bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of various treatment modalities for nCOV‐2019: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Misra Shubham , Nath Manabesh , Hadda Vijay , Vibha Deepti 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundSeveral therapeutic agents have been investigated for treatment of novel coronavirus 2019 (nCOV‐2019). We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis to assess the efficacy of various treatment modalities in nCOV‐2019 patients.MethodsA literature search was conducted before 29 June 2020 in PubMed, Google Scholar and Cochrane library databases. A fixed‐effect model was applied if I2 < 50%, else results were combined using random‐effect model. Risk ratio (RR) or standardized mean difference (SMD) along with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was used to pool the results. Between‐study heterogeneity was explored using influence and sensitivity analyses, and publication bias was assessed using funnel plots. Entire statistical analysis was conducted in R version 3.6.2.ResultsFifty studies involving 15 in vitro and 35 clinical studies including 9170 nCOV‐2019 patients were included. Lopinavir‐ritonavir was significantly associated with shorter mean time to clinical recovery (SMD −0.32; 95% CI −0.57 to −0.06), remdesivir was significantly associated with better overall clinical recovery (RR 1.17; 95% CI 1.07 to 1.29), and tocilizumab was associated with less all‐cause mortality (RR 0.38; 95% CI 0.16 to 0.93). Hydroxychloroquine was associated with longer time to clinical recovery and less overall clinical recovery. It additionally had higher all‐cause mortality and more total adverse events.ConclusionOur meta‐analysis suggests that except in vitro studies, no treatment has shown overall favourable outcomes in nCOV‐2019 patients. Lopinavir‐ritonavir, remdesivir and tocilizumab may have some benefits, while hydroxychloroquine administration may cause harm in nCOV‐2019 patients. Results from upcoming large clinical trials may further clarify role of these drugs.
Effect of acute angle model on mouthguard thickness with the thermoforming method and moving the model position just before fabrication
Authors: Takahashi Mutsumi , Bando Yogetsu 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackground/AimThe effectiveness and safety of mouthguards are affected by their thickness. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an acute angle model on the mouthguard thickness with the thermoforming method in which the model position was moved just before fabrication.Materials and MethodsMouthguards were thermoformed using 4.0 mm thick ethylene vinyl acetate sheets and a vacuum forming machine. Three hard plaster models were prepared: 1) the angle of the labial surface to the model base was 90°, and the anterior height was 25 mm (model A); 2) the angle was 90°, and the anterior height was 30 mm (model B); and 3) the angle was 80°, and the anterior height was 30 mm (model C). The sheet was softened until it sagged 15 mm, after which the sheet frame was lowered to cover the model. The model was then pushed from behind to move it forward, and the vacuum was switched on (MP). The model was moved 20 mm whereas a control model was not moved. Mouthguard thickness was measured using a specialized caliper. The differences in mouthguard thicknesses due to model forms and forming conditions were analyzed by two‐way ANOVA and Bonferroni's multiple comparison tests. Results: The MP tended to be thicker than the control in all models. In the controls, model C was significantly thicker than models A and B at the labial and buccal surfaces. In MP, model A was significantly thicker than models B and C on the labial surface. On the labial and buccal surfaces in MP, model C was significantly thicker than model B.ConclusionsThis study suggested that in the thermoforming method in which the model position was moved just before fabrication, reducing the height was more effective than changing the angle of the model to ensure the appropriate thickness.
Bilateral responses of rat ventral striatum tonically active neurons to unilateral medial forebrain bundle stimulation
Authors: Markovich‐Molochnikov Ilana , Cohen Dana 
Published: August 2020

