bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Income inequality and natural gas consumption in China: Do heterogeneous and threshold effects exist?
Authors: Zhao Jun , Jiang Qingzhe , Dong Kangyin 
Published: December 2020

AbstractTo test whether income inequality affects natural gas consumption in China, this study investigates the causal nexus between income inequality and natural gas consumption based on panel data of China's 30 provinces from 2005 to 2017. Fully considering the potential cross‐sectional dependence and endogeneity issues, the system generalised method of moments (SYS‐GMM) is selected as the benchmark estimation approach. Furthermore, the threshold effect and regional heterogeneity are further analysed. The results indicate that the impact of income inequality on natural gas consumption depends on the level of economic development in China; specifically, a significant inverted U‐shaped relationship is found between income inequality and natural gas consumption. Notably, at the current stage of economic development, income inequality has a significant and negative influence on natural gas consumption. Furthermore, the causality analysis for the three major regions in the country confirms the existence of significant regional differences, revealing that, only for the central region, unidirectional causality runs from natural gas consumption to income inequality.
A qualitative study of emergency department patients who survived an opioid overdose: Perspectives on treatment and unmet needs
Authors: Hawk Kathryn , Grau Lauretta E. , Fiellin David A. , Chawarski Marek , O’Connor Patrick G. , Cirillo Nikolas , Breen Chris , D’Onofrio Gail 
Published: December 2020

AbstractObjectiveEmergency medicine clinicians are uniquely positioned to deliver interventions to enhance linkage to evidence‐based treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) in the acute overdose period, yet little is known about patient perspectives to effectively engage patients immediately following opioid overdose. Our objective was to explore patients’ perspectives on substance use treatment, perceived needs, and contextual factors that shape the choice of patients seen in the emergency department (ED) to engage with treatment and other patient support services in the acute post–opioid overdose period.MethodsWe administered a brief quantitative survey and conducted semistructured interviews with 24 adult ED patients receiving care after an acute opioid overdose between June 2016 and August 2017 in an urban, academic ED. We used constant comparison method and thematic analysis to identify themes across four levels of a modified social ecologic model (individual, interpersonal, organizational, and structural).ResultsThe mean (±SD) age of the sample was 33.5 (±9.33) years; 83% were White and 12% were Black; 67% were male; and 83% were diagnosed with OUD, with a mean (±SD) of 3.25 (±2.64) self‐reported lifetime opioid overdoses. Eight themes were identified as influencing participants’ consideration of OUD treatment and other services: (1) perceptions about control of drug use, (2) personal experience with substance use treatment, (3) role of interpersonal relationships, (4) provider communication skills, (5) stigma, (6) availability of ED resources, (7) impact of treatment policies, and (8) support for unmet basic needs.ConclusionsPatients receiving ED care following overdose in our ED are willing to discuss their opioid use and its treatment in the ED and report a variety of unmet needs. This work supports a role for ED‐based research evaluating a patient‐oriented approach to engage patients after opioid overdose.
Assessment of medication adherence in children and adults with congenital adrenal hyperplasia and the impact of knowledge and self‐management
Authors: Ekbom Kerstin , Strandqvist Anna , Lajic Svetlana , Hirschberg Angelica L , Falhammar Henrik , Nordenström Anna 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundCongenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is caused by a deficiency of one of the enzymes required for cortisol biosynthesis. The disease is classified as either classic (severe phenotype), subdivided into simple virilizing (SV) and salt‐wasting (SW), or non‐classic (NC) CAH. The treatment regime involves life‐long glucocorticoid replacement, especially in classic phenotype.ObjectivesWe aimed to assess medication adherence, endocrine knowledge and self‐management in patients with CAH and to compare patients’ and physicians’ assessments of medication adherence.MethodsA prospective cross‐sectional study of 108 patients with CAH (52 children and 56 adults) and 45 parents/caregivers. Two adherence measures were used, a self‐reported questionnaire named Adherence Starts with Knowledge (ASK‐12) with a cut‐off level > 22 defined as poor adherence rate, and an assessment by a physician based on growth rate, 17‐hydroxyprogesterone profile, and medical history, ranked using a five‐point Likert scale.Measurements of the patients’/parents’ knowledge and self‐management were performed using Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guidelines.ResultsSelf‐reported medication adherence was good with 74% of the participants reported good adherence with higher adherence in patients with the SW form. The highest endocrine knowledge and self‐management were found in parents compared with children and adults with classic CAH. There was 30% discordance between the assessments by a physician and the self‐reported ASK‐12 scores independent of the severity of CAH.ConclusionPatients and endocrinologists reported high medication adherence, however, discordance was found in 30% of the studied patients. Patients with the more severe form of CAH had higher adherence rates and demonstrated good endocrine knowledge/self‐management.
Prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection andHIVamong people who inject drugs in Iran
Authors: Radfar Seyed Ramin , Nematollahi Pardis , Tayeri Katayoun , Dehghan Hamidreza , Janani Majid , Higgs Peter , Mohsenifar Setareh , Noroozi Alireza 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIntroductionIran has an human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) epidemic that is concentrated among people who inject drugs (PWID), who have higher risks of progression from latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) to active disease. The aim of this study is to measure prevalence of LTBI, HIV infection and any risk behaviors among PWID in Iran.MethodsThe cross‐sectional study was conducted from August to December 2013 in six cities across Iran. A total of 420 PWID were recruited from drop‐in centres using convenience sampling. Trained interviewers collected data on socio‐demographic characteristics, drug use history and drug‐related risk behaviors across the study sites. A tuberculin skin test (TST) was performed, and HIV infection was assessed by a rapid test. Multivariable modified Poisson regression and logistic regression were used for data analysis.ResultsPrevalence of positive TST and HIV positivity was 35.7% and 8.6%, respectively. The prevalence of LTBI and HIV was significantly different across the cities of this study. Positive TST was independently associated with older age (APR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01, 1.05) and being HIV positive (APR 1.89, 95% CI 1.45, 2.47). HIV infection was associated with lifetime history of sharing syringes (AOR 3.28, 95% CI 1.44, 10.71) and lifetime number of imprisonment (AOR 1.09, 95% CI 1.03–1.14).Discussion and ConclusionsPrevalence of LTBI infections among PWID is high and independently associated with HIV infection. Given that there are currently no TB services available within drop‐in centres, programs which integrate TB case finding, TB preventive therapy, referral and care services for PWID are urgently needed.
Blast size‐specific flowcytometric ploidy assessment using FxCycleTM Violet dye and its correlation with conventional cytogenetic ploidy in pediatric precursor B‐lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients
Authors: Bommannan Karthik , Arumugam Jhansi Rani , Koshy Teena , Radhakrishnan Venkatraman , Sagar Tenali Gnana , Sundersingh Shirley 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIntroductionNumerical chromosomal abnormalities (aneuploidies), present in approximately 30%‐50% of pediatric precursor B‐lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B‐ALL) patients, are commonly identified through a laborious conventional cytogenetic (CG) technique. Flow cytometry (FCM) can identify both physical and fluorescent properties of cells together, and by using fluorescent nucleic‐acid‐binding dyes, FCM can identify variations in total nucleic‐acid content of cells. FxCycleTM Violet dye (FxCV) is a selective DNA‐binding dye which permits simultaneous multiparametric immunophenotyping and cell‐cycle/ploidy assessment in a single assay. To date, only two studies have demonstrated the feasibility of FxCV‐aided FCM‐ploidy analysis in B‐ALL patients and only one of these studies have compared their results with CG‐ploidy.MethodologyBlast size‐specific FCM‐ploidy was prospectively analyzed using FxCV‐dye in 109 pediatric B‐ALL patients, and the results were compared with concurrent CG‐ploidy status.ResultsFCM‐ploidy categorization was feasible in 98% of samples tested and the results were 82% concordant with CG‐ploidy status. We observed significant correlation between DNA content and blast size (r = .823, P < .001) and could demonstrate size differences between diploid vs low‐hyperdiploid (P = .025), diploid vs high‐hyperdiploid (P < .001) and low‐ vs high‐hyperdiploid blasts (P = .007).ConclusionFCM‐ploidy assessment using FxCV dye is a reliable assay and the results closely concur with CG‐based ploidy stratification and risk assessment. Using blast size‐assisted DNA content analysis, the results of FCM‐ploidy analysis can be further fine‐tuned.
