bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Stay-at-Home orders and other COVID-related policies on trauma hospitalization rates and disparities in the USA: a statewide time-series analysis
Authors: Strassle Paula D. , Kinlaw Alan C. , Ko Jamie S. , Quintero Stephanie M. , Bonilla Jackie , Ponder Madison , Nápoles Anna María , Schiro Sharon E. 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Background
To combat the coronavirus pandemic, states implemented several public health policies to reduce infection and transmission. Increasing evidence suggests that these prevention strategies also have had a profound impact on non-COVID healthcare utilization. The goal of this study was to determine the impact of a statewide Stay-at-Home order and other COVID-related policies on trauma hospitalizations, stratified by race/ethnicity, age, and sex.

Methods
We used the North Carolina Trauma Registry, a statewide registry of trauma hospitalizations for 18 hospitals across North Carolina, including all North Carolina trauma centers, to calculate weekly rates of assault, self-inflicted, unintentional motor vehicle collision (MVC), and other unintentional injury hospitalizations between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2020. Interrupted time-series design and segmented linear regression were used to estimate changes in hospitalization rates after several COVID-related executive orders, overall and stratified by race/ethnicity, age, and sex. Changes in hospitalization rates were assessed after 1) USA declaration of a public health emergency; 2) North Carolina statewide Stay-at-Home order; 3) Stay-at-Home order lifted with restrictions (Phase 2: Safer-at-Home); and 4) further lifting of restrictions (Phase 2.5: Safer-at-Home).

Results
There were 70,478 trauma hospitalizations in North Carolina, 2019–2020. In 2020, median age was 53 years old and 59% were male. Assault hospitalization rates (per 1,000,000 NC residents) increased after the Stay-at-Home order, but substantial increases were only observed among Black/African American residents (weekly trend change = 1.147, 95% CI = 0.634 to 1.662) and 18–44-year-old males (weekly trend change = 1.708, 95% CI = 0.870 to 2.545). After major restrictions were lifted, assault rates decreased but remained elevated compared to pre-COVID levels. Unintentional non-MVC injury hospitalizations decreased after the USA declared a public health emergency, especially among women ≥ 65 years old (weekly trend change = -4.010, 95% CI = -6.166 to -1.855), but returned to pre-pandemic levels within several months.

Conclusions
Statewide Stay-at-Home orders placed Black/African American residents at higher risk of assault hospitalizations, exacerbating pre-existing disparities. Males 18–44 years old were also at higher risk of assault hospitalization. Fear of COVID-19 may have led to decreases in unintentional non-MVC hospitalization rates, particularly among older females. Policy makers must anticipate policy-related harms that may disproportionately affect already disadvantaged communities and develop mitigation approaches.
Electroconductive PEDOT nanoparticle integrated scaffolds for spinal cord tissue repair
Authors: Serafin Aleksandra , Rubio Mario Culebras , Carsi Marta , Ortiz-Serna Pilar , Sanchis Maria J. , Garg Atul K. , Oliveira J. Miguel , Koffler Jacob , Collins Maurice N. 
Published: November 2022

Abstract

Background
Hostile environment around the lesion site following spinal cord injury (SCI) prevents the re-establishment of neuronal tracks, thus significantly limiting the regenerative capability. Electroconductive scaffolds are emerging as a promising option for SCI repair, though currently available conductive polymers such as polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) present poor biofunctionality and biocompatibility, thus limiting their effective use in SCI tissue engineering (TE) treatment strategies.

Methods
PEDOT NPs were synthesized via chemical oxidation polymerization in miniemulsion. The conductive PEDOT NPs were incorporated with gelatin and hyaluronic acid (HA) to create gel:HA:PEDOT-NPs scaffolds. Morphological analysis of both PEDOT NPs and scaffolds was conducted via SEM. Further characterisation included dielectric constant and permittivity variances mapped against morphological changes after crosslinking, Young’s modulus, FTIR, DLS, swelling studies, rheology, in-vitro, and in-vivo biocompatibility studies were also conducted.

