bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimal subsampling for quantile regression in big data
Authors: Wang Haiying , Ma Yanyuan 
Published: May 2020

SummaryWe investigate optimal subsampling for quantile regression. We derive the asymptotic distribution of a general subsampling estimator and then derive two versions of optimal subsampling probabilities. One version minimizes the trace of the asymptotic variance-covariance matrix for a linearly transformed parameter estimator and the other minimizes that of the original parameter estimator. The former does not depend on the densities of the responses given covariates and is easy to implement. Algorithms based on optimal subsampling probabilities are proposed and asymptotic distributions, and the asymptotic optimality of the resulting estimators are established. Furthermore, we propose an iterative subsampling procedure based on the optimal subsampling probabilities in the linearly transformed parameter estimation which has great scalability to utilize available computational resources. In addition, this procedure yields standard errors for parameter estimators without estimating the densities of the responses given the covariates. We provide numerical examples based on both simulated and real data to illustrate the proposed method.
Secondary Traumatization Among Social Work Students—The Contribution of Personal, Professional, and Environmental Factors
Authors: Ben-Porat Anat , Shemesh Shahar , Reuven Even Zahav Ronit , Gottlieb Shelly , Refaeli Tehila 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
This study examined the rate of secondary traumatic stress (STS) among social work students and the contribution of background variables, personal resources (mastery and self-differentiation) and environmental resources (supervision satisfaction and peer support) to STS. The sample consisted of 259 social work students at three social work schools in Israel. The findings indicated that the mean level of STS was mild. Of the students, 36 per cent suffered STS to a mild extent, 19 per cent to a moderate extent and 18 per cent reported a ‘high to extreme extent’. A significant contribution was made by the student’s year of study, students in their second year of social work school suffered more severely from STS than did students in their first or third years. A positive contribution was made by the student’s level of exposure and a unique contribution was made by mastery and supervision satisfaction to the explained variance of STS. The findings highlight the importance of raising awareness of STS and its implications for social work students, as well as the necessity of helping students cope with this phenomenon. In addition, the study emphasises the significant role of supervisors in the training agencies and the importance of increasing students’ sense of mastery.
Public Perceptions of Social Work in Nigeria: Does the Profession Has What It Takes to Address Nigeria’s Social Problems?
Authors: Amadasun Solomon 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
The value of all hitherto existing professions stems from how the public in which they serve perceive the import of their services. This study examines the perceptions of a cross-section of Nigerians regarding their knowledge of the social work profession. Through a structured survey instrument, data were collected from a nationally representative sample of 350 Nigerians from the age of twenty years and above. Although the majority of the respondents were not familiar with the professional designation ‘social work’, they, however, demonstrated substantial knowledge about social workers’ roles, areas of practice and other measures. Since practitioners are actively involved in community organising and development practice across the country, more than two-thirds of the respondents believed that the profession has the potential to address social development problems not only in Nigeria but across the African continent.
“Ending the Epidemic” Will Not Happen Without Addressing Racial/Ethnic Disparities in the United States Human Immunodeficiency Virus Epidemic
Authors: Nosyk Bohdan , Krebs Emanuel , Zang Xiao , Piske Micah , Enns Benjamin , Min Jeong E , Behrends Czarina N , Del Rio Carlos , Feaster Daniel J , Golden Matthew , Marshall Brandon D L , Mehta Shruti H , Meisel Zachary F , Metsch Lisa R , Pandya Ankur , Schackman Bruce R , Shoptaw Steven , Strathdee Steffanie A 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
We estimated human immunodeficiency virus incidence and incidence rate ratios (IRRs) for black and Hispanic vs white populations in 6 cities in the United States (2020–2030). Large reductions in incidence are possible, but without elimination of disparities in healthcare access, we found that wide disparities persisted for black compared with white populations in particular (lowest IRR, 1.69 [95% credible interval, 1.19–2.30]).
Resistance-Guided Treatment of Gonorrhea: A Prospective Clinical Study
Authors: Klausner Jeffrey D , Bristow Claire C , Soge Olusegun O , Shahkolahi Akbar , Waymer Toni , Bolan Robert K , Philip Susan S , Asbel Lenore E , Taylor Stephanie N , Mena Leandro A , Goldstein Deborah A , Powell Jonathan A , Wierzbicki Michael R , Morris Sheldon R 
Published: May 2020

Abstract

Background
Novel treatment strategies to slow the continued emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae are urgently needed. A molecular assay that predicts in vitro ciprofloxacin susceptibility is now available but has not been systematically studied in human infections.

