bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ultrasound innovations in abdominal radiology: multiparametic imaging in liver transplantation
Authors: Chau Samantha S. , Beutler Bryce D. , Grant Edward G. , Tchelepi Hisham 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Purpose
Ultrasound plays a central role in liver transplant evaluation. Acute, subacute, and chronic complications can be readily identified using grayscale and color Doppler ultrasound. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound adds a new dimension to liver transplant evaluation, depicting vascular and parenchymal processes with exquisite detail. In addition, emerging evidence suggests that contrast-enhanced ultrasound may allow for localization of biliary leak in select patients. We aimed to assess the use of multiparametric ultrasound—including grayscale, color and spectral Doppler, and contrast-enhanced ultrasound—in the setting of liver transplantation.

Methods
A literature review was performed using the MEDLINE bibliographic database through the National Library of Medicine. The following terms were searched and relevant citations assessed: “abdominal ultrasound,” “contrast-enhanced ultrasound,” “liver transplant,” and “ultrasound.”

Results
Grayscale and color Doppler ultrasound represent the mainstay imaging modalities for postoperative liver transplant evaluation. The addition of contrast enhancement plays a complementary role and can provide valuable information related to the allograft vasculature, parenchyma, and biliary tree. The appropriate implementation of grayscale, color Doppler, and contrast-enhanced ultrasound can optimize sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for the detection of liver transplantation complications, including hepatic artery stenosis, biliary leakage, and infection.

Conclusion
Multimodal sonographic evaluation is essential to identify postoperative complications in liver transplant recipients. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound may be of value in challenging cases, providing excellent anatomic delineation and reducing the risk of false-positive and false-negative diagnoses. A broad familiarity with appropriate applications of both nonenhanced and contrast-enhanced ultrasound may help radiologists optimize allograft assessment and improve patient outcomes.
Voltage-frequency dependence of the complex dielectric and electric modulus and the determination of the interface-state density distribution from the capacitance-frequency measurements of Al/p-Si/Al and Al/V2O5/p-Si/Al structures
Authors: Şenarslan Elvan , Sağlam Mustafa 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe energy distribution of the interface states (Nss) and relaxation time (τ) are calculated from the capacitance-frequency (C-f) characteristics for Al/p-type Si/Al metal-semiconductor and Al/V2O5/p-type Si/Al metal–interfacial layer–semiconductor diodes with and without anodic surface passivation. The experimental results show that the density of the interface states and the relaxation times increase almost exponentially with the bias from the top of the valence band to the center of the gap for each diode produced. At the same time, using the C-f characteristics, the dielectric properties such as the dielectric constant (ε′), dielectric loss (ε″), dielectric loss tangent (tanδ), real and imaginary portions of the electric modulus (M’ and M″) and ac electrical conductivity (σac) are investigated in this study. The analysis was performed at room temperature, in the frequency range from 1 kHz to 10 MHz, and the voltage range from 0 to 0.24 V. The experimental results show that the ε′, ε″ and tanδ values decrease with increasing frequency while σac, M′ and M″ values increase. This results will show that dielectric parameters are strongly frequency dependent.
One-year outcome of robotical vs. manual percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: von zur Mühlen Constantin , Jeuck Marvin , Heidt Timo , Maulhardt Thomas , Hartikainen Tau , Supady Alexander , Hilgendorf Ingo , Wolf Dennis , Kaier Klaus , Westermann Dirk , Rilinger Jonathan 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Background
Robotic-assisted percutaneous coronary intervention (R-PCI) is a promising technology for optimizing the treatment of patients with coronary heart disease. For a better understanding of the potential of R-PCI in clinical routine compared to conventional manual PCI (M-PCI) both initial treatment success of the index procedure and long-term outcome have to be analysed.

Methods
Prospective evaluation from the FRiK (DRKS00023868) registry of all R-PCI cases with the CorPath GRX Cardiology by Siemens Healthineers and Corindus in the Freiburg University Heart Center between 04/2022 and 03/2023. Index procedure success and safety, radiation dose of patients and personnel, and 1-year outcome will be reported. Findings will be compared to a prospective control group of M-PCI patients treated by the same team of interventionalists during the same observation period.

