bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Risk of Recurrent Stroke and Mortality Among Black and White Patients With Poststroke Depression
Authors: Gomberg Jack , Stein Laura K. , Dhamoon Mandip S. 
Published: April 2024

BACKGROUND:
Poststroke depression (PSD) is a treatable and common complication of stroke that is underdiagnosed and undertreated in minority populations. We compared outcomes of Black and White patients with PSD in the United States to assess whether race is independently associated with the risk of recurrent stroke and mortality.

METHODS:

We used deidentified Medicare data from inpatient, outpatient, and subacute nursing facilities for Black and White US patients from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2019, to perform this retrospective cohort analysis.
International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision
codes were used to identify patients diagnosed with depression within 6 months of index stroke with no depression diagnosis 1-year preceding index stroke. We performed an unadjusted Kaplan-Meier analysis of the cumulative risk of recurrent stroke up to 3 years after index acute ischemic stroke admission and all-cause mortality following acute ischemic stroke stratified by Black and White race. We performed adjusted and reduced Cox regression to calculate hazard ratios for the main predictor of race (Black versus White), for recurrent stroke and all-cause mortality, adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities, characteristics of the hospitalization, and acute stroke interventions.

RESULTS:

Of 474 770 Medicare patients admitted with acute index stroke, 443 486 were categorized as either Black or White race and 35 604 fulfilled our criteria for PSD. Within the PSD cohort, 25 451 (71.5%) had no death or recurrent stroke within 6 months and 5592 (15.7%) had no death or readmission of any cause within 6 months. Black patients with PSD had a persistently elevated cumulative risk of recurrent stroke compared with White patients with PSD up to 3 years following acute ischemic stroke (log-rank
P
=0.0011). In our reduced multivariable model, Black patients had a 19.8% (hazard ratio, 1.198 [95% CI, 1.022–1.405];
P
=0.0259) greater risk of recurrent stroke than White patients. The unadjusted cumulative risk of all-cause mortality was higher in this cohort of older White patients with PSD compared with Black patients; however, this difference disappeared with adjustment for age and other cofactors.

CONCLUSIONS:
Black patients with PSD face a persistently elevated risk of recurrent stroke compared with White patients but a similar risk of all-cause mortality. Our findings support that black race is an independent predictor of recurrent stroke in patients with PSD and highlight the need to address social determinants of health and systemic racism that impact poststroke outcomes among racial minorities.
Graph theory-based analysis reveals neural anatomical network alterations in chronic post-traumatic stress disorder
Authors: Huang Chuan , Hagan Thomas , Kritikos Minos , Suite Daniel , Zhao Tianyun , Carr Melissa A. , Meija-Santiago Stephanie , Invernizzi Azzurra , Horton Megan , Lucchini Roberto G. , Bromet Evelyn J. , Kotov Roman , Clouston Sean A. P. , Luft Benjamin J. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Multimodal imaging using network connectivity techniques shows promise for investigating neuropathology influencing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptom maintenance and course. We recruited World Trade Center (WTC) responders who continued to suffer from chronic PTSD into a diffusion tensor neuroimaging protocol (n = 100), along with nine unexposed controls without PTSD from other sources. Using a graph theory approach to probe network alterations in brain diffusion images, we calculated weighted characteristics path length (wCPL) as a surrogate marker for the effective neuroanatomical distance between anatomical nodes. The sample (N = 109; 47 with chronic PTSD) was in their mid-fifties, and the majority were male. Responders were matched in terms of cognitive performance, occupation, and demographics. The anatomical connectivity graph was constructed for each participant using deterministic diffusion tractography. We identified a significant difference in wCPL between trauma-exposed WTC responders (Cohen’s d = 0.42, p &lt; 0.001) that was highest in people with PTSD, and not explained by WTC exposure severity or duration. We also found that wCPL was associated with PTSD symptom severity in responders with PTSD. In the largest study to date to examine the relationship between chronic PTSD and anatomy, we examined the anatomical topography of neural connections and found that wCPL differed between the PTSD+ and PTSD- diagnostic categories.
Economic Sanctions against Russia: Questions of Legality and Legitimacy
Authors: Hayashi Mika , Yamaguchi Akihiro 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Despite the apparent aggression by Russia against Ukraine, the legality of the autonomous (‘non-UN’) economic sanctions against Russia remains uncertain. Measures adopted as sanctions are generally assumed to be lawful by those states imposing such sanctions. The same sanctions are denounced as illegal by Russia and also by a number of other states. The question of legitimacy of these sanctions is also divisive. As the main criticism of these sanctions pertains to their ‘unilateral’ nature, an initial response to such criticism is to attempt to present sanctions as actually being collective UN sanctions. However, assimilating autonomous economic sanctions to collective sanctions under UN auspices is an untenable argument. Another justification proposed is labelling the sanctions as so-called ‘third-party countermeasures.’ However, the debate on the entitlement of third states to take countermeasures remains inconclusive. Moreover, there is no evidence that states imposing sanctions against Russia rely on such legal justification.
The Non-Believing Jew: A Historical Survey of Judaism’s Engagement with Atheism
Authors: Langton Daniel R. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
How important is atheism for Jewish history and Jews for the history of atheism? Modern Jewish histories have tended to focus on Jewish secularization rather than atheism, and historical surveys of atheism in the West have tended to neglect the Jewish experience which is subsumed in the Judeo-Christian tradition. It is possible to make the case that the secularization narrative privileges social change over Jewish intellectual engagement with non-belief, and that just as Jewish and Christian conceptions of theism differ, so do their atheisms. Jewish historical attitudes towards atheism are complicated and have shifted over time. Here, skeptical tendencies, that is, attitudes and ideas that would be associated later with atheism, will be considered alongside claims about atheism per se.
Mariia Olsuf’eva
Authors: Sicari Ilaria 
Published: April 2024

