bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A novel experimental and machine learning model to remove COD in a batch reactor equipped with microalgae
Authors: Jery Atef El , Noreen Ayesha , Isam Mubeen , Arias-Gonzáles José Luis , Younas Tasaddaq , Al-Ansari Nadhir , Sammen Saad Sh. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractBy using microorganisms and the microalgae Chlorella vulgaris in conjunction with sequencing batch reactors (SBRs), the performance of a wastewater treatment facility was studied. For this purpose, the effect of pH, temperature, $${\mathrm{COD}}_{\mathrm{inlet}}$$

COD
inlet

, and air flowrate on COD removal rate and residual was investigated. A single-factorial optimization method is utilized to optimize the amount of COD removal, and the best result is obtained with a pH of 8, $${\mathrm{COD}}_{\mathrm{inlet}}=600\, \mathrm{mg}/\mathrm{l}$$

COD
inlet

=
600

mg
/
l

, and an airflow rate of 55 l/min. Under optimal conditions, the amount of residual COD in the effluent reached 36 $$\mathrm{mg}/\mathrm{l}$$

mg
/
l

, showing an augmentation in the efficiency of the desired system. Moreover, empirical correlations are proposed for double-factorial optimization of residual COD and COD removal. Also, a multilayer perceptron artificial neural network is proposed to model the process and predict the residual COD concentration. The useful technique of hyperparameter tuning is utilized to obtain the best result for the predictions. All the effective parameters, including the number of hidden layers, neurons, epochs, and batch size, are adjusted. Data from the experiments agreed well with the artificial neural network modeling results. For this modeling, the values of the correlation coefficient ($${R}^{2}$$

R

2

) and mean absolute error (MAE) were obtained as 0.98 and 2%, respectively.
Postoperative circulating tumor DNA detection and CBLB mutations are prognostic biomarkers for gastric cancer
Authors: Zhou Hekai , Liu Houcong , Li Jun , Wang Jidong , Fu Xiaohong , Li Yingqiang , Mao Shaolong , Du Jihui 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Background
Several studies have demonstrated that circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) can be used to predict the postoperative recurrence of several cancers. However, there are few studies on the use of ctDNA as a prognosis tool for gastric cancer (GC) patients.

Objective
This study aims to determine whether ctDNA could be used as a prognostic biomarker in GC patients through multigene-panel sequencing.

Methods
Using next-generation sequencing (NGS) Multigene Panels, the mutational signatures associated with the prognosis of GC patients were identified. We calculated the survival probability with Kaplan–Meier and used the Log-rank test to compare survival curves between ctDNA-positive and ctDNA-negative groups. Potential application of radiology combined with tumor plasma biomarker analysis of ctDNA in GC patients was carried out.

Results
Disease progression is more likely in ctDNA-positive patients as characterized clinically by a generally higher T stage and a poorer therapeutic response (P < 0.05). ctDNA-positive patients also had worse overall-survival (OS: P = 0.203) and progression-free survival (PFS: P = 0.037). The combined analysis of ctDNA, radiological, and serum biomarkers in four patients indicated that ctDNA monitoring can be a good complement to radiological and plasma tumor markers for GC patients. Kaplan–Meier analysis using a cohort of GC patients in the TCGA database showed that patients with CBLB mutations had shorter OS and PFS than wild-type patients (OS: P = 0.0036; PFS: P = 0.0027).

Conclusions
This study confirmed the utility and feasibility of ctDNA in the prognosis monitoring of gastric cancer.
Resident Versus Attending Prenatal Care Models: an Analysis of the Effects of Race and Insurance on Appointment Attendance
Authors: Fitzpatrick Veronica , Rivelli Anne , Guzman Iridian , Erwin Kim 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Objective

To describe patient differences by prenatal care (PNC) model and identify factors that interact with race to predict more attended prenatal appointments, a key component of PNC adherence.

Methods
This retrospective cohort study used administrative data targeting prenatal patient utilization from two OB clinics with different care models (resident vs. attending OB) from within one large midwestern healthcare system. All appointment data among patients receiving prenatal care at either clinic between September 2, 2020, and December 31, 2021, were extracted. Multivariable linear regression was performed to identify predictors of attended appointments within the resident clinic, as moderated by race (Black vs. White).

