bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hyperuricaemia and its association with 10‐year risk of cardiovascular disease among migrant and non‐migrant African populations: the RODAM study
Authors: Chilunga Felix P. , Henneman Peter , Requena‐Méndez Ana , Meeks Karlijn , Beune Erik , Mannens Marcel M. A. M. , Agyemang Charles 
Published: December 2019

AbstractObjectiveIn the advent of rapid urbanisation, migration and epidemiological transition, the extent to which serum uric acid (sUA) affects cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among Africans is not well understood. We assessed differences in sUA levels and associations with CVD risk among migrant Ghanaians in Europe and non‐migrant Ghanaians in rural and urban Ghana.MethodsBaseline data from 633 rural, 916 urban and 2315 migrant participants (40–70 years) from the cross‐sectional RODAM study were analysed. Hyperuricaemia was defined as sUA >7 mg/dl in men and >6 mg/dl in women. The 10‐year risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) was calculated using the American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) risk score which takes into account ethnic minority populations. High CVD risk was defined as ASCVD risk scores ≥7.5%. Logistic regressions were used to assess associations between hyperuricaemia and CVD risk.ResultsPrevalence for hyperuricaemia in rural, urban and migrant participants was 17.4%, 19.1% and 31.7% for men, and 15.9%, 18.2% and 33.2% for women, respectively. Hyperuricaemia was positively associated with elevated CVD risk among rural residents (adjusted OR for men 3.28, 95% CI: 1.21–8.96, 6.36, 95% CI: 2.98–13.56 for women), urban residents (1.12, 95% CI: 0.45–2.81 for men, 2.11, 95% CI: 1.26–3.52 for women) and migrants (1.73, 95% CI: 1.01–2.96 for men, 4.61, 95% CI: 3.05–6.97 for women).ConclusionOur study shows variations of sUA levels in different African contexts. Hyperuricaemia is associated with elevated 10‐year CVD risk in both migrants and non‐migrants. Further studies should identify factors driving associations between sUA and CVD risk in Africans.
A Rational Model of Word Skipping in Reading: Ideal Integration of Visual and Linguistic Information
Authors: Duan Yunyan , Bicknell Klinton 
Published: December 2019

AbstractReaders intentionally do not fixate some words, thought to be those they have already identified. In a rational model of reading, these word skipping decisions should be complex functions of the particular word, linguistic context, and visual information available. In contrast, heuristic models of reading only predict additive effects of word and context features. Here we test these predictions by implementing a rational model with Bayesian inference and predicting human skipping with the entropy of this model's posterior distribution. Results showed a significant effect of the entropy in predicting skipping above a strong baseline model including word and context features. This pattern held for entropy measures from rational models with a frequency prior but not from models with a 5‐gram prior. These results suggest complex interactions between visual input and linguistic knowledge as predicted by the rational model of reading, and a dominant role of frequency in making skipping decisions.
Intra‐ and inter‐rater agreement for the detection of band neutrophils and toxic change in horses
Authors: Fernandez Nicole J. , Gilroy Cornelia V. , Wagg Catherine R. , Kwong Grace P. S. , Roy Marie‐France 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe detection of band neutrophils and toxic change via microscopic blood smear review is vitally important, as their presence indicates systemic inflammation. However, in‐clinic evaluation of WBC morphology is often limited.ObjectiveWe aimed to determine the agreement between expert raters in the detection of bands and toxic change.MethodsThree board‐certified clinical pathologists each evaluated 109 blood smears from horses with acute disease, and 19 control smears from healthy horses. The pathologists determined if bands were present, and if so, the percentage of bands present. They also determined if toxic change was present, and if so, the grade of toxic change. Intra‐rater agreement was evaluated using 12 duplicate blood smears. Agreement on the presence of bands between pathologists and an in‐clinic hematology analyzer was evaluated.ResultsIntra‐rater agreement was substantial to almost perfect. Agreement between pathologists for the detection of bands was moderate, but when pathologists agreed bands were present, there was excellent agreement on the percentage of bands and mature neutrophils. Agreement between pathologists for the detection of high‐grade, clinically relevant toxic change was fair. When pathologists agreed high‐grade toxic change was present, there was fair agreement on Döhle bodies and cytoplasmic basophilia and poor agreement on cytoplasmic vacuolation. Agreement between individual pathologists and the in‐clinic hematology analyzer for the indication of bands was fair to moderate.ConclusionsConsistent identification of bands and toxic change is challenging, even for highly trained personnel. It is, thus,not surprising that in‐clinic blood smear evaluation of WBC morphology by non‐experts could be inadequate.
Health economics of Patient Blood Management: a cost‐benefit analysis based on a meta‐analysis
Authors: Meybohm Patrick , Straub Niels , Füllenbach Christoph , Judd Leonie , Kleinerüschkamp Adina , Taeuber Isabel , Zacharowski Kai , Choorapoikayil Suma 
Published: December 2019

