bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of workplace smoke-free policy on secondhand smoke exposure from cigarettes and exposure to secondhand heated tobacco product aerosol during COVID-19 pandemic in Japan: the JACSIS 2020 study
Authors: Takenobu Koichiro , Yoshida Satomi , Katanoda Kota , Kawakami Koji , Tabuchi Takahiro 
Published: March 2022

ObjectivesPromoting smoke-free policies is a key intervention for reducing secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure. During the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan, many indoor smoking spaces in workplaces were closed. This study aimed to reveal the association between a workplace smoke-free policy and SHS exposure among non-smoking employees, distinguishing between SHS exposure from cigarettes and exposure to secondhand heated tobacco product (HTP) aerosol, which have recently become popular in Japan.Design and settingWe used data from the Japan COVID-19 and Society Internet Survey conducted in August–September 2020.ParticipantsAmong the 25 482 eligible respondents, 8196 non-smoking employees were analysed.Primary outcome measureMultivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the impact of smoke-free policies in the workplace.ResultsCompared with complete smoking bans, the ORs and 95% CIs for workplace SHS exposure at least once a week from cigarettes were 2.06 (95% CI: 1.60 to 2.65) for partial bans with no longer available smoking spaces, 1.92 (95% CI: 1.63 to 2.25) for partial smoking bans with still available smoking spaces and 5.33 (95% CI: 4.10 to 6.93) for no smoking bans. The corresponding ORs and 95% CIs for exposure to secondhand HTP aerosol were 4.15 (95% CI: 3.22 to 5.34), 2.24 (95% CI: 1.86 to 2.71) and 3.88 (95% CI: 2.86 to 5.26), respectively.ConclusionsThe effect of partial bans was limited, and temporary closure of smoking spaces might contribute to increased exposure to secondhand HTP aerosol. Complete smoking bans in the workplace were reaffirmed to be the best way to reduce SHS exposure from cigarettes and exposure to secondhand HTP aerosol.
Associations of statin use with 30-day adverse outcomes among 4 801 406 US Veterans with and without SARS-CoV-2: an observational cohort study
Authors: Wander Pandora L , Lowy Elliott , Beste Lauren A , Tulloch-Palomino Luis , Korpak Anna , Peterson Alexander C , Kahn Steven E , Danaei Goodarz , Boyko Edward J 
Published: March 2022

ObjectiveTo estimate associations of statin use with hospitalisation, intensive care unit (ICU) admission and mortality at 30 days among individuals with and without a positive test for SARS-CoV-2.DesignRetrospective cohort study.SettingUS Veterans Health Administration (VHA).ParticipantsAll veterans receiving VHA healthcare with ≥1 positive nasal swab for SARS-CoV-2 between 1 March 2020 and 10 March 2021 (cases; n=231 154) and a comparator group of controls comprising all veterans who did not have a positive nasal swab for SARS-CoV-2 but who did have ≥1 clinical lab test performed during the same time period (n=4 570 252).Main outcomesAssociations of: (1) any statin use, (2) use of specific statins or (3) low-intensity/moderate-intensity versus high-intensity statin use at the time of positive nasal swab for SARS-CoV-2 (cases) or result of clinical lab test (controls) assessed from pharmacy records with hospitalisation, ICU admission and death at 30 days. We also examined whether associations differed between individuals with and without a positive test for SARS-CoV-2.ResultsAmong individuals who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, statin use was associated with lower odds of death at 30 days (OR 0.81 (95% CI 0.77 to 0.85)) but not with hospitalisation or ICU admission. Associations were similar comparing use of each specific statin to no statin. Compared with low-/moderate intensity statin use, high-intensity statin use was not associated with lower odds of ICU admission or death. Over the same period, associations of statin use with 30-day outcomes were significantly stronger among individuals without a positive test for SARS-CoV-2: hospitalisation OR 0.79 (95% CI 0.77 to 0.80), ICU admission OR 0.86 (95% CI 0.81 to 0.90) and death 0.60 (95% CI 0.58 to 0.62; p for interaction all <0.001).ConclusionsAssociations of statin use with lower adverse 30-day outcomes are weaker among individuals who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 compared with individuals without a positive test, indicating that statins do not exert SARS-CoV-2 specific effects.
Do private providers give patients what they demand, even if it is inappropriate? A randomised study using unannounced standardised patients in Kenya
Authors: Kwan Ada , Boone Claire E , Sulis Giorgia , Gertler Paul J 
Published: March 2022

