bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Potential Impact of Aortic Stenosis on in-Hospital Mortality in Patients With Pancreatic Cancer Undergoing Pancreaticoduodenectomy: A Nationwide Analysis
Authors: Obeidat Adham , Mahfouz Ratib , Shah Parthav , Kozai Landon , Darweesh Mohammad , Mansour Mahmoud , Kuwada Scott 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background: Patients with aortic stenosis (AS) undergoing non-cardiac surgery, poses a management dilemma to physicians as they are at an increased risk for complications. This study aims to investigate the potential effect of AS on in-hospital mortality and other complications in patients with pancreatic cancer undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD).Methods: In this retrospective study, we investigated patients with pancreatic cancer undergoing PD between 2016 to 2019 using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database. The study population was divided into two groups based on the presence and absence of AS. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine factors associated with in-hospital mortality, mechanical ventilation, cardiac arrest, vasopressor use, and intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Odds ratio (OR) at 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to describe the association between the study and outcome variables. Results: Of the 16,150 patients with pancreatic cancer underwent PD, 165 patients were diagnosed with AS. The mean age of patients with AS underwent PD was significantly higher than patients without AS. Patients with AS had a significantly higher in-hospital mortality, cardiac arrest, and ICU admission compared to patients without AS. There was no difference in the mechanical ventilation usage, hospital charges, and length of stay between the two groups. ConclusionAS was found to be associated with higher in-hospital mortality and worse outcomes in pancreatic cancer patients undergoing PD. A multidisciplinary team involving surgeons, cardiologists, anaesthesiologists, and physician should work together to jointly develop an appropriate preoperative and postoperative approach and management for these patients.
The Role of Street Fig Trees as Avian Resource Providers in a Tropical Megacity: Study of Patterns and Drivers
Authors: Rawal Prakhar , Chatrath Deepali , Shahabuddin Ghazala 
Published: May 2022

