bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Changes in Physical Activity on Medical Expenditure among South Korean Adults with Chronic Diseases
Authors: Jeong Wonseok 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Objectives
Regular physical activity is a cost-effective way to enhance both physical and mental health without any side effects. Yet, among 5,820 Korean adults, 66.0% did not meet any of the physical activity guidelines. Due to the increasing proportion of elderly population and those conducting poor health behaviors, such as lack of exercises, the prevalence of chronic diseases is growing rapidly in South Korea. Nevertheless of the circumstances getting worse and economic burden increasing as a result, lack of researches scrutinized the effects of physical activity of patients with chronic diseases on medical expense. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effect of changes in physical activity on medical expenses among South Korean adults with chronic diseases.
Methods
Data were included from the 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 Korea Health Panel Survey. The KHPS is conducted by a national institution based on 90% of the 2005 Population and Housing Census data as a sampling frame, and therefore, the national representation was maintained. “Changes in physical activity” was the main independent variable. Physical activity was categorized as one of the four status: increase, decrease, remained active, remained inactive. The dependent variable, medical expenditure, was calculated by the sum of outpatient medical expenses, hospitalization expenses, and emergency medical expenses. Generalized Estimating Equation was performed to examine target effect.
Results
Those who decreased physical activity compared to the previous year presented with a higher estimate of total medical cost compared to those who maintained regular physical activity. (decrease: estimate = 392269.40, p-value = 0.0174). More importantly, those who remained inactive resulted in highest total medical cost (remained inactive: estimate = 476968.60, p-value = 0.0005). Lastly, those started to perform regular physical activity did not show a statistically significant difference between those who always remained active.
Conclusion
This study suggests that every patient with chronic diseases to either start or continue to exercise and the government officials to develop chronic diseases management programs inducing patients to actively participate in physical activity, for both maintaining a healthy quality of life for the individual and minimizing excessive medical expenses.
A landscape of resistance gene analogs in sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.)
Authors: Wöhner Thomas W. , Emeriewen Ofere F. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Objective: This research aims to analyze the presence and distribution of resistance genes in the subgenomes of Prunus cerasus (P. avium and P. fruticosa) through computational methods and bioinformatics tools.
Results: Analysis of genome and transcriptome sequencing data revealed a total of 19,570 transcripts with at least one resistance gene domain in P. avium and 19,142 in P. fruticosa. Key findings include the identification of 804 "complete" resistance gene transcripts in P. avium and 817 in P. fruticosa, with distinct distributions of resistance gene classes observed between the subgenomes. Phylogenetic analysis showed clustering of resistance genes, and unique resistance proteins were identified in each subgenome. Functional annotation comparisons with Arabidopsis thaliana highlighted shared and unique resistance genes, emphasizing the complexity of disease resistance in cherry species. Additionally, a higher diversity of RLKs and RLPs was observed, with 504 transcripts identified and 18 showing similarity to known reference genes.
Clinical Features and Determinants of Disease Severity of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Related Pneumonitis: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Wu Guixian , Qu Jingjing , Zheng Jing , Wu Binggen , Wang Ting , Gan Yuncui , Jiang Nan , Li Yuekang , Zhou Jianying , Zhou Jianya 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background
Immune checkpoint inhibitor associated pneumonia(CIP) is the most dangerous adverse reaction of immunecheckpoint inhibitors. Howerer,research on the factors affecting its severity is limited.
Methods
This retrospective study analyzed 2673 patients who underwent immune checkpoint inhibitor(ICI)treatment at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University between 2019 and 2023. Of these, 106 cases of immune checkpoint inhibitor associated pneumonia(CIP) were identified, all of which were associated with lung cancer. The clinical manifestations and diagnostic and therapeutic approaches used for these 106 patients were summarized. The patients were also classified into four types based on clinical characteristics and imaging findings, and a detailed analysis was conducted.
