bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Moderate and Higher Protein Intakes Promote Superior Body Recomposition in Older Women Performing Resistance Training
Authors: RIBEIRO ALEX S. , PEREIRA LUIZ C. , SCHOENFELD BRAD J. , NUNES JOÃO PEDRO , KASSIANO WITALO , NABUCO HELLEN C. G. , SUGIHARA JUNIOR PAULO , FERNANDES RODRIGO R. , ANTUNES MELISSA , AGUIAR ANDREO F. , CYRINO EDILSON S. 
Published: January 2022

ABSTRACT

Purpose
Resistance training (RT) combined with appropriate dietary intake can promote a concomitant increase in skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and reduction in fat mass, a condition termed body recomposition. This study’s primary purpose was to explore the effects of protein ingestion on body recomposition after 24 wk of RT in older women.

Methods
Data from 130 untrained older women (68.7 ± 5.6 yr, 66.5 ± 11.5 kg, 155.5 ± 6.0 cm, and 27.4 ± 4.0 kg·m−2) across six studies were retrospectively analyzed. The participants were divided into tertiles according to their customary protein intake (g·kg−1·d−1): lower (LP; n = 45), moderate (MP; n = 42), and higher (HP; n = 43) protein intake. Participants performed a whole-body RT program carried out over 24 wk (eight exercises, three sets, 8–15 repetitions, three sessions a week). SMM and fat mass were determined by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry.

Results
All groups increased SMM from baseline (P < 0.05), with the HP and MP groups showing greater increases than the LP group (LP, 2.3%; MP, 5.4%; and HP, 5.1%; P < 0.05). Reductions in fat mass were similar for all three groups (LP, 1.7%; MP, 3.7%; and HP, 3.1%; P > 0.05). The composite z-score of the percentage changes from pretraining to posttraining indicated greater positive body recomposition values for HP and MP compared with LP (P < 0.05).

Conclusions
Results suggest that protein intake is a moderating variable for body recomposition in older women undergoing RT, with a low protein intake having a less favorable effect on body recomposition.
Long-Term Adaptations in the Squat, Bench Press, and Deadlift: Assessing Strength Gain in Powerlifting Athletes
Authors: LATELLA CHRISTOPHER , OWEN PATRICK J. , DAVIES TIMOTHY , SPATHIS JEMIMA , MALLARD ALISTAIR , VAN DEN HOEK DANIEL 
Published: January 2022

ABSTRACT

Purpose
Understanding strength changes with resistance training is important in human performance. It also enables better understanding into the expected magnitude of strength increase and factors that influence this change over time.

Methods
Squat, bench press, and deadlift scores were collated from 407 powerlifting meets (n = 1896 unique competitors: ~625 females, ~1270 males) between 2003 and 2018. Absolute (in kilograms) and relative starting strength (in kilograms per body weight) for each lift type was expressed for both sexes. Maximum and overall strength gain per day and per year (in kilograms) was calculated by comparing first and final, or maximum scores for each lift, respectively, and considered based on strength quartile classification. Paired and independent t-tests compared strength changes from baseline and between sexes. One-way ANOVAs compared strength changes between quartiles. Pearson correlations assessed relationships between strength changes over time, and baseline strength, number of competitions, and total days competing.

Results
Maximum strength adaptations were greater for squat (20.2–25.4 kg·yr−1) and deadlift (18.1–21.1 kg·yr−1) compared with bench press (10.5–12.8 kg·yr−1, P ≤ 0.001). However, the change in absolute (all lifts: P = 0.247–0.379) and relative strength (all lifts: P = 0.641–0.821) did not differ between sexes. For females, maximum strength gain per day did not differ by quartile (all lifts: P = 0.091–0.746), nor did overall strength gain per day (P = 0.151–0.575). Conversely, males in the fourth quartile generally displayed lower maximum and overall strength gain per day.

