bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dietary beta-hydroxybutyrate is superior to a ketogenic diet to improve behavior and abnormal myelination in a mouse model of NMDA receptor deficiency
Authors: Yan Yuanye , Lipina Tatiana , Pepera Laura , Horsfall Wendy , Salahpour Ali , Ramsey Amy J. 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background
Dysfunction of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDAR) is associated with idiopathic autism and a syndromic form of autism called GRIN disorder. Ketogenic therapy is used to treat seizures in GRIN disorder, but it is unknown whether it improves other aspects of the disorder. We asked whether a ketogenic diet or exogenous ketone bodies, beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), could improve autism-like behaviours in Grin1 knockdown mice (Grin1KD). Since BHB has been reported to affect myelination, we asked whether improvements in behavior were correlated with changes in myelination.
Methods
WT and Grin1KD mice were randomly assigned to receive control, ketogenic diet (6:1 fat to proteins and carbohydrates ratio), or normal chow with BHB supplementation (6mg/ml in drinking water) starting at postnatal week 3-4. Blood ketones were monitored one-week and nine-week after treatment. Following this, behavioural tests were conducted, and subsequently the myelin integrity of the corpus callosum was studied with transmission electron microscopy.
Results
Ketogenic diet was not well-tolerated by juvenile Grin1KD mice in contrast to BHB supplementation. Both dietary manipulations elevated blood ketone levels after one week of treatment, but these elevations diminished over time. Both treatments reduced hyperactivity of Grin1KD mice. However, only BHB improved sensorimotor gating in Grin1KD mice. Social motivation and spatial working memory were not improved by either treatment. We report, for the first time, a reduced percentage of myelinated axons in the corpus callosum of adult Grin1KD mice, which was ameliorated by long-term BHB supplementation. Surprisingly, mice receiving a ketogenic diet showed increased number of abnormal myelinations, especially decompaction.
Limitations
Our findings are limited to the specific ketogenic regimens. Although findings in Grin1KD mice have significant implications in ASD and GRIN disorder, mice and humans have fundamental differences in their dietary and metabolic requirements. Future studies are required to understand the mechanism by which ketone bodies improve myelination.
Conclusions
We demonstrate that sub-chronic administration of exogenous BHB from early-life is beneficial to some domains of ASD-linked behaviours in Grin1KD mice. One potential mechanism is by improving myelination in the corpus callosum of Grin1KD mice. Our data supports exogenous BHB supplementation as potential treatment for ASD and GRIN disorder.
Using the flocculation index to optimise velocity gradient during slow mixing in drinking water treatment
Authors: Pereira Airton , Silva Laís , Pimentel Marcio 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

This article aimed to study the influence of the velocity gradient on the flocculation process by aluminum sulfate (AS) in raw water samples under the action of a sweep mechanism at a temperature of 20°C and, with the help of continuous flocculation monitoring equipment (CFME), to verify the potential use of the flocculation index (FI) as a way to choose an adequate velocity gradient to achieve higher sedimentation rates and to obtain kinetic flocculation aggregation (KA) and breakup constant (KB) data. KA and KB helped to explain why the best tapered velocity gradient (G) conditions (G0 − 5 min = 80 s− 1, G5 − 10 min = 50 s− 1 and G10 − 15 min = 20 s− 1: 83.4%) promoted greater turbidity removal efficiency than did the fixed gradient (G0 − 15 min = 20 s− 1: 78.6%), highlighting the compartmentalization benefits. It was also observed that floc size was the most relevant factor for selecting velocity gradients that generated greater removal efficiencies for turbidity and apparent color. Finally, the model developed through kinetic constants was applied to water treatment plant conditions, and the mean absolute errors were 1.5% and 0.1 s− 1, considering the turbidity removal efficiencies and the best estimated velocity gradients, respectively, allowing us to improve the quality of the treated waters.
