bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improving access to the treatment of hepatitis C in low- and middle-income countries: evaluation of a patient assistance programme
Authors: Ali Salamat , Ur-Rehman Tofeeq , Ali Mashhood , Haque Sayeed , Rasheed Faisal , Lougher Eleri , Nawaz Muhammad Sarfraz , Paudyal Vibhu 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackground Modern antiviral treatments have high cure rates against the hepatitis C virus however, the high cost associated with branded medicines and diagnostic tests, have resulted in poor access for many low-income patients residing in low-and-middle-income countries. Objective This study aimed to evaluate the role of a patient assistance programme and generic medicines in improving access to treatment of low-income hepatitis C patients in a low-and-middle-income country. Setting A major teaching public hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan. Methods Hepatitis C patients who presented and enrolled for the patient assistance programme during 12 months (1st July 2015 and 30th June 2016) were included. Demography, prescription characteristics, the total costs of Hepatitis C treatment, medicine cost supported by the programme, out-of-pocket cost borne by the patient and average cost effectiveness ratio per sustained virologic response were calculated and compared for different generic and branded regimens. Main outcome measure cost contribution of patient assistance programme. Results A total of 349 patients initiated the treatment through the programme and of those 334 (95.7%) completed the prescribed treatment. There were 294 (88.02%) patients who achieved sustained virologic response. Patient assistance programme contributed medicines cost averaging 60.28–86.26% of the total cost of treatment ($1634.6) per patient. The mean (SE) cost per patient for generic option (Sofosbuvir/Ribavirin) was the lowest [$658.36 (22.3) per patient, average cost effectiveness ratio = $720.1/SVR] than branded option (Sovaldi/Ribavirin) [$2218.66 (37.6) per patient, average cost effectiveness ratio = $2361.8/SVR] of the three available treatment regimens. From patients’ perspectives, the mean (SE) out-of-pocket cost was $296.9 (6.7) which primarily included diagnostic cost (69.9%) of the total cost. Conclusions Patient assistance programme, combined with generic brands of newer hepatitis C treatment offered a significant reduction in cost and widens access to hepatitis C treatment in low-and middle-income countries. However, substantial out-of-pocket costs of the treatment presents an important barrier for service access. There is a scope to widen such financial assistance programme to offer other costs attributed to patients, specifically for diagnosis, to widen service use in low-and-middle-income countries.
Therapeutic optimization through goal-oriented prescription in nursing homes
Authors: Molist-Brunet N. , Sevilla-Sánchez D. , González-Bueno J. , Garcia-Sánchez V. , Segura-Martín L. A. , Codina-Jané C. , Espaulella-Panicot J. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackground People living in nursing homes are highly vulnerable and frail. Polypharmacy and inappropriate prescription (IP) are also common problems. Objectives The objectives of the study are (i) to study the baseline situation and calculate the frailty index (FI) of the residents, (ii) to assess the results of routine clinical practice to do a pharmacotherapy review (patient-centred prescription (PCP) model) (Molist Brunet et al., Eur Geriatr Med. 2015;6:565–9) and (iii) to study the relationship between IP and frailty, functional dependence, advanced dementia and end-of-life situation. Setting Two nursing homes in the same geographical area in Catalonia (Spain). Method This was a prospective, descriptive and observational study of elderly nursing home residents. Each patient’s treatment was analysed by applying the PCP model, which centres therapeutic decisions on the patient’s global assessment and individual therapeutic goal. Main outcome measure Prevalence of polypharmacy and IP. Results 103 patients were included. They were characterized by high multimorbidity and frailty. Up to 59.2% were totally dependent. At least one IP was identified in 92.2% of residents. Prior to the pharmacological review, the mean number of chronic medications prescribed per resident was 6.63 (SD 2.93) and after this review it was 4.97 (SD 2.88). Polypharmacy decreased from 72.55% to 52.94% and excessive polypharmacy fell from 18.62% to 5.88%.The highest prevalence of IP was detected in people with a higher FI, in those identified as end-of-life, and also in more highly dependent residents (p < 0.05). Conclusions People who live in nursing homes have an advanced frailty. Establishing individualized therapeutic objectives with the application of the PCP model enabled to detect 92.2% of IP. People who are frailer, are functionally more dependent and those who are end-of-life are prescribed with inappropriate medication more frequently.
Assessment of cerebrovascular disease with computed tomography in COVID-19 patients: correlation of a novel specific visual score with increased mortality risk
Authors: Bianchi Andrea , Mazzoni Lorenzo Nicola , Busoni Simone , Pinna Nicola , Albanesi Marco , Cavigli Edoardo , Cozzi Diletta , Poggesi Anna , Miele Vittorio , Fainardi Enrico , Gadda Davide 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Purpose
Cerebrovascular disease (CVD) is considered a major risk factor for fatal outcome in COVID-19. We aimed to evaluate the possible association between computed tomography (CT) signs of chronic CVD and mortality in infected patients.

