bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Rural Sewage Treatment in China
Authors: Zhang Wenbo , Wang Zixuan , Yu Xuezheng , Zhou Ziyu , Han Yunping , Yan Xu , Cao Yingnan 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Sewage treatment processes are considered an important source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly N2O and CH4. In rural sewage treatment processes, GHG emissions are often neglected owing to the small scale of treatment and dispersed distribution. In this study the non-CO2 GHG emission quantity, spatiotemporal distribution characteristics, and influences factors were analyzed based on rural sewage from 2015 to 2020. Emissions from rural sewage treatment in 2020 were 122.72 Gg (CO2-eq), comprising 69.81 Gg N2O and 52.91 Gg CH4, an increase of 35.29%. There are large variations between province-level regions: more GHG was emitted from the eastern than the north-west of China. The treatment of rural domestic sewage can simultaneously purify water quality and decrease GHG emissions, and the improvement in the rate of treatment is beneficial to, ‘carbon peak and carbon neutralization’. GHG emissions from rural sewage treatment showed a positive correlation with both GDP and sewage discharge, and N2O was positively correlated with protein consumption per capita. This study would provide a theoretical basis for policy formulation, as it supplies basic data on carbon emissions for China's rural sewage treatment.
The Association Between Smoking and Clinical and Radiological Severity in Patients with Primary Knee Osteoarthritis: The First Cross-sectional Study in Syria
Authors: Hamsho Suaad , Almasri Imad-Addin , Alaswad Mohammed , Sleiay Mouhammed , Alabdullah Hadi , Aboud Majed 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent disease and a primary cause of disability globally. The most often impacted joints by OA are the knees. Furthermore; Smoking is a prevalent social behavior that has been linked to many illnesses. The purpose of this research is to ascertain whether smoking and knee OA are related in Syria.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 236 patients with primary knee OA who met the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) diagnostic criteria. Exclusion criteria encompassed various secondary diseases. Detailed smoking behavior and general demographic features were assessed. The clinical characteristics of OA were assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and the radiological severity was assessed using Kellgren and Lawrence (KL) grades for each patient. The sample size was determined using Cochran's formula, and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 25, including chi-square tests, ANOVA, and linear correlation coefficients to assess relationships between variables.
Results: The majority of OA patients (67.4%) were never smoking, which was followed by current smokers (27.1%) and former smokers (5.5%). There was no correlation between smoking status and total Womac, pain, stiffness, physical function, or radiographic severity, with p-values of 0.552, 0.437, 0.640, 0.796, and 1.109, respectively. The overall Womac score showed a significant gender difference (p-value = 0.002), with females showing an increase of 8.48 points over males. A correlation was found between average daily smoking, BMI, and gender, with p-values of 0.004 and 0.001, respectively. The difference in BMI was significant only between heavy smokers and never-smokers, with a difference of 3.54 (p-value =0.001)
Conclusion: In individuals with osteoarthritis, there was no significant correlation between cigarette smoking and radiological results; nevertheless, there was an inverse relationship with mean WOMAC scores (smokers have lower WOMAC scores than never-smokers). It seems implausible that smoking actually prevents the progression of OA, even though it was found to be negatively correlated with the disease's progression either clinically or radiologically in the analysis. It will need further research to identify the mechanism behind this correlation.
Aqueous pyruvate partly dissociates when exposed to deep ultraviolet irradiation, but is resilient to near ultraviolet excitation
Authors: Jensen Frank , Thøgersen Jan , Madzharova Fani , Weidner Tobias 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
The deep ultraviolet photochemistry of aqueous pyruvate is believed to have been essential to the origin of life, and near ultraviolet excitation of pyruvate in aqueous aerosols is assumed to contribute significantly to the photochemistry of the Earth’s atmosphere. However, the primary photochemistry of aqueous pyruvate is unknown. Here we study the susceptibility of aqueous pyruvate to photodissociation by deep ultraviolet and near ultraviolet irradiation with femtosecond spectroscopy supported by density functional theory calculations. The primary photo-dynamics of the aqueous pyruvate show that upon deep-UV excitation at 200 nm, about one in five excited pyruvate anions have dissociated by decarboxylation 100 ps after the excitation, while the rest of the pyruvate anions return to the ground state. Upon near-UV photoexcitation at a wavelength of 340 nm, the dissociation yield of aqueous pyruvate 200 ps after the excitation is insignificant and no products are observed. The experimental results are explained by our calculations, which show that aqueous pyruvate anions excited at 200 nm have sufficient excess energy for decarboxylation, whereas excitation at 340 nm provides the aqueous pyruvate anions with insufficient energy to break the decarboxylation barrier.
