bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ICU outcomes and survival in patients with severe COVID-19 in the largest health care system in central Florida
Authors: Oliveira Eduardo , Parikh Amay , Lopez-Ruiz Arnaldo , Carrilo Maria , Goldberg Joshua , Cearras Martin , Fernainy Khaled , Andersen Sonja , Mercado Luis , Guan Jian , Zafar Hammad , Louzon Patricia , Carr Amy , Baloch Natasha , Pratley Richard , Silverstry Scott , Hsu Vincent , Sniffen Jason , Herrera Victor , Finkler Neil 
Published: March 2021

BackgroundObservational studies have consistently described poor clinical outcomes and increased ICU mortality in patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who require mechanical ventilation (MV). Our study describes the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with severe COVID-19 admitted to ICU in the largest health care system in the state of Florida, United States.MethodsRetrospective cohort study of patients admitted to ICU due to severe COVID-19 in AdventHealth health system in Orlando, Florida from March 11thuntil May 18th, 2020. Patients were characterized based on demographics, baseline comorbidities, severity of illness, medical management including experimental therapies, laboratory markers and ventilator parameters. Major clinical outcomes analyzed at the end of the study period were: hospital and ICU length of stay, MV-related mortality and overall hospital mortality of ICU patients.ResultsOut of total of 1283 patients with COVID-19, 131 (10.2%) met criteria for ICU admission (median age: 61 years [interquartile range (IQR), 49.5–71.5]; 35.1% female). Common comorbidities were hypertension (84; 64.1%), and diabetes (54; 41.2%). Of the 131 ICU patients, 109 (83.2%) required MV and 9 (6.9%) received ECMO. Lower positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) were observed in survivors [9.2 (7.7–10.4)] vs non-survivors [10 (9.1–12.9] p = 0.004]. Compared to non-survivors, survivors had a longer MV length of stay (LOS) [14 (IQR 8–22) vs 8.5 (IQR 5–10.8) p< 0.001], Hospital LOS [21 (IQR 13–31) vs 10 (7–1) p< 0.001] and ICU LOS [14 (IQR 7–24) vs 9.5 (IQR 6–11), p < 0.001]. The overall hospital mortality and MV-related mortality were 19.8% and 23.8% respectively. After exclusion of hospitalized patients, the hospital and MV-related mortality rates were 21.6% and 26.5% respectively.ConclusionsOur study demonstrates an important improvement in mortality of patients with severe COVID-19 who required ICU admission and MV in comparison to previous observational reports and emphasizes the importance of standard of care measures in the management of COVID-19.
Adherence to the modified Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer guidelines: Results from a high-volume liver surgery center in East Asias
Authors: Yen Yi-Hao , Cheng Yu-Fan , Wang Jing-Houng , Lin Chih-Che , Chen Chien-Hung , Wang Chih-Chi 
Published: March 2021

Background and aims
The Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system is the most widely applied staging system for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and is recommended for treatment allocation and prognostic prediction. The BCLC guidelines were modified in 2018 to indicate that Child-Pugh A without any ascites is essential for all stages except stage D. This study sought to provide a description of patients with HCC treated at a high-volume liver surgery center in Taiwan where referral is not needed and all treatment modalities are available and reimbursed by the National Health Insurance program. As such, certain variables that could modulate treatment decisions in clinical practice, including financial constraints, the availability of treatment procedures, and the expertise of the hospital, could be excluded. The study further sought to evaluate the adherence to the modified BCLC guidelines.

Methods
This was a retrospective study with prospectively collected data. 1801 consecutive patients with de novo HCC were enrolled through our institution from 2011–2017.

Results
There were 302 patients with stage 0, 783 with stage A, 242 with stage B, 358 with stage C, and 116 with stage D HCC. Treatment adhering to the modified BCLC guidelines recommendations was provided to 259 (85.8%) stage 0 patients, 606 (77.4%) stage A patients, 120 (49.6%) stage B patients, 93 (26.0%) stage C patients, and 83 (71.6%) stage D patients.

