bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Numerical modeling of self-potential in heterogeneous reservoirs
Authors: Alarouj Mutlaq , Jackson Matthew David 
Published: January 2022

Monitoring water movement toward production wells through downhole measurements of self-potential (SP) is a promising new technology. However, there are uncertainties about its applicability in heterogeneous, multilayered reservoirs. Using numerical modeling, we investigated the likely magnitude and behavior of SP during oil production supported by water injection in two different models of such reservoirs. We found that the magnitude of the SP signal that would be measured along a production well increased as water approached the well, exceeding an assumed noise level of 0.1 mV before water breakthrough. We also found that, in the reservoir models tested, the maximum value of SP at the well skewed toward the fastest waterfront before water breakthrough. The trend of SP increasing at the well with time, together with the shape of the SP profile, were the prime indicators used to investigate water movement. In the reservoir models tested, before water breakthrough the fastest approaching waterfront could be detected approximately 20 m away from the well. However, subsequent waterfronts approaching the well in other layers could not be detected before breakthrough. The effect of these later waterfronts on the SP profile at the well was only detectable at breakthrough. We attributed this to the fact that the SP generated in these layers is masked by the high SP created by the fastest waterfront. Our findings emphasized the importance of an enhanced understanding of reservoir geology and rock electrical properties for better prediction and interpretation of SP.
A 10-year follow-up service evaluation of the treatment pathway outcomes for patients in nine in-patient psychiatric rehabilitation services
Authors: Edwards Tom , Meaden Alan , Commander Martin 
Published: January 2022

Aims and methodThis study examines the treatment pathway outcomes over a 10-year period for patients in nine rehabilitation wards at the beginning of this time period.ResultsData were obtained on 85 patients, of whom 59 were discharged during the 10-year period; 29 were readmitted, of whom 15 had further in-patient rehabilitation admissions. Nineteen patients remained in hospital throughout the period. Only nine patients were living independently at the time of follow-up or death, and 34 were in longer-term in-patient settings. Eighteen patients had died during the 10-year period.Clinical implicationsNew planning of rehabilitation services needs to ensure an integrated whole-systems approach, across in-patient and community settings, with specialist mental health rehabilitation teams to support people moving from hospital to the community, and for the small number remaining in hospital for very long periods, development of sufficient high-quality, local in-patient provision.
Risk-Adjusted Mortality Rates as a Quality Proxy Outperform Volume in Surgical Oncology—A New Perspective on Hospital Centralization Using National Population-Based Data
Authors: Baum Philip , Lenzi Jacopo , Diers Johannes , Rust Christoph , Eichhorn Martin E. , Taber Samantha , Germer Christoph-Thomas , Winter Hauke , Wiegering Armin 
Published: January 2022

PURPOSE Despite a long-known association between annual hospital volume and outcome, little progress has been made in shifting high-risk surgery to safer hospitals. This study investigates whether the risk-standardized mortality rate (RSMR) could serve as a stronger proxy for surgical quality than volume. METHODS We included all patients who underwent complex oncologic surgeries in Germany between 2010 and 2018 for any of five major cancer types, splitting the data into training (2010-2015) and validation sets (2016-2018). For each surgical group, we calculated annual volume and RSMR quintiles in the training set and applied these thresholds to the validation set. We studied the overlap between the two systems, modeled a market exit of low-performing hospitals, and compared effectiveness and efficiency of volume- and RSMR-based rankings. We compared travel distance or time that would be required to reallocate patients to the nearest hospital with low-mortality ranking for the specific procedure. RESULTS Between 2016 and 2018, 158,079 patients were treated in 974 hospitals. At least 50% of high-volume hospitals were not ranked in the low-mortality group according to RSMR grouping. In an RSMR centralization model, an average of 32 patients undergoing complex oncologic surgery would need to relocate to a low-mortality hospital to save one life, whereas 47 would need to relocate to a high-volume hospital. Mean difference in travel times between the nearest hospital to the hospital that performed surgery ranged from 10 minutes for colorectal cancer to 24 minutes for pancreatic cancer. Centralization on the basis of RSMR compared with volume would ensure lower median travel times for all cancer types, and these times would be lower than those observed. CONCLUSION RSMR is a promising proxy for measuring surgical quality. It outperforms volume in effectiveness, efficiency, and hospital availability for patients.
Fusion Oncogenes Are Associated With Increased Metastatic Capacity and Persistent Disease in Pediatric Thyroid Cancers
Authors: Franco Aime T. , Ricarte-Filho Julio C. , Isaza Amber , Jones Zachary , Jain Neil , Mostoufi-Moab Sogol , Surrey Lea , Laetsch Theodore W. , Li Marilyn M. , DeHart Jessica Clague , Reichenberger Erin , Taylor Deanne , Kazahaya Ken , Adzick N. Scott , Bauer Andrew J. 
Published: January 2022

