bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development and assessment of a loop ligation simulator for laparoscopic appendectomy
Authors: Zundel Sabine , Singer Noemi , Florinett Lena , Aichner Jonathan , Jhala Tobias , Szavay Philipp 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Objective
Loop ligation of the appendix is a challenging surgical skill and well suited to be trained in a simulator. We aimed to develop an affordable and easy-to-build simulator and test its training effect.

Design and participants
Different materials were tested, and the best training modality was identified by researching the literature. The developed simulator training was tested on 20 surgical novices.

Results
A video was produced including an instruction on how to build the simulator and a step-by-step tuition on how to ligate the appendix. The Peyton approach was utilized to guide learners. Training with the simulator leads to reliable skill acquisition. All participants improved significantly in completing the task successfully during the structured learning.

Conclusion
We succeeded in developing a simulator for loop ligation of the appendix during laparoscopic appendectomy. Participants significantly improve in handling the loops. The transferability of the skill learned during simulation to the operating room will be subject of a follow-up study.
Identification and prediction of association patterns between nutrient intake and anemia using machine learning techniques: results from a cross-sectional study with university female students from Palestine
Authors: Qasrawi Radwan , Badrasawi Manal , Al-Halawa Diala Abu , Polo Stephanny Vicuna , Khader Rami Abu , Al-Taweel Haneen , Alwafa Reem Abu , Zahdeh Rana , Hahn Andreas , Schuchardt Jan Philipp 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Purpose
This study utilized data mining and machine learning (ML) techniques to identify new patterns and classifications of the associations between nutrient intake and anemia among university students.

Methods
We employed K-means clustering analysis algorithm and Decision Tree (DT) technique to identify the association between anemia and vitamin and mineral intakes. We normalized and balanced the data based on anemia weighted clusters for improving ML models’ accuracy. In addition, t-tests and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were performed to identify significant differences between the clusters. We evaluated the models on a balanced dataset of 755 female participants from the Hebron district in Palestine.

Results
Our study found that 34.8% of the participants were anemic. The intake of various micronutrients (i.e., folate, Vit A, B5, B6, B12, C, E, Ca, Fe, and Mg) was below RDA/AI values, which indicated an overall unbalanced malnutrition in the present cohort. Anemia was significantly associated with intakes of energy, protein, fat, Vit B1, B5, B6, C, Mg, Cu and Zn. On the other hand, intakes of protein, Vit B2, B5, B6, C, E, choline, folate, phosphorus, Mn and Zn were significantly lower in anemic than in non-anemic subjects. DT classification models for vitamins and minerals (accuracy rate: 82.1%) identified an inverse association between intakes of Vit B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, E, folate, Zn, Mg, Fe and Mn and prevalence of anemia.

