bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Body Mass Index and patient-reported function, quality of life and treatment toxicity in women receiving adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer
Authors: Nyrop Kirsten A. , Monaco Jane , Vohra Sanah , Deal Allison M. , Wood William A. , Shachar Shlomit S. , Dees E. Claire , Kimmick Gretchen G. , Speca JoEllen C. , Muss Hyman B. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background: This study investigates whether high body mass index (BMI) in women diagnosed with early breast cancer (BC) is associated with patient-reported symptom severity during chemotherapy.Methods: Women with Stage I-III BC completed toxicity reports for 17 side effects during regularly scheduled chemotherapy infusions. Toxicity reports were compared in women with obesity (BMI >=30) versus no obesity (BMI <30). Fisher’s exact tests and 2-sample t-tests compared baseline patient characteristics. Risk ratios (RR) for women with obesity as compared to no obesity were estimated for individual symptoms that were patient-rated as moderate, severe or very severe (MSVS) severity, adjusting for marital status and race. Results: In a sample of 286 patients, Black women comprised 23% of the sample. The obesity rate was 76% among Black patients and 31% among White patients (p<.0001). Women with obesity rated an average of 6.9 side effects (standard deviation, SD 4.2) as MSVS vs 5.5 side effects (SD 3.7) among women with no obesity (p=.003). In adjusted analysis, women with obesity had significantly greater risk for MSVS fatigue (RR 1.18, 95% CI 1.01-1.36), dyspnea (RR 1.71, 95% CI 1.09-2.69), arthralgia (RR 1.47, 95% CI 1.10-1.97), peripheral neuropathy (RR 1.45, 95% CI 1.01-2.08), edema of limbs (RR 1.84, 95% CI 1.18-2.88), and abdominal pain (RR 1.75, 95% CI 1.07-2.87). There were no inter-group differences in BC stage or phenotype, chemotherapy treatment modifications, or hospitalizations.Conclusions: Among women with early BC, patients with obesity reported higher chemotherapy toxicity as compared to patients without obesity; however, this did not result in differences in treatment completion.
Exploring the phase stability in interpenetrated diamondoid covalent organic frameworks
Authors: Borgmans Sander , Rogge Sven , De Vos Juul , Voort Pascal Van Der , Speybroeck Veronique Van 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Soft porous crystals, which are responsive to external stimuli such as temperature, pressure, or gas adsorption, are being extensively investigated for various technological applications. However, while substantial research has been devoted to stimuli-responsive metal-organic frameworks, structural flexibility in 3D covalent organic frameworks (COFs) remains ill-understood, and is almost exclusively found in COFs exhibiting the diamondoid dia topology. Herein, we systemically investigate how the structural decoration of these 3D dia COFs -- their specific building blocks and degree of interpenetration -- as well as external triggers such as temperature may promote or suppress their phase transformations, as captured by a collection of 2D free energy landscapes. Together, these provide a comprehensive understanding of the necessary conditions to design flexible diamondoid COFs. This study reveals how their flexibility originates from the balance between steric hindrance and dispersive interactions of the structural decoration, thereby providing insight into how new flexible 3D COFs can be designed.
A qualitative study to explore the healthcare-seeking experiences of men who have sex with men and transgender women in Rwanda
Authors: Isano Sandra , Yohannes Tsion , Igihozo Gloria , Ndatinya Grace Iliza , Wong Rex 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background
Globally men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) encounter many negative experiences when accessing health services compared to the general population. Stigma, discrimination, and punitive laws against same-sex relationships in some sub-Saharan African countries have made MSM and TGW more prone to depression, suicidal ideation, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, non-communicable diseases, and HIV. None of the prior studies in Rwanda on MSM and TGW had explored their lived experience in accessing the health services. Accordingly, this study aimed at exploring the healthcare-seeking experiences of MSM and TGW in Rwanda.
Methods
Semi-structured interviews were conducted on 16 MSM and 12 TGW, using purposive and snowball sampling approach in 5 districts in Rwanda. Results were summarized using thematic analysis approach.
