bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Unexpected Positive Cultures in Presumed Aseptic Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty
Authors: Mirghaderi Peyman , Esmaeili Sina , Pouramini Alireza , Azarboo Alireza , Ghaseminejad-Raeini Amirhossein 
Published: November 2024

Background:
Occult infection may be the underlying cause for a number of presumed aseptic revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) because certain periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) can remain asymptomatic for years and present with component loosening and weight-bearing pain in the absence of any clinical signs and symptoms of infection. There is no consensus in the literature regarding the interpretation, treatment, and clinical outcomes of unexpected positive cultures (UPCs) during aseptic revision THA.

Methods:
Four main databases were searched between January 2000 and January 2023. By pooling the UPC rates from the included studies, an overall UPC rate was calculated. We examined variables reported in more than 2 articles for possible associations with UPC.

Results:
Twenty-two articles were included. UPC prevalence in presumed aseptic revision THA (7,449 cases) was 15.06% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 11.05-20.19). In regards to unexpected culture positivity and culture method or medium, conventional cultures reported a 17.2% incidence, implant sonication 19.6%, and polymerase chain reaction 12.6%. Coagulase-negative staphylococci and Cutibacterium acnes were the most common pathogens (prevalence [95% CI]: 54.4% [44.9%-63.6%] and 9.1% [5.1%-15.8%]). Polymicrobial cultures were observed in 11.6% [7.318.0%] of UPCs. UPC cases were found to include more males than culture-negative THA patients (odds ratio [OR] [95% CI]: 1.36 [1.02-1.83]). Age, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiology, loosening, previous revision, diabetes mellitus, and rheumatoid arthritis did not show a significant association with UPC incidence (p > 0.05). The all-cause revision and PJI rate were significantly higher in those having an UPC (OR [95% CI]: 1.40 [1.09-1.80], p = 0.009 and OR [95% CI]: 1.97 [1.22-3.18], p = 0.005).

Conclusions:
Isolating organisms through intraoperative culture is common in patients undergoing aseptic revision THA. This diagnostic step is crucial to properly investigate and exclude the possibility of an occult PJI. It should be noted that our results are prone to limitations of the included studies; therefore, well-designed prospective research is highly suggested.

Level of Evidence:

Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Metastable phase-separated droplet generation and long-time DNA enrichment by laser-induced Soret effect
Authors: Kobayashi Mika , Minagawa Yoshihiro , Noji Hiroyuki 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Spatiotemporally controlled laser-induced phase separation (LIPS) offers unique research avenues and has potential for biological and biomedical applications. However, LIPS droplets are unstable and diminish after the laser is terminated, which limits their application. In this study, we developed a novel LIPS method using laser-induced Soret effect to generate phase-separated droplets at the laser spot in an aqueous two-phase system of dextran (DEX) and polyethylene glycol (PEG). When DEX-rich droplets were generated in DEX/PEG mix of which concentrations are on the coexisting curve, the droplets showed unprecedently high longevity; the DEX droplets were retained over 48 h. Although the mechanism underlying this counterintuitive phenomenon is unclear, this observation suggests that there is an unknown metastable state. By exploiting the capability of DEX-rich droplets to enrich nucleic acid polymers, we achieved stable DNA enrichment in LIPS DEX droplets with a high enrichment factor of 1400 ± 400. Further, we patterned DNA-carrying DEX-rich droplets into a designed structure to demonstrate the stability and spatiotemporal controllability of DEX-rich droplet formation. This study would open new opportunities for the biological and medical applications of LIPS.
Composition and diversity of birds and hoverflies communities are impacted by vegetation heterogeneity in wood-pastures in the Swiss Jura
Authors: Wider Sandrine , Zemp Delphine Clara 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Wood-pastures are a type of agroforestry system consisting in assemblages of cattle grazed pastures and scattered trees. They maintain biodiversity because of their environmental heterogeneity due to irregular tree cover that promotes diversity of resources and habitats. Agricultural intensification threatens the fragile balance of these traditional systems. Thus, we aimed to assess which factors associated with trees, shrubs and pasture heterogeneity within wood-pastures influence the community composition and diversity of different groups of animal species. We selected 45 wood-pastures sites of 20 ha along a gradient of tree density in the Swiss Jura mountains. In each site, we used remote sensing data and agricultural inventories, to characterize trees, shrub and herb layers spatial and compositional heterogeneity. In study sites we also conducted survey of birds and Syrphidae and evaluated the relationships between species composition and diversity with environmental variables. Tree density and tree spatial distribution were the main driver of differences in community specific composition for the two groups of species. For hoverflies, botanically rich pastures, and elevation were also driving differences in species composition between communities. Tree density showed generally a positive effect on birds and Syrphidae diversity indices. Moreover, for birds, scattered trees’ spatial distribution and high percentage of deciduous trees were also promoting species diversity. In this study, we highlight the importance of trees in pastures for bird and hoverfly diversity, as well as the necessity for trees to be heterogeneously distributed across the pastures and composed of a mix of deciduous and coniferous species.
Safety and Efficacy of Flexible Articulated Instrument (ArtiSential®) in Laparoscopic Surgery for Rectal Cancer
Authors: Ahn Jong-Sung , Park Jesung , Ryoo Seung-Bum , Kim Min-Jung , Park Ji-Won , Jeong Seung-Yong , Park Kyu-Joo 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
Laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer remains challenging because of limited joint motion during dissection in the deep and narrow pelvis. Handheld multiarticulated instruments have been developed to address these limitations. This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of a flexible articulated instrument, the ArtiSential® (Livsmed Co, Korea), at reducing the duration of laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery.
Study Design
We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent laparoscopic low or ultralow anterior resection for primary mid to low rectal cancer (tumor distance from anal verge, ≤ 10 cm) performed by a single surgeon in 2012–2022. Patients were divided into groups based on the use or non-use of the ArtiSential®, and their clinical characteristics, surgical procedures, pathological findings, postoperative complications, and survival outcomes were analyzed.
Results
The study included 93 patients (use group, 32; non-use group, 61). Low anterior resection was predominant in both groups, while operative time was significantly shorter in the use group (148.08 ± 49.72 vs. 188.13 ± 57.86; p = 0.003). Total mesorectal excision quality and resection margin status did not differ between groups. Postoperative complications, including anastomotic leakage, length of hospital stay, 2-year recurrence-free survival rate (96.9% vs. 88.1%, p = 0.414), and overall survival rate (100% vs. 91.5%, p = 0.258), did not differ between groups.
Conclusion
Use of the flexible articulated instrument (ArtiSential®) can reduce operative time without impairing surgical quality or oncologic outcomes. These results suggest that laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery can be performed safely and effectively using a flexible articulated instrument.
A modeling methodology of aeroelastic systems with constraining viscoelastic layers using the nonplanar doublet-lattice for subsonic flutter suppression
Authors: Cunha Bruno Sousa Carneiro da , de Lima Antônio Marcos Gonçalves , Belonsi Marcelo Henrique , Miranda Denner 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Aeronautical engineers are frequently faced with subsonic panel flutter phenomena. Thus, in the quest for safety requirements and to avoid catastrophes, it is important to evaluate efficient and low cost aeroelastic control strategies for flutter suppression. Within this aim, constrained viscoelastic layers appear as an interesting alternative to be used in such situations. However, the modeling of aeroelastic systems with viscoelastic materials is not easy, especially in subsonic regimes. In most of the cases, it is due to their frequency- and temperature-dependent behavior. In this study, it is proposed a modeling method of aeroviscoelastic systems under subsonic airflows to alleviate the flutter effects. It is used the finite element model of a three-layer sandwich curved panel coupled with the unsteady aerodynamic loadings generated by the non-planar Doublet-Lattice, using the in-housecode AEROSOLVER. To solve the complex eigenvalue problem, a modified version of the pk method has been used to predict the subsonic flutter boundary and to verify the possibility of increasing the critical speeds of the aeroelastic system using viscoelastic materials. Additionally, the influence of the thicknesses of the layers and the operational temperature of the system on its stability were investigated here.
Will the COVID-19 pandemic affect corporate tax avoidance behavior?
Authors: Hong Ermei , Wen Riguang 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

