bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characteristics and Longitudinal Patterns of Erectile Dysfunction Drug Use Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in the U.S.
Authors: Park Jee Won , Dobs Adrian S. , Ho Ken S. , Palella Frank J. , Seaberg Eric C. , Weiss Robert E. , Detels Roger 
Published: September 2021

AbstractWe investigated the longitudinal relationship between erectile dysfunction (ED) drug use with behavioral factors, including substance use and sexual activities in men who have sex with men from the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study during 1998–2016 (n = 1636). We used a bivariate random-intercept model to evaluate ED drug use along with other behavioral factors to assess relationships between the two outcomes over time on a population level and also at the individual level. Average ED drug use among men who have sex with men (MSM) with HIV was positively correlated with average use of marijuana (r = .19), poppers (r = .27), and stimulants (r = .25). In this group, testosterone use (r = .32), multiple partners (r = .41), insertive anal intercourse with condom (r = .40), and insertive anal intercourse without condom (r = .43) all showed moderate correlations over time with average ED use (p < .001). Associations among MSM without HIV were similar, with average marijuana use (r = .19) and stimulant use (r = .22) being positively correlated with average ED drug use, and were also correlated with having multiple partners (r = .36), insertive anal intercourse with condom (r = .22), and insertive anal intercourse without condom (r = .18) over time. Positive within-individual associations between ED drug use and multiple partners and insertive anal intercourse with and without condom were observed regardless of HIV serostatus. This study showed that MSM who reported use of ED drugs were also, on average, more likely to use recreational drugs and engage in sexual activities, such as having multiple partners and insertive anal intercourse. Within individuals, average ED drug use was also positively correlated with sexual behaviors.
Distinctive patterns and signals at major environmental events and collapse zone boundaries
Authors: Pálinkás Melinda , Hufnagel Levente 
Published: September 2021

AbstractWe studied the patterns of pre-collapse communities, the small-scale and the large-scale signals of collapses, and the environmental events before the collapses using four paleoecological and one modern data series. We applied and evaluated eight indicators in our analysis: the relative abundance of species, hierarchical cluster analysis, principal component analysis, total abundance, species richness, standard deviation (without a rolling window), first-order autoregression, and the relative abundance of the dominant species. We investigated the signals at the probable collapse triggering unusual environmental events and at the collapse zone boundaries, respectively. We also distinguished between pulse and step environmental events to see what signals the indicators give at these two different types of events. Our results show that first-order autoregression is not a good environmental event indicator, but it can forecast or indicate the collapse zones in climate change. The rest of the indicators are more sensitive to the pulse events than to the step events. Step events during climate change might have an essential role in initiating collapses. These events probably push the communities with low resilience beyond a critical threshold, so it is crucial to detect them. Before collapses, the total abundance and the species richness increase, the relative abundance of the species decreases. The hierarchical cluster analysis and the relative abundance of species together designate the collapse zone boundaries. We suggest that small-scale signals should be involved in analyses because they are often earlier than large-scale signals.
Seismic risk analysis for large dams in West Coast basin, southern Ghana
Authors: Irinyemi Stephen A. , Lombardi Domenico , Ahmad Syed M. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractDams are parts of the critical infrastructure of any nation, the failure of which would have a high-risk potential on the people and properties within the dam vicinity. Ghana is one of the most seismically active regions in West Africa and has at least 5 large dams across the region, constructed in strategic locations. The area is characterised by low-to-moderate seismicity, yet historical events suggest that major earthquakes that are potentially damaging have occurred in the study basin. This paper summarises the method used to analyse seismic risk and discusses the seismic hazards of three large dams across the study basin based on the seismicity at the dam sites and their risk due to structural properties and the location of each dam. The peak ground acceleration (PGA) values for the dam sites estimated are within the range of (0.31 g and 0.52 g) for 10,000 years return period. The study shows that one large dam has a high-risk class in the basin. This dam should be inspected and analysed for its seismic safety and people’s protection in the downstream paths.
Efficient and precise Ultra-QuickDASH scale measuring lymphedema impact developed using computerized adaptive testing
Authors: Xu Cai , Schaverien Mark V. , Christensen Joani M. , Sidey-Gibbons Chris J. 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Purpose
This study aimed to evaluate and improve the accuracy and efficiency of the QuickDASH for use in assessment of limb function in patients with upper extremity lymphedema using modern psychometric techniques.

