bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Local differential privacy for unbalanced multivariate nominal attributes
Authors: Feng Xuejie , Zhang Chiping 
Published: June 2020

AbstractData with unbalanced multivariate nominal attributes collected from a large number of users provide a wealth of knowledge for our society. However, it also poses an unprecedented privacy threat to participants. Local differential privacy, a variant of differential privacy, is proposed to eliminate the privacy concern by aggregating only randomized values from each user, with the provision of plausible deniability. However, traditional local differential privacy algorithms usually assign the same privacy budget to attributes with different dimensions, leading to large data utility loss and high communication costs. To obtain highly accurate results while satisfying local differential privacy, the aggregator needs a reasonable privacy budget allocation scheme. In this paper, the Lagrange multiplier (LM) algorithm was used to transform the privacy budget allocation problem into a problem of calculating the minimum value from unconditionally constrained convex functions. The solution to the nonlinear equation obtained by the Cardano formula (CF) and Newton-Raphson (NS) methods was used as the optimal privacy budget allocation scheme. Then, we improved two popular local differential privacy mechanisms by taking advantage of the proposed privacy budget allocation techniques. Extension simulations on two different data sets with multivariate nominal attributes demonstrated that the scheme proposed in this paper can significantly reduce the estimation error under the premise of satisfying local differential privacy.
The effect of physically or non-physically forced sexual assault on trajectories of sport participation from adolescence through young adulthood
Authors: Lee Chung Gun , Kwon Junhye , Sung Hojun , Oh Inae , Kim Ohsup , Kang Jeehyun , Park Ji-Won 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Sexual assault is one of potential factors that may greatly affect an individual’s sport participation. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of experiencing physically or non-physically forced sexual activity on trajectories of sport participation from adolescence to young adulthood.

Methods
This study used the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) data. Group-based trajectory modeling was utilized to examine the effect of experiencing sexual assault on trajectories of sport participation from adolescence to young adulthood.

Results
A three-group trajectory model (high-stable group, high-decreasing group, and low-stable group) best fit sport participation among male participants and a two-group trajectory model (high-decreasing group and low-stable group) best fit sport participation among female participants. Both physically and non-physically forced sexual activity did not have significant effect on trajectories of sport participation among male participants. On the other hand, non-physically forced sexual assault significantly affected sport participation trajectory among female participants.

Conclusions
Special care is required in developing sport promotion program for women victims of non-physically forced sexual activity. The results of this study also suggest that group-based trajectory modeling is a useful technique to examine distinct trajectories of sport participation from adolescence through young adulthood.
Community-based social determinants of three measures of mortality in Rhode Island cities and towns
Authors: Cohen Steven A. , Broccoli Julia R. , Greaney Mary L. 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Efforts to understand and address the causes of place-based health disparities have focused primarily on understanding the social determinants of health on a large geographic level, such as the region, state, or county. However, there is a growing need to assess and understand how place-based characteristics at smaller geographic areas relate to of local place-based neighborhood characteristics on population health. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the magnitude of the associations between social determinants of health and life expectancy (LE) and related measures on the community level.

Methods
LE at birth (LE0), remaining LE at age 65 (LE65), and age-specific mortality rates (ASMR) were calculated from mortality data (2009–2011) collected by the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDoH) using abridged life table methods for each RI city/town. The city/town-specific LE and ASMR were linked to data collected by the US Census, RIDoH, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and other databases that include information about multiple social, environmental, and demographic determinants of health. Bivariate correlations between city/town-level LE0, LE65, and ASMR and social determinants: demographics, household composition, income and poverty, education, environment, food insecurity, crime, transportation, and rural-urban status were examined.

Results
LE0 (range: 75.9–83.3 years) was strongly associated with the percent of the population with a graduate/professional degree (r = 0.687, p <  0.001), violent crime rate (r = − 0.598, p <  0.001), and per capita income (r = 0.553, p <  0.001). Similar results were observed for ASMR: ASMR was associated with the percent of the population with a graduate/professional degree (r = − 0.596, p <  0.001), violent crime rate (r = 0.450, p = 0.005), and per capita income (r = − 0.533, p < 0.001). The associations between LE65 and social determinants were more attenuated. Of note, none of the measures (LE0, LE65, or ASMR) were associated with any of the race/ethnicity variables.

