bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Progress on microplastics research in the Yellow Sea, China
Authors: Li Qingjie , Sun Xiaoxia 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Marine microplastics are a global problem and are causing considerable concern. As the largest marginal sea of the Western Pacific, the Yellow Sea is surrounded by China and the Korean Peninsula, and its coastal ecosystem is greatly affected by human activities. This article reviews the progress of microplastics research in the Yellow Sea in China, including studies on surface water, the seawater column, sediments, and marine organisms. The results indicate that plastic debris exists throughout the west Yellow Sea, with higher abundance of microplastics in water columns and sediments in the north part than those in the south part. Fibers <1 mm and transparent-colored particles dominated the samples collected. Polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and cellophane (CP) were the dominant debris types. The wide distribution of microplastics in the environment also results in animal ingestion. Sea cucumbers, accordingly, ingest more microplastic debris than other biologic taxa (zooplankton, shellfish, and fish) that have a bearing on their surrounding environment. By providing basic environmental assessment data regarding the Yellow Sea, this paper demonstrates that actions should be taken to reduce the consumption and emission of plastics into the environment.
Unsupervised Translation Quality Estimation for Digital Entertainment Content Subtitles
Authors: Gupta Prabhakar , Sharma Mayank 
Published: June 2020

We demonstrate the potential for using aligned bilingual word embeddings in developing an unsupervised method to evaluate machine translations without a need for parallel translation corpus or reference corpus. We explain different aspects of digital entertainment content subtitles. We share our experimental results for four languages pairs English to French, German, Portuguese, Spanish, and present findings on the shortcomings of Neural Machine Translation for subtitles. We propose several improvements over the system designed by Gupta et al. [P. Gupta, S. Shekhawat and K. Kumar, Unsupervised quality estimation without reference corpus for subtitle machine translation using word embeddings, IEEE 13th Int. Conf. Semantic Computing, 2019, pp. 32–38.] by incorporating custom embedding model curated to subtitles, compound word splits and punctuation inclusion. We show a massive run time improvement of the order of [Formula: see text] by considering three types of edits, removing Proximity Intensity Index (PII) and changing post-edit score calculation from their system.
Feature-Based Jet Variability in the Upper Troposphere
Authors: Spensberger Clemens , Spengler Thomas 
Published: June 2020

AbstractJets in the upper troposphere constitute a cornerstone of both synoptic meteorology and climate dynamics, providing a direct link between weather and midlatitude climate variability. Conventionally, jet variability is often inferred indirectly through the variability of geopotential or sea level pressure. As recent findings pointed to physical discrepancies of this interpretation for the Southern Hemisphere, this study presents a global overview of jet variability based on automated jet detections in the upper troposphere. Consistent with previous studies, most ocean basins are dominated by variability patterns comprising either a latitudinal shift of the jet or a so-called pulsing, a broadening/narrowing of the jet distribution without a change in the mean position. Whereas previous studies generally associate a mode of storm track variability with either shifting or pulsing, jet-based variability patterns frequently represent a transition from shifting to pulsing, or vice versa, across the respective ocean basin. In the Northern Hemisphere, jet variability is consistent with geopotential variability, confirming earlier analyses. In the Southern Hemisphere, however, the variability of geopotential and jets often indicates different modes of variability. Notable exceptions are the consistent dominant modes of jet and geopotential variability in the South Pacific and, to a lesser extent, the south Indian Ocean during winter, as well as the dominant modes in the South Atlantic and south Indian Ocean during summer. Finally, tropical variability is shown to modulate the jet distribution in the Northern Hemisphere, which is in line with previous results. The response in the Southern Hemispheric, however, is shown to be markedly different.
Evaluation of a school-based tobacco control intervention in India
Authors: Lakshmi Josyula K , Shrivastav Radhika , Saluja Kiran , Arora Monika 
Published: June 2020

