bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predictors of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) and mortality in ambulatory cirrhotic patients
Authors: Basheer Maamoun , Asaad Layous , Boulos Mariana , Assy Nimer 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is life-threatening complication of cirrhosis. ACLF’s prevalence and outcomes have been described in hospitalized patients with cirrhosis. However, no data is available on the prevalence and predictors of ACLF in ambulatory cirrhotic patients.
Aims
Assessment of the incidence and predictors of ACLF in cirrhotic ambulatory patients.
Methods
A retrospective study of 202 ambulatory patients with cirrhosis was evaluated in a tertiary hospital at the Galilee Medical Center from Feb. 2015 to Dec. 2022 and followed for eight years. Data on developing hepatic and extrahepatic organ failures were collected. ACLF was defined and graded according to the European Association for the Study of Liver-Chronic Liver Failure (EASL-CLIF) Consortium definition.
Results
Ambulatory with cirrhosis developed ACLF in 37% of cases (74 patients). The mortality rate was significantly high in the ACLF group as compared to the non-ACLF group (38% VS 8.5%, respectively P < 0.001). Patients with ACLF were older, had increased CRP, NLR and WBC, increased LFTS and kidney function, MELD, Child-Pugh, CLIF-C and PADUA scores. Univariate regression showed that MELD score was the most powerful predictor of organ failure. Multivariate analysis showed that MELD and CLIF-C scores were associated with organ failure and developing ACLF (OR 4.5, P < 0.001, OR 3.2, P < 0.001, respectively). Discriminant analysis showed that BUN, MELD, CLIF-C and PADUA scores predicted mortality with 87% accuracy.
Conclusion
Outpatients with cirrhosis developed ACLF in 40% of cases. MELD and CLIF-C scores are the best ACLF development predictors. PADUA, CLIF-C and MELD scores are the best predictors of mortality. Therefore, we should use MELD, PADUA and CLIF-C scores to evaluate and follow up cirrhotic outpatients in liver units.
Factors Affecting Individuals' Behavior in Receiving Health Services
Authors: KÜTÜKOĞLU Fazilet Merve , EGİCİ Memet Taşkın , BEKTEMÜR Güven 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background: This study aimed to inquire about people's health service-seeking behaviors and to determine the relationship between health literacy and these behaviors, shedding light on the changes that can be made so that people can benefit from the health system more efficiently and purposefully. It is essential to learn the reasons that guide individuals' health service-seeking behaviors to use health resources effectively, develop health policies, raise societal awareness, and make family practice the first step for individuals in health service. To our knowledge, there is a lack of studies evaluating of the factors affecting individuals' health service-seeking behaviors and relationship between health literacy.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study included 422 volunteers aged 18 and older who applied to a training and research hospital (TRH) outpatient clinics and a training family health center (TFHC) affiliated with the same hospital between January-April 2020. The participants were given a data collection form that included sociodemographic data, a survey form with 20 questions to investigate people's preferences regarding healthcare steps, Turkey Health Literacy Scale-32 (TSOY-32) through face-to-face interviews.
Results: Of the participants, 55.7% were female, 67.1% were married, 49.3% had a college education or higher, and 32.7% had a chronic disease. The mean level of the participants' health literacy was 29.80±10.66. The family health center was revealed to be the first health institution preferred by participants in the case of a health problem, with a rate of 42.8%. There was a significant difference between the first preferred institution being a family health center and the female gender (p=0.020). A statistically significant difference was found between place of application according to the preferred institution in health services (p<0.001). But there was no significant relationship between marital status, educational status, income level, having a chronic disease, and health literacy level.
Conclusions: The most important factors influencing healthcare service-seeking behavior are easy access to healthcare services, communication with the physician, medical equipment, and the physician's medical knowledge. Increasing family health center laboratory facilities will be effective in ensuring the effective use of health services and increasing people's orientation toward primary health care services.
