bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cross-sectional study of correlates and prevalence of functional and high-risk multimorbidity in an academic HIV practice in New York City
Authors: Siegler Eugenia , Moxley Jerad , Mauer Elizabeth , Glesby Marshall 
Published: August 2021

ObjectivesPeople with HIV have high levels of multimorbidity, but studies often focus on high-risk comorbidities such as hypertension or coronary artery disease. We examined both high-risk and functional comorbidities in an ethnically diverse clinic population to compare the prevalence of comorbidities and different patterns of multimorbidity.DesignRetrospective cross-sectional study.SettingUniversity-based primary care HIV clinic with two locations in New York City.ParticipantsPatients who had been seen by a physician at least once between 1 June 2016 and 31 May 2017.Primary and secondary outcome measuresData regarding demographics, diagnoses and lab values were downloaded in a one-time data import from the electronic medical record. Comorbidities were classified as high-risk (with major impact on mortality) or functional (with major impact on function), and multimorbidity was determined for both classes in the total sample of 2751. Factors associated with high-risk and functional multimorbidity were determined first through bivariate analysis and then through multivariable median regression in 2013 patients with complete data.ResultsMedian age was 52 years (IQR 43–59). Cisgendered women comprised 24.6% of the sample, and 31.7% were African-American. Both functional and high-risk comorbidities were common and risk increased with age. Among those 75 and older, median number of both functional and high-risk comorbidities was 3 (IQR 2–4). High-risk comorbidities were associated with age (p<0.001), more years with an HIV diagnosis (p<0.001) and being an African-American (p<0.001). Associated with a higher number of functional comorbidities were age (p<0.001), being a cisgender female (p<0.001), being Hispanic (p=0.01) and more years with an HIV diagnosis (p<0.001).ConclusionsComorbidities with functional impact increase with age in parallel to those with a more direct impact on mortality and should be assessed and monitored, especially as the population with HIV ages.
Mixed-methods assessment of health and mental health characteristics and barriers to healthcare for Ebola survivors in Beni, Butembo and Katwa health zones of the Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Lawry Lynn Lieberman , Stroupe Kannappan Nancy , Canteli Covadonga , Clemmer William 
Published: August 2021

ObjectivesHealth and mental health characteristics of all respondents, barriers to accessing health and mental health services and the characteristics and those most at risk for mental health disorders.SettingBeni, Butembo and Katwa health zones in the Democratic Republic of Congo.ParticipantsThe sample contained 223 Ebola survivors, 102 sexual partners and 74 comparison respondents living in the same areas of the survivors. Survivors were eligible if aged >18 years with confirmed Ebola-free status. The comparison group was neither a survivor nor a partner of a survivor and did not have any household members who contracted Ebola virus disease (EVD).Primary and secondary outcome measuresHealth and mental health characteristics, barriers to care and the association of association of mental health disorders with study population characteristics.ResultsFunding was a barrier to accessing needed health services among all groups. Nearly one-third (28.4%, 95% CI 18.0% to 38.7%) of comparison households avoided getting injections for their children. Although most pregnant women were attending antenatal care, less than 40% of respondents stated EVD precautions were discussed at those visits. Trouble sleeping and anger were the strongest predictors of post-traumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety and suicide attempts with 3-fold to 16-fold increases in the odds of these disorders. There was a 71% decrease in the odds of MDD if current substance abuse (aOR 0.29; 95% CI 0.13 to 0.67; p<0.01) was reported.ConclusionsSpecialised mental health services were limited. Fear of contracting EVD influenced vaccine compliance. Anger and sleep disorders significantly increased the odds of mental health disorders across all groups. Respondents may be using substance abuse as self-medication for MDD. Ebola outbreak areas would benefit from improved screening of mental health disorders and associated conditions like anger and sleep difficulties and improved mental health services that include substance abuse prevention and treatment.
Deaths in critical care and hospice—prevalence, trends, influences: a national decedent cohort study
Authors: Mayes Jonathan , McLachlan Stela , Carduff Emma , McPeake Joanne , Boyd Kirsty J , Pattison Natalie , Lone Nazir 
Published: August 2021

