bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association Between Actual and Perceived U.S. COVID-19 Policies and Preventive Behavior
Authors: Li Meng , Colby Helen 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Background
COVID-19 related policies in the USA can be confusing: some states, but not others, implemented mask mandates mid-pandemic, and states reopened their economies to different levels with different timelines after initial shutdowns.

Purpose
The current research asks: How well does the public’s perception of such policies align with actual policies, and how well do actual versus perceived policies predict the public’s mask-wearing and social distancing behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Methods
We conducted a preregistered cross-sectional study among 1,073 online participants who were representative of the U.S. population on age, gender, and education on Monday–Tuesday, July 20–21, 2020. We asked participants which locations they visited in the past weekend, and their mask-wearing and social distancing behaviors at each location. We also measured participants’ beliefs about their state’s policies on mask mandate and business opening and obtained objective measures of these policies from publicly available data.

Results
Perception about the existence of mask mandate was 91% accurate in states with a mask mandate but only 46% accurate in states without one. Perception of state reopening level did not correlate with policy. It was the perceived but not actual state mask mandate that positively predicted both mask-wearing and social distancing, controlling for state COVID-19 cases, demographic factors, and participants’ numeracy and COVID-19 history.

Conclusions
The public’s perception of state-level mask mandates erred on the side of assuming there is one. Perception of reopening is almost completely inaccurate. Paradoxically, public perception that a mask mandate exists predicts preventive behaviors better than actual mandates.
Long-Term Variability of Blood Pressure, Cardiovascular Outcomes, and Mortality: The Look AHEAD Study
Authors: Kaze Arnaud D , Santhanam Prasanna , Erqou Sebhat , Yuyun Matthew , Bertoni Alain G , Ahima Rexford S , Echouffo-Tcheugui Justin B 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

BACKGROUND
We evaluated the associations of visit-to-visit blood pressure (BP) variability with incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) and deaths in adults with type 2 diabetes.

METHODS
We analyzed 4,152 participants in Look AHEAD (Action for Health in Diabetes) free of CVD events and deaths during the first 36 months of follow-up. Variability of systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) across 4 annual visits was assessed using the intraindividual SD, variation independent of the mean, and coefficient of variation. Cox regression was used to generate the adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for CVD (myocardial infarction [MI], stroke, or CVD-related deaths) and mortality.

RESULTS
Over a median of 6.6 years, there were 220 MIs, 105 stroke cases, 62 CVD-related deaths, and 236 deaths. After adjustment for confounders including average BP, the aHRs for the highest (vs. lowest) tertile of SD of SBP were 1.98 (95% CI 1.01–3.92), 1.25 (95% CI 0.90–1.72), 1.26 (95% CI 0.96–1.64), 1.05 (95% CI 0.75–1.46), and 1.64 (95% CI 0.99–2.72) for CVD mortality, all-cause mortality, CVD, MI, and stroke, respectively. The equivalent aHRs for SD of DBP were 1.84 (95% CI 0.98–3.48), 1.43 (95% CI 1.03–1.98), 1.19 (95% CI 0.91–1.56), 1.14 (95% CI 0.82–1.58), and 0.97 (95% CI 0.58–1.60), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS
In a large sample of individuals with type 2 diabetes, a greater variability in SBP was associated with higher cardiovascular mortality and CVD events; a higher variability in DBP was linked to increased overall and cardiovascular mortality.
A critical assessment of gene catalogs for metagenomic analysis
Authors: Commichaux Seth , Shah Nidhi , Ghurye Jay , Stoppel Alexander , Goodheart Jessica A , Luque Guillermo G , Cummings Michael P , Pop Mihai 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Motivation
Microbial gene catalogs are data structures that organize genes found in microbial communities, providing a reference for standardized analysis of the microbes across samples and studies. Although gene catalogs are commonly used, they have not been critically evaluated for their effectiveness as a basis for metagenomic analyses.