Conclusions
These findings show differences in strength gain between upper- and lower-body lifts, but not sex differences in the change in strength. In line with previous research, the strongest males likely gain strength more slowly than weaker counterparts. Professionals should consider this information in the training, assessment, and long-term benchmarking of athletes whose sports require a focus on muscular strength.
Frequency and intensity of [18F]-PSMA-1007 uptake after COVID-19 vaccination in clinical PET
Authors: Maurer Alexander , Schiesser Helen , Skawran Stephan , Gennari Antonio G. , Dittli Manuel , Burger Irene A. , Mader Cäcilia , Berger Christoph , Eberli Daniel , Huellner Martin W. , Messerli Michael 
Published: January 2022

Objectives: To assess the frequency and intensity of [18F]-prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-1007 axillary uptake in lymph nodes ipsilateral to COVID-19 vaccination with BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) or mRNA-1273 (Moderna) in patients with prostate cancer referred for oncological [18F]-PSMA positron emission tomography (PET)/CT or PET/MR imaging. Methods: 126 patients undergoing [18F]-PSMA PET/CT or PET/MR imaging were retrospectively included. [18F]-PSMA activity (maximum standardized uptake value) of ipsilateral axillary lymph nodes was measured and compared with the non-vaccinated contralateral side and with a non-vaccinated negative control group. [18F]-PSMA active lymph node metastases were measured to serve as quantitative reference. Results: There was a significant difference in maximum standardized uptake value in ipsilateral and compared to contralateral axillary lymph nodes in the vaccination group (n = 63, p < 0.001) and no such difference in the non-vaccinated control group (n = 63, p = 0.379). Vaccinated patients showed mildly increased axillary lymph node [18F]-PSMA uptake as compared to non-vaccinated patients (p = 0.03). [18F]-PSMA activity of of lymph node metastases was significantly higher (p < 0.001) compared to axillary lymph nodes of vaccinated patients. Conclusion: Our data suggest mildly increased [18F]-PSMA uptake after COVID-19 vaccination in ipsilateral axillary lymph nodes. However, given the significantly higher [18F]-PSMA uptake of prostatic lymph node metastases compared to “reactive” nodes after COVID-19 vaccination, no therapeutic and diagnostic dilemma is to be expected. Advances in knowledge: No specific preparations or precautions (e.g. adaption of vaccination scheduling) need to be undertaken in patients undergoing [18F]-PSMA PET imaging after COVID-19 vaccination.
Optimization of activities for the education of personnel of the internal affairs bodies of the Russian Federation on the basis of a personality-oriented approach
Authors: Kutyepova Marina 
Published: January 2022

The article deals with optimization of activities for the education of personnel of the internal affairs bodies of the Russian Federation. In the internal affairs bodies of the Russian Federation, special attention is traditionally paid to the education of employees. At the same time, the process of education is distinguished by its special content, forms and methods, and its main meaning is to improve the performance of personnel in solving professional problems. The purpose of this work is to consider the features of the implementation of a personality-oriented approach in the process of educating employees of the RF Internal Affairs Department. Subject of the research: features of the application of an individual, personality-oriented approach in the education of employees of the RF Internal Affairs Directorate. The object of the research is the directions of optimization of activities for the education of the personnel of the internal affairs bodies. The article discusses the results of an expert survey of managers and employees of various levels of educational work units (Moscow region, Smolensk region, Lipetsk region, Republic of Sakha). 36 people were respondents.
It should be emphasized that a personality-oriented educational impact should have the ultimate goal of a comprehensive and holistic personal development of employees of internal affairs bodies, preparing them for better and more efficient performance of official and official duties.
MAD Dispersion Measure Makes Extremal Queue Analysis Simple
Authors: van Eekelen Wouter , den Hertog Dick , van Leeuwaarden Johan S.H. 
Published: January 2022

