bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biases and limitations in observational studies of Long COVID prevalence and risk factors: A rapid systematic umbrella review
Authors: Hua Miao Jenny , Butera Gisela , Akinyemi Oluwaseun , Porterfield Deborah 
Published: May 2024

Background
Observational studies form the foundation of Long COVID knowledge, however combining data from Long COVID observational studies has multiple methodological challenges. This umbrella review synthesizes estimates of Long COVID prevalence and risk factors as well as biases and limitations in the primary and review literatures.

Methods and findings
A systematic literature search was conducted using multiple electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, LitCOVID) from Jan 1, 2019 until June 9, 2023. Eligible studies were systematic reviews including adult populations assessed for at least one Long COVID symptom four weeks or more after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Overall and subgroup prevalence and risk factors as well as risk of bias (ROB) assessments were extracted and descriptively analyzed. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023434323). Fourteen reviews of 5–196 primary studies were included: 8 reported on Long COVID prevalence, 5 on risk/protective factors, and 1 on both. Prevalence of at least 1 Long COVID symptom ranged from 21% (IQR: 8.9%-35%) to 74.5% (95% CI: 55.6%-78.0%). Risk factor reviews found significant associations between vaccination status, sex, acute COVID-19 severity, and comorbidities. Both prevalence and risk factor reviews frequently identified selection and ascertainment biases. Using the AMSTAR 2 criteria, the quality of included reviews, particularly the prevalence reviews, were concerning for the adequacy of ROB assessments and justifications for conducting meta-analysis.

Conclusion
A high level of heterogeneity render the interpretation of pooled prevalence estimates of Long COVID challenging, further hampered by the lack of robust critical appraisals in the included reviews. Risk factor reviews were of higher quality overall and suggested consistent associations between Long COVID risk and patient characteristics.
Efficacy and safety of tegoprazan in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease: A protocol for meta-analysis and systematic review
Authors: Zheng Hanxue , Yuan Shunqi , Liu Jianmin 
Published: May 2024

Objective
The incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is increasing year by year, the clinical manifestations are complex and diverse, and the adverse effects of long-term use of proton pump inhibitors and gastrointestinal motility drugs have been of great concern in recent years. The effectiveness of tegoprazan in the treatment of GERD is still controversial. This protocol describes a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tegoprazan in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Methods
PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science will be searched from the database inception to 1 March 2023. All randomized controlled trials related to tegoprazan for GERD will be included. Extracted data will include publication details, basic information, demographic data, intervention details and patient outcomes. The primary outcome will be complete resolution of major symptoms, complete resolution of heartburn, proportion of heartburn-free days, chronic cough, hoarseness, and adverse events. Risk of bias will be assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration’s tool for assessing risk of bias. Article selection, data extraction and risk of bias assessment will be performed in duplicate by two independent reviewers. If the meta-analysis is precluded, we will conduct a descriptive synthesis using a best-evidence synthesis approach.

Discussion
The results of this study will provide reliable evidence to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tegoprazan in the treatment of GERD and help patients, physicians and clinical investigators choose the most appropriate treatment.
Substitution of One Meat-Based Meal With Vegetarian and Vegan Alternatives Generates Lower Ammonia and Alters Metabolites in Cirrhosis: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Badal Bryan D. , Fagan Andrew , Tate Victoria , Mousel Travis , Gallagher Mary Leslie , Puri Puneet , Davis Brian , Miller Jennifer , Sikaroodi Masoumeh , Gillevet Patrick , Gedgaudas Rolandas , Kupcinskas Juozas , Thacker Leroy , Bajaj Jasmohan S. 
Published: May 2024

