bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In search of universal health coverage: the hidden cost of family planning to women in Ghana
Authors: Amissah John , Nakua Emmanuel Kwaku , Badu Eric , Amissah Alexander Baba , Lariba Leticia 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Objective
This study aims to estimate the cost of accessing FP services in Ghana. A cross-sectional design, involving quantitative methods were used to recruit 1194 women who accessed FP services in 336 primary health facilities, selected through a two-stage sampling. Descriptive statistics were used to estimate the cost, using STATA 13.

Results
The average age of the women was 29 ± 6.87. Most women had basic education. The sources of payment for FP services were self-finance, family and sponsorship. The average direct cost of accessing FP services was GHS 7.90 [US$ 1.76]. The cost of FP services was highest for consultation GHS 7.50 [US$ 1.67], Laboratory test/x-ray GHS 6.03 [US$ 1.34], Transportation GHS GHS5.50 [US$ 1.22], Contraceptive GHS 4.73 [US$ 1.05] and Client records Card GHS 3.30 [US$ 0.73]. The cost of FP services was higher for clients visiting private facilities, tertiary level as well as those in urban centers. Clients on average spent 54.21 min traveling at a distance of 3.49 km and wait averagely 18.11 min for each visit. Government stakeholders are encouraged to revise the existing maternal health policies, as well as increase the list of FP services within the exemption package of the NHIS policy.
Comparison and optimization of protein extraction and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis protocols for liverworts
Authors: Yadav Sandhya , Srivastava Akanksha , Biswas Subhankar , Chaurasia Neha , Singh Sushil Kumar , Kumar Sanjiv , Srivastava Vaibhav , Mishra Yogesh 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Objective
Liverworts possess historical adaptive strategies for abiotic stresses because they were the first plants that shifted from water to land. Proteomics is a state-of-the-art technique that can capture snapshots of events occurring at the protein level in many organisms. Herein, we highlight the comparison and optimization of an effective protein extraction and precipitation protocol for two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) of liverworts.

Results
We compared three different protein extraction methods, i.e.,1.5 M Tris–HCl (pH 8.8), 50 mM Tris–HCl (pH 7.5), and polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP) extraction, followed by three precipitation methods, i.e., 80% ethanol, 80% acetone, and 20% tricholoroacetic acid (TCA)–acetone, in a liverwort Dumortiera hirsuta. Among these methods, 50 mM Tris–HCl (pH 7.5) extraction, followed by 20% TCA–acetone precipitation, appeared to be more suitable for 2-DE. Furthermore, we performed modifications during protein washing, re-solubilization in rehydration buffer and isoelectric focusing (IEF). The modifications provided us better results in terms of protein yield, resolution, spot numbers, and intensities for 2-DE gels of D. hirsuta and other two liverworts, i.e., Marchantia paleacea and Plagiochasma appendiculatum. Furthermore, we randomly selected spots from the 2-DE gel of D. hirsuta and identified using mass spectrometry, which confirms the applicability of this protocol for liverworts proteomics.
Combined intramuscular and intraspinal transplant of bone marrow cells improves neuromuscular function in the SOD1G93A mice
Authors: Martínez-Muriana Anna , Pastor Diego , Mancuso Renzo , Rando Amaya , Osta Rosario , Martínez Salvador , López-Vales Rubèn , Navarro Xavier 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background
The simultaneous contribution of several etiopathogenic disturbances makes amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) a fatal and challenging disease. Here, we studied two different cell therapy protocols to protect both central and peripheral nervous system in a murine model of ALS.

Methods
Since ALS begins with a distal axonopathy, in a first assay, we performed injection of bone marrow cells into two hindlimb muscles of transgenic SOD1G93A mice. In a second study, we combined intramuscular and intraspinal injection of bone marrow cells. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting was used to assess the survival of the transplanted cells into the injected tissues. The mice were assessed from 8 to 16 weeks of age by means of locomotion and electrophysiological tests. After follow-up, the spinal cord was processed for analysis of motoneuron survival and glial cell reactivity.

