bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aortic Diameters and Calcifications in Former World-Class Cyclists
Authors: VALENZUELA PEDRO L. , MACEIRA ALICIA , SANTOS-LOZANO ALEJANDRO , GARCÍA-GONZÁLEZ MARÍA P. , HIGUERAS ORTEGA LAURA , DÍAZ-GONZALEZ LEONEL , BORAITA ARACELI , BARRANCO-GIL DAVID , LUCIA ALEJANDRO 
Published: June 2023

ABSTRACT

Purpose
Concerns on whether athletes––particularly older ones––are at an increased risk of pathological aortic dilation exist, and the prevalence of aortic calcifications in these individuals is unknown. We aimed to compare the dimensions, distensibility, and prevalence of calcifications in the thoracic aorta between former male professional cyclists (cases) and sex/age-matched controls.

Methods
We used a retrospective cohort design, where cases were former finishers of at least one Grand Tour (Tour de France, Giro d’ Italia or Vuelta a España) and controls were untrained individuals with no previous sports history and free of cardiovascular risk. All participants underwent magnetic resonance and computer tomography assessments for the measurement of aortic dimensions and calcifications, respectively.

Results
Cases showed larger (P < 0.05) dimensions than controls for aortic annulus, sinus, and arch, as well as for ascending and descending aorta. However, none of the participants presented with pathological aortic dilation (all diameters <40 mm). A slightly higher prevalence of calcifications in the ascending aorta was observed in cases (13% vs 0% in controls, P = 0.020). Subanalyses confirmed that cases who were still competing (masters category, n = 8) had larger aortic diameters (P < 0.05) and a greater presence of calcifications in the ascending/descending aorta (38% vs 0% for both segments, P = 0.032) than those who had become inactive (n = 15). No between-group differences were found for aortic distensibility.

Conclusions
Former professional cyclists, particularly those who are still competing after retirement, show enlarged aortic diameters (albeit without exceeding upper limits of normality). Former professional cyclists also showed a slightly higher prevalence of calcifications in the ascending aorta than controls, although aortic distensibility was not compromised. The clinical relevance of these findings should be the subject of future studies.
ℓ0 Trend Filtering
Authors: Wen Canhong , Wang Xueqin , Zhang Aijun 
Published: June 2023

The [Formula: see text] trend filtering ([Formula: see text]-TF) is a new effective tool for nonparametric regression with the power of automatic knot detection in function values or derivatives. It overcomes the drawback of [Formula: see text]-TF that is known to have bias issues. To solve the [Formula: see text]-TF problem, we propose an alternating minimization induced active set (AMIAS) search method based on the necessary optimality conditions derived from an augmented Lagrangian framework. The proposed method takes full advantage of the primal and dual variables with complementary supports, and decouples the high-dimensional problem into two subsystems on the active and inactive sets, respectively. A sequential AMIAS algorithm with warm start initialization is developed for efficient determination of the cardinality parameter, along with the output of solution paths. Theoretically, the oracle estimator of [Formula: see text]-TF is justified to behave like regression splines under the continuous time setting with mild conditions. Our numerical experiments include simulation studies for comparing [Formula: see text]-TF to [Formula: see text]-TF and free-knot splines on several synthetic examples, and a real data application of time series segmentation on Hong Kong PM2.5 indexes. History: Accepted by Antonio Frangioni, Area Editor for Design & Analysis of Algorithms – Continuous. Funding: This work was supported in part by Hong Kong General Research Fund [No. 17306519]. C. Wen’s research is partially supported by National Science Foundation of China [12171449] and Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities [WK3470000027, YD2040002019]. X. Wang’s research is partially supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grants 72171216, 12231017, 71921001, and 71991474], and the National Key R&D Program of China [No. 2022YFA1003803]. Supplemental Material: The e-companion is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/ijoc.2021.0313 . The software that supports the findings of this study is available within the paper and its Supplemental Information ( https://pubsonline.informs.org/doi/suppl/10.1287/ijoc.2021.0313 ) as well as from the IJOC GitHub software repository ( https://github.com/INFORMSJoC/2021.0313 ). The complete IJOC Software and Data Repository is available at https://informsjoc.github.io/ .
Analysis of Linear Equating of Senior School Certificate Multiple-Choice Examination Papers in Economics
Authors: Daramola Dorcas Sola , Olutola Adekunle Thomas , Jimoh Mohammed Idris 
Published: June 2023

