bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Healthcare worker perceived barriers and facilitators to implementing a tuberculosis preventive therapy program in rural South Africa: a content analysis using the consolidated framework for implementation research
Authors: van de Water Brittney J. , Wilson Michael , le Roux Karl , Gaunt Ben , Gimbel Sarah , Ware Norma C. 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Background
South African national tuberculosis (TB) guidelines, in accordance with the World Health Organization, recommend conducting routine household TB contact investigation with provision of TB preventive therapy (TPT) for those who qualify. However, implementation of TPT has been suboptimal in rural South Africa. We sought to identify barriers and facilitators to TB contact investigations and TPT management in rural Eastern Cape, South Africa, to inform the development of an implementation strategy to launch a comprehensive TB program.

Methods
We collected qualitative data through individual semi-structured interviews with 19 healthcare workers at a district hospital and four surrounding primary-care clinics referring to the hospital. The consolidated framework for implementation research (CFIR) was used to develop interview questions as well as guide deductive content analysis to determine potential drivers of implementation success or failure.

Results
A total of 19 healthcare workers were interviewed. Identified common barriers included lack of provider knowledge regarding efficacy of TPT, lack of TPT documentation workflows for clinicians, and widespread community resource constraints. Facilitators identified included healthcare workers high interest to learn more about the effectiveness of TPT, interest in problem-solving logistical barriers in provision of comprehensive TB care (including TPT), and desire for clinic and nurse-led TB prevention efforts.

Conclusion
The use of the CFIR, a validated implementation determinants framework, provided a systematic approach to identify barriers and facilitators to TB household contact investigation, specifically the provision and management of TPT in this rural, high TB burden setting. Specific resources—time, trainings, and evidence—are necessary to ensure healthcare providers feel knowledgeable and competent about TPT prior to prescribing it more broadly. Tangible resources such as improved data systems coupled with political coordination and funding for TPT programming are essential for sustainability.
Impact of driver's advanced reaction time in car-following model with optimal velocity deviation under V2X environment
Authors: Yadav Sunita , Siwach Vikash , Redhu Poonam 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
The vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology has made a significant advancement in the field of intelligent transportation in recent years. When operating a vehicle in a V2X environment, the driver can get real-time updates on the motion of nearby vehicles. In a real-world traffic situation, there is always some deviation between the actual and anticipated traffic information, and this deviation will undoubtedly have a significant effect on traffic flow. Drivers always maintain the flow of traffic by taking some time to assess and decide how the drivers in front of them are behaving behind the car in the traffic system. As a result, by taking into account the driver's advanced reaction time and optimal deviation in a V2X environment, a novel car-following model is developed and the effects of these parameters on the traffic flow are examined. In order to determine the stability requirements for the new model, the linear and nonlinear stability of the proposed model is examined using the perturbation methods. Studies have found that when the driver's reaction time and the velocity deviation are optimized, it can reduce the amplitude of the stability curve, thus enlarging the area of more stable motion. Also, the numerical simulation supports the theoretical research by showing that the new model may effectively reduce traffic congestion and improve the stability of traffic flow as the influence of these factors on the traffic flow increases.
Magnetic field recovery technique based on distance weighting multipole expansion method
Authors: Liu Binbin , Yang Zhen , Qiang Li-e , Peng Xiaodong , Ma Xiaoshan , Xu Peng , Luo Ziren , Tang Wenlin , Zhang Yuzhu , Gao Chen 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
A space-borne gravitational wave detector requires the test mass (TM) to be in an ultra-low disturbance state. However, magnetic field fluctuations will disturb the TM and produce acceleration noise. To assess the influence of the magnetic field on the TM, it is necessary to monitor and reconstruct the magnetic field near the TM in real time. In this paper, a distance weighting multipole expansion (DWME) method was proposed, and its magnetic field reconstruction accuracy was analyzed. The results demonstrated that the proposed DWME method significantly improved the reconstruction precision compared to traditional methods. It reduced the average reconstruction error of the sensitive axial magnetic field from 1.2% to 0.8% and the maximum error from 16% to 8%. In the in-orbit situation, the DWME method also outperforms traditional methods.
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Agonist Therapy and Longitudinal Bone Mineral Density in Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
Authors: Flokas Myrto Eleni , Wakim Paul , Kollender Sarah , Sinaii Ninet , Merke Deborah P 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Context
Children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) are at risk for early puberty. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog (GnRHa) is frequently used and can decrease bone mineral density (BMD).

