bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the Coronary Care Unit Bed Allocation policy and Selecting the most suitable model for optimal allocation in Iran: a multiphase study
Authors: Hedayati Maryam , Azami-Aghdash Saber , Arabloo Jalal , Rezapour Aziz , Alipour Vahid , Moradi Najmeh , Yousefzadeh Negar , Zarei Leila , Zanganeh Marzieh 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Background
This study aimed to conduct a policy analysis on allocating Coronary Care Unit (CCU) beds and clarifies the well-suited model for the allocation of CCU beds in Iran.
Methods
As a multiphase study, this was conducted in 4 steps including a literature review, semi-structured interviews, an analysis of the policymaking process, and the Delphi study. The models of bed allocation and their criteria, and also the challenges of CCU bed allocation, were explored through literature review and semi-structured interviews. The CCU beds allocation policy was analyzed using Walt and Gilson's Health Policy Triangle (HPT). The suitable model for the optimal allocation of CCU beds in Iran was chosen by the Delphi method.
Results
Findings were reported in four dimensions of the policy analysis triangle, including content, context, process, and actors. Various social, economic, environmental, and political factors affect policy development. Allocating policy emphasizes fair distribution of resources, and full access to health services, and encourages the private sector. Achieving efficiency of hospital bed utilization put bed allocation on the agenda in Iran. Thorough literature review, 11 models and 14 indicators were found. After conducting interviews, the number of indicators increased to 58 cases and the CCU bed allocation challenges were identified. The Trend Model was picked through the Delphi study as a framework for CCU bed allocation.
Conclusion
Using the results of the present study and the proposed model can help to allocate hospital beds, especially CCU beds, optimally and efficiently. However, challenges and barriers identified by this study require consideration during the development of the proposed model. Also, managers and policymakers require information about the most effective strategies to reduce the need for CCU beds in the future. It is recommended that future studies and scenario planning be taken into consideration prior to the optimal allocation of hospital beds in the future.
A Novel Method for Detecting Keratoconus Using Smartphones
Authors: Askarian Behnam , Ankur Tanjemoon , Ho Peter , Chong Jo Woon 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Keratoconus (KC) is a progressive eye disease, and it is the fourth leading cause of blindness worldwide. KC accounts for 200,000 irreversible blindness and low vision in the U.S. according to the National Institute of Health, National Eye Institute (NIH-NEI). In this paper, we propose a novel smartphone-based method for diagnosing keratoconus in its early stages using eye models. Our proposed method projects Placido discs utilizing the smartphone screen on the cornea and uses a novel color enhancement method for preprocessing, and CIE LAB color-based image processing technique to extract Placido discs from corneal images. The corneal topography map is calculated using Placido disc projections. Finally, by adopting the support vector machine (SVM) and k-fold cross-validation algorithm, we distinguished KC eyes from healthy eyes. From the 50 image database, our proposed algorithm distinguishes KC eyes from healthy eyes with 90% sensitivity 91% specificity and 95% accuracy. The proposed method provides an affordable, rapid, easy-to-use, and versatile method that could be used in remote areas with medical shortages for detecting KC by using smartphones without the use of bulky and expensive imaging devices.
