bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pakistan’s path to universal health coverage: national and regional insights
Authors: Yang Di , Nikoloski Zlatko , Khalid Ghazna , Mossialos Elias 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Background
Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is a common health policy objective outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals. With provincial governments taking the initiative, Pakistan has implemented and extended UHC program amid a complex public health landscape. In this context, we assess Pakistan’s progress toward achieving UHC at the national and subnational level.

Methods
We use data from the Demographic and Health Surveys and the Household Integrated Economic Survey to construct a UHC index at the national and subnational level for 2007, 2013, and 2018. Furthermore, we use Concentration Index (CI) and CI decomposition methodologies to assess the primary drivers of inequality in accessing medical services. Logistic regression and Sartori’s two-step model are applied to examine the key determinants of catastrophic health expenditure (CHE).

Results
Our analysis underscores Pakistan’s steady progress toward UHC, while revealing significant provincial disparities in UHC progress. Provinces with lower poverty rate achieve higher UHC index, which highlights the synergy of poverty alleviation and UHC expansion. Among the examined indicators, child immunization remains a key weakness that one third of the children are not fully vaccinated and one sixth of these not-fully-vaccinated children have never received any vaccination. Socioeconomic status emerges as a main contributor to disparities in accessing medical services, albeit with a declining trend over time. Household socioeconomic status is negatively correlated with CHE incidence, indicating that wealthier households are less susceptible to CHE. For individuals experiencing CHE, medicine expenditure takes the highest share of their health spending, registering a staggering 70% in 2018.

Conclusion
Pakistan’s progress toward UHC aligns closely with its economic development trajectory and policy efforts in expanding UHC program. However, economic underdevelopment and provincial disparities persist as significant hurdles on Pakistan’s journey toward UHC. We suggest continued efforts in UHC program expansion with a focus on policy consistency and fiscal support, combined with targeted interventions to alleviate poverty in the underdeveloped provinces.
Clinical and genetic characteristics of Chinese patients with congenital fibrosis of the extraocular muscles
Authors: Wu Jin , Huang Lijuan , Zhou Yunyu , Xie Yan , Mo Tong , Li Ningdong 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Objective
This study aimed to describe the clinical and genetic characteristics of Chinese patients with congenital fibrosis of the extraocular muscles (CFEOM), and to evaluate the phenotype–genotype correlations in these patients.

Methods
This was a retrospective study. Patients with CFEOM underwent detailed ophthalmic examinations and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Panel-based next-generation sequencing was performed to identify pathogenic variants of disease-causing genes.

Results
Sixty-two patients with CFEOM were recruited into this study. Thirty-nine patients were diagnosed with CFEOM1 and 23 with CFEOM3. Forty-nine of the 62 patients with CFEOM carried either KIF21A (41/49) or TUBB3 variants (8/49). Six known missense variants in the KIF21A and TUBB3 genes, and a novel variant (c.3906T > A, p.D1302E) in the KIF21A gene were detected. Most patients with CFEOM1 carrying the KIF21A mutation displayed isolated CFEOM, whereas patients with CFEOM3 carrying the TUBB3 mutation had a wide range of clinical manifestations, either CFEOM alone or syndromes. Nystagmus was also present in 12 patients with CFEOM. Furthermore, the MRI findings varied, ranging from attenuation of the extraocular muscles to dysgenesis of the cranial nerves and brain structure.

Conclusions
The novel variants identified in this study will further expand the spectrum of pathogenic variants in CFEOM-related genes. However, no phenotype–genotype correlations were established because of the diversity of the clinical characteristics of these patients.
Guide to extraluminal fish bone retrieval with serial computed tomography scans: a case series
Authors: Yew Ting Ting , Tang Ing Ping , Lim Li Yun , Cheah Yuanzhi , Yew Shiong Leong 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Background
Fish bone ingestion is commonly encountered in emergency department. It poses a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge particularly when it migrates extraluminally, necessitating a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach for successful management.