Materials and methods
We performed a double-blind retrospective evaluation of the cerebral CT scans of 83 COVID-19 patients looking for CT signs of chronic CVD. We developed a rapid visual score, named CVD-CT, which summarized the possible presence of parietal calcifications and dolichosis, with or without ectasia, of intracranial arteries, areas of chronic infarction and leukoaraiosis. Statistical analysis was carried out with weighted Cohen’s K test for inter-reader agreement and logistic regression to evaluate the association of in-hospital mortality with CVD-CT, chest X-ray (CXR) severity score (Radiographic Assessment of Lung Edema-RALE) for radiological assessment of pulmonary disease, sex and age.

Results
CVD-CT (odds ratio 1.6, 95% C.I. 1.2-2.1, p = 0.001) was associated with increased risk of mortality. RALE showed an almost significant association (odds ratio 1.05, 95% C.I. 1-1.1, p 0.06), whereas age and sex did not.

Conclusion
CVD-CT is associated with risk of mortality in COVID-19 patients. The presence of CT signs of chronic CVD may be correlated to a condition of fragility of the circulatory system, which constitutes a key risk factor for death in infected patients.
Provenance and production technology of late medieval ‘Besztercebánya/Banská Bystrica–type’ high-quality stove tiles
Authors: Györkös Dorottya , Bajnóczi Bernadett , Szakmány György , Szabó Máté , Milke Ralf , Aradi László Előd , Tóth Mária 
Published: November 2020

