bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Can We Predict Armed Conflict? How the First 9 Years of Published Forecasts Stand Up to Reality
Authors: Hegre Håvard , Nygård Håvard Mokleiv , Landsverk Peder 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Can we predict civil war? This article sheds light on this question by evaluating 9 years of, at the time, future predictions made by Hegre et al. (2013) in 2011. We evaluate the ability of this study to predict observed conflicts in the 2010–2018 period, using multiple metrics. We also evaluate the original performance evaluation, i.e., whether the performance measures presented by Hegre et al. hold in this new 9-year window. Overall, we conclude that Hegre et al. were able to produce meaningful and reasonably accurate predictions of armed conflict. Of course, they did not always hit the mark. We find that the model has performed worse in predicting low level incidence of conflict than in predicting major armed conflict. The model also failed to predict some important broader regional shifts. These, however, represent important insights for future research and illustrate the utility in predictive models for both testing and developing theory.
Ultrasound-Guided Fascia Iliaca Plane Block for the Treatment of Donor Site Pain in the Burn-Injured Patient: A Randomized Control Trial
Authors: Town Cienwen J , Strand Haakan , Johnson James , Brown Jason , Pelecanos Anita , Van Zundert Andre 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Burn injuries requiring surgical intervention often result in split-thickness skin grafting procedures, with donor skin frequently harvested from the patient’s anterolateral thigh. The donor site is often reported as the primary site of postoperative pain due to the damage sustained to localized nociceptors. A randomized control trial was undertaken to evaluate the impact an ultrasound-guided regional nerve block would have on patient-reported pain scores in donor site wounds, and associated rescue analgesia consumption. Twenty participants requiring split-skin grafting for burn injuries of &lt;15% total body surface area were enrolled from a tertiary burns unit and randomized to control (10 participants) or intervention group (10 participants). The intervention group received the addition of an ultrasound-guided facia iliaca plane block prior to their surgery. Primary outcome was pain score in the donor site during the postoperative phase while secondary outcome was pain on day 1 post-surgery as measured by the numeric pain score (0–10). During the postoperative phase, the intervention group had a significantly lower median donor site pain score of 0 (interquartile range [IQR] 0–0), compared to the control group median 6 (IQR 4–7) (P &lt; .001). Day 1 post-surgery the intervention group had a median pain score of 0 (IQR 0–4) compared to control group median 4.5 (IQR 2–6) (P = .043). The study findings demonstrated that regional anesthesia was an effective way to reduce pain scores and requirement for additional analgesics during the postoperative phase.
Malignant adnexal tumour of the shoulder—a rare case report
Authors: Shanmugam Giridharan , Chidambaram Balamurugan , Princess Beulah D , Manimohan Vignesh 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Malignant adnexal tumours are a very rare and highly aggressive primary skin neoplasms. Among them, malignant hidradenocarcinoma is a particularly aggressive tumour that arises from the intradermal duct of eccrine sweat glands. It more commonly arises de novo and rarely from a pre-existing hidradenoma. It is an aggressive tumour with regional lymph nodal and distant visceral metastasis. The prognosis is poor with a 5-year survival rate of 30%. Here, we present a 48-year-old female who came with a swelling over the left shoulder. On examination, it appeared to be chronic sebaceous cyst. The patient underwent wide local excision and the specimen was diagnosed as malignant nodular hidradenocarcinoma. Subsequent re-excision and sentinel lymph node biopsy was performed and margins were found to be microscopically negative for tumour. Based on the available literature wide local excision and sentinel lymph node biopsy appear to be the most common initial treatment plans.
A graph database of scholastic relationships in the Babylonian Talmud
Authors: Waxman Joshua 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Envisioning the dense scholastic interactions of the Babylonian Talmud as a multi-generational social network, we built a social network graph of the Talmud. We performed Named Entity Recognition on statement-aligned Hebrew and English texts to produce graphs of rabbis (nodes) and their interactions (edges). The new graph database, currently available online, delivers visual and color-coded information about scholastic generation, teacher–student relationships, and both local (page-level) and global (Talmud-level) interactions. By making a wealth of knowledge accessible and highlighting relevant relationships, this tool can provide valuable insights into the complex dynamics of Talmudic discourse.
Semirings of Evidence
Authors: Baur Michael , Studer Thomas 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIn traditional justification logic, evidence terms have the syntactic form of polynomials, but they are not equipped with the corresponding algebraic structure. We present a novel semantic approach to justification logic that models evidence by a semiring. Hence justification terms can be interpreted as polynomial functions on that semiring. This provides an adequate semantics for evidence terms and clarifies the role of variables in justification logic. Moreover, the algebraic structure makes it possible to compute with evidence. Depending on the chosen semiring this can be used to model trust, probabilities, cost, etc. Last but not least the semiring approach seems promising for obtaining a realization procedure for modal fixed point logics.
In silico analysis of selenoprotein N (Gallus gallus): absence of EF-hand motif and the role of CUGS-helix domain in antioxidant protection
Authors: Zhu Shi-Yong , Liu Li-Li , Huang Yue-Qiang , Li Xiao-Wei , Talukder Milton , Dai Xue-Yan , Li Yan-Hua , Li Jin-Long 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Selenoprotein N (SEPN1) is critical to the normal muscular physiology. Mutation of SEPN1 can raise congenital muscular disorder in human. It is also central to maturation and structure of skeletal muscle in chicken. However, human SEPN1 contained an EF-hand motif, which was not found in chicken. And the biochemical and molecular characterization of chicken SEPN1 remains unclear. Hence, protein domains, transcription factors, and interactions of Ca2+ in SEPN1 were analyzed in silico to provide the divergence and homology between chicken and human in this work. The results showed that vertebrates’ SEPN1 evolved from a common ancestor. Human and chicken's SEPN1 shared a conserved CUGS-helix domain with function in antioxidant protection. SEPN1 might be a downstream target of JNK pathway, and it could respond to multiple stresses. Human's SEPN1 might not combine with Ca2+ with a single EF-hand motif in calcium homeostasis, and chicken SEPN1 did not have the EF-hand motif in the prediction, indicating the EF-hand motif malfunctioned in chicken SEPN1.
Clinical features, neurologic recovery, and risk factors of postoperative posterior fossa syndrome and delayed recovery: a prospective study
Authors: Khan Raja B , Patay Zoltan , Klimo Paul , Huang Jie , Kumar Rahul , Boop Frederick A , Raches Darcy , Conklin Heather M , Sharma Richa , Simmons Andrea , Sadighi Zsila S , Onar-Thomas Arzu , Gajjar Amar , Robinson Giles W 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Background
Posterior fossa syndrome (PFS) is a known consequence of medulloblastoma resection. Our aim was to clinically define PFS, its evolution over time, and ascertain risk factors for its development and poor recovery.

