bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thyroid-stimulating hormone and the risk of Alzheimer's disease: an ADNI cohort study
Authors: Zhang Bin , Zhang Cheng , Xie YuTing , Wang YuYe , Chen LeiAn , Qiao YaNan , Peng DanTao 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Background:
The association of thyroid function with Alzheimer's disease (AD) is controversial. This study mainly aimed to investigate the association between thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and the risk of AD.
Methods:
We investigated the cross-sectional association between TSH and cognition, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers, and neuroimaging by linear regression models. The association between TSH and the risk of MCI conversion to AD within four years was measured by Cox proportional hazards models. Additionally, we investigated the interaction effects between TSH and sex in analyses.
Results:
A total of 476 participants who measured plasma TSH at baseline were included in the analyses, comprising 49 cognitively normal (CN), 336 mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 91 AD. Within four years of follow-up, 160 MCI participants converted to AD. No associations were found between TSH and cognition and AD biomarkers. There existed sex differences in the association between TSH within the normal range and the risk of AD (p for interaction = 0.043). The highest tertile of TSH within the normal range significantly increased the risk of AD in female compared to the lowest tertile (HR = 2.62, p = 0.021). TSH was not associated with the risk of AD in male.
Conclusions:
High plasma levels of TSH within the normal range were associated with an increased risk of AD in female but not in male.
Prevalence and predictors of unfavourable risk factors of trifecta in vacuum assisted mini- percutaneous nephrolithotomy: a single center experience
Authors: Pozzi Efrem , Malfatto Matteo , Turetti Matteo , Silvani Carlo , Jannello Letizia Maria Ippolita , Garbagnati Susanna , Galbiati Gilda , Zanetti Stefano Paolo , Longo Fabrizio , De Lorenzis Elisa , Albo Giancarlo , Salonia Andrea , Montanari Emanuele , Boeri Luca 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Purpose: To evaluate prevalence and predictors of trifecta in a cohort of patients treated with vacuum-assisted percutaneous nephrolithotomy (vamPCNL) for kidney stones.
Methods: Data from 287 patients who underwent vamPCNL were analysed. Patient’s demographics, stones characteristics and operative data were collected. Stone-free was defined as no residual stones. Complications were recorded and graded according to modified Clavien classification. Trifecta was defined as stone-free status without complications, after a single session and no auxiliary procedures. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models tested the association between predictors and trifecta outcome.
Results: After vamPCNL, 219 (76.3%) patients were stone free and 81 (28.2%) had postoperative complications (any Clavien). Of 287, 170 (59.2%) patients achieved trifecta criteria. Patients who achieved trifecta status had smaller stone volume (p<0.001), a higher rate of single stones (p<0.001), shorter operative time (p<0.01) and a higher rate of single percutaneous tract (p<0.01) than -trifecta patients. Trifecta status decreased with the number of calices involved, being 77.1%, 18.8% and 4.1% in patients with 1, 2, or 3 calyces with stones, respectively (p<0.001). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that stone volume (OR 1.1, p=0.02), multiple calyces involved (OR 2.8 and OR 4.3 for two and three calyceal groups, all p<0.01) were independent unfavourable risk factors for trifecta after accounting for age, BMI, gender, operative time and number of access tracts.
Conclusion: Trifecta status was achieved in six out of ten patients after vamPCNL. Stones distribution in multiple caliceal groups and stone volume were independent unfavourable risk factors for trifecta.
