bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modeling the adsorption process for fluoride removal from groundwater by machine learning
Authors: Reddy B. S. , Maurya A. K. , Hyeon‐A Hong , Lee Tae‐Hui , Cho K. K. , Reddy N. S. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractWorldwide, groundwater pollution with heavy metals is a severe concern, threatening living organisms and drinking water safety. High fluoride concentration is a common pollutant among various heavy metals found in groundwater. The adsorption method was more convenient, efficient, economically feasible, and eco‐friendly for removing the excess fluoride from groundwater. The fluoride removal efficiency depends on the adsorption process variables such as contact time, pH, alumina dose, temperature, and agitation speed. The association between fluoride removal and adsorption process variables is complex and non‐linear. The present study developed an artificial neural networks (ANN) model to calculate the effect and analyze the relationship between adsorption process variables and fluoride removal. The ANN model was trained using the backpropagation algorithm. The estimated fluoride removal was in good agreement with the experimental observations, with an accuracy of (R2 >99.6) for both training and testing datasets, and was superior to the existing models. The accurate predictions exposed that the model could adequately estimate the relationships between adsorption process variables and fluoride removal from groundwater.
Twenty Years of Research in Ecosystem Functions in Aquatic Microbial Ecotoxicology
Authors: Morin Soizic , Artigas Joan 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
One of the major threats to freshwater biodiversity is water pollution including excessive loads of nutrients, pesticides, industrial chemicals, and/or emerging contaminants. The widespread use of organic pesticides for agricultural and nonagricultural (industry, gardening, etc.) purposes has resulted in the presence of their residues in various environments, including surface waters. However, the contribution of pesticides to the deterioration of freshwater ecosystems (i.e., biodiversity decline and ecosystem functions impairment) remains uncertain. Once in the aquatic environment, pesticides and their metabolites can interact with microbial communities, causing undesirable effects. The existing legislation on ecological quality assessment of water bodies in Europe is based on water chemical quality and biological indicator species (Water Framework Directive, Pesticides Directive), while biological functions are not yet included in monitoring programs. In the present literature review, we analyze 20 years (2000–2020) of research on ecological functions provided by microorganisms in aquatic ecosystems. We describe the set of ecosystem functions investigated in these studies and the range of endpoints used to establish causal relationships between pesticide exposure and microbial responses. We focus on studies addressing the effects of pesticides at environmentally realistic concentrations and at the microbial community level to inform the ecological relevance of the ecotoxicological assessment. Our literature review highlights that most studies were performed using benthic freshwater organisms and that autotrophic and heterotrophic communities are most often studied separately, usually testing the pesticides that target the main microbial component (i.e., herbicides for autotrophs and fungicides for heterotrophs). Overall, most studies demonstrate deleterious impacts on the functions studied, but our review points to the following shortcomings: (1) the nonsystematic analysis of microbial functions supporting aquatic ecosystems functioning, (2) the study of ecosystem functions (i.e., nutrient cycling) via proxies (i.e., potential extracellular enzymatic activity measurements) which are sometimes disconnected from the current ecosystem functions, and (3) the lack of consideration of chronic exposures to assess the impact of, adaptations to, or recovery of aquatic microbial communities from pesticides. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:1867–1888. © 2023 SETAC
Portfolio optimization based on forecasting models using vine copulas: An empirical assessment for global financial crises
Authors: Sahamkhadam Maziar , Stephan Andreas 
Published: July 2023

AbstractWe employ and examine vine copulas in modeling symmetric and asymmetric dependency structures and forecasting financial returns from 2001 to 2022, a period that includes the 2008 financial crisis, the 2011 European sovereign debt crisis, the 2020 COVID‐19 pandemic crisis, and the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine with the resulting energy crisis. We analyze the asset allocations performed and test different portfolio strategies, such as maximum Sharpe ratio, minimum variance, and minimum conditional value at risk. Using international financial market indices, we specify the regular, drawable, and canonical vine copulas, such as the Gaussian, Student's
, Clayton, Frank, Joe, Gumbel, and mixed copulas, and analyze both in‐sample and out‐of‐sample portfolio performances. Out‐of‐sample portfolio back‐testing shows that vine copulas reduce portfolio risk better than the benchmark portfolio strategies and also better than simple multivariate copulas. Overall, we find that mixed vine copula models perform best with regard to risk reduction, both for the entire period 2001–2022 and during financial crises periods. Thus, a mixture of symmetric and asymmetric copula families works best in terms of portfolio risk reduction irrespective of the chosen optimization approach.
