bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antihypertensive treatment in a general uncontrolled hypertensive population in Belgium and Luxembourg in primary care: Therapeutic inertia and treatment simplification. The SIMPLIFY study
Authors: De Backer Tine , Van Nieuwenhuyse Bregt , De Bacquer Dirk 
Published: April 2021

Background
Despite effective treatments, blood pressure (BP) control remains suboptimal.

Objective
The SIMPLIFY study aimed at identifying key factors related to therapeutic inertia in Belgium and Luxembourg, and evaluating how uncontrolled treated hypertension is managed in primary care.

Methods
In a 2017 cross-sectional survey, 245 general practitioners (GP) collected routine clinical data from 1,852 consecutive uncontrolled (Office SBP/DBP ≥ 140/90 mmHg) hypertensive adult patients taking at least one antihypertensive drug.

Results
Patients were 64 years old on average, 48% were women, 61% had dyslipidemia, 33% had diabetes mellitus and 22% had established cardiovascular disease. Half of the patients had 2 or more comorbidities. Patients had been treated for hypertension for an average period of 8 years, 40% of patients were in hypertensive stages 2–3, 44% were treated with monotherapy only, 28% with free combinations and 28% with at least one single pill combination (SPC). Therapeutic adherence was rated as ‘good’ in 62% of patients. AHT treatment was modified in 84% of patients.
In the group of patients with stage 2–3 hypertension, treatment remained unchanged in 5%. In the group of patients with stage 1 hypertension, treatment remained unchanged in 23% of patients. Patients treated for longer than 10 years were less likely to undergo treatment change (81%) compared to patients treated for less than 10 years (87%). Patients with 1 or 2 comorbidities were more likely to have their treatment modified (87%) compared to those with no comorbidities (61%) and those with ≥ 3 comorbidities (79%). If treatment was modified, a SPC was introduced in 90% of cases; 91% in stage 1–2 hypertension and 84% in stage 3 hypertension. SPCs were less frequently initiated in patients without comorbidities. Main reasons for the GPs to switch from a free association towards SPC were ‘better BP control’ (55%), ‘better therapeutic compliance’ (53%) and ‘simplicity for the patient’ (50%).

Conclusion
The SIMPLIFY study confirms therapeutic inertia in hypertension management. After an average of 8 years hypertension treatment, almost 1 in 2 uncontrolled treated patients are on monotherapy. The key inertia drivers seem to be age, mild grade hypertension, isolated systolic hypertension, longer duration of antihypertensive treatment and better therapeutic adherence. When treatment is updated by the GP, the currently preferred strategy is switching towards SPC based therapy to improve BP control, and enhance therapeutic compliance by simplifying treatment for the patient.

Trial registration
pharma.be visa number: VI 17/01/20/01
ISRCTN registered study: ISRCTN16199080.
Comparative analysis of various clinical specimens in detection of SARS-CoV-2 using rRT-PCR in new and follow up cases of COVID-19 infection: Quest for the best choice
Authors: Sharma Kuldeep , Aggarwala Pragya , Gandhi Deepa , Mathias Anuniti , Singh Priyanka , Sharma Somya , Negi Sanjay Singh , Bhargava Anudita , Das Padma , Gaikwad Ujjwala , Wankhede Archana , Behra Ajoy , Nagarkar Nitin M. 
Published: April 2021

Background
An appropriate specimen is of paramount importance in Real Time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) based diagnosis of novel coronavirus (nCoV) disease (COVID-19). Thus, it’s pertinent to evaluate various diversified clinical specimens’ diagnostic utility in both diagnosis and follow-up of COVID-19.

Methods
A total of 924 initial specimens from 130 COVID-19 symptomatic cases before initiation of treatment and 665 follow up specimens from 15 randomly selected cases comprising of equal number of nasopharyngeal swab (NPS), oropharyngeal swab (OPS), combined NPS and OPS (Combined swab), sputum, plasma, serum and urine were evaluated by rRT-PCR.

