bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ethiopia: Constitutional Protection of Ethnic Minorities at The Regional Level
Authors: Van der Beken Christophe 
Published: February 2021

Ethiopia: Constitutional Protection of Ethnic Minorities at the Regional Level
It is argued that in order to evaluate the capacity of the Ethiopian federal structure to accommodate ethnic diversity and to regulate ethnic conflicts, the research cannot be limited to an analysis of the constitutional mechanisms at the federal level. One of the crucial features of the Ethiopian federal structure is that it provides its nine regions with the power to enact their internal constitutions. This implies that each and every region has the power to develop its own internal state structure, within a minimum federal framework. From here it follows that the federal structure to have the potential to lay the foundations for a viable Ethiopian state, it is essential that not only the federal but also the regional constitutional mechanisms have the capacity to realize unity in diversity. As is explained in this article, not a single Ethiopian region is ethnically homogeneous. The ethnic diversity which characterizes the federal level is therefore also present at the regional level. Therefore, when evaluating the capacity of the Ethiopian state structure to accomplish unity in diversity one also has to include an analysis of the regional mechanisms. The latter analysis is the core objective of this article.
The Protection of Land Rights in Ethiopia
Authors: Wray Witten Montgomery 
Published: February 2021

The Protection of Land Rights in Ethiopia
Protection of land rights takes place within a complex interconnected environment of constantly changing domestic institutions and organizations at the federal, state and local levels of society. Usually these institutions and organizations function imperfectly, are the subject of a variety of ongoing reforms, and are poorly understood by those who seek to change them. These statements are as true of rich countries as of poor, but poverty does matter. This paper frames the Ethiopian environment within an Ecology of Land Rights Protection, presents examples of the current mixture of outcomes, and concludes with observations about the work of the Mekelle University Law Faculty in improving human rights protection.
Rising Planetary Boundary Layer Height over the Sahara Desert and Arabian Peninsula in a Warming Climate
Authors: Zhou Liming , Tian Yuhong , Wei Nan , Ho Shu-peng , Li Jing 
Published: February 2021

AbstractTurbulent mixing in the planetary boundary layer (PBL) governs the vertical exchange of heat, moisture, momentum, trace gases, and aerosols in the surface–atmosphere interface. The PBL height (PBLH) represents the maximum height of the free atmosphere that is directly influenced by Earth’s surface. This study uses a multidata synthesis approach from an ensemble of multiple global datasets of radiosonde observations, reanalysis products, and climate model simulations to examine the spatial patterns of long-term PBLH trends over land between 60°S and 60°N for the period 1979–2019. By considering both the sign and statistical significance of trends, we identify large-scale regions where the change signal is robust and consistent to increase our confidence in the obtained results. Despite differences in the magnitude and sign of PBLH trends over many areas, all datasets reveal a consensus on increasing PBLH over the enormous and very dry Sahara Desert and Arabian Peninsula (SDAP) and declining PBLH in India. At the global scale, the changes in PBLH are significantly correlated positively with the changes in surface heating and negatively with the changes in surface moisture, consistent with theory and previous findings in the literature. The rising PBLH is in good agreement with increasing sensible heat and surface temperature and decreasing relative humidity over the SDAP associated with desert amplification, while the declining PBLH resonates well with increasing relative humidity and latent heat and decreasing sensible heat and surface warming in India. The PBLH changes agree with radiosonde soundings over the SDAP but cannot be validated over India due to lack of good-quality radiosonde observations.
Robotic vs. Laparoscopic Splenectomy in Management of Non-traumatic Splenic Pathologies: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Bhattacharya Pratik , Phelan Liam , Fisher Simon , Hajibandeh Shahab , Hajibandeh Shahin 
Published: February 2021

