bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Magnitude of non-adherence to antiretroviral therapy and associated factors among adult people living with HIV/AIDS in Benishangul-Gumuz Regional State, Ethiopia
Authors: Nigusso Fikadu Tadesse , Mavhandu-Mudzusi Azwihangwisi Helen 
Published: August 2020

Introduction
Following global efforts to increase antiretroviral therapy (ART) access and coverage, Ethiopia has made significant achievement with a 6.3% annual decline in the HIV/AIDS incidence rate between 1990 and 2016. Such success depends not only on access to ART but also on attaining optimum treatment adherence. Emerging studies in Ethiopia has shown the increasing prevalence of poor adherence and lack of the desired viral suppression, but the extent and factors associated with non-adherence to ART are not well known, especially in the current study setup. In this study, we examined the magnitude and factors associated with treatment and non-adherence to ART among people living with HIV in Benishangul-Gumuz Regional State, northwest Ethiopia.

Methods
An institutional facility based cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out among adult people living with HIV/AIDS from mid-December 2016 to February 2017 with only 98.9% response rate. Sociodemographic factors (age, gender, marital status and residential area), economic factors (educational status, income, asset possession, employment status, dietary diversity, nutritional status and food security), and clinical characteristics (CD4 count, duration on ART and history of opportunistic infections) were explanatory variables. ART non-adherence was measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS). We used binary logistic regression and subsequent multivariate logistic regression analysis to determine the factors associated with ART non-adherence.

Result
Overall, 39.7% of the participants were found non-adherent to ART. Strong association was found between non-adherence to ART and young age below 25 years (AOR: 4.30, 95% CI [1.39–3.35]; p = 0.011), urban residential area (AOR: 2.78, CI [1.23–7.09], p = 0.043), lack of employment (AOR: 1.75, 95% CI [1.05–2.91], p = 0.032), food insecurity (AOR: 2.67, 95% CI [7.59–8.97]; p < 0.0001), malnutrition (AOR: 1.55, 95% CI [1.94–2.56]; p = 0.027) and opportunistic infections (AOR: 1.81, 95% CI [1.11–2.97]; p = 0.018).

Conclusion
The prevalence of non-adherence to ART in this study was high. Sociodemographic and economic factors such as young age of below 25 years, urban residential area, lack of employment, food insecurity, malnutrition and opportunistic infections were among the factors associated with non-adherence to ART.
Essential updates 2018/2019: Current topics in the surgical treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Ishido Keinosuke , Hakamada Kenichi , Kimura Norihisa , Miura Takuya , Wakiya Taiichi 
Published: August 2020

AbstractPancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is highly malignant. While cancers in other organs have shown clear improvements in 5‐year survival, the 5‐year survival rate of pancreatic cancer is approximately 10%. Early relapse and metastasis are not uncommon, making it difficult to achieve an acceptable prognosis even after complete surgical resection of the pancreas. Studies have been performed on various treatments to improve the prognosis of PDAC, and multidisciplinary approaches including non‐surgical treatments have led to gradual improvement. In the present literature review, we have described the significance of anatomical and biological resectability criteria, the concept of R0 resection in surgical treatment, the feasibility of minimally invasive surgery, the remarkable development of perioperative chemotherapy, the effectiveness of conversion surgery for unresectable PDAC, and ongoing challenges in PDAC treatment. We also provide an essential update on these subjects by focusing on recent trends and topics.
Quality‐of‐life impact after in‐office treatment of nasal valve obstruction with a radiofrequency device: 2‐year results from a multicenter, prospective clinical trial
Authors: Ephrat Moshe , Jacobowitz Ofer , Driver Mark 
Published: August 2020

