bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Detection and Evaluation of Procalcitonin Variants As Diagnostic Tools in Systemic Inflammation
Authors: Kintrup Sebastian , Brabenec Laura , Zurek-Leffers Finnja-Marie , Hellenthal Katharina E. M. , Cyran Laura , Meybohm Patrick , Gerke Volker , Wagner Nana-Maria 
Published: August 2024

BACKGROUND:
Procalcitonin is an indicator of systemic inflammation associated with major surgery or sepsis. Procalcitonin exists in a full-length and truncated variant as a result of dipeptidylpeptidase-4 (DPP4)-cleavage. We recently identified differential biological activity of both variants. Here, we present an immunoassay-based method for the separate detection of procalcitonin variants and correlation to clinical data in patients with severe systemic inflammation.

METHODS:
Rabbits were immunized with peptides of N-terminal sequences of both human procalcitonin variants and polyclonal antibodies purified from rabbit plasma. Antibodies were used for the detection of procalcitonin variants in an indirect sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a commercially available monoclonal anti-procalcitonin antibody as capture. Serum was collected from 19 septic patients exhibiting hyperprocalcitonemia as part of a cross-sectional study; clinical data were analyzed and correlated with procalcitonin variant measurements. DPP4 activity was determined by a DPP4 activity assay.

RESULTS:
Purified antibodies allowed for the separate detection of both procalcitonin variants in all patients. Levels of truncated procalcitonin (truncPCT) correlated with DPP4-activity (Pearson’s R = 0.85, P < .001) and negatively correlated with patients’ Sequential Organ Failure Score (SOFA) scores (Pearson’s R = –0.56, P = .013). In contrast, the correlation between full-length procalcitonin (fullPCT) and SOFA scores was positive (Pearson’s R = 0.56, P = .013). Separation of the patient collective into groups with higher amounts of fullPCT versus truncPCT revealed higher SOFA scores in patients with fullPCT > truncPCT (mean ± standard error of the mean; 11. 3 ± 0.8 vs 6. 1 ± 1.5, P = .003). Patients with fullPCT > truncPCT showed a tendency towards higher doses of vasopressor (0. 2 ± 0.1 vs 0. 1 ± 0.03 µg/kg/min norepinephrine within the first 24 hours after sepsis diagnosis, P = .062) and exhibited higher creatinine (2. 0 ± 0.2 vs 1. 4 ± 0.3mg/dL, P = .019) and leukocyte levels (31. 0 ± 5.4 vs 12. 8 ± 1.9cells/µL, P = .012). In addition, patients with fullPCT > truncPCT were more often subjected to treatment with hydrocortisone (49.0 vs 0%, P = .018).

CONCLUSIONS:
Polyclonal antibodies generated using procalcitonin N-terminal variant peptides as immunogens are suitable for procalcitonin variant assessment. The separate detection of procalcitonin variants may offer additional diagnostic value and can be correlated with organ dysfunction and clinical outcomes in patients with systemic inflammation.
Step-by-Step Description of Percutaneous Full-Endoscopic C2 Ganglionectomy: An Anatomic Feasibility Study in Human Cadavers
Authors: Li Chen , Jiang Ye , Yuan Lutao , Luo Cong , Liu Tengfei , Tang Yifan , Yu Yong 
Published: August 2024

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
The percutaneous full-endoscopic C2 ganglionectomy (PEC2G), an innovative procedure developed for the surgical treatment of intractable occipital neuralgia, was firstly reported by us in 2021. However, a universally accepted and well-articulated protocol modality remains elusive. The primary objective of this anatomic investigation was to meticulously elucidate the standard procedural steps of PEC2G and assess the anatomic features supporting the safe implementation of PEC2G.

METHODS:
Eighteen fresh adult cadavers were incorporated into this study. From this sample, 3 cadavers were subjected to bilateral PEC2G. Each procedure was documented and assessed, leading to the formulation of standard procedure criteria for PEC2G. Subsequently, 10 sets of anatomic parameters pertinent to this procedure were identified, quantified, and analyzed in 15 cadavers after complete bilateral endoscopic exposure of the C2 ganglion. An assessment of the technical feasibility and potential constraints associated with PEC2G was conducted, providing invaluable insights into the procedure's anatomic considerations.

