bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Alternative markers for Methylnortestosterone misuse in human urine
Authors: Sakellariou Panagiotis , Kiousi Polyxeni , Fragkaki Argyro G. , Lyris Emmanouil , Petrou Michael , Georgakopoulos Costas , Angelis Yiannis S. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractMethylnortestosterone is a progestin and synthetic androgenic anabolic steroid, prohibited by WADA. Methylnortestosterone misuse is commonly detected by monitoring the parent compound and its main metabolites, 17α‐methyl‐5α‐estrane‐3α, 17β‐diol (M1) and 17α‐methyl‐5β‐estrane‐3α, 17β‐diol (M2), in the glucuronide fraction. In the current study, a direct detection of methylnortestosterone sulfo‐conjugated metabolites after ethyl acetate extraction and analysis by LC/Q/TOF‐MS in negative ionization mode was performed, detecting two main sulfate metabolites (S1, S2). For the characterization of metabolites, samples from the excretion study, were additionally analyzed by GC–MS, after solvolysis and per TMS derivatization. RT and MS data collected, were compared with RT and MS data from metabolites of 17z‐methyl‐5α/β‐estrane‐3α/β, 17z‐diols structures with prefixed stereochemistry at 3 and 5 positions, synthesized through Grignard reaction from 19‐noretiocholanolone, 19‐norandrosterone and 19‐norepiandrosterone. Confirmed sulfate metabolites were S1, 17α‐methyl‐5α‐estrane‐3α, 17β‐diol 3α sulfate (detected up to 72 h) and S2, 17α‐methyl‐5β‐estrane‐3α, 17β‐diol 3α sulfate (detected up to 192 h).Furthermore, applying targeted analysis based on RT and MS data of the synthesized metabolites two additional metabolites M3, 17β‐methyl‐5β‐estrane‐3α, 17α‐diol and M4, 17β‐methyl‐5α‐estrane‐3α, 17α‐diol were detected in the glucuronide fraction and one more metabolite (S3) 17β‐methyl‐5β‐estrane‐3α, 17α‐diol was detected in the sulfate fraction in lower abundance until the end of the excretion study (192 h). Interestingly, S2 could also be detected after the direct analysis of non‐hydrolyzed steroid by GC–MS/MS as artifact, following normal ProcIV anabolic steroid procedure and using diethylether as extraction solvent.
Generation and application of river network analogues for use in ecology and evolution
Authors: Carraro Luca , Bertuzzo Enrico , Fronhofer Emanuel A. , Furrer Reinhard , Gounand Isabelle , Rinaldo Andrea , Altermatt Florian 
Published: June 2020

Abstract

Several key processes in freshwater ecology are governed by the connectivity inherent to dendritic river networks. These have extensively been analyzed from a geomorphological and hydrological viewpoint, yet structures classically used in ecological modeling have been poorly representative of the structure of real river basins, often failing to capture well‐known scaling features of natural rivers. Pioneering work identified optimal channel networks (OCNs) as spanning trees reproducing all scaling features characteristic of natural stream networks worldwide. While OCNs have been used to create landscapes for studies on metapopulations, biodiversity, and epidemiology, their generation has not been generally accessible.

Given the increasing interest in dendritic riverine networks by ecologists and evolutionary biologists, we here present a method to generate OCNs and, to facilitate its application, we provide the R‐package OCNet. Owing to the stochastic process generating OCNs, multiple network replicas spanning the same surface can be built; this allows performing computational experiments whose results are irrespective of the particular shape of a single river network. The OCN construct also enables the generation of elevational gradients derived from the optimal network configuration, which can constitute three‐dimensional landscapes for spatial studies in both terrestrial and freshwater realms. Moreover, the package provides functions that aggregate OCNs into an arbitrary number of nodes, calculate several descriptors of river networks, and draw relevant network features.

We describe the main functionalities of the package and its integration with other R‐packages commonly used in spatial ecology. Moreover, we exemplify the generation of OCNs and discuss an application to a metapopulation model for an invasive riverine species.

