bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
QT variability unrelated to RR variability during stress testing for identification of coronary artery disease
Authors: del Castillo Marta González , Hernando David , Orini Michele , Laguna Pablo , Viik Jari , Bailón Raquel , Pueyo Esther 
Published: October 2021

Stress test electrocardiogram (ECG) analysis is widely used for coronary artery disease (CAD) diagnosis despite its limited accuracy. Alterations in autonomic modulation of cardiac electrical activity have been reported in CAD patients during acute ischemia. We hypothesized that those alterations could be reflected in changes in ventricular repolarization dynamics during stress testing that could be measured through QT interval variability (QTV). However, QTV is largely dependent on RR interval variability (RRV), which might hinder intrinsic ventricular repolarization dynamics. In this study, we investigated whether different markers accounting for low-frequency (LF) oscillations of QTV unrelated to RRV during stress testing could be used to separate patients with and without CAD. Power spectral density of QTV unrelated to RRV was obtained based on time-frequency coherence estimation. Instantaneous LF power of QTV and QTV unrelated to RRV were obtained. LF power of QTV unrelated to RRV normalized by LF power of QTV was also studied. Stress test ECG of 100 patients were analysed. Patients referred to coronary angiography were classified into non-CAD or CAD group. LF oscillations in QTV did not show significant differences between CAD and non-CAD groups. However, LF oscillations in QTV unrelated to RRV were significantly higher in the CAD group as compared with the non-CAD group when measured during the first phases of exercise and last phases of recovery. ROC analysis of these indices revealed area under the curve values ranging from 61 to 73%. Binomial logistic regression analysis revealed LF power of QTV unrelated to RRV, both during the first phase of exercise and last phase of recovery, as independent predictors of CAD. In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of removing the influence of RRV when measuring QTV during stress testing for CAD identification and supports the added value of LF oscillations of QTV unrelated to RRV to diagnose CAD from the first minutes of exercise.
This article is part of the theme issue ‘Advanced computation in cardiovascular physiology: new challenges and opportunities’.
Extending the spectral decomposition of Granger causality to include instantaneous influences: application to the control mechanisms of heart rate variability
Authors: Nuzzi D. , Stramaglia S. , Javorka M. , Marinazzo D. , Porta A. , Faes Luca 
Published: October 2021

Assessing Granger causality (GC) intended as the influence, in terms of reduction of variance of surprise, that a driver variable exerts on a given target, requires a suitable treatment of ‘instantaneous’ effects, i.e. influences due to interactions whose time scale is much faster than the time resolution of the measurements, due to unobserved confounders or insufficient sampling rate that cannot be increased because the mechanism of generation of the variable is inherently slow (e.g. the heartbeat). We exploit a recently proposed framework for the estimation of causal influences in the spectral domain and include instantaneous interactions in the modelling, thus obtaining (i) a novel index of undirected instantaneous causality and (ii) a novel measure of GC including instantaneous effects. An effective procedure to speed up the optimization of parameters in this frame is also presented. After illustrating the proposed formalism in a theoretical example, we apply it to two datasets of cardiovascular and respiratory time series and compare the values obtained within the frequency bands of physiological interest by the proposed total measure of causality with those derived from the standard GC analysis. We find that the inclusion of instantaneous causality allows us to correctly disentangle the baroreflex mechanism from the effects related to cardiorespiratory interactions. Moreover, studying how controlling the respiratory rhythm acts on cardiovascular interactions, we document an increase of the direct (non-baroreflex mediated) influence of respiration on the heart rate in the respiratory frequency band when switching from spontaneous to paced breathing.
This article is part of the theme issue ‘Advanced computation in cardiovascular physiology: new challenges and opportunities’.
Does the environmental Kuznets curve for deforestation exist for Ghana? Evidence from the bootstrap rolling window Granger causality test approach
Authors: Minlah Michael Kaku , Zhang Xibao , Ganyoh Philipine Nelly , Bibi Ayesha 
Published: October 2021

