bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhancing Face Recognition Performance: A Comprehensive Evaluation of Deep Learning Models and a Novel Ensemble Approach with Hyperparameter Tuning
Authors: S Jana , B Sudharani , S.N Chandra Shekhar , K Vaishnavi , E Aarthi , S Ravi Chand , S Gopalakrishnan 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

In response to growing security concerns and the increasing demand for face recognition (FR) technology in various sectors, this research explores the application of deep learning techniques, specifically pre-trained Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) models, in the field of FR. The study leverages five pre-trained CNN models, including DenseNet201, ResNet152V2, MobileNetV2, SeResNeXt, and Xception, for feature extraction, followed by SoftMax classification. A novel weighted average ensemble model, optimized through a grid search technique, is introduced to enhance feature extraction and classification performance. Robust data pre-processing, encompassing resizing, data augmentation, splitting, and normalization, is emphasized to ensure reliable FR systems. The research systematically investigates hyperparameters across deep learning models, fine-tuning network depth, learning rate, activation functions, and optimization methods. Comprehensive evaluations are conducted on diverse datasets, including ORL, GTAV, GTF, FEI, LFW, F_LFW, and YTF, to assess the effectiveness of the proposed models. Key contributions of this work include the utilization of pre-trained CNN models for feature extraction, extensive evaluation across multiple datasets, the introduction of a weighted average ensemble model, emphasis on robust data pre-processing, systematic hyperparameter tuning, and the use of comprehensive evaluation metrics. The results showcase the superior performance of the proposed method, consistently outperforming all other models across key metrics, including Recall, Precision, F1 Score, Matthews Correlation Coefficient (MCC), and Accuracy. Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) curves further highlight the models' classification abilities. Notably, the proposed method achieves an exceptional accuracy of 99.48% on the LFW dataset, surpassing state-of-the-art benchmarks. In conclusion, this research presents a significant advancement in FR technology, offering a reliable and accurate solution supported by empirical evidence. The proposed method demonstrates the potential of pre-trained CNN models, ensemble learning, robust data pre-processing, and hyperparameter tuning in enhancing the accuracy and reliability of FR systems, with implications for various real-world applications.
Univariate analysis of factors associated with the stomatology curriculum system and graduate quality in universities
Authors: liu zhihuan , Zhang Ming , Pei Shanshan , Song Qingyuan , Bao Lingxian , Tao Weijie , Zheng Pei , Feng Jianying , Wang Shuhua 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background
The curriculum system is a central component in achieving the goals and specifications of talent training schemes. However, problems and difficulties exist in curriculum provision due to a lack of curriculum system design logic. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the university curriculum system and graduate quality and to reveal the design logic of the curriculum system.
Methods
A total of 699 stomatology graduates from a university in Zhejiang were selected as research subjects from 2015 to 2022. The students’ curriculum system and graduate quality data were collected and classified. The graduate quality information contained 1) the National Board Dental Examination (NBDE) pass rate and score, 2) the postgraduate entrance rate and destination, and 3) the employment rate and work institution. Regression analysis was also conducted to assess the correlation between the curriculum system and graduate quality.
Results
Univariate analysis revealed significant associations between general education, specialization, and stomatology X courses and NBDE score, postgraduate entrance rate and destination, and work institution. All courses except public elective courses had significant impacts on NBDE score. General basic, medical English, and employment guidance courses significantly influenced the postgraduate entrance rate and destination. Restricted elective and public elective courses had significant effects on employment rate and work institution .
Conclusions
Increasing the number of specialized and stomatology X courses in the curriculum system is beneficial for deepening graduates' expertise and enhancing their education. Moreover, English courses are suggested to be offered in the early stage to improve the postgraduate rate and establish a solid foundation for careers.
