bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Variance-based sensitivity analysis for weighting estimators results in more informative bounds
Authors: Huang Melody , Pimentel Samuel D 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Weighting methods are popular tools for estimating causal effects, and assessing their robustness under unobserved confounding is important in practice. Current approaches to sensitivity analyses rely on bounding a worst-case error from omitting a confounder. In this paper, we introduce a new sensitivity model called the variance-based sensitivity model, which instead bounds the distributional differences that arise in the weights from omitting a confounder. The variance-based sensitivity model can be parameterized by an R2 parameter that is both standardized and bounded. We demonstrate, both empirically and theoretically, that the variance-based sensitivity model provides improvements on the stability of the sensitivity analysis procedure over existing methods. We show that by moving away from worst-case bounds, we are able to obtain more interpretable and informative bounds. We illustrate our proposed approach on a study examining blood mercury levels using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
Gene expression and brain imaging association study reveals gene signatures in major depressive disorder
Authors: Liu Wei , Su Jian-Po , Zeng Ling-Li , Shen Hui , Hu De-Wen 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Major depressive disorder is often characterized by changes in the structure and function of the brain, which are influenced by modifications in gene expression profiles. How the depression-related genes work together within the scope of time and space to cause pathological changes remains unclear. By integrating the brain-wide gene expression data and imaging data in major depressive disorder, we identified gene signatures of major depressive disorder and explored their temporal–spatial expression specificity, network properties, function annotations and sex differences systematically. Based on correlation analysis with permutation testing, we found 345 depression-related genes significantly correlated with functional and structural alteration of brain images in major depressive disorder and separated them by directional effects. The genes with negative effect for grey matter density and positive effect for functional indices are enriched in downregulated genes in the post-mortem brain samples of patients with depression and risk genes identified by genome-wide association studies than genes with positive effect for grey matter density and negative effect for functional indices and control genes, confirming their potential association with major depressive disorder. By introducing a parameter of dispersion measure on the gene expression data of developing human brains, we revealed higher spatial specificity and lower temporal specificity of depression-related genes than control genes. Meanwhile, we found depression-related genes tend to be more highly expressed in females than males, which may contribute to the difference in incidence rate between male and female patients. In general, we found the genes with negative effect have lower network degree, more specialized function, higher spatial specificity, lower temporal specificity and more sex differences than genes with positive effect, indicating they may play different roles in the occurrence and development of major depressive disorder. These findings can enhance the understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying major depressive disorder and help develop tailored diagnostic and treatment strategies for patients of depression of different sex.
Association between CKD-MBD and hip-bone microstructures in dialysis patients
Authors: Iseri Ken , Mizobuchi Masahide , Shishido Kanji , Hida Noriko 
Published: August 2024

ABSTRACT

Background
The longitudinal changes in hip-bone microstructures and estimated bone strength in dialysis patients, and the impact of chronic kidney disease–mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) biomarkers on these changes, remain insufficiently explored.

Methods
This retrospective study examined changes in cortical and trabecular bone compartments and estimated bone-strength indices, obtained by using 3D-SHAPER software, in the hip regions of 276 dialysis patients over up to 2.5 years. We used multivariate mixed models to investigate the associations between time-dependent CKD-MBD biomarkers and bone health metrics.

Results
There was a significant decrease in areal bone mineral density (aBMD), integral volumetric BMD (vBMD), trabecular vBMD, cortical thickness and cortical surface BMD (sBMD). Similar deteriorations were found in estimated bone-strength indices [cross-sectional area (CSA), cross-sectional moment of inertia (CSMI), section modulus (SM) and buckling ratio]. Neither serum calcium nor phosphate levels were significantly associated with changes in three-dimensional parameters or estimated bone-strength indices. In contrast, serum alkaline phosphatase levels showed a significant inverse correlation with aBMD and CSA. The intact-parathyroid hormone (i-PTH) was significantly inversely correlated with aBMD, integral vBMD, trabecular vBMD, cortical thickness, cortical vBMD, CSA, CSMI and SM. When applying the KDIGO criteria as a sensitivity analysis, the higher PTH group had significant negative associations with aBMD, integral vBMD, cortical vBMD, cortical thickness and cortical sBMD. Notably, the lower PTH group showed a positive significant correlation with integral vBMD and trabecular vBMD.

