bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Deep partially linear cox model for current status data
Authors: Wu Qiang , Tong Xingwei , Zhao Xingqiu 
Published: April 2024

AbstractDeep learning has continuously attained huge success in diverse fields, while its application to survival data analysis remains limited and deserves further exploration. For the analysis of current status data, a deep partially linear Cox model is proposed to circumvent the curse of dimensionality. Modeling flexibility is attained by using deep neural networks (DNNs) to accommodate nonlinear covariate effects and monotone splines to approximate the baseline cumulative hazard function. We establish the convergence rate of the proposed maximum likelihood estimators. Moreover, we derive that the finite-dimensional estimator for treatment covariate effects is $\sqrt{n}$-consistent, asymptotically normal, and attains semiparametric efficiency. Finally, we demonstrate the performance of our procedures through extensive simulation studies and application to real-world data on news popularity.
The Public’s Attitudes towards Social Workers: The Role of Values, Opinions of Others and Personal Experience
Authors: Tartakovsky Eugene 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
The present study investigates the psychological factors affecting the public’s attitudes towards social workers. The study was based on the theory of human values and aimed to investigate the role of personal motivational goals reflected in values on attitudes towards social workers. In addition, we tested the contact hypothesis in the context of social work. The study was conducted in Israel using a stratified representative sample that included individuals who had no contact with social workers during the last 3 years (n = 303) and those with such contact (n = 220). In the inexperienced population, values affected the perception of social workers indirectly through the opinions of others. In the experienced population, personal experience with social workers affected their perception and support of their struggle. Finally, a higher preference for self-transcendence vs. self-enhancement values was associated with stronger support of the social workers’ struggle to improve their working conditions in both the experienced and inexperienced populations. The results of the present study advance the theory of human values and the contact hypothesis in the context of social work. In addition, they have important implications for social work practice, permitting social workers to understand their clients better.
A data browsing application for accessing gene and module-level blood transcriptome profiles of healthy pregnant women from high- and low-resource settings
Authors: Rinchai Darawan , Brummaier Tobias , A Marr Alexandra , Habib Tanwir , Toufiq Mohammed , Kino Tomoshigue , Nosten François , Al Khodor Souhaila , Terranegra Annalisa , McGready Rose , Kabeer Basirudeen Syed Ahamed , Chaussabel Damien 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Transcriptome profiling data, generated via RNA sequencing, are commonly deposited in public repositories. However, these data may not be easily accessible or usable by many researchers. To enhance data reuse, we present well-annotated, partially analyzed data via a user-friendly web application. This project involved transcriptome profiling of blood samples from 15 healthy pregnant women in a low-resource setting, taken at 6 consecutive time points beginning from the first trimester. Additional blood transcriptome profiles were retrieved from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) public repository, representing a cohort of healthy pregnant women from a high-resource setting. We analyzed these datasets using the fixed BloodGen3 module repertoire. We deployed a web application, accessible at https://thejacksonlaboratory.shinyapps.io/BloodGen3_Pregnancy/which displays the module-level analysis results from both original and public pregnancy blood transcriptome datasets. Users can create custom fingerprint grid and heatmap representations via various navigation options, useful for reports and manuscript preparation. The web application serves as a standalone resource for exploring blood transcript abundance changes during pregnancy. Alternatively, users can integrate it with similar applications developed for earlier publications to analyze transcript abundance changes of a given BloodGen3 signature across a range of disease cohorts.
Database URL: https://thejacksonlaboratory.shinyapps.io/BloodGen3_Pregnancy/
Daylight saving time was not associated with a change in suicide rates in Austria, Switzerland and Sweden
Authors: Plöderl Martin , Pichler Eva-Maria , Westerlund Joakim , Niederseer David , Fartacek Clemens 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background
Some studies have reported an increase in suicides after the start of daylight saving time (DST), but the evidence is mixed and more research about proposed mechanisms (disrupted sleep, changing light exposure) is needed.

