bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of Fire on Physical and Chemical Properties of Soil on Burned and Unburned Sample in Fwangnin Bokkos District, Nigeria
Authors: Wuyep Solomon Zitta , Rampedi Isaac Tebogo , Ifegbesan Ayodeji Peter , Muhire Innocent 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Slash and burnt method of agriculture have both detrimental and beneficial effects on soil fertility. Hence this study examined the effects of bush burning on soil fertility. Purposive sampling technique was used to select four samples of 500 grams of soil, two each for burned and unburned soil were collected within a depth of 0-15cm. These sampled were tested to determine their physio-chemical properties using various methods. Student’s T test was used to evaluate the significant difference of burned and unburned samples. Study revealed an increased level in soil pH, EC; N, P, exchangeable bases (Ca, Mg and Na) and coarse soil texture (sand). However, there is a decrease in soil OC, CEC, OM, K, clay and silt properties such as texture and mineralogy in the burned soil. The T test analysis indicated that there is significant difference between burned and unburned soil samples on the physical and chemical properties at p<0.021 with a mean square of -2.622. Results of the study shows that physio-chemical properties differed between burned and unburned soil samples. It is recommended that farmers should be sensitized on the implications of slash and burnt to fertility of the soil.
Multicenter Propensity Score-Matched Analysis to Compare Perioperative Morbidity After Laparoscopic or RoboticComplex Hepatectomy for Solitary Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Huang Xiao-Kun , Fu Tian-Wei , Xu Zhu-Ding , Jin Lei , Du Cheng-Fei , Gao Zhen-Yu , Wang Kai-Di , Dai Mu-Gen , Liu Si-Yu , Lu Wen-Feng , Zhong Zhi-Han , Ye Tai-Wei , Xiao Zun-Qiang , Cheng Jian , Shen Guo-Liang , Liu Jie , Liu Jun-Wei , Huang Dong-Sheng , Zhang Cheng-Wu , Liang Lei 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background & Aims Postoperative complications are vital factors affecting the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), especially for complex hepatectomy. The present study aimed to compare perioperative complications between laparoscopic and robotic complex hepatectomy (LCH vs. RCH).
MethodsPatients with solitary HCC after complex hepatectomy were collected from a multicenter database. Intraoperative variables and postoperative morbidity were compared to assess perioperative risk. Propensity score-matched (PSM) analysis was adopted to overcome selection bias. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to determine the independent risk factors.
Results 436 patients were included eventually. Among them, 385 patients received LCH, and 51 patients received RCH. After PSM, the results showed that compared to LCH, RCH had lower rates of intraoperative blood loss and transfusion, as well as lower postoperative 30-day, major mortality, and post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) (all P < 0.05). Additionally, the length of hospital stay was shorter in the RCH group (P = 0.026). Multivariable analysis showed RCH is an independent protective factor for reducing the 30-day mortality (OR 0.657, 95%CI 0.361-0.983, P = 0.046), major mortality (OR 0.709, 95%CI 0.512-0.899, P = 0.043) and PHLF (OR 0.765, 95%CI 0.221-0.978, P = 0.044).
Conclusion RCH has advantages over LCH in the minimally invasive treatment of complex HCC, as it can reduce the incidence of intraoperative blood loss and postoperative mortality, especially for major mortality and PHLF. Therefore, robotic surgery should be considered for patients with HCC who require complex hepatectomy.
Identification of NEK6 as a potential biomarker for prognosis in glioma
Authors: Wang Danwen , Wang Zisong , Xu Jian , Cai Yuxiang , Liu Xiaoping , Li Zhiqiang 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Never in mitosis gene A-related kinase 6 (NEK6) is involved in mitotic cell cycle. However, the characteristics and roles of NEK6 in pan-cancer remain incomplete. The objective of the present study is to comprehensively explore the prognostic value of NEK6 and its potential functions in multiple cancers, especially in gliomas. In this study, we conducted of comprehensive analyses of NEK6 in pan-cancer, including expression profile, immune characteristics and its relationship with clinical prognosis. We found that NEK6 was significantly upregulated in gliomas. And the increased level of NEK6 was significantly associated with poor clinical prognoses of tumor patients. Moreover, the single-cell analysis revealed that NEK6 overexpression was highly related to malignant cells and Mono/Macrophages in glioma tissue. spebrutinib and barasertib were identified to be targeted therapeutic drugs for gliomas. Then, the prognostic role of NEK6 was further validated using an independent glioma cohort, and confirmed that the highly expression of NEK6 in glioma was positively correlated with poor prognosis in patients with glioma. In vitro experiment demonstrated that knockdown of NEK6 hindered the growth and migration capacity of the glioma cells, leading to a halt in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle and triggering apoptosis in glioma cell lines. Taken together, our data uncovered the prognostic value, therapeutic potential, and molecular insight of NEK6 in glioma.
