bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of baffle plate on pollutant dispersion inside an isolated street canyon by CFD modeling
Authors: He Guangxing , Wei Yu , Yi Fu Zhao 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Deep street canyons and unfavourable meteorological conditions usually induce high pollutant exposure.Two-dimensional numerical simulations were performed to investigate the impacts of vertical baffle plate on flow and pollutant dispersion inside an isolated street canyon. The simulate results were validated by wind tunnel experiment. The contrast model was established without baffle plate that defined as case 1. Other models with baffle plate with(0.005m,0.0075m,0.01m,0.0125m,0.015m,0.02m,0.03m) away from the canyon roof were defined as case 2 to case 8 respectively. All geometric models are 1:500 reduced scale in this paper. The numerical results reveal that baffle plate has significantly effect on flow patter and pollutant distribution in street canyon. For dimensionless average pollutant concentration, case 3 experience the greatest pollutant exposure reduction which followed by case 2. From case 4 to case 8, with increasing, pollutant dilution effect become increasingly weak. The study results are helpful for the prevention and control of pollutants in street canyon.
The role and value of coach mentoring dentists in difficulty
Authors: Gowers Philip , Louca Chris , Radford David , Vargas Carolina Machuca 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Abstract
Introduction The General Dental Council (GDC) regulates the UK dental profession and a dentist may be mandated to attend a ‘fitness to practice panel’ (FtP). In this study those dentists are referred to as a “dentist in difficulty” (DiD). Coaching and mentoring are recommended for the DiD to help them fulfil the conditions within a FtP so that they can continue to be a registered dentist. DiDs are stressed, suffer burnout, quit the dental profession and suicides occur. Other than some anecdotal evidence there is little published literature on DiDs worldwide and even less on the coach mentoring of DiDs.
Aim The aim of this study was to understand the lived-in experiences of CMs, their reasons for becoming a CM, their training and their coach mentoring techniques.
Methods Using a qualitative approach, eleven individual semi-structured interviews were undertaken with CMs. Recorded interviews were transcribed and transcriptions were analysed using thematic coding to identify overarching themes.
Results Five themes and twenty-two subthemes were identified. All participants were compassionate, kind and empathetic, offering confidential, non-judgmental support. DIDs were considered not bad people, just that life had snowballed out of control and with a structured action plan, a willing mentee can fulfill the GDC conditions to continue to treat patients. Due to recent funding cuts, DiDs are currently mainly self-funded. The CMs believed that preventative coach mentoring should be available to all the profession.
Conclusion The analysis identified that currently, CMs found complex intrinsic and extrinsic factors affecting the DIDs. Coach mentoring was beneficial to both parties particularly to support DiDs to develop as safe, reflective, insightful practitioners. This research gave a unique insight into the most stressful period of their lives. Coach mentoring has an uncertain future. Diverse support, some unaccredited, is available to DIDs. More research is needed on coach mentoring from the mentees view.
A Genomics England haplotype reference panel and the imputation of the UK Biobank
Authors: Shi Sinan , Rubinacci Simone , Hu Sile , Moutsianas Loukas , Stuckey Alexander , Need Anna , Caulfield Mark , Marchini Jonathan , Myers Simon 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

We built a reference panel with 342 million autosomal variants using 78,195 individuals from the Genomics England dataset, achieving a phasing switch error rate of 0.18% for European samples, and imputation quality of r2 = 0.75 for variants with minor allele frequencies as low as 2×10-4 in White British samples. The GEL imputed UK Biobank GWAS analysis identified 70% of associations found by direct exome sequencing (p < 2.18×10-11), while extending testing of rare variants to the entire genome. Coding variants dominated the rare GWAS findings, implying less disruptive effects of rare non-coding variants.
