bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mobilizing health district management teams through digital tools: Lessons from the District.Team initiative in Benin and Guinea using an action research methodology
Authors: Keugoung Basile , Bello Kéfilath Olatoyossi Akankè , Millimouno Tamba Mina , Sidibé Sidikiba , Dossou Jean Paul , Delamou Alexandre , Legrand Antoine , Massat Pierre , Gutierrez Nimer Ortuno , Meessen Bruno 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundImproving capacities of health systems to quickly respond to emerging health issues, requires a health information system (HIS) that facilitates evidence‐informed decision‐making at the operational level. In many sub‐Saharan African countries, HIS are mostly designed to feed decision‐making purposes at the central level with limited feedback and capabilities to take action from data at the operational level. This article presents the case of an eHealth innovation designed to capacitate health district management teams (HDMTs) through participatory evidence production and peer‐to‐peer exchange.MethodsWe used an action research design to develop the eHealth initiative called “District.Team,” a web‐based and facilitated platform targeting HDMTs that was tested in Benin and Guinea from January 2016 to September 2017. On District.Team, rounds of knowledge sharing processes were organized into cycles of five steps. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected to assess the participation of HDMTs and identify enablers and barriers of using District.Team.ResultsParticipation of HDMTs in District.Team varied between cycles and steps. In Benin, 79% to 94% of HDMTs filled in the online questionnaire per cycle compared to 61% to 100% in Guinea per cycle. In Benin, 26% to 41% of HDMTs shared a commentary on the results published on the platform while 21% to 47% participated in the online discussion forum. In Guinea, only 3% to 8% of HDMTs shared a commentary on the results published on the platform while 8% to 74% participated in the online discussion forum. Five groups of factors affected the participation: characteristics of the digital tools, the quality of the facilitation, profile of participants, shared content and data, and finally support from health authorities.ConclusionDistrict.Team has shown that knowledge management platforms and processes valuing horizontal knowledge sharing among peers at the decentralized level of health systems are feasible in limited resource settings.
Development of a Clinical Rating Scale for the Severity of Apraxia of Eyelid Opening, Either Isolated or Associated with Blepharospasm
Authors: Ferrazzano Gina , Muroni Antonella , Conte Antonella , Ercoli Tommaso , Tamburini Giorgio , Fabbrini Giovanni , Berardelli Alfredo , Defazio Giovanni 
Published: August 2020

ABSTRACTBackgroundApraxia of eyelid opening is a movement disorder characterized by an inability to raise the eyelids without any overt contractions of the orbicularis oculi muscle. There is currently no clinical scale to rate the severity of this condition.ObjectivesTo develop and validate a novel scale that considers phenomenological aspects relevant to the severity of the condition.MethodsThe study sample included 20 patients with apraxia of eyelid opening, either isolated (9 patients) or associated with blepharospasm (11 patients). To validate the scale, selected features were checked for reliability, reliable items were combined to generate the scale, and clinimetric properties were evaluated.ResultsThe novel severity scale yielded acceptable reliability, scaling assumptions, internal consistency, and sensitivity to change; a lack of floor and ceiling effects; and no correlation with the blepharospasm severity rating scale.ConclusionsWe propose a severity scale that considers the most relevant apraxia of eyelid opening motor abnormalities based on objective criteria. This scale can be reliably administered by general neurologists after a brief training.
