bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The value of genomic testing in severe childhood speech disorders
Authors: Meng Yan , Best Stephanie , Amor David J. , Braden Ruth , Morgan Angela T. , Goranitis Ilias 
Published: February 2024

AbstractWith increasing gene discoveries for severe speech disorders, genomic testing can alter the diagnostic and clinical paradigms, enabling better life outcomes for children and their families. However, evidence on the value of the outcomes generated is lacking, impeding optimal translation into health care. This study aims to estimate the value and uptake of genomic testing for severe childhood speech disorders. A discrete choice experiment was undertaken to elicit preferences for genomic testing from the perspective of the Australian public (n = 951) and parents of children experiencing severe speech disorder (n = 56). Choice attributes associated with genomic testing were identified through focus groups. A Bayesian D-efficient design was used to develop choice scenarios and choice data were analyzed using a panel error component mixed logit model and a latent class model. Statistically significant preferences were identified across all seven attributes. The mean monetary value of the benefits of genomic testing relative to standard diagnostic care in Australia was estimated at AU$7489 (US$5021) and AU$4452 (US$2985) from the perspectives of the Australian public and families with lived experience of severe speech disorders, with a corresponding test uptake of 94.2% and 99.6%. To ensure fair prioritization of genomics, decision-makers need to consider the wide range of risks and benefits associated with genomic information.
Gas migration characteristics in vehicle tank under different ventilation conditions
Authors: Wang Yinqing , Yang Chunli , Liu Yan , Li Xiangchun 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIn recent years, due to the frequent occurrence of accidents in confined space operations, horizontal ammonia tank trucks with higher accident frequencies were selected for numerical simulation research through comparative analysis. The ammonia concentration variation characteristics of horizontal ammonia tank cars were simulated under four conditions: natural ventilation with 0° incoming air, natural ventilation with 45° incoming air, mechanical ventilation with extraction, and mechanical ventilation with compression. The results indicate that natural ventilation requires 48 h to reduce the ammonia concentration to a safe range for operation, while mechanical ventilation reduces the ammonia concentration to infinity and approaches zero within 30 min according to regulations, making the working environment safer; Set up monitoring points inside the tank to monitor the gas disturbance inside the tank at different wind speeds. Based on the ammonia concentration cloud map and the monitoring point wind speed, it can be concluded that local ammonia accumulation is more likely to occur on both sides of the tank due to poor ventilation. Comparing and analyzing the simulated values with theoretical calculations and experiments, it was found that there are differences in the degree of gas change but the overall trend is the same. This indicates that ventilation simulation and the determination of ammonia migration characteristics have practical significance for guiding on-site operations.
Geospatial modelling of farmer–herder interactions maps cultural geography of Bronze and Iron Age Tibet, 3600–2200 BP
Authors: Chen Xinzhou , Lü Hongliang , Liu Xinyi , Frachetti Michael D. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractTibetan cultures reflect deeply rooted, regional interactions and diverse subsistence practices across varied high-altitude environments of the Tibetan Plateau. Yet, it remains unclear how these cultural relationships and social interactions took shape through time and how they were influenced by ecologically oriented behavioral strategies (e.g. mobility) emerging in prehistory. Recent applications of network analysis provide novel tools to quantitatively measure shared forms of material culture, but there have been fewer attempts to couple social network analysis with fine-grained geospatial modelling of prehistoric human mobility in Tibet. In this study, we developed an integrated high-resolution geospatial model and network analysis that simulates and correlates subsistence-based mobility and ceramic-based cultural material connectivity across the Tibetan Plateau. Our analysis suggests that (1) ecologically driven patterns of subsistence-based mobility correspond geographically with Bronze and Iron Ages settlement patterns across the Tibetan Plateau; (2) diverse material interaction networks among communities within western and central Tibet and trans-Himalayan connectivity across the broader Inner Asian Mountain Corridor can be linked to modeled differences in regional networks of subsistence mobility. This research provides ecological and archaeological insights into how subsistence-oriented mobility and interaction may have shaped documented patterns of social and material connectivity among regional Bronze and Iron Age communities of the Tibetan Plateau, prompting a reconsideration of Tibet's long-term cultural geography.
Sarcopenia prediction using shear-wave elastography, grayscale ultrasonography, and clinical information with machine learning fusion techniques: feature-level fusion vs. score-level fusion
Authors: Yi Jisook , Hahn Seok , Oh Kangrok , Lee Young Han 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThis study aimed to develop and evaluate a sarcopenia prediction model by fusing numerical features from shear-wave elastography (SWE) and gray-scale ultrasonography (GSU) examinations, using the rectus femoris muscle (RF) and categorical/numerical features related to clinical information. Both cohorts (development, 70 healthy subjects; evaluation, 81 patients) underwent ultrasonography (SWE and GSU) and computed tomography. Sarcopenia was determined using skeletal muscle index calculated from the computed tomography. Clinical and ultrasonography measurements were used to predict sarcopenia based on a linear regression model with the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regularization. Furthermore, clinical and ultrasonography features were combined at the feature and score levels to improve sarcopenia prediction performance. The accuracies of LASSO were 70.57 ± 5.00–81.54 ± 4.83 (clinical) and 69.00 ± 4.52–69.73 ± 5.47 (ultrasonography). Feature-level fusion of clinical and ultrasonography (accuracy, 70.29 ± 6.63 and 83.55 ± 4.32) showed similar performance with clinical features. Score-level fusion by AdaBoost showed the best performance (accuracy, 73.43 ± 6.57–83.17 ± 5.51) in the development and evaluation cohorts, respectively. This study might suggest the potential of machine learning fusion techniques to enhance the accuracy of sarcopenia prediction models and improve clinical decision-making in patients with sarcopenia.
Binding behavior of receptor binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and ivermectin
Authors: Gossen Kasidy R. , Zhang Meiyi , Nikolov Zivko L. , Fernando Sandun D. , King Maria D. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), sparked an international debate on effective ways to prevent and treat the virus. Specifically, there were many varying opinions on the use of ivermectin (IVM) throughout the world, with minimal research to support either side. IVM is an FDA-approved antiparasitic drug that was discovered in the 1970s and was found to show antiviral activity. The objective of this study is to examine the binding behavior and rates of association and dissociation between SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD), IVM, and their combination using aminopropylsilane (APS) biosensors as surrogates for the hydrophobic interaction between the viral protein and human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors to determine the potential of IVM as a repurposed drug for SARS-CoV-2 prevention and treatment. The IVM, RBD, and combination binding kinetics were analyzed using biolayer interferometry (BLI) and validated with multiple in silico techniques including protein–ligand docking, molecular dynamics simulation, molecular mechanics-generalized Born surface area (MM-GBSA), and principal component analysis (PCA). Our results suggest that with increasing IVM concentrations the association rate with the hydrophobic biosensor increases with a simultaneous decrease in dissociation. Significant kinetic changes to RBD, when combined with IVM, were found only at a concentration a thousand times the approved dosage with minimal changes found over a 35-min time period. Our study suggests that IVM is not an effective preventative or treatment method at the currently approved dosage.
Demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with zinc deficiency: analysis of a nationwide Japanese medical claims database
Authors: Yokokawa Hirohide , Morita Yusuke , Hamada Izumi , Ohta Yuji , Fukui Nobuyuki , Makino Nao , Ohata Emi , Naito Toshio 
Published: February 2024

