bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Patient and Partner Sexual Concerns During the First Year After an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator: A Secondary Analysis of the P+P Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Streur Megan M. , Rosman Lindsey A. , Sears Samuel F. , Steinke Elaine E. , Thompson Elaine A. , Dougherty Cynthia M. 
Published: March 2020

Abstract

Background
Sexual concerns and changes in sexual activity are common among patients and their intimate partners after an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD).

Aims
Our aims were to (i) describe patient and partner sexual activity and related concerns from the time of an initial ICD implant through 12-month follow-up and (ii) identify factors predictive of return to sexual activity and fears associated with sexual activity.

Methods
This secondary descriptive analysis was conducted with data from a randomized controlled trial (2009–2015) designed to compare 2 interventions for patients (Patient-Only) and for patients and their partners (Patient+Partner) after implant of an initial ICD. The sample included 105 patients and their intimate partners who reported sexual activity during the 24 months before ICD implant.

Outcomes
The Sexual Concerns Inventory was used to assess sexual activity and related concerns.

Results
Study participants comprised 72% male and were of mean age 65.6 ± 10.6 years; partners comprised 64% female and were of mean age 63 ± 11.6 years. Sexual activity increased after ICD: 73% of patients reported no sexual intercourse during 2 months before study enrollment, whereas only 46% reported no sexual intercourse during the 2 months before 12-month follow-up. Reductions in sexual concerns were evident 1 month after implant, with continued reductions through 12 months (patient 6.48 ± 4.03 to 5.22 ± 3.38, P = .004; partner 6.93 ± 4.01 to 5.2 ± 3.56, P &lt; .001). Patient physical health predicted sexual activity 3 months after implant placement (P = .04); general ICD concerns (P &lt; .001) predicted patient ICD-related sexual fears at 3 months. At 12 months, baseline general ICD concerns (P &lt; .02) predicted sexual fears.

Clinical Implications
ICD patients and partners report low levels of sexual activity at the time of initial ICD implant, with reported increases in sexual activity over the 12-month recovery period: Sexual concerns were highest immediately after ICD implant.

Strengths & Limitations
Notably, the major strengths of this study were the repeated measures and longitudinal study design; the main limitation of the study was the lack of a “usual care” control group.

