bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Food insecurity and level of depression among patients with chronic diseases, and associated factors during the COVID-19 lockdown: a cross-sectional study in rural Rwanda
Authors: Umutoniwase Sabine , Nshimyiryo Alphonse , Barnhart Dale A , Dusabeyezu Symaque , Mpanumusingo Egide , Nahimana Evrard , Mubiligi Joel M. , Cubaka Vincent K 
Published: October 2022

ObjectivesWe aimed to describe access to food and symptoms of depression among patients with chronic diseases or their caregivers, and assess associated factors during the COVID-19 lockdown in rural Rwanda.DesignA cross-sectional study.Setting and participantsA stratified random sampling technique was used to recruit 220 patients enrolled in the HIV, non-communicable diseases, mental health, paediatric development clinic and oncology programmes in three rural districts of Rwanda.Outcome measuresTelephone-based interviews were conducted to collect data on the number of daily meals before and during the COVID-19, and depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. We used logistic regression analysis to investigate factors associated with households reporting a reduction in daily meals and with the survey respondent reporting symptoms of depression.ResultsOf the participants, 19.1% reported a reduction in daily number of meals for either adults or children in their households during lockdown and 24.6% had depression. Reporting a reduction in daily meals was associated with the district of residence and estimated household’s monthly income. Self-reported depression was significantly associated with negative experiences during lockdown, including reporting feeling depressed or fear (AOR 4.82; 95% CI 2.08 to 11.21), loneliness (AOR 4.33; 95% CI 1.32 to 14.13), reduction in daily meals (AOR 4.15; 95% CI 1.56 to 11.00) and lack of access to healthcare (OR 3.29; 95% CI 1.32 to 8.23).ConclusionsOur findings suggest that significant reduction in access to food affected rural Rwandans with chronic diseases during COVID-19 lockdown, and the lockdown effect varied by household’s pre-pandemic level of vulnerability to food insecurity. Reduction in household meals, as well as other self-reported effects of the lockdown, were associated with worse psychological status of survey respondents. Economic and food support should be considered by governments and non-governmental organisations to protect those most vulnerable including patients with chronic diseases against the effects of pandemics and their associated containment measures.
Positioning whole exome sequencing in the diagnostic pathway for rare disease to optimise utility: a protocol for an observational cohort study and an economic evaluation
Authors: Hayeems Robin Z , Bernier Francois , Boycott Kym M , Hartley Taila , Michaels-Igbokwe Christine , Marshall Deborah A 
Published: October 2022

IntroductionDespite the superior diagnostic performance of exome and genome sequencing compared with conventional genetic tests, evidence gaps related to clinical utility and cost effectiveness have limited their availability in routine clinical practice in many jurisdictions. To inform adoption and reimbursement policy, this protocol provides a chain of evidence approach to determining the diagnostic utility, clinical utility and cost-effectiveness of whole exome sequencing (WES) from seven medical genetic centres in two Canadian provinces.Methods and analysisUsing a multicentre observational cohort design, we will extract data specific to the pre-WES diagnostic pathway and 1-year post-WES medical management from electronic medical records for 650 patients with rare disease of suspected genetic aetiology who receive WES. The date from the clinical record will be linked to provincial administrative health database to capture healthcare resource use and estimate costs. Our analysis will: (1) define and describe diagnostic testing pathways that occur prior to WES among patients with rare disease, (2) determine the diagnostic utility of WES, characterised as the proportion of patients for whom causative DNA variants are identified, (3) determine the clinical utility of WES, characterised as a change in medical management triggered by WES results, (4) determine the pattern and cost of health service utilisation prior and 1 year following WES among patients who receive a diagnosis, do not receive a diagnosis, or receive an uncertain diagnosis and (5) estimate the cost-effectiveness of WES compared with conventional diagnostic testing pathways, measured by the incremental cost per additional patient diagnosed by WES using simulation modelling.Ethics and disseminationThis protocol was approved by Clinical Trials Ontario (CTO-1577) and research ethics boards at the University of Calgary (REB18-0744 and REB20-1449) and University of Alberta (Pro0009156). Findings will be disseminated through academic publications and policy reports.
Development, implementation and evaluation of high-quality virtual preoperative anaesthetic assessment during COVID-19 and beyond: a quality improvement report
Authors: Popivanov Petar , Bampoe Sohail , Tan Terry , Rafferty Paul 
Published: October 2022