Objective
Our aim was to investigate the effect of GnRHa therapy on BMD in a longitudinal study of patients with CAH spanning both childhood and adulthood.

Design and Setting
Sixty-one patients with classic CAH due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (20 treated with GnRHa) were followed with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans at puberty onset, attainment of adult height, and during early adulthood.

Main Outcome Measures
Whole body, lumbar spine, femoral neck, total hip, and distal radius BMD z-score at adult height. Longitudinal BMD and adult height were also assessed.

Results
Twenty patients received GnRHa for an average of 4.5 ± 2 years. There were no differences in BMD between GnRHa-treated and -untreated groups at adult height for all sites. Overall, the follow-up DXA during early adulthood showed decreases in BMD z-scores for whole body (P = .01), lumbar spine (P &lt; .0001), femoral neck (P = .06), total hip (P = .009), and distal radius (P = .05). GnRHa treatment correlated with improved height outcomes compared to predicted height at puberty onset after adjusting for midparental height (P = .02). Patients in both groups achieved similar adult height.

Conclusion
In children with CAH, GnRHa does not compromise BMD. However, BMD decreases with time and during the second and third decades of life is a possible effect of chronic supraphysiologic glucocorticoids. Children with CAH who experience early puberty benefit from GnRHa treatment as evidenced by the positive effect on height.
Association Between Maternal Thyroid Function in Early Pregnancy and Gestational Diabetes: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Huang Kaikun , Su Shaofei , Wang Xueran , Hu Minhui , Zhao Rong , Gao Shen , Zhang Enjie , Liu Jianhui , Xie Shuanghua , Luan Yingyi , Sun Yongqing , Zhang Yue , Yue Wentao , Liu Ruixia , Yin Chenghong 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Context
Previous studies on the relationship between thyroid gland function and the development of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have reported different results, leading to the need for a cohort study design with a large sample size.

Objective
We aimed to investigate the relationship between thyroid function in early pregnancy and GDM.

Methods
This was a prospective cohort study based on the China Birth Cohort Study (CBCS), from February 2018 to December 2020. The study took place at a tertiary maternal and child health hospital. A total of 36 256 pregnant women were successfully recruited based on the CBCS. The main outcome measure was GDM.

Results
This study consisted of 26 742 pregnant women who met the inclusion criteria, of whom 3985 (14.90%) were diagnosed with GDM, and the women with GDM were older than their healthy counterparts (33.26 ± 4.01 vs 31.51 ± 3.76 years, P &lt; .001). After removing potential influencing variables, we found that increased thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.030, 95% CI 1.007, 1.054, P = .012) and subclinical hypothyroidism (aOR 1.211, 95% CI 1.010, 1.451, P = .039), but not free thyroxine or thyroid peroxidase antibody, were associated with the occurrence of GDM. Further analysis indicated a nonlinear relationship between TSH and GDM (P &lt; .05): when TSH ≤ 1.24 mIU/L, the occurrence of GDM was elevated with increasing TSH, but when TSH &gt; 1.24 mIU/L, this trend was not obvious.

Conclusion
High TSH might be associated with increased risk of GDM.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Thyroid Disease
Authors: Gillis Andrea , Chen Herbert , Wang Tracy S , Dream Sophie 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Context
There are differences in diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes for thyroid between racial and ethnic groups that contribute to disparities. Identifying these differences and their causes are the key to understanding and reducing disparities in presentation and outcomes in endocrine disorders.

Evidence Acquisition
The present study reviews original studies identifying and exploring differences between benign and malignant thyroid diseases. A PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus search was conducted for English-language studies using the terms “thyroid,” “thyroid disease,” “thyroid cancer,” “race,” “ethnicity,” and “disparities” from inception to December 31, 2022.

