bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Depression, anxiety and quality of life of Afghan women living in urban areas under the Taliban government: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Neyazi Ahmad , Padhi Bijaya K , Mohammadi Ab Qadim , Ahmadi Mahsa , Erfan Adiba , Bashiri Bahara , Neyazi Mehrab , Ishaqzada Marjina , Noormohammadi Morteza , Griffiths Mark D 
Published: August 2023

ObjectivesAccording to the World Health Organization, depression is a common mental health illness that is characterised by a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. The present study examined the association of two mental health variables (ie, depression, anxiety) with quality of life (QoL) and the sociodemographic characteristics of Afghan women living in urban areas under the rule of Taliban government in Afghanistan.DesignCross-sectional study administered between 10 November 2021 to 25 December 2021 among women.SettingAcross major provinces of Afghanistan (Herat, Mazar-e-Sharif, Kabul and Samangan).MeasurementsData were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire. Data entry was carried out using Microsoft Excel 2016. And then exported to IBM SPSS V.26 for Microsoft Windows. Logistic regression models were used to examine the association of depression, anxiety with QoL and sociodemographic characteristics among women (N=438).ResultsThe prevalence of depression symptoms was 80.4%, and the prevalence of mild to extremely severe anxiety was 81.0%. Depression symptoms among Afghan women were associated with being older, having more children, lower education level, other individuals’ bad behaviour, bad events experienced in the past month, and feeling physically ill. Multiple regression analysis indicated that low monthly household income (adjusted OR, AOR 2.260; 95% CI 1.179 to 4.331, p=0.014) poor physical domain of QoL (AOR 4.436; 95% CI 1.748 to 11.256, p=0.002) and poor psychological domain of QoL (AOR 23.499; 95% CI 7.737 to 71.369, p<0.001) were significantly associated with depression.ConclusionThe prevalence of depression was high among women living under the government of the Taliban in Afghanistan. Considering the high prevalence of depression, anxiety and their impact on QoL and the overall quality of healthcare services, international health organisations should implement programmes for regular screening of depression and anxiety, and there should be psychological counselling services available for vulnerable women living under the government of the Taliban.
Serological survey to estimate SARS-CoV-2 infection and antibody seroprevalence at a large public university: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Hou Ching-Wen , Williams Stacy , Taylor Kylee , Boyle Veronica , Bobbett Bradley , Kouvetakis Joseph , Nguyen Keana , McDonald Aaron , Harris Valerie , Nussle Benjamin , Scharf Phillip , Jehn Megan L , Lant Timothy , Magee Mitchell , Chung Yunro , LaBaer Joshua , Murugan Vel 
Published: August 2023

ObjectiveThis study investigated the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among adults over 18 years.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingsA large public university.ParticipantsThis study took volunteers over 5 days and recruited 1064 adult participants.Primary outcome measuresSeroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies due to previous exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and/or vaccination.ResultsThe seroprevalence of the antireceptor binding domain (RBD) antibody was 90% by a lateral flow assay and 88% by a semiquantitative chemiluminescent immunoassay. The seroprevalence for antinucleocapsid was 20%. In addition, individuals with previous natural COVID-19 infection plus vaccination had higher anti-RBD antibody levels compared with those who had vaccination only or infection only. Individuals who had a breakthrough infection had the highest anti-RBD antibody levels.ConclusionAccurate estimates of the cumulative incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection can inform the development of university risk mitigation protocols such as encouraging booster shots, extending mask mandates or reverting to online classes. It could help us to have clear guidance to act at the first sign of the next surge as well, especially since there is a surge of COVID-19 subvariant infections.
Using community-based geographical information system (GIS) to recruit older Asian Americans in an Alzheimer’s disease study
Authors: Lee Haeok , Ha Hoehun , Yim Sejung , Yang Hyun-Sik , Lee Veronica , Hong Eunju , Chow Tiffany W , Park Van Ta , Wang Li-San , Jun Gyungah , Choi Yun-Beom 
Published: August 2023

