bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The asymmetric influence of ocean heat content on ENSO predictability in the CNRM-CM5 coupled general circulation model
Authors: Planton Yann Y. , Vialard Jérôme , Guilyardi Eric , Lengaigne Mathieu , McPhaden Michael J. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractUnusually high western Pacific oceanic heat content often leads to El Niño about 1 year later, while unusually low heat content leads to La Niña. Here, we investigate if El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) predictability also depends on the initial state recharge, and discuss the underlying mechanisms. To that end, we use the CNRM-CM5 model, which has a reasonable representation of the main observed ENSO characteristics, asymmetries and feedbacks. Observations and a 1007-years long CNRM-CM5 simulation indicate that discharged states evolve more systematically into La Niña events than recharged states into neutral states or El Niño events. We ran 70-members ensemble experiments in a perfect-model setting, initialized in boreal fall from either recharged or discharged western Pacific heat content, sampling the full range of corresponding ENSO phases. Predictability measures based both on spread and signal-to-noise ratio confirm that discharged states yield a more predictable ENSO outcome one year later than recharged states. As expected from recharge oscillator theory, recharged states evolve into positive central Pacific sea surface temperature anomalies in boreal spring, inducing stronger and more variable Westerly Wind Event activity and a fast growth of the ensemble spread during summer and fall. This also enhances the positive wind stress feedback in fall, but the effect is offset by changes in thermocline and heat flux feedbacks. The state-dependent component of westerly wind events is thus the most likely cause for the predictability asymmetry in CNRM-CM5, although changes in the low-frequency wind stress feedback may also contribute.
Design and Evaluation of Calibrated and Seamless Ensemble Weather Forecasts for Crop Protection Applications
Authors: Aleksovska Ivana , Raynaud Laure , Faivre Robert , Brun François , Raynal Marc 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAgriculture is a highly weather-dependent activity, and climatic conditions impact both directly crop growth and indirectly diseases and pest developments causing yield losses. Weather forecasts are now a major component of various decision-support systems that assist farmers to optimize the positioning of crop protection treatments. However, properly accounting for weather uncertainty in these systems still remains a challenge. In this paper, three global and regional ensemble prediction systems (EPSs), covering different spatiotemporal scales, are coupled to a temperature-driven developmental model for grapevine moths in order to provide probabilistic forecasts of treatment dates. It is first shown that a parametric postprocessing of the EPSs significantly improves the prediction of treatment dates. Anticipating the need for phytosanitary treatments also requires seamless weather forecasts from the next hour to subseasonal time scales. An approach is presented to design seamless ensemble forecasts from the combination of the three EPSs used. The proposed method is able to leverage the increased performance of high-resolution EPS at short ranges, while ensuring a smooth transition toward larger-scale EPSs for longer ranges. The added value of this seamless integration on agronomic predictions is, however, difficult to assess with the current experimental setup. Additional simulations over a larger number of locations and years may be required.
The Impact of Medical Comorbidities on Patient Satisfaction in Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Authors: Gill Amarbir S. , Hwang Joshua , Beliveau Angela M. , Alt Jeremiah A. , Strong Edward Bradley , Wilson Machelle D. , Steele Toby O. 
Published: May 2021

