bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cost-effectiveness of reflex laboratory-based cryptococcal antigen screening for the prevention and treatment of cryptococcal meningitis in Botswana
Authors: Tenforde Mark W. , Muthoga Charles , Callaghan Andrew , Ponatshego Ponego , Ngidi Julia , Mine Madisa , Jordan Alexander , Chiller Tom , Larson Bruce A. , Jarvis Joseph N. 
Published: March 2020

Background: Cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) screening for antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naïve adults with advanced HIV/AIDS can reduce the incidence of cryptococcal meningitis (CM) and all-cause mortality. We modeled the cost-effectiveness of laboratory-based “reflex” CrAg screening for ART-naïve CrAg-positive patients with CD4<100 cells/µL (those currently targeted in guidelines) and ART-experienced CrAg-positive patients with CD4<100 cells/µL (who make up an increasingly large proportion of individuals with advanced HIV/AIDS). Methods: A decision analytic model was developed to evaluate CrAg screening and treatment based on local CD4 count and CrAg prevalence data, and realistic assumptions regarding programmatic implementation of the CrAg screening intervention. We modeled the number of CrAg tests performed, the number of CrAg positives stratified by prior ART experience, the proportion of patients started on pre-emptive antifungal treatment, and the number of incident CM cases and CM-related deaths. Screening and treatment costs were evaluated, and cost per death or disability-adjusted life year (DALY) averted estimated. Results: We estimated that of 650,000 samples undergoing CD4 testing annually in Botswana, 16,364 would have a CD4<100 cells/µL and receive a CrAg test, with 70% of patients ART-experienced at the time of screening. Under base model assumptions, CrAg screening and pre-emptive treatment restricted to ART-naïve patients with a CD4<100 cells/µL prevented 20% (39/196) of CM-related deaths in patients undergoing CD4 testing at a cost of US$2 per DALY averted. Expansion of preemptive treatment to include ART-experienced patients with a CD4<100 cells/µL resulted in 55 additional deaths averted (a total of 48% [94/196]) and was cost-saving compared to no screening. Findings were robust across a range of model assumptions. Conclusions: Reflex laboratory-based CrAg screening for patients with CD4<100 cells/µL is a cost-effective strategy in Botswana, even in the context of a relatively low proportion of advanced HIV/AIDS in the overall HIV-infected population, the majority of whom are ART-experienced.
Economic evaluations of human schistosomiasis interventions: a systematic review and identification of associated research needs
Authors: Turner Hugo C. , French Michael D. , Montresor Antonio , King Charles H. , Rollinson David , Toor Jaspreet 
Published: March 2020

Background: Schistosomiasis is one of the most prevalent neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) with an estimated 229 million people requiring preventive treatment worldwide. Recommendations for preventive chemotherapy strategies have been made by the World Health Organization (WHO) whereby the frequency of treatment is determined by the settings prevalence. Despite recent progress, many countries still need to scale up treatment and important questions remain regarding optimal control strategies. This paper presents a systematic review of the economic evaluations of human schistosomiasis interventions. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted on 22nd August 2019 using the PubMed (MEDLINE) and ISI Web of Science electronic databases. The focus was economic evaluations of schistosomiasis interventions, such as cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit analyses. No date or language stipulations were applied to the searches. Results: We identified 53 relevant health economic analyses of schistosomiasis interventions. Most studies related to Schistosoma japonicum followed by S. haematobium. Several studies also included other NTDs. In Africa, most studies evaluated preventive chemotherapy, whereas in China they mostly evaluated programmes using a combination of interventions (such as chemotherapy, snail control and health education). There was wide variation in the methodology and epidemiological settings investigated. A range of effectiveness metrics were used by the different studies. Conclusions: Due to the variation across the identified studies, it was not possible to make definitive policy recommendations. Although, in general, the current WHO recommended preventive chemotherapy approach to control schistosomiasis was found to be cost-effective. This finding has important implications for policymakers, advocacy groups and potential funders. However, there are several important inconsistencies and research gaps (such as how the health benefits of interventions are quantified) that need to be addressed to identify the resources required to achieve schistosomiasis control and elimination.
Fractional Degree Stochastic Dominance
Authors: Huang Rachel J. , Tzeng Larry Y. , Zhao Lin 
Published: March 2020

