bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
RILEM TC 275 - Moisture Buffer Value of vegetal concrete - Results of round-robin testing
Authors: collet florence , Mertens Stijn , Faria Paulina 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

The moisture buffering characterization of bio-based building materials and products is investigated to accurately define a test methodology, as previous studies have shown some discrepancies and difficulties for comparison. An industrial hemp concrete was selected. The applicability of the NORDTEST protocol, with complementary details, was assessed by two round robin tests (RRT) with seven participating laboratories to achieve robustness and validation. The first RRT specified a method for previously conditioning the specimens and identified that: the exchange surface widely impacted the MBV results; a lower MBV was found for molded surface; the moisture flux direction versus the compaction direction did not show a high impact on the results; climatic chambers with Peltier technology are less efficient in desorption phase; the impact of air velocity was not highlighted, as the air velocity was similar in all labs; the test can be performed with vertical or horizontal exchange surfaces. For the second RRT, the conditioning protocol was reduced and simplified but complementary details were provided: the exchange surface was molded and the moisture flux was perpendicular to the compaction direction; the necessity to well remove dust before sealing was emphasized; more caution was taken when sealing the other specimen surfaces. This RRT confirmed that the exchange surface finishing widely affects the MBV results and the less efficiency of climate chambers with Peltier technology. Moreover, it underlined the effect of air velocity. The results obtained following this more detailed protocol were comparable between laboratories, suggesting their robustness to assess MBV of bio-based products.
Patient request amplifies other determinants of providing low value care: A factorial survey experiment in physicians’ decision-making
Authors: Roczniewska Marta , Augustsson Hanna , Ingvarsson Sara , Rundgren Emma Hedberg , Szymański Kamil , Schwarz Ulrica von Thiele , Nilsen Per , Hasson Henna 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background
Low-value care (LVC) is a term describing practices that persist in healthcare, despite being ineffective, inefficient, or causing harm. The professionals are central in the challenge of de-implementing LVC as they ultimately decide whether or not to provide a particular practice. Several determinants for the provision of LVC have been identified, but understanding how these factors influence professionals’ decisions, individually or together, is a necessary next step to guide de-implementation. This study addresses the gaps in understanding how primary care physicians make decisions about providing LVC, by experimentally testing the influence of different determinants related to their decision-making.
Methods
A factorial survey experiment was employed, using vignettes that presented hypothetical medical scenarios among 593 primary care physicians across Sweden. Each vignette varied systematically by factors such as patient age, patient request for the LVC, physician’s perception of this practice, practice cost to the primary care center, and time taken to deliver it. For each scenario, we measured the reported likelihood of providing the LVC. We also collected information about the physician’s age, work experience, and their general worry about missing a serious illness.
Results
Multilevel modeling revealed that patient request and physicians’ positive perceptions of the LVC were the factors that most impacted the decisions to provide it. Additionally, when the LVC was described as being low cost or not time-consuming, patient request increased the reported likelihood of providing it. On the other hand, credible evidence against the LVC and its high cost reduced the role of patient request. Furthermore, physicians’ fear of missing a serious illness was linked with higher likelihood of providing LVC, and the credibility of the evidence against the LVC reduced the role of this anxiety in decisions.
Conclusions
The findings highlight the dominant role of patient requests and the mitigating effect of evidence credibility. Strategies to reduce LVC should include enhancing physicians’ communication skills and incorporating decision-support tools to better manage patient expectations and align clinical practices with current evidence.
Developing Codes of Ethics in E-Learning: A Survey of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Dental Students and Attending of Dental School of Tehran University of Medical Sciences
Authors: Zubeidi Zuhair , Hashemikamangar Sedighe Sadat , Behniafar Behnaz , Zolfaghari Mitra 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background
Due to the lack of legal frameworks and specific ethical codes in e-learning, this educational method can lead to problems for students, professors, and educational institutions, including Faculty of Dentistry. Therefore, this study aims to develop codes of ethics in e-learning and to determine the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice of dental students and professors of Tehran University of Medical Sciences about them in 2023.
