bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Socio-demographic correlates of availability of adequate iodine in household salt: a community-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Ajema Dessalegn , Bekele Muluken , Yihune Manaye , Tadesse Hiwot , Gebremichael Gebrekiros , Mengesha Melkamu Merid 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Objective
This study aimed to assess the availability of adequately iodized salt at a household level and associated factors in Arba Minch town, South Ethiopia using the gold standard technique, the iodometric titration.

Results
41.8% (95% CI (confidence interval) 38.6 to 45.1) of households had inadequately iodized salt, and 9.3% (95% CI 7.5 to 11.4) had an iodine content below 10 ppm (parts per million). Compared to households with a monthly income of greater than 2000 ETB (Ethiopian Birr), households with a monthly income between 1000 ETB to 2000 ETB (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.52, 95% CI 0.390.36 to 00.77) and main food handlers aged 30 years or above compared to those aged less than 20 years of age (aOR = 0.55, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.91) had higher odds of having adequately iodized salt. Food handler’s knowledge and practice were not found to be correlated with the availability of adequately iodized salt in household salt.
Comparison of amyloid PET measured in Centiloid units with neuropathological findings in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Amadoru Sanka , Doré Vincent , McLean Catriona A. , Hinton Fairlie , Shepherd Claire E. , Halliday Glenda M. , Leyton Cristian E. , Yates Paul A. , Hodges John R. , Masters Colin L. , Villemagne Victor L. , Rowe Christopher C. 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background
The Centiloid scale was developed to standardise the results of beta-amyloid (Aβ) PET. We aimed to determine the Centiloid unit (CL) thresholds for CERAD sparse and moderate-density neuritic plaques, Alzheimer’s disease neuropathologic change (ADNC) score of intermediate or high probability of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), final clinicopathological diagnosis of AD, and expert visual read of a positive Aβ PET scan.

Methods
Aβ PET results in CL for 49 subjects were compared with post-mortem findings, visual read, and final clinicopathological diagnosis. The Youden Index was used to determine the optimal CL thresholds from receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves.

Results
A threshold of 20.1 CL (21.3 CL when corrected for time to death, AUC 0.97) yielded highest accuracy in detecting moderate or frequent plaque density while < 10 CL was optimal for excluding neuritic plaque. The threshold for ADNC intermediate or high likelihood AD was 49.4 CL (AUC 0.98). Those cases with a final clinicopathological diagnosis of AD yielded a median CL result of 87.7 (IQR ± 42.2) with 94% > 45 CL. Positive visual read agreed highly with results > 26 CL.

Conclusions
Centiloid values < 10 accurately reflected the absence of any neuritic plaque and > 20 CL indicated the presence of at least moderate plaque density, but approximately 50 CL or more best confirmed both neuropathological and clinicopathological diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.
Food allergy among university students: uncharted territory
Authors: Hassan Ali , Alsaihati Amna , Al Shammari Malak , Alaithan Haitham , Al-Johani Wejdan , AlShamlan Nouf , Aljubran Salman 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background
Food allergy is a growing global health concern, with limited studies conducted in developing countries. High-risk behavior regarding allergies is common among young adults, making them prone to severe allergic reactions. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of food allergies among Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (IAU) students and to determine the rate of high-risk behaviors in this group.

Methods
An online survey was conducted among IAU students enrolled between the academic years of 2008 and 2018. The survey addressed food allergies with respect to age of onset, allergy testing, self-injectable epinephrine (SIE) prescription, associated allergic conditions, and attitude and behavior of university students regarding food avoidance and epinephrine use.

Results
In total, 5497 completed surveys were analyzed; 526 participants were clinically diagnosed with allergies to at least one food item. A SIE device was prescribed for only 129 (24.5%) of the diagnosed individuals, of which only 4.7% carried the device at all times. Thirty-nine individuals (30.2%) reported that they and their family members know the proper epinephrine device technique. Strict avoidance of food allergens was reported by 30.2% of the individuals. Associated allergic conditions were observed in 69.3% of the clinically diagnosed individuals.

