bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic delay in symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease: an Italian tertiary referral centre study
Authors: Santacroce Giovanni , Lenti Marco Vincenzo , Abruzzese Giulia Maria , Alunno Giacomo , Di Terlizzi Francesco , Frenna Carmine , Gentile Antonella , Latorre Mario Andrea , Petrucci Clarissa , Ruggeri Damiano , Soriano Simone , Aronico Nicola , Rossi Carlo Maria , De Silvestri Annalisa , Corazza Gino Roberto , Di Sabatino Antonio 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe magnitude of the diagnostic delay of symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease (SUDD) is unknown; we aimed to evaluate SUDD diagnostic delay and its risk factors. SUDD patients diagnosed at a tertiary referral centre were retrospectively enrolled (2010–2022). Demographic and clinical data were retrieved. Overall, patient-, and physician-dependant diagnostic delays were assessed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were fitted to identify risk factors for diagnostic delay. Overall, 70 SUDD patients (median age 65 years, IQR 52–74; F:M ratio = 1.6:1) were assessed. The median overall diagnostic delay was 7 months (IQR 2–24), patient-dependant delay was 3 months (IQR 0–15), and physician-dependant delay was 1 month (IQR 0–6). Further, 25% of patients were misdiagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). At multivariate analysis, previous misdiagnosis was a significant risk factor for overall and physician-dependant diagnostic delay (OR 9.99, p = 0.01, and OR 6.46, p = 0.02, respectively). Also, a high educational level (> 13 years) was associated with a greater overall diagnostic delay (OR 8.74 p = 0.02), while previous abdominal surgery was significantly associated to reduced physician-dependant diagnostic delay (OR 0.19 p = 0.04). To conclude, SUDD may be diagnosed late, IBS being the most frequent misdiagnosis. Timely diagnosis is crucial to tackle the burden of SUDD on patients and healthcare.
Teacher growth in exploiting mathematics competencies through STEAM projects
Authors: Ortiz-Laso Zaira , Diego-Mantecón José-Manuel , Lavicza Zsolt , Blanco Teresa F. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThis article is aimed at educators concerned with curricular initiatives that foster STE(A)M projects in secondary education to promote mathematics competencies. Research has recently reported that these projects superficially address mathematics content, hampering the development of competencies the consensus deems necessary to prepare citizens for daily life. This study shows that learning goals may be achieved when teachers receive personalised training and sustained assistance in their project experiences. We examine how two Spanish teachers, with advisors’ support, progress in exploiting mathematics competencies within the implementation of a single project each over a period of 3 years. Their evolution was not the result of minor recommendations but of continuous interactions with the advisors. These interactions intended to maintain a balance between teacher confidence and project enhancements, which required commitment and constancy. Four of the five competencies considered in the Spanish curriculum emerged powerfully after sustained refinement. The frequently mobilised competencies were intra-mathematics, representations, as well as collaborative work and positive identity, followed by modelling. The last of which was difficult to address, but when it was, the other three emerged more naturally. Computational thinking was poorly represented mainly because of the advisors’ background and its recent incorporation into the reference curriculum. The teachers’ progress was influenced by the advisor’s academic background, pedagogical expertise, ability to transfer research outcomes into teaching, and experience supporting others.
Incorporation of CEUS and SWE parameters into a multivariate logistic regression model for the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant TI-RADS 4 thyroid nodules
Authors: Li Hong-Jing , Sui Guo-Qing , Teng Deng-Ke , Lin Yuan-Qiang , Wang Hui 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Purpose
To investigate the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) quantitative analysis parameters combined with shear wave elastography (SWE) quantitative parameters in the differentiation of benign and malignant ACR TI-RADS category 4 thyroid nodules and to provide a more effective reference for clinical work.

