bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Moderate and heavy alcohol drinking were positively associated with severe coronary artery calcification in Chinese men, while smoking was not.
Authors: Xin Yangxun , Fan Li , Zhuo Yang , He Qing , Xu Zuojun , Yin Zhaofang , Gu Jun , Fan Yuqi , Wang Changqian , Zhang Junfeng 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background: Previous studies reached inconsistent conclusions about the relationship between alcohol or cigarette consumption and coronary artery calcification (CAC). We aim to explore the association between drinking and smoking with CAC in men.
Methods: Male patients who underwent coronary angiography (CAG) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and diagnosed with coronary heart disease (CHD) were retrospectively included. Maximum angle of calcified plaque (Arc) and calcium length were measured by IVUS to evaluate CAC severity. Drinking and smoking details were collected. Drinking and smoking were stratified to 4 layers according to weekly alcohol intake(g) and total smoking(package*years), respectively. Uni- and multivariable analysis were performed to explore the association between drinking and smoking with severe coronary artery calcification (SCAC).
Results: Totally, 359 men with CHD were included, of whom 151 were regular drinkers and 275 were smokers. Compared with non-drinkers, calcium length in light drinkers decreased (P<0.05), both Arc and calcium length in moderate and heavy drinkers increased (all P<0.05). Weekly alcohol intake was positively correlated with Arc and calcium length (r=0.490, P<0.001; r=0.381, P<0.001). A negative association was found between light drinking and SCAC (OR: 0.492, 95%CI: 0.177-1.372, P=0.175), while moderate (OR: 5.244, 95%CI: 2.245-12.252, P＜0.001) and heavy drinking (OR: 15.238, 95%CI: 5.695-40.767, P＜0.001) were positively associated with SCAC. No associations were found between smoking and SCAC (P>0.05).
Conclusions: Light drinking showed a slight negative association with SCAC, whereas moderate and heavy drinking were positively associated with SCAC in Chinese men. No associations were found between smoking and SCAC.
Motivations for continued tobacco smoking and reasons for quitting among youths in Wakiso district, Uganda: A qualitative study
Authors: Daama Alex , Mugamba Stephen , Ddaaki William , Nalwoga Grace Kigozi , Kasango Asani , Nalugoda Fred , Bulamba Robert , Nkale James Menya , Kyasanku Emmanuel , Bulamu Ritah , Nakigozi Gertrude , Kigozi Godfrey , Kagaayi Joseph , Kisaka Stevens 
Published: April 2023

Abstract

Background:Efforts have been invested towards cessation of tobacco use among youths aged 18-35 years, however, motivators for continued tobacco smoking and reasons for quitting are limited in Ugandan settings. Therefore, this study aimed to explore motivations for continued tobacco smoking and reasons for quitting in Wakiso district UgandaMethods:This study usedexplanatory sequential method. Data from a Population-based survey collected between October 2019 and September 2020 was used to select the sample to participate in this qualitative study. A total of twenty-three in-depths interviews were conducted in July-October 2021 among youths (18-35) years who reported continued tobacco use and those who stopped. Data were analyzed using a team-based thematic content approach with the help of ATILAS ti.Results:Motivations for continued tobacco smoking can include addiction, (recurrent habit), the desire to complement the use of other drugs,, peer pressure, using smoking as a replacement for alcohol consumption, (desire to stop/reduce alcohol consumption), low tobacco prices (accessibility), and cultural or familial norms (inherited from parents). However, strategies such as education on the health risks of smoking, the use of warning labels on packaging, and the potential for embarrassment from family members can help to discourage youth from using tobacco.Conclusion:Targeted, and tailored tobacco prevention counselling through family support programs, intensified health education on the risks of smoking, and promotion of tobacco packing health warnings can be employed to reduce or stop tobacco use among urban youth
Utilization of anonymization techniques to create an external control arm for clinical trial data
Authors: Mehtälä Juha , Ali Mehreen , Miettinen Timo , Partanen Liisa , Laapas Kaisa , Niemelä Petri T. , Khorlo Igor , Strom Sanna , Kurki Samu , Vapalahti Jarno , Abdelgawwad Khaled , Leinonen Jussi V. 
