bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Purchasing health services under the Egypt's new Universal Health Insurance law: What are the implications for universal health coverage?
Authors: Khalifa Ahmed Yehia , Jabbour Jean Yacoub , Mataria Awad , Bakr Magdy , Farid Mai , Mathauer Inke 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackgroundEgypt's Universal Health Insurance (UHI) Law of 2018 implies major transformation to the health financing system. This commentary provides an assessment of the purchasing arrangements as stipulated by the UHI Law and Bylaw, their implications and contribution to progress towards universal health coverage (UHC). The purpose of this assessment is to inform the multi‐year implementation process of the Law and propose options for progress towards UHC.MethodsGuided by an analytical framework on purchasing, the qualitative analysis was based on the review of the legal provisions and structured discussions with key stakeholders.ResultsThe Law foresees important changes, such as a purchaser‐provider split, stricter referral rules and regulated cost‐sharing. However, several purchasing aspects were not sufficiently specified in the legal provisions, for example benefit design and provider payment methods. It remains unclear for decision‐makers how to proceed, hindering the Law's effective implementation. There are also concerns about the mixed provider payment system creating incoherent provider incentives.ConclusionIn view of the remaining legal unclarities on purchasing, progress towards UHC is restrained. Benefits design and the provider payment system should be further specified with a clearer governance structure around the purchasing decision‐making processes. Additional technical options for strategic purchasing are suggested.
Shifting of cell cycle arrest from the S‐phase to G2/M phase and downregulation of EGFR expression by phytochemical combinations in HeLa cervical cancer cells
Authors: Pani Sarita , Mohapatra Shubhasmita , Sahoo Amrita , Baral Budhadev , Debata Priya R. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractCervical cancer is a major human papillomavirus‐related disease and is the fourth leading cause of death by cancer among women. Plants are an important source of anticancer compounds and many of them are currently used in the treatment of cancer. Several reports suggest the efficacy of plant‐derived compounds increases when used in combination. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of four plant‐derived compounds such as curcumin (C), ellagic acid (E), quercetin (Q), and resveratrol (R) when used alone or in combinations using HeLa cervical cancer cells. All four phytocompounds showed effective cytotoxic activities in targeting HeLa cervical cancer cells as determined by the 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium assay. The selected phytocompound combinations C + E, C + Q, and Q + R work synergistically while the combination C + R shows additive effects. All four phytocompounds reduce cell migration as determined by in vitro wound‐healing assay. The expression level of the epidermal growth factor receptor is significantly downregulated both in individual and combination. The flow cytometry analysis of cell cycle indicates that individual drugs curcumin, ellagic acid, quercetin, and resveratrol, each with 20 µM effectively arrested cell cycle at the S‐phase while the combination of drugs (10 + 10 µM) at the G2/M phase.
Chronic aryl hydrocarbon receptor activity phenocopies smoking‐induced skeletal muscle impairment
Authors: Thome Trace , Miguez Kayla , Willms Alexander J. , Burke Sarah K. , Chandran Vijayendran , de Souza Angela R. , Fitzgerald Liam F. , Baglole Carolyn , Anagnostou Maria‐Eleni , Bourbeau Jean , Jagoe R. Thomas , Morais Jose A. , Goddard Yana , Taivassalo Tanja , Ryan Terence E. , Hepple Russell T. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackgroundChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients exhibit skeletal muscle atrophy, denervation, and reduced mitochondrial oxidative capacity. Whilst chronic tobacco smoke exposure is implicated in COPD muscle impairment, the mechanisms involved are ambiguous. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand‐activated transcription factor that activates detoxifying pathways with numerous exogenous ligands, including tobacco smoke. Whereas transient AHR activation is adaptive, chronic activation can be toxic. On this basis, we tested the hypothesis that chronic smoke‐induced AHR activation causes adverse muscle impact.MethodsWe used clinical patient muscle samples, and in vitro (C2C12 myotubes) and in vivo models (mouse), to perform gene expression, mitochondrial function, muscle and neuromuscular junction morphology, and genetic manipulations (adeno‐associated virus‐mediated gene transfer).ResultsSixteen weeks of tobacco smoke exposure in mice caused muscle atrophy, neuromuscular junction degeneration, and reduced oxidative capacity. Similarly, smoke exposure reprogrammed the muscle transcriptome, with down‐regulation of mitochondrial and neuromuscular junction genes. In mouse and human patient specimens, smoke exposure increased muscle AHR signalling. Mechanistically, experiments in cultured myotubes demonstrated that smoke condensate activated the AHR, caused mitochondrial impairments, and induced an AHR‐dependent myotube atrophy. Finally, to isolate the role of AHR activity, expression of a constitutively active AHR mutant without smoke exposure caused atrophy and mitochondrial impairments in cultured myotubes, and muscle atrophy and neuromuscular junction degeneration in mice.ConclusionsThese results establish that chronic AHR activity, as occurs in smokers, phenocopies the atrophy, mitochondrial impairment, and neuromuscular junction degeneration caused by chronic tobacco smoke exposure.
