bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of image quality at the detector’s edge of dedicated breast positron emission tomography
Authors: Satoh Yoko , Motosugi Utaroh , Imai Masamichi , Omiya Yoshie , Onishi Hiroshi 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Using phantoms and clinical studies in prone hanging breast imaging, we assessed the image quality of a commercially available dedicated breast PET (dbPET) at the detector's edge, where mammary glands near the chest wall are located. These are compared to supine PET/CT breast images of the same clinical subjects.Methods: A breast phantom with four spheres (16, 10, 7.5, and 5 mm diameter) was filled with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose solution (sphere-to-background activity concentration ratio, 8:1). The spheres occupied five different positions from the top edge to the centre of the detector and were scanned for 5 min in each position. Reconstructed images were visually evaluated, and the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), contrast recovery coefficient (CRC) for the 5-mm sphere, and coefficient of variation of the background (CVB) were calculated. Subsequently, clinical images obtained with standard supine PET/CT and prone dbPET were retrospectively analysed. Tumour-to-background ratios (TBRs) between breast cancer near the chest wall (close to the detector’s edge; peripheral group) and at other locations (non-peripheral group) were compared. The TBR of each lesion was compared between dbPET and PET/CT.Results: Closer to the detector’s edge, the CNR and CRC decreased while the CVB increased in the phantom study for all sphere sizes. The disadvantages of this placement were visually confirmed. Regarding clinical images, TBR of dbPET was significantly higher than that of PET/CT in both the peripheral (12.38±6.41 vs 6.73±3.5, p=0.0006) and non-peripheral (12.44±5.94 vs 7.71±7.1, p=0.0183) groups. There was no significant difference in TBR of dbPET between the peripheral and non-peripheral groups.Conclusion: The phantom study revealed poorer image quality at <2 cm distance from the detector's edge than at other more central parts. In clinical studies, however, the visibility of breast lesions with dbPET was the same regardless of the lesion position, and it was higher than that in PET/CT. dbPET has a great potential for detecting breast lesions near the chest wall if they are at least 2 cm from the edge of the FOV, even in young women with small breasts.
Understanding Social Media Beyond Text: A Reliable Practice on Twitter
Authors: Hou Qixuan , Han Meng , Qu Feiyang , He Jing (Selena) 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Social media provides high-volume and real-time data, which has been broadly used in diverse applications in sales, marketing, disaster management, health surveillance, etc. However, distinguishing between noises and reliable information can be challenging, since social media, a user-generated content system, has a great number of users who update massive information every second. The rich information is not only included in the short textual content but also embedded in the images and videos. In this paper, we introduce an effective and efficient framework for event detection with social media data. The framework integrates both textual and imagery content in the hope to fully utilize the information. The approach has been demonstrated to be more accurate than the text-only approach by removing 58 (66.7%) false-positive events. The precision of event detection is improved by 6.5%. Besides, based on our analysis, we also look into the content of these images to further explore the space of social media studies. Finally, the closely related text and image from social media offer us valuable text-image mapping, which can enable knowledge transfer between two media types.
Geographic location of health facility and immunization program performance in Hoima district, western Uganda: A health facility level assessment
Authors: Kwikiriza Nicholas Magambo , Bajunirwe Francis , Bagenda Fred 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Globally, immunization coverage for childhood vaccines is below the immunization target of achieving at least 90% coverage with the pentavalent vaccine. In Uganda, a recent survey shows 80% of districts had poor immunization program performance. However, there is significant variation in performance within and between districts. We hypothesized that geographic location of a health facility may influence performance of its immunization programs. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine whether geographical location of a health facility within a district is associated with performance of the immunization program in Hoima district, western Uganda.Methods: We conducted a cross sectional study using a mixed methods approach. The main study unit was a health center and we also interviewed health workers in-charge of the facilities and reviewed their health facility records. We reviewed the Uganda Health Management Information System (HMIS) 105 reports of six months to obtain data on immunization program performance. Performance was categorized using World Health Organization’s Reach Every District (RED) criteria and classified as poor if a facility fell in category 3 or 4 and good if 1 or 2. We also conducted key informant interviews with immunization focal persons in the district. We examined the association between dependent and independent variables using Fisher’s exact test. Results: We collected data at 49 health facilities. Most of these facilities (55.1%) had poor immunization program performance. Proximal location to the central district headquarters was significantly associated with poor immunization program performance (p<0.05). Attitudes of health workers in the more urban areas, differences in strategies for outreach site selection and community mobilization in the rural and urban areas were suggested as possible explanations.Conclusions: Proximal location to the urban setting near district headquarters was strongly associated with poor immunization program performance. To be able to reach larger numbers of children for vaccination, interventions to improve performance should target health facilities in urban settings.
