bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
“Respecting our patients’ choices”: Making the organizational decision to participate in voluntary assisted dying provision: Findings from semi-structured interviews with a rural community hospice board of management
Authors: Auret Kirsten , Pikora Terri J , Gersbach Kate , Donovan Robert J 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background
There is limited literature around how palliative care organizations determine the degree to which they will interface with voluntary assisted dying in jurisdictions where it is legal. The aim of this research was to describe the experience of the board of management of an Australian community-based hospice during their decision-making process around whether to support voluntary assisted dying in the facility, prior to full enactment of legislation.
Methods
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven of the nine board members. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim, and analysed using the qualitative content analysis method.
Results
The board members experienced a sense of journey in reaching an overall decision, which was to allow full participation in voluntary assisted dying provision for inpatients. Themes based on the journey motif included: starting from a personal view; moving to a hospice perspective; exploring if voluntary assisted dying can be part of end-of-life care; awareness and assessment of risks to the Hospice; arriving at a common platform to vote on; factors facilitating a safe decision-making journey; and personal impact of the journey.
Conclusions
The group highlighted several facilitators of a successful outcome including having adequate time, the availability of useful resources, sound board processes and a trusting culture. The study may provide support to other healthcare organisations as they face similar decisions triggered by legislative change.
Texture Based Superpixel Segmentation Algorithm for Hyperspectral Image Classification
Authors: Subudhi Subhashree , Patro Ramnarayan , Biswal Pradyut Kumar 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Superpixel segmentation is a potential preprocessing tool that can simplify an image by creating semantic sub-regions of the image. This is quite effective in reducing the misclassification of isolated pixels. Image segmentation using superpixels has been successfully applied in the computer vision field. Recently, superpixel segmentation is being adopted into HSI processing domain also, due to its superior properties. In this work, for the accurate classification of the Hyperspectral Image, a texture-based superpixel segmentation algorithm is proposed. Local Binary Pattern (LBP) and Gabor filters are first incorporated to extract the local and global image texture information. Next, Simple Linear Iterative Clustering (SLIC) superpixel segmentation algorithm is applied over the extracted texture features and a superpixel segmentation map is obtained. Finally, majority voting strategy is performed between the superpixel segmentation map and the pixel-wise classification map to acquire the final classification map. For validating the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm, experiments were conducted on four popular HSI datasets, namely: Indian Pines, Pavia University, Houston 2013, and Houston 2018 datasets. Superior classification performance was observed by the proposed method in comparison to other state-of-the-art methods.
Smartphone usage before and after Covid-19: a comparative study based on objective recording of usage data
Authors: Chemnad Khansa , Alshakhsi Sameha , Almourad Mohamed Basel , Altuwairiqi Majid , Ali Raian 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Most studies that claimed changes in smartphone usage during COVID-19 were based on self-reported usage data, e.g. collected through a questionnaire. These studies were also limited to reporting the overall smartphone usage, with no detailed investigation of distinct types of apps. The current study investigates smartphone usage before and after COVID-19. Our study uses a dataset from a smartphone app that objectively logs users' activities, including apps accessed and each app session's start and end time. These were collected during two periods: pre-COVID-19 (161 individuals with 77 females) and during COVID-19 (251 individuals with 159 females). We report on the top 15 apps used in both periods. Mann-Whitney U test was used for the inferential analysis. The results revealed that time spent on the smartphone has increased since COVID-19. Emerging adults were found to spend more time on the smartphone compared to adults during both periods. The time spent on social media apps has increased since COVID-19. Females were found to spend more time on social media than males. Females were also found to be more likely to launch social media apps than males. There has been an increase in the number of people who use gaming apps since the pandemic. Value: The use of objectively collected data is a methodological strength of our study. We draw parallels on the usage of smartphone with contexts similar to COVID-19 period, especially concerning limitation on social gathering, including working from home for extended periods.
