bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Experiences of emergency medical services personnel about barriers and facilitators in prehospital childbirth missions in Iran: a qualitative study
Authors: Ghocham Sirvan abbasi , Rashidi Sarina , Moradi Khalil , Vatandost Salam 
Published: May 2024

Objective: In Iran, the majority of emergency medical services (EMS) personnel are male; hence, one of their distinct and crucial missions is the prehospital childbirth mission, which might be significantly challenging for both personnel and patients. To obtain in-depth and authentic data, the present study was conducted to elucidate the barriers and facilitators of prehospital childbirth missions based on the experiences of EMS personnel.

Methods: A qualitative study employing conventional content analysis was conducted in 2023. Participants were selected through purposive sampling from EMS personnel willing to participate in the study and who have experiences with missions leading to childbirth. Data saturation was reached through in-depth semi-structured interviews with 14 participants. Data accuracy and credibility were confirmed using the Lincoln & Guba criteria.

Results: The results included two main themes including barriers and facilitators. Barriers were categorized into "gender-related barriers" and "personnel barriers." While "appropriate communication" and "efforts to preserve privacy" were the primary facilitator themes.

Conclusion: The findings revealed that EMS personnel face considerable barriers in the process of these missions. Therefore, for optimal performance quality in this prominent mission, it is recommended that clinical and educational policymakers consider actively recruiting female personnel, focusing on enhancing communication and practical skills and securing the patient's privacy. These approaches can result in childbirth missions with lower stress levels for patients, families, and personnel who provide the service.
The diagnostic value of T-wave to R–wave amplitude ratio on electrocardiogram in the diagnosis of hyperkalemia
Authors: Çinpolat Resul , Çorbacioğlu Şeref Kerem , Emektar Emine , Çevik Yunsur 
Published: May 2024

Objective: The aim of this study is determining the diagnostic value of the T-wave to R–wave amplitude ratio (T/R ratio) in the electrocardiogram (ECG) at the time of admission in terms of the diagnosis of hyperkalemia in patients who are at risk for hyperkalemia who apply to the emergency department (ED).

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with patients over 18 years of age who presented to the ED and have an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) below 60ml/min/1.73m2. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the potassium value; hyperkalemia and normokalaemia groups. T/R ratios were measured on the ECG. All measurements were made in these precordial leads; V2, V3, and VT highest (is defined as precordial lead where the T wave is measured the highest).
Results: A total of 345 patients with low eGFR were included. Hyperkalemia was detected in 115 (33.3%) of these patients, while 230 patients (66.6%) were in the normokalaemia group. T wave amplitude and T/R ratio were found to be statistically significantly increased in the hyperkalemia group in all leads (V2, V3, and VT highest). Area under the curve (AUC) values are 0.778 for T/R ratio and 0.717 for T wave amplitude.
Conclusion: The presence of increased T/R ratio in the ECG of patients with known low eGFR may be more helpful for the diagnosis of hyperkalemia than the classical hyperkalemia ECG findings.
Investigation of Increased Particle Size Distribution for PBF-LB/M Using Ti-6Al-4V
Authors: Ludwig Ina , Kluge Maximilian 
Published: May 2024

This study investigates the potential benefits of integrating coarser particle size distributions (PSDs) of 45-106 µm into laser-based powder bed fusion of metals (PBF-LB/M), aiming to reduce costs while maintaining quality standards. Despite the considerable advantages of PBF-LB/M in producing intricate geometries with high precision, the high cost of metal powders remains a barrier to widespread adoption. By exploring the use of coarser PSDs, particularly from electron beam-based powder bed fusion of metals (PBF-EB/M), significant cost-saving opportunities are identified. Through comprehensive powder characterization, process analysis, and mechanical property evaluation, this study demonstrates that PBF-LB/M can effectively utilize coarser powders while achieving comparable mechanical properties to those produced with 20-53 µm PSD. Adaptations in process parameters enable the successful processing of coarser powders, maintaining high-relative density components with minimal porosity. Additionally, market surveys reveal substantial cost differentials between PBF-LB/M and PBF-EB/M powders, indicating 40 % cost reduction potential by integrating coarser PSDs into PBF-LB/M. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the economic and technical feasibility of printing with coarser powders in PBF-LB/M, offering promising avenues for cost reduction without compromising quality, thus enhancing competitiveness and adoption of the technology in manufacturing applications.
Strong Correlation Between Standing Long-Leg Radiographs and CT Scans in Measuring Coronal Knee Alignment
Authors: Fontalis Andreas , Luyckx Thomas , Vanspauwen Thomas , Moreels Robin , Mancino Fabio , Raj Rhody David , Winnock de Grave Philip , Plastow Ricci , Putzeys Pierre , Haddad Fares S. 
Published: May 2024

Background:
The objective of this study was to evaluate the correlation in measurements of the lower-limb coronal alignment between long-leg radiographs (LLRs) and computed tomography (CT) scanograms that were made during preoperative planning for robotic-arm-assisted knee arthroplasty. On the basis of published evidence demonstrating a good correlation between these imaging modalities in measuring the lower-limb mechanical axis, we hypothesized that there would be no significant differences between the 2 in the present study.

