bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Patient’S Knowledge of Cardiovascular Diseases Risk Factors and Associated Factors Among Adult Cardiac Patients in Selected Health Institutions; A Cross Sectional Study, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 2021 G.C.
Authors: Damtew Bezina , Tsige Yoseph , Bizuwork Ketema , Workineh Sosina 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background
cardiovascular related disorders are a major public health challenge in globally as well as in Ethiopia. It is crucial to improve the life style of the community at the same time it is a key for health care policy to give emphasis for prevention by educating the community by different ways. Therefore, the current study patient’s knowledge about risk factors related to those diseases.
Method
A facility-based descriptive cross-sectional study design was conducted. 420 Participants selected by systematic random sampling technique from April 01, 2021 until Jun 28, 2021 and met the criteria were included. Data was collected by interviewer-administered questionnaire. Level of knowledge was assessed by the Heart Disease Fact Questions. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was done to identify factors associated with identified class of knowledge. P-value less than 0.05 was considered as to indicate statistical significances.
Result
The result showed that most of the study subjects were in the age range of >54. The mean age was 48.7 ± 13 years. 255(62.7%) were females. 300(71.6%) of participants have sufficient knowledge toward cardiovascular diseases risk factors. Age, Sex, Place of residence, Status of education and Marital status was significantly associated with Participant’s knowledge (p<0.05, 95% C. I).
Conclusion
The majority of participants had sufficient knowledge regarding cardiovascular diseases risk factors. Maintaining good status, implementation of innovative interventions and structured, nurse-led lifestyle counseling would be required to effectively guide patients.
Mapping the Intensity Function of a Non-stationary Point Process in Unobserved Areas
Authors: Gabriel Edith , Rodriguez-Cortes Francisco , Coville Jérôme , Mateu Jorge , Chadoeuf Joël 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Seismic networks provide data that are used as basis both for public safety decisions and for scientific research. Their configuration affects the data completeness, which in turn, critically affects several seismological scientific targets (e.g., earthquake prediction, seismic hazard...). In this context, a key aspect is how to map earthquakes density in seismogenic areas from censored data or even in areas that are not covered by the network. We propose to predict the spatial distribution of earthquakes from the knowledge of presence locations and geological relationships, taking into account any interactions between records. Namely, in a more general setting, we aim to estimate the intensity function of a point process, conditional to its censored realization, as in geostatistics for continuous processes. We define a predictor as the best linear unbiased combination of the observed point pattern. We show that the weight function associated to the predictor is the solution of a Fredholm equation of second kind. Both the kernel and the source term of the Fredholm equation are related to the first- and second-order characteristics of the point process through the intensity and the pair correlation function. Results are presented and illustrated on simulated non-stationary point processes and real data for mapping Greek Hellenic seismicity in a region with unreliable and incomplete records.
Psychoeducational Group Intervention for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Close Relations (Prisma) – An Open Feasibility Study
Authors: Hidalgo Nathaniel , Sjöwall Douglas , Agius Hanna , Byström Caroline , Brar Annika , Borg Jacqueline , Hirvikoski Tatja 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in adulthood is associated with severe impairments in functioning and poor health, while ASD is also affecting close relations. Accessible first-line interventions addressing the complex clinical needs and care coordination are lacking. Methods: This study investigated the feasibility and preliminary effects of a new psychoeducational group intervention (Prisma) developed for intellectually able adults with ASD and their close relations in an outpatient setting. Results: Completion rate was 77% (n=71) of the 92 adults with ASD and 73% (n=69) of the 94 close relations. Participants considered Prisma to be an acceptable intervention and their feedback will be used to further improve the Prisma for an upcoming RCT. Preliminary analyses of effects showed promising results with an increase in knowledge of ASD. Conclusions: Overall, results indicate that the Prisma is a feasible first-line intervention in a stepped-care process in outpatient services. Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.org (NCT04460976).
Sertoli cell tumor of the testis causing intracranial metastasis two years after orchiectomy. Report of a rare case and review of the literature
Authors: Colamaria Antonio , Sacco Matteo , Parbonetti Giovanni , Fochi Nicola Pio , Carbone Francesco , de Notaris Matteo 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Sertoli cell tumor of the testis (SCTT) accounts for less than 1% of all testicular tumors with only 10% of cases exhibiting malignant behavior. In the present report, a case of malignant SCTT causing multiple metastases in a 32-year-old man is described. After being diagnosed and treated for bone and lymph nodes metastases, the patient presented with a brief history of worsening headaches and visual impairment. A head MRI demonstrated an extra-axial tumor located in the right fronto-parietal junction exhibiting avid contrast enhancement and leptomeningeal involvement. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this represents the second case of intracranial metastasis from SCTT described to date.
