bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lidar-Camera Fusion For Road Detection Using Recurrent Conditional Random Field Model
Authors: Wang Lele , Huang Yingping 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Reliable road detection is an essential task in autonomous driving systems. Two categories of sensors are commonly used: camera and LiDAR, each of which can provide corresponding supplemental. Nevertheless, existing sensor fusion methods do not fully utilize multimodal data. Most of them are dominated by image or taking point cloud as a supplement rather than making the best of them, the correlation between modalities is ignored. This paper proposes Recurrent Conditional Random Field Model (R-CRF) for road detection by fusing image and point cloud segmentation. The R-CRF integrates results (information) from modalities in a probabilistic way. Each modality is independently processed with its own semantic segmentation network. The probability scores obtained are considered as unary term for individual pixel nodes in random field while RGB image and the densified LiDAR-images are used as pairwise terms. The energy function is then iteratively optimized by mean-field variational inference so that we can refine the labeling results by exploiting fully-connected graphs of the RGB image and LiDAR-images. Extensive experiments are conducted on KITTI-Road dataset, and these demonstrate the method achieves competitive performance.
Evaluation of the Morphology of Accessory Canals of the Canalis Sinuosus via Cone-Beam Computed Tomography
Authors: Alkis Humeyra Tercanli , Ata Gamze Cosan , Tas Ayse 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to assess the presence of accessory canal (AC) associated with canalis sinuous (CS), describing their frequency, lateralization, location, direction and measurements in cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).
Methods
Axial, coronal, sagittal, and cross-sectional reconstructions were analyzed in 248 CBCT images and the presence of CS, the presence of AC associated with CS, the lateralization, localization and direction course of AC associated with CS was evaluated. CS diameter, AC diameter, distance between nasal cavity floor and CS (M1), CS and the buccal cortical bone (M2) and CS and the alveolar ridge (M3) was measured.
Results
CS dedected in all CBCT scans as bilaterally. The prevalence of AC associated with CS was 35.5%. There was a significant difference between dental status and presence of AC associated with CS. There was a significant difference between gender, dental status, and lateralization of AC associated with CS. While M1 was greater in male patients than females, M3 was greater in female patients. M2 and M3 was greater in younger patients.
Conclusion
Clinicians performing surgical procedures should keep in mind that anatomical variations of the vascular nerve bundle may be seen. M1, M2, and M3 measurements can be affected by gender, age, and dental status.
High-fat diet impairs muscle function and increases the risk of environmental heatstroke in mice
Authors: Serano Matteo , Paolini Cecilia , Michelucci Antonio , Pietrangelo Laura , Guarnier Flavia Alessandra , Protasi Feliciano 
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Background. Environmental heat-stroke (HS) is a life-threatening response often triggered by a hot and humid weather. HS is characterized by an abnormal increase in body temperature (>40°C) causing dysfunction of organs, central nervous system, and that may end in death. Several lines of evidence indicate that environmental HS is caused by excessive heat production in skeletal muscle, which in turn is the result of abnormal Ca2+ leak from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and excessive production of oxidative species of oxygen and nitrogen (ROS and NOS). Methods. As high fat diet is known to increase oxidative stress, the objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of 3 months of high-fat diet (HFD) on HS susceptibility of wild type (WT) mice. HS susceptibility was tested in an environmental chamber where 4 months old mice (adult) were exposed to heat stress (41°C for 1 hr). Results. In comparison with mice fed with a regular diet, mice subjected to 3 months of HFD showed: a) increased body weight and accumulation of adipose tissue; b) elevated oxidative stress in both EDL and Soleus muscles (assessed by western blot of 3-NT levels and of expression of antioxidant enzymes such as SODs and Catalase) ; c) increased heat generation and oxygen consumption during exposure to environmental heat stress (oxygen consumption was assessed by indirect calorimetry) ; and finally d) enhanced sensitivity to both temperature and caffeine of isolated EDL and Soleus muscles during in vitro contracture test (IVCT), i.e. the gold standard procedure used to verify in-vitro HS susceptibility.Conclusions. The data collected suggest that HFD predisposes WT mice to HS, possibly as a result of elevated myoplasmic Ca2+ (indirectly assessed by IVCT) and increased oxidative stress (directly assessed by WB). These results could in principle have implications for the development of guidelines regarding food intake during periods of intense environmental heat.
