bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transethnic Meta-Analysis of Genome-Wide Association Studies Identifies Three New Loci and Characterizes Population-Specific Differences for Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Matsunaga Hiroshi , Ito Kaoru , Akiyama Masato , Takahashi Atsushi , Koyama Satoshi , Nomura Seitaro , Ieki Hirotaka , Ozaki Kouichi , Onouchi Yoshihiro , Sakaue Saori , Suna Shinichiro , Ogishima Soichi , Yamamoto Masayuki , Hozawa Atsushi , Satoh Mamoru , Sasaki Makoto , Yamaji Taiki , Sawada Norie , Iwasaki Motoki , Tsugane Shoichiro , Tanaka Keitaro , Arisawa Kokichi , Ikezaki Hiroaki , Takashima Naoyuki , Naito Mariko , Wakai Kenji , Tanaka Hideo , Sakata Yasuhiko , Morita Hiroyuki , Sakata Yasushi , Matsuda Koichi , Murakami Yoshinori , Akazawa Hiroshi , Kubo Michiaki , Kamatani Yoichiro , Komuro Issei
Published: May 2020

Background:

Genome-wide association studies provided many biological insights into coronary artery disease (CAD), but these studies were mainly performed in Europeans. Genome-wide association studies in diverse populations have the potential to advance our understanding of CAD.

Methods:

We conducted 2 genome-wide association studies for CAD in the Japanese population, which included 12 494 cases and 28 879 controls and 2808 cases and 7261 controls, respectively. Then, we performed transethnic meta-analysis using the results of the coronary artery disease genome-wide replication and meta-analysis plus the coronary artery disease 1000 Genomes meta-analysis with UK Biobank. We then explored the pathophysiological significance of these novel loci and examined the differences in CAD-susceptibility loci between Japanese and Europeans.

Results:

We identified 3 new loci on chromosome 1q21 (
CTSS
), 10q26 (
WDR11-FGFR2
), and 11q22 (
RDX
-
FDX1
). Quantitative trait locus analyses suggested the association of
CTSS
and
RDX
-
FDX1
with atherosclerotic immune cells. Tissue/cell type enrichment analysis showed the involvement of arteries, adrenal glands, and fat tissues in the development of CAD. We next compared the odds ratios of lead variants for myocardial infarction at 76 genome-wide significant loci in the transethnic meta-analysis and a moderate correlation between Japanese and Europeans, where 8 loci showed a difference. Finally, we performed tissue/cell type enrichment analysis using East Asian-frequent and European-frequent variants according to the risk allele frequencies and identified significant enrichment of adrenal glands in the East Asian-frequent group while the enrichment of arteries and fat tissues was found in the European-frequent group. These findings indicate biological differences in CAD susceptibility between Japanese and Europeans.

Conclusions:

We identified 3 new loci for CAD and highlighted the genetic differences between the Japanese and European populations. Moreover, our transethnic analyses showed both shared and unique genetic architectures between the Japanese and Europeans. While most of the underlying genetic bases for CAD are shared, further analyses in diverse populations will be needed to elucidate variations fully.
Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Oral P2Y
12
Inhibitors in Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: Navarese Eliano P. , Khan Safi U. , Kołodziejczak Michalina , Kubica Jacek , Buccheri Sergio , Cannon Christopher P. , Gurbel Paul A. , De Servi Stefano , Budaj Andrzej , Bartorelli Antonio , Trabattoni Daniela , Ohman E. Magnus , Wallentin Lars , Roe Matthew T. , James Stefan
Published: May 2020

Background:

New randomized, controlled trials have become available on oral P2Y
12
inhibitors in acute coronary syndrome. We aimed to evaluate current evidence comparing the efficacy and safety profile of prasugrel, ticagrelor, and clopidogrel in acute coronary syndrome by a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Methods:

We performed a network meta-analysis and direct pairwise comparison analysis of efficacy and safety outcomes from 12 randomized controlled trials including a total of 52 816 patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Results:

In comparison with clopidogrel, ticagrelor significantly reduced cardiovascular mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 0.82 [95% CI, 0.72–0.92]) and all-cause mortality (HR, 0.83 [95% CI, 0.75–0.92]), whereas there was no statistically significant mortality reduction with prasugrel (HR, 0.90 [95% CI, 0.80–1.01] and HR, 0.92 [95% CI, 0.84–1.02], respectively). In comparison with each other, there were no significant differences in mortality (HR prasugrel versus ticagrelor, 1.10 [95% CI, 0.94–1.29] and 1.12 [95% CI, 0.98–1.28]). In comparison with clopidogrel, prasugrel reduced myocardial infarction (HR, 0.81 [95% CI, 0.67–0.98]), whereas ticagrelor showed no risk reduction (HR, 0.97 [95% CI, 0.78–1.22]). Differences between prasugrel and ticagrelor were not statistically significant. Stent thrombosis risk was significantly reduced by both ticagrelor and prasugrel versus clopidogrel (28%–50% range of reduction). In comparison with clopidogrel, both prasugrel (HR, 1.26 [95% CI, 1.01–1.56]) and ticagrelor (HR, 1.27 [95% CI, 1.04–1.55]) significantly increased major bleeding. There were no significant differences between prasugrel and ticagrelor for all outcomes explored.