A notorious problem in queueing theory is to compute the worst possible performance of the GI/G/1 queue under mean-dispersion constraints for the interarrival- and service-time distributions. We address this extremal queue problem by measuring dispersion in terms of mean absolute deviation (MAD) instead of the more conventional variance, making available methods for distribution-free analysis. Combined with random walk theory, we obtain explicit expressions for the extremal interarrival- and service-time distributions and, hence, the best possible upper bounds for all moments of the waiting time. We also obtain tight lower bounds that, together with the upper bounds, provide robust performance intervals. We show that all bounds are computationally tractable and remain sharp also when the mean and MAD are not known precisely but are estimated based on available data instead. Summary of Contribution: Queueing theory is a classic OR topic with a central role for the GI/G/1 queue. Although this queueing system is conceptually simple, it is notoriously hard to determine the worst-case expected waiting time when only knowing the first two moments of the interarrival- and service-time distributions. In this setting, the exact form of the extremal distribution can only be determined numerically as the solution to a nonconvex nonlinear optimization problem. Our paper demonstrates that using mean absolute deviation (MAD) instead of variance alleviates the computational intractability of the extremal GI/G/1 queue problem, enabling us to state the worst-case distributions explicitly.
Online Learning and Optimization for Revenue Management Problems with Add-on Discounts
Authors: Simchi-Levi David , Sun Rui , Zhang Huanan 
Published: January 2022

We study in this paper a revenue-management problem with add-on discounts. The problem is motivated by the practice in the video game industry by which a retailer offers discounts on selected supportive products (e.g., video games) to customers who have also purchased the core products (e.g., video game consoles). We formulate this problem as an optimization problem to determine the prices of different products and the selection of products for add-on discounts. In the base model, we focus on an independent demand structure. To overcome the computational challenge of this optimization problem, we propose an efficient fully polynomial-time approximation scheme (FPTAS) algorithm that solves the problem approximately to any desired accuracy. Moreover, we consider the problem in the setting in which the retailer has no prior knowledge of the demand functions of different products. To solve this joint learning and optimization problem, we propose an upper confidence bound–based learning algorithm that uses the FPTAS optimization algorithm as a subroutine. We show that our learning algorithm can converge to the optimal algorithm that has access to the true demand functions, and the convergence rate is tight up to a certain logarithmic term. We further show that these results for the independent demand model can be extended to multinomial logit choice models. In addition, we conduct numerical experiments with the real-world transaction data we collect from a popular video gaming brand’s online store on Tmall.com. The experiment results illustrate our learning algorithm’s robust performance and fast convergence in various scenarios. We also compare our algorithm with the optimal policy that does not use any add-on discount. The comparison results show the advantages of using the add-on discount strategy in practice. This paper was accepted by J. George Shanthikumar, big data analytics.
Digitization, Prediction, and Market Efficiency: Evidence from Book Publishing Deals
Authors: Peukert Christian , Reimers Imke 
Published: January 2022

Digitization has given creators direct access to consumers as well as a plethora of new data for suppliers of new products to draw on. We study how this affects market efficiency in the context of book publishing. Using data on about 50,000 license deals over more than 10 years, we identify the effects of digitization from quasi-experimental variation across book types. Consistent with digitization generating additional information for predicting product appeal, we show that the size of license payments more accurately reflects a product’s ex post success, and more so for publishers that invest more in data analytics. These effects cannot be fully explained by changes in bargaining power or in demand. We estimate that efficiency gains are worth between 10% and 18% of publishers’ total investments in book deals. Thus, digitization can have large impacts on the allocation of resources across products of varying qualities in markets in which product appeal has traditionally been difficult to predict ex ante. This paper was accepted by Joshua Gans, business strategy.
Impedance-derived phase angle is associated with muscle mass, strength, quality of life, and clinical outcomes in maintenance hemodialysis patients
Authors: Kang Seok Hui , Do Jun Young , Kim Jun Chul 
Published: January 2022

Introduction
We aimed to evaluate the association between the phase angle and muscle mass, muscle strength, physical performance tests, quality-of-life scales, mood scales, or patient and hospitalization-free survival rates in hemodialysis (HD) patients.

