bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Statistical and simulation study on the separation in junction frequencies between ordinary (O) and extraordinary (X) wave in oblique ionograms
Authors: FengJuan Sun , XianRong Wan , HongBo Zhang , Bao Zhou , PanPan Ban , Hongyan Cao 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe most important aim in interpreting an oblique ionogram is to obtain the accurate Junction Frequencies (JFs) of the ordinary (O) and extraordinary (X) mode. This requires the correct identification of O- and X-mode traces, so it is very helpful and worthy to grasp the relative position between the two modes. This paper presents a statistical and simulation study of the separation in JFs between O- and X-waves based on observed oblique ionograms over three mid-latitude paths within China and a 3D ray-tracing program. The dependence on local time, season, geomagnetic activity, O-wave JF and group path, solar activity, direction, and length of propagation is investigated. The main conclusions are as follows: (a) the separation on east–west path is susceptible to ionospheric variability, while the separation on north–south path does not show a significant correlation with local time and season; (b) a general diurnal tendency and a summer anomaly on east–west propagation are first proposed and discussed, which may be related to the diurnal variation of hmF2 above the reflection point and the strong lower layers below the reflection point; (c) the separation varies approximately as a cosine function with the propagation direction owning two maxima in the north–south direction and two minima in the east–west direction; (d) the variation patterns of the separation with the propagation length are obviously not the same in different directions. In the case of east–west propagation, the separation decreases to a minimum near ground range of 2000 km and then increases very slowly with increasing ground range, while it monotonically increases for the north–south propagation path.
Graphical Abstract
Anterior inferior cerebellar artery loop and tinnitus—is there any association between them?
Authors: Saraf Aditiya , Gupta Nitika , Manhas Monica , Kalsotra Parmod 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Background
Where there is no identifiable cause of otologic symptoms like hearing loss and tinnitus, it is believed that etiology could possibly involve a vascular loop in AICA compressing the vestibulo-cochlear nerve within the internal auditory canal. In this study, we aim to evaluate whether there is any association of AICA vascular loops with unexplained tinnitus.

Methods
The present prospective study was conducted in the Department of ENT, SMGS Hospital, GMC Jammu, from October 2020 to March 2022 on 131 subjects with unexplained tinnitus. All subjects were subjected to contrast enhanced MRI brain (3D fast spin echo T2W1 with drive equilibrium pulse) for evaluation of AICA using Chavda classification—type 1 (lying in CP angle, but not entering IAC), type 2 (entering IAC but extending < 50% of length of IAC), and type 3 (extending > 50% of length of IAC).

Results
Out of 131 unexplained tinnitus cases, 76 patients (58%) had AICA loop on MRI. Out of 16 patients with right sided tinnitus, 11 patients had AICA on same side, while 5 patients had AICA on the opposite (left) side. Out of 26 patients with left-sided tinnitus, 12 patients had AICA on same side, while 14 patients had AICA on the opposite (right) side, these findings being statistically insignificant (p = 0.153).

Conclusion
From our study, we can conclude that the presence of AICA vascular loop either on CP angle or within IAC in tinnitus patients is an incidental finding and has no role in its etiology.
Approach to the Patient: A Case With an Unusual Cause of Hypopituitarism
Authors: Das Liza , Dutta Pinaki 
Published: December 2022