We develop a continuum of stochastic dominance rules for expected utility maximizers. The new rules encompass the traditional integer-degree stochastic dominance; between adjacent integer degrees, they formulate the consensus of individuals whose absolute risk aversion at the corresponding integer degree has a negative lower bound. By extending the concept of “uniform risk aversion” previously proposed in the literature to high-order risk preferences, we interpret the fractionalized degree parameter as a benchmark individual relative to whom all considered individuals are uniformly no less risk averse in the lottery choices. The equivalent distribution conditions for the new rules are provided, and the fractional degree “increase in risk” is defined. We generalize the previously defined notion of “risk apportionment” and demonstrate its usefulness in characterizing comparative statics of risk changes in fractional degrees. This paper was accepted by David Simchi-Levi, decision analysis.
Educação, Mortalidade e Natalidade em Hannah Arendt
Authors: Briskievicz Danilo Arnaldo 
Published: March 2020

Partimos da questão identificada por Hannah Arendt em relação ao pensamento ocidental, que é a profunda conexidade entre a filosofia e a mortalidade. Esclarecemos os impactos dessa centralidade para a vida em comum em geral e para a educação em particular, partindo da análise dessa afinidade entre a mortalidade e a filosofia em autores como Platão, Montaigne, Schopenhauer e Heidegger. Para compreender e superar essa relação, Arendt cria e consolida a noção de natalidade como cerne da filosofia e, por consequência, da educação. Analisamos como a natalidade se amalgama à educação como a entende Arendt. Assim, descrevemos como a educação é afetada pela noção de natalidade tendo como pano de fundo a teoria da ação descrita no livro A condição humana. Trata-se de uma metodologia de pesquisa bibliográfica que pretende destacar o conflito filosófico entre a mortalidade e a natalidade e esclarecer seus impactos na concepção arendtiana de educação.
Recensão ao livro The privatization of education: A political economy of global education reform
Authors: Martins Erika Moreira 
Published: March 2020

Recensão ao Livro: Verger, A., Fontdevila, C., & Zancajo, A. (2016). The privatization of education: A political economy of global education reform. New York, NY: Teachers College Press.
A privatização da educação tem sido percebida como uma tendência mundial, principalmente em referência aos seus indicadores educacionais fundamentais, como provisão e financiamento. Os debates sobre os benefícios, os desafios e os custos da privatização da educação em escalas local e global têm desafiado pesquisadores nacionais e internacionais. Nesse contexto, a obra The Privatization of Education: A Political Economy of Global Education Reform (A Privatização da Educação: uma economia política da reforma da educação global, em tradução livre), cujos autores são Antoni Verger, Clara Fontdevila e Adrián Zancajo, investiga o fenômeno da privatização da educação, não como um processo monolítico, mas a partir de uma perspetiva comparada e global da economia política. Contribui, desta forma, para suprir uma lacuna nos estudos a respeito do tema: como e por que ocorre a privatização da educação?
Partindo de um robusto mapeamento sobre a literatura internacional, os autores utilizam uma metodologia de revisão sistemática da literatura (Systematic literature review) na tentativa de explicar por que as pressões por uma reforma educacional em favor do mercado não se traduzem em um processo unívoco e linear. A obra se propõe a enfrentar o desafio de abrir a “caixa preta” da privatização da educação em escala internacional analisando sistematicamente suas tendências, suas razões, seus agentes e as condições por trás da difusão e adoção de políticas de privatização nos sistemas educativos.
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Natural History of Untreated HBeAg-Positive Chronic HBV Infection With Persistently Elevated HBV DNA but Normal Alanine Aminotransferase
Authors: Lee Hye Won , Kim Eun Hwa , Lee Jinae , Kim Seung Up , Park Jun Yong , Kim Do Young , Ahn Sang Hoon , Han Kwang-Hyub , Kim Beom Kyung 
Published: March 2020

