bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Older patients with persistent postural-perceptual dizziness exhibit fewer emotional disorders and lower vertigo scores
Authors: Zhang Li , Jiang Weiwei , Tang Lu , Liu Hongxing , Li Feng 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe clinical characteristics of persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) vary according to patient age and inducing factors. We aimed to analyze the differences in the clinical characteristics of PPPD with different patient age groups and different etiologies. A total of 122 PPPD patients hospitalized in the vertigo ward of Nanjing Brain Hospital from December 2018 to July 2021 were enrolled. According to whether dizziness symptoms were secondary to organic diseases, PPPD patients were divided into the primary (p-) and secondary (s-) PPPD groups; subgroups were created according to age including youth group, middle-aged group, older adults group 1 and older adults 2. We collected detailed data from each patients, including scores on the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), mental state and other clinical data. The ratio of males to females was 1:2. The prevalence of emotional disorders in the middle-aged group was the highest (67.57%) and that in the older adults groups was lower (48.08% in older adults group 1 and 8.70% in older adults group 2, P = 0.000). The proportion of p-PPPD patients with emotional disorders was significantly higher than that of s-PPPD patients (53.48% vs. 30.56%, P = 0.028). The average total DHI score in the middle-aged group was significantly higher than that in older adults group 2 (52.86 vs. 35.04, P = 0.032), and the Beck anxiety score in the middle-aged group was higher than that in older adults group 2 (38.89 vs. 27.65, P = 0.000). The middle-aged group had the highest proportion of women, the highest proportion of patients with emotional disorders and the highest vertigo score. The proportion of patients with emotional disorders and the vertigo scores were lower in the older adults groups.
An integrated mediapipe-optimized GRU model for Indian sign language recognition
Authors: Subramanian Barathi , Olimov Bekhzod , Naik Shraddha M. , Kim Sangchul , Park Kil-Houm , Kim Jeonghong 
Published: July 2022

AbstractSign language recognition is challenged by problems, such as accurate tracking of hand gestures, occlusion of hands, and high computational cost. Recently, it has benefited from advancements in deep learning techniques. However, these larger complex approaches cannot manage long-term sequential data and they are characterized by poor information processing and learning efficiency in capturing useful information. To overcome these challenges, we propose an integrated MediaPipe-optimized gated recurrent unit (MOPGRU) model for Indian sign language recognition. Specifically, we improved the update gate of the standard GRU cell by multiplying it by the reset gate to discard the redundant information from the past in one screening. By obtaining feedback from the resultant of the reset gate, additional attention is shown to the present input. Additionally, we replace the hyperbolic tangent activation in standard GRUs with exponential linear unit activation and SoftMax with Softsign activation in the output layer of the GRU cell. Thus, our proposed MOPGRU model achieved better prediction accuracy, high learning efficiency, information processing capability, and faster convergence than other sequential models.
Feasibility of source-free DAS logging for next-generation borehole imaging
Authors: Li David , Huang Lianjie , Zheng Yingcai , Li Yingping , Wannamaker Philip , Moore Joseph 
Published: July 2022

AbstractCharacterizing and monitoring geologic formations around a borehole are crucial for energy and environmental applications. However, conventional wireline sonic logging usually cannot be used in high-temperature environments nor is the tool feasible for long-term monitoring. We introduce and evaluate the feasibility of a source-free distributed-acoustic-sensing (DAS) logging method based on borehole DAS ambient noise. Our new logging method provides a next-generation borehole imaging tool. The tool is source free because it uses ever-present ambient noises as sources and does not need a borehole sonic source that cannot be easily re-inserted into a borehole after well completion for time-lapse monitoring. The receivers of our source-free DAS logging tool are fiber optic cables cemented behind casing, enabling logging in harsh, high-temperature environments, and eliminating the receiver repeatability issue of conventional wireline sonic logging for time-lapse monitoring. We analyze a borehole DAS ambient noise dataset to obtain root-mean-squares (RMS) amplitudes and use these amplitudes to infer subsurface elastic properties. We find that the ambient noise RMS amplitudes correlate well with anomalies in conventional logging data. The source-free DAS logging tool can advance our ability to characterize and monitor subsurface geologic formations in an efficient and cost-effective manner, particularly in high-temperature environments such as geothermal reservoirs. Further validation of the source-free DAS logging method using other borehole DAS ambient noise data would enable the new logging tool for wider applications.
