bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Concentration, spatial distribution, and source apportionment of heavy metals in agricultural soils from the Yarlung Zangbo River Basin, Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Xiao Fangjing , Cui Xiaomei , Zhao Yuanzhao , Fu Jianjie , Yu Tao , Bu Duo , Zhang Qiangying 
Published: November 2023

AbstractIn this study, 112 agricultural topsoil samples were collected from the Yarlung Zangbo River Basin (YZRB) and its two tributaries, and the concentrations, spatial distribution, source apportionment, and potential ecological risk of eight heavy metals (Cd, Hg, Pb, Cr, Cu, Zn, Ni and As) were analyzed. The mean concentrations of Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, Ni, Cd, As, Hg and Pb were 33.91, 28.21, 86.93, 109.04, 73.58, 0.12, 21.49 and 0.05 mg/kg, respectively. Except for Pb, the concentration of heavy metals in soil exceeded the corresponding local background values, but did not exceed the national soil pollution risk screening values. In terms of spatial distribution, it showed that the heavy metals were enriched in the Nianchu River, and followed by Lhasa River and YZRB mainstream. Furthermore, the ecological risks were ordered as Hg > Cd > As > Ni > Cu > Pb > Cr > Zn, and the potential ecological risk index of the YZRB fell in the range of moderate ecological risk. The high-risk areas were in the facility agriculture fields of the Nianchu River, which was mainly related to agricultural activities. In addition, the positive matrix factorization results showed traffic, agricultural activities, natural weathering of the parent minerals, and atmospheric transport sources were the four sources in soils of the YZRB. This work will provide a scientific reference to develop appropriate pollution control measures and facility farmlands management in the YZRB of Tibetan Plateau.
MURA: a Multipurpose Underwater Robotic Arm mounted on Kalypso UUV in aquaculture
Authors: Vasileiou Marios , Manos Nikolaos , Kavallieratou Ergina 
Published: November 2023

AbstractUnderwater vehicles utilized in net cages at aquaculture facilities are commonly utilized for the purpose of examining the deterioration of nets and the accumulation of biofouling. The implementation of a robotic system for repairing damages has the potential to decrease the expenses associated with employing divers while reducing the risk of their injury. This study details the development, fabrication, and simulation of a cost-effective subaquatic manipulator, denoted as MURA, which can be seamlessly incorporated into submersible vehicles. The Kalypso unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) is utilized in this study. MURA exhibits a high degree of modularity, enabling seamless alteration of the end-effector tool. Additionally, its low-cost nature renders it a viable option for integration with any underwater vehicle. Three end-effectors were subjected to testing, one designed for the purpose of disposing fish morts, another intended for removing litters from net cages in fisheries, and a third for repairing net tears. This study outlines the MURA design, including the arm’s fabrication and constituent components. In addition, the modeling of the manipulator is presented accompanied by a water flow simulation of the three manipulators. Ultimately, the experimental findings are analyzed and evaluated. These include the field experiments performed at Kefalonia fisheries, along with the duration to complete each task. For instance, the capture of fish morts typically necessitates approximately 30 s, encompassing the entire process from initial targeting to actual capture. In a similar vein, the procedure of mending tears in a net necessitates an approximate duration of 70 s on average, encompassing the stages of initial identification and subsequent detachment. The suggested design exhibits adaptability and durability while upholding affordability when utilized in aquaculture.
Preliminary investigation of the use of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. as a Cd accumulator in contaminated Mediterranean soils: the relationships among cadmium (Cd) soil fractions and plant Cd content
Authors: Papadimou S. G. , Barbayiannis Ν. , Golia E. E. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe plant Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. has been used in a preliminary study to investigate its phytoremediation potential in moderately and heavily Cd-polluted Greek soils. For this purpose, a pot experiment was carried out using four soil treatments, two from agricultural and two from urban areas, contaminated with 3 and 30 mg of Cd per kg of soil. The modified Bureau of Community Reference (BCR) fractionation method was used to determine Cd levels in the soil fractions. The water-soluble, available-DTPA extractable, total and pseudo-total concentrations of Cd were also evaluated and attempts to find relationships between Cd soil fractions and Cd levels in the parts of the cultivated plants were made. Significant correlations among Cd soil fractions, Cd plant parts, and soil physicochemical parameters were obtained and discussed. High Cd translocation and accumulation rates were observed mainly in the root and the lower part of the stems, while in flowers and seeds no Cd was detected, leading to the conclusion that the high-value product contained in the seeds maintains its quality and is free of contaminants. The results are satisfactory indicating Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. as a promising plant for remediation practices in Cd-contaminated Mediterranean soils, promoting the principles of circular economy.
Mitigating soil water deficit using organic waste compost and commercial water retainer: a comparative study under semiarid conditions
Authors: Zgallai Hatem , Zoghlami Rahma Inès , Annabi Mohamed , Zarrouk Olfa , Jellali Salah , Hamdi Helmi 
Published: November 2023

