bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Study of the Parametric Effects on Soliton Propagation in Optical Fibers through Two Analytical Methods
Authors: Islam Md. Ekramul , Akbar M. Ali 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
The dual-core optical fiber has significant applications in optical electronics for long-wave propagation, especially in telecommunication fibers. The aim of this article is to study the parametric effects on solitary wave propagation and characteristic aspects of long-wave traveling through optical fibers by establishing some standard and wide-spectrum solutions via the improved Bernoulli sub-equation function (IBSEF) method and the new auxiliary equation (NAE) approach. The investigated solitary wave solutions are ascertained as an integration of hyperbolic, exponential, rational and trigonometric functions and can be extensively applicable in optics. The physical significance of the solutions attained is illustrated for the definite values of the included parameters through depicting the 3D profiles. The solitons profile represents different types of waves associated with the free parameters which are related to the wave number and velocity of the solutions. It turns out that the obtained solutions through both the methods are potential and might be used in further works to interpret the various fields in telecommunication fiber which can reduce casualties that ensue in essence.
Comparing the Köppen-Geiger, Feddema, and UNEP Climate Classifications: An Application to Iran
Authors: Raziei Tayeb 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
This study introduces the climates of Iran defined by Köppen-Geiger, Feddema’s, and UNPEP classifications that applied to a high-resolution ground-based gridded data set relative to the 1985–2017 period. Ten Köppen-Geiger climate types were found for Iran, from which Bwh, Bsk, Csa, Bsh, and Bwk cumulatively account for more than 98% of the territory. Likewise, from 36 possible Feddema’s climate types, Iran possesses fifteen climate types from which the Dry Cool, Semiarid Torrid, Semiarid Hot, Semiarid Warm, Dry warm, Semiarid Cool, and Moist Cool climates collectively occupied approximately 93% of the country. Similarly, arid, semi-arid, humid, and sub-humid UNEP climate types characterized more than 98% of Iran. A few other vertically stratified climates appeared at the highlands of Iran just because of changes in elevation and slope aspects of the mountains. The combined effect of topography and vicinity to sea also creates very distinct climate types in northern Iran. The climate maps of the three used methods reflect the joint effects of topography, latitudinal variation, and land/sea surface contrast on the climate of Iran. A pairwise comparison made between the three classifications showed a satisfactory agreement between the three schemes in representing the main climate types of Iran.
Apelin Over-Expression Promotes Proliferation and Angiogenesis of Gastric Cancer Cells
Authors: Tian Li-Jun , Liu Hong-Zhi , Zhang Qiang , Geng Dian-Zhong , Yang Jing , Geng Hai-Tao , Zhai Yu-Jie , Huo Yu-Qing , Hao Yan-Zhang 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background: Apelin is a recently identified endogenous ligand associated with proliferation and angiogenesis of several cancers. However, only few studies have reported on the functions and the role of apelin in gastric cancer (GC). Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the association and the mechanisms underlying Apelin expression and proliferation of GC cells both in vitro and in vivo.Methods: We enrolled 178 postoperative care GC patients to investigate clinicopathological and immunohistochemical factors associated with Apelin expression. The relationship between Survival of patients and apelin expression was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analyses. The expression of apelin mRNA and its proteins in GC tissues and cell lines were analyzed using quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), western blot and ELISA. The role and mechanisms underlying regulation of Apelin expression in human GC cells were evaluated through several in vitro and in vivo experiments. Results: Apelin was over expressed in human GC cells, relative to adjacent normal tissues. The over expression of apelin was associated with vessel invasion (P <0.01), lymph node metastasis (P <0.01), late-staged tumor (T) (P <0.05), worse pathological type (P <0.05), nerve invasion (P <0.05). In addition, expression of apelin strongly and positively correlated with that of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Over-expression of apelin promoted proliferation and invasion of MGC-803 cell via the ERK/Cyclin D1/MMP-9 signaling pathway. Apelin over-expression also promoted angiogenesis of GC cells, accelerating growth of subcutaneous xenograft of the cancer cells in vivo.Conclusions: Over-expression of apelin promotes proliferation and metastasis of GC cells via the ERK/Cyclin D1/MMP-9 signaling pathway and is associated with adverse events of the cancer. Consequently, apelin is a potential therapeutic target for human GC.
