bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of palatine tonsil tumor resection on postoperative velopharyngeal insufficiency in transoral surgery
Authors: Wistermayer Paul R. , Brown Adam E. , Cave Taylor B. , Chang Brent A. , Hinni Michael L. , Hayden Richard E. , Klusovsky Laura E. , McGary Alyssa , Nagel Thomas H. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundVelopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) is a known complication of transoral surgery (TOS) for oropharyngeal HPV‐mediated squamous cell carcinoma. Controversy exists regarding adequate resection margins for balancing functional and oncologic outcomes.MethodsThis retrospective study was exempted by the IRB. Patients who underwent TOS from January 2017 to October 2022 were included. Patient characteristics, treatment details, and oncologic and functional outcomes were evaluated.ResultsFifty‐five patients were included. Mean and median follow‐up was 34 months. 98% of patients were AJCC stage I/II. Recurrence‐free survival was 96% with no local recurrences.Univariate analysis demonstrated an association between VPI and pT stage (p = 0.035), medial pterygoid resection (p = 0.049), and palatal attachment sacrifice (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed sacrifice of the palatal attachments remained a significant risk for VPI (p = 0.009).ConclusionLoss of soft palate pharyngeal attachments is an independent risk factor for VPI. When oncologically appropriate, the palatal attachments to the pharynx may be preserved.
Predictors of the need for atrioventricular nodal ablation following redo ablation for atrial fibrillation
Authors: Calvert Peter , Ding Wern Yew , Griffin Michael , Bisson Arnaud , Koniari Ioanna , Fitzpatrick Noel , Snowdon Richard , Modi Simon , Luther Vishal , Mahida Saagar , Waktare Johan , Borbas Zoltan , Ashrafi Reza , Todd Derick , Rao Archana , Gupta Dhiraj 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundPatients who have recurrent atrial fibrillation (AF) following redo catheter ablation may eventually be managed with a pace‐and‐ablate approach, involving pacemaker implant followed by atrioventricular nodal ablation (AVNA). We sought to determine which factors would predict subsequent AVNA in patients undergoing redo AF ablation.MethodsWe analyzed patients undergoing redo AF ablations between 2013 and 2019 at our institution. Follow‐up was censored on December 31, 2021. Patients with no available follow‐up data were excluded. Time‐to‐event analysis with Cox proportional hazard regression was used to compare those who underwent AVNA to those who did not.ResultsA total of 467 patients were included, of whom 39 (8.4%) underwent AVNA. After multivariable adjustment, female sex (aHR 4.68 [95% CI 2.30–9.50]; p < 0.001), ischemic heart disease (aHR 2.99 [95% CI 1.25–7.16]; p = 0.014), presence of a preexisting pacemaker (aHR 3.25 [95% CI 1.10–9.60]; p = 0.033), and persistent AF (aHR 2.22 [95% CI 1.07–4.59]; p = 0.032) were associated with increased risk of subsequent AVNA requirement.ConclusionFemale sex, ischemic heart disease, and persistent AF may be useful clinical predictors of the requirement for subsequent AVNA and may be considered as part of shared clinical decision making.
Afforestation alters soil microbial community composition and reduces microbial network complexity in a karst region of Southwest China
Authors: Yu Pujia , Tang Hanya , Sun Xizao , Shi Weiyu , Pan Jinjiang , Liu Shiwei , Jia Hongtao , Ding Zhi , Tang Xuguang , Chen Mo 
Published: March 2024

