bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Childhood cancer and residential proximity to petrol stations: a nationwide registry-based case–control study in Switzerland and an updated meta-analysis
Authors: Mazzei Antonella , Konstantinoudis Garyfallos , Kreis Christian , Diezi Manuel , Ammann Roland A. , Zwahlen Marcel , Kühni Claudia , Spycher Ben D. 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Purpose
Benzene is a known carcinogen for adult leukemia. Exposure to benzene through parental occupation and the use of household products has been associated with childhood leukemia (CL). Ambient benzene has also been associated with CL and central nervous system (CNS) tumors. We aimed to investigate whether the higher ambient levels of benzene in proximity of petrol stations are associated with a greater risk of childhood cancers, leukemia, and CNS tumors.

Methods
We identified children diagnosed with cancer at age 0–15 years during 1985–2015 from the Swiss Childhood Cancer Registry and selected 10 age and sex-matched controls per case from national censuses. We calculated the distance from children’s home to the nearest petrol station using precise geocodes. We estimated odds ratios using conditional logistic regression adjusting for ambient levels of NO2, distance to highways, level of urbanization, and presence of a cantonal cancer registry. In addition, we ran a meta-analysis pooling current results for CL with those of previous studies.

Results
We identified 6129 cases, of which 1880 were leukemias and 1290 CNS tumors. 24 cases lived within 50 m from a petrol station. The adjusted odds ratio of a cancer diagnosis for children thus exposed compared to unexposed children (> 500 m) was 1.29 (0.84–1.98) for all cancers combined, 1.08 (0.46–2.51) for leukemia, and 1.30 (0.51–3.35) for CNS tumors. During 2000–2015, when exposure assessment was more precise, the adjusted odds ratio for any cancer diagnosis was 1.77 (1.05–2.98). The summary relative risk estimate for CL in the meta-analysis including four studies was 2.01 (1.25–3.22).

Conclusions
Our study provides weak support for an increased risk of childhood cancers among children living close to petrol stations. A meta-analysis including our study suggests an increased risk for CL.
The impact of surgical site infection—a cost analysis
Authors: Strobel Rahel M. , Leonhardt Marja , Förster Frank , Neumann Konrad , Lobbes Leonard A. , Seifarth Claudia , Lee Lucas D. , Schineis Christian H. W. , Kamphues Carsten , Weixler Benjamin , Kreis Martin E. , Lauscher Johannes C. 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Purpose
Surgical site infection (SSI) occurs in up to 25% of patients after elective laparotomy. We aimed to determine the effect of SSI on healthcare costs and patients’ quality of life.

Methods
In this post hoc analysis based on the RECIPE trial, we studied a 30-day postoperative outcome of SSI in a single-center, prospective randomized controlled trial comparing subcutaneous wound irrigation with 0.04% polyhexanide to 0.9% saline after elective laparotomy. Total medical costs were analyzed accurately per patient with the tool of our corporate controlling team which is based on diagnosis-related groups in Germany.

Results
Between November 2015 and May 2018, 456 patients were recruited. The overall rate of SSI was 28.2%. Overall costs of inpatient treatment were higher in the group with SSI: median 16.685 €; 19.703 USD (IQR 21.638 €; 25.552 USD) vs. median 11.235 €; 13.276 USD (IQR 11.564 €; 13.656 USD); p < 0.001. There was a difference in surgery costs (median 6.664 €; 7.870 USD with SSI vs. median 5.040 €; 5.952 USD without SSI; p = 0.001) and costs on the surgical ward (median 8.404 €; 9.924 USD with SSI vs. median 4.690 €; 5.538 USD without SSI; p < 0.001). Patients with SSI were less satisfied with the cosmetic result (4.3% vs. 16.2%; p < 0.001). Overall costs for patients who were irrigated with saline were median 12.056 €; 14.237 USD vs. median 12.793 €; 15.107 USD in the polyhexanide group (p = 0.52).