Conclusion
Sexual activity at the time of an initial ICD implant is low, and sexual concerns are most prominent for both patients and partners immediately after implant placement. Baseline physical health predicts subsequent sexual activity at 3 months, while general ICD-related worry predicts sexual fears at 3 and 12 months.
A Clustering Approach to Understanding Farmers’ Success Strategies
Authors: Etumnu Chinonso , Gray Allan W. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThis paper examines the prioritization of management factors by farmers that lead to the success of their farm business. The research also examines the heterogeneity of producer prioritization of different success strategies. Using a hierarchical clustering approach, we found that each farmer group prioritizes either managing costs, managing output prices, managing people, managing production, or managing assets. The results indicate that the farmer groups are heterogeneous in their prioritization of five strategic management factors. These results provide useful insights for farmers, farm input providers, and farm service providers.
Six-year multicenter study on short-term peripheral venous catheters-related bloodstream infection rates in 727 intensive care units of 268 hospitals in 141 cities of 42 countries of Africa, the Americas, Eastern Mediterranean, Europe, South East Asia, and Western Pacific Regions: International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) findings
Authors: Rosenthal Víctor Daniel , Bat-Erdene Ider , Gupta Debkishore , Belkebir Souad , Rajhans Prasad , Zand Farid , Myatra Sheila Nainan , Afeef Majeda , Tanzi Vito L. , Muralidharan S. , Al-Abdely Hail M. , El-Kholy Amani , AlKhawaja Safa A. Aziz , Demiroz Ali Pekcan , Mehta Yatin , Rai Vineya , Hung Nguyen Viet , Sayed Amani F. , Salgado-Yepez Estuardo , Elahi Naheed , del Rayo Morfin-Otero María , Luxsuwong Montri , De-Carvalho Braulio Matias , Tapang Audrey Rose D. , Velinova Velmira Angelova , Quesada-Mora Ana Marcela , Anguseva Tanja , Ikram Aamer , Aguilar-de-Moros Daisy , Duszynska Wieslawa , Mejia Nepomuceno , Horhat Florin George , Belskiy Vladislav , Mioljevic Vesna , Di-Silvestre Gabriela , Furova Katarina , Gamar-Elanbya May Osman , Gupta Umesh , Abidi Khalid , Raka Lul , Guo Xiuqin , Jayatilleke Kushlani , Ben-Jaballah Najla , Sandoval-Castillo Harrison Ronald , Trotter Andrew , Valderrama-Beltrán Sandra L. , Leblebicioglu Hakan , Guanche-Garcell Humberto , de Lourdes-Dueñas Miriam 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackground:Short-term peripheral venous catheter–related bloodstream infection (PVCR-BSI) rates have not been systematically studied in resource-limited countries, and data on their incidence by number of device days are not available.Methods:Prospective, surveillance study on PVCR-BSI conducted from September 1, 2013, to May 31, 2019, in 727 intensive care units (ICUs), by members of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC), from 268 hospitals in 141 cities of 42 countries of Africa, the Americas, Eastern Mediterranean, Europe, South East Asia, and Western Pacific regions. For this research, we applied definition and criteria of the CDC NHSN, methodology of the INICC, and software named INICC Surveillance Online System.Results:We followed 149,609 ICU patients for 731,135 bed days and 743,508 short-term peripheral venous catheter (PVC) days. We identified 1,789 PVCR-BSIs for an overall rate of 2.41 per 1,000 PVC days. Mortality in patients with PVC but without PVCR-BSI was 6.67%, and mortality was 18% in patients with PVC and PVCR-BSI. The length of stay of patients with PVC but without PVCR-BSI was 4.83 days, and the length of stay was 9.85 days in patients with PVC and PVCR-BSI. Among these infections, the microorganism profile showed 58% gram-negative bacteria: Escherichia coli (16%), Klebsiella spp (11%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (6%), Enterobacter spp (4%), and others (20%) including Serratia marcescens. Staphylococcus aureus were the predominant gram-positive bacteria (12%).Conclusions:PVCR-BSI rates in INICC ICUs were much higher than rates published from industrialized countries. Infection prevention programs must be implemented to reduce the incidence of PVCR-BSIs in resource-limited countries.
An integrated behavioural intervention combined with varenicline for heavy-drinking smokers: a randomized pilot study
Authors: Fucito Lisa M. , Wu Ran , O'Malley Stephanie S. , Hanrahan Tess H. , Ikomi Jolomi T. , Muvvala Srinivas , Carroll Kathleen M. , Gueorguieva Ralitza 
Published: March 2020