INTRODUCTION:Diet can affect ammoniagenesis in cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy (HE), but the impact of dietary preferences on metabolomics in cirrhosis is unclear. As most Western populations follow meat-based diets, we aimed to determine the impact of substituting a single meat-based meal with an equal protein-containing vegan/vegetarian alternative on ammonia and metabolomics in outpatients with cirrhosis on a meat-based diet.METHODS:Outpatients with cirrhosis with and without prior HE on a stable Western meat-based diet were randomized 1:1:1 into 3 groups. Patients were given a burger with 20 g protein of meat, vegan, or vegetarian. Blood for metabolomics via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and ammonia was drawn at baseline and hourly for 3 hours after meal while patients under observation. Stool microbiome characteristics, changes in ammonia, and metabolomics were compared between/within groups.RESULTS:Stool microbiome composition was similar at baseline. Serum ammonia increased from baseline in the meat group but not the vegetarian or vegan group. Metabolites of branched chain and acylcarnitines decreased in the meat group compared with the non-meat groups. Alterations in lipid profile (higher sphingomyelins and lower lysophospholipids) were noted in the meat group when compared with the vegan and vegetarian groups.DISCUSSION:Substitution of a single meat-based meal with a non-meat alternatives results in lower ammoniagenesis and altered serum metabolomics centered on branched-chain amino acids, acylcarnitines, lysophospholipids, and sphingomyelins in patients with cirrhosis regardless of HE or stool microbiome. Intermittent meat substitution with vegan or vegetarian alternatives could be helpful in reducing ammonia generation in cirrhosis.
Stochastic Mixed-Integer Branch Flow Optimization for the Optimal Integration of Fixed-Step Capacitor Banks in Electrical Distribution Grids
Authors: Gil-González Walter Julián , Herrera-Orozco Andrés Ricardo , Molina-Cabrera Alexander 
Published: May 2024

Context: The use of capacitor banks is the most common and preferred solution for reducing power loss in electrical distribution networks, given their cost-effectiveness and low maintenance requirements. However, achieving their optimal integration in terms of location and size is a challenging problem. Method: This paper proposes a stochastic mixed-integer convex model based on a branch flow optimization model, which incorporates three different load-generation conditions, in order to address the stochastic nature of distribution systems.Results: The simulation results indicated that the proposed stochastic mixed-integer branch flow (SMIBF) model provides the best solution for all test feeders analyzed, reducing the objective function value by 39.81%, 35.29%, and 56.31% for the modified 33-, 69-, and 85-node test feeders, respectively.Conclusions: An SMIBF model was developed to optimally integrate fixed-step capacitor banks into electrical distribution grids. This model considered the stochastic nature of distribution systems under multiple operating conditions and ensured that the global optimum could be found.
Spatial Analysis of Environmental Factors in the Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever Incident at Soe City District
Authors: Bakung Paulus Innocentius , Landi Soleman , Sir Amelya B 
Published: May 2024

Introduction: In 2022, there was a large increase in cases resulting in extraordinary events cases in the TTS district with the number 226 cases. Half of the percentage of outbreak cases that occurred in Soe City with a number of cases is 134 cases. Spatial analysis can be used to see patterns of disease distribution in certain areas.Methods: This research is a type of descriptive research with a case study approach. This descriptive research was carried out using a survey method where there was no intervention on variables but simply observing natural phenomena or looking for relationships between these phenomena and other variables.Results: The research of dengue case data is divided into univariate analysis and spatial analysis, for example, classification, buffering and Moran index. Environmental factors in the form of the existence and condition of water reservoirs with dengue fever incidents can be seen in data related to the number of water reservoirs used by the community which are left open and the number is >3, making it easier for mosquitoes to breed. In the Spatial Classification Analysis, Nonohonis Village has the highest level of risk, but Autocorrelation Analysis states that the Oekefan area has larger cluster points than Nonohonis Village. Furthermore, environmental factors include the existence and condition of dug wells. at a depth of ≤15m with open conditions makes it easier for mosquitoes to breed. Apart from that, based on the buffer data above, it can be seen that at a radius of <100m it is 3 times larger than a radius of 100 to 300m and 2.7 times larger than a radius of 300m to 500m. Environmental factors include the existence and condition of waste water drainage channels (SPAL) with dengue fever incidents. Based on the buffer data above, it can be seen that at a radius of <100m it is 0.6 times greater than the radius from 100 to 300m and 0.8 times greater than the radius from 300m to 500m.Conclusion: It is necessary to control mosquito breeding in water reservoirs and dug wells through education regarding malaria risk factors in Soe City.
Influence Maximization via Vertex Countering
Authors: Xie Jiadong , Chen Zehua , Chu Deming , Zhang Fan , Lin Xuemin , Tian Zhihong 
Published: May 2024