Conclusions
There are several important place-based characteristics associated with mortality (LE and ASMR) among RI cities/towns. Additionally, some communities had unexpectedly high LE and low ASMR, despite poor social indicators.
Multi-scale drivers of soil resistance predict vulnerability of seasonally wet meadows to trampling by pack stock animals in the Sierra Nevada, USA
Authors: Baccei Joy S. , McClaran Mitchel P. , Kuhn Tim J. , Hart Stephen C. 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Meadow ecosystems have important ecological functions and support socioeconomic services, yet are subject to multiple stressors that can lead to rapid degradation. In the Sierra Nevada of the western USA, recreational pack stock (horses and mules) use in seasonally wet mountain meadows may lead to soil trampling and meadow degradation, especially when soil water content is high and vegetation is developing.

Methods
In order to improve the ability to predict meadow vulnerability to soil disturbance from pack stock use, we measured soil resistance (SR), which is an index of vulnerability to trampling disturbance, at two spatial scales using a stratified-random sampling design. We then compared SR to several soil and vegetation explanatory variables that were also measured at the two spatial scales: plant community type (local scale) and topographic gradient class (meadow scale).

Results
We found that local-scale differences in drivers of SR were contingent on the meadow scale, which is important because multiple spatial scale evaluation of ecological metrics provides a broader understanding of the potential controls on ecological processes than assessments conducted at a single spatial scale. We also found two contrasting explanatory models for drivers of SR at the local scale: (1) soil gravimetric water content effects on soil disaggregation and (2) soil bulk density and root mass influence on soil cohesion. Soil resistance was insufficient to sustain pack stock use without incurring soil deformation in wet plant communities, even when plant cover was maximal during a major drought.

Conclusions
Our study provides new information on seasonally wet meadow vulnerability to trampling by pack stock animals using multi-scale drivers of SR, including the contrasting roles of soil disaggregation, friction, and cohesion. Our work aims to inform meadow management efforts in the Sierra Nevada and herbaceous ecosystems in similar regions that are subject to seasonal soil saturation and livestock use.
Hand hygiene in surgery in Benin: opportunities and challenges
Authors: Yehouenou Carine Laurence , Dohou Angèle Modupe , Fiogbe Ariane Dessièdé , Esse Marius , Degbey Cyriaque , Simon Anne , Dalleur Olivia 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Hand Hygiene (HH) has been described as the cornerstone and starting point in all infection control. Compliance to HH is a fundamental quality indicator. The aim of this study was to investigate the HH compliance among Health-care Workers (HCWs) in Benin surgical care units.

Methods
A multicenter prospective observational study was conducted for two months. The World Health Organization (WHO) Hand Hygiene Observation Tool was used in obstetric and gastrointestinal surgery through six public hospitals in Benin. HH compliance was calculated by dividing the number of times HH was performed by the total number of opportunities. HH technique and duration were also observed.

Results
A total of 1315 HH opportunities were identified during observation period. Overall, the compliance rate was 33.3% (438/1315), without significant difference between professional categories (nurses =34.2%; auxiliaries =32.7%; and physicians =32.4%; p = 0.705). However, compliance rates differed (p < 0.001) between obstetric (49.4%) and gastrointestinal surgery (24.3%). Generally, HCWs were more compliant after body fluid exposure (54.5%) and after touching patient (37.5%), but less before patient contact (25.9%) and after touching patient surroundings (29.1%).
HCWs were more likely to use soap and water (72.1%) compared to the alcohol based hand rub solution (27.9%). For all of the WHO five moments, hand washing was the most preferred action. For instance, hand rub only was observed 3.9% after body fluid exposure and 16.3% before aseptic action compared to hand washing at 50.6 and 16.7% respectively. Duration of HH performance was not correctly adhered to 94% of alcohol hand rub cases (mean duration 9 ± 6 s instead of 20 to 30 s) and 99.5% of hand washing cases (10 ± 7 s instead of the recommended 40 to 60 s). Of the 432 HCWs observed, 77.3% followed HH prerequisites (i.e. no artificial fingernails, no jewellery). We also noted a lack of permanent hand hygiene infrastructures such as sink, soap, towels and clean water.