Methods
We included 83 HD patients. The patients were divided into tertiles based on phase angle value. The phase angle was measured using a bioimpedance analysis machine. Thigh muscle area per height squared (TMA/Ht2), handgrip strength (HGS), nutritional indicators, physical performance, quality-of-life, depression or anxiety status, and the presence of hospitalization or death regardless of cause were evaluated.

Results
In our study, no significant differences were observed in the serum albumin level and body mass index according to tertiles of phase angle. The phase angle tertiles were associated with TMA/Ht2 and HGS. The phase angle was also associated with physical performance measurements and depression or anxiety status. Subgroup analyses according to sex, age, and diabetes mellitus showed similar trends to those of the total cohort. Furthermore, the hospitalization-free survival rate and patient survival rate were favorable in patients with high values for the phase angle.

Conclusion
The present study demonstrated that the phase angle is associated with muscle mass, strength, physical performance, quality-of-life scale, and hospitalization-free survival in maintenance HD patients.
Conspiracy beliefs and vaccination intent for COVID-19 in an infodemic
Authors: Ghaddar Ali , Khandaqji Sanaa , Awad Zeinab , Kansoun Rawad 
Published: January 2022

BackgroundThe massive, free and unrestricted exchange of information on the social media during the Covid-19 pandemic has set fertile grounds for fear, uncertainty and the rise of fake news related to the virus. This “viral” spread of fake news created an “infodemic” that threatened the compliance with public health guidelines and recommendations.ObjectiveThis study aims to describe the trust in social media platforms and the exposure to fake news about COVID-19 in Lebanon and to explore their association with vaccination intent.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study conducted in Lebanon during July–August, 2020, a random sample of 1052 participants selected from a mobile-phone database responded to an anonymous structured questionnaire after obtaining informed consent (response rate = 40%). The questionnaire was conducted by telephone and measured socio-demographics, sources and trust in sources of information and exposure to fake news, social media activity, perceived threat and vaccination intent.ResultsResults indicated that the majority of participants (82%) believed that COVID-19 is a threat and 52% had intention to vaccinate. Exposure to fake/ unverified news was high (19.7% were often and 63.8% were sometimes exposed, mainly to fake news shared through Watsapp and Facebook). Trust in certain information sources (WHO, MoPH and TV) increased while trust in others (Watsapp, Facebook) reduced vaccination intent against Covid-19. Believing in the man-made theory and the business control theory significantly reduced the likelihood of vaccination intent (Beta = 0.43; p = 0.01 and Beta = -0.29; p = 0.05) respectively.ConclusionIn the context of the infodemic, understanding the role of exposure to fake news and of conspiracy believes in shaping healthy behavior is important for increasing vaccination intent and planning adequate response to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic.
Patient’s experience with the Arabin cervical pessary during pregnancy: A questionnaire survey
Authors: Seravalli Viola , Strambi Noemi , D’Arienzo Alessandra , Magni Francesco , Bernardi Ludovico , Morucchio Anna , Di Tommaso Mariarosaria 
Published: January 2022

IntroductionThe cervical pessary is used in women with precocious cervical ripening to prevent preterm birth. Up to now however, there have been no systematic studies on compliance and tolerance, which vary among different study cohorts.Material and methodsA questionnaire was administered to 166 women treated with the Arabin cervical pessary in one center. Data were analysed about the patient’s experience before insertion (adequacy of information received), during treatment (follow-up, impact on daily life, perceived discomfort, side effects) and at the time of removal (pain, if the patient’s expectations had been met regarding the treatment).ResultsInformation received before the insertion of the Arabin cervical pessary was considered adequate in 163/166 (98.2%) women. An increase in vaginal discharge was experienced by 70/166 (42.2%) women. Discomfort or other side effects were reported in 13.8% and 16.3% of cases, respectively. Overall, 77% of women reported an improved quality of life and 94% considered the follow-up during pregnancy adequate. Removal was moderately painful for 58/166 (35%) of women. Patient’s expectations regarding the treatment were exceeded in the majority of cases (75.3%). In a final step, we compared our results to previous studies regarding the use of the pessary in singleton and twin pregnancies.ConclusionAlthough some trials report high rates of non-compliant patients, this could not be confirmed by our study. In contrast, most women reported having a positive experience and that they were motivated to continue the treatment when they were continuously followed by experienced clinicians.
Changes in cannabis policy and prevalence of recreational cannabis use among adolescents and young adults in Europe—An interrupted time-series analysis
Authors: Gabri Alexander Carl , Galanti Maria Rosaria , Orsini Nicola , Magnusson Cecilia 
Published: January 2022