Conclusion
SSI after elective laparotomy increased hospital costs substantially. This is an additional reason why the prevention of SSI is important. Overall costs for intraoperative wound irrigation with saline were comparable with polyhexanide.
Integration of mobile sensors in a telemedicine hospital system: remote-monitoring in COVID-19 patients
Authors: Müller Alexander , Haneke Hannah , Kirchberger Valerie , Mastella Giulio , Dommasch Michael , Merle Uta , Heinze Oliver , Siegmann Adonia , Spinner Christoph , Buiatti Alessandra , Laugwitz Karl-Ludwig , Schmidt Georg , Martens Eimo 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Aim
The goal is to design and, in a next step, establish a scalable, multi-center telemonitoring platform based on existing systems for monitoring COVID-19 patients in home quarantine. In particular, the focus will be on raw data acquisition, integration of sensor data into the hospital system, structured data storage, and interoperability.

Subject and methods
Data necessary for monitoring, otherwise provided in various portals, will be continuously queried and integrated into the hospital system via a new interface in this proof-of-concept work.

Results
Based on extensive preliminary work at Klinikum rechts der Isar with a structured clinical database, we extend our system’s integration of raw data and visualization in dashboards, as well as scientific provision of data from mobile sensors for monitoring patients in home quarantine.

Conclusion
Based on existing integrated telemonitoring systems supporting semantic and syntactic interoperability, short-term provision of scientific databases is possible. The integration of different mobile sensors into a clinical system for remote monitoring of patients around the clock is still new and to our knowledge unique.
Mining the Mind: Linear Discriminant Analysis of MEG Source Reconstruction Time Series Supports Dynamic Changes in Deep Brain Regions During Meditation Sessions
Authors: Calvetti Daniela , Johnson Brian , Pascarella Annalisa , Pitolli Francesca , Somersalo Erkki , Vantaggi Barbara 
Published: October 2021

AbstractMeditation practices have been claimed to have a positive effect on the regulation of mood and emotions for quite some time by practitioners, and in recent times there has been a sustained effort to provide a more precise description of the influence of meditation on the human brain. Longitudinal studies have reported morphological changes in cortical thickness and volume in selected brain regions due to meditation practice, which is interpreted as an evidence its effectiveness beyond the subjective self reporting. Using magnetoencephalography (MEG) or electroencephalography to quantify the changes in brain activity during meditation practice represents a challenge, as no clear hypothesis about the spatial or temporal pattern of such changes is available to date. In this article we consider MEG data collected during meditation sessions of experienced Buddhist monks practicing focused attention (Samatha) and open monitoring (Vipassana) meditation, contrasted by resting state with eyes closed. The MEG data are first mapped to time series of brain activity averaged over brain regions corresponding to a standard Destrieux brain atlas. Next, by bootstrapping and spectral analysis, the data are mapped to matrices representing random samples of power spectral densities in $$\alpha$$
α
, $$\beta$$
β
, $$\gamma$$
γ
, and $$\theta$$
θ
frequency bands. We use linear discriminant analysis to demonstrate that the samples corresponding to different meditative or resting states contain enough fingerprints of the brain state to allow a separation between different states, and we identify the brain regions that appear to contribute to the separation. Our findings suggest that the cingulate cortex, insular cortex and some of the internal structures, most notably the accumbens, the caudate and the putamen nuclei, the thalamus and the amygdalae stand out as separating regions, which seems to correlate well with earlier findings based on longitudinal studies.
A robust mean and variance test with application to high-dimensional phenotypes
Authors: Staley James R. , Windmeijer Frank , Suderman Matthew , Lyon Matthew S. , Davey Smith George , Tilling Kate 
Published: October 2021

