bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association between ambient air pollution and outpatient visits of cardiovascular diseases in Zibo, China: a time series analysis
Authors: Wang Yamei , Qu Shaoning , Li Ting , Chen Liang , Yang Liping 
Published: January 2025

IntroductionFacing Mount Tai in the south and the Yellow River in the north, Zibo District is an important petrochemical base in China. The effect of air pollution on cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in Zibo was unclear.MethodsDaily outpatient visits of common CVDs including coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and arrhythmia were obtained from 2019 to 2022 in Zibo. Air pollutants contained fine particulate matter (PM2.5), inhalable particulate matter (PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), ozone (O3), and carbon monoxide (CO). Distributed lag non-linear models (DLNM) including single-pollutant model in single-day (lag0-lag7) and cumulative-days (lag01-lag07), concentration-response curve, subgroup analysis, and double-pollutant model were utilized to examine the relationships of daily air pollutants on CHD, stroke, and arrhythmia. Meteorological factors were incorporated to control confounding.ResultsIn single-pollutant model, NO2 was positively associated with CHD, stroke and arrhythmia, with the strongest excess risks (ERs) of 4.97% (lag07), 4.71% (lag07) and 2.16% (lag02), respectively. The highest ERs of PM2.5 on CHD, stroke and arrhythmia were 0.85% (lag01), 0.59% (lag0) and 0.84% (lag01), and for PM10, the ERs were 0.37% (lag01), 0.35% (lag0) and 0.39% (lag01). SO2 on CHD was 0.92% (lag6), O3 on stroke was 0.16% (lag6), and CO on CHD, stroke, and arrhythmia were 8.77% (lag07), 5.38% (lag01), 4.30% (lag0). No threshold was found between air pollutants and CVDs. The effects of ambient pollutants on CVDs (NO2&amp;CVDs, PM2.5&amp;stroke, PM10&amp;stroke, CO&amp;stroke, CO&amp;arrhythmia) were greater in cold season than warm season. In double-pollutant model, NO2 was positively associated with CHD and stroke, and CO was also positively related with CHD.ConclusionAmbient pollutants, especially NO2 and CO were associated with CVDs in Zibo, China. And there were strong relationships between NO2, PM2.5, PM10, CO and CVDs in cold season.
SPEMix: a lightweight method via superclass pseudo-label and efficient mixup for echocardiogram view classification
Authors: Ma Shizhou , Zhang Yifeng , Li Delong , Sun Yixin , Qiu Zhaowen , Wei Lei , Dong Suyu 
Published: January 2025

IntroductionIn clinical, the echocardiogram is the most widely used for diagnosing heart diseases. Different heart diseases are diagnosed based on different views of the echocardiogram images, so efficient echocardiogram view classification can help cardiologists diagnose heart disease rapidly. Echocardiogram view classification is mainly divided into supervised and semi-supervised methods. The supervised echocardiogram view classification methods have worse generalization performance due to the difficulty of labeling echocardiographic images, while the semi-supervised echocardiogram view classification can achieve acceptable results via a little labeled data. However, the current semi-supervised echocardiogram view classification faces challenges of declining accuracy due to out-of-distribution data and is constrained by complex model structures in clinical application.MethodsTo deal with the above challenges, we proposed a novel open-set semi-supervised method for echocardiogram view classification, SPEMix, which can improve performance and generalization by leveraging out-of-distribution unlabeled data. Our SPEMix consists of two core blocks, DAMix Block and SP Block. DAMix Block can generate a mixed mask that focuses on the valuable regions of echocardiograms at the pixel level to generate high-quality augmented echocardiograms for unlabeled data, improving classification accuracy. SP Block can generate a superclass pseudo-label of unlabeled data from the perspective of the superclass probability distribution, improving the classification generalization by leveraging the superclass pseudolabel.ResultsWe also evaluate the generalization of our method on the Unity dataset and the CAMUS dataset. The lightweight model trained with SPEMix can achieve the best classification performance on the publicly available TMED2 dataset.DiscussionFor the first time, we applied the lightweight model to the echocardiogram view classification, which can solve the limits of the clinical application due to the complex model architecture and help cardiologists diagnose heart diseases more efficiently.
Semantic segmentation using synthetic images of underwater marine-growth
Authors: Mai Christian , Liniger Jesper , Pedersen Simon 
Published: January 2025

