bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Insights into critical urban pedestrian dynamics: an observational study spotlighting a small sample of blind pedestrians and electric vehicles
Authors: Oliveira Anna Beatriz Espíndola de , Bastos Silva Ana Maria César , Ribeiro Anabela Salgueiro Narciso 
Published: August 2024

AbstractObservational studies, whether conducted on-site or through simulation, are practical options for investigating and comprehending pedestrian behaviour and validating the findings of similar studies that have already taken place on the same subject. Although they present difficulties in demographic characterisation and personal context, observation represents the adoption of actual behaviour, highlighting the different scenarios, contexts and characteristics of the environment and infrastructure in urban areas. However, with the growth in simulators, surveys, and data protection issues in Europe, field observation is less considered, and several studies have been left aside. Based on observation, this study answers behavioural and demographic questions, namely age and gender, using the data of six pedestrian crossings in Coimbra, Portugal. This experience occurred on different days of the week (the week before lockdown), registering blind (and non-blind) pedestrians' behaviour facing the electric vehicle in 6 crosswalks, 30 min in each crosswalk, morning or afternoon, with favourable weather conditions outside peak hours In total 180 (30*6) minutes were filmed and evaluated. The relationships between responsibility (when one pedestrian is guided by another) and group action in decision-making and crossing behaviour were also investigated. Another relevant aspect studied was the relationship between pedestrians and electric vehicles in different contexts. During the research, an electric vehicle was inserted in the observational experience, circulating in the streets to observe the pedestrians' reaction to the absence of noise. In this context, blind pedestrians were invited to perform crossings in these areas and identify the presence of the electric vehicle, to identify some differences in the behaviour of blind pedestrians and non-blind pedestrians. The results indicate that blind pedestrians tend to be more cautious than non-blind pedestrians, that younger and elderly pedestrians tend to have more dangerous and less calculated behaviours than other road users and that the differences are more perceptible in age than gender. It should be noted that when in a group, especially adolescents, they commit more traffic errors. Furthermore, regarding the absence of noise associated with the electric vehicle, in moments of pedestrian distraction, if the driver is not attentive, there is an increase in the risk of accidents.
Severe bronchiectasis is associated with increased carotid intima-media thickness
Authors: Kwok Wang Chun , Lau Kui Kai , Teo Kay Cheong , Leung Sze Him Isaac , Tsui Chung Ki , Hsu Matthew S.S. , Pijarnvanit Kkts , Cheung Carman Nga-Man , Chow Yick Hin , Ho James Chung Man 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Background
Although bronchiectasis has been shown to be associated with cardiovascular disease, there is limited evidence of an association with subclinical atherosclerosis, especially carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT).

Methods
This prospective study compared CIMT among patients with and without bronchiectasis, and among bronchiectatic patients classified according to disease severity using the FACED score. The study was carried out at a major regional hospital and tertiary respiratory referral centre in Hong Kong.

Results
Total 155 Chinese patients with non-cystic fibrosis (CF) bronchiectasis and 512 controls were recruited. The mean CIMT was 0.58 ± 0.10 mm, 0.63 ± 0.11 mm and 0.66 ± 0.08 mm respectively among controls, patients with mild-to-moderate bronchiectasis and patients with severe bronchiectasis. There was no statistically significant difference in CIMT between patients with mild-to-moderate bronchiectasis and controls. Multivariate linear regression revealed that CIMT was significantly increased in patients with severe bronchiectasis relative to controls. The same phenomenon was observed among patients without a history of cardiovascular disease or cardiovascular risk factors.

Conclusions
CIMT was significantly increased in patients with severe bronchiectasis compared with controls without bronchiectasis, but not among patients with mild-to-moderate bronchiectasis, which suggested the subclinical atherosclerosis to be more prevalent among patients with severe bronchiectasis.
Insights from a community-based survey on factors influencing acceptance and uptake of Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir) as a COVID-19 antiviral medication in Singapore
Authors: Soh Sheng En Alexius Matthias , Ong Wei Ling Brenda , Thein Tun-Linn , Griva Konstadina , Chen I.-Cheng Mark 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Introduction
Antiviral treatment can reduce the burden of COVID-19. But utilisation can be suboptimal, even in a setting like Singapore where it is fully subsidized for those with selected medical conditions and older adults (≥ 50 years). We hence investigated the factors affecting awareness, acceptance, and initiative to request Paxlovid.

