bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gaussian Differential Privacy
Authors: Dong Jinshuo , Roth Aaron , Su Weijie J. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractIn the past decade, differential privacy has seen remarkable success as a rigorous and practical formalization of data privacy. This privacy definition and its divergence based relaxations, however, have several acknowledged weaknesses, either in handling composition of private algorithms or in analysing important primitives like privacy amplification by subsampling. Inspired by the hypothesis testing formulation of privacy, this paper proposes a new relaxation of differential privacy, which we term ‘f-differential privacy’ (f-DP). This notion of privacy has a number of appealing properties and, in particular, avoids difficulties associated with divergence based relaxations. First, f-DP faithfully preserves the hypothesis testing interpretation of differential privacy, thereby making the privacy guarantees easily interpretable. In addition, f-DP allows for lossless reasoning about composition in an algebraic fashion. Moreover, we provide a powerful technique to import existing results proven for the original differential privacy definition to f-DP and, as an application of this technique, obtain a simple and easy-to-interpret theorem of privacy amplification by subsampling for f-DP. In addition to the above findings, we introduce a canonical single-parameter family of privacy notions within the f-DP class that is referred to as ‘Gaussian differential privacy’ (GDP), defined based on hypothesis testing of two shifted Gaussian distributions. GDP is the focal privacy definition among the family of f-DP guarantees due to a central limit theorem for differential privacy that we prove. More precisely, the privacy guarantees of any hypothesis testing based definition of privacy (including the original differential privacy definition) converges to GDP in the limit under composition. We also prove a Berry–Esseen style version of the central limit theorem, which gives a computationally inexpensive tool for tractably analysing the exact composition of private algorithms. Taken together, this collection of attractive properties render f-DP a mathematically coherent, analytically tractable and versatile framework for private data analysis. Finally, we demonstrate the use of the tools we develop by giving an improved analysis of the privacy guarantees of noisy stochastic gradient descent.
From the American South to South America: Testing whether patterns of competition in two‐round elections travel from the United States to Latin America
Authors: Bullock Charles S. , Singh Shane P. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractObjectiveIn this paper, we seek to update and expand the understanding of whether the patterns of competition in two‐round elections in the United States exist in other countries.MethodsUsing insights from the well‐developed literature on two‐round elections in the U.S. South, we analyze an original data set covering two‐round presidential systems in Latin America. We focus on the likelihood that elections will go to a second round, and, once a second round happens, the role that first‐round electoral strength and incumbency status play in determining the ultimate outcome.ResultsUnlike previous work, our statistical model accounts for unobservable factors that simultaneously affect the likelihood of a second round occurring and of the first‐round leader winning that round.ConclusionsPatterns of competition across U.S. and Latin American two‐round elections are similar, though incumbency status may be a bigger asset in the latter than in the former.
An assessment of potential pesticide transmission, considering the combined impact of soil texture and pesticide properties: A meta‐analysis
Authors: McGinley John , Harmon O’Driscoll Jenny , Healy Mark G. , Ryan Paraic C. , Mellander Per Eric , Morrison Liam , Callery Oisin , Siggins Alma 
Published: February 2022