Vertical depletion of ophiolitic mantle decodes melt focusing and interaction in the asthenospheric column under oceanic spreading centers
Authors: Xiong Qing , Dai Hongun , Jianping Zheng , Griffin William , Zheng Hong-Da , Wang Li , O'Reilly Suzanne 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Adiabatic decompressional melting of asthenosphere under spreading centers has been accepted to produce vertical compositional variations of oceanic lithospheric mantle. However, theoretical estimates of the compositional gradients are much smaller than those observed from ophiolites, clearly requiring additional processes. Here we conduct systematic high-density sampling and whole-rock and mineral compositional analyses of harzburgites in a Tibetan ophiolitic mantle section (~2 km thick), which shows a primary upward depletion (~12% difference over ~2 km) and local depleted anomalies. Thermodynamic modeling demonstrates that these features cannot be produced by decompressional melting or proportional compression of residual mantle. Instead, they can be explained by reaction between silica-undersaturated melts and peridotite with lateral melt/rock variations in the topmost asthenospheric upwelling column, showing stronger depletion in its melt-focusing center and local zones. This column will split from the center into two parts, which rotate in the mantle flow to become horizontal, thus forming the oceanic uppermost lithospheric mantle characterized by vertical depletion and local anomalies within a sub-spreading-center regime.
Medical Equipment Utilization Efficiency and Associated Factors at Public Referral Hospitals in East Wollega Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia
Authors: Geta Edosa Tesfaye , Rikitu Dufera , Ewunetu Adisu 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
The medical equipment is any instrument, appliance, material, or other articles, whether used alone or in combination including the software necessary for the purpose of diagnosis, prevention, monitoring, treatment, or alleviation of the disease. The importance of efficient utilization of medical equipment has been brought to full public attention. The association between hospital characteristics and utilization of medical equipment has received more attention for its complicated consequences on health care costs and quality. So, the study aimed to assess factors affecting efficient utilization of medical equipment at public referral hospitals in East Wollega zone, Oromia regional state.
Methods
The study was conducted at public referral hospitals in East Wollega, Oromia Regional National State, Ethiopia from July 30-August 30, 2021. Cross-sectional study design was conducted mixed with observation and document review. About 192 equipment were included in the study. The descriptive statics and Pearson Chi-square (χ2) were performed to identify association between each independent and dependent variables at p < 0.05 to declare level of significance.
Results
Using 95% confidence interval, the level of utilization coefficient was estimated to be 0.49(0.44–0.55). Accordingly, 111(57.8%) equipment were efficiently utilized whereas 81(41.2%) of the equipment were underutilized. The form in which the hospitals received (χ2 = 7.7.2; P = 0.005), regularly availability (χ2 = 19.30; P = 0.000), the equipment breakdown (χ2 = 11.57; P = 0.001), availability of adequate trained staffs operating the equipment (χ2 = 26.14; P = 0.000), performing preventive maintenance (χ2 = 91.54; P = 0.000), availability of adequate spare parts (χ2 = 32.36; P = 0.000), and availability accessories(consumables) (χ2 = 43.91; P = 0.000) were the statistically significant associated factors affecting efficient utilization of the equipment.
Conclusion
On average, the utilization coefficient of medical equipment in the study hospitals was low compared to other study findings which indicated that about 42.2% of the equipment were inefficiently utilized. The significant associated factors that could affect the efficient utilization of the equipment were the form in which the hospital received, regularly availability of the equipment, the equipment breakdown, availability of trained staffs operating the equipment, performing preventive maintenance, availability of adequate spare parts, and accessories. Every hospital should develop appropriate strategic framework to manage and utilize the available medical diagnostic equipment based on their level and demand.