Conclusion
Compliance in surgery was found to be low in Benin hospitals. They missed two opportunities out of three to apply HH and when HH was applied, technique and duration were not appropriate. HH practices should be a priority to improve patient safety in Benin.
The protective roles of tea tree oil extracts in bovine mammary epithelial cells and polymorphonuclear leukocytes
Authors: Zhan Kang , Yang Tianyu , Feng Baobao , Zhu Xinyu , Chen Yinyin , Huo Yongjiu , Zhao Guoqi 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Tea tree oil (TTO) plays an important role in antibacterial activity and alleviating the inflammatory responses. Bovine mammary epithelium and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) can actively respond to bovine mastitis infection. However, regulatory effects of TTO extracts on the innate immune response of bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMECs) and PMNL remain not reported. Therefore, aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of TTO extracts on the mRNA levels of the genes involved in the innate immune response of BMECs and PMNL.

Results
Our results demonstrated that addition of 0.025% and 0.05% TTO increased the proliferation of BMECs, and significantly enhanced (P < 0.05) the viability of BMECs exposed to Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). An inhibitory effect was observed against the growth of S. aureus by TTO incubation. The 0.05% TTO reduced S. aureus biofilm formation, association and invasion of S. aureus to BMECs, and changed the morphological and structural features of S. aureus. The proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were decreased (P < 0.001) by the incubation of TTO. Interestingly, the expression of IL-8 known for PMNL chemotactic function was elevated (P < 0.05) by 0.05% TTO treatment. Consistently, 0.05% TTO increased the migration of PMNL in S. aureus-exposed BMECs when compared with S. aureus treatment alone (P < 0.05). In addition, PMNL incubated with 0.05% TTO decreased the levels of NFKB inhibitor alpha (NFKBIA) and TNF-α.

Conclusions
Our results indicate that use of TTO can relieve the BMECs pro-inflammatory response caused by S. aureus and promote the migration of PMNL to mount the innate immune responses, and it may be novel strategy for the treatment of bovine mastitis caused by S. aureus.
What are you sexting? Parental practices, sexting attitudes and behaviors among Italian adolescents
Authors: Confalonieri E. , Cuccì G. , Olivari M. G. , Parise M. , Borroni E. , Villani D. 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Sexting has recently emerged as a public health and social issue. The present study had two aims: a) to preliminarily test adolescent gender differences on parental practices regarding adolescent online life, parental monitoring, adolescent attitude towards sexting and sexting behaviors; b) to separately test for male and female adolescents a conceptual model in which sexting behaviors are explained by the parental practices and monitoring, with the mediation of adolescent negative attitude towards sexting.

Methods
Direct and indirect links between the variables in the model were investigated. The study was carried out with 541 participants. Participants were Italian adolescents (60% males; 40% females) aged 14 to 19 years (Mage = 16,19 years, SDage = 1,31).

Results
Results suggested that females sent more multimedia sexts, had a higher perception of risk associated with sexting and reported higher scores for both parental practices regarding adolescent online life and parental monitoring. Rules on Contents, Parental Knowledge, Adolescent Disclosure, and Parental Control resulted to be linked to both sexting attitudes and behaviors for male and female adolescents.

Conclusions
Findings emphasize the important role that parents play in shaping attitudes and behaviors of both daughters and sons during adolescence.
The effect of exenatide on fasting bile acids in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus patients, a pilot study
Authors: Li Boyu , Hu Yanjin , Wang Guang , Liu Lihong 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) demonstrated good glycemic efficacy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) recent years, whereas studies on GLP-1 RAs’ biliary effects were limited. Therefore, we aimed to assess the effect of exenatide on bile acids (BAs) and investigate the role of BAs in the glycemic control effect of exenatide.