Methods
Children with medulloblastoma treated at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital from 6/2013 to 7/2019 received standardized neurological examinations, before and periodically after radiation therapy. Most (98.3%) were enrolled on the ongoing multi-institutional protocol (SJMB12; NCT 01878617).

Results
Sixty (34%) of 178 evaluated children had PFS. Forty (23%) had complete mutism (PFS1) and 20 (11%) had diminished speech (PFS2). All children with PFS had severe ataxia and 42.5% of PFS1 had movement disorders. By multivariable analysis, younger age (P = .0005) and surgery in a low-volume surgery center (P = .0146) increased PFS risk, while Sonic Hedgehog tumors had reduced risk (P = .0025). Speech and gait returned in PFS1/PFS2 children at a median of 2.3/0.7 and 2.1/1.5 months, respectively, however, 12 (44.4%) of 27 PFS1 children with 12 months of follow-up were nonambulatory at 1 year. Movement disorder (P = .037) and high ataxia score (P &lt; .0001) were associated with delayed speech recovery. Older age (P = .0147) and high ataxia score (P &lt; .0001) were associated with delayed gait return. Symptoms improved in all children but no child with PFS had normal neurologic examination at a median of 23 months after surgery.

Conclusions
Categorizing PFS into types 1 and 2 has prognostic relevance. Almost half of the children with PFS1 with 12-month follow-up were nonambulatory. Surgical experience was a major modifiable contributor to the development of PFS.
Adult Diffuse Astrocytic and Oligodendroglial Tumors
Authors: Gestrich Catherine K , Couce Marta E , Cohen Mark L 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Infiltrating gliomas comprise the most common group of primary intraparenchymal brain tumors and present a level of complexity which requires careful integration of histopathology and molecular diagnostics for optimal therapy. To this end, the fourth edition of the World Health Organization (WHO) Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System (CNS) has been followed by a series of publications by cIMPACT-NOW (the Consortium to Inform Molecular and Practical Approaches to CNS Tumor Taxonomy) incorporating molecular signatures to propose updated diagnostic categories in anticipation of the upcoming fifth edition of CNS tumor classification. Integration of histopathology, immunophenotyping, and molecular findings is profoundly changing the practice of diagnostic surgical neuropathology and enabling a more personalized approach to treating patients with gliomas.
A Deep-Learning–Based, Fully Automated Program to Segment and Quantify Major Spinal Components on Axial Lumbar Spine Magnetic Resonance Images
Authors: Shen Haotian , Huang Jiawei , Zheng Qiangqiang , Zhu Zhiwei , Lv Xiaoqiang , Liu Yong , Wang Yue 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Objective
The paraspinal muscles have been extensively studied on axial lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for better understanding of back pain; however, the acquisition of measurements mainly relies on manual segmentation, which is time consuming. The study objective was to develop and validate a deep-learning–based program for automated acquisition of quantitative measurements for major lumbar spine components on axial lumbar MRIs, the paraspinal muscles in particular.

