bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Using Multimodal Assessments to Reevaluate Depression Designations for Spine Surgery Candidates
Authors: Benedict Braeden , Frumkin Madelyn , Botterbush Kathleen , Javeed Saad , Zhang Justin K. , Yakdan Salim , Neuman Brian J. , Steinmetz Michael P. , Ghogawala Zoher , Kelly Michael P. , Goodin Burel R. , Piccirillo Jay F. , Ray Wilson Z. , Rodebaugh Thomas L. , Greenberg Jacob K. 
Published: July 2024

Background:
Depression is common in spine surgery candidates and may influence postoperative outcomes. Ecological momentary assessments (EMAs) can overcome limitations of existing depression screening methods (e.g., recall bias, inaccuracy of historical diagnoses) by longitudinally monitoring depression symptoms in daily life. In this study, we compared EMA-based depression assessment with retrospective self-report (a 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ-9]) and chart-based depression diagnosis in lumbar spine surgery candidates. We further examined the associations of each depression assessment method with surgical outcomes.

Methods:
Adult patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery (n = 122) completed EMAs quantifying depressive symptoms up to 5 times daily for 3 weeks preoperatively. Correlations (rank-biserial or Spearman) among EMA means, a chart-based depression history, and 1-time preoperative depression surveys (PHQ-9 and Psychache Scale) were analyzed. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to categorize PHQ-9 questions as somatic or non-somatic; subscores were compared with a propensity score-matched general population cohort. The associations of each screening modality with 6-month surgical outcomes (pain, disability, physical function, pain interference) were analyzed with multivariable regression.

Results:
The association between EMA Depression scores and a depression history was weak (rrb = 0.34 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.14 to 0.52]). Moderate correlations with EMA-measured depression symptoms were observed for the PHQ-9 (rs = 0.51 [95% CI, 0.37 to 0.63]) and the Psychache Scale (rs = 0.68 [95% CI, 0.57 to 0.76]). Compared with the matched general population cohort, spine surgery candidates endorsed similar non-somatic symptoms but significantly greater somatic symptoms on the PHQ-9. EMA Depression scores had a stronger association with 6-month surgical outcomes than the other depression screening modalities did.

Conclusions:
A history of depression in the medical record is not a reliable indication of preoperative depression symptom severity. Cross-sectional depression assessments such as PHQ-9 have stronger associations with daily depression symptoms but may conflate somatic depression symptoms with spine-related disability. As an alternative to these methods, mobile health technology and EMAs provide an opportunity to collect real-time, longitudinal data on depression symptom severity, potentially improving prognostic accuracy.

Level of Evidence:
Diagnostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Typical Development of the Secondary Ossification Centers of the Acetabulum and Their Effects on Acetabular Coverage of the Femoral Head
Authors: Cho Yoon Joo , Choi Young Min , Song Mi Hyun , Cho Tae-Joon , Choi In Ho , Shin Chang Ho 
Published: July 2024

Background:
We investigated the normal development of the secondary ossification centers of the acetabulum, focusing on their location and the amount of acetabular coverage increased by them.

Methods:
We enrolled 132 patients who were 7 to 16 years of age and had no pelvic deformity but did have ≥1 os ischium, os ilium, and/or os pubis on abdominal or pelvic computed tomographic (CT) scans. The locations of the ossification centers were evaluated by adopting an orientation using 0° for the superior acetabulum, 90° for the anterior acetabulum, 180° for the inferior acetabulum, and 270° for the posterior acetabulum, on a reconstructed 3-dimensional (3D) CT image. The acetabular coverage increase by the os ischium, os ilium, or os pubis was defined as the difference in the posterior acetabular sector angle (ΔPASA), posterosuperior acetabular sector angle (ΔPSASA), superior acetabular sector angle (ΔSASA), anterosuperior acetabular sector angle (ΔASASA), or anterior acetabular sector angle (ΔAASA) measured with and without each secondary ossification center. Patients were grouped into 3 age ranges: late childhood, preadolescence, and early adolescence. The location of each ossification center and the increase in acetabular coverage were compared between these groups.

Results:
In the late-childhood group, the median start-to-end positions in right hips were 269° to 316° for the os ischium, 345° to 356° for the os ilium, and 81° to 99° for the os pubis. These positions tended to be wider in the early-adolescence group at 252° to 328° for the os ischium (p < 0.001), 338° to 39° for the os ilium (p = 0.005), and 73° to 107° for the os pubis (p = 0.049) in right hips. In right hips in the late-childhood group, the median values were 8.1° for ΔPASA, 14.0° for ΔPSASA, 9.9° for ΔSASA, 11.1° for ΔASASA, and 3.9° for ΔAASA; and in the early-adolescence group, the median values in right hips were 10.7° for ΔPASA, 12.9° for ΔPSASA, 8.4° for ΔSASA, 7.4° for ΔASASA, and 5.6° for ΔAASA. Only the median ΔPASA was larger in the early-adolescence group than in the late-childhood group (p = 0.026). Similar results were observed in left hips.