Methods
This cross-sectional study was conducted on dental students and professors of Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2023. Firstly, based on the codes of top 100 universities in the world (according to the Shanghai ranking) and the opinion of experts in the field of e-learning and dentistry, ethical codes and then 2 questionnaires, each containing 33 questions, were defined. An expert panel of 8 evaluated them in terms of content validity and face validity. Finally, the questionnaires were given to professors and students. After collection, the data was analyzed using SPSS software 25.
Results
According to the results of the present study, the average score of knowledge was 10.88 out of -24 to 24, attitude was 41.5 out of 0 to 56 and practice was 7.98 out of 0 to 12 for professors. Also, for students, the average score of knowledge was 7.36 out of -19 to 19, attitude was 38.9 out of 0 to 56 and practice was 7.49 out of 0 to 13. Also, by comparing the obtained averages with demographic information, it was found that the findings were independent of the gender of professors and students, and there was no significant relationship between the attitude-practice and attitude-awareness of the professors, but there was a relationship between the awareness-practice of the professors. For students, there was no significant relationship between attitude-awareness and awareness-practice, while a significant relationship was observed between students' attitude-practice. (p < 0.05)
Conclusion
Awareness of the professors and students of the Faculty of Dentistry of Tehran University of Medical Sciences about the codes of ethics in e-learning is in the medium frequency range and their attitude and practice is good and far from ideal. The findings were independent of the gender of the professors and students, and there was no relationship between the academic degree of the professors and the knowledge and attitude, and only about the practice of the professors and the rank of the professors. A significant relationship between them was observed.
Assessing Landslide Risk Probability in the Garhwal Himalayas, India Using a GIS-Based Bivariate Statistical Approach
Authors: Kaur Harjeet , Badola Shubham , Singh Ravinder , Parkash Surya 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Landslides is deadliest disasters which occur frequently without warning causing damages and human causalities in the vulnerable areas. The topography of the region affects the frequency of landslides occurrences, as well as the impact of outside factors including intense rain, seismic activity, changes in groundwater levels, snowmelt, stream erosion, flooding, or any combination of these natural events. The research study investigates the risk probability of Garhwal Himalaya with the help of several causative factors, including slope, aspect, curvature, elevation, proximity to river, proximity to road, rainfall, lineament density, NDVI, NDBI and census data of 2011. Landslide inventory was prepared and classified into training data (70%) and testing data (30%). The landslide risk probability and susceptibility for the area of interest have been obtained using the frequency ratio (FR) approach. The resultant susceptibility and risk probability maps were classified into five i.e very low, low, medium, high, very high. The study reveals that 15.8% of the areas fall under the very high susceptibility zone, while 17.3% area in the very high risk zone. Further, the receiver operating characteristic-area under the curve (ROC-AUC) was used to calculate the landslide risk probability map's overall model accuracy, that turned up to 75.25%. The findings can be used further by planners and relevant authorities for landslip mitigation and control.
Securely Stressed: Association between Attachment and Empathic Stress in Romantic Couples
Authors: Gallistl Mathilde , Handke Lydia , Kungl Melanie , Gabler Sandra , Croy Ilona , Vrticka Pascal , Engert Veronika 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Stress-related disorders are common in modern societies. What adds to the burden is empathic stress, arising when observing another’s stress elicits a stress response in the observer. In romantic couples, we investigated the association between empathic stress and adult attachment – a deep emotional bond in relationships – to understand facets of risk and resilience inherent to attachment. Psychosocial stress was induced in one partner (“target”) while the other passively observed the situation (“observer”). Stress reactivity was measured in both partners via salivary cortisol, heart rate, high-frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV), and questionnaires. Observers’ attachment representations were assessed using the Adult Attachment Interview. As hypothesized, we found higher cortisol and HF-HRV resonance, that is, proportionality in stress reactivity in targets and observers, in dyads with securely as opposed to insecurely attached observers (specifically insecure-dismissing). Consistent with attachment as a resilience factor, our results suggest that securely attached individuals are physiologically more in tune with their partners during psychosocially stressful situations, possibly allowing for mutual understanding and triggering supportive behavior. However, suggesting a potential risk inherent to attachment security, in contexts of frequent or extreme partner stress, securely attached individuals may be prone to excessive empathic stress activation and subsequent health impairments.
