bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of postal and non-postal post-vasectomy semen sample submission strategies on compliance and failures: an 11-year analysis of the audit database of the Association of Surgeons in Primary Care of the UK
Authors: Atkinson Melanie , James Gareth , Bond Katie , Harcombe Zoe , Labrecque Michel 
Published: July 2021

BackgroundVasectomy occlusive success is defined by the recommendation of ‘clearance’ to stop other contraception, and is elicited by post-vasectomy semen analysis (PVSA). We evaluated how the choice of either a postal or non-postal PVSA submission strategy was associated with compliance to PVSA and effectiveness of vasectomy.MethodsWe studied vasectomies performed in the UK from 2008 to 2019, reported in annual audits by Association of Surgeons in Primary Care members. We calculated the difference between the two strategies for compliance with PVSA, and early and late vasectomy failure. We determined compliance by adding the numbers of men with early failure and those given clearance. We performed stratified analyses by the number of test guidance for clearance (one-test/two-test) and the study period (2008–2013/2014–2019).ResultsAmong 58 900 vasectomised men, 32 708 (56%) and 26 192 (44%) were advised submission by postal and non-postal strategies, respectively. Compliance with postal (79.5%) was significantly greater than with non-postal strategy (59.1%), the difference being 20.4% (95% CI 19.7% to 21.2%). In compliant patients, overall early failure detection was lower with postal (0.73%) than with non-postal (0.94%) strategy (−0.22%, 95% CI −0.41% to −0.04%), but this difference was neither clinically nor statistically significant with one-test guidance in 2014–2019. There was no difference in late failure rates.ConclusionsPostal strategy significantly increased compliance to PVSA with similar failure detection rates. This resulted in more individuals receiving clearance or early failure because of the greater percentage of postal samples submitted. Postal strategy warrants inclusion in any future guidelines as a reliable and convenient option.
Behavioural interventions for CVD risk reduction for blue-collar workers: a systematic review
Authors: Crane Melissa M , Halloway Shannon , Walts Zoe L , Gavin Kara L , Moss Angela , Westrick Jennifer C , Appelhans Bradley M 
Published: July 2021

Objectives
Individuals working in blue-collar occupations experience high rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The purpose of this systematic review is to describe the characteristics and efficacy of behavioural interventions that have targeted CVD risk factors in this high-risk group.

Methods
Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, we searched seven databases to find interventions focused on changing the following: blood pressure, cholesterol, diet, physical activity, smoking or weight. Eligible studies tested a behavioural intervention (not exclusively policy, environmental, or pharmaceutical), in individuals working in blue-collar occupations using a randomised study design. Study quality was evaluated using the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s study quality assessment tool.

Results
22 studies evaluating 31 interventions were included: 11 were rated as ‘good’ or ‘fair’ quality. Intervention intensity ranged from a single contact via a mailed letter to studies that included individual-level contacts at multiple time points between staff and participants. Studies that included at least some individual contact generally yielded the greatest effects. Interventions had the greatest observed effects on self-report changes in diet, regardless of intervention intensity. Four of the five higher quality studies that explicitly tailored the intervention to the occupational group were successful at reducing at least one risk factor.

Conclusions
Interventions that used individual contact and tailored the intervention to the occupational setting yielded the greatest effects on CVD risk-factor reduction in individuals working in blue-collar occupations. Generally, studies were low quality but showed promising effects for reaching this high-risk population. Future work should incorporate these promising findings in higher quality studies.

