bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
THE INTERDEPENDENCY OF UNCERTAINTIES IN ASEAN + 3 AND G6 ECONOMIES
Authors: ANGLINGKUSUMO REZA , IYKE BERNARD NJINDAN 
Published: July 2021

In this paper, we empirically examine the interdependency of uncertainties among ASEAN +3 countries as well as between these countries and the G6 countries. We collect the uncertainty data from the new World Uncertainty Index (WUI) database. The WUI captures uncertainty related to economic and political events in a country. We show that ASEAN + 3 countries as a group are weakly interdependent, in terms of the long-run relationships of uncertainties within the group. We demonstrate that, in the absence of outside influence, i.e., uncertainty shocks emanating from the G6, the [Formula: see text] and ASEAN countries are two independent group of countries with the former having its own dynamics and the latter neither affecting nor being affected by the former. We further demonstrate that outside influence strongly affects China but not the other [Formula: see text] and ASEAN countries. These findings survive robustness checks and suggest that the ASEAN + 3, as a region, may provide long-term diversification benefits to global investors and that the strengthening of the ASEAN + 3 regional cooperation framework may further buttress confidence in this region.
A study on the estimations of (n,t) reaction cross-sections at 14.5 MeV by using artificial neural network
Authors: Özdoğan Hasan , Üncü Yiğit Ali , Şekerci Mert , Kaplan Abdullah 
Published: July 2021

In this paper, calculations of the [Formula: see text] reaction cross-sections at 14.5 MeV have been presented by utilizing artificial neural network algorithms (ANNs). The systematics are based on the account for the non-equilibrium reaction mechanism and the corresponding analytical formulas of the pre-equilibrium exciton model. Experimental results, obtained from the EXFOR database, have been used to train the ANN with the Levenberg–Marquardt (LM) algorithm which is a feed-forward algorithm and is considered one of the well-known and most effective methods in neural networks. The Regression [Formula: see text] values for the ANN estimation have been determined as 0.9998, 0.9927 and 0.9895 for training, testing and for all process. The [Formula: see text] reaction cross-sections have been reproduced with the TALYS 1.95 and the EMPIRE 3.2 codes. In summary, it has been demonstrated that the ANN algorithms can be used to calculate the [Formula: see text] reaction cross-section with the semi-empirical systematics.
FETAL TYPE CLASSIFICATION BASED ON FETAL ELECTROCARDIOGRAPH IN NON-STRESS TESTS
Authors: LIU JIANLI , YANG YIMIN , ZHANG SONG , LI XUWEN , YANG LIN , HAO DONGMEI 
Published: July 2021

