bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mycological and Multiple Mycotoxin Surveillance of Sorghum and Pearl Millet Produced by Smallholder Farmers in Namibia
Authors: Kaela Calvin R. , Lilly Mariska , Rheeder John P. , Misihairabgwi Jane M. , Alberts Johanna F. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractMycological (mycotoxigenic Fusarium and aflatoxigenic Aspergillus spp.) and multiple mycotoxins [aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), fumonisin B (FB), deoxynivalenol and zearalenone] surveillance was conducted on raw whole grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) produced on smallholder farms, and processed products sold at open markets in northern Namibia. Fungal contamination was determined with morphological methods as well as with quantitative Real-Time PCR (qPCR). The concentrations of multiple mycotoxins in samples were determined with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The incidence of mycotoxigenic Fusarium spp., Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus, as well as the concentrations of AFB1 and FB were significantly (P < 0.001) higher in the malts as compared to the raw whole grains, with Aspergillus spp. and AFB1 exhibiting the highest contamination (P < 0.001). None of the analysed mycotoxins were detected in the raw whole grains. Aflatoxin B1 above the regulatory maximum level set by the European Commission was detected in sorghum (2 of 10 samples; 20%; 3–11 µg/kg) and pearl millet (6 of 11 samples; 55%; 4–14 µg/kg) malts. Low levels of FB1 (6 of 10 samples; 60%; 15–245 µg/kg) were detected in sorghum malts and no FB was detected in pearl millet malts. Contamination possibly occurred postharvest, during storage, and/or transportation and processing. By critically monitoring the complete production process, the sources of contamination and critical control points could be identified and managed. Mycotoxin awareness and sustainable education will contribute to reducing mycotoxin contamination. This could ultimately contribute to food safety and security in northern Namibia where communities are exposed to carcinogenic mycotoxins in their staple diet.
Deep Convolutional Neural Networks for Detecting COVID-19 Using Medical Images: A Survey
Authors: Khattab Rana , Abdelmaksoud Islam R. , Abdelrazek Samir 
Published: April 2023

AbstractCoronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2), surprised the world in December 2019 and has threatened the lives of millions of people. Countries all over the world closed worship places and shops, prevented gatherings, and implemented curfews to stand against the spread of COVID-19. Deep Learning (DL) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) can have a great role in detecting and fighting this disease. Deep learning can be used to detect COVID-19 symptoms and signs from different imaging modalities, such as X-Ray, Computed Tomography (CT), and Ultrasound Images (US). This could help in identifying COVID-19 cases as a first step to curing them. In this paper, we reviewed the research studies conducted from January 2020 to September 2022 about deep learning models that were used in COVID-19 detection. This paper clarified the three most common imaging modalities (X-Ray, CT, and US) in addition to the DL approaches that are used in this detection and compared these approaches. This paper also provided the future directions of this field to fight COVID-19 disease.
Surgical and audiological outcomes with a new transcutaneous bone conduction device with reduced transducer thickness in children
Authors: Willenborg Kerstin , Lenarz Thomas , Busch Susan 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Due to smaller bone thickness, young children with conductive or mixed hearing loss or single-sided deafness were previously most commonly treated with a percutaneous osseointegrated bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA) or an active middle-ear implant. While the BAHA increases the risk of implant infections, skin infection, overgrowth of the screw or involvement of the implant in head trauma, middle-ear implant surgery involves manipulation of the ossicles with possible risk of surgical trauma. These complications can be omitted with transcutaneous bone conduction implant systems like the MED-EL Bonebridge system. The purpose of this study was to analyze whether the second generation of the Bonebridge (BCI 602) that features a decreased implant thickness with a reduced surgical drilling depth can be implanted safely in young children with good postoperative hearing performance.

Methods
In this study, 14 patients under 12 years were implanted with the second generation of the Bonebridge. Preoperative workup comprised a CT scan, an MRI scan, pure tone audiometry, or alternatively a BERA (bone conduction, air conduction). Since children under 12 years often have a lower bone thickness, the CT was performed to determine the suitability of the temporal bone for optimal implant placement using the Otoplan software.

Results
All patients (including three under the age of five) were successfully implanted and showed a good postoperative hearing performance.

