bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Top‐down control of a marine mesopredator: Increase in native white‐tailed eagles accelerates the extinction of an endangered seabird population
Authors: Anker‐Nilssen Tycho , Fayet Annette L. , Aarvak Tomas 
Published: January 2023

AbstractBottom‐up control is an important regulator of marine mesopredators such as seabirds. The prevalence of top‐down control on these species is however less well understood. In particular, how native predators affect seabird populations has rarely been quantified.Here, we investigate how an increase in white‐tailed eagles in northern Norway, a stronghold for the species, affected a local population of 25,000 pairs of black‐legged kittiwakes, a red‐listed seabird, during a 42‐year period ending with colony extinction. We use a natural experiment of two neighbouring colonies with/without eagle predation to disentangle the effects of eagles from local kittiwake foraging conditions (using size of young herring as a proxy).At the colony where eagle predation occurred, and in contrast to the eagle‐free colony, kittiwake breeding success and population size declined with increased eagle abundance, the latter more strongly under poor foraging conditions. Breeding success increased with improving foraging conditions at both colonies.Simple population modelling shows that although conditions were insufficient to sustain the eagle‐exposed colony, the increased abundance of eagles sped up its extirpation by many years.Policy implications. Our study shows that top‐down effects from avian predators can be significant regulators of seabird populations, challenging their conservation where native, often protected, predators are rising. Such effects, and their possible interaction with other factors, must also be accounted for when using seabird demographic traits as environmental indicators and when developing more flexible and effective management and action plans.
Value added tax non‐compliance in the car market
Authors: Fedeli Silvia , Giuriato Luisa 
Published: January 2023

AbstractWe examine value added tax (VAT) non‐compliance in the European Union (EU) car market. This issue is of paramount importance because of the loss of VAT revenue, the profound distortion of market mechanisms, and the dangerous variety of fraudulent schemes employed. In addition to the usual VAT fraudulent schemes on intra‐community trade, the special regimes, and the different regulations for the sale of motor vehicles in the EU member states per se, favour non‐compliance in the car market. Non‐compliance also takes advantage of the lack of adequate and prompt information exchange among the tax administrations of different countries and, within each country, between the tax administrations and their departments responsible for motor vehicles. We highlight the fact that the current measures are insufficient to fight VAT non‐compliance and that the new rules proposed in the ‘definitive VAT system’ are inadequate to control the proliferation of scams in the car market. Accordingly, we suggest more substantial measures: well‐targeted and prompt cross‐checks through archives and databases, and the monitoring of their effectiveness; electronic invoices; real‐time exchanges of information between the different tax and transport authorities; and increased harmonisation of the special VAT schemes that aim to eliminate one of the most exploited opportunities for illicit gain, to the detriment of the EU member states.
Wrist, hand and finger injuries in Australian football: A prospective observational study of emergency department presentations
Authors: Gill Stephen D , Anagnostelos Lambros , Stella Julian , Lowry Nicole , Kloot Kate , Reade Tom , Baker Tim , Hayden Georgina , Ryan Matthew , Seward Hugh , Page Richard S 
Published: January 2023