Exploring the Association Between Prostate Cancer Diagnosis per se and use of GnRH Agonists and Diabetes Control in Men with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Nationwide, Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Lin E , Garmo Hans , Hemelrijck Mieke , Adolfsson Jan , Stattin Pär , Zethelius Björn , Crawley Danielle 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background: Gonadotropin Releasing Hormones agonists (GnRH), which are first line treatment for metastatic prostate cancer (PCa), increase risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study aims to quantify the association of use of GnRH with diabetes control in PCa men with T2DM.Methods: Nationwide population-based cohort study in the Swedish National Diabetes Register and Prostate Cancer data Base Sweden 4.1, on the association between GnRH and diabetes control in T2DM men with PCa by comparing T2DM men with PCa vs. without PCa, as well as comparing T2DM men with PCa on or not on GnRH. The primary exposure was use of GnRH. Worsening diabetes control was the primary outcome, defined as: 1) increase of HbA1c to 58 mmol/mol or higher; 2) HbA1c increase by 10 mmol/mol or more; 3) Start of antidiabetic drugs or switch to insulin; 4) combine all definitions above. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to analyze the association. Results: There were 5,714 T2DM men with PCa of whom 692 were on GnRH and 28,445 PCa-free men with T2DM with similar baseline characteristics. Diabetes control was worse in men with GnRH vs. PCa-free men (HR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.13-1.34) as well as compared with PCa men without GnRH (HR:1.58, 95% CI: 1.39-1.80). Conclusion: Use of GnRH in T2DM men with PCa was associated with worse glycemic control. The findings highlight the need to closely monitor diabetes control in men with T2DM and PCa starting GnRH agonists and to limit the duration of their use when possible.
Clinical Analysis of 47 Cases of Heterotopic Pregnancy After Assisted Reproductive Technology
Authors: Bei Qiaoli , Liu Huanrong , Xu Shaohua 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background: Heterotopic pregnancy is rare in natural pregnancy. In recent years, with the development of assisted reproductive technology, the incidence of heterotopic pregnancy is increasing. Heterotopic pregnancy not only affects the development of intrauterine embryo, but also threatens the life of patients. There is no unified standard for the treatment of heterotopic pregnancy until now. So we research the clinical features and the effect of different intervention time on pregnancy outcome in patients with heterotopic pregnancy (HP) after assisted reproductive technology (ART).Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the patients who were diagnosed as HP in Shanghai first maternal and infant hospital after conception through ART from January 2014 to June 2019. We analyzed the clinical characteristics, therapeutic method and intervention time to explore their impact on the outcome of HP.Results：47 patients with HP after ART were treated in our hospital and have complete clinical data. Among them, 18 cases treated with conservative therapy and 29 cases treated with operation. 29 cases delivered (including 3 cases of pre-term birth and 26 cases of full-term birth) and 18 cases aborted. In HP patients, β Human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG, 0.617) and extrauterine mass size (0.242) are not much guiding significance for the treatment. Transvaginal ultrasonography (TVS) examination on admission found that different conditions of ectopic (anechoic area, adnexal mass, heart beat, yolk sac) was independent risk factors of different treatment methods (P=0.005). And the intervention time before six weeks can get better pregnancy outcome (p=0.034).Conclusions：Patients with ART should be examined by TVS as early as possible. If abnormal TVS (anechoic area, adnexal mass, heart beat, yolk sac) results are found, patients should be operated by laparoscopy. And the best intervention time of laparoscopy is before 6 weeks.
