MTA-SZTE Research Group on Artificial Intelligence
SZTE Publicatio Repozitórium - SZTE - Repository of PublicationsNot a member yet
32192 research outputs found
Sort by
A demonstrative study of a novel approach for spectral based source apportionment of ambient aerosols
Get PDFWe present an alternative, spectral-based source apportionment model for calculating the mass concentration of wood burning and fossil fuel aerosols in the ambient. The model was applied to data collected from a rural area in Hungary during a 2-month continuous campaign in the winter period. The proposed model is based on the parallel measurement of the size distribution, absorption response of the ambient aerosols, and the thumb-of-rule relation between the elemental carbon (EC) and total carbon (TC) of fossil fuel and wood burning aerosols. We have experimentally demonstrated the wavelength dependency of the calculated Absorption Ängström Exponent (AAE) from the measured optical absorption coefficient (OAC) using the filter-accumulated transmission measurement method for the first time. The proposed model is compared with the traditional Aethalometer model applied to the same dataset. For comparison purposes, different but widely accepted approximations are used to determine source-specific AAE data and for the investigation of the effect of AAE on the output of the applied source apportionment models. The output of the applied models resulted in a close match with each other using site and source-specific AAE data
Psychological Burden and Coping Strategies Among Pakistani Adults: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study
Get PDFBackground/Objectives: Mental health conditions represent a growing global health concern, disproportionately impacting populations in low- and middle-income countries like Pakistan. Limited epidemiological data, coupled with recent socioeconomic and environmental disruptions, has intensified the need for current insights into psychological burden and coping capacities in the Pakistani population. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional survey was conducted from January to May 2023 among 400 community-dwelling adults attending outpatient departments in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. A structured 75-item questionnaire incorporating validated tools (PHQ-9, GAD-7, WHO-5, CSES, and SRQ-20) was used to assess depression, anxiety, well-being, coping self-efficacy, and mental distress. Descriptive statistics, χ2 and Fisher’s exact tests, and Spearman’s rank correlation (rs) analyses were performed using IBM SPSS 22.0. Results: Most respondents were male (73.0%), aged 25–34 (60.0%), and urban-dwelling (80.0%). Clinically relevant depression and anxiety were observed in 57.0% and 19.5% of participants, respectively; 38.0% reported mental distress. Conversely, 76.5% demonstrated fair-to-good coping efficacy and 51.0% had high well-being scores. Younger age (≤34 years), higher income, urban residence, and male gender were associated with significantly better mental health outcomes. Strong positive correlation was found between PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores (rs = 0.672), and moderate negative correlations were found between GAD-7 and WHO-5 (rs = −0.496), and PHQ-9 and WHO-5 (rs = −0.310). Conclusions: Our findings highlight the significant psychological burden among urban Pakistani adults, alongside promising levels of resilience and coping self-efficacy. These results emphasize the urgent need for early, culturally adapted mental health screening and intervention programs in outpatient settings. Integrating such strategies into primary care, particularly for vulnerable subgroups like women, older adults, and those with lower income could facilitate timely diagnosis, improve outcomes, and reduce stigma surrounding mental health
The Influence of Pre-IVF Day 2 TSH Levels on Treatment Success and Obstetric Outcomes: A Retrospective Single-Center Analysis with Machine Learning-Based Data Evaluation
Get PDFBackground: Thyroid disorders, particularly thyroid autoimmunity, are increasingly prevalent among women of reproductive age and have been linked to fertility outcomes. While current endocrinology guidelines define distinct thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) target values for women undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART), the optimal preconception TSH range for in vitro fertilization (IVF) success remains a topic of debate. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the impact of baseline TSH levels within the recommended normal range on IVF outcomes, specifically clinical pregnancy and live birth rates. Additionally, we assessed the predictive value of procedural and preprocedural factors, including maternal body mass index (BMI) and TSH, using machine learning models. Methods: We conducted a retrospective, single-center cohort study at the Institute of Reproductive Medicine, University of Szeged, involving 996 women who underwent IVF, with or without intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Biometric, medical history, laboratory, and procedural factors were analyzed. Pregnancy and live birth predictions were modeled using support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) algorithms. The significance of features in the RF and XGBoost models was assessed. Results: SVM models achieved a mean accuracy of 72.26% in predicting pregnancy but were less effective for live birth classification. RF and XGBoost models demonstrated an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.76 and 0.74 for pregnancy and 0.67 and 0.61, respectively, for live birth. Key predictors included embryo score, maternal age, BMI, and specific hormone levels. Notably, male factors also contributed to outcome prediction. Analysis suggested that variations in maternal TSH within the normal range (0.3–4.0 mIU/L) had no significant impact on IVF success. Conclusions: Our study suggests that preconception TSH levels within the reference range do not significantly influence IVF success, which indirectly supports the validity of the current recommendations on this matter. While machine learning models demonstrated promising predictive performance, larger prospective studies are needed to refine thyroid function targets in ART, with a separate analysis of women with thyroid autoimmunity