High-Fidelity Simulations of Flight Dynamics and Trajectory of a Parachute-Payload System Leaving the C-17 Aircraft
Authors: Ghoreyshi Mehdi , Bergeron Keith , Jirasek Adam , Seidel Jürgen , Noetscher Greg 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
This paper considers the flight dynamics and trajectory analysis of a parachute-payload system leaving the C-17 aircraft. The C-17 aircraft considered has an open cargo door, extended flaps and with four turbo-fan engines operating at 2,000ft (Above Ground Level, AGL) and an air speed of 150 knots. Payloads include simplified CONNEX containers with either 192" or 240" lengths, 9ft wide and 5.3ft high. Mass and moments of inertia for these payloads are given. At positive deck angles, these payloads begin to slowly drop from the back of the aircraft due to gravitational forces. For zero-deck-angle aircraft, a ring-slot chute with about 20% geometric porosity is considered to pull the payload at out of the aircraft. Specifically, this study uses the CREATE-AV Kestrel simulation software to model the chute-payload system. The extraction and suspension lines are modelled using a Catenary capability in Kestrel. The extraction line is connected to the (floating) confluence points of CONNEX and chute. The chute and payload will undergo responding-body motions to study the flight dynamics of chutes and payload and to determine the trajectory. Trajectory data will be compared with a payload (no chute and cables) leaving the aircraft at positive deck angles. An adaptive mesh refinement technique is used to better capture the engine exhaust flow and the wake behind C-17, chute and payloads. Friction and ejector forces are estimated for payloads to match the exit velocity and time measured during flight testing. Results show that simulation of extracted payloads follow expected trends seen in the flight tests. Larger the deck angle, longer the distance from the ramp will lead * Research Scientist, USAFA/DFAN. to larger exit velocities which produce smaller payload rotation rates. All payloads begin to rotate clockwise once they leave the ramp. Chute extraction methods leads to much larger exit velocities and shorter exit time. Payload-chute acceleration corresponds to the chute predicted drag in previous studies.
SSB Characteristics and Integrated Reporting Quality in Islamic Banks : Evidence from MENA zone
Authors: Said Houda Ben 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Purpose - This study was conducted to examine empirically the influence of characteristics of Shariaa Supervisory Board on the quality of integrated reporting in Islamic banks operating in MENA zone.
Design/methodology/approach – To test the study’s hypotheses, we used panel regression analysis for 69 Islamic banks from14 countries in MENA zone over the 2012-2022 period. The dependent variable is the Integrated reporting quality, measured by the CGVS score. The independent variables are the SSB size, the educational qualification of SSB members, the SSB expertise, the gender diversity among SSB members and the independent of SSB memebers. The controlling variables are the bank size, the leverage level and the credit risk.
Findings- Our empirical results show that, during the study period, SSB size as well as SSB eduactional qualification influence IRQ positively and significantly, SSB gender diversity iinfluences it negatively and significantly, while SSB experience in finance and accounting fields as well as SSB independent members are insignificant. As regards control variables, the bank size influences IRQ positively, but insignificantly, leverage level influences it positively and credit risk influences it negatively but insignificantly.
Practical implications- The outcomes of our study are relevant for Islamic banks, policymakers, regulators, investors aas well as researchers concerned with integrated reporting practices in MENA zone and in the whole world. In fact, our theoretical development provide valuable insights likely to improve the understanding of the role of SSB characteristics in explaining managerial choices in relation with integrated reporting practices in firms in general and in Islamic banks particularly.
Empirically, our work provides insight to Islamic banks as well as investors to understand the weight of educational qualification in SSB. Furthemore, they may understand that it is no longer enough to have experiment and independent members in SSB but to give them all rights to supervise choices and decisions in the SSB. It is about the effectively implementation of independence. Furthemore, it is no longer enough to IBs to have more women in the SSB as to improve the Islamic bank reputation but to have very qualified and talented women who really participate in the decision-making in relation with integrated reporting practices and value creation process. Policymakers are called to Policymakers are called to establish further regulations that must be suitable to country-specific settings, with respect to Shariaa compliance.
