bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of a New Model of Postoperative Care: A Preliminary Cost-effectiveness Analysis Using Markov Modelling
Authors: Ludbrook Guy 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Re-design of systems or models of care to manage perioperative care has the potential to generate higher value care (improved outcomes; ideally lower cost). However, this needs high quality measurement of cost-effectiveness to allow stakeholders to select those which provide most value, and to plan future interventions. Data on cost-effective analysis in this area are sparse, and trials often apply relatively simple analytic techniques.Methods: This analysis utilised recently published data from a small feasibility trial of a new model of medium-acuity postoperative care for moderate-risk patients undergoing surgery (Advanced Recovery Room Care; ARRC). The trial 1 data were used to develop a Markov cost-effectiveness model of patient transition (model transition probabilities) between locations of care (model states), each with different effects and cost. Cost was taken from the perspective of hospitals. The effect chosen was patient postoperative days at home after surgery (DAH), an effect reflecting quality of in-hospital care, acknowledged financially by healthcare fundholders, and relevant to consumers. A model cycle time of 4 hours run out to 30 days after surgery reflected clinically relevant timelines and costs.Results: This model showed the potential differences before and after introduction of ARRC in ICU use, re-admissions, and DAH, in particular, which reflected the findings from the ARRC trial. Incremental cost effectiveness ratio (ICER) of introduction of ARRC was minus $601 for every increased day at home. Sensitivity analysis revealed 805 of 1000 simulations found a negative ICER.Conclusions: These data suggest that the ARRC model may have positive cost-effectiveness, something to be examined in a future prospective clinical trial. Such cost-effectiveness modelling may have utility in examination of other innovations in perioperative care.Trial registration: The ARRC trial on which this analysis is based was prospectively registered: ANZCTRN 12617001173381
Effects of Histobulin on Depression and Anxiety in Chronic Urticaria: Psychiatric Manifestations or Psychiatric Comorbidities of Chronic Urticaria?: A Case Report
Authors: Noh G , Cho Sungjin 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Psychiatric comorbidities of chronic urticaria (CU) have been reported and examined recently. The prevalence of mental disorders and emotional distress is high in patients with chronic urticaria. Histobulin is well known to be effective in chronic urticaria. Case Presentation: Three cases of CU accompanying psychiatric manifestations (PMs) were treated with Histobulin. One patient with CU with severe depression showed clinical changes in depressive symptoms in parallel to changes in allergic symptoms. Histobulin improved not only chronic urticaria but also the accompanying PMs in two other patients with CU. The PMs were not improved by an antihistamine (H1 blocker) in all 3 cases. Histobulin is effective not only for allergic manifestations (AMs) but also for PMs of chronic urticaria. Conclusions: PMs seem to be clinical manifestations of chronic urticaria through histamine-mediated mechanisms. PMs as well as AMs of chronic urticaria were effectively and causatively treated with Histobulin. These conditions were suggested to be ‘allergic psychiatric manifestations (APM)’ or ‘histamine-mediated psychiatric manifestations (HmPM). Further study of PMs based on histamine-mediated mechanisms, including allergies, is necessary. Accordingly, it should be clarified whether the PMs of CU are actual PMs of CU or are psychiatric comorbidities of CU.