Published: April 2023

Abstract

Background Subject-level real-world data (RWD) collected during daily healthcare practices are increasingly used in medical research to assess questions that cannot be addressed in the context of a randomized controlled trial (RCT). A novel application of RWD arises from the need to create external control arms (ECAs) for single-arm RCTs. In the analysis of ECAs against RCT data, there is an evident need to manage and analyze RCT data and RWD in the same technical environment. In the Nordic countries, legal requirements may require that the original subject-level data be anonymized, i.e., modified so that the risk to identify any individual is minimal. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare how well pseudonymized and anonymized RWD perform in the creation of an ECA for an RCT. Methods This was a hybrid observational cohort study using clinical data from the control arm of the completed randomized phase II clinical trial (PACIFIC-AF) and RWD cohort from Finnish healthcare data sources. The initial pseudonymized RWD were anonymized within the (k,ε)-anonymity framework (a model for protecting individuals against identification). Propensity score matching and weighting methods were applied to the anonymized and pseudonymized RWD, to balance potential confounders against the RCT data. Descriptive statistics for the potential confounders and overall survival analyses were conducted prior to and after matching and weighting, using both the pseudonymized and anonymized RWD sets. Results Anonymization affected the baseline characteristics of potential confounders only marginally. The greatest difference was in the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (4.6% vs. 5.4% in the pseudonymized compared to the anonymized data, respectively). Moreover, the overall survival changed in anonymization by only 8% (95% CI 4–22%). Both the pseudonymized and anonymized RWD were able to produce matched ECAs for the RCT data. Anonymization after matching impacted overall survival analysis by 22% (95% CI -21–87%). Conclusions Anonymization is a viable technique for cases where flexible data transfer and sharing are required. However, as anonymization necessarily affects some aspects of the original data, careful consideration of anonymization strategy is recommended.
Establishment and utilization of National Diagnostic Reference Level for adult computed tomography examinations in Ghana
Authors: Boadu Mary , Issahaku Shiraz , Inkoom Stephen , Hasford Francis , Sackey Theophilus 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
As part of measures to enhance radiation protection and safety of patients undergoing medical exposure, it is recommended that various countries initiate a project for the establishment of diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) in Africa. The aim of the project was to establish and utilize national DRLs of computed tomography dose index (CTDI) and dose length product (DLP) for routine computed tomography (CT) examinations. Additionally, the project was also to identify the potential for clinical protocol and dose optimisation in relation to disease and patient specific CT examination in the country. The methodology involved the estimation of CTDI and DLP values from a minimum of 20 patient images data dose report of the most commonly used procedures (head, chest, abdomen-pelvis and lumbar spine) CT examinations. 22 CT centres in Ghana, took part in this study which represent 54% of CT equipment in Ghana. Data of 2,156 dose report were randomly selected from the 22 CT centres of adult patients undergoing CT examination of head, chest, abdomen and lumbar spine from these centres and analysed. The total number of CT examinations for the 22 Centres was 186300, comprising of 111800 head CT, 22592 chest CT, 38260 abdominal CT and 13648 lumber spine CT. Head CT represented 60% of the total CT examination of all the Centres. Additionally, the percentage distribution of the remaining three body regions were 12.1, 20.6 and 7.3% for chest CT, abdomen CT and lumbar spine CT examinations respectively. The measured median and its upper quartile CTDIvol for head CT were 56.5 and 61.0 mGy, chest CT 12.6 and 15.7 mGy, abdomen CT 13.5 and 20.5 mGy, and lumbers spine 19.6 and 23.8 mGy. While DLP for head CT were 574.5 and 962.9 mGy-cm, chest CT 874.5 and 1102.8 mGy-cm, abdomen CT 1110.7 and 1393.5 mGy-cm, and lumber spine 693.5 and 824.6 mGy-cm. These preliminary results were comparable with data from 16 other African countries, European Commission (EC), IAEA, United Kingdom (UK), United States of America (USA) and the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP).
