bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Apparent diffusion coefficient agreement and reliability using different region of interest methods for the evaluation of head and neck cancer post chemo-radiotherapy
Authors: Anjari Mustafa , Guha Amrita , Burd Christian , Varela Marta , Goh Vicky , Connor Steve 
Published: May 2021

Objectives: Post chemoradiotherapy (CRT) interval changes in apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) have prognostic value in head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC). The impact of using different region of interest (ROI) methods on interobserver agreement and their ability to reliably detect the changes in the ADC values was assessed. Methods: Following ethical approval, 25 patients (mean age 59.5 years, 21 male) with stage 3–4 HNSCC undergoing CRT were recruited for this prospective cohort study. Diffusion weighted MRI (DW-MRI) was performed pre-treatment and at 6 and 12 weeks following CRT. Two radiologists independently delineated ROIs using whole volume (ROIv), largest area (ROIa) or representative area (ROIr) methods at primary tumour (n = 22) and largest nodal (n = 24) locations and recorded the ADCmean. When no clear focus of increased DWI signal was evident at follow-up, a standardised ROI was placed (non-measurable or NM). Bland-Altman plots and interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were assessed. Paired t-tests evaluated interval changes in pre- and post-treatment ADCmean at each location, which were compared to the smallest detectable difference (SDD). Results: Excellent agreement was obtained for all ROI methods at pre-treatment (ICC 0.94–0.98) and 6-week post-treatment (ICC 0.94–0.98). At 12-week post-treatment, agreement was excellent (ICC 0.91–0.94) apart from ROIr (ICC 0.86) and the NM nodal disease (ICC 0.87). There were significant interval increases in ADCmean between pre-treatment and post-treatment studies, which were greater than the SDD for all ROIs. Conclusions: ADCmean values can be reproducibly obtained in HNSCC using the different ROI techniques on pre- and post-CRT MRI, and this reliably detects the interval changes.
Topical ozonated virgin coconut oil improves wound healing and increases HSP90α, VEGF-A, EGF, bFGF and CD34 in diabetic ulcer mouse model of wound healing
Authors: Yuniati Renni , Subchan Prasetyowati , Riawan Wibi , Khrisna Matthew Brian , Restiwijaya Maryam , Dyan Kusumaningrum Niken Safitri , Nur Muhammad 
Published: May 2021

Background: Diabetes is a disease that affects people worldwide, including in Indonesia. The prevalence of diabetes in Indonesia is increasing from year to year. One of the most devastating complications of diabetes mellitus is diabetic ulcers, which is a limb-threatening complication. Over the past few decades, ozone generated using plasma medical technology has been investigated as an agent that helps wound healing. This study aims to evaluate the effects of topical ozonated virgin coconut oil (VCO) in a diabetic wound mouse model. Methods: This study was an experimental study with a post-test control design. An ulcer wound model was made in 50 diabetic male Wistar mice, divided into five groups, and a control group of 10 non-diabetic mice. The control groups were given conventional therapy only and the treatment groups were also given topical ozonated VCO with different flow durations (0 min, 90 min, 7 h, 14 h). Macroscopic appearance and wound contraction were observed. HSP90β, VEGF-A, EGF, bFGF and CD34 levels were measured from the immunostained slices of wound margins. Results: The reduction of wound length was proportionally related to the duration of ozone flow. Ozonated VCO with a longer duration of ozone flow healed the wound more quickly and had the shortest wound length. VCO with ozone flow for 14 hours (16837.10 µm) had the biggest reduction in wound length compared to other groups. The wounds treated with ozonated VCO showed an increase in HSP90β, VEGF-A, EGF, bFGF and CD34 levels that correlated to improved wound healing. A longer period of treatment resulted in higher levels of wound healing biomarkers compared to shorter therapeutic durations. Conclusions: Topical ozonated VCO improved the wound healing process in a diabetic ulcer mouse model by improving macroscopic wound appearance and increasing levels of wound healing biomarkers.
Stage 1 Registered Report: Testing mediumship accuracy with a triple-blind protocol
Authors: Sinesio Fernando , Liberale Laura , Testoni Ines , Tressoldi Patrizio E. 
Published: May 2021