ObjectivesEnd-of-life and bereavement care support services differ in critical care and inpatient hospice settings. There are limited population-level data comparing deaths in these two locations. We aimed to compare the characteristics of people who die in critical care units and in hospices, identify factors associated with place of death and report 12-year trends in Scotland.MethodsWe undertook a cohort study of decedents aged ≥16 years in Scotland (2005–2017). Location of death was identified from linkage to the Scottish Intensive Care Society Audit Group database and National Records of Scotland Death Records. We developed a multinomial logistic regression model to identify factors independently associated with location of death.ResultsThere were 710 829 deaths in Scotland, of which 36 316 (5.1%) occurred in critical care units and 42 988 (6.1%) in hospices. As a proportion of acute hospital deaths, critical care deaths increased from 8.0% to 11.2%. Approximately one in eight deaths in those aged under 40 years occurred in critical care. Factors independently associated with hospice death included living in less deprived areas, cancer as the cause of death and presence of comorbidities. In contrast, liver disease and accidents as the cause of death and absence of comorbidities were associated with death in critical care.ConclusionsSimilar proportions of deaths in Scotland occur in critical care units and hospices. Given the younger age profile and unexpected nature of deaths occurring in critical care units, there is a need for a specific focus on end-of-life and bereavement support services in critical care units.
Risk stratification for colorectal cancer in individuals with subtypes of serrated polyps
Authors: Li Dan , Doherty Amanda R , Raju Menaka , Liu Liyan , Lei Nan Ye , Amsden Laura B , Lee Jeffrey K , Levin Theodore R , Corley Douglas A , Herrinton Lisa J 
Published: August 2021

ObjectiveThe longitudinal risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) associated with subtypes of serrated polyps (SPs) remains incompletely understood.DesignThis community-based, case–control study included 317 178 Kaiser Permanente Northern California members who underwent their first colonoscopy during 2006–2016. Nested within this population, we identified 695 cases of CRC and 3475 CRC-free controls (matched 5:1 to cases for age, sex and year of colonoscopy). Two expert pathologists reviewed the tissue slides of all SPs identified on the first colonoscopy and reclassified them to sessile serrated lesions (SSLs), hyperplastic polyps (HPs) and traditional serrated adenomas. SPs with borderline characteristics of SSLs but insufficient to make a definitive diagnosis were categorised as unspecified SPs. The association with development of CRC was assessed using multivariable logistic regression.ResultsCompared with individuals with no polyp, the adjusted ORs (aORs) for SSL alone or with synchronous adenoma were 2.9 (95% CI: 1.8 to 4.8) and 4.4 (95% CI: 2.7 to 7.2), respectively. The aORs for SSL with dysplasia, large proximal SSL,and small proximal SSL were 10.3 (95% CI: 2.1 to 50.3), 12.8 (95% CI: 3.5 to 46.9) and 1.9 (95% CI: 0.8 to 4.7), respectively. Proximal unspecified SP also conferred an increased risk (aOR: 5.8, 95% CI: 2.2 to 15.2). Women with SSL were associated with higher risk (aOR: 4.4; 95% CI: 2.3 to 8.2) than men (aOR: 1.7; 95% CI: 0.8 to 3.8).ConclusionIncreased risk of CRC was observed in individuals with SSLs, particularly large proximal ones or with dysplasia, supporting close endoscopic surveillance. Proximal unspecified SPs were also associated with increased risk of CRC and should be managed as SSLs.
Particle physics processes in cosmology through an effective Minkowski space formulation and the limitations of the method
Authors: Erdem Recai , Gültekin Kemal 
Published: August 2021

