bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of primary tumor radiotherapy in patients with Unresectable stage IV Rectal or Rectosigmoid Cancer: a propensity score matching analysis for survival
Authors: Wang Gang , Wang Wenling , Jin Haijie , Dong Hongmin , Chen Weiwei , Li Xiaokai , Li Guodong , Li Leilei 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
To evaluate the impact of primary tumor radiotherapy on survival in patients with unresectable metastatic rectal or rectosigmoid cancer.

Methods
From September 2008 to September 2017, 350 patients with unresectable metastatic rectal or rectosigmoid cancer were retrospectively reviewed in our center. All patients received at least 4 cycles of chemotherapy and were divided into two groups according to whether they received primary tumor radiotherapy. A total of 163 patients received primary tumor radiotherapy, and the median radiation dose was 56.69 Gy (50.4–60). Survival curves were estimated with the Kaplan–Meier method to roughly compare survival between the two groups. Subsequently, the 18-month survival rate was used as the outcome variable for this study. This study mainly evaluated the impact of primary tumor radiotherapy on the survival of these patients through a series of multivariate Cox regression analyses after propensity score matching (PSM).

Results
The median follow-up time was 21 months. All 350 patients received a median of 7 cycles of chemotherapy (range 4–12), and 163 (46.67%) patients received primary tumor radiotherapy for local symptoms. The Kaplan–Meier survival curves showed that the primary tumor radiotherapy group had a significant overall survival (OS) advantage compared to the group without radiotherapy (20.07 vs 17.33 months; P = 0.002). In this study, the multivariate Cox regression analysis after adjusting for covariates, multivariate Cox regression analysis after PSM, inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) analysis and propensity score (PS)-adjusted model analysis consistently showed that primary tumor radiotherapy could effectively reduce the risk of death for these patients at 18 months (HR: 0.62, 95% CI 0.40–0.98; HR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.93–1.45; HR: 0.70, 95% CI 0.55–0.99 and HR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.59–0.94).

Conclusion
Compared with patients with stage IV rectal or rectosigmoid cancer who did not receive primary tumor radiotherapy, those who received primary tumor radiotherapy had a lower risk of death. The prescription dose (59.4 Gy/33 fractions or 60 Gy/30 fractions) of radiation for primary tumors might be considered not only to relieve symptoms improve the survival of patients with inoperable metastatic rectal or rectosigmoid cancer.
A clinical study of efficacy of polyglycolic acid patch in surgery for pneumothorax:a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mao Yuang , Zhang Zulei , Zeng Weibiao , Zhang Wenxiong , Zhang Jianyong , You Guangmiao , Wei Yiping 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Objectives
A polyglycolic acid (PGA) patch is often used in pulmonary bullae resection, but consensus has not been reached on its effect on patient recovery. The aim of the study is to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies of polyglycolic acid for bullectomy.

Methods
A comprehensive literature search was performed using ScienceDirect, EMBASE, Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Clinical trials that compared PGA versus non-PGA for bullectomy were selected. The clinical endpoints included postoperative recurrence, average postoperative air leakage, prolonged air leaks, drainage tube removal time, and postoperative hospital stay.

Results
A total of eight articles (1095 patients) were included. Compared to the non-PGA approach, the PGA approach was associated with lower rates of postoperative recurrence (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.16 to 0.39, p < 0.00001),) and of prolonged air leaks (95% CI: 0.29 to 0.72, p = 0.0007); a shorter time of drainage tube removal (95% CI: − 1.36 to − 0.13, p = 0.02); The time of average postoperative air leakage, postoperative hospital stay and operative time did not show a significant difference between the two groups.

