bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does amiodarone impact on apixaban levels? The effect of amiodarone on apixaban level among Thai patients with non-valvular Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Limcharoen Sutee , Limprasert Sarawuth , Boonmuang Pornwalai , Pongchaidecha Manat , Suphanklang Juthathip , Saelim Weerayuth , Santimaleeworagun Wichai , Pimsi Piyarat 
Published: January 2024

Background
Apixaban and amiodarone are drugs used for non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) in routine practice. The evidence about apixaban plasma levels in patients who receive apixaban with amiodarone, including bleeding outcomes, has been limited. This study aimed to compare the apixaban plasma levels and bleeding outcomes between apixaban monotherapy and apixaban with amiodarone groups.

Methods
This study was a prospective, observational, and single-center research which was conducted from January 2021 to January 2022 in NVAF patients who received apixaban at a tertiary care hospital located in the center of Bangkok, Thailand.

Results
Thirty-three patients were measured for their median (5th–95th percentile) apixaban plasma levels. The trough of apixaban plasma level (Ctrough) were 108.49 [78.10–171.52] and 162.05 [87.94–292.88] μg/L in the apixaban monotherapy and apixaban with amiodarone groups, respectively (p = 0.028). Additionally, the peaks of apixaban plasma level (Cpeak) were 175.36 [122.94–332.34] and 191 [116.88–488.21] μg/L in the apixaban monotherapy and apixaban with amiodarone groups, respectively (p = 0.375). There was bleeding that occurred in 7 patients (21.21%); 5 patients in the apixaban monotherapy group and 2 patients in the apixaban with amiodarone group, respectively.

Conclusions
Amiodarone may increase the peaks and troughs of apixaban plasma levels. The co-administration of apixaban with amiodarone is generally well tolerated. However, the careful observation of bleeding symptoms in individual cases is necessary to ensure safety.
Prevalence of sickle cell trait and needs assessment for uptake of sickle cell screening among secondary school students in Kampala City, Uganda
Authors: Namukasa Shamim , Maina Rose , Nakaziba Sarah , Among Grace , Asasira Lydia , Mayambala Posiano , Atukwatse Joseph , Namuguzi Mary , Sarki Ahmed M. 
Published: January 2024

Background
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the most frequent and traumatizing genetic disease in Uganda, with the prevalence of the sickle cell trait (SCT) estimated at 13.3% leading to serious psycho-social and economic impact on the patients and their families.

Aim
This study aimed to determine the burden of SCT and factors influencing the uptake of screening services among secondary school students in Uganda.

Methods
We used an analytical cross-sectional design with a multi-stage sampling approach. A total of 399 students from four secondary schools in Kampala City were enrolled in this study. Data were gathered using semi-structured questionnaires and blood screening. We used the sickling test to determine the presence of sickle cell alleles among the participants and hemoglobin electrophoresis as a confirmatory test. Data gathered using the questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results
In total, 5.8% of participants who were tested during this study had SCT. Most (80.2%) participants were not in an intimate relationship at the time of data collection. The majority (60.4%) had moderate knowledge about SCT screening and obtained information about screening from the school. Only 29 (7.3%) participants knew of a family member with sickle cell. Overall, participants had a negative attitude toward SCT screening (67%), although 41.6% believed that most people who were sickle cell carriers did not live long and were often sick. Statistically significant associations were found between testing for SCT and knowing a partner’s sickle cell status (odds ratio [OR] 2.112, p = 0.043) and Anglican religion (OR 2.075, p = 0.047).

Conclusion
Despite the moderate level of knowledge and negative attitudes, a relatively large number of participants had SCT. This highlights the need for a comprehensive health education package targeting adolescents to promote SCD/SCT screening.
Modern contraceptive utilization and its associated factors in East Africa: Findings from multi-country demographic and health surveys
Authors: Demeke Henok , Legese Nanati , Nigussie Shambel 
Published: January 2024

Background
The use of modern contraceptives has been low in most Sub-Saharan African countries despite high population growth and a sluggish economy. This study aimed to identify the prevalence and determinants of modern contraceptive use among married reproductive-age women in East Africa.