The sudden COVID-19 pandemic at the end of 2019 has had a significant impact on social and economic operations. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the uncertainty of the business environment, and corporate tax avoidance behavior may change accordingly. This paper takes Chinese A-share listed companies as the research sample, using the first three quarters of 2019 and the first three quarters of 2020 as the sample period, to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on corporate tax avoidance behavior. The empirical results show that the degree of corporate tax avoidance significantly increased after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The research conclusion remains valid after placebo tests, controlling for fixed effects, sample adjustment, changing measurement methods, and excluding robustness tests for competitive explanations. Further research finds that corporate social responsibility has a negative moderating effect on corporate tax avoidance behavior affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper enriches the research literature on corporate tax avoidance behavior under uncertainty environments and provides theoretical references for the government to conduct effective tax management.
JEL: G32; H26; M14
An Unmet Global Agenda: COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among farmers in Northern Ghana
Authors: Awuni Prosper Mandela Amaltinga , Lightfoot Nancy , Donato Emily , Maar Marion , Zobazie Clement Bomweh , Mbinta James Fenibe 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background: Ghana became the first nation in Sub-Saharan Africa to receive the coronavirus vaccine, however, as of December 2023, only 44.3% of Ghanaians had received at least two doses of COVID-19 vaccines, with vaccine hesitancy reported at 52.2%. This research aimed to examine reasons for COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among farmers in Northern Ghana.
Methods: The study adopted a concurrent embedded mixed methods design which simultaneously collects qualitative and quantitative data. The sampling of participants was purposive, targeting five Farmer Based Organizations (FBOs). 24 participants were interviewed for 30-45 minutes. The transcripts were imported into NVIVO version 14 for analysis using Braun & Clarke's Reflexive Thematic analysis.
Results: The farmers' interviews revealed six themes related to vaccine hesitancy: availability and access, misconception about the COVID-19 virus, preference for a universal vaccine brand, perceived side effects, fear of death and negative experiences, and belief in the non-existence of COVID-19 in Northern Ghana. For the quantitative findings, farmers’ current perspectives towards the COVID-19 vaccine varied. About 37.5% would postpone receiving, and 16.7% decline COVID-19 vaccination. About, 12.5% expressed some degree of positivity towards the vaccines. Meanwhile, 58.3% of farmers stated that COVID-19 was currently unimportant. The COVID-19 vaccine uptake in northern Ghana among farmers has stalled due to a lack of information and belief that the virus no longer exists.
Conclusion: To address this, it is crucial to make single-dose vaccines more available, conduct ongoing public health campaigns, and prioritize farmers as a vulnerable population during health emergencies.
Bat communities of savanna biome in the Kruger National Park, South Africa
Authors: Staňková Markéta , Hejda Martin , Brinkley Erin R. , Čuda Jan , Delabye Sylvain , Foxcroft Llewellyn C. , MacFadyen Sandra , Parker Daniel M. , Pyšek Petr , Pyšková Klára , Taylor Peter J. , Tropek Robert , Weier Sina M. , Horáček Ivan 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