PurposeThis study investigates the existence of the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) for deforestation for Ghana over the 1962–2018 the time period.Design/methodology/approachThe study employs a time-varying approach, the bootstrap rolling window Granger causality test to achieve its set objectives.FindingsThe results from our study reveals an inverted “N” shape EKC for deforestation, implying that deforestation will initially decrease with increases in economic growth up to a certain income threshold and increases with further increases in economic growth beyond this income threshold up to a higher income threshold and then decrease with further increases in economic beyond the higher income threshold.Practical implicationsThe results from the study project show that over time economic growth can serve as a natural panacea to cure and mitigate the ills of deforestation that have plagued Ghana's forests over the years.Social implicationsThe results further highlight the important role of strong institutions in fighting the deforestation menace.Originality/valueThe originality of this study lies in its methodology which allows for feedback from deforestation to the economy. This is in contrast to earlier studies on the EKC for deforestation which allowed causality only from deforestation to the economy.
A linear mixed model to estimate COVID‐19‐induced excess mortality
Authors: Verbeeck Johan , Faes Christel , Neyens Thomas , Hens Niel , Verbeke Geert , Deboosere Patrick , Molenberghs Geert 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThe Corona Virus Disease (COVID‐19) pandemic has increased mortality in countries worldwide. To evaluate the impact of the pandemic on mortality, the use of excess mortality rather than reported COVID‐19 deaths has been suggested. Excess mortality, however, requires estimation of mortality under nonpandemic conditions. Although many methods exist to forecast mortality, they are either complex to apply, require many sources of information, ignore serial correlation, and/or are influenced by historical excess mortality. We propose a linear mixed model that is easy to apply, requires only historical mortality data, allows for serial correlation, and down‐weighs the influence of historical excess mortality. Appropriateness of the linear mixed model is evaluated with fit statistics and forecasting accuracy measures for Belgium and the Netherlands. Unlike the commonly used 5‐year weekly average, the linear mixed model is forecasting the year‐specific mortality, and as a result improves the estimation of excess mortality for Belgium and the Netherlands.
The syn‐rift tectono‐stratigraphic record of rifted margins (Part II): A new model to break through the proximal/distal interpretation frontier
Authors: Chenin Pauline , Manatschal Gianreto , Ghienne Jean‐François , Chao Peng 
Published: October 2021

AbstractOne fundamental lesson from the last decade's research into rifted margins is that stratigraphic horizons cannot be simply correlated from the proximal into distal domain, which makes the interpretation of poorly calibrated and largely inaccessible distal margins difficult. In this contribution, we propose a new tectono‐stratigraphic model to help break through the proximal/distal interpretation frontier. After reviewing the scientific advances on rifted margins achieved during the last century, we describe the primary spatio‐temporal evolution of active deformation during rifting. We show that different rift domains are associated with specific (1) periods of active deformation; (2) tectonic structures and related stratigraphic architecture; (3) amounts of accommodation creation owing to specific ranges of horizontal widening and vertical deepening and (4) depositional environments. We demonstrate that the sequential localization of extension during rifting results in a younging of the base of passive infill (i.e. sediment deposited in a non‐tectonic setting) oceanward. We propose a panel of few to few tens of My time intervals related to specific tectonic events—our Tectonic Sequences—that may be correlated more or less easily and continuously across rifted margins. This study underlines the value of an iterative approach between fieldwork on fossil rifted margins and offshore geophysical studies, where field studies offer easy‐to‐access and high‐resolution calibration of dismembered rifted margin remnants, while geophysical studies provide comparatively low‐resolution imaging of entire, intact but largely inaccessible, rifted margins. It also highlights the necessity of jettisoning outdated dogma on rifted margins and changing our routines when interpreting seismic sections and outcrops.
Phenotyping of productivity and resilience in sweetpotato under water stress through UAV‐based multispectral and thermal imagery in Mozambique
Authors: Ramírez David A. , Grüneberg Wolfgang , I. Andrade Maria , De Boeck Bert , Loayza Hildo , S. Makunde Godwill , Ninanya Johan , Rinza Javier , Heck Simon , Campos Hugo 
Published: October 2021