Results
It was found that immune checkpoint inhibitor associated pneumonia(CIP) occurred at a median of 5.17 months (95%CI 4.61‒5.72) after the start of immune checkpoint inhibitor(ICI) therapy.Grade 4 was usually the earliest to be identified and had the poorest prognosis, with a median onset of 2.47 months after treatment (95%CI 0, 5.12 months), an incidence rate of 4.7%, a median progression-free survival (mPFS) of 3.83 months, and a median overall survival (mOS) of 4.03 months. The PFS curves for Grades 1–2 and Grades 3–4 CIP showed separation but without statistical significance (mPFS 8.47 m vs. 6.50 m, HR = 3.36, log-rank P = 0.07), while the difference in OS was significant OS (mOS 23.15 m vs. 11.20 m, HR = 8.97, log-rank P = 0.003). Multivariate logistic regression showed that forced vital capacity (FVC) was the only predictive factor linked to 3–4 grades occurrence (OR = 1.00, 95% CI 0.01–0.80, P = 0.03), with decreased forced vital capacity (FVC) an independent risk factor for the grade 3–4 CIP (OR = 1.00, 95% CI 0.01–0.80, P = 0.03).
Conclusions
Forced vital capacity(FVC) was observed to be the only independent risk factor for grade 3–4 immune checkpoint inhibitor associated pneumonia(CIP), reminding us of the importance of assessing baseline pulmonary function testing before immune checkpoint inhibitor use. In addition to forced vital capacity(FVC), active monitoring of radiological examinations and clinical manifestations remains meaningful.
Experimental and Numerical modelling of desiccation of clayey soils
Authors: Cheng Wenqing , Bian Hanbing , Gao Qianfeng , Wang Liang , Xun Fangfang 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

The desiccation of clayey soils is widespread in nature and it significantly affects the mechanical behavior of the soil, which in practice can compromise the sustainability of geotechnical structures. The desiccation of clayey soils should first be studied, as a basis for recherche the mechanism of cracking. In current research, the combined numerical simulation and experiments research were conducted for investigating the desiccation of clayey soils. The desiccation experiments of fully saturated slurry and pre-consolidation clayey soils are analyzed and simulated. The material properties are first introduced. Then, the experiments are introduced and analyzed, the numerical model parameters are identified. The constitutive model of clayey soils is established and the numerical simulation of the desiccation is realized by using finite element method, the approach permitted to estimate how, from the fully saturated state to the completely dry state, both deformations, suction and the stresses developed in the sample. Finally, the proposed numerical approach is validated by reproducing the desiccation experiments. The numerical results show that the numerical simulations are in good agreements with the experimental observations. A deeper understanding of the formation mechanism of desiccation of clayey soils is obtained by using a combination of numerical simulation and experiments.
Mitochondrial associated programmed cell death patterns in predicting the prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Shi Xue-Yan , Han Si-Chong , Wang Gui-Zhen , Zhou Guang-Biao 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Mitochondrion is the convergence point of multiple pathways that trigger programmed cell death (PCD), and mitochondrial associated PCD (mtPCD) is involved in the pathogenesis of several diseases. However, the roles of mtPCD in cancer pathogenesis and prognosis prediction in many cancers including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), remain to be investigated. Here, 12 mtPCD patterns (necroptosis, autophagy, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, apoptosis, NETotic cell death, alkaliptosis, entotic cell death, cuproptosis, oxeiptosis, parthanatos, and lysosome-dependent cell death) were analyzed in a large number of transcriptomes, genomics, and clinical data collected from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)-NSCLC, GSE29013, GSE31210, and GSE37745 datasets, and a risk score assessment system was established with 18 genes (AP3S1, CCK, EIF2AK3, ERO1A, KRT8, PEBP1, PIK3CD, PPIA, PPP3CC, RAB39B, RIPK2, RUBCNL, SELENOK, SQLE, STK3, TRIM6, VDAC1, and VPS13D) included in the system. The NSCLC patients were divided into high- and low-risk groups. We found that NSCLC patients with a mtPCD high-risk score had a worse prognosis. A nomogram with high predictive performance on overall survival was constructed by incorporating the risk score with clinical features. Furthermore, the risk score was associated with clinicopathological information, tumor mutation frequency, and key tumor microenvironment components based on bulk transcriptome analysis. NSCLC patients with high-risk score had more Treg cells infiltration; however, these patients had higher tumor microenvironment and tumor mutation burden scores, and might be more sensitive to immunotherapy. These results indicated that mtPCD genes may have important roles in NSCLC carcinogenesis, and ptPCD patterns can predict clinical prognosis of NSCLC patients.
