bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ensemble Machine Learning of Factors Influencing COVID-19 Across US Counties
Authors: McCoy David , Mgbara Whitney , Horvitzc Nir , Getz Wayne M. , Hubbard Alan 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) the causal agent for COVID-19, is a communicable disease spread through close contact. It is known to disproportionately infect certain communities due to both biological susceptibility and inequitable exposure. In this study, we investigate the most important health, social, and environmental factors impacting both the early and later phases of COVID-19 transmission and mortality in US counties.Methods: We aggregate county-level physical and mental health, environmental pollution, access to health care, demographic characteristics, vulnerable population scores, and other epidemiological data to create a large feature set to analyze COVID-19 outcomes. Because of the high-dimensionality and multicollinearity of the data, we use ensemble machine learning and marginal prediction methods to identify the most salient factors associated with several COVID-19 outbreak measures.Findings: Our variable importance results show that measures of ethnicity, public transportation and preventable diseases are the strongest drivers for both incidence and mortality. Specifically, the CDC measures for minority populations, CDC measures for limited English, and proportion of Black/African-American individuals in a county were the most important features for COVID-19 cases at day 25 and to date. For mortality at day 100 and total to date, we find that public transportation use and proportion of Black/African-American individuals in a county are the strongest predictors. The methods predict that, keeping all other factors fixed, a 10% increase in public transportation use increases mortality at day 100 by 2012 (95% CI [1972, 2356]) and likewise a 10% increase in the proportion of Black/African-American individuals in a county increases total deaths to date by 2067 (95% CI [1189, 2654]). In terms of cases to date, ethnicity turns out to almost twice as important as the next most important factors, which are location, disease prevalence, and transit factors.Interpretations: Our findings indicate that a more focused approach should be taken when managing COVID-19, by considering features of the economy most responsible for transmission and sectors of society most vulnerable to infection and mortality. In particular, our results strongly reinforce others pointing to the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on minority populations. They also suggests that mitigation measures, including rolling out vaccinations as they become available, will be most efficacious for the US population as a whole when, beyond healthcare workers and first responders, are focused first on the highest-risk communities.Funding: UC Berkeley, Biomedical Big Data Training Fellowship; NSF Grant 2032264 to WMG and AH.
PM2.5 can Promote the Alzheimer's Disease-like Changes through Microglia Related Mechanism in Mice
Authors: Wang Jiaqi , Li Jie , Wang Jia , Sun Wenping , Fang Qiuyuan , Meng Meiling , Zhang Xiao , Jia Ruxue , Li Xiaojing , Meng Xianzong , Song Laiyu 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: PM2.5, the main particulate air pollutant, poses serious hazard to human health. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a major neurodegenerative disease characterized by amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Recent studies reported that PM could promote AD-like pathologies in human brain. However, the mechanism of PM2.5-induced AD-like changes is still unclear and more investigations are needed for further understanding.Methods: In this study, we established experimental model of long-term PM2.5 exposure with young/old wildtype C57BL/6 and APP/PS transgenic mice. Behavior assessments were monitored after four weeks of exposure. The changes of blood cells were detected by Complete Blood Count and splenic macrophages were detected by flow cytometry. Immunohistochemical staining was used to observe the damage of PM2.5 on neurons, the deposition of Aβ and the changes of microglia. RNA-seq was used to analyze the whole genome changes of hippocampus after PM2.5 exposure. In addition, microglia related genes were analyzed via Real-time PCR. Results: After mice were exposed to PM2.5 for a month, some AD-like behavioral changes, such as learning and memory impairment were detected especially in old and transgenic mice. The histopathological changes, such as β-amyloid (Aβ) deposition, morphological changes of microglia, as well as great impairments of hippocampus neurons but not cortex neurons were observed. The analyze of whole-genome expression in the hippocampus suggested long term PM2.5 exposure changed the expression of genes related with AD process (mouse behavior and microglia differentiation). Furthermore, the mRNA level, which related to microglia, of CD86, CD22, IL-1β was upregulated and CD206, TREM2, TGF-β2 was downregulated. Conclusions: Aged population were more susceptible to long-term PM2.5 exposure and PM2.5 could promote AD-like phenotype through microglia related mechanism.