Conclusions
These results suggest that the use of PGA patch might can prevent the postoperative recurrence of spontaneous pneumothorax and decrease the rates of prolonged air leaks. More large-scale, high-quality randomized controlled trials are required to confirm our finding.
Health in conflict and post-conflict settings: reproductive, maternal and child health in Colombia
Authors: Ramos Jaraba Sara Milena , Quiceno Toro Natalia , Ochoa Sierra María , Ruiz Sánchez Laura , García Jiménez Marlly Andrea , Salazar-Barrientos Mary Y. , Bedoya Bedoya Edison , Vélez Álvarez Gladis Adriana , Langer Ana , Gausman Jewel , Garcés-Palacio Isabel C. 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
In conflict-afflicted areas, pregnant women and newborns often have higher rates of adverse health outcomes.

Objective
To describe maternal and child health indicators and interventions between 1998 and 2016 comparing high and low conflict areas in Colombia.

Methods
Mixed study of convergent triangulation. In the quantitative component, 16 indicators were calculated using official, secondary data sources. The victimization rate resulting from armed conflict was calculated by municipality and grouped into quintiles. In the qualitative component, a comparative case study was carried out in two municipalities of Antioquia: one with high rates of armed conflict and another with low rates. A total of 41 interviews and 8 focus groups were held with local and national government officials, health professionals, community informants, UN agencies and NGOs.

Results
All of the indicators show improvement, however, four show statistically significant differences between municipalities with high victimization rates versus low ones. The maternal mortality ratio was higher in the municipalities with greater victimization in the periods 1998–2004, 2005–2011 and 2012–2016. The percentage of cesarean births and women who received four or more antenatal visits was lower among women who experienced the highest levels of victimization for the period 1998–2000, while the fertility rate for women between 15 and 19 years was higher in these municipalities between 2012 and 2016. In the context of the armed conflict in Colombia, maternal and child health was affected by the limited availability of interventions given the lack of human resources in health, supplies, geographical access difficulties and insecurity. The national government was the one that mostly provided the programs, with difficulties in continuity and quality. UN Agencies and NGOs accessed more easily remote and intense armed conflict areas. Few specific health interventions were identified in the post-conflict context.

Conclusions
In Colombia, maternal and child health indicators have improved since the conflict, however a pattern of inequality is observed in the municipalities most affected by the armed conflict.
Multi-dose Oral Ondansetron for Pediatric Gastroenteritis: study Protocol for the multi-DOSE oral ondansetron for pediatric Acute GastroEnteritis (DOSE-AGE) pragmatic randomized controlled trial
Authors:   on behalf of the KidsCAN-Pediatric Emergency Research Canada (PERC) Innovative Pediatric Clinical Trials DOSE-AGE Study Group, Freedman Stephen B. , Williamson-Urquhart Sarah , Heath Anna , Pechlivanoglou Petros , Hopkin Gareth , Gouin Serge , Plint Amy C. , Dixon Andrew , Beer Darcy , Joubert Gary , McCabe Christopher , Finkelstein Yaron , Klassen Terry P. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundThere are limited treatment options that clinicians can provide to children presenting to emergency departments with vomiting secondary to acute gastroenteritis. Based on evidence of effectiveness and safety, clinicians now routinely administer ondansetron in the emergency department to promote oral rehydration therapy success. However, clinicians are also increasingly providing multiple doses of ondansetron for home use, creating unquantified cost and health system resource use implications without any evidence to support this expanding practice.Methods/designDOSE-AGE is a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, six-center, pragmatic clinical trial being conducted in six Canadian pediatric emergency departments (EDs). In September 2019 the study began recruiting children aged 6 months to 18 years with a minimum of three episodes of vomiting in the 24 h preceding enrollment, <72 h of gastroenteritis symptoms and who were administered a dose of ondansetron during their ED visit. We are recruiting 1030 children (1:1 allocation via an internet-based, third-party, randomization service) to receive a 48-h supply (i.e., six doses) of ondansetron oral solution or placebo, administered on an as-needed basis. All participants, caregivers and outcome assessors will be blinded to group assignment. Outcome data will be collected by surveys administered to caregivers 24, 48 and 168 h following enrollment. The primary outcome is the development of moderate-to-severe gastroenteritis in the 7 days following the ED visit as measured by a validated clinical score (the Modified Vesikari Scale). Secondary outcomes include duration and frequency of vomiting and diarrhea, proportions of children experiencing unscheduled health care visits and intravenous rehydration, caregiver satisfaction with treatment and safety. A preplanned economic evaluation will be conducted alongside the trial.DiscussionDefinitive data are lacking to guide the clinical use of post-ED visit multidose ondansetron in children with acute gastroenteritis. Usage is increasing, despite the absence of supportive evidence. The incumbent additional costs associated with use, and potential side effects such as diarrhea and repeat visits, create an urgent need to evaluate the effect and safety of multiple doses of ondansetron in children focusing on post-emergency department visit and patient-centered outcomes.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov:NCT03851835. Registered on 22 February 2019.
Synthesis, characterization and electrochemical properties of some biologically important indole-based-sulfonamide derivatives
Authors: Ibrahim Mohamed , Taha Muhammed , Almandil Noor B. , Kawde Abdel-Nasser , Nawaz Muhammad 
Published: May 2020

