bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Benchmark findings from a veteran electronic patient-reported outcomes evaluation from a chronic pain management telehealth program
Authors: Haun Jolie N. , Fowler Christopher A. , Smith Bridget M. , Cao Lishan , Stroupe Kevin T. , Lapcevic William A. , Saenger Michael S. , Benzinger Rachel C. , French Dustin D. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Chronic pain is a leading cause of disability and negatively impacts biological/physical, psychological, and social aspects of life resulting in significant pain interference or disability. This project was part of a longitudinal mixed-methods implementation evaluation of the TelePain-Empower Veterans Program (EVP), a non-pharmacological chronic pain intervention. The purpose of this quality management project was to examine electronic patient-reported outcome measures (ePROs) including primary pain-related (intensity, interference, catastrophizing, kinesiophobia) and secondary outcomes (physical, psychological, acceptance, social) to determine TelePain-EVP effectiveness. Secondary purpose was to examine dosing effects to better understand potential dose relationships between EVP use and ePROs.

Methods
Standardized ePRO measures were examined at week 1 (baseline), week 10 (post-EVP), and week 26 (follow-up). Qualtrics, a cloud-based platform was used to collect ePRO data at each time point. Veterans that completed at-least one survey at any specified time point were categorized as responders (n = 221). Linear-mixed models (LMMs) were fit to assess changes for each primary and secondary ePRO.

Results
Participants ranged from 24 to 81 years old; veterans were typically male (65.16%), black or African American (76.47%), married or partnered (41.63%), attended at-least some college or vocational school (67.87%), and reported low back as their primary pain location (29.41%). There was a significant decrease in pain catastrophizing from baseline to post-TelePain-EVP (p < .001). However, pain catastrophizing improvement from baseline was not present at week 26 (p = .116). Pain interference also decreased from baseline to post-treatment (p = .05), but this improvement did not exceed the adjusted significance threshold. Additional pre-post improvements were also observed for certain secondary ePROs: psychological (anxiety, depression), acceptance (activities engagement). Only the activities engagement effect remained 26 weeks from baseline. Mixed results were observed for EVP dose across primary and secondary outcomes.

Conclusions
Evidence from this evaluation indicate that TelePain-EVP has positive outcomes for certain pain (catastrophizing), psychological (anxiety, depression), and acceptance (activities engagement) for veterans with chronic pain. More TelePain related studies and enterprise-wide evaluations are needed along with comparative and cost effectiveness methods to determine patient benefits and the economic value gained of treatment options such as TelePain-EVP.
Relationships between pig farm management and facilities and lung lesions' scores and between lung lesions scores and carcass characteristics
Authors: Kuberka Zbigniew , Mee John F. , Walaszek-Kayaoglu Aurelia , Klimowicz-Bodys Małgorzata D. , Dors Arkadiusz , Rząsa Anna 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
The objective of this study was to examine the inter-relationships between pig farm management and facilities (as assessed by questionnaire) and post-mortem lung lesion (lung score assesment), which are the result of respiratory infections. The relationships between carcass characteristics and post-mortem lung lesion scores were also investigated.

Results
Questionnaire responses were collected from 22 self-selecting pig farmers about their farm facilities/management and health condition of the respiratory system of pigs, including the occurrence of clinical respiratory signs, results of laboratory testing for respiratory pathogens, and the use of respiratory vaccines. When fatteners were sent to the abattoir, their carcasses (n = 1,976) were examined for evidence of respiratory disease by lung lesion (pleuritis pneumonia-like (PP-like) and enzootic pneumonia-like (EP-like) lesions) scoring and the Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae Index (APPI) was calculated. Carcass characteristics were recorded and, retrospectively, the prevalence of cachectic pigs was calculated. Using these variables, the relationships between farm facilities/management and lung lesions scores and the relationships between the latter and carcass characteristics and cachexia were explored. The key findings relating farm facilities and management to lung lesions were: slatted floors were associated with significantly higher EP-like lesions scores than litter bedding in weaners, single-stage fattening in the same building was associated with significantly higher EP-like lesions scores than two-stage fattening, but herd size, stocking density, use of all-in/all-out (AIAO) rule, technological break duration and variation in daily temperature did not affect lung lesions scores. The key findings relating lung lesion scores to carcass characteristics were: a significant, negative correlation between EP-like scores and carcass weight but not with other carcass characteristics, a significant positive correlation between PP-like scores and carcass meat content and prevalence of cachectic carcasses and a significant positive correlation between lung APPI and prevalence of cachectic carcasses.

