bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A new method for education quality evaluation based on belief rule base with power set and evidential reasoning
Authors: Liang MinJie , Zhou Guohui , He Wei , Chen Haobing , Qian Jidong 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

The evaluation of education quality is an important part of the construction of the education system, and it is a direct path to improving education quality. Education quality is a complex evaluation system that takes into account a number of dimensions, such as objectives, attitudes and outcomes. In teaching practice, these dimensions are often good or bad, making it difficult to assess the results of a comprehensive evaluation, leading to the problem of ignorance. Therefore, a belief rule base with power set (PBRB) is used to construct the model for education quality evaluation. The model extends the set of evaluation results into a power set that expresses a variety of evaluation ratings that are difficult to characterize, and uses the BRB to assign belief degrees to each rating in the power set. In addition, because the evaluation of education quality requires a great number of indicators, the BRB faces the rule combination explosion problem. To solve the problem, the transformation matrix is constructed to unify the evaluation indicators, which are then fused using the evidential reasoning (ER) algorithm to reduce the number of PBRB attributes. Finally, the parameters are optimized with the projected covariance matrix adaptive evolution strategy (P-CMA-ES) to improve the model accuracy. According to the experimental results, compared with other methods, the education quality evaluation method based on the EPBRB proposed in this paper can give a clear evaluation grade and has better accuracy and stability.
The Effect of Pranayama Breathing Exercise on Fatigue in Cancer Patient Caregivers; Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Doğan Zeynep , Güler Sevil , İnanç Mevlüde 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Aim: This study was conducted with a randomized controlled experimental design to determine the effect of pranayama breathing exercise on fatigue in caregivers of cancer patients.
Methods: The study was conducted with 62 caregivers, including the Intervention (n = 31) and Control group (n = 31). Caregivers in the intervention group practiced pranayama breathing exercise for 15 to 20 minutes, once a day, three days a week for four weeks through an online interview with the researcher, while the control group did not receive any intervention. Ethics committee approval, institutional permission and permission from caregivers were obtained before commencing the study. Data were collected a questionnaire, Piper Fatigue Scale (PFS) and ECOG performance scale. Number, percentage, mean, standard deviation, chi-square and two-way repeated measures analysis of variance were utilized to evaluate the data.
Findings: It was determined that the mean PFS total score of the intervention group was 6,19±0,91 before the intervention and decreased to 4,49±0,95'e after four weeks (p > 0.05), while the PFS total score of the control group was 5,49±0,69 before the intervention and increased to 5,69±0,68 after the fourth week of the intervention (p > 0.05). Although the decrease in daily fatigue severity of caregivers in the intervention group was statistically significant (p<0.05), no statistically significant difference was detected in the fatigue severity of caregivers in the control group. In addition, it was determined that the PFS score did not differ statistically according to the groups (F=1.746; p=0.191>0.05). Moreover, the group*time interaction was detected to be statistically significant (F=112,750; p<0,001*; ES=0,653).
Conclusion: In this study, Pranayama breathing exercise was observed to reduce fatigue levels of cancer patient caregivers. According to this result, the utilization of pranayama breathing exercise can be recommended to reduce fatigue in cancer patient caregivers.
ClinicalTrials.gov ID : NCT05988320 Date: 08/04/2023
Application of Machine Learning for Prognostic Prediction in early-stage Cervical Cancer, Based on radiomics from ultrasound and MRI
Authors: Huang Xiao-wan , Ren Zhi-le , Xia wei-ting , Fu Xiao-qing , Ma Jia-yao , Powell Martin , Lin Feng , Jin Chu 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Purpose: We aimed to develop a model for an early-stage cervical cancer for disease free survival (DFS) prediction using machine learning methods based on the combination of clinicopathological and radiomic features which is extracted from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography (US).
Methods: This retrospectively study included 144 patients who were randomly divided into training and testing cohort at a ratio of 6:4.Radiomic features were extracted from MRI and US images, and in total, 1180 radiomic features and 9 clinicopathological factors were obtained. Six supervised machine learning classifiers were used to assess the prediction performance based on all variables. Next, we established models based on various combinations of clinicopathological characteristic and radiomic features to get the best prediction model using LightGBM. The model’s performance was evaluated by accuracy (ACC) and area under the curve (AUC). Furthermore, unsupervised clustering analysis was performed to identify CC patient subgroups related to DFS prognosis based on the all variables.
Results: LightGBM was superior to any other classifiers in CC DFS prediction. The model that combined clinicopathological factors with radiomic features from MRI and US showed the best performance, and the corresponding values were 0.92 of ACC and 0.86 of AUC. Unsupervised clustering analysis identified a strong tendency toward the formation of two distinct groups in DFS rate among CC patients.