Characteristics of Peripheral Blood Cells in COVID-19 Patients Revealed by a Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Tong Xunliang , Cheng Anqi , Yuan Xueting , Zhong Xuefeng , Wang He , Zhou Wei , Xu Xiaomao , Li Yanming 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background Peripheral hematological changes in severe COVID-19 patients may reflect the immune reaction during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Characteristics of peripheral blood cells as early signals were needed to be investigated for clarifying its associations with the fatal outcomes in COVID-19 patients. Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed and the hospitalized COVID-19 patients were recruited in wards of Tongji Hospital (Wuhan, China). Characteristics of peripheral blood cells in survivors and non-survivors were analyzed. Also the comparison among patients with different level of eosinophils was performed. Results198 patients were included in this study, of whom 185 were discharged and 13 died in hospital. Compared to the survivors, counts of lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils were significantly decreased in non-survivors. According to the level of eosinophils, patients were divided into low EOS group (< 0.02×109/L) and normal EOS group (≥ 0.02×109/L). Patients in the low EOS group showed a significantly higher fever compared to normal EOS group. The proportion of patients in low EOS group who used glucocorticoids increased significantly than the other group. Death rate in the low EOS group was higher and no patient death in normal EOS group. Moreover, positive correlation was found between the counts of lymphocytes and eosinophils in patients with glucocorticoids use but not in patients without the treatment. Conclusions Hematological changes differed between survivors and non-survivors with COVID-19. Lymphopenia and eosinopenia could serve to predict the poor prognosis of COVID-19 patients. Initial counts of eosinophils may guide us in usage of glucocorticoids for COVID-19 treatment.
Psychological Distress in Iranian Military Personnel: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Alizadeh1 Azizeh , Dowran Behnaz , azizi maryam , Salimi Seyed -Hossein 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Military personnel are likely to encounter mental health problems due to High-risk occupations associated with significant levels of psychological distress. The aim of the present study was to explore psychological distress experienced by Iranian military personnel. Methods: The present qualitative study was conducted on 15 Iranian military personnel. Purposeful sampling was used to select the participants and continued until data saturation was reached. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and then the qualitative data were analyzed through direct content analysis. Results: By analyzing show 395 primary codes, 2 main categories, including demands and resources were extracted from the experiences of military members. The categories included several sub-categories, which were classified according to their significant characteristics. Findings of this study ascertain that different factors affect the military member’s psychological distress.Conclusions: Military organization and leaders should consider the factors of psychological distress that raised by specialists, and assign policies to improve their mental health. According to the present results, it is recommended that the process of psychological distress in military members be investigated further.
Factors Associated With Depressive Symptoms and Perceived Stigma in Patients With Tuberculosis
Authors: Kelesoglu Fadime , Guveli Hulya 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the levels of perceived stigma and social support and presence of depressive and anxiety symptoms in patients with tuberculosis and to investigate the association of perceived stigma and depression with demographic and disease related factors.Methods: This study included patients older than 18 years of age with tuberculosis. The hospital anxiety depression scale (HADS), stigma of tuberculosis scale (STS), and multidimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS) were applied to the participants. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to define correlates of depression and perceived stigma.Results: A total of 204 patients were included. The risk of anxiety and depression were 25% and 36.8%, respectively. Multivariate binary logistic regression analyses suggested that higher HADS-anxiety scores and lower MSPSS scores were associated with a depressive HADS score and that a lower BMI, higher HADS-anxiety score, and higher HADS-depression score were associated with high levels of perceived stigma.Conclusions: The rates of depression, stigmatization, and anxiety were high in these patients. Anxiety symptoms were positively and social support was inversely associated with depressive symptoms. A lower BMI and higher depression and anxiety scores were independently associated with high levels of perceived stigma.
Resumption of School After Lockdown in Covid-19 Epidemic: Occult Fracture on the Same Site of the Same Grade Adolescents
Authors: Wen Jie , Wang Jianzhou , Xiang Feng , Arthur Djandan Tadum , Tang Zhongwen , Liu Hong , Xiao Sheng 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background：As the capital city of Hunan Province next to Hubei Province very closely, Changsha started Level 1 response of major public health emergency on January 23. After 75 days of lockdown due to Covid-19 epidemic, students in the 9th grade of junior high school started hard training for physical entrance examination. Case Presentation：We report three cases of occult fracture on the same site in adolescents of the same grade since resumption of school after lockdown in covid-19 epidemic. Three students in the 9th grade of junior high school who were facing the physical examination in two weeks are diagnosed the occult fracture of the distal femur. Conclusion：It is recommended that the students, parents, education providers and policy makers should all pay attention to the physical exercise of students that should be from a small amount to a medium amount and then to examination training. The sudden increase in the amount of exercise may cause hidden fracture of young people.
