bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Placenta accreta scoring system (PASS)—assessment of a simplified clinico-radiological scoring system for antenatal diagnosis of placenta accreta
Authors: Mahalingam Harsha Vardhan , Rangasami Rajeswaran , Premkumar J. , Chandrasekar Anupama 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) of disorders is an important cause of post-partum hemorrhage and resultant maternal morbidity and mortality. Imaging plays an indispensable role in antenatal diagnosis of PAS. However, diagnosis of PAS on both ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is reliant on recognition of multiple imaging signs each of which have a wide range of sensitivity and specificity. There is no single pathognomonic diagnostic feature. This results in interobserver variability. In our study, we aim to assess the accuracy of a combined clinico-radiological scoring system in predicting placenta accreta.

Results
This retrospective study included 60 MRI examinations done for suspected placenta accreta (PA). MRI findings were assessed by two radiologists in consensus. Clinical details of the patients were obtained from the hospital information system. Two clinical and six imaging criteria were assessed and a total score was calculated for each patient. Patients were stratified into three groups—low, moderate or high probability for placenta accreta based on the total score. The presence of any statistically significant difference in prevalence of PA among these groups was assessed. Intra-operative findings/histopathology were considered the gold standard. The prevalence of PA was 3% (1/33), 28.5% (2/7) and 90% (18/20) in the low-, moderate- and high-risk groups respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in the prevalence between the three groups (chi-square statistic = 41.54, p value < 0.0001). A score of greater than or equal to 6 provided sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 85.71, 94.87 and 92.5% respectively in diagnosing placenta accreta.

Conclusion
PASS provides a simple, objective and accurate way to stratify patients into low, intermediate and high probability categories for PA.
Impact of a Gluten-Free Diet on Quality of Life and Health Perception in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes and Asymptomatic Celiac Disease
Authors: Weiman Daniel I , Mahmud Farid H , Clarke Antoine B M , Assor Esther , McDonald Charlotte , Saibil Fred , Lochnan Heather A , Punthakee Zubin , Marcon Margaret A ,   CD-DIET Study Group, Mahmud Farid H , Clarke Antoine B M , Assor Esther , McDonald Charlotte , Saibil Fred , Lochnan Heather A , Punthakee Zubin , Parikh Amish , Advani Andrew , Shah Baiju R , Perkins Bruce A , Zuijdwijk Caroline S , Mack David R , Koltin Dror , De Melo Emilia N , Hsieh Eugene , Mukerji Geetha , Gilbert Jeremy , Bax Kevin , Lawson Margaret L , Cino Maria , Beaton Melanie D , Saloojee Navaaz A , Lou Olivia , Gallego Patricia H , Bercik Permysl , Houlden Robyn L , Aronson Ronnie , Kirsch Susan E , Paterson William G , Marcon Margaret A 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Context
Celiac disease (CD) is a common comorbidity seen in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and is frequently asymptomatic. As chronic conditions requiring significant lifestyle changes, there are limited reports assessing changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) during transition to a gluten-free diet (GFD) in patients with T1D who are asymptomatic for CD.

Objective
This work aims to prospectively assess HRQoL and health perception in children and adults with T1D and asymptomatic CD after random assignment to GFD vs usual diet.

Methods
Patients with T1D aged 8 to 45 years without CD symptoms were serologically screened for CD, with positive results confirmed with intestinal biopsy. Participants were randomly assigned in an open-label fashion to a GFD or gluten-containing diet (GCD) for 12 months. Generic and diabetes-specific HRQoL and self-perceived wellness (SPW) were assessed longitudinally.

Results
A total of 2387 T1D patients were serologically screened. CD was biopsy-confirmed in 82 patients and 51 participants were randomly assigned to a GFD (N = 27) or GCD (N = 24). Excellent adherence to the assigned diets was observed. Overall, no changes in generic (P = .73) or diabetes-specific HRQoL (P = .30), or SPW (P = .41) were observed between groups over 12 months. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and gastrointestinal symptoms were consistent predictors of HRQoL and SPW.