Conclusions:

Prasugrel and ticagrelor reduced ischemic events and increased bleeding in comparison with clopidogrel. A significant mortality reduction was observed with ticagrelor only. There was no efficacy and safety difference between prasugrel and ticagrelor.

Registration:

URL:
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/
; Unique identifier: CRD42019155648.
Contribution to the knowledge of the ptyctimous mite genus Austrophthiracarus (Acari, Oribatida, Steganacaridae) with descriptions of two new species from China
Authors: LIU DONG
Published: May 2020

Two new species of oribatid mite family Steganacaridae, Austrophthiracarus paralongisetosus sp. nov. collected from Sichuan Province, and Austrophthiracarus bacilliformis sp. nov. collected from Heilongjiang Province, are described and illustrated. A key to all known Chinese species of Austrophthiracarus is proposed to facilitate further identification of this group.
A new species of the genus Oxyporus Fabricius (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Oxyporinae) in Yunnan Province, China
Authors: LI GUO-FENG
Published: May 2020

A new species of the genus Oxyporus Fabricius, 1775 is described based on specimens collected in Yunnan Province, China, namely Oxyporus (Oxyporus) mojiangius Li, sp. nov. from Mojiang County. The number of Oxyporus species worldwide is thus increased to 132. Color images of the habitus and aedeagus of the new species are included. A key to the Oxyporus species of Yunnan Province is provided.
New species of Rivudiva Lugo-Ortiz & McCafferty (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae) with comments on R. minantenna Lugo-Ortiz & McCafferty and R. trichobasis Lugo-Ortiz & McCafferty
Authors: SALLES F.F. , NIETO C. , CRUZ P.V.
Published: May 2020

Based on nymphs collected in Espírito Santo and Amazonas, Southeastern and Northern Brazil, two new species of the genus Rivudiva Lugo-Ortiz & McCafferty, 1998 (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae) are described. Rivudiva inma sp. nov. shares several characteristics with R. minantenna Lugo-Ortiz & McCafferty, 1998, but can be distinguished by details of leg setation, such as length and shape of robust setae and presence of setae on trochanter. Rivudiva oonirikoperi sp. nov. is more similar to R. trichobasis Lugo-Ortiz & McCafferty, 1998, but can be separated by the absence of setae on scape and pedicel, shape of distal margin of labrum, and length of maxillary palp. New diagnoses and illustrations are provided for R. minantenna and R. trichobasis, as well as a key to the known nymphs of Rivudiva species.
An unusual new species of Pentaneura Philippi (Diptera: Chironomidae) from northeastern Brazil, with an emended diagnosis to the genus
Authors: DANTAS GALILEU P.S. , PINHEIRO MARCOS P. G. , HAMADA NEUSA
Published: May 2020

Pentaneura herbeti sp. nov. is described and illustrated based on male, female, pupa and larva collected in Northeastern region of Brazil. In addition, an amendment in the adult, pupal and larval diagnosis of Pentaneura is provided.
Wind Feedback Mediated by Sea Ice in the Nordic Seas
Authors: Kovács Tamás , Gerdes Rüdiger , Marshall John
Published: May 2020

Air–sea interactions play a critical role in the climate system. This study investigates wind-induced changes in the ocean surface temperature and sea ice cover feeding back onto the atmospheric circulation. This interaction was modeled in the Nordic seas, using a partial coupling method to constrain the ocean with prescribed wind forcing in an otherwise fully coupled Earth system model. This enabled the evaluation of not only the direct oceanic, but also the indirect atmospheric response to idealized forcing scenarios of perturbed winds over the Nordic seas. The results show that an anticyclonic wind anomaly forcing leads to significant surface cooling in the Greenland Sea mostly due to anomalous drift of sea ice. During winter, the cooling reduces the net surface heat flux to the atmosphere and increases sea level pressure. The pressure gradients result in anomalous geostrophic southerly winds, which locally are comparable both in direction and in velocity to the prescribed forcing anomalies, suggesting a positive feedback.
Factors Constraining Timely Sowing of Wheat as an Adaptation to Climate Change in Eastern India
Authors: Newport Danielle , Lobell David B. , Balwinder-Singh  , Srivastava Amit K. , Rao Preeti , Umashaanker Maanya , Malik Ram K. , McDonald Andrew , Jain Meha
Published: May 2020

Climate change is predicted to negatively impact wheat yields across northern India, primarily as a result of increased heat stress during grain filling at the end of the growing season. One way that farmers may adapt is by sowing their wheat earlier to avoid this terminal heat stress. However, many farmers in the eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) sow their wheat later than is optimal, likely leading to yield reductions. There is limited documentation of why farmers sow their wheat late and the potential constraints to early sowing. Our study uses data from 256 farmers in Arrah, Bihar, a region in the eastern IGP with late wheat sowing, to identify the socioeconomic, biophysical, perceptional, and management factors influencing wheat-sowing-date decisions. Despite widespread awareness of climate change, we found that farmers did not adopt strategies to adapt to warming temperatures and that wheat-sowing dates were not influenced by perceptions of climate change. Instead, we found that the most important factors influencing wheat-sowing-date decisions were irrigation type and cropping decisions during the monsoon season prior to the winter wheat growing season. Specifically, we found that using canal irrigation instead of groundwater irrigation, planting rice in the monsoon season, transplanting rice, and transplanting rice later during the monsoon season were all associated with delayed wheat sowing. These results suggest that there are system constraints to sowing wheat on time, and these factors must be addressed if farmers are to adapt wheat-sowing-date decisions in the face of warming temperatures.
Divergent Amygdala Volume Asymmetries for Male and Female Youth With High Versus Low Callous-Unemotional Traits
Authors: Ling Shichun , Raine Adrian , Waller Rebecca E. , Ruparel Kosha , Loughead James , Gur Ruben C.
Published: May 2020

