bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of the frailty in the evaluation of injury risk factors for National Basketball Association players
Authors: Macis Ambra 
Published: September 2024

AbstractInjuries often occur in sports and, due to medical and economic reasons, it is important to understand the factors that mainly affect the risk of experiencing them. This work aims to explore this field in the context of the National Basketball Association (NBA) league. Thus, the main purpose is to identify the main individual players’ characteristics that are associated to a higher risk of suffering an injury in a shorter time, taking into account ten seasons, from the beginning of 2010–2011 season until the end of 2019–2020 season. All the needed information has been retrieved from different big datasets regarding NBA players. The work stands in the survival data analysis framework and, for the purpose, a Cox regression model with frailty has been used. Results suggest that the player’s position and the Body Mass Index have a significant effect on the injury’s risk. From a methodological point of view, this manuscript provides an insight into the role of the frailty in the model, studying its relationship with the residuals of a mispecified Cox model.
Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injury Care Bundle: A Quality Improvement Initiative
Authors: Powell T. Clark , Hoke Tanya P. , Norris Kyle P. , Page Margaret R. , Todd Allison , Redden David T. , Brumfield Cynthia G. , Straughn J. Michael , Richter Holly E. 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Introduction and Hypothesis
The objective was to implement an evidence-based peri-partum care bundle for women sustaining obstetric anal sphincter injuries and to evaluate compliance with recommendations for antibiotics use, repair in the operating room, and follow-up before and after implementation.

Methods
This project was reviewed by the Institutional Review Board and determined to be exempt. A clinical care bundle containing education and standardized orders in the electronic medical record was implemented. Characteristics of pre- (October 2017 to September 2019) and post-intervention (October 2019 to August 2021) cohorts were compared and compliance with recommendations for antibiotics use, surgical repair location, and follow-up were evaluated. Chi-squared, Fisher’s exact, ANOVA F, and Kruskal–Wallis tests were performed, as indicated. Significance level was p < 0.05.

Results
A total of 185 cases were identified. Seventy-five percent of women were nulliparous. Mean gestational age was 39 weeks. Pre- and post-intervention groups did not differ in age, BMI, race, parity, gestational age, comorbidities, birthweight, or delivery type. Ninety-eight cases were identified pre-implementation. Eighty-six (88%) had third-degree lacerations. Post-implementation, 87 cases were identified. Seventy (80%) had third-degree lacerations (p = 0.17). Recommended antibiotic-type use improved from 35% pre-implementation to 93% post-implementation (p < 0.001). Repair in the operating room was similar pre-implementation and post-implementation (16.0% vs 12.6%, p = 0.48). Post-partum follow-up within 2 weeks improved from 16.3% pre-implementation to 52.8% post-implementation and mean time to follow-up was shorter post-implementation than pre-implementation (18 vs 33 days; both p < 0.001).

Conclusions
Implementation of an evidence-based peri-partum care bundle resulted in standardization of care in accordance with established recommendations. Compliance with recommendations for surgical repair in the operating room remained unchanged.
A New Gauge for Gravitational Perturbations of Kerr Spacetimes II: The Linear Stability of Schwarzschild Revisited
Authors: Benomio Gabriele 
Published: September 2024

AbstractWe present a new proof of linear stability of the Schwarzschild solution to gravitational perturbations. Our approach employs the system of linearised gravity in the new geometric gauge of Benomio (A new gauge for gravitational perturbations of Kerr spacetimes I: the linearised theory, 2022, https://arxiv.org/abs/2211.00602), specialised to the $$|a|=0$$

|
a
|
=
0

case. The proof fundamentally relies on the novel structure of the transport equations in the system. Indeed, while exploiting the well-known decoupling of two gauge invariant linearised quantities into spin $$\pm 2$$