A Global Industry Survey on Post-Approval Change Management and Use of Reliance
Authors: Deavin Andrew , Hossain Aliyah , Colmagne-Poulard Isabelle , Wong Kum Cheun , Perea-Vélez Mónica , Cappellini Sonia , Ausborn Susanne , Meillerais Sylvie , Bourguignon Céline 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Post-approval changes (PACs) to the control and manufacturing processes of medicines and vaccines are routinely undertaken and critical to enable both innovation and secure sustained supply. In a world of global supply chains, the existence of divergent national PAC requirements (with additional countries introducing new requirements with potential differences) can lead to long delays in approval (of up to 3 to 5 years) increasing the risk of disruption and shortages. We undertook an Industry survey in 2023 to assess implementation of ICH Q12, PAC procedures (change categorisation and review timelines) and use of reliance mechanisms across different international countries (9 selected ICH Members and 19 Observers). Although this survey revealed limited implementation of Q12 in ICH Member countries, when comparing the data collected with those of a previous survey performed in 2020, we observed a broader adoption of risk-based approaches to variation categorisation (in all countries). This, however, was not reflected in improved timelines for approval. With regards to ICH Q12 adoption, the uptake of Post-Approval Change Management Protocols (PACMPs) was unchanged (with only one country reporting in-use) and implementation gaps were evident for Established Conditions (EC) and the Product Life Cycle Management document (PLCM). The survey found greater awareness of ICH Q12 and its tools compared to 2020, potentially illustrating the positive impact of training efforts. This illustrates the challenges being faced to broaden its implementation and use globally. In the same Industry survey, we also assessed PAC processes across different international countries. Long unpredictable timelines were the major concern across the countries surveyed together with limited capacity of the regulators. Four different CMC changes were selected and categorized by the respondents according to current knowledge of national classifications and timelines in the selected countries and compared with a reference classification and timeline from the European Medicines Agency and the World Health Organisation. This highlighted the lack of harmonisation of many countries with EU/WHO requirements, especially within the ICH Observer group. Last, this survey showed that some use of unilateral forms of reliance to Reference Authorities for PACs is starting. This is a mechanism all countries can employ, regardless of convergence of requirements and expertise, to enhance capacity building and reduce duplication of reviews, streamline variations approval, whilst accelerating patient access to innovation and securing supply.
Prolonged use of urinary catheter delays mobilization after a cesarean delivery
Authors: Vihervaara Hanna , Väänänen Antti , Kaijomaa Marja 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Purpose: Cesarean section is the most common surgery performed on women. According to the enhanced recovery recommendation, early urinary catheter removal and early mobilization are essential elements of postoperative care. The issue of catheter therapy length is still controversial but early mobilization is known to improve the overall postoperative recovery. This study aimed to analyze the possible interaction of these elements and whether the use of urinary catheter itself affects the time of postoperative mobilization.
Methods: This retrospective case-control study consisted of cases enrolled in a study concerning early post-operative catheter removal (8-12 hours) and the subsequent patients not in the study as their controls. Apart from the time of catheter removal, the routine postoperative care by the same personnel was given without any advice on patient mobilization. Data on patient demographics, surgery details, post-operative medication, first upright mobilization, the length of hospital stay, and patient satisfaction were analyzed.
Results: Fifty-two cases and one control for each case comprised the groups. No difference was detected in maternal characteristics or surgical parameters. The regression analysis showed that the length of the catheter therapy was significantly associated with the time of patient mobilization. The need for additional opioid medication in the groups was equal. No difference was detected in the length of hospital stay or patient satisfaction index.
