bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Radiosonde Observations of Environments Supporting Deep Moist Convection Initiation during RELAMPAGO-CACTI
Authors: Nelson T. Connor , Marquis James , Varble Adam , Friedrich Katja 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe Remote Sensing of Electrification, Lightning, and Mesoscale/Microscale Processes with Adaptive Ground Observations (RELAMPAGO) and Cloud, Aerosol, and Complex Terrain Interactions (CACTI) projects deployed a high-spatiotemporal-resolution radiosonde network to examine environments supporting deep convection in the complex terrain of central Argentina. This study aims to characterize atmospheric profiles most representative of the near-cloud environment (in time and space) to identify the mesoscale ingredients affecting storm initiation and growth. Spatiotemporal autocorrelation analysis of the soundings reveals that there is considerable environmental heterogeneity, with boundary layer thermodynamic and kinematic fields becoming statistically uncorrelated on scales of 1–2 h and 30 km. Using this as guidance, we examine a variety of environmental parameters derived from soundings collected within close proximity (30 km in space and 30 min in time) of 44 events over 9 days where the atmosphere either: 1) supported the initiation of sustained precipitating convection, 2) yielded weak and short-lived precipitating convection, or 3) produced no precipitating convection in disagreement with numerical forecasts from convection-allowing models (i.e., Null events). There are large statistical differences between the Null event environments and those supporting any convective precipitation. Null event profiles contained larger convective available potential energy, but had low free-tropospheric relative humidity, higher freezing levels, and evidence of limited horizontal convergence near the terrain at low levels that likely suppressed deep convective growth. We also present evidence from the radiosonde and satellite measurements that flow–terrain interactions may yield gravity wave activity that affects CI outcome.
Taste and Smell Impairment in Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19: An Intensive Care Unit Study
Authors: Sayın Pınar , Altınay Mustafa , Cınar Ayse Surhan , Ozdemir Hacı Mustafa 
Published: December 2020

Objective: To determine taste and smell impairment rates in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who were hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU). Methods: Between March 2020 and May 2020, patients with COVID-19 hospitalized in the ICU were enrolled in this study. Upon discharge, patients were telephoned and asked to complete a survey related to taste and smell impairment. Characteristics were compared between patients with and without taste and/or smell impairment. Results: Fifty-two patients were enrolled (mean age, 61.32 ± 12.53 years; mean ICU stay, 10.19 ± 10.24 days). Age, sex, type/number of comorbid diseases, most ICU support modalities, and ICU stay duration did not significantly differ between groups. Patients in group B required more high-flow nasal oxygen therapy than patients in group A ( P = .010). In total, 22 (42.3%) of 52 patients experienced taste and/or smell impairment. Three patients experienced isolated smell impairment and one patient experienced isolated taste impairment. Among the 21 patients who experienced smell impairment, 18 (85.78%) experienced hyposmia (mean visual analog scale [VAS] score: 6.33 ± 0.97), while 3 (14.28%) experienced anosmia. Among the 19 patients who experienced taste impairment, 16 (84.22%) experienced hypogeusia (mean VAS score: 6.43 ± 1.03) and 3 (15.78%) experienced ageuisa. Among 22 patients who experienced taste and/or smell impairment, 15 (68.18%) patients (n = 15/22) experienced smell and/or taste impairment before the ICU stay, while 7 (31.82%) patients (n = 7/22) experienced impairment during the ICU stay. Overall, 28.84% (n = 15/52) of the patients experienced taste and/or smell impairment before the ICU stay. Conclusions: Patients who were hospitalized in the ICU experienced lower rates of taste and/or smell impairment. Some patients experienced taste and/or smell impairment during the ICU stay.
Fibroblasts From Common Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tendon Grafts Exhibit Different Biologic Responses to Mechanical Strain
Authors: Cardona-Ramirez Sebastian , Stoker Aaron M. , Cook James L. , Ma Richard 
Published: December 2020

