bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Treatment of Clostridium difficile infection in community teaching hospital: a retrospective study
Authors: Elbeddini Ali , Gerochi Rachel 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Objectives
Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is responsible for 15–25% cases of health-care-associated diarrhea. The CDI treatment algorithm used at our hospital is adapted from the Infectious Diseases Society of America 2010 C. difficile guideline. The primary objective of this study was to assess the treatment adherence to our algorithm; this was defined as therapy consisting of the appropriate antibiotic, dose, route, interval, and duration indicated based on the disease severity and episode within 24 h of diagnosis. Furthermore, our study also described the population and their risk factors for CDI at our hospital.

Methods
This was a single-centre, retrospective cohort chart review of CDI cases that were diagnosed at admission or during hospitalization from June 1st, 2017 to June 30th, 2018. Cases were identified by a positive stool test along with watery diarrhea or by colonoscopy.

Results
Sixty cases were included, of which adherence to our algorithm was 50%. Overall, severe CDI had the highest treatment non-adherence (83%), and the biggest contributing factor was prescribing the wrong antibiotic (72%). In severe CDI, which warrants vancomycin monotherapy, wrong antibiotic consisted of metronidazole monotherapy (55%) or dual therapy with metronidazole and vancomycin (45%). Patients were mostly older, females being treated for an initial episode of mild-to-moderate CDI. Common risk factors identified were age over 65 years (80%), use of antibiotics (83%) and proton pump inhibitors (PPI) (68%) within the previous 3 months. The use of a PPI in this study, a modifiable risk factor without a clear indication, was 35%.