Conclusion: The duration of catheter therapy significantly impacts the timing of postoperative mobilization. It is crucial to understand this relationship and support optimal recovery by avoiding the unwarranted prolongation of catheter therapy after cesarean.
Effects of International Migration on Air Pollution in Developing Countries
Authors: Nourou Mohammadou , Freddy Yamben Harry Michel , Benguellah Wang-laouna , Eric Atangana Ignace 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
The objective of this work is to analyze the effect of international migration on air pollution in a panel of 124 developing countries over the period 1990–2020. Adopting the pollution haven hypothesis as a theoretical framework, we use the IPAT model developed by Ehrlich and Holdren's (1971). We specify and estimate our model in panel data using the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and Fixed Effects (FE) methods. Three results emerge: international migration increases air pollution in developing countries. Industrialization slightly reduces air pollution. And the KEC is not verified in the case of our study. We suggest that developing countries consolidate the framework by integrating the environmental factor into their policies in order to improve the situation of migrants in their respective countries.
JEL-Classification: F22, P23, Q53, 011
Numerical modeling of Zn-doped Cu2O used as HTL for CsPbCl3 lead-based perovskite solar cell
Authors: Hachimi Mohamed Amine , Tarbi Amal , El-Mrabet Mariam , Erguig Hassane , Chtouki Tarek 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
In recent years, inorganic perovskite solar cells have emerged as a promising and environment friendly technology for photovoltaics. In this study, an in-depth simulation was carried out using SCAPS-1D software to optimize inorganic perovskite solar cells, with particular emphasis on the use of CsPbCl3 as an absorber material. Various ETL layers such as C60, ZnSe, PCBM, SnO2, and WS2, and an inorganic HTL consisting of zinc-doped Cu2O (7%) were evaluated. The highest performance was achieved by using SnO2 as the ETL layer. This study focused on the impact of critical parameters such as the thickness and defect density of the absorber layer, donor doping density in this layer, series and shunt resistances, and operating temperatures on the overall cell performance. The optimum device configuration, FTO/SnO2/CsPbCl3/Cu2O:Zn(7%)/Au, demonstrated a PCE of 24.23%, FF of 88.45%, a VOC of 1.567 V, and a JSC of 17.48 mA/cm2. These results underline that the use of CsPbCl3 as an absorber material in perovskite solar cells leads to improved performance and notable thermal stability, highlighting the considerable potential of this material.
Learning from Demonstration in Embedded Hardware for the Composition of Micro-Skills in Mobile Robots
Authors: Triana Mario Andres Pastrana , Arboleda Daniel Mauricio Muñoz , de Oliveira Luiz Henrique Nunes 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Designing mobile robot controllers for non-expert users is a complex task that involves programming abilities and developing accurate mathematical models for representing the robot's kinematics, sensor observations, and parameter estimations. Learning from demonstration (LfD) is a technique that enables robots to autonomously learn and perform new tasks from the observations of human demonstrations. Obtaining models with low computational complexity is of utmost importance for embedded robotics systems. This paper proposes the usage of LfD for learning three simple micro-skills (move forward, turn clockwise, and turn counterclockwise) that can be combined to efficiently perform more complex skills on a mobile robot. An adaptive single-layer perceptron neural network (SLP) and a Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) training algorithm were implemented using a low-cost System-on-chip (SoC) device, allowing the robot to learn the wheel's speed profile for each demonstrated micro-skill and compose them to navigate around obstacles in complex scenarios. Real-world scenarios were used to statistically analyze the robustness of the proposed methodology, achieving a success rate of 100% for the known scenarios and a success rate of 61.81% for the unknown scenarios. Experimental results demonstrated that the robot correctly moves on several unknown scenarios that compose the three taught micro-skills, avoiding obstacles and correcting deviations from the initial position.
