bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fault Geometry Invariance for Physics-Informed Crustal Deformation Learning
Authors: Okazaki Tomohisa , Hirahara Kazuro , Ueda Naonori 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Earthquake-induced crustal deformation provides valuable insights into the mechanisms of tectonic processes. Dislocation models offer a fundamental framework for comprehending such deformation, and two-dimensional antiplane dislocations are used to describe strike-slip faults. Previous earthquake deformation analyses observed that antiplane dislocations due to uniform fault slips are influenced predominantly by fault tips. In this study, we state a general principle of fault geometry invariance in antiplane dislocations and exploit its theoretical consequence to define dislocation potentials that enable a streamlined crustal deformation analysis. To demonstrate the benefits of this theory, we construct a rapid numerical solver for crustal deformation caused by variable fault slip scenarios using physics-informed neural networks, whose mesh-free property is suitable for modeling dislocation potentials. We anticipate that fault geometry invariance and the dislocation potential will further the analysis of antiplane crustal deformation, particularly for uncertainty quantification and inversion analysis regarding unknown fault geometries in realistic crustal structures.
A Stationary Proportional Hazard Class Process and its Applications
Authors: Kundu Debasis 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

The motivation of this work came when we were trying to analyze gold price data of the Indian market and the exchange rate data between Indian Rupees and US Dollars. It is observed that in both the cases there is a significant amount of time when X n = X n+1 , hence they cannot be ignored. In this paper we have introduced a very flexible discrete time and continuous state space stationary stochastic process {X n }, where X n has a proportional hazard class of distribution and there is a positive probability that X n = X n+1. We have assumed a very flexible piecewise constant hazard function of the base line distribution of the proportional hazard class. Different properties of the proposed class has been obtained. Different dependency properties have been established. Estimating the cut points of the piecewise constant hazard function is an important problem and it has been addressed here. The maximum likelihood estimators (MLEs) of the unknown parameters cannot be obtained in closed form, and we have proposed to use profile likelihood method to compute the MLEs. The gold price data set and the exchange rate data set have been analyzed and the results are quite satisfactory.
AMS Subject Classifications: 62F10, 62F03, 62H12.
Neighborhood Aesthetics, Neighborhood-based physical activity, Chronic Stress, and obesity in school Children
Authors: Martínez-Soto Joel , Sánchez María de la Luz Casillas , Villada Carolina , Ruiz-Correa Salvador , Zavala Herlinda Aguilar 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background
Children who grow up in obesogenic environments are more likely to have poor mental and physical health outcomes over time. Physical activity may protect against childhood obesity and promote healthy cortisol levels in children. Recent literature suggests the role of environmental qualities in a lower prevalence of childhood obesity because of the affordability of such spaces to promote physical activity. Until now, the conjoint influence of neighborhood aesthetics and its restorative influence on children's chronic stress and physical activity is unknown. Even more, little is known about the extension of such effects on the development of obesity in healthy children.
Method
This research examines the predictive association between perceived neighborhood aesthetics (e.g., the attractiveness of nature views and buildings/homes) on neighborhood-home-based physical activity, chronic stress (long-term hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal HPA axis activity), and obesity (Body Mass Index-BMI percentile) in elementary school children. A sample of 103 children (mid-childhood mean age = 9.02 years, SD = 1.05, range 7‐11 years; 51.5% boys) participated in the study. The long-term HPA axis activity was assessed by the hair cortisol concentration (HCC) over 3 months. Ratings of the neighborhood aesthetics, children's physical activity at home and neighborhood, HCC, and obesity (BMI percentile) were evaluated and modeled through a structural equation model.
Results
The model shows that neighborhood aesthetics negatively impact children´s BMI scores and contributes positively to the practice of children´s physical activity. Likewise, environment-based physical activity impacts positively on lower scores of BMI obesity and children´s HCC (restorative effects). The positive effects of neighborhood aesthetics on children's physical activity and children's HCC (chronic stress) were in line with the positive relationship between HCC and children's obesity, suggesting that neighborhood aesthetics positively impact health indicators, diminishing chronic stress biomarkers and obesity indicators.
Conclusions
The findings highlight the significant values and utility of a psycho-environmental approach toward a better understanding of the synergetic effects of the positive environment and behavior transactions related to weight gain and obesity.