AbstractWe introduce a method where particle physics processes in cosmology may be calculated by the usual perturbative flat space quantum field theory through an effective Minkowski space description at small time intervals provided that the running of the effective particle masses are sufficiently slow. We discuss the necessary conditions for the applicability of this method and illustrate the method through a simple example. This method has the advantage of avoiding the effects of gravitational particle creation in the calculation of rates and cross sections i.e. giving directly the rates and the cross sections due to the scatterings or the decay processes.
A Comparative Study to Assess the Efficacy of Two Different Estradiol Formulations during In Vitro Fertilization
Authors: Banker Manish , Arora Parul , Banker Jwal , Shah Sandeep 
Published: August 2021

Improvements in stimulation protocols, introduction of vitrification, and changes in clinical practices have contributed to improved efficacy and safety of assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures. This has also led to a concomitant increase in number of cycles requiring hormone replacement therapy (HRT) protocol for performing an embryo transfer. Successful implantation is dependent on endometrial thickness which in turn is regulated by temporal regulation of hormones. Careful control of estrogen levels determines uterine receptivity. One of the most used drugs for achieving appropriate endometrial lining of >7 mm in HRT is estradiol valerate. Although different estrogen formulations with varying physicochemical properties exist, there is not enough literature to support if the differences translate into a discernible clinical outcome in an in vitro fertilization (IVF) setting. Objective and Method. In this study, retrospective in nature, we compare the efficacy of oral estradiol hemihydrate with estradiol valerate in HRT cycles in 2,529 Indian women, undergoing treatment at a center in India between Jan 2017 and May 2019. Results. Our results primarily indicate that between the estradiol valerate and estradiol hemihydrate treatment groups, the implantation rate (IR) was 47.42% and 49.07%, respectively (

P

value 0.284), and the endometrial thickness (

mean
±
SEM

in mm) that was achieved was

9.25
±
0.038

mm and

9.57
±
0.058

mm (

P

value < 0.001), respectively. There were no significant differences observed in the secondary outcome measures including clinical pregnancy rate, abortion rate, ectopic pregnancy, and live birth rate. Conclusions. Hence, this study concludes that oral estradiol hemihydrate and estradiol valerate are therapeutically equivalent and provide similar clinical outcomes in an IVF setting.
An Effective Model for Glueballs and Dual Superconductivity at Finite Temperature
Authors: Issifu Adamu , Brito Francisco A. 
Published: August 2021

The glueballs lead to gluon and QCD monopole condensations as by-products of color confinement. A color dielectric function

G

∣
ϕ
∣

coupled with a Abelian gauge field is properly defined to mediate the glueball interactions at confining regime after spontaneous symmetry breaking (SSB) of the gauge symmetry. The particles are expected to form through the quark-gluon plasma (QGP) hadronization phase where the free quarks and gluons start clamping together to form hadrons. The QCD-like vacuum

η

2

m

η

2

F

μ
ν

F

μ
ν

, confining potential

V

c

r

, string tension

σ

, penetration depth

λ

, superconducting and normal monopole densities (

n

s

n

n

), and the effective masses (

m

η

2

and

m

A

2

) will be investigated at finite temperature

T

. We also calculate the strong “running” coupling

α

s

and subsequently the QCD

β

-function. The dual superconducting nature of the QCD vacuum will be investigated based on monopole condensation.
Image Risk Assessment of the Thyroid Cancer Model Based on Discriminant Analysis and the Value of TAP and CEA Combined Detection
Authors: Wang Bin , Wang Shengliang , Lang Shaolei , Liang Li , Yang Yang , Xue Yan , Xu Yinxia 
Published: August 2021

The incidence rate of thyroid disease is increasing rapidly worldwide, and the number of thyroid patients is increasing. In this study, serum TAP (tumor abnormal protein) and CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen) were used to detect patients with thyroid nodules of class IV and above to explore the value of serum TAP combined detection of CEA in the risk assessment of thyroid cancer. In this paper, 400 patients with thyroid nodules above class IV diagnosed by physical examination in our hospital health management center from January 2019 to June 2021 were included in the study. Combined with the pathological test results, the patients were divided into risk groups. At the same time, different groups of serum TAP and CEA levels were detected by aggregation and electrochemiluminescence methods, and serum TAP and CEA levels were analyzed according to the pathological diagnostic indicators of CEA levels. The results showed that the levels of serum TAP and CEA in patients with thyroid cancer were significantly higher than those in patients with benign thyroid diseases, and the difference was statistically significant (