How does population outcrossing rate influence seed quality? Evidence from a 58-year-old seed tree stand of Pinus massoniana
Authors: Wei Wei , Chen Mei-Xi , Li Xian-Qin , Jiang Wei-Xin , Bai Tian-Dao 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Inbreeding is thought to be a key adverse factor impacting the genetic quality of seeds in seed production populations and the inbreeding degree (i.e., selfing or outcrossing rate) of seed production populations have been extensively assessed through mating system analysis. The depression effect of inbreeding on seed quality traits in seed production populations under open-pollination conditions has not yet been clearly described. In this study, the open-pollinated seeds were collected from 26 mother trees in a 58-year-old seed tree stand. Three seed quality traits, including thousand-seed weight (TSW), germination rate (GR) and germination potential (GP), were measured, and the seeds from eight of 26 families with significant differences in seed quality traits were genotyped through twelve microsatellite markers. In addition, the seeds and sprouts (germinated seeds) from six families were genotyped to reveal the effect of inbreeding on seed germination. The three seed quality traits significantly differed among families (p<0.001). The multilocus outcrossing rate (tm=0.889) and single-locus outcrossing rate (ts=0.648) of overall seeds indicated apparent selfing (11.1%) and biparental inbreeding (24.0%). The outcrossing rate in the sprout group (tm= 0.919,ts= 0.788) was higher than that in the seed group (tm= 0.833,ts= 0.646), and the difference intsbetween groups was different from zero under the 95% confidence interval (0.024-0.260), suggesting that inbreeding negatively affected seed germination. Linear regression demonstrated that TSW was positively correlated withtmandts, while GR was negatively related totm-tsand positively related tots, implying that seed mass (development) was probably more affected by self-fertilization, but germination capacity was more influenced by biparental inbreeding. Roughly, the inbreeding depression (ID) of TSW was 26.3% with a 0.1 decrease intm, while GR was 8.4% with a 0.1 decrease ints. In summary, these results suggest that the IDs during seed development and the germination stage of Masson pine were nonignorable and that more attention should be given to the establishment and management of Masson pine seed production.
Wavelet-based Approach for Diagnosing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Authors: Vimalajeewa Dixon , McDonald Ethan , Bruce Scott Alan , Vidakovic BRANI 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common cognitive disorder affecting children. ADHD can interfere with educational, social, and emotional development, so early detection is essential for obtaining proper care. Standard ADHD diagnostic protocols rely heavily on subjective assessments of perceived behavior. An objective diagnostic measure would be a welcome development and potentially aid in accurately and efficiently diagnosing ADHD. Analysis of pupillary dynamics has been proposed as a promising alternative method of detecting affected individuals effectively. This study proposes a method based on the self-similarity of pupillary dynamics and assesses its strength as a potential diagnostic biomarker. Localized discriminatory features are developed in the wavelet domain and selected via a rolling window method to build classifiers. The application on a task-based pupil diameter time series dataset of children aged 10-12 years shows that the proposed method achieves greater than 78% accuracy in detecting ADHD. Comparing with a recent approach that constructs features in the original data domain, the proposed wavelet-based classifier achieves more accurate ADHD classification with fewer features. The findings suggest that the proposed diagnostic procedure involving interpretable wavelet-based self-similarity features of pupil diameter data can potentially aid in improving the efficacy of ADHD diagnosis.
The Etiology of Hypothyroidism Is Revealed by Alternative Genetics Association Study Methodologies
Authors: Stern Amos , Zucker Roei , Linial Michal 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Hypothyroidism is a common disorder of the endocrine system in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones. About 12% of the population in the USA will develop substantial thyroid deficiency over their lifetime, mostly as a result of iodine deficiency. The hypothyroidism phenotype also includes individuals that suffer from thyroid development abnormalities (congenital hypothyroidism, CH). Using a large population study, we aimed to identify the functional genes associated with an increase or decreased risk for hypothyroidism (ICD-10, E03). To this end, we used the gene-based proteome-wide association study (PWAS) method to detect associations mediated by the effects of variants on the protein function of all coding genes. The UK-Biobank (UKB) reports on 13,687 cases out of 274,824 participants of European ancestry, with a prevalence of 7.5% and 2.0% for females and males, respectively. The results from PWAS for ICD-10 E03 are a ranked list of 77 statistically significant genes (FDR-q-value <0.05) and an extended list of 95 genes with a weaker threshold (FDR-q-value <0.1). Validation was performed using the FinnGen Freeze 7 (Fz7) database across several GWAS with 33.5k to 44.5k cases. We validated 9 highly significant genes across the two independent cohorts. About 12% of the PWAS reported genes are strictly associated with a recessive inheritance model that is mostly overlooked by GWAS. Furthermore, PWAS performed by sex stratification identified 9 genes in males and 63 genes in females. However, resampling and statistical permutation tests confirmed that the genes involved in hypothyroidism are common to both sexes. Many of these genes function in the recognition and response of immune cells, with a strong signature of autoimmunity. Additional genetic association protocols, including PWAS, TWAS (transcriptional WAS), Open Targets (OT, unified GWAS) and coding-GWAS, revealed the complex etiology of hypothyroidism. Each association method highlights a different facet of the disease, including the developmental program of CH, autoimmunity, gene dysregulation, and sex-related gene enrichment. We conclude that genome association methods are complementary while each one reveals different aspects of hypothyroidism. Applying a multiple-protocol approach to complex diseases is expected to improve interpretability and clinical utility.