IntroductionSubsea applications recently received increasing attention due to the global expansion of offshore energy, seabed infrastructure, and maritime activities; complex inspection, maintenance, and repair tasks in this domain are regularly solved with pilot-controlled, tethered remote-operated vehicles to reduce the use of human divers. However, collecting and precisely labeling submerged data is challenging due to uncontrollable and harsh environmental factors. As an alternative, synthetic environments offer cost-effective, controlled alternatives to real-world operations, with access to detailed ground-truth data. This study investigates the potential of synthetic underwater environments to offer cost-effective, controlled alternatives to real-world operations, by rendering detailed labeled datasets and their application to machine-learning.MethodsTwo synthetic datasets with over 1000 rendered images each were used to train DeepLabV3+ neural networks with an Xception backbone. The dataset includes environmental classes like seawater and seafloor, offshore structures components, ship hulls, and several marine growth classes. The machine-learning models were trained using transfer learning and data augmentation techniques.ResultsTesting showed high accuracy in segmenting synthetic images. In contrast, testing on real-world imagery yielded promising results for two out of three of the studied cases, though challenges in distinguishing some classes persist.DiscussionThis study demonstrates the efficiency of synthetic environments for training subsea machine learning models but also highlights some important limitations in certain cases. Improvements can be pursued by introducing layered species into synthetic environments and improving real-world optical information quality—better color representation, reduced compression artifacts, and minimized motion blur—are key focus areas. Future work involves more extensive validation with expert-labeled datasets to validate and enhance real-world application accuracy.
Diagnosis and management of de novo inflammatory bowel disease after solid organ transplantation in the era of biologic therapy: a case series
Authors: Johnson Willie Mohammed , Vaughn Byron P. , Lim Nicholas 
Published: January 2025

IntroductionThe clinical characteristics of de novo inflammatory bowel disease (dnIBD) diagnosed after solid organ transplant (SOT) are not well-described, particularly since the advent of biologic therapy for treatment of IBD.MethodsWe conducted a single-center, retrospective review of SOT recipients between 2010 and 2022 at the University of Minnesota Medical Center who were diagnosed with IBD after transplant.ResultsOf 89 patients at our center with IBD and a history of SOT, five (5.6%) patients were diagnosed with IBD post-transplant (three liver, one kidney, and one simultaneous liver and kidney): three patients were female and four were Caucasian. Mean age at transplant and IBD diagnosis were 46.7 and 49.4 years respectively. Indication for transplant were alcohol-related cirrhosis (n = 2), idiopathic fulminant hepatic failure (n = 1), metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (n = 1), and IgA nephropathy (n = 1). Four patients were diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC) and one with Crohn's disease (CD). Three patients (all with UC) required escalation to a biologic therapy. Four patients were in clinical remission from IBD at last follow-up, one patient required IBD surgery, while there was no rejection and no deaths following IBD diagnosis.ConclusiondnIBD post-SOT is uncommon, while newer IBD therapies may be safe and effective. Further study is required to better understand the natural history and IBD outcomes of this population relative to non-SOT patients.
Factors influencing sport development among women with disabilities: a case study of a visually impaired Spanish Paralympic woman
Authors: Barrera-Garcimartín Alejandro , Redondo-Fernández Áurea , Pérez-Tejero Javier 
Published: January 2025

