bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
C‐reactive protein level predicts need for medical intervention in pregnant women with SARS‐CoV2 infection: A retrospective study
Authors: Yamamoto Ryutaro , Asano Hiroshi , Umazume Takeshi , Takaoka Masato , Noshiro Kiwamu , Saito Yoshihiro , Nakagawa Kinuko , Chiba Kentaro , Nakakubo Sho , Nasuhara Yasuyuki , Konno Satoshi , Watari Hidemichi 
Published: February 2022

AbstractAimTo make effective use of the limited available hospital space during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, we conducted this study to investigate the laboratory indices that identify pregnant women with SARS‐CoV2 infection who require medical intervention.MethodsWe carried out a retrospective analysis of pregnant women positive for COVID‐19 who were admitted to Hokkaido University Hospital from September 2020 to June 2021. Medical interventions included oxygen supplementation, systemic corticosteroids, or supplemental liquids to treat infection‐related symptoms.ResultsForty‐two infected pregnant patients were admitted to the hospital, half of whom required medical intervention (n = 21). Fever, C‐reactive protein (CRP), and platelet count are all associated with need for medical intervention. Of the 32 patients with a fever of ≥37.5°C on days 0–3 after onset of syndromes, 22 (69%) continued to have a fever on days 4–6, of which 19 (86.4%) required medical intervention. CRP level on days 4–6 predicted the presence or absence of medical intervention (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.913), with a sensitivity of 81% and specificity of 100% at a CRP cutoff of 1.28 mg/dL.ConclusionsThe need for medical intervention in pregnant patients can be predicted with high accuracy using a CRP cutoff of 1.28 mg/dL on days 4–6 after onset of syndromes. The presence of fever also may be an easy marker for selecting subjects who need or will need therapeutic intervention. These could be an effective triage method to determine appropriate indications for the hospitalization of pregnant women in future outbreaks.
SARS‐CoV‐2 Infections and Incidence at a North Carolina Pre‐Kindergarten‐12 School During In‐Person Education: August 2020 to January 2021
Authors: Thakkar Pavan V. , Zimmerman Kanecia O. , Benjamin Daniel K. , Kalu Ibukunoluwa C. 
Published: February 2022

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDSchool closures were initially believed to mitigate SARS‐CoV‐2, but instead may have had a limited role in reducing community SARS‐CoV‐2 transmission. We describe a single school's experience with in‐person education during the COVID‐19 pandemic.METHODSFrom August 17, 2020 through January 23, 2021, we conducted a prospective study at a private pre‐kindergarten through 12th grade (PreK‐12) school in North Carolina. The school employed numerous SARS‐CoV‐2 mitigation measures, including mandatory masking and physical distancing without mandated laboratory screening tests. We analyzed de‐identified contact tracing data collected by the school.RESULTSSeventy‐five primary cases were reported among the 2110 students, faculty, and staff during the study period. Twenty‐one (28%) of the primary cases were on‐campus during their infectious periods; however, no classroom close‐contacts subsequently reported a positive SARS‐CoV‐2 test result. Two secondary cases likely resulted from unmasked exposure at a school athletic event. There was no correlation between community incidence and secondary transmission in the school.CONCLUSIONSDespite high rates of SARS‐CoV‐2 community incidence during the study period, routine mitigation practices including daily health screenings, mandatory face coverings, and efficient contact tracing contributed to minimal secondary SARS‐CoV‐2 transmission within an urban PreK‐12 school. The limited school‐associated transmission occurred when masks were not used during athletic events.
Stronger together. Diverse dentists weigh in on racism and its impact on oral health in our communities
Authors: Alston Pamela S. Arbuckle , Fontenot Felicia Yelena , Chaviano Moran Rosa 
Published: February 2022

