bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spanning even trees of graphs
Authors: Jackson Bill , Yoshimoto Kiyoshi 
Published: May 2024

AbstractA tree is said to be even if all pairs of vertices of degree one in are joined by a path of even length. We conjecture that every ‐regular nonbipartite connected graph has a spanning even tree and verify this conjecture when has a 2‐factor. Well‐known results of Petersen and Hanson et al. imply that the only remaining unsolved case is when is odd and has at least bridges. We investigate this case further and propose some related conjectures.
Sex concordance between physicians and patients and discharge opioid prescribing
Authors: Rambachan Aksharananda , Joshi Mihir , Auerbach Andrew D. , Fang Margaret C. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractInpatient pain management is challenging for clinicians and inequities are prevalent. We examined sex concordance between physicians and patients to determine if discordance was associated with disparate opioid prescribing on hospital discharge. We examined 15,339 hospitalizations from 2013 to 2021. Adjusting for patient, clinical, and hospitalization‐level characteristics, we calculated the odds of a patient receiving an opioid on discharge and the days of opioids prescribed across all hospitalizations and for patients admitted with a common pain diagnosis. We did not find an overall association between physician–patient sex concordance and discharge opioid prescriptions. Compared to concordant sex pairs, patients in discordant pairs were not significantly less likely to receive an opioid prescription (odds ratio: 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.95, 1.15) and did not receive significantly fewer days of opioids (2.1 fewer days of opioids; 95% CI: −4.4, 0.4). Better understanding relationships between physician and patient characteristics is essential to achieve more equitable prescribing.
Finite element analysis of kangaroo astragali: A new angle on the ankle
Authors: Murphy Peter J. , Rowe Andre J. , Rayfield Emily J. , Janis Christine M. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractUsing finite element analysis on the astragali of five macropodine kangaroos (extant and extinct hoppers) and three sthenurine kangaroos (extinct proposed bipedal striders) we investigate how the stresses experienced by the ankle in similarly sized kangaroos of different hypothesized/known locomotor strategy compare under different simulation scenarios, intended to represent the moment of midstance at different gaits. These tests showed a clear difference between the performance of sthenurines and macropodines with the former group experiencing lower stress in simulated bipedal strides in all species compared with hopping simulations, supporting the hypothesis that sthenurines may have utilized this gait. The Pleistocene macropodine Protemnodon also performed differently from all other species studied, showing high stresses in all simulations except for bounding. This may support the hypothesis of Protemnodon being a quadrupedal bounder.
White Matter Hyperintensity is Associated with Malignant Cerebral Edema in Ischemic Stroke Treated with Thrombectomy
Authors: Wei Lihua , Zhao Xiaolin , Luo Jiaqi , Xiao Mengxuan , Li Bingbing , Zhu Zhiliang , Fan Huanhuan , Lu Wenting , Lin Zhenzhou , Wu Yongming , Pan Suyue , Liu Xianghong , Ji Zhong , Huang Kaibin 
Published: May 2024

BackgroundWhite matter hyperintensity (WMH) burden may lead to poor clinical outcomes after endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). But the relationship between WMH burden and cerebral edema (CED) is unclear.PurposeTo examine the association between WMH burden and CED and functional outcome in patients treated with EVT.Study TypeRetrospective.Subject344 patients with acute anterior circulation large‐vessel occlusion stroke who received EVT at two comprehensive stroke centers. Mean age was 62.6 ± 11.6 years and 100 patients (29.1%) were female.Field Strength/Sequence3T, including diffusion‐weighted imaging and fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images.AssessmentThe severity of WMH was evaluated using the Fazekas scale on a FLAIR sequence before EVT. The severity of CED was assessed using CED score (three for malignant cerebral edema [MCE]) and net water uptake (NWU)/time on post‐EVT cranial CT. The impact of WMH burden on MCE, NWU/time, and 3‐month poor outcome (modified Rankin scale >2) after EVT were assessed.Statistical TestsPearson's chi‐squared test, Fisher exact test, 2‐tailed t test, Mann–Whitney U test, multivariable logistic regression, multivariate regression analysis, Sobel test. A P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsWMH burden was not significantly associated with MCE and parenchymal hemorrhage (PH) in the whole population (P = 0.072; P = 0.714). WMH burden was significantly associated with an increased risk of MCE (OR, 1.550; 95% CI, 1.128–2.129), higher NWU/time (Coefficient, 0.132; 95% CI, 0.012–0.240), and increased risk of 3‐month poor outcome (OR, 1.434; 95% CI, 1.110–1.853) in the subset of patients without PH. Moreover, the connection between WMH burden and poor outcome was partly mediated by CED in patients without PH (regression coefficient changed by 29.8%).Data ConclusionWMH burden is associated with CED, especially MCE, and poor outcome in acute ischemic stroke patients treated with EVT. The association between WMH burden and poor outcome may partly be attributed to postoperative CED.Level of Evidence3.Technical EfficacyStage 5.