Investigating the clinical course of patients with covid-19 and its relationship with receiving the vaccines administered at the COVID-19 center of Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences
Authors: Yazdimoghaddam Hamideh , zardosht Roghayeh , Borzoee Fatemeh , Samadipour Ezat , Koushki Bita , SHahrestanaki Mohammad Keyvanlo , Navipour Elham , Quchan Arezoo Davarinia Motlagh 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background
Assessing and following up the clinical status of patients with COVID-19 can provide useful information for developing treatment algorithms to clarify treatment recommendations and improve patients’ stability after discharge. This study aimed to address the clinical course of patients with COVID-19 and its relationship with administration of recommended vaccines.
Methods
This cross-sectional study focused on 140 patients with COVID-19, selected based on convenience sampling, who were discharged from Vasei Hospital affiliated with Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences in between February 2022 and July 2022. Using a questionnaire, we assessed the recovery process and clinical course of patients 4 and 12 weeks after discharge. The data were analyzed in SPSS v. 24 at the significance level of 5%.
Results
Administration of the recommended vaccine doses and the recovery rate had a significant relationship in the second follow-up (P = 0.026), but not in the first follow-up. There was a significant relationship between the results of the PCR test in second period and the recovery rate in the first follow-up (P = 0.002), but there was no such significant relationship in the second follow-up (P = 0.51).
Conclusion
The results of this study showed that vaccination affects the level of immunity and the long-term recovery of patients with COVID-19.
Public attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccine mandates and vaccine certificates in Canada: a time series study
Authors: Zhu David T. , Hawken Steven , Serhan Mohamed , Graves Frank , Smith Jeff , Wilson Kumanan 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Introduction
Since the beginning of the pandemic, numerous public health measures such as COVID-19 vaccines, vaccine mandates and vaccination certificates have been introduced to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Public opinion and attitudes towards these measures have fluctuated in response to the dynamic political, social, and cultural landscape of the pandemic.
Methods
We conducted a time-series study consisting of national cross-sectional surveys between November 2021 to March 2022 to evaluate the Canadian public’s attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccine mandates and vaccine certificates.
Results
When examining public sentiment towards COVID-19 vaccine certificates and proof of vaccination measures, there was a shift in responses over time. The proportion of participants “strongly supporting” these measures decreased from 66.0–43.1% between W25(Capacity Limits), –W32 (Mask Mandate Removed), whereas “strongly oppose” was the second most common response and rose from 15.9–20.6% during this same time period. Concurrently, when examining participants views surrounding mandates, many participants believed that their province was reopening at “about the right pace”, which remained relatively stable over time (33.0–35.4%) between W28 (Emergency Act)–W32 (Mask Mandate Removed).
Conclusion
Our study’s findings on the public’s attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccine mandates and vaccine certificates in Canada may aid to guide and streamline the implementation of future similar public health interventions. Future research should include extended follow-up and a more comprehensive examination of trust in government institutions and polarized perspectives on vaccine mandates.
Early Biomarkers in Hospitalized Patients as Predictors of Long-Term Post- COVID-19 Conditions: A One-Year Cohort Study
Authors: Nair Chithira V , Malavika K , Gutjahr Georg , Kulirankal Kiran G , Moni Merlin , Sathyapalan Dipu T 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background Post-COVID-19 conditions represent a significant challenge in patient care, with symptoms persisting beyond three month’s post-recovery. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of post-COVID-19 conditions at one year post-COVID-19 and identify predictive biomarkers and comorbidities for effective risk stratification.Methods A cohort of 120 adult patients, including 50 intensive care and 70 non-intensive care patients, was followed up at two weeks, six weeks, and one-year post-discharge using structured questionnaires. The study integrated comorbidities and laboratory biomarkers to forecast the risk for PCC.Results The median age of participants was 56 years, with 40% having moderate to severe comorbidities. A year post-recovery, 32.8% exhibited post COVID-19 conditions. The most common symptoms were constitutional (16%), respiratory (8.4%), and neuropsychiatric (2.5%). Bayesian network analysis indicated significant correlations between constitutional symptoms, rehospitalisation, and biomarkers including C-reactive protein, lactate-dehydrogenase, ferritin, and albumin.Conclusion This study highlights the prolonged impact of post-COVID-19 conditions, one-year post infection. It highlights the role of specific biomarkers such as C-reactive protein, lactate-dehydrogenase, ferritin, and albumin in tailoring individual patient care by advancing understanding in post-COVID-19 symptoms prediction. Our findings support the need for further research to refine these insights, which are pivotal for the ongoing care of patients in the aftermath of COVID-19.
