bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Follow-up arrangements in head and neck cancer clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic: results from two tertiary UK head and neck cancer centres
Authors: Kanatas A , Coffey D , Spellman J , Twigg J , Lowe D , Rogers SN 
Published: July 2023

Introduction The aim of this paper is to report the pattern of follow-up that occurred for a cohort of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients across two large centres in the UK (Aintree and Leeds), as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Patients had been treated for HNC with curative intent between April 2017 and October 2019 by 14 oral and maxillofacial (OMFS) and ear nose and throat (ENT) oncology surgeons in the Patient Concerns Inventory intervention trial. In October 2020, hospital records were reviewed, and information collected on the timing and mode (face-to-face/telephone/video) of follow-up consultations. In addition, recurrence, second primary tumours and deaths were recorded. Results At the start of ‘lockdown’, 212 members of the cohort were known to be alive. During the post-lockdown period (follow-up appointment data comprised 5 months in Aintree and 7 months in Leeds) 7 died and 13 were identified as palliative/recurrence/new primary/metastases (‘new event’). In Aintree, the first ENT/OMFS consultations after lockdown were 51 (67%) telephone and 25 (33%) face-to-face appointments. In Leeds, 46 (78%) consultations were by telephone and 13 (22%) were face-to-face. The second ENT/OMFS consultations post lockdown included 11 (44%) telephone and 14 (56%) face-to-face in Aintree, and 21 (75%) telephone and 7 (25%) face-to-face in Leeds. Conclusions These data suggest that clinicians favoured remote consultations. Variations in practice were observed but reached a point of a ‘hybrid follow-up approach’ that included both face-to-face and remote consultations. With the emergence of telemedicine, clinicians may consider a follow-up model tailored to risk stratification. The development of the mode of such a consultation model needs further evaluation.
Generation of balanced pulse pairs based on a dual-chip coupling structure
Authors: You Jin , Pan Pan , Cui Pengwei , Liu Qinghai , Zha Shenlong , Zhang Lihua 
Published: July 2023

An asymmetric Mach–Zehnder interferometer (AMZI) is an essential device
to generate pulse pairs in quantum key distribution systems. An AMZI
based on a dual-chip coupling structure in a silica-on-silicon planar
light wave circuit platform is proposed, which includes
a variable optical splitter (VOS), a delay line (DL), and a
directional coupler (DC). The AMZI chip is divided into a VOS-DL part
and a DC part, and the two parts are independently manufactured and
then coupled. Since the DC part occupies the smallest area of the AMZI
chip and is most sensitive to manufacturing errors, separate
production can reduce the process difficulty and fabrication errors.
In the experiment, balanced pulse pairs with a delay time of
402 ps are obtained in the condition of single photon
transmission, and the excess loss is 0.8 dB. This dual-chip
coupling structure can improve the yield and reduce the manufacturing
cost when producing large chips.
In-band full-duplex multiband mobile fronthaul network based on analog radio-over-fiber and tandem SSB modulation
Authors: Yang Hang , Shi Taixia , Chen Yang 
Published: July 2023

An in-band full-duplex multiband mobile fronthaul network is proposed based on analog radio-over-fiber and tandem single-sideband (TSSB) modulation. Two optical carriers with a wavelength spacing of 50 GHz in accordance with international telecommunication union dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) standards are employed in each distributed unit (DU): one is used to carry two different radio frequency (RF) vector signals at 3 and 10 GHz, while the other is used to carry a vector signal at 15 GHz and a single-tone signal at 15 GHz. At the DU, a parallel TSSB modulation is applied, which eliminates the cross talk of TSSB modulation through two dual-polarization binary phase-shift keying (DP-BPSK) modulators. This allows the two vector signals carrying different data to be distributed on both sides of the optical carrier. At the active antenna unit (AAU), different RF vector signals centered at 3, 30, and 60 GHz, each carrying distinct information, can be generated by selecting either one DWDM channel or two adjacent DWDM channels in a group. By utilizing the spacing between the two DWDM optical carriers, millimeter-wave signals can be generated without the need for additional electronic upconversion devices in the AAU. In the uplink, a DP-BPSK modulator is used to receive the signal of interest while canceling self-interference. Simulation results demonstrate the performance of the proposed system. After transmitting 25 km through single-mode fiber and compensating for dispersion using corresponding dispersion-compensating fiber, the downlink and uplink achieve error vector magnitudes of less than 9% and 2%, respectively, when the receiving optical power is 6 dBm.
Highly efficient on-chip erbium–ytterbium co-doped lithium niobate waveguide amplifiers
Authors: Zhang Yuqi , Luo Qiang , Zheng Dahuai , Wang Shuolin , Liu Shiguo , Liu Hongde , Bo Fang , Kong Yongfa , Xu Jingjun 
Published: July 2023