PURPOSE In 2014, data from a comprehensive multiplatform analysis of 496 adult papillary thyroid cancer samples reported by The Cancer Genome Atlas project suggested that reclassification of thyroid cancer into molecular subtypes, RAS-like and BRAF-like, better reflects clinical behavior than sole reliance on pathologic classification. The aim of this study was to categorize the common oncogenic variants in pediatric differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) and investigate whether mutation subtype classification correlated with the risk of metastasis and response to initial therapy in pediatric DTC. METHODS Somatic cancer gene panel analysis was completed on DTC from 131 pediatric patients. DTC were categorized into RAS-mutant ( H-K-NRAS), BRAF-mutant ( BRAF p.V600E), and RET/ NTRK fusion ( RET, NTRK1, and NTRK3 fusions) to determine differences between subtype classification in regard to pathologic data (American Joint Committee on Cancer TNM) as well as response to therapy 1 year after initial treatment had been completed. RESULTS Mutation-based subtype categories were significant in most variables, including age at diagnosis, metastatic behavior, and the likelihood of remission at 1 year. Patients with RET/ NTRK fusions were significantly more likely to have advanced lymph node and distant metastasis and less likely to achieve remission at 1 year than patients within RAS- or BRAF-mut subgroups. CONCLUSION Our data support that genetic subtyping of pediatric DTC more accurately reflects clinical behavior than sole reliance on pathologic classification with patients with RET/ NTRK fusions having worse outcomes than those with BRAF-mutant disease. Future trials should consider inclusion of molecular subtype into risk stratification.
Gonadotropin Suppression for 7 Years After a Single Histrelin Implant for Precocious Puberty
Authors: Villalta Douglas , Quintos Jose B 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues (GnRHas) are an effective treatment to address the compromise in height potential seen in patients with central precocious puberty. There is no evidence in the literature of a single GnRHa used for longer than 2 years before being removed or replaced. We describe a patient who was on continuous gonadotropin suppression for 7 years and despite this, achieved a height potential within 1 SD of mid-parental height. A boy aged 10 years 3 months presented to the endocrine clinic with signs of precocious puberty and advanced bone age. Initial laboratory values were a random luteinizing hormone (LH) level of 9.4 mIU/mL, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) 16.3 mIU/mL, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate 127 mcg/dL, and testosterone 628 ng/dL. The patient was initially started on Lupron injections before transitioning to a histrelin implant. Follow-up laboratory results 5 months post-suppression showed pre-pubertal random LH 0.2 mIU/mL, FSH 0.1 mIU/mL, and testosterone 5 ng/dL. The patient was lost to follow-up and returned 5 years later presenting with gynecomastia and delayed bone age. He had continuous gonadotropin suppression with random LH 0.10 mIU/mL, FSH 0.16 mIU/mL, and testosterone 8 ng/dL. The histrelin implant was removed, and 4 months later, his random pubertal hormone levels were LH 5.6 mIU/mL, FSH 4.3 mIU/mL, and testosterone 506 ng/dL. The patient’s mid-parental height was 175.3 cm and his near final height was 170.6 cm, which is within 1 SD of his genetic potential. Further studies are needed to explore continuous gonadotropin hormone suppression with a single histrelin implant beyond 2 years.
Alternative RNA splicing in tumour heterogeneity, plasticity and therapy
Authors: Öther-Gee Pohl Sebastian , Myant Kevin B. 
Published: January 2022