AbstractPesticides are widely employed as a cost‐effective means of reducing the impacts of undesirable plants and animals. The aim of this paper is to develop a risk ranking of transmission of key pesticides through soil to waterways, taking into account physico‐chemical properties of the pesticides (soil half‐life and water solubility), soil permeability, and the relationship between adsorption of pesticides and soil texture. This may be used as a screening tool for land managers, as it allows assessment of the potential transmission risks associated with the use of specified pesticides across a spectrum of soil textures. The twenty‐eight pesticides examined were differentiated into three groups: herbicides, fungicides and insecticides. The highest risk of pesticide transmission through soils to waterways is associated with soils containing <20% clay or >45% sand. In a small number of cases, the resulting transmission risk is not influenced by soil texture alone. For example, for Phenmedipham, the transmission risk is higher for clay soils than for silt loam. The data generated in this paper may also be used in the identification of critical area sources, which have a high likelihood of pesticide transmission to waterways. Furthermore, they have the potential to be applied to GIS mapping, where the potential transmission risk values of the pesticides can be layered directly onto various soil textures.
Placebo and nocebo effects in transfusion medicine
Authors: Badami Krishna G. , Chai Kern 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackgroundOur own observations suggested that placebo and nocebo effects may occur with transfusions. However these effects seem to have been poorly studied.ObjectivesTo examine published information on, and draw attention to the possibility of, placebo and nocebo effects with transfusion.MethodsFocused literature review.ResultsThere is some information on placebo effects with clotting factors and this effect appears modest at best. There is very little published information on this regarding other fresh blood components. Although unknown biologic effects cannot be ruled out, there are hints that placebo effects might operate ‐ especially with red blood cell transfusions. There is practically no information on nocebo effects with transfusions.ConclusionsThere are ways of surmounting the practical and ethical difficulties involved, and obtaining better information on both types of effects. Individualised, contextualised, informed consenting of transfusion recipients may help to enhance placebo, and reduce nocebo, effects. This may be supportable ethically, and desirable clinically, and financially.
Ex vivo comparison of different thoracoabdominal stapler sizes for typhlectomy in canine cadavers
Authors: Matz Brad M. , Hlusko Katelyn C. , Linden Daniel S. , Tillson D. Michael , Hofmeister Erik 
Published: February 2022

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the influence of staple size on leakage pressure of typhlectomy sites in canine cadavers.Study designRandomized, experimental cadaveric study.AnimalsTwenty‐four fresh canine cadavers.MethodsIleocecocolic segments were exteriorized following right paracostal laparotomy after euthanasia. Cecal base length and wall thickness were measured. Each cecum was randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups (TA 30 V3 2.5 mm, TA 60 3.5 mm, and TA 60 4.8 mm). The cecal base was stapled and the cecum was removed. A 10 cm segment including the stapled cecal excision site was tested for initial leak pressure.ResultsThe mean ± standard deviation body weights across the groups were 18.7 ± 6.1 kg, 16.2 ± 7.5 kg, and 14.2 ± 5.5 kg for the TA 30 V3 2.5 mm, TA 60 3.5 mm, and TA 60 4.8 mm groups, respectively (P = .48). There were no differences for mean cecal base length or wall thickness. Mean initial leak pressure (ILP) across groups was 182 ± 111 mmHg (TA 30 V3 2.5 mm), 112 ± 57 mmHg (TA 60 3.5 mm), and 77 ± 60 mmHg (TA 60 4.8 mm) (P = .78).ConclusionEach stapler size that was evaluated resulted in a mean ILP in excess of typical intraluminal pressures under normal circumstances. There were no differences among groups.Clinical significanceThe results of this cadaveric study support the use of any of the stapler sizes evaluated in similarly sized dogs. A prospective study is needed to be able to correlate stapler size and clinical outcome.
To regenerate or not to regenerate: Vertebrate model organisms of regeneration‐competency and ‐incompetency
Authors: Aztekin Can , Storer Mekayla A. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractWhy only certain species can regenerate their appendages (e.g. tails and limbs) remains one of the biggest mysteries of nature. Unlike anuran tadpoles and salamanders, humans and other mammals cannot regenerate their limbs, but can only regrow lost digit tips under specific circumstances. Numerous hypotheses have been postulated to explain regeneration‐incompetency in mammals. By studying model organisms that show varying regenerative abilities, we now have more opportunities to uncover what contributes to regeneration‐incompetency and functionally test which perturbations restore appendage regrowth. Particularly, Xenopus laevis tail and limb, and mouse digit tip model systems exhibit naturally occurring variations in regenerative capacities. Here, we discuss major hypotheses that are suggested to contribute to regeneration‐incompetency, and how species with varying regenerative abilities reflect on these hypotheses.
OPTIMAL DESIGNS OF GRID-CONNECTED ENERGY EFFICIENT AND RESILIENT RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITIES
Authors: Krarti Moncef , Dafoe Sarah , Baker Kyri 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
As demand continues to grow throughout the United States, new communities have unique opportunities to take advantage of load-side and generation-side integrations with the goal of reducing energy use, improving the environment, and increasing resilience. Most currently reported literature investigates energy efficiency and reduction of building energy consumption or on-site generation and net zero energy goals without resiliency performance analysis. This study examines the impacts of residential building characteristics and energy sources (i.e. electricity and natural gas) on the capacity of the on-site PV generation required to achieve net-zero energy and resiliency goals for a community in Longmont, Colorado. Six community load designs are shown to impact system sizes and costs for on-site generation and resilience. Gas and electrified minimum cost designs reduce source energy from their baselines by 17% and 47% respectively. Gas minimum cost designs reduce initial and annualized energy costs by 487 and247 per year, whereas electrified minimum cost designs increase initial costs by 4, 991 and reduce annualized energy costs by1,266 per year. Resilience designs show that with various outage durations, the longer the outage design case, the larger the system, but the greater the probability of surviving outages throughout the year, with gas communities representing lower probabilities of survivability than electrified communities.
High myopia as risk factor for the 10-year incidence of open-angle glaucoma in the Beijing Eye Study
Authors: Wang Ya Xing , Yang Hua , Wei Chuan Chuan , Xu Liang , Wei Wen Bin , Jonas Jost B 
Published: February 2022