AbstractObjectives1) To detail how racism and its intersection with the social determinants of health affect the oral health of Blacks or African Americans (B/AA), Hispanics or LatinX (H/L), and American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) as well as their ability to thrive and succeed in dental academic and professional settings; 2) to describe how the Diverse Dental Society is addressing the oral health of these ethnic/racial populationsMethodsThe processes in which 1) structural (systemic) and cultural racism operate in the living and working environments of B/AA, H//L, and AI/AN to impact oral health outcomes and 2) B/AA, HL, and AI/AN oral health organizational leaders are collectively addressing the oral health effects of racism are examinedResultsStructural racism and cultural racism and their intersection with the social determinants of health adversely affect the oral health of B/AA, H/L, and AI/AN as well as their ability to thrive and succeed in dental academic and professional settings.ConclusionsThe leaders of the Hispanic Dental Association, National Dental Association, and the Society of American Indian Dentists realize that it will take collective action under the auspices of the Diverse Dental Society to synergize their organizations' individual efforts to create systemic change to address racial and health inequities and improve oral health outcomes.
The cutoff value of transitional zone index predicting the efficacy of dutasteride on subjective symptoms in patients with benign prostate hyperplasia
Authors: Kurokawa Shinsuke , Kamei Jun , Sakata Koichi , Sugihara Toru , Fujisaki Akira , Ando Satoshi , Takayama Tatsuya , Fujimura Tetsuya 
Published: February 2022

AbstractObjectivesWe investigated the efficacy of dutasteride add‐on therapy to α‐1 adrenoceptor antagonists in patients with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) in relation to the transitional zone index (TZI) and evaluated the cutoff value of TZI that predicted improvements of subjective symptoms at 6 months.MethodsMale BPH patients with prostate volume (PV) ≥ 30 mL receiving dutasteride 0.5 mg/d for 6 months as add‐on therapy along with α‐1 adrenoceptor antagonists were enrolled. PV, transitional zone volume (TZV), TZI, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and uroflowmetry parameters before and at 6 months with dutasteride add‐on treatment were evaluated.ResultsEighty‐three patients were included. The changes of total IPSS, IPSS voiding subscore, IPSS quality of life score, and voided volume were significantly correlated with TZI. Among baseline parameters, TZV and TZI were significantly associated with the changes of total IPSS in univariate analysis, and only TZI remained as an independent predictive factor for improving total IPSS in multivariate analysis (odds ratio −8.3, P = .048). The cutoff point of TZI for predicting an improvement of the total IPSS by 6 points or more was 0.67 (area under the curve 0.71, sensitivity 0.62, specificity 0.79).ConclusionsA higher TZI was significantly associated with improvement of subjective symptoms but not uroflowmetric findings for BPH patients with 6 months of dutasteride add‐on therapy along with α‐1 adrenoceptor antagonists, and the predictive value of TZI for effective dutasteride add‐on therapy was higher than 0.67. BPH patients using α‐1 adrenoceptor antagonists with a TZI higher than 0.67 can be good candidates for add‐on dutasteride therapy.
A scalable, self‐supervised calibration and confounder removal model for opportunistic monitoring of road degradation
Authors: Van Hauwermeiren Wout , Filipan Karlo , Botteldooren Dick , De Coensel Bert 
Published: February 2022

AbstractAssessing road degradation typically requires specialized hardware (such as laser profilometers) or labor‐intensive visual inspection. To facilitate large‐scale, timely inspection of road surfaces, opportunistic sensing is proposed: Sound and vibration measurements are obtained from vehicles that are on the road for other purposes than measuring road quality. Prior work has addressed the problem of calibration and measurement noise removal from this abundance of measurements for a small number of measurement vehicles that drive on the same roads. However, as the deployment of opportunistic monitoring progresses, the applied techniques suffer from scalability. Here, a scalable self‐supervised calibration and confounder removal (SCCR) algorithm is introduced. It allows to self‐calibrate even if the data collection is done in distinct geographic areas and is capable of generalizing to vehicles not encountered during the training phase. Several model design alternatives are explored. After the application of SCCR, supervised training on a small subset of roads allows to predict observations made by standardized techniques also in areas where the latter have not been performed. The approach is tested and validated with 41 cars driving on 23,000 km of roads.
Modelling the refractive and imaging impact of multi‐zone lenses utilised for myopia control in children’s eyes
Authors: Sah Raman Prasad , Jaskulski Matt , Kollbaum Pete S 
Published: February 2022

