bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Social network analysis for medical narcotics in South Korea: focusing on patients and healthcare organizations
Authors: Kim Sang-Yoon , Cho Nam-Wook 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Background: Medical narcotics must be administered under medical supervision because of their potential for misuse and abuse, leading to more dangerous and addictive substances. The control of medical narcotics requires close monitoring to ensure that they remain safe and effective. This study proposes a methodology that can effectively identify the overprescription of medical narcotics in hospitals and patients.
Methods: Social network analysis (SNA) was applied to prescription networks for medical narcotics. Prescription data were obtained from the Narcotics Information Management System (NIMS) in South Korea, which contains all data narcotic usage nationwide. Two-mode networks comprising hospitals and patients were constructed based on comprehensive prescription data from 2020 to 2021 for three major narcotics: appetite suppressants, Zolpidem, and Propofol. Two-mode networks were then converted into one-mode networks for hospitals. Network structures and characteristics were analyzed to identify hospitals suspected of overprescribing and propose a method to better control medical narcotics.
Results: The SNA identified hospitals that overprescribed medical narcotics. Patients suspected of experiencing narcotic addiction seek treatment in such hospitals. The structure of the network was also different for the three narcotics; while appetite suppressants and propofol networks had a more centralized structure; zolpidem networks showed a less centralized but more fragmented structure. During the analysis of the two-mode networks, two types of hospitals caught our attention: one with a high degree, meaning that potential abusers have frequently visited the hospital, and the other with a high weighted degree, meaning that the hospital may overprescribe. For appetite suppressants, these two types of hospitals matched 84.6%, compared with 30.0% for Propofol. Regarding hospital size, clinics had the largest share of the network, with the highest degree for the three narcotics. Zolpidem had the highest weighted degree in clinics, and Propofol had the highest weighted degree in general hospitals. Patients using appetite suppressants were most likely to visit multiple locations, whereas those using Zolpidem and Propofol tended to form communities around their neighborhoods.
Conclusions: This study presented a network analysis of prescriptions for all medical narcotics across the country.
The significance of this study lies in its analysis of nationwide narcotic use reports and the differences observed across different types of narcotics. The social network structure between hospitals and patients varies depending on the composition of the medical narcotics. Therefore, these characteristics should be considered when controlling medication with narcotics. The results of this study provide guidelines for controlling narcotic use in other countries.
SmartTur+ECO: a conversational recommender system for tourism
Authors: Carrillo Juan Carlos , Beltran Victoria , Sebastia Laura , Onaindia Eva 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
This paper describes SmartTur+ECO, a conversational recommender system for tourist attractions. It extracts the basic trip data and elicits user preferences through a multi-round interaction with the user guided by a chatbot. In our case, the main advantages of using a conversational recommender system are that we are facing a user-cold start problem because no user history is available, and regarding tourism, it is very likely for most of the users to be a first-time visit to the destination. The preference elicitation process is based on an exploit-explore approach that leverages the similarity between POIs, represented as sentence embeddings generated from the POI description. Finally, the most suitable attractions are recommended and organized in a multi-day plan that considers opening hours and the location of these attractions.
Bias assessment and correction for Levin’s population attributable fraction in the presence of confounding
Authors: Ferguson John , Alvarez Alberto , Mulligan Martin , Judge Conor , O'Donnell Martin 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
In 1953, Morton Levin introduced a simple approach to estimating population attributable fractions (PAF) depending only on risk factor prevalence and relative risk. This formula and its extensions are still in widespread use today, particularly to estimate PAF in populations where individual data is unavailable. Unfortunately, Levin’s approach is known to be asymptotically biased for the PAF when the risk factor-disease relationship is confounded even if relative risks that are correctly adjusted for confounding are used in the estimator. An alternative estimator, first introduced by Miettinen in 1972, is unbiased for the PAF provided the true relative risk is invariant across confounder strata. However, despite its statistical superiority, Miettinen’s estimator is seldom used in practice, as its direct application requires an estimate of risk factor prevalence within disease cases rather than an estimate of risk factor prevalence in the general population. Here we describe a simple re-expression of Miettinen’s estimand that depends on the causal relative risk, the unadjusted relative risk and the population risk factor prevalence. While this re-expression is not new, it has been underappreciated in the literature, and the associated estimator may be useful in estimating PAF in populations when individual data is unavailable provided estimated adjusted and unadjusted relative risks can be transported to the population of interest. Using the re-expressed estimand, we develop novel analytic formulae for the relative and absolute asymptotic bias in Levin’s formula, solidifying earlier work by Darrow and Steenland that used simulations to investigate this bias. We extend all results to settings with non-binary valued risk factors and continuous exposures and discuss the utility of these results in estimating PAF in practice.