A morphological and morphometric approach to study Ophiuroidea (Echinodermata): Size changes of Ophiocomella alexandri
Authors: Humara‐Gil Karla J. , Granja‐Fernández Rebeca , Montoya‐Márquez José Alberto , López‐Pérez Andrés 
Published: November 2021

AbstractStudies on size changes of Ophiuroidea are limited, despite their importance and implications in taxonomy, phylogenetics, ecology, and distribution. These studies have traditionally been based on descriptive size series seldom integrating quantitative analyses to assess the morphological variability of species, despite their potential use to study size changes in brittle stars. To confirm the latter, size changes of Ophiocomella alexandri were studied here using this approach. The studied size series of O. alexandri included specimens from 1.64 to 23.64 mm disc diameter (DD). Quantitative and qualitative external morphological characters were examined on each specimen, and quantitative analyses (cluster, one‐way permutational analysis of variance, and discriminant analysis) were employed to identify size groups within the species. The allometric relationship disc diameter‐total arm length (DD‐AL) was estimated for each size group and the combined size groups. Two size groups were identified: Group 1, subdivided into Subgroup 1.1 and Subgroup 1.2, and Group 2. Each size group presented particular characters which were described, discussed, and compared with relevant literature. The relationship DD‐AL was positively allometric for Group 1 and combined size groups, and isometric for Group 2. The results highlight the potential of quantitative analyses to address size‐related morphological changes in ophiuroids, and the importance of conducting this type of study to correctly identify species regardless of their size. This is the first study to describe size‐related morphological changes of a brittle star from the Eastern Pacific, and the first one focused on a member of Ophiocomidae globally.
Chemical phenotypes of intrinsic cardiac neurons in the newborn pig (Sus scrofa domesticus Erxleben, 1777)
Authors: Ragauskas Tomas , Rysevaite‐Kyguoliene Kristina , Pauziene Neringa , Inokaitis Hermanas , Pauza Dainius Haroldas 
Published: November 2021

AbstractIntrinsic cardiac neurons (ICNs) are crucial cells in the neural regulation of heart rhythm, myocardial contractility, and coronary blood flow. ICNs exhibit diversity in their morphology and neurotransmitters that probably are age‐dependent. Therefore, neuroanatomical heart studies have been currently focused on the identification of chemical phenotypes of ICNs to disclose their possible functions in heart neural regulation. Employing whole‐mount immunohistochemistry, we examined ICNs from atria of the newborn pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus) as ICNs at this stage of development have never been neurochemically characterized so far. We found that the majority of the examined ICNs (>60%) were of cholinergic phenotype. Biphenotypic neuronal somata (NS), that is, simultaneously positive for two neuronal markers, were also rather common and distributed evenly within the sampled ganglia. Simultaneous positivity for cholinergic and adrenergic neuromarkers was specific in 16.4%, for cholinergic and nitrergic—in 3.5% of the examined NS. Purely either adrenergic or nitrergic ICNs were observed at 13% and 3.1%, correspondingly. Purely adrenergic and nitrergic NS were the most frequent in the ventral left atrial subplexus. Similarly to neuronal phenotype, sizes of NS also varied depending on the atrial region providing insights into their functional implications. Axons, but not NS, positive for classic sensory neuronal markers (vesicular glutamate transporter 2 and calcitonin gene‐related peptide) were identified within epicardiac nerves and ganglia. Moreover, a substantial number of ICNs could not be attributed to any phenotype as they were not immunoreactive for antisera used in this study. Numerous dendrites with putative peptidergic and adrenergic contacts on cholinergic NS contributed to neuropil of ganglia. Our observations demonstrate that intrinsic cardiac ganglionated plexus is not fully developed in the newborn pig despite of dense network of neuronal processes and numerous signs of neural contacts within ganglia.