Dust captured by a canopy and individual leaves of trees in the tropical mixed deciduous forest: Magnitude and Influencing factors
Authors: Bridhikitti Arika , Khumphokha Pawaporn , Wanitha Wantanan , Prasopsin Suphat 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Forest tree leaves play a significant role in air purification, but forest fires could offset the dust sink role. This study aims to assess the functions of the forest in atmospheric dust sink and source and assess the dust capturing capacity of individual leaves of various tree species in the tropical mixed deciduous forest in the dry season (24 November 2021 to 23 January 2022), along with its influencing factors—climatic variables, environmental variables, and leaf morphology. The result shows that the downward flux or the forest dust sink role was predominant at the midday when air-mass turbulence played a role. Nonetheless, net mass PM1 and PM10 concentration trapped by the forest canopy was low, 0.79 and 2.24 µg m− 3, respectively. Forest fires as PM2.5 sources to the atmosphere could outrun the PM2.5 sink role for entire of the dry season. Considering the individual tree leave, maximum dust capturing capacities for the forest trees ranged from 0.95 g m− 2 to 5.197 g m− 2. Leaf dust capturing capacity was enhanced under cold and dry weather and for trees with defoliated or irregular-shape. Leaf/leaflet enhancing the dust capturing capacity exhibited large size; either thick and leathery texture (Coriaceous) or thin, semi-translucent, membrane-like texture (Membranaceous); indumentum top being either short, stiff trichomes (Scabrous) or without trichomes (Glabrous); or indumentum bottom surface being densely short, soft trichomes (Tomentose). The various dust capturing dynamics among tree species could benefit dust capturing by the forests in the dry season.
LQR-Based PID Controller with Variable Load Tuned with Data-Driven Methods for Double Inverted Pendulum.
Authors: Aslam Muhammad Shamrooz , Zhao Yuesheng 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
The modern controller design is increasingly based on data-driven control methods. PID controllers are still used primarily in the industry because they are proportional-integral-derivative (PID). The Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) provides an efficient way to tune the parameters of a PID controller. The LQR has the disadvantage of requiring accurate models of the system, as well as reducing a high–order system to a second-order model. Firstly, the authors explore the new horizons of control theory in the form of the state-space model for high nonlinear systems. Secondly, the Lagrangian method establishes the new mathematical model of the linear two–stage inverted pendulum system. In addition, real–time LQR parameters are calculated under the variable load. This method has been demonstrated to be highly applicable and accurate through simulations and experiments using the Double Inverted Pendulum model.
Optical Character Recognition of Urdu Text using Histogram of Oriented Gradient Features
Authors: Awais Muhammad , Iqbal Sajid , Rasool Qaisar , Kousar Tanzeela 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Optical character recognition has received significant research focus to digitize the text in images. Urdu OCR is a difficult task as compared to English and similar languages due to its complex nature where a character can have multiple inflections depending upon its position in the word. The proposed research work presents segmentation-free approach (i.e. holistic approach) for offline Urdu printed text detection. To extract text lines in an image, horizontal histogram projection is employed whereas for ligature segmentation in extracted image text line, proposed technique has used connected components labelling. In this model, set of 14 statistical features along with HOG features are extracted for each sub-word/ligature and used for the training of the proposed model. An open-source dataset UPTI [10] has been used to train and test the proposed algorithm. SVM with RBF kernel function is used for the classification of ligatures. The proposed algorithm has achieved 97.3% character recognition rate on given dataset.
Implication of Climate Change on Crop Water Requirement in the Semi-Arid Region of Western Maharashtra, India
Authors: Gade Shubham , Khedkar Devidas 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Climate change and human activities have massively impacted the hydrological cycle. Thus, it is of the greatest concern to examine the effect of climate change on water management, especially at the regional level, to understand possible future shifts in water supply and water-related crises and support regional water management. Fortunately, there is a high degree of ambiguity in determining the effect of climate change on water requirements. In this paper, the Statistical DownScaling (SDSM) model is applied to simulate the potential impact of climate on crop water requirements (CWR) by downscaling ET0 in the region of Western Maharashtra, India, for the future periods, viz., the 2030s, 2050s, and 2080s, across three meteorological stations (Pune, Rahuri, and Solapur). Four crops, i.e., cotton, soybean, onion, and sugarcane, were selected during the analysis. The Penman-Monteith equation calculates reference crop evapotranspiration (ET0). Further, in conjunction with the crop coefficient (Kc) equation, it calculates crop evapotranspiration (ETc)/CWR. The predictor variables were extracted from the NCEP reanalysis dataset for 1961–2000 and the HadCM3 for 1961–2099 under the H3A2 and H3B2 scenarios. The results indicated by SDSM profound good applicability in downscaling due to satisfactory performance during calibration and validation for all three stations. The projected ET0 indicated an increase in mean annual ET0 compared to the present condition during the 2030s, 2050s, and 2080s. The ET0 would increase for all months (in summer, winter, and pre-monsoon seasons) and decrease from June to September (monsoon season). The estimated future CWR shows variation in the range for cotton (-0.97 to 2.48%), soybean (-2.09 to 1.63%), onion (0.49 to 4.62%), and sugarcane (0.05 to 2.86%).
