bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mediastinal irradiation and valvular heart disease
Authors: Patil Shivaraj , Pingle Srinath-Reddi , Shalaby Khalid , Kim Agnes S. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractAnticancer therapy has the potential to cause unwanted cardiovascular side effects. Utilization of radiation therapy to treat tumors near the heart can result in radiation-induced valvular heart disease among other cardiovascular pathologies. The aim of this review is to describe the epidemiology, pathophysiology, risk prediction, non-invasive imaging modalities and management of radiation-induced valvular heart disease with a focus on pre-operative risk assessment and contemporary treatment options.
The role of patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) within the development of the EQ Health and Wellbeing (EQ-HWB)
Authors: Carlton Jill , Peasgood Tessa , Mukuria Clara , Johnson Julie , Ogden Margaret , Tovey Wade 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Objectives
The value of patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) within the development and refinement of outcome measures is becoming increasingly recognized. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of how PPIE was integrated within the development of a new measure designed for use in economic evaluations across health and social care, the EQ Health and Wellbeing (EQ-HWB™).

Methods
Four PPIE sessions were held at key stages. Discussions from each session and the outcome of any tasks were shared with the wider research team and used to help inform decision-making.

Results and discussion
PPIE covered several components of outcome measure development including; review of conceptual model; discussion on sub-domain inclusion; item refinement and reduction; pre-testing of items; selection of items for the measure; and design of the measure. Key learning points for future projects were highlighted including; consideration of practicalities, resources and logistics of PPIE activities; how sessions and activities are managed effectively; and how to managing expectations and communication from both researcher and PPIE perspectives.

Conclusions
The PPIE group provided invaluable insight into perspectives of future patients and carers. Their input was fed into a number of developmental stages. The formal involvement from the PPIE group meant that the voice of the general public was heard. This helped ensure the appropriateness of the design of the final measure.
Perceived communication effectiveness in implementation strategies: a measurement scale
Authors: Zhao Xiaoquan , Toronjo Heather , Shaw Cameron C. , Murphy Amy , Taxman Faye S. 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background
Communication-based activities and products (i.e., training programs, webinars) are a critical component of implementation strategies that relay information to various audiences. Audience perceptions of communication effectiveness contribute important insight into the processes and mechanisms through which an implementation effort may succeed or fail. To advance research on this front, a psychometrically sound instrument for measuring perceived communication effectiveness (PCE) is needed.

Methods
An expert panel identified the theoretical foundations and conceptual domains of PCE and drafted preliminary items. Five focus groups of correctional professionals who had recently completed an implementation leadership training reviewed the items and provided feedback for refinement. Revised items were then included in a survey-based evaluation of an ongoing eLearning curriculum designed to improve the practices used by front-line probation officers in supervising individuals in the field. The factorial structure of a final 6-item scale as well as its convergent, divergent, and predictive validity was evaluated using data from the evaluation surveys (Nfollow-up = 358, Nbaseline+follow-up = 159).

Results
Confirmatory factor analysis of the final scale of PCE demonstrated adequate fit. PCE was strongly correlated with measures of implementation outcomes (acceptability, r = .819, p < .001; appropriateness, r = .809, p < .001; and feasibility, r = .754, p < .001), yet uncorrelated with a scale of need to evaluate (r = − .051, p = .422), demonstrating both convergent and divergent validities. The predictive validity of PCE was evidenced by significant associations between PCE and key training outcomes, including perceived staff use of evidence-based practices (β = .230, p < .05), agency climate (β = .261, p < .05), and value concordance (β = .209, p < .05), after controlling for baseline values and other confounders.