Irregular types of proximal tibiofibular joint increase the risk of total knee replacement: Data from the osteoarthritis initiative
Authors: Zhao Yi , Zhu Zhaohua , Lu Ming , Chang Jun , Zheng Shuang , Kent Kwoh Chian , Hunter David J , Ding Changhai 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe study aimed to determine the associations between the morphological types of proximal tibiofibular joint (PTFJ) and the risk of total knee replacement (TKR) in a cohort of participants with progressive osteoarthritis. A nested case–control design was performed in Osteoarthritis Initiative study. The case knees were those with TKR at 24–60 months follow up (cases), and were 1:1 matched with control knees by age, sex, and Kellgren‐Lawrence grade at baseline. The morphological type of each PTFJ was identified according to the coronal and sagittal MR images. Conditional logistic regression models were used to examine the association of the PTFJ types with the risk of TKR at baseline and the time point before TKR (T0). A total of 193 case knees at baseline and 148 case knees at T0 time point had matched controls between 12 and 60 M. Seven types of the PTFJ were identified and classified into three categories: plane, trochoid, and irregular types. The prevalence of the irregular type was higher in case knees than in controls both at baseline (cases vs. controls, 35.8% vs. 26.9%) and at T0 time point (cases vs. controls, 33.1% vs. 27.0%). The irregular type of the PTFJ at baseline (odds ratio: 1.62, 95% confidence interval: 1.01–2.59) rather than at T0 time point was significantly associated with increased odds of TKR. The irregular types of the PTFJ at baseline are associated with increased risk of TKR, suggesting PTFJ may play a role in knee osteoarthritis.
Surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy coupled with advanced chemometric models for quantification of sulfide anion in environmental water samples
Authors: Shi Cai‐Xia , Li Sha‐Sha , Tian Yong , Xu Jia‐Jia , Wang Yan‐Qian , Wang Yuan‐Yang , Xue Yong‐Bing , Li Peng , Wang Yan 
Published: November 2021

AbstractIn this work, surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) was employed for the quantification of sulfide anion (S2−) in aqueous samples. Silver nanoparticles modified with trithiocyanuric acid were used as the SERS enhancing substrate. To address the problem of poor reproducibility of SERS signal caused by the uncontrollable variations in physical properties of enhancing substrate, the performance of several calibration models for quantitative analysis of the SERS measurements of S2− samples were evaluated and compared. The calibration models studied were univariate ratiometric model based on the intensity ratio between the characteristic SERS peaks of trithiocyanuric acid, PLS models built on the raw and preprocessed SERS measurements, and the generalized ratiometric indicator based multiplicative effects model (MEMGRI). Experimental results showed that among the calibration models considered in this contribution, only MEMGRI model achieved accurate and precise concentration predictions for S2− in the spiked environmental water samples with recovery rates varying within the range of 94% to 106%. Therefore, it is reasonable to expect that the combination of SERS technique with MEMGRI model may be a competitive alternative for quantitative analysis of environmental samples.
Post‐spillover effects of China's integration on Pakistan Stock Exchange
Authors: Wahid Abdul , Mumtaz Muhammad Zubair , Kowalewski Oskar , Adil Iftikhar Hussain 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) strategic partnership with the Chinese consortium shifted trends and transition patterns from global to Chinese exchanges. Any substantial changes in these markets created a significant impact on the PSX. After the partnership with the Chinese consortium, Pakistan's mean returns and price volatility dynamics have shifted toward the regional exchanges, connectivity, and alliances, which has increased regional integration. Any systematic change in trading policies and framework of partner exchanges may substantially impact the trading dynamics and volume of the Pakistan stock market and local investors. This changing behavior will enhance financial synergies in the Pakistan stock market's trading capacity by bringing Chinese cross‐listed IPOs and portfolio investment and financial vulnerabilities in exchange rate risk and volatility spillover effects from partner exchanges.
