bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association of anthropomorphic measures across the life-course with refractive error and ocular biometry at age 15 years.
Authors: Bruce Alison , Mojarrad Neema , Santorelli Gillian 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: A recent Genome-wide association meta-analysis (GWAS) of refractive error reported shared genetics with anthropometric traits such as height, BMI and obesity. To explore a potential relationship with refractive error and ocular structure we performed a life-course analysis including both maternal and child characteristics using data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children cohort.Methods: Measures collected across the life-course were analysed to explore the association of height, weight, and BMI with refractive error and ocular biometric measures at age 15 years from 1613children. The outcome measures were the mean spherical equivalent (MSE) of refractive error (dioptres), axial length (AXL; mm), and radius of corneal curvature (RCC; mm). Potential confounding variables; maternal age at conception, maternal education level, parental socio-economic status, gestational age, breast-feeding, and gender were adjusted for within each multi-variable model.Results: Maternal height was positively associated with teenage AXL (0.010 mm; 95% CI: 0.003, 0.017) and RCC (0.005 mm; 95% CI: 0.003, 0.007), increased maternal weight was positively associated with AXL (0.004 mm; 95% CI: 0.0001, 0.008). Birth length was associated with an increase in teenage AXL (0.067 mm; 95% CI: 0.032, 0.10) and flatter RCC (0.023 mm; 95% CI: 0.013, 0.034) and increasing birth weight was associated with flatter RCC (0.005 mm; 95% CI: 0.0003, 0.009). An increase in teenage height was associated with a lower MSE (-0.007 D; 95% CI: -0.013, -0.001), an increase in AXL (0.021 mm; 95% CI: 0.015, 0.028) and flatter RCC (0.008 mm; 95% CI: 0.006, 0.010). Weight at 15 years was associated with an increase in AXL (0.005 mm; 95% CI: 0.001, 0.009).Conclusions: At each life stage (pre-natal, birth, and teenage) height and weight, but not BMI, demonstrate an association with AXL and RCC measured at age 15 years. However, the negative association between refractive error and an increase in height was only present at the teenage life stage. Further research into the growth pattern of ocular structures and the development of refractive error over the life-course is required, particularly at the time of puberty.
Quantitative CT-based Structural Alterations of Segmental Airways in Cement Dust-Exposed Subjects
Authors: Kim Taewoo , Cho Hyun Bin , Kim Woo Jin , Lee Chang Hyun , Chae Kum Ju , Choi So-Hyun , Lee Kyeong Eun , Bak So Hyeon , Kwon Sung Ok , Jin Gong Yong , Choi Jiwoong , Park Eun-Kee , Lin Ching-Long , Hoffman Eric A , Choi Sanghun 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: Dust exposure has been reported as a risk factor of pulmonary disease, leading to alterations of segmental airways and parenchymal lungs. This study aims to investigate alterations of quantitative computed tomography (QCT)-based airway structural and functional metrics due to cement-dust exposure. Methods: To reduce confounding factors, subjects with normal spirometry without fibrosis, asthma and pneumonia histories were only selected, and a propensity score matching was applied to match age, sex, height, smoking status, and pack-years. Thus, from a larger data set (N=609), only 41 cement dust-exposed subjects were compared with 164 non-cement dust-exposed subjects. QCT imaging metrics of airway hydraulic diameter (Dh), wall thickness (WT), and bifurcation angle (θ) were extracted at total lung capacity (TLC) and functional residual capacity (FRC), along with their deformation ratios between TLC and FRC. Results: In TLC scan, dust-exposed subjects showed a decrease of Dh (airway narrowing) especially at lower-lobes (p<0.05), an increase of WT (wall thickening) at all segmental airways (p<0.05), and an alteration of θ at most of the central airways (p<0.001) compared with non-dust-exposed subjects. Furthermore, dust-exposed subjects had smaller deformation ratios of WT at the segmental airways (p<0.05) and θ at the right main bronchi and left main bronchi (p<0.01), indicating airway stiffness.Conclusions: Dust-exposed subjects with normal spirometry demonstrated airway narrowing at lower-lobes, wall thickening at all segmental airways, a different bifurcation angle at central airways, and a loss of airway wall elasticity at lower-lobes. The airway structural alterations may indicate different airway pathophysiology due to cement dusts.