Determinants of productivity and efficiency of teff production in southwest Ethiopia: Parametric approach
Authors: Anaye Assefa Ayele , Awel Meded , Oljirra Alemayehu , Bayessa Mulubrhan , Aliyi Ibrahim , Faris Abduselam 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Agriculture in Ethiopia is characterized by low productivity for most crops including teff which is gaining prominence as both a food and income crop. The low productivity is mostly attributed to inefficiencies. To solve this, improving efficiency of the farmer has received the greatest attention as it is more cost effective than introducing new technologies. This study was undertaken in southwest Ethiopia to assess productivity and technical, allocative and economic efficiencies of teff farmers and identifies factors that determine productivity and inefficiencies. Cross sectional data from a random sample of 323 teff producing farmers collected during 2018/19 production season were used for the analysis. A Cobb-Douglas production function was employed to assess teff productivity and factors conditioning productivity. In addition, stochastic production frontier model was used to estimate technical, allocative and economic efficiency level where as OLS regression was used to identify factors affecting inefficiencies level. The result depicted that productivity of teff was significantly influenced by the use of seed, fertilizer, and labor. The estimated mean values of technical, allocative and economic efficiencies were 69, 60 and 56% respectively, which indicate the presence of inefficiency in teff production in the study area. The OLS model results revealed that education levels, age, soil fertility and frequency of extension contact had a significant negative effect on technical inefficiency. Similarly, education levels, participation in off/non-farm activities, soil fertility and frequency of extension were found to have negative effect on allocative inefficiency while education levels, participation in off/non-farm activities and soil fertility had negative influence on economic inefficiency. Hence, policies and strategies of the government should be directed towards the above mentioned determinants.
Cr2O3 in corundum: Ultrahigh contents under reducing conditions
Authors: Griffin William L. , Gain Sarah E.M. , Saunders Martin , Cámara Fernando , Bindi Luca , Spartà Deborah , Toledo Vered , O’Reilly Suzanne Y. 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Xenocrysts and xenoliths in Upper Cretaceous pyroclastics on Mount Carmel (northern Israel) represent a series of similar magma-fluid systems at different stages of their evolution, recording a continuous decrease in oxygen fugacity (fO2) as crystallization proceeded.
Corundum coexisting with Fe-Mg-Cr-Al spinels, other Fe-Mg-Al-Na oxides, and Fe-Ni alloys in apparent cumulates crystallized at fO2 values near the iron-wüstite (IW) buffer (fO2 = IW±1) and is zoned from high-Cr cores to lower-Cr rims, consistent with fractional crystallization trends. The reconstructed parental melts of the cumulates are Al-Cr-Fe-Mg oxides with ca. 2 wt% SiO2. Corundum in other possible cumulates that contain Cr-Fe (Fe 45 wt%) alloys has low-Cr cores and still lower-Cr rims. Corundum coexisting with Cr0 (fO2 = IW-5) in some possible cumulates has low-Cr cores, but high-Cr rims (to &gt;30% Cr2O3). These changes in zoning patterns reflect the strong decrease in the melting point of Cr2O3, relative to Al2O3, with decreasing fO2. The electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) analyses show that all Cr in corundum that coexists with Cr0 is present as Cr3+. This suggests that late in the evolution of these reduced melts, Cr2+ has disproportionated via the reaction 3Cr2+(melt) → 2Cr3+(Crn) + Cr0.
The most Cr-rich corundum crystallized together with β-alumina phases including NaAl11O17 (diaoyudaoite) and KAl11O17 (kahlenbergite) and β″-alumina phases; residual melts crystallized a range of (K,Mg)2(Al,Cr)10O17 phases with the kahlenbergite structure. The parental melts of these assemblages appear to have been Al-Cr-K-Na-Mg oxides, which may be related to the Al-Cr-Fe-Mg oxide melts mentioned above, through fractional crystallization or liquid immiscibility.
