bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Outcome Measures in Solid Organ Donor Management Research - a Systematic Review
Authors: Bera Kasia D , Shah Akshay , English  , Ploeg RJ 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
BackgroundTo systematically review published outcome measures across randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of donor management interventions. MethodsThe systematic review was conducted in accordance with recommendations by the Cochrane Handbook and PRISMA statement. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, Web of Science as well as trial databases from 1980 to February 2021 for RCTs of donor management interventions. ResultsTwenty-two RCTs (n = 3432 donors) were included in our analysis. Fourteen RCTs (63.6%) reported a primary outcome relating to a single organ only. Eight RCTs primarily focused on aspects of donor optimisation in critical care. Thyroid hormones and methylprednisolone were the most commonly evaluated interventions (five and four studies, respectively). Only two studies, focusing on single organs (e.g. kidney), evaluated outcomes relating to other organs. The majority of studies evaluated physiological or biomarker-related outcomes. No study evaluated recipient health-related quality of life. Only one study sought consent from potential organ recipients. ConclusionsThe majority of RCTs evaluating donor management interventions only assessed single organ outcomes or effects on donor stability in critical care. There is a need for an evaluation of patient-centred recipient outcomes, and standardisation and reporting of outcome measures for future donor management RCTs. PROSPERO Registration CRD42018109487
Assessing the efficiency of COVID-19 NPIs in France: a retrospective study using a novel methodology
Authors: Lansiaux Edouard , Caut Jean-Luc , Forget Joachim , Pébaÿ Philippe P. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
After an initial phase of low reactivity from the French public health authorities, in the face of the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in February 2020, various Non Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs) were put in place (strict stay-at-home orders, followed by mandatory mask wearing in public places, curfews, partial lockdowns, etc.). In our knowledge, no study has independently assessed their respective effectiveness in an independent manner nor a synergistic manner. Our study has retrospectively studied (from 03/01/2020 to 30/01/2021), using metropolitan France data, the association strength (using normalized mutual information) as well as the linear correlation (using Pearson’s correlation) between more restrictive NPIs (mrNPIs) and epidemiological markers of COVID-19. All mrNPIs were moderately associated with a viral reproduction rate decrease but were associated neither with a decrease in COVID-19 daily hospitalizations, nor with COVID-19 daily ICU admissions. This paper is only for academic discussion, conclusions need to be confirmed by further research. Data and codes were available here http://gitlab.com/covid-data-2/lockdown-and-curfew.
Serum zinc and dietary intake of zinc in relation to risk of different breast cancer subgroups and serum levels as a marker of intake: A prospective nested case-control study
Authors: Bengtsson Ylva , Sandsveden Malte , Borgquist Signe , Manjer Jonas 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Purpose

Zinc has been suggested to be protective against breast cancer, but the evidence remains inconclusive. One reason for inconsistent findings in previous studies may be that zinc only influences the risk of developing certain subtypes of breast cancer. Our study is the first study assessing zinc levels in relation to the risk of different breast cancer subgroups, defined by their tumor characteristics. In addition, we analyze serum zinc as a marker of dietary intake.

Methods

The Malmö Diet and Cancer Study is a population-based cohort study that took place 1991-1996 in Malmö, Sweden. Until end of follow-up, 31 December 2013, 1186 incident cases were identified and matched to an equal number of controls. Odds ratios (ORs) for breast cancer, and having a certain tumor characteristic, were estimated in quartiles of baseline serum zinc and zinc intake and adjusted for potential confounders.

Results

No associations were found between zinc, measured in serum or diet pre-diagnostically, and breast cancer risk. The adjusted OR for breast cancer in serum zinc Q4 compared to Q1 was 1.09 (0.85-1.41) and in zinc intake Q4 versus Q1 was 0.97 (0.77-1.23). Moreover, there were no clear associations between zinc and any breast cancer characteristics. The kappa value, 0.025 (P=0.022), showed poor agreement between serum zinc and zinc intake.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that there is no clear association between zinc and overall breast cancer risk or risk of different breast cancer subgroups. Finally, our results suggest that serum zinc is a poor marker of zinc intake.
