bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Examining Approaches to Estimate the Prevalence of Catastrophic Costs Due to Tuberculosis from Small-Scale Studies in South Africa
Authors: Sweeney Sedona , Vassall Anna , Guinness Lorna , Siapka Mariana , Chimbindi Natsayi , Mudzengi Don , Gomez Gabriela B. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackground and ObjectiveIn context of the End TB goal of zero tuberculosis (TB)-affected households encountering catastrophic costs due to TB by 2020, the estimation of national prevalence of catastrophic costs due to TB is a priority to inform programme design. We explore approaches to estimate the national prevalence of catastrophic costs due to TB from existing datasets as an alternative to nationally representative surveys.MethodsWe obtained, standardized and merged three patient-level datasets from existing studies on patient-incurred costs due to TB in South Africa. A deterministic cohort model was developed with the aim of estimating the national prevalence of catastrophic costs, using national data on the prevalence of TB and likelihood of loss to follow-up by income quintile and HIV status. Two approaches were tested to parameterize the model with existing cost data. First, a meta-analysis summarized study-level data by HIV status and income quintile. Second, a regression analysis of patient-level data also included employment status, education level and urbanicity. We summarized findings by type of cost and examined uncertainty around resulting estimates.ResultsOverall, the median prevalence of catastrophic costs for the meta-analysis and regression approaches were 11% (interquartile range [IQR] 9–13%) and 6% (IQR 5–8%), respectively. Both approaches indicated that the main burden of catastrophic costs falls on the poorest households. An individual-level regression analysis produced lower uncertainty around estimates than a study-level meta-analysis.ConclusionsThis paper presents a novel application of existing data to estimate the national prevalence of catastrophic costs due to TB. This type of model could be useful for researchers and policy makers looking to inform certain policy decisions; however, some uncertainties remain due to limitations in data availability. There is an urgent need for standardized reporting of cost data and improved guidance on methods to collect income data to improve these estimates going forward.
Prevalence of other autoimmune diseases in polyglandular autoimmune syndromes type II and III
Authors: Pham-Dobor G. , Hanák L. , Hegyi P. , Márta K. , Párniczky A. , Gergics M. , Sarlós P. , Erőss B. , Mezősi E. 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Purpose
Polyglandular autoimmune syndromes (PAS) are complex, heterogeneous disorders in which various autoimmune diseases can occur, affecting both endocrine and non-endocrine organs. In this meta-analysis, the prevalence of associated autoimmune disorders was investigated in PAS II and III.

Methods
A comprehensive search in MEDLINE and Embase databases identified 479 studies with the keywords of PAS II and PAS III. 18 records containing a total of 1312 patients fulfilled our inclusion criteria (original studies reporting at least 10 cases and containing the combination of other autoimmune disorders) and were selected for further analysis. A meta-analysis of prevalence was performed using the random-effects model with the calculation of 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results of each meta-analysis were displayed graphically using forest plots.

Results
Distinction between PAS II and PAS III was made in 842 cases, of which 177 and 665 were PAS II and III (21.1 vs 78.9%), respectively. The prevalence of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis was significantly higher than that of Graves’s disease (39% [95% CI 17–65%] vs. 4% [95% CI 0–10%], respectively; p = 0.001). In PAS II, Addison’s disease (AD) coexisted with AITDs, T1DM or the combination of these conditions in 65, 18 and 10% of cases, respectively. In addition, one other endocrine and five non-endocrine organ-specific autoimmune disorders were reported. In PAS III, two other autoimmune endocrinopathies, six non-endocrine organ-specific, and four systemic autoimmune disorders were found in combination with AITDs.

