bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Evaluation of the Impact of Health Emencency Strategies Adopted Against Covid-19 Pandemic in Albania
Authors: Giusti M. , Persiani N. 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
BACKGROUND. During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare systems worldwide have implemented diverse health emergency strategies to address the unprecedented crisis. Following initial predominantly hospital-centred approaches, territorial health assistance emerged as a more effective response to the needs of the population. In low-middle-income countries, and particular in the so-called transitioning countries, where both the hospital network and the territorial primary care centres are weaker, adapting to this shift in strategy was particularly challenging, primarily due to the complexities of integrating pre-hospital and in-hospital Emergency Medical Services (EMSs).
This research aimed to evaluate the impact of changes in health strategies over time for managing the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically examining the roles played by both pre-hospital and in-hospital EMSs in a transitioning country.
METHOD. The country case study methodology was deemed the most fitting approach for this research. Albania was selected as a notable case study due to its continuous endeavours towards achieving national welfare aligned with European standards, especially in the healthcare sector, as it has been moving towards pre-adhesion to the European Union. Furthermore, the recent establishment of the modern National Emergency Centre 127 in 2018 represented a significant development and an extensible example in completing the healthcare emergency network by integrating pre-hospital and in-hospital EMSs.
RESULTS. The data indicated that at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the initial response aligned with the national strategy, primarily was an hospital-centred approach in line with worldwide approach. Subsequently, as the pandemic progressed, a new health emergency strategy was implemented in 2021, shifting the focus towards reinforcing territorial health assistance. In this revised strategy, the responsibility for handling COVID-19 cases transitioned from the infectious disease departments of university hospitals to regional healthcare entities. The data illustrated that this transition allowed for the effective care of a higher number of patients with a more efficient utilization of resources.
CONCLUSION. The evolution of Albanian national health emergency strategies to struggle COVID-19 pandemic - that promoted the territorial response to COVID-19 in accordance with the emerging evidence - was not only implemented but also suggested and supported by EMSs system. The compresence of pre-hospital and in-hospitals EMSs permitted to provide an effective response both in hospitals and in the territory, overcoming the usual weaknesses in terms of coordination and integration of EMSs in transiting countries.
Modulation of gut microbiota composition and predicted metabolic capacity after nutritional programming with a plant-rich diet in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar): Insights across developmental stages
Authors: Tawfik Marwa Mamdouh , Lorgen-Ritchie Marlene , Król Elżbieta , McMillan Stuart , Norambuena Fernando , Bolnick Daniel I. , Douglas Alex , Tocher Douglas R , Betancor Mónica B. , Martin Samuel A. M. 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

To promote sustainable aquaculture, the formulation of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) feeds has changed in recent decades, focusing on replacing standard marine-based ingredients with plant-based alternatives, increasingly demonstrating successful outcomes in terms of fish performance. However, little is known about how these plant-based diets may impact the gut microbiota at first feeding and onwards. Nutritional programming (NP) is one strategy applied for exposing fish to a plant-based (V) diet at an early stage in life to promote full utilisation of plant-based ingredients and prevent potential adverse impacts of exposure to a plant-rich diet later in life. We investigated the impact of NP on gut microbiota by introducing fish to plant ingredients (V fish) during first feeding for a brief period of two weeks (stimulus phase) and compared those to fish fed a marine-based diet (M fish). Results demonstrated that V fish not only maintained growth performance at 16 (intermediate phase,) and 22 (challenge phase) weeks post first feeding (wpff) when compared to M fish but also modulated gut. perMANOVA general effects revealed gut microbiota dissimilarity by fish group (V vs M fish) and phases (stimulus vs intermediate vs challenge). However, no interaction effect of both groups and phases was demonstrated, suggesting a sustained impact of V diet (nutritional history) on fish across time points/phases. Moreover, the V diet exerted a significant cumulative modulatory effect on the Atlantic salmon gut microbiota at 16 wpff that was not demonstrated at two wpff, although both fish groups were fed the M diet at 16 wpff. The nutritional history/dietary regime is the main NP influencing factor, whereas environmental and host factors significantly impacted microbiota composition in M fish. Microbial metabolic reactions of amino acid metabolism were higher in M fish when compared to V fish at two wpff suggesting microbiota played a role in digesting the essential amino acids of M feed. The excessive mucin O-degradation revealed in V fish at two wpff was mitigated in later life stages after NP, suggesting physiological adaptability and tolerance to V diet. Future studies are required to explore more fully how the microbiota functionally contributes to the NP.
