bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Speech Emotion Recognition using Sub-Band Spectrogram fusion and Deep Convolutional Neural Network transfer learning
Authors: Mansouri Bibi Zahra , Ghaffary Hamid Reza , Harimi Ali 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Speech emotion recognition (SER) is a challenging field of research that has attracted research during the last two decades. Successful performance of Deep Convolutional Neural Networks (DNNs) in various difficult pattern recognition problems motivates researchers to develop SER systems based on deep learning algorithms. The most essential requirement in training a deep model is the presence of a large-scale dataset. However, in many cases, such an amount of data is not available. Transfer learning approaches provide a practical solution to this problem. In this paper, we proposed an SER system based on AlexNet, the well-known deep model trained on the large-scale ImageNet dataset. In this way, the novel enriched spectrogram calculated based on the fusion of wide-band and narrow-band spectrograms is developed as a proper input for such a model. The proposed fused spectrogram benefited from both high temporal and spectral resolution. These images have been applied to the pre-trained AlexNet. All the experiments were performed on the popular Emo-DB, IEMOCAP, and eNTERFACE05 datasets based on 10-fold cross-validation and Leave-One-Speaker-Group-Out known as speaker-dependent and speaker-independent techniques, respectively. The proposed approach gains competent performance in contrast to other state-of-the-art methods.
A case report of COVID-19 associated with AIDS-related pulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: Bereda Gudisa 
Published: December 2022

Abstract

Patients immunocompromised by HIV or with TB lung disease could be more susceptible to severe COVID-19 infection. The COVID-19 pandemic poses a serious hazard to tuberculosis sufferers. A 67-year-old black African house wife with an HIV/AIDS diagnosis arrived at the emergency room on September 28, 2022. The admitted woman had significant complaints included muscle weakness, a loss of weight about 33 pounds during the preceding week, headache, and a cough. Reduced breath sounds were audible on chest auscultation in the right middle and upper lungs. His electrocardiogram showed sinus tachycardia and anterior-lateral lead ST-depression. She had two nasopharyngeal swabs for COVID-19 testing, which were positive. For the first five days of her stay in the hospital, the patient needed continuous oxygen delivered through a nasal cannula at a rate of four liters per minute, and she is still taking her ART regimen. For TB treatment, she took rifampicin 150 mg, isoniazid 75 mg, pyrazinamide 400 mg, and ethambutol 275 mg during a two-month intensive phase of her TB therapy, then rifampicin 150 mg and isoniazid 75 mg for a four-month continuous phase.
The Guiding Significance of Intraoperative Frozen Section in Early-Stage Endometrial Cancer Staging Operation
Authors: Guo Hua , Wang Yanhua , Cui Jiao , Ma Yuan , Li Jialing , Wei Meng , Li Ruyue , Rong Hu 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the accuracy and consistency between frozensection (FS) and final paraffin sections (PS) in a series of surgically resected early endometrial cancer (EC).
Materials and Methods: Data from 292 patients who underwent surgery for early EC between 2015 and 2021were retrospectively analyzed. The consistency of FS and PS on tumor grade and myometrium invasion (MI) depth of EC were analyzed and compared.
Results: Compared with PS, the consistency test (Ka) of FS in early EC tumor grade was Kappa statistic=0.789(P＜0.001 ). The consistency of MI <50% and ≥50% was 94.96% and 64.81%, respectively (Ka=0.629, P＜0.001 )The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the depth of MI during FS were 94.96%,64.81%,92.24%,74.47%, respectively. In addition, 38 cases were diagnosed as atypical hyperplasia and local canceration (AHLC) before surgery, which was finally confirmed as EC by FS and PS.
Conclusion: The early-stage EC tumor grade and the depth of MI can more accurately be classified based on FS, which can also provide high guiding value for lymph node dissection in early EC surgery.