Impact and Resiliency of the Early Phase of the COVID-19 pandemic on Healthcare Providers and their Household Members
Authors: Kim Hannah J. , Nguyen Minh , Duck Meghan , Lo Yin , Huang Vivian , Kennedy Lori , Dawson-Rose Carol , Hong OiSaeng 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has a significant impact on the health of healthcare providers and their families. The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of COVID-19 on the resiliency of frontline healthcare providers and their household members. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2 different medical centers. The Brief Resilience Scale (BRS) assessed resiliency, and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) assessed subjective self-reported distress caused by traumatic events. Fisher tests was used hypothesis testing of differences in BRS and IES-R scores, between healthcare vs. non-healthcare providers. Random forest models were used to identify the top contributors to BRS and IES-R scores. Participants also provided free text responses to describe main losses in social and support networks. A total of 1271 participants completed the surveys. The majority (95%) of the participants were self-identified healthcare providers. The mean (SD) BRS and IES-R score for non-healthcare providers (n = 63) were 20.1 (SD 5.2) and 24.0 (SD 16.4), respectively. The average score of IES-R indicated a concern for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The average score of the BRS was under the range of normal resilience (18–25.9). There were no statistically significant differences in resiliency (p = 0.90) and impact of event (p = 0.59) between healthcare and non-healthcare provider household members. Having someone to confide in is one of the most important factors contributing to resiliency and impact of event. The average IES-R score suggested that all participants were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and demonstrated same level of resiliency.
Exploring the potential differences local anesthesia in dental treatment by pharmacokinetic approaches
Authors: Li Yanchen , Liu Shupeng , Yu Mengyang , Ou Minyi , Wu Xiaofei , Wan Kuo , Wang Hongyun 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Objective: Mastering the characteristics of local anesthetic techniques is essential for dentists to make appropriate anesthetic protocols. Different from the supraperiosteal infiltration anesthesia, periodontal ligament anesthesia appears to provide faster onset and shorter duration, and has the potential to be the first-choice for supplemental anesthesia according to clinical observations. However, there has been few fundamental scientific data to support it. Here, we aimed to explore the differences between periodontal ligament and supraperiosteal infiltration anesthesia in view of pharmacokinetics.
Materials and Methods: A total of 10 participants were sequentially administered 0.3ml of 4% articaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine by periodontal ligament, supraperiosteal and intravenous injection in 3 cohorts, with a wash-out period of 1 week. Serial blood samples were collected for pharmacokinetic evaluation. Meanwhile, we initially explored the anesthesia effect and safety for these local anesthesia approaches.
Results: The pharmacokinetic parameters of articaine by periodontal ligament and supraperiosteal injection were as follows: AUC0-t (55.5 and 67.3 h·ng/mL), Cmax (192.6 and 142.5ng/mL), t1/2 (26.8 and 28.5 min) and CL/F (254.3 and 161.6 L/h). There was no significant statistical difference in these pharmacokinetic parameters except for Tmax (1.0 vs 10.0 min), which may be closely related to the onset of action. The bioavailability obtained by intravenous injection as reference were 55.7% and 66.9% respectively.
Conclusions: Our study may explain that periodontal ligament anesthesia had faster onset than supraperiosteal infiltration anesthesia in view of pharmacokinetics, and provided initial evidence that periodontal ligament anesthesia could be the first-choice for supplemental anesthesia.
