Shreya , Lefevre Laure , Chatzistergos Theodosios , Hayakawa Hisashi , Jansen Maarten 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
In 1876, Alfred Wolfer started observing the Sun and recording properties of sunspots alongside Rudolf Wolf. Their observations became the basis for the construction of the Sunspot Number series. After Wolf’s death in 1893, Wolfer became the primary observer for the Sunspot Number series. Even though the observations of Wolf and Wolfer had an overlap of almost 17 years (1876–1893), this shift of primary observer from Wolf to Wolfer seems to have led to inconsistencies in the Sunspot Number series primarily due to inhomogeneities in Wolf’s observations. To address this issue, we digitise Mittheilungen (Wolf’s Journals) and analyze their tabulated datasets. These journals include the raw sunspot data from various observers that the Zürich Observatory used to compile the Sunspot Number (SNV1). These datasets have been used as source data for the construction of the first version of the Sunspot Number (SNV1) series, but they were not digitally accessible for a recalibration of the Sunspot Number series until recently. We have also acquired external datasets from recent archival investigations for contemporaneous sunspot observations. In this study, we use the Mittheilungen dataset to produce a new recalibration of the sunspot number series covering 1816–1944, using four major observers (Tevel, Schwabe, Weber, and Wolfer) as backbones. The availability of the raw data allows us to identify issues in the determination of the scaling factors or k-factors between the records of different observers, but also the use of modern techniques for cross-calibrations. Our reconstruction for the years 1816–1944 is done with a novel method inspired by Chatzistergos et al.(2017, A&A, 602, A69), allowing to eliminate inconsistencies that resulted from the application of erroneous k-factors.
Visceral abdominal fat and muscle mass impact on patients with severe acute pancreatitis' risk for death
Authors: Saad Hassan Awad , Baz Azza , Eraky Mohamed Elsayed , El-Taher Ahmed kamal , Riad Mohamed , Farid Mohamed Ibrahim , Sharaf Khaled 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background
The association between abdominal visceral fatty area (VFA) and mortality is not fully understood despite the fact that being overweight is an established risk factor for the onset and severity of acute pancreatitis (AP). We assessed the effect of VFA on severe AP (SAP) mortality.
Methods
Between April 2011 and March 2021, 238 consecutive patients with SAP were assessed in this retrospective single-center cohort study.
We enrolled 454 patient subgroups for the first contrast-enhanced computed tomography for muscle tissue parameters besides adipose tissues and concluded that severity was analyzed through logistic regression analysis. The predictive capacity of the parameters was investigated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.
Computed tomography (CT) was used to evaluate VFA at umbilical level L1. The main goal of This study aimed to determine the effects of visceral adiposity and muscle parameters on AP mortality.
Results
Of the Egyptian participants, 66% were men and the median age was 126. Eighteen patients (7.5%) died during hospitalization. Twelve obese individuals had a body mass index (BMI) >30 kg/m2 (5%) with a median BMI of 22.2 kg/m2. The median VFA was 112 cm2, and waist measurement was 85.5 cm. A total of 176 (57.1%) individuals had VFA larger than 100 cm2. VFA (COV, 167 cm2; AUC = 0.679), accompanied by the prognostic factor score based on the Japanese guidelines for AP care (cutoff value [COV], 4; area under the curve [AUC] = 0.869] and age [COV, 72; AUC = 0.780]), demonstrated considerable accuracy in predicting death. Elevated VFA was associated with a significantly higher odds ratio (OR) for predicting mortality according to univariate regression analysis but not multivariate analysis (OR:4.38, P = 0.0406). There was no discernible difference in the survival periods of patients with SAP with and without an elevated VFA of 167 cm2.
Regurding to empolyed subroup's for asses the musvled mass effect we found no distinct variation was found between the AP severity groups in either adipose tissue parameters (visceral adipose tissue and subcutaneous adipose tissue) or visceral muscle ratio. However, the muscle mass and mean muscle attenuation differed significantly, with p-values of 0.037 and 0.003, respectively. In multivariate analysis, low muscle attenuation was associated with severe AP with an odds ratio of 4.09 (95% confidence intervals:1.61–10.36, p-value 0.003). No body parameters presented sufficient predictive capability in the ROC curve analysis.
