bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biotechnology methods for succession of bacterial communities in polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) contaminated soils and isolation novel PCBs-degrading bacteria
Authors: Hassan Hamdy A. , Alghuthaymi Mousa A. 
Published: November 2022

AbstractPolychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are persistence in the contaminated sites as a result of lacking PCBs-degrading microorganisms. Cultivation-independent technique called single-strand-conformation polymorphism (SSCP) based on 16SrRNA genes was chosen to characterize the diversity of bacterial communities in PCBs polluted soil samples. The bacterial communities showed an increasing diversity from the genetic profiles using SSCP technique. 51 single products were identified from the profiles using PCR reamplification and cloning. DNA sequencing of the 51 products, it showed similarities to Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Betaproteobateria, Gammaproteobacteria and Alphaproteobacteria, the range of similarities were 92.3 to 100%. Pure 23 isolates were identified from PCBs contaminated sites. The identified isolates belonged to genus Bacillus, Brevibacillus, Burkholderia, Pandoraea, Pseudomonas, and Rhodococcus. The new strains have the capability to use PCBs as a source of sole carbon and harbor 2,3-dihydroxybiphenyl dioxygenase (DHBDO) which could be used as molecular marker for detection PCBs-degrading bacteria in the PCBs contaminated sites. This finding may enhance the PCBs bioremediation by monitoring and characterization of the PCBs degraders using DHBDO in PCBs contaminated sites.
Design and performance of a small bath cryostat with NMR capability for transport of hyperpolarized samples
Authors: Capozzi Andrea 
Published: November 2022

AbstractAs of today, dissolution Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (dDNP) is the only clinically available hyperpolarization technique for 13C-MRI. Despite the clear path towards personalized medicine that dDNP is paving as an alternative and/or complement to Positron Emission Tomography (PET), the technique struggles to enter everyday clinical practice. Because of the minute-long hyperpolarization lifetime after dissolution, one of the reasons lies in the need and consequent complexities of having the machine that generates the hyperpolarization (i.e. the dDNP polarizer) on site. Since some years, research groups are working to make hyperpolarization transportable. Two different methods have been developed that allow “freezing” of the nuclear spin state prior to samples extraction from the polarizer. Nevertheless, so far, all attempts of transport have been limited to a very small scale and to the level of proof-of-principle experiments. The main reason for that is the lack of adequate hardware, strategy, and control on most of the crucial parameters. To bridge the technical gap with PET and provide MRI facilities with hours long relaxing hyperpolarized compounds at controlled conditions, a new generation of low cost/small footprint liquid He cryostats equipped with a magnetically enforced cryogenic probe is needed. In this paper, we detail the theoretical and practical construction of a hyperpolarized samples transportation device small enough to fit in a car and able to hold a sample at 4.2 K for almost 8 h despite the presence of a cryogenically-demanding purpose-built probe that provides enough magnetic field upon insertion of the sample and NMR quality homogeneity at storage position. Should transportable hyperpolarization via DNP become a reality, we herein provide important details to make it possible.
Deep learning-based quantification of NAFLD/NASH progression in human liver biopsies
Authors: Heinemann Fabian , Gross Peter , Zeveleva Svetlana , Qian Hu Sheng , Hill Jon , Höfer Anne , Jonigk Danny , Diehl Anna Mae , Abdelmalek Manal , Lenter Martin C. , Pullen Steven S. , Guarnieri Paolo , Stierstorfer Birgit 
Published: November 2022

AbstractNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects about 24% of the world's population. Progression of early stages of NAFLD can lead to the more advanced form non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and ultimately to cirrhosis or liver cancer. The current gold standard for diagnosis and assessment of NAFLD/NASH is liver biopsy followed by microscopic analysis by a pathologist. The Kleiner score is frequently used for a semi-quantitative assessment of disease progression. In this scoring system the features of active injury (steatosis, inflammation, and ballooning) and a separated fibrosis score are quantified. The procedure is time consuming for pathologists, scores have limited resolution and are subject to variation. We developed an automated deep learning method that provides full reproducibility and higher resolution. The system was established with 296 human liver biopsies and tested on 171 human liver biopsies with pathologist ground truth scores. The method is inspired by the way pathologist's analyze liver biopsies. First, the biopsies are analyzed microscopically for the relevant histopathological features. Subsequently, histopathological features are aggregated to a per-biopsy score. Scores are in the identical numeric range as the pathologist’s ballooning, inflammation, steatosis, and fibrosis scores, but on a continuous scale. Resulting scores followed a pathologist's ground truth (quadratic weighted Cohen’s κ on the test set: for steatosis 0.66, for inflammation 0.24, for ballooning 0.43, for fibrosis 0.62, and for the NAFLD activity score (NAS) 0.52. Mean absolute errors on a test set: for steatosis 0.29, for inflammation 0.53, for ballooning 0.61, for fibrosis 0.78, and for the NAS 0.77).
Composites cement/BaSO4/Fe3O4/CuO for improving X-ray absorption characteristics and structural properties
Authors: Gharissah Muh. Syahrial , Ardiansyah Ardiansyah , Pauziah Sitti Rahmah , Muhammad Nurul Awaliyah , Rahmat Roni , Heryanto Heryanto , Tahir Dahlang 
Published: November 2022

