bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
On the Propagation of Satellite Precipitation Estimation Errors: From Passive Microwave to Infrared Estimates
Authors: Upadhyaya Shruti A. , Kirstetter Pierre-Emmanuel , Gourley Jonathan J. , Kuligowski Robert J. 
Published: May 2020

ABSTRACTThe launch of NOAA’s latest generation of geostationary satellites known as the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES)-R Series has opened new opportunities in quantifying precipitation rates. Recent efforts have strived to utilize these data to improve space-based precipitation retrievals. The overall objective of the present work is to carry out a detailed error budget analysis of the improved Self-Calibrating Multivariate Precipitation Retrieval (SCaMPR) algorithm for GOES-R and the passive microwave (MW) combined (MWCOMB) precipitation dataset used to calibrate it with an aim to provide insights regarding strengths and weaknesses of these products. This study systematically analyzes the errors across different climate regions and also as a function of different precipitation types over the conterminous United States. The reference precipitation dataset is Ground-Validation Multi-Radar Multi-Sensor (GV-MRMS). Overall, MWCOMB reveals smaller errors as compared to SCaMPR. However, the analysis indicated that that the major portion of error in SCaMPR is propagated from the MWCOMB calibration data. The major challenge starts with poor detection from MWCOMB, which propagates in SCaMPR. In particular, MWCOMB misses 90% of cool stratiform precipitation and the overall detection score is around 40%. The ability of the algorithms to quantify precipitation amounts for the Warm Stratiform, Cool Stratiform, and Tropical/Stratiform Mix categories is poor compared to the Convective and Tropical/Convective Mix categories with additional challenges in complex terrain regions. Further analysis showed strong similarities in systematic and random error models with both products. This suggests that the potential of high-resolution GOES-R observations remains underutilized in SCaMPR due to the errors from the calibrator MWCOMB.
Aerosolized Particle Reduction: A Novel Cadaveric Model and a Negative Airway Pressure Respirator (NAPR) System to Protect Health Care Workers From COVID‐19
Authors: Khoury Tawfiq , Lavergne Pascal , Chitguppi Chandala , Rabinowitz Mindy , Nyquist Gurston , Rosen Marc , Evans James 
Published: May 2020

ObjectivesThis study aimed to identify escape of small‐particle aerosols from a variety of masks using simulated breathing conditions. This study also aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a negative‐pressure environment around the face in preventing the escape of small aerosolized particles.Study DesignThis study is an evaluation study with specific methodology described below.SettingThis study was performed in our institution’s fresh tissue laboratory.Subjects and MethodsA fixed cadaver head was placed in a controlled environment with a black background, and small‐particle aerosols were created using joss incense sticks (mass‐median aerosol diameter of 0.28 µ). Smoke was passed through the cadaver head, and images were taken with a high‐resolution camera in a standardized manner. Digital image processing was used to calculate relative amounts of small‐particle escape from a variety of masks, including a standard surgical mask, a modified Ambu mask, and our negative airway pressure respirator (NAPR).ResultsSignificant amounts of aerosolized particles escaped during the trials with no mask, a standard surgical mask, and the NAPR without suction. When suction was applied to the NAPR, creating a negative‐pressure system, no particle escape was noted.ConclusionWe present a new and effective method for the study of small‐particle aerosols as a step toward better understanding the spread of these particles and the transmission of coronavirus disease 2019. We also present the concept of an NAPR to better protect health care workers from aerosols generated from the upper and lower airways.
Timing of Tracheotomy in Intubated Patients With COVID‐19
Authors: Delides Alexander , Maragoudakis Pavlos , Nikolopoulos Thomas 
Published: May 2020

Timing of elective tracheotomy in the intensive care unit for intubated patients with COVID‐19 is still unclear. Recent recommendations and guidelines describe the surgical steps to achieve maximum protection of the involved medical staff and propose a delay of the procedure, so the viral load is decreased. Most authors of these recommendations agree that tracheotomy should be performed after at least 14 days from intubation, but data on this subject are still lacking. We discuss the issue of timing for such a procedure in regard to viral load and propose that the decision should be predominately based on its calculation.
Comparison of the modified direct closure method and skin grafting for wounds at the anterolateral thigh flap donor site
Authors: Gu Song , Zhang Yuxuan , Huang Yinjun , Fu Huichao , Wang Guheng , Xie Renguo 
Published: May 2020