Clinical Relevance: This study provided the novel approach to explore the local anesthetic effect from the pharmacokinetic characteristics of systemic circulation. Based on our results, the dentists would benefit from the perception of the difference between periodontal ligament and supraperiosteal infiltration anesthesia, as this information might capture important scientific information when managing the dental anesthesia technique. Additionally, periodontal ligament anesthesia presented a faster onset of action than supraperiosteal infiltration anesthesia, which would be the first choice for supplemental anesthesia.
Relationship between helium isotopes and focal depths of low-frequency earthquake, Northeastern Japan
Authors: Yamazaki Yukino , Narita Arisa , Umeda Koji , Sumino Hirochika , Maeda Takuto , Amano Tadashi 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Low-frequency earthquakes (LFEs) observed around volcanoes are often interpreted as reflecting the boundary of the magma transport channels or magma reservoirs. On the other hand, the occurrence of mantle-derived helium is closely related to current or recent magmatism in subduction zones, owing to mantle melting being the primary mechanism for the transfer of primordial 3He from the mantle to the lithosphere. The elevated 3He/4He ratios observed surrounding volcanoes could indicate the presence of a magmatic plumbing system. Therefore, it is meaningful to to investigate the relationship between the helium isotope variations and the location of LFEs in volcanic regions. There appears to be good correlation between helium isotope ratios and focal depths of LFEs observed in 31 volcanic regions of Northeast Japan. These findings indicate that the shallower the depth of the magma reservoir, the smaller the contamination of primordial helium with crustal radiogenic helium, resulting in higher helium isotopes observed at the surface. Many volcanic hazard factors, such as the probability and duration of an eruption, the eruption style, and the probability of triggering large landslides or caldera collapses, are related to the depth of the magma source. As a result, helium isotope monitoring surrounding volcanoes could provide an early clue to the behavior of ascending magma and future volcanic eruptions.
High prevalence of severe pain is associated with low opioid availability in patients with advanced cancer: Combined database study and nationwide questionnaire survey in Japan
Authors: Hasegawa-Moriyama Maiko , Morioka Yasuhide , Hiroi Shinzo , Naya Noriyuki , Suzuki Yura , Koretaka Yuichi , Hara Erina , Abe Hiroaki , Uchida Kanji , Sumitani Masahiko 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Objectives
Opioid availability for the palliative care of patients with advanced cancer is increasing globally. However, opioid availability remains extremely low in Japan. We investigated whether pain is appropriately controlled by low-dose opioid prescriptions in patients with advanced cancer in Japan.
Methods
A web-based nationwide survey for caregivers from 2000 community comprehensive support care centers was performed in Japan to assess details about pain in the 30 days before patients died of end-stage cancer. Separately, the data for opioid prescription doses and medical services in the 90 days before the death of patients with cancer were extracted from a health insurance claim database.
Results
Responses from 1034 responders were retrieved and 665 patients were included. In total, 254 patients (38.2%) complained of severe-to-intolerable cancer-related pain. The median cumulative prescription dose of opioids in the 90 days before patient death was 311/0 mg by oral morphine equivalent doses. Multiple regression analyses across prefectures revealed that the proportion of patients with severe-to-intolerable cancer-related pain was negatively associated with the cumulative opioid consumption expressed as morphine-equivalent doses within 90 days before death.
Conclusions
The very low availability of opioids for patients with end-stage cancer could result in high rate of severe-to-intolerable cancer-related pain patients. The increase in the absolute dose of opioids could improve the palliative care framework to the pain-control levels of the global standard.
Optomap ultrawide field imaging rapid screening peripheral retinal lesions before refractive surgery
Authors: Zhu Ruiling , Cai Wang , Luo Lijia , Li Shengguo 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of Optomap ultrawide field imaging for swiftly screening retinal lesions in individuals who have undergone refractive surgery.
Methods: This retrospective study involved 400 eyes from 200 refractive surgery patients. All participants underwent post-dilated Optomap imaging and a 90D lens fundus examination conducted by a retinal specialist. The study focused on peripheral retinal lesions, including retinal holes/tears, peripheral lattice or pigmentary degeneration, and vitreoretinal traction, while excluding conditions like myopic conus, white without pressure, and snowflake degeneration. The 90D lens examination was established as the gold standard. Sensitivity and specificity of Optomap images were calculated and analyzed. The study compared the differences between the two screening methods for retinal lesions, utilizing the Chi-square test for statistical analysis.