RESULTS:
All 3 cadavers successfully underwent the PEC2G without any observed complications, such as dura tears or vertebral artery injuries. The C2 inferior articular process emerged as the optimal bony target for puncture, with the C2 pedicle serving as the standard guiding landmark en route to the C2 ganglion. In the 15 cadavers subjected to the planned procedure, 10 sets of anatomic parameters were quantified, establishing a foundational understanding of the anatomy in the context of PEC2G procedure. The results demonstrated that the characteristic of anatomic data pertinent to surgical site supported the safe implementation of PEC2G.

CONCLUSION:
This study contributes the standard surgical steps and crucial anatomic parameters relevant to PEC2G. The characteristic of anatomic data bolsters the safety credentials of this technique, which offers a reliable approach to achieve C2 ganglionectomy. These insights undeniably establish a robust foundation for the ongoing refinement and broader adoption of PEC2G.
Role of a novel uropod-like cell membrane protrusion in the pathogenesis of the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis
Authors: Blasco Pedreros Manuela , Salas Nehuen , dos Santos Melo Tuanne , Miranda-Magalhães Abigail , Almeida-Lima Thainá , Pereira-Neves Antonio , de Miguel Natalia 
Published: August 2024

ABSTRACT
Trichomonas vaginalis causes trichomoniasis, the most common non-viral sexually transmitted disease worldwide. As an extracellular parasite, adhesion to host cells is essential for the development of infection. During attachment, the parasite changes its tear ovoid shape to a flat ameboid form, expanding the contact surface and migrating through tissues. Here, we have identified a novel structure formed at the posterior pole of adherent parasite strains, resembling the previously described uropod, which appears to play a pivotal role as an anchor during the attachment process. Moreover, our research demonstrates that the overexpression of the tetraspanin T. vaginalis TSP5 protein (TvTSP5), which is localized on the cell surface of the parasite, notably enhances the formation of this posterior anchor structure in adherent strains. Finally, we demonstrate that parasites that overexpress TvTSP5 possess an increased ability to adhere to host cells, enhanced aggregation and reduced migration on agar plates. Overall, these findings unveil novel proteins and structures involved in the intricate mechanisms of T. vaginalis interactions with host cells.
Compact Extended Formulations for Low-Rank Functions with Indicator Variables
Authors: Han Shaoning , Gómez Andrés 
Published: August 2024

We study the mixed-integer epigraph of a special class of convex functions with nonconvex indicator constraints, which are often used to impose logical constraints on the support of the solutions. The class of functions we consider are defined as compositions of low-dimensional nonlinear functions with affine functions. Extended formulations describing the convex hull of such sets can easily be constructed via disjunctive programming although a direct application of this method often yields prohibitively large formulations, whose size is exponential in the number of variables. In this paper, we propose a new disjunctive representation of the sets under study, which leads to compact formulations with size exponential in the dimension of the nonlinear function but polynomial in the number of variables. Moreover, we show how to project out the additional variables for the case of dimension one, recovering or generalizing known results for the convex hulls of such sets (in the original space of variables). Our computational results indicate that the proposed approach can significantly improve the performance of solvers in structured problems. Funding: This work was supported by the National Science Foundation Division of Computing and Communication Foundations [Grant 2006762].
Parabolic Regularity of Spectral Functions
Authors: Mohammadi Ashkan , Sarabi Ebrahim 
Published: August 2024

This paper is devoted to the study of the second-order variational analysis of spectral functions. It is well-known that spectral functions can be expressed as a composite function of symmetric functions and eigenvalue functions. We establish several second-order properties of spectral functions when their associated symmetric functions enjoy these properties. Our main attention is given to characterize parabolic regularity for this class of functions. It was observed recently that parabolic regularity can play a central rule in ensuring the validity of important second-order variational properties, such as twice epi-differentiability. We demonstrates that for convex spectral functions, their parabolic regularity amounts to that of their symmetric functions. As an important consequence, we calculate the second subderivative of convex spectral functions, which allows us to establish second-order optimality conditions for a class of matrix optimization problems. Funding: The research of A. Mohammadi is funded by a postdoctoral fellowship from Georgetown University. E. Sarabi is partially supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation [Grant DMS 2108546].
Incentivizing Healthy Food Choices Using Add-On Bundling: A Field Experiment
Authors: Bandi Nymisha , Cohen Maxime C. , Ray Saibal 
Published: August 2024