Methods
We assessed the Paxlovid awareness, factors impacting its uptake in a survey conducted from August 2022 to September 2022 through the SOCRATES cohort. Multivariable logistic regression was used to investigate associations between sociodemographics, perceptions, and attitudes with the key study outcomes.

Results
Among respondents to the Paxlovid survey, 54% were aware of Paxlovid. On being provided essential details about Paxlovid, 75% reported they would likely be receptive to taking it if prescribed, and 38% indicated the initiative to request for it if it was not suggested by their doctors. Factors associated with awareness of Paxlovid include aged 40 years old and above, higher education, citing websites as an information source, greater trust in healthcare providers (aOR: 1.65, 95% CI 1.26 – 2.15) and government communications (aOR: 0.69, 95% CI 0.55 – 0.86), and higher perceived risk of COVID-19 infection (aOR: 1.25, 95% CI 1.10 – 1.42). Factors associated with acceptance to take Paxlovid include male gender, citing trust in healthcare providers (aOR: 1.49, 95% CI 1.11 – 1.99) and government communications (aOR: 1.38, 95% CI 1.09 – 1.76), and higher perceived severity of COVID-19 (aOR: 1.23, 95% CI 1.07 – 1.42). Factors associated with initiative to request Paxlovid include male gender, having pre-existing diabetes and higher perceived severity of COVID-19 (aOR: 1.24, 95% CI 1.09 – 1.40). The most common reasons for why respondents might not take Paxlovid were concerns about side effects (64%), concerns about costs (29%), and the perception that COVID-19 is a mild (25%).

Conclusion
The majority of our respondents would take Paxlovid if it was prescribed to them, but a much smaller proportion would have the initiative to request for this. Key factors that may influence uptake are COVID-19 threat perceptions, trust in healthcare and government, and perceptions of the drug’s side effects and cost.
Web-based objective and structured assessment of point-of-care lung ultrasound skills in resource-limited settings
Authors: Suttels Veronique , Chichignoud Ines , Wachinou Prudence Ablo , Du Toit Jacques Daniel , Mans Pierre-André , Blanco Juan Manuel , Agodokpessi Gildas , Brahier Thomas , Hartley Mary-Anne , Garcia Elena , Boillat-Blanco Noémie 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Background
Objective assessment of skills after training is essential for safe implementation of lung point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS). In low-and middle-income countries (LMIC) there is a need for assessment tools without onsite experts to scale up POCUS access. Our objective is to develop a web-based assessment tool and evaluate trainees across different countries and at different time points after initial lung POCUS training.

Methods
We adapted the objective and validated lung ultrasound score (LUS-OSAUS) to a web-based tool with quiz and practical skills test. Trainees were evaluated after a short (4-day) standardized lung POCUS training and were classified in distinct groups according to (i) their geographical location (Benin vs. South-Africa) and (ii) time elapsed since training (Benin 0 months vs. Benin 6 months). The Benin 6 months group had minimal continuous education. Skills test images were read by two blinded experts. We report the overall success rates and then compare these rates based on location and timing since training, using the Fischer’s exact test.

Results
A total of 35 out of 43 participants completed the online LUS-OSAUS quiz and skills test. The overall success rate was 0.84 (95%CI 0.80–0.88), with lower success rates for “correct depth” 0.54 (0.37–0.71), “correct assessment of pleura” 0.63 (0.45–0.79) and “conclusion” 0.71 (0.54–0.85). There were no differences based on location, with respective rates of 0.86 (0.80–0.92) and 0.83 (0.75–0.91) (p-value = 0.125) for Benin and South Africa at 0 months, respectively. Similarly, there were no differences according to timing with success rates of 0.86 (0.80–0.92) and 0.82 (0.72–0.93) (p-value = 0.563) for Benin at 0 months and 6 months, respectively.