OBJECTIVES:
Nucleos(t)ide analogues (NUCs) are not routinely recommended for patients with hepatitis B e antigen–positive chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection who have persistently elevated serum HBV DNA level (>20,000 IU/mL) but normal alanine aminotransferase (<40 IU/L) level. Here, we evaluated the cumulative risks of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in such patients (the untreated persistently elevated serum HBV DNA [pEDNA] group) compared with inactive carriers (the IC group).

METHODS:
Patients with untreated pEDNA (n = 126) and IC (n = 621) were enrolled between 2006 and 2012. Patients with cirrhosis or HCC at enrollment or a history of NUC treatment were excluded.

RESULTS:
The cumulative HCC risks at 5 and 9 years in the untreated pEDNA group were 1.1% and 1.9%, which were comparable with those of the IC group (P = 0.549). Inverse probability of treatment weighting and propensity score matching also showed similar HCC risks. In the untreated pEDNA group, there were no cases of HCC in the subgroup with serum HBV DNA level >1,000,000 IU/mL (immune-tolerant phase), which was significantly (P = 0.002) different compared with those with an intermediate serum HBV DNA level (20,000–1,000,000 IU/mL).

DISCUSSION:
The cumulative HCC risk in the untreated pEDNA group was minimal and comparable with that of the IC group. Further studies are required to determine whether early NUC treatment, indeed, reduces the HCC risk in patients with an intermediate serum HBV DNA level.
Microwave-assisted synthesis of 1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one and its activities as an antioxidant, sunscreen, and antibacterial
Authors: Ikhtiarudin Ihsan , Agistia Nesa , Frimayanti Neni , Harlianti Tria , Jasril Jasril 
Published: March 2020

Chalcone analogs have been reported to have a variety of exciting biological activities, such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, photoprotective, antibacterial, and antidiabetic activities. Therefore, analogs of these compounds have been widely synthesized as intermediate compounds or target molecules in the discovery of bioactive compounds to be applied in the pharmaceutical field. The purpose of this study is to synthesize chalcone analog compounds (E)-1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl) prop-2-en-1-on with the microwave irradiation method and explore some of the biological activities of these compounds, including testing the antioxidant activity by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method, in vitro sunscreen activity by microplate method, and antibacterial activity by disk diffusion method. DPPH test results indicate that the compound has weak antioxidant activity, with an IC50 value of 300.43 µg/mL. However, the compound showed excellent potential as a UV B and UV A filter at a concentration of 150 µg/mL with a value of %Te of 0.73±0.10% (sunblock), %Tp of 0.07±0.00% (sunblock), SPF value of 21.10±1.46 (ultra-protection) and potentially better than benzophenone-3 as a standard sunscreen. Then, disk diffusion testing showed that the compound had weak antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and did not show antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli bacteria at test concentrations of 30, 60, and 120 µg/disk.
Swoboda wyboru prywatnoprawnej formy działania administracji gospodarczej w polskiej i niemieckiej doktrynie prawa publicznego
Authors: Sancewicz Paweł 
Published: March 2020

The purpose of this paper was to present views of both Polish and German public law doctrine on the issue of the possibility to choose a legal form of implementa­tion of public tasks by the public administration. This issue is not only a theoretical matter because currently administration has to cope with increasingly complex and complicated public tasks that must be implemented. The article first explains the concept of the legal forms of action, distinguished from the measures available in administration. Next, the freedom of choice of the legal form of action as well as the instances of its abuse are analysed. The considerations carried out in the article allow to adopt the position that the choice of the legal form of action by public administration cannot be actually prejudged under Polish law. The main limitation of the freedom to choose the le­gal form of action is contained in Article 7 read in connection with Article 2 of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland which stipulate a legal framework that ought to embrace them. There is also a concern that the authorities may abuse certain forms of action in order to, for example, avoid certain administrative procedures or to achieve desired fiscal objectives. As indicated in the course of the analysis, the German doctrine and practice encountered similar problems, and now the experi­ence and undoubted successes of German law and practice could be a significant inspiration for Polish lawmakers in this area. De lege ferenda, it is necessary to propose the introduction of legal regulations that will enable or facilitate a free choice of the legal form of action by administra­tive bodies. However, establishing such regulations will only be possible and and effective when the administrative agreement becomes part of the Polish legal system.
Digging the Liminal Spaces: Chronotopic Representation of Liminality in Seamus Heaney’sNorthandStation Island
Authors: Beyad Maryam Soltan , Kazemi Ehsan 
Published: March 2020