Ecological Footprint, Public-Private Partnership Investment in Energy and Financial Development in Brazil: A Gradual Shift Causality Approach
Authors: Akinsola Gbenga Daniel , Awosusi Abraham Ayobamiji , Kirikkaleli Dervis , Umarbeyli Sukru , Adeshola Ibrahim , Adebayo Tomiwa Sunday 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The present study aims to close this gap in the literature by exploring the effect of public-private partnerships in energy and financial development on Brazil’s ecological footprint by considering the impact of renewable energy and economic growth using data spanning from 1983 to 2017. The study utilized several techniques such as ARDL, FMOLS, DOLS, and CCR to examine the relationship between ecological footprint and the determinants, while the Gradual shift causality test was utilized to capture the causal linkage between the series in the presence of structural break. The outcome of the Maki Cointegration test revealed evidence of a long-run association among the variables of interest. Furthermore, the results of the ARDL, FMOLS, DOLS, and CCR tests revealed that economic growth and public and private investment in energy increase environmental degradation while both renewable energy and financial development mitigates it. Moreover, the Gradual shift causality test revealed a bidirectional causal linkage between ecological footprint and economic growth. The present study recommends establishing a forum that will foster public and private partnerships to enhance communication, which will create collaboration for new initiatives for green technological innovations. Additionally, the financial market can be assisted by the government by formulating a framework that would promote low carbon technology development.
Comparison of spatial interpolation methods for estimating the precipitation distribution in Portugal
Authors: Antal Alexandru , Guerreiro Pedro M. P. , Cheval Sorin 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Precipitation has a strong and constant impact on different economic sectors, environment, and social activities all over the world. An increasing interest for monitoring and estimating the precipitation characteristics can be claimed in the last decades. However, in some areas the ground-based network is still sparse and the spatial data coverage insufficiently addresses the needs. In the last decades, different interpolation methods provide an efficient response for describing the spatial distribution of precipitation. In this study, we compare the performance of seven interpolation methods used for retrieving the mean annual precipitation over the mainland Portugal, as follows: local polynomial interpolation (LPI), global polynomial interpolation (GPI), radial basis function (RBF), inverse distance weighted (IDW), ordinary cokriging (OCK), universal cokriging (UCK) and empirical Bayesian kriging regression (EBKR). We generate the mean annual precipitation distribution using data from 128 rain gauge stations covering the period 1991 to 2000. The interpolation results were evaluated using cross-validation techniques and the performance of each method was evaluated using mean error (ME), mean absolute error (MAE), root mean square error (RMSE), Pearson’s correlation coefficient (R) and Taylor diagram. The results indicate that EBKR performs the best spatial distribution. In order to determine the accuracy of spatial distribution generated by the spatial interpolation methods, we calculate the prediction standard error (PSE). The PSE result of EBKR prediction over mainland Portugal increases form south to north.
Geometrically Weighted Direction of Arrival Estimation Method for Small Scale Square Array
Authors: Yetiş Suat , TAMER Özgür 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
In this work, a combined direction-of-arrival (DoA) estimation method for a four element square array is presented. A four element array is a very small planar array and estimation performance with ordinary DoA estimation techniques is considerably low. Main goal in this work is to improve the estimation performance of such an array by estimating the DoA with different geometrical configurations of the array elements and combine the results to evaluate the resulting DoA estimation. The geometrical structures employed are based on the circular, L shaped and linear configurations of the array elements. Performances of the geometries are evaluated and a combining filter based on the weighted results of the geometries is generated. The weighted results evaluated at the output of the filter are superior when compared with individual results of each of the geometries.