Background: Patient satisfaction has a significant bearing on medical therapy compliance and patient outcomes. The purpose of this study was to (1) describe patient satisfaction, as characterized by the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire-18 (PSQ-18), in the care of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and (2) analyze the impact of comorbidities on satisfaction using the functional comorbidity index (FCI). Methods: Patient demographics, disease severity measures, and PSQ-18 scores for patients with CRS presenting to a tertiary rhinology clinic between November 2019 and April 2020 were collected and analyzed. FCI was calculated retrospectively using the electronic medical record; individual comorbidities were tabulated. Spearman’s correlations followed by multivariate regression was used to assess the relationship between medical comorbidities and PSQ-18. Results: Sixty-nine patients met criteria for analysis. There were no significant differences in age, gender, and Sinonasal Outcomes Test-22 scores between CRS patients with (CRSwNP) and without (CRSsNP) nasal polyps. There was no significant difference in the mean FCI for patients with CRSwNP versus CRSsNP (5.1 and 4.3, respectively) ( P = .843). Similarly, there was no significant difference in the mean sum PSQ-18 score (78/100 in both) between these cohorts ( P = .148). The mean sum PSQ-18 score was not significantly associated with anxiety ( P = .728), depression ( P = .624), or FCI ( P = .282), but was significantly associated with hearing impairment ( P < .001). Conclusion: Patient satisfaction in the care of CRS is generally high with a diagnosis of comorbid hearing impairment demonstrating a negative association with satisfaction in this cohort.
COVID-19 Surveillance for Local Decision Making
Authors: Hyder Ayaz , Trinh Anne , Padmanabhan Pranav , Marschhausen John , Wu Alexander , Evans Alexander , Iyer Radhika , Jones Alexandria 
Published: May 2021

Objective Data-informed decision making is valued among school districts, but challenges remain for local health departments to provide data, especially during a pandemic. We describe the rapid planning and deployment of a school-based COVID-19 surveillance system in a metropolitan US county. Methods In 2020, we used several data sources to construct disease- and school-based indicators for COVID-19 surveillance in Franklin County, an urban county in central Ohio. We collected, processed, analyzed, and visualized data in the COVID-19 Analytics and Targeted Surveillance System for Schools (CATS). CATS included web-based applications (public and secure versions), automated alerts, and weekly reports for the general public and decision makers, including school administrators, school boards, and local health departments. Results We deployed a pilot version of CATS in less than 2 months (August–September 2020) and added 21 school districts in central Ohio (15 in Franklin County and 6 outside the county) into CATS during the subsequent months. Public-facing web-based applications provided parents and students with local information for data-informed decision making. We created an algorithm to enable local health departments to precisely identify school districts and school buildings at high risk of an outbreak and active SARS-CoV-2 transmission in school settings. Practice Implications Piloting a surveillance system with diverse school districts helps scale up to other districts. Leveraging past relationships and identifying emerging partner needs were critical to rapid and sustainable collaboration. Valuing diverse skill sets is key to rapid deployment of proactive and innovative public health practices during a global pandemic.
Accurate Operative Time Prediction in Thyroid Surgery: A Rural Tertiary Care Facility Experience
Authors: Stavrides Kevin P. , Lindemann Timothy L. , Harlor Evan J. , Haugen Thorsen W. , Purdy Nicholas 
Published: May 2021

Objective: To determine whether surgeons can estimate thyroid operative time more accurately than a system-generated average time estimate. Methods: Four otolaryngologists at a single institution with extensive endocrine surgery experience were asked to predict their operative times for all eligible thyroid surgeries. These estimates were compared to system-generated operative time predications based on averaging the surgeon’s previous 10 cases with the same Current Procedural Terminology code. The surgeon-generated estimations and system-generated estimations were then compared to each other and the actual operative time. Results: A final sample of 73 cases was used for all analyses. Average age was 51 years old and the majority of patients were female. Surgeon-generated operative time estimates were significantly more accurate than system-generated estimates based on time averaging ( P < .001). These findings were consistent across each surgeon individually and within each procedure type (hemithyroidectomy and total thyroidectomy). These findings had a power of over 99% based on mean differences. Conclusion: As the financial center of modern hospitals, an efficient operating room is integral to economic success. Improving the precision of operative time estimation reduces costly unplanned staff overtime, canceled cases, and underutilization. Our research at a rural tertiary care center shows that experienced thyroid surgeons can substantially reduce the error of estimating thyroid operative times by considering individual patient characteristics. Although no objective variables have so far been identified to correlate with thyroid operative time, surgeon-generated operative time estimation is significantly more accurate than a generic system approach of averaging previous operative times.
Invasive thymoma – Which patients benefit from post-operative radiotherapy?
Authors: Muslim Zaid , Baig Mirza Zain , Weber Joanna F , Detterbeck Frank C , Connery Cliff P , Spera John A , Bhora Faiz Y 
Published: May 2021

