bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Novel Approach to Venous Stenting: Tigertriever Temporary Stenting for the Evaluation of Pulsatile Tinnitus
Authors: Al‐Kawaz Mais N. , Epstein Kayla , Mocco J. 
Published: April 2024

Objective
Pulsatile tinnitus can be significantly functionally debilitating, with venous sinus stenosis being a largely underrecognized etiology. Establishing a direct cause‐effect relationship can be particularly challenging in pulsatile tinnitus cases without idiopathic intracranial hypertension, and with multifocal, bilateral venous sinus stenoses.

Case Presentation
Herein, we present a patient with pulsatile tinnitus and bilateral transverse‐sigmoid sinus stenoses on diagnostic angiogram. Temporary stenting using a Tigertreiver was utilized to localize the symptomatic segment. Patient reported resolution of pulsatile tinnitus after deploying the temporary stentriever within the left sigmoid sinus. Subsequently, permanent stenting of the left sigmoid sinus was preformed resulting in complete resolution of symptoms.

Conclusion
We highlight the diagnostic challenges of patients presenting with pulsatile tinnitus and venous sinus stenoses, without idiopathic intracranial hypertension. While more experience is needed, temporary stenting may provide an improved method for assessing venous stenting efficacy in patients with pulsatile tinnitus.
The Ethics of Life as It Could Be: Do We Have Moral Obligations to Artificial Life?
Authors: Witkowski Olaf , Schwitzgebel Eric 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
The field of Artificial Life studies the nature of the living state by modeling and synthesizing living systems. Such systems, under certain conditions, may come to deserve moral consideration similar to that given to nonhuman vertebrates or even human beings. The fact that these systems are nonhuman and evolve in a potentially radically different substrate should not be seen as an insurmountable obstacle to their potentially having rights, if they are sufficiently sophisticated in other respects. Nor should the fact that they owe their existence to us be seen as reducing their status as targets of moral concern. On the contrary, creators of Artificial Life may have special obligations to their creations, resembling those of an owner to their pet or a parent to their child. For a field that aims to create artificial life-forms with increasing levels of sophistication, it is crucial to consider the possible ethical implications of our activities, with an eye toward assessing potential moral obligations for which we should be prepared. If Artificial Life is larger than life, then the ethics of artificial beings should be larger than human ethics.
Synaptic Information Storage Capacity Measured With Information Theory
Authors: Samavat Mohammad , Bartol Thomas M. , Harris Kristen M. , Sejnowski Terrence J. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Variation in the strength of synapses can be quantified by measuring the anatomical properties of synapses. Quantifying precision of synaptic plasticity is fundamental to understanding information storage and retrieval in neural circuits. Synapses from the same axon onto the same dendrite have a common history of coactivation, making them ideal candidates for determining the precision of synaptic plasticity based on the similarity of their physical dimensions. Here, the precision and amount of information stored in synapse dimensions were quantified with Shannon information theory, expanding prior analysis that used signal detection theory (Bartol et al., 2015). The two methods were compared using dendritic spine head volumes in the middle of the stratum radiatum of hippocampal area CA1 as well-defined measures of synaptic strength. Information theory delineated the number of distinguishable synaptic strengths based on nonoverlapping bins of dendritic spine head volumes. Shannon entropy was applied to measure synaptic information storage capacity (SISC) and resulted in a lower bound of 4.1 bits and upper bound of 4.59 bits of information based on 24 distinguishable sizes. We further compared the distribution of distinguishable sizes and a uniform distribution using Kullback-Leibler divergence and discovered that there was a nearly uniform distribution of spine head volumes across the sizes, suggesting optimal use of the distinguishable values. Thus, SISC provides a new analytical measure that can be generalized to probe synaptic strengths and capacity for plasticity in different brain regions of different species and among animals raised in different conditions or during learning. How brain diseases and disorders affect the precision of synaptic plasticity can also be probed.
Saudi Arabia — The New Civil Transactions Law
Authors: Bälz Kilian , Fawzy Farah 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
On 16 December 2023, the new Saudi Civil Transactions Law entered into force. The law, for the first time, provides a comprehensive codification of contract, tort, and property law in Saudi Arabia, hereby replacing Sharīʿah principles that the courts relied on in the past. The law is a milestone in the modernization of Saudi economic law. First, the codification will enhance legal certainty, given that it was often difficult to predict how a Saudi court would apply Sharīʿah principles to a present-day commercial contract. Second, the legal enactment demonstrates that the Saudi legislature does not shy away from legislating core areas of law and replacing Sharīʿah rules that — in theory — continue to be the supreme law of the land. In substance, many provisions of the new law appear to be inspired by Egyptian law. The implementation in Saudi judicial practice remains to be seen.
Personal Status in Lebanon Versus Optional Civil Marriage
Authors: Hachem Talal , Karam Bechara 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Marriage in Lebanon is a matter of religious law, and all attempts at introducing a civil marriage law have failed so far. This Article discusses the absence of a civil marriage law: was the Lebanese system supposed to include a civil marriage law? Is there a real need for it? Why have all legislative interventions failed? What are the alternatives? To answer these questions, we will focus mainly on the 1998 project of a civil Personal status law presented by President Hrawi, being the most complete and advanced attempt so far. The reactions for or against it are most representative of the Lebanese situation. We reach the conclusion that past legislative attempts always failed ‘upstream’, never reaching the Parliament, while contractual alternatives are not a viable option. The introduction of a civil marriage law, despite its necessity, cannot be achieved by mere legal means, but needs a governance-level answer.
Tactile Landmarks: the Relative Landmark Location Alters Spatial Distortions
Authors: Soballa Paula , Frings Christian , Merz Simon 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
The influence of landmarks, that is, nearby non-target stimuli, on spatial perception has been shown in multiple ways. These include altered target localization variability near landmarks and systematic spatial distortions of target localizations. Previous studies have mostly been conducted in the visual modality using temporary, artificial landmarks or the tactile modality with persistent landmarks on the body. Thus, it is unclear whether both landmark types produce the same spatial distortions as they were never investigated in the same modality. Addressing this, we used a novel tactile setup to present temporary, artificial landmarks on the forearm and systematically manipulated their location to either be close to a persistent landmark (wrist or elbow) or in between both persistent landmarks at the middle of the forearm. Initial data (Exp. 1 and Exp. 2) suggested systematic differences of temporary landmarks based on their distance from the persistent landmark, possibly indicating different distortions of temporary and persistent landmarks. Subsequent control studies (Exp. 3 and Exp. 4) showed this effect was driven by the relative landmark location within the target distribution. Specifically, landmarks in the middle of the target distribution led to systematic distortions of target localizations toward the landmark, whereas landmarks at the side led to distortions away from the landmark for nearby targets, and toward the landmark with wider distances. Our results indicate that experimental results with temporary landmarks can be generalized to more natural settings with persistent landmarks, and further reveal that the relative landmark location leads to different effects of the pattern of spatial distortions.
Using wood rings to determine age and climate constraints of grapevine (Vitis vinifera) radial growth
Authors: Camarero J. Julio , Colangelo Michele , Pecora Giovanni , Valeriano Cristina 
Published: April 2024

