bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Delayed Hospital Admission for Traumatic Hip Fracture During the COVID-19 Pandemic&nbsp;
Authors: Jarvis Stephanie , Salottolo Kristin , Madayag Robert , Pekarek Jennifer , Nwafo Nnamdi , Wessel Alexander , Duane Therese , Roberts Zachary , Lieser Mark , Corrigan Chad , Bar-Or David 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: Concerns of contracting the highly contagious disease COVID-19 have led to a reluctance in seeking medical attention, which may contribute to delayed hospital arrival among traumatic patients. The study objective was to describe differences in time from injury to arrival for patients with traumatic hip fractures admitted during the pandemic to pre-pandemic patients. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study at six level I trauma centers included patients with traumatic hip fractures. Patients with a non-fall mechanism and those who were transferred in were excluded. Patients admitted 3/16/2019-6/30/2019 were in the “pre-pandemic” group, patients were admitted 3/16/2020-6/30/2020 were in the “pandemic” group. The primary outcome was time from injury to arrival. Secondary outcomes were time from arrival to surgical intervention, hospital length of stay (HLOS), and mortality. Results: There were 703 patients, 352 (50.1%) pre-pandemic and 351 (49.9%) during the pandemic. Overall, 66.5% were female and the median age was 82 years old. Patients were similar in age, race, gender, and injury severity score. The median time from injury to hospital arrival was statistically shorter for pre-pandemic patients when compared to pandemic patients, 79.5 (56, 194.5) minutes vs. 91 (59, 420), p=0.04. The time from arrival to surgical intervention (p=0.64) was statistically similar between groups. For both groups, the median HLOS was 5 days, p=0.45. In-hospital mortality was significantly higher during the pandemic, 1.1% vs 3.4%, p=0.04.Conclusions: While time from injury to hospital arrival was statistically longer during the pandemic, the difference may not be clinically important. Time from arrival to surgical intervention remained similar, despite changes made to prevent COVID-19 transmission. Physicians should anticipate a slightly delayed arrival for hip fractures and provide prompt evaluation to reach definitive care in a timely manner.
Uni-portal and three-portal video-assisted thoracic surgery pulmonary lobectomy for early stage lung cancer (UNIT trial): study protocol of a single-center randomized trial
Authors: Mendogni Paolo , Mazzucco Alessandra , Palleschi Alessandro , Rosso Lorenzo , Righi Ilaria , Carrinola Rosaria , Damarco Francesco , Privitera Emilia , Fumagalli Jacopo , Bonitta Gianluca , Nosotti Mario , Tosi Davide 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
BackgroundVideo-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy is currently the recommended approach for treating early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Different VATS approaches have been proposed so far, and the actual advantages of one technique over the other are still under debate. The aim of our study is to compare postoperative pain and analgesic drug consumption in uniportal VATS and triportal VATS for pulmonary lobectomy in early-stage lung cancer patients. MethodsThis study is a single-centre, prospective, two-arm, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial. It is designed to compare uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery (u-VATS) and three-ports video-assisted thoracic surgery (t-VATS) in terms of post-operative pain. The trial will enrol 120 patients with a 1:1 randomization. The primary outcome is the assessment of analgesic drug consumption. Secondary outcomes are postoperative pain measurement, evaluation of postoperative pulmonary function, and metabolic recovery after pulmonary lobectomy. DiscussionThe choice of which VATS approach to adopt for treating patients undergoing pulmonary resection mostly depends on the surgeon’s preferences; therefore, it is hard to prove whether one VATS technique is superior to the other. Moreover, postoperative analgesic protocols vary consistently among different centres. To date, only a few studies have evaluated the effects of the most popular VATS techniques. There is no evidence about difference between multi-ports VATS and u-VATS in terms of postoperative pain. We hope that the results of our trial will provide valuable information on the outcomes of these different surgical approaches.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov. NCT03240250; registered 08/07/2017; retrospectively registered; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03240250?term=NCT03240250&draw=2&rank=1
Prediction of Pathologic Complete Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Using Machine Learning Models in Patients with Breast Cancer