A comparative Study of Physic-Chemical Properties of Certain Cerium Doped Li7La3-xCexZr2O12 Ceramic Oxides
Authors: jaisankar v , Dharanibalaji KC , Sivakumar E K T 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Solid-state electrolytes have emerged as a promising alternative material for next-generation Li-ion batteries due to their safety and reliability. In this investigation, we report the synthesis of Cerium(Ce) doped Li7La3Zr2O12(LLZO) ceramic oxide which has a garnet-like structure and in which Ce3+ typically occupies La3+ sites. The synthesised LLZO ceramic oxide is doped with various weight percentages of cerium(Ce3+) by sol-gel method using oxalic acid as a complexing agent and ethane-1,2-diol as a surface-active agent. The synthesised Li7La3-xCexZr2O12 garnet is screened for surface morphology, chemical composition, and phase transition by various analytical techniques. The surface morphology and composition were analysed by HR-SEM with EDX analysis respectively. The cubic face formed was confirmed by XRD results. Thermogravimetric analysis indicates the thermal stability of the prepared materials. The effect of addition of various weight percentages of cerium with LLZO on ionic conductivity was analysed using ac impedance spectroscopy and compared. The maximum ionic conductivity measured was 6.34×10-5Scm-1. The potential window was examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV), which showed that the lithium deposition and dissolution peak appeared around 0V.Li+/Li and no further reaction beyond 5.8V vs Li+/Li.The results showed that these materials could be used as a potential alternative material in the fabrication of lithium-ion batteries.
The Relationship Between the PPARδ-87T&gt;C Polymorphism and Colorectal Cancer Risk in a Chinese Han Population
Authors: Zhou ZongGuang , Dong Bo , Yang Lie , Zhou Bin , Zhang Dan , Meng Wen-Jian , Wang Mo-Jin , Liu Yong , Li Yuan , Sun Xiao-Feng 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
BackgroundPeroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-β/δ (PPARβ/δ) is a transcription factor that has the potential to be associated with the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the exact role of PPARδ in the context of CRC development remains to be clarified. This present study was thus designed to understand the association between CRC risk and the PPARδ-87T>C single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in a western Chinese Han population. MethodsThe PPARδ-87T>C (rs2016520) polymorphism was analyzed via the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) approach in 410 CRC patients and 496 frequency-matched healthy controls via a case-control study design. Relationships between PPARδ-87T>C polymorphisms and clinicopathological parameters were assessed using Pearson chi-squared tests or Fisher's exact test, Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to evaluate the association between the PPARδ-87T>C SNP and CRC risk. ResultsWe observed significant differences in genotypic frequencies when comparing CRC patients (TT 62%, TC 32%, and CC 6.1%) and controls (TT 65.5%, TC 32,3%, and CC 22%). In addition, PPARδ-87T>C genotype was associated with tumor differentiation (P=0.033), but was unrelated to clinicopathological parameters in CRC patients. An unconditioned logistic regression model analysis revealed that individuals harboring the homozygous CC genotype exhibited an elevated CRC risk relative to those harboring the TT genotype (OR=2.931,95% CI =1.41- 6.08; P=0.004).ConclusionsOur findings indicate that the homozygous PPARδ-87T>C CC genotype is associated with an elevated CRC risk as compared to the homozygous TT genotype, indicating that PPARδ-87T>C polymorphisms have the potential to serve as a marker for CRC risk. Keywords PPARδ, Colorectal cancer (CRC), Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP)
Analysis of COVID-19 Case Fatality Rates in the States and Union Territories of India
Authors: Upadhyay Ashwini Kumar , Shukla Shreyanshi 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Although the Covid-19 Case Fatality Rate (CFR) in the Indian States and UTs has been changing with time, some states constantly appear to show significantly higher CFR than the national average. Our objective is to calculate the CFR of all the states/UTs of India and analyse the possible factors behind the disparities in it. Research papers and news articles on Covid-19 were explored to understand the factors responsible for the CFR disparities in the States/UTs. State-wise CFR was calculated and Correlated with Covid-19 Testing Rates and data from Demographic & Healthcare factors, using Spearman’s Rank Correlation Coefficient Methodology. The overall Covid-19 CFR in India was among the lowest (1.76%) in the world but varied vastly from one state to another. Where the states like Punjab and Maharashtra constantly have the highest CFR in the country, states like Assam, Kerala, and Bihar have the lowest. In the correlation analysis, a weak agreement (+0.33) between state-wise CFR and ‘Test Positive Rate’ was found. CFR and ‘Life Expectancy at 60’ showed a moderate agreement (+0.49). Healthcare components like ‘Number of Doctors Per Million People’ and ‘Number of Hospital Beds’ showed very weak agreement with CFR. Where the higher Life Expectancy and Test Positive Rates clearly tend to increase CFR, Healthcare Facilities had surprisingly little effect on it. Analyses of various news articles suggested that Comorbidities, Availability of Essential Drugs, Trained Manpower, Contact Tracings, and Hospital Referral Time were also some of the major factors affecting CFR.
