bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predicting the Optimum Performance of a Vertical-Axis Savonius Wind Rotor With Parametric Modeling Using Artificial Neural Network and Golden Section Method
Authors: Rathod Umang H , Kulkarni Vinayak , Saha Ujjwal K. 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
This paper explores the function approximation characteristics of Artificial Neural Network (ANN) by implementing it on the vertical-axis Savonius wind rotor technology. In this regard, a suitable experimental dataset documented in literature is exploited to train the ANN comprising the rotor performance as output and 11 different design and operating parameters as input with the help of matlab R2020b software. Multiple ANN models are trained by varying the number of hidden neurons which are then evaluated based on their estimation error and correlation coefficient (R) as decision criteria. The optimum ANN architecture demonstrates R ≈ 0.96 and 0.98 for the testing and training datasets, respectively. Further, in the quest of finding the optimum performance from the entire power curve of the rotor, the Golden Section Method (GSM) is linked with the trained ANN model. Using these soft computing techniques, a parametric study is carried out to understand the dependency of rotor performance on their design and operating parameters. At the end, a graphical interface is developed as a product so as to allow the user to predict the performance of the new rotor designs intuitively.
COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a mixed-method study
Authors: Dereje Nebiyu , Tesfaye Abigel , Tamene Beamlak , Alemeshet Dina , Abe Haymanot , Tesfa Nathnael , Gideon Saron , Biruk Tigist , Lakew Yabets 
Published: May 2022

ObjectiveData on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is limited in Ethiopia and other parts of Africa. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the level of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and its associated factors in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.DesignA community-based concurrent mixed-method study.SettingIn a community setting.ParticipantsAdult residents (n=422) of Akaki Kality subcity who were recruited by a two stage sampling technique and 24 adults who were selected purposively were included for the quantitative and qualitative part of the study respectively.Outcome measuresData were collected by face-to-face interview using a semistructured questionnaire. Factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy were identified by multivariable binary logistic regression model.ResultsOne out five (19.1%, 95% CI 15.3% to 24.6%) participants were not willing to get vaccinated. In the multivariable analysis, vaccine hesitancy was significantly associated with being female (aOR=1.97; 95% CI 1.10 to 3.89), having negative attitude towards COVID-19 and its preventive measures (aOR=1.75; 95% CI 1.08 to 3.02), and primary information source being social media (internet) (aOR=3.59; 95% CI 1.75 to 7.37). Study participants have predominantly stated that they did not have enough information about the vaccine, feared it would not be effective or have too many side effects, and reflected their uncertainty towards the quality of the vaccine.ConclusionsA considerable proportion of the people in Addis Ababa have concerns on COVID-19 vaccines and unwilling to accept them. This was due to the misconceptions, negative attitudes and use of social media as their primary source of information. Providing the community with health education and consistent efforts to enhance the prevention measures are important, particularly using different medias including social media.
Role of CDK4/6 inhibitors in patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal receptor-2 negative (HER-2) metastatic breast cancer study protocol for a systematic review, network meta-analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis
Authors: Hu Qiancheng , Kang Wenli , Wang Qingfeng , Luo Ting 
Published: May 2022

IntroductionIt is currently unclear which cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) inhibitor, combined with endocrine therapy, is the preferred treatment approach in patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal receptor-2 (HER2) negative metastatic breast cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the existing evidence for the comparative efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness of different CDK4/6 inhibitors for metastatic breast cancer in first-line and second-line settings.Methods and analysisWe will systematically conduct a literature search in Embase, PubMed and the Cochrane Library and additional searches by handsearching citations of previous systematic reviews. We will also screen major conference proceedings (American Society of Clinical Oncology, European Society of Medical Oncology and San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium). Preliminary scoping searches were conducted in July 2021, but the search will be updated when new trials are available. The primary outcome was progression-free survival. The secondary outcomes were overall survival, objective response rates, grade 3–4 haematological and non-haematological toxicities, quality-adjusted life years and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios. The risk of bias will be assessed by Cochrane risk of bias tools, and the quality of evidence will be assessed by the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation. Subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses will be performed to further confirm our findings. In addition, one-way sensitivity analysis and probabilistic sensitivity analyses will be conducted to determine uncertainty.Ethics and disseminationThis study does not require ethics approval as only secondary data will be collected. The results of our study will provide an overview of the current level of CDK4/6 inhibitors for patients with HR-positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer, and undertake subgroup analyses to explore variables that might affect these effects. The results of this study will be presented at an international clinical conference and published in a peer-reviewed journal.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42021266597.
Patient experience, satisfaction and shared decision-making in colorectal cancer screening: protocol of the mixed-methods study CyDESA
Authors: Selva Anna , López Pilar , Puig Teresa , Macià Francesc , Selva Clara , Álvarez-Pérez Yolanda , Terraza Rebeca , Burón Andrea , Machlab Salvador Tarek , Pericay Carles , Solà Ivan , Torà Núria , Rodríguez Vanesa , Barrufet Cristina , Aymar Anna , Baré Marisa 
Published: May 2022