ABSTRACT
Alternative splicing is a process by which a single gene is able to encode multiple different protein isoforms. It is regulated by the inclusion or exclusion of introns and exons that are joined in different patterns prior to protein translation, thus enabling transcriptomic and proteomic diversity. It is now widely accepted that alternative splicing is dysregulated across nearly all cancer types. This widespread dysregulation means that nearly all cellular processes are affected – these include processes synonymous with the hallmarks of cancer – evasion of apoptosis, tissue invasion and metastasis, altered cellular metabolism, genome instability and drug resistance. Emerging evidence indicates that the dysregulation of alternative splicing also promotes a permissive environment for increased tumour heterogeneity and cellular plasticity. These are fundamental regulators of a patient's response to therapy. In this Review, we introduce the mechanisms of alternative splicing and the role of aberrant splicing in cancer, with particular focus on newfound evidence of alternative splicing promoting tumour heterogeneity, cellular plasticity and altered metabolism. We discuss recent in vivo models generated to study alternative splicing and the importance of these for understanding complex tumourigenic processes. Finally, we review the effects of alternative splicing on immune evasion, cell death and genome instability, and how targeting these might enhance therapeutic efficacy.
Continuous Catalytic Hydrogenation of a Key Intermediate of Riluzole Using a Micropacked-bed Reactor
Authors: Si Yang , Ming Weixing , Liu Song , Wei Wei , Ji Lu , Gong Dangsheng , Wang Jing , Zuo Cuncun , Huang Haofei , Yan Dongmao 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
A continuous selective catalysis of 4-(Trifluoromethoxy)aniline, a key intermediate in the preparation of riluzole, was studied using a micropacked-bed reactor (µPBR) packed with Pt/BAC catalysts. The effects of technological parameters such as solvent types, gas flow rates and liquid flow rates were investigated. It was indicated that the continuous hydrogenation process exhibited higher efficiency, selectivity and safety with less energy consumption compared to the traditional batch reduction process. The newly developed reactor system demonstrated a sustained and stable catalytic performance after 20 h running.
Synthesis and Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction Activity of an Iron Porphyrin Complex Bearing a Hydroquinone Moiety
Authors: Kosugi Kento , Imai Maho , Kondo Mio , Masaoka Shigeyuki 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
An iron porphyrin complex bearing a hydroquinone moiety at the meso position was newly designed and synthesized. Electrochemical analysis revealed that it catalyzes CO2 reduction at a lower overpotential compared with an iron complex without a hydroquinone moiety. Experimental and theoretical investigation suggested that a hydroquinone moiety at the meso position stabilizes the coordination bond between the metal center and CO2 via a hydrogen bond interaction with the latter in the secondary coordination sphere.
Experimental-analytical approach to assessing mechanosensitive cartilage blood marker kinetics in healthy adults: dose-response relationship and interrelationship of nine candidate markers
Authors: Herger Simon , Vach Werner , Liphardt Anna-Maria , Nüesch Corina , Egloff Christian , Mündermann Annegret 
Published: January 2022