PROSPERO registration number
CRD42019136183.
O’Donnell-Luria-Rodan syndrome: description of a second multinational cohort and refinement of the phenotypic spectrum
Authors: Velmans Clara , O'Donnell-Luria Anne H , Argilli Emanuela , Tran Mau-them Frederic , Vitobello Antonio , Chan Marcus CY , Fung Jasmine Lee-Fong , Rech Megan , Abicht Angela , Aubert Mucca Marion , Carmichael Jason , Chassaing Nicolas , Clark Robin , Coubes Christine , Denommé-Pichon Anne-Sophie , de Dios John Karl , England Eleina , Funalot Benoit , Gerard Marion , Joseph Maries , Kennedy Colleen , Kumps Camille , Willems Marjolaine , van de Laar Ingrid M B.H , Aarts-Tesselaar Coranne , van Slegtenhorst Marjon , Lehalle Daphné , Leppig Kathleen , Lessmeier Lennart , Pais Lynn S , Paterson Heather , Ramanathan Subhadra , Rodan Lance H , Superti-Furga Andrea , Chung Brian H.Y. , Sherr Elliott , Netzer Christian , Schaaf Christian P , Erger Florian 
Published: July 2021

BackgroundO’Donnell-Luria-Rodan syndrome (ODLURO) is an autosomal-dominant neurodevelopmental disorder caused by pathogenic, mostly truncating variants in KMT2E. It was first described by O’Donnell-Luria et al in 2019 in a cohort of 38 patients. Clinical features encompass macrocephaly, mild intellectual disability (ID), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) susceptibility and seizure susceptibility.MethodsAffected individuals were ascertained at paediatric and genetic centres in various countries by diagnostic chromosome microarray or exome/genome sequencing. Patients were collected into a case cohort and were systematically phenotyped where possible.ResultsWe report 18 additional patients from 17 families with genetically confirmed ODLURO. We identified 15 different heterozygous likely pathogenic or pathogenic sequence variants (14 novel) and two partial microdeletions of KMT2E. We confirm and refine the phenotypic spectrum of the KMT2E-related neurodevelopmental disorder, especially concerning cognitive development, with rather mild ID and macrocephaly with subtle facial features in most patients. We observe a high prevalence of ASD in our cohort (41%), while seizures are present in only two patients. We extend the phenotypic spectrum by sleep disturbances.ConclusionOur study, bringing the total of known patients with ODLURO to more than 60 within 2 years of the first publication, suggests an unexpectedly high relative frequency of this syndrome worldwide. It seems likely that ODLURO, although just recently described, is among the more common single-gene aetiologies of neurodevelopmental delay and ASD. We present the second systematic case series of patients with ODLURO, further refining the mutational and phenotypic spectrum of this not-so-rare syndrome.
Surgical outcomes between temporal, extratemporal epilepsies and hypothalamic hamartoma: systematic review and meta-analysis of MRI-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy for drug-resistant epilepsy
Authors: Barot Niravkumar , Batra Kavita , Zhang Jerry , Klem Mary Lou , Castellano James , Gonzalez-Martinez Jorge , Bagic Anto 
Published: July 2021

BackgroundApproximately 1/3 of patients with epilepsy have drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) and require surgical interventions. This meta-analysis aimed to review the effectiveness of MRI-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (MRgLITT) in DRE.MethodsThe Population, Intervention, Comparator and Outcome approach and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses were followed. PubMed, MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were systematically searched for English language publications from 2012 to Nov 2020. Data on the prevalence outcome using the Engel Epilepsy Surgery Outcome Scale (Class I–IV), and postoperative complications were analysed with 95% CIs.ResultsTwenty-eight studies that included a total of 559 patients with DRE were identified. The overall prevalence of Engel class I outcome was 56% (95% CI 0.52% to 0.60%). Hypothalamic hamartomas (HH) patients had the highest seizure freedom rate of 67% (95% CI 0.57% to 0.76%) and outcome was overall comparable between mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE) (56%, 95% CI 0.50% to 0.61%) and extratemporal epilepsy (50% 95% CI 0.40% to 0.59%). The mTLE cases with mesial temporal sclerosis had better outcome vs non-lesional cases of mTLE. The prevalence of postoperative adverse events was 19% (95% CI 0.14% to 0.25%) and the most common adverse event was visual field deficits. The reoperation rate was 9% (95% CI 0.05% to 0.14%), which included repeat ablation and open resection.ConclusionMRgLITT is an effective and safe intervention for DRE with different disease aetiologies. The seizure freedom outcome is overall comparable in between extratemporal and temporal lobe epilepsy; and highest with HH.Trail registration numberThe study protocol was registered with the National Institute for Health Research (CRD42019126365), which serves as a prospective register of systematic reviews. It is an international database of prospectively registered systematic reviews with a focus on health-related outcomes. Details about the protocol can be found at https://wwwcrdyorkacuk/PROSPERO/.
Newborn screening for spinal muscular atrophy with disease-modifying therapies: a cost-effectiveness analysis
Authors: Shih Sophy TF , Farrar Michelle Anne , Wiley Veronica , Chambers Georgina 
Published: July 2021