Same‐day discharge after cryoballoon ablation of atrial fibrillation: A multicenter experience
Authors: Kowalski Marcin , Parikh Valay , Salcido Jose R. , Chalfoun Nagib , Albano Alfred , O'Neill Padraig G. , Bowers Mark R. , Gauri Andre , Braegelmann Kendra M. , Lim Hae W. , Akhrass Philippe , Shah Rina , Bekheit Soad , Epstein Laurence M. , Aryana Arash 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundIt is common practice to observe patients during an overnight stay (ONS) following a catheter ablation procedure for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF).ObjectivesTo investigate the safety and economic impact of a same‐day discharge (SDD) protocol after cryoballoon ablation for treatment of AF in high‐volume, geographically diverse US hospitals.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 2374 consecutive patients (1119 SDD and 1180 ONS) who underwent cryoballoon ablation for AF at three US centers. Baseline characteristics, acute procedure‐related complications, and longer‐term evaluations of safety were recorded during routine clinical follow‐up. The mean cost of an ONS was used in a one‐way sensitivity analysis to evaluate yearly cost savings as a function of the percentage of SDD cases per year.ResultsThe SDD and ONS cohorts were predominately male (69% vs. 67%; p = .3), but SDD patients were younger (64 ± 11 vs. 66 ± 10; p < .0001) with lower body mass index (30 ± 6 vs. 31 ± 61; p < .0001) and CHA2DS2‐VASc scores (1.4 ± 1.0 vs. 2.2 ± 1.4; p < .0002). There was no difference between SDD and ONS in the 30‐day total complication rate (n = 15 [1.26%] versus n = 24 [2.03%]; p = .136, respectively). The most common complication was hematoma in both the SDD (n = 8; 0.67%) and ONS (n = 11; 0.93%) cohorts. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated that when 50% of every 100 patients treated were discharged the same day, hospital cost savings ranged from $45 825 to $83 813 per year across US hospitals.ConclusionsSDD following cryoballoon ablation for AF appears to be safe and is associated with cost savings across different US hospitals.
Recombinant human thyrotropin stimulation test in 114 dogs with suspected hypothyroidism: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Corsini A. , Faroni E. , Lunetta F. , Fracassi F. 
Published: December 2020

ObjectiveTo evaluate the performance and define cut‐offs for the interpretation of a thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) stimulation test with a recombinant human TSH dose of 75 μg/dog administered intravenously in dogs with suspected hypothyroidism.Materials and MethodsCross‐sectional study. Medical records of dogs presented for suspected hypothyroidism were retrospectively reviewed. Animals were included if a TSH stimulation test with a recombinant human TSH dose of 75 μg/dog was performed and follow‐up was available. Dogs with a post‐TSH serum total thyroxine (T4) level of ≥2.2 μg/dL were considered euthyroid. Dogs with a post‐TSH T4 level of <2.2 μg/dL were classified as hypothyroid or euthyroid based on follow‐up, including response to levothyroxine supplementation. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to define the performance of the test.ResultsOne hundred and fourteen dogs were included. Forty were classified as hypothyroid and 74 as euthyroid. Post‐TSH T4 cut‐offs of 1.3 and 1.7 μg/dL showed sensitivities of 92.5 and 100% and specificities of 97.3 and 93.2%, respectively. Post‐TSH T4 levels of >1.7 μg/dL had a negative predictive value of 100%. Post‐TSH T4 levels of <1.3 μg/dL showed a positive predictive value of 94.9%. Area under the ROC curve for post‐TSH T4 was 0.99.Clinical SignificanceA TSH stimulation test performed with a recombinant human TSH dose of 75 μg/dog is highly reliable to discriminate between hypothyroid and euthyroid dogs, even in cases of concurrent non‐thyroidal illness or administration of medications. A post‐stimulation T4 concentration of >1.7 μg/dL is suggestive of normal thyroid function.
