bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relationship between patient acceptable symptom state and disease scores in psoriasis
Authors: Wang Qiaolin , Lu Wenhua , Luo Yan , Tan Minjia , Zhu Wu , Kuang Yehong , Shen Minxue 
Published: January 2022

AbstractPatient acceptable symptom state (PASS) is a patient‐reported outcome that reflects patients’ perspective well. The relationship between the PASS and disease scores in psoriasis has not been described. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of PASS with Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and body surface area (BSA) affected by lesions in patients with psoriasis. A sectional study was conducted. PASS was evaluated by a binary question on the patient’s feeling that they have about their symptoms. Clinical data including PASI, BSA, and other patient characteristics were collected. Logistic regression was used to investigate the associations. Receiver–operator curve (ROC) analysis was utilized to determine the PASI/BSA thresholds for PASS. A total of 198 participants (27.8% female, mean age 41.9 ± 12.6 years, mean disease duration 10.2 ± 8.6 years) completed this study. Of patients with mild psoriasis, 71.4% based on PASI and 76.3% based on BSA considered their symptom state acceptable. Female sex (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.47; 95% confidence interval [CI = 0.42–0.92) and patients with exposed skin involved (adjusted OR = 0.38; 95% CI = 0.19–0.76) were less likely to report acceptable symptom state. The threshold for differentiating psoriasis patients in PASS was 3.85 (area under the curve [AUC], 0.67; sensitivity, 0.67; specificity, 0.60) for PASI and 2.85% (AUC, 0.66; sensitivity, 0.79; specificity, 0.54) for BSA, respectively. These results showed that mild psoriasis based on PASI/BSA score align well with PASS status. Female and exposed skin involved are risk factors for acceptable status. Both PASI and BSA have limited capability in differentiating acceptable symptom state in psoriasis.
Advanced cutting techniques for solid food: Mechanisms, applications, modeling approaches, and future perspectives
Authors: Xu Weidong , Wang Jingyi , Deng Yong , Li Jiaheng , Yan Tianyi , Zhao Shunan , Yang Xiaoling , Xu Enbo , Wang Wenjun , Liu Donghong 
Published: January 2022

AbstractCutting is an imperative operation in the food‐manufacturing factory, separating food into a predefined geometry. A broad range of solid foods, with various components, textures, and structures, pose enormous challenges to conventional cutting strategies. Additionally, the cutting performance is significantly impacted by the processing parameters, wherein trial‐and‐error or empirical methods are often used to select the parameters in source‐wasting and time‐consuming ways. Hence, there is a need to accelerate the development of advanced cutting techniques and novel modeling approaches in the food‐manufacturing industry. Recently, advanced cutting techniques (ultrasonic vibration‐assisted [UVA], laser, and waterjet cutting) are seen to be superior in processing foods of various textures, with the advantages of high cutting quality, low contamination, and easy operation. Compared with conventional cutting, advanced cutting techniques can dramatically reduce cutting force and energy consumption, resulting in high efficiency, energy‐and‐source saving, and low carbon footprint. Additionally, the finite element (FE) model does simulate the cutting process well, and artificial intelligence (AI) technology is competent to optimize the cutting parameters. This review is perhaps the first one focusing on the advanced cutting techniques applied in the food industry, serving as a summary of the cutting mechanisms, critical influence factors, and applications of conventional and advanced cutting techniques including UVA, laser, and waterjet cutting. In addition, the modeling approaches with respect to FE and AI models are emphasized. Finally, the challenges and future perspectives of advanced cutting techniques combined with modeling approaches are highlighted, and those approaches are promising in the future intelligent food‐manufacturing industry.Practical ApplicationThe review clearly demonstrates that advanced cutting techniques as having advantages such as high efficiency, energy‐and‐source saving, and low damages, thus exhibiting great potential in processing food of various textures with high cutting quality, low contamination, and easy operation. Additionally, the FE model does simulate the cutting process well and AI is competent in optimizing the cutting parameters, which possesses great potential in providing comprehensive cutting information and selecting the optimal combination of cutting parameters.
The “Reliable History” of Geohazards
Authors: Rougier Jonathan 
Published: January 2022