These samples are less reduced (fO2 from IW to IW-5) than the assemblages of the trapped silicate melts in the more abundant xenoliths of corundum aggregates (fO2 = IW-6 to IW-10). They could be considered to represent an earlier stage in the fO2 evolution of an “ideal” Mt. Carmel magmatic system, in which mafic or syenitic magmas were fluxed by mantle-derived CH4+H2 fluids. This is a newly recognized step in the evolution of the Mt. Carmel assemblages and helps to understand element partitioning under highly reducing conditions.
Antimicrobial resistance screening and profiles: a glimpse from the South African perspective
Authors: Genthe B. , Ndlela L. , Madlala T. 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
According to the Centre for Disease Dynamics Economics and Policy, South Africa represents a paradox of antibiotic management similar to other developing countries, with both overuse and underuse (resulting from lack of access) of antibiotics. In addition, wastewater reuse may contribute towards antibiotic resistance through selective pressure that increases resistance in native bacteria and on clinically relevant bacteria, increasing resistance profiles of the common pathogens. Sediments of surface water bodies and wastewater sludge provide a place where antibiotic resistance genes are transferred to other bacteria. Crop irrigation is thought to be a potential source of exposure to antibiotic-resistant bacteria through the transfer from the water or sludge into crops. The objectives of this study were to examine the antibiotic-resistance profiles of Escherishia coli from three agricultural locations in the Western Cape, South Africa. Using a classical microbiology culture approach, the resistance profiles of E. coli species isolated from river water and sediments, farm dams and their sediments and a passive algal wastewater treatment ponds and sediment used for crop irrigation were assessed for resistance to 13 commonly used antibiotics. Randomly selected E. coli isolates from the sediment and water were tested for resistance. 100% of E. coli isolates were resistant to sulphamethoxazole, highlighting its relevance in the South African context. In river water and farm dam samples, only the E. coli isolated from sediment were found to be resistant to fluoroquinolone or fluorifenicol. In the wastewater treatment ponds, the resistance profiles of E. coli isolated from sediments differed from those isolated from effluent, with 90% of the effluent isolates being resistant to ampicillin. Isolates from the sediment were less resistant (40%) to ampicillin, whereas all the isolates from the pond water and sediment samples were resistant to sulphamethoxazole. These results illustrate the importance of developing a better understanding of antibiotic resistance in agriculture and wastewater scenarios to ensure remedial measures take place where the greatest benefit can be realised especially in countries with limited financial and infrastructural resources. Moreover, the potential for passive algal treatment as an effective, feasible alternative for wastewater treatment is highlighted, with comparable resistance profiles and a reducing overall resistance in the sediment samples.
A combined probabilistic framework to support investment appraisal under uncertainty in desalination projects: an application to Kuwait's water/energy nexus
Authors: Skourtos M. , Damigos D. , Kontogianni A. , Tourkolias C. , Marafie A. , Zainal M. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractQuantifying uncertainty over technologies, costs, and prices that stem from site-specific conditions, technological particularities and future projections is an important element in the investment appraisal of desalination facilities. Yet, the majority of economic assessments in the field of desalination plants, so far, use deterministic estimation methods based on ‘best guess’ estimates and ceteris paribus sensitivity analyses. Aiming to fill this gap, this paper introduces a new approach towards comparing alternative technological options for desalination facilities under uncertainty based on the Levelized Cost of Water (LCOW). The proposed framework combines Monte Carlo simulations with scenario analysis and random-walk-based models to account for the cone of uncertainty of the LCOW. For purely illustrative purposes, five alternative combinations of desalination technologies and energy sources are examined in the State of Kuwait. The findings show that the proposed framework, although it cannot eliminate uncertainty, can assist decision-makers in managing it by framing the range of possible outcomes of the LCOW. In this way, it offers an insight into the accuracy of the estimates and allows the validation of the impact of risks and uncertainties against the acceptable tolerance level. Yet, several issues need to be addressed in future research.
