bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of the first phase of COVID-19 pandemic on childhood routine immunisation services in Nepal: a qualitative study on the perspectives of service providers and users
Authors: Khatiwada Asmita Priyadarshini , Maskey Smriti , Shrestha Nistha , Shrestha Sunil , Khanal Saval , KC Bhuvan , Paudyal Vibhu 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background
The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected all essential healthcare services delivery in low-resource settings. This study aimed to explore the challenges and experiences of providers and users of childhood immunisation services in Nepal during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods
Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with childhood immunisation service providers and users (i.e., parents of children) from Kathmandu valley, Nepal. All interviews were conducted through phone or internet-based tools, such as Zoom, WhatsApp, and messenger. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using theme-based content analysis in an Excel spreadsheet.

Results
A total of 15 participants (n = 7 service providers and n = 8 service users) participated. Six themes were identified, namely: (1) impact of COVID-19 and lockdown on childhood immunisation services; (2) motivation and resilience for childhood immunisation; (3) Biosafety practices and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) availability during the COVID-19 pandemic; (4) service adjustments and guidelines during pandemic; (5) availability of vaccines; and (6) immunisation program resilience in view of COVID-19. Service providers mentioned facing disruptions in services and some parents had decided to delay scheduled immunisation. However, most service providers showed determinations to deliver the services with high morale, while most service users reported taking their children for immunisation. Families migrating from urban to rural areas during the pandemic led to service providers having no means to confirm complete immunisation of migrating children. Service providers also experienced lack of adequate guidance to deal with the pandemic and personal protective equipment to protect themselves and service users.

Conclusion
Despite experiencing disruptions in childhood immunisation service due to the COVID-19 pandemic, service users and providers were determined to vaccinate the children. There is an urgent need for effective preparedness plans to be in place to address the observed barriers and to ensure resilient immunisation services during ongoing and future pandemics.
Designing supply chains to meet the growing need of vaccines: evidence from four countries
Authors: Prosser Wendy , Spisak Cary , Hatch Benjamin , McCord Joseph , Tien Marie , Roche Greg 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background
Immunization supply chains (iSCs) move vaccines from manufacturer to point of use with the added complexities of requiring cold chain and an increasing need for agility and efficiency to ensure vaccine quality and availability. Underperforming iSCs have been widely acknowledged as a key constraint to achieving high immunization coverage rates in low- and middle-income countries. This paper details the system design approach used to analyze the iSC network in Sierra Leone, Madagascar, Niger and Guinea and documents six lessons.

Methodology
Between 2018 and 2020, these countries implemented the system design approach, involving four key steps: (1) advocate and introduce to engage stakeholders and prioritize identification of modeling scenarios; (2) collect data and plan analysis through document review and key informant interviews; (3) analyze system design scenarios using computer software modeling tools (LLamasoft’s Supply Chain Guru and AnyLogic's AnyLogistix) for optimization and simulation modeling as well as further analysis with Excel, Google maps, and OpenStreetMap; and (4) build consensus on optimized model and implementation roadmap using the Traffic Light Analysis tool and building on stakeholder input.

Findings
Key lessons include the following: (1) define system design objectives based on country priorities; (2) establish consensus with stakeholders on scenarios to model; (3) modeling provides the evidence but not the answer; (4) costs should not be weighted above other decision criteria; (5) data collection—work smarter, not harder; (6) not all questions can be answered with a computer model.