Conclusions
Elevated PTH, not low PTH, was associated with deterioration of hip-bone microstructures. Better management of PTH levels may play a crucial role in the hip-bone microstructure in dialysis patients.
Driving restrictions following defibrillator implantation: a nationwide register-linked survey study on the impact on employment, daily living, and driving behaviour
Authors: Hansen Malene Hammer , Rasmussen Trine Bernholdt , Risom Signe Stelling , Rosenkranz Simone , Schou Morten , Larroudé Charlotte , Gislason Gunnar , Ruwald Anne-Christine , Bjerre Jenny 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Aims
Following implantation of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), patients are temporarily restricted from private motor vehicle driving and permanently prohibited from professional driving. We aimed to investigate the impact of driving restrictions following ICD implantation and in the case of ICD shock on employment, daily living activities, driving concerns, and driving behaviour.

Methods and results
Data were retrieved from a nationwide survey on driving restrictions in Danish ICD patients, distributed in 2017 to all patients ≥18 years implanted with a first-time ICD from 2013 to 2016 (n = 3913). Responses were linked with data from nationwide registers. The response rate was 71% (final analysable population n = 2741, 83% male, median age 67 years, 316 had experienced an ICD shock, and 911 patients reported receipt of driving restrictions of minimum 1 month). Among active professional drivers (n = 175), 33% had lost their job as a direct consequence of the driving restrictions. Of those working prior to ICD implantation (n = 465), 47% reported being limited in maintaining employment due to private driving restrictions. Among those restricted from driving for a minimum of 1 month, 26% reported the restrictions overall had substantially impeded their daily living. Factors associated with substantial impediment were age &lt;65 years [OR 1.84 (95% CI 1.35–2.52)], higher income [OR 1.47 (95% CI 1.05–2.05)], and driving ≥7 h/week pre-implantation [OR 1.66 (95% CI 1.23–2.24)]. Being nervous about driving or altering driving habits was reported by 3–7%.

Conclusion
Both professional and private driving restrictions affect the ability to maintain employment and have a negative impact on ICD recipients’ daily living activities.
Healthcare Appointments as Commitment Devices
Authors: Derksen Laura , Kerwin Jason T , Ordaz Reynoso Natalia , Sterck Olivier 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
We show that ordinary appointments can act as effective substitutes for hard commitment devices and increase demand for a critical healthcare service, particularly among those with self-control problems. We show this using an experiment that randomly offered HIV testing appointments and hard commitment devices to high-risk men in Malawi. Appointments more than double testing rates, with effects concentrated among those who demand commitment. In contrast, most men who take up hard commitments lose their investments. Appointments overcome commitment problems without the potential drawback of commitment failure, and have the potential to increase demand for healthcare in the developing world.
Numerical method and error estimate for stochastic Landau–Lifshitz–Bloch equation
Authors: Goldys Beniamin , Jiao Chunxi , Le Kim-Ngan 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
In this paper we study numerical methods for solving a system of quasilinear stochastic partial differential equations known as the stochastic Landau–Lifshitz–Bloch (LLB) equation on a bounded domain in ${\mathbb{R}}^{d}$ for $d=1,2$. Our main results are estimates of the rate of convergence of the Finite Element Method to the solutions of stochastic LLB. To overcome the lack of regularity of the solution in the case $d=2$, we propose a Finite Element scheme for a regularized version of the equation. We then obtain error estimates of numerical solutions and for the solution of the regularized equation as well as the rate of convergence of this solution to the solution of the stochastic LLB equation. As a consequence, the convergence in probability of the approximate solutions to the solution of the stochastic LLB equation is derived. A stronger result is obtained in the case $d=1$ due to a new regularity result for the LLB equation which allows us to avoid regularization.
PheMIME: an interactive web app and knowledge base for phenome-wide, multi-institutional multimorbidity analysis
Authors: Zhang Siwei , Strayer Nick , Vessels Tess , Choi Karmel , Wang Geoffrey W , Li Yajing , Bejan Cosmin A , Hsi Ryan S , Bick Alexander G , Velez Edwards Digna R , Savona Michael R , Phillips Elizabeth J , Pulley Jill M , Self Wesley H , Hopkins Wilkins Consuelo , Roden Dan M , Smoller Jordan W , Ruderfer Douglas M , Xu Yaomin 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Objectives
To address the need for interactive visualization tools and databases in characterizing multimorbidity patterns across different populations, we developed the Phenome-wide Multi-Institutional Multimorbidity Explorer (PheMIME). This tool leverages three large-scale EHR systems to facilitate efficient analysis and visualization of disease multimorbidity, aiming to reveal both robust and novel disease associations that are consistent across different systems and to provide insight for enhancing personalized healthcare strategies.