AbstractSoil microbial community plays important roles in altering ecological processes and biogeochemical cycles in ecosystems. However, little is known about how afforestation influences the diversity, composition, and ecological network of soil microbial community in karst regions. In this study, soil samples were collected from one farmland (FL) and three afforestation lands including one bamboo forest (BA), one landscape tree planting forest (LAT), and one orange orchard (ORO) in a karst region of Southwest China. The bacterial and fungal communities were characterized using the high‐throughput sequencing approach, and soil properties including soil organic carbon, pH, soil water content, and soil total and available nutrient contents were measured under different land use treatments. Results showed that conversion from FL to BA and LAT significantly reduced the Shannon diversity of bacterial community. At the phylum level (top 10), genus level (top 30), and operational taxonomic units (OTUs) level, afforestation from FL resulted in significant changes in nine phyla, 24 genera, and 31.32% OTUs of bacterial community, and in three phyla, 13 genera, and 11.62% OTUs of fungal community. The number of nodes, number of negative edges, connectivity, average degree, and relative modularity of the microbial network under afforestation lands decreased by 9.33%–18.66%, 47.98%–72.75%, 0.45%–5.93%, 14.73%–22.29%, and 6.46%–23.50%, respectively, compared with FL. The soil organic carbon, total potassium and total phosphorus were identified as the key soil properties affecting the microbial community. Compared with LAT and ORO, the changes in bacterial and fungal communities under BA were more obvious because of the higher contents in soil organic carbon (13.48%) and total potassium (27.18%). In conclusion, afforestation significantly changed compositions and ecological network complexity of soil microbial community in karst regions, and conversion from FL to BA had stronger influences on the changes of soil microbial community than other afforestation lands in Southwest China. These findings provide the context necessary to evaluate the responses of soil microbial community to land use changes in karst regions.
Technical note: A universal worksheet for failure mode and effects analysis—A project of the Japanese College of Medical Physics
Authors: Nishioka Shie , Okamoto Hiroyuki , Chiba Takahito , Kito Satoshi , Ishihara Yoshitomo , Isono Masaru , Ono Tomohiro , Mizoguchi Asumi , Mizuno Norifumi , Tohyama Naoki , Kurooka Masahiko , Ota Seiichi , Shimizu Daisuke 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundFailure mode and effects analysis (FMEA), which is an effective tool for error prevention, has garnered considerable attention in radiotherapy. FMEA can be performed individually, by a group or committee, and online.PurposeTo meet the needs of FMEA for various purposes and improve its accessibility, we developed a simple, self‐contained, and versatile web‐based FMEA risk analysis worksheet.MethodsWe developed an FMEA worksheet using Google products, such as Google Sheets, Google Forms, and Google Apps Script. The main sheet was created in Google Sheets and contained elements necessary for performing FMEA by a single person. Automated tasks were implemented using Apps Script to facilitate multiperson FMEA; these functions were built into buttons located on the main sheet.ResultsThe usability of the FMEA worksheet was tested in several situations. The worksheet was feasible for individual, multiperson, seminar, meeting, and online purposes. Simultaneous online editing, automated survey form creation, automatic analysis, and the ability to respond to the form from multiple devices, including mobile phones, were particularly useful for online and multiperson FMEA. Automation enabled through Google Apps Script reduced the FMEA workload.ConclusionsThe FMEA worksheet is versatile and has a seamless workflow that promotes collaborative work for safety.
Knowledge and clinical practice of ASPEN registered dietitian nutritionist members regarding blenderized tube feedings
Authors: Brown Terry , Johnson Teresa , Gomes Allison , Samavat Hamed , Byham‐Gray Laura 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundBlenderized tube feedings (BTFs) are used by patients/caregivers who report improvements in gastrointestinal tolerance compared with standard commercial feedings. Despite positive outcomes, registered dietitian nutritionists or international equivalents (RDN/Is) hesitate to recommend BTFs. We aimed to determine if an association exists between dietitian characteristics and willingness to recommend BTFs.MethodsA BTF‐specific survey (N = 157) assessed for validity and reliability was administered to the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) RDN/I members. Binary logistic regression analyses examined the association between age, years of clinical practice, BTF training/education, patient population served, and willingness to recommend BTFs.ResultsThe response rate was 4.3% of ASPEN RDN/I members. Most respondents were White females with a median age of 39.0 years and 12 years of clinical experience. Although 98.7% of respondents expressed a willingness to support and 73% to recommend BTFs, 60% were not using BTFs in clinical practice. For 94.8% of RDN/Is, the primary reason for BTF use was patient/caregiver requests. After adjustment for age and years of clinical practice, RDN/Is who served pediatric populations (odds ratio [OR] = 4.28; 95% CI, 1.52–12.09) or used three or more professional resources (OR = 2.49; 95% CI, 1.12–5.57), industry‐sponsored resources (OR = 3.15; 95% CI, 1.39–7.15), or one or more experiential learning resources (OR = 3.14; 95% CI, 1.38–7.17) were more likely to recommend BTFs whereas those serving adults were less likely to recommend BTFs (OR = 0.33; 95% CI, 0.12–0.95).ConclusionPediatric RDN/Is and individuals with BTF‐specific education/training were more inclined to recommend BTFs.
Synthesis,Antidiabetic and Antitubercular Evaluation of Quinoline–pyrazolopyrimidine hybrids and Quinoline‐4‐Arylamines
Authors: Cele Nosipho , Awolade Paul , Seboletswe Pule , Khubone Lungisani , Olofinsan Kolawole , Islam Md. Shahidul , Jordaan Audrey , Warner Digby F. , Singh Parvesh 
Published: March 2024