Conclusion
Web-based objective and structured assessment of lung POCUS skills in LMIC following a short-standardized training is feasible and has a good overall success rate with consistent results across regions and up to 6 months after training given minimal continuous education. Overall, technical and POCUS-based clinical conclusion skills are the most difficult to acquire.
Deep learning for automatic calcium detection in echocardiography
Authors: Elvas Luís B. , Gomes Sara , Ferreira João C. , Rosário Luís Brás , Brandão Tomás 
Published: August 2024

AbstractCardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death in the world and cardiovascular imaging techniques are the mainstay of noninvasive diagnosis. Aortic stenosis is a lethal cardiac disease preceded by aortic valve calcification for several years. Data-driven tools developed with Deep Learning (DL) algorithms can process and categorize medical images data, providing fast diagnoses with considered reliability, to improve healthcare effectiveness. A systematic review of DL applications on medical images for pathologic calcium detection concluded that there are established techniques in this field, using primarily CT scans, at the expense of radiation exposure. Echocardiography is an unexplored alternative to detect calcium, but still needs technological developments. In this article, a fully automated method based on Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) was developed to detect Aortic Calcification in Echocardiography images, consisting of two essential processes: (1) an object detector to locate aortic valve – achieving 95% of precision and 100% of recall; and (2) a classifier to identify calcium structures in the valve – which achieved 92% of precision and 100% of recall. The outcome of this work is the possibility of automation of the detection with Echocardiography of Aortic Valve Calcification, a lethal and prevalent disease.
The green approach of chitosan/Fe2O3/ZnO-nanocomposite synthesis with an evaluation of its biological activities
Authors: Al-Rajhi Aisha M. H. , Abdelghany Tarek M. , Almuhayawi Mohammed S. , Alruhaili Mohammed H. , Al Jaouni Soad K. , Selim Samy 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBiopolymers embedded with nanoparticles of metal oxides (MOs) demonstrate a wide range of bio-functions. Chitosan-incorporated MOs are an interesting class of support matrices for enhancing the biological function, compared to other support matrices. Therefore, the importance of this study lies in exploiting chitosan as a carrier not of one metal as in previous studies, but of two metals in the form of a nanocomposite to carry out several biological functions. The coprecipitation approach was employed to synthesize chitosan/Fe2O3/ZnO-nanocomposite in the present research. The characterization of chitosan/Fe2O3/ZnO-nanocomposite was performed to find out the morphology and dispersion properties of chitosan/Fe2O3/ZnO-nanocomposite. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) investigation revealed that these were crystalline. Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) spectrum bands were viewed at 400/cm and 900/cm, due to the stretching vibration of Fe and Zn oxygen bond. TEM showed that chitosan/Fe2O3/ZnO-nanocomposite was of 20–95 nm in size. chitosan/Fe2O3/ZnO-nanocomposite exhibited inhibitory potential against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans with inhibition zones of 25 ± 0.1, 28 ± 0.2, 27 ± 0.1, and 27 ± 0.2 mm, respectively while didn’t inhibited Aspergillus niger. MIC value of nanocomposite was 15.62 ± 0.33 µg/mL for C. albicans, B. subtilis and E. coli, while it was 62.50 ± 0.66 µg/mL for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Ranged values of nanocomposite MBC (15.62 ± 0.33 to 125 ± 1 µg/mL) were attributed to all tested bacteria. Different concentrations of chitosan/Fe2O3/ZnO-nanocomposite MBC (25, 50, and 75%) reflected anti-biofilm activity against E. coli (85.0, 93.2, and 96.0%), B. subtilis (84.88, 92.21, and 96.99%), S. aureus 81.64, 90.52, and 94.64%) and P. aurogenosa (90.11, 94.43, and 98.24%), respectively. The differences in the levels of antimicrobial activities may depend on the type of examined microbes. Antioxidant activity of chitosan/Fe2O3/ZnO-nanocomposite was recorded with excellent IC50 values of 16.06 and 32.6 µg/mL using DPPH and ABTS scavenging, respectively. Wound heal by chitosan/Fe2O3/ZnO-nanocomposite was achieved with 100% compared to the untreated cells (76.75% of wound closer). The cytotoxicity outcomes showed that the IC50 of the chitosan/Fe2O3/ZnO-nanocomposite was 564.32 ± 1.46 µg/mL normal WI-38 cells. Based on the achieved findings, the chitosan/Fe2O3/ZnO-nanocomposite is a very promising agent for perform pharmacological activities.
The relationship between socioeconomic status, medical accessibility, hope and psychological resilience of caregivers of children with chronic kidney disease in China: structural equation model
Authors: Shi Lin , Tang Wenyi , Zhang Hengci , Zhang Yunzhi , Yang Haiping , Wu Daoqi , Li Xiaoqin , Liu Lu , Liu Lijie , Chen Xuelan , Wang Mo 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Background
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the third most common cause of death after cancer and heart disease. The continuous treatment of children with CKD was greatly challenged during the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly impacted the CKD children’s prognosis and the caregivers’ psychological status. However, the influence mechanism of socioeconomic status, medical delay duration, traffic pressure, and online consultation duration on caregivers’ hope and psychological resilience still lacks relevant evidence.

