bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Systemic diseases and their association with open-angle glaucoma in the population of Stockholm
Authors: Wändell Per , Carlsson Axel C. , Ljunggren Gunnar 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Objective
We aimed to study open-angle glaucoma in association with somatic comorbidities in the total population of adults in Region Stockholm.

Methods
The study population included all living persons aged 19 years and above who resided in Stockholm County, Sweden, on 1 January 2017 (N = 1 703 675). Subjects with specified diseases were identified with data from all registered consultations and hospital stays during 2008–2019. As outcome, the risk of being associated with a diagnosis of open-angle glaucoma was identified during 2012–2018. Analyses were performed by gender, controlling for age and socio-economic status. Age-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for women and men with open-angle glaucoma, using individuals without this as referents, were calculated. Socio-economic status was assessed based on the neighbourhood the subjects lived in.

Results
In total, 16,299 cases of open-angle glaucoma were identified during 2012–2018, 9204 women and 7095 men. Higher fully adjusted OR (95% CI) for risk of being associated with open-angle glaucoma was for women and men with diabetes 1.138 (1.074–1.207) and 1.216 (1.148–1.289), cancer 1.175 (1.120–1.233) and 1.106 (1.048–1.166), hypertension 1.372 (1.306–1.440) and 1.243 (1.179–1.311); and for women with thyroid diseases 1.086 (1.030–1.146), chronic lung diseases 1.153 (1.093–1.216), and inflammatory arthropathies 1.132 (1.006–1.275). Higher glaucoma incidence was observed in individuals residing in high socio-economic status neighbourhoods.

Conclusion
The risk of glaucoma is increased in some somatic diseases, especially in individuals with diabetes, hypertension and cancer; and in higher socio-economic neighbourhoods as compared to lower socio-economic neighbourhoods.
Sufficient conditions for the optimality of the greedy algorithm in greedoids
Authors: Szeszlér Dávid 
Published: November 2021

AbstractGreedy algorithms are among the most elementary ones in theoretical computer science and understanding the conditions under which they yield an optimum solution is a widely studied problem. Greedoids were introduced by Korte and Lovász at the beginning of the 1980s as a generalization of matroids. One of the basic motivations of the notion was to extend the theoretical background behind greedy algorithms beyond the well-known results on matroids. Indeed, many well-known algorithms of a greedy nature that cannot be interpreted in a matroid-theoretical context are special cases of the greedy algorithm on greedoids. Although this algorithm turns out to be optimal in surprisingly many cases, no general theorem is known that explains this phenomenon in all these cases. Furthermore, certain claims regarding this question that were made in the original works of Korte and Lovász turned out to be false only most recently. The aim of this paper is to revisit and straighten out this question: we summarize recent progress and we also prove new results in this field. In particular, we generalize a result of Korte and Lovász and thus we obtain a sufficient condition for the optimality of the greedy algorithm that covers a much wider range of known applications than the original one.
The Monotone Extended Second-Order Cone and Mixed Complementarity Problems
Authors: Gao Yingchao , Németh Sándor Zoltán , Sznajder Roman 
Published: November 2021

AbstractIn this paper, we study a new generalization of the Lorentz cone $$\mathcal{L}^n_+$$

L

+
n

, called the monotone extended second-order cone (MESOC). We investigate basic properties of MESOC including computation of its Lyapunov rank and proving its reducibility. Moreover, we show that in an ambient space, a cylinder is an isotonic projection set with respect to MESOC. We also examine a nonlinear complementarity problem on a cylinder, which is equivalent to a suitable mixed complementarity problem, and provide a computational example illustrating applicability of MESOC.
Effect of Fatty Acid Composition in Polysorbate 80 on the Stability of Therapeutic Protein Formulations
Authors: Pegues Melissa A. , Szczepanek Karol , Sheikh Faruk , Thacker Seth G. , Aryal Baikuntha , Ghorab Mohamed K , Wolfgang Steven , Donnelly Raymond P. , Verthelyi Daniela , Rao V. Ashutosh 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Purpose
Polysorbate excipients are commonly used as surfactants to stabilize therapeutic proteins in formulations. Degradation of polysorbates could lead to particle formation and instability of the drug formulation. We investigated how the fatty acid composition of polysorbate 80 impacts the degradation profile, particle formation, and product stability under stress conditions.

