bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Getting the COVID‐19 pandemic into perspective: a nursing imperative
Authors: McDonald Tracey 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAs we approach the seventh month of the latest pandemic to wreak havoc and death across all societies, it beggars belief that many world and national leaders have acted surprised at the speed and destructive efficiency of COVID‐19. Nurses are not surprised by the level of misery and devastation that infectious diseases can cause. We have seen it all before. In every outbreak through history, nurses have responded to the dangers that direct engagement with such crises entails. The inherent risks nurses face in controlling potentially fatal pathogens are compounded by flaccid public policy and incompetent management, resulting in poorly resourced preparedness for the epidemics and pandemics that routinely punctuate our history. That nurses are repeatedly placed in such precarious work environments is an indictment on all involved. Over time, nurses responding to populations in crisis have learned not to rely too heavily on those occupying leadership positions for front‐line resources and protection or even early warnings or open disclosure about contagion risk, case numbers and outcomes. Once the danger has passed, the usual public expressions of gratitude for nurses who put themselves in harm’s way to help victims of these catastrophes seem to fade, amid hasty efforts to consolidate policies, processes and hierarchies back to the same settings that allowed the current crisis to flourish. So far in this pandemic, an unconfirmed number of nurses and other health workers have either died usually as a result of their involvement with infectious patients or become infected themselves. Data collection on this is haphazard at best, with nurse deaths absorbed within the aggregated morbidity data reported on during pandemics. This is despite nurses being the prominent professional workforce providing crucial front‐line interventions to protect public health. It is time nurses involved themselves with the overdue reformation of public health policies, information management and health systems that would seek to return nurses to precarious work environments and trivialize foreseeable risks to us, our communities and patients.
Materials research & measurement needs for ceramics additive manufacturing
Authors: Allen Andrew J. , Levin Igor , Witt Suzanne E. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractWe report on a recent workshop dedicated to additive manufacturing (AM) of ceramics that was held at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in November 2019. This two‐day all‐invited meeting brought together experts from industry, government agencies and academia to review the state of the field and identify the most pressing applied materials research and metrology issues which, if addressed, could accelerate the incorporation of AM methods into commercial ceramic manufacturing. Besides the AM technologies, the discussions included consideration of the necessary post‐processing steps. We highlight some of the successes and challenges for the adoption of ceramics AM on an industrial scale, as viewed by the workshop participants. We also propose actions for the ceramic community to facilitate the wider commercialization of these fabrication methods.
A treasure from the past: Former sperm whale distribution in Indonesian waters unveiled using distribution models and historical whaling data
Authors: Sahri Achmad , Putra Mochamad I. H. , Mustika Putu L. K. , Murk Albertinka J. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAimThis study is the first in Indonesia to assess historical sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) seasonal distributions by combining historical whaling data with environmental factors associated with sperm whale habitat preferences. As current records of whale occurrence covering the whole of Indonesian waters are incomplete, we used historical whaling data summarized by Charles Haskins Townsend in 1935 to model its potential distribution for each season.LocationIndonesian waters (92‐143E, 9N‐14S).TaxaSperm whale (P. macrocephalus).MethodsWe used a presence‐only habitat model – Maximum Entropy (Maxent) –, and a presence–pseudo‐absence method – generalized additive model (GAM) – with nine submerged topographic variables to predict historical seasonal distributions.ResultsBoth Maxent and GAM predict similar potential distribution which align closely with the whaling data. The results indicate that in four areas in the eastern part of Indonesia, no seasonal differences occurred in sperm whale distribution, while noticeable seasonal differences were indicated in other areas. The key parameters that characterize sperm whale habitat in both models were distance to coast, distance to −1,000 and −5,000 m isobaths, and submarine key features such as trough and trench.Main conclusionsThe historical catch data of this species can be used to describe the historical species distribution and provide a baseline to assess present distribution, prioritize current research and monitoring and recommend future data collection. Our models also predict distributions that are significantly larger than the ones occupied by sperm whales nowadays, another example of a shifting baseline. Our study demonstrates the benefits of incorporating historical whaling data into habitat models for ecological investigation and to inform conservation efforts for cetaceans.