Problem definition: How can retailers incentivize customers to make healthier food choices? Price, convenience, and taste are known to be among the main drivers behind such choices. Unfortunately, healthier food options are often expensive and not adequately promoted. However, we are observing recent efforts to nudge customers toward healthier food. Methodology/results: In this paper, we conducted a field experiment with a global convenience store chain to better understand how different add-on bundle promotions influence healthy food choices. We considered three types of add-on bundles sequentially: (i) an unhealthy bundle (when customers purchased a coffee, they could add a pastry for $1), (ii) a healthy bundle (offering a healthy snack, such as fruit, vegetable, or protein, as a coffee add-on for $1), and (iii) a choice bundle (the option of either a pastry or a healthy snack as an add-on to coffee for $1). In addition to our field experiment, we conducted an online laboratory study to strengthen the validity of our results. Managerial implications: We found that offering healthy snacks as part of an add-on bundle significantly increased healthy purchases (and decreased unhealthy purchases). Surprisingly, this finding continued to hold for the choice bundle, that is, even when unhealthy snacks were concurrently on promotion. However, we did not observe a long-term stickiness effect, meaning that customers returned to their original (unhealthy) purchase patterns once the healthy or choice bundle was discontinued. Finally, we show that offering an add-on choice bundle is also beneficial for retailers, who can earn higher revenue and profit. Funding: This research was supported by the James McGill Scholar Award Fund, the Scale AI Chair Program, IIVADO (Institut de valorisation des données) Fundamental Research Project Grant, and two Discovery Grants from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/msom.2023.0336 .
A Unified Branch-Price-and-Cut Algorithm for Multicompartment Pickup and Delivery Problems
Authors: Aerts-Veenstra Marjolein , Cherkesly Marilène , Gschwind Timo 
Published: August 2024

In this paper, we study the pickup and delivery problem with time windows and multiple compartments (PDPTWMC). The PDPTWMC generalizes the pickup and delivery problem with time windows to vehicles with multiple compartments. In particular, we consider three compartment-related attributes: (1) compartment capacity flexibility that allows the capacities of the compartments to be fixed or flexible, (2) item-to-compartment flexibility that specifies which items are compatible with which compartments, and (3) item-to-item compatibility that considers that incompatible items cannot be simultaneously in the same compartment. To solve the PDPTWMC, we propose an exact branch-price-and-cut algorithm in which the pricing problem is solved by means of a unified bidirectional labeling algorithm. The labeling algorithm can tackle all possible combinations of the studied compartment-related attributes of the PDPTWMC. Furthermore, we implement several acceleration techniques that allow to, among others, reduce the symmetry in the label extensions with empty compartments, the symmetry in the dominance between compartments with similar attributes, and the complexity of the algorithm with fixed compartment capacity. Finally, we introduce benchmark instances for the PDPTWMC and conduct an extensive computational campaign to test the limits of our algorithm and to derive relevant managerial insights in order to highlight the applicability of considering the studied compartment-related attributes. Funding: This work was supported by Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek [Grant 439.18.459] and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada [Grant 2017-06106]. Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/trsc.2023.0252 .
Utility index and vision-related quality of life in patients awaiting specialist eye care
Authors: Araujo Aline Lutz de , Zanotto Bruna Stella , Etges Ana Paula Beck da Silva , Ruschel Karen Brasil , Moreira Taís de Campos , Cabral Felipe Cezar , Harzheim Erno , Gonçalves Marcelo Rodrigues , Umpierre Roberto Nunes , Carvalho Fabiana , Silva Rodolfo Souza da , Polanczyk Carisi Anne 
Published: August 2024

Objectives
This study aimed to ascertain utility and vision-related quality of life in patients awaiting access to specialist eye care. A secondary aim was to evaluate the association of utility indices with demographic profile and waiting time.

