bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Functional and radiographic assessments of post-traumatic asymmetrical ankle osteoarthritis treatment using supramalleolar osteotomies
Authors: El-Adly Wael , Adam Faisal Fahmy , Kamel Mohamed Sayed , Osman Ahmed E. 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Purpose
This study's objective is to assess the effectiveness of supramalleolar osteotomies (SMOT) in the treatment of asymmetrical ankle osteoarthritis in terms of the improvement in alignment assessed radiographically and its impact on symptoms measured by the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle–hindfoot score (AOFAS ankle–hindfoot score).

Methods
Twelve patients participated in this prospective observational case series study. Standing anteroposterior, true lateral, and mortise views radiographs were taken. For preoperative planning, the lateral distal tibial angle (LDTA), talar tilt (TT), talocrural angle (TCA), and anterior distal tibial angle (ADTA) were all measured. A medial opening wedge osteotomy mainly was used to treat the varus arthritis ankle. A further oblique fibular osteotomy is frequently necessary.

Results
The male-to-female ratio was 3:1, and the mean age of the patients was 26.25 ± 13.032 years. There were highly statistically significant differences between pre-and post-operative AOFAS ankle–hindfoot score (p < 0.001). Statistically significant differences concerning ankle range of motion (p = 0.002, < 0.001) of dorsiflexion and planter flexion were detected. Comparison between pre-and post-operative patients' radiology characteristics shows statistically significant differences concerning TT (p = 0.016) and LDTA (p = 0.046).

Conclusion
SMOT is very effective in the treatment of post-traumatic ankle osteoarthritis and postpones ankle fusion or total ankle replacements. This surgery significantly improves functional and radiological outcomes as well as the range of motion in the ankle. Meticulous preoperative planning by radiological measurements of different angles around the ankle is considered the crucial factor in success of that operation.
Effect of adding cement kiln dust on the effective geotechnical properties of sand dunes in Najran–Sharourah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: a laboratory study
Authors: Al-Homidy Abdullah A. , Abd El Aal Ahmed K. , Nabawy Bassem S. , Radwan Ahmed E. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractSand dunes are one of the most common soil types all over the world, particularly in North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. These dunes, with their regional extensions, are considered the main natural resource for fine aggregates being used in construction purposes. To use dune sands as a road construction material, suitable treatment is necessary. Sand dunes have typically been stabilized using a cement material, however, though extremely costly and consuming a substantial amount of energy, it is not particularly effective. Therefore, this study has investigated the potentiality of adding cement kiln dust (CKD) for enhancing the strength and durability of dune sands in Najran–Sharourah, SW Saudi Arabia. Twenty-seven specimens have been mixed with 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% CKD plus 2% cement and then examined and assessed using macro-characterization techniques. Results indicated that the strength of the sand dune samples, treated with an enhanced mixture of 30% CKD and 2% cement, improved the minimum dry density from 1.652 at 0% to 1.854 g/cm3. The soil became more qualified as a construction material. This enhanced mixture can serve as a high-quality sub-base for both flexible and rigid pavements. Besides, micro-characterization techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), back-scattered electron imaging (BEI), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) supported by energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), were applied to identify the various phases of the treated dune sands. Finally, the implementation of adding the CKD to the dune sands geomechanical parameters has been modeled, and a series of highly reliable mathematical equations have been introduced (0.938 ≤ R2 ≤ 1.0).
Cryopreserved amniotic membrane in chronic nonhealing wounds: a series of case reports
Authors: Horvath Vojtech , Svobodova Alzbeta , Cabral Joao Victor , Stadler Petr , Lindner Jaroslav , Mrstinova Miluse Berka , Balogh Lukas , Jirsova Katerina 
Published: November 2023

AbstractA case series of the use of amniotic membrane (AM) for treating chronic nonhealing wounds. It presents five cases of polymorbid patients with a total of nine chronic nonhealing wounds. The patient group consisted of four men and one woman with various comorbidities, aged 45–72 years. The mean initial wound size was 15.8 cm2, and the mean time from the onset of the wound to the first application of AM was 122 weeks. The wounds were caused by chronic venous insufficiency and/or peripheral arterial disease. Wounds were treated in a standardized protocol. AM was applied weekly in the first month and then every two weeks. Photo documentation of the wound and microbiological colonization was carried out at each visit. In three out of five patients, the AM treatment effectively promoted healing up to complete wound closure. In two cases, the wounds stayed unhealed despite numerous AM applications. Pain relief was noted in all patients. The success of the treatment was closely tied to patient factors, such as adherence to the prescribed treatment regimen and individual patient characteristics. In some cases, treatment failure was observed, possibly due to underlying comorbidities, wound parameters, or poor patient compliance. AM treatment has the potential to become a viable treatment option for these nonhealing wounds. However, the effectiveness of the treatment may be influenced by various patient factors and the underlying cause of the wound. Therefore, it is crucial to have an individualized treatment plan that considers these particular factors.
Convexity of Non-homogeneous Quadratic Functions on the Hyperbolic Space
Authors: Ferreira Orizon P. , Németh Sándor Z. , Zhu Jinzhen 
Published: November 2023