Architecture Optimization for Filtered Multicarrier Waveforms in 5G
Authors: Abid Muhammad , Ali Farman , Armghan Ammar , Alenezi Fayadh , Khan Sharoz , Muhammad Fazal , Khan Maqsood Ahmad , Qamar Muhammad Salman 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Wireless communication network is the backbone of each and every organization of today modern globe. The rapid emergence of smart devices, smart homes, internet of things and clean energy become key sources in today society. In result the data traffic, emerging of new service and application are increase every year. Hence, there is a growing demand for 5G technology in all above mentioned fields. Therefore, better waveform types for 5G technology is needed, which has ability of high spectral efficiency, lower latency and less complexity. It is predicted that the data traffic will arise 1000x in near future. In this work filtered orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (F-OFDM) and universal filtered orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (UF-OFDM) techniques will be discussed to degrade key issues such as computational complexity, peak average power ratio (PAPR), lower spectral efficiency, and higher latency. The suggested work will clearly overcome the drawbacks faced by previous work like limited capacity and complexity. We also analyze algorithms and simplification for F-OFDM and UF-OFDM waveforms from an implementation perspective towards low complexity and efficient transceiver design. Moreover, F-OFDM and UF-OFDM will be mainly based on multicarrier modulation and will be enabled to reduce to out-of-band power leakage (OOBPL) of OFDM.
Patterns and drivers of evapotranspiration in South American wetlands
Authors: Fleischmann Ayan , Laipelt Leonardo , Papa Fabrice , Ruhoff Anderson , Paiva Rodrigo , Biudes Marcelo , Kayser Rafael , Prigent Catherine , Cosio Eric , Machado Nadja , Collischonn Walter 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Evapotranspiration (ET) is a key process linking surface and atmospheric energy budgets, yet its drivers and patterns across wetlandscapes are poorly understood worldwide. Here we assess the ET dynamics in 12 wetlands complexes across South America, revealing major differences under temperate, tropical, and equatorial climates. While net radiation is a dominant driver of ET seasonality in most environments, flooding also contributes strongly to ET in tropical and equatorial wetlands, especially in meeting the evaporative demand. Moreover, significant water losses through wetlands and ET differences between wetlands and uplands occur in temperate, water-limited environments and in highly flooded areas such as the Pantanal, where slow river flood propagation drives the ET dynamics. Finally, floodplain forests produce the greatest ET in all environments except the Central Amazon, where upland forests sustain high rates year round. Our findings highlight the unique hydrological functioning and ecosystem services provided by wetlands on a continental scale.
Acute psychosis in COVID-19: Is it due to favipiravir treatment or acute viral illness?
Authors: Duyan Murat , Ozturan Ibrahim Ulas 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Introduction:

In this report, we present a case of acute psychosis that occurred after the loading dose of favipiravir, one of the most prescribed antiviral drugs in many countries, in a patient with COVID-19.
Case presentation:

A 31-year-old female was readmitted to the emergency department after three days of sleep disturbance, intermittent paranoid delusions, auditory hallucinations, and agitation that started after the favipiravir treatment was initiated. A physical examination revealed disorganized speech, distorted orientation, and agitation. All laboratory tests, including drug screening and cerebrospinal fluid analysis, were normal. After excluding all the other causes of acute psychosis, favipiravir treatment was discontinued, antipsychotic treatment was started, and the patient was admitted to the psychiatric ward. The symptoms resolved on the second day of hospitalization. Although acute viral illness does seldomly cause psychosis in patients with increased inflammatory response, in the presented case, none of the inflammatory markers were positive and acute psychosis was attributed to the loading dose of favipiravir.
Conclusion

In conclusion, emergency department physicians should be aware of this rare adverse effect and prescribe cautiously to patients at a high risk of psychosis.
Does agricultural cooperative membership help reduce the overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides? Evidence from rural China
Authors: Liu Tongshan , Wu Gang 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides (CFPs) has negatively impacted the environment and human health. It is an urgent issue that should be addressed. In this study, we investigate whether agricultural cooperatives can serve as an institutional arrangement that helps reduce the consumption of CFPs, using the data of 2012 family farms from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China. Various approaches, including instrumental variable based two-stage residual inclusion approach (2SRI), endogenous switching probit (ESP) model, and endogenous switching regression (ESR) model, are utilized to help address the endogeneity issues of the cooperative membership variable. The results show that agricultural cooperative membership significantly increases the probability of reducing fertilizers and pesticides of the family farms and improves net return per yuan CFPs. Our findings highlight the importance of promoting the development of agricultural cooperatives to support green agricultural production in China.
