bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Immunosuppression and Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile Infection Risk in Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Patients
Authors: Morales-Marroquin Elisa , Xie Luyu , Uppuluri Madhuri , Almandoz Jaime P. , de la Cruz-Muñoz Nestor , Messiah Sarah E. 
Published: May 2021

BACKGROUND:
Immunosuppressant use increases risk of Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile infection. To date, no studies have analyzed the relationship between immunosuppressant use and C difficile infections after metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS).

METHODS:
A retrospective analysis of the 2015-2018 MBSAQIP data was conducted. The MBSAQIP data include information from 854 affiliated practices in the US and Canada. Initial sample size was 760,076 MBS patients. After excluding participants due to missing variables (n = 188,106) and the use of surgical procedures other than Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastroplasty (n = 129,712), final analyses were performed on 442,258 participants. Logistic regression models generated the odds of C difficile infection developing post MBS, according to immunosuppressant status (positive or negative).

RESULTS:
Unadjusted logistic regression analysis showed that patients using immunosuppressants were 95% more likely to have postoperative C difficile infection (odds ratio 1.945; 95% CI, 1.230 to 3.075; p < 0.001) vs MBS patients not taking immunosuppressants. After adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity, preoperative BMI, diabetes status, and surgical procedure type, the association remained unaffected (adjusted odds ratio 1.956; 95% CI, 1.236 to 3.095; p < 0.01). Patients who completed the laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure had more than double the odds of C difficile infection developing compared with those who completed the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy procedure (odds ratio 2.183; 95% CI, 1.842 to 2.587; p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS:
Our results using a population-based sample of MBS patients showed that those taking immunosuppressants have a significantly higher risk of developing Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile infection postoperatively. These findings suggest that patients using immunosuppressants should be closely monitored both pre and post procedure.
Transplant Surgery Pipeline: A Report from the American Society of Transplant Surgeons Pipeline Taskforce
Authors: Quillin Ralph C. , Cortez Alexander R. , Dageforde Leigh Anne , Watkins Anthony , Collins Kelly M. , Garonzik-Wang Jacqueline , Glorioso Jamie M. , Tevar Amit D. , Emond Jean C. , Segev Dorry L. 
Published: May 2021

BACKGROUND:
Transplant surgery fellowship has evolved over the years and today there are 66 accredited training programs in the US and Canada. There is growing concern, however, about the number of US-trained general surgery residents pursuing transplant surgery. In this study, we examined the transplant surgery pipeline, comparing it with other surgical subspecialty fellowships, and characterized the resident transplantation experience.

METHODS:
Datasets were compiled and analyzed from surgical fellowship match data obtained from the National Resident Matching Program and ACGME reports and relative fellowship competitiveness was assessed. The surgical resident training experience in transplantation was evaluated.

RESULTS:
From 2006 to 2018, a total of 1,094 applicants have applied for 946 transplant surgery fellowship positions; 299 (27.3%) were US graduates. During this period, there was a 0.8% decrease per year in US-trained surgical residents matching into transplant surgery (p = 0.042). In addition, transplant surgery was one of the least competitive fellowships compared with other National Resident Matching Program surgical subspeciality fellowships, as measured by the number of US applicants per available fellowship position, average number of fellowship programs listed on each applicant's rank list, and proportion of unfilled fellowship positions (each, p < 0.05). Finally, from 2015 to 2017, there were 57 general surgery residency programs that produced 77 transplant surgery fellows, but nearly one-half of the fellows (n = 36 [46.8%]) came from 16 (28.1%) programs.