Business model renewal and environment changes: Insights of Chinese textile industry
Authors: Chen Miaomiao , Chakraborty Shubho , Xiong Jie , Scaringella Laurent , Descubes Irena 
Published: November 2021

AbstractChinese small and medium‐size enterprises (SMEs) in the textile industry adapt and reshape their business models to cope with the environmental changes resulting from increasing labor costs and decreases in profits. Comparing with big firms, SMEs face more challenges when renewing their business operations. Reactions of SMEs are influenced by the extent of changes in the business model renewal process. The renewal of the business model includes resource configuration, updating purchasing and distribution channels, refining market segments, and rebuilding brands.
Entry mode choices and overseas business performance: Evidence from the Chinese multinational enterprises
Authors: Zhang Haibo , Wang Jinmin 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThis article adopts the extended transaction cost theory to analyze the entry mode choices of Chinese multinational enterprises and their effects on overseas business performance. Theoretical hypotheses, which are developed from the perspectives of asset specificity of parent companies and investment environment differences of host countries, are tested with sample data of 406 overseas subsidiaries of Chinese multinational enterprises from 2015 to 2017. The empirical results show that the overseas subsidiaries of Chinese multinational enterprises whose entry mode choices can be predicted by the extended transaction cost theory usually perform significantly better than those whose entry mode choices cannot be predicted by the extended transaction cost theory.
What does tourism mean for Chinese rural migrant workers? Perspectives of perceived value
Authors: Qiao Guanghui , Li Fangxuan (Sam) , Xiao Xinni , Prideaux Bruce 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThis research explores Chinese rural migrant workers' perceived value of tourism from a social tourism perspective. The findings are based on 20 semi‐structured interviews and highlight the benefits that tourism can bring to Chinese rural migrant workers. Theoretically, the study led to the developed of a six‐dimension life work social self‐realization emotional epistemic scale that shows Chinese rural migrant workers' perceived value of tourism based on life value, work value, social value, self‐realization value, emotional value, and epistemic value. Practically, the research provides useful suggestions for government on policy development and opportunities for the design of tourism products for Chinese rural migrant workers. This study challenges the existing understanding of perceived value, which has highlighted tourism value from a macro perspective but neglected to look at perceived value on a micro or individual level.
Atom‐to‐atom Mapping: A Benchmarking Study of Popular Mapping Algorithms and Consensus Strategies
Authors: Lin Arkadii , Dyubankova Natalia , Madzhidov Timur I. , Nugmanov Ramil I. , Verhoeven Jonas , Gimadiev Timur R. , Afonina Valentina A. , Ibragimova Zarina , Rakhimbekova Assima , Sidorov Pavel , Gedich Andrei , Suleymanov Rail , Mukhametgaleev Ravil , Wegner Joerg , Ceulemans Hugo , Varnek Alexandre 
Published: November 2021

AbstractIn this paper, we compare the most popular Atom‐to‐Atom Mapping (AAM) tools: ChemAxon,[1] Indigo,[2] RDTool,[3] NameRXN (NextMove),[4] and RXNMapper[5] which implement different AAM algorithms. An open‐source RDTool program was optimized, and its modified version (“new RDTool”) was considered together with several consensus mapping strategies. The Condensed Graph of Reaction approach was used to calculate chemical distances and develop the “AAM fixer” algorithm for an automatized correction of erroneous mapping. The benchmarking calculations were performed on a Golden dataset containing 1851 manually mapped and curated reactions. The best performing RXNMapper program together with the AMM Fixer was applied to map the USPTO database. The Golden dataset, mapped USPTO and optimized RDTool are available in the GitHub repository https://github.com/Laboratoire‐de‐Chemoinformatique.