Comprehensive comparison of upper and lower endoscopic small intestinal biopsy in cats with chronic enteropathy
Authors: Chow Betty , Hill Steve L. , Richter Keith P. , Marsilio Sina , Ackermann Mark R. , Lidbury Jonathan A. , Suchodolski Jan S. , Cocker Sarah , Steiner Jörg M. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundIntegrating immunohistochemistry (IHC) and clonality testing with histopathology may improve the ability to differentiate inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and alimentary small cell lymphoma (LSA) in cats.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo evaluate the utility of histopathology, IHC, and clonality testing to differentiate between IBD and LSA and agreement of diagnostic results for endoscopic biopsy (EB) samples from the upper (USI) and lower small intestine (LSI).AnimalsFifty‐seven cats with IBD or LSA.MethodsAll cases were categorized as definitive IBD (DefIBD), possible LSA (PossLSA), probable LSA (ProbLSA), or definitive LSA (DefLSA) based on histopathology alone. Results from IHC and clonality testing were integrated.ResultsBased on histopathology alone, 24/57 (42.1%), 15/57 (26.3%), and 18/57 (31.6%) cats were diagnosed with DefIBD, PossLSA or ProbLSA, and DefLSA, respectively. After integrating IHC and clonality testing, 11/24 cases (45.8%) and 15/15 cases (100%) previously categorized as DefIBD and PossLSA or ProbLSA, respectively, were reclassified as LSA. A final diagnosis of IBD and LSA was reported in 13/57 (22.8%) and 44/57 (77.2%) cats, respectively. Agreement between USI and LSI samples was moderate based on histopathology alone (κ = 0.66) and after integrating IHC and clonality testing (κ = 0.70). However, only 1/44 (2.3%) of the LSA cases was diagnosed based on LSI biopsy alone.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceIntegrating IHC and clonality testing increased the number of cases diagnosed with LSA, but the consequence for patient outcome is unclear. There was moderate agreement between USI and LSI samples. Samples from the LSI rarely changed the diagnosis.
Expansion of frozen hybrids in the guppy ectoparasite,Gyrodactylus turnbulli
Authors: Konczal Mateusz , Przesmycka Karolina J. , Mohammed Ryan S. , Hahn Christoph , Cable Jo , Radwan Jacek 
Published: December 2020

AbstractHybridization is one of the major factors contributing to the emergence of highly successful parasites. Hybrid vigour can play an important role in this process, but subsequent rounds of recombination in the hybrid population may dilute its effects. Increased fitness of hybrids can, however, be frozen by asexual reproduction. Here, we identify invasion of a ‘frozen hybrid’ genotype in natural populations ofGyrodactylus turnbulli, a facultatively sexual ectoparasitic flatworm that causes significant damage to its fish host. We resequenced genomes of these parasites infecting guppies from six Trinidad and Tobago populations, and found surprisingly high discrepancy in genome‐wide nucleotide diversity between islands. The elevated heterozygosity on Tobago is maintained by predominantly clonal reproduction of hybrids formed from two diverged genomes. Hybridization has been followed by spread of the hybrids across the island, implying a selective advantage compared with native genotypes. Our results thus highlight that a single outcrossing event may be independently sufficient to cause pathogen expansion.
Inhibition of Ultraviolet‐B Radiation Induced Photodamage by Trigonelline Through Modulation of Mitogen Activating Protein Kinases and Nuclear Factor‐κB Signaling Axis in Skin
Authors: A. Nazir Lone , Tanveer Malik A. , Umar Sheikh A. , Love Sharma , Divya Gupta , Tasduq Sheikh A. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractCutaneous photodamage is incited via exposure of ultraviolet‐B (UV‐B) radiation to skin, characterized by the manifestation of oxidative stress, inflammation, collagen degradation and apoptosis which translates to external aging signs such as wrinkle formation and leathery skin appearance. Meanwhile, it increases cellular susceptibility to photocarcinogenesis. Several studies have accumulated evidence regarding the usage of natural agents in reversing the clinical signs of photoaging as well as preventing photo‐toxicity at molecular level. In this study, we have explored the therapeutic potential of natural agent Trigonelline (TG) against UV‐B radiation mediated skin photodamage. Various parameters modulated by the exposure of UV‐B radiation were investigated in human skin cells and chronic photodamage mice model (Balb/c). We found that TG alleviates UV‐B radiation induced photodamage in human skin cells and Balb/c skin mice. TG treatment in UV‐B irradiated skin cells abates UV‐B radiation mediated phototoxicity, oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis. At molecular level, we observed TG treatment significantly prevents the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and lipid peroxidation, restores collagen synthesis and matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs) levels. The in vitro findings were replicated in the in vivo model. We found that the TG acts potentially via modulation of ROS‐MAPKs‐NF‐κB axis. Collectively, we propose that TG acts antagonistically against UV‐B mediated skin damage and has strong potential to be developed as a therapeutic and cosmetical agent against photodamage disorders.