Effect of basil seed and xanthan gum on physicochemical, textural, and sensory characteristics of low‐fat cream cheese
Authors: Portaghi Jalal , Heshmati Ali , Taheri Mehdi , Ahmadi Ebrahim , Khaneghah Amin Mousavi 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThis study aims to produce fat‐reduced cream cheese using the different levels (0.25%–0.5%) of basil seed and xanthan gum by a RSM method. The basil seed, xanthan gum, and fat levels did not significantly influence the cream cheese's pH and acidity. With the fat reduction, textural properties were lost; for example, hardness, gumminess, and adhesiveness increased, and cohesiveness decreased. In addition, low‐fat cream cheese's sensory score (taste, mouthfeel, and overall acceptance score) was lower. However, adding basil seed and xanthan gum could improve water holding capacity (WHC), hardness, gumminess, cohesiveness, adhesiveness and scores of mouthfeel, and overall acceptance. Basil seed gum had a better impact than xanthan on fat‐reduced cream cheese properties among the two gums. In general, results showed that adding 0.5% basil and 0.5% xanthan into cream cheese could manufacture a product with a reduced‐fat level (19.04%). At the same time, its physicochemical, sensory, and textural attributes were similar to cream cheese with high fat (24%). In addition, the price of the obtained product was lower.
Relationship between diet quality and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease predictor indices in Iranian patients with metabolic syndrome: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Taghdir Maryam , Salehi Akram , Parastouei Karim , Abbaszadeh Sepideh 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe present study aimed to assess the association between diet quality and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) predictor indices in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS). This cross‐sectional study was carried out among 344 adult patients with MetS. The diet quality of patients was calculated by Healthy Eating Index‐2015 (HEI‐2015). NAFLD predictor indices (Hepatic Steatosis Index [HSI], Triglyceride‐Glucose Index [TyG], and Fatty Liver Index [FLI]) were calculated and compared according to the HEI‐2015 quartiles. The relationship between the HEI‐2015 score and HSI, FLI, and TyG Index was estimated using multiple linear regression analysis. The findings of the present study revealed that patients with the highest HEI score had the lowest FLI score (p = .003) and HSI score (p = .05). There was an inverse relationship between the HEI‐2015 score and FLI (β = −0.49; p < .001), HSI (β = −0.05; p = .25), and TyG Index (β = −0.002; p = .34). According to our result, after adjusting for possible confounding factors, there was a statistically significant inverse association between HEI‐2015 and FLI.
Health care expenditure and income in Canada: Evidence from panel data
Authors: Janko Zuzana , Kakar Venoo 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThis paper investigates the long‐run relationship between health care expenditures (HCE) and income using Canadian provincial data spanning a period of 40 years from 1981 to 2020. We study the non‐stationary and cointegration properties of HCE and income and estimate the long‐run income elasticities of HCE. Using heterogeneous panel models that incorporate cross‐section dependence via unobserved common correlated factors to capture global shocks, we estimate long‐run income elasticities that lie in the 0.11–0.16 range. Our results indicate that health care is a necessity good for Canada. These elasticity estimates are much smaller than those estimated in other studies for Canada. We find that HCE and income in Canada are cointegrated and that short‐run changes in federal transfers significantly and positively affect HCE.
Afforestation vegetation uses water from very deep soil layers in the semi‐arid Loess Plateau
Authors: Wu Yuanzhi , Jia Xiaoxu , An Juan , Huang Laiming , Wang Lizhi , Shao Ming'an 
Published: July 2023

AbstractInvestigating the availability of water in very deep soil layers for vegetation is important for assessing the eco‐hydrological effects of the thick loess soil and optimizing soil water management and vegetation restoration initiatives. However, the proportion of soil water sourced from the soil layer deeper than 300 cm by typical afforestation species on the Loess Plateau, along with its seasonal variations, remains unclear. In this study, we examined the composition of the water sources used by two typical afforestation plant species (Caragana korshinskii and Medicago sativa) from soil depths of up to 10 m during the growing season, using isotopic analysis. The results showed that soil desiccation occurred in the soil layers of 260–1000 cm and 260–700 cm at the upper and lower slope positions, respectively, for both species plots. Relative stability of the isotopic values in >260 cm soil layers explained a piston flow occurred in these layers. The contribution proportion of soil water in 260–1000 cm was at 41.7% ± 9.0% and 51.3% ± 8.8% for C. korshinskii on upper and lower slope, respectively and was at 67.6% ± 6.7% and 73.7% ± 7.0% for M. sativa on upper and lower slope, respectively. The serious soil desiccation was induced by the dependence on very deep soil water and the slow recharge with the piston flow. Meanwhile, C. korshinskii converted the main water source between 0–260 cm and 260–1000 cm in different seasons. In contrast, M. sativa used water mainly from soil layers deeper than 260 cm in June and increased the utilization proportion of deeper water sources in July and September. The persistent dependence on very deep soil water for M. sativa, induced a deeper desiccation depth as compared to C. korshinskii. Thus, thinning to the optimal leaf area index and converting to natural grassland were recommended for C. korshinskii and M. sativa plots, respectively to restore the depleted soil water and to promote water cycle.