Results
Four main themes emerged from the study: 1) The healthcare experiences of MSM & TGW were generally dissatisfactory, 2) MSM & TGW generally hesitate to seek care unless they were severely ill, 3) More services specialized in addressing MSM & TGW’s needs are necessary, and 4) Advocacy and awareness for and among MSM & TGW communities are needed.
Conclusion
Rwandan MSM and TGW continue to face negative experiences within the healthcare delivery settings. These experiences include mistreatment, refusal of care, stigma, and discrimination. Provision of services for MSM and TGW, and on-the-job training cultural competence in the care of MSM and TGW patients is needed. Including the same training in the medical and health sciences curriculum was recommended. Furthermore, awareness and sensitization campaigns to improve the understanding of the existence of MSM and TGW and to foster acceptance of gender and sexual diversity in society are necessary.
Effect of waste type and pyrolysis temperature on the physical and chemical properties of Biochar
Authors: Khater El-Sayed , Bahnasawy Adel , Hamouda Ramy 
Published: August 2022

Abstract

The main aim of this study is to determine the physical and chemical properties of biochar made from different raw materials (straw rice, sawdust, sugar cane, and tree leaves) at different pyrolysis temperatures (400, 600, and 800°C). Moisture content, water holding capacity, bulk density, and porosity were the measured physical properties; pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), organic matter, organic carbon, total nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, sodium, and sulfur were the analyzed chemical properties. The results show that the biochar yield decreased with increasing pyrolysis temperature, and the values of the analyzed properties varied depending on the type of biochar and pyrolysis temperature. The moisture content ranged from 1.11–4.18%, and the water holding capacity ranged from 12.9 to 27.6 g water g− 1dry sample. The bulk density ranged from 161.5 to 211.9 kg m− 3. The porosity values ranged from 45.9–63.7%. The pH ranged from 6.6 to 10.4, and EC ranged from 0.82 to 3.46 dS m− 1. Total organic matter ranged from 66.0–98.1%; total organic carbon ranged from 38.3–56.9%, and total nitrogen ranged from 0.4–1.9%. The ranges of phosphorus and calcium content were 47.6–134.6 and 241.3–649.0 mg kg− 1, respectively. The magnesium, sodium, and sulfur content had ranges of 10.9–51.7, 1124–1703, and 3568–12060 mg kg− 1, respectively.
Assessment of Attitudes and Perceptions toward Neurology and Neurosurgery Specialties among Zambian Medical Students
Authors: Mukambo Emmanuel , Mbiydzenyuy Ngala Elvis 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background: Prevalence and incidence of organic and inorganic brain diseases have skyrocketed over the past decades, while on the other hand, the number of trained neurologists and neurosurgeons has not kept pace. Building a larger, robust neurological/neurosurgical workforce therefore becomes an apparent solution. However, the fear of neurosciences and clinical neurology, represents an important perceptual impediment that limits consideration of a career in these fields. Objective: To assess attitudes and perceptions of Zambian medical students towards a career specialty in neurosurgery and neurology.Methodology: This was a cross sectional survey of medical students from six (6) Zambian medical universities. A 20-item online survey containing multiple choice, Likert-scale, and free-response questions was adapted from prior literature and administered through social media. Preliminary information that explains the objectives of the study and asks for the participants’ consent was sent with questionnaire. Results: A total of 1236 complete responses were obtained from medical students across Zambia. Most students (70.9%) considered neurology and neurosurgery as difficult subjects because of very long training time and were majorly dissuaded from pursuing a career in these fields because of inability to maintain work-life balance. Neurosurgery (36.6%) and neurology (28.1%) were ranked 7th and 8th respectively on a list of 10 medical and surgical specialties. Respondents were least likely to pursue a career in rheumatology (14.6%) and geriatrics (11.7%). Eighty one percent and 89% of participants who considered neurosurgery and neurology as future career respectively agreed that insufficient knowledge of the students about neurology/neurosurgery and difficulty of neurological disorders, contribute to consideration of neurology and neurosurgery as difficult specialties (p<0.01). Conclusion: Numerous factors are associated with medical students’ attitudes. Most of these significantly stem from inadequate or absent early career exposure to these career specialties. Therefore, incorporation of earlier, rigorous, and focused neurology/neurosurgery education program in medical pedagogy would be a cornerstone effort towards an improved understanding and positive perception of neurology and neurosurgery among medical students.
