bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
NECPAL prognostic tool: a palliative medicine retrospective cohort study
Authors: Turrillas Pamela , Peñafiel Judith , Tebé Cristian , Amblàs-Novellas Jordi , Gómez-Batiste Xavier 
Published: February 2021

ObjectiveTo develop and validate a prognostic model to assess mortality risk at 24 months in patients with advanced chronic conditions.MethodsRetrospective design based on a previous population cohort study with 789 adults who were identified with the surprise question and NECPAL tool from primary and intermediate care centres, nursing homes and one acute hospital of Spain. A Cox regression model was used to derive a mortality predictive model based on patients’ age and six previously selected NECPAL prognostic factors (palliative care need identified by healthcare professionals, functional decline, nutritional decline, multimorbidity, use of resources, disease-specific criteria of severity/progression). Patients were split into derivation/validation cohorts, and four steps were followed: descriptive analysis, predictors’ assessment, model estimation and model assessment.ResultsAll predictive variables were independently associated with increased risk of mortality at 24 months. Performance model including age was good; discrimination power by area under the curve (AUC) was 0.72/0.67 in the derivation/validation cohorts, and correlation between expected and observed (E/O) mortality ratio was 0.74/0.70. The model showed similar performance across settings (AUC 0.65–0.74, E/O 1.00–1.01), the best performance in oncological patients (AUC 0.78, E/O 0.76) and the worst in dementia patients (AUC 0.58, E/O 0.85). Based on the number of factors affected, three prognostic stages with significant differences and a median survival of 38, 17.2 and 3.6 months (p<0.001) were defined.ConclusionThe NECPAL prognostic tool is accurate and eventually useful at the clinical practice. Stratification in risk groups may enable early intervention and enhance policy-making and service planning.
Nanoencapsulated rituximab mediates superior cellular immunity against metastatic B-cell lymphoma in a complement competent humanized mouse model
Authors: Wen Jing , Wang Lan , Ren Jie , Kranz Emiko , Chen Shilin , Wu Di , Kanazawa Toshio , Chen Irvin , Lu Yunfeng , Kamata Masakazu 
Published: February 2021

BackgroundDespite the numerous applications of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) in cancer therapeutics, animal models available to test the therapeutic efficacy of new mAbs are limited. NOD.Cg-Prkdcscid Il2rgtm1Wjl/SzJ (NSG) mice are one of the most highly immunodeficient strains and are universally used as a model for testing cancer-targeting mAbs. However, this strain lacks several factors necessary to fully support antibody-mediated effector functions—including antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis, and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC)—due to the absence of immune cells as well as a mutation in the Hc gene, which is needed for a functional complement system.MethodsWe have developed a humanized mouse model using a novel NSG strain, NOD.Cg−Hc1Prkdcscid Il2rgtm1Wjl/SzJ (NSG−Hc1), which contains the corrected mutation in the Hc gene to support CDC in addition to other mechanisms endowed by humanization. With this model, we reevaluated the anticancer efficacies of nanoencapsulated rituximab after xenograft of the human Burkitt lymphoma cell line 2F7-BR44.ResultsAs expected, xenografted humanized NSG−Hc1 mice supported superior lymphoma clearance of native rituximab compared with the parental NSG strain. Nanoencapsulated rituximab with CXCL13 conjugation as a targeting ligand for lymphomas further enhanced antilymphoma activity in NSG−Hc1 mice and, more importantly, mediated antilymphoma cellular responses.ConclusionsThese results indicate that NSG−Hc1 mice can serve as a feasible model for both studying antitumor treatment using cancer targeting as well as understanding induction mechanisms of antitumor cellular immune response.
Delay in ICU transfer is protective against ICU readmission in trauma patients: a naturally controlled experiment
Authors: Ranney Stephen E , Amato Stas , Callas Peter , Patashnick Lloyd , Lee Tim H , An Gary C , Malhotra Ajai K 
Published: February 2021