Results
Demographic analysis showed males (86) twice more affected by COVID-19 than females (44) (p = 0.00001). Combined swabs showed a positivity rate of 100% followed by NPS (91.5%), OPS (72.3%), sputum (63%), while nCoV was found undetected in urine, plasma and serum specimens. The lowest cycle threshold (Ct) values of targeted genes E, ORF1b and RdRP are 10.56, 10.14 and 12.26 respectively and their lowest average Ct values were found in combined swab which indicates high viral load in combined swab among all other specimen types. Analysis of 665 follow-up multi-varied specimens also showed combined swab as the last specimen among all specimen types to become negative, after an average 6.6 (range 4–10) days post-treatment, having lowest (15.48) and average (29.96) Ct values of ORF1b respectively indicating posterior nasopharyngeal tract as primary nCoV afflicted site with high viral load.

Conclusion
The combined swab may be recommended as a more appropriate specimen for both diagnosis and monitoring of COVID-19 treatment by rRT-PCR for assessing virus clearance to help physicians in taking evidence-based decision before discharging patients. Implementing combined swabs globally will definitely help in management and control of the pandemic, as it is the need of the hour.
Recipient pre-existing chronic hypotension is associated with delayed graft function and inferior graft survival in kidney transplantation from elderly donors
Authors: Dolla Caterina , Mella Alberto , Vigilante Giacinta , Fop Fabrizio , Allesina Anna , Presta Roberto , Verri Aldo , Gontero Paolo , Gobbi Fabio , Balagna Roberto , Giraudi Roberta , Biancone Luigi 
Published: April 2021

Background
Pre-existing chronic hypotension affects a percentage of kidney transplanted patients (KTs). Although a relationship with delayed graft function (DGF) has been hypothesized, available data are still scarce and inconclusive.

Methods
A monocentric retrospective observational study was performed on 1127 consecutive KTs from brain death donors over 11 years (2003–2013), classified according to their pre-transplant Mean Blood Pressure (MBP) as hypotensive (MBP < 80 mmHg) or normal-hypertensive (MBP ≥ 80 mmHg, with or without effective antihypertensive therapy).

Results
Univariate analysis showed that a pre-existing hypotension is associated to DGF occurrence (p<0.01; OR for KTs with MBP < 80 mmHg, 4.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.7 to 7.5). Chronic hypotension remained a major predictive factor for DGF development in the logistic regression model adjusted for all DGF determinants. Adjunctive evaluations on paired grafts performed in two different recipients (one hypotensive and the other one normal-hypertensive) confirmed this assumption. Although graft survival was only associated with DGF but not with chronic hypotension in the overall population, stratification according to donor age revealed that death-censored graft survival was significantly lower in hypotensive patients who received a KT from >50 years old donor.

Conclusions
Our findings suggest that pre-existing recipient hypotension, and the subsequent hypotension-related DGF, could be considered a significant detrimental factor, especially when elderly donors are involved in the transplant procedure.
Mortality and associated risk factors in patients with blood culture positive sepsis and acute kidney injury requiring continuous renal replacement therapy—A retrospective study
Authors: Järvisalo Mikko J. , Hellman Tapio , Uusalo Panu 
Published: April 2021

Objectives
Septic acute kidney injury (AKI) requiring continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) carries a mortality risk nearing 50%. Risk factors associated with mortality in AKI patients undergoing CRRT with blood culture positive sepsis remain unclear as sepsis has been defined according to consensus criteria in previous studies.

Methods
Risk factors associated with intensive care unit (ICU), 90-day and overall mortality were studied in a retrospective cohort of 126 patients with blood culture positive sepsis and coincident severe AKI requiring CRRT. Comprehensive laboratory and clinical data were gathered at ICU admission and CRRT initiation.

Results
38 different causative pathogens for sepsis and associated AKI were identified. ICU mortality was 30%, 90-day mortality 45% and one-year mortality 50%. Immunosuppression, history of heart failure, APACHE II and SAPS II scores, C-reactive protein and lactate at CRRT initiation were independently associated with mortality in multivariable Cox proportional hazards models. Blood lactate showed good predictive power for ICU mortality in receiver operating characteristic curve analyses with AUCs of 0.76 (95%CI 0.66–0.85) for lactate at ICU admission and 0.84 (95%CI 0.72–0.95) at CRRT initiation.