BackgroundPreoperative risk factor identification and optimisation are widely accepted as the gold standard of care for elective surgery and are essential for reducing morbidity and mortality. COVID-19 public health restrictions required a careful balance between ensuring best medical practices and maintaining safety by minimising patient face-to-face attendance in the hospital. Based on the successful implementation of telemedicine (TM) in other medical specialties and its feasibility in the preoperative context, this study aimed to develop, implement and evaluate a high-quality virtual preoperative anaesthetic assessment process.MethodsThe three-step model for improvement was used. The specific, measurable, actionable, relevant, time aim (step 1) and measures for improvement (step 2) were defined at the onset of the project. The plan–do–study–act tool was used for the structured implementation of improvement interventions (step 3) in three phases. Data relating to virtual and in-person referrals, assessments, did-not-attend (DNA) rate, consultation time, day of surgery delays and cancellations, and service-user and provider experience surveys were recorded prospectively.ResultsA total of 2805 patients were assessed in the preoperative anaesthetic assessment clinic between July 2020 and March 2021. The mean rate of virtual preoperative assessments was 50% (SD ±10) (1390/2805). 0.1% (30/2805) were inappropriately referred on the alternative pathway. The DNA rate was 0.4% (8/1398) and 3% (43/1458) for virtual and in-person pathways, respectively. The mean consultation times for virtual and in-person attendance were 19 (SD ±7) and 31 (SD ±13) min, respectively. There were five same-day surgery cancellations and one delay due to medical reasons. When asked about their experience with the virtual assessment, both service users and providers reported high satisfaction, minimal technical difficulties and shared concerns about limited opportunities for physical examination.ConclusionThis is one of the first implementational studies to comprehensively outline the feasibility of TM in preoperative anaesthetic assessment during COVID-19.
Revisiting the quasinormal modes of the Schwarzschild black hole: Numerical analysis
Authors: Mamani Luis A. H. , Masa Angel D. D. , Sanches Lucas Timotheo , Zanchin Vilson T. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractWe revisit the problem of calculating the quasinormal modes of spin 0, 1/2, 1, 3/2, 2, and spin 5/2 fields in the asymptotically flat Schwarzschild black hole spacetime. Our aim is to investigate the problem from the numerical point of view, by comparing some numerical methods available in the literature and still not applied for solving the eigenvalue problems arising from the perturbation equations in the Schwarzschild black hole spacetime. We focus on the pseudo-spectral and the asymptotic iteration methods. These numerical methods are tested against the available results in the literature, and confronting the precision between each other. Besides testing the different numerical methods, we calculate higher overtones quasinormal frequencies for all the investigated perturbation fields in comparison with the known results. Additionally, we obtain purely imaginary frequencies for spin 1/2 and 3/2 fields that are in agreement with analytic results reported previously in the literature. The purely imaginary frequencies for the spin 1/2 perturbation field are exactly the same as the frequencies obtained for the spin 3/2 perturbation field. In turn, the quasinormal frequencies for the spin 5/2 perturbation field are calculated for the very first time, and purely imaginary frequencies are found also in this case. We conclude that both methods provide accurate results and they complement each other.
Galaxy distributions as fractal systems
Authors: Teles Sharon , Lopes Amanda R. , Ribeiro Marcelo B. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThis paper discusses if large scale galaxy distribution samples containing almost one million objects can be characterized as fractal systems. The analysis performed by Teles et al. (Phys Lett B 813:136034, 2021) on the UltraVISTA DR1 survey is extended here to the SPLASH and COSMOS2015 catalogs, hence adding 750k new galaxies with measured redshifts to the studied samples. The standard $$\Lambda $$
Λ
CDM cosmology having $$H_0=(70\pm 5)$$

H
0

=

(
70
±
5
)

km/s/Mpc and number density tools required for describing these galaxy distributions as single fractal systems with dimension D are adopted. We use the luminosity distance $$d_{\scriptscriptstyle L}$$

d

L

, redshift distance $$d_z$$

d
z

and galaxy area distance (transverse comoving distance) $$d_{\scriptscriptstyle G}$$

d

G

as relativistic distance definitions to derive galaxy number densities in the redshift interval $$0.1\le z\le 4$$

