bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal cardiac remodeling in collegiate American football players as assessed by echocardiography during their collegiate career
Authors: Hamburger Robert F. , Taha Yasmeen , Ruzieh Mohammed , Clugston James R. , Handberg Eileen M. , Reifsteck Fred , Martinez Matthew W. , Pepine Carl J. , Edenfield Katherine M.
Published: August 2023

Background

Studies on the longitudinal effects of intense physical training on cardiac remodeling are limited, especially in American collegiate football players.

Hypothesis

College‐level American football training will result in remodeling in a pattern consistent of a sport with moderate static and dynamic demands with increases in both wall and chamber sizes.

Methods

We studied 85 American collegiate football players who underwent transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) for asymptomatic or mild COVID‐19‐related illness and compared the changes in echo dimensions to their preparticipation screening TTE. Pre‐ and posttraining variables were compared using a paired t‐test for normally distributed variables.

Results

Mean age was 19 years ± 1 and 61% of athletes were Black. Mean follow‐up between TTEs was 21 ± 13 months. There was an increase in left atrial volume index (26.4 ± 5.5 to 32.8 ± 8.4 mL/m2, p < .001), LV end diastolic diameter (5.13 ± 0.4 to 5.27 ± 0.4 cm, p = .003), basal RV diameter (3.28 ± 0.7 to 3.83 ± 0.5 cm, p = <.001), LV mass index (86.7 ± 15.3 to 90.1 ± 15.3, p = .015), and aortic root diameter (3.1 ± 0.4 to 3.2 ± 0.3 cm, p = .03) from pre‐ to posttraining, with a slightly greater magnitude in athletes with >2 years of training. Presence of left atrial enlargement (≥35 mL/m2) increased from 2.9% to 29% pre‐ to postparticipation in athletes with >2 years training. No significant changes in wall thickness, diastolic function, or right ventricular systolic function were observed.

Conclusion

American football players college‐level training was associated with increases in left and right ventricular chamber sizes, left atrial size, and aortic root diameter.
Less major bleeding and higher hemoglobin after left atrial appendage closure in high‐risk patients: Data from a long‐term, longitudinal, two‐center observational study
Authors: Schach Christian , Reitschuster Raphael , Benedikt Dennis , Füssl Elias , Debl Kurt , Maier Lars S. , Luchner Andreas
Published: August 2023

Background

Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) is a mechanical alternative for stroke prevention in patients at risk who cannot tolerate oral anticoagulation (OAC).

Hypothesis

Our hypothesis was that the reduction of anticoagulation following LAAC results in a decrease of bleeding events and a rise in serum hemoglobin in a high‐risk collective of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods

Bleeding events, use of erythrocyte concentrates, anticoagulation, embolic events, and serum hemoglobin levels before and following LAAC were compared over more than 4 years.

Results

Seventy‐five patients (CHA₂DS₂‐VASc score 4.4 ± 1.7, HAS‐BLED score 4.6 ± 1.1) were analyzed. Before LAAC (observation period 1.8 ± 1.8 years), 67 patients experienced 1.8 ± 1.4 bleeding events (0.9 ± 1.3 major) per year resulting in 0.7 ± 1.3 transfusions per year. After LAAC (2.6 ± 2.0 years), 26 patients (p < .0001 vs. before) had 0.6 ± 2.1 bleeding events (p < .0001), 0.2 ± 0.6 major bleedings (p < .0001) and received 0.6 ± 1.9 transfusions per year (p = .671). Fourteen patients had stroke before and 3 after LAAC (p = .008). Serum hemoglobin increased from initially 9.9 ± 3.0 to 11.9 ± 2.3 g/dL until the end of follow‐up (p = .0005). Adverse embolic events did not differ before and after LAAC in our collective.

Conclusion

In this clinical relevant cohort of AF patients with high risk for stroke and intolerance to OAC, we show that LAAC was able to reduce the rate of stroke and bleeding events, which translated into a rising serum hemoglobin concentration.
Inference of causal metabolite networks in the presence of invalid instrumental variables with GWAS summary data
Authors: Chen Siyi , Lin Zhaotong , Shen Xiaotong , Li Ling , Pan Wei
Published: August 2023

We propose structural equation models (SEMs) as a general framework to infer causal networks for metabolites and other complex traits. Traditionally SEMs are used only for individual‐level data under the assumption that all instrumental variables (IVs) are valid. To overcome these limitations, we propose both one‐ and two‐sample approaches for causal network inference based on SEMs that can: (1) perform causal analysis and discover causal relationships among multiple traits; (2) account for the possible presence of some invalid IVs; (3) allow for data analysis using only genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) summary statistics when individual‐level data are not available; (4) consider the possibility of bidirectional relationships between traits. Our method employs a simple stepwise selection to identify invalid IVs, thus avoiding false positives while possibly increasing true discoveries based on two‐stage least squares (2SLS). We use both real GWAS data and simulated data to demonstrate the superior performance of our method over the standard 2SLS/SEMs. For real data analysis, our proposed approach is applied to a human blood metabolite GWAS summary data set to uncover putative causal relationships among the metabolites; we also identify some metabolites (putative) causal to Alzheimer's disease (AD), which, along with the inferred causal metabolite network, suggest some possible pathways of metabolites involved in AD.
Rainfall‐runoff responses and hillslope moisture thresholds for an upland tropical catchment in Eastern Madagascar subject to long‐term slash‐and‐burn practices
Authors: Zwartendijk B. W. , van Meerveld H. J. , Teuling A. J. , Ghimire C. P. , Bruijnzeel L. A.
Published: August 2023

