bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hearing Conservation Programme Costs at Selected South African Companies
Authors: Rikhotso Oscar , Morodi Thabiso John , Masekameni Daniel Masilu 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
The Occupational Health and Safety Act 1993 and its attending Regulations in South Africa, require employers to conduct cost analysis studies to inform decision-making related to exposure control for occupational health hazard such as noise. Cost analysis, as per South African National Standard/ISO 31000 risk assessment guideline, is an important input for the decision-making process of the risk management process. The costs of administrating a hearing conservation programme intended to minimise noise-induced hearing loss is an example of a cost analysis. This study enrolled four companies from the South African manufacturing and utilities sectors with the aim of establishing whether cost analysis is included during the noise risk assessment process; and determining administration costs of HCP administration. A HCP cost questionnaire was completed by each company’s occupational hygiene professionals and risk officers. None of the companies in the study included cost analysis in their respective risk assessment processes. The overall costs, derived from the HCP cost item questionnaire, was much greater for Company A (4 290 014 Rands) than all of the other companies combined (970 685 Rands). Hearing protection device expenditures across the four companies were the greatest expense, while audiometry was the smallest expense owing to service internalisation. The HCP expenditures are incurred on periodic basis, yearly or biennial, and are internalised in companies as direct costs. Cost analysis can enhance the noise risk assessment process by providing additional input to support the decision-making process related to noise control. This challenges the occupational hygiene profession to pursue new frontiers and decision-making models in the scope of noise risk management, beyond noise measurements and hearing protection device use recommendation.
Revisiting primary endocrine therapy versus surgery in older women with breast cancer: meta-analysis
Authors: Chan Kai Siang , Chong Michelle Tian Hui , Chia Clement Luck Khng , Cheung Kwok Leung 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Background
Old age is associated with increased co-morbidities, resulting in reduced life expectancy. Primary endocrine therapy is an alternative to primary surgical therapy for patients with breast cancer and increased co-morbidities. The aim was to review outcomes of primary endocrine therapy versus primary surgical therapy in older women with breast cancer.

Methods
PubMed, Embase (Ovid), Scopus, and the Cochrane Library were searched systematically from January 2000 to May 2022. Single-arm studies were excluded. Primary outcomes were overall survival and breast cancer-specific survival. Secondary outcomes were local and regional failure of primary endocrine therapy, recurrence after primary surgical therapy, and health-related quality of life.

Results
There were 14 studies including 14 254 patients (primary endocrine therapy 2829, 19.8 per cent; primary surgical therapy 11 425, 80.2 per cent), with the addition of four major studies (9538 patients) compared with the latest review in 2014. Seven studies defined primary surgical therapy as surgery plus adjuvant endocrine therapy, and six studies included patients with oestrogen receptor-positive tumours only. Patients in the primary endocrine therapy group were older than the primary surgical therapy group (mean difference 2.43 (95 per cent c.i. 0.73 to 4.13) years). Primary endocrine therapy led to worse overall survival than primary surgical therapy (HR 1.42, 95 per cent c.i. 1.06 to 1.91). Subgroup analysis of RCTs and prospective studies, however, showed comparable overall survival. Breast cancer-specific survival was also comparable (HR 1.28, 95 per cent c.i. 0.87 to 1.87). At 6 weeks, operated patients had significant arm symptoms and illness burden following major breast surgery compared with patients receiving primary endocrine therapy. Health-related quality of life, measured by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 and EuroQol EQ-5D-5L™, was comparable in the two treatment groups.