Authors: Kim Ji-Yeon , Jeon Eunjoo , Kwon Soonhwan , Jung Hyungsik , Joo Sunghoon , Park Youngmin , Lee Se Kyung , Lee Jeong Eon , Nam Seok Jin , Cho Eun Yoon , Park Yeon Hee , Ahn Jin Seok , Im Young-Hyuck 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
BackgroundThe aim of this study was to develop a machine learning(ML) based model to accurately predict pathologic complete response(pCR) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAC) using pretreatment clinical and pathological characteristics of electronic medical record(EMR) data in breast cancer(BC).Methods The EMR data from patients diagnosed with early and locally advanced BC and who received NAC followed by curative surgery were reviewed. A total of 16 clinical and pathological characteristics was selected to develop ML model. We practiced six ML models using default settings for multivariate analysis with extracted variables. ResultsIn total, 2,065 patients were included in this analysis. Overall, 30.6% (n=632) of patients achieved pCR. Among six ML models, the LightGBM had the highest area under the curve (AUC) for pCR prediction. After hyper-parameter tuning with Bayesian optimization, AUC was 0.810. Performance of pCR prediction models in different histology-based subtypes was compared. The AUC was highest in HR+HER2- subgroup and lowest in HR-/HER2- subgroup (HR+/HER2- 0.841, HR+/HER2+ 0.716, HR-/HER2 0.753, HR-/HER2- 0.653).ConclusionsA ML based pCR prediction model using pre-treatment clinical and pathological characteristics provided useful information to predict pCR during NAC. This prediction model would help to determine treatment strategy in patients with BC planned NAC.
Physical-based Methodology for Prediction of Weld Bead Characteristics in the Laser Edge Welding Process&nbsp;
Authors: Nabavi Seyedeh Fatemeh , Farshidianfar Mohamad Hossein , Farshidianfar Anooshiravan , Beidokhti Behrooz 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
A comprehensive physical-based methodology is introduced to predict weld bead properties in the Laser Edge Welding (LEW) process. Laser edge welding of AISI 316L stainless steel thin sheets are conducted to investigate the behavior of geometrical, mechanical and metallurgical properties of the weld bead. The effect of significant processing parameters including the laser power, speed and focal distance are considered. The method however, utilizes a set of physical-based contour plots to predict the trend of weld characteristics using the heat input and power density. A novel combined physical parameter is also introduced and optimized to indicate the exact quantitative effectiveness of each physical and processing parameter. The developed approach is utilized to analyze a broad range of weld bead characteristics. First, weld bead geometrical characteristics such as weld width, penetration and distortion are studied. The physical-based method revealed that the power density has a significant effect on the weld penetration-to-width ratio while distortion is governed by the heat input. Variations of the fracture load are analyzed based on the corresponding combined parameter. Interestingly, a greater penetration-to-width ratio results in a higher fracture load. Finally, microstructural evolutions are investigated in three main regions, including the top, middle and bottom of the weld bead. A skeletal ferrite phase is observed in the mid-zone, which increases with increase of power density. The presented methodology can be applied to a broad range of other laser materials processing techniques to obtain insightful process design tips in order to achieve tailor-made properties.
Defect-induced B4C&nbsp;Electrodes for High Energy Density Supercapacitor Devices
Authors: Balcı Özge , Ammar Ameen Uddin , Buldu Merve , Kiraz Kamil , Somer Mehmet , Erdem Emre 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Boron carbide powders were synthesized by mechanically activated annealing process using anhydrous boron oxide (B2O3) and varying carbon (C) sources such as graphite and activated carbon: The precursors were mechanically activated for different times in a high energy ball mill and reacted in an induction furnace. According to the Raman analyses of the carbon sources, the I(D)/I(G) ratio increased from ~0.25 to ~0.99, as the carbon material changed from graphite to active carbon, indicating the highly defected and disordered structure of active carbon. Complementary advanced EPR analysis of defect centers in B4C revealed that the intrinsic defects play a major role in the electrochemical performance of the supercapacitor device once they have an electrode component made of bare B4C. Depending on the starting material and synthesis conditions the conductivity, energy, and power density, as well as capacity, can be controlled hence high-performance supercapacitor devices can be produced.