Barriers and Misconceptions Hindering Reduction of Intestinal Schistosomiasis in Mbita Sub-County, Western Kenya
Authors: Ngetich Benard Cheruiyot , Nagi Sachiyo , Chadeka Evans Asena , Takeuchi Rie , Sassa Miho , Bahati Felix , Kobayashi Noriko , Moriyasu Taeko , Masaku Janet , Okomo Gordon , Ouma Collins , Njomo Doris , Njenga Sammy , Hamano Shinjiro 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background
Community and individual participation are crucial for the success of schistosomiasis control. The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted the importance of enhanced sanitation, health education, and mass treatment in the fight against schistosomiasis. These approaches rely on the knowledge and practices of the community to be successful; however, where the community knowledge is low and inappropriate, it hinders intervention efforts. Hence, it is essential to identify barriers and misconceptions related to awareness of schistosomiasis, sources of infection, mode of transmission, symptoms, and control measures.
Methods
This was a mixed-method cross-sectional study involving 1,200 pre-school aged children randomly selected and examined for Schistosoma mansoni infection using the Kato-Katz technique. All parents/guardians of selected children were enrolled for a pre-tested questionnaire survey, while 42 were engaged in focus group discussions (FGDs).
Results
The majority of the respondents (85.5%) had heard about schistosomiasis, and its awareness was associated with the participant’s level of education (OR = 0.16, 95% CI = 0.08, 0.34). A positive association was observed between higher educational attainment and knowledge of the causative agent (OR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.49, 0.96). Low education level was significantly associated with limited knowledge of transmission through lake water contact (OR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.52, 0.97) and infection from the lake (OR = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.19, 0.57). Notably, parents/guardians who have heard of schistosomiasis could not recognize symptoms of S. mansoni infection, such as abdominal pain (91.8%, 815/888) and blood in the stool (85.1%, 756/888). Surprisingly, 49.8% (442/888) incorrectly identified hematuria (blood in urine), a key sign of S. haematobiumbut not S. mansoni, in an endemic area for S. mansoni infection. The majority (82.6%, 734/888) of parents/guardians were unaware that dams are potential infection sites, despite 53.9% (479/888) of their pre-school aged children testing positive for schistosome infection.
Conclusion
The study revealed a low level of knowledge on intestinal schistosomiasis causes, mode of transmission, signs and symptoms and potential infection sites within the community, all of which contributes to misconceptions and may hinder control efforts.
Trace Determination of Cr(VI) and Total Cr in Fruit and Vegetable Samples: Utilizing Monte Carlo Simulation for Risk Assessment in an Iranian Mining Area
Authors: Dizaji Rana , Malekpouir Mina , Abdi Khosrou , kamali Koorosh 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
In light of food safety concerns, accurately determining Chromium (VI) concentrations in fruits and vegetables is imperative. Due to their complex matrices, achieving precise and efficient Cr(VI) measurement remains challenging, leading to uncertainty in dietary intake data. This study aimed to assess the Cr(VI) concentration in apples, grapes cultivated in farmlands and carrots available in local markets. An alkaline extraction method was employed at 80°C for 5 minutes, utilizing a solution containing 50 mM EDTA and dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME). Apples and grapes were collected from two distinct case studies: Case Study A, located near Lead and Zinc factories, and Case Study B, situated at a significant distance from mining sites. The average total Cr and Cr(VI) concentrations in apples from the contaminated Case Study A were 438.4 ± 157 µg kg⁻¹ and < LOD, respectively. For grapes, were 450.265 ± 65.530 µg kg⁻¹ and 70.303 ± 18.208 µg kg⁻¹. Conversely, the lowest average concentrations of Cr and Cr(VI) were observed in grapes, with values of 314.27 ± 14.41 µg kg⁻¹ and 52.06 ± 2.79 µg kg⁻¹, respectively, attributed to Case Study B. In the case of apples, the values were 241.65 ± 11.466 µg kg⁻¹ for Cr and < LOD for Cr(VI). For carrots available in the markets, the total Cr and Cr(VI) concentrations were found to be 2493.159 ± 280.57 µg kg⁻¹ and 326.32 ± 65.89 µg kg⁻¹, respectively. The assessment of potential health risks indicated that the intake of carrots and grapes increases the local population's carcinogenic Cr(VI) risks.