Reduction of Feynman integrals in the parametric representation III: integrals with cuts
Authors: Chen Wen 
Published: December 2020

AbstractPhase space cuts are implemented by inserting Heaviside theta functions in the integrands of momentum-space Feynman integrals. By directly parametrizing theta functions and constructing integration-by-parts (IBP) identities in the parametric representation, we provide a systematic method to reduce integrals with cuts. Since the IBP method is available, it becomes possible to evaluate integrals with cuts by constructing and solving differential equations.
A Descriptive Analysis of Cream Skimming and Pushout in Choice versus Traditional Public Schools
Authors: Kho Adam , Zimmer Ron , McEachin Andrew 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
One of the controversies surrounding charter schools is whether these schools may either “cream skim” high-performing students from traditional public schools or “pushout” low-achieving students or students with discipline histories, leaving traditional public schools to educate the most challenging students. In this study, we use longitudinal statewide data from Tennessee and North Carolina and linear probability models to examine whether there is evidence consistent with these selective enrollment practices. Because school choice programs managed by districts (magnet and open enrollment programs) have a similar ability to cream skim and pushout students, we also examine these outcomes for these programs. Across the various school choice programs, magnet schools have the most evidence of cream skimming, but this might be expected as they often have selective admissions. For charter schools, we do not find patterns in the data consistent with cream skimming, but we do find evidence consistent with pushout behaviors based on discipline records. Finally, some have raised concerns that students may be pushed out near accountability test dates, but our results suggest no evidence consistent with this claim.
Drivers of Eurasian Spring Snow-Cover Variability
Authors: Zhang Taotao , Wang Tao , Zhao Yutong , Xu Chaoyi , Feng Yingying , Liu Dan 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe variability of spring snow cover over Eurasia can have notable impacts on the current and following season climate, but the causes of it are poorly understood. This study investigates the potential drivers and the associated physical processes for the first two empirical orthogonal function (EOF) modes of the Eurasian spring snow-cover variability during 1967–2018, which are characterized by a continent-wide coherent pattern and a west–east dipole structure, respectively. Analyses show that the spring surface air temperature and snowfall are the direct factors influencing the two modes. We further examined the contributions to the snow-cover variability of atmospheric teleconnection patterns, sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies, and variations of Arctic sea ice during spring. The results indicate that circulation anomalies associated with the Arctic Oscillation, Polar–Eurasian pattern, and West Pacific pattern can partly explain the formation of the EOF1 mode, while the EOF2 mode has a close relationship with the East Atlantic–Western Russia pattern. In addition, a horseshoe-like monopole structure of SST anomalies over the North Atlantic plays an important role in regulating the EOF2 mode by inducing a wave train circulation. Moreover, the EOF2 mode is also affected by anomalous circulations induced by the sea ice anomalies in the Barents–Kara Seas. An empirical model using these drivers satisfactorily reproduced the temporal variations of the two EOF modes, implying that our results can substantially improve comprehension of the variability of Eurasian spring snow cover.
Advances in the Ocean Color Component of the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET-OC)
Authors: Zibordi Giuseppe , Holben Brent N. , Talone Marco , D’Alimonte Davide , Slutsker Ilya , Giles David M. , Sorokin Mikhail G. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe Ocean Color Component of the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET-OC) supports activities related to ocean color such as validation of satellite data products, assessment of atmospheric correction schemes, and evaluation of bio-optical models through globally distributed standardized measurements of water-leaving radiance and aerosol optical depth. In view of duly assisting the AERONET-OC data user community, this work (i) summarizes the latest investigations on a number of scientific issues related to above-water radiometry, (ii) emphasizes the network expansion that from 2002 until the end of 2020 integrated 31 effective measurement sites, (iii) shows the equivalence of data product accuracy across sites and time for measurements performed with different instrument series, (iv) illustrates the variety of water types represented by the network sites ensuring validation activities across a diversity of observation conditions, and (v) documents the availability of water-leaving radiance data corrected for bidirectional effects by applying a method specifically developed for chlorophyll-a-dominated waters and an alternative one that is likely suitable for any water type.