AbstractObjectivesInvestigate the characteristics of wrist, hand and finger (WHF) injuries in Australian footballers presenting to EDs and determine if injury profiles differed between females and males, and between children and adults.MethodsIn this prospective observational study that took place during an entire football season, patients attended 1 of 10 EDs in Victoria, Australia with a WHF injury sustained while playing Australian football. Data were extracted from patient medical records by trained researchers. Data included injury type (e.g. fracture), body part (e.g. metacarpal) and mechanism of injury. Males versus females, and children versus adults were compared using chi‐squared tests or Fisher's exact tests.ResultsIn total, 528 patients had a WHF injury, of which 105 (19.9%) were female and 308 (59.2%) were children. Fractures and sprains were the most common injury types (45.3% and 38.6%, respectively). Fingers were more often injured than wrists or hands (62.5%, 23.5% and 15.0%, respectively). Ball contact was the most common mechanism of injury (38.1% of injuries). Females were more likely than males to (i) have a sprain/strain injury, (ii) injure a finger (rather than wrist or hand) and (iii) injure themselves through ball contact. Children were more likely to injure their wrists, have a sprain/strain injury, or be injured falling to the ground. Adults were more likely to dislocate a joint or injure their hands.ConclusionsDifferences in injury type, location and mechanism between females and males, and children and adults, suggest an opportunity for customised injury prevention and management strategies by sex and age.
Outcome class imbalance and rare events: An underappreciated complication for overdose risk prediction modeling
Authors: Cartus Abigail R. , Samuels Elizabeth A. , Cerdá Magdalena , Marshall Brandon D. L. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractBackground and aimsLow outcome prevalence, often observed with opioid‐related outcomes, poses an underappreciated challenge to accurate predictive modeling. Outcome class imbalance, where non‐events (i.e. negative class observations) outnumber events (i.e. positive class observations) by a moderate to extreme degree, can distort measures of predictive accuracy in misleading ways, and make the overall predictive accuracy and the discriminatory ability of a predictive model appear spuriously high. We conducted a simulation study to measure the impact of outcome class imbalance on predictive performance of a simple SuperLearner ensemble model and suggest strategies for reducing that impact.Design, Setting, ParticipantsUsing a Monte Carlo design with 250 repetitions, we trained and evaluated these models on four simulated data sets with 100 000 observations each: one with perfect balance between events and non‐events, and three where non‐events outnumbered events by an approximate factor of 10:1, 100:1, and 1000:1, respectively.MeasurementsWe evaluated the performance of these models using a comprehensive suite of measures, including measures that are more appropriate for imbalanced data.FindingsIncreasing imbalance tended to spuriously improve overall accuracy (using a high threshold to classify events vs non‐events, overall accuracy improved from 0.45 with perfect balance to 0.99 with the most severe outcome class imbalance), but diminished predictive performance was evident using other metrics (corresponding positive predictive value decreased from 0.99 to 0.14).ConclusionIncreasing reliance on algorithmic risk scores in consequential decision‐making processes raises critical fairness and ethical concerns. This paper provides broad guidance for analytic strategies that clinical investigators can use to remedy the impacts of outcome class imbalance on risk prediction tools.
QTc interval measurement in patients with right bundle branch block: A practical method
Authors: Alizadeh Abolfath , Shahrbaf Mohammad Amin , Khorgami Mohammadrafie , Zeighami Mahboubeh , Keikhavani Ala , Mokhtari Torshizi Hamid , Teimouri‐jervekani Zahra 
Published: January 2023

AbstractBackground and AimProlonging the QT interval in the right bundle branch block (RBBB) can create challenges for electrophysiologists in estimating repolarization time and eliminating the effect of depolarization changes on QT interval. In this study, we aimed to develop a practice formula to eliminate the effect of depolarization changes on QT interval in patients with RBBB.MethodsThis prospective study evaluated accidentally induced RBBB in patients undergoing electrophysiological study. Two expert electrophysiologists recorded the ECG parameters, including QRS duration, QT interval, and cycle length, in the patients. The formula was developed based on QT interval differences (with and without RBBB) and its proportion to QRS. Additionally, the Bazzet, Rautaharju, and Hodge formulas were used to evaluate QTc.ResultsWe evaluated 96 patients in this study. The mean QT interval without RBBB was 369.39 ± 37.38, reaching 404.22 ± 39.23 after inducing RBBB. ΔQT was calculated as 34.83 ± 17.61, and the ratio of ΔQT/QRS with RBBB was almost 23%. Our formula is: (QTwith RBBB − 23% × QRS). Subtraction of 25% instead of 23% seems more straightforward and practical. Our formula could also predict the QTc interval in RBBB based on the Bazzet, Rautaharju, and Hodge formulas.ConclusionPrevious formulas for QT correction were hard to apply in the clinical setting or were not specified for RBBB. Our new formula allows a rapid and practical method for QT correction in RBBB in clinical practice.
A study of modifiable factors associated with health‐related quality of life in long‐term cervical cancer survivors
Authors: Dahl Alv A. , Bentzen Anne Gry , Fosså Sophie D. , Hess Siri Lothe , Kiserud Cecilie E. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractIntroductionHealth‐related quality of life (HR‐QoL) in cancer survivors is relevant for symptom relief and optimal care. The aim of this cross‐sectional study of long‐term cervical cancer survivors was two‐fold: (a) To compare HR‐QoL in long‐term cervical cancer survivors with reference data; and (b) to identify modifiable factors significantly associated with low levels of generic cancer HR‐QoL in long‐term cervical cancer survivors using high HR‐QoL as reference.Material and methodsWomen treated for cervical cancer from 2000 through 2007 who were cancer‐free and alive in 2013 received a mailed questionnaire including scales for anxiety, depression, and HR‐QoL. To obtain a homogeneous sample only women with FIGO stages 1 and 2 were included. The questionnaire included the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire.C‐30 (EORTC QLQ C‐30) for generic HR‐QoL. Groups with high and low HR‐QoL were defined by the median score on the general HR‐QoL item. Between‐group differences were examined with descriptive statistics. Logistic regression analyses examined independent variables associated with low generic HR‐QoL.ResultsComplete C‐30 scores were delivered by 472 long‐term cervical cancer survivors. Median age at survey was 53 (interquartile range 14.9) years, and median time since diagnosis was 11 (interquartile range 3.9) years. The proportion of survivors with stage 1 disease was 83% and stage 2 was 17%. Mean generic HR‐QoL scores showed minor differences between long‐term cervical cancer survivors and reference data. In the multivariable analysis, only modifiable variables remained significantly associated with low generic HR‐QoL namely self‐rated health, probable depression, fatigue, and pain. In bivariate analyses other modifiable variables also showed significant associations with low generic HR‐QoL like probable anxiety disorder, obesity, smoking, sleep disturbances, and bowel symptoms.ConclusionsClinicians should be aware that generic HR‐QoL in long‐term cervical cancer survivors eventually may be improved by identification and treatment of modifiable factors through the whole follow‐up period.
Navigating puberty, identity, and race among transnationally, transracially adopted Korean American adolescents
Authors: Wu Christine S. , Kim Adam Y. , Seaton Eleanor K. , Carter Rona , Lee Richard M. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThis exploratory study examined the relation between pubertal timing and dimensions of ethnic‐racial identity among adopted Korean Americans raised transracially in White families. The study also examined whether internalized racism moderated the association between pubertal timing and ethnic‐racial identity. Adopted Korean American adolescents (N = 202; 108 females; ages 13–19 years) completed measures of pubertal development, ethnic‐racial identity, and internalized racism in 2007. There was no significant main effect of pubertal timing for either male or female adolescents. Internalized racism moderated the relation between pubertal timing and ethnic‐racial identity clarity (B = −.16, p = .015) among male adolescents. Specifically, earlier pubertal timing was significantly associated with lower ethnic‐racial identity clarity for male adolescents with higher levels of internalized racism.
Temporal dynamics of cognitive flexibility in adolescents with anorexia nervosa: A high‐density EEG study
Authors: Berchio Cristina , Annen Lucie Clémentine , Bouamoud Ynès , Micali Nadia 
Published: January 2023