Background
Cannabis policy varies greatly across European countries, but evidence of how such policy impacts on recreational cannabis use among young people is conflicting. This study aimed to clarify this association by investigating how changes in cannabis legislation influenced cannabis use.

Methods
Available data on self-reports of recreational cannabis use among individuals aged 15–34 years was retrieved from EMCDDA. Information on cannabis policy changes was categorized as more lenient (decriminalisation or depenalisation) or stricter (criminalisation, penalisation). Countries that had implemented changes in cannabis legislation or had information on prevalence of use for at least eight calendar years, were eligible for inclusion. We used interrupted time-series linear models to investigate changes in country-specific trajectories of prevalence over calendar time and in relation to policy changes.

Results
Data from Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden and United Kingdom, for 1994–2017 was available for analyses. Cannabis use varied considerably over the study period and between countries. On average, use was stable or weakly increasing in countries where legislation was not changed or changed at the extremes of the study period (+0.08 percent per year [95% CI -0.01, 0.17 percent]). In contrast, the pooled average use decreased after changes in legislation, regardless of whether it had become more lenient (-0.22 [-1.21, 0.77]) or stricter (-0.44 [-0.91, 0.03]).

Conclusions
Our findings do not support any considerable impact of cannabis legislation on the prevalence of recreational cannabis use among youth and young adults in Europe.
Adolescent fertility and its determinants in Kenya: Evidence from Kenya demographic and health survey 2014
Authors: Monari Naomi , Orwa James , Agwanda Alfred 
Published: January 2022

Background
Adolescent fertility in Kenya is vital in the development and execution of reproductive health policies and programs. One of the specific objectives of the Kenyan Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health (ASRH) policy developed in 2015 is to decrease early and unintended pregnancies in an attempt to reduce adolescent fertility. We aimed to establish determinants of adolescent fertility in Kenya.

Methods
The Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) 2014 data set was utilized. Adolescent’s number of children ever born was the dependent variable. The Chi-square test was utilized to determine the relationship between dependent and independent variables. A Proportional-odds model was performed to establish determinants of adolescent fertility at a 5% significance level.

Results
Over 40% of the adolescent girls who had sex below 17 years had given birth i.e, current age 15–17 years (40.9%) and <15 years (44.9%) had given birth. In addition, 70.7% of the married adolescents had given birth compared to 8.1% of the unmarried adolescents. Moreover, 65.1% of the adolescents who were using contraceptives had given birth compared to only 9% of the adolescents who were not using a contraceptive. Approximately 29.4% of the adolescents who had no education had given birth compared to 9.1% who had attained secondary education. Age at first sex (18–19 years: OR: 0.221, 95% CI: 0.124–0.392; 15–17 years: OR: 0.530, 95% CI: 0.379–0.742), current age (18–19 years: OR: 4.727, 95% CI: 3.318–6.733), current marital status (Not married: OR:0.212, 95% CI: 0.150–4.780), and current contraceptive use (Using: OR 3.138, 95% CI: 2.257–4.362) were associated with adolescent fertility.

Conclusion
The study established that age at first sex, current age, marital status, and contraceptive use are the main determinants of adolescent childbearing. The stated determinants should be targeted by the government to control the adolescent birth rate in Kenya. Consequently, delaying the age at first sex, discouraging adolescent marriage, and increasing secondary school enrollment among adolescent girls are recommended strategies to control adolescent fertility in Kenya.