The Iron Curtain was extremely permeable to cultural objects, as demonstrated by the birth and development in the late Fifties of tamizdat, a transnational publishing practice that managed to overcome these boundaries. Following the publication of the first Italian tamizdat in 1957––Boris Pasternak’s Doctor Zhivago––a stream of uncensored Soviet literary texts began to flow unstoppably and clandestinely from the USSR into the catalogues of Italian publishing houses.
This essay aims to outline translators’ role in the dissemination of unofficial Soviet literature in Italy, and in the creation of a network of transnational cultural exchanges. As an illustration of how translators functioned as cultural actors in transmitting these texts, I will discuss the contribution by Mariia Olsuf’eva (1907-1988) to the diffusion of unofficial Soviet literature in Italy. Moreover, through in-depth sociological analysis of the documents of her personal archives as well as those of selected Italian publishing houses (Mondadori, Il Saggiatore), my reconstruction of Olsuf’eva’s microhistory will allow us to assess the translator’s contribution to the transnational socialization of these texts, in this case by creating a transnational community of cultural and social actors.
Investigating Arctic Cyclone–Tropopause Polar Vortex Interactions with Idealized Observing System Simulation Experiments
Authors: Bray Matthew T. , Cavallo Steven M. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Arctic cyclones (ACs) are a primary driver of surface weather in the Arctic, contributing to heat and moisture transport and forcing short-term sea ice variability. Still, our understanding of the processes that drive ACs, particularly their large scales and long lifetimes, is limited. ACs are commonly associated with one or more cyclonic tropopause polar vortices (TPVs), potential vorticity (PV) anomalies in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere that may spur baroclinic development in the surface system, though the exact processes that link the two have yet to be fully explored. In this study, we investigate physical links between TPVs, especially their mesoscale structure and moisture profiles, and ACs with idealized observing system simulation experiments (OSSEs). Starting with a nature run, we simulate different types of dropsonde observations over a TPV during the nascent phase of a nearby AC. The Model for Prediction Across Scales (MPAS) and the Data Assimilation Research Testbed (DART) ensemble adjustment Kalman filter are then used to run experiments to test the impact of these detailed TPV observations. In addition to a control, five main experiments are conducted, assimilating new observations of temperature and humidity. All experiments reduce forecast errors at the surface and throughout the troposphere. Additional humidity observations alter vertical PV distributions, which in turn impact the development of the AC. Experiments with additional temperature observations exhibit improvements in TPV structure and surrounding PV features and produce stronger surface cyclones with skillful TPV forecasts for up to 36 h longer than the control.