Materials and Methods
PheMIME integrates summary statistics from phenome-wide analyses of disease multimorbidities, utilizing data from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Mass General Brigham, and the UK Biobank. It offers interactive and multifaceted visualizations for exploring multimorbidity. Incorporating an enhanced version of associationSubgraphs, PheMIME also enables dynamic analysis and inference of disease clusters, promoting the discovery of complex multimorbidity patterns. A case study on schizophrenia demonstrates its capability for generating interactive visualizations of multimorbidity networks within and across multiple systems. Additionally, PheMIME supports diverse multimorbidity-based discoveries, detailed further in online case studies.

Results
The PheMIME is accessible at https://prod.tbilab.org/PheMIME/. A comprehensive tutorial and multiple case studies for demonstration are available at https://prod.tbilab.org/PheMIME_supplementary_materials/. The source code can be downloaded from https://github.com/tbilab/PheMIME.

Discussion
PheMIME represents a significant advancement in medical informatics, offering an efficient solution for accessing, analyzing, and interpreting the complex and noisy real-world patient data in electronic health records.

Conclusion
PheMIME provides an extensive multimorbidity knowledge base that consolidates data from three EHR systems, and it is a novel interactive tool designed to analyze and visualize multimorbidities across multiple EHR datasets. It stands out as the first of its kind to offer extensive multimorbidity knowledge integration with substantial support for efficient online analysis and interactive visualization.
Learning about climate change with algorithmic news? A two-wave panel study examining the role of “news-finds-me” perception
Authors: Su Yan , Luo Chen , Borah Porismita 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
In an ambient news environment, people often believe that they can be well-informed without actively seeking news, resulting in the “news-finds-me” (NFM) perception. Leveraging a two-wave panel survey in China (W1N = 1,465; W2N = 1,015), we examined the impact of the NFM perception on climate change knowledge. Findings showed that NFM did not influence climate change knowledge, while algorithmic news attitude (ANA) played a mediating role. Specifically, NFM was positively associated with ANA, which in turn facilitated knowledge. Furthermore, this relationship was moderated by discussion network heterogeneity. The positive effect of ANA and the positive indirect effect of NFM on climate change knowledge were stronger among those with a more heterogeneous discussion network. Implications are discussed.
Uptake of breast cancer screening practices in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ebrahimoghli Reza , Aghaei Mir Hossein , Azami-Aghdash Saber , Houssami Nehmat 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background
Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer worldwide and the leading cause of cancer mortality in women. Uptake of breast cancer screening and early-detection practices in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) has not been synthesized. We aimed to systematically quantify uptake of breast cancer screening in LMIC.

Methods
We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational population-based studies that reported the uptake of screening or early-detection practices. We searched the PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Knowledge databases to January 2024. We pooled data using random-effects meta-analysis and explored heterogeneity using subgroup analyses.

