bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does Balancing Site Characteristics Result in Balanced Population Characteristics in a Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial?
Authors: Stolzmann Kelly , Lew Robert , Miller Christopher J , Kim Bo , Wu Hongsheng , Bauer Mark S 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background Intervention trials with nested designs seek to balance sites randomized regarding key site characteristics. Among the goals of such site-level balancing is to accrue patient-level equivalence among treatment arms. We investigated patient-level equivalence in a cluster randomized controlled trial, which balanced study waves on site-level characteristics.MethodsThe Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program - Collaborative Chronic Care Model project utilized a stepped wedge design to stagger implementation of an evidence-based team-oriented mental health patient management system at 9 Veteran Affairs Medical Centers. Study sites were balanced on eight site-level characteristics over time (3 balanced waves [consecutive time periods] with 3 sites per wave) to minimize trend. Sites were balanced on selected site-level characteristics but not on patient-level variables. We explored internal differences in patient demographics across the three study waves. Eligible patients had at least two visits to a participating mental health clinic in the prior year and did not have a diagnosis of dementia (n=5,596).ResultsWe found modest but statistically significant inter-site differences in age, marital status, ethnicity, service-related disability, mental health hospitalizations, and selected diagnoses by study wave. Although many of the differences in patient demographics by study wave were statistically significant, only a few results were practically meaningful as measured by effect size. A bipolar diagnosis (49.0%, 21.0%, 17.0% in waves 1-3, respectively; Cramer’s V=.3124) and Hispanic ethnicity (2.9%, 29.6%, 2.0% in waves 1-3, respectively; Cramer’s V=.3949) resulted in differences that were considered a ‘moderate’ effect size. The number of patient characteristics that were both statistically and meaningfully different by study wave among all possible site assignments was comparable to the 34 most balanced site assignments identified in our balancing algorithm.ConclusionsUsing a balancing algorithm to reduce imbalance among site characteristics across time periods did not appear to negatively affect the balance of patient characteristics across sites over time. A site-level balancing algorithm that includes characteristics with a direct relationship to relevant patient-level factors may improve the overall balance across key elements of the study, and aide in the interpretation of results. Trial registration: Hybrid Collaborative Care Randomized Program Evaluation (BHIP-CCM) NCT02543840 (September 7, 2015)
Low pH Hypromellose (Taffix™) nasal powder spray reduced SARS-CoV-2 infection rate post mass-gathering event at a highly endemic community: An observational prospective open label user survey
Authors: Shmuel Klang , Dalia Megiddo , Tair Lapidot , Yaakov Naparstek 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Bney Brak city tops Israel’s COVID-19 infection rate and mortality. Before the Jewish New Year ( two day gathering for prayers) PCR positivity rates were 17.6% and reached 28.1% two weeks later Taffix - an innovative nasal powder creates a protective gel over the nasal mucosa that blocks viruses from infecting nasal cells. In a prospective users survey, 243 members of a Jewish ultra-orthodox community that participated in the two days prayers were followed for the 14 days to measure the effect of Taffix in this “super spread” event . 83 used Taffix throughout holiday’s prayers and the following two weeks (ITT) . 81 used it regularly as instructed (PP) . Two used it rarely if at all. The remaining 160 did not use Taffix . After 14 days, 0/81 (0%) of (PP) Tafffic users , 2/83 (2.4%) of (ITT) Taffix users and 16/160 (10%) of Taffix non users were infected. Odds ratio for SARS-CoV-2 infection in Taffix users was 0.22, a reduction of 78% (95%CI 1%-95%). No side effects were reported. Taffix is an additional powerful tool against COVID19 spread, in addition to recommended safety measures. This is first time that any preventing measure of SARS-CoV-2, beyond the use of masks, proved effective.
Fluid, pH and electrolyte imbalance associated with COVID-19 mortality