Method
We conducted confirmative factor analysis (CFA) and Mokken analysis to examine the assumption of unidimensionality for IRT model on data from 285 patients who completed the QuickDASH, and then fit the data to Samejima’s graded response model (GRM) and assessed the assumption of local independence of items and calibrated the item responses for CAT simulation.

Results
Initial CFA and Mokken analyses demonstrated good scalability of items and unidimensionality. However, the local independence of items assumption was violated between items 9 (severity of pain) and 11 (sleeping difficulty due to pain) (Yen’s Q3 = 0.46) and disordered thresholds were evident for item 5 (cutting food). After addressing these breaches of assumptions, the re-analyzed GRM with the remaining 10 items achieved an improved fit. Simulation of CAT administration demonstrated a high correlation between scores on the CAT and the QuickDash (r = 0.98). Items 2 (doing heavy chores) and 8 (limiting work or daily activities) were the most frequently used. The correlation among factor scores derived from the QuickDASH version with 11 items and the Ultra-QuickDASH version with items 2 and 8 was as high as 0.91.

Conclusion
By administering just these two best performing QuickDash items we can obtain estimates that are very similar to those obtained from the full-length QuickDash without the need for CAT technology.
Assessing anger and irritability in children: psychometric evaluation and normative data for the German version of the PROMIS® Parent Proxy Anger Scale
Authors: Kaman Anne , Otto Christiane , Devine Janine , Erhart Michael , Döpfner Manfred , Banaschewski Tobias , Görtz-Dorten Anja , Hanisch Charlotte , Kölch Michael , Roessner Veit , Ravens-Sieberer Ulrike 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Purpose
Anger and irritability are common and impairing symptoms in children. The PROMIS Anger scales assess self- and parent-reported irritable and angry mood over the past 7 days. The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the German version of the PROMIS Parent Proxy Short Form v1.0—Anger and to provide normative data.

Methods
To evaluate the psychometric properties, data from the study ADOPT Epidemiology were used. In this study, the PROMIS Anger Scale was administered to a population-based sample of n = 8746 parents of children aged 8–12 years. Psychometric analyses were carried out including the investigation of distribution characteristics, factor structure, model fit, internal consistency, and congruent validity. Normative data were calculated as percentile ranks and T-scores.

Results
The PROMIS Anger Scale demonstrated good psychometric properties, including satisfactory distribution characteristics, unidimensionality, good internal consistency as well as congruent validity. German normative data for the PROMIS Anger Scale are presented.