Bedload transport and its implication on bed morphology at a river confluence
Authors: Khanam Nabina , Biswal Sushant Kumar , Das Animesh 
Published: April 2023

Abstract

River confluences are the key elements within fluvial systems, where three-dimensional flow fields and sedimentation patterns can have a substantial effect on the hydraulics, bed morphology of stream courses, and environments. The present study is configured to realize the alterations in bedload transportation and in bedform at confluence channel in relation to particular hydrological occurrences. It is anticipated that the patterns of the flow attributes following the confluence to be different from those in the conditions reported in other publication. Therefore, this article concisely reports the various flow aspects, examines the corresponding river bed patterns, and provides a brief description of the different flow properties. On the basis of field findings in response to fluctuation in the flow of contributory tributaries, the recorded morphological and sedimentological changes are explained. To accomplish this, bedload transport, bed surveys, and particle size distribution measurements were carried out at the study site during different hydrological seasons at intervals of two months from January 2018 to March 2019. The three major goals of this work were to comprehend the symmetry between two confluence channels, estimate bedload transport, and investigate the consequences of net fluvial behavior on bedform dynamics. The short-term impacts of stream flow irregularity on channel morphology and particle structures were discovered by repeated transect studies and bed material sampling at a small asymmetrical river junction. Results show that the confluence involves the shifting in the scour region, frequent erosion and deposition of sediments, and bar development at the downstream confluence as flow rate fluctuates following the hydrological changeability in the confluence channels. The average bedload at the confluence appears to be irregular in favor of the tributary, since two-thirds of the total bedload was carried across the shallow zone of the cross-section. A high speed digital camera was used to detect sand ripples, and video technique was utilized to obtain statistics on the presence of ripple geometries. Asymmetric two-dimensional ripples were observed in relatively calm weather conditions and in moderate winds. It was discovered that ripples generated by the two-dimensional flow were supplanted by flatbed circumstances and the normal two-dimensional wash-out ripples after the medium wind periods, demonstrating that the presence of a combined flow increases the induced bed shear stress.
Genomic analysis of cultivated infant microbiomes identifies Bifidobacterium 2’-fucosyllactose utilization can be facilitated by co-existing species
Authors: Lou Yue Clare , Rubin Ben , Schoelmerich Marie , DiMarco Kaden , Borges Adair , Rovinsky Rachel , Song Leo , Doudna Jennifer , Banfield Jillian 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) ensure proper infant gut microbiome establishment. Isolate studies have revealed the genetic basis for HMO metabolism, but they exclude the possibility of HMO assimilation via synergistic interactions involving multiple organisms. Here, we investigated microbiome responses to 2'-fucosyllactose (2’FL), a prevalent HMO and infant formula additive, by establishing individualized microbiomes using fecal samples from three different infants as the inocula. Bifidobacterium breve, a prominent member of infant microbiomes, typically cannot metabolize 2’FL. Using metagenomic data, we predicted that extracellular fucosidases encoded by co-existing members such as Ruminococcus gnavus initiate 2’FL breakdown, thus critical for B. breve’s growth. Using both targeted co-cultures and by supplementation of R. gnavus into one microbiome, we show that R. gnavus can promote extensive growth of B. breve through the release of lactose from 2’FL. Overall, microbiome cultivation combined with genome-resolved metagenomics demonstrated that HMO utilization can vary with an individual’s microbiome.
Polariton design and modulation via van der Waals / doped semiconductor heterostructures
Authors: He Mingze , Matson Joseph , Yu Mingyu , Cleri Angela , Sunku Sai , Jenzen Eli , Mastel Stefan , Folland Thomas G. , Edgar James , Basov Dmitri , Maria Jon-Paul , Law Stephanie , Caldwell Joshua 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Hyperbolic phonon polaritons (HPhPs) can be supported in highly anisotropic materials, where the real parts of their permittivities along different directions are opposite in sign as a result of spectrally offset optical phonons. Compared to surface polaritons, HPhPs offer further confinement of long-wavelength light to deeply subdiffractional scales, and volume propagation that enables control of the polariton wavevector by changing the underlying medium. This allows for greater control of polaritonic resonators and near-field polariton propagation without deleterious etching of hyperbolic materials. Yet, conventionally used noble metal and dielectric substrates restrict the tunability of this approach, leaving most of the wavevector inaccessible. To overcome this challenge, we demonstrate that using doped semiconductors, e.g., InAs and CdO, can enable near-continuous tuning and access to both the maximum and minimum wavevectors (~8.3 times experimentally demonstrated). We further elucidate HPhP tuning with the plasma frequency of an InAs substrate, which features a significant wavevector discontinuity and modal order transition when the substrate permittivity crosses -1 in the Reststrahlen band. Around the transition point, the HPhP system is sensitive to perturbations, e.g., the working frequency, InAs plasma frequency and superstrate, thus it is suitable for sensing and modulation applications. We also illustrate that the hBN/InAs platform allows for active modulation at picosecond timescales by photo-injecting carriers into the InAs substrate, demonstrating a dynamic wavevector change of ~20%. Overall, the demonstrated hBN/doped semiconductor platform offers significant improvements towards manipulating HPhPs, and enormous potential for engineered and modulated polaritonic systems for applications in on-chip photonics and planar metasurface optics.
