bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adaptive pastoralists—Insights into local and regional patterns in livelihood adaptation choices among pastoralists in Kenya
Authors: Bostedt Göran , Knutsson Per , Muricho Deborah , Mureithi Stephen , Wredle Ewa , Nyberg Gert 
Published: November 2023

AbstractPastoralist adaptation strategies have to address multiple, overlapping, and often inter-related processes of socio-ecological change. The present study addresses the need for inter-regional comparative studies that account for different geographic, climate, and socio-economic contexts in order to understand how pastoralists adapt to changes in livelihood conditions. The paper uses data from a unique survey study of pastoralist households in four neighbouring counties in dryland Kenya. Taking our point of departure from an empirically based classification of the livelihood strategies available to pastoralists in the Horn of Africa, the survey offers novel insights into adaptation and fodder management strategies of pastoralist individuals and households. The results show that the use of migration as a strategy is more dependent on the ability to migrate than climate conditions. This is the case in localities where a substantial part of the land is subdivided, the population density is high, and where opportunities for migration are subsequently restricted. Diversification of livelihoods as a strategy is largely defined by opportunity. Intensification through active fodder management is mainly common in areas where there has been a proliferation of managed enclosures. Climate change will test the adaptive capacity of pastoralists in the studied region, and diversification and intensification strategies of both herd composition and livelihoods can be seen as strategies for increased climate resilience.
A remark about asymptotic stability in Duffing equations: lateral stability in Comb-drive finger MEMS
Authors: Núñez D. , Murcia L. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractIn this short paper we tackle two subjects. First, we provide a lower bound for the first eigenvalue of the antiperiodic problem for a Hill’s equation based on $L^{p}$

L
p

-conditions, and as a consequence, we introduce an adjusted statement of the main result about the asymptotic stability of periodic solutions for the general Duffing equation in (Torres in Mediterr. J. Math. 1(4):479–486, 2004) (Theorem 4). This appropriate version of the result arises because of one subtlety in the proof provided in (Torres in Mediterr. J. Math. 1(4):479–486, 2004). More precisely, the lower bound of the first antiperiodic eigenvalue associated with Hill’s equations of potential $a(t)$
a
(
t
)
employed there may be negative, thus the conclusion is not completely attained. Hence, the adjustments considered here provide a mathematically correct result. On the other hand, we apply this result to obtain a lateral asymptotic stable periodic oscillation in the Comb-drive finger MEMS model with a cubic nonlinear stiffness term and linear damping. This fact is not typical in Comb-drive finger devices, thus our results could provide a new possibility; a new design principle for stabilization in Comb-drive finger MEMS.
Adaptive device sampling and deadline determination for cloud-based heterogeneous federated learning
Authors: Zhang Deyu , Sun Wang , Zheng Zi-Ang , Chen Wenxin , He Shiwen 
Published: November 2023

AbstractAs a new approach to machine learning, Federated learning enables distributned traiing on edge devices and aggregates local models into a global model. The edge devices that participate in federated learning are highly heterogeneous in terms of computing power, device state, and data distribution, making it challenging to converge models efficiently. In this paper, we propose FedState, which is an adaptive device sampling and deadline determination technique for cloud-based heterogeneous federated learning. Specifically, we consider the cloud as a central server that orchestrates federated learning on a large pool of edge devices. To improve the efficiency of model convergence in heterogeneous federated learning, our approach adaptively samples devices to join each round of training and determines the deadline for result submission based on device state. We analyze existing device usage traces to build device state models in different scenarios and design a dynamic importance measurement mechanism based on device availability, data utility, and computing power. We also propose a deadline determination module that dynamically sets the deadline according to the availability of all sampled devices, local training time, and communication time, enabling more clients to submit local models more efficiently. Due to the variability of device state, we design an experience-driven algorithm based on Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) that can dynamically adjust our sampling and deadline policies according to the current environment state. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach through a series of experiments with the FMNIST dataset and show that our method outperforms current state-of-the-art approaches in terms of model accuracy and convergence speed.
Study on Flexural and Shear Behavior of UHPC Rhombus-Strip-Shaped Joint
Authors: Deng Shuwen , Yan Banfu , Shen Lian , Qin Mingxin , Jia Yina 
Published: November 2023