Prevalence of school absenteeism during menstruation and associated factors in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Tadesse Amerti Gelo , Bali Ayele Geleto , Demena Melake , Tura Abera Kenay 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

BackgroundAlthough menstruation is a normal physiological process, it could affect females’ daily activities including their school attendance. With the emergence of few studies about menstrual hygiene management in sub-Saharan Africa, it is essential to synthesis existing evidence for informing policy and practice about the effect of poor menstrual hygiene management on school attendance and academic performance of female students. This review aimed to assess the prevalence of school absenteeism during menstruation and associated factors among female students in sub-Saharan Africa.MethodsArticles published in English and reported on school absenteeism during menstruation among female students in sub-Saharan Africa were searched in MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. Two reviewers independently screened the identified articles using titles and abstracts followed by full text review. The quality of the included papers was assessed using the adapted Newcastle Ottawa Scale. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) diagram was employed to screen the articles for eligibility. Quantitative findings were pooled using a random effect meta-analysis model while a thematic analysis was employed to analyse and present qualitative findings using NVivo software.ResultsOf 293 articles identified, 18 fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in the systematic review (n = 18) and meta-analysis (n = 15). The pooled prevalence of school absenteeism during menstruation was 31% (95% CI: 24% − 39%). Socio-demographic variables including but not limited to age, religion, living arrangement, and distance from school affected student’s school attendance during menstruation. Students’ perceptions, poor menstrual hygiene management in school, menstrual abnormalities, being discriminated against, and cultural norms are associated with missing school during menstruation.ConclusionsNearly a third of female students in sub-Saharan Africa have missed school during menstruation. School attendance in most students was hampered by dysmenorrhea and poor menstrual hygiene management in schools. School-based menstrual hygiene management initiatives and information dissemination could improve school attendance during menstruation.Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD4201707700
Gray Matter and Cognitive Alteration Related to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients: Combining ALE Meta-analysis and MACM Analysis
Authors: Liang Junquan , Yu Qiaoyun , Chen Limei , Li Zhongxian , Liu Yuchen , Qiu Yidan , Guan Huiting , Tang Rundong , Yan Luda , Zhou Peng 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is frequently comorbid with cognitive impairment, but it has not been paid enough attention, and its neuroanatomical characteristics have not been fully identified.
Methods: Voxel-based morphometric (VBM) studies comparing gray matter (GM) abnormalities in COPD patients with healthy controls (HCs) were searched using 8 electronic databases from the inception to March 2023. Stereotactic data were extracted and tested for convergence and differences using the activation likelihood estimation (ALE) method. Moreover, based on the ALE results, a structural meta-analytic connectivity modeling (MACM) was conducted to explore the co-atrophy pattern in patients with COPD. Last, behavioral analysis was performed to assess the functional roles of the regions affected by COPD.
Results: In total, 11 studies on COPD with 949 participants were included. Voxel-based meta-analysis revealed significant GM abnormalities in the right postcentral gyrus (including inferior parietal lobule), left precentral gyrus, and left cingulate gyrus (including paracentral lobule) in patients with COPD compared with HCs. Further MACM analysis revealed a deeper co-atrophy pattern between the brain regions with abnormal GM structure and the insula in COPD patients. Behavioral analysis showed that the abnormal GM structure in the left cingulate gyrus (including paracentral lobule) was strongly associated with cognitive function, especially executive function.
Conclusions: COPD comorbid with cognitive impairment has a specific neurostructural basis of GM structural abnormalities, which may also involve a deeper co-atrophy pattern between the insula. These findings enhance our understanding of the underlying neuropathogenesis and suggest potential imaging markers for cognitive impairment in COPD patients.
PROSPERO registration number: CRD42022298722.
A Framework for Accurate Recommendations and Explanation Generation Using Multi-Task Learning
Authors: Mansoorizadeh Muharram , Shahidi Mohammad-Mobin , Nazari Amin 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Recommendation systems predict desirable items for users based on their past interactions such as ratings, likes, and shopping history. However, these systems face challenges, including data insufficiency and lack of transparency. Leveraging user reviews has been proposed as a solution to address these challenges. User reviews serve as valuable supplementary data sources by conveying user preferences. Additionally, they provide a rich language source that can be used to generate textual explanations, thereby overcoming transparency issues. Therefore, this paper aims to utilize user reviews to enhance the accuracy of recommender systems and generate explanations for recommended items. These explanations help users understand various aspects of the recommended item from the perspective of real users. The use of textual explanations is prevalent in a wide range of explainable recommendation systems. However, previous works often overlook the writing style of users, which can significantly impact the effectiveness of explanations. Thus, the main objective of this paper is to develop a novel framework that incorporates user writing styles and preferences into the explanation generation process for recommendations. Results show that the developed multitask learning framework improves the accuracy of the recommendations. Furthermore, the generated explanations effectively support the induced recommendations.
Identification and Molecular Characterization of Mycobacterium bovis DNA in GeneXpert® MTB/RIF Ultra-Positive, Culture-Negative Sputum Samples from a Rural Community in South Africa.