Purpose: To determine the suitability of selected blood biomarkers of articular cartilage as mechanosensitive markers and to investigate the dose-response relationship between ambulatory load magnitude and marker kinetics in response to load. Methods: Serum samples were collected from 24 healthy volunteers before and at three time points after a 30-minute walking stress test performed on three test days. In each experimental session, one of three ambulatory loads was applied: 100% body weight (BW); 80%BW; 120%BW. Serum concentrations of COMP, MMP-3, MMP-9, ADAMTS-4, PRG-4, CPII, C2C and IL-6 were assessed using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. A two-stage analytical approach was used to determine the suitability of a biomarker by testing the response to the stress test (criterion I) and the dose-response relationship between ambulatory load magnitude and biomarker kinetics (criterion II). Results. COMP, MMP-3 and IL-6 at all three time points after, MMP-9 at 30 and 60 minutes after, and ADAMTS-4 and CPII at immediately after the stress test showed an average response to load or an inter-individual variation in response to load of up to 25% of pre-test levels. The relation to load magnitude on average or an inter-individual variation in this relationship was up to 8% from load level to load level. There was a positive correlation for the slopes of the change-load relationship between COMP and MMP-3, and a negative correlation for the slopes between COMP, MMP-3 and IL-6 with MMP-9, and COMP with IL6. Conclusions: COMP, MMP-3, IL-6, MMP-9, and ADAMTS-4 warrant further investigation in the context of articular cartilage mechanosensitivity and its role in joint degeneration and OA. While COMP seems to be able to reflect a rapid response, MMP-3 seems to reflect a slightly longer lasting, but probably also more distinct response. MMP-3 showed also the strongest association with the magnitude of load.
Hesitancy towards the COVID-19 vaccine among health care practitioners in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Almojaibel Abdullah A. , Ansari Khalid , Alzahrani Yahya A. , Alessy Saleh A. , Farooqi Faraz A. , Alqurashi Yousef D. 
Published: January 2022

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a major public health crisis worldwide. In less than 12 months since the World Health Organization declared the outbreak, several different COVID-19 vaccines have been approved and deployed mostly in developed countries since January 2021. However, hesitancy to accept the newly developed vaccines is a well-known public health challenge that needs to be addressed. The aim of this study was to measure willingness and hesitancy toward COVID-19 vaccines among health care practitioners' (HCPs) in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study using an online self-reported survey was conducted among HCPs in Saudi Arabia between April 4th to April 25th 2021 using snowball sampling. Multivariate logistic regression was employed to identify the possible factors affecting HCPs’ willingness and hesitancy to receive COVID-19 vaccines. Results: Out of 776 participants who started the survey, 505 (65%) completed it and were included in the results. Among all HCPs, 47 (9.3%) either said “no” to receive the vaccine [20 (4%)] or were hesitant to receive it [27 (5.3%)]. Of the total number of the HCPs, 376 (74.5%) already received the COVID-19 vaccine, and 48 (9.50%) were registered to receive it. The main reason of agreement to receive the COVID-19 vaccine was “wanting to protect self and others from getting the infection” (24%). Conclusion: Our findings have shown that hesitancy toward receiving COVID-19 vaccines among HCPs in Saudi Arabia is limited and therefore may not be a serious issue. The outcomes of this study may help to understand factors that lead to vaccine hesitancy in Saudi Arabia and help public health authorities to design targeted health education interventions aiming to increase uptake of these vaccines.
An empirical examination of customer advocacy influenced by engagement behaviour and predispositions of FinTech customers in India
Authors: Nayak Kini Archana , Basri Savitha 
Published: January 2022

Background: The extensive adoption and usage of emerging technologies furthered by the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, has reduced direct face to face communications. New FinTech (financial technology) apps and technologies are flooding the Indian digital payments market and competitors are striving hard to attract and retain their customers. Especially when customer engagement behaviours (CEBs) are digital in nature, it is essential to gauge the intrinsically driven customer motivations which drive a positive CEB. The objective of this paper was to empirically test the influence of customer-based antecedents such as emotions, moral identity, self-concept, communal focus, perceived cost and perceived benefits on non-transactional experiential customer engagement behaviours (CEBs) and CEB’s effect on customer advocacy in the FinTech industry. Methods: Data from 380 financial app users in south India were gathered by administering a survey that captured customer predispositions, CEBs, and customer advocacy. Structural equation modelling (SEM) using smart PLS (partial least squares) 3.0 was applied to test the theoretical model. Results: Results indicate that CEB fully mediates the relationship between self-concept and customer advocacy. The positive CEBs get formed through customer predispositions leading to referral/advocacy behaviours. Conclusions: This paper provides directions for FinTech practitioners, marketers, technologists, and academicians to devise marketing strategies customized to customer needs and factors. This is one of the first research studies to demonstrate and empirically validate the CEB model for the FinTech industry during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Implementation of the Frailty Care Bundle (FCB) to promote mobilisation, nutrition and cognitive engagement in older people in acute care settings: protocol for an implementation science study
Authors: Naughton Corina , Cummins Helen , de Foubert Marguerite , Barry Francis , McCullagh Ruth , Wills Teresa , Skelton Dawn A , Dahly Darren , Palmer Brendan , Murphy Aileen , McHugh Sheena M. , O'Mahony Denis , Tedesco Salvatore , O Sullivan Bridie 
Published: January 2022

