bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ophthalmological research in Germany: suggestions by an international expert panel
Authors: Ader Marius , Cursiefen Claus , Fauser Sascha , Gliem Martin , Helbig Horst , Lagrèze Wolf , Marshall John , Roesky Christian , Sahel José-Alain , Schlötzer-Schrehard Ursula , Sieving Paul , Ueffing Marius 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Purpose
To evaluate the research performance in ophthalmology in Germany based on the findings of the recent research map of the German Ophthalmological Society (DOG) and to suggest strategies for future improvements on a national level both to DOG as well as to politics. The focus is on preclinical and translational clinical research.

Methods
International expert panel evaluation and discussion organized by the Task Force Research of the German Ophthalmological Society (DOG).

Results
The international view on the German ophthalmological research landscape was generally positive. The value for money relationship was judged as very good. As Germany is facing an aging society and vision impairment will create an ever-increasing socioeconomic burden, the reviewers suggested several lines of future activities: an increased activity of securing intellectual property, more lay audience lobbying, intensified collaboration and critical mass building between “lighthouses” of ophthalmic research in Germany, as well as the establishment of a German national eye institute equivalent.

Conclusion
The ophthalmological research performance in Germany was rated to be very good by an international expert panel. Nonetheless significant improvements were requested in the fields of translation (clinical trials, IP), synergy between specialized institutions and governmental funding for a German center for eye research.
Bowel function, urinary tract function, and health-related quality of life in males with anorectal malformations
Authors: Gertler Joshua , Granström Anna Löf , Oddsberg Jenny , Gunnarsdóttir Anna , Svenningsson Anna , Wester Tomas , Örtqvist Lisa 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Purpose
There is a knowledge gap regarding long-term outcomes for males undergoing surgery for an anorectal malformation (ARM). The purpose of this study was to investigate bowel function, bladder function, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in male patients with an anorectal malformation.

Methods
This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study included males treated for ARM at our institution between 1994 and 2017. Bowel function was assessed with bowel function score (BFS) while urinary tract function was assessed with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) questionnaires. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was investigated using age-relevant questionnaires (KIDSCREEN and PGWBI). Patient characteristics were retrospectively collected from the medical records and descriptive statistics were used for analysis. Functional outcomes were compared with gender and age-matched controls while HRQoL was compared to normative data. The study was approved by ethics review authorities.

Results
A total of 58 (44.6%) of 130 males responded to the questionnaires. Regarding bowel function, 24 (42.1%) of 57 patients and 81 (95.3%) of 85 controls, respectively, reported a well-preserved bowel function represented by a BFS ≥ 17 (p < 0.001). Soiling issues and ‘feels urge’ items improved significantly with age. In a linear regression model, BFS increased significantly with age. For most parameters, the proportion of ARM patients with lower urinary tract symptoms was larger, though not significantly, compared to the controls. However, straining and stress incontinence were reported significantly more often by ARM patients. In patients and controls, voiding outcomes in terms of prevalence of having symptoms and the number of cumulative symptoms drop with increasing age. Children and adults reported similar or, in some domains, better HRQoL outcomes when compared to normative European data.

Conclusion
Bowel function is impaired in male patients with ARM but significantly improves with age. Urinary tract function was affected, but overall comparable to the controls. HRQoL was unaffected. No significant association between the studied outcomes could be shown.

Level of evidence
III.
Modelling impacts of a salt and sugar tax on hypothetical intra-category food substitutions, BMI and environmental footprints in the UK population
Authors: Eustachio Colombo Patricia , Green Rosemary , Nájera Espinosa Sarah , Scarpa Giulia , Saha Ria , Scheelbeek Pauline 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Taxes on unhealthy foods can help improve population health in the United Kingdom (UK), but the health effects of food substitutions resulting from these taxes are often unclear. We investigated the potential impacts of a salt and sugar tax on hypothetical intra-category food substitutions, cost, body-mass index (BMI), and environmental footprints.