Conclusions
Our study shows for the first time that lactate measured at CRRT initiation is predictive of ICU mortality and independently associated with overall mortality in patients with blood culture positive sepsis and AKI requiring CRRT. Microbial etiology for septic AKI requiring CRRT is diverse.
Clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients with clinically diagnosed bacterial co-infection: A multi-center study
Authors: He Shengyang , Liu Wenlong , Jiang Mingyan , Huang Peng , Xiang Zhi , Deng Dingding , Chen Ping , Xie Lihua 
Published: April 2021

Objective
To understand the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients with clinically diagnosed bacterial co-infection (CDBC), and therefore contributing to their early identification and prognosis estimation.

Method
905 COVID-19 patients from 7 different centers were enrolled. The demography data, clinical manifestations, laboratory results, and treatments were collected accordingly for further analyses.

Results
Around 9.5% of the enrolled COVID-19 patients were diagnosed with CDBC. Older patients or patients with cardiovascular comorbidities have increased CDBC probability. Increased body temperature, longer fever duration, anhelation, gastrointestinal symptoms, illness severity, intensive care unit attending, ventilation treatment, glucocorticoid therapy, longer hospitalization time are correlated to CDBC. Among laboratory results, increased white blood cell counting (mainly neutrophil), lymphocytopenia, increased procalcitonin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reaction protein, D-dimer, blood urea nitrogen, lactate dehydrogenase, brain natriuretic peptide, myoglobin, blood sugar and decreased albumin are also observed, indicating multiple system functional damage. Radiology results suggested ground glass opacity mixed with high density effusion opacities and even pleural effusion.

Conclusion
The aged COVID-19 patients with increased inflammatory indicators, worse lymphopenia and cardiovascular comorbidities are more likely to have clinically diagnosed bacterial co-infection. Moreover, they tend to have severer clinical manifestations and increased probability of multiple system functional damage.
Narrativas de adolescentes explorados como “mulas” do narcotráfico proveniente da fronteira Brasil-Paraguai
Authors: Rocha Andrea Pires 
Published: April 2021

Sintetiza-se discussões referentes a questão dos mecanismos de controle impetrados pelo racismo, seletividade penal e guerra as drogas, no bojo do Estado penal. Apresenta-se a realidade de adolescentes explorados como mulas na rota de tráfico internacional proveniente da fronteira Brasil – Paraguai. O debate decorre da tese de doutorado “Trajetórias de adolescentes apreendidos como “mulas” do transporte de drogas na região da fronteira (Paraná) Brasil – Paraguai: exploração de força de trabalho e criminalização da pobreza. Neste artigo enfoca-se como se davam as viagens, trazendo um pouco das sensações, expectativas, satisfações, medos e riscos que as compunham. Acredita-se que o artigo possibilita algumas aproximações acerca da complexa realidade dos meninos e meninas explorados como “mulas” do tráfico de drogas, demonstrando o quanto estão submetidos a dupla violência, pois, por um lado são explorados pelo narcotráfico, por outro, são criminalizados no bojo da guerra às drogas e, ambos os lados, os colocam em riscos constantes, contribuindo para a composição do juvenicídio.
The Online Shopping Behavior of Indonesian Generation X
Authors: Yoga I Made Sindhu , Triami Ni Putu Silka 
Published: April 2021

E-commerce is one of the information technologies that influence consumer behavior. Generation X is characterizedÂ by a higher internet adoption rate than the previous generation. As digital immigrants, this generation behavior toward using e-commerce is an interesting phenomenon to be studied. Thus, this study aims to examine the acceptanceÂ and use of e-commerce among Generation X using Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2)Â theory. The research sample was 369 Generation X respondents in Indonesia who used e-commerce and were selectedÂ using purposive sampling. The questionnaires were distributed online and then analyzed using structural equationÂ modeling. The findings showed that Generation X acceptance towards e-commerce were influenced by performanceÂ expectancy, hedonic motivation, habit, price value, and behavior intention. In contrast, effort expectancy, facilitatingÂ condition, and social influences) were not found to be the predictor that influenced Generation X to use e-commerce.Â This paper offers valuable insights for e-commerce founders in the development and refinement of e-commerce platforms.
From Proto-Sceptic to Sceptic in Sextus’ Outlines of Pyrrhonism
Authors: Dunphy Robb 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
This is an account of Sceptical investigation as it is presented by Sextus Empiricus. I focus attention on the motivation behind the Sceptic’s investigation, the goal of that investigation, and on the development Sextus describes from proto-Sceptical to Sceptical investigator. I suggest that recent accounts of the Sceptic’s investigative practice do not make sufficient sense of the fact that the Sceptic finds a relief from disturbance by way of suspending judgement, nor of the apparent continuity between proto-Sceptical and Sceptical investigation. I offer an alternative account which turns on the suggestion that the Sceptic accepts that justification is the norm of belief.
Cross-linguistic influence on the use of L2 collocations: the case of Vietnamese learners
Authors: Cao Dung , Badger Richard 
Published: April 2021