Even if mediumship is a practice that probably originated at the outset of human history and is embedded in many cultural and religious traditions, scientific investigations into mediumship are quite recent. In this study, we aim to investigate if self-defined mediums can retrieve information about specific deceased persons in an unconventional way, that is, without retrieving the information from the parents or friends of the deceased person or by other conventional means. To our knowledge, this is the first registered report related to this phenomenon. Our experimental design will be triple-blinded: the mediums and their interviewer will only know the first name of the deceased person and of the requesting person. The parents or the close friends of the deceased person will not interact in any way with the medium. Furthermore, they will be blind about which of two lists of information (readings) paired with deceased persons of the same gender is related to their parents or friend. Accuracy of information will be analysed by three criteria: (1) percentage of correct identification of the readings related to the requested person; (2) comparison of the global scores (on a scale 1 to 6) assigned to the intended readings with that of control readings; and (3) comparison of the difference between the percentage of correct minus incorrect information identified in the intended readings with that of the control readings.
A problem solved is a problem created: the opportunities and challenges associated with an online domestic violence perpetrator programme
Authors: Bellini Rosanna , Westmarland Nicole 
Published: May 2021

Domestic violence perpetrator programmes are a frequently used intervention to respond to perpetrators of domestic violence. However, there is considerable concern about the use of ‘online’, ‘virtual’, or ‘digital’ programmes delivered remotely. Policy and practice have developed at pace through the COVID-19 pandemic and research is lacking. This exploratory research examined the challenges and opportunities associated with a pilot online programme in Minnesota, US, for court mandated men. It took place before the COVID-19 pandemic, making it the first study to investigate a ‘live’ online programme.
A mixed method design was used, consisting of 40 hours of observational data (covering 25 sessions); four interviews with programme facilitators, 12 interviews with programme observers, and six perpetrators enrolled on the programme. We did not investigate the experiences of partners or ex-partners or of partner organisations, which is a limitation.
We found that while the online format solved some long-established issues with programme delivery (for example, providing an intervention for rural communities, a lack of transport, continuity of intervention for those who travel as part of their job), different issues arose in connection to the online programme. These problems included access to necessary broadband speeds, technical hardware and a private place to participate in the sessions.
Complex amplitude estimation of a monochromatic radio-frequency signal
using frequency downconversion via direct detection of interfered optical
phase-modulation signals
Authors: Chiba Akito , Sunaga Yusuke 
Published: May 2021

We propose an estimation scheme for a radio-frequency (RF) signal based
on microwave and millimeter-wave photonics to avoid degradation of
measurement accuracy due to RF devices used in signal detection. In
this scheme, two-parallel optical phase modulation and low-pass
optical direct detection of the interference signal are utilized,
enabling the transfer of complex amplitudes of the RF signal into the
interfered lightwave. A 10 GHz RF signal is successfully evaluated
from the 20 kHz oscillation signal obtained from the direct detection.
This scheme can be applied to signals in the millimeter-wave region
because it does not require wide bandwidth detection and
optical-domain filtering by using a special optical filter.
Hundred-watt-level phosphosilicate Raman fiber laser with less than 1% quantum defect
Authors: Ma Xiaoya , Ye Jun , Zhang Yang , Xu Jiangming , Huang Liangjin , Leng Jinyong , Pan Zhiyong , Zhou Pu 
Published: May 2021

Quantum defect (QD)-induced high thermal load in high-power fiber lasers can largely affect the conversion efficiency, pose a threat to the system security, and even prohibit the further power scaling. In this Letter, we investigate evolutions and influences of the reflectivity of the output coupler, the length of phosphosilicate fiber, and the pump bandwidth, and demonstrate a hundred-watt-level low-QD Raman fiber laser (RFL). The RFL enabled by the boson peak of phosphosilicate fiber achieves a maximum power of 100.9 W with a reduced QD down to 0.97%; the corresponding conversion efficiency reaches 69.8%. This Letter may offer not only an alternative scheme for a high-power, high-efficiency fiber laser, but also great potential on the suppression of thermal-induced effects such as thermal mode instability and the thermal lens effect.
The genetic diversity of human papillomavirus types from the species Gammapapillomavirus 15: HPV135, HPV146, and HPV179
Authors: Hošnjak Lea , Kocjan Boštjan J. , Pirš Branko , Seme Katja , Poljak Mario 
Published: May 2021