Incremental Prognostic Value of Left Atrial Strain in Patients With Suspected Myocarditis and Preserved Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction
Authors: Chen Yan , Zhang Nan , Zhao Wenjing , Sun Zhonghua , Liu Jiayi , Liu Dongting , Wen Zhaoying , Xu Lei 
Published: May 2024

BackgroundAnalysis of left atrial (LA) strain and left atrioventricular coupling index (LACI) have prognostic value in cardiovascular diseases. However, the prognostic value of LA strain and LACI in patients with suspected myocarditis and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is unclear.PurposeTo investigate the prognostic value of LA strain and LACI in patients with suspected myocarditis and preserved LVEF in comparison with conventional MRI outcome predictors.Study TypeRetrospective.PopulationOne hundred sixty‐five patients with clinically suspected myocarditis and preserved LVEF with available follow‐up data.Field Strength/SequenceSteady‐state free precession cine and phase‐sensitive inversion recovery segmented gradient echo late gadolinium enhancement sequences at 3.0 T.AssessmentLeft ventricular (LV) and LA strain were evaluated using feature tracking. LACI was calculated as the ratio of LA and LV volumes at LV end‐diastole. Patients were followed‐up with the primary endpoint being major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).Statistical TestsIndependent‐samples t‐test and Mann–Whitney U test to compare patients with and without MACE, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to define high/low risk groups, Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression to assess prognosis. A P value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsThe associations of LV strain parameters (including global radial, circumferential, and longitudinal strain) and LACI with MACE were not significant (P = 0.511, 0.108, 0.148, and 0.847, respectively). An optimal LA conduit strain (Ԑe) cutoff value of 10.4% was identified to best classify patients into low‐ and high‐risk groups. Only Ԑe was significantly associated with MACE in both univariable (hazards ratio [HR] 0.936, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.884–0.991) and multivariable Cox survival analyses (HR 0.937, 95% CI 0.884–0.994).Data ConclusionLA conduit strain has prognostic value in patients with suspected myocarditis and preserved LVEF, incremental to conventional MRI outcome predictors, whereas LACI was not associated with MACE occurrence.Evidence Level3Technical EfficacyStage 2
An open‐set method for automatic recognition of low probability of intercept radar waveforms based on reciprocity points learning
Authors: Liu Zhilin , Wang Jindong , Ge Qidong , Yang Bo , Li Yinlong , Zhang Hengwei 
Published: May 2024

AbstractDeep learning‐based methods for Low Probability of Intercept radar waveform recognition typically assume that the signal to be recognized belongs to a known and finite set of classes. However, in practical scenarios, the electromagnetic signal environment is open and there may be a large number of unknown signals, making such methods difficult to apply. To address this issue, a novel open‐set recognition method based on reciprocal points is proposed. This approach uses a neural network to extract a high‐dimensional time‐frequency feature map of the signal, and measures the difference between the known and unknown signals by computing the distance between the feature vector and the reciprocal points. This allows the model to correctly identify known class signals while simultaneously detecting unknown signals. Experimental results show that the proposed method achieves open‐set recognition of Low Probibability of Intercept radar signals. On test signals with signal‐to‐noise ratios ranging from 6 dB to 15 dB, the model achieves nearly 100% accuracy in identifying known class signals and more than 90% accuracy in detecting unknown signals.