Methods:
This multicenter cohort study across 3 tertiary centers included 300 patients undergoing primary robotic-arm-assisted total knee arthroplasty (TKA) or unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) for whom LLRs and CT scanograms were available preoperatively. The study involved measuring the medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA), lateral distal femoral angle (LDFA), hip-knee-ankle angle (HKA), joint line obliquity (JLO), joint-line convergence angle (JLCA), and arithmetic HKA (aHKA). The aHKA represents a method for estimating constitutional alignment using angles that are unaffected by joint-space narrowing.

Results:
Strong correlations (p < 0.001) between the imaging modalities were found for the HKA (correlation coefficient, 0.912), aHKA (0.883), MPTA (0.820), LDFA (0.871), and JLO (0.778). A weaker correlation was observed for the JLCA in valgus knees as compared with varus knees (Spearman coefficients, 0.412 and 0.518, respectively). Regression models demonstrated that the degree of agreement was associated with the preoperative intra-articular deformity and the positioning of the lower limb during the CT scan (i.e., the lower-limb rotational angle). An initial JLCA within ±5° was associated with higher agreement.

Conclusions:
We observed a strong correlation between LLRs and CT scanograms that were made during the preoperative planning stage of robotic-arm-assisted knee arthroplasty, implying that CT scanograms can reliably be utilized to estimate the coronal alignment of the knee, potentially replacing the need for LLRs. Nevertheless, to attain a higher degree of agreement, it is crucial to ensure appropriate radiographic positioning of the lower limb. Additionally, surgeons must remain vigilant regarding potential discrepancies in cases involving substantial deformities.