Conclusion
With adequate preoperative workup, this device can be safely implanted in children and even children under 5 years of age and allows for an extension of indication criteria toward younger children.
Fibre density and fibre-bundle cross-section of the corticospinal tract are distinctly linked to psychosis-specific symptoms in antipsychotic-naïve patients with first-episode schizophrenia
Authors: Kristensen Tina D. , Raghava Jayachandra M. , Skjerbæk Martin W. , Dhollander Thijs , Syeda Warda , Ambrosen Karen S. , Bojesen Kirsten B. , Nielsen Mette Ø. , Pantelis Christos , Glenthøj Birte Y. , Ebdrup Bjørn H. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractMultiple lines of research support the dysconnectivity hypothesis of schizophrenia. However, findings on white matter (WM) alterations in patients with schizophrenia are widespread and non-specific. Confounding factors from magnetic resonance image (MRI) processing, clinical diversity, antipsychotic exposure, and substance use may underlie some of the variability. By application of refined methodology and careful sampling, we rectified common confounders investigating WM and symptom correlates in a sample of strictly antipsychotic-naïve first-episode patients with schizophrenia. Eighty-six patients and 112 matched controls underwent diffusion MRI. Using fixel-based analysis (FBA), we extracted fibre-specific measures such as fibre density and fibre-bundle cross-section. Group differences on fixel-wise measures were examined with multivariate general linear modelling. Psychopathology was assessed with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. We separately tested multivariate correlations between fixel-wise measures and predefined psychosis-specific versus anxio-depressive symptoms. Results were corrected for multiple comparisons. Patients displayed reduced fibre density in the body of corpus callosum and in the middle cerebellar peduncle. Fibre density and fibre-bundle cross-section of the corticospinal tract were positively correlated with suspiciousness/persecution, and negatively correlated with delusions. Fibre-bundle cross-section of isthmus of corpus callosum and hallucinatory behaviour were negatively correlated. Fibre density and fibre-bundle cross-section of genu and splenium of corpus callosum were negative correlated with anxio-depressive symptoms. FBA revealed fibre-specific properties of WM abnormalities in patients and differentiated associations between WM and psychosis-specific versus anxio-depressive symptoms. Our findings encourage an itemised approach to investigate the relationship between WM microstructure and clinical symptoms in patients with schizophrenia.
Efficacy and Safety of Garadacimab in Combination with Standard of Care Treatment in Patients with Severe COVID-19
Authors: Papi Alberto , Stapleton Renee D. , Shore Paul M. , Bica Mihai Alexandru , Chen Younan , Larbig Michael , Welte Tobias 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background
Garadacimab, a fully human IgG4 monoclonal antibody, inhibits the kallikrein–kinin pathway at a key initiator, activated coagulation factor XII (FXIIa), and may play a protective role in preventing the progression of COVID-19. This phase 2 study evaluated the efficacy and safety of garadacimab plus standard of care (SOC) versus placebo plus SOC in patients with severe COVID-19.

Methods
Patients hospitalised with COVID-19 were randomised (1:1) to a single intravenous dose of garadacimab (700 mg) plus SOC or placebo plus SOC. Co-primary endpoint was incidence of endotracheal intubation or death between randomisation and Day 28. All-cause mortality, safety and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic parameters were assessed.

Results
No difference in incidence of tracheal intubation or death (p = 0.274) or all-cause mortality was observed (p = 0.382). Garadacimab was associated with a lower incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (60.3% vs 67.8%) and fewer serious adverse events (34 vs 45 events) versus placebo. No garadacimab-related deaths or bleeding events were reported, including in the 45.9% (n = 28/61) of patients who received concomitant heparin. Prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and increased coagulation factor XII (FXII) levels were observed with garadacimab versus placebo to Day 14, whilst FXIIa-mediated kallikrein activity (FXIIa-mKA) was suppressed to Day 28.

Conclusion
In patients with severe COVID-19, garadacimab did not confer a clinical benefit over placebo. Transient aPTT prolongation and suppressed FXIIa-mKA showed target engagement of garadacimab that was not associated with bleeding events even with concomitant anticoagulant use. The safety profile of garadacimab was consistent with previous studies in patients with hereditary angioedema.

