bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
INVESTIGATION OF PHENOL SORPTION REMOVAL PROCESS BY COMPOSITE SORBENT F300-MnO2
Authors: Khokhotva Oleksandr , Butchenko Liudmyla 
Published: July 2022

Phenolic compounds are widespread wastewater pollutants that are produced in the oil and petrochemical industry, coal conversion, and phenol production. Phenols are widely used for the commercial production of a wide variety of plastics, which are used as structural materials for automobiles and equipment, at production of epoxy resins and adhesives. The discharge of phenol-containing waters into water bodies and watercourses sharply worsens their general sanitary status, affecting living organisms not only by their toxicity but also by a significant change in the regime of biogenic elements and dissolved gases. Among the methods of phenols removal from wastewater, there is a wide variety of oxidation methods such as photochemical, aerobic biological, enzymatic, ozone, electrochemical oxidation. The paper is devoted to the investigation of the conditions of phenol removal using a composite sorbent with an active oxidation phase. The composite sorbent F300-MnO2 was obtained by deposition of manganese dioxide on the surface of pores of activated carbon Filtrasorb 300. The conditions of modification of activated carbon by the KMnO4 solution were studied to intensify the process of phenol removal from aqueous solutions. It was determined that the best effect of water purification is achieved when coal was treated by KMnO4 solution with concentration of 0.025 mol-eq/dm3 within 5‑15 minutes. The investigation of the effect of pH on phenol removal by composite sorbent and unmodified coal revealed the highest efficiency in a weak acidic environment: at pH 4-5 for F300-MnO2 and 5-6 for unmodified coal. The obtained isotherms of phenol sorption on F300 and F300-MnO2 showed that modification with the KMnO4 solution enhanced the sorption capacity of the coal. The effect of oxidative pollutant removal is more noticeable when carrying out the process for a relatively long time (several days or weeks). Otherwise, the limiting factors are reduced specific surface area of the sorbent due to its partial filling with MnO2 nanoparticles, and diffusion within the grains of the composite sorbent, which makes the extraction of phenol by unmodified coal becomes more efficient.
Tendencias del cine asiático. Análisis de la filmografía de Chung Mong-hong (鍾孟宏 / Zhōng Mèng-hóng)
Authors: Martínez Cano Francisco Julián 
Published: July 2022

La práctica cinematográfica en Asia despierta interés en occidente, y concretamente en el área de los estudios fílmicos, donde todavía no ha sido explorada en profundidad. El presente estudio se centra en analizar las tendencias del East Asian Cinema, poniendo el foco en el cine taiwanés a través del análisis de la filmografía en el periodo 2008-2019 de Chung Mong-hong, uno de sus representantes y heredero del Nuevo Cine Taiwanés de finales del XX.

Este análisis fílmico se basa en una metodología cualitativa dividida en dos fases, una inicial de revisión bibliográfica de la literatura científica, y de manera paralela se llevó a cabo un estudio de la filmografía propuesta, aplicando una herramienta de análisis propia, estructurada en dos bloques. En primer lugar, se analizaron las cuestiones temáticas de la obra de Chung Mong-hong. Posteriormente se observaron e identificaron las cuestiones formales. Finalmente tratamos de identificar los puntos en común de las prácticas cinematográficas del este de Asia y las posibles causas en relación al cine de autor en Taiwán. Como resultados, cabe destacar la influencia del cine negro clásico y la obsesión por el encuadre, combinada con una fotografía estilizada, en la que el color saturado y el contraste generan un estilo visual distintivo al que se aproximan diversos autores del este de Asia. Además, resulta relevante el sistema de coproducciones en la industria cinematográfica de la región, siendo la taiwanesa una de las más activas en la coproducción con países de occidente y la segunda región que más coproduce con China continental, lo que facilita la aparición de tendencias comunes en el cine de los diferentes países del este de Asia.
Drillers vs. Granite Hard Rock Is Losing Its Edge
Authors: Rassenfoss Stephen 
Published: July 2022

At the Utah FORGE test site, they are drilling wells to try to accomplish something others have failed to in 50 years of trying—inject water into hot rock and produce enough steam to power a commercial electric generator.
