bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Understanding patterns of adherence to COVID-19 mitigation measures: a qualitative interview study
Authors: Denford Sarah , Morton Kate S , Lambert Helen , Zhang Juan , Smith Louise E , Rubin G James , Cai Shenghan , Zhang Tingting , Robin Charlotte , Lasseter Gemma , Hickman Mathew , Oliver Isabel , Yardley Lucy 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Background
Evidence highlights the disproportionate impact of measures that have been introduced to reduce the spread of coronavirus on individuals from Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities, and among those on a low income. An understanding of barriers to adherence in these populations is needed. In this qualitative study, we examined the patterns of adherence to mitigation measures and reasons underpinning these behaviors.

Methods
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 participants from BAME and low-income White backgrounds. The topic guide was designed to explore how individuals are adhering to social distancing and self-isolation during the pandemic and to explore the reasons underpinning this behavior.

Results
We identified three categories of adherence to lockdown measures: (i) caution-motivated super-adherence (ii) risk-adapted partial-adherence and (iii) necessity-driven partial-adherence. Decisions about adherence considered potential for exposure to the virus, ability to reduce risk through use of protective measures and perceived importance of/need for the behavior.

Conclusions
This research highlights a need for a more nuanced understanding of adherence to lockdown measures. Provision of practical and financial support could reduce the number of people who have to engage in necessity-driven partial-adherence. More evidence is required on population level risks of people adopting risk-adapted partial-adherence.
Estimating the effects of public subsidies on the performance of supported enterprises across firm sizes
Authors: Dvouletý Ondřej , Blažková Ivana , Potluka Oto 
Published: January 2021

AbstractOnly a few studies consider heterogeneity in the effects of investment grants (subsidies) across firm size. Therefore, we investigate the effects of particular public policy on firm-level performance with a focus on firm size heterogeneity as an important determinant. We aim to investigate whether the larger-sized firms benefit from the direct financial assistance to a lesser extent when compared with micro- and small-sized firms. Specifically, we study the microeconomic effects of the Czech Operational Programme Enterprise and Innovation (OPEI) that was implemented during the period of 2007–13. Compared to previous studies, we work with a large firm-level dataset, consisting of 13,924 firms, of which 3,572 are supported firms (57% of beneficiaries of the OPEI programme). We implement the propensity score matching in combination with a difference in differences approach. We measure the overall financial performance of firms by using tangible fixed assets and their depreciation, sales, return on assets, and total factor productivity. While there are improvements in all evaluated indicators for microenterprises 2 years after the end of the programme, there are only minor positive effects of subsidies for larger enterprises.
Debt Maturity and the Dynamics of Leverage
Authors: Dangl Thomas , Zechner Josef 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
This paper shows that short debt maturities commit equityholders to leverage reductions when refinancing expiring debt in low-profitability states. However, shorter maturities lead to higher transaction costs since larger amounts of expiring debt need to be refinanced. We show that this trade-off between higher expected transaction costs against the commitment to reduce leverage in low-profitability states motivates an optimal maturity structure of corporate debt. Since firms with high costs of financial distress and risky cash flows benefit most from committing to leverage reductions, they have a stronger motive to issue short-term debt. Evidence supports the model’s predictions.
Risk of serious infections in arthritis patients treated with biological drugs: a matched cohort study and development of prediction model
Authors: Krabbe Simon , Grøn Kathrine L , Glintborg Bente , Nørgaard Mette , Mehnert Frank , Jarbøl Dorte E , Østergaard Mikkel , Hetland Merete L 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Objectives
Serious infection is a concern for patients with inflammatory joint diseases treated with biological drugs (bDMARDs). The objectives were to compare risk of serious infection, defined as infection leading to hospitalization, in patients initiating bDMARD treatment with the general population and, second, to develop a simple clinical prediction model and to obtain risk estimates for individual patients.

Methods
Matched-cohort study based on nationwide registries in Denmark. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis and psoriatic arthritis initiating first bDMARD monitored in the DANBIO registry were matched 1:10 by age, gender and postal code with controls from the general population. The risk of serious infection during 12 months’ follow-up was assessed with Cox regression. Prediction models were developed using logistic regression and compared using area under the ROC curve (AUC).