AbstractMost studies of continuous health-related outcomes examine differences in mean levels (location) of the outcome by exposure. However, identifying effects on the variability (scale) of an outcome, and combining tests of mean and variability (location-and-scale), could provide additional insights into biological mechanisms. A joint test could improve power for studies of high-dimensional phenotypes, such as epigenome-wide association studies of DNA methylation at CpG sites. One possible cause of heterogeneity of variance is a variable interacting with exposure in its effect on outcome, so a joint test of mean and variability could help in the identification of effect modifiers. Here, we review a scale test, based on the Brown-Forsythe test, for analysing variability of a continuous outcome with respect to both categorical and continuous exposures, and develop a novel joint location-and-scale score (JLSsc) test. These tests were compared to alternatives in simulations and used to test associations of mean and variability of DNA methylation with gender and gestational age using data from the Accessible Resource for Integrated Epigenomics Studies (ARIES). In simulations, the Brown-Forsythe and JLSsc tests retained correct type I error rates when the outcome was not normally distributed in contrast to the other approaches tested which all had inflated type I error rates. These tests also identified > 7500 CpG sites for which either mean or variability in cord blood methylation differed according to gender or gestational age. The Brown-Forsythe test and JLSsc are robust tests that can be used to detect associations not solely driven by a mean effect.
Cholinesterase inhibitors for the treatment of dementia: real-life data in Hungary
Authors: Balázs Nóra , Bereczki Dániel , Ajtay András , Oberfrank Ferenc , Kovács Tibor 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Dementia is one of the leading causes of death and disability in older population. Previous reports have shown that antidementia medications are associated with longer survival; nonetheless, the prevalence of their use and the compliance with them are quite different worldwide. There is hardly any available information about the pharmacoepidemiology of these drugs in the Eastern-European region; we aimed to analyze the use of cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEis) for the treatment of dementia to provide real-life information from the Eastern European region. All medical and medication prescription reports of the in- and outpatient specialist services collected in the NEUROHUN database in Hungary were analyzed between 2013 and 2016. Survival, adherence, and persistence values were calculated. 8803 patients were treated with ChEis during the study period, which was only 14.5% of the diagnosed demented patients. The survival of treated patients (more than 4 years) was significantly longer than patients without ChEi treatment (2.50 years). The best compliance was observed with rivastigmine patch. Choosing the appropriate medication as soon as possible after the dementia diagnosis may lead to increased life expectancy.
Study of needle punctures into soft tissue through audio and force sensing: can audio be a simple alternative for needle guidance?
Authors: Sabieleish Muhannad , Heryan Katarzyna , Boese Axel , Hansen Christian , Friebe Michael , Illanes Alfredo 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Purpose
Percutaneous needle insertion is one of the most common minimally invasive procedures. The clinician’s experience and medical imaging support are essential to the procedure’s safety. However, imaging comes with inaccuracies due to artifacts, and therefore sensor-based solutions were proposed to improve accuracy. However, sensors are usually embedded in the needle tip, leading to design limitations. A novel concept was proposed for capturing tip–tissue interaction information through audio sensing, showing promising results for needle guidance. This work demonstrates that this audio approach can provide important puncture information by comparing audio and force signal dynamics during insertion.

Methods
An experimental setup for inserting a needle into soft tissue was prepared. Audio and force signals were synchronously recorded at four different insertion velocities, and a dataset of 200 recordings was acquired. Indicators related to different aspects of the force and audio were compared through signal-to-signal and event-to-event correlation analysis.

Results
High signal-to-signal correlations between force and audio indicators regardless of the insertion velocity were obtained. The force curvature indicator obtained the best correlation performances to audio with more than $$70\%$$

70
%

of the correlations higher than 0.6. The event-to-event correlation analysis shows that a puncture event in the force is generally identifiable in audio and that their intensities firmly related.