IntroductionColorectal cancer (CRC) screening programmes can reduce incidence and mortality from this condition if adherence to them is high. As patient experience and satisfaction are key factors in determining adherence to screening programmes, they need to be measured. Furthermore, to promote highly patient-centred healthcare, the perception of patients regarding shared decision-making during CRC screening needs to be known. This study aims to assess the experience, satisfaction and participation in decision-making of participants in a CRC screening programme and of patients diagnosed with CRC through this programme in relation to the diagnostic and therapeutic processes of cancer.Methods and analysisThe CyDESA study is a mixed-methods study with a four phase sequential design. In phase 1, we will conduct a systematic review of patient-reported experience measures (PREMs) for patient experience or satisfaction with CRC screening. In case no located PREM can be applied, in phase 2, we will develop a new PREM. We will use the Delphi methodology to reach consensus among experts and patients and will conduct a pilot test of the developed PREM. Phase 3 is a multicentric cross-sectional study based on self-reported questionnaires that will be conducted at three Spanish hospitals (n=843). The objective is to find out about the experience, satisfaction and participation in decision-making of participants in the CRC screening programme who have had a positive screening test result according to their final screening diagnosis: false positives, colorectal polyps or CRC. Phase 4 is a qualitative phenomenological study based on individual interviews. It will explore the experiences of participants in the CRC screening programme and of those diagnosed with CRC.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval by the Ethics Committees of Corporació Sanitària Parc Taulí, Hospital de Sant Pau and Parc de Salut Mar. Findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at conferences.Trial registration numberNCT04610086.
Evaluating the impact of a countrywide, market-based roll-out of multiple micronutrient supplementation on low birth weight in Bangladesh: protocol for a two-arm, quasi-experimental and mixed-methods evaluation study
Authors: Hossain Muttaquina , Sanin Kazi Istiaque , Haque Md Ahshanul , Mbuya Mduduzi N N , Ghosh Samik , Aksari Sufia , Gibson Sarah , Neufeld Lynnette , Bipul Moniruzzaman , Matubbar Shahajahan , Rahman Md Moshiur , Khondker Rudaba , Salasibew Mihretab , Ahmed Tahmeed 
Published: May 2022

IntroductionMultiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS) during pregnancy has a greater potential for reducing the risk of low birth weight (LBW) compared with the standard iron–folic acid supplementation. WHO recently included MMS on their Essential Medicines List. The Social Marketing Company (SMC) in Bangladesh is implementing a countrywide, market-based roll-out of MMS to pregnant women. We aimed to evaluate the implementation of the supplementation programme and its impact on reducing LBW.Methods and analysisA two-arm, quasi-experimental and mixed-methods evaluation design will be used to evaluate the impact of this 36-month roll-out of MMS. In the intervention areas, pregnant women will purchase MMS products from the SMC’s pharmacy networks. Pregnant women in comparison areas will not be exposed to this product until the end of the study. We will collect 4500 pregnant women’s data on anthropometric, socioeconomic, nutrition-related and relevant programme indicators during recruitment and bimonthly follow-up until the end of their pregnancy. We will measure children’s birth weight within 72 hours of birth and evaluate the changes in LBW prevalence. We will observe market-based MMS service delivery-related conditions of the pharmacies and the quality of the provider’s service delivery. Concurrently, we will carry out a process evaluation to appraise the programme activities and recommend course correction. Cluster-adjusted multivariable logistic regression or log-binomial regression analysis of quantitative outcome data will be performed. For qualitative data, we will follow a thematic analysis approach. We will consolidate our study findings by triangulating the data derived from different methods.Ethics and disseminationThis study received ethical approval from the institutional review board of icddr,b (PR number 21001). We will recruit eligible participants after obtaining their informed written/verbal consent (and assent where needed) with full disclosure about the study. The results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.Trial registration numberNCT05108454.
BESPOKE IO protocol: a multicentre, prospective observational study evaluating the utility of ctDNA in guiding immunotherapy in patients with advanced solid tumours
Authors: Kasi Pashtoon Murtaza , Chakrabarti Sakti , Sawyer Sarah , Krainock Michael , Poklepovic Andrew , Ansstas George , Maninder Minu , Malhotra Meenakshi , Ensor Joe , Gao Ling , Eroglu Zeynep , Ellers Sascha , Billings Paul , Rodriguez Angel , Aleshin Alexey 
Published: May 2022