Results
A total of 1034 prenatal patients were included: 653 (63%) served by the resident clinic (appointments = 7822) and 381 (38%) by the attending clinic (appointments = 4627). Patients were significantly different across insurance, race/ethnicity, partner status, and age between clinics (p < 0.0001). Despite prenatal patients at both clinics being scheduled for approximately the same number of appointments, resident clinic patients attended 1.13 (0.51, 1.74) fewer appointments (p = 0.0004). The number of attended appointments was predicted by insurance in crude analysis (β = 2.14, p < 0.0001), with effect modification by race (Black vs. White) in final fitted analysis. Black patients with public insurance attended 2.04 fewer appointments than White patients with public insurance (7.60 vs. 9.64) and Black non-Hispanic patients with private insurance attended 1.65 more appointments than White non-Hispanic or Latino patients with private insurance (7.21 vs. 5.56).

Conclusion
Our study highlights the potential reality that the resident care model, with more care delivery challenges, may be underserving patients who are inherently more vulnerable to PNC non-adherence at care onset. Our findings show that patients attend more appointments at the resident clinic if publicly insured, but less so if they are Black than White.
Erectile function and androgen and estrogen beta receptor gene polymorphisms in acromegalic men
Authors: Pallotti F. , Costa D. , Hirsch M. N. , Mercuri V. , Di Chiano S. , Paoli E. D. , Faja F. , Rizzo F. , Lenzi A. , Paoli D. , Lombardo F. , Gargiulo P. 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Sexual dysfunctions are often experienced by male patients with acromegaly, due to a combination of hypogonadism and other comorbidities, but are a scarcely investigated complication. Erectile dysfunction is also closely related to cardiovascular diseases through endothelial dysfunction. Therefore, this project aimed to assess the prevalence of erectile dysfunction in a population of acromegalic men and evaluate its association with cardio-metabolic disorders, also exploring associations with androgen and estrogen receptor gene polymorphisms.

Methods
Sexually active men aged 18–65 with previous diagnosis of acromegaly were recruited. Clinical and laboratory data were retrospectively collected. Each patient also provided a blood sample for AR and ERβ gene polymorphisms analyses and filled out the IIEF-15 questionnaire.

Results
Twenty men with previous diagnosis of acromegaly (mean age 48.4 ± 10.0 years) were recruited. 13/20 subjects (65%) had erectile dysfunction, but only four had a concurrent biochemical hypogonadism, with no significant correlation with IIEF-15 scores. Total testosterone negatively correlated with sexual intercourse satisfaction domain (ρ = − 0.595; p = 0.019) and general satisfaction domain (ρ = − 0.651; p = 0.009). IGF-1 levels negatively correlated with biochemical hypogonadism (ρ = − 0.585; p = 0.028). The number of CAG and CA repeats in AR and ERβ receptors genes was not significantly associated with IIEF-15 scores or with GH/IGF-1 levels, but a negative correlation between CA repeats and the presence of cardiomyopathy (ρ = − 0.846; p = 0.002) was present.

Conclusions
Men with acromegaly have a high prevalence of erectile dysfunction, but it does not appear to be correlated with treatments, testosterone levels and AR/ER-beta signaling. Nonetheless, a shorter CA polymorphic trait (ERbeta) is associated with the presence of cardiomyopathy. If confirmed, these data may suggest an association between an incorrect hormonal balance and increased cardiovascular risk in acromegaly subjects.
The steroid-sparing effects of a mycophenolate mofetil-based regimen in the management of immunoglobulin A nephropathy in patients with histologically active lesions: A comparison with a control cohort receiving conventional therapy
Authors: Roccatello Dario , Careddu Andrea , Ferro Michela , Naretto Carla , Quattrocchio Giacomo , Fenoglio Roberta , Sciascia Savino 
Published: June 2023