Background and ObjectivesPatient Blood Management (PBM) is the timely application of evidence‐based medical and surgical concepts designed to improve haemoglobin concentration, optimize haemostasis and minimize blood loss in an effort to improve patient outcomes. The focus of this cost‐benefit analysis is to analyse the economic benefit of widespread implementation of a multimodal PBM programme.Materials and MethodsBased on a recent meta‐analysis including 17 studies (>235 000 patients) comparing PBM with control care and data from the University Hospital Frankfurt, a cost‐benefit analysis was performed. Outcome data were red blood cell (RBC) transfusion rate, number of transfused RBC units, and length of hospital stay (LOS). Costs were considered for the following three PBM interventions as examples: anaemia management including therapy of iron deficiency, use of cell salvage and tranexamic acid. For sensitivity analysis, a Monte Carlo simulation was performed.ResultsIron supplementation was applied in 3·1%, cell salvage in 65% and tranexamic acid in 89% of the PBM patients. In total, applying these three PBM interventions costs €129·04 per patient. However, PBM was associated with a reduction in transfusion rate, transfused RBC units per patient, and LOS which yielded to mean savings of €150·64 per patient. Thus, the overall benefit of PBM implementation was €21·60 per patient. In the Monte Carlo simulation, the cost savings on the outcome side exceeded the PBM costs in approximately 2/3 of all repetitions and the total benefit was €1 878 000 in 100·000 simulated patients.ConclusionResources to implement a multimodal PBM concept optimizing patient care and safety can be cost‐effectively.
The hypoattenuating ocular lens on CT is not always due to cataract formation
Authors: Pemberton Sarah , Odom Thomas F. , Dittmer Keren E. , Kopke Matthew A. , Marshall Jonathan C. , Poirier Valerie J. , Owen Mark C. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractHypoattenuating ocular lenses on CT have been described with cataract formation in humans, however published studies are currently lacking regarding this finding in veterinary patients. The purpose of this retrospective and prospective study was to describe the varying CT appearances of the ocular lens in vivo, and investigate the causes for CT density variations in a population of cats and dogs. A total of 102 canine and feline patients with CT of the head acquired at the authors’ hospital between May 2011 and March 2019 were included. A bilateral hypoattenuating halo surrounding an isoattenuating to mildly hypoattenuating core was described in the ocular lens center of every cat in which a Philips brand proprietary image construction filter was used. A similar but more varied hypoattenuating region was noted in the lenses of 45.8% of dogs where the same filter was applied, as well as 43.8% of dogs with a second, similar filter. Ophthalmic examination of three live cats and one dog with hypoattenuating lenses demonstrated normal lens translucency, excluding the presence of cataract. The effect of different proprietary filters on lens appearance was also described in three fresh cadavers with normal lenses identified on ophthalmic, macroscopic, and microscopic examination. Etiology of the hypoattenuating areas within the ocular lens was not conclusively determined. Recognition that such a variant may be seen in the absence of cataract is important, in order to prevent misdiagnosis.
Direct Validation of Model-Predicted Muscle Forces in the Cat Hindlimb During Locomotion
Authors: Karabulut Derya , Dogru Suzan Cansel , Lin Yi-Chung , Pandy Marcus G. , Herzog Walter , Arslan Yunus Ziya 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Various methods are available for simulating the movement patterns of musculoskeletal systems and determining individual muscle forces, but the results obtained from these methods have not been rigorously validated against experiment. The aim of this study was to compare model predictions of muscle force derived for a cat hindlimb during locomotion against direct measurements of muscle force obtained in vivo. The cat hindlimb was represented as a 5-segment, 13-degrees-of-freedom (DOF), articulated linkage actuated by 25 Hill-type muscle-tendon units (MTUs). Individual muscle forces were determined by combining gait data with two widely used computational methods—static optimization and computed muscle control (CMC)—available in opensim, an open-source musculoskeletal modeling and simulation environment. The forces developed by the soleus, medial gastrocnemius (MG), and tibialis anterior muscles during free locomotion were measured using buckle transducers attached to the tendons. Muscle electromyographic activity and MTU length changes were also measured and compared against the corresponding data predicted by the model. Model-predicted muscle forces, activation levels, and MTU length changes were consistent with the corresponding quantities obtained from experiment. The calculated values of muscle force obtained from static optimization agreed more closely with experiment than those derived from CMC.
Estimate Uncertainty: Miscommunication About Definitions of Engineering Terminology
Authors: Meluso John , Austin-Breneman Jesse , Uribe Jose 
Published: December 2019