Summary
Grapevine (Vitis vinifera) is the most widely cultivated and economically relevant crop in the world, but its productivity is menaced by aridification in some wine-growing regions such as the Mediterranean Basin. The impacts of climate on vines depend on regional conditions, cultivar, and vine age, among other factors. Hence, a better understanding of vine radial-growth responses to climate in different regions is sorely needed. First, we related climate data and drought severity with a long-term series of vine leaf unfolding from NE Spain to test if climate warming is advancing the onset of the growing season. Second, we used growth rings to estimate age and quantify climate-growth relationships of vines using dendrochronology. Three sites from different designations of origin and vine varieties were studied: Logroño in northern Spain (La Rioja, Tempranillo), San Martín del Río in northeast Spain (Calatayud, Garnacha) and Anzi in southern Italy (Aglianico, Aleatico). Vine leaf unfolding occurred earlier as winter-spring conditions were warmer and drier. Vine ages ranged between 16 (Logroño, Anzi) and 56 years (S. Martín del Río), and growth rates declined in the two youngest grapevines. Ring widths varied between 1.19 (S. Martín del Río) and 1.80 mm (Logroño), with Anzi showing intermediate values (1.37 mm). February precipitation enhanced vine growth in San Martín del Río () and Anzi (), whereas the correlation with soil moisture peaked in March in San Martín del Río (). Vine growth rates positively responded to September minimum temperatures in San Martín del Río () and Logroño (). Garnacha cultivar in San Martín del Río showed the highest responsiveness to water availability. Therefore, similar old grapevines from continental, seasonally dry areas could be the most negatively affected by future warmer and drier climate conditions.
Non-Binary Trauma Patients: Delineating a Vulnerable, At-Risk Population
Authors: Hambrecht Amanda , Schellenberg Morgan , Owattanapanich Natthida , Boyle Kelly A. , Ugarte Chaiss , Ambrose Corey , Matsushima Kazuhide , Martin Matthew J. , Inaba Kenji 
Published: April 2024

