bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Implementation of community and facility‐based HIV self‐testing under routine conditions in southern Eswatini
Authors: Pasipamire Lorraine , Nesbitt Robin C. , Dube Lenhle , Mabena Edwin , Nzima Muzi , Dlamini Mduduzi , Rugongo Nozizwe , Maphalala Nomthandazo , Obulutsa Thomas Austin , Ciglenecki Iza , Kerschberger Bernhard 
Published: March 2020

AbstractObjectivesWHO recommends HIV self‐testing (HIVST) as an additional approach to HIV testing services. The study describes the strategies used during phase‐in of HIVST under routine conditions in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland).MethodsBetween May 2017 and January 2018, assisted and unassisted oral HIVST was offered at HIV testing services (HTS) sites to people aged ≥ 16 years. Additional support tools were available, including a telephone hotline answered 24/7, HIVST demonstration videos and printed educational information about HIV prevention and care services. Demographic characteristics of HIVST users were described and compared with standard blood‐based HTS in the community. HIVST results were monitored with follow‐up phone calls and the hotline.ResultsDuring the 9‐month period, 1895 people accessed HIVST and 2415 HIVST kits were distributed. More people accessed HIVST kits in the community (n = 1365, 72.0%) than at health facilities (n = 530, 28.0%). The proportion of males and median age among those accessing HIVST and standard HTS in the community were similar (49.3%, 29 years HIVST vs. 48.7%, 27 years standard HTS). In total, 34 (3.9%) reactive results were reported from 938 people with known HIVST results; 32.4% were males, and median age was 30 years (interquartile range 25–36). Twenty‐one (62%) patients were known to have received confirmatory blood‐based HTS; of these, 20 (95%) had concordant reactive results and 19 (95%) were linked to HIV care at a clinic.ConclusionIntegration of HIVST into existing HIV facility‐ and community‐based testing strategies in Eswatini was found to be feasible, and HIVST has been adopted by national testing bodies in Eswatini.
Experimental and Numerical Study of Supersonic Non-ideal Flows for Organic Rankine Cycle Applications
Authors: Robertson Miles , Newton Peter , Chen Tao , Costall Aaron , Martinez-Botas Ricardo 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
The organic Rankine cycle (ORC) is low-grade heat recovery technology, for sources as diverse as geothermal, industrial, and vehicle waste heat. The working fluids used within these systems often display significant real-gas effects, especially in proximity of the thermodynamic critical point. Three-dimensional (3D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is commonly used for performance prediction and flow field analysis within expanders, but experimental validation with real gases is scarce within the literature. This paper therefore presents a dense-gas blowdown facility constructed at Imperial College London, for experimentally validating numerical simulations of these fluids. The system-level design process for the blowdown rig is described, including the sizing and specification of major components. Tests with refrigerant R1233zd(E) are run for multiple inlet pressures, against a nitrogen baseline case. CFD simulations are performed, with the refrigerant modeled by ideal gas, Peng–Robinson, and Helmholtz energy equations of state. It is shown that increases in fluid model fidelity lead to reduced deviation between simulation and experiment. Maximum and mean discrepancies of 9.59% and 8.12% in nozzle pressure ratio with the Helmholtz energy EoS are reported. This work demonstrates an over-prediction of pressure ratio and power output within commercial CFD packages, for turbomachines operating in non-ideal fluid environments. This suggests a need for further development and experimental validation of CFD simulations for highly non-ideal flows. The data contained within this paper are therefore of vital importance for the future validation and development of CFD methods for dense-gas turbomachinery.
Surface Current Improvement of Magnesium-Doped Hexagonal Boron Nitride Monolayer by Additional Nitrogen Gas Flow
Authors: Wang Yuejin , Liu Guozhen , Lu Shiqiang , Guo Bin , Zhang Hongye , Xu Fuchun , Chen Xiaohong , Cai Duanjun , Kang Junyong 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) is the most well-known wide band gap two-dimensional (2D) material (&gt; 6 eV). To achieve its applications in optoelectronic devices, the conductance of h-BN must be implemented to the extent that it can be fabricated into a p–n junction. Here, we demonstrate a method to improve the surface current of p-type h-BN monolayer by introducing additional nitrogen gas flow during growth. First-principles calculations were conducted to show that nitrogen atmosphere can promote the formation of boron vacancy, making a low barrier site for Mg doping incorporation. Magnesium-doped h-BN monolayer was achieved using a low pressure chemical vapor deposition method under N2 flux. The surface current has been enhanced by three times up to 16 μA under 4 V external voltage. This approach provides potential applications of controllable conductive h-BN film for two-dimensional optoelectronic devices.
