bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association of Hyperferritinemia With Distinct Host Response Aberrations in Patients With Community-Acquired Pneumonia
Authors: Brands Xanthe , van Engelen Tjitske S R , de Vries Floris M C , Haak Bastiaan W , Klarenbeek Augustijn M , Kanglie Maadrika M N P , van den Berk Inge A H , Schuurman Alex R , Peters-Sengers Hessel , Otto Natasja A , Faber Daniël R , Lutter René , Scicluna Brendon P , Stoker Jaap , Prins Jan M , Joost Wiersinga W , van der Poll Tom 
Published: January 2022

Abstract

Background
Strongly elevated ferritin levels have been proposed to reflect systemic hyperinflammation in patients admitted to the intensive care unit. Knowledge of the incidence and pathophysiological implications of hyperferritinemia in patients with acute infection admitted to a non–intensive care setting is limited.

Methods
We determined the association between hyperferritinemia, defined by 2 cutoff values (500 and 250 ng/mL), and aberrations in key host response mechanisms among patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) on admission to a general hospital ward (clinicaltrials.gov NCT02928367; trialregister.nl NTR6163).

Results
Plasma ferritin levels were higher in patients with CAP (n = 174; median [interquartile ranges], 259.5 [123.1–518.3] ng/mL) than in age- and sex-matched controls without infection (n = 50; 102.8 [53.5–185.7] ng/mL); P &lt; .001); they were ≥500 ng/mL in 46 patients (26%) and ≥250 ng/mL in 90 (52%). Measurements of 26 biomarkers reflective of distinct pathophysiological domains showed that hyperferritinemia was associated with enhanced systemic inflammation, neutrophil activation, cytokine release, endothelial cell activation and dysfunction, and activation of the coagulation system. Results were robust across different cutoff values.

Conclusions
Hyperferritinemia identifies patients with CAP with a broad deregulation of various host response mechanisms implicated in the pathogenesis of sepsis. This could inform future therapeutic strategies targeting subgroups within the CAP population.
Dengue Virus Ribonucleic Acid Detection Rates in Blood Donors Correlate With Local Infection Incidences During a Dengue Outbreak in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Yun-Yuan , Lu Chi-Te , Tsai Mei-Hua , Yang Cheng-Fen , Shu Pei-Yun , Wu Chia-Wen , Chen Jen-Wei , Hung Chi-Ming , Wei Sheng-Tang , Hou Sheng-Mou , Chen Pei-Jer 
Published: January 2022

Abstract

Background
Evidence for mitigation of transfusion-transmitted dengue informed by surveillance data is lacking. In this study, we evaluated the risk of positive dengue viral (DENV) ribonucleic acid (RNA) from blood transfusions during a large outbreak in Taiwan.

Methods
Serum collected from blood donors living in districts experiencing the dengue epidemic were tested for DENV RNA using a qualitative transcription-mediated nucleic acid amplification assay (TMA). The TMA-reactive specimens were further tested for immunoglobulin (Ig)M and IgG antibodies, nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) antigen, and viral RNA by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. We estimated DENV RNA prevalence and the number of DENV infections among blood donors.

Results
A total of 4976 specimens were tested for DENV RNA, and 21 were TMA-reactive. The detection rate was 0.84 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.15–4.73), 3.36 (95% CI, 1.31–8.60), and 6.19 (95% CI, 3.14–12.17) per 1000 donors in districts where the weekly dengue incidence was 5–50, 50–200, and 200 or more per 100 000 residents, respectively. Alanine aminotransferase screening only detected 4.4% of TMA-reactive donations. A total of 143 transfusion-transmitted DENV infections probably occurred during this outbreak, accounting for 9.2 in 10 000 dengue infections.

