bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cost-utility of minimally invasive therapies vs pharmacotherapy as initial therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia: A Canadian healthcare payer perspective
Authors: Sahakyan Yeva , Erman Aysegul , Bhojani Naeem , Chughtai Bilal , Zorn Kevin C. , Sander Beate , Elterman Dean S. 
Published: December 2022

Introduction: Recently, minimally invasive surgical therapies (MISTs) have become an alternative to surgery or pharmacotherapy to manage benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This study evaluated the cost-utility of water vapor thermal therapy (WVTT) and prostatic urethral lift (PUL) compared to pharmacotherapy as initial treatment for patients with moderate-to-severe BPH.
Methods: In this model-based economic evaluation we simulated BPH progression in men (mean age 65 years, average International Prostate Symptom Score 16.6) over their lifetime and estimated healthcare costs (from the Canadian healthcare payer perspective) per quality-adjusted life year (QALY), discounted at 1.5% annually. In the model, men could receive up to three lines of therapy: i) initial pharmacotherapy with MIST as second-line, and TURP or pharmacotherapy as third-line; ii) initial MIST (WVTT or PUL) with MIST again, TURP or pharmacotherapy as second-line, and TURP as third-line. The model was populated using data from the published literature.
Results: The expected lifetime QALYs and costs were 15.50 QALYs and $14,626 for initial treatment with WVTT, 15.35 QALYs and $11,795 for pharmacotherapy followed by WVTT, 15.29 QALYs and $13,582 for pharmacotherapy followed by PUL, 15.29 QALYs and $19,151 for initial treatment with PUL. Strategies involving PUL procedures were dominated by strategies involving WVTT. The incremental cost per QALY gained was $18,873 for initial WVTT compared to initial pharmacotherapy followed by WVTT.
Conclusion: WVTT appears to be a cost-effective procedure, and may be an appropriate first-line alternative to pharmacotherapy for patients with BPH who seek faster improvement and no lifelong commitment to daily medications.
Estimation of PM10 and SO2 Substances with Extreme Learning Methods for Analysis of Air Pollution in Amasya Province
Authors: Aydemir Salih 
Published: December 2022

Air pollution can lead to various diseases. Especially, Sulfur dioxide (SO2) and Particulate Matter (PM10 ) concentrations in the air directly affect air pollution. Therefore, the estimation of and substances in the air plays an important role in air pollution prediction. In this study, for the data received from the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization air monitoring center, the and pollutants are estimated based on past data with the extreme-learning-adaptive fuzzy extraction system method. Excessive learning algorithms in prediction problems both work fast and can reach low error values. On the other hand, the adaptive neural-fuzzy inference system offers an effective convergence by handling uncertain and incomplete data. Within the scope of the study, estimated and actual values are visualized with figures. The results of extreme learning algorithms are graphed with the error values they reach. Extreme learning-adaptive neural-fuzzy inference system; It is compared with ELM, KELM, CSELM, CDELM, and SELM algorithms. As a result of the comparison, KELM and ELM-ANFIS in terms of RMSE metric for give the best results close to each other with 0.1151 and 0.1155 values, respectively. For , it has been determined that the ELM-ANFIS showed the best performance with 0.0842 RMSE and 0.8171 R2 metric values.
Cost-effectiveness analysis of surgical lung volume reduction compared with endobronchial valve treatment in patients with severe emphysema
Authors: Franzen Daniel 
Published: December 2022