AbstractObjectivesCombined smoking and heavy drinking is a significant health burden. Varenicline, an efficacious tobacco pharmacotherapy that also shows promise for drinking, has yielded mixed results among heavy-drinking smokers. This pilot study investigated integrated tobacco and alcohol counselling plus varenicline for this vulnerable group.DesignTwelve-week parallel, randomized controlled pilot trial of two behavioural interventions in combination with open-label varenicline. Participants were randomized using computer-generated tables, stratified by sex.SettingOutpatient academic medical centre research clinic.ParticipantsVolunteers who reported smoking and heavy drinking and sought tobacco or alcohol treatment (N = 26).Intervention(1) Integrated tobacco + alcohol counselling (INT; n = 13) or (2) counselling focused on their presenting concern (i.e., tobacco or alcohol) (SINGLE; n = 13), plus varenicline (2 mg) for 12 weeks.Main outcomesFeasibility/acceptability, smoking quit rates and heavy drinking.ResultsINT feasibility/acceptability was high among men but not women. More participants quit smoking in INT than SINGLE. This outcome was only in men, not significant, but had a medium effect size. Both conditions yielded significant drinking reductions.ConclusionIntegrated tobacco and alcohol behavioural counselling plus varenicline may be feasible and promote smoking cessation among men who smoke and drink heavily, but a larger sample is needed to replicate this finding.
Daily use of high-potency cannabis is associated with more positive symptoms in first-episode psychosis patients: the EU-GEI case–control study
Authors: Quattrone Diego , Ferraro Laura , Tripoli Giada , La Cascia Caterina , Quigley Harriet , Quattrone Andrea , Jongsma Hannah E. , Del Peschio Simona , Gatto Giusy ,   EU-GEI group, Gayer-Anderson Charlotte , Jones Peter B. , Kirkbride James B. , La Barbera Daniele , Tarricone Ilaria , Berardi Domenico , Tosato Sarah , Lasalvia Antonio , Szöke Andrei , Arango Celso , Bernardo Miquel , Bobes Julio , Del Ben Cristina Marta , Menezes Paulo Rossi , Llorca Pierre-Michel , Santos Jose Luis , Sanjuán Julio , Tortelli Andrea , Velthorst Eva , de Haan Lieuwe , Rutten Bart P. F. , Lynskey Michael T. , Freeman Tom P. , Sham Pak C. , Cardno Alastair G. , Vassos Evangelos , van Os Jim , Morgan Craig , Reininghaus Ulrich , Lewis Cathryn M. , Murray Robin M. , Di Forti Marta 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackgroundDaily use of high-potency cannabis has been reported to carry a high risk for developing a psychotic disorder. However, the evidence is mixed on whether any pattern of cannabis use is associated with a particular symptomatology in first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients.MethodWe analysed data from 901 FEP patients and 1235 controls recruited across six countries, as part of the European Network of National Schizophrenia Networks Studying Gene-Environment Interactions (EU-GEI) study. We used item response modelling to estimate two bifactor models, which included general and specific dimensions of psychotic symptoms in patients and psychotic experiences in controls. The associations between these dimensions and cannabis use were evaluated using linear mixed-effects models analyses.ResultsIn patients, there was a linear relationship between the positive symptom dimension and the extent of lifetime exposure to cannabis, with daily users of high-potency cannabis having the highest score (B = 0.35; 95% CI 0.14–0.56). Moreover, negative symptoms were more common among patients who never used cannabis compared with those with any pattern of use (B = −0.22; 95% CI −0.37 to −0.07). In controls, psychotic experiences were associated with current use of cannabis but not with the extent of lifetime use. Neither patients nor controls presented differences in depressive dimension related to cannabis use.ConclusionsOur findings provide the first large-scale evidence that FEP patients with a history of daily use of high-potency cannabis present with more positive and less negative symptoms, compared with those who never used cannabis or used low-potency types.
Definitions, key themes and aspects of ‘ageing in place’: a scoping review
Authors: Pani-Harreman Katinka E. , Bours Gerrie J. J. W. , Zander Inés , Kempen Gertrudis I. J. M. , van Duren Joop M. A. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe purpose is to give an overview of the extent, range and nature of existing definitions of the concept ‘ageing in place’. Providing such an overview may be helpful, for policy makers, researchers, communities and service providers, to make sense of the versatility and uses of the concept, and allow the improvement and increase the success of efforts to contribute to the quality of life of older people. The overview was created using Arksey and O'Malley's scoping review methodology. Out of 3,692 retrieved articles, 34 met the inclusion criteria. These studies concentrate on the following five key themes concerning ‘ageing in place’: ‘ageing in place’ in relation to place, to social networks, to support, to technology and to personal characteristics. Each of these key themes consists of other aspects, like physical place and attachment to place for the keyword place. This study concludes that the concept ‘ageing in place’ is broad and can be viewed from different (i.e. five) key themes. A more thorough understanding of ‘ageing in place’ provides knowledge about the existing key themes and aspects. These findings might provide practical support for professionals and governments when they develop their policies about ‘ageing in place’ integrally and to develop fit policies.
ANALYSIS AND APPLICATIONS OF THE RESIDUAL VARENTROPY OF RANDOM LIFETIMES
Authors: Di Crescenzo Antonio , Paolillo Luca 
Published: March 2020