AbstractUsing collocation is a key part of second language ability (Granger, Sylviane. 2018. Formulaic sequences in learner corpora: Collocations and lexical bundles. In Anna Siyanova-Chanturia & Ana Pellicer-Sanchez (eds.),Understanding formulaic language: A second language acquisition perspective, 228–247. New York: Routledge; Nattinger, James R. & Jeamette S. DeCarrico. 1992.Lexical phrases and language teaching. Oxford: Oxford University Press; Nesselhauf, Nadja. 2004.Collocations in a learner corpus. Amsterdam; Philadelphia: J. Benjamins Pub. Co.; Pawley, Andrew & Frances H. Syder. 1983. Two puzzles for linguistics: Nativelike selection and nativelike fluency. In Jack Richards & Richard W. Schmidt (eds.),Language and communication, 191–228. London: Longman). Researchers often hypothesize that the influence of the first language is an important factor in the production and understanding of unconventional collocations (Huang, Li-Shi. 2001. Knowledge of English collocations: An analysis of Taiwanese EFL learners.Paper presented at the Texas Foreign Languguage Education Conference, Texas; Laufer, Bhatia & Tina Waldman. 2011. Verb-noun collocations in second language writing: A corpus analysis of learners’ English.Language Learning61(2). 647–672.https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9922.2010.00621.x; Phoocharoensil, Supakorn. 2013. Cross-linguistic influence: Its impact on L2 English collocation production.English Language Teaching6(1). 1–10) but we are only now starting to understand this. The present study provides a robust investigation of cross-linguistic influences by exploring how Vietnamese influenced Vietnamese learners’ use of English language verb-noun and adjective noun collocations in 104 350-word argumentative essays, using a framework derived from Jarvis, Scott. 2012. The detection-based approach: An overview. In S. Jarvis & S. A. Crossley (eds.),Approaching language transfer through text classification: Explorations in the detection-based approach, 1st ed., Vol. 64, 1–33. Bristol: Multilingual Matters, drawing on homogeneity among speakers of Vietnamese; heterogeneity between users of Vietnamese and other language; and formal and conceptual congruity between collocations learners produce in English and equivalent terms in Vietnamese. The study found that less than 10% of the collocations learners produced were unconventional and of these, 40% of collocations were influenced by the first language (L1); errors associated with incorrect use of prepositions in verb-noun collocations (e.g. the addition, omission or misuse of prepositions) are strongly L1-motivated. Learners make errors with not only incongruent collocations (collocations with no direct L1 equivalents) but also with congruent collocations (collocations with direct L1 translation).
Optimal multispectral sensor configurations through machine learning for cognitive agriculture
Authors: Becker Florian , Backhaus Andreas , Johrden Felix , Flitter Merle 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Hyperspectral sensor systems play a key role in the automation of work processes in the farming industry. Non-invasive measurements of plants allow for an assessment of the vitality and health state and can also be used to classify weeds or infected parts of a plant. However, one major downside of hyperspectral cameras is that they are not very cost-effective. In this paper, we show, that for specific tasks, multispectral systems with only a fraction of the wavelength bands and costs of a hyperspectral system can lead to promising results for regression and classification tasks. We conclude that for the ongoing automation efforts in the context of cognitive agriculture reduced multispectral systems are a viable alternative.
Fieldswarm technology for tillage and crop care
Authors: Herlitzius Thomas , Hengst Martin , Grosa Andre , Fichtl Holger 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Today agriculture equipment is characterized by a high level of productivity and automation. Tractor-implement systems establish productivity by increasing working width and higher operational speed supported by larger storage volumes and increased tractor power availability. Dimensions and weight of tractor – implement systems have become the most important limitations for further growing productivity. A trend from Bigger, Faster, Wider towards Smart, Connected and Modular is under discussion. Modular and scalable systems with a high and variable degree of autonomy have potential to deliver configuration capability regarding actual task and field conditions while providing scalability of peak performance, productivity and economy. Possible machine concepts can consist of a tractor with automated and modular process units and / or autonomous self-propelled systems working as single unit or in a fleet (swarm). Swarm operation requires an adaptive and multimodal frontend to manage and lead a heterogeneous swarm of smart process applications. The example Feldschwarm, shown in the paper, is designed to the requirements of tillage and seeding in a first step.