Association between the triglyceride–glucose index and diabetic nephropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Liu Li , Xia Rui , Song Xiaoqing , Zhang Benping , He Wentao , Zhou Xinrong , Li Shengzhong , Yuan Gang 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAims/IntroductionThe triglyceride–glucose (TyG) index has been proposed as a reliable and simple marker of insulin resistance. We investigated the association between TyG index and diabetic nephropathy (DN) in patients with type 2 diabetes.Materials and MethodsA consecutive case series of 682 adult patients with type 2 diabetes hospitalized in the Department of Endocrinology at the Tongji Hospital (Wuhan, Hubei, China) from January 2007 to December 2009 was included in this cross‐sectional analysis. Receiver operating characteristics curve analysis, correlation analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis were carried out.ResultsA total of 232 (34.0%) participants were identified with DN. Compared with the non‐DN group, the DN group had longer disease duration, and higher bodyweight, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, glycated hemoglobin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, serum uric acid, 24 h‐urinary albumin, TyG index and homeostasis model assessment 2 estimates for insulin resistance (HOMA2‐IR; P < 0.05 for each). The TyG index with an optimal cut‐off point >9.66 showed a higher area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.67 (P = 0.002) than HOMA2‐IR (area under the curve 0.61, P = 0.029) on receiver operating characteristic curve analysis for DN identification. Additionally, the TyG index positively correlated with the levels of metabolic indicators (bodyweight, glycated hemoglobin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, serum uric acid, fasting glucose and HOMA2‐IR) and natural logarithmic 24 h‐urinary albumin (P < 0.05 for each), but not natural logarithm of estimated glomerular filtration rate. On multiple regression analysis, an increased TyG index was shown to be an independent risk factor (odds ratio 1.91, P = 0.001) for DN.ConclusionsThe TyG index was independently associated with DN in patients with type 2 diabetes, and was a better marker than HOMA2‐IR for identification of DN in type 2 diabetes patients.
Magnetic Patterning of Vorticella convallaria in a Microfluidic Device
Authors: Butler Trevor C. , Zhang Jieyu , Zhang Haipeng , Ryu Sangjin , Greene Amy Styer 
Published: July 2020

AbstractWe describe an inexpensive magnetic cell patterning method as a tool for protozoologists. The ciliate Vorticella convallaria is useful for various biofluidics applications. Here, we show that V. convallaria will ingest metal beads and that permanent magnets can be used to pattern cells in Petri dishes or a microfluidic device. Patterning is reversibly achieved by placing magnets at the point of desired cell attachment. Analogous magnetic manipulation could be performed using other phagocytic cells.
Post‐partum interval and time to pregnancy in a prospective preconception cohort
Authors: Willis Sydney K. , Hatch Elizabeth E. , Wesselink Amelia K. , Rothman Kenneth J. , Mikkelsen Ellen M. , Ahrens Katherine A. , Wise Lauren A. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundLittle is known about the influence of the post‐partum interval—defined as the time between giving birth and attempting to conceive again—on subsequent fecundability.ObjectivesWe evaluated the association between the post‐partum interval and fecundability in Pregnancy Study Online (PRESTO), a web‐based prospective preconception cohort of pregnancy planners from the United States and Canada.MethodsEligible women were aged 21‐45 years, attempting pregnancy, and not using fertility treatment. Women completed a baseline questionnaire to ascertain information on demographics, life style factors, and reproductive history, including detailed information on all previous pregnancies. They completed bi‐monthly follow‐up questionnaires for up to 12 months to update pregnancy status over time. We used proportional probabilities regression models to estimate fecundability ratios (FRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) adjusted for sociodemographic and reproductive history covariates. Analyses were restricted to multiparous women who had been attempting pregnancy with the same male partner for ≤6 menstrual cycles at enrolment.ResultsDuring 2013‐2019, 1489 female participants contributed 959 pregnancies and 5003 cycles. The median post‐partum interval was 18 months. Compared with a 12‐ to 23‐month post‐partum interval, FRs for post‐partum intervals of <12, 24‐47, and ≥48 months were 0.89 (95% CI 0.77, 1.04), 1.06 (95% CI 0.91, 1.23), and 0.81 (95% CI 0.62, 1.05), respectively. When restricting to women without a history of subfertility, results were consistent for long post‐partum interval and attenuated for short post‐partum interval.ConclusionsAmong North American pregnancy planners, long post‐partum intervals (≥48 months) were associated with slightly reduced fecundability. Short post‐partum intervals (<12 months) were weakly associated with reduced fecundability in some subgroups including women with a history of caesarean delivery and planned pregnancies.