The ability to amplify optical signals is of paramount importance in photonic integrated circuits (PICs). Recently, lithium niobate on insulator (LNOI) has attracted increasing interest as an emerging PIC platform. However, the shortage of efficient active devices on the LNOI platform limits the development of optical amplification. Here, we report an efficient waveguide amplifier based on erbium and ytterbium co-doped LNOI by using electron beam lithography and an inductively coupled plasma reactive ion etching process. We have demonstrated that signal amplification emerges at a low pump power of 0.1 mW, and the net internal gain in the communication band is 16.52 dB/cm under pumping of a 974 nm continuous laser. Benefiting from the efficient pumping facilitated by energy transfer between ytterbium and erbium ions, an internal conversion efficiency of 10% has been achieved, which is currently the most efficient waveguide amplifier under unidirectional pumping reported on the LNOI platform, to our knowledge. This work proposes an efficient active device for LNOI integrated optical systems that may become an important fundamental component of future lithium niobate photonic integration platforms.
Nationwide implementation of personalized outcomes forecasts to support physical therapists in treating patients with intermittent claudication: Protocol for an interrupted time series study
Authors: Sinnige Anneroos , Kittelson Andrew , Rutgers Katrien M. , Marcellis Laura H. M. , van der Wees Philip J. , Teijink Joep A. W. , Hoogeboom Thomas J. 
Published: July 2023

Introduction
Shared decision-making is the cornerstone of patient-centered care. However, evidence suggests that the application of shared decision-making in physical therapy practice is limited. To elicit shared decision-making and thereby potentially improve patient outcomes for patients with intermittent claudication, we developed a decision support system. This decision support system provides personalized outcomes forecasts that visualize the estimated walking distance of an individual patient. We hypothesize that personalized outcomes forecasts can support physical therapists in personalizing care to the needs and priorities of the individual patient to improve therapy outcomes.

Research objectives
The primary aim is to evaluate the impact of personalized outcomes forecasts for patients with intermittent claudication to optimize personalized treatment. Second, this study aims to evaluate the process of implementation.

Methods
This study uses a prospective interrupted time series (ITS) design. Participating physical therapists are divided into four clusters. Every month of the study period, a new cluster will be invited to begin using the decision support system. We aim to include data of 11,250 newly referred patients for physical therapy treatment. All therapists associated with a network of specialized therapists (Chronic CareNet) and patients treated by these therapists are eligible to participate. The decision support system, called the KomPas, makes use of personalized outcomes forecasts, which visualize the estimated outcome of supervised exercise therapy for an individual patient with intermittent claudication. Personalized outcomes forecasts are developed using a neighbors-based approach that selects patients similar to the index patient (a.k.a. neighbors) from a large database. Outcomes to evaluate impact of implementation are patients’ functional and maximal walking distance, quality of life and shared decision-making. Process evaluation will be measured in terms of utilization efficacy, including the outcomes dropout rate and reasons to (not) use the personalized outcomes forecasts. Data will be routinely collected through two online systems: the Chronic CareNet Quality system, and the website logs of the decision support system. Additionally, observations and semi-structured interviews will be conducted with a small subset of therapists.

Ethics
Formal medical ethical approval by the Medical Research Ethics Committees United ‘MEC-U’ was not required for this study under Dutch law (reference number 2020–6250).
Epidemiology of malaria, schistosomiasis, and geohelminthiasis amongst children 3–15 years of age during the dry season in Northern Cameroon
Authors: Nkemngo Francis N. , W. G. Raissa Lymen , Nebangwa Derrick N. , Nkeng Asongha M. , Kengne Alvine , Mugenzi Leon M. J. , Fotso-Toguem Yvan G. , Wondji Murielle J. , Shey Robert A. , Nguiffo-Nguete Daniel , Fru-Cho Jerome , Ndo Cyrille , Njiokou Flobert , Webster Joanne P. , Wanji Samuel , Wondji Charles S. 
Published: July 2023

Background
The double burden of malaria and helminthiasis in children poses an obvious public health challenge, particularly in terms of anemia morbidity. While both diseases frequently geographically overlap, most studies focus on mono-infection and general prevalence surveys without molecular analysis. The current study investigated the epidemiological determinants of malaria, schistosomiasis, and geohelminthiasis transmission among children in the North Region of Cameroon.

