bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Human Trafficking Analyzed as a Crime Against Humanity
Authors: Tolar Autumn D. 
Published: April 2021

Summary
The global legal landscape recognizes the seriousness of human trafficking crimes yet many cases remain unheard. Current classifications of this crime along with jurisdictional requites for the International Criminal Courts are preventing adjudication of trafficking in persons when there is a factor of transnationality. I argue that the solution to positioning human trafficking into the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Courts is to analyze its rise to the level of a crime against humanity. Until this point, there has not been a human trafficking case well suited to make this argument to thoroughly demonstrate all the elements required to be classified as a crime against humanity. I argue that not only does the cross examination of human trafficking, under the Trafficking Protocol and the enumerated acts of Article 7(1) of the Rome Statute, meet the elements of a crime against humanity, but that the recent human trafficking situation of the Rohingya people in Myanmar further demonstrates its potential application and necessity. Classifying human trafficking as a crime against humanity would put these cases in the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Courts which would give previously domestically neglected cases an opportunity to be prosecuted and potentially deter the growing human trafficking epidemic.
Form of Arbitration Agreement in a Comparative Perspective
Authors: Ryšavý Lukáš 
Published: April 2021

Summary
The arbitration agreement is one of the basic pillars and conditions of arbitration, without which arbitration cannot take place. In addition to the content requirements, it must be concluded in the required form in accordance with the relevant regulations. This article deals with the form of an arbitration agreement and on the example of various legal orders it shows the possibilities that can be encountered in the issue of formal requirements on an arbitration agreement. The comparative approach is intended to underline the importance of arbitration in international context and the importance of uniform, or at least similar, regulation from the point of view of legal certainty, for example. Despite the partial differences, it can be positively stated that the legal systems strive for a balance between informality and excessive formalism, and respect (also for practice) important principles important such as potius valeat actus quam pereat or the autonomy of the parties.
The Conflict between the Principles of the National Identity of Member States and Values of European Union Such as Rule of Law, Respect for Human Rights and Liberal Democracy – Case Study of Hungary
Authors: Suyunova Kumush 
Published: April 2021

Summary
Human rights are indivisible. The EU holds resolute tone against the challenges of universal human rights. As an adequate method of governance the EU acknowledges the rule of law that encompasses transparent and reliable legal system, an independent judiciary, prevention of arbitrary executive power; legal egalitarianism and respect for rights and freedoms of individuals. The concept of democracy determines the values behind the governance of a country. Thus, the EU’s vision of democracy comprises several principles: political equality, representative and participative democracy, which include fair elections, separation of power, effective checks and balances. However, despite the EU’s efforts to promote human rights, rule of law and democracy, some member States are still lagging behind the overall positive achievement. Hungary, who pick up illiberal democracy over established European values, has become the focus of attention.
Securing Human Right to Water through Public Procurement in Slovakia
Authors: Máčaj Adam 
Published: April 2021

Summary
The paper aims firstly to assess the deficiencies in access to drinking water that are present in Slovakia. Recently, the country was condemned for various violations in ensuring access to drinking water for all, whether by third parties, but also national institutions and international organizations. Drawing upon the identified failures and violations, the actions undertaken to remedy the situation are analysed, especially in order to establish whether Slovakia dispenses with its obligations under the human right to water and addresses the identified problems satisfactorily. Finally, the process of public procurement in providing drinking water is considered, having regard to its role in promptness and efficiency of addressing the unsatisfactory situation which makes Slovakia open to severe criticism from international human rights bodies.
Weight Loss Ten Years After Bariatric Surgery: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Stoyanov Toni I. , Cascales-Sanchez Pedro , Ivanov Kaloyan T. , Martinez-Moreno Agustina , Usero-Rebollo Servando , Tonchev Pencho T. , Garcia-Blazquez Emilio 
Published: April 2021

Summary

Introduction: Bariatric surgery has amply demonstrated its benefit in the treatment of morbidly obese patients. After surgery, there is a progressive and significant decrease in weight in a high percentage of patients. Most comorbidities resolve, improving quality of life and increasing life expectancy.