AbstractComposite cement/BaSO4/Fe3O4/CuO with a thickness of 0.6 cm for various amounts of CuO: 2 wt%, 4 wt%, 6 wt%, and 8 wt% were successfully synthesized for the X-ray radiation shield. The bonding characteristics of composite and structural properties were determined using Fourier transform infrared spectra for the wavelength range of 4000–400 cm−1 and X-ray diffraction with the range of 2θ from 25° to 50°, respectively. The shielding ability was measured using a mobile X-ray with an energy of 55, 66, and 77 keV for determining the mass and linear attenuation coefficient, electronic and atomic cross-section. These shield characteristics best agreement with theoretical calculation from the XCOM database for energy < 77 keV with half value layer (HVL) < 0.3 cm. The best shielding in this study indicated by the lowest HVL and MFP is composite for CuO 8 wt%. The HVL and MFP shows better values compared to the previous reported using composite rubber-based, indicated high potentials composite in this study for design new and efficient radiology rooms as an alternative concrete, especially for X-ray radiation, in the future.
Iron deficiency anaemia: prevalence and associated factors among residents of northern Asir Region, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Belali Tareg M. 
Published: November 2022

AbstractIron deficiency anaemia is known to be one of the most common disorders that are associated with malnutrition. This study was conducted to form an understanding of the prevalence of Iron deficiency Anaemia (IDA) and evaluate its risk factors among the residents of the northern Asir Region, Saudi Arabia. Understanding the prevalence of IDA in different populations is important not only for therapeutic purposes but also for preventing the development of IDA in a given community. Moreover, this study was conducted to raise awareness about the significance of following iron-rich diet among high-risk groups such as women and children. This study collected data from 683 anaemic patients who are enrolled at the haematology unit in the Department of Internal Medicine at King Abdullah Hospital, Bisha Saudi Arabia. 398 participants who have IDA were included in this study where the collected data from the subjects included Age, gender, education, marital status, nationality, consanguinity, dietary habits and the clinical presentation of the participants. Our findings have shown that the prevalence of IDA among the participants is 58.27% where children under the age of 10 and females are the most affected individuals. Adults over 40, unmarried, and non-Saudis represented the second most affected portion of the subjects. IDA was prevalent among participants who shared the same ancestors and individuals with limited education. Moreover, participants did not consume sufficient iron and iron enhancing food or supplements. Inadequate iron intake is a major risk factor for anaemia. Low red fish and meat consumption contributed to the increase in ID. Findings highlight the need to raise awareness about the importance of a balanced diet and regular consumption of iron-containing food.
Nitrogen-fixing symbiotic bacteria act as a global filter for plant establishment on islands
Authors: Delavaux Camille S. , Weigelt Patrick , Magnoli Susan M. , Kreft Holger , Crowther Thomas W. , Bever James D. 
Published: November 2022

AbstractIsland biogeography has classically focused on abiotic drivers of species distributions. However, recent work has highlighted the importance of mutualistic biotic interactions in structuring island floras. The limited occurrence of specialist pollinators and mycorrhizal fungi have been found to restrict plant colonization on oceanic islands. Another important mutualistic association occurs between nearly 15,000 plant species and nitrogen-fixing (N-fixing) bacteria. Here, we look for evidence that N-fixing bacteria limit establishment of plants that associate with them. Globally, we find that plants associating with N-fixing bacteria are disproportionately underrepresented on islands, with a 22% decline. Further, the probability of N-fixing plants occurring on islands decreases with island isolation and, where present, the proportion of N-fixing plant species decreases with distance for large, but not small islands. These findings suggest that N-fixing bacteria serve as a filter to plant establishment on islands, altering global plant biogeography, with implications for ecosystem development and introduction risks.
Electron cryotomography of SARS-CoV-2 virions reveals cylinder-shaped particles with a double layer RNP assembly
Authors: Calder Lesley J. , Calcraft Thomas , Hussain Saira , Harvey Ruth , Rosenthal Peter B. 
Published: November 2022