Conclusions
AITDs, T1DM and AD are the most common combinations in PAS, thus screening for these conditions seems to be reasonable.
Measurement of temporal and spatial resolved rotational temperature in ignition sparks at atmospheric pressure
Authors: Michler Tobias , Toedter Olaf , Koch Thomas 
Published: March 2020

AbstractIn this work, the temporal and spatial rotational temperature, as an indicator of spark temperature in the gas, of an ignition spark at ambient pressure is determined. With optical emission spectroscopy, the rotational bands of the nitrogen C3Πu → B3Πg transition at a wavelength of 337 nm are for determination. In addition, the electrical values of the current and the voltage are measured with a digital storage oscilloscope. All measurements are performed with a common nickel spark plug and a commercial 90 mJ ignition coil. The dwell time of the coil is varied in four steps from 100 to 25% and the influence on the rotational temperature is measured. The results are split into the three spark phases: breakdown, arc discharge, and glow discharge. The results show a cold breakdown, which is independent from the dwell time. On average, arc discharge is the hottest discharge phase, while the glow discharge has a medium rotational temperature.
Nondestructive Quantification of Heavy Elements Through the Analysis of Beam Hardening Artifacts Using Double-Exposure X-ray Computed Tomography: A Theoretical Consideration
Authors: Nakashima Yoshito , Nakano Tsukasa 
Published: March 2020

AbstractWe present a theoretical background for heavy element quantification through the intensive analysis of beam hardening (cupping artifacts) in X-ray computed tomography (CT) images. Cupping artifacts resulting from X-ray CT using a polychromatic X-ray source are quantitatively analyzed with an analytical solution for a cylindrical sample of a homogeneous aqueous solution/suspension containing a heavy element. The theoretical solution reveals that the severity of cupping artifacts is strongly dependent on the sample chemistry and the acceleration voltage of the X-ray tube. Careful analysis of this dependency enabled simultaneous determination of the atomic number and molar concentration of the heavy element within a particular estimation error range. Significant improvement in terms of the accuracy of determining the atomic number was achieved by employing double-exposure X-ray CT.
The Association Between Sexual Disorders and the Quality of Life of Woman Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: Findings of a Prospective, Observational, and Cross-Sectional Survey
Authors: Kołtuniuk Aleksandra , Przestrzelska Monika , Karnas Aleksandra , Rosińczuk Joanna 
Published: March 2020

Abstract

Introduction
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive, chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, whose symptoms include sexual disorders. Sexual dysfunctions can influence on quality of life (QOL) of patients with MS.

Aim
To evaluate the occurrence of sexual disorders among women with MS and correlations between QOL, prevalence of sexual disorders, and level of sexual satisfaction.

Methods
Polish women (n = 101) aged 22–66 years with diagnosed MS were included in the study.

Main Outcome Measures
The Female Sexual Function Index, the Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, and the Multiple Sclerosis International Quality of Life Questionnaire were used. In addition, an Authors-Designed Questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic data.

Results
More than half of the patients surveyed were totally or somewhat unsatisfied with their sex life, and 44.55% of the patients were diagnosed with significant sexual disorders. It was shown that patients with diagnosed sexual disorders and a low level of sexual satisfaction rated their QOL the lowest among all the surveyed patients.

Conclusion
Our findings indicate that sexual disorders and the level of sexual satisfaction correlate significantly with QOL in patients with MS. Sexual dysfunctions are a significant problem in women with MS; thus, they should be considered with comprehensive care.
Lorcaserin Administration has Pro-Ejaculatory Effects in Rats via 5-HT2C Receptors Activation: A Putative Pharmacologic Strategy to Delayed Ejaculation?
Authors: de Almeida Kiguti Luiz Ricardo , Pacheco Tainá Louise , Antunes Edson , Kempinas Wilma de Grava 
Published: March 2020

Abstract

Background
Lorcaserin is an anti-obesity drug whose weight loss effect results from 5-hydroxytryptamin (5-HT)2C receptors activation. The 5-HT2C receptor was shown to participate in the physiological control of ejaculation, but no data addressing a putative effect of lorcaserin on ejaculation exist.

Aim
To investigate the effects of lorcaserin in different in vitro and in vivo experimental models of ejaculation in rats.

Methods
Contractile responses to lorcaserin in rat seminal emission organs in vitro (prostatic and epididymal vas deferens, cauda epididymis, and seminal vesicles), analysis of male rat copulatory behavior, and electromyographic recording of bulbospongiosus muscle in anesthetized animals were studied.