Supplementation of probiotics in water beneficial growth performance, carcass traits, immune function, and antioxidant capacity in broiler chickens
Authors: Zhang Lihuan , Zhang Ruonan , Jia Hao , Zhu Zhiwei , Li Huifeng , Ma Yueyue 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
This study aims to investigate the effects of commercial probiotic supplementation in water on the performance parameters, carcass traits, immune function, and antioxidant capacity of broiler chicks. In the experiment, 120 Arbor Acres (AA) broilers (60 male and 60 female) were randomly allocated into four groups (G) – G1: basal diet and G2, G3, and G4: basal diet with 1% Lactobacillus casei, 1% L. acidophilus, and 1% Bifidobacterium in the water, lasting 42 days. The experimental results revealed that probiotic additives produced positive impacts on body weight, average daily feed intake (ADFI), and average daily weight gain for female chicks, whereas these probiotics significantly reduced ADFI and the feed conversion ratio of male chicks (P < 0.05). Probiotics efficiently improved eviscerated yield and breast yield while reducing the abdominal fat (P < 0.05) for the male broiler chicks. A marked increase was observed in the weight of the spleen, bursa of Fabricius, and thymus in the treatment group (P < 0.05). Besides, probiotics produced a significant effect on the concentrations of immune-related proteins (P < 0.05) and markedly increased the concentrations of antioxidase and digestive enzymes when compared with the control (P < 0.05). The addition of probiotics dramatically reduced the total counts of Escherichia coli and Salmonella and increased the quantity of Lactobacilli (P < 0.05). The results of the present study demonstrated an increase in growth performance, carcass traits, immune function, gut microbial population, and antioxidant capacity by supplementing 1% probiotics (L. casei, L. acidophilus, and Bifidobacterium) in the water for broilers.
AE propagation velocity calculation for stiffness estimation in Pier Luigi Nervi’s concrete structures
Authors: Lenticchia Erica , Bertetto Amedeo Manuello , Ceravolo Rosario 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
In the present paper, the acoustic emission (AE) device is used with an innovative approach, based on the calculation of P-wave propagation velocity (vp
), to detect the stiffness characteristics and the diffused damage of in-service old concrete structures. The paper presents the result of a recent testing campaign carried out on the slant pillars composing the vertical bearing structures designed by Pier Luigi Nervi in one of his most iconic buildings: the Hall B of Torino Esposizioni. In order to investigate the properties of these inclined pillars, localizations of artificial sources (hammer impacts), by the triangulation procedure, were performed on three different inclined elements characterized by stiffness discrepancies due to different causes: the casting procedures, executed in different stages, and the enlargement of the hall happened a few years later the beginning of the construction. In the present work, the relationship between the velocity of AE signals and the elastic characteristics (principally elastic modulus, E) is evaluated in order to discriminate the stiffness level of the slanted pillars. The procedure presented made it possible to develop an innovative investigation method able to estimate, by means of AE, the state of conservation and the elastic properties and the damage level of the monitored concrete and reinforced concrete structures.
Analysis of internal corrosion of supercritical CO2 pipeline
Authors: Tang Sen , Zhu Chengyuan , Cui Gan , Xing Xiao , Mu Jie , Li Zili 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology is considered to be one of the key technologies to reduce CO2 emissions. This paper reviews the industry corrosion accidents of CCS transportation system, in which the pipeline corrosion risk is analyzed, and the pipeline corrosion theory is summarized. Also, the effect of impurities on gas phase properties is discussed. We analyze the corrosion mechanism of multicomponent impurities on metals in a supercritical CO2 environment from the aspects of corrosion rate and corrosion products. We also describe the mechanism of pitting and stress corrosion of metals in a supercritical CO2 environment. Besides, the formation mechanism of FeCO3 protective layer and the research status of corrosion resistant alloys in supercritical CO2 are reviewed and analyzed. Finally, a series of shortcomings and prospects of the current research are put forward.