bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The win ratio approach for composite endpoints: practical guidance based on previous experience
Authors: Redfors Björn , Gregson John , Crowley Aaron , McAndrew Thomas , Ben-Yehuda Ori , Stone Gregg W , Pocock Stuart J 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
The win ratio was introduced in 2012 as a new method for examining composite endpoints and has since been widely adopted in cardiovascular (CV) trials. Improving upon conventional methods for analysing composite endpoints, the win ratio accounts for relative priorities of the components and allows the components to be different types of outcomes. For example, the win ratio can combine the time to death with the number of occurrences of a non-fatal outcome such as CV-related hospitalizations (CVHs) in a single hierarchical composite endpoint. The win ratio can provide greater statistical power to detect and quantify a treatment difference by using all available information contained in the component outcomes. The win ratio can also incorporate quantitative outcomes such as exercise tests or quality-of-life scores. There is a need for more practical guidance on how best to design trials using the win ratio approach. This manuscript provides an overview of the principles behind the win ratio and provides insights into how to implement the win ratio in CV trial design and reporting, including how to determine trial size.
Electrocardiographic predictors of infrahissian conduction disturbances in myotonic dystrophy type 1
Authors: Joosten Isis B T , van Lohuizen Romy , den Uijl Dennis W , Evertz Reinder , de Greef Bianca T A , van Engelen Baziel G M , Faber Catharina G , Vernooy Kevin 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Aims
The aim of this study was to determine electrocardiographic (ECG) criteria predicting abnormal infrahissian conduction in patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), as these criteria could be used to identify the need for an electrophysiological study (EPS).

Methods and results
A retrospective multicentre study was conducted including DM1-affected individuals who underwent EPS between 2007 and 2018. For each individual, EPS indication, His-ventricle (HV) interval, resting ECG parameters prior to EPS, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), neurological status, and DM1 DNA analysis results were collected. Electrocardiographic parameters of patients with a normal HV interval were compared with ECG parameters of patients with a prolonged HV interval. Logistic regression was performed to determine predictors for a prolonged HV interval of ≥70 ms on EPS and diagnostic accuracy of ECG parameters was ascertained. Among 100 DM1-affected individuals undergoing EPS, 47 had a prolonged HV interval. The sole presence of a PR interval &gt;200 ms [odds ratio (OR) 8.45, confidence interval (CI) 2.64–27.04] or a QRS complex &gt;120 ms (OR 9.91, CI 3.53–27.80) on ECG were independent predictors of a prolonged HV interval. The combination of both parameters had a positive predictive value of 78% for delayed infrahissian conduction on EPS. His-ventricle interval was independent of DM1 genetic mutation size, neuromuscular status, and LVEF.

Conclusion
The combination of a prolonged PR interval and widened QRS complex on ECG accurately predicts abnormal infrahissian conduction on EPS in patients with DM1. These ECG parameters could be used as a screening tool to determine the need for referral to a specialized multidisciplinary neuromuscular team with EPS capacity.
Economic evaluation of ‘Men on the Move’, a ‘real world’ community-based physical activity programme for men
Authors: Kelly Liam , Harrison Michael , Richardson Noel , Carroll Paula , Egan Tom , Ormond Gillian , Robertson Steve 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Background
Physical activity (PA) interventions capable of producing health benefits cost effectively are a public health priority across the Western world. ‘Men on the Move’ (MOM), a community-based PA intervention for men, demonstrated significant health benefits up to 52-weeks (W) post-baseline. This article details the economic evaluation of MOM with a view to determining its cost-effectiveness as a public health intervention to be rolled out nationally in Ireland.

Methods
Cost-effectiveness was determined by comparing the costs (direct and indirect) of the programme to its benefits, which were captured as the impact on quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). For the benefits, cost–utility analysis was conducted by retrospectively adapting various health-related measures of participants to generate health states using Brazier et al.’s (2002) short form-6D algorithm. This in turn allowed for ‘utility measures’ to be generated, from which QALYs were derived.

Results
Findings show MOM to be cost-effective in supporting an ‘at risk’ cohort of men achieves significant improvements in aerobic fitness, weight loss and waist reduction. The total cost per participant (€125.82 for each of the 501 intervention participants), the QALYs gained (11.98 post-12-W intervention, or 5.3% health improvement per participant) and estimated QALYs ratio costs of €3723 represents a cost-effective improvement when compared to known QALY guidelines.

Conclusions
The analysis shows that the cost per QALY achieved by MOM is significantly less than the existing benchmarks of £20 000 and €45 000 in the UK and Ireland respectively, demonstrating MOM to be cost-effective.
Malnutrition in older adults: how interprofessional teams see it? A systematic review of the qualitative research
Authors: Mawardi Fitriana , Lestari Ayuningtyas S , Kusnanto Hari , Sasongko Elsa P S , Hilmanto Dany 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Background
The understanding of health care providers’ experiences involved in malnutrition treatment is a key component that should be explored.