Propagation of electromagnetic waves in fractional space time
Authors: Muslih Sami I. , Agrawal Om P. 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Electromagnetic wave equation and the coupled Maxwell's equations are studied and solved in a fractional space-time of dimensionsD, 0 < D ≤ 3 and < β ≤ 1.
We use the Green's function definition and the Fourier transform method to nd the solutions of the potentials by solving a non-homogenous partial differential equation in a fractional dimensional space-time, ∇2Ψ(r,t) − 1/c2 ∂2/∂t2Ψ(r,t) = − ƒ(r,t), where ƒ(r,t) = − ρ(r,t)/∈0 for Ψ(r,t) is the scalar potential Φ(r,t) and ƒ(r,t) = − µ0J(r,t) for Ψ(r,t) is the vector potential A(r,t). In this case we can determine the electric field E and the magnetic field B from the solutions of Φ(r,t) and A(r,t), . It is shown that the time required for the wave to propagate from the source point to the observation point is t − t́ ≥ |r − ŕ|/c,|, where c is the speed of light, ŕ is the displacement vector which define the distribution of source, r is the position vector to the observation point, t́ and t are the turning on the source and the observation times respectively, if and only if −1 ≤ D/2 + β − 2 < 1/2.
miRNA Expression Profile in Pediatric Pineal Pure Germinomas
Authors: Fakhry Mona , Elayadi Moatasem , Elzayat Mariam , Samir Omar , Maher Eslam , Taha Hala , El-Beltagy Mohamed , Refaat Amal , Zamzam Manal , Abdelbaki Mohamed S , Sayed Ahmed , Kieran Mark , Elhaddad Alaa 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Purpose
Pure germinomas account for 40% of pineal tumors and are characterized by the lack of appreciable tumor markers, thus requiring a tumor biopsy for diagnosis. MicroRNAs (miRNA) have emerged as potential non-invasive biomarkers for germ cell tumors and may facilitate the non-invasive diagnosis of pure pineal germinomas.
Methods
A retrospective chart review was performed of all patients treated at Children’s Cancer Hospital Egypt diagnosed with a pineal region tumor between June 2013 and March 2021 for whom a research blood sample was available. Plasma samples were profiled for miRNA expression and DESeq2 was used to compare between pure germinoma and other tumor types. Differentially expressed miRNAs were identified. The area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic curve was constructed to evaluate diagnostic performance.
Results
Samples from 39 pediatric patients were available including 12 pure germinomas and 27 pineal region tumors of other pathologies, including pineal origin tumors [n = 17; pineoblastoma (n = 13), and pineal parenchymal tumors of intermediate differentiation (n = 4)], and others [n = 10; low grade glioma (n = 6) and atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (n = 4)]. Using an adjusted p value < 0.05, three miRNAs showed differential expression (miR-143-3p, miR-320c, miR-320d; adjusted p = 0.0058, p = 0.0478 and p = 0.0366, respectively), and good discriminatory power between the two groups (AUC 90.7%, p < 0.001) with a sensitivity of 25% and a specificity of 100%.
Conclusion
Our results demonstrated the potential of a three-plasma miRNA signature to non-invasively identify pineal body pure germinomas which may allow selected patients to avoid the potential surgical complications.