Objective: To understand tobacco use patterns and the context, implementation and reception of a 2-year school-based behavioural intervention to promote awareness and support for tobacco control policies. Design: Qualitative exploration of participating students’, parents’ and teachers’ perspectives, experiences and observations related to tobacco use and the school-based intervention, as well as suggestions for the more effective prevention of tobacco use. Setting: 1,440 schools (720 intervention, 720 control) in two districts of Andhra Pradesh and five districts of Gujarat, India, participated in the study. Method: Forty-six focus group discussions were conducted with 94 teachers, 105 parents and 138 students in the intervention schools. Results: Evaluation findings signal the influence of the social, economic and cultural context on the initiation and perpetuation of tobacco use. Positive health beliefs, the economic importance of tobacco and cultural practices related to tobacco use were at variance with mounting evidence on the adverse outcomes of tobacco use. Health behaviour change related to tobacco use was observed in participating students, teachers and their families. However, the wider community was not as much influenced. Analysis of the intervention revealed various inputs and gaps in the implementation of the intervention associated with low impact on tobacco use in the community. Conclusion: School-based interventions can effect significant perceived health behaviour change among students and families. Health promotion interventions need to acknowledge, harness and address cultural norms, economic pressures and policy implementation with respect to the initiation and perpetuation of tobacco use health behaviours.
Persistent Disparities in Cervical Cancer Screening Uptake: Knowledge and Sociodemographic Determinants of Papanicolaou and Human Papillomavirus Testing Among Women in the United States
Authors: Johnson Nicole L. , Head Katharine J. , Scott Susanna Foxworthy , Zimet Gregory D. 
Published: June 2020

Objectives Cervical cancer is the second-most common type of cancer among women aged 15-44, and racial, ethnic, and economic disparities exist in survival rates despite widely available screening tests and early treatment options. The objective of this study was to describe the association among knowledge, sociodemographic characteristics, and cervical cancer screening, with the goal of developing interventions to prevent cervical cancer in populations at risk of the disease. Methods In 2017, we conducted a nationwide survey of women in the United States aged ≥18 who had ever received a Papanicolaou (Pap) test (N = 630). We conducted t tests and one-way analysis of variance to determine sociodemographic differences (age, education, race, ethnicity, income, type of health insurance) in knowledge about cervical cancer screening (Pap test and human papillomavirus [HPV] test). We used logistic regressions to define significant determinants of cervical cancer screening behaviors in the previous 5 years. Results Of 629 respondents, 407 (64.7%) had an annual household income <$30 000, and 322 of 536 (60.1%) respondents had government-provided health insurance. Of 630 women who had ever had a Pap test, 425 (67.5%) had an HPV test. Hispanic and non-Hispanic white women were more likely than Hispanic and non-Hispanic black women (odds ratio [OR] = 2.49; 95% CI, 1.12-4.54; P = .02) and women with government-provided health insurance (OR = 1.91; 95% CI, 1.08-3.37; P = .03) were more likely than women with private health insurance to have received a Pap test in the previous 5 years. Knowledge of HPV was a significant predictor of having received an HPV test in the previous 5 years (OR = 1.37; 95% CI, 1.22-1.54; P < .001). Conclusion Disparities in cervical cancer screening among sociodemographic groups of women suggest the need for targeted interventions to improve knowledge about Pap and HPV tests.
Impact of Alcohol Consumption on Snoring and Sleep Apnea: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis
Authors: Burgos‐Sanchez Christian , Jones Nolan N. , Avillion Michael , Gibson Steven J. , Patel Jagatkumar A. , Neighbors John , Zaghi Soroush , Camacho Macario 
Published: June 2020