BackgroundInsufficiency of the nasal valve is increasingly being recognized as a cause of nasal airway obstruction. The condition is associated with many symptoms, including nasal congestion, sleep disturbance, snoring, and an overall decline in quality of life (QoL). An in‐office, minimally invasive radiofrequency treatment of the nasal valve has been associated with improved symptoms of nasal obstruction and patients’ QoL for a 6‐month period in a noncontrolled, prospective, single‐arm study. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the results achieved with radiofrequency treatment at 6 months would be sustained through 24 months.MethodsThirty‐nine adult patients from an original cohort of 49 patients with severe to extreme Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) Scale scores and dynamic or static internal nasal valve obstruction as the primary or significant contributor to obstruction were studied. Patients received intranasal bilateral radiofrequency treatment in a clinical study with a follow‐up to 6 months, and were prospectively evaluated at 12, 18, and 24 months at 8 community‐based otolaryngology practices. The patient‐reported NOSE Scale score and 21 QoL questions were assessed.ResultsClinically significant improvement from baseline in NOSE Scale score change demonstrated at 6 months (mean, 55.9; standard deviation [SD], 23.6; p < 0.0001) was maintained through 24 months (mean, 53.5; SD, 24.6; p < 0.0001). Responders (≥15‐point improvement) consisted of 92.3% of participants at 6 months and 97.2% at 24 months. Responses to the QoL questions also showed improvement in patients’ QoL.ConclusionTreatment of the nasal valve with an in‐office, transnasal temperature‐controlled radiofrequency procedure was associated with stable and lasting improvement in symptoms of nasal obstruction and QoL through 24 months in this noncontrolled, single‐arm study.
Human development index in a context of human development: Review on the western Balkans countries
Authors: Dasic Boban , Devic Zeljko , Denic Nebojsa , Zlatkovic Dragan , Ilic Ivana D. , Cao Yan , Jermsittiparsert Kittisak , Le Hiep Van 
Published: August 2020

AbstractIntroductionThe Human Development Index (HDI), as one of the more complex composite indicators of the level of human potential and quality of life, is a combination of three dimensions (indicators, factors): life expectancy at birth, the middle number of years of education and the expected number of years of schooling combined into a single education index and economic benefits expressed by production, or GDP (gross domestic product) according to purchasing power (PPP US $).MethodsThe same measures and average achievements in the field of health, education, and living standards are presented. The HDI was first developed in 1990 under the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and is published as Human Development Reports (HDR). At present, it has become the most widely used complex indicator suitable for international comparisons and assessments of the achieved development level of a particular country or region.ResultsThe paper deals specifically with the more perspective view of human development in the Western Balkans, with a series of socio‐economic implications for the development policy of the countries under observation.ConclusionThe particular significance of the conducted research stems from the fact that in the countries of the Western Balkans are identified factors at the beginning of the transition period were often marginalized in the creation of macroeconomic policies, but in recent years there have been more positive developments in that regard.
Physicochemical properties of protein from pearling fractions of wheat kernels
Authors: Dai Meiyao , Zhang Yingquan , Pan Weichun , Zhang Bo , Guo Boli , Wei Yimin 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgrounds and objectivesThe protein from various parts of the wheat kernel has different physicochemical properties, which is one of the reasons for the different processing characteristics of the corresponding flour made from these parts. In this study, wheat kernels were pearled into seven fractions from the outermost to the innermost layers to evaluate the quantitative and conformational properties of protein fractions from different pearling fractions.FindingsThe crude protein and protein fraction content was lower in the corresponding pearling fractions that were closer to the center of the endosperm. The albumin and SDS‐soluble protein contents in the total protein from the pearling fractions exhibited a similar trend, whereas the dry gluten content exhibited an opposite trend. The average molar mass (Mw), polydispersity index (Mw/Mn), and density (ρ) of the SDS‐soluble protein were decreased, but there was no significant difference in the Rgz. And the G′ plateau values of glutenin macropolymer (GMP) were increased.ConclusionsProtein conformation of the inner endosperm was looser than the other pearling fractions. Loose network wrapped more protein that led to the increased proportion of dry gluten. And it may increase aggregate entanglement that attributed to GMP became more elastic.Significance and noveltyThe changes in protein conformation in pearling fractions of wheat kernels further explained changes in physicochemical properties of protein from different pearling fractions.
Design of polymeric materials: Experiences and prescriptions
Authors: Scott Alison J. , Penlidis Alexander 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAs process engineering has matured, research interest has shifted towards polymer product quality. In the past 20 years or so, the shift has progressed even further, as interest in polymer product quality has morphed into polymer product design. Product design is intended to be a targeted pursuit of optimal conditions that will yield polymers with desirable properties for a specific application. This can be achieved by following a systematic design framework that employs sequential, iterative steps informed by prior knowledge and experience. This overview provides some background information regarding the need for design (including some examples from previous experience), especially in terms of structure‐property relationships. When links between kinetics (synthesis conditions), polymer structure, and application properties are well‐understood, it becomes possible to essentially reverse‐engineer the polymeric material; the researcher can start with known application requirements and synthesize polymers with tailor‐made properties using an optimized recipe (according to the polymerization kinetics). A suggested design approach is presented herein, followed by the application of the design approach to two large case studies. The number of applications for polymeric materials is essentially limitless; the current work provides typical examples of a systematic polymeric material design framework (and related case studies).
Clinical Data Combined With Modeling and Simulation Indicate Unchanged Drug‐Drug Interaction Magnitudes in the Elderly
Authors: Stader Felix , Courlet Perrine , Kinvig Hannah , Penny Melissa A. , Decosterd Laurent A. , Battegay Manuel , Siccardi Marco , Marzolini Catia 
Published: August 2020

