bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Advancing Pluralism in Impact Assessment Through Research Capacity: Lessons from the Yukon Territory, Canada
Authors: Darling Samantha , Harvey Blane , Hickey Gordon M. 
Published: September 2022

Impact assessment (IA) involves complex interactions among societal actors with diverse knowledge systems and worldviews (ontological pluralism) that ideally combine to both define and support societal goals, such as sustainable development. An often acknowledged but rarely explored concept in these efforts is research capacity — the ability of a group to engage, produce, maintain and use knowledge — and associated implications for pluralistic process outcomes. This paper presents an embedded case study of the IA policy network in the Yukon Territory, Canada, to explore the various roles of research capacity in a well-established IA process where Indigenous and public representation are guaranteed, as is financial support for boundary spanning and knowledge brokering roles to support pluralism. Using Rapid Policy Network Mapping, we examine the formal and informal connections amongst IA policy actors and identify sources and flows of knowledge throughout the network. Results indicate that while research capacity is critical to well-functioning IA processes in the Yukon Territory, the ability of the IA policy network to source, disseminate and engage new knowledge is limited. Important boundary spanning ‘choke points’ can act as both facilitators and barriers, based on the capacity of the knowledge brokers occupying these spaces. The findings inform policy efforts to ensure inclusion and advance pluralism in IA processes.
Hardness Characterisations and Size-width Lower Bounds for QBF Resolution
Authors: Beyersdorff Olaf , Blinkhorn Joshua , Mahajan Meena , Peitl Tomáš 
Published: September 2022

We provide a
tight characterisation of proof size in resolution for quantified Boolean formulas (QBF) via circuit complexity.
Such a characterisation was previously obtained for a hierarchy of QBF Frege systems [
16
], but leaving open the most important case of QBF resolution. Different from the Frege case, our characterisation uses a new version of decision lists as its circuit model, which is stronger than the CNFs the system works with. Our decision list model is well suited to compute countermodels for QBFs. Our characterisation works for both
Q-Resolution and QU-Resolution.

Using our characterisation, we obtain a
size-width relation for QBF resolution
in the spirit of the celebrated result for propositional resolution [
4
]. However, our result is not just a replication of the propositional relation—intriguingly ruled out for QBF in previous research [
12
]—but shows a different dependence between size, width, and quantifier complexity. An essential ingredient is an improved relation between the size and width of term decision lists; this may be of independent interest.

We demonstrate that
our new technique elegantly reproves known QBF hardness results
and unifies previous lower-bound techniques in the QBF domain.
Exploration of Predictive Biomarkers for Postoperative Recurrence in Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps Based on Serum Multiple-Cytokine Profiling
Authors: Wang Gang , Zheng Huiyuan , Chen Xiaoqian , Zheng Jing , Zhan Jiabin , Li Rui , Qi Yanyan , Ye Yi , Zeng Min , Wei Xin 
Published: September 2022

Background. Functional nasal endoscopic surgery (FESS) is an effective treatment approach for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) patients, but some patients still suffer from postoperative recurrence. This study is aimed at investigating the expression of multiple cytokines in CRSwNP and revealing their relationships with postoperative recurrence. Methods. A total of 72 patients with CRSwNP, including 36 primary and 36 recurrent patients, were enrolled. Serum samples were obtained, 30 cytokine levels were measured by multiplex analysis, and the association between cytokine levels and recurrence was assessed. The most potential cytokines were further validated in another independent cohort with 60 primary and 60 recurrent CRSwNP patients. Results. The results of multiple cytokine profiling exhibited that the levels of eotaxin, G-CSF, IFN-α, IL-13, IL-17A, IL-5, MCP-1, and RANTES were vastly changed in the recurrent group in comparison with the primary group. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves highlighted that serum levels of eotaxin, IL-17A, and RANTES were strongly predictive of postoperative recurrence (

area

under

the

curve

AUC

>
0.7

,

P
<
0.05

). Further validation results showed that elevated serum eotaxin, IL-17A, and RANTES levels were enhanced in the recurrent group. The ROC curve showed that serum eotaxin (

