bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A military reconnaissance network for small‐scale open‐scene camouflaged people detection
Authors: Liu Maozhen 
Published: September 2023

AbstractAlthough the work of identifying animal and plant objects with highly similar patterns (e.g., texture, intensity, colour, etc.) to the background has recently attracted more research interest but rarely involves the military complex environment. Design an efficient camouflage small‐scale object detection algorithm that is capable of quickly discriminating the objects in open scenes from a long distance, to pre‐empt the enemy. In this work, we first recognize the fact that existing open‐source training datasets are scarce, and we have created a specific disguised people benchmark covering multiple scenes and weather conditions. Second, because the severe corruption of camouflage capabilities and chaotic scenes in the open battlefield on detailed features and generalization intensifies the challenge of feature extraction from a long‐range perspective, we propose a novel end‐to‐end Small‐scale open scene Camouflage Object Detection Network, called SM‐CODN. Inspired by the characteristics of biological brain partition, a multi‐domain partition module (MPM) with domain‐decoupling is proposed to enable specific knowledge learning for samples with obvious discrepancies in camouflage domain distribution. Concurrent with our work, we have designed a multi‐scale fusion module (MFM) to strengthen the semantic features related to small‐scale disguised objects. Moreover, due to the convergence direction of the detector in reasoning being inconsistent, a feature separation enhancement module (FSEM) is also proposed. Experimental results show that SM‐CODN surpasses many classic object detection methods and shows strong competitiveness compared with state‐of‐the‐art ones.
Prevalence and sociodemographic determinants of public stigma towards people with HIV and its impact on HIV testing uptake: A cross‐sectional study in 64 low‐ and middle‐income countries
Authors: Mendez‐Lopez Ana , White Trenton M. , Fuster‐RuizdeApodaca María José , Lazarus Jeffrey V. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractBackgroundHIV stigma and discrimination are drivers of adverse HIV outcomes because they deter individuals from engaging in the HIV care continuum. We estimate the prevalence of public stigma towards people with HIV, investigate individuals' sociodemographic determinants for reporting stigmatizing attitudes, and test the impact of HIV stigma on HIV testing uptake.MethodsThis was an observational study based on an analysis of cross‐sectional surveys from 64 low‐ and middle‐income countries. We used nationally representative survey data for the population aged 15–49 years from 2015 to 2021, which was the latest available data. HIV public stigma was measured using an index of two questions about attitudes towards people with HIV. First, prevalence estimates of HIV stigma were calculated by country, across countries, and by sociodemographic characteristics. Second, country fixed‐effects multivariable logistic regression models were fit to assess sociodemographic determinants of holding stigmatizing attitudes towards people with HIV. Additional logistic regression models assessed country‐level income and HIV prevalence as determinants of stigma and assessed the role of HIV public stigma as a driver of testing uptake.ResultsA total of 1 172 841 participants were included in the study. HIV stigma was prevalent in all countries, ranging from 12.87% in Rwanda to 90.58% in Samoa. There was an inverse dose–response association between HIV stigma and educational level, wealth quintile, and age group, whereby higher levels of each were associated with lower odds of holding stigmatized attitudes towards people with HIV. The odds of stigmatized attitudes were lower among men and individuals with adequate knowledge of HIV. HIV stigma was lower in countries with greater gross domestic product per capita and HIV prevalence. Holding stigmatized attitudes towards people with HIV was associated with lower testing uptake, including having ever tested or having tested in the last year.ConclusionHIV stigma is present to a highly varying degree in all countries studied, so different approaches to reducing stigma towards people with HIV are required across settings. Action to eliminate HIV stigma is crucial if we are to progress towards ending HIV because holding stigmatized attitudes towards people with HIV was associated with reduced testing.