CONCLUSIONS:
Transplant surgery is one of the least competitive and sought after surgical fellowships for US-trained residents. These findings highlight the need for dedicated efforts to increase exposure, mentorship, and interest in transplantation to recruit strong US graduates.
The Changing Nature of Epilepsy Surgery: A Retrospective Review of Practice Profiles
Authors: Baruah Satyakam , Olivier André , Hall Jeffery A. 
Published: May 2021

ABSTRACT:Objectives:Recent literature documents a trend of gradual decline in temporal lobe (resective) epilepsy surgery over the past decade. Amongst these, a large scale, comprehensive survey done in selected European, Australian and American centres documents trends of resective temporal epilepsy surgery across two decades. Montreal Neurological Institute has been the leading epilepsy surgery centre for more than 50 years now. It has been at the forefront of investigating and managing epilepsy in Canada. We have looked into the trends of epilepsy surgery in our institute in the past 44 years.Methods:The records of all adult epilepsy surgery procedures (excluding reoperations) performed by the senior authors were analysed from 1971 to 2015. Data retrieved for analysis included type of surgery (intracranial recording, resective, and neuromodulatory) and the specific surgical target for resection. Procedures were grouped into temporal resective, extratemporal (ET) resective and placement of intracranial electrodes (stereotactic electroencephalogram (SEEG)).Results:A total of 2,078 new procedures were performed from 1971 to 2015 at the Montreal Neurological Institute. Temporal procedures constituted the bulk of the proportion of all procedures each year and the entire study period. SEEG group shows linear increase in the number of cases over the years catching up with the total number of temporal procedures.Conclusions:Our study involving a homogenous dataset spanning nearly 50 years shows a decline in temporal lobe surgeries and an increase in intracranial investigations despite the class I evidence of its effectiveness. This corroborates the trends in epilepsy surgery practice profiles in tertiary centres of developed countries.
Robust coordination in adversarial social networks: From human behavior to agent-based modeling
Authors: Hajaj Chen , Joveski Zlatko , Yu Sixie , Vorobeychik Yevgeniy 
Published: May 2021