Conclusions:
In early adolescence, the secondary ossification centers appeared at more extended areas along the acetabular rim, and the increase in acetabular coverage by the secondary ossification centers tended to be larger in the posterior area but not in the anterior or superior area.

Level of Evidence:
Diagnostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
The role and perception of the caregiver in a specialized Pediatric Palliative Care Center in medicine preparation and administration: a survey study
Authors: Baratiri Fernando , Zanella Chiara , Roverato Barbara , Mengato Daniele , Camuffo Laura , Pivato Lisa , Avagnina Irene , Maghini Irene , Divisic Antuan , Rusalen Francesca , Agosto Caterina , Venturini Francesca , Benini Franca , Zanin Anna 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

BACKGROUND
In pediatric palliative care, the primary caregiver is primarily responsible for managing pharmaceutical therapies. Few data are available regarding the influence of this burden on quality of life in terms of time, concerns as well as a considerable risk of administration errors and adverse effects.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this survey was to look at how the caregiver prepared and administered pharmacological therapy, including any delivery problems, as well as how the caregiver assessed the treatment.
METHODS
Between October 2022 and March 2023, a descriptive single-center survey study was carried out in the tertiary care pediatric palliative center of the Padova University Hospital. Participants are all the people who provide care for children in charge of our center who are younger than 23 years old, receiving at least one drug daily and who cannot self-administer their therapy. The questionnaire consisted of 18 multiple-choice and semi-closed questions, grouped into 4 main topics: therapy preparation, therapy administration, administration errors, and therapy assessment.
RESULTS
A total of 100 survey responses were collected. The most challenging categories have been identified as being therapy preparation and medication dose measurement. 52% of caregivers handle prescriptions at least three times each day, with 32% preparing them for more than 5 minutes. Only 59% of respondents reported enough training. Due to tiredness or the complexity of therapeutic regimens, 14% of respondents reported making a drug mistake in administration in the preceding three months.
Nearly one caregiver in three believed their child "always" used too many drugs. 39% of patients had issues or questions about the prescription and wanted to discuss them with medical experts; 79% of patients believed that seeking assistance from a clinical pharmacist about the prescribed medicaments.
DISCUSSION
Many caregivers of pediatric palliative care patients frequently had trouble planning, preparing and delivering pharmacological therapy to their children. Attempting to simplify medications regimen, choosing formulations that are simple to administer and measure, investing in improved caregiver training, talking about therapies with carers, and involving clinical pharmacists in this process are all potential strategies to improve this condition and reduce their burden.
Diagnosis and Genomic Characterization of the Largest Western Equine Encephalitis Virus Outbreak in Uruguay During 2023–2024
Authors: Tomás Gonzalo , Marandino Ana , Rodríguez Sirley , Wallau Gabriel Luz , Dezordi Filipe Zimmer , de Oliveira André Luiz Sá , Techera Claudia , Calleros Lucía , Grecco Sofía , Williman Joaquín , Pérez Ramiro , Bassetti Lucía , Negro Raúl , Marrero Lucía Moreira , Delfraro Adriana , Vidal Roberto , Panzera Yanina , Pérez Ruben 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