Background: Test equating methods are statistical tools used to produce exchangeable scores across different test forms. However, people believe that it is impossible to develop multiple forms of tests that have the same psychometric properties.
Contribution: The study therefore analyzed the linear equating of senior school certificate multiple-choice examination papers in Economics.
Method: A Non-equivalent Groups Anchor Test (NEAT) design was adopted for the study. The sample for the study consisted of 1,119 senior secondary three students. The 2009 WAEC, NECO, and NABTEB SSCE multiple-choice Economics papers were adapted and used for data collection with 0.67, 0.64, and 0.60 coefficients of content validity as well as 0.79, 0.76, and 0.70 reliability coefficients. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, T-scores, and Analysis of Variance.
Results: Findings revealed that there was no difference in examinees’ ability, thus equating process could take place. The finding also revealed an F-value of 1.953, which was not significant at the 0.05 alpha level since the p-value (0.142) was greater than 0.05. It showed a score of 41 in WAEC and NECO was equivalent to 42 in NABTEB. It also showed a score of 45 in WAEC was equivalent to 46 and 50 in NECO and NABTEB respectively.
Conclusion: The researchers therefore concluded that the 2009 WAEC and NECO SSCE Economics multiple-choice items tended to be equivalent while that of NABTEB was different. It was recommended among others that a regulatory body could be established to monitor and standardize these examinations conducted in Nigeria
Combined severe-to-profound hearing and vision impairment—Experiences of daily life and need of support, an interview study
Authors: Turunen-Taheri Satu , Hagerman Sirelius Annica , Hellström Sten , Skjönsberg Åsa , Backenroth Gunnel 
Published: June 2023

Objectives
The purpose of the present study was to describe experiences of disabilities and factors affecting daily life from the perspective of adult persons with severe-to-profound hearing impairment in combination with severe vision impairment. Furthermore, the study also investigated which kind of support individuals with dual sensory loss received, and their experiences as citizens in the society.

Methods
Semi-structured qualitative interviews were performed, analyzed, and categorized using content analysis.

Results
Fourteen interviews were performed, with equal number of both sexes. Mean age was 70.1 years (47–81 years). Analysis of the data resulted in 22 categories, six sub-themes and two main themes. Two main themes emerged as Isolation and The Ability to control one’s own daily life. Surprisingly, most of the participants did not think of their vision and hearing impairment as a combined disability. The interviews showed various kind of strategies to handle daily life. The Deafblind-team unit was reported to offer excellent health care. Companion services for persons with disabilities proved to have become more difficult to get support from and created lack of independence and control over their own lives. However, it was also obvious that the participants felt a positive outlook on life and were more solution-oriented in order to adjust their everyday life to their life-situation.

Conclusions
The combination of vision and hearing impairment demonstrated isolation, and the respondents in the study have a need of support in everyday lives. At the same time, they struggle to have the ability to control their own lives.
The integration of technology into a home-based visuo-cognitive training intervention for people with Parkinson’s: Is the future digital?
Authors: Das Julia , Barry Gill , Walker Richard , Vitorio Rodrigo , Morris Rosie , Stuart Samuel 
Published: June 2023

Background
Mobile applications and technology (e.g., stroboscopic glasses) are increasingly being used to deliver combined visual and cognitive (termed visuo-cognitive) training that replaces standard pen and paper-based interventions. These ‘technological visuo-cognitive training’ (TVT) interventions could help address the complex problems associated with visuo-cognitive dysfunction in people with long term neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease. As data emerges to support the effectiveness of these technologies, patient perspectives offer an insight into how novel TVT is received by people living with long term neurological conditions.

Objective
To explore experiences of people with Parkinson’s in using technology as part of a home-based visuo-cognitive training programme compared to traditional approaches to rehabilitation.

Methods
Eight people with Parkinson’s who took part in a pilot randomised cross-over trial, investigating the efficacy and feasibility of TVT compared to standard care, were interviewed to explore their experiences of each arm of the training they received. Integration of Normalisation Process Theory (NPT) into the analysis enabled examination of the potential to embed novel TVT into a home-based rehabilitation intervention for people with Parkinson’s disease.