AbstractA new series of indole-based-sulfonamide derivatives (A1–A8) was synthesized by treating 5-fluoro-1H-indole-3-carbohydrazide with different aryl-sulfonyl chloride in the presence of pyridine. All synthesized derivatives (A1–A8) were characterized by different analytical methods. The electrochemical behavior of these compounds (A1–A8) was investigated in detail using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and square wave voltammetry (SWV) at the pencil graphite electrode (PGE). In the present study, the redox behavior of all derivatives varies due to the nature of substitutions in the indole sulfonamide moiety. Various fundamental electrochemical parameters, including the standard heterogeneous rate constants (ks), and the electroactive surface coverage (Г) were calculated from the obtained CVs. The obtained results shed light on the understanding of structure–activity relationships of this class of compounds.
Transcription factors underlying wing margin color patterns and pupal cuticle markings in butterflies
Authors: Reed Robert D. , Selegue Jayne E. , Zhang Linlin , Brunetti Craig R. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe diversity of butterfly color patterns can be attributed to a relatively small number of pattern elements that are homologous across Lepidoptera. Although genes involved in patterning some of these elements have been identified, the development of several major elements remains poorly understood. To identify genes underlying wing pupal cuticle markings and wing margin color patterns, we examined expression of the candidate transcription factors Engrailed/Invected (En/Inv), Distal-less (Dll), Cubitus interruptus (Ci), and Spalt in two nymphalids:Junonia coeniaandBicyclus anynana.ResultsWe found that En/Inv, Dll, and Ci mark domains on theJ. coenialast-instar forewing disc that closely correspond to the position and shape of pupal cuticle markings. We also found that Spalt demarcates wing margin color patterns in bothJ. coeniaandB. anynana, and that CRISPR/Cas9 deletions in thespaltgene result in reduction and loss of wing margin color patterns inJ. coenia. These data demonstrate a role forspaltin promoting wing margin color patterning, in addition to its previously described role in eyespot patterning.ConclusionOur observations support the model that a core set of regulatory genes are redeployed multiple times, and in multiple roles, during butterfly wing pattern development. Of these genes,spaltis of special interest as it plays a dual role in both eyespot and margin color pattern development.
Understanding the dynamics of biological and neural oscillator networks through exact mean-field reductions: a review
Authors: Bick Christian , Goodfellow Marc , Laing Carlo R. , Martens Erik A. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractMany biological and neural systems can be seen as networks of interacting periodic processes. Importantly, their functionality, i.e., whether these networks can perform their function or not, depends on the emerging collective dynamics of the network. Synchrony of oscillations is one of the most prominent examples of such collective behavior and has been associated both with function and dysfunction. Understanding how network structure and interactions, as well as the microscopic properties of individual units, shape the emerging collective dynamics is critical to find factors that lead to malfunction. However, many biological systems such as the brain consist of a large number of dynamical units. Hence, their analysis has either relied on simplified heuristic models on a coarse scale, or the analysis comes at a huge computational cost. Here we review recently introduced approaches, known as the Ott–Antonsen and Watanabe–Strogatz reductions, allowing one to simplify the analysis by bridging small and large scales. Thus, reduced model equations are obtained that exactly describe the collective dynamics for each subpopulation in the oscillator network via few collective variables only. The resulting equations are next-generation models: Rather than being heuristic, they exactly link microscopic and macroscopic descriptions and therefore accurately capture microscopic properties of the underlying system. At the same time, they are sufficiently simple to analyze without great computational effort. In the last decade, these reduction methods have become instrumental in understanding how network structure and interactions shape the collective dynamics and the emergence of synchrony. We review this progress based on concrete examples and outline possible limitations. Finally, we discuss how linking the reduced models with experimental data can guide the way towards the development of new treatment approaches, for example, for neurological disease.
Determinants of healthcare seeking and out-of-pocket expenditures in a “free” healthcare system: evidence from rural Malawi