BackgroundUnplanned intensive care unit (ICU) readmission—ICU bounce back (ICUbb)—is associated with worse outcomes. Patients not requiring organ system support or intensive nursing are deemed ‘ICU discharge ready’ and transfer orders are placed. However, actual transfer only occurs when an appropriate, non-ICU bed is available. This is dependent on inherent system inefficiencies resulting in a naturally controlled experiment between when patients actually transfer: Early (<24 hours) or Delayed (>24 hours) transfers, after order placement. This study leverages that natural experiment to determine if additional ICU time is protective against ICUbb. We hypothesize that Delayed transfer is protective against ICUbb.MethodsUsing a retrospective, cohort design, we queried a trauma research repository and electronic medical record during a 10-year period to capture traumatized patients admitted to the ICU. Patients were categorized into Early (<24 hours) or Unintended-Delayed (>24 hours) groups based on actual transfer time after order placement. Patient characteristics (age, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI)) and Injury Severity Score (ISS) were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to compare ICUbb rates among Early and Unintended-Delayed groups.ResultsOf the 2004 patients who met the criteria, 1690 fell into the Early group, and 314 fell into the Delayed. The Early group was younger (mean age 52±23 vs. 55±22 years), had fewer comorbidities (median CCI score 1 (0, 3) vs. 2 (1, 3)), and was less injured (median ISS 17 (10–22) vs. 17 (13–25)), all p<0.05. Overall, 113 (5.6%) patients experienced ICUbb: Early 109 (6.5%) versus Unintended-Delay 4 (1.3%), p<0.05. By regression analysis, age, CCI, and ISS were independently associated with ICUbb while Delayed transfer was protective.DiscussionDespite higher age, CCI score, and ISS, the Unintended-Delayed group experienced fewer ICUbb. After controlling for age, CCI and ISS, Delayed transfer reduced ICUbb risk by 78%. Specific care elements affording this protection remain to be elucidated.Level of evidenceLevel III.Study typeTherapeutic study.
Impact of Sedimentation on Water Seepage Capacity in Lake Nakuru, Kenya
Authors: Iradukunda Parfait , Nyadawa Maurice O. 
Published: February 2021

Accumulation and deposition of sediments in waterbody affect the seepage capacity that could lead to improper water balance and results in the water level rise. This study analysed the influence of sedimentation on seepage capacity in Lake Nakuru and the impact of sediment characteristics to the water seepage and the flow rate formation at the lake bed level. The study was performed by sampling and analysing the sediment cores from two locations in the lake. The sediment hydraulic properties, i.e., moisture and porosity, particle sizes, and hydraulic conductivity, were determined using the oven-drying method, sieve analysis, hydrometer analysis, and falling head tests, respectively. The results showed that the lake sediment sample from location P1 had an average ratio of 39.38% for silty soil, 34.00% for clayey sediment, and 26.63% for fine-sand sediment particles with the maximum permeability coefficient of

3.37
∗

10

−
5

cm/s, while the one from location P2 had an average ratio of 63.17% for sand, 20.17% for fine particles, and 16.67% for gravels with the maximum permeability coefficient of 0.010793 cm/s. The hydraulic conductivity of sediment sample from location P1 and P2 increased along the core depth. This could lead to the rise of water level due to the decreases of water movement induced from the sediment cementation in the top layers under the waterbody. Sedimentation affects Lake Nakuru water volume and water balance; hence, there is a need to control the inflow of sediment resulting from anthropogenic activities in the watershed.
Finding Sanctuary in the Occupational Choice of Animal Shelter Work
Authors: O’Connor Anne 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
This paper examines the occupational choice of animal shelter work. While the Human-Animal Studies (HAS) literature tends to implicitly assume shelter entry to be based on loving nonhuman animals, this study finds evidence that loving them is a necessary but insufficient antecedent. I understand and explain my respondents’ choice as processual; early experiences and influence of significant others, serendipitous events or changes in the life course, and alienation from previous workplaces combine to precede shelter entry. In terms of the decision to stay, shelter work appears to offer sanctuary to human actors as well as to the animals in their care. My respondents have found an alternative experience of the economy, one which is not isolated from, but embedded in, their values and moral rationalities. Shelter work offers sanctuary from the market economy in nature, as embodied by other animals.
Two new species of Labidocera (Copepoda, Calanoida) from Bali and the Gag Islands, Indonesia
Authors: Mulyadi  
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Two new species of Labidocera from Indonesian waters are herein described. Labidocera baliensis n. sp. is distinguishable in the female by the posterior corners of Pdg5 being rounded and equipped with a sub-posterior spine, the left side of Ur1 with a stout spine-like process, and the form of the P5; in the male by the Ur1 smooth and the very slender shape of P5. Labidocera gagensis n. sp. is distinguishable in the female by having 7 spine-like processes on Ur1, the structure of 6 spine-like processes on the posterior end of Ur2 and the form of P5; in the male by the long spine at the right posterior part of Ur1; and the 5 spine-like processes on the right posterior corner of Pdg5 as well as the form of P5.
The relationships between the “detruncata” and “kroyeri” groups are discussed and defining characterizations of the species and of the species groups are provided.
Species of Euryplacidae (Brachyura) in western Mexico
Authors: Hendrickx Michel E. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Two species of Euryplacidae were collected in western Mexico. Trizocarcinus dentatus (12 localities) and Euryplax polita (4 localities) were both found in the Gulf of California. In the case of E. polita 11 specimens (5 males, 5 females, one ovigerous female) were obtained, while in the case of T. dentatus 42 specimens (25 males, 10 females, 7 ovigerous females) were collected. The northern distribution limit of E. polita is extended to the northern Gulf of California (28°16′N 111°36′W). Environmental data for both species are provided, including depth range, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and sediment composition.
The Soil Information System of Rwanda: A Useful Tool to Identify Guidelines Towards Sustainable Land Management
Authors: Verdoodt Ann , Van Ranst Eric 
Published: February 2021

