bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The landscape of current trends and procedures in plastic surgery practices across the D-A-CH region: An in-depth analysis of 511 websites
Authors: Alfertshofer Michael , Sherwani Khalil , Machens Hans-Günther , Broer Niclas , Schenck Thilo , Moellhoff Nicholas , Frank Konstantin , Knoedler Samuel , Knoedler Leonard , Cotofana Sebastian 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background
Recent data shows a 139.9% global increase in aesthetic procedures since 2011, with a notable 190.5% rise in Germany. This study analyzes the current landscape of plastic surgery in German-speaking European countries, focusing on the range of procedures offered in plastic surgery practices in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
We aimed to provide an overview of the current trends and procedures of plastic surgery in the practice setting in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Methods
The information sampled from the websites of n = 511 plastic surgery practices (314 German, 113 Austrian, 84 Swiss) were analyzed with regards to general information, as well as procedures offered on the websites. A set of different procedures, belonging to each pillar of plastic surgery (i.e., Aesthetic, Reconstructive, Hand, Burn surgery) as well as non-surgical aesthetic procedures was analyzed.

Results
Aesthetic surgical procedures were offered most often with 98.8% (506) of all websites analyzed, followed by Hand surgery at 29.7% (152), Reconstructive surgery at 27.8% (142) and Burn surgery at 5.7% (29). Reconstructive and Hand surgery were statistically significantly most commonly offered on Austrian plastic surgery websites, with p = 0.011 and p < 0.001, respectively. Among aesthetic surgical procedures, statistically significant regional differences were found for head and neck, body and breast procedures most commonly offered on Swiss plastic surgery with p = 0.041, p = 0.010 and p = 0.003, respectively, while the procedures of the intimate region were most commonly offered on German websites with p = 0.007.

Conclusions
Plastic surgery websites in German-speaking European countries predominantly advertise aesthetic surgical procedures, with other domains of plastic surgery such as reconstructive, hand, and burn surgery being less prominent, suggesting an underrepresentation. Regional differences between the countries investigated are evident, underscoring the need for a more balanced approach in plastic surgery care in the practice setting.
Level of Evidence: Not gradable
Understanding cosmetic consumers: exploring consumption patterns and predictors through a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Hermans Anne-Mette , Decates Tom , Boerman Sophie C. 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background
Previous reports have provided (some) demographics of the cosmetic consumer; however, findings are not unequivocal. This relates to differences in the studies’ categorizations, samples, and contextual factors.

Methods
Employing a cross-sectional survey design, which was disseminated by 11 cosmetic clinics and consumer platforms in the Netherlands, this study provides a clear overview of a total of 734 Dutch cosmetic consumers’ (a) demographic characteristics; (b) motivations for undergoing a range of specific cosmetic procedures; (c) cosmetic procedure frequency, i.e., how frequently they undergo particular procedures; and (d) frequency of, and motivations for, switching clinics. Relations between cosmetic consumers’ demographics, motivations for cosmetic procedures, and different procedures chosen were also established.

Results
There is no unequivocal characterization of ‘the’ cosmetic consumer in the Netherlands, although they mostly identified as heterosexual women from Dutch descent with relatively high educational attainment levels and a high income. Some regional differences in terms of cosmetic procedure engagement were observed. Motivations for cosmetic procedure engagement were multifaceted, and responses varied between open- and closed-ended questions. Few relations between predictors and (a selection of) cosmetic procedures proved significant. (Higher) age and high educational attainment positively correlated with undergoing botulinum toxin injections and eyelid corrections. Gender and daily use of highly visual social media positively correlated with undergoing dermal filler injections. Lastly, lower-educated consumers were significantly more likely to have breast enlargements than higher-educated consumers.

Conclusions
This study provides a comprehensive overview of the demographic characteristics and motivations of a varied sample of cosmetic consumers, and the types and quantities of cosmetic procedures they undergo. In terms of demographics, we can conclude that there is no unequivocal characterization of ‘the’ cosmetic consumer in the Netherlands, although she frequently identifies as a heterosexual female of Dutch descent.