ObjectiveTo assess cost-effectiveness of newborn screening (NBS) for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and early treatment with nusinersen or onasemnogene abeparvovec (gene therapy), compared with nusinersen without SMA screening.MethodsInformed by an Australian state-wide SMA NBS programme, a decision analytical model nested with Markov models was constructed to evaluate costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) from a societal perspective with sensitivity analyses.ResultsBy treating one presymptomatic SMA infant with nusinersen or gene therapy, an additional 9.93 QALYs were gained over 60 years compared with late treatment in clinically diagnosed SMA. The societal cost was $9.8 million for early nusinersen treatment, $4.4 million for early gene therapy and $4.8 million for late nusinersen treatment. Compared with late nusinersen treatment, early gene therapy would be dominant, gaining 9.93 QALYs while saving $360 000; whereas early nusinersen treatment would result in a discounted incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of $507 000/QALY.At a population level, compared with no screening and late treatment with nusinersen, NBS and early gene therapy resulted in 0.00085 QALY gained over 60 years and saving $24 per infant screened (85 QALYs gained and $2.4 million saving per 100 000 infants screened). More than three quarters of simulated ICERs by probability sensitivity analyses showed NBS and gene therapy would be dominant or less than $50 000/QALY, compared with no screening and late nusinersen treatment.ConclusionNBS coupled with gene therapy improves the quality and length of life for infants with SMA and would be considered value-for-money from an Australian clinical and policy context.
Values for victims and vectors of disease
Authors: Kugelberg Elsa 
Published: July 2021

John and Curran have convincingly shown that Scanlonian contractualism is a valuable resource for evaluating pandemic response policies, and that we should reject cost–benefit analysis in favour of a contractualist framework. However, they fail to consider the part of contractualism that Scanlon constructed precisely to deal with the question of when the state can restrict individuals from making choices that are harmful to themselves and others: the value of choice view (VoC). In doing so, they leave it open for opponents of lockdowns to misuse contractualism to justify mistaken policies. This is because the most powerful contractualist objections to locking down are likely to be based on the VoC.When we apply the value of choice view (VoC), we see that a lockdown policy’s justifiability depends on the extent to which particular values of choice are found to be threatened by the policy in question, and what safeguards policy-makers have put in place to increase the value of choice and protect people from the harmful consequences of lockdown. Without the VoC, it is harder to explain why lockdowns, to be non-rejectable, must have certain features. With the VoC, the case for contractualism over cost benefit analysis (CBA) can be made even stronger.
Characterization of the angular response of a multi-directional spectroradiometer for measuring spectral radiance
Authors: Tobar Foster Mario , Weide Eduardo Luiz , Niedzwiedz Angelika , Duffert Jens , Seckmeyer Gunther 
Published: July 2021