Methods
Two polysorbate 80-containing therapeutic protein formulations were reformulated with either Polysorbate 80 NF synthesized from a fatty acid mixture that contains mainly oleic acid (≥58%) or a version of polysorbate 80 synthesized with high oleic acid (>98%). Stress conditions, including high temperature and esterase spiking, were applied and changes to both the polysorbate and the therapeutic protein product were investigated for stability, purity, innate immune response and biological activity.

Results
The addition of esterase and storage at 37°C led to significant hydrolysis of the polysorbate and increases in sub-visible particle formation for both polysorbates tested. The fatty acid composition of polysorbate 80 did not directly alter the stability profile of either therapeutic protein as measured by size exclusion chromatography, or significantly impact innate immune response or biological activity. However, formulations with Polysorbate 80 NF showed greater propensity for sub-visible particle formation under stress conditions.

Conclusions
These results suggest that composition of fatty acids in polysorbate 80 may be a promoter for sub-visible particulate formation under the stress conditions tested but may not impact protein aggregation or biological activity.
CAVLCU: an efficient GPU-based implementation of CAVLC
Authors: Fuentes-Alventosa Antonio , Gómez-Luna Juan , González-Linares José Maria , Guil Nicolás , Medina-Carnicer R. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractCAVLC (Context-Adaptive Variable Length Coding) is a high-performance entropy method for video and image compression. It is the most commonly used entropy method in the video standard H.264. In recent years, several hardware accelerators for CAVLC have been designed. In contrast, high-performance software implementations of CAVLC (e.g., GPU-based) are scarce. A high-performance GPU-based implementation of CAVLC is desirable in several scenarios. On the one hand, it can be exploited as the entropy component in GPU-based H.264 encoders, which are a very suitable solution when GPU built-in H.264 hardware encoders lack certain necessary functionality, such as data encryption and information hiding. On the other hand, a GPU-based implementation of CAVLC can be reused in a wide variety of GPU-based compression systems for encoding images and videos in formats other than H.264, such as medical images. This is not possible with hardware implementations of CAVLC, as they are non-separable components of hardware H.264 encoders. In this paper, we present CAVLCU, an efficient implementation of CAVLC on GPU, which is based on four key ideas. First, we use only one kernel to avoid the long latency global memory accesses required to transmit intermediate results among different kernels, and the costly launches and terminations of additional kernels. Second, we apply an efficient synchronization mechanism for thread-blocks (In this paper, to prevent confusion, a block of pixels of a frame will be referred to as simply block and a GPU thread block as thread-block.) that process adjacent frame regions (in horizontal and vertical dimensions) to share results in global memory space. Third, we exploit fully the available global memory bandwidth by using vectorized loads to move directly the quantized transform coefficients to registers. Fourth, we use register tiling to implement the zigzag sorting, thus obtaining high instruction-level parallelism. An exhaustive experimental evaluation showed that our approach is between 2.5$$\times$$
×
and 5.4$$\times$$
×
faster than the only state-of-the-art GPU-based implementation of CAVLC.
A Review on the Role of Endogenous Neurotrophins and Schwann Cells in Axonal Regeneration
Authors: Pandey Samyak , Mudgal Jayesh 
Published: November 2021