Case presentation
Here we reported four cases of extraluminal fish bone. The first patient was a 68-year-old Chinese man who had odynophagia shortly after a meal involving fish. The second was a 50-year-old Iban man who reported a sharp throat pain after consuming fish 1 day prior. The third patient was a 55-year-old Malay woman who developed throat pain and odynophagia after consuming fish 1 day earlier. The fourth patient, a 70 year-old Iban man, presented late with odynophagia, neck pain, swelling, and fever 1 week after fish bone ingestion. These unintentional fish bone ingestions faced challenges and required repeat computed tomography scans using multiplanar reconstruction in guiding the surgical removal of the fish bone.

Conclusion
We underscore the significance of multiplanar reconstruction in pinpointing the fish bone’s location, demonstrating the migratory route, and devising an accurate surgical plan.
Evaluation of Real-World Tumor Response Derived From Electronic Health Record Data Sources: A Feasibility Analysis in Patients With Metastatic Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Treated With Chemotherapy
Authors: McKelvey Brittany A. , Garrett-Mayer Elizabeth , Rivera Donna R. , Alabaster Amy , Andrews Hillary S. , Bond Elizabeth G. , Brown Thomas D. , Bruno Amanda , Damato Lauren , Espirito Janet L. , Fernandes Laura L. , Hansen Eric , Kluetz Paul , Ma Xinran , McCracken Andrea , Mishra-Kalyani Pallavi S. , Natanzon Yanina , Potter Danielle , Robert Nicholas J. , Schwartz Lawrence , Schwind Regina , Sweetnam Connor , Wagner Joseph , Stewart Mark D. , Allen Jeff D. 
Published: August 2024

PURPOSE Real-world data (RWD) holds promise for ascribing a real-world (rw) outcome to a drug intervention; however, ascertaining rw-response to treatment from RWD can be challenging. Friends of Cancer Research formed a collaboration to assess available data attributes related to rw-response across RWD sources to inform methods for capturing, defining, and evaluating rw-response. MATERIALS AND METHODS This retrospective noninterventional (observational) study included seven electronic health record data companies (data providers) providing summary-level deidentified data from 200 patients diagnosed with metastatic non–small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC) and treated with first-line platinum doublet chemotherapy following a common protocol. Data providers reviewed the availability and frequency of data components to assess rw-response (ie, images, radiology imaging reports, and clinician response assessments). A common protocol was used to assess and report rw-response end points, including rw-response rate (rwRR), rw-duration of response (rwDOR), and the association of rw-response with rw-overall survival (rwOS), rw-time to treatment discontinuation (rwTTD), and rw-time to next treatment (rwTTNT). RESULTS The availability and timing of clinician assessments was relatively consistent across data sets in contrast to images and image reports. Real-world response was analyzed using clinician response assessments (median proportion of patients evaluable, 77.5%), which had the highest consistency in the timing of assessments. Relative consistency was observed across data sets for rwRR (median 46.5%), as well as the median and directionality of rwOS, rwTTD, and rwTTNT. There was variability in rwDOR across data sets. CONCLUSION This collaborative effort demonstrated the feasibility of aligning disparate data sources to evaluate rw-response end points using clinician-documented responses in patients with mNSCLC. Heterogeneity exists in the availability of data components to assess response and related rw-end points, and further work is needed to inform drug effectiveness evaluation within RWD sources.
Dynamic ONU grouping algorithm based on combination partition for centralized flexible PON
Authors: Chen Junjie , Tian Qinghua , Zhang Xiao , Wang Fu , Sun Dandan , Zhu Lei , Tian Feng , Zhou Sitong , Zhang Qi , Xin Xiangjun 
Published: August 2024

The traditional optical access network architecture is fixed, and passive optical networking (PON) is only used as the transmission pipeline, which fails to make full use of the exchange capability of OLTs. In this paper, a dynamic optical network unit (ONU) grouping algorithm based on combination partition (DGACP) is proposed in the centralized flexible PON architecture. The algorithm transforms the global partitioning problem into a local partitioning problem, thereby reducing the number of algorithm iterations while obtaining the minimum cross-OLT traffic. Simulation results show that compared with the existing dynamic PON slice restructuring algorithm (DRA), the traffic gain of the DGACP is almost equal or slightly better, and the maximum running time is reduced from around 180 s to less than 0.5 s when the number of ONUs is 512.
Driven-dissipative phases and dynamics in non-Markovian nonlinear photonics
Authors: Sloan Jamison , Rivera Nicholas , Soljačić Marin 
Published: August 2024

