bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Temperature, water travel time, and dissolved organic matter structure river microbial communities in a large temperate watershed
Authors: Bambakidis Ted , Crump Byron C. , Yoon Byungman , Kyzivat Ethan D. , Aho Kelly S. , Leal Charles F. , Fair Jennifer H. , Stubbins Aron , Wagner Sasha , Raymond Peter A. , Hosen Jacob D. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThere is growing evidence that the composition of river microbial communities gradually transitions from terrestrial taxa in headwaters to unique planktonic and biofilm taxa downstream. Yet, little is known about fundamental controls on this community transition across scales in river networks. We hypothesized that community composition is controlled by flow‐weighted travel time of water, in combination with temperature and dissolved organic matter (DOM), via similar mechanisms postulated in the Pulse‐Shunt Concept for DOM. Bacterioplankton and biofilm samples were collected at least quarterly for 2 yr at 30 sites throughout the Connecticut River watershed. Among hydrologic variables, travel time was a better predictor of both bacterioplankton and biofilm community structure than watershed area, dendritic distance, or discharge. Among all variables, both bacterioplankton and biofilm composition correlated with travel time, temperature, and DOM composition. Bacterioplankton beta‐diversity was highest at shorter travel times (< 1 d) and decreased with increasing travel time, showing progressive homogenization as water flows downstream. Bacterioplankton and biofilm communities were similar at short travel times, but diverged as travel time increased. Bacterioplankton composition at downstream sites more closely resembled headwater communities when temperatures were cooler and travel times shorter. These findings suggest that the pace and trajectory of riverine bacterioplankton community succession may be controlled by temperature‐regulated growth rate and time for communities to grow and change. Moreover, bacterioplankton, and to a lesser extent biofilm, may experience the same hydrologic forcing hypothesized in the Pulse‐Shunt Concept for DOM, suggesting that hydrology controls the dispersal of microbial communities in river networks.
Patients presenting with musculoskeletal disorders in the emergency department: A qualitative study of their experiences when cared by advanced practice physiotherapists in the province of Québec
Authors: Blondin Juliette , Desmeules François , Matifat Eveline , Kechichian Amélie 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBackgroundAdvanced practice physiotherapy (APP) models of care are promising to alleviate pressure in emergency departments (EDs) where physiotherapists' new roles include being a first‐contact practitioner and leading the overall care and management of patients with minor musculoskeletal disorders (MSKDs) to alleviate ED physicians' caseload.PurposeTo explore patients' acceptability, experience, satisfaction, and perception of a new APP‐led model of care in the ED.MethodsPatients presenting to the ED with a minor MSKD and who agreed to participate in a multicenter, pan‐Canadian randomized controlled trial assessing the efficacy and costs of an APP model of care were invited to participate in this qualitative study. Semi‐structured interviews were performed to identify themes related to their experiences with this model. Verbatim transcripts were coded and analysed using an inductive thematic analysis.Results11 patients participated and three themes were identified: 1‐ They were satisfied with the care received within the model; 2‐ They found APPs to have the appropriate skill set to manage MSKDs and to assume medical‐delegated tasks; 3‐ Timely access to care was a key factor in the acceptability of this model and participants believed physiotherapists were appropriate first‐contact practitioners. One participant proposed that the APP model of care should also offer follow‐up care.ConclusionParticipants had a positive experience of care in this new model. These results support the implementation of APP models of care in EDs as the participants appear receptive to new roles for APPs.
Semi‐implicit method of high‐index saddle dynamics and application to construct solution landscape
Authors: Luo Yue , Zhang Lei , Zhang Pingwen , Zhang Zhiyi , Zheng Xiangcheng 
Published: June 2024