Identification of the differential transport pathways of saturated and unsaturated fatty acid esters in hepatocytes
Authors: Chen Fengwu , Yang Aizhen , Lu Yue , Zhang Yuxin , Bu Jianan , Guo Runlin , Han Yue , Wu Depei , Wu Yi 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Saturated fatty acid (SFA) and unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) have distinct impacts on health. Whether SFA and UFA are differentially transported in liver remains elusive. Here, we find the secretion of UFA but not SFA esters is retarded in a hepatic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress model. Amoug 13 members of protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) family, only PDIA1 (PDI) deficiency leads to hepatosteatosis and hypolipidemia. In PDI-deficient liver, there is a severe accumulation but secretory blockade of UFA esters, whereas the accumulation and secretion of SFA esters remain normal. PDI catalyzes the oxidative folding of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP). In addition, PDI deficiency impairs the assembly and secretion of Apolipoprotein B-100 (ApoB-100) very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) but not ApoB-48 VLDL. In summary, we find that the secretion of UFA esters is PDI-MTP indispensable, while SFA esters could be transferred out of liver via ApoB-48 VLDL through a PDI-MTP-independent pathway.
Association between obligatory instrumental ties and competitive performance in DanceSport couples and mediation of athlete engagement: An actor–partner interdependence mediation model
Authors: Liu Xiuxia , Liu Yang , Pan Dandan , Weng Xinghe 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background: The obligatory instrumental ties between DanceSport couples has an important impact on the competitive performance(CP). The purpose of this research is to study the mechanism of the dyadic influence of the obligatory instrumental ties' influence on competitive performance.
Methods: The participants included 67 dyads of Chinese elite dancers aged 16 to 30 years. The Obligatory Instrumental Ties Questionnaire (QIT), the Athlete Engagement Questionnaire (AEQ), and the Competitive Performance Questionnaire (CPQ) is used to collect data on DanceSport couples. The structural equation model was employed in the dyadic analysis based on the actor-partner interdependence mediation model.
Results: Regarding the actor effects, male’(β=0.223, P=0.017) and female’ (β=0.241, P=0.012) perceived obligatory instrumental ties quality was positively associated with competitive performance; the males’ AE partially mediated the effect of obligatory instrumental ties on competitive performance [indirect effect=0.147, SE=0.081, 95% confidence intervals (CI)=0.010,0.359]. The female’ athlete engagement mediated the effect of her perceived obligatory instrumental ties quality on her competitive performance [indirect effect=0.328, SE=0.328, 95% confidence intervals (CI)= 0.072,0.513]. Regarding the partner effects, female’ athlete engagement partially mediated the effect of her perceived obligatory instrumental ties quality on male’s competitive performance [indirect effect=0.315, SE=0.083, 95% confidence intervals (CI)=0.155,0.547].
Conclusions: The results of this study not only verify the views of the theory of self-determination, but more importantly provide evidence to enrich and improve the theory of self-determination to a certain extent, requiring that the theory of self-determination should fully consider the gender characteristics of individuals.