A Comparative Study of Hemodynamic Effects of Levosimendan and Milrinone in Patients Undergoing Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
Authors: Chand Kishan Vyas  , Ramesh Kumar  , Neelu Sharma  , Indu Verma  , Anjum Saiyed  
Published: October 2020

Background: Off-Pump CABG or “beating heart” surgery possess a challenge to the anesthesiologist. Main goals are provision of safe anesthesia with maximum myocardial protection and maintenance of hemodynamics with various manipulation of heart during in order to visualize and graft the coronary arteries. Anesthetic regimen and ionotropic support influences postoperative myocardial function and outcome in coronary bypass surgery patients.Objective: To compare and assess haemodynamic effects of Levosimendan and Milrinone in patient undergoing off pump coronary artery bypass grafting with compromised cardiac function (NYHA III,IV) and pre-operative, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 45%.Subjects and Methods:Patients were randomly allocated to 2 groups (64 patients in each group). Levosimendan Group (Group A) received infusion of Inj. Levosimendan 0.1µg/kg/min after loading dose of 12μg/kg over 10 mins. While Milrinone Group (Group B) received infusion of inj. Milrinone 0.5µg/kg/min after loading dose of 50 μg/kg over 10 mins. HR, MAP, CVP, CI, SVRI, lactate levels were monitored at baseline, after induction, after sternotomy, at 30mins ,thereafter 6, 12, and 24 hours using Flo-Trac sensor (Edwards Life sciences).Results:Heart Rate, CI was significantly higher in Levosimendan group while MAP, SVRI and lactate levels were lower in Levosimendan group as compared to Milrinone group. Need of other inotropic support is more in Milrinone group.Conclusion:Levosimendan maintained the haemodynamic parameters better as compared to Milrinone in off pump CABG patients with low preoperative ejection fraction and also better end organ perfusion represented by lower lactate levels.
Comparative Evaluation of Ropivacaine versus Levobupivacaine for Postoperative Epidural Analgesia in Geriatric Patients Posted for Orthopedic Surgeries
Authors: Shilpi Misra  , Furkan Akhtar Ansari  
Published: October 2020

Background: With increasing life expectancy, improved healthcare and increasing prosperity, the proportion of elderly population is increasing throughout the world. Post-operative pain management among elderly patients is a challenging and daunting task for anaesthesiologists. Altered redistribution kinetics as well as compromised drug clearance capacity render geriatric patients particularly vulnerable to drug-induced complications. Regional anaesthesia is preferred for the older patients because this form of anaesthesia causes the least interference with the metabolic functions.Subjects and Methods:56 elderly patients scheduled for elective orthopaedic lower limb surgery under epidural anaesthesia with continuous post-operative epidural analgesia were enrolled in this prospective randomised study and were randomly allocated to two groups consisting 28 patients each as under: Group I : Epidural analgesia Ropivacaine 0.2% @ 6ml/hr. Group II: Epidural analgesia Levobupivacaine 0.2% @ 6ml/hr. Statistical evaluation: Hemodynamic profiles, Onset of analgesia, extent of sensory and motor block were recorded. To compare the change in a parameter at two different time intervals paired "t" test was used. Block characteristics were analysed using Mann Whitney U test.Results:Both Ropivacaine and levobupivacaine provided excellent analgesic effect, a good hemodynamic stability and complication free infusion. As compared to levobupivacaine, ropivacaine had an early motor block recovery, early achievement of VAS score 0, ability to achieve higher levels of block and finally prolongation of analgesic effect even after the infusion was stopped.Conclusion:As compared to levobupivacaine, ropivacaine seems to be a better option for continuous epidural infusion owing to early motor block recovery and prolonged analgesia after the infusion was stopped.