Conclusion
Overall survival was worse among older women receiving primary endocrine therapy in an analysis including all studies, but comparable in RCTs and prospective studies. This may be due to confounding by age and co-morbidities in retrospective cohort studies of primary endocrine therapy.
Chromosomal and genomic data in Neotropical Dorstenia species (Moraceae) and their relationships with African species
Authors: Barreto Lucas Mesquita , de Assis Rafael , Vanzela André Luís Laforga 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Dorstenia spp. are characterized by a herbaceous habit, the presence of rhizomes and inflorescences being coenanthia. They occur in different forest formations, and it is believed that there are two distribution centres for Dorstenia, one Palaeotropical (Africa) and one Neotropical (Central and South America). The present study aimed to undertake a comparative analysis of the karyotype diversity of Dorstenia, based on chromosome data and DNA C values of 13 Neotropical species, and an analysis of low-coverage genomic sequencing of three African and one Neotropical species. The most frequent chromosome number is 2n = 32, with variations for 2n = 28 and 30, suggesting an important role of polyploidy in the karyotype differentiation of Dorstenia. Karyotypes varied in the number of metacentric, submetacentric and acrocentric chromosomes, with evidence of rearrangements. Genome sizes (C values) varied almost two-fold, from 2C = 2.50 to 5.47 pg. There was no clear relationship between DNA C value variations and karyotype features, such as chromosome numbers and distribution of CMA/DAPI bands or rDNA sites. Proximal heterochromatin was most frequent, but CMA+ and DAPI+ bands predominated in relation to DAPI+ bands. 5S and 35S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sites were also observed in the proximal regions in almost all species. Based on a chromosome modelling approach, our data suggest that dysploidy events may have been responsible for the chromosome number variations, whereas rearrangements involving repetitive fractions may have been associated with changes in genome size. There was great variability in the amount of rDNA between species, including a remarkable 5S rDNA amplification in D. bahiensis, and a diversity of transposable elements in the four genomes with genomic sequence data. The combination of data from karyotypes, genomes and phylogeny suggests that dysploidy has played a predominant role in the evolution of Neotropical Dorstenia spp.
Functional regeneration of dilated cardiomyopathy by transcatheter bilateral pulmonary artery banding: first-in-human case series
Authors: Schranz Dietmar , Krause Ulrich , Kerst Gunter , Esmaeili Anoosh , Paul Thomas 
Published: January 2023

AbstractBackgroundDilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a leading cause of heart transplantation (HTx) in children. Surgical pulmonary artery banding (PAB) is used worldwide to achieve functional heart regeneration and remodelling.Case summaryWe report for the first-time successful bilateral transcatheter implantation of bilateral pulmonary artery flow restrictors in a case series of three infants with severe DCM based on left-ventricular non-compaction morphology associated with Barth syndrome in one and a non-classified syndrome in another. Functional cardiac regeneration was observed in two patients after almost 6 months of endoluminal banding, and in the neonate with Barth syndrome already after 6 weeks. Accompanied by an improvement in functional class (Class IV to Class I), the left ventricular end-diastolic dimensions z-score normalized, as did the elevated serum brain natriuretic peptide levels. A listing for HTx could be avoided.DiscussionPercutaneous bilateral endoluminal PAB is a novel minimally invasive approach that enables functional cardiac regeneration in infants with severe DCM and preserved right ventricular function. Interruption of the ventriculo-ventricular interaction, the key mechanism for recovery, is avoided. Intensive care for these critically ill patients is reduced to a minimum. However, investing in ‘heart regeneration to avoid transplantation’ remains a challenge.
Comparative effect of different physical exercise training on exercise capacity and cardiac function in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: a network meta-analysis—ExIC-FEp Study
Authors: Cavero-Redondo Iván , Martínez-García Irene , Saz-Lara Alicia , Garcia-Klepzig José Luis , Álvarez-Bueno Celia , Martínez-Vizcaino Vicente 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Aims
This network meta-analysis aimed to compare the effect of different types of physical exercise [endurance training, endurance/resistance training, and high-intensity interval training (HIIT)] on exercise capacity and cardiac function parameters in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Methods and results
A systematic search of the MEDLINE (via PubMed), Scopus, and Web of Science databases was conducted to identify experimental studies addressing the effect of different physical exercise training programmes on exercise capacity and cardiac function in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Comparative evaluation of the effect of exercise training type was performed by conducting a standard pairwise meta-analysis and a network meta-analysis for direct and indirect comparisons between exercise training types and controls/non-interventions. Eleven studies were included in the analysis showing that endurance training improves the main exercise capacity parameters (VO2peak, workload, exercise time, peak heart rate, VO2, and 6 min walk distance). Additionally, endurance/resistance training showed a significant effect on VO2peak, workload, early mitral annulus velocity, and early mitral/mitral annulus velocity ratio. Finally, HIIT showed a significant effect on VO2peak, VO2, and the early mitral/mitral annulus velocity ratio.

