bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Using median survival in meta-analysis of experimental time-to-event data
Authors: Hirst Theodore C. , Sena Emily S. , Macleod Malcolm R. 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
Time-to-event data is frequently reported in both clinical and preclinical research spheres. Systematic review and meta-analysis is a tool that can help to identify pitfalls in preclinical research conduct and reporting that can help to improve translational efficacy. However, pooling of studies using hazard ratios (HRs) is cumbersome especially in preclinical meta-analyses including large numbers of small studies. Median survival is a much simpler metric although because of some limitations, which may not apply to preclinical data, it is generally not used in survival meta-analysis. We aimed to appraise its performance when compared with hazard ratio-based meta-analysis when pooling large numbers of small, imprecise studies.

Methods
We simulated a survival dataset with features representative of a typical preclinical survival meta-analysis, including with influence of a treatment and a number of covariates. We calculated individual patient data-based hazard ratios and median survival ratios (MSRs), comparing the summary statistics directly and their performance at random-effects meta-analysis. Finally, we compared their sensitivity to detect associations between treatment and influential covariates at meta-regression.

Results
There was an imperfect correlation between MSR and HR, although the opposing direction of treatment effects between summary statistics appeared not to be a major issue. Precision was more conservative for HR than MSR, meaning that estimates of heterogeneity were lower. There was a slight sensitivity advantage for MSR at meta-analysis and meta-regression, although power was low in all circumstances.

Conclusions
We believe we have validated MSR as a summary statistic for use in a meta-analysis of small, imprecise experimental survival studies—helping to increase confidence and efficiency in future reviews in this area. While assessment of study precision and therefore weighting is less reliable, MSR appears to perform favourably during meta-analysis. Sensitivity of meta-regression was low for this set of parameters, so pooling of treatments to increase sample size may be required to ensure confidence in preclinical survival meta-regressions.
The governance of energy transition: lessons from the Nigerian electricity sector
Authors: Edomah Norbert 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
The rising need for transition towards more sustainable energy sources requires a rethink in the governance of energy systems. Arguably, policy makers have very important roles in governing transitions in any given society through established institutional frameworks. It has also been argued that energy infrastructure choices are determined by institutional dynamics and structures. However, what are the underlying influences required to change energy systems and what lessons can we draw from them for the governance of energy transition? This study focuses on understanding the dynamics of energy transition governance in the Nigerian electricity sector with the aim of drawing lessons that impact on energy transition and energy systems change.

Methods
Using explorative research tools, this study investigates the dynamics of energy transition governance in the Nigerian electricity sector with the aim of drawing lessons that impact on energy transition and energy systems change. Data from primary and secondary sources in documentary archives as well as other published sources that are linked with the provision of the Nigerian historical energy infrastructure were used for the analysis in order to draw lessons on energy transition dynamics in Nigeria.

Results
The study revealed that there were three important factors that had a direct impact on energy transition and energy systems change in Nigeria’s electricity sector. These are: (1) Changing perceptions and goals (during the period leading up to Nigeria’s independence, 1890–1960s); (2) Direct government interventions in energy infrastructure provisions (1940s–1970s); and (3) Major changes in market rules (from 2005 and beyond).

Conclusions
The study concludes by highlighting that: (1) there is a need for government institutions to tackle energy access issues that address the needs of the poor; (2) it is imperative to explore technological options that are more sustainable; and (3) there is a need to address energy consumption patterns that are more energy intensive. Indeed, available energy resources, technological changes in electricity supply systems, and the ‘geographies of energy’ are major factors that influence energy production and consumption dynamics. All of them needs should be considered, as energy decisions are primarily political choices.
Measles outbreak amidst COVID-19 pandemic in Africa: grappling with looming crises
Authors: Aborode Abdullahi Tunde , Babatunde Abdulhammed Opeyemi , Osayomwanbor Bright-Agbonze Samuel , Fajemisin Emmanuel Adebowale , Inya Oko Christian , Olajiga Olayinka , Uwandu-Uzoma Anthony Chinonso 
Published: November 2021

AbstractCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and measles are major threats to the health and wellbeing of Africans. Measles is an endemic disease in Africa with a high mortality rate especially in children despite available vaccines. This letter aims to discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on prevention and management of measles in Africa. The emergence of COVID-19 has exacerbated the morbidities of measles due to multi-factors like the disruption of mass measles routine vaccination, a monopolistic focus on COVID-19 eradication, malnutrition, and poor surveillance. Currently, the COVID-19 pandemic and looming measles epidemic pose a double burden on the African health sector. We recommend urgent interventions from government and other stakeholders including community leaders to strengthen measles research and vaccination programs in Africa amidst the pandemic.
Quasiparticle band structures and optical properties of twisted bilayer MoS2
Authors: He Fuli , Li Jia , Li Linyang , Mao Xiujuan , Liu Ze , Teng Sukai , Wang Jiaxi , Wang Yafan 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
A twist angle between two adjacent layers is a key approach to adjust the electronic characteristics of the van der Waals bilayer. The main goal of this study is to accurately predict the quasiparticle band structures and optical properties of bilayer MoS2 with different twist angles

, 13.17°, 21.79°, 32.10°, and 60°) by using many-body perturbation G
0
W
0 theory and by solving the Bethe-Salpeter equation including excitonic effects on top of the partially G
0
W
0 calculation when spin-orbit coupling is included. Results of band structures and optical absorption spectrum show that the band gap and optical gap are sensitive to twist angle. Moreover, the twist angles and spin-orbit coupling can manipulate exciton binding energy. Our results also show that spin-orbit coupling and interlayer coupling (predominantly) induced spin splitting as large as 270 meV at the valence band of K point. This argument implies that twisted bilayer MoS2 is a powerful system for tuning the photoluminescence emission.
A reconfigurable band-stop filter using piezoelectric-piezomagnetic superlattices with an external DC electric field
Authors: Tang Zheng-Hua , Jiang Zheng-Sheng , Lei Da-Jun , Huang Jian-Quan , Deng Hai-Ming , Kong Chao , Chen Ya-Qi , Jiang Chun-Zhi , Yao Min 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
A novel reconfigurable band-stop filter using piezomagnetic-piezoelectric superlattices with the external direct-current (DC) electric field (PPSED) is presented. The center frequency of the forbidden band is reduced from

to

Hz in the band-stop filter as the thickness ratio

of the piezoelectric domain to the piezomagnetic domain increases from

to 9. The change of the forbidden bandwidth and the center frequency shows that the band-stop filter constructed by the PPSED is reconfigurable. The coupled polaritonic band structure is asymmetric with respect to the forward and backward directions and the forbidden bandwidth can be tuned by the DC electric field via the electro-optic effect. Unlike pure piezoelectric superlattices with the DC electric field, the forbidden bandwidth decreases with the increase of the electric field in the PPSED. The bandwidth tunability by the DC electric field can provide a guidance for the reconfigurable band-stop filter design to work in broadband frequencies.
Diffuse flux of PeV neutrinos from centrifugally accelerated protons in active galactic nuclei
Authors: Dey Rajat K. , Basak Animesh , Ray Sabyasachi 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Evidence for high-energy astrophysical PeV neutrinos has been found in the IceCube experiment from an analysis with 7.5-year (2010–2017) data. Active galactic nuclei (AGN) are among the most prominent objects in the universe, and are widely speculated to be emitters of ultra-high-energy (UHE) cosmic rays with proton domination. Based on the standard two-step LLCD mechanism of particle acceleration, a transformation of energy occurs from AGN's central super-massive black hole (SMBH) rotation to high-energy protons. Protons can be accelerated up to

energies and above, and might generate PeV neutrinos in the energy range

through plausible hadronic interactions. The theoretically estimated revised extragalactic diffuse muon neutrino flux employing the “luminosity-dependent density evolution (LDDE)” model for the AGN luminosity function (LF) is found consistent with the IceCube level if only a fraction,

of the total bolometric luminosity (BL) of AGN is being realizable to power the PeV neutrinos. In the Λ CDM cosmological framework with the LDDE-modeled LF and photon index distribution, about

of the total BL is enough to power the IceCube neutrinos.
Transient vs Permanent Congenital Hypothyroidism in Ontario, Canada: Predictive Factors and Scoring System
Authors: Marr Alexa , Yokubynas Nicole , Tang Ken , Saleh David , Wherrett Diane K , Stein Robert , Bassilious Ereny , Chakraborty Pranesh , Lawrence Sarah E 
Published: November 2021

Abstract

Context
The apparent increased incidence of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is partly due to increased detection of transient disease.

