bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A new fuzzy location-based approach for fire station site selection in Tehran
Authors: KhoshAmooz Giti 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

The growing population density would increase the demand for urban facilities. One of the most important kinds of these facilities is fire stations, whose duties include securing, preventing, and fighting fire. One of the most important problems with fire stations could be their inappropriate distribution and, therefore, the limitation of their service area. So, optimal site selection of fire stations is considered the main problem in this study. The goal of our study is to do site selection in Tehran, the capital of Iran, by considering seven criteria: distance from existing fire stations, nearness to main roads, nearness to dense places, nearness to gas and fuel stations, nearness to historical, cultural and recreational sites (cinemas and museums), nearness to green spaces and nearness to evacuation places. These criteria maps were fuzzified with the help of a linear membership function. Then, they were overlaid with the Gamma fuzzy operation. Then the 5-minute service area of each station was computed and excluded from the decision space, and the places with high scores were determined as the best places to locate new fire stations. These places are located in five of Tehran's regions. These regions are 14, 15, 16, 17 and 20.
Thermal analysis in 3-D Simulation of Thin-Film ZnO/MoS 2 /Si solar cells
Authors: Parasuraman R , Rathnakannan K 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
ZnO and MoS₂ thin-film solar cells hold immense research potential due to their unique and exceptional photoswitching characteristics and piezotronics behavior. This work unveils the 3D simulation of an n-ZnO/MoS₂/p-Si heterostructure solar cell, where photovoltaic and temperature distributions are modeled using Multiphysics. By coupling optical, semiconductor, and thermal modules, the simulation reveals crucial insights into total generating rate, current density-voltage curve, heat generation, recombination, and electric field profile. Notably, optimizing layer thicknesses and analyzing the heat profile led to enhanced total heat generation and the simulated device achieved a significant boost in both short-circuit current density (36.3 mA/cm²), open-circuit voltage (1.1206 V) and a conversion efficiency of 36.286%. This study not only demonstrates the first instance of multi-state photoswitching in these devices but also paves the way for further optimizing their remarkable efficiency through meticulous thermal management.
The Gender Health Gap in Ghana: Exploring the Role of Financial Inclusion
Authors: Iddrisu Abdul Ganiyu , Mohammed Jabir Ibrahim , Bakth Nazmunnesa , Darius Ibzan 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
This paper investigates the impact of financial inclusion on health and the gender-health differences in Ghana using micro data from the sixth wave of the Ghana Living Standards Survey (GLSS) and relying on the IV-probit and 2SLS-IV techniques. The findings suggested significant gender health differences, with female individuals reporting lower health than their male counterparts. Additionally, financial inclusion matters for health and the gender-health gap, as people who have higher level of financial inclusion reports being healthier than their counterparts who are less included, and there is no significant health difference across gender for people with higher level of financial inclusion. This finding is novel and important for policy implications, as financial inclusion may help reduce the gender-health gap in Ghana.
JEL: J16, G2, I12
Glial fibrillary acidic protein, neurofilament light, matrix metalloprotease 3 and fatty acid binding protein 4 as non-invasive brain tumor biomarkers
Authors: Ghorbani Atefeh , Chatanaka Miyo K. , Avery Lisa M. , Wang Mingyue , Brown Jermain , Cohen Rachel , Gorham Taron , Misaghian Salvia , Padmanabhan Nikhil , Romero Daniel , Stengelin Martin , Mathew Anu , Sigal George , Wohlstadter Jacob , Horbinski Craig , McCortney Katy , Xu Wei , Zadeh Gelareh , Mansouri Alireza , Yousef George M. , Diamandis Eleftherios P. , Prassas Ioannis 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background: Gliomas are aggressive malignant tumors, with poor prognosis. There is an unmet need for the discovery of new, non-invasive biomarkers for differential diagnosis, prognosis, and management of brain tumors. Our objective is to validate four plasma biomarkers – glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), neurofilament light (NEFL), matrix metalloprotease 3 (MMP3) and fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) – and compare them with established brain tumor molecular markers and survival.