AbstractChallenging the established poetic idea of Ireland as a unified whole, new Irish poetry encourages a perspective toward homeland alongside with a corresponding revision of Irish subjectivity as liminality. Introduced by Homi Bhabha as a postcolonial cultural term, the idea privileges hybrid cultures and challenges solid or authentic ones. Moreover, this liminal rationale entails a corresponding chronotopic rendition, as Bakhtin intends to theorize it, whereby the notion of spatio-temporality assists the poet in rethinking the Irish identity. An archeologist shrouded as a poet, Heaney’s early work,North(1975), is an attempt to reterritorialize the Motherland whileStation Island(1984) represents the deterritorialization of the land, a collection in which Heaney proposes an alternative notion of Irish identity. The present study seeks to show how Heaney’s aforementioned poetry collections manifest a transition from a patently nationalist reception oflandto a tendency to liminal spaces. Hence, a critical juxtaposition of these two works bears witness to an endeavor to move beyond the solid, reductionist perspective of the unified Ireland into a state of liminality with respect to Bhabha’s idea of hybridity. Furthermore, it is argued how Bakhtin’s idea of chronotope can accommodate to the accomplishment of such a poetic project.
A novel adaptive window based technique for T wave detection and delineation in the ECG
Authors: Rahul Jagdeep , Sora Marpe 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
The electrocardiogram (ECG) morphology determines the overall activity of the heart and is the most widely used tool in the diagnostic processes. T wave is a crucial wave component that reveals very useful information regarding various cardiac disorders. In this paper we have proposed a novel T wave detection technique based on adaptive window and simple decision rule. The proposed technique uses two-stage median filters followed by the Savitzky-Golay filter at the pre-processing stage to remove the noises in the ECG signal. The QRS complex is detected for locating the T wave as a reference in one ECG cycle. An R-R interval based window is considered for detecting the T wave, and decision logic depends on the iso-electric line value. The proposed technique is tested on the QT database and self-recorded dataset for its performance evaluation. In the present work, the results achieved for T wave detection sensitivity (Se), positive predictivity (+P), detection error rate (DER), and accuracy (Acc) on the QT database are Se = 97.57%, +P = 99.63%, DER = 2.78%, and Acc = 97.22% with an average time error of (3.468 ± 5.732) ms. The proposed technique shows Se = 99.94%, +P = 99.94%, DER = 0.01%, and Acc = 99.89% on the self-recorded dataset. The proposed technique is also capable of detecting both the upward and downward T wave efficiently in the ECG signal.
Competition with Nonexclusive Contracts: Tackling the Hold-Up Problem
Authors: Roig Guillem 
Published: March 2020