In conclusion, OCNet provides a powerful tool to generate realistic river network analogues for various applications. It thereby allows the design of spatially realistic studies in increasingly impacted ecosystems and enhances our knowledge on spatial processes in freshwater ecology in general.
New technologies in the mix: Assessing N‐mixture models for abundance estimation using automated detection data from drone surveys
Authors: Corcoran Evangeline , Denman Simon , Hamilton Grant 
Published: June 2020

Abstract

Reliable estimates of abundance are critical in effectively managing threatened species, but the feasibility of integrating data from wildlife surveys completed using advanced technologies such as remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) and machine learning into abundance estimation methods such as N‐mixture modeling is largely unknown due to the unique sources of detection errors associated with these technologies.

We evaluated two modeling approaches for estimating the abundance of koalas detected automatically in RPAS imagery: (a) a generalized N‐mixture model and (b) a modified Horvitz–Thompson (H‐T) estimator method combining generalized linear models and generalized additive models for overall probability of detection, false detection, and duplicate detection. The final estimates from each model were compared to the true number of koalas present as determined by telemetry‐assisted ground surveys.

The modified H‐T estimator approach performed best, with the true count of koalas captured within the 95% confidence intervals around the abundance estimates in all 4 surveys in the testing dataset (n = 138 detected objects), a particularly strong result given the difficulty in attaining accuracy found with previous methods.

The results suggested that N‐mixture models in their current form may not be the most appropriate approach to estimating the abundance of wildlife detected in RPAS surveys with automated detection, and accurate estimates could be made with approaches that account for spurious detections.
Energy footprint of food: The case of corn production in Delaware
Authors: Jin Enze , Al Fahel Nicolas , Mondal Pinki , Li Hong , Archer Cristina L. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractFood production is an energy‐intensive process, especially for crops and meat. However, the link between food and the energy consumed to produce it is less transparent to customers and there is a lack of energy footprint information for food production in the market. This study develops a geospatial approach for estimating the direct energy use for food production, that is, the Energy Footprint of Food (EFF), and tests it for one crop in one U.S. state, that is, field corn in Delaware. Delaware was chosen because it is a relatively small state (with only three counties) with publicly available high‐resolution geospatial datasets and with corn as the dominant crop type. We find that the energy use for field operation is the largest energy component for corn production on small farms while the drying process requires the highest energy on medium and large farms. Our results also indicate that producing corn on large and medium farms is more energy‐efficient than on small farms, although small farms consume less electricity and less groundwater for irrigation per unit corn product. Of the three counties in Delaware, Sussex has the highest energy consumption for corn production while Kent has the lowest. On average in Delaware, the corn production requires 42,789 MWh of electricity, 4.2 million gallons of diesel, 1.4 million gallons of gasoline, and 3.1 million gallons of LPG, giving an EFF of 38,171 Btu per corn bushel or 682 Btu/lb. The EFF assessment can inform consumers about the energy inputs of food and provide useful insights for stakeholders and policy makers to develop more sustainable strategies for the food industry. The novelty of this study is to develop a geospatial inventory of EFFs for corn production. Moreover, the proposed methodology is based entirely on public data and is likely generalizable to most other states and crops.
Emergency room endotracheal intubation in children with bronchiolitis: A cohort study using a multicenter database
Authors: Carter Marla R. , Khan Aamer H. , Salman Tarek , Speicher Richard , Rotta Alexandre T. , Shein Steven L. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackground and AimsBronchiolitis and asthma have a clinical overlap, and it has been shown that pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) patients with asthma undergoing endotracheal intubation in a community hospital emergency room (ER) have a shorter duration of mechanical ventilation (MV) and PICU length of stay (LOS) vs children undergoing intubation in a children's hospital. We aimed to determine if the setting of intubation (community vs children's hospital ER) is associated with the duration of MV and PICU LOS among children with bronchiolitis.MethodsWith IRB approval, data in the Virtual Pediatric Systems (VPS, LLC) database were queried for bronchiolitis patients <24 months of age admitted to one of 103 predominantly North American PICUs between 1/2009 and 1/2016 who had an endotracheal tube in place at PICU admission. There were no exclusion criteria. Extracted data included ER type (community/external or children's hospital/internal), demographics, and reported comorbidities. Outcomes analyzed were duration of MV and PICU LOS. Multivariable linear regression was used to evaluate if intubation location was independently associated with the outcomes of interest.ResultsAmong 1934 patients, median age was 2.0 (IQR: 1.0‐4.8) months, 51% were admitted from an external ER, 41% were White, 61% were male, and 28% had ≥1 comorbidity. Median duration of MV was 6.6 (4.6‐9.5) days and the median PICU LOS was 7.0 (4.6‐10.6) days. Children who underwent endotracheal intubation in a children's hospital ER had a modestly longer duration of MV (6.7 [4.4‐9.4] vs 6.5 [5.2‐9.6] days, P < .001, Mann‐Whitney U) and longer PICU LOS (7.2 [4.8‐10.8] vs 6.9 [4.2‐10.1] days, P = .004, Mann‐Whitney U). After adjusting for confounding variables, we did not observe a significant association between the location of endotracheal intubation and duration of MV or PICU LOS.ConclusionIn this cohort, and unlike outcomes of near‐fatal asthma, we observed that clinical outcomes of critical bronchiolitis were similar regardless of location of endotracheal intubation.
Evaluation of early relational disturbance in high‐risk populations: Borderline personality disorder features, maternal mental state, and observed interaction
Authors: Newman‐Morris Vesna , Simpson Katrina , Gray Kylie M. , Perry Natasha , Dunlop Adrian , Newman Louise K. 
Published: June 2020