Fractal dimension of retinal vasculature as an image quality metric for automated fundus image analysis systems
Authors: Lyu Xingzheng , Jajal Purvish , Tahir Muhammad Zeeshan , Zhang Sanyuan 
Published: July 2022

AbstractAutomated fundus screening is becoming a significant programme of telemedicine in ophthalmology. Instant quality evaluation of uploaded retinal images could decrease unreliable diagnosis. In this work, we propose fractal dimension of retinal vasculature as an easy, effective and explainable indicator of retinal image quality. The pipeline of our approach is as follows: utilize image pre-processing technique to standardize input retinal images from possibly different sources to a uniform style; then, an improved deep learning empowered vessel segmentation model is employed to extract retinal vessels from the pre-processed images; finally, a box counting module is used to measure the fractal dimension of segmented vessel images. A small fractal threshold (could be a value between 1.45 and 1.50) indicates insufficient image quality. Our approach has been validated on 30,644 images from four public database.
Phase synchronization of chlorophyll and total phosphorus oscillations as an indicator of the transformation of a lake ecosystem
Authors: Rusakov Alexey V. , Adamovich Boris V. , Nurieva Nailya I. , Kovalevskaya Raisa Z. , Mikheyeva Tamara M. , Radchikova Nataly P. , Zhukava Hanna A. , Veres Yulia K. , Zhukova Tatyana V. , Medvinsky Alexander B. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe ecosystem of the Naroch Lakes (Belarus) includes three water bodies, Lake Batorino, Lake Myastro and Lake Naroch. These lakes have a common catchment area. At the end of the 80 s, the ecosystem of the Naroch Lakes underwent a transformation, during which the nutrient load on the catchment area decreased, and the concentration of phosphorus as a limiting factor in these water bodies decreased significantly. At the same time, the Naroch Lakes were exposed to zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha Pallas) invasion. In the mid-90 s, the biological and hydrochemical characteristics of the ecosystem of the Naroch Lakes stabilized. We show here that complex processes associated with the transformation of the lake ecosystem and affecting both trophic interactions in the Naroch Lakes and the influence of environmental factors on them can be represented using a single parameter, the phase-locking index, PLI. In this case, a statistically significant numerical value of PLI characterizes the phase synchronization of two processes, oscillations of the concentration of total phosphorus, TP, and oscillations of the concentration of chlorophyll, Chl. We show that the phase synchronization of these processes occurs only after the stabilization of the ecosystem of the Naroch Lakes. In the period preceding the transformation of the lake ecosystem, there was no synchronization. Numerical evaluation of PLI as a holistic parameter allows us to characterize the transformation of the lake ecosystem as a whole without resorting to study of complex interactions of various factors involved in this transformation.
Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet in relation to age-associated poor muscle strength; a cross-sectional study from the Kurdish cohort study
Authors: Pasdar Yahya , Moradi Shima , Saedi Saman , Moradinazar Mehdi , Rahmani Negin , Hamzeh Behrooz , Najafi Farid 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet is an eating pattern associated with multiple health benefits, including the conservation of skeletal muscle. The Hand Grip Strength (HGS) is the most frequently used indicator of muscle functional capacity and muscle strength for clinical purposes. The current study aims to investigate the association between adherence to MIND diet and prevention of age-associated decline in muscle strength among the Kurdish population in Iran.This cross-sectional study was performed using data from Ravansar non-communicable diseases (RaNCD) cohort study on 3181 adults (48.5% men) aged 35–65 years. The dietary intake of the studied participants was assessed using a 114-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) developed by RaNCD cohort study. The MIND diet and the major dietary patterns were identified based on the participants’ dietary intake and three dietary patterns emerged including plant-based diet, high protein diet, and unhealthy diet. Hand grip strength (HGS) was measured using a hand-held hydraulic handgrip dynamometer and poor HGS was defined as HGS less than 32.8 and 20.5 kg in men and women, respectively. Compared with participants in the lowest category of MIND diet, those in the highest category had lower odds of poor HGS (OR: 0.65; CI 95%: 0.51–0.83). Furthermore, participants who were in third tertiles of plant-based and high protein diet were more likely 37% and 33% lower odds ratio of poor HGS (OR: 0.63; CI 95%: 0.5–0.79), (OR: 0.67; CI 95%: 0.54–0.84), respectively. On the other hand, greater adherence to the unhealthy diet was increased odds of poor HGS (OR: 1.39; CI 95%: 1.11–1.74). Overall, our findings suggest that adherence to the MIND diet and high protein diet may be associated with higher HGS, while adherence to the unhealthy diet can increase the odds of age-associated poor HGS in the Kurdish population.