AbstractWe analyze the semi‐implicit scheme of high‐index saddle dynamics, which provides a powerful numerical method for finding the any‐index saddle points and constructing the solution landscape. Compared with the explicit schemes of saddle dynamics, the semi‐implicit discretization relaxes the step size and accelerates the convergence, but the corresponding numerical analysis encounters new difficulties compared to the explicit scheme. Specifically, the orthonormal property of the eigenvectors at each time step could not be fully employed due to the semi‐implicit treatment, and computations of the eigenvectors are coupled with the orthonormalization procedure, which further complicates the numerical analysis. We address these issues to prove error estimates of the semi‐implicit scheme via, for example, technical splittings and multi‐variable circulating induction procedure. We further analyze the convergence rate of the generalized minimum residual solver for solving the semi‐implicit system. Extensive numerical experiments are carried out to substantiate the efficiency and accuracy of the semi‐implicit scheme in constructing solution landscapes of complex systems.
Efficacy of 18FDG‐PET/CT in Detecting Synchronous Malignancies in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis
Authors: Ershadifar Soroush , Larsson Jordan , Young Kurtis , Abouyared Marianne , Bewley Arnaud , Birkeland Andrew C. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the diagnostic accuracy of fluorine‐18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and computed tomography (18FDG‐PET/CT) in detecting second primary malignancies (SPMs) in patients with treatment naïve head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).Data SourcesMedline, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Scopus searched from 1946 to December 2022.Review MethodsStudies reporting the performance of 18FDG‐PET/CT in patients with treatment‐naïve, index HNSCC for detection of SPMs were included. The reference standard was histopathology, clinical follow‐up over the duration of study, and other imaging modalities. Multiple investigators completed depth full‐text analysis. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analysis guidelines were followed. Methodologic and diagnostic accuracy data were abstracted independently by multiple investigators. Risk of bias assessment was conducted using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies tool independently. Bivariate random‐effects model meta‐analysis and multivariable meta‐regression modeling were used.ResultsSeventeen studies examining 4624 patients with a total of 475 SPMs were included in the final analysis. Eleven studies were found to be at low risk for bias, while the rest were in the high‐risk category. 18FDG‐PET/CT demonstrated pooled sensitivity and specificity of 0.73 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.49‐0.88) and 0.99 (95% CI: 0.98‐1.00) in detecting SPMs. Further subsite analysis revealed varied diagnostic performance across different anatomical regions, with sensitivity and specificity of esophageal SPMs being 0.47 (0.30‐0.64) and 0.99 (0.98‐1.00), and sensitivity and specificity of 0.86 (0.73‐0.94) and 0.99 (0.98‐1.00) for head and neck SPMs. Finally, this imaging modality showed sensitivity and specificity of 0.92 (0.84‐0.96) and 0.99 (0.98‐1.00) for lung SPMs.ConclusionThe findings of this study suggest varied accuracy of 18FDG‐PET/CT in detecting SPMs during initial workup for HNSCC, highlighting the importance of screening modalities such as esophagoscopy in high‐risk patients.
Percutaneous Approaches to Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation: A Pilot Study During Drug‐Induced Sleep Endoscopy
Authors: Kent David T. , Li Yike 
Published: June 2024

AbstractHypoglossal nerve stimulation (HNS) is a surgical treatment option for select patients with obstructive sleep apnea that currently requires intraoperative dissection of the hypoglossal nerve (HGN) for implantation of an electrode array. Most HNS strategies target select HGN protrusor muscle branches and exclude undesirable retractor branches. We hypothesized that the target HGN branches could instead be selectively stimulated with a percutaneously delivered electrode array under ultrasound guidance via several anatomic approaches. Five different anatomic approaches were iteratively developed and evaluated during drug‐induced sleep endoscopy across 14 patients: posterior, intraoral, anteromedial, anterolateral, and paracoronal. The paracoronal and anterolateral approaches were the most successful, with comparable changes in pharyngeal critical closing and opening pressures. Our data suggest that percutaneous delivery of an HGN electrode is feasible and may decrease the morbidity of HNS therapy implantation. Further work is necessary to ascertain what anatomic approach is optimal for percutaneous electrode delivery.
Comprehensive diagnostic model of metastasis in prostate cancer: Individual and combined bioscore model of ADC value, Gleason score, and PSA
Authors: Asafu Adjaye Frimpong George , Aboagye Evans , Owusu‐Afriyie Osei , Gyasi‐Sarpong Kofi Christian , Asare Adwoa , Adofo Charles Kwame , Akpaloo Bernard Delali , Asante Emmanuel , Osei‐Bonsu Ernest 
Published: June 2024