±
2

Teukolsky equations, we make enhanced use of the red-shifted transport equations and their stabilising properties to control the gauge dependent part of the system. As a result, an initial-data gauge normalisation suffices to establish both orbital and asymptotic stability for all the linearised quantities in the system. The absence of future gauge normalisations is a novel element in the linear stability analysis of black hole spacetimes in geometric gauges governed by transport equations. In particular, our approach simplifies the proof of Dafermos et al. (Acta Math 222:1–214, 2019), which requires a future normalised (double-null) gauge to establish asymptotic stability for the full system.
Utility of pre-procedural [99mTc]TcMAA SPECT/CT Multicompartment Dosimetry for Treatment Planning of 90Y Glass microspheres in patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma: comparison of anatomic versus [99mTc]TcMAA-based Segmentation
Authors: Lam Marnix , Garin Etienne , Haste Paul , Denys Alban , Geller Brian , Kappadath S. Cheenu , Turkmen Cuneyt , Sze Daniel Y. , Alsuhaibani Hamad Saleh , Herrmann Ken , Maccauro Marco , Cantasdemir Murat , Dreher Matthew , Fowers Kirk D. , Gates Vanessa , Salem Riad 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Purpose
Pre-treatment [99mTc]TcMAA-based radioembolization treatment planning using multicompartment dosimetry involves the definition of the tumor and normal tissue compartments and calculation of the prescribed absorbed doses. The aim was to compare the real-world utility of anatomic and [99mTc]TcMAA-based segmentation of tumor and normal tissue compartments.

Materials and methods
Included patients had HCC treated by glass [90Y]yttrium microspheres, ≥ 1 tumor, ≥ 3 cm diameter and [99mTc]TcMAA SPECT/CT imaging before treatment. Segmentation was performed retrospectively using dedicated dosimetry software: (1) anatomic (diagnostic CT/MRI-based), and (2) [99mTc]TcMAA threshold-based (i.e., using an activity-isocontour threshold). CT/MRI was co-registered with [99mTc]TcMAA SPECT/CT. Logistic regression and Cox regression, respectively, were used to evaluate relationships between total perfused tumor absorbed dose (TAD) and objective response rate (ORR) and overall survival (OS). In a subset-analysis pre- and post-treatment dosimetry were compared using Bland-Altman analysis and Pearson’s correlation coefficient.

Results
A total of 209 patients were enrolled. Total perfused tumor and normal tissue volumes were larger when using anatomic versus [99mTc]TcMAA threshold segmentation, resulting in lower absorbed doses. mRECIST ORR was higher with increasing total perfused TAD (odds ratio per 100 Gy TAD increase was 1.22 (95% CI: 1.01–1.49; p = 0.044) for anatomic and 1.19 (95% CI: 1.04–1.37; p = 0.012) for [99mTc]TcMAA threshold segmentation. Higher total perfused TAD was associated with improved OS (hazard ratio per 100 Gy TAD increase was 0.826 (95% CI: 0.714–0.954; p = 0.009) and 0.847 (95% CI: 0.765–0.936; p = 0.001) for anatomic and [99mTc]TcMAA threshold segmentation, respectively). For pre- vs. post-treatment dosimetry comparison, the average bias for total perfused TAD was + 11.5 Gy (95% limits of agreement: -227.0 to 250.0) with a strong positive correlation (Pearson’s correlation coefficient = 0.80).

Conclusion
Real-world data support [99mTc]TcMAA imaging to estimate absorbed doses prior to treatment of HCC with glass [90Y]yttrium microspheres. Both anatomic and [99mTc]TcMAA threshold methods were suitable for treatment planning.