AbstractHypopituitarism, which refers to insufficiency of one or more hormones of the pituitary, can be due to myriad causes. The clinical and radiological spectrum of the condition is heterogeneous, based on the patient’s age, gender, clinical setting, and/or other past medical history. Hypopituitarism includes central hypocortisolism, hypothyroidism, hypogonadism, and growth hormone deficiency. Both hypo- and hyperprolactinemia can be associated with hypopituitarism, with low prolactin signifying more extensive pituitary damage. Posterior pituitary insufficiency (arginine vasopressin deficiency) occurs either in isolation or with anterior pituitary hormone deficiency. Clinical symptomatology of hypopituitarism is usually nonspecific and insidious in onset and progression. Overall, the most common cause of hypopituitarism is a pituitary adenoma and/or its management (surgery, radiotherapy, pharmacotherapy, or a combination of these). However, it is this subset of patients which is more likely to be identified and managed in a timely manner, possibly alleviating the premature mortality associated with hypopituitarism. What is more challenging is the recognition of hypopituitarism in less common settings, which may be either due to direct involvement of the pituitary (infection, traumatic brain injury, or infiltrative causes) or indirectly as a consequence of the primary process (thalassemia, vasculotoxic snakebite, subarachnoid hemorrhage). These entities are often under-recognized, and increased awareness can help in greater recognition of the burden. Further, pituitary insufficiency in most of these settings is dynamic and may progress, or rarely, show recovery of function. This renders complexity to the problem, but makes it even more imperative to suspect, screen, and appropriately manage patients with less common causes of hypopituitarism.
Team Adaptation to Discontinuous Task Change: Equity and Equality as Facilitators of Individual and Collective Task Capabilities Redevelopment
Authors: Li Alex Ning , Sherf Elad N. , Tangirala Subrahmaniam 
Published: December 2022

Teams often need to adapt to planned discontinuous task change or fundamental alteration of tasks, tools, and work systems. Although team adaptation theories have made substantive progress in explaining how teams can respond to change, they have not adequately considered the unique impact that discontinuous task change can have on teams. Such change can render not only collective but also individual task capabilities obsolete and necessitate a multilevel task relearning process. Drawing on the team compilation model, we suggest that adaptation to discontinuous task change is akin to team (re)development. We posit that teams are more effective when they approach discontinuous task change by first focusing on the rebuilding of individual task capabilities and only later shifting their attention to the rebuilding of team-level task capabilities. Moreover, we argue that the uncertainty caused by discontinuous task change makes reward fairness salient such that equity and equality in rewards are particularly useful in motivating members to (re)develop individual and collective task capabilities, respectively. We provide support for these arguments using survey, qualitative, and archival data from 115 manufacturing teams and discuss the implications of our findings for both research and practice. Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.2022.1621 .
Number of antenatal care visits and associated factors among reproductive age women in Sub-Saharan Africa using recent demographic and health survey data from 2008–2019: A multilevel negative binomial regression model
Authors: Gebeyehu Fetene Getnet , Geremew Bisrat Misganaw , Belew Aysheshim Kassahun , Zemene Melkamu Aderajew 
Published: December 2022

Background
Antenatal care is one of the best strategies for maternal and neonatal mortality reduction. There is a paucity of evidence on the mean number of ANC visits and associated factors in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This study aimed to investigate the mean number of ANC visits and associated factors among reproductive-age women in Sub-Saharan Africa using the Demographic and Health Survey conducted from 2008 to 2019.

Method
A total of 256,425 weighted numbers of women who gave birth five years before the survey were included. We used STATA version 14 for data management and analysis. A multilevel negative binomial regression model was fitted. Finally, the Adjusted Incident Rate Ratio (AIRR) with its 95% CI confidence interval was reported. Statistical significance was declared at P-value < 0.05.

Results
The mean number of ANC visits among women who gave birth five years before the survey in SSA was 3.83 (95% CI = 3.82, 3.84) Individual-level factors such as being aged 36–49 years (AIRR = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.18,1.21), having secondary education &above (AIRR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.42, 1.45), having rich wealth status (AIRR = 1.08, 95% CI = 1.07, 1.09), media exposure (AIRR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.09,1.11), and grand multiparity (AIRR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.89, 0.91) were significantly associated with the number of ANC visits. Furthermore, rural residence (AIRR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.89, 0.91), Western SSA region (AIRR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.18, 1.20) and being from a middle-income country (AIRR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.08, 1.10) were community-level factors that had a significant association with the number of ANC visits.