Lack of TYK2 Signaling Enhances Host Resistance to Candida albicans Skin Infection
Authors: Strobl Birgit , Miranda Sara , Lassnig Caroline , Schmidhofer Kristina , Kjartansdottir Hrönn , Vogl Claus , Tangermann Simone , Tsymala Irina , Müller Mathias , Kuchler Karl 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Candida albicans is the most common human fungal pathogen, causing diseases ranging from local to life-threating systemic infections. Tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2), a crucial mediator in several cytokine signaling pathways, has been associated with protective functions in various microbial infections. However, its specific contribution in the immune response to fungal infections has remained elusive. In this study, we show that mice lacking TYK2 or its enzymatic activity exhibit enhanced resistance to skin infection, limiting fungal spread and accelerating wound healing. Impaired TYK2-signaling prompted the formation of a distinctive layer of necrotic neutrophils around the fungal pathogens. Transcriptomic analysis revealed TYK2's pivotal role in regulating interferon-inducible genes in neutrophils, thereby impacting their antifungal capacity during infection. Furthermore, we show that TYK2-dependent interferon-gamma (IFNgamma) production by innate-like T cells contributes to fungal dissemination from the skin to the kidneys. Our study uncovers a hitherto unrecognized detrimental role of TYK2 in cutaneous C. albicans infections. These insights are particularly relevant in light of the growing use of TYK2 inhibitors to treat psoriatic diseases and are promising for the use of TYK2 inhibitors as options to treat fungal skin infections.
Differences in walking access to health-care services between formal and informal areas in 19 sub-Saharan cities
Authors: Friesen John , Georganos Stefanos , Haas Jan 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Purpose: Spatial accessibility to health-care is a critical factor in ensuring equitable health outcomes. While studies on a global, continental, and national level exist, our understanding of intra-urban differences, particularly between formal and informal areas within cities in sub-Saharan Africa, remains limited.
Methods: This study integrates openly available datasets on land use in 19 sub-Saharan cities, health-care facilities in the region, and street networks from OpenStreetMap. Using these datasets, we calculate service areas around hospitals, considering travel times ranging from 1 to 180 minutes with walking as the mode of travel. The resulting service areas are then merged with population data from WorldPop, allowing us to assess the proportion of the population with specific travel times for different land uses.
Results: Our analysis reveals that 43% of the urban population can reach hospitals within 15 minutes, 69% within 30 minutes, and 85% within 60 minutes. Importantly, we observe significant differences between formal and informal areas, with informal areas experiencing a disadvantage in terms of spatial accessibility to health-care facilities.
Conclusion: This study sheds light on the spatial accessibility landscape of health-care facilities in sub-Saharan African cities, emphasizing the need to consider intra-urban disparities, particularly in informal areas. The findings underscore the importance of targeted interventions and urban planning strategies to address these disparities and ensure that health-care services are accessible to all segments of the urban population.
FOLLOW-U; study protocol evaluating oncological systemic treatment response of advanced bladder cancer patients using urinoids
Authors: Viergever Bastiaan J. , Suelmann Britt B.M. , Zuidema Alba , Kranenburg Onno , Meijer Richard P. 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background
Muscle-invasive bladder cancer is an aggressive disease characterized by poor prognosis and high risk for metastases. Neo-adjuvant or induction (in case of node-positive disease) cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy followed by radical cystectomy is recommended for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer. However, response rates are highly variable, survival benefit is modest and generally limited to patients without residual (muscle-invasive) disease. Additionally, up to 50% of patients is cisplatin-ineligible due to comorbidities. Furthermore, (long-term) toxicity due to platinum-based chemotherapy treatment of bladder cancer can result in grade 3/4 adverse events in up to 82% of cases.
Given the high rate of distant recurrences after neo-adjuvant/induction cisplatin-based chemotherapy and surgical resection, there is an urgent need for more effective treatment approaches, including strategies to evaluate and predict therapy responses.