Tuberculosis registration rates analysis and prediction based on Exponential Smoothing model: could tuberculosis control milestones be achieved in 2020, 2025 in Henan Province, China?
Authors: Zhang Yanqiu , Li Xinxu , Li Weibin , Jiang Jianguo , Zhang Guolong , Zhuang Yan , Xu Jiying , Shi Jie , Sun Dingyong 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) End TB Strategy meant that compared with 2015 baseline, the reduction in pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) incidence should be 20% and 50% in 2020 and 2025, respectively. The case number of PTB in China accounted for 9% of the global total in 2018, which ranked the second high in the world. From 2007 to 2019, 854,672 active PTB cases were registered and treated in Henan Province, China. We need to assess whether the WHO milestones could be achieved in Henan Province.Methods: The active PTB numbers in Henan Province from 2007 to 2019, registered in Chinese Tuberculosis Information Management System (CTIMS) were analyzed to predict the active PTB registration rates in 2020 and 2025, which is conductive to early response measures to ensure the achievement of the WHO milestones. The time series model was created by monthly active PTB registration rates from 2007 to 2016, and the optimal model was verified by data from 2017 to 2019. Monthly and annual active PTB registration rates and 95% confidence interval (CI) from 2020 to 2025 were predicted.Results: High active PTB registration rates in March, April, May and June showed the seasonal variations. The exponential smoothing winter’s multiplication model was selected as the best-fitting model. The predicted values were approximately consistent with the observed ones from 2017 to 2019. The annual active PTB registration rates were predicted as 49.2 (95% CI: 36.0-62.5) and 34.3 (95% CI: 17.7-50.8) per 100,000 population in 2020 and 2025, respectively. Compared with the active PTB registration rate in 2015, the reduction will reach 23.7% (95% CI: 3.1%-44.2%) and 46.9% (95% CI: 21.3%-72.5%) in 2020 and 2025, respectively.Conclusions: The high active PTB registration rates in spring and early summer indicates that high risk of tuberculosis infection in late autumn and winter in Henan Province. Without regard to the confidence interval, the first milestone of WHO End TB Strategy in 2020 will be achieved. However, the second milestone in 2025 will not be easily achieved unless there are early response measures in Henan Province, China.Trial registration: Not applicable
Patient satisfaction with malaria care among pregnant women and mothers of under 5 children in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria
Authors: Oladimeji Kelechi Elizabeth , Tsoka-Gwegweni Joyce Mahlako , Yaya Sanni , Nutor Jerry John , Adeola Abiodun M , Cumber Samuel Nambile , Hyera Francis Leonard Mpotte , Goon Ter Daniel 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background Patient satisfaction is as an important measure of program assessment and health system performance. In our study, we assessed patient’s satisfaction with malaria care among pregnant women (PW) and mothers of children less than five years of age (MU5) in Ibadan, Nigeria. Methods A cross-sectional design, patient satisfaction with malaria care was assessed among 1,373 participants (818 PW and 555 MU5) with the anti-malarial care they received in a comprehensive hospital in Ibadan, Nigeria. Data on patient satisfaction was obtained using a validated eighteen-item questionnaire (PSQ-18) and analyzed using the standard satisfaction scales and quantitative scores. Results Overall, more than half of the participants (79.5% of PW and 78.8% MU5) were well satisfied with malaria care. The least satisfaction i.e., 41.4% among PW (mean satisfaction score = 3.06±1.2) and 45.1% (mean 3.16±1.3) among MU5 was reported on the clinical technical quality of (Sometimes doctors make me wonder if their diagnosis is correct). Furthermore, general satisfaction (based on satisfactions with technical quality, inter-personal attitude, communication, cost, accessibility or convenience and time spent with the doctor) was inversely associated with parity of PW (OR for PW with one child = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.34-0.75 with reference to pregnant women who have had more than one child) in multivariate analyses. Among MU5, general satisfaction was associated with extreme poverty (OR = for the poorest = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.10-0.90, with reference to the richest). Conclusion Socio economic status plays significant roles in mothers’ satisfaction with health care access, level of care received and most importantly their prospective health seeking behaviour. Important aspect, such as patient’s perception of being well treated by the health care provider should be a key consideration for formulate a patients’ centred strategy to improve malaria cares in Oyo state and Nigeria at large.
