bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Technical note: preliminary surgical experience with a new implantable epicranial stimulation device for chronic focal cortex stimulation in drug-resistant epilepsy
Authors: Coenen Volker A. , Jarc Nadja , Hirsch Martin , Reinacher Peter C. , Steinhoff Bernhard J. , Bast Thomas , Schulze-Bonhage Andreas , Sajonz Bastian E. A. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Purpose
This study is to report some preliminary surgical considerations and outcomes after the first implantations of a new and commercially available implantable epicranial stimulation device for focal epilepsy.

Methods
We retrospectively analyzed data from clinical notes. Outcome parameters were as follows: wound healing, surgery time, and adverse events.

Results
Five patients were included (17–52 y/o; 3 female). Epicranial systems were uneventfully implanted under neuronavigation guidance. Some minor adverse events occurred. Wound healing in primary intention was seen in all patients. Out of these surgeries, certain concepts were developed: Skin incisions had to be significantly larger than expected. S-shaped incisions appeared to be a good choice in typical locations behind the hairline. Preoperative discussions between neurologist and neurosurgeon are mandatory in order to allow for the optimal coverage of the epileptogenic zone with the electrode geometry.

Conclusion
In this first small series, we were able to show safe implantation of this new epicranial stimulation device. The use of neuronavigation is strongly recommended. The procedure is simple but not trivial and ideally belongs in the hands of a neurosurgeon.
Incidence of surgically treated chronic subdural hematoma after head injury with normal initial computed tomography
Authors: Heinonen Aaro , Rauhala Minna , Isokuortti Harri , Raj Rahul , Kataja Anneli , Nikula Milaja , Öhman Juha , Iverson Grant L. , Luoto Teemu 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Purpose
The objective was to determine the incidence of surgically treated chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) within six months after head trauma in a consecutive series of head injury patients with a normal initial computed tomography (CT).

Methods
A total of 1941 adult patients with head injuries who underwent head CT within 48 h after injury and were treated at the Tampere University Hospital’s emergency department were retrospectively evaluated from medical records (median age = 59 years, IQR = 39–79 years, males = 58%, patients using antithrombotic medication = 26%). Patients with no signs of acute traumatic intracranial pathology or any type of subdural collection on initial head CT were regarded as CT negative (n = 1573, 81%).

Results
Two (n = 2) of the 1573 CT negative patients received surgical treatment for cSDH. Consequently, the incidence of surgically treated cSDH after a normal initial head CT during a six-month follow-up was 0.13%. Both patients sustained mild traumatic brain injuries initially. One of the two patients was on antithrombotic medication (warfarin) at the time of trauma, hence incidence of surgically treated cSDH among patients with antithrombotic medication in CT negative patients (n = 376, 23.9%) was 0.27%. Additionally, within CT negative patients, one subdural hygroma was operated shortly after trauma.

Conclusion
The extremely low incidence of surgically treated cSDH after a normal initial head CT, even in patients on antithrombotic medication, supports the notion that routine follow-up imaging after an initial normal head CT is not indicated to exclude the development of cSDH. Additionally, our findings support the concept of cSDH not being a purely head trauma-related disease.
The user experience of distal arm-level vibrotactile feedback for interactions with virtual versus physical displays
Authors: Terenti Mihail , Pamparău Cristian , Vatavu Radu-Daniel 
Published: March 2024