Background: Different tendons are chosen for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction based on perceived advantages and disadvantages, yet there is a relative paucity of information regarding biologic responsiveness of commonly used tendon grafts to mechanical strain. Purpose: To evaluate the in vitro responses of graft fibroblasts derived from tendons used for ACL reconstruction to clinically relevant strain levels. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Twelve quadriceps tendons (QTs), 12 patellar tendons (PTs), and 9 hamstring tendons (HTs) were harvested from skeletally mature dogs (n = 16). Tendon fibroblasts were isolated and seeded onto BioFlex plates (1 × 105 cells/well). Cells were subjected to 3 strain conditions (stress deprivation, 0%; physiologic, 4%; high, 10%) for 5 days. Media were collected for proinflammatory and metabolic assays. RNA was extracted for gene expression analysis using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: Stress deprivation elicited significantly higher metabolic activity from HT and PT cells than from QT cells ( P < .001 and P = .001, respectively). There were no differences in metabolic activity among all 3 graft fibroblasts at physiologic and high strain. COL-1 expression was significantly higher in PT versus HT during physiologic strain ( P = .007). No significant differences with COL-3 expression were seen. TIMP-1 ( P = .01) expression was higher in PT versus HT under physiologic strain. Scleraxis expression was higher in PT versus HT ( P = .007) under physiologic strain. A strain-dependent increase in PGE2 levels occurred for all grafts. At physiologic strain conditions, HT produced significantly higher levels of PGE2 versus QT ( P < .001) and PT ( P = .005). Conclusion: Fibroblasts from common ACL graft tissues exhibited different metabolic responses to mechanical strain. On the basis of these data, we conclude that early production of extracellular matrix and proinflammatory responses from ACL grafts are dependent on mechanical loading and graft source. Clinical Relevance: Graft-specific differences in ACL reconstruction outcomes are known to exist. Our results suggest that there are differences in the biologic responsiveness of cells from the tendon grafts used in ACL reconstruction, which are dependent on strain levels and graft source. The biologic properties of the tissue used for ACL reconstruction should be considered when selecting graft source.
Clinical features and outcomes from the Singapore Sjögren's syndrome study
Authors: Kam Jeggrey Kay-Wee , Charan Natasha , Leong Rachel Wei-Li , Loh Zhi-Wen , Thong Bernard Yu-Hor 
Published: December 2020

Objective To study the clinical features, treatment and outcomes of primary Sjögren's Syndrome (pSS) in a Singapore cohort from an outpatient rheumatology clinic. Methods Computerised Physician Order entry records of patients who fulfilled the 2016 ACR-EULAR classification criteria for pSS between 1993 and 2013 were retrospectively analysed. Results There were 102 patients, of which 96 (94.1%) were females, and 91 (89.2%) Chinese. Mean age at diagnosis was 49.3 ± 11.8 years, mean disease duration was 9.0 ± 4.6 years. The most common manifestations were keratoconjunctivitis sicca (99.0%), xerostomia (96.1%), arthralgia/arthritis (56.9%). Exocrine glandular enlargement comprised parotidomegaly (28, 27.5%), with concurrent submandibular and lacrimal gland enlargement in one. The nervous system (15.7%) was the most commonly affected internal organ, with peripheral nervous system (peripheral neuropathy, mononeuritis multiplex) involvement more common than central. Hydroxychloroquine was most frequently used (88.2%), followed by methotrexate (7.8%) and azathioprine (6.9%). Pulsed intravenous (IV) methylprednisolone 500 mg/day for 3 days was used in 5 patients followed by oral (4) or IV cyclophosphamide (1) for cardiomyopathy and interstitial lung disease (1), and neurological involvement (4). These comprised neuromyelitis optica, transverse myelopathy, cranial neuropathy, mononeuritis multiplex and/or peripheral neuropathy alone or in combination. Intravenous immunoglobulins (2.0%) was used for sensory neuropathy and mononeuritis multiplex; rituximab (1.0%) in 1 patient for treatment of non-Hodgkin’s B-cell lymphoma. There were no deaths. Conclusion Musculoskeletal manifestations were common, with the nervous system (peripheral more than central) the most common internal organ involved. Lymphoma was uncommon despite up to one-third of the cohort developing glandular enlargement.
Personality Traits and Sense of Dignity in End-of-Life Cancer Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Bovero Andrea , Cotardo Francesca , Pierotti Vanni , Gottardo Francesco , Botto Rossana , Opezzo Marta , Geminiani Giuliano Carlo 
Published: December 2020