Results
As a case study, we investigate one such catalog, the Integrated Gene Catalog (IGC), however, our observations apply broadly to most gene catalogs constructed to date. We focus on both the approach used to construct this catalog and on its effectiveness when used as a reference for microbiome studies. Our results highlight important limitations of the approach used to construct the IGC and call into question the broad usefulness of gene catalogs more generally. We also recommend best practices for the construction and use of gene catalogs in microbiome studies and highlight opportunities for future research.

Availability and implementation
All supporting scripts for our analyses can be found on GitHub: https://github.com/SethCommichaux/IGC.git. The supporting data can be downloaded from: https://obj.umiacs.umd.edu/igc-analysis/IGC_analysis_data.tar.gz.

Supplementary information
Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Fast identification of differential distributions in single-cell RNA-sequencing data with waddR
Authors: Schefzik Roman , Flesch Julian , Goncalves Angela 
Published: March 2021

AbstractMotivationSingle-cell gene expression distributions measured by single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) often display complex differences between samples. These differences are biologically meaningful but cannot be identified using standard methods for differential expression.ResultsHere, we derive and implement a flexible and fast differential distribution testing procedure based on the 2-Wasserstein distance. Our method is able to detect any type of difference in distribution between conditions. To interpret distributional differences, we decompose the 2-Wasserstein distance into terms that capture the relative contribution of changes in mean, variance and shape to the overall difference. Finally, we derive mathematical generalizations that allow our method to be used in a broad range of disciplines other than scRNA-seq or bioinformatics.Availability and implementationOur methods are implemented in the R/Bioconductor package waddR, which is freely available at https://github.com/goncalves-lab/waddR, along with documentation and examples.Supplementary informationSupplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
A complex genetic structure ofTetraclinis articulata(Cupressaceae) in the western Mediterranean
Authors: García-Castaño Juan Luis , Balao Francisco , Lorenzo María Teresa , Véla Errol , Hadjadj-Aoul Seghir , Mifsud Stephen , Terrab Anass 
Published: March 2021

AbstractSome tree species have distributions on both sides of the Strait of Gibraltar and the Strait of Sicily. It is a challenge to determine whether such distributions result from the Tertiary or Pleistocene or from more recent dispersal related to human activities. Tetraclinis articulata (Cupressaceae) is a gymnosperm that offers an ideal model to deal with this problem because it has a limited area of distribution and has been used only moderately by humans. Three hundred and twenty-three individuals from 30 populations covering the entire distribution of the species were analysed. A multiple approach was developed: (1) by assessing the genetic structure through two molecular techniques, AFLP and nSSR markers, which were used to evaluate the genetic diversity of these populations and the relationships among them and (2) by estimating past distributions. Four lineages of populations that are geographically intermixed to a certain extent are documented here. Results obtained are discussed in the context of palaeontological records and climatic models. There is evidence of an ancient widespread distribution, including Europe, and the subsequent appearance of four isolated lineages that, nowadays, are partially intermixed. Nevertheless, the origin of the current populations could not be fully ascertained through this work, although logical deductions are discussed that consider human activities or, much less probably, wind dispersal of seeds out of refugia in northern Africa-southern Europe during the Quaternary, including shore connections.
Early nutrition and white matter microstructure in children born very low birth weight
Authors: Sato Julie , Vandewouw Marlee M , Bando Nicole , Ng Dawn V Y , Branson Helen M , O’Connor Deborah L , Unger Sharon L , Taylor Margot J 
Published: March 2021