Results
Seventy patients received R-PCI and were included in the registry. PCI success rate was 100%, with 19% requiring manual assistance. No complications (MACE—major adverse cardiovascular events) occurred. Compared with 70 matched-pair M-PCI patients, there was a higher median procedural time (103 min vs. 67 min, p < 0.001) and fluoroscopy time (18 min vs. 15 min, p = 0.002), and more contrast volume was used (180 ml vs. 160 ml, p = 0.041) in R-PCI vs. M-PCI patients. However, there was no significant difference of the dose-area product (4062 vs. 3242 cGycm2, p = 0.361). One year after the intervention, there was no difference in mortality, rehospitalisation, unscheduled PCI or target vessel failure. Health-related quality of life evaluation 6 and 12 months after the index procedure (NYHA, CCS, SAQ7 and EQ-5D-5L) was similar in both groups.

Conclusion
R-PCI is feasible and safe. Compared to M-PCI, index procedure success rate is high, safety profile is favourable, and manual assistance was required in only few cases. At 1-year follow-up results for R-PCI vs. M-PCI considering mortality, rehospitalisation, morbidity and target vessel failure were equal.
An attempt to identify brain tumour tissue in neurosurgery by mechanical indentation measurements
Authors: Skambath Isabelle , Kren Jessica , Kuppler Patrick , Buschschlueter Steffen , Bonsanto Matteo Mario 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background
The intraoperative differentiation between tumour tissue, healthy brain tissue, and any sensitive structure of the central nervous system is carried out in modern neurosurgery using various multimodal technologies such as neuronavigation, fluorescent dyes, intraoperative ultrasound or the use of intraoperative MRI, but also the haptic experience of the neurosurgeon. Supporting the surgeon by developing instruments with integrated haptics could provide a further objective dimension in the intraoperative recognition of healthy and diseased tissue.

Methods
In this study, we describe intraoperative mechanical indentation measurements of human brain tissue samples of different tumours taken during neurosurgical operation and measured directly in the operating theatre, in a time frame of maximum five minutes. We present an overview of the Young’s modulus for the different brain tumour entities and potentially differentiation between them.

Results
We examined 238 samples of 75 tumour removals. Neither a clear distinction of tumour tissue against healthy brain tissue, nor differentiation of different tumour entities was possible on solely the Young’s modulus. Correlation between the stiffness grading of the surgeon and our measurements could be found.

Conclusion
The mechanical behaviour of brain tumours given by the measured Young’s modulus corresponds well to the stiffness assessment of the neurosurgeon and can be a great tool for further information on mechanical characteristics of brain tumour tissue. Nevertheless, our findings imply that the information gained through indentation is limited.
Exploring the diabesity characteristics and associated all-cause mortality at a population level: results from a small European island state
Authors: Cuschieri Sarah , Cuschieri Andrea , Grech Elizabeth , Coleiro Amber Marie , Carabott Amy , Tonna Axel , Borg Dalton , Sant Desiree , Sultana Elissa , Ellul Kathleen , Scerri Kristina Marie , Psaila Kylie , Magro Grazia , Attard Nicole , Borg Ylenia 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Aim
Diabesity, the co-occurrence of diabetes and obesity, presents a global health crisis. Understanding its prevalence, associated risk factors, and mortality outcomes is crucial for effective public health interventions. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of diabesity and diabetes, assess associated risk factors, and analyze mortality outcomes over a 7-year period in the diabetogenic country of Malta.

Subject and methods
A nationwide health examination survey (2014–16) was conducted involving 3947 adults aged 18–70 years. Sociodemographic data, anthropometric measurements, and blood samples were collected. Relationships between different adiposity indices were explored. Mortality data was obtained by cross-referencing with the national mortality register. Statistical analyses included chi-square tests, logistic regression, and Cox proportional hazard models.