Context: Patients’ personality traits can play an important role in the end-of-life care process. Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between personality traits and dignity in cancer patients nearing death. In addition, the associations between personality traits and physical, psychological symptoms, and coping strategies during the end-of-life stage were explored. Methods: The study is cross-sectional. The sample consisted of 210 participants with a Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) lower than 50 and a life expectancy of a few weeks. For each patient, personal and clinical data were collected and a set of validated rating scales, assessing personality, dignity, physical, psychological symptoms and coping strategies was administered during the first psychological consultation. Results: The results highlighted significant associations between personality traits and dignity. In particular, Conscientiousness was negatively correlated with Social Support and Extroversion was negatively associated with Loss of Purpose and Meaning. Neuroticism was related to all the dimensions of dignity and Extroversion was significantly associated with the physical and psychological symptoms. Regarding coping styles, active coping strategies were predictors of Extroversion and Agreeableness. Conversely, anxiety symptoms predicted the Neuroticism trait. Conclusions: Personality traits seem to be actively involved into the loss of dignity. These findings highlighted the importance of including personality traits and dignity into the patient’s care process. Exploring individual differences and coping mechanisms at the end-of-life could improve palliative care and lead to better patient-tailored psychological interventions.
Capitalism and its new historians: A review essay
Authors: Sharma Shubham 
Published: December 2020

Sven Beckert, Empire of Cotton: A New History of Global Capitalism (New York, NY: Penguin), 2014, 640 pp., £28 (Hb). Walter Johnson, River of Dark Dreams: Slavery and Empire in the Cotton Kingdom (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press), 2013, 515 pp., £15 (Hb). Edward Baptist, The Half Has Never Been Told: Slavery and the Making of Capitalism (New York, NY: Basic Books), 2014, 560 pp., £44 (Hb).
Understanding user attitudes and economic aspects in a corporate multimodal mobility system: results from a field study in Germany
Authors: Günther Madlen , Jacobsen Benjamin , Rehme Marco , Götze Uwe , Krems Josef F. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe present study aims to investigate user attitudes and behaviour when users interact with a corporate multimodal mobility sharing system, consisting of battery electric vehicles (BEVs), pedelecs (i.e. electric bicycles) and public transport. We analysed participants’ attitudes towards BEVs, pedelecs, public transport, and the underlying service tools, as well as the economic impacts of the whole corporate multimodal mobility system. Ninety-three participants took part in the 22 months long naturalistic driving study and used the corporate multimodal mobility sharing system for their business travel. The attitudes towards BEVs and the keyless access were evaluated as the most positive components, and usage behaviour was related to a more positive attitude towards pedelecs, public transport, as well as the keyless access and the booking tool. The economic evaluation revealed the possibility of significant reductions in mobility costs when integrating different means of transport into a smart multimodal mobility system. The findings may help fleet owners to further improve existing mobility concepts for corporate travel.
Perception and attitudinal factors contributing to periodic deworming of preschool children in an urban slum, Nigeria
Authors: Eze Paul , Agu Ujunwa Justina , Aniebo Chioma Lynda , Agu Sergius Alex , Lawani Lucky Osaheni 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background
Over 20 million preschool-age children (PSAC) in Nigeria require periodic chemotherapy (PC) for soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections. Persistently low coverage for this age group threatens the World Health Organization (WHO) 2030 target for eliminating STH infections. Current strategies for targeting PSAC have been largely ineffective. Hence, PSAC are mostly dewormed by their parents/caregivers. However, little is known of the perception and attitude of parents/caregivers of PSAC to deworming in this setting.

Methods
A mixed methods design, combining a community-based interviewer-administered questionnaire-survey (n = 433) and focus group discussions (FGD) (n = 43) was used to assess the perceptions and attitudes of mothers to periodic deworming of preschool children aged 2–5 years in Abakpa-Nike, Enugu, Nigeria.