Conclusion
Food allergies are prevalent among IAU students, with under-prescription of SIE devices. A high rate of high-risk behaviors with respect to food avoidance and carrying SIE was noted. Interventional strategies are needed to mitigate the risk of severe reactions among these university students.
Assessment of early damage of endometrium after artificial abortion by shear wave elastography
Authors: Jiao Yan , Xue Nianyu , Zou Chunpeng , Shui Xujuan , Wang Hongqing , Hu Chunhong 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Objectives
This study aimed to investigate the application of shear wave elastography (SWE) in the early damage detection through assessing the endometrial elasticity after artificial abortion.

Methods
A total of nulliparous women (20–30 years) who received ultrasonography in our hospital were recruited between January 2017 and December 2017. These women were divided into normal control group (NC; n = 65), after once artificial abortion group (AOAA; n = 68), after twice artificial abortion group (ATAA; n = 61), and after three times or more (range, 3–6) artificial abortion group (ATTMAA; n = 60). SWE was performed to evaluate the endometrium; Young’s modulus of the endometrium was determined and then the endometrial thickness was measured.

Results
Young’s modulus of the endometrium increased in the order of NC group, AOAA group, ATAA group, and ATTMAA group, and Young’s modulus increased with the increase in the number of artificial abortions (p < 0.05). The endometrial thickness in the ATTMAA group was significantly lower than in the NC group, AOAA group, and ATAA group (p < 0.05), but there was no marked difference among the NC group, AOAA group, and ATAA group (p > 0.05).

Conclusions
SWE increases with increasing number of abortions, which may indicate the damage that is done to the endometrium earlier than measurement of the endometrial thickness do.
Multisource SWIPT-based coded cooperation:rate compatible codes and codeword splitting protocol
Authors: Zhang Shunwai , Kong Lingjun , Li Jun 
Published: March 2020

AbstractTo achieve a high reliable and energy-saving green communication, we investigate a multisource simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT)-based coded cooperation where the relay can realize information decoding and energy harvesting. Firstly, a class of naturally rate compatible low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes–quasi-cyclic repeat-accumulate (QC-RA) codes is introduced, and the joint parity-check matrix corresponding to the QC-RA codes employed by the multiple sources and relay is deduced. Based on the joint parity-check matrix, we jointly design the QC-RA codes to cancel all the short girth cycles. Then, by exploiting the rate compatible characteristic of QC-RA codes, we propose a new SWIPT protocol—codeword splitting protocol for the proposed system, which has the characteristics of lower complexity, higher efficiency, no strictly bit synchronization limitation, and less hardware requirement. The results show that the bit error rate (BER) performance of the proposed system employing jointly designed QC-RA codes clearly outperforms that of general RA codes. Theoretical analysis and numerical simulations also demonstrate the superiority of the proposed codeword splitting protocol.
Digital signature scheme for information non-repudiation in blockchain: a state of the art review
Authors: Fang Weidong , Chen Wei , Zhang Wuxiong , Pei Jun , Gao Weiwei , Wang Guohui 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBlockchain, as one of the most promising technology, has attracted tremendous attention. The interesting characteristics of blockchain are decentralized ledger and strong security, while non-repudiation is the important property of information security in blockchain. A digital signature scheme is an effective approach to achieve non-repudiation. In this paper, the characteristics of blockchain and the digital signature to guarantee information non-repudiation are firstly discussed. Secondly, the typical digital signature schemes in blockchain are classified and analyzed, and then the state-of-the-art digital signatures are investigated and compared in terms of application fields, methods, security, and performance. Lastly, the conclusions are given, and some future works are suggested to stir research efforts in this field. Our works will facilitate to design efficient and secure digital signature algorithms in blockchain.
Central limit theorem for a fractional stochastic heat equation with spatially correlated noise
Authors: Li Yumeng 
Published: March 2020

AbstractIn this paper, we study the central limit theorem for a perturbed stochastic heat equation in the whole space $\mathbb{R}^{d}$Rd, $d\ge 1$d≥1. This equation is driven by a Gaussian noise, which is white in time and correlated in space, and the differential operator is a fractional derivative operator. Burkholder’s inequality plays an important role in the proof.
Levofloxacin-ceftazidime administration regimens combat Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the hollow-fiber infection model simulating abnormal renal function in critically ill patients
Authors: Zhao L , Li X , He X , Jian L 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background
The purpose of this study was to investigate the bactericidal effects of levofloxacin and ceftazidime as both monotherapy and combination therapy, and to determine their effects on resistance suppression in patients with normal and abnormal (Ccr:16–20 mL/min) renal function. Common clinical administration regimens to provide reference values were further evaluated.