AbstractA unique collection of high-quality late medieval (fifteenth–sixteenth century) glazed and unglazed stove tiles from the northern part of the Carpathian Basin is of great interest to archaeologists and art historians. It is yet to be determined if these products, which are characterised by similar features, were produced in a single workshop, perhaps in Besztercebánya/Banská Bystrica (in present-day Slovakia), or in several workshops throughout the region. The first systematic multi-analytical investigation was carried out on the ceramic body and glaze of one hundred and seventeen tile fragments from six sites (Besztercebánya/Banská Bystrica, Fülek/Fiľakovo, and Csábrág/Čabraď in Slovakia; Salgó, Eger, and Szécsény in Hungary) using polarising microscopy, X-ray diffraction, electron microprobe, and Raman microspectroscopy analyses to determine the raw materials and production techniques used. Based on the petrographic characteristics, phase and chemical composition of the ceramic body, and the chemical composition and colourants of the glazes, the stove tiles can be classified into three primary groups. Tiles from different sites are different to each other, only the tiles from the Hungarian sites and from Fülek/Fiľakovo are similar. Thus, it is probable that the tiles were produced in several (at least three) workshops in the region from where they were then dispersed. The technological knowledge of the master(s) producing the polychrome Csábrág/Čabraď tiles with tin-opacified glazes was higher than that of the master(s) producing the other tiles. However, the exact location of the workshops as well as their existence through time is still in unknown.
Atomic layer deposited ZnO films on stainless steel for biomedical applications
Authors: Basiaga Marcin , Walke Witold , Kajzer Wojciech , Sambok-Kiełbowicz Agata , Szewczenko Janusz , Simka Wojciech , Szindler Marek , Ziębowicz Bogusław , Lubenets Vira 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
The main goal of carried out tests were the impact of physicochemical properties of surface layers on the course of processes taking place on the surface of implants made of metallic biomaterials used in the bone system. As a precursor of ZnO, diethylzinc (DEZ) has been used, which reacted with water enabling the deposition of thin films. The chamber temperature was as follows—T = 200°–300 °C. The number of cycles was 500, 1000, and 1500. In the first stage, pitting corrosion test was carried out. Corrosion resistance has been tested under conditions simulating tissue environment. Moreover, the created layers were tested using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The conducted electrochemical tests showed the beneficial effect of the ZnO layer on the substrate made of 316 LVM steel, as evidenced by the obtained parameters describing the corrosion resistance. Furthermore, tests were performed on mechanical properties (scratch test), surface morphology (SEM and AFM method), and physical properties (wettability and thickness layers) for samples with different surface treatments. The investigations of the surface morphology of the applied ZnO layer using the ALD method showed a tendency to inherit the substrate independently of the used application parameters. On the other hand, the tests of adhesion to the substrate showed that the number of cycles of the application process has a fundamental impact on the adhesion of the applied layer to the substrate. Summarizing tests have clearly shown that the number of cycles and temperature in the case of the ZnO coating is significant and positively influences the increase of electrochemical, mechanical, and physical properties of layers.
Incidence of post-operative nausea and vomiting and its associated factors following pediatric ophthalmic surgery at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, 2019
Authors: Aytolign Habtu Adane , Nigatu Yonas Addisu , Denu Zewuditu Abdissa , Arefayine Nurhussien RIzik 
Published: November 2020

ABSTRACT

Background:
Postoperative nausea and vomiting is still viewed as minor problems, even though they are one of the major causes of morbidity in pediatric surgical patients like surgical site bleeding, pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents, fluid and electrolyte disturbances and dehydration, delayed hospital discharge, unexpected hospital admission and decreased patient satisfaction and cost. Surgical, anesthetic related factors as well as patient factors are major contributing factors for PONV.

Purpose:
The objective of this study was to assess Incidence of post-operative nausea and vomiting and factors associated with vomiting after pediatrics ophthalmic procedure under GA.

Design:
prospective cross sectional study.

Methods:
Institutional based prospective observational study was conducted to determine Incidence of post-operative nausea and vomiting and its associated factors. Data were checked on daily basis for completeness and were entered to Epi info and analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20 software.

Findings:
The overall incidence of post-operative vomiting in pediatrics ophthalmic procedure under GA was 19.9% (CI = 14.5–25.3%). Factors associated with post-operative vomiting were age>3years, motion sickness and duration of surgery >30min.

Conclusion:
The incidence of post-operative vomiting after pediatrics ophthalmic procedure was 19.9%. Age>3years, motion sickness and duration of surgery >30 min were significantly associated with post-operative vomiting.