PurposeTo assess the 10-year incidence of open-angle glaucoma (OAG) and its associations in an adult Chinese population.MethodsLongitudinal observational population-based study. Out of 4439 participants aged 40+ years participating in the Beijing Eye Study in 2001, 2695 individuals (60.7%) were re-examined in 2011, while 397 participants had died (8.5%).ResultsIncident OAG was found in 75 participants among 2494 individuals free of glaucoma at baseline. The 10-year OAG incidence (mean: 3.0%; 95% CI 2.5 to 3.5) increased from 1.8% (95% CI 1.3 to 2.4) in individuals aged 40–49 years, to 5.9% (95% CI 3.1 to 9.6) in participants aged 70+ years. OAG incidence was highest in the high myopia group (13.3%±6.3%, OR: 7.3; 95% CI 3.3 to 16.3), followed by the moderately myopic group (8.1%±4.3%, OR: 4.2; 95% CI 2.0 to 8.8) and the low myopic group (6.2%±2.8%, OR: 3.2; 95% CI 1.7 to 5.8), as compared with the emmetropic/hyperopic group (2.1%±0.8%). In multivariable analysis, higher OAG incidence was associated with older age (OR: 1.06; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.09), longer axial length (OR: 1.72; 95% CI 1.45 to 2.05), higher intraocular pressure (IOP) in 2001 (OR: 1.18; 95% CI 1.08 to 1.29), higher vertical cup/disc ratio (VCDR) (OR: 60.8; 95% CI 6.7 to 556) and thinner central corneal thickness (CCT) (OR: 0.98; 95% CI 0.97 to 0.99).ConclusionsIn a 10-year follow-up, high myopia was a major risk factor for the development of OAG with a 7.3-fold risk increase as compared with emmetropic eyes. Higher age, IOP, VCDR and thinner CCT were additionally related with an increased OAG incidence. The findings may be of importance to clinical protocols and screening strategies.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): a significant predictor of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and early pregnancy miscarriages—prospective study in Rajarata Pregnancy Cohort (RaPCo)
Authors: Koralegedara Iresha Sandamali , Warnasekara Janith Niwanthaka , Dayaratne Korale Gedara , De Silva Farika Nirmani , Premadasa Jagath Keerthi , Agampodi Suneth Buddhika 
Published: February 2022

Background and aimsNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing globally with a mounting body of evidence on various adverse effects on pregnancy. Yet, prospective studies, especially from low-income and middle-income countries, are lacking in examining the impact of NAFLD in pregnancy. In this study, we explored the effect of NAFLD on the development of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and early pregnancy miscarriages.MethodsA population-based prospective cohort study was conducted among first-trimester pregnant women who registered in the national pregnancy care programme during July–September 2019 in Anuradhapura district, Sri Lanka. Baseline clinical–biochemical parameters and ultrasound scan (USS) of the liver were done to assess fatty liver. Those who were normoglycaemic based on WHO criteria were followed up, and a repeat oral glucose tolerance test was performed between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation.ResultsOf the 632 pregnant women studied, 90 (14%) and 234 (37%) were diagnosed as having fatty liver grade (FLG) II and I, respectively. The cumulative incidence of GDM in FLG 0, I, and II were 11, 44, and 162 per 1000 pregnancies, respectively. After adjusting for age and other known risk factors, women with FLG II had a relative risk (RR) of 12.5 (95% CI 2.2 to 66.4) for developing GDM compared with FLG 0. In addition, women with FLG I (RR 2.1, 95% CI 1.01 to 4.64) and FLG II (RR 4.5, 95% CI 2.1 to 9.9) were significant risk factors for early pregnancy miscarriages, and FLG II remained as the only independent predictor of miscarriages after adjusting for age, parity, body mass index, blood sugar, blood pressure, and haemoglobin level (adjusted OR 4.2 (95% CI 1.9 to 9.1)).ConclusionIn this rural south Asian community, NAFLD is shown to be a major risk factor for GDM and early pregnancy miscarriages. Therefore, routine identification of NAFLD through a simple USS may help in the early identification of high-risk mothers.
Motor context modulates substantia nigra pars reticulata spike activity in patients with Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Tekriwal Anand , Felsen Gidon , Ojemann Steven G , Abosch Aviva , Thompson John A 
Published: February 2022