Results
We included 174 population-based studies encompassing more than 78 million women. Pooled prevalence of self-reported uptake of screening mammography was 22.7% (95% confidence interval = 18.6% to 27.2%), of self-reports of having had a clinical breast examination for screening was 23.1% (95% confidence interval = 19.5% to 27.0%), and of self-reported regular breast self-examination (relevant for breast awareness in LMIC) was 14.6% (95% confidence interval = 11.6% to 17.9%). Uptake of breast cancer screening practices was lowest in Africa and low- and lower-middle income countries. Uptake of breast cancer screening practices remained stable over time or decreased slightly. Women who lived in rural area, were single, had lower income levels, had low educational attainment, were unemployed, were uninsured, and had no family history of breast cancer were generally least likely to self-report uptake of breast cancer screening.

Conclusion
This meta-analysis identified concerningly low uptake of breast cancer screening practices in LMIC. Governments should prioritize developing context-appropriate strategies to address this low uptake to support population-level stage shifting of breast cancer in LMIC.
Adopting the 2023 CDC Early Testing for Perinatal Hepatitis C: Call to Action for Pediatric Primary Care Providers
Authors: Saleh Ezzeldin , Rodriguez Marcela 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
In the United States, the burden of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is disproportionately high among young adults including pregnant persons, resulting in increased infections among children as perinatal transmission remains the main route of HCV infection in children. Hence, in 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended universal HCV screening during each pregnancy. HCV infection in infancy is usually asymptomatic, so the diagnosis entirely relies on testing of perinatally exposed infants which, historically, included anti-HCV antibody testing at ≥18 months of age. However, nation-wide perinatal HCV testing rates have been suboptimal with significant loss to follow-up. To address this problem, in 2023, the CDC introduced early single HCV RNA testing at 2–6 months of age with an alternative for HCV RNA testing up to 17 months of age if not previously tested. The high sensitivity and specificity of the HCV real-time PCR laid the grounds for this policy shift. In this review, we highlight how these new CDC recommendations will enhance testing of infants and children and ultimately contribute to overall HCV elimination efforts. We also emphasize the role of all pediatric providers and obstetricians in implementing these new guidelines. Additionally, we offer our perspective and practical advice for testing of perinatally exposed infants and children. Currently, curative oral antivirals for HCV-infection treatment are approved for children ≥3 years of age. As pediatricians, advocating for children’s wellness, it is our utmost duty to ensure that every child exposed to perinatal hepatitis C has been tested, diagnosed, linked to care, treated, and achieved cure.
Homonymous hemianopia following yellow fever vaccination: a case of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis
Authors: Hensel Carla A , Jackson Justin D 
Published: August 2024

A 42-year-old Caucasian man developed left homonymous hemianopia 16 days after receipt of a live-attenuated 17D-204 yellow fever virus vaccine. MRI imaging of the brain revealed right occipital and left parieto-occipital lesions with marked hyperintensity consistent with demyelination, and a diagnosis of yellow fever vaccine-associated acute disseminated encephalomyelitis was made.
Excitation of CO molecules in diffuse gas over cosmic history
Authors: Klimenko V V , Balashev S A , Noterdaeme P , Srianand R , Ivanchik A V 
Published: August 2024

ABSTRACT
We studied the physical conditions in the local interstellar medium (ISM) and at high redshift by fitting observed column densities of CO and H2 rotational levels and C i fine-structure levels using photodissociation models calculated with the Meudon PDR code. We analysed CO absorption systems in 28 sight lines in the local ISM and seven damped Lyman-α absorption systems at high redshift, covering $N({\rm H_2})=10^{19}\!-\!10^{21.5}\,{\rm cm}^{-2}$ and $N({\rm CO})=10^{13}\!-\!10^{18}\,{\rm cm}^{-2}$. We constructed a method to accurately calculate CO excitation, incorporating the effects of photon trapping. Our findings indicate that in the local ISM, CO excitation is primarily driven by collisions and excitation due to the CMB radiation. We demonstrated that an increase in CO excitation observed near $N({\rm CO})\simeq 10^{15}~{\rm cm^{-2}}$, is attributed to an increase in gas densities from ${\simeq}100\,{\rm cm}^{-3}$ to ${\simeq}300\!-\!1000\,{\rm cm}^{-3}$. CO absorption systems in the local ISM are characterized by a gas number density of about 10–1000 cm−3, a kinetic temperature of 10–100 K, and an intensity of external UV field ranging from 0.1 to 10 units of Mathis field. Compared to the average gas probed by C i absorption, the gas detected in CO is denser and colder, while the external UV field remains nearly constant. We observed a negative correlation between the kinetic temperature and both N(CO) and N(H2), with power-law slopes of $-0.21\pm 0.02$ and $-0.65\pm 0.05$, respectively. At the same time, the gas number density exhibits a positive correlation with N(CO) and N(H2) with slopes of $0.38\pm 0.02$ and $1.15\pm 0.05$, respectively.
An ALMA survey of submillimetre galaxies in the Extended Chandra Deep Field South: an unbiased study of SMG environments measured with narrow-band imaging
Authors: Cornish Thomas M , Wardlow Julie , Wade Heather , Sobral David , Brandt William N , Cox Pierre , Dannerbauer Helmut , Decarli Roberto , Gullberg Bitten , Knudsen Kirsten , Stott John , Swinbank Mark , Walter Fabian , van der Werf Paul 
Published: August 2024