Conclusion
Our findings support the effect of three different types of physical exercise on exercise capacity, mainly VO2peak. Additionally, endurance/resistance training and HIIT could reverse left ventricular remodelling in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Registration
PROSPERO: CRD42021276111
A 21-bp InDel in the promoter ofSTP1selected during tomato improvement accounts for soluble solid content in fruits
Authors: Wang Ying , Shi Chunmei , Ge Pingfei , Li Fangman , Zhu Lihui , Wang Yaru , Tao Jinbao , Zhang Xingyu , Dong Haiqiang , Gai Wenxian , Wang Fei , Ye Zhibiao , Grierson Donald , Xu Wei , Zhang Yuyang 
Published: January 2023

AbstractDomestication and improvement are important processes that generate the variation in genome and phonotypes underlying crop improvement. Unfortunately, during selection for certain attributes, other valuable traits may be inadvertently discarded. One example is the decline in fruit soluble solids content (SSC) during tomato breeding. Several genetic loci for SSC have been identified, but few reports on the underlying mechanisms are available. In this study we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for SSC of the red-ripe fruits in a population consisting of 481 tomato accessions with large natural variations and found a new quantitative trait locus, STP1, encoding a sugar transporter protein. The causal variation of STP1, a 21-bp InDel located in the promoter region 1124 bp upstream of the start codon, alters its expression. STP1Insertion accessions with an 21-bp insertion have higher SSC than STP1Deletion accessions with the 21-bp deletion. Knockout of STP1 in TS-23 with high SSC using CRISPR/Cas9 greatly decreased SSC in fruits. In vivo and in vitro assays demonstrated that ZAT10-LIKE, a zinc finger protein transcription factor (ZFP TF), can specifically bind to the promoter of STP1Insertion to enhance STP1 expression, but not to the promoter of STP1Deletion, leading to lower fruit SSC in modern tomatoes. Diversity analysis revealed that STP1 was selected during tomato improvement. Taking these results together, we identified a naturally occurring causal variation underlying SSC in tomato, and a new role for ZFP TFs in regulating sugar transporters. The findings enrich our understanding of tomato evolution and domestication, and provide a genetic basis for genome design for improving fruit taste.
Joining and exiting the value chain of foreign multinationals and performance of their local suppliers: evidence from interfirm transaction data
Authors: Masso Jaan , Vahter Priit 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThis paper investigates the productivity effects for domestic suppliers from joining and exiting the value chains of foreign-owned multinational enterprises (MNEs). Our econometric analysis is based on firm-to-firm transactions recorded in the value-added tax declarations’ data from Estonia and use of propensity score matching and difference-in-difference regression approach. The treatment analysis based on period 2015–2019 suggests that starting to supply the foreign-owned firms initially boosts the value added per employee of the domestic firms, including the effects on the scale of production and the capital–labor ratio. These first linkages to the foreign-owned MNEs do not affect the total factor productivity (TFP) of domestic firms, suggesting that the TFP effects take time to materialize. We find no significant positive effects on the second-tier suppliers: the positive effects are limited to the first-tier suppliers with direct links to foreign-owned firms. One novel result is the evidence that the productivity of suppliers does not fall, on average, after decreasing or ending supplier relationships with the foreign-owned firms. However, this average effect hides significant heterogeneity. Domestic firms with prior high levels of productivity and those at the time of exit from the MNE relationship start to export, gain in productivity in next periods, whereas the firms with low prior productivity levels lose.
Simultaneous adjustment of uncontrolled confounding, selection bias and misclassification in multiple-bias modelling
Authors: Brendel Paul , Torres Aracelis , Arah Onyebuchi A 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Background
Adjusting for multiple biases usually involves adjusting for one bias at a time, with careful attention to the order in which these biases are adjusted. A novel, alternative approach to multiple-bias adjustment involves the simultaneous adjustment of all biases via imputation and/or regression weighting. The imputed value or weight corresponds to the probability of the missing data and serves to ‘reconstruct’ the unbiased data that would be observed based on the provided assumptions of the degree of bias.