Methods
Purchase panel data from Kantar (2017) were used to determine the most popular foods high in salt or sugar within eight ‘salt-intensive’/‘sugar-intensive’ food categories. Within food categories, the most popular lower salt (≤ 1.5 g salt/100 g product) and lower sugar (≤ 22.5 g sugar/100 g product) substitutes were also identified. Hypothetical swaps between high salt/sugar foods and lower salt/sugar substitutes were explored, focusing on changes to cost, caloric intake and BMI, and environmental impacts in the UK population.

Results
The suggested intra-category substitutions were largely like-for-like and did not accrue an added overall cost to consumers. The substitutions reduced calorie intake by about 200 kcal/day and lowered the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the UK from approximately 60–65% to about 40–45%. The proposed food substitutions led to a total reduction of -2.7Mt of greenhouse gases, ∼ -500.000 ha of land, -0.5km3 of blue water, -12km3 of scarcity weighted water, ∼ -12.000t of phosphorus, and nearly − 14.000t of sulphur dioxide over one year for the UK population due to reductions in calorie intake.

Conclusion
Food substitutions following a tax on salt and sugar could lead to significant benefits for health and the environment, without necessarily resulting in major changes to people’s expenditure on familiar salty and sugary snacks.
Harm reduction strategies for cannabis-related problems: a literature review and typology
Authors: Pratschke Jonathan 
Published: June 2024

AbstractMeasures that seek to minimise the health and social consequences of substance use are an integral part of national drug strategies in many European countries. Against the backdrop of a high prevalence of cannabis use in the economically advanced countries, and increasing demand for treatment for cannabis-related problems, a range of harm reduction measures have been implemented by peers, statutory bodies and third-sector organisations. Based on a systematic review of the literature, the author describes these different forms of intervention, identifies innovative strategies and presents a simple typology that can be used when exploring existing measures or seeking to develop new policies. This typology covers different kinds of legal, socio-organisational and health-related interventions. All study designs were eligible for inclusion, with the exception of case reports, non-systematic reviews, editorials and news stories. Studies had to be published between 2011 and 2022, in English, and they had to refer to Europe, the Americas, Australia or New Zealand. A two-concept search was implemented using Embase.com and a number of other databases, combined with citation searches and manual website searching to improve coverage of research reports and advocacy documents. A total of 35 documents were deemed eligible, many of which rely on qualitative research methods.
An atypical case of fatal ‘esophageal apoplexy’: post-mortem findings and differential diagnosis
Authors: de Boer Hans H. , O’Donnell Chris 
Published: June 2024

AbstractForensic pathologists need to have comprehensive knowledge of a large variety of causes of sudden natural death. We describe a case of sudden and unexpected death in woman in her sixties due to rupture of a large paraesophageal hematoma. The post-mortem examination and differential diagnosis are discussed. The combined findings of whole-body post-mortem CT imaging (PMCT), targeted PMCT angiography, autopsy, and histology are most in keeping with ‘esophageal apoplexy’; a rare cause of hemorrhage in the esophageal wall. A review of the literature indicates that most cases of esophageal apoplexy are self-limiting and that fatal complications are exceedingly rare. Our case demonstrates that esophageal apoplexy can present as sudden unexpected death.
Dietary content and combined training, but not daily physical activity, are associated with 6-month bone mineral changes in adolescents with obesity: A Secondary analysis of the PAC-MAnO trial
Authors: Videira-Silva Antonio , Santos Inês , Freaza Dalise , Gameiro Mariana , Sardinha Luis B. , Fonseca Helena 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Purpose
The present study aimed to explore the influence of diet and physical activity (PA) changes on bone mineral content (BMC) and density (BMD) alterations in adolescents with obesity undergoing a weight loss program.

Methods
Six-month longitudinal data from 71 adolescents (aged 15.1 [± 1.6] years; 57.7% girls) with a BMI z-score of 3.03 (± 0.78), previously recruited for the PAC-MAnO trial, were analyzed using Generalized Estimation Equations for over time changes and linear regressions with BMC, BMD and BMD z-score as dependent variables, adjusting for confounders (including type of exercise- aerobic vs. combined).