Omission of Axillary Lymph Node Dissection for Breast Cancer Patients with Three or More Positive Sentinel Lymph Nodes
Authors: Prathibha Saranya , White McKenzie J , Kolbow Madison , Hui Jane Yuet Ching , Brauer David , Ankeny Jacob , Jensen Eric , LaRocca Christopher J , Marmor Schelomo , Tuttle Todd M. 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Purpose
The ACOSOG Z0011 (Z11) trial assessed the benefit of axillary dissection (ALND) for breast cancer patients with sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastases; however, Z11 excluded patients with ≥ 3 positive SLNs. We analyzed trends in ALND omission in patients with ≥ 3 positive SLNs.
Methods
Women with ≥ 3 positive SLNs who underwent breast-conserving surgery (BCS) or mastectomy between 2018–2020 in the National Cancer Database were included using SLN codes initiated in 2018. Patients with stage IV disease, recurrent breast cancer, and who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy were excluded. A multivariable logistic regression model was utilized to determine the proportion who received ALND and factors associated with ALND omission. A subgroup analysis was performed among patients who met the remainder of the Z11 inclusion criteria (BCS, T1/T2 breast cancer).
Results
We identified 3654 patients with ≥ 3 positive SLNs. ALND was omitted in 37% of patients, and omission significantly increased from 2018 to 2020 (29% vs 41%, p < 0.0001). Older age, lower grade tumors, no radiation, non-academic facility, BCS, more SLNs examined and fewer positive SLNs were significantly associated with ALND omission. 942 patients with ≥ 3 positive SLNs met the remainder of the Z11 inclusion criteria. ALND was omitted in 49% of these patients, and omission increased from 2018 to 2020 (44% vs 49%, p = 0.22).
Conclusion
Approximately one-third of patients with ≥ 3 positive SLNs do not undergo ALND; omission of ALND increased from 2018 to 2020. Studies assessing oncologic outcomes of patients with ≥ 3 positive SLNs who do and do not receive ALND are required.
Effect of heat treatment on the welded joint of X70 steel joined to duplex stainless steel by gas tungsten arc welding
Authors: Beziou Oualid , Hamdi Ines , Boumerzoug Zakaria , Brisset François , Baudin Thierry 
Published: April 2023

Abstract

The objective of this work is to study the microstructure and the texture evolution in welded joint of X70 steel with duplex stainless steel joinned by Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) process and heat treated at 200⁰C and 600⁰C. Then the microstructural evolutions are correlated to their hardness mechanical property. The characterization techniques used are optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, EDS, Vickers microhardness, X-ray diffraction, and Electron BackScatter Diffraction (EBSD) technique. Two heat affected zones were observed in welded joint with different microstructures. Heat affected zone on the X70 steel side and another on the duplex stainless steel side. A solidification microstructure was observed in the fusion zone such elongated ferritic grains and a growth direction < 100 > was found. The most microstructural transformations were observed in the vicinity of the interface which connects the heat affected zone to the fusion zone either on the X70 steel side or on the duplex stainless steel side. The effect of heat treatment on the hardness of the welded joint was noticed in the side of the duplex stainless steel.