Conclusion
The mean number of ANC visits in SSA approximates the minimum recommended number of ANC visits by the World Health Organization. Women’s educational status, women’s age, media exposure, parity, planned pregnancy, wealth status, residence, country’s income, and region of SSA had a significant association with the frequency of ANC visits. This study suggests that addressing geographical disparities and socio-economic inequalities will help to alleviate the reduced utilization of ANC services.
Prospective audit of the phenotype, causes and correlates of trachomatous and non- trachomatous trichiasis in a peri-elimination setting
Authors: Gupta Noopur , Vashist Praveen , Meel Rachna , Grover Sumit , Jain Shubhi , Kumar Deepak , Gupta Vivek , Tandon Radhika , Solomon Anthony W. 
Published: December 2022

Purpose
To explore the burden, clinical features and associations of trichiasis due to trachomatous and non-trachomatous aetiologies.

Methods
Consenting patients presenting with trichiasis of either eyelid (of one or both eyes) attending the outpatient department, cornea and oculoplasty clinics of a tertiary eye care hospital in New Delhi between August 2018 to March 2020 were included. A comprehensive examination including visual acuity and anterior segment evaluation and photography was performed. Grade of trichiasis, laterality, presence and grade of entropion, and information on corneal opacity, conjunctival scarring, Herbert’s pits, and pannus, if present, were recorded in the case record form.

Results
Overall, 302 patients (454 eyes) with trichiasis were recruited. The most common attributed cause of upper eyelid trichiasis (276 patients, 405 eyes) was trachoma (26% of patients), followed by Stevens-Johnson syndrome (23%), blepharokeratoconjunctivitis (17%) and old age (10%). A total of 296/405 eyes (73%) had some form of corneal involvement. Trachoma was not identified as the cause of trichiasis in any eye with lower eyelid-only disease.

Conclusion
Only about a quarter of upper eyelid trichiasis in this peri-elimination setting was attributed to trachoma. A distinction between trachomatous and non-trachomatous trichiasis is imperative to meaningfully determine whether elimination of trachoma as a public health problem has occurred. These data may have implications for population-based estimates of TT prevalence in India and other peri-elimination settings.
Psychological rehabilitation for isolated patients with COVID-19 infection: A randomized controlled study
Authors: Jung Jae Hyu , Won Jong Jin , Ko Jin Young 
Published: December 2022

Objective
To improve the mental health of isolated patients with COVID-19 by face-to-face psychological rehabilitation program.

Design
Randomized controlled study.

Setting
Single community-based hospital.

Participants
109 patients (52 in experimental group, 57 in control group) with COVID-19 were recruited from May 27 to September 17, 2021.

Interventions
A psychological rehabilitation program that consists of education, craft, and physical activity. The activity program was provided by a multidisciplinary rehabilitation team of doctors, nurses, occupational therapists, and physical therapists. The purpose of the education was to provide accurate information about COVID-19, and craft and physical activity were for improving physical health, occupational balance, participation in activities, and reducing boredom.

Main outcome measures
The primary outcome was degree of anxiety assessed using the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS). Secondary outcomes were severity of depression, and quality of sleep assessed using the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Visual Analysis Scale (VAS), and the Korean version of the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI-K).

Results
Isolated patients complained of anxiety, depression, and insomnia the most in the early stages of hospitalization and isolation. In addition, the psychological rehabilitation program significantly improved mental health scale, including scores of SAS (F = 12.46, p = .001), SDS (F = 6.76, p = .01), and ISI-K (F = 4.41, p = .04).

Conclusions
The psychological rehabilitation program is effective for improving anxiety, depression, and quality of sleep for isolated patients with COVID-19.
Associations between red blood cell count and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD)
Authors: Dai Xinyi , Zhou Guowei , Xu Luzhou 
Published: December 2022

Background
Some studies found that red blood cell count (RBC) was an unrecognized risk factor for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). While the epidemiological data underpinning the evidence is very limited. As there are some differences between the latest criteria of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and NAFLD, itis necessary to evaluate the relationship between RBC and MAFLD.