Methods and Objective: The literature review is based on a 10-year or longer follow-up of patients who underwent various bariatric surgery procedures. The long-term weight loss results and the clinical impact were evaluated.

Results: The applied surgical techniques, including Rouxen-Y gastric Bypass (RYBG), Biliopancreatic Diversion, Scopinaro type (BPD), and Duodenal Switch (DS), have contributed to achieving very satisfactory long-term and sustainable weight loss results. According to the reviewed literature, the percentage of excessive BMI Loss (%EBMIL) for the various techniques was 67.9%, 70.7%, and 71.5% for RYGB, BPD, and DS, respectively. Patients undergoing BGYR have lost much more weight than non-surgical patients and can maintain long-term weight loss, reaching a Percentage of Excessive Weight Loss (%EWL) as high as 56.4% in 10 years. Patients who underwent Adjustable Gastric Band (AGB) presented with a %EWL of 45.9% in 10 years, but with very high re-operation rate range (8-78%). There are few studies in the literature on Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy, reporting weight loss results over ten years. According to the study carried out by Arman G. A., Himpens J., et al. isolated Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LGS) produced a satisfactory weight loss over ten years, reachingEBMIL of 62.5%. Amending LSG with a new surgical design with malabsorbtive component (in 25% of patients) increased the weight loss, achieving %EBMIL of 81.7%.The Vertical Band Gastroplasty technique resulted in EWL of 38.1 ± 28.8%, as shown by a mean follow-up of 17.3 years, with a high rate of re-operations and conversions.
Clinical Outcomes After Standard Discectomy and Microdiscectomy for Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Single-Center Study
Authors: Ovcharov Mladen E. 
Published: April 2021

Summary
Unsatisfactory results from lumbar disc herniation (LDH) conservative treatment suggest referral of patients for neurosurgical treatment. The time required for such a decision is considered to be about 4-6 weeks. In most cases, surgery quickly relieves pain symptoms, all along with the restoration of patient functions. The optimal surgical technique for LDH is theoretically controversial. We consider two discectomy methods as quite effective in our clinic: standard open discectomy (SD) and microdiscectomy (MD). Many retrospective studies have demonstrated the superiority of one of these techniques. Most studies describe microdiscectomy as a golden standard for surgical treatment of symptomatic disc herniation. We focused on the clinical aspects and correlations in the surgical treatment of LDH, as presented in the literature.
The patients we present were divided by type of surgical procedure (SD or MD), and other parameters: sex, age, duration of symptoms, blood loss, duration of the operation, reoperation rate, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). We used chi-square tests (ANOVA analysis) and directional measures to determine statistically significant data. Five hundred eighty-nine single-level lumbar discectomies were performed for five years (2012-2017), and all the patients presented with classical signs of the condition, i.e., vertebral and radicular syndromes. SD was performed on 498 patients, and MD – on 91 patients. Analyses of the parameters mean VAS values of lumbar and leg pain postoperatively, and within one month after surgery demonstrated statistically significant differences between standard and microdiscectomy (p<0.05). LDH surgical techniques have become more and more sophisticated over the last 40 years, but without substantial improvement in the functional and clinical results. Appropriate patient selection is a crucial factor for the postoperative outcome. Neurosurgeons should fully master the chosen technique for satisfactory postoperative results.
Acute Appendicitis Remains a Great Mimicker – The Pitfalls in the Differential Diagnosis and Tactics - A Case Report
Authors: Popivanov Georgi I. , Konaktchieva Marina N. , Vasilev Vladimir V. , Kjossev Kirien Ts. , Penkov Marin B. , Penchev Dimitar K. , Vaseva Virsavia S. , Mutafchyiski Ventsislav M. 
Published: April 2021