Methods
We analyzed 187 category 4 nodules, including 132 nodules in the development cohort and 55 nodules in the validation cohort, divided the development cohort into benign and malignant groups, and analyzed the differences in all CEUS and SWE quantitative parameters between the two groups. We selected the highest AUC of the two parameters, performed binary logistic regression analysis with the ACR TI-RADS score and constructed a diagnostic model. ROC curves were applied to evaluate their diagnostic efficacy.

Results
1) The diagnostic model had an AUC of 0.926, sensitivity of 87.5%, specificity of 86.8%, diagnostic threshold of 3, accuracy of 87.12%, positive predictive value of 86.15%, and negative predictive value of 88.06%. 2) The diagnostic model had an AUC of 0.890 in the validation cohort, sensitivity of 81.5%, specificity of 79.6%, and accuracy of 80.00%.

Conclusion
The combined multiparameter construction of the nodule diagnostic model can effectively improve the diagnostic efficacy of 4 types of thyroid nodules and provide a new reference index for clinical diagnostic work.
Overview of criteria to estimate aerodynamic limits of the flight envelope of a transonic aircraft based on RANS simulations
Authors: Breitenstein Christian 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe aerodynamic limits of the flight envelope of an aircraft play an important role for flight characteristics and loads, so they must be estimated already in the early stages of aircraft design. However, without wind tunnel tests or costly scale-resolving simulations, it is difficult to make an accurate prediction. From a computational perspective, this problem can be split into two parts: (1) generating a valid flow solution for edge-of-the-envelope conditions and (2) extracting the exact lift limit from these computations. Not only the first point can be very challenging, but also the second point. At low Mach numbers, the lift limit may be detected relatively easily, but already at moderate Mach numbers, maximum lift and the lift limit do not necessarily coincide any more, as the actual achievable lift may be limited by the onset of transonic buffet before maximum lift is achieved. Since buffet itself can only be predicted accurately with high effort using time-resolving CFD methods, indirect criteria are required for estimating the lift limit based on steady RANS simulations. This is the focus of the present paper. For this purpose, various criteria proposed in the literature are presented, applied to a test case and comparatively evaluated. For the test case, steady RANS simulations of the generic wing-fuselage configuration LEISA at different Mach numbers and angles of attack are carried out. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages of the different criteria are identified and discussed.
Decarbonization of Arthrospira platensis production by using atmospheric CO2 as an exclusive carbon source: proof of principle
Authors: Jung C. G. H. , Nghinaunye T. , Waldeck P. , Braune S. , Petrick I. , Küpper J.-H. , Jung F. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThere is an urgent need to develop technologies for removing CO2 from the atmosphere to combat climate change. Microalgae and cyanobacteria, such as Arthrospira platensis (AP), have shown promise due to their high photoautotrophic biomass production. Conventional AP culture media are supplemented with high concentrations of NaHCO3 since AP utilizes $${\text{HCO}}_{3}^{ - }$$

HCO

3

-

as a carbon source. These culture conditions result in significant amounts of CO2 escaping into the atmosphere, instead of being sequestered during cultivation. Here, we investigated whether ambient air (0.042% CO2) can be used for growing AP in a culture medium lacking a fossil-based carbon source. AP was cultured in 2 L glass bioreactors containing: (1) Zarrouk medium with 16.8 g/L NaHCO3 and aeration with 0.236 vvm air with 2% CO2 (“NaHCO3/CO2-based”) to compensate carbon loss due to CO2 outgassing, and (2) Zarrouk medium without NaHCO3 and a gas flow with ambient air (0.926 vvm) as the only carbon source (“air-based”). The air-based production resulted in the biofixation of 3.78 gCO2/L during the linear growth phase. With NaHCO3/CO2-based production, a comparable amount of 3.42 gCO2/L was obtained while 659.12 g of CO2 was released into the atmosphere. Total protein, phycocyanin, chlorophyll-a, and carotenoids were present in similar or increased amounts in AP produced by the air-based method. We concluded that cultivation of AP with Zarrouk medium lacking NaHCO3 but using ambient air with atmospheric CO2 as the only carbon source is possible without reducing productivity. These results improve our understanding of how atmospheric CO2 can be reduced by culturing AP.
Association of difficulties in daily physical activities and handgrip strength with cancer diagnoses in 65,980 European older adults
Authors: Martín-Cuesta Jonathan , Calatayud Joaquín , Casaña José , Smith Lee , Pardhan Shahina , López-Sánchez Guillermo Felipe , Suso-Martí Luis , Cuenca-Martínez Ferran , López-Bueno Rubén 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background
People with cancer usually report physical deconditioning, which can limit daily activities.

