bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimization of green and environmentally-benign synthesis of isoamyl acetate in the presence of ball-milled seashells by response surface methodology
Authors: Fattahi Amir Hossein , Dekamin Mohammad G. , Clark James H 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Ball-Milled seashells, as a nano-biocomposite catalyst and natural source of CaCO3 in its aragonite microcrystalline form and fixed CO2, was optimized for the synthesis of isoamyl acetate by response surface methodology (RSM) with a five-level three-factor rotatable circumscribed central composite design (RCCCD). The seashells nano-biocomposite was proved to be an excellent heterogeneous catalyst for the green and environmentally-benign synthesis of isoamyl acetate from acetic acid and isoamyl alcohol under solvent-free conditions. High yield of 91% was obtained under the following optimal conditions: molar ratio of alcohol: acetic acid (1:3.7), catalyst loading (15.7 mg), the reaction temperature (98°C), and the reaction time (219 min). The outstanding advantages of this protocol are the use of a naturally occurring and easily prepared nano-biocomposite material without any modifications with hazardous reagents, lower catalyst loading and required temperature, avoiding the use of corrosive Bronsted acids as well as toxic azeotropic solvents or water adsorbents, and simplicity of the procedure.
Threshold photoproduction of neutral pions off protons in nuclearmodel with explicit mesons
Authors: Fedorov D.V. , Mikkelsen M. 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
We apply the nuclear model with explicit mesons to photoproduction ofneutral pions off protons at the threshold. In this model the nucleons donot interact with each other via a potential but rather emit and absorbmesons that are treated explicitly on equal footing with the nucleons. We calculate the total cross section of the reaction for energies close tothreshold and compare the calculations with available experimental data. We show that the model is able to reproduce the experimental data anddetermine the range of the parameters where the model is compatible withthe experiment.
Oleanolic Acid as a Possible Inhibitor of Pfn2: In silico Approach
Authors: Cárdenas-Pillco Berly , Cabrera-del-Carpio Zunilda N. , Quispe Lina G. , Ayqui-Cueva Flor , Del-Carpio-M Bruno A. , Bellido-Vallejo Karen L. , Gómez Badhin 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) has a high mortality rate and has recently involved human profilin II (Pfn2), an actin-binding protein promoter of its invasiveness and progression. This work evaluated the binding affinity of oleanolic acid (Naturally Occurring Saponin) over Pfn2 and its structural stability. QM and MM techniques were applied to perform geometrical optimization and calculation of the reactive sites from Oleanolic Acid, whereas molecular docking and MD simulations for protein-ligand interaction under physiological conditions. Oleanolic acid saponin showed a high binding affinity to the Pfn2 PLP-binding site. Analysis of the protein-ligand structure suggests saponin as a molecule with high potential for developing new drugs against Pfn2 in colorectal cancer cells.
Evaluation of auto-segmentation for brachytherapy of postoperative cervical cancer using deep learning-based workflow
Authors: Wang Jiahao , Chen Yuanyuan , Tu Yeqiang , Xie Hongling , Chen Yukai , Luo Lumeng , Zhou Pengfei , Tang Qiu 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of brachytherapy (BT) planning structures derived from Deep learning (DL) based auto-segmentation compared with standard manual delineation for postoperative cervical cancer.
Methods: We introduced a convolutional neural networks (CNN) which was developed and presented for auto-segmentation in cervical cancer radiotherapy. The dataset of 60 patients received BT of postoperative cervical cancer was used to train and test this model for delineation of high-risk clinical target volume (HRCTV) and organs at risk (OARs). Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), 95% hausdorff distance (95%HD), jaccard coefficient (JC) and dose-volume index (DVI) were used to evaluate the accuracy. The correlation between geometric metrics and dosimetric difference was performed by Spearman’s correlation analysis. The radiation oncologists scored the auto-segmented contours by rating the lever of satisfaction (no edits, minor edits, major edits).
