bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prediction of cardiovascular events from systolic or diastolic blood pressure
Authors: Talebi Atefeh , Mortensen Rikke Nørmark , Gerds Thomas Alexander , Jeppesen Jørgen Lykke , Torp‐Pedersen Christian 
Published: April 2022

AbstractOver time, a focus on blood pressure has transferred from diastolic pressure to systolic pressure. Formal analyses of differences in predictive value are scarce. Our goal of the study was whether office SBP adds prognostic information to office DBP and whether both 24‐h ambulatory SBP and 24‐h ambulatory DBP is specifically important. The authors examined 2097 participants from a population cohort recruited in Copenhagen, Denmark. Cause‐specific Cox regression was performed to predict 10‐year person‐specific absolute risks of fatal and non‐fatal cardiovascular (CV) events. Also, the time‐dependent area under the receiver operator curve (AUC) was utilized to evaluate discriminative ability. The calibration plots of the models (Hosmer‐May test) were calculated as well as the Brier score which combines (discrimination and calibration). Adding both 24‐h ambulatory SBP and 24‐h ambulatory diastolic blood pressure did not significantly increase AUC for CV mortality and CV events. Moreover, adding both office SBP and office DBP did not significantly improve AUC for both CV mortality and CV events. The difference in AUC (95% confidence interval; p‐value) was .26% (‐.2% to .73%; .27) for 10‐year CV mortality and .69% (‐.09% to 1.46%; .082) for 10‐year risk of CV events. The difference in AUC was .12% (‐.2% to .44%; .46) for 10‐year CV mortality and .04% (‐.35 to .42%; .85) for 10‐year risk of CV events. Moreover, for both CV mortality and CV events, office SBP did not improve prognostic information to office DBP. In addition, the Brier scores of office BP in both CV mortality and CV events were .078 and .077, respectively. Furthermore, the Brier scores were .077 and .078 in CV mortality and CV events of 24‐h ambulatory. For the average population as those participating in a population survey, the 10‐year discriminative ability for long‐term predictions of CV death and CV events is not improved by adding systolic to diastolic blood pressure. This finding is found for ambulatory as well as office blood pressure.
Requirements and expectations of high‐quality biomarkers for atopic dermatitis and psoriasis in 2021—a two‐round Delphi survey among international experts
Authors: Ziehfreund S. , Tizek L. , Hangel N. , Fritzsche M.‐C. , Weidinger S. , Smith C. , Bryce P.J. , Greco D. , van den Bogaard E.H. , Flohr C. , Rastrick (UCB) J. , Eyerich S. , Buyx A. , Conrad C. , Eyerich K. , Zink A. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackgroundChronic inflammatory skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis (AD) and psoriasis (PSO) present major challenges in health care. Thus, biomarkers to identify disease trajectories and response to treatments to improve the lives of affected individuals warrant great research consideration. The requirements that these biomarkers must fulfil for use as practical clinical tools have not yet been adequately investigated.AimTo identify the core elements of high‐quality AD and PSO biomarkers to prepare recommendations for current biomarker research.MethodA cross‐sectional two‐round Delphi survey was conducted from August to October 2019 and October to November 2020. All participants were members of the BIOMAP project, an EU‐funded consortium of clinicians, researchers, patient organizations and pharmaceutical industry partners. The first round consisted of three open‐ended questions. Responses were qualitatively analysed, and 26 closed statements were developed. For the second round, ‘agreement’ was assumed when the responses of ≥70% of the participants were ≥5 points on a 7‐point Likert scale for each statement. Priority classification was based on mean scores (<20th percentile = low, 20th to 60th percentile = medium, >60th percentile = high).ResultsTwenty‐one and twenty‐six individuals participated in rounds one and two, respectively. From 26 statements that were included in round 2, 18 achieved agreement (8 concerning the performance, 8 for the purpose and 2 on current obstacles). Seven statements were classified as high priority, e.g. those concerning reliability, clinical validity, a high positive predictive value, prediction of the therapeutic response and disease progression. Another seven statements were assigned medium priority, e.g. those about analytical validity, prediction of comorbidities and therapeutic algorithm. Low priority included four statements, like those concerning cost effectiveness and prediction of disease flares.ConclusionThe core requirements that experts agreed on being essential for high‐quality AD and PSO biomarkers require rapid validation. Biomarkers can therefore be assessed based on these prioritized requirements.