Dielectric resonator used as radome and antenna: A new concept for large frequency ratio shared aperture antenna design
Authors: Xu Jiachen , Guo Chen Jiang , Ding Jun 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThis paper presents a novel transmissive type L/Ku dual‐band dual‐polarization (DBDP) shared aperture antenna (SAA) with a large frequency ratio. The L‐band antenna employs a balanced‐fed hollow dielectric resonator antenna (DRA), which has broadband and low cross‐polarization; also, it can be used as a radome to protect the Ku‐band array. The Ku‐band uses a 4 × 4 dual‐polarized microstrip antenna array placed inside the hollow DRA and radiates through it. In order to verify the design, a prototype antenna was manufactured and measured. The measured result shows that the SAA covering the frequency bands of 0.95–1.42 GHz and 13.16–13.84 GHz with the reflection coefficient below −10 dB, the isolation between polarizations is better than 40 dB for L‐band and 25 dB for Ku‐band, the measured gain is 4.8 dBi for L‐band and 16.7 dBi for Ku‐band, and the cross‐polarization level for L‐ and Ku‐band is lower than −28 and −20 dB, respectively.
Application of an automatic, uncertainty model‐guided, target‐generating algorithm to lung stereotactic body radiotherapy
Authors: Yock Adam D. , Knutson Ashley , Osmundson Evan 
Published: November 2021

AbstractPurposeThis work evaluated a new radiotherapy target‐generating framework (the αTarget algorithm) for creating internal target volumes for lung SBRT.MethodsNineteen patients previously treated with definitive intent SBRT to the lung were identified from a clinical database. For each patient's 4DCT simulation scan, deformable image registration was used between phases of the scan in order to generate voxelized models of motion for 35 individual gross tumor volumes. These motion models were then used with a new implementation of a previously described target‐generating algorithm to create new internal target volumes (αITVs). The resulting αITVs were analyzed with respect to their volume and the coverage they provided each tumor voxel per that voxel's motion model. The clinically used ITVs were similarly analyzed, and were then compared to the αITVs using paired Student's t‐tests. In addition, isotropic margins were added to the αITVs in order to determine the largest margin magnitude that could be added without exceeding the volume of the clinical ITVs.ResultsThe αITVs increased the target coverage provided to each tumor's 5th‐percentile‐most‐covered‐voxel an average of 50.3% compared to the clinical ITVs (p < 0.0001). At the same time, the αITVs had volumes that were, on average, 31.4% smaller (p < 0.0001). The differences in volume were large enough that, on average, an extra 2 mm isotropic margin could be added to the αITV before it had a volume greater than the clinical ITV.ConclusionsThe αTarget algorithm can generate more effective lung SBRT internal target volumes that provide greater coverage with smaller volumes. In combination with numerous other advantages of the framework, this effectiveness makes the αTarget algorithm a powerful new method for advanced IGRT or adaptive radiotherapy techniques.
Mentors' competence in mentoring nursing students in clinical practice: Detecting profiles to enhance mentoring practices
Authors: Mikkonen Kristina , Tomietto Marco , Tuomikoski Anna‐Maria , Miha Kaučič Boris , Riklikiene Olga , Vizcaya‐Moreno Flores , Pérez‐Cañaveras Rosa M. , Filej Bojana , Baltinaite Giedre , Cicolini Giancarlo , Kääriäinen Maria 
Published: November 2021

AbstractAimsTo describe the mentoring competence of clinical practice nurse mentors and identify different mentor profiles.DesignCross‐sectional research design, secondary analysis.MethodsAn international, cross‐sectional study design was performed in five European countries. A total of 1 604 mentors from 33 healthcare organizations participated in the study between 2016–2019. The Mentors' Competence Instrument (MCI), which includes seven sub‐dimensions and 44 items, was used to collect data. K‐means cluster and binary regression analyses were performed to detect mentor profiles and determine how various factors affect competence, respectively.ResultsThe K‐means cluster analysis identified three distinct profiles: A (n = 926); B (n = 566); and C (n = 85). The profiles showed significantly different values (p < .001) across all seven areas of mentoring competence. In comparison with the other profiles, nurses in profile A were older, had more work experience and were more probably to have completed mentoring‐specific training.