Design and validation of Brucellosis prevention questionnaire focused on animal vaccination
Authors: Bahadori Farhad , Ghofranipour Fazlollah , Ghaﬀarifar Saeideh , Ziaei Reza 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Inadequate awareness of livestock breeders concerning the transmission of brucellosis and their improper knowledge with regard to the prevention of brucellosis are among important barriers to vaccinate animals against brucellosis. The aim of this study is design and validation of a Brucellosis prevention questionnaire focused on animal vaccination. This valid questionnaire is used to design, implement and evaluate an interventional training program.Methods: In this exploratory psychometric study, a brucellosis prevention questionnaire (BPQ) was developed. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to develop the initial items of BPQ. The findings from interviews were merged with those of literature review. Face, content and construct validity of BPQ were assessed by participation of livestock breeders, veterinarians and health educationists. Impact Score (IS), Content Validity Ratio (CVR) and Content Validity Index (CVI) of the items were calculated. Construct validity of BPQ was evaluated through factor analysis. Cronbach’s alpha, Intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), composite reliability and standard error of measurement (SEM) were measured to assess the reliability of the findings by BPQ.Results: BPQ was finalized by 53 items and its validity was confirmed by CVI, CVR, and IS of 0.90, 0.74 and 4.30, respectively. The items were loaded into three constructs of awareness, attitude and practice. The predictive power of the awareness, attitude and practice was 43.43%, 15.81% and 15.78%, respectively. The fitness of the proposed model among those constructs was confirmed by Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) <0.08, Normed chi-square (x 2/ df) < 5.0, Comparative Fit Index (CFI) ≥ 0.90, Tucker- Lewis Index (TLI) ≥ 0.9. Conclusion: The brucellosis prevention questionnaire has acceptable psychometric properties. Applying BPQ, veterinarians and educational planners can identify factors influencing preventive behavior of livestock breeders.
A Model to Illustrate the Potential Pairing of Animal Biotelemetry with Individual-Based Modeling
Authors: Brosnan Ian G , Welch David W 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background. Animal biotelemetry and individual-based modeling (IBM) are natural complements, but there are few published examples where they are applied together to address fundamental or applied ecological questions. Existing studies are often found in the modeling literature and frequently re-use small datasets collected for purposes other than the model application. Animal biotelemetry can provide the robust measurements that capture relevant ecological patterns needed to parameterize, calibrate, and assess hypotheses in IBMs; together they could help meet demand for predictive modeling and decision-support in the face of environmental change. Results. We used an simple exemplar IBM that uses spatio-temporal movement patterns of 103 acoustic-tagged juvenile yearling Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), termed ‘smolts’, to quantitatively assess plausibility of two migratory strategies that smolts are hypothesized to use while migrating north through the plume of the Columbia River (United States of America). We find that model smolts that seek to maximize growth demonstrate movement patterns consistent with those of tagged smolts. Model smolts that seek to move quickly out of the plume region by seeking favorable currents do not reproduce the same patterns. Conclusions. Animal biotelemetry and individual-based modeling are maturing fields of inquiry. Our hope is that this model description and the basic analytical techniques will effectively illustrate individual-based models for the biotelemetry community, and perhaps inspire new collaborations between biotelemetry researchers and individual-based modelers.
Barriers to women's disclosure of Domestic Violence in health services in Palestine: qualitative interview-based study
Authors: Shaheen Amira , Ashkar Suzy , Alkaiyat Abdulsalam , Bacchus Loraine , Colombini Manuela , Feder Gene , Evans Maggie 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background Domestic violence (DV) damages health and requires a global public health response and engagement of clinical services. Recent surveys show that 27% of married Palestinian women experienced some form of violence from their husbands over a 12 month’s period, but only 5% had sought formal help, and rarely from health services. Across the globe, barriers to disclosure of DV have been recorded, including self-blame, fear of the consequences and lack of knowledge of services. This is the first qualitative study to address barriers to disclosure within health services for Palestinian women.Methods In-depth interviews were carried out with 20 women who had experienced DV. They were recruited from a non-governmental organisation offering social and legal support. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and translated into English and the data were analysed thematically.Results Women encountered barriers at individual, health care service and societal levels. Lack of knowledge of available services, concern about the health care primary focus on physical issues, lack of privacy in health consultations, lack of trust in confidentiality, fear of being labelled ‘mentally ill’ and losing access to their children were all highlighted. Women wished for health professionals to take the initiative in enquiring about DV. Wider issues concerned women’s social and economic dependency on their husbands which led to fears about transgressing social and cultural norms by speaking out. Women feared being blamed and ostracised by family members and others, or experiencing an escalation of violence.Conclusions Palestinian women’s agency to be proactive in help-seeking for DV is clearly limited. Our findings can inform training of health professionals in Palestine to address these barriers, to increase awareness of the link between DV and many common presentations such as depression, to ask sensitively about DV in private, reassure women about confidentiality, and increase awareness among women of the role that health services can play in DV.