Copula Tubular Quantum Based Spearman Deep Neural for Influential Node Tracing in Social Network
Authors: P Vimalkumar , C Balasubramanian 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Social networks are one the foremost origins of information transmission at present. Nevertheless, not all nodes in social networks are indistinguishable. As a matter of fact, certain nodes are said to be more influential than others, or to be more specific, their information gravitates to proliferate more. Identifying the most influential nodes in a social network called as the Influence Maximization problem remains one of the hot issue with the evolution of Internet and social media. Several methods have been proposed to identify influential nodes in composite networks, ranging from parallel algorithm to distribution difference and non-overlapping communities. However, most of the previous methods do not take into account error involved in overlapping communities in social network. To address this issue, in this work, a Copula Tubular Neighborhood and Quantum-based Spearman Deep Neural Network (CTNQ-SDNN) for influential node tracing in social network is proposed. The CTNQ-SDNN method is split into three sections. First, computationally efficient nodes are identified by employing Copula Probability Node Pre-processing model. Then, with the identification of effective nodes, accurate feature extraction is made by means of Tubular Neighborhood Intensity-based Feature extraction model. Finally, influential node selection and tracing in case of tie or overlapping communities with the purpose of reducing error rate is proposed by utilizing Spearman Deep Neural Influential Node Tracing model. Experimental results on telecom dataset social networks, comparing our proposed method against state-of-the-art methods in current literature, indicates our method to be efficient and robust in tackling the influence maximization issue even in case of tie or overlapping communications in social network via error rate.
Do the national climate acts of EU Member States enable the most vulnerable to participate in climate policymaking?
Authors: Honkonen Tuula 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Climate change does not know equality in its human impacts. Some people and communities are in a more vulnerable position than others in the face of the negative effects of efforts to mitigate climate change as well as in addressing the need to adapt and developing the capabilities to do so. One way to give recognition to and account for vulnerability in climate policymaking is enhanced public participation. National climate change acts are the main legal instruments countries use to structure domestic climate governance systems. The acts exhibit great variation in regard to how openness and participation in policymaking and implementation of policy are addressed. This study examines national climate acts across the EU Member States with particular reference to their regulation of public participation. Of particular concern are those members of the public who are considered most climate vulnerable. The analysis finds that few of the acts address public participation, and none of the acts examined directly provides for the participation of specified groups of people based on their presumed vulnerability to climate change impacts. However, there are participation mechanisms that take into account climate vulnerable groups. Many states have not regarded the national climate act as the legal instrument of choice for regulating public participation in climate policymaking.
However, this paper argues that the institutionalization of public participation in the national climate acts would have added value. Accommodating climate vulnerability in public participation is admittedly challenging, though. If given a chance, many groups of people would be likely to plead vulnerability, making it difficult to draw the line between who is vulnerable and who is not.
A Statistical Analysis of Commercial Articulated Industrial Robots and Cobots
Authors: Amiri Peyman , Müller Marcus , Southgate Matthew , Theodoridis Theodoros , Wei Guowu , Richards-Brown Mike , Holderbaum William 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

This paper undertakes a statistical analysis and review of commercial articulated industrial robots and collaborative robots (cobots) based on their documented specifications such as maximum payload, weight, reach, repeatability, average maximum angular speed and degrees of freedom (DOF). This elucidates the state-of-the-art of these robots, discerns the prevailing priorities and focus of the industry, and identifies both limitations and potential gaps. Industrial robots and cobots are compared and the respective advantages and limitations of industrial cobots are ascertained. Additionally, three novel factors are introduced in this survey as metrics to evaluate the efficiency and performance of industrial robots and cobots. Subsequently, the statistical distributions of these factors are investigated to obtain a systematic method for robot selection. An accompanying program has been developed and uploaded to GitHub which takes the required specifications and returns a list of proper and efficient robots sourced from different companies according to the aforementioned method. Although some robot makers provide some proprietary internal software to assist customers in finding their appropriate robots, the software just considers their own products and does not include those made by other manufacturers. In the end, specifications exhibiting strong correlations are compared in pairs to find out trends and relations between them within each company and across them all. This explains the reason behind these interrelationships, the design purpose of robot makers, and the limitations of industrial robots and cobots. Additionally, this helps industries predict the dependent specifications of articulated robots based on the specifications they require.
Endoluminal vacuum therapy using a new “fistula sponge” in treating defects of the upper gastrointestinal tract – a comparative, retrospective cohort study.
