bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A randomized controlled trial for a peer-facilitated telemedicine hepatitis c treatment intervention for people who use drugs in rural communities: study protocol for the “peer tele-HCV” study
Authors: Herink Megan C. , Seaman Andrew , Leichtling Gillian , Larsen Jessica E. , Gailey Tonhi , Cook Ryan , Thomas Ann , Korthuis P. Todd 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission is primarily driven by injection drug use, and acute HCV infection rates are increased in rural communities with substantial barriers to care. Treatment of HCV in persons who use drugs (PWUD) is cost effective, decreases high risk behaviors and HCV transmission, and achieves high rates of treatment completion and sustained viral response. Adapting HCV care delivery to utilize peer support specialists, telemedicine technology, and streamlined testing and treatment strategies can better reach rural populations living with HCV.

Methods
This is an open label, two-arm, non-blinded, randomized controlled trial designed to test the superiority of peer-facilitated and streamlined telemedicine HCV care (peer tele-HCV) compared to enhanced usual care (EUC) among PWUD in rural Oregon. In the intervention arm, peers conduct HCV screening in the community, facilitate pretreatment evaluation and linkage to telemedicine hepatitis C treatment providers, and support participants in HCV medication adherence. For participants assigned to EUC, peers facilitate pretreatment evaluation and referral to community-based treatment providers. The primary outcome is sustained virologic response at 12 weeks post treatment (SVR12). Secondary outcomes include: (1) HCV treatment initiation, (2) HCV treatment completion, (3) engagement with harm reduction resources, (4) rates of substance use, and (5) engagement in addiction treatment resources. The primary and secondary outcomes are analyzed using intention-to-treat (ITT) comparisons between telemedicine and EUC. A qualitative analysis will assess patient, peer, and clinician experiences of peer-facilitated telemedicine hepatitis C treatment.

Discussion
This study uses a novel peer-based telemedicine delivery model with streamlined testing protocols to improve access to HCV treatment in rural communities with high rates of injection drug use and ongoing disease transmission. We hypothesize that the peer tele-HCV model will increase treatment initiation, treatment completion, SVR12 rates, and engagement with harm reduction services compared to EUC.
Trial registration This trial has been registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (clinicaltrials.gov NCT04798521)
Music therapy, neural processing, and craving reduction: an RCT protocol for a mixed methods feasibility study in a Community Substance Misuse Treatment Service
Authors: Fachner Jörg , Maidhof Clemens , Murtagh Daniel , De Silva Devon , Pasqualitto Filippo , Fernie Paul , Panin Francesca , Michell Andrew , Muller-Rodriguez Leonardo , Odell-Miller Helen 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background
Music therapy has been shown to be effective for multiple clinical endpoints associated with substance use disorder such as craving reduction, emotion regulation, depression, and anxiety, but there are a lack of studies investigating those effects in UK Community Substance Misuse Treatment Services (CSMTSs). Furthermore, there is a demand for identifying music therapy mechanisms of change and related brain processes for substance use disorder treatment. The present study aims to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of music therapy and a pre-test, post-test, and in-session measurement battery in a CSMTS.

Methods
Fifteen participants, from a community service based in London, will take part in a mixed-methods non-blind randomized-controlled trial. Ten participants will receive six-weekly sessions of music therapy in addition to the standard treatment offered by the CSMTS—five of them will receive individual music therapy and five of them will receive group music therapy—while a further five participants will act as a control group receiving standard treatment only.
Satisfaction and acceptability will be evaluated in focus groups with service users and staff members following the final treatment session. Moreover, attendance and completion rates will be monitored throughout the intervention. Subjective and behavioral indexes will be assessed before and after the interventions to explore the effects of music therapy on craving, substance use, symptoms of depression and anxiety, inhibitory control, and will be correlated with associated neurophysiological signatures. In-session analysis of two individual music therapy sessions will serve to explore how music and emotion are processed in the brain within the therapy. The data collected at each step will be included in an intention-to-treat analysis basis.