Fatigue Crack Growth for Ferritic Steel Under Negative Stress Ratio
Authors: Yamaguchi Yoshihito , Hasegawa Kunio , Li Yinsheng 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
The phenomenon of crack closure is important in the prediction of fatigue crack growth behavior. Many experimental data indicate crack closures during fatigue crack growths both under tensile–tensile loads and tensile–compressive loads at constant amplitude loading cycles, depending on the magnitude of applied load amplitudes and stress ratios. Appendix A-4300 of the ASME Code Section XI provides two equations of fatigue crack growth rates for ferritic steels expressed by stress intensity factor ranges at negative stress ratios. The boundary of the two equations is classified with the magnitude of applied stress intensity factor ranges, in consideration of the crack closures. However, the boundary value provided by the ASME Code Section XI is not technically well known. The objective of this paper is to investigate the influence of the magnitudes of the applied stress intensity factor ranges on the crack closures. Fatigue crack growth tests using ferritic steel specimens were performed in air environment at room and high temperatures. From the crack closures obtained by the tests, it was found a new boundary which is smaller than the definition given by the Appendix A-4300.
A Numerical Study of the Effects of the Velocity Ratio on Coflow Jet Characteristics
Authors: Zhang Xinchen , Chin Rey C. 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
In this study, large eddy simulations (LES) of turbulent coflow jets are performed and designed to investigate the effects of the jet-to-coflow velocity ratio, Vr, on jet characteristics. A fully developed turbulent pipe flow at Re=10,000, based on the bulk velocity and pipe diameter, is employed as the jet outlet in this work. A comparison between laminar and turbulent jets is performed against the experimental results of a jet produced by a fully developed turbulent pipe flow. For the coflow jet, simulations with different jet-to-coflow velocity ratios (Vr = 3, 6, 12, and ∞) are performed to investigate the turbulence intensities and the decay of the centerline velocity of the jet. The results give two constant decay rates: Ku≈0.144 for single-phase jets and Ku≈0.133 for particle-laden jets. With a decrease in Vr (i.e., a higher coflow velocity), the results show a higher peak value and a larger droop rate for turbulence intensities. This study is then extended to investigate particle distribution under a two-way coupling regime, using a Lagrangian framework. The particle velocity and distribution along the jet centerline, and the particle clustering and radial probability distribution in the jet downstream domain are analyzed with the same coflow jet parameters. The particles tend to move faster and distribute preferentially in the center region with a decrease in Vr, which agrees with the increasing turbulence intensities along the jet centerline in the present work.
Temporal variations in rockfall and rock-wall retreat rates in a deglaciated valley over the past 11 k.y.
Authors: Mohadjer Solmaz , Ehlers Todd A. , Nettesheim Matthias , Ott Marco B. , Glotzbach Christoph , Drews Reinhard 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
This study addresses the temporal variations in rockfall activity in the 5.2 km2 calcareous cliffs of the deglaciated Lauterbrunnen Valley, Switzerland. We did this using 19 campaigns of repeated terrestrial laser scans (TLS) over 5.2 yr, power-law predicted behavior from extrapolation of the TLS-derived frequency-magnitude relationship, and estimates of long-time-scale (∼11 k.y.) activity based on the volume of preserved postglacial rockfall talus. Results from the short-time-scale observations indicate no statistically significant difference between TLS observations averaging over 1.5 versus 5.2 yr. Rock-wall retreat rates in both cases are 0.03–0.08 mm/yr. In contrast, the power-law predicted rock-wall retreat rates are 0.14–0.22 mm/yr, and long-term rates from talus volumes are 0.27–0.38 mm/yr. These results suggest (1) short (1.5 yr) TLS inventories of rockfalls provide (within uncertainties) similar frequency-magnitude relationships as longer (5.2 yr) inventories, thereby suggesting short observation periods may be sufficient for hazard characterization from TLS, and (2) higher rock-wall retreat rates over long time scales (Holocene averaged) may reflect debuttressing and stress relaxation effects after glacial retreat, and/or enhanced rockfall activity under periglacial (climatic) conditions.