Methods
For this study, the Demographic and health survey (DHS) data from nine countries in East Africa were analyzed, yielding a weighted sample of 32,925 married women. A multilevel mixed-effect logistic regression model was used to identify characteristics associated with the utilization of modern contraceptives at a p-value less than 0.05. For model comparison, we used the Akaike and Bayesian Information Criteria (AIC and BIC). For assessing variation (random effects), we used community-level variance with standard deviation and intra-cluster correlation coefficient (ICC).

Results
The overall prevalence of modern contraceptive use was 45.68%, 95% CI (45.15, 46.21). Women’s age, maternal education level, husband education level, media exposure, wealth status, occupation, religion, the total number of children ever born, distance to health facilities, history of termination of pregnancy, couple’s desire for children, women’s participation in decision making, living country and place of residence were significantly associated with modern contraceptive use in Eastern Africa.

Conclusions
Conferring to this study, utilization of modern contraceptives is low in East Africa. Interventions to improve the use of modern contraceptives should encompass disseminating awareness through mass media, enrolment of males in family planning, giving maternal education, building health facilities in remote areas, and encouraging family planning programs in rural areas.
Sustained Mood Improvement with Laughing Gas Exposure (SMILE): Study protocol for a randomized placebo-controlled pilot trial of nitrous oxide for treatment-resistant depression
Authors: Ladha Karim S. , Lee Jiwon , Mattina Gabriella F. , Pazmino-Canizares Janneth , Wijeysundera Duminda N. , Gholamali Nezhad Fatemeh , Philip Kaylyssa , Tassone Vanessa K. , Adamsahib Fathima , Bhat Venkat ,   on behalf of the SMILE Study Investigators
Published: January 2024

Background
Nitrous oxide has shown potentially as an efficacious intervention for treatment-resistant depression, yet there remains insufficient evidence pertaining to repeated administration of nitrous oxide over time and active placebo-controlled studies with optimal blinding. Thus, we aim to examine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a six-week follow up study examining the effects of a 4 week course of weekly administered nitrous oxide as compared to the active placebo, midazolam.

Methods
In this randomized, active placebo-controlled, pilot trial, 40 participants with treatment-resistant depression will receive either inhaled nitrous oxide (1 hour at 50% concentration) plus intravenous saline (100mL) or inhaled oxygen (1 hour at 50% concentration) plus intravenous midazolam (0.02 mg/kg in 100mL, up to 2mg) once per week, for 4 consecutive weeks. Participants will be followed up for 6 weeks starting from the first treatment visit. Primary feasibility outcomes include recruitment rate, withdrawal rate, adherence, missing data, and adverse events. The primary exploratory clinical outcome is change in Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score at day 42 of the study. Other exploratory clinical outcomes include remission (defined as MADRS score <10), response (defined as ≥ 50% reduction in MADRS score), and adverse side effects.

Discussion
This pilot study will provide valuable information regarding the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of repeated nitrous oxide administration over time for treatment-resistant depression. If feasible, this study will inform the design of a future definitive trial of nitrous oxide as an efficacious and fast-acting treatment for treatment-resistant depression.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04957368. Registered on July 12, 2021.
Shifting Transnational Bonding in Indian Diaspora, Ruben S. Gowricharn (ed.) (2020)
Authors: Avadhani Shobha 
Published: January 2024

Review of: Shifting Transnational Bonding in Indian Diaspora, Ruben S. Gowricharn (ed.) (2020)
New York: Routledge, 216 pp.,
ISBN 978-1-13834-684-0, h/bk, GBP 145.00
ISBN 978-1-00305-380-4, e-book, GBP 27.29
Ingreso neonatal en alojamiento conjunto: efecto sobre la lactancia materna durante los 6 primeros meses de vida
Authors: Miñones Suarez Lorena , Fernández Morales Mercedes , García Pérez Lorena , Huguet Gorriz Alicia , Fernández Romasanta Agustina , Aldaz Calvo Marta , Ramillete Bandrés Sofía 
Published: January 2024