Conclusion
HRQoL and SPW were not significantly affected by the adoption of a GFD over 12 months, but worsened with symptom onset and increased HbA1c. Our findings indicate that transition to a GFD can be made successfully in this population without adversely affecting quality of life.
The Association of Lactation Duration with Visceral and Pericardial Fat Volumes in Parous Women: The CARDIA Study
Authors: Appiah Duke , Lewis Cora E , Jacobs David R , Shikany James M , Quesenberry Charles P , Gross Myron , Carr Jeff , Sidney Stephen , Gunderson Erica P 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Background
Lactation is associated with lower risks for cardiovascular disease in women. Organ-related adiposity, which plays significant roles in the development of cardiometabolic diseases, could help explain this observation. We evaluated the association of lactation duration with visceral (VAT) and pericardial (PAT) fat volumes in women.

Methods
Data were obtained from 910 women enrolled in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study (1985-1986) without diabetes prior to pregnancy who had ≥1 birth during 25 years of follow-up and had VAT and PAT measured from computed tomographic scans in 2010-2011. Cumulative lactation duration across all births since baseline was calculated from self-reports collected at periodic exams.

Results
At baseline, the average age of women (48% black, 52% white) was 24 ± 3.7 years. After controlling for baseline age, race, smoking status, body mass index, fasting glucose, family history of diabetes, fat intake, total cholesterol, physical activity, and follow-up covariates (parity, gestational diabetes), the mean fat volumes across categories of lactation [none (n = 221), 1-5 months (n = 306), 6-11 months (n = 210), and ≥12 months (n = 173)] were 122.0, 113.7 105.0, and 110.1 cm3 for VAT and 52.2, 46.7, 44.5, and 43.4 cm3 for PAT, respectively. Changes in body weight from the first post-baseline birth to the end of follow-up mediated 21% and 18% of the associations of lactation with VAT and PAT, respectively.

Conclusions
In this prospective study, longer cumulative lactation duration was associated with lower VAT and PAT volumes, with weight gain partially mediating these associations.
Organoid Cultures Derived From Patients With Papillary Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Chen Dong , Tan Yawen , Li Zhichao , Li Wujiao , Yu Lei , Chen Wei , Liu Yuchen , Liu Lisa , Guo Liangfeng , Huang Weiren , Zhao Yongsheng 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Context
Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) has been one of the most frequent endocrine malignancies around the world. Although most PTC patients have a favorable prognosis, a subgroup of patients die, especially when disease recurrence occurs. There is a pressing need for clinically relevant preclinical thyroid cancer models for personalized therapy because of the lack of in vitro models that faithfully represent the biology of the parental tumors.

Objective
To understand thyroid cancer and translate this knowledge to clinical applications, patient-derived PTC organoids as a promising new preclinical model were established.

Methods
Surgically resected PTC primary tissues were dissociated and processed for organoid derivation. Tumor organoids were subsequently subjected to histological characterization, DNA sequencing, drug screen, and cell proliferation assay, respectively.

Results
We describe a 3-dimensional culture system for the long-term expansion of patient-derived PTC organoid lines. Notably, PTC organoids preserve the histopathological profiles and genomic heterogeneity of the originating tumors. Drug sensitivity assays of PTC organoids demonstrate patient-specific drug responses, and large correlations with the respective mutational profiles. Estradiol was shown to promote cell proliferation of PTC organoids in the presence of estrogen receptor α (ERα), regardless of the expression of ERβ and G protein–coupled ER.

Conclusion
These data suggest that these newly developed PTC-derived organoids may be an excellent preclinical model for studying clinical response to anticancer drugs in a personalized way, as well as provide a potential strategy to develop prevention and treatment options for thyroid cancer with ERα-specific antagonists.
Origin and Stages of Formation of Medium and Small Businesses in the Northern Region
Authors: Mahmudova Muhabbat 
Published: February 2021

The analysis of statistical indicators of the development of the business sector in the Tyumen region allowed us to assume the activity of a dynamically developing segment of the regional economy. Entrepreneurship in the region is characterized by stabilization and strengthening of positions in the regional market as a result of effective adaptation of the sector in the conditions of macroeconomic instability.
Operating in a large sector of the regional economy, small businesses provide the domestic consumer market with the necessary goods and services, maintain a high level of competition, create jobs, are an active participant in investment and innovation processes in the region and contribute to increasing the share of the middle class in society.
However, the history of the origin and formation of the entrepreneurial sector of the Tyumen region is not uninteresting, which is what this article is devoted to.
B. Situación en Libia, Caso de la Fiscalía c. Saif Al Islam Gaddafi y Abdullah Al-Senussi
Authors: Fierro Barreto Paula Viviana 
Published: February 2021