Interactions between photons (nonlinearities) enable a powerful form of
control over the state of light. This control has enabled technologies
such as light sources at new wavelengths, ultra-short optical pulses,
frequency-comb metrology systems, even quantum light sources. Common
to a wide variety of nonlinear optical technologies is an equilibrium
between an energy source, such as an external laser, and dissipation,
such as radiation loss or absorption. In the vast majority of these
systems, the coupling between the system and the outside world (which
leads to loss) is well described as “Markovian,” meaning that the
outside world has no memory of its past state. In this work, we
introduce a class of driven-dissipative systems in which a nonlinear
cavity experiences non-Markovian coupling to the outside world. In the
classical regime, we show that these non-Markovian cavities can have
extremely low thresholds for nonlinear effects, as well as
self-pulsing instabilities at THz rates, and rich phase diagrams with
alternating regions of stability and instability. In the quantum
regime, we show how these systems, when implemented on
state-of-the-art platforms, can enable generation of strongly squeezed
cavity states with intensity fluctuations that can be more than
15 dB below the classical limit, in contrast to the Markovian
driven-dissipative cavity, in which the limit is 3 dB. In the
regime of few-photon nonlinearity, such non-Markovian cavities can
enable a deterministic protocol to generate Fock states of high order,
which are long-desired, but still elusive at optical frequencies. We
expect that exploiting non-Markovian couplings in nonlinear optics
should in the future lead to even richer possibilities than those
discussed here for both classical and quantum light manipulations.
The prevalence and patterns of hearing loss in Jordan: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Alqudah Safa , Zuriekat Margaret , Hassan Saja , Mahafdeh Heba , Alqudah Zainab , Shatarah Aya , Smadi Ghufran 
Published: August 2024

Background
Hearing loss is known to be a serious issue that impedes human communication. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that approximately 20 in 100,000 newborns demonstrate congenital hearing impairments, leading to severely impacted language, academic, and social abilities of these children.

Objective
The reduced quality of life and work productivity among hearing-impaired individuals eventually affects societal outcomes and development. Since limited studies address the nature of hearing-impaired individuals in Jordan, this research aimed to define the prevalence and nature of hearing loss in Jordan, highlighting important facts about hearing loss epidemiology across Jordanians.

Methods
The current research focused on assessing hearing function for 1000 individuals over 12 years to define the rate, most prominent configurations, and the most common characteristics of hearing difficulties in Jordan.

Results
The results showed that sixty-three per 1,000 people have hearing loss, most frequently sensorineural hearing loss. The age range of people with hearing loss was 12 to 89 years old, with a median age of 51. The incidence of hearing loss appeared at a later age (33.33%, X2 = 15.74, p<0.05). The percentages of hearing loss were similar across the main Jordanian governorates (X2 = 7.14, p>0.05), with sensorineural hearing loss reported to be the most common type of hearing loss (N = 46, 73.00%), and mild is the most frequent severity (N = 25, X2 = 23.58, p<0.05). No statistical variation was reported in the prevalence of hearing loss based on gender.

Conclusion
The rate of hearing loss in Jordan is higher than worldwide prevalence, which was assumed to be due to genetic factors impacting the auditory system. These findings will assist in creating effective hearing conservation programs to reasonably prevent or minimize the spread of hearing loss in Jordan.
Adoptability of digital payments for community health workers in peri-urban Uganda: A case study of Wakiso district
Authors: Kembabazi Veronica , Tigaiza Arnold , Opio Charles , Aweko Juliet , Nakafeero Mary , Makumbi Fredrick Edward , Ediau Michael , Kiracho Elizabeth Ekirapa , Tusubira Andrew K. , Waiswa Peter 
Published: August 2024

Background
Whereas digital payments have been identified as a solution to health payment challenges, evidence on their adoptability among Community Health Workers (CHWs) is limited. Understanding their adoptability is crucial for sustainability. This study assessed the adoptability of digital payments for CHWs in Wakiso district, Uganda.