IntroductionLow and varied quality of care has been demonstrated for childhood illnesses in low-income and middle-income countries. Some quality improvement strategies focus on increasing patient engagement; however, evidence suggests that patients demanding medicines can favour the selection of resistant microbial strains in the individual and the community if drugs are inappropriately used. This study examines the effects on quality of care when patients demand different types of inappropriate medicines.MethodsWe conducted an experiment where unannounced standardised patients (SPs), locally recruited individuals trained to simulate a standardised case, present at private clinics. Between 8 March and 28 May 2019, 10 SPs portraying caretakers of a watery diarrhoea childhood case scenario (in absentia) conducted N=200 visits at 200 private, primary care clinics in Kenya. Half of the clinics were randomly assigned to receive an SP demanding amoxicillin (an antibiotic); the other half, an SP demanding albendazole (an antiparasitic drug often used for deworming), with other presenting characteristics the same. We used logistic and linear regression models to assess the effects of demanding these inappropriate medicines on correct and unnecessary case management outcomes.ResultsCompared with 3% among those who did not demand albendazole, the dispensing rate increased significantly to 34% for those who did (adjusted OR 0.06, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.22, p<0.0001). Providers did not give different levels of amoxicillin between those demanding it and those not demanding it (adjusted OR 1.73, 95% CI 0.51 to 5.82). Neither significantly changed any correct management outcomes, such as treatment or referral elsewhere.ConclusionPrivate providers appear to account for both business-driven benefits and individual health impacts when making prescribing decisions. Additional research is needed on provider knowledge and perceptions of profit and individual and community health trade-offs when making prescription decisions after patients demand different types of inappropriate medicines.Trial registration numbersAmerican Economic Association Registry (#AEARCTR-0000217) and Pan African Clinical Trial Registry (#PACTR201502000770329).
Cumulative incidence of SARS-CoV-2 and associated risk factors among healthcare workers: a cross-sectional study in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
Authors: Stead David , Adeniyi Oladele Vincent , Singata-Madliki Mandisa , Abrahams Shareef , Batting Joanne , Jelliman Eloise , Parrish Andrew 
Published: March 2022

ObjectivesThis study assesses the cumulative incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare workers (HCWs) during South Africa’s first wave and examines the associated demographic, health-related and occupational risk factors for infection.MethodsMultistage cluster sampling was used in a cross-sectional study to recruit 1309 HCWs from two academic hospitals in the Eastern Cape, South Africa over 6 weeks in November and December 2020. Prior test results for SARS-CoV-2 PCR and participants’ characteristics were recorded while a blood sample was drawn for detection of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein. The primary outcome measure was the SARS-CoV-2 cumulative incidence rate, defined as the combined total of positive results for either PCR or IgG antibodies, divided by the total sample. The secondary outcome was significant risk factors associated with infection.ResultsOf the total participants included in the analysis (n=1295), the majority were women (81.5%), of black race (78.7%) and nurses (44.8%). A total of 390 (30.1%) HCWs had a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR result and SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were detected in 488 (37.7%), yielding a cumulative incidence of 47.2% (n=611). In the adjusted logistic regression model, being overweight (adjusted OR (aOR)=2.15, 95% CI 1.44 to 3.20), obese (aOR=1.37, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.85) and living with HIV (aOR=1.78, 95% CI 1.38 to 2.08) were independently associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. There was no significant difference in infection rates between high, medium and low COVID-19 exposure working environments.ConclusionsThe high SARS-CoV-2 cumulative incidence in the cohort was surprising this early in the epidemic and probably related to exposure both in and outside the hospitals. To mitigate the impact of SARS-CoV-2 among HCWs, infection prevention and control strategies should target community transmission in addition to screening for HIV and metabolic conditions.
Next-to SV resummed Drell–Yan cross section beyond leading-logarithm
Authors: Ajjath A. H. , Mukherjee Pooja , Ravindran V. , Sankar Aparna , Tiwari Surabhi 
Published: March 2022

AbstractWe present the resummed predictions for inclusive cross section for Drell–Yan (DY) production up to next-to-next-to leading logarithmic ($${{\overline{\mathrm{NNLL}}}}$$