Conclusions
Approximately 0.5%–1% of blood donations were DENV RNA positive in epidemic districts. The correlation of DENV RNA rates with dengue incidence may inform the design of effective control measures.
Can Urbanisation Improve Household Welfare? Evidence From Ethiopia
Authors: Abay Kibrom A , Tiberti Luca , Woldemichael Andinet , Mezgebo Tsega G , Endale Meron 
Published: January 2022

AbstractDespite evolving evidence that Africa is experiencing urbanisation in a different way, empirical evaluations of the welfare implications of urban-development programs in Africa remain scant. We investigate the welfare implications of recent urbanisation processes in Ethiopia using household-level longitudinal data and satellite-based nightlight intensity. We also examine the impact of urban growth on the composition of household consumption and welfare. We employ temporal and spatial variations in nightlight intensity to capture urban expansion and growth. Controlling for time-invariant unobserved heterogeneity across individuals and localities, we find that urbanisation, as measured by nightlight intensity, is associated with significant welfare improvement. We find that tripling existing average nightlight intensity in a village is associated with a 42–46% improvement in household welfare. Urbanisation is also associated with a significant increase in the share of non-food consumption, which is a good measure of overall welfare and poverty. In addition, we find significant heterogeneity in urban expansion across major towns and small towns. Urban expansion in rural areas and small towns appears more impactful than similar expansion in major cities. Finally, quantile regression results suggest that better-off households are likely to benefit more from urban expansion, which may translate into higher inequality across households or communities. Our results can inform public policy debates on the consequences and implications of urban expansion in Africa.
Abusive pricing practices by online platforms: a framework review of Article 102 TFEU for future cases
Authors: Mandrescu Daniel 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
The challenges involved in the application of Article 102 TFEU to online platforms have become the main topic of debate in the context of EU competition policy in digital markets. This debate has recently also extended to the topic of platform pricing with the complaints about the pricing strategies of Apple with respect to its App Store and it is a matter of time before similar complaints will follow with respect to other prominent platforms. Applying the current framework of price related abuses under Article 102 TFEU to the pricing practices of online platforms will, however, require adapting the respective legal tests of abuse to the commercial reality of these actors. Doing so will inevitably entail accounting for their multisided nature which would sometimes require that the assessments of abuse extend to more than one side of the platform. Furthermore, such legal assessments would also have to consider the special role played by platform pricing as a coordination tool for getting multiple types of customer groups on board with the aim of facilitating profitable interactions between them. Therefore, this article seeks to explore how the current frameworks for price-related abuses could be applied and, if needed, adapted so as to fit the commercial reality of online platforms. The aim of this effort is to provide guidance for ongoing and future cases so as to prevent legitimate pricing practices from being erroneously scrutinized as well as to prevent anti-competitive pricing practices from escaping legal scrutiny due to the intricacies of platform pricing schemes.
Evaluation of MALDI-TOF MS for Identification of Species in the Candida parapsilosis Complex from Candidiasis Cases
Authors: Samantaray Subhashree , Singh Rakesh 
Published: January 2022

Abstract

Background
Phenotypically identified Candida parapsilosis is actually a complex of 3 member species named Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto (CPSS), Candida orthopsilosis (CO), and Candida metapsilosis (CM), which can be identified only by molecular methods and automated methods such as MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (MS). This study was undertaken to evaluate the VITEK MS, which uses the principle of MALDI-TOF MS for the identification of member species of C. parapsilosis complex (CPC).

Methods
In this cross-sectional study, 126 presumptively identified and stocked isolates of CPC were included. Definite identification to species level was done by VITEK MS and PCR as the gold standard method. Clinico-demographic characters and risk factors were analyzed. Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed for fluconazole and voriconazole.

Results
Twelve isolates were not identified as CPC either by VITEK MS or PCR and hence were excluded from the analysis. Out of 114 CPC isolates, 89 (78.1%), 18 (15.8%), and 7 (6.1%) isolates were identified as CPSS, CO, and CM, respectively, by VITEK MS. PCR identified 84 (79.2%), 15 (14.2%), and 7 (6.6%) isolates as CPSS, CO, and CM, respectively. However, PCR did not detect 8 isolates of CPSS detected by VITEK MS. VITEK MS showed 95.3% agreement in species identification and showed a kappa coefficient of 0.87, which is almost perfect agreement. Predominant isolations of all 3 species were from blood. Resistance was observed more in CPSS for both the azoles.

