bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Magnitude and determinants of excess total, age-specific and sex-specific all-cause mortality in 24 countries worldwide during 2020 and 2021: results on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic from the C-MOR project
Authors: Pallari Chryso Th. , Achilleos Souzana , Quattrocchi Annalisa , Gabel John , Critselis Elena , Athanasiadou Maria , Rahmanian Haghighi Mohammad Reza , Papatheodorou Stefania , Liu Tianyu , Artemiou Andreas , Rodriguez-Llanes Jose M , Bennett Catherine M , Zimmermann Claudia , Schernhammer Eva , Bustos Sierra Natalia , Ekelson Reindert , Lobato Jackeline , Macedo Laylla , Mortensen Laust Hvas , Critchley Julia , Goldsmith Lucy , Denissov Gleb , Le Meur Nolwenn , Kandelaki Levan , Athanasakis Kostas , Binyaminy Binyamin , Maor Tamar , Stracci Fabrizio , Ambrosio Giuseppe , Davletov Kairat , Glushkova Nataliya , Martial Cyndy , Chan Sun Marie , Hagen Terje P , Chong Mario , Barron Manuel , Łyszczarz Błażej , Erzen Ivan , Arcos Gonzalez Pedro , Burström Bo , Pidmurniak Nataliia , Verstiuk Olesia , Huang Qian , Polemitis Antonis , Charalambous Andreas , Demetriou Christiana A. 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionTo examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mortality, we estimated excess all-cause mortality in 24 countries for 2020 and 2021, overall and stratified by sex and age.MethodsTotal, age-specific and sex-specific weekly all-cause mortality was collected for 2015–2021 and excess mortality for 2020 and 2021 was calculated by comparing weekly 2020 and 2021 age-standardised mortality rates against expected mortality, estimated based on historical data (2015–2019), accounting for seasonality, and long-term and short-term trends. Age-specific weekly excess mortality was similarly calculated using crude mortality rates. The association of country and pandemic-related variables with excess mortality was investigated using simple and multilevel regression models.ResultsExcess cumulative mortality for both 2020 and 2021 was found in Austria, Brazil, Belgium, Cyprus, England and Wales, Estonia, France, Georgia, Greece, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Mauritius, Northern Ireland, Norway, Peru, Poland, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, and the USA. Australia and Denmark experienced excess mortality only in 2021. Mauritius demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in all-cause mortality during both years. Weekly incidence of COVID-19 was significantly positively associated with excess mortality for both years, but the positive association was attenuated in 2021 as percentage of the population fully vaccinated increased. Stringency index of control measures was positively and negatively associated with excess mortality in 2020 and 2021, respectively.ConclusionThis study provides evidence of substantial excess mortality in most countries investigated during the first 2 years of the pandemic and suggests that COVID-19 incidence, stringency of control measures and vaccination rates interacted in determining the magnitude of excess mortality.
Feasibility of implementing a rapid-learning methodology to inform radiotherapy treatments: key professional stakeholders’ views
Authors: Kapadi Arbaz , Price Gareth , Faivre-Finn Corinne , Holley Rebecca , Wicks Kate , Banfill Kathryn , Webster Gareth , Franks Kevin , McDonald Fiona , Johnson Daniel , French David P 
Published: April 2024

Objective
Pragmatic methodologies, often termed rapid-learning, are being pursued that can match the pace of innovation in radiotherapy and generate evidence from the real-world treatment setting. It is important to understand the feasibility of implementing such pragmatic approaches before their application in practice. This study investigated key professional stakeholders’ perceptions and opinions of rapid-learning and real-world data (RWD).

Methods and analysis
Twenty-three interviews were conducted with key professional stakeholders based across five UK radiotherapy cancer centres. Centres varied in size and reflected different healthcare environments. Data were collected between December 2022 and May 2023, and analysed using inductive thematic analysis.

Results
Four themes were generated: (1) the alignment of rapid-learning methodologies with the reality of practice, (2) concerns related to the variability of RWD, (3) the maturity of data infrastructures and capacity for rapid-learning and (4) further support, education and evidence needed to convince stakeholders to adopt rapid-learning approaches.