Aims
Our aim was to analyze associations between daily physical activities and handgrip strength with cancer diagnoses among European older adults.

Methods
We used data from SHARE (a representative survey of individuals aged 50 years or older) wave 7, residing in 27 European countries and Israel. Participants self-reported difficulties in daily physical activities and cancer diagnoses, and handgrip strength was objectively assessed using a handheld dynamometer. Data were analyzed using binary logistic regression.

Results
Overall, 65,980 participants (average age 67.6 years (SD = 9.4)) were analyzed. Having difficulties in any daily physical activity was significantly associated with higher odds of cancer diagnoses. Lower handgrip strength was significantly associated with cancer diagnoses among participants included in the first (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.27 [95%CI = 1.11–1.45]) and the second third (AOR = 1.15 [95%CI = 1.03–1.28]) when compared with participants from the last third in the final adjusted model.

Discussion
Having difficulties in daily physical activities as well as lower levels of handgrip strength is positively associated with cancer diagnoses.

Conclusion
Adults with difficulties lifting or carrying weights over 5 kilos or having difficulties in two or more activities showed critical associations with cancer diagnosis.
Comparison of sub-grid drag laws for modeling fluidized beds with the coarse grain DEM–CFD approach
Authors: Grabowski Janna , Jurtz Nico , Brandt Viktor , Kruggel-Emden Harald , Kraume Matthias 
Published: October 2023

AbstractFluidized particulate systems can be well described by coupling the discrete element method (DEM) with computational fluid dynamics (CFD). However, the simulations are computationally very demanding. The computational demand is drastically reduced by applying the coarse grain (CG) approach, where several particles are summarized into larger grains. Scaling rules are applied to the dominant forces to obtain precise solutions. However, with growing grain size, an adequate representation of the interaction forces and, thus, representation of sub-grid effects such as bubble and cluster formation in the fluidized particulate system becomes challenging. As a result, particle drag can be overestimated, leading to an increase in average particle height. In this work, limitations of the system-to-grain ratio are identified but also a dependency on system width. To address this issue, sub-grid drag models are often applied to increase the accuracy of simulations. Nonetheless, the sub-grid models tend to have an ad hoc fitting, and thorough testing of the system configurations is often missing. Here, five different sub-grid drag models are compared and tested on fluidized bed systems with different Geldart group particles, fluidization velocity, and system-to-grain diameter ratios.
Experimental study on the slip evolution of planar fractures subjected to cyclic normal stress
Authors: Tao Kang , Dang Wengang , Liao Xian , Li Xingling 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe frictional rupture mechanisms of rock discontinuities considering the dynamic load disturbance still remain unclear. This paper investigates the transitional behaviors of slip events happened on a planar granite fracture under cyclic normal stress with different oscillation amplitudes. The experimental results show that the activations of fast slips always correlate with unloading of normal stress. Besides, the intensive normal stress oscillation can weaken the shear strength which is recoverable when the normal stress return to constant. The rupture patterns are quantified by stress drop, slip length and slip velocity. With the effect of small oscillation amplitudes, the slip events show chaotic shapes, compared to the regular and predictable style under constant normal stress. When the amplitude is large enough, the big and small slip events emerge alternately, showing a compound slip style. Large amplitude of the cyclic normal stress also widens the interval differences of the slip events. This work provides experimental supports for a convincible link between the dynamic stress disturbance and the slip behavior of rock fractures.
A Population-Based Outcome-Wide Association Study of the Comorbidities and Sequelae Following COVID-19 Infection
Authors: Zhang Yuyang , Li Junhong , Feng Lan , Luo Yaxin , Pang Wendu , Qiu Ke , Mao Minzi , Song Yao , Cheng Danni , Rao Yufang , Wang Xinyi , Hu Yao , Ying Zhiye , Pu Xiaobin , Lin Shuyan , Huang Shaohui , Liu Geoffrey , Zhang Wei , Xu Wei , Zhao Yu , Ren Jianjun 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background
Immense attention has been given to the outcome of COVID-19 infection. However, comprehensive studies based on large populational cohort with long-term follow-up are still lacking. This study aimed to investigate the risk of various short-term comorbidities (within one month) and long-term sequelae (above one month) after COVID-19 infection.