Abstract

Street trees are known to mitigate the negative effects of urbanization on biodiversity, particularly bird fauna. Despite their acknowledged benefits for birds, studies so far have been largely limited to relatively coarse scales; an understanding of the role of local environments and individual tree characteristics is lacking. We studied patterns of bird visitation at individual street Ficus (fig) trees in Delhi, India, where Ficus spp. were found to be a relatively common tree choice. We also studied the drivers of bird visitation patterns at different scales including tree characteristics and local and landscape variables. 106 trees of three common fig species were surveyed for bird visitors across three study sites with varying urban patterns in Delhi. Fig trees were found to be a relatively common street tree choice in Delhi. Surveyed fig trees were visited by 29 bird species, including 7 obligate frugivores. We found that reducing green cover in surrounding landscape and increasing noise levels did not deter birds from visiting these trees. Instead, variables at finer scales like tree canopy diameter, tree species and local resource density had significant effects on both species’ richness and abundance of bird visitors. Our results highlight that an understanding of avian responses at different scales is useful for maximising the value of street trees for urban birds. Coarse-scale studies can provide insights into bird diversity of city landscapes, but micro-scale studies are more important in making fine scale management decisions, such as selection of street trees.
Trends and Factors Associated with Sexual Spousal Violence in Zambia: A Multilevel Analysis
Authors: Simona Simona , Likando Nakena 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
Sexual violence against women is a major social and public health problem with wide-ranging consequences on the victims. Although there are a few studies examining factors associated with sexual violence in low resource societies, there are limited studies focusing particularly on sexual violence among women who are ever married or living together with a partner. Our study sought out to examine the individual and contextual factors associated with sexual violence among this demographic and how these factors vary across communities and over time.
Method
We used data from the 2007, 2013/14 and 2018 waves of the Zambia Demographic and Health Surveys (ZDHS) consisting of a total of 21020 women of reproductive age group of 15–49 years old. Trends in sexual spousal violence by selected factors across the three ZDHS phases were analyzed using bivariate statistics and multilevel logistic regression models. Multilevel models were also fitted on the pooled data, including all the survey years, to examine individual and contextual level predictors of sexual spousal violence as well between cluster variations in sexual spousal violence.
Results
The results show that the prevalence of sexual violence remain high in Zambia, with a slight decrease over time, from 16.3% in 2007 through to 14.7% in 2018. Trends analysis show that the prevalence rate among women who have attained higher education, are in the highest wealth quintile, reside in urban areas, have decision-making authority have decreased significantly between 2007nand 2018. Contrarily, among women who tolerate violence and those who live with alcohol consuming partners, sexual violence prevalence rates have increased over time. In the consolidated multilevel model, having primary education (AOR = 1.18; 95% CI 1.02–1.36), having an alcohol consuming partner (AOR = 1.76; 95% CI 1.61–1.93), having no decision-making authority (AOR = 1.19; 95% CI 1.09–1.31), witnessing parental violence (AOR = 1.47; 95% CI 1.34–1.60), having a controlling partner (AOR = 3.41; CI 2.96–3.92) and being in a polygynous relationship (AOR = 1.31; 95% CI 1.16–1.49) is significantly associated with higher odds of sexual spousal violence. While women who occupy the highest wealth quintile (AOR = 0.72; 95% CI 0.57–0.90) and those who live in rural areas (AOR = 0.83; 95% CI 0.72–0.96) have lower odds of experiencing sexual spousal violence.
Conclusion
Policy strategies aimed at curbing sexual violence against women should not neglect women who are currently marriage, in partnerships or those who are formerly married. Designing social and public health interventions targeting especially women in lower wealth quintile is vital to reduce sexual spousal violence. Additionally, social and cultural ideologies and practices which privilege men with power over women are still risk factors for sexual violence and policy interventions should be targeted at toning down masculinity undertones.
Giant lung bulla as a late-onset complication of mild SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia
Authors: Petroncini Matteo , Valentini Leonardo , Solli Piergiorgio , Bertoglio Pietro 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
A 49-year-old caucasian man was admitted to the Emergency Department for shortness of breath and cough. CT imaging showed bilateral a mild COVID-19 related pneumonia treated with O2 therapy and oral corticosteroids. Three weeks after discharge an HRCT find a giant bulla of the inferior lobe. The bulla was resected by VATS and the patient recovered completely. The development of the giant bulla in short time (less than two months) might be the result of SARS-CoV-2 infection. SARS-CoV-2 related pneumonia and corticosteroid therapy could be responsible for lung remodeling due to diffuse alveolar damage and later interstitial myofibroblastic proliferation.COVID-19 leads to pulmonary damages, which are still partially unknown and might result in development of bullae. In fit patient surgical treatment can be carried out safely.
A Hybrid Traffic Controller System based on Flower Pollination Algorithm and Type-2 Fuzzy Logic Optimized with Crow Search Algorithm for Signalized Intersections
Authors: KORKMAZ Ersin , AKGUNGOR Ali Payıdar 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
In this study, a hybrid traffic signal control (HTSC) system with phase and time optimization based on Type-2 Fuzzy Logic which was optimized with Crow Search Algorithm (CSA) and Flower Pollination Algorithm (FPA) approaches, was developed. The performance of this developed hybrid traffic system was demonstrated and its applicability was investigated. The performance of the hybrid system according to nine different traffic conditions and four different intersection geometries was compared with fixed-time traffic controller, signal controller based on the FPA approach and phase optimization (FPA_TSC), and the optimized Type-1 Fuzzy Logic Traffic Controller (Type-1 FL-TSC). The HTSC approach has achieved the best performance with about 32% improvement over the fixed-time traffic controller. The HTSC approach has shown 5% and 6% better performance than the FPA_TSC and Type-1 FL-TSC, respectively. In this way, the new controller is shown to contribute to reduction in emissions and fuel consumption, as well as to the minimization of delays and driver dissatisfaction due to signalization. The HTSC approach can be used as an alternative intersection control method for units responsible for intersection control such as highways and municipalities due to its fast and high performance.
The resident subsidy impact on regional air carrier route development: a case study
Authors: Martín-Cejas Roberto Rendeiro 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Subsidizing air mobility for Canary Island residents may have an unforeseen impact on regional air carrier route development and this could exacerbate congestion in airports that operate near to their maximum threshold. Reginal routes often require the use of small aircraft such as those from the ATR (Avions de Transport Régional) family. These aircraft types have [some specific characteristics related to its time performance. If airports manage a large proportion of ATR aircrafts, one of their main activities, such as landing and taking off operations (LTO), may become congested, and affect airport capacity. Air carrier economies might be negatively affected because of delays in airport operations. For instance, air carriers’ fuel costs might rise due to aircraft’s increased LTO time. This paper seeks to analyze the impact of regional aviation route development for the Canary airport network; specifically, the effect that it has on airport capacity and air carrier economies.
Clinical and microbiological efficacy of various methods of tonsillectomy
Authors: Kriukov A. I. , Gurov A. V. , Kelemetov А. А. , Ermolaev A. G. , Kamynina А. V. , Gorbunova A. A. 
Published: May 2022