Slash‐and‐burn agriculture is an important driver of tropical forest loss and typically results in a mosaic of land uses. However, there is little quantitative information about the hydrological effects of long‐term slash‐and‐burn agriculture and how such mosaics affect the rainfall‐runoff response at the catchment scale. We monitored streamflow responses at two points along a perennial stream in a 31.7 ha catchment in eastern Madagascar that was monitored previously between 1963 and 1972. Land cover in 2015 consisted of degraded grasslands, shrub and tree fallows at various stages of regrowth (64%), eucalypt stands for charcoal production (30%), and rice paddies and wetlands in the valley‐bottom (3%). For the majority (60%) of the events during the study period, the ratio between the total amount of stormflow and rainfall was <3%, suggesting that for these events runoff was generated in the valley‐bottom only. Events for which an antecedent soil moisture storage plus rainfall (ASI + P) threshold was exceeded had much higher stormflow ratios (up to 50%), indicating that a certain wetness was required for the hillslopes to contribute to stormflow. Stable isotope sampling for four small to moderate events indicated that stormflow was dominated by pre‐event water. Total stormflow and annual water yield in 2015 were higher than in the 1960s, despite much lower rainfall in 2015. We attribute these differences to changes in soil physical properties caused by the repeated burning and loss of top‐soil, which has resulted in a reduction in the depth to the impeding layer. The changed runoff‐processes (less infiltration, more saturation‐excess overland flow) thus affect local water resources.
HPVTIMER: A shiny web application for tumor immune estimation in human papillomavirus‐associated cancers
Authors: Liu Liying , Xie Yanan , Yang Hong , Lin Anqi , Dong Minjun , Wang Haitao , Zhang Cangang , Liu Zaoqu , Cheng Quan , Zhang Jian , Yuan Shuofeng , Luo Peng
Published: August 2023

The tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) is closely associated with tumor formation, particularly linked to the human papillomavirus (HPV), and regulates tumor initiation, proliferation, infiltration, and metastasis. With the rise of immunotherapy, an increasing amount of sample data used for TIME exploration is available in databases. However, no currently available web tool enables a comprehensive exploration of the TIME of HPV‐associated cancers by leveraging these data. We have developed a web tool called HPV‐associated Tumor Immune MicroEnvironment ExploreR (HPVTIMER), which provides a comprehensive analysis platform that integrates over 10,000 genes and 2290 tumor samples from 65 transcriptome data sets across 8 cancer types sourced from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The tool features four built‐in analysis modules, namely, the differential expression analysis module, correlation analysis module, immune infiltration analysis module, and pathway analysis module. These modules enable users to perform systematic and vertical analyses. We used several analytical modules in HPVTIMER to briefly explore the role of CDKN2A in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. We expect that HPVTIMER will help users explore the immune microenvironment of HPV‐associated cancers and uncover potential immune regulatory mechanisms and immunotherapeutic targets. HPVTIMER is available at http://www.hpvtimer.com/.
Evaluation of nutrient assimilative capacity in waterfowl impoundments: The role of environmental stressors
Authors: Wood Rachel L. , Stark John M. , Aanderud Zachary T. , Baker Michelle A.
Published: August 2023

The effectiveness of wetlands in sequestering nutrients and improving water quality relies on a suite of abiotic and biotic conditions. To more fully understand the restraints on nutrient removal, especially salinity and plant cover, we created field‐scale mesocosms and monitored nutrient sequestration with nutrient additions and isotopic pool dilutions over 2 years in two wetlands near the Great Salt Lake in Utah. Surprisingly, we found no differences in nutrient removal with plant removal, increased salinity, and altered ambient nutrient concentrations, suggesting functional redundancy in associated primary producers. When submerged aquatic vegetation was removed, chlorophyll α concentration (0.1–9.0 μg/L) increased while nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) assimilation remained the same as phytoplankton occupied the open niche space. We did find ammonium concentrations to be inversely related to nitrate assimilation—as the ammonium concentration increased, nitrate assimilation decreased, suggesting preferential uptake of ammonium. Last, in our high N and P treatment mesocosms, the nitrate dramatically declined from 43.9 mg/L to background levels (<0.1 mg/L) within 1 week, showing a high potential for N remediation in these wetlands.
Preclinical tendon and ligament models: Beyond the 3Rs (replacement, reduction, and refinement) to 5W1H (why, who, what, where, when, how)
Authors: Little Dianne , Amadio Peter C. , Awad Hani A. , Cone Stephanie G. , Dyment Nathaniel A. , Fisher Matthew B. , Huang Alice H. , Koch Drew W. , Kuntz Andrew F. , Madi Rashad , McGilvray Kirk , Schnabel Lauren V. , Shetye Snehal S. , Thomopoulos Stavros , Zhao Chunfeng , Soslowsky Louis J.
Published: August 2023

