bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Secondary abdominal ectopic pregnancy after uterine rupture in an Indian pariah bitch
Authors: Sharma Pururava , Yangka Dawa , Sharma Akshay , Sharma Jahanvi , Kumar Pravesh 
Published: December 2024

AbstractEctopic pregnancy, where implantation occurs outside the uterus, is less common in animals compared to humans. The precise causes of this condition are not thoroughly understood in either species. A 3‐year‐old Indian pariah bitch was brought in due to overall lethargy, loss of appetite and abdominal discomfort persisting for the past 2 days, following a full term of pregnancy. Upon vaginal examination, the cervical canal was found to be fully dilated; however, no fetal parts were palpable. Following stabilisation of the bitch, radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations were conducted to assess fetal number and viability. Diagnostic procedures and clinical examinations did not indicate the possibility of delivering the fetus through the normal birth canal. The fetuses were surgically retrieved via a caesarean section, revealing the unexpected occurrence of ectopic pregnancy specifically in the abdomen. After the surgical removal of the fetus located outside the uterus, the bitch experienced a full recovery.
Design and Application of a Hemispherical XRF Secondary Target
Authors: Ma Yonghong , Li Weicheng , Li Hui , Li Yuanhui , Cheng Feng , Gu Yi , Zhang Jian , Xiao Hongfei 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTIn x‐ray fluorescence analysis (XRFA), the use of secondary targets to suppress measurement background is a common practice aimed at reducing detection limits. However, conventional polarized secondary targets often exhibit low conversion efficiency of primary x‐rays. In this paper, we propose a novel hemispherical secondary target designed to exploit a focusing‐like phenomenon for primary x‐rays, thereby enhancing the conversion efficiency and achieving improved background suppression. The optimal dimensions of the hemispherical secondary target are determined through theoretical calculations, and further validated through Monte Carlo simulations and experimental analysis. Our findings reveal a substantial enhancement in the peak‐to‐background ratio when compared to traditional polarized secondary targets. Specifically, for a 1000‐ppm Ce sample, the peak‐to‐background ratio increased from 8.45 to 9.78 with the implementation of the hemispherical secondary target. Similar improvements were observed when measuring a 1000‐ppm Ce sample, relative to direct excitation. Furthermore, the relative error between the system and the ICP‐MS measurement results of the rare earth sample remains within 5%, underscoring the effectiveness of the hemispherical secondary target in XRFA applications.
The Goldie Equation: III. Homomorphisms from functional equations
Authors: Bingham N. H. , Ostaszewski A. J. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThis is the second of three sequels to (Ostaszewski in Aequat Math 90:427–448, 2016)—the third of the resulting quartet—concerning the real-valued continuous solutions of the multivariate Goldie functional equation (GFE) below of Levi–Civita type. Following on from the preceding paper (Bingham and Ostaszewski in Homomorphisms from Functional Equations: II. The Goldie Equation, arXiv:1910.05816), in which these solutions are described explicitly, here we characterize (GFE) as expressing homomorphy (in all but some exceptional “improper” cases) between multivariate Popa groups, defined and characterized earlier in the sequence. The group operation involves a form of affine addition (with local scalar acceleration) similar to the circle operation of ring theory. We show the affine action in $$(GFE)\ $$

(
G
F
E
)

may be replaced by a general continuous acceleration yielding a functional equation (GGE) which it emerges has the same solution structure as (GFE). The final member of the sequence (Bingham and Ostaszewski, The Gołąb–Schinzel and Goldie functional equations in Banach algebras, arXiv:2105.07794) considers the richer framework of a Banach algebra which allows vectorial acceleration, giving the closest possible similarity to the circle operation.
Using simulation to assess basic ultrasound skills in plastic surgical trainees: a prospective cohort validation study
Authors: Buheiri Ali Raed , Faurby Andreas Sebastian , Allen Julie Elisabeth , Halle Dorthe Mosegaard , Hjorth Signe Friborg , Pietersen Pia Iben , Nielsen Anders Bo , Bille Camilla 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background
Ultrasound has become an invaluable diagnostic tool in plastic surgery. It is quick and easy to use, and it increases the safeness of invasive procedures. Its applications include among others identification of perforators when designing flaps, conducting safe seroma aspirations, and detecting lymph nodes. Despite its extensive use, a standardized competency test for ultrasound examination among junior level plastic surgical trainees has not yet been established. The study aimed to develop and gather validity evidence for a stimulation-based, three-station test in plastic surgery and to establish a credible pass/fail score.