Trial registration number
NCT03295006.
Assessing the Implications of Deforestation and Climate Change on Rural Livelihood in Ghana: a Multidimensional Analysis and Solution-Based Approach
Authors: Adom Richard Kwame , Reid Memory , Afuye Gbenga Abayomi , Simatele Mulala Danny 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe Ashanti region in Ghana, abundant in natural resources such as forests and vegetation biomes, significantly supports the livelihoods of a significant portion of the population. The sustainable management of forest resources remains a significant challenge to achieving environmental and economic growth and poverty alleviation. The study aims to identify the drivers of deforestation and assess its impact on the livelihoods of the poor and vulnerable communities in the Ashanti region. The study utilized qualitative and space-based data to examine the patterns of vegetation cover and deforestation from 2000 to 2020. The results revealed moderate to sparse vegetation in Ashanti from 2002, 2005, 2011, 2015, 2017, and 2018, with no vegetation in the northcentral part, attributed to climate change, agricultural practices, government policies, and deforestation-related disasters. The study found a significant correlation (R² = 0.8197) between years and deforestation areas, especially in 2018 at around 16,000 Sqkm, indicating an exponential increase with severe implications for sustainable livelihoods. Much of these changes were reflected in 2020 with a high peak of deforestation towards the southeastern parts of the region. Additionally, the results show that the poor groups are not passive actors but are actively involved in identifying systems and processes through which to build their adaptive capacity and resilience to environmental and climate change-induced changes. The findings provide evidence-based and all-inclusive approaches that would encourage vulnerable and marginalized groups to participate in the co-production and co-creation of policies and strategies. This outcome is geared towards transformative and sustainable communities while ensuring efficient and effective response and recovery capacities of deforested lands.
Validation of the Swedish Dynamic Imaging Grade of Swallowing Toxicity for Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (DIGEST-FEES)
Authors: Petersson Kerstin , Finizia Caterina , Pauli Nina , Tuomi Lisa 
Published: September 2024

AbstractIn the head and neck cancer (HNC) population around 45% suffer from chronic swallowing difficulties after cancer treatment. Previously a measure for flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) where swallowing efficiency, safety and overall ability is evaluated within the same framework has been lacking. The Dynamic Imaging Grade of Swallowing Toxicity for FEES (DIGEST-FEES) was developed in 2021 and provides such a measure for patients with HNC. The aim of this study was to translate and validate the DIGEST-FEES into Swedish (Sw-DIGEST-FEES). A translation of the protocol to Swedish was done through forward-backward translation. Two raters rated eighty-nine FEES recordings according to the Sw-DIGEST-FEES and five reference measures of swallowing ability: Yale Pharyngeal Residue Severity Rating Scale, Swallowing Performance Scale, Murray Secretion Scale, MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory and Penetration Aspiration Scale. Intra- and interrater reliability was analyzed. Construct validity was evaluated by correlating the Sw-DIGEST-FEES ratings to the reference measures. A priori hypothesis was that the correlations would correspond to those of the reference measures included in the original English version. The Sw-DIGEST-FEES demonstrated retained psychometric properties. Construct validity was good. 79% of correlations to the reference measures were equal to or stronger than those in the original development. Inter-rater agreement of the Sw-DIGEST-FEES ranged from substantial to almost perfect (0.76–0.81). Intra-rater reliability was in general almost perfect (0.8-1). The Sw-DIGEST-FEES can be considered a valid and reliable protocol for use in evaluation of swallowing function in HNC patients.
Genomic characterization of novel viruses associated with Olea europaea L. in South Africa
Authors: Read David A. , Pietersen Gerhard , Slippers Bernard , Steenkamp Emma 
Published: September 2024