Age‐related comorbidities and consequently polypharmacy are highly prevalent in the elderly, resulting in an increased risk for drug‐drug interactions (DDIs). The effect of aging on DDI magnitudes is mostly uncertain, leading to missing guidance regarding the clinical DDI management in the elderly. Clinical data obtained in aging people living with HIV ≥ 55 years, who participated in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study, demonstrated unchanged DDI magnitudes with advanced aging for four studied DDI scenarios. These data plus published data for midazolam in the presence of clarithromycin and rifampicin in elderly individuals assessed the predictive potential of the used physiologically‐based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model to simulate DDIs in the elderly. All clinically observed data were generally predicted within the 95% confidence interval of the PBPK simulations. The verified model predicted subsequently the magnitude of 50 DDIs across adulthood (20–99 years) with 42 scenarios being only verified in adults aged 20–50 years in the absence of clinically observed data in the elderly. DDI magnitudes were not impacted by aging regardless of the involved drugs, DDI mechanism, mediators of DDIs, or the sex of the investigated individuals. The prediction of unchanged DDI magnitudes with advanced aging were proofed by 17 published, independent DDIs that were investigated in young and elderly subjects. In conclusion, this study demonstrated by combining clinically observed data with modeling and simulation that aging does not impact DDI magnitudes and thus, clinical management of DDIs cana prioribe similar in aging men and women in the absence of severe comorbidities.
Circulating miRNAs as Biomarkers for CYP2B6 Enzyme Activity
Authors: Ipe Joseph , Li Rudong , Metzger Ingrid F. , Bo Li Lu Jessica , Gufford Brandon T. , Desta Zeruesenay , Liu Yunlong , Skaar Todd C. 
Published: August 2020