Conclusions
Audio contains valuable information for monitoring needle tip/tissue interaction. Significant dynamics obtained from a well-known sensor as force can also be extracted from audio, regardless of insertion velocities.
Recent Progress in Beam-Based Metal Additive Manufacturing from a Materials Perspective: A Review of Patents
Authors: Aversa Alberta , Saboori Abdollah , Marchese Giulio , Iuliano Luca , Lombardi Mariangela , Fino Paolo 
Published: October 2021

AbstractOver the last decade, the enormous potential of metal additive manufacturing (AM) processes has led these technologies to establish their position in many industries. Much effort is being made toward their widespread application; however, much remains to be done to achieve full industrialization of these processes. Therefore, many companies, research centers and universities are investing in comprehensive research and development activities in order to further promote the industrialization of metal AM. This review traces the progress of metal AM technologies through an investigation of patents. In the present study, beam-based metal AM patents were searched through the Orbit Intelligence database. First, the number of patents per year was studied, indicating that, as expected, there is strong growth in AM patenting activities. The patents were afterward examined in order to highlight the key players in the field, and it was found that the main players investing in this market are: multidisciplinary companies, AM machine producers, end users working, especially in the aerospace sector, universities and research centers. The patents were then analyzed to understand the technology domains covered by each key player and their trend of investments. Finally, the patents in the field of Materials and Metallurgy were studied individually to identify the main topics faced by the most used alloy classes: Al-, Ni- and Ti-based alloys and steels. The extensive study of these patents clearly indicated that the main gaps to fill in metal AM are strongly material dependent and that it is possible to find correlations between the alloy classes, their main industrial applications and their specific AM processability issues. The current study provides insights into global trends that can help industrial markets to identify the right investment direction and research to identify topics for future investigation.
The relation between creativity and students’ performance on different types of geometrical problems in elementary education
Authors: Schoevers Eveline M. , Kroesbergen Evelyn H. , Moerbeek Mirjam , Leseman Paul P. M. 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Aim
In the current study we aimed to investigate the relation between creativity and mathematical problem solving in the upper grades of elementary school.

Methods
To examine how student’s levels of general creativity were related to their performance on different types of geometrical problems, a geometry test with diverse problems was administered to a sample of 1665 Dutch students from third to sixth grade, as well as a creativity test. The geometry test consisted of four closed-ended routine problems, six closed-ended non-routine problems (related to a visual artwork) and four open-ended non-routine problems (multiple solutions problems). The Test of Creative Thinking—Drawing Production was used to measure students’ creativity. Multivariate multilevel analyses were conducted to take the nested structure of the data into account.

Results
The results showed that creativity was a significant predictor of students’ performance on all types of geometrical problems, but most strongly associated with performance on open-ended non-routine problems, suggesting that students with higher levels of creativity perform better in solving geometry problems in general, but especially in geometry problems asking for multiple solutions.
Wording in the area of mobility and physical activity—the challenge of perception for researchers and older persons
Authors: Freiberger Ellen , Notthoff Nanna 
Published: October 2021