AbstractZinc deficiency, affecting more than 2 billion people globally, poses a significant public health burden due to its numerous unfavorable effects, such as impaired immune function, taste and smell disorders, pneumonia, growth retardation, visual impairment, and skin disorders. Despite its critical role, extensive large-scale studies investigating the correlation between patient characteristics and zinc deficiency still need to be completed. We conducted a retrospective, cross-sectional observational study using a nationwide Japanese claims database from January 2019 to December 2021. The study population included 13,100 patients with available serum zinc concentration data, excluding individuals under 20 and those assessed for zinc concentrations after being prescribed zinc-containing medication. Significant associations with zinc deficiency were noted among older adults, males, and inpatients. Multivariate analysis, adjusting for age and sex, indicated significant associations with comorbidities, including pneumonitis due to solids and liquids with an adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) of 2.959; decubitus ulcer and pressure area (aOR 2.403), sarcopenia (aOR 2.217), COVID-19 (aOR 1.889), and chronic kidney disease (aOR 1.835). Significant association with medications, including spironolactone (aOR 2.523), systemic antibacterials (aOR 2.419), furosemide (aOR 2.138), antianemic preparations (aOR 2.027), and thyroid hormones (aOR 1.864) were also found. These results may aid clinicians in identifying patients at risk of zinc deficiency, potentially improving care outcomes.
Effects of mouthwash on periodontal pathogens and glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Matayoshi Saaya , Tojo Fumikazu , Suehiro Yuto , Okuda Makoto , Takagi Misato , Ochiai Marin , Kadono Maika , Mikasa Yusuke , Okawa Rena , Nomura Ryota , Itoh Yoshito , Itoh Naoto , Nakano Kazuhiko 
Published: February 2024