IntroductionImmunotherapy (IO) has transformed the treatment paradigm for a wide variety of solid tumours. However, assessment of response can be challenging with conventional radiological imaging (eg, iRECIST), which do not precisely capture the unique response patterns of tumours treated with IO. Emerging data suggest that circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) can aid in response assessment in patients with solid tumours receiving IO. The short half-life of ctDNA puts it in a unique position for early treatment response monitoring. The BESPOKE IO study is designed to investigate the clinical utility of serial ctDNA testing to assess treatment response using a tumour-informed, bespoke ctDNA assay (Signatera) and to determine its impact on clinical decision-making with respect to continuation/discontinuation, or escalation/de-escalation of immunotherapy in patients with advanced solid tumours.Methods and analysisThe BESPOKE IO is a multicentre, prospective, observational study with a goal to enroll over 1500 patients with solid tumours receiving IO in up to 100 US sites. Patients will be followed for up to 2 years with serial ctDNA analysis, timed with every other treatment cycle. The primary endpoint is to determine the percentage of patients who will have their treatment regimen changed as guided by post-treatment bespoke ctDNA results along with standard response assessment tools. The major secondary endpoints include progression-free survival, overall survival and overall response rate based on the ctDNA dynamics.Ethics and disseminationThe BESPOKE IO study was approved by the WCG Institutional Review Board (Natera-20–043-NCP BESPOKE Study of ctDNA Guided Immunotherapy (BESPOKE IO)) on 22 February 2021. Data protection and privacy regulations will be strictly observed in the capturing, forwarding, processing and storing patients’ data. Natera will approve the publication of any study results in accordance with the site-specific contract.Trial registration numberNCT04761783.
Early neurological improvement as a predictor of outcomes after endovascular thrombectomy for stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Kobeissi Hassan , Ghozy Sherief , Bilgin Cem , Kadirvel Ramanathan , Kallmes David F 
Published: May 2022

BackgroundEarly neurological improvement (ENI) is a potential predictor for 90-day outcomes following mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to better understand whether ENI can be used as a surrogate for long-term outcomes following mechanical thrombectomy for AIS.MethodsFollowing the PRISMA guidelines, a systematic literature review of the English language literature was conducted using PubMed, MEDLINE, and Embase. ENI definition, including timing and degree of improvement on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), was catalogued for each included study. Outcomes of interest included 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0–2, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), and mortality. We calculated pooled ORs and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) for all definitions of ENI.ResultsWe included nine studies with 2355 patients in our analysis. ENI definitions included improvement in NIHSS of 8 points, 4 points, 12%, and 30% or greater. There was a significant association between ENI and mRS 0–2 rates (OR 8.62, 95% CI 4.86 to 15.29; p<0.001). Significance of the association was maintained across all definitions (p<0.001). Moreover, achieving ENI was a significant predictor of reduced odds for reported sICH rates (OR 0.11, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.21; p<0.001). There was a significant association between ENI and reduction in mortality rates (OR 0.09, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.15; p<0.001).ConclusionsBroadly defined, ENI is a promising predictor of good functional outcome at 90 days and is associated with lower rates of mortality and sICH.
Douching cessation and molecular bacterial vaginosis: a reanalysis of archived specimens
Authors: Brown Sarah Elizabeth , He Xin , Shardell Michelle D , Ravel Jacques , Ghanem Khalil G , Zenilman Jonathan M , Brotman Rebecca M 
Published: May 2022

ObjectivesObservational studies demonstrate an association between vaginal douching and bacterial vaginosis (BV) characterised by Gram stain. We sought to describe the effect of a douching cessation intervention on the composition and structure of the vaginal microbiota and molecular-BV, a state defined by low levels of Lactobacillus spp evaluated by molecular tools.Methods33 women self-collected mid-vaginal swabs twice weekly (982 samples) during a douching observation phase (4 weeks) followed by a douching cessation phase (12 weeks) in a 2005 single crossover pilot study conducted in Baltimore, Maryland. Vaginal microbiota were characterised by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing (V3-V4) and clustered into community state types (CSTs). Conditional logistic regression modelling allowed each participant to serve as their own control. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to evaluate changes in microbiota between phases. Broad-range qPCR assays provided estimates of bacterial absolute abundance per swab in a subsample of seven participants before and after douching. A piecewise linear mixed effects model was used to assess rates of change in bacterial absolute abundance before and after douching.ResultsThere was no statistically significant change in the odds of molecular-BV versus Lactobacillus-dominated CSTs comparing the douching cessation interval to douching observation (adjusted OR 1.77, 95% CI 0.89 to 3.55). Removal of L. iners-dominated CST III from the outcome did not affect the results. There were no significant changes in the relative abundance of four Lactobacillus spp and no meaningful changes in other taxa investigated. There was no significant change in bacterial absolute abundance between a participant’s sample collected 3 days prior to and following douching (p=0.46).ConclusionsIn this pilot study, douching cessation was not associated with major changes in vaginal microbiota. Douching cessation alone may not durably shift the vaginal microbiota and additional interventions may be needed to restore optimal vaginal microbiota among those who douche.
Thin-shell wormhole satisfying the null-energy condition unconditionally
Authors: Mazharimousavi S. Habib 
Published: May 2022