Utility of synthetic MRI in distinguish benign and malignant breast lesions and further in predicting the expression status of immunohistochemistry markers in breast cancer
Authors: Li Xiaojun , Fan Zhichang , Jiang Hongnan , Niu Jinliang , Bian Wenjin , Wang Chen , Wang Ying , Zhang Runmei , Zhang Hui 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Objective To evaluate and compare the performance of synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (SyMRI) in classifying benign and malignant breast lesions and predicting the expression status of immunohistochemistry (IHC) markers.Methods We retrospectively analysed 121 patients with breast lesions who underwent dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) and SyMRI before surgery in our hospital. DCE-MRI was used to assess the lesions, and then regions of interest (ROIs) were outlined on SyMRI (before and after enhancement), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps to obtain quantitative values. After being grouped according to benign and malignant status, the breast lesions were divided into high and low expression groups according to the expression status of IHC markers. Logistic regression was used to analyse the differences in independent variables between groups. The performance of the modalities in classification and prediction was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.Results In total, 57 of 121 lesions were benign, and the other 64 were malignant. Quantitative values from proton density-weighted imaging prior to an injection of the contrast agent (PD-Pre) and T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) after the injection (T2-Gd), as well as its standard deviation (SD of T2-Gd), were valuable SyMRI parameters for the classification of benign and malignant breast lesions, but the performance of SyMRI (area under the curve, AUC=0.716) was not as good as that of ADC values (AUC=0.853). However, ADC values could not predict the expression status of breast cancer markers, for which SyMRI had excellent performance. The AUCs of androgen receptor (AR), oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2), p53 and Ki-63 were 0.687, 0.890, 0.852, 0.746, 0.813 and 0.774, respectively.Conclusions SyMRI had certain value in distinguishing between benign and malignant breast lesions, and ADC values were still the ideal method. However, to predict the expression status of IHC markers, SyMRI had an incomparable value compared with ADC values.
Reliability and Validity of a Global Physical Activity Questionnaire Adapted for use Among Pregnant Women in Nepal
Authors: Algallai Noha , Martin Kelly , Shah Krupali , Shrestha Kusum , Daneault Jean-Francois , Shrestha Archana , Shrestha Abha , Rawal Shristi 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background: Physical activity (PA) plays an important role in optimizing health outcomes throughout pregnancy. In many low-income countries, including Nepal, data on the associations between PA and pregnancy outcomes are scarce, likely due to the lack of validated questionnaires for assessing PA in this population. Here we aimed to evaluate the reliability and validity of an adapted version of Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) among a sample of pregnant women in Nepal. Methods: A pilot cohort of pregnant women (N=101; age 25.9±4.1 years) was recruited from a tertiary, peri-urban hospital in Nepal. An adapted Nepali version of GPAQ was administered to gather information about sedentary behavior (SB) as well as moderate and vigorous PA across work/domestic tasks, travel (walking/bicycling), and recreational activities, and was administered twice and a month apart in both the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. Responses on GPAQ were used to determine SB (min/day) and total moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA; min/week) across all domains. GPAQ was validated against PA data collected by a triaxial accelerometer (Axivity AX3; UK) worn by a subset of the subjects (n=21) for seven consecutive days in the 2nd trimester. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) and Spearman’s rho were used to assess the reliability and validity of GPAQ.Results: Almost all of the PA in the sample was attributed to moderate activity during work/domestic tasks or travel. On average, total MVPA was higher by 50 minutes/week in the 2nd trimester as compared to the 3rd trimester. Based on the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, almost all of the participants were classified as having a low or moderate level of PA. PA scores for all domains showed moderate to good reliability across both the 2nd and 3rd trimesters, with ICCs ranging from 0.45 (95%CI: (0.17, 0.64)) for travel PA at 2nd trimester to 0.69 (95%CI: (0.51, 0.80)) for travel PA at 3rd trimester. Agreement for total MVPA was higher in the 3rd trimester compared to 2nd trimester [ICCs 0.62 (0.40, 0.75) vs. 0.55 (0.32, 0.70)], whereas the opposite was true for SB [ICCs 0.48 (0.19, 0.67) vs. 0.64 (0.46, 0.76)]. There was moderate agreement between the GPAQ and accelerometer for total MVPA [ICC=0.55 (0.0, 0.8)] while the agreement between the two was poor for SB [ICC=0.35 (0.0, 0.7)]. Conclusions: The modified GPAQ appears to be a reliable and valid tool for assessing moderate PA, but not SB, among pregnant women in Nepal.