Methods
The 7-d hollow-fiber infection model was used to inject the Pseudomonas aeruginosa standard strain (ATCC27853), which simulated common clinical administration regimens for patients with different renal function. Ten regimens were stratified into 2 categories based on renal function, and each category contained 3 monotherapy regimens and 2 combination therapy regimens. Total and resistant populations were quantified. Drug concentrations were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Results
Monotherapy regimens resulted in about 0.5-log-CFU/mL bacterial kill in the total population at 6 or 8 h, whilst combination regimens resulted in 2- to 3-log-CFU/mL within 2 days. For levofloxacin monotherapy regimens in patients with normal renal function, resistance emergence was seen after 6 h, and was seen at 0 h in the ceftazidime monotherapy regimen, as well as in all regimens of patients with abnormal renal function. Although resistant subpopulation in combination regimens with abnormal renal function began to increase at 0 h, there was a definite downward trend after 8 h, while resistant population in the normal renal function group increased after 16 h.

Conclusions
Combination therapy had greater bactericidal efficacy and resistance inhibition compared with monotherapy. Studying combination regimens in randomized clinical trials is warranted.
Mid-life predictors of late-life depressive symptoms; determining risk factors spanning two decades in the Women’s Heathy Ageing Project
Authors: Campbell Katherine E. , Gorelik Alexandra , Szoeke Cassandra E. , Dennerstein Lorraine 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background
Data available from longitudinal studies of adequate duration to explore midlife risk factors for late life higher depressive symptom scores in women is lacking. This study examines midlife (mean ages 50 years and 60 years) predictors of late life (mean age 70 years) depressive symptom scores to enrich our understanding of the role of changing risk factors across the lifespan.

Methods
This investigation was an assessment of the long-term impact of lifestyle and health variables on depressive symptoms. Data were drawn from an epidemiological prospective study of women’s healthy ageing spanning two decades. Variables included assessment of mood, demographics, physical health, smoking status, attitudes towards ageing and menopause, alcohol consumption and employment. Analysis was conducted to determine the set of strongest predictors assessed in 1992 (mean age 50 years) and in 2002 (mean age 60 years) in relation to higher CESD-SF scores measured in 2012 (mean aged 70 years (n = 249)). A cross-sectional analysis determining concurrent associations at mean age 70 years was also conducted.

Results
An increase in positive mood at 50 and 60 years was associated with a 0.3 (95% CI 0.1–0.5) and 0.4 (95%CI 0.1–0.8) point reduction in CESD score at 70 years respectively. An increase in Hassles score at age 50 was associated with a 0.18-point increase in CESD (95% CI 0.01–0.05) 20 years later. However, no relationship was observed between Hassles score at 60 and CESD 10 years later. Analysis of concurrent risk factors demonstrated that bothersome symptom frequency and higher anxiety were associated with higher depressive symptom scores when women were 70 years.

Conclusion
Low levels of positive mood were consistently associated with depressive symptoms scores 10 and 20 years later, suggesting clinical interventions aimed at improving positive affect may be particularly useful across the midlife.
Research trends in measurement and intervention tools for self-regulated learning for e-learning environments—systematic review (2008–2018)
Authors: Araka Eric , Maina Elizaphan , Gitonga Rhoda , Oboko Robert 
Published: March 2020