Authors: Nahkuri Satu , Becker Tim , Schueller Vitalia , Massberg Steffen , Bauer-Mehren Anna 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The threat of COVID-19 has harried the world since early 2020. Risk of death from the infection is associated with age and pre-existing comorbidities such as diabetes, dementia, cancer, and impairment of immunological, hepatic or renal function. It still remains incompletely understood why some patients survive the disease, while others perish. Our univariate and multivariate analyses of real world data from U.S. electronic health records indicate that a priori diagnoses of fluid, pH and electrolyte imbalance are highly and independently associated with COVID-19 mortality. We propose that pre-existing homeostatic aberrations are magnified upon the loss of ACE2, which is a core component of the electrolyte management system as well as the entry point of internalizing SARS-CoV-2 viruses. Moreover, we also suggest such fragility of electrolyte homeostasis may increase the risk of plasma volume disturbances during the infection. Future interventional studies should investigate whether the risk of death can be alleviated by personalized management of the fluid and electrolyte balance of at-risk individuals before and during COVID-19.
Efficacy of normal saline nasal spray and gargle on SARS-CoV-2
for prevention of COVID-19 pneumonia
Authors: Chatterjee Uday , Chakraborty Ajay , Naskar Sishir , Saha Bibhuti , Bandyapadhyay Bhaswati , Shee Subhasis 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Role of microaspiration of mucus mixed with SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2) causing pneumonia is lacking in searched literature. Recently some authors have emphasized on microaspiration. SARS-CoV-2 primarily replicates in nasal mucosa and sheds in nasal mucus which travels down as microaspiration and causes pneumonia. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of normal saline nasal spray and gargle (NSNSG) to wash off SARS-CoV-2 from nasal and pharyngeal mucosa to prevent microaspiration and pneumonia. Methods: From RT-PCR (reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction) report, we selected 62 patients for study group and 63 patients for control, having higher virion load i.e. cycle threshold (Ct) value 25 or less. Patients in study group were trained with NSNSG. We reviewed HRCT (high resolution computed tomogram) of lung in 56 patients of both groups for severity score (SS) in lung and was compared with initial HRCTResults: Thirty out of 62 (48%) of study group significantly (p=0·01) became RT-PCR negative following NSNSG compared to 16 out of 63 patients (25%) of control. Thirty one out of 34 patients (91%) of study group either improved or inhibited progression of SS in lung HRCT. In control group, 14 out of 22 patients (63%) also showed favourable findings. Nevertheless, study group significantly improved (p=0·028) in SS.Conclusions: NSNSG is significantly efficacious to wash off SARS-CoV-2 from nasal cavity and pharynx, and to break supply chain of SARS-CoV-2 from source to prevent microaspiration in lung alveoli and pneumonia. From that phenomenon we infer that SARS-CoV-2 as a ‘surface virus’ and it seems that vaccine resistant SARS-CoV-2 and different strains of SARS-CoV-2 would be washed off with NSNSG.
Characterization of the Gene Repertoire and Environmentally Driven Expression Patterns in Tanner Crab ( Chionoecetes Bairdi )
Authors: Crandall Grace , Jensen Pamela , White Sam , Roberts Steven 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Tanner crab ( Chionoecetes bairdi ) are an economically important species that is threatened by ocean warming and Bitter Crab Disease, which is caused by an endoparasitic dinoflagellate, Hematodinium . Little is known about disease transmission or its link to host mortality, or how ocean warming will affect pathogenicity or host susceptibility. To betterunderstand how temperature and infection influence host physiology, we performed a temporal transcriptomic analysis on crab infected with Hematodinium and uninfected crab exposed to either ambient (7.5˚C), elevated (10˚C), or decreased (4˚C) temperature treatments. After assembling a transcriptome and performing a multifactor differential gene expression analysis, we found genes influenced by temperature in relation to infection, and detected some of those genes over time at the individual level using RNAseq data from one crab. Biological processes associated with those genes include lipid storage, transcription, response to oxidative stress, cell adhesion, and morphogenesis. Alteration in lipid storage and transcription provide insight into how temperature impacts energy allocation in Hematodinium infected crabs. Alteration in expression patterns in genes associated with morphogenesis could suggest hemocytes were changing morphology and/or type in response to temperature. This project provides insight into how Hematodinium infection could influence crab physiology as oceans warm.
Topological Phase Transition Between Normal Insulator and Topological Metal State in a Quasi-one-dimensional System
Authors: Jangjan Milad , Hosseini Mir Vahid 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
We theoretically report the finding of a new kind of topological phase transition between a normal insulator and topological metal state where the closing-reopening of bandgap is accompanied by passing the Fermi level through an additional band. The resulting nontrivial topological metal phase is characterized by stable zero-energy localized edge states that exist within the full gapless bulk states. Such states living on a quasi-one-dimensional system with three sublattices per unit cell are protected by hidden inversion symmetry. While other required symmetries such as chiral, particle-hole, or full inversion symmetry are absent in the system.