Methods: Our cohort consisted of patients with benign and malignant brain tumors (GBM= 77, Astrocytomas= 26, Oligodendrogliomas= 23, Secondary tumors= 35, Meningiomas= 70, Schwannomas= 15, Pituitary adenomas= 15, Normal individuals= 30). For measurements, we used ultrasensitive electrochemiluminescence multiplexed immunoassays.
Results: High plasma GFAP concentration was associated with GBM, low GFAP and high FABP4 were associated with meningiomas, and low GFAP and low FABP4 were associated with astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas. Several prognostic genetic alterations were significantly associated with plasma biomarker levels. We found no independent associations between plasma GFAP, NEFL, FABP4 and MMP3, and overall survival. The candidate biomarkers could not reliably discriminate GBM from primary or secondary CNS lymphomas.
Conclusions: GFAP, NEFL, FABP4 and MMP3 are useful for differential diagnosis and prognosis, and are associated with molecular changes in gliomas.
An inpatient mental health placement for paramedic undergraduate students: A pilot study
Authors: Carney Emma , Thornberry Phoebe , Bear Robert , Bilton Natalia , Bilton Dean 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
The prevalence of mental and behavioural illnesses in the Australian community is increasing. Paramedics are frequently the first health responders to a mental health crisis, and their workload associated with mental health presentations is also increasing. The present study explored the experience and perspectives of undergraduate paramedic students who participated in a pilot mental health placement.
Methods
A pilot workplace learning opportunity was established in which students completed a portion of their community service hours in an inpatient mental health setting at Port Macquarie Base Hospital. Eight students attended and completed the placement and were administered the Clinical Placement Evaluation Questionnaire.
Results
Student responses to this placement experience were overwhelmingly positive. The data showed that all the students responded “Strongly Agree” or “Agree” to each of the survey items. Thematic analysis of the qualitative data yielded four central themes related to benefits, additional training and education, nursing staff, and improvements.
Conclusions
This study revealed that mental health placements for paramedics have meaningful educational value and that it has a major impact on student learning. Since this pilot study, mental health placements have been permanently included as part of the undergraduate curriculum in our institution.
CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of Bsr-d1 enhances blast resistance of rice in Northeast China
Authors: Zhang Ying , Lin xiufeng , Li Li , Piao Ri-Hua , Wu Songquan , Song Anqi , Gao Mengmeng , Jin Yongmei 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Rice blast is a globaldisease, which has a significant negative impact on rice yield and quality. Due to the complexity and changeability of the physiological races of rice blast, controlling the rice blast is challenging in agricultural production. Bsr-d1, a negative transcription factor confers broad-spectrum resistance to rice blast which was identified from the indica rice cultivar Digu, however, the biological function in japonica rice varieties is still unclear. In this study, we analyzed the blast resistance allele of OsBsr-d1 in a total of 256 japonica rice varieties of Jilin province in Northeast China and found that it does not exist in these varieties. Therefore, we developed Bsr-d1 knockout mutants by CRISPR/Cas9 system using a japonica rice variety Jigeng88 (JG88) as a recipient variety. Compared with the wild-type JG88, the homozygous Bsr-d1 mutant lines, KO#1 and KO#2, showed enhanced leaf blast resistance at seedling stage to several Magnaporthe oryzae (M. oryzae) races collected from Jilin Province in Northeast China. Physiological and biochemical indicators revealed that the homozygous mutant lines produced more hydrogen peroxide compared to JG88 when infected by M. oryzae. Comparative RNA-seq revealed that the DEGs were mainly involved in the synthesis of amide compounds, zinc finger proteins and transmembrane transporters, etc. In summary, our results indicate that the Bsr-d1 knockout mutants developed through gene editing technology can enhance the broad-spectrum resistance of rice in Northeast China to rice blast. This study not only provides a theoretical basis for disease resistance breeding of Bsr-d1 gene in Northeast China, but also provides new germplasm resources for disease resistance rice breeding.