Objective
This work aims to identify predictors of transient CH (T-CH) and establish a predictive tool for its earlier differentiation from permanent CH (P-CH).

Methods
A retrospective cohort study was conducted of patients diagnosed with CH from 2006 to 2015 through Newborn Screening Ontario (NSO).

Results
Of 469 cases, 360 (76.8%) were diagnosed with P-CH vs 109 (23.2%) with T-CH. Doses of levothyroxine predicting T-CH were less than 3.9 μg/kg at age 6 months, less than 3.0 μg/kg at ages 1 and 2 years, and less than 2.5 μg/kg at age 3 years. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic modeling demonstrated several diverging key measures between patients with T-CH vs P-CH, with optimal stratification at age 1 year. Thyroid imaging was the strongest predictor (P &lt; .001). Excluding imaging, significant predictors in the first year of life included thyroxine dose/kg (P &lt; .001-.002), increase in thyrotropin (TSH) above the reference interval during treatment (P = .002), screening TSH (P = .03), and a history of maternal thyroid disease (P = .02). Based on the 1-year model without imaging, a risk score was developed to identify children with T-CH who may benefit from an earlier trial off therapy, to reduce excess medicalization and health care costs.

Conclusion
A levothyroxine dose of less than 3 μg/kg at ages 1 and 2 years and less than 2.5 μg/kg at age 3 years can be predictive of T-CH. A novel risk score was developed that can be clinically applied to predict the likelihood of a successful trial off therapy for a given patient at age 1 year.
Gender, Genre, and the Idea of the Nation
Authors: Bhattacharya Saradindu 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
This article examines the construction of and contestation over the idea of the nation through contemporary popular cinema in India. Building on his experience of discussing the Bollywood spy thriller Raazi (2018) in an English class, the author proposes that “reading” the film in terms of gender and genre can not only help students apply modes of textual analysis to narratives in other media but also alert them to the location of such narratives within larger discursive frameworks of defining national identities. Raazi presents a critical and ideological counterpoint to the generic conventions of the spy thriller within the increasingly polarized sociopolitical context of the Indian subcontinent. The film presents an unlikely female protagonist as both the physical agent and the psychological subject of the violence integral to the “action” of an espionage film. It also interrogates the oppositional relation between the patriotic “self” and the foreign “other” that lies at the basis of the militaristic conception of the nation and ultimately reveals the shared human vulnerability of both to the traumatic effects of pursuing the idea(l) of nationalism at the expense of individual moral integrity. Thus a close reading of the film's narrative structure and conventions, as well as a critical engagement with the historical context of its production and reception, can be pedagogically fruitful ways of understanding and critiquing the processes through which a nation is collectively imagined into being.
The CKD.QLD data linkage framework: chronic kidney disease and health services utilisation in Queensland, Australia
Authors: Zhang Jianzhen , Wang Zaimin , Cameron Anne , Sowa P Marcin , Diwan Vishal , Venuthurupalli Sree Krishna , Healy Helen G. , Connelly Luke B , Hoy Wendy E 
Published: November 2021

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the most common chronic diseases in the western world. In Australia, around 1.7 million Australians aged 18 years and over (about one in ten) have indicators of CKD, and 1.8 million hospitalisations were associated with CKD in 2017–18. There is currently very little understanding of the impact of CKD on health service utilisation and costs. Understanding the disease pathways of CKD and its effects on service utilisation and patient outcomes is essential to predicting the course of the disease in the future, its effects on health services utilisation and capacity to better manage the burden of premature deaths or the need for dialysis that results from CKD. We describe the establishment of a data linkage framework to study hospital admissions of CKD patients in the public renal services in the Australian state of Queensland, and its potential to advance understanding of their course and outcomes. Seven years of retrospective data (2011–2018) on hospital-based health services utilisation were provided by Queensland Health for all 7,341 patients who enrolled in the CKD.QLD Registry up to Jan 2019. The data were supplied from three datasets: the Queensland Hospital Admitted Patient Data Collection, the Queensland Registrar General deaths, and the Activity Based Funding Model Output data. In addition, data were supplied from two cohorts of de-identified patients admitted to hospital in the same interval (22,023 patients each), who were not in the CKD.QLD Registry, the first with CKD and the second without CKD as indicated by International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision, Australian Modification. The comprehensive and multifaceted data via the data linkage will enable us to identify opportunities for efficiencies in management of patients with CKD and for interventions that improve their outcomes.
Cancer Registry of Population in the City Ozyorsk: Structure of Malignant Neoplasms First Diagnosed in Period From 1948 to 2016
Authors: Okatenko P. , Fomin E. , Denisova E. , Kuznetsova I. , Sokolnikov M. , Koshurnikova N. 
Published: November 2021