Discussion
A system design approach can identify changes to the design of the supply chain that can introduce efficiencies and improve reliability. This approach can be more effective when these lessons and principles are applied at the country level. The lessons from these four countries contribute to global thinking and best practices related to system design. The modeling and system design approach provides illustrative results to guide decision-makers. It does not give a "final answer", but compares and contrasts.
Visual analytics tool for the interpretation of hidden states in recurrent neural networks
Authors: Garcia Rafael , Munz Tanja , Weiskopf Daniel 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIn this paper, we introduce a visual analytics approach aimed at helping machine learning experts analyze the hidden states of layers in recurrent neural networks. Our technique allows the user to interactively inspect how hidden states store and process information throughout the feeding of an input sequence into the network. The technique can help answer questions, such as which parts of the input data have a higher impact on the prediction and how the model correlates each hidden state configuration with a certain output. Our visual analytics approach comprises several components: First, our input visualization shows the input sequence and how it relates to the output (using color coding). In addition, hidden states are visualized through a nonlinear projection into a 2-D visualization space using t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding to understand the shape of the space of the hidden states. Trajectories are also employed to show the details of the evolution of the hidden state configurations. Finally, a time-multi-class heatmap matrix visualizes the evolution of the expected predictions for multi-class classifiers, and a histogram indicates the distances between the hidden states within the original space. The different visualizations are shown simultaneously in multiple views and support brushing-and-linking to facilitate the analysis of the classifications and debugging for misclassified input sequences. To demonstrate the capability of our approach, we discuss two typical use cases for long short-term memory models applied to two widely used natural language processing datasets.
The value of double inversion recovery MRI sequence in assessment of epilepsy patients
Authors: Aly Mohamed Abdelbar Abdelmaksoud , Saleh Tarek Mohamed , Elfatatry Amr Mohamed Ahmed , Montasser Moataz Mohamed 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background
The double inversion recovery (DIR) pulse sequence was introduced several years ago and since that it grew important value in clinical neuroimaging. We aimed to assess the added value of double inversion recovery in evaluation of epileptic patients.

Results
In mesial temporal sclerosis, the measured contrast parameters (SNR, CR, CNR and AI) were found to be significantly higher in DIR than in FLAIR and T2 sequences. In cases of focal cortical dysplasia, significantly higher CNR and AI in DIR than in T2 and FLAIR. Also DIR showed higher detection of the increased cortical thickness and cortical signal intensity than the T2 and FLAIR sequences. In tuberous sclerosis cases, the DIR showed higher visibility of the lesions than the T2 and FLAIR. Also DIR showed higher ability to detected grey-white matters junction blurring.

Conclusions
Our study concluded that the greatest value of the double inversion recovery sequence is its higher ability in detecting multiple characteristics of the lesions in a one sequence.
Prestack Bayesian lithofacies classification technology and application in oil-sand reservoir prediction
Authors: Wang Zongjun , Tian Nan , Dong Hongchao 
Published: September 2021