Results

Incorporation of PEDOT NPs increased the conductivity of scaffolds to 8.3 × 10
–4
± 8.1 × 10
–5
S/cm. The compressive modulus of the scaffold was tailored to match the native spinal cord at 1.2 ± 0.2 MPa, along with controlled porosity. Rheological studies of the hydrogel showed excellent 3D shear-thinning printing capabilities and shape fidelity post-printing. In-vitro studies showed the scaffolds are cytocompatible and an in-vivo assessment in a rat SCI lesion model shows glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) upregulation not directly in contact with the lesion/implantation site, with diminished astrocyte reactivity. Decreased levels of macrophage and microglia reactivity at the implant site is also observed. This positively influences the re-establishment of signals and initiation of healing mechanisms. Observation of axon migration towards the scaffold can be attributed to immunomodulatory properties of HA in the scaffold caused by a controlled inflammatory response. HA limits astrocyte activation through its CD44 receptors and therefore limits scar formation. This allows for a superior axonal migration and growth towards the targeted implantation site through the provision of a stimulating microenvironment for regeneration.

Conclusions
Based on these results, the incorporation of PEDOT NPs into Gel:HA biomaterial scaffolds enhances not only the conductive capabilities of the material, but also the provision of a healing environment around lesions in SCI. Hence, gel:HA:PEDOT-NPs scaffolds are a promising TE option for stimulating regeneration for SCI.
Overall Survival With Daratumumab, Bortezomib, and Dexamethasone in Previously Treated Multiple Myeloma (CASTOR): A Randomized, Open-Label, Phase III Trial
Authors: Sonneveld Pieter , Chanan-Khan Asher , Weisel Katja , Nooka Ajay K. , Masszi Tamas , Beksac Meral , Spicka Ivan , Hungria Vania , Munder Markus , Mateos Maria-Victoria , Mark Tomer M. , Levin Mark-David , Ahmadi Tahamtan , Qin Xiang , Garvin Mayo Wendy , Gai Xue , Carey Jodi , Carson Robin , Spencer Andrew 
Published: November 2022

PURPOSE At the primary analysis of CASTOR (median follow-up, 7.4 months), daratumumab plus bortezomib and dexamethasone (D-Vd) significantly prolonged progression-free survival versus bortezomib and dexamethasone (Vd) alone in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). We report updated efficacy and safety results at the final analysis for overall survival (OS). METHODS CASTOR was a multicenter, randomized, open-label, phase III study during which eligible patients with ≥ 1 line of prior therapy were randomly assigned to Vd (up to eight cycles) with or without daratumumab (until disease progression). After positive primary analysis and protocol amendment, patients receiving Vd were offered daratumumab monotherapy after disease progression. RESULTS At a median (range) follow-up of 72.6 months (0.0-79.8), significant OS benefit was observed with D-Vd (hazard ratio, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.59 to 0.92; P = .0075). Median OS was 49.6 months with D-Vd versus 38.5 months with Vd. Prespecified subgroup analyses demonstrated an OS advantage with D-Vd versus Vd for most subgroups, including patients age ≥ 65 years and patients with one or two prior lines of therapy, International Staging System stage III disease, high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities, and prior bortezomib treatment. The most common (≥ 10%) grade 3/4 treatment-emergent adverse events with D-Vd versus Vd were thrombocytopenia (46.1% v 32.9%), anemia (16.0% v 16.0%), neutropenia (13.6% v 4.6%), lymphopenia (10.3% v 2.5%), and pneumonia (10.7% v 10.1%). CONCLUSION D-Vd significantly prolonged OS in patients with RRMM, with the greatest OS benefit observed in patients with one prior line of therapy. To our knowledge, our results, together with the OS benefit observed with daratumumab plus lenalidomide and dexamethasone in the phase III POLLUX study, demonstrate for the first time an OS benefit with daratumumab-containing regimens in RRMM (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02136134 [CASTOR]).
Beam focus modifications by cropping partially coherent X-ray beams
Authors: Sanchez del Rio Manuel , Celestre Rafael , Reyes-Herrera Juan , Brumund Philipp , Cammarata Marco 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
We simulate the focusing of a partially coherent X-ray beam emitted by an undulator in a fourth-generation storage ring by performing a coherent mode decomposition and wave optics propagation. The focus position is shifted, and its size is enlarged when an entrance slit crops the beam. This is the usual case when a slit is used to select the coherent fraction. The pairing of two focusing elements (mirrors, lenses or transfocators) to ensure a fixed focal position is also analyzed. Our results show that the image of a partially coherent source, such an undulator in a low-emittance storage ring, is a non-trivial function of the aperture used to control the coherence fraction.
Thyroid hormone-induced cell death in sea urchin metamorphic development
Authors: Wynen Hannah , Taylor Elias , Heyland Andreas 
Published: November 2022

