bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Model-based estimation of AV-nodal refractory period and conduction delay trends from ECG
Authors: Karlsson Mattias , Platonov Pyotr G. , Ulimoen Sara R. , Sandberg Frida , Wallman Mikael 
Published: January 2024

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia, associated with significant burdens to patients and the healthcare system. The atrioventricular (AV) node plays a vital role in regulating heart rate during AF by filtering electrical impulses from the atria. However, it is often insufficient in regards to maintaining a healthy heart rate, thus the AV node properties are modified using rate-control drugs. Moreover, treatment selection during permanent AF is currently done empirically. Quantifying individual differences in diurnal and short-term variability of AV-nodal function could aid in personalized treatment selection.Methods: This study presents a novel methodology for estimating the refractory period (RP) and conduction delay (CD) trends, and their uncertainty in the two pathways of the AV node during 24 h using non-invasive data. This was achieved by utilizing a network model together with a problem-specific genetic algorithm and an approximate Bayesian computation algorithm. Diurnal variability in the estimated RP and CD was quantified by the difference between the daytime and nighttime estimates, and short-term variability was quantified by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov distance between adjacent 10-min segments in the 24-h trends. Additionally, the predictive value of the derived parameter trends regarding drug outcome was investigated using several machine learning tools.Results: Holter electrocardiograms from 51 patients with permanent AF during baseline were analyzed, and the predictive power of variations in RP and CD on the resulting heart rate reduction after treatment with four rate control drugs was investigated. Diurnal variability yielded no correlation to treatment outcome, and no prediction of drug outcome was possible using the machine learning tools. However, a correlation between the short-term variability for the RP and CD in the fast pathway and resulting heart rate reduction during treatment with metoprolol (ρ = 0.48, p &lt; 0.005 in RP, ρ = 0.35, p &lt; 0.05 in CD) were found.Discussion: The proposed methodology enables non-invasive estimation of the AV node properties during 24 h, which—indicated by the correlation between the short-term variability and heart rate reduction—may have the potential to assist in treatment selection.
Application of an end-to-end model with self-attention mechanism in cardiac disease prediction
Authors: Li Li , Chen Xi , Hu Sanjun 
Published: January 2024

Introduction: Heart disease is a prevalent global health challenge, necessitating early detection for improved patient outcomes. This study aims to develop an innovative heart disease prediction method using end-to-end deep learning, integrating self-attention mechanisms and generative adversarial networks to enhance predictive accuracy and efficiency in healthcare.Methods: We constructed an end-to-end model capable of processing diverse cardiac health data, including electrocardiograms, clinical data, and medical images. Self-attention mechanisms were incorporated to capture data correlations and dependencies, improving the extraction of latent features. Additionally, generative adversarial networks were employed to synthesize supplementary cardiac health data, augmenting the training dataset. Experiments were conducted using publicly available heart disease datasets for training, validation, and testing. Multiple evaluation metrics, including accuracy, recall, and F1-score, were employed to assess model performance.Results: Our model consistently outperformed traditional methods, achieving accuracy rates exceeding 95% on multiple datasets. Notably, the recall metric demonstrated the model’s effectiveness in identifying heart disease patients, with rates exceeding 90%. The comprehensive F1-score also indicated exceptional performance, achieving optimal results.Discussion: This research highlights the potential of end-to-end deep learning with self-attention mechanisms in heart disease prediction. The model’s consistent success across diverse datasets offers new possibilities for early diagnosis and intervention, ultimately enhancing patients’ quality of life and health. These findings hold significant clinical application prospects and promise substantial advancements in the healthcare field.
Characterization and transformation of the CabHLH18 gene from hot pepper to enhance waterlogging tolerance
Authors: Tian Huaizhi , Fan Gaoling , Xiong Xingwei , Wang Hui , Zhang Suqin , Geng Guangdong 
Published: January 2024

Basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH) proteins are important in abiotic stress control. Here, a specific bHLH transcription factor gene, CabHLH18, from a strong waterlogging-tolerant pepper cultivar, ‘ZHC2’, was successfully cloned. The CabHLH18 gene presented a coding sequence length of 1,056 bp, encoding 352 amino acids, and the protein was the closest to Capsicum annuum XM016694561.2 protein. The CabHLH18 protein was located in the nucleus. The transformation of the CabHLH18 overexpression vector into the plumules of hot peppers, ‘DFZJ’ and ‘ZHC1’, exhibited 21.37% and 22.20% efficiency, respectively. The root length, plant height, and fresh weight of the ‘DFZJ’ overexpression lines were greater than those of wild-type (WT) plants under waterlogging conditions. Compared with the WT plants, the overexpression lines generally showed greater contents of water, the amino acid, proline, soluble sugar, root viability, and superoxide dismutase activity, but lower malondialdehyde content under waterlogging conditions. Plant fresh weight, amino acids, proline, and soluble sugar levels of the overexpression lines were 39.17%, 45.03%, 60.67%, and 120.18% greater, respectively, compared with the WT plants at 24 h after waterlogging stress. Therefore, the CabHLH18 gene could be implicated in conferring waterlogging tolerance in hot peppers and holds promise for enhancing their overall waterlogging tolerance.
Phenotypic characterization of drought responses in red clover (Trifolium pratense L.)
Authors: Vleugels Tim , Saleem Aamir , Dubey Reena , Muylle Hilde , Borra-Serrano Irene , Lootens Peter , De Swaef Tom , Roldán-Ruiz Isabel 
Published: January 2024

IntroductionRed clover (Trifolium pratense) is a protein-rich, short-lived perennial forage crop that can achieve high yields, but suffers increasingly from drought in different cultivation areas. Breeding for increased adaptation to drought is becoming essential, but at this stage it is unclear which traits breeders should target to phenotype responses to drought that allow them to identify the most promising red clover genotypes. In this study, we assessed how prolonged periods of drought affected plant growth in field conditions, and which traits could be used to distinguish better adapted plant material.MethodsA diverse panel of 395 red clover accessions was evaluated during two growing seasons. We simulated 6-to-8-week drought periods during two consecutive summers, using mobile rain-out shelters, while an irrigated control field was established in an adjacent parcel. Plant growth was monitored throughout both growing seasons using multiple flights with a drone equipped with RGB and thermal sensors. At various observation moments throughout both growing seasons, we measured canopy cover (CC) and canopy height (CH). The crop water stress index (CWSI) was determined at two moments, during or shortly after the drought event.ResultsManual and UAV-derived measurements for CH were well correlated, indicating that UAV-derived measurements can be reliably used in red clover. In both years, CC, CH and CWSI were affected by drought, with measurable growth reductions by the end of the drought periods, and during the recovery phase. We found that the end of the drought treatment and the recovery phase of approximately 20 days after drought were suitable periods to phenotype drought responses and to distinguish among genotypes.DiscussionMultifactorial analysis of accession responses revealed interactions of the maturity type with drought responses, which suggests the presence of two independent strategies in red clover: ‘drought tolerance’ and ‘drought recovery’. We further found that a large proportion of the accessions able to perform well under well-watered conditions were also the ones that were less affected by drought. The results of this investigation are interpreted in view of the development of breeding for adaptation to drought in red clover.
Reuse of coir, peat, and wood fiber in strawberry production
Authors: Woznicki Tomasz , Kusnierek Krzysztof , Vandecasteele Bart , Sønsteby Anita 
Published: January 2024