Purpose: The analysis of the structure of malignant neoplasms (MN) incidence among the population in the city Ozyorsk, located near Mayak Production Association, based on the information from the territorial cancer registry.
Materials and methods: There were 14681 first diagnosed cases of malignant neoplasms at the period from 1948 to 2016 in the territorial cancer registry of Ozyorsk. The diagnoses were verified by all available medical documents.
The structure of MN incidence, vital status of diseased people, age in a year of diagnostics, rank distribution of the basic localizations were studied.
Results: For 70 years period of follow-up there were 7676 cases from 14681 of MN incidence cases during the last 17 years (from 2000 to 2017) – as much as for the previous 51 years of follow-up from 1948 to 1999 (7005 cases). In the MN structure solid cancer constitutes 94.5 %, hemoblastoses – 5.5 %. As at December 31, 2016 23.3 % of the diseased people were alive, 75.2 % died from all causes, 1.5 % lost to follow-up. The cause of 80,6 % deaths was MN. Age in the year of diagnostics constitutes 61,7 years. 75.8 % diagnoses have morphological confirmation. During the entire period of follow-up first three places belong to lung cancer, gastric cancer and prostate cancer for males; breast cancer, gastric cancer and colon cancer for females in the MN structure.
Conclusions: During the period from 1948 to 2016 the growth of the first diagnosed MN cases among the population of Ozyorsk was a result of the population doubling and a fourfold increase of the citizens over the age of 50. Developed and supported cancer registry allows to analyze and partially control oncological situation in the closed cities of Rosatom.
Estimation of Radiotherapy Efficiency of Head-and-Neck Cancer Based
Authors: Sukhikh E. , Sukhikh L. , Sutygina Ya. , Izhevsky P. , Sheino I. , Stakhova O. , Klinovitskaya M. 
Published: November 2021

Purpose: Evaluation of the expected effectiveness of radiation therapy based on models of the local tumor control probability (Tumor Control Probability – TCP) for the head-neck cancer.
Material and methods: The study used data from 11 patients with locally advanced head-neck cancer (larynx, oropharynx, and oral cavity). For each patient two dosimetric treatment plans have been prepared: SIB-VMAT (70 Gy per tumor, 50 Gy per lymph nodes, 25 fractions) and SEQ-VMAT (70 Gy per tumor, 50 Gy per lymph nodes, 35 fractions). The developed plans were analyzed using A. Niemierko's TCP model with parameters obtained by B. Maciejewski (TCD50 = 70.26 Gy with a 49-day total treatment time), taking into account the dose–volume histograms and the total treatment time.
Results: The developed plans ensured a high level of coverage (98–98 %) of the Clinical treatment volume (CTV) in all but one patient. The average TCP SIB-VMAT is 99.9 % due to the very short total treatment time. The average TCP for SEQ-VMAT is 61.0%. For one patient, both SIB-VMAT and SEQ-VMAT showed zero expected efficacy due to 95–95 % CTV coverage.
Conclusion: The use of TCP model allows analyzing personalized treatment plans for patients and developing adaptive treatment regimens with an increase in the total dose, dose per fraction, and a decrease in the total treatment time.
Evaluation of antigen-detecting and antibody-detecting diagnostic test combinations for diagnosing melioidosis
Authors: Amornchai Premjit , Hantrakun Viriya , Wongsuvan Gumphol , Wuthiekanun Vanaporn , Wongratanacheewin Surasakdi , Teparrakkul Prapit , West T. Eoin , AuCoin David P. , Day Nicholas P. J. , Brett Paul J. , Burtnick Mary N. , Chantratitra Narisara , Limmathurotsakul Direk 
Published: November 2021

Background
Melioidosis, an infectious disease caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, is endemic in many tropical developing countries and has a high mortality. Here we evaluated combinations of a lateral flow immunoassay (LFI) detecting B. pseudomallei capsular polysaccharide (CPS) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) detecting antibodies against hemolysin co-regulated protein (Hcp1) or O-polysaccharide (OPS) for diagnosing melioidosis.