AbstractSARS-CoV-2 is a lipid-enveloped Betacoronavirus and cause of the Covid-19 pandemic. To study the three-dimensional architecture of the virus, we perform electron cryotomography (cryo-ET) on SARS-Cov-2 virions and three variants revealing particles of regular cylindrical morphology. The ribonucleoprotein particles packaging the genome in the virion interior form a dense, double layer assembly with a cylindrical shape related to the overall particle morphology. This organisation suggests structural interactions important to virus assembly.
Spatial modeling of vaccine deserts as barriers to controlling SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Rader Benjamin , Astley Christina M. , Sewalk Kara , Delamater Paul L. , Cordiano Kathryn , Wronski Laura , Rivera Jessica Malaty , Hallberg Kai , Pera Megan F. , Cantor Jonathan , Whaley Christopher M. , Bravata Dena M. , Lee Leslie , Patel Anita , Brownstein John S. 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Background
COVID-19 vaccine distribution is at risk of further propagating the inequities of COVID-19, which in the United States (US) has disproportionately impacted the elderly, people of color, and the medically vulnerable. We sought to measure if the disparities seen in the geographic distribution of other COVID-19 healthcare resources were also present during the initial rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Methods
Using a comprehensive COVID-19 vaccine database (VaccineFinder), we built an empirically parameterized spatial model of access to essential resources that incorporated vaccine supply, time-willing-to-travel for vaccination, and previous vaccination across the US. We then identified vaccine deserts—US Census tracts with localized, geographic barriers to vaccine-associated herd immunity. We link our model results with Census data and two high-resolution surveys to understand the distribution and determinates of spatially accessibility to the COVID-19 vaccine.

Results
We find that in early 2021, vaccine deserts were home to over 30 million people, >10% of the US population. Vaccine deserts were concentrated in rural locations and communities with a higher percentage of medically vulnerable populations. We also find that in locations of similar urbanicity, early vaccination distribution disadvantaged neighborhoods with more people of color and older aged residents.

Conclusion
Given sufficient vaccine supply, data-driven vaccine distribution to vaccine deserts may improve immunization rates and help control COVID-19.
Cervical and Ocular Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential Recovery in Susac Syndrome: A Case Report
Authors: Suman Narayana Swamy , Poovaiah Prashasti P. , Rangarajan Anush , Tiwari Ravindu , Nashi Saraswati , Yuvraj Pradeep , Rajasekaran Aravind Kumar 
Published: November 2022

Purpose:
Susac syndrome (SS) is a rare autoimmune disorder that affects the brain and the retina and causes unilateral or bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. Although vestibular dysfunction is reported in SS, limited information is available underlying the vestibular pathophysiology.

Method:
The diagnosis of SS was established based on symptoms and diagnostic tools such as magnetic resonance imaging and fundus fluorescein angiography. The audiovestibular evaluation was done on the seventh day of admission (Session 1) into the emergency unit, whereas the second and third evaluations were done at 3-month (Session 2) and 8-month (Session 3) follow-ups after discharge, respectively. The audiovestibular test battery consisted of routine audiological tests, auditory brainstem response, and vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs; both cervical and ocular).

Results:
We found unilateral sensorineural hearing loss and absent cervical VEMPs(cVEMPs) when testing the left ear during Session 1. In the following sessions, the unilateral hearing loss did not recover; however, cVEMPs were present bilaterally. The ocular VEMPs showed an increase in amplitude during Sessions 2 and 3.

Conclusions:
SS can selectively disrupt auditory and vestibular structures. It may present with unique findings of audiovestibular tests. A detailed audiovestibular evaluation may be essential in patients with SS.

Supplemental Material:

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.21513843
Conversation as an Outcome of Aphasia Treatment: A Systematic Scoping Review
Authors: Azios Jamie H. , Archer Brent , Simmons-Mackie Nina , Raymer Anastasia , Carragher Marcella , Shashikanth Shriya , Gulick Eleanor 
Published: November 2022

Purpose:
Conversation-focused speech-language pathology services are a top priority for people living with aphasia, but little is known about how researchers measure conversation as an outcome of treatment. This scoping review was undertaken to systematically review the evidence regarding the measurement of conversation in aphasia studies and to identify current practices and existing gaps.

Method:
A systematic literature search was conducted for studies published between January 1995 and September 2019 in multiple electronic databases. Covidence software was used to manage search results, study selection, and data charting processes. Data were extracted from each study and then collated and organized to elucidate the breadth of approaches, tools, or procedures oriented to measuring conversation as an outcome and identify gaps in the existing literature.

Results:
The systematic search of the literature resulted in 1,244 studies. A total of 64 studies met inclusion criteria and were included in the review. The review summarizes the various tools and procedures used to measure conversation as an outcome of aphasia intervention, including variations in data collection and analysis procedures. The review also evaluates the quality of conversation measures in terms of psychometric properties and informal measures of validity. There was a total of 211 measures used across the 64 studies.

Conclusions:
While there was no clear measure that was objectively superior, several measures show promise and warrant future exploration. Some of the orientations, conceptualizations, and procedures we have presented can be seen as options that might be included in a future conversation-focused core outcome set.