Conclusions
Besides the nutrients commonly known to be linked to anemia—like folate, Vit B6, C, B12, or Fe—the cluster analyses in the present cohort of young female university students have also found choline, Vit E, B2, Zn, Mg, Mn, and phosphorus as additional nutrients that might relate to the development of anemia. Further research is needed to elucidate if the intake of these nutrients might influence the risk of anemia.
Prevalence and temporal relationship of clinical co-morbidities in idiopathic dystonia: a UK linkage-based study
Authors: Bailey Grace A. , Rawlings Anna , Torabi Fatemeh , Pickrell W. Owen , Peall Kathryn J. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractWhile motor and psychiatric phenotypes in idiopathic dystonia are increasingly well understood, a few studies have examined the rate, type, and temporal pattern of other clinical co-morbidities in dystonia. Here, we determine the rates of clinical diagnoses across 13 broad systems-based diagnostic groups, comparing an overall idiopathic dystonia cohort, and sub-cohorts of cervical dystonia, blepharospasm, and dystonic tremor, to a matched-control cohort. Using the SAIL databank, we undertook a longitudinal population-based cohort study (January 1st 1994–December 31st 2017) using anonymised electronic healthcare records for individuals living in Wales (UK), identifying those diagnosed with dystonia through use of a previously validated algorithm. Clinical co-morbid diagnoses were identified from primary health care records, with a 10% prevalence threshold required for onward analysis. Using this approach, 54,166 dystonia cases were identified together with 216,574 matched controls. Within this cohort, ten of the main ICD-10 diagnostic codes exceeded the 10% prevalence threshold over the 20-year period (infection, neurological, respiratory, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, dermatological, musculoskeletal, circulatory, neoplastic, and endocrinological). In the overall dystonia cohort, musculoskeletal (aOR: 1.89, aHR: 1.74), respiratory (aOR: 1.84; aHR: 1.65), and gastrointestinal (aOR: 1.72; aHR: 1.6) disorders had the strongest associations both pre- and post-dystonia diagnosis. However, variation in the rate of association of individual clinical co-morbidities was observed across the cervical, blepharospasm, and tremor dystonia groups. This study suggests an increased rate of specific co-morbid clinical disorders both pre- and post-dystonia diagnosis which should be considered during clinical assessment of those with dystonia to enable optimum symptomatic management.
A fast compilation of the VONA messages using a computer-assisted procedure
Authors: Bonfanti Pietro , Branca Stefano , Cassisi Carmelo , Coltelli Mauro , Prestifilippo Michele , Scollo Simona 
Published: March 2024

AbstractMt. Etna, in Italy, is one of the most active volcanoes in the world, producing several explosive events in recent years. Those eruptions form high eruption columns that often reach the top of the troposphere (and sometimes even the lower part of the stratosphere) and create several disruptions to air traffic, mainly to the Fontanarossa International Airport in Catania, which is about 20 NM (~ 37 km; NM = Nautical Miles) away from the summit craters and is located in the main wind direction. In Italy, the institution responsible for volcano monitoring is the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV). In 2007, the INGV, Osservatorio Etneo (INGV-OE) in Catania was appointed as “State Volcano Observatory” (SVO) and, in 2014, sent the first Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation (VONA) message. Since that moment, several VONA messages have been sent, mainly due to the high frequency of Etna activity. In order to facilitate and speed in the generation and the dispatch of the VONA messages, a computer-assisted procedure has been designed and built to help the work done by the volcanologist on duty and by the two shift workers of the 24/7 Control Room of INGV-OE. Consequently, information on the explosive activity can be quickly provided to the Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) in Toulouse and national air traffic offices, reducing risks to aviation operations. In this work, we describe how the computer-assisted procedure works, addressing the main advantages and possible improvements. We retain that a similar approach could be easily applied to other volcano observatories worldwide.
Ultrasound-guided robotic surgical procedures: a systematic review
Authors: Pavone Matteo , Seeliger Barbara , Teodorico Elena , Goglia Marta , Taliento Cristina , Bizzarri Nicolò , Lecointre Lise , Akladios Cherif , Forgione Antonello , Scambia Giovanni , Marescaux Jacques , Testa Antonia C. , Querleu Denis 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Introduction
Ultrasound has been nicknamed “the surgeon’s stethoscope”. The advantages of laparoscopic ultrasound beyond a substitute for the sense of touch are considerable, especially for robotic surgery. Being able to see through parenchyma and into vascular structures enables to avoid unnecessary dissection by providing a thorough assessment at every stage without the need for contrast media or ionising radiation. The limitations of restricted angulation and access within the abdominal cavity during laparoscopy can be overcome by robotic handling of miniaturised ultrasound probes and the use of various and specific frequencies will meet tissue- and organ-specific characteristics. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the reported applications of intraoperative ultrasound-guided robotic surgery and to outline future perspectives.

Methods
The study adhered to the PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched up to October 2023. Manuscripts reporting data on ultrasound-guided robotic procedures were included in the qualitative analysis.