There are many reasons why it is hard, particularly finding a way to use fracturing to create what amounts to a slow-moving, high-volume waterflood that heats the water as it flows from an injection well to a production well.
Multiple well pairs per power plant are likely needed, so another problem is finding a way to speed up the drilling, which at the site requires drilling through a mile of granite at temperatures exceeding 400°F.
“This approach will take hundreds and hundreds of wells. The challenge is cost, like in an unconventional well,” said Fred Dupriest, professor of engineering practices at Texas A&M University, while delivering a paper at the recent SPE/IADC International Drilling Conference (SPE 208798).
The comparison to shale is apt because he was brought in at Utah FORGE to teach drillers how to use the hardware and methods that speeded drilling in unconventionals to accelerate drilling through hard rock.
The high cost of slow drilling in hard rock has inspired futuristic ideas such as using plasma energy to disintegrate hard rock. The technology was the basis of a startup, GA Drilling, which was recently bought by Nabors which hopes to commercialize it for hard rock sections.
The challenge faced by Dupriest and his partner on the project, Sam Noynaert, an associate professor of engineering practice at Texas A&M, was to demonstrate that faster drilling methods are possible using available technology.
The future of geothermal energy depends on efforts like Utah FORGE’s, which are funded by the US Department of Energy (DOE), to overcome the subsurface barriers that have limited geothermal power to less than 1% of the US electric supply.
Growth has been limited by the available resources. There are so few places in the US or the world that combine geothermal heating, water, and naturally conductive fractures that make it possible to drill wells that produce superheated steam.
On the other hand, it is not hard to find hot, dry rock. If profitable systems can be built to inject the water into hot formations and produce enough very hot water, geothermal power plants could be located near big, urban power markets.
An Investigation into Gender Distributions in Scholarly Publications among Dental Faculty Members in Iran
Authors: Mansuri Asra , Sofi-Mahmudi Ahmad , Mahmoum Masoumeh , Zobairy Hosna , DeTora Lisa M , Bierer Barbara E , Ekmekci Perihan Elif , Folayan Morenike Oluwatoyin , Crawley Francis P , Lii Ching Shan , Tovani-Palone Marcos Roberto , Shamsoddin Erfan 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Background: To investigate gender differences in scientometric indices among faculty members in dental schools across Iran. This included overall data and speciality-specific data.Methods: The publication profiles of academic staff in all dental schools were examined using the Iranian Scientometric Information Database (ISID, http://isid.research.ac.ir). Variables analysed were working field, academic degree, total number of papers, papers per year, total number of citations, percentage of self-citation, h-index, g-index, citations per paper, gender, university type, number of years publishing, proportion of international papers, first-author papers, and corresponding-author papers. Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric tests were used to analyse the relationship between background characteristics and scientometric indicators. The extracted data were analysed using R v4.0.1.Results: The database included 1850 faculty members, of which about 60% (1104 of 1850) were women. Men (n=746) had a higher number of papers (6583 vs 6255) and citations (60410 vs 39559) compared with women; 234 of the 376 faculty members with no papers were women. Almost half of the women (N=517 of 1104) were in Type 2 universities, and nearly half of the men (N=361 of the 746) were faculty members at Type 1 universities (Type 1 universities ranking higher than Type 2 and 3 universities). The medians of scientometric indices were higher in men, except for self-citation percentage (0 (IQR=2) vs 0 (IQR=3), P=0.083), international papers percentage (0 (IQR=7.5) vs 0 (IQR=16.7), P<0.001). The proportion of corresponding-author papers was more than 62% higher in women (25 (IQR=50) vs 15.4 (IQR=40), P<0.001). Men had a two-fold higher median h-index (2 (IQR=4) vs 1 (IQR=3), P<0.001). Restorative dentistry and paediatric dentistry had the highest men-to-women ratios (1.5 for both). Dental materials and oral and maxillofacial surgery showed the lowest men-to-women ratios (0.42 and 0.5, respectively).Conclusions: Women made up the majority of dental faculty members in Iran. Nevertheless, men showed better scientometric results in several significant indices. Having identified scientometric information reflecting difference across faculty members, further research is now needed to better understand the drivers of these differences.