NNLL
¯

) accuracy taking into account both soft virtual (SV) and next-to SV (NSV) threshold logarithms. We restrict ourselves to resummed contributions only from quark anti-quark ($$q {{\bar{q}}}$$

q

q

¯

) initiated channels. The resummation is performed in Mellin-N-space. We derive the N-dependent coefficients and the N-independent constants to desired accuracy for our study. The resummed results are matched through the minimal prescription procedure with the fixed-order results. We find that the resummation, taking into account the NSV terms, appreciably increases the cross section while decreasing the sensitivity to renormalisation scale. We observe that, at 13 TeV LHC energies, the SV + NSV resummation at $${\overline{\mathrm{NLL}}} ({{\overline{\mathrm{NNLL}}}})$$

NLL
¯

(

NNLL
¯

)

gives about 8% (2%) corrections respectively to the NLO (NNLO) results for the considered Q range: 150–3500 GeV. In addition, the absence of quark gluon initiated contributions to NSV part in the resummed terms leaves large factorisation scale dependence indicating their importance at NSV level. We also study the numerical impact of N-independent constants and explore the ambiguity involved in exponentiating them. Finally we present our predictions for the neutral Drell–Yan process at various center of mass of energies.
Combined-function optics for circular high-energy hadron colliders
Authors: Giovannozzi M. , Todesco E. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe design of future circular high-energy hadron colliders is based on the achievement of challenging magnetic fields, needed to keep the hadron beams orbiting along the ring circumference. The strength of the dipolar magnetic field is a function of the machine radius, beam energy, and of the fraction of the ring circumference that can be filled with dipoles. In this paper, we propose to use a combined-function periodic cell to maximise the filling factor of the dipole magnets. The optical properties of the proposed periodic structure are discussed in detail together with the design of the superconducting magnets needed to implement the proposed approach.
Study of double J∕ψ production mechanisms at COMPASS
Authors: Andrei Gridin 
Published: March 2022

During the past 40 years, the production of pairs of [Formula: see text] mesons in high-energy hadron collisions has been studied by several experiments. Despite the experimental and theoretical efforts, the origin of the process and the relative weight of different production mechanisms remain unknown. Depending on the energy scale, the double [Formula: see text] production can be described by single- and/or double-parton scattering sub-processes and gluon–gluon fusion or quark–antiquark annihilation mechanisms. The process can also be related to the hypothesis of the intrinsic charm of hadrons and the existence of exotic tetraquark states which were predicted by various theoretical models and have recently been observed by the LHCb experiment. To study dimuon pair production, the COMPASS experiment at CERN uses a 190[Formula: see text]GeV/[Formula: see text] negative pion beam impinging on different nuclear targets. First preliminary COMPASS results on [Formula: see text] pair production will be presented. The search for possible signals from exotic resonances and the study of double [Formula: see text] production mechanisms will be discussed.
EFFECTS OF A PROPHYLACTIC KNEE SLEEVE ON THE ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT AND LOWER EXTREMITY BIOMECHANICS: AN EXAMINATION USING MUSCULOSKELETAL SIMULATION
Authors: SINCLAIR JONATHAN , GRIMSHAW NIAMH , LATHAM OWEN , TAYLOR PAUL JOHN , CHOCKALINGAM NACHIAPPAN 
Published: March 2022

The current study aimed using a two-experiment musculoskeletal simulation-based approach, measuring anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) biomechanics, knee joint kinematics, and lower extremity joint loading to examine the effects of both a prophylactic knee sleeve on (1) a sport-specific change of direction movement in female footballers and (2) a single leg landing in male footballers. Experiment 1 examined 12 female university first team level footballers (age [Formula: see text] years, height [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m, body mass [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]kg) undertaking a [Formula: see text] cutting movement in sleeve and no-sleeve conditions. Experiment 2 examined 10 male university first team level footballers (age [Formula: see text] years, height [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m, body mass [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]kg) undertaking a single leg drop jump landing in sleeve and no-sleeve conditions. In each experiment, data was collected in a biomechanics laboratory and three-dimensional (3D) motion capture and ground reaction force (GRF) information was collected. 3D kinematics, 3D knee kinetics, and ACL ligament forces/strains were measured using musculoskeletal simulation, and participants were also asked to subjectively rate the knee sleeve in terms of both comfort and stability. Experiment 1 showed that the sleeve condition was associated with greater ACL strain ([Formula: see text]% and no-[Formula: see text]%) and forces ([Formula: see text] BW and no-[Formula: see text] BW). In addition, the brace condition also enhanced lateral compressive tibiofemoral ([Formula: see text] BW and no-[Formula: see text] BW) and total compressive tibiofemoral force ([Formula: see text] BW and no-[Formula: see text] BW). Finally, for the subjective ratings, participants indicated that the knee sleeve significantly improved perceived comfort and stability. Experiment 2 did not reveal any statistical differences between knee sleeve and no-sleeve conditions nor any effects of the knee sleeve on subjective ratings of comfort or stability. Therefore, the findings from the current investigation suggest that the prophylactic knee sleeve examined in the current investigation does not appear to reduce the biomechanical parameters linked to the aetiology of knee pathologies in male/female footballers.
Cabozantinib Enhances Anti-PD1 Activity and Elicits a Neutrophil-Based Immune Response in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Esteban-Fabró Roger , Willoughby Catherine E. , Piqué-Gili Marta , Montironi Carla , Abril-Fornaguera Jordi , Peix Judit , Torrens Laura , Mesropian Agavni , Balaseviciute Ugne , Miró-Mur Francesc , Mazzaferro Vincenzo , Pinyol Roser , Llovet Josep M. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Purpose:
Immune checkpoint inhibitors combined with antiangiogenic agents produce benefits in the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We investigated the efficacy and immunomodulatory activity of cabozantinib alone and combined with anti-PD1 in experimental models of HCC, and explored the potential target population that might benefit from this combination.