Significance Statement
Arctic cyclones (ACs) are a weather feature that can produce high winds, precipitation, and changes to sea ice cover in the Arctic. As a result, forecasting these storms accurately is important for human and economic interests in the region; however, there are currently gaps in our understanding of how ACs strengthen and persist. In this study, we explore potential links between ACs and weather features higher up in the atmosphere called tropopause polar vortices (TPVs) using computer modeling experiments. This study shows that there are important connections between the characteristics of TPVs and the development of ACs. These findings will be useful for making more accurate forecasts of future events and advancing our knowledge of how sea ice changes relate to the atmosphere.
The Role of Procalcitonin in Predicting Failure of Non-operative Management in Bowel Obstructions
Authors: Gee Kaylan N. , Clegg Devin J. , Salomon Brett J. , Rowe Anthony Shaun , McKnight Lindsay C. 
Published: April 2024

Procalcitonin has been investigated as a marker for bowel ischemia. This study examined the role of procalcitonin in predicting failure of non-operative management (NOM) in bowel obstructions. Patients with bowel obstructions at a single center from August 2022 to January 2023 were prospectively enrolled (n = 79). Lactic acid (LA) and procalcitonin were collected after surgical consultation. The primary outcome was success or failure of NOM. Univariate analysis, multivariable logistic regression, and performance measures of procalcitonin and LA in predicting bowel ischemia was performed. Of 79 patients included, 48 (61%) required operative intervention during index admission. There were no significant differences in demographics, comorbidities, procalcitonin, nor LA between groups. Time from last bowel movement was associated with failure of NOM (OR 1.03 [95% CI 1.01-1.06]; P = .008), though initial procalcitonin or LA was not. Procalcitonin >.3 ng/mL had acceptable sensitivity in screening for bowel ischemia.
Time to Mobility Is Associated With Pulmonary Complications in Patients With Spine Fractures
Authors: Jackson Michael L. , Thomas Samuel C. , Joyner Matthew R. , Hu Mengjie , Larry Lee Yann-Leei , Capasso Thomas , Polite Nathan M. , Kinnard Christopher M. , Mbaka Maryann I. , Williams Ashley , Simmons Jon D. , Butts Charles C. 
Published: April 2024

Introduction Treatment of spine fractures may require periods of prolonged immobilization which prevents effective pulmonary toileting. We hypothesized that patients with longer time to mobilization, as measured by time to first physical therapy (PT) session, would have higher pulmonary complications. Methods We performed a retrospective review of all trauma patients with cervical and thoracolumbar spinal fractures admitted to a level 1 trauma center over a 12-month period. Demographic data collection included age, gender, BMI, pulmonary comorbidities, concomitant rib fractures, admission GCS, Injury Severity Score (ISS), GCS at 24 h, treatment with cervical or thoracolumbar immobilization, and time to first PT evaluation. The primary outcome was the presence of any one of the following complications: unplanned intubation, pneumonia, or mortality at 30 days. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess significant predictors of pulmonary complication. Results In total, 491 patients were identified. In terms of overall pulmonary complications, 10% developed pneumonia, 13% had unplanned intubation, and 6% died within 30 days. In total, 19% developed one or more complication. Overall, 25% of patients were seen by PT <48 h, 33% between 48 and 96 h, 19% at 96 h to 1 week, and 7% > 1 week. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that time to PT session (OR 1.010, 95% CI 1.005-1.016) and ISS (OR 1.063, 95% CI 1.026-1.102) were independently associated with pulmonary complication. Conclusion Time to mobility is independently associated with pulmonary complications in patients with spine fractures.
Outcomes of Simultaneous Versus Staged Resection for Stage IV Colorectal Cancer with Synchronous Liver Metastases
Authors: Kim Harry H. , Nguyen Nghiem H. , Yang Claire J. , Tam Michael S. , Leung Anna M. , Attaluri Vikram 
Published: April 2024