Análisis de la decisión sobre la apelación de Abdullah Al-Senussi frente a la decisión de la Sala de Cuestiones Preliminares I, del 11 de octubre de 2013, denominada “Decisión sobre la admisibilidad del caso en contra de AbdullahAl-Senussi”
A. Observaciones sobre la situación en la República Democrática del Congo, Caso de la Fiscalía c. Thomas Lubanga Dyilo
Authors: Serebrenik Beltrán Steffany 
Published: February 2021

Sentencia sobre la apelación de la Fiscalía y Thomas Lubanga Dyilo frente a la decisión relativa a la pena, de conformidad con el Artículo 76 del Estatuto de Roma, de 1 de diciembre de 2014
Simple steps to prevent hospital-acquired pneumonia in non-intubated patients: a quality improvement project
Authors: Wilkinson Alice , Singal Anousha , Ramadan Ghada 
Published: February 2021

Background: Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) affects approximately 1.5% of UK inpatients. As well as leading to significant morbidity and mortality, HAP increases burden on hospitals by lengthening hospital stay. At a district general hospital in Kent, a quality improvement project (QIP) was designed that introduced simple preventive measures that could be implemented by ward nurses and allied health professionals. Methods: Three audit cycles studying a total of 222 inpatients on elderly care wards were undertaken over a 6-month period to assess staff compliance at various stages of the project, with interventions between each cycle. Actions included raising bedheads to 30°, sitting patients out of bed for meals, discouraging use of drinking straws, and regular mouth care. Results: Overall, improvements were seen in three of the measures. Considering the percentage of patients, there was a 23% increase in patients with bedheads >30°, 21% increase in use of adult feeding cups rather than straws, and 26% rise in patients sitting out of bed for meals. Conclusion: The main objective of this QIP was to show that these simple yet potentially life-saving interventions are easy to implement on a busy ward, and the results have shown this to be true.
Afocal catadioptric optical assembly for Fourier-sampling computational microscopy
Authors: Nowicki Keith , Wagner Kelvin H. , Cormack Robert , Feldkhun Daniel 
Published: February 2021

This paper describes a fast, wide-angle, afocal, catadioptric optical assembly designed and used for the projection of coherent collimated beams in Fourier-sampling computational microscopy, which demands an unorthodox set of optical requirements unmet by traditional imaging designs. The system accepts a diverging set of collimated beams as an input and produces a converging set of collimated beams that overlap on the surface of a target at 5 m scale distances. We derive equations for the focal surfaces relevant for system alignment and report the results of simulations of the optical performance of the system for axially symmetric and asymmetric beam interferometry. We also describe a method to vary the microscope imaging distance by up to one meter through small positional shifts in the optical elements.
Silicon electronic–photonic integrated 25  Gb/s ring modulator transmitter with a built-in temperature controller
Authors: Kim Minkyu , Kim Min-Hyeong , Jo Youngkwan , Kim Hyun-Kyu , Lischke Stefan , Mai Christian , Zimmermann Lars , Choi Woo-Young 
Published: February 2021

We demonstrate a silicon electronic–photonic integrated 25 Gb/s nonreturn-to-zero transmitter that includes driver circuits, depletion-type Si ring modulator, Ge photodetector, temperature sensor, on-chip heater, and temperature controller, all monolithically integrated on a 0.25 μm photonic BiCMOS technology platform. The integrated transmitter successfully provides stable and optimal 25 Gb/s modulation characteristics against external temperature fluctuation.
Mode-conversion-based silicon photonic modulator loaded by a combination of lateral and interleaved p-n junctions
Authors: Jafari Omid , Zhalehpour Sasan , Shi Wei , LaRochelle Sophie 
Published: February 2021

We experimentally demonstrate a silicon photonic modulator that can be loaded with a combination of lateral and interleaved p-n junctions to enhance its phase modulation. We use an asymmetric Bragg grating to introduce mode conversion in the active area, allowing the modulator to operate in reflection without introducing additional on-chip loss. With a compact footprint (phase shifter length of 290 μm), the modulator demonstrates a modulation speed up to 45 Gb/s with a bit error rate below the 7% forward-error-correction (FEC) threshold (up to 55 Gb/s with 20% FEC), and a low power consumption of 226 fJ/bit.
Patient and allograft outcomes after kidney transplant for the Indigenous patients in the United States
Authors: Seipp Regan , Zhang Nan , Nair Sumi Sukumaran , Khamash Hasan , Sharma Amit , Leischow Scott , Heilman Raymond , Keddis Mira T. 
Published: February 2021

Background
The objective is to assess cardiovascular (CV), malignancy, infectious, graft outcomes and tacrolimus levels for the Indigenous patients compared to Whites after kidney transplant (KTx).