Evidence Synthesis
Many racial and ethnic disparities in the diagnosis, presentation, treatment, and outcomes of thyroid disease were found. Non-White patients are more likely to have a later time to referral, to present with more advanced disease, to have more aggressive forms of thyroid cancer, and are less likely to receive the appropriate treatment than White patients. Overall and disease-specific survival rates are lower in Black and Hispanic populations when compared to White patients.

Conclusions
Extensive disparities exist in thyroid disease diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes that may have been overlooked. Further work is needed to identify the causes of these disparities to begin to work toward equity in the care of thyroid disease.
Subtype-specific Body Composition and Metabolic Risk in Patients With Primary Aldosteronism
Authors: Park Seung Shin , Ahn Chang Ho , Kim Sang Wan , Yoon Ji Won , Kim Jung Hee 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBackgroundPrimary aldosteronism (PA) is associated with increased metabolic risks. However, controversy exists as to which subtype of PA has a higher metabolic risk between bilateral and lateralized PA. This study aimed to assess the body composition of 2 PA subtypes, bilateral PA and lateralized PA, according to sex and autonomous cortisol secretion (ACS) and their contribution to comorbidities.Design and MethodsA total of 400 patients with PA (females, n = 210) and 1:10 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (n = 4000) were enrolled. The skeletal muscle area (SMA), subcutaneous fat area, and visceral fat area (VFA) at the third lumbar spine were calculated using abdominal computed tomography-based body composition analysis.ResultsPatients with bilateral PA had higher body mass index (BMI) in both sexes (all P &lt; .05). Hemoglobin A1c level and the prevalence of diabetes were higher in female patients with bilateral PA than in those with lateralized PA (all P &lt; .05). The VFA/BMI ratio was significantly higher in bilateral PA patients than in lateralized PA patients (5.77 ± 2.69 vs 4.56 ± 2.35 in men; 4.03 ± 2.58 vs 2.53 ± 2.05 in women, all P &lt; .001). PA patients with ACS showed decreased SMA compared to those without ACS. Compared with healthy controls, all patients with bilateral PA and female patients with lateralized PA showed significantly higher VFA and VFA/BMI.ConclusionsPatients with bilateral PA were more obese and had higher VFA levels than those with lateralized PA. Despite a milder form of PA, this metabolically unfavorable visceral fat distribution may lead to a higher metabolic risk in patients with bilateral PA.
Return Migration Selection and Its Impact on the Migrant Mortality Advantage: New Evidence Using French Pension Data
Authors: Guillot Michel , Khlat Myriam , Gansey Romeo , Solignac Matthieu , Elo Irma 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
The migrant mortality advantage (MMA) has been observed in many immigrant-receiving countries, but its underlying factors remain poorly understood. This article examines the role of return migration selection effects in explaining the MMA among males aged 65+ using a rich, unique dataset from France. This dataset contains information on native-born and foreign-born pensioners who are tracked worldwide until they die, providing a rare opportunity to assess return migration selection effects and their impact on the MMA. Results provide evidence of substantial and systematic negative return migration selection among foreign-born males in France. Old-age returns, in particular, appear particularly affected by such selection; however, they are not frequent enough to explain the MMA at ages 65+. By contrast, returns at younger ages are much more frequent, and the MMA at ages 65+ essentially disappears once these earlier returns are considered. This study extends the literature on negative selection at return and its impact on the MMA by providing evidence that such negative selection may operate not only at older ages but throughout the life course, with impacts on the MMA that are larger than previously suggested.
COVID-19 prevention efforts at Al-Zahraa University in the eyes of the students: A cross-sectional study from Iraq
Authors: Al-Kazzaz Hassan 
Published: August 2023