AbstractSweetpotato is a crucial crop to guarantee food security in sub‐Saharan Africa, and drought events are considered one of the most critical factors affecting sweetpotato productivity in this region. In this study, airborne imagery based on reflectance (NDVI, CIred‐edge) and canopy temperature minus air temperature (dT) indices was used to characterize sweetpotato genotypes under drought treatments in Mozambique. Two field experiments established in rainy/hot (Trial A) and dry/cool (Trial B) seasons were assessed. In Trial A, 24 genotypes were subjected to early‐ (ESD), mid‐ (MSD) and late‐season (LSD) drought stress treatments and compared against a control. In Trial B, 120 genotypes were subjected to LSD only. The percentage of reduction in vine weight (PRVW) under drought was related primarily to temporal variation of NDVI and CI, regardless of drought treatment and seasons. dT in relation to control (dTAmp) was associated with PRVW in ESD‐Trial A and LSD‐Trial B, whereas under LSD‐Trial A, dTAmp was related to total fresh storage root weight (TRW). During the rainy/hot season, higher TRW reduction was promoted under ESD; however, under LSD, it was possible to identify productive genotypes able to withstand drought stress, highlighting their relevance for drought‐tolerance selection purposes.
Tracking the xeric biomes of South America: The spatiotemporal diversification of Mandacaru cactus
Authors: Amaral Danilo Trabuco , Minhós‐Yano Isis , Oliveira João Victor M. , Romeiro‐Brito Monique , Bonatelli Isabel Aparecida Silva , Taylor Nigel Paul , Zappi Daniela Cristina , Moraes Evandro Marsola , Eaton Deren A. R. , Franco Fernando Faria 
Published: October 2021

AbstractAimThe interconnectedness and biotic interchange among Neotropical biomes are thought to play an important role in driving adaptation and diversification. However, how these processes are in synteny to trait evolution in species of open and xeric areas is poorly studied. Here, we investigate the spatial and temporal dimensions of evolution and candidate traits associated with biome shifts in xeric vegetation, focusing on the family Cactaceae.LocationXeric and open areas of South America.TaxonGenus Cereus Mill. (Cactaceae, Cereeae).MethodsWe applied biogeographical reconstructions on a time‐calibrated phylogeny inferred from multilocus data (ddRAD‐Seq) using Bayesian analyses on BEAST2, species distribution modelling in Maxent, the reconstruction of biome affinities and niche shift analyses based on abiotic traits (climate and soil) using Mk‐model in BioGeoBEARS, and phenotypic trait‐based analysis in Mesquite.ResultsThe Cerrado domain is the ancestral area of Cereus, with most diversification events occurring in a time of intense orogenesis, climatic changes, and marine regressions within the last 5 Mya. Events of biome transition from the seasonally dry tropical forest (SDTF) were also associated with trait and niche shifts.Main conclusionsThe diversification of the xerophyte genus Cereus is associated with the climatic and geomorphological instabilities of the Pliocene and Pleistocene epochs. The Cerrado domain states an important region of dispersal for the genus. Some geographical range movements involved biome shifts associated with niche evolution while others were restricted to a simple biogeographical transition without niche change. Particular clades that experienced biome shifts displayed some phenotypic state changes, suggesting a role of biotic traits for environment transition. The results observed in Cereus may be a biogeographical pattern that should be tested with other cactus species, such as Pilosocereus spp., or species of xeric habitats, such as Annonaceae and Vochysiaceae.
Genesis of Re‐rich Molybdenite in the Baishan Mo deposit, Eastern Tianshan, Xinjiang, Northwest China
Authors: Ye Longxiang , Zhang Dayu , Wang Shiwei , Zhou Taofa , Yuan Feng , White Noel C. , Xiao Wenjiao 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThe Baishan molybdenum deposit is located in the central part of the Eastern Tianshan‐Beishan tectonic belt, NW China. The deposit is hosted in early Carboniferous Gandun Formation biotite‐rich hornfels and is genetically related to unexposed granodiorite porphyry beneath the orebodies. The molybdenite occurs in three different types from early to late stage: Molybdenite ‐ Fe‐Cu‐sulfides ‐ K‐feldspar ‐ quartz veins (Group 1); Molybdenite ‐ Fe‐Cu‐sulfides ‐ quartz veins (Group 2); and disseminated molybdenite in the wall rock (Group 3). Rhenium concentrations in the molybdenite grains range from 108 to 277 ppm in Group 1, 69–121 ppm in Group 2 and 46–135 ppm in Group 3. The Re concentrations of molybdenite in the Baishan Mo deposit decrease from early to late and from the center to periphery, and molybdenite types vary from the 2H1 poly‐type in Groups 1 and 2 to the 2H1 + 3R2H1 poly‐type in Group 3, based on X‐ray diffraction results. The Re‐enriched molybdenite probably formed from an oxidized magmatic fluid that separated from a highly oxidized and H2O‐ and volatile‐enriched adakitic intrusion generated in the lower crust.
The Newcastle ENDOPREM™: a validated patient reported experience measure for gastrointestinal endoscopy
Authors: Neilson Laura J , Sharp Linda , Patterson Joanne M , von Wagner Christian , Hewitson Paul , McGregor Lesley M , Rees Colin J 
Published: October 2021

