bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association between the triglyceride glucose index and Obstructive Sleep Apnea and its symptoms: results from the NHANES
Authors: Wang Chao , Shi Mengdi , Lin Chunsheng , wang Jingyi , Xie Liangzhen , Li Yan 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background
Some studies have shown that in certain populations, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is associated with dyslipidemia. To further clarify, it is necessary to conduct research using a large sample of the general population. This study aims to explore this association using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database
Methods
Data sets from the NHANES database for the years 2005 to 2008 and 2015 to 2018 were used, representing American adults aged 18 and above after weighting. Information regarding OSA, lipid levels, and confounding factors was included. The relationship between OSA and abnormal lipid levels was analyzed using a generalized linear model logistic regression, and the stability of the results was explored using hierarchical analysis and other methods.
Results
The study participants' ages ranged from 18 to 90 years old. The average age of the participants was 46.75 years. In the total sample, 50.76% were male. Furthermore, the TyG exhibited diagnostic capability for OSA, with an AUC of 0.701. In the fully adjusted model, participants in the fourth quartile of the TyG index had a higher likelihood of having OSA compared to those in the first quartile [OR: 1.45; 95% CI (1.02, 2.06); P < 0.05]. Subgroup analysis revealed that being male (OR: 2.09; 95% CI (1.76, 2.45); P < 0.05), in the younger age group (OR: 2.83; 95% CI (2.02, 3.96); P < 0.05), Caucasian (OR: 2.29; 95% CI (1.93, 2.73); P < 0.05), and obese (OR: 1.54; 95% CI (1.28, 1.85); P < 0.05) were associated with a higher risk of OSA.
Conclusions
In this study, a high TyG index is closely associated with the OSA. Simultaneously, the TyG index may be an independent predictor of OSA.
Eigensolution and Thermodynamic Properties of Standard Coulombic Potential
Authors: Emeje K. O. , Onate C. A. , Okon I. B. , Omugbe E. , Eyube E. S. , Olanrewaju D. B. , Aghemenloh E. 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