Cobalt sulfide flower-like derived from metal organic frameworks on nickel foam as an electrode for fabrication of asymmetric supercapacitors
Authors: Nasiri Farzaneh , Fotouhi Lida , Shahrokhian Saeed , Zirak Mohammad 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Metal-organic frameworks, as a kind of advanced nanoporous materials with metal centers and organic linkers, have been applied as promising electrode materials in energy storage devices. In this study, we are successfully prepared cobalt sulfide nanosheets (CoS) derived from the metal-organic framework on nickel foam (NF). The prepared electrodes are characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller and Barrett-Joyner-Halenda and electrochemical methods like voltammetry, galvanostatic charge-discharge curve and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The CoS/NF electrode demonstrates a high specific capacity of 377.5 mA h g− 1 at the current density of 2 A g− 1, considerable rate performance and excellent durability (89.4% after 4000 cycles). A hybrid supercapacitor is assembled using CoS/NF as the positive electrode and activated carbon as the negative electrode, it shows a high energy density of 57.4 W h kg− 1 at a power density of 405.2 W kg− 1. The electrochemical results suggest that the CoS nanosheet arrays would possess excellent potential for applications in energy storage devices.
Automatic renal carcinoma biopsy guidance using forward-viewing endoscopic optical coherence tomography and deep learning
Authors: Tang Qinggong , Wang Chen , Cui Haoyang , Zhang Qinghao , Calle Paul , Yan Yuyang , Yan Feng , Fung Kar-ming , Patel Sanjay , Yu Zhongxin , Duguay Sean , Vanlandingham William , Pan Chongle 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Percutaneous renal biopsy (PRB) is commonly used for kidney cancer diagnosis. However, current PRB remains challenging in sampling accuracy. This study introduces a forward-viewing optical coherence tomography (OCT) probe for differentiating tumor and normal tissues, aiming at precise PRB guidance. Five human kidneys and renal carcinoma samples were used to evaluate the performance of our probe. Based on their distinct OCT imaging features, tumor and normal renal tissues can be accurately distinguished. We examined the attenuation coefficient for tissue classification and achieved 98.19% tumor recognition accuracy, but underperformed for distinguishing normal tissues. We further developed convolutional neural networks (CNN) and evaluated two CNN architectures: ResNet50 and InceptionV3, yielding 99.51% and 99.48% accuracies for tumor recognition, and over 98.90% for normal tissues recognition. In conclusion, combining OCT and CNN significantly enhanced the PRB guidance, offering a promising guidance technology for improved kidney cancer diagnosis.
Tensile characteristics of carbon fiber reinforced composite with preset interleaving plies
Authors: Wang Xiaofeng , Zhang Jiale , Geng Xiaoliang 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
A variety of discontinuous fiber composite laminate layouts were designed to satisfy special structural needs. Corresponding composite tensile coupons having preset interleaving ply were tested to measure their strength and rigidity. The experimental results show the strength of the interleaving ply composite is significantly lower than that of the continuous one, whereas it has comparable rigidity. The internal load transferring mechanism was suggested to analyze the main factors affecting the ultimate tensile strength. Based on it, a statistical relationship has been built to reflect the dependence of the strength to the interleaving length.
Characterization of Urban Agriculture and Farmers’ Climate Change Adaptation: The Case of Urban Ghana
Authors: Naazie Godwin K. , Agyemang Isaac , Tampah-Naah Anthony M. 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Urban agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa has the potential to significantly improve urban food security and feed the underprivileged when promoted. In Ghana, urban agriculture has several characteristics that distinguish it from traditional farming practices. However, climate change poses a significant threat to urban agriculture, as changing weather patterns can lead to droughts, floods, and extreme weather events that damage crops and animals. This study explored the characteristics of urban food crops and livestock production in the Wa township, Ghana. Mixed methods of data collection and analysis were employed and 362 urban households supplemented with 12 key informants were interviewed. Descriptive and content analysis were done with the results presented in tables, graphs, and narratives. The study found that in the era of climatic stressors, urban agriculture is characterized by the production of animals such as chicken, sheep, and goats and crops like maize, yam, beans, cabbage, and pumpkin. Land is acquired through purchasing though others obtain land from relatives and friends. There are strong relationships between the type of urban farming, land acquisition, and residential class. Land acquisition and type of urban agriculture are associated with residential classes. It is concluded that urban farming is characterized by mixed farming coupled with crop diversification with implications on climate change adaptation measures. To adapt urban agriculture to climatic stressors, the study recommends that the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) should streamline agricultural policy interventions on urban agriculture to promote agriculture intensification.