Genome‐wide pathogenesis interpretation using a heat diffusion‐based systems genetics method and implications for gene function annotation
Authors: Quan Yuan , Zhang Qing‐Ye , Lv Bo‐Min , Xu Rui‐Feng , Zhang Hong‐Yu 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundGenetics is best dedicated to interpreting pathogenesis and revealing gene functions. The past decade has witnessed unprecedented progress in genetics, particularly in genome‐wide identification of disorder variants through Genome‐Wide Association Studies (GWAS) and Phenome‐Wide Association Studies (PheWAS). However, it is still a great challenge to use GWAS/PheWAS‐derived data to elucidate pathogenesis.MethodsIn this study, we used HotNet2, a heat diffusion‐based systems genetics algorithm, to calculate the networks for disease genes obtained from GWAS and PheWAS, with an attempt to get deeper insights into disease pathogenesis at a molecular level.ResultsThrough HotNet2 calculation, significant networks for 202 (for GWAS) and 167 (for PheWAS) types of diseases were identified and evaluated, respectively. The GWAS‐derived disease networks exhibit a stronger biomedical relevance than PheWAS counterparts. Therefore, the GWAS‐derived networks were used for pathogenesis interpretation by integrating the accumulated biomedical information. As a result, the pathogenesis for 64 diseases was elucidated in terms of mutation‐caused abnormal transcriptional regulation, and 47 diseases were preliminarily interpreted in terms of mutation‐caused varied protein‐protein interactions. In addition, 3,802 genes (including 46 function‐unknown genes) were assigned with new functions by disease network information, some of which were validated through mice gene knockout experiments.ConclusionsSystems genetics algorithm HotNet2 can efficiently establish genotype‐phenotype links at the level of biological networks. Compared with original GWAS/PheWAS results, HotNet2‐calculated disease‐gene associations have stronger biomedical significance, hence provide better interpretations for the pathogenesis of genome‐wide variants, and offer new insights into gene functions as well. These results are also helpful in drug development.
Tolerance analysis of 3D printed patch antennas based on interval arithmetic
Authors: Wang Chao , Li Peng , Xu Wanye , Song Liwei , Huang Jin 
Published: August 2020

AbstractA tolerance analysis approach based on interval arithmetic (IA) is proposed for heterogeneous three‐dimensional (3D) printed patch antennas. Four key parameters—patch length, width, substrate thickness, and material properties—are considered that can introduce errors in the analysis results. Investigating the comprehensive effect of these parameters on resonant frequency and the E/H pattern of the patch is difficult and time‐consuming when classical numerical simulations are employed. Thus, in this work, the four parameters are modeled as interval variables, and the equations between error and resonant frequency and the E/H pattern are derived using IA. Then, for the given tolerances (error intervals), the corresponding resonant frequency interval and E/H pattern interval are calculated using the proposed approach and compared with HFSS simulation results. Some samples of the patch antenna are fabricated via a self‐developed heterogeneous 3D printer, which employs ink injection and laser sintering to fabricate the patch and the microstrip; furthermore, ultraviolet (UV) resin injection and curing are used to fabricate the substrate. The transmission performance of the samples is evaluated by comparing simulation and measurement results to verify the effectiveness of the proposed IA‐based approach.
Unequally spaced resonant slotted‐waveguide antenna array with low side lobe level based on an open‐ended substrate integrated waveguide resonator
Authors: Taheri Meqdad , Majedi Mohammad Saeed 
Published: August 2020

AbstractIn this article, an unequally spaced resonant slotted‐waveguide antenna array with low side lobe level (SLL) is presented. In the conventional resonant arrays with longitudinal slots on the waveguide broad wall, slots must be separated one half guided wavelength (λg/2) from each other and be on opposite sides of the center line to have an in‐phase excitation. The open‐ended substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) resonator can support a resonance mode with the infinite wavelength. Hence using this kind of resonator, distances between slots in the resonant array are free parameters and can be optimized to achieve a low SLL. Based on the mentioned resonator, a 10‐element resonant slotted‐waveguide antenna array at 10 GHz with 10° beam‐width is designed and simulated. The distances between slots are determined by using genetic algorithm (GA). This antenna has been fabricated and measured. The measurement results show that the SLL of the presented antenna is 16 dB.
Channel configuration in a complementary market under different power structures
Authors: Yuan Mao , Ma Shi‐hua , Guan Xu , Chen Ying‐Ju 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThis paper investigates the impact of channel selection power on the firms' channel configuration strategies in a market with two upstream manufacturers providing complementary products and one downstream retailer who can resell the products. Each manufacturer can sell its product either directly by incurring a selling cost or indirectly via the retailer, in which the decision is further dependent on the relative channel selection powers between itself and the retailer. We investigate three scenarios depending on the possible power structures among the firms and show that the equilibrium channel configuration strategy hinges highly on the channel selection power, the direct selling cost and the degree of complementarity between the two products. The manufacturer may prefer direct selling when it is more powerful than the retailer and both the direct selling cost and the degree of complementarity are relatively low. However, when the degree of products' complementarity is sufficiently high, a manufacturer would not choose direct selling even though there is no direct selling cost. We also show that a stronger channel selection power does not necessarily benefit but may occasionally hurt a manufacturer's profitability. For the manufacturer who does not have channel selection power before, the enhanced channel selection power endows it with more selling options but also encourages the leading manufacturer (who already has the channel power) to design a more aggressive channel configuration strategy that only benefits itself but hurts the others.
