bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CONUT: a tool to assess nutritional status. First application in a primary care population
Authors: Salinas Maria , Flores Emilio , Blasco Alvaro , López-Garrigós Maite , Puche Carmen , Asencio Alberto , Leiva-Salinas Carlos 
Published: September 2020

Abstract

Objectives
Malnutrition is an unfavorable prognostic factor associated with an increase in mortality, hospital stays, readmissions and resources consumption. The aim was to screen primary care patients for risk of malnutrition by using the control nutritional (CONUT) score, calculated through total lymphocytes count, serum albumin and total cholesterol, when the three markers were requested, and to compare results between primary care centers (PCC).

Methods
The clinical laboratory located in a 370-bed suburban University Community Hospital serves the Health Department inhabitants (2,34,551), attended in nine PCC. The laboratory information system (LIS) automatically calculated the CONUT score in every primary care patient over 18 years old, when all three laboratory markers were ordered by the General Practitioner. For all primary care patients, we collected demographic data, CONUT index and PCC. We classified results by PCC, and compared them.

Results
The clinical laboratory received 74,743 requests from primary care. The CONUT score was calculated in 7,155 (12.28%) patients. Nine hundred seventy-six (13.6%) were at risk of malnutrition according to the CONUT score, mainly male (p<0.01) and over 65 (p<0.01). Detected cases of malnutrition were all mild, except 48 patients (4.9%) with moderate, and one (0.1%) with severe risk. The percentage of patients at risk of malnutrition was not significantly different among PCC, with the exception of one with patients at lower malnutrition risk.

Conclusions
It is possible to use CONUT score as a front-line population-wide laboratory marker to screen for the risk for malnutrition in primary care patients that was lower in one PCC.
A balanced-to-balanced directional coupler based on branch-slotline coupled structure
Authors: Liu Yaxin , Wei Feng , Shi Xiaowei , Zeng Cao 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
In this paper, a balanced-to-balanced (BTB) branch-slotline directional coupler (DC) is firstly presented, which can realize an arbitrary power division ratios (PDRs). The coupler is composed by microstrip-to-slotline (MS) transition structures and branch-slotline coupled structures. The single-ended to balanced-ended conversion is simplified and easy to implemented by the MS transition structures, which intrinsically leads to the differential-mode (DM) transmission and common-mode (CM) suppression. Moreover, the different PDRs which are controlled by the widths of branch-slotlines can be achieved. In order to verify the feasibility of the proposed design method, two prototype circuits of the proposed coupler with different PDRs are fabricated and measured. The return loss and the isolation of two designs are all better than 10 dB. Moreover, the CM suppressions are greater than 35 dB. A good agreement between the simulation and measurement results is observed.
Design of low profile co-axial fed high gain stacked patch antenna for Wi-Fi/WLAN/Wi-Max applications
Authors: Pachaiyappan Gnanasivam , Ramanujam Parthasarathy 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
In this article, a simple design of stacked radiating system with enhanced gain, impedance bandwidth, and radiation efficiency for mobile base station application is presented. The proposed antenna consists of a driven patch with a semicircular parasitic patch printed on the bottom layer and five parasitic patches printed on the top layer. The driven patch is feed by a co-axial probe and both the layers are separated in air. The second layer has four truncated circular parasitic patches on one side and one circular patch on the other side to enhance the directive gain acts as a directive reflector. This staked system encompasses some prominent features such as wide bandwidth, good gain, low profile, better radiation efficiency simple design, and integration for the mobile base station. Meanwhile, this configuration exhibits a bandwidth of 2 GHz with the minimized volume is 0.75 λ0 × 0.75 λ0 × 0.08 λ0. Experimentally validated results have an average and peak gain of 10.7 and 12.7 dBi, impedance bandwidth of more than 30.7% for |S11| < −10 dB, and radiation efficiency of above 86%. The proposed stacked radiating system finds its applications in Wi-Fi, WLAN, Wi-Max, Indoor UWB, and Marine Radar applications.
To be or not to be in the social media arena? The perspective of healthcare providers working within adolescent and young adult oncology in Switzerland
Authors: De Clercq Eva , Rost Michael , von der Weid Nicolas , Ansari Marc , Elger Bernice S. 
Published: September 2020

Abstract

Background
Given that social media is quickly penetrating clinical practice, it is essential to explore how these technologies can be used to improve patient-centered care. This is particularly important for healthcare professionals caring for adolescents and young adults (AYA), amid whom the use of social media is nearly universal and whose medical and psychosocial needs are often underestimated by the pediatric or adult oncology settings in which they are treated.