AbstractInjury to the peripheral nerve is traditionally referred to acquired nerve injury as they are the result of physical trauma due to laceration, stretch, crush and compression of nerves. However, peripheral nerve injury may not be completely limited to acquired physical trauma. Peripheral nerve injury equally implies clinical conditions like Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), Carpal tunnel syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes. Physical trauma is commonly mono-neuropathic as it engages a single nerve and produces focal damage, while in the context of pathological conditions the damage is divergent involving a group of the nerve causing polyneuropathy. Damage to the peripheral nerve can cause a diverse range of manifestations from sensory impairment to loss of function with unpredictable recovery patterns. Presently no treatment option provides complete or functional recovery in nerve injury, as nerve cells are highly differentiated and inert to regeneration. However, the regenerative phenotypes in Schwann cells get expressed when a signalling cascade is triggered by neurotrophins. Neurotrophins are one of the promising biomolecules that are released naturally post-injury with the potential to exhibit better functional recovery. Pharmacological intervention modulating the expression of these neurotrophins such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and pituitary adenylyl cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) can prove to be a significant treatment option as endogenous compounds which may have remarkable innate advantage showing maximum ‘biological relevance’.
Graphical abstract
Multi-Level Socioenvironmental Contributors to Childhood Asthma in New York City: a Cluster Analysis
Authors: Khan Sana , Bajwa Sarah , Brahmbhatt Diksha , Lovinsky-Desir Stephanie , Sheffield Perry E. , Stingone Jeanette A. , Li Sheng 
Published: November 2021

AbstractChildhood asthma exacerbation remains the leading cause of pediatric emergency department visits and hospitalizations and disproportionately affects Latinx and Black children, compared to non-Latinx White children in NYC. Environmental exposures and socioeconomic factors may jointly contribute to childhood asthma exacerbations; however, they are often studied separately. To better investigate the multiple contributors to disparities in childhood asthma, we compiled data on various individual and neighborhood level socioeconomic and environmental factors, including education, race/ethnicity, income disparities, gentrification, housing characteristics, built environment, and structural racism, from the NYC Department of Health’s KIDS 2017 survey and the US Census’ American Community Survey. We applied cluster analysis and logistic regression to first identify the predominant patterns of social and environmental factors experienced by children in NYC and then estimate whether children experiencing specific patterns are more likely to experience asthma exacerbations. We found that housing and built environment characteristics, such as density and age of buildings, were the predominant features to differentiate the socio-environmental patterns observed in New York City. Children living in neighborhoods with greater proportions of rental housing, high-density buildings, and older buildings were more likely to experience asthma exacerbations than other children. These findings add to the literature about childhood asthma in urban environments, and can assist efforts to target actionable policies and practices that promote health equity related to childhood asthma.
Impact of ethical certifications and product involvement on consumers decision to purchase ethical products at price premiums in an emerging market context
Authors: Chatterjee Swetarupa , Sreen Naman , Rana Jyoti , Dhir Amandeep , Sadarangani Pradip H. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractIn emerging markets, instances of increasing consumers focus on ethical aspects of the product are observed. To this end, we aim to examine the influence of two ethical certifications and two product involvement types on consumers willingness to purchase ethical products at price premiums in the Indian market. No animal cruelty certification and no child labor certification are chosen as the ethical certifications, and a shirt and a bar of soap are chosen as high and low involvement product categories. Data is collected from 206 respondents for the experiment, in which consumers willingness to purchase a product is evaluated for different product scenarios. The results of the study indicate that individuals show highest willingness to purchase products (a shirt or a soap) when both certifications (no animal cruelty, no child labor) are present. However, in comparing individual certifications, individuals prefer no animal cruelty certification for a shirt and no child labor certification for a bar of soap. The study provides insights to practitioners regarding consumers present perception of ethical aspects in the product and directions to increase sales of ethical products in the Indian market.
Relationships between non-communicable disease, social isolation and frailty in community dwelling adults in later life: findings from the Hertfordshire Cohort Study
Authors: Bevilacqua Gregorio , Jameson Karen A. , Zhang Jean , Bloom Ilse , Fuggle Nicholas R. , Patel Harnish P. , Ward Kate A. , Cooper Cyrus , Dennison Elaine M. 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
Social relationships play a fundamental role in individuals’ lives and health, and social isolation is prevalent among older people. Chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and frailty are also common in older adults.