Several tendon and ligament animal models were presented at the 2022 Orthopaedic Research Society Tendon Section Conference held at the University of Pennsylvania, May 5 to 7, 2022. A key objective of the breakout sessions at this meeting was to develop guidelines for the field, including for preclinical tendon and ligament animal models. This review summarizes the perspectives of experts for eight surgical small and large animal models of rotator cuff tear, flexor tendon transection, anterior cruciate ligament tear, and Achilles tendon injury using the framework: “Why, Who, What, Where, When, and How” (5W1H). A notable conclusion is that the perfect tendon model does not exist; there is no single gold standard animal model that represents the totality of tendon and ligament disease. Each model has advantages and disadvantages and should be carefully considered in light of the specific research question. There are also circumstances when an animal model is not the best approach. The wide variety of tendon and ligament pathologies necessitates choices between small and large animal models, different anatomic sites, and a range of factors associated with each model during the planning phase. Attendees agreed on some guiding principles including: providing clear justification for the model selected, providing animal model details at publication, encouraging sharing of protocols and expertise, improving training of research personnel, and considering greater collaboration with veterinarians. A clear path for translating from animal models to clinical practice was also considered as a critical next step for accelerating progress in the tendon and ligament field.
Predictors of 1‐year enteral autonomy in children with intestinal failure: A descriptive retrospective cohort study
Authors: Raghu Vikram K. , Leraas Harold J. , Samoylova Mariya , Park Christine , Rothenberger Scott D. , Sudan Debra , Avitzur Yaron
Published: August 2023

Introduction

The International Intestinal Failure Registry (IIFR) is an international consortium to study intestinal failure (IF) outcomes in a large contemporary pediatric cohort. We aimed to identify predictors of early (1‐year) enteral autonomy.

Methods

We included IIFR pilot phase patients. IF was defined by a parenteral nutrition need for at least 60 days due to a primary gastrointestinal etiology. The primary outcome was time to enteral autonomy achievement. We built a mixed‐effects Weibull accelerated failure time model with random effects by center to analyze variables associated with enteral autonomy achievement with a primary outcome of time ratio (TR).

Results

We included 189 patients (82% with short bowel syndrome) representing 11 international centers. Cumulative incidence of early enteral autonomy was 51.6%, and death was 6.5%. In multivariable analysis, ostomy presence (TR, 2.63; 95% CI, 1.41–4.90) was associated with increased time to enteral autonomy achievement, and Asian/Indian (TR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.10–0.81) and Pacific Islander race (TR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.13–0.90) were associated with decreased time to enteral autonomy achievement. In a second model in the subset with measured percentage of bowel length remaining, ostomy presence (TR, 4.21; 95% CI, 1.90–9.33) was associated with increased time to enteral autonomy achievement, whereas greater percentage of bowel remaining (TR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.94–0.98) was associated with decreased time to enteral autonomy achievement.

Conclusions

Minimizing bowel resection at initial surgery and establishing bowel continuity by ostomy reversal can effectively decrease the time to early enteral autonomy achievement in children with IF.
Lattice dynamics and phase transitions in FAPbBr3 single crystals: Temperature‐ and pressure‐dependent Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Naqvi Furqanul Hassan , Ko Jae‐Hyeon
Published: August 2023

The rapidly emerging perovskites hold immense potential for revolutionizing optoelectronic and photovoltaic applications. However, understanding the complex structural dynamics and their response at extreme conditions in robust environments is crucial for optimizing the practical performance of perovskite‐based devices. Previous X‐ray diffraction studies have shown great potential for studying the average structures of these materials, but for more complex analysis at the local atomic level, Raman spectroscopy is a powerful tool. In this study, temperature‐ and pressure‐dependent Raman spectroscopy was used to elucidate the intricate lattice dynamics, phase transitions, and amorphization of FAPbBr3 single crystals at extreme conditions such as low temperature or high pressure. Temperature‐dependent Raman spectra unveiled significant variations in wavenumbers, full width at half maximum, and the vanishing of specific modes at higher temperatures. These were ascribed to symmetry changes caused by two crystallographic phase transitions at −127°C from orthorhombic to tetragonal and at −33°C from tetragonal to cubic phase. In addition, some of the Raman modes disappeared upon heating at −90°C, which was associated with a crystallographically unresolved transition. Pressure‐dependent Raman scattering revealed two phase transitions at 0.3 GPa and 2.2 GPa, which corresponded to the contraction of the PbBr6 octahedra and their tilting distortion, respectively. Further compression uncovered amorphization at 3.6 GPa, characterized by the vanishing of crystalline Raman modes together with the emergence of broad new modes due to the disorder within the crystal structure. Upon pressure release, the original Raman modes were recovered, indicating the reversibility of the pressure‐induced phase transitions. The changes in the Raman spectra were the most significant, especially in the low‐wavenumber lattice modes, when the FAPbBr3 underwent orthorhombic phase transition. It indicates that the inorganic sublattice is affected by the structural change into the orthorhombic phase caused either by temperature or pressure variation.
Heterotopic intestine and abdominal wall transplantation in a miniature swine: A model for graft immunology
Authors: Kuo Yur‐Ren , Chen Yu‐Han , Yeh Yung‐Sung , Chang Chao‐Wei , Li Ching‐Chun , Cai Ting‐Yu , Chang Han‐Ching , Chang Yu‐Tang
Published: August 2023