ABSTRACTThyroid hormones (THs) are important regulators of development, metabolism and homeostasis in metazoans. Specifically, they have been shown to regulate the metamorphic transitions of vertebrates and invertebrates alike. Indirectly developing sea urchin larvae accelerate the formation of juvenile structures in response to thyroxine (T4) treatment, while reducing their larval arm length. The mechanisms underlying larval arm reduction are unknown and we hypothesized that programmed cell death (PCD) is linked to this process. To test this hypothesis, we measured larval arm retraction in response to different THs (T4, T3, rT3, Tetrac) and assessed cell death in larvae using three different methods (TUNEL, YO-PRO-1 and caspase-3 activity) in the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. We also compared the extent of PCD in response to TH treatment before and after the invagination of the larval ectoderm, which marks the initiation of juvenile development in larval sea urchin species. We found that T4 treatment results in the strongest reduction of larval arms but detected a significant increase of PCD in response to T4, T3 and Tetrac in post-ingression but not pre-ingression larvae. As post-ingression larvae have initiated metamorphic development and therefore allocate resources to both larval and the juvenile structures, these results provide evidence that THs regulate larval development differentially via PCD. PCD in combination with cell proliferation likely has a key function in sea urchin development.
Online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study among final year medical students at the University of Zambia
Authors: Limbumbu Anthony Nsamba , Kabwe Jane Chanda , Kumwenda Andrew , Kasonkomona Phyllis Chibuye , Mwila Grace , Lubeya Mwansa Ketty 
Published: November 2022

Background Since the globe was faced with the COVID-19 pandemic in December 2019, numerous adjustments have been made in all sectors to curtail the spread of infection. Most elementary and tertiary schools were closed or suspended until the transmission rates dropped. Following the outbreak of COVID-19, medical schools in Zambia have sought ways to replace face-to-face medical learning with virtual clinical teaching. The objectives of this study were to explore the perceptions of online learning among University of Zambia medical students and understand the barriers and facilitators to effective online learning. Methods A qualitative descriptive approach was used, enrolling final year medical students from the University of Zambia; the consenting participants were sampled purposively and interviewed through virtual platforms until data saturation was reached upon interviewing the 11th participant. A total of 14 participants were interviewed, audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and data was analyzed using six steps of thematic analysis. Results Three broad themes arose from the interviews: online learning perceptions, facilitators and barriers to online learning. Regarding perceptions of online learning, they highlighted that the delivery was simple to understand, with convenient scheduling and the benefit of being able to refer back to the recorded lectures. Some barriers encountered during the online learning were poor network connection, frequent power outages, lack of patient-student interaction and challenges with learning space in their homes. The facilitators were self-paced learning, availability of lecturers and the desire to complete their training despite the lockdown being in effect. Conclusions Most medical students had positive perceptions of online learning despite its challenges. With the improvement in technology, online education should be incorporated into the traditional training of medical students to get the best outcomes.
APLICAÇÕES DE TESTES ESTATÍSTICOS NÃO PARAMÉTRICOS PARA ANÁLISE DE HIPERTENSOS NAS REGIÕES DE SAÚDE DO RIO DE JANEIRO
Authors: Oliveira de Souza Sabrinna Rodrigues de , Gemal Karina , Goethen Pedro Ricardo da Silva , Provenza Marcello Montillo 
Published: November 2022