AbstractInfants born at very low birth weight (&lt;1500 g) are vulnerable to nutritional deficits during their first postnatal month, which are associated with poor neurodevelopmental outcomes. Despite this knowledge, the impact of early postnatal nutrition on white matter microstructure in children born with very low birth weight has not been investigated. In this prospective cohort study, we employed a whole-brain approach to investigate associations between precise estimates of nutrient intake within the first postnatal month with white matter microstructure at 5 years of age. Detailed information about breastmilk, macronutrient and energy intakes during this period were prospectively recorded for all participants. Multi-shell diffusion and T1-weighted MRIs were acquired in 41 children (21 males; mean scan age: 5.75 ± 0.22 years; mean birth weight: 1028.6 ± 256.8 g). The diffusion tensor imaging and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging models were used to obtain maps of fractional anisotropy, radial diffusivity, orientation dispersion and neurite density indices. Tract-based spatial statistics was used to test associations between metrics of white matter microstructure with breastmilk, macronutrient (protein, lipids and carbohydrate) and energy intake. Associations between white matter microstructure and cognitive outcomes were also examined. Compared to children who did not meet enteral feeding recommendations, those who achieved enteral protein, lipid and energy recommendations during the first postnatal month showed improved white matter maturation at 5 years. Among the macronutrients, greater protein intake contributed most to the beneficial effect of nutrition, showing widespread increases in fractional anisotropy and reductions in radial diffusivity. No significant associations were found between white matter metrics with breastmilk or carbohydrate intake. Voxel-wise analyses with cognitive outcomes revealed significant associations between higher fractional anisotropy and neurite density index with higher processing speed scores. Lower radial diffusivity and orientation dispersion index were also associated with improved processing speed. Our findings support the long-term impacts of early nutrition on white matter microstructure, which in turn is related to cognitive outcomes. These results provide strong support for early postnatal nutritional intervention as a promising strategy to improve long-term cognitive outcomes of infants born at very low birth weight.
An Ensemble-Based Credit Card Fraud Detection Algorithm Using an Efficient Voting Strategy
Authors: Rakhshaninejad Morteza , Fathian Mohammad , Amiri Babak , Yazdanjue Navid 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The existence of fraud in credit card transactions causes many financial losses leading to customers’ loss of trust. Fraud detection methods based on machine learning techniques prevent such losses. Despite the literature on fraud detection, there is a lack of algorithms that detect fraud with acceptable performance in the credit card fraud detection field. Therefore, this study proposed a comprehensive ensemble-based method using an efficient weighted voting strategy for credit card fraud detection that can address the previous algorithms’ weaknesses. First, since the dataset is imbalanced, the proposed method balanced the dataset by stratifying it into three different proportions of normal and fraudulent transactions (1 to 1, 1 to 4 and 1 to 9 ratios). The features in each dataset are ranked by four feature-ranking methods, and the Random Forest classifier is applied to each of them for selecting the essential features. Afterward, using the seven base classifiers and the chosen features, 12 ensembles have been developed. Besides, a weighted voting strategy is proposed, and the fraudulent transactions are detected through voting based on the base classifiers’ and ensembles’ weights, which are calculated by their performance. The computational results indicated that the suggested Eclf10 is the best ensemble and its Logistic Regression classifier also has the best performance among other base classifiers. The Eclf10 leads to 99.97% accuracy, 87.78% precision, 97.70% recall, 92.21% F1-score and 95.634% F2-score, which has a superiority over the previous ensemble-based methods (e.g. majority voting ensemble, stacking classifier, Adaboost, Gradient Boosting).
Stent placement to prevent strictures after esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Bao-zhen , Zhang Yue , Wang Yi-dan , Liao Ye , Zhang Jing-jing , Wu Yu-fan , Xiao Ting-yue , Sun Si-yu , Guo Jin-tao 
Published: March 2021