Methods
In our preregistered study, we analyzed change in suicide rates in the 2 weeks before/after DST, based on data between 1980 and 2022 from Austria, Switzerland and Sweden, using Poisson regression models and changepoint analyses. To explore the impact of disrupted sleep, we repeated the analysis for retired people who are likely less bound to DST, and for younger people. To explore the effect of changed daylight exposure, we repeated the analysis for northern and southern regions because twilight and daylight exposure varies by latitude.

Results
Suicide rates did not significantly increase after the start of DST (adjusted incidence rate ratio IRR = 0.98, 95% CI 0.91–1.06, P = 0.66, n = 13 362 suicides) or after DST ended (adjusted IRR = 0.99, 95% CI 0.91–1.07, P = 0.76, n = 12 319 suicides). There were no statistically significant findings among younger or older subgroups and also not in Sweden and Austria/Switzerland. No changepoints were detected.

Conclusions
There were no significant changes in suicide rates associated with DST and no clear evidence to support proposed mechanisms (light exposure, disruption of sleep). Our study is one of the largest and was adequately powered. Nonetheless, even larger studies to detect smaller effects could be important to inform the debate about harms and benefits of DST.
Childlessness, Social Network Profiles in Midlife and Late Adulthood, and Their Implications for Subjective Well-Being
Authors: Teerawichitchainan Bussarawan , Kim Dahye , Ho Christine 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Objectives
Despite the rising prevalence of individuals reaching advanced age without children, little is known about the diversity of support networks within childless populations. We examine the network profiles of childless adults aged 50+ in Singapore, which observes high childlessness rates despite societal emphasis on familism.

Methods
We employ latent class analysis to derive network typology based on a 2022 nationwide survey in Singapore. Additionally, we use logistic regression analyses to investigate the sociodemographic correlates of childless individuals’ network types and the associations between these network types and subjective well-being.

Results
Childless Singaporeans form a heterogeneous group characterized by different support networks. Evidence suggests the centrality of parents in the childless’ social networks and the continuity of parent–child support exchanges that extend into the child’s midlife and late adulthood. When parents are absent, siblings/extended kin serve as their support sources. Age, sibship size, and socioeconomic status are key correlates of network types. Membership in diverse networks is beneficial to the subjective well-being of childless individuals. Although one-fifth of childless individuals in restricted networks demonstrate significantly poorer well-being, the remaining four-fifths show comparable, if not better, well-being than the non-childless.

