bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Unmodelled clustering methods for gravitational wave populations of compact binary mergers
Authors: Powell Jade , Stevenson Simon , Mandel Ilya , Tiňo Peter 
Published: July 2019

ABSTRACTThe mass and spin distributions of compact binary gravitational-wave sources are currently uncertain due to complicated astrophysics involved in their formation. Multiple sub-populations of compact binaries representing different evolutionary scenarios may be present amongst sources detected by Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo. In addition to hierarchical modelling, unmodelled methods can aid in determining the number of sub-populations and their properties. In this paper, we apply Gaussian mixture model clustering to 1000 simulated gravitational-wave compact binary sources from a mixture of five sub-populations. Using both mass and spin as input parameters, we determine how many binary detections are needed to accurately determine the number of sub-populations and their mass and spin distributions. In the most difficult case that we consider, where two sub-populations have identical mass distributions but differ in their spin, which is poorly constrained by gravitational-wave detections, we find that ∼400 detections are needed before we can identify the correct number of sub-populations.
Long-Term Smoking Cessation Outcomes for Sexual Minority Versus Nonminority Smokers in a Large Randomized Controlled Trial of Two Web-Based Interventions
Authors: Heffner Jaimee L , Mull Kristin E , Watson Noreen L , McClure Jennifer B , Bricker Jonathan B 
Published: July 2019

Abstract

Introduction
Despite greater smoking prevalence among sexual minority (SM) individuals relative to non-SM individuals, minimal research has examined whether SM smokers have differential success at quitting, and no prior treatment studies have examined differences within SM subgroups. There is also limited knowledge of the psychosocial characteristics of treatment-seeking SM smokers, which could inform targeted treatments. To address these gaps, we compared treatment outcomes and baseline characteristics for SM and non-SM smokers and for bisexual versus lesbian or gay smokers in a large randomized controlled trial of two web-based cessation treatments.

Methods
Trial participants completed a survey to assess baseline characteristics, including self-identification as either SM (n = 253; lesbian or gay, n = 122; bisexual, n = 131) or non-SM (n = 2384). The primary cessation outcome was complete-case, self-reported 30-day abstinence at 12 months after randomization.

Results
Cessation outcomes did not differ significantly for SM versus non-SM smokers (24% vs. 25%, adjusted OR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.65 to 1.28) or across SM subgroups (24% for bisexual vs. 23% for lesbian or gay, adjusted OR = 1.01, 95% CI = 0.51 to 2.00), and there were no interactions with treatment group assignment. At baseline, SM smokers differed from non-SM smokers on most demographics, were more likely to screen positive for all mental health conditions assessed, and had greater exposure to other smokers in the home.

Conclusions
Substantial differences in baseline characteristics of SM versus non-SM smokers and bisexual versus lesbian or gay smokers did not translate into differential treatment outcomes. Nonetheless, SM smokers’ willingness or ability to quit smoking could be enhanced by taking their unique psychosocial profile into account when designing targeted interventions.

Implications
The findings of this study, which included the largest sample of SM smokers in a prospective intervention trial to date, support those of a small extant body of literature showing no differences in treatment-assisted cessation outcomes between SM and non-SM smokers. Regardless of their quit rates relative to non-SM smokers, SM smokers’ willingness or ability to quit smoking could potentially be enhanced by taking their unique psychosocial profile into account in intervention design, including their younger age, lower socioeconomic status, greater likelihood of being racial or ethnic minorities, and greater prevalence of mental health symptoms.
Dating and relationship violence victimization and perpetration among 11–16 year olds in Wales: a cross-sectional analysis of the School Health Research Network (SHRN) survey
Authors: Young Honor , Long Sara Jayne , Melendez-Torres G J , Kim Hyun Sue , Hewitt Gillian , Murphy Simon , Moore Graham F 
Published: July 2019

Abstract

Background
This study examines the prevalence of dating and relationship violence (DRV) victimization, perpetration and joint victimization and perpetration, and associations between DRV and socio-demographic characteristics.