AbstractDespite its importance, few instruments are able to measure the angular distribution of the solar spectrum with a high spectral and temporal resolution. We present a novel characterization method of the multi-directional entrance optics of the AMUDIS (Advanced MUltiDIrectional Spectroradiometer) which is a multidirectional spectroradiometer based on three CCD image sensors combined with imaging spectrographs. The new type of entrance optics consists of 435 different optical fibres uniformly distributed along 145 directions covering the upper hemisphere and allowing simultaneous measurements of the radiance in the ultraviolet, visible and near infrared part of the spectrum, ranging from 280 nm to 1700 nm. The experimental setup for characterizing the multidirectional entrance optics is based on a 100 W halogen lamp and a robotic arm, which moves the lamp tangentially over the surface of a virtual sphere of 102.5 cm radius around the entrance optics. The characterization revealed misalignments in the position of the optical fibres of up to 3∘ (which can affect radiance measurements, specially under broken clouds conditions). The novel characterization method improved 3-fold the alignment up to ±0.1∘
PrBaCo2O5+δ-Sm0.5Sr0.5CoO3 Composite Oxide as Active Cathode for Intermediate-Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Authors: Ishihara Tatsumi , Islamiyah Syuaibatul , Kluczny Maksymilian , Song Jun Tae , Takagaki Atsushi 
Published: July 2021

From decreasing the cost and the reliability of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), increase in power density is strongly required. In order to achieve these requirements, decrease in operating temperature is the most effective way. However, reduced operating temperature leads to significant decrease in electrode activity, particularly cathode. Therefore, the development of novel and highly active cathode is strongly required for intermediate temperature (873-1073 K). In this study, we studied cathodic performance of double perovskite oxide of PrBaCo2O5 as active cathode of SOFC. Because of delamination of PrBaCo2O5 cathode is easily occurred because of larger thermal expansion coefficient. Mixing effects of PrBaCo2O5 with another perovskite oxide were investigated using a LaGaO3-based electrolyte. The electrochemical performance of the cell was measured using electrolyte-supported single cell at 873, 973 and 1073 K and humidified H2 was used as fuel and O2 as oxidant.
Among the oxides mixed with PrBaCo2O5 (PBCO), it was found that mixing Sm0.5Sr0.5CoO3 (SSC)shows the smallest cathodic overpotential and the most suitable for increase in cathodic activity. Therefore, composite oxide of PBCO with SSC is active as cathode for SOFC. However, the cells with composite cathodes show lower performance at 1073 K comparing with PBCO cathode and this could be explained by small cathodic internal resistance at 873 K. On the other hand, the cell with PBCO-SSC (1:1) shows small overpotential at 873 K and much larger power density. Therefore, it was found that mixing PBCO with SSC shows the positive effects on the oxygen dissociation on the cathode at decreased temperature and suitable for low temperature operation SOFC. The optimization of SSC content on the cathodic activity of PBCO-SSC mixed oxide was further studied. The cathodic overpotential at 50 mA/cm2 was decreased with increasing amount of SSC and the smallest overpotential was achieved at 1:1 composition at all temperature studied. Positive effects of mixing PBCO and SSC could be assigned to the increased three phase boundary and increased activity to oxygen dissociation. Since cathodic overpotential was decreased significantly by mixing PBCO-SSC, power density of the cell using PBCO-SSC cathode at 1:1 composition shows 232 mW/cm2 at 873 K which is two times larger than that of the cell using PBCO single oxide cathode. Application of PBCO-SSC composite oxide for anode of steam electrolyser was also studied and it was found that PBCO-SSC is also active to oxygen association under applied voltage. Therefore, this study reveals that PBCO-SSC composite is potential air electrode material for intermediate-temperature solid oxide cells.
Investigation of the Redox Behaviour of Double Perovskite PrBaMn2O5+δ
Authors: Felli Andrea , Trovarelli Alessandro , Boaro Marta 
Published: July 2021