Methods
We performed a cross-sectional analysis of the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES)2017-2018 cohort, including 4477 participants. Hepatic steatosis was determined when the value of controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) obtained by Fibroscan was ≥274 dB/m. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the association between RBC and MAFLD. We estimated the adjusted odds ratio (OR) of RBC for MAFLD, and the nonlinear relationship between RBC and MAFLD was further described using smooth curve fittings and threshold-effect analysis.

Results
We found that MAFLD risk was significantly higher according to RBC quartiles. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs)for the highest RBC quartile were 1.5(1.0, 2.3) for male and 1.1 (0.8, 1.6) for female, respectively. As for male, a non-linear relationship was discovered between RBCs and MAFLD, with a RBC threshold of 4.2. The effect sizes and confidence intervals on the right side of the inflection point were 1.5 (1.0, 2.0) (P for nonlinearity = 0.027). The sensitivity analysis showed a similar result.

Conclusion
We demonstrated that that elevated RBC level is associated with the higher risk of MAFLD in male. The positive relationship was not significant in females after full adjustment. Our finding provided novel evidence indicating that RBCs might be a potential biomarker for MAFLD.
Nerve abnormalities in lumbar disc herniation: A systematic review and meta-analysis of diffusion tensor imaging
Authors: Wang Nan , Sun Daoxi , Zhang Xiaoyu , Xi Zhipeng , Li Jingchi , Xie Lin 
Published: December 2022

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to examine the values of fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) for diagnosing patients with nerve impairment due to lumbar disc herniation (LDH).MethodsA literature search of databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and Embase) was systematically performed to identify articles published before September 2021 that were relevant to this study. FA and ADC estimates of compressed nerve roots due to LDH and healthy controls in the same segment were compared, with either fixed or random effects models selected according to I2heterogeneity. Additionally, subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, potential publication bias analysis and meta-regression analysis were also performed.ResultsA total of 369 patients with LDH from 11 publications were included in this meta-analysis. The results showed significantly lower FA values (Weighted Mean Difference (WMD): -0.08, 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.09 to -0.07, P ≤ 0.001, I2= 87.6%) and significantly higher ADC values (WMD: 0.25, 95% CI: 0.20 to 0.30, P ≤ 0.001, I2= 71.4%) of the nerve on the compressed side due to LDH compared to the healthy side. Subgroup analysis indicated that different countries and magnetic field strengths may be associated with higher heterogeneity. Furthermore, meta-regression analysis further revealed that segment and field strength did not have a significant effect on the results, regardless of the FA or ADC values. Contrastingly, in FA, the year of publication, country, b value and directions showed an effect on the results.ConclusionsThis meta-analysis showed a significant decrease in FA and a significant increase in ADC in patients with nerve damage due to LDH. The results favourably support the presence of nerve impairment in patients with LDH.
Infection control and radiation safety practices in the radiology department during the COVID-19 outbreak
Authors: Abuzaid Mohamed M. , Elshami Wiam , Tekin H. O. 
Published: December 2022

Rationale and objectives
Radiology personnel must have good knowledge, experience and adherence to radiation protection and infection control practices to ensure patient safety and prevent the further spread of the COVID-19 virus. This study analysed compliance and adherence to radiation protection and infection control during COVID-19 mobile radiography.

Methods
A cross-sectional using online survey was conducted from September to December 2021. Data on demographic characteristics, adherence to radiation protection and infection control practice were collected during mobile radiography for COVID-19 patients in the study. A random sample of the radiographers working in COVID-19 centres in the United Arab Emirates.

Results
Responses were received from 140 participants, with a response rate of 87.5%. Females were the predominant participants (n = 81; 58%). Participants aged ages between 18–25 years (n = 46; 33%) and 26–35 years (n = 42; 30%), (n = 57; 41%) had less than five years of experience, followed by participants who had more than 15 years (n = 38; 27%). Most participants (n = 81; 57.9%) stated that they performed approximately 1–5 suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases daily. The participants had moderate to high adherence to radiation protection, with a mean and standard deviation of 42.3 ± 6.28. Additionally, infection control adherence was high, with 82% of the participants showing high adherence.

