bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Acceptability of Integrated Healthcare Services for HIV and Non-Communicable Diseases: Experiences from Patients and Healthcare Workers in Tanzania
Authors: Shayo Elizabeth H , Kivuyo Sokoine , Seeley Janet , Bukenya Dominic , Karoli Peter , Mfinanga Sayoki Godfrey , Jaffar Shabbar , Hout Marie-Claire 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) has risen sharply alongside a continuing high burden of communicable diseases. An integrated approach to HIV and NCD care offers the potential to strengthen disease control programmes. We used qualitative methods to explore patient and care provider experiences and perspectives on the acceptability of integrated care for HIV-infection, diabetes, and hypertension in Tanzania. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in selected health facilities in Dar-es-Salaam and Coastal regions which had started to provide integrated care and management for HIV, diabetes, and hypertension (i.e., from a single clinic for patients with one or more of these conditions). In-depth interviews were conducted with care providers and patients at three time points: at enrolment (i.e., just prior to the patient receiving integrated care), at mid-line and at study end 8-10 months later. A minimum of 12 care providers and 16 patients were sampled for each time point. Observation was also carried out in the respective clinics at pre- and mid-line phase. The Theoretical Framework of Acceptability (TFA) underpinned the structure and interpretation of the findings using five constructs: Affective attitude, Self-efficacy, Perceived effectiveness, Ethicality, and Intervention coherence.Results: Patients and care providers revealed a positive attitude towards the integrated care delivery model at the mid-line and at study end time points. High acceptability was related to increased exposure to service integration in terms of satisfaction with the clinic setup, seating arrangements and medical care services provided. Satisfaction also centred on the patients’ freedom to move from one service point to another, and to discuss the services and their own health status amongst themselves. Adherence to medication and scheduling of clinic appointments appeared central to the patient-provider relationship as an aspect in the provision of quality services. Stakeholders reported benefits of integration which included multi-condition health education, patient time and cost saving, and the care team ability to detect undiagnosed disease conditions due to enhanced opportunity and ability to screen patients. Conclusion: The study reveals a continued high level of acceptability of the integrated care model among both patients and care providers. Further studies on integrated care are warranted in different settings to generate greater scientific evidence to inform health and health systems policy and practice.
Study on Time Characteristics of Coupling Discharge in Pulsed Laser Induced Double-TIG Welding
Authors: Xu Xinkun , Yang Huanyu , Liu Liming 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Based on the dynamic behavior of laser keyhole, the time characteristics of coupling discharge of heat source in pulsed laser induced double-TIG welding (LIDTW) are studied. The behaviors of arc plasma and laser keyhole were directly observed by high-speed camera and auxiliary illumination source. The physical characteristics of arc plasma were analyzed by spectrometer and arc quality analyzer. A physical model is established to reveal the regulation mechanism of time characteristics of coupling discharge. It is found that after laser pulse action the coupling discharge between keyhole plasma and double-arc plasma does not end immediately, and its time depends on the existence time of keyhole. During hybrid welding, when the combined force of arc pressure and Marangoni force can overcome the gravity, the liquid metal is forced out of the keyhole and the keyhole remains open. Improving the electron density of arc plasma and arc voltage and reducing the diameter of arc conductive channel by selecting appropriate parameters to is the key to prolong the existence time of keyhole, which is beneficial to improve the welding penetration. The coupling enhancement of double-arc electromagnetic field in LIDTW can effectively suppress keyhole backfill and increase the duty ratio of coupling discharge. When the total current intensity is 200 A, compared with laser induced single-TIG welding (LISTW), the existence time of keyhole in LIDTW increases by 77 %, the duty ratio of coupling discharge increases by 12 %, and the weld penetration increases by 29.2 %.