Summary
Acute appendicitis (AA) is the most common non-traumatic abdominal emergency. Despite the improved knowledge, experience, and technological advance, its diagnosis remains a challenge. Herein we report an example of a difficult diagnosis of acute appendicitis and comment on the possible pitfalls in the differential diagnosis and surgical tactics. We present the case of a 41-year-old man who had been admitted to another hospital with an initial diagnosis of acute appendicitis and changed to Crohn’s disease (CD). Because of a pelvic abscess, percutaneous drainage had been performed. Thrombosis of the right femoral vein had been diagnosed and treated accordingly. In an improved condition, he was referred for elective operation with a final diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumour based on cytology. At laparotomy, the appendix was found densely adherent to the right external iliac vein with a well-demarcated tumour (1 cm) at the base. Appendectomy with partial resection of the caecum with a linear stapler was performed. The histological examination revealed acute to chronic appendicitis with lymphoid follicle hyperplasia at the base. The case illustrates the necessity for broad differential diagnosis in AA and the possibility of severe vascular complications in complicated AA. Taking a detailed history and CT are of paramount importance for an accurate preoperative diagnosis, especially of CD. All emergency surgeons should also be familiar with the scenario of unexpected findings at laparotomy, especially with the management of CD and the algorithms for treatment of appendiceal malignancies. The mini-invasive drainage of right iliac fossa abscess allows for optimizing the patient’s condition and may help to avoid unnecessary extensive resections.
Beneficial Influence of Agomelatine Treatment on Behavioral Impairments in AΒ-Induced Rat Model of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Ilieva Kalina St. , Tchekalarova Jana D. , Atanasova Milena A. , Petrova Lidiya P. 
Published: April 2021

Summary
An increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD) exists in patients with a history of depression. In the present study, we demonstrated that chronic agomelatine intraperitoneal treatment, at a dose of 40 mg/ kg for 21 days, starting one month after inducing AD by intracerebroventricular injection of amyloid-beta (Aβ) corrected anhedonia, decreased anxiety, and showed a potential to mitigate working memory errors during the last session in a radial arm maze. Altogether, our findings suggest that chronic agomelatine administration treatment could alleviate the burden of AD and may be considered a promising therapeutic approach to some adverse symptoms caused by the disease.
Evaluation of Patient Exposure After an Emergency Warm-Up of the CT X-Ray Tube
Authors: Kostova-Lefterova Desislava Z. , Ivanova Desislava P. , Simeonov Filip N. , Zagorska Anna R. , Genova Kameliya Z. , Ilieva Petya K. 
Published: April 2021

Summary
A survey was performed to evaluate patient exposure after a procedure for the CT X-ray tube’s emergency warm-up, with the patient positioned on the table within the CT gantry. Three CT units, situated in three different University hospitals, were included in the survey. The evaluation was performed with AGFA personal monitoring films to visualize the results and discuss them with the radiographers who operate the systems. Additional measurements were performed with the RaySafe X2 system to demonstrate the presence of exposure. The air kerma resulting from implementing the warm-up protocol was evaluated to be higher than 112 μGy, 409 μGy, and 807 μGy for each of the CT units. Those values were underestimated because of the dosimetry equipment used and the methodology. A discussion between medical staff, engineers, and medical physicist was initiated. The practice with unnecessary patient exposure was terminated.
Prevention and Treatment of Potentially Problematic Acute Wounds to Achieve Full Recovery by Using Platelet-Rich Plasma: Research Results
Authors: Sokolov Tsvetan V. 
Published: April 2021

Summary
The study presents the outcomes from platelet-rich plasma (PRP) application in treating acute and potentially problematic skin wounds from 2009 to 2016. Fifty-six hospitalized patients with acute skin wounds were divided into two groups: an experimental group of 30 patients treated with platelet-rich plasma and 26 controls with similar wounds, treated by conventional methods. After platelet-rich plasma treatment of 30 acute and potentially problematic wounds in the Experimental Group patients, 29 (96.7%) of the wounds healed for 16 weeks on average. After applying conventional treatment with surgical wound debridement, of the 26 acute, potentially problematic wounds in the controls, only 2 (7.6%) healed. Since acute and potentially problematic wounds are very likely to become chronic and difficult to heal, we recommend PRP application as a preventive treatment in patients at risk.
Accuracy of Phosphorylated Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein-1 in Predicting Preterm Labour
Authors: Gyokova Elitsa H. , Popov Yordan D. , Ivanova-Yoncheva Yoana G. , Dimitrova Kamelia K. , Dekova Klaudia I. 
Published: April 2021