Conclusion
The potential of rapid-learning to help address evidence gaps in radiotherapy development was positively received by different professional stakeholders. However, the effectiveness of rapid-learning was viewed as being highly dependent on the collection of quality data in the routine setting, while the variable set-up at different cancer centres is also likely to be a key challenge for potential implementation. Developing data infrastructures to improve data interoperability was considered crucial for rapid-learning implementation, along with method clarity, educational support and training for radiotherapy teams.
Economic evaluation of newborn deafness gene screening as a public health intervention in China: a modelling study
Authors: Shu Jun-Tao , Gu Yuan-Yuan , Zhai Pei-Yao , Wen Cheng , Qian Min , Wu You-Jia , Zhuang Xun , Zhu Qing-Wen , Zhang Lu-Ping , Jiang Shan , Wang Xiao-Mo , Jiang Yin-Hua , Huang Li-Hui , Qin Gang 
Published: April 2024

BackgroundWhile global newborn hearing screening programmes (NHSP) are far from the optimal level, the combined hearing and genetic screening has emerged as an innovative approach of early healthcare interventions. There is a clear need for economic evaluation to establish whether newborn deafness gene screening (NDGS), currently mandated by many cities in China, is a good investment.MethodsA decision-tree model was constructed to simulate a hypothetical 10-million Chinese newborn cohort over a lifetime with three strategies: (1) no screening, (2) NHSP (standard screening) and (3) NHSP+NDGS (combined screening). The presence of permanent congenital hearing loss (PCHL) and genetic mutation were assigned at birth and held constant for all strategies. Input parameters were obtained from the Cohort of Deafness-gene Screening study and literature review. The government contract price for genetic screening was US$77/child. Outcomes of interest included the number of early diagnosed PCHL, prelingual deafness, total deafness, special education referral, incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) and benefit–cost ratio (BCR).ResultsBoth standard and combined screening strategies were more effective and more costly than ‘no screening’. Compared with standard screening, combined screening led to 9112 (28.0%) more PCHL cases early detected, avoiding 4071 (66.9%) prelingual deafness cases and 3977 (15.6%) special education referrals. The ICER and BCR for combined screening were US$ 4995/disability-adjusted life-year (95% uncertainty interval, 2963 to 9265) and 1.78 (1.19 to 2.39), from healthcare sector perspective. Combined screening would dominate standard screening from societal perspective. Moreover, it remained cost-effective even in pessimistic scenarios.ConclusionsOur findings have particular implication for the ‘scale-up’ of genetic screening at the national level in China. The model may serve as a feasible example for hearing screening strategies in other countries, as well as genetic screening for other diseases.
Associations between lifestyle factors and COVID-19 infection rates: a cross-sectional analysis in the USA
Authors: Shaheen Razaz , Beeson W Lawrence , Paalani Michael , Dos Santos Hildemar , Alismail Abdullah , Spencer-Hwang Rhonda K 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the vital connection between lifestyle factors and health outcomes, highlighting the need to understand how lifestyle choices influence both chronic and infectious diseases. Despite known links between lifestyle factors and chronic diseases, the relationship between these factors and infectious diseases like COVID-19 warrants further investigation.MethodsThis cross-sectional study used an anonymous survey collected from a diverse sample of US residents aged 18 or older. Excluding individuals under 18 or residing outside the USA, the survey captured data on diet, body mass index, smoking status, alcohol consumption, physical activity, sleep duration, COVID-19 infection status, socio-demographics and other potential confounders. Statistical analysis was performed using χ2tests and logistic regression to explore the associations between lifestyle factors and COVID-19 infection, with a particular focus on gender differences.ResultsAmong 1032 participants, the prevalence of COVID-19 was higher in women (42.8%) compared with men (32.0%). Significant associations were found between inadequate sleep (less than 4 hours per day) and increased risk of COVID-19 in both genders (OR=2.89, 95% CI: 1.13 to 7.35, p=0.02 for men; OR=5.69, 95% CI: 3.14 to 10.29, p<0.00 for women). Additionally, a significant association was observed between a lifestyle index, incorporating multiple lifestyle factors and COVID-19 infection in women (OR=1.79, 95% CI: 1.05 to 3.025, p=0.03).ConclusionsThe findings indicate a potential link between lifestyle factors and susceptibility to COVID-19, with inadequate sleep identified as a significant risk factor. These results suggest that promoting a healthy lifestyle could be an effective strategy for controlling the pandemic and mitigating the impact of infectious diseases. Further research is recommended to explore the role of restful sleep in preventing COVID-19 for men and women (including multiple lifestyle factors among women).
The dual vector spaces of symmetric tensor powers of composition algebras
Authors: Razon Aharon 
Published: April 2024