Methods
Using a genotypic polymerase chain reaction assay to determine the status of the N. gonorrhoeae gyrase subunit A serine 91 codon, we conducted a multisite prospective clinical study of the efficacy of a single oral dose of ciprofloxacin 500 mg in patients with culture-positive gonorrhea. Follow-up specimens for culture were collected to determine microbiological cure 5–10 days post-treatment.

Results
Of the 106 subjects possessing culture-positive infections with wild-type gyrA serine N. gonorrhoeae genotype, the efficacy of single-dose oral ciprofloxacin treatment in the per-protocol population was 100% (95% 1-sided confidence interval, 97.5–100%).

Conclusions
Resistance-guided treatment of N. gonorrhoeae infections with single-dose oral ciprofloxacin was highly efficacious. The widespread introduction and scale-up of gyrA serine 91 genotyping in N. gonorrhoeae infections could have substantial medical and public health benefits in settings where the majority of gonococcal infections are ciprofloxacin susceptible.

Clinical Trials Registration
NCT02961751.
Failure to vasodilate in response to salt loading blunts renal blood flow and causes salt-sensitive hypertension
Authors: Wu Jing , Agbor Larry N , Fang Shi , Mukohda Masashi , Nair Anand R , Nakagawa Pablo , Sharma Avika , Morgan Donald A , Grobe Justin L , Rahmouni Kamal , Weiss Robert M , McCormick James A , Sigmund Curt D 
Published: May 2020

Abstract

Aims
Salt-sensitive (SS) hypertension is accompanied by impaired vasodilation in the systemic and renal circulation. However, the causal relationship between vascular dysfunction and salt-induced hypertension remains controversial. We sought to determine whether primary vascular dysfunction, characterized by a failure to vasodilate during salt loading, plays a causal role in the pathogenesis of SS hypertension.

Methods and results
Mice selectively expressing a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ dominant-negative mutation in vascular smooth muscle (S-P467L) exhibited progressive SS hypertension during a 4 week high salt diet (HSD). This was associated with severely impaired vasodilation in systemic and renal vessels. Salt-induced impairment of vasodilation occurred as early as 3 days after HSD, which preceded the onset of SS hypertension. Notably, the overt salt-induced hypertension in S-P467L mice was not driven by higher cardiac output, implying elevations in peripheral vascular resistance. In keeping with this, HSD-fed S-P467L mice exhibited decreased smooth muscle responsiveness to nitric oxide (NO) in systemic vessels. HSD-fed S-P467L mice also exhibited elevated albuminuria and a blunted increase in urinary NO metabolites which was associated with blunted renal blood flow and increased sodium retention mediated by a lack of HSD-induced suppression of NKCC2. Blocking NKCC2 function prevented the salt-induced increase in blood pressure in S-P467L mice.

Conclusion
We conclude that failure to vasodilate in response to salt loading causes SS hypertension by restricting renal perfusion and reducing renal NO through a mechanism involving NKCC2 in a mouse model of vascular peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ impairment.
Hybrid repair of extensive thoracic aortic aneurysms
Authors: Piffaretti Gabriele , Trimarchi Santi , Gelpi Guido , Romagnoni Claudia , Ferrarese Sandro , Tozzi Matteo , Bush Ruth L , Lomazzi Chiara 
Published: May 2020