Introduction Management of stage IV colorectal cancer with synchronous liver metastases remains debated, as colorectal and liver resections can be performed simultaneously or staged apart. Objective This study aims to determine any demographic or outcome differences between simultaneous and staged resection. Participants Retrospective review was performed on patients diagnosed with synchronous colorectal primary and liver metastases within Southern California Kaiser Permanente (KP) hospitals between 2010 and 2020. Patients with other metastases on diagnosis or those who did not receive both primary and liver resections were excluded. Demographic and outcome data were collected and analyzed. Results Of the 113 patients who met criteria, 72 (63.7%) received simultaneous and 41 (36.3%) received staged resection. Demographic data were comparable between simultaneous and staged resection, respectively, including median age of diagnosis, sex, and race. Both groups had similar median length of stay, percentage of major colorectal resection, and percentage of major liver resection. Both groups also had similar rates of radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. There were no statistically significant difference in complications rates, median follow-up time, median overall survival, and median disease-free survival. Conclusions Practice patterns within Southern California KP hospitals favor minor colorectal and liver resections. However, there were no significant differences in demographics, treatment rates, or outcomes between simultaneous and staged resection. While not statistically significant, our findings of a 11.9% higher major liver resection rate and 7.5-month longer median disease-free survival in the staged resection group may benefit from further study with higher power datasets.
Management of Extraperitoneal Bladder Injuries in Patients With Pelvic Fractures
Authors: Byars Virginia H. , Byerly Saskya E. , Dong Caroline T. , Lenart Emily K. , Evans Cory R. , Kerwin Andrew J. , Filiberto Dina M. 
Published: April 2024

Background The management of extraperitoneal bladder injuries (EBIs) when present with concomitant pelvic fractures is controversial. Current evidence is divided between supporting non-operative management with catheter drainage compared to operative management of bladder injury. The purpose of this study was to evaluate current management of EBI in the setting of pelvic fractures at our institution. We hypothesize there is no difference between operative and non-operative groups. Methods Retrospective review of patients with concomitant bladder injuries and pelvic fractures at a level 1 trauma center from 2017 to 2022 was performed. Demographics, injury characteristics, management strategies, and complications were collected. Patients were stratified by management (cystorrhaphy vs non-operative) and compared. Results Of 90 patients with bladder injuries and pelvic fractures, 50 patients (56%) presented with EBI, 26 patients (29%) presented with only intraperitoneal injuries, and 14 patients (16%) presented with a combined injury. Of patients with EBI, 18 (36%) underwent cystorrhaphy and 32 (64%) underwent non-operative management. There was no difference in demographics, orthopedic pelvic operative intervention, length of stay, or mortality between groups. Patients in the operative cohort had more bladder leaks [7 (39%) vs 4 (13%), P = .0406], compared to those in the non-operative cohort. Composite complications [7 (39%) vs 7 (22%), P = .1984] were similar between groups. Conclusions Patients with EBI and pelvic fractures who underwent cystorrhaphy had more bladder leaks on follow-up imaging, although there was no difference in composite complications, when compared to those who underwent non-operative management.
Influence of cardioplegic solution on incidence of acute kidney injury after coronary artery bypass surgery procedure: del Nido cardioplegia versus Histidine‐Tryptophan‐Ketoglutarate solution: Insight of kidney disease improving global outcomes criteria
Authors: Wang Lei , Dai QiongYan , Hu Lanxin , Yang Ting , Chen Xin , Wang XiaoLiang 
Published: April 2024