Objectives
To examine the perspectives of various medical professionals on the emerging role of social media in AYA oncology.

Methods
Three focus groups were performed with Swiss healthcare professionals involved in the care of AYA patients with cancer. The focus groups were analyzed using thematic coding.

Results
Healthcare professionals caring for AYA cancer patients in Switzerland are reluctant to step into the social media sphere because they find it difficult to navigate professional boundaries in an unfamiliar space where different contexts collapse. Nurses and younger healthcare professionals who tend to have a more intimate relationship with AYA, often lack virtual mentorship to know how to maintain online professionalism. Adolescents and young adults cancer-related social media presence was unknown to our participants which resulted in missed occasions to inform, educate and care for this often underserved population of cancer patients.

Conclusions
More practical guidance is needed to help healthcare professionals with how to integrate social media into clinical practice. Setting up fruitful collaborations between medical institutions and existing AYA support groups online might be the best way forward.
Modelling ethnic differences in the distribution of insulin resistance via Bayesian nonparametric processes: an application to the SABRE cohort study
Authors: Molinari Marco , de Iorio Maria , Chaturvedi Nishi , Hughes Alun , Tillin Therese 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
We analyse data from the Southall And Brent REvisited (SABRE) tri-ethnic study, where measurements of metabolic and anthropometric variables have been recorded. In particular, we focus on modelling the distribution of insulin resistance which is strongly associated with the development of type 2 diabetes. We propose the use of a Bayesian nonparametric prior to model the distribution of Homeostasis Model Assessment insulin resistance, as it allows for data-driven clustering of the observations. Anthropometric variables and metabolites concentrations are included as covariates in a regression framework. This strategy highlights the presence of sub-populations in the data, characterised by different levels of risk of developing type 2 diabetes across ethnicities. Posterior inference is performed through Markov Chains Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods.
Influence of the amine alkyl-chain upon carbon dioxide absorption in G-L-L reactor
Authors: Brea Uxía , Gómez-Díaz Diego , Navaza José M. 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Present work analyzes the behavior of several gas-liquid-liquid systems for carbon dioxide separation using chemical absorption. The type of amine center in a solvent with two liquid phases (organic and aqueous) shows a high importance in relation to the overall behavior. The experimental results for these solvents have been compared with a previous study using octylamine in the chemical solvent because it has shown suitable results for carbon dioxide loading, absorption rate and energy cost associated to solvent regeneration. Present study analyzes the carbon dioxide absorption mechanism in multiphasic reactors (specifically G-L-L) using different types of amines in order to understand the overall behavior that involves steps of mass transfer and chemical reaction.
Fischer-Tropsch reaction mixture permeation through a silicalite-1 membrane reactor and its effect on the produced hydrocarbons distribution
Authors: Bellal Abdelmalek , Chibane Lemnouer 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
The quantification of the permeation of the Fischer-Tropsch reaction mixture through a silicalite-1 zeolite membrane in which is integrated in to fixed bed reactor was theoretically investigated. The approach is based on the prediction of the permeation parameters by using two different mechanisms including surface diffusion and gaseous diffusion. It was found that under our investigated conditions, the total permeation could be governed by surface diffusion model since the contribution of this mechanism is dominant versus the gaseous diffusion. Noteworthy, our results show that except for the selective gas permeation of carbon dioxide, the measuring factors of different permeates were proportional to the operating pressure. Hydrocarbons with low molecular weight diffuse greater than long-chain hydrocarbons. Furthermore, the high adsorbed molecules are more likely to be affected by the high processing temperature. It can be also highlighted that the permeate amounts has no important effect on the product distribution which is characterized by the olefins to paraffins ratios. So the assumption that considers the separation of CO
2 without assuming other components permeation is well supported.
Analysis of power quality in a grid system connected with a three phase induction motor
Authors: Babu Bandla Pavan , Vairavasundaram Indragandhi 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIn an electrical system, power quality (PQ) is becoming significant to all types of consumers. With the increase of power demand from end users, maintaining the quality of power within the limitations is a major problem. This paper describes power quality issues like voltage sag, voltage variations, voltage fluctuations, individual harmonics, inter-harmonics and power frequency variations in a grid connected system with a three-phase induction motor connected as a load. This system is tested in according to International Electro technical Commission (IEC) Std. 61000-4-11/4-13/4-14/4-28 which are allowed to the load through a regenerative grid simulator. Test procedures of the system equipment and the detailed analysis of the monitored and measured results are also described in this paper.
Adjoint of generalized Cesáro operators on analytic function spaces
Authors: Naik Sunanda , Nath Pankaj K. 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
In this article, we define a convolution operator and study its boundedness on
mixed-norm spaces. In particular, we obtain a well-known result on the boundedness of
composition operators given by Avetisyan and Stević in [K. Avetisyan and S. Stević,
The generalized Libera transform is bounded on the Besov mixed-norm, BMOA and VMOA spaces on the unit disc,
Appl. Math. Comput. 213 2009, 2, 304–311].
Also we consider the adjoint