Inference about Time-dependent Prognostic Accuracy Measures in the Presence of Competing Risks
Authors: Dey Rajib , Sebastiani Giada , Saha-Chaudhuri Paramita 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: Evaluating a candidate marker or developing a model for predicting risk of future conditions is one of the major goals in medicine. However, model development and assessment for a time-to-event outcome may be complicated in the presence of competing risks. In this manuscript, we propose local and global estimators of cause-specific AUC for right-censored survival times in the presence of competing risks. Methods: The local estimator - cause-specific weighted mean rank (cWMR) - is a local average of time-specific observed cause-specific AUCs within a neighborhood of given time t. The global estimator - cause-specific fractional polynomials (cFPL) - is based on modelling the cause-specific AUC as a function of t through fractional polynomials. Results: We investigated the performance of the proposed cWMR and cFPL estimators through simulation studies and real-life data analysis. The estimators perform well in small samples, have minimal bias and appropriate coverage. Conclusions: The local estimator cWMR and the global estimator cFPL will provide computationally efficient options for assessing the prognostic accuracy of markers for time-to-event outcome in the presence of competing risks in many practical settings.
Three-dimensional random walk models of individual animal movement and their application to trap counts modelling
Authors: Ahmed Danish Ali , Benhamou Simon , Bonsall Michael , Petrovskii Sergei 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background:
Random walks (RWs) have proved to be a powerful modelling tool in ecology, particularly in the study of animal movement. An application of RW concerns trapping which is the predominant sampling method to date in insect ecology, invasive species, and agricultural pest management. A lot of research effort has been directed towards modelling ground-dwelling insects by simulating their movement in 2D, and computing pitfall trap counts, but comparatively very little for flying insects with 3D elevated traps.
Methods:
We introduce the mathematics behind 3D RWs and present key metrics such as the mean squared displacement (MSD) and path sinuosity, which are already well known in 2D. We develop the mathematical theory behind the 3D correlated random walk (CRW) which involves short-term directional persistence and the 3D Biased random walk (BRW) which introduces a long-term directional bias in the movement so that there is an overall preferred movement direction. In this study, we consider three types of shape of 3D traps, which are commonly used in ecological field studies; a spheroidal trap, a cylindrical trap and a rectangular cuboidal trap. By simulating movement in 3D space, we investigated the effect of 3D trap shapes and sizes and of movement diffusion on trapping efficiency.
Results:
We found that there is a non-linear dependence of trap counts on the trap surface area or volume, but the effect of volume appeared to be a simple consequence of changes in area. Nevertheless, there is a slight but clear hierarchy of trap shapes in terms of capture efficiency, with the spheroidal trap retaining more counts than a cylinder, followed by the cuboidal type for a given area. We also showed that there is no effect of short-term persistence when diffusion is kept constant, but trap counts significantly decrease with increasing diffusion .
Conclusion:
Our results provide a better understanding of the interplay between the movement pattern, trap geometry and impacts on trapping efficiency, which leads to improved trap count interpretations, and more broadly, has implications for spatial ecology and population dynamics.
Air Gasification of Banana (Musa spp.) Residues to Produce Biofuels
Authors: Adeniyi Adewale George , Ighalo Joshua O. 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Thermochemical conversion of biomass is a technique used in recovering its energetic content and for the production useful biofuels. A lot of wastes/residues are generated from the harvesting and consumption of banana fruits. This study developed an ASPEN Plus model for the gasification of banana (Musa Spp.) residues pseudo-stem, the peels and the leaves. The model will be used to study the effect of gasification temperature, gasification pressure and air-fuel ratio (AFR) on the selectivity of the chemical species in the product stream. For all three residues, the selectivity of hydrogen increases with temperature with temperature. At the optimum temperature, the hydrogen molar selectivity in the product stream is 56% (900oC), 55% (900oC) and 53% (700oC) for pseudo-stem, peels and leaves respectively. At the optimum atmospheric pressure, the hydrogen molar percentage in the product stream was 48%, 49% and 50% for pseudo-stem, peels and leaves respectively. At the optimum AFR, the hydrogen selectivity in the product stream is 55%, 52% and 46% for pseudo-stem, peels and leaves respectively. All three residues are reasonably good feedstock for the gasification process but the pseudo-stem possesses a marginal advantage over the others.
