bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
State policies limiting premium surcharges for tobacco and their impact on health insurance enrollment
Authors: Kaplan Cameron M. , Kaplan Erin K. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractObjectiveThe Affordable Care Act allows insurers to charge up to 50% higher premiums to tobacco users, making tobacco use the only behavioral factor that can be used to rate premiums in the nongroup insurance market. Some states have set more restrictive limits on rating for tobacco use, and several states have outlawed tobacco premium surcharges altogether. We examined the impact of state level tobacco surcharge policy on health insurance enrollment decisions among smokers.Study DesignWe compared insurance enrollment in states that did and did not allow tobacco surcharges, using a difference‐in‐difference approach to compare the policy effects among smokers and nonsmokers. We also used geographic variation in tobacco surcharges to examine how the size of the surcharge affects insurance coverage, again comparing smokers to nonsmokers.Data CollectionWe linked data from two components of the Current Population Survey—the 2015 and 2019 Annual Social and Economic Supplement and the Tobacco Use Supplement, which we combined with data on marketplace plan premiums. We also collected qualitative data from a survey of smokers who did not have insurance through an employer or public program.Principal FindingsAllowing a tobacco surcharge reduced insurance enrollment among smokers by 4.0 percentage points (P = .01). Further, smokers without insurance through an employer or public program were 9.0 percentage points less likely (P < .01) to enroll in a nongroup plan if they were subject to a tobacco surcharge. In states with surcharges, enrollment among smokers was 3.4 percentage points lower (P < .01) for every 10 percentage point increase in the tobacco surcharge.ConclusionsTobacco use is the largest cause of preventable illness in the United States. State tobacco surcharge policy may have a substantial impact on whether tobacco users choose to remain insured and consequently their ability to receive care critical for preventing and treating tobacco‐related disease.
Mortality and major complications after emergency laparotomy: A pilot study of risk prediction model development by preoperative blood‐based immune parameters
Authors: Petring Hasselager Rune , Foss Nicolai Bang , Andersen Ove , Cihoric Mirjana , Bay‐Nielsen Morten , Nielsen Hans J. , Camilla Andresen Linda , Toft Tengberg Line 
Published: October 2020

BackgroundEmergency laparotomy is associated with high risk of postoperative complications and mortality. Preoperative identification of patients at high risk of adverse outcome is important. The immune response to conditions requiring emergency laparotomy is not understood in detail. The present study describes preoperative blood‐based immune profiles and their potential value in surgical risk assessment.MethodPatients (N = 100) referred for emergency laparotomy at Hvidovre Hospital were consecutively included from 3 June 2013‐11 April 2014. All patients had blood samples collected before surgery and the immune parameters c‐reactive protein (CRP), Interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), Interleukin‐10 (IL‐10), interferon‐γ induced protein 10 kDa (IP‐10), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α) and soluble urokinase plasminogen receptor activator (suPAR) were determined. Patients were stratified according to major postoperative complications (including death), 30‐ and 180‐day mortality. Using logistic regression models and receiver operating characteristics curves the predictive ability of the immune parameters were estimated.ResultsMajor complications were recorded in 45 (45.0%) of the patients, whereas 30‐day and 180‐day mortalities were 17 (17.0%) and 25 (25.0%), respectively. Concentrations of suPAR and TNF‐α were associated with major complications while CRP, IL‐6, suPAR and TNF‐α were associated with mortality. Adding the combined immune parameters to a regression model including age, sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status significantly improved the predictive ability for major complications, 30‐day mortality and 180‐day mortality.ConclusionIn emergency laparotomy, preoperative blood‐based immune parameters added predictive power to regression models and could be considered in risk prediction model development.