Conclusions
It can be concluded that both farm facilities and management affect lung lesions scores and that the latter affect carcass characteristics. Lung lesion scoring is an inexpensive technique suitable for rapid monitoring of large numbers of carcasses that can be performed after animal slaughter. It provides useful information to inform producers about possible deficits in farm facilities or management and is a predictor of economic loss due to poorer quality carcasses.
Design and evaluation of mobile application for adolescents’ self-care: protocol for a randomized controlled field trial
Authors: Rezaee Razieh , Ghaffari Mohtasham , Rabiei Reza , Kavousi Amir , Rakhshanderou Sakineh 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Adolescence is a critical stage for the development of self-care. Many adolescents use mobile apps to monitor and improve their health. Health information technology plays a significant role in the field of self-care. This article provides a protocol for a study to design and evaluate mobile applications for adolescent self-care.

Methods
The present research is a combination of applied development study, methodological, and intervention experimental. This study will be done in three stages: The first stage is the design and evaluation of a mobile application for adolescent self-care. The second stage is, designing and evaluating the psychometric properties of the “Questionnaire for Measuring Adolescent Self-Care Performance.” This questionnaire will be used before and after using the application in the third stage. The third stage is determining the effectiveness of self-care interventions based on mobile applications among adolescents. The target group will be adolescents aged 10–19 from the schools of Amol City. In the first stage, the opinions of 30 people adolescents, parents, and experts will be used. In the second stage, the number of samples will be 10 times the number of items in the questionnaire. In the third stage, 50 people will be in the intervention group and 50 people will be in the control group. Descriptive statistics will be used for data analysis. Between-group and intra-group comparisons will be calculated about quantitative variables, independent t-test and paired t-test, and analysis of variance. The chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test will be used in SPSS 16 software to test the homogeneity of qualitative variables between the two groups.

Discussion
In the first stage, based on the opinions received from the target group, a user-centered educational application for self-care of adolescents will be designed. In the second stage, after determining the validity and reliability, a questionnaire will be designed to measure the self-care performance of adolescents. In the third stage, using an intervention study for 3 months, the effectiveness of the training will be determined through the designed application. Our findings are scheduled for a full analysis, with expectations that analyses will be completed by September 2023.
Sex differences in the physiological responses to cardiac rehabilitation: a systematic review
Authors: Bouakkar J. , Pereira T.J. , Johnston H. , Pakosh M. , Drake J. D. M. , Edgell H. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in Canada. Many heart disease patients are referred for cardiac rehabilitation, a multidisciplinary outpatient program often consisting of exercise training. Cardiac rehabilitation has been proven to be a successful secondary preventative measure in reducing mortality and improving overall health in heart disease patients, and its completion is important for both sexes as there is growing evidence that women benefit as much as men, if not more, with regard to mortality. It is important to note that previous studies have shown that healthy men and women respond differently to aerobic and resistance training, possibly due to hormones, body composition, autonomic and/or cardiovascular differences. However, evaluating sex differences in the efficacy of standard cardiac rehabilitation programs has not yet been fully explored with many studies investigating clinical or anthropometric data but not physiological outcomes. This systematic review aimed to investigate physiological differences in male and female heart disease patients after cardiac rehabilitation. The inclusion criteria were purposefully broad to encompass many cardiac rehabilitation scenarios, many cardiac disease states, and various program lengths and intensities with the intention of highlighting strengths and weaknesses of the current body of literature.