Prognostic Difference Between Surgery and External Radiation in Patients with Stage I Liver Cancer Based on Competitive Risk Model and Conditional Survival Rate
Authors: Chen Rong , An Yanli , Xu Muhao , Ren Boping 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

PurposeThis study aimed to assess the difference in prognosis of patients with early-stage liver cancer after surgery or external radiation.MethodsBetween 2010 and 2015, 2155 patients with AJCC 7th stage I liver cancer were enrolled in the SEER database. Among these, 1972 patients had undergone surgery and 183 had undergone external beam radiation. The main research endpoints were overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS). The competitive risk model was used to calculate the risk ratio of liver cancer-specific deaths when there was a competitive risk. Propensity Score Matching (PSM) method using a 1:1 ratio was used to match confounders such as sex, age, and treatment method. Conditional survival was dynamically assessed for patient survival after surgery or external radiation.ResultsMultivariate analysis of the competitive risk model showed that age, disease diagnosis time, grade, and treatment [surgery and external beam radiation therapy (EBRT)] were independent prognostic factors for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Surgery had a higher survival improvement rate than that of EBRT. As the survival of patients with liver cancer increased, the survival curve of surgery declined more slowly than that of radiotherapy patients and stabilized around 3 years after surgery. The survival curve of radiotherapy patients significantly dropped within 4 years and then stabilized.ConclusionSurgery was better than EBRT for patients with stage I liver cancer. Close follow-up was required for 3 years after surgery or 4 years after external radiation. This study can help clinicians make better informed clinical decisions.
Appropriate Parameters for growth Reduction of microorganisms in White leg Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) and Splendid Squid (Loligo formosana) by Plasma Activated Water
Authors: Vichiansan Norrapon , Phan-umong Pornkaran , Mekwilai Thippawan , Kumla Jaturong , Leksakul Komgrit , Lumyong Saisamorn , Boonyawan Dheerawan , Poramapijitwat Pipath 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
The study focuses on the application of PAW inactivation for exporting white leg shrimp and splendid squid. The experiment determined the maximum hydrogen peroxide concentration in PAW by utilizing a full factorial design with two-level factors. Subsequently, the analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted using Minitab. The results indicated that a gas flow rate of a mixture of Ar (98%) and O2 (2%) at 25 L/min, with a discharge time of 120 minutes, generated the optimal concentration of H2O2 in PAW at 13.30 mg/L, as per the response optimizer. The use of PAW to inhibit the growth of microorganisms in white leg shrimp and splendid squid demonstrated that inactivation with PAW, soaked for 10 minutes, resulted in a reduction of total microorganisms to less than 6 Log CFU/g. Additionally, an examination of the nutrition of aquaculture food revealed that PAW-immersed white leg shrimp and splendid squid showed different effects on protein and lipid changes. The results suggest that PAW could be a viable option for decontaminating aquatic food products. However, it is important to consider that oxidation may pose a challenge in certain products.