The savanna habitats often harbour abundant and species-rich bat communities. Whether they represent mere ad hoc assemblages of incidentally co-occurring forms or distinct entities integrated by locally specific adaptations and balanced resource partitionings is largely unknown, as are the natural drivers shaping community variation at different spatial scales. An extensive dataset (130,888 acoustic bat records, 31 OTUs) was collected in 60 plots across Kruger National Park (KNP), South Africa; the plots were located (i) at perennial rivers, (ii) at seasonal rivers, and (iii) on dry crests away from any water source. Besides the effect of water availability, distance to campsites, and microgeographic variation on bat community richness and structure, we revealed (i) extensive homogeneity in community structure at local, subregional, and regional scales contrasting to a mosaic between-plot variation, (ii) absence of robust effects of environmental biotic and abiotic predictors on the distribution of individual OTUs and community variation, (iii) nearly identical pattern of habitat preferences in all community members approaching the centroid of KNP habitat variation, and (iv) an exceptionally high degree of community nestedness. These results suggest that the bat community of the KNP savanna biome represents a single entity consistently integrated with a network of coexistence relations that probably arose locally during long savanna history.
Novel modality using computational fluid dynamics to estimate renal pelvis pressure and predict indications for pyeloplasty
Authors: Nishimura Kenichi , Imada Syuta , Sugihara Naoya , Fukumoto Tetsuya , Miura Noriyoshi , Miyauchi Yuki , Kikugawa Tadahiko , Nakamura Masanori , Saika Takashi 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
Congenital hydronephrosis involves ureteropelvic junction obstruction, which results in impaired urine passage and elevated renal pelvic pressure. The elevated renal pelvic pressure can have a detrimental effect on renal function. Pyeloplasty is performed with the aim to prevent renal function deterioration. The Whitaker test, conducted using nephrostomy, measures renal pelvic pressure. However, this method is highly invasive, highlighting the need for alternative testing approaches. Computational fluid dynamics yields quantitative predictions of fluid-flow phenomena. Recently, computational fluid dynamics is being applied to the field of medicine. We aimed to develop a novel evaluation method using computational fluid dynamics analysis to determine the indications for pyeloplasty.
Methods
Computational fluid dynamics analysis was performed using computed tomography-extracted images. The urinal flow in the extracted geometry was simulated, using scFlow 2023 (MSC software, Osaka, Japan), by solving the continuity and Navier–Stokes equations.
Results
The computational fluid dynamics analysis revealed that in hydronephrosis, renal pelvic pressure increases when urine output rises due to ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Furthermore, hydronephrosis with increased renal pelvic pressure (0.015–0.086 Pa) in the physiological urine output range (360–1440 mL/day) is associated with a poor renal function. The main limitation is that the intrarenal pressure analyzed through computational fluid dynamics is an estimate, and not the actual pressure.
Conclusions
We demonstrated that computational fluid dynamics analysis enables the measurement of renal pelvic pressure. Furthermore, the computational fluid dynamics analysis could be positioned as a new modality to determine the indications for pyeloplasty.
Climatology and Dynamics of Aerosol Optical Properties from selected AERONET sites over West Africa
Authors: Awoleye Peace Olubukunmi , Ogunjobi Kehinde Olufunso , Balogun Ifeoluwa Adebowale 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