AEDN: Encoder-Decoder Network with Attention for Semantic Image Segmentation
Authors: Li Shusheng , Wan Liang , Tang Lu , Zhang Zhining 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Enhancing receptive fields using atrous convolution in the domain of semantic segmentation has been proven to be an effective method. However, atrous convolution exists ”grid effect” and does not capture long-range dependencies well, causing problems such as loss of information details and class confusion. To address the above problems, based on two proposed modules: Strip Spatial Attention Module (SSAM) and Adaptive Fusion Module (AFM), we designed a network with an encoder-decoder structure named AEDN. Specifically, we introduced horizontal and vertical strip modules to design a Strip Spatial Attention Module, which did not require association for each pixel, avoided useless coding information, and could capture long-distance dependencies. AFM can perform an adaptive fusion of high-level and low-level features without dimensionality reduction, which helps to recover spatial information of images gradually. The effectiveness of AEDN has been verified experimentally on the PASCAL VOC 2012 and Cityscapes datasets. Specifically , our network achieves 80.21% and 77.47% mIoU on the PASCAL VOC 2012 and Cityscape validation sets, respectively, and can better handle issues such as loss of information details and class confusion.
Mental Workload Assessment based on Information Theory applied to Listening Practice in English as a Foreign Language in a dual STEM/Military degree
Authors: Roca-González José-Luis , Vera-López Juan-Antonio , Navarro-Pérez Margarita 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Information theory is a useful framework of research that has been recently adapted to be used in the field of cognitive workload study for pilot performance. Mental workload assessment and forecasting modelling outputs based on Shannon’s Law have showed up as relevant feedback for managers with responsibilities in designing and optimizing the learning procedures involved. Therefore, the aim of this article is to apply this methodology to propose a mental workload baseline, caused by listening practice in English as a foreign language for a dual educational system (Military-STEM) where students must achieve an Industrial Engineering degree simultaneously with Military Pilot studies distributed in a four-year term program. For such purpose, it is summarised a case of study where the Mental Workload Assessment-Information Theory (MWA-IT) and the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX), as one of the most cited references on workload studies, have been used to propose a reference baseline of expected workload. The paper introduces first a review regarding English as a foreign language in academic background, the workload methodologies mentioned before and the case of study characterization that set the database used. Applying MINITAB software for statistical analysis it is concluded finally that the nondimensional workload reference baseline was, for MWA-IT within 36.5 to 92.6 meanwhile NASA-TLX was within 49.8 to 193.7, and also that almost 65% of the workload due English Listening proficiency achievement was caused along the first two courses, when advanced STEM subjects are taught and before the elementary pilot learning and practice program starts.
Cell-type-specific translational control of spatial working memory by the cap-binding protein 4EHP
Authors: Wiebe Shane , Huang Ziying , Skalecka Agnieszka , Cagnetta Roberta , Lacaille Jean-Claude , Aguilar-Valles Argel , Sonenberg Nahum 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
The consolidation of learned information into long-lasting memories requires the strengthening of synaptic connections through de novo protein synthesis. Translation initiation factors play a cardinal role in gating the production of new proteins thereby regulating memory formation. Both positive and negative regulators of translation play a critical role in learning and memory consolidation. The eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) homologous protein (4EHP, encoded by the gene Eif4e2) is an important negative regulator of translation but its role in learning and memory is unknown. To address this gap in knowledge, we generated excitatory (glutamatergic: CaMKIIα-positive) and inhibitory (GABAergic: GAD65-positive) conditional knockout mice for 4EHP, which were analyzed in various behavioral memory tasks. Knockout of 4EHP in Camk2a-expressing neurons (4EHP-cKOexc) did not impact long-term memory in either contextual fear conditioning or Morris water maze tasks. Similarly, long-term contextual fear memory was not altered in Gad2-directed 4EHP knockout mice (4EHP-cKOinh). However, when subjected to a short-term T-maze working memory task, both mouse models exhibited impaired cognition. We therefore tested the hypothesis that de novo protein synthesis plays a direct role in working memory. We discovered that phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6, a measure of mTORC1 activity, is dramatically reduced in the CA1 hippocampus of 4EHP-cKOexc mice. Consistently, genetic reduction of mTORC1 activity in either excitatory or inhibitory neurons was sufficient to impair working memory. Taken together, these findings indicate that translational control by 4EHP and mTORC1 in both excitatory and inhibitory neurons are necessary for working memory.