Este estudo teve como objetivo verificar a existência de diferenças estatísticas entre as Regiões de Saúde (CIR) do estado do Rio de Janeiro de hipertensos. Os dados são do Departamento de Informática do Sistema único de Saúde (DATASUS) e foram analisados em períodos anuais por CIR entre 2002 e 2012. Foi aplicado o teste Shapiro-Wilk que rejeitou a hipótese de normalidade para sete das nove regiões estudadas. Em seguida, foi feito o teste não paramétrico Kruskal-Wallis para verificar a existência de diferenças estatísticas entre as regiões. Concluiu-se que ao menos um dos grupos difere significativamente dos demais. Posteriormente, foi utilizado o pós teste Dunn que gerou múltiplas comparações entre as regiões para verificar se há diferença entre os tratamentos. Foi detectada diferença entre 9 comparações das 36 realizadas. Por fim, existem evidências estatísticas de que há diferença entre as CIR, o que sugere que diferentes ações para reduzir ou tratar os hipertensos em cada região devem ser tomadas.
Structure of 4  ×  2 optical encoder based on hybrid plasmonic waveguides
Authors: Abdulwahid Saif H. , Wadday Ahmed Ghanim , Abdul Sattar Sinan M. 
Published: November 2022

The optical

4

×

2

encoder is organized with a structure
of dimensions

920

n
m

×

400

n
m

, a resonance wavelength of
1310 nm, and a transmission threshold value of 30%. Based on
the finite element method with the COMSOL software package, the
proposed hybrid plasmonic encoder has been suggested, analyzed, and
simulated, standing on the fundamentals of the constructive and
destructive interferences between the light waves. The results were
delivered in graphs containing the transmission values versus a
wavelength range from 800 to 2000 nm, magnetic field
distribution, contrast ratio, modulation depth, and insertion losses.
The maximum transmission value reached was 68.4%; the modulation depth
was 92.34%; and the contrast ratio was 11.1 dB.
Birefringent, low loss, and broadband semi-tube anti-resonant hollow-core fiber
Authors: Hong YiFeng , Jia AnQing , Gao ShouFei , Sheng YuLin , Lu XiaoSong , Liang Zhi , Zhang Zhe , Ding Wei , Wang YingYing 
Published: November 2022

We report on the design, fabrication, and characterization of a low-loss birefringent semi-tube anti-resonant hollow-core fiber (AR-HCF). By optimizing the structure design and the stack-and-draw fabrication technique, a transmission loss of 4.8 dB/km at 1522 nm, a <10 dB/km bandwidth of 154 nm, and a phase birefringence of 1.8 × 10−5 are demonstrated. This achieved loss is more than one order of magnitude lower than the previously reported birefringent AR-HCF and the bandwidth is one order of magnitude broader than the reported birefringent photonic bandgap hollow-core fiber (PBG-HCF) with the same loss level. The polarization extinction ratio (PER) reaches the ∼20 dB level in a 90 m-long fiber under >25 cm bending radius. Combined with the single mode and low dispersion features, the developed semi-tube AR-HCF may find a variety of applications in frequency metrology, interferometric fiber gyroscopes, and long-baseline stellar interferometry.
Modification effects of socioeconomic factors on associations between air pollutants and hand, foot, and mouth disease: A multicity time-series study based on heavily polluted areas in the basin area of Sichuan Province, China
Authors: Li Mengyao , Ma Yue , Luo Caiying , Lv Qiang , Liu Yaqiong , Zhang Tao , Yin Fei , Shui Tiejun 
Published: November 2022

Background
Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a serious threat among children in China. Some studies have found that air pollution is associated with HFMD incidence, but the results showed heterogeneity. In this study, we aimed to explore the heterogeneity of associations between air pollutants and the number of HFMD cases and to identify significant socioeconomic effect modifiers.

Methods
We collected daily surveillance data on HFMD cases in those aged less than 15 years, air pollution variables and meteorological variables from 2015 to 2017 in the basin area of Sichuan Province. We also collected socioeconomic indicator data. We conducted a two-stage multicity time-series analysis. In the first stage, we constructed a distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM) to obtain cumulative exposure-response curves between each air pollutant and the numbers of HFMD cases for every city. In the second stage, we carried out a multivariable meta-regression to merge the estimations in the first stage and to identify significant socioeconomic effect modifiers.