SummaryPreterm birth is the most common cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. The routine method for predicting premature birth is the measurement of the cervical length. However, to make a better and more precise prognosis, the cervicovaginal fluid (CVF) was widely inspected through many studies. Its content is used nowadays as a diagnostic method for different conditions. One of the clinical biomarkers used to predict preterm labour in the CVF is the phosphorylated insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (pIGFBP-1). This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of pIGFBP-1 as a predictor of preterm labour when used with cervical biometrics.A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted on pregnant patients, divided into groups: Group A included participants at risk for premature labour, and Group B -women with an uncomplicated pregnancy. All patients underwent a test for pIGFBP-1, followed by a transvaginal measurement of the cervical length.A total of 32 patients were recruited for the study. Their pregnancy outcomes were followed up. In the group of symptomatic patients, the results were positive in 8 patients, and despite the intensive tocolytic therapy given, 5 of them gave preterm birth within 14 days. There were two patients with a cervical length of less than 10 mm. They both had positive results for pIGFBP-1 and gave spontaneous preterm birth within a few hours. The predictive value of pIGFBP-1 in cases with negative results was high.The leading cause for fetal morbidity and mortality in the twenty-first century remains premature delivery. Many investigations are currently carried out, aiming to facilitate preterm labor prediction and quickly estimate a pregnant woman’s ability to carry to time. The patients at highest risk are detected by measuring the cervical length. Newly searched clinical biomarkers such as fetal fibronectin found in the CVF might help predict preterm birth in time.
A Case Report of a Woman with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder Misdiagnosed as Having Bipolar Affective Disorder
Authors: Iakimova Rossitza K. , Stoimenova-Popova Maya Y. , Chumpalova Petranka G. , Pandova Milena S. , Stoyanova Maria B. 
Published: April 2021

Summary
Frequent mood changes are found in premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) as well as in bipolar affective disorder (BAD). The differential diagnosis is difficult because both conditions share some other common symptoms.
We present a case study of a woman with premenstrual dysphoric disorder misdiagnosed as bipolar disorder. As a result, the patient was prescribed lithium and remained symptomatic for a prolonged period. She recovered only after initiation of treatment with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, which is the treatment of choice in the management of PMDD.
In such cases, the importance of affective symptoms evaluation is underscored in the context of the menstrual cycle, as well as in recognizing them for the correct diagnosis and treatment.
Mortality Rate and Predictors among Patients with COVID-19 Related Acute Respiratory Failure Requiring Mechanical Ventilation: A Retrospective Single Centre Study
Authors: Terwangne Christophe de , Sorgente Antonio , Tortora Redente , Cheung Diana , Duprez Frederic , Place Sammy , Lechien Jerome R. , Capulzini Lucio , Cubber Michael De , Saussez Sven , Taccone Fabio Silvio , Mashayekhi Shahram 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Aim
The objective of the study was to assess mortality rates in COVID-19 patients suffering from acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) who also requiring mechanical ventilation. The predictors of mortality in this cohort were analysed, and the clinical characteristics recorded.

Material and method
A single centre retrospective study was conducted on all COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit of the Epicura Hospital Center, Province of Hainaut, Belgium, between March 1st and April 30th 2020.