Characterization of W-Mn-Ce-Ti Oxides Catalysts Prepared by Different Methods for Selective Reduction of NO with NH3
Authors: Li Xiaodi , Han Zhitao , Shi Qingdong , Wu Xitian , Gao Yu , Li Chenglong , Liu Gang 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Aiming to develop low cost and environmentally friendly SCR catalysts, various transition metals and rare earth elements have been used and combined to prepare polymetallic oxide catalysts in recent years, which generally exhibit excellent SCR performance. Here four typical metal elements (Mn, Ce, W and Ti) have been selected to prepare polymetallic oxides (WMnCeTiOx) catalysts, and the effects of preparation methods, such as coprecipitation (CP), sol-gel (SG), and deposition precipitation (DP), on the performance of selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH3 at 160~360 ºC have been investigated systematically. Some key techniques of XRD, BET, XPS, H2-TPR, NH3-TPD and in-situ DRIFTS were used to characterize the physicochemical properties of the prepared WMnCeTiOx catalysts. The SCR activity measurement results showed that NH3-SCR activities of WMnCeTiOx catalysts prepared through coprecipitation and deposition precipitation methods exhibited much better NO removal performance in the temperature range of 160~360 ºC than that prepared via sol-gel method. More importantly, WMnCeTiOx catalysts prepared through coprecipitation method exhibited superior SO2 and H2O tolerance compared with those prepared via deposition precipitation and sol-gel methods. It demonstrated that the preparation process imposed a crucial impact on the physicochemical properties of the prepared WMnCeTiOx catalysts, thus influencing on their SCR performance. According to the characterization results, the better performance of WMnCeTiOx(CP) catalyst could be ascribed to its higher concentrations of Mn4+ and Ce3+, larger surface area and highly-dispersed active species on catalyst surface. In addition, compared with WMnCeTiOx catalysts prepared by deposition precipitation and sol-gel methods, WMnCeTiOx(CP) catalyst possessed much more surface acid sites, stronger reduction capacity and better adsorption capacity for NH3 and NO, which might also play a key role in promoting its SCR performance.
Magnitude and Pattern of Associated Complications of Bladder Outlet Obstruction Secondary to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia at Yekatit 12 Hospital, Ethiopia: A Retrospective Descriptive Study
Authors: Asefa Zelalem 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the commonest cause of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) in elderly males. It is characterised by lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) that include voiding/obstructive and storage/irritative symptoms. If untreated, patients could suffer from different associated complications such as hydronephrosis, urinary tract infection and even renal failure. Little is known about the magnitude and pattern of associated complications of BOO secondary to BPH.Objectives: To assess the clinical profile, magnitude and pattern of associated complications of BOO among patients with BPH at Yekatit 12 hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.Methods: A retrospective crossectional hospital based analysis of 225 patients who underwent prostatectomy for BOO secondary to BPH over a five year period, from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2019 was done. Data were analysed using SPSS version 20. Results: Frequency of micturition, dysuria and nocturia were the commonest presenting symptoms observed in 94.2%, 89.3% and 84.9% of the patients, respectively. One hundred and thirty (57.8%) patients presented to the hospital 2 years after the onset of their symptoms. History of prehospital antibiotic treatment for recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) was found in 64.4% of the patients. Associated complications of BOO secondary to BPH were observed in 44% of the patients. Acute urinary retention (AUR) and urinary tract infection (UTI) were the commonest associated complications observed in 50.7% and 30.7% of the patients, respectively. Hydronephrosis (21.8%), renal impairment (19.1%), urinary tract stones (13.3%) and frank haematuria (4.4%) were other complications observed in this series. Conclusion: Storage/irritative LUTS predominate among our patients with BPH. Associated complications of BOO secondary to BPH were prevalent in the study. Acute urinary retention (AUR) and urinary tract infection (UTI) were the commonest associated complications observed. In order to avoid late diagnosis and reduce the occurrence of possible complications, clinicians should be aware of the possibility of BPH even if the storage/ irritative symptoms predominate in elderly males.