Thermodynamics simulation performance of rice husk combustion with a realistic decomposition approach on the devolatilization stage
Authors: Steven Soen , Hernowo Pandit , Restiawaty Elvi , Irawan Anton , Rasrendra Carolus Borromeus , Bindar Yazid 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Rice husk has a great potential in its calorific value and silica content in ash which makes its valorization through combustion becomes important and interesting. This study presents the thermodynamics simulation performance of rice husk combustion using a realistic decomposition approach. A non-ideal gas approach and fugacity coefficient were also considered in the calculation. From this study, rice husk is devolatilized to form gases (63.37%), tar (8.69%), char (27.94%), and all of these are then oxidized to form flue gas. The realistic decomposition approach calculated that about 2.6 MJ/kg of specific combustion energy is produced, the maximum combustion temperature is up to 1457oC for perfect insulation condition, and up to 1400oC if there is a heat loss. It is found that combustion equipped with larger excess air could quench the heat produced and reduce the combustion efficiency but could maintain the temperature at 700oC. Furthermore, the thermodynamics simulation expressed that NO emission amount from rice husk combustion is negligible and there is still a probability for CO and H2 to be produced at above 500oC due to Boudouard reaction and homogeneous water gas shift reaction (WGSR). The study showed that a realistic decomposition approach could predict the rice husk combustion performance with a reasonable and logical result. Supplying excess air of about 180–200% is advantageous to keep the combustion temperature at 700oC in order to prevent silica crystalline formation which harms human health, as well as suppressing NO emission and reducing CO emission from the simultaneous Boudouard and WGSR.
Beneficial effects of a mouthwash containing an antiviral phthalocyanine derivative on the length of hospital stay for COVID-19: Randomised trial
Authors: Santos Paulo Sérgio da Silva , Orcina Bernardo , Machado Rafael , Vilhena Fabiano , Alves Lucas , Zangrando Mariana , Oliveira Rodrigo de , Soares Mariana , Simão Andréa , Pietro Emilene , Kuroda Juliana , Benjamim Ivanilda , Araújo Danielle , Toma Sergio , Flor Lourival , Araki Koiti , Durigon Edison 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: The risk of contamination and dissemination by SARS-CoV-2 has a strong link with nasal, oral and pharyngeal cavities. Recently, our research group observed the promising performance of an anionic phthalocyanine derivative (APD) used in a mouthwash protocol without photoexcitation; this protocol improved the general clinical condition of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. Methods: The present two-arm study evaluated in vitro the antiviral activity and cytotoxicity of APD. Additionally, a triple-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted with 41 hospitalized patients who tested positive for COVID-19. All the included patients received World Health Organization standard care hospital treatment (non-intensive care) plus active mouthwash (experimental group AM/n=20) or nonactive mouthwash (control group NAM/n=21). The adjunct mouthwash intervention protocol used in both groups consisted one-minute gargling/rinsing / 5 times/day until hospital discharge. Groups were compared considering age, number of comorbidities, duration of symptoms prior admission and length of hospital stay (LOS). The associations between group and sex, age range, presence of comorbidities, admission to Intensive care unit (ICU) and death were also evaluated. Results: The in vitro evaluation demonstrated that APD compound was highly effective for reduction of SARS-CoV-2 viral load in the 1.0 mg/mL (99.96%) to 0.125 mg/mL (92.65%) range without causing cytotoxicity. Regarding the clinical trial, the median LOS of the AM group was significantly shortened (4 days) compared with that of the NAM group (7 days) (p=0.0314). Additionally, gargling/rinsing with APD was very helpful in reducing the severity of symptoms (no ICU care was needed) compared to not gargling/rinsing with APD (28.6% of the patients in the NAM group needed ICU care, and 50% of this ICU subgroup passed way, p=0.0207). Conclusions: This study indicated that the mechanical action of the protocol involving mouthwash containing a compound with antiviral effects against SARS-CoV-2 may reduce the symptoms of the patients and the spread of infection. The use of APD in a mouthwash as an adjuvant the hospital COVID-19 treatment presented no contraindication and reduced the hospital stay period. Trial Registration: The clinical study was registered at REBEC - Brazilian Clinical Trial Register (RBR-58ftdj) in 10/28/2020.