Results: The mean DSC values of DL based model were 0.87, 0.94, 0.86, 0.79 and 0.92 for HRCTV, bladder, rectum, sigmoid and small intestine, respectively. The Bland-Altman test obtained dose agreement for HRCTV_D90%, HRCTV_Dmean, bladder_D2cc, sigmoid_D2cc and small intestine_D2cc. Wilcoxon’s signed-rank test indicated significant dosimetric differences in bladder_D0.1cc, rectum_D0.1cc and rectum_D2cc (P<0.05). A strong correlation between HRCTV_D90% with its DSC (R=-0.842, P=0.002) and JC (R=-0.818, P=0.004) were found in Spearman’s correlation analysis. From the physician review, 80% of HRCTVs and 72.5% of OARs in the test dataset were shown satisfaction (no edits).
Conclusion: The proposed DL based model achieved a satisfied agreement between the auto-segmented and manually defined contours of HRCTV and OARs, although the clinical acceptance of small volume dose of OARs around the target was a concern. DL based auto-segmentation was an essential component in cervical cancer workflow which would generate the accurate contouring.
An assessment of the ENSO-monsoon teleconnection in a warming climate
Authors: An Soon-Il , Goswami Bidyut 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
The El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Indian summer monsoon (ISM, or simply, monsoon) are two giants of tropical climate, which are delicately related. Here we present an assessment of the future evolution of the ENSO-monsoon teleconnection based on an analysis of climate simulations comprising of 28 ensembles (each 140 years long) with idealized forcing of CO2 increment at a rate of 1% per year starting from a concentration value of 367 p.p.m. until quadrupling. We find that the model-simulated climate exhibits monotonous weakening of the ENSO-monsoon teleconnection with the increase in CO2 forcing. Our analysis reveals that increasing number of co-occurrences of El Niño and the positive phase of Indian Ocean Dipole (pIOD) in a warmer climate causes weakening of the ENSO-Monsoon teleconnection. The co-occurrences of El Niño and pIOD is attributable to mean state warming of the SST that resemble a pIOD-type warming pattern in the Indian Ocean and an El Niño-type warming pattern in the Pacific. Since ENSO-Monsoon teleconnection is one of the precursors of the strength of the Indian monsoon, a weakening this relation may mean a more unpredictable Indian monsoon in a warmer climate.
Does Hounsfield Unit have any significance in predicting intra and postoperative outcomes in retrograde intrarenal surgery using holmium and Thulium fiber laser? A critical analysis of results from the FLEXible ureteroscopy Outcomes Registry (FLEXOR)
Authors: Keat William Ong Lay , Somani Bhaskar Kumar , Pietropaolo Amelia , Chew Ben Hall , Chai Chu Ann , Inoue Takaaki , Ragoori Deepak , Biligere Sarvajit , Galosi Andrea Benedetto , Pavia Maria Pia , Milanese Giulio , Ahn Thomas , More Sumit , Sarica Kemal , Traxer Olivier , Teoh Jeremy Yuen-Chun , Gauhar Vineet , Castellani Daniele 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
The objective was to evaluate outcomes of retrograde renal surgery for intrarenal stones of any size, number, and position, comparing hard versus soft stones based on their attenuation on computed tomography (Hounsfield Unit-HU). Exclusion criteria; children/adolescents, ureteric stones, renal anomalies, or bilateral surgery. Patients were divided into two groups according to the type of laser employed, i.e. Holmium:YAG (HL) and Thulium fiber laser (TFL). Residual fragments (RF) were defined as > 2 mm. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate factors associated with RF and RF needing further intervention. 4208 patients from 20 centers were included. 3070 patients were operated on with HL. In HU < 1000 stones, the TFL group had larger stones (11.56 ± 10.38 vs 9.98 ± 6.89 mm,p < 0.001). Multiple and lower pole stones were more prevalent in the HL group. Lasing time was shorter in the TFL group (15.34 ± 12.55 vs 23.32 ± 15.66 minutes,p < 0.001). HL group had a higher incidence of RF (29.1% vs 13.7%,p < 0.001). Age, stone size, and HL were predictors of RF, whereas multiple stones, and HL of RF requiring retreatment. In HU ≥ 1000 stones, stone size was similar between the two groups, whilst multiple and lower pole stones were more prevalent in the HL group. Surgical time was significantly shorter in the HL group (64.48 ± 33.92 vs 79.54 ± 88.56,p < 0.001). Significantly higher incidence of RF was noted in HL (22.7% vs 9.8%,p < 0.001), whilst reintervention rate was significantly higher TFL group (69.6% vs 43.8%,p < 0.001). Age, stone size, and use of HL were predictors of RF, whilst recurrent stone formers, multiple stones, and use of TFL of RF requiring retreatment.