Conclusions
The PCE scale is psychometrically sound and can be a useful tool for gauging audience receptivity to and the potential impact of communication-based implementation activities and products.
Acoustic emission-based damage localization using wavelet-assisted deep learning
Authors: Barbosh Mohamed , Dunphy Kyle , Sadhu Ayan 
Published: April 2022

AbstractAcoustic Emission (AE) has emerged as a popular damage detection and localization tool due to its high performance in identifying minor damage or crack. Due to the high sampling rate, AE sensors result in massive data during long-term monitoring of large-scale civil structures. Analyzing such big data and associated AE parameters (e.g., rise time, amplitude, counts, etc.) becomes time-consuming using traditional feature extraction methods. This paper proposes a 2D convolutional neural network (2D CNN)-based Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithm combined with time–frequency decomposition techniques to extract the damage information from the measured AE data without using standalone AE parameters. In this paper, Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) is employed to extract the intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) from noisy raw AE measurements, where the IMFs serve as the key AE components of the data. Continuous Wavelet Transform (CWT) is then used to obtain the spectrograms of the AE components, serving as the “artificial images” to an AI network. These spectrograms are fed into 2D CNN algorithm to detect and identify the potential location of the damage. The proposed approach is validated using a suite of numerical and experimental studies.
Impact of sustained virologic response in regression of portal hypertension in Egyptian patients with hepatitis C virus-associated cirrhosis and portal hypertension
Authors: Faheem Heba Ahmed , Abdulmeged Nannes Adel , Hussein Hany Aly , Elmoursi Ahmed Abdelaziz , Elnaggar Heba T-allah Mohammed Yousry , Ghait Ramy Samir 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background
Portal hypertension (PH) is a common consequence in hepatitis C virus cirrhotic patients. With interferon alpha-based therapy, SVR was linked to improved PH and fibrosis regression. SVR to oral antiviral regimens is linked to reduced portal pressure in patients with clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) at baseline. However, CSPH continues in most of the patients. This study aims to assess the reversibility and/or improvement of PH in Egyptian patients with HCV-related cirrhosis and CSPH after achieving SVR with DAAs. The second aim is to evaluate performance of the noninvasive markers of fibrosis in prediction of the presence and/or reversibility of the CSPH in correlation to radiological and endoscopic parameters.

Subjects and methods
We evaluated noninvasive parameters, radiological and endoscopic signs of PH at baseline, and/or SVR 24 and SVR 48 post-DAA therapy in 40 patients with cirrhosis and CSPH (group A) and another 40 patients with cirrhosis only (group B).

Results
In group A, the spleen diameter decreased from baseline (15.74 ± 1.53 cm), and SVR 24 (15.48 ± 1.51), to SVR 48 (15.35 ± 1.49 cm). No ascites detected at SVR 48 in 62.5%. Portal vein diameter and portal vein blood velocity reduced to 13.53 ± 1.07 mm and 14.14 ± 2.2 cm/s at SVR 48, with reversibility of hepatic vein waveform towards the triphasic pattern. Medium to large esophageal varices regressed from 52.5% to 2.5%, and up to 70% of patients showed no EVs at SVR 48. In group A, 24 patients showed complete reversibility of CSPH, and 16 patients showed improvement of CSPH. Child-Pugh score, FIB-4 index, King’s score, and Lok index revealed higher significance for detection of the presence of PH. Child-Pugh score, PC/SD ratio, and Lok index revealed higher significance for detection of reversibility of PH.

Conclusion
We concluded that CSPH improved after SVR with DAAs and completely regressed in some patients. Upon predicting the presence of PH, Child-Pugh score, FIB-4 index, King’s score, and Lok index were the most significant noninvasive scores. While for predicting the reversibility of PH, Child-Pugh score, PC/SD ratio, and Lok index were the most significant scores.
A Special Approach for Stereotactic Radiofrequency Thermocoagulation of Hypothalamic Hamartomas With Bilateral Attachments to the Hypothalamus: The Transthird Ventricular Approach to the Contralateral Attachment
Authors: Shirozu Hiroshi , Masuda Hiroshi , Kameyama Shigeki 
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND:
Disconnection surgery for the treatment of epileptic hypothalamic hamartomas (HHs) is strategically difficult in cases with complex-shaped HHs, especially with bilateral hypothalamic attachments, despite its effectiveness.

OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the feasibility of a new approach for stereotactic radiofrequency thermocoagulation (SRT) using penetration of the third ventricle (SRT-TT) aiming to disconnect bilateral hypothalamic attachments in a single-staged, unilateral procedure.

