bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
PREscribing preoperative weight loss prior to major non-bariatric abdominal surgery for patients with Elevated weight: Patient and Provider Survey Protocols (PREPARE surveys)
Authors: McKechnie Tyler , Saddik Maisa , Doumouras Aristithes , Eskicioglu Cagla , Parpia Sameer , Bhandari Mohit 
Published: April 2024

Background
Preoperative very low energy diet (VLED) interventions are used routinely in patients undergoing bariatric surgery, a surgical subspecialty that deals almost exclusively with patients with obesity. Yet, their use and study has been limited in non-bariatric abdominal surgery. To investigate the use of VLEDs in non-bariatric surgery, we plan on conducting a randomized controlled trial (RCT). Prior to proceeding, however, we have designed two surveys as important pre-emptive studies aimed at elucidating patient and provider perspectives regarding these interventions.

Methods
The patient survey is a cross-sectional, single-center survey aimed at assessing the safety, adherence, barriers to adherence, and willingness to participate in preoperative optimization protocols with VLEDs prior to undergoing elective non-bariatric intra-abdominal surgery (S1 File). The population of interest is all adult patients with obesity undergoing elective non-bariatric intra-abdominal surgery at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton who were prescribed a course of preoperative VLED. The primary outcomes will be safety and adherence. The target sample size is 35 survey responses. The provider survey is a cross-sectional national survey of practicing surgeons in Canada who perform major non-bariatric abdominal surgery aimed assessing the willingness and ability to prescribe preoperative weight loss interventions amongst practicing Canadian surgeons who perform major non-bariatric abdominal surgery (S2 File). The population of interest is independent practicing surgeons in Canada who perform major non-bariatric abdominal surgery. The primary outcome will be willingness to prescribe preoperative VLED to patients with obesity undergoing major non-bariatric abdominal surgery for both benign and malignant indications. The target sample size is 61 survey responses. Descriptive statistics will be used to characterize the sample populations. To determine variables associated with primary outcomes in the surveys, regression analyses will be performed.

Discussion
These survey data will ultimately inform the design of an RCT evaluating the efficacy of preoperative VLEDs for patients with obesity undergoing major abdominal surgery.
Synthesis, Characterization of ZnO-based Nanocomposites and its Effect on the Viscosity of Gasoline Engine Lubricating Oil
Authors: Sadananda  , Crasta Gladson Francis , Divya R. , Shetty Sumanth , Nagalakshmee M. , Manjesh D.M. , Rangappa Dinesh , Shetty Manjunath 
Published: April 2024

This study represents the synthesis, characterization of ZnO nanoparticles and encapsulated composites with MWCNT, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) for the lubricating performance in petrol engine oil. The facile sol-gel process was used to synthesize ZnO and ZnO-based nanocomposites followed by annealing at 500 ºC. ZnO-based nanocomposite samples were prepared by adding different secondary encapsulating agents such as MWCNT (with different wt.% of 1, 2 and 3), SDS and CTAB. The as-synthesized ZnO and ZnO-based nanocomposite samples were further dispersed in 20W40 grade engine oil separately by taking 50 mL volume of oil. Different amounts of the synthesized samples of 50 mg, 100 mg and 150 mg were blended with the lubricant accordingly by the sonication process. After that the viscosity performances were carried out for all the prepared samples. The dynamic and kinematic viscosity were measured using a redwood viscometer and the temperature varied throughout the analysis at 34, 44 and 55 ºC to observe the optimum temperature effect on viscosity performance. The objective of this work is to determine the temperature effects on the viscosity of commercial lubricant 20W40 grade by blending with different suspended novel nanomaterials.
Natural History of Indeterminate Liver Nodules in Patients With Advanced Liver Disease: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Singal Amit G. , Parikh Neehar D. , Shetty Kirti , Han Steven-Huy , Xie Cassie , Ning Jing , Rinaudo Jo Ann , Arvind Ashwini , Lok Anna S. , Kanwal Fasiha ,   the Translational Liver Cancer Investigators
Published: April 2024

INTRODUCTION:
Indeterminate liver nodules (ILNs) are frequently encountered on diagnostic imaging after positive hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance results, but their natural history remains unclear.