Controlling a Longitudinal Autonomous Vehicle Using Modified Particle Swarm Optimization
Authors: Salih Ghaidaa Hadi 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
This paper presents two optimization algorithms for selecting the optimal Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller’s coefficients for a longitudinal dynamics vehicle system. The suggested optimization algorithms are the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Modified PSO (MPSO) algorithms, which use the Integral Absolute value Error (IAE) as a cost function to find the PID controller's coefficients. The optimal proposed controllers are compared in terms of optimized PID controller’s response specifications expressed in standards of maximum Overshoot (OS), Steady-State Error (SSE), Settling Time (ts) (2%), and Rise Time (tr). The obtained results show that a combined PID controller with the MPSO algorithm is more effective than an combined PID controller with the traditional PSO algorithm at controlling the vehicle's longitudinal dynamics system with an enhanced percentage of 2.5%.
Evaluation of Postgraduate Foundation Training for Dental Therapists:
Does participation enhance career prospects?
Authors: King Laura , Louca Chris , Radford David , Vargas Carolina Machuca 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study explored the value of dental therapy foundation training (DTFT) in the UK and how participation influenced career prospects.
METHODS: The study used a survey incorporating open, closed, Likert scale and multiple-choice questions. Quantitative data were analysed with IBM SPSS Statistics v26. Analysis of qualitative data was undertaken by two researchers. Final themes and subthemes were confirmed following round table discussions.
RESULTS: 94 survey responses, 61 from DTs who had not undertaken DTFT (Group A) and 33 who had undertaken DTFT (Group B). Most respondents were female (95%) with a mean age of 33.8 and 32.9 years respectively. 58.3% of Group A respondents did not believe that completing DTFT would have enhanced their career prospects, whereas 63.6% of Group B said that they gained a position as a result of completing DTFT. Participation in DTFT increased perceived clinical confidence in Group B and 81.8% were likely to recommend DTFT to their peers. A total of 13 major themes and 12 subthemes were identified.
CONCLUSIONS: DTFT schemes were considered a valuable educational experience which increased clinical confidence. Participation may have enhanced career prospects. Barriers were encountered by DTs when seeking work, regardless of participation in DTFT.
Lifetime optimisation of integrated thermally- and electrically-driven solar desalination plants
Authors: Markides Christos , Winchester Benedict , Huang Gan , Beath Hamish , Sandwell Philip , Cen JiaJun , Nelson Jenny 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
We compare the performance across different locations of systems employing photovoltaic (PV) panels, flat-plate and evacuated-tube solar-thermal (ST), and hybrid photovoltaic-thermal (PV-T) collectors to fulfil the energy demands (both thermal and electrical) of multi-effect distillation (MED) desalination plants. We consider large- (1700 m3/day), medium- (120 m3/day) and small-scale (3 m3/day) MED plants.
We find a strong dependence of both the capacity and configuration of the solar collectors used on both the cost of sourcing electricity from the grid and the specific collector employed. We find mean grid-electricity fractions range from 47%, for the lowest grid-cost location, to 2.5% for the highest grid-cost location. We find that systems using PV-T and ST collectors meet between 49% and 62% of the hot-water demand at these locations, respectively. We find lifetime costs for the smallest-, medium- and largest-scale plants' energy-generation systems as low as 0.209, 3.35 and 50.8 million USD, respectively, corresponding to specific costs of 6.37, 2.55 and 2.74 USD/m3.
We find that systems using solar collectors, when optimised for the lowest specific cost, result in associated CO2eq emissions equal to, or higher than, those associated with grid-driven reverse osmosis. These results highlight the need to consider the environmental footprint of these systems, not only their cost, to ensure that desalination is in-line with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG6).