Quantifying the Energetic Cost Tradeoffs of Photovoltaic Pumping Systems for Sub-Saharan African Smallholder Farms
Authors: Liang ZhiYi , Shorter Amanda L. , V Amos G. Winter 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
As solar technologies have matured, irrigation using photovoltaic pumping systems (PVPSs) has gained popularity in developing markets as an effective means to alleviate poverty and increase food security. Yet there remains a barrier to adoption; the upfront cost of PVPS poses a financial burden for many low-income farmers. In a PVPS, the capital cost of the solar array contributes a large portion of upfront system costs. The solar pump is the largest energy consumer in the system, thus its efficiency directly impacts the size and cost of the solar array. There is limited quantitative understanding about how solar pump efficiency affects the capital cost of the solar array. This study presents a technoeconomic framework to directly quantify the impact of solar pump efficiency on the cost of the solar array in a PVPS for a range of hydraulic operating conditions. New empirical efficiency scaling laws were created by characterizing the efficiencies of 4-inch multistage centrifugal borehole pumps and induction motors. The utility of the technoeconomic framework is demonstrated through a case study comparing solar pump architectures with motors of different efficiencies. Results indicate that, despite increased motor cost, the use of high efficiency motors in solar pumps may lead to an overall cost reduction in a PVPS. Counter to the conventional capital cost-driven process, this work demonstrates that an efficiency-driven design process could improve low-cost, solar-powered system design. Engineers and system designers can leverage the presented framework during the design process to make informed decisions to achieve more cost-effective PVPS.
Taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity of forest mammals mainly associated with elevation range
Authors: Feng Lu , Ma Xiaoming , Feng Gang 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Forest mammal diversity has declined rapidly due to the widely loss and fragmentation of primary forest habitats, further threatening the functioning and biodiversity of forest ecosystems and emphasizes the importance of the research on forest mammal diversity. This study tried to link forest mammal diversity captured by camera traps with elevation range, contemporary climate, paleoclimate change and human activities in China, a country with diverse forest types, high mammal diversity, and massive anthropogenic disturbance on primary forest. The results showed that the camera traps in 72 Chinese forest sites captured 125 mammal species, accounting for 18% of all mammal species in China. In addition, the phylogenetic and functional diversity of these species accounted for 33% and 49% of all mammal species in China. Notably, forest sites with higher elevation range had higher species richness, higher functional diversity, over-dispersed functional structure, but clustered phylogenetic structure. Stable paleoclimate promoted species richness and functional diversity. Higher contemporary temperature and more precipitation promoted phylogenetic diversity and over-dispersed phylogenetic structure. In addition, anthropogenic factors (cropland area and human population size) had weak impacts on forest mammal diversity. These findings suggest that the mammal diversity in Chinese forest ecosystems is mainly associated with natural environmental variables, supporting the habitat heterogeneity hypothesis, history climate stability hypothesis, and tropical conservatism hypothesis. Meanwhile, the weak links between forest mammal diversity with anthropogenic activities may indicate the important role of forest ecosystems in conserving forest mammal diversity in China.
Jellyfish detritus supports niche partitioning and metabolic interactions among marine bacteria
Authors: Tinta Tinkara , Zhao Zihao , Bayer Barbara , Herndl Gerhard J. 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Background
Jellyfish blooms represent a significant but largely overlooked source of labile organic matter (jelly-OM) in the ocean, characterized by a high protein content. Decaying jellyfish are important vehicles for carbon export to the ocean’s interior. To accurately incorporate them into biogeochemical models, the interactions between microbes and jelly-OM have yet to be fully characterized. We conducted jelly-OM enrichment experiments to simulate the scenario experienced by the coastal microbiome after the decay of a jellyfish bloom. We combined metagenomics, endo- and exo-metaproteomic approaches to obtain a mechanistic understanding on the metabolic network operated by the jelly-OM degrading bacterial consortium.