Methods
The aim of this FOLLOW-U project is to enable precision medicine in muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). In this study we will use non-invasive urine-derived tumor organoid (urinoid) technology to follow tumor responses in MIBC patients undergoing systemic neo-adjuvant or induction treatment. The aim of the study is to include 60 patients receiving cisplatin-based chemotherapy and to establish 10 complete patient sets of sequential urinoid cultures before, during, and at the end of their treatment. Tumor drug sensitivity, resistance-development, and disease progression will be characterized using whole genome-, RNA-, single cell karyotype sequencing, immunohistochemistry and drug screening in a patient-specific manner.
Discussion
Overall, we aim to provide novel non-invasive urine-based organoid (urinoid) model-systems to study treatment resistance in muscle-invasive bladder cancer. These model-systems are patient specific and reflect the heterogeneous nature of bladder cancer at several time points over a patient’s treatment. Taken together, these urinoids model systems will provide the possibility to comprehensively study specific bladder cancer treatment and resistance over time. Ultimately, these non-invasive patient specific models can provide a follow-up tool of patients, allowing tailoring treatment efficacy to therapy sensitivity changes as they emerge.
A Simple and Efficient Attack on the Merkle-Hellman Knapsack Cryptosystem
Authors: Bi Jingguo , Su Lei 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
The Merkle-Hellman knapsack cryptosystem was one of the two earliest public key cryptosystems, which was invented by Merkle and Hellman in 1978. One can recover the whole group of equivalent keys by using Shamir's method. The most time-consuming part of Shamir's attack is to recover the critical intermediate parameters by solving an integer programming problem with a fixed number of variables, whose worst-case complexity is exponential in the number of variables. In this paper, we present an improved algorithm to analyze the basic Merkle-Hellman public key cryptosystem. The main idea of our method is that we recover a partial super-increasing sequence as the equivalent private key, which is the main difference from Shamir's. More precisely, we first obtain a super-increasing sequence except for the first small part by invoking the LLL algorithm on a special lattice with a small dimension. After that, we can recover most part of the plaintext from the tail by solving the super-increasing knapsack method. Finally, we can recover the first part of plaintext from solving a size-reduced knapsack problem. Experimental data shows that one can recover the whole plaintext in less than 1 second on a laptop successfully for the typical parameters of the Merkle-Hellman cryptosystem, whose time complexity is reduced by a polynomial level compared with Shamir's algorithm.
Somatic growth outcomes in response to an individualized neonatal sodium supplementation protocol
Authors: Harshman Lyndsay , Stalter Elliot , Verhofste Silvia , Dagle John , Steinbach Emily , Eyck Patrick Ten , Wendt Linder , Segar Jeffrey 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Objective
Evaluate the impact of a sodium (Na) supplementation protocol based upon urine Na concentration on growth parameters and morbidities.
Study Design
Retrospective cohort study of infants 260/7-336/7 weeks gestational age (GA) cared for before (2012-15, n = 225) and after (2016-20, n = 157) implementation of the protocol. Within- and between-group changes over time were assessed using repeated measures generalized linear models.
Results
For infants 260/7-296/7 weeks GA, utilization of the protocol was associated with increased mean body weight z-score at 8-weeks postnatal age, increased mean head circumference z-score at 16-weeks postnatal age, and decreased time on mechanical ventilation (all p < 0.02). No impact on growth was identified for infants 30–336/7 weeks GA. Incidences of hypertension, hypernatremia, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and culture positive sepsis were unaffected by the protocol.
Conclusion
Protocolized Na supplementation results in improved growth and reduced time on invasive mechanical ventilation in extremely preterm infants without increasing incidence of morbidities.