Conclusion: MRI and US based radiomics has the potential of DFS prediction in early-stage CC with the LightGBM classifier, and the use of predictive algorithms may facilitate the personalized treatment options.
Effect of human chorionic gonadotropin on pregnancy outcomes in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome undergoing frozen-thaw embryo transfer in hormone replacement therapy cycles: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Dong Li , Wu Haicui , Wang Yuqi , Chen Wen , Liang Qihui , Lian Fang , Cai Pingping 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Background
Endometrial preparation protocols for frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) lack luteinizing hormone (LH) peaks and luteal function due to anovulation. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) supplementation improves endometrial receptivity and promotes embryo implantation. Therefore, we aimed to compare whether there was a difference in pregnancy outcomes with hCG supplementation prior to secretory transformation in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Methods
Patients undergoing their first FET cycle between 2018 and 2022 at the university-affiliated reproductive and genetic centre participated in this retrospective cohort study. After standard screening and propensity score matching, patients were assigned to the HRT (n = 343) and HRT + hCG groups (n = 195). The primary outcomes were implantation rate (IR) and live birth rate (LBR), and the secondary outcomes included other pregnancy-related issues.
Results
There were no significant differences in IR or LBR between the two groups. However, compared to the HRT group, the HRT + hCG group had a significantly higher biochemical pregnancy rate (BPR) (75.9% vs. 64.7%, P = 0.007); the clinical pregnancy rate was also higher, but the difference was not significant (58.5% vs. 50.4%, P = 0.073). Ectopic pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy, miscarriage, and preterm birth rates were similar in both groups. After adjusting for possible confounders, logistic regression analyses showed that the effect of hCG addition on BPR (OR 0.585, 95% CI 0.393–0.872, P = 0.009) remained significant. Subsequent subgroup analyses showed a statistically significant improvement in BPR after hCG supplementation in cleavage-stage embryo transfer cycles (75.3% vs. 64.7%, P = 0.020).
Conclusions
In patients with PCOS, intramuscular hCG injection before secretory transformation had no impact on pregnancy outcomes, except for BPR. Notably, the addition of hCG did not show a significant trend towards the increased BPR observed in patients undergoing blastocyst transfer. Future prospective randomised controlled studies are required to confirm our findings.
Enhanced Adsorption of Ketoprofen and Reactive Yellow 15 from Aqueous Solutions Using Silver Nanoparticle-Modified Luffa: Characterization, Optimization, and Reusability Studies
Authors: Tavassoli Soheil , Cheraghi Setareh , Etemadifar Pardis , Mollahosseini Afsaneh , Joodaki Shirin , Sedighi Niloofar 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
In the current work, luffa was modified with silver nanoparticles to prepare LF/AgNPs adsorbent for the elimination of ketoprofen and reactive yellow 15 (RY15) from aqueous media. Various characterization techniques, including FTIR, XRD, and SEM-EDS analyses, were employed to confirm the successful modification of LF/AgNPs. Several key parameters such as contact time, adsorbent dosage, concentration, pH, and agitation technique were fine-tuned to optimize the adsorption process. Ketoprofen removal was found to be most effective in weakly acidic conditions (pH=5), while reactive yellow 15 adsorption was enhanced in an acidic environment (pH=2). At 298 K, the highest adsorption capacities reached 56.88 mg/g for ketoprofen and 97.76 mg/g for reactive yellow 15. The adsorption of ketoprofen followed the Temkin isotherm model, indicating a chemisorption process (R2=0.997). Reactive yellow 15, however, adhered to the Freundlich isotherm model, suggesting multilayer adsorption due to uneven distribution of active sites (R2=0.987). Additionally, the kinetics of ketoprofen adsorption were best described by the Pseudo-first order model (R2=0.989), whereas the Pseudo-second order model provided the most accurate fit for reactive yellow 15 adsorption (R2=0.997). Importantly, the LF/AgNPs adsorbent displayed consistent performance over five consecutive reuse cycles, affirming its stability and efficacy in removing both contaminants. These findings underscore the exceptional potential of LF/AgNPs as a reliable adsorbent for the removal of reactive yellow 15 and ketoprofen from aqueous solutions.
Post-myocardial infarction heart failure with reduced ejection fraction in older patients: a prospective multicentre study in Vietnam
Authors: Phan Nam Thanh Hai , Nguyen Huan Thanh , Vu Vu Hoang , Nguyen Van Tan 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Background
Heart failure (HF) is a common complication of myocardial infarction (MI) in older adults. However, data on the incidence of and risk factors for post-MI HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) are limited, especially among older Asian populations. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to determine the incidence of and risk factors for post-MI HFrEF in older Vietnamese patients with MI.