Although callous-unemotional (CU) traits have been associated with amygdala hypoactivity, it is unclear whether such traits are associated with amygdala structure. This study examines the relationship between amygdala structure and CU traits and considers sex differences in hemisphere-related asymmetries in this relationship. In this brain imaging study of children ( n = 272), a significant sex × hemisphere × CU traits interaction was observed. Females with high CU traits and males with low CU exhibited a rightward exaggerated amygdala volume asymmetry, whereas females with low CU traits and males with high CU traits did not. Findings may reflect sex-related influences related to CU traits and amygdala volume and are broadly consistent with a neurodevelopment perspective on psychopathic-like traits in children.
A Quasiexperimental Evaluation of Two Versions of First-Grade PALS: One With and One Without Repeated Reading
Authors: Fuchs Douglas , Cho Eunsoo , Toste Jessica R. , Fuchs Lynn S. , Gilbert Jennifer K. , McMaster Kristen L. , Svenson Ebba , Thompson Anneke
Published: May 2020

We attempted to strengthen an evidence-based, peer-mediated, first-grade reading program (First Grade Peer-Assisted Learning Strategies [PALS]) by modestly revising its content and adding a repeated-reading (RR) component. In a cluster-randomized trial, we conducted a component analysis of the revised program by creating two versions of it. “PALS+Fluency” represented the modified program with an RR component, whereas “PALS-Only” represented the same program without RR. We tested the efficacy of the two PALS versions together against controls and against each other to determine if peer-mediated RR had “value added.” With moderator analyses, we further explored whether the PALS programs benefited weaker and stronger readers alike. Thirty-three first-grade classroom teachers (and 491 students) from eight urban schools were randomly assigned to the three study groups within their schools. The PALS-Only and PALS+Fluency programs ran for 22 weeks. Multilevel modeling showed that the combined effects of the two PALS programs on phonological awareness (PA), word reading, and reading fluency were superior to those of controls. Students’ pretreatment PA moderated combined program effects on PA and word reading, indicating stronger effects for students with weaker PA. PALS-Only students improved PA skills (over PALS+Fluency students) with stronger effects for those with weaker pretreatment PA.
Effects of environmental conditions on the axial tension–compression fatigue behavior of carbon/epoxy plain-weave laminates containing flaws
Authors: Deluy Marc-Claudel , Khay Mohamed , Ngo Anh Dung , Dubé Martine , Ganesan Rajamohan
Published: May 2020

The objective of this work is to investigate the effects of environmental conditions on the axial fatigue behavior of a carbon/epoxy plain-weave laminate with an embedded flaw subjected to a partially reversed cyclic load (stress ratio R = −0.1) in tension–compression. This specific material is more commonly used in aerospace engineering for the manufacturing of aircraft structural parts, which are directly exposed to various environmental conditions during service. Specific environmental and loading conditions that are appropriate to simulate real-life conditions are considered to observe and collect information about the material's behavior. For the investigation, dry and wet coupons were submitted to room temperature, 82 and 121 ℃ under loading frequencies of 7 and 15 Hz. A maximum allowable strain increase criterion is used to monitor the flaw growth threshold or delamination onset, during fatigue testing. The ultrasonic imaging (C-scan) technique is used to verify and confirm the delamination onset. Results show that the delamination onset strain increase criterion, along with fatigue life, generally decreased as the operating temperature and humidity were increased and that frequency had little effect on the delamination onset fatigue life. The S– N curves obtained from the tension–compression fatigue data were then compared to those of a previous work carried out in tension–tension fatigue loading. Results show a clear degradation in the delamination onset fatigue life of the coupons tested under tension–tension cyclic loading when the minimum tensile component of the cyclic load was replaced with a compressive load of the same magnitude.
Attitudes Toward Retirement Drive the Effects of Retirement Preparation on Psychological and Physical Well-Being of Hong Kong Chinese Retirees Over Time
Authors: Chan Michael C.H. , Chung Edwin K.H. , Yeung Dannii Y.
Published: May 2020