ObjectiveTo systematically review the international literature for studies evaluating the effect of alcohol consumption on the occurrence and severity of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea and to use the available data to perform a meta‐analysis.Data SourcesMEDLINE, Embase, The Cochrane Library, CINAHL/EBASCO, and Scopus.Review MethodsThe protocol was registered in PROSPERO in March 2018. Following PRISMA guidelines, 2 independent researchers conducted a search from their inception through July 2018. Polysomnography (PSG) data were collected for sleep stages, apnea‐hypopnea index (AHI), respiratory disturbance index, and/or lowest oxygen saturation (LSAT). Data concerning the frequency and severity of snoring intensity and sleep architecture were also collected. Only studies with PSG data were evaluated, with exclusion of studies with home sleep testing data. A multivariate regression and pooled analysis with forest plot was performed.ResultsA total of 1266 manuscripts were screened, and 13 manuscripts with 279 patients met inclusion criteria. Pooled analysis of AHI for control versus alcohol consumption revealed a mean difference (MD) of 3.98 events per hour (95% CI, 3.27 to 4.68; P <. 001). Pooled analysis of LSAT for control versus alcohol consumption revealed an MD of −2.72% (95% CI, −3.69 to −1.76; Z score, 5.53; P <. 00001).ConclusionAlcohol consumption is associated with worsening severity of snoring, altered sleep architecture, AHI, as well as lowest oxygen saturation among patients susceptible to snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.
Effects of combined aerobic and resistance exercise on renal function in adult patients with chronic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wu Xiaoxia , Yang Lei , Wang Ying , Wang Chunfeng , Hu Rong , Wu Yong 
Published: June 2020

Objectives: Combined aerobic and resistance exercise (CARE) is beneficial for improving renal function. To confirm this, we conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of CARE on renal function in adult patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Date sources: The last date of search was 22 February 2020. We searched Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Embase, Allied and Complementary Medicine (AMED), CINAHL, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, and three Chinese databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wangfang, Journal Integration Platform (VIP)) for articles of randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials. Methods: We used the Cochrane tool and the JBI Critical Appraisal checklist to assess randomized controlled trials and quasi-randomized controlled trials, respectively. Result: A total of 12 studies and 745 patients were included. Compared with usual care or no exercise, CARE resulted in a significant improvement in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (between-group analysis: mean difference (MD) =5.01, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.37 to 7.65; within-group analysis: MD = 3.01, 95% CI: 0.86 to 5.16). The serum creatinine levels also showed a significant improvement after CARE (between-group analysis: MD = −8.57, 95% CI: −13.71 to −3.43; within-group analysis: MD = −6.33, 95% CI: −10.23 to −2.44). Patients who performed CARE also demonstrated a decline in the blood pressure in the within-group analysis (systolic blood pressure: MD = −5.24, 95% CI: −7.93 to −2.54; diastolic blood pressure: MD = −3.63, 95% CI: −5.35 to −1.91). However, there were no significant differences in proteinuria, lipid levels, physical composition, and quality of life. Conclusion: The study results support the concept that CARE intervention improves renal function. It provides strong evidence for guiding clinical decisions and implementing renal rehabilitation exercises.
The effect of high-intensity versus low-level laser therapy in the management of plantar fasciitis: randomized participant blind controlled trial
Authors: Naruseviciute Dovile , Kubilius Raimondas 
Published: June 2020

Objectives: To evaluate and compare the efficacy of high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for plantar fasciitis. Design: A participant blind randomized controlled trial with parallel group design and an active comparator with follow-up at four weeks. Settings: Outpatient, University hospital. Subjects: Unilateral plantar fasciitis participants ( n = 102) were randomly assigned into two groups. Recruitment period was from January 2017 to April 2019. Interventions: Interventions included eight sessions of laser therapy over three weeks and single session of patient education. The HILT group ( n = 51) received HILT and the LLLT group ( n = 51) received LLLT. Main measures: Primary outcomes: visual analogue scale; secondary outcomes: pressure algometry, sonography of plantar fascia thickness (time frame: baseline to three-week and four-week follow-up) and numeric rating scale (0%–100%) for opinion of participants on effect of treatment (time frame: three weeks). Data presented: mean (SD) or n (%). Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the groups according to visual analogue scale (pain in general reduction in three weeks: 2.57(3.45) vs. 2.88(3.28) cm), pressure algometry (pain threshold difference between healthy and affected heel reduction in three weeks: 1.80(6.39) vs. 1.77(2.85) kg) and sonography measurements (plantar fascia thickness difference between healthy and affected heel reduction in three weeks: 0.19(0.56) vs. 0.30(0.57) mm). There was a statistically significant difference between the groups in participants’ opinion in favor to HILT group (efficacy of treatment better than 50%: 26(51%) vs. 37(73%)). Conclusion: No statistically significant difference between groups was observed.
The occurrence and timing of delirium in acute care hospitalizations in the last year of life: A population-based retrospective cohort study
Authors: Webber Colleen , Watt Christine L , Bush Shirley H , Lawlor Peter G , Talarico Robert , Tanuseputro Peter 
Published: June 2020