Discussion
Results underscore the importance of differentiating network types among the childless, particularly when assessing their well-being. Contrary to the notion of associating later-life childlessness with social isolation and vulnerabilities, many childless Singaporeans manage to construct non-child-based networks equipped with various supportive relations that cater to their needs. Nevertheless, persistent vulnerabilities among restricted network members deserve policymakers’ attention.
Adaptive regulation of miRNAs/milRNAs in tissue-specific interaction between apple and Valsa mali
Authors: Gao Chengyu , Zhao Binsen , Zhang Jian , Du Xuan , Wang Jie , Guo Yan , He Yanting , Feng Hao , Huang Lili 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
In plant-pathogen interactions, pathogens display tissue specificity, infecting and causing disease in particular tissues. However, the involvement of microRNAs/microRNA-like RNAs (miRNAs/milRNAs) in tissue-specific regulation during plant-pathogen interactions remains largely unexplored. This study investigates the differential expression of miRNAs/milRNAs, as well as their corresponding target genes, in interactions between Valsa mali (Vm) and different apple tissues. The results demonstrated that both apple miRNAs and Vm milRNAs exhibited distinct expression profiles when Vm infected bark and leaves, with functionally diverse corresponding target genes. Furthermore, one apple miRNA (Mdo-miR482a) and one Vm milRNA (Vm-milR57) were identified as exhibiting tissue-specific expression in interactions between Vm and apple bark or leaves. Mdo-miR482a was exclusively up-regulated in response to Vm infection in bark and target a nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) gene of apple. When Mdo-miR482a was transiently over-expressed or silenced, the resistance was significantly reduced or improved. Similarly, transient expression of the NLR gene also showed an increase in resistance. Vm-milR57 could target two essential pathogenicity-related genes of Vm. During Vm infection in bark, the expression of Vm-milR57 was down-regulated to enhance the expression of the corresponding target gene to improve the pathogenicity. The study is the first to reveal tissue-specific characteristics of apple miRNAs and Vm milRNAs in interactions between Vm and different apple tissues, providing new insights into adaptive regulation in tissue-specific interactions between plants and fungi.
Decorated Discrete Conformal Maps and Convex Polyhedral Cusps
Authors: Bobenko Alexander I , Lutz Carl O R 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
We discuss a notion of discrete conformal equivalence for decorated piecewise Euclidean surfaces (PE-surface), that is, PE-surfaces with a choice of circle about each vertex. It is closely related to inversive distance and hyperideal circle patterns. Under the assumption that the circles are non-intersecting, we prove the corresponding discrete uniformization theorem. The uniformization theorem for discrete conformal maps corresponds to the special case that all circles degenerate to points. Our proof relies on an intimate relationship between decorated PE-surfaces, canonical tessellations of hyperbolic surfaces and convex hyperbolic polyhedra. It is based on a concave variational principle, which also provides a method for the computation of decorated discrete conformal maps.
Health literacy and household financial loss on malaria treatment for children under five in Ghana: a patients’ perspective
Authors: Ofori Boateng Millicent , Asuman Derek , Kugbey Nuworza , Amoah Padmore Adusei , Agyei-Baffour Peter , Enemark Ulrika 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background
Inadequate health literacy increases medical costs and leads to poor health outcomes. However, there is a paucity of empirical evidence of such associations in sub-Saharan Africa. This study investigates how the household cost of malaria in children under five in Ghana varies based on different levels of health literacy.

Methods
A cross-sectional survey involving 1270 caregivers of children under five was conducted. The survey included health literacy questionnaire and several pieces of sociodemographic and behavioural variables.

Results
We created seven caregiver health literacy profiles by scoring nine dimensions. The mean total cost for managing malaria among respondents was US$20.29 per episode. The total household cost for caregivers with high health literacy (Profile 1) (US$24.77) was higher than all other profiles, with the lowest cost (US$17.93) among the low health literacy profile (Profile 6). Compared with Profile 4, caregivers with high health literacy (Profile 1) spent more on managing malaria in children, while those with the lowest health literacy (Profile 7) spent less.

Conclusion
The current study presents a snapshot of malaria treatment costs, and argues that low health literacy may lead to increased costs due to possible reinfections from delayed healthcare use. There is a need for longitudinal studies to understand causal relationship between health literacy and household expenses on malaria treatment to inform policy development and interventions.

