bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Access to Radiation Therapy and Related Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Cervical and Breast Cancer Across Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review
Authors: Beltrán Ponce Sara E. , Abunike Sarah Adamma , Bikomeye Jean C. , Sieracki Rita , Niyonzima Nixon , Mulamira Pius , Kibudde Solomon , Ortiz de Choudens Saryleine , Siker Malika , Small Christina , Beyer Kirsten M.M. 
Published: February 2023

PURPOSETo better understand the barriers to accessing standard-of-care radiation therapy (RT) for breast and cervical cancer in sub-Saharan Africa and their impact on outcomes.METHODSA comprehensive literature search was completed with a medical librarian. Articles were screened by title, abstract, and full text. Included publications were analyzed for data describing barriers to RT access, available technology, and disease-related outcomes, and further grouped into subcategories and graded according to predefined criteria.RESULTSA total of 96 articles were included: 37 discussed breast cancer, 51 discussed cervical cancer, and eight discussed both. Financial access was affected by health care system payment models and combined burdens of treatment-related costs and lost wages. Staffing and technology shortages limit the ability to expand service locations and/or increase capacity within existing centers. Patient factors including use of traditional healers, fear of stigma, and low health literacy decrease the likelihood of early presentation and completion of therapies. Survival outcomes are worse than most high- and middle-income countries and are affected by many factors. Side effects are similar to other regions, but these findings are limited by poor documentation capabilities. Access to palliative RT is more expeditious than definitive management. RT was noted to lead to feelings of burden, lower self-esteem, and worsened quality of life.CONCLUSIONSub-Saharan Africa represents a diverse region with barriers to RT that differ on the basis of funding, available technology and staff, and community populations. Although long-term solutions must focus on building capacity by increasing the number of treatment machines and providers, short-term improvements should be implemented, such as interim housing for traveling patients, increased community education to reduce late-stage diagnoses, and use of virtual visits to avoid travel.
Empagliflozin and Renal Sodium-Hydrogen Exchange in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Biancalana Edoardo , Rossi Chiara , Raggi Francesco , Distaso Mariarosaria , Tricò Domenico , Baldi Simona , Ferrannini Ele , Solini Anna 
Published: February 2023

Abstract

Context
Sodium glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors exert clinically relevant cardiorenal protection. Among several mechanisms, inhibition of sodium-hydrogen exchanger-3 (NHE3) in proximal renal tubules has been proposed in rodents. Demonstration of this mechanism with the associated electrolyte and metabolic changes in humans is lacking.

Objective
The present proof-of-concept study was designed to explore the involvement of NHE3 in modulating the response to sodium glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors in humans.

Methods
Twenty healthy male volunteers received 2 tablets of empagliflozin 25 mg during a standardized hydration scheme; freshly voided urines and blood samples were collected at timed intervals for 8 hours. Protein expression of relevant transporters was examined in exfoliated tubular cells.

Results
Urine pH levels increased after empagliflozin (from 5.81 ± 0.5 to 6.16 ± 0.6 at 6 hours, P = .008) as did urinary output (from median, 1.7; interquartile range [IQR, 0.6; 2.5] to 2.5 [IQR, 1.7; 3.5] mL/min−1, P = .008) and glucose (from median, 0.03 [IQR, 0.02; 0.04] to 34.8 [IQR, 31.6; 40.2] %, P &lt; .0001), and sodium fractional excretion rates (from median, 0.48 [IQR, 0.34; 0.65] to 0.71 [IQR, 0.55; 0.85] %, P = .0001), whereas plasma glucose and insulin concentrations decreased and plasma and urinary ketones increased. Nonsignificant changes in NHE3, phosphorylated NHE3, and membrane-associated protein 17 protein expression were detected in urinary exfoliated tubular cells. In a time-control study in 6 participants, neither urine pH nor plasma and urinary parameters changed.