Conclusion
MALDI-TOF MS can be used as a rapid, reliable, cost-effective method to identify the species of CPC.
A framework for employing longitudinally collected multicenter electronic health records to stratify heterogeneous patient populations on disease history
Authors: Maurits Marc P , Korsunsky Ilya , Raychaudhuri Soumya , Murphy Shawn N , Smoller Jordan W , Weiss Scott T , Petukhova Lynn M , Weng Chunhua , Wei Wei-Qi , Huizinga Thomas W J , Reinders Marcel J T , Karlson Elizabeth W , van den Akker Erik B , Knevel Rachel 
Published: January 2022

AbstractObjectiveTo facilitate patient disease subset and risk factor identification by constructing a pipeline which is generalizable, provides easily interpretable results, and allows replication by overcoming electronic health records (EHRs) batch effects.Material and MethodsWe used 1872 billing codes in EHRs of 102 880 patients from 12 healthcare systems. Using tools borrowed from single-cell omics, we mitigated center-specific batch effects and performed clustering to identify patients with highly similar medical history patterns across the various centers. Our visualization method (PheSpec) depicts the phenotypic profile of clusters, applies a novel filtering of noninformative codes (Ranked Scope Pervasion), and indicates the most distinguishing features.ResultsWe observed 114 clinically meaningful profiles, for example, linking prostate hyperplasia with cancer and diabetes with cardiovascular problems and grouping pediatric developmental disorders. Our framework identified disease subsets, exemplified by 6 “other headache” clusters, where phenotypic profiles suggested different underlying mechanisms: migraine, convulsion, injury, eye problems, joint pain, and pituitary gland disorders. Phenotypic patterns replicated well, with high correlations of ≥0.75 to an average of 6 (2–8) of the 12 different cohorts, demonstrating the consistency with which our method discovers disease history profiles.DiscussionCostly clinical research ventures should be based on solid hypotheses. We repurpose methods from single-cell omics to build these hypotheses from observational EHR data, distilling useful information from complex data.ConclusionWe establish a generalizable pipeline for the identification and replication of clinically meaningful (sub)phenotypes from widely available high-dimensional billing codes. This approach overcomes datatype problems and produces comprehensive visualizations of validation-ready phenotypes.
Will Apple devices’ passive atrial fibrillation detection prevent strokes? Estimating the proportion of high-risk actionable patients with real-world user data
Authors: Feldman Keith , Duncan Ray G , Nguyen An , Cook-Wiens Galen , Elad Yaron , Nuckols Teryl , Pevnick Joshua M 
Published: January 2022

Abstract

Objective
Utilizing integrated electronic health record (EHR) and consumer-grade wearable device data, we sought to provide real-world estimates for the proportion of wearers that would likely benefit from anticoagulation if an atrial fibrillation (AFib) diagnosis was made based on wearable device data.

Materials and Methods
This study utilized EHR and Apple Watch data from an observational cohort of 1802 patients at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center who linked devices to the EHR between April 25, 2015 and November 16, 2018. Using these data, we estimated the number of high-risk patients who would be actionable for anticoagulation based on (1) medical history, (2) Apple Watch wear patterns, and (3) AFib risk, as determined by an existing validated model.

Results
Based on the characteristics of this cohort, a mean of 0.25% (n = 4.58, 95% CI, 2.0–8.0) of patients would be candidates for new anticoagulation based on AFib identified by their Apple Watch. Using EHR data alone, we find that only approximately 36% of the 1802 patients (n = 665.93, 95% CI, 626.0–706.0) would have anticoagulation recommended even after a new AFib diagnosis.

Discussion and Conclusion
These data suggest that there is limited benefit to detect and treat AFib with anticoagulation among this cohort, but that accessing clinical and demographic data from the EHR could help target devices to the patients with the highest potential for benefit. Future research may analyze this relationship at other sites and among other wearable users, including among those who have not linked devices to their EHR.
Chatbot use cases in the Covid-19 public health response
Authors: Amiri Parham , Karahanna Elena 
Published: January 2022