AbstractNull energy condition (NEC) is revisited in the context of thin-shell wormholes (TSW). In a generic spherically symmetric configuration we introduce the condition upon which NEC is satisfied. Also, we present a general condition which specifies the stability of the generic spherically symmetric TSW against a radial linear perturbation. Furthermore, we introduce a specific bulk metric in the framework of gravity coupled minimally with nonlinear electrodynamics such that the corresponding TSW satisfies NEC, unconditionally. We study the mechanical stability of this TSW and show that, with a variable equation of state of the fluid present at the throat, this TSW remains stable irrespective of the value of the speed of sound.
Public geoscience solutions for diversifying Canada's critical mineral production
Authors: Gadd Michael G. , Lawley Christopher J. M. , Corriveau Louise , Houlé Michel , Peter Jan M. , Plouffe Alain , Potter Eric , Sappin Anne-Aurélie , Pilote Jean-Luc , Marquis Geneviève , Lebel Daniel 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Achieving net-zero carbon emissions goals will increasingly rely on critical mineral resources while simultaneously decreasing the extraction, processing and use of hydrocarbons as the primary provider of energy. Canada is well positioned to contribute to this effort through a series of innovative policy and research initiatives, and it is Canada's goal to be a stable supplier of critical minerals into the future. To this end, Natural Resources Canada and the Geological Survey of Canada invest financial resources into critical mineral research initiatives. This research aims to generate precompetitive baseline geological, geochemical and geophysical data for large, underexplored regions within Canada, whereas targeted studies focus on mineral systems science and improved exploration models for the large variety of critical mineral resources distributed throughout Canada. These research approaches can be combined, digitally, to generate mineral potential models. These ongoing efforts by the Geological Survey of Canada enhance the viability of Canada being (or maintaining its status as) a hub for critical mineral resource development and processing well into the future.
Binge-eating episode as a direct cause of death in a young individual without eating disorder
Authors: Cioffi Andrea , De Simone Stefania , Cipolloni Luigi , Baldari Benedetta 
Published: May 2022

Binge eating is characterised by the ingestion of large quantities of food in a short time. Cases in the literature deal exclusively with gastric perforation in people with a history of anorexia nervosa, binge eating disorder or bulimia nervosa. We report the case of a young woman with no previous diagnosis of mental illness and a history of only two binge-eating episodes that occurred a few years earlier. She died suddenly during a binge-eating episode from stomach rupture resulting from a single perforation of the stomach with leakage of food material within the abdominal cavity. There was no sign of gastric necrosis or peritonitis. The deceased died quickly. Our case, which appears unique in the literature, shows that there is a risk of death even in people with no diagnosis of eating disorders and a history of only few and isolated binge-eating episodes. Physicians should carefully investigate a patient's history to assess any risks.
Evaluation of physician experience in achieving non-perfused volume ratio of high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation for uterine fibroids: a multicentre study
Authors: Gong Xue , Zhang Xinyue , Liu Dang , Yang Chao , Zhang Rong , Xiao Zhibo , Chen Wenzhi , Chen Jinyun 
Published: May 2022

Objective To evaluate the effect of different levels of physician experience on the high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation of uterine fibroids and to provide a reference for the use of non-perfused volume ratio (NPVR) standards during training. Methods This prospective multicentre study enrolled patients with uterine fibroids. The effect of the physician’s level of experience on the outcomes under different NPVR standards and the learning curve of six centres without HIFU experience were analysed. The impact of patient demographic and clinical characteristics were also evaluated. Results A total of 1352 patients from 20 centres were included in the study. The median NPVRs were 92.00%, 88.10% and 92.86% in the no experience group, inexperienced group and experienced group, respectively. Posterior wall fibroids, lateral wall fibroids and fundus fibroids were inversely correlated with NPVR, while experienced physicians were positively correlated with NPVR. With NPVR ≥ 70% and NPVR ≥ 80% standards, physicians in the no experience group completed the learning curve on the 11th and 16th procedure, respectively. Physicians under a standard of an NPVR ≥ 90% did not complete the learning curve. Conclusions NPVR ≥ 80% is a standard that is worth using for HIFU treatment of uterine fibroids.