Spatial Analysis of Water Consumption in the Macroeconomic Sectors of the State of Ceará, Brazil
Authors: Soares Rogério Barbosa , Silva Samiria Maria Oliveira , Medeiros Cleyber Nascimento , Lopes Tereza Margarida Xavier Melo 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Water consumption generated by the economic structure exhibits spatial variation within a territory due to the influence of economic and geographical factors that impact the demand and supply of water. Thus, this study assessed the spatial dependence of total water consumption through the use of Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis (ESDA). For this purpose, two statistical tests of spatial autocorrelation were applied: The Global Moran's Index (I) and the Local Indicator of Spatial Association (LISA). The spatial structure of the data was determined by the Rook-type spatial contiguity matrix. Positive spatial autocorrelation was found based on the analysis of the Global Moran's I statistic. It was observed that consumption is not evenly distributed in its geographical space, indicating the formation of clusters of municipalities with High-High, High-Low, Low-High, and Low-Low aggregation patterns. In the univariate analysis of total water consumption by LISA, clusters of municipalities with High-High aggregation were identified in the Hydrographic Regions of Baixo Jaguaribe, Curu, Litoral, Médio Jaguaribe, and Bacias Metropolitanas, indicating a strong positive association between the consumption in these regions and their neighbors. In the bivariate analysis between total Water consumption and Gross Value Added of the municipalities in Ceará, two more Hydrographic Regions with High-High aggregation were identified, in addition to those already identified in the univariate analysis, namely Acaraú and Banabuiú. Thus, the study identifies spatial clusters that are essential for identifying regional inequalities and facilitating decision-making in the allocation of water resources.
Short-Term Passenger Flow Prediction Model of Rail Transit Based on Inherit Long Short-term Memory Network
Authors: wang di , liu xia 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Short-term passenger flow prediction is considered as an effective means of timely passenger flow evacuation. In this paper a novel inherit long short-term memory network (inherit-LSTM) model is proposed to predict short term passenger flow of transit. Traditional long short-term memory network models have the characteristics of long-term dependencies. This causes heavy weight on redundant information for a large number of historical data and leads current feature information to be ignored. In order to reduce excessive dependence on historical information, an inherit-LSTM model is proposed by using inheritance gate to retain more current input information. Comparing with the traditional model, this model takes full account of the effects for weather and large-scale emergencies. We compare our model against well-known existing machine/deep learning prediction models(Auto-Regressive with extra inputs and Long short-term memory network). The experimental results show that inherit-LSTM model is more accurate than the other two models in predicting short-term passenger flow.
Mineralisation of soil organic phosphorus with different P sources: results from three long-term field experiments
Authors: Raguet Pablo , Houot Sabine , Montenach Denis , Mollier Alain , Ziadi Noura , Karam Antoine , Morel Christian 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Phosphorus (P) is a major nutrient for crops, and its application to agricultural soils as inorganic or organic fertilizer is crucial for optimising P availability to plants to sustain and ensure food production. The mineralisation of soil organic phosphorus (SOP) may play a significant role in supplying plant-available P. This study aimed to determine the SOP mineralisation rate in soils cropped under contrasting agropedoclimatic conditions. The rate was determined by applying to SOP the modelling approach developed by Hénin and Dupuis in 1945 for soil organic carbon. We used three French long-term field experiments (LTFEs) on P fertilisation combining different P rates (0–112 kg P ha-1yr-1), applied for decades as superphosphate or various organic waste products (OWPs), on different soil types, and different annual crop successions. These databases include long time-series data of topsoil SOP and soil inorganic phosphorus (SIP) contents and annual crop measurements. For the three LTFEs, the initial SOP stocks were 446, 595, and 1145 kg P ha-1, the P amounts exported during harvest were 26.5, 26.6, and 25.3 kg P ha-1yr-1, and the P remaining in the topsoil as crop residues were 15.0, 14.4, and 11.5 kg P ha-1yr-1 with significant differences across yields, plant organs, and fertilisation treatments. During the post-harvest year, 2.5, 7.9, and 11.0 kg P ha-1yr-1 were incorporated into SOP by the decomposition of crop residues and OWPs. The rates of SOP mineralisation, 2.1, 5.4, and 11.2 kg P ha-1 yr-1, differed significantly across the LTFEs. The SOP stocks did not change significantly with the years of cropping and fertilisation, irrespective of P fertilisation. The SIP stocks closely corresponded to the cumulative P budget (i.e., cumulative sum of applied P – exported P).