AbstractSemiarid regions have particularly been confronted with climate change effects reflected by the consistent decrease of rainfall and increase of evapotranspiration. This drought stress constitutes the main constraint for agricultural production improvement, which is aggravated by the fact that strategic (field) crops are mostly grown under rainfed systems. Therefore, the objective of this field study was to improve soil water retention by the application of two conditioners namely, an organic waste compost (DS) and a synthetic water-retaining hydrogel (WS). These amendments were applied to an agricultural soil for the cultivation of fodder maize under normal and deficit irrigation regimes. Advanced analysis showed a general disruption of plant growth parameters under water stress. However, both amendments attenuated this negative effect with respect to control by improving soil water status. More precisely, the measured soil water tension at the start of the dry season was the lowest in presence of DS (48 centibars), followed by WS (61 centibars), then unamended soil (83 centibars). Besides, compost application resulted in higher moisture (13.3%), nitrogen (0.36%), and organic matter (0.56%) in soil than the synthetic hydrogel at the end of the field experiment. Soil and plant characterization highlighted the combined effect of water deficit and conditioner type. Indeed, the consistent increase of soil water content in the presence of DS and WS improved all the addressed plant parameters when compared with untreated soil. Infrared thermal imaging showed that canopy temperature was lower in presence of both amendments while dry biomass yield increased by 38% when water supply was limited. Nevertheless, the long-term sustainability of the soil system appears to be better maintained in the presence of the organic waste compost. The latter has the added advantage of improving soil fertility in contrast to inert polymers.
Hyperthyroidism therapy: What can decision support systems already achieve?
Authors: Benninger Thomas , Theiler-Schwetz Verena , Pilz Stefan , Trummer Christian , Reichhartinger Markus 
Published: November 2023

AbstractCurrently, only a few theoretical support systems exist for the treatment of hyperthyroidism. They are typically not practically applicable and solely focus on Graves’ disease. The recently developed DigiThy software framework can be used to assist physicians for methimazole dose titration during the treatment of Graves’ disease. In this study, a pool of 60 virtual patients was created to compare physicians’ individual treatment approaches by 8 different physicians and students (including three colleagues, unexperienced with care of Graves’ disease) with the decision support system DigiThy in terms of already defined performance indices. These indices are used to assess the deviation of FT4 from the reference range throughout the treatment. The computer aided treatment algorithms outperformed the usual care approach according to different prespecified criteria for treatment success. Two out of the three unexperienced colleagues improved their treatment success over time, i.e. with more patients treated. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the DigiThy software may be a useful tool for use as a decision support system in routine care of patients with Graves’ disease, while also serving as an effective training tool for the education of physicians. Randomized controlled studies are required before implementation of DigiThy in daily clinical practice.
Thermally induced Fe2O3 spikes decorated Ag/Fe2O3 nanocomposite fabrication for anti-bacterial and anti-cancer activities
Authors: Hossain Md. Kaium , Mishra Anshuman , Tiwari Aanshi , Pant Bishweshwar , Dey Shaikat Chandra , Tiwari Ayushi , Saha Otun , Rahaman Md. Mizanur , Shukla Yogesh R. , Tiwari Ashutosh , Ashaduzzaman Md. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractIn the context of anti-cellular catalytic permutations, the development of thermally-induced nanotechnology is of great importance. In this study, iron oxides (Fe2O3) decorated silver (Ag) core–shell nanocomposite was prepared using a green thermal decomposition process without using any additional chemicals. The nanocomposite was characterized for its composition, phase interactions, morphology, and stability using spectroscopic, thermogravimetric, and microscopic techniques. The resultant nanocomposite were also investigated against different types of bacteria and cancer cell lines. Both Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Klebsiella spp., E. coli, and Pseudomonas) growth was inhibited by the Ag/Fe2O3 nanocomposite. The highest 19 mm zone of inhibition (ZOI) was found for Staphylococcus aureus by the combined effect of Ag and Fe2O3. The antibiofilm efficacy of the prepared nanocomposites showed biofilm destruction of 82.56% Staphylococcus aureus and 51.06% Klebsiella spp. Furthermore, the nanocomposite resulted in 80–90% death of Hela and BHK-21 cells but displayed lower cell toxicity in the case of the Vero cell line. This pathway of nanocomposites preparation with particle surface engineering would open new doors in the fields of nanobiotechnology and nanobiomedical applications.
Neuroadaptive Incentivization in Healthcare using Blockchain and IoT
Authors: Kumar Ajay , Singh Rajiv Ranjan , Chatterjee Indranath , Sharma Nikita , Rana Vaishali 
Published: November 2023