Results
Coverage of periodic deworming in PSAC is 42% (95% CI: 37.3–46.8%). There is significant difference in the specific knowledge of transmission of STH (AOR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.48–0.81, p = 0.000), complication of STH infections (AOR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.61–0.98, p = 0.034), accurate knowledge of deworming frequency (AOR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.18–0.90, p = 0.026), and knowledge of PC drug, mebendazole (AOR = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.09–0.90, p = 0.031), and pyrantel (AOR = 8.03, 95% CI: 2.22–29.03, p = 0.001) between mothers who periodically deworm their PSAC and those who do not. There is no significant difference in specific knowledge of the symptoms of STH infections (AOR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.57–1.02, p = 0.069) and PC drug, Albendazole (AOR = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.46–2.11, p = 0.972). FGD revealed misconceptions that are rooted in stark ignorance of the disease. Overall attitude to deworming is positive and favourable.

Conclusions
Poor coverage of periodic deworming for STH infections in PSAC in this setting are primarily driven by poor specific knowledge of the risks and burden of the infection. Focused health education on the burden and transmission of STH infections could complement existing strategies to improve periodic deworming of PSAC in this setting.
Environmental sustainability in endodontics. A life cycle assessment (LCA) of a root canal treatment procedure
Authors: Duane Brett , Borglin Linnea , Pekarski Stephanie , Saget Sophie , Duncan Henry Fergus 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background
To analyse via life cycle analysis (LCA) the global resource use and environmental output of the endodontic procedure.

Methodology
An LCA was conducted to measure the life cycle of a standard/routine two-visit RCT. The LCA was conducted according to the International Organization of Standardization guidelines; ISO 14040:2006. All clinical elements of an endodontic treatment (RCT) were input into OpenLCA software using process and flows from the ecoinvent database. Travel to and from the dental clinic was not included. Environmental outputs included abiotic depletion, acidification, freshwater ecotoxicity/eutrophication, human toxicity, cancer/non cancer effects, ionizing radiation, global warming, marine eutrophication, ozone depletion, photochemical ozone formation and terrestrial eutrophication.

Results
An RCT procedure contributes 4.9 kg of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2 eq) emissions. This is the equivalent of a 30 km drive in a small car. The main 5 contributors were dental clothing followed by surface disinfection (isopropanol), disposable bib (paper and plastic), single-use stainless steel instruments and electricity use. Although this LCA has illustrated the effect endodontic treatment has on the environment, there are a number of limitations that may influence the validity of the results.

Conclusions
The endodontic team need to consider how they can reduce the environmental burden of endodontic care. One immediate area of focus might be to consider alternatives to isopropyl alcohol, and look at paper, single use instrument and electricity use. Longer term, research into environmentally-friendly medicaments should continue to investigate the replacement of current cytotoxic gold standards with possible natural alternatives. Minimally invasive regenerative endodontics techniques designed to stimulate repair or regeneration of damaged pulp tissue may also be one way of improving the environmental impact of an RCT.
Cost-utility analysis of hearing aid device for older adults in the community: a delayed start study
Authors: Kaur Palvinder , Chong Sheue Lih , Kannapiran Palvannan , Teo W.-S. Kelvin , Ling Charis Ng Wei , Weichen Chiang Win , Ruling Gan , Yin Lee Sing , Leng Tang Ying , Pei Soo Ying , Kang Then Tze , Han Lim Zhen , Peizhen Lin , Yee Lynne Lim Hsueh , George Pradeep Paul 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background
Hearing aids (HA) is the primary medical intervention aimed to reduce hearing handicap. This study assessed the cost-effectiveness of HA for older adults who were volunteered to be screened for hearing loss in a community-based mobile hearing clinic (MHC).

Methods
Participants with (1) at least moderate hearing loss (≥40 dB HL) in at least one ear, (2) no prior usage of HA, (3) no ear related medical complications, and (4) had a Mini-Mental State Examination score ≥ 18 were eligible for this study. Using a delayed-start study design, participants were randomized into the immediate-start (Fitted) group where HA was fitted immediately or the delayed-start (Not Fitted) group where HA fitting was delayed for three months. Cost utility analysis was used to compare the cost-effectiveness of being fitted with HA combined with short-term, aural rehabilitation with the routine care group who were not fitted with HA. Incremental cost effectiveness ration (ICER) was computed. Health Utility Index (HUI-3) was used to measure utility gain, a component required to derive the quality adjusted life years (QALY). Total costs included direct healthcare costs, direct non-healthcare costs and indirect costs (productivity loss of participant and caregiver). Demographic data was collected during the index visit to MHC. Cost and utility data were collected three months after index visit and projected to five years.

