bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Title: A Comparison of Orthopaedic Surgery and Internal Medicine Perceptions of USMLE Step 1 Pass/Fail Scoring: A National Program Director Survey
Authors: Mun Frederick , Scott Alyssa R. , Cui David , Lehman Erik B. , Jeong Seong Ho , Chisty Alia , Juliano Paul J. , Hennrikus William L. , Hennrikus Eileen F. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background

United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 will transition from numeric grading to pass/fail, sometime after January 2022. The aim of this study was to compare how program directors in orthopaedics and internal medicine perceive a pass/fail Step 1 will impact the residency application process.
Methods

A 27-item, validated survey was distributed through REDCap to 197 U.S. orthopaedic residency program directors and 554 U.S. internal medicine residency program directors. Program director emails were obtained from the American Medical Association’s Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database.
Results

We received 58 (36.0%) orthopaedic and 125 (22.8%) internal medicine program director responses. The majority of both groups disagree with the change to pass/fail, and felt that the decision was not transparent. Both groups believe that the Step 2 Clinical Knowledge exam and clerkship grades will take on more importance. Compared to internal medicine, orthopaedic PDs have greater odds of emphasizing research (OR 6.43, CI 3.18-13.00, p < 0.001), letters of recommendation from known faculty (OR 3.22, CI 1.77–5.87, p < 0.001)), Alpha Omega Alpha membership (OR 4.96, CI 2.65–9.25, p < 0.001), leadership/extracurricular activities (OR 3.69, CI 1.96–6.95, p < 0.001), audition elective rotations (OR 6.20, CI 3.21–11.97, p < 0.001) and personal knowledge of the applicant (OR 2.93, CI 1.61–5.34, p < 0.001). Both groups believe that allopathic students from less prestigious medical schools, osteopathic students, and international medical graduates will be disadvantaged. Orthopaedic and internal medicine program directors agree that medical schools should adopt a graded pre-clinical curriculum, and that there should be a cap on the number of residency applications a student can submit.
Conclusion

Orthopaedic and internal medicine program directors disagree with the change of Step 1 to pass/fail. They also believe that this transition will make the match process more difficult, and disadvantage students from less highly-regarded medical schools. Both groups will rely more heavily on the Step 2 clinical knowledge exam score, but orthopaedics will place more importance on research, letters of recommendation, Alpha Omega Alpha membership, leadership/extracurricular activities, personal knowledge of the applicant, and audition electives.
Parental Drinking, Mental Health, and Education; The Association with Offspring’s Recurring contact with Healthcare Services for Anxiety/Depression. A longitudinal Combined HUNT Survey and Health Registry Study
Authors: Lund Ingunn , Andersen Njål , Handal Marte , Ask Helga , Skurtveit Svetlana , Ystrom Eivind , Andreas Jasmina Burdzovic 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background and aims: Previous research have shown that certain risk constellations of parental drinking, mental health, and years of education were prospectively associated with increased risk of offspring receiving a diagnosis and/or treatment for anxiety/depression. We know less about how such constellations may relate to other aspects of offspring’s mental health -- including recurring healthcare utilization. We examined offspring's recurring utilization of healthcare services for these disorders, as measured both by the duration of and the number of contacts with services during a 7-year study period, as a function of parental risk constellations.Design: Longitudinal cohort design combining health survey and registry data. Participants and setting: The sample included 8773 offspring from 6696 two-parent families who participated in the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study in Norway. Measurements: The exposures were five constellations of parental risks, derived previously from latent profile analysis, characterized by drinking frequencies and quantities, years of education, and mental health. The outcomes were the number of years in contact with, and the total number of contacts with the healthcare services for anxiety/depression in offspring as recorded in healthcare registries during 2008-2014. Associations were examined using zero-inflated negative binomial regression models while accounting for demographics and offspring’s early mental health.Results: Parental risk constellations were not significantly associated with offspring’s’ recurring use of healthcare services for anxiety and depression during the study period, neither in terms of the number of utilization years or the number of contacts. These were primarily a function of offspring’s own characteristics, such as male gender and early mental health problems. Conclusions: Parental risk constellations were not prospectively associated with recurring utilization of healthcare services for anxiety and depression disorders among the offspring during the 7-year study period; offspring from 4 risky constellations were no more likely to use such services for longer period of time or to use them on more occasions than offspring from the low-risk constellation. Seen in conjunction with previous research, parental risk constellations may be thus more informative for understanding the etiology of offspring’s anxiety/depression, than for understanding of other aspects, including recurrence of healthcare utilization in offspring.