Level of Evidence
Not gradable
Continuous-Time Mean Field Markov Decision Models
Authors: Bäuerle Nicole , Höfer Sebastian 
Published: June 2024

AbstractWe consider a finite number ofNstatistically equal agents, each moving on a finite set of states according to a continuous-time Markov Decision Process (MDP). Transition intensities of the agents and generated rewards depend not only on the state and action of the agent itself, but also on the states of the other agents as well as the chosen action. Interactions like this are typical for a wide range of models in e.g. biology, epidemics, finance, social science and queueing systems among others. The aim is to maximize the expected discounted reward of the system, i.e. the agents have to cooperate as a team. Computationally this is a difficult task whenNis large. Thus, we consider the limit for$$N\rightarrow \infty .$$N→∞.In contrast to other papers we treat this problem from an MDP perspective. This has the advantage that we need less regularity assumptions in order to construct asymptotically optimal strategies than using viscosity solutions of HJB equations. The convergence rate is$$1/\sqrt{N}$$1/N. We show how to apply our results using two examples: a machine replacement problem and a problem from epidemics. We also show that optimal feedback policies from the limiting problem are not necessarily asymptotically optimal.
Knowledge, perceptions, and practices of axial spondyloarthritis diagnosis and management among healthcare professionals: an online cross-sectional survey
Authors: Zimba Olena , Kocyigit Burhan Fatih , Kadam Esha , Haugeberg Glenn , Grazio Simeon , Guła Zofia , Strach Magdalena , Korkosz Mariusz 
Published: June 2024

AbstractSpondyloarthritis (SpA) is a group of inflammatory disorders, including axial SpA (axSpA), characterized by inflammation in the spine and sacroiliac joints. Healthcare professionals have a crucial role in diagnosing and managing axSpA. Assessing their knowledge, perceptions, and practices is essential to enhance patient care. The objective of this study is to evaluate these factors by conducting an online survey. This online survey was performed using SurveyMonkey.com to assess healthcare professionals’ knowledge, perceptions, and practices related to axSpA diagnosis, management, and monitoring. The questionnaire included questions about definitions, management strategies, monitoring approaches, treatment options, and barriers to care. Convenience sampling was used, and the data were analyzed descriptively by Microsoft Excel. One hundred sixty-four healthcare professionals participated; most respondents were rheumatologists from various geographic locations (27 countries). Most participants were familiar with axSpA definitions and diagnostic criteria, demonstrating high expertise. Variations were seen in follow-up intervals and diagnostic preferences, reflecting clinical heterogeneity. Seventy-two (43.9%) individuals had a multidisciplinary team, frequently including rheumatologists, physiotherapists, and radiologists. Of the participants, 73 (44.5%) had online/telephone follow-up sessions. The pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment approaches varied, pointing to the importance of personalized care. Glucocorticoid use varied among countries. Recognizing inflammatory back pain, interpreting radiographs, and diagnosing early was essential to medical education. This study provides beneficial data on healthcare professionals’ knowledge, perceptions, and practices regarding axSpA. While diagnostic familiarity and multidisciplinary approach are positives, there is a potential to standardize management, improve telemedicine services, remove barriers to physical activity, and optimize treatment options.
Ferumoxtran-10-enhanced MRI for pre-operative metastatic lymph node detection in pancreatic, duodenal, or periampullary adenocarcinoma
Authors: Litjens Geke , Nakamoto Atsushi , Brosens Lodewijk A. A. , Maas Marnix C. , Scheenen Tom W. J. , Zámecnik Patrik , van Geenen Erwin J. M. , Prokop Mathias , van Laarhoven Kees J. H. M. , Hermans John J. 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Objectives
To assess 3-Tesla (3-T) ultra-small superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO)-enhanced MRI in detecting lymph node (LN) metastases for resectable adenocarcinomas of the pancreas, duodenum, or periampullary region in a node-to-node validation against histopathology.