METHODS:
We conducted a multicenter retrospective cohort study among patients with ≥1 newly detected LI-RADS 3 (LR-3) lesion ≥1 cm or LI-RADS 4 (LR-4) lesion of any size (per LI-RADS v2018) between January 2018 and December 2019. Patients were followed with repeat imaging at each site per institutional standard of care. Multivariable Fine-Gray models were used to evaluate associations between potential risk factors and patient-level time-to-HCC diagnosis, with death and liver transplantation as competing risks.

RESULTS:
Of 307 patients with ILNs, 208 had LR-3 lesions, 83 had LR-4 lesions, and 16 had both LR-3 and LR-4 lesions. HCC incidence rates for patients with LR-3 and LR-4 lesions were 110 (95% CI 70–150) and 420 (95% CI 310–560) per 1,000 person-year, respectively. In multivariable analysis, incident HCC among patients with LR-3 lesions was associated with older age, thrombocytopenia (platelet count ≤150 ×109/L), and elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein levels. Among those with LR-4 lesions, incident HCC was associated with a maximum lesion diameter >1 cm. Although most patients had follow-up computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, 13.7% had no follow-up imaging and another 14.3% had follow-up ultrasound only.

DISCUSSION:
ILNs have a high but variable risk of HCC, with 4-fold higher risk in patients with LR-4 lesions than those with LR-3 lesions, highlighting a need for accurate risk stratification tools and close follow-up in this population.
Divine Causality and Human Free Will: Ṭūsī’s Solution and Its Historical Background
Authors: Azadani Zakieh 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
This article aims to delve into the approach of Ḫwāǧa Naṣīr ad-Dīn Ṭūsī to a fundamental philosophical question concerning human agency: How can human free will coexist with a necessitating causal framework, where every effect is bound by its complete cause? Ṭūsī’s solution, which left a lasting impact on subsequent philosophical discussions on the issue, particularly within Shiite scholarly circles, revolves around the introduction of a differentiation between types of causes. I will examine Ṭūsī’s elucidation delineated in two of his works: Ǧabr wa Qadar in Persian and a concise Arabic text on Afʿāl al-ʿibād. Additionally, I will endeavor to uncover the historical origins and intellectual influences that may have shaped Ṭūsī’s approach to the question of human free will.
La figure du «bon historien» (liangshi 良史) dans les textes historiques de la Chine classique
Authors: Chaussende Damien 
Published: April 2024