Authors: Goosen Wynand , Moodley Sashen , Ghielmetti Giovanni , Moosa Yumna , Zulu Thando , Smit Theresa , Kleynhans Leanie , Kerr Tanya , Streicher Elizabeth , Hanekom Willem , Warren Robin , Wong Emily , Miller Michele 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
This study investigated the presence of Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) DNA in human sputum samples collected from residents who reside adjacent to the M. bovis-endemic Hluhluwe-iMfolozi wildlife park, South Africa (SA). Sixty-eight sputum samples were GeneXpert MTB/RIF Ultra-positive for M. tuberculosis complex (MTBC) DNA but culture negative for M. tuberculosis. Amplification and Sanger sequencing of hsp65 and rpoB genes from residual frozen sputum confirmed the presence of detectable amounts of MTBC in DNA extracted from 20 out of the 68 sputum samples. Region of difference PCR, spoligotyping and gyrB long-read amplicon deep sequencing together identified M. bovis (n = 10) from the 20 samples from which MTBC DNA could be detected. Notably, M. bovis spoligotypes SB0130 and SB1474 were identified in 4 samples, with SB0130 previously identified in local cattle and wildlife and SB1474 exclusively in African buffaloes in the adjacent park. M. bovis DNA in sputum, from people living near the park, underscores zoonotic transmission potential in SA. Identification of spoligotypes specifically associated with wildlife only and spoligotypes found in livestock as well as wildlife, highlights the complexity of TB epidemiology at wildlife-livestock-human interfaces. These findings emphasize the need for integrated surveillance and control strategies to curb potential spillover and for the consideration of human M. bovis infection in SA patients with positive Ultra results.
The Application of Chromatographic Methods in Optimization and the Enhancement of the Oxidative Liquefaction Process to Wind Turbine Blade Recycling
Authors: Muzyka Roksana , Sajdak Marcin , Sobek Szymon , Mumtaz Hamza , Werle Sebastian 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

The concept of the circular economy aims to maximise the longevity of raw materials, materials, and final goods while simultaneously minimising waste generation. In order to accomplish this objective, researchers are currently exploring emission-free recycling methods and advancing a novel oxidative liquefaction methodology. This process is employed to efficiently degrade the polymer matrix which we can find among other things in wind turbine blades (WTBs) while also conducting chromatographic investigations of the resulting degraded resins. The conducted experiments included a temperature range spanning from 250°C to 350°C. The residence lengths varied from 30 to 90 minutes, while the pressures ranged from 20 to 40 bars. Additionally, the waste-to-liquid ratios were within the range of 5–25%, and the oxidant concentrations were between 15 and 45% by weight. The study's results will help improve the design of the experiments by focusing on getting the highest concentrations of oxygenated chemical compounds (OCCs), such as volatile fatty acids, aromatic hydrocarbons, and aromatic carboxylic acids. These compounds are the main chemicals obtained during resin degradation, and identifying the optimal conditions for their production will facilitate the implementation of this process on a larger scale.
Unravelling patterns and dynamics of urban mobility directionality
Authors: Zhao Pengjun , Wang Hao , Liu Qiyang , Yan Xiao-Yong , Li Jingzhong 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

As it is central to sustainable urban development, urban mobility has primarily been scrutinised for its scaling and hierarchical properties. However, traditional analyses frequently overlook mobility directionality, a critical factor in city centre congestion and suburban development. Here, we apply vector computation to unravel the directional characteristics of urban mobility, introducing a two-dimensional anisotropy-centripetality metric. Utilising travel data from 90 million mobile users across 60 Chinese cities, we effectively quantify mobility patterns through this metric, distinguishing between strong monocentric, weak monocentric, and polycentric patterns. Our findings highlight a stark contrast: residents in monocentric cities face increasing commuting distances as cities expand, in contrast to the consistent commuting patterns observed in polycentric cities. Notably, mobility anisotropy intensifies in the outskirts of monocentric cities, whereas it remains uniform in polycentric settings. Additionally, centripetality wanes as one moves from the urban core, with a steeper decline observed in polycentric cities. Finally, we reveal that employment attraction strength and commuting distance scaling are key to explaining these divergent urban mobility patterns. These insights are pivotal for shaping effective policies aimed at alleviating congestion and guiding suburban housing development.
Orthopedic manifestations in children with Prader-Willi syndrome
Authors: Miao Miao , Zhao Guo-Qiang , Zhou Qiong , Chao Yun-Qi , Zou Chao-Chun 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disease often associated with bone problems, mainly scoliosis and hip dysplasia (HD). This study aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics of orthopedic deformities in patients with PWS.