Experimental Design:
C57BL/6J mice bearing subcutaneous Hepa1-6 or Hep53.4 tumors received cabozantinib, anti-PD1, their combination, or placebo. Tumor and blood samples were analyzed by flow cytometry, IHC, transcriptome, and cytokine profiling. Cabozantinib-related effects were validated in a colorectal cancer patient-derived xenograft model. Transcriptomic data from three human HCC cohorts (cohort 1: n = 167, cohort 2: n = 57, The Cancer Genome Atlas: n = 319) were used to cluster patients according to neutrophil features, and assess their impact on survival.

Results:
The combination of cabozantinib and anti-PD1 showed increased antitumor efficacy compared with monotherapy and placebo (P &lt; 0.05). Cabozantinib alone significantly increased neutrophil infiltration and reduced intratumor CD8+PD1+ T-cell proportions, while the combination with anti-PD1 further stimulated both effects and significantly decreased regulatory T cell (Treg) infiltration (all P &lt; 0.05). In blood, cabozantinib and especially combination increased the proportions of overall T cells (P &lt; 0.01) and memory/effector T cells (P &lt; 0.05), while lowering the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (P &lt; 0.001 for combination). Unsupervised clustering of human HCCs revealed that high tumor enrichment in neutrophil features observed with the treatment combination was linked to less aggressive tumors with more differentiated and less proliferative phenotypes.

Conclusions:
Cabozantinib in combination with anti-PD1 enhanced antitumor immunity by bringing together innate neutrophil-driven and adaptive immune responses, a mechanism of action which favors this approach for HCC treatment.
Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and Biomarkers of Cardiac Damage and Stress in Aortic Stenosis
Authors: Stein Elliot J. , Fearon William F. , Elmariah Sammy , Kim Juyong B. , Kapadia Samir , Kumbhani Dharam J. , Gillam Linda , Whisenant Brian , Quader Nishath , Zajarias Alan , Welt Frederick G. , Bavry Anthony A. , Coylewright Megan , Piana Robert N. , Mallugari Ravinder R. , Clark Daniel E. , Patel Jay N. , Gonzales Holly , Gupta Deepak K. , Vatterott Anna , Jackson Natalie , Huang Shi , Lindman Brian R. 
Published: March 2022

Background
Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is associated with increased mortality risk and rehospitalization after transcatheter aortic valve replacement among those with severe aortic stenosis. Whether cardiac troponin (cTnT) and NT‐proBNP (N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide) risk stratify patients with aortic stenosis and without LVH is unknown.

Methods and Results

In a multicenter prospective registry of 923 patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement, we included 674 with core‐laboratory‐measured LV mass index, cTnT, and NT‐proBNP. LVH was defined by sex‐specific guideline cut‐offs and elevated biomarker levels were based on age and sex cut‐offs. Adjusted Cox proportional hazards models evaluated associations between LVH and biomarkers and all‐cause death out to 5 years. Elevated cTnT and NT‐proBNP were present in 82% and 86% of patients with moderate/severe LVH, respectively, as compared with 66% and 69% of patients with no/mild LVH, respectively (
P
<0.001 for each). After adjustment, compared with no/mild LVH, moderate/severe LVH was associated with an increased hazard of mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.34; 95% CI 1.01–1.77,
P
=0.043). cTnT and NT‐proBNP each risk stratified patients with moderate/severe LVH (
P
<0.05). In a model with both biomarkers and LVH included, elevated cTnT (aHR, 2.08; 95% CI 1.45–3.00,
P
<0.001) and elevated NT‐proBNP (aHR, 1.46; 95% CI 1.00–2.11,
P
=0.049) were each associated with increased mortality risk, whereas moderate/severe LVH was not (
P
=0.15).