AbstractReliability theory and survival analysis, the residual entropy is known as a measure suitable to describe the dynamic information content in stochastic systems conditional on survival. Aiming to analyze the variability of such information content, in this paper we introduce the variance of the residual lifetimes, “residual varentropy” in short. After a theoretical investigation of some properties of the residual varentropy, we illustrate certain applications related to the proportional hazards model and the first-passage times of an Ornstein–Uhlenbeck jump-diffusion process.
INTEGRATION OF VERBAL AND CONSTRUCTIONAL INFORMATION IN THE SECOND LANGUAGE PROCESSING OF ENGLISH DATIVE CONSTRUCTIONS
Authors: Kim Hyunwoo , Shin Gyu-Ho , Hwang Haerim 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThis study investigated the effects of construction types on Korean-L1 English-L2 learners’ verb–construction integration in online processing by presenting the ditransitive and prepositional dative constructions and manipulating the verb’s association strength within these constructions. Results of a self-paced reading experiment showed that the L2 group spent longer times in the verb–construction integration in the postverbal complement region when processing the ditransitive construction, which is less canonical and highly avoided in the learners’ L1, than when processing the prepositional dative construction, which is more canonical and shares similar structural features with the L1 counterpart. In the following spillover region, L2 learners showed faster reading times as proficiency increased when the verb was strongly associated with the prepositional dative construction. Our findings expand the scope of current models on L2 sentence processing by suggesting that construction types and L2 proficiency may affect the L2 integration of verbal and constructional information.
Prospective Study on the Potential Use of Satellite Data for Disaster Prevention, Preparedness, and Mitigation in Poland
Authors: Goniewicz Krzysztof , Magiera Maciej , Burkle Frederick M. , Goniewicz Mariusz 
Published: March 2020

AbstractConsidering climate change, the risk of natural disasters requires a comprehensive approach on the part of all entities dealing with crisis management. Despite the advanced technologies available to predict weather phenomena, it is often unmanageable to take remedial measures, and the best solution is to suitably prepare for, and efficiently operate after, the occurrence of any given crisis. Nevertheless, it is imperative to implement the latest techniques and solutions which will allow for better preparation and responsiveness in the event of natural disasters. This manuscript presents results of initial analysis concerning the currently tested project, which is aimed at, among other things, improving safety in the event of natural disasters in Poland. There were two reasons for creating the manuscript. First, to present the potential of the system currently being built in Poland, which aims to reduce the risks associated with natural disasters and minimize the problems related to crisis management in Poland. And second, to open discussions and create grounds for information exchange between countries implementing similar solutions, especially neighboring countries, with which joint actions could be taken in the event of disasters in border areas.
An Exploratory Study of Pathways from White Matter Hyperintensities to Cognitive Impairment through Depressive Symptoms Using Structural Equation Modeling: A Cross Sectional Study in Patients with Dementia
Authors: Lee Chang Hyun , Kim Do Hoon 
Published: March 2020

AbstractObjective:The aim of this study was to model the relationships among white matter hyperintensities (WMHs), depressive symptoms, and cognitive function and to examine the mediating effect of depressive symptoms on the relationship between WMHs and cognitive impairment.Methods:We performed structural equation modeling using cross-sectional data from 1158 patients from the Clinical Research for Dementia of South Korea (CREDOS) registry who were diagnosed with mild-to-moderate dementia. Periventricular white matter hyperintensities (PWMHs) and deep white matter hyperintensities (DWMHs) were obtained separately on the protocol of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Depression and cognitive function were assessed using the Korean Form of the Geriatric Depression Scale (KGDS) and the Seoul Neuropsychological Screening Battery (SNSB), respectively.Results:The model that best reflected the relationships among the variables was the model in which DWMHs affected cognitive function directly and indirectly through the depressive symptoms; on the other hand, PWMHs only directly affected cognitive function.Conclusions:This study presents the mediation model including the developmental pathway from DWMHs to cognitive impairment through depressive symptoms and suggests that the two types of WMHs may affect cognitive impairment through different pathways.
Impacts of Potential China's Environmental Protection Tax Reforms on Provincial Air Pollution Emissions and Economy
Authors: Hu Xiurong , Liu Junfeng , Yang Haozhe , Meng Jing , Wang Xuejun , Ma Jianmin , Tao Shu 
Published: March 2020