Power mean based image segmentation in the presence of noise
Authors: Rahman Afzal , Ali Haider , Badshah Noor , Zakarya Muhammad , Hussain Hameed , Rahman Izaz Ur , Ahmed Aftab , Haleem Muhammad 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
In image segmentation and in general in image processing, noise and outliers distort contained information posing in this way a great challenge for accurate image segmentation results. To ensure a correct image segmentation in presence of noise and outliers, it is necessary to identify the outliers and isolate them during a denoising pre-processing or impose suitable constraints into a segmentation framework. In this paper, we impose suitable removing outliers constraints supported by a well-designed theory in a variational framework for accurate image segmentation. We investigate a novel approach based on the power mean function equipped with a well established theoretical base. The power mean function has the capability to distinguishes between true image pixels and outliers and, therefore, is robust against outliers. To deploy the novel image data term and to guaranteed unique segmentation results, a fuzzy-membership function is employed in the proposed energy functional. Based on qualitative and quantitative extensive analysis on various standard data sets, it has been observed that the proposed model works well in images having multi-objects with high noise and in images with intensity inhomogeneity in contrast with the latest and state-of-the-art models.
Pembrolizumab in combination with gemcitabine for patients with HER2-negative advanced breast cancer: GEICAM/2015-04 (PANGEA-Breast) study
Authors: Cruz-Merino Luis de la , Gion María , Cruz Josefina , Alonso-Romero Jose Luis , Quiroga Vanesa , Moreno Fernando , Andrés Raquel , Santisteban Marta , Ramos Manuel , Holgado Esther , Cortés Javier , López-Miranda Elena , Cortés Alfonso , Henao Fernando , Palazón-Carrión Natalia , Rodriguez Luz Milva , Ceballos Isaac , Soto Asunción , Puertes Ana , Casas Maribel , Benito Sara , Chiesa Massimo , Bezares Susana , Caballero Rosalía , Jiménez-Cortegana Carlos , Sánchez-Margalet Víctor , Rojo Federico 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Background: We evaluated a combination of two immunomodulatory agents considering a synergism that may induce long-term clinical benefit in advanced breast cancer (ABC). Methods: HER2-negative ABC patients received 21-day cycles of pembrolizumab 200 mg (day 1) and gemcitabine (days 1 and 8). A run-in-phase (6+6 design) was planned with two dose levels (DL) of gemcitabine (1,250 mg/m2 [DL0]; 1,000 mg/m2 [DL1]) to determine the recommended phase II dose (RP2D). The primary objective was objective response rate (ORR). Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) density and PD-L1 expression in tumors and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) levels in peripheral blood were analyzed. Results: Fourteen patients were treated with DL0, resulting in RP2D. Thirty-six patients were evaluated during the first stage of Simon’s design. Recruitment was stopped as statistical assumptions were not met. The median age was 52; 21 (58%) patients had triple-negative disease, 28 (78%) visceral involvement, and 27 (75%) ≥2 metastatic locations. Progression disease was observed in 29 patients. ORR was 15% (95% CI, 5–32). Eight patients were treated ≥6 months before progression. Fourteen patients reported grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse events. No association was found between TILs density and treatment efficacy. Patients with negative PD-L1 expression showed significantly prolonged progression-free survival. MDSCs levels were associated with treatment response.Conclusion: Pembrolizumab 200 mg and gemcitabine 1,250 mg/m2 were considered as RP2D. The objective of ORR was not met; however, 22% patients were on treatment for ≥6 months. Tumor PD-L1 expression and MDSCs levels suggested a potential predictive role in this population.Trial registration number: ClinicalTrials.gov and EudraCT (NCT03025880 and 2016-001779-54, respectively). Registration dates: 20/01/2017 and 18/11/2016, respectively.