AbstractCommunication has been shown to affect the design of large-scale complex engineered systems. Drawing from engineering design, communication, and management literature, this work defines miscommunication as when communication results in a “deficiency” or “problem” that hinders parties from fulfilling their values. This article details a consequential example of miscommunication at a Fortune 500 engineering firm with the potential to affect system performance. In phase 1, interviews with engineering practitioners (n = 82) identified disagreement about what constitutes a parameter “estimate” in the design process. Phase 2 surveyed engineering practitioners (n = 128) about whether estimates communicated for system-level tracking approximate “current” design statuses or “future” design projections. The survey found that both definitions existed throughout the organization and did not correlate with subsystem, position, or design phase. Engineers inadvertently aggregated both current and future estimates into single system-level parameters that informed decision-making, thereby constituting widespread or systemic miscommunication. Thus, even technical concepts may be susceptible to miscommunication and could affect system performance.
Mitigation of End-Flux-Peaking in Fresh CANDU Fuel Bundles Using Neutron Absorbers
Authors: Pierce Dylan J. C. , Chan Paul K. , Shen Wei 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
End-flux-peaking (EFP) is a phenomenon where a region of elevated neutron flux occurs between two adjoining fuel bundles, leading to an increase in fission rate and therefore greater heat generation. It is known that the addition of neutron absorbers into fuel bundles can mitigate EFP, yet the implementation in Canada deuterium uranium (CANDU) type reactors using natural uranium fuel has not been pursued. The computer code Monte Carlo N-Particle code (MCNP) 6.1 was used to develop a three-dimensional CANDU bundle–bundle contact model and simulate the addition of neutron absorbers positioned strategically within various locations of the fuel bundle. The burnable absorbers of interest include Gd2O3 and Eu2O3. The locations investigated include within the end pellets of a fuel stack, within the CANDU lubricant (CANLUB) layer, within thin disks located at the ends of the fuel stack, and alloyed in the endplate. Concentrations of the absorbers were varied to gain better insight into their effect on the thermal neutron axial flux profile of the fuel bundle. The results of the study indicated that adding a combination of ∼4 mg/∼12 mg of Eu2O3 into the pellet adjacent to the end pellet and the end pellet, respectively, at each end of all six of the fuel elements in the inner fuel ring, as well as, ∼2 mg/∼6 mg of Eu2O3 into the same respective pellets, at each end of the 18 fuel elements in the outer fuel ring, provides the most effective mitigation of the EFP phenomena in fresh CANDU fuel bundles.
Does the Biaxial Loading Affect the Apparent Fracture Toughness (KC)?
Authors: Chen Chentong , Xiao Hanbin , Chao Yuh J. , Lam Poh-Sang 
Published: December 2019

AbstractFrom linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM), it is well accepted that only the singular stress near the crack tip contributes to the fracture event through the crack tip stress intensity factor K. In the biaxial loading, the stress component that adds to the T-stress at the crack tip, affects only the second term in the Williams' series solution around the crack tip. Therefore, it is generally believed that biaxial load does not change the apparent fracture toughness or the critical stress intensity factor (Kc). This paper revisited several specimen geometries under biaxial loading with finite element method. The sources of discrepancy between the theory and the test data were identified. It was found that the ideal biaxial loading would not be achieved for typical fracture specimens with finite geometry. Comparison to available test data shows that, while the biaxial load could affect the apparent fracture toughness, the contribution is relatively small.
Post-seismic response of the outer accretionary prism after the 2010 Maule earthquake, Chile
Authors: Tréhu Anne M. , de Moor Alexander , Madrid José Mieres , Sáez Miguel , Chadwell C. David , Ortega-Culaciati Francisco , Ruiz Javier , Ruiz Sergio , Tryon Michael D. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractTo investigate the dynamic response of the outer accretionary prism updip from the patch of greatest slip during the 2010 Mw 8.8 Maule earthquake (Chile), 10 ocean-bottom seismometers (OBSs) were deployed from May 2012 to March 2013 in a small network with an inter-instrument spacing of 7–10 km. Nine were recovered, with four recording data from intermediate-band three-component seismometers and differential pressure gauges, and five recording data from absolute pressure gauges (APGs). All instruments were also equipped with fluid flow meters designed to detect very low rates of flow into or out of the seafloor. We present hypocenters for local earthquakes that have S-P times &lt;17 s (i.e., within ∼125 km of the network), with a focus on events located beneath or near the network. Most of the seismicity occurred either near the boundary between the active accretionary prism and continental basement or in the outer rise seaward of the trench. For many outer-rise earthquakes, the P and S arrivals are followed by a distinctive T-phase arrival. Very few earthquakes, and none located with hypocenters deemed “reliable,” were located within the active accretionary prism or on the underlying plate boundary. Nonvolcanic tremor-like pulses and seafloor pressure transients (but no very-low-frequency earthquakes or fluid flow) were also detected. Many of the tremor observations are likely T-phases or reverberations due to soft seafloor sediments, although at least one episode may have originated within the accretionary prism south of the network. The transient seafloor pressure changes were observed simultaneously on three APGs located over the transition from the active prism to the continental basement and show polarity changes over short distances, suggesting a shallow source. Their duration of several hours to days is shorter than most geodetic transients observed using onshore GPS networks. The results demonstrate the need for densely spaced and large-aperture OBS networks equipped with APGs for understanding subduction zone behavior.
Protocol for a validation study of the translated stapesplasty outcome test 25 for measurement of disease-specific quality of life in Dutch patients with otosclerosis
Authors: Blijleven Esther E , Thomeer Hans G X M , Stokroos Robert , Wegner Inge 
Published: December 2019