Results
We found that, after intramuscular injection, bone marrow cells were able to engraft within the muscle. However, bone marrow cell intramuscular injection failed to promote a general therapeutic effect. In the second approach, we found that bone marrow cells had limited survival in the spinal cord, but this strategy significantly improved motor outcomes. Moreover, we also found that the dual cell therapy tended to preserve spinal motoneurons at late stages of the disease and to reduce microgliosis, although this did not prolong mice survival.

Conclusion
Overall, our findings suggest that targeting more than one affected area of the motor system at once with bone marrow cell therapy results in a valuable therapeutic intervention for ALS.
Higher glycemic variability within the first day of ICU admission is associated with increased 30-day mortality in ICU patients with sepsis
Authors: Chao Wen-Cheng , Tseng Chien-Hua , Wu Chieh-Liang , Shih Sou-Jen , Yi Chi-Yuan , Chan Ming-Cheng 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background
High glycemic variability (GV) is common in critically ill patients; however, the prevalence and mortality association with early GV in patients with sepsis remains unclear.

Methods
This retrospective cohort study was conducted in a medical intensive care unit (ICU) in central Taiwan. Patients in the ICU with sepsis between January 2014 and December 2015 were included for analysis. All of these patients received protocol-based management, including blood sugar monitoring every 2 h for the first 24 h of ICU admission. Mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE) and coefficient of variation (CoV) were used to assess GV.

Results
A total of 452 patients (mean age 71.4 ± 14.7 years; 76.7% men) were enrolled for analysis. They were divided into high GV (43.4%, 196/452) and low GV (56.6%, 256/512) groups using MAGE 65 mg/dL as the cut-off point. Patients with high GV tended to have higher HbA1c (6.7 ± 1.8% vs. 5.9 ± 0.9%, p < 0.01) and were more likely to have diabetes mellitus (DM) (50.0% vs. 23.4%, p < 0.01) compared with those in the low GV group. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that a high GV was associated with increased 30-day mortality (log-rank test, p = 0.018). The association remained strong in the non-DM (log-rank test, p = 0.035), but not in the DM (log-rank test, p = 0.254) group. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis identified that high APACHE II score (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.045, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.013–1.078), high serum lactate level at 0 h (aHR 1.009, 95% CI 1.003–1.014), having chronic airway disease (aHR 0.478, 95% CI 0.302–0.756), high mean day 1 glucose (aHR 1.008, 95% CI 1.000–1.016), and high MAGE (aHR 1.607, 95% CI 1.008–2.563) were independently associated with increased 30-day mortality. The association with 30-day mortality remained consistent when using CoV to assess GV.

Conclusions
We found that approximately 40% of the septic patients had a high early GV, defined as MAGE > 65 mg/dL. Higher GV within 24 h of ICU admission was independently associated with increased 30-day mortality. These findings highlight the need to monitor GV in septic patients early during an ICU admission.
Improvement of job completion time in data-intensive cloud computing applications
Authors: Ibrahim Ibrahim Adel , Bassiouni Mostafa 
Published: February 2020

AbstractTask stragglers in MapReduce jobs dramatically impede job execution of data-intensive computing in cloud data centers. This impedance is due to the uneven distribution of input data, heterogeneous data nodes, resource contention situations, and network configurations. Data skew of intermediate data in MapReduce job causes delay failures due to the violation of job completion time. Data-intensive computing frameworks, such as MapReduce or Hadoop YARN, employ HashPartitioner. This partitioner may cause intermediate data skew, which results in straggler reducers. In this paper, we strive to make Hadoop YARN more efficient in cloud environments. We present, a new partitioning scheme, called balanced data clusters partitioner (BDCP), to handle straggler Reduce tasks based on sampling of input data and feedback information about the current processing task. Our extensive experimental results show that BDCP can outperform the default Hadoop HashPartitioner and Range partitioner. BDCP can assist in straggler mitigation during reduce phase and minimize the job completion time in MapReduce jobs within data-intensive cloud computing.
Research on the Corrosion/Permeability/Frost Resistance of Concrete by Experimental and Microscopic Mechanisms Under Different Water–Binder Ratios
Authors: Zhang Rongling , Liu Peng , Ma Lina , Yang Zijiang , Chen Huisu , Zhu Han Xing , Xiao Huigang , Li Jia 
Published: February 2020