AbstractIn an environment in which a buyer and a seller make ex-ante investments, competition among sellers can solve the hold-up problem without the design of ex-ante contracts but, in the case of low levels of competition, this may lead to inefficient investments. This paper shows that a seller invests efficiently when each seller offers latent contracts designed to exclude any other seller from trade (i. e. most intense competition). Because competition among sellers allows the buyer to appropriate part of the gains from his investment, the hold-up problem vanishes for most of the buyer’s investment costs. However, the seller appropriates more than his marginal contribution to the gains from trade, and over-invests, when a group of sellers does not offer latent contracts (under less intense competition). Therefore, efficient investments can only be implemented when competition is at its most intense.
PL/Vancomycin/Nano-hydroxyapatite Sustained-release Material to Treat Infectious Bone Defect
Authors: Liu Jianhui , Wang Wantao , Wang Xinpeng , Yu Damiao , Wang Zhenglei , Wang Wenbo 
Published: March 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the therapeutic effect of platelet lysate (PL)/vancomycin/nano-hydroxyapatite sustained-release material on treating staphylococcus aureus-induced infectious bone defects.Methods40 New Zealand white rabbits were inoculated with staphylococcus aureus to construct the chronic tibial infectious bone defect model. After incision, debridement and washing, control group 1 was not given any filling, control group 2 was filled with PL/nano-hydroxyapatite sustained release material, control group 3 was filled with vancomycin/ nano-hydroxyapatite sustained release material, and the treatment group was filled with PL/vancomycin/nano-hydroxyapatite sustained-release material. Afterwards, the drug release profiles were determined in vitro and in vivo. Then, X-rays and bone specimens were used to evaluate the efficacy of the treatments.ResultsTGF-β and PDGF were effectively released for 28 days in vitro. In addition, results of the inhibition zone experiment of the composite material proved that vancomycin had favorable antibacterial activity, which effectively suppressed bacteria for as long as 43 days, thus achieving the sustained-release antibacterial effect. The drug release profiles in vitro also demonstrated that the vancomycin concentration within the lesion region was the highest in composite material, and the infection in experimental rabbits was markedly alleviated. The original backbone deformity regained the normal shape, the normal bone marrow structure began to recover 6 weeks later, and the nano-hydroxyapatite transformed into the trabecula structure. By contrast, the inflammation in the control group still existed, with no obvious new bone formation.ConclusionThe PL/vancomycin/nano-hydroxyapatite sustained-release material effectively treats chronic infectious bone defects.
Uterine-conserving approach in ruptured intramyometrial ectopic pregnancy
Authors: Esther Loh Sweet Yi , Chew Kah Teik , Rahman Rahana Abd , Zainuddin Ani Amelia , Hing Erica Yee , Kampan Nirmala 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Intramyometrial ectopic pregnancy (IMEP) is a rare form of ectopic pregnancy. It is defined as a conceptus implanted within the myometrium and is completely surrounded by myometrium with clear separation from both the uterine cavity and tubes. IMEP possesses not only diagnostic but also therapeutic challenge. The majority of reported cases were managed by hysterectomy. Early management of unruptured IMEP using methotrexate may help to preserve fertility. We, for the first time, report a case of ruptured IMEP managed successfully using suction and curettage followed by Bakri balloon tamponade and avoiding hysterectomy. Post-procedure, the patient received two doses of intramuscular methotrexate 50 mg/m2 due to plateauing serial beta human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) levels and subsequently achieved undetectable level 10 weeks post-methotrexate. She also had complete resolution of the ectopic intramyometrial mass.
Interfacial characteristics of a carbon nanotube-polyimide nanocomposite by molecular dynamics simulation
Authors: Jiang Qian , Tallury Syamal S. , Qiu Yiping , Pasquinelli Melissa A. 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
With molecular dynamics simulations, nanocomposites were characterized that are comprised of a polyimide (PI) polymer and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with the same outer diameter but with one, two, or three walls. The simulations indicate that the PI/CNT interaction is strong, regardless of the number of CNT walls, and that there is some degree of alignment of the PI chains near the CNT interface. As the number of CNT walls increased, the density of PI chains near the CNT interface also increased and the average radius of gyration of the PI chains decreased, and these observations were attributed to changes due to the intertube van der Waals interactions. From simulations of the constant force pullout process of the CNT from the PI matrix, the limiting pullout force was calculated to be higher for the triple-walled CNT than for the single-walled one. The interfacial shear strength of the nanocomposites was also calculated from the pullout energy, and the results indicate that increasing the number of walls is a critical factor for enhancing the interfacial stress transfer during tension.