Level of Evidence:
Prognostic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Association between impairment of lung function and risk of anxiety and depression in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - A systematic review
Authors: Karlsen Johanne Hermann , Jørgensen Kirstine Hermann , Weinreich Ulla Møller 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background: This systematic review aims to evaluate the association between impairment of pulmonary function, anxiety and depression in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Methods: Literature search were performed using Embase and PubMed. Publications reporting association between forced expiratory volume in one second in percentage of expected value (FEV1(%)) and anxiety or depression in patients with COPD were included.
Results: 31 studies were included in the review, 15 allocated to anxiety group and 31 allocated to the depression group. Most were observational studies. Study population sizes ranged from 40 to 2147 patients. Three studies found a significant negative association between anxiety and FEV1(%), while five studies found a positive non-significant association between anxiety and FEV1(%). Fifteen studies found a significant negative association between FEV1(%) and depression. Especially the studies with larger study population sizes showed significant results.
Conclusion: This systematic review did not support an association between anxiety and impairment of pulmonary function as only 3/15 studies showed significant negative associations and some studies showed positive associations. This review indicated an association between depression and impairment pulmonary function in patients with COPD, as most studies with a larger study population size showed a significant negative association.
Registration: PROSPERO 2024 CRD42024506065
Clinical effect of sleeve gastrectomy on Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with obesity and diabetes mellitus
Authors: Ahn Yong Ju , Park Young Suk , Ahn Kung , Yun Kyeongeui , Jeong Jinuk , Baek Kyung-Wan , Kim Hyung-Ho , Han Kyudong 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Obesity and diabetes mellitus (DM) have become public health concerns worldwide. Both conditions have severe consequences and are associated with significant medical costs and productivity loss. Additionally, Helicobacter pylori infection may be a risk factor for the development of these conditions. However, whether eradicating H. pylori infection directly causes weight loss or improves insulin sensitivity is unknown. In this study, we confirmed the effect of sleeve gastrectomy according to the state of the gastric microbiota in 40 patients with obesity, DM, and H. pylori infection. Patients with obesity were divided into four groups: non-DM without H. pylori infection (ND), non-DM with H. pylori infection (ND-HP), DM, and DM with H. pylori infection (DM-HP) using 16S V3–V4 sequencing. In the DM group, ALT, hemoglobin, HbA1c, blood glucose, and HSI significantly decreased, whereas high-density lipoprotein significantly increased. However, in the H. pylori-positive group, no significant difference was observed. The diversity of gastric microbiota decreased in the order of the ND > DM > ND-HP > DM-HP groups. We also conducted a correlation analysis between the pre-operative microbes and clinical data. In the ND-HP group, most of the top 20 gastric microbiota were negatively correlated with glucose metabolism. However, H. pylori infection was positively correlated with pre-insulin levels. Therefore, these findings indicate that patients with obesity and diabetes clearly benefit from surgery, but H. pylori infection may also affect clinical improvement.
GLP-1 and Its Derived Peptides Mediate Pain Relief Through Direct TRPV1 Inhibition Without Affecting Thermoregulation
Authors: Park Chul-Kyu , Go Eun Jin , Jo Hyunjung , Hwang Sung-Min , Rahman Md. Mahbubur , Park Jaeik , Lee Ji Yeon , Jo Youn Yi , Jung YunJae , Berta Temugin , Kim Yong Ho 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Hormonal regulation during food ingestion and its association with pain prompted the investigation of the impact of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) on the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1). Both endogenous and synthetic GLP-1 and an antagonist of GLP-1, exendin 9–39, reduced heat sensitivity in naïve mice. GLP-1-derived peptides (liraglutide, exendin-4, and exendin 9–39) effectively inhibited capsaicin (CAP)-induced currents and calcium responses in cultured sensory neurons and TRPV1-expressing cell lines. Notably, the exendin 9–39 alleviated CAP-induced acute pain, as well as chronic pain induced by complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) and spared nerve injury (SNI) in mice, without causing hyperthermia associated with other TRPV1 inhibitors. Electrophysiological analyses revealed that exendin 9–39 binds to the extracellular side of TRPV1, functioning as a noncompetitive inhibitor of CAP. Exendin 9–39 did not affect proton-induced TRPV1 activation, suggesting its selective antagonism. Among exendin 9–39 fragments, exendin 20–29 specifically binds to TRPV1, alleviating pain in both acute and chronic pain models without interfering with GLP-1R function. Our study revealed a novel role for GLP-1 and its derivatives in pain relief, proposing exendin 20–29 as a promising therapeutic candidate.
Investigation of co-seismic stress and aftershock distribution along the Sumatra-Andaman Subduction Zone
Authors: Sukrungsri Santawat , Khamsiri Sutthikan , Pailoplee Santi 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate co-seismic stress and aftershock distribution along the Sumatra-Andaman subduction zone (SASZ). The fault parameters of six major earthquakes with an M ≥ 7 that occurred during 2010 – 2022 along the SASZ, were utilized to determine the Coulomb stress change using numerical modeling techniques calculated on the receiver faults with similar focal mechanisms of the mainshock, strike-slip, thrust, and normal faulting, respectively. The earthquake events were then classified to analyze the aftershocks of major earthquakes in the area. These aftershocks were mapped in order to determine the relationship between the aftershock distribution and the areas of increased or decreased stress. The relationship between the co-seismic stress and distribution of aftershocks in the SASZ was found to mainly depend on the focal mechanism of major earthquakes and the type of receiver fault used for calculation. After a major earthquake in the SASZ, there are two possible patterns that most aftershocks will be generated from in the areas of increased stress. First, a major earthquake is a type of thrust fault calculated on the receiver fault using the focal mechanism of the mainshock. Second, a major earthquake is a type of strike-slip fault calculated on the receiver fault with an optimum-oriented strike-slip fault. This relationship is likely to represent the specific pattern of the seismotectonic stress in the SASZ that can be used to evaluate the risk areas of aftershocks after a major earthquake has occurred. Furthermore, two earthquake events with large magnitudes were generated following the respective major earthquake in the SASZ that were located around the areas of increased stress, indicating that these two earthquake events were likely triggered in areas of increased stress following the respective major earthquake. Therefore, this study concluded that after a major earthquake occurrence in the SASZ, the areas of increased stress have a higher risk of generating both a large number of aftershocks and a new large-magnitude mainshock event. The investigation of co-seismic stress is very important to estimate areas of increased stress after a major earthquake, as this can be useful for monitoring both earthquake and tsunami hazards in the area.