Authors: Richter Florian , Conrad Claudio , Hoffmann Julia , Reichert Benedikt , von Schönfels Witigo , Schafmayer Clemens , Ergberts Jan-Hendrik , Becker Thomas , Ellrichmann Mark 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background: Anastomotic insufficiencies (AI) and perforations of the upper gastrointestinal tract (uGIT) result in high morbidity and mortality. As treatment options surgical revision, endoscopic stent placement as well as endoluminal vacuum therapy (EVT) have been established. The Eso-Sponge® is the only licensed EVT system with limitations in treating small defects (<10mm). Therefore, a fistula sponge (FS) was established for the treatment of such defects as a new therapeutic approach.
Methods: The aim of the study was to compare indications, technical/clinical success rates, and complications in a retrospective, comparative study of both EVT approaches. Between 01/2018 and 01/2021 clinical data of patients undergoing FS-EVT or conventional EVT (cEVT; Eso-Sponge®, Braun Melsungen, Germany) due to AI/perforation of the uGIT were recorded. Indication, diameter of leakage, therapeutic success, and complications during the procedure were assessed. FSs were prepared using a nasogastric tube and a porous drainage film (Suprasorb® CNP, Lohmann & Rauscher, Germany) sutured to the distal tip.
Results: A total of 72 patients was included (20 FS-EVT; 52 cEVT). FS-EVT was performed in 60% suffering from AI (cEVT = 68%) and 40% from perforation (cEVT = 32%; p > 0.05). FS-EVT's duration was significantly shorter than cEVT (7.6±12.0d vs. 15.1±14.3d; p = 0.014). The mean diameter of the defect was 9 mm in the FS-EVT group compared to 24 mm in cEVT (p < 0.001). Therapeutic success was achieved in 90% (FS-EVT) and 91% (cEVT; p > 0.05).
Conclusions: EVT comprises an efficient treatment option for transmural defects of the uGIT. In daily clinical practice, fistulas <10 mm with large abscess formations poses a special challenge since intraluminal cEVT usually is ineffective. In these cases, the concept of extraluminal FS placement is safe and effective.
Validation of a Non-invasive Method Using Mechanical Extensometer for the Estimation of Intracranial Compliance by Repeated Measures Agreement Analysis
Authors: Uysal Sanem Pinar , Williams Hayley G. , Huerta Mina , Thompson Nicolas R. , Hassett Catherine E. 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Validation of a Non-invasive Method Using Mechanical Extensometer for the Estimation of Intracranial Compliance
Background
Intracranial compliance refers to the relationship between changes in volume and the resultant changes in intracranial pressure (ICP). This study aimed to assess the validity of a non-invasive ICP waveform device for the estimation of compliance compared with invasive ICP monitoring employing three distinct methods.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective analysis of ICP waveform morphology recorded through both invasive (external ventricular drain) and non-invasive (mechanical extensometer) methods in adult patients with acute brain injury admitted to the Neurointensive Care Unit at the Cleveland Clinic between 8/2021 to 8/2022. Compliance was calculated as the amplitude of the fundamental component of cerebral arterial blood volume (estimated with concurrent Transcranial Doppler [TCD] recordings), divided by the amplitude of the fundamental component of the invasive and non-invasive ICP waveforms. Subsequently, we assessed the agreement between invasive ICC and non-invasive ICC by repeated measures correlation coefficient analysis using 3 methods: TCD-derived, P2/P1 ratio, time-to-peak (TTP). Linear mixed-effects model was used to compute the concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), total deviation index (TDI), and coefficient of individual agreement (CIA). Coverage probability plot (CPP) was calculated to estimate the percent of observations within different cut points for each of the three methods.
Results
21 patients were identified. Repeated measures correlation analysis showed a strong correlation R=0.982 (95% CI [0.980, 0.984], p<0.0001) between log-transformed non-invasive and invasive compliance. Agreement statistics for TCD, P2/P1 ratio, and TTP demonstrated that although the CCC was highest for log(TCD) values, TTP and P2:P1 ratio measures had better agreement with TDI and CPP analyses.