In order to accurately monitor graft immunology, we have developed a method for performing intestine and abdominal wall transplantation heterotopically in miniature swine. The procedure consisted of simultaneous segmental terminal ileum and full‐thickness abdominal wall transplantation in Lanyu miniature swine, with the intestinal and the abdominal wall grafts being placed on the recipient's bilateral rear flank. Five transplantations were technically successful. One animal died on the first post‐transplant day due to anesthesia‐related issues, three abdominal wall and four intestinal grafts survived, while one abdominal wall graft failed due to vascular thrombosis. Acute cellular rejection (ACR) of the intestinal graft could occur preceding, simultaneously with or following ACR of the abdominal wall graft. Our experimental model demonstrates the technical feasibility of heterotopic intestine and abdominal wall transplantation in miniature swine without grafting in gastrointestinal continuity. This model could be suitable for further studies of graft immunology.
Redox‐Responsive Polymeric Nanoparticle for Nucleic Acid Delivery and Cancer Therapy: Progress, Opportunities, and Challenges
Authors: Xu Lei , Cao Yuan , Xu Ya , Li Rong , Xu Xiaoding
Published: August 2023

Cancer development and progression of cancer are closely associated with the activation of oncogenes and loss of tumor suppressor genes. Nucleic acid drugs (e.g., siRNA, mRNA, and DNA) are widely used for cancer therapy due to their specific ability to regulate the expression of any cancer‐associated genes. However, nucleic acid drugs are negatively charged biomacromolecules that are susceptible to serum nucleases and cannot cross cell membrane. Therefore, specific delivery tools are required to facilitate the intracellular delivery of nucleic acid drugs. In the past few decades, a variety of nanoparticles (NPs) are designed and developed for nucleic acid delivery and cancer therapy. In particular, the polymeric NPs in response to the abnormal redox status in cancer cells have garnered much more attention as their potential in redox‐triggered nanostructure dissociation and rapid intracellular release of nucleic acid drugs. In this review, the important genes or signaling pathways regulating the abnormal redox status in cancer cells are briefly introduced and the recent development of redox‐responsive NPs for nucleic acid delivery and cancer therapy is systemically summarized. The future development of NPs‐mediated nucleic acid delivery and their challenges in clinical translation are also discussed.
Deep learning‐based radiomics model can predict extranodal soft tissue metastasis in gastric cancer
Authors: Liu Shengyuan , Deng Jingyu , Dong Di , Fang Mengjie , Ye Zhaoxiang , Hu Yanfeng , Li Hailin , Zhong Lianzhen , Cao Runnan , Zhao Xun , Shang Wenting , Li Guoxin , Liang Han , Tian Jie
Published: August 2023

Background

The potential prognostic value of extranodal soft tissue metastasis (ESTM) has been confirmed by increasing studies about gastric cancer (GC). However, the gold standard of ESTM is determined by pathologic examination after surgery, and there are no preoperative methods for assessment of ESTM yet.

Purpose

This multicenter study aimed to develop a deep learning‐based radiomics model to preoperatively identify ESTM and evaluate its prognostic value.

Methods

A total of 959 GC patients were enrolled from two centers and split into a training cohort (N = 551) and a test cohort (N = 236) for ESTM evaluation. Additionally, an external survival cohort (N = 172) was included for prognostic analysis. Four models were established based on clinical characteristics and multiphase computed tomography (CT) images for preoperative identification of ESTM, including a deep learning model, a hand‐crafted radiomic model, a clinical model, and a combined model. C‐index, decision curve, and calibration curve were utilized to assess the model performances. Survival analysis was conducted to explore the ability of stratifying overall survival (OS).

Results

The combined model showed good discrimination of the ESTM [C‐indices (95% confidence interval, CI): 0.770 (0.729–0.812) and 0.761 (0.718–0.805) in training and test cohorts respectively], which outperformed deep learning model, radiomics model, and clinical model. The stratified analysis showed this model was not affected by patient's tumor size, the presence of lymphovascular invasion, and Lauren classification (p < 0.05). Moreover, the model score showed strong consistency with the OS [C‐indices (95%CI): 0.723 (0.658–0.789, p < 0.0001) in the internal survival cohort and 0.715 (0.650–0.779, p < 0.0001) in the external survival cohort]. More interestingly, univariate analysis showed the model score was significantly associated with occult distant metastasis (p < 0.05) that was missed by preoperative diagnosis.

Conclusions

The model combining CT images and clinical characteristics had an impressive predictive ability of both ESTM and prognosis, which has the potential to serve as an effective complement to the preoperative TNM staging system.
Treatment Outcomes With Conservative Management of Frontal Sinus Outflow Tract Fractures
Authors: Dennis Steven Kennedy , Steele Toby O. , Gill Amarbir S. , Hwang Joshua C. , Sarhadi Kamron S. , Cheema Karmtej S. , Aulakh Sukhkaran S. , Wilson Machelle D. , Strong E. Bradley
Published: August 2023

Objective

Historically, early surgical management of frontal sinus outflow tract (FSOT) fractures has been standard practice. There has been a paradigm shift toward nonsurgical or delayed management. Unfortunately, clinical indications and treatment outcomes for this approach are poorly understood. This study evaluates radiologic indicators, as well as sinus reaeration and complication rates for FSOT injuries treated nonsurgically.

Study Design

A retrospective cohort study of FSOT injuries between 2005 and 2019.

Setting

Academic, tertiary care medical center.