Lay Summary
This study explores the impact of caregiver health literacy levels on the cost of managing malaria incidents in children under five in Ghana. High health-literate caregivers incurred the highest total household cost at US$24.77, with US$17.93 incurred by lower health-literate caregivers per malaria episode.
Effect of rainfall on White Rhino calf survival depends on home range choice of the mother
Authors: de Lange Christoffel J , Bonnet Olivier , Shrader Adrian M 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Within African savannas, seasonal rainfall influences the survival of mammalian grazers by determining the availability and quality of food. The strength of these effects may, however, vary depending on the availability of reserve and buffer resources within the home range of an individual. From 1999 to 2019, 24% of the white rhino (Ceratotherium simum simum) calves born in Ithala Game Reserve died without a known cause. To explore this, we investigated the impacts of seasonal rainfall on calf survival, and whether these relationships were modified by the availability of woodlands (i.e., reserve resources) and bunch grasslands (i.e., buffer resources) within the home ranges established by the mothers. We found that nearly all of the deceased calves died during their first dry season after weaning had commenced. The likelihood of a calf surviving this period was positively influenced by rainfall during the dry season and negatively influenced by its duration. However, these effects were more pronounced when the availability of woodlands within the home range of the mother was high. Ultimately, calf deaths were caused by a combination of low dry season rainfall, long dry seasons, and the selection of home ranges with insufficient bunch grasslands by some mothers. With climate change models predicting increased dry season durations and a reduction in dry season rainfall, our results highlight future challenges for the conservation of white rhinos and other large herbivores.
A framework of African Continental Free Trade Area dispute settlement mechanism: legal challenges
Authors: Demamu Alemayehu Yismaw 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
African countries have recently signed an ambitious and progressive trade pact titled the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement. The agreement establishes a free trade area, which also includes a dispute settlement mechanism (DSM). African countries further agreed on the Protocol on Rules and Procedures on the Settlement of Disputes to establish and regulate the process of the DSM. The Dispute Settlement Body formally launched its business on 26 April 2021. The Agreement and the Protocol are the first of the kind in the continent and are on the verge of implementation. Given that, the article examines the AfCFTA Agreement and the Protocol on Rules and Procedures on the Settlement of Disputes. Accordingly, the article finds that the Agreement and the Protocol involve some legal challenges that will constrain the efficacy of the DSM in the continent.
Huge mesenchymal hamartoma in a young adult: a case report
Authors: Pinelli Domenico , Guerci Claudio , Cammarata Francesco , Cirelli Riccardo , Scatigno Agnese , Colledan Michele 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Mesenchymal hamartoma of the liver (MHL) is rare. Less than 50 adult cases have been described. Due to their potential degeneration or recurrence, a complete surgical resection must be performed. We describe a case of a 26-year-old with a palpable solid lesion, which displaced abdominal organs. Percutaneous needle biopsies suggested the diagnosis of MHL. A right hemi-hepatectomy without segment 1 was performed; the post-operative course was uneventful. The mesenchymal component of the tumour was reactive to desmin and smooth muscle actin. Low proliferation index was confirmed (MIB1). Genetic counselling: the sequencing analysis of DICER1 and CDKN1C gene was negative, DNA methylation analysis on the chromosome 11p15 region was normal. After 42 months, there was no recurrence. In conclusion, clinicians should consider MHL in the differential diagnosis. The dimension and the need of radicality impose major liver resections or liver transplantations, which should be performed in referral centres.
Vaginal vault dehiscence with small bowel evisceration, bowel necrosis, and intra-abdominal haemorrhage: a case report
Authors: Lim Ee Thong , Stylianides Nicholas , Craciunas Laurentiu , Tsampras Nikolaos 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Vaginal vault dehiscence with evisceration is a rare but a potentially life-threatening complication of total hysterectomy that requires prompt recognition, diagnosis, and management. The overall incidence of vaginal vault dehiscence is 0.53%. The mortality rate increases to 5.6% when bowel evisceration is present. We report a case of vaginal vault dehiscence with small bowel evisceration complicated by bowel necrosis and intra-abdominal haemorrhage in a 48-year-old woman following her first sexual intercourse 4 months after her total abdominal hysterectomy.
Sigmoid carcinoma contained within a scrotal hernia in an octogenarian: case report
Authors: Cotter Aine , Joyce William 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Scrotal hernias are common in the general population. Patients often present acutely reporting pain or sometimes with more severe symptoms if the hernia is strangulated or incarcerated. An 81-year-old man presented with left-sided iliac fossa pain with no other associated symptoms. On clinical exam, a left-sided non-reducible inguinoscrotal hernia was detected with no evidence to suggest strangulation. Imaging revealed a probable colorectal cancer with likely liver metastases. The patient went on to have open surgery to excise the tumour with clear oncological margins. Colorectal cancers contained within scrotal hernias are very rare occurrences. In this case, the surgeon had the advantage of preoperative images that identified the cancer. In some cases, this cohort of patients do not have such scans prior to surgery and the surgical team can be faced with a much more complex operation than anticipated.
Changing the logic without changing the subject: the case of computability
Authors: MartÍnez-Aviña Francisco N 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
In this paper, I argue against the thesis that the meaning of ‘computability’ is logic-dependent. I do this from a category-theoretic perspective. Applying a method due to Mortensen and Lavers [26], I show that we can dualize the internal logic of the effective topos, in order to obtain a model of paraconsistent computability theory. Since the dualization leaves the structural properties of universal constructions in the topos unchanged, in particular the properties of the natural numbers object, I conclude that, at least in this case, changing the logic does not change our characterization of computability.
Incidence and Mortality of COVID-19-Associated Invasive Fungal Infections Among Critically Ill Intubated Patients: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Analysis
Authors: Zuniga-Moya Julio C , Papadopoulos Benjamin , Mansoor Armaghan-E-Rehman , Mazi Patrick B , Rauseo Adriana M , Spec Andrej 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background
An association between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)–associated invasive fungal infections (CAIFIs) and high mortality among intubated patients has been suggested in previous research. However, some of the current evidence was derived from small case series and multicenter studies conducted during different waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. We examined the incidence of CAIFIs and their associated mortality using a large, multicenter COVID-19 database built throughout the pandemic.