AbstractPurposeTo develop an optical model of a child's eye to reveal the impact of target distance and accommodative behaviour on retinal image quality when fitted with multi‐zone lenses.MethodsPupil size, aberration levels and accommodative lag were adjusted for models viewing stimuli at 400, 100, 33 and 20 cm. Distributions of defocus across the pupil and simulated retinal images were obtained. An equivalent 16‐point letter was imaged at near viewing distances, while a 0.00 logMAR (6/6) letter was imaged at 400 cm. Multi‐zone lenses included those clinically utilised for myopia control (e.g., dual‐focus, multi‐segmented and aspherical optics).ResultsViewing distance adjustments to model spherical aberration (SA) and pupil radius resulted in a model eye with wider defocus distributions at closer viewing distances, especially at 20 cm. The increasing negative SA at near reduced the effective add power of dual‐focus lenses, reducing the amount of myopic defocus introduced by the centre‐distance, 2‐zone design. The negative SA at near largely compensated for the high positive SA introduced by the aspheric lens, removing most myopic defocus when viewing at near. A 0.50 D accommodative lag had little impact on the legibility of typical text (16‐point) at the closer viewing distances.ConclusionsAll four multi‐zone lenses successfully generated myopic defocus at greater viewing distances, but two failed to introduce significant amounts of myopic defocus at the nearest viewing distance due to the combined effects of pupil miosis and negative SA. Typical 16‐point type is easily legible at near even in presence of the multi‐zone optics of lenses utilised for myopia control and accommodative lag.
Wave exposure, shore level, and season of clearing modulate early algal abundance and succession in an intertidal zone
Authors: Mayakun Jaruwan , Prathep Anchana , Kim Jeong Ha 
Published: February 2022

SUMMARYZonation patterns and the structure of intertidal communities are controlled by tidal conditions. Algal diversity, abundance and succession were experimentally tested under different degrees of wave exposure, shore level, and season of clearing at the intertidal zone, Phuket, Thailand. Dead coral patches colonized by algae (20 cm × 20 cm) were cleared at upper, middle, and lower shore levels on sheltered and semi‐exposed shores during both the dry and rainy seasons. Of 17 algal species, including eight Rhodophyta, eight Chlorophyta, and one Phaeophyceae that were recruited on the cleared plots, three species were dominant: Ulva paradoxa, Padina in the Vaughaniella stage, and Polysiphonia sphaerocarpa. Algal diversity on the semi‐exposed shore was higher than on the sheltered shore. In the successional process, U. paradoxa extensively recruited and persisted longer on plots cleared at the middle shore level on the semi‐exposed shores than at the other. It showed a greater abundance in the plots cleared in the rainy season than those cleared in the dry season. Ulva paradoxa persisted for around 5 to 6 months after clearing and was then replaced by the two later species, Padina in the Vaughaniella stage and P. sphaerocarpa. Ulva paradoxa settled more easily and persisted longer at the cleared plots than other algal species because of its opportunistic characteristics and a special physiological adaptation to long periods of emersion. From this study, degree of wave exposure, shore level, and season of clearing likely play important roles in algal recruitment, abundance, and succession patterns.
Heparin‐induced and caffeine or ouabain supplemented capacitation of frozen‐thawed yak (Bos grunniens) spermatozoa
Authors: Zhang Renzheng , Chu Min , Chen Yiwei , Yan Ping 
Published: February 2022