Results
Forty-nine patients were included in the study of which thirty-four were male, and fifteen were female. The mean (SD) age was 68.8 (10.6) and 69.5 (12.6) for males and females, respectively. The median time to death after the onset of symptoms was eighteen days. The median time to death, after hospital admission was nine days. By the end of the thirty days follow-up, twenty-seven patients (55%) had died, and twenty–two (45%) had survived. Non-survivors, as compared to those who survived, were similar in gender, prescribed medications, COVID-19 symptoms, with similar laboratory test results. They were significantly older (p = 0.007), with a higher co-morbidity burden (p = 0.026) and underwent significantly less tra-cheostomy (p < 0.001). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, no parameter significantly predicted mortality.

Conclusions
This study reported a mortality rate of 55% in critically ill COVID-19 patients with ARDS who also required mechanical ventilation. The results corroborate previous findings that older and more comorbid patients represent the population at most risk of a poor outcome in this setting.
An Incident of a Massive Pulmonary Embolism following Acute Aortic Dissection. A Case Report
Authors: Fernandes Sofia , Rodrigues Mariana , Barreiros Catarina , Côrte-Real Hugo , Ferreira Ricardo , Nobre Ângelo 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Acute aortic dissection and acute pulmonary embolism are two life-threatening emergencies. The presented case is of an 81-year-old man who has been diagnosed with an acute Stanford type A aortic dissection and referred to a tertiary hospital for surgical treatment. After a successful aortic repair and an overall favourable postoperative recovery, he was diagnosed with cervical and upper extremity deep vein thrombosis and was anticoagulated accordingly. He later presented with massive bilateral pulmonary embolism.
A Rebalancing Framework for Classification of Imbalanced Medical Appointment No-show Data
Authors: Krishnan Ulagapriya , Sangar Pushpa 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Purpose
This paper aims to improve the classification performance when the data is imbalanced by applying different sampling techniques available in Machine Learning.

Design/methodology/approach
The medical appointment no-show dataset is imbalanced, and when classification algorithms are applied directly to the dataset, it is biased towards the majority class, ignoring the minority class. To avoid this issue, multiple sampling techniques such as Random Over Sampling (ROS), Random Under Sampling (RUS), Synthetic Minority Oversampling TEchnique (SMOTE), ADAptive SYNthetic Sampling (ADASYN), Edited Nearest Neighbor (ENN), and Condensed Nearest Neighbor (CNN) are applied in order to make the dataset balanced. The performance is assessed by the Decision Tree classifier with the listed sampling techniques and the best performance is identified.

Findings
This study focuses on the comparison of the performance metrics of various sampling methods widely used. It is revealed that, compared to other techniques, the Recall is high when ENN is applied CNN and ADASYN have performed equally well on the Imbalanced data.

Research limitations
The testing was carried out with limited dataset and needs to be tested with a larger dataset.

Practical implications
This framework will be useful whenever the data is imbalanced in real world scenarios, which ultimately improves the performance.

Originality/value
This paper uses the rebalancing framework on medical appointment no-show dataset to predict the no-shows and removes the bias towards minority class.
An improved method of model predictive current control for multilevel cascaded H-bridge inverters
Authors: Mai-Van Chung , Duong-Minh Sang , Tran-Huu Duc , Binh-Pho Bao , Vu Phuong 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Finite control set ModelPredictive control (FCS-MPC) with the principle of considering all voltage vectors to find the optimal voltage vector for multilevel inverter in a very small sampling cycle is hardly feasible because there is no modulation part, the implementation of optimizing common-mode voltage and switching number for the multilevel inverter should be performed in the cost function. To solve the above problem, this paper proposes an improved method of model predictive current control selecting 19 adjacent voltage vectors and using weighting coefficients for common-mode voltage elimination and switching optimization. By using a discrete-time model of the system to predict the future value of the current for the voltage vector in the previous sampling cycle and its 18 adjacent voltage vectors, the one that minimizes a cost function will be selected. Thus, in a multilevel inverter with any number of levels, the cost function is performed only 19 times in a sampling cycle. The computation on FPGA allows 19 calculations of the cost function to be performed in parallel, so the executing time is very small. The feasibility of the proposed algorithm is verified by simulation model on MATLAB-simulink software and the experimental 11-level cascaded H-bridge multilevel inverter model.