Results
Three key themes emerged from the thematic analysis as factors influencing the implementation potential of TVT for people with Parkinson’s disease: perceived value of technology, perceived ease of use and support mechanisms. Further examination of the data through the lens of NPT revealed that the implantation and embedding of novel technology was dependent on positive user experience, individual disease manifestation and engagement with a professional.

Conclusions
Our findings provide insights into the challenges of engaging with technology-based interventions while living with a progressive and fluctuating disease. When implementing technology-based interventions for people with Parkinson’s, we recommend that patients and clinicians collaborate to determine whether the technology fits the capacity, preference, and treatment needs of the individual patient.
Gulf war illness inflammation reduction trial: A phase 2 randomized controlled trial of low-dose prednisone chronotherapy, effects on health-related quality of life
Authors: Bach Ronald R. , Rudquist Rebecca R. 
Published: June 2023

Background
Gulf War illness (GWI) is a deployment-related chronic multisymptom illness impacting the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of many U.S. Military Veterans of the 1990–91 Gulf War. A proinflammatory blood biomarker fingerprint was discovered in our initial study of GWI. This led to the hypothesis that chronic inflammation is a component of GWI pathophysiology.

Objectives
The GWI inflammation hypothesis was tested in this Phase 2 randomized controlled trial (RCT) by measuring the effects of an anti-inflammatory drug and placebo on the HRQOL of Veterans with GWI. The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT02506192.

RCT design and methods
Gulf War Veterans meeting the Kansas case definition for GWI were randomized to receive either 10 mg modified-release prednisone or matching placebo. The Veterans RAND 36-Item Health Survey was used to assess HRQOL. The primary outcome was a change from baseline in the physical component summary (PCS) score, a measure of physical functioning and symptoms. A PCS increase indicates improved physical HRQOL.

Results
For subjects with a baseline PCS <40, there was a 15.2% increase in the mean PCS score from 32.9±6.0 at baseline to 37.9±9.0 after 8 weeks on modified-release prednisone. Paired t-test analysis determined the change was statistically significant (p = 0.004). Eight weeks after cessation of the treatment, the mean PCS score declined to 32.7±5.8.

Conclusions
The prednisone-associated improvement in physical HRQOL supports the GWI inflammation hypothesis. Determining the efficacy of prednisone as a treatment for GWI will require a Phase 3 RCT.
Cost-utility analysis of endoscopic lumbar discectomy following a uniform clinical pathway in the Korean national health insurance system
Authors: Kim Chi Heon , Choi Yunhee , Chung Chun Kee , Yang Seung Heon , Lee Chang-Hyun , Park Sung Bae , Kim Keewon , Chung Sun Gun 
Published: June 2023

Introduction
Full-endoscopic lumbar discectomy (FELD) is a type of minimally invasive spinal surgery for lumbar disc herniation (LDH). Sufficient evidence exists to recommend FELD as an alternative to standard open microdiscectomy, and some patients prefer FELD due to its minimally invasive nature. However, in the Republic of Korea, the National Health Insurance System (NHIS) controls the reimbursement and use of supplies for FELD, but FELD is not currently reimbursed by the NHIS. Nonetheless, FELD has been performed upon patients’ request, but providing FELD for patients’ sake is inherently an unstable arrangement in the absence of a practical reimbursement system. The purpose of this study was to conduct a cost-utility analysis of FELD to suggest appropriate reimbursements.

Method
This study was a subgroup analysis of prospectively collected data including 28 patients who underwent FELD. All patients were NHIS beneficiaries and followed a uniform clinical pathway. Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were assessed with a utility score using the EuroQol 5-Dimension (EQ-5D) instrument. The costs included direct medical costs incurred at the hospital for 2 years and the price of the electrode ($700), although it was not reimbursed. The costs and QALYs gained were used to calculate the cost per QALY gained.