Conclusion
Repeated measures correlations suggest that ICP waveform analyses may offer a more accurate estimate of compliance than TCD-derived methods for non-invasive ICP monitoring. Further validations studies are warranted to confidently establish this method as a reliable indicator of intracranial compliance.
Using real-time modelling to optimise an outbreak response: Insights from the 2017 Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Authors: Thompson Robin , Hart William , Keita Mory , Fall Ibrahima , Gueye Abdou , Chamla Dick , Mossoko Mathias , Ahuka-Mundeke Steve , Nsio-Mbeta Justsus , Jombart Thibaut , Polonsky Jonathan 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Important questions for policy makers during infections disease outbreaks include: i) How effective are public health measures?; ii) When can resource-intensive and restrictive interventions be removed? We used mathematical modelling to address these questions during the 2017 outbreak of Ebola virus disease in Likati Health Zone, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The index case developed symptoms on 27th March 2017, and eight cases occurred in total prior to the arrival of the Ebola Response Team (ERT) on 15th May 2017. We used a branching process transmission model to estimate that before the arrival of the ERT, the reproduction number was R=1.49 (95% credible interval (0.67,2.81)). Based on the full distributional estimate of R, the risk of further cases occurring if the ERT had not been deployed was estimated to be 0.97 (i.e., there was a 97% chance of additional cases in the absence of the ERT). Following the arrival of the ERT, no further cases arose, suggesting that interventions implemented by the ERT were effective. We then used the same transmission model to estimate in real-time when the ERT could be withdrawn. By the time of the end-of-outbreak declaration and withdrawal of the ERT (2nd July 2017), the risk of future cases in the absence of the ERT was only 0.01, indicating that the decision to withdraw the ERT was safe. We also evaluated the sensitivity of our modelling results to the estimated value of R, and considered different criteria for determining when the ERT could be withdrawn. As well as providing insights into interventions during the 2017 EVD outbreak, this research provides a modelling framework that can be used during future infectious disease outbreaks to determine the effectiveness of control measures and to guide when to relax or remove interventions.
Medical doctor’s perspectives on antibiotic self-medication in pregnant women from a Sub-Saharan African country
Authors: Umeh Kanayo , Adaji S , Sacks M , Eleje G U , Umeh E O , Ushie S , Okafor C G , Oguejiofor C B , Bawa U , Bature S , Madugu N H , Singh R , Karuppuchamy H 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background.
In 1987 the World Bank, in collaboration with WHO and UNFPA, launched the Safe Motherhood Initiative (SMI) to help raise global awareness about the impact of maternal mortality and morbidity. Although the SMI has been a global priority in recent years, the implications of self-medication in pregnancy on meeting SDG-3 initiatives in sub-Saharan Africa have yet to be addressed. Nigeria has one of the highest rates of antibiotic misuse during pregnancy (37%). Furthermore, antibiotics consumed during pregnancy are linked to birth defects. Past research suggests Nigerian medical doctors are influential stakeholders who can help develop policy guidance to reduce antibiotic self-medication in pregnant women. Thus, this study explored the perspectives of Nigerian medical doctors regarding antibiotic self-medication during pregnancy.
Method.
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 medical doctors working in three Nigerian tertiary hospitals. All interviews were conducted remotely, using Zoom Video Communications software. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Several checks for methodological rigour were performed.
Results.
Seven distinct themes emerged: prescribing antibiotics; easy availability of antibiotics; self-medication with antibiotics; use of medicinal herbs; detecting self-medication; lack of policy guidelines on antibiotic self-medication; and side effects. The doctors’ major perspectives were that during pregnancy, the antibiotics are easily available without prescription, self-medicated without any policy guidelines, side effects alone were not sufficient proof of self-medication, and herbal medication are frequently used. .
Conclusions.
The data suggests antimicrobial misuse in pregnancy, especially the use of herbal medicines, is a recognised problem. The project highlights a need for policy guidance on antibiotic stewardship, including point-of-care testing to detect antibiotic self-medication in pregnant women. Implications for SMI campaigns in sub-Saharan Africa are considered.