Maternal diet and interactions with nutritional evaluation during pregnancy
Authors: Miele Maria J. , Souza Renato T. , Vieira Matias C. , Pacagnella Rodolfo C. , Cecatti José G. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThis narrative review aims to describe the knowledge regarding nutritional evaluation and monitoring in pregnant women. We discuss care provided by non‐specialists in nutrition, regarding dietary information and risks during pregnancy, from a theoretical or conceptual viewpoint. A narrative review was conducted following a literature search when scientific databases were investigated, including SciELO, LILACS, Medline, PubMed, theses, government reports, books, and chapters in books. Finally, the material was fully read, categorized, and critically analyzed. National and international protocols of prenatal nutritional care were included and discussed. Different protocols describe the complexity of evaluating and monitoring nutrition among pregnant women during the prenatal period according to each country. The understanding of social conditions and eating habits has an important role in providing nutritional advice during pregnancy. The lack of dietitians in care overwhelms the healthcare workers and characterizes a missed opportunity. Therefore, it is important to consider rapid support tools that can track adverse nutritional status, and ways to recommend a diet that meets eating habit dynamics, according to the reality of each public health system.
The effect of instructional methods on dental students’ performance in a preclinical endodontic course: A comparative ambispective cohort study
Authors: Alghofaily Maha , Al‐Saud Loulwa M. , Hamadah Lubna E. , Alkahtany Mazen F. , AlSaud Aljohara , AlFraih Jood 
Published: July 2023

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this ambispective cohort study was to examine the effect of instructional methods on dental students’ performance in a preclinical endodontic course. Two cohorts of undergraduate students were included. The pre‐pandemic (retrospective) cohort, which had been taught via traditional instruction (live lecture and live demonstration), and the pandemic (prospective) cohort group, which had been taught via a blended learning approach (online/video recorded lecture and video demonstration, combined with practical training in the simulation laboratory).MethodsA total of 263 dental students’ competencies and written exam results were reviewed, with 137 students from the traditional and 126 from the blended learning groups. Students’ performances in the competency practical and written exams for both groups were compared. Additionally, a post‐course survey was designed to explore the students’ perceptions of blended learning and was sent to the blended learning cohort.ResultsThere was a statistically significant difference between both groups in students’ weekly practical project scores. The average score for females was significantly higher than that of males. However, their practical competency exam scores were comparable. On the other hand, the written exam scores were significantly higher in the blended than in the traditional group, with females demonstrating significantly higher written exam scores compared to males (p < 0.001).ConclusionBlended learning is an effective teaching method for preclinical endodontic courses. It could be more useful than traditional learning methods for the course's theoretical content. Additionally, the students preferred to continue learning using this model.
Assessment of dental student education and preparedness in periodontics in two different models: Discipline‐based and general practice‐based learning
Authors: Hachem Lea El , Singh Brij B , English Dana K. , Parma Rita 
Published: July 2023

AbstractPurposeTo compare dental students’ preparedness in clinical periodontal education following their participation in a discipline‐based predoctoral periodontics clinic with dental students that received a general practice‐based periodontal education.Methods114 third‐year dental students and 112 fourth‐year dental students at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, were emailed an online survey consisting of questions on their proficiency and confidence levels in diagnosing periodontal diseases and conditions, treatment planning, performing non‐surgical periodontal treatment, identifying the need for referral, and their perceived impediments on their clinical periodontics education.ResultsApproximately 97% of third‐year dental students that participated in discipline‐based predoctoral periodontics agree that they are overall confident in providing excellent periodontal care to their patients, and 91% of these students feel that their participation in the predoctoral periodontics clinic has enhanced their knowledge in periodontics as well as their confidence level when providing periodontal patient care. While 95% of fourth‐year dental students agree that they feel confident in providing excellent periodontal care to their patients, only 83% felt that level of confidence during their third‐year in dental school, and 77% believe that given the option to participate in the pre‐doctoral periodontics clinic, their periodontal education would have been strengthened.ConclusionsOur results show that the integration of a discipline based predoctoral periodontics clinic has benefited the dental students and boosted their knowledge and confidence in diagnosing and treating periodontal patients. This model can be improved by addressing space and time limitations.