Results
We included 11 372 patients and 113 715 controls. During follow-up, 522 patients (4.6%) and 1,434 controls (1.3%) developed a serious infection (hazard ratio 3.7, 95% confidence interval: 3.4–4.1). Age-stratified risk was largely similar across diagnoses. A simple prediction model, the “DANBIO infection risk score” based on age and a count of six clinical risk factors had moderate discriminative power (internal validation: AUC 0.69), which was comparable to that of the existing RABBIT risk score (external validation: AUC 0.68).

Conclusion
Patients with inflammatory joint diseases initiating bDMARD treatment had four times increased risk of serious infection compared with the general population. A simple prediction model, feasible for shared decision-making, was developed to obtain risk estimates for individual patients.
APPLICABILITY OF A COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE ACTIVE EXTREMITY DOSE-RATE METER TO EYE LENS DOSE MONITORING
Authors: Kowatari Munehiko , Zutz Hayo , Hupe Oliver 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
A commercially available active extremity dosemeter is a promising candidate for medical staff aid individual monitoring of the eye lens. We investigated the applicability of the newly developed active extremity dosemeter, which uses a low-energy photon probe, to eye lens dose monitoring by performing a complete characterization of the dosemeters. Performance tests revealed that the active extremity dosemeter would overestimate personal dose equivalent, Hp(3), when the probe is worn close to the lens of the eye of a medial worker without any improvement in the response. Introducing an appropriate filter into the probe for low-energy photon has proven to improve the response. The dosemeter then satisfies the criteria of the personal dosemeter for eye lens dosimetry and can be applicable to individual monitoring of eye lens dose. This article also discusses the applicability of the dosemeter to area monitoring for decision making regarding additional monitoring of the eye lens and the extremities.
Transformative innovation policy approach to e-waste management in Ghana: Perspectives of actors on transformative changes
Authors: Akon-Yamga Gordon , Daniels Chux U. , Quaye Wilhemina , Ting Blanche M. , Asante Adelaide A. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Ghana, as in many African countries, is faced with the challenge of sustainably managing electronic waste (e-waste). The country has a legal framework and is in the process of developing a public policy for e-waste management. However, e-waste management remains a major challenge due to weaknesses in the country’s innovation and policymaking process that include inability to cater for the informal sector. This article argues that the current approach to innovation policymaking in Ghana would be inadequate in delivering the goal of sustainable e-waste management. We examine the country’s evolving e-waste management regime and the multiple perspectives of actors with respect to their perceived transformative changes and show that these perspectives and expectations are critical for an e-waste policymaking process. We conclude that policy processes adopted in developing countries for e-waste management should be guided by inclusive policymaking approaches that consider perspectives from informal actors to co-create solutions.
The hunt for red flags: cybervetting as morally performative practice
Authors: McDonald Steve , Damarin Amanda K , McQueen Hannah , Grether Scott T 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Cybervetting refers to screening job candidates by evaluating information collected from internet searches and social media profiles. Relatively little is known about how organizational actors use this practice in hiring decisions. Interviews with 61 human resource (HR) professionals reveal that they cybervet in order to minimize hiring risks and maximize organizational fit. Their judgments are deeply rooted in assessments of job candidates’ moral character and how it might affect workplace interactions. Because it involves the construction of moral criteria that shape labor market actions and outcomes, we describe cybervetting as a morally performative practice. HR professionals express enthusiasm for cybervetting, but also concerns about privacy, bias and fairness. Importantly, cybervetting practices and policies vary substantially across different types of organizations. These findings deepen our understanding of how organizational actors define and regulate moral behavior and how their actions are moderated by market institutions.
Surveillance-based estimation of the malaria disease burden in a low endemic state of Punjab, India, targeted for malaria elimination
Authors: Kaur Jaspreet , Kaura Taruna , Sharma Ayush , Kumar Ashish , Pangotra M K , Upadhyay A K , Anvikar Anupkumar , Grover Gagandeep S , Chaturvedi H K , Sharma Surya K 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Background
The state of Punjab in India qualifies for malaria elimination because the number of cases reported through routine surveillance is in decline. However, surveillance system prevalence mainly provides malaria trends. Therefore, a prospective epidemiological study was designed to estimate the malaria burden in the state.