Conclusion
An area for antimicrobial stewardship intervention in CDI treatment at our hospital is prescribing the right antibiotic based on the CDI indication. In severe CDI, an emphasis should be on prescribing vancomycin monotherapy as the drug of choice. PPI use should be reassessed for tapering when appropriate.
Hydrogen production from water electrolysis: role of catalysts
Authors: Wang Shan , Lu Aolin , Zhong Chuan-Jian 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAs a promising substitute for fossil fuels, hydrogen has emerged as a clean and renewable energy. A key challenge is the efficient production of hydrogen to meet the commercial-scale demand of hydrogen. Water splitting electrolysis is a promising pathway to achieve the efficient hydrogen production in terms of energy conversion and storage in which catalysis or electrocatalysis plays a critical role. The development of active, stable, and low-cost catalysts or electrocatalysts is an essential prerequisite for achieving the desired electrocatalytic hydrogen production from water splitting for practical use, which constitutes the central focus of this review. It will start with an introduction of the water splitting performance evaluation of various electrocatalysts in terms of activity, stability, and efficiency. This will be followed by outlining current knowledge on the two half-cell reactions, hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER), in terms of reaction mechanisms in alkaline and acidic media. Recent advances in the design and preparation of nanostructured noble-metal and non-noble metal-based electrocatalysts will be discussed. New strategies and insights in exploring the synergistic structure, morphology, composition, and active sites of the nanostructured electrocatalysts for increasing the electrocatalytic activity and stability in HER and OER will be highlighted. Finally, future challenges and perspectives in the design of active and robust electrocatalysts for HER and OER towards efficient production of hydrogen from water splitting electrolysis will also be outlined.
The BGS candidate models for IGRF-13 with a retrospective analysis of IGRF-12 secular variation forecasts
Authors: Brown William J. , Beggan Ciarán D. , Cox Grace A. , Macmillan Susan 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe three candidate models submitted by the British Geological Survey for the 13th generation International Geomagnetic Reference Field are described. These DGRF and IGRF models are derived from vector and scalar magnetic field data from the European Space Agency Swarm satellites and ground observatories, covering the period 2013.9 to 2019.7. The internal field model has time dependence for degrees 1 to 15, represented by order 6 B-splines with knots at six monthly intervals. We also solve for a degree 1 external field time dependence describing annual and semi-annual signals with additional dependence on a bespoke Vector Magnetic Disturbance index. Satellite data are weighted by spatial density, along-track standard deviations, and a larger-scale noise estimator defined in terms of a measure of Local Area Vector Activity at the geographically closest magnetic observatories to the sampled datum. Forecasting of the magnetic field secular variation for 2020–2025 is by advection of the main field using steady core surface flows with steady acceleration applied. We also investigate the performance of the previous generation of candidate secular variation models, for IGRF-12, analysing the agreement of the candidates between 2015 and 2020 with the retrospective IGRF-13. We find that there is no clear distinction between the performance of mathematically and physically extrapolated forecasts in the period 2015–2020. We confirm that the methodology for the BGS IGRF-12 predictions performed well, despite observed secular accelerations that are highlighted by our analysis, and thus justify the methodology used for our IGRF-13 SV candidate.
A secular variation candidate model for IGRF-13 based on Swarm data and ensemble inverse geodynamo modelling
Authors: Fournier Alexandre , Aubert Julien , Lesur Vincent , Ropp Guillaume 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThis paper describes the design of a candidate secular variation model for the 13th generation of the International Geomagnetic Reference Field. This candidate is based upon the integration of an ensemble of 100 numerical models of the geodynamo between epochs 2019.0 and 2025.0. The only difference between each ensemble member lies in the initial condition that is used for the numerical integration, all other control parameters being fixed. An initial condition is defined as follows: an estimate of the magnetic field and its rate-of-change at the core surface for 2019.0 is obtained from a year (2018.5–2019.5) of vector Swarm data. This estimate (common to all ensemble members) is subject to prior constraints: the statistical properties of the numerical dynamo model for the main geomagnetic field and its secular variation, and prescribed covariances for the other sources. One next considers 100 three-dimensional core states (in terms of flow, buoyancy and magnetic fields) extracted at different discrete times from a dynamo simulation that is not constrained by observations, with the time distance between each state exceeding the dynamo decorrelation time. Each state is adjusted (in three dimensions) in order to take the estimate of the geomagnetic field and its rate-of-change for 2019.0 into account. This methodology provides 100 different initial conditions for subsequent numerical integration of the dynamo model up to epoch 2025.0. Focussing on the 2020.0–2025.0 time window, we use the median average rate-of-change of each Gauss coefficient of the ensemble and its statistics to define the geomagnetic secular variation over that time frame and its uncertainties.
IZMIRAN candidate field model for IGRF-13
Authors: Petrov Valeriy G. , Bondar Tatyana N. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe International Geomagnetic Reference Field (IGRF) model is a combination of the several models developed by independent groups of scientists using different approaches for the selection of input data and methods for calculating harmonic coefficients. This approach allows for mutual comparison of individual models and for their combination to obtain the most reliable values of the harmonic coefficients. This letter provides a brief description of methods for building the IZMIRAN Earth’s main magnetic field model, submitted to the IAGA Working Group V-MOD for creating IGRF-13. Special efforts were made to obtain as uniform coverage of the entire Earth’s surface as possible with observations. The surface was divided into a grid of approximately equal cells. Then the data for geomagnetically quiet intervals were placed in the corresponding cells and a median filter was applied to select the data in each cell. Spherical harmonic coefficients up to degree 13 were calculated for the interval 2014-Jan to 2019-Aug with a time step of 10 days and extrapolated to 01.01.2010.
Panel of significant risk factors predicts early stage gastric cancer and indication of poor prognostic association with pathogens and microsatellite stability
Authors: Chakraborty Payel , Ghatak Souvik , Chenkual Saia , Pachuau Lalawmpuii , Zohmingthanga John , Bawihtlung Zothankima , Khenglawt Lalfakzuala , Pautu Jeremy L. , Maitra Arindam , Chhakchhuak Lalchhandama , Kumar Nachimuthu Senthil 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
There are very few studies covering the epidemiological risk factors associated with Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) and Microsatellite stability for Gastric Cancer (GC) cases. Early diagnosis of GC through epidemiological risk factors is very necessary for the clinical assessment of GC. The aim of this study was to find out the major risk factors to predict GC in early stage and the impact of pathogen infection and MSI on survival rate of patients. GC samples were screened for Helicobacter pylori, Epstein Barr Virus, and Mismatch repair (MMR) gene status (microsatellite stable or instable). Chi-square and logistic regression analysis of Odd ratio and 95% confidence interval (OR, 95% CI) were performed to find out the association between epidemiological factors and the risk of gastric cancer. The pathogen and MMR gene status were analysed to predict their effect on overall survival and the risk score and hazard ratio was calculated for prognostic assessment.