ClinicalTrials. gov Identifier
NCT04409509. Date of registration: 28 May, 2020.
Spirocerca lupi in the stomach of two Andean foxes (Lycalopex culpaeus) from Chile
Authors: Di Cataldo Sophia , Cevidanes Aitor , Sepúlveda-García Paulina , Alvarado-Rybak Mario , Lia Riccardo Paolo , Otranto Domenico , Terio Karen , Müller Ananda , Millán Javier 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe genus Spirocerca includes nematodes that parasitize the stomach and the oesophagus of carnivores, chiefly canids. Herein, we provide new data about the morphological, histopathological, and molecular characterization of Spirocerca sp. in Andean foxes (Lycalopex culpaeus) in Chile. Intact immature worms, identified as Spirocerca sp., were recovered in the lumen of the stomach from two foxes. Histologically, worms morphologically consistent with spirurid nematodes were present within the wall of the stomach and surrounded by nodular areas of inflammation with central necrotic debris. Molecular analysis of the cox1 gene yielded 19 sequences and 5 nucleotide sequence types with 99.95 to 99.98% similarity, being shared between both foxes. Nucleotide similarity ranged from 93.1 (with genotype 2 of S. lupi and S. vulpis) to 95.8% (with genotype 1 of S. lupi), a higher similarity than noted from sequences of S. lupi from an Andean fox from Peru (91.0 to 93.3%). However, the Poisson Tree Processes for species delineation did not support the existence of a new species Spirocerca. Phylogenetic and nucleotide analyses suggest that these specimens belong to a new variant or genotype of S. lupi or to a cryptic species. Whether the presence of the worms in the stomach has to do with genotypic differences in parasites or host or some combination is uncertain. Spirocerca lupi has never been found in Chilean dogs and must be investigated.
Mobile applications in gastrointestinal surgery: a systematic review
Authors: van der Storm Sebastiaan L. , Bektaş Mustafa , Barsom Esther Z. , Schijven Marlies P. 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background
Mobile applications can facilitate or improve gastrointestinal surgical care by benefiting patients, healthcare providers, or both. The extent to which applications are currently in use in gastrointestinal surgical care is largely unknown, as reported in literature. This systematic review was conducted to provide an overview of the available gastrointestinal surgical applications and evaluate their prospects for surgical care provision.

Methods
The PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane databases were searched for articles up to October 6th 2022. Articles were considered eligible if they assessed or described mobile applications used in a gastrointestinal surgery setting for healthcare purposes. Two authors independently evaluated selected studies and extracted data for analysis. Descriptive data analysis was conducted. The revised Cochrane risk of bias (RoB-2) tool and ROBINS-I assessment tool were used to determine the methodological quality of studies.

Results
Thirty-eight articles describing twenty-nine applications were included. The applications were classified into seven categories: monitoring, weight loss, postoperative recovery, education, communication, prognosis, and clinical decision-making. Most applications were reported for colorectal surgery, half of which focused on monitoring. Overall, a low-quality evidence was found. Most applications have only been evaluated on their usability or feasibility but not on the proposed clinical benefits. Studies with high quality evidence were identified in the areas of colorectal (2), hepatopancreatobiliary (1) and bariatric surgery (1), reporting significantly positive outcomes in terms of postoperative recovery, complications and weight loss.

Conclusions
The interest for applications and their use in gastrointestinal surgery is increasing. From our study, it appears that most studies using applications fail to report adequate clinical evaluation, and do not provide evidence on the effectiveness or safety of applications. Clinical evaluation of objective outcomes is much needed to evaluate the efficacy, quality and safety of applications being used as a medical device across user groups and settings.
Online monitoring method based on magnetic field for stator insulation lifetime tests
Authors: Weisenseel Lukas , Sieling Dennis , Dietz Daniel , Rittmaier Jochen , Doppelbauer Martin 
Published: April 2023

AbstractIn this paper, an online monitoring method of insulation faults based on the stator magnetic field for insulation life tests is developed. In recent years, a trend towards higher operating voltages, higher switching frequencies, and shorter voltage rise times has been observed for low-voltage motors, mainly driven by increasing electromobility. An insulation system must withstand these requirements over the entire operating range and the required service life. Significant over-dimensioning of the insulation is not justifiable, since this has a negative impact on the utilization or the efficiency of the machine. Lifetime tests are therefore required for dimensioning the insulation. For this purpose, end-of-life (EOL) tests are usually carried out. Here, different damage patterns occur, which are distinguished during the analysis. In addition to the EOL test, insulation faults can be detected by monitoring the magnetic field of a stator during the operating time (“online”). An early shutdown often prevents the drive from further damage. In this paper, five methods to evaluate the magnetic field are presented. The operation is investigated using a 2D FEM simulation (sinus excitation) and a network simulation (PWM excitation) and evaluated through measurements on a 4 kW PM external rotor stator. Subsequently, an application of the method on a test rig setup with continuous monitoring of the insulation system is presented. The test setup serves as a basis for future investigations on the influence of voltage rise time, switching frequency, and DC link voltage on insulation faults to estimate the lifetime of insulation systems of electrical machines.
A graph-based superframework for mixture model estimation using EM: an analysis of US wholesale electricity markets
Authors: Mari Carlo , Baldassari Cristiano 
Published: April 2023

AbstractA fully unsupervised graph-based superframework is proposed to handle the EM initialization problem for estimating mixture models on financial time series. Using a complex network approach that links time series and graphs, the graph-structured information derived from the observed data is exploited to produce a meaningful starting point for the EM algorithm. It is shown that structural information derived by complex graphs can definitely capture time series behavior and nonlinear relationships between different observations. The proposed methodology is employed to estimate Gaussian mixture models on US wholesale electricity market prices using two different configurations of the superframework. The obtained results show that the proposed methodology performs better than conventional initialization methods, such as K-means based techniques. The improvements are significant on the overall representation of the empirical distribution of log-returns and, in particular, on the first four moments. Moreover, this approach has a high degree of generalization and flexibility, exploiting graph manipulation and employing functional operating blocks, which can be adapted to very different empirical situations.
Incorporation of carbon black into a sonogel matrix: improving antifouling properties of a conducting polymer ceramic nanocomposite
Authors: Sierra-Padilla Alfonso , López-Iglesias David , Calatayud-Macías Paloma , García-Guzmán Juan José , Palacios-Santander José María , Cubillana-Aguilera Laura 
Published: April 2023