Methods
This study used a cross-sectional observational design. From the Hangzhou Lumbar Spine Study, T2-weighted axial MRIs at the L4–5 disk level of 120 participants (aged 54.8 years [SD = 15.0]) were selected to develop the deep-learning–based program Spine Explorer (Tulong). Another 30 axial lumbar MRIs were automatically measured by Spine Explorer and then manually measured using ImageJ to acquire quantitative size and compositional measurements for bilateral multifidus, erector spinae, and psoas muscles; the disk; and the spinal canal. Intersection-over-union and Dice score were used to evaluate the performance of automated segmentation. Intraclass coefficients and Bland–Altman plots were used to examine intersoftware agreements for various measurements.

Results
After training, Spine Explorer (Tulong) measures an axial lumbar MRI in 1 second. The intersections-over-union were 83.3% to 88.4% for the paraspinal muscles and 92.2% and 82.1% for the disk and spinal canal, respectively. For various size and compositional measurements of paraspinal muscles, Spine Explorer (Tulong) was in good agreement with ImageJ (intraclass coefficient = 0.85 to approximately 0.99).

Conclusion
Spine Explorer (Tulong) is automated, efficient, and reliable in acquiring quantitative measurements for the paraspinal muscles, the disk, and the canal, and various size and compositional measurements were simultaneously obtained for the lumbar paraspinal muscles.

Impact
Such an automated program might encourage further epidemiological studies of the lumbar paraspinal muscle degeneration and enhance paraspinal muscle assessment in clinical practice.
Complications as a Mediator of the Perioperative Frailty–Mortality Association
Authors: McIsaac Daniel I. , Aucoin Sylvie D. , Bryson Gregory L. , Hamilton Gavin M. , Lalu Manoj M. 
Published: February 2021

Background
Preoperative frailty is strongly associated with postoperative complications and mortality. However, the pathways between frailty, postoperative complications, and mortality are poorly described. The authors hypothesized that the occurrence of postoperative complications would mediate a substantial proportion of the total effect of frailty on mortality after elective noncardiac surgery.

Methods
Following protocol registration, the authors conducted a retrospective cohort study of intermediate- to high-risk elective noncardiac surgery patients (2016) using National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data. The authors conducted Bayesian mediation analysis of the relationship between preoperative frailty (exposure, using the Risk Analysis Index), serious complications (mediator), and 30-day mortality (outcome), comprehensively adjusting for confounders. The authors estimated the total effect of frailty on mortality (composed of the indirect effect mediated by complications and the remaining direct effect of frailty) and estimated the proportion of the frailty–mortality association mediated by complications.

Results
The authors identified 205,051 patients; 1,474 (0.7%) died. Complications occurred in 20,211 (9.9%). A 2 SD increase in frailty score resulted in a total association with mortality equal to an odds ratio of 3.79 (95% credible interval, 2.48 to 5.64), resulting from a direct association (odds ratio, 1.76; 95% credible interval, 1.34 to 2.30) and an indirect association mediated by complications (odds ratio, 2.15; 95% credible interval, 1.58 to 2.96). Complications mediated 57.3% (95% credible interval, 40.8 to 73.8) of the frailty–mortality association. Cardiopulmonary complications were the strongest mediators among complication subtypes.

Conclusions
Complications mediate more than half of the association between frailty and postoperative mortality in elective noncardiac surgery.

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Longitudinal analyses reveal age-specific immune correlates of COVID-19 severity
Authors: Lewis Sloan A. , Sureshchandra Suhas , Zulu Michael Z. , Doratt Brianna , Pinski Amanda , Curtis Micaila , Jankeel Allen , Ibraim Izabela , Rhoades Nicholas , Jiang Xiwen , Tifrea Delia , Zaldivar Frank , Shen Weining , Edwards Robert , Chow Daniel , Cooper Dan , Amin Alpesh , Messaoudi Ilhem 
Published: January 2021