Governance of interorganizational health emergency networks: Facing the Zika pandemic
Authors: Fontes‐Filho Joaquim Rubens , Kaufmann Carla , Fonseca Tania Maria , Pimenta Roberto , de Souza Juliana , Novaes Ernane 
Published: October 2020

AbstractGlobal health is on the threshold of a new era, facing major threats such as infections, non‐communicable diseases, and the challenges of globalization itself (the effects of climate change, trade policies on health), in a multifaceted global context of diverse societies, norms, values, interests, and inequalities.However, facing the challenges presented by health crises requires high volumes of financial and human resources, and cooperation efforts between different actors, which makes the challenge even more complex for developing countries. In this context, the formation of interorganizational networks, involving individuals and public and private organizations, is fundamental to face various outbreaks.This study, based on the case of the Zika virus outbreak in Brazil in 2015, aims to analyze the governance of an interorganizational health emergency network. The results point out new perspectives to identify and deal with these interorganizational networks’ challenges, such as the coordination of institutional and individual actors, conflicts, issues related to the network's leadership, learning and mobilization regarding health emergencies – particularly in situations where there is little knowledge and evidence about the risks and effects of viruses and other pathogens, which makes the act of declaring emergency politically controversial.
Comparing Chinese and US practitioners' attitudes towards teletherapy during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Wang Xiubing , Gordon Robert M. , Snyder Elise W. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIntroductionThe China American Psychoanalytic Alliance (CAPA) has been offering psychoanalytic psychotherapy training and treatment to Chinese mental health professionals entirely over the Internet since 2006. When the COVID‐19 pandemic began, most practitioners worldwide had to turn to teletherapy. US psychoanalytic practitioners were more negative towards teletherapy than those from other theoretical orientations. We predicted that CAPA practitioners as compared to US psychoanalytic practitioners would be more prepared for teletherapy services during the pandemic, since they their training and treatment had been on‐line.MethodWe compared survey results from 164 CAPA practitioners with 165 US psychoanalytic practitioners (matched for age) who had recently psychoanalytically treated a patient on‐line. CAPA participants were recruited from CAPA email lists and the US sample were recruited from the Society for Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytic Psychology of the American Psychological Association, the American Psychoanalytic Association and International Psychotherapy Institute.ResultsCAPA practitioners as compared to US psychoanalytic practitioners had more positive opinions about teletherapy before the pandemic; had more positive opinions about teletherapy during the pandemic; and had more positive opinions about the effectiveness of teletherapy in working with transference, relational issues and resistance. The CAPA practitioners were more prepared to do psychoanalytic psychotherapy during the pandemic than the US psychoanalytic practitioners.DiscussionXiubing Wang discusses these findings in terms of her own experience as a CAPA graduate and treater before, during and after the COVID‐19 pandemic in China.
Cultural and architectural heritage conservation and restoration: which colour?
Authors: Gaiani Marco , Apollonio Fabrizio Ivan , Ballabeni Andrea 
Published: October 2020

AbstractColours play a crucial role in the field of architectural heritage. Colour analysis and colour rendition are involved in several critical facets of heritage preservation, conservation and restoration. These aspects are related to accurate documentation and an accurate representation of heritage artefacts and architectural works. The aim of this paper is to describe critical issues and open problems of the processes involved in this field. Documentation is performed in multiple ways, acquiring heterogeneous data ranging from archival images, photographs, drawings using various consumer or professional instruments (eg, digital cameras and spectrophotometers). The reliability of colour acquisition might be influenced by instrumental reasons (the technology used to acquire colour information), by environmental changes (architectural heritage surveys are often performed outdoors), by morphology (complex architectural objects are characterised by concavities and convexities which complicate the reflection evaluation), or by materials (showing different reflection, porosity and transparency indexes). Identification of materials, such as colorants, pigments and dyes, is also a vital process in the heritage field. Colour information could be used as an approach to the identification of materials, but these methods are still under development, and many issues need to be solved to achieve reliable results. Visualisation techniques of a heritage artefact also present the problem of the correctness of the colour representation. Several problems need to be faced in this context: the reliability of the acquisition, colour management of the rendering software, model complexity, and fragmentation of the devices upon which the model is visualised.