Introduction.There is an abundance of various methods of surgical treatment in the world, which include: classical tonsillectomy (TE), shaver TE, unipolar and bipolar bilateral TE, laser TE, palatine tonsil coblation, etc. However, there is still a risk of recurrence of chronic tonsillitis after TE there is a need for a study in the late postoperative period.Purpose of the study.Improving the efficiency of surgical treatment of patients with chronic tonsillitis based on the analysis of five main methods of surgical treatment of chronic tonsillitis according to clinical and laboratory criteria.Materials and methods.Patients were divided into 5 study groups depending on the method of tonsillectomy: The first group consisted of 60 patients after classical tonsillectomy. In the second group there were 55 patients after palatine tonsil coblation. The third group included 48 patients after laser tonsillectomy. The fourth group consisted of 64 patients after tonsillectomy using the surgitron apparatus. The fifth group consisted of 58 patients after microdebrider tonsillectomy.Results.By analysis, it was found that the best results were obtained in patients of the 1stgroup, who underwent classical tonsillectomy. In this group, there are fewer cases of subjective and objective clinical symptoms (sore throat, signs of subatrophic pharyngitis, hypertrophy of the lateral folds of the pharynx, remnants of the lymphoid tissue of the palatine tonsils, as well as postoperative cicatricial changes). In a laboratory study, patients of the 1stgroup had the lowest values of the indicators (ASL-O titer, CRP and DNase B levels, negative results of the Streptatest).
Treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis exacerbations
Authors: Ryabova M. А. , Ulupov M. Yu. 
Published: May 2022

Introduction. The prevalence of chronic rhinosinusitis, an increase in the resistance of pathogenic microorganisms, growing numbers of patients with allergic reactions to antibiotics necessitates the use of topical antibacterial therapy or the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, which are accessible for local remedies.Aim. Efficacy and tolerability of topical antibacterial drug hydroxymethylquinoxalindioxide in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis exacerbation has been investigated in our study.Materials and methods. An open non-invasive observational study of efficacy and tolerability of irrigation therapy with hydroxymethylquinoxalindioxide in 50 adult patients with exacerbation of chronic rhinosinusitis has been conducted at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Pavlov State Medical University (Saint Petersburg). The patients were randomized into 2 groups. In the first group, patients were treated with 40 ml of 0.25% hydroxymethylquinoxalindioxide solution nasal irrigation b.i.d. for 7 days, in the second – the same amount of normal saline was used. Duration and severity of symptoms, dynamics of nasal endoscopic picture, and the results of bacteriological study were evaluated before and after the treatment. Safety was assessed according to the data of complete blood cell count, mucociliary transport time and the incidence of adverse events.Results and discussion. In the hydroxymethylquinoxalindioxide group, there was a statistically significant improvement in the mucociliary transport time by the end of treatment from 19.1 ± 5.08 minutes to 15.2 ± 1.2 minutes (p = 0.002) compared to the normal saline group. According to the results of bacteriological study, eradication of the pathogen in the hydroxymethylquinoxalindioxide group was achieved in 85% (n = 21), comparing to only 17% (n = 4) of cases in the control group.Conclusion. Irrigation therapy with 0.25% hydroxymethylquinoxaline dioxide is more effective than saline flush solution. The drug can be recommended for irrigation therapy in adults with chronic rhinosinusitis exacerbation.
Research and application of ultra-high pressure control system in strength tests
Authors: Hu Botao , Sun Xiaobo , Cheng Linan , Deng Fanchen 
Published: May 2022