Infant sleep interventions with sleep measurements using actigraphy: A systematic review
Authors: Chae Sun‐Mi , Yeo Ji‐Young , Han Soo‐Yeon , Chung Na‐Ry , Hwang Ji‐Hye 
Published: September 2023

AbstractAimThis review investigated the outcomes and methodological quality of infant sleep intervention studies utilizing actigraphy.BackgroundParents need appropriate support for infant sleep from nurses. There are few methodological reports of actigraphy in infant sleep intervention studies that objectively measure infant sleep in a natural setting.DesignThis was a systematic review study.Data SourcesOvid MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, CINAHL and PsycINFO were searched from database establishment to 30 December 2021.Review MethodsThis systematic review utilized the Cochrane Collaboration review guidelines.ResultsEleven sleep intervention studies were reviewed. Three used extinction‐based behavioural interventions, and eight included parental education programs. The infant sleep interventions positively affected the sleep outcomes of both infants and parents. Fairly consistent effects were found on infants' number of awakenings and sleep onset latency. However, parental psychosocial outcomes were inconsistent. All studies reported device placement, the algorithm for analysis, the use of a sleep diary and number of days/nights, but external movements affecting infants' sleep records were insufficiently reported. Only two studies had a low risk of bias.ConclusionsThe infant sleep interventions had positive effects on both infants and their parents. Comprehensive methodological considerations are required for more standardized assessments using actigraphy for infant sleep evaluation.
Interleukin‐7 improves the fitness of regulatory T cells for adoptive transfer
Authors: Cosorich Ilaria , Filoni Jessica , Di Dedda Carla , Ferrari Arianna , Jofra Tatiana , Cesarano Susanna , Bonini Chiara , Piemonti Lorenzo , Monti Paolo 
Published: September 2023

AbstractAdoptive regulatory T‐cell (Treg) transfer has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for regulating immune responses in organ transplantation, graft versus host disease, and autoimmunity, including Type 1 diabetes. Traditionally, Treg for adoptive therapy have been sorted and expanded in vitro using high doses of IL‐2, demonstrating stability and suppressive capabilities. However, limitations in their long‐term survival post‐infusion into patients have been observed. To address this challenge, we investigated a novel expansion protocol incorporating interleukin‐7 (IL‐7) alongside the traditional method utilizing IL‐2 (referred to as IL‐7 method, IL‐7M). Our study revealed that naïve Treg express significant levels of CD127 and display robust responsiveness to IL‐7, characterized by STAT‐5 phosphorylation. Expanding naïve Treg with the IL‐7M protocol led to a substantial enrichment of CD45RA+CD62L+CD95+ Treg but showing a reduction in the final cell yield and suppressive function. Moreover, Treg expanded with the IL‐7M exhibited preserved telomere length and demonstrated enhanced resistance to cytokine withdrawal and fas‐mediated apoptosis. When transferred into NSG mice IL‐7M‐Treg persisted longer and reduced the expansion of T cells, but did not significantly reduce the severity of xenoGvHD. In conclusion, our data demonstrate the feasibility of expanding naïve Treg in the presence of IL‐7 to generate a Treg product enriched in poorly differentiated CD45RA+ cells with enhanced survival capabilities.
Haptoglobin is an independent marker for disease severity and risk for metabolic complications in hidradenitis suppurativa: A prospective study
Authors: Abu Rached N. , Gambichler T. , Ocker L. , Skrygan M. , Seifert C. , Scheel C. H. , Stockfleth E. , Bechara F. G. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractBackgroundHidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that is highly correlated with obesity. Haptoglobin serum levels have recently been recognized as an important biomarker linking obesity with chronic inflammation.ObjectiveTo compare haptoglobin with previously proposed serum biomarkers for the determination of disease severity in HS patients. For this purpose, disease severity of HS patients was determined by a panel of clinical scores as well as several risk factors, such as weight and smoking habits.MethodsA prospective, diagnostic accuracy study was performed at the International Centre for Hidradenitis suppurativa/Acne inversa Bochum (ICH). The study included a total of 263 patients, including 131 who had a confirmed diagnosis of HS in Hurley I (n = 16), II (n = 56) and III (n = 59) HS, and 132 healthy controls. The main outcome was to identify serological inflammatory markers for HS disease severity [severe (III) vs. moderate/mild (II/I)] as assessed by Hurley classification.ResultsThe serum levels of acute phase proteins haptoglobin and CRP, as well as the number of neutrophils in peripheral blood, number of monocytes, the systemic immune‐inflammation index and the pan‐immune‐inflammatory value correlated with disease severity according to established clinical scores (mHSS, SAHS, Hurley, DLQI). HS patients had significantly higher haptologlobin levels compared to healthy controls. Logistic regression analysis revealed haptoglobin as the only independent marker predicting severe HS.ConclusionIn this prospective study, we discovered that the serum levels of the acute phase protein haptoglobin levels serve as an independent marker of disease severity in HS. While this presents the first study in the context of HS. Thus, the present data not only yield a highly promising serum marker to be further validated.