Methods
We motivate and describe the steps necessary to implement this method. We also demonstrate the validity of this method through a simulation study with an exposure-outcome relationship that is biased by uncontrolled confounding, exposure misclassification, and selection bias.

Results
The study revealed that a non-biased effect estimate can be obtained when correct bias parameters are applied. It also found that incorrect specification of every bias parameter by +/-25% still produced an effect estimate with less bias than the observed, biased effect.

Conclusions
Simultaneous multi-bias analysis is a useful way of investigating and understanding how multiple sources of bias may affect naive effect estimates. This new method can be used to enhance the validity and transparency of real-world evidence obtained from observational, longitudinal studies.
Uncertainty quantification in the Bradley–Terry–Luce model
Authors: Gao Chao , Shen Yandi , Zhang Anderson Y 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThe Bradley–Terry–Luce (BTL) model is a benchmark model for pairwise comparisons between individuals. Despite recent progress on the first-order asymptotics of several popular procedures, the understanding of uncertainty quantification in the BTL model remains largely incomplete, especially when the underlying comparison graph is sparse. In this paper, we fill this gap by focusing on two estimators that have received much recent attention: the maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) and the spectral estimator. Using a unified proof strategy, we derive sharp and uniform non-asymptotic expansions for both estimators in the sparsest possible regime (up to some poly-logarithmic factors) of the underlying comparison graph. These expansions allow us to obtain: (i) finite-dimensional central limit theorems for both estimators; (ii) construction of confidence intervals for individual ranks; (iii) optimal constant of $\ell _2$ estimation, which is achieved by the MLE but not by the spectral estimator. Our proof is based on a self-consistent equation of the second-order remainder vector and a novel leave-two-out analysis.
Imaging of COVID-19 Vaccine–Related Axillary Lymphadenopathy: Initial Outcomes Based on US Features of Axillary Lymph Nodes
Authors: Ahn Richard W , Porembka Jessica H , Mootz Ann R , Goudreau Sally H , Dogan Basak E , Xi Yin , Seiler Stephen J 
Published: January 2023

AbstractObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to describe the imaging characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 vaccine–related axillary adenopathy and subsequent follow-up.MethodsThis was an IRB-approved, retrospective study of patients with imaging evidence of axillary lymphadenopathy who had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and presented between January 1, 2021, and February 28, 2021. Sonographic cortical thickness and morphology was evaluated. A mixed effects model was used to model lymph node cortical thickness decrease over time.ResultsA total of 57 women were identified with lymphadenopathy and a COVID vaccination during the study period with 51 (89.5%) women completing imaging surveillance or undergoing tissue sampling of a lymph node. Three women (5.9%) were diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer to an axillary node. There was a statistically significant correlation with cortical thickness at initial US evaluation and malignancy (7.7 mm [SD ± 0.6 mm] for metastatic nodes and 5 mm [SD ± 2 mm] for benign nodes, P = 0.02). Suspicious morphological features (effacement of fatty hilum, P = 0.02) also correlated with malignancy. Time to resolution of lymphadenopathy can be prolonged with estimated half-life of the rate of decrease in cortical thickness modeled at 77 days (95% CI, 59–112 days). Diffuse, smooth cortical thickening over 3 mm was the most common lymph node morphology.ConclusionMalignant lymph node morphology and cortical thickness best predicted malignancy. Benign hyperplastic lymph nodes were the most common morphology observed after COVID-19 vaccination. Lymphadenopathy after vaccination is slow to resolve.
Epidemiology of Primary and Recurrent Healthcare-Associated and Community-Associated Pediatric Clostridioides difficile Infection in Canada, 2015–2020
Authors: Silva Anada , Du Tim , Choi Kelly B , Pelude Linda , Golding George R , Hizon Romeo , Lee Bonita E , Chow Blanda , Srigley Jocelyn A , Hota Susy S , Comeau Jeannette L , Thampi Nisha ,   the CNISP C. difficile working group, Davis Ian , Evans Gerald A , Frenette Charles , Johnstone Jennie , Kibsey Pamela , Katz Kevin C , Langley Joanne M , Longtin Yves , Mertz Dominik , Minion Jessica , Stagg Paula , Science Michelle , Suh Kathryn N , Wong Alice 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) among children remains a concerning cause of morbidity in hospital settings. We present epidemiological and molecular trends in healthcare- and community-associated CDI among children in Canadian inpatient and outpatient settings, including those who experienced recurrent infections.
The simulated catalogue of optical transients and correlated hosts (SCOTCH)
Authors: Lokken Martine , Gagliano Alexander , Narayan Gautham , Hložek Renée , Kessler Richard , Crenshaw John Franklin , Salo Laura , Alves Catarina S , Chatterjee Deep , Vincenzi Maria , Malz Alex I ,   The LSST Dark Energy Science Collaboration
Published: January 2023