Neighborhood Attention Transformer Multiple Instance Learning for Whole Slide Image Classification
Authors: Aftab Rukhma , Qiang Yan , Zhao Juanjuan , Gao Yong , Yue Huajie 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Purpose:: : The purpose of the passage is to introduce and describe NATMIL (Neighborhood Attention Transformer Multiple Instance Learning), an innovative deep learning approach aimed at improving the classification of tumor cells and subtypes in whole slide images (WSIs) of tissue section biopsies for diagnosing cancer.
Method:: The method involves leveraging dependencies among WSI tiles using the Neighborhood Attention Transformer, which incorporates contextual constraints as prior knowledge into multiple instance learning models. The approach utilizes weakly supervised methods, classifying WSIs using image parts or tiles along with attention ratings, to address the limitations of traditional methods.
Result:: NATMIL has demonstrated superior performance compared to other weakly supervised algorithms when subtyping non-small cell lung cancer (NSLC) and lymph node (LN) tumors. The accuracy values achieved on the Camelyon dataset reached 89.6\% and 88.1\% for TCGA-LUSC. The introduction of NATMIL presents an effective and scalable sliding window attention technique for vision, known as Neighborhood Attention, which improves performance and reduces the burden on pathologists while making more data available.
Conclusion:: NATMIL's success in improving tumor-level classifications by considering the interdependence of nearby tiles in histopathological pictures highlights its potential to enhance cancer diagnosis. By incorporating contextual constraints and leveraging dependencies among WSI tiles, NATMIL demonstrates promising results in improving accuracy and reducing false positives and negatives, thus advancing the field of cancer diagnosis through deep learning-based approaches.
The soluble ST2 level predicts the risk of atrial fibrillation recurrences in long-term period after radiofrequency ablation
Authors: Gizatulina Tatiana P. , Mamarina Aleksandra V. , Martyanova Leysan U. , Belonogov Denis V. , Kolunin Grigorii V. , Petelina Tatiana I. , Shirokov Nikita E. , Gorbatenko Elena A. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The hypothesis of the study was the assumption that the serum levels of soluble ST2 (sST2) and growth differentiation factor (GDF-15) can be predictors of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence in long-term period after primary radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFA).
Methods: Of the 165 patients (pts) included in the prospective follow-up, the final analysis included 131 pts whose follow-up duration reached 18 months after the end of the blanking period (3 months after the date of RFA). The median age of pts was 59.0 (50.0; 64.0) years, and 80 pts (61%) were men. 103 (79%) pts had paroxysmal and 28 (21%) persistent AF.
All pts underwent transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography, electroanatomic mapping to assess the area of low-voltage zones (LVZ) and determination of sST2 and GDF-15 levels by ELISA using analytical kits GDF-15/MIC-1 (BioVender, Czech Republic) and Presage ST2 (Critical Diagnostics, USA). After RFA pts had regular follow-up visits at 3-6-9-12-18 months with 12-lead ECG or Holter ECG monitoring and with clinical evaluation. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of the first symptomatic AF recurrence (AFr) lasting >30 seconds, recorded on an ECG or during daily ECG monitoring, after a blanking period.
Results: During follow-up of 18 months, 47 pts (35.9%) had AFr. The groups with and without AFr didn`t differ in the LVZ area. The medians of NT-proBNP, GDF-15 and sST2 also didn`t differ significantly between the groups, but in pts with AFr, the proportion of pts with sST2 ≥36 ng/ml (the border of the lower and middle terziles) was higher (p=0.03). According to the one-factor Cox regression analysis, late AFr were associated with four factors: AF history ≥1 year, early AFr (during the blanking period), left atrial appendage flow velocity (LAAFV) <54 cm/sec and sST2 ≥36 ng/ml. In the multivariate Cox analysis two independent predictors of late AFr were obtained: sST2 ≥36 ng/ml (HR=3.8; 95% CI 1.5-9.8, p=0.006) and LAAFV <54 сm/sec (HR=1.96; 95% CI 1.01-3.82, p=0.048).
Conclusions: Serum sST2 level with a cut-off value of 36 ng/ml or more can be used as a predictor of AF recurrence in the long-term period after primary RFA.