BACKGROUND: Lung volume reduction, either by surgery or bronchoscopically by endobronchial valve treatment have been shown to be a cost-effective alternative compared with conservative therapy. However, there is no comparative analysis of lung volume reduction by surgery and bronchoscopic lung volume reduction using endobronchial valves.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this retrospective study was to provide a cost-effectiveness analysis of lung volume reduction by surgery compared with bronchoscopic lung volume reduction using endobronchial valves.
METHODS: The effectiveness of lung volume reduction was assessed using forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), residual volume (RV) and 6-minute walking distance (6MWD), measured at baseline and at 4 to 12 weeks. Cost unit accounting derived from SwissDRG was used as a surrogate of the costs from the payer’s perspective.
RESULTS: In total, 67 patients (37 men and 30 women) with a mean age of 68.3 ± 7.4 years were included. Both clinical effectiveness and costs were comparable between surgical and bronchoscopic lung reduction. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) for bronchoscopic compared with lung volume reduction by surgery for FEV1, RV and 6MWD were –101, 4 and 58, respectively. For RV and 6MWD, it could be shown that endobronchial valve treatment is justified as a probably cost-effective alternative to lung volume reduction by surgery. Endobronchial valve treatment resulted in an improvement of 0.25 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and an ICER of € 7657 per QALY gained.
CONCLUSION: A robust statement on the superiority of one of the two procedures in terms of cost-effectiveness cannot be made from the present study. Therefore, the study is not suitable for resource allocation. Two upcoming trials comparing lung volume reduction surgery and endobronchial valve treatment may be able to answer this question.</p>
The Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Tungiasis Infestations in Uganda: Implications for Vector Borne and Neglected Tropical Disease Control
Authors: Adriko Moses 
Published: December 2022

Tungiasis is a neglected parasitic inflammatory tropical skin disease affecting the world’s poorest people caused by a female flea called Tunga penetrans. It is potentially endemic in 88 countries worldwide, with an estimated community prevalence of 60%. The national prevalence is estimated at 50% with recent epidemics re-emergence dimensions in Uganda. The disease burden continues to escalate with high-school dropouts, absenteeism, and poor performance. This study was geared toward assessing the prevalence and risk factors in communities in Uganda. Overall, there is prevalence of 40.6 and 28% among households and individuals. Our findings further indicate prevalence of infection was the highest at household level compared to infected individuals observed; (Jinja; 73.3% vs. 50.0%), (Namutumba; 53.2% vs. 33.3%), (Iganga; 41.1% vs. 25.3%), (Bugiri; 24.4% vs. 27.1%), (Namayingo; 20.5% vs. 12.6%) and (Mayuge; 13.6% vs. 6.2%). Physical examinations revealed the most affected body parts were the toes (6.5%), sole (1.2%), and the heel (0.8%). The common method of prevention and treatment used is self-removal (49.4%), removal by a family member (32.7%), support from medical personnel (14.4%), and use of ointment (1.9%). The findings have implications for the prevention and control of Tungiasis as a public health concern in Uganda. This requires strengthened health education aimed at improved household sanitation and hygiene with community empowerment as a long-term measure.
Effect of a Video-Supported Nurse-Led Advance Care Planning for Older Adults with Frailty: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Y.P. Leung Doris , Y.L. Chan Helen , K.C. Chiu Patrick , S.K. Lo Raymond 
Published: December 2022

This chapter reports the results of a parallel, double-blinded randomized controlled trial to examine the effect of video-supported nurse-led advance care planning (ACP) as compared with a health education program plus an ACP promotion leaflet on end-of-life decision-making outcomes in older adults with frailty. Outcomes were assessed at 1 month and 6 months after the intervention via telephone. Between December 2018 and January 2020, 449 older adults were screened for eligibility. The trial was terminated early after 105 subjects had been assigned (intervention: 51; control: 54) because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the end of the funding period. No significant between-group difference was found in the retention rate at 1 (41.2% vs. 38.9%) and 6 months (35.3% vs. 44.4%). In the intention-to-treat analysis, the ACP group reported a higher but non-significant advance directive completion rate (5.9% vs. 1.9%) and a significantly higher mean score in quality of communication about end-of-life care at 1 month estimated difference: 8.73 (1.16–16.30). There was no evidence of a difference in favorable outcomes of subjects receiving the video-supported, nurse-led ACP compared with those receiving active control. Results might have been confounded by high attrition, poor intervention completion, and reduced sample size due to the early termination of the study.
Implementation of Career Information Services in Choose Department in Higher Collection in MAN 2 Cirebon
Authors: Faisal Sopyan , Sulistianingsih Sulistianingsih , Isnaeni Fajri Rizqi , Ridwan Taufik 
Published: December 2022