AbstractPeriodontitis is known to be associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and gargling with mouthwash is known to reduce the incidence of periodontitis by inhibiting periodontal pathogens. However, the effects of mouthwash on oral and systemic conditions in patients with T2DM remain unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of gargling with mouthwash on the number of red complex species, including Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, and Tannerella forsythia, and HbA1c levels in patients with T2DM. Patients were instructed to gargle with water for 6 months, followed by gargling with mouthwash containing chlorhexidine gluconate for the subsequent 6 months. At each clinic visit, saliva was collected and bacterial DNA was extracted to detect red complex species using the polymerase chain reaction technique. The HbA1c level was determined using a blood sample. The number of red complex species significantly decreased in younger or male patients who gargled with mouthwash. Furthermore, HbA1c levels significantly decreased in younger patients or patients with higher HbA1c levels who gargled with mouthwash. These results suggest that gargling with mouthwash reduces the number of red complex species and improves the hyperglycemic status in patients with T2DM, especially younger patients.
On the nonlinearity of the foreperiod effect
Authors: Houshmand Chatroudi Amirmahmoud , Mioni Giovanna , Yotsumoto Yuko 
Published: February 2024

AbstractOne of the frequently employed tasks within the implicit timing paradigm is the foreperiod task. The foreperiod is the time interval spanning from the presentation of a warning signal to the appearance of a target stimulus, during which reaction time trajectory follows time uncertainty. While the typical approach in analyzing foreperiod effects is based on linear approximations, the uncertainty in the estimation of time, expressed by the Weber fraction, implies a nonlinear trend. In the present study, we analyzed the variable foreperiod reaction times from a relatively large sample (n = 109). We found that the linear regression on reaction times and log-transformed reaction times poorly fitted the foreperiod data. However, a nonlinear regression based on an exponential decay function with three distinctive parameters provided the best fit. We discussed the inferential hazards of a simplistic linear approach and demonstrated how a nonlinear formulation can create new opportunities for studies in implicit timing research, which were previously impossible.
Citizen science approach to assessing patient perception of MRI with flexible radiofrequency coils
Authors: Nohava Lena , Czerny Raphaela , Tik Martin , Wurzer Dagmar , Laistler Elmar , Frass-Kriegl Roberta 
Published: February 2024

AbstractMagnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a major medical imaging modality, which is non-invasive and provides unique soft tissue contrast without ionizing radiation. The successful completion of MRI exams critically depends on patient compliance, and, thus patient comfort. The design, appearance and usability of local MRI radiofrequency (RF) coils potentially influences the patients’ perception of the exam. However, systematic investigations and empirical evidence for these aspects are missing. A questionnaire specifically evaluating the impact of RF coils on patient comfort in MRI would be a valuable addition to clinical studies comparing the performance of novel flexible RF coils with standard rigid coils. This paper describes the development of such a questionnaire in the scope of a citizen science (CS) initiative conducted with a group of students at the upper secondary school level. In this work, the CS initiative is presented in the format of a case report and its impact on scientific projects and the students’ education is outlined. The resulting questionnaire is made available in German and English so as to be directly applicable by researchers working on the clinical evaluation of novel RF coils or the comfort evaluation of specific hardware setups in general.
A survey on blockchain deployment for biometric systems
Authors: Sharma Surbhi , Dwivedi Rudresh 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBlockchain technology has become an emerging area in recent years due to its capacity to improve the security, dependability, and resilience of distributed systems. Research based on this technique has impacted several firms, including banking, healthcare, data processing, remote sensing, and many others. The key characteristics of blockchain technology that make it appealing are data immutability, transparency, privacy, decentralization, and distributed ledgers. However, there is a chance of a privacy breach with sensitive biometric data. The purpose of this investigation is to examine blockchain‐based biometric applications research. It begins by determining the myriad ways that biometrics and blockchain may work together, including the storage and protection of biometric templates, identity management, and biometric authentication systems. Different biometric applications with respect to blockchain technology are also identified, along with the types of biometric data taken into account, features and capabilities of blockchain technology exploited, and blockchain technology frameworks employed. Finally, the authors seek to investigate blockchain concepts in the biometric domain by evaluating their pros and cons and summarizing the methods developed on blockchain for diverse biometric applications. Additionally, the applications of blockchain‐based biometric systems are highlighted before moving on to open research questions and potential future research areas.
An efficient quantum algorithm for ensemble classification using bagging
Authors: Macaluso Antonio , Clissa Luca , Lodi Stefano , Sartori Claudio 
Published: February 2024

AbstractEnsemble methods aggregate predictions from multiple models, typically demonstrating improved accuracy and reduced variance compared to individual classifiers. However, they often come with significant memory usage and computational time requirements. A novel quantum algorithm that leverages quantum superposition, entanglement, and interference to construct an ensemble of classification models using bagging as an aggregation strategy is introduced. Through the generation of numerous quantum trajectories in superposition, the authors achieve B transformations of the training set with only operations, allowing an exponential enlargement of the ensemble size while linearly increasing the depth of the corresponding circuit. Moreover, when assessing the algorithm's overall cost, the authors demonstrate that the training of a single weak classifier contributes additively to the overall time complexity, as opposed to the multiplicative impact commonly observed in classical ensemble methods. To illustrate the efficacy of the authors’ approach, experiments on reduced real‐world datasets utilising the IBM qiskit environment to demonstrate the functionality and performance of the proposed algorithm are introduced.
Viruserkrankungen im Ayurveda am Beispiel des Long-Covid-Syndroms
Authors: Nagersheth Kalyani 
Published: February 2024

SummaryDie ayurvedische Medizin stellt eine ergänzende Behandlungsmethode für Patient*innen dar, die vom Long-Covid-Syndrom betroffen sind. Im Ayurveda werden den Menschen sogenannte 3 Dosas zugeordnet: Vata, Pitta und Kapha. Dosas lassen sich übersetzen als „krankmachende Faktoren“. Auch die Symptome von Covid-19 wie Fieber, Kurzatmigkeit oder Schmerzen können den 3 Dosas zugeordnet werden. Heilpflanzen wie langer Pfeffer, Weihrauch oder Ashwagandha lassen sich zur Behandlung der Symptome einsetzen.
Gigantisches Chorionkarzinom bei einer multiparen Frau in der postpartalen Periode
Authors: Tskhay Vitaly , Kupriyanova Yulia , Kuzmina Svetlana , Vershinin Igor , Grebennikova E. K. , Khorzhevskii Vladimir A. , Khudyakov Alexander , Terjung Arne , Friedrich Michael 
Published: February 2024