AbstractEstimating rates of occurrence over time of hazards such as volcanic eruptions and earthquakes is crucial for risk assessment and planning. But it can be difficult. Human records only go back so far, and older ones may be patchy, making it hard to pinpoint the start of the “reliable history” for a particular type of event. Fear not, though, says Jonathan Rougier: a simple event-rate estimator might still hold up, even if we “overshoot” the reliable history by a century or more
Randomisation can do Many Things – But it Cannot “Fail”
Authors: Owora Arthur H. , Dawson John , Gadbury Gary , Mestre Luis M. , Pavela Greg , Mehta Tapan , Vorland Colby J. , Xun Pengcheng , Allison David B. 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Although randomisation has long been seen as crucial to reaching reliable insights from data, it is still falling victim to some peculiar – and troublesome – misconceptions. By Arthur H. Owora, John Dawson, Gary Gadbury, Luis M. Mestre, Greg Pavela, Tapan Mehta, Colby J. Vorland, Pengcheng Xun and David B. Allison
Privatising and financialising roads: The peculiar case of Transurban
Authors: O’Neill Phillip 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe Australian toll roads operator, Transurban, was created to build and operate Melbourne’s first toll road in the mid‐1990s. It has grown since to become a monopoly operator of motorways across Australia’s three east coast cities. The article interrogates this growth using a threefold framework involving an analysis of the company’s organisational and financial structures and its regulatory environment. Analysis reveals a complex set of actor decisions and circumstances within each of these frames. In respect to policy, we argue that pathways to sustainable, accessible urban transport services need to build on extant arrangements rather than reach nostalgically for an unattainable past.
The Role of UN Peace Operations in Countering Health Insecurity after COVID‐19
Authors: Gilder Alexander 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThis Policy Insight suggests the UN must account for a diverse range of conflict drivers, including health insecurity, and that UN peace operations can play a role in countries of deployment to counter health crises. Insecurity is experienced in a variety of different ways in a complex world where threats are multifaceted. COVID‐19 is merely the latest health crisis which has impacted populations around the globe in both developed and developing countries. However, UN peace operations have not typically played a major role in addressing health insecurity nor have they undergone any major shifts in their focus to provide direct health‐related assistance during the COVID‐19 pandemic. With health insecurity likely to persist, there should not need to be a global pandemic for the UN Security Council to use peace operations to undertake further preventative work in this area.
A review of alcohol–pathogen interactions: New insights into combined disease pathomechanisms
Authors: Osna Natalia A. , New‐Aaron Moses , Dagur Raghubendra S. , Thomes Paul , Simon Liz , Levitt Danielle , McTernan Patrick , Molina Patricia E. , Choi Hye Yeon , Machida Keigo , Sherman Kenneth E. , Riva Antonio , Phillips Sandra , Chokshi Shilpa , Kharbanda Kusum K. , Weinman Steven , Ganesan Murali 
Published: January 2022

AbstractProgression of chronic infections to end‐stage diseases and poor treatment results are frequently associated with alcohol abuse. Alcohol metabolism suppresses innate and adaptive immunity leading to increased viral load and its spread. In case of hepatotropic infections, viruses accelerate alcohol‐induced hepatitis and liver fibrosis, thereby promoting end‐stage outcomes, including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this review, we concentrate on several unexplored aspects of these phenomena, which illustrate the combined effects of viral/bacterial infections and alcohol in disease development. We review alcohol‐induced alterations implicated in immunometabolism as a central mechanism impacting metabolic homeostasis and viral pathogenesis in Simian immunodeficiency virus/human immunodeficiency virus infection. Furthermore, in hepatocytes, both HIV infection and alcohol activate oxidative stress to cause lysosomal dysfunction and leakage and apoptotic cell death, thereby increasing hepatotoxicity. In addition, we discuss the mechanisms of hepatocellular carcinoma and tumor signaling in hepatitis C virus infection. Finally, we analyze studies that review and describe the immune derangements in hepatotropic viral infections focusing on the development of novel targets and strategies to restore effective immunocompetency in alcohol‐associated liver disease. In conclusion, alcohol exacerbates the pathogenesis of viral infections, contributing to a chronic course and poor outcomes, but the mechanisms behind these events are virus specific and depend on virus–alcohol interactions, which differ among the various infections.
Lived experience of parents and carers of people receiving services in rural areas under the National Disability Insurance Scheme
Authors: Prowse Alexandra , Wolfgang Rebecca , Little Alexandra , Wakely Katrina , Wakely Luke 
Published: January 2022

AbstractObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to investigate the lived experience of parenting or caring for a person with a disability receiving services under the National Disability Insurance Scheme in rural Australia.DesignQualitative study guided by the phenomenology of practice.SettingRural areas of New South Wales (MM 3‐7).ParticipantsParticipants were 5 parents and one carer of people receiving National Disability Insurance Scheme services who resided in rural New South Wales.DesignParticipants engaged in a semi‐structured interview about their lived experiences caring for someone accessing services under the National Disability Insurance Scheme in rural New South Wales. Interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically.ResultsThree themes emerged from the data analysis. ‘More than a disability’ described the absence of understanding of family and carer challenges when National Disability Insurance Scheme plans were designed and implemented. ‘Fighting for funding and services’ described that while the National Disability Insurance Scheme increased funding support, parents and carers experienced limited support navigating the National Disability Insurance Scheme. ‘Cold as Ice’ encompassed parents' and carers' descriptions of their relationship with National Disability Insurance Scheme staff. These challenges were further impacted by the limited choice and availability of health service providers in rural areas.ConclusionParticipants felt that the National Disability Insurance Scheme had created additional stress and confusion in their lives and at times had hindered the achievement of the goals of their family member with a disability. The voices of parents and carers is a critical one, and it is essential that rural parents' and carers' needs are considered and supported in future planning of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Retinal nerve fibre layer thickness in association with gamma zone width and disc‐fovea distance
Authors: Jonas Jost B. , Yan Yan Ni , Zhang Qi , Zhang Qing , Wei Wen Bin , Jonas Rahul A. , Wang Ya Xing 
Published: January 2022