Conclusions
We reported treatment adhering to the modified BCLC guidelines at a high-volume liver surgery center in Taiwan. We found that non-adherence to the modified BCLC staging system was common in treating stage B and C patients.
Clinical and ultrasonographic features of choroidal metastases based on primary cancer site: Long-term experience in a single center
Authors: Blasi Maria Antonietta , Maceroni Martina , Caputo Carmela Grazia , Sammarco Maria Grazia , Scupola Andrea , Lenkowicz Jacopo , Schinzari Giovanni , Rossi Ernesto , Pagliara Monica Maria 
Published: March 2021

Introduction and purpose
Choroidal metastases (CM) are the most common intraocular malignancies. With longer survival rates for cancer patients, CM will be increasingly encountered. We evaluated clinical and ultrasonographic (US) characteristics of CM in order to identify diagnostic biomarkers that correlate with the primary tumor site.

Methods
The medical records of all patients with CM evaluated at the Ocular Oncology Unit between February 2010 and March 2020 were analyzed.

Results
82 eyes of 70 patients were included. The primary cancer site was lung in 26 patients (37%), breast in 23 (33%), kidney in 9 (13%), gastrointestinal in 5 (7%), thyroid in 5 (7%), parathyroids and prostate respectively in 2 (3%). Fifty-five patients (78%) had other systemic metastases at the time of ocular diagnosis. Ten (14%) patients had no history of primary cancer. Bilateral CM were found in 20 patients (29%); fifty-six eyes (68%) had a single CM. The epicenter of CM was predominantly macula (43 eyes, 52%). The mean thickness was 4,1 mm (range 1,8–12,3). US structure was inhomogeneous in 67 eyes (82%). Reflectivity was mainly medium (39%) and medium-low (39%). In particular, CM from lung cancer showed lower reflectivity than those from the breast (p = 0,02). CM deriving from lung cancer were typically dome-shaped, whereas CM originating from breast were characteristically plateau shaped (p = 0,02). Seventy-four (91%) eyes presented fluid on optical coherence tomography.

Conclusion
We significatively found that CM from lung cancer generally appear dome-shaped with medium-low internal reflectivity, whereas those from breast cancer typically present a plateau appearance and higher internal reflectivity. Though it is hard to identify the site of the primary tumor relying exclusively on clinical and US aspects, morphology and internal reflectivity can be considered as diagnostic biomarkers. Thus, the origin of the primary tumor can be suspected by integrating a constellation of findings.
Meta-analysis of Indonesian Octopus laqueus Kaneko & Kubodera 2005 (Cephalopoda: Octopodidae) using Mt-DNA COI as Genetic Marker
Authors: Kholilah Nenik , Afiati Norma , Subagiyo Subagiyo , Hartati Retno 
Published: March 2021