Real-World Study of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy with Bevacizumab in Patients with Ovarian Cancer: A Chinese single-institution study
Authors: Zhang Nan , Zheng Hong , Gao Yunong , Shu Tong , Wang Hongguo 
Published: September 2022

AbstractBackground Bevacizumab was the first anti-angiogenic agent approved for the treatment of newly diagnosed and relapsed ovarian cancer. For patients with extensive tumor metastasis that is unsuitable for primary debulking surgery(PDS), platinum-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NACT) followed by interval debulking surgery(IDS) has become an important therapy strategy. The bevacizumab-containing regimens are also options for NACT and post-IDS chemotherapy. Although there have been many high-quality clinical trials of bevacizumab for ovarian cancer, real-world evidence is still necessary for clinical practice. Objective This study aimed to retrospectively assess the pattern, compliance, efficacy, and safety of bevacizumab as NACT in Chinese patients with ovarian cancer. Methods We reviewed the clinicopathological data of patients with histologically confirmed epithelial ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer and primary peritoneal adenocarcinoma, who were diagnosed and treated at the Department of Gynecologic Oncology of Peking University Cancer Hospital between May 2012 and January 2022. Results A total of 58 patients were ultimately enrolled in this study, with 35 receiving bevacizumab during NACT alone(NT) and 23 receiving bevacizumab during both neoadjuvant and first-line chemotherapy(NT + FL). Among the 43 patients in NT and NT + FL groups undergoing IDS, 38(88.4%) patients achieved optimal debulking and 24(55.8%) patients had no residual disease after IDS. All patients had a median PFS of 15 months (95%CI: 9.595–21.405), and the 12-month PFS was 60.2%. The median PFS of the NT and NT + FL groups were 13 months(95% CI: 9.738–16.262) and 20 months(95% CI:11.362–28.638), respectively. Nevertheless, there was no significant difference between the two groups(p = 0.113). According to multivariate analysis, patients treated with 15 mg/kg had a better PFS than those treated with ≤ 7.5 mg/kg(HR = 0.352, 95% CI: 0.143–0.864, P = 0.023). Hypertension was the most common adverse event associated with bevacizumab. A total of 5.2% (3/58) of patients discontinued bevacizumab due to toxicity. Conclusion Bevacizumab is effective and well-tolerated in the real-world setting of ovarian cancer NACT treatment. Receiving the regimen containing bevacizumab in the last preoperative chemotherapy did not result in increased intraoperative bleeding. Patients receiving the dosage of 15mg/kg may have better survival outcomes than those receiving the dosage of ≤ 7.5mg/kg.
Effectiveness of implementing of an infection control link nurse program to improve compliance with standard precautions and hand hygiene among nurses: A quasi- experimental study
Authors: Ghorbanmovahhed Shamsi , Shahbazi Shahla , Gilani Neda , Ostadi Ali , Gholizadeh Leila , Shabanloei Reza 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background: Standard precautions (SPs) including hand hygiene are considered fundamental protective measures to manage health care-associated infections (HCAIs) and to reduce occupational health hazards. The purpose of this research was to examine the effectiveness of an infection control link nurse (ICLN) program on compliance with SPs and hand hygiene among nurses.
Methods: A quasi-experimental study with a pretest-post-test design was conducted with participating of 154 clinical nurses who worked in different wards of a tertiary referral teaching hospital in Iran. The intervention group (n=77) had 16 infection control link nurses nominated. The control group (n=77) received only the standard multimodal approach used in the hospital. Pre- and post-test assessment of compliance with standard precautions and hand hygiene compliance was performed via the Compliance with Standard Precautions Scale (CSPS) and the World Health Organization observational hand hygiene form. Two independent sample t-tests were used to examine differences between Compliance with Standard Precautions and hand hygiene Complianceamong nurses in intervention and control group. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to assess the effect size.