Introduction An increasing proportion of the population identifies as non-binary. This marginalized group may be at differential risk for trauma compared to those who identify as male or female, but physical trauma among non-binary patients has not yet been examined at a national level. Methods All patients aged ≥ 16 years in the National Trauma Data Bank were included (2021-2022). Demographics, injury characteristics, and outcomes after trauma among non-binary patients were compared to males and females. The goal was to delineate differences between groups to inform the care and future study of non-binary trauma patients. Results In total, 1,012,348 patients were included: 283 (<1%) non-binary, 610,904 (60%) male, and 403,161 (40%) female patients. Non-binary patients were younger than males or females (median age 44 vs 49 vs 67 years, P < .001) and less likely to be White race/ethnicity (58% vs 60% vs 74%, P < .001). Despite non-binary patients having a lower median Injury Severity Score (5 vs 9 vs 9, P < .001), mortality was highest among non-binary and male patients than females (5% vs 5% vs 3%, P < .001). Discussion In this study, non-binary trauma patients were younger and more likely minority races/ethnicities than males or females. Despite having a lower injury severity, non-binary patient mortality rates were comparable to those of males and greater than for females. These disparities identify non-binary trauma patients as doubly marginalized, by gender and race/ethnicity, who experience worse outcomes after trauma than expected based on injury severity. This vulnerable patient population deserves further study to identify areas for improved trauma delivery care.
The Impact of Postoperative COVID-19 Infection on 30-day Outcomes of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
Authors: Moulton Alexandra , Liu Jessica K. , Miguel de Virgilio Christian , Ozao-Choy Junko , Moazzez Ashkan 
Published: April 2024

Introduction: Preoperative Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections are associated with postoperative adverse outcomes. However, there is limited data on the impact of postoperative COVID-19 infection on postoperative outcomes of common general surgery procedures. Objective: To evaluate the impact of postoperative COVID-19 diagnosis on laparoscopic cholecystectomy outcomes. Methods: Patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis, acute cholecystitis, or gallstone pancreatitis who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy with or without intraoperative cholangiogram were identified using the 2021 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database. Patients were categorized into two groups: patients with and without a postoperative COVID-19 diagnosis. Coarsened Exact Matching was used to match the groups based on preoperative risk factors, and outcomes were compared. Results: A total of 47,948 patients were included. In the aggregate cohort, 31% were male, and mean age was 50 years. Age, BMI, smoking, COPD, CHF, preoperative sepsis, and ASA class were significantly different between the two groups. After matching, there were no differences in characteristics. 30-day morbidity (OR = 2.7, 95% CI 1.4-5.1), pneumonia (OR = 5.0, 95% CI 1.7-15.0), DVT (OR = 8.22, 95% CI 1.0-66), reoperation (OR = 9.3, 95% CI 1.2-73.8), and readmission (OR = 4.8, 95% CI 2.3-10.1) continued to be significantly worse in the matched cohort. Conclusion: Postoperative COVID-19 infection was associated with worse outcomes after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. These findings suggest that even postoperative COVID-19 diagnosis increases the risk for adverse outcomes in patients recovering from laparoscopic cholecystectomy and may indicate that precautions should be taken and new COVID-19 infections even after surgery should be closely monitored.
A content analysis of freely available menstrual education resources in Australia
Authors: Blackmore Bianca , Moran Claire , Wigginton Britta 
Published: April 2024

Background: Sexual and reproductive health education is central to both international and national public health policy and priority action areas. However, menstruation education remains peripheral in both policy and school curricula. This article aims to investigate the extent and depth of menstruation education in Australia available outside of mainstream education channels. Methods: We conducted an inductive content analysis of publicly available Australian sexual and reproductive health educational resources targeting young menstruators and parents, which at least mentioned menstruation. Resources were accessed via a desktop search (using Google) to ensure that they were accessible to the public and were provided by not-for-profit or government organisations. Results: We identified a total of 31 resources from 10 organisations and subjected them to conventional content analysis. Our inductive coding process focused on the extent and depth of menstruation content. The main content areas included a discussion of pads and tampons, menarche, period pains, when to see a doctor and pre-menstrual syndrome. Three key themes were identified across the resources: holism, normalisation and managing menstruation. Conclusions: We develop recommendations for organisations developing or improving their menstruation resources and offer future direction for sexual and reproductive health policy and education in Australia that is inclusive of menstruation. The recommendations relate to the three themes identified during the analysis and include concepts such as recognising the biological changes that come with menstruation, variation of menstruation experiences, normality and assumptions about menstruation and menstrual hygiene management.
Study of the tensile mechanical properties and failure mechanisms of CFRP screwed joints
Authors: He Renyu , Yang Tao , Liu Sinan , Zhang Pengchao , Liu Chang , Yuan Wenhui , Du Yu 
Published: April 2024