Highlights:
SKS Splitting and Upper Mantle Anisotropy Beneath the Southern New England Appalachians: Constraints From the Dense SEISConn Array
Authors: Lopes Ethan , Long Maureen D. , Karabinos Paul , Aragon John C. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe geology of southern New England reflects subduction and terrane accretion during the Appalachian Orogeny and rifting during the breakup of Pangea. The presence of a low‐velocity seismic anomaly in the upper mantle beneath New England suggests the possible presence of vertical mantle flow (upwelling). It remains poorly understood how the lithosphere beneath southern New England was deformed by past tectonic events; furthermore, the details of the present‐day mantle flow field remain elusive. Observations of seismic anisotropy have the potential to constrain both past and present upper mantle deformation. Here, we present SK(K)S splitting observations at stations of the Seismic Experiment for Imaging Structure Beneath Connecticut array, a deployment of 15 broadband seismic stations across northern Connecticut. This linear array crosses a number of major terrane boundaries and traverses the Mesozoic Hartford Rift Basin in its central portion; its dense station spacing affords an opportunity to probe anisotropic structure on length scales that are relevant for the complex geology of southern New England. We find evidence for average fast splitting directions that are generally parallel to the absolute motion of the North American Plate, but in a few specific regions they are aligned with local tectonic boundaries. We document a striking decrease in splitting delay times (measured at low frequencies) from 0.9 s at the western end of the array to 0.2 s at the eastern end. We discuss several scenarios that might explain this observation, and explore the implications of our measurements for both present‐day mantle flow and past lithospheric deformation beneath southern New England.
A generic multi‐period optimal power flow framework for combating operational constraints via residential flexibility resources
Authors: Avramidis Iason I. , Capitanescu Florin , Deconinck Geert 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIn low voltage networks, the majority of distributed energy resources are customer owned. As such, it is harder for the distribution system operator to control its system and maintain acceptable operating conditions. Even if residential flexibility is available, it should be employed without significant disturbances to customer‐driven device profile patterns. Here a generic tool is developed to assist the distribution system operator in making informed decisions regarding its best course of action to combat operational issues with a limited amount of customer‐driven flexibility. The proposed tool relies on a novel and versatile multi‐period optimal power flow model for centralised control of low voltage distribution systems. Various scenarios of flexibility resources controllability are examined, coupled with a number of novel modelling approaches and customer‐driven restrictions for the distribution system operator. For most scenarios, the multi‐period optimal power flow model is amenable to nonlinear programming (NLP) problems, though there are cases that end up as mixed‐integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) problems. For the latter, a heuristic approach is employed to approximate the MINLP into a sequence of size‐decreasing mixed‐integer linear programming (MILP) and a final NLP problem. The proposed formulation and approximation are applied to two low voltage networks of 18 nodes and 308 nodes, respectively.
Robust state estimation of electricity‐gas‐heat integrated energy system based on the bilinear transformations
Authors: Chen Qiuyue , Yang Dechang , Wang Yaning , Rehtanz Christian , Pandžić Hrvoje 
Published: November 2020

AbstractA comprehensive energy system state estimation is of great significance to promote efficient, stable and reliable operation of the system. Based on coupling characteristics of electricity‐gas‐heat multi‐energy flow and bilinear transformation method, this paper proposes a robust state estimation method suitable for integrated energy systems. First, the state estimation models of electricity, gas and heat energy subsystems and coupling components are constructed. Then, by introducing pseudo state variables and intermediate variables, the nonlinear state estimation process is divided into four stages. Among them, the first and third stages are solved by WLAV method and WLS method respectively, and the second and fourth stages are simple nonlinear transformation processes. Finally, the robust state estimation method is verified on a 40‐node simulation example. The bilinear robust state estimation method proposed not only solves the difficulty of selecting initial values of heterogeneous networks and the problem of non‐convergence of algorithms, but also can search and identify various types of bad data, and has high computational efficiency and good robustness.
One‐step synthesis of flower‐like η‐Al2O3 via supercritical hydrothermal method
Authors: Jalouli Behrouz , Abbasi Aref , Musavi Khoei Seyed Mohammad 
Published: November 2020

In this Letter, flower‐like η‐Al2O3 nanostructure was synthesised via hydrothermal method without any surfactant or further calcination. A molten salt bath rose the reactor temperature as much as 500°C to achieve the supercritical condition. Such a high temperature caused a rapid one‐step synthesis in two minutes. Al(NO3)3 and NaOH were the only precursors. Synthesised powders were investigated by X‐ray powder diffraction and scanning electron microscope, and the specific surface area was also determined by N2 adsorption–desorption analysis. Increasing reaction time >2 min caused undesired Ostwald ripening. So instead of giving more time, a small amount of NaOH was added to form the η‐Al2O3 phase. Moreover, the morphology of η‐Al2O3 changed to flower‐like by increasing the density of the supercritical fluid. Finally, the probable mechanism of flower‐like morphology formation was proposed in two steps.
Local strain gauge based on the nanowires ring resonator embedded in a flexible substrate
Authors: Li Shengkun , Li Xin , Qin Yue , Zhao Yuejin 
Published: November 2020