Differentiation of the metabolic profile of actinobacteria isolated from the soil of the caatinga biome by paper spray mass spectrometry
Authors: Medeiros Talita C. T. , Dabija Laurentiu G. , Parasecolo Leonardo , Melo Itamar S. , Moraes Luiz Alberto B. , Ifa Demian R. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractPaper spray mass spectrometry (PS‐MS) is an ambient ionization technique that allows for rapid and direct mass spectrometry analysis for a wide range of chemical compounds due to its portability, little to no sample preparation, and cost‐effective materials. As applications with this technique continue to expand, the identification and discrimination of bacteria at the strain level remain a promising avenue for researchers. Although studies in the past demonstrated the applicability of PS‐MS to discriminate bacteria at the strain level, no one has reported the strain‐level differentiation of actinobacteria without using solvent for PS‐MS. Hence, this study demonstrates that optimization of PS‐MS permits the investigation and differentiation of the metabolic profiles of actinobacteria without the need for solvents, diminishing the potential for sample contamination and consequently increasing the versatility of this technique. In doing so, strains of actinobacteria (CAAT P5–21, CAAT P5–16, CAAT 8–25, CAAT P8–92, and CAAT P11–13) were grown and transferred to produce a crude growth medium. The supernatant was used for the PS‐MS analyses using a Thermo Scientific LTQ mass spectrometer. Multivariate statistical analysis, including principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchal cluster analysis (HCA), was employed to chemically distinguish the strains of bacteria. As a result, each strain of actinobacteria could be visually differentiated based on their metabolic profile. These findings demonstrate the practicability of using a liquid medium as an alternative to many other organic solvents when analyzing bacteria, making PS‐MS a crucial addition to a microbiologist's research toolkit.
A Novel Technology for Resolution of CEUS Imaging Problems in Patients With High BMI and Fatty Liver
Authors: Merrill Christina , Samuel Anna , Gupta Saransh , Wilson Stephanie R. 
Published: July 2023

ObjectivesIn high‐BMI patients with and without fatty liver, we evaluate performance of a commercially available specially designed ultrasound probe (SDP) for scanning at depth. Greyscale and contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) capability of SDP for parenchymal assessment and liver mass characterization, emphasizing HCC, is compared with standard curvilinear probes.MethodsThis retrospective study included 60 patients. Fifty‐five with measured BMI included 46/55 (84%) overweight or obese, and 9/55(16%) in the normal range with severe fatty liver. Fifty‐six patients with focal liver abnormality included 37 with a mass and 19 with post‐ablative treatment site. Masses included 23 confirmed malignancies, 15 HCC, 4 ICC, and 4 metastases. SDP followed suboptimal ultrasound using a standard probe. Images with varying fat content were compared for depth of penetration on greyscale and ability of CEUS to diagnose tumors.ResultsSDP showed statistically significant improvement P = <.05 in CEUS penetration for all degrees of fatty liver (mild, moderate, and severe). In malignant tumors, SDP improved detection of lesion washout in the portal venous/late phase (PVP/LP) at depth >10 cm, and in all malignant masses (P < .05).Fifteen confirmed deep HCC showed arterial phase hyperenhancement on standard probe in 10/15 (67%) and 15/15 (100%) on SDP. PVP/LP washout on standard probe was shown in 4/15 (26%) and on SDP, 14/15, (93%). Therefore, 93% of LR‐5 tumors were diagnosed with SDP. Removing necessity for biopsy.ConclusionsMetabolic syndrome and obesity challenge ultrasound, especially CEUS. SDP overcame limitations of standard probes for CEUS penetration especially in fatty liver. SDP was optimal for the liver mass characterization by detecting washout.
Utility of Machine Learning Algorithms in Predicting Preoperative Lymph Node Metastasis in Patients With Rectal Cancer Based on Three‐Dimensional Endorectal Ultrasound and Clinical and Laboratory Data
Authors: Huang Weiqin , Lin Ruoxuan , Ke Xiaohui , Ni Shixiong , Zhang Zhen , Tang Lina 
Published: July 2023

BackgroundWe aimed to investigate the value of a machine learning (ML) algorithm in the preoperative prediction of lymph node metastasis in patients with rectal cancer.MethodsBased on the histopathological results, 126 rectal cancer patients were divided into two groups: lymph node metastasis‐positive and metastasis‐negative groups. We collected clinical and laboratory data, three‐dimensional endorectal ultrasound (3D‐ERUS) findings, and parameters of the tumor for between‐group comparisons. We constructed a clinical prediction model based on the ML algorithm, which demonstrated the best diagnostic performance. Finally, we analyzed the diagnostic results and processes of the ML model.ResultsBetween the two groups, there were significant differences in serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels, tumor length, tumor breadth, circumferential extent of the tumor, resistance index (RI), and ultrasound T‐stage (P < 0.05). The extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) model had the best comprehensive diagnostic performance for predicting lymph node metastasis in patients with rectal cancer. Compared with experienced radiologists, the XGBoost model showed significantly higher diagnostic value in predicting lymph node metastasis; the area under curve (AUC) value of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of the XGBoost model and experienced radiologists was 0.82 and 0.60, respectively.ConclusionsPreoperative predictive utility in lymph node metastasis was demonstrated by the XGBoost model based on the 3D‐ERUS finding and related clinical information. This could be useful in guiding clinical decisions on the selection of different treatment strategies.