METHODS:
Ninety patients (median age at surgery, 5.0 years) who had HHs with bilateral hypothalamic attachments and were followed for at least 1 year after their last SRT were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS:
Thirty-three patients underwent SRT-TT as initial surgery. Of the 58 patients after mid-2013 when SRT-TT was introduced, 33 underwent SRT-TT and 12 (20.7%) required reoperation (ReSRT), whereas 20 of 57 patients (35.1%) without SRT-TT underwent reoperation. Reoperation was required in significantly fewer patients after mid-2013 (n = 12 of 58, 20.7%) than before mid-2013 (n = 15 of 32, 46.9%) (P = .01). Final seizure freedoms were not different between before and after mid-2013 (gelastic seizure freedom, n = 30 [93.8%] vs n = 49 [84.5%] and other types of seizure freedom, n = 21 of 31 [67.7%] vs n = 32 of 38 [84.2%]). Persistent complications were less in SRT-TT than in ReSRT using the bilateral approach, but not significantly. However, hormonal replacement was required significantly more often in ReSRT using the bilateral approach (4 of 9, 44.4%) than in SRT-TT (3 of 32, 9.4%) (P = .01).

CONCLUSION:
SRT-TT enabled disconnection of bilateral attachments of HHs in a single-staged procedure, which reduced the additional invasiveness of reoperation. Moreover, SRT-TT reduced damage to the contralateral hypothalamus, with fewer endocrinological complications than the bilateral approach.
Monitoring Responses to Basic Military Training with Heart Rate Variability
Authors: CORRIGAN SEAN LATIMER , BULMER SEAN , ROBERTS SPENCER S. H. , WARMINGTON STUART , DRAIN JACE , MAIN LUANA C. 
Published: April 2022

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Heart rate variability (HRV) has shown sensitivity to the acute stressors experienced by defense personnel. This study examines the suitability of overnight HRV as a repeated measure of allostatic load in defense personnel.

Methods
Daily measures of sleep, cognitive load, and perceived exertion were reported for the 12-wk duration of basic military training (BMT) in 48 recruits. Physical activity, subjective well-being, and HRV were measured weekly. The natural log of the root mean square of successive differences of interbeat intervals (Ln RMSSD) and the Ln RMSSD to interbeat interval ratio (Ln RMSSD:RRi ratio) during predicted slow wave sleep were used for HRV. Physical performance was assessed via the 20-m shuttle run and maximal push-up test in weeks 2 and 8 of BMT with predicted V̇O2 peak values calculated.

Results
Predicted V̇O2 peak increased from 42.6 ± 4.5 to 48.0 ± 2.7 mL·kg−1·min−1 (P < 0.001). Ln RMSSD was elevated in weeks 7 and 10, and the Ln RMSSD:RRi ratio was elevated in week 10 above all other weeks (P < 0.05). An increase in perceived exertion (F = 9.10, P = 0.003) and subjective fatigue (F = 6.97, P = 0.009), as well as a reduction in V̇O2 peak (F = 7.95, P = 0.009), individually predicted an increase in Ln RMSSD. The best predictive model of Ln RMSSD included perceived exertion (F = 8.16, P = 0.005), subjective fatigue (F = 8.49, P = 0.004), the number of awakenings during sleep (F = 7.79, P = 0.006), and the change in V̇O2 peak (F = 19.110, P < 0.001).

Conclusions
HRV was predicted by subjective recruit responses to BMT workloads rather than objective measures of physical activity. Improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness depicted recruits who experienced enough stress to facilitate physiological adaptation, which was reflected by a reduction in HRV during BMT. Monitoring HRV and HRV in relation to interbeat interval length may provide a better tool for determining allostatic load than HRV alone.
Tacklers’ Head Inertial Accelerations Can Be Decreased by Altering the Way They Engage in Contact with Ball Carriers’ Torsos
Authors: EDWARDS SUZI , GARDNER ANDREW J. , TAHU TIMANA , FULLER GORDON , STRANGMAN GARY , LEVI CHRISTOPHER R. , IVERSON GRANT L. , TUCKER ROSS 
Published: April 2022

ABSTRACT

Purpose
This study aimed to investigate how four types of successfully executed, legal front-on, one-on-one torso tackles influence the tacklers’ and ball carriers’ inertial head kinematics.