Methods
This prospective multicentre study enrolled 234 patients aged ≥ 60 years hospitalised for MI without prior HF at two tertiary hospitals in Vietnam. Data on demographics, MI details, treatments, and echocardiographic left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) during hospitalisation were collected. Post-MI HFrEF was defined as the diagnosis of HFrEF according to European Society of Cardiology guideline criteria at follow-up 3 months post-discharge. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified the factors associated with post-MI HFrEF.
Results
Thirty patients (12.8%) developed post-MI HFrEF. Notably, most patients (94%) underwent coronary angiography, whereas 92% underwent revascularisation during the index hospitalisation. Independent predictors were female sex (odds ratio [OR]: 4.09, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.43–12.89), highest troponin T levels (OR: 1.15 per 1000 ng/L increase, 95% CI: 1.03–1.30), and reduced LVEF at discharge (OR: 6.88, 95% CI: 2.37–22.06).
Conclusions
In this study, with a high rate of coronary revascularisation, the incidence of post-MI HFrEF was 12.8% at 3 months. Female sex, larger infarct size reflected by higher peak troponin T levels, and lower pre-discharge LVEF were associated with increased HFrEF risk. These findings can guide post-MI monitoring and early therapy in high-risk individuals to optimise outcomes.
Characterization of SIPs-type aquaporins and their roles in response to environmental cues in rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Miao Miao , Shi Ximiao , Zheng Xiangzi , Wu Binghua , Miao Ying 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Background
Aquaporins (AQPs) facilitate water diffusion across biological membranes and are involved in all phases of growth and development. Small and basic intrinsic proteins (SIPs) belong to the fourth subfamily of the plant AQPs. Although SIPs are widely present in higher plants, reports on SIPs are limited. Rice is one of the major food crops in the world, and water use is an important factor affecting rice growth and development; therefore, this study aimed to provide information relevant to the function and environmental response of the rice SIP gene family.
Results
The rice (Oryza sativa L. japonica) genome encodes two SIP-like genes, OsSIP1 and OsSIP2, whose products are predominantly located in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane. Heterologous expression in a yeast aquaglyceroporin-mutant fps1Δ showed that both OsSIP1 and OsSIP2 made the cell more sensitive to KCl, sorbitol and H2O2, indicating facilitated permeation of water and hydrogen peroxide. In addition, the yeast cells expressing OsSIP2 were unable to efflux the toxic methylamine taken up by the endogenous MEP permeases, but OsSIP1 showed subtle permeability to methylamine, suggesting that OsSIP1 may have a wider conducting pore than OsSIP2. Expression profiling in different rice tissues or organs revealed that OsSIP1 was expressed in all tissues tested, whereas OsSIP2 was preferentially expressed in anthers and weakly expressed in other tissues. Consistent with this, histochemical staining of tissues expressing the promoter-β-glucuronidase fusion genes revealed their tissue-specific expression profile. In rice seedlings, both OsSIPs were more or less up-regulated under different stress conditions, including osmotic shock, high salinity, unfavorable temperature, redox challenge and pathogen attack, as well as by hormonal treatments such as GA, ABA, MeJA, SA. However, a reduced expression of both OsSIPs was observed under dehydration treatment.
Conclusions
OsSIP1 and OsSIP2 form the two-member Small Intrinsic Proteins subfamily of aquaporins in rice, they conduct water and H2O2. Moreover, OsSIP1 has a weak ability to conduct methylamine while OsSIP2 does not. Both proteins are mainly localized to the ER, although transient localization to the plasma membrane is not excluded. OsSIP1 is widely expressed in most tissues and during developmental stages, while OsSIP2 expressed preferentially in the anther. Both genes are up-regulated under a variety of stress conditions and by different hormone treatments, except that dehydration moderately reduces their expression. Our results pave the way for further deciphering the unique function of SIP-like aquaporins in substrate transport, growth and development, and environmental response in rice.
Post-ligation cardiac syndrome after surgical versus transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus in low body weight premature infants: a multicenter retrospective cohort study
Authors: Duboue Pierre-Marie , Padovani Paul , Bouteiller Xavier Paul , Martin-Kabore Frédérique , Benbrik Nadir , Gronier Céline Grunenwald , Bouissou Antoine , Garnier Elodie , Mitanchez Delphine , Flamant Cyril , Rozé Jean-Christophe , Baruteau Alban-Elouen , Lefort Bruno 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Transcatheter patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure is a safe and effective alternative to surgical ligation in low-body-weight infants. Post-ligation cardiac syndrome (PLCS) is defined as severe hemodynamic and respiratory collapse within 24 hours of PDA closure, requiring initiation or an increase of an inotropic agent by > 20% of preligation dosing and an absolute increase of at least 20% in ventilation parameters compared with the preoperative value. Whilst PLCS is routinely observed after surgery, its incidence remains poorly described following transcatheter closure. This study aimed to compare the incidence of PLCS after surgical versus transcatheter closure of PDA in low-body-weight premature infants.