ObjectivesMeasuring patient experience of gastrointestinal (GI) procedures is a key component of evaluation of quality of care. Current measures of patient experience within GI endoscopy are largely clinician derived and measured; however, these do not fully represent the experiences of patients themselves. It is important to measure the entirety of experience and not just experience directly during the procedure. We aimed to develop a patient-reported experience measure (PREM) for GI procedures.DesignPhase 1: semi-structured interviews were conducted in patients who had recently undergone GI endoscopy or CT colonography (CTC) (included as a comparator). Thematic analysis identified the aspects of experience important to patients. Phase 2: a question bank was developed from phase 1 findings, and iteratively refined through rounds of cognitive interviews with patients who had undergone GI procedures, resulting in a pilot PREM. Phase 3: patients who had attended for GI endoscopy or CTC were invited to complete the PREM. Psychometric properties were investigated. Phase 4 involved item reduction and refinement.ResultsPhase 1: interviews with 35 patients identified six overarching themes: anxiety, expectations, information & communication, embarrassment & dignity, choice & control and comfort. Phase 2: cognitive interviews refined questionnaire items and response options. Phase 3: the PREM was distributed to 1650 patients with 799 completing (48%). Psychometric properties were found to be robust. Phase 4: final questionnaire refined including 54 questions assessing patient experience across five temporal procedural stages.ConclusionThis manuscript gives an overview of the development and validation of the Newcastle ENDOPREM™, which assesses all aspects of the GI procedure experience from the patient perspective. It may be used to measure patient experience in clinical care and, in research, to compare patients’ experiences of different endoscopic interventions.
Virological measures and factors associated with outcomes, and missing outcome data in HIV clinical trials: a methodological study
Authors: Youssef Mark , Zani Babalwa , Olaiya Oluwatobi , Soliman Michael , Mbuagbaw Lawrence 
Published: October 2021