Research on Commodity Mixed Recommendation Algorithm
Authors: Chang Hao , Yang Shengquan 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
With the advent of the era of big data, our lives generate huge amounts of data every day, and the field of e-commerce is no exception. It is particularly important to analyze these data and recommend products. It is reported that through the recommendation algorithm, Amazon has increased its sales by about 30%. Among the recommended algorithms, the collaborative filtering algorithm is currently relatively mature and has achieved very good results in various fields. But the traditional collaborative filtering algorithm is too rough when calculating the similarity and prediction score, and the efficiency is very low. We combine the traditional collaborative filtering algorithm with the decision tree algorithm, and improve the traditional recommendation algorithm, create a collaborative filtering decision tree algorithm to recommend products, and run the new collaborative filtering decision tree algorithm on the Hadoop platform on. Experiments show that the improved algorithm makes the accuracy of recommendation significantly improved.
Modeling the impact of climate change on streamflow and major hydrological components of an Iranian Wadi system
Authors: Mahmoodi Nariman , Wagner Paul D. , Kiesel Jens , Fohrer Nicola 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Climate change has pronounced impacts on water resources, especially in arid regions. This study aims at assessing the impacts of climate change on streamflow of the Wadi Halilrood Basin which feeds the Jazmorian wetland in southeastern Iran. To simulate streamflow and hydrological components in the future periods (2030–2059 and 2070–2099), projections for the emission scenarios RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 from 11 global-regional climate models and two bias correction methods are used as input data for a hydrologic model that represents the daily streamflow with good accuracy (NSE: 0.76, PBIAS: 4.7, KGE: 0.87). The results indicate a slight increase of streamflow in January and March, due to the higher intensity of precipitation. However, according to the predicted flow duration curves, a decrease for high and very high flow and no remarkable changes for middle, low and very low flow is found under both emission scenarios for both future periods. Compared to the simulated hydrological components for the baseline, a slight increase of evapotranspiration of around 6 mm (4%) and 2 mm (&lt;2%) for the mid- and end of the century is estimated, respectively. Moreover, a substantial drop of water yield of around 36 mm (63%) at mid-century and 39 mm (69%) at the end of the century are projected.
Degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons by embedding immobilized crude oil degrading bacteria
Authors: Zhang Pin , Wang Xiaoli , Peng Shitao , Tian Xiumei , Li Zhaokun , Zhou Ran 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
In this study, the removal effect of free and immobilized bacteria on crude oil was determined. Sodium alginate and polyvinyl alcohol were used as embedding agent, and ramie was modified as an adsorbent to immobilize free bacteria. The conditions for preparing immobilized pellets were optimized using the response surface method, and the best combination was simulated and obtained by Design-Expert 8.0. The best degradation rate of immobilized bacteria was 75.52%. The degradation by free bacteria and immobilized bacteria showed that the selected microorganisms had a good degradation effect on petroleum hydrocarbons.
Reversibility of Acute Adrenal Insufficiency After Hip Replacement: A Case Series
Authors: Latina Adele , Pellegrino Micaela , Chiefari Alfonsina , Lardo Pina , Pia Anna , Reimondo Giuseppe , Borretta Giorgio 
Published: October 2020

Background:
Acute adrenal insufficiency is a rare but potentially lethal condition, that
is important to identify promptly and treat with replacement therapy. It can be consequent to adrenal
hemorrhage that can occur after major orthopedic surgery. Few data are available about potential
recovery of adrenal function, as well as both timing and modality of cortisone acetate withdrawal,
probably due to the assumption that adrenal failure should be definitive. The extension of adrenal
damage can be different, so justifying a partial, or potentially complete, recovery of adrenal
function. The aim of our article is to highlight the opportunity of a periodical revaluation of adrenal
reserve in order to identify those patients which are able to interrupt replacement therapy.

Case Presentation:
We had recently described one case of acute adrenal insufficiency, which developed
short time after hip replacement; the patient was able to discontinue cortisone acetate treatment
46 months after the diagnosis and remained untreated up to five years later. We collected
other two cases of acute adrenal insufficiency, developed about one week after major orthopedic
surgery. We followed such patients for about three years, repeatedly reassessing adrenal imaging
and cortisol response to 250 μg ACTH test, in order to ascertain the real need of lifetime substitutive
treatment with cortisone acetate. Acute adrenal insufficiency partially reverted during the follow
up for both patients. We observed a reduction in adrenal glands’ volume and a progressive improvement
of cortisol basal levels, without response (or with a poor one) to ACTH stimulation, as
well as with ACTH basal levels persistently above the normal range after 36 and 28 months respectively
spent from the acute event.