The impact of climate change and technological innovation on economic recovery in sub-Saharan Africa: A machine learning perspective
Authors: Byaro Mwoya , Rwezaula Anicet 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a global economy slowdown. Sub-Saharan Africa’s (SSA) economy is gradually recovering from the pandemic. This study examines whether climate change variables (such as temperature, carbon dioxide emissions) and technological innovation (measured by total patent applications) can forecast the economic recovery of 19 selected countries in SSA from 2000 to 2022. We applied Kernel-based Regularized Least Squares (KRLS), a machine learning technique, while controlling for financial development, human capital and inflation rates. Our findings indicate that climate change exerts a negative and significant influence on SSA's economic recovery. Specifically, rise in average annual surface temperature change and carbon dioxide emissions decrease in economic recovery. An increase in average technological innovation improves in economic recovery. Inflation rate is associated with reduction in economic recovery. We discuss policy implications and mechanisms through which technological innovation and climate change affect the SSA economy, offering practical policy suggestions.
Genet identity and season drive gene expression in outplanted Acropora palmata at different reef sites.
Authors: Young Benjamin , Williams Dana , Bright Allan , Peterson Annie , Traylor-Knowles Nikki , Rosales Stephanie 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Coral reefs are experiencing decreases in coral cover due to anthropogenic influences. Coral restoration is addressing this decline by outplanting large volumes of corals onto reef systems. Understanding how outplanted corals react at a transcriptomic level to different outplant locations over time is important, as it will highlight how habitat affects the coral host and influences physiological measures. In this study, the transcriptomic dynamics of four genets of outplanted Acropora palmatawere assessed over a year at three reef sites in the Florida Keys. Genet identity was more important than time of sampling or outplant site, with differing levels of baseline immune and protein production the key drivers. Once accounting for genet, enriched growth processes were identified in the winter, and increased survival and immune expression were found in the summer. The effect of the reef site was small, with hypothesized differences in autotrophic versus heterotrophic dependent on outplant depth. We hypothesize that genotype identity is an important consideration for reef restoration, as differing baseline gene expression could play a role in survivorship and growth. Additionally, outplanting during cooler winter months may be beneficial due to higher expression of growth processes, allowing establishment of outplants on the reef system.
Development of a Supervised Robotic Prototype for Citrus Harvesting
Authors: Jossy Nasasira , Chinechere Umezuruike , Uzorka Afam , Erick Yuma , Gusite Balyejusa 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Citrus harvesting has been done manually for the past Sixty-Two (62) years in Eastern Uganda, where commercial citrus cultivation started in the 1960s. Farmers use employees to help in harvesting so that fruits can be picked on schedule. At this point, the hired harvesters gather in gardens and divide up the harvesting tasks among themselves. Some climb citrus trees to reach the ripe citrus fruits on the branches, while others gather fruits on the ground, pack them into sacks, and then transport the sacks of fruits to the required stores. Thereafter, a prototype was developed using a design science approach, and a field-oriented algorithm (FOC) was used to set power and torque during the programming of the actuators for speed regulations. After that, the validation process of the robot was determined by using a stopwatch such that to calculate the time it takes for the developed system to carry out the tasks successfully while in the field and the results showed that it picked up six citruses (6) fruits in five seconds (5 sec) from the ground per two (2) revolutions of the picking mechanism. Compared to hand harvesting, the prototype's storage capacity findings showed that it could only hold forty (40) citrus fruits, which were filled in 33.4 seconds, maximizing harvesting efficiency. And this was achieved by getting 6 citrus fruits collected per two revolutions divided by the 40 which is the maximum storage capacity that was determined after the robot loading for 6 rounds as shown below in the full load capacity = (40/6 = 6.67kgs), then during the study, the time it takes to load to full capacity = 6.67 * 5 = 33.4 seconds. Therefore, this research is highly recommended to citrus farmers in Soroti such that low labor, high quality, and less time are achieved by farmers during harvesting.
Selective embolisation of an idiopathic bronchial artery pseudoaneurysm presenting with recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy: a case report
Authors: Copping Ross , Ng Nico , Osman Shady 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background: Bronchial artery pseudoaneurysms (BAP) or aneurysms (BAA) are rare, potentially life-threatening and remain poorly understood. They are most commonly idiopathic but may be associated with a number of other disease processes. Bronchial artery embolisation (BAE) is considered the first line treatment while surgical techniques are reserved for patients with a clear contraindication to embolisation or where anatomical factors preclude an endovascular approach.
Case presentation: We present an interesting case of a 56 year-old male presenting with an idiopathic unruptured right BAP causing clinical and radiological signs of left recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy. He was otherwise clinically well with no other reported symptoms and no significant past medical history. There were no significant findings on work-up and investigation. He was ultimately treated successfully with selective transarterial coil embolization of the right bronchial artery. This is an atypical presentation of a rare clinical entity and has not previously been published in the literature to our knowledge.
Conclusions: BAPs and BAAs are highly variable in their presentation, ranging from incidental asymptomatic findings to catastrophic haemorrhage, depending on their location and if they are contained or ruptured. Timely diagnosis and referral to facilitate urgent embolisation is essential to prevent potentially serious clinical sequelae. Endovascular treatment in the form of BAE is considered first line.