Safe stool disposal and associated factors among mothers of children under-two age in Gambia: Evidence from Gambia Demographic Health Survey 2019/20
Authors: Tsegaw Menen , Mulat Bezawit , Shitu Kegnie 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Appropriate disposal of child stool is vital in preventing the spread of faceo-oral diseases. According to WHO/ UNICEF Joint Monitoring Program, Safe child stool disposal includes disposing a stool in to Flush or pour-flush toilet/latrine to (piped sewer system, septic tank, pit latrine ), Ventilated improved pit (VIP) latrine and Pit latrine with slab.
Objective
The study aimed to assess safe child stool disposal practice and associated factors among mothers having under two age’s children in Gambia
Methods
This study was based on a large community-based cross-sectional survey, conducted from 21 November 2019 to 30 March 2020 in Gambia. The survey employed a two-staged stratified cluster sampling technique to recruit study participants. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models were used to summarize descriptive data and identify factors associated with safe waste disposal, respectively. A p-value of less than 0.05 and 95% confidence interval were used to determine statistical significance.
Results
The prevalence of safe stool disposal among mothers having under two years of age were 56.3%( 95%CI: 54.6%, 58.1%). Mothers with in the age range of 25–34 (AOR = 0.78 (95%CI: 0.62, 0.98)),rich wealth quintile (AOR = 0.43 (95%CI:0.33,0.56)), being exposed to media (AOR = 1.37 (95%CI: 1.07, 1.76)), increasing age of children (AOR = 1.06 (1.05, 1.07)), Being employed (AOR = 1.31 (1.11, 1.55)) and Geographic region were significantly associated with safe child disposal practice.
Conclusion
The prevalence of safe child stool disposal was low in Gambia. Age of the mother, age of the child, region, wealth index, media exposure and occupational status of the mother were significantly associated with safe child stool disposal. Public health intervention strategies designed to promote safe child stools disposal need to conduct thorough community assessments to identify community-specific facilitators, needs and barriers. Additionally, public health experts and policy makers should take into consideration the geographical and wealth inequalities when designing programs aimed to improve safe child stool disposal practice
Postoperative Infarction After Clipping of Unruptured Anterior Communicating Artery Aneurysms: Anatomical Consideration and Type of Infarction Territory
Authors: Rim Hyun Taek , Ahn Jae Sung , Park Jung Cheol , Byun Joonho , Lee Seungjoo , Park Wonhyoung 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Introduction An anterior communicating artery is a common location for both ruptured and unruptured intracranial aneurysms and microsurgery is sometimes necessary for their successful treatment. However, postoperative infarction should be considered during clipping due to its complex surrounding structures. This study aimed to evaluate the risk factors of postoperative infarction after surgical clipping of unruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm and its clinical outcomes.Methods Patients who underwent microsurgical clipping of unruptured anterior communicating aneurysm in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed between January 2008 and December 2020. Demographic data, anatomical features of anterior communicating artery complex and aneurysm, surgical technique, character of postoperative infarction, and its clinical course were evaluated.Results Notably, 66 of 848 patients (7.8%) had a radiologic infarction and 34 patients (4%) had symptomatic infarction. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that hypertension (OR 2.05; p<0.05), previous cerebrovascular accident (OR 2.79; p<0.05), posterior projection (OR 3.94; p<0.01), aneurysm size (OR 1.16; p<0.01), skull base to aneurysm distance (cut-off value 10 mm; OR 3.36, p<0.01) were associated with postoperative infarction. In the pterional approach, closed A2 was an additional risk factor (OR 1.98; p<0.05). The worst outcome was presented with the infarction of A2 cortical branches (mRS=2.00±1.63).ConclusionHypertension, old cerebrovascular accidents, posteriorly projecting aneurysm, size, and high positioned aneurysms are independent risk factors for postoperative infarction during surgical clipping of unruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm. Additionally, closed A2 plane is an additional risk factor for postoperative infarction in pterional approach.