Conclusions
In healthy young volunteers, empagliflozin acutely increases urinary pH while inducing a substrate shift toward lipid utilization and ketogenesis, without significant changes in renal NHE3 protein expression.
High Sox2 expression predicts taste lineage competency of lingual progenitors in vitro
Authors: Shechtman Lauren A. , Scott Jennifer K. , Larson Eric D. , Isner Trevor J. , Johnson Bryan J. , Gaillard Dany , Dempsey Peter J. , Barlow Linda A. 
Published: February 2023

ABSTRACT
Taste buds on the tongue contain taste receptor cells (TRCs) that detect sweet, sour, salty, umami and bitter stimuli. Like non-taste lingual epithelium, TRCs are renewed from basal keratinocytes, many of which express the transcription factor SOX2. Genetic lineage tracing has shown that SOX2+ lingual progenitors give rise to both taste and non-taste lingual epithelium in the posterior circumvallate taste papilla (CVP) of mice. However, SOX2 is variably expressed among CVP epithelial cells, suggesting that their progenitor potential may vary. Using transcriptome analysis and organoid technology, we show that cells expressing SOX2 at higher levels are taste-competent progenitors that give rise to organoids comprising both TRCs and lingual epithelium. Conversely, organoids derived from progenitors that express SOX2 at lower levels are composed entirely of non-taste cells. Hedgehog and WNT/β-catenin are required for taste homeostasis in adult mice. However, manipulation of hedgehog signaling in organoids has no impact on TRC differentiation or progenitor proliferation. By contrast, WNT/β-catenin promotes TRC differentiation in vitro in organoids derived from higher but not low SOX2+ expressing progenitors.
Rational Design of Novel Reaction Pathways and Tailor-Made Catalysts for Value-Added Chemicals Synthesis from CO2 Hydrogenation
Authors: Tsubaki Noritatsu , Wang Yang , Yang Guohui , He Yingluo 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
The highly effective transformation of CO2 into targeted chemicals has attracted significant attention due to greenhouse gas utilization and value-added chemical synthesis functions. Among all of the proposed CO2 transformation pathways, e.g., electrolytic CO2 reduction, photocatalytic CO2 conversion, and thermal-catalytic CO2 utilization, the latter, especially the thermal-catalytic hydrogenation process with renewable energy-driven H2 supply, is the most promising strategy owing to its high efficiency, fast reaction rate, controllable product selectivity, and industrial application potential. In recent years, our research group has made great efforts to realize various chemical syntheses from CO2 hydrogenation technology, such as production of methanol, ethanol, liquid petroleum gas (LPG), alkenes, aromatics (especially para-xylene, PX), etc. In this account, we summarize the main achievements of our laboratory in the rational design of novel heterogeneous catalysts and innovative reaction pathways for CO2 hydrogenation, including reaction pathway design for new low-temperature methanol synthesis, catalytic metal-surface interaction tailoring to boost methanol synthesis performance, tandem reaction network fabrication for the synthesis of ethanol, LPG, or aromatics, a capsule catalyst concept for tandem reaction, etc. In this account, we want to inspire new ideas and methodologies for the rational design of novel catalysts and reaction pathways for CO2 hydrogenation into value-added chemicals.
The Impact of Socioeconomic and Cultural Differences on Online Trade
Authors: Elfenbein Daniel W. , Fisman Raymond , McManus Brian 
Published: February 2023

We use eBay data to investigate how within-U.S. trade is influenced by differences in socioeconomic characteristics. States’ similarity in cultural characteristics (ethnicity, religious affiliations, and political behavior) predicts online trade; cultural similarity similarly predicts trade within product categories. The culture-trade relationship is stronger for transactions with sellers who lack extensive reputations or certification, suggesting that consumers infer seller trustworthiness from cultural similarity. There is no correlation between cultural similarity and buyer satisfaction, suggesting that perceived differences in trustworthiness are not validated in actual transactions. This paper was accepted by Alfonso Gambardella, business strategy. Supplemental Material: The data files and online appendix are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.4681 .
How did we get here? Explaining the persistent barriers NHS clinical support workers can face in England
Authors: Griffin Richard 
Published: February 2023

Despite being the employees who often have the most direct contact with service users, NHS clinical support workers, such as healthcare assistants and maternity support workers, have long experienced a range of barriers to their effective deployment and development. These include a lack of standardised entry requirements, inconsistent task deployment and truncated career progression pathways. These have a detrimental impact on service delivery, including patient satisfaction. The degree to which local employers are able to determine the recruitment, deployment and development of support workers is a key reason why these issues endure; however, this article suggests that a deeper reason is the existence of a segmented labour market in the NHS, with support workers existing in a secondary market. This duality resides in the socio-economic differences between registered and non-registered staff. Recent NHS support workforce strategies present an opportunity to finally address the issues support staff face.
En Route for the Accomplishment of SDG-7 in South Asian Countries: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Katekar Vikrant , Deshmukh Sandip S. 
Published: February 2023