Therapeutic use of mesenchymal stem cells may be a means of transmitting leishmaniasis in dogs
Authors: Bilharinho Vitor Pegorer , Obata Malú Mateus Santos , Bittar Joely Ferreira Figueiredo , Rosado Isabel Rodrigues , Serakides Rogéria , Alves Endrigo Gabellini Leonel 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

The aim of this case report is to record the finding of leishmaniasis-causing parasites in mesenchymal stem cells from dogs from a non-endemic area, which were negative when submitted to the RIFI and ELISA tests, a fact that had not been documented until now. This demonstrates that this widely distributed and lethal zoonosis can escape traditional means of diagnosis and that stem cell therapy has the potential to be a source of transmission of the disease. Although the relative safety of stem cell therapy is presumed, the possible risks associated with its use, especially the risk of parasite transmission, cannot be ignored. It is therefore essential to develop rigorous screening and testing protocols to ensure the safety of stem cell therapy.
Study A high mobility of p-AlN:ZnO thin films doped by RF sputtering
Authors: Ismail A. , Alabsi Badr I. , Qaeed Motahher , AL-Farga Ammar 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Achieving high conductivity p-type zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films remains a great challenge, hence the need for co-doping with AlN via RF sputtering. RF sputtering was applied across a range of target power (150, 175, 200, 225 and 250 W) with Ar (20%) and N2 (80%) at room temperature. ZnO (002) peak of wurzite structure showed in all the prepared films. Recombination of free excitons was identified using PL technique. The Raman peaks that denoted as ZnO:AlN and ZnO:N were shown at 578.58 cm-1 and 276 cm-1 respectively. AZO23 and AZO25 samples exhibited p-type conductivity behaviour with hole concentrations of 3.06 ×10+ 16 cm-3 and 1.83 ×10+ 18 cm-3 and matching mobilities of 117 cm2 V-1 s-1and 19.1 cm2 V-1 s-1, respectively. The p-type behavior of the ZnO sample doped at RF power of 175 W is due to the formation N-Al-N complex which serves as a shallow acceptor derived from the substitution of Zn+ 2 ions with Al+ 3 ions. On the other hand, the p-type behavior of the sample doped at RF power of 225 W can be due to the replacement of O-2 ions site (radius of 0.140 nm) with the larger N-3 ions (radius of 0.146 nm) and the formation (N)O acceptors and (N2)O donors. Nonetheless, the effect of (N)O acceptors is more significant than that of (N2)O donors, leading to the p-type conductivity observed in these samples. The higher mean free path/crystallite size (Ɩ/D) ratio recorded for the sample doped at 175 W accounts for its higher mobility (117 cm2 V-1 s-1). Hence, RF power values of 175 and 225 W are effective for the successful doping of ZnO wuth AIN to obtain p-type ZnO.
Protective effect and efficacy evaluation of lychee seed fermentation broth on oxidative damage of cells
Authors: YAN Yaqian , FU Hao , Tang Yuling , Huang Tiantian , zou Xun , Su Ning , Wang Dongdong , Wang Changtao , li meng 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background
Lychee seeds were fermented by three kinds of bacteria (Lactobacillus plantarum, Saccharomyces cerevillus and ganoderma lucidum mycelium), and two effective strains were selected by two indexes of activity content and antioxidant, so as to further verify whether lychee seeds have waste multiplication effect and can protect cells damaged by oxidation from anti-inflammatory, anti-aging and safety.