Methods
District-wise annual parasite incidence (API) was used for identification of three strata, representing high, moderate and low API zones. A total of 0.9 million people from nine districts was under malaria surveillance for 1 y. The weighted estimates of API for the three regions was calculated and combined to give an estimate of API for the total population of the state.

Results
Based upon the primary data generated, malaria cases from high, moderate and low malaria-endemic areas were estimated to be 3727, 904 and 106, respectively. Further, the total number of malaria cases in the state was estimated to be 4737 (95% CI 4006 to 5469) cases per annum.

Conclusion
Actual burden of malaria in the state of Punjab, India, is about seven to eight times higher than that reported by routine surveillance activities. However, the state still qualifies for malaria elimination but needs vigorous efforts to strengthen the active surveillance and reporting system along with implementation of effective control strategies to achieve malaria elimination.
The Effect of Group Counseling Therapy Approach to Psychological Well-Being of Adolescent Girls Treated With Methadone in Iran: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Naeim Mahdi , Rezaeisharif Ali , Ghobadi Bagvand Samira 
Published: January 2021

Background:
Today, because of the increasing prevalence of addiction in society, there are many costs for treating addicts and returning them to normal life. This will not be possible except for new and effective methods.

Objectives:
This study aimed to investigate the effect of the group counseling approach on the psychological well-being of adolescent girls treated with methadone.

Methods:
This is a quasiexperimental study with a pretest and post-test with a control group. For this purpose, 50 people were purposefully selected, then randomly divided into 2 groups of 25 students of control and experimental group and in 10 sessions, twice a week for 2 hours they underwent group therapy counseling. The instrument used in this study was the psychological well-being scale as pretest and post-test. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and multivariate analysis of covariance.

Results:
The results showed that the intervention with the therapeutic approach of group counseling in psychological well-being has a significant effect on the lives of target people in the experimental group (P<0.01).

Conclusions:
According to the results of the study, it is recommended that this type of education be considered along with medication to improve the psychological well-being of adolescents treated with methadone. Therapeutic approach group counseling as part of corrective action can reduce the anxious thoughts of patients receiving methadone treatment.
Thoracolumbar Burst Fractures
Authors: Hughes Hannah , Carthy Andrea Mc , Sheridan Gerard Anthony , Donnell Jake Mc , Doyle Frank , Butler Joseph 
Published: January 2021

Study Design.
Meta-analysis.

Objective.
To compare the clinical, functional, and radiological outcomes of posterior-only versus combined anterior-posterior instrumentation in order to determine the optimal surgical intervention for thoracolumbar burst fractures.

Summary of Background Data.
Unstable thoracolumbar burst fractures warrant surgical intervention to prevent neurological deterioration and progressive kyphosis, which can lead to significant pain and functional morbidity. The available literature remains largely inconclusive in determining the optimal instrumentation strategy.

Methods.
Electronic searches of MEDLINE (1948–May 2020), EMBASE (1947–May 2020), The Cochrane Library (1991–May 2020), and other databases were conducted. Cochrane Collaboration guidelines were used for data extraction and quality assessment. Outcomes of interest were divided into three categories: radiological (degree of postoperative kyphosis correction; loss of kyphosis correction at final follow-up), functional (visual analogue scale [VAS] pain score; Oswestry Disability Index [ODI] score), and clinical (intraoperative blood loss; length of stay [LOS]; operative time; the number and type of postoperative complications).

Results.
Four randomized control trials (RCTs) were retrieved, including 145 randomized participants. Seventy-three patients underwent posterior-only instrumentation and 72 underwent combined instrumentation. No significant difference was found in the degree of postoperative kyphosis correction (P = 0.39), VAS (centimeters) at final follow-up (P = 0.67), ODI at final follow-up (P = 0.89) or the number of postoperative complications between the two approaches (P = 0.49). Posterior-only instrumentation was associated with lower blood loss (P < 0.001), operative time (P < 0.001), and LOS (P = 0.01). Combined instrumentation had a lower degree of kyphosis loss at final follow-up (P = 0.001). There was heterogeneity in the duration of follow-up between the included studies (mean follow-up range 24–121 months).