With one-fifth of the world’s population, South Asian nations are home to 37 percent of the world’s poor and 50 percent of the world’s hungry children. This region experiences enormous development and infrastructure challenges. The paper investigates the progress of South Asian countries on Sustainable Development Goal-7, which is associated with access to modern energy to all. The present research also highlights significant issues and challenges behind the slow progress of South Asian countries on SDG-7. This study indicates that Bhutan and India are top-performing countries; however, Pakistan and Afghanistan are lower-performing countries on SDG-7 among all other South Asian countries. It has also been observed that South Asian countries have a narrow focus on renewable energy. South Asian nations will address their energy shortages issue and save a lot of money by using renewable energy instead of importing hydrocarbons. South Asian nations must diversify their main energy consumption patterns to achieve SDG-7. They may address their energy concerns at the policy, economic, technological, and information levels and boost cross-border energy commerce.
Radiometric Analysis of Gradient Index Lens Arrays for Reduction and Enlargement
Authors: Lama William , Durbin John 
Published: February 2023

Gradient index fiber lens arrays that are able to make reduced or enlarged images have been invented1,2 at Xerox Corporation.
An important optical property of these lens arrays is their radiometric speed. Thus a general procedure for the radiometric analysis of arbitrary magnification gradient index lens arrays has been developed. The analysis has been applied to a particular array which was fabricated and tested in the lab. Very good agreement between the radiometric predictions and measurements was obtained.
High Resolution Low Noise Atmospheric Spectroscopy
Authors: Delbouille L. 
Published: February 2023

High resolution absorption infrared spectroscopy is a largely used way to gather information on the chemical composition of the Earth atmosphere.
The early pioneers (A. Adel, M. Migeotte,…), using large grating instruments, were able to recognize the vibration-rotation signatures of molecules like CH4, CO, NO, N2O … They showed how the Sun can be used as the necessary bright and stable light source.
Non-Approximation (Exact) Theory of the Geometrical Aberrations in the Optical Systems
Authors: Hristov Boian A. 
Published: February 2023

Previously developed were by the author exact functions for a series of aberrations in the centered optical systems at the assumption that the object space is aberration free.
In the present report discussed are optical systems in the presence of object aberrations. Discussed is in details the function for transforming the object meridional curvature into image one. Given are functions and numerical examples for exact analytical correction of one and two aberrations with the help of linear Example is given for stabilization of the meridional curvature on a main ray for all object distances Za within the interval 0 ≤ |Za|≤ ∞.
Mentioned are some possibilities and trends of development of the non-approximation theory of aberrations.
Lens Design of Wide-Angle Lenses with an Aspherical Surface
Authors: Ishiyama Toshiro , Suenaga Yutaka , Shimizu Yoshiyuki , Suzuki Kenzaburo 
Published: February 2023

The application of aspherical surfaces in camera lens started over twenty years ago. Many people suggested and executed many ideas regarding the application of aspherical surfaces. One of the ideas is that the application decreases the value of the F No. The example of the applications is a pick-up-lens that picks up information on a disk using the optical method. In this paper, we discuss the application of aspherical surfaces in wide angle lenses with a large back focus for reflex cameras. The application mainly corrects distortion in the lens designs.
An object of the present paper is to show an inverse telescopic wide angle lens capable of simplifying the lens configuration thereby reducing the dimension of lens, correcting various aberrations in satisfactory manner, and still extending the back focus.
High Sensitive Laser Spectroscopy For Detect Trace Rare Earth Impurities In YbF3 and CaF 2 : Y b 3 + Crystals
Authors: He-yi Zhang , Xuehua He , Hai Tang Sing 
Published: February 2023

The upconversion fluorescence is an interest subject for many applications. But very few papers study the high sensitivity upconversion fluorescence and its application to analytical chemistry. The laser excited high sensitive upconversion fluorescence of YbF3 contain with trace