Results
20 studies met the inclusion criteria. The majority (53%) were related to the field of general surgery during liver, pancreas, spleen, gallbladder/bile duct, vascular and rectal surgery. This was followed by other fields of oncological surgery (42%) including urology, lung surgery, and retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy for metastases. Among the studies, ten (53%) focused on locating tumoral lesions and defining resection margins, four (15%) were designed to test the feasibility of robotic ultrasound-guided surgery, while two (10.5%) aimed to compare robotic and laparoscopic ultrasound probes. Additionally two studies (10.5%) evaluated the robotic drop-in probe one (5%) assessed the hepatic tissue consistency and another one (5%) aimed to visualize the blood flow in the splenic artery.

Conclusion
The advantages of robotic instrumentation, including ergonomics, dexterity, and precision of movements, are of relevance for robotic intraoperative ultrasound (RIOUS). The present systematic review demonstrates the virtue of RIOUS to support surgeons and potentially reduce minimally invasive procedure times.
Mycorrhization, root tip vitality and biomass of Fagus sylvatica, Picea abies and Pseudotsuga menziesii in monospecific and mixed combinations under water reduction and nitrogen addition
Authors: Audisio Michela , Sennhenn-Reulen Holger , Schott Ilka , Paligi Sharath Shyamappa , Mrak Klara , Hertel Dietrich , Leuschner Christoph , Polle Andrea 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Key message
In mixed combinations, the negative impact of water reduction and N addition is mitigated for F. sylvatica, but not for conifers.
Insight into the responses of trees in mixed and monospecific cultivation to water scarcity and nitrogen (N) excess is necessary to recommend suitable tree mixtures for future European forests. Our aim was to investigate the impact of water reduction, N addition or water reduction + N addition in comparison with control (well-watered, no excess N) on mycorrhizal roots and biomass of three temperate forest species (Fagus sylvatica Fs, Picea abies Pa, and Pseudotsuga menziesii Pm) grown in monospecific (FsFs, PaPa, PmPm) and mixed combinations (PaFs, PmFs). We predicted the probability of the responses with a Bayesian approach. Mycorrhizal colonization declined marginally for P. menziesii in PmFs under water reduction. Under water reduction and N addition combined, we found a decline in root tip vitality of F. sylvatica in PaFs and of P. abies in PaPa. F. sylvatica shoot biomass declined under water reduction + N addition in the monospecific combination. P. abies and P. menziesii had lower root biomass in mixture with F. sylvatica under water reduction + N addition and under water reduction as single factor, respectively. With water reduction and N addition, P. menziesii performed better than P. abies in terms of biomass production. F. sylvatica had a growth advantage in mixture with conifers instead of conspecifics. These findings suggest that young trees show rapid and interspecific responses to species mixing and water + N availability. The selection of suitable tree species should, therefore, consider their interactive responses to changing abiotic factors.
Incidence of sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor-associated perioperative ketoacidosis in surgical patients: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Seki Hiroyuki , Kuratani Norifumi , Shiga Toshiya , Iwasaki Yudai , Karita Kanae , Yasuda Kazuki , Yamamoto Natsuko , Nakanishi Yuko , Shigematsu Kenji , Kobayashi Kensuke , Saito Junichi , Kondo Ichiro , Yaida Nozomu , Watanabe Hidenobu , Higashi Midoriko , Shirasaka Tetsuro , Doshu-Kajiura Akira , Edanaga Mitsutaka , Tanaka Satoshi , Ikumi Saori , Ito Shingo , Okada Masayuki , Yorozu Tomoko ,   for the SAPKA Investigators
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) are commonly prescribed anti-diabetic medications with various beneficial effects; however, they have also been associated with ketoacidosis. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of SGLT2i-associated perioperative ketoacidosis (SAPKA) in surgical patients.