AbstractIntroductionWhile the use of different immunosuppressants has been investigated in immunoglobulin A nephropathy, further investigation is needed to assess the effect of a regimen of mycophenolate mofetil combined with a short course of glucocorticosteroids in the subset of patients with histologically active features. We compared the efficacy and safety of a combined regimen of mycophenolate mofetil and glucocorticosteroids to a conventional regimen of glucocorticosteroids alone in patients with immunoglobulin A nephropathy who have active lesions and major urinary abnormalities.MethodsThis retrospective study involved 30 immunoglobulin A nephropathy patients with active histological lesions, 15 of whom were treated with both mycophenolate mofetil 2 g/day for 6 months and 3 pulses of 15 mg/kg methylprednisolone, followed by a short tapering schedule of oral prednisone. The control group was made up of the remaining 15 clinically- and histologically-matched patients treated with glucocorticosteroids alone according to a validated schedule, i.e., 1 g of methylprednisolone given intravenously for 3 consecutive days, followed by oral prednisone 0.5 mg/kg every other day for 6 months. At diagnosis, all patients had urinary protein excretion > 1 g/24 h and microscopic hematuria.ResultsAt the end of the first year of follow-up (30 patients) and after 5 years (17 patients), there were no differences between the two groups in terms of urinary abnormalities and functional parameters. Both regimens achieved a statistically significant decrease in 24-h urinary protein excretion (p < 0.001) and a reduction of microscopic hematuria. However, the mycophenolate mofetil-based regimen allowed a cumulative sparing dose of 6 g of glucocorticosteroids.ConclusionIn this single center study on immunoglobulin A nephropathy patients with active lesions and major urinary abnormalities and at increased risk of glucocorticosteroid-related complications, a mycophenolate mofetil-based regimen demonstrated similar outcomes in terms of complete response and relapse (at 1 and 5 years) compared to a conventional glucocorticosteroid-based protocol, while achieving a consistent reduction of glucocorticosteroid cumulative dose.Graphical Abstract
Towards AI-assisted digital twins for smart railways: preliminary guideline and reference architecture
Authors: De Donato Lorenzo , Dirnfeld Ruth , Somma Alessandra , De Benedictis Alessandra , Flammini Francesco , Marrone Stefano , Saman Azari Mehdi , Vittorini Valeria 
Published: June 2023

AbstractIn the last years, there has been a growing interest in the emerging concept of digital twins (DTs) among software engineers and researchers. DTs not only represent a promising paradigm to improve product quality and optimize production processes, but they also may help enhance the predictability and resilience of cyber-physical systems operating in critical contexts. In this work, we investigate the adoption of DTs in the railway sector, focusing in particular on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies as key enablers for building added-value services and applications related to smart decision-making. In this paper, in particular, we address predictive maintenance which represents one of the most promising services benefiting from the combination of DT and AI. To cope with the lack of mature DT development methodologies and standardized frameworks, we detail a workflow for DT design and development specifically tailored to a predictive maintenance scenario and propose a high-level architecture for AI-enabled DTs supporting such workflow.
Ductile–brittle quantitative evaluation of rock based on post-peak properties under true triaxial stress
Authors: Zheng Zhi , Zheng Hong , Zhao Jun , Liu Zaobao , Feng Guangliang , Qiu Shili 
Published: June 2023

