bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Refining Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) distribution models: a comparison of current methods to an established protocol
Authors: Williams Allison K , Peterman William E , Pesapane Risa 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis Say) pose an enormous public health risk in eastern North America as the vector responsible for transmitting 7 human pathogens, including those causing the most common vector-borne disease in the United States, Lyme disease. Species distribution modeling is an increasingly popular method for predicting the potential distribution and subsequent risk of blacklegged ticks, however, the development of such models thus far is highly variable and would benefit from the use of standardized protocols. To identify where standardized protocols would most benefit current distribution models, we completed the “Overview, Data, Model, Assessment, and Prediction” (ODMAP) distribution modeling protocol for 21 publications reporting 22 blacklegged tick distribution models. We calculated an average adherence of 73.4% (SD ± 29%). Most prominently, we found that authors could better justify and connect their selection of variables and associated spatial scales to blacklegged tick ecology. In addition, the authors could provide clearer descriptions of model development, including checks for multicollinearity, spatial autocorrelation, and plausibility. Finally, authors could improve their reporting of variable effects to avoid undermining the models’ utility in informing species–environment relationships. To enhance future model rigor and reproducibility, we recommend utilizing several resources including the ODMAP protocol, and suggest that journals make protocol compliance a publication prerequisite.
Optimal Allocation Under Anticipated Nonresponse
Authors: Mendelson Jonathan , Elliott Michael R 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Survey response rates have declined dramatically in recent years, increasing the costs of data collection. Despite this, there is little existing research on how to most efficiently allocate samples in a manner that incorporates response rate information. Existing mathematical theory on allocation for single-stage stratified sample designs generally assumes complete response. A common practice is to allocate sample under complete response, then to inflate the sample sizes by the inverse of the anticipated response rates. However, we show that this method can fail to improve upon an unadjusted allocation, due to ignoring the associated increase in the cost per interview. We provide mathematical theory on how to allocate single-stage designs in a manner that incorporates the effects of nonresponse on cost efficiency. We derive the optimal allocation for the poststratified estimator under nonresponse, which minimizes either the unconditional variance of our estimator or the expected costs, holding the other constant, and taking into account uncertainty in the number of respondents. We assume a cost model that incorporates effects of nonresponse. We provide theoretical comparisons between our allocation and common alternatives, which illustrate how response rates, population characteristics, and cost structure can affect the methods’ relative efficiency. In an application to a self-administered survey of US military personnel, the proposed allocation increases the effective sample size by 25 percent, compared with common practice.
Discrepancies in dengue burden estimates: a comparative analysis of reported cases and global burden of disease study, 2010–2019
Authors: Lee Sin Yee , Shih Hsin-I , Lo Wei-Cheng , Lu Tsung-Hsueh , Chien Yu-Wen 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background
Dengue is a significant mosquito-borne disease. Several studies have utilized estimates from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study to assess the global, regional or national burden of dengue over time. However, our recent investigation suggests that GBD’s estimates for dengue cases in Taiwan are unrealistically high. The current study extends the scope to compare reported dengue cases with GBD estimates across 30 high-burden countries and territories, aiming to assess the accuracy and interpretability of the GBD’s dengue estimates.

Methods
Data for this study were sourced from the GBD 2019 study and various national and international databases documenting reported dengue cases. The analysis targeted the top 30 countries and territories with the highest 10-year average of reported cases from 2010 to 2019. Discrepancies were quantified by computing absolute differences and ratios between the 10-year average of reported cases and GBD estimates. Coefficients of variation (CV) and estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) were calculated to assess variations and trends in the two data sources.

Results
Significant discrepancies were noted between reported data and GBD estimates in the number of dengue cases, incidence rates, and EAPCs. GBD estimates were substantially higher than reported cases for many entities, with the most notable differences found in China (570.0-fold), India (303.0-fold), Bangladesh (115.4-fold), Taiwan (85.5-fold) and Indonesia (23.2-fold). Furthermore, the GBD’s estimates did not accurately reflect the extensive yearly fluctuations in dengue outbreaks, particularly in non-endemic regions such as Taiwan, China and Argentina, as evidenced by high CVs.

Conclusions
This study reveals substantial discrepancies between GBD estimates and reported dengue cases, underscoring the imperative for comprehensive analysis in areas with pronounced disparities. The failure of GBD estimates to represent the considerable annual fluctuations in dengue outbreaks highlights the critical need for improvement in disease burden estimation methodologies for dengue.
Impact of Rank, Provider Specialty, and Unit Sustainment Training Frequency on Military Critical Care Air Transport Team Readiness
Authors: Leib Nicole , Cheney Mark , Burkhardt Joshua N , Nelson Eric , Diffley Shannon , Salvator Ann , Davis Tyler , Robinson F Eric , Brown Daniel J , Frasier Lane , Sams Valerie , Strilka Richard J 
Published: April 2024

ABSTRACT

Background
The Critical Care Air Transport (CCAT) Advanced Course utilizes fully immersive high-fidelity simulations to assess personnel readiness for deployment. This study aims to determine whether simple well-defined demographic identifiers can be used to predict CCAT students’ performance at CCAT Advanced.