Introducción: Mantener a los recién nacidos hospitalizados en alojamiento conjunto con sus padres durante las 24 horas mejora el vínculo, favorece la aplicación del método canguro y puede contribuir al éxito de la lactancia materna.
Material y métodos: Estudio longitudinal y retrospectivo que incluyó 77 recién nacidos ingresados en nuestra unidad neonatal de diseño compartido durante 2016-2017 (grupo preintervención) y 97 hospitalizados en alojamiento conjunto en habitaciones individuales entre 2019-2021 (grupo postintervención). Se compararon el motivo de ingreso, su duración (horas) y el tipo de alimentación al alta y durante los 6 primeros meses entre ambos grupos.
Resultados: 43 recién nacidos (44 %) ingresaron en alojamiento conjunto entre 2019-2021. El mayor porcentaje de recién nacidos alimentados con lactancia materna exclusiva se registró entre los recién nacidos ingresados en alojamiento conjunto, tanto al alta (40 % vs 23 %; p = 0,06), como a los 6 meses (39 % vs 22 %; p = 0,14), si bien las diferencias no fueron significativas. En el grupo de recién nacidos que ingresaron en alojamiento conjunto por ictericia patológica, en comparación con los ingresados en cuidados intermedios, la tasa de lactancia materna fue superior en todos los periodos analizados y alcanzó la significación estadística a los 6 meses de edad (44 % vs 12 %, p = 0,039).
Conclusiones: El ingreso neonatal en régimen de alojamiento conjunto se relaciona con un aumento en la proporción de recién nacidos alimentados exclusivamente al pecho, tanto al alta como durante los primeros meses de vida.
A Theoretical Approach in the Design of Single Frame 28 V DC and 270 V DC Dual Voltage Generator
Authors: C. Jaishankar , Srinivasan Thilagar Hosimin , J Sreenandan 
Published: January 2024

Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs) generally operate with a 28 V DC electrical system. However, the demand for electrical power in AFVs has exceeded the capabilities of the existing 28V system. The additional load growth necessitates larger wire sizes, which adds extra weight and cost to the vehicle. Introducing a dual-bus architecture (28 V DC and 270 V DC) can lead to the efficient operation of the electrical system while meeting future demand. This paper presents the design of a Brushless Direct Current (BLDC) Dual Voltage Generator (DVG), which simultaneously outputs two voltages (28 V DC & 270 V DC) from a single frame across a wide operational speed range. The design process includes a detailed description of the individual stages, accompanied by analytical parameters and software-generated results. The modeling and analysis of the generator were carried out using Motorsolve design software. The obtained results are presented and thoroughly discussed in this paper.
Experimental and Computing Methods to Determine the External Surface Temperature of the Small Arms Weapon Systems Barrel
Authors: NOJA Gabriel-Flavius , Marius MĂRMUREANU Ionuţ , Petru ROŞCA , Cristian PREDOI , Constantin PUICĂ Cristinel , Adrian MALCIU 
Published: January 2024

The need to determine the small arms weapon system barrel temperature under a variety of conditions makes modelling and simulation a good alternative to the expensive real tests. Therefore, in a unique way, this paper includes three alternatives to assess the external surface temperature in order to better understand the balance between the chosen calculation method accuracy and the computed time. For numerical simulations, the initial conditions were established based on STANREC 4367 thermodynamic interior ballistic model. The heat transfer was solved for One-Dimensional and Two-Dimensional model using the finite difference discretisation method, with code written in Matlab. The Three-Dimensional model was resolved by finite element analysis method in Ansys. The simulations results are validated by means of the results obtained in case of two real firing scenarios. During the field testing, a new detection method based on shockwaves microphones was used in order to exactly establish the moment of each shoot and to precisely observe the temperature evolution on barrel surface.
A Low Noise Variable Gain Amplifier with 97.2 dB Linear Gain Range for CW Radar
Authors: Kumar Vijay , Ravichandran Sujatha 
Published: January 2024