Methods
Twenty-seven consecutive patients with a resectable pancreatic, duodenal, or periampullary adenocarcinoma were enrolled in this prospective single expert centre study. Ferumoxtran-10-enhanced 3-T MRI was performed pre-surgery. LNs found on MRI were scored for suspicion of metastasis by two expert radiologists using a dedicated scoring system. Node-to-node matching from in vivo MRI to histopathology was performed using a post-operative ex vivo 7-T MRI of the resection specimen. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated using crosstabs.

Results
Eighteen out of 27 patients (median age 65 years, 11 men) were included in the final analysis (pre-surgery withdrawal n = 4, not resected because of unexpected metastases peroperatively n = 2, and excluded because of inadequate contrast-agent uptake n = 3). On MRI 453 LNs with a median size of 4.0 mm were detected, of which 58 (13%) were classified as suspicious. At histopathology 385 LNs with a median size of 5.0 mm were found, of which 45 (12%) were metastatic. For 55 LNs node-to-node matching was possible. Analysis of these 55 matched LNs, resulted in a sensitivity and specificity of 83% (95% CI: 36–100%) and 92% (95% CI: 80–98%), respectively.

Conclusion
USPIO-enhanced MRI is a promising technique to preoperatively detect and localise LN metastases in patients with pancreatic, duodenal, or periampullary adenocarcinoma.

Clinical relevance statement
Detection of (distant) LN metastases with USPIO-enhanced MRI could be used to determine a personalised treatment strategy that could involve neoadjuvant or palliative chemotherapy, guided resection of distant LNs, or targeted radiotherapy.

Registration
The study was registered on clinicaltrials.gov NCT04311047. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04311047?term=lymph+node&cond=Pancreatic+Cancer&cntry=NL&draw=2&rank=1.

Key Points

LN metastases of pancreatic, duodenal, or periampullary adenocarcinoma cannot be reliably detected with current imaging.

This technique detected LN metastases with a sensitivity and specificity of 83% and 92%, respectively.

MRI with ferumoxtran-10 is a promising technique to improve preoperative staging in these cancers.
Card-Based Protocols for Private Set Intersection and Union
Authors: Doi Anastasiia , Ono Tomoki , Abe Yoshiki , Nakai Takeshi , Shinagawa Kazumasa , Watanabe Yohei , Nuida Koji , Iwamoto Mitsugu 
Published: June 2024

AbstractCard-based cryptography aims to realize secure multiparty computation with physical cards. This paper is the first to address Private Set Intersection (PSI) and Private Set Union (PSU) in card-based cryptography. PSI and PSU are well-studied secure computation protocols to compute the set intersection and the set union, respectively. We show two-party PSI and PSU protocols in each of the two operation models: one is the shuffle-based model in which parties perform all operations publicly, and the other is the private-permutation-based model that allows parties to perform some operations privately. In the shuffle-based model, we show PSI and PSU protocols can be realized with existing secure AND and OR protocols, respectively. However, these protocols have an issue of increasing the number of shuffles depending on the size of the universal set. To resolve the issue, we further propose PSI and PSU protocols with only one shuffle at the cost of increasing the number of cards. In the private-permutation-based model, we show PSI and PSU protocols can be achieved with existing secure AND and OR protocols, respectively, as in the shuffle-based protocols. These protocols have an advantage of requiring only one private permutation and one communication. We further show that the number of cards of these protocols can be reduced at the cost of increasing the number of private permutations and communications.
FPO++: efficient encoding and rendering of dynamic neural radiance fields by analyzing and enhancing Fourier PlenOctrees
Authors: Rabich Saskia , Stotko Patrick , Klein Reinhard 
Published: June 2024