0.1
≤
z
≤
4

at volume limited subsamples defined by absolute magnitudes in the K-band. Similar to the findings of Teles et al. (2021), the results show two consecutive redshift scales where galaxy distribution data behave as single fractal structures. For $$z<1$$

z
<
1

we found $$D=1.00\pm 0.12$$

D
=
1.00
±
0.12

for the SPLASH galaxies, and $$D=1,39\pm 0.19$$

D
=
1
,
39
±
0.19

for the COSMOS2015. For $$1\le z\le 4$$

1
≤
z
≤
4

we respectively found $$D=0.83^{+0.36}_{-0.37}$$

D
=
0
.

83

-
0.37

+
0.36

and $$D=0.54^{+0.27}_{-0.26}$$

D
=
0
.

54

-
0.26

+
0.27

. These results were verified to be robust under the assumed Hubble constant uncertainty. Calculations considering blue and red galaxies subsamples in both surveys showed that the fractal dimensions of blue galaxies as basically unchanged, but the ones for the red galaxies changed mostly to smaller values, meaning that D may be seen as a more intrinsic property of the distribution of objects in the Universe, therefore allowing for the fractal dimension to be used as a tool to study different populations of galaxies. All results confirm the decades old theoretical prediction of a decrease in the fractal dimension for $$z>1$$

z
>
1

.
QED effects at grazing incidence on solid-state targets
Authors: Filipovic Marko , Pukhov Alexander 
Published: October 2022

AbstractNew laser facilities will reach intensities of $$10^{23} \text {W cm}^{-2}$$

10
23

W

cm

-
2

. This advance enables novel experimental setups in the study of laser–plasma interaction. In these setups with extreme fields, quantum electrodynamic (QED) effects such as photon emission via nonlinear Compton scattering and Breit–Wheeler pair production become important. We study high-intensity lasers grazing the surface of a solid-state target by two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations with QED effects included. The two laser beams collide at the target surface at a grazing angle. Due to the fields near the target surface, electrons are extracted and accelerated. Finally, the extracted electrons collide with the counter-propagating laser, which triggers many QED effects and leads to a QED cascade under a sufficient laser intensity. Here, the processes are studied for various laser intensities and angle of incidence and finally compared with a seeded vacuum cascade. Our results show that the proposed target can yield many orders of magnitude more secondary particles and develop a QED cascade at lower laser intensities than the seeded vacuum alone.
The Association of Blood Urea Nitrogen to Creatinine Ratio and the Prognosis of Critically Ill Patients with Cerebral Infarction: A Cohort Study
Authors: Chen Ting , Li Ai-Ping , Gong Qi , Zhou Lin , Zhao Yi-Xuan , Zhou Zhi-Wen , Zhou Wen-Sheng 
Published: October 2022

Background. To evaluate the association between blood urea nitrogen (BUN) to creatinine (Cr) (BUN/Cr) ratio and the in-hospital mortality of critically ill patients with cerebral infarction in intensive care unit (ICU). Methods. In this cohort study, the data of 3059 participants with cerebral infarction were collected from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC)-III and the MIMIC-IV database. After propensity score matching (PSM) on age and gender, 2085 people were involved in and divided into the alive group (

n
=
1390

) and the dead group (

n
=
695

) based on the results of follow-up. Multivariate logistic analyses were applied to identify the confounders and the association between BUN/Cr and mortality of cerebral infarction. Results. The median follow-up time was 10.5 days. Among 2778 participants, 695 were dead at the end of follow-up. Univariate analysis revealed that BUN/Cr [

risk

ratio

RR

=
1.01

, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01-1.02] might be associated with the in-hospital mortality of cerebral infarction patients. After adjusting for respiratory failure, malignant cancer, anticoagulation, liver disease, white blood cell (WBC), red cell distribution width (RDW), glucose, bicarbonate, and temperature, BUN/Cr had week correlation with the increased risk of in-hospital mortality of cerebral infarction patients (