The Intramolecular Electronic Interaction Regulated by Five-membered Heterocycle Spacer
Authors: Hu Yuqiang , Han Limin , Wang Na 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The spacer in diferrocenyl derivatives has significant effects on intramolecular electronic interaction properties. In this work, nine diferrocenyl five-membered heterocyclic molecules are synthesized as models to investigate the effect of intramolecular electron-transfer properties systematically, including 2,5-diferrocenyl-1-phenyl-pyrrole (1), 2,5-diferrocenylfuran (2), 2,5-diferrocenylthiophene (3), 2,5-diferrocenyl-1H-imidazole (4), 2,5-diferrocenyloxazole (5), 2,5-diferrocenylthiazole (6), 2,5-diferrocenyl-1,3,4-triazole (7), 2,5-diferrocenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole (8) and 2,5-diferrocenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole (9). The molecules were prepared in cyclization reaction and characterized by Elemental analysis, FT-IR, MS and NMR. Moreover, the molecular structures of 2,5-diferrocenylthiazole and 2,5-diferrocenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole were determined by the single crystal X-ray diffraction. The intramolecular electronic interactions were investigated through cyclic voltammetry in combination with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The results revealed that the electronic interaction decreased with the increase of heteroatoms in central heterocycle spacer, and the electron-transfer property could be regulated by regulate central heterocycle spacer species.
Impact of human gene annotations on RNA-seq differential expression analysis
Authors: Hamaguchi Yu , Zeng Chao , Hamada Michiaki 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Differential expression (DE) analysis of RNA-seq data typically depends on gene annotations. Different sets of gene annotations are available for the human genome and are continually updated–a process complicated with the development and application of high-throughput sequencing technologies. However, the impact of the complexity of gene annotations on DE analysis remains unclear.Results: Using “mappability”, a metric of the complexity of gene annotation, we compared three distinct human gene annotations, GENCODE, RefSeq, and NONCODE, and evaluated how mappability affected DE analysis. We found that mappability was significantly different among the human gene annotations. We also found that increasing mappability improved the performance of DE analysis, and the impact of mappability mainly evident in the quantification step and propagated downstream of DE analysis systematically.Conclusions: We assessed how the complexity of gene annotations affects DE analysis using mappability. Our findings indicate that the growth and complexity of gene annotations negatively impact the performance of DE analysis, suggesting that an approach that excludes unnecessary gene models from gene annotations improves the performance of DE analysis.
Efficacy and safety of Naoxintong Capsule for treating Chronic Stable Angina: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Huanjia Gao , Hairong Cai , Jieqin Zhuang , Xingzhen Dai , Xue Fu , Weizhang Zhang , Chen Bojun 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, Chronic stable angina (CSA) is the main symptom of myocardial ischemia, causes increased risk of major cardiovascular events such as sudden cardiac death and myocardial infarction.Naoxintong (NXT)Capsule is a classical traditional Chinese medication used to treat CSA, however, few evidence to support the wide utility of NXT capsule for the treatment of CSA .We design this study to evaluating the efficacy and safety of NXT capsule versus placebo in patients with CSA. Methods/design This is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. A total of 260 eligible participants will be enrolled. The participants will be randomized assigned in an equal ratio to groups receiving either NXT or placebo for 12 weeks. After a 2-week run-in period, they will receive either NXT or placebo (3 pills, 3 times daily) for 12 weeks. The primary outcome is therapeutic efficacy. Secondary outcome measures include the quantitative score of TCM syndromes, severity grading of angina pectoris, the number of angina pectoris per week, nitroglycerin dosage, score of seattle angina scale, serum homocysteine, incidence of cardiovascular events. Safety outcomes and adverse events will be monitored throughout the trial. Discussion We designed this study in accordance with principles and regulations issued by the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA). The results will provide clinical evidence of the efficacy and safety of NXT Capsule in the treatment of CSA. Trial registration: ChiCTR2000034871.
Exploring the Association Between the “Big Five” Personality Traits and Fatal Opioid Overdose: County-Level Empirical Analysis
Authors: Tacheva Zhasmina , Ivanov Anton 
Published: March 2021