​Analysis of NDP gene mutations and clinical features in FEVR patients
Authors: Li Qi , He Liying , Tao Xueying , Cen Chao , Gong Liyan , Zhou Wenke , Liu Ya , Li Chunmei 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Purpose Familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) is a group of single-gene inherited fundus diseases characterized by abnormal retinal vascular development. In this study, we analyzed mutations in the NDP gene and clinical phenotypes in FEVR children screened for neonatal eye diseases.Methods Children diagnosed with FEVR based on RETCAM fundus feature changes were collected, and 3-5ml peripheral venous blood was collected from patients and family members.LRP5, FZD4, TSPAN12, NDP, ZNF408, KIF11, CFTR, CAPN5, SLC9A3 and ADGRG2 were used for gene sequencing and analysis. The Polyphen2 and SIFT software identified deleterious and possible protein structural changes caused by the mutated locus of this gene, and analyzed the phenotypic characteristics of patients with the mutation.Results Among 90 probands in Chongqing area, 37 cases of FEVR - related gene mutation were detected, o one proband with NDP gene mutation (1.11%), accounting for 2.56% of the total number of mutations. The clinical phenotype was relatively mild. The 20th exon of the proband NDP was C. G58a (G20R). Gene sequencing analysis suggested that the source of the mutation was maternal, Polyphen2_HDIV predictive analysis suggested that it could be harmful, and SIFT and Polyphen2_HVAR analyses suggested that it was harmless. Mutations in genes related to NDP were not detected in 16 probands from Xinjiang.Conclusion In Chongqing,CHINA, the detection rate of FEVR caused by mutations in the NDP gene is low. We should focus on early screening for neonatal eye diseases, which can detect and diagnose FEVR early and prevent serious complications.
Multi-level Analysis of Access to Drinking Water in Rural Communes in the South of the Kaffrine Region - Senegal
Authors: FALL Mamadou , KANE Coura , NIANG Awa 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Access to water is a fundamental right recognized by the United Nations, and is essential to achieving the goals of sustainable development. In sub-Saharan Africa, the problem of access to water is acute and is exacerbated by climate change, which is causing a severe deterioration in rainfall. As a result, some areas are drying up and aquifers and water points are becoming saline. This situation is leading to a serious water crisis. This crisis is particularly acute in desert and Sahelian regions. The aim of this article is to analyze the factors underlying problems of access to water in rural communes in the south of the Kaffrine region. The methodology is based on the adoption of a multi-level analysis model, which is justified by the multidimensional nature of water in terms of its access and uses. The results show that households have difficulty accessing water and that women travel several kilometers to use water points
Plasma Proteome Association with Coronary Heart Disease and Carotid Intima Media Thickness: results from the KORA F4 study
Authors: Elhadad Mohamed A. , Gómez-Alonso Monica del C. , Chen Chien-Wei , Neumeyer Sonja , Delerue Thomas , Rathmann Wolfgang , Näbauer Michael , Meisinger Christa , Kääb Stefan , Seissler Jochen , Graumann Johannes , Koenig Wolfgang , Suhre Karsten , Gieger Christian , Völker Uwe , Peters Annette , Hammer Elke , Waldenberger Melanie 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Background and aims: Atherosclerosis is the main cause of stroke and coronary heart disease (CHD), both leading mortality causes worldwide. Proteomics, as a high-throughput method, could provide helpful insights into the pathological mechanisms underlying atherosclerosis. In this study, we characterized the associations of plasma protein levels with CHD and with carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), as a surrogate measure of atherosclerosis.
Methods: The discovery phase included 1000 participants from the KORA F4 study, whose plasma protein levels were quantified using the aptamer-based SOMAscan proteomics platform. We evaluated the associations of plasma protein levels with CHD using logistic regression, and with CIMT using linear regression. For both outcomes we applied two models: an age-sex adjusted model, and a model additionally adjusted for body mass index, smoking status, physical activity, diabetes status, hypertension status, low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein, and triglyceride levels (fully-adjusted model). The replication phase included a matched case-control sample from the independent KORA F3 study, using ELISA-based measurements of galectin-4. Pathway analysis was performed with nominally associated proteins (p-value < 0.05) from the fully-adjusted model.