AUC
=
0.729

,

P
<
0.001

) and RANTES (

AUC
=
0.776

,

P
<
0.001

) exhibited stronger ability than serum IL-17A (

AUC
=
0.617

,

P
=
0.027

) in predicting CRSwNP recurrence. Conclusion. Our data suggested that serum multiple cytokine profiling was associated with postoperative recurrence of CRSwNP, and eotaxin and RANTES might serve as potential biomarkers for predicting postoperative recurrence. These results might contribute to the understanding of the underlying mechanisms of recurrence and provide novel clues for precision therapy in CRSwNP.
Diagnostic Value of IGFBP-2 in Predicting Preeclampsia before 20 Weeks of Pregnancy: A Prospective Nested Case-Control Study
Authors: Gao Fei , Yin Jiaye , Long Yan , Zhu Sufei , Huang Zhenting , Wang Jielin , Zheng Hao , Wang Wen , Zheng Lei 
Published: September 2022

Backgroud. Preeclampsia (PE) is a critical type of hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, which seriously affects maternal and infant health. The etiology of PE is unclear, and there is no clear prediction model. In this study, new biomarkers were identified before 20 weeks of gestation to construct an early PE prediction model. Purpose. To identify novel biomarker insulin-like growth factor binding protein-2 (IGFBP-2) associated with preeclampsia (PE) before 20 weeks of gestation and to explore the predictive value of plasma IGFBP-2 in PE. Methods. A prospective nested case-control investigation involving 122 PE patients and 122 normal controls (NC) that were matched 1 : 1 in terms of age and week of pregnancy was carried out in Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center (Guangzhou, China, 2018030306) from April 2016 to December 2019. At 8 to 20 weeks, blood samples from the mother were taken. To calculate the correlations, univariate conditional logistic regression was employed. Results. Herein, 12 clinical indices were significantly different between the PE and NC groups (uric acid (UA), cystatin C (Cys C), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT), total bilirubin (TB), prothrombin time (PT), red blood cell (RBC), hematocrit (HCT), red cell distribution width (RDW), platelets (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV), and thrombocytocrit (PCT)). Compared with the NC group (

36.79
±
19.91

pg/mL), the expression level of IGFBP2 in the PE group (

19.76
±
19.40

pg/mL) before 20 weeks of pregnancy was significantly decreased (

P
<
0.01

). Two high-risk factors were found to be significantly associated with PE independently of confounders: anemia 4.35 (2.20-8.45) (

P
<
0.01

) and cesarean section history 8.25 (2.67-26.67) (

P
<
0.01

). As a result of the univariate logistic regression analysis, the following three variables were included in the final logistic regression model.:

Y
=
−
18.841
−
0.085
×

IGFBP
‐
2

+
0.630
×

RDW

+
0.165
×

AST

+
0.863
×

MPV

. In comparison to IGFBP-2 alone as an independent predictor of PE (

AUC
=
0.897

, 95% CI 0.830–0.964), the model’s discriminatory power was considerably higher (

AUC
=
0.953

, 95% CI 0.911–0.995). Conclusion. Plasma IGFBP-2 before 20 weeks of pregnancy combined with high-risk factors and routine blood indexes has a high early predictive value for PE.
A Single Nucleotide Polymorphism in
SH2B3/LNK
Promotes Hypertension Development and Renal Damage
Authors: Alexander Matthew R. , Hank Samuel , Dale Bethany L. , Himmel Lauren , Zhong Xue , Smart Charles D. , Fehrenbach Daniel J. , Chen Yuhan , Prabakaran Nitin , Tirado Brian , Centrella Megan , Ao Mingfang , Du Liping , Shyr Yu , Levy Daniel , Madhur Meena S. 
Published: September 2022

Background:

SH2B3 (SH2B adaptor protein 3) is an adaptor protein that negatively regulates cytokine signaling and cell proliferation. A common missense single nucleotide polymorphism in
SH2B3
(rs3184504) results in substitution of tryptophan (Trp) for arginine (Arg) at amino acid 262 and is a top association signal for hypertension in human genome-wide association studies. Whether this variant is causal for hypertension, and if so, the mechanism by which it impacts pathogenesis is unknown.