The oil-sand reservoirs in the Athabasca region of Canada are estuarine deposits affected by tides. The strata are inclined, and the interlayers are well-developed. Accurate spatial characterization of reservoirs and interlayers is the key for efficient oil-sand development. In this paper, we have used prestack Bayesian lithofacies classification technology to predict the spatial distribution characteristics of reservoirs and interlayers of oil-sand reservoirs. We first use log lithofacies data as a label, select lithofacies sensitive elastic parameters to make a lithofacies classification probability distribution crossplot, and then project the lithofacies-sensitive elastic parameter volumes into the lithofacies classification probability distribution crossplot. Finally, we predict the spatial probability distribution of different lithofacies. Probabilistic characterization can enhance the recognition of transitional lithology and thin layers in the inversion results, reduce the uncertainty in the prediction of reservoirs and interlayers, and significantly improve the prediction accuracy of reservoirs and interlayers. The field application results in the Kinosis study area indicate that the probability volume predicted by this technology can distinguish interlayers greater than 1 m thick and identify interlayers greater than 2 m thick, which meets the technical requirements of oil-sand steam-assisted gravity drainage development.
Ethylene Carbonate (EC)-Propyl Acetate (PA) Based Electrolyte for Low Temperature Performance of Li-Ion Rechargeable Batteries
Authors: Nagano Hiroki , Kim Hackho , Ikeda Suguru , Miyoshi Seiji , Watanabe Motonori , Ishihara Tatsumi 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Charge-discharge performance at −30 °C was studied by using low-viscosity ester solvents (propyl acetate (PA), propyl propionate (PP), and ethyl propionate (EP)) as electrolyte for improving the low-temperature performance of lithium-ion rechargeable batteries. Among the studied ester, PA based electrolyte shows the most superior cycle stability, and it was found that EC-PA based electrolyte increased the discharge capacity of the cell at −30 °C by 6% compared to the EC-DEC based electrolyte. Although the cell capacity at low temperature was increased, favorable solid electrolyte interface (SEI) may not be formed and the cycle stability was decreased in the cell using PA component as the electrolyte. By using an electrolyte additive for SEI formation in combination with PA based electrolyte, the low temperature discharge capacity and cycle stability were much increased which is strongly demanded for electric vehicle application.
Fabrication of a MOF/Aerogel Composite via a Mild and Green One-Pot Method
Authors: Li Linlin , Bai Xiaojue , Shao Lei , Zhai Xu , Fan Fuqiang , Li Yunong , Fu Yu 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with structural diversity and functionality have attracted incredible research interest, while their practical applications are hampered due to their intrinsic fragility and powder state. Herein, a MOF/aerogel composite has been successfully fabricated through a mild and green one-pot method to anchor ZIF-L nanosheets on the carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) aerogel to overcome these difficulties. The CMC aerogel not only acts as a template to improve the processability and applicability of ZIF-L, but also offers a highly three-dimensional porous structure to facilitate the substrate adsorption on the aerogel to form a microreactor, which is conducive to the full contact between substrate and catalyst. Benefiting from the advantages, the aerogel composite as a heterogeneous catalyst shows improved catalytic activity, good cycle performance and highly efficient catalyst recovery for the cycloaddition of epoxide and CO2. This mild and simple one-pot method opens up a new strategy for the synthesis of MOF and aerogel composite material, which is potentially beneficial for further practical applications.
The application of radiomics in laryngeal cancer
Authors: Rajgor Amarkumar Dhirajlal , Patel Shreena , McCulloch David , Obara Boguslaw , Bacardit Jaume , McQueen Andrew , Aboagye Eric , Ali Tamir , O’Hara James , Hamilton David Winston 
Published: September 2021

Objectives:Radiomics is the conversion of medical images into quantitative high-dimensional data. Laryngeal cancer, one of the most common head and neck cancers, has risen globally by 58.7%. CT, MRI and PET are acquired during the diagnostic process providing potential data for radiomic analysis and correlation with outcomes. This review aims to examine the applications of this technique to laryngeal cancer and the future considerations for translation into clinical practice.Methods:A comprehensive systematic review-informed search of the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases was undertaken. Keywords “laryngeal cancer” OR “larynx“ OR “larynx cancer” OR “head and neck cancer” were combined with “radiomic” OR “signature” OR “machine learning” OR “artificial intelligence”. Additional articles were obtained from bibliographies using the “snowball method”.Results:The included studies (n = 15) demonstrated that radiomic features are significantly associated with various clinical outcomes (including stage, overall survival, treatment response, progression-free survival) and that predictive models incorporating radiomic features are superior to those that do not. Two studies demonstrated radiomics could improve laryngeal cancer staging whilst 12 studies affirmed its predictive capability for clinical outcomes.Conclusions:Radiomics has potential for improving multiple aspects of laryngeal cancer care; however, the heterogeneous cohorts and lack of data on laryngeal cancer exclusively inhibits firm conclusions. Large prospective well-designed studies in laryngeal cancer are required to progress this field. Furthermore, to implement radiomics into clinical practice, a unified research effort is required to standardise radiomics practice.Advances in knowledge:This review has highlighted the value of radiomics in enhancing laryngeal cancer care (including staging, prognosis and predicting treatment response).
Diagnostic performance and image quality of low-tube voltage and low-contrast medium dose protocol with hybrid iterative reconstruction for hepatic dynamic CT
Authors: Ichikawa Shintaro , Motosugi Utaroh , Shimizu Tatsuya , Kromrey Marie Luise , Aikawa Yoshihito , Tamada Daiki , Onishi Hiroshi 
Published: September 2021