The Combination of Coulomb potential with itself(standard Coulombic potential) is studied under the non-relativistic wave equation. The energy equation and its corresponding un-normalized redial wave are obtained using parametric Nikiforov-Uvarov method by applying a Green-Aldrich approximation scheme to the centrifugal term. The energy equation obtained was used to calculated the partition function from where the thermodynamic properties such as the mean energy, specific heat capacity, entropy and free energy are calculated. Numerical results are generated for the standard Coulombic potential and its special cases. The special cases are Coulomb potential with negative potential strength and the other is also Coulomb potential with positive potential strength. The study showed that the energy of the system is fully bounded. It is noted that the two special cases which are Coulomb-Coulomb potentials with positive and negative potential strengths are equal provided the strength are equal but opposite in sign. The thermodynamic properties aligned with those of the literature but has some unique behaviours.
Effects of combined exposure of manganese and iron on serum inflammatory factor levels among workers
Authors: Liang Dian-yin , Peng Jian-chao , Xie Bing-yan , Qin Wen-xia , Ou Shi-yan , Aschner Michael , Jiang Yue-Ming 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background
Manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) are commonly used in the manufacturing of ferroalloys and the ore mining industry. Long-term occupational exposure to Mn and Fe will cause adverse health effects to workers.
Methods
108 Mn workers in 4 Mn operational factories in Guangxi were selected for the Mn exposure groups, stratified by job type, gender, age, and working age; 92 non-Mn workers from the sugar factory, indoor office, and non-contact metal smelting were in the control group. Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to determine the Mn and Fe concentration in the working environment. Graphite furnace-atomic absorption spectroscopy (GFAAS) was used to determine the blood Mn concentration of workers. Serum inflammatory factor concentrations (TNF-α, PGE2, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8 ) were monitored by ELISA.
Results
The average geometric concentrations of Mn and Fe in the working air were 0.006 mg/m3 and 0.0234 mg/m3, respectively. The blood Mn concentration and positive rate of clinical neurological symptoms in the Mn exposure group was higher than in the control group. Blood Mn concentration was positively correlated with various serum inflammatory factors. The concentrations of various serum inflammatory factors were positively correlated with each other.
Conclusions
Our results show that low levels of Mn exposure increase blood Mn concentrations and the rate of complaints of neurological symptoms in workers, as well as led to an increase in serum levels, suggesting that low levels of Mn exposure promote increased serum inflammatory response.
Probabilistic analysis of backward erosion piping in an embankment dam considering the spatial variability of soil properties
Authors: CHI Fengdong , CARVAJAL Claudio , BREUL Pierre , PEYRAS Laurent 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
The spatial variability of soil seepage parameters is an essential component of the uncertainty of earth dams. This paper presents a method for probabilistic backward erosion analysis that considers the spatial variability of seepage parameters in earth dams to assess the distribution of the Factor of Safety (FoS) and the failure probability (Pf). In this study, the Karhunen-Loeve method is used to generate Random Fields (RFs) of soil hydraulic properties, and Monte Carlo simulations (MCs) are used to generate realisations of these RFs, which are then introduced into the numerical model to assess the spatial variability of the seepage analysis results. The hydraulic gradient distribution is compared with the critical hydraulic gradient to assess the FoS and the Pf due to backward erosion at each point of the dam. This study also presents the effect of water level H, permeability anisotropy coefficient ξ, and RFs parameters (permeability covariance COVKs, correlation length Lh & Lv) on the FoS and Pf of Backward Erosion Piping (BEP). The results illustrate that the failure probability Pf increases with H, COVKs and ξ. The failure probability Pf is not sensitive to the vertical correlation length, but may decrease with the horizontal correlation length. Additionally, the study discusses on the potential location of the initiation of internal erosion as well as the results obtained with criteria based on the local and global hydraulic gradient.
Posterior Segment Evaluation of Patients with Systemic Sclerosis Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography
Authors: El-Hameed Hassnaa Abd , Hammouda Laila Mohammed , Esmail Mohamed , Omar Ismail 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background
systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune disease with ocular affection. This study is for the evaluation of the retinal microvascular changes in systemic sclerosis patients by using the OCTA.
Methods
This prospective observational case-control study comprised twenty eyes of twenty systemic sclerosis patients as group I and another twenty eyes of twenty normal subjects as group II. All study members were examined with optical coherence tomography angiography in addition to a full ophthalmic examination.
Results
Both groups had more females gender than males without significant differences between them. Also, the mean age difference was statistically insignificant, with nearly the same range, which was 30 to 59 years in group I and 32 to 58 years in group II. Analysis of OCTA parameters revealed significantly lower differences in group I in the superficial vessel density at parafoveal, temporal, superior, and nasal regions. Lower values were recorded in group I at all zones of the deep layer except at the foveal zone. Vessel density measurements of the choriocapillaris revealed no statistically significant differences between groups in all zones.
Conclusions
The OCTA has demonstrated impairment of retinal microperfusion, confirming the presence of vascular damage. The duration of the disease had correlated with the DCP-VD and choriocapillaris VD. So, once systemic sclerosis has been diagnosed, microvascular retinal and choroidal evaluations should be considered to identify any sub-clinical alterations using OCTA.
Epi-off riboflavin with vitamin E TPGS (Ribocross) cross-linking: One-year outcome
Authors: Saba Pietro Paolo , Feo Alessandro , Pagano Luca , Vinciguerra Paolo , Vinciguerra Riccardo 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the short and mid-term outcomes of epi-off corneal collagen cross-linking using Riboflavin with Vitamin E TPGS (Epi-off Ribocross® CXL) for progressive keratoconus
Design: Retrospective, single-center noncomparative interventional study.
Methods: Patients with progressive keratoconus who underwent CXL using Riboflavin with Vitamin E TPGS (Ribocross®) from May 2021 to May 2022 who completed at least 12 months of follow-up in Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy. Corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), tomographic parameters (Belin ABCD) and topographic parameters were evaluated at baseline and at last follow up.
Results: Twenty eyes of 20 patients fulfilled inclusion criteria. CDVA remained stable at last follow up (0,88 ± 0,19 from 0,83 ± 0,21, p=0.45) with a significant reduction in cylinder (1,97 ± 1,69 from 2,78 ± 2,19, p=0.03). Kmax significantly improved from 53.18D ± 6.32 to 50.96 ± 5.3D (p= 0.005). At the last follow up, no case of progression was noted.
Conclusions: Epi-off Ribocross® CXL proved to be a safe treatment for progressive KC, with a stabilisation of all cases at the one year follow up. Further studies are needed to confirm long-term stability.
BRILLO: Personalised HRI with a Bartender Robot
Authors: Rossi Alessandra , Rossi Silvia , Maro Maria , Origlia Antonio 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
The BRILLO (Bartending Robot for Interactive Long-Lasting Operations) project aims to create an autonomous robotic bartender that can interact with customers while accomplishing its bartending tasks. In such a scenario, people's novelty effect connected to the use of an attractive technology is destined to wear off and, consequently, negatively affects the success of the service robotics application. For this reason, providing personalised natural interaction while people access its services is fundamental for increasing users' engagement and, consequently, their loyalty. In this paper, we present the developed three-layer ROS architecture integrating a perception layer managing the processing of different social signals, a decision-making layer for handling multi-party interactions, and an execution layer controlling the behaviour of a complex robot composed of arms and a face. Finally, user modelling through a beliefs layer allows for personalized interaction. We also present the results of both people's interaction, experience and performances in a real user case. The user study involved 116 participants and showed that BRILLO is considered an easy-to-use and attractive system by the users.
Synthesis, characterization and investigation of liquid crystalline properties for some cross-link polymers containing melamine
Authors: Sultan Maha T. , Ahmed Basma J. , Tomma Jumbad H. , AlDujaili Ammar 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

In this study condensation polymerization was used to synthesize a number of novel liquid crystal polymers with 1,3,4-oxadiazole rings based on melamine. The new synthesized polymers were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1HNMR) spectroscopy. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and optical polarization microscopy (OPM) were used to investigate their liquid crystalline properties. The results demonstrated that throughout a wide temperature range, most of the polymers exhibited columnar (CohX) and nematic (N) liquid crystalline phases.
Exploring Quantum and Binary Soft í µí»¼–Open Sets:Practical Applications through Soft Topologies
Authors: M John Peter , R Manoharan 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

This paper presents an exploration of Quantum and Binary Soft 𝛼 –Open Sets, focusing on their practical applications within the framework of soft topologies. In the binary soft topological spaces, binary soft 𝛼-closures, binary soft 𝛼-interiors and binary soft 𝛼-open (closed) sets are defined and study many of their properties along with how these concepts are connected to other soft open (closed) sets via theorems and propositions. The non-coincidence of these soft set theory concepts are proven via the use of counter examples. Further we look into the idea of binary soft 𝛼-continuous function which is described on family of binary soft 𝛼-open (closed) sets referred to as soft class over two starting universes with parameters, as well as their links to other soft continuous and weaker sections of soft continuous functions. The findings of this study represent the beginning of a new soft structure that will work as theoretical base for topological applications on soft sets, and will also act as a springboard for the extension of information systems and other engineering disciplines. Additionally, we demonstrate how binary soft set concept can be applied in medical information system. AMS Subject Classifications: 54A05, 54C08, 54A99
A Trigonometric Approach to the Hardy–Weinberg principle
Authors: Thompson Emanuel Junior 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Representing, manipulating, and visualizing data is essential when presenting abstract or physical concepts. One representation is the Hardy-Weinberg Model (HWM), which provides a mathematical framework for understanding allele frequencies within large, randomly mating populations absent of evolutionary forces. Conventionally, the HWM is presented through algebraic expression. This paper introduces a modification that integrates trigonometric principles into the HWM’s framework by establishing a trigonometric identity using sine and cosine functions; This modification maintains the mathematical integrity of the algebraic form while also enhancing its utility through the incorporation of the Genetic Phase Angle (GPA) as a common variable between p and q. The use of a GPA to measure allele frequency allows users the ability to introduce mathematical formulae and or derivatives that affect both p and q simultaneously since p and q are dependent on the GPA. This method can also allow the user to map various evolutionary effects or even simulate them by directly affecting the GPA as a variable.
Construction and Application of a Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome Differentiation Model for Dysmenorrhea Based on Machine Learning
Authors: Zhang Limin , You Jianing , Huang Yiqing , Jing Ruiqi , He Yifei , Wen Yujie , Zheng Lulu , Zhao Yong 
Published: February 2024

Background:
Dysmenorrhea is one of the most common ailments affecting young and
middle-aged women, significantly impacting their quality of life. Traditional Chinese Medicine
(TCM) offers unique advantages in treating dysmenorrhea. However, an accurate diagnosis is
essential to ensure correct treatment. This research integrates the age-old wisdom of TCM with
modern Machine Learning (ML) techniques to enhance the precision and efficiency of dysmenorrhea
syndrome differentiation, a pivotal process in TCM diagnostics and treatment planning

Methods:
A total of 853 effective cases of dysmenorrhea were retrieved from the CNKI database,
including patients’ syndrome types, symptoms, and features, to establish the TCM information
database of dysmenorrhea. Subsequently, 42 critical features were isolated from a potential
set of 86 using a selection procedure augmented by Python's Scikit-Learn Library. Various
machine learning models were employed, including Logistic Regression, Random Forest Classifier,
Support Vector Machine (SVM), K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), and Artificial Neural Networks
(ANN), each chosen for their potential to unearth complex patterns within the data.

Results:
Based on accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score metrics, SVM emerged as the most
effective model, showcasing an impressive precision of 98.29% and an accuracy of 98.24%.
This model's analytical prowess not only highlighted the critical features pivotal to the syndrome
differentiation process but also stands to significantly aid clinicians in formulating personalized
treatment strategies by pinpointing nuanced symptoms with high precision.