ObjectiveThis study aims to show the usefulness of incorporating a community-based geographical information system (GIS) in recruiting research participants for the Asian Cohort for Alzheimer’s Disease (ACAD) study for using the subgroup of Korean American (KA) older adults. The ACAD study is the first large study in the USA and Canada focusing on the recruitment of Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese older adults to address the issues of under-representation of Asian Americans in clinical research.MethodsTo promote clinical research participation of racial/ethnic minority older adults with and without dementia, we used GIS by collaborating with community members to delineate boundaries for geographical clusters and enclaves of church and senior networks, and KA serving ethnic clinics. In addition, we used socioeconomic data identified as recruitment factors unique to KA older adults which was analysed for developing recruitment strategies.ResultsGIS maps show a visualisation of the heterogeneity of the sociodemographic characteristics and the resources of faith-based organisations and KA serving local clinics. We addressed these factors that disproportionately affect participation in clinical research and successfully recruited the intended participants (N=60) in the proposed period.DiscussionUsing GIS maps to locate KA provided innovative inroads to successful research outreach efforts for a pilot study that may be expanded to other underserved populations across the USA in the future. We will use this tool subsequently on a large-scale clinical genetic epidemiology study.Policy implicationThis approach responds to the call from the National Institute on Aging to develop strategies to improve the health status of older adults in diverse populations. Our study will offer a practical guidance to health researchers and policymakers in identifying understudied and hard-to-reach specific Asian American populations for clinical studies or initiatives. This would further contribute in reducing the health and research disparity gaps among older minority populations.
Pneumonia in newly diagnosed patients infected with the Omicron variant: a population-based study of Chinese patients in Chongqing
Authors: Wang Huyu , Chen Rouqian , Guo Jing , Shui Lili , Xiong Jian , Chen Yajuan 
Published: August 2023

BackgroundPneumonia is the main complication of the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2; however, the incidence proportions and prognostic factors for Omicron-associated pneumonia have not been established. We conducted this study to characterise the incidence proportions and influence of various factors on prognosis of Omicron-associated pneumonia.MethodsWe collected data from 714 patients infected with the Omicron variant in The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University (Chongqing, China) who were divided into different groups for analysis.ResultsWe identified 313 patients with Omicron-associated pneumonia at the time of diagnosis of patients infected with the Omicron variant, representing 43.8% of the entire cohort. A total of 82 were 15–59 years old, 71 were 60–69 years old, 76 were 70–79 years old and 84 were >80 years old. 133 were female and 180 were male. Incidence proportions of pneumonia were highest among patients with cardiovascular (82.4% of the basic disease of the cardiovascular system subset) or kidney disease (92.3% of the kidney disease subset), whereas patients with lung cancer (35.7% of the lung cancer subset) had a lower incidence proportion. Several factors were associated with the prognosis of pneumonia in patients infected with the Omicron variant. Patients with a thrombosis or pleural effusion had a longer hospitalisation time. Paxlovid and immunoglobulins improved the prognosis of patients with severe pneumonia. The following measures were significantly different in patients as a function of disease severity: number of neutrophils and lymphocytes, partial oxygen pressure; and myoglobin, lactic dehydrogenase, aspartate transaminase and procalcitonin levels.ConclusionPatients infected with the Omicron variant with coexisting cardiovascular or kidney disease, but not respiratory disease, had a higher incidence proportion of pneumonia. Paxlovid and immunoglobulins can be used in patients with severe infections to improve prognosis.
Multiple TMA-aided CRISPR/Cas13a platform for highly sensitive detection of IL-15 to predict immunotherapeutic response in nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Wu Ya-Xian , Xing Shan , Wang Yu , Tian Bo-Yu , Wu Meng , Wang Xue-Ping , Huang Qi , He Xia , Chen Shu-Lin , Li Xiao-Hui , Zeng Mu-Sheng , Liu Wan-Li 
Published: August 2023

BackgroundImmune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs)-based treatments have been recommended as the first line for refractory recurrent and/or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients, yet responses vary, and predictive biomarkers are urgently needed. We selected serum interleukin-15 (sIL-15) out of four interleukins as a candidate biomarker, while most patients’ sIL-15 levels were too low to be detected by conventional methods, so it was necessary to construct a highly sensitive method to detect sIL-15 in order to select NPC patients who would benefit most or least from ICIs.MethodsCombining a primer exchange reaction (PER), transcription-mediated amplification (TMA), and a immuno-PER-TMA-CRISPR/Cas13a system, we developed a novel multiple signal amplification platform with a detection limit of 32 fg/mL, making it 153-fold more sensitive than ELISA.ResultsThis platform demonstrated high specificity, repeatability, and versatility. When applied to two independent cohorts of 130 NPC sera, the predictive value of sIL-15 was accurate in both cohorts (area under the curve: training, 0.882; validation, 0.898). Additionally, lower sIL-15 levels were correlated with poorer progression-free survival (training, HR: 0.080, p<0.0001; validation, HR: 0.053, p<0.0001).ConclusionThis work proposes a simple and sensitive approach for sIL-15 detection to provide insights for personalized immunotherapy of NPC patients.
Transcutaneous auricular branch vagal nerve stimulation as a non-invasive add-on therapeutic approach for pain in systemic sclerosis
Authors: Bellocchi Chiara , Carandina Angelica , Della Torre Alice , Turzi Massimiliano , Arosio Beatrice , Marchini Maurizio , Vigone Barbara , Scatà Costanza , Beretta Lorenzo , Rodrigues Gabriel Dias , Tobaldini Eleonora , Montano Nicola 
Published: August 2023

ObjectiveSystemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) high impairment. Pain is of paramount importance to be targeted by therapeutical approaches. Our study aim was to perform an add-on device-based non-invasive neuromodulatory treatment through transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation (tVNS) in patients with SSc, assessing its effects on pain as primary endpoint and on inflammation, cardiovascular autonomic control and HRQoL.MethodsThirty-two patients with SSc were enrolled based on reported pain assessed through Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Twenty-one (90% with limited cutaneous SSc) completed a randomised, cross-over, patient-blind trial, in which interventional and active control were used in random order for 4 weeks, interspersed with 4 weeks washout. NRS, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-29 (PROMIS-29) Item4 for pain interference, heart rate variability (HRV), serum cytokines and HRQoL questionnaires (Health Assessment Questionnaire, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, University of California, Los Angeles Gastrointestinal Tract, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) were assessed at baseline, at T1 (after 1 month of tVNS or active control), at T2 (after washout) and at T3 (after 1 month of active control or tVNS). T-test for paired data and Wilcoxon signed-rank test for non-normally distributed parameters were performed to compare the effect of tVNS and active control.ResultsNRS pain was significantly reduced by tVNS and not by active control (Mean±SD: −27.7%±21.3% vs −7.7%±26.3%, p=0.002). Interleukin-6 was downregulated in tVNS versus active control (p=0.029). No significant differences were observed in tVNS versus active control for PROMIS-29 Item4, QoL scales and HRV with both spectral and symbolic analyses.ConclusiontVNS demonstrated to be a safe and non-invasive add-on tool to reduce pain in SSc.
Bigger, stronger and cheaper: growth in e-cigarette market driven by disposable devices with more e-liquid, higher nicotine concentration and declining prices
Authors: Diaz Megan C , Silver Nathan A , Bertrand Adrian , Schillo Barbara A 
Published: August 2023

Objective
Given the evolving changes in the disposable e-cigarette market, we explore patterns of sales in the USA by e-liquid volume capacity, nicotine strength and real sales-weighted average prices by both e-cigarette unit and volume of e-liquid.

Methodology
We used NielsenIQ retail scanner data from January 2017 to September 2022 to examine changes over time for average product volume capacity in millilitres, nicotine strength (%) and both sales-weighted average price per disposable unit and per millilitre of e-liquid for each 4-week period.

Results
Among disposable e-cigarettes sold between January 2017 and September 2022, average volume capacity increased 518% from 1.1 mL to 5.7 mL and average nicotine strength increased 294% from 1.7% to 5%. Sales-weighted average price per disposable unit and millilitres of e-liquid both remained relatively constant until January 2020. From January 2020 through September 2022, average unit prices increased 165.7% from US$8.49 to US$14.07, while the average price of 1 mL of e-liquid decreased 69.2% from US$7.96 to US$2.45.

Conclusions
The current regulatory regime around e-cigarettes has resulted in disposable e-cigarette manufacturers providing consumers with bigger, cheaper disposable e-cigarettes that come in increasingly higher nicotine strengths. Tobacco policy recommendations such as restricting e-liquid capacity and minimum price laws as well as regulations on product characteristics that affect nicotine emissions and delivery such as nicotine strength, nicotine output, device power, and puff duration should be considered in regulating the e-cigarette market.
Development of an efficiency ranking system for beef cows and effects on feed intake, ruminal fermentation, NDF turnover, and apparent total tract digestibility
Authors: Delver J.J. , Lardner H.A. , McKinnon J.J. , Ribeiro G.O. , Asai-Coakwell M. , Penner G.B. 
Published: August 2023