Methods
A retrospective study was conducted on 175 patients up to March 2023. The Cobb angle(CA) of the spine, the alpha angle of the hip joint, and the acetabular index (AI) were measured. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between demographic parameters and bone deformities.
Results
Scoliosis was found in 66 patients (43.7%), including 52 (78.8%) with mild scoliosis, 10 (15.2%) with moderate scoliosis, and 4 (6.1%) with severe scoliosis. Only seven patients received orthopedic treatment (10.6%). The median age of scoliosis was 4.5 years old, and the prevalence of scoliosis increased rapidly at the age of 5 years and adolescence. The mean CA in this study increased gradually with age. HD was found in 47 patients (38.2%), and 6 patients received orthopedic treatment (12.7%). The median age at HD was 1.8 years old. The mean AI of the study population decreased with age. The prevalence of HD treated with recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) was low. No significant differences were observed in sex, genotype, body mass index (BMI), obesity rate, or onset of scoliosis and HD.
Conclusion
The prevalence of scoliosis and HD was higher in patients with PWS. The onset age and developmental trends of the different skeletal malformations were different. Early diagnosis and treatment are important for the prognosis and treatment of orthopedic diseases in patients with PWS.
Genome size variation and whole-genome duplications in the monocot order Poales
Authors: Winterfeld Grit , Tkach Natalia , Röser Martin 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Nuclear genome sizes of 54 representative species from 44 genera of the monocot order Poales were investigated by flow cytometry (FCM). Small holoploid genomes with < 2 pg/2C are characteristic of the Poales, only some families have larger 2C values, although this is not consistently the case. The sizes of monoploid genomes as well as mean DNA content per chromosome (MC) show a similar pattern. A comparison of the genome size data with current molecular phylogenetic data suggests that small monoploid genomes (1Cx < 0.4 pg) and small chromosomes (MC ≤ 0.05 pg), as found in some families, are likely the ancestral features of the order Poales. Conspicuous increases in genome size occurred particularly in the Poaceae (grasses) and to a lesser extent in the xyrid clade and the restios. According to previous phylogenomic studies, the Poaceae are characterized by a whole-genome duplication (WGDs) called ρ, which is absent in all other Poales families. However, it is clear from the 1Cx values, that the ρ event is not, or no longer, associated with a significant increase in the minimum 1Cx genome sizes of grasses compared to other Poales families. Future studies need to clarify whether the smallest 1Cx values in the Poaceae are due to a secondary reduction of the nuclear genome after the ρ event and whether the relatively large minimal 1Cx values of the xyrid clade were caused by a further WGD within Poales.
Evaluation of computed tomography in the diagnosis of ultrasound-proven diaphragm dysfunction
Authors: Lallement Pauline , Boussuges Alain , Habert Paul , Bermudez Julien , Reynaud-Gaubert Martine , Delliaux Stéphane , Bregeon Fabienne , Coiffard Benjamin 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Introduction: Computed tomography (CT) is routinely performed to assess dyspnea, but few data are evaluating diaphragmatic muscle using CT. This study aimed to assess CT in the diagnosis of diaphragmatic dysfunction.
Methods: We retrospectively collected diaphragmatic ultrasounds performed between 2018 and 2021 at our center (Marseille, France). We measured diaphragmatic pillars on CT at the level of L1 and the celiac artery, as well as the difference in height between the two diaphragmatic domes in diaphragmatic dysfunctions and controls, and compared with ultrasound measurements.
Results: 65 patients were included, 24 with diaphragmatic paralysis, 13 with diaphragmatic weakness, and 28 controls. The CT thickness of the pillars in the case group (paralysis and weakness) of left dysfunctions (n=24) was significantly thinner at the level of L1 and the celiac artery compared with controls (2.0mm vs. 7.4mm and 1.8mm vs. 3.1mm, p<0.001 respectively), and significantly different for paralysis (and not weakness) when right dysfunction (n=15) (2.6mm vs. 7.4mm and 2.2mm vs. 3.8mm, p<0.001 respectively for paralysis vs controls). Whatever the side of dysfunction, there was a significant difference in diaphragmatic height between cases and controls (7.70cm vs. 1.16cm and 5.51cm vs. 1.16cm, p<0.001 right and left dysfunction respectively). The threshold values (ROC curve analyses) for height differences between the two domes in favor of paralysis or weakness on the right dysfunctions were 4.44cm and 3.51cm respectively; and 2.70cm and 2.48cm on the left dysfunctions respectively, with good performances.
Conclusion:The thickness of the pillars on CT was thinner in left diaphragmatic dysfunction and in paralysis in right diaphragmatic dysfunction. An increase in the difference in the diaphragmatic height may strongly identify diaphragmatic dysfunction with precise thresholds.