Climatically driven displacement on the Eglington fault, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Authors: Springer Kathleen B. , Pigati Jeffrey S. 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
The Eglington fault is one of several intrabasinal faults in the Las Vegas Valley, Nevada, USA, and is the only one recognized as a source for significant earthquakes. Its broad warp displaces Late Pleistocene spring deposits of the Las Vegas Formation, which record hydrologic fluctuations that occurred in response to millennial- and submillennial-scale climate oscillations throughout the late Quaternary. The sediments allow us to constrain the timing of displacement on the Eglington fault and identify hydrologic changes that are temporally coincident with that event. The fault deforms deposits that represent widespread marshes that filled the valley between ca. 31.7 and 27.6 ka. These marshes desiccated abruptly in response to warming and groundwater lowering during Dansgaard-Oeschger (D-O) events 4 and 3, resulting in the formation of a pervasive, hard carbonate cap by 27.0 ka. Vertical offset by as much as 4.2 m occurred after the cap hardened, and most likely after younger marshes desiccated irreversibly due to a sudden depression of the water table during D-O event 2, beginning at 23.3 ka. The timing of displacement is further constrained to before 19.5 ka as evidenced by undeformed spring deposits that are inset into the incised topography of the warp. Coulomb stress calculations validate the hypothesis that the substantial groundwater decline during D-O event 2 unclamped the fault through unloading of vertical stress of the water column. The synchroneity of this abrupt hydrologic change and displacement of the Eglington fault suggests that climatically modulated tectonics operated in the Las Vegas Valley during the late Quaternary.
Radiocarbon dating supports bivalve-fish age coupling along a bathymetric gradient in high-resolution paleoenvironmental studies
Authors: Albano Paolo G. , Hua Quan , Kaufman Darrell S. , Tomašových Adam , Zuschin Martin , Agiadi Konstantina 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Studies of paleocommunities and trophic webs assume that multispecies assemblages consist of species that coexisted in the same habitat over the duration of time averaging. However, even species with similar durability can differ in age within a single fossil assemblage. Here, we tested whether skeletal remains of different phyla and trophic guilds, the most abundant infaunal bivalve shells and nektobenthic fish otoliths, differed in radiocarbon age in surficial sediments along a depth gradient from 10 to 40 m on the warm-temperate Israeli shelf, and we modeled their dynamics of taphonomic loss. We found that, in spite of the higher potential of fishes for out-of-habitat transport after death, differences in age structure within depths were smaller by almost an order of magnitude than differences between depths. Shell and otolith assemblages underwent depth-specific burial pathways independent of taxon identity, generating death assemblages with comparable time averaging, and supporting the assumption of temporal and spatial co-occurrence of mollusks and fishes.
Clinical and laboratory characteristics of ocular syphilis and neurosyphilis among individuals with and without HIV infection
Authors: Mathew Dony , Smit Derrick 
Published: March 2020

Background/aimsIn the era of increasing incidence of syphilis globally, ocular syphilis is re-emerging as an important cause of uveitis. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical and laboratory characteristics of ocular- and neurosyphilis among individuals with and without HIV infection.MethodsRetrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with ocular syphilis presenting to Tygerberg Hospital, South Africa, over a 5-year period ending December 2018.ResultsTwo-hundred and fifteen eyes of 146 patients were included. HIV coinfection was present in 52.1% of the patients, with 23.7% of these patients being newly diagnosed on presentation. The median age was 36.5±9.8 years. Bilateral involvement occurred in 47.3%, with 68.1% of these patients being HIV positive. The most frequent form of intraocular inflammation was posterior uveitis (40.9%), followed by panuveitis (38.1%), both of which were more predominant in HIV-positive eyes. Seventy-four per cent of all eyes had a visual acuity ≤20/50 and 40% <20/200 at presentation. A lumbar puncture was performed in 113 patients (77.4%). Sixteen patients had confirmed neurosyphilis and 27 probable neurosyphilis according to the UpToDate algorithms.ConclusionThis study included the largest number of ocular syphilis cases with the largest proportion of HIV infection to date. Forty-three of 146 patients (37.0%) had neurosyphilis. HIV status must be determined in all patients with ocular syphilis since almost ¼ of patients were newly diagnosed with HIV infection by doing so.