Recent findings on retirement preparation found a positive impact on the psychological and physical well-being of retirees. However, the types of mental resources that are driving the relationship, such as attitudes toward retirement, only received limited attention. Reasoning from previous findings, we posit that attitudes toward retirement would explain the relationship between retirement preparation and well-being over time after retirement. A three-wave study was conducted in a sample of 130 Hong Kong Chinese retirees over a period of 1.5 years. Data were collected 6 months prior to retirement (T1) and 6 and 12 months after retirement (T2 and T3, respectively), in which preretirement preparation, attitudes toward retirement, and psychological and physical well-being were measured. The positive effect of T1 retirement planning on T3 physical and psychological well-being was partially mediated by T2 attitudes toward retirement. These results remain significant even after controlling for gender, education level, preretirement occupation, and well-being at T1. These findings reveal the role of attitudes toward retirement in driving postretirement adjustment over time.
Racial Bias: A Buried Cornerstone of the Administrative State
Authors: Alexander Jennifer , Stivers Camilla
Published: May 2020

Historians of American public administration have largely perpetuated its self-image of neutrality and scientific detachment. Yet public agencies are shaped by their political and cultural environments. Long-standing myths and historical narratives about the meaning of America reveal not neutrality but racial bias dating back centuries, a pattern sustained, in part, by failure to recognize its existence. This article explores how historical understandings of the administrative state have neglected the influence of racial bias on the development of administrative practices. We suggest that a reconstructed understanding may strengthen support for anti-racism efforts, such as diversity training, representative bureaucracy, and social equity.
Inequality and Social Rank: Income Increases Buy More Life Satisfaction in More Equal Countries
Authors: Quispe-Torreblanca Edika G. , Brown Gordon D. A. , Boyce Christopher J. , Wood Alex M. , De Neve Jan-Emmanuel
Published: May 2020

How do income and income inequality combine to influence subjective well-being? We examined the relation between income and life satisfaction in different societies, and found large effects of income inequality within a society on the relationship between individuals’ incomes and their life satisfaction. The income–satisfaction gradient is steeper in countries with more equal income distributions, such that the positive effect of a 10% increase in income on life satisfaction is more than twice as large in a country with low income inequality as it is in a country with high income inequality. These findings are predicted by an income rank hypothesis according to which life satisfaction is derived from social rank. A fixed increment in income confers a greater increment in social position in a more equal society. Income inequality may influence people’s preferences, such that in unequal countries people’s life satisfaction is determined more strongly by their income.
Book review: Ramachandra Guha, Gandhi: The Years That Changed the World, 1914–1948
Authors: Biswas Sujay
Published: May 2020

Ramachandra Guha, Gandhi: The Years That Changed the World, 1914–1948 (Gurgaon: Penguin Random House India, 2018), xx + 1129 pp.
Machine Learning Approach to Suffix Separation on a Sandhi Rule Annotated Malayalam Data Set
Authors: Sebastian Mary Priya , Kumar G. Santhosh
Published: May 2020

This article explores in depth various sandhi (joining) rules in Kerala’s Malayalam language, which play a vital role in framing of the inflected and agglutinated forms of words and their compounds. It discusses significant progress in a scientific method to generate a specific annotated data set of Malayalam words that would be useful in many Natural Language Processing tasks which involve Malayalam preprocessing. The article discusses the results and issues encountered in developing this word-splitting tool for Malayalam, mainly in the context of improving the alignments between parallel texts that form a core resource in the Machine Translation task.
Therapeutic evaluation of sclerotherapy for limb venous malformations: A case series
Authors: Zhan Tenghui , Cai Fanggang , Guo Pingfan , Lian Yujie , Zhuang Hui , Zhang Jinchi , Chen Hongyu , Chen Cheng , Lin Yichen
Published: May 2020

Objectives

To examine three different methods for evaluating the effect of percutaneous sclerotherapy on limb venous malformations in a series of patients with a relatively long follow-up.

Method

The study was a retrospective study.

Results

Thirty-eight patients treated with percutaneous sclerotherapy underwent sclerotherapy, with a median number of sessions of 4 (range, 1–10). They were followed up for 1–60 months (average 12.5 months). The kappa between clinical manifestations and Doppler ultrasound was 0.684 ( P < 0.001). The kappa between clinical manifestations and magnetic resonance imaging was 0.217 ( P = 0.006). The kappa between Doppler ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging was 0.323 ( P < 0.001). The rate of grade IV patients evaluated by clinical manifestations was significantly higher than that by Doppler ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging.

Conclusions

Magnetic resonance imaging is the gold standard for VM imaging. Its consistency with clinical examination and Doppler ultrasound is poor, and Doppler ultrasound and clinical examination could be more appropriate for follow-up imaging after sclerotherapy.
Authorisation by Using ‘the Past’: The Development of the Gayā Pilgrimage Programme
Authors: Mushiga Tomoka
Published: May 2020

In modern Gayā, pilgrims are advised to make a seventeen-day pilgrimage programme visiting forty-five holy spots, which has been regarded as ‘complete ( sampūrṇa), most authorised ( śāstrika) and correct in view of religious rule ( vidhivat) gayā-śrāddha’. In the Sanskrit religious texts, however, you will not find a description of the seventeen days and forty-five holy spots of the Gayā pilgrimage. Beginning with the introduction of modern pilgrimage regulations, this article shows the descriptions in the purāṇas and nibandhas, which are different from the modern ones, and examines the relationship between the descriptions in the śāstras and modern practices. This article illustrates that the origin of the authorised pilgrimage programme can be traced back, not to Sanskrit literature, but to modern regulations that were developed with the help of Sanskrit literature; the rules were defined by Mr Thomas Law, a tax collector, at the end of eighteenth century and a manual written by the priest Mukuṭ Bihārī Gautam in the middle of the twentieth century. The article not only focuses on the changes of the pilgrimage programme itself but also on the interpretation and application of the past by people today. Through these investigations, this article examines how the śāstras, religious authorities and traditions have been created in Hinduism.
A Novel Viewpoint on Andragogy: Enabling Moments of Community
Authors: Note Nicole , De Backer Free , Donder Liesbeth De
Published: May 2020