Research and Patents on Coronavirus and COVID-19: A Review
Authors: Aranda Pilar , Wicklein Bernd , Ruiz-Garcia Cristina , Martín-Sampedro Raquel , Darder Margarita , del Real Gustavo , Ruiz-Hitzky Eduardo 
Published: October 2020

Background:
COVID-19 pandemic is a global problem that requires the point of view of basic
sciences and medicine as well as social, economics and politics disciplines. Viral particles of
coronaviruses including SARS-CoV-2 as well as other enveloped viruses like influenza virus could be
considered as an approximation to functional core-shell nanoparticles and therefore, their study enters
the realm of nanotechnology. In this context, nanotechnology can contribute to alleviate some of the current
challenges posed by COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods:
The present analysis contributed to diverse sources of general information, databases on scientific
literature and patents to produce a review affording information on relevant areas where as
nanotechnology has offered response to coronavirus challenges in the past and may be relevant now, and
has offered an update of the current information on SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 issues.

Results:
This review contribution includes specific information including: 1) An introduction to current research
on nanotechnology and related recent patents for COVID-19 responses; 2) Analysis of nonimmunogenic
and immunogenic prophylaxis of COVID-19 using Nanotechnology; 3) Tools devoted to detection
& diagnosis of coronaviruses and COVID-19: the role of Nanotechnology; and 4) A compilation on
the research and patents on nanotechnology dealing with therapeutics & treatments of COVID-19.

Conclusion:
Among the increasing literature on COVID-19, there are few works analyzing the relevance
of Nanotechnology, and giving an analysis on patents dealing with coronaviruses that may provide
useful information on the area. This review offers a general view of the current research investigation
and recent patents dealing with aspects of immunogenic and non-immunogenic prophylaxis, detection
and diagnosis as well as therapeutics and treatments.
Comparison of Interface Pressure, Contact Surface Area, and Percent Area of Coverage Between Two Suture Configurations for Hill-Sachs Remplissage
Authors: Pozo René , Reinares Felipe , Espinosa Maximiliano , Guarachi Juan Pablo , Sacre Michelle , Toro Felipe 
Published: October 2020

Purpose:
To compare maximum contact pressure, contact surface area, and the percent area of coverage of the bone-tendon interface in the remplissage procedure between two different suture configurations (independent mattress versus double-pulley).

Methods:
A sample size of seven specimens per group was defined by a 96% power analysis.
Hill-Sachs lesions were created in all fourteen ex vivo ovine shoulders, corresponding to a 30% defect of the axial diameter of the humeral head (significant lesion according to literature). The defects were repaired using the remplissage technique applying one of the two randomly chosen suture configurations: two independent mattress sutures or a double-pulley. The contact pressure and contact surface area, as well as percent defect coverage, were recorded using a film sensitive to these parameters. Independent nonparametric tests (Mann-Whitney) were used for the statistical analysis.

Results:
The double-pulley group exhibited an average pressure of 0.128 ± 0.018 mPa, the contact surface of 0.199 ± 0.044 cm2, and 41.97 ± 9.8% defect coverage. The independent mattress group showed an average pressure of 0.102 ± 0.01 mPa, the contact surface of 0.081 ± 0.041 cm2, and defect coverage of 15.6 ± 8.1%. All three parameters were statistically superior in the double-pulley group (p=0.038, p=0.008, and p=0.008, respectively)

Conclusion:
The remplissage technique using the double-pulley configuration, presented superior biomechanical characteristics, in terms of contact pressure, contact area, and percent coverage of the defect, compared to the simple independent mattress configuration.