Removable joint technology is commonly used in composite laminates for various load-bearing structures. However, existing research primarily focuses on bolted joints, there is relatively limited research on screwed joints in composite materials. This study investigates the influence of connected layer thickness and hole diameter on the tensile behavior of threaded joints in carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates. After fabricating different CFRP screwed joint specimens, tensile tests were conducted. The digital image correlation (DIC) technique captured the deformation process. The experiment results indicate a significant increase in load-bearing capacity with the increase in diameter. For instance, joints with an 8 mm diameter exhibited a load-bearing capacity of 10.82 kN. The increase in the connected layer thickness correspondingly enhanced the load-bearing capacity of the joint. The joint with a thickness of 7 mm had the highest load-bearing capacity of 8.83 kN. Besides, with the increase in the thickness of the connected layer, the failure mode transitioned from shear failure in the connected layer to screw pull-out. The tilt angle of the screw during the pull-out process also decreases with the increase in the connected layer thickness. Strain and out-of-plane displacement measurements under ultimate load conditions verify these observations.
Tumor-Like Distal Femoral Cortical Irregularities of the Knee in Adolescent Competitive Alpine Skiers: Longitudinal Assessment Over 48 Months
Authors: Feuerriegel Georg C. , Marth Adrian A. , Fröhlich Stefan , Stern Christoph , Scherr Johannes , Spörri Jörg , Sutter Reto 
Published: April 2024

Background: Tumor-like distal femoral cortical irregularities (DFCIs) are a frequent incidental finding on knee magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and are common in young competitive athletes. Purpose: To assess and compare the morphology and prevalence of DFCIs in competitive alpine skiers over 48 months during adolescence. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Adolescent competitive alpine skiers were prospectively recruited in 2018 and received bilateral 3-T MRI of the knee at baseline and after 48 months. All MRIs were evaluated for the presence and location of DFCIs, which were marked at 1 of 3 anatomic positions: (1) the femoral attachment of the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle, (2) the lateral head of the gastrocnemius muscle, or (3) the attachment of the adductor magnus aponeurosis. The size of the DFCI was measured by 2 radiologists independently. The measurements were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, the interclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and Cohen Kappa. Results: A total of 63 athletes (mean age at follow-up, 19.6 ± 1.2 years; n = 25 female) were included in the study. At baseline, DFCIs were detected in 84 out of 126 knees (67%). At the 48-month follow-up, DFCIs were found in 88 out of 126 knees (70%), with multiple DFCIs in 3 knees and no significant difference between male and female patients (n = 24 male, n = 19 female; P = .71). No significant increase was detected for the number ( P = .21) and size of the DFCIs between the baseline and the 48-month follow-up (mean size: baseline, 3.7 ± 0.8 mm; 48-month follow-up: 3.6 ± 0.9 mm; P = .66). The interrater agreement for the mean size measurements of DFCIs was good to excellent (ICC 0.88). Conclusion: DFCIs remain a frequent finding on knee MRI in competitive alpine skiers after skeletal maturation and do not disappear during adolescence. The DFCI size was constant in athletes aged between 15 and 19 years. Moreover, DFCIs should not be mistaken for a pathologic finding.
Posaconazole versus voriconazole as antifungal prophylaxis for invasive fungal diseases in patients with hematological malignancies
Authors: Almutairy Reem , Khan Mansoor Ahmed , Shahbar Alaa , Aseeri Mohammed , Alshamrani Majed , Almarhabi Hassan , Naeem Doaa 
Published: April 2024

Introduction The incidence of invasive fungal diseases (IFDs) has risen in hematologic malignancy patients due to neutropenia. While posaconazole is recommended as the first-line antifungal prophylaxis in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients and voriconazole is an alternative, there is currently no direct comparison data available to assess their relative effectiveness. Method We retrospectively reviewed eligible patient charts from January 2017 to February 2019 to identify breakthrough IFD rates, drug adverse event frequency, and drug acquisition cost in AML/MDS patients. Results Forty-eight patients received 130 chemo cycles, with 50 (38%) cycles prescribed posaconazole and 80 (62%) prescribed voriconazole as primary IFD prophylaxis. The incidence rates of IFD in the posaconazole group were 8% (4 out of 50), of which two were probable and two were possible infections, while 6.26% (5 out of 80) of patients in the voriconazole group developed IFD, with four possible infections and one probable infection ( p = 0.73). A higher percentage of patients in the voriconazole group discontinued prophylaxis due to adverse events, with six patients compared to two patients in the posaconazole group ( p = 0.15). The drug acquisition cost of posaconazole is 5.62 times more expensive than voriconazole. Conclusion The use of voriconazole instead of posaconazole for 130 chemo cycles would save $166,584.6. Posaconazole and voriconazole have comparable efficacy and safety in preventing IFD in AML and MDS patients receiving chemotherapy. However, posaconazole is more costly than voriconazole.