Design and Programming of a Robotic Puppetry Robot Based on Natural Learner Unit Pattern Generators Neural Networks
Authors: Shahbazi Hamed , khodabandeh Behnam , Amirkhani Masoud 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to design and construct a novel interactive game. This game is a robotic learning and imitation task. It is based on visual interaction of the player. The cornerstone technique used in this game is Natural Learner Unit Pattern Generator Neural Networks(NLUPGNN), which is able to generate required motion trajectories based on imitation learning. The systematic design of these neural networks is the main problem solved in this paper. The unit pattern generators can be divided into two subsystems, a rhythmic system and the a discrete system. A special learning algorithm is designed to use these unit pattern generators. The Unit Pattern Generators are connected and coupled to each other to form a network and their unknown parameters are found by a natural policy gradient learning algorithm. The motion sequences train some nonlinear oscillators, then they reproduce motions for a humanoid robot. As a result, the joints of the humanoid body imitate the movements of the teacher in real time. The main contribution of this work is the development of this learning algorithm, which is able to search the weights and topology of the network simultaneously. The algorithm synchronizes the learning steps by coupling the neurons in the last step.
Topology optimization of heat sinks in half-open space: a study on design domain
Authors: Yu Kehan , Liu Hewei , Ma Chen 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Efficient heat sinks are the key components of heat dissipation devices. Although topology optimization can theoretically design high-performance heat sinks, screening a design domain in an open space is still a challenge. This work studies the topology optimization of three-dimensional (3D) heat sinks for LED chips using the variable density method, without considering air convection to save computing resources. A theoretical analysis proposes that the design domain should be approximately a hemisphere. Topology optimization is performed in three shaped design domains, namely cylindrical, conical frustum, and inverted conical frustum. By 3D printing three topology-optimized heat sinks, their actual heat dissipation effects on LED chips are compared. The experiment and simulation results consistently show that the heat sink in the conical frustum design domain has the best heat dissipation effect. Equipped with such a heat sink, a 5-W LED chip is 5.1°C cooler than that with the traditional finned heat sink. Our results show that a well-selected design domain can effectively balance the heat conduction and heat exchange, eventually leading to a better heat sink.
Internal heat source, rotation, magnetic field, and initial stress influence on p-waves propagation in a photothermal semiconducting medium
Authors: Rashid M. M. , Abd-Alla Abdelmooty , Abo-Dahab S. M. , Alharbi F. M. , Bayones F. S. 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
The purpose of the current study is to establish a novel mathematical model in the p-waves in a photothermal semiconducting medium with an internal heat source. The fundamental equations in the context of isotropic and homogeneous medium have been presented. For the solution of the required problem, the normal mode analysis along with the displacement components, stress components and temperature has been utilized. For graphical representation of different physical quantities such as displacement components, stress components and carrier density as well as the temperature distribution. Using MATLAB R2023a software, a parametric analysis is performed, and the resulting data is represented graphically. A comparison is made to show the effect of the new parameters on the phenomenon. A graphic representation of the relationship between rotation, magnetic field, and initial stress in relation to the fluctuations in non-dimensional field quantities is provided, along with an analysis of the findings.
Connecting the Dots: Investigating Epistatic Relationships in the Manifestation of Heterosis in Industrial Oilseed crop Brassica rapa var yellow sarson
Authors: Bisht Charu , Prasad Birendra , Pant Usha , Verma S.K. , Gaur Amit Kumar , Gupta Shubham , Panwar Neha , Joshi SHIVENDRA , Bisht Yashpal , Deep Harsh , Prasad Himanshu 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
This study delves into the role of epistasis in elucidating heterosis manifestation in Brassica rapa var. yellow sarson hybrids. Four hybrids—YSH-0401 × Pant Sweta (C1), Pant Sweta × Apetalous (C2), PYS 2017-6 × PPS-1 (C3), and NDYS-107 × B-9 (C4)—were meticulously evaluated for seven key traits. Heightened plant stature, consistent across generations, and increased siliqua per plant with elongated siliqua length characterize the observed heterotic expression.Epistasis analysis, utilizing a six-parameter model, reveals significant additive, dominance, and epistatic interactions. Scaling tests affirm the presence of all three epistasis types (i, j, l) across diverse crosses and traits. Dominance × dominance (l) emerges as a pivotal factor, guiding heterotic expression and offering strategic breeding insights.Gene action assessment highlights patterns of duplicate gene action, complementary epistasis, and dominance variance, influencing selection strategies and breeding timelines. The correlation between heterosis and epistasis components underscores the significance of dominance × dominance in shaping superior hybrid performance. These findings contribute valuable insights to the scientific discourse on enhancing Brassica Rapa var Yellow sarson hybrid productivity, emphasizing the potential of selective mating to strategically leverage dominance and epistasis effects for optimized yields in plant breeding.