AbstractOur goal was to investigate heparin‐induced capacitation of frozen‐thawed yak sperm and to assess the effects of caffeine or ouabain supplementation with heparin on sperm capacitation. Sperm were incubated with varying heparin concentrations, namely 0, 12.5, 25, 50 and 100 μg/ml, for 0, 15, 30 and 60 min. In every treatment, sperm capacitation was assessed using microscopic examination of the sperm acrosomal status and western blot analysis of the levels of tyrosine phosphorylation (Tyr‐P). Based on our results, the optimal condition for frozen‐thawed yak sperm capacitation was a 30‐min exposure to 50‐μg/ml heparin. Next, we incubated frozen‐thawed yak sperm with 50‐μg/ml heparin, along with varying concentrations of caffeine supplementation, namely 0, 2.5, 5 and 10 mM for 30 min. Interestingly, caffeine significantly increased yak sperm acrosome reaction (AR) and Tyr‐P (p < .05). The optimal caffeine concentration was 5 mM, followed by 2.5 and 10 mM, with the lowest AR and Tyr‐P found in sperm cells that did not receive any caffeine. To examine the effects of ouabain on sperm capacitation, we next incubated frozen‐thawed yak sperm with 50‐μg/ml heparin, along with varying concentrations of ouabain, namely 0, 25, 50 and 100 µM for 30 min. We demonstrated that ouabain supplementation did not alter yak sperm AR or Tyr‐P in sperm cells, relative to the control (p > .05). In summary, our findings suggested that caffeine acts synergistically with heparin to increase yak sperm capacitation, but ouabain does not synergize with heparin to promote yak sperm capacitation.
The psychology of being a beginner
Authors: Sanchez Carmen 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBeginners are plagued with overconfidence. They perform the worst on tests of knowledge or skill and yet are the most overconfident. One would expect that learning would better calibrate beginners and lead to better quality decisions. However, learning can instead produce overconfidence. In this article I discuss how being beginner can lead to errors in self‐assessments and riskier decisions. I review differences in beginner overconfidence in several places in the literature. First, the Dunning–Kruger Effect, which finds those with the least knowledge are the most overconfident. To be sure, beginners can range from rank beginners, those who have acquired no knowledge, to experienced beginners, beginners who having gained some but not vast knowledge. Next, I discuss the beginner's bubble that follows the trajectory of confidence and overconfidence as people transition from rank to experienced beginners. The beginner's bubble pattern finds rank beginners have insight into their poor abilities. However, with some learning there is a surge of confidence and overconfidence. Lastly, I explore differences in confidence and overconfidence as learners transition from rank to experienced beginners in other places in the literature.
Assessing motivations for non‐living and living organ donation among individuals with and without a history of blood donation
Authors: France Christopher R. , France Janis L. , Ysidron Dominic W. , Samstein Benjamin 
Published: February 2022

AbstractObjectivesThe current study investigated relationships between a history of blood donation, registration as a non‐living and living organ donor, and differential motivations.BackgroundMotivational commonalities exist between blood and organ donors, but there is no prior data on the relationships between blood donation history and both living and non‐living organ donor registration and motivation.Methods/materialsParticipants completed online surveys assessing blood donation history, organ donor registration and interest, and motivations related to donation behaviour.ResultsBlood donation history was not significantly related to registration as either a non‐living organ donor (blood donors = 81.4%; non‐blood donors = 76.4%) or as a living organ donor (blood donors = 14.0%; non‐blood donors = 10.9%). Further, blood donation history was not related to interest in learning more about being an organ donor. Compared to those not registered as an organ donor, those who were registered reported more positive organ donation motivations, but these relationships were unrelated to prior blood donation history.ConclusionThe present findings are consistent with existing research on attitudes, warm glow, and identity as organ donation motivators, and provide novel information regarding the importance of independent assessment of motivations for non‐living and living organ donation.
How we manage blood product support and coagulation in the adult patient requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Authors: Kelly Daniel P. , Grandin Edward Wilson , O'Brien Kerry L. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractUse of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is increasing among critically ill adults with cardiac and/or respiratory failure. Use of ECMO is associated with hemostatic alterations requiring use of anticoagulation and blood product support. There are limited guidelines to direct transfusion management in the adult patient supported with ECMO. The objective of this article is to describe (1) the role of the transfusion service in providing transfusion support and current understanding of transfusion thresholds, (2) the complexities of monitoring anticoagulation, and (3) the consideration regarding additional factor concentrates and antifibrinolytics within the context of ECMO support. The information provided should assist ECMO care teams in informing transfusion and anticoagulation practice while highlighting key areas for future research and collaboration.
Evaluation of a crescent saw guide for tibial plateau‐leveling osteotomy: An ex vivo study
Authors: Peterson Lindsay C. , Kim Stanley E. , Biedrzycki Adam H. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of a novel crescent‐shaped tibial plateau‐leveling osteotomy (TPLO) saw guide (crescent guide) to assist with saw control in novice participants.Study designEx vivo study.Sample populationSynthetic bones (n = 54) and medium sized dog pelvic limbs (n = 36).MethodsThe 6 participants (interns and residents) without any prior experience performing a TPLO each performed 9 osteotomies on synthetic tibia models, and 6 osteotomies in cadaveric limbs of medium‐sized dogs. Osteotomies made with the crescent guide were compared with those made with a standard jig and a radial saw guide with a jig. Osteotomy angulation, distance of eccentricity (DOE), and medial tibial cortical damage (synthetic bone models only) were measured from calibrated photographs. Participants rated their experiences with each technique.ResultsThere was no difference in the DOE, coronal or axial osteotomy angulation between the 3 alignment devices for synthetic bone models or cadavers. Average medial cortical damage with the crescent guide (3.8 ± 7.3 mm2) was lower than with the radial guide (35.7 ± 27 mm2) and standard jig (51.2 ± 63.2 mm2) guides (P = <.01). Five of 6 participants preferred the crescent guide over the standard jig and radial guide.ConclusionThere was no difference in accuracy of osteotomy positioning but using the crescent guide resulted in lower cortical damage and more favorable participant perceptions.Clinical relevanceThe crescent guide may improve control of the radial saw during TPLO in novice surgeons but does not appear to aid accurate osteotomy positioning.
Electricity as an effective weed control tool in non‐crop areas
Authors: Lehnhoff Erik A. , Neher Paul , Indacochea Andres , Beck Leslie 
Published: February 2022