AbstractTwo libraries of quinoline‐based hybrids 1‐(7‐chloroquinolin‐4‐yl)‐1H‐pyrazolo[3,4–d]pyrimidin‐4‐amine and 7‐chloro‐N‐phenylquinolin‐4‐amine were synthesized and evaluated for their α‐glucosidase inhibitory and antioxidant properties. Compounds with 4‐methylpiperidine and para‐trifluoromethoxy groups, respectively, showed the most promising α‐glucosidase inhibition activity with IC50=46.70 and 40.84 μM, compared to the reference inhibitor, acarbose (IC50=51.73 μM). Structure‐activity relationship analysis suggested that the cyclic secondary amine pendants and para‐phenyl substituents account for the variable enzyme inhibition. Antioxidant profiling further revealed that compounds with an N‐methylpiperazine and N‐ethylpiperazine ring, respectively, have good DPPH scavenging abilities with IC50=0.18, 0.58 and 0.93 mM, as compared to ascorbic acid (IC50=0.05 mM), while the best DPPH scavenger is NO2‐substituted compound (IC50=0.08 mM). Also, compound with N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)piperazine moiety emerged as the best NO radical scavenger with IC50=0.28 mM. Molecular docking studies showed that the present compounds are orthosteric inhibitors with their quinoline, pyrimidine, and 4‐amino units as crucial pharmacophores furnishing α‐glucosidase binding at the catalytic site. Taken together, these compounds exhibit dual potentials; i. e., potent α‐glucosidase inhibitors and excellent free radical scavengers. Hence, they may serve as structural templates in the search for agents to manage Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Finally, in preliminary assays investigating the anti‐tubercular potential of these compounds, two pyrazolopyrimidine series compounds and a 7‐chloro‐N‐phenylquinolin‐4‐amine hybrid showed sub‐10 μM whole‐cell activities against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Teacher salaries, a policy brief
Authors: Wyckoff Jim 
Published: March 2024

AbstractMany schools are experiencing troubling numbers of vacant teaching positions, with student achievement substantially below pre‐pandemic levels. At the same time many states and districts are discussing substantial across‐the‐board increases in teacher salaries, often aspiring to some arbitrary benchmark. General increases in teacher salaries may well be warranted in some, or even many, districts. However, existing research suggests that by themselves, across‐the‐board increases are not the most effective policy.This policy brief examines these issues in Virginia. It shows that schools with concentrations of poor students have substantially more teaching vacancies and much lower student achievement. It also shows that starting teacher salaries in Virginia have declined over the last 16 years and that lower salaries are associated with teacher vacancies. It is likely that the patterns documented in Virginia are found in many, perhaps most, other states. Policies to address these issues would increase teacher salaries generally with much larger increases for effective teachers who teach in high poverty schools and subjects with greater shortages, such as special education, math, and science.
The conflict between Rights of Nature and mining in Ecuador: Implications of the Los Cedros Cloud Forest case for biodiversity conservation
Authors: Peck M. R. , Desselas M. , Bonilla‐Bedoya S. , Redín G. , Durango‐Cordero J. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Global emergence of Rights of Nature (RoN) has gained momentum since Ecuador became the first country to constitutionally recognize it in 2008. The shift from perceiving nature as an object, to granting it legal subjecthood, can revolutionize protection of ecological systems. In 2021, Ecuador's Constitutional Court issued a landmark ruling, halting mining in the Los Cedros Protected Forest.