Results: After developing and implementing the infection control link nurse program, no statistically significant improvement was found in the Compliance with Standard Precautions (β= 5.18; 95% CI= -0.3–10.65, p=0.064). An improvement in hand hygiene compliance was observed among nurses in the intervention group that improved statistically significant from 18.8% before the program to 37.32% 6 months after the program (β= 20.82; 95% CI 16.40–25.25, p<0.001).
Conclusions: Given the continuing level of interest that exists in improving health care workers’ hand hygiene practices, the findings of this study provide significant practical implications for hospitals seeking to improve compliance with hand hygiene among nurses, showing the effectiveness of using infection control link nurse program. Further research is needed to assess effectiveness of using infection control link nurse program to improve compliance with standard precautions.
Flood risk assessment of metro stations based on SMAA-2-FFS-H: A case study of the "7·20" rainstorm in Zhengzhou, China
Authors: Tu Yan , Shi Han , Zhou Xiaoyang , Liu Liyi , Lev Benjamin 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Motivated by the realistic demand of reducing the flood risk of urban metro stations, this paper creatively proposes a research framework for flood risk classification assessment of metro stations. In the framework, a specified criterion system is established from the perspective of hazard, vulnerability, exposure and rescue capacity. Furthermore, a SMAA-2-FFS-H method is proposed, which is comprised of stochastic multi-criteria acceptability analysis-2 (SMAA-2), fuzzy flowsort (FFS) and multi-criteria hierarchy process (MCHP). For verifying the practicality and efficiency of the proposed framework, the flood risk evaluation of 32 stations in Zhengzhou Metro Line 5 during the "7·20" rainstorm event is taken as a case study. The results show that only Shakoulu Station is at high risk, which is correspond to the reality of the "7·20" rainstorm event. Moreover, the risk class characteristics of the remaining stations are correspond to historical flooding events. Among them, 10 metro stations are classified as medium risk, 21 metro stations are classified as low risk, and none metro station is classified as very low risk. As proved above all metro stations have a certain degree of flood risk, and the classes of flood risk are indeed different between some metro stations. In addition, the validity and robustness of the proposed method are demostrated by comparative analysis and sensitivity analysis. Finally, some managerial suggestions are provided for strengthening the flood control capacity of metro stations.
Evaluate levels of 18 toxic and/or essential trace elements exposure in maternal and cord plasma during pregnancy at advanced maternal age
Authors: Gu Tingfei , Jia xiqoqian , Shi Huifeng , Gong Xiaoli , Ma Jinxi , Gan Zhihang , Yu Zhixin , Li Zhiwen , Wei Yuan 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Pregnant women with advanced maternal age (AMA) are vulnerable to the surrounding environment exposure. Assessment of the trace elements in pregnant women living in specific areas is important for biomonitoring. However, the exposure levels and variation pattern of elements’ exposure during pregnancy is still controversial and attracting extensive public concern. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate exposure of 18 toxic and/or essential trace elements’ exposure in maternal plasma during pregnancy of AMA and in paired cord plasma. A total of 48 pregnant women with AMA were recruited in Peking University Third Hospital from 2018 to 2021. 18 elements of Maternal plasma in 1st, 2nd, 3rd pregnancy and paired cord plasma were measured by 7700x ICP-MS (Agilent Technologies, USA) and Elan DRC type II ICP-MS (The Perkin-Elmer Corporation, USA). Concentrations of Pb, Se, Fe, Zn, Mo all decreased during pregnancy, while Cu increased in the opposite. Interestingly, concentrations of Rb decreased first but subsequently increased. Elements as Al, Co, Se, Cu, Ni showed significantly lower levels in cord than in maternal plasma, while elements as Sr, Fe, Rb, Mn, Zn displayed significantly higher levels in cord than in maternal plasma. What’s more, positively-interacted clusters were found in Ni-Co-Cu-Al-Rb-Zn and Zn-Mn-Al-Pb in maternal blood. Similar positively-interacted clusters were found in Zn-Ni-Co, Zn-Ni-Fe, Mn-Al-Pb, Fe-Pb-Mn, Fe-Ni-Cu and Rb-Cu-Sb-Fe-Mn in cord plasma. Last but not least, correlations between paired maternal and cord blood samples for As, Sr and Mo were statistically significant, indicating that the fetus burden might reflect the maternal exposure to some extent. Admittedly, levels of toxic and essential elements in our cohort study were comparatively lower in the scientific literature.