We aimed to evaluate comparative outcomes of robotic and laparoscopic splenectomy in patients with non-traumatic splenic pathologies. A systematic search of electronic databases and bibliographic reference lists were conducted, and a combination of free text and controlled vocabulary search adapted to thesaurus headings, search operators and limits in electronic databases were applied. Intraoperative and post-operative complications, wound infection, haematoma, conversion to open procedure, return to theatre, volume of blood loss, procedure time and length of hospital stay were the evaluated outcome parameters. We identified 8 comparative studies reporting a total of 560 patients comparing outcomes of robotic ( n = 202) and laparoscopic ( n = 258) splenectomies. The robotic approach was associated with significantly lower volume of blood loss (MD: −82.53 mls, 95% CI −161.91 to −3.16, P = .04) than the laparoscopic approach. There was no significant difference in intraoperative complications (OR: 0.68, 95% CI .21-2.01, P = .51), post-operative complications (OR: .91, 95% CI .40-2.06, P = .82), wound infection (RD: -.01, 95% CI -.04-.03, P = .78), haematoma (OR: 0.40, 95% CI .04-4.03, P = .44), conversion to open (OR: 0.63; 95% CI, .24-1.70, P = .36), return to theatre (RD: −.04, 95% CI -.09-.02, P = .16), procedure time (MD: 3.63; 95% CI -16.99-24.25, P = .73) and length of hospital stay (MD: −.21; 95% CI -1.17 - .75, P = .67) between 2 groups. In conclusion, robotic and laparoscopic splenectomies seem to have comparable perioperative outcomes with similar rate of conversion to an open procedure, procedure time and length of hospital stay. The former may potentially reduce the volume of intraoperative blood loss. Future higher level research is required to evaluate the cost-effectiveness and clinical outcomes
Curtailing Unnecessary Waste Among Operating Room Personnel: Evaluating the Cost Awareness of Commonly Used Surgical Items
Authors: Heiman Adee J. , Camargo Lauren , Bhat Deepa , Desai Vilok , Patel Ashit , Ricci Joseph A. 
Published: February 2021

Background Operating rooms (ORs) generate 70% of hospital waste, leading to increased costs for the hospital, patient, and the environment. The lack of cost awareness among physicians has been well documented; however, there is little information on anesthesiologists or ancillary OR staff. This study aimed to evaluate the cost awareness of commonly used items at an academic medical center among OR personnel. Methods Anonymous surveys were distributed to OR personnel (nurses, surgical technicians (STs), nurse anesthetists, anesthesiologists, surgeons, and residents), asking for the estimated costs of ten commonly used items. These costs were then compared against actual costs to evaluate the accuracy of participants’ estimates. Responders were clustered by job, highest level of education, and years of experience for comparison. Results 167 surveys were collected, and overall only 16.4% of estimates were accurate within 50% of actual price. No significant differences in accuracy between groups were identified overall ( P = .2), but both surgical and anesthesia attendings had significantly higher rates of correct responses than their respective residents. No difference was seen in accuracy when all attendings (surgeons and anesthesiologists) were compared with either nurses or STs. Linear regression demonstrated no correlation between number of years at current position or years at institution and number of correct responses ( R2 = .0025 and R2 = .005, respectively). Discussion Addressing the knowledge deficit around item costs via global education of all OR personnel (surgeons, anesthesia providers, and ancillary staff) could be a viable pathway to reduce waste, and thus cost, for our healthcare system.
Application of a Computer Vision Tool for Automated Glottic Tracking to Vocal Fold Paralysis Patients
Authors: Wang Tiffany V. , Adamian Nat , Song Phillip C. , Franco Ramon A. , Huston Molly N. , Jowett Nate , Naunheim Matthew R. 
Published: February 2021