Results
Adjusting for confounders, changes in carbohydrate (CH) and protein content showed to positively and negatively predict BMD z-score variance, respectively (β = 0.44, 95%CI: 0.01, 0.04, p < .001); β = -0.57, 95%CI: -0.06, -0.03, p < .001), yet no associations were found between PA and bone-related parameters. Combined exercise showed better results on BMC compared to aerobic exercise (β = 0.09, 95%CI: 0.05 to 0.13, p < .001).

Conclusions
Increased CH content, instead of protein, may be associated with BMD improvements in adolescents with obesity. Type of exercise may moderate the impact of PA on bone health.

Trial registration
Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02941770.

What is Known• Adolescents with obesity may be at a higher risk of osteopenia/osteoporosis• Obesity and inadequate diet and physical activity (PA) may have an adverse effect on bone metabolism

What is New• Improvements in adiposity and muscle mass and increased diet carbohydrate content are associated with bone mineral density (BMD) improvements• Type of exercise (i.e., combined training vs. aerobic) may moderate the impact of PA on BMD, and calcium intake may mediate this impact
Links and the Diaconis–Graham Inequality
Authors: Cornwell Christopher , McNew Nathan 
Published: June 2024

AbstractIn 1977 Diaconis and Graham proved two inequalities relating different measures of disarray in permutations, and asked for a characterization of those permutations for which equality holds in one of these inequalities. Such a characterization was first given in 2013. Recently, another characterization was given by Woo, using a topological link in $${\mathbb {R}}^3$$

R

3

that can be associated to the cycle diagram of a permutation. We show that Woo’s characterization extends much further: for any permutation, the discrepancy in Diaconis and Graham’s inequality is directly related to the Euler characteristic of the associated link. This connection provides a new proof of the original result of Diaconis and Graham. We also characterize permutations with a fixed discrepancy in terms of their associated links and find that the stabilized-interval-free permutations are precisely those whose associated links are nonsplit.
Effects of parenteral nutrition + best supportive nutritional care vs. best supportive nutritional care alone on quality of life in patients with pancreatic cancer—a secondary analysis of PANUSCO
Authors: Emanuel Aline , Rosenberger Friederike , Krampitz Julia , Decker-Baumann Christiane , Märten Angela , Jäger Dirk , Rötzer Ingeborg 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Parenteral nutrition (PN) can be an effective treatment to improve the nutritional status of patients with pancreatic cancer, but the effects of PN on quality of life (QoL) are still understudied. Therefore, we aimed at investigating whether the best supportive nutritional care (BSNC) in combination with PN at home compared to BSNC alone changed QoL in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer undergoing chemotherapy over a period of 7 weeks.

Methods
n = 12 patients in the PANUSCO study received nutritional counseling only (control group (CG)) and n = 9 patients were also given supportive PN (intervention group (IG)). The primary endpoint was the change of QoL (EORTC-QLQ-C30 and QLQ-PAN26) over 7 weeks between the groups.

Results
There was a significant worsening in social functioning in IG (p = 0.031) and a significant difference between groups in change of social functioning (p = 0.020). In all other domains of QoL, there was no significant difference between groups. Within groups, there was a significant improvement in the domain weight loss in IG (p = 0.031), showing that patients were less worried about their weight being too low. Furthermore, there was a significant difference in the change of BW over time between groups (p < 0.001) with IG showing an increase (p = 0.004) and CG showing no change (p = 0.578).

Conclusion
The administration of PN had in one of five domains negative consequences on QoL. The decision to administer PN should always be made individually and together with the patient, and the impact on QoL should be included in the decision to administer PN.
Characterisation of gradient flows for a given functional
Authors: Brooks Morris , Maas Jan 
Published: June 2024