Results
Our analysis revealed that OM released during the decay of jellyfish blooms triggers a rapid shuffling of the taxonomic and functional profile of the bacterial community, resulting in a significant enrichment of protein/amino-acid catabolism-related enzymes in the jelly-OM degrading community dominated by Pseudoalteromonadaceae, Alteromonadaceae and Vibrionaceae, compared to unamended control treatments. In accordance with the proteinaceous character of jelly-OM, Pseudoalteromonadaceae synthesized and excreted enzymes associated with proteolysis, while Alteromonadaceae contributed to extracellular hydrolysis of complex carbohydrates and organophosphorus compounds. In contrast, Vibrionaceae synthesized transporter proteins for peptides, amino acids and carbohydrates, exhibiting a cheater-type lifestyle. In the late stage of jelly-OM degradation, Rhodobacteraceae and Alteromonadaceae became dominant, growing on jelly-OM left-overs or bacterial debris, potentially contributing to the accumulation of dissolved organic nitrogen compounds and inorganic nutrients, following the decay of jellyfish blooms.
Conclusions
Our findings indicate that specific chemical and metabolic fingerprints associated with decaying jellyfish blooms are substantially different to those associated with decaying phytoplankton blooms, potentially altering the functioning and biogeochemistry of marine systems. In particular, the enrichment in extracellular collagenolytic proteases associated with the decay of jellyfish blooms represents an important aspect, with possible implications for marine ecosystem services as virulence factors in human and marine organisms’ disease. Our study also provides novel insights into niche partitioning and metabolic interactions among key jelly-OM degraders operating a complex metabolic network in a temporal cascade of biochemical reactions to degrade pulses of jellyfish-bloom specific compounds.
Serious infection risk of tofacitinib compared to biologics in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated in routine clinical care
Authors: Riek Myriam , Finckh Axel , Scherer Almut , Möller Burkhard , Ciurea Adrian , von Mühlenen Ines , Gabay Cem , Kyburz Diego , Brulhart Laure , von Kempis Johannes , Mueller Ruediger B , Hasler Paul , Strahm Tanja , Känel Sabine , Zufferey Pascal , Dudler Jean 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Background: Comparative safety assessments are important for informed treatment decisions. Recently, serious infections related to tofacitinib (TOF) have raised considerable interest. This study aims to compare the risk for serious infections in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) upon receiving TOF versus biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) by age at treatment initiation.
Methods: We identified adult RA patients exposed to TOF or bDMARDs using data collected by the Swiss registry for inflammatory rheumatic diseases (SCQM) from 2015 to 2018. The event of interest was the first non-fatal serious infection (SI) during drug exposure. Missing or incomplete event dates were imputed as either the lower (left) or upper (right) limit of the interval in which the event must have occurred. Separate analyses were done with the left and right imputed dates and interpreted together. The comparative risk (hazard ratio, HR) of TOF versus bDMARDs was estimated as a function of age using Cox proportional hazards regression adjusted for several possible confounders or predictors.
Results: 1687 patients provided time at risk for a first SI during study participation and drug exposure for a total of 2238 different treatment courses, 345 for TOF and 1893 for bDMARDs. Exact dates were missing from 21% of the SIs, with 44 (left imputation) or 43 (right imputation), respectively, identified as first SIs (12/12 on TOF versus 32/31 on bDMARDs). Left and right imputation produced similar results. For ages >= 69 years, HRs were >1 with both imputations. Indicatively, for right imputation, at 69 and 76 years, the HRs (95% confidence intervals) were, respectively: 2.05 (1.04, 4.05; increased), and 2.87 (1.27, 6.52; clinically relevantly increased). For ages < 65 years, the data were insufficient to draw conclusions one way or another.
Conclusions: Our results suggest that we should expect an increased risk for SIs upon treatment with TOF compared to bDMARDs in older patients (aged ≥ 69 years). Our study thus supports a cautious use of TOF in these patients. Further research is needed to assess whether the comparative risk is age dependent and, if so, whether it is relevantly increased in older as opposed to younger patients.
Creating a Best Practice Template for Participant Communication Plans in Global Health Clinical Studies
Authors: Shelly Colleen E , Logan Caroline , Skorochod Beth , Wiyeh Alison , Ndwandwe Duduzile , Choko Augustine , Valea Innocent , Titanji Boghuma K 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Background: Clinical trial participants have a right to be informed throughout the entire process of human subject research. As part of this pillar of research ethics, participants and other stakeholders should be made aware of research findings after a trial has been completed. Though participants have both a right, and a desire to be informed of research outcomes, studies show that they rarely receive communication about study findings. Our aim was (1) to understand what, if any, role communication plans play in current global health clinical research protocols, and (2) to use our findings to develop a communication plan template tailored to clinical research carried out in low-and-middle-income countries (LMIC) while minimizing colonial assumptions. While the template was drafted in the LMIC context, the principles are universally applicable and should be considered best practices for all global health clinical trials.