Methods
A total of 455 successful front-on, one-on-one torso tackle trials completed by 15 rugby code players using three-dimensional motion capture were recorded. Tackles differed with respects to the height of the contact point on the ball carrier’s torso. A series of mixed general linear models were conducted.

Results
The tackler sustained the highest peak resultant linear (P < 0.001) and angular (P < 0.01) head accelerations when contacting the lower torso to execute a “dominant” tackle compared with mid or upper torso, although these latter tackle types had the lowest ball carrier inertial head kinematics. When executing a “smother” tackle technique, a significant decrease in peak resultant linear head acceleration was observed with a vertical “pop” then lock action used, compared with the traditional upper torso tackling technique (P < 0.001).

Conclusions
Modifying the tackler’s engagement with a ball carrier’s torso, with respect to height and technical execution, alters the inertial head kinematics of the tackler and the ball carrier. The traditional thinking about optimal tackle technique, as instructed, may need to be reevaluated, with the midtorso being a potential alternative target contact height, whereas changes in tackle execution may be relatively protective for tacklers when executing either a dominant or smother tackle. This study provides critical scientific evidence to underpin revised coaching tackling technique interventions that might enhance player safety. Tackles in which the tackler contacts the ball carrier around the midtorso region, rather than lower torso, produce the lowest acceleration and thus may contribute to reducing head injury risk for the tackler.
Comparing the performance of QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus with QuantiFERON-TB Gold in-tube among highly TB exposed gold miners in South Africa
Authors: Ntshiqa Thobani , Chihota Violet , Mansukhani Raoul , Nhlangulela Lindiwe , Velen Kavindhran , Charalambous Salome , Maenetje Pholo , Hawn Thomas R. , Wallis Robert , Grant Alison D. , Fielding Katherine , Churchyard Gavin 
Published: April 2022

Background: QuantiFERON-TB-Gold-in-tube (QFT-GIT) is an interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) used to diagnose latent tuberculosis infection. Limited data exists on performance of QuantiFERON-TB Gold-Plus (QFT-Plus), a next generation of IGRA that includes an additional antigen tube 2 (TB2) while excluding TB7.7 from antigen tube 1 (TB1), to measure TB specific CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes responses. We compared the performance of QFT-Plus with QFT-GIT among highly TB exposed goldminers in South Africa. Methods: We enrolled HIV-negative goldminers in South Africa, aged ≥33 years with no prior history of TB disease or evidence of silicosis. Blood samples were collected for QFT-GIT and QFT-Plus. QFT-GIT was considered positive if TB1 tested positive; while QFT-Plus was positive if both or either TB1 or TB2 tested positive, as per manufacturer's recommendations. We compared the performance of QFT-Plus with QFT-GIT using Cohen’s Kappa. To assess the specific contribution of CD8+ T-cells, we used TB2−TB1 differential values as an indirect estimate. A cut-off value was set at 0.6. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with having TB2-TB1>0.6 difference on QFT-Plus. Results: Of 349 enrolled participants, 304 had QFT-Plus and QFT-GIT results: 205 (68%) were positive on both assays; 83 (27%) were negative on both assays while 16 (5%) had discordant results. Overall, there was 94.7% (288/304) agreement between QFT-Plus and QFT-GIT (Kappa = 0.87). 214 had positive QFT-Plus result, of whom 202 [94.4%, median interquartile range (IQR): 3.06 (1.31, 7.00)] were positive on TB1 and 205 [95.8%, median (IQR): 3.25 (1.53, 8.02)] were positive on TB2. A TB2-TB1>0.6 difference was observed in 16.4% (35/214), with some evidence of a difference by BMI; 14.9% (7/47), 9.8% (9/92) and 25.3% (19/75) for BMI of 18.5-24.9, 18.5-25 and >30 kg/m2, respectively (P=0.03). Conclusion: In a population of HIV-negative goldminers, QFT-Plus showed high agreement with QFT-GIT, suggesting similar performance.
The role of intermediaries in connecting community-dwelling adults to local physical activity and sport: A scoping review protocol
Authors: O'Grady Megan , Barrett Emer , Broderick Julie , Connolly Deirdre 
Published: April 2022