AbstractHaptic feedback, a natural component of our everyday interactions in the physical world, requires careful design in virtual environments. However, feedback location can vary from the fingertip to the finger, hand, and arm due to heterogeneous input/output technology used for virtual environments, from joysticks to controllers, gloves, armbands, and vests. In this work, we report on the user experience of touch interaction with virtual displays when vibrotactile feedback is delivered on the finger, wrist, and forearm. In a first controlled experiment with fourteen participants and virtual displays rendered through a head-mounted device, we report a user experience characterized by high perceived enjoyment, confidence, efficiency, and integration as well as low perceived distraction, difficulty, and confusion. Moreover, we highlight participants’ preferences for vibrotactile feedback on the finger compared to other locations on the arm or through the VR controller, respectively. In a follow-up experiment with fourteen new participants and physical touchscreens, we report a similar preference for the finger, but also specific nuances of the self-reported experience, not observed in the first experiment with virtual displays. Overall, our results depict an enhanced user experience when distal vibrotactile feedback is available over no vibrations at all during interactions with virtual and physical displays, for which we propose future work opportunities for augmented interactions in virtual worlds.
Laying date depends on territorial breeders’ age, climatic conditions and previous breeding success: a long-term study (2004–2021) with Bonelli’s eagle in Spain
Authors: López-Peinado Andrés , López-López Pascual 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAdjustment of reproductive timing within the annual cycle is a crucial issue for both offspring and parents’ survival, and breeding success. Early laying date is closely related to successful breeding outcome and better survival. Obtaining long datasets on threatened long-lived species’ breeding performance can contribute to their conservation. Using field observations and telemetry information, here we analyse how laying date of an endangered long-lived raptor varies with nest characteristics, individual factors and climatic variables during an 18-year (2004–2021) study period in eastern Spain. To this end, we estimated how environmental and individual variables affect laying date. Our results showed that average laying date in our study area took place on February 17th. Laying date showed no trend during the study period. Nests placed in higher elevations showed delayed laying dates. Territories occupied by adults with previous successful experience and high brood size showed earlier laying dates. Current year laying date was highly correlated with previous year laying date. Colder territories delayed laying date and the minimum temperature of the previous December were negatively correlated to previous laying date. Our results highlight the importance of experienced birds able to adjust timing of reproduction to maximise biological fitness. High adult mortality allows sub-adults to settle as breeders and jeopardises species’ persistence. Therefore, the reduction of mortality of territorial birds is of the outmost importance to improve the conservation status of declining long-lived species such as the Bonelli’s eagle (Aquila fasciata).
Development of nature-related habits and their relation to mental health outcomes during two years of the COVID-19 pandemic: a population-based study in Sweden
Authors: Klein Yannick , Lindfors Petra , Hanson Linda L. Magnusson , Stenfors Cecilia U. D. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Aims
Spending time in natural environments has been linked to mental health benefits, and may have been an important resilience factor during the COVID-19 pandemic, but longitudinal studies are limited. This longitudinal study aimed to investigate the development of nature-related habits and their relationship to different mental health outcomes before and during early and later phases of COVID-19 (2019–2022). Furthermore, the buffering potential of nature-related habits on effects of major life events on mental health outcomes was investigated.

Subject and methods
A subsample of the Swedish Longitudinal Occupational Survey of Health (SLOSH) was studied during 2018–2022, including follow-ups in early 2021 (n  = 1902) and 2022 (n = 1580). Visits to various types of nature, mental health outcomes (symptoms of depression, anxiety, loneliness, sleep difficulties), and major life events were analyzed across the study period while controlling for confounders.

Results
Greater overall engagement in nature visits, particularly visiting forests or using one’s garden, was associated with lower levels of depression, anxiety, loneliness, and sleep problems in early 2021 and 2022.
Importantly, changes in nature visits were consistently negatively associated with investigated mental health outcomes across the study period. All nature visits, except for garden time, increased in the long term (2019–2022). Visiting forests also increased in the short term, while overall nature visits initially decreased (2019–2020).

Conclusion
Generally, nature visits increased longitudinally and were associated with better mental health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic. This underscores the importance of green- and blue-space accessibility for facilitating outdoor recreation in natural environments, to support resilience and public health during pandemics.
Review of mental healthcare provision by primary care physicians in the Department of Defense (DoD)
Authors: Hines Christopher E. , Watson Nora , Brooks Zachary , Tucker Taylor 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Aim
Primary care visits in the United States increasingly involve the treatment of mental health concerns, and the Military Health System (MHS) is no exception. The authors characterize treatment trends of mental healthcare in military primary care.

Subject and methods
A retrospective analysis of 110 million primary care visits and 27 million behavioral healthcare visits from an MHS database evaluated frequencies and proportions of mental health-related care in both military and civilian healthcare facilities for the years 2017–2021. Prevalence ratios were compared with Poisson regression models by year and by characteristic, with potential linear trends evaluated.

Results
A notable amount of behavioral healthcare provision transitioned from military to civilian healthcare facilities during this period. A comparison showed that psychotropic medication prescriptions from primary care prescribers with primary care visits coded for psychiatric diagnoses were similar for dependents (16.5% vs. 15.5%) but nearly doubled for military (7.7% vs. 3.9%). Active-duty personnel seen by primary care providers in purchased care (PC) were more than twice as likely to have a behavioral health diagnosis as those seen in direct care (DC) (8.4% vs. 3.9%).