Discussion
This study will provide a first report on the feasibility of music therapy as an intervention for participants with substance use disorder engaged within a community service. It will also provide valuable information regarding the implementation of a multifaceted methodology that includes neurophysiological, questionnaire-based, and behavioral assessments in this cohort. Notwithstanding the limitation of a small sample size, the present study will provide novel preliminary data regarding neurophysiological outcomes in participants with substance use disorder that received music therapy.
Trial Registration: ClinicalTrails.gov, NCT0518061, Registered 6 January 2022, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05180617
Correlation between dental arch form and OSA severity in adult patients: an observational study
Authors: Ciavarella Domenico , Campobasso Alessandra , Conte Elisa , Burlon Giuseppe , Guida Laura , Montaruli Graziano , Cassano Michele , Laurenziello Michele , Illuzzi Gaetano , Tepedino Michele 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background
The role of interdental widths and palatal morphology on the development of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has not been well investigated in adult patients yet. The aim of this paper was to assess the morphology of maxilla and mandibular dental arches on three-dimensional (3D) casts and to correlate these measurements with the severity of OSA.

Methods
Sixty-four patients (8 women and 56 men, mean age 52.4) with a diagnosis of mild-to-moderate OSA were retrospectively enrolled. On each patient, home sleep apnea test and 3D dental models were collected. Apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and oxygen desaturation index (ODI) were recorded, as well as the dental measurements including inter-molar distance, anterior and posterior widths of maxillary and mandibular arches, upper and lower arch lengths, palatal height, and palatal surface area. The respiratory and dental variables were then correlated.

Result
A statistically inverse correlation was found between ODI and anterior width of lower arch, maxillary arch length, palatal height, and palatal area. AHI showed a significant inverse correlation with anterior width of mandibular arch and maxillary length.

Conclusion
A significant inverse correlation between maxillary and mandibular morphology and respiratory parameters was shown in the present paper.
Trends in adults’ energy imbalance gaps over two decades in Belgium using system dynamics modelling
Authors: Fallah-Fini Saeideh , Rezaei Tannaz , De Ridder Karin , Vandevijvere Stefanie 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe energy imbalance gap (EIG) represents the average daily difference between energy intake and energy expenditure. The maintenance energy gap (MEG) captures the increased energy intake needed to maintain a higher average bodyweight compared with an initial distribution of bodyweight. This study quantified the dynamics of the EIG and MEG over time and across different genders/regions/BMI groups for Belgian adults.MethodsA validated system dynamics model was adapted to estimate the trends/dynamics of the EIG among different subpopulations over two decades in Belgium. The model was calibrated using data from the six Belgian national Health Interview Surveys (1997, 2001, 2004, 2008, 2013, 2018).ResultsEIG was negative for all BMI groups among Belgian females in 2018, implying the start of a decrease in prevalence of overweight/obesity in this subpopulation. However, this was not the case among Belgian males. Flemish and Walloon males had positive EIGs across BMI groups in 2018, however, Brussels’ males showed negative EIGs across BMI groups. Flemish and Brussels’ females showed negative EIGs across all BMI groups in 2018, while Walloon females showed positive EIGs across almost all BMI groups. According to the MEG, Belgian men consumed (and expended) on average 59 kcal/day more in 2018 than in 1997 to maintain their heavier body weight. The MEG for Belgian women was 46 kcal/day in 2018, triple the MEG in 2004.ConclusionsThe detailed heterogeneous trends of the EIG describe the obesity patterns for different subpopulations in Belgium and could be used to model the differential effects of specific nutrition policies targeting energy intake.
Scleral appearance is not a correlate of domestication in mammals
Authors: Caspar Kai R. , Hüttner Lisa , Begall Sabine 
Published: May 2023