ABA-responsive small RNAs contribute to drought stress memory by regulating antioxidant activity and lignification
Authors: Khoshniat Parisa , Rafudeen Muhammad Suhail , Seifi Alireza 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Previously we showed that a single exogenous application of Abscisic acid (ABA) on Arabidopsis in early developmental stages results in enhanced plant biomass and drought tolerance in the adult plants. Here we tested the hypothesis that small RNAs (sRNAs), including micro RNAs (miRNAs) and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), contribute to the observed ABA effects. We sequenced sRNA populations in Arabidopsis plants that were sprayed with ABA or water at the cotyledonary stage at two time-points, 4 hours and 14 days after spraying. Analyses of the sRNAs revealed that at 4 hours, four miRNA families, miR408, miR398, miR397, and miR393, were significantly down-regulated by the ABA application. These miRNAs are all copper-induced miRNAs, which are known to be involved in the regulation of antioxidant enzymes and lignification metabolic pathways. After 14 days, miR395 and miR169 families were up-regulated, while miR399 and miR827 families were down-regulated in ABA-treated plants. These miRNAs are mostly characterized as regulators of macronutrient uptake. We identified 77 and 30 differentially expressed siRNA loci in the first and second time-points respectively. Interestingly, a majority of these ABA-responsive siRNAs were found to be mainly associated with the non-coding regions of the genome, as well as with genes related to photosynthesis, particularly those encoding light-harvesting complex proteins. In summary, our data suggest that ABA-responsive miRNAs contribute to the positive effects of ABA by increasing plant antioxidant capacity and lignification in the short-term while increasing nutrient uptake in the long term.
Hierarchical Bayesian Adaptive Lasso Methods on Exponential Random Graph Models
Authors: Han Dan , Modisette Vicki , Forthofer Melinda , Paul Rajib 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

The analysis of network data has become an increasingly prominent and demanding field across multiple research fields including data science, health, and social sciences, requiring the development of robust models and efficient computational methods. One well-established and widely employed modeling approach for network data is the Exponential Random Graph Model (ERGM). Despite its popularity, there is a recognized necessity for further advancements to enhance its flexibility and variable selection capabilities. To address this need, we propose a novel hierarchical Bayesian adaptive lasso model (BALERGM), which builds upon the foundations of the ERGM. The BALERGM leverages the strengths of the ERGM and incorporates the flexible adaptive lasso technique, thereby facilitating effective variable selection and tackling the inherent challenges posed by high-dimensional network data. The model improvements have been assessed through the analysis of simulated data, as well as two authentic datasets. These datasets encompassed friendship networks and a respondent-driven sampling dataset on active and healthy lifestyle awareness programs.
Oral low-dose cyclophosphamide with endocrine therapy through effects on Tregs in TLSs may improve clinical response in elderly metastatic breast cancer patients
Authors: Zhao Yuze , Wang Shuo , Lv Shuzhen , Liu Xiaojun , Li Weiping , Song Yuguang , Rong Dongwen , Zheng Peiming , Huang Hongyan , Zheng Huixia 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background: Despite limited research on refractory and/or endocrine therapy failure in elderly metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients, a prior study did show that low-dose oral cyclophosphamide (CY) can improve the overall survival rate of MBC, possibly through immunoregulation of regulatory T cells (Tregs). We performed a preliminary investigation of the combination of endocrine therapy (ET) with oral low-dose CY as salvage therapy in elderly patients with peripheral blood regulatory T cell analyses. In addition, we evaluated the association of tumor tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) with therapeutic outcomes.
Patients and Methods:
HR+/HER2˗ advanced breast cancer patients who received low-dose CY combined with ET or ET only from April 2015 to August 2021 were enrolled in this retrospective study. The primary outcome was the clinical control rate (CCR), and the secondary outcome was progression-free survival (PFS). Circulating T lymphocyte subpopulations represented by Tregs were monitored during treatment by flow cytometry methods. TLS diagnosis was confirmed by hematoxylin–eosin staining of pretreatment specimens, and CD3, CD4, and Foxp3 were stained using Opal multicolor immunofluorescence.
