bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Blockchain for decentralized multi‐drone to combat COVID‐19 and future pandemics: Framework and proposed solutions
Authors: Alsamhi Saeed Hamood , Lee Brian , Guizani Mohsen , Kumar Neeraj , Qiao Yuansong , Liu Xuan 
Published: March 2021

AbstractCurrently, drones represent a promising technology for combating Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) due to the transport of goods, medical supplies to a given target location in the quarantine areas experiencing an epidemic outbreak. Drone missions will increasingly rely on drone collaboration, which requires the drones to reduce communication complexity and be controlled in a decentralized fashion. Blockchain technology becomes a must in industrial applications because it provides decentralized data, accessibility, immutability, and irreversibility. Therefore, Blockchain makes data public for all drones and enables drones to log information concerning world states, time, location, resources, delivery data, and drone relation to all neighbors drones. This paper introduces decentralized independent multi‐drones to accomplish the task collaboratively. Improving blockchain with a consensus algorithm can improve network partitioning and scalability in order to combat COVID‐19. The multi‐drones task is to combat COVID‐19 via monitoring and detecting, social distancing, sanitization, data analysis, delivering goods and medical supplies, and announcement while avoiding collisions with one another. We discuss End to End (E2E) delivery application of combination blockchain and multi‐drone in combating COVID‐19 and beyond future pandemics. Furthermore, the challenges and opportunities of our proposed framework are highlighted.
Facility standards and the quality of public sector primary care: Evidence from South Africa's “Ideal Clinics” program
Authors: Stacey Nicholas , Mirelman Andrew , Kreif Noemi , Suhrcke Marc , Hofman Karen , Edoka Ijeoma 
Published: March 2021

AbstractPrimary healthcare systems are central to achieving universal healthcare coverage. However, in many low‐ and middle‐income country settings, primary care quality is challenged by inadequate facility infrastructure and equipment, limited human resources, and poor provider process. We study the effects of a recent large‐scale quality improvement policy in South Africa, the Ideal Clinics Realization and Maintenance Program (ICRMP). The ICRMP introduced a set of standards for facilities and a quality improvement process involving manuals, district‐based support, and external assessment. Exploiting differential prioritization of facilities for the ICRMP's quality improvement process, we apply differences‐in‐differences methods to identify the effects of the program's efforts on standards scores and primary care quality indicators over the first 12 months of implementation. We find large and statistically significant increases in standards scores, but mixed effects on care outcomes—a small magnitude improvement in early antenatal care usage, null effects on childhood immunization and cervical cancer screening, and small negative effect of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) care. While the ICRMP process has led to significant improvements in facilities' satisfaction of the program's standards, we were unable to detect meaningful change in care quality indicators.
Snowmelt characteristics in a pristine mountain catchment of the Jalovecký Creek, Slovakia, over the last three decades
Authors: Holko Ladislav , Danko Michal , Sleziak Patrik 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe Jalovecký Creek catchment, Slovakia (area 22.2 km2, mean elevation 1500 m a.s.l.), is likely the last big valley complex in the Carpathian Mountains, in which the hydrological cycle is still governed by natural processes. Hydrological research is conducted there since the end of the 1980s. The overall mission of the research is to increase the knowledge about the hydrological cycle in the highest part of the Carpathians. The research agenda, briefly introduced in the first part of this article, is focused on water balance, snow accumulation and melt and runoff formation. Recent analysis of precipitation, discharge, snow cover and isotopic data from period 1989–2018 indicates that hydrological cycle has become more dynamic since 2014. Although several indicators suggest that it could be related to the cold part of the year, direct links with snow storage and the contribution of snowmelt water to catchment runoff were not confirmed. The second part of the article is therefore focused on an analysis of daily cycles in streamflow in March to June 1988–2018 to obtain a deeper insight into the snowmelt process. We describe characteristics of the cycles and examine their variability over the study period. The results indicate that less snow at the lowest elevations (800–1150 m a.s.l.) since 2009 could have influenced the cessation of the cycles in June since 2010. The possible role of the decreased amount of snow at the lowest elevations in changes in runoff characteristics is also suggested by an increase in time lags between maximum discharges during the events and maximum air temperatures preceding discharge maxima measured near the catchment outlet (at 750 m a.s.l.) in spring 2018 compared to springs with a similar number of streamflow cycles in the years 1988, 2000 and 2009. Wavelet analysis did not indicate changes in global power spectra in hourly discharge and air temperature data.