Objective
This systematic review aimed to explore the views and perceptions of community health care providers related to malnutrition and its management for older adults, through synthesizing the qualitative studies.

Methods
Six electronic databases were used to search relevant articles. Qualitative research synthesis using Sandelowski and Barroso’s method and thematic synthesis were used to broaden the range of methodology in this study. Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Tools for Qualitative Research was used to enable judgement about the strength of qualitative research.

Results
A total of four qualitative studies of health care providers’ views and perceptions related to malnutrition in older adults were analysed. The results showed that there are three main themes that reflect their malnutrition experiences: (i) knowledge and skills about malnutrition, (ii) management of malnutrition and (iii) the need for collaborative teams.

Conclusion
While health care professionals understand about the aetiology of malnutrition, however screening for malnutrition is not routine in their practice. Proper education and training about nutritional care is needed. Dietary changes and public education are preferable over oral nutritional supplements. Some solution and recommendations for management of malnutrition in older adult such as supportive interventions include environmental changes, nutritional counselling, food modification, oral nutrition supplement and pharmacotherapy if needed, routine screening and multidisciplinary approach.
Wide-area seismicity anomalies before the 2011 Tohoku–Oki earthquake
Authors: Kumazawa Takao , Ogata Yosihiko , Toda Shinji 
Published: August 2020

SummaryThis study investigates various types of seismicity changes that occurred in several regions in and around the Tohoku District, prior to the 2011 M9.0 Tohoku–Oki earthquake. In particular, we focus on the seismicity anomalies that were revealed not only in inland local areas but also in a wide area for several years before the 2008 M7.2 earthquake in the inland Tohoku District. We reconsider these seismicity anomalies in nearly identical regions, which persisted in the extended period up until the M9 mega event. This suggests that the stress changes due to transient slow slips on the Pacific Plate boundary are more likely to be the cause of the wider seismicity changes than the slips beneath the inland earthquake. To confirm the significance, we use the two-stage stationary epidemic-type aftershock sequence model and explore the relationship between seismicity changes and stress rate changes due to slow slip by means of global navigation satellite system geodetic observations.
Compaction of the Groningen gas reservoir investigated with train noise
Authors: Zhou Wen , Paulssen Hanneke 
Published: August 2020

SummaryInduced seismicity in the Groningen gas field in the Netherlands has been related to reservoir compaction caused by gas pressure depletion. In situ measurement of compaction is therefore relevant for seismic hazard assessment. In this study, we investigated the potential of passively recorded deep borehole noise data to detect temporal variations in the Groningen reservoir. Train signals recorded by an array of 10 geophones at reservoir depth were selected from the continuous noise data for two 5-month deployments in 2015. Interferometry by deconvolution was applied to the high-frequency train signals that acted as stable, repetitive noise sources. Direct intergeophone P and S wave traveltimes were then used to construct the P- and S-wave velocity structure along the geophone array. The resulting models agree with independently obtained velocity profiles and have very small errors. Most intergeophone P wave traveltimes showed decreasing traveltimes per deployment period, suggestive of compaction. However, the retrieved traveltime changes are very small, up to tens of microseconds per deployment period, with uncertainties that are of similar size, about 10 microseconds. An unambiguous interpretation in terms of compaction is therefore not warranted, although the 10 μs error per 5-month period is probably smaller than can be achieved from active time-lapse seismic surveys that are commonly used to measure reservoir compaction. The direct P-wave amplitudes of the train-signal deconvolutions were investigated for additional imprints of compaction. Whereas the P-wave amplitudes consistently increased during the second deployment, suggestive of compaction, no such trend was observed for the first deployment, rendering the interpretation of compaction inconclusive. Our results therefore present hints, but no obvious effects of compaction in the Groningen reservoir. Yet, this study demonstrates that the approach of deconvolution interferometry applied to deep borehole data allows monitoring of small temporal changes in the subsurface for stable repetitive noise sources such as trains.
Excitation of the global correlation wavefield by large earthquakes
Authors: Tkalčić Hrvoje , Phạm Thanh-Son 
Published: August 2020

SUMMARY
Recorded globally, cross-correlated ground-motion time-series of the coda of large earthquakes enable the construction of a 2-D representation of correlation lapse time and inter-receiver distance—a global correlogram. A better understanding of how the features present in a correlogram are generated can revolutionize the characterization of planetary interiors. Here, we investigated correlograms based on individual large earthquakes and identified 12 events from the past decade with a multitude of prominent and some ‘exotic’ features in the first 3 hr following correlation origin. We found that the type of the source mechanism and energy-release dynamics are the key influencers responsible for individual correlograms equal in quality to a stack of hundreds of correlograms. A single event is sufficient in creating a correlogram resembling previous correlograms constructed from a large number of events, which reinforces the notion that the earthquake coda-correlation features are not ‘reconstructed’ body waves. Numerical simulations of the correlation wavefield can thus be based on exceptional-quality events, becoming more computationally affordable. Here, we explain more than 60 features of the global coda-correlogram, which presents the most extensive catalogue to date.
A fast methodology for large-scale focusing inversion of gravity and magnetic data using the structured model matrix and the 2-D fast Fourier transform
Authors: Renaut Rosemary A , Hogue Jarom D , Vatankhah Saeed , Liu Shuang 
Published: August 2020