Results
The contents of polyphenols, flavonoids and proteins in the solution fermented by Ganoderma lucidum mycelium did not increase, thus affecting the antioxidant capacity of the solution was far less than that of the water extract. The active content of the other two fermentation solutions was higher than that of the water extract, and the ability of scavenging free radicals of the two solutions increased with the increase of the volume fraction. At the cellular level, the two fermentation solutions showed repair effects on UVA-induced damaged cells. The contents of type I collagen (COL-1), total antioxidant capacity and ELN were increased, the contents of reactive oxygen species and MDA were decreased, and the expressions of inflammatory factors IL-6, TNF-a, iNOS and COX-2 were decreased in HaCaT cells.From the gene level, the mRNA contents of IL-6, TNF-a, Caspase-3, Caspase-9, Bax and Bcl were significantly decreased.The test of chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (HTET CAM) showed that there was no bleeding and litchi seed fermentation liquid was not irritating.
Conclusions
Therefore, two kinds of litchi seed fermentation can be used as natural plant raw materials for cosmetics, and have strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging functions on skin, and also have good human safety.
Outcomes in Stage IIA vs. Stage IIB/III in the PALLAS Trial [ABCSG-42/AFT-05/PrE0109/BIG-14-13])
Authors: DeMichele Angela , Dueck Amylou , Hlauschek Dominik , Martin Miguel , Burstein Hal , Pfeiler Georg , Zdenkowski Nick , Wolff Antonio , Bellet-Ezquerra Meritxell , Winer Eric , Balic Marija , Miller Kathy , Colleoni Marco , Lake Diana , Rubovsky Gabor , Cameron David , Balko Justin , Singer Christian , Nowecki Zbigniew , Iwata Hiroji , Wolmark Norman , Parraga Kepa Amilano , Rugo Hope , Steger Guenther G , Traina Tiffany , Werutsky Gustavo , Czajkowska Dorota , Metzger Otto , El-Abed Sarra , Theall Kathy Puyana , Lu Ray Dongrui , O’Brien Patrick , Fesl Christian , Mayer Erica , Gnant Michael 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background
The PALLAS trial investigated the addition of palbociclib to standard adjuvant endocrine therapy reduces breast cancer recurrence. This pre-specified analysis was conducted to determine whether adjuvant palbociclib benefited patients diagnosed with lower risk stage IIA disease compared to those with higher stage disease.
Methods
PALLAS was an international, multicenter, randomized, open-label, phase III trial, representing a public-private partnership between Pfizer, the Austrian Breast Cancer Study Group and, the U.S. ALLIANCE Foundation. Patients diagnosed with stage II-III, hormone-receptor-positive, HER2/neu negative breast cancer who were within 12 months of diagnosis, and had completed all definitive therapy aside from endocrine therapy, which was started within 6 months prior to study entry. All patients were required to submit a formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor block. Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive standard adjuvant endocrine therapy (of physicians’ choice) for at least 5 years with or without 2 years of Palbociclib, administered orally at a starting dose of 125 mg daily, given for 21 days followed by a 7-day break.
Results
A total of 5,796 patients with HR+/HER2- early breast cancer (including 1,010 with stage IIA) were enrolled. Median follow-up was 50 months for stage IIA patients and 43.1 months overall. In the stage IIA cohort, four-year iDFS in the palbociclib arm was 92.9% versus 92.1% for ET alone (HR 0.75, 95%CI 0.48–1.19, p = 0.23). There was no differential benefit by histologic grade, chemotherapy receipt, age, or anatomic/clinical risk. Additionally, no benefit to palbociclib was seen in this cohort in invasive breast cancer-free survival (iBCFS), locoregional relapse-free survival (LRFS), distant relapse-free survival (DRFS), or overall survival (OS). For the stage IIB/III patients, 4-year iDFS was 85.3% for palbociclib + ET versus 83.6% for ET alone (HR 0.91, 95% CI 0.77–1.07, p = 0.24).