Effects of Biodegradable Film Mulching on Bacterial Diversity in Soils
Authors: Xue Yinhao , Jin Tuo , Gao Chengyu , Li Chongxiao , Zhou Tao , Wan Dongshi , Yang Mengran 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The spread of biodegradable plastic film (BDFs) not only increase grain yield but also reduce the environmental pollution from plastic film to a large extent. Soil microbes have been considered to be involved in biodegradation processes. However, the study of microbes diversity in soil mulched with biodegradable plastic film remains limited. Here, we compared the diversity of microbes between soils with biodegradable film and non-biodegradable film (NBDF) mulch. The results showed that BDFs affected on the soil quality parameters, such as total C, P and NH4+-N, but also on the microbes species richness (ACE; Chao1) and diversity (Simpson index; Shannon index). In terms of dominant phyla and genera, BDFs and NBDF can influence the abundance of disparate species. Furthermore, BDFs could also contribute to improve the richness of the important functional bacterial groups in soil, e.g. Pedomicrobium and Comamonas, both of which have been found to be involved in the degradation of plastic residues in soil. Finally, we found that BDFs improved the transformation of nitrogen through increased significantly the abundances of Nitrobacter and Nitrospira. Our results highlight the impact of BDFs mulch on the abundance of functional bacteria in the soil.
Four Novel Gene Polymorphisms Cause Nuclear Age Related Cataract in Chinese People&nbsp;
Authors: Wang Lin , Zhao Wencheng , Yu Yongbin , liu ping 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
BackgroundMore information on genetic variation can be obtained by exon sequencing for the diagnosis of nuclear age-related cataract (NARC). MethodsIn our present study, genomes of 12 DNA samples were sequenced. The average effective depth was 10× when using Illumina sequencing. After conducting whole-exon sequencing, we further performed depth analysis and spectrum analysis to determine the gene polymorphism sites closely associated with NARC. ResultsIn genes showing single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), there were 18,699 synonymous mutations and 17,975 missense mutations in the coding region. A total of 4,944 insertions and deletions (indels) were found. Among them, 1329 indels exhibited polymorphism and were further analyzed. Whole-exon sequencing previously showed polymorphism associated with ARC and known pathways associated with protein synthesis and metabolism. Following depth analysis (GO and KEGG analysis), we identified 20 promising candidate genes that were closely related to NARC. We further performed spectrum analysis for 26 polymorphism sites and found that ZNF573 (rs3095726, SNP), ZNF862 (rs62621204, SNP), SYNE3 (rs76499929, indel), and GAS2L2 (rs78557458, SNP) had statistically significant relationship with NARC. The 3D protein structure showed obvious changes for ZNF573 (rs3095726, SNP) and GAS2L2 (rs78557458, SNP). ConclusionsOur findings provide the basis for further studies and discovery of key genes associated with NARC.
Minimising Radiation Exposure in Catheter Ablation of Ventricu-lar Arrhythmias
Authors: Jan Matevž , Žižek David , Kalinšek Tine Prolič , Kuhelj Dimitrij , Trunk Primož , Kolar Tadeja , Kšela Juš , Rauber Martin , Yazici Mehmet 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
BackgroundConventional fluoroscopy (CF) guided catheter ablation (CA) is an established treatment option for ventricular arrhythmias (VAs). However, with the complex nature of most procedures, patients and staff bare an increased radiation exposure. Near-zero or zero-fluoroscopy CA is an alternative method which could substantially reduce or even eliminate the radiation dose. Our aim was to analyse procedural outcomes with fluoroscopy minimising approach for treatment of VAs in patients with structurally normal hearts (SNH) and structural heart disease (SHD).MethodsFifty-two (age 53.4±17.8 years, 38 male, 14 female) consecutive patients who underwent CA of VAs in our institution between May 2018 and December 2019 were included. Procedures were performed primarily with the aid of the three-dimensional (3D) electro-anatomical mapping (EAM) system and intra-cardiac echocardiography (ICE). Fluoroscopy was considered only in left ventricular (LV) summit mapping for coronary angiography and when epicardial approach was planned. Acute and long-term procedural outcomes were analysed.ResultsSixty CA procedures were performed. Twenty-five patients had SHD-related VAs (Group 1) and 27 patients had SNH (Group 2). While Group 1 had significantly higher total procedural time (256.9±71.7 vs 123.6±42.2 minutes; p < 0.001) compared to Group 2, overall procedural success rate [77.4% (24/31) vs 89.7% (26/29); p= 0.20)] and recurrence rate after the first procedure [8/25, (32%) vs 8/27, (29.6%); p= 0.85] were similar in both groups. Fluoroscopy was used in 3 procedures in Group 1 where epicardial approach was needed and in 4 procedures in Group 2 where LV summit VAs were ablated. Overall procedure-related major complications were low (3/60, 5%).ConclusionsFluoroscopy minimising approach for CA of VAs is feasible and safe in patients with SHD and SNH. Fluoroscopy could not be completely abolished in VAs with epicardial and LV summit substrate location.