ABSTRACTDespite the longstanding theoretical association in the attachment literature between maternal trauma history and disturbances in the mother–infant interaction, few studies have investigated mechanisms of transmission of traumatogenic relational patterns in high‐risk mother–infant dyads. This study investigated interrelationships among maternal trauma history, distorted maternal representations (DMRs, i.e. disturbed thoughts and feelings about the infant and self‐as‐parent), maternal mentalisation (i.e. capacity to conceive of self and other's intentions in terms of mental states including thoughts, feelings, and desires), and quality of interaction in a clinical sample of mothers with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) features and their infants (N = 61). Measures used included the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Parent Development Interview, Mother–Infant Relationship Scale, Borderline Symptom Checklist‐23, and the Emotional Availability Scales. The results indicated BPD features mediated the relationship between maternal trauma history and DMRs predicting disturbance in interaction. In addition, analyses showed that maternal mentalisation had a buffering effect between DMRs and maternal non‐hostility and yet the severity of BPD features moderated the relationship between mentalisation and DMRs. The findings suggest postpartum borderline pathology may adversely impact the experience of being a parent for women with a relational trauma history including deficits in mentalisation (i.e. hypermentalising) and disturbances in the mother–infant interaction. Implications for research and clinical practice are discussed.
Can HIV recent infection surveillance help us better understand where primary prevention efforts should be targeted? Results of three pilots integrating a recent infection testing algorithm into routine programme activities in Kenya and Zimbabwe
Authors: Rice Brian D , de Wit Mariken , Welty Susie , Risher Kathryn , Cowan Frances M , Murphy Gary , Chabata Sungai T , Waruiru Wanjiru , Magutshwa Sitholubuhle , Motoku John , Kwaro Daniel , Ochieng Benard , Reniers Georges , Rutherford George 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIntroductionSurveillance of recent HIV infections in national testing services has the potential to inform primary prevention programming activities. Focusing on procedures required to accurately determine recent infection, and the potential for recent infection surveillance to inform prevention efforts, we present the results of three independent but linked pilots of recency testing.MethodsTo distinguish recently acquired HIV infection from long‐standing infection, in 2018 we applied a Recent Infection Testing Algorithm that combined a laboratory‐based Limiting Antigen Avidity Enzyme Immunoassay with clinical information (viral‐load; history of prior HIV diagnosis; antiretroviral therapy‐exposure). We explored potential misclassification of test results and analysed the characteristics of participants with recent infection. We applied the algorithm in antenatal clinics providing prevention of mother‐to‐child transmission services in Siaya County, Kenya, outreach sites serving female sex workers in Zimbabwe, and routine HIV testing and counselling facilities in Nairobi, Kenya. In Nairobi, we also conducted recency testing among partners of HIV‐positive participants.ResultsIn Siaya County, 2.3% (10/426) of HIV‐positive pregnant women were classified as recent. A risk factor analysis comparing women testing recent with those testing HIV‐negative found women in their first trimester were significantly more likely to test recent than those in their second or third trimester. In Zimbabwe, 10.5% (33/313) of female sex workers testing HIV‐positive through the outreach programme were classified recent. A risk factor analysis of women testing recent versus those testing HIV‐negative, found no strong evidence of an association with recent infection. In Nairobi, among 532 HIV‐positive women and men, 8.6% (46) were classified recent. Among partners of participants, almost a quarter of those who tested HIV‐positive were classified as recent (23.8%; 5/21). In all three settings, the inclusion of clinical information helped improve the positive predictive value of recent infection testing by removing cases that were likely misclassified.ConclusionsWe successfully identified recently acquired infections among persons testing HIV‐positive in routine testing settings and highlight the importance of incorporating additional information to accurately classify recent infection. We identified a number of groups with a significantly higher proportion of recent infection, suggesting recent infection surveillance, when rolled‐out nationally, may help in further targeting primary prevention efforts.