B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia promotes an immune suppressive microenvironment that can be overcome by IL-12
Authors: Hunter Rae , Imbach Kathleen J. , Zhou Chengjing , Dougan Jodi , Hamilton Jamie A. G. , Chen Kevin Z. , Do Priscilla , Townsel Ashley , Gibson Greg , Dreaden Erik C. , Waller Edmund K. , Haynes Karmella A. , Henry Curtis J. , Porter Christopher C. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractImmunotherapies have revolutionized the treatment of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), but the duration of responses is still sub-optimal. We sought to identify mechanisms of immune suppression in B-ALL and strategies to overcome them. Plasma collected from children with B-ALL with measurable residual disease after induction chemotherapy showed differential cytokine expression, particularly IL-7, while single-cell RNA-sequencing revealed the expression of genes associated with immune exhaustion in immune cell subsets. We also found that the supernatant of leukemia cells suppressed T-cell function ex vivo. Modeling B-ALL in mice, we observed an altered tumor immune microenvironment, including compromised activation of T-cells and dendritic cells (DC). However, recombinant IL-12 (rIL-12) treatment of mice with B-ALL restored the levels of several pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the bone marrow and increased the number of splenic and bone marrow resident T-cells and DCs. RNA-sequencing of T-cells isolated from vehicle and rIL-12 treated mice with B-ALL revealed that the leukemia-induced increase in genes associated with exhaustion, including Lag3, Tigit, and Il10, was abrogated with rIL-12 treatment. In addition, the cytolytic capacity of T-cells co-cultured with B-ALL cells was enhanced when IL-12 and blinatumomab treatments were combined. Overall, these results demonstrate that the leukemia immune suppressive microenvironment can be restored with rIL-12 treatment which has direct therapeutic implications.
The impact of implantation site on procedure success in patients with unresolved facial palsy treated with upper-eyelid gold weight loading
Authors: Nowak-Gospodarowicz Izabela , Koktysz Robert , Rękas Marek 
Published: July 2022

AbstractLoading of the upper eyelid is a well-established procedure for the correction of incomplete eyelid closure due to unresolved facial palsy. Some incurable complications are attributed to type IV hypersensivity reaction, but there is no confirmation of this hypothesis. The aim of the study was to show the impact of gold weights on eyelid tissues depending on the implantation site. Out of 94 total patients (aged 53 ± 17 years) treated from July 2009–2021, since 2014 thirty consecutive patients were randomised into one of 3 groups: the GLE group (gold weight fixed 2 mm above the eyelash line), the GUE group (gold weight fixed at the border of the tarsus and the levator aponeurosis), and the PUE group (platinum chain fixed in the same way as in the GUE group). In the cases of complications, the explanted weights were evaluated histopathologically. The outcomes were compared between groups. Incomplete eyelid closure was corrected in all patients. Serious complications were noted in 100% of patients in the GLE group and 20% in the GUE group (p < 0.0001). A slight lymphocytic reaction was observed in the GUE group. A moderate to significant lymphocytic reaction was observed in the GLE group (p < 0.001). Adverse reactions of the upper eyelid microenvironment resulting from gold weights seem to be dependent on mechanical damage to the eyelid structures, rather than on implants themselves. The site of placement of the weight in the upper eyelid may be critical for procedure success.