Evaluation of low‐cost consumer‐grade UAVs for conducting comprehensive high‐frequency population censuses of hippopotamus populations
Authors: Fritsch Camille J. , Downs Colleen T. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibious (hereafter referred to as hippo) is classified as vulnerable according to the IUCN Red data list. They play a significant role in aquatic systems as allochthonous nutrient providers, and as facilitators and competitors in grasslands. Traditional census methodologies for hippo are difficult and costly to repeat. Previous research has been conducted on the use of unmanned aerial systems (UASs) to conduct hippo population estimates; however, findings either needed justification through additional field testing or used high‐cost UASs that may be unaffordable for management authorities in developing countries in Africa. Therefore, using a low‐cost, consumer‐grade, DJI Phantom 3 Advanced multi‐rotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), 47 surveys were conducted of the hippo population at Ndumo Game Reserve (NGR), South Africa, between August 2016 and July 2017. In addition, comparisons were drawn between the results of and the logistical requirements and costs of the respective helicopter and UAV surveys conducted on the same day of the same hippo population. The use of a consumer‐grade UAV permitted frequent, accurate, and comparatively low‐cost surveys to identify temporal changes in the number of hippos present in NGR and at different locations within NGR. Hippos are a data deficient species, particularly in remote developing countries. UAVs surveys of hippo will allow accurate, highly repeatable, and comparatively low‐cost data collection for management of hippos and the ecosystems within which they occur.
Solitary fibrous tumour of the submandibular gland: Novel insights from clinical practice on a close mimicker of pleomorphic adenoma and a diagnostic challenge for the cytopathologist
Authors: Gonzalez Maria F. , Husain Batool H. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractSpindle cell lesions of the salivary glands are rare and account for less than 3% of the salivary gland aspirates. A definitive classification of salivary gland neoplasms by fine needle aspiration is possible for the most common lesions but remains a challenge for the less common entities. We present a case of a 72‐year‐old male with a solitary fibrous tumour (SFT) of the submandibular gland mimicking a myoepithelial‐rich pleomorphic adenoma (PA). In this article, we discuss novel insights that help differentiate SFT from PA and other spindle cell lesions.
Whispers from vestigial nubbins: Arrested development provokes trait loss in toads
Authors: Stynoski Jennifer L. , Womack Molly C. , Trama Florencia A. , Coloma Luis A. , Hoke Kim L. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractDespite the use of acoustic communication, many species of toads (family Bufonidae) have lost parts of the tympanic middle ear, representing at least 12 independent evolutionary occurrences of trait loss. The comparative development of the tympanic middle ear in toads is poorly understood. Here, we compared middle ear development among two pairs of closely related toad species in the genera Atelopus and Rhinella that have (eared) or lack (earless) middle ear structures. We bred toads in Peru and Ecuador, preserved developmental series from tadpoles to juveniles, and examined ontogenetic timing and volume of the otic capsule, oval window, operculum, opercularis muscle, columella (stapes), and extracolumella in three‐dimensional histological reconstructions. All species had similar ontogenesis of the otic capsule, oval window, operculum, and opercularis muscle. Moreover, cell clusters of primordial columella in the oval window appeared just before metamorphosis in both eared and earless lineages. However, in earless lineages, the cell clusters either remained as small nubbins or cell buds in the location of the columella footplate within the oval window or disappeared by juvenile and adult stages. Thus, columella growth began around metamorphosis in all species but was truncated and/or degenerated after metamorphosis in earless species, leaving earless adults with morphology typical of metamorphic anurans. Shifts in the timing or expression of biochemical pathways that regulate the extension or differentiation of the columella after metamorphosis may be the developmental mechanism underlying convergent trait loss among toad lineages.