Stochastic Modeling of Solar Generation During Hurricanes
Authors: Ceferino Luis , Lin Ning , Xi Dazhi 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
The unprecedented growth of solar generation adoption indicates that solar can become a major source of modern and clean energy in just a few decades for our power grids. Despite solar's growing criticality for generation, few studies have proposed models to capture solar generation infrastructure's behavior during natural disasters. Here, we present an integrative methodology to quantify solar generation during hurricanes. The methodology is based on a stochastic model that combines a tropical cyclone hazard model, solar irradiance quantification, solar panel vulnerability, and a model for irradiance decay during hurricane conditions. The irradiance decay model is newly developed through mixed-effect regression on a dataset that merges historical Global Horizontal Irradiance and Atlantic hurricane activity. The proposed stochastic model can be integrated into large grid resilience's models for a wide range of detailed applications that require forecasting power system capacity during storms, such as contingency planning for extreme events. We use the stochastic model to analyze 21 states in the Eastern U.S. for various storms to showcase the methodology's broad applicability. Our results show that for events with return periods of up to 33 years, the loss in generation stems from cloud conditions during hurricanes. However, less frequent events can cause solar panel failure, especially in southern regions of the U.S., triggering complete loss of solar generation. Given that solar generation is expected to grow significantly, these results advocate for higher standards in the structural design of solar panels as well as the deployment of storage for disaster resilience.
HSPB7 Protected the Osteogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells From TNF-α Through Chaperone-mediated Autophagy/beta-catenin Pathway
Authors: Hang Kai , Ying Li , Bai Jinwu , Wang Yibo , Kuang Zhihui , Xu Jianx , Zhou Chenw , Xue Deting , Pan Zhijun 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background Managing healing of impaired bone fracture has long been a subject of concern. Prolonged or uncontrolled inflammation exerts detrimental effects on bone healing. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α is a critical inflammatory factor, whose absence impairs normal bone formation. However, TNF-α exposure for longer duration inhibits bone regeneration. In this study, we aim to find a new therapeutic target for the impaired osteogenesis induced by long exposure of TNF-α.MethodsIn vitro, mRNA microarray analysis was used to identify differentially expressed genes. Cell proliferation assay was used to assess the proliferation of cells. qPCR and Western blotting analysis were applied to detect the expression of target genes and proteins respectively. ALP staining and Alizarin Red staining (ARS) were used to evaluate ALP activity and mineral deposition respectively. Co-immunoprecipitation was used to detect the interaction of proteins. In vivo, a murie tibial fracture model was established, histological evaluation and radiographic analysis was used to confirm bone regeneration in fracture healing. statistical significance between two groups was determined by Student’s t test, one-way ANOVA or Bonferroni’s post-hoc test according to the distribution of the tested population.ResultsIn this study, we show that heat shock protein family B (small) member 7 (HSPB7) mitigates negative impact of long-term TNF-α exposure on bone formation by binding heat shock protein family H (small) member 1 (HSPH1). HSPH1, in turn, inhibits the ATPase of heat shock cognate A8 (HSCA8), one of the key components involved in chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA). Deletion of genes encoding for either HSCA8 or lysosome-associated membrane protein 2A (LAMP2A), another component of CMA, failed to reverse the osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs induced by TNF-α by deleting HSPH1. Moreover, LAMP2A overexpression reverse the impaired osteogenesis induced by TNF-α, and this effect was attenuated by DKK1, a specific Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway inhibitors. Thus, a heat shock protein family network composed by HAPB7, HSPH1 and HSCA8 rescued the impairment of bone healing by TNF-α through the CMA/β-catenin pathway, making it a potential therapeutic agent for bone regeneration in cases of prolonged or severe inflammation in the clinical settings. ConclusionsTaken together, these findings indicate that a heat shock protein family network including HSPB7, HSPH1 and HSCA8 protects the impaired osteogenesis induced by TNF-α via the CMA/β-catenin pathway. And in vivo, HSPB7 overexpression lentiviral particles effectively protects the impaired fracture healing induced by TNF-α in a mouse tibia fracture healing model.