P

< 0.05). The sensitivity, specificity, and AUC under the ROC curve area of serum TAP were 85.25%, 85.06%, and 0.605, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and AUC under the ROC curve area of serum CEA were 89.85%, 88.00%, and 0.627, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and AUC under the ROC curve area of serum TAP combined with CEA were 96.84%, 96.79%, and 0.915, respectively. Therefore, the combined detection of serum TAP and CEA has a high early screening value in thyroid cancer.
Haters Gonna Hate: How Symbolic and Psychological Variables Explain Attitudes towards Immigrants
Authors: Pupcenoks Juris , Grillo Michael C. , Ji Qihao 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
This study examines how symbolic, psychological and material factors influence how Americans view migrants before and after the heated 2016 primary season leading to the nomination of Donald Trump as the Republican Party’s presidential candidate. We hypothesize that prior unfavorable predispositions towards migrants, preference for high skilled migrants, personality traits, and material variables strongly influence views on migrants. We examine the effect of these variables with two controlled experiments set a year apart, before and after the 2016 primary election. The experiments manipulate the ethnicity (Asian, Hispanic, Arab) and skill level (high skilled or low skilled) of migrant groups. In both experiments, we find that respondents have an overall positive view of migrants regardless of ethnicity. However, those respondents who hold anti-immigrant stereotypes, have authoritarian personalities, and whose economic standing is worsening see immigrants as threatening. We also find that negative emotion plays a mediating role in this process.
The grammaticalization of term focus structures in Chadic languages: A case of microvariation
Authors: Hartmann Katharina 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
This paper argues that the Chadic languages Bura, South Marghi, Hausa, and Guruntum show different stages of the assumed grammaticalization path from bi-clausal cleft structures to mono-clausal constructions for the expression of term focus. This development is characterized by several syntactic and semantic changes, i.e. the reinterpretation of the cleft copula into a focus marker, the loss of the exhaustive inference typically associated with clefts, as well as the loss of syntactic indicators of embedded structures. Based on a microvariational comparison of the four languages, the paper hypothesizes that clefts are diachronically abandoned in favour of mono-clausal focus structures.
Cleft constructions and focus strategies in Modern Armenian
Authors: Khurshudyan Victoria , Donabédian Anaïd 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Cleft constructions are one of the possible focus strategies available in Modern Armenian alongside prosody and specific syntactic constructions. Cleft constructions in Modern Armenian are biclausal constructions with a matrix clause and a relative-like clause, with an identificational clause as a matrix clause headed by a copula (in present or past), while in the relative-like clause introduced by the main subordinator, the relativized argument is coindexed with the argument of the copula. Though typologically cleft constructions are considered typical of languages with rigid word order, they are common in Modern Armenian, a language with flexible word order. It is argued that the intensity of focalization depends on the strategy used, with simple prosody marking associated with the lowest level of intensity, and preverbal position and clefts associated with intermediate and high-intensity focalization respectively. The corpus-based data show an unequal distribution of clefted pronouns as predicate clefts (impersonal with no agreement) and subject clefts (copular verb coindexed with personal pronouns as a subject) depending on the person and the polarity. The existence of cleft-like constructions in Classical Armenian and both Modern Armenian standards is argued to be evidence of diachronic continuity and a possible grammaticalization path from cleft constructions to the auxiliary movement focus strategy.
Budget oversight in territorial autonomies: A comparative analysis of Hong Kong and Macao
Authors: Fong Brian C.H. 
Published: August 2021