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic performance and image quality of the low-tube voltage and low-contrast medium dose protocol for hepatic dynamic CT. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted between January and May 2018. All patients underwent hepatic dynamic CT using one of the two protocols: tube voltage, 80 kVp and contrast dose, 370   mgI/kg with hybrid iterative reconstruction or tube voltage, 120 kVp and contrast dose, 600  mgI/kg with filtered back projection. Two radiologists independently scored lesion conspicuity and image quality. Another radiologist measured the CT numbers of abdominal organs, muscles, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in each phase. Lesion detectability, HCC diagnostic ability, and image quality of the arterial phase were compared between the two protocols using the non-inferiority test. CT numbers and HCC-to-liver contrast were compared between the protocols using the Mann–Whitney U test. Results: 424 patients (70.5 ± 10.1 years) were evaluated. The 80-kVp protocol showed non-inferiority in lesion detectability and diagnostic ability for HCC (sensitivity, 85.7–89.3%; specificity, 96.3–98.6%) compared with the 120-kVp protocol (sensitivity, 91.0–93.3%; specificity, 93.6–97.3%) (p < 0.001–0.038). The ratio of fair image quality in the 80-kVp protocol also showed non-inferiority compared with that in the 120-kVp protocol in assessments by both readers (p < 0.001). HCC-to-liver contrast showed no significant differences for all phases (p = 0.309–0.705) between the two protocols. Conclusion: The 80-kVp protocol with hybrid iterative reconstruction for hepatic dynamic CT can decrease iodine doses while maintaining diagnostic performance and image quality compared with the 120-kVp protocol. Advances in knowledge: The 80- and 120-kVp protocols showed equivalent hepatic lesion detectability, diagnostic ability for HCC, image quality, and HCC-to-liver contrast. The 80-kVp protocol showed a 38.3% reduction in iodine dose compared with the 120-kVp protocol.
Optimization of scan protocol for high temporal resolution magnetic resonance imaging of the liver under single breath-holding using compressed sensing and parallel imaging techniques in a 1.5-T magnetic resonance system
Authors: Fukamatsu Fumiaki , Yamada Akira , Hayashihara Hayato , Kitou Yoshihiro , Fujinaga Yasunari 
Published: September 2021

Objective: To optimize the scan protocol for high temporal resolution magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the liver under single breath-holding, using compressed sensing (CS) and parallel imaging (PI) techniques in a 1.5 T MR system. Methods: 31 healthy volunteers who underwent fat-suppressed gradient-echo T1 weighted imaging using a 1.5 T MR system were included. Image quality was evaluated on altering various imaging parameters in CS and PI so that the scan time was adjusted to 10 and 6 s within a single breath-holding. Normalized standard deviation (nSD = SD/mean value) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR = mean value/SD) of liver signal intensity were measured. Visual scores for the outline of the liver and inferior right hepatic vein (IRHV) were evaluated using a 4-point scale and compared with that of the reference standard (20 s scan without CS). Results: The nSD and SNR were not significantly different when the 10 s scan with CS factor 2.0 and the 6 s scan with CS factor 2.0 and 2.5 were compared to the 20 s scan. Overall visual score (mean score of the outline of the liver and IRHV) was significantly better (p < 0.05) with the 10 s scan with CS factor 2.0 compared to the other scan protocols. Conclusion: The 10 s scan with CS factor 2.0 should be recommended for high temporal resolution MR imaging of the liver using CS and PI in a 1.5 T MR system. Advances in knowledge: This study conducts a novel MR imaging of the liver using CS and PI in a 1.5 T MR system.
Immersive virtual classroom as an education tool for color barrier-free presentations: a pilot study
Authors: Fukuyama Sayaka , Saito Toki , Ichikawa Daisuke , Kohyama Ayako , Oyama Hiroshi 
Published: September 2021