𝒜

b
,
c

{\mathcal{A}^{b,c}}

for

b
>
0

{b>0}

of two parameter families
of Cesáro averaging operators and prove the boundedness on Besov mixed-norm spaces

B

α
+

(

c
-
1

)

p
,
q

{B_{\alpha+(c-1)}^{p,q}}

for

c
>
1

{c>1}

.
Parametric PSF estimation based on recursive SURE for sparse deconvolution
Authors: Xue Feng , Liu Jiaqi , Ai Xia 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
PSF (point spread function) estimation plays an important role in blind image deconvolution. It has been shown in our previous work that minimization of the Stein’s unbiased risk estimate (SURE) – unbiased estimate of mean squared error (MSE) – could yield an accurate PSF estimate.
In this paper, we show that the PSF estimation error is upper bounded by the deconvolution accuracy and the mismatch between the assumed PSF parametric form and the underlying true one. For this reason, we incorporate the

ℓ
1

{\ell_{1}}

-penalized sparse deconvolution into the SURE instead of previously used Wiener filter. In particular, we apply the iterative soft-thresholding algorithms to solve

ℓ
1

{\ell_{1}}

-minimization, and develop recursive evaluations of SURE, which is then shown to converge to the existing theoretical result. In practical implementations with large-scale data, we apply the Monte-Carlo simulation to avoid the explicit matrix operation. Numerical examples demonstrate the improvements of PSF estimate, and the resulting deconvolution performance.
A Framework of Nonequilibrium Statistical Mechanics. I. Role and Types of Fluctuations
Authors: Öttinger Hans Christian , Peletier Mark A. , Montefusco Alberto 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Understanding the fluctuations by which phenomenological evolution equations with thermodynamic structure can be enhanced is the key to a general framework of nonequilibrium statistical mechanics. These fluctuations provide an idealized representation of microscopic details. We consider fluctuation-enhanced equations associated with Markov processes and elaborate the general recipes for evaluating dynamic material properties, which characterize force-flux constitutive laws, by statistical mechanics. Markov processes with continuous trajectories are conveniently characterized by stochastic differential equations and lead to Green–Kubo-type formulas for dynamic material properties. Markov processes with discontinuous jumps include transitions over energy barriers with the rates calculated by Kramers. We describe a unified approach to Markovian fluctuations and demonstrate how the appropriate type of fluctuations (continuous versus discontinuous) is reflected in the mathematical structure of the phenomenological equations.
Performance evaluation of a multiple optical link FSO–FSO
Authors: Tayebi Mohammed Larbi , Djir Amina , Meskine Fatiha 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Free-space optics (FSO) connects two distant points by a simple light beam. Currently, this technique is a complement to radio frequency systems and those based on optical fibers. However, its large-scale deployment is slowing down due to major drawbacks such as the short operating distance and its great vulnerability to atmospheric conditions. In this article, and in order to increase the connection distance of the FSO systems and maintaining an acceptable signal quality, we inserted in the transmission channel: a receiver and a transmitter that retransmit the received signal. We have chosen two weather situations. The attenuation values used are 85 dB/km and 170 dB/km. They represent two different fog densities. For an attenuation of 85 dB/km, the quality factor Q degrades and goes from the value 44.50 to 2.60 when the distance goes from 90 to 180 m. With the proposed technique, the quality factor has improved significantly since we obtained a value that is equal to 29.82 instead of 2.60 at the overall distance of 180 m. On the other hand, we increased the distance until we obtained a quality factor around 2.5. The distance obtained is equal to 360 m, which is twice the initial distance.