BackgroundTo evaluate the definition of HIV virological outcomes in the literature and factors associated with outcomes and missing outcome data.MethodsWe conducted a methodological review of HIV RCTs using a search (2009–2019) of PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials.Only full-text, peer-reviewed, randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that measured virological outcomes in people living with HIV, and published in English were included.We extracted study details and outcomes. We used logistic regression to identify factors associated with a viral threshold ≤50 copies/mL and linear regression to identify factors associated with missing outcome data.ResultsOur search yielded 5847 articles; 180 were included. A virological outcome was the primary outcome in 73.5% of studies. 89 studies (49.4%) used virological success. The remaining used change in viral load (VL) (33 studies, 18.3%); virological failure (59 studies, 32.8%); or virological rebound (9 studies, 5.0%). 96 studies (53.3%) set the threshold at ≤50 copies/mL; and 33.1% used multiple measures.Compared with government and privately funded studies, RCTs with industry funding (adjusted OR 6.39; 95% CI 2.15 to 19.00; p<0.01) were significantly associated with higher odds of using a VL threshold of ≤50 copies/mL. Publication year, intervention type, income level and number of patients were not associated with a threshold of ≤50 copies/mL. Trials with pharmacological interventions had less missing data (β=−11.04; 95% CI −20.02 to −1.87; p=0.02).DiscussionCountry source of funding was associated with VL threshold choice and studies with pharmacological interventions had less missing data, which may in part explain heterogeneous virological outcomes across studies. Multiple measures of VL were not associated with missing data. The development of formal guidelines on virological outcome reporting in RCTs is needed.
R|S Atlas: Identifying existing cohort study data resources to accelerate epidemiological research on the influence of religion and spirituality on human health
Authors: Schachter Anna Boonin , Argentieri M Austin , Seddighzadeh Bobak , Isehunwa Oluwaseyi O , Kent Blake Victor , Trevvett Philip , McDuffie Michael , Mandel Laura , Pargament Kenneth I , Underwood Lynn G , McCray Alexa T , Shields Alexandra E 
Published: October 2021

ObjectiveMany studies have documented significant associations between religion and spirituality (R/S) and health, but relatively few prospective analyses exist that can support causal inferences. To date, there has been no systematic analysis of R/S survey items collected in US cohort studies. We conducted a systematic content analysis of all surveys ever fielded in 20 diverse US cohort studies funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to identify all R/S-related items collected from each cohort’s baseline survey through 2014.DesignAn R|S Ontology was developed from our systematic content analysis to categorise all R/S survey items identified into key conceptual categories. A systematic literature review was completed for each R/S item to identify any cohort publications involving these items through 2018.ResultsOur content analysis identified 319 R/S survey items, reflecting 213 unique R/S constructs and 50 R|S Ontology categories. 193 of the 319 extant R/S survey items had been analysed in at least one published paper. Using these data, we created the R|S Atlas (https://atlas.mgh.harvard.edu/), a publicly available, online relational database that allows investigators to identify R/S survey items that have been collected by US cohorts, and to further refine searches by other key data available in cohorts that may be necessary for a given study (eg, race/ethnicity, availability of DNA or geocoded data).ConclusionsR|S Atlas not only allows researchers to identify available sources of R/S data in cohort studies but will also assist in identifying novel research questions that have yet to be explored within the context of US cohort studies.
Cross-sectional study examining the accuracy of self-reported smoking status as compared to urinary cotinine levels among workers at risk for chronic kidney disease of unknown origin in Guatemala
Authors: Butler-Dawson Jaime , Barnoya Joaquin , Brindley Stephen , Krisher Lyndsay , Fan Wenyi , Asensio Claudia , Newman Lee S 
Published: October 2021

ObjectivesThere is a lack of information on cotinine levels in rural populations in low-income and middle-income countries like Guatemala. Therefore, there is a need to explore smoking status and biomarkers of tobacco use in epidemiological research in rural, low-income populations, in particular those at-risk for chronic kidney disease of unknown origin (CKDu).DesignWe evaluated self-reported smoking status against urinary cotinine levels, the gold standard biomarker of tobacco smoke exposure, among agricultural workers at four separate cross-sectional time points.SettingGuatemala.Participants283 sugarcane workers.Primary outcome measuresCompared self-reported smoking status and urinary cotinine levels in two agricultural worker studies.ResultsSelf-reported smoking prevalence was 12% among workers. According to cotinine levels (≥50 ng/mL), the smoking prevalence was 34%. Self-reported smoking status had 28% sensitivity and 96% specificity. Urinary cotinine levels show that smoking prevalence is underestimated in this worker population.ConclusionsAccording to our findings, smoking status should be objectively measured with biomarkers rather than self-reported in CKDu epidemiological research. Self-reported smoking status is likely an underestimate of the true smoking prevalence among agricultural workers. Research on the CKDu epidemic in Central America and other parts of the world might be underestimating tobacco exposure as a potential contributor to the development of CKDu.