Well‐being of nurses and working conditions—Are polish nurses different from doctors and midwives in terms of professional quality of life?
Authors: Bąk‐Sosnowska Monika , Gruszczyńska Magdalena , Tokarz Aleksandra 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAimThe aim of the study is to assess the differences in the professional quality of life between nurses, midwives and doctors.DesignCross‐sectional study.MethodsA total of 297 participants were surveyed: 165 nurses, 101 doctors and 31 midwives. We used ProQol questionnaire with three subscales (compassion satisfaction ‐CS, burnout‐ B, compassion fatigue‐CF and own questionnaire (social‐demographics data).ResultsBurnout and CF were average in a group of nurse and midwives, low in group of doctors. In group of nurses, a relationship was observed between compassion satisfaction and: job seniority (p < .01), basic place of work (p < .01), self‐assessment of work situation (p < .01), as well as between burnout and: job seniority (p < .05), form of employment (p = .03), basic place of work (p = .002), self‐assessment of work situation (p < .01). In group of midwives was only the relationship between the self‐assessment of work situation and: CS (p < .01) and burnout (p < .01) were shown.
The element‐free Galerkin method for a quasistatic contact problem with the Tresca friction in elastic materials
Authors: Ding Rui , Shen Quan , Huo Yuebin 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThis paper is proposed for the error estimates of the element‐free Galerkin method for a quasistatic contact problem with the Tresca friction. The penalty method is used to impose the clamped boundary conditions. The duality algorithm is also given to deal with the non‐differentiable term in the quasistatic contact problem with the Tresca friction. The error estimates indicate that the convergence order is dependent on the nodal spacing, the time step, the largest degree of basis functions in the moving least‐squares approximation, and the penalty factor. Numerical examples demonstrate the effectiveness of the element‐free Galerkin method and verify the theoretical analysis.
Defining the impact of prognostic factors at the time of relapse for nonmetastatic rhabdomyosarcoma
Authors: Affinita Maria Carmen , Ferrari Andrea , Chiaravalli Stefano , Melchionda Fraia , Quaglietta Lucia , Casanova Michela , Zanetti Ilaria , Scarzello Giovanni , Di Pasquale Luisa , Di Cataldo Andrea , Bisogno Gianni 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe prognosis for patients with relapsed rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) depends on a number of variables, including tumor characteristics, type of relapse, and treatment received. All published studies have considered tumor characteristics at initial diagnosis, but not at the time of recurrence. In this study, we compared tumor characteristics at diagnosis and at the moment of local relapse to better define the chance of cure in this group of patients.MethodsWe first analyzed 92 children with localized RMS treated according to the RMS96 and RMS2005 protocols who developed relapse after achieving complete remission at the end of treatment. Then we restricted our analysis to 51 patients with local recurrence to compare their initial tumor characteristics with those at relapse. All characteristics were studied using univariate and multivariate analyses.ResultsThe 10‐year progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates for the whole group were 23.5% (15.4‐32.6) and 34.4% (24.8‐44.1), respectively. On multivariate analysis, only primary tumor site appeared to have a strong impact on prognosis (P = .0010). The 10‐year PFS and OS rates of patients with locoregional recurrences were 22.7% (12.3‐35.0) and 34.9% (22.1‐47.9), respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that tumors at unfavorable sites (P = .0044), and tumor size > 5 cm at recurrence (P = .0088) were associated with the poorest prognosis.ConclusionOur study demonstrates that to estimate the chance of cure in patients with relapsed RMS, we should also consider tumor characteristics at the time of relapse, and tumor size in particular.