Electronic fetal heart rate (FHR) monitoring is a technical means to evaluate the state of the fetus in the uterus by monitoring FHR. The main purpose is to detect intrauterine hypoxia and take corresponding medical measures timely. Because the fetus sleeps quietly for up to 1 hour sometimes, ultrasound Doppler is not easy to continuously detect for a long time. The electronic fetal monitor obtains the fetal heart rate, which not only improves the accuracy and comfort, but also the convenient implementation of long-term monitoring. It is beneficial to reduce perinatal fetal morbidity and mortality. This study used maternal–fetal Holter monitor which is based on the technology of fetal electrocardiograph (FECG) to collect the FHR, and then design algorithm to extract the baseline FHR, acceleration, variation, sleep-wake cycle and nonlinear parameters. There were significant differences in the 22 parameters between the normal and the suspicious group. Using the 22 characteristic parameters, the support vector machine was used to classify the normal and the suspected group of fetuses. 80% of the data was used to train a classification model. The remaining 20% of the data was used as a test set and its accuracy reached 93.75%.
Transportation of Wood Out of the Forest (along Short Distances)
Authors: Johann Elisabeth 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Over thousands of years, man could achieve movement only through muscle power, running water, or with the help of gravity. Transportation was achieved using moving human, animal, or mechanical power. The massive weight of wood and the extensive distances between forest and consumer raised immense problems and were a challenge to the people involved in wood transportation. To facilitate this dangerous and hard labor, wood workers developed various permanent or temporary constructions, which were adapted to their respective local conditions. Over time these have been transformed according to developing technical standards, but they did not change remarkably until the introduction of steam and fossil fuels in the second half of the 19th century. Especially in mountainous regions, forestry was and is dependent on a particularly skilled transportation system. This study examines what locally-adapted technologies were used throughout history to meet the large demand for wood from industry, trade, and the general population, and the kind of organization and planning that was applied. This work focuses on skidding wood out of the forest over short distances, either directly to consumers or to a collection point, from which the transport of large quantities of wood over longer distances started.
Can We Estimate Felling Intervals for Barrels without Sapwood?
Authors: van Daalen Sjoerd 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Oak barrels are a common find in excavations in the Netherlands. Despite the availability of numerous dendrochronological samples (staves) for each barrel, sapwood is often absent; this limits the usefulness of dendrochronology for the interpretation of the context because only the earliest possible felling date can be given. When there is no sapwood present on any staves, a close grouping of dates for the outermost rings suggests that this marks the transition from heartwood to sapwood (the heartwood–sapwood transition). If the presence of the heartwood–sapwood transition can be determined, a more accurate felling interval can be established.
Historical sources on the production of staves refer to a consistent production, whereby the sapwood and as little heartwood as possible was removed. To determine whether dendrochronological dates consistently group near the heartwood–sapwood transition, an objective and repeatable methodology was used to avoid relying on personal estimates. The dendrochronological data shows evidence for a consistent stave production process. This does not apply to all cases. In some cases, the results are unconvincing, while evidence for the absence of consistent production was also found. This is not a universally applicable method, but it can provide accurate felling intervals for a number of barrels, despite the absence of sapwood.
A high prevalence of prediabetes and vitamin D deficiency are more closely associated in women: results of a cross-sectional study
Authors: Lee Jeonghun , Lee Young Joo , Kim Youngsun 
Published: July 2021

Objective Many studies have shown that vitamin D deficiency is associated with insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. However, few studies have shown independent associations between vitamin D deficiency and the metabolic characteristics of prediabetes. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between serum vitamin D concentration and metabolic risk factors in adults with prediabetes. Methods We enrolled 161 patients aged 25 to 75 years in a cross-sectional study and collected clinical and biochemical data, including 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) status and fasting glucose concentration. Vitamin D status was defined as follows: deficiency (25[OH]D <49.9 ng/mL), insufficiency (49.9 to 74.9 nmol/L) or sufficiency (>74.9 nmol/L). Prediabetes was defined using fasting plasma glucose concentrations of 5.55 to 6.49 mmol/L. Results The prevalences of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were 49.7% and 24.8%, respectively. Participants with vitamin D deficiency had a higher prevalence of prediabetes than those without (53.8% vs. 32.1%), and there was a significant relationship between female sex and vitamin D status (odds ratio: 1.382; 95% confidence interval: 0.335–5.693). Conclusion Vitamin D deficiency is more closely associated with a high prevalence of prediabetes in women than in men. Further studies are needed to elucidate the explanation for this association.
Lung Adenocarcinoma with Paraneoplastic Hyper-Eosinophilia Not Responding To Pembrolizumab
Authors: Wehbe Hisham , Kozah Maria , Koubaissi Salwa A 
Published: July 2021

Background: Paraneoplastic hyper-eosinophilia associated with metastatic lung adenocarcinoma is a rare finding and has been associated with a poor prognosis when present. Early hyper-eosinophilia appearing following non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) has been previously reported with contradictory outcomes. Case summary: We present the case of an elderly man with newly diagnosed metastatic lung adenocarcinoma and baseline hyper-eosinophilia, treated with pembrolizumab, and showing evidence of significant and rapid disease progression suggestive of hyper-progressive disease, worsening baseline hyper-eosinophilia, and a fatal outcome within 1 month of therapy initiation. Conclusion: Pre-treatment hyper-eosinophilia could represent a predictive factor of an unfavorable response to ICI treatment in cases of NSCLC. Additional similar cases are needed to draw a more conclusive relationship.
Contraceptive Access Through School-Based Health Centers: Perceptions of Rural and Suburban Young People
Authors: Westbrook Marisa , Martinez Lisette , Mechergui Safa , Scandlyn Jean , Yeatman Sara 
Published: July 2021