AbstractChina's environmental protection tax (EPT) has been implemented since the beginning of 2018 to control environmental issues (e.g., air pollution). The current EPT law indicates that tax revenues are given to provincial governments without return. However, tax revenue redistribution is the key to achieving a so‐called “double dividend”; that is, an environmental tax could benefit both the environment and economic efficiency. Based on our previous analysis of the effectiveness of the current EPT, we further explore whether the double dividend could be achieved under different tax reforms based on the multiregion and multisectoral computable general equilibrium model. We find that recycling the EPT revenue to reduce household income tax (EPT_Int) is an efficient way to achieve the double dividend, and there is no double dividend if the EPT revenue is compensated by reducing enterprise income tax (EPT_Ent) or by investing in solar power (EPT_Sol). Combining EPT_Int and EPT_Sol could be a better approach if more air pollution emissions reductions are required to achieve the national reduction targets. At the provincial level, recycling the EPT revenues to reduce household income tax could offset the negative effect of environmental tax on the economy and achieve the double dividend in all provinces, especially the provinces with higher emission intensity, such as Shanxi, Hebei, Inner Mongolia, and Guizhou Provinces. This result shows that provinces with high emission intensity may further reduce air pollutant emissions during the post‐EPT era.
Drivers of the Northern Extratropical Eddy‐Driven Jet Change in CMIP5 and CMIP6 Models
Authors: Oudar Thomas , Cattiaux Julien , Douville Hervé 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe wintertime midlatitude atmospheric circulation is evaluated in CMIP6 models. The biases have been reduced since CMIP5 although the low‐level flow is still too zonal. CMIP5 and CMIP6 projections of 850 hPa zonal wind are then analyzed and are consistent under the RCP8.5 and the SSP5–8.5 scenarios, respectively. A poleward shift is identified in the Pacific, while a tripole structure is found in the North Atlantic: The zonal wind strengthens over Western Europe and decreases north and south. A multiple linear regression allows us to quantify the contribution of different drivers to the intermodel spread in zonal wind projections. It supports the importance of projected tropical warming and changes in the stratospheric vortex but also suggests a contribution of the asymmetry in the projected surface warming of the equatorial Pacific and of the present‐day biases in the eddy‐driven jet position. The North Atlantic warming hole plays a weaker role.
Baroclinic Residual Circulation and Mass Transport Due to Internal Tides
Authors: Masunaga Eiji , Arthur Robert S. , Yamazaki Hidekatsu 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBaroclinic (BC) tidal residual circulation due to internal tides is investigated around islands over a shallow ridge using a numerical ocean model. Internal tides enhance vertical mixing over shallow slopes, leading to horizontal density gradients that drive BC residual circulation along the main thermocline. For a strongly stratified summer case, the vertical diffusivity estimated by the Mellor and Yamada turbulence closure model exceeds 1 × 10−2 m2 s−1, and the velocity of BC residual circulations reaches 0.2 m s−1. The magnitude of BC residual circulation is larger than that of barotropic residual tidal circulation, implying that BC residual circulation due to internal tides plays an important role in coastal ocean circulation. Furthermore, BC residual flow accounts for an equal percentage (5%) of the total tidal kinetic energy as the barotropic residual flow under summer stratification conditions. Results from a coupled sediment resuspension and transport model show the growth of intermediate nepheloid layers formed by strong bottom shear stress and BC residual flow. The residual component contributes largely (23% of the total in summer) to the total suspended sediment flux. Seasonal variability is explored, with weaker winter stratification leading to reduced mixing, and thus weaker BC residual circulation and sediment flux. The magnitude of the BC residual circulation is also shown to be proportional to the square of the tidal amplitude.
Export of Middle Atlantic Bight Shelf Waters Near Cape Hatteras From Two Years of Underwater Glider Observations
Authors: Todd Robert E. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractEquatorward flow of Middle Atlantic Bight (MAB) shelf waters meets poleward flowing South Atlantic Bight shelf waters over the continental shelf near Cape Hatteras, NC, leading to net export of shelf waters into the deep ocean. This export occurs in close proximity to the Gulf Stream, which separates from the continental margin near Cape Hatteras. Observations from sustained underwater glider surveys of the outer continental shelf and slope north of Cape Hatteras from spring 2017 to spring 2019 are used to examine the mean and variability of MAB shelf water export in the region. The 0.3 Sv (1 Sv = 106 m3 s−1) time‐mean export of MAB shelf water south of 37°N was dominated by discrete export events; 50% of export occurred during the 17% of the time during which transport was more than 1 standard deviation above the mean. These events typically occurred in late spring and summer of both years when equatorward flow into the region peaked. Export of MAB shelf water was correlated with equatorward flow into the region, which was itself correlated with the density gradient across the continental shelf break. Observations during specific time periods that capture extrema in MAB shelf water export are examined to highlight the variability in shelf‐deep ocean exchange scenarios in the Hatteras region. These include near‐surface export driven by hurricanes, subsurface export below the northern edge of the Gulf Stream, and a multi‐month near‐cessation of export.