Background
Opioid-related deaths constitute a problem of pandemic proportions in the United States, with no clear solution in sight. Although addressing addiction—the heart of this problem—ought to remain a priority for health practitioners, examining the community-level psychological factors with a known impact on health behaviors may provide valuable insights for attenuating this health crisis by curbing risky behaviors before they evolve into addiction.

Objective
The goal of this study is twofold: to demonstrate the relationship between community-level psychological traits and fatal opioid overdose both theoretically and empirically, and to provide a blueprint for using social media data to glean these psychological factors in a real-time, reliable, and scalable manner.

Methods
We collected annual panel data from Twitter for 2891 counties in the United States between 2014-2016 and used a novel data mining technique to obtain average county-level “Big Five” psychological trait scores. We then performed interval regression, using a control function to alleviate omitted variable bias, to empirically test the relationship between county-level psychological traits and the prevalence of fatal opioid overdoses in each county.

Results
After controlling for a wide range of community-level biopsychosocial factors related to health outcomes, we found that three of the operationalizations of the five psychological traits examined at the community level in the study were significantly associated with fatal opioid overdoses: extraversion (β=.308, P<.001), neuroticism (β=.248, P<.001), and conscientiousness (β=.229, P<.001).

Conclusions
Analyzing the psychological characteristics of a community can be a valuable tool in the local, state, and national fight against the opioid pandemic. Health providers and community health organizations can benefit from this research by evaluating the psychological profile of the communities they serve and assessing the projected risk of fatal opioid overdose based on the relationships our study predict when making decisions for the allocation of overdose-reversal medication and other vital resources.
The Psychological Impact of Hypertension During COVID-19 Restrictions: Retrospective Case-Control Study
Authors: Bonner Carissa , Cvejic Erin , Ayre Julie , Isautier Jennifer , Semsarian Christopher , Nickel Brooke , Batcup Carys , Pickles Kristen , Dodd Rachael , Cornell Samuel , Copp Tessa , McCaffery Kirsten J 
Published: March 2021

Background
It is unclear how people with hypertension are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic given their increased risk, and whether targeted public health strategies are needed.

Objective
This retrospective case-control study compared people with hypertension to matched healthy controls during the COVID-19 lockdown to determine whether they have higher risk perceptions, anxiety, and vaccination intentions.

Methods
Baseline data from a national survey were collected in April 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown in Australia. People who reported hypertension with no other chronic conditions were randomly matched to healthy controls of similar age, gender, education, and health literacy level. A subset including participants with hypertension was followed up at 2 months after restrictions were eased. Risk perceptions, anxiety, and vaccination intentions were measured in April and June.

Results
Of the 4362 baseline participants, 466 (10.7%) reported hypertension with no other chronic conditions. A subset of 1369 people were followed up at 2 months, which included 147 (10.7%) participants with hypertension. At baseline, perceived seriousness was high for both hypertension and control groups. The hypertension group reported greater anxiety compared to the controls and were more willing to vaccinate against influenza, but COVID-19 vaccination intentions were similar. At follow-up, these differences were no longer present in the longitudinal subsample. Perceived seriousness and anxiety had decreased, but vaccination intentions for both influenza and COVID-19 remained high across groups (>80%).

Conclusions
Anxiety was above normal levels during the COVID-19 lockdown. It was higher in the hypertension group, which also had higher vaccination intentions. Groups that are more vulnerable to COVID-19 may require targeted mental health screening during periods of greater risk. Despite a decrease in perceived risk and anxiety after 2 months of lockdown restrictions, vaccination intentions remained high, which is encouraging for the future prevention of COVID-19.
Protocol for Digital Real-world Evidence trial for Adults with insomnia treated via Mobile (DREAM): an open-label trial of a prescription digital therapeutic for treating patients with chronic insomnia
Authors: Thorndike Frances P , Berry Richard B , Gerwien Robert , Braun Stephen , Maricich Yuri A 
Published: March 2021