Photocatalytic nanoparticle technology for environmental sustainability of building's surface
Authors: Mohammadzadeh Mahan , Nezhadnaderi Mehdi , Ebadi Mehdi , Totonchi Arash 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
At present, self-cleaning, anti-pollution concrete products and production of catalytic cement and new concrete compounds with titanium dioxide coating was designed and implemented for facades of buildings. In this paper, the effect of using Silicafume and titanium dioxide on the self-cleaning properties of concrete is investigated. Three designs were tested with zero, 2.5 and 5% replacement of cement with , each with 20% Silicafume percent. Reducing the color change of soot between the designs of the studied mixtures shows the positive effect in reducing the color of soot pollution on the concrete surface. An increase of titanium dioxide up to 5% leads to a decrease in soot color in the samples, and this is due to the photocatalytic properties of titanium dioxide for higher percentages. The intense chemical activity of titanium dioxide in the presence of ultraviolet rays can prevent bacteria and dirt from sticking to the facade of concrete walls and buildings.
Determinants of Farm Profit among Cassava-based Farming Households in Osun State Nigeria: Robust Estimation Approach
Authors: Ogunleye Ayodeji , Lukaman Adewale , Ogunwemimo Hassan 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Despite its high tendency to produce misleading estimates particularly when one or more basic inherent assumptions are violated, most studies estimating net profit generation among farmers continue to adopt Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression approaches. This study examined the determinants of farm income among smallholder cassava farmers in Osun State, Nigeria correcting for various assumptions violations of the classical regression model. Aside from the usual regression model of the OLS, we employed Two-Stage Robust Ridge methods based on M, MM, and S estimators and addressed other violated regression assumptions. A total of 101 smallholder farmers in Osun state were randomly selected for the study. Analyses revealed that the major socioeconomic factors affecting farming household profit were credit access, tenure security, and household size. On average, the return on investment (ROI) among cassava-based farming households was found to be ₦1.82 per naira invested. The research findings indicated that the cultivation of cassava is a profitable venture within the investigated area and recommended that future analysis should be based unbiased methodology for effectiveness and accurate information.
JEL Classifications: C25, D13, H31, O13
Characterization of ultra-short plasma cell-free DNA in maternal blood and its potential as a screening marker for pregnancy complications
Authors: Liu Weiqiang , Lu Qin , Hu Liang , Zhang Tong , Wen Lijuan , Zeng Shuxian , Zhong Jiatong , Lin Nani , Chen Yanxiang , Wang Yimin 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in maternal blood is the basis for non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT). Recently, a new category of cfDNA with a length of 30 to 70 base pairs (bp) has been identified, and its diagnostic potential for cancer has been proposed. However, the characteristics of ultrashort cfDNA in maternal blood during pregnancy have not been determined. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of ultra-short cfDNA during pregnancy.
Methods
Ultra-short cfDNA was isolated from the plasma of pregnant and non-pregnant women, and next-generation Sequencing (NGS) libraries were constructed. Deep sequencing and characterization of the features in ultra-short cfDNA in pregnancy were performed. A preeclampsia cohort was included, and high-depth sequencing data identified distinct enriched ultra-short peaks. These features were selected and used to build a diagnostic model in a training cohort, which was subsequently validated in a test cohort.
Results
Sequencing data revealed that ultra-short cfDNA in maternal blood was enriched in accessible open chromatin regions of blood cells and placental cells. The adoption of a potential G-quadruplex (G4) motif on the antisense was found in a significant proportion of peaks. Distinct features of the ultra-short cfDNA were observed between preeclampsia and healthy controls. The model constructed from these components achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.96 in the training set and 0.86 in the test set.
Conclusions
Our results provide a characterization of ultra-short cfDNA in maternal blood and an assessment of its potential for the early diagnosis of pregnancy complications.
Impact of socioeconomic deprivation on time to diagnosis of childhood cancer
Authors: GONCALVES Chloé , ROUGER Jérémie , PELLIER Isabelle , PARIENTI Jean-Jacques , LEJEUNE Julien , GRAIN Audrey , ROD Julien , GANDEMER Virginie , DELEHAYE Fanny 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Purpose: In adults, there is a link between socioeconomic status (SES) and cancer prognosis, notably due to increased time to diagnosis (TTD) in deprived population leading to the spread of the disease. In children, such an association has not been clearly reported. The objective of our study was to assess the impact of SES on TTD of childhood cancer and its potential consequences on cancer prognosis.