Conclusion:
The study paves the way for a synergistic approach in TCM diagnostics, merging
ancient wisdom with computational acuity, potentially innovating the diagnosis and treatment
mode of TCM. Despite the promising outcomes, further research is needed to validate these
models in real-world settings and extend this approach to other diseases addressed by TCM.
Determination of Ideal Factors for Early Adoption and Standardization of Metagenomic Next-generation Sequencing for Respiratory System Infections
Authors: Zhao Lei , Formslag Cole R. , Zhang Qing , Cowan Braydon C. , Mayberry Trenton G. , Barnhill Aaron R. , Wang Yongsheng , Fang Yujiang 
Published: February 2024

Background:
Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) demonstrates great promise as a
diagnostic tool for determining the cause of pathogenic infections. The standard diagnostic procedures (SDP)
include smears and cultures and are typically viewed as less sensitive and more time-consuming when compared
to mNGS. There are concerns about the logistics and ease of transition from SDP to mNGS. mNGS
lacks standardization of collection processes, databases, and sequencing. Additionally, there is the burden of
training clinicians on interpreting mNGS results.

Objective:
Until now, few studies have explored factors that could be used as early adoption candidates to
ease the transition between SDP and mNGS. This study evaluated 123 patients who had received both SDP
and mNGS and compared several variables across a diagnostic test evaluation.

Methods:
The diagnostic test evaluation observed metrics such as sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative
likelihood ratios (PLR, NLR), positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV), and accuracy. Factors
included various sample sources such as bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), lung tissue, and cerebral
spinal fluid (CSF). An additional factor observed was the patient's immune status.

Results:
Pathogen detection was found to be significantly greater for mNGS for total patients, BALF sample
source, CSF sample source, and non-immunocompromised patients (p< 0.05). Pathogen detection was found
to be insignificant for lung tissue sample sources and immunocompromised patients. Sensitivity, PLR, NLR,
PPV, NPV, and accuracy appeared to be higher with mNGS for the total patients, BALF sample source, and
non-immunocompromised patients when compared with SDP (p< 0.05).

Conclusion:
With higher metrics in sensitivity, specificity, PLR, NLR, PPV, NPV, and accuracy for overall
patients, mNGS may prove a better diagnostic tool than SDP. When addressing sample sources, mNGS for
BALF-collected samples appeared to have higher scores than SDP for the same metrics. When patients were
in a non-immunocompromised state, mNGS also demonstrated greater diagnostic benefits to BALF and
overall patients compared to SDP. This study demonstrates that using BALF as a sample source and selecting
non-immunocompromised patients may prove beneficial as early adoption factors for mNGS standard
protocol. Such a study may pave the road for mNGS as a routine clinical method for determining the exact
pathogenic etiology of lung infections.
Implementation of Silver Nanoparticles Green Synthesized with Leaf Extract of Coccinia grandis as Antimicrobial Agents Against Head and Neck Infection MDR Pathogens
Authors: Lenka Smarita , Dubey Debasmita , Swain Santosh Kumar , Rath Goutam , Mishra Ajit , Bishoyi Ajit Kumar , Purohit Gopal Krishna 
Published: February 2024

Background:
Head and neck infections (HNI) associated with multidrug resistance
(MDR) offer several health issues on a global scale due to inaccurate diagnosis.

Objectives:
This study aimed to identify the bacteria and Candidal isolates and implement the
silver nanoparticles green synthesized with leaf extract of Coccinia grandis (Cg-AgNPs) as a
therapeutic approach against HNI pathogens.

Methods:
The Cg-AgNPs were characterized by the UV-visible spectrophotometer, FT-IR analysis,
Zeta particle size, Zeta potential, and field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM)
analysis to validate the synthesis of nanoparticles. Additionally, the antimicrobial activity
of Cg-AgNPs was presented by the zone of inhibition (ZOI), minimum inhibitory concentration
(MIC), minimum bactericidal/fungicidal concentration (MBC/MFC), and antibiofilm assay.
Moreover, the cell wall rupture assay was visualized on SEM for the morphological study of
antimicrobial activities, and the in-vivo toxicity was performed in a swiss mice model to evaluate
the impact of Cg-AgNPs on various biological parameters.

Results:
Different bacterial strains (Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella
pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and Candida sp. (Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis,
Candida orthopsilosis, and Candida glabrata) were identified. The MIC, MBC, and antibiofilm
potential of Cg-AgNPs were found to be highest against A. baumannii: 1.25 μg/ml, 5
μg/ml, and 85.01±5.19% respectively. However, C. albicans and C. orthopsilosis revealed
23mm and 21mm of ZOI. Subsequently, the micromorphology of the cell wall rupture assay
confirmed the efficacy of Cg-AgNPs, and no significant alterations were seen in biochemical and
hematological parameters on the swiss mice model in both acute and subacute toxicity studies.

Conclusion:
The green synthesized Cg-AgNPs have multifunctional activities like antibacterial,
anticandidal, and antibiofilm activity with no toxicity and can be introduced against the HNI
pathogens.