Introduction We set out to investigate whether the use of Histidine‐Tryptophan‐Ketoglutarate (HTK) solution or del Nido cardioplegia is linked to an increased incidence of postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). Methods A retrospective study was carried out at our center, with a total of 478 patients included in the analysis. Among them, 268 patients were administered the del Nido solution (DN) while 210 patients received the HTK solution. The primary focus of this study was to assess the occurrence of postoperative AKI and the need for renal replacement therapy (RRT). Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between the type of cardioplegia used and adverse kidney outcomes. Additionally, serum levels of sodium, potassium, and ionized calcium were monitored during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Results The incidence of AKI was significantly higher in the HTK group compared to the DN group [(48/220 (21.81%) vs. 24/186 (12.90%), p = .049], although the rate of RRT did not show a statistically significant difference (9/48, 18.75% vs. 6/24, 25%, p = .538). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that HTK was a significant risk factor for AKI. Furthermore, serum sodium and calcium levels were found to decrease following HTK cardioplegic infusion. Conclusion: Our study provides compelling evidence of the impact of cardioplegic solutions on postoperative AKI rates. It underscores the importance of optimizing cardiac arrest protocols. These findings warrant further prospective investigations into the influence of cardioplegic solutions on electrolyte imbalances and postoperative AKI rates.
Soundproofing properties of open- cell microcellular polyurethane foam containing styrene-grafted polyester polyol
Authors: Omrani Ismail , Mohammadi Berenjegani Reza , Sharghi Asbagh Ehsan , Yeganeh Hamid 
Published: April 2024

Both soundproofing and mechanical strength present significant challenges in the context of sound-insulating materials. Herein, to take advantage of higher intermolecular interactions of ester groups, a soundproofing open-cell Microcellular Polyurethane Foam (MPUF) was developed using polymer-grafted polyester polyol (POP) and saturated polyester polyol. The POP was synthesized by grafting polystyrene on unsaturated polyester polyol (UNPES) in a saturated polyester polyol media. The amount of styrene monomer and UNPES were changed and the POP with optimum properties was selected. The successful synthesis of POP was approved by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR), and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The spherical morphology of selected POP with a diameter of about 500 nm was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis. MPUFs containing different amounts of POP (10, 30, 50, and 100 %) as polyester polyol parts were prepared. It was found that mechanical properties including tensile strength: 3500 KPa, elongation at break%: 350% and soundproofing properties with acoustic activity of 0.72 were obtained when the POP content of the MPUF was fixed at 30%. The cell-opening behavior of POP in polyester-based MPUF was studied using SEM. It was found that the average of the open cells’ size and their population were increased as the POP content increased. Such MPUFs can be effective in successful mechanical and acoustic damping in the automotive industry.
Graphene oxide as 2D flexible anti-settling agent for high-performance titanate whisker/cardanol-based epoxy anticorrosion coatings
Authors: Tang Yangyang , Li Daqian , Chu Liangyong , Wu Jian , Shen Liming , Bao Ningzhong 
Published: April 2024

Titanate whiskers/cardanol-based epoxy coatings with ultra-high anticorrosion performance using graphene oxide (GO) as a 2D lightweight anti-settling agent were prepared. The influence of GO on the filler dispersion, sedimentation, corrosion resistance, and mechanical properties of sodium iron titanate whisker/cardanol-based epoxy coatings was studied. FT-IR, TGA, Raman spectroscopy, optical microscopy, and SEM have been used to characterize the chemical ingredients and morphologies of the coatings. It was found that the addition of GO significantly influenced the dispersibility of titanate whiskers in the resin. A small amount of GO (<0.3 wt.%) increased the aggregation of titanate whiskers, resulting in decreased mechanical and anticorrosion properties. Meanwhile, an optimized amount of GO (0.5 wt.%) effectively reduced the aggregation and sedimentation of titanate whiskers. This interesting correlation was explained by the dual functions of resin-thickening and filler-packing of GO. Therefore, bio-based epoxy coatings with significantly enhanced barrier, mechanical, and adhesion properties were prepared. The impedance modulus at 0.01 Hz remained above 1010 Ω·cm2 after immersing in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution for 300 days. This study constitutes the first report on applying GO as an anti-settling agent for titanate whisker/epoxy coatings, which is crucial for anticorrosion coatings as well as the GO industry.