The soil information system of Rwanda: a useful tool to identify guidelines towards sustainable land management.
On the steep lands of Rwanda, overpopulation and degradation of the land resources are acute problems, especially against the background of present and future populations, food and agricultural demands, and opportunities and constraints. The ability of the land to produce is limited with the limits to production being set by climate, soil and landform conditions, and the use and management applied. Knowledge of the soils, their properties and their spatial distribution, is indispensable for the agricultural development of Rwanda as it opens opportunities for a more rational management of the land resources. The necessary input data for this agricultural research mainly became available through the realization and updating of a soil information system. Geographic information science and relational database software were combined to capture the spatial as well as the numerical and descriptive data gathered during the national, traditional soil survey that was finalized in 1989. The database was further extended with topographic and climatic data and has been used to characterise the physical production environment that farmers face in the different agricultural regions of the country. Several land evaluation tools, adapted to the Rwandan environment, have subsequently been developed, evaluating the options for stronger crop regionalisation, the strategies for more rational regional land use planning, and the possibilities for further intensification of the crop production.
Mechanisms of Constitutional Control: A Preliminary Observation of the Ethiopian System
Authors: Kassa Getahun 
Published: February 2021

Mechanisms of Constitutional Control: A preliminary observation of the Ethiopian system
The present mechanism of constitutional adjudication in Ethiopia demonstrates unique features. The mechanism does not belong to any of the constitutional adjudication models operating in other countries. However, a well-developed system of constitutional adjudication is lacking in actual practice. The federal and regional state organs that exercise the power of constitutional control, i.e. the Council of Constitutional Inquiry and the House of Federation at the federal level and the Constitutional Interpretation Commissions, Council of Nationalities and Councils of Constitutional Inquiry at the regional level, are not functioning fully and, moreover, are not moving at equal pace. In some regional states, the institutions competent for constitutional control, though mentioned in the regional constitutions, are not even established yet. In other regions, these institutions have been established, but are not operating in practice. Besides, a challenge of judicial overlap is likely to emerge when the regional organs start to execute their task of constitutional control. Since no mechanism is devised to delimit the respective competences of the federal and state organs, overlap between federal and state institutions is inevitable. Furthermore, there is no clear guidance with regards to the role of the judiciary on matters that involve determination of constitutionality.
Recent Intensified Influence of the Winter North Pacific Sea Surface Temperature on the Mei-Yu Withdrawal Date
Authors: Li Hua , He Shengping , Fan Ke , Liu Yong , Yuan Xing 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe mei-yu withdrawal date (MWD) is a crucial indicator of flood/drought conditions over East Asia. It is characterized by a strong interannual variability, but its underlying mechanism remains unknown. We investigated the possible effects of the winter sea surface temperature (SST) in the North Pacific Ocean on the MWD on interannual to interdecadal time scales. Both our observations and model results suggest that the winter SST anomalies associated with the MWD are mainly contributed to by a combination of the first two leading modes of the winter SST in the North Pacific, which have a horseshoe shape (the NPSST). The statistical results indicate that the intimate linkage between the NPSST and the MWD has intensified since the early 1990s. During the time period 1990–2016, the NPSST-related SST anomalies persisted from winter to the following seasons and affected the SST over the tropical Pacific in July. Subsequently, the SST anomalies throughout the North Pacific strengthened the southward migration of the East Asian jet stream (EAJS) and the southward and westward displacement of the western North Pacific subtropical high (WPSH), leading to an increase in mei-yu rainfall from 1 to 20 July. More convincingly, the anomalous EAJS and WPSH induced by the SST anomalies can be reproduced well by numerical simulations. By contrast, the influence of the NPSST on the EASJ and WPSH were not clear between 1961 and 1985. This study further illustrates that the enhanced interannual variability of the NPSST may be attributed to the more persistent SST anomalies during the time period 1990–2016.
Contemporary Management of Traumatic Duodenal Injuries
Authors: Butano Vincent , Napolitano Michael A. , Pat Vivien , Wahrenbrock Taylor , Lin Paul , Quintana Megan T. , Kartiko Susan , Sarani Babak , Estroff Jordan M. 
Published: February 2021