Materials and Methods
CCAT Advanced student survey data and course status (pass/fail) between March 2006 and April 2020 were analyzed. The data included students’ Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC), military status (active duty and reserve/guard), CCAT deployment experience (yes/no), prior CCAT Advanced training (yes/no), medical specialty, rank, and unit sustainment training frequency (never, frequency less often than monthly, and frequency at least monthly). Following descriptive analysis and comparative tests, multivariable regression was used to identify the predictors of passing the CCAT Advanced course for each provider type.

Results
A total of 2,576 student surveys were analyzed: 694 (27%) physicians (MDs), 1,051 (40%) registered nurses (RNs), and 842 (33%) respiratory therapists (RTs). The overall passing rates were 92.2%, 90.3%, and 85.4% for the MDs, RNs, and RTs, respectively. The students were composed of 579 (22.5%) reserve/guard personnel, 636 (24.7%) with CCAT deployment experience, and 616 (23.9%) with prior CCAT Advanced training. Regression analysis identified groups with lower odds of passing; these included (1) RNs who promoted from Captain to Major (post-hoc analysis, P = .03), (2) RTs with rank Senior Airman, as compared to Master Sergeants (post-hoc analysis, P = .04), and (3) MDs with a nontraditional AFSC (P = .0004). Predictors of passing included MDs and RNs with CCAT deployment experience, odds ratio 2.97 (P = .02) and 2.65 (P = .002), respectively; and RTs who engaged in unit CCAT sustainment at least monthly (P = .02). The identifiers prior CCAT Advanced training or reserve/guard military status did not confer a passing advantage.

Conclusion
Our main result is that simple readily available metrics available to unit commanders can identify those members at risk for poor performance at CCAT Advanced readiness training; these include RNs with rank Major or above, RTs with rank Senior Airman, and RTs who engage in unit sustainment training less often than monthly. Finally, MD specialties which are nontraditional for CCAT have significantly lower CCAT Advanced passing rates, reserve/guard students did not outperform active duty students, there was no difference in the performance between different RN specialties, and for MD and RN students’ previous deployment experience was a strong predictor of passing.
Preparing Future Military Medical Officers to Conduct Emergency Fresh Whole Blood Transfusions in Austere Environments: A Novel Training Curriculum
Authors: Matthews Kevin J , Walther Samuel , Brown Zachery L , Cuestas Joshua P , Shumaker Jonathan T , Moore Durwood W , Cole Rebekah 
Published: April 2024

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Providing resilient Damage Control Resuscitation capabilities as close to the point of injury as possible is paramount to reducing mortality and improving patient outcomes for our nation’s warfighters. Emergency Fresh Whole Blood Transfusions (EFWBT) play a critical role in supporting this capability, especially in future large-scale combat operations against peer adversaries with expected large patient volumes, restrictive operating environments, and unreliable logistical supply lines. Although there are service-specific training programs for whole blood transfusion, there is currently no dedicated EFWBT training for future military medical officers. To address this gap, we developed, implemented, and evaluated a training program to enhance EFWBT proficiency in third-year military medical students at the F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine at the USU.

Materials and Methods
After reviewing both the 75th Ranger Regiment Ranger O-Low Titer program and the Marine Corps’ Valkyrie program, along with the relevant Joint Trauma System Clinical Practice Guidelines, we created a streamlined and abbreviated training curriculum. The training consisted of both online preparatory materials as well as a 2-hour in-person training that included didactic and experiential learning components. Participants were 165 active duty third-year medical students at USU. Participants were assessed using a pre- and post-assessment self-reported questionnaire on their confidence in the practical application and administrative oversight requirements of an EFWBT program. Participants’ performance was also assessed using a pre/post knowledge assessment consisting of 10 multiple choice questions identified as critical to understanding of the academic principles of EFWBT along with the baseline questionnaire.

Results
Differences in the mean scores of the pre- and post-assessment self-reported questionnaire (increased from 2.32 to 3.95) were statistically significant (P &lt; .001). Similarly, there was a statistically significant improvement in student test scores, with the mean score increasing by approximately 3 points or 30%. There was no significant difference in student confidence assessment or test scores based on branch of service. Students who had previously deployed did not show a statistically significant difference in scores compared to students who had not previously deployed.