Association Between Habitual Green Tea Consumption and Comprehensive Frailty Risk Assessed by Kihon Checklist Indexes Among Japanese Elderly Population
Authors: Nanri Hinako , Yoshida Tsukasa , Watanabe Yuya , Fujita Hiroyuki , Kimura Misaka , Yamada Yosuke 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background: It is unclear whether habitual green tea consumption is related to comprehensive frailty. Objective: We conducted this study to investigate this relationship among a Japanese elderly population.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of baseline data from 2012. The study included 5668 Japanese participants (2766 men and 2902 women, aged 65 years or older). The subjects completed a validated self-administered food frequency questionnaire that included green tea consumption. We evaluated comprehensive frailty by using a 25-item Kihon Checklist (KCL), which comprised seven domains (instrumental activities of daily living [IADL], physical function, malnutrition, oral or eating function, socialization and housebound, cognitive function, and depression). Frailty was defined as a KCL score ≥7. Results: We found that higher consumption of green tea was associated with a lower risk of frailty in both sexes. Further age-stratified analysis showed that higher consumption of green tea among women was associated with a lower risk of frailty, regardless of age. In men, however, these associations were found only in the older age groups. An analysis of the association between green tea consumption and frailty subdomains showed that green tea consumption was associated with a lower risk of oral dysfunction and cognitive problem in both sexes. In addition, only in women, higher green tea consumption was inversely associated with a lower risk of IADL and mobility-related disability problems.Conclusions: Green tea consumption is inversely associated with the prevalence of comprehensive frailty in Japanese men and women. Longitudinal studies are required to confirm this association.
Mouth Washes – A Paradigm Shift from Chlorhexidine Gluconate to Essential Oil Mouthwash A Meta Analysis
Authors: Hussain  
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background: The purpose of this review is to systematically evaluate the effects of an essential-oil mouthwash compared to a chlorhexidine mouthwash with respect to plaque and parameters of gingival inflammation.Methods: PubMed databases were searched for studies up to and including may 2015. A comprehensive search was designed and the articles were independently screened. Articles that evaluated the effects of the essential oil mouthwash compared to chlorhexidine mouthwash were included. A meta-analysis was performed, and weighted mean differences were calculated.Results: A total of 17 unique articles were found, of which 11 articles met the eligibility criteria. A meta-analysis of long-term studies (duration > 3 months) showed that the essential oil mouthwash provided significantly better effects regarding prophylactic plaque control than chlorhexidineConclusion: In long-term use, the standardized formulation of essential oil mouthwash is more reliable than chlorhexidine mouthwash.
Enantioselective Behavior of Flumequine Enantiomers and Metabolites Identification in Sediment
Authors: Xue Moyong , Qin Yuchang , Meng Qingshi , Yao Ting , Gu Xu 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
The enantioselective adsorption, degradation and transformation of flumequine (FLU) enantiomers in sediment were investigated to elucidate the enantioselective environmental behaviors. The results of adsorption test showed stereoselective differences of FLU enantiomers in sediment samples and the adsorbing capacity of S-(-)-FLU and R-(+)-FLU are higher than the racemate, the pH values of the sediment determined the adsorption capacity. Enantioselective degradation behaviors were found under non-sterilized conditions and followed pseudo-first-order kinetic. The R-(+)-FLU was preferentially degraded, and there was significant enantioselectivity of the degradation of FLU. It can be concluded that the microorganism was the main reason for the stereoselective degradation in sediments. The physicochemical property of sediments, such as pH value and organic matter content, can affected the degradation rate of FLU. In addition, the process of transformation of FLU enantiomers in water-sediment system had enantioselective behavior, R-(+)-FLU was preferential transformed. Meanwhile, the main metabolites of FLU in sediment were decarboxylate and dihydroxylation product. This study contributes evidence of comprehensively assessing the fate and risk of chiral FLU antibiotic and enantioselective behavior in the environment.