Objectives
To determine the prevalence, viral load, tissue tropism, and genetic variability of novel human papillomavirus (HPV) type 179, which is etiologically associated with sporadic cases of common warts in immunocompromised patients, and phylogenetically related HPV types 135 and 146.

Methods
The representative collection of 850 HPV-associated clinical samples (oral/nasopharyngeal/anal, archival specimens of oral/oropharyngeal/conjunctival/cervical/skin cancer, benign lesions of the larynx/conjunctiva/skin, and eyebrows), obtained from immunocompetent individuals, was tested for the presence of HPV179, HPV135, and HPV146 using type-specific real-time PCRs. To assess the genetic diversity of the HPVs investigated in the non-coding long control region (LCR), several highly sensitive nested PCR protocols were developed for each HPV type. The genetic diversity of HPV179 was additionally determined in 12 HPV179 isolates from different anatomical sites of an only immunocompromised patient included in the study.

Results
HPV179, HPV135, and HPV146 were detected in 1.4, 2.0, and 1.5% of the samples tested, respectively, with no preference for cutaneous or mucosal epithelial cells. One (with five single nucleotide polymorphisms; SNPs), four (with one to six SNPs), and four (with one to eight SNPs) genetic variants of HPV179, HPV135, and HPV146, respectively, were identified among eligible samples. HPV179 isolates from the immunocompromised patient exhibited the identical LCR nucleotide sequence, suggesting that HPV179 can cause generalized HPV infections.

Conclusions
HPV179, HPV135, and HPV146 have a mucocutaneous tissue tropism and are associated with sporadic infections in immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals. Because the majority of mutations were found outside the major functional domains of the respective LCRs, we assume that HPV179, HPV135, and HPV146 genetic variants pathogenically do not differ from their prototypes. In addition, no association was found between specific HPV179, HPV135, and HPV146 genetic variants and anatomical sites of infection and/or specific neoplasms.
Predictors of mortality and loss to follow-up among drug resistant tuberculosis patients in Oromia Hospitals, Ethiopia: A retrospective follow-up study
Authors: Woldeyohannes Demelash , Tekalegn Yohannes , Sahiledengle Biniyam , Assefa Tesfaye , Aman Rameto , Hailemariam Zeleke , Mwanri Lillian , Girma Alemu 
Published: May 2021

Background
Drug resistance tuberculosis (DR-TB) patients’ mortality and loss to follow-up (LTF) from treatment and care is a growing worry in Ethiopia. However, little is known about predictors of mortality and LTF among drug-resistant tuberculosis patients in Oromia region, Ethiopia. The current study aimed to identify predictors of mortality and loss to follow-up among drug resistance tuberculosis patients in Oromia Hospitals, Ethiopia.

Methods
A retrospective follow up study was carried out from 01 November 2012 to 31 December 2017 among DR-TB patients after calculating sample size using single proportion population formula. Mean, median, Frequency tables and bar charts were used to describe patients’ characteristics in the cohort. The Kaplan-Meier curve was used to estimate the probability of death and LTF after the treatment was initiated. The log-rank test was used to compare time to death and time to LTF. The Cox proportional hazard model was used to determine predictors of mortality and LTF after DR-TB diagnosis. The Crude and adjusted Cox proportional hazard ratio was used to measure the strength of association whereas p-value less than 0.05 were used to declare statistically significant predictors.