Methods
An expert panel reached consensus on three relevant ultrasound scenarios for junior plastic surgeons: (1) ultrasound-guided seroma aspiration, (2) identification of a perforator for DIEP (deep inferior epigastric perforator) flap reconstruction, and (3) lymph node detection. Thirty-eight participants were categorized as novices, intermediates, or experienced, based on their number of performed ultrasound procedures. Performance was assessed using a modified OSAUS (Objective Structured Assessment of Ultrasound Skills) score. Validity evidence was gathered through Messick’s framework, and statistical analyses included Cronbach’s alpha for reliability and t-tests for group comparisons. A pass/fail score was determined using the contrasting groups’ method.

Results
Mean scores were 27.9 ± 9.5 points for novices (n = 15), 78.3 ± 15.1 points (n = 12) for intermediates, and 88.2 ± 11.4 points (n = 11) for experienced. The test’s reliability was high, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.94. The pass/fail score was set to 56 out of 120 points. The test had no false negatives and one false positive.

Conclusions
This study established a reliable simulation-based ultrasound test for junior level plastic surgical trainees. It provided validity evidence and showed a correlation between experience and test performance.
Eccentric hypertrophy impairs outcome after TAVR
Authors: Thalmann R. , Obermeier V. , Westphal Dominik S. , Diebold I. , Trenkwalder T. , Pellegrini C. , Buglio G. , Seoudy H. , Hoppmann P. , Bradaric C. , Schön U. , Holinski-Feder E. , Lettmann N. , Ruge H. , Erlebach M. , Fuetterer C. , Laugwitz K. L. , Krane M. , Frank D. , Kupatt C. 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Background
Aortic stenosis (AS) induces cardiac remodeling upon chronic left ventricular (LV) pressure overload. Here, we analyzed the clinical outcome of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for symptomatic AS with regard to varying LV hypertrophy patterns. Moreover, we investigated the genetic influence on development of different hypertrophy patterns, measured by polygenic risk scores (PRS).

Methods
1703 patients with severe AS undergoing TAVR were categorized according to LV mass index and relative wall thickness in four subgroups: normal geometry (NG, n = 57), concentric remodeling (CR; n = 388), concentric hypertrophy (CH; n = 993) and eccentric hypertrophy (EH; n = 265). Data was analyzed retrospectively with regard to clinical outcome. In a substudy, 520 patients affected by CH (n = 237), EH (n = 139) or CR (n = 164) were analyzed using two PRS that have been previously associated with hypertrophic and dilated cardiomyopathy.

Results
1 year after TAVR, for EH, in contrast to the remaining groups (NG, CR, CH), a significant difference in all-cause mortality was observable (mortality 17.4% EH, 14.0% NG, 12.4% CR, 14.0% CH, p = 0.001). This difference was observed up to 4 years (mortality 41.9% EH, 26.9% CH, 28.1% CR, 26.4% NG, p = 0.001). Of note, higher percentiles in a PRS for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy were associated with a reduced likelihood of EH in patients with AS (p = 0.046).

Conclusions
The EH group had a statistically significant poorer 1-year and 5-year outcomes than the other groups. PRS might help predict myocardial reactions in patients with aortic stenosis in future.
Generalized Pseudospectral Shattering and Inverse-Free Matrix Pencil Diagonalization
Authors: Demmel James , Dumitriu Ioana , Schneider Ryan 
Published: December 2024

AbstractWe present a randomized, inverse-free algorithm for producing an approximate diagonalization of any $$n \times n$$

n
×
n

matrix pencil (A, B). The bulk of the algorithm rests on a randomized divide-and-conquer eigensolver for the generalized eigenvalue problem originally proposed by Ballard, Demmel and Dumitriu (Technical Report 2010). We demonstrate that this divide-and-conquer approach can be formulated to succeed with high probability provided the input pencil is sufficiently well-behaved, which is accomplished by generalizing the recent pseudospectral shattering work of Banks, Garza-Vargas, Kulkarni and Srivastava (Foundations of Computational Mathematics 2023). In particular, we show that perturbing and scaling (A, B) regularizes its pseudospectra, allowing divide-and-conquer to run over a simple random grid and in turn producing an accurate diagonalization of (A, B) in the backward error sense. The main result of the paper states the existence of a randomized algorithm that with high probability (and in exact arithmetic) produces invertible S, T and diagonal D such that $$||A - SDT^{-1}||_2 \le \varepsilon $$