Authors: Nakovics Meike Irene , Brenner Stephan , Bongololo Grace , Chinkhumba Jobiba , Kalmus Olivier , Leppert Gerald , De Allegri Manuela 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundMonitoring financial protection is a key component in achieving Universal Health Coverage, even for health systems that grant their citizens access to care free-of-charge. Our study investigated out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) on curative healthcare services and their determinants in rural Malawi, a country that has consistently aimed at providing free healthcare services.MethodsOur study used data from two consecutive rounds of a household survey conducted in 2012 and 2013 among 1639 households in three districts in rural Malawi. Given our explicit focus on OOPE for curative healthcare services, we relied on a Heckman selection model to account for the fact that relevant OOPE could only be observed for those who had sought care in the first place.ResultsOur sample included a total of 2740 illness episodes. Among the 1884 (68.75%) that had made use of curative healthcare services, 494 (26.22%) had incurred a positive healthcare expenditure, whose mean amounted to 678.45 MWK (equivalent to 2.72 USD). Our analysis revealed a significant positive association between the magnitude of OOPE and age 15–39 years (p = 0.022), household head (p = 0.037), suffering from a chronic illness (p = 0.019), illness duration (p = 0.014), hospitalization (p = 0.002), number of accompanying persons (p = 0.019), wealth quartiles (p2 = 0.018;p3 = 0.001;p4 = 0.002), and urban residency (p = 0.001).ConclusionOur findings indicate that a formal policy commitment to providing free healthcare services is not sufficient to guarantee widespread financial protection and that additional measures are needed to protect particularly vulnerable population groups.
ELSA: efficient long-term secure storage of large datasets (full version) ∗
Authors: Muth Philipp , Geihs Matthias , Arul Tolga , Buchmann Johannes , Katzenbeisser Stefan 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAn increasing amount of information today is generated, exchanged, and stored digitally. This also includes long-lived and highly sensitive information (e.g., electronic health records, governmental documents) whose integrity and confidentiality must be protected over decades or even centuries. While there is a vast amount of cryptography-based data protection schemes, only few are designed for long-term protection. Recently, Braun et al. (AsiaCCS’17) proposed the first long-term protection scheme that provides renewable integrity protection and information-theoretic confidentiality protection. However, computation and storage costs of their scheme increase significantly with the number of stored data items. As a result, their scheme appears suitable only for protecting databases with a small number of relatively large data items, but unsuitable for databases that hold a large number of relatively small data items (e.g., medical record databases).In this work, we present a solution for efficient long-term integrity and confidentiality protection of large datasets consisting of relatively small data items. First, we construct a renewable vector commitment scheme that is information-theoretically hiding under selective decommitment. We then combine this scheme with renewable timestamps and information-theoretically secure secret sharing. The resulting solution requires only a single timestamp for protecting a dataset while the state of the art requires a number of timestamps linear in the number of data items. Furthermore, we extend the scheme, that supports a single client, to a multi-client setting. Subsequently, we characterize the arising challenges with respect to integrity and confidentiality and discuss how our multi-client scheme tackles them. We implemented our solution and measured its performance in a scenario where 9600 data items are aggregated, stored, protected, and verified over a time span of 80 years. Our measurements show that our new solution completes this evaluation scenario an order of magnitude faster than the state of the art.
Study on the estimates of Gronwall–Ou-Iang dynamic integral inequalities by means of diamond-α derivatives
Authors: Khan Zareen A. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBy the utilization of diamond-α derivatives, certain new generalizations of Ou-Iang type of dynamic integral inequalities of one independent variable on time scales are examined. The resulting inequalities are significant in the study of various fields of dynamic equations. A few mathematical applications are also presented.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Do offenders avoid offending near home? A systematic review of the buffer zone hypothesis
Authors: Bernasco Wim , van Dijke Remco 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
There is general agreement that the frequency of crime decreases with the distance from the offender’s home. By way of exception to this distance decay pattern, the buffer zone hypothesis states that offenders avoid offending very close to home. The purpose of the present study was to assess the validity of this hypothesis.