AbstractAccelerated bridge construction (ABC) has many advantages for bridge construction in modern society. While for ABC, the post-cast joint is always the weakest and most critical part. This paper presents a UHPC rhombus-strip-shaped (RSS) joint suitable for ABC. Several model tests were carried out to verify its resistance to flexural and shear. First, large-scale model tests are advanced to confirm its flexural properties. The results show that densified and welded joint interface rebars can significantly improve the ultimate bearing capacity and durability-based cracking stress of the RSS joint beams, and the ultimate bearing capacity can reach 90% of the complete beam. Then the shear-resistance tests were carried out. The results show that the UHPC RSS joint beam has excellent bending-shear mechanical properties and better ductility. Lastly, the ultimate flexural bearing capacity and shear-resistance capacity calculation methods were obtained.
Efficacy of intravenous N acetylcysteine as an adjuvant therapy in the treatment of acute aluminum phosphide Poisoning: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Shaker Heba Othman , Rageh Omar El Sayed , Alnajar Maged , Alshamaly Nesreen Fares , Abdelmaged Walaa Abdelfattah , Abd-ElGawad Mohamed 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Background
Aluminum phosphide toxicity is a serious problem in many countries. Unfortunately, there is no specific antidote. N-acetylcysteine has been used in some studies as adjuvant therapy depending on to its antioxidant properties. We hypothesized that IV N-acetylcysteine is effective in reducing mortality rate compared to supportive treatment alone.

Methods
We searched in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases. We only included randomized controlled trials that assessed the efficacy of IV N-acetylcysteine and supportive treatment versus supportive treatment alone in acute aluminum phosphide poisoning. Four investigators independently screened the studies’ results and designed the data extraction sheet. The primary and secondary outcomes were mortality and the need for mechanical ventilation rates. Random effects estimators with weights were used to result in the pooled risk ratios.

Results
We included four randomized controlled trials with 177 patients. 91 patients were distributed in N-acetylcysteine group and 86 patients in the control group. Mortality rates in N-acetylcysteine group and in the control group were 43.95% 66.27% respectively. There was a statistically significant reduction in mortality rate after leave out test (pooled risk ratio, 0.5; 95% confidence interval, 0.32–0.77). Regarding the need for mechanical ventilation, it was measured only in three RCTs. It was assessed in 67 patients in N-acetylcysteine group and 60 patients in the control group. 24 patients were ventilated in N-acetylcysteine group (35.8%) and 29 patients in the control group (48.3%). But it was statistically nonsignificant (pooled risk ratio, 0.71; 95% confidence interval, 0.48–1.04).

Conclusion
Our meta-analysis revealed that IV N-acetylcysteine may be effective in reducing mortality of severe aluminum phosphide poisoning cases.

Trial registration
Registration number in Prospero CRD42022375344 on 25 NOVEMBER 2022, retrospectively registered.
Factors associated with the plan to pre-lacteal feeding for the first 6 months among Ethiopian mothers: a multilevel mixed effects analysis of 2019 performance monitoring for action Ethiopia
Authors: Kebede Natnael , Bogale Eyob Ketema , Zewdie Amare , Kassie Tadele Derbew , Anagaw Tadele Fentabil , Mazengia Elyas Melaku , Gelaw Sintayehu Shiferaw , Fenta Eneyew Talie , Eshetu Habitu Birhan 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Introduction
Despite efforts to promote exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, pre-lacteal feeding remains prevalent in Ethiopia. The study will use data from the 2019 Performance Monitoring for Action Ethiopia (PMA-ET), which is a nationally representative survey that collects information on maternal and child health indicators. Therefore, this study aims to identify individual and community-level factors associated with the plan to pre-lacteal feeding for the first six months among mothers in Ethiopia.

Methods
The datasets from the 2019 Performance Monitoring for Action Ethiopia Survey were analyzed in this study, which included 685 mothers from the survey. Stata version 17.0 was used for data analysis. Multi-level mixed-effect logistic regression was utilized to identify individual and community-level factors that are linked with the plan to pre-lacteal feeding. The strength and direction of the association were presented using an adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval, and statistical significance was declared at a P value less than 0.05.

Results
The study found that factors significantly associated with the plan to pre-lacteal feeding included mothers without higher education (AOR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.204–1.204), mothers belonging to poor households (AOR = 11.1, 95% CI: 3.482–35.175), and women in clusters with poor wealth status (AOR = 0.2, 95% CI: 0.043–0.509).

Conclusion
As per the findings of the study, both individual and community-level factors were found to influence the decision to practice pre-lacteal feeding. Educational status and household wealth were significant individual-level factors associated with pre-lacteal feeding, whereas community wealth status was a significant community-level factor. To address this issue, it is recommended to focus on increasing the education level of mothers from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and providing education on the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding and the risks associated with pre-lacteal feeding. These efforts can help in reducing the prevalence of this harmful practice.
Seeing emotions in the eyes: a validated test to study individual differences in the perception of basic emotions
Authors: Franca Maria , Bolognini Nadia , Brysbaert Marc 
Published: November 2023