AbstractFinancially incentivizing health-related behaviors can improve health record outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. Blockchain and IoT technologies can be used to develop safe and transparent incentive schemes in healthcare. IoT devices, such as body sensor networks and wearable sensors, etc. connect the physical and digital world making it easier to collect useful health-related data for further analysis. There are, however, many security and privacy issues with the use of IoT. Some of these IoT security issues can be alleviated using Blockchain technology. Incorporating neuroadaptive technology can result in more personalized and effective therapies using machine learning algorithms and real-time feedback. The research investigates the possibilities of neuroadaptive incentivization in healthcare using Blockchain and IoT on patient health records. The core idea is to incentivize patients to keep their health parameters within standard range thereby reducing the load on healthcare system. In summary, we have presented a proof of concept for neuroadaptive incentivization in healthcare using Blockchain and IoT and discuss various applications and implementation challenges.
Accelerated Care of Patients with Hip Fractures is Associated with Lower Risk of Delirium and Infection, and a Shorter Length of Hospital Stay: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Level One Evidence
Authors: Shah P. , Wilson E. , Chen B. , Clement N. D. 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Objectives
The aim of this systematic review was to assess the impact of time to surgery on patient mortality, peri-operative complication rates and length of stay following a hip fracture using level one data.

Data Sources
Multiple databases (PubMed, Embase, Medline (Ovid), and Cochrane Library) were searched using terms for “hip fracture” and the intervention “early surgery”. Results were filtered to only included randomised controlled trials in the English language published from the year 2000.

Study Selection
All results were imported into Covidence and screened by two separate reviewers with conflicts resolved by a third reviewer. Studies were included if they reported data on the relationship between time to theatre and at least one of the outcome measures (mortality, peri-operative complications, and length of stay in hospital). Three papers were finalised to include in this review.

Data Extraction
Once selected, each paper had a bias assessment completed by two separate reviewers using the Cochrane RoB2 tool. Any conflicts were resolved by a third reviewer.

Data Synthesis
Data from each paper were inputted into RevMan5 for analysis. Approximated sample mean and standard deviation were collected from each paper and included for analysis. RevMan5 was then used to generate forest plots and report data on relative risk and mean difference.

Conclusions
This review has shown that accelerated care of patients with hip fractures was associated with lower risks of delirium and infection, and a shorter length of hospital stay. However, the effect of time to surgery on patient mortality is not clear, as the standard care group had a lower mortality than expected for the population at risk and had surgery on average within 24-h of presentation.
Optimal city carbon emissions in China from a theoretical perspective
Authors: Chen Qianli , Mao Xuxin , Hu Fangfang 
Published: November 2023

AbstractCities are the main spaces to study a low-carbon economy. This paper introduces basic concepts covering “tolerance of planning carbon emissions,” “inevitable carbon emissions” and “excessive carbon emissions,” then discusses the problem with optimal city carbon emissions under the condition of tolerance. Theoretical analysis and scenario analysis were employed. First, according to optimal allocation theory of resources, we discuss how optimal society carbon emissions take place. Then, the deviation of optimal city carbon emissions was explored and analyzed, which was mostly caused by the missing price of carbon emissions allowance, excessive carbon emissions, and so on. Third, we analyzed optimal city carbon emissions under different conditions, in which different types of tolerance were included. Results show that theoretical investigations on optimal city carbon emissions provide relative ideas for determining control index and optimizing control countermeasures. Policy implications include improving the control index of city carbon emissions through environment enhancement, setting a reasonable control index of city carbon emissions under the consideration of the relationship between city economy and its environment, and establishing trading allowance and compensation mechanism of city carbon emissions, etc.
Mixed methods evaluation of handshake antimicrobial stewardship on adult inpatient medicine floors
Authors: Neuner Elizabeth A. , Atkinson Andrew , Ilges Dan , Krekel Tamara , Ritchie David J. , Bewley Alice F. , Durkin Michael J. , Hsueh Kevin , Sayood Sena 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Objective:
To evaluate the effects of handshake antimicrobial stewardship on medicine floors at a large tertiary care hospital.

Design:
Retrospective observational study.

Setting:
1,278-bed academic hospital.

Patients:
Adults admitted to non-ICU medicine services.

Interventions:
A handshake stewardship team consisting of an infectious diseases (ID) physician and pharmacist reviewed charts of patients receiving antimicrobials on medicine floors without a formal ID consult. Recommendations were communicated in-person to providers and acceptance rates were examined with descriptive statistics. Additional data regarding program perception among providers were obtained via surveys. Antibiotic usage trends were extracted from National Healthcare Safety Network Antimicrobial Use option data and evaluated using an interrupted time-series analysis pre- and post-intervention.