Association between renal hyperfiltration, arterial stiffness and subendocardial viability ratio in prediabetic subjects: a cross-sectional study.
Authors: Pino Antonino Di , Marchisello Simona , Scicali Roberto , Zanoli Luca , Ferrara Viviana , Urbano Francesca , Filippello Agnese , Mauro Stefania Di , Scamporrino Alessandra , Piro Salvatore , Castellino Pietro , Purrello F , Rabuazzo Agata Maria 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: Glomerular hyperfiltration is a well-recognized early renal alteration in subjects with diabetes mellitus and a strong and independent predictor of cardiovascular events in these patients. Prediabetes has been associated with increased glomerular filtration rate (GFR), however, the association between prediabetes, glomerular hyperfiltration and early markers of cardiovascular damage has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between renal hyperfiltration (RHF) and early markers of cardiovascular disease in subjects with prediabetes.Methods: Arterial stiffness [Augmentation Pressure (Aug), Augmentation Index (AugI)], subendocardial viability ratio (SEVR), pulse wave velocity (PWV), intima-media thickness (IMT), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), oral glucose tolerance test and estimated GFR (eGFR) were evaluated in 230 subjects with prediabetes. The eGFR was assessed using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration formula (CKD-EPI). Hyperfiltration was defined as an eGFR above the 75th percentile.The subjects were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of RHF: 169 subjects with prediabetes without RHF and 61 subjects with prediabetes with RHF.Results: Subjects with RHF showed higher Aug, AugI and lower SEVR compared with prediabetic subjects with lower eGFR (14.1±7.2 vs 10.8±6.2, 32.9±12.7 vs 27.6±11.7, 153.5±27.8 vs 162±30.2, P<0.05). No differences were found in PWV and IMT values between the two groups. We then performed multiple regression analysis to test the relationship between Aug, SEVR and several cardiovascular risk factors. In multiple regression analysis Aug was associated with age, systolic blood pressure (SBP), homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and eGFR; the major determinants of SEVR were eGFR, HOMA-IR and SBP.Conclusions: Our data show that subjects with prediabetes and RHF exhibited an increased Aug, AugI and a reduced SEVR. Longitudinal studies are needed to explore whether hyperfiltration increases the possibility of diabetic nephropathy and cardiovascular disease in individuals with prediabetes.
Circulating Receptor Activator of Nuclear factor kB Ligand and triglycerides are associated with progression of lower limb arterial calcification in Type 2 Diabetes: a prospective, observational cohort study
Authors: Bourron Olivier , Phan Franck , Diallo Mamadou Hassimiou , Hajage David , Aubert Carole-Elodie , Carlier Aurélie , Salem Joe-Elie , Funck-Brentano Christian , Kemel Salim , Cluzel Philippe , Redheuil Alban , Davaine Jean-Michel , Massy Ziad , Mentaverri romuald , Bonnefont-Rousselot Dominique , Gillery Philippe , Jaisson Stéphane , Vermeer Cees , Lacorte Jean-Marc , Bouziri Nesrine , Laroche Suzanne , Amouyal Chloé , Hartemann Agnès 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background:Lower limb arterial calcification is a frequent, underestimated but serious diabetic complication. The DIACART study is a prospective cohort study designed to evaluate the determinants of lower limb arterial calcification progression in 198 patients with Type 2 Diabetes.Methods:Lower limb arterial calcification score was determined by computed tomography at baseline and after a mean follow up of 31+/-4 months. Serum RANKL (Receptor Activator of Nuclear factor kB Ligand) and bone remodeling, inflammatory and glycation markers were measured at baseline. The predictive effect of these markers on calcification progression was analyzed by a multivariate linear regression model.Results:At baseline, mean+/-SD and median lower limb arterial calcification scores were, 2364+/- 5613 and 527 respectively and at the end of the study, 3739 +/- 6886 and 1355 respectively. In multivariate analysis, progression of lower limb arterial log calcification score was associated with (β coefficient [slope], 95%CI, p-value) baseline log(calcification score) (1.02, 1.00–1.04, p < 0.001), triglycerides (0.11, 0.03–0.2, p = 0.007), log(RANKL) (0.07, 0.02–0.11, p = 0.016), previous ischemic cardiomyopathy (0.36, 0.15–0.57, p = 0.001) and duration of follow up (0.04, 0.01–0.06, 0.004).Conclusion:In patients with Type 2 Diabetes, lower limb arterial calcification is a frequent and major pathological process which can progress rapidly. Circulating RANKL and triglycerides are independently associated with the progression of lower limb arterial calcification. These results open new therapeutic perspectives in peripheral diabetic calcifying arteriopathy.Trial registration: NCT02431234