Results: Among the 400 eyes, the retinal specialist diagnosed peripheral retinal lesions in 54 eyes (13.5%) through dilated 90D examination and in 37 eyes (10.25%) through Optomap images. The difference between these two methods was not statistically significant (p=0.06). The overall sensitivity and specificity of the Optomap images were 75.9% and 95.31%, respectively. However, there were significant differences in the diagnosis of vitreous adhesion between the two methods (p=0.03).
Conclusion: Optomap proves to be a convenient and effective tool for screening retinal lesions in refractive surgery patients. However, for cases involving peripheral vitreoretinal traction situated above or below the peripheral retina, a meticulous examination with the 90D lens fundus examination is recommended for comprehensive evaluation and accurate diagnosis.
Estimating millimeter-scale surface roughness of rock outcrops using drone-flyover structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry by applying machine learning model
Authors: Nakamura Takumu , Kioka Arata , Egawa Kosuke , Ishii Takuma , Yamada Yasuhiro 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
A quantitative outcrop survey was conducted in three coastal areas in Japan to estimate the relationship between the surface morphology and visual information of well-exposed rocks using photogrammetry of drone flyovers. We generated three-dimensional digital outcrop models in the study areas to produce the hue, saturation, value (HSV) color space images and digital elevation model (DEM) data, together with terrain ruggedness index (TRI) computed from the DEM data. Using the data, we examined whether our machine learning model could predict the millimeter-scale surface ruggedness of the given rock outcrop. In the prediction, one of the three studied outcrops was selected as training data, and various patterns of choices from the available georeferenced visual information (i.e., coordinates, H, S, V) and TRI data were used as explanatory and response variables, respectively. The results revealed that our model provided reasonable quantitative predictions of surface ruggedness. In addition, our predictions worked well even in the presence of cast shadows on the studied outcrops, suggesting that the shadow effects were likely negligible. Our findings emphasize that the HSV color space data acquired by drone-flyover photogrammetry alone can quantitively predict the millimeter-scale surface ruggedness of outcrops, facilitating the acquisition of high-resolution surface morphology data without DEMs. This achievement can be a step forward in better acquiring surface geological information, the quality of which is often compromised by the person carrying out the survey.
Modeling and Experimental Validation on The Ionic Strength and Charge Effect in Plasma-Induced Liquid Mobility
Authors: Li Dai-En , Lin Che-Hsin 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
This study utilized a direct current-needle system for plasma generation and liquid flow inducement. The liquid flow was visualized and analyzed by Particle Image Velocimetry. The electrolyte solutions of Potassium chloride, Potassium bromide, Potassium iodide, Calcium chloride and Chromium(III) nitrate with concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 1.0 mM were studied. The results indicate that the plasma induces an upward liquid flow with an area mean velocity of up to 3.0 mm/s. The flow intensity decreases with increasing electrolyte concentration and shows a strong dependence on solution’s conductivity. A physical model is proposed for this particular finding. The plasma generates ions and electrons that shift the hydrogen bonds with water molecules, creating a surface tension gradient and the Marangoni effect. In contrast, the increase of solution’s conductivity shortens its Debye length which is the range of electric effect in liquid. Thus, the Marangoni stress and flow intensity decrease as the solution’s conductivity increases. Based on the regression analysis, the coefficient of determination is as high as 0.9365 showing that the flow intensity is significantly proportional to the square of the solution’s Debye length.