Competitive viral marketing considers the product competition of multiple companies, where each user may adopt one product and propagate the product to other users. Existing studies focus on a traditional seeding strategy where a company only selects seeds from the users with no adopted product to maximize its influence (i.e., the number of users who will adopt its product). However, influential users are often rare, and the gain from traditional seeding will degrade as the number of seeds increases. Therefore, in this paper, we study the promisingcounteringstrategy which is to counter some users who initially use other products s.t. they will turn to adopting the target product and recommending it to others.We propose the problem ofinfluence countering: given a graph, a budgetb, a target companyCt, and a setSof the seeds adopting different companies (where each seed adopts one company), we counterbusers inSwho do not adoptCtto turn to adoptCts.t. the expected number of users who eventually adoptCtin the influence diffusion is maximized. Following existing studies, we formalize the diffusion process by the Multi-Campaigner Independent Cascade model. We prove the influence countering problem is #P-complete and its influence computation is #P-hard. Then, we propose two novel algorithmsMICandMIC+to address the problem. In general,MICestimates seed influence by its empirical average influence in multiple graph samplings, whileMIC+improvesMICby reducing the cost of influence estimation and the required number of samples. Given pre-setεandl, both algorithms return a (1 -ε)-approximate solution with at least 1 -n-lprobability. We also design an index forMIC+to efficiently process graphs that are frequently updated. The experiments on 8 real-world datasets show that our algorithms are efficient in practice while offering strong result quality.
Efficient Placement of Decomposable Aggregation Functions for Stream Processing over Large Geo-Distributed Topologies
Authors: Chatziliadis Xenofon , Zacharatou Eleni Tzirita , Eracar Alphan , Zeuch Steffen , Markl Volker 
Published: May 2024

A recent trend in stream processing is offloading the computation of decomposable aggregation functions (DAF) from cloud nodes to geo-distributed fog/edge devices to decrease latency and improve energy efficiency. However, deploying DAFs on low-end devices is challenging due to their volatility and limited resources. Additionally, in geo-distributed fog/edge environments, creating new operator instances on demand and replicating operators ubiquitously is restricted, posing challenges for achieving load balancing without overloading devices. Existing work predominantly focuses on cloud environments, overlooking DAF operator placement in resource-constrained and unreliable geo-distributed settings.
This paper presents NEMO, a resource-aware optimization approach that determines the replication factor and placement of DAF operators in resource-constrained geo-distributed topologies. Leveraging Euclidean embeddings of network topologies and a set of heuristics, NEMO scales to millions of nodes and handles topo-logical changes through adaptive re-placement and re-replication decisions. Compared to existing solutions, NEMO achieves up to 6× lower latency and up to 15× reduction in communication cost, while preventing overloaded nodes. Moreover, NEMO re-optimizes placements in constant time, regardless of the topology size. As a result, it lays the foundation to efficiently process continuous data streams on large, heterogeneous, and geo-distributed topologies.
Decay estimates for defocusing energy-critical Hartree equation
Authors: Chen Miao , Wang Hua , Yao Xiaohua 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
In this paper, we are devoted to establishing the point-wise decay estimates for solution to the 5D defocusing energy-critical Hartree equation with an initial data in

H

2

(

R

5

)

∩

L

1

(

R

5

)