ZusammenfassungDas Chorionkarzinom ist eine seltene Erkrankung aus der Gruppe der bösartigen gestationstrophoblastischen Tumoren. Das klinische Bild wird von starken Gebärmutterblutungen, einer
inadäquaten Größenzunahme oder fehlenden Involution der Gebärmutter geprägt. Die Diagnose wird jedoch oft erst bei Vorliegen von Fernmetastasen in Leber, Lunge oder Gehirn gestellt. Dieser Artikel
stellt einen Fall eines riesigen Chorionkarzinoms vor, das bei einer multiparen Patientin 6 Monate nach dem letzten Partus diagnostiziert wurde.
Gallenblasenmetastase eines malignen Melanoms
Authors: Strick Alexander , Busch Hans , Friedhoff Klaus 
Published: February 2024

Zusammenfassung
Anamnese und klinischer Befund Ein 56-jähriger Patient stellte sich mit rezidivierenden rechtsseitigen Oberbauchschmerzen in unserer Sprechstunde vor. Bei sonst allgemeinem Wohlbefinden präsentierte er ein weiches Abdomen bei insgesamt unauffälligem Untersuchungsbefund. Außer einer Appendektomie sowie Exzision eines malignen Melanoms am Ellenbogen vor einigen Jahren bestanden keine weiteren Vorerkrankungen oder Voroperationen.
Untersuchungen Ein bereits extern angefertigtes CT des Abdomens zeigte eine Cholezystolithiasis sowie eine unklare Wandverdickung der Gallenblase. Laborchemisch konnten keine relevanten Auslenkungen festgestellt werden.
Diagnose, Therapie und Verlauf Nach unkomplizierter Cholezystektomie erfolgte histopathologisch im Präparat der Nachweis einer Metastase des vor Jahren behandelten malignen Melanoms. Im angeschlossenen Staging wurden außerdem weitere pulmonale Metastasen diagnostiziert und im weiteren Verlauf in palliativer Intention reseziert.
Folgerung Gallenblasenmetastasen sind eine Rarität – einige Studien lassen aber gerade beim malignen Melanom eine hohe Dunkelziffer vermuten.Entsprechende Beschwerden bei onkologischer Anamnese sollten also eine aufmerksame Diagnostik zur Folge haben und die Indikation zur Cholezystektomie sollte großzügig gestellt werden.
Plasma Glucose Concentrations in Different Sampling Tubes Measured on
Different Glucose Analysers
Authors: Pleus Stefan , Beil Alexandra , Baumstark Annette , Haug Cornelia , Freckmann Guido 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Introduction The German Diabetes Association recommends using sampling
tubes with citrate and fluoride additives to diagnose diabetes by oral glucose
tolerance test to inhibit glycolysis. The effect of different tubes on
measurement results was assessed.
Materials and Methods In a first study, an oral glucose tolerance test was
performed on 41 participants without anamnestically known diabetes. Venous blood
was sampled in two different tubes with citrate/fluoride additives from
different manufacturers and one with only lithium-heparin additive. A second
study with 42 participants was performed to verify the initial results with an
adapted design, in which a third tube with citrate buffer was used, and glucose
measurements were performed on two additional devices of another analyser model.
Samples were centrifuged either immediately (<5 min incubation time) or after
20 min or 4 h. All glucose measurements were performed in plasma. Glucose
concentrations in lithium-heparin tubes with<5 min incubation time served as
baseline concentrations.
Results In the first study, glucose concentrations in one of the
citrate/fluoride tubes were similar to the baseline. In the other
citrate/fluoride tube, markedly lower concentrations (approximately − 5 mg/dL
(− 0.28 mmol/L)) were measured. This was reproduced in the verification study
for the same analyser, but not with the other analyser model. Lithium-heparin
tubes centrifuged after 20 and 240 min showed systematically lower glucose
concentrations.
Conclusions The results confirm that glycolysis can be effectively
inhibited in citrate/fluoride-containing sampling tubes. However, glucose
measurement results of one analyser showed a relevant negative bias in tubes
containing liquid citrate buffer.