Influence of immunosuppression on seroconversion against SARS‐CoV‐2 in two kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Wang Aileen X. , Quintero Cardona Orlando , Ho Dora Y. , Busque Stephan , Lenihan Colin R. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractSolid organ transplant recipients are at risk for infectious complications due to chronic immunosuppression. The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) in the United States has raised growing concerns for the transplant patient population. We seek to add to the current limited literature on COVID‐19 in transplant recipients by describing the clinical course of two kidney transplant recipients with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection monitored by both RT‐PCR and serology. Through careful adjustment of their immunosuppression regimen, both patients had excellent recovery with intact graft function and development of anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 antibodies.
A retrospective analysis on the outcome of 18 dogs with malignant ovarian tumours
Authors: Goto Sho , Iwasaki Ryota , Sakai Hiroki , Mori Takashi 
Published: July 2020

AbstractLittle evidence is available regarding the prognosis of dogs with malignant ovarian tumours. The objective of this retrospective study was to describe the outcomes and determine the prognostic factors for dogs with malignant ovarian tumours following treatment, including surgery with or without adjuvant therapy. Eighteen dogs were studied, their median age was 12 years (range: 7‐15 years), and their median body weight was 6.9 kg (range: 2.3‐17.8 kg). Following histopathologic diagnoses revealed that granulosa cell tumour was the most common type (n = 9), followed by dysgerminoma (n = 5), and adenocarcinoma (n = 4). Eleven dogs had surgery alone. Seven dogs had surgery with adjuvant therapy, including chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. The median survival time (ST) was 1009 days when only deaths owing to the ovarian tumours were considered, and predictors of median ST were T‐category (≥ T3, 443 days vs ≤ T2, 1474 days; P = .002), presence of metastatic disease (present, 391 days vs absent, 1474 days; P < .001) and lymphovascular space invasion (present, 428 days vs absent, 1474 days; P = .003) in a univariate analysis. Median ST in dogs with granulosa cell tumour seemed longer than in dogs with dysgerminoma and adenocarcinoma, although the difference was statistically insignificant (1474 days vs 458 days, respectively; P = .10). Considering the good prognosis, aggressive treatment can be recommended for dogs with malignant ovarian tumours, especially early‐stage cases. Despite metastasis being present at diagnosis, half of the dogs with metastasis survived for more than 1 year.
Self-Efficacy Versus Gender: Project-Based Active Learning Techniques in Biomedical Engineering Introductory Computer Programming Courses
Authors: Cyrus Rezvanifar S. , Amini Rouzbeh 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Engineering education has increasingly embraced active learning techniques within a variety of curricula. In particular, project-based active learning techniques have a significant potential to enhance students' learning experience. In this study, we implemented project-based techniques in biomedical engineering (BME) classes, and we investigated the effects of active learning on students' self-efficacy as an effective predictor of students' academic persistence and their career decision-making. Differences in self-efficacy were compared across genders. A high level of internal consistency was observed for both academic and career-oriented scales, as determined by Cronbach's alpha values of 0.908 and 0.862, respectively. While average scores of all survey questions indicated improvement in students' academic and career-oriented self-efficacy measures, significant improvements were observed in “clearer vision of programming application in engineering” and “BME careers,” as well as in “expectation of success in a future BME career that involves developing medical devices” after the completion of the project-based activity (p = 0.002, 0.023, and 0.034, respectively). For two of the survey questions, female students reflected a significantly lower “self-confidence about understanding the most complex course material” as well as a significantly lower “willingness to have a future career in BME that involves intensive computer programing” as compared to male students (p = 0.035 and 0.024, respectively). We have further discussed possible explanations for the observed differences and multiple potential ways to enhance gender equality in STEM fields from a self-efficacy standpoint.