AbstractDecentralized coordination is one of the fundamental challenges for societies and organizations. While extensively explored from a variety of perspectives, one issue that has received limited attention is human coordination in the presence of adversarial agents. We study this problem by situating human subjects as nodes on a network, and endowing each with a role, either regular (with the goal of achieving consensus among all regular players), or adversarial (aiming to prevent consensus among regular players). We show that adversarial nodes are, indeed, quite successful in preventing consensus. However, we demonstrate that having the ability to communicate among network neighbors can considerably improve coordination success, as well as resilience to adversarial nodes. Our analysis of communication suggests that adversarial nodes attempt to exploit this capability for their ends, but do so in a somewhat limited way, perhaps to prevent regular nodes from recognizing their intent. In addition, we show that the presence of trusted nodes generally has limited value, but does help when many adversarial nodes are present, and players can communicate. Finally, we use experimental data to develop computational models of human behavior and explore additional parametric variations: features of network topologies and densities, and placement, all using the resulting data-driven agent-based (DDAB) model.
Characterization of biofilms and antimicrobial resistance of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species involved with subclinical mastitis
Authors: Francisco Márcia Silva , Rossi Ciro César , Brito Maria Aparecida Vasconcelos Paiva , Laport Marinella Silva , Barros Elaine Menezes , Giambiagi-deMarval Marcia 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBiofilm formation is a central feature to guarantee staphylococcal persistence in hosts and is associated with several diseases that are difficult to treat. In this research paper, biofilm formation and antimicrobial susceptibility were investigated in staphylococcal strains belonging to several species. These strains were isolated from the milk of cows with subclinical mastitis and most of them were coagulase-negative, with the prevalence of Staphylococcus chromogenes. High genetic diversity was observed among the strains by pulsed field gel electrophoresis. Antimicrobial resistance was assessed by disk diffusion and more than 50% of the strains were resistant to ampicillin and penicillin G, with multi-resistance profiles (13.6%) also being observed. Most strains (65.9%) formed biofilms when cultivated in BHI supplemented with 1% glucose. Most strains (72.7%) carried the intercellular adhesion gene (icaA), while less than half (36.3%) carried the biofilm-associated protein gene (bap). Concentrations of up to 10xMIC of erythromycin and tetracycline were not sufficient to suppress cell viability in preformed biofilms. Our results revealed that a genetically diverse group of biofilm-forming Staphylococcus species can be involved in subclinical mastitis. Since high antimicrobial concentrations cannot eradicate biofilm cells in vitro, their use in dairy animals may be ineffective in controlling infections, while supporting selection of resistant microorganisms. These data reinforce the need for alternative therapies aiming at disrupting biofilms for effective disease control.
The economic cost of bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder: a population-based study
Authors: Tannous Wadad Kathy , Hay Phillipa , Girosi Federico , Heriseanu Andreea I. , Ahmed Moin Uddin , Touyz Stephen 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe most common eating disorders (EDs) are bulimia nervosa (BN) and binge eating disorder (BED), serious psychiatric illnesses that have devastating effects on the physical and psychological wellbeing of sufferers. EDs range in complexity and severity but can be life-threatening without appropriate treatment. Although it is well-known that quality of life impacts is high for ED sufferers, research regarding fiscal and related costs is severely limited. The aim of this study was to understand economic and other costs of EDs at the community level.MethodData were derived from 2017 household community representative structured interview of 2977 people aged ⩾ 15 years in South Australia. ED diagnoses, health systems, productivity, transaction, out-of-pocket expenses and other related costs of BN and BED were used to estimate the economic burden of EDs in South Australia.ResultsThe annual total economic cost of EDs in 2018 was estimated at $84 billion for South Australia. This included $81 billion from the burden of disease as the result of years lived with disability (YLD) ($62 billion) and years of life lost ($19 billion). The health system costs, productivity and tax revenue loss to the Australian economy were estimated at $1 billion, $1.6 billion and $0.6 billion, respectively.ConclusionsThe YLD average cost in 2018 in South Australia was $296 649 per person. This is two-thirds of the costs borne by individuals and the wider economy. Prevention and management initiatives for EDs need to take into account these costs when assessing their potential benefits.
Illuminating Methods, Picturing Instruments: Tycho Brahe's Instrumental Images