Background: For institutions in Iraq, the new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has become a problem. In terms of the dissemination of COVID-19, Al Zahraa University is particularly risky due to the presence of susceptible, high-risk populations there. Methods: A total of 182 undergraduates at the Health and Medical Technology College took part. A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was done to evaluate the COVID-19 preventative measures for students at Al-Zahra University for Women. The study questionnaire received a 100% response rate, and the data were collected and analyzed. Results: It showed that of the participants, 53 (29.1%) were 20 years old, and 151 (82.9%) lived in Karbala. 120 (65.9%) students did not think the university applied preventive measures against COVID-19, and 94 (52%) thought the university ensured mask-wearing on campus. Regarding social distancing, 161 (88.4%) believed it was not enforced. 158 (86.8%) and 116 (63.7%) of the participants, respectively, thought that there were no preventive measures against Covid-19 in the campus cafeteria or no preventive measures when using university transportation. Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Al-Zahraa University's execution of prevention and control measures were weak. Interventions are urgently needed to improve the effectiveness of its preventive measures. The inadequacy of COVID-19 safety measures highlights the need for national guidance.
Antibiotic utilization and resistance in diarrheagenic Escherichia coli isolated from children under 5 Years in Nakuru County: a case-control study
Authors: Suge Titus , Magu Dennis , Wanzala Peter 
Published: August 2023

Background: Children under the age of 5 years continue to suffer the ravaging effects of microbial resistance. Majority of the infections associated with this age are of bacterial and viral nature. Highest mortalities in this age group are those associated with enteric and diarrheal diseases. Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) is among the leading causes of these diseases due to their ubiquitous nature. Methods: The study adopted a case-control design and aimed at investigating antibiotic utilization and resistance in DEC strains isolated from children under 5 years in Nakuru County. A total sample size of 384 children were considered. Stool samples from anal swabs were obtained and cultured on Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method to segregate the resistant DEC isolates against amoxicillin, ampicillin, erythromycin, cefoxitin and nalidixic acid. Results: All the DEC (n=192, 100%) strains were resistant to amoxicillin, n=168, 87.5% were resistant to ampicillin, n=156, 81.3% to erythromycin n=72, 37.5% to cefoxitin and only n=64, 33.3% to nalidixic acid. Based on demographic factors, it was that observed self-medication leads among factors contributing to the observed trend in antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Other factors such the length of antibiotic use did not show any level of significance (p<0.05). Conclusions: Thus, we conclude that a conglomerate of several factors is associated with the rising cases of AMR among the DEC strains. Notably, the use of first-line antibiotics especially the β-lactams poses a critical health concern being the most resisted class of antibiotics. Therefore, the current study unravels the need to remediate the effects of AMR among the DEC strains through proper formulation and implementation of guidelines on antibiotic usage.
Exploring the Landscape of Latent Autoimmune Diabetes and Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young in Africa: A Scoping Review
Authors: Ombui Davis , Khalid Ahmed Murtaz 
Published: August 2023

Background: Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) and maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY) are two forms of diabetes with varied disease symptoms. The prevalence of LADA is higher in adults than MODY. Both diseases contribute to the general burden of diabetes globally. While LADA is a sporadic autoimmune disorder, MODY is a heritable genetic disorder. The prevalence of LADA and MODY has not been fully documented in Africa due to the lack of robust diagnostic tools and the exorbitantly high cost of the available diagnostic tools. Methods: To understand the prevalence landscape of LADA and MODY in Africa, we conducted an extensive scoping review and mapped the various studies performed in Africa. We adopted the Joanna Briggs Institute literature review framework to conduct the scoping review of literature. Results: Research articles were included in the review analysis following exhaustive inclusion criteria to ensure that only qualified articles were included in the final analysis. Overall, 16 research articles met the inclusion criteria and were critically analyzed. An in-house data extraction sheet was used for data extraction from all the shortlisted articles. Information about the sample size, inclusion criteria, age, gender, and study design extracted from all the articles and analyzed. Majority of the studies adopted cross-sectional study design. In terms of sample sizes, the studies used relatively smaller sample sizes due to the high cost of the diagnosis and nature of the diseases. The prevalence rates of LADA and MODY varied in various countries ranging from 1.8 to 18%. Conclusion: African countries are significantly under-represented. The scarcity of research on LADA and MODY research in Africa is evidence of the urgent need to invest more resources in this area. This would guide future research and shape the road towards understanding diabetes in Africa.
Validation and in vivo characterization of research antibodies for Moesin, CD44, Midkine, and sFRP-1.
Authors: Doolen Suzanne , Ayoubi Riham , Laflamme Carl , Betarbet Ranjita , Zoeller Elizabeth , Williams Sean-Paul G. , Fu Haian , Levey Allan I. , Sukoff Rizzo S. J. 
Published: August 2023