AbstractTo study the influence of different water–binder ratios on the corrosion, permeability, and freezing properties of concrete, we produced different strengths of concrete with respective water–binder ratios of 0.32, 0.38, 0.50, and 0.66. The corrosion resistance of the concrete was studied via three corrosion methods: full immersion, half immersion, and dry and wet cycles. The impermeability and frost resistance of concrete with different water–binder ratios were tested and analyzed. The test results show that the corrosion modes in order from strong to weak were dry and wet cycles, half soaking, and full soaking. The relative dynamic elasticity modulus and freeze–thaw index were used to evaluate the frost resistance of concrete based on the analysis of three indices of frost resistance. To study the internal mechanism of corrosion of concrete with different water–binder ratios, microscopic pore structure testing of the concrete was conducted using a Micromeritics AutoPore IV 9500 Series instrument. The porosimeter studies show that the smaller the water–binder ratio, the more small pores and the denser the concrete. The smaller the water–binder ratio, the higher the strength and the better the corrosion, permeability, and frost resistance.
Development of a Human Activity Recognition System for Ballet Tasks
Authors: Hendry Danica , Chai Kevin , Campbell Amity , Hopper Luke , O’Sullivan Peter , Straker Leon 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackgroundAccurate and detailed measurement of a dancer’s training volume is a key requirement to understanding the relationship between a dancer’s pain and training volume. Currently, no system capable of quantifying a dancer’s training volume, with respect to specific movement activities, exists. The application of machine learning models to wearable sensor data for human activity recognition in sport has previously been applied to cricket, tennis and rugby. Thus, the purpose of this study was to develop a human activity recognition system using wearable sensor data to accurately identify key ballet movements (jumping and lifting the leg). Our primary objective was to determine if machine learning can accurately identify key ballet movements during dance training. The secondary objective was to determine the influence of the location and number of sensors on accuracy.ResultsConvolutional neural networks were applied to develop two models for every combination of six sensors (6, 5, 4, 3, etc.) with and without the inclusion of transition movements. At the first level of classification, including data from all sensors, without transitions, the model performed with 97.8% accuracy. The degree of accuracy reduced at the second (83.0%) and third (75.1%) levels of classification. The degree of accuracy reduced with inclusion of transitions, reduction in the number of sensors and various sensor combinations.ConclusionThe models developed were robust enough to identify jumping and leg lifting tasks in real-world exposures in dancers. The system provides a novel method for measuring dancer training volume through quantification of specific movement tasks. Such a system can be used to further understand the relationship between dancers’ pain and training volume and for athlete monitoring systems. Further, this provides a proof of concept which can be easily translated to other lower limb dominant sporting activities
Intraoperative detection of stuck leaflet after implantation of a mechanical aortic valve: a case report
Authors: Miyata Kazuto , Shigematsu Sayaka 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background
Mechanical aortic valve dysfunction is a rare but potentially fatal complication. It is usually caused by thrombosis, vegetation, and pannus overgrowth. However, it very rarely occurs immediately after the cardiopulmonary bypass weaning period.

Case presentation
We describe a case of stuck leaflet after the implantation of a mechanical aortic valve because of residual suture materials interfering with mechanical aortic valve leaflet closure, which is a very rare cause and has not been reported until now.