Optimisation of soil-agent particle distribution in a new chain plate soil remediation device based on discrete element
Authors: Wang Zhipeng , Zhu Tong , Wang Youzhao , Ma Feng , zhao chaoyue , Li xu , Zhang yanping 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

To improve the working efficiency of the in-situ soil remediation equipment, this paper takes black soil particles as the object, and the structural design of the new chain plate soil remediation equipment is carried out based on Solidworks.The mixing process of soil and chemicals under different parameters was investigated using the discrete element method and the orthogonal test method. The experimental designs were all based on horizontal movement speed, chain knife speed, screw speed, and uniform mixing distance as test factors and discrete coefficient and soil fragmentation rate as indices. The test method uses a unidirectional test to determine the value of the reference centre level for the orthogonal test and a combined balancing method to determine and validate the optimum parameters of the soil remediation device. The optimised parameters were determined as follows: the horizontal movement speed of the mechanism is 0.15 m/s, the rotational speed of the chain knife is 5.25 m/s, the rotational speed of the screw is 187.5 rpm, and the homogeneous mixing pitch is 98mm, respectively. The dispersion coefficient was reduced by 7.43% and the soil fragmentation rate increased by 5.45% compared to the operating parameters of the baseline group.
The impact of landscape pattern changes on ecosystem services under optimal amplitude
Authors: Fan qindong , Li jingjing , Li xiaoyan , Lu qiaosu 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Ecosystem services are generated by surface landscapes. Analyzing the impacts of ecosystem services on the changes in landscape patterns is conducive to the management of ecosystem services. Utilizing the optimal amplitude, spatially and temporally geographically weighted analysis was employed to assess the impact of landscape patterns on the alteration of ecosystem services in Zhengzhou from 2010 to 2020. The results show that : (1)The optimal amplitude of the landscape pattern analysis of Zhengzhou central urban area is 2km* 2km. (2) From 2010 to 2020, the transfer of landscape types in the central urban area of Zhengzhou mainly occurred among five types of landscapes (building land, cultivated land, water, grassland, and forest land). The degree of fragmentation in different landscape types is on the rise, and their shapes are becoming increasingly intricate. (3) From 2010 to 2020, the landscape pattern index of the central urban area of Zhengzhou had a significant impact on ecosystem services, and the impact intensity was different in different regions. In general, PD, LPI, LSI, CONTAG, and SHDI had negative effects on food production, water supply, climate regulation, and soil conservation, while LSI had positive effects on climate regulation and soil conservation. This study can provide a theoretical basis and case reference for regional planning.
Incidence of aphid-transmitted viruses in raspberry and raspberry aphids in Norway and experiments on aphid transmission of black raspberry necrosis virus (BRNV)
Authors: Sapkota Bijaya , Trandem Nina , Fránová Jana , Koloniuk Igor , Blystad Dag-Ragnar , Hamborg Zhibo 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) is susceptible to aphid-borne viruses. We studied the incidence of four of them – black raspberry necrosis virus (BRNV), raspberry leaf mottle virus (RLMV), raspberry vein chlorosis virus (RVCV), and Rubus yellow net virus (RYNV) – in raspberry plants and aphids in and around Norwegian raspberry crops for three years (2019, 2021–2022). Most of the samples were from symptomatic plants. Applying RT-PCR, 274 leaf samples and 107 aphid samples were analyzed. All four viruses were found, but BRNV dominated: it was detected in 93% of the 178 leaf samples with virus and was the only virus more common as a single infection than in co-infections with the other viruses. The old cv. Veten had the highest virus incidence (97%) among the sampled plants, followed by uncultivated raspberry in the boundary vegetation (82%). All aphids identified were Amphorohora idaei and Aphis idaei. BRNV and/or RLMV was detected in 27% of the aphid samples. Notably, BRNV was detected in 30% of A. idaei samples, a species not known as a BRNV vector. In subsequent transmission experiments we found that although A. idaei can acquire BRNV within one hour it did not transmit the virus to healthy raspberry plants. In contrast, Am. idaei, a known BRNV vector, was able to acquire the virus within one minute and transmit it within one hour of inoculation. Our study will improve the identification and management of BRNV.