AbstractProstate cancer (PCa) metastasis significantly influences treatment decisions and prognosis. This study evaluated the individual and combined diagnostic ability of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), Gleason score and prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) in detecting metastasis. The study included data from 120 biopsy‐confirmed PCa patients treated from 2019 to 2023. Whole‐body MRI images, incorporating high‐resolution T2 and axial DWI sequences, were evaluated by experienced radiologists. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and logistic regression models were used to assess the diagnostic performance of ADC, Gleason score, and PSA in detecting metastasis. The prevalence of PCa metastasis was 25.0%, with pelvic lymph node metastasis (16.7%) and bony metastasis (12.5%) being most prevalent. Patients with PCa metastasis had significantly lower ADC values, higher Gleason scores, and higher PSA levels compared to those without metastasis. Individually, an ADC cut‐off of ≤549.00 mm2/s was the best marker for detecting metastasis. The combined bioscore model including PSA, ADC values and Gleason score was the best independent predictor, correlating with a 159‐fold increased likelihood of detecting PCa metastasis. This study demonstrated the prognostic ability of PCa markers in detecting metastasis. ADC was an independent, sensitive, specific, and accurate diagnostic marker. The combined bioscore model of ADC, PSA and Gleason score significantly enhanced the identification of patients with PCa metastasis.
Chromosome‐level genome assembly and comparative genomics shed light on Helicoverpa assulta ecology and pest management
Authors: Kim Juil , Rahman Md‐Mafizur , Han Changhee , Shin Jiyeong , Ahn Seung‐Joon 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe Oriental tobacco budworm, Helicoverpa assulta, a specialist herbivorous insect that exclusively feeds on plants of the Solanaceae family, causes considerable damage to crops, such as tobacco and hot pepper. The absence of a genome sequence for this species hinders further research on its pest management and ecological adaptation.RESULTSHere, we present a high‐quality chromosome‐level genome of a Korean strain of H. assulta (Pyeongchang strain, K18). The total assembly spans 424.4 Mb with an N50 length of 14.54 Mb and 37% GC content. The assembled genome (ASM2961881v1) comprises 31 chromosomes, similar to other congeneric generalist species including H. armigera and H. zea. In terms of genomic assembly quality, the complete BUSCOs and repeat content accounted for 98.3% and 33.01% of the genome, respectively. Based on this assembly, 19 485 protein‐coding genes were predicted in the genome annotation. A comparative analysis was conducted using the identified number of protein‐coding genes in H. armigera (24154) and H. zea (23696). Out of the 19 485 predicted genes, 137 genes in 15 orthogroups were found to have expanded significantly in H. assulta, while 149 genes in 95 orthogroups contracted rapidly.CONCLUSIONThis study revealed specific gene expansions and contractions in H. assulta compared to those in its close relatives, indicating potential adaptations related to its specialized feeding habits. Also, the comparative genome analysis provides valuable insights for the integrated pest management of H. assulta and other globally significant pests in the Heliothinae subfamily. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
A modified RC‐4 cryptosystems to enhance security by using negative key schedule
Authors: Singh Purushottam , Dutta Sandip , Pranav Prashant 
Published: June 2024