AbstractWhile weed management is often thought of as an agricultural issue, weeds are also problematic for homeowners, public space managers and utilities. In these situations, weeds are typically hand‐pulled, mechanically treated or managed via herbicides. Hand pulling and mechanical treatments are labour‐intensive, and all control methods may have unintended off‐target impacts, necessitating new alternatives for weed control. We have developed a method of using electricity to effectively manage unwanted plants. A series of experiments was conducted with the aim of developing operating protocols with consideration to specific scenarios: we tested a system on Morus alba (mulberry) and Ulmus pumila saplings, determined the response of Tamarix spp. (tamarisk) to different electricity doses, evaluated electricity as pre‐emergent weed control in xeriscaping, and tested the ability of electricity to prevent climbing growth by the vine Convolvulus arvensis (field bindweed). Tests on M. alba and U. pumila demonstrated that low doses of electricity applied over several days are effective in killing trees up to 20 cm in diameter. The Tamarix experiment showed that the plants displayed typical dose–response characteristics with higher doses leading to less plant growth. Results of the pre‐emergent weed control experiment demonstrated the excellent ability of electricity to prevent weed growth, with treated plots having a mean weed cover of 4% compared to 94% in control plots after 4 months. Finally, electricity was shown to be 100% effective in preventing C. arvensis from climbing poles. Our results indicate that electricity is a viable alternative to manual, mechanical or chemical methods for small tree control, pre‐emergent weed control in xeriscaping, and prevention of climbing weeds.
A Simulation Study of Human Sensory Dynamics and Driver–Vehicle Response
Authors: Nash C. J. , Cole D. J. 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
In previous work, a driver model with visual and vestibular sensory dynamics was developed, identified, and validated, using data from moving-base driving simulator experiments. In this paper, the predictions, applications, and limitations of the driver model are explored through a series of simulations. The aim is to address as yet unanswered questions about the role of visual and vestibular sensory dynamics in the driver–vehicle system. The visual system is found to be the dominant sensory system, with the influence of vestibular measurements increasing with the proportion of random disturbances on the vehicle. State perception errors increase significantly with the proportion of random disturbances on the vehicle. The driver's simulated control performance is unchanged with signal amplitude above perception threshold levels, although it is slightly affected by high-pass filtering of the physical motion such as might be experienced in a driving simulator. The sensory driver model led to a significantly different optimum value of vehicle center of mass position compared to that obtained using an idealized driver model. The results motivate the adoption of sensory driver models in a vehicle design setting. Further work could be undertaken to improve the sensorimotor noise model.