Methods: We carried out a multicenter retrospective study based on the LOGAFTER multicentric database. We studied the SES at the individual and ecological levels.
Results: Overall, 854 children were included. The median time to diagnosis was 28 days [12;64].
A usual care pathway did not seem to impact TTD, but the use of alternative medicine and an initial management by professionals not usually involved in the specific childhood cancer context increased TTD. None of the SES ecological variables were strictly associated with a significant impact on TTD. However, we noted strong trends for single-parent families and children whose fathers had died who presented with an increased TTD.
Conclusions: In the current study, the impact of SES on TTD in children on both the individual and ecological levels was not clear. However, we noted some keys at the individual scale that require further investigation to explain a potential association between deprivation and TTD.
GPR37 Processing and Density in Neurodegeneration: A Potential Marker for Parkinson’s Disease Progression Rate
Authors: Argerich Josep , Garma Leonardo D. , López-Cano Marc , Álvarez-Montoya Paula , Gómez-Acero Laura , Fernández-Dueñas Víctor , Muñoz-Manchado Ana , Aso Ester , Boxer Adam , Andres-Benito Pol , Svenningsson Per , Ciruela Francisco 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
The orphan G protein-coupled receptor 37 (GPR37), widely associated with Parkinson's disease (PD), undergoes proteolytic processing under physiological conditions. The N-terminus domain is proteolyzed by a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 10 (ADAM-10), which generates various membrane receptor forms and ectodoamin shedding (ecto-GPR37) in the extracellular environment.
Methods
We investigated the processing and density of GPR37 in several neurodegenerative conditions, including Lewy body disease (LBD), multiple system atrophy (MSA), corticobasal degeneration (CBD), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), and Alzheimer's disease (AD). The presence of ecto-GPR37 peptides in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of PD, MSA, CBD and PSP patients was assessed through an in-house nanoluciferase-based immunoassay.
Results
This study identified increased receptor processing in early-stage LBD within the PFC andstriatum, key brain areas in neurodegeneration. In MSA only the 52 kDa form of GPR37 appeared in the striatum. This form was also elevated in the PFC and striatum of AD necropsies. On the contrary, GPR37 processing remained unchanged in the brains of CBD and PSP patients. Furthermore, while CSF ecto-GPR37 increased in PD patients, its levels remained unchanged in MSA, CBD, and PSP subjects. Importantly, patients with PD with rapid progression of the disease did not have elevated ecto-GPR37 in the CSF, while those with slow progression showed a significant increase, suggesting a possible prognostic use of ecto-GPR37 in PD.
Conclusions
This research underscores the distinctiveprocessing and density patterns of GPR37 in neurodegenerative diseases, providing crucial insights into its potential role as a predictor of PD progression rates.
Study on metabolic pathway of mild cognitive impairment in type 2 diabetes patients
Authors: Liu Wenjie , Zhou Yu , Qiu Jie , Gao Cailing , Pan Congqing , Guo Jun 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background The Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA) survey was used to examine the risk factors contributing to the development of mild cognitiveMethods impairment (MCI) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in combination with clinical practice, the Montreal Cognitive, The Assessment Scale (MoCA) was used to assess cognitive function. Based on the MoCA scale scores, subjects were included in a total of 147 cases in the type 2 diabetes mellitus with mild cognitive impairment group (T2DM-MCI group) (MoCA score < 26) and a total of 53 cases in the group with type 2 diabetes mellitus group with normal cognitive function (T2DM-NCI group) (MoCA score ≥ 26 points). While venous serum samples were collected from the patients, the metabolic data were analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q/TOF-MS) for the T2DM-MCI and T2DM-NCI groups to identify the metabolites with differential expression to analyze their related metabolic pathways between the two groups and to investigate the metabolic characteristics of MCI in T2DM patients.Results The results of comparing general clinical data between the T2DM-MCI group and the T2DM-NCI group showed that there were significant differences in the training and age of the patients.Conclusions Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with advanced age, short educational period, high D-dimer level and high glycosylated hemoglobin are more likely to have mild cognitive impairment. Caffeine metabolism and sphingolipid metabolism were the main metabolic pathways, and the abnormalities of their metabolic pathways may lead to the occurrence and development of cognitive dysfunction in T2DM patients.