AbstractAs technology rapidly advances and internet reliance grows for daily activities, the demand for robust and efficient cryptographic protocols is undeniable. Cryptography, the art of secret writing, uses symmetric mathematical functions to secure data in transit or at rest. Stream ciphers, unlike block ciphers, encrypt data sequentially, eliminating the need for padding with extra bits to complete a block. Rivest Cipher 4 (RC‐4) has been one of the most widely used stream ciphers. However, vulnerabilities exploited by attackers in 2014 led to its widespread replacement. In this paper, we introduce a modified version of RC‐4 designed to address and mitigate the security threats of traditional RC‐4. By incorporating negative numbers into the key generation schedule, our preliminary analysis shows promising results. This adaptation not only enhances RC‐4's security features but also revitalizes its applicability in modern cryptographic scenarios, potentially restoring its viability as a secure cryptographic tool.
Strengths and opportunities for improvement in surgical education in Ukraine: A qualitative study
Authors: Dzhemiliev Ali , Antoniv Marta , Huivaniuk Inesa , Kizub Darya , Reich Amanda J. , Kochis Michael , Prystaia Anastasiia , Beliechenko Svitlana , Danylyshyn Maksym , Ivanykovych Taras , Semeniv Solomiia , Beznosenko Andriy , Shabat Galyna , Kopetskyi Viacheslav , Zmijewski Polina , Melnitchouk Nelya 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe full‐scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia in 2022 has significantly impacted the country's healthcare system including surgical education. To assess the current state and identify the strengths and opportunities for the improvement of Ukraine's surgical education system during the peri‐war period, this study is one of the first to explore the state of surgical education across Ukraine in peri‐war, providing essential insights for current and postwar healthcare reconstruction.MethodsThis qualitative study involved semi‐structured interviews with 24 Ukrainian surgical residents, surgeons, and program leadership from various regions. The study focused on clinical training, didactics, mentorship, autonomy, resident evaluation, the impact of war, and gender disparities in surgical education. Data analysis was conducted using a rapid qualitative analysis technique.ResultsInterviews revealed strengths in surgical education such as adaptability to war conditions and international collaborations. However, opportunities for improvement were identified including a lack of structured clinical and didactic experiences, limited autonomy and access to simulators, gender discrimination, and war‐time challenges. These issues highlight a need for more comprehensive training and support systems for surgical trainees in Ukraine.ConclusionsThe study underscores the resilience and adaptability of Ukrainian surgical education in the face of war while also emphasizing the need for significant improvements. It calls for implementing structured training programs, enhanced mentorship, and attention to gender equality. These findings are crucial for improving surgical education in Ukraine and can be used as an example for other lower‐middle‐income countries, especially in conflict settings.
Prognostic factors based on histological categorization of desmoplastic reactions in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Suzuki Shuji , Nagakawa Yuichi , Miyamoto Ryoichi , Osakabe Hiroaki , Kiya Yoshitaka , Yamaguchi Hiroshi , Nagao Toshitaka , Einama Takahiro , Ao Tadakazu , Shimoda Mitsugi 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBackground/PurposeIn colorectal cancer, the morphological categorization of fibrotic cancer stroma in the invasive frontal zone of the primary tumor is well reflected in the prognosis. Conversely, the histological characteristics of pancreatic cancer (PC) reveal fibrotic hyperplasia of stroma known as desmoplasia; however, its characterization is unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the prognostic factors according to the histological categorization of desmoplastic reactions in PC.MethodsWe retrospectively enrolled 167 patients who underwent curative resection for PC. The desmoplastic pattern was histologically classified as mature, intermediate, or immature. Clinicopathological features were evaluated, and disease‐free and overall survival (OS) were analyzed in the three groups. Prognostic factors were assessed using univariate and multivariate analyses.ResultsIn total, 19 mature, 87 intermediate, and 61 immature desmoplastic patterns were evaluated. Jaundice decompression, white blood cell count, and platelet/lymphocyte ratio were significantly different among the groups. The mature group had a better disease‐free survival (DFS) prognosis than the other two groups; however, OS did not differ between the groups. Desmoplastic patterns showed significant differences between the three groups for DFS.ConclusionsDesmoplastic patterns are a prognostic factor of DFS for PC, with mature desmoplastic reactions associated with good prognosis. Thus, they may aid in individualized therapeutic approaches in patients with PC.
Disinformation as a Security Problem
Authors: Hellman Maria 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe chapter introduces disinformation as a security problem performed by international news reporting that are used by authoritarian regimes. The concept of disinformation is defined and discussed in relation to other concepts in the field of information influence activities, such as propaganda, digital propaganda, network propaganda, rewired propaganda, and fake news. It is argued that disinformation is not merely used to denigrate a foreign country, but to cause domestic unrest and tension in the target state by instilling doubts about the authenticity of all information and sowing mistrust between citizens and the state. The Russian Federation is known to employ disinformation as part of its security strategy in this sense and the latter part of the chapter argues that narrative and framing analyses can disclose how such harmful narratives are constructed to target foreign states. A Swedish case study of Sputnik news coverage using narrative analysis showed consistent denigrating narratives between 2014 and 2018 (Wagnsson & Barzanje, A framework for analysing antagonistic narrative strategies: A Russian tale of Swedish decline. Media War and Conflict, 14(2), 239–257. https://doi.org10-1177/17506352119884343, 2021). In an in-depth study of Sputnik and RT-coverage of 2019 and 2020 insights into the construction of such harmful narratives has been further developed making up this book. The chapter ends with a presentation of the structure of the book.
Everyday Disinformation
Authors: Hellman Maria 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThis chapter is a summary of the study of Russian disinformation about Sweden. By analysing news narratives of the Russian state-affiliated media RT and Sputnik from July 2019 to January 2021, it is shown how international news media is used for disinformation. The study builds on previous work by Wagnsson and Barzanje (A framework for analysing antagonistic narrative strategies: A Russian tale of Swedish decline. Media War and Conflict, 14(2), 239–257. https://doi.org/10-1177/17506352119884343, 2021), which identified denigrating narrative strategies in Sputnik coverage of Sweden. This study covers a later time period and centers on the story telling techniques of the news coverage in order to make manifest how disinformation differs from journalism. It is argued that this type of disinformation is an everyday security practice and not limited to specific events such as for example elections campaigns. This was confirmed by the analysis which identified a relatively fixed set of narratives that included a variety of news topics and which were similar to what was found by Wagnsson and Barzanje in an earlier time period. The analysis resulted in the identification of a master narrative that was named a failing state victim to liberal ideas, and was composed of four narratives that explained how: (a) the liberal left elite was a threat to traditional Sweden; (b) the obsession with gender led Sweden astray giving rise both to health issues among the population and to social and political problems; (c) Sweden experienced an Islamic takeover; and (d) how Sweden defied limitations to its liberal policies during the pandemic.
Finite-Dimensional Percolation
Authors: Malthe-Sørenssen Anders 
Published: June 2024