Learning to Detect Boundary Information for Brain Image Segmentation
Authors: Khaled Afifa , Han Jian-Jun , A.Ghaleb Taher 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
MRI brain images are always of low contrast, which makes it difficult to identify to which area the information at the boundary of brain images belongs. This can make the extraction of features at the boundary more challenging, since those features can be misleading as they might mix properties of different brain regions. Hence, to alleviate such a problem, image boundary detection plays a vital role in medical image segmentation, and brain segmentation in particular, as unclear boundaries can worsen brain segmentation results. Yet, given the low quality of brain images, boundary detection in the context of brain image segmentation remains challenging. Despite the research invested to improve boundary detection and brain segmentation, these two problems were addressed independently, i.e., little attention was paid to applying boundary detection to brain segmentation tasks. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a boundary detection-based model for brain image segmentation. To this end, we first design a boundary segmentation network for detecting and segmenting images brain tissues. Then, we design a boundary information module (BIM) to distinguish boundaries from the three different brain tissues. After that, we add a boundary attention gate (BAG) to the encoder output layers of our transformer to capture more informative local details. We evaluate our proposed model on two datasets of brain tissue images, including infant and adult brains. The extensive evaluation experiments of our model show better performance (a Dice Coefficient (DC) accuracy of up to 5.3% compared to the state-of-the-art models) in detecting and segmenting brain tissue images.
Remifentanil but not sufentanil induces cardioprotection in human ischemic heart muscle in vitro.
Authors: Kunecki Marcin , Oleksy Tomasz , Martynów Jan , Zygmunt Michalina , Deja Marek , Kargul Tomasz , Biernat Jolanta , Podolec Piotr , Gołba Krzysztof , Płazak Wojciech 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Background
Previous studies on animal models have suggested that δ-opioid receptor (OR) signaling is the primary pathway responsible for opioids' cardioprotective effect. We hypothesize that the µ-OR's activation protects the human heart muscle.
Methods
We performed the experiments on muscular trabeculae obtained from the right atrial appendages of 104 consecutive patients subjected to coronary artery bypass surgery. Two trabeculae from each patient were studied simultaneously and exposed to 60 min of hypoxia with subsequent 60 min of reoxygenation. Remifentanil (5uM or 50uM) or sufentanil (40uM or 400uM) was used from the time of reoxygenation. Trabeculae contractility was assessed as the maximal amplitude of the contraction at baseline, after 60 min of hypoxia, during reoxygenation, and after norepinephrine application.
Results
During reperfusion, the application of remifentanil improved cardiomyocytes' function as compared to the control group (time from reperfusion: 15 min: 39.8% vs. 21.7%, p = 0.01; 30 min: 41.4% vs. 21.8%, p = 0.01; 60 min: 42.7% vs. 26.9%, p = 0.04; after norepinephrine: 64.7% vs. 43.2%, p = 0.03). The application of sufentanil did not influence cardiomyocyte function as can be seen when comparing the results of the experimental and control group.
Conclusions
Remifentanil, but not sufentanil, induces a cardioprotective effect on human right atria muscle in vitro conditions, manifested as the increased amplitude of their contraction during reperfusion after 60 min of ischemia.
Effects of Undaria pinnatifida (Wakame) on postprandial glycaemia: in vitro and in vivo studies
Authors: Mitamura Rieko , Yoshinaga Keiko 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Brown seaweeds, such as Undaria pinnatifida (wakame), contain sodium alginate, which can affect postprandial blood glucose levels. We previously reported the effects of wakame on postprandial glycaemia in humans; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the mechanism underlying the influence of ingested wakame on postprandial blood glucose levels. Glucose release rate of wakame extracts was measured using an in vitro cell-free digestion model. The in vivo study was conducted using a crossover method, wherein healthy young adult participants were given 150 g of rice with or without wakame (2 g or 4 g dried wakame). The glucose release rates of all wakame extracts were significantly lower than that of the control. The soluble fraction significantly inhibited the release of glucose. In the in vivo study, blood glucose levels 15 min after ingestion were significantly lower after consuming rice with 2 g of wakame than when consuming rice alone. Moreover, the ingestion of 4 g of wakame resulted in significantly lower blood glucose levels after meal consumption. These results suggest that the highly viscous soluble fraction of wakame might increases the viscosity of the gastrointestinal contents and delays glucose absorption.