Methodology/Principal findings
We conducted a cohort-based case-control study. Both cases and controls were derived from a prospective observational study of patients presenting with community-acquired infections and sepsis in northeast Thailand (Ubon-sepsis). Cases included 192 patients with a clinical specimen culture positive for B. pseudomallei. Controls included 502 patients who were blood culture positive for Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli or Klebsiella pneumoniae or were polymerase chain reaction assay positive for malaria or dengue. Serum samples collected within 24 hours of admission were stored and tested using a CPS-LFI, Hcp1-ELISA and OPS-ELISA. When assessing diagnostic tests in combination, results were considered positive if either test was positive. We selected ELISA cut-offs corresponding to a specificity of 95%. Using a positive cut-off OD of 2.912 for Hcp1-ELISA, the combination of the CPS-LFI and Hcp1-ELISA had a sensitivity of 67.7% (130/192 case patients) and a specificity of 95.0% (477/502 control patients). The sensitivity of the combination (67.7%) was higher than that of the CPS-LFI alone (31.3%, p<0.001) and that of Hcp1-ELISA alone (53.6%, p<0.001). A similar phenomenon was also observed for the combination of CPS-LFI and OPS-ELISA. In case patients, positivity of the CPS-LFI was associated with a short duration of symptoms, high modified Sequential (sepsis-related) Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, bacteraemia and mortality outcome, while positivity of Hcp1-ELISA was associated with a longer duration of symptoms, low modified SOFA score, non-bacteraemia and survival outcome.

Conclusions/Significance
A combination of antigen-antibody diagnostic tests increased the sensitivity of melioidosis diagnosis over individual tests while preserving high specificity. Point-of-care tests for melioidosis based on the use of combination assays should be further developed and evaluated.
Femoral head collapse after hip intra-articular corticosteroid injection: An institutional response to improve practice and increase patient safety
Authors: Kelly Brandon J. , Williams Benjamin R. , Gravely Amy A. , Schwanz Kersten , Sechriest V. Franklin 
Published: November 2021

IntroductionFemoral head collapse (FHC) is a rarely reported complication of hip intra-articular corticosteroid injection (IACSI). Upon observing a high rate of FHC after hip IACSI, we sought to (1) describe how we addressed the problem through a systematic evaluation of clinical data and institutional care practices followed by process improvement efforts; and (2) report our results.MethodsPatients receiving hip IACSI during a 27-month period underwent retrospective review to determine the rate of FHC and to identify associated patient factors or practice shortfalls. Findings led to institution-wide interventions: (1) to improve patient/provider awareness of this association; and (2) to develop/implement practice guidelines. Rates of FHC after hip IACSI and practice patterns among providers before and after intervention were compared.ResultsInitial FHC rate after hip IACSI was 20.4%. Patient-related factors included body mass index (p = 0.025), history of cancer therapy (p = 0.012), Vitamin D level (p = 0.030), and multiple injections (p = 0.004). Volume/dose of injectate and post-injection surveillance methods varied widely. Quality improvement (QI) intervention resulted in fewer treatment referrals (from 851 to 436), fewer repeat injections (mean = 1.61 to 1.37; p = 0.0006), and a 5% lower FHC rate (p = 0.1292). Variation in practice patterns persisted, so a systems-based Clinical Pathway was established.DiscussionWhen a high rate of FHC after hip IACSI was found to be associated with certain patient and practice factors, introduction of education materials and treatment guidelines decreased number of referrals, number of injections per patient, and FHC rate. In the absence of the systems-based Pathway, the type, dose, and volume of injectate and post-procedure follow-up remained variable.