Double Burden of Malnutrition and its Socio-Demographic Determinants among Children and Adolescents in Malaysia: National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019
Authors: Lai Wai Kent , Palanivello Lalitha , Sallehuddin Syafinaz Mohd , Ganapathy Shubash Shander 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Introduction
Malaysia faces the threat of a double burden of malnutrition where undernutrition and overweight (including obesity) coexist in the same population. This study aimed to determine the nutritional status among children and adolescents aged 5 to 17 years and its association with socio-demographic factors.
Methods
Data were extracted from the National Health and Morbidity Survey conducted in 2019. This cross-sectional survey applied a two-stage stratified sampling design. Socio-demographic characteristics were obtained. Weight and height were assessed, age- and sex-specific standard scores for height and BMI were calculated to establish individual’s body weight status. The prevalence was determined using complex sampling analysis, while the association was assessed through logistic regression. The analysis included a total of 3,185 respondents.
Results
The prevalence of stunting, thinness, overweight and obesity among the respondents aged five to 17 years was 12.7%, 10.0%, 15.0% and 14.8%, respectively. The overall prevalence of malnutrition was 48.3%. Respondents residing in rural had 1.35 times more likelihood of experiencing undernutrition compared to their urban counterparts. Boys exhibited a greater likelihood of being overweight and obese than girls. Respondents aged 10 to 14 years were 1.37 times more likely to be overnutrition than those aged five to nine years old.
Conclusion
There is growing evidence of the increasing prevalence of coexistence of undernutrition along with overweight and obesity among children and adolescents in Malaysia. Moving forward, greater initiatives and efforts are required to formulate strategies for planning and implementing programs and policies to expedite progress in improving nutrition.
Gender-influenced association between thyroid hormone sensitivity and body composition in euthyroid type 2 diabetes
Authors: xu jiaping , Miao Jia-xi , Xu Feng , Wang Chun-hua , Wang Xiao-hua , Yu Chao , Zhang Dong-mei , Wang Xue-qin , Su Jian-bin 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
Impaired thyroid hormone sensitivity has been associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D), obesity, and metabolic syndrome, which can lead to alterations of body composition. However, impaired thyroid sensitivity to exacerbate alterations of body composition remains unconfirmed. This study aimed to ascertain impaired thyroid hormone sensitivity association with body composition in euthyroid T2D.
Methods
A total of 634 individuals with normothyroid T2D were enrolled. Each participant underwent a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan to assess body composition, including measurements of body fat percentage (B-FAT), trunk fat percentage (T-FAT), appendicular skeletal muscle index (ASMI), lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD) (LS-BMD), femoral neck BMD (FN-BMD), hip BMD (H-BMD), and total BMD (T-BMD). Thyroid hormone resistance indices were assessed by calculating serum thyrotropin (TSH) index (TSHI), thyrotrophin T4 resistance index (TT4RI), thyroid feedback quantile-based index (TFQI), and parametric TFQI (PTFQI). Relevant clinical data was also collected.
Results
Among the recruited patients, females (n = 265) had higher indicators of thyroid hormone resistance and fat distribution than males (n = 369) (all P < 0.05). Across the entire population, indicators of thyroid hormone resistance exhibited positive correlations with fat distribution (all P < 0.01), while most indicators displayed negative associations with skeletal muscle mass. These findings were consistent solely among male participants. Furthermore, even after adjusting for basic characteristics, linear regression analysis revealed that these correlations remained statistically significant (all P < 0.05).
Conclusions
In males with euthyroid T2D, impaired thyroid hormone sensitivity correlates with fat distribution independent of conventional risk factors.