Frequent avoidable admissions amongst Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people with chronic conditions in New South Wales, Australia: a historical cohort study
Authors: Jayakody Amanda Anne , Oldmeadow Christopher , Carey Mariko , Bryant Jamie , Evans Tiffany , Ella Stephen , Attia John , Towle Simon , Sanson-Fisher Robert 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have high rates of avoidable hospital admissions for chronic conditions, however little is known about the frequency of avoidable admissions for this population. This study examined trends in avoidable admissions among Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people with chronic conditions in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Methods: A historical cohort analysis using de-identified linked administrative data of Aboriginal patients and an equal number of randomly sampled non-Aboriginal patients between 2005/06 to 2013/14. Eligible patients were admitted to a NSW public hospital and who had one or more of the following ambulatory care sensitive chronic conditions as a principal diagnosis: diabetic complications, asthma, angina, hypertension, congestive heart failure and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The primary outcomes were the number of avoidable admissions for an individual in each financial year, and whether an individual had three or more admissions compared with one to two avoidable admissions in each financial year. Poisson and logistic regression models and a test for differences in yearly trends were used to assess the frequency of avoidable admissions over time, adjusting for sociodemographic variables and restricted to those aged ≤75 years.Results: Once eligibility criteria had been applied, there were 27,467 avoidable admissions corresponding to 19,025 patients between 2005/06 to 2013/14 (71.2% Aboriginal; 28.8% non-Aboriginal). Aboriginal patients were 15% more likely than non-Aboriginal patients to have a higher number of avoidable admissions per financial year (IRR=1.15; 95% CI: 1.11, 1.20). Aboriginal patients were almost twice as likely as non-Aboriginal patients to experience three or more avoidable admissions per financial year (OR=1.90; 95% CI=1.60, 2.26). There were no significant differences between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in yearly trends for either the number of avoidable admissions, or whether or not an individual experienced three or more avoidable admissions per financial year (p=0.859; 0.860 respectively). Conclusion: Aboriginal people were significantly more likely to experience frequent avoidable admissions over a nine-year period compared to non-Aboriginal people. These high rates reflect the need for further research into which interventions are able to successfully reduce avoidable admissions among Aboriginal people, and the importance of culturally appropriate community health care.
Simultaneous rupture on conjugate faults during the 2018 Anchorage, Alaska, intraslab earthquake (MW 7.1) inverted from strong-motion waveforms
Authors: Guo Yujia , Miyakoshi Ken , Tsurugi Masato 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
An MW 7.1 ~50-km-deep intraslab earthquake within the Pacific/Yakutat slab underlying the North American Plate struck Anchorage, southern Alaska, on November 30, 2018. The ground-motion records very close to the source region of the Anchorage earthquake provide an important opportunity to better understand the source characteristics of intraslab earthquakes in this subduction zone. We estimated the kinematic rupture process during this earthquake using a series of strong-motion waveform (0.05–0.4 Hz) inversions. Our inversions clearly indicate that the Anchorage earthquake was a rare intraslab event with simultaneous rupture on two conjugate faults, which are recognized sometimes for shallow crustal earthquakes but rarely for deep intraslab earthquakes. Interestingly, one of the conjugate faults had low aftershock productivity. This fault extends to great depth and may reflect a deep oceanic Moho or a local low-velocity and high-VP/VS zone within the oceanic mantle. Even though the Anchorage earthquake was a rare event due to the conjugate faults, we found that its kinematic source parameters such as the slip amplitude and large-slip area nearly equal the global averages derived from source scaling relationships for intraslab earthquakes. Because the source parameters comparable to the global averages were also found for another large intraslab earthquake in the subducting Pacific/Yakutat slab, these source parameters are likely an important source characteristic common to this subduction zone.
Genetic characterization of a Marek’s disease virus strain isolated in Japan
Authors: Murata Shiro , Machida Yuka , Isezaki Masayoshi , Maekawa Naoya , Okagawa Tomohiro , Konnai Satoru , Ohashi Kazuhiko 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Marek’s disease virus (MDV) causes malignant lymphomas in chickens (Marek’s disease, MD). MD is currently controlled by vaccination; however, MDV strains have a tendency to develop increased virulence. Distinct diversity and point mutations are present in the Meq proteins, the oncoproteins of MDV, suggesting that changes in protein function induced by amino acid substitutions might affect MDV virulence. We previously reported that recent MDV isolates in Japan display distinct mutations in Meq proteins from those observed in traditional MDV isolates in Japan, but similar to those in MDV strains isolated from other countries.Methods: To further investigate the genetic characteristics in Japanese field strains, we sequenced the whole genome of an MDV strain that was successfully isolated from a chicken with MD in Japan. A phylogenetic analysis of the meq gene was also performed.Results: Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Meq proteins in most of the Japanese isolates were similar to those of Chinese and European strains, and the genomic sequence of the Japanese strain was classified into the Eurasian cluster. Comparison of coding region sequences among the Japanese strain and MDV strains from other countries revealed that the genetic characteristics of the Japanese strain were similar to those of Chinese and European strains.Conclusions: The MDV strains distributed in Asian and European countries including Japan seem to be genetically closer to each other than to MDV strains from North America. These findings indicate that the genetic diversities of MDV strains that emerged may have been dependent on the different vaccination-based control approaches.