Aims
To examine the association between number of NCDs and social isolation in a cohort of community-dwelling older adults in the UK, and to consider whether any potential association is mediated by frailty.

Methods
NCDs were self-reported by 176 older community-dwelling UK adults via questionnaire. Social isolation was assessed using the six-item Lubben Social Network Scale. Frailty was assessed by the Fried phenotype of physical frailty.

Results
The median (IQR) age of participants in this study was 83.1 (81.5–85.5) years for men and 83.8 (81.5–85.9) years for women. The proportion of socially isolated individuals was 19% in men and 20% in women. More women (18%) than men (13%) were identified as frail. The number of NCDs was associated with higher odds of being isolated in women (unadjusted odds ratio per additional NCD: 1.65, 95% CI 1.08, 2.52, p = 0.021), but not in men, and the association remained robust to adjustment, even when accounting for frailty (OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.06, 3.22, p = 0.031).

Discussion
Number of self-reported NCDs was associated with higher odds of social isolation in women but not in men, and the association remained after considering frailty status.

Conclusions
Our observations may be considered by healthcare professionals caring for community-dwelling older adults with multiple NCDs, where enquiring about social isolation as part of a comprehensive assessment may be important.
A Review of Research on the Mechanical Design of Hoverable Flapping Wing Micro-Air Vehicles
Authors: Xiao Shengjie , Hu Kai , Huang Binxiao , Deng Huichao , Ding Xilun 
Published: November 2021

AbstractMost insects and hummingbirds can generate lift during both upstroke and downstroke with a nearly horizontal flapping stroke plane, and perform precise hovering flight. Further, most birds can utilize tails and muscles in wings to actively control the flight performance, while insects control their flight with muscles based on wing root along with wing’s passive deformation. Based on the above flight principles of birds and insects, Flapping Wing Micro Air Vehicles (FWMAVs) are classified as either bird-inspired or insect-inspired FWMAVs. In this review, the research achievements on mechanisms of insect-inspired, hoverable FWMAVs over the last ten years (2011–2020) are provided. We also provide the definition, function, research status and development prospect of hoverable FWMAVs. Then discuss it from three aspects: bio-inspiration, motor-driving mechanisms and intelligent actuator-driving mechanisms. Following this, research groups involved in insect-inspired, hoverable FWMAV research and their major achievements are summarized and classified in tables. Problems, trends and challenges about the mechanism are compiled and presented. Finally, this paper presents conclusions about research on mechanical structure, and the future is discussed to enable further research interests.
Large Conization—Retrospective Monocentric Results for Fertility Preservation in Young Women with Early Stage Cervical Cancer
Authors: Tsaousidis Christos , Kraemer Bernhard , Kommoss Stefan , Hartkopf Andreas , Brucker Sara , Neis Katrin , Andress Juergen , Neis Felix 
Published: November 2021

Abstract The shorter cervical segment after classic radical trachelectomy (RT) imposes a number of pregnancy associated risk factors. In this aspect, large conization (LC) could be an oncologically safe alternative to RT in young women with early stage cervical cancer who want to spare their fertility. Our aim was to evaluate fertility-sparing surgical treatment of early stage cervical cancer after the introduction of LC. Our objectives were to assess surgical, oncological, fertility and obstetric outcomes. We retrospectively investigated oncological and fertility outcomes of patients who underwent LC in a large oncological single University centre between 2009 and 2014. Medical records were reviewed and analysed for surgical, oncological, fertility and obstetric outcomes. Postal questionnaires were collected to further evaluate and validate the fertility and obstetric outcomes. A total of 23 LCs were analysed. Seven patients had to undergo secondary radical hysterectomy after LC due to unclear resection margins. Nine of 16 women tried to conceive, of which all nine became pregnant. Seven patients underwent a prophylactic cerclage between 13 and 16 gestational weeks and seven women delivered 9 children; the majority of women conceived spontaneously. Follow-up time was a median of 3.9 years (2.6–8 years). There was no relapse of cervical cancer in the investigated timeframe. Early stage cervical cancers treated by LC are associated with excellent oncological outcomes. LC appears to be a safe option for eligible women who intend to maintain their fertility.
Appropriate Number of Observations to Determine Hand Hygiene Compliance Among Healthcare Workers
Authors: Yoon Park Se , Lee Eunjung , Park Suyeon , Hyong Kim Tae , Won Sungho 
Published: November 2021