Conclusion
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to use a comprehensive database to evaluate behavioral healthcare provision trends in the MHS. This provides a baseline of healthcare burden numbers useful for determining the training needed for primary care clinicians to feel comfortable appropriately treating mental health conditions. Future research should focus on diagnostic differences between civilian and military healthcare facilities as well as prescription discrepancies for service members.
Killing with care? The potentials at the sustainability/masculinity nexus in an ‘alternative’ Danish slaughterhouse
Authors: Rutt Rebecca Leigh , Tjørring Lise 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIn this paper we investigate the connection between forms of sustainability and masculinity through a study of everyday life in a Danish alternative slaughterhouse. In contrast to the predominant form of slaughterhouses today in Western contexts, the ‘alternative’ slaughterhouse is characterized as non-industrial in scale and articulating some form of a sustainability orientation. Acknowledging the variability of the term, we firstly explore how ‘sustainability’ is understood and practiced in this place. We then illuminate the situated manifestations of masculinities, which appear predominantly- though not exclusively- hegemonic in nature. We next reflect on how the situated and particular sustainability of this site come to bear on a workplace long characterized as a masculinized site of, e.g., violence and repression, showing how the sustainability of the alternative slaughterhouse has potential to nourish alternative masculinities. We finally call for more attention at this nexus of sustainability and masculinities studies, to examine how the broad sustainability turn in food systems needs to be further examined in relation to what masculinities it perpetuates, as well as how a focus on masculinities may enhance our understanding of varying forms of sustainability, especially their potential for ecologically and socially just food systems.
On the effect of confounding in linear regression models: an approach based on the theory of quadratic forms
Authors: Narcisi Martina , Greco Fedele , Trivisano Carlo 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIn the last two decades, significant research efforts have been dedicated to addressing the issue of spatial confounding in linear regression models. Confounding occurs when the relationship between the covariate and the response variable is influenced by an unmeasured confounder associated with both. This results in biased estimators for the regression coefficients reduced efficiency, and misleading interpretations. This article aims to understand how confounding relates to the parameters of the data generating process. The sampling properties of the regression coefficient estimator are derived as ratios of dependent quadratic forms in Gaussian random variables: this allows us to obtain exact expressions for the marginal bias and variance of the estimator, that were not obtained in previous studies. Moreover, we provide an approximate measure of the marginal bias that gives insights of the main determinants of bias. Applications in the framework of geostatistical and areal data modeling are presented. Particular attention is devoted to the difference between smoothness and variability of random vectors involved in the data generating process. Results indicate that marginal covariance between the covariate and the confounder, along with marginal variability of the covariate, play the most relevant role in determining the magnitude of confounding, as measured by the bias.
Angular Momentum in a Special Nonlinear Elastic Rod
Authors: Rubin M. B. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIn the constrained Cosserat theory of a rod with a rigid cross-section, the balance of angular momentum is satisfied by a restriction on the constitutive equations that requires a second order tensor to be symmetric. The kinematics of the rod are determined by satisfying the balances of linear and director momentum and kinematic constraints. In contrast, the Antman model for a special Cosserat theory of rods proposes constitutive equations directly for the force and mechanical moment applied to the rod and the kinematics are determined by the balances of linear and angular momentum. These two models differ by their treatment of angular momentum. This note poses and answers the question: Are the solutions of these two models identical for the same strain energy?
Simple economics of vaccination: public policies and incentives
Authors: Villota-Miranda Jesús , Rodríguez-Ibeas R. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis paper focuses on the economics of vaccination and, more specifically, analyzes the vaccination decision of individuals using a game-theoretic model combined with an epidemiological SIR model that reproduces the infection dynamics of a generic disease. We characterize the equilibrium individual vaccination rate, and we show that it is below the rate compatible with herd immunity due to the existence of externalities that individuals do not internalize when they decide on vaccination. In addition, we analyze three public policies consisting of informational campaigns to reduce the disutility of vaccination, monetary payments to vaccinated individuals and measures to increase the disutility of non-vaccination. If the public authority uses only one type of policy, herd immunity is not necessarily achieved unless monetary incentives are used. When the public authority is not limited to use only one policy, we find that the optimal public policy should consist only of informational campaigns if they are sufficiently effective, or a combination of informational campaigns and monetary incentives otherwise. Surprisingly, the requirement of vaccine passports or other restrictions on the non-vaccinated are not desirable.
A Decomposition and a Scheduling Framework for Enabling Aerial 3D Printing
Authors: Stamatopoulos Marios-Nektarios , Banerjee Avijit , Nikolakopoulos George 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAerial 3D printing is a pioneering technology yet in its conceptual stage that combines frontiers of 3D printing and Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) aiming to construct large-scale structures in remote and hard-to-reach locations autonomously. The envisioned technology will enable a paradigm shift in the construction and manufacturing industries by utilizing UAVs as precision flying construction workers. However, the limited payload-carrying capacity of the UAVs, along with the intricate dexterity required for manipulation and planning, imposes a formidable barrier to overcome. Aiming to surpass these issues, a novel aerial decomposition-based and scheduling 3D printing framework is presented in this article, which considers a near-optimal decomposition of the original 3D shape of the model into smaller, more manageable sub-parts called chunks. This is achieved by searching for planar cuts based on a heuristic function incorporating necessary constraints associated with the interconnectivity between subparts, while avoiding any possibility of collision between the UAV’s extruder and generated chunks. Additionally, an autonomous task allocation framework is presented, which determines a priority-based sequence to assign each printable chunk to a UAV for manufacturing. The efficacy of the proposed framework is demonstrated using the physics-based Gazebo simulation engine, where various primitive CAD-based aerial 3D constructions are established, accounting for the nonlinear UAVs dynamics, associated motion planning and reactive navigation through Model predictive control.
Decreased river runoff on the Mongolian Plateau since around 2000
Authors: Qi Wenhua , Hu Xiaomei , Bai Hao , Yusup Asadilla , Ran Qinwei , Yang Hui , Wang Haijun , Ao Zurui , Tao Shengli 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Context
Mongolian Plateau is one of the largest contingent arid and semi-arid regions of the world. Rivers on the plateau provide vital water for millions of indigenous Mongolian people and numerous endangered wildlife, but are increasingly disturbed by climate change and human activities. Yet, long-term changes in river runoff across the plateau remain poorly studied due to data unavailability.