IVF Outcome Comparisons Between Fresh Embryo Transfers and Embryo Banking Cycles With Subsequent Thawed Transfers Vary Between Good-, Intermediate- and Poor-prognosis Patients
Authors: Gleicher Norbert , Darmon Sarah K. , Molinari Emanuela , Albertini David F. , Benor Ariel , Patrizio Pasquale , Barad David H. 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Never investigated before in poor prognosis patients, we here determined how in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes after fresh embryo transfers compare to frozen-thawed transfers after embryo banking. Using data from our center’s anonymized electronic research data bank, we in a retrospective controlled observational study investigated IVF cycle outcomes of poor-prognosis infertility patients, utilizing autologous eggs, while utilizing donor-egg recipient cycles as controls for covariables. To accomplish statistically valid comparisons, 4 different pairings of 1st IVF cycles were utilized: (i) 127 fresh vs. 193 frozen donor recipient cycles; (ii) 741 autologous fresh unselected non-donor IVF cycles vs. 217 autologous frozen non-donor IVF cycles; (iii) 143 favorably selected autologous non-donor IVF cycles vs. the same 217 frozen autologous cycles non-donor; and (iv) 598 selected average and poor-prognosis autologous non-donor cycles vs. the same 217 frozen autologous non-donor cycles. Main outcome measures were pregnancies and live births. Even within poor-prognosis patients, patient selection to significant degrees impacted how fresh and frozen-thawed IVF cycles compared. Though embryo banking with delayed embryo transfer in best-prognosis patients marginally improved IVF outcomes, in unselected patients it had no effect on outcomes, while in poor-prognosis patients it adversely affected IVF outcomes. Unexpectedly, the study also discovered a previously unreported effect of recipient-age on miscarriage risk in donor-egg recipient cycles, which apparently is independent of age-associated increases in chromosomal abnormalities and, therefore, must have other causes. This study suggests that in poor-prognosis patient banking cycles should be considered contraindicated, in intermediate-prognosis patients they do not appear to change outcomes and, therefore, do not warrant additional costs from thaw cycles, leaving only good-prognosis patients as potential candidates for such a strategy.
Spatiotemporal Distribution and Evolution of Digestive Tract Cancer Cases in Hefei, China Since 2012
Authors: Ma Kang , Lin Yuesheng , Zhang Xiaopeng , Fang Fengman , Zhang Yong , Li Jiajia , Yao Youru , Ge Lei , Zhou Hao , Wu Jing , Chen Hui 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background: Cancer has become the major killer of deaths among Chinese urban and rural residents, and about 50% of new cases are from liver cancer, gastric cancer, and esophageal cancer. Digestive tract cancer(DTC) has received widespread attention due to its poor treatment effect and high mortality rate, as well as severe physical, psychological, mental, and economic trauma to patients and their families.Methods: The data on DTC cases in Lujiang County in Hefei, China, were downloaded from the Data Center of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Hefei, Anhui Province, China, while the demographic data were sourced from the demographic department in China. Systematic statistical analyses, including the spatial empirical Bayes smoothing, spatial autocorrelation, hotspot statistics, and Kulldorff's retrospective space-time scan, were used to identify the spatial and spatiotemporal clusters of DTC. GM(1,1) and standard deviation ellipses were then applied to predict the future evolution of the spatial pattern of the DTC cases in Lujiang County. Results: DTC in Lujiang County had obvious spatiotemporal clustering. The spatial distribution of DTC cases increases gradually from east to west in the county in a stepwise pattern. The peak of DTC cases occurred in 2012-2013, and the high-case spatial clusters were located mainly in the northwest of Lujiang County. At the 1% significance level, two spatiotemporal clusters were identified. From 2012 to 2017, the cases of DTC in Lujiang County gradually shifted to the high-incidence area in the northwest, and the spatial distribution range experienced a process of “dispersion-clustering”. The cases of DTC in Lujiang County will continue to move to the northwest from 2018 to 2025, and the predicted spatial clustering tends to be more obvious. Conclusions: High-incidence time of DTC was 2012-2013, and the number of cases increased from east to west in Lujiang County. High clusters were mostly located in the northwestern area and agglomerated from southeast to northwestern especially after 2014.