Catalytic and lectin domains in neuraminidase A from Streptococcus pneumoniae are capable of an intermolecular assembly: Implications for biofilm formation
Authors: Sharapova Yana , Švedas Vytas , Suplatov Dmitry 
Published: October 2020

AbstractNeuraminidase A from Streptococcus pneumoniae (NanA) is a cell wall‐bound modular enzyme containing one lectin and one catalytic domain. Unlike homologous NanB and NanC expressed by the same bacterium, the two domains within one NanA molecule do not form a stable interaction and are spatially separated by a 16‐amino acid‐long flexible linker. In this work, the ability of NanA to form intermolecular assemblies was characterized using the methods of molecular modeling and bioinformatic analysis based on crystallographic data and by bringing together previously published experimental data. It was concluded that two catalytic domains, as well as one catalytic and one lectin domain, originating from two cell wall‐bound NanA molecules, can interact through a previously uncharacterized interdomain interface to form complexes stabilized by a network of intermolecular hydrogen bonds and salt bridges. Supercomputer modeling strongly indicated that artocarpin, an earlier experimentally discovered inhibitor of the pneumococcal biofilm formation, is able to bind to a site located in the catalytic domain of one NanA entity and prevent its interaction with the lectin or catalytic domain of another NanA entity, thus directly precluding the generation of intermolecular assemblies. The revealed structural adaptation is discussed as one plausible mechanism of noncatalytic participation of this potentially key pathogenicity enzyme in pneumococcal biofilm formation.
Doxycycline‐functionalized polymeric nanoparticles inhibit Enterococcus faecalis biofilm formation on dentine
Authors: Arias‐Moliz M. T. , Baca P. , Solana C. , Toledano M. , Medina‐Castillo A.L. , Toledano‐Osorio M. , Osorio R. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAimTo evaluate in a laboratory setting the antimicrobial properties and the potential to inhibit biofilm formation of novel remineralizing polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) when applied to dentine surfaces and to ascertain the effect of the functionalization of these NPs with zinc, calcium or doxycycline.MethodologyThe antimicrobial activity and inhibition of biofilm formation of polymeric NPs were analysed on human dentine blocks that were infected with Enterococcus faecalis before or after application of NPs. LIVE/DEAD ® testing under Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy and bacterial culturing were employed to analyse biofilm biovolume and bacterial viability. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy was also employed to assess biofilm morphology. One‐way anova with Welch’s correction and post hoc comparison by the Games–Howell test were performed for comparisons between groups.ResultsThe un‐functionalized NPs displayed the greatest antimicrobial activity against E. faecalis biofilms as they provided the lowest biovolume (3865.7 ± 2926.97 µm3; P < 0.001) and the highest dead/injured cells percentage (79.93 ± 18.40%; P < 0.001), followed by Dox‐NPs (biovolume: 19,041.55 ± 17,638.23 µm3, dead/injured cells: 45.53 ± 26.50%; P < 0.001). Doxycycline‐loaded NPs had the largest values of inhibition of biofilm formation with the lowest biofilm biovolume (8517.65 ± 7055.81 µm3; P < 0.001) and a high dead/injured bacterial percentage (68.68 ± 12.50%; P < 0.001). Un‐functionalized NPs did not reduce biomass growth (P > 0.05), but attained the largest percentage of compromised cells (93 ± 8.23%; P < 0.001), being able to disrupt biofilm formation. It also produced occlusion of dentinal tubules, potentially interfering with bacterial tubule penetration.ConclusionsA new generation of bioactive nano‐fillers (doxycycline‐functionalized polymeric NPs) had antibacterial activity and occluded dentinal tubules. Incorporating these NPs into endodontic sealers may have the potential to enhance the outcome of root canal treatment.
Prevalence of Factor V Leiden in a healthy population in Santa Catarina, Southern Brazil
Authors: Dassoler Francieli Joaquim , Matiollo Camila , Bratti Letícia de Oliveira Souza , de Moraes Ana Carolina Rabello 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThrombophilic disorders are found in 50% of patients with venous thromboembolism, and factor V Leiden (FVL) is the most common genetic risk factor for the development of these conditions. FVL prevalence varies according to population group. In Europe, many countries have a high prevalence of the mutation, including Portugal, Germany, and Italy. Santa Catarina State, southern Brazil, was colonized by different European nations; most inhabitants are descendants of Portuguese, Italian, and German immigrants. There are, however, no data on the prevalence of FVL in the state. This study aimed to determine FVL prevalence in a healthy population in Santa Catarina and assess whether there is an association between the mutation and demographic characteristics, thereby contributing to the understanding of the heterogeneity of prevalence of this important VTE risk factor and racial or geographical differences in the incidence of thrombotic diseases. Analysis of the FVL mutation was performed on 400 blood donors using the PCR technique followed by enzymatic digestion. The findings show that 2.5% of the participants were heterozygous for FVL, and none were homozygous. No association was found between the presence of FVL in heterozygosis and individual characteristics. In conclusion, this study found a prevalence of FVL in heterozygosis of 2.5% among healthy individuals in Santa Catarina, Brazil. Further studies are needed to assess the prevalence of FVL in other regions of the country, determine the distribution of the mutation among population groups, and evaluate how these factors affect the incidence of thrombotic diseases.