Conclusions
Our results suggest that the implementation of streamlined EFWBT training into the undergraduate medical education of future military medical officers offers an efficient way to improve their baseline proficiency in EFWBTs. Future research is needed to assess the impact of this training on real-world applications in forward-deployed environments.
Prognostic Accuracy of Screening Tools for Clinical Deterioration in Adults With Suspected Sepsis in Northeastern Thailand: A Cohort Validation Study
Authors: Wixon-Genack Jenna , Wright Shelton W , Cobb Ortega Natalie L , Hantrakun Viriya , Rudd Kristina E , Teparrukkul Prapit , Limmathurotsakul Direk , West T Eoin 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background
We sought to assess the performance of commonly used clinical scoring systems to predict imminent clinical deterioration in patients hospitalized with suspected infection in rural Thailand.

Methods
Patients with suspected infection were prospectively enrolled within 24 hours of admission to a referral hospital in northeastern Thailand between 2013 and 2017. In patients not requiring intensive medical interventions, multiple enrollment scores were calculated including the National Early Warning Score (NEWS), the Modified Early Warning Score, Between the Flags, and the quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score. Scores were tested for predictive accuracy of clinical deterioration, defined as a new requirement of mechanical ventilation, vasoactive medications, intensive care unit admission, and/or death approximately 1 day after enrollment. The association of each score with clinical deterioration was evaluated by means of logistic regression, and discrimination was assessed by generating area under the receiver operating characteristic curve.

Results
Of 4989 enrolled patients, 2680 met criteria for secondary analysis, and 100 of 2680 (4%) experienced clinical deterioration within 1 day after enrollment. NEWS had the highest discrimination for predicting clinical deterioration (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.78 [95% confidence interval, .74–.83]) compared with the Modified Early Warning Score (0.67 [.63–.73]; P &lt; .001), quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (0.65 [.60–.70]; P &lt; .001), and Between the Flags (0.69 [.64–.75]; P &lt; .001). NEWS ≥5 yielded optimal sensitivity and specificity for clinical deterioration prediction.

Conclusions
In patients hospitalized with suspected infection in a resource-limited setting in Southeast Asia, NEWS can identify patients at risk of imminent clinical deterioration with greater accuracy than other clinical scoring systems.
Should Blood Cultures Be Drawn Through an Indwelling Catheter?
Authors: Mermel Leonard A , Rupp Mark E 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
There is no practical way to definitively diagnose a catheter-related bloodstream infection in situ if blood cultures are only obtained percutaneously unless there is the rare occurrence of purulent drainage from a central venous catheter insertion site. That is why the Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines for diagnosis and management of catheter-related bloodstream infections and Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines for evaluation of fever in critically ill patients both recommend drawing blood cultures from a central venous catheter and percutaneously if the catheter is a suspected source of infection. However, central venous catheter–drawn blood cultures may be more likely to be positive reflecting catheter hub, connector, or intraluminal colonization, and many hospitals in the United States discourage blood culture collection from catheters in an effort to reduce reporting of central-line associated bloodstream infections to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As such, clinical decisions are made regarding catheter removal or other therapeutic interventions based on incomplete and potentially inaccurate data. We urge clinicians to obtain catheter-drawn blood cultures when the catheter may be the source of suspected infection.
Rational treatment options for T1/2N0M0 squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal: a population-based study combined with external validation
Authors: Shao Xue , Zhang Qiulei , Huo Ying , Lu Chang 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background
Treatment options for T1/2N0M0 anal squamous cell carcinoma include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, chemoradiotherapy, and local excision, although the optimal treatment method has not been determined.

Methods
The National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology and Results database was used to search and screen 1465 patients with cT1/2N0M0 anal squamous cell carcinoma who were clinically diagnosed between 2004 and 2016. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed to screen independent prognostic factors and build a nomogram survival prediction model. According to the risk score, patients were divided into low, medium, and high risk groups using X-tile software.

Results
Age, sex, grade and cT stage were identified as independent prognostic factors for cT1/2N0M0 anal squamous cell carcinoma and were included in the nomogram to construct a prediction model. The C-index of the model was 0.770 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.693-0.856], which was higher than the C-index of T stage 0.565 (95% CI, 0.550-0.612). Low-risk patients benefited from local resection, moderate-risk patients benefited from radiotherapy, and high-risk patients benefited from radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. This was confirmed using external validation data from the center.