Methodology
School and pre-school children aged 3–15 year-of-age were enrolled from three communities in March 2021 using a community cross-sectional design. Capillary-blood samples were obtained, and each was examined for malaria parasites using rapid-diagnostic-test (RDT), microscopy, and PCR while hemoglobin level was measured using a hemoglobinometer. Stool samples were analyzed for Schistosoma mansoni, S. guineensis, and soil-transmitted-helminthiasis (STH) infections using the Kato Katz method, and urine samples were assessed for the presence of S. haematobium eggs (including hybrids) using the standard urine filtration technique.

Result
A malaria prevalence of 56% (277/495) was recorded by PCR as opposed to 31.5% (156/495) by microscopy and 37.8% (186/495) by RDT. Similarly, schistosomiasis was observed at prevalence levels of up to 13.3% (66/495) overall [S. haematobium (8.7%); S. mansoni (3.8%); mixed Sh/Sm (0.6%); mixed Sh/Sm/Sg (0.2%). Both infections were higher in males and the 3–9 year-of-age groups. A high frequency of PCR reported P. falciparum mono-infection of 81.9% (227/277) and mixed P. falciparum/P. malariae infection of 17.3% (48/277) was observed. Malaria-helminths co-infections were observed at 13.1% (65/495) with marked variation between P. falciparum/S. haematobium (50.8%, 33/65); P. falciparum/S. mansoni (16.9%, 11/65) and P. falciparum/Ascaris (9.2%, 6/65) (χ2 = 17.5, p = 0.00003). Anemia prevalence was 32.9% (163/495), categorically associated with P. falciparum (45.8%, 104/227), Pf/Sh (11.5%, 26/227), and Pf/Sm (3.9%, 9/227) polyparasitism.

Conclusion
Polyparasitism with malaria and helminth infections is common in school-aged children despite periodic long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs) distribution and regular school-based praziquantel (for schistosomiasis) and albendazole (for STH) campaigns. Co-existence of Plasmodium parasites and helminths infections notably Schistosoma species among children may concurrently lead to an increase in Plasmodium infection with an enhanced risk of anemia, highlighting the necessity of an integrated approach for disease control interventions.
Client-centered counseling and facilitation in improving modern contraceptive uptake in urban slum of Karachi Pakistan
Authors: Fazal Zoha Zahid , Zeeshan Noor ul Huda , Moin Ghazal , Bachlany Alishan , Shafiq Yasir , Muhammad Ameer 
Published: July 2023

Background
Population growth in Pakistan necessitates the implementation of comprehensive family planning (FP) initiatives. The adoption of modern contraceptives, especially long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC), and permanent family planning methods in the country is challenging and has yet to reach an optimal level. These challenges are deeply rooted in the lack of informed decision-making, as well as demographic and maternal obstetric history. Interventions tailored according to women’s needs can address the challenges faced by FP programs. This paper presents the findings of the implementation of a client-centered counseling and facilitation approach in an urban slum in Karachi, Pakistan. Such an approach has the potential to inform women and help them make better decisions regarding their health.

Methods
In Rehri Goth, a slum located in Karachi, client-centered counseling along with facilitation at the facility was implemented to encourage the adoption of any modern contraceptive methods, with a specific emphasis on promoting the use of LARCs and permanent methods (where needed) among married women of reproductive age (MWRA). This approach was integrated into the existing Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Health (MNCH) services established in 2014. During the routine delivery of services, data were collected on various aspects including demographic characteristics, obstetric history, motivation to adopt LARCs, and reasons for refusal.

Results
A total of N = 3079 eligible MWRA received client-centered counseling, and 60.3% accepted modern contraceptive methods after counseling. Furthermore, 32.5% of these MWRA adopted LARCs or permanent methods. Factors explaining reluctance to adopt any method by MWRA despite specialized counselling were: age >25 years (AOR:1.28, 95% CI:1.08–1.51), no formal education (AOR:1.58, 95% CI:1.36–1.89), having no decision making role at household (AOR:1.60, 95% CI:1.36–1.89), the desire of female or male progeny (AOR:1.86, 95% CI:1.59–2.25) and age of youngest alive ≥3 years (AOR:1.50, 95% CI:1.22–1.84). Factors explaining adoption of short-term methods instead of LARCs or permanent method were: being resident in high under-five mortality clusters (AOR:1.56, 95% CI:1.14–2.14), maternal age > 25 years (AOR:1.88, 95% CI: 1.47–2.40), no decision-making role (AOR:11.19, 95% CI:8.74–14.34), no history of abortions (AOR:2.59, 95% CI:1.79–3.75), no female child (AOR:1.85, 95% CI:1.30–2.65) and ≤ 2 children (AOR:1.74, 95% CI:1.08–2.81).