High Throughput Metagenomic Analysis Exposes Mobile Phones as Potentially Hazardous Microbial Platforms Warranting Robust Public Health and Biosecurity Protocols
Authors: Olsen Matthew , Nassar Rania , Senok Abiola , Moloney Susan , Lohning Anna , Jones Peter , Grant Gary , Morgan Mark , Palipana Dinesh , McKirdy Simon , Alghafri Rashed , Tajouri Lotti 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Introduction. Advancements in technology and communication have revolutionised the 21st century with the introduction of mobile phones and smartphones. These phones are known to be platforms harbouring microbes with recent research shedding light on the abundance and broad spectrum of organisms they harbour. Mobile phone use in the community and in professional sectors including health care settings is a potential source of microbial dissemination.Aim. To identify the diversity of microbial genetic signature present on mobile phones owned by hospital medical staff.Methods. Twenty-six mobile phones of health care staff were swabbed. DNA extraction for downstream next generation sequencing shotgun metagenomic microbial profiling was performed. Survey questionnaires were handed to the staff to collect information on mobile phone usage and users’ behaviours.Results. A total of 11259 organisms derived from 26 phones were found with 2096 genes coding for antibiotic resistance and virulent factors. These organisms corresponded to 5717 bacteria, 675 fungi, 93 protists, 320 viruses, 4456 bacteriophages. The survey of medical staff showed that 46% (12/26) of the participants used their mobile phones in the bathroom.Discussion/conclusion. Mobile phones are vectors of microbes and can contribute to microbial dissemination and nosocomial diseases worldwide. As fomites, mobile phones that are not decontaminated may pose serious risks for public health and biosecurity.
Pyrroloquinoline based Styryl Dyes Doped PMMA, PS, and PS/TiO2 Polymer for Fluorescent Applications
Authors: SHANKARLING GANAPATI , Jachak Mahesh , Bhise Rupali , Chaturvedi Ankur , Kamble Vidula 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
This article presents two highly fluorescent donor- π -acceptor (D-π-A) moiety containing an electron-donating carbazole and phenothiazine donors fused with electron-withdrawing pyrrolo-quinoline acceptor dyes, PQC and PQPT. We also discussed the polymerization and film-forming process of dye PQC and PQPT doped in poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and polystyrene (PS) polymer to find their optical applications in polymer-based technology. We investigated the fluorescent properties of dyes PQC and PQPT from 0.01 – 1 wt. % in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). We also investigated the changes in the spectrum shape and shift in wavelength with changes in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polystyrene (PS), and TiO2 doped in polystyrene (PS/TiO2). The analysis of surface morphology of prepared polymer samples was done with the help of a scanning electron microscope. The thermal and photostability of synthesized dyes in poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polystyrene (PS), and TiO2 doped in polystyrene (PS/TiO2) were investigated to get detailed information owing to the application of fluorescent polymers in the field of optoelectronic, nanohybrid coatings in solar concentrators, etc.
In-Vitro Cytotoxicity and Anticancer Drug Release Behavior of Methionine - Coated Magnetite Nanoparticles As Carriers.
Authors: Yeganeh Faten Eshrati , Yeganeh Amir Eshrati , Far Bahareh Farasati , Akbarzadeh Iman , Quazi Sameer , Safdar Muhammad 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
An innovative and customized drug delivery system for in vitro cancer treatment has been developed successfully by a simple one-step method. A CoFe2O4@Methionine core-shell nanoparticle was prepared by the reflux assay, in which amino acid on the surface makes the ferrite biocompatible, enhances the chemical stability of the compound, and increases the drug loading capacity. The synthesized nanoparticles were evaluated using SEM, TEM, FTIR, and VSM, while XRD and TGA analysis verified the presence of a coating amino acid on the surface of CoFe2O4. The appearance of a new peak for C≡N in the FTIR spectrum validates the synthesis of a letrozole-loaded carrier. Both uncoated CoFe2O4 and methionine-coated CoFe2O4 nanoparticles behave super-paramagnetically at room temperature, with saturation values of 46 emu/g and 16.8 emu/g, respectively. SEM and TEM were used to characterize the morphology and size of samples, revealing that the average particle size was around 28–29 nm. The loading of Letrozole and the effect of pH (5, 7.4) on the release behavior of the carrier were studied. The result of the drug release in pH (5) was about 88% higher than pH (7.4). Also, the preparation has been evaluated for determining its cytotoxicity using MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, and MCF10A cell lines as an in vitro model, and the results of in vitro experiments showed that CoFe2O4@Methionine could significantly reduce cancer in the cell model. These results demonstrate that core-shell nanoparticles were prepared that are biocompatible and have potential use as drug delivery.