Chlormethine gel is effective for the treatment of skin lesions in patients with early‐ and late‐stage mycosis fungoides in clinical practice
Authors: Papadavid E. , Koumourtzis M. , Nikolaou V. , Lampadaki K. , Marinos L. , Patsatsi A. , Georgiou E. , Dalamaga M. , Stratigos A. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackgroundChlormethine gel is a skin‐directed therapy used for patients with mycosis fungoides (MF) that showed a favourable risk/benefit profile in a randomized clinical trial. Currently, data on chlormethine gel use in real‐world settings are limited.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to assess safety and efficacy of chlormethine gel treatment in patients treated during daily clinical practice and investigate associations between response and disease stage, lesion type, mono‐ or combination therapy, and occurrence of dermatitis.MethodsClinical data from patients using chlormethine gel from three sites in Greece were analysed. Efficacy was assessed through modified Severity‐Weighted Assessment Tool (mSWAT) scores. Safety assessments included analysis of the occurrence and severity of dermatitis. The Skindex‐29 questionnaire was used for quality‐of‐life assessments.ResultsFifty‐eight patients were included. The overall response rate (ORR) increased from 37.9% at month 1 to 80.8% at month 9. For 64.2% of patients, response was maintained for at least 4 months (ORR4). At month 3, a higher ORR was seen for patients with patches (69.7%) than patients with plaques/tumours (both 15.2%). A higher ORR4 was observed for patients with early‐ vs late‐stage disease (71.4% vs. 36.4%) and patients on mono‐ vs combination therapy (75% vs. 47.6%). Dermatitis was observed in the majority of patients (72.4%), but the presence or severity of dermatitis was not directly correlated with treatment response. Both mSWAT and Skindex‐29 scores decreased significantly during treatment, and changes in these scores from baseline to month 6 showed a positive correlation (r = 0.55, P = 0.026).ConclusionsChlormethine gel was effective for the treatment of skin lesions in patients with early‐ and late‐stage MF in clinical practice. Response rates increased over time, indicating that continued treatment with the gel is important. Dermatitis may be managed by reducing the treatment frequency; the occurrence of dermatitis did not affect the response to treatment.
Random Responders in the TIMSS 2015 Student Questionnaire: A Threat to Validity?
Authors: van Laar Saskia , Braeken Johan 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe low‐stakes character of international large‐scale educational assessments implies that a participating student might at times provide unrelated answers as if s/he was not even reading the items and choosing a response option randomly throughout. Depending on the severity of this invalid response behavior, interpretations of the assessment results are at risk of being invalidated. Not much is known about the prevalence nor impact of such random responders in the context of international large‐scale educational assessments. Following a mixture item response theory (IRT) approach, an initial investigation of both issues is conducted for the Confidence in and Value of Mathematics/Science (VoM/VoS) scales in the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2015 student questionnaire. We end with a call to facilitate further mapping of invalid response behavior in this context by the inclusion of instructed response items and survey completion speed indicators in the assessments and a habit of sensitivity checks in all secondary data studies.
Role substitution of specialist medical doctors with allied‐health professionals: A qualitative exploration of patients' experiences and perceptions of healthcare quality
Authors: Mutsekwa Rumbidzai N. , Byrnes Joshua M. , Larkins Vicki , Canavan Russell , Angus Rebecca L. , Campbell Katrina L. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractRationale, Aims and ObjectivesThe need to improve patient access, offer increased choice and improve patient outcomes whilst maintaining safe care is driving the healthcare workforce to evolve. Extending allied‐health scope of practice by integrating models of care that traverse traditional professional boundaries has been one such strategy. This study explored patients' acceptance and experiences of four allied‐health extended scope of practice models of care. The study aimed to identify dimensions of quality healthcare that matter to patients and describe the extent to which they perceived these to be delivered in allied‐health professional role substitution models of care.MethodsQualitative methodology using semistructured interviews were conducted with 29 participants who had received treatment from an allied‐health professional role substitution model. This was a purposeful sample with recruitment across genders, ages and social backgrounds. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and independently analysed by two researchers using a thematic approach.ResultsSix major themes were identified which revealed dimensions of healthcare quality that were important to participants: Balancing expectations and overall satisfaction; Timely access and convenience; Continuity, integration and coordination of care; Clinician expert skills, professional manner and interpersonal attributes; Financial considerations when receiving care; and Perceptions of treatment outcomes.ConclusionsThis study highlights participants' views and experiences of allied‐health extended scope of practice models of care. Service delivery models were an acceptable alternative to traditional specialist medical care with the perception that extended scope of practice models of care delivered many aspects of quality care that mattered to patients.
Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy using the introducer method with ultra‐slim endoscopy in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients with respiratory compromise: A safe technique
Authors: Chuah Kee Huat , Yim Carolyn Chue Wai , Abdul Aziz Nur Adilah , Loh Ee Chin , Capelle David Paul , Shahrizaila Nortina , Leow Alex Hwong Ruey 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackground and AimPercutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) placement is recommended in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), but the procedure is considered high risk. In this study, we aimed to compare the outcome of ALS patients with and without PEG. The success of the procedure and complications of PEG insertion were also explored.MethodsPatients with ALS who met the criteria for enteral feeding support were consecutively recruited. Patients who consented had PEG insertion using the modified technique of introducer method with transoral ultra‐slim endoscopy.ResultsA total of 64 patients were recruited, of which 36 (56%) patients consented to PEG. The median age of all patients was 65 years and 59% were male. There was no difference in demographic and clinical characteristics between patients who agreed to a PEG and those who did not. The mortality rate at 6 and 12 months was lower in the PEG cohort compared with non‐PEG, but this was not statistically significant (6 months: 28.6% vs 32.2%, P = 0.561; 12 months: 38.9% vs 50.0%, P = 0.374). Amongst the PEG cohort, 61% were stratified high risk and 31% moderate risk. Thirty‐one percent of them required long‐term home noninvasive ventilation. All patients (100%) underwent successful PEG insertion at single attempt using the modified approach. The complications reported over a period of 6 months were infected PEG site (17%), dislodged gastrostomy tube (14%), and minor bleeding (8%).ConclusionIn ALS patients with moderate to high risk of PEG insertion, the introducer technique utilizing ultra‐slim endoscopy guidance was well tolerated and safe.
Rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder: Past, present, and future
Authors: Högl Birgit , Arnulf Isabelle , Bergmann Melanie , Cesari Matteo , Gan‐Or Ziv , Heidbreder Anna , Iranzo Alex , Krohn Lynne , Luppi Pierre‐Hervé , Mollenhauer Brit , Provini Federica , Santamaria Joan , Trenkwalder Claudia , Videnovic Aleksandar , Stefani Ambra 
Published: April 2022

SummaryThis manuscript presents an overview of REM sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) with a special focus on European contributions. After an introduction examining the history of the disorder, we address the pathophysiological and clinical aspects, as well as the diagnostic issues. Further, implications of RBD diagnosis and biomarkers are discussed. Contributions of European researchers to this field are highlighted.
Thiacloprid + deltamethrin against the cotton aphid and the parasitoid wasp Aphidius colemani: From lethal to sublethal population effects
Authors: Majidpour Marzieh , Maroofpour Nariman , Ghane‐Jahromi Mojtaba 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe side effects of insecticides on non‐target species are important to secure the intended effectiveness of pest management programmes. The cotton aphid Aphis gossypii is a frequent problem in industrial greenhouse cultivation, and insecticide and parasitoids are often used for crop protection. Among insecticides, mixtures are playing increasing roles in pest management in the greenhouse production system, as well as parasitoid use. The insecticide mixture thiacloprid + deltamethrin and the parasitoid wasp Aphidius colemani are the main agents used against the cotton aphid and are the focus of this study. Here, we report the effects of the thiacloprid + deltamethrin on A. gossypii and Ap. colemani. The low concentrations 2.79 g a.i/L (LC10) and 7.28 g a.i/L (LC30) compromised the life parameters of the aphid progeny and increased the development time at all juvenile stages. In addition, fecundity, longevity and other parameters (r, R0 and T) were significantly impaired by thiacloprid + deltamethrin at both concentrations. The median lethal time estimate (LT50) for Ap. colemani was 18.73 h; the parasitoid mortality was significant up to 24 h after application but decreased afterward. Regardless, the parasitoid life table parameters were also compromised by insecticide exposure, similarly to the parasitoid population growth and parasitism efficacy. These results demonstrate the effect of the insecticide mixture against A. gossypii, and the increased risk of its adverse impacts on the parasitoid Ap. colemani, which signals against their simultaneous application to control this pest species.