Purpose School-based health centers (SBHCs) have traditionally been concentrated in urban centers but have increasingly moved to rural and suburban settings. Adolescents living outside urban centers continue to experience barriers accessing contraceptives and reproductive health care. SBHCs are well positioned to reduce these barriers since they often offer convenient, in-school reproductive health care services. We describe the experiences of adolescents and emerging adults as they navigate access to contraceptives at SBHCs and nonschool locations in nonurban, low-income communities. Method We interviewed 30 sexually active individuals aged 15 to 21 living in rural and suburban communities in Colorado where high school SBHCs were recently introduced. Participants reflected on their experiences with or without in-school access to sexual and reproductive health services. Results Overall, young people supported within-school access to contraceptives, citing convenience, low cost, and greater confidentiality and privacy compared with out-of-school providers, particularly in rural areas. At the same time, findings point to the need for SBHCs to overcome adolescents’ and emerging adults’ misunderstanding of age requirements to access confidential contraceptive services and their remaining concerns around confidentiality in the school setting. Conclusions Our results indicate that SBHCs in low-income rural and suburban areas provide essential contraceptive services that young people access and value. Policy makers in nonurban communities should look to the SBHC model to reduce barriers for young people accessing reproductive health care, and health care providers should work to ensure confidentiality and to correct misinformation about their right to access contraceptive services.
Fast MCsquare-Based Independent Dose Verification Platform for Pencil Beam Scanning Proton Therapy
Authors: Liu Chunbo , Ho Meng Wei , Park Jiyeon , Hsi Wen Chien , Liang Xiaoying , Li Zuofeng , Song Yuntao , Feng Hansheng , Zhang Yawei 
Published: July 2021

Purpose: To commission MCsquare (a multi-cores CPU-based dose calculation engine) for pencil beam scanning (PBS) proton therapy, integrate it into RayStation treatment plan system (TPS) to create a dedicated platform for fast independent dose verification. Method: A MCsquare-based independent dose verification platform (MC2InRS) was developed to realize automatic dose re-calculation for clinical use, including data preparation, dose calculation, 2D/3D gamma analysis. MCsquare was commissioned based on in-air lateral dose profiles, integrated depth dose, and the absolute dose of different beam energies for Proteus®ONE. MC2InRS was validated with measurement data using various targets and depths in a water phantom. This study also investigated 15 clinical cases to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of MC2InRS platform in clinic practice. Results: Between simulation and measurement, the distal range differences at 80% (R80) and 20% (R20) dose levels for each energy were below 0.05 mm, and 0.1 mm, respectively, and the absolute dose differences were below 0.5%. 29 out of 36 QA planes reached a 100% gamma passing rate (GPR) for 2%/2mm criteria, and a minimum of 98.3% gamma was obtained in water phantom between simulation and measurement. For the 15 clinical cases investigated, the average 2D GPR (2%/2mm) was 95.4%, 99.3% for MCsquare vs. measurement, MCsquare vs. TPS, respectively. The average 3D GPR (2%/2mm) was 98.9%, 95.3% for MCsquare vs. TPS in water, and computed tomography (CT), respectively. Conclusion: MC2InRS, a fast, independent dose verification platform, has been developed to perform dose verification with high accuracy and efficiency for Pencil Bream Scanning (PBS). Its potential to be applied in routine clinical practice has also been discussed.
Naldemedine is effective in the treatment of opioid-induced constipation in patients with chronic non-cancer pain who had a poor response to laxatives
Authors: Hale Martin E. , Wild James E. , Yamada Tadaaki , Yokota Takaaki , Tack Jan , Andresen Viola , Drewes Asbjørn Mohr 
Published: July 2021