IntroductionProduction of strawberries in greenhouses and polytunnels is gaining popularity worldwide. This study investigated the effect of reuse of coir and peat, two substrates commonly adapted to soilless strawberry production, as well as stand-alone wood fiber from Norway spruce, a promising substrate candidate.MethodsThe experiment was performed in a polytunnel at NIBIO Apelsvoll, Norway, and evaluated both virgin substrates, as well as spent materials that were used in one or two years. Yield, berry quality and plant architecture of the strawberry cultivar ‘Malling Centenary’ were registered. In addition, chemical and physical properties of virgin and reused substrates were investigated.ResultsWhile plants grown in peat and wood fiber had highest yield in the first year of production, the berry yield was slightly reduced when these substrates were utilized for the second and third time. However, yield was comparable to the yield level attained in new and reused coir. Interestingly, berries grown in wood fiber had a tendency to a higher sugar accumulation. This substrate also produced the highest plants. Stand-alone wood fiber was the substrate with the highest accumulation of nitrogen during the three consecutive production cycles. All three investigated materials revealed a trend for decreased potassium accumulation. Wood fiber is characterized by the highest percentage of cellulose, however after three years of production the cellulose content was reducedto the same levels as for coir and peat.DiscussionImplementation of wood fiber as a growing medium, as well as general practice of substrate reuse can be therefore an achievable strategy for more sustainable berry production.
Perceived discrimination, anxiety and mood disorders among university students during the COVID-19 era: evidence from a cross-sectional survey in a Ghanaian public university
Authors: Darteh Eugene K. M. , Ninnoni Jerry Paul K. , Okyere Joshua , Darteh Florie , John-Langba Johannes , Dickson Kwamena Sekyi 
Published: January 2024

IntroductionBefore 2020 and the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, mental disorders, including anxiety and mood disorders, were considered the leading causes of the global disease burden. There is evidence from multiple countries and social contexts that suggest the high risk of anxiety and mood disorders among students. Yet, there is a knowledge gap concerning understanding the association between the experience of discrimination and the risk of anxiety and mood disorders. We examined the association between the experience of discrimination and the risk of anxiety and mood disorders among university students.MethodsThis study is a cross-sectional survey among university students in Ghana. A quota sampling technique was used to recruit 1,601 students. Data were collected using structured questionnaires. All data were analyzed using Stata. Binary logistic regression model was used to examine the significant association between the outcome variable and the explanatory variables.ResultsThe prevalence of anxiety disorder among the respondents was 67 per cent. Students who had experienced discrimination or had any member of their family experienced discrimination had higher odds (OR = 4.59, Cl = 2.64, 7.96) of anxiety and mood disorder compared to those who had not experienced any form of discrimination. Respondents aged 20–24 years had higher odds (OR = 1.47, Cl = 1.16, 1.85) of anxiety and mood disorder than those aged 15–19. Students with a high perceived risk of contracting COVID-19 had a higher odd (OR = 1.52, CI = 1.10, 2.10) compared to those with a low perceived risk.ConclusionThe findings underscore a need for university authorities to lay out clear initiatives that will reinforce and meet the mental health needs of university students during and after periods of crisis, such as returning from COVID-19 lockdown. There must be a conscious effort to advocate and raise students’ awareness of anxiety disorders. Also, it is imperative to create support groups within the university set up to address the mental health needs of all students. Younger students should be the primary focus of these interventions.
Alpha modulation via transcranial alternating current stimulation in adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Kannen Kyra , Rasbach Johanna , Fantazi Amin , Wiebe Annika , Selaskowski Benjamin , Asché Laura , Aslan Behrem , Lux Silke , Herrmann Christoph S. , Philipsen Alexandra , Braun Niclas 
Published: January 2024

BackgroundOne potential therapy treating attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is to modulate dysfunctional brain activations using brain stimulation techniques. While the number of studies investigating the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation on ADHD symptoms continues to increase, transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is poorly examined. Previous studies reported impaired alpha brain oscillation (8–12 Hz) that may be associated with increased attention deficits in ADHD. Our aim was to enhance alpha power in adult ADHD patients via tACS, using different methods to explore potential therapeutic effects.MethodsUndergoing a crossover design, adults with ADHD received active and sham stimulation on distinct days. Before and after each intervention, mean alpha power, attention performance, subjective symptom ratings, as well as head and gaze movement were examined.ResultsFrequency analyses revealed a significant power increase in the alpha band after both interventions. Despite a trend toward an interaction effect, this alpha power increase was, however, not significantly higher after active stimulation compared to sham stimulation. For the other measures, some additional pre-post effects were found, which were not intervention-related.ConclusionOur study cannot provide clear evidence for a tACS-induced increase in alpha power in adult ADHD patients, and thus no stimulation related improvement of attention parameters. We provide further recommendations for the future investigation of tACS as a potential ADHD treatment.
Factors that influence the intent to pursue a master’s degree: evidence from Shandong Province, China
Authors: Zhou Yuhong , Liu Yi , Xue Wenhao , Li Xinyao , Yang Zhe , Xu Zhihua 
Published: January 2024