“There was nobody else, no duniya.” – Covid-19 and the meaning of Home for Older Adults in India
Authors: Bhargava Swarnima , Sri Sujata 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic fractured the known world; imprisoning people in their homes for their safety. The meaning of home and family altered, leaving people with limited access to social networks and social rituals. Older adults were especially vulnerable with greater restrictions placed on their movement. This paper illustrates some of the reconfigurations what home meant for older adults in India, using data from a qualitative study conducted during the second wave of the pandemic. Eighteen urban dwelling older adults in the age range of 60 to 78 years, from diverse socio-economic and linguistic backgrounds were interviewed. Individual stories about living through the pandemic were derived from narrative interviews. The transcripts were analysed using Riessman’s thematic narrative analysis framework. The meaning of home changed from a place of safety and comfort to “an antiseptic bubble”, a place of loneliness and separation, and a repository of painful memories of loved ones who had died during the pandemic Forced separation from friends and family exacerbated feelings of loss, deprivation and feeling adrift in an increasingly unpredictable/lonely/isolated world. Anxiety, vulnerability and insecurity about the future was voiced. Ongoing implications of the pandemic for social ties and mental health are discussed.
Evaluating the Translation of Figurative Language: A Comparative Study of ChatGPT and Human Translators
Authors: Sahari Yousef , Qasem Fawaz , Asiri Eisa , Alasmri Ibrahim , Assiri Ahmad , Mahdi Hassan 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Recently, Generative Pretrained Transformer (GPT) has demonstrated significant advancements in a variety of language-related tasks, including machine translation. However, many studies that evaluated the performance of ChatGPT in translation tasks focused on general texts. Consequently, the primary objective of this study was to assess how well GPT-3, can translate figurative language content from Arabic into English and vice versa and compare its performance with that of human translators. To achieve this objective, the study selected some passages from Gharkas (2003) focusing on different topics which included figurative language. These passages underwent translation by both a professional human translator and GPT-3. The study evaluated translation performance of GPT-3 against human translation using qualitative criteria. The criteria included accuracy, fluency, cohesion, and coherence, and translating figurative language. The findings of the analysis of these passages revealed that GPT-3 generated translations that were generally comprehensible but fell short in capturing figurative language in comparison to human translation. The results indicated that GPT-3 rendered similar number of sentences if the ST was English. However, when the ST was Arabic, GPT-3 reduced the length of long Arabic sentences and divided them to be shorter.
Equity as the new normal: the economic consequences of the pandemic, from The COVID Impact Project - focusing on systemically oppressed populations
Authors: Pakhale Smita , Jama Sadia , Ambade Preshit , Kitty Darlene , Bignell Ted , Florence Kelly , Magwood Michael "Max" , Tariq Saania , Huynh Nina , Hegarty Terry , Fareau Vanessa , Hegarty Meaghan , Ramsay Tim , Thavorn Kednapa , Grosjean Sylvie , Szerszunowicz Natalia , Falavinha Bruna , Rizvi Maryam , Ichiba Maryame , Etowa Josephine , Boyd Rob , Najafizada Maisam , Crighton Eric , Selby Peter 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
The objective of this study is to assess the employment impacts of COVID on systemically marginalized populations. A cross-sectional COVID Impact study examined participants during October 2020 to November 2021 at the Bridge Engagement Center in Ottawa, Canada. A survey co-created and administered by people with lived/living experience of being precariously housed, low-income, and/or racialized (including Indigenous peoples) assessed their demographics, socioeconomics, and health. Income and employment were assessed by descriptive statistics, directed acyclic graphs (DAGs), Bayesian logistic modeling and constructed a directed acyclic diagram to test the causality between selected demographics and employment income. Participants aged 16–65 years (n = 416) were male (n = 201), female (n = 198), and other (n = 5). Ethnicities were white (n = 118), African Caribbean Black (n = 118), Indigenous (n = 142) and other (n = 26). We observed social assistance receipt (88%), psychological distress (General Health Questionnaire-12 > 3) (47%), housing insecurity (61%), and food insecurity (65%). Sixteen of 59 newly unemployed people received pandemic funding. Unemployment (n = 340) odds ratios (95% credible intervals) were: Indigenous, 6.38 (5.36, 7.54); African Caribbean Black, 5.76 (4.85, 6.79); other, 3.81 (3.19, 4.50); and white, 1.81 (1.64, 1.99). Systemically marginalized populations demonstrated disproportionate impact by the COVID-19 pandemic with the highest odds of unemployment being for non-white populations during COVID, as compared to pre-COVID. The findings from this study indicate the urgent need for an equitable, inclusive, just, comprehensive, and most importantly compassionate social safety net that supports everyone.