STCovidNet: Automatic Detection Model of Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia Based on Swin Transformer
Authors: Wang Boyuan , Zhang Du , Tian Zonggui 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has emerged as an enormous challenge facing China today. Preventive Medicine physicians and Artificial Intelligence (AI) researchers try to improve the ability to early automatic warning of coronavirus infections, promote epidemic prevention, and reduce medical costs using deep learning methods. In this work, we build an extensive database of chest computed tomography (CT) scans with image data from domestic and international open-source medical datasets. Swin Transformer is chosen as the backbone network to establish a model (STCovidNet) for the prediction of COVID-19. We then compare the performance of our technique against that of Vision Transformer (ViT) and Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). Next, to visualize our model's high-dimensional outputs in 2-dimensional space, we apply t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE) as the dimension-reduction strategy. Finally, we employ gradient-weighted class activation mapping (Grad-CAM) to present a class activation map. The results indicate that STCovidNet’s performance surpasses ViT and CNN with a 0.9811 AUC and 0.9858 accuracy score. Our network outperforms previous techniques to reduce intra-class variability and generate well-separated feature embedding. The CAM figure illustrates that the decision region corresponds to radiologists' detecting spots. The suggested method can be an effective way of catching COVID-19 instances.
Targeting Depletion of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells Enhances PD-L1 Blockade Efficacy in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Tang Yao , Zhou Cong , Li Qingli , Cheng Xiaojiao , Huang Tinglei , Li Fuli , He Lina , Zhang Baiwen , Shuiping Tu 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Gastric cancer (GC) remains one of the most common malignancieswith poor prognosis worldwide. Immunotherapy based on PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoints has achieved robust and durable responses in various types of cancer, but only a subset of gastric cancer patients benefits from it.Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) have been demonstrated to suppress antitumor immunityand induceresistanceto PD-1/PD-L1 blockade immunotherapy. Death receptor5 (DR5), a receptor of TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand(TRAIL), is upregulated in MDSCs and is also commonly expressed on cancer cells, making it a desirable target for both MDSCs and DR5-positive GC. In this study, we evaluated the MDSCs depleting and immune modulating effect of the agonist DR5 antibody (MD5-1), and tested the therapeutic effectof targeting DR5 in combination with anti-PD-L1 as a new strategyfor the treatment of GC.
Methods
The MDSCs and their DR5 expression insyngeneic GC murine model were evaluated. TheMDSCs depleting effect by MD5-1 wereinvestigated. We compared the antitumor efficacy of MD5-1 in GC bearing T cell-deficient nude mice andsyngeneic 615 mice, and assessed its immune correlates. The antitumor effect of MD5-1 combininganti-PD-L1 in syngeneic GC murine model were tested, the tumor growth, mice survival and intratumoral T cell infiltration and activation were evaluated.
Results
The MDSCs accumulate in the gastric tumor-bearing 615 mice express high levels of DR5. Targeting DR5 using MD5-1specifically depleted MDSCs and enhancedT cell antitumor response, resulted in tumor growth inhibition.MD5-1 enhanced the antitumor effect of anti-PD-L1 antibody, led to complete regression in 40% ofestablished tumors and significantly extended the survival tumor-bearing mice. The enhanced antitumor effect by MD5-1 combining anti-PD-L1 was associatedwith increased CD8+ T cell infiltration and activation.
Conclusions
These results show that targeting DR5 enhances the antitumor effect of PD-L1 blockadetherapy in gastric cancer through eliminating MDSCs and improving CD8+T cell antitumor response.Thus, targeting DR5 in combination with anti-PD-L1 may be a novel immunotherapy strategy forgastric cancer.
Assessment of a new physical based modelling suitable to capture the mechanical behaviour at high plastic strain of aluminium alloys
Authors: Bouaziz Olivier , Loyd David 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
It is reported for the first time the application of a new physical-based constitutive law suitable to capture the flow stress and the strain-hardening in a wide range of plastic strain. This law is validated by comparison with experiments related to alloying elements effect and temperature in aluminium alloys especially characterized by bulge test at room and at warm temperature.