This manuscript reports the design of a low noise variable gain amplifier (VGA) having wide dB linear gain characteristics for a continuous wave (CW) radar. A pseudo-exponential gain control function has been adopted in this VGA for the wide dB-linear behavior. Also, a BJT-based gain stage has been proposed to improve the gain dynamic range and low noise performance due to its higher transconductance/gain and lower flicker noise contribution. This proposed 2-gain stage VGA has been implemented in 130 nm SiGe bipolar complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (BiCMOS) technology. This design performance has been benchmarked by post-layout simulation results. It has demonstrated a voltage-controlled gain from -33.6 dB to 74.4 dB (total 108 dB), with a 97.2 dB linear gain range, input referred noise of 2.4 nV /√Hz, and power consumption of 4.25 mW. This VGA has a 3-dB bandwidth of 10 MHz at a maximum gain of 74.4 dB and 251 MHz at a minimum gain of -33.6 dB with a chip layout area of 0.0682 mm2 . Compared to the latest available CMOS/BiCMOS VGAs in the literature, this proposed VGA has the highest gain dynamic range and dB-linear gain range with minimum input referred noise simultaneously across the operation bandwidth.
Hybrid Composites for the Design and Development of Pressure Vessel for Underwater Applications
Authors: A Thirunavukkarasu , K Shanmugasundaram , G Latha 
Published: January 2024