Ex Vivo Immune Profiling in Patient Blood Enables Quantification of Innate Immune Effector Functions
Authors: Lehnert Teresa , Leonhardt Ines , Timme Sandra , Thomas-Rüddel Daniel , Bloos Frank , Sponholz Christoph , Kurzai Oliver , Figge Marc Thilo , Hünniger Kerstin 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Assessment of a patient’s immune function is critical in many clinical situations. One prominent example is sepsis, which results from a loss of immune homeostasis due to microbial infection and is characterized by a plethora of pro- and anti-inflammatory stimuli that may occur consecutively or simultaneously. Thus, any immunomodulatory therapy would require in depth knowledge of an individual patient’s immune status at a given time. Whereas lab-test based immune profiling often relies solely on quantification of cell numbers, we have used an ex vivo whole-blood infection model in combination with biomathematical modeling to quantify functional parameters of innate immune cells in blood from patients undergoing cardiac surgery. These patients experience a well characterized inflammatory insult, which results in mitigation of pathogen-specific response patterns towards Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans that are characteristic for healthy people and baseline results in our patients. This does not only interfere with pathogen elimination from blood but also selectively augments the escape of C. albicans from phagocytosis. In summary, our model gives insight into immune functionality and might serve as a functional immune assay to record and evaluate innate response patterns towards infection.
Performance of Postural Balance in Children and Adolescents Living With and Without&nbsp;HIV
Authors: de Medeiros Rafaela Catherine da Silva Cunha , Silva Racquel Guimarães da , Medeiros Radamés Maciel Vitor , de Goes Carlos Jean Damasceno , de Medeiros Jason Azevedo , Barela José Angelo , Cabral Breno Guilherme de Araújo Tinoco , Dantas Paulo Moreira Silva 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The present study aimed to compare the postural control of children and adolescents with and without HIV. A total of 32 children and adolescents (18 with HIV and 14 without) of both sexes, aged 6–18 years, were included in the present study. Participants in the HIV+ group were infected through vertical transmission and received antiretroviral therapy. Participants maintained an erect, bipedal posture in the following conditions: with vision, without vision, and on a foam base. Concerning the evaluation of time variables, higher values ​​were observed in the HIV+ group for mean anteroposterior (AP) speed, mean mediolateral (ML) speed, AP perimeter (p = 0.001), and ML perimeter (p = 0.001). Concerning the evaluation of conditions, a difference was observed in the mean AP oscillation amplitude (MAO; p = 0.039), as the AP MAO was lower with vision than without vision or with foam. Concerning the evaluation of spectral domain variables, higher values ​​were observed in the HIV+ group for the predominant ML frequency (p = 0.04) and mean AP (p = 0.001) and ML frequencies (p = 0.001). Regarding the evaluation of conditions, a difference was found only in the predominant AP frequency (p = 0.001). Higher values ​​were found in the closed eye condition than in with foam (Δ = +103%). The results of the present study indicated that children and adolescents living with HIV have poorer postural control performance than those without HIV.
Memory for Spatio-temporal Contextual Details During the Retrieval of Naturalistic Episodes
Authors: Foudil Samy-Adrien , Pleche Claire , Macaluso Emiliano 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Episodic memory entails the storage of events together with their spatio-temporal context and retrieval comprises the subjective experience of a link between the person who remembers and the episode itself. We used an encoding procedure with mobile-phones to generate experimentally-controlled episodes in the real world: object-images were sent to the participants' phone, with encoding durations up to 3 weeks. In other groups of participants, the same objects were encoded during the exploration of a virtual town (45 min) or using a standard laboratory paradigm, with pairs of object/place-images presented in a sequence of unrelated trials (15 min). At retrieval, we tested subjective memory for the objects (remember/familiar) and memory for the context (place and time). We found that accurate and confident context-memory increased the likelihood of "remember" responses, in all encoding contexts. We also tested the participants' ability to judge the temporal-order of the encoded episodes. Using a model of temporal similarity, we demonstrate scale-invariant properties of order-retrieval, but also highlight the contribution of non-chronological factors. We conclude that the mechanisms governing episodic memory retrieval can operate across a wide range of spatio-temporal contexts and that the multi-dimensional nature of the episodic traces contributes to the subjective experience of retrieval.