Results
Prevalence of obesity was 34.08%, diabetes 10.31%, and diabesity 5.78%. Sociodemographic characteristics were similar across all three cohorts. Multivariable regression identified increasing age (OR 1.10 CI95% 1.07–1.12; p≤ 0.001), male gender (OR 0.53 CI95% 0.30–0.93; p = 0.03), and low educational level (OR 2.19 CI95% 1.39–3.45; p = 0.001) as significant predictors of diabesity. Only diabetes showed a significant increase in mortality risk (HR 3.15 CI95% 1.31–7.62; p = 0.02) after adjustment, with gender (HR 3.17 CI95% 1.20–8.37) and body adiposity index (HR 1.08 CI95% 1.01–1.16) also significant (p ≤ 0.05).

Conclusion
Diabesity represents a substantial public health challenge in Malta, with implications for mortality outcomes. Targeted interventions addressing sociodemographic disparities and promoting healthy lifestyles are essential to mitigate its impact. The findings underscore the need for comprehensive healthcare strategies and policy initiatives to combat diabesity and reduce associated mortality rates.
The emergence of microbiological inputs and the challenging laboratorisation of agriculture: lessons from Brazil and Mexico
Authors: Goulet Frédéric , Fonteyne Simon , Ridaura Santiago López , Niederle Paulo , Odjo Sylvanus , Schneider Sergio , Verhulst Nele , Van Loon Jelle 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
In this article, we analyse the tensions associated with the emergence of microorganism-based agricultural inputs in two Latin American countries, Brazil and Mexico. More specifically, we examine the ways in which these technologies, which are based on the use of living organisms, leave public microbiology research laboratories and are further developed by manufacturers or farmers. To this end, we draw on the concept of the ‘laboratorisation’ of society, part of the actor-network theory. We show that the emergence of these technologies is currently facing a number of challenges, due to the risks associated with their biological nature and the difficulty involved in establishing production processes as reliable as those used in reference laboratories. Whether produced by companies or on farms, the quality and safety of the practices and of these products are the subject of debate, as well as the focus of scientific, economic and political scrutiny. These microbiological inputs are evidence for the transformation of the relationship between science, industry, users and politics that is taking place around the emergence of alternatives to synthetic chemical inputs in agriculture, and more broadly, about the use of microbiological resources in agriculture.
Faraday effect of light caused by plane gravitational wave
Authors: Shoom Andrey A. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractA gravitational field can cause a rotation of the polarisation vector of light. This phenomenon is known as the gravitational Faraday effect. We study the gravitational Faraday effect of linearly polarised light propagating in the gravitational field of a weak plane gravitational wave (GW) with “$$+$$+", “$$\times $$×", and elliptical polarisation modes. The corresponding gravitational Faraday rotation angle is proportional to the GW amplitude and to the squared distance traveled by the light and inversely proportional to the GW squared wavelength. The Faraday rotation is maximal if the light propagates along directions perpendicular to the GW propagation and tilted by$$\pi /4$$π/4to the directions of its polarisation. There is no a gravitational Faraday rotation when light and a GW propagate along the same directions, or when light propagates along directions of a GW polarisation. Helicity of an elliptically polarised GW gives cubic order contribution to the Faraday rotation.
Managerial Performance and Economic Performance in the Technology Sector
Authors: Ratigan R. David , Zaleski Peter A. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe technology (tech) sector outperformed all other sector stock price averages in 2023. This paper addresses two issues regarding the tech sector. First, relative to other firms, are there any managerial areas in which the tech sector outperforms to explain their superior performance relative to all other firms? Second, within the tech sector, what managerial practices lead to higher profits? Four areas of managerial performance are considered: customer satisfaction, employee engagement and development, innovation, and social responsibility. This paper utilizes Bloomberg data and takes the novel approach of utilizing the Drucker Institute Indexes to assess performance in the tech sector. The Drucker Institute has computed a Corporate Effectiveness Index since 2017. The overall effectiveness index is based on performance regarding five dimensions: customer satisfaction, employee engagement and development, innovation, social responsibility, and financial strength. The firms they track are United States companies whose shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange or Nasdaq Stock Market and meet certain size requirements. Among the four dimensions tested, customer satisfaction is the one dimension that is positive and significant when comparing across tech firms. Second, employee engagement is more important for tech firms than for other firms. The major contribution of this paper’s findings is that while innovation may be the hallmark feature of tech firms, innovation for its own sake does not drive firm performance. A focus on people (customers and employees) is the key to earning higher profits in the tech sector.
Integrating effects of overheating on human health into buildings’ life cycle assessment
Authors: Monnier Robin , Schalbart Patrick , Roux Charlotte , Peuportier Bruno 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Due to climate change, the severity and length of heat waves are increasing, and this trend is likely to continue while mitigation efforts are insufficient. These climatic events cause overheating inside buildings, which increases mortality. Adaptation measures reduce overheating but induce environmental impacts, including on human health. This study aims to integrate the overheating-related effects on human health in building LCA to provide a design aid combining mitigation and adaptation.