Let [Formula: see text] be a quaternion algebra or an octonion algebra over a field [Formula: see text] of characteristic [Formula: see text]. In a previous work, we show that the [Formula: see text]th symmetric power [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] is isomorphic to a direct sum of central simple algebras [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]. In this work, we study the dual vector spaces of the [Formula: see text]’s. We show that [Formula: see text], under the isomorphism induced by the isomorphism [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the [Formula: see text]-linear map [Formula: see text] defined by [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text], with [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] being the normalized trace and involution, respectively, of [Formula: see text].
Misused Words and Phrases
Authors: Yaffe Philip 
Published: April 2024

Each "Communication Corner" essay is self-contained; however, they build on each other. For best results, before reading this essay and doing the exercise, go to the first essay "How an Ugly Duckling Became a Swan," then read each succeeding essay.
Using commonly recognized colorful words, phrases, and quotations can enhance the interest and impact of an expository (non-fiction) text. However, pay close attention when doing so, because those words, phrases, and quotations don't always mean what you might think they mean.
Supercell Tornadogenesis: Recent Progress in Our State of Understanding
Authors: Fischer Jannick , Dahl Johannes M. L. , Coffer Brice E. , Houser Jana Lesak , Markowski Paul M. , Parker Matthew D. , Weiss Christopher C. , Schueth Alex 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Over the last decade, supercell simulations and observations with ever-increasing resolution have provided new insights into the vortex-scale processes of tornado formation. This article incorporates these and other recent findings into the existing three-step model by adding an additional fourth stage. The goal is to provide an updated and clear picture of the physical processes occurring during tornadogenesis. Specifically, we emphasize the importance of the low-level wind shear and mesocyclone for tornado potential, the organization and interaction of relatively small-scale pretornadic vertical vorticity maxima, and the transition to a tornado-characteristic flow. Based on these insights, guiding research questions are formulated for the decade ahead.
Malaria vaccine acceptance among next of kin of children under 5 years of age in Gulu, northern Uganda in 2023: a community-based study
Authors: Bongomin Felix , Megwera Fiona Jollyne , Mundua Jerry , Naluwooza Nabirah , Ayesiga Frank , Nsubuga Yakobo , Madraa Grace , Kibone Winnie , Okot Jerom 
Published: April 2024

Background: Malaria is a leading cause of death among children under 5 years of age in sub-Saharan Africa. The malaria vaccine is an important preventive measure introduced by the World Health Organization to reduce malaria and its associated mortality and morbidity. We aimed to assess the acceptance of the malaria vaccine among next of kin of children under 5 years of age in Gulu City, Northern Uganda. Methods: Between October and December 2023, we conducted a cross-sectional study in Pece–Laroo division, Gulu City, Uganda. Socio-demographic, vaccine profile and health system factors were collected. Multivariable logistic regression was performed using STATA 16 to determine factors associated with acceptance of the malaria vaccine among next of kin of children under 5 years. Results: A total of 432 participants were enrolled. Of these, the majority were female (72.5%, n = 313) with most aged 30 years and above (51.2%, n = 221). Overall, 430 (99.5%) participants had good knowledge about malaria. The majority (91.4%, n = 395) had good acceptance of the malaria vaccine. Factors independently associated with acceptance of the malaria vaccine were knowing a child who died of malaria [adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR): 1.07, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01–1.13, p = 0.022] and preferring the injection route for a malaria vaccine (aPR: 1.1, 95% CI: 1.06–1.22, p < 0.001). All 395 participants with good knowledge of malaria had good acceptance of the malaria vaccine ( p = 0.007). Conclusion: There was a high acceptance of the malaria vaccine in Laroo–Pece division, Gulu, Uganda. However, there is a need for further health education to achieve universal acceptability of the malaria vaccine in preparation for the malaria vaccine implementation program in Uganda.
The association of blood eosinophil counts and FEV1decline: a cohort study
Authors: Hong Yun Soo , Park Hye Yun , Ryu Seungho , Shin Sun Hye , Zhao Di , Singh Dave , Guallar Eliseo , Cho Juhee , Chang Yoosoo , Lim Seong Yong 
Published: April 2024