Impact of medication dosage on Helicobacter pylori eradication rates among pediatric patients
Authors: Andrews Christine , Herzlinger Michael , Riaz Muhammad , Liu Enju , Chan Christina , Bonilla Silvana 
Published: May 2024

AbstractObjectivesHelicobacter pylori rates of eradication to common first‐line regimens continue to decline globally. Prescription of the appropriate medication dosage is an important consideration, particularly in the pediatric population due to medication weight‐based dosing. Limited data is available on the impact of guideline‐recommended weight‐based dosing on the successful eradication of H. pylori in children.MethodsRetrospective study of patients with histologic evidence of H. pylori from two pediatric tertiary care centers in New England. We excluded patients who were not treated or those missing eradication data. We compared the eradication rates of patients prescribed recommended weight‐based dosages, duration, and frequency of treatment with those who were not.ResultsOne hundred forty‐four patients were included. The overall eradication rate was 73.6% (106/144). All treatment regimens were properly prescribed for 14 days. There was a high rate of improper weight‐based dosing: proton pump inhibitor (PPI) 31.2% (45/144), amoxicillin 31.7% (39/123), metronidazole (MET) 19.4% (12/62), clarithromycin (CLA) 23.9% (22/70), tetracycline 50% (6/12), bismuth 26.1% (6/23). When PPIs were properly weight‐dosed, there was a 78.8% eradication rate that dropped to 62.2% with suboptimal dosing (p = 0.036, odds ratio [OR]: 2.26, confidence interval [CI]: 1.04−4.87). When amoxicillin was properly weight‐dosed, successful eradication was achieved in 81% versus only 53.8% when improperly dosed (p = 0.002; OR: 3.64, CI: 1.58−8.37). There was no statistically significant impact on eradication rates with improper weight‐based dosing of MET, CLA, tetracycline, or bismuth.ConclusionProper weight‐based dosing of amoxicillin and PPI is important for the successful eradication of H. pylori among children in the New England area.
Raman spectroscopy‐based molecularly imprinted polymer sensor for sensitive detection of lysophosphatidic acid in serum
Authors: Tarannum Nazia , Kumar Deepak , Yadav Akanksha , Yadav Anil K. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractLysophosphatidic acid (LPA) has significant potential as a biomarker for diagnosis of ovarian cancer in female patients because it is present throughout all phases of the illness. Regrettably, there is not a clinically useful test for this biomarker yet. In this work, an ultra‐detection of LPA molecule by Raman spectroscopy‐based molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) in serum samples is reported. β‐CD was synthesized to facilitate the collection of Raman spectroscopy and combined with MIP to denote it as β‐CD‐MIP for the adsorption of LPA with high sensitivity and selectivity. Linear regression model in serum samples shows peaks at 1100 and 1116 cm−1, respectively. A satisfactory linear fit was seen with LPA concentration log I = 3.7 log C + 1255.74 and with spiked serum log I = 4.6 log C + 327.22, respectively. The literature survey suggests the threshold LPA level in healthy person is 1.50 μM/L whereas the LPA level rises in patients with benign ovarian cancer tumor as 7.90 μM/L. This LPA level rises to 16.99 μM/L in ovarian cancer patients. On the basis of the band intensity, the limit of detection of the β‐CD‐MIP sensor for LPA was recorded as 0.003 μM/L. The binding constant of β‐CD‐MIP for LPA in serum was 0.031–0.003 μM/L, respectively. β‐CD‐MIP gel was optimized, characterized, and successfully applied on spiked serum samples. The findings of this research show that this substrate has a lot of potential for ultradetection of trace amounts of LPA molecule from the serum samples. The MIP sensor is robust, recyclable, efficient, and selective.
Crowdfunding's impact on small business performance through exploitative and exploratory search strategies: An entrepreneurial resourcefulness perspective
Authors: Sarfo Christian , Zhang Jing A. , O'Kane Paula , O'Kane Conor 
Published: May 2024

AbstractDrawing on the entrepreneurial resourcefulness perspective, this study examines how crowdfunding engagement affects small business performance. We theorize that crowdfunding engagement serves resourcefully to enhance small business performance. Moreover, we hypothesize that exploratory and exploitative search act as effective mechanisms through which crowdfunding engagement increases small business performance. We further posit that the effects of crowdfunding engagement on small business performance are contingent on environmental dynamism. We utilize a quantitative approach, specifically partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS‐SEM), for analyzing our data. Using a sample of 310 small businesses in Ghana, the findings from PLS‐SEM support our theorization, showing that both exploratory and exploitative search positively mediate the effects of crowdfunding engagement on small business performance, while environmental dynamism negatively moderates such effects. Our findings provide important theoretical and practical implications.