AbstractFourier PlenOctrees have shown to be an efficient representation for real-time rendering of dynamic neural radiance fields (NeRF). Despite its many advantages, this method suffers from artifacts introduced by the involved compression when combining it with recent state-of-the-art techniques for training the static per-frame NeRF models. In this paper, we perform an in-depth analysis of these artifacts and leverage the resulting insights to propose an improved representation. In particular, we present a novel density encoding that adapts the Fourier-based compression to the characteristics of the transfer function used by the underlying volume rendering procedure and leads to a substantial reduction of artifacts in the dynamic model. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our enhanced Fourier PlenOctrees in the scope of quantitative and qualitative evaluations on synthetic and real-world scenes.
Recalibration of missing low-frequency variability and trends in the North Atlantic Oscillation
Authors: Eade R. , Stephenson D. B. , Scaife A. A. , Smith D. M. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractMulti-decadal trends in the wintertime North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) are under-represented by coupled general circulation models (CGCMs), consistent with a lack of autocorrelation in their NAO index series. This study proposes and tests two simple “reddening” approaches for correcting this problem in simulated indices based on simple one parameter short-term (AR; Auto-Regressive order 1) and long-term (FD; Fractional-Difference) time series filters. Using CGCMs from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6), the FD filter successfully improves the autocorrelation structure of the NAO, and in turn the simulation of extreme trends, while the AR filter is less successful. The 1963–1993 NAO trend is the maximum 31-year trend in the historical period. Raw CGCMs underestimate the likelihood of this trend by a factor of ten but this discrepancy is corrected after reddening. CMIP6 future projections show that long-term (2024–2094) NAO ensemble mean trends systematically increase with the magnitude of radiative forcing: -2.4 to 3.5 hPa/century for low-to-high forcing after reddening (more than double the range using raw output). The related likelihood of future maximum 31year trends comparable to 1963–1993 ranges from 3 to 7% whereas none of these CMIP6 projections simulate this without reddening. Near-term projections of the next 31 years (2024–2054) are less sensitive than long term trends to the future scenario, showing weak-to-no forced trend. However, reddening increases the ensemble range by 74% (to +/-1 standard deviation/decade), which could increase/decrease regional climate change signals in the Northern Hemisphere by magnitudes that are underestimated when using raw CGCM output.
Analytical and numerical analysis on local and global buckling of sandwich panels with strut-based lattice cores
Authors: Georges Hussam , Becker Wilfried , Mittelstedt Christian 
Published: June 2024

AbstractAdditive manufacturing (AM) offers new possibilities to fabricate and design lightweight lattice materials. Due to the superior mechanical properties of these lattice structures, they have the potential to replace honeycombs as cores in sandwich panels. In addition to the advantage of the integral fabrication thanks to AM, additively manufactured lattice core sandwich panels may be also used as heat exchangers, enabling a multifunctional use of the core. To ensure a reliable and safe structure, the mechanical response of lattice core sandwich panels under given load conditions must be predictable. In conventional sandwich panels subjected to compressive loads, the sandwich’s global buckling and the face sheets’ local buckling are the dominant failure modes. In constrast, core strut buckling may be the critical failure mode in lattice core sandwich panels. Therefore, an analytical 2D model to predict the local buckling of lattice core struts is considered in this study. Furthermore, the critical load for global buckling is obtained based on the first-order shear deformation theory. Thus, the transition from local buckling to global buckling depending on the length-to-thickness ratio is captured by the presented model. The comparison with finite element modeling of the sandwich model with truss cores has proved the accuracy of the derived model.
DNAJC1 facilitates glioblastoma progression by promoting extracellular matrix reorganization and macrophage infiltration
Authors: Zhang Han , Zheng Wenjing , Chen Xu , Sa Longqi , Huo Yi , Zhang Lingling , Shan Lequn , Wang Tao 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Background
Glioblastoma (GBM) is a high-grade and heterogeneous subtype of glioma that presents a substantial challenge to human health, characterized by a poor prognosis and low survival rates. Despite its known involvement in regulating leukemia and melanoma, the function and mechanism of DNAJC1 in GBM remain poorly understood.

Methods
Utilizing data from the TCGA, CGGA, and GEO databases, we investigated the expression pattern of DNAJC1 and its correlation with clinical characteristics in GBM specimens. Loss-of-function experiments were conducted to explore the impact of DNAJC1 on GBM cell lines, with co-culture experiments assessing macrophage infiltration and functional marker expression.