Methods:

We used CRISPR-Cas9 technology to create mice homozygous for the major (Arg/Arg) and minor (Trp/Trp) alleles of this
SH2B3
polymorphism. Mice underwent angiotensin II (Ang II) infusion to evaluate differences in blood pressure (BP) elevation and end-organ damage including albuminuria and renal fibrosis. Cytokine production and Stat4 phosphorylation was also assessed in Arg/Arg and Trp/Trp T cells.

Results:

Trp/Trp mice exhibit 10 mmHg higher systolic BP during chronic Ang II infusion compared to Arg/Arg controls. Renal injury and perivascular fibrosis are exacerbated in Trp/Trp mice compared to Arg/Arg controls following Ang II infusion. Renal and ex vivo stimulated splenic CD8
+
T cells from Ang II-infused Trp/Trp mice produce significantly more interferon gamma (IFNg) compared to Arg/Arg controls. Interleukin-12 (IL-12)-induced IFNg production is greater in Trp/Trp compared to Arg/Arg CD8
+
T cells. In addition, IL-12 enhances Stat4 phosphorylation to a greater degree in Trp/Trp compared to Arg/Arg CD8
+
T cells, suggesting that Trp-encoding SH2B3 exhibits less negative regulation of IL-12 signaling to promote IFNg production. Finally, we demonstrated that a multi-SNP model genetically predicting increased
SH2B3
expression in lymphocytes is inversely associated with hypertension and hypertensive chronic kidney disease in humans..

Conclusions:
Taken together, these results suggest that the Trp encoding allele of rs3184504 is causal for BP elevation and renal dysfunction, in part through loss of SH2B3-mediated repression of T cell IL-12 signaling leading to enhanced IFNg production.
Feasibility and acceptability of paramedic-initiated health education for rural-dwelling older people
Authors: McManamny Tegwyn E , Boyd Leanne , Sheen Jade , Lowthian Judy A 
Published: September 2022

Background: In rural and regional areas, older Australians have poorer health outcomes and higher rates of potentially preventable hospital admissions than their metropolitan counterparts. Paramedics may be uniquely placed to improve health outcomes of rural-dwelling older adults through involvement in primary and preventive healthcare, health promotion and health education. However, the feasibility and acceptability of this remains unexplored. Aim: To investigate the utility, feasibility and acceptability of paramedic involvement in health education initiatives aimed at rural-dwelling older people. Methods: Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with key stakeholders between July and September 2021. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and reflexive thematic analysis was undertaken. Findings: Participants (older people and their carers, n = 3; health service representatives, n = 4; and ambulance service representatives, n = 3) linked acceptability to the position of trust and visibility paramedics held within the community. The coverage provided by ambulance services in rural and regional areas, and the enhanced skills and collaborative relationships that rural paramedics develop, were seen as enabling factors to expanded roles. Conclusion: Key stakeholders’ perspectives on the role of paramedics in health education for rural-dwelling older people highlighted the trust placed in paramedics. Meeting identified needs without competing with established health initiatives was seen as important with respect to paramedic engagement in broader primary health care opportunities.
Ultrasonographic analysis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis in children: a report of 55 cases
Authors: Liu Lei , Lin Zhouqin , Wang Ruijie , Xie Fusui , Zhou Jingran , Liu Tingting , Liu Shizhe , Zhao Cailei , Xia Bei 
Published: September 2022

Objective To explore the value of ultrasonography in the diagnosis and treatment of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) in children. Method The clinical and imaging features of 55 children with pathologically confirmed LCH were retrospectively analyzed. Results Thirteen patients had bone LCH and 42 had multisystem LCH. Among the 13 cases of bone LCH, 8 cases involving the skull and 2 involving the scapula were characterized by osteolytic bone destruction, 1 case involving the clavicle and 1 involving the iliac bone showed multiple irregular bone destruction, and 1 case involving the tibia showed local hypoechoic cortical bone. Soft tissue echo filling was present in the local areas of bone destruction. Among the 42 cases of multisystem LCH, 33 involved the bone, 35 showed an enlarged liver, 15 involved the spleen, 2 involved the pancreas, 3 involved the lung, 3 involved the thymus, and 21 affected the lymph nodes in different regions. Conclusions Ultrasonography of the flat bones in children with LCH mainly showed punched-out osteolytic bone destruction. Long bone lesions were characterized by fan shell changes in the endosteum of long bones, and some also showed bone destruction. Multisystem LCH can affect almost any organ. Ultrasonography is important for early diagnosis.
Functioning issues in inpatients affected by COVID-19-related moderate pulmonary impairment: a real-practice observational study
Authors: Moretti Antimo , Belfiore Antonella , Bianco Massimiliano , Liguori Sara , Paoletta Marco , Toro Giuseppe , Gimigliano Francesca , Iolascon Giovanni 
Published: September 2022