Evaluating the role of level 3 axillary lymph node dissection in metastatic melanoma: Can we predict involvement?
Authors: Parker Lily M. , Beekman Kate E. , DePalo Danielle K. , Elleson Kelly M. , Zager Jonathan S. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesMSLT‐2 and DECOG‐SLT established that immediate complete axillary lymph node dissection (CLND) did not correlate with an increase in melanoma‐specific survival when compared with active ultrasound observation in patients with sentinel lymph node (SLN)‐positive disease. After those trials, there was a shift toward performing CLND only for clinically node‐positive disease. With these changes, we sought to determine the role of level III axillary lymph nodes in bulky disease and how the use of neoadjuvant therapy may impact the rate of positivity in level III axillary nodes.MethodsWe performed a retrospective chart review on all patients who underwent axillary CLND for cutaneous melanoma by one surgeon at an academic center from 2014 to 2022. These patients underwent CLND based on either having SLN+ disease or having clinically palpable or radiographically bulky disease.ResultsOf 95 patients included, there were 7 (7.3%) patients with level III positivity. One was SLN+ (1.0%), while 3 (3.1%) had bulky disease and neoadjuvant therapy, and 3 (3.1%) had bulky disease without neoadjuvant therapy. No preoperative factors were identified that predicted level III involvement. After performing CLND, the patients who had clinically palpable or radiographically bulky disease and neoadjuvant therapy had higher percent necrosis of nodes in levels I and II but not III. At 5 years, overall survival and recurrence‐free survival were improved in those without level III involvement (58% and 64%, respectively) when compared to those with level III involvement (41% and 50%), though this was not statistically significant.ConclusionsFurther study may identify better prognostic factors for level III positivity, allowing for the possibility of dissecting only levels I and II or even replacing CLND with targeted node dissections.
Risk of adverse events in patients with bullous pemphigoid treated with oral corticosteroids in the United States
Authors: Silverberg Jonathan I. , Yang Feifei , Alemao Evo , Zhao Jing , Crivera Concetta , Patel Hetal V. , Lin Iris , Mangold Aaron R. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe potential association of long‐term oral corticosteroid (OCS) use with adverse events (AEs) in patients with bullous pemphigoid (BP) is not well characterized in a real‐world setting.ObjectivesTo evaluate the effect of OCS use and treatment duration on the incident AEs in patients with BP.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study used medical and pharmacy claims and patient enrollment data from IQVIA PharMetrics® Plus from 2006−2021. Eligible patients had a diagnosis of BP between 1 January 2006 and 30 June 2020 (≥2 claims for BP ≥ 30 days apart). Patients in the OCS cohort also had a claim for OCS use, ≥7.5 mg daily dose of prednisone or equivalent, and no claims for a nonoral systemic corticosteroid (CS) at any time during the study period. A control cohort of patients with BP not using OCS was also selected. Relative risk ratios were estimated between the incidence of AEs in OCS users with different exposure durations (short‐term, <30 days; medium‐term, 30−90 days; long‐term, >90 days) and nonusers by Poisson regression, after adjusting for age, sex, prior drug use, and baseline Charlson Comorbidity Index score within the follow‐up period.ResultsAt the 1‐year follow‐up, long‐term OCS users had a higher incidence of infections, cataract, osteoporosis, heart failure, depression or anxiety, and diabetes compared with OCS nonusers (p < 0.05). Furthermore, compared with nonusers, long‐term users had increased 1‐year risks (risk ratio; 95% confidence interval) for heart failure (2.27; 1.50−3.44), diabetes (2.05; 1.30−3.24), osteoporosis (1.72; 1.23−2.41), and infection (1.50; 1.13−1.99). Long‐term OCS users also had increased 1‐year risks for heart failure (2.00; 1.21−3.28) and osteoporosis (1.70; 1.16−2.50) compared with short‐term OCS users.ConclusionsLong‐term OCS use (≥7.5 mg) in patients with BP was associated with an increased risk of AEs. Study findings demonstrate a need for steroid‐sparing options with an improved safety profile.