Background: This study aimed to develop an experiential approach for understanding color vision variations using virtual reality technology.Methods:A virtual classroom was developed in a three-dimensional space, and 10 university students were tested to understand color vision variations. Results:Most participants noted that the virtual classroom was an excellent educational tool, which could help teachers understand the problems associated with [visual analog scale (VAS): mean ± standard deviation (SD), 9.55 ± 1.57] and obtain a better understanding of (VAS: mean ± SD, 9.04 ± 1.0) color vision variations. Conclusions: Our results show that this approach enhanced the participants' understanding of color vision variations; thus, it may assist children who suffer from this variation. It is necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of this approach for teachers.
ОСОБЕННОСТИ ГЕМОДИНАМИКИ В СТРУКТУРНО-РАЗЛИЧНЫХ ВНУТРИОРГАННЫХ АРТЕРИАЛЬНЫХ БИФУРКАЦИЯХ СЕРДЦА ЧЕЛОВЕКА, ВЫЯВЛЯЕМЫЕ С ПОМОЩЬЮ ЧИСЛЕННОГО МОДЕЛИРОВАНИЯ
Authors: Zenin Oleg K. , Overko Vitalii S. , Dmitriev V. Andrey , Miltykh Ilia S. 
Published: September 2021

Цель. Путём численного моделирования проверить предположение о связи между типом дихотомии и особенностями движения крови в структурно-различных бифуркациях внутриорганного артериального русла сердца человека.
Материал и методы. Использовали результаты морфометрии реального артериального русла сердца. Для моделирования нестационарного ламинарного течения применяли решение полной системы уравнений Навье-Стокса, полученное с помощью неявной разностной схемы в пакете ANSYS.
Результаты. Установлено: дихотомия (бифуркация) первого типа (полная асимметрия) увеличивает интенсивность флуктуаций расхода и максимальную скорость потока, а также уменьшает динамическую вязкость крови в большей ветви. В меньшей ветви формируется квазистационарное течение. Дихотомия (бифуркация) второго типа (боковая асимметрия) уменьшает максимум скорости потока и значение динамической вязкости во всех ветвях. Дихотомия (бифуркация) третьего типа (односторонняя симметрия) увеличивает максимум скорости потока и уменьшает динамическую вязкость. Дихотомия (бифуркация) четвертого типа (полная симметрия) уменьшает максимум скорости потока, деформирует профиль скорости и значительно увеличивает вязкость крови. Более того зона с увеличенной вязкостью распространяется из ядра потока практически на всю область течения.
Выводы. Результаты моделирования позволяют утверждать о разной функциональной роли артериальных дихотомий (бифуркаций) структурно-различных типов. После прохождения различных типов дихотомий (бифуркаций) поток крови приобретает унифицированные свойства, необходимые для течения в гемомикроциркуляторном участке русла. Выявленные особенности необходимо учитывать при численном моделировании структуры внутриорганного артериального русла сердца человека и внутриартериальной гемодинамики.
МЕТААНАЛИЗ АССОЦИАЦИИ ПОЛИМОРФИЗМА ГЕНА MSTN RS1805086 С СИЛОВЫМИ ПОКАЗАТЕЛЯМИ СПОРТСМЕНОВ
Authors: Aksenov Maxim O. 
Published: September 2021

Обоснование. Варианты K/R гена миостатина (MSTN) (rs1805086) связаны с количеством мышечной массы у людей и ответной реакцией организма человека во время силовых тренировок, коррелируют с показателями силовых способностей скелетных мышц спортсменов. Тем не менее недостаточно достоверных данных, чтобы продемонстрировать, являются ли аллельные варианты K и R гена MSTN rs1805086 действительно генетическими факторами, которые могут влиять на силовые показатели скелетных мышц спортсменов и количество мышечной массы.
Цель. Провести систематический обзор и сделать метаанализ ассоциации полиморфизма гена MSTN rs1805086 с силовыми показателями спортсменов.
Материалы и методы. В проведенном исследовании проанализирована 71 научная публикация о миостатине и проведен метаанализ генотипа MSTN K153R rs1805086 у спортсменов тяжелоатлетических видов спорта и контрольной группой.
Результаты. Установлено, что у спортсменов экспериментальной группы более высокая частота минорного аллеля R по сравнению с контрольной (ОШ=2.02, P = 0,05).
Заключение. Таким образом, полученные результаты убедительно демонстрируют, что имеется связь между исследуемым полиморфизмом и силовыми показателями спортсменов, следовательно, дальнейшие попытки ее изучения научно обоснованы.