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo identify chatbot use cases deployed for public health response activities during the Covid-19 pandemic.Material and MethodsWe searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Knowledge, and Google Scholar in October 2020 and performed a follow-up search in July 2021. We screened articles based on their abstracts and keywords in their text, reviewed potentially relevant articles, and screened their references to (a) assess whether the article met inclusion criteria and (b) identify additional articles. Chatbots, their use cases, and chatbot design characteristics were extracted from the articles and information from other sources and by accessing those chatbots that were publicly accessible.ResultsOur search returned 3334 articles, 61 articles met our inclusion criteria, and 61 chatbots deployed in 30 countries were identified. We categorized chatbots based on their public health response use case(s) and design. Six categories of public health response use cases emerged comprising 15 distinct use cases: risk assessment, information dissemination, surveillance, post-Covid eligibility screening, distributed coordination, and vaccine scheduler. Design-wise, chatbots were relatively simple, implemented using decision-tree structures and predetermined response options, and focused on a narrow set of simple tasks, presumably due to need for quick deployment.ConclusionChatbots’ scalability, wide accessibility, ease of use, and fast information dissemination provide complementary functionality that augments public health workers in public health response activities, addressing capacity constraints, social distancing requirements, and misinformation. Additional use cases, more sophisticated chatbot designs, and opportunities for synergies in chatbot development should be explored.
Nomos and Narrative in International Criminal Justice
Authors: Gissel Line Engbo 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
This article grounds contemporary contestations over the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the constitutive moment of the 1990s, when the Court was a global idea that took shape around a set of key concepts and related understandings of world order. It studies the positions communicated by 129 states during the negotiations of ICC establishment, applying Robert Cover’s narrative law and its pluralist notion of legal meaning to a systematic content analysis. Contrary to the founding ‘epic’ of ICC creation, which centres on the Like-Minded Group and its Others, the analysis identifies two competing and fairly coherent visions for the ICC: A compulsory and a consensual vision. Both aim to build an effective and independent Court, but understand these terms differently and consequently envisage different ICC regimes. The consensual vision has rarely been analysed, but is typically portrayed as the scattered ideas of an undecided majority. Given the Court’s profound lack of universality, however, it is useful to revisit the ideas that animated a large share of international society.
Advanced Visualization of Intrusions in Flows by Means of Beta-Hebbian Learning
Authors: Quintián Héctor , Jove Esteban , Casteleiro-Roca José-Luis , Urda Daniel , Arroyo Ángel , Luis Calvo-Rolle José , Herrero Álvaro , Corchado Emilio 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Detecting intrusions in large networks is a highly demanding task. In order to reduce the computation demand of analysing every single packet travelling along one of such networks, some years ago flows were proposed as a way of summarizing traffic information. Very few research works have addressed intrusion detection in flows from a visualizations perspective. In order to bridge this gap, the present paper proposes the application of a novel projection method (Beta Hebbian Learning) under this framework. With the aim to validate this method, 8 traffic segments, containing many flows, have been analysed by means of this projection method. The promising results obtained for these segments, extracted from the University of Twente dataset, validate the proposed application.
Investigating growth models with linearization domain analysis and residual analysis
Authors: Marek Jaroslav , Pozdílková Alena , Kupka Libor 
Published: January 2022