Factors Influencing Cancer Genetic Somatic Mutation Test Ordering By Cancer Physicians
Authors: Demeshko Anastassia , Pennisi David J. , Narayan Sushil , Gray Stacy W. , Brown Matthew A. , McInerney-Leo Aideen M. 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: Clinical whole exome sequencing was introduced in an Australian centre in 2017, as an alternative to Sanger sequencing. We aimed to identify predictors of cancer physicians’ somatic mutation test ordering behaviour.Methods: A validated instrument assessed somatic mutation test ordering, genomic confidence, perceived utility of tumour molecular profiling, and percent of patients eligible for targeted therapy. A cash incentive was included in 189/244 questionnaires which were mailed to all Queensland cancer specialists in November 2018.Results: 110 participated (response rate 45%); 54.7% oncologists, and the remainder were surgeons, haematologists and pulmonologists. Oncologists were more likely to respond (p = 0.008), and cash incentive improved the response rate (p < 0.001). 67/102 (65.7%) of physicians ordered ≥ 5 somatic mutation tests annually. Oncologists saw 86.75 unique patients monthly and ordered 2.33 somatic mutation tests (2.2%). An average of 51/110 (46.1%) reported having little/no genomic confidence. Logistic regression identified two significant predictors of somatic mutation test ordering: being an oncologist (OR 3.557, CI 1.338–9.456; p = 0.011) and having greater confidence in interpreting somatic results (OR 5.926, CI 2.230–15.74; p < 0.0001).Conclusions: Consistent with previous studies, the majority of cancer physicians ordered somatic mutation tests. However, the percentage of patients on whom tests were ordered was low. Almost half respondents reported low genomic confidence. Somatic mutation test ordering was higher amongst oncologists and those with increased confidence in interpreting somatic variants. It is unclear whether genomically confident individuals ordered more tests or whether ordering more tests increased genomic confidence. Educational interventions could improve confidence and enhance test ordering behaviour.
Comprehensive Comparison between Empty-nesters and Non-empty-nesters in Anhui, China: Subjective Well-being and Depression
Authors: Su Dan 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
BACKGROUND: China is one of the countries facing the most serious population aging. Empty-nesters accounted half of the total old adults in China, improving mental health status of old people is necessary. This cross-sectional study aimed to compare the subjective well-being and depression comprehensively between empty-nesters and non-empty-nesters in Anhui, China.METHODS: 1452 participants were surveyed by using the demographic characteristics questionnaire, the subjective well-being (SWB) single-choice facial expression questionnaire and the 30-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-30).RESULTS: Education level and depression were risk factors for both groups ( P <0.05), but age, marital status, living mode, and religious belief were main risk factors for empty-nesters ( P <0.05). Monthly individual income and SWB were risk factors for both groups( P <0.05), but living mode, religious belief and physical exercise were main risk factors for elderly empty-nesters, whereas economy situation was the main risk factor for non-empty-nesters( P <0.05).CONCLUTION: The influencing factors of two groups had similarities and differences. With the aging population of China, improving mental health status of old people was necessary. We should implement targeted interventions addressing mental health influencing factors of older adults.