Standardised 3D-CT Lung Volumes for Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Authors: Tanaka Yuko , Suzuki Yuzo , Hasegawa Hirotsugu , Yokomura Koshi , Fukada Atsuki , Inoue Yusuke , Hozumi Hironao , Karayama Masato , Furuhashi Kazuki , Enomoto Noriyuki , Fujisawa Tomoyuki , Nakamura Yutaro , Inui Naoki , Suda Takafumi 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background: The assessment of lung physiology via pulmonary function tests (PFTs) is essential for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, PFTs require active participation, which can be challenging for patients with severe respiratory failure, such as during acute exacerbations (AE) of IPF. Recently advances enabled to re-construct of 3-dimensional computed-tomography (3D-CT) images. Methods: This is a retrospective multi-center cohort study. This study established a standardisation method and quantitative analysis of lung volume (LV) based on anthropometry using three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) images. The standardised 3D-CT LV in patients with IPF at diagnosis (n=140) and during AE (cohort1; n=61 and cohort2; n=50) and those of controls (n=53) were measured. Results: The standardised 3D-CT LVs at IPF diagnosis were less than those of control patients, especially in the lower lung lobes. The standardised 3D-CT LVs were correlated with forced vital capacity (FVC) and validated using the modified Gender-Age-Physiology (GAP) index. The standardised 3D-CT LVs at IPF diagnosis were independently associated with prognosis. During AE, PFTs were difficult to perform, 3D-CT analyses revealed reduced lung capacity in both the upper and lower lobes compared to those obtained at diagnosis. Lower standardised 3D-CT LVs during AE were independently associated with worse outcomes in independent two cohorts. Particularly, volume loss in the upper lobe at AE had prognostic values.Conclusion: A novel image quantification method for assessing pulmonary physiology using standardised 3D-CT-derived LVs was developed. This method successfully predicts mortality in patients with IPF and AE of IPF, and may be a useful alternative to PFTs when PFTs cannot be performed.
Successful Remedy With Osimertinib in a Patient of Thr790Met-positive Non-small Cell Lung Cancer With Leptomeningeal Carcinomatosis and Resistant to Gefitinib
Authors: Xu Liqing , Shen Shengli , Duan Hongzhou 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Patients of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with activated EGFR mutations is more apt to develop leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) than the other types of lung cancers [1]. Examination of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in cell-free cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has been shown to be useful in detecting the genomic mutations of tumors in central nervous system (CNS) and has also been used to monitor tumor progression and evaluate the response to treatments [2]. Osimertinib, a third-generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is considered to be a recent standardized treatment for EGFR Thr790Met-mutant NSCLC because of its good efficacy in both systemic and CNS metastasis [3].
TDCA: Improved Optimization Algorithm with Degree Distribution and Communication Traffic for the Deployment of Software Components Base on AUTOSAR Architecture
Authors: Zhang Kunpeng , Liu Yanheng , Zhang Jindong , Zhang Guanhua , Jin Jingyi , Li Yunhao , Tang Fengmin 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
AUTOSAR (Automotive Open System Architecture), as an open, standardized framework for automotive electronic software development, has gradually become the standard followed by major automotive manufacturers and automotive electronic device suppliers. The electronic software system problem improves the development efficiency and portability of the system by reducing the development cost of automotive electronic software while ensuring the quality of products and services, which is beneficial for subsequent upgrades and updates of the system. In order to improve the reliability of the software component deployment algorithm based on AUTOSAR architecture, we proposed the TDCA algorithm. During the execution of the algorithm, communication volume and communication degree are introduced to improve the accuracy of the deployment plan by optimizing the bus load and ECU balancing. Algorithm comparison experiments show that comparing heuristic and linear optimization algorithms, the TDCA algorithm proposed in this paper has significant advantages in reducing bus load and balancing ECU utilization. The algorithm can reduce the communication between cores and balance ECU load according to the constraints of AUTOSAR architecture.
Dual-fusion Active Contour Model with Semantic Information for Saliency Target Extraction of Underwater Images
Authors: Yang Shudi , Chen Zhehan , Wu Jiaxiong , Feng Zhipeng 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Underwater vision research is the foundation of marine-related disciplines. The target contour extraction is of great significance to target tracking and visual information mining. Aiming at the problem that conventional active contour models cannot effectively extract the contours of salient targets in underwater images, we propose a dual-fusion active contour model with semantic information. First, the saliency images are introduced as semantic information, and extract salient target contours by fusing Chan–Vese and local binary ﬁtting models. Then, the original underwater images are used to supplement the missing contour information by using the local image ﬁtting. Compared with state-of-the-art contour extraction methods, our dual-fusion active contour model can effectively filter out background information and accurately extract salient target contours.