Conclusion
Continuous guidance, training and follow-up are recommended to increase adherence and compliance to radiation protection and infection control compliance. Educational institutions and professional organisations must collaborate to provide structured training programmes for radiology practitioners to overcome the practice and knowledge gap.
Burden of and factors associated with poor quality antibiotic, antimalarial, antihypertensive and antidiabetic medicines in Malawi
Authors: Chiumia Francis Kachidza , Nyirongo Happy Magwaza , Kampira Elizabeth , Muula Adamson Sinjani , Khuluza Felix 
Published: December 2022

ObjectiveTo assess the prevalence and factors associated with substandard and falsified (SF) medicines among antibiotic, antimalarial, antihypertensive and antidiabetic medicines in Malawi.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study in 23 public, faith-based and private health facilities in Zomba, Machinga and Nsanje districts. We analyzed oral medicine samples of commonly used medicines among antibiotics, antimalarial, antihypertensive and antidiabetics in accordance with Malawi Essential Medicines List and local treatment guidelines. These medicines were subjected to visual inspection for any defects and screening for the content of active pharmaceutical ingredient and disintegration of dosage units. Samples that failed during screening and at least 10% of those that passed were subjected to pharmacopeia assay and dissolution test for confirmation. We used thin layer chromatography and disintegration test methods provided in the Global Pharma Health Fund minilab®for the screening purposes. We conducted confirmatory test using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) or ultra-violet/visible spectrophotometer and dissolution.ResultsOf the 293 medicine samples collected, 14.3% were SF medicines. Among the SF medicines were 12.5% of Amlodipine (1/8), 19.2% of Amoxicillin (5/26), 72.2% of Atenolol (8/11), 21.2% of Ciprofloxacin (7/33), 14.3% of Enalapril (1/7), 44.4% of Flucloxacillin (4/9), and 35.7% of sulfadoxine/ pyrimethamine (10/28). Medicine quality was associated with therapeutic medicine class, stated origin of manufacturer, primary packaging material and geographical location. Antimalarial and antidiabetic medicines were of better quality as compared to antibiotics, odds ratio OR 4.2 (95% CI 1.7–9.49), p < 0.002 and OR 5.6 (95% CI 1.21–26.09), p < 0.028 respectively. In terms of stated country of origin, the prevalence of SF medicines was 30% (15/50), 33% (9/27), 26.7% (4/15) and 6.6% (8/122) for medicines stated to be manufactured in Malawi, China, Kenya and India respectively.ConclusionThis study presents the first findings on the assessment of quality of medicines since the establishment of the national pharmacovigilance center in 2019 in Malawi. It is revealed that the problem of SF medicines is not improving and hence the need for further strengthening of quality assurance systems in Malawi.
A novel nonlinear sliding mode observer to estimate biomass for lactic acid production
Authors: López-Pérez Pablo A. , López-López Milagros , Núñez-Colín Carlos A. , Mukhtar Hamid , Aguilar-López Ricardo , Peña-Caballero Vicente 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
This study deals with the problem of estimating the amount of biomass and lactic acid concentration in a lactic acid production process. A continuous stirred tank bioreactor was used for the culture of Lactobacillus helveticus. A nonlinear sliding mode observer is proposed and designed, which gives an estimate of both the biomass and lactic acid concentrations as a function of glucose uptake from the culture medium. Numerical results are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed observer against a standard sliding-mode observer. It was found that the proposed observer worked very well for the benchmark bioreactor model. Also, the numerical results indicated that the proposed estimation methodology was robust to the uncertainties associated with un-modelled dynamics. These new sensing technologies, when coupled to software models, improve performance for smart process control, monitoring, and prediction.