Application of photonic crystal based nonlinear ring resonators for realizing all optical 3-to-8 decoder
Authors: Rostamizadeh Alidoost , Taghizadeh Mehdi , Jamali Jasem , Andalib Alireza 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Optical decoders are required for optical routing. In this paper we presented the design procedure and simulation results for 3-to-8 optical decoder, which was designed using nonlinear ring resonators inside two dimensional photonic crystals. The proposed structure was simulated using finite difference time domain method. Based on the simulation results the maximum delay time of the structure is about 2 ps. Also the worst transmission values for logic 0 and 1 are 10% and 78%, respectively.
Serum kallistatin level is decreased in women with preeclampsia
Authors: Güralp Onur , Tüten Nevin , Gök Koray , Hamzaoglu Kübra , Bulut Huri , Schild-Suhren Meike , Malik Eduard , Tüten Abdullah 
Published: September 2020

Abstract

Objectives
To evaluate the serum levels of the serine proteinase inhibitor kallistatin in women with preeclampsia (PE).

Methods
The clinical and laboratory parameters of 55 consecutive women with early-onset PE (EOPE) and 55 consecutive women with late-onset PE (LOPE) were compared with 110 consecutive gestational age (GA)-matched (±1 week) pregnant women with an uncomplicated pregnancy and an appropriate for gestational age fetus.

Results
Mean serum kallistatin was significantly lower in women with PE compared to the GA-matched-controls (27.74±8.29 ng/mL vs. 37.86±20.64 ng/mL, p<0.001); in women with EOPE compared to that of women in the control group GA-matched for EOPE (24.85±6.65 ng/mL vs. 33.37±17.46 ng/mL, p=0.002); and in women with LOPE compared to that of women in the control group GA-matched for LOPE (30.87±8.81 ng/mL vs. 42.25±22.67 ng/mL, p=0.002). Mean serum kallistatin was significantly lower in women with EOPE compared to LOPE (24.85±6.65 ng/mL vs. 30.87±8.81 ng/mL, p<0.001). Serum kallistatin had negative correlations with systolic and diastolic blood pressure, creatinine, and positive correlation with GA at sampling and GA at birth.

Conclusions
Serum kallistatin levels are decreased in preeclamptic pregnancies compared to the GA-matched-controls. This decrease was also significant in women with EOPE compared to LOPE. Serum kallistatin had negative correlation with systolic and diastolic blood pressure, creatinine and positive correlation with GA at sampling and GA at birth.
Predictive values of clinical parameters and biophysical and biochemical markers in the first trimester for the detection of small-for-gestational age fetuses
Authors: Antunes Irene Reali , Lobo Guilherme Antonio Rago , Araujo Júnior Edward , Pares David Baptista da Silva 
Published: September 2020

Abstract

Objectives
To evaluate the predictive values of maternal characteristics, biophysical parameters (mean arterial pressure [MAP] and Doppler uterine artery measurements), and biochemical parameters (pregnancy-associated plasma protein A [PAPP-A] and placental growth factor [PlGF]) alone and in association for small-for-gestational age (SGA) fetuses.