IntroductionWomen with disabilities may experience particular difficulties in starting and developing in sport, also in the Paralympic context. Although a great deal of research has been conducted with high-performance athletes, relatively few studies have focused on athletes with disabilities, especially Paralympic women using person-first approaches. Thus, the main objective of this study is to understand, through the experience and opinion of a Paralympian female athlete, how these athletes reach their full potential, identifying the elements and initiatives that can influence (whether positively or negatively) their sporting trajectory and developmental milestones.MethodologyThis study analyzes the case of a quadruple Paralympic medalist in blind Judo, who has competed in Paralympic Games from Athens 2004 to Paris 2024. Information was gathered from a semi-structured interview, a book chapter she had written, and her participation in a forum.ResultsThe athlete differentiated between two key stages in the sports career of people with disabilities: (1) the beginning of sports practice; and (2) development processes and the search for future Paralympic athletes. Women with disabilities face particular difficulties in accessing sport, with foundations for people with disabilities and coaches playing a fundamental role. It is crucial to give visibility and have sports references in these areas, highlighting initiatives such as Paralympic School Days and inclusive competitions. There are conditioning factors in the identification and development of talent, such as the rules and the nature of each Paralympic sport, and the level of inclusion that the athletes have experienced in their environment.ConclusionsThis case study presents the perceptions of a female athlete with regard to the beginnings and development of sport in the Paralympic framework, underlining the need to promote actions that help and encourage the development and participation of women with disabilities in sport.
Exploring gender dynamics in climate-smart agriculture adoption: a study in semi-arid Dodoma, Tanzania
Authors: Awoke Mahlet Degefu , Löhr Katharina , Kimaro Anthony A. , Lana Marcos , Soh Wenda Boris D. , Buabeng Kwabena , Hafner Johannes Michael , Sieber Stefan 
Published: January 2025

IntroductionClimate change threatens agricultural production, particularly in developing countries, where agriculture supports over 2.5 billion people. Women, who comprise 43% of the agricultural labor force, are particularly vulnerable due to gender inequalities, especially in African societies. While Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) offers potential benefits to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change, its benefits are not evenly distributed, with a notable gender gap in adoption.MethodsThis study investigates how gender dynamics influence CSA adoption patterns in Tanzania’s semi-arid Dodoma regions, using a mixed-methods approach. The study included a survey of 380 households and focus group discussions with 75 participants.ResultsThe results reveal lower CSA adoption among female-headed households (51% non-adopters) compared to male-headed households (38% non-adopters). Probit and Poisson regression analyses identify several key determinants of adoption and adoption intensity, including marital status, livestock ownership, land access, and the availability of extension services. Female-headed households face unique barriers, such as smaller landholdings, labor constraints, and limited access to credit, training, and group membership. The study also highlights the absence of female extension workers in villages.DiscussionThe findings emphasize the need for targeted policy interventions to address these challenges and promote more equitable CSA adoption. These include implementing land reforms to ensure equitable land access for women, designing inclusive training programs that accommodate women’s time constraints, and increasing the representation of female extension workers to enhance CSA knowledge dissemination among female farmers. Additionally, improving access to credit facilities for female farmers, strengthening social networks through farmer groups, and improving transport infrastructure to reduce logistical barriers are crucial to further supporting CSA adoption. These targeted interventions are essential for overcoming gender-specific barriers, ensuring that CSA benefits are more equitably distributed, and ultimately supporting sustainable agricultural development.
Perception of land rights, village industrial development, and household entrepreneurial behavior—evidence from non-farm entrepreneurship in rural China
Authors: Weng Yiqing , Wang Shuifu 
Published: January 2025