Three pillars form the basis for legal protection of Los Cedros: (i) the right to timely, Free Prior Informed Environmental Consultation, (ii) application of the Precautionary Principle in risk to RoN, and (iii) the Right to Water.

We analyse the Court ruling to identify legal frameworks applied then map and rank mining risk to other protected forests, Indigenous territories, unprotected native ecosystems, biodiversity and areas of water resource conflict to determine potential scale of conflict between mining and RoN.

7813 mining concessions of 22,812km2 overlay 9.2% of Ecuadorian mainland, 2323 concessions (29.7%) overlap 16,081km2 of protected forest (4781 km2, 20%), Indigenous territory (6473 km2, 8%) and native vegetation outside protected areas and Indigenous territories (13,390 km2, 9%). With 80% of their protected forests at risk from large‐scale mining, the most impacted Indigenous communities are the Shuar.

Synthesis and applications: The Los Cedros legal case in Ecuador sets a precedent for using RoN to challenge mining in 4781 km2 of similar Protected Forest, with potential to protect an additional 16,081 km2 of Indigenous lands and biologically important ecosystems. However, lack of biological data for these areas will necessitate extensive data collection, possibly through community‐empowering citizen science. Our study emphasizes the urgent need to integrate indigenous and traditional ecological knowledge (ITEK), law and ecology. We propose a new transdisciplinary field of ‘ecological forensics’ to support nature protection within the RoN framework. Our research also identifies areas where RoN could effectively protect nature and that are likely to be of high investment risk for the mining industry. The final recommendation is to reconsider mining concessions in Ecuador, especially in ecologically sensitive areas, Indigenous territories, high biodiversity areas, and regions with water resource conflicts, to maintain ecological integrity and social harmony.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Evaluation of risk associated with treatment of fat, oil, and grease: Grease interceptor from food processing industry effluent using bowtie analysis
Authors: Azmi Nurul Atikah , Abdul Aziz Hanida , Abdullah Syamsul Bahari , Abdul Manaf Norhuda , Tan Lian See 
Published: March 2024

AbstractFat, oil, and grease (FOG), a deposit in wastewater, develops from any processes in food and processing industries. FOG deposits in wastewater management systems can cause blockages in sewer systems. Grease Interceptor (GI) is one of the control measures to treat and prevent the blockage of FOG deposits in the sewer system. Nevertheless, few studies evaluate the extended hazard of GI application in FOG treatment. This study aims to assess the risk of GI in FOG treatment by using a bowtie technique. The hazard identified is FOG itself, whereas the top event was GI failure. The high contributions of the threats were an unsuitable variation of GI's type and design, no GI cleaning process schedule, and a clogged outflow pipe from GI. GI design according to standard and cleaning FOG deposits in GI by a licensed grease hauler were two suitable preventive barriers. The desludging process is essential to guarantee that the GI operates smoothly and is identified as an excellent recovery barrier. Inter‐rater reliability (IRR) analysis to measure the consistency of their ratings on the data provided. The experts had a 75% overall agreement value of IRR risk rating value on assets, while 50% agreement value on people.
Identification of multiple plasma lipids as diagnostic biomarkers of hypercholesterolemia and the underlying mechanisms based on pseudo‐targeted lipidomics
Authors: Zhao Rui , Tang Yuqing , Cao Wenhui , Zhao Lijuan , Wu Zhifeng , Chen Xianghui , Li Yimin , Jia Xiaoe , Bai Haihua 
Published: March 2024