O. laqueus was first discovered not long ago in 2005 in the Ryuku Islands, Japan. Its geographical distribution and molecular identification are therefore still rarely. Nucleotide sequences based on mt-DNA COI for O. laqueus that have been uploaded in the GenBank until before this study was carried out were only six sequences. Since DNA barcoding of mt-DNA COI has some advantageous characteristics, this study aimed to analyse the genetic difference of Indonesian O. laqueus to the data available in the GenBank. Samples were collected in 2019 - 2020 from Karimunjawa (n=16) and Bangka-Belitung (n=2). The mt-DNA COI was extracted using 10% chelex methods, PCR amplified using Folmer’s primer and sequenced in Sanger methods. Pairwise alignment and genetic distance were carried out in MEGA-X, whereas the phylogenetic tree was reconstructed using Bayesian methods. BLAST identification resulted in 685 bp with a range of 92,07-99,24 percentages of identity. The genetic mean pair-wise distances within-clade were 0,002 and 0,006, whilst the distance between the clade was 0.0883. Combining the suggestion with the ITF current, it is concluded that O. laqueus taken from Karimunjawa raised from the same species as those in Malaysia (MN711655) and Japan (AB302176). Specimens from Bangka-Belitung were suggested came from different species, as they were separated into the second clade by 8.83%. One single sample from Japan (AB430543) which laid outside the two clades by 11.63%-11.38% was also suggested to represent a different species. Overall, this study opens to various further studies on O. laqueus using other loci of genetic markers.
Deformation analysis of a reference wall towards the uncertainty investigation of terrestrial laser scanners
Authors: Schmitz Berit , Kuhlmann Heiner , Holst Christoph 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe perfect knowledge about the scanned object’s geometry is essential for the empirical analysis of the stochastic properties of terrestrial laser scanners (TLSs). The Bonn reference wall is intended to be used as a reference for TLS quality investigations. Therefore, it is necessary to know the geometry of the wall at each time of scanning to avoid the misinterpretation of possible movements as systematic effects in the scanner. For this reason, we investigate the stability of the Bonn reference wall in this study. This includes the definition of a geodetic datum, the quantification of displacements, and the establishment of a suited deformation model. Since we discover a movement of about 1 mm within one day and up to 7 mm over the year, it is necessary to establish a cause-response deformation model to correct the wall movements in the scans. This study proposes two dynamic deformation models to compensate for the movements of the wall within one day and within a year. Our results show that it is better to measure the initial geometry of the wall each day since 89 % of the relative movements can be reduced to a maximum of 0.25 mm with a standard deviation of 0.16 mm (0.23 mm without modeling). If the shape is not initially known each day, the standard deviation of the displacements can be reduced from 1.10 mm to 0.61 mm, but the largest residuals still amount up to 2.5 mm, which is not sufficient for stochastic TLS investigations.
A Three-Dimensional Simulation Analysis of Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer in Microchannel Heat Sinks with Different Structures
Authors: Shen Jienan , Li Xiuxiu , Zhu Yongsheng , Zhang Boya , Guo Hang , Liu Baolin , Chen Hong 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Numerical studies have been performed to analyze the fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics of nine microchannel heat sinks (MCHS) with different shapes and different arrangements of the ribs and cavities on the sidewalls, using three common shapes (square, triangle, and circular) of ribs or cavities as the basic structure in this work. The boundary conditions, governing equations, friction factor (f), Nusselt number (Nu), and performance evaluation criteria (ξ) were considered to determine which design was the best in terms of the heat transfer, the pressure drop, and the overall performance. It was observed that no matter how the circular ribs or cavities were arranged, its heat sink performance was better than the other two shapes for Reynolds number of 200–1000. Therefore, circular ribs or cavities can be considered as the best structure to improve the performance of MCHS. In addition, the heat sink performance of the microchannel heat sink with symmetrical circular ribs (MCHS-SCR) was improved by 31.2 % compared with the conventional microchannel heat sink at Re = 667. This was because in addition to the formation of transverse vortices in the channel, four symmetrical and reverse longitudinal vortices are formed to improve the mixing efficiency of the central fluid (low temperature) and the near-wall fluid (high temperature). Then, as the Reynolds number increases, the heat sink performance of MCHS-SCR dropped sharply. The heat sink performance of microchannel heat sinks with staggered ribs and cavities (MCHS-SCRC, MCHS-STRC, and MCHS-SSRC) exceeded that of MCHS-SCR. This indicated that the microchannel heat sink with staggered ribs and cavities was more suitable for high Reynolds number (Re > 800).
Nonreciprocal transmission in a parity-time symmetry system with two types of defects
Authors: Luo Min , Zhang Xiaomeng , Yu Guanxia 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
In this paper, we have studied two different mechanisms of nonreciprocal and asymmetric transmission in the one-dimensional asymmetric optical system composed of parity-time (PT) and magneto-optical materials with different defect layers. It is shown that there are three pairs of nonreciprocal dispersive curves with the perfect transmission in the three different band gaps, when the defect layer is filled with normal material. When the defect layer is filled with magneto-optical material, the transmittivity of two nonreciprocal frequencies can be modulated by the magnitude and direction of the defect layer’s external magnetic field and appears to be asymmetric nonreciprocal transmission. One-way frequency corresponding to one direction has extraordinary transmission, and the other one-way frequency corresponding to the opposite direction is suppressed. When the defect layer is filled with loss or gain material, the transmittivity of two nonreciprocal frequencies can be amplificated or attenuated simultaneously, respectively. The nonreciprocal propagation is originated from the resonant modes in the system due to the defect layer, and the nonreciprocal and asymmetric transmission is determined by the broken PT system due to magneto-optical and gain/loss material in the defect layer. Such controllable and asymmetric nonreciprocal propagation in the composite system may have broad potential applications in nonreciprocal communication and integration devices.
To Be, To Move, To React
Authors: Stoica Diana Sfetlana 
Published: March 2021