Objectives
This study aimed to analyze the temporal trends in gauged river runoff on the Mongolian Plateau, identify drivers of the observed changes, and evaluate CMIP6 models' performance in simulating historical runoff changes across the plateau.

Methods
We compiled possibly the largest database of long-term (20 - 71 years) river runoff for the plateau comprising measurements over 30 major rivers. Statistical analyses were conducted to assess trends in river runoff and correlations between runoff and climatic variables. Additionally, we applied the Budyko curve framework to identify the influence of human activities on river runoff in specific basins. Furthermore, we compared ground-measured runoff data with simulations from CMIP6 models to evaluate the ability of CMIP6 models to replicate runoff dynamics in typical arid and semi-arid regions.

Results
We observed pervasive and abrupt reduction in runoff in 21 out of the 30 rivers within 5 years before or after the year of 2000. Variations in river runoff were most significantly caused by changes in total precipitation (TP). In particular, 27 rivers experienced abrupt TP changes around 2000, and there was a significant positive correlation between annual fluctuations in TP and river runoff for 18 rivers. In addition to climate factors, the influence of human activities was identified in certain basins. The CMIP6 simulations failed to capture the abrupt changes in runoff occurred pervasively across the plateau around 2000.

Conclusions
Around 2000, major rivers on the Mongolian Plateau, especially in Inner Mongolia, experienced runoff declines, primarily due to TP changes. Human activities like dam construction and water diversion further influenced local runoff. CMIP6 historical runoff simulations were inaccurate across the plateau, highlighting the difficulty of simulating river runoff in this critical region. Our study could contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the water resource changes on the Mongolian Plateau, with direct implications for enhancing ecological conservation and management practice.
Distributional impact of climate-smart villages on access to savings and credit and adoption of improved climate-smart agricultural practices in the Nyando Basin, Kenya
Authors: van Asseldonk Marcel , Oostendorp Remco , Recha John , Gathiaka John , Mulwa Richard , Radeny Maren , Wattel Cor , van Wesenbeeck Lia 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAdoption of improved livestock breeds requires, as with other climate-smart agricultural (CSA) practices, upfront investments, which might be a significant barrier for smallholders. For this reason, the climate-smart village (CSV) approach not only includes CSA interventions, but also interventions to improve access to savings and credit among smallholders by means of a community-based approach. In this paper we study smallholders in CSVs in Kenya who were encouraged, among others, to adopt improved livestock breeds for crossbreeding with indigenous breeds to improve their resilience to climate change and variability. The farmers were also encouraged to become part of savings and credit groups to improve smallholder access to finance. The objective of this paper is thus to determine the (distributional) impact of CSVs on access to savings and credit and the adoption of improved CSA practices. Due to the as good as random selection of CSVs, we are able to estimate the treatment effects on the treated for the smallholders who decided to participate in the CSA intervention by means of a linear probability model. The analysis is based on a balanced panel of 118 farm households interviewed in 2017, 2019, and 2020. The main findings of this study are that the CSV intervention increased the adoption of improved livestock breeds. It also stimulated the membership of savings and credit groups which in turn stimulated the adoption of improved livestock breeds. These findings point to the importance of community-based savings and loan initiatives to mobilize finance among farmers enabling them to invest in CSA practices. Also, the introduction of improved breeds in CSVs has benefited especially the larger livestock owners. However, the availability of credit is found to have mitigated the concentration of improved livestock ownership since the diffusion of improved livestock in CSVs was somewhat more equitable than the (spontaneous) spill-over diffusion in the non-CSVs (reducing the Gini by 0.04).