Objectives(1) Demonstrate true vocal fold (TVF) tracking software (AGATI [Automated Glottic Action Tracking by artificial Intelligence]) as a quantitative assessment of unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) in a large patient cohort. (2) Correlate patient‐reported metrics with AGATI measurements of TVF anterior glottic angles, before and after procedural intervention.Study DesignRetrospective cohort study.SettingAcademic medical center.MethodsAGATI was used to analyze videolaryngoscopy from healthy adults (n = 72) and patients with UVFP (n = 70). Minimum, 3rd percentile, 97th percentile, and maximum anterior glottic angles (AGAs) were computed for each patient. In patients with UVFP, patient‐reported outcomes (Voice Handicap Index 10, Dyspnea Index, and Eating Assessment Tool 10) were assessed, before and after procedural intervention (injection or medialization laryngoplasty). A receiver operating characteristic curve for the logistic fit of paralysis vs control group was used to determine AGA cutoff values for defining UVFP.ResultsMean (SD) 3rd percentile AGA (in degrees) was 2.67 (3.21) in control and 5.64 (5.42) in patients with UVFP (P <. 001); mean (SD) 97th percentile AGA was 57.08 (11.14) in control and 42.59 (12.37) in patients with UVFP (P <. 001). For patients with UVFP who underwent procedural intervention, the mean 97th percentile AGA decreased by 5 degrees from pre‐ to postprocedure (P =. 026). The difference between the 97th and 3rd percentile AGA predicted UVFP with 77% sensitivity and 92% specificity (P <. 0001). There was no correlation between AGA measurements and patient‐reported outcome scores.ConclusionsAGATI demonstrated a difference in AGA measurements between paralysis and control patients. AGATI can predict UVFP with 77% sensitivity and 92% specificity.
Optimizing Fixation for Distal Biceps Tendon Repairs: A Systematic Review and Meta-regression of Cadaveric Biomechanical Testing
Authors: Taylor Ainsley L. , Bansal Ankit , Shi Brendan Y. , Best Matthew J. , Huish Eric G. , Srikumaran Uma 
Published: February 2021

Background: Various surgical techniques can be used to repair acute distal biceps tendon (DBT) tears; however, it is unknown which type of repair or implant has the greatest biomechanical strength and presents the lowest risk of type 2 failure. Purpose: To identify associations between the type of implant or construct used and the biomechanical performance of DBT repairs in a review of human cadaveric studies. Study Design: Systematic review and meta-regression. Methods: We systematically searched the EMBASE and Medline (PubMed) databases for biomechanical studies that evaluated DBT repair performance in cadaveric specimens. Two independent reviewers extracted data from 14 studies that met our inclusion criteria. The pooled data set was subjected to meta-regression with adjusted failure load (AFL) as the primary outcome variable. Procedural parameters, such as number of sutures, cortices, locking stitches, and whipstitches, served as covariates. Adjusted analysis was performed to determine the differences among implant types. The alpha level was set at .05. Results: When using no implant (bone tunnels) as the referent, no fixation type or procedural parameter was significantly better at predicting AFL. Cortical button fixation had the highest AFL (370 N; 95% CI, −2 to 221). In an implant-to-implant comparison, suture anchor alone was significantly weaker than cortical button (154 N; 95% CI, 30 to 279). Constructs using a cortical button and interference screw were not stronger (as measured by AFL) than those using a cortical button alone. The presence of a locking stitch added 113 N (95% CI, 29 to 196) to the AFL. The use of cortical button instead of interference screws or bone tunnels was associated with lower odds of type 2 failure. Avoiding locking stitches and using more sutures in the construct were also associated with lower odds of type 2 failure. Conclusion: Cortical button fixation is associated with greater construct strength than is suture anchor repair and a lower risk of type 2 failure compared with interference screw fixation or fixation without implants. The addition of an interference screw to cortical button fixation was not associated with increased strength. The presence of a locking stitch added 113 N to the failure load but also increased the odds of type 2 failure.
Evaluation of Cam Deformity on 3-Dimensional Computed Tomography With the Best-Fit Sphere Technique and the Alpha Angle Marking Method
Authors: Cong Shuang , Liu Shaohua , Xie Yuxie , Luo Zhiwen , Chen Jiwu 
Published: February 2021