Result
A total of 406 DR-TB patients were followed for 7084 person-months observations. Among the patients, 71 (17.5%) died and 32 (7.9%) were lost to follow up (LTF). The incidence density of death and LTF in the cohort was 9.8 and 4.5 per 1000 person-months, respectively. The median age of the study participants was 28 years (IQR: 27.1, 29.1). The overall cumulative survival probability of patients at the end of 24 months was 77.5% and 84.5% for the mortality and LTF, respectively. The independent predictors of death was chest radiographic findings (AHR = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.17–0.79) and HIV serostatus 2.98 (95% CI: 1.72–5.19). Drug adverse effect (AHR = 6.1; 95% CI: 2.5, 14.34) and culture test result (AHR = 0.1; 95% CI: 0.1, 0.3) were independent predictors of LTF.

Conclusion
This study concluded that drug-resistant tuberculosis mortality and LTF remains high in the study area. Continual support of the integration of TB/HIV service with emphasis and work to identified predictors may help in reducing drug-resistant tuberculosis mortality and LTF.
Resting-state brain metabolic fingerprinting clusters (biomarkers) and predictive models for major depression in multiple myeloma patients
Authors: Wang Xiaofei , Eichhorn Joshua , Haq Iqbal , Baghal Ahmad 
Published: May 2021

Background
Major depression is a common comorbidity in cancer patients. Oncology clinics lack practical, objective tools for simultaneous evaluation of cancer and major depression. Fludeoxyglucose F-18 positron emission tomography–computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) is universally applied in modern medicine.

Methods
We used a retrospective analysis of whole-body FDG PET/CT images to identify brain regional metabolic patterns of major depression in multiple myeloma patients. The study included 134 multiple myeloma (MM) patients, 38 with major depression (group 1) and 96 without major depression (group 2).

Results
In the current study, Statistic Parameter Mapping (SPM) demonstrated that the major depression patient group (n = 38) had significant regional metabolic differences (clusters of continuous voxels) as compared to the non-major depression group (n = 96) with the criteria of height threshold T = 4.38 and extent threshold > 100 voxels. The five significant hypo- and three hyper-metabolic clusters from the computed T contrast maps were localized on the glass-brain view, consistent with published brain metabolic changes in major depression patients. Subsequently, using these clusters as features for classification learner, the fine tree and medium tree algorithms from 25 classification algorithms best fitted our data (accuracy 0.85%; AUC 0.88; sensitivity 79%; and specificity 88%).

Conclusion
This study demonstrated that whole-body FDG PET/CT scans could provide added value for screening for major depression in cancer patients in addition to staging and evaluating response to chemoradiation therapies.
Fat mass loss correlates with faster disease progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients: Exploring the utility of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry in a prospective study
Authors: Lee Ikjae , Kazamel Mohamed , McPherson Tarrant , McAdam Jeremy , Bamman Marcas , Amara Amy , Smith Daniel L. , King Peter H. 
Published: May 2021

Background/objective
Weight loss is a predictor of shorter survival in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We performed serial measures of body composition using Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) in ALS patients to explore its utility as a biomarker of disease progression.

Methods
DEXA data were obtained from participants with ALS (enrollment, at 6- and 12- months follow ups) and Parkinson’s disease (enrollment and at 4-month follow up) as a comparator group. Body mass index, total lean mass index, appendicular lean mass index, total fat mass index, and percentage body fat at enrollment were compared between the ALS and PD cohorts and age-matched normative data obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database. Estimated monthly changes of body composition measures in the ALS cohort were compared to those of the PD cohort and were correlated with disease progression measured by the Revised Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R).

Results
The ALS cohort (N = 20) had lower baseline total and appendicular lean mass indices compared to the PD cohort (N = 20) and general population. Loss in total and appendicular lean masses were found to be significantly associated with follow-up time. Low baseline percentage body fat (r = 0.72, p = 0.04), loss of percentage body fat (r = 0.81, p = 0.01), and total fat mass index (r = 0.73, p = 0.04) during follow up correlated significantly with monthly decline of ALSFRS-R scores in ALS cohort who had 2 or more follow-ups (N = 8).