Traditionally, comparative budgeting scholars have focused on analysing budget oversight at the sovereign state level. Budget oversight at the territorial autonomy level remains largely under-investigated. Drawing on the Open Budget Survey methodology, this study is a pioneering attempt to compare the budget oversight institutions and practices in Hong Kong and Macao under the ‘one country, two systems’ model. This study finds that the varying practices of budget oversight of Hong Kong and Macao are the consequence of their different bases of opposition politics, including democratic opposition, the media and civil society. This study extends the research focus of existing comparative budgeting literature from sovereign states to territorial autonomies. Thus, it has important implications for budget oversight analysis and policy worldwide. Points for practitioners This article uses comparative studies of Hong Kong and Macao to illustrate how different bases of opposition politics have led to varying practices of budget oversight. For policymakers, the lesson from the comparative studies is that the rise of democratic opposition, the media and civil society will bring about pressures for budget oversight. More policy learning is necessary for policymakers across democracies and semi-democracies to share the experiences of handling the politics of budget oversight.
Establishment of a venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in a rat model of acute respiratory distress syndrome
Authors: Li Yongnan , Huang Jian , Zhang Rongzhi , Wang Shixiong , Cheng Xingdong , Zhang Pengbin , Zhai Kerong , Wang Wei , Liu Debin , Gao Bingren 
Published: August 2021

Introduction: Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) is now considered a reasonable option to salvage acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). However, we lack a rodent model for experimental studies. This study was undertaken to establish an animal model of VV ECMO in ARDS rats. Methods: A total of 18 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (350 ± 50 g) were used in this study. Using a rat model of oleic acid (OA)-induced ARDS, VV ECMO was established through cavoatrial cannulation of the right jugular vein for venous drainage and venous reinfusion with a specially designed three-cavity catheter. Continuous arterial pressure monitoring was implemented by using a catheter through cannulation of the right femoral artery. The central temperature was monitored with a rectal probe. Arterial blood gas monitoring was implemented by a blood gas analyzer at three-time points: at baseline, 1-hour (after OA modeling), and 3.5-hour (after VV ECMO support). Lung tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were harvested respectively for protein concentration and pulmonary histologic evaluation to confirm the alleviation of lung injury during VV ECMO. Results: Following ARDS induced by OA, ten rats were successfully established on VV ECMO without failure and survived the ECMO procedure. VV ECMO alleviated lung injury and restored adequate circulation for the return of lung function and oxygenation. VV ECMO was associated with decreased lung injury score, wet/dry weight ratio, and ﬂuid leakage into airspaces. Conclusion: We have established a reliable, economical, and functioning ARDS rat model of VV ECMO.
Testing for a Sweet Spot in Randomized Trials
Authors: Redelmeier Donald A. , Thiruchelvam Deva , Tibshirani Robert J. 
Published: August 2021

Introduction Randomized trials recruit diverse patients, including some individuals who may be unresponsive to the treatment. Here we follow up on prior conceptual advances and introduce a specific method that does not rely on stratification analysis and that tests whether patients in the intermediate range of disease severity experience more relative benefit than patients at the extremes of disease severity (sweet spot). Methods We contrast linear models to sigmoidal models when describing associations between disease severity and accumulating treatment benefit. The Gompertz curve is highlighted as a specific sigmoidal curve along with the Akaike information criterion (AIC) as a measure of goodness of fit. This approach is then applied to a matched analysis of a published landmark randomized trial evaluating whether implantable defibrillators reduce overall mortality in cardiac patients ( n = 2,521). Results The linear model suggested a significant survival advantage across the spectrum of increasing disease severity (β = 0.0847, P < 0.001, AIC = 2,491). Similarly, the sigmoidal model suggested a significant survival advantage across the spectrum of disease severity (α = 93, β = 4.939, γ = 0.00316, P < 0.001 for all, AIC = 1,660). The discrepancy between the 2 models indicated worse goodness of fit with a linear model compared to a sigmoidal model (AIC: 2,491 v. 1,660, P < 0.001), thereby suggesting a sweet spot in the midrange of disease severity. Model cross-validation using computational statistics also confirmed the superior goodness of fit of the sigmoidal curve with a concentration of survival benefits for patients in the midrange of disease severity. Conclusion Systematic methods are available beyond simple stratification for identifying a sweet spot according to disease severity. The approach can assess whether some patients experience more relative benefit than other patients in a randomized trial. [Box: see text]