Supplemental Material:

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.21514062
3D inverse synthetic aperture radar image quality improvement using sparse signal representation
Authors: Mehrpooya Ali , Karbasi Seyed Mohammad , Nazari Milad , Abbasi Zahra , Nayebi Mohammad Mahdi 
Published: November 2022

AbstractGeneralisation of one‐dimensional dictionary learning (1DDL) algorithms to Multidimensional (MD) mode and its utilisation in MD data applications, increases the speed and reduces the computational complexity. An example of such an application is 3D inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) image reconstruction and noise reduction. In this study, in addition to MD mode generalisation, the formulation structure of the multidimensional dictionary learning (MDDL) problem is discussed followed by two novel algorithms to solve it. The first one is based on the K‐singular value decomposition algorithm for 1DDL, which uses alternating minimisation and singular value decomposition. The second algorithm is the extension of the sequential generalisation of K‐means 1DDL algorithm to the MD mode. Moreover, the MD tensor denoising method based on the MDDL algorithm (MDDL‐ALG) is proposed. As an application, the proposed method is used to denoise the 3D ISAR image. The numerical simulations reveal that the proposed methods, in addition to reducing the memory consumption and the computational complexity, also enjoy higher convergence rate in comparison to 1D algorithms. Specifically, convergence speed of MD algorithms, depending on the training data size, is up to at least 10 times faster than the equivalent 1D counterparts. As revealed through the simulations, the amount of signal to noise ratio recovered by the proposed methods is almost 2 dB higher than the case using a pre‐designed dictionary for denoising. Moreover, it outperforms about 10 dB over the case with the conventional 3D‐IFFT method for image construction.
Opportunities of collected city data for smart cities
Authors: Paiho Satu , Tuominen Pekka , Rökman Jyri , Ylikerälä Markus , Pajula Juha , Siikavirta Hanne 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThis article explores ways to leverage city data in smart cities and how data virtualisation can help overcome some of the barriers and create new opportunities for data usage. By combining data sources, data virtualisation can help overcome technical and regulatory challenges, and create new value. The topic was approached from three perspectives: the exploitation of city data, the potential for data virtualisation to utilise city data, and the detection of gaps for future use of city data. Finnish cities are interested in utilisation of the rich data they have within the city and new data that is gathered by different actors. However, there is a gap between the potential and the current situation. When city data is generated continuously from different functions, the scattered data storages can be utilised efficiently with data virtualisation. The city itself, commercial operators, governments and individuals all benefit about the deeper understanding of city functions. Sharing data from different systems and sectors creates opportunities for measuring also other but financial benefits. In the case of city bicycles studied in the city of Kuopio, expanded usage of the bicycles was seen as benefiting citizens' wellbeing and health.
Self‐supervised multimodal fusion transformer for passive activity recognition
Authors: Koupai Armand K. , Bocus Mohammud J. , Santos‐Rodriguez Raul , Piechocki Robert J. , McConville Ryan 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThe pervasiveness of Wi‐Fi signals provides significant opportunities for human sensing and activity recognition in fields such as healthcare. The sensors most commonly used for passive Wi‐Fi sensing are based on passive Wi‐Fi radar (PWR) and channel state information (CSI) data, however current systems do not effectively exploit the information acquired through multiple sensors to recognise the different activities. In this study, new properties of the Transformer architecture for multimodal sensor fusion are explored. Different signal processing techniques are used to extract multiple image‐based features from PWR and CSI data such as spectrograms, scalograms and Markov transition field (MTF). The Fusion Transformer, an attention‐based model for multimodal and multi‐sensor fusion is first proposed. Experimental results show that the Fusion Transformer approach can achieve competitive results compared to a ResNet architecture but with much fewer resources. To further improve the model, a simple and effective framework for multimodal and multi‐sensor self‐supervised learning (SSL) is proposed. The self‐supervised Fusion Transformer outperforms the baselines, achieving a macro F1‐score of 95.9%. Finally, this study shows how this approach significantly outperforms the others when trained with as little as 1% (2 min) of labelled training data to 20% (40 min) of labelled training data.
Rhabdomyolysis Caused by Hypothyroidism: Research Progress
Authors: Zhou Qingju , Li Bin , Tian Xin 
Published: November 2022

AbstractRhabdomyolysis (RM) refers to the clinical syndrome caused by the release of intracellular substances into the extracellular fluid and blood circulation after rhabdomyocyte destruction due to various etiologies. In severe cases, RM can lead to life-threatening conditions such as acute kidney injury. Hypothyroidism is a rare cause of RM that can lead to missed diagnosis or misdiagnosis, and the condition worsens in the absence of timely and effective treatment. Herein, reported cases of RM caused by hypothyroidism are summarized, and clinical diagnosis and treatment recommendations are proposed to facilitate early identification and treatment of the disease.