ABSTRACT
As we observe a rapidly growing number of astrophysical transients, we learn more about the diverse host galaxy environments in which they occur. Host galaxy information can be used to purify samples of cosmological Type Ia supernovae, uncover the progenitor systems of individual classes, and facilitate low-latency follow-up of rare and peculiar explosions. In this work, we develop a novel data-driven methodology to simulate the time-domain sky that includes detailed modelling of the probability density function for multiple transient classes conditioned on host galaxy magnitudes, colours, star formation rates, and masses. We have designed these simulations to optimize photometric classification and analysis in upcoming large synoptic surveys. We integrate host galaxy information into the snana simulation framework to construct the simulated catalogue of optical transients and correlated hosts (SCOTCH, a publicly available catalogue of 5-million idealized transient light curves in LSST passbands and their host galaxy properties over the redshift range 0 &lt; z &lt; 3. This catalogue includes supernovae, tidal disruption events, kilonovae, and active galactic nuclei. Each light curve consists of true top-of-the-galaxy magnitudes sampled with high (≲2 d) cadence. In conjunction with SCOTCH, we also release an associated set of tutorials and transient-specific libraries to enable simulations of arbitrary space- and ground-based surveys. Our methodology is being used to test critical science infrastructure in advance of surveys by the Vera C. Rubin Observatory and the Nancy G. Roman Space Telescope.
High-salt transcription from enzymatically gapped promoters nets higher yields and purity of transcribed RNAs
Authors: MalagodaPathiranage Kithmie , Cavac Elvan , Chen Tien-Hao , Roy Bijoyita , Martin Craig T 
Published: January 2023

AbstractT7 RNA polymerase is commonly used to synthesize large quantities of RNA for a wide variety of applications, from basic science to mRNA therapeutics. This in vitro system, while showing high fidelity in many ways, is also well known for producing longer than encoded RNA products, particularly under high-yield reaction conditions. Specifically, the resulting product pool is contaminated by an often disperse collection of longer cis-primed extension products. In addition to reducing yield via the conversion of correctly encoded RNA to longer products, self-primed extension generates partially double-stranded RNAs that can trigger the innate immune response. Extensive and low-yield purifications are then required to produce therapeutic RNA. Under high-yield conditions, accumulating concentrations of RNA effectively compete with promoter DNA for polymerase binding, driving self-primed extension at the expense of correct initiation. In the current work, we introduce a simple and novel modification in the DNA to strengthen promoter binding, shifting the balance back toward promoter-driven synthesis and so dramatically reducing self-primed extension. The result is higher yield of the encoded RNA at the outset and reduced need for extensive purifications. The approach can readily be applied to the synthesis of mRNA-length products under high-yield conditions.