Conclusion
The nomogram developed in this study effectively and comprehensively evaluated the prognosis of patients with cT1/2N0M0 squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal. Local excision is recommended for low risk patients, radiotherapy for moderate-risk patients, and radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy for high-risk patients.
Association of opioid use with survival in patients with cancer treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors: it is time for evidence-based behaviors
Authors: Giusti Raffaele , Porzio Giampiero , Maltoni Marco , Filetti Marco , Cuomo Arturo , Bandieri Elena , Trapani Dario , Bruera Eduardo 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with pain experienced by most patients undergoing cancer treatment. Opioids are the recommended treatment for cancer pain management, but recent studies suggest a negative association between opioid use and survival rates among patients undergoing immunotherapy. However, conclusions cannot be drawn regarding causality from these observational data. Immunotherapy, which boosts the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells, has emerged as a promising treatment option for all types of cancer. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) can activate the anticancer function of exhausted T cells and have shown remarkable survival benefits in patients with multiple malignancies. However, a recent systematic review and meta-analysis suggested that the use of opioids during ICI treatment has an adverse effect on patient prognosis, while the use of NSAIDs is not significantly associated with the prognosis in patients treated with ICIs. These reviews have major limitations due to the retrospective nature of the studies and the multiple factors that can influence the phenomenon. Therefore, caution is required when interpreting results from retrospective data on drug interactions. The findings of this study are alarming and potentially harmful to patients with cancer suffering from pain or other symptoms requiring opioid drugs.
Soldiers’ Hearts
Authors: Fazal Tanisha M. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
War-induced psychological trauma is as old as war itself. In the Civil War, it was referred to as “nostalgia,” “sunstroke,” and “soldiers’ heart.” The world wars saw the label shift from “shell-shock” to “combat exhaustion.” The term “post-traumatic stress disorder” came into use in 1980. Each new label describes a different, but significantly overlapping, set of symptoms. This chapter traces how this kind of trauma has been relabeled, diagnosed, treated, and viewed by the military and society at large through each war. This chapter also demonstrates how, with each war, the nature of benefits available to military personnel suffering from war-induced psychological trauma has changed.
Conclusion
Authors: Fazal Tanisha M. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
What might the futures of war, military medicine, and veterans’ benefits look like for the United States? What lessons should we learn from past developments in military medicine and veterans’ benefits? What changes should we enact to increase the odds that we get estimations of the costs of war right in any future conflicts? This chapter focuses on the future of conflict, military medicine, and veterans’ benefits for the United States. It discusses the potential consequences for military medicine in conflicts with China and/or Russia, as well as the relationship between political polarization and future support for veterans’ benefits. It also includes policy recommendations aimed at rectifying current procedures for estimating the costs of war.
Who Was Henry Enfield Roscoe?
Authors: Morris Peter J.T. , Reed Peter 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
In this chapter, after discussing the historiography of scientific biography, the authors explain to the reader who Henry Enfield Roscoe was. Although he was born in London, his family was from Lancashire and he was educated in Liverpool, where his grandfather William Roscoe had been eminent. Thanks to his time in Heidelberg, he was very pro-German and pushed for the introduction of German methods into English education. Roscoe made his career in Manchester, at Owens College, which, thanks to his efforts, became Victoria University. Having developed his own methods of chemical education at Owens, Roscoe campaigned for the reform of technical education. He served on the Samuelson Commission for Technical Education and was knighted for this public service. Roscoe acted as a consultant for industry and became a director of the Castner–Kellner Alkali Company. For 10 years he served as a Liberal member of Parliament in the House of Commons. Roscoe then had an active retirement.
Of Lancastrian Stock and the Formative Years
Authors: Morris Peter J.T. , Reed Peter 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
This chapter explores the formative period of Henry Enfield Roscoe’s life in Liverpool, the personal traits and achievements of his grandfather, William Roscoe, and his father, Henry Roscoe, influences of the family’s nonconformist circle of associates, and how Roscoe’s lifelong interest in experimental chemistry was kindled by William Balmain at the Liverpool Institute High School. William Roscoe (1753–1831) was an influential figure in Liverpool, being a lawyer, an MP, a slavery abolitionist, and a scholar of international repute. Henry Enfield Roscoe was born in London in January 1833 to Henry Roscoe (1800–1836) and his wife Maria (née Fletcher) (1798–1885). His father was a lawyer and legal writer; following his death from consumption in 1836 when his son was just three years old, the family moved to Liverpool, where Roscoe attended the High School of the Liverpool Institute and came under the influence of William Balmain.
A Chemist in the House
Authors: Morris Peter J.T. , Reed Peter 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
This chapter describes how Roscoe became a Member of Parliament and explores how being an academic chemist influenced his behavior as an MP. In particular, the chapter explores the relative success of his political career, and the relationship between science, academe, and politics. Elected as Liberal MP for South Manchester, Roscoe won his elections in 1886 and 1892, but lost to a Liberal Unionist, the Marquess of Lorne, in 1895. Roscoe focused on the reform of technical education, helping to obtain the so-called whisky money to fund technical education, but he was also involved with the possible taxation of saccharine, a bill to regulate pharmacies, and the issue of cholera in Mecca. He supported the Royal College of Science and the Science Museum. He played an important role in improving ventilation in the Houses of Parliament. Other leading issues he supported were temperance in Manchester, control of rabies, and metrication.