A novel fluorescence cross-priming amplification based on universal molecular beacon for rapid and specific detection of Salmonella enterica in food samples
Authors: Hou Wenfu , Du Juan , Liu Tingting , Wang Wensi , Ai Youwei , Zhou Min , Wang Hongxun 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

A methodology with rapidity and specificity is of great significance for effectively control and management of disease epidemics caused by Salmonella enterica as it has presented an obvious threat to food safety and public health worldwide. One major drawback to the traditional cross-priming amplification (CPA) detection method is the possibility of detecting false-positive signals derived from opening tube lids or non-specific amplification, and molecular beacon was firstly employed to solve aforementioned problems. The reaction system was optimized and the results showed that the MB-CPA method was highly specific for detection of S. enterica. The LOD of established assay was found to be 10 CFU/mL, 40 CFU/mL, 4 CFU/mL in pure culture, chicken sample without and with 6 h enrichment, respectively. And the LOD of MB-CPA was 10 times higher than that of real-time PCR. An application of MB-CPA assay was conducted with 78 naturally contaminated food samples to test its practicality. After an enrichment step at 37℃ for 6h, the results showed 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity compared with standard culture-based method. Considering its rapidity, user-friendliness, cost-effectiveness, this MB-CPA assay will aid in the broader application in food industry for the detection of S. enterica in small or resource-limited food testing laboratories.
Predictive Role of Peripheral Blood Lymphocyte And Cytokine Phenotypes in Patients with Operable Breast Cancer And Neoadjuvant Therapy: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Wu Jiangping , Ou Xin , Yuan Keyu , Shi Feng , Zhou Quan , Lyu Suzhen , Li Yanping , Zhao Yanjie , Cao Yu , Sun Jianping , Wang Jing , Song Qingkun 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
PD-L1 is an indicator for immunotherapy however, the detection is based on biopsy and affected by tumor heterogeneity and patients’ intolerance. This study aimed to explore convenient alternatives for PD-L1 tissue detection.
Methods
With 134 cases recruitment, the peripheral lymphocyte subtypes and cytokines was detected by flow cytometry and PD-L1 expression in tumor microenvironment (TME) was detected by immunohistochemistry and assessed by two qualified pathologists.
Results
The patients with positive PD-L1 expression had peripheral CD8+/CD28+ T lymphocytes 20% higher than those with negative expression (p = 0.008) with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) being 0.66 (p = 0.002). Among patients with positive PD-L1 expression and negative neoadjuvant therapy (NAT), peripheral CD8+/CD28+ T lymphocytes were 54% higher than those with negative expression (p = 0.003), with the AUC being 0.68 (p = 0.003). In patients receiving NAT, peripheral TNF-α (p = 0.010), increased from 0.45pg/ml to 0.64pg/ml in positive PD-L1 group, and the AUC was 0.79 (p = 0.012). Among breast cancer patients with negative NAT experience, 1% increase of peripheral CD8+/CD28+ T lymphocytes was associated with a 21% higher probability of positive PD-L1 expression (OR = 1.21, 95%CI = 1.06–1.37) and among patients with NAT, the OR of peripheral TNF-α > 0.5pg/ml was increased to 24.5 for positive TME PD-L1 expression (p = 0.008).
Conclusion
In breast cancer patients receiving NAT, peripheral TNF-α could be used to predict the TME PD-L1 expression, and in breast cancer patients without NAT, peripheral percentage of CD8+/CD28+ T lymphocytes could be used to predict the TME PD-L1 expression. These biomarkers should be further implemented in practice to guide the immunotherapy.