Conclusion.
The available literature remains largely inconclusive. In order to reliably inform practice in this area, there is a need for large, high-quality, multicenter RCTs with standardized reporting of outcomes, with a particular focus on outcomes relating to patient function and severe complications causing long-term morbidity.

Level of Evidence: 2
Safety and Outcomes of Prolonged Usual Care Prone Position Mechanical Ventilation to Treat Acute Coronavirus Disease 2019 Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure*
Authors: Douglas Ivor S. , Rosenthal Chester A. , Swanson Diandra D. , Hiller Terra , Oakes Judy , Bach Jamie , Whelchel Christopher , Pickering Jennifer , George Tobias , Kearns Mark , Hanley Michael , Mould Kara , Roark Sarah , Mansoori Jason , Mehta Anuj , Schmidt Eric P. , Neumeier Anna 
Published: January 2021

OBJECTIVES:
Prone position ventilation is a potentially life-saving ancillary intervention but is not widely adopted for coronavirus disease 2019 or acute respiratory distress syndrome from other causes. Implementation of lung-protective ventilation including prone positioning for coronavirus disease 2019 acute respiratory distress syndrome is limited by isolation precautions and personal protective equipment scarcity. We sought to determine the safety and associated clinical outcomes for coronavirus disease 2019 acute respiratory distress syndrome treated with prolonged prone position ventilation without daily repositioning.

DESIGN:
Retrospective single-center study.

SETTING:
Community academic medical ICU.

PATIENTS:
Sequential mechanically ventilated patients with coronavirus disease 2019 acute respiratory distress syndrome.

INTERVENTIONS:
Lung-protective ventilation and prolonged protocolized prone position ventilation without daily supine repositioning. Supine repositioning was performed only when Fio
2 less than 60% with positive end-expiratory pressure less than 10 cm H2O for greater than or equal to 4 hours.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:
Primary safety outcome: proportion with pressure wounds by Grades (0–4). Secondary outcomes: hospital survival, length of stay, rates of facial and limb edema, hospital-acquired infections, device displacement, and measures of lung mechanics and oxygenation. Eighty-seven coronavirus disease 2019 patients were mechanically ventilated. Sixty-one were treated with prone position ventilation, whereas 26 did not meet criteria. Forty-two survived (68.9%). Median (interquartile range) time from intubation to prone position ventilation was 0.28 d (0.11–0.80 d). Total prone position ventilation duration was 4.87 d (2.08–9.97 d). Prone position ventilation was applied for 30.3% (18.2–42.2%) of the first 28 days. Pao
2:Fio
2 diverged significantly by day 3 between survivors 147 (108–164) and nonsurvivors 107 (85–146), mean difference –9.632 (95% CI, –48.3 to 0.0; p = 0·05). Age, driving pressure, day 1, and day 3 Pao
2:Fio
2 were predictive of time to death. Thirty-eight (71.7%) developed ventral pressure wounds that were associated with prone position ventilation duration and day 3 Sequential Organ Failure Assessment. Limb weakness occurred in 58 (95.1%) with brachial plexus palsies in five (8.2%). Hospital-acquired infections other than central line–associated blood stream infections were infrequent.

CONCLUSIONS:
Prolonged prone position ventilation was feasible and relatively safe with implications for wider adoption in treating critically ill coronavirus disease 2019 patients and acute respiratory distress syndrome of other etiologies.
Prevalence of Thrombotic Complications in ICU-Treated Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019 Detected With Systematic CT Scanning
Authors: Mirsadraee Saeed , Gorog Diana A. , Mahon Ciara F. , Rawal Bhavin , Semple Thomas R. , Nicol Edward D. , Arachchillage Deepa R. J. , Devaraj Anand , Price Susanna , Desai Sujal R. , Ridge Carole A. , Singh Suveer , Padley Simon P. G. 
Published: January 2021

OBJECTIVES:
Severe coronavirus disease 2019 is associated with an extensive pneumonitis and frequent coagulopathy. We sought the true prevalence of thrombotic complications in critically ill patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 on the ICU, with or without extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

DESIGN:
We undertook a single-center, retrospective analysis of 72 critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome admitted to ICU. CT angiography of the thorax, abdomen, and pelvis were performed at admission as per routine institution protocols, with further imaging as clinically indicated. The prevalence of thrombotic complications and the relationship with coagulation parameters, other biomarkers, and survival were evaluated.