AbstractWhen promoting physical activity (PA) to older persons, perceived wording is of importance and mostly not congruent with the scientific approach. The differentiation within physical activity subcategories is often unnoticed by other health professionals as well as by older persons. Especially, the subcategory of exercise as a planned, structured, repetitive program is often used interchangeably with PA. This short communication addresses the different perceptions in wording between health care professionals, sport scientists, and lay older persons with the goal to enhance the awareness of wording for professionals, which is a prerequisite for designing appropriate messages.
Influence of a multidimensional music-based exercise program on selected cognitive and motor skills in dementia patients—a pilot study
Authors: Prinz A. , Schumacher A. , Witte K. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractOne of the most common causes of needing care in old age is dementia. In order to enjoy a pleasant retirement for people with dementia, it is essential for them to maintain their independence. Studies have shown that a combination of physical activity and music has positive effects on dementia patients. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the feasibility of implementing a multidimensional music-based exercise program for dementia patients and the effects on an intervention group (IG) compared to a control group (CG, usual care). The study design was based on a 12-week intervention with two (IG/CG) by two (pretest/posttest) parallel groups and block randomization with unequal group sizes. Participants had to be able to move independently or with a walker and not have severe cardiovascular disease or cardiac arrhythmias. Fifty-three blinded dementia patients (age: 83.63 ± 6.03 years) from inpatient facilities participated in the study and were assigned from the exercise instructors to IG (n = 34) and CG (n = 19). The primary outcomes were feasibility (Observation sheet), modified Chair Rising test, Timed Up and Go test, hand dynamometer test, FICSIT‑4 (Frailty and Injuries: Cooperative Studies of Intervention Techniques), and drop bar test. Secondary endpoints included: verbal fluency (“animals”), the Mini-Mental State Examination, memory, Trail Making Test A, and Qualidem. Forty-nine subjects were analyzed (IG = 32; CG = 17). There were significant differences between the groups in the modified Chair Rising test (p = 0.033), FICSIT‑4 (p = 0.035), and Timed Up and Go test (p = 0.005) at posttest, which showed improved performance of the IG compared to the CG. The IG additionally showed improvements in the modified Chair Rising test (p = 0.000), drop bar test (p = 0.033), hand dynamometer test (p = 0.001), Timed Up and Go test (p = 0.000), verbal fluency (p = 0.002) and Trail Making Test A (p = 0.04) after 12 weeks. There were no adverse events or side effects. The multidimensional music-based exercise program could be performed by the dementia patients and was well received. The improved functional mobility could contribute to a lower risk of falls and thus maintain independence. For the follow-up study, the number of subjects, randomization, and parameters should be considered.
The second-order problem for k-presymplectic Lagrangian field theories: application to the Einstein–Palatini model
Authors: Adame-Carrillo David , Gaset Jordi , Román-Roy Narciso 
Published: October 2021

AbstractIn general, the system of 2nd-order partial differential equations made of the Euler–Lagrange equations of classical field theories are not compatible for singular Lagrangians. This is the so-called second-order problem. The first aim of this work is to develop a fully geometric constraint algorithm which allows us to find a submanifold where the Euler–Lagrange equations have solution, and split the constraints into two kinds depending on their origin. We do so using k-symplectic geometry, which is the simplest intrinsic description of classical field theories. As a second aim, the Einstein–Palatini model of General Relativity is studied using this algorithm.
Climate warming-induced replacement of mesic beech by thermophilic oak forests will reduce the carbon storage potential in aboveground biomass and soil
Authors: Kasper Jan , Weigel Robert , Walentowski Helge , Gröning Anja , Petritan Any Mary , Leuschner Christoph 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Key message

Climate-warming related replacement of beech by oak forests in the course of natural forest succession or silvicultural decisions may considerably reduce ecosystem carbon storage of central European woodlands.

Context
Climate warming may change the carbon (C) storage in forest biomass and soil through future shifts in tree species composition. With a projected warming by 2–3 K over the twenty-first century, silvicultural adaptation measures and natural succession might lead to the replacement of European beech forests by thermophilic oak forests in drought- and heat-affected regions of central and south-eastern Europe, but the consequences for ecosystem C storage of this species shift are not clear.

Aims
To quantify the change in C storage in biomass and soil with a shift from beech (Fagus sylvatica) to oak forest (Quercus petraea, Q. frainetto, Q. cerris), we measured the aboveground biomass (AGC) and soil C pools (SOC).

Methods
AGC pools and SOC stocks to − 100 cm depth were calculated from forest inventory and volume-related SOC content data for beech, mixed beech-oak and oak forests in three transects in the natural beech-oak ecotone of western Romania, where beech occurs at its heat- and drought-induced distribution limit.

Results
From the cooler, more humid beech forests to the warmer, more xeric oak forests, which are 1–2 K warmer, AGC and SOC pools decreased by about 22% (40 Mg C ha−1) and 20% (17 Mg C ha−1), respectively. The likely main drivers are indirect temperature effects acting through tree species and management in the case of AGC, but direct temperature effects for SOC.

Conclusion
If drought- and heat-affected beech forests in Central Europe are replaced by thermophilic oak forests in future, this will lead to carbon losses of ~ 50–60 Mg ha−1, thus reducing ecosystem carbon storage substantially.