Conclusions and Relevance:
While there were substantial differences in outcome for stage IIA versus IIB/III patients at 4 years of follow-up, the addition of 2 years of palbociclib did not improve outcomes for patients, regardless of stage.
Trial Registration:
The study was registered on Clinicaltrials.gov on July 31, 2015, and was assigned the clinical trial number (NCT02513394).
Drug-eluting beads bronchial arterial chemoembolization in advanced and standard treatment-refractory/ineligible NSCLC
Authors: Cui Wei , Li Jing , Tian Jie , Deng Yi , Chen Jingjing , Cui Jinghua , Wang Qi , Mai Qicong , Chen Xiaoming , Zhang Jing , Xu Rongde 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The treatment strategy for previously standard treated non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) still remained challenge. This study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of epirubicin-loaded drug-eluting bead transbronchial artery chemoembolization (D-BACE) plus bronchial artery infusion chemotherapy (BAIC) in patients with refractory advanced NSCLC.
METHODS: Between January 2018 and December 2022, 32 patients with refractory advanced NSCLC (26 males; mean age of 64±9.3years [range 41-78]; 19 squamous carcinomas [59.4%]) who had received one or more previous standard treatments and received D-BACE (epirubicin 50mg) plus BAIC (lobaplatin 30 mg/m2) were included in our study. The study evaluated several parameters including local tumor response based on RECIST 1.1 criteria, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and complication rates. To examine the impact of different factors on PFS and OS, Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression analyses were performed.
RESULTS: A total of 68 D-BACE plus BAIC sessions (median, 1, range 1-7) were performed. Overall response and disease control rates were 25% and 100%, respectively. The median PFS and median overall survival were 6.0 months (95% confidence interval (CI): 4.1–7.9) and 14.0 months (95% CI: 4.8–23.2), respectively. The number of cycles in the D-BACE plus BAIC treatment was found to be an independent predictor of PFS and OS. There were no instances of severe procedure-related complications or deaths during the study.
CONCLUSIONS: The combination of D-BACE and BAIC shows great potential as a treatment choice for patients with refractory advanced NSCLC.
Triglyceride glucose index is associated with myocardial ischemia in patients with minimal to moderate CAD
Authors: Huang Zengfa , Tang Ruiyao , Ding Yi , Wang Wanpeng , Du Xinyu , Wang Xi , Li Zuoqin , Xiao Jianwei , Wang Xiang 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background
The triglyceride glucose (TyG) index has been suggested as a reliable substitute indicator of insulin resistance. However, the association between the TyG index and the prevalence of myocardial ischemia in patients with minimal to moderate CAD is still lacking.
Hypothesis:
We aimed to investigate the association between the triglyceride glucose (TyG) index and the incidence of myocardial ischemia in patients with minimal to moderate coronary artery disease (CAD).
Methods
1697 patients underwent coronary CTA examinations and with minimal to moderate CAD were retrospectively included in the study. TyG index and computed tomography–derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) was used to assess insulin resistance (IR) and myocardial ischemia, respectively. Myocardial ischemia was defined as a CT-FFR value ≤ 0.80. Logistic regression models were performed to explore the association between the TyG index and myocardial ischemia. A 1-SD increase in TyG index was correlated with 19–24% elevated risk of myocardial ischemia when regarding TyG as a continuous variable.
Results
The prevalence of myocardial ischemia was higher in the highest TyG index tertile (T3) group than that in the lowest TyG index tertile (T1) group. After adjusting for other variables, the T3 group remained to be associated with a higher risk of myocardial ischemia when regarded the T1 group as the reference (OR, 1.43, 95% CI, 1.01–2.04, p = 0.047). Subgroups analysis showed the similar effects.
Conclusion
The TyG index was associated with the prevalence of myocardial ischemia detected by CT-FFR in patients with minimal to moderate CAD.