AbstractOBJECTIVESOur goal was to report the midterm results of hybrid treatment of extensive thoracic aortic aneurysm (ETAA) with the completion of thoracic endovascular aortic repair after proximal ascending-arch graft replacement.METHODSThis was a multicentre, observational study. Data were collected prospectively between January 2002 and March 2019 and analysed retrospectively. Inclusion criteria for the final analysis were the treatment of elective or urgent ETAA performed in a single-stage or a planned two-stage approach. Early and late survival rates were the primary outcomes.RESULTSIndications for repair were degenerative ETAA in 27 (64.3%) patients and dissection-related ETAA in 15 (35.7%). The mean aortic diameter was 68 ± 16 mm (interquartile range 60–75). Five (11.9%) patients had a single-stage repair; and 37 underwent a two-stage approach. Three (7.1%) patients died in-hospital. The median follow-up was 49 months (range 0–204). During the follow-up period, 4 (9.5%) patients underwent aortic reintervention after a median of 32 months; however, no aortic rupture of the treated segment occurred. Overall, the estimated survival rate was 85% ± 6% [95% confidence interval (CI) 70.8–93] at 12 and 36 months and 69.5% ± 9% (95% CI 49.7–84) at 60 months.CONCLUSIONSHybrid repair of ETAA had satisfactory early results in this cohort of patients. At the midterm follow-up, the aneurysm-related mortality rate was acceptable with the reconstruction proving to be durable and safe with few distal aortic events.
Preliminary results of spot-stent grafting in Stanford type B aortic dissection and intramural haematoma
Authors: Meisenbacher Katrin , Böckler Dittmar , Geisbüsch Philipp , Hank Thomas , Bischoff Moritz Sebastian 
Published: May 2020

Abstract

OBJECTIVES

Optimal treatment for patients with diseased proximal landing zones in acute/subacute Stanford type B dissection and intramural haematoma remains unclear. This study describes the preliminary outcomes of a localized endovascular treatment [spot-stent grafting (SSG)] of main entries/intramural blood pooling located downstream (aortic zones 4 and 5) using one single short device comprising diseased landing zones, looking particularly at the technical and morphological outcomes.

METHODS
Patients undergoing thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for acute/subacute aortic dissection Stanford type B/intramural haematoma Stanford type B between 1997 and 2018 were identified from a prospectively maintained institutional database. In a total of 183 cases, 22 patients (7 women; median age 62 years; range 35–79 years) received SSG. The primary study end point was technical success. The primary morphological end point was false lumen thrombosis/aortic remodelling. Secondary end points were TEVAR-related mortality/morbidity and reinterventions. The median follow-up was 28.5 months (5 days–15.6 years).

RESULTS
The primary technical success rate was 100% (22/22). During follow-up, false lumen thrombosis was seen in 21 patients (95.5%) at a median of 6 days (0 days to 2.7 years) after the index procedure (limited/extended false lumen thrombosis: n = 9 vs 12). Aortic remodelling was achieved in 15 of 22 patients (68.2%) at a median of 360 days (3 days to 7.2 years). Limited/extended remodelling was observed in 8/15 and 7/15, respectively. Retrograde dissection or stent graft-induced new entry was not observed. No stroke or spinal cord injury occurred. Reinterventions were performed in 4/22 cases. The in-hospital mortality and 30-day mortality were 0%. Overall mortality during the follow-up period was 22.7% (5/22).

CONCLUSIONS
This study shows favourable technical and morphological results for SSG in selected patients with acute/subacute aortic dissection Stanford type B/intramural haematoma Stanford type B. Patient allocation to SSG remains individual. Prospective large-scale long-term data may allow refinement of the application.
Patterns of multimorbidity and pharmacotherapy: a total population cross-sectional study
Authors: Forslund Tomas , Carlsson Axel C , Ljunggren Gunnar , Ärnlöv Johan , Wachtler Caroline 
Published: May 2020

Abstract

Background
Treatment of multimorbid patients can be improved. Development of patient-centred care of high-quality requires context-bound understanding of the multimorbid population’s patterns of demographics, co-morbidities and medication use.

Objective
The aim of this study was to identify patterns of multimorbidity in the total population of Region Stockholm, Sweden, by exploring demographics, claimed prescription drugs, risk of mortality and non-random association of conditions.

Methods
In this cross-sectional descriptive population-based cohort study, we extracted data from the Swedish VAL database (N = 2 323 667) including all consultations in primary and specialized outpatient care, all inpatient care and all prescriptions claimed during 2017. We report number of chronic conditions and claimed prescription drugs, physical and mental co-morbidity, and 1-year mortality. We stratified the analyses by sex. We examined non-random associations between diseases using cluster analysis.