|
|
A

-
S
D

T

-
1

|
|

2

≤
ε

and $$||B - ST^{-1}||_2 \le \varepsilon $$

|
|
B

-
S

T

-
1

|
|

2

≤
ε

in at most $$O \left( \log ^2 \left( \frac{n}{\varepsilon } \right) T_{\text {MM}}(n) \right) $$

O

log
2

n
ε

T
MM

(
n
)

operations, where $$T_{\text {MM}}(n)$$

T
MM

(
n
)

is the asymptotic complexity of matrix multiplication. This not only provides a new set of guarantees for highly parallel generalized eigenvalue solvers but also establishes nearly matrix multiplication time as an upper bound on the complexity of inverse-free, exact-arithmetic matrix pencil diagonalization.
Influence of HLA mismatch between donors and recipients on postoperative outcomes in cadaveric lung transplantation
Authors: Kayawake Hidenao , Sakanoue Ichiro , Tanaka Satona , Yutaka Yojiro , Nishino Yoshihiro , Matsumoto Akira , Ryo Taiki , Matsubara Taichi , Nakajima Daisuke , Date Hiroshi 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Objectives
Generally, HLA matching between donors and recipients is not performed in lung transplantation (LTx). Therefore, whether HLA mismatch between donors and recipients (D/R mismatch) influences postoperative outcomes after LTx remains uncertain. In this study, we investigated the influence of D/R mismatch on postoperative outcomes after cadaveric LTx (CLT).

Methods
A total of 140 CLT procedures were performed between 2012 and 2020. After excluding 5 recipients with preformed DSA and 1 recipient undergoing re-LTx, 134 recipients were enrolled in this retrospective study. The postoperative outcomes were compared between recipients with higher and lower D/R mismatches.

Results
The median D/R mismatch (A/B/DR loci) was 4.0 (range, 1–6). When dividing these 134 recipients into two groups (H group [D/R mismatch ≥ 5, n = 57] and L group [D/R mismatch ≤ 4, n = 77]), there were no significant differences in the patient backgrounds. The lengths of hospital and intensive care unit stays were similar (p = 0.215 and p = 0.37, respectively). Although the overall survival was not significantly better in the H group than in the L group (p = 0.062), chronic lung allograft dysfunction-free survival was significantly better in the H group than in the L group (p = 0.027). Conversely, there was no significant difference in the cumulative incidence of de novo donor-specific anti-HLA antibodies (dnDSAs) between the two groups (p = 0.716).

Conclusions
No significant difference in dnDSA development was observed between patients with higher and lower D/R HLA mismatches. Given the favorable outcomes in the high HLA mismatch group, CLTs can be performed safely in recipients with high D/R HLA mismatches.
Risk attitudes and private disability insurance holdings
Authors: Giannikos Christos I. , Kakolyris Andreas , Suen Tin Shan 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThis study identifies several factors that affect the demand for disability insurance (DI), such as wealth, health, financial literacy, and self-reported willingness to take financial risks, using a logit model and a random forest algorithm. While the role of risk aversion in insurance ownership is well established within theoretical insurance models, the empirical literature is still inconclusive. We provide evidence based on the Survey of Consumer Finances that willingness to take financial risks similar to wealth, health, and financial literacy is positively associated with the ownership of private DI. Furthermore, the literature has not explored multivariate risk attitudes in this framework. We thus employ indices of multivariate risk attitudes within a theoretical DI model. Our empirical results on private DI, in conjunction with the theoretical model we present, allow us to test hypotheses regarding multivariate household preferences and reject the hypothesis of correlation-neutral preferences on wealth and health.
Design Modification of the Retort Burner for Phytomass in a Small Heat Source
Authors: Holubčík Michal , Čajová Kantová Nikola , Nosek Radovan , Nemec Patrik , Jandačka Jozef 
Published: December 2024