Conclusion
Based on first psychometric analyses, the German version of the PROMIS Anger Scale can be recommended for use in research and practice; however, further investigations using clinical data are needed. The normative data will allow researchers and clinicians an interpretation of the test scores in future applications.
Physiological biomarkers and fisheries management
Authors: Brosset Pablo , Cooke Steven J. , Schull Quentin , Trenkel Verena M. , Soudant Philippe , Lebigre Christophe 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe benefits of physiological biomarkers, knowledge and concepts are well-established in fish and wildlife management as they confer the ability to understand mechanistic processes, identify cause-and-effect relationships, and develop predictive models. Although this approach is gaining momentum in the context of species conservation, the use of physiological biomarkers in exploited marine fish stock management and recovery plans remains relatively rare. Here, we present five essential issues to consider to implement physiological biomarkers in fisheries management: (i) choice of relevant biomarkers that have a well-known mechanistic basis, (ii) identification of species-specific biomarkers reflecting a meaningful timespan for management, (iii) selection of biomarkers compatible with data collection during routine scientific fisheries surveys, (iv) use of biomarkers as early-warning signals and complementary indicators of population-level changes in life history traits and (v) how physiological biomarkers may help to refine long-term population dynamic projections under climate change and management scenarios. Overall, if based on well-established mechanisms linked to individuals’ fitness, a focus on physiological biomarkers should help to better understand the mechanisms behind stock declines, changes in stock characteristics, and thus more efficiently manage marine fisheries and conserve populations. As this approach is transferable among species, locations, and times, the integration of physiological biomarkers in fisheries science has the potential to more broadly enhance assessments and management of fish stocks.
Valence tautomerism and recyclisation of type B mesoionic tetrazoles: a computational study
Authors: Oziminski Wojciech Piotr , Ramsden Christopher Antony 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe energy profiles for ring opening of representative type B mesoionic 2,3-diphenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrazolium-5-olates, -thiolates, -aminides and –methylides and for alternative recyclisation pathways are investigated using ab initio MP2 calculations. The energetics of initial ring opening are found to be comparable for all systems, but the tetrazolium-5-olates are anomalous in that no alternative reaction pathway is accessible. The influence of solvent is explored using the polarised continuum model (PCM) method to simulate aqueous solvation. The only significant solvent effect is found to be solvation of the mesoionic precursors. This solvent effect correlates with dipole moment and disfavours initial valence tautomerism both kinetically and thermodynamically.
Using Macroelement Content to Characterize Surficial Water Quality of Artificial Reservoirs
Authors: Cygan Agnieszka , Kłos Andrzej , Wieczorek Piotr 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
The quality of surface waters in the territory of Poland, despite the implemented remedial measures, is mostly classified as bad. This article presents the results of research on the composition of water macroelements in 24 artificial reservoirs located in Opole province (southern Poland), searching for the reasons behind their pollution. Concentrations of the anions F−, Cl−, Br−, NO2−, NO3−, PO43− and SO42− and cations Na+, NH4+, K+, Mg2+ and Ca2+ were taken into account. An analysis of seasonal changes was carried out and, on the example of a dam reservoir (Turawa Big Reservoir), a multi-point analysis of the distribution of ion concentrations in water at the reservoir surface was also carried out. It was shown that retention and flow-through reservoirs, where the main source of pollution is the water feeding the reservoirs, are the most vulnerable to pollution. The second group consists of closed reservoirs located in industrial and agricultural areas, which are exposed to pollution from rainwater run-off and field leachate. In the case of reservoirs created in marl mining areas, a significant effect was also indicated from the chemical composition of the substrate on the formation of ionic equilibria in waters filling the excavations. The research shows that there are no hard and fast rules regarding the seasonal variability of ion concentrations during the growing season, indicating that eutrophic reservoirs show greater variability of ion concentration.

Graphical Abstract
Impact of Volatile and Semi-volatile Organic Compounds from Farming Environments on Allergy-Related Cellular Processes
Authors: Gawlitta Nadine , Zimmermann Elias J. , Orasche Jürgen , Huber Anja , Buters Jeroen , Di Bucchianico Sebastiano , Oeder Sebastian , Gröger Thomas , Zimmermann Ralf 
Published: September 2021

AbstractAllergic diseases are an increasing global burden. Epidemiological and in vivo studies showed that farming environments could protect from allergic asthma. Studies explaining this protective effect mainly focused on the influence of chemical compounds in the molecular size range of proteins and endotoxins. Our study aimed at deciphering the possible role of small-sized semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) of farming aerosols in immunomodulation processes. Bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells were exposed to aerosol extracts of particulate matter (PM2.5) from farming environments. These cell exposures revealed a decisive effect of the smaller sized fraction (< 3 kDa) compared to extracts including the larger sized fraction. We demonstrated that smaller compounds can induce regulations of inflammatory and allergy-related genes including interleukin-8, xanthine dehydrogenase and toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2). Additionally, we performed a comprehensive chemical investigation of two typical farming aerosols (cow vs. sheep) by applying comprehensive gas chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry. We were able to identify several SVOCs characteristic for the protective cow sheds environment including four key components. Cell exposure with the two farming extracts showed a distinct regulation of the E3 ubiquitin ligase PELI2 gene and TLR2 by cow shed extracts. Finally, the regulation of TLR2 corresponded to the regulation that was observed after exposing cells to an artificial mixture of the four key components identified in the cow sheds. In summary, we were able to demonstrate the importance of smaller particle-bound SVOCs found in farming environments concerning their possible contribution to a protective farm effect.
How biomarker patterns can be utilized to identify individuals with a high disease burden: a bioinformatics approach towards predictive, preventive, and personalized (3P) medicine
Authors: Bertele Nina , Karabatsiakis Alexander , Buss Claudia , Talmon Anat 
Published: September 2021