Structural Behavior of Corroded Beams - Numerical and Analytical Approach
Authors: Marawan Ahmed. E. , Debaiky Ahmed. S. , Abdel-Kareem Ahmed. H. 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
To simulate corrosion deterioration on load carrying capacities, deflection an slip between concrete and steel for R.C. beams, 3-D F.E. model was considered by using ANSYS software. Several F.E. models were created to simulate different levels of corrosion. In these models, both concrete and steel were modeled as solid elements and stirrups were represented as link elements. To consider corrosion effects which can be represented by reduction in steel cross section and decrease in bond between concrete and steel, contact element between to bodies was created. Also, analytical calculations were driven to calculate load carrying capacities, deflection and slippage distance. The results of both models were acceptable within average error about 10%.
Caring Load and Family Caregivers’ Burden in China:The Mediating Effects of Social Support and Social Exclusion
Authors: Hu Hongwei , Xu Yang , Liu Hongting 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Objective: Caring for the disabled elderly is a source of stress for family caregivers, and the lack of social support and the pressure of social exclusion might aggravate family caregiver burden. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between caring load and family caregivers’ burden, as well as the mediating effects of social support and social exclusion.Methods: Data used in this study derived from the nationally representative database of aged population in China, and 3125 households with family caregivers for the home-bound disabled elderly were eventually selected into this analysis. Regression methods and mediation analysis methods were employed in this study.Results: The results indicated that there was a significant positive association between caring load and the caregiver burden, and specifically, social support intensity (rather than social support breadth) and passive social exclusion (rather than active social exclusion) played partial mediating effects. Furthermore, the contributions of mediating effects of social support intensity and passive social exclusion were 13-15% and 27%-29%, respectively, and the total contribution of mediating effects was about 35%-38%.Conclusion: Family caregivers’ burden should be paid more attention in the large population with rapidly aging speed like China, and more guidance services as well as support should be provided to family caregivers. In addition, it is crucial to focus on the social support and social exclusion in community in the public policy innovation.
Tidal expiratory flow limitation detected with intra-breath oscillometry in obesity hypoventilation syndrome: effects of body position and positive airway pressure; a cross-sectional study
Authors: Baglyas Szabolcs , Valkó Luca , Móró Vivien , Podmaniczky Eszter , Czövek Dorottya , Makan Gergely , Gingl Zoltán , Gál János , Hantos Zoltán , Lorx András 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background Altered respiratory mechanics due to increased extrapulmonary mechanical load may be the key to understanding the profound effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy in obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS). Methods We performed a cross-sectional study to assess intra-breath mechanical changes in an OHS population. 10 Hz intra-breath oscillometry and forced spirometry values were measured in the sitting and supine positions, followed by a supine oscillometry at different CPAP levels (none-5-10-15-20 cmH2O). We plotted intra-breath resistance (Rrs) and reactance (Xrs) values against flow and volume to analyse tidal changes in a more detailed manner.Results Thirty-five patients completed the study. Intra-breath reactance variables differed by body position (end-expiratory reactance: -1.85 (±1.89) hPa·s·L-1 vs -4.17 (±2.22) hPa·s·L-1, and by difference between end-expiratory and end-inspiratory reactance: -1.27 (±1.68) hPa·s·L-1 vs -3.56 (±2.02) hPa·s·L-1, sitting vs supine respectively, p<0.001). Temporal mapping displayed characteristic looping of Xrs against tidal volume and flow, suggesting tEFL. Augmented CPAP levels were associated with improved Xrs values and reduced loop areas, suggesting diminished tEFL (p<0.001). CPAP-induced expiratory glottal interference was observed in 60% of patients parallel with small airway mechanical changes affecting expiratory Rrs values. No correlation was found between forced spirometry values and intra-breath oscillometry variables. We also did not detect correlation between intra-breath oscillometry variables and body mass index (BMI), OHS staging or age.Conclusion tEFL is frequently present in patients with OHS during quiet breathing, worsening in the supine position. CPAP appears to counteract this effect, suggesting that tEFL is an important factor in the pathomechanism of respiratory impairment and a possible target for optimizing therapy. Trial Registration This study was approved by and registered at the ethics committee of Semmelweis University (SE TUKEB 239/2018)