Conclusions
Elevations in circulating cTnT and NT‐proBNP are more common as LVH becomes more pronounced but are also observed in those with no/minimal LVH. As measures of maladaptive remodeling and cardiac injury, cTnT and NT‐proBNP predict post‐transcatheter aortic valve replacement mortality better than LV mass index. These findings may have important implications for risk stratification and treatment of patients with aortic stenosis.
Persistent Markers of Kidney Injury in Children Who Developed Acute Kidney Injury After Pediatric Cardiac Surgery: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Van den Eynde Jef , Salaets Thomas , Louw Jacoba J. , Herman Jean , Breysem Luc , Vlasselaers Dirk , Desmet Lars , Meyns Bart , Budts Werner , Gewillig Marc , Mekahli Djalila 
Published: March 2022

Background
Acute kidney injury (AKI) after pediatric cardiac surgery is common. Longer‐term outcomes and the incidence of chronic kidney disease after AKI are not well‐known.

Methods and Results

All eligible children (aged <16 years) who had developed AKI following cardiac surgery at our tertiary referral hospital were prospectively invited for a formal kidney assessment ≈5 years after AKI, including measurements of estimated glomerular filtration rate, proteinuria, α
1
‐microglobulin, blood pressure, and kidney ultrasound. Longer‐term follow‐up data on kidney function were collected at the latest available visit. Among 571 patients who underwent surgery, AKI occurred in 113 (19.7%) over a 4‐year period. Fifteen of these (13.3%) died at a median of 31 days (interquartile range [IQR], 9–57) after surgery. A total of 66 patients participated in the kidney assessment at a median of 4.8 years (IQR, 3.9–5.7) after the index AKI episode. Thirty‐nine patients (59.1%) had at least 1 marker of kidney injury, including estimated glomerular filtration rate <90 mL/min per 1.73 m
2
in 9 (13.6%), proteinuria in 27 (40.9%), α
1
‐microglobinuria in 5 (7.6%), hypertension in 13 (19.7%), and abnormalities on kidney ultrasound in 9 (13.6%). Stages 1 to 5 chronic kidney disease were present in 18 (27.3%) patients. Patients with CKD were more likely to have an associated syndrome (55.6% versus 20.8%,
P
=0.015). At 13.1 years (IQR, 11.2–14.0) follow‐up, estimated glomerular filtration rate <90 mL/min per 1.73 m² was present in 18 of 49 patients (36.7%), suggesting an average estimated glomerular filtration rate decline rate of −1.81 mL/min per 1.73 m² per year.

Conclusions
Children who developed AKI after pediatric cardiac surgery showed persistent markers of kidney injury. As chronic kidney disease is a risk factor for cardiovascular comorbidity, long‐term kidney follow‐up in this population is warranted.
A New Game Changer in BOT Contracts in Egypt – The Dipco Case
Authors: El Sawah Sally 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Construction contracts in Egypt are governed by a myriad of rules. BOT and other similar contracts are of a mixed nature, which entails the application of both public and private law rules. Therefore, the solution to issues like Variation of Works or Termination will depend on whether or not the contract is characterized as an administrative contract. Adding another layer of complication, the Dipco judgment has reopened the debate about arbitrating BOT and other contracts of similar nature, a subject supposedly closed since 1997 by Article 1(2) of the Arbitration Law.
Telework potential in the Philippines
Authors: Gaduena Ammielou , Caboverde Christopher Ed , Flaminiano John Paul 
Published: March 2022

AbstractUsing work from home (WFH) scores obtained by matching Philippine occupations with U.S. O*NET occupations, this paper estimates that only 12.38% of all workers can WFH and 25.7% of Philippine occupations are teleworkable––mostly from the following occupational groups: professionals, clerical support workers, and technicians and associate professionals. The education, real estate and, professional, scientific and technical sectors account for the largest share of teleworkable jobs. Those workers belonging to lower per capita income deciles, who are male, who have lower levels of education, who are self-employed, aged 55 and older, and who are working in sectors such as agriculture and retail, are also less likely to be in teleworkable occupations.