AbstractSouth Africa has a small but growing olive industry. Until now, no virological research has been carried out on this crop locally. Seventeen samples were collected from various olive cultivars from a single producer in the Stellenbosch growing area of South Africa. RNAseq was performed on total RNA, and the compositions of the metaviromes were determined. Olive leaf yellowing-associated virus was detected for the first time in South Africa, as well as four novel viruses from the family Closteroviridae and one each from the families Tymoviridae and Solemoviridae.
Mechanical and poroelastic behavior of porous tuff under drained and undrained conditions
Authors: Bauer Stephen J. , Broome Scott T. , Kibikas William M. , Wilson Jennifer E. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractA series of drained and undrained water-saturated constant mean-stress tests were performed to investigate the strength, elasticity, and poroelastic response of a water-saturated high porosity nonwelded tuff. Drained strengths are found to increase with increasing effective confining pressures. Elastic moduli increase with increasing mean stress. Undrained strengths are small due to development of high pore pressures that generate low effective confining pressures. Skempton’s values are pressure dependent and appear to reflect the onset of inelastic deformation. Permeabilities decrease after deformation from ∼ 10–14 to ∼ 10–16 m2 and are a function of the applied confining pressure. Deformation is dominated by pore collapse, compaction, and intense microfracturing, with the undrained tests favoring microfracture-dominant deformation and the drained tests favoring compaction-dominant deformation. These property determinations and observations are used to develop/parameterize physics-based models for underground explosives testing.
Eddy-covariance measurements of turbulent fluxes across the oxygen-depleted benthic layer in a shallow stratified lake
Authors: Kawaguchi Yusuke , Masunaga Eiji , Ouchi Takao , Kitamura Tatsumi , Son Eun Yae 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Seasonal stratification hinders the ventilation of hypolimnion water, leading to the formation of an anaerobic benthic layer in shallow lakes. This study quantifies the processes of hypoxia formation and recovery in Lake Kasumigaura, Japan, under conditions of developing metalimnion during early summer, specifically from early May to mid-July 2022. We conducted direct observations of vertical turbulent fluxes of dissolved oxygen (DO), as well as heat and momentum fluxes using an eddy-covariance system (ECS), enabling simultaneous measurements of various variables near a sampling volume. Additionally, autonomous acquisition of vertical profiles for DO, temperature, and Chlorophyll a in the lake's vicinity was performed. Our observations revealed that thermal stratification temporarily developed, leading to hypoxia near the bottom when near-surface air temperature exceeded 25 °C. During the metalimnetic period under stable stratification, the ECS demonstrated downward transport of heat and DO, resulting in daily averages of approximately 30–40 W m−2 and 1–1.5 × 10−5 mg L−1 m s−1 (equivalent to 1.1–1.7 mmol m−2 h−1), respectively. Using ECS observations, we estimated a turbulent diffusivity of approximately 5 × 10−6 m2 s−1 during enhanced stratification, consistent with previous reports. Under weak stratification in mid-May, the ECS indicated enhanced vertical fluxes, with occasional upward DO flux. We propose the possibility that phytoplankton acted as oxygen suppliers through photosynthesis activity, promoting vertical DO transfer.
Strategic investment in power generation and transmission under a feed-in premium scheme: a game theoretic real options analysis
Authors: Ito Kazuya , Tanaka Makoto , Takashima Ryuta 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe spread of renewable energy has been accelerated by investment in power generation and transmission systems under environmental policy support such as a feed-in premium (FIP) scheme. This study examines the decision-making of the transmission system operator (TSO) and the power generation company (GENCO), where the TSO maximizes social surplus by investing in transmission lines, and the GENCO maximizes its profit by investing in power generation facilities. Specifically, the TSO decides the investment timing, while the GENCO decides the capacity. We develop a real options model to analyze the equilibrium investment timing and capacity under uncertainties in a framework of game between TSO and GENCO. We consider several scenarios in which the GENCO invests in non-renewable energy (NRE); invests in renewable energy (RE) with FIP; and invests in RE with its installation cost reduction. Our results indicate that FIP and the installation cost reduction of RE affect the equilibrium decision in a different manner. We find that FIP tends to be more welfare-enhancing than the reduction of RE installation cost when the degree of uncertainty is larger. We also demonstrate that social surplus can be increased without FIP if the installation cost of RE is reduced sufficiently in the future.
Assessment of genetic diversity in a locally endangered tern species suggests population connection instead of isolation
Authors: Schnelle Anna , Rollins Robert E. , Cecere Jacopo G. , Serra Lorenzo , Gutiérrez Jorge S. , Masero Jose A. , Risch Markus , Bouwhuis Sandra , Liedvogel Miriam 
Published: September 2024