Result
Patients’ mean age was 43 years and one-third (32%) were women. L4-5 was the most common surgical level (20/28, 71%) and extrusion was the most common type of LDH (14, 50%). Half of the patients (15, 54%) had jobs with an intermediate level of activity. The preoperative EQ-5D utility score was 0.48±0.19. Pain, disability, and the utility score significantly improved starting 1 month postoperatively. The average EQ-5D utility score during 2 years after FELD was estimated as 0.81 (95% CI: 0.78–0.85). For 2 years, the mean direct costs were $3,459 and the cost per QALY gained was $5,241.

Conclusion
The cost-utility analysis showed a quite reasonable cost per QALY gained for FELD. A comprehensive range of surgical options should be provided to patients, for which a practical reimbursement system is a prerequisite.
Hepatitis C virus seroprevalence among patients enrolled at the opioid substitution therapy center in Bihar: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Kumar Ashish , Mahajan Hemant , Chaturvedi Sanjay , Kumar Ashok , Kumar Shiril , Sahoo Ganesh Chandra , Das Vidya Nand Rabi , Pandey Krishna 
Published: June 2023

Background and aim
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection poses a major public health challenge in Indian settings due to its huge population and easy transmissibility of HCV among individuals who inject drugs (PWID, which is increasing in India). The National AIDS Control Organization (NACO), India has started the Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) centers to improve the health status of opioid dependent PWID and prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS among them. We conducted a cross-sectional study to find out the HCV sero-positive status and associated determinants in patients attending the OST centre in the ICMR-RMRIMS, Patna.

Materials and methods
We utilized the routinely collected (as a part of the National AIDS Control Program) and de-identified data from the OST center from 2014 to 2022 (N = 268). We abstracted the information for exposure variables (such as socio-demographic features and drug history) and outcome variable (HCV serostatus). The association of exposure variables with HCV serostatus was examined using robust Poisson regression.

Results
All the enrolled participants were male and the prevalence of HCV seropositivity was 28% [95% confidence interval (CI): 22.7% - 33.8%)]. There was a rising prevalence of HCV seropositivity with number of years of injection use (p-trend <0.001) and age (p-trend 0.025). Approximately, 6.3% participants were injecting drugs for >10 years and reported the maximum prevalence of HCV seropositivity (47.1%, 95% CI: 23.3%-70.8%). In adjusted analyses, being employed compared to unemployed patients [adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) = 0.59; 95% CI: 0.38–0.89]; graduated patients compared to illiterate patients [aPR = 0.11; 95% CI: 0.02–0.78]; and patients with education up to higher secondary compared to illiterate patients [aPR = 0.64; 95% CI: 0.43–0.94] had significantly lesser HCV seropositivity. A-one year increase in injection use [aPR = 1.07; 95% CI: 1.04–1.10] was associated with 7% higher prevalence of HCV seropositivity.

Conclusions
In this OST center-based study of 268 PWIDs residing in Patna, ~28% of patients were HCV seropositive, which was positively associated with years of injection use, unemployment, and illiteracy. Our findings suggest that OST centers offer an opportunity to reach a high-risk difficult to reach group for HCV infection and thus support the notion of integrating HCV care into the OST or de-addiction centres.
Targeting patients for early COVID-19 therapy; Pre-infection metabolic dysfunction, polycystic ovary syndrome and risk of severe disease in patients under 65: A Massachusetts community-based observational study
Authors: Sama Susan R. , Gore Rebecca , Bauer Ann Z. , Garber Lawrence , Rosiello Richard , Sundaresan Devi , McDonald Anne , Kriebel David 
Published: June 2023