Methods
We conducted a multicenter, prospective cohort study across 16 centers in Japan, enrolling surgical patients with diabetes who were prescribed SGLT2is between January 2021 and August 2022. Patients were monitored until the third postoperative day to screen for SAPKA, defined as urine ketone positivity with a blood pH of < 7.30 and HCO3 level ≤ 18.0 mEq/L, excluding cases of respiratory acidosis.

Results
In total, 759 of the 762 evaluated patients were included in the final analysis. Among these, three patients (0.40%) had urine ketones with a blood pH of < 7.30; however, blood gas analysis revealed respiratory acidosis in all three, and none of them was considered to have SAPKA. The estimated incidence of SGLT2i-associated postoperative ketoacidosis was 0% (95% confidence interval, 0%–0.4%).

Conclusions
The observed incidence of SAPKA in our general surgical population was lower than expected. However, given that the study was observational in nature, interpretation of study results warrants careful considerations for biases.
A note on p-Kähler structures on compact quotients of Lie groups
Authors: Fino Anna , Mainenti Asia 
Published: March 2024

AbstractA p-Kähler structure on a complex manifold of complex dimension n is given by a d-closed transverse real (p, p)-form. In the paper, we study the existence of p-Kähler structures on compact quotients of simply connected Lie groups by discrete subgroups endowed with an invariant complex structure. In particular, we discuss the existence of p-Kähler structures on nilmanifolds, with a focus on the case $$p =2$$

p
=
2

and complex dimension $$n = 4$$

n
=
4

. Moreover, we prove that a $$(n-2)$$

(
n
-
2
)

-Kähler almost abelian solvmanifold of complex dimension $$n\ge 3$$

n
≥
3

has to be Kähler.
Sugarcane borers: species, distribution, damage and management options
Authors: Li Ao-Mei , Chen Zhong-Liang , Liao Fen , Zhao Yong , Qin Cui-Xian , Wang Miao , Pan You-Qiang , Wei Shao-Long , Huang Dong-Liang 
Published: March 2024

AbstractLepidopteran borers stand out as the most destructive pests in sugarcane, leading to reductions in stalk weight, juice quality and sugar recovery. Presently, integrated pest management (IPM) systems are utilized for sugarcane borer management, employing diverse methods encompassing cropping system, chemical pesticides, behavioral manipulation, biological agents and the selection of resistant varieties. However, the effectiveness of this strategy remains controversial due to concerns about harmful residues, formulation limitations, environmental variability, labor shortages and increased input costs. Currently, multiple lines of transgenic sugarcane expressing insecticidal genes from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) have been developed globally, offering the prospect of increases production with reduced pesticides application, thereby eliminating the negative effect of IPM. In Brazil, the first genetically modified sugarcane cultivars resistant to the sugarcane borer have been approved and released for commercial cultivation, shedding a bright light on a viable solution for sugarcane borers. This paper reviews borer species and distribution, the significant damage caused by sugarcane borers, current control approaches and the future effective control strategies. Additionally, this work provides comprehensive understanding on Bt sugarcane, serving as an additional tool to complement conventional sugarcane borers control resistance programs.
Disentangling the Therapist Effect: Clustering Therapists by Using Different Treatment Outcomes
Authors: Janse Pauline , Geurtzen Naline , Scappini Agathe , Hutschemaekers Giel 
Published: March 2024

AbstractPrevious studies have shown that therapists’ performance varies, known as therapist effects, and have indicated that therapists who excel in one treatment outcome may not necessarily be effective in other outcomes. This observational naturalistic study aimed to enhance our understanding of therapist effects and the assessment of therapists’ performance in different areas. The study included 68 therapists and 5,582 clients from a large mental health facility. Information about their learning activities was available for a subsample of 49 therapists. Separate multilevel analyses were conducted for treatment outcomes, including case mix-corrected OQ-45 change scores, dropout rates, referrals to other facilities, treatment duration, and client satisfaction ratings. A hierarchical cluster analysis was performed to identify groups of therapists based on their performance across various treatment outcomes. Additionally, differences in therapist characteristics among the clusters identified were examined. Therapist effects varied across different outcomes, ranging from small (2.6% for OQ-45 change) to moderate (6.5% for number of sessions). The cluster analysis revealed four distinct clusters of therapists with specific profiles. They had performance differences in certain areas but not in others. This exploratory study supports the notion that therapists exhibit diverse profiles regarding treatment outcomes. These findings are significant for future investigations of therapist effects that aim to identify the characteristics of effective therapists and in the context of personalizing treatment for clients.
Sequential hypothesis testing for selecting the number of changepoints in segmented regression models
Authors: Priulla Andrea , D’Angelo Nicoletta 
Published: March 2024