Complete Chloroplast Genome Sequence of Camellia sinensis: Genome
Structure, Adaptive Evolution, and Phylogenetic Relationships
Authors: CHEN Zhiyin , Liu Qing , XIAO Ying , ZHOU Guihua , yu Penghu , BAI Jing , huang hua , Gong Yihui 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
The chloroplast (cp) genome holds immense potential for a variety of applications including species identification, phylogenetic analysis, and evolutionary studies. In this study, we utilized Illumina NovaSeq 6000 to sequence the DNA of Camellia sinensis L. cultivar ‘Zhuyeqi’ , followed by the assembly of its chloroplast genome using SPAdes v3.10.1, with subsequent analysis of its features and phylogenetic placement. The results showed that the cp genome of Zhuyeqi was 157,072 bp, with a large single copy- region (LSC, 86,628 bp), a small single copy- region (SSC, 18,282 bp), and two inverted repeat regions (IR, 26,081 bp). The total AT and GC contents of the cp genome of Zhuyeqi were observed to be 62.21% and 37.29%, respectively. Thecp genome encoded 135 unique genes, including 90 protein-coding genes (CDS), 37 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. Moreover, 31 codons and 247 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were identified. The cp genomes of Zhuyeqi was found to be relatively conserved, with particular conservation observed in the IR region, which showed no evidence of inversions or rearrangements.The five regions with the largest variations were identified, with four regions (rps12, rps19, rps16, and rpl33) located in the LSC region and one divergent region (trnI-GAU) in the IR region. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Camellia sinensis(KJ996106.1) was closely related to Zhuyeqi, indicating a close phylogenetic relationship between these two species. These findings could provide important genetic information for further research into breeding of tea tree, phylogeny and evolution of Camellia sinensis.
Forecasting Road Accidental Deaths in India: An Explicit Comparison between ARIMA and Exponential Smoothing Method
Authors: Swain Prafulla Kumar , Tripathy Manas Ranjan , Agrawal Khushi 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
The number of deaths due to road accident is increasing day by day and has become an alarming global problem over the decades. India, with her rising motorization is no stranger to this global catastrophe. With the use of statistical methods and models it is possible to predict the future scenario of deaths due to road accidents with the available data. In this paper two relatively simple yet powerful and versatile techniques for forecasting time series data, autoregressive integrated moving average method (ARIMA) and exponential smoothing method are used to forecast the number of deaths due to road accidents in India from the year 2022-31 based on the data available from 1990-2021. The results based on the two methods are compared and it is found that they are in sync with each other and pre-existing literature. Furthermore, this is a unique attempt to use two time series analysis techniques on the same data and carry out a comparative analysis. The data was collected from the 2020 annual report of Ministry of road Transport and Highways, India and ADSI-2021 report of National Crime Record Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs, India. After examining all the probable models, it is observed that ARIMA (2,2,2) model and exponential smoothing state space model (M, A, N) are suitable for the given data set. Further, the study also shows that forecasted number of deaths for the upcoming 10 years from the proposed models also reveals an upward trend is described.
N-PointNet: A multi-layer embedded deep learning model for 3D intracranial aneurysm classification and segmentation
Authors: Wang Jiaqi , Liu Juntong , Xu Zhengyuan , Yin Pengzhan , Yuan Jinlong , Zhou Yunfeng , Ye Mingquan 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background
In computer-aided intracranial aneurysm (IA) classification and segmentation, applications of 3D point cloud algorithms are increasingly widespread. However, the traditional point-based deep learning algorithm has the problem of poor segmentation effect.
Methods
An improved end-to-end depth network structure (N-PointNet) is proposed for IA classification and segmentation. First, the point cloud data of the IA are preprocessed. Then, the PointNet + + network structure is used as a backbone with learned hierarchical properties. After that, the preprocessed and resampled data produce multiple layers of information embedded in the original network input to further enhance its characteristics. Finally, a side output block is added, and the loss function of the corresponding layer is calculated. The multi-loss function facilitates fast convergence and improves model performance.
Conclusion
An experiment on the IntrA dataset proved the superiority of N-PointNet and obtained the best classification and segmentation results among the models tested. In addition, the proposed method has good generalization ability and has been verified on the common ModelNet40 dataset.