Developing a Comprehensive School-Based Physical Activity Program with Flexible Design – From Pilot to National Program
Authors: Mooses Kerli , Vihalemm Triin , Uibu Marko , Mägi Katrin , Korp Leene , Kalma Maarja , Mäestu Evelin , Kull Merike 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
This article focuses on the process of designing the vital, participatory school-based intervention program aiming to increase the physical activity in schools. The program analyzed is Estonian nationwide comprehensive physical activity program Schools in Motion (SiM) that recently received European Commission’s #BeActive Education Award. The program has a good performance in terms of willingness of schools to participate in co-creation of program development, the high interest to join the program and zero dropouts, and strong partnership with ministries which enables to actively participate in policy making. Authors analyze the key elements of the planning, piloting, implementation, and scaling phases of the SiM program and share their lessons learnt in co-working with schools. The difficulties faced during the development process, the strengths and challenges associated with an interdisciplinary approach, and involvement of schools as experts have been addressed.
Transcriptional Profiling of Leukocytes in Critically Ill COVID19 Patients: Implications for Interferon Response and Coagulation
Authors: Gill Sean E. , Santos Claudia C. dos , O’Gorman David B. , Carter David E. , Patterson Eric K. , Slessarev Marat , Martin Claudio , Daley Mark , Miller Michael R. , Cepinskas Gediminas , Fraser Douglas D. 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: COVID19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and has been associated with severe inflammation leading to organ dysfunction and mortality. Our aim was to profile the transcriptome in leukocytes from critically ill patients positive for COVID19 compared to those negative for COVID19 to better understand the COVID19 associated host response. For these studies, all patients admitted to our tertiary care intensive care unit (ICU) suspected of being infected with SARS-CoV-2, using standardized hospital screening methodologies, had blood samples collected at the time of admission to the ICU. Transcriptome profiling of leukocytes via ribonucleic acid sequencing (RNAseq) was then performed and differentially expressed genes as well as significantly enriched gene sets were identified.Results: We enrolled seven COVID19+ (PCR positive, 2 SARS-CoV-2 genes) and seven age- and sex-matched COVID19- (PCR negative) control ICU patients. Cohorts were well-balanced with the exception that COVID19- patients had significantly higher total white blood cell counts and circulating neutrophils and COVID19+ patients were more likely to suffer bilateral pneumonia. The mortality rate for this cohort of COVID19+ ICU patients was 29%. As indicated by both single-gene based and gene set (GSEA) approaches, the major disease-specific transcriptional responses of leukocytes in critically ill COVID19+ ICU patients were: (i) a robust overrepresentation of interferon related gene expression; (ii) a marked decrease in the transcriptional level of genes contributing to general protein synthesis and bioenergy metabolism; and (iii) the dysregulated expression of genes associated with coagulation, platelet function, complement activation, and tumour necrosis factor/interleukin 6 signalling. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that critically ill COVID19+ patients on day 1 of admission to the ICU display a unique leukocyte transcriptional profile that distinguishes them from COVID19- patients, providing guidance for future targeted studies exploring novel prognostic and therapeutic aspects of COVID19.
Integration of Deep and Ensemble Learning for Detecting COVID-19 in Computed Tomography Images
Authors: Haidar Ali , Holloway Lois 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
This paper presents an approach for detecting covid-19 in Computed Tomography (CT) images by integrating deep convolutional neural networks and ensembles of decision trees. The proposed approach consisted of three steps. In the first step, the CT images slices were collected and processed. In the second step, a deep convolutional neural network was trained to predict covid-19 in the CT images. In the third step, deep features were extracted and were used to train an ensemble of decision trees. Six types/packages of ensembles of decision trees were investigated: extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), bagged decision trees (BDT), random forest (RF), adaptive boosting decision trees (Adaboost), gradient boosting decision trees (GBDT), and dropouts meet multiple additive regression trees (DART). The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, f1-score, precision, and area under the ROC curve (AUC) were calculated to compare the models against each other. The proposed approach revealed the highest performance with a RF that reported 0.87 accuracy, 0.87 f1-score, and 0.90 AUC. The developed models revealed similar performance when compared to previously published models. This highlights the efficiency of combining deep networks with ensembles of decision trees for detecting covid-19.