Résumé
Le terme liangshi 良史, que l’on peut traduire par «bon scribe», «bon annaliste» ou encore «bon historien», plonge ses racines dans la longue tradition historienne de la Chine. Il fut employé avant les Han et sous les Han, pour désigner des historiographes modèles et pour mettre en valeur leur honnêteté et leur sérieux. Le terme a aussi été employé, dans une moindre mesure cependant, pour désigner des ouvrages historiques de bonne facture, en vertu de la polysémie du caractère shi 史. Liangshi est aussi devenu graduellement un outil rhétorique fréquemment employé dans des discours de persuasion. Le présent article s’emploie à déterminer à quelle époque et dans quels textes ce vocable commença à être utilisé, et quels étaient les critères qui faisaient qu’une personne était qualifiée de «bon historien». En replaçant ce terme dans le contexte plus large du jugement historiographique en Chine, on examine ensuite, à travers une sélection représentative de textes allant des Han jusqu’à Sima Guang 司馬光 (1019–1086), comment il fut employé – notamment par le critique et historien Liu Zhiji 劉知幾 (661–721) – et quelles furent les modalités de son usage sur le plan rhétorique.
The Recently Found Map of the World (Kunyutu 坤輿圖): A Philological Survey (Part II)
Authors: De Morsier-Fritz Claudia 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
This is Part II following on from the first presentation of the Chinese Map of the World or Kunyutu 坤輿圖 published in vol. 75 of this journal. The large wall map in silk, found in a federal library in Berne, Switzerland, is anonymous and purports to represent the geopolitical situation during the period 1700–1730. After a short general, geographical overview containing cartographic remarks and findings, this article will focus on the translation of all 112 text blocks on the map, which are found in Appendix II. These text blocks contain information on the customs and products of a given place, as well as describing other curiosities associated with it. I compared these texts with other maps and textual sources, in particular with The Complete World Map (Kunyu quantu 坤輿全圖) and The Explanations of the World Map (Kunyutu shuo 坤輿圖說) by Verbiest in 1674. A Venn diagram reveals which source was used most frequently. I detected some geographical assumptions the creator of the Bernese map has drawn from previous sources or copied from earlier maps. These offer valuable pointers to the source language and enable the identification of specific misunderstandings, original creations and uncertainties or signs of ignorance. My translation of the text blocks helps to pinpoint certain anachronisms and inaccuracies, although the map essentially reflects the political situation in the years 1700–1730. These various pieces of evidence suggest that the map was in fact made much later by a copyist and is not only a cartographic composite of earlier maps, but also a fusion based on Northern and Southern Mandarin sources. I presume that the translations, drawn from French sources into Southern Mandarin – the language of the late Ming officials (guanhua 官話) – as well as a variety of Southern Chinese dialects, suggest the underlying influence of a Jesuit tradition.
Enhancing students’ L2 writing skills online: a case study of an introductory English literature course for ESL students
Authors: Shi Huiwen , Chan Ka-ling Zoe , Wu Wenli , Cheung Lok-ming Eric 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
This research paper is based on a case study of an introductory English literature course that is being offered at a community college in Hong Kong, China. The 2020–2021 cohort was unique as it had the entire course online using Zoom without any face-to-face or hybrid teaching, which was considered the “new normal” of higher education under the pandemic. This study employs narrative inquiry (Barkhuizen, G. (2014). Revisiting narrative frames: An instrument for investigating language teaching and learning. System, 47, 12–27; Clandinin, D. J. (2016). Engaging in narrative inquiry. Routledge), semi-structured interviews, and analysis of student essays to demonstrate that online essay consultations and collaborative writing are useful for enhancing the essay writing skills of second language learners. The paper specifically reports and highlights how individual Zoom essay consultations, together with collaborative writing on Padlet, scaffold and enhance students’ essay writing and critical thinking skills. Essentially, the paper argues that online technologies expand the dimension of literature education and empower it as a form of content-based ESL instruction for long-term use.
Do languages spoken in multilingual communities converge? A case study of reflexivity marking in Mano and Kpelle
Authors: Khachaturyan Maria , Moroz George , Mamy Pe 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
This paper explores variation in the patterns of reflexivity marking in the Mano language and possible influence from the Kpelle language by using an experimental design with a picture questionnaire. While Kpelle does not have a morphological distinction between reflexive and basic pronouns, the Mano variety spoken by Mano-dominant individuals does possess such a distinction in 3sg. In contrast, the Mano variety spoken by Kpelle-dominant individuals shows a pattern borrowing from Kpelle into Mano, whereby the basic pronoun is used for both coreferential and disjoint readings. In a bilingual village, however, despite daily usage of both languages, almost all speakers from our sample manifest a uniform pattern that aligns closely with the monolingual Mano pattern of reflexivity marking. Therefore, the intensity of contact alone does not predict the amount of influence of Kpelle on Mano. Contrary to predictions by Labov (2010. Principles of linguistic change. Volume 3, Cognitive and cultural factors. Hoboken: Wiley-Blackwell: 5), we conclude that the languages spoken in a multilingual speech community do not necessarily converge and that a balanced multilingual community may provide enough input to acquire monolingual-like competence, at least according to the specific parameter under investigation. In the long run, however, convergence between Mano and Kpelle could indeed be taking place, with Mano losing its reflexivity contrasts, having already lost the contrast in 3pl.
Research progress in preparation technology of micro and nano titanium alloy powder
Authors: Jisen Yan , Minghui Wang , Tingan Zhang , Fang Xie , Xi Zhang , Ke Zhao , Gang Liu , Chu Cheng 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Titanium alloys have excellent properties and are widely used in aerospace, medicine, chemical industry, and other fields. With the rapid development of the powder metallurgy and 3D printing industries, the demand for ultra-fine titanium alloy powders has increased significantly. It should be noted that the particle size of titanium alloy powders determines the application process. However, the high melting point of titanium and titanium alloys and the limitation of many factors, such as the prepared powders being easily contaminated by secondary pollution, make the preparation cost higher, which restricts their promotion and application. In this study, the research progress of micro and nano titanium alloy powder preparation process is described, and the existing problems of various processes are analyzed and discussed, and it is proposed that the direct reduction in TiO2 to obtain micro and nano titanium alloy powder is the key research direction in the future. In particular, the preparation of micro and nano titanium alloy powder by “calciothermic self-propagation process” has great industrial potential.
One story as part of the Global Conversation on Sustainability: dye adsorption studies using a novel bio-derived calcite material
Authors: Christian-Robinson Sachel , Kerton Francesca M. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Many of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can be addressed through chemistry. Researchers at Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada, have been sharing their stories on September 25 for the past two years through the Global Conversation on Sustainability. This article describes the details of one of these stories. As the global population increases, food production including aquaculture is increasing to provide for this. At the same time, this means more waste is produced. Waste from aquaculture is often overlooked as a source of valuable chemicals. By-products from farming blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) is dominated by shells rich in calcite. A ‘soft’ calcite material prepared from waste mussels, via a combination of heat and acetic acid treatment, was investigated for its adsorptive properties and its possible use in wastewater remediation. The adsorption of two cationic dyes, methylene blue and safranin-O, on this material were evaluated through isothermal and kinetic modelling. The adsorption systems for both methylene blue and safranin-O can best be described using Langmuir isotherms and the respective adsorption capacities were 1.81 and 1.51 mg/g. The adsorption process was dominated by pseudo-second order rate kinetics. Comparisons are made with other mollusc-derived materials reported to date.
Marilena Koppa. The Evolution of the Common Security and Defence Policy: Critical Junctures and the Quest for EU Strategic Autonomy
Authors: Pilitauskas Ovidijus 
Published: April 2024