Background: Two studies demonstrated the efficacy and safety of naldemedine in adult patients with chronic non-cancer pain and opioid-induced constipation (OIC). However, no studies have compared the efficacy of peripherally acting µ-opioid receptor antagonists in patients with adequate and inadequate responses to prior OIC therapy with laxatives. This post hoc analysis of integrated data from the two previous studies compared the efficacy of naldemedine in patients who were unsuccessfully treated with laxatives [poor laxative responders (PLRs)] with those who either did not receive laxatives >30 days prior to screening or those who only received rescue laxative at or after screening (non-PLRs). Methods: Patients with OIC were randomized to once-daily treatment with naldemedine 0.2 mg or placebo. The primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of responders [⩾3 spontaneous bowel movements (SBMs)/week and an increase from baseline of ⩾1 SBM/week for ⩾9 weeks of the 12-week treatment period and ⩾3 weeks of the final 4 weeks of the 12-week treatment period]. Additional endpoints included change in SBM frequency, change in frequency of SBMs without straining, proportion of complete SBM (CSBM) responders, change in CSBM frequency, and time to first SBM. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were assessed. Results: The analysis included 538 (317 PLRs, 221 non-PLRs) and 537 (311 PLRs, 226 non-PLRs) patients in the naldemedine and placebo arms, respectively. There were significantly more responders in the naldemedine PLR (46.4%; p < 0.0001) and non-PLR (54.3%; p = 0.0009) subgroups versus the placebo groups (30.2% and 38.9%, respectively). In both the PLR and non-PLR subgroups, naldemedine treatment was superior to placebo on all additional endpoints. Overall incidence of TEAEs in the PLR subgroups treated with naldemedine or placebo was similar. Conclusion: This integrated analysis further supports the efficacy and tolerability of naldemedine in the treatment of OIC and demonstrates a consistent effect in both PLR and non-PLR subgroups. [ ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01965158 and NCT01993940]
Preserving ejaculatory function in young patients with lower urinary tract symptoms: medium- to long-term follow-up of prostatic urethral lift at a single center
Authors: Annese Pasquale , d’Altilia Nicola , Mancini Vito , Falagario Ugo G. , Del Giudice Francesco , Ferro Matteo , de Cobelli Ottavio , Porreca Angelo , Busetto Gian Maria , Carrieri Giuseppe 
Published: July 2021

Background and aims: Prostatic urethral lift (Urolift™) is a minimally invasive technique to treat male lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs) due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The aim of the present study was to assess safety and medium- to long-term outcomes in the relief of urinary symptoms. Methods: We included 35 men, affected by severe symptomatic BPH evaluated by International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), with normal erectile function (EF) and ejaculatory function (EjF) evaluated by the International Index of Erectile Dysfunction (IIEF-5) and Male Sexual Health Questionnaire for Ejaculatory Dysfunction (MSHQ-EjD-SF). Exclusion criteria were prostate larger than 70 cm3, bladder neck sclerosis, concomitant third prostatic lobe, and/or other cervical urethral obstruction or cancer. All patients, preoperatively, performed uroflowmetry (UFM) with peak flow (Q-max) and post void residual volume (PVR), digital rectal exam, transrectal prostate ultrasound to measure prostate volume, PSA, and cystoscopy. Follow-up was scheduled at 1–3–6 months, then yearly, evaluating UFM, IPSS, IIEF-5, and MSHQ-EjD-SF. Results: All procedures were performed by a single senior surgeon and follow-up was 33.8 ± 12 months. Preoperative PSA was 0.82 ± 0.4 ng/ml and mean operative time was 19.6 ± 10 min and 3 (2–4) implants per patient were used. Parameters reported at last follow-up schedule were: Q-max increase of 68% ( p = 0.001), PVR reduction 68% ( p = 0.005), and IPSS reduction 55% ( p < 0.0001). EF and EjF were similarly preserved, and no patients presented retrograde ejaculation. A total of 88.6% of patients were satisfied with LUTSs improvement and 100% satisfied with EjF. Conclusion: Urolift can improve urinary disorders secondary to BPH, preserving EjF and EF. It is a safe and easy method, reproducible, and with low incidence of complications. Careful selection of patients is mandatory. The main reason for dissatisfaction is the higher expectation of better BPH symptoms relief although patients with high bladder neck and/or prostate volume >45 cm3 were aware of the possible failure.
First- or second-generation epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors in a large, real-world cohort of patients with non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Huang Allen Chung-Cheng , Huang Chi-Hsien , Ju Jia-Shiuan , Chiu Tzu-Hsuan , Tung Pi-Hung , Wang Chin-Chou , Liu Chien-Ying , Chung Fu-Tsai , Fang Yueh-Fu , Guo Yi-Ke , Kuo Chih-Hsi Scott , Yang Cheng-Ta 
Published: July 2021