Hepatoid carcinoma and related entities of the extrahepatic bile duct: A clinicopathological study of four cases
Authors: Okura Keisuke , Esaki Minoru , Nara Satoshi , Ban Daisuke , Takamoto Takeshi , Shimada Kazuaki , Hiraoka Nobuyoshi 
Published: April 2022

AbstractHepatoid carcinoma or related entities (HPC/RTs) are extremely rare, especially in the extrahepatic bile duct (EHBD). Only a few case reports have been published. We analyzed the clinicopathological features of HPCs/RTs in EHBD. HPC/RT of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (eCCA) cases were selected based on the histological characteristics and immunohistochemical detection of spalt‐like transcription factor 4 (SALL4) and/or alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP). Four HPC/RT cases arose in the distal but not in the perihilar EHBD. The four patients with HPC/RT included one female and three males with a median age of 77 years. There are various macroscopic types of HPC/RT. The predominant histological features were two solid‐type carcinomas that mimicked hepatocellular carcinoma and two well‐differentiated tubular adenocarcinomas. Immunohistochemically, SALL4 and glypican‐3 were expressed in all cases, and AFP was expressed in one case. Cancer cell phenotypes included intestinal, pancreatobiliary, and mixed pancreatobiliary and intestinal types. Focal neuroendocrine differentiation and severe perineural and lymphovascular invasions were also observed. HPC/RT recurred in two patients within 2 years, and one patient died 13 months postoperatively. It is suggested that the HPC/RT of EHBD shares common characteristics with HPC/RT arising in various organs, and has some unique characteristics. HPC/RT of EHBD might be more aggressive than conventional eCCA.
Corrigendum to ‘Simulation of Multivariate Diffusion Bridges’
Authors: Bladt Mogens , Finch Samuel , Sørensen Michael 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
We correct an error in Theorem 1 in Bladt et al. (2016) Journal of the Royal Statistical Society: Series B, 78, 343–369 by changing the initial distribution of an auxiliary diffusion process, which is used to describe the distribution of the proposed approximate diffusion bridges. As a consequence, we correct two algorithms for simulating exact diffusion bridges by changing the initial distribution of auxiliary diffusion processes in the same way. Simulation studies affected by the error are redone.
Voluntary sector participation and individual health and welfare: Does it matter where?
Authors: Handy Femida , Sealey Anthony 
Published: April 2022

AbstractObjectiveScholars have presented compelling evidence that participation in voluntary sector organizations (VSOs)—which is primarily motivated by the desire to help society—also benefits volunteers. The objective of this article is to determine whether and how these positive impacts vary across the type of VSO where individuals volunteer.MethodsWe examine European Value Survey and World Value Survey data from 18 advanced industrial democracies using multilevel regression models to establish the link between VSO participation and three individual health and welfare (IHW) outcomes: an individual's self‐reported health status, financial satisfaction, and overall life satisfaction.ResultsOur findings indicate (1) that the relationship between voluntary sector participation and positive IHW outcomes depends on the type of VSO where individuals volunteer and (2) that heterogeneous VSO exposure is also positively related to IHW.ConclusionWe emphasize that voluntary sector participation has heterogeneous impacts that variously determine outcomes depending on the type of VSO where an individual chooses to participate.
Further evidence that wound size and duration are strong prognostic markers of diabetic foot ulcer healing
Authors: Margolis David J. , Mitra Nandita , Malay D. Scott , Mirza Ziad K. , Lantis John C. , Lev‐Tov Hadar A. , Kirsner Robert S. , Thom Stephan R. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractDiabetic foot ulcers (DFU) are a critical problem for those with diabetes mellitus. Predicting the healing likelihood of a DFU is important to implementing appropriate care, allocating resources, having access to advanced therapies, having successful clinical trials, calibrating clinical trial results, and providing information to administrative entities on patient and provider outcomes. Prognostic modelling can also be important when attempting to compare results across trials or care centres. In a prospective cohort study, we demonstrate and replicate that simple wound characteristics like wound area and wound duration can be used to predict wound healing by the 16th week of care. The models were based on previous literature and replicated using a machine learning algorithm. The use of wound duration and wound area in a prognostic model continues to be important when comparing study results, centre‐based outcomes, as well as designing clinical trials.