The Western Equine Encephalitis Virus (WEEV) is transmitted between mosquitoes and wild birds. Mosquitoes can spread the virus to horses and human populations, causing severe encephalitis and death. The most recent large outbreak of WEEV occurred in the Southern cone of South America from November 2023 to April 2024, affecting many equines and humans in Argentina and Uruguay. We identified and genetically characterized WEEV strains during this outbreak to understand their evolutionary trends and rapid expansion in the country and at international borders. The virus affected 1,086 horses and caused 388 deaths in all regions of Uruguay. We obtained genomes from 15 strains using a novel multiplex PCR assay combined with next-generation Illumina sequencing. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that samples from Uruguay and Brazil collected during 2023–2024 and an Argentine strain from 1958 share a common evolutionary origin and are distinct from North American strains. Phylogenetic and epidemiological data on the outbreak suggest that it originated in Argentina and spread to Uruguay and Brazil, likely by movements of infected birds. Genomic analysis also revealed mispairing in real-time PCR primers and probes that may affect official diagnostic protocols, highlighting the need for assay updates. Our research emphasizes the need to map the genetic diversity of WEEV in South America to understand their epidemiology and develop effective control approaches.
Clinical characteristics and prognosis of nontuberculous mycobacterial empyema: Comparison with nontuberculous mycobacterial disease without empyema and nonnontuberculous mycobacterial empyema
Authors: Suzuki Hitoshi , Ito Daisuke , Shinoda Mari , Shomura Shin , Tanabe Makoto , Sawada Yasuhiro , Inoue Kentaro , Shimamoto Akira , Shimpo Hideto 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Objectives The purpose of this study was to clarify the clinical characteristics and report the efficacy of our therapeutic strategy for treating nontuberculous mycobacterial empyema (NTM empyema).
Methods The medical records of 302 patients with pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) disease were retrospectively reviewed, and 364 patients with acute empyema were prospectively reviewed to select patients complicated by NTM empyema from September 2014 to December 2022 in our hospital. NTM empyema was defined as a positive NTM culture of pleural effusion samples.
Results
Among 304 patients with pulmonary NTM, 13 had NTM empyema (4.3%). The mean age was 78 years, the mean performance status (PS) was 3, and 9 patients (69.2%) had pneumothorax. Age, male sex, comorbidities, fibrocavitary forms, pneumothorax, and lung cavitation were more common in patients with NTM empyema than in patients without NTM disease. Age, PS, comorbidity rate, pneumothorax incidence, and mortality rate were higher in the NTM empyema group than in the non-NTM empyema group. Similarly, the percentage of patients who were cured of pneumothorax without surgical intervention was significantly lower in the NTM empyema group (15.4%) than in the non-NTM empyema group (78.0%).
Conclusions
This study revealed that NTM empyema has a poor prognosis and is difficult to treat with medication alone. Fistulous NTM empyema should also be added to the indications for surgical intervention. Early surgical intervention should be considered for selected patients with NTM empyema.
Device Optimization of CsPbI 2 Br-based Inorganic Perovskite Solar Cells using Different Hole and Electron Transport Layers via SCAPS-1D
Authors: Siddique Muhammad , Sultan Muhammad , Safeer Syed Hamza 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have attracted considerable attention due to their high-power conversion efficiency (PCE) of more than 25% in recent years. However, the thermal instability of these devices is still a challenge for their commercialization. Recently, all-inorganic PSCs based on CsPbI2Br emerged as a new potential candidate for photovoltaic applications due to their long-term thermal stability. The SCAPS-1D software is used to analyze the device parameters of inorganic perovskite solar cells (n-i-p configuration) with varying hole transport layers (HTLs) and electron transport layers (ETLs). Initially, different HTLs such as CuI, Cu2O, CuSCN, and MoOx are employed keeping ETL (TiO2) and the absorber layer (CsPbI2Br) fixed. The highest performance is obtained for devices containing CuSCN as HTL. Furthermore, device performance is further checked by varying the ETL such as ZnO, WS2, and SnO2 keeping HTL (CuSCN) and absorber layer (CsPbI2Br) constant. The results showed that the device with configuration FTO/TiO2/CsPbI2Br/CuSCN/Fe shows better performance. In addition, for each device configuration, the effect of the charge transport layer’s thickness, the effect of absorber layer thickness, band gap, and defect density on the performance of the device has also been studied to obtain the best device performance. The thickness of the charge transport layers, and the absorber layer greatly affect the transport of photo-generated charges within the device,The here the highest power conversion efficiency (PCE) obtained for n-i-p configuration with TiO2 (10 nm), CuSCN (30 nm) and absorber layer CsPbI2Br (520 nm) is 14.66%.The corresponding fill factor (FF) for the given configuration is 76.57%, with short circuit current density (JSC) of 16.4 mA/cm2, and open circuit voltage (VOC) of 1.16 V.
Research on the development trend of cross-disciplinary subjects in universities with electronic information characteristics based on the analysis of citation data--The example of " Chinese electronic information universities"
Authors: WANG QIAN , JIA WEI , LI YUQING , SHI ZHENYUAN , XING YIYI 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