Dynamic optical coherence tomography of chronic venous ulcers
Authors: Vélez González Jennifer Jahel , Berger Maximilian , Schiele Stefan , Rubeck Anna , Müller Gernot , Welzel Julia , Schuh Sandra 
Published: September 2023

AbstractBackgroundChronic ulcers, especially venous leg ulcers, are a major burden on the healthcare system. To date there are only few non‐invasive established procedures for evaluation of blood perfusion in wounds. Dynamic optical coherence tomography (D‐OCT) provides images of the skin's superficial vascularisation.ObjectivesThis study aims to investigate if and how the D‐OCT measurement of chronic wounds can provide new information about the vascularisation during the healing process.MethodsWe examined 16 venous ulcers over 16 weeks and evaluated the vessel morphology and density using D‐OCT at the wound bed, borders, two centimetres adjacent to the wound und at non‐ulcerated skin on the contralateral leg.ResultsIn D‐OCT scans clumps were unique and the most common vessel type in the wound area of venous ulcers, whereas lines and serpiginous vessels were the most common in non‐ulcerated skin. At the wound border mottle and cluster patterns occurred more frequently. Healthy skin showed a significant increase of mesh pattern. Vessel density significantly increased at the wound area compared to non‐ulcerated skin. During the healing process the wound border showed the most vascular changes while only an increase in curves was observed in the wound centre. Non‐healing wounds had fewer dots and blobs at the borders, fewer dots, coils, clumps, lines and serpiginous vessels at the centre and fewer dots in adjacent skin. Temperature analysis showed higher temperatures in non‐ulcerated skin, followed by the wound margin and centre. Non‐healing wounds showed the lowest temperatures in the wound centre.ConclusionsThese results highlight the non‐invasive use of D‐OCT for the examination and monitoring of wound healing in chronic venous ulcers. D‐OCT imaging of blood vessels may offer the potential to detect disorders of wound healing at an early stage, differentiate ulcers of different genesis and to tailor more individualized, patient‐oriented therapy.
Real‐world clinical, psychosocial and economic burden of atopic dermatitis: Results from a multicountry study
Authors: Eyerich Kilian , Gooderham Melinda J. , Silvestre Juan Francisco , Shumack Stephen P. , Mendes‐Bastos Pedro , Aoki Valeria , Ortoncelli Michela , Silverberg Jonathan I. , Teixeira Henrique D. , Chen Shirley H. , Calimlim Brian M. , Takemoto Shunya , Sancho Cristina , Fritz Björn , Irvine Alan D. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractBackgroundAtopic dermatitis (AD), a relapsing, inflammatory skin disease, is associated with pruritus that can negatively affect patients' quality of life. Understanding the burden of AD is critical for informing and tailoring treatment and disease management to improve patient outcomes. This study characterized global treatment patterns and the clinical, psychosocial and economic burden of moderate‐to‐severe AD.MethodsMEASURE‐AD was a cross‐sectional 28‐country study in patients with physician‐confirmed moderate‐to‐severe AD who were either receiving or eligible for systemic therapy for AD. Patients ≥12 years were enrolled between December 2019 and December 2020 while attending routine office or clinic visit. Primary outcomes included Worst Pruritus Numeric Rating Scale (WP‐NRS; range: 0–10) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI; range: 0–30) and Children's DLQI (CDLQI; range: 0–30). Secondary outcomes included physician‐ and patient‐reported clinical, psychosocial and economic burden.ResultsOf the 1591 patients enrolled, 1558 (1434 adults and 124 adolescents) fulfilled all patient selection criteria and were included in this analysis. Almost all patients (98.4%) in the total population were using AD medications and more than half (56%) were receiving systemic medication (15% systemic monotherapy). The most used systemic therapies were dupilumab (56.3%), systemic glucocorticoids (18.1%) and methotrexate (16.2%). Mean WP‐NRS was 5.3 in the total population, and most patients (≥55%) reported moderate‐to‐severe pruritus (WP‐NRS ≥4). Mean DLQI was 10.8 and mean CDLQI was 9.6. Secondary endpoints demonstrated substantial clinical, psychosocial, and economic burden of disease. Subgroup analysis demonstrated that patients receiving systemic therapy had lower disease burden than those not taking systemic medications.ConclusionsWhile systemic therapy lowers overall disease burden, patients with moderate‐to‐severe AD continue to have substantial multidimensional disease burden and uncontrolled disease. Overall, there is a need for effective disease management, including effective treatments that improve patients' psychosocial outcomes and reduce the economic burden of AD.