RationaleHypercholesterolemia is an important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and death. This study performed pseudo‐targeted lipidomics to identify differentially expressed plasma lipids in hypercholesterolemia, to provide a scientific basis for the diagnosis and pathogenesis of hypercholesterolemia.MethodsPseudo‐targeted lipidomic analyses of plasma lipids from 20 patients with hypercholesterolemia and 20 normal control subjects were performed using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. Differentially expressed lipids were identified by principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to identify differentially expressed lipids with high diagnostic value. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway database was used to identify enriched metabolic pathways.ResultsWe identified 13 differentially expressed lipids in hypercholesterolemia using variable importance of projection > 1 and p < 0.05 as threshold parameters. The levels of eight sphingomyelins and cholesterol sulfate were higher and those of three triacylglycerols and lysophosphatidylcholine were reduced in hypercholesterolemia. Seven differentially expressed plasma lipids showed high diagnostic value for hypercholesterolemia. Functional enrichment analyses showed that pathways related to necroptosis, sphingolipid signaling, sphingolipid metabolism, and steroid hormone biosynthesis were enriched.ConclusionsThis pseudo‐targeted lipidomics study demonstrated that multiple sphingomyelins and cholesterol sulfate were differentially expressed in the plasma of patients with hypercholesterolemia. We also identified seven plasma lipids, including six sphingomyelins and cholesterol sulfate, with high diagnostic value.
Temporal variation of braided intensity and morphodynamic changes in a regulated braided river using 2D modeling and satellite images
Authors: Balouchi Behnam , Rüther Nils , Schwarzwälder Kordula 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe river morphology of a braided‐type river is rather complex. High sediment transport rates and frequently changing discharges are the cause of dynamic planform evolution. Over the past few decades, scientific attention has been directed toward understanding the coexistence of alternating bars and the consequent emergence of confluences and divergences, all of which interact intricately with the process of bank erosion. It is still rather challenging to estimate or predict the total sediment transport rate in this type of river, especially by considering various hydrologic data and climate effects. This study is focused on the reach of the Devoll River in Albania, located upstream of the Banja dam. Understanding the morphodynamics of this river reach holds significance due to the expanding delta upstream of the dam reservoir. The objectives of the two‐dimensional depth‐averaged approach of the present study are to investigate the temporal variation of braided intensity of Devoll River and the effect of using a discharge hydrograph from hydrologic data compared to the regulated one from the upstream dam on the morphodynamics and sediment transport of the river. After evaluating various parameters such as 11 different sediment transport functions, the best results were reached for a cell size of 5 × 5 m2, Manning roughness coefficient of 0.03, Meyer‐Peter and Müller's sediment function, Hayashi et al. (1980) hiding function, and Van Rijn bed roughness predictor in this study. In addition, the results of comparing satellite images and modeling the river from 2019 to 2023 show that the braided index decreased, and this can be due to the fact that the real scenario of the river has a regulated discharge compared to the non‐regulated discharge from hydrologic data, in the mentioned period.
A network agent‐based model for Moroccan international tourism: Individual tourist behaviour and decision‐making processes
Authors: Jebraoui Smahane , Nemiche Mohamed , Hafidi Bezza 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe tourist markets in Moroccan cities are characterized by a dynamic interplay of collaboration and competition. Additionally, the behaviour of tourists within this network is influenced by a multitude of factors, such as their preferences and social influence. The aim of this study is to explore the dynamics of Moroccan international tourism and how destinations can adapt to internal and external changes. To achieve this goal, we propose a network agent‐based model incorporating decision‐making processes, thereby depicting tourist behaviour. The model can assist in identifying areas that require improvement to enhance the overall tourist experience and ensure the long‐term sustainability of Morocco's tourism industry. In this study, we simulated four scenarios of collaboration and competition among destinations in our study: (i) The simulation of inbound Moroccan tourism in 2016, (ii) the opening of a new port city, (iii) the creation of a new connection between two destinations, and (iv) the increasing of tourist attractiveness in a specific destination. The findings of the study reveal that the collaboration‐competition relationships between destinations are changing over time and the tourist markets of destinations are not isolated from each other.