With the promotion of the construction of "double first-class" and the deepening of cross-disciplinary research, as well as the needs of the development of the electronic information industry, the electronic information characteristics of universities represented by Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications (BUPT), University of Electronic Science and Technology (UEST) and Xi'an University of Electronic Science and Technology (XUEST) have actively developed cross-disciplines to improve their strengths in running schools. This paper takes Web of science™ core collection database and ESI database as the data source, collects the highly cited paper literature data of these three universities with electronic information characteristics, adopts visual analysis technology, intelligent intelligence analysis technology and data mining technology to analyze the current situation of the development of their cross-disciplines, analyze the cross-discipline development situation of the universities with electronic information characteristics, and puts forward the suggestions to promote the high-quality development of cross-disciplines in the universities with electronic information characteristics. We will analyze the current situation of cross-disciplinary development, analyze the development situation of cross-disciplinary development in universities with electronic information characteristics, and put forward suggestions to promote the high-quality development of cross-disciplines in universities with electronic information characteristics.
CFD Analysis of an Inertance Pulse Tube Refrigerator: Exploring the Influence of tapered pulse tube and regenerator
Authors: Kumar Pankaj 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Extensive studies and research have provided valuable insights into the operational principles of an IPTR (Inertance Pulse Tube Refrigerator). However, it has become apparent that the application of a novel parametric optimization technique is crucial for determining the optimal operating and geometrical parameters that can enhance the performance of an IPTR. This optimization process involves several steps. Initially, the optimal operating frequency is estimated, followed by the optimization of the Inertance tube length, which is the longest component in the system. The subsequent step involves finding the optimal combination of the operating frequency and Inertance tube length. Additionally, the geometry of both the regenerator and pulse tube is optimized by adjusting the tapered angle while keeping the volume constant. By applying this parametric optimization technique to the IPTR under investigation, remarkable improvements have been observed. Specifically, the temperature at the cold heat exchanger of the optimized IPTR is approximately 22% lower compared to previous configurations. These numerical investigations serve as strong evidence of the technique's capability to estimate the desired parameters for enhancing the performance of an IPTR.
Study on Mitigating Membrane Degradation in Degraded Membrane Electrode Assembly of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell through Temperature and Humidity Control
Authors: Lee Seungtae , Oh Sohyeong , Yoo Donggeun , Park Kwon Pil 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have faced challenges in achieve their lifespan goals due to the degradation of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) during long-term operation. To enhance the durability of PEMFCs, it is necessary to research materials that can improve the durability of the membrane and electrodes, as well as to study operating conditions that can reduce degradation. This paper investigated methods to mitigate the membrane degradation of electrochemically degraded MEAs by controlling humidity and temperature among the operating conditions. MEA was degraded electrochemically by conducting open circuit voltage (OCV) holding, and then the degradation rate according to temperature and humidity changes was observed through fluoride emission rate (FER) change. In a degraded MEA, it is shown that increasing cell humidity accelerates membrane degradation. According to linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) results, this was confirmed to be due to the increase in hydrogen permeability caused by the higher humidity. The decrease in temperature lowered the rate of membrane degradation, which is attributed to a decrease in the rate of radical attack and generation resulting from the temperature decrease. Therefore, it was confirmed that to mitigate membrane degradation in electrochemically degraded MEAs, it is effective to reduce temperature and humidity, thereby decreasing the rate of radical formation.
Using Variation Graphs to Enhance Knowledge of Genomic Medicine and Population Genetics in Negev Bedouin
Authors: Oliva Adrien , Foare Rachel , Campbell Peter , Twine Natalie , Bauer Denis , Johar Angad 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background The application of genomics in translational medicine has gained significant attention as a means to address health disparities. However, pangenomic approaches have been underutilised with most studies relying on the hg38 linear reference. This hinders human evolution studies in fully leveraging whole-genome data. We evaluate the dependability of a well-established variation graph construction algorithm for inferring effective population sizes (Ne) in the Bedouin against hg38, its effect on allele frequencies and potential impact on medical genetics studies, such as GWAS. Our goal is to apply these insights to characterise genetic variation in East African populations.
Methods The variation graph was built using 14 Somali individuals from the Human Origins dataset, based on their ancestral affinity to East Africans. Ne was obtained using a coalescent approach ('Relate') for variants detected using the graph-based reference, and compared with the hg38-derived variant calls, for Bedouin individuals from the HGDP. The estimates' quality was evaluated through coalescent simulations. The Wilcoxon Rank Sum Test assessed allele frequency differences between graph-based and linear references, applied both at a genome-wide and exclusively for Bedouin-specific GWAS hits.
Results Coalescent analyses revealed that graph-based variants yielded Ne ≈ 17, a 1000-fold decrease from Ne ≈ 79000 for the linear reference. Only the graph-based approach accurately estimated Ne within the 95% CI from simulations (16-19 vs. 324-3468 for hg38). Also, significantly lower rank sum statistics (P-value < 2.2 × 10^-16) were observed for variants from the hg38 reference compared to the graph alignment. Similarly, GWAS variants generated from the graph exhibited lower frequencies (p = 0.023) which could impact the power and interpretation of GWAS and other medical genetics analysis.
Conclusion The pangenomic approach, employing variation graphs, more accurately infers Ne in the Bedouin population compared to the hg38 reference. Our findings contribute to the growing evidence demonstrating the impact of these results on genomic medicine as a whole, including GWAS, personalised medicine, and the understanding of genetic variations in diverse populations, which is crucial for equitable healthcare.