Study of Temperature-dependent Conduction Mechanisms in Au/0.8nm-GaN/n-GaAs Schottky&nbsp;Diode
Authors: Helal Hicham , Benamara Zineb , Wederni M.A , Mourad Sabrine , Khirouni Kamel , Monier Guillaume , Robert-Goumet Christine , Rabehi Abdelaziz , Kacha Arslane Hatem 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Passivation of interface states in the Schottky barrier is an approach to enhance the properties of the Schottky devices. In this work, Au/0.8nm-GaN/n-GaAs Schottky structure is studied electrically in a wide temperature range. With increasing temperature, the reverse current Iinv increases from 1×10-7 A to 1×10-5 A, and the saturation current Is increases from 1×10-32 A to 5×10-7A. The series resistance Rs decreases with increasing temperature from 13.44 Ω to 4.25 Ω. The ideality factor n decreases from 10.64 to 1.15. The barrier height increases abnormally with increasing temperature from 0.54 eV at 80 K to 1.03 eV at 180 K, then decreases to 0.82 eV at 420 K. The abnormal behavior of and the high values of n in low temperature are due to the tunnel mechanisms effects, such as FE and TFE currents. FE mechanism is the dominant process at low temperatures (80-300 K) and TFE mechanism is the dominant one at high temperatures (300-420K). Finally, our structure presents an inhomogeneous barrier height, maybe caused by the thin GaN interface layer.
Epidemiology and Mortality Predictors for Severe Childhood Community-acquired Pneumonia in ICUs: A Case-control Study
Authors: cao lu , li zhuo , ji zhaohua , zuo yan , wang jingwen 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: To identify the epidemiology and mortality predictors for severe childhood community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and evaluate the influence of medications on clinical outcome in the real world.Methods: We performed a retrospective case-control study among children with severe CAP aged ≤5 years of age, separately comparing the detailed information between the in-hospital death cases and the survival cases in two different age groups. Multivariate regression model was used to figure out mortality predictors.Results: 945 children were recruited, including 604 infants and 341 young children. Overall 88 deaths occurred (9.3%). There was low adherence to guidelines in antimicrobials and carbapenems were widely served as initial empiric regimens, but the efficacy was not superior to the guidelines recommended. In multivariate analyses, very severe pneumonia (OR: 3.55; 95% CI: 1.39-9.09), lower birth weight (OR: 3.92; 95% CI: 1.50-10.23), severe underweight (OR: 4.72; 95% CI: 1.92-11.62), mechanical ventilation (OR: 5.06; 95% CI: 1.97-12.95；OR：14.43; 95% CI 3.31-62.96)，comorbidity including anemia (OR: 5.61; 95% CI: 2.36-13.35), neonatal asphyxia (OR: 6.03; 95% CI: 1.57-23.12), gastrointestinal hemorrhage (OR: 3.73; 95% CI: 1.21-11.48) and sedative-hypnotics ( OR: 4.32; 95% CI: 1.76-10.61; OR: 4.13; 95% CI：1.50-11.38) were independent risk factors for death, whereas a lower mortality was present in infants with probiotics (OR: 0.24; 95% CI: 0.10-0.54).Conclusions: Severe pneumonia remains a primary cause of death in children under 5 years of age. Clinical characteristics, comorbidity and medications are evidently associated with death. Importantly, we should pay particular attention to the identification of the mortality predictors and establish prophylactic measures to reduce the mortality.