Identification of extracellular matrix-related prognostic biomarkers and their role associated with multiple myeloma
Authors: Li Shuai , Zheng Zhenzhong , Wang Bing 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background: The extracellular matrix (ECM) has progressively gained prominence in multiple myeloma (MM), however, poorly understood is the prognostic role of ECM-related genes in MM. This project aimed to construct a prognostic signature and brought a new theoretical support for MM patients (TRN: ChiCTR8529409910, Data: October 23).Methods: Expression data from MM samples in GSE24080 and GSE57317 were downloaded and analyzed. Subsequently, prognostic signature was constructed. The underlying mechanism analysis was interpreted by gene ontology (GO) analysis, kyoto encyclopedia of genes genomes (KEGG), and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). In addition, the Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer (GDSC) and Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE) algorithms were utilized to predict the sensitivity of MM patients to chemotherapy and immune-checkpoint blockade (ICB) treatment. Also, potential drugs were predicted for the treatment of MM. A classifier for predicting ICB response was constructed. Finally, we validated KCTD3 expression and function in MM cells.Results: After a series of downscaling, FABP5, XK, KCTD3, CISH, CCSAP, BCAR3, LATS2, TRIM59, TRIM2 and FKBP1B were maintained and applied to construct a prognostic feature, and then a risk score was calculated. Patients in the high-risk group stratified by median risk score had a poorer prognosis. The risk score had a high accuracy [area under curve (AUC) > 0.7]. 138 small molecule compounds with potential targeting risk score were predicted for MM patients through the Connectivity Map (CMap) database. In addition, a classifier capable of accurately predicting immune-checkpoint blockade (ICB) responses was constructed. KCTD3 has high expression in MM, and KCTD3 silencing inhibited MM cell proliferation.Conclusion: This study provided a reliable prognostic signature for MM and suggested the potential compounds for prognostic treatment of MM. Also, our study offered a sizable reference for ICB treatment prediction in MM.
Accounting for Skill Premia across Countries and Time
Authors: Schroeder Sarah 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
This paper uses the structure of a two-sector two-factor model to attribute changes in the skill premium across countries to three potential sources: (i) changes in the relative abundance of skilled workers, (ii) technological change and (iii) market size effects due to external economies of scale. I employ the development and growth accounting methodology as analytic tool to assess the relative importance of each one of these channels in explaining changes in the skill premium across countries and time. My findings add to the growing evidence that there is hardly any association between changes in the relative supply of skills and the observed evolution of the skill-premium. Furthermore, I show that the measure of the importance of market size effects governs the strength of the relationship between technological change and the skill-premium. Moreover, for strong enough economies of scale, an increase in the relative supply of skills increases the the skill premium. Importantly, this finding points out that the scale of the economy is an important factor in shaping developments of the skill premium, independent of the specific features of technological change.JEL Classification: E24 , I24 , J21 , J14 , J31
Comparing visual cortex of children and adults reveals a late-stage change in the architecture of V1
Authors: Himmelberg Marc , Tünçok Ekin , Gomez Jesse , Grill-Spector Kalanit , Carrasco Marisa , Winawer Jonathan 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Adult visual ability differs markedly with stimulus polar angle location: relative to fixation, visual performance is best for stimuli along the horizontal, intermediate for stimuli along the lower vertical, and poorest for stimuli along the upper vertical meridian of the visual field. These polar angle asymmetries in visual performance are paralleled by cortical asymmetries in the visual field representation in primary visual cortex (V1). Whereas children, like adults, have better performance for stimuli along the horizontal than vertical meridian, children show no difference in performance for stimuli along the lower vs upper vertical meridian. Is the difference in visual performance between children and adults matched by a difference in the amount of V1 surface area representing these regions? We used fMRI to measure the distribution of cortical surface representing the visual field in children (n=24) and adults (n=24). Two properties of the V1, V2, and V3 maps were mature in children –overall map surface area and surface area variation as a function of eccentricity. Further, like adults, children had greater V1 surface area representing the horizontal than vertical meridian. However, unlike adults, children did not have greater V1 surface area representing the lower than upper vertical meridian. These data indicate a late-stage change in the architecture of V1 that may drive the emergence of a visual performance asymmetry along the vertical meridian by adulthood.