BackgroundAccelerated lung function decline is characteristic of COPD. However, the association between blood eosinophil counts and lung function decline, accounting for current smoking status, in young individuals without prevalent lung disease is not fully understood.MethodsThis is a cohort study of 629 784 Korean adults without COPD or a history of asthma at baseline who participated in health screening examinations including spirometry and differential white blood cell counts. We used a linear mixed-effects model to estimate the annual change in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) (mL) by baseline blood eosinophil count, adjusting for covariates including smoking status. In addition, we performed a stratified analysis by baseline and time-varying smoking status.ResultsDuring a mean follow-up of 6.5 years (maximum 17.8 years), the annual change in FEV1(95% CI) in participants with eosinophil counts <100, 100–199, 200–299, 300–499 and ≥500 cells·µL−1in the fully adjusted model were −23.3 (−23.9–−22.7) mL, −24.3 (−24.9–−23.7) mL, −24.8 (−25.5–−24.2) mL, −25.5 (−26.2–−24.8) mL and −26.8 (−27.7–−25.9) mL, respectively. When stratified by smoking status, participants with higher eosinophil count had a faster decline in FEV1than those with lower eosinophil count in both never- and ever-smokers, which persisted when time-varying smoking status was used.ConclusionsHigher blood eosinophil counts were associated with a faster lung function decline among healthy individuals without lung disease, independent of smoking status. The findings suggest that higher blood eosinophil counts contribute to the risk of faster lung function decline, particularly among younger adults without a history of lung disease.
Uptake and 4-week quit rates from an opt-out co-located smoking cessation service delivered alongside community-based low-dose computed tomography screening within the Yorkshire Lung Screening Trial
Authors: Murray Rachael L. , Alexandris Panos , Baldwin David , Brain Kate , Britton John , Crosbie Philip A.J. , Gabe Rhian , Lewis Sarah , Parrott Steve , Quaife Samantha L. , Tam Hui Zhen , Wu Qi , Beeken Rebecca , Copeland Harriet , Eckert Claire , Hancock Neil , Lindop Jason , McCutchan Grace , Marshall Catriona , Neal Richard D. , Rogerson Suzanne , Quinn Scoggins Harriet D. , Simmonds Irene , Thorley Rebecca , Callister Matthew E. 
Published: April 2024