RR
=
1.01

, 95% CI: 1.01-1.02). Conclusion. This study evaluated the association between BUN/Cr and the in-hospital mortality of cerebral infarction patients in ICU and found that BUN/Cr had weak correlation with the increased risk of in-hospital mortality of patients with cerebral infarction in ICU especially in males and those with respiratory failure, malignant cancer, and without liver disease, as well as those receiving anticoagulation.
Breast Cancer Metastatic Dormancy and Relapse: An Enigma of Microenvironment(s)
Authors: Elkholi Islam E. , Lalonde Andréane , Park Morag , Côté Jean-François 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Multiple factors act in concert to define the fate of disseminated tumor cells (DTC) to enter dormancy or develop overt metastases. Here, we review these factors in the context of three stages of the metastatic cascade that impact DTCs. First, cells can be programmed within the primary tumor microenvironment to promote or inhibit dissemination, and the primary tumor can condition a premetastatic niche. Then, cancer cells from the primary tumor spread through hematogenous and lymphatic routes, and the primary tumor sends cues systematically to regulate the fate of DTCs. Finally, DTCs home to their metastatic site, where they are influenced by various organ-specific aspects of the new microenvironment. We discuss these factors in the context of breast cancer, where about one-third of patients develop metastatic relapse. Finally, we discuss how the standard-of-care options for breast cancer might affect the fate of DTCs.
Progress with Metabolomic Blood Tests for Gastrointestinal Cancer Diagnosis—An Assessment of Biomarker Translation
Authors: Savva Katerina-Vanessa , Das Bibek , Antonowicz Stefan , Hanna George B. , Peters Christopher J. 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
There is an urgent need for cost-effective, non-invasive tools to detect early stages of gastrointestinal cancer (colorectal, gastric, and esophageal cancers). Despite many publications suggesting circulating metabolites acting as accurate cancer biomarkers, few have reached the clinic. In upper gastrointestinal cancer this is critically important, as there is no test to complement gold-standard endoscopic evaluation in patients with mild symptoms that do not meet referral criteria. Therefore, this study aimed to describe and solve this translational gap. Studies reporting diagnostic accuracy of metabolomic blood-based gastrointestinal cancer biomarkers from 2007 to 2020 were systematically reviewed and progress of each biomarker along the discovery–validation–adoption pathway was mapped. Successful biomarker translation was defined as a composite endpoint, including patent protection/FDA approval/recommendation in national guidelines. The review found 77 biomarker panels of gastrointestinal cancer, including 25 with an AUROC &gt;0.9. All but one was stalled at the discovery phase, 9.09% were patented and none were clinically approved, confirming the extent of biomarker translational gap. In addition, there were numerous “re-discoveries,” including histidine, discovered in 7 colorectal studies. Finally, this study quantitatively supports the presence of a translational gap between discovery and clinical adoption, despite clear evidence of highly performing biomarkers with significant potential clinical value.
Combination Nivolumab, CD137 Agonism, and Adoptive Cell Therapy with Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes for Patients with Metastatic Melanoma
Authors: Hall MacLean S. , Mullinax John E. , Cox Cheryl A. , Hall Amy M. , Beatty Matthew S. , Blauvelt Jamie , Innamarato Patrick , Nagle Luz , Branthoover Holly , Wiener Doris , Schachner Benjamin , Martinez Alberto J. , Richards Allison D. , Rich Carolyn J. , Colón Colón Marjorie , Schell Michael J. , Teer Jamie K. , Khushalani Nikhil I. , Weber Jeffrey S. , Mulé James J. , Sondak Vernon K. , Pilon-Thomas Shari , Sarnaik Amod A. 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Purpose:
Metastatic melanoma is a tumor amenable to immunotherapy in part due to the presence of antigen-specific tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL). These T cells can be activated and expanded for adoptive cell transfer (ACT), which has resulted in relatively high rates of clinical responses. Similarly, immune checkpoint inhibitors, specifically programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) blocking antibodies, augment antitumor immunity and increase the influx of T cells into tumors. Thus, we hypothesized that addition of PD-1 inhibition may improve the outcomes for patients undergoing ACT with TILs.