Education at the high school level aims to prepare students who will continue their education to a higher level, as well as prepare students who will immediately work when they have completed high school education. Experience in the field shows that there are still many MAN 2 Cirebon students who are still confused about choosing a major or study program to enter in higher education, especially for class XII students. Students make career plans based only on their will and desire without considering their abilities, there are even some students who leave career choices to their peers or other people.
The purpose of this study was to determine the implementation and provision of career information services in choosing majors in higher education at MAN 2 Cirebon and the factors that became obstacles in these services.
This study uses a descriptive qualitative research method with a phenomenological approach. This study relies on the accuracy of data collection to obtain valid research results. Data collection techniques in this study used observation, interviews, and documentation of the implementation of career information services in choosing majors in higher education at MAN 2 Cirebon. The validity of the data uses data triangulation.
Based on the research that has been done, it is found that the implementation of career information services in choosing a major in higher education at MAN 2 Cirebon is very useful and has an effect on students' interest in continuing to college. This can be seen from the data of students who are accepted into universities from year to year which has increased quite a bit. The implementation of career information services in choosing majors in higher education at MAN 2 Cirebon makes researchers pay special attention so that researchers conduct research by taking that title.
Tax Compliance among Small and Micro Enterprises: A Case Study of Small and Microenterprises in Abuja, Nigeria.
Authors: Okoli Millicent Adaeze , Abegunde Ibrahim 
Published: December 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the compliance of tax by among small and micro enterprises in Abuja, Nigeria.
Methodology: The study utilized a descriptive survey research design utilizing quantitative and qualitative approaches. The target population to be selected was 540 TOT registered SME tax payers within the Abuja city central business district (CBD) dealing with Information Communication Technology products. The present study adopted a stratified random sampling technique to proportionately select a sample of 54 SMEs from the target population of 540 SMEs.
Results: Tax compliance was strongly correlated with taxpayers’ attitudes (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.595), tax payers understanding of the tax structure (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.465), cost of compliance (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.607) and audits & penalties (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.609).
Conclusion: There exist less tax compliance among small and micro enterprises in Abuja CBD due to less information about taxation and importance of paying taxes.
Recommendation: The study recommended the government to increase civic education about taxation and importance of paying taxes in schools and colleges so as to foster tax compliant citizens. The study also recommended further research to be done on the implications of increased regional trade by SMEs on tax compliance.
The Effects of Process Alignment on Performance of Pharmaceutical Firms in Kenya
Authors: Akwalu Ezekiel Kiriinya 
Published: December 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of process alignment on performance of pharmaceutical firms in Kenya
Methodology: This research adopted a descriptive research design. The target population of interest in this study were the 22 local pharmaceutical manufacturing and 149 importing firms that act as subsidiaries making a total of 171. The study sample was drawn from the list of 171 pharmaceutical firms where various categories with the relevant information for the study were drawn. The study adopted a census sampling technique. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 22 by making use of multiple regressions analysis which helped to generate a weighted estimation equation (OLS) that was used to predict values for dependent variable from the values of the independent variable.
Findings: The correlation and regression results revealed that process alignment had a positive and significant relationship with performance of pharmaceutical firms. The null hypothesis was rejected which indicated that there was no significant relationship between resilience building and performance of pharmaceutical firms in Kenya.
Recommendations: Based on the study findings, it was recommended that pharmaceutical firms should align their processes with those of the customers. The firms are encouraged to adopt management styles which are compatible with the clients in terms of mission and vision, improve or maintain their delivery standards such as on time and quality delivery, implement marketing strategies which are compatible with customers’ standards and or exceed their expectations, and finally the management should strive to meet the customer expectations by improving the characteristics of the products. According to the regression analysis results, these activities enhance the performance of the firm.
Hub-Blade Interaction in Propeller Strength
Authors: Beek G. H. M. 
Published: December 2022