Analysis of 3Vs of Big Data from Fake News and Nigerians’ Consciousness towards National Unity in Times of Uncertainties
Authors: Lasisi Mutiu Iyanda , Ajetunmobi Umar Olansile , Mustapha Muhammed Jamiu 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Fake news seems to be the monster of the century affecting continents of the world. From Africa to Asia, America to the Himalayas, the impact of fake news on national unity and regional cohesion remains debatable among scholars and experts. Like other countries on the African continent, Nigeria has tasted and is still having share of the consequences of fake news, especially politically-driven ones, which has been researched by scholars in the media and emerging technologies spaces. This study joins the conversation within the journalism and fake news discourse using big data that emerged from selected political, security, health and religious fake news reported by selected Nigerian newspapers. Adopting Computational and Quantitative Content Analyses with the specific use of Data Logging Approach for data collection, the study investigates the extent to which the Nigerian public consume and spread the select news at the expense of promoting national unity and regional cohesion expected of citizens, as established in the Nigerian constitution and existing rules guiding public communication in the country. The emerging results point towards the need for the establishment of Media Literacy Commission to complement the efforts of ministries saddled with the responsibility of re-orientating journalists, media establishments and citizens on national consciousness and unity. The outcomes of the study also indicate the need for overhauling of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) towards balanced and connected promotion of national values and norms.
Assessing patient experience and attitude: BSC-PATIENT development, translation, and psychometric evaluation - a cross-sectional study
Authors: Amer Faten , Hammoud Sahar , Onchonga David , Alkaiyat Abdulsalam , Nour Abdulnaser , Boncz Imre , Endrei Dóra 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background
Improving the healthcare sector in Palestinian territories is challenging. Organizations frequently use the balanced scorecard (BSC) for performance evaluation (PE) worldwide. BSC includes an evaluation of five perspectives: financial, customer, internal process, knowledge and innovation, and environmental. Most HealthCare Organizations (HCO) evaluated patient satisfaction in BSC, but none considered engaging patients in the evaluation process. This paper aims to develop an instrument to engage patients in assessing BSC perspectives at Palestinian hospitals (BSC-PATIENT).
Methods
This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. Two panels of experts participated in the item generation of BSC-PATIENT. Forward and backward translation processes from English to Arabic and vice versa were performed. Pretesting was performed for 30 patients at one hospital. Then, 1000 patients were recruited at 14 hospitals between January and October 2021. Construct validity was tested through exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Additionally, the composite reliability (CR), interitem correlation (IIC), and corrected item total correlation (CITC) were assessed to find redundant and low correlated items.
Results
The scales had high adequate model fit in EFA and CFA. All items included had loadings higher than 0.50. Although the convergent validity was less than 0.50 for some constructs, their discriminant validity, CR, IIC, and CITC showed satisfactory results except the services experience (SERV EXR) construct, which had a CR of 0.50. The final best fit model in CFA comprised ten constructs with 34 items.
Conclusion
BSC-PATIENT is the first self-administered questionnaire specially developed to engage patients in evaluating their experiences and attitudes based on the BSC perspectives. The questionnaire scales were carried out following relevant guidelines and regulations. The results showed adequacy in the psychometric properties of this instrument. Three-point Likert scales are recommended to assess patient experiences and attitudes since they have higher response rates. Future research can be conducted using this instrument to evaluate the impact of patient experience on attitudes toward BSC perspectives and compare the differences based on patient and hospital characteristics.
Longitude and Latitude Based Received Signal Strength Difference Localization Models
Authors: Ma Fangli , Xu Yang , Xu Peng 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
In order to use the latitude and longitude coordinates for received signal strength difference (RSSD) localization, the errors of several spherical distance calculation methods and the error of arc length relative to string length were compared. The distance-calculation RSSD localization equations were established, including spherical accurate calculation RSSD, spherical approximate calculation RSSD, and normal cylindrical projection RSSD. And then, the optimization RSSD localization models based on geodetic coordinates and corresponding to the above equations were established, and the models were verified using the point by point search method with good convergence. The numerical results show there are a lot of weak localization areas for the RSSD localization networks lack of central stations with 4,5,6 stations. Among networks with central stations, there are only a small number of weak-localization areas for the concave 4 stations network, while there are no weak-localization areas for the networks composed of more stations. When the measurement errors and the additional losses of radio wave propagation are not considered, the localization errors of the spherical accurate model, the spherical approximate model and the equianglular projection model are very small, among which the second model has the shortest localization time. The localization errors of equidistance projection model and equal-area projection model are large, neither of which is suitable for the middle latitude and high latitude areas.