The Influence of Varicocele and Microsurgical Varicocelectomy on Semen Quality, as Determined by Metabolic Analysis
Authors: Zhang Xinzong , Deng Cuncan , Liu Wujiang , Liu Huang , Zhou Yu , Li Qianyi , Zheng Houbin , Wang Qiling , Jiang Min , Pang Tao , Ma Chunjie , Huang Cheng , Zhao qingguo , Tang Yunge 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
The influence of varicocele and microsurgical varicocelectomy on semen quality remains unclear. No previous study has investigated the relationship between semen metabolism and the abnormalities in reproductive function caused by varicocele. Here, we used the non-targeted and targeted metabolic analysis to investigate the different metabolites in seminal plasma within normal, varicocele, and varicocelectomy groups. We clearly showed that varicocele significantly affects sperm metabolism, and microsurgical varicocelectomy can reverse this metabolic abnormality. Moreover, we characterized the landscape of three dipeptides in the seminal plasma of patients with varicocele that have not been identified previously in human tissues or biofluids. Interestingly, the levels of these three dipeptides decreased after microsurgical varicocelectomy coincident with an improvement in semen quality. Western blotting confirmed the downregulation of DPEP3 (dipeptidase 3) in the varicocele group and the upregulation of DPEP3 in the varicocelectomy group. Furthermore, we found that eight metabolites may be helpful to distinguish varicocele patients from normal subjects. Our results can be applied to earlier diagnosis or to predict the outcome of microsurgery for varicocele.
Computer Navigated Total Hip Arthroplasty Via The Direct Superior Approach: A Retrospective Study of The First 30 Consecutive Cases
Authors: Watanabe HIROSHI , Uematsu Takuya , Tabata Yusuke , Mizuno Yoshihiro , Akashi Yuki , Gondo Gaku , Oshima Yasushi , Majima Tokifumi 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background The direct superior approach (DSA), which is one of the muscle-sparing approaches for total hip arthroplasty (THA), has been recently reported with positive outcomes. However, in minimally invasive THA, it has been reported that the visual intraoperative estimation of the cup position is not reliable. Therefore, those minimally invasive approaches are associated with the increased risk of acetabular cup malposition due to the limited exposure. Although the positive effects of computer navigation system on the accuracy of cup positioning have been reported in many studies, those are not unknown in THA via the DSA. In the current study, we investigated the accuracy of acetabular cup positioning in navigated THA via the DSA in the first 30 consecutive cases.Methods We have retroactively included the first 30 consecutive cases of navigated DSA, and the consecutive control cases using conventional posterior approach (PA) were included retroactively up to 30 cases. This retrospective study divided the cases of navigated DSA into 15 initial and 15 recent cases. The postoperative data were assessed on plain computed tomography to measure the radiographic inclination and anteversion of the acetabular component. Statistical analyses were performed using Mann-Whiteney U test for comparison of the mean, and Levene's tests for equality of standard deviations (SD). Results We found no significant differences in the means between navigated DSA and conventional PA for anteversion and inclination. For anteversion, the accuracy of acetabular cup positioning in navigated DSA (SD, 6.9°), including the recent 15 cases (SD, 4.1°), was significantly improved than in conventional PA (SD, 11.7°). For inclination, there were no significant differences in the accuracy of the acetabular cup positioning between navigated DSA (SD, 5.3°) and conventional PA (SD, 6.5°).Conclusions The increased variances of cup anteversion would be due to the frequency of pelvic malposition and the wide variation in pelvic orientation with the patient in the lateral decubitus position. Navigated THA via the DSA could be performed with good accuracy of cup placement in the first 30 cases. The results suggest that computer navigated THA via the DSA as a suitable option for hip replacement.