IntroductionThe demographics of those developing severe coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outcomes are shifting to younger patients. In an observational study utilizing electronic health records from a Massachusetts group medical practice, we identified 5025 patients with confirmed COVID-19 from March 1 to December 18, 2020. Of these, 3870 were under 65 years of age. We investigated the hypothesis that pre-infection metabolic or immunologic dysregulation including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) increased risk of serious COVID-19 outcomes in patients under 65 years of age.Materials and methodsWe compared those with COVID-19 related hospitalization or mortality to all other COVID-19 patients, using a case control approach. Using logistic regression and propensity score modeling, we evaluated risk of developing severe COVID-19 outcomes (hospitalization or death) in those withpre-infectioncomorbidities, metabolic risk factors, or PCOS.ResultsOverall, propensity score matched analyses demonstratedpre-infectionelevated liver enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT) >40, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) >40 and blood glucose ≥215 mg/dL were associated with more severe COVID-19 outcomes, OR = 1.74 (95% CI 1.31, 2.31); OR = 1.98 (95% CI 1.52, 2.57), and OR = 1.55 (95% CI 1.08, 2.23) respectively. Elevated hemoglobin A1C or blood glucose levels were even stronger risk factors for severe COVID-19 outcomes among those aged < 65, OR = 2.31 (95% CI 1.14, 4.66) and OR = 2.42 (95% CI 1.29, 4.56), respectively. In logistic regression models, women aged < 65 with PCOS demonstrated more than a four-fold increased risk of severe COVID-19, OR 4.64 (95% CI 1.98, 10.88).ConclusionIncreased risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes in those < age 65 withpre-infectionindicators of metabolic dysfunction heightens the importance of monitoring pre-infection indicators in younger patients for prevention and early treatment. The PCOS finding deserves further investigation. Meanwhile women who suffer from PCOS should be carefully evaluated and prioritized for earlier COVID-19 treatment and vaccination.
Tinieblas: El franquismo en el cine español (1975–2000), Loscos Carmina Gustrán (2022)
Authors: Cornellà-Detrell Jordi 
Published: June 2023

Review of: Tinieblas: El franquismo en el cine español (1975–2000), Loscos Carmina Gustrán (2022)
Madrid: Marcial Pons, 447 pp.,
ISBN 978-8-41875-219-3, p/bk, €34.20
ISBN 978-8-41875-262-9, e-book, €32.00
Politics of Islamic Law in Indonesia: Indonesianization of Islamic Law
Authors: Kamsi Kamsi 
Published: June 2023

Abstract: Indonesianization of Islamic law contains two tendencies; first, is the ideal of building Islamic law that characterizes Indonesia by freeing itself from Arab culture and making Indonesian custom as one of the sources of Islamic law. The peak is marked by the emergence of the concept of Jurisprudence of Indonesia. The second tendency is constitutional-oriented Indonesianness, which is to formulate Islamic law in the form of legislation through consensus (Ijma`) of Indonesian clerics. The author argues that such a process of Islamic law becomes a national law. Given Indonesia is a country with a population of bhinneka (Plurality). In this article the author analyzes with the theory of differentiation in unification that is paying attention to diversity (plurality), in the form of a codification of law that contains legal unification as well as legal differentiation. And in the process of enactment toward the Indonesianization of the law it is necessary to note the existence of the national guidance principles, namely: the law in Indonesia must guarantee the integration or the integrity of the nation, the law must be created democratically, the law must encourage the creation of social justice and must pay attention to the principles of humanity, principles of human rights, and the principle of equality before the law.Abstrak: Indonesianisasi hukum Islam mengandung dua kecenderungan; pertama, adalah cita-cita membangun hukum Islam yang berciri khas Indonesia dengan membebaskan diri dari budaya Arab dan menjadikan adat Indonesia sebagai salah satu sumber hukum Islam. Puncaknya ditandai dengan munculnya konsep fikih Indonesia. Kecenderungan kedua adalah keindonesiaan yang berorientasi konstitusional, yakni memformulasikan hukum Islam dalam bentuk peraturan perundang-undangan melalui konsensus (Ijma`) ulama Indonesia. Penulis berpendapat bahwa proses demikian menjadikan hukum Islam sebagai hukum nasional. Mengingat Indonesia adalah negara dengan penduduk yang plural. Dalam artikel ini penulis menganalisis dengan teori diferensiasi dalam unifikasi yaitu memperhatikan pluralitas, dalam bentuk satu kodifikasi hukum yang mengandung unifikasi hukum sekaligus diferensiasi hukum. Dalam proses pemberlakuan menuju Indonesianisasi hukum perlu diperhatikan adanya kaedah-kaedah penuntun nasional, yaitu: hukum di Indonesia harus menjamin integrasi bangsa, hukum harus diciptakan secara demokratis, hukum harus mendorong terciptanya keadilan sosial, dan harus memperhatikan prinsip kemanusiaan, prinsip hak asasi manusia, dan prinsip persamaan di depan hukum.