Methods
We conducted a systematic literature review of 4 bibliographic databases, in which we identified 108 studies on criminal distance decay, from which we selected 33 studies that include sufficient information to assess the existence of the buffer zone. Based on the full text of the research articles, we created a measure indicating whether the study supported or rejected the hypothesis and a measure summarizing the relative quality of the evidence as either weak-medium or strong.

Results
Of the 33 studies, 22 rejected the buffer zone hypothesis and 11 supported it. Across the whole sample, the methodological rigor of the studies was limited, but unrelated to whether the buffer zone hypothesis was supported or rejected.

Conclusions
Based on the available evidence the buffer zone hypothesis has gained limited support. We conclude by making recommendations on how to report data on the home-crime distance and suggesting a testing methodology for future research.
Acoustic positioning in a reflective environment: going beyond point-by-point algorithms
Authors: Vergeynst Jenna , Vanwyck Thomas , Baeyens Raf , De Mulder Tom , Nopens Ingmar , Mouton Ans , Pauwels Ine 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
Acoustic positioning telemetry is nowadays widely used in behavioural ecology of aquatic animals. Data on the animal’s geographical location and its changes through time are used to study for instance movement patterns, habitat use and migration. The acoustic signals are detected by stand-alone receivers, allowing to collect huge amounts of data over long periods of time. However, large volumes of data might contain large errors. The traditional Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) method used to calculate underwater positions, is a point-by-point approach: every position is calculated independently of all other positions. This method assumes that the acoustic transmissions follow a linear path. In many environments, this assumption is violated, for instance by reflections of the acoustic signal against hard surfaces, such as rock formations and concrete walls, or by diffractions around obstacles. Hence, acoustic positioning datasets usually require additional filtering. Unfortunately, the performance of the available filtering techniques is often unclear or ambiguous, especially when reflections occur. An alternative to the point-by-point approach, is a track-oriented approach, as used by YAPS (Yet Another Positioning System). This novel algorithm uses the information that is present in previous and subsequent positions, by combining a model of fish behaviour with Time of Arrival (TOA) of the signals on the receivers. In this study, we investigated the performance of two filtering techniques applied to positions provided by the Vemco Positioning System (VPS) in a highly reflective environment. We compared the unfiltered VPS positions with a standard filtering technique, making use of the Horizontal Positioning Error (HPE), and developed a new filter based on receiver cluster classification. Finally, we recalculated the positions with YAPS and compared the performance of this system to the two filtering techniques.

Results
The performance of the VPS system was strongly impeded by the multiple reflections occurring in this study area, but lowering the power output of transmitters can slightly attenuate this issue. None of the filtering techniques was able to compensate for reflections and to improve the positioning accuracy significantly. Only the YAPS algorithm could cope with the high level of reflectivity in this study site.

Conclusions
Point-by-point algorithms might fail to provide accurate fine-scale tracks in a highly reflective acoustic environment. As this study has shown, the YAPS algorithm can provide a successful alternative, even in these difficult conditions.