Estimating coal measures associated geothermal resources using Monte Carlo simulation in the Pingdingshan Coalfield, China
Authors: Lv Jiakun , Yu Zhenzi , Wan Zhijun , Zhang Bo , Wang Zhuting , Zhang Yuan , Shi Peng , Kun Yu 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
As a renewable clean energy associated with coal measures, mine geothermal is being widely developed. Accurate evaluation of coal measures associated geothermal resources can help us realize the effective development and utilization of deep minerals and geothermal energy. The most widely used evaluation method in geothermal resources is the static volume method. However, this approach only assigns specific values to the parameters and ignores the dynamics of the input parameters.Therefore, this paper takes the Cambrian limestone heat storage in the eastern mining area of Pingdingshan Coalfield as a case study. Based on the volume method, monte Carlo method is adopted to reduce the uncertainty of input parameters, so as to more accurately estimate the geothermal resources associated with coal measures in the eastern mining area of Pingdingshan coalfield. When Monte Carlo method is applied to the evaluation of heat storage resources, triangle and uniform distribution model are used as input parameters, and the number of simulation iterations is 10000. The results show that the heat contained in geothermal resources is (5.037 ~ 15.82) × 1014J (most likely 9.538 × 1014J, the probability is greater than 7.8%), in which the heat contained in geothermal water is (0.8806 ~ 6.531) × 1014J (most likely 3.196 × 1014J, probability greater than 7.1%), and the heat contained in the rock matrix of Cambrian limestone is (3.287 ~ 10.36) × 1014J (most likely 6.341 × 1014J, probability greater than 7.3%). On this basis, the theoretical and technical framework of coal thermal co mining is proposed to realize the collaborative mining of coal measures associated geothermal resources.
The Cost-effectiveness of Subcutaneous Semaglutide 2.4 mg Injection for Chronic Weight Management in Canada: A Societal Perspective
Authors: Olivieri Anamaria-Vera , Muratov Sergey , Larsen Sara , Luckevich Maria , Chan Katalina , Lamotte Mark , Lau David 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the cost-effectiveness of once-weekly semaglutide 2.4mg injection as adjunct to reduced-calorie meals and increased physical activity (diet and exercise, D&E), in adult patients with obesity (body mass index [BMI] of ≥30 kg/m2) or overweight (BMI 27-30 kg/m2) in the presence of ≥1 weight-related comorbidity, by comparing it with D&E alone or D&E in combination with liraglutide 3.0mg, orlistat, or naltrexone 32mg/bupropion (NB32).
METHODS: The safety and efficacy of semaglutide 2.4mg and D&E were sourced from the STEP 1 and STEP 2 trials, while a network meta-analysis informed the relative efficacy vs. other comparators. The Core Obesity Model was used to extrapolate costs and health outcomes (both discounted at 1.5% annually) over 40 years for a cohort with starting age 50 years and starting BMI 37.5 kg/m2, taking D&E alone or in combination with other pharmacotherapies for 1 year. Costs were analyzed from a societal perspective, including publicly and privately funded health expenses, patient co-payments, and indirect costs.