Freshness prediction of modified atmosphere packaging lamb meat based on digital images from mobile portable devices
Authors: Jin Peilin , Li Zhigang , Zhang Xiaoshuan 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThis study aimed to quickly assess lamb meat freshness using smartphones under various modified atmosphere packaging and storage times (0–10 days). Lamb meat images were collected across different periods and packaging types (50% O2 + 40% CO2 + 10% N2; 70% O2 + 20% CO2 + 10% N2; air). Key color features were extracted, and significant differences in five color features were identified. Three distinct color feature combinations were chosen for models: support vector regression (SVR), genetic algorithm‐back propagation (GA‐BP) neural network, and convolutional neural network (CNN). Results showed SVR models with varied color feature inputs outperformed BP and CNN models. The SVR model with 12 input features yielded the best results, enabling effective spoilage level analysis of lamb meat under different storage times. This work establishes a foundation for future smartphone app development, utilizing Raspberry Pi hardware to evaluate lamb meat freshness under diverse storage conditions.Practical applicationsThis study introduces a cell phone‐based method to rapidly determine lamb spoilage in air conditioning packages during different storage times. Using cell phone images, we collected data on lamb samples stored for 0–10 days under three packaging conditions. We extracted significant color features and selected three combinations as inputs for prediction models: SVR, GA‐BP neural network, and CNN. The SVR model with 12 feature values demonstrated the best performance. This research lays the foundation for a cell phone application based on Raspberry Pi hardware, enabling users to assess lamb freshness in various storage conditions. The potential benefits include efficient quality control in the food industry, increased consumer confidence, and improved preservation of lamb products through optimized storage and packaging. Overall, this study contributes to food quality evaluation and provides practical applications for professionals and consumers.
Processing and preservation of apple juice by pulsed electric fields combined with cinnamon essential oils: Exploring the effect of synergism
Authors: Akdemir Evrendilek Gulsun , Karaoğuz Turgut Bengi 
Published: September 2023

AbstractApple juice samples were treated by pulsed electric field (PEF) alone and in combination with cinnamon essential oils (CEO) at 0.0005, 0.003, and 0.06 μL mL−1 concentrations as a function of treatment time. Results revealed 11 different compounds with the highest concentrations of 44.79% 3‐propenal 3‐phenyl, 34.98% trans‐cinnamaldehyde, and 10.18% 4‐propenal 3‐phenyl in CEO. pH and total soluble solids of the apple juice samples significantly decreased; whereas total phenolic substance content of the samples significantly increased by added CEO. The same process parameters caused 3.26 ± 0.19 and 3.83 ± 0.16 log reductions on TAMB and TMY, revealing no detectable numbers after PEF treatment. Similarly, maximum 5.13 and 3.87 log reductions on Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes were obtained on 0.06 μL mL−1 CEO added samples treated after 604 μs. Moreover, increased CEO concentration, when treatment time was constant, caused significantly more microbial inactivation. Increase in treatment time resulted in an incline on ΔH of the samples. Response optimization revealed that 604 μs treatment time and 0.06 μL mL−1 concentration were the optimal treatment parameters with 0.63 composite desirability.