Methods: We carried out a mixed-method study over a period of six months to understand the role of communication with study participants and other stakeholders in clinical trials. The sem-quantitative analysis included mining publicly available clinical trial protocols for communication-related language. Qualitative interviews (n=7) were used to gather knowledge and insight from clinical trial experts to inform the development of a communication plan template.
Results: None of the 48 mined clinical trial protocols included a communication plan. Of the 48, 21% (n=21) protocols included communication-related language, and 10% (n=5) described plans to share trial results with participants.
Conclusion: The use of communication plans in global health clinical trials is lacking. To our knowledge, this is the first in-depth analysis of communication plans in clinical trials to date. We recommend that researchers utilize the developed communication plan template throughout the entire research process to ensure a human-centered approach to participant communication. This communication plan should apply to all phases of a research trial, with a particular emphasis on plans to share results in an accessible and engaging manner once the trial has been completed.
New Biomarkers Exploration and Nomogram Construction of Prognostic and Immune-Related Adverse Events of Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Receiving Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
Authors: Lin Xuwen , Chen Xi , Long Xiang , Zeng Chao , Zhang Zhihan , Fang Weiyi , Xu Ping 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Background
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are regarded as the most promising treatment for advanced-stage non-small cell lung cancer (aNSCLC). Unfortunately, there has been no unified accuracy biomarkers and systematic model specifically identified for prognostic and severe immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Our goal was to discover new biomarkers and develop a publicly accessible method of identifying patients who may maximize benefit from ICIs.
Methods
This retrospective study enrolled 138 aNSCLC patients receiving ICIs treatment. Progression-free survival (PFS) and severe irAEs were end-points. Data of demographic features, severe irAEs, and peripheral blood inflammatory-nutritional and immune indices before and after 1 or 2 cycles of ICIs were collected. Independent factors were selected by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) combined with multivariate analysis, and incorporated into nomogram construction. Internal validation was performed by applying area under curve (AUC), calibration plots, and decision curve.
Results
Three nomograms with great predictive accuracy and discriminatory power were constructed in this study. Among them, two nomograms based on combined inflammatory-nutritional biomarkers were constructed for PFS (1year-PFS and 2year-PFS) and severe irAEs respectively, and one nomogram was constructed for 1year-PFS based on immune indices. ESCLL nomogram (based on ECOG PS, preSII, changeCAR, changeLYM and postLDH) was constructed to assess PFS (1-,2-year-AUC=0.893[95%CI:0.837-0.950], 0.828[95%CI:0.721-0.935]). AdNLA nomogram (based on age, change-dNLR, changeLMR and postALI) was constructed to predict the risk of severe irAEs (AUC=0.762[95%CI:0.670-0.854]). NKT-B nomogram (based on change-CD3+CD56+CD16+NKT-like cells and change-B cells) was constructed to assess PFS (1-year-AUC=0.872[95%CI:0.764-0.965]). Although immune indices could not be modeled for severe irAEs prediction due to limited data, we were the first to find CD3+CD56+CD16+NKT-like cells were not only correlated with PFS but also associated with severe irAEs, which have not been reported in the study of aNSCLC-ICIs. Furthermore, our study also discovered higher change-CD4+/CD8+ ratio was significantly associated with severe irAEs.
Conclusions
These three new nomograms proceeded from non-invasive and straightforward peripheral blood data may be useful for decisions-making. CD3+CD56+CD16+NKT-like cells were first discovered to be an important biomarker for treatment and severe irAEs, and play a vital role in distinguishing the therapy response and serious toxicity of ICIs.