T
m

3
+

and E

r

3
+

reported here for first time to our knowledge. Also high sensitive upconversion fluorescence of

CaF

2

:

Y
b

3
+

contain with trace

T
m

3
+

and E

r

3
+

as impurities were studied.
Detector Response Characterization for DIAL Application
Authors: Lee H. S. , Schwemmer G. K. , Korb C. L. 
Published: February 2023

For accurate DIAL measurements, the detector output should have a linear response to the input light signal. In addition to good linearity, the detector should also have good gain stability and negligible signal-induced noise.
The requirement for gain stability is less stringent compared to the other requirements as long as the gain stability pattern is preserved between the pair of on-line and off-line pulses. The linearity of the detector response is critical in the sense that the nonlinear behavior of the PMT responsivity is normally dependent upon the signal amplitude itself. Therefore, for off line and on-line signals which are not identical, the effect of the non-linearity is not cancelled in the DIAL signal processing. The same argument applies for the signal-induced noise term. The cause and characteristics of the signal-induced noise which appears as a bias is not well understood.
Raman Characterization of Catalysts
Authors: Wokaun A. , Baiker A. , Fluhr W. , Meier M. , Miller S.K. 
Published: February 2023

The use of surface enhanced Raman scattering as a tool for the elucidation of reaction mechanisms in heterogeneous catalysis is investigated. The following information is desired:
- identification of the molecular species adsorbed at the surface, even if present in low concentrations; this includes reactants, major and side products;
- type and geometry of bonding to the surface;
- detection of intermediates which exist only as surface species.
Nonlinearities in the Characteristic Curve for Single-Mode InGaAsP Lasers with Weak Optical Feedback
Authors: Milani M. , Brivio F. , Calcaterra F. , Chiaretti G. 
Published: February 2023

In a microscopic approach to single-mode semiconductor laser dynamics, the nonlinear dependence of interband carrier lifetime on optical field intensity accounts for some nonlinearities in the characteristic curve appearing in the weak feedback regime.
The comparison with actual optical communication systems is discussed.
Profiling the knowledge of female medical/para-medical students, and expertise of health care professionals on female genital schistosomiasis in Anambra, South Eastern Nigeria
Authors: Aribodor Ogechukwu B. , Mogaji Hammed O. , Surakat Olabanji A. , Azugo Nwadiuto O. , Jacob Eunice C. , Obikwelu Emmanuel M. , Nebe Obiageli J. , Jacobson Julie 
Published: February 2023

Background
Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) is a largely neglected tropical disease (NTD), with little or no attention in the primary health care unit. Towards building momentum to address this challenge, we investigated the perception of medical and para-medical students about FGS, as well as the expertise of health care professionals in Anambra State, Nigeria.

Methodology
We conducted a cross-sectional survey among 587 female medical and para-medical university students (MPMS), and 65 health care professionals (HCPs) saddled with the responsibility of delivering care for schistosomiasis-affected persons. Pretested questionnaires were administered to document the awareness and knowledge about the disease. In addition, the expertise of HCPs vis-à-vis suspicion of FGS and management of FGS patients during routine health care service were documented. Data were subjected to descriptive, chi-square tests and regression analysis in R software.

Results
Over half of the students recruited; 54.2% for schistosomiasis and 58.1% for FGS, were not aware of the disease. Knowledge about schistosomiasis was associated with student’s year of study, with those in 2nd (OR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.0, 2.7), 4th (OR: 1.97, 95% CI: 1.2, 3.2), and 6th (OR: 5.05, 95% CI: 1.2, 34.2) year having higher likelihoods of been more informed about schistosomiasis. For HCPs, we observed a contrastingly high knowledge about schistosomiasis (96.9%), but low knowledge about FGS (61.9%). Knowledge for both schistosomiasis and FGS was not associated with year of practice and expertise (95% OR included 1, p > 0.05). A considerable proportion (>40%) of the HCPs never suspected schistosomiasis during routine clinical diagnosis of patients who presented probable FGS symptoms (p < 0.05). Similarly, only 20% were certain about the use of praziquantel for treating FGS, and about 35% were uncertain of the eligibility criteria and dosage regimens. Commodities for managing FGS were also largely unavailable in about 39% of the health facilities where the HCPs operate.