Main Outcome Measures
The main outcome measures included in vitro contraction of seminal emission organs and evaluation of the male rat copulatory behavior. The male rat sexual behavior in terms of copulation latency, ejaculation latency, mount and intromission frequency, and ejaculation frequency of sexually experienced adult male rats with a receptive female were also recorded.

Results
Lorcaserin (1.0 nM to 1.0 mM) had no significant effects on the in vitro contractility of seminal emission organs smooth muscle (cauda epididymis, vas deferens, and seminal vesicles). On the other hand, lorcaserin administration (0.3–1.0 mg/kg, intravenous) induced ejaculation in anesthetized rats, which was prevented by the 5-HT2C-selective antagonist SB 242084 (0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg, intravenous). Single-dose treatment of non-anesthetized male rats with lorcaserin (1.0, 4.0, or 10 mg/kg, per os) induced non-copulating ejaculations in sexually naïve rats. Lorcaserin also had pro-ejaculation effects by decreasing the ejaculation threshold of copulating rats by half. The pro-ejaculatory effects of lorcaserin were reversible as the ejaculation threshold of treated rats recovered after a 1-week washout period.

Clinical Implications
Due to its reported clinical safety, repurposing lorcaserin for the treatment of delayed ejaculation may be suggested.

Strengths & Limitations
The pro-ejaculatory effect of lorcaserin administration and the role of 5-HT2C were demonstrated in different experimental models of ejaculation in rats. The lack of studies in putative experimental models of delayed ejaculation is a limitation of this study.

Conclusion
Our results demonstrate that the clinically approved 5-HT2C agonist lorcaserin is a strong facilitator of ejaculation in rats.
Tracheostomy colonisation and microbiological isolates of patients in intensive care units‐a retrospective study
Authors: Cader Segana Hasan Abdul , Shah Fahim Ahmed , Nair S.K.G.Reghunandanan 
Published: March 2020

ObjectiveTo find out the type of bacteria colonising the tracheostomy tube and to determine the antibiotic sensitivity pattern and resistance in patients who have had tracheostomy in intensive care unit (ICU) set up and to initiate proper empirical treatment in such patients.MethodsThe study was a retrospective review of patients who underwent tracheostomy at Ministry of Health, Sur Hospital, Oman January 2005 and December 2015. The Hospital has 4 bedded pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and 10 bedded adult ICU which is headed by consultant anaesthetists, consultant physicians, ICU trained nurses and respiratory therapists. All patients who required mechanical ventilation and were therefore subject to an orotracheal intubation and those who underwent a conventional tracheostomy were considered for inclusion. Patients who had been intubated in other hospitals or ICUs, other airways infection issues were excluded from this study. Data's were collected from computer based hospital management system, operation theatre and registers in Medical records department and entered in a preformed questionnaire before thorough analysis. The specimens for swab was obtained from the cut tracheostomy tube tips and the samples were sent to microbiology laboratory for isolation of the organism and obtain an antibiogram to know the susceptibility and resistance to antibiotics. Data were analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS, version 16, Chicago, Inc) and the values are reported as number (%). The commonest isolated organism was Pseudomonas followed by Acinetobacter.ResultsDuring the ten year retrospective study, there were 108 patients included in our study with 56 males and 51 females. Fourteen different microorganisms were isolated during our study which included Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 39), Acinetobacter baumanii (n = 28), Klebsiella (n = 10) and coagulase negative staphylococcus (n = 6). The most commonest organisms in both genders was Pseudomonas aeruginosa closely followed by Acinetobacter baumanii. In children under age of 12, it was Pseudomonas aeruginosa and in adults the impending organism was Acinetobacter baumanii. In terms of antiobiograms, 89% of Acinetobacter, 38% of Staphylococcus aureus, 37% of Klebsiella and 54% of Proteus mirabilis were resistant to ciprofloxacin. These organisms were resistant to ceftazidime in 97%, 83%, 89% and 57% of the cases, respectively and resistant to imipenem in 7.4%, 18.2%, 1.8% and 8.1%.ConclusionsIn summary, this study presents the most common microorganisms colonized from tracheostomy of hospitalized patients and their pattern of antibiotic resistance. As our study showed, Pseudomonas is the most common microorganism isolated from tracheostomy tube. Ciprofloxacin was also the most prevalent antibiotic revealing resistant pattern. Moreover, most of the microorganisms were sensitive to imipenem and pipracillin‐tazobactam.
Diabatic Heating as a Pathway for Cyclone Clustering Encompassing the Extreme Storm Dagmar
Authors: Weijenborg C. , Spengler T. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractContrary to the general notion that extratropical cyclones reduce baroclinicity, the baroclinicity is found to be enhanced in the wake of the extreme winter storm Dagmar. Thus, individual storms can increase baroclinicity, yielding a pathway to secondary cyclogenesis and cyclone clustering. We use a recently introduced diagnostic for baroclinicity—the tendency equation for the isentropic slope—and found that strong diabatic heating due to moisture supply from the subtropical Atlantic led to the enhanced baroclinicity in the rear of Dagmar. Storms ensuing Dagmar benefited from this increased baroclinicity. In contrast to previous studies on the mechanisms of cyclone clustering, we only find weak evidence for Rossby wave breaking and thus propose diabatic heating as an alternative pathway to cyclone clustering.
Dynamic Recrystallization Can Produce Porosity in Shear Zones
Authors: Gilgannon James , Poulet Thomas , Berger Alfons , Barnhoorn Auke , Herwegh Marco 
Published: March 2020