Relationship of Matrix Stiffness and Cell Morphology in Regulation of Osteo Genesis and Adipogenesis of BMSCs
Authors: Guo Yutong , Qiao Yini , Quan Shuqi , Yang Cai , Li Juan 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Backgrounds: Both matrix stiffness and cell morphology have been found as important factors directing MSCs (mesenchymal stem cells) differentiation, but cells also spontaneously adapt their morphology under matrix stiffness stimulation. This study aimed to investigate the interplay of cell morphology and matrix stiffness on osteogenesis and adipogenesis of rBMSCs(rat bone BMSCs) on 2D substrates. Methods and Results: First, we modulated MSCs morphology through different fibronectin (FN) concentrations on tissue culture plates (TCPs). We found FN promoted and osteogenesis of BMSCs while suppressing adipogenesis, mediated by FN-induced F-actin polymerization and cell spreading. Based on these findings, we modulated BMSCs morphology on 0.5 kPa and 32 kPa CytoSoft® plates through FN concentrations. We found BMSCs on 0.5 kPa substrates coated with 300μg/ml of FN manifested similarly spreading morphology with cells on 32 kPa substrates coated with 100 μg/ml of FN, and cells in both groups dominantly commit osteogenesis. On the other hand, BMSCs on 32 kPa substrates coated with 30μg/ml of FN manifested similarly restricted morphology with cells in on 0.5 kPa substrates with 100μg/ml of FN, and in both groups cells mainly commit adipogenesis. Immunofluorescence staining indicated YAP/TAZ mainly located in cytoplasm when cells exhibited restricted morphology on stiff matrices, while exhibiting significant nuclear translocation when cells spread on soft matrices. Conclusions: Cell morphology overrode effects of matrix stiffness on BMSCs differentiation through more robust regulation of YAP/TAZ. Matrix stiffness depended on cell morphology to regulate osteogenesis and adipogenesis of BMSCs.
Comparing the Efficacy of Dermolina-Henna Cream with Mometasone Cream in Improving Radiodermatitis Amongst Patients with Breast Cancer: A Randomized Active-control Double-blind Clinical Trial
Authors: Pasalar Mehdi , Ahadi Bahareh , Mirzaei Hamid Reza , Buentzel Judith , Ardestani Mojgan Mehri , Kamian Shaghayegh , Heydarirad Ghazaleh 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Purpose: Acute radiodermatitis is one of radiotherapy most common complications. Despite the high prevalence of radiodermatitis, few studies investigated how to prevent or treat this complication. Hence, any standard treatment has not been introduced so far. We sought to evaluate the efficacy of Dermolina-Henna cream, a new polyherbal formulation, compared to Mometasone cream for alleviating radiodermatitis amongst breast cancer patients. Methods: Women over 18 years of age with breast cancer undergoing radiotherapy were included in this double-blind active-control randomized clinical trial. A total of 93 eligible patients was randomly divided into the Dermolina-Henna and Mometasone groups. Patients were instructed to apply a thin layer of each cream once daily on their lesions at least 3 hours after radiotherapy for 4 weeks, and if grade I or II radiodermatitis developed, also afterward. Patients were visited weekly until end of study at after 4 weeks. RTOG (Radiation Therapy Oncology Group) standard questionnaires were evaluated and recorded every week as the primary outcome.Results: The trends on decrease in number of lesions, erythema, radiodermatitis grade, burning sensation, pain, and itchiness were statistically significant for each treatment, separately (P<0.001), except for radiodermatitis grade in Mometasone group (P=0.4). Dermolina-Henna was significantly better than Mometasone in alleviating burning sensation (P<0.001) and itchiness (P=0.041).Conclusion: In summary, we showed that Dermolina-Henna cream and Mometasone cream were significantly effective in decreasing severity of radiodermatitis symptoms amongst patients with breast cancer. Dermolina-Henna cream was significantly superior to Mometasone cream in alleviating burning and itchiness. IRCT20200115046144N1, 2020-03-04, retrospectively registered.
How good is good? Probabilistic benchmarks and nanofinance+
Authors: Martinez Rolando Gonzales 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Benchmarks are standards that allow to identify opportunities for improvement among comparable units. This study suggests a 2-step methodology for calculating probabilistic benchmarks in noisy data sets: (i) double-hyperbolic undersampling filters the noise of key performance indicators (KPIs), and (ii) a relevance vector machine estimates probabilistic benchmarks with denoised KPIs. The usefulness of the methods is illustrated with an application to a database of nano-finance+. The results indicate that---in the case of nano-finance groups---a higher discrimination power is obtained with variables that capture the macro-economic environment of the country where a group operates. Also, the estimates show that groups operating in rural regions have different probabilistic benchmarks, compared to groups in urban and peri-urban areas.