AbstractPurposePrevious studies have shown that the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness as surrogate of the optic nerve decreases with longer axial length. We explored which explanatory parameters might explain that association.MethodsParticipants of the population‐based Beijing Eye Study 2011 without any retinal or optic nerve disease were selected based on a refractive error‐based stratified randomization.ResultsThe study included of 632 participants (age: 59.1 ± 7.3 years; axial length: 23.5 ± 1.2 mm; range: 20.88–28.68 mm). Thicker RNFL (mean: 101.0 ± 10.0 μm) was associated (multivariable analysis) with smaller parapapillary gamma zone (defined as Bruch's membrane‐free parapapillary region) (standardized regression coefficient beta: −0.13; non‐stadardized regression coefficient B: −0.008; 95% confidence interval (CI): −0.014, −0.003; p = 0.005) and shorter disc‐fovea distance (beta: −0.15; B: −3.91; 95% CI: −6.60; −1.22; p = 0.004), after adjusting for age (beta: −0.22; B: −030; 95% CI: −0.41, −0.19; p < 0.001), gender (beta: 0.12; B: 2.37; 95% CI 0.77, 3.97; p = 0.004) and larger optic disc area (beta: 0.12; B: 0.12; 95% CI: 2.14; 95% CI: 0.54, 3.73; p = 0.009). RNFL thickness decreased by 8 μm (95% CI: 3, 14) for each mm increase in gamma zone width, and by 3.91 μm (95% CI: 1.22, 6.60) for each mm elongation of the disc‐fovea distance. If disc‐fovea distance and gamma zone width were replaced by axial length, the latter was correlated with RNFL thickness (beta: −0.37; B: −3.12; 95% CI: −3.88, −2.35; p < 0.001). Longer disc‐fovea distance was directly associated with larger gamma zone (beta: 0.50; B: p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe RNFL thickness decrease with longer axial length is associated with a longer optic disc‐fovea distance and larger parapapillary gamma zone. Longer disc‐fovea distance and larger gamma zone lead to an elongation and stretching of the retinal nerve fibres, potentially causing a thinning or loss of the nerve fibres. It may explain the occurrence of visual field defects in some non‐glaucomatous highly myopic eyes without macular correlates of the perimetric defects.
Renal function after withdrawal of lithium
Authors: Hoekstra Rocco , Lekkerkerker Marius N. , Kuijper Tjallingius M. , Bosch Tessa M. , van Alphen Arjan M. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractObjectivesPatients on chronic lithium therapy sometimes develop chronic kidney disease. For clinical decision–making, it is important to know whether discontinuation of lithium can lead to improvement of renal function. We studied the trajectory of renal function in a population previously on chronic lithium therapy.MethodsFrom a large database of patients on chronic lithium therapy, we selected a group of patients who stopped using lithium and whose creatinine values at least half a year after lithium withdrawal were available. We measured the slope of renal function (eGFR) before and after discontinuation of lithium. We compared the subgroup of patients with improvement of the renal function with those who showed further deterioration of the eGFR.ResultseGFR slope significantly improved after discontinuation of lithium. Of patients with chronic kidney disease stage 3 or more (eGFR<60 ml/min), the vast majority showed an increase of eGFR or a decrease in the rate of decline after lithium withdrawal. The group of patients with further deterioration of the renal function had a mean eGFR of 32 ml/min, which was significantly lower than the patients with an improvement of the kidney function.ConclusionsDiscontinuation of lithium leads in the majority of patients to improvement in renal function or at least less rapid deterioration.
BNT162b2 mRNA COVID‐19 vaccine booster induces seroconversion in patients with B‐cell non‐Hodgkin lymphoma who failed to respond to two prior vaccine doses
Authors: Avivi Irit , Luttwak Efrat , Saiag Esther , Halperin Tami , Haberman Shira , Sarig Ariel , Levi Sivan , Aharon Anat , Herishanu Yair , Perry Chava 
Published: January 2022

SummaryThis prospective study evaluated seroconversion rates in response to BNT162b2 (Pfizer‐BioNTech) COVID‐19 vaccine booster in 44 B‐cell non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (B‐NHL) patients who failed to respond to two prior doses [42 previously exposed to anti‐CD20 monoclonal antibodies (moAbs) including 13 under maintenance treatment]. Seroconversion was obtained in 29.5% of the patients. Longer time from last anti‐CD20 moAb (>6 months) and diagnosis of aggressive lymphoma compared to other, incurable B‐NHLs were associated with increased seroconversion rates (47.8% vs.10.5%, p = 0.019 and 50% vs. 17.9%, p = 0.025 respectively). Thus, seronegative patients with B‐NHL that completed anti‐CD20 therapy more than 6 months prior to the booster have greater chances to achieve seroconversion.
Can culture beat Covid‐19? Evidence that exposure to facemasks with cultural symbols increases solidarity
Authors: Perach Rotem , Limbu Maliyana 
Published: January 2022