Stresses in monobloc propeller blade and hub normally are calculated separately. In the blade stress calculation, for which nowadays the finite element method is generally prefer red, the hub is assumed to be rigid. On the other hand the blade is completely ignored if hub strength is considered.
The finite element program, the author used for the blade, also allows the examination of the interference between the stress conditions in both parts since it enables three-dimensional elastic analyses. Moreover, detailed experimental data, obtained in strain gauge measurements on a full scale blade, proved the validity of the chosen element type and mesh for application on propeller blades. Therefore strong tools are available to shift the disturbing boundary conditions from the blade root to the hub-shaft interface and obtain reliable information about the blade root loading and its resolution in the hub.
Results of comparative calculations show the strong influence of the hub elasticity on the stress distribution in the blade root section.
Strength of Propeller Blades - A Numerical Approach
Authors: Jourdain M. , Armand J. L. , Aucher M. 
Published: December 2022

Once the face and profile of a propeller blade have been designed from the sole consideration of hydrodynamics, thickness at every point is chosen based on strength requirements.
To this end, prediction of loading distribution is the first step in a rational design, and again involves hydrodynamics. A structural model of the blade is then used to perform the strength analysis.
Effect of Nitrogen Levels on Growth, Yield Attributes and Yield of Hybrid Varieties of Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Singh Divya , Yadav Atish , Tripathi Ankur , Singh Subhendu , Singh Anil Kumar 
Published: December 2022

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different Nitrogen levels on the yield performance of four rice hybrid in two consecutive Monsoon Season of 2020 and 2021. The experiment was conducted at Agronomy Research Farm, Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj Ayodhya (U.P.). The experiment was conducted in factorial randomized block design with three replication which comprised of 4 levels of nitrogen viz. 0% RDN, 50% RDN, 75% RDN and 100% RDN and 4 hybrid varieties viz. Arize-6444 Gold, Ankur-7576, 27P31 and Shahi-Dawat. Results revealed that significantly higher yield contributing characters and yield was obtained at 100% of RDN (150 kg N ha-1) which is at par with 75 % RDN (112 kg N ha-1) and significantly superior over 0% of RDN and 50% of RDN (75kg N ha-1). The growth parameters, yield attributes and yield were recorded significantly higher with Ankur-7576 variety except length of panicle (cm) and test weight (g). Ankur-7576 gave good response in low doses of nitrogenous fertilizer and showed good efficiency in utilization of available and applied nitrogen to the crop and best suitable for obtaining higher yield of hybrid rice.
Smart Nanoparticle‐Based Platforms for Regulating Tumor Microenvironment and Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Cheng Ruoyu , Santos Hélder A. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractTumor development and metastasis are closely related to the tumor microenvironment (TME). Recently, several studies indicate that modulating TME can enhance cancer immunotherapy. Among various approaches to modulating TME, nanoparticles (NPs) with unique inherent advantages and smart modified characteristics are promising candidates in delivering drugs to cancer cells, amplifying the therapeutic effects, and leading to a cascade of immune responses. In this review, several smart NP‐based platforms are briefly introduced, such as responsive NPs, targeting NPs, and the composition of TME, including dendritic cells, macrophages, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, myeloid‐derived suppressor cells, and regulatory T cells. Moreover, the recent applications of smart NP‐based platforms in regulating TME and cancer immunotherapy are briefly introduced. Last, the advantages and disadvantages of these smart NP‐based platforms in potential clinical translation are discussed.
Surface Curvature Dominated Guest‐Induced Nonequilibrium Deformations of Single Covalent Organic Framework‐300 Particles
Authors: Zhang Guihua , Zou Xinyi , Wang Qianxi , He Yi 
Published: December 2022