Background: Three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) is commonly used for the evaluation of cam deformity; however, it does not display the cam border directly. Purpose: To compare the efficacy of the best-fit sphere (BFS) method and the alpha angle marking (AAM) method in 3D-CT evaluation for the cam border. Study Design: Cohort study (Diagnosis); Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Twenty-six cases of cam deformity, confirmed during hip arthroscopy, were included in this study. All patients underwent a CT scan before surgery. Using multiplanar reconstruction, we obtained reformatted CT images of oblique axial, oblique coronal, and radial views. The alpha angle and femoral head-neck offset ratio (hnoR) were measured on the reformatted CT images. The cam area on 3D-CT was displayed in 4 different ways: by importing the markers from the reformatted CT images of the oblique axial view (cam-oa), the oblique coronal view (cam-oc), or the radial view (cam-r) using the AAM method, or by using the BFS method (cam-bfs). The sizes and locations of the displayed cams were compared. Results: All hips in this study had an alpha angle greater than 60° and an hnoR smaller than 0.17. The radial view measured a larger alpha angle and smaller hnoR than the oblique axial and coronal views ( P < .05). The areas of cam-oa, cam-oc, cam-r, and cam-bfs were 161.47 ± 27.96, 89.78 ± 19.23, 241.73 ± 34.55, and 329.75 ± 42.73 mm2, respectively, and their medial-to-lateral ranges along the acetabulum (clockface referents) were 12:30 to 03:00, 11:30 to 01:30, 11:30 to 03:00, and 11:00 to 03:30, respectively. Among the 4 displays, cam-bfs had the largest area and medial-to-lateral range ( P < .05), and cam-r had the second largest area and range ( P < .05). No significant difference in the mean distances from the acetabular rim to the superior border was detected among the 4 displays ( P > .05). Conclusion: The cam area displayed by the BFS method on 3D-CT was larger than those evaluated by the AAM method. In the reformatted CT, the sizes and locations of cam deformity differed among the oblique axial, oblique coronal, and radial views, with the radial view showing the greatest area.
Insulin Dosage Adjustments After Initiation of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Chen Mandy , Vider Etty , Plakogiannis Roda 
Published: February 2021

Background: Combination of insulin and GLP-1RAs have shown reductions in the HbA1c, body weight, and the risk of hypoglycemia. To date, there are conflicting data regarding the effect of GLP-1RAs on insulin dosage(s). Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate adjustments of insulin doses upon initiation of GLP-1RAs. Methods: This was a retrospective chart review of patients on insulin therapy initiated on GLP-1RAs at NYU Langone Health. Patients were included in the study if they were at least 18 years of age, history of type 2 diabetes, and were on concurrent basal or mixed insulin therapy. 45 patients met inclusion criteria and were included in the study analysis. The primary endpoint was the median change in overall basal insulin doses. Secondary endpoints included median changes in total basal, mixed, and bolus insulin doses, oral antidiabetic medications and GLP-1RA doses, HbA1c, body weight, fasting glucose, and creatinine clearance. Safety results included any adverse reactions to insulin and/or GLP-1RA. Results: In the per-protocol analysis, there was a significant reduction in overall total basal insulin doses from baseline to week 24 (50 units vs. 44 units, p < 0.05). There was a median reduction in patients receiving glargine (50 units vs. 44 units) and detemir (29 units vs. 21.5 units). Conclusions: Use of GLP-1RAs after 24 weeks resulted in a statistically significant reduction in overall total basal insulin dosages from baseline. The median HbA1C in our patient population was >8%. Consider a ≥10% reduction in the overall basal insulin dose upon initiation of GLP-1RA in patients with a HbA1C >8%.
Meta-Analysis of Cultural Influences in Trauma Exposure and PTSD Prevalence Rates
Authors: Oakley Linda Denise , Kuo Wan-chin , Kowalkowski Jennifer A. , Park Wanju 
Published: February 2021

Introduction: The global prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) continues to rise, the influence of culture and resilience remains unclear. This review and meta-analysis aimed to (a) examine the prevalence of PTSD among studies addressing culture and resilience, and (b) compare the PTSD prevalence rates across different trauma exposures and cultural contexts. Methodology: PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO were searched for articles published between 01/01/2000 to 12/01/019 that defined PTSD, reported PTSD prevalence rates, and addressed culture and resilience. Meta-analysis of PTSD prevalence rates was performed using generalized linear mixed models. Results: Thirty articles met all search criteria. In the pooled sample of 20,138 participants, 3,403 met defined PTSD diagnostic criteria. The random-effects model showed PTSD cultural effects. Refugees displaced in similar cultures (0.44) had higher rates of PTSD. Discussion: Findings indicate that trauma-informed, practical assessments of health protective cultural determinants may promote individual resilience and reduce the risk of PTSD in displaced refugees.
Analysis of parameters on the wheel–rail P2 force of subways
Authors: Sun Zhuang , Cheng Xiandong , Dai Huanyun 
Published: February 2021