This study analyzed aerosol optical properties in West Africa, a region significantly impacted by the Sahara desert's massive dust emissions. This study assesses key aerosol optical characteristics, including AOD, Angstrom exponent (α), and particle size profiles using ground-based radiometric data from five West African AERONET sites—Cape Verde, Banizoumbou, Ouagadougou, Dakar, and Ilorin—collected between 2004 and 2009. The results show that daily average AOD shows distinct primary and secondary peaks in the dry season, though Cape Verde peaks in June. The angstrom exponent demonstrates seasonal variations, with minimum values linked to dust storms at all locations. However, Ilorin exhibits consistently higher α values, even during dust events, likely due to a mix of biomass burning and dust. An inverse relationship between AOD and α was noted at all sites except Ilorin. Additionally, a small percentage of α values above 1.5 were observed in Banizoumbou, Ouagadougou, Dakar, and Ilorin, with none recorded in Cape Verde. Ilorin also showed only 21% of α values below 0.3, compared to more than 50% at other stations. Dust levels were highest in Cape Verde and lowest in Dakar, influenced by its proximity to clean maritime air. The variations in dust absorption likely result from interactions between dust and fine-mode pollution aerosols, as well as differences in dust properties from diverse source regions. Multi-year backward air mass trajectories were used to identify and trace the transport of different aerosol types across the study area.
Immunization Insights: Trends and Coverage Among Afghan Children refugee in Iran (2021-2024)
Authors: Esmaeili-Darmian Mahin , Hooshmand Elaheh , Mousa-Farkhani Ehsan , Kokabi-Saghi Fatemeh , Vafaee-Najar Ali 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
Immunization is crucial for improving child health, especially among refugee populations. This study aimed to examine vaccination coverage trends in Afghan children in Iran.
Methods
This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study analyzed vaccination data of Afghan nationals from March 2021 to March 2024, extracted from the SINA system (Integrated Health System of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, and ANOVA with SPSS v21.
Results
Out of 6,106 vaccine doses administered, 50.03% were for boys. The average vaccination coverage in Afghan children from 2021–2024 was 89.9%. Vaccination coverage for children under two years was above 85% for all vaccines, exceeding WHO global averages. The lowest coverage was observed for the second dose of DPT (74.47%) and the fifth dose of oral polio vaccine (74.98%) in six-year-olds. No significant gender differences in vaccination coverage were found. Significant differences in coverage trends were observed across the three-year period for all vaccines (p = 0.000).
Conclusion
Immunization coverage for vaccine-preventable diseases in Afghan children in Iran is optimal and higher than WHO-recommended levels. Continuous monitoring of subnational data is crucial for tailoring vaccination strategies to address immunization gaps and ensure comprehensive coverage.
Bibliometric and Visual Analysis of Global Trends in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome and Bariatric Surgery from 1998 to 2024
Authors: Wu Zilong , Yuan Kaisheng , Wu Bing , liu Yun , Chen Sijie , Hu Ruixiang , Wang Cunchuan 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
A considerable body of research has established a strong correlation between obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and bariatric surgery (BS). Despite this, there has been a lack of systematic analysis and visualization of related publications using bibliometrics methods.
Method
This research employs bibliometric analysis using the WoSCC to explore the OSAS-BS connection from January 1998 to June 2024. Following thorough screening, a total of 2,268 articles were included. Software tools like CiteSpace and VOSviewer were employed to examine the connections among countries, authors, journals, institutions, keywords, and citations.
Results
The analysis indicate the top influential countries are the United States, Italy, and Canada. Prominent authors identified include Chung Frances, Inge Thomas Harris, and De Vries Nico. It is important to note that analyses across various disciplines emphasize the need for careful attention to anesthesia safety and prevention of respiratory complications when conducting BS on individuals affected by obesity and OSAS.
Conclusion
The bibliometric analysis highlights the global importance of research on the OSAS-BS connection, particularly in anesthesia management and respiratory safety. The findings provide key insights for advancing the field and emphasize the need for further focus on optimizing surgical outcomes and patient safety.
Infant mortality in Brazil from 2000 to 2020: a study of spatial and trend analysis
Authors: Ferreira Tainara Lorena dos Santos , Costa Ketyllem Tayanne da Silva , Silva Richardson Augusto Rosendo da , Oliveira Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli da Costa , de Andrade Fábia Barbosa 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
The Infant Mortality Rate assesses the deaths occurring in children under one year of age and serves as an important health indicator in mapping the living conditions of a given society. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the epidemiological behavior of infant mortality in Brazil from 2000 to 2020, based on the most prevalent chapters of the International Classification of Diseases.
Methods
This is an ecological and retrospective study conducted using secondary data collection. The country of origin for the study is Brazil. The dependent variable of the study is infant mortality, specifically referring to children under one year of age. The independent variables include sex, color, and birth weight. The period analyzed spans from 2000 to 2020. The statistical processing was conducted using Joinpoint and GeoDa.
Results
The most prevalent chapters of infant mortality during the analyzed period were, respectively: (1) Chapter XVI - certain conditions originating in the perinatal period; (2) Chapter XVII - congenital malformations, deformities, and chromosomal anomalies; (3) Chapter I - certain infectious and parasitic diseases; (4) Chapter X - diseases of the respiratory system; (5) Chapter XX - external causes of morbidity and mortality.
Conclusions
Brazil has made progress over the years in public policies aimed at reducing infant mortality in the country, particularly through the consolidation and intensification of Primary Health Care coverage, which provides health promotion, protection, and recovery by identifying the main health risks and needs of each locality. However, addressing the health determinants that influence infant mortality requires actions that go beyond the health sector, necessitating a set of intersectoral strategies aimed at promoting health and well-being.