Genome-wide dissection of Quan9311A breeding and application
Authors: Li Qianlong , Feng Qi , Wang Heqin , Kang Yunhai , Zhang Conghe , Du Ming , Zhang Yunhu , Wang Hui , Chen Jinjie , Han Bin , Fang Yu , Wang Ahong 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Germplasm resource innovation is the key to variety development. Quan9311A is a three-line cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) line of rice used for hybrid rice breeding based on the three-line system. It is the first CMS line that has been successfully cultivated with rice restoration materials and widely applied as a female parent line for hybrid breeding in China. The variety improvement of Quan9311A is based on an ingenious design. It was screened from the cross progeny of the three-line sterile line Zhong9A and the two-line restorer line 93 − 11, which are the core germplasms used to breed Quan9311A. According to phenotype, China breeders removed the restorability of 93 − 11, and cultivated Quan9311A: it combines the desirable agronomic traits of both 93 − 11 and Zhong9A, such as a moderate plant height, suitable heading date, and more tillers. In this study, genome-wide analysis was performed to investigate how Quan9311A was bred. RiceNavi analysis technology was used to dissect its functional genes associated with desirable agronomic traits based on whole-genome sequencing. The results show that rice breeders removed the fertility restorer gene Rf3 in 93 − 11 but retained the sterility gene WA352c of Zhong9A during the breeding process of Quan9311A. Not only are there many 93 − 11 chromosomal segments in the Quan9311A genome background but also multiple superior alleles of the parental 93 − 11 and Zhong9A lines are pyramided, conferring to Quan9311A excellent agronomic traits that were unavailable in earlier three-line sterile lines. We also found that Quanyou Simiao, a hybrid rice combination bred with Quan9311A as the female parent, harbors more superior alleles which could explain its high grain yield and wide adaptability. This study’s findings will promote the utilization of hybrid rice pairing groups and guide future breeding efforts. Meanwhile, it also provides fresh ideas for further promoting the closer integration of genomics with traditional breeding methods.
Characteristics and risk assessment of heavy metal pollution of farmlands and crops near Pb–Zn mine tailing ponds: a case study in Niujiaotang, China
Authors: Li Qinyuan , Han Zhiwei , Tian Yutong , Xiao Han , Yang Miao 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
To accurately evaluate the pollution and risk of heavy metals in crops and farmlands near mines, we determined the contents of Cr, Ni, Cu, As, Cd, Pb, and Zn in 10 farmland soil sampling sites and six crops (pak choi, rice, spring onion, radish, Chinese cabbage, Chrysanthemum coronarium) in an area near the Niujiaotang Pb–Zn mine in Duyun City, China. Four evaluation methods were compared, including the potential ecological hazard index, Nemeiro comprehensive pollution assessment, risk assessment code, and the ratio of secondary phase to primary phase methods. The average concentration of As, Cd, Pb, and Zn exceeded the soil environmental background levels in Niujiaotang and Guizhou Province. Cd exceeded the standard substantially, and Zn pollution accumulation was the most evident. Heavy metal contamination of crops was in the order pak choi > Chinese cabbage > spring onion > paddy > radish > Chrysanthemum coronarium, whereas heavy metal concentration in soils were in the order Zn > As > Cr > Cd > Ni > Pb. The levels of all heavy metals except Cu exceeded Chinese food hygiene standards. Carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic chemicals in crops present significant risks to adults and children. Risk evaluation considering the morphological contents of heavy metals rather than their total concentration was more accurate for environmental quality assessment of agricultural soils.