Diagnostic validity of optic nerve head colorimetric assessment and optical coherence tomography angiography in patients with glaucoma
Authors: Mendez-Hernandez Carmen , Wang Surina , Arribas-Pardo Paula , Salazar-Quiñones Liseth , Güemes-Villahoz Noemi , Fernandez-Perez Cristina , Garcia-Feijoo Julian 
Published: July 2020

Background/AimsThe aim of this study was to assess the optic nerve head (ONH) and macular vessel density with optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) and the ONH haemoglobin (ONH Hb) amount with Laguna ONhE program in open-angle glaucoma (OAG) patients.MethodsIn this prospective observational cross-sectional study, 67 OAG patients and 41 healthy age-sex frequency matched subjects were examined with OCT-A and retinal photos. The circumpapillary (wcpVD), optic nerve head (iVD) and macular (wmVD) capillary vessel density of OCT-A and ONH colorimetric assessment to determine the ONH Hb amount using the Laguna ONhE program were evaluated.ResultsSignificant differences between normal subjects and glaucoma patients in the wcpVD (22.18±3.42 vs 16.03±2.89%; p<0.001), iVD (18.31±5.56 vs 12.52±4.67%; p<0.001), wmVD (15.60±2.34 vs 13.34±2.32%; p<0.001) and amount of ONH Hb (71.10±1.67 vs 68.86±2.46%; p<0.001) and in the papillary cup (68.14±5.25 vs 64.77±5.08%; p=0.001) were found. The Laguna ONhE glaucoma discriminant function (GDF) index had a negative value in the OAG patients and normal values in healthy subjects (−18.76±13.31 vs 7.98±14.09; p<0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUROC) for discriminating between healthy and glaucomatous eyes was highest for wcpVD (0.93; 95% CI 0.86 to 0.97, p<0.0001), followed by GDF (0.92; 95% CI 0.86 to 0.97, p<0.0001), iVD (0.79; 95% CI 0.70 to 0.86; p<0.0001) and ONH Hb (0.78; 95% CI 0.69 to 0.85, p<0.0001). Pair wise comparisons showed that the AUROC of wcpVD (0.93) was not significantly different than GDF (0.92) (p=0.855).ConclusionLaguna ONhE program and OCT-A have similar diagnostic validity in open-angle glaucoma patients.
Randomised, cOntrolled Multicentre trial of 26 weeks subcutaneous liraglutide (a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor Agonist), with or without contiNuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obstructive sleep apnoEa (OSA) (ROMANCE): study protocol assessing the effects of weight loss on the apnea–hypnoea index (AHI)
Authors: Sprung Victoria S , Kemp Graham J , Wilding John PH , Adams Valerie , Murphy Kieran , Burgess Malcolm , Emegbo Stephen , Thomas Matthew , Needham Alexander J , Weimken Andrew , Schwab Richard J , Manuel Ari , Craig Sonya E , Cuthbertson Daniel J 
Published: July 2020

IntroductionObstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) often occur concurrently, and untreated OSA may potentially amplify the high risk of cardiovascular disease in T2DM. Compliance with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), the conventional treatment for OSA, can be poor and considering weight loss is the most effective treatment for OSA. This trial examines whether the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist liraglutide, a glucose-lowering therapy associated with significant weight loss used in T2DM, can improve the severity and symptoms of OSA.Methods and analysisThis is an outpatient, single-centred, open-labelled, prospective, phase IV randomised controlled trial in a two-by-two factorial design. One hundred and thirty-two patients with newly diagnosed OSA (apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI) ≥15 events/hour), and existing obesity and T2DM (glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥47 mmol/mol), will be recruited from diabetes and sleep medicine outpatient clinics in primary and secondary care settings across Liverpool. Patients will be allocated equally, using computer-generated random, permuted blocks of unequal sizes, to each of the four treatment arms for 26 weeks: (i) liraglutide (1.8 mg once per day) alone, (ii) liraglutide 1.8 mg once per day with CPAP, (iii) CPAP alone (conventional care) or (iv) no treatment (control). The primary outcome measure is change in OSA severity, determined by AHI. Secondary outcome measures include effects on glycaemic control (glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c)), body weight and quality of life measures. Exploratory measures include measures of physical activity, MRI-derived measures of regional body composition including fat mass (abdominal subcutaneous, visceral, neck and liver fat) and skeletal muscle mass (cross-sectional analysis of thigh), indices of cardiac function (using transthoracic echocardiography) and endothelial function.Ethical approvalThe study has been approved by the North West Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee (14/NW/1019) and it is being conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and Good Clinical Practice.Trial registration numbersISRCTN16250774. EUDRACT No. 2014-000988-41. UTN U1111-1139-0677.