Enhanced activity of West North Pacific typhoons in response to anthropogenically-forced weakening of the Indian summer monsoon
Authors: Sagar Aswin , Krishnan R. , Sabin T.P. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe West North Pacific (WNP) is a breeding ground for tropical cyclones (TC) all through the year with peak activity during August-September, in contrast to the North Indian Ocean where tropical cyclones (TC) are observed mainly during April-June and October-December but suppressed in July-August due to the strong vertical wind shear of the Indian summer monsoon (ISM). Interannual variations in the WNP tropical cyclones (typhoons) are known to be closely linked to El Nino - Southern Oscillation (ENSO) with higher number of typhoons forming during El Nino phases as compared to La Nina; however the response of WNP typhoon to human-induced climate change is not well understood. Here, we compare two sets of high-resolution climate model simulations for the historical period 1951-2005 viz., HIST [includes both natural (solar irradiance, volcanic aerosols) and anthropogenic forcing (greenhouse gasses (GHG), aerosols and land use land cover changes)] and HISTNAT (natural-only forcing) to understand the influence of climate change on the ISM and WNP typhoon activity. It is found that an anthropogenically-forced weakening of the ISM circulation, largely due to the influence of Northern Hemispheric aerosols which oppose the GHG forcing, tends to significantly enhance the genesis potential of WNP typhoons. Our results suggest that a forced weakening of the ISM circulation reorients the large-scale flow over the tropical Indo-Pacific in a manner that is conducive for enhanced WNP typhoon genesis through enrichment of low-level relative vorticity, while the intensified mid-latitude westerlies over the Far East and North Pacific region steer the WNP typhoons to move northward with recurving tracks. Additionally the area of extremely low sea-level pressure (SLP) around Taiwan and mainland China is substantially larger in the anthropogenically- forced simulation as compared to the natural run.
Theoretical modeling and experimental study on grinding force of straight groove structured grinding wheel
Authors: Yi Jun , Yi Tao , Deng Hui , Chen Bing , Zhou Wei 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Structured grinding wheel has obvious advantages in reducing grinding force, and the structural parameters of grinding wheel have important influence on the reduction effect of grinding force. In order to determine the influence law of structural parameters on grinding force, the following theoretical modeling and experimental research work are carried out in this paper. Firstly, single grit scratching experiments of the workpiece material are carried out to determine the critical cutting depth for ploughing and cutting transition. The influences of structural parameters on the maximum undeformed chip thickness and the average contact arc length during grinding are analyzed in detail. The abrasive grains are simplified into a cone with a cone apex angle of 120 degrees, the surface topography model of the structured grinding wheel is established according to the measured results of the distribution law of abrasive grains on the surface of the grinding wheel and the structural characteristic parameters. Combined with the grinding force model of single abrasive grain in ploughing and cutting stages, the calculation model of grinding force in the grinding process of straight groove structured grinding wheel is established. Finally, grinding experiments are carried out to verify the accuracy of the theoretical grinding force model. The results show that the calculated values of grinding force are in good agreement with the experimental values, and the maximum calculation errors of tangential grinding force and normal grinding force are 14.5% and 11.8%, respectively. It is found that when the intermittent ratio of structured grinding wheel is constant, the groove width has little influence on grinding force. However, when the groove width is constant, the intermittent ratio has a great influence on the grinding force, and with the increase of the intermittent ratio, the grinding force decreases obviously.