Results: In the KORA F4 sample, after Bonferroni correction, we found CHD to be associated with five proteins using the age-sex adjusted model: galectin-4 (LGALS4), renin (REN), cathepsin H (CTSH), and coagulation factors X and Xa (F10). The fully-adjusted model yielded only the positive association of galectin-4 (OR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.3 - 1.93), which was successfully replicated in the KORA F3 sample (OR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.09 - 1.88). For CIMT, we found four proteins to be associated using the age-sex adjusted model namely: cytoplasmic protein NCK1 (NCK1), insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 2 (IGFBP2), growth hormone receptor (GHR), and GDNF family receptor alpha-1 (GFRA1). After assessing the fully-adjusted model, only NCK1 remained significant (ꞵ = 0.017, p-value = 1.39e-06). Upstream regulators of galectin-4 and NCK1 identified from pathway analysis were predicted to be involved in inflammation pathways.
Conclusions: Our proteome-wide association study identified galectin-4 to be associated with CHD and NCK1 to be associated with CIMT. Inflammatory pathways underlying the identified associations highlight the importance of inflammation in the development and progression of CHD.
Regional-scale evaluation of uncertainty in the multi-model simulation of climate change impact on maize and wheat yield
Authors: Rettie Fasil Mequanint , Gayler Sebastian , Weber Tobias KD , Tesfaye Kindie , Bendel Daniela , Streck Thilo 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

The challenges of climate change, even under the milder scenarios, require urgent adaptation and mitigation strategies. Whilequantifying the potential impacts of climate change involves modeling work, providing decision-relevant evidence is challengingdue to many sources of uncertainty involved in the estimation process. In this study, we examined regional-scale impact ofclimate change on maize and wheat in Ethiopia using three well calibrated and validated process-based crop models. Thecrop models were driven by gridded and high-resolution climate projections from nine global climate models (GCMs) underthree emission scenarios with CO2 fertilization effect considered. The large ensemble of model simulations allows us tocomprehensively quantify the uncertainties in the model estimated climate change impact, thereby increasing the confidence inthe simulations. Our results show that the national projected median and 5th percentile wheat yield was reduced by 4% and18%, respectively by the end of the 21th century under the high-emission scenario (SSP5-8.5). In contrast, national maizemedian yield increased by 2.5%, with the 5th percentile yield projected to decrease by up to 4%. The CO2 fertilization isexpected to have a compensatory effect on the projected wheat (up to 17%) and maize (up to 12%) yield changes. The largestcontributors to overall yield change uncertainty was identified to be the spread in the crop models followed by GCM spread. Weconcluded that by understanding the sources of uncertainty and using techniques to quantify and manage it, it is possible toimprove the accuracy of model predictions and make better decisions in the face of climate change.
Proposal for Zero Energy Housing Prototypes in Jordan
Authors: Albdour Mohammad S. , Alhomaidat Fadi , Alrsai Mahmoud , Alsanat Husam , Al-Zaidyeen Sleiman M.M 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

The residential sector in Jordan, as in many other countries worldwide, suffers from deficient energy building design, mainly due to improper building design and/or inappropriate selection of energy-related systems. Introducing residential buildings with zero-energy design can benefit designers, owners, and policymakers. The main aim of this study was to minimize energy usage and maximize the use of renewable energy in residential buildings. National statistics and an online survey were used to design the most acceptable architectural models. Recommended specifications for achieving zero-energy targets were then included based on various design guides and protocols. A building energy simulation tool was also employed to verify the annual energy consumption of the proposed prototypes. The simulated models proved the accuracy of the proposed designs when compared to the reported annual energy consumption. This article lays the foundation for a zero-energy design guide for residential buildings in Jordan and other countries with similar building and weather characteristics.