Background The aim of this study is to identify patients with thymoma who should receive post-operative radiotherapy. Methods The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was queried for stage IIB–IV thymoma patients diagnosed during 1988–2015. We analyzed the prognostic implications of various clinical–pathological factors by comparing the outcomes of those who received surgery with and without post-operative radiotherapy. Results A total of 1120 patients were identified; 62% received post-operative radiotherapy and 38% underwent surgery alone. In a propensity-matched cohort of 812 patients, no survival difference was seen in World Health Organization A, AB, B1, B2, or B3 tumors with the addition of post-operative radiotherapy to surgery (p>0.05). Post-operative radiotherapy also did not improve survival over surgery alone for tumors ≥ or < less than the 4 cm, 7 cm, 10 cm, and 13 cm cutoffs, all p>0.05. Post-operative radiotherapy was an independent, positive prognostic indicator only in the subgroup with stage III disease and in those receiving chemotherapy in addition to post-operative radiotherapy, both p<0.05. Conclusions Patients with stage III thymoma are most likely to benefit from the addition of post-operative radiotherapy to surgical treatments. Tumor size or World Health Organization histology alone should not be criteria for determining the need for post-operative radiotherapy in locally advanced thymoma. Masaoka–Koga stage, which has traditionally been used to help make such decisions, appears to be the most reliable determinant of the use of post-operative radiotherapy.
Clinical and surgical analysis of lobectomy for destroyed lobe of the lung: A series of 47 patients
Authors: Kabiri El Hassane , Hammoumi Massine El , Bhairis Mohamed , Oueriachi Faycal El , Slaoui Omar , Amraoui Mouaad 
Published: May 2021

Objective Destroyed lobe of the lung is always secondary to chronic or recurrent lung infections with irreversible damage of pulmonary parenchyma. In this study, we analyzed surgical technique, post-operative complications, mortality, and long-term outcomes of patients undergoing lobectomy of pulmonary lobe destruction. Materials and methods A retrospective study of 47 patients that underwent lobectomy due to a destroyed lung parenchyma between January 2010 and December 2019 were reviewed with an average follow-up period of 39 months. Results The study included 47 patients with a mean age of 39.4 years. The etiology of lobe destroyed was tuberculosis in 15 (31.9%), non-tuberculosis bronchiectasis in 20 (42.5%), aspergilloma in 09 (19.1%), hydatid cyst in 2 (4.3%), and a mis-diagnosed intrabronchic foreign body in 1 (2.1%). Surgical approach was through posterolateral thoracotomy in 44 (93.6%) patients and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in only 3 patients. Mean operative time was 153 min and mean post-operative hospital stay was 7.9 days. The post-operative complications occurred in five (10.6%): atelectasis (n  =  2), wound site infection (n = 1), prolonged air leak (n = 1), and hemothorax in one case. No post-operative mortality was noted. A good clinical result was observed in 87.2% of cases. Conclusion Surgical treatment of destroyed lobe is a high risk associated surgery. Tuberculosis and aspergilloma are the most common etiologies. Favorable result was obtained in selected patient with an excellent perioperative care.
Perceptions and experiences of older patients and healthcare professionals regarding shared decision-making in pulmonary rehabilitation: A qualitative study
Authors: Jiang Yuyu , Guo Jianlan , Sun Pingping , Chen Zhongyi , Liu Fenglan , Wang Shanshan , Ding Zhaosheng 
Published: May 2021