IntroductionIn recent years, the pursuit of a master’s degree has become a social phenomenon of wide concern. It is essential to understand why large number of students choose to pursue master’s degree. This study aims to empirically analyze the factors that influence the intent to pursue a master’s degree.MethodBased on the extended theory of planned behavior, this study conducts a questionnaire survey of university students in Shandong Province, which has had the highest number of people taking the postgraduate entrance examination in China for several years. A total of 440 questionnaires were finally collected, including 417 valid questionnaires. And then ordinary least squares (OLS) regression was used to analyze the factors that influence the intent to pursue a master’s degree.ResultsIn general, the intent to pursue a master’s degree is positively influenced by attitude (β = 0.161, p &lt; 0.01) and subjective norms (β = 0.208, p &lt; 0.01), and negatively influenced by risk perception (β = −0.084, p &lt; 0.05). Compared with male students, female students’ intent is more likely to be influenced by risk perception (β = −0.144, p &lt; 0.05) and social factors (β = 0.140, p &lt; 0.05). The intent of upperclass students tends to be positively influenced by perceived behavioral control (β = 0.125, p &lt; 0.05), whereas the negative impact of risk perception (β = −0.219, p &lt; 0.05) on the intent is significant for underclass students. The intent of students in rural areas are more sensitive to risk perception (β = −0.194, p &lt; 0.01) than those of students in cities. In private universities, social factors (β = 0.445, p &lt; 0.05) significantly affect the intent to pursue a master’s degree. In ordinary public universities, the intent of students is more likely to be influenced by risk perception (β = −0.082, p &lt; 0.05).ConclusionThe study is helpful to strengthen the understanding of the influencing factors of the intent to pursue a master’s degree. In general, the intent to pursue a master’s degree is mainly influenced by attitude, subjective norms and risk perception. Moreover, the influencing factors vary among different groups (e.g., female vs. male, rural areas vs. cities). Furthermore, attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, risk perception, and social factors have greater impacts on the intent of students from low-income households than those from high-income households. This study can provide policy implications for universities to take targeted educational measures to encourage students to make a choice that suits their own development after graduation.
Emergence of highly resistant Candida auris in the United Arab Emirates: a retrospective analysis of evolving national trends
Authors: Thomsen Jens , Abdulrazzaq Najiba M. , Oulhaj Abderrahim , Nyasulu Peter S. , Alatoom Adnan , Denning David W. , Al Dhaheri Fatima ,   the UAE AMR Surveillance Consortium, Menezes Godfred Antony , Moubareck Carole Ayoub , Senok Abiola , Everett Dean B. 
Published: January 2024