Perceptions of the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study with South African adults
Authors: Silubonde Takana M , Draper Catherine , Norris Shane 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Introduction
In South Africa, public perceptions of the COVID-19 pandemic and risk mitigation measures remain mixed. To better understand health behaviours in the context of COVID-19, a qualitative study was conducted, which aimed to investigate perceptions relating to the COVID-19 pandemic among the South African adult population.
Methods
Twelve online focus groups were conducted across the following age groups: 18–34, 35–54, 55 + years old (total n = 70) in December 2021. Diversity across socioeconomic status, geographical areas, and urban and rural settings was maximised, with an equal representation of men and women. Focus groups were conducted, and audio recorded using an online platform, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed using MAXQDA.
Results
The ten themes that were identified from the qualitative analysis were: 1) general perceptions of the pandemic and preventative measures; 2) economic and employment impacts; 3) educational impacts of the pandemic; 4) family and social issues; 5) emotional, social, and psychological impacts of the pandemic; 6) media during the pandemic; 7) government handling of the pandemic.; 8) Healthcare and other government systems; and 9) vaccination 10) solutions for COVID-19 and future pandemics. Participants generally reported an understanding and appreciation of the preventative measures put in place by government. However, the findings also showed that lack of government trust, communication by government of specific scientific information around COVID-19, and the pervasiveness of social media had affected the implementation of preventative measures. Moreover, the impacts of the pandemic were reported to vary with socio-economic level.
Conclusion
With the existing mistrust of government, there is need for government to leverage existing trusted sources in communities to aid in the implementation of preventative measures. These findings support the development of context specific solutions to address challenges faced at different socioeconomic levels.
LCAT activity, ox-LDL, and lipid profile in patients with endometrial carcinoma and diabetes mellitus: The interactive effect of concurrent disease
Authors: Qahremani Reihane , Rabizadeh Soghra , Mirmiranpoor Hossein , Yadegar Amirhossein , Mohammadi Fatemeh , Sahebi Leyla , Heidari Firouzeh , Esteghamati Alireza , Nakhjavani Manouchehr 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background: Decreased Lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity, increased level of oxidized low-density lipoproteins (ox-LDL), and dyslipidemia in diabetes and cancer were studied. In this research, LCAT activity, ox-LDL, and lipid profile in patients with endometrial carcinoma, diabetes, and the combination of them, and healthy subjects were measured.
Objective: The aim of this study was the evaluation of lipid profile, LCAT activity, and ox-LDL level as an oxidative stress marker in three different pathologic conditions and comparison of them to healthy metabolic state.
Methods: In this case-control study, a total of 93 female participants were recruited. Participants were divided into four groups, including endometrial carcinoma with diabetes (EC with DM, n=19), endometrial carcinoma without diabetes (EC, n=17), diabetes (DM, n=31), and Healthy group (H, n=26). The level of LCAT activity, triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), and ox-LDL were measured.
Results: The LCAT activity was decreased in all patient groups compared to healthy controls (p-value<0.001). LCAT activity (nmol/ml/h) was significantly lower in endometrial carcinoma with or without diabetes (mean ± SD = 28.31 ± 2.78, 34.00 ± 4.97, respectively) than in patients with diabetes alone (46.58 ± 9.47). A higher level of TG and ox-LDL and a lower level of HDL-C were seen in all patient groups compared to the healthy controls (all p-values < 0.001). The decrease in LCAT activity (∆ LCAT= LCAThealthy - LCATpatient) was 31.61 in endometrial carcinoma with diabetes, 25.92 in endometrial carcinoma without diabetes, and 13.34 nmol/ml/h in diabetes alone.
Conclusion: A decrease in LCAT activity and an increase in ox-LDL level were seen in both endometrial carcinoma and diabetes. The combination of endometrial carcinoma and diabetes had a sub-additive effect on LCAT activity and ox-LDL level.