While andragogy varies in meaning and practice from one country and context to another, it usually refers to the field of educating or guiding adults. This article reflects on a novel viewpoint and role for andragogy, taking as its starting point the broader European tradition that includes social welfare and community development. Central to its analysis is a new conception of community as moments of community that has been discreetly advanced in anthropological and continental–philosophical sources. It is argued that by contemplating and building on the great relevance of such moments andragogy can be made to play an innovative role in enabling moments of community in organizations, educational systems, neighborhoods, and society in general.
It Happens in #ChurchToo: Twitter Discourse Regarding Sexual Victimization Within Religious Communities
Authors: Bogen Katherine W. , Haikalis Michelle , Meza Lopez Richard J. , López Gabriela , Orchowski Lindsay M.
Published: May 2020

This study sought to characterize online disclosure of, and reactions to, sexual violence victimization via the Twitter hashtag #ChurchToo, which emerged following the hashtag #MeToo as a call for disclosure of victimization within religious contexts. Thematic content analysis of 1,017 original content, English-language tweets containing the hashtag was conducted. Twitter users who chose to disclose personal experiences of violence often shared specific details about their abuse and described institutional harm they experienced. Institutional harm included negative responses from their religious communities (e.g., minimizing, denying, blaming, and silencing). Among tweets categorized as responses to disclosure, subthemes included both positive (e.g., raising awareness, emotional support) and negative (e.g., distracting and egocentric) reactions. The commentary on Twitter reflected a concerted desire to establish accountability for perpetrators of interpersonal violence within religious communities. These data highlight the importance of providing education to religious communities on how to best support and respond to individuals who experience victimization perpetrated by religious leaders or another member of the religious community.
Expanding Contraception Access for Women With Opioid-Use Disorder: A Qualitative Study of Opportunities and Challenges
Authors: Hurley Emily A. , Duello Alex , Finocchario-Kessler Sarah , Goggin Kathy , Stancil Stephani , Winograd Rachel P. , Miller Melissa K.
Published: May 2020

Purpose:

As almost nine in ten pregnancies among women with opioid use disorder (OUD) are unintended, expanding access to contraception is an underutilized but potentially effective strategy in increasing reproductive agency and reducing the overall burden of neonatal abstinence syndrome. We aimed to identify where and how contraceptive services could be integrated into existing points-of-contact for women with OUD.

Approach:

In-depth qualitative interviews.

Setting:

Three diverse catchment areas in Missouri.

Participants:

Women with OUD (n = 15) and professional stakeholders (n = 16) representing five types of existing OUD service points: syringe exchange programs, recovery support programs, substance use treatment programs, emergency departments, and Federally Qualified Health Centers.

Method:

Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and thematically coded using Dedoose software.

Results:

Six themes emerged as essential components for integrating contraceptive services into existing points-of-contact for women with OUD: (1) reach women with unmet need; (2) provide free or affordable contraception; (3) maximize service accessibility; (4) provide patient-centered care; (5) employ willing, qualified contraceptive providers; and (6) utilize peer educators. Participants affirmed the overall potential benefit of contraceptive service integration and illuminated various opportunities and challenges relevant to each type of existing service point.

Conclusion:

As health promotion initiatives look to increase access to contraception among women with OUD, these six’ participant-identified components offer essential guidance in selecting advantageous points-of-contact and addressing remaining gaps in services.
Robust bivariate random-effects model for accommodating outlying and influential studies in meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy studies
Authors: Negeri Zelalem F , Beyene Joseph
Published: May 2020

Due to the inevitable inter-study correlation between test sensitivity (Se) and test specificity (Sp), mostly because of threshold variability, hierarchical or bivariate random-effects models are widely used to perform a meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy studies. Conventionally, these models assume that the random-effects follow the bivariate normal distribution. However, the inference made using the well-established bivariate random-effects models, when outlying and influential studies are present, may lead to misleading conclusions, since outlying or influential studies can extremely influence parameter estimates due to their disproportional weight. Therefore, we developed a new robust bivariate random-effects model that accommodates outlying and influential observations and gives robust statistical inference by down-weighting the effect of outlying and influential studies. The marginal model and the Monte Carlo expectation-maximization algorithm for our proposed model have been derived. A simulation study has been carried out to validate the proposed method and compare it against the standard methods. Regardless of the parameters varied in our simulations, the proposed model produced robust point estimates of Se and Sp compared to the standard models. Moreover, our proposed model resulted in precise estimates as it yielded the narrowest confidence intervals. The proposed model also generated a similar point and interval estimates of Se and Sp as the standard models when there are no outlying and influential studies. Two published meta-analyses have also been used to illustrate the methods.
Estimation of Mean Variation in Prediction Probability for Prevalence of Hypertension in Middle-Aged and Older Chinese Using Probit Model
Authors: Yin Minghui , Liu Caiping
Published: May 2020