Objective This study was performed to compare the modified direct closure method and traditional skin grafting for wounds at the anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap donor site. Methods Among 29 consecutive patients with wounds at the ALT flap donor site, 14 underwent the modified direct closure method (MDC group) and 15 underwent traditional skin grafting (SG group). The operative time, follow-up time, complications, Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) score, and Scar Cosmesis Assessment and Rating (SCAR) score of the two groups were statistically analyzed. Results The mean follow-up times in the MDC and SG group were 16.1 and 16.7 months, respectively. Two patients showed partial skin necrosis after skin grafting, but the remaining patients’ wounds healed uneventfully. The operative time in the MDC group was an average of about 64 minutes shorter than that in the SG group. The average VSS and SCAR scores in the MDC group were 2.1 and 3.0 points lower, respectively, than those in the SG group. Conclusions Compared with traditional skin grafting, the modified direct closure method is more efficient for repair of wounds at the ALT flap donor site because of its shorter operative time, better postoperative appearance of the donor site, and higher patient satisfaction.
Intravitreal aflibercept for diabetic macular oedema in real-world: 36-month visual acuity and anatomical outcomes
Authors: Lukic Marko , Williams Gwyn , Shalchi Zaid , Patel Praveen J , Hykin Philip G , Hamilton Robin D , Rajendram Ranjan 
Published: May 2020

Background/aims To assess structural and functional outcomes of treatment with intravitreal aflibercept (®Eylea) for diabetic macular oedema in treatment-naïve patients. Methods Sixty-four eyes receiving intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy were included in the data analysis of this retrospective, real-life study which follow-up was 3 years. Each patient had corrected visual acuity in Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters and optical coherence tomography central foveal thickness and macular volume performed at baseline, 12, 24 and 36 months. Patients were initiated on a loading phase of five 1-monthly intravitreal aflibercept injections, followed by injections if needed as per clinicians’ discretion. Results The mean number of aflibercept injections received over 3 years was 12.59. At baseline, the mean visual acuity (standard deviation) (Snellen) was 61.45 (16.30) (20/63) Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters, the mean central foveal thickness (standard deviation) was 422 (138) µm, while the mean macular volume (standard deviation) was 9.51 (2.01) mm3. At 36 months, the mean visual acuity (standard deviation) (Snellen) was 68.34 (13.66) (20/50) Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters (p = .0003). Mean central foveal thickness (standard deviation) was 303 (106) µm (p < .0001) and mean macular volume (standard deviation) was 8.35 (1.62) mm3 (p = .0022) at 36 months. Sixteen (25%) eyes gained ≥15 ETDRS letters at month 36, and 33 (52%) eyes had a decrease in central foveal thickness of ≥ 100 µm at the same time. Conclusion There was a significant improvement in visual acuity and in anatomical outcomes in aflibercept-treated eyes at 36 months after commencing treatment for diabetic macular oedema in real-life settings. The good vision and anatomical outcomes were maintained over second and third year of treatment with mean 2.93 and 2.57 intravitreal injections, respectively.
Sodium Tanshinone IIA Sulfonate Attenuates Tumor Oxidative Stress and Promotes Apoptosis in an Intermittent Hypoxia Mouse Model
Authors: Zhang Xiao-Bin , Chen Xiao-Yang , Sun Peng , Su Xiao-Man , Zeng Hui-Qing , Zeng Yi-Ming , Wang Miao , Luo Xiongbiao 
Published: May 2020

Objective: Intermittent hypoxia, a significant feature of obstructive sleep apnea, has pro-tumorigenic effects. Here, we investigated the effect of sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate on oxidative stress and apoptosis in a mouse model of Lewis lung carcinoma with intermittent hypoxia. Methods: Mice were randomly assigned to normoxia (control), normoxia plus sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (control + sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate), intermittent hypoxia, and intermittent hypoxia + sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate groups. Intermittent hypoxia administration lasted 5 weeks in the intermittent hypoxia groups. Lewis lung carcinoma cells were injected into the right flank of each mouse after 1 week of intermittent hypoxia exposure. Sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate was injected intraperitoneally in the control + sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate and intermittent hypoxia + sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate groups. Tumor oxidative stress was evaluated by detection of malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase. The apoptosis of tumor cells was evaluated by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling assay as well as by Western blot analysis of B-cell lymphoma 2-associated X protein and cleaved caspase-3 expression. Additionally, the expression of hypoxia-induced factor-1α, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, and nuclear factor kappa B was also evaluated by Western blot. Results: Compared with the control group, the intermittent hypoxia treatment significantly increased Lewis lung carcinoma tumor growth and oxidative stress (serum malondialdehyde) but decreased serum levels of SOD and pro-apoptotic markers (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling staining, B-cell lymphoma 2-associated X protein, and cleaved caspase-3). These changes were significantly attenuated by intraperitoneal injection of sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate. Lower nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 and higher nuclear factor kappa B levels in the intermittent hypoxia group were clearly reversed by sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate treatment. In addition, sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate administration decreased the high expression of hypoxia-induced factor-1α induced by intermittent hypoxia. Conclusion: Intermittent hypoxia treatment resulted in high oxidative stress and low apoptosis in Lewis lung carcinoma–implanted mice, which could be attenuated by sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate administration possibly through a mechanism mediated by the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathway.
Rehospitalization rates, costs, and risk factors for inflammatory bowel disease: a 16-year nationwide study
Authors: Santiago Mafalda , Magro Fernando , Correia Luís , Portela Francisco , Ministro Paula , Lago Paula , Trindade Eunice , Dias Cláudia Camila 
Published: May 2020