Preliminary evaluation of two-row versus three-row circular staplers for colorectal anastomosis after rectal resection: a single-center retrospective analysis
Authors: Quero Giuseppe , Fiorillo Claudio , Menghi Roberta , Rosa Fausto , Massimiani Giuseppe , Schena Carlo Alberto , Sio Davide , Laterza Vito , Lucinato Chiara , Papa Valerio , Tondolo Vincenzo , Alfieri Sergio 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Purpose
Circular staplers for colorectal anastomoses significantly ameliorated post-operative outcomes after rectal resection. The more recent three row technology was conceived to improve anastomotic resistance and, thus, lower the incidence of anastomotic complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate potential advantages of three row circular staplers(Three-CS) on anastomotic leakage(AL), stenosis(AS) and hemorrhage(AH) rates after rectal resection as compared to two row circular staplers(Two-CS).
Methods
All rectal resections for rectal cancer between 2016 and 2021 were retrospectively included. Patients were classified according to the circular stapler employed in Two-CS and Three-CS cohorts. AL, AS and AH rates were compared between the two populations. Additionally, the prognostic role of the type of circular stapler on AL onset was evaluated.
Results
Three-hundred and seventy-five patients underwent a rectal resection with an end-to-end anastomosis during the study period:197 constituted the Two-CS group and 178 the Three-CS cohort. AL rate was 6.7%, significantly higher in the Two-CS group(19-9.6%) as compared to the Three-CS cohort(6-3.4%)(p=0.01). No difference was noted in terms of AL severity. Although not statistically significant, a lower incidence rate of AL was evidenced even in the subset of patients with low rectal cancers(4.5%vs12.5% in the Two-row cohort;p=0.33). At the multivariate analysis, Two-CSs was a negative prognostic factor for AL onset(OR: 2.63;p=0.03). No difference was noted between the two groups in terms of AS and AH.
Conclusion
Three-row CSs significantly decrease the rate of AL after rectal resection. Further multicenter controlled trials are still needed to confirm the advantages of Three-row CSs on anastomotic complications.
SMARCA4-Associated Schwannomatosis
Authors: Chan-Pak-Choon Fiona , Roca Carla , Chong Anne-Sophie , Nogué Clara , Dahlum Sonja , Austin Rachel , Fan Helen Mar , Robertson Thomas , Spaendonck-Zwarts Karin van , Siebert Reiner , Rivera Barbara , Foulkes William D. 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Background
Schwannomatosis is a disorder characterized by a predisposition to multiple benign spinal, peripheral and intracranial nerve sheath tumors (schwannomas (SWNs)). The molecular mechanism of schwannomatosis involves several genes located on chromosome 22q, SMARCB1, LZTR1, NF2 and more recently, DGCR8.
Case Presentation:
here, we present a family with SMARCA4-associated schwannomatosis - this is the first report of this association. The proband presented with a spinal SWN at age 30y whilst her mother (deceased) had had 4 peripheral SWNs (right and left arms) at age 50y followed by a glioblastoma (GBM) at age 54y. All the tumors, except for the GBM, showed loss of BRG1 (SMARCA4) in 80–90% of cells and loss of INI1 (SMARCB1) in the complementary 10–20% of cells. The GBM showed retention of BRG1 and INI1. Whole exome sequencing of the proband’s germline revealed a likely pathogenic (LP) variant, SMARCA4 (NM_001128844.2):c.1752_1755del, p.(Lys585Argfs*27) (ClinVar ID: 873514). Furthermore, we identified LOH at the SMARCA4 locus along with 12–23 Mb of chromosome 19p in all SWNs (acting as the second hits), but not in the GBM. No other pathogenic variants or allelic imbalance on Chromosome 22q were detected in the schwannomas. Additionally, from DNA methylation analyses, we observed that the SMARCA4- associated SWNs clustered together with other SWNs (mutated in SMARCB1 or LZTR1, or negative germline status) and away from rhabdoid tumours associated with SMARCA4 and SMARCB1 deficiency (small cell carcinoma of the ovary, hypercalcemic type (SCCOHT) and atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumour (ATRT)).
Conclusion
Taken together, our findings lead us to propose SMARCA4 as a new candidate schwannomatosis gene and that there might be other mechanisms by which SWNs are formed.