RESULTS: Semaglutide 2.4mg reduced weight and reverted prediabetes prevalence more than alternative therapies. This translated into delays in the occurrence of weight-related complications, and gains in life-expectancy between 0.081 years vs. D&E (maximum gain) and 0.030 years vs. liraglutide 3.0mg (minimum gain), and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) between 0.103 vs. D&E and 0.039 vs. liraglutide 3.0mg, at additional costs. The incremental cost-utility ratios were 29,677 Canadian dollars (CAD)/QALY gained vs. D&E, CAD12,369/QALY gained vs. liraglutide 3.0mg, CAD25,663/QALY gained vs. orlistat and CAD25,003/QALY gained vs. NB32. The cost-effectiveness acceptability curve showed a high likelihood of subcutaneous semaglutide 2.4 mg injection being considered cost-effective, at willingness-to-pay thresholds of CAD50,000/QALY and beyond.
CONCLUSION: Based on this analysis, the use of semaglutide 2.4mg injection can be considered a cost-effective alternative compared with D&E alone, or D&E in combination with other pharmacotherapies.
A new approach to detecting irregular behavior in the network structure of public contracts
Authors: Pastor Iván Pastor Sanz Ivan 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Corruption scandals are a major concern worldwide. Situations of instability are usually a breeding ground for new forms of corruption. The COVID-19 pandemic has not been an exception creating new opportunities for fraud and corruption. Hence, there are no few cases where irregularities have been uncovered in different countries since the beginning of the pandemic. Based on 213,729 public contracts granted in Spain in the years 2020 and 2021, this paper proposes an empirical approach to detect irregularities in public procurement. The proposed approach is mainly based on the Node2Vec algorithm, a graph embedding algorithm that automatically learns the complex latent relationships among public contracting authorities and awarded companies. By using Node2Vec each node of the network of public contracts is transformed into low-dimensional dense vectors which are then clustered using the Self-Organizing maps (SOM) algorithm. Five different groups of contracts have been detected. Each group is finally labeled according to their risk of corruption by considering uncovered cases of irregularities that have appeared in the news. This paper contributes to the literature by proposing a new approach to detecting corruption practices by exploiting the network relationships among the different participants in public contracts representing a complementary approach to other traditional or machine learning methods.
Biodegradation of the antiviral tenofovir disoproxyl by a cyanobacteria/bacteria culture.
Authors: SILVA SANDRA , Moreira Carolina , Vasconcelos Olívia , Mol Marcos , Barbosa Francisco , Magalhães Sergia 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is an antiretroviral drug extensively used by people living with HIV/AIDS. TDF molecule is hydrolysed in vivo and liberate the tenofovir, the active part of the molecule. Tenofovir is a very stable drug and the discharge of its residues into the environment can potentially lead to risk for aquatic species. This study evaluated the TDF biodegradation and removal by cultures of Microcystis novacekii, non axenic, it presented the bacteria Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes associated. Concentrations of TDF 12.5, 25.0 and 50.0 mg.L-1 were used to the tests. The process occurred in two stages. In the first 72 hours, TDF was de-esterified, forming the tenofovir monoester intermediate by abiotic and enzymatic process associated in extra cell medium. In a second step, the monoester was removed from the culture medium by intracellular processes. At the end of the experiment 88.7 to 94.1% of TDF and its monoester derivative were removed from the culture medium over 16 days. This process showed higher efficiency to the TDF removal at the concentration 25 mg.L-1. The tenofovir or others by-products of TDF were not observed in the test conditions. Tenofovir isoproxil monoester has partial antiviral activity and has shown to be persistent, maintaining a residual concentration after 16 days, indicating the need to continue the research on methods of this product total removal from the aquatic environment.