AbstractIn this chapter we apply the scaling theories developed in the one-dimensional system and the infinite-dimensional system to systems of finite dimensions. The lowest dimension with an interesting behavior is two dimensions. Here, we introduce effective ways to measure the cluster number density $$n(s,p)$$
n
(
s
,
p
)
in two dimension. We develop the scaling theory for $$n(s,p)$$
n
(
s
,
p
)
and demonstrate how to use data-collapse plots as an efficient method to measure the critical exponents. We also demonstrate how we can use the scaling theory for $$n(s,p)$$
n
(
s
,
p
)
to derive expressions for the density of the spanning cluster, P, and the average cluster size, S. Finally, we demonstrate how the scaling theory provides scaling relations, that is, relations between exponents, and bounds for the values of the critical exponents.
Geometry of Clusters
Authors: Malthe-Sørenssen Anders 
Published: June 2024

AbstractWe have seen how we can characterize clusters by their mass, s. As p approaches $$p:c$$

p

c

, the typical cluster size s increases as well as the characteristic cluster diameter. In this chapter we will discuss the geometry of clusters, and by geometry we will mean how the number of sites in a cluster is related to the linear size of the cluster. We will introduce several measures to characterize the spatial extent, the characteristic radius $$R:s$$

R

s

, of clusters of size s. We will measure $$R:s$$

R

s

to motivate that it is proportional to $$s^1/D$$

s

1

∕
D
, where D is a new exponent characterizing the dimension of clusters. We will demonstrate that the percolation system is characterized by two lengths, the system size L and a characteristic cluster size $$\xi $$
ξ
, and that the system shows fractal, self-similar scaling when the characteristic length diverges. We develop scaling theories for $$P(s,L)$$
P
(
s
,
L
)
for $$p>p_c$$
p
>

p

c

and lay the foundations for a geometrical understanding and description of the spanning cluster.
Flow in Disordered Media
Authors: Malthe-Sørenssen Anders 
Published: June 2024

AbstractIn this chapter, we introduce the basic concepts of disordered media. We introduce properties of flow of current or fluids, and then address flow in a percolating system close to $$p:c$$

p

c

. We will study the behavior numerically, develop a scaling theory, and find properties using the renormalization group approach. Our initial studies will be on the binary porous medium of the percolation system. However, we can also extend our results to more general random media, and we demonstrate how this can be done towards the end of the chapter.