Global, regional, and national age-sex-specific burden of diarrhoeal diseases, their risk factors, and aetiologies, 1990–2021, for 204 countries and territories: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021
Get PDF
Quality standards and curriculum for training in cholangiopancreatoscopy: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Position Statement
Get PDFCompetence in cholangioscopy should be defined as the ability to successfully perform the procedure effectively, without trainer assistance, in 80 % of procedures. Cholangioscopy should be performed in endoscopy units with a high yearly volume of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographies (ERCPs) of all grades of complexity. Cholangiopancreatoscopy practice should be considered as standard or advanced as follows: - STANDARD : Cholangioscopy for extrahepatic biliary stones; evaluation of extrahepatic biliary strictures; selective ductal guidewire cannulation and removal of migrated biliary stents/foreign body extraction - ADVANCED : Cholangioscopy for intrahepatic biliary strictures or complex hepatolithiasis; percutaneous cholangioscopy and pancreatoscopy. Endoscopy units undertaking standard cholangioscopy should have prompt access to the following (on site or within a defined rapidly responsive network): - Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)- Interventional radiology (on-site) and hepaticopancreaticobiliary (HPB) surgery - HPB multidisciplinary meetings (MDMs). Complete extrahepatic stone clearance at the initial cholangioscopy session should be successful in 80 % of intention-to-treat cases. Cholangioscopy is recommended with visually guided biopsies in the evaluation of undefined biliary strictures, ideally at index ERCP to prevent negative visual and histological effects of prior stenting; except in cases with an associated mass lesion that may allow tissue acquisition by other means (e. g. EUS or percutaneous biopsy). In cholangioscopic evaluation of extrahepatic biliary strictures, visual assessment should be achieved in > 90 % of cases, and at least 4 visually guided biopsies should be undertaken with sufficient tissue for histological assessment being obtained in > 80 % of cases. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy is indicated in patients with transhepatic bile duct access in cases of altered anatomy or failed ERCP and an indication for cholangioscopy (stone management; biliary stricture evaluation; foreign body removal). Cholangioscopy is considered an advanced adjunct to ERCP, and prior to undertaking supervised cholangioscopic procedures trainees should be competent in the basic skills of ERCP (Schutz level 1 and 2) as defined by ESGE (duodenal intubation; biliary cannulation; distal bile duct stenting; ≤ 10-mm stone extraction). Cholangioscopy training should take place in expert referral centers with a high volume of ERCP and cholangioscopy cases. A trainee's principal trainer should be an experienced trainer ideally with at least 3 years of experience in undertaking independent cholangioscopy to the determined quality standards. Competence in cholangioscopy should be defined as the ability to successfully perform the procedure effectively without trainer assistance in 80 % of procedures
Synthesis and Transformation of Tricyclic KYNA Derivatives
Get PDFKynurenic acid (KYNA) derivatives condensed with an aromatic ring (tricyclic KYNA derivatives) have been successfully synthesized, and the reactivity of these analogues has been investigated in the modified Mannich reaction resulting in new Mannich bases. The N,N-dimethyl-ethylenediamine analogues of the tricyclic KYNA derivatives have also been successfully synthesized, and their reactivity in the modified Mannich reaction was investigated. The synthesized ring systems bear resemblance to molecules previously investigated as G-quadruplex binding agents. Based on this similarity, the synthesized tricyclic KYNA derivatives could be investigated as potential antiviral and anticancer molecules
University–community engagement and sustainability change: Opportunities and constraints for business schools
Get PDFMagnetic resonance imaging signatures of neuroinflammation in major depressive disorder with religious and spiritual problems
Get PDFReligious and spiritual (R/S) struggles, such as questioning of faith, existential and ethical concerns, and interpersonal conflicts, are associated with depressive symptoms. Neuroinflammation is critical in major depressive disorder (MDD) and is linked to stress associated with R/S problems. This study aimed to investigate whether the presence of DSM-5 R/S problems contributes to neuroinflammation. We recruited 93 MDD patients and 93 healthy controls with and without R/S problems. MRI-based restricted fraction (RF) values, an index of neuroinflammation, were measured in the hippocampus, amygdala, and neocortex. Depression and anxiety were assessed using the Hamilton Depression and Anxiety Rating Scales (HAM-D, HAM-A), while R/S problems were quantified using the Religious and Spiritual Struggles Scale (RSS-14). Results revealed elevated RF values in the amygdala and hippocampus of healthy individuals and MDD patients with R/S problems relative to those without R/S problems, with the highest values in MDD patients with R/S problems. Importantly, R/S problems and depressive symptoms were independent predictors of RF values in the amygdala and hippocampus but not in the cortex. Elevated cortical RF values were associated with MDD. These findings indicate that R/S struggles are not secondary manifestations of depression but may independently contribute to neurobiological changes