The authors proposed a flexible microresonator based on nanowires composed of Ⅱ–Ⅵ compounds to detect the small strain caused by external motion. The nanowire ring resonator is embedded in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) flexibility to improve the coupling efficiency. In this work, CdS nanowire is fabricated onto a PDMS flexible substrate. With the help of a fibre tip, the single nanowire is manipulated under a microscope, allowing the curved line to be a ring and making the litter overlapping. This overlap increases coupling efficiency and sensor performance. The ring cavity has the parameters of diameter 1 µm, length 75 µm and radius ∼10 µm. Experiments demonstrated the process of fabricating a strain sensor and detected peak shifts. This resonant wavelength appeared red‐shift and linear tuned when stretching the flexible substrate. The quality factor was about 2000 and the gauge factor was about 80 nm per stretching unit. Being a small structure and high sensitivity, the sensor can be integrated into the chip. This promotes the development of miniaturisation to some extent. As a result, this work is beneficial to optical manipulation, further being extended to the tunable light source.
Diagnosing the interstellar medium of galaxies with far-infrared emission lines
Authors: Ramos Padilla A. F. , Wang L. , Ploeckinger S. , van der Tak F. F. S. , Trager S. C. 
Published: November 2020

Context. Atomic fine structure lines have been detected in the local Universe and at high redshifts over the past decades. The [C II] emission line at 158 μm is an important observable as it provides constraints on the interstellar medium (ISM) cooling processes.
Aims. We develop a physically motivated framework to simulate the production of far-infrared line emission from galaxies in a cosmological context. This first paper sets out our methodology and describes its first application: simulating the [C II] 158 μm line emission in the local Universe.
Methods. We combine the output from EAGLE cosmological hydrodynamical simulations with a multi-phase model of the ISM. Gas particles are divided into three phases: dense molecular gas, neutral atomic gas, and diffuse ionised gas (DIG). We estimate the [C II] line emission from the three phases using a set of CLOUDY cooling tables.
Results. Our results agree with previous findings regarding the contribution of these three ISM phases to the [C II] emission. Our model shows good agreement with the observed L[C II–star formation rate (SFR) relation in the local Universe within 0.4 dex scatter.
Conclusions. The fractional contribution to the [C II] line from different ISM phases depends on the total SFR and metallicity. The neutral gas phase dominates the [C II] emission in galaxies with SFR ∼ 0.01–1 M⊙ yr−1, but the ionised phase dominates at lower SFRs. Galaxies above solar metallicity exhibit lower L[C II/SFR ratios for the neutral phase. In comparison, the L[C II/SFR ratio in the DIG is stable when metallicity varies. We suggest that the reduced size of the neutral clouds, caused by increased SFRs, is the likely cause for the L[C II deficit at high infrared luminosities, although EAGLE simulations do not reach these luminosities at z = 0.
Origin of the zebra structure in the Jovian decameter radio emission
Authors: Shaposhnikov V. E. , Litvinenko G. V. , Zaitsev V. V. , Zakharenko V. V. , Konovalenko A. A. 
Published: November 2020

Context.We discuss the origin of quasi-harmonic emission bands that have been observed in the dynamic spectra of the Jovian decameter emission.Aims.We aim to show that the interpretation of the observed structure can be based on the effect of double plasma resonance (DPR) at ion cyclotron harmonics.Methods.According to the proposed model, in the extended source in the upper ionosphere of Jupiter, where the DPR condition is satisfied for one of the ion cyclotron frequency harmonics, the ion cyclotron waves are effectively excited at the frequency of the lower hybrid resonance. The observed electromagnetic radiation with a quasi-harmonic structure arises due to scattering of ion cyclotron waves by supra-thermal electrons.Results.Based on the VIP4 magnetic field model, we determine the longitudes at which the source of the considered radiation can be located. The obtained estimates of the plasma density and its height distribution in the source, as well as the energies of emitting ions and scattering electrons provide information about the plasma parameters in the upper ionosphere of Jupiter. Furthermore, these estimates are in good agreement with the observational data.