AbstractUnderstanding the guest‐induced dynamic deformation process of covalent organic frameworks (COFs) is vitally important to further increase their stimulus‐response performances. Here we report on the dark‐field microscopic (DFM) imaging approach to in situ monitor the guest‐induced deformation evolution of individual COF‐300 crystals in real time. We observe not only transient and nonequilibrium intermediate deformation states but also local surface curvature‐driven diverse adsorption behaviours of single COF‐300 particles for dichloromethane (DCM), undergoing one, two, and multiple expansion‐contraction deformations as well as contraction‐to‐expansion transition. The surface curvature‐dominated deformations are ascribed to the significant differences in the adsorption capacity for DCM at the curved tip and flat side regions, in which DCM can be adsorbed preferentially by curved tip regions of COF‐300.
Direct Visualization of Nanoconfinement Effect on Nanoreactor via Electrochemiluminescence Microscopy
Authors: Huang Xuedong , Li Binxiao , Lu Yanwei , Liu Yixin , Wang Shurong , Sojic Neso , Jiang Dechen , Liu Baohong 
Published: December 2022

AbstractNanoconfinement in mesoporous nanoarchitectures could dramatically change molecular transport and reaction kinetics during electrochemical process. A molecular‐level understanding of nanoconfinement and mass transport is critical for the applications, but a proper route to study it is lacking. Herein, we develop a single nanoreactor electrochemiluminescence (SNECL) microscopy based on Ru(bpy)32+‐loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticle to directly visualize in situ nanoconfinement‐enhanced electrochemical reactions at the single molecule level. Meanwhile, mass transport capability of single nanoreactor, reflected as long decay time and recovery ability, is monitored and simulated with a high spatial resolution. The nanoconfinement effects in our system also enable imaging single proteins on cellular membrane. Our SNECL approach may pave the way to decipher the nanoconfinement effects during electrochemical process, and build bridges between mesoporous nanoarchitectures and potential electrochemical applications.
A Photoenzymatic Strategy for Radical‐Mediated Stereoselective Hydroalkylation with Diazo Compounds
Authors: Duan Xinyu , Cui Dong , Wang Zhiguo , Zheng Dannan , Jiang Linye , Huang Wen‐Yu , Jia Yi‐Xia , Xu Jian 
Published: December 2022

AbstractCarbene insertion reactions initiated with diazo compounds have been widely used to develop unnatural enzymatic reactions. However, alternative functionalization of diazo compounds in enzymatic processes has been unexploited. Herein, we describe a photoenzymatic strategy for radical‐mediated stereoselective hydroalkylation with diazo compounds. This method generates carbon‐centered radicals through an ene reductase catalyzed photoinduced electron transfer process from diazo compounds, enabling the synthesis of γ‐stereogenic carbonyl compounds in good yields and stereoselectivities. This study further expands the possible reaction patterns in photo‐biocatalysis and offers a new approach to solving the selectivity challenges of radical‐mediated reactions.
Preparation and characterization of polyvinyl chloride membranes and their fouling behavior in water purification
Authors: Eryildiz Bahriye , Keskin Basak , Pasaoglu Mehmet Emin , Turken Turker , Vatanpour Vahid , Koyuncu Ismail 
Published: December 2022

AbstractIn the present study, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) membranes were used to improve water purification and fouling performance. Porous PVC flat sheet membranes were produced using the phase inversion method. The polymer concentration in casting solution varied from 11 to 17 wt%. Water contact angles, pore size, overall porosity and scanning electron microscopy were used for membrane characterization. The foulants such as bovine serum albumin (BSA) and humic acid (HA) were used to test the membranes' separation performance and fouling resistance. Contact angle increased from 79.6 ± 2.2° to 81.9 ± 1.0° as the polymer concentration increased, while overall porosity decreased from 72.0% to 61.9%. Results showed that BSA and HA permeate flux had similar trend by adding PVC. It was observed that BSA rejection enhanced from 54.8% to 80.7% while HA rejection increased from 76.3% to 88.3% with increasing PVC content. Permeate flux decreased by increase of PVC content due to reduction of porosity and pore size. Besides, the flux recovery ratio, reversible and irreversible fouling studies showed that better fouling observed with increasing of PVC content. The findings of this work show that PVC may be used to improve the separation and antifouling properties for water purification.