Methods
In this large prospective cohort study with 14 months follow-up information based on UK biobank, we included 16,776 COVID-19-positive participants and 58,281 COVID-19-negative participants matched for comparison. The risk of each comorbidity and sequela was evaluated by multivariable logistic regression analysis and presented as hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI).

Results
COVID-19-positive individuals had a higher risk of 47 types of comorbidities within one month following COVID-19 infection, especially those who were older, male, overweight/obese, ever-smoked, with more pre-existing comorbidities and hospitalized. About 70.37% of COVID-19 patients with comorbidities had more than one co-occurring comorbidities. Additionally, only 6 high-risk sequelae were observed after one month of COVID-19 infection, and the incidence was relatively low (< 1%).

Conclusion
In addition to long-term sequelae following COVID-19 infection, plenty of comorbidities were observed, especially in patients with older age, male gender, overweight/obese, more pre-existing comorbidities and severe COVID-19, indicating that more attention should be given to these susceptible persons within this period.
A comparison of severity of illness between the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant and Delta variant
Authors: Ellis Laura Peyton , Hess Olivia , Huynh Khoa Le Anh , Bearman Gonzalo , Kang Le , Doern Christopher D. 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background:
The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionally affected traditionally marginalized groups. Both the Delta and Omicron variants raised concern amongst public health officials due to potentially higher infectivity rates and disease severity than prior variants. This study sought to compare disease severity between adults infected with the Omicron variant and adults infected with the Delta variant who presented to the Emergency Department at an academic, safety-net hospital in Virginia.

Methods:
This retrospective cohort study used electronic medical record data of patients who presented to the Emergency Department and received a positive SARS-CoV-2 test between September 1, 2021, and January 31, 2022. Positive tests were stratified by genotypic variant through whole genome sequencing. Participants with the Omicron variant were propensity scores matched with individuals with the Delta variant.

Results:
Among 500 Delta and 500 Omicron participants, 279 propensity score-matched pairs were identified. Participants were predominantly unvaccinated, with medical comorbidities, and self-identified as Black. Individuals infected with the Delta variant had more severe disease compared to those with the Omicron variant, regardless of vaccination status. Patients with kidney, liver, and respiratory disease, as well as cancer, are at higher risk for severe disease. Patients with 2 doses of COVID-19 immunization trended toward less severe disease.

Conclusions:
Overall, these data further support the literature regarding the disproportionate effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on vulnerable patient populations – such as those with limited access to care, people of color, and those with chronic medical conditions – and can be used to inform public health interventions.
Gender balance in infectious diseases and hospital epidemiology journals
Authors: Barajas-Ochoa Aldo , Ramirez-Trejo Manuel , Gradilla-Magaña Paloma , Dash Aditee , Raybould Jillian , Bearman Gonzalo 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Objective:
Diversity is recognized as a driver of excellence and innovation. Women represent a significant part of the infectious diseases (ID) and hospital epidemiology (HE) workforce. We aimed to assess gender representation among editors of top ID and HE journals and explore potential correlations with the gender of first and last authors in published articles.