AbstractPhytomass, a renewable energy source, faces the challenge of ash agglomeration due to its low ash fusion temperature. To address this, chemical modification (adding additives) and co-combustion with other fuels are explored. This study focuses on combustion of phytomass with wood biomass and mechanical modifications to the combustion chamber. The goal is to maintain the chamber temperature below the ash fusion point. Modifications included a modulated burner and water cooling. Combustion of phytomass with wood biomass in the ratio of 60/40, 40/60 and 20/80 had a beneficial effect on increasing the heat source output by 5% and reducing SOX emissions from 61 to 21 mg−3 by adding the wood to hay. The modification of the burner resulted in a reduction of particulate matter from the range 110–140 mg m−3 without cooling to the range 90–110 mg m−3 with cooling depending on the phyto/wood ratio and a reduction in the formation of deposits. By cooling the burner, the temperature at the exit from the combustion chamber was reduced from approx. 560 to 460 °C and at the height above the reaction zone of the flame from 500 to 320 °C. The co-combustion and additional cooling were not such effective, two other modifications were suggested for breaking up or sliding the resulting agglomerates from the surface of the retort. The proposed devices could have potential, as the investment in such a device is more cost-effective than the purchase of a special boiler for burning alternative pellets.
Die Wirkung von Clowndoktoren auf Mitarbeitende allgemeinpädiatrischer Akutstationen
Authors: May Naby , Hellenkamp Marie-Theres , Albertine Ruth , Zimmer Bernd , Bormuth Rainer , Dietz Pavel 
Published: December 2024

ZusammenfassungDie vorliegende Studie untersucht die Wirkung von Clowndoktoren auf Mitarbeitende in allgemeinpädiatrischen Akutstationen. Mittels eines phänomenologischen qualitativen Forschungsansatzes und halbstrukturierter Leitfadeninterviews mit 10 Klinikmitarbeitenden wurden deren Wahrnehmungen und Erfahrungen mit Clowndoktoren detailliert erfasst. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass Clowndoktoren durch ihre humorvolle Interaktion sowohl direkt als auch indirekt positive Einflüsse auf das emotionale Wohlbefinden, die Arbeitszufriedenheit und die Zufriedenheit unter den Mitarbeitenden haben können. Insbesondere die direkte Interaktion mit den Clowndoktoren wird als angenehme und motivierende Abwechslung im oft belastenden Klinikalltag wahrgenommen. Zusätzlich verbessern Clowndoktoren nicht nur die Stimmung der Patient:innen, sondern tragen auch zur Förderung eines positiven Arbeitsklimas bei. Die Analyse zeigt, dass die Anwesenheit der Clowndoktoren dazu beiträgt, den emotionalen Stress der Mitarbeitenden in deren Wahrnehmung zu reduzieren und die Zusammenarbeit zwischen Klinikpersonal zu stärken. Die Studie betont die Relevanz der regelmäßigen Einbindung von Clowndoktoren in den Klinikalltag, um nicht nur die Genesung der Patient:innen zu unterstützen, sondern auch die Arbeitsbedingungen des Personals nachhaltig zu verbessern. Die Ergebnisse liefern wertvolle Anregungen für zukünftige Forschungsarbeiten, insbesondere hinsichtlich der langfristigen Effekte der Clowndoktoren auf die Arbeitszufriedenheit und das Wohlbefinden von Klinikmitarbeitenden.
Teachers’ Perceived Relationships with Paraprofessionals Who Support Students with Challenging Behaviors
Authors: Dudek Christopher M. , Bronstein Briana , Reddy Linda A. , Fingerhut Joelle , Wiggs Nicole B. , Glover Todd A. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractClassroom teachers’ and paraprofessionals’ relationship is important for ensuring student success, but very little research has examined their work relationship. Despite collaboration in the classroom, their relationship is primarily hierarchical in nature, with classroom teachers often serving as the day-to-day supervisor of paraprofessionals. This study examined the working relationships between 149 certified teachers and their assigned classroom paraprofessionals across 59 schools from the perspective of the primary supervisor, the classroom teacher. Overall, teachers rated their relationships with their paraprofessionals favorably. Differences in relationship qualities were assessed in relation to teacher years of experience, race/ethnicity, education, and school socioeconomic status (i.e., percent of students receiving free and reduced lunch). Findings suggest differences in teacher perceived relationship quality based on teachers’ years of teaching experience, self-identified race/ethnicity, and school socioeconomic status (i.e., percent of students eligible for free and reduced lunch). Implications for practice and research are presented.
Design and implementation of a scalable and high-throughput EEG acquisition and analysis system
Authors: Liu Haifeng , Zhu Zhenghang , Wang Zhenyu , Zhao Xi , Xu Tianheng , Zhou Ting , Wu Celimuge , Pignaton De Freitas Edison , Hu Honglin 
Published: December 2024