Low anti-Müllerian hormone levels are associated with an increased risk of incident early-onset vasomotor symptoms among premenopausal women
Authors: NamGoung SunJu , Chang Yoosoo , Kim Yejin , Kim Hoon , Cho In Young , Kwon Ria , Lim Ga-Young , Choi Hye Rin , Kang Jeonggyu , Kim Kye-Hyun , Hong Yun Soo , Zhao Di , Park Hyun-Young , Cho Juhee , Guallar Eliseo , Kwon Min-Jung , Ryu Seungho 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe role of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels in incident vasomotor symptoms (VMS) is largely unknown. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between AMH levels and the development of early-onset VMS among premenopausal women. Our cohort study comprised 2041 premenopausal women aged 42–52 years free of VMS at baseline whose AMH levels were measured. VMS, including hot flushes and night sweats, were assessed using the Korean version of the Menopause-specific Quality of Life questionnaire. Early-onset VMS was defined as the occurrence of VMS prior to menopause. Parametric proportional hazards models were used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CI. During a median follow-up of 4.4 years, 708 premenopausal women developed early-onset VMS (incidence rate, 8.0 per 100 person-years). Lower AMH levels were statistically significantly associated with an increased risk of early-onset VMS. After adjusting for age and other confounders, multivariable-adjusted HRs (95% CI) for incident VMS comparing AMH quintiles 4–1 to the highest quintile were 1.02 (0.78–1.33), 1.37 (1.06–1.76), 1.36 (1.04–1.76), and 2.38 (1.84–3.08), respectively (P for trend < 0.001). Our results support an independent role of serum AMH levels in predicting incident early-onset VMS among premenopausal women in the late reproductive stage.
The influence and acting pattern of China's national carbon emission trading scheme on regional ecologicalization efficiency of industry
Authors: Fu Chun , Huang Yuerong , Zheng Yiwei , Luo Chuanyong 
Published: July 2022

AbstractTo achieve the goal of energy conservation and emission reduction, China has launched its national carbon-emission trading scheme (ETS). Therefore, it is of great significance to evaluate the implementation of ETS from the perspective of regional ecologicalization efficiency of industry. Based on the panel data of 30 provinces and cities from 2007 to 2019, this study takes the SBM-DEA model to measure the regional ecologicalization efficiency of industry, uses the Difference-in-Difference (DID) model to evaluate the influence of ETS on the regional ecologicalization efficiency of industry, and verifies the outcome by propensity score matching method and counterfactual test. The mediating effect model is used to test the acting pattern of ETS on the regional ecologicalization efficiency of industry. The results show that: (1) ETS can significantly improve the ecologicalization efficiency of industry and shows regional heterogeneity. (2) ETS promotes regional energy conservation, emission reduction, and economic development because of the upgrading of structural optimization, agglomeration of resource synergy, and optimization of ecology. This study offers penetrating insights into the positive operation of the carbon market and provides some useful hints for the development of China’s regional economy.
A portable negative pressure unit reduces bone cement fumes in a simulated operating room
Authors: Carroll Gregory T. , Kirschman David L. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractIn this report, we demonstrate a versatile method for the removal of bone cement fumes from the vicinity of health care workers in a simulated operating room. The mixing of two component bone cement in the perimeter of an operating room releases volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The use of localized negative pressure within proximity of the mixing vessel is expected to reduce the concentration of VOCs dispersed near the airway of operating room personnel. A standard two component bone cement formulation was mixed in the perimeter of a simulated operating room. A median VOC concentration of 19 ppm was detected with a portable VOC detector. When a portable negative pressure unit was stationed near the mixing area at distances of 8 and 36 cm from the mixing vessel, the median VOC rise was reduced by approximately 97% and 83%, respectively, relative to the control. The use of a portable negative pressure unit provides a potential increase in the safety for all staff when working with materials that give off VOCs in the operating room.