Results:85 patients received CY + ET and 50 patients received ET only were enrolled, CCR was 73% (62/85) vs. 70% (45/50), and objective response rate (ORR) was 28% (24/85) vs. 24% (12/50). No deaths occurred during the study period. The median PFS time was 13 vs. 11 months (P = 0.03). In the CY + ET group, the decreases in CD4+/CD25+/Foxp3+ T cells (P<0.001) were favorable for both clinical control and prolonged PFS (P < 0.001), compared with patients without TLSs, those with TLSs were more likely to have better clinical control and PFS (mean time=6 months), and a higher level of Treg cells in TLSs pretreatment correlated with longer PFS (P=0.043).
Conclusions: Oral low-dose CY combined with standard ET exerts immunological regulation by decreasing Treg to achieve improved clinical responses. Moreover, patients with TLSs might benefit more from such therapy than those without TLSs, and a high Treg count in TLSs before treatment predicts better therapy efficacy.
Optimization of a photovoltaic pumping system
Authors: Lemrabotte Khairiye , Ahmed Yarba , Hamed Mouna ben , Benbouhenni Habib , Colak Ilhami , N’Dango Mohamed 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Renewable and clean energy is the guarantee of the continuation of practical life on earth and the preservation of the environment because fossil energy becomes difficult to obtain over time and its resources are limited.Inthis article, solar energy is used as a source of energy production, but the conversion efficiency of this energy is low so we used methods to ameliorate the stability and efficiency of the system such as the differential evolution (DE) algorithm and direct torque control with an intelligent speed regulator based on the particle swarm optimization algorithm, these optimization techniques have proven their characteristics in terms of stability and efficiency of the photovoltaic pumping system which needs to be developed particularly in remote areas where there is no electricity.
TC-MSNet: A Multi-feature Extraction Neural Framework for Automatic Modulation Recognition
Authors: Wang Yang , Feng Yongxin , Song Bixue , Tian Binghe , Qian Bo 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

In the approaches of Automatic Modulation Recognition (AMR), modulation modes with similar characteristics are prone to be confused by the adverse factors such as noise, inevitably bringing challenges to the accuracy of recognition. Aiming at this kind of problems, this paper proposes TC-MSNet which is a novel multi-scale spatial-temporal features collaboration neural network based on deep learning. TC-MSNet extracts the Temporal Correlation (TC) features and the Multi-Scale Spatial (MSS) features respectively for enhancing the diversity of features extraction, meanwhile, a fusion strategy constructed with convolu-tional attention mechanism implement sufficiently collaboration of multi-scale features. Additionally, the Bilinear-Pooling Mechanism (BPM) is adopted to capture the differentiation of fine-grained features, eliminating the confusion among distinct modulation modes to promote AMR accuracy. The simulation experimental results show that, on the RML2016.10a and RML2016.10b, the proposed TC-MSNet not only has better performance compared with existing deep learning-based AMR methods but also possesses stronger ability to eliminate confusion of similar features.
Identification and quantification of leakage into the carbonate aquifer by using non- isotopic environmental tracers and hydro-chemical modeling
Authors: Zilberbrand Michael , Mirlas Vladimir , Gimburg Alexander , Anker Yaakov 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Groundwater transfer estimation between aquifers and aquitards is essential for water resources management. While artificial tracer application is in most cases not regionally feasible, natural tracer utilization can supply the required regional groundwater transfer delineation. A Paleocene-Eocene thermal episode caused an anomaly of barium and silica concentrations in the Eocene aquitard that are used as natural tracers for the identification and quantification of leakage into the Turonian aquifer through the Senonian aquiclude. The leakage was found to be concentrated in the vicinity of the Menashe syncline north of the Yarkon-Taninim basin, which is the main source of the underground groundwater supply in Israel. The two tracers indicated leakage volume balance estimations of more than 3.8*106 m3 yr-1 and 18.9*106 m3 yr-1, which correspond to the PHREEQC hydro-chemical modeling results. The leakage salinity was assessed to be low; therefore, it will not damage the high-quality groundwater in the Turonian aquifer that is exploited for the potable water supply.