Background: We sought to determine the minimum number of observations needed to determine hand hygiene (HH) compliance among healthcare workers. Methods: The study was conducted at a referral hospital. We retrospectively analyzed the result of HH monitoring from January to December 2018. HH compliance was calculated by dividing the number of observed HH actions by the total number of opportunities. Appropriate HH compliance rates were calculated based on the 6-step technique, modified from the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation. The minimum number of required observations (n) was calculated by the following equation using overall mean value (r), absolute precision (d), and confidence interval (1-α) [The equation: n3 Zα/22×ρ×1-ρ/d2]. We considered ds of 5%, 10%, 20%, and 30%, with CIs of 99%, 95%, and 90%, respectively. Among the various cases, we focused on 10% for d and 95% for CI. Results: During the study period, 8,791 opportunities among 1,168 healthcare workers were monitored. The mean HH compliance and appropriate HH compliance rates were 80.3% and 59.7%, respectively (Table 1). The minimum number of observations required to determine HH compliance rates ranged from 2 (d, 30%; CI, 90%) to 624 (d, 5%; CI, 99%), and the minimum number of observations for optimal HH compliance ranged from 5 (d, 30%, CI, 90%) to 642 (d, 5%; CI, 99%) (Figure 1). At 10% absolute precision with 95% confidence, the minimum number of observations to determine HH and optimal HH compliance were 61 and 92, respectively. Conclusions: The minimum number of observations to determine HH compliance varies widely according to setting, but at least 5 were needed to determine optimal HH compliance.Funding: NoDisclosures: None
Stewardship Nightmare: Ceftolozane/Tazobactam–Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infections Accelerated by the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Haviland Adam , Weston Gregory , Nori Priya , Szymczak Wendy , Guo Yi , Marrero Rolon Rebecca M. 
Published: November 2021

Background: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 32,600 cases, 2,700 deaths, and healthcare costs of 767 million dollars attributed to multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A recent study of 128 patients with nosocomial pneumonia due to P. aeruginosa showed the noninferiority of ceftolozane-tazobactam compared to meropenem. However, the resistance of ceftolozane-tazobactam due to AmpC mutations has been described. Compared with 2019, we observed an increase from 2 to 13 cases of ceftolozane-tazobactam–resistant P. aeruginosa (CRPA) during the COVID-19 pandemic at our institution in the Bronx, New York. Methods: A report of patients with CRPA between March and August 2020 was obtained. Data collected included demographics, hospitalization/IV antibiotic use in prior 90 days, SARS-CoV-2 PCR result, ICU admission, length of stay, antibiotic days of therapy, mortality, etc. Results: In total, 13 patients with CRPA infection were reviewed (Table 1). Among them, 2 patients were on the same inpatient medical-surgical unit but separated by 5 months. Also, 11 patients were from different medical-surgical units or ICUs. In addition, 5 patients (38%) were SARS-CoV-2 PCR positive. None of these COVID-19 patients were cohorted on the same unit, making horizontal spread of CRPA or COVID-19 unlikely. Finally, 8 of these patients died while hospitalized (4 were COVID-19 patients). Conclusions: We found a high incidence of mortality in patients with CRPA infection. Many patients had prolonged hospital stay and required ICU admission. Few patients were from long-term care facilities. Given the associated morbidity and mortality, increased surveillance and intensified antimicrobial stewardship efforts are needed to mitigate the impact of CRPA during the COVID-19 pandemic.Funding: NoDisclosures: None