Duet Synchronization Interventions Affect Social Interactions
Authors: Bégel Valentin , Demos Alexander P. , Palmer Caroline 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Humans’ complex behavior such as speech, music, or dance require us to coordinate our actions with external sounds as well as with social partners. The presence of a partner can influence individuals’ synchronization, and, in turn, social connection with the partner may depend on the degree of synchronization. We manipulated the quality of the synchronization in intervention conditions to address the causal relationship between observed temporal synchrony and perceived social interaction. Pairs of musician and non-musician participants first performed a turn-taking task consisting in alternating which partner tapped their melody in synchrony with a metronome (each tap generated the next tone in the melody). In two intervention conditions, participants attempted to synchronize their melodies simultaneously with their partner, either with normal auditory feedback (normal feedback) or with randomly placed delayed feedback on 25% of melodic tones (delayed feedback). After each intervention, the turn-taking condition was repeated, and participants completed a questionnaire about connectedness, relationship and feeling of synchronization with their partner. Results showed that partners’ asynchronies were larger following the delayed feedback intervention. In addition, non-musician partners’ tapping variability was larger following the delayed feedback intervention when they had the delayed feedback intervention first. Ratings of connectedness, relationship and feeling of synchronization with their partner were reduced for all participants after the delayed feedback Intervention. We modelled participants’ synchronization performance in the post-intervention turn-taking conditions using delay-coupling oscillator models. Reductions in synchronization performance after delayed feedback intervention were reflected in reduced coupling strength. These findings suggest that turn-taking synchronization performance as well as social connectedness are altered following short interventions that disrupt synchronization with a partner.
Volume development changes in the occipital lobe gyrus assessed by MRI in foetuses with isolated ventriculomegaly correlate with neurological development in infancy and early childhood
Authors: Liu Hongsheng , Zhang xin , Chen Zhaoji , Li Yuchao , Xie Chenxin , Liu Zhenqing , Wu Qianqian , Kuang Minwei , Yan Ren , Wu Fan 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to systematically assess the occipital lobe grey and white matter volume of Isolated ventriculomegaly foetuses with MRI and to follow up on the neurodevelopment of participants.
Method
MRI was used to evaluate 37 IVM group foetuses and 37 control group foetuses. The volume of grey and white matter in each foetal occipital gyrus was manually segmented and compared, and neurodevelopment was followed up and assessed in infancy and early childhood.
Results
Compared with the control group, the volume of gray matter in occipital lobes increased in IVM group, and the incidence of neurodevelopmental delay increased.
Conclusions
We tested the hypothesis that antenatally diagnosed IVM represents a biological marker for development in foetal occipital lobe. The IVM group showed differences in occipital grey matter development and had a higher risk of neurodevelopmental delay.
Comparative analysis of day surgery and elective operations in patients with thyroid tumors
Authors: wang ying , wu xia 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Objective:In recent years, day surgery has gained widespread attention from the medical industry and has been recognized and promoted as a new service model that enhances medical service efficiency and reduces medical expenses. With the rapid increase in the incidence of thyroid tumors, medical institutions are exploring day surgery for thyroid patients in order to meet their needs. This study compared the length of hospital stay, payment methods and costs of thyroid day surgery and general elective surgery, so as to understand the advantages and limitations of day surgery, improve the efficiency of medical resources, and provide reference for other medical institutions to promote day surgery.
Methods:In total, 624 day surgery cases and 1,078 inpatient cases underwent the same cataract surgery in the day care surgery and ordinary ward respectively, and were defined as two groups. General information, distribution of surgery, hospitalization time, total costs and especially payment method were analyzed to compare day care versus inpatient.
Results:There were no significant difference in these main payment methods and distribution of sex between these two groups(P＞0.05).The period of stay in hospital was significantly different (P < 0.05). The total costs were lower for day surgery than for inpatients (P < 0.05). Day surgery patients were younger than inpatients. Patients with day surgery had a higher proportion of unilateral thyroidectomy, and patients with elective operations had a higher proportion of total thyroidectomy..
Conclusion:Day surgery for patients with thyroid tumors is more cost-effective and efficient than inpatient surgery. As a new service model, day surgery not only reduces the burden of patients, but also improves the efficiency of medical insurance funds, helps to relieve the pressure of medical insurance funds, so as to improve social benefits, which should be further promoted with the support of policies.
Oral health literacy and patient delays among patients receiving endodontic treatment in stomatological hospitals: a correlation study
Authors: Zhou Honghui , Zheng Chunyuan , Tan Xiaoni , Peng Lifang , Xue Mei , He Yanwen 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

BackgroundOral health literacy is closely related to the oral health-related behaviours of a population, and patient delays greatly influence the oral health of patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the current status of patient delays, oral health literacy, and influencing factors among patients receiving endodontic treatment in a stomatological hospital, and to analyse the correlation between them. In addition, to investigate current treatment delays, oral health literacy, and influencing factors among patients visiting the endodontic department of a stomatological hospital, and to analyse the correlation between them.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted among patients who visited the endodontic department of a tertiary stomatological hospital in Changsha, China from March to July 2023. The patients’ responses were gauged via a questionnaire that included general information, patient delay information, and the short-form Health Literacy Dental Scale. The factors influencing patients’ oral health literacy were studied using multiple linear regression analysis, and the correlation between patient delays and oral health literacy was studied using logistic regression analysis.ResultsA total of 204 subjects were included in this study. Age, education level, location of residence, and frequency of oral examinations affected the level of patients’ oral health literacy. About 43.3% of the patients had patient delays, with a per capita delay of about 90 days. The total score for oral health literacy was negatively correlated with the number of treatment-delay days.ConclusionsOlder age was associated with lower education level, lower administrative level of the place of residence (i.e., more remote and unpopulated areas), lower frequency of oral examination, and poorer oral health literacy among the patients. Lower oral health literacy scores correlated with a higher number of treatment-delay days. To avoid patient delays, dental nurses should strengthen their assessments of patients’ oral health literacy and develop targeted care measures for key populations.