ObjectiveThe severity of motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease (PD) depends on environmental conditions. For example, the presence of external patterns such as a rhythmic tone can attenuate bradykinetic impairments. However, the neural mechanisms for this context-dependent attenuation (e.g., paradoxical kinesis) remain unknown. Here, we investigate whether context-dependent symptom attenuation is reflected in single-unit activity recorded in the operating room from the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) of patients with PD undergoing deep brain stimulation surgery. The SNr is known to influence motor planning and execution in animal models, but its role in humans remains understudied.MethodsWe recorded SNr activity while subjects performed cued directional movements in response to auditory stimuli under interleaved ‘patterned’ and ‘unpatterned’ contexts. SNr localisation was independently confirmed with expert intraoperative assessment as well as post hoc imaging-based reconstructions.ResultsAs predicted, we found that motor performance was improved in the patterned context, reflected in increased reaction speed and accuracy compared with the unpatterned context. These behavioural differences were associated with enhanced responsiveness of SNr neurons—that is, larger changes in activity from baseline—in the patterned context. Unsupervised clustering analysis revealed two distinct subtypes of SNr neurons: one exhibited context-dependent enhanced responsiveness exclusively during movement preparation, whereas the other showed enhanced responsiveness during portions of the task associated with both motor and non-motor processes.ConclusionsOur findings indicate the SNr participates in motor planning and execution, as well as warrants greater attention in the study of human sensorimotor integration and as a target for neuromodulatory therapies.
How do prices of manufactured cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco affect demand for these products? Tobacco price elasticity in Western Balkan countries
Authors: Vladisavljević Marko , Djukić Mihajlo , Jovanović Olivera , Zubović Jovan 
Published: February 2022

Background and objectiveNumerous studies have indicated that tobacco taxation is one of the most important policies to reduce tobacco consumption. However, its effectiveness crucially depends on consumer responses to price increases, that is, tobacco price elasticities. This paper analyses tobacco price elasticity in six Western Balkan countries.Data and methodsWe estimate own-price and cross-price elasticities of manufactured cigarettes (MCs) and roll-your-own (RYO) tobacco by using the methodological framework of the two-part model, regional variation in prices and 2019 Survey on Tobacco Consumption in Southeastern European countries (STC-SEE). STC-SEE provides a uniquely comparable nationally representative data on smoking behaviour for adult (18–85 years old) population for each country.ResultsResults suggest that higher prices of MCs are associated with lower prevalence of MC use, while higher prices of RYO are associated with lower intensity of RYO use. Furthermore, regions with higher MC prices have a higher likelihood of using RYO over MC, suggesting that RYO is used as a cheaper alternative to MC. Lastly, lower smoking prevalence and intensity are associated with more smoking restrictions and support for tobacco price increases.ConclusionResults suggest that, aiming to decrease smoking prevalence and intensity, governments should increase excises on all tobacco products. Since RYO is a cheaper alternative to MC, the increase of excises on RYO should be higher, so that after excise increase, the prices of the two products are approximately the same. To further reduce tobacco consumption, governments should combine increasing taxes on tobacco products with non-price measures, such as stricter smoking restrictions and smoke-free regulations.
Screening of Hepatitis A and B Seropositivity among Turkish Healthcare Providers Admitted to Occupational Health Services
Authors: Mercan Başpınar Melike 
Published: February 2022