Methods
This study investigated the general social information, hope, and psychological resilience of 247 caregivers with CKD in 13 provinces of China in March 2020. Factor analysis and an exploratory Structural Equation Model ( SEM ) were used to find the best-fit model, and Bootstrapping was used to calculate the 95% CI of indirect effects.

Results
The factor analysis obtained four common factors, namely, socioeconomic status (annual family income, education, and career stability), medical accessibility (online consultation duration, medical delay duration, and traffic pressure), hope (positive attitude, positive action, and intimate relationship) and psychological resilience (optimism, tenacity, and strength), with the cumulative contribution rate of 65.34%. Bootstrapping obtains the socioeconomic status β = 0.30 (95% CI [0.14, 0.47], P = 0.002), medical accessibility β = 0.31 (95% CI [0.12, 0.47], P = 0.002), and hope β = 0.40 (95% CI [0.27, 0.52], P = 0.002) has a direct impact on psychological resilience of CKD children caregivers, followed by medical accessibility β = 0.20 (95% CI [0.10, 0.38], P = 0.001) and hope β = 0.23 (95% CI [0.16, 0.32], P = 0.001) plays a mediating role between socioeconomic status and psychological resilience. The indirect impact effect β = 0.35 (95% CI [0.25, 0.50], P = 0.001) is greater than the direct impact effect β = 0.30 (95% CI [0.14, 0.47], P = 0.002).

Conclusions
Sufficient attention should still be given to children with immunodeficiency after the COVID-19 pandemic, such as CKD, to avoid infection of deadly. Secondly, the government should vigorously develop Primary medical institutions to ensure efficient treatment of severe patients in tertiary hospitals; Finally, the professional literacy of medical workers in remote diagnosis and treatment should be improved to enhance the country’s emergency response capacity for similar major public events and the requirements for normalised epidemic prevention and control.
Present status of Papaya Mealybug, Paracoccus marginatus Williams and Granara de Willink, in Assam, India, after a decade of its first invasion
Authors: Sarma Arup Kumar , Bhattacharyya Dhiraj , Bhattacharyya Surashmi 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Background
The North Eastern Region (NER) of India is well known for its rich biodiversity and organic cultivation; however, this is one of the least investigated regions owing to its remoteness. A field study on papaya mealybug (PMB) was conducted to know its present status in Dibrugarh district of Assam, NER India, after its first entry in 2012.

Results
The pest was initially confined in urban and peri-urban localities in 2012 and has now made its entry even in remote villages too; however, many villages still remain uninfested. PMB has not damaged crops much the way it did in major papaya producing states of India. Out of 217 farmers surveyed, only 31.8% have experienced the infestation of PMB in their crops. The pest has now been recorded in places within an elevation of 98–129 m above MSL. The village homesteads help the pest establish in the ecosystem through natural host shifting. 89.9% farmers adopted either no management practices or applied non-chemical measures. We found the presence of more number of Spalgis immatures in the colonies of PMBs in hibiscus than in papaya. After the first invasion of PMB in Assam, initially it was also worried that the pest might invade tea crop and affect the tea economy of the state; however, no report on PMB infestation on tea crop has been found so far.