The use of imaging to identify immunocompromised children requiring biopsy for invasive fungal rhinosinusitis
Authors: Harreld Julie H. , Kaufman Robert A. , Kang Guolian , Maron Gabriela , Mitchell William , Thompson Jerome W. , Srinivasan Ashok 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackground and purposeChildren with severe immunocompromise due to cancer therapy or hematopoietic cell transplant are at risk both for potentially lethal invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (IFRS), and for complications associated with gold‐standard biopsy diagnosis. We investigated whether early imaging could reliably identify or exclude IFRS in this population, thereby reducing unnecessary biopsy.MethodsWe reviewed clinical/laboratory data and cross‐sectional imaging from 31 pediatric patients evaluated for suspicion of IFRS, 19 without (age 11.8 ± 5.4 years) and 12 with proven IFRS (age 11.9 ± 4.6 years). Imaging examinations were graded for mucosal thickening (Lund score), for fungal‐specific signs (FSS) of bone destruction, extra‐sinus inflammation, and nasal mucosal ulceration. Loss of contrast enhancement (LoCE) was assessed separately where possible. Clinical and imaging findings were compared with parametric or nonparametric tests as appropriate. Diagnostic accuracy was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Positive (+LR) and negative likelihood ratios (−LR) and probabilities were calculated.ResultsTen of 12 patients with IFRS and one of 19 without IFRS had at least one FSS on early imaging (83% sensitive, 95% specific, +LR = 15.83, −LR = 0.18; P < .001). Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≤ 200/mm3 was 100% sensitive and 58% specific for IFRS (+LR = 2.38, −LR = 0; P = .001). Facial pain was the only discriminating symptom of IFRS (P < .001). In a symptomatic child with ANC ≤ 200/m3, the presence of at least one FSS indicated high (79%) probability of IFRS; absence of FSS suggested low (<4%) probability.ConclusionIn symptomatic, severely immunocompromised children, the presence or absence of fungal‐specific imaging findings may effectively rule in or rule out early IFRS, potentially sparing some patients the risks associated with biopsy.
Crystallization kinetics, structure, and rheological behavior of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/multilayer graphene oxide nanocomposites
Authors: Pinto Gabriel M. , Silva Giovanna da C. , Santillo Chiara , Lavorgna Marino , Maia João M. , Fechine Guilhermino J. M. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThis work aims to produce poly(ethylene terephthalate)/multilayer graphene oxide (mGO) nanocomposites via continuous melt mixing in twin‐screw extrusion, and to study the changes in crystallization and melt flow behavior. Three mGO contents (0.05, 0.1, and 0.3 wt%) were used. Differential scanning calorimetry analyses showed that at 0.1 wt%, mGO acted best as nucleating agent, increasing the crystallization kinetics as well as the melt crystallization temperature (Tmc) by more than 20%. It was also observed that mGO increases the crystals perfection. The nucleating behavior was confirmed by X‐ray diffraction and small angle X‐ray scattering analyses, which showed a decrease in the composites' crystalline lamella thickness (lc) and long period. X‐ray microtomography data confirms that this behavior is significantly affected by the mGO agglomerates distribution and specific surface area inside the polymer matrix. The rheological behavior was studied under two different conditions. It was noticed that under lower shear stresses the mGO particles hinder the polymer flow, increasing the composites viscosity and the pseudo‐solid character. However, under higher shear stresses, for example, when flowing through a die, the nanomaterial enters its “superlubricity state,” acting as a lubricant to the flow. This is industrially interesting, because it may allow the use of less severe processing parameters to produce the nanocomposites.
Beyond transplant: Roles of atrial septostomy and Potts shunt in pediatric pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Grady Ronald Mark 
Published: August 2020

AbstractDespite significant successes in treating children with pulmonary hypertension, many still die from their disease. Death most often results from right ventricular failure. Bilateral lung transplantation has historically been the ultimate palliation for children who develop heart failure despite maximal medical therapy. Creating an atrial level shunt has been advocated as a pre‐transplant intervention to help reduce symptoms and perhaps serve as a bridge to transplant. More recently, the utilization of a pulmonary‐to‐systemic anastomosis, that is, Potts shunt, has demonstrated efficacy in ameliorating symptoms in children with severe, progressive disease. This improvement is often coincident with a reduction in expensive and onerous pulmonary hypertension specific medications. Improvement has been sustained over the years in some children, delaying the need for transplant consideration. Research is ongoing to determine more specific risks/benefits of using the Potts shunt in children with pulmonary hypertension both in the short term and long.