Cancer clinical trial vs real‐world outcomes for standard of care first‐line treatment in the advanced disease setting
Authors: Kostos Louise , Hong Wei , Lee Belinda , Tran Ben , Lok Sheau Wen , Anton Angelyn , Gard Grace , To Yat Hang , Wong Vanessa , Shapiro Jeremy , Wong Rachel , Wong Shirley , de Boer Richard , Gibbs Peter 
Published: March 2021

AbstractClinical trials have strict eligibility criteria, potentially limiting external validity. However, while often discussed this has seldom been explored, particularly across cancer types and at variable time frames posttrial completion. We examined comprehensive registry data (January 2014 to June 2019) for standard first‐line treatments for metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC), advanced pancreatic cancer (PC), metastatic HER2‐amplified breast cancer (BC) and castrate‐resistant prostate cancer (CaP). Registry patient characteristics and outcomes were compared to the practice‐changing trial. Registry patients were older than the matched trial cohort by a median of 2‐6 years (all P = <.01) for the CRC, BC and PC cohorts. The proportion of Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) 0‐1 patients was lower for CRC (94.1% vs 99.2%, P = .001) and BC (94.9% vs 99.3%, P = .001). Progression‐free survival (PFS) for registry patients was similar to the trial patients or significantly longer (CaP, Hazard Ratio [HR] = 0.65, P = <.001). Overall survival (OS) was also similar or significantly longer (CaP, HR 0.49, P = <.001). In conclusion, despite real‐world patients sometimes being older or having inferior PS to trial cohorts, the survival outcomes achieved were consistently equal or superior to those reported for the same treatment in the trial. We suggest that this is potentially due to optimised use of each treatment over time, improved multidisciplinary care and increased postprogression options. We can reassure clinicians and patients that outcomes matching or exceeding those reported in trials are possible. The potential for survival gains over time should routinely be factored into future trial statistical plans.
Bupivacaine‐eluting soy protein structures for controlled release and localized pain relief: An in vitro and in vivo study
Authors: Goder Daniella , Giladi Shir , Furer Ariel , Zilberman Meital 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBurn pain is known to be excruciating, and while burn care has greatly advanced, treatment for burn‐related pain is lacking. Current pain relief methods include systemic administration of analgesics, which does not provide high drug concentration at the wound site. In the present study, soy protein was used as the base material for bupivacaine‐loaded hybrid wound dressings. The effect of the formulation on the drug release profile was studied using high performance liquid chromatography, and the cytotoxicity was tested on human fibroblasts. A second‐degree burn model in rats was used to quantify the efficacy of the wound dressings in vivo, using the Rat Grimace Scale. All tested films exhibited high biocompatibility, and the drug release profiles showed rapid release during the initial 5 hr and a continuous slower release for another 24 hr. Significant pain relief was achieved in the animal trials, proving a decrease of 51–68% in pain levels during days 1–3 post‐burn. Hence, the results indicate a safe and controlled bupivacaine release for a period of more than 24 hr, effectively treating pain caused by second‐degree burns. The understanding of the formulation‐properties effects, together with our in vivo study, enables to advance this field toward tailorable systems with high therapeutic potential.