Background Traumatic duodenal injury is a rare, potentially devastating condition with challenging management decisions. Contemporary literature on operative management of duodenal injury is lacking. The purpose of this study is to assess optimal management strategies based on outcomes of patients with traumatic duodenal injury at a single trauma center. Methods A retrospective study of patients with traumatic duodenal injury from 2013-2020 at a level 1 trauma center was performed. Patient demographics, grade of injury as noted on CT scan or intraoperatively, surgical procedure(s) performed, and resultant outcomes were extracted. Results After excluding one patient due to death on arrival, 23 patients met inclusion criteria. Injuries consisted of grade 1 (n = 7), grade 2 (n = 2), grade 3 (n = 12), and grade 5 (n = 2); there were no grade 4 injuries. Patients were predominantly male (83%) with a median age of 30 years old. Nineteen patients (82%) underwent surgery. Four of nine patients (44%) with grade 1/2 injuries had hematomas and were managed non-operatively. The remaining five patients (56%) with grade 1/2 injuries underwent operation, which included primary repair (n = 3), duodenal exclusion (n = 1), and periduodenal drainage (n = 1). Of 12 patients with grade 3 injury, 6 underwent primary repair and 6 underwent resection. Three patients who underwent primary repair and one who underwent resection developed a duodenal leak. All patients with grade 5 injury (n = 2) underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy. Conclusion Grade 1 and 2 duodenal hematomas can be managed non-operatively, while lacerations require operative repair. Outcomes may be better following resection in patients with grade 3 injury.
Complications in Pediatric Acute Mastoiditis: HCUP KID Analysis
Authors: Favre Nicole , Patel Vijay A. , Carr Michele M. 
Published: February 2021

ObjectiveA small proportion of children with otitis media develop acute mastoiditis, which has the potential to spread intracranially and result in significant morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and management of complications related to pediatric acute mastoiditis using a national database.Study DesignRetrospective review of 2016 Kids’ Inpatient Database, part of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project.SettingAcademic, community, general, and pediatric specialty hospitals in the United States.MethodsInternational Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification code H70.XXX was used to retrieve records for children admitted with a diagnosis of mastoiditis. Data included patient demographics, intracranial infections, procedures (middle ear drainage, mastoidectomy, and intracranial drainage), length of stay (LOS), and total charges.ResultsIn total, 2061 children aged ≤21 years were identified with a diagnosis of acute mastoiditis. Complications included subperiosteal abscess (6.90%), intracranial thrombophlebitis/thrombosis (5.30%), intracranial abscess (3.90%), otitic hydrocephalus (1.20%), encephalitis (0.90%), subperiosteal abscess with intracranial complication (0.60%), petrositis (0.60%), and meningitis (0.30%). Children with intracranial abscesses were more likely (P <. 001) to undergo myringotomy ± ventilation tube insertion (63.7%), mastoidectomy (53.8%), mastoidectomy with ventilation tube or myringotomy (42.5%), intracranial drainage procedure (36.3%), or all 3 key procedures (15.0%). Children with any type of intracranial complication had a significantly longer LOS (P <. 001) and higher total charges (P <. 001). Both a diagnosis of bacterial meningitis and undergoing an intracranial drainage procedure (P <. 001) contributed significantly to LOS and total charges.ConclusionPatients with intracranial complications are more likely to undergo surgical procedures; however, there is still wide variability in practice patterns, illustrating that controversies in the management of otitis media complications persist.
Comparative assessment of overweight/obesity among rural and urban reproductive-age women in Ethiopia: Evidence from a cross-sectional 2016 national survey
Authors: Dagnew Gizachew Worku , Asresie Melash Belachew 
Published: February 2021

Background: Overweight/obesity has become a global health problem for both developed and developing regions. Nowadays, overweight/obesity among childrearing-age women has become rapidly increasing in both urban and rural areas. Aim: This study aimed to assess the variation of overweight/obesity among urban and rural reproductive-age women in Ethiopia. Methods: For this study, the 2016 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey data were used. The survey was a community-based cross-sectional study, which used a two-stage stratified cluster sampling technique to select the participants. A total of 13,451 reproductive-age women were included in the analysis. Both descriptive and analytical analysis was performed. A p-value of less than 0.05 was used as the measure of statistical significance. Results: The prevalence of overweight/obesity among urban reproductive-age women was statistically higher ( p = 21.5%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 18.2–25.1) than the rural women ( p = 3.5%; 95% CI: 2.9%–4.2%). Women who attend secondary or above education, women in the age groups 25–34 and ≥ 35 years, and high wealth index (rich) had higher odds of overweight/obesity in both urban and rural women. Moreover, women who were married, who had a large family size, and who have a history of alcohol intake had higher odds of overweight/obesity among urban women. Conclusions: Overweight/obesity among reproductive-age women is a public health problem in Ethiopia, especially for women who are living in urban settings. Therefore, it is important to establish targeted overweight reduction programs with particular emphasis on urban, older aged, educated, and married women. Additionally, encouraging the limitation of the number of family size and alcohol intake can reduce women’s overweight/obesity.