IntroductionOtosclerosis is a common cause of acquired conductive hearing loss and can be treated using hearing aids or surgically. Surgical success rates or surgical results are usually reported using pure-tone audiometric thresholds and/or speech discrimination scores. Audiometric results and patient-reported quality of life after stapes surgery do not seem to correlate well. It is therefore our opinion that health-related quality of life measurements should be implemented as an additional outcome measure after stapes surgery. So far, there is a lack of a valid, reliable and clinically feasible measuring tool for determining health-related quality of life in Dutch patients with otosclerosis who undergo stapes surgery.Methods and analysisA prospective validation study was designed to translate and validate the disease-specific Stapesplasty Outcome Test 25 (SPOT-25) in a population of Dutch patients with otosclerosis who undergo primary stapes surgery. A total of 125 patients with otosclerosis who will be undergoing primary stapes surgery and 50 healthy controls will be included. The patients with otosclerosis will fulfil several questionnaires preoperatively, 6 to 8 weeks postoperatively and 8 to 10 weeks postoperatively with a 2-week interval between the postoperative administrations. The patients’ audiometric results, which are measured routinely before and after undergoing primary stapes surgery, will also be used. The healthy controls will fulfil the translated SPOT-25 once. First, the original SPOT-25 will be translated from German to Dutch in a six-step process. Second, the translated SPOT-25 will be pilot-tested in a subset of patients. Lastly, validity, reliability and responsiveness of the translated SPOT-25 will be analysed.Ethics and disseminationThe research protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the University Medical Center Utrecht (protocol 18–768/C; V.1, November 2018). Initially, we planned to include 50 patients. At a later stage we decided to increase the sample size to 100 patients. We notified the Institutional Review Board of this change to the protocol. The trial results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed medical journals and presented at scientific conferences.Trial registration numberNL7586.
Prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in the PROUD randomised clinical trial of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis
Authors: Miltz Ada , Lampe Fiona , McCormack Sheena , Dunn David , White Ellen , Rodger Alison , Phillips Andrew , Sherr Lorraine , Sullivan Ann K , Reeves Iain , Clarke Amanda , Gafos Mitzy 
Published: December 2019

ObjectivesThe aim of this analysis is to: (i) assess the prevalence of clinically significant depressive symptoms at baseline and follow-up for participants in the PROUD trial of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), examining changes in prevalence over time and (ii) investigate the association of socioeconomic and psychosocial factors with depression.MethodsPROUD was an open label randomised trial evaluating the benefit of PrEP for 544 HIV-negative gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) in England. Enrolment was between 2012 and 2014, with at least 2 years follow-up. Prevalence of depression (score ≥10 on Patient Health Questionnaire-9) was assessed and compared across time-points (using McNemar’s χ2tests) and between trial arms (using χ2tests). Cross-sectional associations with socioeconomic and psychosocial factors were examined using baseline data in modified Poisson regression models and combined 12 and 24 month follow-up data in generalised estimating equations (GEEs). Prevalence ratios (PRs) were presented as unadjusted PR and adjusted PR (aPR) for age, UK birth, sexual identity, university education, London study clinic site and calendar time (and follow-up time-point in GEEs).ResultsDepression increased significantly from baseline (9.1%; 49/540) to the 12 month (14.4%; 59/410) and 24 month (14.4%; 48/333) follow-ups, possibly explained by underreporting at baseline. The prevalence of depression did not differ by study trial arm, at any time-point. In the baseline analysis, younger age, unemployment and crystal methamphetamine use, was associated with depression. In combined analysis of 12 and 24 month data, measures of intimate partner violence (IPV) (lifetime IPV victimisation aPR 2.57 (95% CI: 1.71 to 3.86)), internalised homophobia (aPR 1.91 (95% CI: 1.29 to 2.83)) and concealment of sexual identity (aPR 1.75 (95% CI: 1.16 to 2.65)), were strongly associated with depression.ConclusionsThere is a high concomitant burden of psychosocial factors with depression among GBMSM.Trial registration numberISRCTN (ISRCTN94465371) and ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02065986).