Methods

Radiographic fracture patterns of the frontal ostia (FO) and frontal recess (FR) were recorded as either patent, disrupted, or obstructed. Sinus reaeration, surgical rescue, and complication rates were documented. Patients with follow‐up imaging >42 days were included. Patients undergoing immediate surgical intervention were excluded.

Results

One hundred patients were identified and 44 met the criteria (88 sinuses). Among nonobstructed FSOT injuries (ie, patent or disrupted), reaeration occurred in 91% of the FO and 98% of FR injuries. Two sinuses required surgical rescue including 1 Draf IIB (1%), and 1 obliteration (1%). Two sinuses had complications including 1 mucocele (1%) and 1 cerebrospinal fluid leak (1%). FO and FR fracture patterns had no identifiable correlation with long‐term reaeration rates or the need for surgical intervention.

Conclusion

Among nonobstructive injuries to the FSOT, average reaeration rates in observed patients were high (91%‐98%). Rescue surgery (2%) and complication rates (2%) were low, suggesting that nonsurgical management of nonobstructed FSOT is a viable strategy. No radiographic features were clearly identified to be predictive of sinus reaeration.
Individualized Dynamic Prediction Model for Patient‐Reported Voice Quality in Early‐Stage Glottic Cancer
Authors: Dorr Maarten C. , Andrinopoulou Eleni‐Rosalina , Sewnaik Aniel , Berzenji Diako , van Hof Kira S. , Dronkers Emilie A.C. , Bernard Simone E. , Hoesseini Arta , Rizopoulos Dimitirs , Baatenburg de Jong Robert J. , Offerman Marinella P.J.
Published: August 2023

Objective

Early‐stage glottic cancer (ESGC) is a malignancy of the head and neck. Besides disease control, preservation and improvement of voice quality are essential. To enable expectation management and well‐informed decision‐making, patients should be sufficiently counseled with individualized information on expected voice quality. This study aims to develop an individualized dynamic prediction model for patient‐reported voice quality. This model should be able to provide individualized predictions at every time point from intake to the end of follow‐up.

Study Design

Longitudinal cohort study.

Setting

Tertiary cancer center.

Methods

Patients treated for ESGC were included in this study (N = 294). The Voice Handicap Index was obtained prospectively. The framework of mixed and joint models was used. The prognostic factors used are treatment, age, gender, comorbidity, performance score, smoking, T‐stage, and involvement of the anterior commissure. The overall performance of these models was assessed during an internal cross‐validation procedure and presentation of absolute errors using box plots.

Results

The mean age in this cohort was 67 years and 81.3% are male. Patients were treated with transoral CO2laser microsurgery (57.8%), single vocal cord irradiation up to (24.5), or local radiotherapy (17.5%). The mean follow‐up was 43.4 months (SD 21.5). Including more measurements during prediction improves predictive performance. Including more clinical and demographic variables did not provide better predictions. Little differences in predictive performance between models were found.

Conclusion

We developed a dynamic individualized prediction model for patient‐reported voice quality. This model has the potential to empower patients and professionals in making well‐informed decisions and enables tailor‐made counseling.
Support for misinformation regulation on social media: It is the perceived harm of misinformation that matters, not the perceived amount
Authors: Freiling Isabelle , Stubenvoll Marlis , Matthes Jörg
Published: August 2023

Responding to harmful content on social media, calls for regulations are coming up to break down the black boxes of social media platforms in handling misinformation. Examples are requiring cooperations with fact‐checkers or the government stepping in. So far, there is a lack of knowledge about predictors of policy attitudes in the context of misinformation besides attitudes toward and perceptions of censorship. Using a two‐wave panel study in Germany at the beginning of the COVID‐19 pandemic and 8 months in, we examine the role of perceived misinformation exposure, perceived harm of misinformation, and trust in institutions involved in regulating misinformation on public support for misinformation regulation. Results show that trust in media and democracy increases policy support over time. Furthermore, perceived exposure to misinformation does not influence policy attitudes, but perceived harm of misinformation does. We discuss the implications for regulating misinformation in light of our findings.
Machine‐learning modeling of hourly potential thermal refuge area: A case study from the Sainte‐Marguerite River (Quebec, Canada)
Authors: Hani Ilias , St‐Hilaire André , Ouarda Taha B. M. J.
Published: August 2023

To understand the temporal and spatial variability of thermal refuges, this study focused on modeling potential thermal refuge area (PTRA) at a sub‐daily time‐step in two tributary confluences of the Sainte‐Marguerite River (Canada) during the summers of 2020 and 2021. Aquatic ectotherm species, such as Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), seek these refuges to avoid heat stress during high summer river temperatures. To investigate the temporal variability of these PTRA, we employed inverse weighted distance interpolation to delineate the hourly area available at both confluences. We then analyzed the impact of the atypical low flow conditions of summer 2021 on the diel cycle of PTRA extremes using the coefficient of variation and the generalized additive model (GAM). Finally, we used four supervised machine‐learning regression models and three to five hydrometeorological predictors to estimate hourly PTRA availability: multivariate adaptive splines regression (MARS), GAM, support vector machine regression (SVM), and random forest regression (RF). The results showed that tree‐based and kernel‐based regression models, RF and SVM, outperformed GAM and MARS. RF had the highest accuracy at both sites, with a relative root mean square error and Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency coefficient (Nash) of 13% and 93%, respectively. Our study discovered that under warm conditions in August 2021, small perennial tributary inflows in combination with low mainstem discharge could create high and constant PTRA at confluences, potentially providing vital thermal refuges for cold‐water taxa. These refuges may be especially important at the local level, within a specific stretch or section of the river. Given the decreasing availability of thermal refuges for salmonids, it is crucial to monitor stream temperatures at small spatial and temporal scales using data‐driven techniques in order to understand stream temperature heterogeneity at tributary confluences.
Simple Bayesian models for missing binary outcomes in randomized controlled trials
Authors: Kaplan Adam , Nelson David
Published: August 2023