Methods
Consecutive patients that had been waiting for ophthalmology care answered the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25). The questionnaire was administered when patients arrived at the clinics for their first visit. We derived a utility index (VFQ-UI) from the patients’ responses, then calculated the correlation between this index and waiting time and compared utility across demographic subgroups stratified by age, sex, and care setting.

Results
536 individuals participated in the study (mean age 52.9±16.6 years; 370 women, 69% women). The median utility index was 0.85 (interquartile range [IQR] 0.70–0.92; minimum 0.40, maximum 0.97). The mean VFQ-25 score was 70.88±14.59. Utility correlated weakly and nonsignificantly with waiting time (-0.05, P = 0.24). It did not vary across age groups (P = 0.85) or care settings (P = 0.77). Utility was significantly lower for women (0.84, IQR 0.70–0.92) than men (0.87, IQR 0.73–0.93, P = 0.03), but the magnitude of this difference was small (Cohen’s d = 0.13).

Conclusion
Patients awaiting access to ophthalmology care had a utility index of 0.85 on a scale of 0 to 1. This measurement was not previously reported in the literature. Utility measures can provide insight into patients’ perspectives and support economic health analyses and inform health policies.
ESTUDANTES INDÍGENAS COM DEFICIÊNCIA EM MINAS GERAIS
Authors: Sá Michele Aparecida de , Mendes Augusto César Cardoso , Brazão Letícia de Oliveira 
Published: August 2024