Conclusions
Visceral obesity did not significantly affect the ability to predict mortality in SAP patients. Low muscle attenuation is associated with an increased risk of severe AP. Future prospective studies will help to identify the underlying mechanisms and characterize the influence of body composition parameters on AP.
Serum uric acid levels and risk of gastrointestinal cancers: a comprehensive Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Xiong Zhijie , Ning Wenfeng , Li Yonggui 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background
There has been an ongoing discourse regarding the correlation between serum uric acid (UA) levels and the risk of cancer. Observational studies have presented conflicting findings. This study aims to investigate the potential causal connection between UA levels and five types of gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, including esophageal, gastric, liver, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers.
Methods
We identified 12 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) significantly linked to UA levels from publicly accessible genome-wide association study (GWAS) data as instrumental variables (IVs). Genetic associations for the five GI cancers were obtained from the FinnGen and UK Biobank studies. Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) techniques were employed to evaluate the influence of UA levels on GI cancer. The primary analysis was conducted using the inverse variance-weighted (IVW) approach, and these results were corroborated with four additional methods, namely weighted median, MR-Egger, MR-PRESSO, and MR-Steiger. Multiple sensitivity analyses were carried out to ensure the robustness of our MR findings. Furthermore, a fixed-effects model meta-analysis was employed to amalgamate MR estimates from various data sources.
Results
Our primary analysis disclosed no significant correlation between UA levels and the risk of the five GI cancers (all P values > 0.05). Both sensitivity analyses and supplementary examinations yielded consistent outcomes. We did not observe substantial heterogeneity or horizontal pleiotropy.
Conclusion
This study constitutes the inaugural systematic appraisal of the causal nexus between UA levels and GI cancers utilizing meta-analysis within the MR framework. Our results do not provide substantial evidence for a notable impact of UA levels on the risk of GI cancers. These findings offer valuable insights for the clinical prevention and management of GI cancers.
Two-photon spectroscopy of helium 23S1-83D2,3 transitions at 544 nm with a 1.2 W compact laser system
Authors: Wu Mu-Hao , Wang Li-Bang 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
We have demonstrated two-photon spectroscopy in a power-enhanced cavity of helium 23S1-83D2,3 transitions in a radio frequency (RF)-discharged vapor cell with a compact laser system at 544 nm. An external-cavity diode laser at 1088 nm was constructed to seed a Ytterbium-doped fiber amplifier. By employing a MgO:PPLN crystal, we have successfully doubled the laser frequency of the fiber amplifier output, generating laser power exceeding 1.2 W at 544 nm. The normalized doubling efficiency was measured to be $0.78 \%/cm\cdot{}W$.The optical power within the power-enhanced cavity was 11.8 W.Notably, the 23S1-83D2,3 transitions were observed for the first time. Subsequently, we have investigated the pressure shift and AC stark effect of the spectra.These results pave the way for precision measurement of the transition frequencies and will provide stringent test for QED atomic calculations.
Impact on emission characteristics of Spark Ignition (S.I) engine with spark advancement and retardment using Premium Gasoline- Ethanol blends
Authors: Kumbhar S. V. , Khot S. A. 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Bioethanol is one of the renewable and alternative fuels for conventional gasoline. Bioethanol is manufactured from sugar containing crops like sugarcane, rice straw, etc. by fermentation process. In India, 10% ethanol is already blended with gasoline and 20% will be added by 2024. In this experimental work, different premium gasoline bioethanol blends are prepared and different properties like physical, chemical & Thermodynamic properties of fuel blends are determined. It was found that the lower heating value of premium gasoline bioethanol blends decreases with increasing percentage of bioethanol. Also, density, kinematic viscosity increases with increase in percentage of bioethanol in fuel blend. The research octane number (RON) and motor octane number (MON) is also improved by increasing percentage of bioethanol in premium gasoline ethanol blends. There was enhancement in the Stoichiometric air fuel ratio by increasing quantity of bioethanol in blends. Flash point decreases considerably with increase of percentage of blends. Also, in two wheelers, CO emissions are 33% lower than neat premium gasoline in case of E20 blended fuel. Carbon monoxide, Carbon dioxide, hydrocarbon emissions decreases variation of spark advancement and retardment.