Methods
To conduct a synthesis without meta-analysis, a search strategy was generated to examine the relationships between heart disease patients, a supervised exercise program, physiological outcomes, and sex differences. The review was registered (Prospero: CRD42021251614) and the following databases were searched from inception to 19 December 2023: APA PsycInfo (Ovid), CINAHL Complete (EBSCOhost), Embase (Ovid), Emcare Nursing (Ovid), Medline All (Ovid; includes PubMed non-Medline), and Web of Science Core Collection. Eighty-eight studies pertaining to fitness, metabolism, body composition, respiratory function, cardiac function and C-reactive protein underwent data extraction.

Results and conclusions
Importantly, this review suggests that men and women respond similarly to a wide-range of cardiac rehabilitation programs in most physiological variables. However, many studies discussing maximal oxygen consumption, functional capacity, six-minute walk distances, and grip strength suggest that men benefit more. Further research is required to address certain limitations, such as appropriate statistical methods and type/intensity of exercise interventions.
Refining risk prediction in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia through DNA methylation profiling
Authors: Mosquera Orgueira Adrián , Krali Olga , Pérez Míguez Carlos , Peleteiro Raíndo Andrés , Díaz Arias José Ángel , González Pérez Marta Sonia , Pérez Encinas Manuel Mateo , Fernández Sanmartín Manuel , Sinnet Daniel , Heyman Mats , Lönnerholm Gudmar , Norén-Nyström Ulrika , Schmiegelow Kjeld , Nordlund Jessica 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAcute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most prevalent cancer in children, and despite considerable progress in treatment outcomes, relapses still pose significant risks of mortality and long-term complications. To address this challenge, we employed a supervised machine learning technique, specifically random survival forests, to predict the risk of relapse and mortality using array-based DNA methylation data from a cohort of 763 pediatric ALL patients treated in Nordic countries. The relapse risk predictor (RRP) was constructed based on 16 CpG sites, demonstrating c-indexes of 0.667 and 0.677 in the training and test sets, respectively. The mortality risk predictor (MRP), comprising 53 CpG sites, exhibited c-indexes of 0.751 and 0.754 in the training and test sets, respectively. To validate the prognostic value of the predictors, we further analyzed two independent cohorts of Canadian (n = 42) and Nordic (n = 384) ALL patients. The external validation confirmed our findings, with the RRP achieving a c-index of 0.667 in the Canadian cohort, and the RRP and MRP achieving c-indexes of 0.529 and 0.621, respectively, in an independent Nordic cohort. The precision of the RRP and MRP models improved when incorporating traditional risk group data, underscoring the potential for synergistic integration of clinical prognostic factors. The MRP model also enabled the definition of a risk group with high rates of relapse and mortality. Our results demonstrate the potential of DNA methylation as a prognostic factor and a tool to refine risk stratification in pediatric ALL. This may lead to personalized treatment strategies based on epigenetic profiling.
Systemic risk assessment of Lithuanian second-pillar pension funds through connectedness and spillover
Authors: Kabašinskas Audrius 
Published: March 2024

AbstractPension funds are an essential part of retirement planning, and their performance and risks play a significant role in ensuring financial stability for retirees. This study aims to analyse the connectedness and spillover effects in the Lithuanian second-pillar pension fund market. The findings of this study provide insight on the interdependence within the second-pillar pension funds market and with other financial markets, and contribute to a better understanding of the risk-return trade-off of pension funds, especially during high-volatility periods. Differently from other studies in this paper market regimes are identified using Hidden Markov Models (HMM). Interdependence (including multivariate and non-linear) and causality between pension funds are analysed in different market regimes. Finally, returns spillover in different regimes is estimated using VAR and VECM models. The results of this paper are expected to be useful for pension fund managers, participants, and pension system supervisors in making decisions about investment strategies and in practices of systemic risk management regulation.
Specific emitter identification based on ensemble domain adversarial neural network in multi-domain environments
Authors: Li Dingshan , Yao Bin , Sun Pu , Li Peitong , Yan Jianfeng , Wang Juzhen 
Published: March 2024

