bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bariatric surgery and the liver—Mechanisms, benefits, and risks
Authors: Lefere Sander , Onghena Louis , Vanlander Aude , van Nieuwenhove Yves , Devisscher Lindsey , Geerts Anja 
Published: May 2021

SummaryThe prevalence of obesity and metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has risen dramatically over the past decades. At present, bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for this global health problem, through effects on food intake, gut hormone secretion, metabolic signaling pathways, and adipose tissue dysfunction. The liver occupies a central role in carbohydrate, protein, and lipid metabolism. Notably, a reduction in hepatic fat content and an improvement in hepatic insulin resistance are among the earliest beneficial effects of bariatric surgery, which has therefore emerged as an attractive treatment option for NAFLD. However, as the scope and popularity of weight loss surgery have expanded, new questions have arisen regarding its safety in patients with liver cirrhosis, the outcome of liver transplantation in patients with a history of bariatric surgery, and over incidental reports of liver failure following surgery. Studies in humans and rodents have also linked bariatric surgery to an increased risk of developing alcohol use disorder, a major risk factor for liver disease. This review integrates data from clinical and translational research to delineate both the beneficial impact of bariatric surgery on the liver and the potential risks involved.
Medicaid and fiscal federalism during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Clemens Jeffrey , Ippolito Benedic , Veuger Stan 
Published: May 2021

AbstractWe analyze the effects of the COVID‐19 pandemic on state and local government finances, with an emphasis on health spending needs and the role of the Medicaid program. We first find that enhanced federal matching funds are roughly the same size as expected increases in state Medicaid costs nationwide over the entirety of the federal budget window. Second, we show that there is substantial variation in states' exposure to increases in Medicaid program costs. Third, we show that the formulas through which fiscal relief has been distributed impact the extent to which aid targets the states experiencing the greatest need.
Jewish pronatalism: Policy and praxis
Authors: Raucher Michal 
Published: May 2021

AbstractPronatalism is the practice and ideology of encouraging biological reproduction. While many religions as well as national and ethnic identities can be described as pronatalist, scholarship about reproduction among Jews often describes Jews and Judaism as foundationally and absolutely pronatalist. This article demonstrates the nuances of existing pronatalism in Jewish policy and practice, and highlights diverse reproductive practices and strategies among Jews in order to demonstrate that pronatalism is not the sum total of Jewish reproductive policy, advocacy, or praxis. Section 2 provides a brief overview of some of the biblical and rabbinic sources that many view as religious roots for Jewish prontalism. The sections 3.1 and 3.2 focus on Jewish pronatalism in Israel and America. Throughout this article, we will see how pronatalism has been applied and internalized through ethnic, racial, and able‐bodied lenses. While pronatalism is undoubtedly a strong cultural and religious force, this article provides a nuanced picture of reproduction among Jews by considering reproductive practices and strategies of Jewish women to be in conversation with pronatalist policies and ideologies. By decentering pronatalism in the study of reproduction and attitudes toward reproduction, we see that demographic continuity is just one of many considerations in Jewish reproductive practices.
Preferences for Prevention: People Assume Expensive Problems Have Expensive Solutions
Authors: Andrews Talbot M. , Ryan John Barry 
Published: May 2021

AbstractPeople support inefficient spending on preventing disasters, and these preferences are translated into inefficient policies as elected officials try to appeal to their constituents. Here, we find preferences for prevention spending are biased by the “cost conflation” mechanism, where people assume expensive problems have expensive solutions. In this article, we present a formal model of collective action, and illustrate how cost conflation causes people to deviate from the equilibria. We test for these hypothesized deviations using an incentivized experiment. The experimental subjects engage in cost conflation—they believe the costs of disaster prevention are positively related to the costs of disaster damages, even when explicitly told otherwise. As a result, they fail to prevent smaller disasters and pay too much to prevent large disasters when cheap solutions exist. Furthermore, we provide evidence that overemphasizing disaster damages undermines successful disaster prevention because people view these disasters as too big to solve.
The State of State Environmental Policy Research: A Thirty‐Year Progress Report
Authors: Woods Neal D. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThis article examines trends in American state environmental policy scholarship from 1990 to 2019 and assesses the progress that has been made during that time in addressing the numerous deficiencies noted by Lester and Lombard (1990). A survey of more than 300 published articles suggests that researchers have made significant advances in theory and methodology over the last three decades. Yet some core elements of Lester and Lombard's critique continue to apply, and more work needs to be done to reach their goal of a theoretically coherent and methodologically sound body of research. The article concludes by offering suggestions for scholars working in the field.
Generalized linear model for subordinated Lévy processes
Authors: Mselmi Farouk 
Published: May 2021