First detection of SARS-CoV-2 proteins in wastewater samples by mass spectrometry
Authors: Lara-Jacobo Linda , Islam Golam , Desaulniers Jean-Paul , Kirkwood Andrea , Simmons Denina 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
On March 12, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 as a global pandemic. COVID-19 is produced by a novel β-coronavirus known as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) [1]. Several studies have detected SARS-CoV-2 RNA in urine, feces, and other biofluids from both symptomatic and asymptomatic people with COVID-19 [2], suggesting that SARS-CoV-2 RNA could be detected in human wastewater [3]. Thus, wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is now used as an approach to monitor COVID-19 prevalence in many different places around the world [4-10] . Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is the most common SARS-CoV-2 detection method in WBE, but there are other methods for viral biomolecule detection that could work as well. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 proteins in untreated wastewater (WW) influents collected from six wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), from Durham Region, Ontario, Canada, using a LC-MS/MS-based proteomics approach. We identified many SARS-CoV-2 proteins in these wastewater samples, with peptides from pp1ab being the most consistently detected and with consistent abundance.
Comprehensive Double Slit Experiments-Exploring Experimentally Mystery of Double Slit
Authors: Peng Hui 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Young’s double slit experiments, which represent the mystery of quantum mechanics, have been interpreted by quantum probability waves and pilot waves. In this article, to study the mystery, we proposed and carried out comprehensive double slit experiments, which demonstrate two postulates related to double slit experiments: (1) before striking at the slide of a double slit, photons emitted by a laser source behave as particles; (2) before striking at the detector, photons behave as particles. Progress in studying the mystery of the double slit experiment is presented.
The cost-effectiveness of government actions to reduce sodium intake through salt substitutes in Vietnam
Authors: Taylor Colman , Hoek Annet C , Deltetto Irene , Peacock Adrian , Ha Do Thi Phuong , Sieburg Michael , Hoang Dolly , Trieu Kathy , Cobb Laura K , Jan Stephen , Webster Jacqui 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background Dietary sodium reduction is recommended to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease. In Vietnam food products including salt, fish sauce and bot canh contribute to ~70% of dietary sodium intake. Reduced sodium versions of these products can be produced by replacing some of the sodium chloride with potassium chloride. We aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of three alternative approaches to introducing reduced sodium products onto the market with a view to lowering population sodium intake in Vietnam.Methods The three salt substitution strategies included voluntary, subsidised and regulatory approaches targeting salt, fish sauce and bot canh products. Costs were modelled using the WHO-CHOICE methodology. A Markov cohort model was developed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of each strategy versus no intervention from the government perspective. The model linked each intervention strategy to assumed changes in levels of sodium intake and then to systolic blood pressure. Changes in SBP were linked to a probability of ischaemic heart disease or stroke. The model followed people over their lifetime to assess average costs and quality adjusted life years (QALYs) gained for each strategy. Results The voluntary salt substitution strategy was assumed to require no investment by government. Following ramp up (years 6+), the average annual costs for the subsidised and regulatory strategies were 21,808,968,902 ₫ (US$ 977,354) and 12,949,953,247 ₫ (US$ 580,410) respectively. Relative to no intervention, all three salt substitution strategies were found to be cost-effective. Cost savings were driven by reductions in strokes (32,595; 768,384; 2,366,480) and ischaemic heart disease (IHD) events (22,830; 537,157; 1,648,590) for the voluntary, subsidised & regulatory strategies, respectively. The voluntary strategy was least cost-effective (-3,445 ₫ US$ -0.15; 0.009 QALYs gained) followed by the subsidised strategy (-43,189 ₫ US$ -1.86; 0.022 QALYs gained) and the regulatory strategy delivered the highest cost savings and health gains (-243,530 ₫ US$ -10.49; 0.074 QALYs gained). Conclusion This research shows that all three modelled salt substitution strategies would be good value for money relative to no intervention in Vietnam. The subsidised alternative would require the highest level of government investment; however the implementation costs will be exceeded by healthcare savings assuming a reasonable time horizon is considered.