${H}^{2}({\mathbb{R}}^{5})\cap {L}^{1}({\mathbb{R}}^{5})$

. We show that the nonlinear solution has the same time decay rate as the linear one. The main new ingredient is that we used the theories of Lorentz spaces to overcome the low power of nonlinearity.
The Swiss Debt Brake Is Democratic, Strict, Transparent, and Binding. A Model to Follow?
Authors: Mosler Martin , Schaltegger Christoph 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
The Swiss debt brake at the federal level was accepted in 2001 by a direct democratic referendum, where it received an overwhelming approval rate of almost 85 percent “yes” votes. The fiscal rule mandates that budgeted expenditures cannot exceed cyclically adjusted expected revenues, targeting gross debt while prohibiting new structural debt. Violations due to ordinary or extraordinary expenditures are transparently recorded in separate accounts, which must be balanced within three and six years, respectively. The federal rule is complemented by decentralized debt brakes at the cantonal level. Compared to a synthetic Switzerland without the federal debt brake, the fiscal rule did not decrease public investments, with the notable exception of military expenditure. Additionally, the accuracy of budget forecasts has improved, evidenced by reduced discrepancies between projected and actual revenues and expenditures.
Effect of dopamine on limbic network connectivity at rest in Parkinson’s disease patients with freezing of gait
Authors: Quek Dione Y. L. , Taylor Natasha , Gilat Moran , Lewis Simon J. G. , Ehgoetz Martens Kaylena A. 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background
Freezing of gait (FOG) in Parkinson’s disease (PD) has a poorly understood pathophysiology, which hinders treatment development. Recent work showed a dysfunctional fronto-striato-limbic circuitry at rest in PD freezers compared to non-freezers in the dopamine “OFF” state. While other studies found that dopaminergic replacement therapy alters functional brain organization in PD, the specific effect of dopamine medication on fronto-striato-limbic functional connectivity in freezers remains unclear.

Objective
To evaluate how dopamine therapy alters resting state functional connectivity (rsFC) of the fronto-striato-limbic circuitry in PD freezers, and whether the degree of connectivity change is related to freezing severity and anxiety.

Methods
Twenty-three PD FOG patients underwent MRI at rest (rsfMRI) in their clinically defined “OFF” and “ON” dopaminergic medication states. A seed-to-seed based analysis was performed between a priori defined limbic circuitry ROIs. Functional connectivity was compared between OFF and ON states. A secondary correlation analyses evaluated the relationship between Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)-Anxiety) and FOG Questionnaire with changes in rsFC from OFF to ON.

Results
PD freezers’ OFF compared to ON showed increased functional coupling between the right hippocampus and right caudate nucleus, and between the left putamen and left posterior parietal cortex (PPC). A negative association was found between HADS-Anxiety and the rsFC change from OFF to ON between the left amygdala and left prefrontal cortex, and left putamen and left PPC.