Hand‐blink reflex modulation: The role of primary emotions and attachment dimensions
Authors: Mercante Beniamina , Uccula Arcangelo , Secchi Eleonora , Puggioni Graziella , Loi Nicola , Enrico Paolo , Deriu Franca 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe hand‐blink reflex (HBR) is a subcortical response elicited by the electrical stimulation of the median nerve. HBR magnitude is enhanced when the stimulated hand is close to the face and is modulated by high‐level structures according to the perceived threat magnitude. Psychological factors may contribute to threat evaluation and possibly to HBR amplitude modulation. In this study, we assessed distinctively emotional and relational aspects of personality and evaluated their associations with the HBR response, or lack thereof, in healthy subjects. Seventy‐one volunteers filled the Experiences in Close Relationships Scale, the Affective Neuroscience Personality Scales, and the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory Form Y questionnaires and underwent HBR recording. We found that the HBR could be evoked only in 50.7% of all subjects (responders). Non‐responders subjects showed higher scores in the avoidance dimension (p = .005), and lower scores in the care dimension (p = .008), compared with responders. In responders, regression analysis showed a negative association of HBR amplitude (difference in near vs. far responses) with anger dimension and a positive association with state anxiety (R2 = 0.239). A positive association also emerged with HBR latency and fear dimension (R2 = 0.419). We conclude that primary emotional and relational factors may play an important role in the modulation of brainstem circuits mediating the HBR response. Our results may also contribute to the question about the absence of the HBR in about half of the subjects since high‐level cognitive processes seem to play an important role in the differentiation between responder and non‐responder.
The implementation of social protection in a conservative African welfare regime: The values and beliefs of local state officials in Botswana
Authors: Seekings Jeremy 
Published: September 2023

AbstractSocial protection has grown in importance in framing the relationship between citizens and states across much of Africa. Botswana's conservative welfare regime relies heavily on local officials – many of whom are trained social workers – to exercise discretion in assessing the needs of poor people and registering them on social protection programmes. Interviews with local officials reveal that they attribute poverty and destitution primarily to the deficient attitudes and behaviour of poor people. These are in turn seen as the consequence of social protection policies that disempower people by fostering ‘dependence’ on state provision. Local officials prefer programmes that ‘empower’ poor people. Whilst they recognise that the state has responsibilities towards the poor, they implement policies that reinforce and reproduce the status of poor citizens as often undeserving claimants on public charity.
Natural alleles of Mediator subunit genes modulate plant height in chickpea
Authors: Malik Naveen , Basu Udita , Srivastava Rishi , Daware Anurag , Ranjan Rajeev , Sharma Akash , Thakro Virevol , Mohanty Jitendra K. , Jha Uday Chand , Tripathi Shailesh , Tyagi Akhilesh K. , Parida Swarup K. 
Published: September 2023

SUMMARYPlant height (PH) is an important plant architectural trait targeted during Green Revolution to enhance crop yields. Identification of genes and natural alleles governing plant height without compromising agronomic performance can fill the lacuna of knowledge connecting ideal plant architecture with maximum achievable yield in chickpea. Through coherent strategy involving genome‐wide association study, QTL/fine mapping, map‐based cloning, molecular haplotyping, and downstream functional genomics, the current study identified two Mediator subunit genes namely, CaMED23 and CaMED5b and their derived natural alleles/haplotypes underlying the major QTLs and trans‐acting eQTLs regulating plant height in chickpea. Differential accumulation of haplotype‐specific transcripts of these two Mediator genes in corresponding haplotype‐introgressed near‐isogenic lines (NILs) correlates negatively with the plant height trait. Quantitative as well as qualitative estimation based on histology, scanning electron microscopy, and histochemical assay unraveled the reduced lengths and cell sizes of internodes along with compromised lignin levels in dwarf/semi‐dwarf chickpea NILs introgressed with superior CaMED23 and CaMED5b gene haplotypes. This observation, supported by global transcriptome profiling‐based diminished expression of various phenylpropanoid pathway genes upstream of lignin biosynthesis in dwarf/semi‐dwarf NILs, essentially links plant height with lignin accumulation. The identified molecular signatures in the Mediator subunit genes can be efficiently utilized to develop desirable dwarf/semi‐dwarf‐type chickpea cultivars without affecting their yield per plant via modulating lignin/phenylpropanoid biosynthesis.