Double perovskite PrBaMn2O5+δ (l-PBM) has recently shown interesting properties as electrode for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology, such as high stability, good ionic and electronic conductivity in both oxidising and reducing atmosphere [1]. It is obtainable by the reduction at high temperature of the starting mixed cubic-hexagonal perovskite Pr0.5Ba0.5MnO3-δ (m-PBM), where the Pr3+ and Ba2+ cations are stochastically disposed in the A-site of the lattice. Conversely, the double perovskite shows ordinated and alternated layers of PrO and BaO, intercalated by MnO2 planes [2].
Here, we use a multi analytical approach and temperature programmed techniques of analysis (temperature programmed X-ray diffractometry, TP-XRD, temperature programmed reduction TPR, thermogravimetric oxidation and reduction analysis, TGA) to deeply study the phase transition between the m-PBM and the l-PBM. m-PBM sample was prepared by an auto-combustion based citrate procedure [3] and exposed to consecutive oxidation and reduction cycles at high temperature to understand the effect of oxidizing and reducing atmospheres on structural changes and stabilization of the layered double perovskite. By in
situ XRD analysis we discovered the existence of a metastable cubic structure (c-PBM), which is formed from the direct oxidation of l-PBM at SOFCs operating temperatures (750 °C). Furthermore, we demonstrated the reversibility of transition from c-PBM to l-PBM during several oxidation and reduction cycles. TPR results confirmed the c-PBM to l-PBM reversibility, and the TGA characterization showed a fast transition between l-PBM to c-PBM. The oxidation of l-PBM to c-PBM seems pivotal for the stabilization of the layered structure. The results are discussed in view of a controlled exsolution of metal phase when the B site of m-PBM is doped with Co, Ni and/or Fe and in the perspective to develop versatile electrodes for SOE/SOFC applications.

References

[1] S. Afroze, A. Karim, Q. Cheok, S. Eriksson, and A. Azad, Front. Energy, 13 (2019) 770-797
[2] S. Sengodan et al.
Nat. Mater., 14 (2015) 205–209.
[3] L. Zhao, K. Chen, Y. Liu, and B. He, J. Power Sources, 34 (2017) 313-319.

Acknowledgements

Authors thank MIUR for funding (PRIN project-DIRECTBIOSOFC, 2017FCFYHK, 2019-2022)
First-Principle Study of Hole Localization in La1-XSrxFeO3-δ
Authors: Hartmann Cintia , Laurencin Jérôme , Geneste Grégory 
Published: July 2021

The durability and efficiency of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells or Electrolysis Cells (SOFC/SOEC) depend on the reaction mechanisms taking place within the electrodes. These mechanisms combine a series of elementary steps including mass and charge transfers along with chemical and electrochemical reactions. These processes are still not precisely understood as they involve complex physical phenomena occurring at the atomic scale. Therefore, it is still required to carry out some fundamental studies to better unravel the basic mechanisms involved in the material properties such as the electronic or ionic conductivity, etc. For such basic investigations, the ab-initio modeling is nowadays recognized as a powerful and relevant method. In this context, this work aims to provide deeper insights into the mechanisms at atomic scale by using Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations.
La1-xSrxCoyFe1-yO3-δ (LSCF) and LSCF-based materials are Mixed Ionic-Electronic Conductors, which are commonly used as oxygen electrode for the SOFCs/SOECs [1]. LSCF is a perovskite oxide that contains two transition metals, i.e. cobalt and iron. Owing to the complexity of this system, our work was first devoted to the parent material La1-xSrxFeO3 (LSF), which was here studied by DFT+U calculations. A special focus was paid to finely describe the localization of holes and the formation of oxygen vacancies as a function of the oxygen partial pressure.
Electronic structure calculations were carried out at different strontium contents x (x=0.0, x~0.1, x~0.4, x~0.6). Progressive changes during Sr substitution were evaluated in the Density Of State (DOS). The probability densities of the gap-state wave functions were visualized in order to describe the spatial extension of the localized electron holes. The oxygen vacancy concentration, which is related to the oxygen diffusion coefficient, was calculated and coupled to a defect model in order to give at any temperature and partial oxygen pressure the defect concentration. This work will be extended to the typical LSCF material to provide some essential insights into the chemistry of this imperfect solid.
[1] S. P. Jiang, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2019, 44, 7448 – 7493