Methods
Cross-sectional self-report data from 74 908 students aged 11–16 from 193 schools across Wales were collected and analysed using generalized estimating equations to examine prevalence and predictors of emotional and physical DRV victimization, perpetration and joint victimization and perpetration.

Results
More girls reported emotional victimization (28%) and perpetration (18%) than boys (20% and 16%, respectively). More girls (8%) than boys (7%) reported physical perpetration. However, boys (17%) reported more physical victimization than girls (12%). Age-related trajectories of DRV victimization and perpetration were stronger in girls than in boys. Students from single or step parent homes, those in care, and certain ethnic minority groups had increased odds of DRV. No association was found between socioeconomic status and DRV.

Conclusions
Age-related trajectories and the lack of social patterning by socioeconomic status point to the value of early, universal interventions, while some evidence of ethnic patterning and family structure-related risk factors suggest areas for further research and targeted interventions. DRV continues to be a major public health problem for which little UK-specific intervention evidence exists.
Loan sharking: changing patterns in, and challenging perceptions of, an abuse of deprivation
Authors: Saunders Patrick 
Published: July 2019

Abstract

Background
Illegal high interest lending or ‘loan sharking’ exploits the vulnerable and has profound negative impacts on individuals and communities. The 2008 UK financial crash and subsequent austerity programme coupled with changes in the consumer credit market have fuelled an increase in predatory lending.

Methods
The study is a descriptive analysis of demographic, financial, health and behavioural data on 753 victims (2011–2017). A review of the causative factors and potential political, economic and public health responses is analysed.

Results
Most victims were female but males were considerably more indebted. Illegal loans are largely taken out for routine living expenses and over 70% of victims reported other serious debts. Victims are disproportionately poor, unemployed and on benefits but fewer than half have had financial or benefits advice. Despite 90% reporting they would not borrow illegally again, 30% had previously done so from the same shark and over half considered them a friend.

Conclusions
The increase in loan sharking has coincided with the withdrawal of traditional sub-prime lenders and local welfare assistance schemes, and the low penetration of Credit Unions in many areas. Conventional perceptions of loan sharks and their relationships with victims are largely incorrect. A range of coordinated financial, political and social interventions is required.
Predictive factors for sustained remission with stratification by myositis-specific autoantibodies in adult polymyositis/dermatomyositis
Authors: Watanabe Eri , Gono Takahisa , Kuwana Masataka , Terai Chihiro 
Published: July 2019

Abstract

Objective
The aim of this study was to clarify predictive factors for sustained remission in adult patients with PM/DM, particularly focusing on stratification by myositis-specific autoantibodies (MSAs).

Methods
A total of 162 adult patients with PM/DM who were followed up for >1 year after diagnosis were retrospectively enrolled. MSAs were evaluated comprehensively in 102 patients whose sera were available. Sustained remission was defined as no evidence of disease activity (active skin rash, active myositis or active interstitial lung disease) for longer than a 6-month continuous period while undergoing myositis therapy or no medication. Clinical data were reviewed in patients’ medical charts

Results
The sustained remission rate for all patients was 58% during the median follow-up period at 4 years. With regard to MSAs, the achievement rate of sustained remission among MSA-negative patients was significantly higher than that for patients with anti-aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (P = 0.004), anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (P = 0.037) or anti-transcriptional intermediary factor 1-γ (P = 0.013) antibodies. MSA-negative status (odds ratio 5.84, P = 0.009) and absence of severe muscle weakness requiring assistance at diagnosis (odds ratio 43.6, P < 0.001) were independent factors associated with sustained remission in multivariate analysis. Cumulative remission rates were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in patients with both the MSA-negative status and absence of severe muscle weakness at diagnosis than the others.