Results
Our analysis demonstrated frequent overexpression of DNAJC1 in GBM, significantly associated with various clinical characteristics including WHO grade, IDH status, chromosome 1p/19q codeletion, and histological type. Moreover, Kaplan‒Meier and ROC analyses revealed DNAJC1 as a negative prognostic predictor and a promising diagnostic biomarker for GBM patients. Functional studies indicated that silencing DNAJC1 impeded cell proliferation and migration, induced cell cycle arrest, and enhanced apoptosis. Mechanistically, DNAJC1 was implicated in stimulating extracellular matrix reorganization, triggering the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process, and initiating immunosuppressive macrophage infiltration.

Conclusions
Our findings underscore the pivotal role of DNAJC1 in GBM pathogenesis, suggesting its potential as a diagnostic and therapeutic target for this challenging disease.
Bounds for the Regularity Radius of Delone Sets
Authors: Dolbilin Nikolay , Garber Alexey , Schulte Egon , Senechal Marjorie 
Published: June 2024

AbstractDelone sets are discrete point setsXin$${\mathbb {R}}^d$$Rdcharacterized by parameters (r, R), where (usually) 2ris the smallest inter-point distance ofX, andRis the radius of a largest “empty ball” that can be inserted into the interstices ofX. The regularity radius$${\hat{\rho }}_d$$ρ^dis defined as the smallest positive number$$\rho $$ρsuch that each Delone set with congruent clusters of radius$$\rho $$ρis a regular system, that is, a point orbit under a crystallographic group. We discuss two conjectures on the growth behavior of the regularity radius. Our “Weak Conjecture” states that$${\hat{\rho }}_{d}={\textrm{O}(d^2\log _2 d)}R$$ρ^d=O(d2log2d)Ras$$d\rightarrow \infty $$d→∞, independent of r. This is verified in the paper for two important subfamilies of Delone sets: those with full-dimensional clusters of radius 2rand those with full-dimensional sets ofd-reachable points. We also offer support for the plausibility of a “Strong Conjecture”, stating that$${\hat{\rho }}_{d}={\textrm{O}(d\log _2 d)}R$$ρ^d=O(dlog2d)Ras$$d\rightarrow \infty $$d→∞, independent ofr.
Pre-Failure Strain Localization in Siliclastic Rocks: A Comparative Study of Laboratory and Numerical Approaches
Authors: Bianchi Patrick , Selvadurai Paul Antony , Dal Zilio Luca , Salazar Vásquez Antonio , Madonna Claudio , Gerya Taras , Wiemer Stefan 
Published: June 2024

AbstractWe combined novel laboratory techniques and numerical modeling to investigate (a)seismic preparatory processes associated with deformation localization during a triaxial failure test on a dry sample of Berea sandstone. Laboratory observations were quantified by measuring strain localization on the sample surface with a distributed strain sensing (DSS) array, utilizing optical fibers, in conjunction with both passive and active acoustic emission (AE) techniques. A physics-based computational model was subsequently employed to understand the underlying physics of these observations and to establish a spatio-temporal correlation between the laboratory and modeling results. These simulations revealed three distinct stages of preparatory processes: (i) highly dissipative fronts propagated towards the middle of the sample correlating with the observed acoustic emission locations; (ii) dissipative regions were individuated in the middle of the sample and could be linked to a discernible decrease of the P-wave velocities; (iii) a system of conjugate bands formed, coalesced into a single band that grew from the center towards the sample surface and was interpreted to be representative for the preparation of a weak plane. Dilatative lobes at the process zones of the weak plane extended outwards and grew to the surface, causing strain localization and an acceleration of the simulated deformation prior to failure. This was also observed during the experiment with the strain rate measurements and spatio-temporally correlated with an increase of the seismicity rate in a similar rock volume. The combined approach of such laboratory and numerical techniques provides an enriched view of (a)seismic preparatory processes preceding the mainshock.