Power Scaling of Ice Floe Areas in the Weddell Sea, Southern Ocean With a Summary of Previous Ice Floe Scaling Studies
Authors: Coffey Tristan J. , Barton Christopher C , Tebbens Sarah F 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
The distribution of cumulative number as a function of floe area of seasonal ice floes from four satellite images covering the summer season (November - February) in the Weddell Sea, off Antarctica, during the summer ice breakup were well fit by two scale-invariant power functions. For a power function of the form N = C x-β, the scaling exponents -β for the larger floe areas range from − 1.5 to -1.8. Scaling exponents -β for the smaller floe areas range from − 0.8 to -1.0. The inflection point between the two scaling regimes ranges from 58 x 106 to 155 x 106 m2 and generally moves from larger to smaller floe areas through the summer season. We propose that the two power scaling regimes and the inflection between them are established during the initial breakup of sea ice solely by the process of fracturing. Floe areas range from 3 x 106 to 550 x 106 m2. The distributions of floe size regimes retain approximately the same scaling exponents as the floe pack evolves from larger to smaller floe areas from the initial breakup through the summer season, due to scale-independent processes of fracturing, grinding and melting. The scaling exponents for floe area distribution are in the same range as those reported in previous studies of Antarctic and Arctic floes. A probabilistic model of fragmentation is presented that generates a single power scaling distribution of fragment size.
Step-By-Step Anatomy for Anterior Approach to the Lumbar Spine: A Cadaveric Study
Authors: Quéhan Romain , Bakondé Hodabalo Essosolim , Weyl Ariane , Francisco Antonio , Chaynes Patrick , De Barros Amaury 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Purpose: The authors meticulously described the relevant anatomy for the anterior approach to the lumbosacral spine, with a focus on critical structures at risk for surgical injuries.
Methods: Using two fresh adult male cadavers, the dissections were carried out at the Toulouse anatomy department. For each specimen, a step-by-step surgical approach was followed by a broader anatomical dissection.
Results: The findings were categorized into three compartments: the anterior abdominal wall, lateroretroperitoneal space, and lumbosacral prevertebral space. Each compartment was meticulously analyzed and visually described, considering both surgical and broader anatomical perspectives. Within the lumbosacral prevertebral space, the vascular anatomy emerged as the most crucial point to understand, as it helps avoid potentially fatal surgical complications for patients. Additionally, managing the ureter embedded in the posterior part of the peritoneum is critical during the lumbosacral anterior approach. Various neural structures are also encountered, with the potential for painful complications in case of injury.
Conclusions: Surgeons performing the anterior lumbosacral approach must be well-versed in managing critical structures, including the peritoneum, ureter, prevertebral venous structures, and hypogastric plexus. A thorough understanding of their surgical anatomy is essential. Our surgical and broader anatomical dissections offer pragmatic visual content for surgeons practicing the anterior lumbosacral approach.
Establishing and validating a prognostic model for colorectal cancer patients by integrating data from single-cell RNA sequencing and bulk RNA sequencing
Authors: Huang Qiujin , You Dengwei , Huang Zhi , Yin Zhaohui , Zhao Xuya 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
Colorectal adenocarcinoma (COAD) is a major global cause of mortality. While conventional RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) has been used to study its prognostic indicators, it lacks precision in identifying cellular alterations. This study aimed to develop a predictive framework for COAD by integrating scRNA-seq with conventional RNA-seq.
Methods
This study acquired primary RNA sequencing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and single-cell RNA sequencing data on colorectal adenocarcinoma (COAD) from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The t-SNE method reduced dimensionality and identified clusters. Additionally, Weighted Gene Correlation Network Analysis (WGCNA) identified crucial modules and genes with differential expression (DEGs). Cox regression analysis was utilized to construct the prognostic model and explore mutation profiles and immune statuses across different risk groups.
Results
Integration of scRNA-seq data from four samples revealed 15 distinct clusters covering 8 cell types. Differential analysis identified important cell types, including B cells (Naïve and Plasma cells), Endothelial cells, Epithelial cells, Monocytes, Natural Killer (NK) cells, Smooth muscle cells, and T cells (CD8+). Subsequently, a prognostic model was built using 28 genes showing differential expression, with four DEGs displaying a significant correlation with higher risk scores, poorer survival outcomes, and increased APC mutation rates. Various prognostic and immune characteristics were observed within this context.
Conclusion
Integrating 10x scRNA-seq and bulk RNA-seq data, we established a prognostic framework for colorectal adenocarcinoma (COAD) in this study. Additionally, we identified two distinct groups, each displaying different prognoses and immune features.