Background:
Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is underused in healthcare settings and is challenging for people with insomnia to access because of uneven geographical distribution of behavioral sleep medicine providers. Prescription digital therapeutics can overcome these barriers. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a specific digital CBT-I therapeutic.
Materials & methods:
D
igital
R
eal-world
E
vidence trial for
A
dults with insomnia treated via
M
obile (DREAM) is a 9-week, open-label, decentralized clinical trial to collect real-world evidence for a digital therapeutic (Somryst™) delivering CBT-I to patients with chronic insomnia. The primary objective is to examine the effectiveness of Somryst to reduce self-reported insomnia symptoms and severity in a real-world population (n = 350).
Conclusion:
This pragmatic study seeks to assess the potential benefits of treating insomnia with an asynchronous, mobile, tailored prescription digital therapeutic.

Clinical trial registration:
NCT04325464
(ClinicalTrials.gov)
Gambaran Tingkat Kepadatan Jentik Nyamuk Aedes Aegypti di Kelurahan Kenali Asam Bawah Kota Jambi.
Authors: Lesmana Oka , Halim Rd. 
Published: March 2021

Secara global diperkirakan 50-100 juta orang di seluruh dunia terinfeksi DBD setiap tahunnya. Pada tahun 2017 jumlah penderita DBD di Indonesia yang dilaporkan sebanyak 68.407 kasus, jumlah kematian 493 orang, angka kesakitan (IR) 26,12 per 100.000 penduduk, dan angka kematian (CFR) 0,72%. Salah satu indikator yang digunakan untuk pengendalian DBD yaitu angka bebas jentik (ABJ). ABJ secara nasional belum mencapai target program yang sebesar ≥ 95% sehingga perlu dilakukan pengamatan vektor pada stadium jentik untuk mengetahui penyebaran, kepadatan nyamuk, habitat utama jentik, dan dugaan resiko terjadinya penularan. Kepadatan populasi nyamuk Aedes aegypti dapat diketahui dengan melakukan survey jentik sehingga didapatkan angka House Index, Container Index, Bruteau Index, dan Density Figure. Penelitian ini adalah penelitian survey deskriptif dan menggunakan metode cross sectional yang memaparkan gambaran kepadatan dan jenis jentik berdasarkan rumah dan Tempat Penampungan Air (TPA) yang diperiksa. Sampel penelitian berjumlah 160 rumah. Teknik pengambilan sampel menggunakan proporsional random sampling. Hasil penelitian diketahui angka House Index 30%, Container Index 19,5%, dan Bruteau Index 74% sehingga didapatkan Density Figure 5,3 yang berarti wilayah Kelurahan Kenali Asam Bawah termasuk Daerah Merah. Maka perlu kewaspadaan tinggi dan pengendalian segera karena derajat penularan penyakit yang dibawa vektor tinggi. Angka bebas jentik (ABJ) 70% jauh berada dibawah standar nasional 95%. Saran peneliti agar pemerintah daerah, perangkat desa, dan masyarakat setempat bekerjasama untuk menggiatkan kegiatan pemberantasan sarang nyamuk (PSN) dan Gerakan Satu Rumah Satu Jumantik.
Kata Kunci: DBD, Jentik, Aedes aegypti
Investigation of Adhesion Behaviour of Different Underlayered DLC Coated Cold Forming Tool Steel
Authors: Laszlo Noemi 
Published: March 2021

Mono- and multilayer coatings can be suitable alternatives to traditional bulk materials due to their favorable mechanical properties. Thanks to the ever-evolving coating technology and process, there are a wide variety of coating types today, such as soft, hard, or super-hard coatings that can be made with single or multilayer coatings.
Adhesion and damage to coatings is especially important for coated tools, where damage to the coating can reduce tool life and result in deterioration of the surface quality of the product. The coatings were characterized by Calotest layer thickness measurement, AFM assisted roughness measurement and microhardness test. The adhesion test of the different underlayered (TiBN, CrN and TiAlN) DLC coated Böhler K100 forming tool steel is designed with the Mercedes test (Rockwell C Adhesion Test), which is frequently used to classify the layers, and is complemented by instrumented scratch test.