Results:
The overall acceptance rate of interventions was 80%, the majority being recommendations either to discontinue (37%) or de-escalate therapy (28%). Medical residents and hospitalists rated the intervention favorably with 90% reporting recommendations were helpful all or most of the time. There was a statistically significant decrease in vancomycin (78 vs 70 DOT/1,000 d present (DP), p = 0.002) and meropenem (24 vs 17 DOT/1,000 DP, p = 0.007) usage and a statistically significant increase in amoxicillin-clavulanate usage (11 vs 15 DOT/1,000 DP, p < 0.001). Overall antibiotic usage remained unchanged by the intervention, though pre-intervention there was a nonsignificant overall increasing trend while post-intervention there was a nonsignificant decreasing trend in overall usage. There was no change in in-hospital mortality.

Conclusion:
The addition of handshake stewardship with adult medicine services was favorably viewed by participants and led to shifts in antibiotic usage.
Perspectives on research needs in healthcare epidemiology, infection prevention, and antimicrobial stewardship: what’s on the horizon—Part II
Authors: Marschall Jonas , Snyders Rachael E. , Sax Hugo , Newland Jason G. , Guimarães Thais , Kwon Jennie H. 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
In this overview, we articulate research needs and opportunities in the field of infection prevention that have been identified from insights gained during operative infection prevention work, our own research in healthcare epidemiology, and from reviewing the literature. The 10 areas of research need are: 1) Transmissions and interruptions, 2) personal protective equipment and other safety issues in occupational health, 3) climate change and other crises, 4) device, diagnostic, and antimicrobial stewardship, 5) implementation and deimplementation, 6) healthcare outside the acute care hospital, 7) low- and middle-income countries, 8) networking with the “neighbors,” 9) novel research methodologies, and 10) the future state of surveillance. An introduction and chapters 1–5 are presented in part I of the article and chapters 6-10 and the discussion in part II. There are many barriers to advancing the field, such as finding and motivating the future IP workforce including professionals interested in conducting research, a constant confrontation with challenges and crises, the difficulty of performing studies in a complex environment, the relative lack of adequate incentives and funding streams, and how to disseminate and validate the often very local quality improvement projects. Addressing research gaps now (i.e., in the post-pandemic phase) will make healthcare systems more resilient when facing future crises.
Explaining Recruitment to Extremism: A Bayesian Hierarchical Case–Control Approach
Authors: Cerina Roberto , Barrie Christopher , Ketchley Neil , Zelin Aaron Y. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractWho joins extremist movements? Answering this question is beset by methodological challenges as survey techniques are infeasible and selective samples provide no counterfactual. Recruits can be assigned to contextual units, but this is vulnerable to problems of ecological inference. In this article, we elaborate a technique that combines survey and ecological approaches. The Bayesian hierarchical case–control design that we propose allows us to identify individual-level and contextual factors patterning the incidence of recruitment to extremism, while accounting for spatial autocorrelation, rare events, and contamination. We empirically validate our approach by matching a sample of Islamic State (ISIS) fighters from nine MENA countries with representative population surveys enumerated shortly before recruits joined the movement. High-status individuals in their early twenties with college education were more likely to join ISIS. There is more mixed evidence for relative deprivation. The accompanying extremeR package provides functionality for applied researchers to implement our approach.
Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of Acanthogyrus (Acanthosentis) bilaspurensis Chowhan, Gupta & Khera, 1987 (Eoacanthocephala: Quadrigyridae), the smallest mitochondrial genome in Acanthocephala, and its phylogenetic implications
Authors: Muhammad Nehaz , Li D.-X. , Ru S.-S. , Suleman  , Saood D. , Alvi M.A. , Li L. 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
The phylum Acanthocephala is an important group of parasites with more than 1,300 species parasitizing intestine of all major vertebrate groups. However, our present knowledge of the mitochondrial genomes of Acanthocephala remains very limited. In the present study, we sequenced and annotated the complete mitochondrial genome of Acanthogyrus (Acanthosentis) bilaspurensis (Gyracanthocephala: Quadrigyridae) for the first time based on the specimens recovered from the intestine of common carp Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus (Cyprinidae) in Pakistan. The mitochondrial genome of A. bilaspurensis is 13,360 bp in size and contains 36 genes, representing the smallest mitogenome of acanthocephalans reported so far. The mitogenome of A. bilaspurensis also has the lowest level of overall A+T contents (59.3%) in the mitogenomes of Eoacanthocephala, and the non-coding region 3 (NCR3) lies between trnS2 and trnI, which is different from all of the other acanthocephalan species. Phylogenetic analyses based on concatenating the amino acid sequences of 12 protein-coding genes using maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) methods revealed that the family Pseudoacanthocephalidae is a sister to the Arhythmacanthidae rather than the Cavisomatidae, and the families Rhadinorhynchidae and Cavisomatidae showed sister relationships.