Theoretical investigation on the rhodium‐catalyzed coupling reaction of ketoxime with 1,3‐enynes: [4 + 1] vs [4 + 2] annulation
Authors: Yun Xiao , Yu Zhangyu , Liu Tao 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe mechanisms of rhodium‐catalyzed coupling reaction of ketoxime and 1,3‐enynes were investigated by using density functional theory calculations. Different 1,3‐enynes would lead to different annulation products. Reaction A undergoes five sequential steps (CH activation, 1,3‐enyne migratory insertion, 1,4‐Rh migration, cyclization, and deprotonation) to lead to the [4 + 1] annulation product, whereas due to the electronic effect, the process generating the [4 + 2] product in reaction A is restricted. In contrast, the electron‐withdrawing group of the N(Me)2 group in 1,3‐enyne would bring about the [4 + 2] annulation product in reaction B. Our calculated results indicate that no [4 + 1] annulation product could be obtained in reaction C, in agreement with the experimental observation that the cis‐allyl hydrogen in 1,3‐enyne is crucial for the [4 + 1] annulation reaction.
Azulene‐Based Molecules, Polymers, and Frameworks for Optoelectronic and Energy Applications
Authors: Huang Jiaqian , Huang Senhe , Zhao Yazhen , Feng Boxu , Jiang Kaiyue , Sun Sai , Ke Changchun , Kymakis Emmanuel , Zhuang Xiaodong 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAzulene has a considerably larger dipole moment than its isomer naphthalene; it also has unique physicochemical properties, including different reactivities on five‐ and seven‐membered rings, a dark color, a narrow gap between the highest occupied molecular orbital and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital, and stimulus response. Although azulene was discovered more than 100 years ago, the use of azulene‐based derivatives can be traced back to five centuries ago. Due to its unusual structure, azulene‐based molecules and materials are widely used in various fields. However, studies on azulene‐based materials have long been hindered by difficulties in the synthesis. Considerably fewer studies have been conducted on azulene‐based derivatives than on naphthalene‐based derivatives. This perspective paper mainly introduces recent reports on the synthesis of azulene‐based aromatic molecules, conjugated polymers, and coordination polymers, in addition to azulene‐based frameworks. The structure–property relationship, optoelectronic applications, and energy‐related applications of azulene‐based derivatives are reviewed, including their use in near‐infrared absorption, organic field‐effect transistors, organic solar cells, and microsupercapacitors.
Genetic architecture of agronomic and quality traits in a nested association mapping population of spring wheat
Authors: Sallam Ahmad H. , Manan Fazal , Bajgain Prabin , Martin Matthew , Szinyei Tamas , Conley Emily , Brown‐Guedira Gina , Muehlbauer Gary J. , Anderson James A. , Steffenson Brian J. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractGermplasm collections are rich sources of genetic variation to improve crops for many valuable traits. Nested association mapping (NAM) populations can overcome the limitations of genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) in germplasm collections by reducing the effect of population structure. We exploited the genetic diversity of the USDA‐ARS wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) core collection by developing the Spring Wheat Multiparent Introgression Population (SWMIP). To develop this population, twenty‐five core parents were crossed and backcrossed to the Minnesota spring wheat cultivar RB07. The NAM population and 26 founder parents were genotyped using genotyping‐by‐sequencing and phenotyped for heading date, height, test weight, and grain protein content. After quality control, 20,312 markers with physical map positions were generated for 2,038 recombinant inbred lines (RILs). The number of RILs in each family varied between 58 and 96. Three GWAS models were utilized for quantitative trait loci (QTL) detection and accounted for known family stratification, genetic kinship, and both covariates. GWAS was performed on the whole population and also by bootstrap sampling of an equal number of RILs from each family. Greater power of QTL detection was achieved by treating families equally through bootstrapping. In total 16, 15, 12, and 13 marker‐trait associations (MTAs) were identified for heading date, height, test weight, and grain protein content, respectively. Some of these MTAs were coincident with major genes known to control the traits, but others were novel and contributed by the wheat core parents. The SWMIP will be a valuable source of genetic variation for spring wheat breeding.