AbstractPrevalences of non-communicable diseases such as depression and a range of somatic diseases are continuously increasing requiring simple and inexpensive ways to identify high-risk individuals to target with predictive and preventive approaches. Using k-mean cluster analytics, in study 1, we identified biochemical clusters (based on C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, fibrinogen, cortisol, and creatinine) and examined their link to diseases. Analyses were conducted in a US American sample (from the Midlife in the US study, N = 1234) and validated in a Japanese sample (from the Midlife in Japan study, N = 378). In study 2, we investigated the link of the biochemical clusters from study 1 to childhood maltreatment (CM). The three identified biochemical clusters included one cluster (with high inflammatory signaling and low cortisol and creatinine concentrations) indicating the highest disease burden. This high-risk cluster also reported the highest CM exposure. The current study demonstrates how biomarkers can be utilized to identify individuals with a high disease burden and thus, may help to target these high-risk individuals with tailored prevention/intervention, towards personalized medicine. Furthermore, our findings raise the question whether the found biochemical clusters have predictive character, as a tool to identify high-risk individuals enabling targeted prevention. The finding that CM was mostly prevalent in the high-risk cluster provides first hints that the clusters could indeed have predictive character and highlight CM as a central disease susceptibility factor and possibly as a leverage point for disease prevention/intervention.
Muskuloskeletale Beschwerden bei Friseur*innen
Authors: Wolff Michaela , Kitzig Dania , Freitag Sonja , Kozak Agnessa , Nienhaus Albert 
Published: September 2021

Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund
Friseur*innen arbeiten häufig in strukturbelastenden Körperhaltungen und haben ein erhöhtes Risiko für arbeitsbedingte Muskel-Skelett-Beschwerden (MSB). MSB verursachen in Deutschland circa ein Fünftel der Arbeitsunfähigkeitstage im Friseurhandwerk. Um das Ausmaß der Verbreitung von MSB bei Friseur*innen in Deutschland zu bestimmen, wurde eine Prävalenzstudie durchgeführt.

Methode
Die Studie war eine bundesweite Befragung im Querschnittsdesign, woran 889 Friseur*innen teilnahmen (Rücklauf 41 %). Die 12-Monate-Prävalenz von MSB wurde mit dem Standardised Nordic Questionnaire erfasst. Die Analyse der erhobenen Daten erfolgte deskriptiv und interferenzstatistisch.

Ergebnisse
Insgesamt 91 % der Befragten hatten in mindestens einer Körperregion MSB. Die am häufigsten von MSB bzw. schweren MSB (mind. 30 Tage/Jahr und beruflich beeinträchtigt) betroffenen Körperregionen sind Nacken (70 %; 25 %), unterer Rücken (65 %; 25 %), Schultern (61 %; 23 %) und oberer Rücken (58 %; 22 %). Beschwerden in diesen Bereichen führten auch am häufigsten zu beruflichen Beeinträchtigungen. Faktoren wie das weibliche Geschlecht, ein hohes Alter, Adipositas, viele Berufsjahre und Selbstständigkeit sind mit schweren MSB assoziiert.

Schlussfolgerung
Diese Studie liefert erste Daten für die Prävalenz von MSB in verschiedenen Körperregionen bei Friseur*innen in Deutschland. Die Ergebnisse weisen auf eine hohe Belastung des Muskel-Skelett-Systems bei Friseur*innen hin. Daraus resultiert ein hoher Bedarf an Prävention von arbeitsbedingten MSB im Friseurhandwerk.
Foundations for the future: institution building for the purpose of artificial intelligence governance
Authors: Stix Charlotte 
Published: September 2021