Objective: To understand the perceptions and experiences of older patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and healthcare professionals (HCPs) regarding shared decision-making in pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). Design: A qualitative study using single, semi-structured interviews, and thematic analysis. Setting: Face-to-face interviews were conducted in the Jiangnan University, in hospital and in patients’ homes. Participants: Twenty-two older patients with COPD and 29 HCPs. Methods: An initial codebook and semi-structured interview guide were developed based on the shared decision-making 3-circle conceptual model. Thematic analysis was used to analyze data. Results: The study identified 10 themes that describe the perceptions and experiences of patients and HCPs involved in PR decision-making: (1) patients’ confidence, (2) patients’ perceptions of the cost-benefit of decisions, (3) patients’ perceived stress about the consequences of decision-making, (4) HCPs’ perceived stress on shared decision-making, (5) cognitive biases of patients toward illness and rehabilitation, (6) shared decision-making as a knowledge gap, (7) the knowledge gap between patients and HCPs, (8) authority effect, (9) family support, (10) human resources. These themes were then divided into three groups according to their characteristics: (1) the feelings of the participants, (2) knowledge barriers, and (3) support from the social system. Conclusion: Patients and HCPs described their negative perceptions and experiences of participating in decision-making in PR. The implementation of shared decision-making in PR is currently limited; therefore, health education for patients and families should be strengthened and a training system for HCPs in shared decision-making should be established.
Director independence: Going beyond misaligned incentives to resource dependence
Authors: Hom Conan , Samson Danny , Cregan Christina , Cebon Peter 
Published: May 2021

Board director independence is critical to achieving and maintaining control to address the agency theory–based issue of interest misalignment between the principal (the organization) and the executives (agent). However, theoretical and empirical research and strategic risk considerations have brought into question the role or relevance that director independence plays in these control task and agency theory domains. We ask, using a quantitative survey method, whether board activity–based applications of independence may be associated with the service task of the board, namely its resource dependence mission. Our findings suggest that the resource dependence duty of the board may be positively associated with some autonomous activities, and yet other activities might be driven primarily by normative practices. Based on this, we suggest that a theoretical scope beyond and greater than agency theory may be needed when reassessing the role of director independence. JEL Classification: M1, O3
Does time-varying illiquidity matter for the Indian stock market? Evidence from high-frequency data
Authors: Bhattacharya Mousumi , Bhattacharya Sharad Nath , Jha Sumit Kumar 
Published: May 2021

This article examines variations in illiquidity in the Indian stock market, using intraday data. Panel regression reveals prevalent day-of-the-week, month, and holiday effects in illiquidity across industries, especially during exogenous shock periods. Illiquidity fluctuations are higher during the second and third quarters. The ranking of most illiquid stocks varies, depending on whether illiquidity is measured using an adjusted or unadjusted Amihud measure. Using pooled quantile regression, we note that illiquidity plays an important asymmetric role in explaining stock returns under up- and down-market conditions in the presence of open interest and volatility. The impact of illiquidity is more severe during periods of extreme high and low returns. JEL Classification: G10, G12
Isoniazid preventive therapy use among adult people living with HIV in Zimbabwe
Authors: Takamiya Mayuko , Takarinda Kudawashe , Balachandra Shrish , Godfrey Musuka , Radin Elizabeth , Hakim Avi , Pearson Michelle L , Choto Regis , Sandy Charles , Maphosa Talent , Rogers John H 
Published: May 2021