Evolution of the microstructure of unconsolidated geopolymers by thermoporometry
Authors: Nguyen Quang Hung , Hanafi Mohamed , Merkl Jan‐Philip , d'Espinose de Lacaillerie Jean‐Baptiste 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThis paper studies the evolution of the pore size distribution of a fresh unconsolidated geopolymer paste between one day and a week, using thermoporometry. This was made possible by following a careful protocol for sample preparation and for analysis by differential scanning calorimetry. In contrast with nitrogen gas adsorption, this method quantifies directly the amount of water in pores. It also does not require heat and vacuum drying, thus maintaining the fragile pore structure of the unconsolidated paste. Moreover, it was found that, in a typical metakaolin‐based sodium geopolymer with a 10 to 20 hours workability period, the porosity gradually refines during the first week while the mesoporous volume is cut in half. This is probably due to the fact that the geopolymer network was still actively condensing from the activation solution. Part of the pore water never froze and, from mass balance, this residual water was attributed to the water bound in the hydration shell of the sodium counter ions. Only a minor occurrence of covalently bound protons as silanol groups was observed. The results presented here usefully complement data obtained by conventional techniques at later ages on consolidated geopolymers. It supports the growing body of literature on the structural evolution of geopolymers with time.
Behavioural intervention to reduce disruptive behaviours in adult day care centres users: A randomizsed clinical trial (PROCENDIAS study)
Authors: Tamayo‐Morales Olaya , Patino‐Alonso María C. , Losada Andrés , Mora‐Simón Sara , Unzueta‐Arce Jaime , González‐Sánchez Susana , Gómez‐Marcos Manuel A. , García‐Ortiz Luis , Rodríguez‐Sánchez Emiliano 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAimThis study assesses the effect of an intervention to reduce the disruptive behaviours (DB) presented by care recipient users of adult day care centres (ADCC), thereby reducing caregiver overload. While ADCC offer beneficial respite for family caregivers, the DB that many care recipients show promote resistance to attending these centres, which can be a great burden on their family caregivers.DesignRandomized controlled clinical trial.MethodsThe study was carried out with 130 family caregivers of people attending seven ADCC in the municipality of Salamanca (Spain), randomly distributed into intervention and control groups. The intervention was applied across eight sessions, one per week, in groups of 8–10 people where caregivers were trained in the Antecedent‐Behavior‐Consequence (ABC) model of functional behaviour analysis. The primary outcome was the reduction of DB measured with the Revised Memory and Behavior Problems Checklist (RMBPC).ResultsAn average reduction in the RMBPC of 4.34 points was obtained in the intervention group after applying the intervention (p < 0.01 (U de Mann–Whitney); Cohen d = 1.00); furthermore, differences were found in the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES‐D) (U = −2.67; p = 0.008; Cohen d = 0.50) and in the Short Zarit Burden Interview (Short ZBI) (t = −4.10; p < 0.01; Cohen d = 0.98).ConclusionThe results obtained suggest that the implementation of this intervention could reduce both the frequency of DB occurrence and the reaction of the caregiver to their appearance. Improvement was also noted in the results regarding overload and emotional state of the family caregiver.ImpactTo our knowledge, this is the first randomized clinical trial to show that an intervention based on the ABC model could reduce the frequency and reaction of DB of care recipients in ADCC increasing their quality of life, and improving the mental health and overload of their family caregivers.