Methods
In a novel approach, an existing building LCA tool is utilised to evaluate life cycle impacts, including damage to human health expressed in DALYs. The overheating risk is then evaluated using an existing dynamic thermal simulation (DTS) tool and prospective climatic data. Overheating is expressed as a degree-hour (DH) indicator, which integrates both the severity (temperature degrees over a comfort threshold) and the duration (hours). By assuming proportionality between DALYs and DH × area in a first step, the 2003 heat wave mortality data, 2003 climatic data, and a simplified model of the national residential building stock were used to identify a characterisation factor, which can then be used to evaluate DALYs corresponding to any building using DH obtained by thermal simulation.

Results
The proposed overheating model not only allows to derive a characterisation factor for overheating to be used in building LCA but also provides practical insights. The first estimation of the characterisation factor is 1.35E-8DALY. DH-1.m-2. The method was tested in a case study corresponding to a social housing apartment building in France built in 1969 without insulation. The thickness of insulation implemented in the renovation works was varied. For this specific case study, the contribution of overheating is significant, ranging from 1.1E-5DALY.m-2.y-1 to 2.2E-5DALY.m-2.y-1, comparable to the contribution of heating. DTS and LCA results found an optimal thickness, minimising the human health indicator in DALYs. This underscores the potential of active cooling to reduce human health impacts, especially if it consumes electricity produced by a photovoltaic system integrated in the building.

Conclusion
Combining DTS and LCA makes it possible to evaluate damage indicators on human health, including building life cycles (e.g., material and energy) and overheating-related impacts. An application on a case study shows this method’s feasibility and gives a first order of magnitude of overheating health impacts induced by buildings. A more sophisticated model could replace the assumed proportionality between DALYs and DH.
Schlafbezogene Metakognitionen im transdiagnostischen Kontext
Authors: Meyer Paula Theresa , Specht Markus B. , Wessolowski Nino 
Published: August 2024

Zusammenfassung
Theorie
Schlafbezogene Metakognitionen sind Überzeugungen über eigene Gedanken und kognitive Schemata, die sich mit schlafbezogenen Inhalten befassen. Sie werden mit Insomnie und schlechter Schlafqualität in Verbindung gebracht. In der Theorie finden sich Hinweise für Assoziationen mit Depressionen und Rumination. Aus der bestehenden Literatur wurde ein Strukturgleichungsmodell zu den Zusammenhängen von schlafbezogenen Metakognitionen, Insomnie, Depressionen, Schlafqualität und Rumination abgeleitet. Ziel der Untersuchung war die Erörterung möglicher Zusammenhänge.

Methode
Die Konstrukte wurden mittels Metacognition Questionnaire-Insomnia (MCQ-I), Insomnie-Schweregrad-Index (ISI), Beck-Depressions-Inventar (BDI-II), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) und Response Styles Questionnaire (RSQ-D) an einer Stichprobe aus einem schlafmedizinischen Zentrum erhoben. Die Daten wurden deskriptiv und faktorenanalytisch ausgewertet. Mittels Maximum-Likelihood-Estimation wurde das theoriebasierte Strukturgleichungsmodell überprüft und anhand von Fit-Indizes hinsichtlich des globalen Modellfits beurteilt.

Ergebnisse
Die Stichprobe umfasste n = 415 Personen. Das Strukturgleichungsmodell weist einen akzeptablen bis guten Fit auf. Für die Konstrukte schlafbezogene Metakognitionen, Insomnie, Depressionen, Schlafqualität und Rumination wurden mittlere bis starke Korrelationskoeffizienten zwischen r = 0,44 und 0,97 (p < 0,001) erreicht.