Results
Excess body weight, consumption of extra salt, smoked food, alcohol, and smoking were the major risk factors for GC development. This study achieved a high area under the curve (AUC 0.94) for the probable GC patients in early-stage using the five-panel epidemiological risk factors. H. pylori infected cases were significant with smoked food, while EBV was found to be associated with tuibur intake and smoked food. In overall survival analysis EBV infected and microsatellite stable (HR: 1.32 and 1.34 respectively) GC cases were showing poor prognosis.

Conclusion
This study might provide new opportunities for personalized treatment options using this epidemiological factor risk score and clinicopathological factors assessment for early detection and prognosis in high-risk GC populations.
Gemini surfactant assisted synthesis of mesoporous Mn/Mg bimetal doped TiO2 nanomaterial: characterization and photocatalytic activity studies under visible light irradiation
Authors: Miditana Sankara Rao , Tirukkovalluri Siva Rao , Raju Imandi Manga , Alim Shaik Abdul , Jaishree Genji , Chippada M. L. V. Prasanna 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe present work mainly aimed to synthesize different weight percentages (0.25–1.00 wt%) of Manganese (Mn2+) and Magnesium (Mg2+) bimetal ions doped TiO2 nanomaterial assisted with different weight percentages (5–15 wt%) of Gemini surfactant (GS) using sol-gel method. The bimetal doped and undoped TiO2 photocatalysts were characterized by X-ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), UV-Visible Diffused Reflectance Spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area analyzer, and Photoluminescence Spectroscopy. Characterization results revealed that mesoporous multi-particle anatase TiO2 nanoparticles with a narrowed band gap, small particle size, and high surface area were formed due to the combined effect of Mn2+/Mg2+ bimetal ions doping and effective encapsulation of GS over the initially formed TiO2 nanoparticles. The surface elemental composition of the 0.25 wt% Mn2+ and 1.00 wt% Mg2+ bimetal doped TiO2 in the presence of 10 wt% of GS (after calcination) revealed the presence of both the metal dopants Mn2+ and Mg2+ along with the Ti and O and their chemical interactions were further confirmed by FT-IR results. The photocatalytic activity of these catalysts was assessed by the degradation of Methyl Red using visible light irradiation. To understand the effect of different reaction parameters on the photocatalytic activity of the nanocatalysts such as the dopant concentration, surfactant concentration, catalyst dosage, solution pH, and initial dye concentration were investigated and optimized to achieve the best performance. The photoluminescence results conclude that OH radicals are the crucial reactive species responsible for oxidative photocatalytic degradation of Methyl Red.
Electron generation in water induced by magnetic effect and its impact on dissolved oxygen concentration
Authors: Yap Augustine Chung Wei , Lee Hwang Sheng , Loo Joo Ling , Mohd Nuruol Syuhadaa 
Published: February 2021