Methods
We conducted a retrospective analysis of the National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C) database collected from 76 medical centers in the United States between January 2020 and August 2022. Patients were 18 years or older and intubated after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. The primary outcomes were incidence and all-cause mortality at 90 days. To assess all-cause mortality, we fitted Cox proportional hazard models after adjusting for confounders via inverse probability weighting.

Results
Out of the 4 916 229 patients with COVID-19 diagnosed during the study period, 68 383 (1.4%) met our cohort definition. The overall incidence of CAIFI was 2.80% (n = 1934/68 383). Aspergillus (48.2%; n = 933/1934) and Candida (41.0%; n = 793/1934) were the most common causative organisms. The incidence of CAIFIs associated with Aspergillus among patients who underwent BAL was 6.2% (n = 83/1328). Following inverse probability weighting, CAIFIs caused by Aspergillus (hazard ratio [HR], 2.0; 95% CI, 1.8–2.2) and Candida (HR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.5–1.9) were associated with increased all-cause mortality. Systemic antifungals reduced mortality in 17% of patients with CAIFI with Aspergillus and 24% of patients with CAIFI with Candida.

Conclusions
The incidence of CAIFI was modest but associated with higher 90-day all-cause mortality among intubated patients. Systemic antifungals modified mortality.
Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy in a Safety Net Hospital: Opportunities for Improvement
Authors: Bouzigard Rory , Arnold Mark , Msibi Sithembiso S , Player Jacob K , Mang Norman , Hall Brenton , Su Joseph , Lane Michael A , Perl Trish M , Castellino Laila M 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background
Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) is a safe and cost-effective transitional care approach administered via different delivery models. No standards exist for appropriate OPAT program staffing. We examined outcomes of patients receiving OPAT via different care models to identify strategies to improve safety while reducing health care overuse.

Methods
Retrospective demographic, clinical, and outcome data of patients discharged with OPAT were reviewed in 2 periods (April–June 2021 and January–March 2022; ie, when staffing changed) and stratified by care model: self-administered OPAT, health care OPAT, and skilled nursing facility OPAT.

Results
Of 342 patients, 186 (54%) received OPAT in 2021 and 156 (46%) in 2022. Hospital length of stay rose from 12.4 days to 14.3 in 2022. In a Cox proportional hazards regression model, visits to the emergency department (ED) within 30 days of OPAT initiation (hazard ratio, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.13–2.73; P = .01) and readmissions (hazard ratio, 2.34; 95% CI, 1.22–4.49; P = .01) increased in 2022 vs 2021, corresponding to decreases in OPAT team staffing. Higher readmissions in the 2022 cohort were for reasons unrelated to OPAT (P = .01) while readmissions related to OPAT did not increase (P = .08).

Conclusions
In a well-established OPAT program, greater health care utilization—length of stay, ED visits, and readmissions—were seen during periods of higher staff turnover and attrition. Rather than blunt metrics such as ED visits and readmissions, which are influenced by multiple factors besides OPAT, our findings suggest the need to develop OPAT-specific outcome measures as a quality assessment tool and to establish optimal OPAT program staffing ratios.