Methods
A convergent parallel mixed-methods study was conducted between November and December 2022, in Wakiso district, Uganda. We surveyed a random sample of 150 CHWs using a structured questionnaire and conducted key informant interviews among three purposively selected Digital payment coordinators. The study utilized the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) framework to assess the adoptability of digital payments among CHWs. Factor analysis was performed to extract composite variables from the original constituting variables. Using the median, the outcome was converted to a binary variable and logistic regression was conducted to assess the association between the TAM constructs and adoptability of digital payments by CHWs. Quantitative data was analyzed using STATA 14, while qualitative data was transcribed verbatim and analyzed using ATLAS.ti 22.

Results
Nearly all participants (98.0%; n = 49) had previously received payments through mobile money, a digital payment method. (52%; n = 78) of CHWs said they intend to use digital payment modalities. Perceived risk of digital payments was associated with 83% lower odds of adoptability of digital payment modalities (OR = 0.17;95%CI:0.052, 0.54), while perceived trust had nearly three times higher odds of adoptability of digital payment modalities (OR = 2.82;95%CI:1.41, 5.67). Qualitative interviews showed that most CHWs reported positive experiences with digital health payments, including effectiveness and completeness of payments except for delays associated with mobile money payments across payment providers. Mobile money was reported to be easy to use, in addition to fostering financial responsibility compared to cash.

Conclusion
CHWs in Wakiso district intend to use digital payment modalities, particularly mobile money/e-cash. Perceived risk of the payment method and trust are key determinants of adoptability. Synergized efforts by both payment providers to manage payment delays and mitigate risks associated with digital payments could attenuate perceived risk and build trust in digital payment modalities.
The microbiology of periprosthetic joint infections as revealed by sonicate cultures in Korea: Routine use of fungal and mycobacterial cultures is necessary?
Authors: Lee Yoonjung , Lee Ahrang , Jeong Hae Seong , Shin Sung Un , Kim Uh Jin , Kim Seong Eun , Kang Seung-Ji , Jung Sook-In , Park Kyung-Soon , Seon Jong Keun , Shin Jong-Hee , Park Kyung-Hwa 
Published: August 2024

BackgroundAlthough sonication is a valuable diagnostic tool for periprosthetic joint infections (PJI), it is not commonly utilized. We analyzed sonicate and intraoperative tissue culture results obtained from three hospitals to define the microbial etiology of PJIs in Korea. Furthermore, we investigated necessity of conducting regular fungal and mycobacterial cultures.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed data for patients with suspected orthopedic-related infections between 2017 and 2022, who had undergone prostheses removal surgery. We included 193 patients with suspected PJIs, and bacterial (n = 193), fungal (n = 193), and mycobacterial (n = 186) cultures were conducted on both sonicate and intraoperative tissue samples. The diagnosis of PJI was based on the European Bone and Joint Infection Society (EBJIS) criteria.ResultsOut of 193 patients, 121 (62.7%) had positive sonicate cultures, while 112 (58.0%) had positive periprosthetic tissue cultures. According to EBJIS criteria, a total of 181 patients were diagnosed with PJI, and 141 patients received microbiological confirmation through sonicate fluid culture or tissue culture. Of the 181 patients, 28 were classified with acute PJI (within 3 months of implantation) and 153 with chronic PJI. Among 141 patients,staphylococciwere the most common organisms, accounting for 51.8% of cases, followed by Gram-negative organisms (15.6%), fungus (8.5%), and mycobacteria (3.5%). Nearly 91.7% of fungal isolates wereCandidaspecies, which also grew in bacterial cultures. In total, 11 cases cultured positive only in tissue culture, whereas 20 cases cultured positive only in sonicate culture. The antibiotic treatment plans were adjusted according to culture results.ConclusionsUtilizing sonicate culture has greatly assisted in identifying pathogens responsible for chronic indolent PJIs, allowing suitable antimicrobial treatment. Based on few cases involving non-Candidaand mycobacterial infections, it appears that routine fungal and mycobacterial cultures may not be necessary.
Solution-processed NiS thin films: structural, morphological, compositional and optical analysis
Authors: Suresh Kumar 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
The present work elucidates a study on the synthesis and characterization of nanostructured NiS thin films, an optical absorber material. NiS films have been deposited on glass substrates using a simple and cost-effective chemical solution route. The deposition process has been accomplished using an aqueous solution of nickel chloride, thiourea, ammonia and Triton. As-deposited and thermally annealed films have been characterized using X-ray diffractometry, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and UV–visible spectrometry. It has been observed that the deposited films are nanocrystalline in nature and belong to the rhombohedral structure of the millerite phase. The diffraction peaks become more sharp, discrete and intense whereas the crystallite size increases from 9.89 to 11.78 nm with annealing treatment. Some variations in the infrared peaks have been observed with annealing. The characteristic peak for Ni–S vibration has been observed at ∼604 cm−1. The surface of the films is smooth, uniform, and free from cracks and pinholes. The optical absorbance analysis has confirmed that NiS films possess a direct optical band gap whose values vary from 1.50 to 1.45 eV with annealing.
Gender Diversity in the Boardroom and Earnings Quality: The Monitoring Role of Institutional Ownership
Authors: Budastra Made Aditya , Isnalita Isnalita 
Published: August 2024