AbstractTo quantitatively evaluate the influence of high true three-dimensional stresses on the ductile–brittle behaviours of rock in deep underground engineering, a series of true triaxial compression tests with different stress levels were carried out on marble and four kinds of granite. The influences of true triaxial stress states (σ2, σ3) on the post-peak characteristics were analysed, and a new normalized ductile–brittle evaluation index was proposed based on post-peak energy conversion characteristics of rock under true triaxial stresses. The ductile–brittle behaviours of rock were divided into four qualitative levels, namely, ductile-brittleness, transitional, brittleness and super-brittleness, and the influences of true triaxial stress states on the ductile–brittle behaviours of rock were quantitatively investigated. The research shows that as σ2 increases or σ3 decreases (that is, the differential stress between σ2 and σ3 increases), the brittleness of rock increases, and its increase rate gradually decreases and tends to be stable, transforming from ductile-brittleness to transitional, brittleness and super-brittleness and resulting in super-brittleness being easily induced by low-σ3 and high-σ2 conditions. When the differential stress between σ2 and σ3 is small, the intrinsic characteristics of rock itself have an obvious influence on ductile–brittle behaviours. When the differential stress between σ2 and σ3 is large, all kinds of rocks can exhibit super-brittle behaviour. The change of stress controls the evolution of rock ductile–brittle behaviours, and high-stress controls rock brittleness. The rock brittleness under true triaxial stress is significantly higher than that under conventional triaxial stress at the same σ3. σ2 induces an increase in rock brittleness and causes the decay rate of brittleness to decrease with increasing σ3, and σ2 increases the upper limit of σ3 for brittle failure of rock. The enhancement effect of σ2 on rock brittleness must be considered when evaluating the brittle failure of deep surrounding rock under high-stress conditions; otherwise, the risk of brittle failure may be underestimated.
Adaptive reuse of vernacular built heritage: learnings from Alcino Cardoso House (1971–1991) by Álvaro Siza
Authors: Ferreira Teresa Cunha , Ordoñez-Castañon David , Fantini Eleonora , Coutinho Miguel Frias , Cruz Tiago Trindade 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThe Alcino Cardoso House (first phase: 1971–1973; second phase: 1988–1991), located in northern Portugal, was one of the first interventions in pre-existing buildings undertaken by the Pritzker Prize-winner architect Álvaro Siza (1933) to receive national and international acclaim. The design consisted of the conservation of vernacular farm buildings and their transformation into a holiday home and tourist accommodation. This intervention echoes the concerns of the critical revision of modern architecture in the Portuguese context (the so-called ‘third way’ as coined by Fernando Távora) marked by an innovative reinterpretation of tradition: modern principles such as spatial fluidity, curtain wall glass façade, architectural promenade are introduced while respecting the pre-existence landscape and character by integrating vernacular design principles and construction techniques. This early Álvaro Siza intervention in a rural context has become a reference case-study for the School of Porto architects and provides us with lessons on contemporary reuse of built heritage.
Fire blight cases in Almaty Region of Kazakhstan in the proximity of wild apple distribution area
Authors: Maltseva Elina R. , Zharmukhamedova Galiya A. , Jumanova Zhulduzay K. , Naizabayeva Dinara A. , Berdygulova Zhanna A. , Dmitriyeva Karina A. , Tezekbayeva Botakoz , Khassein Altyn , Skiba Yuriy A. , Malakhova Natalya P. , Ismagulova Gulnara A. , Rezzonico Fabio , Smits Theo H. M. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractFire blight caused by Erwinia amylovora reached Kazakhstan in 2008. Here, the disease poses a threat not only to agricultural production of apples and pears, but also to the forests of wild Malus sieversii, the progenitor of most domesticated apple varieties worldwide. In the period 2019–2021, the spread of fire blight in the growth area of wild apples was limited by the weather conditions. In 2022, late spring and early summer were characterized by increased rainfall and moderate temperatures favorable for the disease. The goal of this study was to monitor the distribution of fire blight in private households and small orchards in the zones adjacent to wild apple distribution areas. A total of 91 samples with fire blight-compatible symptoms were collected from cultural apples (68), wild apple (10), pear (5), hawthorn (7), and quince (1) in south-eastern and eastern Kazakhstan, resulting in 21 isolates (one from pear, one from quince, and 19 from apple) of E. amylovora. All isolates belonged to the archetypal CRISPR genotype A. Considering the relative proximity of the infections to the forests of wild M. sieversii, additional measures for fire blight control and prevention will have to be implemented, including state monitoring of the wild apple forests for disease symptoms and awareness campaigns for specially protected natural territories that safeguard M. sieversii, as well as for local pomaceous-fruit growing communities.
An extended cost analysis method for complex lightweight aircraft components manufactured with selective laser melting
Authors: Dogea Ramona , Yan Xiu T. , Millar Richard 
Published: June 2023