The aims of this study are to estimate the mean change in the predicted probability and identify the most important predictors of diagnosed, measured, total, and undiagnosed hypertension among aged 45+ adults in China. We used data collected from the fourth wave (2015) of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (n = 12 236). First, we estimated the prevalence of diagnosed, measured, total, and undiagnosed hypertension. Second, we used probit models to identify the factors that were associated with hypertension, and we estimated average marginal effects of variables in probit models. Among Chinese people aged 45+, the prevalence of diagnosed, measured, total, and undiagnosed hypertension were 23.1%, 32.7%, 42.6%, and 19.5%, respectively. The probability of total hypertension is higher for overweight and obesity than normal body mass index (10.4% and 19.3%, respectively), higher for past smokers and current smokers than nonsmokers (5.9% and 3.8%, respectively), higher for urban population than rural population (4.0%), and lower for married individuals than unmarried/single (−7.1%). Our results suggest that continued strengthening for smoking prevention is needed to reduce smoking-related hypertension and greater focus on prevention of hypertension are necessary for overweight or obesity and in urban areas among middle-aged and older adults in China.
Affective responses to European art music by Israeli Arabs and Israeli Jews: A cross-ethnic study
Authors: Ornoy Eitan
Published: May 2020

Most cross-cultural research on music and emotions is targeted at examining participants’ ability to perceive the emotional intent of the music or the musician. Fewer studies, however, have investigated participants’ affective responses to the music being played. This study seeks to explore the influence of ethno-cultural differences on both quality and quantity of emotions induced by the music, by examining whether individuals in two discrete ethnic groups who share similar musical backgrounds differ in their categorical judgments and the intensity of ratings representing their felt emotions while listening to familiar and unfamiliar music. Participants ( N=236) were Israeli Arabs (IA) and Israeli Jews (IJ) who either lacked previous music education or who attended a music-appreciation course focused on ten excerpts from well-known European art music. Having listened to each excerpt, participants were instructed to make a categorical judgment by selecting the one of nine descriptors that best reflected the emotion they felt in response to the music, and to rate its overall intensity. Relatively small differences between the two ethnic groups were identified with regard to the categorical judgments, supporting previous cross-cultural research on perceived emotions in music. IA reported higher levels of intensity than IJ, however—particularly (in two cases) if they were familiar with the music, perhaps because of cultural characteristics and group-specific attributes.
Informed consent and childhood gender dysphoria: emerging complexities in diagnosis and treatment
Authors: d’Abrera Juan Carlos , D’Angelo Roberto , Halasz George , Prager Shirley , Morris Philip
Published: May 2020

Objective:

To explore some of the emerging complexities in the management of childhood gender dysphoria.

Conclusion:

The authors raise questions about the gender-affirmation approach and highlight concerns about informed consent and research ethics.
Validation of laboratory tests for infectious diseases in wild mammals: review and recommendations
Authors: Jia Beibei , Colling Axel , Stallknecht David E. , Blehert David , Bingham John , Crossley Beate , Eagles Debbie , Gardner Ian A.
Published: May 2020

Evaluation of the diagnostic sensitivity (DSe) and specificity (DSp) of tests for infectious diseases in wild animals is challenging, and some of the limitations may affect compliance with the OIE-recommended test validation pathway. We conducted a methodologic review of test validation studies for OIE-listed diseases in wild mammals published between 2008 and 2017 and focused on study design, statistical analysis, and reporting of results. Most published papers addressed Mycobacterium bovis infection in one or more wildlife species. Our review revealed limitations or missing information about sampled animals, identification criteria for positive and negative samples (case definition), representativeness of source and target populations, and species in the study, as well as information identifying animals sampled for calculations of DSe and DSp as naturally infected captive, free-ranging, or experimentally challenged animals. The deficiencies may have reflected omissions in reporting rather than design flaws, although lack of random sampling might have induced bias in estimates of DSe and DSp. We used case studies of validation of tests for hemorrhagic diseases in deer and white-nose syndrome in hibernating bats to demonstrate approaches for validation when new pathogen serotypes or genotypes are detected and diagnostic algorithms are changed, and how purposes of tests evolve together with the evolution of the pathogen after identification. We describe potential benefits of experimental challenge studies for obtaining DSe and DSp estimates, methods to maintain sample integrity, and Bayesian latent class models for statistical analysis. We make recommendations for improvements in future studies of detection test accuracy in wild mammals.
Disability, Federal Disability Benefits, and Health Care Access After the Affordable Care Act
Authors: Pellegrini Lawrence C. , Geissler Kimberley H.
Published: May 2020