Accumulation and health implications of metals in topsoil of an urban riparian zone adjacent to different functional areas in a subtropical city
Authors: Zeng Yue , Liu Jian , Li Yunqin , Wang Qianfeng , Liu Zhanming , Zeng Jingyu 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe riparian zone is a river–land ecotone, and its environmental conditions have a significant effect on the river ecosystem and population health. In this study, As, Cu, Cr, Cd, Mn, Fe, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the topsoils of urban riparian zones in a subtropical city in southeast China were quantitatively estimated by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry. The geoaccumulation index and health risk evaluation model were adopted to assess the accumulation characteristic and health risk of residents’ exposure to metals. Principle component analysis was used to determine the source of metals. The results showed that the mean contents of metals (except Fe) were higher than the soil background value, but none of the metal contents exceeded the mass limit of environmental quality standards. The order of the geoaccumulation index was Cd > Mn > Cu > Cr > Pb > Zn > As > Ni > Fe. The contamination level of Cd was classified as slight, whereas the other metals did not contribute to pollution. The spatial distribution of metals in the riparian zone was compatible with the pattern of functional zones in the adjacent urban areas, where levels of Cr, Cd, Fe, Mn, and Ni were higher in commercial areas, as were Pb and Zn in under‐construction land and As in residential and industrial areas. Carcinogenic risks of Cr, As, and Pb were acceptable. The hazard index indicated no significant noncarcinogenic risks from any metals. However, noncarcinogenic risks of metals other than Mn were higher for children than for adults, and the primary exposure route of metal into the human body was ingestion for children and inhalation for adults. Principle component analysis indicated that the primary sources of Cr, Ni, Mn, Cu, and Fe were pedogenic processes and mineral weathering, whereas Zn, As, Pb, and Cd mainly originated from anthropogenic sources, specifically, Zn from transportation emission, Pb from transportation emission and industry waste, As from coal combustion and residential waste, and Cd from pigments/paint used in commercial buildings, urban greening, consumer waste, and transportation emission.
Do radiation therapists feel able to routinely screen for symptoms and distress in people with cancer: barriers impacting practice
Authors: Arnold Belinda L. , Halkett Georgia , Dhillon Haryana , Girgis Afaf 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIntroductionThis study aimed to evaluate radiation therapists’ (RTs) perceptions regarding the perceived barriers, knowledge, attitudes, confidence and role in administering an electronic screening tool to routinely screen for cancer patients’ symptoms and distress.MethodsRTs at two radiation therapy departments completed a cross‐sectional paper/pen survey to assess their demographic and workplace characteristics, perceptions of barriers, knowledge, attitudes, confidence and opinion of their role in symptom and distress screening. Responses were evaluated using simple frequencies and free‐text responses using thematic analysis.ResultsOf 39 RTs approached, 37 (95%) participated. The majority had not previously attended any emotional cues (77%) or psychosocial training (86%); 68% reported confidence discussing psychosocial concerns and recognising signs of anxiety and depression in patients, and 65% felt discussing patients’ psychosocial concerns was part of their role. Administering the tool to patients was agreed to be the role of RTs by 38% of participants. Lack of education about psychosocial issues was the highest‐ranked barrier to delivering the patient screening tool, with 74% of RTs responding ‘it has made it difficult’.ConclusionWhilst RTs are willing to play a role in patients’ psychosocial support, they do not feel able to fulfil this role adequately because they lacked knowledge and confidence to administer symptom and distress screening. This research has highlighted the need for RT education on psychosocial concerns and recognising and responding to emotional cues. Understanding the impact education may have on the knowledge, attitude, confidence and role of RTs performing routine symptom and distress screening is required.