Authors: Horacek Ivana 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThis article considers the function of twenty-two hand-colored prints of mathematical instruments in Tycho Brahe's Astronomiae instauratae mechanica (Instruments of the renewed astronomy; 1598), a hand-painted presentation treatise dedicated to Emperor Rudolf II and conferred on a network of individuals connected to the imperial court in Prague. Although the accompanying text communicates the instruments’ use and composition, the images demand close inspection because they articulate Brahe's observationally driven astronomy. They do so through structured, repeated, and consecutive representations; through expanded viewer access, achieved by adhering to multiple perspectives; through the juxtaposition of colors, which focuses attention on the heads of the instruments (the part that does the measuring); and through the use of gold paint, which emphasizes the head and brings to mind the very metallic nature of the instruments. Much like an astronomer taking multiple measurements of cosmological phenomena, these images allow viewers and readers, as they leaf through the pages of the treatise, to become virtual participants in Brahe's instauration of astronomy.
Dosimetric study on the use of Eclipse beam angle optimiser for conformal planning
Authors: Yousif Yousif A. M. , Judge Ali , Zifodya Jackson 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAim:The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of Eclipse’s beam angle optimiser (BAO) for three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy planning.Materials and methods:Eleven 3D conformal lung plans, with varied tumour volumes, were retrospectively studied. For each clinical plan, a BAO plan was produced and then optimised by an experienced planner. Plan quality was assessed using International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements (ICRU)-83 and Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) recommended dose reporting metrics for dose volume prescribing and reporting.Results:Differences in dose volume histograms for both methods showed no clinical significance. Planning target volume Dmax for both plans was comparable and within ICRU guidelines. Reported spinal cord Dmax and the doses to 33% and 67% volume of the heart were within the RTOG recommended limits. Mean lung V20 values for BAO and non-BAO plans were 20 and 16%, respectively. The average monitor units for the BAO plans were about 11% lower. The conformity and homogeneity indices were within the acceptable range for both cases. On average, it took 23 minutes to plan using the BAO compared to 68 minutes for the non-BAO plans.Conclusion:Eclipse BAO shows the potential to produce good quality conformal plans and reduce planning time. This process could be further refined with multi-leaf collimator and optimal collimator angle options.
On the Interplanetary Parameter Schemes Which Drive the Variability of the Source/Seed Electron Population at GEO
Authors: Katsavrias Ch. , Aminalragia–Giamini S. , Papadimitriou C. , Sandberg I. , Jiggens P. , Daglis I.A. , Evans H. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractElectron variability at geosynchronous orbit (GEO) plays a key role in satellite operations especially concerning the low energies which can lead to surface charging effects on spacecraft. In this work, we use 9 years (2011–2019) of electron measurements from GOES‐13, 14 and 15 satellites to study the evolution of electron fluxes with respect to various solar, solar wind, and magnetospheric parameters. The source electron fluxes are shown to be well correlated with AE index and Newell's function, while the seed electron fluxes are shown to be well correlated with solar wind speed. Based on these findings, we have developed a predictive multiple regression model for electron fluxes in the 30–600 keV energy range which uses solely solar wind parameters' measurements. The model may have a variety of applications related to the nowcasting/forecasting of the distribution of electron fluxes at GEO including serving as low‐energy boundary conditions for studying electron acceleration to relativistic energies or providing information for predicting surface and/or internal charging effects on spacecraft.
A Consistently High‐Latitude South China From 820 to 780 Ma: Implications for Exclusion From Rodinia and the Feasibility of Large‐Scale True Polar Wander
Authors: Park Yuem , Swanson‐Hysell Nicholas L. , Xian Hanbiao , Zhang Shihong , Condon Daniel J. , Fu Hairuo , Macdonald Francis A. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe Tonian supercontinent Rodinia is hypothesized to have included almost all Proterozoic continental blocks. Competing models variably place South China at the core or periphery of Rodinia or separated from it entirely. Tonian paleogeographic models also vary in whether they incorporate hypothesized large and rapid oscillatory true polar wander associated with the ca. 810–795 Ma Bitter Springs Stage. Here, we present paleomagnetic data paired with U‐Pb chemical abrasion isotope dilution thermal ionization mass spectrometry zircon geochronology from the Tonian Xiajiang Group in South China to establish the craton's position and test the Bitter Springs Stage true polar wander hypothesis. Fine‐grained siliciclastic sediments and ashes of the Xiajiang Group post‐date the Jiangnan Orogeny, which united the Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks. A U‐Pb zircon date of 815.73 ± 0.18 Ma from a tuff near the base of the Xiajiang Group constrains the Jiangnan Orogeny to have ended between ca. 830 and 816 Ma. The paleomagnetic and geochronologic data constrain South China to high latitudes ca. 813 Ma and indicate a relatively stable high‐latitude position from ca. 821 to 805 Ma. These high‐latitude constraints either connect the craton to Rodinia along its periphery or disconnect it from the supercontinent entirely. The difference in pole position between the pre‐Bitter Springs Stage Xiajiang Group pole and the syn‐Bitter Springs Stage Madiyi Formation pole is significantly less than that predicted for the Bitter Springs Stage true polar wander hypothesis. If this pole difference is interpreted as true polar wander superimposed upon differential plate motion, it requires South China to have been separate from Rodinia.