AbstractCurrent research has shown that the costs of manufacturing parts by the selective laser melting (SLM) process are higher than production using conventional manufacturing techniques. This paper aims to extend a cost manufacturing analysis method for metallic parts based on CAD data by including hot isostatic pressing as a heat treatment in the SLM technique. The proposed method includes all the pre- and post-processing steps linked to SLM and allows the determination of aggregated costs per part. A case study consisting of a lightweight metallic aircraft wing rib with Internet of Things capabilities whose weight is around 96% less than that shown to be necessary by other studies is presented. The results show that the main cost driver is the build cost, for which the major contributor is the machining cost, followed by the material cost. This analysis can be applied to other components within an aircraft wing box.
A System of Hamilton-Jacobi Equations Characterizing Geodesic Centroidal Tessellations
Authors: Camilli Fabio , Festa Adriano 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
We introduce a class of systems of Hamilton-Jacobi equations characterizing geodesic centroidal tessellations, i.e., tessellations of domains with respect to geodesic distances where generators and centroids coincide. Typical examples are given by geodesic centroidal Voronoi tessellations and geodesic centroidal power diagrams. An appropriate version of the Fast Marching method on unstructured grids allows computing the solution of the Hamilton-Jacobi system and, therefore, the associated tessellations. We propose various numerical examples to illustrate the features of the technique.
An Exploration into Human–Computer Interaction: Hand Gesture Recognition Management in a Challenging Environment
Authors: Chang Victor , Eniola Rahman Olamide , Golightly Lewis , Xu Qianwen Ariel 
Published: June 2023

AbstractScientists are developing hand gesture recognition systems to improve authentic, efficient, and effortless human–computer interactions without additional gadgets, particularly for the speech-impaired community, which relies on hand gestures as their only mode of communication. Unfortunately, the speech-impaired community has been underrepresented in the majority of human–computer interaction research, such as natural language processing and other automation fields, which makes it more difficult for them to interact with systems and people through these advanced systems. This system’s algorithm is in two phases. The first step is the Region of Interest Segmentation, based on the color space segmentation technique, with a pre-set color range that will remove pixels (hand) of the region of interest from the background (pixels not in the desired area of interest). The system’s second phase is inputting the segmented images into a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model for image categorization. For image training, we utilized the Python Keras package. The system proved the need for image segmentation in hand gesture recognition. The performance of the optimal model is 58 percent which is about 10 percent higher than the accuracy obtained without image segmentation.
Imprecise Probabilistic Model Checking for Stochastic Multi-agent Systems
Authors: Termine Alberto , Antonucci Alessandro , Primiero Giuseppe , Facchini Alessandro 
Published: June 2023

AbstractStandard techniques for model checking stochastic multi-agent systems usually assume the transition probabilities describing the system dynamics to be stationary and completely specified. As a consequence, neither non-stationary systems nor systems whose stochastic behaviour is partially unknown can be treated. So far, most of the approaches proposed to overcome this limitation suffer from complexity issues making them poorly efficient in the case of large state spaces. A fruitful but poorly explored way out is offered by the formalism of imprecise probabilities and the related imprecise Markov models. The aim of this paper is to show how imprecise probabilities can be fruitfully involved to model-check multi-agent systems characterised by non-stationary behaviours. Specifically, the paper introduces a new class of multi-agent models called Imprecise Probabilistic Interpreted Systems and their relative extensions with rewards. It also introduces a proper logical language to specify properties of such models and corresponding model checking algorithms based on iterative procedures to compute probabilistic and epistemic inferences over imprecise Markov models.
What kind of innovation state matters for social justice? Learning from Poulantzas and going beyond
Authors: Papaioannou Theo 
Published: June 2023

AbstractIn the twenty-first century, the notion of the state and its role in innovation and development have become dominant topics of theoretical and empirical inquiry. Although contemporary innovation theorists clearly unpack the myth of market fundamentalism in industrial policy and practice of neo-liberal states, they do not seem to explain precisely how come such states have been justified to play extensive roles in the economy. This paper provides a theoretical explanation by drawing lessons from Poulantzas’ approach to the state and going beyond it to consider alternatives. Accordingly, it conceives the innovation state as a result of the social division of labour and as a condensation of conflicting social relations which have their own materiality. The paper argues that whatever form the innovation state has taken in the western world since the industrial revolution, this has remained predominantly capitalist. Thus, it reproduces the social division of labour that is exploitative and unjust, delivering most benefits of innovation to dominant classes and excluding the very poor and the marginalised. The kind of innovation state that matters for social justice is a non-capitalist one, promoting pluralism of societies of equals through innovation.