Conclusion
MSA-negative status and the absence of severe muscle weakness requiring assistance at diagnosis are independent predictive factors for sustained remission in adult PM/DM patients.
NATURAL RADIATION EXPOSURE TO THE PUBLIC IN MINING AND ORE BEARING REGIONS OF CAMEROON
Authors: Saïdou  , Tokonami Shinji , Hosoda Masahiro , Joseph Emmanuel Ndjana Nkoulou II , Akata Naofumi , Flore Tchuente Siaka Yvette , Modibo Oumar Bobbo , Samuel Bineng Guillaume , Didier Takoukam Soh Serge 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Within the framework of a joint research project on natural radiation exposure and its health effects in Cameroon from 2014 to 2017, the Institute of Geological and Mining Research and the Hirosaki University worked together to carry out natural radiation survey in mining and ore bearing regions of Cameroon. Air kerma rates were measured using car-borne survey method. In-situ gamma spectrometry was used to determine activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th and 40K in soil. A total of 450 RADUET detectors and 350 thoron progeny monitors were deployed in dwellings of the study areas for 2–3 months, collected and analysed. Although natural radioactivity level seems to be normal in most of the surveyed areas, there are many points where activity concentrations of natural radionuclides are largely above the world average values. Indoor radon, thoron and thoron progeny results show the importance to put in place the national radon plan in Cameroon. It was also pointed out that thoron cannot be neglected when assessing inhalation dose.
Prevalence of Clostridium difficile and its toxins in hospital patients with diarrhoeal diseases in Lusaka, Zambia
Authors: Nehanda Shepherd , Mulundu Gina , Kelly Paul 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackgroundClostridium difficile infection (CDI) has emerged as an important nosocomial and antibiotic-associated diarrhoeal problem leading to increasing morbidity and mortality, especially in resource-privileged regions. CDI varies in incidence, pathogenicity and risk factors across geographical locations, yet little information is available on CDI in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Clostridium difficile and related toxin expression in stool specimens from patients with diarrhoeal disease at the University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia.MethodsBetween June and September 2017, patients presenting with acute or persistent diarrhoea provided stool samples that were cultured anaerobically on cycloserine cefoxitin fructose agar. Isolates were identified by Gram staining, C. difficile latex agglutination and confirmed by PCR targeting of the tpi housekeeping gene. Toxins A or B were detected by ELISA.ResultsOf 135 participants enrolled, 13 (10%) were C. difficile positive, of which four (31%) were toxigenic by ELISA. Among HIV-positive and HIV-negative participants, the frequency of culturable C. difficile (19% vs 12%; p=0.17) and of toxigenic isolates (15% vs 0%, p=0.19) did not differ.ConclusionsWe can now revise previous research and confirm that CDI contributes to diarrhoea among hospitalised adult patients irrespective of HIV status.
The TrueCPR device in the process of teaching cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Authors: Smereka Jacek , Szarpak Lukasz , Czekajlo Michael , Abelson Anna , Zwolinski Piotr , Plusa Tadeusz , Dunder Dominika , Dabrowski Marek , Wiesniewska Zuzanna , Robak Oliver , Frass Michael , Sivrikaya G. Ulufer , Ruetzler Kurt 
Published: July 2019

Abstract

Background:
International resuscitation guidelines emphasize the importance of high quality chest compressions, including correct chest compression depth and rate and complete chest recoil. The aim of the study was to assess the role of the TrueCPR device in the process of teaching cardiopulmonary resuscitation in nursing students.

Methods:
A prospective randomized experimental study was performed among 94 first year students of nursing. On the next day, the participants were divided into 2 groups—the control group practiced chest compressions without the use of any device for half an hour, and the experimental group practiced with the use of TrueCPR. Further measurement of chest compressions was performed after a month.

Results:
The chest compression rate achieved the value of 113 versus 126 (P < .001), adequate chest compression rate (%) was 86 versus 68 (P < .001), full chest release (%) 92 versus 69 (P = .001), and correct hand placement (%) 99 versus 99 (P, not significant) in TrueCPR and standard BLS groups, respectively. As for the assessment of the confidence of chest compression quality, 1 month after the training, the evaluation in the experimental group was statistically significantly higher (91 vs 71; P < .001) than in the control group.