AbstractUnilateral medial forebrain bundle (MFB) stimulation is an extremely effective promoter of reinforcement learning irrespective of the conditioned cue's laterality. The effectiveness of unilateral MFB stimulation, which activates the mesolimbic pathway connecting the ventral tegmental area to the ventral striatum (vStr), is surprising considering that these fibers rarely cross to the contralateral hemisphere. Specifically, this type of biased fiber distribution entails the activation of brain structures that are primarily ipsilateral to the stimulated MFB, along with weak to negligible activation of the contralateral structures, thus impeding the formation of a cue‐outcome association. To better understand the spread of activation of MFB stimulation across hemispheres, we studied whether unilateral MFB stimulation primarily activates the ipsilateral vStr or the vStr of both hemispheres. We simultaneously recorded neuronal activity in the vStr of both hemispheres in response to several sets of unilateral MFB stimulation in anesthetized and freely moving rats. Unilateral MFB stimulation evoked strong stimulus‐dependent activation of vStr tonically active neurons (TANs), presumably the cholinergic interneurons, in both hemispheres. However, the TANs’ activation patterns and responsiveness depended on whether the stimulus was delivered ipsilaterally or contralaterally to the recorded neuron. These findings indicate that unilateral MFB stimulation effectively activates the vStr in both hemispheres in a stimulus‐dependent manner which may serve as neuronal substrate for the formation of cue‐outcome associations during reinforcement learning.
Spatial covariance of herbivorous and predatory guilds of forest canopy arthropods along a latitudinal gradient
Authors: Mottl Ondrej , Fibich Pavel , Klimes Petr , Volf Martin , Tropek Robert , Anderson‐Teixeira Kristina , Auga John , Blair Thomas , Butterill Phil , Carscallen Grace , Gonzalez‐Akre Erika , Goodman Aaron , Kaman Ondrej , Lamarre Greg P. A. , Libra Martin , Losada Maria E. , Manumbor Markus , Miller Scott E. , Molem Kenneth , Nichols Geoffrey , Plowman Nichola S. , Redmond Conor , Seifert Carlo L. , Vrana Jan , Weiblen George D. , Novotny Vojtech 
Published: August 2020

AbstractIn arthropod community ecology, species richness studies tend to be prioritised over those investigating patterns of abundance. Consequently, the biotic and abiotic drivers of arboreal arthropod abundance are still relatively poorly known. In this cross‐continental study, we employ a theoretical framework in order to examine patterns of covariance among herbivorous and predatory arthropod guilds. Leaf‐chewing and leaf‐mining herbivores, and predatory ants and spiders, were censused on > 1000 trees in nine 0.1 ha forest plots. After controlling for tree size and season, we found no negative pairwise correlations between guild abundances per plot, suggestive of weak signals of both inter‐guild competition and top‐down regulation of herbivores by predators. Inter‐guild interaction strengths did not vary with mean annual temperature, thus opposing the hypothesis that biotic interactions intensify towards the equator. We find evidence for the bottom‐up limitation of arthropod abundances via resources and abiotic factors, rather than for competition and predation.
A deep learning approach for specular highlight removal from transmissive materials
Authors: Madessa Amanuel Hirpa , Dong Junyu , Gan Yanhai , Gao Feng 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe appearance of specular highlights in images is one main factor affecting accurate material or object recognition tasks. Such an appearance has a misleading effect on the true gradient information found in transmissive material images. Certain methods use specular highlights as an intrinsic feature of transparency to detect transparent objects. However, this process reduces the robustness of methods in applications with opaque and shiny materials and in the classification of tasks among related features, such as transparency and translucency. Thus, correcting this artefact can enhance texture‐ or gradient‐based image and video analyses. However, the correction of small or large regions with specular highlights from transmissive materials, such as glass, plastic and water, is complex and ambiguous. These materials are sensitive to specular highlights and exhibit high degrees of reflection. In this study, we propose a deep learning framework to address the problem. A partial convolution‐based inpainting method is integrated with automatic semantic mask generation by using a simple adaptive binarization to detect highlight spots during training and inference. The proposed framework improves the learning process by capturing the semantic nature of specular highlights. Moreover, the framework eliminates the use of image‐mask pairs during inference and avoids predefined irregular random mask training. We qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate the proposed framework by using new and existing publicly available datasets that contain specular images. Experimental results show that our framework registers competitive performance and considerably reduces computational time.
Building an expert system for printer forensics: A new printer identification model based on niching genetic algorithm
Authors: Darwish Saad M. , ELgohary Hany M. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractInside digital forensic science, expert systems are utilized to clarify suspicions where normally one or more human experts would need to be consulted. Expert systems‐based printer identification is provided with the objective of distinguishing the printer that produced a suspicious or questioned document. The arising problem is that the extraction of many features of the printed document for printer forensics sometimes increases the time and decreases the classification accuracy as many of the printed document descriptors may emanate to be recurring and non‐valuable. Therefore, the distinct combinatorial collection of features (knowledge base) will demand to be acquired in order to preserve the essence of operative features' fusion to accomplish the maximum accuracy. This paper presents a bio‐inspired expert system for printer forensics that integrates both texture features conveyed from the grey level co‐occurrence matrix of the printed letter ‘WOO’ and niching genetic search to select the good enough reduced feature set. This combination intends to realize high classification precision relies on a trivial collection of discriminative descriptors. Niching methods extend genetic algorithms to domains that require the location and maintenance of multiple solutions based on adjusting the crossover ratio and occurrence of mutation of each individual and employs the slope of the individuals to choose their mutation value. For categorization, the scheme exploits k‐nearest neighbours (KNN) to distinguish the brand of the printer for its simplicity. Results confirm that the suggested approach has high classification accuracy and needs less computation time.
Are Equity‐Promoting Paternity Leave Policies Associated With Higher Rates of Parenthood?
Authors: Feldman Karie , Gran Brian 
Published: August 2020