Results
There were 264 participants in the Fitted group and 163 participants in the Not Fitted group. No between-group differences in age, gender, ethnicity, housing type and degree of hearing loss were observed at baseline. At 3 months, HA fitting led to a mean utility increase of 0.12 and an ICER gain of S$42,790/QALY (95% CI: S$32, 793/QALY to S$62,221/QALY). At five years, the ICER was estimated to be at S$11,964/QALY (95% CI: S$8996/QALY to S$17,080/QALY) assuming 70% of the participants continued using the HA. As fewer individuals continued using their fitted HA, the ICER increased.

Conclusions
HA fitting can be cost-effective and could improve the quality of life of hearing-impaired older individuals within a brief period of device fitting. Long term cost-effectiveness of HA fitting is dependent on its continued usage.
Serological evidence of human infections with highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Chen Xinhua , Wang Wei , Wang Yan , Lai Shengjie , Yang Juan , Cowling Benjamin J. , Horby Peter W. , Uyeki Timothy M. , Yu Hongjie 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background
Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus poses a global public health threat given severe and fatal zoonotic infections since 1997 and ongoing A(H5N1) virus circulation among poultry in several countries. A comprehensive assessment of the seroprevalence of A(H5N1) virus antibodies remains a gap and limits understanding of the true risk of A(H5N1) virus infection.

Methods
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of published serosurveys to assess the risk of subclinical and clinically mild A(H5N1) virus infections. We assessed A(H5N1) virus antibody titers and changes in titers among populations with variable exposures to different A(H5N1) viruses.

Results
Across studies using the World Health Organization-recommended seropositive definition, the point estimates of the seroprevalence of A(H5N1) virus-specific antibodies were higher in poultry-exposed populations (range 0–0.6%) and persons exposed to both human A(H5N1) cases and infected birds (range 0.4–1.8%) than in close contacts of A(H5N1) cases or the general population (none to very low frequencies). Seroprevalence was higher in persons exposed to A(H5N1) clade 0 virus (1.9%, range 0.7–3.2%) than in participants exposed to other clades of A(H5N1) virus (range 0–0.5%) (p < 0.05). Seroprevalence was higher in poultry-exposed populations (range 0–1.9%) if such studies utilized antigenically similar A(H5N1) virus antigens in assays to A(H5N1) viruses circulating among poultry.

Conclusions
These low seroprevalences suggest that subclinical and clinically mild human A(H5N1) virus infections are uncommon. Standardized serological survey and laboratory methods are needed to fully understand the extent and risk of human A(H5N1) virus infections.
Copy number gain of pro-inflammatory genes in patients with HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure
Authors: Sun Fengming , Tan Wenting , Dan Yunjie , Wang Xiuhua , Guo Yanzhi , Deng Guohong 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundHost genetic factors such as single nucleotide variations may play a crucial role in the onset and progression of HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). However, the underlying genomic copy number variations (CNVs) involved in the pathology are currently unclear.MethodsWe genotyped two cohorts with 389 HBV-related ACLF patients and 391 asymptomatic HBV carriers (AsCs), and then carried out CNV-based global burden analysis and a genome-wide association study (GWAS).ResultsFor 1874 rare CNVs, HBV-related ACLF patients exhibited a high burden of deletion segments with a size of 100–200 kb (P value = 0.04), and the related genes were significantly enriched in leukocyte transendothelial migration pathway (P value = 4.68 × 10–3). For 352 common CNVs, GWAS predicted 17 significant association signals, and the peak one was a duplication segment located on 1p36.13 (~ 38 Kb,P value = 1.99 × 10–4, OR = 2.66). The associated CNVs resulted in more copy number of pro-inflammatory genes (MST1L, DEFB, and HCG4B) in HBV-related ACLF patients than in AsC controls.ConclusionsOur results suggested that the impact of host CNV on HBV-related ACLF may be through decreasing natural immunity and enhancing host inflammatory response during HBV infection. The findings highlighted the potential importance of gene dosage on excessive hepatic inflammation of this disease.