SUMMARY
Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is an important method for the treatment of early esophageal cancer. However, post-procedure stenosis is one of the most common long-term complications. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate whether stent placement is effective in the stenosis prevention, and which type of stent would be more effective. A systematic and electronic search of clinical trials and observational studies conducted before March 2020 on the efficacy of stent placement in preventing esophageal stricture after ESD was performed. Search terms included “ESD,” “esophageal stenosis,” “esophageal stricture,” and “stents.” We conducted a bias risk assessment of the eligible reports and a meta-analysis of the data using Revman 5.3 software. We included two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and a prospective cohort study involving 163 patients with esophageal mucosal defects encompassing at least three-quarters of the esophagus circumference after ESD. The meta-analysis results showed that post-ESD stenosis rates (RR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.22–0.64; P = 0.0003) and the number of endoscopic balloon dilations (EBDs) (MD, −1.74; 95% CI, −2.46 to −1.01; P &lt; 0.00001) were reduced in the pooled analysis of three studies, indicating that stent placement was effective for stenosis prevention, especially a polyglycolic acid (PGA) sheet combined with stent placement can prevent stenosis (RR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.23–0.74; P = 0.003) and reduce the number of EBDs (MD, −1.65; 95% CI, −2.40 to −0.90; P &lt; 0.0001) significantly. Stent placement can reduce the rate of esophageal stenosis after ESD, especially when stents are covered with PGA sheets. However, more high-quality, low-bias RCTs with a sufficient sample size are needed to demonstrate its effectiveness.
Blood culture negative infective endocarditis in adult congenital heart disease patients with prosthetic grafts: a case series
Authors: Lwin Myo Thidar , Tsoi Victor , Yam Tat , Carroll Aisling , Salmon Tony , Harden Stephen , Smith Lindsay 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Background
Blood culture negative infective endocarditis (BCNIE) is often a diagnostic challenge in adult congenital heart disease patients leading to misdiagnosis, treatment delay and associated high mortality. Studies of BCNIE in adult congenital heart disease patients repaired with prosthetic cardiovascular grafts are limited.

Case summary
We report two cases of BCNIE where serology testing, multiple polymerase chain reaction testing of explanted valve material and multi-modality imaging including 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) were utilized not only to confirm the diagnosis but also to guide management strategy and inform prognosis. Both patients were treated successfully with cardiac surgery and prolonged anti-microbial therapy.

Discussion
Clinical presentation of BCNIE in repaired CHD patients is highly variable. The symptoms are often non-specific with subacute or chronic presentation. This may mislead initial diagnosis and subsequent management. Multi-modality imaging including PET/CT should be considered to support the diagnosis, define the extent of infection, decide the management strategy and inform prognosis in patients. A thorough history of animal exposure, and consideration of serology and multiple molecular testing to identify the causative organism, is critical in the management of BCNIE.
Rapid reviews: the pros and cons of an accelerated review process
Authors: Moons Philip , Goossens Eva , Thompson David R. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Although systematic reviews are the method of choice to synthesize scientific evidence, they can take years to complete and publish. Clinicians, managers, and policy-makers often need input from scientific evidence in a more timely and resource-efficient manner. For this purpose, rapid reviews are conducted. Rapid reviews are performed using an accelerated process. However, they should not be less systematic than standard systematic reviews, and the introduction of bias must be avoided. In this article, we describe what rapid reviews are, present their characteristics, give some examples, highlight potential pitfalls, and draw attention to the importance of evidence summaries in order to facilitate adoption in clinical decision-making.
Atrial fibrillation burden during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic
Authors: O’Shea Catherine J , Middeldorp Melissa E , Thomas Gijo , Harper Curtis , Elliott Adrian D , Ray Noemi , Campbell Kevin , Lau Dennis H , Sanders Prashanthan 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Aims
The aim of this study is to determine the association between the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and atrial fibrillation (AF) occurrence in individuals with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs).