Conclusions
The PMB has acclimatized and established itself in the crop ecosystem of Assam by natural host shifting. The trend of infestation is constant or increasing. No programme on classical biological control of PMB was taken in the farmers’ fields of the state, but there is no hue and cry situation on the crop damage by PMB. High rainfall affected the spread of the pest and predation by Spalgis sp might have resulted in reduction in population. We recorded variable abundance of S. epeus larva in PMB colonies in different host plants based on which we can formulate the bio-control module for PMB. The detailed study on the role of rainfall and natural enemies on population dynamics of PMB is a researchable issue.
Abdominoplasty in a patient after bariatric surgery – case study
Authors: Flis Blanka , Niekurzak Karolina , Jędrak Maciej , Józefiak Maciej , Sobkiewicz Piotr 
Published: August 2024

Introduction: Up to 96% of patients after bariatric surgery struggle with excess skin, which negatively affects their daily functioning due to frequent skin infections, difficulties with sexual activity and physical exercise, as well as discomfort, especially in social situations. Abdominoplasty is a surgical procedure that allows post-bariatric patients to resolve these problems. At the same time, like any surgical intervention, the incidence of complications is relatively low. These potential complications after surgery include mainly superficial wound dehiscence or other minor complications.
Purpose of the work: This study aims to detail the stages of abdominoplasty performed on a post-bariatric surgery patient and to demonstrate the outcomes achieved.
Materials and methods: In this study, the individual case study method was used. The subject of the study was a 36-year-old woman after bariatric surgery who, having lost more than fifty kilograms and already having a normal BMI= 23.88 kg/m², applied for an abdominoplasty procedure. For practical reasons, despite indications for a circular abdominoplasty, the patient underwent a classic abdominoplasty complemented by liposuction.
Results: During the abdominoplasty procedure, liposuction of the lateral fat tissue was performed, along with the removal of a skin-fat fold weighing over 1 kilogram, reinforcement of the abdominal muscles, and repositioning of the navel. The patient left the clinic without any drainage in place. After 8 days, the sutures placed during the operation were removed and after 4 weeks, the effects of the surgery were also verified by photo documentation. The abdominoplasty performed in the post-bariatric patient allowed for the successful removal of the excess skin after a considerable amount of weight loss. The procedure required meticulous planning and adaptation of surgical methods and techniques to the patient's living situation.
Efficacy of novel drugs hypoxia inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor in therapy of posttransplant anemia. A review
Authors: Pawlowski Piotr , Rybak Julia , Bieganek Paula , Sadłowski Bartosz , Łukaszewicz Stanisław , Kordialik Jakub , Sarnacka Sandra , Koćwin Julia , Tokarski Michał , Tokarska Angelika 
Published: August 2024

Introduction
The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of novel drugs from the group of hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors, using roxadustat as an example, in the treatment of anemia occurring in kidney recipients. In the study, we included data from recent original papers that examined the efficacy of these drugs in the treatment of post-transplant anemia. We assumed an absolute increase in hemoglobin concentration as a factor expressing the effectiveness of the therapy.

Aim of the study
The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of novel drugs from the group of hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors, using roxadustat as an example, in the treatment of anemia occurring in kidney recipients. In the study, we included data from recent original papers that examined the efficacy of these drugs in the treatment of post-transplant anemia. We assumed an absolute increase in hemoglobin concentration as a factor expressing the effectiveness of the therapy.

Materials and Methods
This review was conducted using publications available in databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus and ScienceDirect. These databases were searched using keywords such as hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor, roxadustat, anemia, kidney transplant, posttransplant anemia, chronic kidney disease. The time range of published articles was set to 2017-2024, and some older publications were included if they were considered to bring valuable background information necessary for understanding the issue. Articles written in English and Polish were sought; however, all publications used in this review were in English. The main reason of bias of this study may be the limited group of participants that may not be sufficiently representative, the lack of randomization in some studies, and the limited number of publications in the problem area.
Comment on “Salesforce Compensation with Inventory Considerations”
Authors: Rodríguez Fabrizio 
Published: August 2024

This note critically analyzes the conditions for equilibrium existence in a model involving incentive schemes and inventory management. It identifies a technical flaw where equilibrium is asserted to exist under certain parameter values when, in fact, it does not. However, by introducing a reasonable assumption that inventory can only be ordered in sufficiently large increments, the qualitative outcomes and key insights remain intact. This paper was accepted by Jeannette Song, operations management. Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.03914 .