Aims: We aimed to describe the burden of rehospitalization in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), by evaluating rehospitalization rates, charges, and risk factors over 16 years. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of all hospital discharges with a primary diagnosis of IBD in public hospitals between 2000 and 2015 in mainland Portugal from the Central Administration of the Health System (ACSS)’s national registry. We collected data on patient, clinical, and healthcare charges. We used survival analysis to estimate the rate and risk factors of IBD-related rehospitalization. Results: We found that 33% ( n = 15,931) of the IBD-related hospitalizations corresponded to rehospitalizations, which increased by 12% over 16 years. However, IBD rehospitalization rate per 100,000 IBD patients decreased 2.5-fold between 2003 and 2015. Mean IBD-related rehospitalization charges were €14,589/hospitalization-year in 2000 and €17,548 /hospitalization-year in 2015, with total rehospitalization charges reaching €3.1 million/year by 2015. Overall, the 30-day rate of rehospitalization was 24% for Crohn’s disease (CD) and 22.4% for ulcerative colitis (UC). Novel risk factors for rehospitalization include penetrating disease in CD patients {hazard ratio (HR) 1.34 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.20–1.51], p < 0.001} and colostomy in UC patients [HR 2.84 (95% CI 1.06–7.58)]. Conclusion: IBD-related rehospitalization should be closely monitored, and efforts to reduce its risk factors should be made to improve the quality of care and, consequently, to reduce the burden of IBD.
Reoperation in Zygomatico-orbital Trauma: A Review of Patients With Suboptimal Outcomes Following Initial Repair
Authors: Taylor Richard , Kumar Deepshikha , Ghelani Jai , Varley Iain 
Published: May 2020

Introduction: Treatment to restore anatomy, function, and aesthetics after trauma should involve as little surgical insult as possible. As such, repeated procedures may suggest failed initial management. To date, no predictive factors for failure of primary surgery have been identified. Objectives: The aim of this review was to identify factors affecting the requirement for reoperation following treatment of zygomatico-orbital injuries. Study Design and Methods: A retrospective review of patients undergoing surgery for zygomatico-orbital fractures between 2011 and 2019 in a single UK major trauma center was undertaken. All operative notes and imaging were reviewed independently by 2 authors to classify the fracture patterns for both zygomatic and orbital components of the injury. For all cases, the mode of preoperative imaging the grade of operating surgeon, materials used for fixation, and the surgical approaches were recorded. Results: Coding data identified 432 patients who underwent surgery for zygomatico-orbital fractures. In total, 116 cases were treated with closed reduction and 316 with open reduction and internal fixation; 20 cases required reoperation. There were no significant differences identified between cases requiring reoperation and those who did not. Conclusions: A need for repeated surgery is rare. However, this review identified an increased risk of infection of fixation when an intraoral approach was used and highlights the potential benefits that can be achieved by open reduction and internal fixation when more conservative approaches fail to achieve the desired outcome.
Culture as a Competitive Advantage at Raychem RPG
Authors: Jha Ratish 
Published: May 2020

Culture as a competitive advantage. Your culture, is your identity, is unique and differentiating, it not only inspires your employees to come to work but gives them an environment where passion meets purpose, it attracts your customers to choose you over your competitors and it enables your shareholders & stakeholders to have trust in your brand. The right culture can help grow your company multi-folds. The success of any large-scale intervention process depends upon Involvement, Co-creation and Execution of/by/from your various stakeholders. Cultural Transformation is the biggest change management initiative for any organization. It includes hand holding your employees in the journey of change management, capturing voice of the customer & market, building a case for change, deriving business behaviors and leveraging them to Business Benefits, envisioning a new vision along with your stakeholders, displaying commitment towards execution, reinforcing the new business behaviors and celebrating the success stories of your cultural heroes. Culture is not an initiative but it’s a catalyst for all the initiatives.
The role of adhesion protein Fibulin7 in development and diseases
Authors: Chakraborty Papiya , Dash Shiba Prasad , Sarangi Pranita P. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractFibulins are a family of secreted glycoproteins, which play an important role in regulating multiple cellular functions such as adhesion, growth, motility, and survival. Fibulin7 (Fbln7) is expressed in developing odontoblasts, in the giant trophoblast layer of the placenta, in the choroid of the eyes as well as in the cartilage. Since its discovery, reports from various research groups have improved our understanding about the roles and effects of Fbln7 and Fbln7 derived fragments and peptides under physiological and pathological conditions such as tooth development, angiogenesis, immunoregulation, cancer pathogenesis and very recently as a possible biomarker for glaucoma. This review will highlight the latest developments in our understanding of the functions, the proposed mechanism of actions, and Fbln7’s possible implications in future research and as therapeutics for different diseases.
Bending, shear, and compressive properties of three- and five-layer cross-laminated timber fabricated with black spruce
Authors: He Minjuan , Sun Xiaofeng , Li Zheng , Feng Wei 
Published: May 2020