Conclusions:
The present finding suggests the opportunity that patients developing acute adrenal insufficiency
after major orthopedic surgery undergo long-term surveillance, in order to establish if
steroid replacement has to be continued, or it can be safely withdrawn.
Pharmaceutical pricing benchmarks: governmental versus private sector
Authors: Turkistani Fatema , Sawad Aseel Bin 
Published: October 2020

Purpose:
To explore the best pricing benchmark for workers’ compensation drugs reimbursement at retail pharmacies.
Materials & methods:
We used California workers’ compensation system (CAWCS) total cost of pharmacy dispensed medications (2017–2019) as a proxy to estimate drug prices using alternative pricing mechanism fee schedules.
Results:
CAWCS paid 65.6% of the average wholesale price (AWP), 104.1% of Medi-Cal, 122.1% of the wholesale acquisition cost (WAC), 140.1% of the national average drug acquisition cost (NADAC), and 253.5% of the federal upper limit. In addition, we found the AWP-based formulas: CAWCS = AWP - 34.4%, Medi-Cal = AWP - 36.9%, WAC = AWP - 46.3%, NADAC = AWP - 53.2%, and federal upper limit = AWP - 74.1%. We found that AWP: 50% for generics and AWP - 18.2% for brands are the lowest paying formulas. The estimated median cost savings were $8.7 million (by adapting 97% of the WAC) and $9.5 million (by adapting the NADAC) across all states.
Conclusion:
NADAC was the best pricing benchmark for reimbursement of pharmacy dispensed drugs.
Ammattikorkeakouluopettajien monialainen sosiaali- ja terveydenhuollon tiedonhallinnan osaaminen
Authors: Rajalahti Elina , Heinonen Jarmo , Eloranta Sini , Ahonen Outi , Hinkkanen Leena , Tiainen Minna , Kinnunen Ulla-Mari 
Published: October 2020

Nopea yhteiskunnan digitaalinen muutos (Digital Transformation, DT) on vaikuttanut viimeisten viiden vuoden aikana vahvasti sosiaali- ja terveydenhuollon palvelukehitykseen. Digitalisaatio on synnyttänyt paradigman muutoksen, mihin koulutuksen on pitänyt vahvasti reagoida vastatakseen vaadittaviin työelämän osaamistarpeisiin. Ammattikorkeakoulusta valmistuvalle ammattilaiselle on koulutuksessa taattava riittävät valmiudet toimia työelämässä ja selviytyä muutoksesta. Edellytyksenä on, että sosiaali- ja terveysalan, liiketalouden, palvelumuotoilualan ja IT-alan opettajat hallitsevat digitalisaation kehityksen.
Tutkimuksen tarkoituksena oli arvioida ammattikorkeakouluopettajien sosiaali- ja terveydenhuollon digitaalisessa toimintaympäristössä tarvittavaa tiedonhallinnan osaamista. Tutkimus on osa SotePeda 24/7 -hanketta. Hankkeessa mukana oleville Suomen ammattikorkeakouluille (22) lähetettiin huhti-toukokuussa 2019 kyselylomake, joka pohjautui kansalliseen ja kansainväliseen näyttöön perustuvaan tietoon. Lomakkeessa oli 12 osaamisaluetta sisältöineen. Vastauksia saatiin kolmen muistutuksen jälkeen 172.
Aineisto analysoitiin faktorianalyysillä hyödyntäen maximum likelihood menetelmää, ja tuloksena saatiin 18 faktoria. Suurimman latauksen saanut faktori nimettiin tiedonhallinnan ja digitaalisuuden osaamisen faktoriksi. Tässä artikkelissa tarkastellaan kyselyssä tälle faktorille latautuneita tiedonhallinnan muuttujia.
Korrespondenssianalyysit ja tarkentavat erotteluanalyysit osoittivat osaamisen eroavan eri koulutusaloilla. Sosiaalialalla tiedonhallinnan osaamisessa oli koulutusaloista isommat erot kuin terveysalan opettajilla, joiden osaaminen oli tasaisemmin hyvää ja erittäin hyvää. Sosiaali- ja terveydenhuollon tiedonhallinnan osaamisessa oli muilla tutkimukseen osallistuvilla aloilla isoja eroja oman koulutusalan sisällä.