Missing outcomes are commonly encountered in randomized controlled trials (RCT) involving human subjects and present a risk for substantial bias in the results of a complete case analysis. While response rates for RCTs are typically high there is no agreed upon universal threshold under which the amount of missing data is deemed to not be a threat to inference. We focus here on binary outcomes that are possibly missing not at random, that is, the value of the outcome influences its possibility of being observed. Salient information that can assist in addressing these missing outcomes in such situations is the anticipated response rate in each study arm; these can often be anticipated based on prior research in similar populations using similar designs and outcomes. Further, in some areas of human subjects research, we are often confident or we suspect that response rates among RCT participants with successful treatment outcomes will be at least as great as those among participants without successful treatment outcomes. In other settings we may suspect the opposite relationship. This direction of the differential response between those with successful and unsuccessful outcomes can further aid in addressing the missing outcomes. We present simple Bayesian pattern‐mixture models that incorporate this information on response rates to analyze the relationship between a binary outcome and an intervention while addressing the missing outcomes. We assess the performance of this method in simulation studies and apply this method to the results of an RCT of a smoking abstinence intervention.
A review on catalytic pyrolysis of municipal plastic waste
Authors: Biakhmetov Bauyrzhan , Dostiyarov Abay , Ok Yong Sik , You Siming
Published: August 2023

Plastic pollution is a global issue that severely threatens the environment if not managed properly. Plastic waste is widely treated in unsustainable ways such as landfill and incineration that generally do not contribute to the circular economy or to the principles of the United Nation's sustainable development goals. Catalytic pyrolysis of plastic waste is considered an alternative solution with its potential of recovering fuels and chemicals from the plastic waste that is not recyclable. Here, we described for the first time the main steps required for running an operational pyrolysis plant from a whole system perspective. The recent advancement of plastic pyrolysis technologies is also described to guide the selection of relevant catalysts. The practical applications of products from the plastic pyrolysis are succinctly reviewed. This review will facilitate the development of the capacity to make better decisions upon the design and analysis of plastic pyrolysis processes and systems.

This article is categorized under:

Sustainable Energy > Bioenergy

Climate and Environment > Circular Economy

Emerging Technologies > Materials

Sustainable Energy > Energy Efficiency
Insufficient restoration of meniscal extrusion by transtibial pullout repair for medial meniscus posterior root tears
Authors: Takase Ryota , Ohsawa Takashi , Hashimoto Shogo , Kurihara Shingo , Yanagisawa Shinya , Hagiwara Keiichi , Kimura Masashi , Chikuda Hirotaka
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The long‐term changes in the dynamics of the medial meniscus after transtibial pullout repair for medial meniscus posterior root tears (MMPRTs) are not completely understood. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of transtibial pullout repair on MMPRTs and whether the effects would be sustained.

Methods

Nineteen knees with MMPRTs that were treated by trans‐tibial pullout repair were enrolled in this study. Medial meniscus extrusion (MME) was measured by ultrasonography during knee extension (no weight‐bearing with the knee at 0° extension: NW0°) and 90° flexion (no weight‐bearing with the knee at 90° flexion: NW90°) with the patient in the supine position and with full weight‐bearing (FW0°) preoperatively and at 3 and 12 months postoperatively. The clinical outcomes were assessed using the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Lysholm score, and International Knee Documentation Committee score.

Results

The difference in MME with NW0° was not statistically significant between the preoperative (3.4 ± 1.0 mm) and 12‐month postoperative (3.7 ± 0.6 mm) time points. The MME with NW90° at 3 (2.1 ± 0.7 mm) and 12 months (2.9 ± 0.6 mm) postoperatively were significantly lower than the preoperative values (3.4 ± 0.8 mm) (P < 0.05). However, the value significantly increased from 3 to 12 months postoperatively (P < 0.05). The MME with FW0° at 12 months postoperatively (4.3 ± 0.6 mm) was significantly larger than that at pre‐operatively (3.6 ± 0.9 mm) (P < 0.05). All the patients’ clinical conditions were significantly improved at 12 months postoperatively when compared to their preoperative clinical conditions.

Conclusion

Surgery did not reduce the extrusion in the no weight‐bearing and weight‐bearing positions at knee extension, and these values increased in the postoperative period. In addition, while the surgery reduced the extrusion in the knee flexion position, the restoration achieved by the surgery was not sustained in the long term.