AbstractImpairment in cognitive flexibility is a core symptom of anorexia nervosa (AN) and is associated with treatment resistance. Nevertheless, studies on the neural basis of cognitive flexibility in adolescent AN are rare. This study aimed to investigate brain networks underlying cognitive flexibility in adolescents with AN. To address this aim, participants performed a Dimensional Change Card Sorting task during high‐density electroencephalography (EEG) recording. Anxiety was measured with the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory. Data were collected on 22 girls with AN and 23 controls. Evoked responses were investigated using global‐spatial analysis. Adolescents with AN showed greater overall accuracy, fewer switch trial errors and reduced inverse efficiency switch cost relative to controls, although these effects disappeared after adjusting for trait and state anxiety. EEG results indicated augmented early visual orienting processing (P100) and subsequent impaired attentional mechanisms to task switching (P300b) in subjects with AN. During task switching, diminished activations in subjects with AN were identified in the posterior cingulate, calcarine sulcus and cerebellum, and task repetitions induced diminished activations in a network involving the medial prefrontal cortex, and several posterior regions, compared with controls. No significant associations were found between measures of cognitive flexibility and anxiety in the AN group. Findings of this study suggest atypical neural mechanisms underlying cognitive flexibility in adolescents with AN. More importantly, our findings suggest that different behavioural profiles in AN could relate to differences in anxiety levels. Future research should investigate the efficacy of cognitive training to rebalance brain networks of cognitive flexibility in AN.
Share repurchases on trial: Large‐sample evidence on share price performance, executive compensation, and corporate investment
Authors: Guest Nicholas , Kothari S. P. , Venkat Parth 
Published: January 2023

AbstractUsing a large sample of US stocks covering more than three decades, we empirically examine common criticisms of and rationales for stock repurchases. Repurchases account for a tiny fraction of the trading volume in a typical stock, making their price impact too small to generate short‐term price manipulation. Price appreciation following repurchases is modest and does not reverse on average, suggesting the small price increases following repurchases signal firms’ good prospects. Also, we find no evidence that CEOs of repurchasing firms are paid excessively or that repurchases crowd out valuable investment opportunities. Because repurchases do not appear to be systematically abusive, enforcement action should be sufficient to deal with any bad actors, and significant regulation seems unwarranted.
Developing a patient care pathway for emotional support around the point of multiple sclerosis diagnosis: A stakeholder engagement study
Authors: Tindall Tierney , Topcu Gogem , Thomas Shirley , Bale Clare , Evangelou Nikos , Drummond Avril , das Nair Roshan 
Published: January 2023