Methods:
Using Scimago Journal & Country Rank, we identified 40 ID and 4 HE high-ranking journals. Editorial members were categorized by decision-making influence (levels I-III). We retrieved names of first and corresponding authors from 12 ID-focused journals’ 2019 research articles. Gender assignment for editors, first authors, and last authors utilized digital galleries and manual searches.

Results:
Among 2,797 editors from 44 journals, 33% were women. Female representation varied across editorial levels: 26% at level I, 36% at level II, and 31% at level III. Gender balance disparities existed among journals. Female first authors accounted for 50%, and female last authors accounted for 36% of the 2,725 published articles. We found weak but significant correlations between the editors’ gender and the gender of the first and last authors.

Conclusion:
Gender representation among ID and HE journal editors displayed unevenness, but no overt vertical segregation was observed. A generational transition among authors may be underway. Our findings suggest that a generational transition may be occurring among authors.
Genomic SEM applied to explore etiological divergences in bipolar subtypes
Authors: Lawrence Jeremy M. , Breunig Sophie , Foote Isabelle F. , Tallis Connor B. , Grotzinger Andrew D. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundBipolar disorder (BD) is an overarching diagnostic class defined by the presence of at least one prior manic episode (BD I) or both a prior hypomanic episode and a prior depressive episode (BD II). Traditionally, BD II has been conceptualized as a less severe presentation of BD I, however, extant literature to investigate this claim has been mixed.MethodsWe apply genomic structural equation modeling (Genomic SEM) to investigate divergent genetic pathways across BD's two major subtypes using the most recent GWAS summary statistics from the PGC. We begin by identifying divergences in genetic correlations across 98 external traits using a Bonferroni-corrected threshold. We also use a theoretically informed follow-up model to examine the extent to which the genetic variance in each subtype is explained by schizophrenia and major depression. Lastly, transcriptome-wide SEM (T-SEM) was used to identify neuronal gene expression patterns associated with BD subtypes.ResultsBD II was characterized by significantly larger genetic overlap across non-psychiatric medical and internalizing traits (e.g. heart disease, neuroticism, insomnia), while stronger associations for BD I were absent. Consistent with these findings, follow-up modeling revealed a substantial major depression component for BD II. T-SEM results revealed 35 unique genes associated with shared risk across BD subtypes.ConclusionsDivergent patterns of genetic relationships across external traits provide support for the distinction of the bipolar subtypes. However, our results also challenge the illness severity conceptualization of BD given stronger genetic overlap across BD II and a range of clinically relevant traits and disorders.
Cell-free plasma next-generation sequencing assists in the evaluation of secondary pneumonia in patients with COVID-19: a case series
Authors: David Joshua A. , Kolipakkam Bharadhwaj , Morales Megan K. , Vissichelli Nicole C. 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Secondary pneumonia occurs in 8–24% of patients with Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) infection and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Diagnosis of secondary pneumonia can be challenging. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of plasma microbial cell free DNA sequencing (mcfNGS) in the evaluation of secondary pneumonia after COVID-19. We performed a single-center case series of patients with COVID-19 who underwent mcfNGS to evaluate secondary pneumonia and reported the organisms identified, concordance with available tests, clinical utility, and outcomes. In 8/13 (61%) cases, mcfNGS detected 1–6 organisms, with clinically significant organisms identified in 4 cases, including Pneumocystis jirovecii, and Legionella spp. Management was changed in 85% (11/13) of patients based on results, including initiation of targeted therapy, de-escalation of empiric antimicrobials, and avoiding contingent escalation of antifungals. mcfNGS may be helpful to identify pathogens causing secondary pneumonia, including opportunistic pathogens in immunocompromised patients with COVID-19. However, providers need to carefully interpret this test within the clinical context.