Objective To investigate the correlations between clinical, functional, and radiological outcomes in inpatients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods In this observational study, we recruited inpatients affected by moderate COVID-19 disease. The clinical evaluation comprised the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (CIRS), numerical rating scale (NRS), modified Rankin scale (mRS), and the modified Borg dyspnea scale (mBDS). Respiratory involvement was assessed with computed tomography (CT) and graded with a CT-severity score (CT-SS). We retrospectively assessed functioning using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) codes of the Clinical Functioning Information Tool (ClinFIT) COVID-19 in the acute phase. Correlation analysis was performed 1) between clinical, instrumental, and functional parameters and 2) between ICF categories. Results The data showed statistically significant moderate correlations between CT-SS and the following categories: b152 “emotional functions” and b440 “respiratory functions”. Conclusion This is the first study to use the ICF framework in people with a moderate form of COVID-19 in the acute phase. Considering the correlations between some ICF categories and radiological findings, our results support the use of the ClinFIT COVID-19 for a comprehensive assessment of COVID-19 patients.
The long-term outcome of New Zealand Maori and Pacific Island children diagnosed with childhood onset lupus nephritis
Authors: Concannon Anthony , Wong William , Han Dug Yeo 
Published: September 2022

Objective To determine the long-term outcome of Maori and Pacific Island children diagnosed with childhood onset lupus nephritis. Method A chart review was conducted of children diagnosed with biopsy proven lupus nephritis seen by the Starship Hospital and Kidz First paediatric rheumatology and/or Starship renal services between January 1992 and January 2018. Baseline and follow-up kidney histology, adherence and response to therapy including partial or full renal remission, refractory disease, end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and mortality were determined. Results In a New Zealand cohort of 42 with childhood onset lupus nephritis, Maori and Pacific Island children were significantly more likely to develop class 4 lupus nephritis (RR (95% CI), 11.3 (3.84–49.9), p < 0.0001), demonstrate medication nonadherence (RR (95% CI) 12.4 (3.48–85.7), p < 0.0001) and experience end stage kidney disease (RR (95% CI) 15.7 (2.97–389.3), p = 0.0003) and mortality (RR (95% CI) 11.1 (1.91–280.1), p = 0.005) compared to non-Maori and Pacific Island children. In addition, Maori children with childhood onset lupus nephritis developed chronic histological changes significantly more rapidly than Pacific or Asian children ( p = 0.038). Conclusion Lupus nephritis is more common among Maori and Pacific Island children in New Zealand associated with a significant incidence of end stage kidney disease and mortality, with some Maori children developing rapid histologic disease progression.
Residual disease activity and treatment intensification in systemic lupus erythematosus: A cross-sectional study to quantify the need for new therapies
Authors: Gioti Ourania , Chavatza Katerina , Nikoloudaki Myrto , Katechis Spyridon , Bertsias George , Boumpas Dimitrios T , Fanouriakis Antonis 
Published: September 2022