AbstractMany bird populations are declining globally, with migratory sea- and waterbirds among the most threatened groups. Increased isolation between populations, due to habitat loss leading to limited connectivity and reduced gene flow, may accelerate population declines or even cause local extinctions. To address this threat and inform conservation efforts, assessment of the genetic diversity of endangered populations is required. In Central Europe, gull-billed terns (Gelochelidon nilotica) have experienced a severe population decline in the past century, with only one last population of c. 40 breeding pairs remaining. Here, we aimed to characterise the genetic diversity of this population, and to compare it to that of two separate Mediterranean colonies to assess potential population connectivity. To achieve this, we developed a PCR protocol to amplify and sequence the complete mitochondrial genome (mtDNA). We found high genetic diversity in all three populations, and no population structure based on breeding location, as well as moderate population differentiation between Germany and Italy, and low differentiation between Germany and Spain, and between Italy and Spain. The German population, however, showed signs of population restriction, while both Mediterranean colonies showed evidence for population expansion. These results indicate that the last population of gull-billed terns in Central Europe is not acutely threatened by loss of genetic diversity, but instead shows signs of connectivity with other European colonies, which in turn suggests that conservation efforts should best focus on habitat and predation management.
The Role of Political Ideology in Agreement with Prisoner Responsibility for Personal Safety and Well-Being
Authors: Hansen Michael A. , Navarro John C. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractAlthough the United States leads the world in its imprisonment rate, an investigation of American public attitudes toward the safety and well-being of prisoners has not kept pace. In a survey distributed via Mechanical Turk (MTurk) (n = 979), the authors explore how respondents’ political ideology influences their views on seven specific aspects of prison conditions related to prisoners’ self-defense and responsibility for their safety, including physical and sexual assaults, as well as acceptance of poor prison conditions. Political ideology is a large and significant predictor of opinions on these seven aspects of prisoner safety and wellness. Conservatives are more likely than liberals to agree with statements supporting harsher prison conditions. While political ideological gaps are wide, these gaps narrow on statements regarding the expectations of prisoners to defend themselves from physical and sexual assault. These findings add insight into how ideological attitudes may influence justice-related decisions on prison life and punishment for prisoners.
Student approaches to generating mathematical examples: comparing e-assessment and paper-based tasks
Authors: Kinnear George , Iannone Paola , Davies Ben 
Published: September 2024

AbstractExample-generation tasks have been suggested as an effective way to both promote students’ learning of mathematics and assess students’ understanding of concepts. E-assessment offers the potential to use example-generation tasks with large groups of students, but there has been little research on this approach so far. Across two studies, we investigate students’ responses to a particular sequence of example-generation tasks, posed either on paper or through e-assessment. We identify a striking difference in students’ example-generation strategies and success, for e-assessment and paper-based versions of the same tasks. This suggests the use of example-generation tasks in e-assessment may not be straightforward, and we conclude by discussing the implications for teaching and research.
Combining Probabilities with Full Beliefs
Authors: Hansson Sven Ove 
Published: September 2024

AbstractOne of the major problems in formal epistemology is the difficulty of combining probabilistic and dichotomous (all-or-nothing) beliefs in one and the same formal framework. Based on the properties of actual human belief systems, a set of ten desiderata is proposed for belief system models that contain both probabilistic and full beliefs. Previously proposed combined belief systems are shown to fall short of these desiderata. A proof of concept is provided to show that they can be satisfied in a formal model. In the proposed model, the amnesia problem of probabilistic updating is solved by introducing infinitesimal probabilities as carriers of memories of beliefs that have been given up. In the resulting system of probability revision, contingent propositions can be transferred in both directions between full beliefs and beliefs held to a lower degree, in a way that mirrors real-life acquisitions and losses of full beliefs. The subsystem consisting of full beliefs has a pattern of change that constitutes a credible system of dichotomous belief change.
The value of laws in chemistry
Authors: Seifert Vanessa A. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractIn philosophy, the empirical success of a science is often explained by the fact that it has managed to discover some law(s) of nature. This line of thought has not been thoroughly explored with respect to chemistry. The aim of this paper is to fill this gap by showing how we could think about laws in chemistry. Specifically, it briefly presents how laws of nature are understood in philosophy of science. It then discusses two case studies from chemistry—the periodic table and chemical reactions—and explains how general ideas about law-hood can be applied to these cases. Lastly, it presents research questions and philosophical problems that arise by considering chemistry from the perspective of laws. This analysis illustrates that there is value in thinking about laws in chemistry.