ABSTRACT
Submillimetre galaxies (SMGs) are some of the most extreme star-forming systems in the Universe, whose place in the framework of galaxy evolution is as yet uncertain. It has been hypothesized that SMGs are progenitors of local early-type galaxies, requiring that SMGs generally reside in galaxy cluster progenitors at high redshift. We test this hypothesis and explore SMG environments using a narrow-band VLT/HAWK-I+GRAAL study of H $\alpha$ and [O iii] emitters around an unbiased sample of three ALMA-identified and spectroscopically confirmed SMGs at $z \sim 2.3$ and $\sim 3.3$, where these SMGs were selected solely on spectroscopic redshift. Comparing with blank-field observations at similar epochs, we find that one of the three SMGs lies in an overdensity of emission-line sources on the $\sim 4$ Mpc scale of the HAWK-I field of view, with overdensity parameter $\delta _{g} = 2.6^{+1.4}_{-1.2}$. A second SMG is significantly overdense only on $\lesssim 1.6$ Mpc scales and the final SMG is consistent with residing in a blank field environment. The total masses of the two overdensities are estimated to be $\log (M_{h}/{\rm M}_{\odot }) =$ 12.1–14.4, leading to present-day masses of $\log (M_{h,z=0}/{\rm M}_{\odot }) =$ 12.9–15.9. These results imply that SMGs occupy a range of environments, from overdense protoclusters or protogroups to the blank field, suggesting that while some SMGs are strong candidates for the progenitors of massive elliptical galaxies in clusters, this may not be their only possible evolutionary pathway.
The TRAPUM Large Magellanic Cloud pulsar survey with MeerKAT – I. Survey set-up and first seven pulsar discoveries
Authors: Prayag V , Levin L , Geyer M , Stappers B W , Carli E , Barr E D , Breton R P , Buchner S , Burgay M , Kramer M , Possenti A , Krishnan V Venkatraman , Venter C , Behrend J , Chen W , Horn D M , Padmanabh P V , Ridolfi A 
Published: August 2024

ABSTRACT
The Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) presents a unique environment for pulsar population studies due to its distinct star formation characteristics and proximity to the Milky Way. As part of the TRAPUM (TRAnsients and PUlsars with MeerKAT) Large Survey Project, we are using the core array of the MeerKAT radio telescope (MeerKAT) to conduct a targeted search of the LMC for radio pulsars at L-band frequencies, 856–1712 MHz. The excellent sensitivity of MeerKAT, coupled with a 2-h integration time, makes the survey 3 times more sensitive than previous LMC radio pulsar surveys. We report the results from the initial four survey pointings which have resulted in the discovery of seven new radio pulsars, increasing the LMC radio pulsar population by 30 per cent. The pulse periods of these new pulsars range from 278 to 1690 ms, and the highest dispersion measure is 254.20 $\mathrm{ pc} \, \mathrm{ cm}^{-3}$. We searched for, but did not find any significant pulsed radio emission in a beam centred on the SN 1987A remnant, establishing an upper limit of 6.3 $\mu \mathrm{ Jy}$ on its minimum flux density at 1400 MHz.