Prevalence and Immediate Outcomes of Low Birth Weight Neonates Born of Preeclamptic Women at Moi Teaching &amp; Referral Hospital, Kenya
Authors: Sigei Linah , Nyaga Emily Muthoni , Milimo Benson 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background: Pre-eclampsia has been linked to poor neonatal outcomes such as; stillbirth, low birth weight (LBW), prematurity and neonatal morbidities. Objective: To determine the prevalence of LBW and immediate (within 24 hours) birth outcomes of LBW neonates born of pre-eclamptic women at Moi Teaching & Referral Hospital, Kenya. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 364 participants (346 singletons and 18 twins). A structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used to gather data on birth weight and neonatal outcomes. Data was cleaned, coded and entered into SPSS version 22 for analysis. Descriptive statistics were computed for the prevalence of LBW and immediate birth outcomes. Results: The prevalence of LBW was 180(49.45%). Notably, of the LBW neonates; 162(90%) were alive while 18(10%) were stillbirths. Immediate morbidities were; birth asphyxia 51(28.73%), neonatal jaundice 38(21%), hypothermia 18(7.90%) and neonatal sepsis 1(0.68%). Of the neonates that were alive; 107(59.18%) were admitted to level II nursery care, 53(29.53%) were rooming in with their mothers and 2(1.36%) had died. Conclusion: The prevalence of LBW and its associated mortality/morbidity among neonates born of pre-eclamptic women is alarmingly high and the nursery admissions are majorly due to birth asphyxia.
Surgical Correction of Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return in an Adult Patient
Authors: Bae Yohan , Jang Woo Sung , Song Kyungsub 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR) is a rare congenital heart disease. Most TAPVRs require surgical corrections in the neonatal period and survival to adulthood without surgical correction is extremely rare. Most untreated patients with large atrial septal defects and no pulmonary venous obstruction have pulmonary vascular damage from pulmonary over circulation. It is rare for TAPVR to be reported in adulthood, and we report TAPVR in a 44-year-old patient treated successfully with surgical correction. A snowman-shaped heart, including cardiomegaly and an increase in pulmonary blood flow, was seen in the chest X-ray, and A large-sized (around 3 cm) atrial septal defect (ASD) with dilated right atrium, right ventricle, and pulmonary artery was detected on echocardiography. Heart computed tomography was performed for further evaluation, and supra-cardiac type TAPVR without any obstructive lesion was identified. The patient is doing well, and sinus rhythm and mild mitral valve regurgitation have remained during 2.5 years of outpatient follow-up.
Impact of antihistamines use on immune checkpoint inhibitors response in advanced cancer patients
Authors: mocan eda eylemer , Mocan eda Eylemer , Yekedüz Emre , Karataş Göktürk , Yazgan Satı Coşkun , Köksoy Elif Berna , Şenler Filiz Çay , Utkan Güngör , Demirkazık Ahmet , Akbulut Hakan , Ürün Yüksel 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background
Histamine and H1 receptor play a crucial role in the tumor microenvironment. Preclinical data showed that concomitant use of antihistamines and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) may increase the effect of ICIs. This study aimed to evaluate impact of antihistamines on oncological outcomes of ICIs.
Patients and Methods
This retrospective study was conducted in a tertiary cancer center. Advanced cancer patients treated with ICIs were included in this study.
Results
A total of 133 patients receiving ICIs in the metastatic setting were included. Melanoma (33.1%) was the most common tumor type. The most common ICI was nivolumab (63.2%). Fifty-five (38.4%) patients received antihistamines concomitantly with ICIs. The most common antihistamine was pheniramine (85.5%). The median progression-free survival (PFS) (8.2 vs. 5.1 months, log-rank p = 0.016) and overall survival (OS) (16.2 vs. 7.7 months, log-rank p = 0.002) were longer in patients receiving antihistamines concomitantly with ICIs. In multivariate analysis, PFS (Hazard Ratio (HR) = 0.63, 95% CI:0.40–0.98, p = 0.042) and OS (HR = 0.49, 95% CI:0.29–0.81, p = 0.006) were also better in those patients after adjusting for confounding factors, such as performance status, bone or liver metastasis, and concurrent chemotherapy.