AbstractRecent advances in neuroscience, neuromorphic intelligence, and brain–computer interface (BCI) technologies have created a need for fast, efficient, and convenient electroencephalogram (EEG) data acquisition systems. However, the existing equipment was limited in its flexibility, restricting non-invasive studies to research or medical settings. To address this issue, low-cost, compact EEG acquisition devices have been developed, allowing for frequent and flexible brain data acquisition in various scenarios. This paper introduces a scalable and high-throughput EEG signal acquisition and analysis system based on field-programmable gate array (FPGA) technology. The proposed system offers electrode scalability, on-chip computing, and optional wireless functionality extension. These features are achieved through the design of a highly scalable underlying EEG acquisition module and an FPGA central module that enables software-defined high-throughput expansion and high-speed data exchange between software and hardware. The paper presents two implementation cases that demonstrate the potential of the proposed system. The first case introduces a wearable wireless EEG system, enabling the deployment of effective and user-friendly steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP)-BCI applications in consumer-grade scenarios. The second case integrates an FPGA central module with multiple basic EEG acquisition modules to construct a high-throughput BCI system for cost-effective and real-time EEG data acquisition and processing. This configuration allows for flexible deployment in research and clinical applications, including attention index, SSVEP, motor imagery (MI), and emotion recognition. This combination further demonstrates the potential of scalable EEG systems and emphasizes the need for further integration or chipization. These implementations validate the feasibility of compact and efficient EEG devices and highlight the promising applications of scalable BCI system in various fields.
Average distance in a general class of scale-free networks
Authors: Bringmann Karl , Keusch Ralph , Lengler Johannes 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
In Chung–Lu random graphs, a classic model for real-world networks, each vertex is equipped with a weight drawn from a power-law distribution, and two vertices form an edge independently with probability proportional to the product of their weights. Chung–Lu graphs have average distance

$O(\log\log n)$

and thus reproduce the small-world phenomenon, a key property of real-world networks. Modern, more realistic variants of this model also equip each vertex with a random position in a specific underlying geometry. The edge probability of two vertices then depends, say, inversely polynomially on their distance.
In this paper we study a generic augmented version of Chung–Lu random graphs. We analyze a model where the edge probability of two vertices can depend arbitrarily on their positions, as long as the marginal probability of forming an edge (for two vertices with fixed weights, one fixed position, and one random position) is as in a Chung–Lu random graph. The resulting class contains Chung–Lu random graphs, hyperbolic random graphs, and geometric inhomogeneous random graphs as special cases.
Our main result is that every random graph model in this general class has the same average distance as a Chung–Lu random graph, up to a factor of

$1+o(1)$

. This shows in particular that specific choices, such as taking the underlying geometry to be Euclidean, do not significantly influence the average distance. The proof also shows that every random graph model in our class has a giant component and polylogarithmic diameter with high probability.
Quebecois Laïcité and Its Canadian Multicultural Other in the Debates Surrounding Law 21
Authors: Taher Saaz , Barras Amélie , Selby Jennifer A. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractSecularism has long been employed by states to signal their emancipation from “religion,” itself often positioned as unmodern and undemocratic. In this paper, we examine the ways in which secularism is understood in contemporary debates in Quebec. While secularism is typically employed to regulate religion, often with a focus on Islam, we show that with An Act Respecting the Laicity of the State (2019) its usage is mobilised to articulate the distinctiveness of the “Quebec nation.” Based on our discourse analysis of the 35 public briefs in favour of the Act, submitted to the Quebec legislature prior to its enactment, we show how most of these submissions define laïcité as a necessary tool to emancipate the Quebec nation from the rest of Canada. Laïcité is thus conceptualized as central to Quebec’s identity and constructed in opposition to a Canadian liberal-multicultural-Anglophone Other.