AbstractSpecific emitter identification is pivotal in both military and civilian sectors for discerning the unique hardware distinctions inherent to various launchers, it can be used to implement security in wireless communications. Recently, a large number of deep learning-based methods for specific emitter identification have been proposed, achieving good performance. However, these methods are trained based on a large amount of data and the data are independently and identically distributed. In actual complex environments, it is very difficult to obtain reliable labeled data. Aiming at the problems of difficulty in data collection and annotation, and the large difference in distribution between training data and test data, a method for individual radiation source identification based on ensemble domain adversarial neural network was proposed. Specifically, a domain adversarial neural network is designed and a Transformer encoder module is added to make the features obey Gaussian distribution and achieve better feature alignment. Ensemble classifiers are then used to enhance the generalization and reliability of the model. In addition, three real and complex migration environments, Alpine–Montane Channel, Plain-Hillock Channel, and Urban-Dense Channel, were constructed, and experiments were conducted on WiFi dataset. The simulation results show that the proposed method exhibits superior performance compared to the other six methods, with an accuracy improvement of about 3%.
Response mechanism of soil microorganisms to simulated precipitation in the source wetland of Qinghai Lake
Authors: Wang Xinye , Zhang Ni , Chen Kelong , Chen Tiexi , Qi Desheng , Ma Yuanxi 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Changes in precipitation patterns crucially impact soil microbial communities, and the ecosystem in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) is highly vulnerable to climate change. However, we do not fully understand how soil microbial communities in the source wetlands of QTP respond to changes in precipitation. In this study, we employed advanced techniques such as high-throughput sequencing and metabolomics to investigate how soil microbial communities in a source wetland of Qinghai Lake respond to changes in precipitation after quadrennial precipitation treatment.

Results
Our findings showed that the predominant microbiota in the source wetland was Proteobacteria. Interestingly, alterations in precipitation levels, whether increased or reduced, did not significantly impact the diversity or functional groups of the microbial community. However, the structure of the microbial community did respond notably to changes in precipitation, leading to shifts in the relative abundance of Spirochaetes and Treponema. A notable finding was that reduced precipitation levels (– 25% and − 50%) and mild increases in precipitation (25%) within the region contributed to increased soil carbon content. However, this effect ceased to manifest when precipitation increased by 50%. Additionally, the reduction in precipitation prompted the release of soil metabolites like syringic acid and aldosterone, while enhanced precipitation resulted in a decrease in aldosterone content.

Conclusions
Precipitation changes altered the relative abundance of soil microbial communities and metabolites, which was conducive to increasing carbon storage in this alpine wetland.
C-Test construct validity: Evidence from nonparametric item response theory
Authors: Shoahosseini Roya , Baghaei Purya , Khodabakhshzadeh Hossein , Ashraf Hamid 
Published: March 2024