Conclusion
These findings suggest that dopaminergic medication partially modulates the frontoparietal-limbic-striatal circuitry in PD freezers, and that the influence of medication on the amygdala, may be related to clinical anxiety in freezer.
Die ökonomische Bedeutung des Brexits
Authors: Lee Andrew 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
On January 1, 2021, Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) left the EU single market and customs union. Although the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the UK and EU ensures that no tariffs or quotas are to be imposed on traded goods, there are still numerous non-tariff barriers to trade. These added a significant layer of trade complexity that did not exist pre-Brexit and it was thus inevitable that there would be ramifications for the UK economy. Carefully judging this impact is a complicated task, however, as a counterfactual must be used: how would the UK economy have fared if it were still in the EU? This difficulty is exacerbated by two other highly significant events affecting the UK economy at the same time, namely the Covid-19 pandemic and the Ukraine war. Disentangling Brexit from all this and deciding what is and is not a Brexit effect makes the evaluation thereof difficult. Nevertheless, there have been a number of studies published that have attempted such a task.
UK-EU trade is widely judged to have taken a significant hit due to Brexit, with smaller firms producing a limited range of products being affected the most. The consensus view is that Brexit has also had a negative impact on UK investment levels and GDP, with the latter judged to be approximately 6 % lower than if the UK had stayed in the EU. In the long run, the UK economy may benefit from more skilled foreign labour due to the post-Brexit immigration rules. Nevertheless, any positive effects are likely to be outweighed by the non-tariff barriers in UK-EU trade, acting as a deterrent in exploiting comparative advantage and widely seen as being the main drag on UK productivity.
Steigende Staatsquote oder schwarze Null – ein theoretischer Erklärungsansatz durch öffentliche Güter
Authors: Volpert Tobias , Rasfeld Sophie 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
The German national deficit reached an unprecedented magnitude following the COVID-19 pandemic. Consequently, determining an appropriate or correct public sector share has become the subject of extensive discourse. A crucial theoretical explanatory approach for the increasing intervention of the state is the theory of public goods. This article elucidates why markets are unsuitable for the production of certain goods, commonly referred to as public goods. Furthermore, the article demonstrates, through the elucidation of impure public goods, that the state undertakes tasks that could be handled by the market itself. Therefore, it is essential to question why the state produces specific goods, particularly in light of Germany’s saving goals.
Insecticidal effect of new synthesized chalcone derivatives on Caribbean fruit fly, Anastrepha suspensa
Authors: Yücetepe Sümeyye , Koçyiğit-Kaymakçıoğlu Bedia , Yang Xiangbing , Tabanca Nurhayat , Tok Fatih 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
In this present study, new chalcone derivatives were synthesized from 4-aminoacetophenone, which were confirmed by spectroscopic methods. The toxic risks of chalcones to humans and the environment were investigated by a web-based platform called ADMETlab. With this program, the possible toxic effects of the compounds on liver, respiratory system, and eyes were evaluated. For the topical insecticidal activity, adult female Caribbean fruit fly, Anastrepha suspensa, was targeted. Results of the toxicity tests showed that chalcone derivatives are effective against female A. suspensa. Among the synthesized chalcones, 1-(4-cinnamoylphenyl)-3-(p-tolyl)urea (2) exhibited the greatest insecticidal activity, resulting in 73 % mortality at 100 µg/fly after 24 h, whereas other derivatives showed less than 30 % mortality. Our results demonstrate that insecticidal activity may be modulated by the presence of a certain phenyl ring in the structure of derivative 2 and, therefore, has potential for design of efficient chemicals for tephritid fruit fly management.
Molecular Docking, Dynamics Simulation, And in Silico DFT Studies Of Bromo [1,4] Benzodiazepine Derivatives Are Efficient Ways to Prevent Skin Cancer
Authors: Brindha B. , Girija R. 
Published: May 2024

Studies have revealed that the most common kind of cancer in the world is skin cancer. Unrepaired deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in skin cells can cause genetic abnormalities or mutations that lead to skin cancer. Early detection is crucial because skin cancer is more treatable in its early stages and tends to gradually spread to other areas of the body. Early detection of signs of skin cancer is essential due to the high mortality, increasing morbidity and expensive medical care of the disease. The present study used ligand and structure-based analysis to calculate the interaction between bromo [1,4] benzodiazepine derivatives and 4,5 Diaryl Isoxazole Hsp90 Chaperone Inhibitors: Potential Therapeutic Agents for Cancer. Qikprop revealed that the structures of several antiviral drugs were identical to those of bromo[1,4] benzodiazepine derivatives (1a-1j). bromo [1,4] benzodiazepine derivatives were employed in an in silicodocking experiment, DFT calculations and simulation techniques on skin cancer with PDB ID 2VCI, using Schrodinger Maestro 12.4. Each ligand's interaction was studied, and the potential imperative energy was calculated. In summary, a high potency against skin cancer as observed for the derivative of bromo [1,4] benzodiazepine derivatives with the best binding energy.