Cost‐effectiveness of couples’ voluntary HIV counselling and testing in six African countries: a modelling study guided by an HIV prevention cascade framework
Authors: Wall Kristin M , Inambao Mubiana , Kilembe William , Karita Etienne , Chomba Elwyn , Vwalika Bellington , Mulenga Joseph , Parker Rachel , Sharkey Tyronza , Tichacek Amanda , Hunter Eric , Yohnka Robert , Streeb Gordon , Corso Phaedra S , Allen Susan 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIntroductionCouples’ voluntary HIV counselling and testing (CVCT) is a high‐impact HIV prevention intervention in Rwanda and Zambia. Our objective was to model the cost‐per‐HIV infection averted by CVCT in six African countries guided by an HIV prevention cascade framework. The HIV prevention cascade as yet to be applied to evaluating CVCT effectiveness or cost‐effectiveness.MethodsWe defined a priority population for CVCT in Africa as heterosexual adults in stable couples. Based on our previous experience nationalizing CVCT in Rwanda and scaling‐up CVCT in 73 clinics in Zambia, we estimated HIV prevention cascade domains of motivation for use, access and effectiveness of CVCT as model parameters. Costs‐per‐couple tested were also estimated based on our previous studies. We used these parameters as well as country‐specific inputs to model the impact of CVCT over a five‐year time horizon in a previously developed and tested deterministic compartmental model. We consider six countries across Africa with varied HIV epidemics (South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Tanzania, Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone). Outcomes of interest were the proportion of HIV infections averted by CVCT, nationwide CVCT implementation costs and costs‐per‐HIV infection averted by CVCT. We applied 3%/year discounting to costs and outcomes. Univariate and Monte Carlo multivariate sensitivity analyses were conducted.ResultsWe estimated that CVCT could avert between 54% (Sierra Leone) and 62% (South Africa) of adult HIV infections. Average costs‐per‐HIV infection averted were lowest in Zimbabwe ($550) and highest in South Africa ($1272). Nationwide implementations would cost between 7% (Kenya) and 21% (Ivory Coast) of a country’s President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) budget over five years. In sensitivity analyses, model outputs were most sensitive to estimates of cost‐per‐couple tested; the proportion of adults in heterosexual couples and HIV prevention cascade domains of CVCT motivation and access.ConclusionsOur model indicates that nationalized CVCT could prevent over half of adult HIV infections for 7% to 21% of the modelled countries’ five‐year PEPFAR budgets. While other studies have indicated that CVCT motivation is high given locally relevant promotional and educational efforts, without required indicators, targets and dedicated budgets, access remains low.
A review of HIV pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) programmes by delivery models in the Asia‐Pacific through the healthcare accessibility framework
Authors: Lau Janice YC , Hung Chi‐Tim , Lee Shui‐Shan 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIntroductionIn the Asia‐Pacific, pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a newly introduced public health intervention for minimizing HIV transmission, the coverage of which has remained limited. The best delivery models and strategies for broadening access of the vulnerable communities are not fully known. This review identified PrEP programmes reported in the Asia‐Pacific, which were classified by delivery models and assessed with a healthcare accessibility framework.MethodsWe performed a literature search on PubMed and Ovid MEDLINE using relevant search terms, manual searched grey literature by visiting relevant websites, examined reference lists and contacted authors for clarification of included PrEP programmes reported through July 2019. A structured table was