SUMMARYWe discuss the focusing inversion of potential field data for the recovery of sparse subsurface structures from surface measurement data on a uniform grid. For the uniform grid, the model sensitivity matrices have a block Toeplitz Toeplitz block structure for each block of columns related to a fixed depth layer of the subsurface. Then, all forward operations with the sensitivity matrix, or its transpose, are performed using the 2-D fast Fourier transform. Simulations are provided to show that the implementation of the focusing inversion algorithm using the fast Fourier transform is efficient, and that the algorithm can be realized on standard desktop computers with sufficient memory for storage of volumes up to size n ≈ 106. The linear systems of equations arising in the focusing inversion algorithm are solved using either Golub–Kahan bidiagonalization or randomized singular value decomposition algorithms. These two algorithms are contrasted for their efficiency when used to solve large-scale problems with respect to the sizes of the projected subspaces adopted for the solutions of the linear systems. The results confirm earlier studies that the randomized algorithms are to be preferred for the inversion of gravity data, and for data sets of size m it is sufficient to use projected spaces of size approximately m/8. For the inversion of magnetic data sets, we show that it is more efficient to use the Golub–Kahan bidiagonalization, and that it is again sufficient to use projected spaces of size approximately m/8. Simulations support the presented conclusions and are verified for the inversion of a magnetic data set obtained over the Wuskwatim Lake region in Manitoba, Canada.
On time horizons in health economic evaluations
Authors: Haacker Markus , Hallett Timothy B , Atun Rifat 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe issue of time horizons has received scant attention in discussions pertaining to health economic evaluations unlike discounting or translation of health outcomes into life-cycle measures (e.g. quality-adjusted life years or disability-adjusted life years). The available guidelines do not offer clear and consistent guidance for many problems addressed in health economic evaluations. In practice, variation of time horizons between studies for the same diseases is a matter of concern, as results on cost-effectiveness depend on the time horizon. Our paper contributes to establishing a consistent approach to setting time horizons across common types of health economic evaluations and mitigating potential bias where the choice of a time horizon may affect results of the evaluation. We find that available guidance is clear only for patient-focused interventions, but not in the presence of population-level effects owing to transmission of infections or other linkages. We distinguish between a policy period—over which an intervention is delivered or initiated—and an evaluation period over which the effects are measured. One important challenge in establishing a time horizon for evaluation is that, at least for infectious diseases, the state of the epidemic at the end of the policy period cannot be evaluated precisely and incorporated in the results of an economic evaluation. While longer policy periods partly mitigate this challenge, they are subject to greater uncertainty, and outcomes may not adequately reflect the cost-effectiveness of current policies because outcomes reflect an average over the policy period. Incremental analysis on interventions implemented in sub-periods of the policy period (especially at the beginning) potentially improves accuracy and helps to identify potential for improving cost-effectiveness by varying the path of implementation or the mix of interventions offered over time.
Obesity agenda in Brazil, conflicts of interest and corporate activity
Authors: Burlandy Luciene , Prado Alexandre-Weiss Veruska , Silva Canella Daniela , Feldenheimer da Silva Ana Carolina , Maranha Paes de Carvalho Camila , Rugani Ribeiro de Castro Inês 
Published: August 2020

Summary
Obesity is a social and health problem of global dimensions that demands coordinated solutions from different sectors as well as intersectoral efforts to overcome it. However, policies to overcome obesity affect the interests of the commercial private sector. In Brazil, the Intersectoral Strategy for Obesity Prevention and Control (EIPCO) is the result of participative public action and integrates a set of policies in the field of food and nutrition security. Based on the premise that EIPCO expresses public interests to be protected, promoted and guaranteed by the federal government, this article aims to analyze corporate political activity (CPA) and conflict of interest (COI) situations involving the private commercial sector in the food and nutrition field in Brazil, using EIPCO as a reference. The methods include document analysis and identification of cases reported by the Brazilian civil society organizations that are part of the National Council on Food and Nutrition Security. The results highlighted the actors, actions, ideas and interests addressed by EIPCO and also indicated that EIPCO does not question the private commercial sector’s practices in regard to obesity and some of its recommended actions reflect disputes about the concept of healthy eating. All cases analyzed involved CPA to promote ultra-processed food consumption, including lobbying and funding researchers. Those practices and goals are in the opposite direction from the objectives of EIPCO to overcome obesity which indicates potential COI once these representatives of the private sector are directly influencing the governmental political process and policies.
Sonations in Migratory and Non-migratory Fork-tailed Flycatchers (Tyrannus savana)
Authors: Gómez-Bahamón Valentina , Tuero Diego T , Castaño María Isabel , Jahn Alex E , Bates John M , Clark Christopher J 
Published: August 2020