The severity and risk factors for mortality in immunocompromised adult patients hospitalized with influenza-related pneumonia
Authors: Chen Liang , Han Xiudi , Li YanLi , Zhang Chunxiao , Xing Xiqian 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Objective To explore disease severity and risk factors for 30-day mortality of adult immunocompromised (IC) patients hospitalized with influenza-related pneumonia (Flu-p).Method A total of 122 IC and 1,191 immunocompetent patients hospitalized with Flu-p from January 2012 to December 2018 were recruited retrospectively from five teaching hospitals in China. Results After controlling for confounders, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that immunosuppression was associated with increased risks for invasive ventilation [odds ratio: (OR) 2.475, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.511-4.053, p < 0.001], admittance to the intensive care unit (OR: 3.247, 95% CI: 2.064-5.106, p < 0.001), and 30-day mortality (OR: 3.206, 95% CI: 1.926-5.335, p < 0.001) in patients with Flu-p. Another multivariate logistic regression model revealed that baseline lymphocyte counts (OR: 0.993, 95% CI: 0.990-0.996, p < 0.001), coinfection (OR: 5.450, 95% C:I 1.638-18.167, p = 0.006), early neuraminidase inhibitor therapy (OR 0.401, 95% CI 0.127-0.878, p = 0.001), and systemic corticosteroid use at admission (OR: 6.414, 95% C:I 1.348-30.512, p = 0.020) were independently related to 30-day mortality in IC patients with Flu-p. Based on receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis, the optimal cutoff for lymphocyte counts was 0.6×109/L [area under the ROC (AUROC) = 0.824, 95% CI: 0.744 - 0.887], sensitivity: 97.8%, specificity: 73.7%].Conclusions IC conditions are associated with more severe outcomes in patients with Flu-p. The predictors for mortality that we identified may be valuable for the management of Flu-p among IC patients.
Distribution of organic carbon and nutrients in soil aggregates under different Cunninghamia lanceolata stand types in southern Guangxi of China
Authors: Huang Yongzhen , Wang Shengqiang , Ye Shaoming 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: By microscopically characterizing soil organic carbon (Corg) and nutrients pertaining to different Cunninghamia lanceolata stands at aggregate scale. A theoretical foundation can be laid to more sustainably employ soil resources in Cunninghamia lanceolata plantations, thus improving soil health and fertility.Methods: Soil Corg, total nitrogen (Ntot), available phosphorus (Pava) and exchangeable cations (including calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), potassium (K+) and sodium (Na+)) received the analysis within aggregate fractions acquired from 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm depth in three different stands, mixed stand of Cunninghamia lanceolata and Michelia macclurei (stand A), Cunninghamia lanceolata and Mytilaria laosensis (stand B) and pure stand of Cunninghamia lanceolata (stand C), respectively. The soil aggregates were classified into macro-aggregates (>2 mm), meso-aggregates (2-0.25 mm) and micro-aggregates (<0.25 mm) fractions by one dry-sieving process.Results: The two mixed stands displayed a relationship with the higher stable characteristic pertaining to soil aggregates than the pure stand, especially stand A. Meanwhile, micro-aggregates acted as the main fractions that carried soil Corg, Ntot, and Pava, and both micro- and macro-aggregates referred to the main fractions that carried exchangeable cations. As for the soil nutrient stocks, only the exchangeable K+ cation stock of the pure stand dominated among the Corg and nutrients stocks, in addition, the rest of the other nutrients stocks of the mixed forests (stand A and B) took an advantage over the pure stand. Moreover, the Corg and nutrients stocks in stand A and B were reflected in the macro-aggregates, differently, those of stand C were mainly reflected in the micro-aggregates.Conclusions: Thus, selecting suitable broadleaf tree species mixed with Cunninghamia lanceolata can alleviate the problems of pure stand soil aggregate stability reduction and soil Corg and nutrient loss for promoting soil resources to be sustainably utilized and protecting the health and quality of soil in the hilly area in southern Guangxi, China.
Hypermethylated miR-424 in Colorectal Cancer Subsequently Upregulates VEGF
Authors: Ghonbalani Zahra Nouri , Shahmohamadnejad Shiva , Pasalar Parvin , Khalili Ehsan 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
PurposeColorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of death from cancer in adults. Recent advances have shown that cancer cells can have some epigenetic changes involved in all stages of cancer. It has also been shown that miR-424 acts as gene expression regulators in many biological processes, including angiogenesis with mediators such as VEGF. In the current study, to identify the potential role of miR-424 in colorectal cancer progression, methylation status of miR-424 promoter region and its expression level have been evaluated. Besides, the correlation between VEGF level and miR-424 expression level has been assessed.MethodsMethylation status miR-424 promoter was assessed using methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP). The expression level of miR-424 in human colorectal cancer tissue was analyzed by quantitative PCR. HCT116 cell line was selected to evaluate the correlation between the miR-424 expression level and the promoter's methylation status. VEGF expression, one out of mir-424 targets involved in angiogenesis and cancer progression, was measured by western blot analysis in the pairs of cancer tissues and their adjacent tissues.ResultsOur results have revealed that the promoter region of miR-424 is methylated in cancer cells compared to normal cells, leading to down-regulation of miR-424 in the colorectal cancer tissues compared to the normal tissues. Also, we found that the expression protein's level of VEGF in the tumor cells increased compared with normal tissues.ConclusionThe present study suggests that hypermethylation downregulates miR-424. VEGF expression is upregulated with decreased miR-424 in colorectal cancer, which results in cancer progression.