Conclusion
This study suggested that antihistamines may enhance the efficacy of ICIs in patients with advanced cancer. If validated in prospective trials, antihistamines and ICIs combinations might be new options to improve oncological outcomes.
Highly specialized Breast Centers did not experience delay of care during COVID-19 pandemic in Italy: the Senonetwork experience
Authors: Losurdo Agnese , Lisa Andrea , Tomatis Mariano , Ponti Antonio , Montemezzi Stefania , Bonzano Elisabetta , Fortunato Lucio 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Aim of the studyThe study aims to evaluate the performance of selected, high-volume, highly specialized, Italian Breast Centers at the time of COVID-19 pandemic (year 2020), compared to pre-pandemic time (year 2019), highlighting differences in terms of clinical presentation of breast cancer (BC) and therapeutic strategies. MethodsPatients’ data were provided by the Senonetwork data warehouse Senonet. In order to examine changes in the surgical and oncological management of BC patients during different phases of COVID-19 pandemic, we took advantage of a selection quality indicators (QIs). We performed the analyses in two time-frames, from July to September (Jul-Sep) (2019 versus 2020) and from October to December (Oct-Dec) (2019 versus 2020). ResultsOur analysis did not show any statistically significant difference in terms of diagnosis, surgical, oncological and radiation therapy procedures between the two trimesters 2019 and 2020. Nevertheless, we observed statistically significant differences, favoring 2020, when analyzing time-to surgery and time-to radiotherapy. On the other hand, we observed a significant reduction of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and we did not recollect any data on a major use of neoadjuvant endocrine therapy. ConclusionsIn Italian Breast Centers, partners of Senonetwork, we could not observe any treatment-delay or change in standard clinical practice for BC care during the 2020 pandemic year, compared to 2019 pre-pandemic year. This finding is in contrast with the globally reported decrease in the performance of the Italian Breast Centers due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and has to be linked to the sharp selection of Senonetwork Breast Centers.
Totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy with linear anastomosis versus laparoscopic-assisted total gastrectomy in gastric cancer：a single-center experience with meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Weizhi , Lv Jialun , Li Fengyuan , Fang Lang , Li Bowen , Li Zheng , Wang Sen , Xu Jianghao , Liu Hongda , He Zhongyuan , Li Qingya , Xie Li , Wang Linjun , Zhang Diancai , Xu Hao , Yang Li , Xu Zekuan 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Objective
Laparoscopic-assisted total gastrectomy (LATG) is the most common methods of gastrectomy for gastric cancer (GC). However, totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy (TLTG) is uncommon because reconstruction is difficult, especially for the intracorporeal esophagojejunostomy. In this study, we compared short-term oncologic outcomes in TLTG group with linear anastomosis and LATG group.
Methods
The retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted. The clinic-pathological data of 108 patients underwent TLTG and 153 patients underwent LATG who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between May 2016 and October 2019 were collected. The clinicopathological characteristics and surgical outcomes before and after propensity score matching (PSM) were compared between the two groups. Furthermore, a systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted.
Results
Besides the estimated blood loss(P < 0.001) and the length of incision(P < 0.001) in TLTG group was less than those in LATG group, no other differences were found between the two groups in operative time (P = 0.993), the number of harvested lymph nodes (P = 0.181), the time of first flatus(P = 0.076), start of liquid diet (P = 0.240), start of soft diet (P = 0.147), the time of removing drainage (P = 0.725), postoperative hospital stay (P = 0.688)and postoperative morbidity (P = 1.000) after PSM. The meta-analysis also demonstrated no significant differences in above surgical outcomes among the groups, although the number of harvested lymph nodes was higher and estimated blood loss was lower in the TLTG group than that in the LATG group.
Conclusions
TLTG for GC is feasible and safe. However, the further validation of high-quality randomized controlled trial is still needed.