Methods
We performed a retrospective analysis of a prospective observational study that evaluated 615 pregnant women in the first trimester using ultrasonography. For all the women, information regarding clinical and obstetric histories, MAP, and uterine artery mean pulsatility index (UtA-PI), and blood samples for analysis of biochemical markers (PAPP-A and PlGF) were obtained. The patients were grouped according to birth weight as follows: group I (n=571), >10th percentile (control); group II (n=44), <10th percentile; and group III (n=34), <5th percentile. The predictive values of the variables for the detection of SGA fetuses were calculated using a logistic regression model and an analysis of the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC).

Results
The sensitivity rates of the maternal characteristics, biophysical markers (MAP and UtA-PI), biochemical markers (PAPP-A and PlGF), and the association between them were: 23.3, 32.5, 25, and 30% respectively, at a false-positive (FP) rate of 10%, in group II and 26.5, 26.5, 23.5, and 23.5%, respectively, at a FP rate of 10% in group III.

Conclusions
The predictive performances of the combination of maternal characteristics and biophysical and biochemical parameters were unsatisfactory, with a slight improvement in the predictive capacity for SGA fetuses <10th percentile.
Risk factors for pregnancy-associated venous thromboembolism in Singapore
Authors: Jaya-Bodestyne Sandra Lynn , Lee Lai Heng , Tan Lay Kok , Tan Kok Hian , Østbye Truls , Malhotra Rahul , Allen John , Tan Sophie Seine Xuan , Tan Melinda Si Yun , Ng Lawrence Cheng Kiat , Yong Yang , Tan Thiam Chye 
Published: September 2020

Abstract

Objectives
Pregnancy-associated venous thromboembolism (VTE), including deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), is associated with increased risk of maternal mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to assess potential risk factors for pregnancy-associated VTE.

Methods
In this case-control study, women with pregnancy-associated VTE were identified via International Classification of Diseases codes and included if they had been objectively diagnosed with VTE during pregnancy or within six weeks postpartum, from 2004 to 2016, at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital or Singapore General Hospital in Singapore. Controls, i.e. pregnant women without VTE, were selected from a prospective longitudinal study. The odds ratio (OR) for VTE was computed for a range of maternal and obstetric factors.

Results and conclusions
From 2004 to 2016, 89 cases of pregnancy-associated VTE and 926 controls were identifed and analysed using logistic regression. The most significant risk factors for pregnancy-associated VTE were smoking (OR 5.44, p=0.0002) and preterm delivery (OR 5.06, p=0.023). Malay race, multiparity, non-O blood group and caesarean section, were also identified to be of higher risk. These risk factors should be useful in the development of thromboprophylaxis strategies for pregnancy and the postpartum period, especially in Singapore.
Predictive factors of progression to severe COVID-19
Authors: Zhou Yi-Hong , Li Huan , Qin Yuan-Yuan , Yan Xiao-Feng , Lu Yan-Qiu , Liu Hong-Lan , Ye Si-Kuan , Wan Yan , Zhang Lu , Harypursat Vijay , Chen Yaokai 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAimEarly diagnosis and treatment are crucial for the survival of severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, but data with regard to risk factors for disease progression from milder COVID-19 to severe COVID-19 remain scarce.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis on 116 patients.ResultsThree factors were observed to be independently associated with progression to severe COVID-19 during 14 days after admission: (a) age 65 years or older (hazard ratio [HR] = 8.456; 95% CI: 2.706–26.426); (b) creatine kinase (CK) ≥ 180 U/L (HR = 3.667; 95% CI: 1.253–10.733); and (c) CD4+ T-cell counts <300 cells/µL (HR = 4.695; 95% CI: 1.483–14.856). The difference in rates of severe COVID-19 development was found to be statistically significant between patients aged 65 years or older (46.2%) and those younger than 65 years (90.2%), between patients with CK ≥ 180 U/L (55.6%) and those with CK < 180 U/L (91.5%), and between patients with CD4+ T-cell counts <300 cells/µL (53.8%) and those with CD4+ cell counts ≥300 cells/µL (83.2%).ConclusionsAge ≥ 65 years, CK ≥ 180 U/L, and CD4+ T-cell counts <300 cells/µL at admission were risk factors independently associated with disease progression to severe COVID-19 during 14 days after admission and are therefore potential markers for disease progression in patients with milder COVID-19.