Level of evidence: Level IV.
No Doppler Single Position‐Lateral Intercostal Artery Perforator Flap (NDSP‐LICAP): a Safe and Versatile Flap for Breast Oncoplasty in Resource‐Limited Setting
Authors: Mishra Ashutosh , Deo S. V. S. , Oberoi Ajit Singh , Gowda Manoj , Bhoriwal Sandeep Kumar , Saikia Jyotishman , Pandit Anuja , Mallick Supriya , Batra Atul , Jha Akash
Published: August 2023

Introduction

The lateral intercostal artery perforator flap (LICAP) has emerged as one of the safest and less morbid flaps for lateral and central breast defects. We hereby describe a reproducible no Doppler single position (NDSP) technique to harvest it in single position without handheld Doppler, making it a versatile flap for lateral breast defects in resource‐limited setting also.

Materials and Methods

With this technique, we performed a total of 22 LICAP turnover flaps over a period of 18 months from January 2020 to June 2021. In all 22 cases, the indication of flap was to fill the post‐breast conservation surgery (BCS) defects in outer quadrant of breast. All LICAP flaps were harvested by surface marking of anatomical landmarks and without handheld Doppler.

Results

Out of 22 LICAP turnover flaps, thirteen were harvested for left breast and nine for right breast. The median width and length of the flap were 12.2 cm and 19.6 cm, respectively. The additional mean operative time was 41 min. All LICAP flaps survived well, and grade 1 Clavien‐Dindo morbidity was documented in four cases. Mean hospital stay was 2.6 days. All patients received radiotherapy on their stipulated schedule. Early cosmetic outcome was good, and long‐term outcomes are awaited.

Conclusion

NDSP‐LICAP flap is a workhorse for lateral breast defects. Precise knowledge of perforators and anatomical landmarks can be used for harvesting these flaps, thus avoiding ultrasound Doppler and dedicated training for perforator localization. This technique has short learning curve without the need for any plastic surgery training. The early cosmetic outcomes are good.
Central nervous system complications in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients
Authors: Li Zhonggui , Lin Danyu , Xu Xiaoshuang , Liu Xiaohuan , Zhang Jieli , Huang Kaixun , Wang Feiyifan , Liu Jianfeng , Zhang Zhi , Tao Enxiang
Published: August 2023

Objective

To investigate the clinical manifestations, treatment and prognosis of COVID-19-associated central nervous system (CNS) complications.

Methods

In this single-centre observation study, we recruited patients with COVID-19-associated CNS complications at the neurology inpatient department of the Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University (Futian, Shenzhen) from Dec 2022 to Feb 2023. Patients were analysed for demographics, clinical manifestations, cerebrospinal fluid properties, electroencephalographic features, neuroimaging characteristics, and treatment outcome. All patients were followed-up at 1 and 2 months after discharge until Apr 2023.

Results

Of the 12 patients with COVID-19-associated CNS complications, the CNS symptoms occur between 0 days and 4 weeks after SARS-CoV-2 infection. The most common CNS symptoms were memory deficits (4/12, 33%), Unresponsiveness (4/12, 33%), mental and behavioural disorders (4/12, 33%). Seven of 12 cases can be categorized as probable SARS-CoV-2 encephalitis, and 5 cases can be described as brainstem encephalitis, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, optic neuritis, multiple sclerosis or tremor probably associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Six patients received antiviral therapy, and 11 patients received glucocorticoid therapy, of which 3 patients received human immunoglobulin synchronously. Nine patients recovered well, two patients had residual neurological dysfunction, and one patient passed away from complications associated with tumor.

Conclusion

In this observational study, we found that the inflammatory or immune-related complications were relatively common manifestations of COVID-19-associated CNS complications, including different phenotypes of encephalitis and CNS inflammatory demyelinating diseases. Most patients recovered well, but a few patients had significant neurological dysfunctions remaining.
Isolation and characterization of three novel Acinetobacter baumannii phages from Beninese hospital wastewater
Authors: Kolsi Anna , Haukka Kaisa , Dougnon Victorien , Agbankpè Alidehou Jerrold , Fabiyi Kafayath , Virta Marko , Skurnik Mikael , Kantele Anu , Kiljunen Saija
Published: August 2023

Acinetobacter baumannii is an opportunistic pathogen that is mostly associated with hospital-acquired infections. The rapid emergence of multi- and pan-drug-resistant Acinetobacter strains poses an increasing challenge in hospitals. Phage therapy offers one treatment option for infections caused by A. baumannii. We isolated three phages from Beninese hospital wastewater – fBenAci001, fBenAci002, and fBenAci003 – that infected clinical A. baumannii strains from Finnish patients. Phylogenetic analysis showed that these phages resemble phages of the genus Friunavirus, family Autographiviridae. The isolated phages meet the requirements set for phages used for phage therapy. However, they were found to have a narrow host range, which may limit their therapeutic use.
Interventions to build resilience and to ameliorate negative psychosocial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wendel Flora , Bender Stephan , Breitinger Eva , Coenen Michaela , Hummel Julia , Immich Gisela , Kirschneck Michaela , Klünder Vera , Kunzler Angela M. , Lieb Klaus , Movsisyan Ani , Li Lydia Y. , Ravens-Sieberer Ulrike , Rehfuess Eva , Voss Stephan , Jung-Sievers Caroline
Published: August 2023