Dialysis for Paediatric Acute Kidney Injury in Cape Town, South Africa.
Authors: McCulloch Mignon I , Luyckx Valerie A , Morrow Brenda , Nourse Peter , Coetzee Ashton , Reddy Deveshni , Du Buisson Christel , Buckley Jonathan , Webber Ilana , Numanoglu Alp , Sinclair Gina , Nelson Candice , Salie Shamiel , Reichmuth Kirsten , Argent Andrew 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Introduction:
Dialysis can be life saving for acute kidney injury (AKI). Recent technological developments allow for dialysis in even small neonates, yet there is poor access for less resourced countries.
Objective:
Describing the profile of paediatric AKI needing dialysis, methods of dialysis, and outcomes of acute dialysis over 20 years.
Methods:
Retrospective review of children 0–18 years dialysed acutely at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital (RCWMCH), Cape Town, South Africa from 1998-2020.
Results:
Overall, 593 children with AKI received dialysis of which 463 (78.1%) children received PD. Their median age was 8.0 (range 0.03 to 219.3; IQR1.0–58.3) months; 57.6% were <1 year old. Patients’ weights ranged from 0.9–62.0 kg (median 7.0 kg, IQR 3.0–16.0 kg); 38.6% were <5 kg. Peritoneal dialysis (PD) was used in younger children (median 6.4 months) and extracorporeal dialysis (ECD) in older children (median 71.7 months, p=0.001) with bed-side catheter insertions (n=490/578, 84.8%) predominantly by paediatricians and nephrology fellows (n=412/490, 84.1%) rather than surgeons (78/490, 15.9%). Complications occurred in 127/560 (22.7%) children receiving PD. Overall, 314/542 (57.8%) children survived. Survival was significantly lower in neonates (<1 month old, 47.5%) and infants (<1 year old, 49.2%) compared to older children (>1 year old, 70.4%, p<0.0001). Survival was better in the ECD (75.4%) than in the PD group (55.6%, p=0.002).
Conclusion:
We demonstrate an acceptable survival in children with AKI requiring dialysis throughout the study period. Outcomes were poorer in smaller children. Acute PD, with bed-side catheter placement placed by non-surgeons, is a feasible, practical and acceptable dialysis modality in our setting.
Risk Assessment and Diagnosis of Gastric Cancer Based on Data Mining Techniques
Authors: Wang Shuyu , Ma Lin , Wei Xiaofang , Chen Bo , Zou Mingjing , Ma Yunhua , Du Hongyang 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Purpose: The primary objective of this study was to address the challenges associated with the early detection and prognostic assessment of gastric cancer, a condition often diagnosed at advanced stages leading to decreased survival rates. Utilizing data mining techniques, we aimed to identify pivotal biomarkers and clinical indicators from extensive datasets, aiming to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of early gastric cancer detection and evaluate potential correlations with prognosis.
Methods: Data from 24,805 patients spanning five years were extracted from electronic medical and laboratory information systems. A comprehensive analysis involving 505 variables, including epidemiological and test indicators, was conducted. Machine learning algorithms like Random Forest and Gradient Boosting, complemented by classic statistical methods, facilitated the identification and evaluation of significant indicators. Performance and effectiveness of the models were ascertained through metrics including the Gini coefficient and ROC index.
Results: The study unveiled four critical epidemiological indicators and 14 test indicators as significantly associated with gastric cancer. The Random Forest model emerged as superior, effectively differentiating between benign and malignant gastric conditions.
Conclusion: Data mining techniques proved instrumental in uncovering significant biomarkers for early gastric cancer diagnosis and prognostic assessment. The findings present an opportunity to refine clinical decision-making, potentially elevating early detection rates and improving patient outcomes. Further studies are warranted for the biological validation and practical integration of these markers into clinical workflows.