Introduction: Physical inactivity is a major global issue affecting health. Promoting, supporting and encouraging physical activity amongst community-dwelling adults is essential, especially in primary care services where the majority of healthcare contacts take place. An intermediary, a professional who supports individuals to connect with appropriate community and voluntary services with the goal of improving health and wellbeing, may be a promising method to establish a connection to local physical activity; however the process has been poorly described to date. Objective: The objective of this scoping review will be to identify and summarise the literature describing the process of connecting community-dwelling adults to an intermediary, the processes (role, practice and procedure) of an intermediary in connecting these adults to local physical activity and sport opportunities, and to map these processes of connection to outcomes. Methods: This scoping review will be conducted in accordance with the scoping review methodology of the Joanna Briggs Institute. A comprehensive search strategy will identify relevant studies in Embase, Medline, Web of Science and CINAHL, along with a structured grey literature search. Studies which describe an intermediary connecting community-dwelling adults (aged ≥18 years) to a local physical activity and/or sport opportunity or other similar resource will be included. Data will be charted and narratively summarised. Intermediary processes will be mapped to outcomes related to physical activity, and the PAGER (patterns, advances, gaps, evidence for practice and research recommendations) framework will be used to identify evidence gaps and research recommendations. Conclusions: This scoping review will be the first to describe the process of an intermediary connecting community dwelling adults to local physical activity. This review will identify, map and summarise the existing research on the processes and outcomes. The results will also identify any evidence gaps and will guide future research.
An Incentive Mechanism for Private Parking-Sharing Programs in an Imperfect Information Setting
Authors: Yan Pengyu , Cai Xiaoqiang , Chu Feng , Ni Debing , He Heng 
Published: April 2022

This paper proposes a matching-and-pricing mechanism for a drivers’ demand-reporting problem in parking-sharing programs in which owners share their private parking slots with drivers. We generate a driver-slot matching solution by a centralized assignment procedure according to the demand and supply information reported by drivers and owners, respectively, and determine truth-telling pricing by the Vickrey-Clark-Grove mechanism. We show that under the assumption that drivers do not know with certainty whether other drivers will show up to compete for the parking slots, the mechanism proposed in this paper induces drivers to truthfully report their private information of the travel plans and guarantees three other desirable properties: participation of drivers and slot owners, optimal system efficiency, and balance of the system’s budget. We further extend these results to two dynamic situations. Finally, the results of the numerical experiments based on real-world data demonstrate the performance of the mechanism. History: This paper has been accepted for the Service Science Special Issue on Innovation in Transportation-Enabled Urban Services. Funding: This work was partially funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grants 71972026, 72192805, and 71971044], the Major Program of National Social Science Foundation of China [Grant 20&ZD084], and the Leading Talent Program of Guangdong Province [Grant 2016LJ06D703]. Supplemental Material: The online supplement is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/serv.2022.0303 .
How the COVID-19 pandemic has affected obesity levels and how liraglutide may play a role in its control
Authors: Fromage Gemma 
Published: April 2022

In March 2020, the UK Government introduced formal social lockdown measures to restrict the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Both the lockdowns and the pandemic have had considerable social and health consequences beyond the direct death toll attributable to COVID-19. One of the secondary effects of COVID-19 and lockdown is increased levels of obesity. The most common and convenient measurement of obesity that is currently used is body mass index (BMI), with a BMI over 30 being classed as obese. Excess weight is one of the few modifiable factors for COVID-19 and, as such, achieving a healthier weight is crucial to keep the nation fit and well as we move forward. There are many ways in which weight may be controlled or managed, from exercise, diet and nutrition, to surgery to medication. Liraglutide is the drug that is commonly known as Saxenda®. It may be prescribed for individuals with a BMI of 30kg/m2 or more or those with a BMI of 27kg/m2 who have another weight-related illness, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes or dyslipidemia. It has a number of cautions and contraindications, and the side effects experienced are generally gastrointestinal-related. As with many weight management programmes, Saxenda works in conjunction with a reduced calorie diet and an increase in physical activity.