The Logarithmically-non-uniform Helix Antenna Mounted Above a Finite Ground Plane
Authors: Mowete Ike , Ayorinde Ayotunde , Adehola Adeniyi 
Published: April 2022

In this paper the influence of ground plane size on the performance characteristics of a thin-wire helical antenna characterized by a logarithmically varying turns spacing, and mounted above a circular ground plane of finite extent, is systematically investigated. The moment-method formulation utilized in the paper involves a wire-grid model for the ground plane as well as explicit expressions, deriving from a vector potential approach, for the radiation fields of this ‘loghelix’. Subsequent computational results obtained for a candidate 8-turn ‘loghelix’ axial-mode ˀantenna using various combinations of ‘logarithmic variation factor’ and ground plane size, very clearly reveal that limiting the size of the ground plane to finite dimensions significantly improves antenna performance. Maximum gain obtainable, for example, emerged as 16.45dBi when a finite ground plane is utilized, as against 13.55dBi for the corresponding antenna, backed by an infinite ground plane. The associated axial ratio performance is characterized by for the finite ground case, and , for the infinite ground plane case. A notable finding of the investigations is that the dip that typically features in the power gain profiles of antenna structures backed by finite ground planes will be eliminated, when ground plane size, relative to antenna size exceeds a certain minimum.
Witt vectors with coefficients and characteristic polynomials over non-commutative rings
Authors: Dotto Emanuele , Krause Achim , Nikolaus Thomas , Patchkoria Irakli 
Published: April 2022

AbstractFor a not-necessarily commutative ring$R$we define an abelian group$W(R;M)$of Witt vectors with coefficients in an$R$-bimodule$M$. These groups generalize the usual big Witt vectors of commutative rings and we prove that they have analogous formal properties and structure. One main result is that$W(R) := W(R;R)$is Morita invariant in$R$. For an$R$-linear endomorphism$f$of a finitely generated projective$R$-module we define a characteristic element$\chi _f \in W(R)$. This element is a non-commutative analogue of the classical characteristic polynomial and we show that it has similar properties. The assignment$f \mapsto \chi _f$induces an isomorphism between a suitable completion of cyclic$K$-theory$K_0^{\mathrm {cyc}}(R)$and$W(R)$.
Relay Upgrading of Biomass Producer Gas Via Shift-Methanation Plus CO2 Adsorption in a Symbiotic Fixed-Bed Reactor: Concept Proposition and Numerical Visualization
Authors: Dong Xinxin , Luo Jianwei , Huang Yaji , Jin Baosheng 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Producer gas from biomass gasification is a feasible supplementary source to overcome the shortage of energy supply. However, the relatively high CO content and low heating value greatly restrict raw biomass producer gas for extensive application. The technical combination of shift-methanation reaction and CO2 adsorption is proved to be an effective upgrading method. Different from the conventional tandem way of connecting shift-methanation and CO2 adsorption, this work first attempts to integrate the two units into a fixed-bed reactor to form a cooperative symbiotic relationship. The relay upgrading process of biomass producer gas is numerically investigated over Ni-based catalyst and mesoporous carbon adsorbent using computational fluid dynamics method. It is found that the CO content can be effectively reduced from 30.8% to below 5% and lower heating value on wet basis can be increased from 6.5 MJ/Nm3 to over 10 MJ/Nm3. The influence of catalyst and adsorbent bed volume on the composition of product gas is evaluated. Meanwhile, the effect of catalyst and adsorbent bed gap is also analyzed. Given the similarity of catalyst and adsorbent bed, the impact of their sequence on the upgrading performance is discussed. At last, for continuous run, a regeneration cycle involving reaction–adsorption coupled with N2 purge is designed and the cycle simulation is conducted to better understand the flow behavior and reaction/adsorption characteristic.