Marilena Koppa. The Evolution of the Common Security and Defence Policy: Critical Junctures and the Quest for EU Strategic Autonomy. St Antony’s Series. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2022 // https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99158-6.
Applied biomechanics within the Kinesiology discipline in higher education
Authors: Potop Vladimir , Mihailescu Liviu E. , Mahaila Ion , Zawadka-Kunikowska Monika , Jagiello Wladyslaw , Chernozub Andrii , Baican Mihai – Sebastian , Timnea Olivia Carmen , Ene-Voiculescu Carmen , Ascinte Alexandru 
Published: April 2024

Background and Study Aim. Biomechanics is a fundamental component of Kinesiology, offering critical insights into the mechanics of human movement. As the demand for comprehensive educational programs in Kinesiology grows, understanding the role and effectiveness of biomechanics within these programs becomes increasingly important. The aim of the study is to investigate and highlight the role and importance of biomechanics in the context of higher education, with an emphasis on the discipline of Kinesiology. Material and Methods. This study involved 71 students from the Department of Physical Education and Sport at Pitești University Center. It included 43 students specializing in Physical Education and Sport (PES) and 28 in Sports and Motor Performance (SMP). The research utilized the university's e-learning platform to monitor teaching and evaluation activities within the Kinesiology discipline. The evaluation of fundamental Kinesiology knowledge was assessed through various indicators. Google Forms-Questionnaire sought to gauge student opinions on the thematic content of Biomechanics as applied to Kinesiology and to evaluate the teaching staff. The nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis Test was employed to analyze differences in means across the groups. Results. The study revealed a diverse interest in sports across the Physical Education and Sport (PES) and Sports and Motor Performance (SMP) programs. Soccer, basketball, and handball were the most popular among students. Comparative analysis of academic performance showed no significant differences between the groups in various assessments (p>0.05). The overall student feedback on the "Fundamentals of Biomechanics of Physical Activities and Sports" course was predominantly positive. Over 50% of the students rated it as very good. Areas for improvement in teaching methods were also identified to enhance the academic experience. Conclusions. This study highlights the effective integration of biomechanics within the Kinesiology discipline at the higher education level. Findings suggest that well-structured educational programs can enhance students' understanding and application of biomechanics. This contributes positively to their academic and professional development in sports sciences. Continuous curriculum assessment and refinement are crucial for maintaining the relevance and effectiveness of such programs.
Circulating Proteins and IgA Nephropathy
Authors: Tang Chen , Chen Pei , Xu Lin-Lin , Lv Ji-Cheng , Shi Su-Fang , Zhou Xu-Jie , Liu Li-Jun , Zhang Hong 
Published: April 2024