Results
We found that PM10, NO2 and O3 concentrations were associated with the number of HFMD cases. An inverted V-shaped association between PM10 and the number of HFMD cases was observed. The overall NO2-HFMD association was a hockey-stick shape. For the relationships of PM10, SO2, NO2, O3 and CO with HFMD counts, approximately 58.5%, 48.4%, 51.0%, 55.6% and 52.5% of the heterogeneity could be explained, respectively. The proportion of primary school students, population density, urbanization rate, number of licensed physicians and number of hospital beds explained part of the heterogeneity and modified the relationships.

Conclusion
Our study explored the heterogeneity of associations between air pollutants and HFMD counts. The proportion of primary school students, population density, urbanization rate, number of licensed physicians and number of hospital beds could modify the relationships. The results can serve as a reference for relevant public health decision making.
What are the sleep characteristics among early kidney transplant recipients? An objective and subjective measurement from China
Authors: Zhang Zhihao , Liu Jia , Wu XiaoXia , Yan Jin 
Published: November 2022

Objective
To evaluate the sleep quality by self-reported questionnaires and polysomnography (PSG) among early kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) and to further explore their correlation.

Design
This was a prospective and cross-sectional analysis of the sleep characteristics among early kidney transplant recipients through an objective and subjective measurement.

Participants
Patients with end stage renal disease on the transplant waiting list and after kidney transplantation were from a major organ transplantation center in Southern China (n = 83).

Primary and secondary outcome measurements
Objective outcomes: PSG, noise and light. Subjective outcomes: demographic and clinical questionnaires, self-reported pain and Richards Campbell sleep questionnaire (RCSQ). After agreement with the informed consent, participants first completed demographic and clinical questionnaires, then worn the PSG within 5–10 days after kidney transplantation. Both noise, light and self-reported pain were monitored during sleep. After completion of PSG, the RCSQs were filled out next morning.

Results
A total of 298 patients were recruited and 83 participants were finally analyzed. The total RCSQ mean score was 51.0±18.9mm. The prevalence of poor sleep quality among early KTRs was 45.1%. Most of PSG characteristics were significantly correlated with their corresponding RCSQ items. And the total RCSQ scores were significantly correlated with the number of awakenings, the N2 percentage and the total sleep time (r = 0.79, 0.47 and 0.40, P<0.05) respectively. Noise was a statistically significant factor affecting the subjective sleep quality.

Conclusions
The sleep quality in early KTRs measured by both PSG and RCSQ exhibits consistency with each other. Sleep disruption always remains a substantial problem and is affected by self-reported noise among early KTRs. The RCSQ is easily applicable and interpretable so that it can be used for future daily clinical practice.
Inequalities in successful tobacco cessation and tobacco cessation attempts: Evidence from eight Sub-Saharan African countries
Authors: Rossouw Laura , Filby Samantha 
Published: November 2022

Background
Tobacco consumption is a contributing and modifiable risk factor for non-communicable diseases. In high-income countries, tobacco cessation attempts, and their success, are concentrated among the socio-economically advantaged, resulting in a skewed burden of disease. However, there is a paucity of evidence on the distribution of tobacco cessation in low- and middle-income countries.

Objective
The objective of this study is to measure and decompose wealth- and education-related inequalities in tobacco cessation in eight Sub-Saharan African countries.

Methodology
The study applies Erreygers’ corrected concentration indices and decomposition methods to the most recent Global Adult Tobacco Surveys in Botswana, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Findings
We find that across countries, successful tobacco cessation, as well as tobacco cessation attempts, are concentrated among wealthier and better-educated individuals. Differences in socio-economic status, urban or rural residence, and not knowing or believing that tobacco consumption leads to serious illness contributes to these inequalities

Conclusion
Governments in our sample of countries can do more to support socio-economically disadvantaged smokers in their efforts to quit smoking, including by making an effort to align each country’s smoking cessation strategy with the guidelines outlined in the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.