Methods
165 Indigenous and 165 White patients matched for the KTx year at Mayo Clinic Arizona from 2007–2015 were studied over a median follow-up of 3 years. Propensity score was calculated to account for baseline differences.

Results
Compared to Whites, Indigenous patients had the following characteristics: younger age, more obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and required dialysis prior to KTx (p<0.01). Indigenous patients had longer hospital stay for KTx, shorter follow-up and lived further from the transplant center (p<0.05). 210 (63.6%) received deceased donor KTx and more Whites received a living donor KTx compared to Indigenous patients (55.2% vs 17.6%, p<0.0001). Post-KTx, there was no difference in the CV event rates. The cumulative incidence of infectious complications was higher among the Indigenous patients (HR 1.81, p = 0.0005, 48.5% vs 38.2%, p = 0.013), with urinary causes as the most common. Malignancy rates were increased among Whites (13.3% vs 3.0%, p = 0.001) with skin cancer being the most common. There was a significant increase in the dose normalized tacrolimus level for the Indigenous patients compared to Whites at 1 months, 3 months, and 1 year post-KTx. After adjustment for the propensity score, there was no statistical difference in infectious or graft outcomes between the two groups but the mean number of emergency room visits and hospitalizations after KTx was significantly higher for Whites compared to Indigenous patients.

Conclusions
Compared to Whites, Indigenous patients have similar CV events, graft outcomes and infectious complications after accounting for baseline differences.
The unspoken reality of gender bias in surgery: A qualitative systematic review
Authors: Lim Wen Hui , Wong Chloe , Jain Sneha Rajiv , Ng Cheng Han , Tai Chia Hui , Devi M. Kamala , Samarasekera Dujeepa D. , Iyer Shridhar Ganpathi , Chong Choon Seng 
Published: February 2021

ObjectiveThis study was conducted to better understand the pervasive gender barriers obstructing the progression of women in surgery by synthesising the perspectives of both female surgical trainees and surgeons.MethodsFive electronic databases, including Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL and Web of Science Core Collection, were searched for relevant articles. Following a full-text review by three authors, qualitative data was synthesized thematically according to the Thomas and Harden methodology and quality assessment was conducted by two authors reaching a consensus.ResultsFourteen articles were included, with unfavorable work environments, male-dominated culture and societal pressures being major themes. Females in surgery lacked support, faced harassment, and had unequal opportunities, which were often exacerbated by sex-blindness by their male counterparts. Mothers were especially affected, struggling to achieve a work-life balance while facing strong criticism. However, with increasing recognition of the unique professional traits of female surgeons, there is progress towards gender quality which requires continued and sustained efforts.ConclusionThis systematic review sheds light on the numerous gender barriers that continue to stand in the way of female surgeons despite progress towards gender equality over the years. As the global agenda towards equality progresses, this review serves as a call-to-action to increase collective effort towards gender inclusivity which will significantly improve future health outcomes.
Slope Stability Analysis with Vetiver Plant Reinforcement using 3D Finite Element Method
Authors: Hamdhan Indra Noer , Pratiwi Desti Santi , Rahmah Rizka Adisya Kamila 
Published: February 2021