AbstractC-Test is a gap-filling test designed to measure first and second language proficiency. Over the past four decades, researchers have shown the fit of C-Test data to parametric item response theory (IRT) models, but no study so far has shown the fit of C-Tests to nonparametric IRT models. The purpose of this study is to contribute to the ongoing C-Test validation project by providing evidence of fit to the Mokken scale analysis as a widely used nonparametric IRT model. A six-passage C-Test battery was analyzed using the monotone homogeneity model and the double monotonicity model of Mokken. Unidimensionality was evaluated using the automatic item selection procedure. Findings showed that the C-Test passages form a strong unidimensional scale, fit well to the monotone homogeneity model, and, after deleting one item, have a sufficient fit to the double monotonicity model. The findings also indicated that the items form a hierarchy, and persons can be located on an ordinal scale using their C-Test sum scores. Implications of the study for C-Test validity and application are discussed.
English language teachers’ attitudes toward using electronic portfolio on Iranian EFL learners’ speaking: a grounded theory approach
Authors: Esmaeilee Soheila 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIn recent decades, technology has changed the methods of teaching and assessment in educational settings all over the world. One notable innovation that has gained prominence in English language teaching (ELT) is the utilization of e-portfolios to evaluate and enhance students’ writing and, potentially, speaking skills. While students have shown positive attitudes toward integrating e-portfolios in speaking classes, teachers’ attitudes toward this pedagogical method remain undisclosed. Therefore, this study investigates teachers’ attitudes toward e-portfolios in speaking classes based on the data collected from semi-structured and focused group interviews. The data was obtained from the Iran Language Institute (ILI), a leading institution for teaching English in Tehran. A grounded theory approach was used to analyze and evaluate 10 semi-structured interviews and focus groups. While some challenges are to overcome, teachers appear positive about implementing e-portfolios in speaking classes. As a result of teachers’ attitudes towards e-portfolios, four categories emerged: ownership and responsibility, reflection (peer and self), teacher self-improvement, and drawbacks.
Impact of skeletal muscle mass on postoperative complications in oral cancer surgery
Authors: Fujii Arisa , Suzuki Taiki , Sakai Katsuhiko , Matsuura Nobuyuki , Sugahara Keisuke , Katakura Akira , Nomura Takeshi 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Sarcopenia is characterized by a progressive and generalized loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the impact of skeletal muscle mass on adverse events in free-flap reconstruction for defects after oral cancer resection.

Results
Of 120 patients, recipient-site adverse events occurred in 56 patients (46.7%), and recipient-site surgical site infections occurred in 45 patients (37.5%). Skeletal muscle index was significantly associated with recipient-site adverse events in univariate analysis (P < 0.05). Lower body mass index and skeletal muscle index were significantly associated with recipient-site surgical site infection in univariate analysis (P < 0.05). In the multiple logistic regression model, a lower skeletal muscle index was a significant risk factor for recipient-site adverse events and surgical site infections (adverse events odds ratio; 3.17/P = 0.04; surgical site infection odds ratio; 3.76/P = 0.02).

Conclusions
The SMI at level Th12 was an independent factor for postoperative AEs, especially SSI, in OSCC patients with free-flap reconstruction.
Enhanced revision rhinoplasty with processed costal cartilage guided by preoperative computed tomography and 3D scanning
Authors: Szychta Pawel 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Revision rhinoplasty presents unique challenges, particularly in achieving structural integrity and aesthetic harmony. This study explores the efficacy of costal grafts in addressing these challenges, focusing on anatomical corrections and patient outcomes.

Materials and methods
A prospective analysis was conducted on patients undergoing revision rhinoplasty with costal grafts. An algorithmic approach was applied to tailor the surgical technique to individual anatomical needs, documented through pre- and postoperative assessments, including CT imaging and 3D scanning.

Results
A total of 34 patients were included. Significant improvements were noted in nasal structure and function post-surgery. The mean NOSE score improved from 94.47 ± 5.48 preoperatively to 12.59 ± 13.43 postoperatively, and the mean ROE score increased from 18.44 ± 10.02 to 92.65 ± 13.00, indicating substantial enhancement in both nasal airway function and patient satisfaction. The use of costal grafts facilitated effective corrections for a broad spectrum of nasal deformities, with a complication rate of 2.94%.

Conclusions
Costal grafts in revision rhinoplasty offer a versatile and effective solution for complex nasal deformities. The algorithmic approach used in this study enhances repeatability and outcomes, suggesting a promising avenue for achieving desired aesthetic and functional results in revision cases. Further research is warranted to optimize techniques and evaluate long-term outcomes.

Level of evidence
II.