AbstractLet X be a vector field and Y be a co-vector field on a smooth manifold M. Does there exist a smooth Riemannian metric $$g_{\alpha \beta }$$

g

α
β

on M such that $$Y_\beta = g_{\alpha \beta } X^\alpha $$

Y
β

=

g

α
β

X
α

? The main result of this note gives necessary and sufficient conditions for this to be true. As an application of this result we provide a gradient-flow characterisation for dissipative quantum systems. Namely, we show that finite-dimensional ergodic Lindblad equations admit a gradient flow structure for the von Neumann relative entropy if and only if the condition of bkm-detailed balance holds.
Uniqueness of weak solutions of the Plateau flow
Authors: Wright Christopher 
Published: June 2024

AbstractIn this paper, we study the uniqueness of weak solutions of the heat flow of half-harmonic maps, which was first introduced by Wettstein as a half-Laplacian heat flow and recently studied by Struwe using more classical techniques. On top of its similarity with the two dimensional harmonic map flow, this geometric gradient flow is of interest due to its links with free boundary minimal surfaces and the Plateau problem, leading Struwe to propose the name Plateau flow, which we adopt throughout. We obtain uniqueness of weak solutions of this flow under a natural condition on the energy, which answers positively a question raised by Struwe.
Latest Pliensbachian to Early Toarcian depositional environment and organo-facies evolution in the North-German Basin (Hondelage Section)
Authors: Marten Tim , Ruebsam Wolfgang , Mutterlose Jörg , Wiesenberg Guido L. B. , Schwark Lorenz 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe Pliensbachian/Toarcian boundary interval represents a transition from a coldhouse into a hothouse climate state, involving the demise of a land-based cryosphere, initiating a third-order global sea-level rise. Within the intensely studied Northwest Tethyan shelf region, the South-German Basin has been investigated in more detail than the North-German Basin (NGB). We here provide a palaeoenvironmental reconstruction of the Pliensbachian/Toarcian transition from the Hondelage fossil excavation site located in the NGB employing organic, isotope, and major/trace element proxies. Here, the late Pliensbachian was characterized by cold climate, low sea level, and a slow hydrological cycle, causing minor terrigenous sediment and nutrient fluxes to the basin, instigating low marine productivity. Shallow, well-mixed shelf waters of normal salinity favored aerobic degradation of planktonic biomass, preventing sedimentary accumulation of organic matter. These conditions changed in the earliest Toarcian, where increased temperatures led to sea-level rise via meltdown of land-based ice and accelerated the hydrological cycle, causing salinity stratification. Enhanced riverine sediment and nutrient supply from nearby landmasses promoted marine primary productivity, which caused anoxic conditions in bottom and pore waters favoring enhanced preservation and accumulation of organic matter. A short-lived sea-level fall at the Lower Elegans Bed coincided with lowered productivity and enhanced carbonate precipitation, due to reduced runoff and recovery of the carbonate factory. Increased redox-sensitive trace element concentrations above the Lower Elegans Bed suggest a renewed inflow of low-salinity arctic water masses via the Viking Corridor and potentially increased freshwater input, promoting water column stratification, enhanced planktonic productivity, and re-establishment of bottom water anoxia/euxinia.
Graphical abstract
Outcomes following spinal instrumented fusions in patients with parkinson’s disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Alissa Ahmad Issa , McDonnell Jake M. , Ross Tayler D. , Wu Neil , Sowa Aubrie , Wall Julia , Darwish Stacey , Butler Joseph S. 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Background
Parkinson’s Disease (PD) patients represent challenging spinal surgery candidates due to associated frailty and deformity. This study consolidates the literature concerning spinal surgery outcomes in PD versus non-PD patients, to evaluate if PD predisposes patients to worse post-operative outcomes, so that treatment protocols can be optimised.

Methods
A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted of PubMed/Medline, Embase, and Google Scholar databases per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Studies of interest included comparative (PD versus non-PD) cohorts undergoing spinal instrumented fusions. Post-operative clinical outcomes were collated and compared for significance between cohorts. Further analysis was made on outcomes based on the different surgical procedures performed (Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF), Thoracolumbar or Lumbar fusions, Thoracolumbar or Lumbar fusions without Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression fracture (OVCF) patients). All statistical analysis was performed using The R Project for Statistical Computing (version 4.1.2), with a p-value of < 0.05 deemed statistically significant.