Pulse distortion caused by waveguide inhomogeneity in nonlinear optical wavelength converters
Authors: Nouroozi Rahman , Paygan Danial , Izadi Mohammad Amin , Mousavi S. Faezeh 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Low-noise integrated all-optical wavelength converters that can be operated in short pulse regime are essential tools too vercome contention resolution in a modern communication network, based on wavelength division multiplexing. Any imperfect functionality in such devices causes non-ideal optical power transfer to the converted data pulses. All imperfections during the preparation and operation of the wavelength converters can be addressed to the waveguide inhomogeneity which distorts data pulses to be converted. This paper reports different waveguide inhomogeneity effects on the pulse distortion while using periodically poled lithium niobate waveguide as wavelength converters. Three types of χ(2)-based nonlinear optical processes, including second harmonic generation, difference frequency generation, and cascaded second harmonic generation/difference frequency generation are numerically studied to show that any constant, linear, and quadratic waveguide inhomogeneity causes short pulse (down to 1 ns) distortion in such wavelength converters. In addition, it is shown that the reconstruction of sech2-shaped generated pulses is possible, when suitable upside-down quadratic variations of obtained inhomogeneityare deliberately induced in the waveguide. Notably, for pulsed second harmonic generation, the generated pulse can be compressed using an upside-down quadratic phase mismatch.
Tribological Properties of Nano-ZnO/TiO2 Composite Lubricant and functional Transformation from Lubricant to photocatalyst
Authors: Guo Wenxuan , Wang Zexiao , Zhang Luzhong , Dai Yifan , Wang Yuhao , Mao Yukun , Chen Wengang 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
In order to improve the wear and emission of engine internal parts, ZnO/TiO2 composites were selected as lubricating oil additives in this study. Firstly, the effects of different amounts of ZnO/TiO2 composites on the friction and wear properties under the same working conditions were investigated on a four-ball friction and wear tester. Secondly, the photocatalytic performance was tested by 722 visible spectrophotometer. The results show that the addition of different amounts of ZnO/TiO2 composite additives can significantly improve the anti-friction and anti-wear properties and photocatalytic properties of lubricating oil, and the effect is the best when the addition amount is 0.5%. Compared with the condition without additives, the friction coefficient is reduced by about 52%, and the wear loss is reduced by about 60. The degradation rate of methyl orange was also increased by about 12%. The test shows that ZnO/TiO2 as lubricating oil additive has good friction reduction performance and photocatalytic performance. It can not only reduce the loss of internal parts of the engine, but also use its photocatalytic performance to catalyze the gas generated by the engine, so as to increase the engine life and achieve green development.
Pseudoalteromonas insulae sp. nov., isolated from a tidal flat
Authors: Song Ji Hyeon , Lee Eun Bee , Cho Jun Hyeong , Kim Wonyong , Yoon Jung-Hoon 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-spore-forming, motile by single polar flagellum and ovoid or rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated BDTF-M6T, was isolated from tidal flat sediment collected from the Yellow Sea, Republic of Korea. Neighbour-joining phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain BDTF-M6Tfell within the clade comprising the type strains ofPseudoalteromonasspecies. Strain BDTF-M6Texhibited the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity value (98.3%) to the type strain ofP.caenipelagiand sequence similarities of less than 97.9% to the type strains of the otherPseudoalteromonasspecies. The DNA G+C content of strain BDTF-M6Tfrom genomic sequence data was 50.0%. The ANI and dDDH values between strain BDTF-M6Tand the type strains of forty-fourPseudoalteromonasspecies were less than 70.3 and 22.6%, respectively. Strain BDTF-M6Tcontained Q-8 as the predominant ubiquinone and C16:0, summed feature 3 (C16:1ω7cand/or C16:1ω6c) and C18:1ω7cas the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids of strain BDTF-M6Twere phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified aminolipid and one unidentified glycolipid. Distinguished phenotypic properties, along with the phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness, revealed that strain BDTF-M6Tis separated from recognizedPseudoalteromonasspecies. On the basis of the data presented, strain BDTF-M6Tis considered to represent a novel species of the genusPseudoalteromonas, for which the namePseudoalteromonas insulaesp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BDTF-M6T(= KACC 22179T= NBRC 115118T).