Key Points

A multiancestry proteome-wide Mendelian randomization analysis was conducted for IgA nephropathy.The findings from the study would help prioritize new drug targets and drug-repurposing opportunities.

Background
The therapeutic options for IgA nephropathy are rapidly evolving, but early diagnosis and targeted treatment remain challenging. We aimed to identify circulating plasma proteins associated with IgA nephropathy by proteome-wide Mendelian randomization studies across multiple ancestry populations.

Methods
In this study, we applied Mendelian randomization and colocalization analyses to estimate the putative causal effects of 2615 proteins on IgA nephropathy in Europeans and 235 proteins in East Asians. Following two-stage network Mendelian randomization, multitrait colocalization analysis and protein-altering variant annotation were performed to strengthen the reliability of the results. A protein–protein interaction network was constructed to investigate the interactions between the identified proteins and the targets of existing medications.

Results
Putative causal effects of 184 and 13 protein–disease pairs in European and East Asian ancestries were identified, respectively. Two protein–disease pairs showed shared causal effects across them (CFHR1 and FCRL2). Supported by the evidence from colocalization analysis, potential therapeutic targets were prioritized and four drug-repurposing opportunities were suggested. The protein–protein interaction network further provided strong evidence for existing medications and pathways that are known to be therapeutically important.

Conclusions
Our study identified a number of circulating proteins associated with IgA nephropathy and prioritized several potential drug targets that require further investigation.
Comparison of surgical times of various total knee replacement techniques and assessment of learning curve of robotic total knee replacement: a retrospective study
Authors: Paravath Sameer Ali , Prasad Amarnath Anand Bhavan , Parambil Nabeel Mohammed Therakka , Gafoor Basheer Abdul , Damsas Lulu , Prince Alwin , Punathil Swetha 
Published: April 2024

Background: This study aims to compare the operating times of manual, computer-assisted and robotic- assisted TKA and to calculate the learning curve for image-less robotic-assisted TKA (RATKA).
Methods: This retrospective observational study, conducted at the Centre of Excellence, Bone, Joint and Spine, Meitra Hospital, Kozhikode, Kerala, India, focused on patients aged 60 and above undergoing total knee replacement for stage 4 osteoarthritis. The study included 75 consecutive cases of manual, computer- assisted, and robotic-assisted unilateral total knee arthroplasties performed between May 2021 and September 2022 (18 months). Data was collected from the hospital records.
Results: The surgeon transitioned from learning to proficiency phase of RATKA after 14 cases. In the robotic learning phase, the overall operative time was 113.14 minutes (±8.96), significantly longer than the robotic proficiency phase's average of 98.24 minutes (±2.98) and that of CATKA (99.57±10.700 minutes) and manual TKAs (97.01±7.17 minutes). No statistically significant difference was observed in the global operative time between the proficiency phase RATKAs and the CATKA and manual groups (p=0.139).
Conclusions: By optimizing techniques and modifying workflow, one can swiftly overcome the initial learning curve of RATKA and achieve operating times comparable to manual TKA. To enhance efficiency and productivity, the study proposes a revised workflow modifying various rate limiting surgical steps.