Molecular Modeling Analyses for Electronic Properties of CNT/TiO2&nbsp;Nanocomposites
Authors: Elhaes H. , Morsy M. , Yahia I. S. , Ibrahim M. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Electronic properties of carbon nanotube (CNT) is enhanced with the help of metal oxides which in turn paves the way toward functionality of CNT for many applications based on their electronic properties. Accordingly, density functional theory at B3LYP/3-21g** is utilized to model the decoration of CNT and TiO 2 . 7 molecules of TiO 2 are interacted with the CNT surface as adsorb state and complex. As a result of this decoration, a change in the Mulliken atomic charges of a carbon atom which is interacted with the metal is recorded, changing both the total dipole moment and HOMO/LUMO bandgap energy. The molecular electrostatic potential is localized toward the left side for the adsorb state then up and down for the complex state, which enhances the probability of forming hydrogen bonding with the surrounding. The change in the physical parameters of the surface promotes the decorated CNT for many applications. For verification, CNT is prepared with homemade CVD then decorated with TiO 2 . XRD, TEM, and TGA confirmed that TiO 2 is located on the surface. Finally, the FTIR spectrum indicated that the studied model is suitable for the investigated system regarding both accuracy and computational time.
Association of Anemia with Rehabilitation Outcome for Subacute Geriatric Rehabilitation Patients in a Secondary Hospital in Malaysia
Authors: Chin Mann Leon , Chan Christopher WS , Chong Huey Ee , Cheah Wee Kooi 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the effect of Anemia on Rehabilitation Outcome for Geriatric Subjects in Taiping Hospital Subacute Geriatric Rehabilitation Ward.Methodology: This was a retrospective study, with 126 subjects to compare the change in modified Barthel Index score of anemic and non anemic subjects.Results: 44% of subjects were anemic and the Mean corpuscular hemoglobin and Mean corpuscular volume for anemic subjects were 85.4pg and 29.8fL. Among anemic subjects 45.5% were Malay, 38.2% were Chinese, 14.5% were Indian and 1% were others. The Median(IQR) Modified Barthel Index (MBI) on admission for anemic subjects and non anemic subjects were insignificantly difference which were 47 (29, 63) and 36 (21, 59) respectively, (p=0.059). The median(IQR) of MBI improvement for non anemic subjects was found to be significantly higher than anemic subjects which were 14 (5, 26) and 8 (1, 18) (p=0.021). Subject with hemoglobin (hb) ≥ 9g/dL were significantly associated with MBI improvement of more than 20, p=0.014. Multiple linear regression revealed a significant linear relationship between age and MBI score improvement (p=0.010). Subjects 10 years younger showed a 3.55 score improvement in MBI.Conclusion: The study suggested that non-anemic subjects showed significant MBI improvement. Our study also suggested judicious transfusion practices to maintain a hemoglobin threshold of 9 g/dL might be able to improve subject’s functional outcome. These results should encourage further research with a larger elderly subject population to provide insights and awareness for the need to correct anemia in rehabilitation subjects.
Investigation of Heavy Metalloid Pollutants in the Earth's Environment Using Kriging Method and Hydrus Model&nbsp;
Authors: mirzaei farhad , Abbasi Yasser , Sohrabi Teymour , Mirhashemi Seyed Hassan 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The zoning of copper, nickel and lead heavy metals was investigated by using Kriging method in GIS environment using circular, spherical, exponential and Gaussian variorums. In addition, one-dimensional Hydrus modeling of water flow and heavy metals in the soil environment was simulated up to 50 cm depth for a 210-day period and the concentration of heavy metals to the root .depth was simulated. Distribution of lead element in soil surface with spherical model showed that its variation was in the range of 20 to 70 mg / kg. These values were 50-60 mg / kg for copper and 30 mg / kg for nickel. Investigation of heavy metals in the soil using the Hydrus model showed that the simulated value at the initial 0-15 cm depth has the highest value and at lower depths is decreased. Comparison of the concentrations of these elements with the standard allowed by the WHO showed that the lead element in this region was higher than the permissible level.