AbstractNumerous hypotheses try to explain the unusual appearance of the human eye with its bright sclera and transparent conjunctiva and how it could have evolved from a dark-eyed phenotype, as is present in many non-human primates. Recently, it has been argued that pigmentation defects induced by self-domestication may have led to bright-eyed ocular phenotypes in humans and some other primate lineages, such as marmosets. However, it has never been systematically studied whether actual domesticated mammals consistently deviate from wild mammals in regard to their conjunctival pigmentation and if this trait might therefore be part of a domestication syndrome. Here, we test this idea by drawing phylogenetically informed comparisons from a photographic dataset spanning 13 domesticated mammal species and their closest living wild relatives (n ≥ 15 photos per taxon). We did not recover significant differences in scleral appearance or irido-scleral contrast between domesticated and wild forms, suggesting that conjunctival depigmentation, unlike cutaneous pigmentation disorders, is not a general correlate of domestication. Regardless of their domestication status, macroscopically depigmented conjunctivae were observed in carnivorans and lagomorphs, whereas ungulates generally displayed darker eyes. For some taxa, we observed pronounced intraspecific variation, which should be addressed in more exhaustive future studies. Based on our dataset, we also present preliminary evidence for a general increase of conjunctival pigmentation with eye size in mammals. Our findings suggest that conjunctival depigmentation in humans is not a byproduct of self-domestication, even if we assume that our species has undergone such a process in its recent evolutionary history.
Comparative framework for AC-microgrid protection schemes: challenges, solutions, real applications, and future trends
Authors: Sheta Ahmed N. , Abdulsalam Gabr M. , Sedhom Bishoy E. , Eladl Abdelfattah A. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractWith the rapid development of electrical power systems in recent years, microgrids (MGs) have become increasingly prevalent. MGs improve network efficiency and reduce operating costs and emissions because of the integration of distributed renewable energy sources (RESs), energy storage, and source-load management systems. Despite these advances, the decentralized architecture of MGs impacts the functioning patterns of the entire system, including control strategy, energy management philosophy, and protection scheme. In this context, developing a convenient protection strategy for MGs is challenging because of various obstacles, such as the significant variance in short-circuit values under different operating modes, two-way power flow, asynchronous reclosing, protection blinding, sympathetic tripping, and loss of coordination. In light of these challenges, this paper reviews prior research on proposed protection schemes for AC-MGs to thoroughly evaluate network protection's potential issues. The paper also provides a comprehensive overview of the MG structure and the associated protection challenges, solutions, real applications, and future trends.
Association between thoracic and third lumbar CT-derived muscle mass and density in Caucasian patients without chronic disease: a proof-of-concept study
Authors: Brath Mia Solholt Godthaab , Sahakyan Marina , Mark Esben Bolvig , Frøkjær Jens Brøndum , Rasmussen Henrik Højgaard , Østergaard Lasse Riis , Weinreich Ulla Møller 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background
Computed tomography (CT) is increasingly used in the clinical workup, and existing scan contains unused body composition data, potentially useful in a clinical setting. However, there is no healthy reference for contrast-enhanced thoracic CT-derived muscle measures. Therefore, we aimed at investigating whether there is a correlation between each of the thoracic and third lumbar vertebra level (L3) skeletal muscle area (SMA), skeletal muscle index (SMI), and skeletal muscle density (SMD) at contrast-enhanced CT in patients without chronic disease.

Methods
A proof-of-concept retrospective observational study was based on Caucasian patients without chronic disease, who received CT for trauma between 2012 and 2014. Muscle measures were assessed using a semiautomated threshold-based software by two raters independently. Pearson’s correlation between each thoracic level and third lumbar and intraclass correlation between two raters and test–retest with SMA as proxy parameters were used.

Results
Twenty-one patients (11 males, 10 females; median age 29 years) were included. The second thoracic vertebra (T2) had the highest median of cumulated SMA (males 314.7 cm2, females 118.5 cm2) and SMI (97.8 cm2/m2 and 70.4 cm2/m2, respectively). The strongest SMA correlation was observed between T5 and L3 (r = 0.970), the SMI between T11 and L3 (r = 0.938), and the SMD between the T10 and L3 (r = 0.890).

Conclusions
This study suggests that any of the thoracic levels can be valid to assess skeletal muscle mass. However, the T5 may be most favourable for measuring SMA, the T11 for SMI, and T10 for SMD when using contrast-enhanced thoracic CT.

Relevance statement
In COPD patients, a CT-derived thoracic muscle mass assessment may help identify who would benefit from focused pulmonary rehabilitation: thoracic contrast-enhanced CT conducted as part of the standard clinical workup can be used for this evaluation.