Methods
Thirty-eight newly diagnosed T2DM participants without glucose-lowering drugs intake were recruited. Plasma total bile acids in fasting state (FTBAs) and other parameters were tested at baseline. Then exenatide were applied to the T2DM participants for 12 weeks. FTBAs and glycemic parameters were measured again after exenatide treatment, and correlation analysis between changes of FTBAs and glycemic parameters were conducted to investigate the role of BAs in the glycemic control effect of exenatide.

Results
The baseline FTBAs level of T2DM patients had no significance (3.84 ± 2.06 vs. 3.87 ± 2.89, P = 0.954) compared with healthy subjects. After 12-week exenatide treatment for the T2DM patients, FTBAs were decreased from 3.84 ± 2.06 μmol/L to 3.06 ± 1.27 μmol/L (P < 0.01). The correlation analysis showed that changes of FTBAs was positively correlated with changes of FPG (r = 0.355, P < 0.05).

Conclusions
Our results demonstrated a decreased FTBAs level after exenatide treatment for 12 weeks, without the interference of metformin and other glucose-lowering drugs. The reduction of FTBAs might not exert a positive role in the glycemic control effect of exenatide.

Trial registration
Trial registration number: NCT04303819. Registered in March 11, 2020 - Retrospectively registered.
An efficient hybrid model for thermal analysis of deep borehole heat exchangers
Authors: Zhao Yazhou , Pang Zhonghe , Huang Yonghui , Ma Zhibo 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe deep borehole heat exchanger (DBHE) shows great potential in seasonal thermal energy storage and its high performance efficiency with smaller land occupancy attracts increasing attention as a promising geothermal energy exploitation technique. With respect to a vertical BHE with extremely long length pipes buried underground, thermal analysis of the unsteady heat transfer process of the system is quite complicated. Due to the high temperature underground, the deeper part of BHE can extract more heat from the rock, which leads to a higher heat extraction rate. The heterogeneous distribution of heat flux density and geothermal gradient cannot be described properly by the existing analytical models. Although a full 3D numerical solution can reflect these features, it always requires high computational resources and presents numerical instabilities. In this paper, we propose a hybrid modeling method with high efficiency to simulate the temperature evolution inside the DBHE, and the heat propagation front in the surrounding rock mass. The temperature evolution inside the DBHE is solved by finite difference schemes, while the heat propagation in the surrounding rock is determined by an analytical formulation of thermal impacted radius. The coupling is achieved via source/sink term by incorporating the heat flux between the DBHE and the surrounding rock. Furthermore, an innovative analytical formulation describing the heat flux density is also presented, which accounts for the key parameters affecting the thermal performance of the DBHE system. Our proposed model is further verified against results with full 3D numerical solution under the same configurations. It is demonstrated that the proposed model can capture the key physical process of the heat transfer problem, while maintaining the calculation accuracy required by the engineering application. Regarding the calculation speed, the model results are around 30 times faster when compared to the full 3D numerical solution.
Predictors of prolonged length of hospital stay and in-hospital mortality among adult patients admitted at the surgical ward of Jimma University medical center, Ethiopia: prospective observational study
Authors: Tefera Gosaye Mekonen , Feyisa Beshadu Bedada , Umeta Gurmu Tesfaye , Kebede Tsegaye Melaku 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundData regarding prolonged length of hospital stay (PLOS) and in-hospital mortality are paramount to evaluate efficiency and quality of surgical care as well as for rational resource utilization, allocation, and administration. Thus, PLOS and in-hospital mortality have been used as a surrogate indicator of satisfactory treatment outcome and efficient utilization of resources for a given health institution. However, there was a scarcity of data regarding these issues in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess treatment outcome, length of hospital stay, in-hospital mortality, and their determinants.MethodsHealth facility-based prospective observational study was used for three consecutive months among adult patients hospitalized for the surgical case. Socio-demographic, clinical history, medication history, in-hospital complications, and overall treatment outcomes were collected from the medical