Objective The proportion of SLE patients with residual disease activity in routine settings is variable. We assessed disease activity state in patients during their most recent visit, and whether patients with residual activity were offered therapy intensification. Methods Cross-sectional study of consecutive lupus patients in three tertiary centers. Patients were categorized as: i) remission off-therapy, ii) remission on-therapy, iii) low disease activity, and iv) non-optimally controlled disease. Multivariable regression identified factors associated with treatment intensification and ROC analysis calculated the accuracy of SLEDAI-2K to predict this intensification. Results Three hundred and thirty-two patients were included [93.1% female, mean (SD) age 48.5 (14.7) years, median (IQR) disease duration 6.5 (12.4) years]. Mean (SD) total and clinical SLEDAI at last visit were 3.7 (3.0) and 3.0 (2.9), respectively. Although 23.2% of patients were in remission, 40.1% were categorized as non-optimally controlled disease (79.2% due to SLEDAI-2K > 4), but less than 50% of them were offered therapy intensification. Proteinuria (OR 6.78, 95% CI 2.06–22.25), arthritis (OR 5.48, 95% CI 3.20–9.40), and rash (OR 3.23, 95% CI 1.81–5.75) were associated with intensification of therapy, but the accuracy of either total or clinical SLEDAI to predict it was moderate (ROC area under the curve 0.761 and 0.779, respectively). Conclusions About 40% of patients have evidence of residual disease activity and could qualify for novel treatments. Most treatment changes were triggered by active renal, joint, and skin disease, whereas the predictive value of SLEDAI-2K as a metric of disease activity was modest.
The influence of reduced graphene oxide on the polyamide 6 nanocomposite characteristics
Authors: Sabet Maziyar , Soleimani Hassan 
Published: September 2022

Polyamide 6 (PA6) nanocomposites with high electrical and thermal conductive were formulated via melt processing of PA6 and different inclusion of reduced graphene oxide (RGO). These nanocomposites showed small percolation thresholds, and the optimum formation of conductive links occurred with 0.5 wt% and ̴3.0 wt% of RGO respectively. RGO is effective in terms of thermal stability, causing a char of 6.8% with only 2.0 wt% RGO content. The presence of 3.0 wt% RGO enhanced thermal conductivity by 62% and reduces the peak-heat release rate to 588 and 545 kW/m2 with RGO inclusions of 1.0 and 2.0 wt%, respectively. Crystallization examination confirmed that RGO enabled the crystallization of PA6 structure mostly through speeding up the formation of crystal nuclei, reaching a maximum and smallest crystal grain extent with RGO inclusion up to 2.0 wt% that improved the generation of the most unflawed crystalline matrix. With the dynamic rheological testing, frequency-independence of G′ and abruptly decreased phase angle at the small-frequency area via RGO content of 2.0 wt% signify an alteration from liquid-state to solid-state rheological performance and validate the development of percolation link structure with RGO in the function of a crosslinking factor. Enhancement of fire-retardant characteristics of PA6 was attained due to the inclusion of RGO owing to the improvement in the PA6 structure. Morphological research showed that RGO was spread uniformly in the PA6 structure. These tests show substantial capacity for the bulk manufacture of electrically conductive polymer/RGO nanocomposites.
Standardized Criteria Increases Palliative Care Consultation Utilization in Patients With End-Stage Liver Disease: A Pilot Study
Authors: Johnson Amy W. , Byriel Benjamin , Rubeck Jon , Ghabril Marwan , Orman Eric S. 
Published: September 2022

Context: Patients with end-stage liver disease have high symptom burden and high healthcare utilization, which may be improved by palliative care consultation. Objectives: We sought to determine if implementing standardized palliative care consultation criteria in hospitalized patients with end-stage liver disease would increase palliative care utilization and improve patient outcomes. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of hospitalized patients with end-stage liver disease. Patients under the age of 18, received a previous liver transplant, or admitted for liver transplantation were not included. Patients with end-stage liver disease meeting two or more of the following criteria were included: (i)Child Pugh C cirrhosis, (ii)2 or more liver related hospitalizations within 6 months, (iii) current alcohol use with alcoholic cirrhosis, and (iv) unsuitable for transplantation work up. We compared consults before and after implementation of the criteria, and we compared outcomes in patients who did and did not see palliative care. Results: With implementation, consults increased (2/25 (8%) vs 11/33 (33%), p = .020). Palliative care was associated with higher completion of health care representative documentation (66.7% vs 35.7%, P = .20) and physician orders for scope of treatment forms (16.7% vs 0%, P = 0.13). Patients seen by palliative care had a higher rate of discharges with hospice (30.8% vs 0, P = .002). Conclusions: Implementation of standardized palliative care consultation criteria for patients with end-stage liver disease increased palliative care utilization. Patients seen by palliative care had increased discharges with hospice services and a trend towards higher completion rates of advanced directives.