A landslide is the downslope movement of a soil mass or rock or debris of both (Bobrowski and Highlind, 2008). One of the measures to mitigate slope erosion that causes landslide is by applying bio-engineering system using a vegetation called Vetiver (Vetiveria Zizanioides). The purpose of this study is to analyze slope stability with a vegetation system using PLAXIS 3D software based on finite elements method and referring to the guidelines from the Ministry of Public Works and Housing with the title Guidelines for Vetiver Grass Planting for Surface Erosion Control and Prevention of Shallow Landslides on Road Slopes.The result shows that the deeper the Vetiver root modelled will increase the value of the safety factor, reinforcement using vegetation is effective on 30° slopes in PLAXIS 3D. The percentage increase in the value of the safety factior generated by PLAXIS 3D is 10.94%.
Early Developmental EEG and Seizure Phenotypes in a Full Gene Deletion of Ubiquitin Protein Ligase E3A Rat Model of Angelman Syndrome
Authors: Born Heather A. , Martinez Luis A. , Levine Amber T. , Harris Sarah E. , Mehra Shubhangi , Lee Wai Ling , Dindot Scott V. , Nash Kevin R. , Silverman Jill L. , Segal David J. , Weeber Edwin J. , Anderson Anne E. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAngelman syndrome (AS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with unique behavioral phenotypes, seizures, and distinctive electroencephalographic (EEG) patterns. Recent studies identified motor, social communication, and learning and memory deficits in a CRISPR engineered rat model with a complete maternal deletion of theUbe3agene. It is unknown whether this model recapitulates other aspects of the clinical disorder. We report here the effect ofUbe3amaternal deletion in the rat on epileptiform activity, seizure threshold, and quantitative EEG. Using video-synchronized EEG (vEEG) monitoring, we assessed spectral power and epileptiform activity early postnatally through adulthood. While EEG power was similar to wild-type (WT) at 1.5 weeks postnatally, at all other ages analyzed, our findings were similar to the AS phenotype in mice and humans with significantly increased δ power. Analysis of epileptiform activity in juvenile and adult rats showed increased time spent in epileptiform activity in AS compared with WT rats. We evaluated seizure threshold using pentylenetetrazol (PTZ), audiogenic stimulus, and hyperthermia to provoke febrile seizures (FSs). Behavioral seizure scoring following PTZ induction revealed no difference in seizure threshold in AS rats, however behavioral recovery from the PTZ-induced seizure was longer in the adult group with significantly increased hippocampal epileptiform activity during this phase. When exposed to hyperthermia, AS rat pups showed a significantly lower temperature threshold to first seizure than WT. Our findings highlight an age-dependence for the EEG and epileptiform phenotypes in a preclinical model of AS, and support the use of quantitative EEG and increased δ power as a potential biomarker of AS.
2D Positional Embedding-based Transformer for Scene Text Recognition
Authors: Raisi Zobeir , Naiel Mohamed A. , Fieguth Paul , Wardell Steven , Zelek John 
Published: February 2021

Recent state-of-the-art scene text recognition methods are primarily based on Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs), however, these methods require one-dimensional (1D) features and are not designed for recognizing irregular-text instances due to the loss of spatial information present in the original two-dimensional (2D) images. In this paper, we leverage a Transformer-based architecture for recognizing both regular and irregular text-in-the-wild images. The proposed method takes advantage of using a 2D positional encoder with the Transformer architecture to better preserve the spatial information of 2D image features than previous methods. The experiments on popular benchmarks, including the challenging COCO-Text dataset, demonstrate that the proposed scene text recognition method outperformed the state-of-the-art in most cases, especially on irregular-text recognition.
Why Can’t Neural Networks Forecast Pandemics Better
Authors: Zelek Joshua D. , Zelek John S. , Wong Alexander 
Published: February 2021

Why can’t neural networks (NN) forecast better? In the major super-forecasting competitions, NN have typically under-performed when compared to traditional statistical methods. When they have performed well, the underlying methods have been ensembles of NN and statistical methods. Forecasting stock markets, medical, infrastructure dynamics, social activity or pandemics each have their own challenges. In this study, we evaluate the strengths of a collection of methods for forecasting pandemics such as Covid-19 using NN, statistical methods as well as parameterized mechanistic models. Forecasts of epidemics can inform public health response and decision making, so accurate forecasting is crucial for general public notification, timing and spatial targeting of intervention. We show that NN typically under-perform in forecasting Covid-19 active cases which can be attributed to the lack of training data which is common for forecasts. Our test data consists of the top ten countries for active Covid-19 cases early in the pandemic and is represented as a Time Series (TS). We found that Statistical methods outperform NN for most cases. Albeit, NN are still good pattern finders and we suggest that there are perhaps more productive ways other than purely
data driven models of using NN to help produce better forecasts.