AbstractCross-laminated timber (CLT) is an innovative engineering wood product made by gluing layers of solid-sawn lumber at perpendicular angles. The commonly used wood species for CLT manufacturing include spruce-pine-fir (SPF), douglas fir-larch, and southern pine lumber. With the hope of broadening the wood species for CLT manufacturing, the purposes of this study include evaluating the mechanical properties of black spruce CLT and analyzing the influence of CLT thickness on its bending or shear properties. In this paper, bending, shear, and compressive tests were conducted respectively on 3-layer CLT panels with a thickness of 105 mm and on 5-layer CLT panels with a thickness of 155 mm, both of which were fabricated with No. 2-grade Canadian black spruce. Their bending or shear resisting properties as well as the failure modes were analyzed. Furthermore, comparison of mechanical properties was conducted between the black spruce CLT panels and the CLT panels fabricated with some other common wood species. Finally, for both the CLT bending panels and the CLT shear panels, their numerical models were developed and calibrated with the experimental results. For the CLT bending panels, results show that increasing the CLT thickness whilst maintaining identical span-to-thickness ratios can even slightly reduce the characteristic bending strength of the black spruce CLT. For the CLT shear panels, results show that increasing the CLT thickness whilst maintaining identical span-to-thickness ratios has little enhancement on their characteristic shear strength. For the CLT bending panels, their effective bending stiffness based on the Shear Analogy theory can be used as a more accurate prediction on their experiment-based global bending stiffness. The model of the CLT bending specimens is capable of predicting their bending properties; whereas, the model of the CLT shear specimens would underestimate their ultimate shear resisting capacity due to the absence of the rolling shear mechanism in the model, although the elastic stiffness can be predicted accurately. Overall, it is attested that the black spruce CLT can provide ideal bending or shear properties, which can be comparable to those of the CLT fabricated with other commonly used wood species. Besides, further efforts should focus on developing a numerical model that can consider the influence of the rolling shear mechanism.
Persistence of pregabalin treatment in Taiwan: a nation-wide population-based study
Authors: Wang Yen-Feng , Chen Yung-Tai , Tsai Ching-Wen , Yen Yu-Chun , Chen Yi-Chun , Shia Ben-Chang , Wang Shuu-Jiun 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
Pregabalin is approved for the treatment of neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, and seizure disorders, although the pivotal trials were mostly carried out in Europe or North America. The prescribing patterns among different indications in Asia have rarely been explored.

Methods
This was a population-based retrospective cohort study based on the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. Prescriptions of pregabalin were identified, and data regarding demographics, indications, co-existing diagnoses, and concomitant medications were extracted. Pregabalin users were followed for at least one year, and factors associated with persistence at one year were determined by using multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results
Between June 2012 and December 2016, 114,437 pregabalin users (mean age 60.7 ± 15.4 years, 57.8% female) were identified. The indications included post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) (30.5%), musculoskeletal diseases other than fibromyalgia (21.2%), fibromyalgia (18.4%), diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (DPNP) (11.7%) and epilepsy (2.9%). Overall, 62.5% and 6.4% of patients achieved a maximum dose of ≥150 and ≥ 300 mg/day, respectively. The median duration of persistent pregabalin use was 28 days (interquartile range 14–118 days). The one-year persistence rate was 12.1%, and the indications associated with the highest and lowest persistence rates were epilepsy (42.4%) and PHN (6.1%), respectively. Male gender (odds ratio [OR] 1.14, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09–1.18), older age (OR 1.01 per year, 95% CI 1.01–1.01), indications other than PHN, especially epilepsy (OR 8.04, 95% CI 7.33–8.81, PHN as reference), and a higher initial dose (OR 1.12 per 75 mg, 95% CI = 1.10–1.15) were associated with persistence at one year, whereas the initial concomitant use of antiviral agents decreased the likelihood (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.35–0.47).

Conclusions
Pregabalin prescriptions for pain disorders were limited to short-term use, which is consistent around the world. However, the average prescribed dose in Taiwan was lower than those in Western countries, and was frequently below the recommended ranges. Potential causes included the duration of natural history of PHN, and off-label prescriptions for pain in acute herpes zoster, rather than PHN, as well as intolerance to the side effects.