Thermal/Near‐Infrared Light Dual‐Responsive Reversible Two‐Way Shape Memory cEVA/2D‐MoO2 Composite for Multifunctional Applications
Authors: Hao Chaobo , Wei Cong , Wang Yujie , Sun Zhichao , Liu Hao , Dai Ruixin , Huang Miaoming , He Suqin , Liu Wentao , Zhu Chengshen 
Published: March 2021

AbstractLight‐responsive reversible two‐way shape memory polymers (2W‐SMPs) are highly promising for many fields due to indirect heating, clean, and remote control. In this work, a composite with both thermal‐ and near‐infrared (NIR) light‐induced reversible two‐way shape memory effect (2W‐SME) is prepared by doping extremely little quantities of 2D non‐layered molybdenum dioxide nanosheets (2D‐MoO2) into semicrystalline poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate) (EVA) networks. This is the first report on light‐induced reversible two‐way shape memory composites employing 2D‐MoO2 as photothermal fillers. Upon switching the NIR light on and off, due to the excellent photothermal feature and stability of 2D‐MoO2, the composite exhibits remarkable light‐induced reversible 2W‐SME. A light‐driven actuator for sensing applications is designed based on the composite and the circuit, where the lamp acting as an alarm can raise and fade upon responding to NIR light. A completely flexible, fuel‐free self‐walking soft robot is designed based on the advantages of the light‐responsive reversible 2W‐SMPs. Additionally, the composite acting as a light‐fueled crane is able to lift and lower a load that is 3846 times its own weight. The results demonstrate that the prepared composite has a promising prospect for applications as actuators, self‐walking soft robot and crane.
A cross‐sectional study of readiness for discharge, chronic illness resources and postdischarge outcomes in patients with diabetic foot ulcer
Authors: Wang Mingzhu , Lv Lixue , Yu Zhaohong , Gao Limei , Lu Qiaocong , Ou Jiefen , Luo Shaozhuang 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAimTo investigate the correlation of readiness for hospital discharge, the chronic illness resources, and postdischarge outcomes of diabetic foot ulcer patients, which can be help for discharged patient rehabilitation.DesignA cross‐sectional study.MethodsOne hundred and seventy‐nine patients were recruited from the Endocrinology units of two tertiary hospitals between November 2018–September 2019, in Guangdong, China. The methods used were Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale, The Chronic Illness Resources Survey and one‐on‐one telephone interviews.ResultsPearson correlation coefficients indicated moderate correlation between the readiness for discharge and resource availability for chronic illnesses (r = .446, p < .001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that Chronic Illness Resources Survey, self‐care ability, methods of wound treatments after discharge, and living alone were the main predictors of readiness for hospital discharge among diabetic foot ulcer patients (F = 12.272, p < .001, R2 = .621, = .571). The study was limited by location, patient's recall bias and lack of BADL scale, which can be further improved in subsequent studies by developing multi‐centre clinical study and adopting more objective assessment tools.
Publication Bias in Gastrointestinal Oncology Trials Performed over the Past Decade
Authors: Peters Gabrielle W. , Tao Weiwei , Wei Wei , Miccio Joseph A. , Jethwa Krishan R. , Cecchini Michael , Johung Kimberly L. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Background
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are the gold standard for evidence-based practice, but their development and implementation is resource intensive. We aimed to describe modern RCTs in gastrointestinal (GI) cancer and identify predictors of successful accrual and publication.

Materials and Methods
ClinicalTrials.gov was queried for phase III GI cancer RCTs opened between 2010 and 2019 and divided into two cohorts: past and recruiting. Past trials were analyzed for predictors of successful accrual and the subset with ≥3 years follow-up were analyzed for predictors of publication. Univariate and multivariable (MVA) logistic regression were used to identify covariates associated with complete accrual and publication status.

Results
A total of 533 GI RCTs were opened from 2010 to 2019, 244 of which are still recruiting. In the “past” trials cohort (235/533) MVA, Asian continent of enrollment was a predictor for successful accrual, whereas trials with prolonged enrollment (duration longer than median of 960 days) trended to failed accrual. Predictors for publication on MVA included international enrollment and accrual completion. Sponsorship was not associated with accrual or publication. Notably, 33% of past trials remain unpublished, and 60% of trials that were closed early remain unpublished.

Conclusion
Accrual rate and the primary continent of enrollment drive both trial completion and publication in GI oncology. Accrual must be streamlined to enhance the impact of RCTs on clinical management. A large portion of trials remain unpublished, underscoring the need to encourage dissemination of all trials to, at a minimum, inform future trial design.