Conclusions:
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation training with the use of the TrueCPR device is associated with better resuscitation skills 1 month after the training. The participants using TrueCPR during the training achieved a better chest compression rate and depth with in international recommendations and better full chest release percentage and self-assessed confidence of chest compression quality comparing with standard cardiopulmonary resuscitation training.
Sarcomatoid carcinoma after radiotherapy for early-stage oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Kim Bo Young , Cho Kyoung Rai , Sohn Jung Heob , Kim Jung Yeon 
Published: July 2019

Abstract

Rationale:
Sarcomatoid carcinoma is a rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with poor prognosis. Previous radiation has been reported as one of the etiologic factors.

Patient concerns:
We describe a case of a 57-year-old man presented with a painless mass in the left supraclavicular area. Five years before, he was diagnosed with SCC in floor of mouth (FOM) and underwent radiotherapy (RT).

Diagnoses:
Sonography-guided biopsy on the supraclavicular lymph node revealed diffuse spindle cell proliferation with a focus of squamous differentiation. Local recurrence on primary site or distant metastasis was not obvious on both computed tomography (CT) of the neck and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography CT. The final diagnosis was confirmed as sarcomatoid carcinoma via surgery.

Interventions:
The patient underwent surgery including explorative resection of the mouth floor, excision of the submandibular gland, and modified radical neck dissection. Following surgery, the patient received adjuvant radiation therapy.

Outcomes:
There were no complications according to the surgery. Six months after adjuvant therapy, distant metastasis to liver was identified. The patient is currently undergoing palliative chemotherapy.

Lessons:
This may be the first reported case of sarcomatoid carcinoma arising from early-stage SCC in FOM that was previously treated with RT alone. When RT is performed as a single modality for oral SCC, even in an early stage, rigorous follow-up should be performed.
The clinical application of partial removal periodontal surgery in the therapy of epulis
Authors: Zhu Yaqiao , Zhang Huihui , Li Chengzhang 
Published: July 2019

Abstract

Background:
The aim of this study was to compare the clinical effects between traditional surgery and minimally invasive periodontal surgery in the treatment of epulis.

Methods:
A total of 33 cases of patients diagnosed with fibrous epulis were randomly divided into traditional surgery group and minimally invasive periodontal surgery group. After the different procedures, several parameters were detected to evaluate the effects of minimally invasive periodontal surgery.

Results:
Preoperative bleeding index and plaque index, adopt rank, and test showed no significant differences between the 2 groups. After 12 weeks, gingival papilla filling index in experiment group is statistically higher than control group, and shows the statistical differences (P < .05). The width of keratinized gingiva in experiment group grew more than that in control group, and showed the statistical differences (4.68 ± 0.30 vs 3.00 ± 0.28 mm, P < .05). No recurrence of fibrous epulis was found during the subsequent 6 months to 2 years follow-up after the surgeries.

Conclusion:
Minimally invasive periodontal surgery that reserved tumor epithelium could have a better effect than the traditional surgery in the selected patients.
A borderline form of empty follicle syndrome treated with a double-trigger of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist and human chorionic gonadotropin
Authors: Song Jingyan , Sun Zhengao 
Published: July 2019

Abstract

Rationale:
The borderline form of empty follicle syndrome (EFS) is a phenomenon where only a few mature or immature oocytes are retrieved despite adequate response to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH). It is a rare phenomenon with an unclear underlying mechanism, and there is currently no effective treatment.

Patient concerns:
The patient received 3 assisted reproductive technology cycles, and although her follicular development and estrogen levels were normal during COH, the outcome with respect to the oocytes obtained was unsatisfactory.

Diagnoses:
Borderline form of EFS.