AbstractGrowth modelling is of interest to scientists in various disciplines. In our article, we will collect 17 models designed for growth modelling, appraise these models and contribute to the discussion of their applicability. The merit of the paper lies in studying the convergence properties of nonlinear regression in selected models. Our studies will be performed mainly concerning the quality of the obtained estimates, which are closely related to the intrinsic curvature of the model according to Bates and Watts. This curvature determines the size of the linearization domains. Only if the initial solution is in this domain, then the convergence of the estimate in nonlinear regression is guaranteed. The primary goal is to design a methodology for selecting a growth model. We will demonstrate fruitfulness of our methodology on the weight measurements of 10 calves under 25 months of age from cowsheds in the village Záluží in the Czech Republic. Estimated parameters of growth curves, sizes of linearization domain, calculated residues and coefficients of determination indices will be the subject of discussion.
Identification and Pathogenicity of a New Entomopathogenic Fungus, Mucor hiemalis (Mucorales: Mucorales), on the Root Maggot, Bradysia odoriphaga (Diptera: Sciaridae)
Authors: Zhu Guodong , Ding Wenjuan , Xue Ming , Zhao Yongfei , Li Mingzhu , Li Zizheng 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Bradysia odoriphaga Yang and Zhang (Diptera: Sciaridae), the Chinese chive root maggot, is a destructive pest of Allium vegetables and flowers that causes severe losses in northern China. Novel biological control technologies are needed for controlling this pest. We identified a new entomopathogenic fungus isolated from infected B. odoriphaga larvae and evaluated the susceptibility of the biological stages of B. odoriphaga and the effects of temperature on fungus growth and pathogenicity. Based on morphological characteristics and molecular phylogeny, the fungus was identified as Mucor hiemalis BO-1 (Mucorales: Mucorales). This fungus had the strongest virulence to B. odoriphaga larvae followed by eggs and pupae, while B. odoriphaga adults were not susceptible. A temperature range of 18–28°C was optimum for the growth and sporulation of M. hiemalis BO-1 and virulence to B. odoriphaga larvae. At 3 and 5 d after inoculation with 105 spores/ml at 23°C, the survival rates were 24.8% and 4.8% (2nd instar larvae), respectively, and 49.6% and 12.8% (4th instar larvae), respectively. The potted plant trials confirmed that M. hiemalis BO-1 exerted excellent control efficiency against B. odoriphaga larvae, and the control exceeded 80% within 5 d when the spore concentration applied exceeded 107 spores/ml. In conclusion, these findings supported the hypotheses that this fungus could serve as an effective control agent against B. odoriphaga larvae and is worth being further tested to determine its full potential as a biocontrol agent.
A preliminary study on the detection of lymph node metastasis in cervical cancer using a quantitative RT-PCR assay
Authors: Togami Shinichi , Fukuda Mika , Yanazume Shintaro , Kamio Masaki , Kobayashi Hiroaki 
Published: January 2022

Abstract

Objective
This preliminary study aimed to assess the detection accuracy of sentinel lymph node metastasis in cervical cancer using quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.

Methods
We collected cervical cancer tissues and 70 pelvic lymph node samples from patients with cervical cancer. The quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assay was performed to investigate the expression of cytokeratin 19 mRNA in cervical cancer tissues and determine the cutoff value of cytokeratin 19 mRNA between the non-metastatic and metastatic lymph nodes.

Results
The expression of cytokeratin 19 mRNA in cancer tissues was detected in all (71/71) the tumours, with a median copy number of 7.56 × 105/μl of RNA by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Sixteen lymph nodes were diagnosed as positive by pathological examination. The median copy numbers of cytokeratin 19 mRNA for positive and negative lymph nodes were 43.3 × 104/μl and 121.1/μl, respectively. The expression of cytokeratin 19 mRNA in pathologically positive lymph nodes was higher than that in the negative lymph nodes (P &lt; 0.0001) by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis. Using a receiver operating characteristic plot, the maximum sensitivity (100%) and specificity (94.4%) were obtained when the cutoff value was set at 1169 copies/μl.

Conclusions
After setting the cutoff value at 1169 copies/μl, a quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assay using cytokeratin 19 mRNA showed high accuracy in detecting lymph node metastasis in cervical cancer. We believe that the quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assay using cytokeratin 19 mRNA may be acceptable for lymph node metastasis detection in patients with cervical cancer.
Racialized Burdens: Applying Racialized Organization Theory to the Administrative State
Authors: Ray Victor , Herd Pamela , Moynihan Donald 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThis article develops the concept of racialized burdens as a means of examining the role of race in administrative practice. Racialized burdens are the experience of learning, compliance and psychological costs that serve as inequality reproducing mechanisms. To develop this concept, we examine administrative burdens in the US state from the theoretical perspective of racialized organizations. Using examples from attempts to access citizenship rights—via immigration, voting and the social safety net—we illustrate some key points. First, racialized burdens combine control of access to resources and ideas about racial groups in ways that typically disadvantage racially marginalized groups. Second, while still promising fair and equal treatment, racially disproportionate burdens can be laundered through facially neutral rules and via claims that burdens are necessary for unrelated reasons. Third, racialized burdens emerge when more explicit forms of racial bias in policies or administrative practices become illegal, politically untenable or culturally unacceptable. Racialized burdens neatly carry out the “how” in the production of racial inequality while concealing, or providing an alibi for, the “why.”