Key points
• Any thoracic level can be used to assess thoracic muscle mass.
• Thoracic level 5 is strongly associated with the 3rd lumbar muscle area.
• A strong correlation between the thoracic level 11 and the 3rd lumbar muscle index.
• Thoracic level 10 is strongly associated with the 3rd lumbar muscle density.

Graphical Abstract
Glioma Metabolic Feedback In Situ: A First-In-Human Pharmacodynamic Trial of Difluoromethylornithine + AMXT-1501 Through High–Molecular Weight Microdialysis
Authors: Riviere-Cazaux Cecile , Neth Bryan J. , Hoplin Matthew D. , Wessel Bambi , Miska Jason , Kizilbash Sani H. , Burns Terry C. 
Published: May 2023

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
No new drug has improved survival for glioblastoma since temozolomide in 2005, due in part to the relative inaccessibility of each patientʼs individualized tumor biology and its response to therapy. We have identified a conserved extracellular metabolic signature of enhancing high-grade gliomas enriched for guanidinoacetate (GAA). GAA is coproduced with ornithine, the precursor to protumorigenic polyamines through ornithine decarboxylase (ODC). AMXT-1501 is a polyamine transporter inhibitor that can overcome tumoral resistance to the ODC inhibitor, difluoromethylornithine (DFMO). We will use DFMO with or without AMXT-1501 to identify candidate pharmacodynamic biomarkers of polyamine depletion in patients with high-grade gliomas in situ. We aim to determine (1) how blocking polyamine production affects intratumoral extracellular guanidinoacetate abundance and (2) the impact of polyamine depletion on the global extracellular metabolome within live human gliomas in situ.

METHODS:
DFMO, with or without AMXT-1501, will be administered postoperatively in 15 patients after clinically indicated subtotal resection for high-grade glioma. High–molecular weight microdialysis catheters implanted into residual tumor and adjacent brain will be used for postoperative monitoring of extracellular GAA and polyamines throughout therapeutic intervention from postoperative day (POD) 1 to POD5. Catheters will be removed on POD5 before discharge.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES:
We anticipate that GAA will be elevated in tumor relative to adjacent brain although it will decrease within 24 hours of ODC inhibition with DFMO. If AMXT-1501 effectively increases the cytotoxic impact of ODC inhibition, we expect an increase in biomarkers of cytotoxicity including glutamate with DFMO + AMXT-1501 treatment when compared with DFMO alone.

DISCUSSION:
Limited mechanistic feedback from individual patientsʼ gliomas hampers clinical translation of novel therapies. This pilot Phase 0 study will provide in situ feedback during DFMO + AMXT-1501 treatment to determine how high-grade gliomas respond to polyamine depletion.
Evaluation of postgraduate family medicine trainee’s knowledge and attitude following an online Educational Module in Palliative Care: A descriptive study
Authors: Jabeen Ismat , Usman Tayyabah , Asad Munazza , Qureshi Asra , Waqar Muhammad Atif 
Published: May 2023

Objectives: To identify improvement in knowledge and attitude of Family Medicine (FM) postgraduate trainees (PGT) towards Palliative care (PC) in order to provide effective care to the patients with advanced disease.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over eight weeks from 1st July till 3rd September 2021 at Family Medicine Department, Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH). PGT who willingly signed the written informed consent were enrolled in the study. Descriptive analysis, frequencies, proportions and thematic approach were used for data analysis. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 23.
Results: FM-PGT were included in the study. Improvement in knowledge was observed in posttest scores along with positive change in their attitude and improved perception of level of confidence for managing PC patients. Overall assessment of PCM was positive.
Conclusion: This PCM seems to be a useful tool for PC training in postgraduate medical education (PGME). This highlights some useful aspects for future applications in PC education and training.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.4.6984
How to cite this: Jabeen I, Usman T, Asad M, Qureshi A, Waqar MA. Evaluation of postgraduate family medicine trainee’s knowledge and attitude following an online Educational Module in Palliative Care: A descriptive study. Pak J Med Sci. 2023;39(4):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.4.6984
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
A Simple Single-fed Left/Right-Hand Circular Polarization Antenna for GPS Applications
Authors: Meng Lulu , Li Yingsong , Huang Zhixiang 
Published: May 2023