Limited research considers whether differences in health care access and utilization exist for individuals with a disability with and without receipt of federal disability benefits in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) era. National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data (2014–2016) are used to estimate the relationship between federal disability benefit receipt and health care access and utilization for individuals with a disability, controlling for disability benefit application, and predisposing, enabling, and need characteristics. Study results show that individuals with a disability receiving federal disability benefits have increased odds of seeing any provider (odds ratio [OR]: 1.50; 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.12, 2.01]) and decreased odds of worrying about the costs of health care (OR: 0.68; 95% CI = [0.57, 0.80]) and delaying needed medical care due to costs (OR: 0.50; 95% CI = [0.42, 0.61]) versus nonrecipients with a disability. Findings highlight the continued importance to address disabled nonrecipients’ health care access and utilization barriers in the post-ACA period.
Optimized placement of parasitic vibration energy harvesters for autonomous structural health monitoring
Authors: Pearson Matthew , Featherston Carol A , Pullin Rhys , Holford Karen M
Published: May 2020

Energy harvesting, based on sources including vibration and thermal gradients, has been exploited in recent years to power telemetry, small devices, or to charge batteries or capacitors. Generating the higher levels of power which have thus far been required to run sensor systems such as those needed for structural health monitoring has been more challenging. In addition, harvesters such as those required to capture vibration often require additional elements (e.g. cantilevers) to be added to the structure and harvest over a relatively narrow band of frequencies. In aerospace applications, where weight is at a premium and vibrations occur over a broader range of frequencies, this is non-ideal. With the advent of new, lower power monitoring systems, the potential for energy harvesting to be utilized is significantly increased. This article optimizes the placement of a set of parasitic piezoelectric patches to harvest over the broad band of frequencies found in an aircraft wing and validates the results experimentally. Results are compared with the requirements of a low-power structural health monitoring system, with a closing of the gap between the energy generated and that required being demonstrated.
Development of an Outcome Measure of Observable Signs of Health and Well-Being in Infants With Orofacial Clefts
Authors: Heike Carrie L. , Albert Meredith , Aspinall Cassandra L. , Bautista Suzel , Bellucci Claudia Crilly , Kapp-Simon Kathleen A. , Mecham Solange , Patrick Donald L. , Rosenberg Janine , Siebold Babette , Stueckle Laura P. , Edwards Todd C.
Published: May 2020

Objective:

To develop an outcomes instrument that assesses observations that can be reliably reported by caregivers and can be used to assess health of infants with a cleft lip or cleft lip and cleft palate (CL±P) and impacts of treatments.

Design:

Cross-sectional, mixed methods study.

Setting:

Caregivers and health-care providers were recruited from 3 academic craniofacial centers and national advertisements. Most interviews were conducted by telephone, and surveys were completed online.

Participants:

Caregivers had a child less than 3 years of age with CL±P and spoke either English or Spanish. Health-care providers were members of a cleft team. Caregivers (n = 492) and health-care professionals (n = 75) participated in at least one component of this study.

Main Outcome Measure(s):

Caregivers and health-care providers participated in tasks related to instrument development: concept elicitation for items within relevant health domains, prioritization of items, and item review.

Results:

We identified 295 observations of infant well-being across 9 health areas. Research staff and specialists evaluated items for clarity, specificity to CL±P, and responsiveness to treatment. Caregivers and health-care providers rated the resulting list of 104 observations and developed the final instrument of 65 items.

Conclusions:

In this phase of development of the Infant with Clefts Observation Outcomes (iCOO) instrument, items were developed to collect caregiver observations about indicators of children’s health and well-being across multiple domains allowing for psychometric testing, sensitivity to changes associated with treatment, and documentation of the effects of treatment.
A Rare Case Report of Encephalocele with Numerous Ependymal Components: A Potential Diagnostic Pitfall
Authors: Wang Chenglong , Zhu Jin , Zeng Yan , Qin Xue , Tan Yiwen , Zeng Min , Wang Lijuan , Cao Xiaojing , Zou Lingfeng , Cao Youde
Published: May 2020

Different cellular constituents of the central nervous system occurring in encephaloceles or neuroglial heterotopias (NGHs) have been reported, but the ependymal morphology has rarely been described in the previous literature, let alone the related histological images. To determine the ependymal morphology in encephaloceles or NGHs, we report a rare case of encephalocele with numerous ependymal components. Radiological examination showed that a 6.2 × 3.1 cm nasal dorsum mass-forming encephalocele in a 24-year-old woman, who had an intracranial connection through a frontal bone defect. This patient underwent a resection of the encephalocele under nasal endoscopy and a reconstruction of the cranial base. The patient had a good prognosis with no postoperative complications during follow-up. Microscopically, the ependymal components entrapped in a collagenized background showed numerous slit-like spaces lined by columnar cells with abundant palely eosinophilic cytoplasm and apical surface microvilli. With immunohistochemistry, in addition to the expression of EMA along with the slit-like spaces, GFAP and S100 were diffusely expressed in the slit-like spaces. In conclusion, the ependymal component in either encephaloceles or NGHs may present slit-like spaces arranged in an anastomosing pattern. The unusual morphology of ependyma continues to be underrecognized by pathologists and is easily misdiagnosed; therefore, an awareness of the morphological change in ependyma is necessary.
On Doing Go-Along Interviews: Toward Sensuous Analyses of Everyday Experiences
Authors: Stiegler Sam
Published: May 2020