Articular surface integrity assessed by ultrasound is associated with biological characteristics of articular cartilage in early-stage degeneration
Authors: Shi Wen , Kanamoto Takashi , Aihara Masaharu , Oka Shiro , Kuroda Sanae , Nakai Tsuyoshi , Mazuka Takeo , Takenaka Keisuke , Sato Yuji , Tsukamoto Masahiro , Ebina Kosuke , Nakata Ken 
Published: July 2022

AbstractEarly diagnosis of articular cartilage damage and repeated evaluation of treatment efficacy are essential for osteoarthritis treatment. In this study, we established a simple ultrasound grading system for early degenerative articular cartilage and investigated its relationship with cartilage biological characteristics. The ultrasound grading system were based on surface integrity (S1a: continuous high-echo lines, S1b: discontinuous or weak high-echo lines, S2: surface irregular) and cartilage echogenicity (E1: with > 50%, E2: < 50% hypoechoic area of total cartilage layer) and verified by surface roughness (Ra; μm) and histological staining. Ra was lower in S1 than in S2, and the percentage of hypoechoic and safranin O-stained areas was positively correlated. Then we examined its relationship with histopathological evaluation (OARSI grade), gene expression, and protein production in responded to pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-1ß) stimulation. OARSI grades were different among S grades. The superficial layer of S1 had higher expression of Collagen10, aggrecan, Sox9, and lower expression of Collagen1 and BMP2 than that of S2. S1 responded more pronouncedly to IL-1ß in IL-6, IL-8, and CCL2 production than S2. There was no difference among the E-grades. Taken together, our findings indicate that ultrasound assessment using surface integrity can reflect the biological characteristics of early degenerative articular cartilage.
Probiotic potential characterization and clustering using unsupervised algorithms of lactic acid bacteria from saltwater fish samples
Authors: Mazlumi Atefeh , Panahi Bahman , Hejazi Mohammad Amin , Nami Yousef 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThis research aimed to isolate lactic acid bacteria from the bowel of saltwater fish to assess their potential probiotic properties. Nineteen isolates of LAB including Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Lactiplantibacillus pentosus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Levilactobacillus brevis, Pediococcus pentosaceus, and Pediococcus acidilactici were recognized using molecular tools. All the isolates survived in the simulated conditions of the GI tract. Auto-aggregation ranged from 01.3 ± 0.5 to 82.6 ± 1.4% and hydrophobicity with toluene ranged from 3.7 ± 1.6 to 69.4 ± 1.3%, while the range of hydrophobicity with xylene was from 02.2 ± 1.6 to 56.4 ± 2.1%. All the isolates of lactobacilli, pediococci, enterococci, and lactococci indicated variable sensitivity and resistance towards clinical antibiotics. Non-neutralized cell free supernatant of isolates F12 and F15 showed antimicrobial activity against all the 8 evaluated enteric pathogens. Cluster analysis of identified potential probiotic bacteria based on heat-map and PCA methods also highlighted the priority of isolates F3, F7, F12, and F15 as bio-control agents in fishery industry. The findings of this study may essentially contribute to the understanding of the probiotic potential of LAB in saltwater fish, in order to access their probiotic characterization for use as biocontrol in fishery.
Smart city indexes, criteria, indicators and rankings: An in‐depth investigation and analysis
Authors: Toh Chai Keong 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThere are many indexes and ranking bodies on Smart Cities. However, most of these rankings have their own specific evaluation criteria and ranking methodologies. Currently, there are no uniformly and universally accepted methods for comprehensive and fair evaluation of smart cities. This is a problem as no ranking is widely accepted and universally agreed upon. This not only creates chaos but also confusion as to what indexes to follow. In this paper, 6 current smart city indexes (IMD‐SUTD Smart City Index, AT Kearney Global Cities Index, IESE Cities in Motion Index, EasyPark Cities of the Future Index, Mori‐Foundation Global Power City Index and Smart EcoCity Index) produced by major organisations are examined, discussed, and compared. Commonalities and differences are highlighted, revealing insights into the accuracy, comprehensiveness, shortcomings, acceptance and usage of these indexes and rankings. Finally, new evaluation factors are suggested and the rationale behind them are provided, in addition to the essential 8 criteria of economy, governance, technology, health, transport, environment, living and sustainability.