ObjectiveThis study aims to explore how equitable paternity leave policy may combine with other family policy to impact fertility levels.BackgroundThe decision to start a family is personal but takes place in the context of policies that vary in level of support. Although policies offering fathers paid leave from work are expected to promote gender equity and make family formation easier, these policies have been implemented with little evidence of effectiveness.MethodThis study uses fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis to study data from the International Labour Organization, the World Bank, and the International Leave Network to compare policies systematically across 43 countries.ResultsEmploying the paternity leave equity typology, evidence suggests that high increases in fertility are found in countries where paternity leave policies promote equity in combination with other factors, or in less affluent countries where women tend to start families later and experience less paid labor market participation.ConclusionThis research suggests that a one‐size‐fits‐all approach may not promote fertility.ImplicationsIn addition to equity in parental leave, policymakers should consider a range of factors that affect parents, especially women's participation in the workforce and age at first birth. Further research is needed to identify conditions in which equitable paternity leaves are most effective so policymakers can develop evidence‐based policies best suited to meeting their goals.
Active Husband Involvement During Pregnancy: A Grounded Theory
Authors: Eddy Brandon P. , Fife Stephen T. 
Published: August 2020

ObjectiveThe purpose of this grounded theory qualitative study was to build a theory describing how husband involvement during pregnancy impacts the couple relationship.BackgroundThe transition to parenthood presents a significant life change for couples. Although many couples experience this life cycle change, there is relatively little empirical research on how husbands can meaningfully contribute during pregnancy and how husband involvement influences the couple relationship postpartum.MethodEleven heterosexual, married couples were interviewed regarding husband involvement during the couple's most recent pregnancy. Data collection included separate interviews with each partner and with each couple.ResultsThe results are presented in a grounded theory of active husband involvement during pregnancy and its influence on the couple relationship postpartum. Accounts from participants indicate that active husband involvement during pregnancy helps to strengthen the couple relationship postpartum. Active husband involvement consists of four interrelated ingredients: helping with a positive attitude, instrumental support, emotional support, and responding in significant moments. Couples described five distinct ways the couple relationship was enhanced by active husband involvement: increased trust, a more mature relationship, greater love, enhanced communication, and continued support. The theory also includes husbands' efforts to navigate various obstacles to active husband involvement.ConclusionActive husband involvement during pregnancy consists of many behaviors and leads to strengthened couple relationships postpartum.ImplicationsThis study highlights the need for a greater emphasis on the couple relationship during pregnancy and provides health care providers and researchers with information about how they can encourage active husband involvement during pregnancy.
Health consequences of cocaine use in France: data from the French Addictovigilance Network
Authors: Eiden Céline , Vincent Marc , Serrand Chris , Serre Anais , Richard Nathalie , Picot Marie‐Christine , Frauger Elisabeth , Fouilhé Nathalie , Daveluy Amélie , Peyrière Hélène ,   the French Addictovigilance Network (FAN)
Published: August 2020

AbstractAs the number and severity of complications related to cocaine use reported to the French Addictovigilance Network have increased, the French health authorities requested a national epidemiologic study of the data collected by this network from 2010 to 2016. For this purpose, the spontaneous reports (SRs) linked to cocaine notified by health professionals were analyzed as well as the data from the pharmacoepidemiological surveys OPPIDUM (observation of illegal drugs and misuse of psychotropic medications) and DRAMES (deaths related to the abuse of licit and illicit psychoactive substances). In total, 1 265 SRs were analyzed (510% increase from 2010 to 2016). Users were mainly men (952/1 261; 75%), with a median age of 35.0 years [IQ25–75: 28–42]. Cocaine was consumed through the intranasal route by 52% of users (416/797), followed by intravenous administration (32%, 253/797) and inhalation (24%, 190/797). The use of cocaine powder and crack cocaine was reported in 70% (475/674) and 23% (154/674) of SRs, respectively. Cocaine was consumed with other psychoactive substances and alcohol in 47% (603/1265) and 60% (387/649) of cases, respectively. The main cocaine‐related complications were psychiatric complications (29%), neurologic complications (24%) and cardiovascular complications (23%). Analysis of the OPPIDUM survey data showed that in 2016, 15.9 and 2.4% of the included subjects consumed cocaine or crack cocaine the week preceding the survey, the highest rate for the 2006–2016 period. The DRAMES survey indicated that cocaine‐related deaths increased by threefold from 2014 to 2016. These data confirm that cocaine use in France is worrying with an increase in the number of severe complications and deaths.
High‐stress fatigue crack propagation in thin AA2024‐T3 sheet material
Authors: Breitbarth Eric , Strohmann Tobias , Requena Guillermo 
Published: August 2020