Background: A major goal of the Target Enablement to Accelerate Therapy Development for Alzheimer’s disease (TREAT-AD) program is to develop and identify high-quality tools to test target or mechanistic hypotheses. As part of this initiative, it is important that commercial reagents including research antibodies being used to interrogate drug targets have confirmed validation data in knock-out cell lines. Ideally, these antibodies should also have utility for both in vitro and in vivo studies such that the levels of target proteins in target tissues can be quantified. Methods: We evaluated commercial antibodies against TREAT-AD protein targets Moesin (Uniprot ID: P26038), CD44 (Uniprot ID: P16070), Midkine (Uniprot ID: P21741) and Secreted frizzled-related protein 1, referred to as “sFRP-1” (sFRP-1; Uniprot ID: Q8N474). Moesin, Midkine and sFRP-1, that were confirmed as selective based on data in knock-out cell lines. Western blot analysis was used to compare protein levels in brain homogenates from a mouse model with AD-relevant pathology (5XFAD) versus age-matched C57BL/6J control mice. Results: Anti-Moesin ab52490 reacted in mouse brain homogenate with a predicted molecular weight of 68 kDa. Moesin protein expression was 2.8 times higher in 5xFAD compared to WT. Anti-CD44 ab189524 reacted with a band at the predicted size of 82 kDa. CD44 protein expression was 1.9 times higher in 5xFAD compared to WT. Anti-Midkine AF7769 reacted with a band ~16 kDa and a 17.8 times greater expression in 5xFAD compared to WT. Anti-sFRP-1 ab267466 reacted with a band at 35 kDa as predicted. sFRP-1 protein expression was 11.9 times greater in 5xFAD compared to WT. Conclusions: These data confirm the utility of these selective commercially available antibodies against Moesin, CD44, Midkine, and sFRP-1 for in vivo studies in mice and provide insight into the use of 5XFAD mice for in vivo target engagement studies for these target proteins.
Influence of input parameters to determine the shape of weld bead in cladding on 316L stainless steel using the Taguchi method
Authors: R Raviram , J Sachithananthan , M Mohandass , V Gurusamy 
Published: August 2023

Background: The Cold Metal Transfer (CMT) process, with its low heat input, is selected for cladding carbon steel in demanding industries such as mining, oil, gas, offshore, steel, and metal. Limited research exists on the utilization of Taguchi's technique in welding and cladding processes. The main objective of the present research is to employ the Taguchi approach for determining the impact of CMT parameters on the cladding geometry of 316L stainless steel. Methods: The influence of process parameters on the weld bead was examined using both Signal-to-Noise (S/N) ratio and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) by implementing an orthogonal array. A structural steel substrate was coated with nickel-based metal inert gas (MIG) welding wire using the CMT process while being shielded by a 99.9 percent pure argon gas. To attain the desired quality of weld bead, the CMT input parameters and geometry of the bead are separately and collectively optimized. Results: When the welding current (Iw) is set at 130A, welding speed (V) at 200 mm/min, and the distance between the nozzle and plate (X) at 5 mm, the Taguchi method indicates that the desired outcome is obtained with the following parameters: a penetration (P) of 1.115 mm, a reinforcement (R) of 1.51 mm, a bead width (W) of 4.265 mm, and a percentage of dilution (D) of 21.145%. Conclusions: The research findings indicate, under certain limitations, the techniques of the Taguchi method be utilized to efficiently manage the CMT cladding process parameters.