Conclusion
The residual suture materials for mechanical aortic valve replacement could cause mechanical valve dysfuction indicated as stuck leafet.
Effect of sharing health messages on antenatal care behavior among women involved in microfinance-based self-help groups in Bihar India
Authors: Walia Monika , Irani Laili , Chaudhuri Indrajit , Atmavilas Yamini , Saggurti Niranjan 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackgroundBihar state in India has one of the highest rates of maternal and infant mortality in South Asia. Microfinance-based self-help groups (SHGs), involving rural women, are being utilized to improve maternal and child health practice and reduce mortality. SHG members receive information on key maternal and child health practices as well as encouragement for their practice. This study measures the association of health messaging to SHG members with their antenatal care (ANC) behaviors.MethodsThe study was conducted in eight districts of Bihar in 2016. A three-stage cluster sampling design (with a random selection of blocks, villages, and SHGs) selected the sample of 1204 SHG members who had an infant child; of these, 597 women were members of SHGs that received dedicated sessions on health messages, while 607 women belonged to SHGs that did not. To examine the impact of the health intervention on ANC practice, radius caliper method of propensity score matching controlled for various socio-demographic characteristics between the two groups.ResultsMost of the interviewed women (91.5%) belonged to a scheduled caste or tribe. Nearly 44% of SHG members exposed to the health intervention were engaged in some occupation, compared to 35% of those not exposed to the intervention. After matching unexposed SHG women with exposed SHG women, no significant differences were found in their socio-demographic characteristics. Findings suggest that exposure to a health intervention is associated with increased likelihood of at least four ANC visits by SHG women (ATE = 7.2, 95% CI: 0.76–13.7,p < 0.05), consumption of iron-folic acid for at least 100 days (ATE = 8.7, 95% CI: 5.0–12.5,p < 0.001) and complete ANC (ATE = 3.6, 95% CI: 2.3–4.9,p < 0.001), when compared to women not exposed to the health intervention.ConclusionsThe study shows that sharing health messages in microfinance-based SHGs is associated with significant increase in ANC practice. While the results suggest the potential of microfinance-based SHGs for improved maternal health services, the approach’s sustainability needs to be further examined.
Low-noise transfer of the spectral purity of an optical comb line using a feedforward scheme
Authors: Brochard Pierre , Rudin Benjamin , Emaury Florian , Wittwer Valentin J. , Schilt Stéphane , Südmeyer Thomas 
Published: February 2020

AbstractWe present a detailed frequency noise analysis of a feedforward scheme used to faithfully transfer the spectral properties of an individual line of an optical frequency comb spectrum to a single-mode laser and in this way indirectly amplify it, which is applicable to any arbitrary comb mode spacing. In contrast to previously reported implementation of the feedforward method for a similar purpose, we present a more thorough noise study, including the measurement of the additive noise of the setup. The reported experimental investigation was performed using two low-noise ultrafast mode-locked lasers with different repetition rates (~ 1 GHz and 250 MHz) and show a faithful transfer of the comb mode frequency noise to the auxiliary laser with a sub-radian additive phase noise integrated from 1 Hz to 1 MHz. We discuss the present limitations of the method that is able to transfer optical comb lines with sub-Hz linewidth and propose simple improvements.
Recent investigations of shock wave effects and interactions
Authors: Ligrani P. M. , McNabb E. S. , Collopy H. , Anderson M. , Marko S. M. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractDespite over fifty years of research on shock wave boundary layer effects and interactions, many related technical issues continue to be controversial and debated. The present survey provides an overview of the present state of knowledge on such effects and interactions, including discussions of: (i) general features of shock wave interactions, (ii) test section configurations for investigation of shock wave boundary layer interactions, (iii) origins and sources of unsteadiness associated with the interaction region, (iv) interactions which included thermal transport and convective heat transfer, and (v) shock wave interaction control investigations. Of particular interest are origins and sources of low-frequency, large-scale shock wave unsteadiness, flow physics of shock wave boundary layer interactions, and overall structure of different types of interactions. Information is also provided in regard to shock wave investigations, where heat transfer and thermal transport were important. Also considered are investigations of shock wave interaction control strategies, which overall, indicate that no single shock wave control strategy is available, which may be successfully applied to different shock wave arrangements, over a wide range of Mach numbers. Overall, the survey highlights the need for additional understanding of fundamental transport mechanisms, as related to shock waves, which are applicable to turbomachinery, aerospace, and aeronautical academic disciplines.
Better quadriceps and hamstring strength is achieved after Total knee Arthroplasty with single radius femoral prostheses: a retrospective study based on isokinetic and isometric data
Authors: Li Mengyuan , Zhang Lei , Zhang Ruiying , Ma Yuanchen , Liao Junxing , Li Qingtian , Deng Zhantao , Zheng Qiujian 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background
Strength deficits, muscle imbalances, and quadriceps inhibition are common after the total knee arthroplasty (TKA). It was suggested that theoretically single radius (SR) femoral protheses could provide longer extensor moment arm compared to the multiple radius (MR) design. However, quantitative evidence has not yet been reported. Thus, the aim of the study was to investigate the differences in isokinetic data and to compare the patient-reported outcome scores between TKA SR and MR design.