charts’ of the patients, using a checklist from the day of admission to discharge. PLOS is defined as hospital stay > 75th percentile (≥33 days for the current study). To identify predictor variables for both PLOS and in-hospital mortality, multivariate logistic regression was performed atp-value < 0.05 using SPSS version 20. Written informed consent was sought and secured.ResultsOf 269 study participants, 91.8% were improved and discharged. PLOS was recorded in 25.3%; at least 33 days of hospital stay. Overall in-hospital mortality was 4.8%; which is equal to an incidence rate of 0.00193 per person-days, 5.2% in-hospital sepsis, and 2.6% of Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP), during their hospital stay. After adjusting for other factors; female gender (p = 0.003), emergency admission (p = 0.015), presence of Poly-pharmacy (p = 0.017), and presence of sepsis (p = 0.006) were found to be independent predictors for in-hospital mortality. On top of this, female gender (p = 0.026), patients who was paid by government (p = 0.007), burn-related surgery (p = 0.049), presence of cancer (p = 0.027), > 2 antibiotic exposure (p < 0.0001), and waiting for surgery for > 7 days (p < 0.0001) were independent predictors for PLOS.ConclusionIn-hospital mortality rate was almost comparable to reports from developing countries, though it was higher than the developed countries. However, the length of hospital stay was extremely higher than that of reports from other parts of the world. Besides, different socio-demographic, health facility’s and patients’ clinical conditions (baseline and in-hospital complications) were identified as independent predictors for both in-hospital mortality and PLOS. Therefore, the clinician and stakeholders have to emphasize to avoid the modifiable factors to reduce in-hospital mortality and PLOS in the study area; to improve the quality of surgical care.
COVID-19 and community pharmacy services in Pakistan: challenges, barriers and solution for progress
Authors: Atif Muhammad , Malik Iram 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIn the wake of atrocious rise in COVID-19 cases, developed countries are leveraging a range of community pharmacy services with the goal of improving access to essential medication and healthcare services. While in the developing nations, including Pakistan, pharmacists are unable to perform COVID-19 containment roles in community, since presence of pharmacists at community pharmacy settings and delivery of pharmacy services have historically been plagued by shortcomings at various levels. In this document, we identified these shortcomings which need to be resolved on many fronts. Broadly, a number of intertwined government related, public related, academic curricula and pharmacist related, and drug retailers’ related factors refrain community pharmacists from performing and facilitating Pakistan’s fragile public and healthcare system in the midst of COVID-19 pandemic. Government led multifaceted approaches are urgently needed to strengthen this unrecognized domain and thereby effectively combat COVID-19 by utilizing community pharmacy services, as evidenced in the developed world. [Note: Part of this article is published in Pakistan Observer Newspaper; dated 17 May 2020).
A polymeric composite protective layer for stable Li metal anodes
Authors: Guo Suogang , Wang Li , Jin Yuhong , Piao Nan , Chen Zonghai , Tian Guangyu , Li Jiangang , Zhao Chenchen , He Xiangming 
Published: June 2020

AbstractLithium (Li) metal is a promising anode for high-performance secondary lithium batteries with high energy density due to its highest theoretical specific capacity and lowest electrochemical potential among anode materials. However, the dendritic growth and detrimental reactions with electrolyte during Li plating raise safety concerns and lead to premature failure. Herein, we report that a homogeneous nanocomposite protective layer, prepared by uniformly dispersing AlPO4 nanoparticles into the vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene matrix, can effectively prevent dendrite growth and lead to superior cycling performance due to synergistic influence of homogeneous Li plating and electronic insulation of polymeric layer. The results reveal that the protected Li anode is able to sustain repeated Li plating/stripping for > 750 cycles under a high current density of 3 mA cm−2 and a renders a practical specific capacity of 2 mAh cm−2. Moreover, full-cell Li-ion battery is constructed by using LiFePO4 and protected Li as a cathode and anode, respectively, rendering a stable capacity after 400 charge/discharge cycles. The current work presents a promising approach to stabilize Li metal anodes for next-generation Li secondary batteries.