The study’s main objective is to design and develop pressure vessels in underwater applications using Hybrid composites-Fibre Metal Laminates (FML) so that the weight will be reduced. The proposed pressure vesselaccommodates electronics in the underwater ambient noise measurement system under an external hydrostatic pressure of 1 MPa (10 bar). The research study aims initially to design and develop a pressure vessel with stainless steel 316 L and subsequently design a pressure vessel with hybrid composites with a combination of composite materials of E-glass and carbon/epoxy materials with a metal alloy stainless steel 316 L. The pressure vessel has been optimised with varying metal and composite percentage combinations. The cylinder’s wall thickness has been pivotal in optimizing pressure vessel design. Classical Laminate Theory (CLT) transforms the FML pressure vessel or cylinder into a rectangular plate. As preliminary measures, FML specimen with a size of 0.45 m square laminate and 0°orientation has been developed with 50 % metal layer and 50 % fibre composites, and corresponding mechanical tests have been carried out as per the standards. The tensile strength of the developed FML is 420 MPa compared to base metal (SS316 L) strength of 556 MPa, and similarly, Flexural and Impact properties have shown a higher level when compared to other types of FMLs.
Spatially inhomogeneous inverse Faraday effect provides tunable nonthermal excitation of exchange dominated spin waves
Authors: Krichevsky Denis M. , Ozerov Vladislav A. , Bel’kova Alexandra V. , Sylgacheva Daria A. , Kalish Andrey N. , Evstigneeva Svetlana A. , Pakhomov Alexander S. , Mikhailova Tatiana V. , Lyashko Sergey D. , Kudryashov Alexander L. , Semuk Evgeny Yu. , Chernov Alexander I. , Berzhansky Vladimir N. , Belotelov Vladimir I. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
We demonstrate optical nonthermal excitation of exchange dominated spin waves of different orders in a magnetophotonic crystal. The magnetophotonic structure consists of a thin magnetic film and a Bragg stack of nonmagnetic layers to provide a proper nonuniform interference pattern of the inverse Faraday effect induced by light in the magnetic layer. We found a phenomenon of the pronounced phase slippage of the inverse Faraday effect distribution when the pump wavelength is within the photonic band gap of the structure. It allows to tune the interference pattern by a slight variation of light wavelength which results in the modification of excitation efficiency of the different order spin waves. The approach can be applied for different magnetic dielectrics expanding their application horizons for spin-wave based devices.
Numerical study of flow and heat transfer in the channel of panel-type radiator with semi-detached inclined trapezoidal wing vortex generators
Authors: Si Wenrong , Fu Chenzhao , Tian Yue , Chen Jie , Yuan Peng , Huang Zexuan , Yang Jian 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
To improve heat dissipation performance of panel-type radiator for transformer, this study investigated the flow and heat transfer characteristics of semi-detached inclined trapezoidal wing vortex generator (SDITW) in a closed channel on the air-side of the radiator. The SDITW was compared with the inclined delta wing (IDW) and inclined trapezoidal wing (ITW) channels. The effects of SDITW relative separation height (e
1/e
2), longitudinal pitch (p
l), blockage ratio (e/(0.5H)), and inclination angle (α) were analyzed. First, compared with the IDW and ITW channels, the SDITW channel generates stable corner vortices and produces weaker transverse vortices and lower flow resistance due to the semi-detached structure of the wing. For Re = 5,125–15,375, the overall heat transfer performance (performance evaluation criteria; PEC) of the SDITW channel increases by 0.5–8.9 and 1.7–4.9% as compared with IDW and ITW channels, respectively. Furthermore, for the same e/(0.5H) and α, both the Nusselt number ratio and friction factor ratio of SDITW channel increase as e
1/e
2 and p
l decrease. For p
l = 70 mm, the SDITW channel exhibits a relatively better overall heat transfer performance. For the same e
1/e
2 and p
l, the PEC of SDITW channel is maximum and the overall heat transfer performance is best when e/(0.5H) = 0.3 at Re = 10,250 and α = 30°–60°.
Stiff, strong, and tear-resistant physical hydrogels with widely tunable toughness by post-treatments
Authors: Zhao Yu , Xia Bing Hu , Wang Lei , Liu Yang , Zu Lei , Lian Hui Qin , Cui Xiu Guo , Wang Hao 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Synthetic polymeric hydrogel is a potential substitute for soft biological tissues. However, the poor mechanical properties of traditional synthetic hydrogels limit their applications in biological fields. Herein, a series of tough physical hydrogels have been prepared by micellar polymerization, in the existence of sodium bromide (NaBr), using methacrylic acid (MA) and stearyl acrylate (SA) as monomers, cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) as cationic surfactant. The hydrogels exhibit excellent mechanical properties: modulus, toughness, and tearing fracture energy up to 7.8 MPa, 34 MJ m−3, and 16,600 J m−2, respectively. Moreover, it was found that the toughness of the hydrogels can be modulated in a very wide range by different post-treatments, e.g., dried/reswelling, freezing/thawing, or heated treatments. After post-treatments, the elastic physical hydrogels even turn into brittle plastics: modulus and toughness vary by 3 and 4 orders of magnitude, respectively. The mechanism for this wide tunability is attributed to the change of electrostatic attraction, crystallization, and phase separation during post-treatments.
Representing youth as vulnerable social media users: a social semiotic analysis of the promotional materials from The Social Dilemma
Authors: Liang Wei Jhen , Lim Fei Victor 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
While participation in social media has become everyday practice among young people, there have been few studies examining how youth as social media users are represented in the media discourse. Focusing on the promotional materials of an award-winning and widely-viewed documentary film, The Social Dilemma, this paper examines the media depictions of youth that attract the public’s attention. Through a social semiotic analysis, we analyzed the representational, interactive, and compositional meanings in the poster and trailer to identify how young people have been represented in the media discourse. Our findings show that they are constructed as vulnerable social media users who are manipulated by social media companies. We argue that such depictions of youth not only negate their sense of agency but also ignore their active engagement in the participatory culture afforded by social media. The implications of such depictions propagate a protectionist perspective of youth. This can undermine efforts towards the development of an empowerment approach in digital literacy education.
Autonomous Navigation System for a Differential Drive Mobile Robot
Authors: Ferreira Miguel A. , Moreira Luís C. , Lopes António M. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Mobile robotics is a rapidly expanding field of research because of its large number of applications. Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are used in multiple areas, such as industrial automation, logistics and warehouse management, museums, hospitals and restaurant assistance, space and ocean exploration, and many others. In this work, a navigation system for a low-cost mobile robot is proposed. It relies on state-of-the-art software suited for designing automated systems, robot applications, and computer vision algorithms. The robot is driven by two wheels powered by Beckhoff motors, controlled using Beckhoff’s TwinCAT 3 automation software in an industrial computer. A separate small-sized Raspberry Pi computer handles the environment perception by processing the information acquired by a Lidar module and a webcam and the localization and planning through the Robot Operating System (ROS). Communication between the two computers yields a complete robot navigation system. This system is tested and subsequently tuned to achieve good performance. Experimental tests show that the navigation system is globally effective, and some limitations related to the robot’s design and its navigation subsystem are discussed. The approach proposed in this work can be extended, adjusted, and used in other types of mobile robots.