Conclusion
Measurement of body composition with DEXA might serve as a biomarker for rapid disease progression in ALS.
Survival time to first antenatal care visit and its predictors among women in Ethiopia
Authors: Seid Abdu , Ahmed Mohammed 
Published: May 2021

Background
First-trimester pregnancy stage is the fastest developmental period of the fetus, in which all organs become well developed and need special care. Yet, many women make their first antenatal visit with the pregnancy already compromised due to fetomaternal complications. This study aimed to fill this dearth using the 2016 national representative data set to augment early antenatal care visits in Ethiopia.

Methods
A cross-sectional study design using the 2016 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) data set. Kaplan-Meir estimate was used to explain the median survival time of the timing of the first ANC visit. Multivariate Cox-proportional hazard regression analysis was performed to identify the factors related to the timing of the first ANC visit. Adjusted hazard ratios (AHR) with a 95% Confidence interval (CI) plus a p-value of < 0.05 were considered to declare a statistically significant association.

Results
Data for 4666 study participants who had ANC follow-up history during pregnancy were included in the study and analyzed. The overall median survival time in this study was seven months. The timing of the first ANC visit was shorter by 2.5 times (AHR: 2.5; 95% CI: 2.34–3.68), 4.3 times (AHR: 4.3; 95% CI: 2.2–7.66), 4.8 times (AHR: 4.8, 95% CI: 4.56–10.8) among women who attended primary, secondary, and higher education as compared with non-educated one. Similarly, women who were residing in urban areas had 3.6 times (AHR: 3.6; 95% CI: 2.7–4.32) shorter timing of first ANC visit than rural residents. Furthermore, the timing of the first visit among the richest women was 3.2 times (AHR: 3.2; 95% CI: 2.5–9.65) shorter than the poorest women.

Conclusion
The median survival time of the first ANC visit was seven months. The timing of the first ANC was longer among younger, poorer women, those who had no access to media, who considered distances as a big challenge to reach a health facility and, those with no education. Therefore, health care providers and community health workers should provide health education to create community awareness regarding the timing of the first ANC visit.
Association between serum uric acid and left ventricular hypertrophy/left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in patients with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Kim Il Young , Ye Byung Min , Kim Min Jeong , Kim Seo Rin , Lee Dong Won , Kim Hyo Jin , Rhee Harin , Song Sang Heon , Seong Eun Young , Lee Soo Bong 
Published: May 2021

BackgroundThe level of serum uric acid (SUA) has been reported to be associated with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD). However, this association remains unclear in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).MethodsA total of 1025 patients with pre-dialysis CKD with preserved left ventricular systolic function were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. The LVH and LVDD were assessed using two-dimensional echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging. The associations of LVH/LVDD with clinical and laboratory variables were investigated using univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses.ResultsIn a multivariable analysis, the SUA level was an independent predictor of LVH (odds ratio [OR]: 1.40, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.31–1.50, P < 0.001). In addition, patient age, systolic blood pressure, intact parathyroid hormone levels, and left atrial volume index levels were independent predictors of LVH. The SUA level was also an independent predictor of LVDD (OR: 1.93, 95% CI: 1.53–2.43, P < 0.001). Furthermore, systolic blood pressure and left atrial volume index levels were an independent predictor of LVDD. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the best cutoff values of SUA levels for identifying LVH and LVDD were ≥ 7.5 mg/dL and ≥ 6.3 mg/dL, respectively.ConclusionThe SUA level was an independent predictor of LVD and LVDD in patients with CKD, suggesting that SUA could be a biomarker for LVH and LVDD.
Karakteristik Subsemiring Fuzzy
Authors: Abdurrahman Saman 
Published: May 2021

Dalam tulisan ini, didefinisikan subsemiring fuzzy dan menyelidiki sifat yang terkait. Selain itu, diperkenalkan konsep subsemiring yang diinduksi dari level subset. Akhirnya, karakteristik subsemiring fuzzy diperoleh.
[In this paper, we define the notion of fuzzy subsemiring and investigate the related properties. Moreover, we introduce the idea of a subsemiring induced from the level subset. Finally, a characterization of a fuzzy subsemiring is obtained.]