IntroductionHousehold entrepreneurship has a positive significance in increasing farmers’ income, but currently farmers’ entrepreneurial willingness is insufficient and entrepreneurial behavior needs to be further activated. Existing studies have examined the mechanism of entrepreneurial behavior more in terms of individual factors. However, behavioral decisions are the result of internal and external factors. Therefore, we analysed the mechanisms influencing farmers’ entrepreneurial behavior from two aspects: farmers’ internal psychological perception of the stability of land rights and the driving role of village-level industrial development.MethodsOur analysis is based on data from a sample of 2356 farmers in Jiangsu Province, China, and uses mathematical modeling and binary logic modeling methods.ResultsThe results show that the regression coefficient for the perception of land rights on farmers’ entrepreneurial behavior is 0.573; the regression coefficient for village industrial development on farmers’ entrepreneurial behavior is 1.480; and the regression coefficient for the interaction term between perception of land rights and village industrial development on farmers’ entrepreneurial behavior is 0.361. This indicates that both the perception of land rights and village industrial development have a promoting effect on farmers’ entrepreneurial behavior, and village industrial development moderates the impact of perception of land rights on farmers’ entrepreneurial behavior.DiscussionBased on the results of the study, the following implications have been drawn: first, it is necessary to strengthen land rights, regulate and guide the transfer of land, and strengthen the concept of stability of land rights; second, it is necessary to develop local speciality industries, and to help farmers’ employment and entrepreneurship in a variety of forms and through a variety of channels.
Achieving agricultural sustainability: analyzing the impact of digital financial inclusion on agricultural green total factor productivity
Authors: Xu Ming , Shi Lidong , Zhao Jiahui , Zhang Yili , Lei Ting , Shen Yang 
Published: January 2025

IntroductionIn order to achieve the sustainable development goal set by the United Nations,it is necessary to promote the green transformation and sustainable development of agriculture. In the context of the global economic digital revolution, examining the impact of digital financial inclusion (DFl) on agricultural green total factor productivity (AGTFP) provided a new perspective for DFl to promote agricultural transformation and upgrading.MethodsBased on balanced panel data for 30 provinces in China from 2011 to 2022, the study used the slack-based measure (SBM) and global malmquist-luenberger (GML) index to measure AGTFP. Then the entropy method was used to measure the basic condition of digital logistics. Finally, causal relationship and potential mechanism of DFI on AGTFP were verified by means of bidirectional fixed effect and two-stage least square method.ResultsOur findings are as follows: firstly, DFl significantly increases AGTFP. This conclusion is still valid after a series of robustness tests and endogeneity control. Secondly, land transfer and digital logistics play positive mediating roles in the relationship between DFl and AGTFP. Thirdly, DFl has a higher impact on AGTFP in main grain-producing areas and the production-marketing balanced areas.DiscussionThis research provides not only theoretical and empirical support for optimizing China’s digital inclusive financial service system and promoting the green development of agriculture but also an important reference for the agricultural development of developing countries.
Analyses of blood-derived host biomarkers for pulmonary tuberculosis diagnosis in human immunodeficiency virus co-infected individuals in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Rapulana Antony M. , Mpotje Thabo , Mthiyane Nondumiso , Smit Theresa K. , McHugh Timothy D. , Marakalala Mohlopheni J. 
Published: January 2025

ObjectiveOur objective was to conduct a review of host blood-derived biomarkers as potential diagnostic targets for pulmonary TB and as alternative tests to identify active tuberculosis in HIV co-infected individuals.MethodsA systematic review and meta-analysis of host blood-derived biomarkers with potential for diagnosis of active tuberculosis in HIV co-infected individuals was conducted. Cochrane Library, Embase, MEDLINE, PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched up to 7 November 2023. A hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic (HSROC) model was used to evaluate the pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR) and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) of the following potential biomarkers: C-reactive protein (CRP), Interferon gamma induced protein-10 (IP-10), Neopterin, IGRA, Kynurenine to tryptophan (K/T) ratio and use of different panels of combined biomarkers; including 5 biomarker panel (IL-6, INF-y, MIG, CRP, and IL-18), 4 biomarker panel (IL-6, IL-21, INF-y, IL-1a), 6 biomarker panel (APO-ACIII, CXCL1, CXCL9, CCL8, CCL-1, and CD56), and 9 biomarker panel (Alpha-2-macroglobulin, fibrinogen, CRP, MMP-a, transthyretin, complement factor H, INF-y, IP-10, and TNF-α).ResultsTwenty-three studies were included. The pooled sensitivity of CRP, IP-10, Neopterin, combined biomarker signatures, IGRA and K/T ratio were 77% (60–88), 79% (72 - 84), 82% (43–96), 78% (64–88), 71% (65–76), 95% (90–98), respectively and the pooled specificity were 90% (80–96), 82% (59–93), 42% (22–66), 85% (73–92), 33% (18–54), and 95% (82–99), respectively.ConclusionCRP, IP-10, K/T ratio and the panels of multiple combined biomarkers that include the following cytokines, chemokines, and acute phase proteins IL-6, INF-y, MIG, CRP, IL-18, IL-21, IL-1a, APO-ACIII, CXCL1, CXCL9, CCL8, CCL-1, CD56, Alpha-2-macroglobulin, fibrinogen, MMP-a, transthyretin, complement factor H, IP-10, and TNF-α are potential blood biomarkers that can aid TB diagnosis in HIV co-infected individuals.
Hematologic and clinical chemistry reference intervals for six species of wild birds frequently rescued in the Republic of Korea
Authors: Kim Myeongsu , Wut Hmohn Zun Zun , Jang Woochan , Baek Geonwoo , Han Jae-Ik 
Published: January 2025