Based on the requirement of physical experiments, a ultra-high pressure control system which consisted of servo valves, a booster cylinder, and a multi-channel synchro-loading control system, was designed. A multi loop control strategy was adopted in this system, and hydraulic oil was loaded on the low-pressure side of the booster cylinder. In this way, the high precision control of low pressure increasing with high flow was attained, either was ultra-high pressure increasing, maintaining and reducing with low flow. The system was applied in a landing gear strength test successfully, the pressure control accuracy was smaller than 0.5 %, and the test task was completed satisfactorily.
A de jure study of social accountability for water and sanitation services in Uganda
Authors: Nansubuga J. , Smith H. , Jeffrey P. 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
The provision and sustainability of water and sanitation services in many countries is compromised by poor accountability for investment and maintenance programmes. Previous work has largely been concerned with processes, tools, and initiatives which support wider accountability without considering the ways in which accountability is formalised in law and regulations. We use a structured content analysis of 17 legislative and policy documents from Uganda to identify the evidence for de jure accountability across 21 key water and sanitation functions using the following four accountability themes: rules, process, and standards; responsibilities and duties; performance monitoring; and corrective measures, incentives, and sanctions. Results indicate that there is a strong provision for accountability across two of the four themes but also weaknesses relating to lack of complaint mechanisms, limited stakeholder engagement in regulation formulation, and weak performance monitoring. These findings are contextualised by reference to previous work in the field with particular emphasis on the discontinuities between legal requirements and local initiatives.
Water sensitive urban design (WSUD) approach for mitigating groundwater depletion in urban geography; through the lens of stakeholder and social network analysis
Authors: Sharifian Hoda , Emami-Skardi Mohammad Javad , Behzadfar Mostafa , Faizi Mohsen 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
In some respects, human communities have been sustainably adapted to live in urban areas, but sustainable coexistence with the water cycle has not been fully achieved. In this paper, to mitigate urbanizations' adverse effects, the water sensitive urban design (WSUD) approach, for the first time, is studied through the lens of social considerations. Stakeholder analysis and social network analysis concepts are considered to scrutinize the WSUD approach's role in an urban multi-stakeholder area. Detecting the changing of the stakeholders' powers and interests in an urban area using stakeholder analysis and enlightening the conflicting relationships between the stakeholders using social network analysis, the role of the WSUD approach is emphasized as a dispute resolution method. The western part of Tehran city is considered a case study. WSUD tools are considered using a physical-behavioral simulation model. The results indicate conflicts between developing and protecting stakeholders, requiring the WSUD approach.
Long-term monitoring of Mn and Fe removal in biofilters from a converted plant
Authors: Araya-Obando José A. , Pacini Virginia , Fernández Rubén G. , Romero-Esquivel Luis G. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractConversion from physicochemical to biological treatment in water treatment plants has received increased attention due to the potential benefits of biofiltration. However, information is limited about the operational performance of converted water treatment plants for iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) removal over a long-term period. In this study, Fe and Mn removal from biofilters was investigated in a converted plant from November 2011 until April 2021. The plant comprises an aeration unit followed by a modified up-flow roughing filter (URF) and by two rapid sand filters (RSF) in parallel. Data analysis was based on Fe and Mn concentrations collected from 222 water analysis reports. Results showed that 98% of Fe and 95% of Mn concentrations in treated water were below the local regulatory limits of Fe &lt; 0.2 mg/L and Mn &lt; 0.1 mg/L. Fe was mainly removed in the URF (68%), and Mn was removed nearly equally by the URF (46%) and the RSF (47%). The combination of the URF with RSF produced total Fe and Mn removal efficiencies of 95% and 88%, respectively. No significant differences between the seasonal variation of Fe and Mn concentrations in the URG and RSF were found. The effectiveness of biofiltration technology without the use of chemical reagents or nutrient substrate additions, was demonstrated over a long-term period of monitoring.
Novel Luliconazole Spanlastic Nanocarriers: Development and Characterisation
Authors: Marques Shirleen Miriam , Chavan Dikshita Ullas , Bhide Prashant Jivaji , Joshi Madhusudan , Kumar Lalit , Shirodkar Rupesh Kalidas 
Published: May 2022