SETTING:
Coronavirus disease 2019 ICUs at a specialist cardiorespiratory center.

PATIENTS:
Seventy-two consecutive patients with coronavirus disease 2019 admitted to ICU during the study period (March 19, 2020, to June 23, 2020).

INTERVENTIONS:
None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:
All but one patient received thromboprophylaxis or therapeutic anticoagulation. Among 72 patients (male:female = 74%; mean age: 52 ± 10; 35 on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation), there were 54 thrombotic complications in 42 patients (58%), comprising 34 pulmonary arterial (47%), 15 peripheral venous (21%), and five (7%) systemic arterial thromboses/end-organ embolic complications. In those with pulmonary arterial thromboses, 93% were identified incidentally on first screening CT with only 7% suspected clinically. Biomarkers of coagulation (e.g., d-dimer, fibrinogen level, and activated partial thromboplastin time) or inflammation (WBC count, C-reactive protein) did not discriminate between patients with or without thrombotic complications. Fifty-one patients (76%) survived to discharge; 17 (24%) patients died. Mortality was significantly greater in patients with detectable thrombus (33% vs 10%; p = 0.022).

CONCLUSIONS:
There is a high prevalence of thrombotic complications, mainly pulmonary, among coronavirus disease 2019 patients admitted to ICU, despite anticoagulation. Detection of thrombus was usually incidental, not predicted by coagulation or inflammatory biomarkers, and associated with increased risk of death. Systematic CT imaging at admission should be considered in all coronavirus disease 2019 patients requiring ICU.
Anterior thalamic nuclei deep brain stimulation inhibits mossy fiber sprouting via 3′,5′-cyclic adenosine monophosphate/protein kinase A signaling pathway in a chronic epileptic monkey model
Authors: Du Ting-Ting , Chen Ying-Chuan , Zhu Guan-Yu , Liu De-Feng , Liu Yu-Ye , Yuan Tian-Shuo , Zhang Xin , Zhang Jian-Guo 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Background
Anterior thalamic nuclei (ATN) deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an effective method of controlling epilepsy, especially temporal lobe epilepsy. Mossy fiber sprouting (MFS) plays an indispensable role in the pathogenesis and progression of epilepsy, but the effect of ATN-DBS on MFS in the chronic stage of epilepsy and the potential underlying mechanisms are unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effect of ATN-DBS on MFS, as well as potential signaling pathways by a kainic acid (KA)-induced epileptic model.

Methods
Twenty-four rhesus monkeys were randomly assigned to control, epilepsy (EP), EP-sham-DBS, and EP-DBS groups. KA was injected to establish the chronic epileptic model. The left ATN was implanted with a DBS lead and stimulated for 8 weeks. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence staining were used to evaluate MFS and levels of potential molecular mediators in the hippocampus. One-way analysis of variance, followed by the Tukey post hoc correction, was used to analyze the statistical significance of differences among multiple groups.

Results
ATN-DBS is found to significantly reduce seizure frequency in the chronic stage of epilepsy. The number of ectopic granule cells was reduced in monkeys that received ATN stimulation (P < 0.0001). Levels of 3′,5′-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and protein kinase A (PKA) in the hippocampus, together with Akt phosphorylation, were noticeably reduced in monkeys that received ATN stimulation (P = 0.0030 and P = 0.0001, respectively). ATN-DBS also significantly reduced MFS scores in the hippocampal dentate gyrus and CA3 sub-regions (all P < 0.0001).

Conclusion
ATN-DBS is shown to down-regulate the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway and Akt phosphorylation and to reduce the number of ectopic granule cells, which may be associated with the reduced MFS in chronic epilepsy. The study provides further insights into the mechanism by which ATN-DBS reduces epileptic seizures.