Synopsis
Sonations are sounds that animals produce with structures other than the vocal apparatus for communication. In birds, many sonations are usually produced with modified flight feathers through diverse kinematic mechanisms. For instance, aeroelastic fluttering of feathers produces tonal sound when airflow exceeds a threshold velocity and induces flight feathers to oscillate at a constant frequency. The Fork-tailed flycatcher (Tyrannus savana) is a Neotropical bird with both migratory and year-round resident subspecies that differ in the shape of the outer primary feathers of their wings. By integrating behavioral observations, audio recordings, and high-speed videos, we find that male Fork-tailed flycatchers produce sonations with their outer primary feathers P8-10, and possibly P7. These sounds are produced during different behavioral contexts including: the pre-dawn display, intraspecific territorial disputes, when attacking potential nest predators, and when escaping. By placing feathers in a wind tunnel, we elicited flutter at frequencies that matched the acoustic signature of sounds recorded in the wild, indicating that the kinematic mechanism responsible for sound production is aeroelastic flutter. Video of wild birds indicated that sonations were produced during the downstroke. Finally, the feathers of migratory (T.s.savana) and year-round resident (T.s.monachus) Fork-tailed flycatchers flutter in feather locations that differ in shape between the subspecies, and these shape differences between the subspecies result in sounds produced at different frequencies.
Populist rhetoric, false mirroring, and the courts
Authors: Harel Alon , Kolt Noam 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
The rise of populist political rhetoric signals a departure from accepted models of democratic representation. Nowadays, in Israel and in other democratic countries, many elected officials purport to give effect to the raw convictions of their constituents. We contend that calls for elected officials to mirror popular views undermine democratic representation. In addition to the theoretical challenges it faces, the narrative of mirroring public sentiment has the potential to disguise what might be the underlying intent of populist politicians—to actively manipulate the political agenda and reshape popular preferences, while passing these off as reflecting the public’s authentic convictions. We call this “false mirroring.” Populist rhetoric has also spilled over into the judiciary. Some judges embrace public opinion, incorporate it into their decision-making and, in doing so, generate populist courts. This article examines Israeli case studies in order to expose the unsettling role of populist rhetoric in both political and judicial contexts. Judges, we suggest, must continue developing tools to resist judicial populism and maintain robust and independent courts.
G-computation for policy-relevant effects of interventions on time-to-event outcomes
Authors: Breskin Alexander , Edmonds Andrew , Cole Stephen R , Westreich Daniel , Cocohoba Jennifer , Cohen Mardge H , Kassaye Seble G , Metsch Lisa R , Sharma Anjali , Williams Michelle S , Adimora Adaora A 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Background
Parametric g-computation is an analytic technique that can be used to estimate the effects of exposures, treatments and interventions; it relies on a different set of assumptions than more commonly used inverse probability weighted estimators. Whereas prior work has demonstrated implementations for binary exposures and continuous outcomes, use of parametric g-computation has been limited due to difficulty in implementation in more typical complex scenarios.

Methods
We provide an easy-to-implement algorithm for parametric g-computation in the setting of a dynamic baseline intervention of a baseline exposure and a time-to-event outcome. To demonstrate the use of our algorithm, we apply it to estimate the effects of interventions to reduce area deprivation on the cumulative incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs: gonorrhea, chlamydia or trichomoniasis) among women living with HIV in the Women’s Interagency HIV Study.

Results
We found that reducing area deprivation by a maximum of 1 tertile for all women would lead to a 2.7% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.1%, 4.3%] reduction in 4-year STI incidence, and reducing deprivation by a maximum of 2 tertiles would lead to a 4.3% (95% CI: 1.9%, 6.4%) reduction.

Conclusions
As analytic methods such as parametric g-computation become more accessible, epidemiologists will be able to estimate policy-relevant effects of interventions to better inform clinical and public health practice and policy.
Holomorphic Functions on a Class of Kähler Manifolds With Nonnegative Curvature, I
Authors: Yang Bo 
Published: August 2020

AbstractIn this paper, we consider holomorphic functions of polynomial growth on complete Kähler manifolds with nonnegative curvature. We explain how their growth orders are related to the asymptotic behavior of Kähler–Ricci flow. The main result is to determine minimal orders of holomorphic functions on gradient Kähler–Ricci expanding solitons with nonnegative Ricci curvature.