We assessed the prevalence of isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) uptake and explored factors associated with IPT non-uptake among people living with HIV (PLHIV) using nationally representative data from the Zimbabwe Population-based HIV Impact Assessment (ZIMPHIA) 2015–2016. This was a cross-sectional study of 3418 PLHIV ZIMPHIA participants eligible for IPT, aged ≥15 years and in HIV care. Logistic regression modeling was performed to assess factors associated with self-reported IPT uptake. All analyses accounted for multistage survey design. IPT uptake among PLHIV was 12.7% (95% confidence interval (CI): 11.4–14.1). After adjusting for sex, age, rural/urban residence, TB screening at the last clinic visit, and hazardous alcohol use, rural residence was the strongest factor associated with IPT non-uptake (adjusted OR (aOR): 2.39, 95% CI: 1.82–3.12). Isoniazid preventive therapy non-uptake having significant associations with no TB screening at the last HIV care (aOR: 2.07, 95% CI: 1.54–2.78) and with hazardous alcohol use only in urban areas (aOR: 10.74, 95% CI: 3.60–32.0) might suggest suboptimal IPT eligibility screening regardless of residence, but more so in rural areas. Self-reported IPT use among PLHIV in Zimbabwe was low, 2 years after beginning national scale-up. This shows the importance of good TB screening procedures for successful IPT implementation.
Pleiotropy of systemic lupus erythematosus risk alleles and cardiometabolic disorders: A phenome-wide association study and inverse-variance weighted meta-analysis
Authors: Kawai Vivian K , Shi Mingjian , Liu Ge , Feng QiPing , Wei WeiQi , Chung Cecilia P , Walunas Theresa L , Gordon Adam S , Linneman James G , Hebbring Scott J , Harley John B , Cox Nancy J , Roden Dan M , Stein C Michael , Mosley Jonathan D 
Published: May 2021

Objectives To test the hypothesis that genetic predisposition to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) increases the risk of cardiometabolic disorders. Methods Using 41 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with SLE, we calculated a weighted genetic risk score (wGRS) for SLE. In a large biobank we tested the association between this wGRS and 9 cardiometabolic phenotypes previously associated with SLE: atrial fibrillation, ischemic stroke, coronary artery disease, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, obesity, chronic kidney disease, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia. Additionally, we performed a phenome-wide association analysis (pheWAS) to discover novel clinical associations with a genetic predisposition to SLE. Findings were replicated in the Electronic Medical Records and Genomics (eMERGE) Network. To further define the association between SLE-related risk alleles and the selected cardiometabolic phenotypes, we performed an inverse variance weighted regression (IVWR) meta-analysis. Results The wGRS for SLE was calculated in 74,759 individuals of European ancestry. Among the pre-selected phenotypes, the wGRS was significantly associated with type 1 diabetes (OR [95%CI] =1.11 [1.06, 1.17], P-value = 1.05x10−5). In the PheWAS, the wGRS was associated with several autoimmune phenotypes, kidney disorders, and skin neoplasm; but only the associations with autoimmune phenotypes were replicated. In the IVWR meta-analysis, SLE-related risk alleles were nominally associated with type 1 diabetes (P = 0.048) but the associations were heterogeneous and did not meet the adjusted significance threshold. Conclusion A weighted GRS for SLE was associated with an increased risk of several autoimmune-related phenotypes including type I diabetes but not with cardiometabolic disorders.
Efficiency loss and support for income redistribution: Evidence from a laboratory experiment
Authors: Tepe Markus , Paetzel Fabian , Lorenz Jan , Lutz Maximilian 
Published: May 2021

Income redistribution with an efficiency loss is expected to have a twofold negative effect on support for redistribution, as it lowers egoistic support for redistribution and activates efficiency preferences. This study tests whether such a negative relationship exists, increases with the size of efficiency loss and interacts with group communication and the income position. We present a laboratory experiment in which subjects receive a randomly allocated income and must coordinate on a majority tax rate using a deliberative communication tool. The rate of money lost as a part of the redistribution process is manipulated as a treatment variable (0%, 5%, 20%, or 60%). Experimental evidence shows that efficiency loss exerts a robust negative effect on support for redistribution. The effect shows a tipping point pattern, is stronger at the lower end of the income distribution and is not fully explained by egoistic preferences. Inefficiency matters mostly for the chosen tax rate after group communication. At an efficiency loss of 60%, however, group communication does not affect support for redistribution, which implies that inefficiencies tend to play a minor role in the context of redistribution as long as they are within a moderate range. JEL Classification: C91, C92, D63, D72