Beef cows ( n = 100) were ranked for efficiency based on cow rump fat thickness at calving, calving date, and calf weaning weight (% dam BW) over 2 years. The nine most (ME) and least efficient (LE) cows were used to compare feed intake and ruminal fermentation using four 26-day periods with decreasing dietary nutrient density. There were no phenotype × diet interactions for variables of primary interest. Rump fat and calf weaning weight were greater, and the calving date was earlier for ME cows than LE cows ( P ≤ 0.032). The ME cows were lighter ( P < 0.001) but had similar DMI ( P = 0.93) to the LE cows, resulting in greater dry matter intake (DMI) %BW ( P < 0.001). Ruminal contraction amplitude height and area ( P ≤ 0.015) and ruminal digesta weight were greater for LE than ME cows ( P = 0.043). Ruminal ash-free neutral detergent fiber (aNDFom) passage was greater for ME cows than LE cows ( P = 0.047), but the rate of aNDFom degradation did not differ ( P = 0.69). Total tract digestibility did not differ. Efficient cows had greater rump fat, weaned heavier calves, ate more relative to their BW, had a smaller ruminal digesta mass, and had greater ruminal passage of aNDFom without reducing digestibility.
A needle in a haystack: strontium isotopes (87Sr/86Sr) in otoliths identify origin of largemouth bass from a large Southwest reservoir
Authors: Vaisvil Alexander , Willmes Malte , Enriquez Edward J. , Klein Zachary B. , Caldwell Colleen A. 
Published: August 2023

Largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides, a popular warm water sport fish, is routinely stocked in reservoirs throughout the USA to augment wild populations. Evaluating if these supplementations are successful requires distinguishing hatchery-sourced fish from their wild counterparts. From 2011 to 2019, over 467 000 largemouth bass fingerlings were stocked from multiple hatchery sources into a large southwestern reservoir (Elephant Butte Reservoir, New Mexico, USA) to supplement the sport fish population. To identify hatchery-sourced largemouth bass, we measured strontium isotope ratios (87Sr/86Sr) and determined ages using otoliths and dorsal spines. Otolith analysis of 169 fish classified 92.9% ( n = 159) to the reservoir with few fish of hatchery origin (2 from Arkansas, 1.2%, and 1 from Montana, 0.6%). While stocking over 467 000 fingerlings across 8 years appears to reflect negligible stocking success, it is likely that low and variable stocking densities (average 3.0, range 0.29–7.77 fish·ha−1) contributed to the low stocking success in Elephant Butte Reservoir. Dorsal fin spines did not yield accurate age reconstructions and their 87Sr/86Sr values were affected by matrix interferences preventing source assignments.
Analysis of the D-wave $$\Sigma $$-type charmed baryon states with the QCD sum rules
Authors: Wang Zhi-Gang , Lu Fei , Liu Yang 
Published: August 2023

AbstractWe construct the $$\Sigma $$
Σ
-type currents to investigate the D-wave charmed baryon states with the QCD sum rules systematically. The predicted masses $$M=3.35^{+0.13}_{-0.18}\,\textrm{GeV}$$

M
=
3
.

35

-
0.18

+
0.13

GeV

($$3.33^{+0.13}_{-0.16}\,\textrm{GeV}$$

3
.

33

-
0.16

+
0.13

GeV

), $$3.34^{+0.14}_{-0.18}\,\textrm{GeV}$$

3
.

34

-
0.18

+
0.14

GeV

($$3.35^{+0.13}_{-0.16}\,\textrm{GeV}$$

3
.

35

-
0.16

+
0.13

GeV

) and $$3.35^{+0.12}_{-0.13}\, \textrm{GeV}$$

3
.

35

-
0.13

+
0.12

GeV

($$3.35^{+0.12}_{-0.14}\,\textrm{GeV}$$

3
.