A interface Educação Especial e Educação Escolar Indígena é uma construção recente na política educacional brasileira. Por esse motivo, torna-se fundamental investigar como está acontecendo a escolarização de estudantes indígenas com deficiência. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi identificar e analisar o quantitativo de estudantes indígenas com deficiência presentes nas 20 escolas indígenas do Estado de Minas Gerais, sendo 19 vinculadas à rede estadual e 01 à rede municipal de ensino. Este estudo trata-se de uma pesquisa descritiva que utilizou os dados do Censo Escolar da Educação Básica, especificamente os microdados dos anos de 2008, 2010, 2015 e 2020. As variáveis selecionadas foram do banco de matrícula, especificamente: localização diferenciada da escola (terra indígena), modalidade de ensino, etapa de ensino, Atendimento Educacional Especializado (AEE) e tipo de deficiência. Os dados evidenciaram a presença de estudantes indígenas com deficiência em escolas indígenas de Minas Gerais. Apontaram que a maioria dos estudantes com deficiência possui deficiência intelectual, seguida pela deficiência física e múltipla. Os dados revelaram que uma pequena parcela desses estudantes recebe atendimento educacional especializado e poucas escolas possuem sala de recursos multifuncionais. Os dados demonstram a fragilidade da rede estadual de ensino em garantir direitos fundamentais aos estudantes indígenas com deficiência.
Evaluating the impact of DEM interpolation algorithms on relief index for soil resource management
Authors: Habib Maan , Bashir Bashar , Alsalman Abdullah , Bachir Hussein 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Soil resource management is fundamentally integral to environmental sustainability and agricultural productivity. The digital elevation model (DEM) is the fundamental data for analyzing landform surfaces, which introduces an opportunity to obtain a broad spectrum of terrain factors to simplify interpreting the patterns and processes in the geoscience field. The accuracy and resolution of DEM are crucial for their effective use, and many algorithms have been developed to interpolate digital elevation data from a set of known points. Although primary topographic variables derived from grid datasets are important, secondary variables, such as the relief index (RFI), play a more critical role in understanding the complicated relationship between soil properties and landform attributes. The RFI is attained from a DEM by calculating the elevation range within a given neighborhood surrounding a central cell. It is an essential predictor of soil natural resource management that measures the degree of differentiation surface relief. In addition, it is beneficial for perceiving the landscape and its management. This study presents a comprehensive zonal analysis comparing the RFI values derived from multiple interpolation-based DEMs. It investigates deterministic and geostatistical interpolators, such as inverse distance weighted and natural neighbor across distinct zones with diverse topographical characteristics. The findings indicated a high correlation between the RFI and the reliability of the DEM, and the natural neighbor technique provided superior performance against others. The results revealed that the choice of spatial interpolation technique significantly affects the accuracy and reliability of RFI models.
Organisational Flexibility: Core Business, Interdependence and the Timing of Energy Demand
Authors: Blue Stanley , Shove Elizabeth , Kurnicki Karol 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Discussions of flexibility in organisations generally focus on labour relations, corporate agility, and long-term survival. In much of this writing, flexibility is conceptualised as a feature of organisations and their environments, of organisational strategy and form, and an outcome of characteristics that can be defined and measured. By contrast, we argue that capacities to adapt depend on interpretations of ‘core business’ which is defined by institutional connections established both outside organisations and reproduced within them. This account is informed by social practice theory, the literature on strategy-as-practice, process studies of organisations, and by empirical research conducted in three secondary schools and three hospitals in Northern England. Interviews with thirty-three managers and employees help us to show how the scope for adaptation is constituted and reproduced in the ways that many organisations connect, and in related rhythms and patterns of social life. There are many contexts in which this insight will be important. We focus on the significance of this analysis for the need to modify the timing of energy demand in a lower carbon future. As we show, the relative ability of specific organisations to adapt depends on a broader nexus of interlinking social practices, temporal arrangements, and cross-cutting commitments.
Modeling monkeypox virus transmission: Stability analysis and comparison of analytical techniques
Authors: Aly Elkhateeb Sobhy , Singh Manoj , Aiyashi Mohammed Ali , Albalwi Mohammed Daher 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Monkeypox is a highly infectious disease and spreads very easily, hence posing several health concerns or risks as it may lead to outbreak. This article proposes a new mathematical model to simulate the transmission rate of the monkeypox virus-infected fractional-order differential equations using the Caputo–Fabrizio derivative. The existence, uniqueness, and stability under contraction mapping of the fixed point of the model are discussed using Krasnoselskii’s and Banach’s fixed point theorems. To verify the model proposed, we employ data that record the actual dynamics, and based on these data, the model can capture the observed transmission patterns in Ghana. Also, the analytic algorithm is used to find the result applying the Laplace Adomian decomposition method (LADM). Performance analysis of LADM is made regarding Runge-Kutta fourth order, which is the most commonly employed method for solving second-order ordinary differential equations. This comparison therefore offers information on the truth and reliability of the two techniques toward modeling the transmission pattern of the monkey pox virus. The information obtained through this study provides a better understanding of the antibodies linked to monkeypox virus spreading and provides effective strategies to doctors and politicians. This article helps shape better strategies about combating the impact of monkeypox virus in public health since it makes it easy to predict and prevent the occurrence of the disease.
Producing sustainable binding materials using marble waste blended with fly ash and rice husk ash for building materials
Authors: Si Hua , Shen Daoming , Amin Muhammad Nasir , Ul Arifeen Siyab , Qadir Muhammad Tahir , Khan Kaffayatullah 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
This study explores the possibilities of a new binding material, i.e., marble cement (MC) made from recycled marble. It will assess how well it performs when mixed with ash from rice husks and fly ash. This research analyzes flexural strength of marble cement mortar (FR-MCM), a mortar that incorporates MC, fly ash, and rice husk ash. A set of machine learning models capable of predicting CS and FS (flexural and compressive strengths) were developed. Gene expression programming (GEP) and multi-expression programming (MEP) are crucial in creating these types of models. Statistics, Taylor’s diagrams, R
2 values, and comparisons of experimental and theoretical results were used to evaluate the models. Stress testing also showed how different input features affected the model’s outputs. The accuracy of all GEP models was shown to fall within the acceptable range (R
2 = 0.952 for CS and R
2 = 0.920 for FS), and all MEP prediction models were determined to be exceptionally accurate (R
2 = 0.970 for CS and R
2 = 0.935 for FS). The statistical testing for error validation also verified that MEP models were more accurate than GEP models. According to sensitivity analysis, curing age and rice husk ash exerted the most significant influence on the prediction of CS and FS, followed by fly ash and MC.