Purpose : Earnings are a critical component of the income statement because most investors use them to make investment decisions in the company. Consequently, board of directors has a critical responsibility to present high-quality earnings reports and free from any elements of manipulation to ensure that investors are not misled when using them as a performance benchmark. The purpose of this study is to provide empirical evidence regarding the effect of board of directors’ gender diversity on earnings quality. Furthermore, this study also investigates the moderating role of institutional ownership on the effect of board of directors’ gender diversity on earnings quality.
Method : The study uses a sample of 682 firm-year observations of manufacturing companies on IDX from 2015 to 2019. The data analysis technique used is Moderated Regression Analysis (MRA) with an Ordinary Least Square (OLS) approach.
Findings : The study finds that the improvement in the quality of reported earnings is not determined by the level of gender diversity among company directors. Furthermore, this study also proves that the effectiveness of institutional ownership roles can help strengthen the gender diversity mechanism to improve the quality of reported earnings. This finding suggests that in developing countries such as Indonesia, the role of institutional ownership is effective in providing external monitoring of the firm’s board and reducing the board’s incentives to manipulate the firm’s earnings.
Novelty : The study is the first to examine the moderating role of institutional ownership in the board of directors’ gender diversity and earnings quality.
Measurements and calculations of the coefficients of N2O line broadening and shift by air pressure in the (0002) ← (0000) band
Authors: СИНИЦА Л.Н. , СЕРДЮКОВ В.И. , НЕВЗОРОВА Т.А. , ДУДАРЕНОК А.С. , ЛАВРЕНТЬЕВА Н.Н. 
Published: August 2024

Точные измерения концентрации закиси азота, мощного парникового газа, в атмосфере Земли важны для моделирования радиационного баланса нашей планеты. Представлены измеренные коэффициенты уширения и сдвига линий N2O давлением воздуха при комнатной температуре для 82 колебательно-вращательных переходов в полосе (0002) ← (0000), вращательное квантовое число mменяется от 3 до 54. Измерения проведены на Фурье-спектрометре IFS-125M со спектральным разрешением 0,0056 см-1. Вычисленные коэффициенты уширения и сдвига линий получены полуклассическим методом, модифицированным включением в расчетную схему корректирующего фактора. Определенные нами параметры сравнивались с представленными в литературе и в современных базах спектроскопических данных. Выявлена колебательная зависимость полуширин линий для валентного колебания n3.
Accurate measurements of the concentration of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas, in the Earth's atmosphere are important for modeling the radiation balance of our planet. The work presents the measured broadening and shift coefficients of N2O lines by air pressure at room temperature for 82 rovibrational transitions in the (0002) ← (0000) band; the rotational quantum number mvaries from 3 to 54. The measurements were carried out on an IFS-125M Fourier transform spectrometer with a spectral resolution of 0.0056 cm-1. The calculated line-broadening and shift coefficients were obtained using a semi-classical method modified by introducing a correction factor in the calculation scheme. Our parameters are compared with those presented in the literature and in modern spectroscopic databases. A vibrational dependence of the line half-widths for the n3stretching vibration was revealed.