Driving into Uncertainty: An Adversarial Generative Approach for Multivariate Scenario Generation
Authors: Carbonera Michele , Ciavotta Michele , Messina Enza 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Purpose: Many decisions in transportation management must be made before the uncertainty of possible traffic conditions is revealed. When making decisions with lasting implications over a medium to long timeframe, it is essential to consider not only the most probable scenario, possibly obtained through a forecasting model, but also a range of potential outcomes. This approach allows for effective risk mitigation across a spectrum of scenarios, including less probable ones, and enhances the resilience of planning strategies.
Methods: In this paper, we demonstrate the development of a generative model capable of learning the multivariate joint probability distribution of link speeds on a road network, using real sensor data. To further enhance the performance of our Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) model, we employed a Variational AutoEncoder (VAE) for pre-training the generator network.
Results: Experimental results, conducted on three distinct benchmark datasets, highlight the potential of the proposed model in generating new scenario samples of multivariate variables. The Wasserstein distance between the generated distribution and the real data, confirms the good performance of our model compared to state-of-the-art models, based on copulae.
Conclusion: The proposed model has shown its ability to generate scenarios that preserve correlations among variables, while producing samples that faithfully represent the empirical marginal distributions.
Analysis of spatial and temporal distribution and seasonal potential sources of atmospheric PM2.5 in Chenzhou City
Authors: Kuang Yingfeng , Chen Xiaolong 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
In order to study the air pollution prevention and control situation in Chenzhou City, southern Hunan Province, the ambient air pollutant concentration data of Chenzhou City in southern Hunan Region from March 2022 to February 2023 was selected, and Kriging interpolation analysis was used to simulate the temporal and spatial changes of PM2.5 concentration in Chenzhou City. trend, and used the HYSPLIT air mass backward trajectory model to conduct cluster analysis to explore the transmission paths and potential source area distribution of PM2.5 pollution in Chenzhou City in different seasons. The results showed that the PM2.5 concentration in Chenzhou City showed obvious seasonal differences. The highest average concentration appears in winter (75.13 µg·m-3), followed by autumn and spring, and the lowest occurs in summer (27.64 µg·m-3). At the same time, PM2.5/PM10 is higher than 0.55 in autumn and winter. This shows that Chenzhou City is dominated by fine particulate matter pollution in autumn and winter. The spatial distribution of the annual mean value of PM2.5 pollution shows the characteristics of "from north to south in the west and central part, and low in the east". PM2.5 in high-pollution areas is closely related to PM10, CO, and NO2, SO2 all have a significant positive correlation, and a negative correlation with O3. PM2.5 pollution in Chenzhou City is dominated by local emissions. Transmission path analysis shows that northwest Guangdong, southwestern Henan, Hubei, southern Anhui, and southwestern Jiangxi The local transmission path is the main transmission path of external PM2.5 pollution in Chenzhou City in four seasons; there are obvious seasonal differences in the distribution and contribution of potential source areas. The main contributing source areas in spring, autumn and winter are mainly distributed in southwestern Jiangxi, In northwestern Guangxi and southeastern Hunan, the relatively high value areas in summer are mainly in the form of strips running through the central and western regions of Jiangxi and southeastern Hunan.
Preoperative versus Postoperative chemotherapy with CAPOX plus bevacizumab for resectable colorectal liver metastases: A randomised phase II trial (HiSCO-01)
Authors: Takakura Yuji , Shinozaki Katsunori , Ikeda Satoshi , Egi Hiroyuki , Hirata Yuzo , Shimomura Manabu , Oshiro Takafumi , Hinoi Takao , Sumitani Daisuke , Nakahara Masahiro , Yoshimitsu Masanori , Honmyo Naruhiko , Fukuda Saburo , Kobayashi Tsuyoshi , Tanaka Junko , Ohdan Hideki 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background
NCCN and ESMO guidelines recommend 6 months of perioperative oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy for patients with resectable colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). However, the optimal sequencing and chemotherapy regimen remain unclear.