Background: Delirium is a distressing neurocognitive disorder that is common among terminally ill individuals, although few studies have described its occurrence in the acute care setting among this population. Aim: To describe the prevalence of delirium in patients admitted to acute care hospitals in Ontario, Canada, in their last year of life and identify factors associated with delirium. Design: Population-based retrospective cohort study using linked health administrative data. Delirium was identified through diagnosis codes on hospitalization records. Setting/participants: Ontario decedents (1 January 2014 to 31 December 2016) admitted to an acute care hospital in their last year of life, excluding individuals age of <18 years or >105 years at admission, those not eligible for the provincial health insurance plan between their hospitalization and death dates, and non-Ontario residents. Results: Delirium was recorded as a diagnosis in 8.2% of hospitalizations. The frequency of delirium-related hospitalizations increased as death approached. Delirium prevalence was higher in patients with dementia (prevalence ratio: 1.43; 95% confidence interval: 1.36–1.50), frailty (prevalence ratio: 1.67; 95% confidence interval: 1.56–1.80), or organ failure–related cause of death (prevalence ratio: 1.23; 95% confidence interval: 1.16–1.31) and an opioid prescription (prevalence ratio: 1.17; 95% confidence interval: 1.12–1.21). Prevalence also varied by age, sex, chronic conditions, antipsychotic use, receipt of long-term care or home care, and hospitalization characteristics. Conclusion: This study described the occurrence and timing of delirium in acute care hospitals in the last year of life and identified factors associated with delirium. These findings can be used to support delirium prevention and early detection in the hospital setting.
The Relationships Between Parental Stress, Home Food Environment, and Child Diet Patterns in Families of Preschool Children
Authors: Jang Myoungock , Brown Roger , Vang Pa Ying 
Published: June 2020

Purpose: Home food environment, including home food availability and parental food preparation practices, plays a significant role in child diet patterns. Recent evidence suggests that parental psychological stress is related to parental food preparation practices; however, there is limited information about the relationship between parental psychological stress and home food availability. The purpose of the study is to examine the relationships between parental stress, home food availability, child diet patterns, and body mass index (BMI) in families with young children. Design: A secondary data analysis from a mixed-methods design study. Setting: The parent study was conducted in both local and online communities using a web-based survey. Participants: Participants were 256 parents of children aged 2 to 5 years (53.4% white; 41.5% of overweight or obese children). Measures: Parents completed well-validated self-report questionnaires. Analysis: We used latent structural equation modeling using Bayesian analysis. Results: There was a negative relationship between parents’ general stress and healthy food availability at home (β* = −.20, P < .001 for fruits; β* = −.23, P < .001 for vegetables; and β* = −.24, P < .001 for healthy beverage) and a positive relationship between parenting stress and healthy snack and healthy beverage availability (β = .13, P = .03; β = .14, P = .02, respectively). There was no relationship between parental stress and unhealthy food availability at home while unhealthy food availability was significantly associated with child’s unhealthy eating pattern (β* = .86, P < .01 for unhealthy snack; β* = .51, P < .01 for unhealthy beverage). There was no moderating effect of children’s health insurance on the relationships between parental stress and home food availability. Furthermore, child diet patterns were not associated with child BMI. Conclusion: Parental psychological stress is a potentially important intervention target point for improving home food environment and child diet patterns.
Treatment Needs and Service Utilization in Older U.S. Adults Evidencing High-Risk Substance Use
Authors: Fairman Kathleen A. , Early Nicole K. 
Published: June 2020