Background: Older people are among the most vulnerable patients in acute care hospitals. The hospitalisation process can result in newly acquired functional or cognitive deficits termed hospital associated decline (HAD). Prioritising fundamental care including mobilisation, nutrition, and cognitive engagement can reduce HAD risk. Aim: The Frailty Care Bundle (FCB) intervention aims to implement and evaluate evidence-based principles on early mobilisation, enhanced nutrition and increased cognitive engagement to prevent functional decline and HAD in older patients. Methods: A hybrid implementation science study will use a pragmatic prospective cohort design with a pre-post mixed methods evaluation to test the effect of the FCB on patient, staff, and health service outcomes. The evaluation will include a description of the implementation process, intervention adaptations, and economic costs analysis. The protocol follows the Standards for Reporting Implementation Studies (StaRI). The intervention design and implementation strategy will utilise the behaviour change theory COM-B (capability, motivation, opportunity) and the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (i-PARIHS). A clinical facilitator will use a co-production approach with staff. All patients will receive care as normal, the intervention is delivered at ward level and focuses on nurses and health care assistants (HCA) normative clinical practices. The intervention will be delivered in three hospitals on six wards including rehabilitation, acute trauma, medical and older adult wards. Evaluation: The evaluation will recruit a volunteer sample of 180 patients aged 65 years or older (pre 90; post 90 patients). The primary outcomes are measures of functional status (modified Barthel Index (MBI)) and mobilisation measured as average daily step count using accelerometers. Process data will include ward activity mapping, staff surveys and interviews and an economic cost-impact analysis. Conclusions: This is a complex intervention that involves ward and system level changes and has the potential to improve outcomes for older patients.
Assessment of the credit risk of Poland based on sovereign credit default swap spreads during the Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Czech Maria 
Published: January 2022

Motivation: SCDS contracts, based on treasury bonds, are used to assess credit risk. Observation of changes in these instruments provides information on the current economic situation of individual countries. By correlating them with the economic assessment of individual countries, SCDS indicate the risk level of bankruptcy of a given country and thus play an informative role on the global financial market.
Aim: The objective of the study is to investigate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the level of credit risk in Poland. This aim will be achieved by determining the level and the dynamics of changes of SCDS spreads, and by identifying the determinants of changes in the level of SCDS spreads before and after the pandemic. The study hypothesises that as a result of the supply and demand shocks caused by the outbreak of the Covid-19, the level of Polish SCDS spreads increased due to macroeconomic factors.
Results: The results of the study confirmed that due to the panic, Poland’s credit risk increased dynamically in the first stage of the Covid-19. However, over time, the level of credit risk in Poland decreased. Nevertheless, the reduction in Poland’s credit risk is accompanied by an increase in public debt, with a simultaneous deterioration in macroeconomic indicators. This evidence suggests that SCDS spreads are not capable of reflecting the foundations of the economy during uncertainty. The results of this study indicate that the fundamental determinants of credit risk changes occurred before and during the pandemic. However, the results showed that the magnitude of their impact on credit risk is different. Multiple linear regression analysis also showed that during the Covid-19, macroeconomic factors showed a significantly higher degree of correlation with credit risk compared to non-economic factors directly related to the effects of the pandemic.