Is the Primary Helper Always a Key Group for the Sustainability of Cooperative Birds? A Mathematical Study on Cooperative Breeding Blue-Tailed Bee-Eater.
Authors: Ghosh Sinchan , Basir Fahad Al , Chowdhury Ganesh , Ray Santanu , Bhattacharya Sabyasachi 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Cooperation is a fundamental requirement for the sustainability of group-living organisms. Despite the substantial research work in cooperative breeding birds, the dependence of the populations' sustainability young or adult helpers in migratory populations is unidentified. The mathematical models for predicting the birds' cooperative dynamics so far mostly ignore the migratory property. The cooperative breeding birds have three groups in their population, viz, immature or primary helpers, mature or secondary helpers, and breeders. We ask three questions to study migratory cooperative birds' sustainability through mathematical modeling under changing environments. Which group is the key to the sustainability of cooperative migratory birds? Does the maturate helper compensate young helpers' helping? Does the hierarchical structure of the population vary for variable migratory rates? We explore the answers based on the mathematical model's simulation experiment, a potential alternative to the game theory approach. This study estimates the parameters associated with the proposed model through the field survey and obtains the rest from existing literature. Although the study uses blue-tailed bee-eater as the test-bed species, the model is useful for analyzing other avian species' behavioral property. The model as a tool can determine whether the primary helpers of blue-tailed bee-eater are the key to sustainability. The model can also classify the adults' help as an addition or compensate to primary helpers' help. The model can predict any alteration in the cooperative breeding birds' hierarchy sizes for variable migration rates under changing climate.
An electrochemical detection of cadmium (II) and lead (II) ions using a polymer-modified electrode with a Schiff base by square wave voltammetry
Authors: Mohammed Mohammed Qasim , Ismail Hani Khalil , Alesary Hasan Fisal , Barton Stephen 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The work herein concentrates on the electrochemical detection of heavy metal ions, specifically cadmium and lead
ions. The introduction and modification of functional groups such as Schiff bases had led to an enhanced sensitivity
of the electrode to analytes. In this study, a platinum electrode has for the first time been modified with poly(3,4-
ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT/Schiff base) in CH2Cl2 containing Bu4NPF6 for use to detection cadmium (II) and
lead (II) ions. The structure and morphology of the polymer coatings were characterised by Fourier transform
infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. The electrochemical synthesis
and redox state response in monomer-free synthesised films have been studied by cyclic voltammetry. Moreover, the
effect of scan rate on the electrochemical behaviour of the modified electrodes was also studied. The voltammetric
findings have been used to calculate the surface coverage required for the polymer films and the stability of polymer
electrodes in the monomer-free solutions. Square wave voltammetry (SWV) was applied for the determination of
cadmium (II) and lead (II) ion concentrations and to assess the effects of pH on aqueous samples. The limits of
detection for the modified electrode for cadmium (II) and lead (II) were found to be 0.95 μg L-1 and 1.84 μg L-1,
respectively. These findings revealed that modified films can be considered good candidates for application in
electrochemical detection devices
High-Performance Materials Based on Organic Light-Emitting Transistor (OLET)
Authors: OJHA SANDEEP KUMAR , Kumar Brijesh 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
As per industrial environment the devices which made by the organic molecule based materials most preferred current time. Its behavior and OLET characteristics which are bi-functional in nature are fully related to the concerned materials which are utilizes for electrode, OSC, gate, as well as source and drain. These parameters are also defined how its cost should be minimize and made more and more flexible in nature. It will generate more commercialized devices that are too much demanding in current scenario. The OLET behavior are of bi-functional in nature, because its operations on two principles, the first one working as a transistor and the second one emission of light also. This paper also tells us that, the analysis of different types of high performing materials, their performances with the threshold voltages which are utilizing for designing of OLET layers. Our major concerned towards the material selections for designing of layer rather than structure of OLET. The reliability of materials which perform better in response and to improve the potentials of OLET is our main indication in this analysis.