An experiment of falling wheels was performed in this study along with full-field tests, for a type of subway train on four subway lines. The results confirmed that 40–80 Hz vibration signals on the ground and train are caused by the wheel–rail P2 force. Vehicle–track-coupled dynamics models were created where the single-layer elastic support model, double-layer elastic support model and floating slab track model were considered. The results were validated by available experimental data and three types of theoretical models: Jenkins, Winkler and double-beam model. This shows that the amplitude of the P2 force increases with larger suspended rail joint angle, higher train speed, heavy unsuspended mass and stronger fastener stiffness. Besides, both fastener damping and the vertical stiffness of primary suspension enabled control of the amplitude of the P2 force in a limited interval. Supporting stiffness of track and unsprung mass played a key role in the frequency of the P2 force. However, the vertical stiffness of the primary suspension had a reduced effect on the frequency of P2 force as compared with the supporting stiffness. Thus, for an effective change to the supporting stiffness, the fastener stiffness could be changed accordingly.
Comparison of accuracy of different intraocular lens power calculation methods using artificial intelligence
Authors: Nemeth Gabor , Kemeny-Beke Adam , Modis Laszlo 
Published: February 2021

Purpose: To assess the accuracy of the intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation based on three methods using artificial intelligence (AI) and one formula using no AI. Methods: During cataract surgery on 114 eyes, one type of IOL was implanted, calculated with the Hill-RBF 2.0 method. The theoretical postoperative refractions were calculated using the Kane and the Pearl-DGS methods and a vergence based formula (Barrett Universal II, BUII). The differences between the manifest and objective postoperative refractions and the predicted refractions were calculated. The percentage of eyes within ±0.5 D and ±1.0 D prediction error (PE), the mean, and the median absolute errors (MAE and MedAE) were also determined. Results: The mean age of the patients was 69.48 years; the axial length was between 21.19 and 25.39 mm. The number of eyes within ±0.5/±1.0 D PE was 96/108 (84.21%/94.73%) using the Hill-RBF 2.0 method, 92/107 (80.70%/93.85%) with the Kane method, 91/107 (79.82%/93.85%) with the Pearl-DGS method, and 91/106 (79.82%/92.98%) with the BUII formula, using subjective refraction. With objective refractometric data, PEs were within ±0.5 D in 88 (77.19%), 83 (72.80%), 82 (71.92%), and 80 (70.17%) cases (Hill-RBF, Kane, Pearl-DGS, BUII, respectively). MAE and MedAE were also best with the Hill-RBF 2.0 method (0.3 D; 0.18 D). Conclusion: Better accuracy of PE might be obtained by the Hill-RBF 2.0 method compared with BUII. The Kane and Pearl-DGS methods showed similar accuracy when compared with BUII.
Optical coherence tomography analyses based segmentation and relative intensity evaluation of outer retinal layers in patients affected with X-linked juvenile retinoschisis
Authors: Christodoulou Panayiotis D 
Published: February 2021

Purpose: We aim to provide a description of the optical coherence tomography findings in the outer macula hyperreflective bands of our patients with X-linked juvenile retinoschisis. Also to categorize these changes and to quantitatively and qualitatively correlate their reflectivity levels with visual function. Methods: We manually segmented the borders, and depicted relative intensity of the inner segment ellipsoid band, and quantified the volume of edema. Results: The average relative intensity of the ellipsoid zone, ISe band, for the control subject was 14.864, our patient’s, with the mild disease was, 28.238 and 34.943 in OD and OS, respectively, and for the patient with severe disease was, 44.442 and 40.154 for OD and OS respectively. Thresholding showed a significant difference in edema volume between mild disease (~20%), and severe form (~50%). Relative intensity analyses are indicative of homogeneity variability. High standard deviation value illustrates the high dispersion of data values and is a safe marker of ellipsoid zone homogeneity. Conclusion: Data suggested that both anatomic and functional characteristic of outer macula hyperreflective bands were notably associated with the pathogenesis cascade in the photoreceptor cells. External limiting membrane line disruption is initiated by the volume of macular edema and followed by disorganization of the three lines in a stepwise pattern, first at the ellipsoid zone, followed by the cone outer segment tips zone and finally at the External limiting membrane.