Implications for Practice
Two-thirds of gastrointestinal (GI) oncology phase III randomized controlled trials successfully accrue; however, one third of these trials are unpublished and more than half of trials that close early are unpublished. The strongest predictors for publication are successful accrual and international collaborations. Initiatives to optimize the trial enrollment process need to be explored to maximize the potential for trials to engender progress in clinical practice. Moreover, this study identified a significant publication bias in the realm of GI oncology, and the field should promote reporting of all trials in order to better inform future trial questions and design.
The Effect of Title IX on Gender Disparity in Graduate Education
Authors: Rim Nayoung 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis paper examines whether Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which banned sex discrimination in admissions, was successful in reducing gender disparity in graduate education. Using school‐level survey data and a national survey of college degree‐holders, I find that female enrollment at graduate schools increased by an average of 18.7 percent following Title IX's passage. This phenomenon was mainly driven by schools that had greater incentive to comply with the new law. I also find evidence that Title IX reduced gender disparities across degree fields; the female‐male gap in traditionally male fields closed by 3.2 to 8.5 percentage points after Title IX. These results are robust to alternative explanations, such as the end of the Vietnam War draft, law changes related to fertility, and other events that occurred between the late 1960s and early 1970s that may also have affected female educational decisions.
Polymer‐based chromogenic sensors for the detection of compounds of environmental interest
Authors: Urbano Bruno F , Bustamante Saúl , Palacio Daniel A , Vera Myleidi , Rivas Bernabé L 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe applications of functional polymers to different research fields have been increasing. An especially important application is the use of polymer‐based sensors for the chromogenic detection of compounds of environmental interest in water. Polymer matrix supports have been developed to improve the sensing capacity and performance of chromogenic sensors. Therefore, research in the area of sensor design and manufacturing for pollutant detection is increasingly interesting to many scientific communities ranging from biological and chemical sciences to engineering. This subject of this review is colorimetric sensors that enable the rapid and quantitative detection of different analytes within a laboratory setup. The applications of different types of polymer‐based sensors used in the chromogenic detection of compounds of environmental interest are reviewed and analysed. © 2021 Society of Industrial Chemistry.
Capture rates of comorbidity measures at inpatient rehabilitation facilities after a stroke or brain injury
Authors: Robbins Gregory T. , Goldstein Richard , Siddiqui Sameer , Huang Donna S. , Zafonte Ross , Schneider Jeffrey C. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundComorbidity indices have been used to represent the overall medical complexity of patient populations in clinical research; however, it is not known how well they capture the comorbidities of patients with a stroke or brain injury admitted to inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs).ObjectiveTo determine how well commonly used comorbidity indices capture the comorbidities of patients admitted to IRFs after a stroke or brain injury.DesignCross‐sectional, retrospective study.SettingIRFs nationwide.ParticipantsAdults from four impairment groups: (1) hemorrhagic stroke, (2) ischemic stroke, (3) nontraumatic brain injury (NTBI), and (4) traumatic brain injury (TBI).Main Outcome MeasuresInternational Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD‐10‐CM) codes were extracted from the Uniform Data System for Medical Rehabilitation (UDSMR) for IRF discharges from October 1, 2015 to December 31, 2017. The percentage of discharges captured by Deyo‐Charlson, Elixhauser, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) tiers was determined, as was the percentage of comorbidities captured. These measures were also compared with respect to their ability to capture chronic medical complexity by examining the percentage of codes captured after removal of codes deemed to represent hospital complications or sequela of the admission diagnosis.ResultsThe percentage of discharges without at least one ICD‐10‐CM code captured by any index ranged from 0.3%‐3.8%. The percentage of comorbidities with a prevalence exceeding 1% captured by at least one index ranged from 37.1%‐43.6%. Chronic comorbidities were most likely to be captured by Elixhauser (40.7%‐44.4%), followed by Deyo‐Charlson (7.8%‐9.6%), then CMS tiers (4.5%‐6.9%). Existing comorbidity measures capture most IRF discharges related to a brain injury or stroke, whereas most medical comorbidities escape representation. Several common, functionally relevant diagnoses were not captured.ConclusionThe use of comorbidity indices in the IRF neurologic injury population should account for the fact that these measures miss several common, important comorbidities.