Global, regional, and national burden of neck pain in the general population, 1990-2017: systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017
Authors: Safiri Saeid , Kolahi Ali-Asghar , Hoy Damian , Buchbinder Rachelle , Mansournia Mohammad Ali , Bettampadi Deepti , Ashrafi-Asgarabad Ahad , Almasi-Hashiani Amir , Smith Emma , Sepidarkish Mahdi , Cross Marita , Qorbani Mostafa , Moradi-Lakeh Maziar , Woolf Anthony D , March Lyn , Collins Gary , Ferreira Manuela L 
Published: March 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo use data from the Global Burden of Disease Study between 1990 and 2017 to report the rates and trends of point prevalence, annual incidence, and years lived with disability for neck pain in the general population of 195 countries.DesignSystematic analysis.Data sourceGlobal Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2017.Main outcome measuresNumbers and age standardised rates per 100 000 population of neck pain point prevalence, annual incidence, and years lived with disability were compared across regions and countries by age, sex, and sociodemographic index. Estimates were reported with uncertainty intervals.ResultsGlobally in 2017 the age standardised rates for point prevalence of neck pain per 100 000 population was 3551.1 (95% uncertainty interval 3139.5 to 3977.9), for incidence of neck pain per 100 000 population was 806.6 (713.7 to 912.5), and for years lived with disability from neck pain per 100 000 population was 352.0 (245.6 to 493.3). These estimates did not change significantly between 1990 and 2017. The global point prevalence of neck pain in 2017 was higher in females compared with males, although this was not significant at the 0.05 level. Prevalence increased with age up to 70-74 years and then decreased. Norway (6151.2 (95% uncertainty interval 5382.3 to 6959.8)), Finland (5750.3 (5058.4 to 6518.3)), and Denmark (5316 (4674 to 6030.1)) had the three highest age standardised point prevalence estimates in 2017. The largest increases in age standardised point prevalence estimates from 1990 to 2017 were in the United Kingdom (14.6% (10.6% to 18.8%)), Sweden (10.4% (6.0% to 15.4%)), and Kuwait (2.6% (2.0% to 3.2%)). In general, positive associations, but with fluctuations, were found between age standardised years lived with disability for neck pain and sociodemographic index at the global level and for all Global Burden of Disease regions, suggesting the burden is higher at higher sociodemographic indices.ConclusionsNeck pain is a serious public health problem in the general population, with the highest burden in Norway, Finland, and Denmark. Increasing population awareness about risk factors and preventive strategies for neck pain is warranted to reduce the future burden of this condition.