IntroductionThe Centers for Disease Prevention and Control lists Candida auris, given its global emergence, multidrug resistance, high mortality, and persistent transmissions in health care settings as one of five urgent threats. As a new threat, the need for surveillance of C. auris is critical. This is particularly important for a cosmopolitan setting and global hub such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where continued introduction and emergence of resistant variant strains is a major concern.MethodsThe United Arab Emirates has carried out a 12 years of antimicrobial resistance surveillance (2010–2021) across the country, spanning all seven Emirates. A retrospective analysis of C. auris emergence from 2018–2021 was undertaken, utilising the demographic and microbiological data collected via a unified WHONET platform for AMR surveillance.ResultsNine hundred eight non-duplicate C. auris isolates were reported from 2018–2021. An exponential upward trend of cases was found. Most isolates were isolated from urine, blood, skin and soft tissue, and the respiratory tract. UAE nationals nationals comprised 29% (n = 186 of 632) of all patients; the remainder were from 34 other nations. Almost all isolates were from inpatient settings (89.0%, n = 809). The cases show widespread distribution across all reporting sites in the country. C. auris resistance levels remained consistently high across all classes of antifungals used. C. auris in this population remains highly resistant to azoles (fluconazole, 72.6% in 2021) and amphotericin. Echinocandin resistance has now emerged and is increasing annually. There was no statistically significant difference in mortality between Candida auris and Candida spp. (non-auris) patients (p-value: 0.8179), however Candida auris patients had a higher intensive care unit (ICU) admission rate (p-value &lt;0.0001) and longer hospital stay (p &lt; 0.0001) compared to Candida spp. (non-auris) patients.ConclusionThe increasing trend of C. auris detection and associated multidrug resistant phenotypes in the UAE is alarming. Continued C. auris circulation in hospitals requires enhanced infection control measures to prevent continued dissemination.
The facilitators and barriers to home-based robotic rehabilitation in India: a pilot feasibility study
Authors: Nehrujee Aravind , Prabhakar A. T. , Balaraman Sathish , Bombatkar Rasika , Prakash Henry , Samuelkamaleshkumar Selvaraj , Aaron Sanjith , Bhattacharji Suranjan , Sujatha S. , Balasubramanian Sivakumar 
Published: January 2024

IntroductionRobot-assisted rehabilitation has emerged as a promising approach for enhancing motor function in stroke survivors. However, the feasibility and effectiveness of home-based robotic training in this population are underexplored, especially in low/middle-income countries.MethodsThis feasibility study aimed to address this gap by examining the feasibility and effectiveness of independent home-based training using PLUTO, a robotic device for hand training. A total of 7 chronic stroke survivors were recruited, with 5 completing the study.ResultsThe results revealed high engagement and adherence to the home-based training program, with participants averaging 1659.8 min of training over 24.8 days. The PLUTO system demonstrated excellent usability and elicited positive user perceptions. Significant improvements were observed in functional outcomes, as evidenced by a noteworthy increase in Fugl-Meyer Assessment scores (mean increase of 6.2 points, exceeding the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of 5.35 points). Furthermore, participants showed improvements in the ABILHAND measure (mean improvement of 1.24 logits, surpassing the MCID of 0.2 logits) and the Barthel Index (mean increase of 8.8 points).ConclusionThese findings demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of home-based robotic rehabilitation for chronic stroke survivors. This has implications for expanding access to rehabilitation services in low- and middle-income countries, enhancing patient engagement and adherence, and improving functional outcomes. Larger controlled studies are warranted to evaluate the effectiveness of home-based robotic rehabilitation programs.
Case Report: Modified Taulinoplasty: a new technique for minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum
Authors: Frediani Simone , Beati Federico , Pardi Valerio , Aloi Ivan Pietro , Bertocchini Arianna , Accinni Antonella , Reali Simone , Schingo Paolo Maria Salvatore , Inserra Alessandro 
Published: January 2024

IntroductionAbout 95% of congenital chest wall deformities are pectus abnormalities, with pectus excavatum (PE) being the most common. The purpose of this work is to offer a modified Taulinoplasty Technique based on 35 consecutive PE patients' 1-year single-center experience in 2022.TechniqueOne minimally invasive procedure for PE is taulinoplasty. In order to prevent invasion of the mediastinum or pleural cavity, it is considered that external traction can be used to raise the sternum. Our experience indicates that the most common surgical consequences of this procedure—which involves creating a submuscular and subcutaneous tunnel to install the metal device—are post-operative seroma and wound dehiscence. We modified the conventional method to achieve more aesthetically pleasing results.DiscussionTaulinoplasty seems to be a safe technique, easier and more feasible than standard Taulinoplasty, with better outcomes in terms of surgical complications, although further experience is necessary to confirm our preliminary data.