Method and results
Multi-centre, observational, cohort study over a 100-day period during the COVID-19 pandemic (COVID-19) in the USA. Remote monitoring was used to assess AF episodes in patients with a CIED (pacemaker or defibrillator; 20 centres, 13 states). For comparison, the identical 100-day period in 2019 was used (Control). The primary outcomes were the AF burden during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the association of the pandemic with AF occurrence, as compared with 1 year prior. The secondary outcome was the association of AF occurrence with per-state COVID-19 prevalence. During COVID-19, 10 346 CIEDs with an atrial lead were monitored. There were 16 570 AF episodes of ≥6 min transmitted (16 events per 1000 patient days) with a significant increase in proportion of patients with AF episodes in high COVID-19 prevalence states compared with low prevalence states [odds ratio 1.34, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.21–1.48, P &lt; 0.001]. There were significantly more AF episodes during COVID-19 compared with Control [incident rate ratio (IRR) 1.33, 95% CI 1.25–1.40, P &lt; 0.001]. This relationship persisted for AF episodes ≥1 h (IRR 1.65, 95% CI 1.53–1.79, P &lt; 0.001) and ≥6 h (IRR 1.54, 95% CI 1.38–1.73, P &lt; 0.001).

Conclusion
During the first 100 days of COVID-19, a 33% increase in AF episodes occurred with a 34% increase in the proportion of patients with AF episodes observed in states with higher COVID-19 prevalence. These findings suggest a possible association between pandemic-associated social disruptions and AF in patients with CIEDs.

Clinical TRIAL registration
Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry: ACTRN12620000692932.
Identifying landslides from continuous seismic surface waves: a case study of multiple small-scale landslides triggered by Typhoon Talas, 2011
Authors: Okuwaki Ryo , Fan Wenyuan , Yamada Masumi , Osawa Hikaru , Wright Tim J 
Published: March 2021

SUMMARY
Landslides can cause devastating damage. In particular, heavy rainfall-triggered landslides pose a chain of natural hazards. However, such events are often difficult to detect, leaving the physical processes poorly understood. Here we apply a novel surface-wave detector to detect and locate landslides during the transit of Typhoon Talas 2011. We identify multiple landslides triggered by Typhoon Talas, including a landslide in the Tenryu Ward, Shizuoka prefecture, Japan, $\sim 400\, {\rm km}$ east from the typhoon track. The Tenryu landslide displaced a total volume of $1.2\!-\!1.5 \times 10^{6}\, {\rm m}^3$ . The landslide is much smaller than those detected by using globally recorded surface waves, yet the event generated coherent seismic signals propagating up to 3000 km away. Our observations show that attributes of small and large landslides may follow the same empirical scaling relationships, indicating possible invariant failure mechanisms. Our results also suggest an alerting technology to detect and locate landslides with a sparse seismic network.
A primer for initiation of commercialization of glycobiological discoveries
Authors: DeAngelis Paul L 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
In this age of translational science, blossoming biotechnology and increasingly elusive federal funding, a working knowledge of commercialization beyond typical academic training is necessary. Here, some issues and initial strategies to help principal investigators, postdoctoral fellows and students considering the route from discovery to invention to commercialization in the glycobiology field. Common myths are addressed, and tips and resources are provided to help start down this path.
Health sciences and inclusive pedagogy: a qualitative study exploring educational practices for students with disabilities at Spanish universities
Authors: Mori�a Anabel , Orozco Inmaculada 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The number of people with disabilities who study at university is rising. Previous studies have revealed that it is not enough simply to provide these students with access to university, it is also important to guarantee their retention and success. This article explores participants’ actions and their appraisals of their teaching practice in relation to disability in campus-based education. The study was conducted with 19 Spanish faculty members from the Health Sciences who were nominated by their students with disabilities for having contributed to their inclusion. We carried out a qualitative study based on individual, in-depth, semi-structured interviews. We analysed the data progressively, using a system of categories and codes. The results section outlines the actions taken by faculty members upon learning that they were going to be teaching a student with disabilities, analysing what specific measures they took in accordance with the type of disability in question, and what they found most rewarding and most difficult or unpleasant about their experience with these students in the classroom. The study concludes that the voices of these faculty members may encourage other colleagues to rethink their actions in the classroom and engage in more inclusive practices.