AbstractFatigue crack growth in 1.6‐mm‐thick sheets of aluminium alloy AA2024‐T3 was investigated under very high‐stress conditions using 950‐mm‐wide middle tension (MT) specimens. Experiments were conducted by applying uniaxial load ratios R (0.1, 0.3 and 0.5) with the maximum nominal stress of 120 MPa following conditions relevant for aircraft fuselage structures. The experiments were conducted with digital image correlation to determine loading conditions acting on the crack tip. Stable crack growth rates of up to da/dN > 4 mm/cycle and ΔK > 100 MPa√m were reached, and final crack lengths 2a > 500 mm were obtained. High‐stress intensity factors cause plastic zone sizes that extend up to approximately 100 mm from the crack tip. The da/dN‐ΔK data obtained in this study provide crucial information about the fatigue crack growth and damage tolerance of very long cracks under high‐stress conditions in thin lightweight structures.
Are CEOs incentivized to shelter good information?
Authors: Feng Hongrui , Jia Yuecheng 
Published: August 2020

AbstractPrior theoretical studies on the agency problem hold different opinions from the empirical literature on two questions: (a) Are CEOs incentivized to shelter good information? (b) Are CEOs incentivized to evenly shelter good and bad information? This paper demonstrates that CEOs with high pay‐performance incentives tend to successfully shelter good information rather than bad information. Furthermore, CEOs with high pay‐performance incentives shelter good information by using real earnings management and textual manipulation but not accrual‐based earnings management. These asymmetric information manipulation behaviors help to decrease corporate cash flow volatility as well as the jump and crash risk on the stock market.
Risk factors for perioperative bleeding in percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy construction: A case series and retrospective preliminary investigation
Authors: Ota Kazuhiro , Nishida Shinya , Hara Azusa , Kawaguchi Shimpei , Harada Satoshi , Kojima Yuichi , Takeuchi Toshihisa , Higuchi Kazuhide 
Published: August 2020

ObjectivesPercutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is one of the methods of tube feeding in patients who are incapable of oral intake. There are no reports on risk factors for bleeding at PEG construction. Our main objective was to investigate the risks and predictors of bleeding associated with PEG construction.MethodsThis retrospective, observational study included patients who had undergone PEG construction at our institution. To investigate the risks of bleeding associated with PEG construction, we compared the baseline characteristics between bleeding and non‐bleeding patients. In terms of early predictors of post‐PEG bleeding, we evaluated whether there had been a decrease from baseline of >10% in hemoglobin levels on the day after the procedure.ResultsThe median preoperative albumin levels were 22.5 g/L (range 20–29 g/L) and 30 g/L (range 18–40 g/L) in the bleeding and non‐bleeding groups, respectively (P = 0.014, Mann–Whitney U‐test). The median preoperative platelet counts were 177 500 (range 87 000–265 000) and 271 000 (83 000–749 000) in the bleeding and non‐bleeding groups, respectively (P = 0.043, Mann–Whitney U‐test). The number of patients for whom hemoglobin levels decreased >10% from baseline on the day after the procedure differed significantly between the bleeding and non‐bleeding groups (2/4, 50% and 3/58, 5.45%), respectively (P = 0.002, Pearson's χ2‐test).ConclusionsLow serum albumin and preoperative platelet counts might be risk factors for bleeding. Rigorous follow up is necessary for patients showing a decrease in hemoglobin level ≥10% of their baseline the day after the procedure. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 932–937.
Elites in transnational policy networks
Authors: HENRIKSEN LASSE FOLKE , SEABROOKE LEONARD 
Published: August 2020

AbstractIn this framing article for the special issue we contrast the aims and ambitions of three core approaches to elites in transnational policy networks and highlight where they have productive overlaps. The core approaches employ three distinctive theoretical lenses in their investigations: fields, hegemony, and institutions. We discuss how these approaches trace elites in transnational policymaking and associated methods, such as network analysis, sequence analysis and field theory, which highlight different aspects of how elites in transnational policy networks operate. Most of the contributions are concerned with mapping out elite careers and why career trajectories matter for field and network positions in transnational policymaking. While the contributions share this in common, we highlight the different ways in which the approaches can be used to dissect the same issues. Our contributions include pieces on the Trump administration, the professional ecologies of transnational policy elites, the treatment of transboundary political problems, the characteristics of technocratic elites, the racial and gender composition of transnational elites, and professional competition over transnational policy issues.