The CYP2B6 gene is highly polymorphic and its activity shows wide interindividual variability. However, substantial variability in CYP2B6 activity remains unexplained by the known CYP2B6 genetic variations. Circulating, cell‐free micro RNAs (miRNAs) may serve as biomarkers of hepatic enzyme activity. CYP2B6 activity in 72 healthy volunteers was determined using the disposition of efavirenz as a probe drug. Circulating miRNA expression was quantified from baseline plasma samples. A linear model consisting of the effects of miRNA expression, genotype‐determined metabolizer status, and demographic information was developed to predict CYP2B6 activity. Expression of 2,510 miRNAs were quantified out of which 7 miRNAs, together with the CYP2B6‐genotypic metabolizer status and demographics, was shown to be predictive markers for CYP2B6 activity. The reproducibility of the model was evaluated by cross‐validation. The average Pearson’s correlation (R) between the predicted and observed maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) ratios of efavirenz and its metabolite—8‐OH efavirenz using the linear model with all features (7 miRNA + metabolizer status + age + sex + race) was 0.6702. Similar results were also observed using area under the curve (AUC) ratios (Pearson correlation’s R = 0.6035). Thus, at least 36% (R2) of the variability of in vivo CYP2B6 activity was explained using this model. This is a significant improvement over the models using only the genotype‐based metabolizer status or the demographic information, which explained only 6% or less of the variability of in vivo CYP2B6 activity. Our results, therefore, demonstrate that circulating plasma miRNAs can be valuable biomarkers for in vivo CYP2B6 activity.
Simple and secure device authentication mechanism for smart environments using Internet of things devices
Authors: Hussain Muzzammil , Jain Usha 
Published: August 2020