Interventions:
In the context of undergoing GnRH-antagonist protocol, we implemented a double-trigger with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) after 6 hours of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) administration.

Outcomes:
Eleven oocytes were obtained (M I × 3, M II × 8), which underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF). After 18 hours, 7 oocytes showed normal fertilization, with 2 embryos formed 72 hours later (embryo rating, 6C II × 1, 9C II × 1); the embryos were then frozen.

Lessons:
Oocyte maturation and ovulation are time-dependent processes, and that different patients require different lengths/intervals of time for treatment. Therefore, the borderline form of EFS, in general, may be treatable, and our novel trigger method provides a new treatment option for such patients in the future.
Physical activity programs for balance and fall prevention in elderly
Authors: Thomas Ewan , Battaglia Giuseppe , Patti Antonino , Brusa Jessica , Leonardi Vincenza , Palma Antonio , Bellafiore Marianna 
Published: July 2019

Abstract

Background:
Due to demographic changes the world's population is progressively ageing. The physiological decay of the elderly adult may lead to a reduction in the ability to balance and an increased risk of falls becoming an important issue among the elderly. In order to counteract the decay in the ability to balance, physical activity has been proven to be effective. The aim of this study is to systematically review the scientific literature in order to identify physical activity programs able to increase balance in the elderly.

Methods:
This review is based on the data from Medline-NLM, Pubmed, ScienceDirect, and SPORTDiscuss and includes randomized control trials that have analyzed balance and physical activity in healthy elderly over 65 years of age during the last decade. A final number of 8 manuscripts were included in the qualitative synthesis, which comprised 200 elderly with a mean age of 75.1 ± 4.4 years. The sample size of the studies varied from 9 to 61 and the intervention periods from 8 to 32 weeks.

Results:
Eight articles were considered eligible and included in the quantitative synthesis. The articles investigated the effects of resistance and aerobic exercise, balance training, T-bow© and wobble board training, aerobic step and stability ball training, adapted physical activity and Wii Fit training on balance outcomes. Balance measures of the studies showed improvements between 16% and 42% compared to baseline assessments.

Conclusions:
Balance is a multifactorial quality that can be effectively increased by different exercise training means. It is fundamental to promote physical activity in the aging adult, being that a negative effect on balance performance has been seen in the no-intervention control groups.
Identification of miRNAs-genes regulatory network in diabetic nephropathy based on bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Yang Fengying , Cui Zhenhai , Deng Hongjun , Wang Ying , Chen Yang , Li Huiqing , Yuan Li 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a great contribution to the development of diabetic nephropathy (DN). The aim of this study was to explore potential miRNAs-genes regulatory network and biomarkers for the pathogenesis of DN using bioinformatics methods.
Gene expression profiling data related to DN (GSE1009) was obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and then differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between DN patients and normal individuals were screened using GEO2R, followed by a series of bioinformatics analyses, including identifying key genes, conducting pathway enrichment analysis, predicting and identifying key miRNAs, and establishing regulatory relationships between key miRNAs and their target genes.
A total of 600 DEGs associated with DN were identified. An additional 7 key DEGs, including 6 downregulated genes, such as vascular endothelial growth factor α (VEGFA) and COL4A5, and 1 upregulated gene (CCL19), were identified in another dataset (GSE30528) from glomeruli samples. Pathway analysis showed that the down- and upregulated DEGs were enriched in 14 and 6 pathways, respectively, with 7 key genes mainly involved in extracellular matrix–receptor interaction, PI3K/Akt signaling, focal adhesion, and Rap1 signaling. The relationships between miRNAs and target genes were constructed, showing that miR-29 targeted COL4A and VEGFA, miR-200 targeted VEGFA, miR-25 targeted ITGAV, and miR-27 targeted EGFR.
MiR-29 and miR-200 may play important roles in DN. VEGFA and COL4A5 were targeted by miR-29 and VEGFA by miR-200, which may mediate multiple signaling pathways leading to the pathogenesis and development of DN.