Smartphone app for neonatal heart rate assessment: an observational study
Authors: Myrnerts Höök Susanna , Pejovic Nicolas J , Cavallin Francesco , Lubulwa Clare , Byamugisha Josaphat , Nankunda Jolly , Tylleskär Thorkild , Alfven Tobias 
Published: July 2020

BackgroundHeart rate (HR) assessment is crucial in neonatal resuscitation, but pulse oximetry (PO) and electrocardiography (ECG) are rarely accessible in low-resource to middle-resource settings. This study evaluated a free-of-charge smartphone application, NeoTap, which records HR with a screen-tapping method bypassing mental arithmetic calculations.MethodsThis observational study was carried out during three time periods between May 2015 and January 2019 in Uganda in three phases. In phase 1, a metronome rate (n=180) was recorded by low-end users (midwives) using NeoTap. In phase 2, HR (n=69) in breathing neonates was recorded by high-end users (paediatricians) using NeoTap versus PO. In phase 3, HR (n=235) in non-breathing neonates was recorded by low-end users using NeoTap versus ECG.ResultsIn high-end users the mean difference was 3 beats per minute (bpm) higher with NeoTap versus PO (95% agreement limits −14 to 19 bpm), with acquisition time of 5 seconds. In low-end users, the mean difference was 6 bpm lower with NeoTap versus metronome (95% agreement limits −26 to 14 bpm) and 3 bpm higher with NeoTap versus ECG in non-breathing neonates (95% agreement limits −48 to 53 bpm), with acquisition time of 2.7 seconds. The agreement between NeoTap and ECG was good in the HR categories of 60–99 bpm and ≥100 bpm; HR <60 bpm had few measurements (kappa index 0.71, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.79).ConclusionHR could be accurately and rapidly assessed using a smartphone application in breathing neonates in a low-resource setting. Clinical assessment by low-end users was less accurate with wider CI but still adds clinically important information in non-breathing neonates. The authors suggest low-end users may benefit from auscultation-focused training. More research is needed to evaluate its feasibility in clinical use.
Pre-hospital One-Hour Troponin in a Low-Prevalence Population of Acute Coronary Syndrome: OUT-ACS study
Authors: Johannessen Tonje R , Vallersnes Odd Martin , Halvorsen Sigrun , Larstorp Anne Cecilie K. , Mdala Ibrahimu , Atar Dan 
Published: July 2020

ObjectiveThe European Society of Cardiology 0/1-hour algorithm for high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) has demonstrated high rule-out safety in large hospital validation cohorts. We aimed to validate the algorithm in a primary care setting, where patients have a lower pretest probability for acute coronary syndrome.MethodsThis prospective, observational, diagnostic study included patients with acute non-specific chest pain admitted to a primary care emergency clinic in Oslo, Norway, from November 2016 to October 2018. hs-cTnT was measured after 0, 1 and 4 hours. The primary outcome measure was the diagnostic performance of the 0/1-hour algorithm, the 90-day incidence of AMI or all-cause death the secondary.ResultsAmong 1711 included patients, 61 (3.6%) were diagnosed with AMI. By applying the algorithm, 1311 (76.6%) patients were assigned to the rule-out group. The negative predictive value was 99.9% (95% CI 99.5% to 100.0%), the sensitivity and specificity 98.4% (91.2–100.0) and 79.4% (77.4–81.3), respectively. Sixty-six (3.9%) patients were triaged towards rule-in, where 45 were diagnosed with AMI. The corresponding positive predictive value was 68.2% (58.3–76.7), sensitivity 73.8% (60.9–84.2), and specificity 98.7% (98.1–99.2). Among 334 (19.5%) patients assigned to the observation group in need of further tests, 15 patients had an AMI. The following 90 days, five new patients experienced an AMI and nine patients died, with a low incidence in the rule-out group (0.3%).ConclusionThe 0/1-hour algorithm for hs-cTnT seems safe, efficient and applicable for an accelerated assessment of patients with non-specific chest pain in a primary care emergency setting.Trial registration numberNCT02983123.