SummaryEnormous growth in digital electronics technology has paved path for the development of advanced networks, and smart environment is one among them. Smart environment is a network of smart devices connected to provide comfort, security, remote access and many more to end‐users. Devices in smart environments usually collect very sensitive data of the end‐users and disseminate it as required. The privacy of the end‐user has to be ensured in these applications, and security becomes a prime concern. The security system in smart environments has to ensure privacy and need to be more resource‐aware. An efficient authentication mechanism can ensure the privacy of end users and secrecy of the sensitive data; it may avoid unauthorized access of data and resources, ensuring privacy and security. In this paper, we proposed a mechanism for device authentication which enables smart devices to mutually authenticate each other. The proposed mechanism enables smart devices to acquire security credentials from the server and use these credentials to authenticate each other. The mechanism used exclusive OR (XOR), concatenation, one‐way hash, and symmetric key encryption techniques. The security analysis of the mechanism is done and proved that the mechanism is secure. The performance analysis proved that the computational and communications overheads are 8% less than existing mechanisms and storage overhead is also least.
Experimental distributive fluvial systems: Bridging the gap between river and rock record
Authors: Terwisscha van Scheltinga Renske C. , McMahon William J. , van Dijk Wout M. , Eggenhuisen Joris T. , Kleinhans Maarten G. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractA debate has called into question as to which fluvial channel patterns are most widely represented in the stratigraphic record, with some advocating that distributive fluvial systems (DFS) predominate and others that a broad diversity of fluvial styles may become preserved. Critical to both sides is the adequate recognition of original channel planform from geological outcrops separated from their formative processes by millions or even billions of years. In this study the river and rock record are linked through experimentally created DFSs with both aggrading channel beds and floodplains. This approach allows depositing processes and deposited strata to be studied in tandem. Proximal areas comprise coarse, amalgamated channel‐fills with scarce fine‐grained floodplain material. The overall spread of sandbody dimensions become far more varied in medial stretches, with an overall reduction in mean width and depth. In these areas channel‐fills may be sand‐rich or mud‐rich and, following avulsion, all channels are covered by floodplain sediment. Channels, levees and splays form discrete depositional bodies each with varying aspect ratios; a novel breadth of deposits and morphologies in aggrading experiments largely concurrent with proposed trends indicative of DFSs. The proportion of floodplain material increases distally, resulting in decreased interconnectedness of distal channel‐fills. Muddy floodplain sediments significantly change DFSs behaviour and subsequent stratigraphic architecture by enhancing bank stability and reducing avulsion through the filling of floodbasins. The laboratory methods utilised here open up the possibility of controlled experimentation on the effects and mechanisms of DFSs sedimentation, which is important since the modelled stratigraphic trends are rarely so tractable in ancient geological outcrop belts.
Prediction of ethanol self‐administration in pre‐weanling, adolescent, and young adult rats
Authors: Soledad Fernández Macarena , Edward Nizhnikov Michael , García Virgolini Rodrigo , Marcos Pautassi Ricardo 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAlcohol (ethanol) use is almost normative by late adolescence, in most western countries. It is important to identify factors that distinguish those who progress from alcohol initiation to sustained use of the drug, from those that keep a controlled pattern of drinking. The factors precipitating this transition may change across development. This study analyzed associations between behavioral endophenotypes and ethanol intake at three developmental periods. Exp. 1 measured ethanol drinking at postnatal day 18, via an intraoral infusion procedure, in male or female pre‐weanling rats screened for anxiety response in the light‐dark box test and for distance traveled in a novel open field. Exp. 2 measured, in juvenile/adolescent or young adult rats, the association between shelter seeking, exploratory/risk‐taking behaviors, anxiety or hedonic responses, and ethanol intake. Ethanol intake in pre‐weanlings was explained by distance traveled in a novel environment, whereas anxiety responses, measured in the multivariate concentric square field apparatus (MSCF), selectively predicted ethanol intake at adolescence, but not at adulthood. Those juvenile/adolescents with lower mean duration of visit to areas of the MSCF that evoke anxiogenic responses exhibited heightened ethanol intake. These findings suggest that the association between anxiety and ethanol intake may be specifically relevant during adolescence.
Evolution of breeding plumages in birds: A multiple‐step pathway to seasonal dichromatism in New World warblers (Aves: Parulidae)
Authors: Terrill Ryan S. , Seeholzer Glenn F. , Wolfe Jared D. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractMany species of birds show distinctive seasonal breeding and nonbreeding plumages. A number of hypotheses have been proposed for the evolution of this seasonal dichromatism, specifically related to the idea that birds may experience variable levels of sexual selection relative to natural selection throughout the year. However, these hypotheses have not addressed the selective forces that have shaped molt, the underlying mechanism of plumage change. Here, we examined relationships between life‐history variation, the evolution of a seasonal molt, and seasonal plumage dichromatism in the New World warblers (Aves: Parulidae), a family with a remarkable diversity of plumage, molt, and life‐history strategies. We used phylogenetic comparative methods and path analysis to understand how and why distinctive breeding and nonbreeding plumages evolve in this family. We found that color change alone poorly explains the evolution of patterns of biannual molt evolution in warblers. Instead, molt evolution is better explained by a combination of other life‐history factors, especially migration distance and foraging stratum. We found that the evolution of biannual molt and seasonal dichromatism is decoupled, with a biannual molt appearing earlier on the tree, more dispersed across taxa and body regions, and correlating with separate life‐history factors than seasonal dichromatism. This result helps explain the apparent paradox of birds that molt biannually but show breeding plumages that are identical to the nonbreeding plumage. We find support for a two‐step process for the evolution of distinctive breeding and nonbreeding plumages: That prealternate molt evolves primarily under selection for feather renewal, with seasonal color change sometimes following later. These results reveal how life‐history strategies and a birds' environment act upon multiple and separate feather functions to drive the evolution of feather replacement patterns and bird coloration.
Blade‐coating Perovskite Films with Diverse Compositions for Efficient Photovoltaics
Authors: Zhong Jun‐Xing , Wu Wu‐Qiang , Ding Liming , Kuang Dai‐Bin 
Published: August 2020

In this research highlight, recent significant advances with hot‐assisted blade‐coating or air knife‐assisted blade‐coating of different perovskite compositions with bandgaps ranging from 1.3 eV to 1.9 eV (i.e. wide‐bandgap or small‐bandgap perovskites with mixed cations and anions, 2D/3D perovskites, Pb/Sn binary perovskites, and all‐inorganic perovskites) for single‐junction or tandem PSCs are discussed, with an emphasis on elucidating the distinct ink formulation engineering strategies, crystal growth mechanisms, crystallization kinetics, and optoelectronic properties of the different perovskite compositions.