Methods
Propensity scores were used to compare surgical (N = 78) and transcatheter (N = 76) groups of preterm infants who underwent PDA closure at a procedural weight less than 2000 grams in two tertiary institutions between 2009 and 2021. The primary outcome was the incidence of PLCS. Secondary outcomes included overall mortality before discharge, risk factors for PLCS, and post-procedural complications.
Results
Procedural success was 100% in both groups. After matching, transcatheter group experienced no PLCS vs 15% in the surgical group (p = 0.012). Furthermore, overall mortality (2% vs 17%; p = 0.03) and major complications (2% vs 23%; p = 0.002) were higher in the surgical group. Surgery (100% vs 47%; p < 0.01), gestation age (25 ± 1 vs 26 ± 2 weeks, p < 0.05) and inotropic support before closure (90% vs 29%; p < 0.001) were associated with PLCS occurrence.
Conclusions
Transcatheter PDA closure may be equally effective but safer than surgical PDA closure in low-body-weight premature infants.
Integrating perspectives of transgender and gender-diverse youth, parents, and professionals to support their health and wellbeing – a mixed-method study protocol
Authors: Servais Julie , Vanhoutte Bram , Aguirre-Sánchez-Beato Sara , Aujoulat Isabelle , Kraus Cynthia , T’Sjoen Guy , Tricas-Sauras Sandra , Godin Isabelle 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background
The current literature highlights a strong link between the poor health outcomes of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals and their negative experiences in various areas of life. Most of these publications rely on adults' memories, lacking a focus on the current experiences and needs of young transgender and gender-diverse individuals. Furthermore, previous studies on support for these young people often solely consider the perspectives of TGD adults or professionals and rarely involve parents' viewpoints.
Methods
This study will use a mixed sequential method with a participatory approach. Firstly, the qualitative phase will explore the difficulties and needs of TGD (15–20 years old) and of the families and professionals who support them. Results from this part will be used to develop the questionnaire for the quantitative phase, with the help of a community board. Secondly, based on participatory epidemiological research, the quantitative phase will use an intersectional perspective to measure the impact of individual and structural factors on the quality of life and well-being of transgender and gender-diverse young people. Finally, a co-creation phase will be undertaken to formulate recommendations based on the results of the first two phases.
Discussion
This research aims at better understanding the influence of gender identity on the quality of life and health of TGD young people and their families and to identify protective and risk factors that affect their vulnerabilities.
Ethics and dissemination
This study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the Erasme Faculty Hospital (CCB B4062023000140). As this research is participatory and part of a PhD dissertation, we aim to disseminate the results through our partners' networks and structures locally, and internationally through conferences and peer-reviewed journals.
A deep learning radiomics model based on CT images for predicting the biological activity grading of hepatic cystic echinococcosis
Authors: Damola Maihemitijiang , Yang Jing , Abulaiti Adilijiang , Mutailifu Aibibulajiang , Aihait Diliaremu , Abulizi Abudoukeyoumujiang , tuerxun Kahaer , Zou Xiaoguang , Nijiati Mayidili 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Objective This work aims to explore the potential applications of a deep learning radiomics (DLR) model, which is based on CT images, in predicting the biological activity grading of hepatic cystic echinococcosis.
Methods A retrospective analysis of 160 patients with hepatic echinococcosis (109 cases of CE1 and 51 cases of CE2) was performed. A training set of 127 cases and a validation set of 33 cases were randomly divided from the data. Volume of interests (VOIs) were drawn from each patient’s CT image, and radiomics features and deep neural network features were extracted. Feature selection was performed on the training set, and radiomics score (Rad Score) and deep learning score (Deep Score) were calculated. Seven diagnostics models (based on logistic regression algorithm) for the biological activity grading were constructed using the selected radiomics features and two deep model features respectively. All models were evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic curve, and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated. A nomogram was constructed using the combined model, and its calibration, discriminatory ability, and clinical utility were assessed.
Results A total of 12 optimal features were selected from the radiomics features, and 6 and 10 optimal features were selected from two deep learning network (DLN) features (3D-ResNet-34, 3D-ResNet-50), respectively. For biological activity grading of hepatic cystic echinococcosis, the combined model demonstrated strong diagnostic performance, with an AUC value of 0.888 (95%CI:0.837-0.936) in the training set and 0.876 (0.761-0.964) in the validation set. The clinical decision analysis curve indicated that the DLR model had a greater clinical benefit than the single radiomics model and deep feature model, while the calibration curve revealed that the nomogram's prediction result was highly compatible with the actual result.
Conclusion The DLR model can be used for predicting the biological activity grading of hepatic echinococcosis.