Results
In total, 21.6% had multimorbidity (two or more chronic conditions) and 24.1% had polypharmacy (more than five claimed prescription drugs). Number of claimed drugs, co-occurrence of mental and physical conditions, and 1-year mortality increased as multimorbidity increased. We identified seven multimorbidity clusters with clinically distinct characteristics. The smallest cluster (7% of individuals) had prominent cardiovascular disease, the highest 1-year mortality rate, high levels of multimorbidity and polypharmacy, and was much older. The largest cluster (27% of individuals) was younger and heterogenous, with primarily mental health problems.

Conclusions
Individuals with chronic conditions often show clinical complexity with both concordant and discordant conditions and polypharmacy. This study indicates that clinical guidelines addressing clustering of conditions may be one strategy for managing complexity.
A synthetic 2-D-elastic full-waveform inversion study for the Ecuadorian margin—resolution capability of a dense onshore/offshore network
Authors: Gassner L , Thiel N , Rietbrock A 
Published: May 2020

SUMMARY
Subduction zones are the places on the Earth where the greatest earthquakes occur. It is now widely accepted that seismic asperities at the interface of subducting plates play a major role in whether a region of a subduction zone behaves seismically, creating strong earthquakes or exhibits aseismic slip. In the last decades, huge advances have been made to decipher the underlying processes; however, the physical parameters along the subduction zone interfaces are still not very well known due to a sparsity of high-resolution experiments and significant costs associated with amphibious seismic experiments.
Therefore, synthetic tests are needed to investigate the potential of currently possible high density seismic deployments and to aid future experiment design. As standard local earthquake traveltime tomography in a subduction zone setting cannot resolve structures on a kilometre scale at depth, we explore the suitability of full-waveform inversion (FWI) to increase resolution by using amplitude and phase information in the recorded earthquake seismograms.
We apply 2-D-elastic FWI to synthetic earthquake data, using vertical and horizontal receivers, and utilize a realistic model of the seismic velocities at the Ecuadorian margin. We add perturbations within the subducting plates of 4×4 km and 2×2 km in P- and S-wave velocities, respectively, such that potential crosstalk between the two models can be identified. Our results show that the location and amplitude of the perturbations can be reconstructed in high quality down to approximately 70 km depth. We find that the inversion of the S-wave velocity prior to the inversion of the P-wave velocity is necessary to guarantee a good reconstruction of both models; however, the spatial resolution of the S-wave model is superior to the P-wave model. We also show that frequencies up to 1 Hz are sufficient to achieve high resolution. Further tests demonstrate how results depend on the accuracy of the estimated source orientation. Resulting models do not suffer in quality as artefacts near the source positions compensate for the inaccuracy of source orientation. If sources are located within the subducted plate instead of beneath, resulting models are comparable and the convergence of the inversion scheme is sped up. The accuracy of the source position within the model compared to the true earthquake location is critical and implies that earthquake relocation during the inversion process is necessary, in a similar way as in local earthquake traveltime tomography.
Emerging functions of Fanconi anemia genes in replication fork protection pathways
Authors: Kolinjivadi Arun Mouli , Crismani Wayne , Ngeow Joanne 
Published: May 2020