AbstractpH, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) and dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration are important parameters in water quality surveillance and treatment. The changes of these parameters are associated with electron density in water. Several techniques including electrolysis and catalysis which require redox reactions and electron exchange are employed to improve these parameters. In recent years, studies reported that magnetic effects can impart considerable changes on the pH, ORP and DO concentration of water. However, the correlation between electron density and magnetic effects on these parameters has yet to be disclosed despite the fact that increased electron density in water could improve water’s reductive properties, heat capacity and hydrogen bonding characteristics. In this study, the magnetic effects on pH, ORP and DO concentration were investigated using different magnets arrangements and water flow rates based on reversed electric motor principle. Results showed that the improvement of pH, ORP and DO concentration from 5.40–5.42 to 5.58–5.62 (+ 3.5%), 392 to 365 mV (− 6.9%), and 7.30 to 7.71 mg L− 1(+ 5.6%), respectively were achieved using combined variables of non-reversed polarity magnet arrangement (1000–1500 G magnetic strength) and water flow rate of 0.1–0.5 mL s− 1. Such decrement in ORP value also corresponded to 8.0 × 1013number of electron generation in water. Furthermore, Raman analysis revealed that magnetic effect could strengthen the intermolecular hydrogen bonding of water molecules and favor formation of smaller water clusters. The findings of this study could contribute to potential applications in aquaculture, water quality control and treatment of cancer attributed to free radical induced-oxidative stress.
Developmental anomalies and associated impairments in Saudi children with cerebral palsy: a registry-based, multicenter study
Authors: Al-Garni Saeed , Derbala Shereen , Saad Hatem , Maaty Ahmed I. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
There are few epidemiological data to support rehabilitation programs for cerebral palsy (CP). Scarce international studies described the developmental anomalies (DAs) among children with CP. To our knowledge, the Arab countries did not publish data regarding this topic. This study aimed to describe the percentage of DAs among children with CP and detect the association between clinical subtypes and impairment severity in children with various DAs. We collected registry data of 679 children with cerebral palsy, between 2014 and 2019, from Armed Forces Hospitals, Taif, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). We recorded demographic, perinatal, postnatal, developmental anomalies, subtypes, and impairment characteristics. We utilized the chi-square test to calculate the differences between groups.

Results
We reported significant differences between the children with and without anomalies regarding the percentages of consanguinity, preterm labor, low birth weight, and neonatal intensive care unit admission (P = 0.001, 0.002, 0.003, 0.005, respectively). Congenital dysplasia of the hip and hydrocephalus was the most frequent skeletal and nervous anomalies among children with DAs (19.1% and 12.8%, respectively). The spastic bilateral pattern was significantly higher among children with skeletal anomalies than the central nervous system/other groups (P < 0.001). The nervous anomalies group had higher frequencies of severe intellectual, motor, speech, and visual disabilities and a higher percentage of seizures than all other groups.

Conclusions
The frequency of children with anomalies in this study was comparable to previous studies. Children with CP and nervous system anomalies had more severe motor disabilities and associated impairments.
FrenchFISH: Poisson Models for Quantifying DNA Copy Number From Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization of Tissue Sections
Authors: Macintyre Geoff , Piskorz Anna M. , Berman Adam , Ross Edith , Morse David B. , Yuan Ke , Ennis Darren , Pike Jeremy A. , Goranova Teodora , McNeish Iain A. , Brenton James D. , Markowetz Florian 
Published: February 2021

PURPOSE Chromosomal aberration and DNA copy number change are robust hallmarks of cancer. The gold standard for detecting copy number changes in tumor cells is fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using locus-specific probes that are imaged as fluorescent spots. However, spot counting often does not perform well on solid tumor tissue sections due to partially represented or overlapping nuclei. MATERIALS AND METHODS To overcome these challenges, we have developed a computational approach called FrenchFISH, which comprises a nuclear volume correction method coupled with two types of Poisson models: either a Poisson model for improved manual spot counting without the need for control probes or a homogeneous Poisson point process model for automated spot counting. RESULTS We benchmarked the performance of FrenchFISH against previous approaches using a controlled simulation scenario and tested it experimentally in 12 ovarian carcinoma FFPE-tissue sections for copy number alterations at three loci (c-Myc, hTERC, and SE7). FrenchFISH outperformed standard spot counting with 74% of the automated counts having < 1 copy number difference from the manual counts and 17% having < 2 copy number differences, while taking less than one third of the time of manual counting. CONCLUSION FrenchFISH is a general approach that can be used to enhance clinical diagnosis on sections of any tissue by both speeding up and improving the accuracy of spot count estimates.
Frameworks for Radiation Oncology Global Health Initiatives in US Residency Programs
Authors: Li Benjamin C. , Chew Jessica , Wakefield Daniel V. , Agarwal Ankit , Jhingran Anuja 
Published: February 2021