Focusing on African agency, this paper debates around a constructed triad of concepts found at the roots of African ways of expressing the struggle for identification, recognition and also the rise of a continent in worldly discourses, in a holistic and rather philosophical approach. The constructed triad is represented by narratives of dynamic verbs such as to be, to move and to react, in a post-structuralist intent to express the concept of following Africa, an alternative token for the changes in the perception of African agency. The aim of this concept is to symbolize, in a neo-postcolonial reading, the consciousness of self-consciousness, as a possible complex process of African becoming and the African continent’s rise in the global narratives.
Modified Direct Shear Test for Determining Shear Strength of Rock and Concrete
Authors: Vizini Vítor Oliveira Santos , Futai Marcos Massao 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
This article proposes a modification in the direct shear test (DST) to improve the boundary conditions of the test to avoid the undesirable tensile fractures and to promote a single horizontal shear fracture. The modified direct shear test (MDST) basically consists of adding two inclined notches in the test specimen of the DST. An ideal geometry was proposed based on numerical analysis and experimental tests on concrete. Experimental tests on homogeneous rocks, for low normal stresses, were performed with the ideal geometry, and it was obtained for most of the cases studied: (i) a single horizontal shear fracture (without tensile fractures); (ii) striated surface appearance in the most sheared area, and (iii) force versus displacement curve approximately linear with abrupt rupture. A summary and guidance for performing and verifying the MDST were provided. Through the proposed modification, a better shear strength test method for rock and concrete was achieved.
NPs, not DPs: The NP vs. DP debate in the context of dependency grammar
Authors: Osborne Timothy 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis paper considers the NP vs. DP debate from the perspective of dependency grammar (DG). The message is delivered that given DG assumptions about sentence structure, the traditional NP-analysis of nominal groups is preferable over the DP-analysis. The debate is also considered from the perspective of phrase structure grammar (PSG). While many of the issues discussed here do not directly support NP over DP given PSG assumptions, some do. More importantly, one has to accept the widespread presence of null determiner heads for the DP analysis to be plausible on PSG assumptions. The argument developed at length here is that the traditional NP-analysis of nominal groups is both more accurate and simpler than the DP-analysis, in part because it does not rely on the frequent occurrence of null determiners.
The impact of fibromyalgia in disease activity assessment and treatment response in axial spondyloarthritis
Authors: ZENGİN Orhan 
Published: March 2021

Aim: Spondyloarthritis represents a group of diseases with common clinical features. When axial symptoms are predominant, the disease is called axial SpA (axSpA). Fibromyalgia frequently accompanies rheumatological diseases and affects the evaluation of disease activity measurements and treatment responses. In this study, we aimed to compare axSpA patients with and without accompanying fibromyalgia syndrome (FS).
Material and Method: The patients with axSpA were retrospectively reviewed according to the Assessment of Spondyloarthritis international Society classification criteria. The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein data were used to evaluate disease activity. The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) was used to evaluate the functional status of the patients.
Results: The study included a total of 300 patients, including 162 (54%) males and 138 (46%) females. The median age of the patients (25%-75% IQR) was 35 (30-46) years. In the comparison of the two axSpA groups with and without FS, age, BASFI, ESR and CRP levels, and the rate of receiving biological therapy were similar. In the FS group, female gender was dominant (n = 46, 92%; p = 0.000) and the rates of peripheral arthritis and BASDAI were significantly higher (p = 0.024 and p = 0.004, respectively).
Conclusion: AxSpA is frequently accompanied by FS, especially in women. The symptoms of FS cause an increase in disease activity scores. Therefore, it is evaluated as low treatment response. The disease activity of FS and axSpA should be carefully evaluated to lower treatment costs and apply more accurate treatment.
Corneal Aberrations in Keratoconus: A Pentacam Scheimpflug Imaging Study
Authors: KAŞIKCI Murat , EROĞUL Özgür , ERYİĞİT EROĞUL Leyla , GOBEKA Hamıdu Hamısı 
Published: March 2021

Objective
To investigate high-order corneal aberration alterations at different KC stages using a Pentacam Scheimpflug camera (OCULUS, Wetzlar, Germany), and to compare data with healthy eyes

Materials and Methods
This retrospective comparative study investigated clinical data of 50 patients (100 eyes) with KC and 59 healthy individuals (118 eyes) who underwent corneal topography using the Pentacam Scheimpflug camera in our clinic. Demographic characteristics, total aberrations, HOAs, coma and spherical aberrations of all participants were extracted and recorded.