Seasonally Variable Aquifer Discharge and Cooler Climate in Bermuda During the Last Interglacial Revealed by Subannual Clumped Isotope Analysis
Authors: Zhang Jade Z. , Petersen Sierra V. , Winkelstern Ian Z. , Lohmann Kyger C. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractFaunal analog reconstructions suggest that Last Interglacial (MIS 5e) sea surface temperatures were cooler around Bermuda and in the Caribbean than modern climate. Here we describe new and revised clumped isotope measurements of Cittarium pica fossil shells supporting previous findings of cooler than modern temperatures in Bermuda during the Last Interglacial. We resolve temperature and δ18Ow differences between two closely located and apparently coeval sites described in Winkelstern et al. (2017), https://doi.org/10.1002/2016pa003014 through reprocessing raw isotopic data with the updated Brand/IUPAC parameters. New subannual‐resolution clumped isotope data reveal large variations in δ18Ow out of phase with seasonal temperature changes (i.e., lower δ18Ow values in winter). Supported by modern δ18Ow measurements identifying similar processes occurring today, we suggest past variations in coastal δ18Ow were driven by seasonally variable freshwater discharge from a subterranean aquifer beneath the island. Taken together, our results emphasize the importance of δ18Ow in controlling carbonate δ18O, and suggest that typical assumptions of constant δ18Ow should be made cautiously in nearshore settings and can contribute to less accurate reconstructions of paleotemperature.
Local‐ and Large‐Scale Drivers of Variability in the Coastal Freshwater Budget of the Western Antarctic Peninsula
Authors: Meredith Michael P. , Stammerjohn Sharon E. , Ducklow Hugh W. , Leng Melanie J. , Arrowsmith Carol , Brearley J. Alexander , Venables Hugh J. , Barham Mark , van Wessem Jan Melchior , Schofield Oscar , Waite Nicole 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe west Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) is a region of marked climatic variability, exhibiting strong changes in sea ice extent, retreat of most of its glaciers, and shifts in the amount and form of precipitation. These changes can have significant impacts on the oceanic freshwater budget and marine biogeochemical processes; it is thus important to ascertain the relative balance of the drivers and the spatial scales over which they operate. We present a novel 7‐year summer‐season (October to March; 2011 to 2018) series of oxygen isotopes in seawater (δ18O), augmented with some winter sampling, collected adjacent to Anvers Island at the WAP. These data are used to attribute oceanic freshwater changes to sea ice and meteoric sources, and to deduce information on the spatial scales over which the changes are driven. Sea ice melt shows significant seasonality (∼9% range) and marked interannual changes, with pronounced maxima in seasons 2013/14 and 2016/17. Both of these extrema are driven by anomalous winds, but reflect strongly contrasting dynamic and thermodynamic sea ice responses. Meteoric water also shows seasonality (∼7% range) with interannual variability reflecting changes in the input of accumulated precipitation and glacial melt to the ocean. Unlike sea ice melt, meteoric water extremes are especially pronounced in thin (<10 m) surface layers close to the proximate glacier, associated with enhanced ocean stratification. Isotopic tracers help to deconvolve the complex spatio‐temporal scales inherent in the coastal freshwater budget, and hence improve our knowledge of the separate and cumulative physical and ecological impacts.
Isotropically resolved label-free tomographic imaging based on tomographic moulds for optical trapping
Authors: Lee Moosung , Kim Kyoohyun , Oh Jeonghun , Park YongKeun 
Published: May 2021

AbstractA major challenge in three-dimensional (3D) microscopy is to obtain accurate spatial information while simultaneously keeping the microscopic samples in their native states. In conventional 3D microscopy, axial resolution is inferior to spatial resolution due to the inaccessibility to side scattering signals. In this study, we demonstrate the isotropic microtomography of free-floating samples by optically rotating a sample. Contrary to previous approaches using optical tweezers with multiple foci which are only applicable to simple shapes, we exploited 3D structured light traps that can stably rotate freestanding complex-shaped microscopic specimens, and side scattering information is measured at various sample orientations to achieve isotropic resolution. The proposed method yields an isotropic resolution of 230 nm and captures structural details of colloidal multimers and live red blood cells, which are inaccessible using conventional tomographic microscopy. We envision that the proposed approach can be deployed for solving diverse imaging problems that are beyond the examples shown here.