AbstractGeneralized linear models, introduced by Nelder and Wedderburn, allowed to model the regression of normal and nonnormal data. While doing so, the analysis of these models could not be obtained without the explicit form of the variance function. In this paper, we determine the link and variance functions of the natural exponential family generated by the class of subordinated Lévy processes. In this framework, we introduce a class of variance functions that depends on the Lambert function. In this regard, we call it the Lambert class, which covers the variance functions of the natural exponential families generated by the subordinated gamma processes and the subordinated Lévy processes by the Poisson subordinator. Notice that the gamma process subordinated by the Poisson one is excluded from this class. The concept of reciprocity in natural exponential families was given in order to obtain an exponential family from another one. In this context, we get the reciprocal class of the natural exponential family generated by the class of subordinated Lévy processes. It is well known that the variance function represents an essential element for the determination of the quasi‐likelihood and deviance functions. Then, we use the expression of our variance function in order to maintain them. This leads us to analyze the proposed generalized linear model. We illustrate some of our models with applications to the daily exchange rate returns of the Tunisian Dinar against the U.S. Dollar and the damage incidents of ships.
Characterising the frequency‐response of ultra‐soft polymers with the Virtual Fields Method
Authors: Graham Aaron , Siviour Clive 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThis paper presents a novel apparatus, combined with application of the Virtual Fields Method (VFM) for the high frequency characterisation of the mechanical response of ultra‐soft materials. The viscoelastic response is characterised under harmonic deviatoric loading at a range of frequencies using the dynamic VFM in the frequency domain. Obtaining useful high rate data on soft materials is challenging using typical test methodologies, as the low speed of sound in the material makes stress equilibrium difficult to obtain; additionally, the low stiffness results in small stresses and weak measurement signals. This novel apparatus and analysis method have been shown capable of obtaining important material characterisation data that would be impossible to access using currently existing test techniques.
The ContingentA Priori, Linguistic Stipulation, and Singular Thought
Authors: Lee Jeonggyu 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe primary aim of this paper is to provide the exact diagnosis of the contingenta prioridebate so far by untangling complicated issues surrounding it, such as singular thought, linguistic stipulation, and epistemic justification. I will first maintain that most philosophers' arguments for or against the contingenta prioriare ultimately based on one of two conflicting intuitions about linguistic stipulation: sceptics of the contingenta priorihave appealed to the intuition that extra‐linguistic knowledge cannot be acquired through the stroke of a pen, whereas proponents of it have appealed to the other intuition that one is in a position to understand a name that one introduces by oneself into one's own language. Then I will reconstruct the sceptics' and proponents' positions in their strongest form respectively and examine where they disagree, and finally I will argue that the contingenta prioridebate cannot help but end in a stalemate without further scrutiny into singular thought. From this diagnosis, I conclude that in order to appropriately judge whether a contingent proposition is knowablea priori, we must first independently investigate what the conditions for singular thought are: the contingenta priorirides on the singular thought debate.
Optimization of Turbine Cascade Squealer Tip Cooling Design by Combining Shaping and Flow Injection
Authors: Duan P. H. , He L. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
In this study, a turbine cascade squealer tip is optimized by a multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA) with varying squealer heights and tip cooling configurations. The three objectives selected are the aerodynamic efficiency, the film cooling effectiveness, and the surface fluid temperature variance. The multi-scale methodology is implemented to reduce the computational cost and to skip the meshing of cooling holes. Two optimization approaches are compared: (a) a conventional method that optimizes an uncooled shape and the cooling configuration sequentially and (b) a method that optimizes shaping and cooling concurrently. The concurrent method is found to obtain better aerodynamic efficiency and heat transfer performance than the conventional optimization. Moreover, the aerodynamic efficiency ranking is changed by adding cooling to the uncooled blades. These observations are due to the strong interaction between the coolant and the tip leakage flow. They indicate that the coolant injected at the tip is not passive as expected in the conventional film cooling designs. By blocking the over tip leakage flow or forming a layer of air to level up the equivalent squealer cavity floor, the coolant can reduce the tip leakage loss, which contradicts the conventional wisdom that the added coolant should always lead to extra losses due to the extra mixing. The detailed observations of the flow field indicate that the influence of the squealer height towards the aerodynamic efficiency is caused by two competing effects: the blockage effect to reduce the tip leakage mass flowrate and the sudden expansion/contraction loss effect to generate additional loss.
Polyethylene glycol versus lactulose in the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Hoilat Gilles Jadd , Ayas Mohamad Fekredeen , Hoilat Judie Noemie , Abu-Zaid Ahmed , Durer Ceren , Durer Seren , Adhami Talal , John Savio 
Published: May 2021