AbstractPeople are able to perceive emotions in the eyes of others and can therefore see emotions when individuals wear face masks. Research has been hampered by the lack of a good test to measure basic emotions in the eyes. In two studies respectively with 358 and 200 participants, we developed a test to see anger, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness and surprise in images of eyes. Each emotion is measured with 8 stimuli (4 male actors and 4 female actors), matched in terms of difficulty and item discrimination. Participants reliably differed in their performance on the Seeing Emotions in the Eyes test (SEE-48). The test correlated well not only with Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET) but also with the Situational Test of Emotion Understanding (STEU), indicating that the SEE-48 not only measures low-level perceptual skills but also broader skills of emotion perception and emotional intelligence. The test is freely available for research and clinical purposes.
The Impact of Childhood Mortality on Fertility in Rural Tanzania: Evidence From the Ifakara and Rufiji Health and Demographic Surveillance Systems
Authors: Baynes Colin , Kante Almamy Malick , Mrema Sigilbert , Masanja Honorati , Weiner Bryan J. , Sherr Kenneth , Phillips James F. 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
This manuscript examines the relationship between child mortality and subsequent fertility using longitudinal data on births and childhood deaths occurring among 15,291 Tanzanian mothers between 2000 and 2015. Generalized hazard regression analyses assess the effect of child loss on the hazard of conception, adjusting for child-level, mother-level, and contextual covariates. Results show that time to conception is most reduced if an index child dies during the subsequent birth interval, representing the combined effect of biological and volitional replacement. Deaths occurring during prior birth intervals were associated with accelerated time to conception during future intervals, consistent with hypothesized insurance effects of anticipating future child loss, but this effect is smaller than replacement effects. The analysis reveals that residence in areas of relatively high child mortality is associated with hastened parity progression, again consistent with the insurance hypothesis. Investigation of high-order interactions suggests that insurance effects tend to be greater in low-mortality communities, replacement effects tend to be stronger in high-mortality community contexts, and wealthier families tend to exhibit a weaker insurance response but a stronger replacement response to childhood mortality relative to poorer families.
Effect of physical exercise on sleep quality in college students: Mediating role of smartphone use
Authors: Xu Chuan-Yi , Zhu Kai-Tuo , Ruan Xiang-yan , Zhu Xiao-Ya , Zhang Yang-Sheng , Tong Wen-Xia , Li Bo 
Published: November 2023

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of physical exercise on sleep quality and the mediating effect of smartphone use behavior in college students.MethodsA cross-sectional study design was adopted. An online survey of 5,075 college students was conducted using the Physical Activity Rating Scale-3, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the Mobile Phone Addiction Tendency Scale.ResultsThe sleep quality of college students was poor, and the proportion of college students with good sleep quality was 23.567%. A significant correlation existed between sleep quality and physical exercise (r = −0.159,P< 0.001) and mobile phone addiction (r = 0.355,P< 0.001). Physical exercise can predict sleep quality in college students (β = −0.011,P< 0.001). Smartphone use plays a part in mediating the process by which physical exercise affects sleep quality.ConclusionChinese college students have poor sleep quality. Physical exercise and smartphone use behavior are important factors affecting the sleep quality of college students. Physical exercise can directly predict the sleep quality of college students and can predict the sleep quality of college students through the mediating effect of smartphone use behavior.
Effects of music intervention combined with progressive muscle relaxation on anxiety, depression, stress and quality of life among women with cancer receiving chemotherapy: A pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: Nguyen Khanh Thi , Hoang Huong T. X. , Bui Quang V. , Chan Dorothy N. S. , Choi Kai C. , Chan Carmen W. H. 
Published: November 2023