COVID-19 Prevention Measures Among Refugees: Perspectives of Healthcare Providers Working in Refugee Camps in Rwanda
Authors: Nzeyimana Zephanie , Rwibasira Gallican , Manishimwe Fraterne , Winterhalter Frieda S. , Ndoli Ella Larissa , Ngomi Nicholas Njau , Dzinamarira Tafadzwa 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
BackgroundThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that emerged from Wuhan, China in 2019 rapidly spread throughout the globe in less than 6 months. In June 2020, Rwanda was a home of approximately 149,602 refugees. About 92% of the refugees were living in camps including Kiziba, Gihembe, Nyabiheke, Kigeme, Mugombwa, and Mahama. While entire world was in some level of lockdown, people living in refugee camps and other similar settings were more vulnerable to the pandemic than their counterparts who were staying in their homes. Prevention measures such as social distancing, handwashing, and face mask wearing were often difficult to implement in these settings. Current study aimed to assess perspectives of HCPs working in refugee camps on prevention of COVID-19 in camp settings. MethodsThis study was a cross-sectional study and due to movement restriction from March 14 to November 3, 2020, we collected data remotely by sharing a structured questionnaire, in google form, to HCPs via WhatsApp and email. The questionnaire collected HCPs’ perspectives on the feasibility of COVID-19 prevention measures, the prevalence of COVID-19 comorbidities, and how the pandemic can be prevented in refugee camp settings. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics of IBM SPSS V.21. ResultsThis study shows that handwashing, social distancing and wearing masks are feasible measures in refugee camp settings, voted by 71 to 100% of the HCPs. However, lockdown or stay home can be hardly applied in such settings, supported by 80.6% of the respondents. Regarding COVID-19 comorbid conditions, pregnant women in their late or recent term and Heart disease like Hypertensive disorders were voted the most common in refugee camps by 56% and 50% of the HCPs, respectively. Steps to COVID-19 prevention in camps include community awareness, preparing and activating the pandemic response task force, stopping non-essential mass gathering activities, and monitoring of COVID-19 prevention measures during essential service delivery. ConclusionsAll in all, except lockdown or stay home, other COVID-19 prevention measures like social distancing, handwashing, and face mask wearing can be easily applied in refugee camp and other similar settings.
Exploring staff perspectives on caring for isolated hospitalised patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study
Authors: Digby Robin , Hopper Ingrid , Hughes Leanne , McCaskie Doug , Tuck Michelle , Fallon Kethly , Hunter Peter , Bucknall Tracey 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
BackgroundStrict isolation of COVID-19 patients to prevent cross infection may inadvertently cause serious adverse outcomes including psychological harm, limitations to care, increased incidence of delirium, deconditioning and reduced quality of life. Previous research exploring the staff perspective of the effect of isolation on patients is limited. The aim of this study is to understand staff perceptions of the care and treatment of isolated patients and the impact of isolation on patients, families, and staff.Method This qualitative, exploratory study is set in a major metropolitan, quaternary hospital in Melbourne, Australia. Data was collected in focus groups with clinical and non-clinical staff and analysed using content analysis. The hospital ethics committee granted approval. Each participant gave informed verbal consent.Results Participants included 58 nursing, medical, allied health, and non-clinical staff. Six main themes were identified: 1) Communication challenges during COVID-19; 2) Impact of isolation on family; 3) Challenges to patients’ health and safety; 4) Impact on staff; 5) Challenging standards of care; 6) Contextual influences: policy, decision-makers and the environment.Conclusion Isolating patients and restricting visitors resulted in good pandemic management, but staff perceived it came at considerable cost to staff and consumers. Innovative communication technology may facilitate improved connection between all parties. Mental health support is needed for patients, families, and staff. Further research using a co-design model with input from patients, families and staff is recommended to determine appropriate interventions to improve care. Preventing the spread of infection is essential for good pandemic management, but the cost to consumers and staff must be mitigated. Preparation for future pandemics must consider workforce preparedness, adapted models of care and workflow.