Modified double‐pulley fixation provides better reduction of bone fragments and union compared to single‐point fixation in bony Bankart lesions
Authors: Qu Di , Fu Haitao , Shen Youliang , Zhang Jing , Zhang Dongfang , Jiang Qi , Qi Chao 
Published: May 2024

AbstractPurposeThe purpose of this study was to compare clinical scores and imaging outcomes of bony Bankart lesions that underwent single‐point and modified double‐pulley fixation after at least 2 years of follow‐up.MethodsPatients who underwent surgery to treat bony Bankart injuries were included and divided into groups A and B. A total of 69 patients were included (32 in group A and 37 in group B). Patients in group A underwent arthroscopic modified double‐pulley fixation and patients in group B underwent arthroscopic single‐point fixation. Three‐dimensional computed tomography (3D‐CT) was used to assess glenoid reduction one day after surgery. Postoperative bony union was assessed using 3D‐CT and multiplanar reconstruction images 6 months after surgery. Constant–Murley, Rowe rating system, visual analogue scale and University of California at Los Angeles and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores were recorded before and after surgery.ResultsIn terms of imaging measurements, there was no significant group difference in the preoperative size of the glenoid defect, the size of the bony fragment or the expected postoperative size of the glenoid defect. The sizes of the actual postoperative glenoid defects differed significantly between the groups (p = 0.027), as did the absolute difference between the expected and actual glenoid defect sizes (p < 0.001). At 6 months postoperatively, 50.0% of group A patients and 24.3% of group B patients exhibited complete bony union (p = 0.027); the rates of partial union were 37.5% and 56.8%, respectively. At the final follow‐up, all clinical scores were significantly better than the preoperative scores (all p < 0.05), with no significant group differences (not significant).ConclusionsThe use of the modified double‐pulley technique with two anchors to treat bony Bankart injuries provides a better reduction of bone fragments than single‐point fixation with two anchors and was associated with a higher rate of early bone union.Level of EvidenceLevel III.
Computed tomography Scan Size Analysis of stapedius and tensor tympani muscles in middle ear myoclonic tinnitus
Authors: Velasco Gianfranco , Cho Hyun Jae , Seo Young Jun , Lim Ji Hyung , Han Jae Sang , Seo Jae Hyun , Park Shi Nae 
Published: May 2024

AbstractObjectivesTo analyze the sizes of the stapedius and tensor tympani (TT) muscles using a temporal bone CT (TBCT) scan in patients with middle ear myoclonic tinnitus (MEMT) and investigate their value for the diagnosis of this rare cause of tinnitus.MethodsMedical records and TBCT of patients with MEMT or vascular tinnitus (VT) at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital from January 2012 to December 2022 were reviewed. The stapedius and TT muscles were analyzed.ResultsThirty‐eight patients with unilateral MEMT and 39 patients with VT were included. More males were in the MEMT group compared to the VT group (MEMT: n = 24, VT: n = 8, p = .001). The mean age of the MEMT group was younger compared to the VT group (MEMT: 35 ± 12 years, VT: 44 ± 14.3 years, p = .005). The mean BMI for the MEMT group was less than the VT group (MEMT: 22.3 ± 2.5, VT: 24.8 ± 4.36, p = .010). The mean length and width of the stapedius in the MEMT group were larger than those of the VT group (Length MEMT: 1.47 ± 0.60 mm, VT: 0.98 ± 0.24 mm, p = .001; Width MEMT: 0.89 ± 0.32 mm, VT: 0.72 ± 0.19 mm, p = .009). The mean length and width of the TT in the MEMT group were larger than that of the VT group (Length MEMT: 3.10 ± 0.50 mm, VT: 2.27 ± 0.42, p = .001; Width MEMT: 2.02 ± 0.36, VT: 1.75 ± 0.26 p = .001).ConclusionThe mean length and width of the stapedius and TT muscles measured in the MEMT group were longer and wider than the VT group. This suggests the use TBCT scan as a diagnostic tool for MEMT. Further studies with a larger study group to validate the results of this study are recommended.Level of Evidence: 4.