AbstractGovernance efforts for artificial intelligence (AI) are taking on increasingly more concrete forms, drawing on a variety of approaches and instruments from hard regulation to standardisation efforts, aimed at mitigating challenges from high-risk AI systems. To implement these and other efforts, new institutions will need to be established on a national and international level. This paper sketches a blueprint of such institutions, and conducts in-depth investigations of three key components of any future AI governance institutions, exploring benefits and associated drawbacks: (1) “purpose”, relating to the institution’s overall goals and scope of work or mandate; (2) “geography”, relating to questions of participation and the reach of jurisdiction; and (3) “capacity”, the infrastructural and human make-up of the institution. Subsequently, the paper highlights noteworthy aspects of various institutional roles specifically around questions of institutional purpose, and frames what these could look like in practice, by placing these debates in a European context and proposing different iterations of a European AI Agency. Finally, conclusions and future research directions are proposed.
Suspended Execution beyond China’s Borders
Authors: Smith Tobias , Pascoe Daniel 
Published: September 2021

AbstractAlthough China remains the world’s most prolific death-penalty jurisdiction, it has also reportedly reduced executions in the twenty-first century. China achieved this reduction in part through the use of a nominal capital sentence called “suspended execution.” The success of suspended execution as a diversionary tool has produced calls for its introduction elsewhere. However, there has been no empirical research on suspended execution outside China. This article fills this gap by identifying neighbouring countries where suspended-execution proposals have been considered, determining why these countries considered it, and examining how proposals were structured. We identify four Asian jurisdictions—Taiwan, Japan, Vietnam, and Indonesia. We find that all of these countries looked to China for inspiration; each did so independently and for reasons unrelated to China’s death-penalty reforms. Our findings provide insights about capital punishment in Asia, the appeal of suspended execution, and the role of China in regional penal practice.
Determinants of Leptomeningeal Collateral Status Variability in Ischemic Stroke Patients
Authors: Rebchuk Alexander D. , Field Thalia S. , Hill Michael D. , Goyal Mayank , Demchuk Andrew , Holodinsky Jessalyn K. , Fainardi Enrico , Shankar Jai , Najm Mohamed , Rubiera Marta , Khaw Alexander V. , Qiu Wu , Menon Bijoy K. 
Published: September 2021

ABSTRACT:Background:Collateral status is an indicator of a favorable outcome in stroke. Leptomeningeal collaterals provide alternative routes for brain perfusion following an arterial occlusion or flow-limiting stenosis. Using a large cohort of ischemic stroke patients, we examined the relative contribution of various demographic, laboratory, and clinical variables in explaining variability in collateral status.Methods:Patients with acute ischemic stroke in the anterior circulation were enrolled in a multi-center hospital-based observational study. Intracranial occlusions and collateral status were identified and graded using multiphase computed tomography angiography. Based on the percentage of affected territory filled by collateral supply, collaterals were graded as either poor (0–49%), good (50–99%), or optimal (100%). Between-group differences in demographic, laboratory, and clinical factors were explored using ordinal regression models. Further, we explored the contribution of measured variables in explaining variance in collateral status.Results:386 patients with collateral status classified as poor (n= 64), good (n= 125), and optimal (n= 197) were included. Median time from symptom onset to CT was 120 (IQR: 78–246) minutes. In final multivariable model, male sex (OR 1.9, 95% CIs [1.2, 2.9],p= 0.005) and leukocytosis (OR 1.1, 95% CIs [1.1, 1.2],p= 0.001) were associated with poor collaterals. Measured variables only explained 44.8–53.0% of the observed between-patient variance in collaterals.Conclusion:Male sex and leukocytosis are associated with poorer collaterals. Nearly half of the variance in collateral flow remains unexplained and could be in part due to genetic differences.
Hospital-acquired pneumonia is more frequent and lethal in stroke patients: A nationwide 4-year study
Authors: Gonçalves-Pereira João C. , Marino Flavio , Mergulhão Paulo , Nunes Baltazar , Froes Filipe 
Published: September 2021

AbstractWe report a higher incidence of hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) in patients admitted with stroke (odds ratio, 5.6; 95% CI, 5.4–5.8). Patients with HAP and stroke had an elevated risk of death (odds ratio, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.1–1.3). The incidence and mortality of HAP in stroke patients increased across all age groups.