AbstractSegmented regression is widely used in many disciplines, especially when dealing with environmental data. This paper deals with the problem of selecting the correct number of changepoints in segmented regression models. A review of the usual selection criteria, namely information criteria and hypothesis testing, is provided. We enhance the latter method by proposing a novel sequential hypothesis testing procedure to address this problem. Our sequential procedure’s performance is compared to methods based on information-based criteria through simulation studies. The results show that our proposal performs similarly to its competitors for the Gaussian, Binomial, and Poisson cases. Finally, we present two applications to environmental datasets of crime data in Valencia and global temperature land data.
A short-cut methodology for the spatial assessment of the biochemical river quality
Authors: Di Fluri P. , Di Talia V. , Antonioni G. , Domeneghetti A. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe deterioration of superficial water quality is a significant concern in water management. Currently, most European rivers do not achieve qualitative standards defined by Directive 2000/60/EC (Water Framework Directive, WFD), while the health status of many surface water bodies remains unknown. Within this context, we propose a new methodology to perform a semi-quantitative analysis of the pressure state of a river, starting from easily accessible data related to anthropic activities. The proposed approach aims to address the endemic scarcity of monitoring records. This study proposes a procedure to (i) evaluate the relative pressure of different human activities, (ii) identify allocation points of different pollutant sources along the river using a raster-based approach, and (iii) determine a spatial biochemical water quality index. The developed index expresses the overall biochemical state of surface water induced by pollutant sources that may simultaneously impact a single river segment. This includes establishments under the so-called Seveso Directive, activities subjected to the IPPC-IED discipline, wastewater treatment plants, and contaminated sites. The methodology has been tested over three rivers in Northern Italy, each exposed to different industrial and anthropogenic pressures: Reno, Enza, and Parma. A comparison with monitored data yielded convincing results, proving the consistency of the proposed index in reproducing the spatial variability of the river water quality. While additional investigations are necessary, the developed methodology can serve as a valuable tool to support decision-making processes and predictive studies in areas lacking or having limited water quality monitoring data.
Gundelia tournefortii L. (Akkoub): a review of a valuable wild vegetable from Eastern Mediterranean
Authors: Hani Nizar , Abulaila Khaled , Howes Melanie-Jayne , Mattana Efisio , Bacci Silvia , Sleem Khaled , Sarkis Lina , Eddine Nijad Saed , Baydoun Safa , Apostolides Nelly Arnold , Ulian Tiziana 
Published: March 2024

AbstractGundelia tournefortii L. (Asteraceae) is an artichoke-like wild edible vegetable that grows in the semi-arid climate of the East Mediterranean. Due to its high cultural and economic values for culinary and therapeutic uses, this plant is exposed to overharvesting driven by household consumption and trade, threatening the survival of natural populations. Some limited data on the nutrient composition of G. tournefortii exists indicating presence of folic acid and several essential amino acids. Research on seed germination reports that mechanical scarification, gibberellic acid, and cold stratification are all effective treatments for seed dormancy breaking and therefore to propagate plants from seed. Successful vegetative propagation from the plant meristems is also available. However, despite some exceptions, the species is still not widely cultivated due to its thorny habit and complex seed germination requirements, and the ability to ensure seed germination under natural field conditions remains to be addressed.