35

-
0.14

+
0.12

GeV

) for the $$\Omega _c(0,2,{\frac{1}{2}}^+)$$

Ω
c

(
0
,
2
,

1
2

+

)

, $$\Omega _c(0,2,{\frac{3}{2}}^+)$$

Ω
c

(
0
,
2
,

3
2

+

)

and $$\Omega _c(0,2,{\frac{5}{2}}^+)$$

Ω
c

(
0
,
2
,

5
2

+

)

states are in excellent agreement with the experimental data $$ 3327.1\pm 1.2 \text{ MeV }$$

3327.1
±
1.2

MeV

from the LHCb collaboration, and support assigning the $$\Omega _c(3327)$$

Ω
c

(
3327
)

to be the $$\Sigma $$
Σ
-type D-wave $$\Omega _c$$

Ω
c

state with the spin-parity $$J^P={\frac{1}{2}}^+$$

J
P

=

1
2

+

, $${\frac{3}{2}}^+$$

3
2

+

or $${\frac{5}{2}}^+$$

5
2

+

.
The shapes of the knots corresponding to the special Hopfions
Authors: Shi Xuguang 
Published: August 2023

AbstractTorus knots can be constructed using the Faddeev-Skyrme model. These knots are called Hopfions, whose topology is described by the Hopf charge $$C=W_{1} W_{2} $$

C
=

W
1

W
2

. A string is entangled to form the knot, which is characterized by the linking number Lk, which is the sum of the twisting number Tw and writhing number Wr. In this paper, we investigate the relationships between the knot shapes and Hopfions with different values of $$(W_{1},W_{2} )$$

(

W
1

,

W
2

)

. We find the knots shapes are not equivalent to the Hopfions shapes even if they have same topological charge. For Hopfions with the value of $$(W_{1},W_{2} )$$

(

W
1

,

W
2

)

, the shapes of the knots change with Euler angle $$\theta $$
θ
. The knots have more writhing structure when $$\theta $$
θ
is smaller. If $$W_{1} <W_{2} $$

W
1

<

W
2

the writhing number cannot totally convert to the twisting number. If $$W_{1} >W_{2} $$

W
1

>

W
2

the writhing number can totally convert to the twisting number.
Peripheral and Cerebral Vasodilation in Black and White Women: Examining the Impact of Psychosocial Stress Exposure Versus Internalization and Coping
Authors: Martin Zachary T. , Al-daas Iman O. , Cardenas Natalia , Kolade John O. , Merlau Emily R. , Vu Joshua K. , Brown Kyrah K. , Brothers R. Matthew 
Published: August 2023

Background:
Black women have among the highest rates of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease prevalence and mortality in part due to blunted vascular function. Psychosocial stress likely also contributes but its relationship to vascular function remains incompletely understood. Recent studies suggest that stress internalization and coping strategies are more important than stress exposures alone. We hypothesized that Black women would have blunted peripheral and cerebral vasodilation and that, among Black women, this would be inversely related with psychosocial stress internalization/coping but not stress exposures.

Methods:
Healthy Black (n=21; 20±2 years) and White (n=16; 25±7 years) women underwent testing for forearm reactive hyperemia, brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD), and cerebrovascular reactivity. Psychosocial stress exposures (adverse childhood experiences; past week discrimination) and internalization/coping techniques (John Henryism Active Coping Scale; Giscombe Superwoman Schema Questionnaire) were assessed.

Results:

Reactive hyperemia and cerebrovascular reactivity were not different between groups (
P
>0.05), whereas FMD was lower in Black women (
P
=0.007). Neither adverse childhood experiences nor past week discrimination were associated with FMD in either group (
P
>0.05 for all). John Henryism Active Coping Scale scores were negatively associated with FMD in Black women (
P
=0.014) but positively associated with FMD in White women (
P
=0.042). Superwoman Schema–Succeed was negatively associated (
P
=0.044) and Superwoman Schema–Vulnerable tended to be negatively associated (
P
=0.057) with FMD in Black women.

Conclusions:
These findings indicate that blunted FMD in Black women may be due more to stress internalization and maladaptive coping than stress exposures alone.
Pairing peers and pears
Authors: Sonnenhauser Barbara , Ismajli Blertë , Widmer Paul 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Migration events splitting speaker communities and establishing novel contact situations are among the major drivers of language variation and change. While the precise processes that lead to change cannot usually be determined for past events with any certainty, the study of minority and heritage language usage in apparent time may provide insight into the contribution of the linguistic behavior underlying the dynamics. We capitalize on this and compare parts of speech usage in Pear Story renarrations across Gheg Albanian speakers of three generations in German-speaking environments, applying methods from information theory. The results suggest that the changing conventions in parts of speech usage across generations and places of residence can be attributed to changing linguistic behavior within the speaker community in the migration setting. These findings highlight the impact of changing sociocultural embedding and the roles of vertical and horizontal transmission in language change.