Results
Mean age in the KC group was 29.7±10.3 years and 32.1±12.4 years in the control group. These two groups were compatible in terms of age and sex (P=0.11; P=0.76, respectively,). In the keratometric classification, KC was mild in 63, moderate in 23, and severe in 14 eyes. Differences in low-order astigmatism, trefoil, coma, tetra-foil, high-order astigmatism, high-order spherical aberration, and root mean square values between eyes with KC and healthy eyes were statistically significant (P
Childhood tuberculosis in a reference children's hospital after admission of refugees
Authors: METİN Ozge , KAMAN Ayşe 
Published: March 2021

Aim: We aimed to evaluate epidemiologic, clinical, laboratory, microbiologic features, treatment and outcomes of pediatric tuberculosis (TB) patients also to draw attention to immigrant patients.
Material- Methods: We retrospectively conducted the medical records of children below 18 years of age with TB between January 2015 and September 2016.
Results: A total of 20 TB patients (35% were Syrian refugees, total 65% female) with a median age of 135.5±52.6 months were evaluated. Fourteen (70%) patients were adolescent. The history of contact with an active TB disease patient was found in seven (35%) patients. Four (20%) patients had no complaint at admission whereas the most common symptom was prolonged cough > 2 weeks. Fifteen (75%) patients had a Bacillus Calmette–Guérin scar on the left shoulder. A total of 16 (80%) patients had a positive tuberculin skin test (TST) result. Microbiological confirmation was provided in four (20%) patients totally. The most common chest X-ray findings on admission were hilar lymphadenopathy. Ten (50%) patients had normal chest X-ray and were diagosed with abnormal thorax tomography findings. All of the patients were treated succesfully except one Syrian patients with miliary TB who died.
Conclusion: Microbiological confirmation of childhood TB may be absent and the diagnosis can be confirmed in the light of contact history, positive TST reaction, compatible symtomps and radiological evidence. Particular attention might be paid to Syrian refugees, taking into epidemiological characteristics of TB disease and the density of immigrants in the place we live in.
Evaluation of Tp-e / QTc ratio in determining the risk of arrhythmia in electric shocks in children
Authors: SARI GÖKAY Sinem , ÇINIÇEV Şener 
Published: March 2021

INTRODUCTION: Patients who have electrical accidents can apply to hospital with clinical signs ranging from simple skin burns to serious organ injuries. Our aim in this study is to evaluate whether QT, QTc interval and QT/QTc, Tp-e/QT, Tp-e/QTc ratios can be a marker for determine the risk of arrhythmias in children in cases of electric shock injuries that can be fatal.

MATERIAL & METHOD: In our study, 36 patients who were admitted to pediatric emergency with an electric shock between July 2018 and September 2019 and followed up in our clinic were included. As a control group, 25 healthy patients were included in the study. The files of the patients were examined retrospectively ECG (electrocardiogram) findings in leads DII and V5 were recorded.
RESULTS: Thirty-six (41%) patients who were admitted to our study due to electrical shock and followed up in our pediatric emergency were included. Sinus tachycardia was observed in two patients and no arrhythmias were detected in others. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups between QT, QTc interval and QT/QTc, Tp-e/QT and Tp-e/QTc ratios measured in DII and V5 leads on ECG (p> 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between ECG findings by gender(p> 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Electric shock can cause life-threatening situations by causing fatal arrhythmia. Although ECG findings are used to determine cardiac arrhythmia, it should be shown whether QT, QTc interval and Tp-e/QT, Tp-e/QTc ratios are significant arrhythmogenic markers by prospective studies in more specific age groups.