AbstractFor the last one decade, research in self-regulated learning (SRL) and educational psychology has proliferated. Researchers and educators have focused on how to support leaners grow their SRL skills on both face-to-face and e-learning environments. In addition, recent studies and meta-analysis have greatly contributed to the domain knowledge on the use of SRL strategies and how they contribute and boost academic performance for learners. However, there is little systematic review on the literature on the techniques and tools used to measure SRL on e-learning platforms. This review sought to outline recent advances and the trends in this area to make it more efficient for researchers to establish the empirical studies and research patterns among different studies in the field of SRL. The findings from this study are concurrent with existing empirical evidence that traditional methods designed for classroom supports are being used for measuring SRL on e-learning environments. Few studies have used learner analytics and educational data mining (EDM) techniques to measure and promote SRL strategies for learners. The paper finally points out the existing gaps with the tools presently used to measure and support SRL on learning management systems and recommends further studies on the areas of EDM which can support SRL.
Pathogenic Germline DNA Repair Gene and HOXB13 Mutations in Men With Metastatic Prostate Cancer
Authors: Boyle Julie L. , Hahn Andrew W. , Kapron Ashley L. , Kohlmann Wendy , Greenberg Samantha E. , Parnell Timothy J. , Teerlink Craig C. , Maughan Benjamin L. , Feng Bing-Jian , Cannon-Albright Lisa , Agarwal Neeraj , Cooney Kathleen A. 
Published: March 2020

PURPOSE Germline mutations in DNA repair (DR) genes and susceptibility genes CDKN2A and HOXB13 have previously been associated with prostate cancer (PC) incidence and/or progression. However, the role and prevalence of this class of mutations in metastatic PC (mPC) are not fully understood. PATIENTS AND METHODS To evaluate the frequency of pathogenic/likely pathogenic germline variants (PVs/LPVs) in men with mPC, this study sequenced 38 DR genes, CDKN2A, and HOXB13 in a predominantly white cohort of 317 patients with mPC. A PC registry at the University of Utah was used for patient sample acquisition and retrospective clinical data collection. Deep target sequencing allowed for germline and copy number variant analyses. Validated PVs/LPVs were integrated with clinical and demographic data for statistical correlation analyses. RESULTS All pathogenic variants were found in men self-reported as white, with a carrier frequency of 8.5% (DR genes, 7.3%; CDKN2A/ HOXB13, 1.2%). Consistent with previous reports, mutations were most frequently identified in the breast cancer susceptibility gene BRCA2. It was also found that 50% of identified PVs/LPVs were categorized as founder mutations with European origins. Correlation analyses did not support a trend toward more advanced or earlier-onset disease in comparisons between carriers and noncarriers of deleterious DR or HOXB13 G84E mutations. CONCLUSION These findings demonstrate a lower prevalence of germline PVs/LPVs in an unselected, predominantly white mPC cohort than previously reported, which may have implications for the design of clinical trials testing targeted therapies. Larger studies in broad and diverse populations are needed to more accurately define the prevalence of germline mutations in men with mPC.
Metabolically Healthy Obesity
Authors: Blüher Matthias 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Obesity contributes to reduced life expectancy, impaired quality of life, and disabilities, mainly in those individuals who develop cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, and cancer. However, there is a large variation in the individual risk to developing obesity-associated comorbid diseases that cannot simply be explained by the extent of adiposity. Observations that a proportion of individuals with obesity have a significantly lower risk for cardiometabolic abnormalities led to the concept of metabolically healthy obesity (MHO). Although there is no clear definition, normal glucose and lipid metabolism parameters—in addition to the absence of hypertension—usually serve as criteria to diagnose MHO. Biological mechanisms underlying MHO lower amounts of ectopic fat (visceral and liver), and higher leg fat deposition, expandability of subcutaneous adipose tissue, preserved insulin sensitivity, and beta-cell function as well as better cardiorespiratory fitness compared to unhealthy obesity.
Whereas the absence of metabolic abnormalities may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases in metabolically healthy individuals compared to unhealthy individuals with obesity, it is still higher in comparison with healthy lean individuals. In addition, MHO seems to be a transient phenotype further justifying therapeutic weight loss attempts—even in this subgroup—which might not benefit from reducing body weight to the same extent as patients with unhealthy obesity. Metabolically healthy obesity represents a model to study mechanisms linking obesity to cardiometabolic complications. Metabolically healthy obesity should not be considered a safe condition, which does not require obesity treatment, but may guide decision-making for a personalized and risk-stratified obesity treatment.
Channel Auctions
Authors: Azevedo Eduardo M. , Pennock David M. , Waggoner Bo , Weyl E. Glen 
Published: March 2020