Role of electronic excitation, relaxation and transport processes for X-ray induced ultrafast demagnetization within magnetic multilayer systems
Authors: Kapcia Konrad , Tkachenko Victor , Capotondi Flavio , Lichtenstein Alexander , Molodtsov Serguei , Müller Leonard , Philippi-Kobs André , Piekarz Przemyslaw , Ziaja-Motyka Beata 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
We investigated the role of electronic excitation, relaxation and transport processes in X-ray induced ultrafast demagnetization of magnetic multilayer systems. In what follows, we report on the results obtained with the newly developed modeling tool, XSPIN, which enables nanoscopic description of electronic processes occurring in X-ray irradiated ferromagnetic materials. With this tool, we have studied the specific response of Co/Pt multilayer system irradiated by an ultrafast XUV pulse at the M-edge of Co (photon energy ~ 60 eV). It was previously studied experimentally at the FERMI free-electron-laser facility, using the magnetic small-angle X-ray scattering technique. The XSPIN simulations show that the magnetic scattering signal from cobalt decreases -- on the femtosecond timescales considered -- due to electronic excitation, relaxation and transport processes both in the cobalt and in the platinum layers. The signal decrease scales with the increasing fluence of incoming radiation, following the trend observed in the experimental data. Confirmation of the predominant role of electronic processes for X-ray induced demagnetization in the regime below the structural damage threshold, achieved with our theoretical study, is a step towards quantitative control and manipulation of X-ray induced magnetic processes on femtosecond timescales.
LRP1 Regulates the Uptake and Propagation of α-Synuclein
Authors: Peng Caixia , Luo Hanjiang , Liu Jia , Li Qinghua , Liu Chengwei , Chen Min 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
The accumulation and transmission of α-Synuclein (α-Syn) is vital in the pathogenesis of synucleinopathies, including Parkinson’s disease (PD), dementia with Lewy body and multiple system atrophy. Clinical progression and severity of synucleinopathies are associated with deposition and spread of protein aggregates. α-Syn spreads between cells in a prion-like manner and causes neurotoxicity. However, the cellular mechanisms underlying misfolded α-Syn accumulation and propagation have not been conclusively determined. Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1), which is considered as a multifunctional endocytic receptor that is abundantly expressed in neurons, is elevated in the neurons of PD patients. In this study, elevated LRP1 levels were found in PC12 cells treated with extracellular added α-Syn pre-formed fibrils (PFFs) as well as PFFs-injected PD mice. Cytoplasmic α-Syn levels were markedly suppressed by LRP1 knockdown in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, LRP1 levels were elevated in cells transfected with full length and N-terminus of α-Syn. Interactions between α-Syn and LRP1 were mediated by lysine residues in the N-terminus of α-Syn. Furthermore, downregulation of LRP1 in mice effectively suppressed the propagation of α-Syn between neurons. These findings indicate that LRP1 regulates the uptake and propagation of α-Syn in the brains and may be a potential target for the treatment of α-Syn aggregation- and propagation-associated diseases.
Short and Long-Term Effect of Dexamethasone on the Transcriptome Profile of Primary Human Trabecular Meshwork Cells In vitro
Authors: Kathirvel Kandasamy , Karen Lester , Haribalaganesh Ravinarayanan , Krishnadas Ramasamy , Muthukkaruppan Veerappan , Lane Brian , Simpson David A , Goljanek-Whysall Kasia , Sheridan Carl , Bharanidharan Devarajan , Willoughby Colin E , Senthilkumari Srinivasan 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
In the quest of identifying newer molecular targets for the management of glucocorticoid-induced ocular hypertension (GC-OHT) and glaucoma (GCG), several microarray studies have attempted to investigate the genome-wide transcriptome profiling of primary human trabecular meshwork (TM) cells in response to dexamethasone (DEX). However, no studies are reported so far to demonstrate the temporal changes in the expression of genes in the cultured human TM cells in response to DEX treatment. Therefore, in the present study, the time-dependent changes in the genome-wide expression of genes in primary human TM cells after short (16 hours:16h) and long exposure (7 days: 7d) of DEX was investigated using RNA sequencing. There were 199 (118 up-regulated; 81 down-regulated) and 525 (119 up-regulated; 406 down-regulated) DEGs in 16h and 7d treatment groups respectively. The unique genes identified in 16h and 7d treatment groups were 152 and 478 respectively. This study found a distinct gene signature and pathways between two treatment regimes. Longer exposure of DEX treatment showed a dys-regulation of Wnt and Rap1 signaling and so highlighted potential therapeutic targets for pharmacological management of GC-OHT/glaucoma.