Patients and Methods:
Patients with stage III/IV metastatic melanoma with unresectable disease who were anti–PD-1 treatment-naïve were enrolled. TILs were generated in the presence of anti–4-1BB antibody in vitro and expanded for ACT. Patients in cohort 1 received TIL infusion followed by nivolumab. Patients in cohort 2 also received nivolumab prior to surgical harvest and during TIL production.

Results:
A total of 11 patients were enrolled, all of whom were evaluated for response, and nine completed ACT. Predominantly CD8+ TILs were successfully expanded from all ACT-treated patients and were tumor reactive in vitro. The trial met its safety endpoint, as there were no protocol-defined dose-limiting toxicity events. The objective response rate was 36%, and median progression-free survival was 5 months. Two nonresponders who developed new metastatic lesions were analyzed to determine potential mechanisms of therapeutic resistance, which included clonal divergence and intrinsic TIL dysfunction.

Conclusions:
Combination therapy with TILs and nivolumab was safe and feasible for patients with metastatic melanoma and provides important insights for future therapeutic developments in ACT with TILs.
Enhancement of voltage generation for thermoelectric generator using parabolic pulsed heating
Authors: Panmuang Piyapat , Photong Chonlatee 
Published: October 2022

This paper presents the results of investigations of the impact of parabolic pulsed heating on output voltage levels of a thermoelectric generator. The experiment was set up and tested under different test conditions. The output voltage levels were investigated. The experimental results showed that applying parabolic pulsed heating of 40, 60, 80 and 100 °C significantly maintained the output voltage levels of thermoelectric generator at about 80-95% which was different from steady heating case which was about 10-30% of maximum voltage level. Moreover, the parabolic pulse heating technique allows the heatsink to not be heated continuously and then the high temperature could be released out from a heat exchanger outside the heating period. This causes the next heating period to have a temperature difference between both sides of the device, and for that reason, could provide more power and efficiency.
Quadruple band MIMO dielectric resonator antenna for 5G SUB-6 GHz applications
Authors: Atika Bazadry Nur , A. Rahim Hasliza , Najib Mohd Yasin Mohd , Abdulmalek Mohamedfareq 
Published: October 2022

A quadruple band with L-slotted MIMO square dielectric resonator antenna (SDRA) for Fifth Generation (5G) applications at the sub-6 GHz band which can cover 5G New Radio band N77 (3.3 – 4.2) GHz and N79 (4.4 – 5) GHz. The proposed structure consists of a single SDRA which mounted on a substrate excited by an aperture slot underneath Dielectric Resonators (DR)s. The performance of SDRA is improved by introducing L shaped slots on the central part of DRA. Results show that the MIMO SDRA antenna achieves |S<sub>11</sub>|&lt; -10 dB and S<sub>21</sub>&lt;= -15 dB for all resonant frequencies at 3.5 GHz, 4 GHz, 4.6 GHz and 5 GHz, indicating a good performance of the antenna at the desired frequencies. The maximum realized gain is 5.61 dB and 5.01 dB at port 1, 4 GHz and port 2, 4.6 GHz, respectively. The radiation efficiencies are acceptable for all resonant frequencies. Moreover, a low (&lt; 0.1) envelop correlation coefficient, and about 10 dB of diversity gain at both desired frequencies. Thus, the antenna can be used for 5G sub-6 GHz applications.<p> </p>
Use of robotized process automation for research management and evaluation
Authors: Boza-Chua Alejandro , Andrade-Arenas Laberiano , Vargas-Cuentas Natalia I. , Roman-Gonzalez Avid 
Published: October 2022

Universities, called entities with the responsibility of training new professionals and contributing to continuous knowledge for human development through research, seek to increase their scientific production and climb positions in research rankings. In this sense, research management is necessary and knowing which information and communications technology tools help in this task is a great help. The main objective of this work is to identify the information and communications technology tools that help to perform a good research management and implement a system based on Robotized Process Automation to generate a scientific information system for the University of Sciences and Humanities, for this research work was used the cascade methodology which provided several advantages and support for the structure and development of the system, for the process of the system was used the UiPath tool which is considered the best process automation tool. As a result of this research work, a system was obtained that drastically reduces the data collection time to evaluate the scientific production of researchers, thus allowing a better research management.