Cattaneo-Christov heat and mass model for radiative EMHD Aluminum Alloys (7072/7072+7075 T6) with Transformer base oil hybrid nanofluid over an exponentially stretching sheet
Authors: Gupta Sumit , Sangtani Virendra , Jain Chandra Prakash , Jain Pawan Kumar 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
This correspondence, a three-dimensional radiative magnetohydrodynamic flow of hybrid nanofluid across an exponentially stretching surface is discussed. In this study we contemplate aluminium alloys of 7072 and 7072 + 7075 T6 type with transformer oil base liquid. AA7070 is composition of Zinc and aluminium in the ratio of 98 & 1 with supplementary metals Copper, Magnesium, Zinc and Aluminium in the proportion of, ~ 1, ~3, ~ 6, and ~ 90 correspondingly. AA 7075 is a composite of 90% Al, 5.5% Zn, 2.6% Mg, 0.24% Cr and 1.5% Cu. The density of these alloys’ mixture is 3.81 gm/cm3. It is one of the strongest aluminium alloys having reinforce process (heat treatment up to 300-500o C) to reconfigure any metal’s crystal structure to provide the mechanical deformation at low density than others metal alloys. These alloys mixture found some applications in Missile parts making, Aerospace system, Défense, Aircraft designing and fittings, Steel worm gears and in many others discipline. These alloy mixtures are treated in conventional fluid to enhance the heat transfer characteristics of nanofluid. Flow is induced by Cattaneo-Christov heat mass flux model perception. The solutions of reduced dimensionless nonlinear ordinary differential equations are handled through Mathematica built-in ND Solve scheme. Significant role of several physical parameters govern by the equation of motions are discussed through plots. Comparisons with the previously published article also validate the efficiency of the technique as well. Results, shows that the heat transfer rate of the AA7072/ AA7075 hybrid nanofluid is remarkably enormous as compared with the usual nanofluid.
A Liouville principle for the random conductance model under degenerate conditions
Authors: Nguyen Tuan Anh 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

We prove a Liouville-type theorem for a random conductance model on the $d$-dimensional lattice under degenerate conditions. In the proof we construct the sublinear correctors in the discrete case and adapt the boundary estimates for harmonic extensions from the work in the continuum by Bella, Fehrman, and Otto (2018) to the discrete case.
Outcome prediction for adult mechanically ventilated patients using machine learning models and comparison with conventional statistical methods: a single-centre retrospective study
Authors: Ong Wei Jun Dan , How Chun Hung , Chong Woon Hean Keenan , Khan Faheem Ahmed , Ngiam Kee Yuan , Kansal Amit 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
In this retrospective single-centre study spanning five years (2016–2021) and involving 2,368 adult Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients requiring over four hours of mechanical ventilation (MV) in a tertiary care hospital, we investigated the feasibility and accuracy of using machine learning (ML) models in predicting outcomes post-ICU discharge compared to conventional statistical methods (CSM). The study aimed to identify associated risk factors impacting these outcomes. Poor outcomes, defined as ICU readmission, mortality, and prolonged hospital stays, affected 40.2% of the discharged MV patients. The Extreme Gradient Boost (XGBoost) ML model showed superior performance compared to CSM (Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve: 0.693 vs. 0.667; p-value = 0.03). At 95% specificity, XGBoost displayed enhanced sensitivity (30.6% vs. 23.8%) and accuracy (0.706 vs. 0.703) compared to CSM. Risk factors such as Glasgow Coma Score at ICU discharge, GCS best motor score during ICU admission, MV duration, ICU length of stay, and Charlson Comorbidity Index were identified. While both ML and CSM exhibited moderate accuracy, the study suggests ML algorithms have the potential for better predictive capabilities and individual risk factor identification, potentially aiding in the improvement of patient outcomes by identifying high-risk patients requiring closer monitoring. Further validation in larger studies is necessary, but the study underscores the potential for real-time application of ML algorithms developed from the increasing availability of electronic medical records (EMR).