Potential of Producing Organic Lettuce Seedlings without Peat Using Agricultural and Agro-industrial Compost
Authors: Mahmoud Ahmed M.A. , Mohamed Yahia , El-Helaly Mostafa A. , Afifi Mohamed M.I. , El-Tawashy Mohamed K.F. 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Peat is an unrenewable resource. The potential of using composts made from a mixture of agricultural and agro-industrial wastes as peat substitutes was evaluated in this study. Four compost piles (C1-C4) were constructed by mixing various wastes after estimating their properties. C1 was a 1:1:1.5 weight ratio mixture of filter mud, mushroom waste, and date-palm fronds, while C2-C4 were a 0.5:1 weight ratio mixture between either bagasse, cutting grassland, or date-palm fronds and cattle dung. After four months of decomposition, the compost’s physical, chemical, and biological properties were estimated in comparison to commercial compost (CC), peatmoss (PM), and their ideal ranges (IR) for seed germination and seedling growth. Composts had significant differences in physical and chemical properties. Some composts revealed property values within the IR. The principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that composts lack peat-like properties. Composts had a lower C/N ratio and organic matter, along with higher bulk density, electrical conductivity, and pH compared to PM. Cattle manure enhanced organic matter and carbon, total nitrogen and potassium, and ammonium levels and reduced ash levels in C2-C4, compared to filter mud in C1. The suitability of C1-C4, CC, and PM substrates for growing crisp lettuce 'Big Bell' seedlings was evaluated during the winters of 2018 and 2019 under plastic-house conditions. The substrates had significant effects on lettuce seedling traits. C2-C4 substrate seedlings’ vegetative shoots grew more rapidly than other substrate seedlings due to the increased length and diameter of their stem and leaf area. The PCA revealed that PM-substrate and C2-C4 substrates had similar effects on lettuce seedling growth traits. The proper mixing of agricultural and agro-industrial wastes based on their properties can produce compost with relatively suitable physical, chemical, and biological properties for lettuce seed germination and seedling growth. It will take more investigation to improve the C2-C4 compost’s properties by using certain techniques.
Forecasting of Groundwater Level Variation Under Changing Climate in Chhattisgarh State Using Deep Learning Technique
Authors: Dey Mukesh Kumar , Singh Chandan Kumar 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Groundwater is the most precious natural resource in modern days. India is the largest consumer of groundwater globally, with over 25% of the world's groundwater extraction. Climate change affects the groundwater level both in direct and indirect ways. Recently developed machine learning approaches have led to the consideration of selected climate variables that can govern the groundwater dynamic. The inclusion of indirect key drivers such as anthropogenic activities and lithology to forecast groundwater levels using machine learning techniques is not well understood. This paper aims to consider both the direct and indirect key drivers for forecasting seasonal groundwater levels. In this context, a modified approach based on a deep learning model has been formulated that considers land cover dynamics, lithological properties, and climatic variables such as temperature and precipitation. The model was calibrated and validated to forecast seasonal groundwater levels for four Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) scenarios. The results show that the accuracy level, R2 is 0.86 which is acceptable. Overall, the results obtained broadly correspond to an acceptable degree of accuracy. The proposed methodology is applicable for seasonal groundwater level forecasting and can be useful to farmers and key stakeholders.
Onsager-Machlup functional for stochastic differential equations with additive noise
Authors: Zhang Xinze , Li Yong 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
This paper is devoted to studying the Onsager-Machlup functional for stochastic differential equations (SDEs) with additive noise of the α-Hölder, 0 < α < 1/4, dXt = f (t, Xt)dt + g(t)dWt. When the diffusion term of SDEs is not a fixed constant, we obtain the Onsager-Machlup functional. This function is the Lagrangian giving the most probable transition path connecting metastable states for stochastic processes driven by additive noise. This is done by introducing new measurable norms and applying an appropriate version of the Girsanov transformation. Moreover, we provide examples of numerical simulations, including a one-dimensional SDE and a fast-slow SDE for multiscale stochastic volatility models.
MSC2020 subject classifications: Primary 82C35, 60H10; secondary 37H10