AbstractGermline mutations in Fanconi anemia (FA) genes predispose to chromosome instability syndromes, such as FA and cancers. FA gene products have traditionally been studied for their role in interstrand cross link (ICL) repair. A fraction of FA gene products are classical homologous recombination (HR) factors that are involved in repairing DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in an error-free manner. Emerging evidence suggests that, independent of ICL and HR repair, FA genes protect DNA replication forks in the presence of replication stress. Therefore, understanding the precise function of FA genes and their role in promoting genome stability in response to DNA replication stress is crucial for diagnosing FA and FA-associated cancers. Moreover, molecular understanding of the FA pathway will greatly help to establish proper functional assays for variants of unknown significance (VUS), often encountered in clinics. In this short review, we discuss the recently uncovered molecular details of FA genes in replication fork protection pathways. Finally, we examine how novel FA variants predispose to FA and cancer, due to defective replication fork protection activity.
International Refugee Law between Scholarship and Practice
Authors: Byrne Rosemary , Gammeltoft-Hansen Thomas 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Current challenges to the traditionally privileged position of law in both refugee policy and refugee studies invite scholars to consider carefully the approach we take to our craft. This article argues that refugee law scholarship is surrounded by thin walls, as researchers broker the ‘dual imperative’ to simultaneously advance knowledge and protection in a field heavily influenced by policy interests and networks of practitioners that actively take part in, and promote, scholarly production. These close links between the field and the policy world continue to shape research agendas, methodologies, and scholarly positions. This article draws from Bourdieusian field theory and legal sociology to offer a prism through which to look at the forces that influence refugee law research and to consider their implications for scholarship. It is argued that greater sensitivity to the underlying dynamics of our profession is essential, not only to ensure more inclusivity in the community of scholars and expand the current canon of refugee law, but ultimately to sustain claims to policy relevance.
Thue Inequalities With Few Coefficients
Authors: Bengoechea Paloma 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Let $F(x, y)$ be a binary form with integer coefficients, degree $n\geq 3$, and irreducible over the rationals. Suppose that only $s + 1$ of the $n + 1$ coefficients of $F$ are nonzero. We show that the Thue inequality $|F(x,y)|\leq m$ has $\ll s m^{2/n}$ solutions provided that the absolute value of the discriminant $D(F)$ of $F$ is large enough. We also give a new upper bound for the number of solutions of $|F(x,y)|\leq m$, with no restriction on the discriminant of $F$ that depends mainly on $s$ and $m$, and slightly on $n$. Our bound becomes independent of $m$ when $m&lt;|D(F)|^{2/(5(n-1))}$, and also independent of $n$ if $|D(F)|$ is large enough.
Protective Activity of Programmed Cell Death Protein 1 Blockade and Synergy With Caspofungin in a Murine Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis Model
Authors: Wurster Sebastian , Robinson Prema , Albert Nathaniel D , Tarrand Jeffrey J , Goff Marisa , Swamydas Muthulekha , Lim Jean K , Lionakis Michail S , Kontoyiannis Dimitrios P 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Pharmacological immune checkpoint blockade has revolutionized oncological therapies, and its remarkable success has sparked interest in expanding checkpoint inhibitor therapy in infectious diseases. Herein, we evaluated the efficacy of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) blockade in a murine invasive pulmonary aspergillosis model. We found that, compared with isotype-treated infected control mice, anti–PD-1–treated mice had improved survival, reduced fungal burden, increased lung concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines and neutrophil-attracting chemokines, and enhanced pulmonary leukocyte accumulation. Furthermore, combined treatment with anti–PD-1 and caspofungin resulted in a significant survival benefit compared with caspofungin or anti–PD-1 therapy alone, indicating a synergistic effect between PD-1 inhibitors and immunomodulatory antifungal agents.
Synergistic Effect of Biejia-Ruangan on Fibrosis Regression in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B Treated With Entecavir: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Rong Guanghua , Chen Yongping , Yu Zujiang , Li Qin , Bi Jingfeng , Tan Lin , Xiang Dedong , Shang Qinghua , Lei Chunliang , Chen Liang , Hu Xiaoyu , Wang Jing , Liu Huabao , Lu Wei , Chen Yan , Dong Zheng , Bai Wenlin , Yoshida Eric M , Mendez-Sanchez Nahum , Hu Ke-Qin , Qi Xingshun , Yang Yongping 
Published: May 2020

Abstract

Background
Long-term nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) treatment can reverse liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B (CHB), but its effect on fibrosis regression remains limited. Biejia-Ruangan (BR) has been approved in China as an antifibrotic traditional Chinese medicine drug in patients with chronic liver diseases. A multicenter randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effect of BR on fibrosis regression in CHB patients treated with NAs.

Methods
CHB patients with histologically confirmed advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis were randomly assigned to receive entecavir (ETV) (0.5 mg per day) plus BR (2 g 3 times a day) or placebo for 72 weeks. Liver fibrosis regression was defined as a reduction of ≥ 1 point by the Ishak fibrosis stage (IFS).

Results
Overall, 500 patients were enrolled in each group as the intention-to-treat population. The rate of fibrosis regression after 72 weeks of treatment was significantly higher in the ETV + BR group (40% vs 31.8%; P = .0069). Among 388 patients with cirrhosis (ie, IFS ≥ 5) at baseline, the rate of cirrhosis reversal (ie, IFS ≤ 4) was significantly higher in the ETV + BR group (41.5% vs 30.7%; P = .0103).

Conclusions
Addition of BR to the current standard treatment with NAs in CHB patients with advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis can improve liver fibrosis regression.

Clinical Trials Registration
NCT01965418.