AbstractCreep cavities are increasingly recognized as an important syn‐kinematic feature of shear zones, but much about this porosity needs investigation. Largely, observations of creep cavities are restricted to very fine grained mature ultramylonites, and it is unclear when they developed during deformation. Specifically, a question that needs testing is should grain size reduction during deformation produce creep cavities? To this end, we have reanalyzed the microstructure of a large shear strain laboratory experiment that captures grain size change by dynamic recrystallization during mylonitization. We find that the experiment does contain creep cavities. Using a combination of scanning electron microscopy and spatial point statistics, we show that creep cavities emerge with, and because of, subgrain rotation recrystallization during ultramylonite formation. As dynamic recrystallization is ubiquitous in natural shear zones, this observation has important implications for the interpretation of concepts such as the Goetze criterion, paleopiezometery, and phase mixing.
The Tropical Atmospheric Conveyor Belt: A Coupled Eulerian‐Lagrangian Analysis of the Large‐Scale Tropical Circulation
Authors: Raiter Dana , Galanti Eli , Kaspi Yohai 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe Hadley circulation is a key element of the climate system. It is traditionally defined as the zonally averaged meridional circulation in the tropics, therefore treated as a zonally symmetric phenomenon. However, differences in temperature between land and sea cause zonal asymmetries on Earth, dramatically affecting the circulation. This longitudinal dependence of the meridional circulation evokes questions about where and when the actual large‐scale tropical circulation occurs. Here, we look into the connection between the longitudinally dependent meridional circulation, and the actual large‐scale transport of air in the tropics using a coupled Eulerian and Lagrangian approach. Decomposing the velocity field into rotational and divergent components, we identify how each component affects the actual circulation. We propose an alternative definition for the circulation, which describes the actual path of air parcels in the tropics, as a tropical atmospheric conveyor belt.
Surface Ocean Warming Around Australia Driven by Interannual Variability and Long‐Term Trends in Southern Hemisphere Westerlies
Authors: Duran E. R. , England M. H. , Spence P. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe ocean surface temperature and sea level response around Australia to both interannual variability as well as observed and projected changes in surface winds is presented. A hindcast ocean experiment shows interannual southward shifts in the Southern Hemisphere westerly winds drive ocean surface warming events in the South Australian Basin. Twenty‐first century climate and ocean projections in an ensemble of the fifth Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) models show that wind trends could play a role comparable in magnitude to that of radiative warming in driving surface ocean temperature change in this region. To evaluate the wind's role in these projected changes, we use an ocean experiment perturbed by the projected end of 21st century wind anomalies to show that the wind trends alone can generate approximately half of the ocean surface warming and sea level rise predicted by the CMIP5 models in the Tasman Sea.
Contribution of Electroactive Humic Substances to the Iron‐Binding Ligands Released During Microbial Remineralization of Sinking Particles
Authors: Whitby Hannah , Bressac Matthieu , Sarthou Géraldine , Ellwood Michael J. , Guieu Cécile , Boyd Philip W. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractIron is a key micronutrient in seawater, but concentrations would be negligible without the presence of organic ligands. The processes influencing the ligand pool composition are poorly constrained, limiting our understanding of the controls on dissolved iron distributions. To address this, the release of iron and iron‐binding ligands during the microbial remineralization of sinking particles was investigated by deploying in situ particle interceptor/incubator devices at subsurface sites in the Mediterranean Sea and Subantarctic. Analyses revealed that the pool of released ligands was largely dominated by electroactive humic substances (74 ± 28%). The release of ligands during remineralization ensured that concurrently released iron remained in solution, which is crucial for iron regeneration. This study presents compelling evidence of the key role of humic ligands in the subsurface replenishment of dissolved iron and thus on the wider oceanic dissolved iron inventory, which ultimately controls the magnitude of iron resupplied to the euphotic zone.
Predictability of the Super IOD Event in 2019 and Its Link With El Niño Modoki
Authors: Doi Takeshi , Behera Swadhin K. , Yamagata Toshio 
Published: March 2020