Diskussion
Die Ergebnisse des Strukturgleichungsmodells bestätigen Größe und Richtung bisheriger Ergebnisse. Die Arbeit zeigt den globalen Zusammenhang von schlafbezogenen Metakognitionen, Insomnie, Depression, Schlafqualität und Rumination. Sie unterstützt damit eine tageszeitübergreifende Betrachtung von psychischen Störungen und die Betrachtung metakognitiver Überzeugungen bei der Behandlung von Insomnie und Depression.
Brain Proteome Profiling Reveals Common and Divergent Signatures in Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple System Atrophy, and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
Authors: Dick Fiona , Johanson Gard Aasmund Skulstad , Tysnes Ole-Bjørn , Alves Guido , Dölle Christian , Tzoulis Charalampos 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
The molecular pathogenesis of degenerative parkinsonisms, including Parkinson’s disease (PD), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), and Multiple system atrophy (MSA), remains largely unknown. To gain novel insight into molecular processes associated with these diseases, we conducted a proteome-wide expression study in prefrontal cortex tissue from a cohort of 181 individuals, comprising PD (N = 73), PSP (N = 18), MSA (N = 17) and healthy control (N = 73). Using marker gene profiles, we first assess the cellular composition of the samples and, subsequently, identify distinct protein signatures for each disease, while correcting for cell composition. Our findings indicate that all three diseases are characterized by a structural and/or functional loss of deep cortical neurons, while PD exhibits an additional decrease in somatostatin-expressing interneurons, as well as in endothelial cells. Differential protein expression analysis identified multiple proteins and pathways with disease-specific expression, some of which have previously been associated with parkinsonism or neurodegeneration in general. Notably, we observed a strong mitochondrial signature which was present in both PD and PSP, albeit of a different composition and most pronounced in PSP, but not in MSA where immunological/inflammation-related pathways dominated. Additionally, we identified protein signatures associated with the severity of α-synuclein pathology in PD and showed that these are highly enriched in an upregulation of mitochondrial processes, specifically related to oxidative phosphorylation and in particular respiratory complexes I and IV. We identify multiple novel signatures of protein expression, associated with PD, PSP, and MSA, as well as with the severity of α-synuclein pathology in the PD brain.
Discrimination and Racial Inequities in Self-reported Mental Health Among Immigrants and Canadian-Born Individuals in a Large, Nationally Representative Canadian Survey
Authors: Kenny Kathleen S. , Wanigaratne Susitha , Merry Lisa , Siddiqi Arjumand , Urquia Marcelo L. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractWe examined the link between discrimination and self-rated mental health (SRMH) among immigrants and Canadian-born individuals, stratified according to an individual’s identification as racialized or white. Using data from Canada’s General Social Survey (2014) (weighted N = 27,575,000) with a novel oversample of immigrants, we estimated the association of perceived discrimination with SRMH separately among immigrants and Canadian-born individuals and stratified by racialized status. Among immigrants, we also investigated whether age-at-arrival attenuated or strengthened associations. The prevalence of discrimination was higher among racialized compared to white immigrants (18.9% versus 11.8%), and among racialized compared to white non-immigrants (20.0% versus 10.5%). In the adjusted model with immigrants, where white immigrants not reporting discrimination were the referent group, both white (adjusted prevalence odds ratio [aPOR] 6.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.08, 12.12) and racialized immigrants (aPOR 2.28, 95% CI 1.29, 4.04) who experienced discrimination reported poorer SRMH. The associations were weaker among immigrants who immigrated in adulthood. In the adjusted model with non-immigrants, compared to unexposed white respondents, Canadian-born white respondents who experienced discrimination reported poorer SRMH (aPOR 3.62, 95% CI 2.99, 4.40) while no statistically significant association was detected among racialized respondents (aPOR 2.24, 95% CI 0.90, 5.58). Racialized respondents experienced significant levels of discrimination compared to white respondents irrespective of immigrant status. Discrimination was associated with poor SRMH among all immigrants, with some evidence of a stronger association for white immigrants and immigrants who migrated at a younger age. For Canadian-born individuals, discrimination was associated with poor SRMH among white respondents only.