On crack nucleation and propagation in elastomers: I. In situ optical and x-ray experimental observations
Authors: Guo Jinlong , Ravi-Chandar Krishnaswamy 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
This article presents the results of an investigationof crack nucleation and propagation in atransparent polydimenthylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomer.The main objective of the investigation is to characterizequantitatively the evolution of crack nucleationand propagation behavior not just through the usualmacroscopic load and displacement data, but with synchronizedoptical images at high spatial and adequatetemporal resolution that will resolve the evolution ofthe failure processes. This is augmented with x-ray computedtomography (CT) scans to characterize the threedimensionalgeometry of the cracks nucleated in the interiorof the elastomer.Towards this goal, we reproduce the classical pokerchipexperiment of Gent and Lindley (1959) in whichthe specimen’s diameter-to-thickness ratio is varied overa broad range to cover crack nucleation, propagation,and their coalescence. These experiments are performedon transparent PDMS with different compositions, firstin a specially built loading machine that is fitted witha high magnification microscopic camera that permitsthe measurement of the load while simultaneously providingimages of the specimen configuration and subsequentlyin an apparatus built for in situ observationsusing an x-ray CT scanning system.These experiments reveal that nucleation of multiplemicrocracks dominates when the diameter-to-thicknessaspect ratio α is sufficiently large, because the incompressibilityof the material induces substantial, nearlyuniform hydrostatic tension in the specimen. In contrast, specimens with smaller aspect ratio tend to nucleatefewer cracks, and are dominated by the growth ofthese cracks. At even smaller α, the hydrostatic stress issignificantly lowered and failure is dominated by surfaceflaws. The three-dimensional geometry, and the spatialdistribution of the nucleated cracks were evaluated usingoptical microscopy and x-ray CT scans. This revealedcracks of three different shapes, one of which wasconfined in a layer near to the upper or bottom boundaryof the poker-chip, another was across the thickness,but with a tilt relative to the axis of the specimen, andthe last was propagating along the radial direction.
Retinal Imaging Technologies in Cerebral Malaria: A Systematic Review
Authors: Wilson Kyle J. , Dhalla Amit , Meng Yanda , Tu Zhanhan , Zheng Yalin , Mhango Priscilla P. , Seydel Karl B. , Beare Nicholas A. V. 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Background
Cerebral malaria (CM) continues to present a major health challenge, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. CM is associated with a characteristic malarial retinopathy (MR) with diagnostic and prognostic significance. Advances in retinal imaging have allowed researchers to better characterise the changes seen in MR and to make inferences about the pathophysiology of the disease.
Aims
Explore the role of retinal imaging in diagnosis and prognostication in CM; establish insights into pathophysiology of CM from retinal imaging; establish future research directions
Methods
We systematically reviewed the literature from the African Index Medicus, MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science databases. A total of 35 full texts were included in the final analysis. The descriptive nature of the included studies and heterogeneity precluded meta-analysis.
Results
Available research clearly shows retinal imaging is useful both as a clinical tool for the assessment of CM and as a scientific instrument to aid our understanding of the condition. Modalities which can be performed at the bedside, such as fundus photography and optical coherence tomography, are best positioned to take advantage of artificial intelligence-assisted image analysis, unlocking the clinical potential of retinal imaging for real-time diagnosis in low-resource environments where extensively trained clinicians may be few in number, and for guiding adjunctive therapies as they develop.
Conclusions
Further research into retinal imaging technologies in CM is justified. In particular, co-ordinated interdisciplinary work shows promise in unpicking the pathophysiology of a complex disease.
Editorial
Authors: Domínguez Partida Gabriel 
Published: December 2022

"En el mundo actual, la virtualidad se presenta como una necesidad y no ya como una novel invención. En consecuencia, la investigación de la comunicación ha incluido estas nuevas tecnologías digitales como un área de estudio con el afán extender el conocimiento y aplicación de las teorías seminales del proceso comunicativo. Aunque esta incorporación se ha hecho con cierta reticencia, cada vez es más común encontrar voces académicas que reivindiquen el rol de estas tecnologías y la complejidad de sus aplicaciones, alejándose de la inclusiva influencia negativa en las audiencias. Uno de esos medios es los videojuegos."--Editorial