Beneficial effects of music intervention and progressive muscle relaxation alone on psychological issues were reported, however, studies evaluating their combined effects are limited. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effects of music intervention combined with progressive muscle relaxation on anxiety, depression, stress, and quality of life among breast and gynaecological cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.Methods:The study was carried out from March to May 2022 in an oncology hospital in Vietnam. A single-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted among 24 women with breast and gynaecological cancer undergoing chemotherapy. The intervention group (n = 12) received a face-to-face training program about music listening and progressive muscle relaxation skills. They then performed the self-practice daily at home for three weeks. The control group (n = 12) received standard care, including health assessment, regular health advice and nutrition consultation. Ten participants in the intervention group were interviewed with open-ended questions to explore the acceptability of the intervention. Anxiety, depression and stress were measured using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, while The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–General was used to evaluate the quality of life. The outcome measurements were collected at baseline (T0), post-intervention (3rdweek, T1) and follow-up (6thweek, T2). Appropriate descriptive statistics were used to depict the outcome measures across study time points.Results:A total of 24 patients were eligible to join, and 20 of them completed the study. Greater reductions in anxiety, depression and stress were observed in the intervention group than in the control group at T1 and T2. Greater improvements on quality of life were found in the intervention group than control group at T1 and T2 with respect to T0. The content analysis supported the acceptable intervention of participants through two themes, perceived beneficial effects on psychological and physical health and willingness to keep practising in the future.Conclusions:Implementing music intervention combined with progressive muscle relaxation is feasible and had a trend in reducing anxiety, depression and stress levels. A larger scale randomized controlled trial is needed to confirm the effect of the intervention on outcomes.Trial registration:This trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov with ID:NCT05262621.
Critically ill patients with COVID-19-associated acute kidney injury treated with kidney replacement therapy: Comparison between the first and second pandemic waves in São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: Samaan Farid , Freitas Rafaela Andrade Penalva , Viana Renata , Gâmbaro Lívia , Cunha Karlla , Vieira Tales Dantas , Feitosa Valkercyo , Correa Eric Aragão , Maciel Alexandre Toledo , Aranha Sylvia , Osawa Eduardo Atsushi , Pillar Roberta , Flato Elias Marcos da Silva , da Silva Renata Cristina , Carneiro Elisa , Souza Fabrizzio Batista Guimarães de Lima , Rossi Paula Regina Gan , Abud Munira Bittencourt , Konigsfeld Henrique Pinheiro , da Silva Riberto Garcia , de Souza Ricardo Barbosa Cintra , Coutinho Saurus Mayer , Goes Miguel Ângelo , da Silva Bárbara Antunes Bruno , Zanetta Dirce Maria Trevisan , Burdmann Emmanuel Almeida 
Published: November 2023

Introduction
This study aimed to compare the characteristics and outcomes of critically ill patients with COVID-19-associated acute kidney injury (AKI) who were treated with kidney replacement therapy (KRT) in the first and second waves of the pandemic in the megalopolis of Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Methods
A multicenter retrospective study was conducted in 10 intensive care units (ICUs). Patients aged ≥18 years, and treated with KRT due to COVID-19-associated AKI were included. We compared demographic, laboratory and clinical data, KRT parameters and patient outcomes in the first and second COVID-19 waves.

Results
We assessed 656 patients (327 in the first wave and 329 in the second one). Second-wave patients were admitted later (7.1±5.0 vs. 5.6±3.9 days after the onset of symptoms, p<0.001), were younger (61.4±13.7 vs. 63.8±13.6 years, p = 0.023), had a lower frequency of diabetes (37.1% vs. 47.1%, p = 0.009) and obesity (29.5% vs. 40.0%, p = 0.007), had a greater need for vasopressors (93.3% vs. 84.6%, p<0.001) and mechanical ventilation (95.7% vs. 87.8%, p<0.001), and had higher lethality (84.8% vs. 72.7%, p<0.001) than first-wave patients. KRT quality markers were independently associated with a reduction in the OR for death in both pandemic waves.

Conclusions
In the Sao Paulo megalopolis, the lethality of critically ill patients with COVID-19-associated AKI treated with KRT was higher in the second wave of the pandemic, despite these patients being younger and having fewer comorbidities. Potential factors related to this poor outcome were difficulties in health care access, lack of intra-hospital resources, delay vaccination and virus variants.
Counterintuitive relationship between the triglyceride glucose index and diabetic foot in diabetes patients: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Li Zhaoping , Zhang Minghao , Han Lulu , Fu Lili , Wu Yixia , Chen Haiyan , Feng Li 
Published: November 2023

Background
Research has shown that insulin resistance (IR) is a known risk factor for diabetic foot (DF), and the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is a reliable and simple indicator of IR. However, less is known about the relationship between the TyG and the risk of DF. Here, we investigated the association between the TyG index and the prevalence of DF.

Methods
The eligible records from the Departments of Endocrinology of Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University were screened (from December 1, 2012, to December 31, 2021), and a total of 8866 patients were enrolled. The TyG index was calculated as ln[(fasting triglycerides (mg/dL)×fasting glucose (mg/dL)/2)]. The continuous variables between the DF and the non-DF groups were compared by Student’s t test or the Mann-Whitney U test, and categorical variables were compared by the chi-square test. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was carried out to estimate the predictive value of the TyG index for DF. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the associations between the quartiles of the TyG index and the risk of DF. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were conducted.

Results
The TyG index was significantly lower in the DF group than in the no-DF group. The logistic regression revealed that an increased TyG index was associated with a lower risk of DF after adjusting for potential confounders. In addition, an ROC analysis indicated the discriminatory ability of the TyG index in DF presence with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.661 (95% CI 0.642–0.680, P < 0.001). Subgroup and sensitivity analysis also supported these robust results.

Conclusions
The TyG index was inversely and dose-dependently associated with the risk of DF in diabetes patients, indicating that elevated TyG index was a protective factor for DF. Future studies are therefore warranted to confirm our finding and to explore the detailed pathological mechanism involved in this process.