This study aimed to determine the protection rates against hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV), among healthcare providers (HCPs). The occupational health service data of Gaziosmanpaşa Training and Research Hospital between January 2020 and December 2020 were evaluated for this retrospective observational study. Of the 1,722 participants aged 34.40 ± 9.16 years, 48.6% (n = 861) were male, and 55.0% (n = 975) were doctors and nurses. The anti-HBs seropositivity rate was 87.5% (n = 1,501). None of the participants had anti-HCV antibodies. Twelve participants were HBsAg positive. A level of anti-HBs titer ≥10 mIU/mL was maintained in 66.7% of the HCPs vaccinated in childhood, while 71.3% (n = 1,263) of the participants had anti-HAV IgG. HAV vaccination needs were higher in the doctor and nurse groups than in the other groups (60.5% and 39.5%, respectively,

p

= 0.003). HBV protection was higher among HCPs in polyclinics/wards and surgery/intensive care units than in those working in the emergency department (odds ratio (OR): 2.099, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.285–3.429; OR: 1.592, 95% CI = 1.037–2.443, respectively). HAV protection was higher in HCPs aged 31–50 years and over 50 years than in those aged 18–30 years (OR: 2.046, 95% CI = 1.647–2.541; OR: 3.615, 95% CI = 2.164–6.037, respectively). In this study, one out of every two HCPs aged 18–30 years admitted to the occupational health control services had not yet received the HAV vaccine. The low levels of HBV protection among HCPs in the emergency department highlight the need for occupational health screening and HBV vaccination for HCPs working in emergency services in hospitals.
CircOGDH Is a Penumbra Biomarker and Therapeutic Target in Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Liu Yanfang , Li Yufeng , Zang Jiankun , Zhang Tianyuan , Li Yaojie , Tan Zefeng , Ma Dan , Zhang Tao , Wang Shiyong , Zhang Yusheng , Huang Lian , Wu Yousheng , Su Xuanlin , Weng Zean , Deng Die , Tsang Chi Kwan , Xu Anding , Lu Dan 
Published: February 2022

Background:
Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is a leading cause of disability and mortality worldwide. Prediction of penumbra existence after AIS is crucial for making decision on reperfusion therapy. Yet a fast, inexpensive, simple, and noninvasive predictive biomarker for the poststroke penumbra with clinical translational potential is still lacking. We aim to investigate whether the CircOGDH (circular RNA derived from oxoglutarate dehydrogenase) is a potential biomarker for penumbra in patients with AIS and its role in ischemic neuronal damage.

Methods:

CircOGDH was screened from penumbra of middle cerebral artery occlusion mice and was assessed in plasma of patients with AIS by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to examine the penumbra volumes. CircOGDH interacted with miR-5112 (microRNA-5112) in primary cortical neurons was detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization, RNA immunoprecipitation, and luciferase reporter assay. Adenovirus-mediated CircOGDH knockdown ameliorated neuronal apoptosis induced by
COL4A4
(Gallus collagen, type IV, alpha IV) overexpression. Transmission electron microscope, nanoparticle tracking analysis, and Western blot were performed to confirm exosomes.

Results:

CircOGDH expression was dramatically and selectively upregulated in the penumbra tissue of middle cerebral artery occlusion mice and in the plasma of 45 patients with AIS showing a 54-fold enhancement versus noncerebrovascular disease controls. Partial regression analysis revealed that CircOGDH expression was positively correlated with the size of penumbra in patients with AIS. Sequestering of miR-5112 by CircOGDH enhanced
COL4A4
expression to elevate neuron damage. Additionally, knockdown of CircOGDH significantly enhanced neuronal cell viability under ischemic conditions. Furthermore, the expression of CircOGDH in brain tissue was closely related to that in the serum of middle cerebral artery occlusion mice. Finally, we found that CircOGDH was highly expressed in plasma exosomes of patients with AIS compared with those in noncerebrovascular disease individuals.

Conclusions:
These results demonstrate that CircOGDH is a potential therapeutic target for regulating ischemic neuronal viability, and is enriched in neuron-derived exosomes in the peripheral blood, serving as a predictive biomarker of penumbra in patients with AIS.