This article offers emergent methodological frameworks toward sensuously analyzing go-along interviews. Recently, scholars have called for analyses of go-alongs that include affective moments and experiences of the go-alongs to offer insight into everyday experiences beyond the words spoken during the interview. This article offers analytical narratives of a study with trans, queer, and non-binary youth that focus on such moments during go-alongs when the act of doing research brought conversations to a halt. Such attention allows for deeper understanding of how senses experienced during interviews impact that which was produced, and not just what was said, during go-alongs.
Exploring the Psychosocial Impact of Living With HIV on Minority Older Women
Authors: Cianelli Rosina , Villegas Natalia , Oliveira Giovanna De , Sailsman Sonique , Montano Nilda Peragallo , Martinez Angel Solorzano , Toledo Christine , Sandalaula Muheriwha , Sanchez Heather
Published: May 2020

BACKGROUND: Among older adults, minority older women will account for 60% of the new HIV diagnoses. The psychosocial impact of living with HIV among this vulnerable population narrated by their own voices has been understudied. AIMS: The purpose of this study was to explore the psychosocial impact of living with HIV on minority older women. METHODS: In-depth interviews were conducted with 28 minority older women living with HIV at an Ambulatory Care Center HIV Clinic in South Florida. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Conventional content analysis was used to identify and define the major themes that emerged from the interviews. Questions included those concerning description of life after the HIV diagnosis, most challenging aspects of life after the diagnosis, and daily activities since the diagnosis. RESULTS: The analysis of the interview data led to five main themes: (I) Social Impact of HIV, (II) Threats to Health and Well-Being, (III) HIV as a Death Sentence, (IV) Spirituality, and (V) HIV Treatment Adherence. In their narratives, women described a myriad of psychosocial issues such as depressed mood, isolation, economic challenges, stigma, anhedonia of interest, fear of death, among others. CONCLUSIONS: There is a compelling empirical need for rapid implementation of a culturally tailored, holistic, low-cost, multistrategy intervention to early screen and reduce the psychosocial impact of HIV among minority older women.
Comparison between two fast threshold strategies: SPARK and SITA in normal subjects
Authors: Foo Say Kiang , Cubbidge Robert Peter , Heitmar Rebekka
Published: May 2020

Background

Numerous fast threshold strategies have been developed in perimetry which use maximum likelihood approaches to estimate the threshold. A recent approach to threshold estimation has been developed estimating the threshold from a limited number of test points which further reduces examination time. This strategy, SPARK, has not been compared to the SITA strategy. The aim of this study was to compare SPARK with SITA in a normal cohort to evaluate within and between strategy agreement in threshold estimates.

Methods

A total of 83 normal subjects each underwent two visual field examinations with SITA and SPARK on two separate occasions on a randomly selected eye. The eye examined and the order of strategy examined first was randomised but remained constant over the two perimetry visits.

Results

Visual field examination with SPARK Precision was on average 33% faster than SITA Standard. A positive correlation between group mean sensitivities of SITA Standard and SPARK Precision (rho = 0.713, p < 0.001) was found. In total, 95% of stimulus locations were located within the 95% limits of agreement and linear regression on the differences in sensitivities showed no statistically significant proportional bias (t = 1.713, p = 0.09). Pointwise analysis showed SITA Standard had significantly larger variability for individual stimulus locations examined over two visits when compared to SPARK (t = 9.175, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The clinical examination of SPARK yields a sensitivity profile similar to SITA but in a faster examination time. The lower threshold variability of SPARK may be as a result of data smoothing in the threshold estimation process.
Impact of a digital Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers–Revised on likelihood and age of autism diagnosis and referral for developmental evaluation
Authors: Major Samantha , Campbell Kathleen , Espinosa Steven , Baker Jeffrey P , Carpenter Kimberly LH , Sapiro Guillermo , Vermeer Saritha , Dawson Geraldine
Published: May 2020

The present study is a single-site quality improvement project within pediatric primary care involving the implementation of a digital version of the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers–Revised. We evaluated the impact of the digital screener on the likelihood of physician referral for a developmental evaluation or autism diagnosis, and the age of the patients at the time of the event. Patients were children 16–30  months old seen for 18 and 24 months’ well-child visits (1279 encounters), who screened positive for risk for autism spectrum disorder on the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers–Revised without a previously documented autism spectrum disorder diagnosis. Comparisons were made between a cohort of children screened with the paper and pencil version of the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers–Revised before the digital version was implemented and a cohort of children screened during the intervention period. Patients were followed until 48 months and referrals were obtained from electronic health records. Patients screened with the digital Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers–Revised were five times more likely to be referred for a developmental evaluation. The automatic scoring, risk assessment, and referral decision support features helped to improve screening outcomes. In this clinic, process change to a digital screening method with automatic guidance for next steps improved adherence to evidence-based clinical care.

Lay abstract

This was a project in primary care for young children (1–2 years old). We tested a parent questionnaire on a tablet. This tablet questionnaire asked questions to see whether the child may have autism. We compared the paper and pencil version of the questionnaire to the tablet questionnaire. We read the medical charts for the children until they were 4 years old to see whether they ended up having autism. We found that doctors were more likely to recommend an autism evaluation when a parent used the tablet questionnaire. We think that the tablet’s automatic scoring feature helped the doctors. We also think that the doctors benefited from the advice the tablet gave them.