Conclusion
Considering the obstacles mothers face when it comes to accessing extended contraception, public health officials can devise effective strategies that empower MWRA to make well-informed and empowered choices regarding their families and reproductive health.
Towards a Swiss health study with human biomonitoring: Learnings from the pilot phase about participation and design
Authors: Morand Bourqui Réjane , Nusslé Semira Gonseth , von Goetz Natalie , Veys-Takeuchi Caroline , Zuppinger Claire , Boulez Yoanne , Bühler Nolwenn , Chapatte Laurence , Currat Christine , Dousse Aline , Faivre Vincent , Franco Oscar H. , Virzi Julien , Bourqui-Pittet Martine , Bochud Murielle 
Published: July 2023

Background
A large-scale national cohort aiming at investigating the health status and determinants in the general population is essential for high-quality public health research and regulatory decision-making. We present the protocol and first results of the pilot phase to a Swiss national cohort aiming at establishing the study procedures, evaluating feasibility, and assessing participation and willingness to participate.

Methods
The pilot phase 2020/21 included 3 components recruited via different channels: a population-based cross-sectional study targeting the adult population (20–69 years) of the Vaud and Bern cantons via personal invitation, a sub-study on selenium in a convenience sample of vegans and vegetarians via non-personal invitation in vegan/vegetarian networks, and a self-selected sample via news promotion (restricted protocol). Along with a participatory approach and participation, we tested the study procedures including online questionnaires, onsite health examination, food intake, physical activity assessments and biosample collection following high-quality standards.

Results
The population-based study and the selenium sub-study had 638 (participation rate: 14%) and 109 participants, respectively, both with an over-representation of women. Of altogether 1349 recruited participants over 90% expressed interest in participating to a national health study, over 75% to contribute to medicine progress and help improving others’ health, whereas about one third expressed concerns over data protection and data misuse.

Conclusions
Publicly accessible high-quality public health data and human biomonitoring samples were collected. There is high interest of the general population in taking part in a national cohort on health. Challenges reside in achieving a higher participation rate and external validity. For project management clear governance is key.
Novel integrated computational AMP discovery approaches highlight diversity in the helminth AMP repertoire
Authors: Irvine Allister , McKenzie Darrin , McCoy Ciaran J. , Graham Robert L. J. , Graham Ciaren , Huws Sharon A. , Atkinson Louise E. , Mousley Angela 
Published: July 2023

Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs) are immune effectors that are key components of the invertebrate innate immune system providing protection against pathogenic microbes. Parasitic helminths (phylum Nematoda and phylum Platyhelminthes) share complex interactions with their hosts and closely associated microbiota that are likely regulated by a diverse portfolio of antimicrobial immune effectors including AMPs. Knowledge of helminth AMPs has largely been derived from nematodes, whereas the flatworm AMP repertoire has not been described.
This study highlights limitations in the homology-based approaches, used to identify putative nematode AMPs, for the characterisation of flatworm AMPs, and reveals that innovative algorithmic AMP prediction approaches provide an alternative strategy for novel helminth AMP discovery. The data presented here: (i) reveal that flatworms do not encode traditional lophotrochozoan AMP groups (Big Defensin, CSαβ peptides and Myticalin); (ii) describe a unique integrated computational pipeline for the discovery of novel helminth AMPs; (iii) reveal >16,000 putative AMP-like peptides across 127 helminth species; (iv) highlight that cysteine-rich peptides dominate helminth AMP-like peptide profiles; (v) uncover eight novel helminth AMP-like peptides with diverse antibacterial activities, and (vi) demonstrate the detection of AMP-like peptides from Ascaris suum biofluid. These data represent a significant advance in our understanding of the putative helminth AMP repertoire and underscore a potential untapped source of antimicrobial diversity which may provide opportunities for the discovery of novel antimicrobials. Further, unravelling the role of endogenous worm-derived antimicrobials and their potential to influence host-worm-microbiome interactions may be exploited for the development of unique helminth control approaches.
Serum Lipid Profile among Primary Open Angle Glaucoma Patients in a Rural Tertiary Care Hospital
Authors: Sharanya Sira Nagaraj  , Shetty Niharika Krishna  
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND
This study was conducted to evaluate the serum lipid profile in different grades of POAG patients and describe the demographic profile of POAG patients.
METHODS
This was a hospital based observational study comprising of 80 eyes of 40 POAG patients who visited OPD in the Department of Ophthalmology, Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences, B.G. Nagara, Mandya District, over a period of 18 months from March 2021 to August 2022 after obtaining clearance from the institutional ethics committee and written informed consent from the study participants.
RESULTS
Of the 40 study participants, males constituted 62.5% (n=25) and females 32.5% (n=13) in the age group of 70 to 80 years 30% of patients had normal vision; the rest had visual impairments ranging from mild to total blindness. High cholesterol levels were present in 27.5% (n=11), high triglyceride in 42.5% (n=17), low HDL levels were present in 40% (n=16), High LDL levels were observed among 30% (n=12) of participants and high VLDL in 57.5% (n=23). The differences in the distribution of different grades of POAG with respect to different levels of total cholesterol and LDL were not significant, with p-values of 0.202 and 0.123 respectively. However, it was statistically significant for low HDL, high triglycerides and high VLDL with p value of 0.004, 0.05 and 0.017 respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, this observational study discovered that there is a significant relationship between dyslipidaemia to POAG. Low levels of HDL, high triglycerides, and high VLDL have a significant relationship (p<0.05) to the occurrence of POAG. This lends credence to the idea that abnormal lipid levels increase the likelihood of developing glaucoma.
ANALISIS PENDUGAAN STOK KARBON VEGETASI DENGAN PENGINDERAAN JAUH MENGGUNAKAN METODE LIGHT USE EFFICIENCY DI HUTAN PENGGARON, KOTA UNGARAN KABUPATEN SEMARANG PROVINSI JAWA TENGAH
Authors: Fadillah Ma'ruf Arief , Bashit Nurhadi , Qoyimah Shofiyatul , Susilo Helik , Apriyanti Dessy 
Published: July 2023

Efek rumah kaca merupakan masalah iklim yang menyebabkan munculnya fenomena pemanasan global. Stok karbon merupakan eksternalitas yang diperhatikan pada pencegahan pemanasan global. Sebagai salah satu kawasan hutan terluas di Kota Ungaran, Hutan Penggaron berperan penting dalam menjaga stok karbon. Oleh sebab itu, perlu adanya kajian terhadap stok karbon di Hutan Penggaron sebagai sebagai salah satu pilar pengendalian emisi karbon di Kota Ungaran. Penelitian ini mengkaji tentang pendugaan kelimpahan stok karbon Hutan Penggaron. Stok karbon diestimasi menggunakan penginderaan jauh dengan metode light use efficiency (LUE). Metode LUE memperoleh nilai estimasi biomassa vegetasi menggunakan 3 parameter antara lain fraksi radiasi aktif fotosintesis (fPAR) yang dimodelkan menggunakan NDVI, efisiensi penggunaan cahaya matahari maksimum, serta photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). Berdasarkan hasil pemodelan, Hutan Penggaron dengan luas kawasan sebesar 9.183884 km2 memiliki total kandungan stok karbon sebesar 5953919,444 Ca. Total stok karbon per hektar adalah 5953,919 Ca/Ha. Lahan non-vegetasi memiliki kandungan stok karbon terendah sebesar -20,418 Ca, sementara kelas kerapatan sangat tinggi memiliki kandungan stok karbon tertinggi sebesar 2980908135,909 Ca. Pohon Mahoni merupakan jenis pohon dengan kemampuan serapan karbon terbesar dengan rata-rata diameter batang sebesar 46,921 cm. Hasil pemodelan stok karbon di Hutan Penggaron memiliki akurasi nilai RMSE sebesar 0,1844405. Uji korelasi menggunakan uji korelasi Pearson dengan hasil korelasi sebesar 0,0974. Nilai uji Kolmogorov-Smirnov pada tingkat kepercayaan 90% dan level signifikansi 10% adalah sebesar 0,2. Nilai uji statistik adalah sebesar 0,111. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan adanya stok karbon dalam jumlah besar di Hutan Penggaron sehingga diharapkan adanya upaya pelestarian ekologis terhadap keberlansungan Hutan Penggaron.Kata kunci : LUE, NDVI, PAR, Stok Karbon