A Deep CNN Approach For Predicting Cumulative Incidence Based On Pseudo-Observations
Authors: Ginestet Pablo Gonzalez , Weitz Philippe , Rantalainen Mattias , Gabriel Erin E 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background: Prognostic models are of high relevance in many medical application domains. However, many common machine learning methods have not been developed for direct applicability to right-censored outcome data. Recently there have been adaptations of these methods to make predictions based on only structured data (such as clinical data). Pseudo-observations has been suggested as a data pre-processing step to address right-censoring in deep neural network. There is a theoretical backing for the use of pseudo-observations to replace the right-censored response outcome, and this allows for algorithms and loss functions designed for continuous, non-censored data to be used. Medical images have been used to predict time-to-event outcomes applying deep convolutional neural network (CNN) methods using a Cox partial likelihood loss function under the assumption of proportional hazard. We propose a method to predict the cumulative incidence from images and structured clinical data by integrating (or combining) pseudo-observations and convolutional neural networks.Results: The performance of the proposed method is assessed in simulation studies and a real data example in breast cancer from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). The results are compared to the existing convolutional neural network with Cox loss. Our simulation results show that our proposed method performs similar to or even outperforms the comparator, particularly in settings where both the dependent censoring and the survival time do not follow proportional hazards in large sample sizes. The results found in the application in the TCGA data are consistent with the results found in the simulation for small sample settings, where both methods perform similarly. Conclusions: The proposed method facilitates the application of deep CNN methods to time-to-event data and allows for the use of simple and easy to modify loss functions thus contributing to modern image-based precision medicine.
Validation of HIV Risk Screening Tool To Identify Infected Adults And Adolescents &gt;14 Years At Community Level
Authors: Yirdaw Kesetebirhan Delele , Mandala Justin 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
BackgroundThere are a number of risk factors being used to identify undiagnosed HIV infected adults. As the number of undiagnosed people gets lesser and lesser, it is important to know if existing risk factors and risk assessment tools are valid for use. In this study, we validate existing HIV risk assessment tools and see if they are worth using for HIV case finding among adults who remain undiagnosed. Methods The Tanzania and Zambia Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment (PHIA) household surveys were conducted during 2016. We used adult interview and HIV datasets to assess validity of different HIV risk assessment tools. We first included 12 risk factors (being divorced, separated or widowed (DSW); having an HIV+ spouse; having one of the following within 12 months of the survey: paid work, slept away from home for at least a month, had multiple sexual partners, paid for sex, had sexually transmitted infection (STI), being a tuberculosis (TB) suspect, being very sick for at least 3 months; had ever sold sex; diagnosed with cervical cancer; and had TB disease into a risk assessment tool and assessed its validity by comparing it against HIV test result. Sensitivity, specificity and predictive value of the tool were assessed against the HIV test result. A receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis was conducted to determine a suitable cut-off score in order to have a tool with better sensitivity, specificity, and PPV. ROC comparison statistics was used to statistically test equality between AUC (area under the curve) of the different scores. ROC comparison statistics was also used to determine which risk assessment tool was better compared to the tool that contained all risk factors. Results Of 14,820 study participants, 57.8% were men, and had a median age of 30 (IQR: 21-24). HIV prevalence was 2.3% (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.0-2.6). For the tool containing all risk factors, HIV prevalence was 1.0% when none of the risk factors were positive (Score 0) compared to 3.2% when at least one factor (Score ≥1) was present and 8.0% when ≥4 risk factors were present. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 82.3% (78.6%-85.9%), 41.9% (41.1%-42.7%), 3.2% (2.8%-3.6%), and 99.0% (98.8%-99.3%), respectively. The use of a tool containing conventional risk factors (all except those related with working and sleeping away) was found to have higher AUC compared to the use of all risk factors (p value <0.001), with corresponding sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of 63.5% (58.9%-68.1%), 66.2% (65.5%-67.0%), 4.2% (3.6%-4.8%), and 98.7% (98.5%-98.9%), respectively. Conclusion Use of a screening tool containing conventional risk factors improved HIV testing yield compared to doing universal testing. Prioritizing people who fulfil multiple risk factors should be explored further to improve HIV testing yield.