AbstractA positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) in 2019 that reached the level of the strongest events occurred in 1994 and 1997 and caused disasters in countries around the Indian Ocean. Using a quasi real‐time ensemble seasonal prediction system based on the Scale Interaction Experiment‐Frontier climate model, its occurrence was predicted a few seasons ahead and the possible impacts were warned by overcoming the so‐called winter predictability barrier. The successful prediction of such a super event at long lead time may contribute to reducing the risks of socioeconomic losses by introducing suitable measures for adaptation. Here, we have investigated possible sources of the successful prediction by analyzing covariability of intermember anomalies defined as deviations from the mean in the ensemble reforecasts. Interestingly, it is found that the potential predictability of the 2019 super positive event is linked with the preexisting El Niño Modoki in the tropical Pacific.
A Sea Surface Height Perspective on El Niño Diversity, Ocean Energetics, and Energy Damping Rates
Authors: Shi Jian , Fedorov Alexey V. , Hu Shineng 
Published: March 2020

AbstractOcean energetics is a useful framework for understanding El Niño–Southern Oscillation; however, its key element, available potential energy (APE), requires accurate ocean subsurface data that are hard to measure. Here, we describe a sea surface height‐based index, SSHI, that accurately captures APE variations and can be easily computed from satellite observations. Using SSHI, we obtain an observation‐based estimate of the APE damping timescale of approximately 1.7 years, slightly longer than previous ocean reanalysis‐based estimates. Furthermore, SSHI serves as an indicator for El Niño “flavors” while recording the relative strength of the thermocline feedback. SSHI captures a decadal shift in El Niño–Southern Oscillation properties in early 2000s, with a more tilted mean thermocline and weaker thermocline slope variations indicative of the “Central Pacific” El Niño type dominating the past two decades, whereas SSH averaged over the tropical Pacific (a proxy for upper‐ocean heat content) shows a significant rising trend over this time.
How Variable Is Mixing Efficiency in the Abyss?
Authors: Ijichi Takashi , St. Laurent Louis , Polzin Kurt L. , Toole John M. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractMixing efficiency is an important turbulent flow property in fluid dynamics, whose variability potentially affects the large‐scale ocean circulation. However, there are several confusing definitions. Here we compare and contrast patch‐wise versus bulk estimates of mixing efficiency in the abyss by revisiting data from previous extensive field surveys in the Brazil Basin. Observed patch‐wise efficiency is highly variable over a wide range of turbulence intensity. Bulk efficiency is dominated by rare extreme turbulence events. In the case where enhanced near‐bottom turbulence is thought to be driven by breaking of small‐scale internal tides, the estimated bulk efficiency is 20%, close to the conventional value of 17%. On the other hand, where enhanced near‐bottom turbulence appears to be convectively driven by hydraulic overflows, bulk efficiency is suggested to be as large as 45%, which has implications for a further significant role of overflow mixing on deep‐water mass transformation.