The psychosocial health of children and adolescents has been particularly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Containment measures have restricted social development, education and recreational activities, may have increased family conflicts and, in many cases, led to feelings of loneliness, sleep disturbances, symptoms of anxiety and depression. We conducted a systematic review to identify interventions that seek to ameliorate these detrimental effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and to build resilience in children and adolescents. Literature searches were conducted in the databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CENTRAL, WHO COVID-19 Global literature on coronavirus disease and Cochrane COVID-19 Study Register (up to 30 June 2022). The searches retrieved 9557 records of which we included 13 randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) for evidence synthesis. Included studies predominantly implemented online group sessions for school-aged children with either a psychological component, a physical activity component, or a combination of both. A meta-analysis of seven studies on anxiety and five on depressive symptoms provided evidence for a positive effect of interventions by reducing anxiety (Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) (95% CI): − 0.33 (− 0.59; − 0.06)) and depressive symptoms (SMD (95% CI): − 0.26 (− 0.36; − 0.16)) compared to the control interventions. Studies also showed improvements in positive mental health outcomes, such as resilience (n = 2) and mental and psychological wellbeing (n = 2). Exploratory subgroup analyses suggested a greater effectiveness of interventions that (i) are of higher frequency and duration, (ii) enable personal interaction (face-to-face or virtually), and (iii) include a physical activity component. Almost all studies were judged to be at high risk of bias and showed considerable heterogeneity. Further research may focus on the contribution of different intervention components or distinct subgroups and settings, and should examine children and adolescents over longer follow-up periods.
Finite element analysis of the interaction between high-compliant balloon catheters and non-cylindrical vessel structures: towards tactile sensing balloon catheters
Authors: Bhave Ashish , Sittkus Benjamin , Urban Gerald , Mescheder Ulrich , Möller Knut
Published: August 2023

Aiming for sensing balloon catheters which are able to provide intraoperative information of the vessel stiffness and shape, the present study uses finite element analysis (FEA) to evaluate the interaction between high-compliant elastomer balloon catheters with the inner wall of a non-cylindrical-shaped lumen structure. The contact simulations are based on 3D models with varying balloon thicknesses and varying tissue geometries to analyse the resulting balloon and tissue deformation as well as the inflation pressure dependent contact area. The wrinkled tissue structure is modelled by utilizing a two-layer fibre-based Holzapfel-Gasser-Ogden constitutive model and the model parameters are adapted based on available biomechanical data for human urethral vessel samples. The balloon catheter structure is implemented as a high-compliant hyper-elastic silicone material (based on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)) with a varying catheter wall thickness between 0.5 and 2.5 µm. Two control parameters are introduced to describe the balloon shape adaption in reaction to a wrinkled vessel wall during the inflation process. Basic semi-quantitative relations are revealed depending on the evolving balloon deformation and contact surface. Based on these relations some general design guidelines for balloon-based sensor catheters are presented. The results of the conducted in-silico study reveal some general interdependencies with respect to the compliance ratio between balloon and tissue and also in respect of the tissue aspect ratio. Further they support the proposed concept of high-compliant balloon catheters equipped for tactile sensing as diagnosis approach in urology and angioplasty.
Comparative performance of ensemble machine learning for Arabic cyberbullying and offensive language detection
Authors: Khairy Marwa , Mahmoud Tarek M. , Omar Ahmed , Abd El-Hafeez Tarek
Published: August 2023

Since cyberbullying impacts both individual victims and entire society, research on abusive language and its detection has attracted attention in recent years. Because social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and others are so widely accessible, hate speech, bullying, sexism, racism, aggressive material, harassment, poisonous comments, and other types of abuse have all substantially increased. Due to the critical requirement to detect, regulate, and limit the spread of harmful content on social networking sites, we conducted this study to automate the detection of offensive language or cyberbullying. We created a new Arabic balanced data set to be used in the offensive detection process because having a balanced data set for a model would result in improved accuracy models. Recently, the performance of single classifiers has been improved using ensemble machine learning. The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of several single and ensemble machine learning algorithms in identifying Arabic text that contains foul language and cyberbullying. Applying them to three Arabic datasets, we have selected three machine learning classifiers and three ensemble models for this aim. Two of them are offensive datasets that are readily accessible in the public, while the third one was created. The results showed that the single learner machine learning strategy is inferior to the ensemble machine learning methodology. Voting performs is the best performing trained ensemble machine learning classifier, outperforming the best single learner classifier (65.1%, 76.2%, and 98%) for the same datasets with accuracy scores of (71.1%, 76.7%, and 98.5%) for each of the three datasets used. Finally, we improve the voting technique’s performance through hyperparameter tuning on the Arabic cyberbullying data set.
Does criminalizing the purchase of sex reduce sex-buying? Evidence from a European survey on prostitution
Authors: Jonsson Sofia
Published: August 2023

Whether to criminalize or legalize the purchase of sex has given rise to heated discussions and different policy initiatives. Opponents of the criminalization of sex-buying argue that prohibition pushes the sector underground, increasing the harm for women in prostitution. Proponents instead view prostitution as violence against women, calling for prohibition. Despite these debates, few studies examine the effect of prostitution laws on the quantity of sex bought. By employing unique data on attitudes to, and experiences of sex-buying behaviour in different prostitution regimes in eight European countries, the paper examines the relationship between prostitution law and sex-buying. The results are robust to the inclusion of a list experiment, and the findings suggest that people living in countries where purchasing sex is criminalized buy less sex than people living in countries where sex-buying is legal.