Methods
We conducted a randomised phase II trial, HiSCO-01, to compare the outcomes of preoperative (Preop-group) and postoperative chemotherapy (Postop-group) with eight cycles of CAPOX plus bevacizumab (CAPOX-Bev) in patients with resectable CRLM. The primary endpoint was the treatment completion rate (TCR), defined as the percentage of patients who received at least six cycles of CAPOX-Bev and underwent R0 resection.
Results
Of the 81 patients enrolled, 76 patients were eligible. The TCR was 89.2% in the Preop-group and 71.8% in the Postop-group (p = 0.06). The overall incidence of chemotherapy-related grade 3 or higher adverse events was similar between the two groups. The postoperative complications rate was comparable except that biliary fistula developed significantly higher in the Postop-group. The 3-year progression-free survival and 5-year overall survival rates were 32.2% and 60.5% in the Preop-group, respectively, and 38.5% and 57.2% in the Postop-group, respectively.
Conclusion
Eight cycles of CAPOX-Bev before R0 resection for resectable CRLM is feasible and safe. However, the survival benefits of preoperative chemotherapy over postoperative chemotherapy remain unproven.
Trial registration:
This trial was registered in the UMIN Clinical Trial Registry (UMIN000003783) and was coordinated centrally by the Hiroshima Surgical Study group of Clinical Oncology (HiSCO).
Feeding Characteristics and Growth Among Children With Prenatal Exposure to Zika Virus With and Without Microcephaly in the Microcephaly Epidemic Research Group Pediatric Cohort
Authors: OLIVEIRA DANIELLE MARIA DA SILVA , Miranda-Filho Demócrito de Barros , Ximenes Ricardo Arraes de Alencar , Montarroyos Ulisses Ramos , Brickley Elizabeth B. , Pinto Maria Helena Teixeira , Martelli Celina Maria Turchi , Ramos Regina Coeli , de Araújo Thalia Velho Barreto , Eickmann Sophie Helena , Silva Paula Fabiana Sobra l da , Carvalho Maria Durce Costa Gomes , Martins Olga Sophia de Sousa , Santos Ana Célia Oliveira dos 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Objective: To describe the feeding characteristics and growth of children with prenatal exposure to Zika virus (ZIKV) from birth to 48 months.
Design: Using data from the prospective Microcephaly Epidemic Research Group Pediatric Cohort (MERG-PC), children without microcephaly born to mothers with evidence of ZIKV infection during pregnancy (ZIKV-exposed children without microcephaly) and children with Zika-related microcephaly were compared using repeated cross-sectional analyses within the following age strata: birth; 1 to 12; 13 to 24; 25 to 36; and 37 to 48 months. The groups were compared in relation to prematurity, birth weight, breastfeeding, alternative feeding routes, dysphagia and anthropometric profiles based on the World Health Organization Anthro z-scores (weight-length/height, weight-age, length/height-age and BMI-age).
Results: The first assessment included 248 children, 77 (31.05%) with microcephaly and 171 (68.95%) without microcephaly. The final assessment was performed on 86 children. Prematurity was 2.35 times higher and low birth weight was 3.49 times higher in children with microcephaly. The frequency of breastfeeding was high (>80%) in both groups. On discharge from the maternity hospital, the frequency of children requiring alternative feeding route in both groups was less than 5%. After 12 months of age, children with microcephaly required alternative feeding route more often than children without microcephaly. In children with microcephaly, the z-score of all growth indicators was lower than in children without microcephaly.
Conclusions: Children with Zika-related microcephaly were more frequently premature and low birth weight and remained with nutritional parameters, i.e., weight-for-age, weight-for-length/height and length/height-for-age below those of the children without microcephaly.