Conclusion
Awareness and knowledge about FGS among MPMS and HCPs were poor in Anambra, Nigeria. It is therefore important to invest in innovative methods of building capacity of MPMS and HCPs, with complementary provision of necessary diagnostics to perform colposcopy, as well as competence to diagnose pathognomonic lesions using diagnostic atlas or Artificial Intelligence (AI).
First and second wave dynamics of emergency department utilization during the COVID-19 pandemic: A retrospective study in 3 hospitals in The Netherlands
Authors: Dijk Robi , Plaum Patricia , Tummers Stan , van Osch Frits H. M. , Barten Dennis G. , Latten Gideon H. P. 
Published: February 2023

Objective
During certain phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, a decrease was observed in emergency department (ED) utilization. Although this phenomenon has been thoroughly characterized for the first wave (FW), second wave (SW) studies are limited. We examined the changes in ED utilization between the FW and SW, compared to 2019 reference periods.

Study design and methods
We performed a retrospective analysis of ED utilization in 3 Dutch hospitals in 2020. The FW and SW (March-June and September–December, respectively) were compared to the reference periods in 2019. ED visits were labeled as (non-)COVID-suspected.

Results
During the FW and SW ED visits decreased by 20.3% and 15.3%, respectively, when compared to reference periods in 2019. During both waves high urgency visits significantly increased with 3.1% and 2.1%, and admission rates (ARs) increased with 5.0% and 10.4%. Trauma related visits decreased by 5.2% and 3.4%. During the SW we observed less COVID-related visits compared to the FW (4,407 vs 3,102 patients). COVID-related visits were significantly more often in higher need of urgent care and ARs were at least 24.0% higher compared to non-COVID visits.

Conclusion
During both COVID-19 waves, ED visits were significantly reduced. ED patients were more often triaged as high urgent, the ED length of stay was longer and ARs were increased compared to the reference period in 2019, reflecting a high burden on ED resources. During the FW, the reduction in ED visits was most pronounced. Here, ARs were also higher and patient were more often triaged as high urgency. These findings stress the need to gain better insight into the motives of patients to delay or avoid emergency care during pandemics, as well as to better prepare EDs for future outbreaks.
Association between serum ferritin level and decreased diffusion capacity 3 months after the onset of COVID-19 pneumonia
Authors: Shinfuku Kyota , Takasaka Naoki , Fukuda Taiki , Chida Kentaro , Suzuki Yudai , Shibata Shun , Kojima Ayako , Hasegawa Tsukasa , Yamada Masami , Yamanaka Yumie , Hosaka Yusuke , Seki Aya , Seki Yoshitaka , Takeda Hiroshi , Ishikawa Takeo , Kuwano Kazuyoshi 
Published: February 2023

Background
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia can have prolonged sequelae and lead to respiratory dysfunction, mainly because of impaired diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO). The clinical factors associated with DLCO impairment, including blood biochemistry test parameters, remain unclear.

Methods
Patients with COVID-19 pneumonia who underwent inpatient treatment between April 2020 and August 2021 were included in this study. A pulmonary function test was performed 3 months after onset, and the sequelae symptoms were investigated. Clinical factors, including blood test parameters and abnormal chest shadows on computed tomography, of COVID-19 pneumonia associated with DLCO impairment were investigated.

Results
In total, 54 recovered patients participated in this study. Twenty-six patients (48%) and 12 patients (22%) had sequelae symptoms 2 and 3 months after, respectively. The main sequelae symptoms at 3 months were dyspnea and general malaise. Pulmonary function tests showed that 13 patients (24%) had both DLCO <80% predicted value (pred) and DLCO/alveolar volume (VA) <80% pred, and appeared to have DLCO impairment not attributable to an abnormal lung volume. Clinical factors associated with impaired DLCO were investigated in multivariable regression analysis. Ferritin level of >686.5 ng/mL (odds ratio: 11.08, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.84–66.59; p = 0.009) was most strongly associated with DLCO impairment.

Conclusions
Decreased DLCO was the most common respiratory function impairment, and ferritin level was a significantly associated clinical factor. Serum ferritin level could be used as a predictor of DLCO impairment in cases of COVID-19 pneumonia.