Standard auction formats feature either an upper bound on the equilibrium price that descends over time (as in the Dutch auction) or a lower bound on the equilibrium price that ascends over time (as in the English auction). We show that in some settings with costly information acquisition, auctions featuring both (viz., a narrowing channel of prices) outperform the standard formats. This Channel auction preserves some of benefits of both the English (truthful revelation) and Dutch (security for necessary information acquisition) auctions. Natural applications include housing, online auction sites like eBay, recording transactions on blockchains, and spectrum rights. This paper was accepted by Joshua Gans, business strategy.
The Isolated Choice Effect and Its Implications for Gender Diversity in Organizations
Authors: Chang Edward H. , Kirgios Erika L. , Rai Aneesh , Milkman Katherine L. 
Published: March 2020

We highlight a feature of personnel selection decisions that can influence the gender diversity of groups and teams. Specifically, we show that people are less likely to choose candidates whose gender would increase group diversity when making personnel selections in isolation (i.e., when they are responsible for selecting a single group member) than when making collections of choices (i.e., when they are responsible for selecting multiple group members). We call this the isolated choice effect. Across six preregistered experiments (n = 3,509), we demonstrate that the isolated choice effect has important consequences for group diversity. When making sets of hiring and selection decisions (as opposed to making a single hire), people construct more gender-diverse groups. Mediation and moderation studies suggest that people do not attend as much to diversity when making isolated selection choices, which drives this effect. This paper was accepted by Yuval Rottenstreich, decision analysis.
Simulation analysis and preparation of a high optical density laser protection filter
Authors: Hang Liangyi , Liu Weiguo , Song Shigeng , Gibson Des , Zhou Shun , Zhang Xu , Li Cheng , Ahmadzadeh Sam 
Published: March 2020

High optical density (OD) filters have been widely used in space observation, optical detection, and laser protection. However, the lack of high OD value filters is restricting their application. This paper reports the formulation of a three-dimensional mesh model that can help predict the effects of pinhole defects, thickness error, and uniformity on the transmittance and OD value of optical filters. A laser protection filter (LPF) with a high OD value was prepared on fused silica using a microwave plasma-assisted pulsed DC reactive sputtering technique. The transmittance and OD value of the LPF were measured. Comparing the designed, measured, and simulated results, we found that the thickness error and uniformity of the layers mainly affected the passband transmittance of the LPF and had little effect on the OD value of the blocking band. In contrast, the pinhole defects were the main factor that decreased the OD value of the blocking band. The average OD values of the prepared LPF in the blocking bands of 527–532 and 755–833 nm were 8.832 and 10.191, respectively. By comparing the transmittance and OD value of the simulated and measured results, we found that the LPF has

±
1

%

uniformity error and 0.5% pinhole ratio. Suggestions for preparing high OD optical filters are provided, and further improvements are summarized.
Intracavity supercontinuum generation in a mode-locked erbium-doped fiber laser based on the Mamyshev mechanism with highly nonlinear fiber
Authors: Luo Xing , Tuan Tong Hoang , Suzuki Takenobu , Ohishi Yasutake 
Published: March 2020

An all-fiber supercontinuum laser source with a piece of highly nonlinear fiber inserted into a mode-locked fiber laser is experimentally demonstrated. This laser achieves mode-locking based on the Mamyshev mechanism and realizes supercontinuum generation spanning from 1330 nm to 2030 nm directly. Mode-locking based on the Mamyshev mechanism can be obtained easily, and the influence of the parameters of the laser cavity on the supercontinuum laser source is investigated. This supercontinuum laser source has a simple structure, and no amplifier stages are required. It demonstrates intracavity supercontinuum generation in mode-locked fiber laser based on the Mamyshev mechanism and exploits its operation further.