AbstractA new electrochemical sensor device has been developed through the modification of a polyaniline-silicon oxide network with carbon black (CB). Enhanced electrical conductivity and antifouling properties have been achieved due to the integration of this cheap nanomaterial into the bulk of the sensor. The structure of the developed material was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy techniques. Cyclic voltammetry was used to characterize electrochemically the Sonogel-Carbon/Carbon Black-PANI (SNG-C/CB-PANI) sensor device. In addition, differential pulse voltammetry was employed to evaluate the analytical response of the sensor towards sundry chlorophenols, common environmental hazards in aqueous ecosystems. The modified sensor material showed excellent antifouling properties, which led to a better electroanalytical performance than the one displayed with the bare sensor. Notably, a sensitivity of 5.48 × 103 μA mM−1 cm−2 and a limit of detection of 0.83 μM were obtained in the determination of 4-chloro-3-methylphenol (PCMC) at a working potential of 0.78 V (vs. 3 M Ag/AgCl/KCl), along with proficient values of reproducibility and repeatability (relative standard deviation < 3%). Finally, the analysis of PCMC was carried out in multiple validated water samples using the synthesized SNG-C/CB-PANI sensor device, obtaining excellent results of recovery values (97–104%). The synergetic effect of polyaniline and carbon black leads to novel antifouling and electrocatalytic effects that improve the applicability of this sensor in sample analysis versus complex conventional devices.
Graphical abstract
Temporal analysis and the joint probability distribution of rainfall indexes in the Taihu Lake Basin, China
Authors: Hao Manqiu , Gao Cheng , Chen Jian 
Published: April 2023

AbstractTaking the Taihu Lake Basin as an example, in this study, the characteristics of the rainfall factors in the study area were analyzed using daily rainfall data from 1955 to 2019. Three factors, i.e., the contribution rate of the rainfall in the flood season, the rainfall frequency, and the maximum daily rainfall, were selected to determine the optimal probability distribution function for each single factor. Furthermore, the root mean square error goodness-of-fit test was used to determine the optimal copula function for the three-dimensional joint probability distribution characteristics of the rainfall factors. The research results show that the three-dimensional copula joint probability method contains much more information than the results of the single variable probability calculation. The copula function can be used to analyze the multi-dimensional joint distribution of rainfall factors, which can fill the gap in research on multiple rainfall factors.
Minimally invasive non-surgical therapy (MINST) in stage III periodontitis patients: 6-month results of a split-mouth, randomised controlled clinical trial
Authors: Kučič Alja Cmok , Gašperšič Rok 
Published: April 2023

Abstract

Objectives
To determine if minimally invasive non-surgical therapy (MINST) outperforms classical non-surgical periodontal therapy for stage III periodontitis with primarily suprabony (horizontal) type defects.

Materials and methods
In a split-mouth randomised controlled trial, 20 patients’ dental quadrants were randomly assigned to MINST or classical non-surgical treatment. The primary outcome variable was the number of sites with probing pocket depth ≥ 5 mm and BOP. Treatment method, tooth type, smoking status, and gender were evaluated using a multivariate multilevel logistic regression model.

Results
After 6 months, the percentage of sites with PD ≥ 5 mm and BOP that healed (MINST = 75.5%; control group = 74.1%; p = 0.98), and the median number of persisting sites (MINST: 6.5, control group: 7.0; p = 0.925) were similar in both groups. In the test and control groups, respectively, median probing pocket depths (2.0 mm vs. 2.1 mm) and clinical attachment level (1.7 mm vs. 2.0 mm) changed significantly (p < 0.05) but similarly. Significantly less gingival recession occurred in the MINST group’s deep molar pockets compared to the control group (p = 0.037). Men (OR = 0.52, p = 0.014) and non-molars (OR = 3.84, p 0.001) had altered odds for healing of sites with PD ≥ 5 mm and BOP.

Conclusions
MINST reduces gingival recession associated with molar teeth, although it performs similarly to traditional non-surgical therapy in treating stage III periodontitis with predominately horizontal-type defects.

Clinical relevance
MINST performs similarly to non-surgical periodontal therapy in stage III periodontitis with predominantly suprabony defects.

Trial registration
Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04036513) on June 29, 2019.