used for data extraction and summarizing findings in accordance with the five constructs of approachability, acceptability, availability, affordability and appropriateness grounded in the conceptual framework of Healthcare Accessibility.Results and discussionThis literature search yielded a total of 1308 publications; 119 full texts and abstracts were screened, and 24 publications were included in the review. We identified 11 programmes implemented in seven cities/countries in the Asia‐Pacific. A typology of four PrEP delivery models was delineated: (a) fee‐based public service model; (b) fee‐based community setting model; (c) free public service model; and (d) free community setting model. Overall, the free community setting model was most commonly adopted in the Asia‐Pacific, with the strength to boost the capacity of facility and human resources, which enhanced “approachability”, “availability” and “acceptability.” The free public service model was characterized by components designed in improving “approachability,” “availability” and “appropriateness,” with attention on equity in accessing PrEP. Among free‐based models, long‐term affordability both to the government and PrEP users would need to be maximized to increase accessibility. Alongside the need for raising awareness, supportive environments and ensuring timely access were means for enabling the development of a sustainable PrEP service.ConclusionPrEP programmes could be classified by delivery models through the five constructs of healthcare accessibility. While the coverage of PrEP remains limited in the Asia‐Pacific, an evaluation of these models could benchmark best practices, which would in turn allow effective models to be designed.
Evaluation of a pre‐exposure prophylaxis programme for men who have sex with men and transgender women in Thailand: learning through the HIV prevention cascade lens
Authors: Ramautarsing Reshmie A , Meksena Ratchadaporn , Sungsing Thanthip , Chinbunchorn Tanat , Sangprasert Theeranat , Fungfoosri Orawan , Meekrua Dusita , Sumalu Saman , Pasansai Thapana , Bunainso Witwasin , Wongsri Tashada , Mainoy Nuttakrit , Colby Donn , Avery Matthew , Mills Stephen , Vannakit Ravipa , Phanuphak Praphan , Phanuphak Nittaya 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIntroductionMen who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) are two key populations (KPs) in Thailand at high risk for HIV. Uptake and scale‐up of pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among them has been slow. We used data from Princess PrEP, Thailand’s largest KP‐led PrEP programme, to operationalize PrEP service cascades. We identified gaps and pointed out where additional data are needed to inform a larger HIV prevention cascade.MethodsNumbers of people tested for HIV, tested HIV negative, eligible for PrEP (defined as any of the following in the past three months: condomless sex with partners of unknown/uncertain HIV status or antiretroviral treatment or viral load status, multiple partners, engaging in sex work, sexually transmitted infections, injecting drugs, using amphetamine‐type stimulants, or repeated use of post‐exposure prophylaxis), offered PrEP and accepted PrEP during January to November 2019 were retrieved from Princess PrEP database to inform PrEP service cascades for MSM and TGW. Reasons for not accepting PrEP were documented.ResultsOf 6287 MSM who received HIV testing in Princess PrEP, 92.3% were HIV negative and 70.2% of them were eligible for PrEP. PrEP was offered to 94.7% of those eligible and 48.0% of those offered accepted it. Among 900 TGW who had HIV testing, 95.3% tested HIV negative and 64.8% of them met PrEP eligibility criteria. Of these, 95.0% were offered PrEP and 43.9% of them accepted it. Among MSM and TGW who met PrEP eligibility criteria, no or low‐HIV‐risk perception was the most common reason provided (46.7% of 2007 MSM and 41.9% of 296 TGW) for not accepting PrEP.ConclusionsPrEP service cascades from the Princess PrEP programme identified no or low‐risk perception as key barrier to PrEP acceptance among MSM and TGW who met PrEP eligibility criteria. More implementation research studies are needed to explore PrEP motivation and access in larger communities outside of clinical services. This is to identify gaps and strategies to address them within motivation, access and effective use domains of the HIV prevention cascade.