Method
The present retrospective study included 36 TKA involving 16 knees (9 patients) using SR design implant and 20 knees (11 patients) using MR design implant. The mean follow-up time was longer than 1 year. Isokinetic knee flexion and extension torques of the operated leg were evaluated at 60°/s and 180°/s. Quadriceps and hamstring torques and ratios, work and power were recorded. Angle-specific torques were also collected at different extension or flexion angles.

Results
Both groups showed improvement in knee society scores (KSS) and knee injury, and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS) after operation. Patients in SR group had significantly higher scores in KSS-knee, symptoms and activities of daily living KOOS sub-score than those in the MR group at the end of the follow-up. The peak knee flexion torque, peak knee extension torque and maximum knee flexion work were greater in SR group at 180°/s and 60°/s. At 60°/s, and SR group had higher average knee flexion power and average knee extension power than MR group. In the isometric contraction test, the knee extension torque was higher in SR group than in MR group. At 180°/s, SR group showed higher flexion torques at 30°, 40°, 50°, 60° compared with MR group. At 60°/s, SR group showed higher flexion torques at 30°, 40°, 50°, 60°, 80° when compared with MR group. Additionally, SR group also provided higher extension torques at 40°, 50°, 60° than the MR group. There were no differences in other isokinetic and isometric parameters between the two groups.

Conclusion
Femoral design exerted an influence on quadriceps and hamstring strength after TKA, and SR design shows advantages, in terms of higher extension and flexion strength, over MR design.
Dietary Modification and Breast Cancer Mortality: Long-Term Follow-Up of the Women’s Health Initiative Randomized Trial
Authors: Chlebowski Rowan T. , Aragaki Aaron K. , Anderson Garnet L. , Pan Kathy , Neuhouser Marian L. , Manson JoAnn E. , Thomson Cynthia A. , Mossavar-Rahmani Yasmin , Lane Dorothy S. , Johnson Karen C. , Wactawski-Wende Jean , Snetselaar Linda , Rohan Thomas E. , Luo Juhua , Barac Ana , Prentice Ross L. ,   on behalf of the Women’s Health Initiative
Published: February 2020

PURPOSE Observational studies of dietary fat intake and breast cancer have reported inconsistent findings. This topic was addressed in additional analyses of the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) Dietary Modification (DM) clinical trial that evaluated a low-fat dietary pattern influence on breast cancer incidence. METHODS In the WHI DM trial, 48,835 postmenopausal women, ages 50-79 years, with no prior breast cancer, and a dietary fat intake of ≥ 32% of energy were randomly assigned at 40 US centers to a usual diet comparison group (60%) or dietary intervention group (40%). The goals were to reduce fat intake to 20% of energy and increase vegetable, fruit, and grain intake. Breast cancers were confirmed after central medical record review and serial National Death Index linkages to enhance mortality findings. RESULTS During 8.5 years of dietary intervention, breast cancer incidence and deaths as a result of breast cancer were nonsignificantly lower in the intervention group, while deaths after breast cancer were statistically significantly lower both during intervention and through a 16.1-year (median) follow-up. Now, after a long-term, cumulative 19.6-year (median) follow-up, the significant reduction in deaths after breast cancer persists (359 [0.12%] v 652 [0.14%] deaths; hazard ratio [HR], 0.85; 95% CI, 0.74 to 0.96; P = .01), and a statistically significant reduction in deaths as a result of breast cancer (breast cancer followed by death attributed to the breast cancer) emerged (132 [0.037%, annualized risk] v 251 [0.047%] deaths, respectively; HR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.64 to 0.97; P = .02). CONCLUSION Adoption of a low-fat dietary pattern associated with increased vegetable, fruit, and grain intake, demonstrably achievable by many, may reduce the risk of death as a result of breast cancer in postmenopausal women.