Results
In total, 2,323,650 patients were included across 16 studies. Of those, 2,308,949 (99.37%) were patients without PD (non-PD), while 14,701 (0.63%) patients had PD at time of surgery. The collective mean age was 68.23 years (PD: 70.14 years vs non-PD: 64.86 years). Comparatively, there were 844,641 males (PD: 4,574; non-PD: 840,067) and 959,908 females (PD: 3,213; non-PD: 956,695). Overall, there were more post-operative complications in the PD cohort. Specifically, PD patients experienced significantly more surgical site infections (p = 0.01), increased rates of revision surgeries (p = 0.04) and increased venous thromboembolic events (p = 0.02) versus the non-PD cohort. In thoracolumbar/lumbar spinal fusions without OVCF patients, the PD cohort had increased rates of revision surgeries (p < 0.01) in comparison to the non-PD cohort. However, when including OVCF patients in thoracolumbar/lumbar spinal fusions, the PD cohort had significantly higher amounts of postoperative complications (p = 0.01), pneumonia (p = 0.02), and revision surgeries (p < 0.01) when compared to the non-PD cohort.

Conclusion
Although more robust prospective studies are needed, the results of this study highlight the need for advanced wound care management in the postoperative period, both in-hospital and in the community, in addition to comprehensive multidisciplinary care from allied health professionals, with potential for the use of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols in PD patients undergoing spinal instrumented fusions.
A CMIP6-ensemble-based evaluation of precipitation and temperature projections
Authors: Yılmaz Banu , Aras Egemen , Nacar Sinan 
Published: June 2024

AbstractUnderstanding climate change’s effects on dam basins is very important for water resource management because of their important role in providing essential functions such as water storage, irrigation, and energy production. This study aims to investigate the impact of climate change on temperature and precipitation variables in the Altınkaya Dam Basin, which holds significant potential for hydroelectric power generation in Türkiye. These potential impacts were investigated by using ERA5 reanalysis data, six GCMs from the current CMIP6 archive, and two Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP2 − 4.5 and SSP5 − 8.5) scenario data. Four Multi-Model Ensemble (MME) models were developed by using an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) approach (ENS1), simple averaging (ENS2), weighted correlation coefficients (ENS3), and the MARS algorithm (ENS4), and the results were compared to each other. Moreover, quantile delta mapping (QDM) bias correction was used. The 35-year period (1980–2014) was chosen as the reference period, and further evaluations were conducted by dividing it into three future periods (near (2025–2054), mid-far (2055–2084), and far (2085–2100)). Considering the results achieved from the MMEs, variations are expected in the monthly, seasonal, and annual assessments. Projections until the year 2100 indicate that under optimistic and pessimistic scenarios, temperature increases could reach up to 3.11 °C and 5.64 °C, respectively, while precipitation could decrease by as much as 19% and 43%, respectively. These results suggest that the potential changes in temperature and precipitation within the dam basin could significantly impact critical elements such as future water flow and energy production.
Modelling sustainable investing in the CAPM
Authors: Hens Thorsten , Trutwin Ester 
Published: June 2024

AbstractEmpirical studies investigate various causes and effects of sustainable investments. While some attempts have been made to describe the results found by theoretical models, these are relatively complex and heterogeneous. We relate to existing studies and use a parsimonious Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) in which we model different aspects of sustainable investing. The basic reasoning of the CAPM, that investors need to be compensated for the bad aspects of assets applies so that investors demand higher returns for investments that are harmful from an environmental, social, or governance (ESG) perspective. Moreover, if investors have heterogeneous views on the ESG–characteristics of a company, the market requires higher returns for that company, provided richer investors care more about ESG than poorer investors, which is known as the Environmental Kuznets Curve. Besides the effect on asset prices, we find that sustainable investing has an impact on a firm’s production decision through two channels—the growth and the reform channel. Sustainable investment reduces the size of dirty firms through the growth channel and makes firms cleaner through the reform channel. We illustrate the magnitude of these effects with numerical examples calibrated to real-world data, providing a clear indication of the high economic relevance of the effects.