ABSTRACTSevere COVID-19 disproportionately impacts older individuals and those with comorbidities. It is estimated that approximately 80% of COVID-19 deaths are observed among individuals >65 years of age. However, the immunological underpinnings of severe COVID-19 in the aged have yet to be defined. This study captures the longitudinal immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection in a cohort of young and aged patients with varying disease severity. Phenotypic transcriptional and functional examination of the peripheral mononuclear cells revealed age-, time, and disease severity-specific adaptations. Gene expression signatures within memory B cells suggest qualitative differences in the antibody responses in aged patients with severe disease. Examination of T cells showed profound lymphopenia, that worsened over time and correlated with lower levels of plasma cytokines important for T cell survival in aged patients with severe disease. Single cell RNA sequencing revealed augmented signatures of activation, exhaustion, cytotoxicity, and type-I interferon signaling in memory T cells and NK cells. Although hallmarks of a cytokine storm were evident in both groups, older individuals exhibited elevated levels of chemokines that mobilize inflammatory myeloid cells, notably in those who succumbed to disease. Correspondingly, we observed a re-distribution of DC and monocytes with severe disease that was accompanied by a rewiring towards a more regulatory phenotype. Several of these critical changes, such as the reduction of surface HLA-DR on myeloid cells, were reversed in young but not aged patients over time. In summary, the data presented here provide novel insights into the impact of aging on the host response to SARS-CoV2 infection.
Predicting and simulating effects of PEEP changes with machine learning
Authors: Strodthoff Claas , Frerichs Inéz , Weiler Norbert , Bergh Björn 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackground/ObjectivesChoosing ventilator settings, especially positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), is a very common and non-trivial task in intensive care units (ICUs). Established solutions to this problem are either poorly individualised or come with high costs in terms of used material or time. We propose a novel method relying on machine learning utilising only already routinely measured data.MethodsUsing the MIMIC-III (with over 60000 ICU stays) and eICU databases (with over 200000 ICU stays) we built a deep learning model that predicts relevant success parameters of ventilation (oxygenation, carbon dioxide elimination and respiratory mechanics). We compare a random forest, individual neural networks and a multi-tasking neural network. Our final model also allows to simulate the expected effects of PEEP changes.ResultsThe model predicts arterial partial pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide and respiratory system compliance 30 minutes into the future with mean absolute percentage errors of about 22 %, 10 % and 11 %, respectively.ConclusionsThe deep learning approach to ventilation optimisation is promising and comes with low cost compared to other approaches.
Structural basis of fitness of emerging SARS-COV-2 variants and considerations for screening, testing and surveillance strategy to contain their threat
Authors: Islam Sk Ramiz , Prusty Debasish , Manna Soumen Kanti 
Published: January 2021

AbstractWhile emergence of new SAS-COV-2 variants is posing grave challenge to efforts to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, the structural and molecular basis of their fitness remain poorly understood. We performed in silico analysis of structures of two most frequent SARS-COV-2 mutations, namely, N501Y and E484K, to identify plausible basis of their fitness over the original strain. The analysis suggested that the N501Y mutation is associated with strengthening of intra- as well as intermolecular H-bond in the hACE2 receptor-spike protein complex, which could result in increased affinity and, therefore, higher infectivity. While E484K mutation did not seem to directly affect the binding with hACE2 receptor, it disrupted H-bonding and salt-bridge interaction associated with binding with neutralizing antibody, which could affect chance of re-infection, disease outcome. Survey of several other mutations showing reduction in antibody-mediated neutralization also revealed that similar disruption of H-bonding or salt-bridge or Van der Waals interaction might explain their phenotype. Analysis of GESS database indicated that N501Y, EK484 as well as these other mutations existed since March-April, 2020, might have evolved independently across the world and may keep accumulating, which could affect efficacy of vaccination and antibody-based therapies. Our analysis also indicated that these may spread in spite of current travel restrictions focused on few countries and evolve indigenously warranting intensification of surveillance for emerging mutations among all travellers as well as people in their dwelling zones. Meta-analysis of existing literature showed that repeat testing of travellers, contacts and others under scrutiny 7-11 days after the initial RT-PCR test may significantly help to contain the spread of emerging variants by catching false negative results. In addition, existing evidence calls for development of strain-specific tests, escalated sequencing and broadening the scope of surveillance including in hospitals and animal farms to contain the threat of emerging variants.
Trends and opportunities in tick-borne disease geography
Authors: Lippi Catherine A. , Ryan Sadie J. , White Alexis L. , Gaff Holly D. , Carlson Colin J. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractTick-borne diseases are a growing problem in many parts of the world, and their surveillance and control touches on challenging issues in medical entomology, agricultural health, veterinary medicine, and biosecurity. Spatial approaches can be used to synthesize the data generated by integrative One Health surveillance systems, and help stakeholders, managers, and medical geographers understand the current and future distribution of risk. Here, we performed a systematic review of over 8,000 studies, and identified a total of 303 scientific publications that map tick-borne diseases using data on vectors, pathogens, and hosts (including wildlife, livestock, and human cases). We find that the field is growing rapidly, with the majorIxodes-borne diseases (Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis in particular) giving way to monitoring efforts that encompass a broader range of threats. We find a tremendous diversity of methods used to map tick-borne disease, but also find major gaps: data on the enzootic cycle of tick-borne pathogens is severely underutilized, and mapping efforts are mostly limited to Europe and North America. We suggest that future work can readily apply available methods to track the distributions of tick-borne diseases in Africa and Asia, following a One Health approach that combines medical and veterinary surveillance for maximum impact.