BackgroundHepatic encephalopathy (HE) is defined as brain dysfunction that occurs because of acute liver failure or liver cirrhosis and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Lactulose is the standard of care till this date; however, polyethylene glycol (PEG) has gained the attention of multiple investigators.MethodsWe screened five databases namely PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and Embase from inception to 10 February 2021. Dichotomous and continuous data were analysed using the Mantel-Haenszel and inverse variance methods, respectively, which yielded a meta-analysis comparing PEG versus lactulose in the treatment of HE.ResultsFour trials with 229 patients were included. Compared with lactulose, the pooled effect size demonstrated a significantly lower average HE Scoring Algorithm (HESA) Score at 24 hours (Mean difference (MD)=−0.68, 95% CI (−1.05 to –0.31), p<0.001), a higher proportion of patients with reduction of HESA Score by ≥1 grade at 24 hours (risk ratio (RR)=1.40, 95% CI (1.17 to 1.67), p<0.001), a higher proportion of patients with a HESA Score of grade 0 at 24 hours (RR=4.33, 95% CI (2.27 to 8.28), p<0.0010) and a shorter time to resolution of HE group (MD=−1.45, 95% CI (−1.72 to –1.18), p<0.001) in favour of patients treated with PEG.ConclusionPEG leads to a higher drop in the HESA Score and thus leads to a faster resolution of HE compared with lactulose.
Contexts of sedentary time and physical activity among ageing workers and recent retirees: cross-sectional GPS and accelerometer study
Authors: Pasanen Sanna , Halonen Jaana I , Pulakka Anna , Kestens Yan , Thierry Benoit , Brondeel Ruben , Pentti Jaana , Vahtera Jussi , Leskinen Tuija , Stenholm Sari 
Published: May 2021

ObjectivesWe examined sedentary time and physical activity in different contexts among ageing workers, between their workdays and days off, and recent retirees, between their weekdays and weekend days.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingFinnish Retirement and Aging study and Enhancing physical activity and healthy ageing among recent retirees—Randomised controlled in-home physical activity trial.Participants137 workers (544 measurement days) and 53 retirees (323 days), who provided data for at least 1 workday/weekday and 1 day off/weekend day.Primary and secondary outcome measuresPhysical activity behaviour was measured with a combined Global Positioning System and accelerometer device (SenseDoc V.2.0), providing information on sedentary time, light physical activity and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) by locations (home or non-home) and trips (active travel, ie, speed <20 km/hour and passive travel, ie, speed ≥20 km/hour).ResultsWorkers accumulated more sedentary time and physical activity at non-home locations than at home on workdays, while the opposite was confirmed for days off (p<0.01). Workers accrued more MVPA on days off than on workdays (34 vs 28 min, p<0.05), of which 9 min on workdays and 14 min on days off was accrued during active travel. Retirees’ physical activity behaviour did not differ between weekdays and weekend days (p>0.05). Regardless of the day, retirees accumulated 33 min of daily MVPA, of which 14 min was accrued during active travel.ConclusionsWorkers accumulated more MVPA on days off than on workdays, and their activity behaviour varied between workdays and days off at different locations. Our results showed that a large proportion of the MVPA was accumulated during travel at slower speeds, which suggests that active travel could be a feasible way to increase MVPA among older adults.Trial registration numberNCT03320746.
Antithrombotic regimens in females with symptomatic lower extremity peripheral arterial disease: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Strauss Shira A , Jetty Prasad , Kobewka Daniel , Carrier Marc 
Published: May 2021