Background:
The formulation of spanlastic vesicles of luliconazole can be used to overcome
its poor skin permeation and improve its antifungal efficacy.

Objective:
In this study, we aimed to enhance the dermal delivery of luliconazole, an antifungal drug,
through spanlastic vesicles.

Methods:
A 23 regular factorial design was employed, using the Design Expert® software for optimization.
The independent variables chosen were Span: Edge activator ratio, type of edge activator, and sonication
intensity and their effect on the dependent variables, i.e., entrapment efficiency, particle size, and
percentage of drug release after 8h were determined. Spanlastics were formulated by ethanol injection
method using Tween 80 as an edge activator.

Results:
Spanlastics were found to possess sizes in the nano range with entrapment efficiencies between
77 - 88% with optimum zeta potential and polydispersity index indicating a stable formulation. Differential
scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared studies revealed complete
encapsulation of the drug within the elastic carriers. The optimized spanlastic formulation was further
incorporated into a gel base and was found to be sufficiently viscous, spreadable, homogenous, showed
a prolonged release for up to 8h and was also found to be non-irritant. The in-vitro permeation study
revealed that the flux value obtained for luliconazole entrapped in the vesicular spanlastics (0.2292
mg/cm2.h) was also found to be higher than that of the marketed (0.1302 mg/cm2.h) and conventional
gel (0.1122 mg/cm2.h). The optimized gel formulation was also evaluated for its antimycotic activity.
Moreover, the optimized gel formulation also possessed a greater antimycotic activity against Candida
albicans. The spanlastics loaded hydrogel formulation was found to have a greater zone of inhibition in
comparison to the marketed formulation, thus proving to have optimum antifungal activity against Candida
albicans.

Conclusion:
Collectively, the results revealed that spanlastics could be a potential nanocarrier for wellcontrolled
delivery and for targeting deeper skin layers, thus providing new opportunities for dermal
treatment.
Pharmaceutical Considerations of Translabial Formulations for Treatment
of Parkinson’s Disease: A Concept of Drug Delivery for Unconscious
Patients
Authors: Tiwari Gaurav , Tiwari Ruchi , Kaur Arshpreet 
Published: May 2022

Purpose:
The goal of the present research was to isolate a biopolymer from Phaseolus vulgaris
(P. vulgaris) and Zea mays (Z. mays) plants and used it to construct Resveratrol (RES)-loaded
translabial films.

Methods:
Biopolymers were extracted from P. vulgaris and Z. mays seeds using a simple process. Separated
biopolymers, sodium carboxymethylcellulose (SCMC) and tragacanth were subjected to formulation
development by incorporating RES-loaded translabial films. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy
(FTIR), physical appearance, weight, thickness, folding endurance, swelling index, surface
pH, percent moisture absorption, percent moisture loss, vapor transfer rate, and content uniformity of
the translabial films were examined. The mucoadhesive, ex-vivo permeation, in vivo and stability studies,
were performed.

Results:
The results showed that RES-loaded translabial films produced from P. vulgaris and Z. mays
biopolymers exhibited exceptional mucoadhesive, stability, and permeation properties. Results revealed
that the best formulations were prepared from a combination of biopolymer (P. vulgaris C or Z. mays
C) with tragacanth. Formulations with tragacanth revealed good swelling and thus permeation profiles.
In vivo release of TL 11 was found to be 24.05 ng/ml in 10 hours and it was stable enough at 45oC.

Conclusion:
This research suggested that RES-loaded translabial formulations can be potentially used
for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease with good patient compliance to geriatric and unconscious patients.