Background: There are limited comparisons of first- and second-generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in large, real-world cohorts of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with epidermal growth factor receptor ( EGFR) mutations. Methods: Patients with advanced NSCLC ( N = 612) with common EGFR mutations receiving first-line gefitinib/erlotinib and afatinib were grouped and propensity-score matched. Progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and secondary T790M mutations were analyzed. Results: The gefitinib/erlotinib and afatinib groups each contained 206 patients after matching. Compared with gefitinib/erlotinib, patients receiving afatinib achieved longer median PFS (16.3 versus 14.2 months; log-rank test p = 0.020) and had a lower risk of progression [hazard ratio (HR) 0.73 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.57–0.94); p = 0.017]. Median OS (37.3 versus 34.2 months; log-rank test p = 0.500) and reduction in risk of death [HR 0.89 (95% CI, 0.65–1.23); p = 0.476] did not differ significantly between groups. T790M positivity was significantly higher in the gefitinib/erlotinib than afatinib group (70.9% versus 44.6%, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that afatinib was independently associated with lower T790M positivity [odds ratio (OR) 0.27 (95% CI, 0.14–0.53); p < 0.001], whereas ⩾12 months PFS after EGFR-TKI treatment [OR 3.00 (95% CI, 1.56–5.98); p = 0.001] and brain metastasis [OR 2.12 (95% CI, 1.08–4.26); p = 0.030] were associated with higher T790M positivity. Sequential third-generation EGFR-TKI treatment was administered to 63 patients, in whom median OS after the second–third-generation and first–third-generation EGFR-TKI sequences were 38.8 and 29.1 months, respectively. Conclusion: Compared with gefitinib/erlotinib, afatinib had a higher treatment efficacy and a lower secondary T790M positivity in a large, real-world cohort of Asian patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC.
Community-based screening to determine the prevalence, health and nutritional status of patients with CKD in rural and peri-urban Bangladesh
Authors: Sarker Mohammad Habibur Rahman , Moriyama Michiko , Rashid Harun Ur , Chisti Mohammod Jobayer , Rahman Md Moshiur , Das Sumon Kumar , Uddin Aftab , Saha Samir Kumar , Arifeen Shams El , Ahmed Tahmeed , Faruque ASG 
Published: July 2021

Background: Studies have labelled chronic kidney disease (CKD) among the adult population in urban Bangladesh. To address knowledge gaps on CKD, we aimed to generate data on prevalence, health and nutrition of CKD individuals living in rural and peri-urban Bangladesh. Methods: Participants were recruited from the Mirzapur Demographic Surveillance System by age-stratified random sampling. We screened participants by measuring serum creatinine and urine albumin to creatinine ratio, and collected socio-demographic, lifestyles and health information (phase I). After 3 months (phase II), we repeated the urine and blood tests as per the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative guidelines. The glomerular filtration rate was calculated using the CKD Epidemiology Collaboration equation. Results: Among 928 participants, 872 completed the study. In phase I, probable CKD cases were 281 (32.2%); in phase II, confirmed cases were 192 (22.0%) (stage 1, 4.0%; stage 2, 11.8%; stage 3, 5.5%; stage 4, 0.6%; stage 5, 0.1%). In multivariable analysis, associated factors for prevalent CKD included aged ⩾60 years [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 5.02; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.85–13.65], hypertension (aOR 3.08; 95% CI 2.07–4.59), diabetes (aOR 2.52; 95% CI 1.60–3.96), presence of red blood cell in urine (aOR 3.20; 95% CI 1.71–5.98) and anemia (aOR 2.50; 95% CI 1.63–3.84). Conclusions: This is the first ever research on CKD prevalence in rural and peri-urban Bangladesh and recorded about 22%, which is higher than urban settings. Monitoring systems are needed to evaluate the overall burden and to mitigate risk factors with an emphasis on the rural and peri-urban population.