AbstractFacemasks have become integral to everyday life. We propose that exposure to facemasks with a solidarity‐related cultural symbol can activate cultural values such as mutual trust and increase corresponding interpersonal perceptions, thereby enhancing collective resilience in the Covid‐19 pandemic. In three (two of which preregistered) studies, we examined whether exposure to facemasks with a solidarity‐related cultural symbol predicts positive interpersonal perceptions, and whether this depends on death awareness. Across studies, exposure to facemasks with a cultural symbol (either pride flag or National Health Service) increased positive interpersonal perceptions, an index of solidarity, in people for whom this symbol represents a meaningful social identity. This was found whether participants were reminded of death, a neutral experience, or a negative experience. Importantly, in Study 3, exposure to facemasks with a solidarity‐related cultural symbol (vs. surgical) led to greater increases in positive interpersonal perceptions when death awareness was high. Together, our findings suggest that wearing facemasks with a cultural symbol that relates to solidarity can be a vehicle for shaping people's personality impressions of others. Applied directions for the activation of people's social identities via facemask selection to promote collective resilience in the Covid‐19 pandemic are discussed.
Nasal administration of a probiotic assemblage in allergic rhinitis: A randomised placebo‐controlled crossover trial
Authors: Mårtensson Anders , Nordström Franziska U. , Cervin‐Hoberg Charlotte , Lindstedt Malin , Sakellariou Christina , Cervin Anders , Greiff Lennart 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackgroundTopical probiotics have been suggested as a treatment option for allergic rhinitis, as they may skew the immune response towards a beneficial type‐1 non‐allergic profile. So far observations in man have exclusively involved oral intake. The aim of this study was to examine whether a topical/nasal administration of a probiotic assemblage (PA) affects quality of life, symptoms and signs of allergic rhinitis in a nasal allergen challenge (NAC) model.MethodsIn a placebo‐controlled and crossover design, 24 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis were randomised to topical/nasal administration with a PA of Lactobacillus rhamnosus SP1, Lactobacillus paracasei 101/37 and Lactococcus lactis L1A or placebo for 3 weeks. Participants and investigators were blind to treatment allocation. The last week of each treatment period was combined with a NAC series. Efficacy variables were “Mini‐Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire” (Mini‐RQLQ), “Total Nasal Symptom Score” (TNSS), “Peak Nasal Inspiratory Flow” (PNIF) and “Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide” (FeNO). In addition, to assess whether or not the PA produced any pro‐inflammatory effect per se, soluble analytes were monitored in nasal lavage fluids. Finally, bacterial cultures, sampled using swabs from the middle nasal meatus, were assessed for the presence of the PA by MALDI‐TOF analysis.ResultsAdministration of the PA did not produce any nasal symptoms (cf. placebo). An innate immune response was discerned within the PA run (cf. baseline), but no change in nasal lavage fluid levels of cytokines/mediators was observed cf. placebo except for IL‐17/IL‐17A (a minor increase in the PA run). Administration of the PA did neither affect Mini‐RQLQ, TNSS, PNIF nor FeNO. No evidence of persistent colonization was observed.ConclusionsTopical/nasal administration of a PA comprising Lactobacillus rhamnosus SP1, Lactobacillus paracasei 101/37 and Lactococcus lactis L1A, while likely evoking a minor innate immune response yet being safe, does not affect quality of life, symptoms or signs of allergic rhinitis. Trial registration: not registered.
Corporate governance progress and the pay premium of owner CEOs: Evidence from Israel
Authors: Lauterbach Beni , Yosef Revital 
Published: January 2022

AbstractResearch Question/IssueCan progress in corporate governance trim the pay premium of owner CEOs (CEOs that are members of the control group) over professional non‐owner CEOs?Research Findings/InsightsWe examine CEO pay in 201 concentrated‐ownership companies traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange during 2008–2015 and compare it to earlier evidence from 1994 to 2001. We find that following the significant advance in Israeli corporate governance since the beginning of the 21st century, including some specific CEO pay regulation, the owner CEO pay premium dropped by almost three‐quarters, primarily in partnership‐controlled firms (firms controlled by a coalition of business partners).Theoretical/Academic ImplicationsIn some concentrated ownership firms controlling shareholders extract private benefits by appointing themselves as CEOs and receiving an excessive owner CEO pay. The problem of owner CEO pay premium appears much milder in partnership‐controlled relative to family‐controlled firms, perhaps due to the more cohesive nature of the family control group.Practitioner/Policy ImplicationsMeasures such as establishing an independent compensation committee on the board and, more directly, requiring a periodic (say, once every 3 years) approval of owner CEO pay by a majority of the minority shareholders vote are effective in cutting owner CEOs' excess pay.