ObjectiveReference intervals for hematologic and clinical chemistry values are useful when diagnosing a pathologic condition in animals. This study establishes relevant reference intervals for six species of wild birds that are frequently rescued at wildlife rescue centers in the Republic of Korea.MethodsForty-two Eurasian eagle owls (Bubo bubo), 34 Oriental turtle doves (Streptopelia orientalis), 73 domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica), 27 brown hawk-owls (Ninox scutulata), 76 common kestrels (Falco tinnunculus), and 25 Eurasian magpies (Pica pica) were included in this study. Only released birds were included because they were judged to be clinically healthy through physical examinations, blood examinations, radiographic examinations, and flight evaluations. The reference intervals were set according to the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology guideline, and if there were fewer than 20 birds, the reference intervals were set between the 2.5th percentile and the 97.5th percentile. One-way ANOVA was performed to compare hematologic and clinical chemistry parameters among species.ResultsThe total protein levels in carnivorous birds (Eurasian eagle owl, brown hawk-owl, and common kestrel) were significantly higher than those in omnivorous birds (Oriental turtle dove and domestic pigeon). The common kestrel exhibited significantly lower white blood cell counts and heterophil counts than other species. The Eurasian magpie had significantly higher eosinophils than other species.ConclusionThis study provides reference intervals for wild birds often rescued at wildlife rescue centers in Korea. It is expected that these reference intervals will be used as important data in diagnosing diseases in rescued wild birds.
Long-term ultrasonographic changes of the canine prostate gland after castration
Authors: Spada Stefano , De Felice Daniela , Arlt Sebastian , Aires Luiz Paulo Nogueira , England Gary C. W. , Russo Marco 
Published: January 2025

IntroductionUltrasound imaging (US) is the method of choice to assess the canine prostate gland. Whilst recent studies have documented the role of castration in the development of prostatic neoplasia, little is known about parenchymal and perfusion features of the normal and abnormal prostate in neutered dogs. No data are available concerning prostatic changes after the first 90 days following castration. The present study aimed to acquire data on the long-term ultrasonographic changes occurring to the canine prostate after castration.Materials and methodsTen adult neutered dogs underwent B-mode US and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) of the prostate on two occasions: day of the first examination (T0) and six years later (T1). The prostate was evaluated via B-mode US and the volume was calculated using Atalan’s formula. For CEUS examination, an intravenous contrast agent (SonoVue) was administered to assess prostatic perfusion. Videoclips were recorded, and time-intensity curves were obtained to determine contrast parameters: peak enhancement (PPI) and time to peak (TTP). Volumetric and perfusion results were then compared between timepoints.ResultsAt both examinations, the prostate appeared similar on B-mode US in terms of morphology and echotexture, minimally decreasing in volume over time. Prostate perfusion was significantly reduced in all dogs between T0 and T1, with a PPI decrease from 54.9 to 29.6% and an increase in TTP from 26.3 to 47 s.DiscussionThese preliminary data provide baseline information on the B-mode appearance and CEUS measurements of the prostate gland of neutered dogs and suggest that prostatic involution after castration is not a short-term process but continues over several months.