Percutaneous cervical cordotomy for cancer-related pain: national data
Authors: Poolman Marlise , Makin Matthew , Briggs Jess , Scofield Kate , Campkin Nick , Williams Michael , Sharma Manohar Lal , Laird Barry , Mayland Catriona R 
Published: March 2020

ObjectivesPercutaneous cervical cordotomy (PCC) is an interventional ablative procedure in the armamentarium for cancer pain treatment, but there is limited evidence to support its use. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of PCC.MethodsAnalysis was undertaken of the first national (UK) prospective data repository of adult patients with cancer undergoing PCC for pain treatment. The relationship between pain and other outcomes before and after PCC was examined using appropriate statistical methods.ResultsData on 159 patients’ PCCs (performed from 1 January 2012 to 6 June 2017 in three centres) were assessed: median (IQR) age was 66 (58–71) years, 47 (30%) were female. Mesothelioma was the most common primary malignancy (57%). The median (IQR) time from cancer diagnosis to PCC assessment was 13.3 (6.2–23.2) months; PCC to follow-up was 9 (8–25) days; and survival after PCC was 1.3 (0.6–2.8) months. The mean (SD) for ‘average pain’ using a numerical rating scale was 6 (2) before PCC and 2 (2) at follow-up, and for ‘worst pain’ 9 (1) and 3 (3), respectively. The median (IQR) reduction in strong opioid dose at follow-up was 50% (34–50). With the exception of ‘activity’, all health-related quality of life scores (5-level version of EuroQol-5 Dimension) either improved or were stable after PCC. Six patients (4%) had PCC-related adverse events.ConclusionsPCC is an effective treatment for cancer pain; however, findings in this study suggest PCC referrals tended to be late in patients’ disease trajectories. Further study into earlier treatment and seeking international consensus on PCC outcomes will further enhance opportunities to improve patient care.
Longitudinal NK cell kinetics and cytotoxicity in children with neuroblastoma enrolled in a clinical phase II trial
Authors: Nguyen Rosa , Sahr Natasha , Sykes April , McCarville Mary Beth , Federico Sara M , Sooter Amanda , Cullins David , Rooney Barbara , Janssen William E , Talleur Aimee C , Triplett Brandon M , Anthony Gwendolyn , Dyer Michael A , Pappo Alberto S , Leung Wing H , Furman Wayne L 
Published: March 2020

BackgroundNatural killer (NK) cells are one of the main effector populations of immunotherapy with monoclonal antibody and cytokines, used in combination with chemotherapy to treat children with high-risk neuroblastoma on this phase II trial. However, the impact of chemoimmunotherapy on NK cell kinetics, phenotype, and function is understudied.MethodsWe prospectively examined NK cell properties from 63 children with newly diagnosed neuroblastoma enrolled in a phase II trial (NCT01857934) and correlated our findings with tumor volume reduction after 2 courses of chemoimmunotherapy. NK cell studies were conducted longitudinally during chemoimmunotherapy and autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (autoHCT) with optional haploidentical NK cell infusion and additional immunotherapy.ResultsChemoimmunotherapy led to significant NK cytopenia, but complete NK cell recovery reliably occurred by day 21 of each therapy course as well as after autoHCT. Haploidentical NK cell infusion elevated the NK cell count transiently during autoHCT. NK cell cytotoxicity increased significantly during treatment compared with diagnosis. In addition, NK cells maintained their ability to respond to cytokine stimulation in culture longitudinally. Unsupervised cluster analysis of CD56brightNK cell count and tumor volume at diagnosis and after two courses of chemoimmunotherapy identified two patient groups with distinct primary tumor sizes and therapy responses.ConclusionAfter profound NK cytopenia due to chemoimmunotherapy, endogenously reconstituted NK cells exhibit enhanced NK cytotoxicity compared with pretherapy measurements. Our data suggest a relationship between CD56brightexpression and tumor size before and after two courses of chemoimmunotherapy; however, future studies are necessary to confirm this relationship and its predictive significance.Trial registration numberNCT01857934.
Developing physician leaders: does it work?
Authors: Stoller James K 
Published: March 2020

BackgroundLeader development programmes are signature features of frontrunner multinational companies. Healthcare institutions have generally lagged behind, though attention to implementing leader development programmes in healthcare institutions is increasing. The rationale for leader development in healthcare is that leadership competencies matter and that traditional selection and training of physicians may conspire against both optimal leadership competencies and followership.MethodsThe growth of leader development in healthcare institutions begs the question: Does leader development work?ResultsIn this context, three meta-analyses have examined the impact of leader development programmes in healthcare institutions. In general, findings from these studies indicate that while studies do assess the subjective learning of participants, few studies have evaluated the organisational impact of such leader development programmes.ConclusionsThese findings suggest the need for more rigorous, objective assessment of the organisational impact of leader development programmes in healthcare institutions. Such evidence is critically needed in the current resource-constrained environment of healthcare.