IntroductionPatients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) are at increased risk for systemic arterial thromboembolic events. Females represent a unique subset of patients with PAD, who differ from males in important ways: they have smaller diameter vessels, undergo lower extremity bypass less frequently and experience higher rates of graft occlusion, amputation and mortality than males. Females also trend towards higher rates of major coronary events and cardiovascular mortality. Current guidelines recommend monoantiplatelet therapy (MAPT) for secondary prevention in patients with symptomatic PAD. However, indications for more intensive antithrombotic therapy in this cohort—especially among females who are frequently under-represented in randomised controlled trials (RCTs)—remain unclear. As newer antithrombotic therapies emerge, some RCTs have demonstrated differential effects in females versus males. A systematic review is needed to quantify the rates of arterial thromboembolic and bleeding events with different antithrombotic regimens in females with symptomatic PAD.Methods and analysisWe will search MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled trials for published RCTs that include females with symptomatic PAD and compare full dose anticoagulation±antiplatelet therapy, dual pathway inhibition or dual antiplatelet therapy with MAPT. Title, abstract and full-text screening will be conducted in duplicate by three reviewers. Authors will be contacted to obtain sex-stratified outcomes as needed. Risk of bias will be assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Data will be extracted by independent reviewers and confirmed by a second reviewer. Quantitative synthesis will be conducted using Review Manager (RevMan) V.5 for applicable outcomes data. Planned subgroup analysis by PAD severity, vascular intervention and indication for antithrombotics will be conducted where data permits.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval is waived as the study does not involve primary data collection. This review will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal and for presentation at national and international scientific meetings.Trial registration numberThis protocol was registered with the PROSPERO International Prospective
Register of Systematic Reviews (ID# CRD42020196933).
Identifying ethical values for guiding triage decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic: an Italian ethical committee perspective using Delphi methodology
Authors: Zeneli Anita , Brandi Giovanni , Di Pasquale Giuseppe , Orlandini Danilo , De Carolis Piero , Bravi Francesca , Pugliese Francesco , Poluzzi Elisabetta , Catena Fausto , Giovanardi Filippo , Valpiani Giorgia , Mantovani Renato , Magnanimi Eugenia , Iannone Primiano 
Published: May 2021

ObjectivesThis study aimed to identify the guiding ethical principles that should be considered for critical resource allocation during pandemic emergency situations, and especially for the COVID-19 outbreak. The secondary objective was to define the priority to be assigned to each principle.SettingThe study was conducted from March to June 2020 within the context of an ethical committee (EC) in Northern Italy.ParticipantsEleven EC members and five additional external healthcare and bioethical professionals, forming a multidisciplinary panel, took part in the study.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe compilation of a list of ethical principles (maximum of 10 items) and their priority ranking and application within an emergency pandemic context was established as the expected outcome of this work.ResultsA consensus on 10 guiding ethical principles was reached by the multidisciplinary panel. Transparency ranked first on the priority list as the most frequently voted principle, followed by the number of lives saved, life-years saved, respect for individuals’ autonomy and equity. Other principles including life cycle, ‘sickest first’, reciprocity, instrumental value and lottery were also considered appropriate as potential tiebreakers. These principles were discussed and made consistent with the current Italian pandemic context by producing an explanatory document.ConclusionsThe identified principles could be used in preparedness plans to guide resource allocation during pandemic events. By combining their rank and relevance in relation to disease, health system organisations, social and economic settings, and critical resources at risk of scarcity, these principles could help to maximise the benefit of resource use for the community, thus reducing inequalities for individuals.
Cochlear implantation for tinnitus in adults with bilateral hearing loss: protocol of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Assouly Kelly , Smit Adriana L , Stegeman Inge , Rhebergen Koenraad S , van Dijk Bas , Stokroos Robert 
Published: May 2021

IntroductionTinnitus is the perception of sound without an external stimulus, often experienced as a ringing or buzzing sound. Subjective tinnitus is assumed to origin from changes in neural activity caused by reduced or lack of auditory input, for instance due to hearing loss. Since auditory deprivation is thought to be one of the causes of tinnitus, increasing the auditory input by cochlear implantation might be a possible treatment. In studies assessing cochlear implantation for patients with hearing loss, tinnitus relief was seen as a secondary outcome. Therefore, we will assess the effect of cochlear implantation in patients with primarily tinnitus complaints.Method and analysisIn this randomised controlled trial starting in January 2021 at the ENT department of the UMC Utrecht (the Netherlands), patients with a primary complaint of tinnitus will be included. Fifty patients (Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI)>32, Beck’s Depression Index <19, pure tone average at 0.5, 1, 2 kHz: bilateral threshold between ≥40 and ≤80 dB and hearing thresholds in the ear to be implanted (≥4 kHz) ≥50 dB) will be randomised towards cochlear implantation or no intervention. Primary outcome of the study is tinnitus burden as measured by the TFI. Outcomes of interest are tinnitus severity, hearing performances (tinnitus pitch and loudness, speech perception), quality of life, depression and patient-related changes. Outcomes will be evaluated prior to implantation and at 3 and 6 months after the surgery. The control group will receive questionnaires at 3 and 6 months after randomisation. We expect a significant difference between the cochlear implant recipients and the control group for tinnitus burden.Ethics and disseminationThis research protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the University Medical Center (UMC) Utrecht (NL70319.041.19, V5.0, January 2021). The trial results will be made accessible to the public in a peer-review journal.Trial registration numberTrial registration numberNL8693; Pre-results.