AbstractBackgroundDiagnosing multiple sclerosis (MS) can be a lengthy process, which can negatively affect psychological well‐being, condition management, and future engagement with health services. Therefore, providing timely and appropriate emotional support may improve adjustment and health outcomes.PurposeTo develop a patient care pathway for providing emotional support around the point of diagnosing MS, and to explore potential barriers and facilitators to delivery and implementation.MethodsFocus groups were conducted with 26 stakeholders, including 16 people living with MS, 5 carers/family members and 5 professionals working with people living with MS (3 MS nurses, 1 psychiatrist, and 1 charity staff member). Discussions were audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using framework analysis.ResultsParticipants suggested that a patient care pathway should include comprehensive information provision as a part of emotional support at diagnosis, and follow‐up sessions with a healthcare professional. Barriers including increasing staff workloads and financial costs to health services were acknowledged, thus participants suggested including peer support workers to deliver additional emotional support. All participants agreed that elements of a care pathway and embedded interventions should be individually tailored, yet provided within a standardized system to ensure accessibility.ConclusionsA patient care pathway was developed with stakeholders, which included an embedded MS Nurse support intervention supplemented with peer support sessions. Participants suggested that the pathway should be delivered within a standardized system to ensure equity of service provision across the country.Patient or Public ContributionThis research was conceptualized and designed collaboratively with Nottingham Multiple Sclerosis Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) group members. One member is a co‐author and was actively involved in every key stage of the research process, including co‐design of the pathway and research protocol, data collection (including presenting to participants and moderating group discussions), analysis and write‐up. Authors consulted with PPIE members at two meetings (9 and 11 PPIE attendees per meeting) where they gave feedback on the research design, findings and the resulting pathway. People living with MS and carers of people with MS were included in the focus groups as participants.
Microbiome in paired root apices and periapical lesions and its association with clinical signs in persistent apical periodontitis using next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Pérez‐Carrasco Virginia , Uroz‐Torres David , Soriano Miguel , Solana Carmen , Ruiz‐Linares Matilde , Garcia‐Salcedo Jose Antonio , Arias‐Moliz Maria Teresa 
Published: January 2023

AbstractAimTo assess and compare the microbiome of paired root apices and periapical lesions from cases with failed endodontic treatment and to associate the microbiome and bacterial metabolic pathways in both sites with asymptomatic apical periodontitis (AAP) and symptomatic apical periodontitis (SAP), using next‐generation sequencing (NGS).MethodologyMatched root apices and periapical lesions of patients with failed root canal treatments were surgically extracted. Specimens were cryopulverized, bacterial DNA was extracted and the V3–V4 hypervariable regions of the 16 S rRNA gene were amplified and sequenced using the Illumina Miseq platform. Diversity and community composition were studied in the paired samples, as well as in AAP and SAP cases. Diversity indices were compared in each case by means of the Wilcoxon matched‐pairs signed rank and Mann–Whitney U tests. Differences in the community composition were explored with multivariate statistical analysis and Linear discriminant analysis Effect Size (LEfSe). Bacterial functional study was performed through the Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt) analysis.ResultsTwenty‐one paired apices and lesions were successfully sequenced and analysed, identifying a total of 21 phyla and 600 genera. A higher alpha‐diversity was observed in the periapical lesions, although no global differences in the community composition between the two sites were found (p = .87), the most prevalent genera being Fusobacterium, Porphyromonas and Streptococcus. Prevotella, Clostridiales_vadinBB60_group, Bosea, Phreatobacter, Afipia and Xanthobacteriaceae_unclassified were enriched in SAP samples, while Pseudopropionibacterium, Campylobacter and Peptoniphilus were significantly more abundant in AAP cases (p < .05). Metabolic pathways involved in the amino acid metabolism or degradation and flagellum assembly were more abundant in SAP samples, whereas glucose metabolism‐related pathways were associated with AAP.ConclusionsThe bacterial community composition was similar in the apices and periapical lesions. The microbiome was different in AAP and SAP samples, gram‐negative bacteria showing higher relative abundances in SAP cases. An association was observed between amino acid degradation and flagellum assembly pathways, and the development of tenderness to percussion or palpation.
The effect of health literacy in explaining medication adherence among patients with hypertension: A cross‐sectional study of Syrian refugees in Jordan
Authors: Al‐Ali Nahla Mansour , Telfah Reem Khaled 
Published: January 2023

AbstractBackgroundPoor medication adherence is a concern among patients with hypertension. However, few studies have assessed the effect of health literacy on medication adherence among refugee patients.AimThe aim was to examine the effect of health literacy and associated factors in explaining medication adherence among Syrian refugee patients with hypertension.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was used, recruiting 150 Syrian refugees with hypertension in February 2020. The Hill‐Bone scale and the Health Literacy Questionnaire were used to collect data, which were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.ResultsParticipants had low levels of medication adherence and had low mean scores in eight of nine subscales of the health literacy scale, except in the appraisal of health information subscale. Factors including patient's age, marital status, the number of medications and co‐morbid diseases were significantly associated with medication adherence. Age, understanding written health information and ability to engage with healthcare providers were predictive of medication adherence.ConclusionTo increase medication adherence among refugee patients with hypertension, nurses need to improve patients' health literacy and understanding of health information about their disease.