Objectives: Because substance misuse by older adults poses clinical risks and has not been recently assessed, we examined substance use patterns, treatment needs, and service utilization in those evidencing high-risk use. Methods: We identified National Survey on Drug Use and Health respondents (2015–2018) aged ≥50 years reporting multiple-occasion binge drinking, illicit drug use, prescription drug misuse, or substance dependence. Past-year psychological symptoms were assessed using validated scales. Results: The sample, representing 10.2% of community-dwelling older U.S. adults, evidenced clinically important risks: 65.2% past-month binge drinking, 27.3% mental illness, 14.3% psychological distress, 10.6% combined alcohol/drug use, and 6.5% suicidality. Treatment receipt was uncommon (27.7%), positively associated with distress, and negatively associated with binge drinking. Of those not receiving treatment, 3.8% perceived treatment need. Discussion: Findings highlight the value of substance misuse screening and brief interventions, suggesting potential treatment referral opportunities for those evidencing psychological distress.
Predictive value of optical coherence tomography, multifocal visual evoked potentials, and full-field visual evoked potentials of the fellow, non-symptomatic eye for subsequent multiple sclerosis development in patients with acute optic neuritis
Authors: Pihl-Jensen Gorm , Wanscher Benedikte , Frederiksen Jette Lautrup 
Published: June 2020

Background: Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) may sometimes be ascertained at the time of optic neuritis (ON) but other times require the advent of new disease activity. Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the predictive value of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and visual evoked potential (VEP) measurements of the non-symptomatic, fellow eye of ON patients, for conversion to MS. Methods: This is a prospective cohort study in patients with acute ON. OCT thickness measurements of peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) and macular ganglion cell layer–inner plexiform layer (GCLIPL), and multifocal (mf) VEP and full-field (ff) VEP, were performed. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression examined the value of predictors for the conversion to MS. Results: A total of 79 unilateral, acute ON patients, with no MS diagnosis or prior demyelination, were included. Of which, 28 patients developed MS during follow-up. Inferonasal GCLIPL, mean GCLIPL, and pRNFL thickness significantly predicted MS development in multivariate analysis (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.922–0.939, p = 0.0172–0.021). MfVEP mean latency (HR = 1.052, p = 0.006) only predicted MS conversion in univariate analysis. No significant predictive value was shown for the other parameters ( p > 0.2). Conclusion: While both mfVEP and OCT are useful tools in the evaluation of acute ON patients, only OCT measurements of fellow eyes may serve as an independent predictor of MS development.
Is education exhausted?
Authors: Dworakowska Katarzyna 
Published: June 2020

In the article I argue that the category of exhaustion constitutes the key to contemporary instrumental education. In my analysis I draw from Sloterdijk’s diagnosis of modern consciousness and the Deleuzian concept of exhaustion. My contention is that an explanation for a durable rule of market logic can be found in the fact that traditional narratives, that is, narratives which place God or Reason as arche of the world, have expired and exposed the emptiness. The space, not occupied anymore by God or Reason, has become empty and as such needed to be filled in. As this (empty) space cannot be filled by the humanities with their so-called higher values, an economic narrative has taken over this task and, as a further consequence, transformed education into its instrument. However, neither the content of traditional narratives, nor economic ones, directly produce this emptiness, since it is an effect of the exhausted life. In my contribution I argue that a triangle consisting of higher values, economic values and the (empty) space is a sort of trap caused by two ways of being of the exhausted life, that is, by judgement and domination. Moreover, I will attempt to show that a shift to non-instrumental education present in the field of contemporary philosophy of education is also a problem within the exhausted life. In addition, perhaps the only chance to overcome this exhaustion lies in negation, which is found through despair.