A simple single-feeding circular polarization (CP) antenna with controlled left/right-hand characteristics is proposed and investigated for GPS L2 band applications. To achieve the CP characteristics, four arc-shaped cutting corners with different sizes are removed from a circular patch to give 90∘ phase difference to implement CP. By adjusting the radius of the four arc-shaped cutting corners, the antenna can be controlled to get left/right-hand circular polarization (L/RHCP). The proposed CP antenna is modeled, simulated, fabricated and measured, and the results demonstrate that the antenna provides an axial ratio beamwidth over 180 MHz, and impedance bandwidth of 20 MHz for L/RHCP. Additionally, the devised CP antennas have good directional radiating patterns, making them suitable for GPS L2 band applications.
ANALISIS PENERAPAN APLIKASI INSPEKSI VISUAL JEMBATAN INVI J (USER PERSPECTIVE)
Authors: Putri Citra Kharisma , Sastrawiria Risma Putra Pratama 
Published: May 2023

Research and Development Agency for Road and Bridge Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (Balitbang Pusjatan Kemen-PUPR) has developed a bridge inspection software called Visual Inspection of Bridge or INVI J. The INVI J application which based on Android software and web has been implemented starting in 2018 at all Balai Besar Pelaksanaan Jalan Nasional (BBPJN) throughout Indonesia. Related to that, the analysis of user perspective towards the utilization of the INVI J is significant to be done.This research was conducted by creating and distributing questionnaires to several INVI J software users within the Balai Besar Pelaksanaan Jalan Nasional (BBPJN), Satuan Kerja (Satker), Pejabat Pembuat Komitmen (PPK) and Consultant.From this study, it can be concluded that in general the INVI J software is easy to learn, easy to operate and useful for users in conducting bridge surveys because it is faster than filling out a manual inspection form. However, INVI J does not have the ability and function as expected and the output produced is still not as desired, hence it is necessary to make an updating the application, in order optimize the output.
Analisis Faktor-Faktor Penyebab Keterlambatan Kerja Pada Proyek Pembangunan Gedung Bertingkat Di Indonesia
Authors: Romadhon Ahmad Faisal , Tenriajeng Andi Tenrisukki 
Published: May 2023

Proyek konstruksi umumnya mempunyai rencana pelaksanaan dan jadwal pelaksanaan tertentu, tetapi sering terjadi keterlambatan. Keterlambatan proyek bisa berasal dari penyedia jasa dan pengguna jasa. Penelitian akan menganalisis faktor keterlambatan apa saja yang sering terjadi pada pembangunan gedung bertingkat, mencari faktor paling dominan serta memberi solusi untuk memperbaiki kinerja proyek di Indonesia. Analisis dilakukan menggunakan aplikasi IBM SPSS 20. Variabel yang digunakan dalam penelitian yaitu Keterlambatan Proyek sebagai variabel terikat (Y), dan variabel bebas yaitu Aspek Ketenagakerjaan (X1), Bahan (X2), Peralatan (X3), Lokasi Proyek (X4), Manajerial (X5), Keuangan (X6) dan Faktor Eksternal (X7). Analisis yang digunakan adalah dengan model Regresi Linier dan uji Hipotesis F untuk mengetahui besaran pengaruh variabel X1-X7 terhadap variabel terikat yaitu keterlambatan proyek. Hasil uji F menunjukan bahwa ada pengaruh antara faktor penyebab keterlambatan dengan keterlambatan proyek dan berdasarkan analisis model regresi menunjukan bahwa dari nilai koefesien determinasi sebesar 84% keterlambatan proyek dijelaskan dalam penelitian ini. Faktor paling dominan adalah Ketenagakerjaan (X1) dengan nilai koefesien regresi 0.807. Kata kunci: Gedung Bertingkat, Faktor Keterlambatan Proyek, Model Regresi Linier, Uji Hipotesis F, Faktor dominan.