Calibration Methods in Imbalanced Binary Classification
Authors: Guilbert Théo , Caelen Olivier , Chirita Andrei , Saerens Marco 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

The calibration problem in machine learning classification tasks arises when a model's output score does not align with the ground truth observed probability. There exist several parametric and non-parametric post-processing methods that can help to calibrate an existing classifier. In this work, we focus on binary classification cases where the dataset is imbalanced, meaning that the negative class significantly outnumbers the positive one. We propose new parametric calibration methods specific to this case and a new calibration measure focusing on the primary objective in imbalanced problems: detecting infrequent positive cases. Experiments on several datasets show that, for unbalanced problems, our approaches outperform state-of-the-art methods in many cases.
Preserving the Past, Ensuring the Future: Analyzing Air Quality at India's Heritage Sites Amidst Climate, Lockdown, and Solutions
Authors: Arif Mohd , Sachdeva Saloni , Mangla Sherry 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

India, one of the most dynamic ancient civilizations, possesses a multitude of historical artifacts, with 37 of its notable architectural structures recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Yet, the ever-changing climate, especially air pollution, expedites the natural deterioration of historic sites and diminishes their aesthetic appeal, causing socio-economic damage.With this in mind, the current study aims at offering a logical scientific foundation for the implications of air pollution, seasonal shifts, and COVID-19 on 14 significant historical places in India during the year 2019-20. The highest amounts of atmospheric pollution and an AQI of 102–141 were observed in Delhi, making it the most polluted city, and intensifies the risk of cultural sites to corrode and deteriorate. In general, winter season had elevated levels of NO2 and particle pollution (PM2.5, PM10), whereas summer had the higher levels of O3. However, during the lockdown period of 5 months, the particulate matter concentration sharply declined by 70%, which otherwise remains constant over the year. Depending on different geographic locations and anthropogenic factors, dose-response statistics indicate that the corrosion threats to historic limestone and sandstone buildings are at an all-time high situation in the majority of the sites. On the other hand, various air quality management challenges are also discussed in the paper, along with the information on available approaches or government initiatives and efficient approaches to protect heritage sites against rapid degradation across the country. Conclusively, the present research provides a sound scientific foundation to advance adequate policy-making on risk management and an effective national mandate to guard cultural heritage sites against corrosion.
Bismuth-Based Mesoporous Nanoball Carrying Sorafenib for Synergistic Photothermal and Molecularly-Targeted Therapy in an Orthotopic Hepatocellular Carcinoma Xenograft Mouse Model
Authors: Zhang Guang-Cong , Song Kang , Wang Xiao-Fan , He Zong-Yan , Du Jun , Sun Jia-Lei , Xu Ru-Chen , Liu Zhi-Yong , Wang Fu , Qi Zhuo-Ran , Yu Xiang-Nan , Miao Yu-Qing , Dong Ling , Weng Shu-Qiang , Shen Xi-Zhong , Liu Tao-Tao , Li Yu-Hao , Zhu Ji-Min 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBackground Sorafenib (SOR), a multi-kinase inhibitor for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), has limited clinical application due to severe side effects and evident drug resistance. To overcome these challenges, a bismuth-based nanomaterial (BOS) is herein developed to achieve thermal injury-assisted continuous targeted therapy in HCC. Results Initially, the mesoporous nanomaterial was loaded with SOR to form BOS@SOR nano-carrier system for SOR delivery and controlled release. Notably, compared with targeted or photothermal therapy alone, the combinational therapy of the nano-carrier system displayed impaired cellular proliferation and increased propensity toward apoptosis. After evaluating thein vivoefficacy, BOS@SOR was subjected to hemolysis and biochemistry analysis, exhibiting excellent biocompatibility. Meanwhile, BOS@SOR could indicate the size and location of HCCviathe more excellent computed tomography contrast enhancement. Combined with the photothermal therapy ability of bismuth, BOS@SOR exhibited synergistic anti-tumor activity and markedly reduced tumor growth in an orthotopic xenograft HCC model. Conclusions Taken together, the bismuth-based nano-theranostic platform could improve the therapeutic effect of SOR and serve as an effective strategy for HCC treatment.