BackgroundUp to 50% of those attending for low-dose computed tomography screening for lung cancer continue to smoke and co-delivery of smoking cessation services alongside screening may maximise clinical benefit. Here we present data from an opt-out co-located smoking cessation service delivered alongside the Yorkshire Lung Screening Trial (YLST).MethodsEligible YLST participants were offered an immediate consultation with a smoking cessation practitioner (SCP) at their screening visit with ongoing smoking cessation support over subsequent weeks.ResultsOf 2150 eligible participants, 1905 (89%) accepted the offer of an SCP consultation during their initial visit, with 1609 (75%) receiving ongoing smoking cessation support over subsequent weeks. Uptake of ongoing support was not associated with age, ethnicity, deprivation or educational level in multivariable analyses, although men were less likely to engage (adjusted OR (ORadj) 0.71, 95% CI 0.56–0.89). Uptake was higher in those with higher nicotine dependency, motivation to stop smoking and self-efficacy for quitting. Overall, 323 participants self-reported quitting at 4 weeks (15.0% of the eligible population); 266 were validated by exhaled carbon monoxide (12.4%). Multivariable analyses of eligible smokers suggested 4-week quitting was more likely in men (ORadj1.43, 95% CI 1.11–1.84), those with higher motivation to quit and previous quit attempts, while those with a stronger smoking habit in terms of cigarettes per day were less likely to quit.ConclusionsThere was high uptake for co-located opt-out smoking cessation support across a wide range of participant demographics. Protected funding for integrated smoking cessation services should be considered to maximise programme equity and benefit.
Genome assembly of Melilotus officinalis provides a new reference genome for functional genomics
Authors: Meng Aoran , Li Xinru , Li Zhiguang , Miao Fuhong , Ma Lichao , Li Shuo , Sun Wenfei , Huang Jianwei , Yang Guofeng 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background
Sweet yellow clover (Melilotus officinalis) is a diploid plant (2n = 16) that is native to Europe. It is an excellent legume forage. It can both fix nitrogen and serve as a medicine. A genome assembly of Melilotus officinalis that was collected from Best corporation in Beijing is available based on Nanopore sequencing. The genome of Melilotus officinalis was sequenced, assembled, and annotated.

Results
The latest PacBio third generation HiFi assembly and sequencing strategies were used to produce a Melilotus officinalis genome assembly size of 1,066 Mbp, contig N50 = 5 Mbp, scaffold N50 = 130 Mbp, and complete benchmarking universal single-copy orthologs (BUSCOs) = 96.4%. This annotation produced 47,873 high-confidence gene models, which will substantially aid in our research on molecular breeding. A collinear analysis showed that Melilotus officinalis and Medicago truncatula shared conserved synteny. The expansion and contraction of gene families showed that Melilotus officinalis expanded by 565 gene families and shrank by 56 gene families. The contacted gene families were associated with response to stimulus, nucleotide binding, and small molecule binding. Thus, it is related to a family of genes associated with peptidase activity, which could lead to better stress tolerance in plants.

Conclusions
In this study, the latest PacBio technology was used to assemble and sequence the genome of the Melilotus officinalis and annotate its protein-coding genes. These results will expand the genomic resources available for Melilotus officinalis and should assist in subsequent research on sweet yellow clover plants.
Sequence characteristics, genetic diversity and phylogenetic analysis of the Cucurbita ficifolia (Cucurbitaceae) chloroplasts genome
Authors: He Shuilian , Xu Bin , Chen Siyun , Li Gengyun , Zhang Jie , Xu Junqiang , Wu Hang , Li Xuejiao , Yang Zhengan 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background
Curcubita ficifolia Bouché (Cucurbitaceae) has high value as a food crop and medicinal plant, and also has horticultural value as rootstock for other melon species. China is home to many different cultivars, but the genetic diversity of these resources and the evolutionary relationships among them, as well as the differences between C. ficifolia and other Cucurbita species, remain unclear.

Results
We investigated the chloroplast (cp) genomes of 160 C. ficifolia individuals from 31 populations in Yunnan, a major C. ficifolia production area in China. We found that the cp genome of C. ficifolia is ~151 kb and contains 128 genes, of which 86 are protein coding genes, 34 encode tRNA, and eight encode rRNAs. We also identified 64 SSRs, mainly AT repeats. The cp genome was found to contain a total of 204 SNP and 57 indels, and a total of 21 haplotypes were found in the 160 study individuals. The reverse repeat (IR) region of C. ficifolia contained a few differences compared with this region in the six other Cucurbita species. Sequence difference analysis demonstrated that most of the variable regions were concentrated in the single copy (SC) region. Moreover, the sequences of the coding regions were found to be more similar among species than those of the non-coding regions. The phylogenies reconstructed from the cp genomes of 61 representative species of Cucurbitaceae reflected the currently accepted classification, in which C. ficifolia is sister to the other Cucurbita species, however, different interspecific relationships were found between Cucurbita species.

Conclusions
These results will be valuable in the classification of C. ficifolia genetic resources and will contribute to our understanding of evolutionary relationships within the genus Cucurbita.