PURPOSE To understand trends, pathways, and experiences and to establish a framework for radiation oncology (RO) programs interested in developing global health (GH) initiatives. METHODS An in-depth interview was conducted of all US RO programs with established GH initiatives. Programs were identified by reviewing results of the 2018 Association of Residents in Radiation Oncology Global Health Resident Survey and individualized outreach to screen for additional programs meeting the following criteria: (1) active resident involvement in RO-specific GH opportunities, (2) active faculty involvement in these initiatives, and (3) department chair or program director awareness and support for ongoing opportunities. Among 88 residency programs, 11 were identified. Standardized questions explored the type of initiative, planning, staff and resident involvement, challenges, components to success, and history of programs through December 2018. RESULTS Between 2010 and 2018, 11 programs started initiatives. Total resident participants ranged from one to 13 (median = 3) in each program's history. Initiatives spanned education (n = 9 [82%]), clinical mentorship (73%), innovative technology (55%), bilateral hosting programs (45%), clinical development and equipment (45%), promotion of local research (36%), clinical care (36%), industry partnerships (27%), and remote tumor board (18%). Faculty involvement included radiation oncologists (91%), medical physicists (55%), and non-RO department faculty (27%). Six programs (55%) had faculty with prior GH experience. Four (36%) programs reported medical student involvement in projects. Barriers included international communication (36%), time for faculty (18%), funding (9%), and legal (9%) concerns. Commonest components of success included fostering relationships with international sites and identifying needs before solutions. CONCLUSION RO GH initiatives were reported as positive, educational, and feasible across 11 US residency programs. Growth is expected, representing opportunities for innovation and service among US programs.
Novel Clinician-Lead Intervention to Address Fear of Cancer Recurrence in Breast Cancer Survivors
Authors: Liu Jia , Butow Phyllis , Bui Kim T. , Serafimovska Anastasia , Costa Daniel S. J. , Kiely Belinda E. , Hui Mun N. , Goodwin Annabel , McNeil Catriona M. , Beith Jane M. 
Published: February 2021

PURPOSE:Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) affects 50%-70% of cancer survivors. This multicenter, single-arm study sought to determine the participant-rated usefulness of an oncologist-delivered FCR intervention.METHODS:Women who completed treatment for early breast cancer (could be receiving endocrine therapy) with baseline FCR > 0 were invited to participate. FCR was measured using a validated 42-item FCR Inventory. The brief oncologist-delivered intervention entailed (1) FCR normalization; (2) provision of personalized prognostic information; (3) recurrence symptoms education, (4) advice on managing worry, and (5) referral to psycho-oncologist if FCR was high. FCR, depression, and anxiety were assessed preintervention (T0), at 1 week (T1), and 3 months (T2) postintervention. The primary outcome was participant-rated usefulness. Secondary outcomes included feasibility and efficacy.RESULTS:Five oncologists delivered the intervention to 61/255 women invited. Mean age was 58 ± 12 years. Mean time since breast cancer diagnosis was 2.5 ± 1.3 years. Forty-three women (71%) were on adjuvant endocrine therapy. Of 58 women who completed T1 assessment, 56 (97%) found the intervention to be useful. FCR severity decreased significantly at T1 (F = 18.5, effect size = 0.39, P < .0001) and T2 (F = 24, effect size = 0.68, P < .0001) compared with baseline. There were no changes in unmet need or depression or anxiety. Mean consultation length was 22 minutes (range, 7-47 minutes), and mean intervention length was 8 minutes (range, 2-20 minutes). The intervention was perceived as useful and feasible by oncologists.CONCLUSION:A brief oncologist-delivered intervention to address FCR is useful and feasible, and has preliminary efficacy in reducing FCR. Plans for a cluster randomized trial are underway.