AbstractIn this paper, some concepts related to the intrinsic convexity of non-homogeneous quadratic functions on the hyperbolic space are studied. Unlike in the Euclidean space, the study of intrinsic convexity of non-homogeneous quadratic functions in the hyperbolic space is more elaborate than that of homogeneous quadratic functions. Several characterizations that allow the construction of many examples will be presented.
A high-performance turnkey system for customer lifetime value prediction in retail brands
Authors: Yan Yan , Resnick Nicholas 
Published: November 2023

AbstractCustomer lifetime value (CLV) modeling underpins modern marketing analytics, enabling the development of tailored customer relationship management strategies based on the predicted future value of their customers. As part of Amperity’s enterprise customer data platform (CDP), we deploy and maintain a CLV prediction system that caters to a rapidly growing list of brands across various industries, purchase behaviors, and scales. Given the impracticality of developing bespoke models for each brand, our solution must be adaptive, generalizable, and high-performing ”out of the box”. Furthermore, our platform demands daily prediction updates to facilitate prompt marketing decisions. This paper introduces a turnkey CLV prediction system that achieves state-of-the-art performance across a diverse set of brands. This system has several contributions: 1) the use of encodings and embeddings to incorporate signals from high-cardinality data; 2) a multi-stage churn-CLV modeling framework that augments additional flexibility in adjusting churn probabilities, subsequently reducing CLV prediction errors while maintaining a synergistic learning process; 3) a feature-weighted ensemble of both generative and discriminative models to accommodate diverse underlying purchase patterns. Empirical results show that our enhanced model consistently surpasses benchmark performances for twelve retail brands across six evaluation intervals from June 2020 to September 2022.
Changes in Site of Death Among Older Adults Without a COVID-19 Diagnosis During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Gotanda Hiroshi , Zhang Jessica J. , Saliba Debra , Xu Haiyong , Tsugawa Yusuke 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Background
Understanding how the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic affected site of death—an important patient-centered outcome related to end-of-life care—would inform healthcare system resiliency in future public health emergencies.

Objective
To evaluate the changes in site of death during the COVID-19 pandemic among older adults without a COVID-19 diagnosis.

Design
Using a quasi-experimental difference-in-differences method, we estimated net changes in site of death during the pandemic period (March–December 2020) from the pre-pandemic period (January–February 2020), using data on the same months in prior years (2016–2019) as the control.

Participants
A 20% sample of Medicare Fee-for-Service beneficiaries aged 66 years and older who died in 2016–2020. We excluded beneficiaries with a hospital diagnosis of COVID-19.

Main Measures
We assessed each of the following sites of death separately: (1) home or community; (2) acute care hospital; and (3) nursing home.

Key Results
We included 1,133,273 beneficiaries without a hospital diagnosis of COVID-19. We found that the proportion of Medicare beneficiaries who died at home or in the community setting increased (difference-in-differences [DID] estimate, + 3.1 percentage points [pp]; 95% CI, + 2.6 to + 3.6 pp; P < 0.001) and the proportion of beneficiaries who died (without COVID-19 diagnosis) in an acute care hospital decreased (− 0.8 pp; 95% CI, − 1.2 to − 0.4 pp; P < 0.001) during the pandemic. We found no evidence that the proportion of deaths in nursing homes changed during the pandemic.

Conclusions
Using national data on older adults without a COVID-19 diagnosis, we found that site of death shifted toward home or community settings during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings may inform clinicians and policymakers in supporting end-of-life care during future public health emergencies.
Dysfunctional Constitutionalism or Dysfunctional Politics: A Matter of Law, Politics, and Institutional Design
Authors: Lhotta Roland 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe following reflections are an attempt in constitutional theory to adress the core elements of the U.S. constitutional crisis. It will first identify structural and normative properties of the U.S. Constitution that may become battlegrounds for adversarial ideas, meanings, logics of appropriateness, and, finally, institutional and constitutional missions, all centering around constitutional liberty. In a second step, it will be shown that institutional theory addresses important links between norms/rules/institutions and actors/citizens that are crucial for a constitution and its potential normative battlegrounds. It is alleged that a constitutional crisis is closely related to incommensurable interpretations of constitutional value choices (e.g., liberty) and the ways actors choose to make their interpretations actionable through the institutional channels of a polity. Constitutional theory, hence, should consider institutionalist findings in order to come to grips with the phenomenon of constitutional crisis. Third, in this light it will be discussed whether the prevailing models of (U.S.) constitutionalism are able to assimilate defects in the crucial relationship between the constitution and actors, especially when it comes to factionalized and polarized meanings and interpretations—which in turn trigger adversarial institutional/constitutional missions and may lead to constitutional wars. Fourth and finally, these reflections are taken together for an outlook on the prospects of constitutional development in the United States and the challenges that lie ahead.
Tidal volume measurement in patients with obesity hypoventilation syndrome and opium dependence
Authors: Amra Babak , Behvandi Bahar , Soltaninejad Forogh , Salmasi Mehrzad , Feizi Awat , Glos Martin , Fietze Ingo , Penzel Thomas , Salanitro Matthew 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Background
Both obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) and opium dependence can negatively affect nocturnal respiratory functionality. However, the effects of a combination of the two are relatively unknown. In this study, the tidal volume (VT) of OHS patients with and without opium dependence was estimated by measuring changes in the circumference of the thorax and the abdomen during sleep.

Materials and methods
This case–control study was performed in Iran, Isfahan. Initially, 20 healthy subjects calibrated the Pneumobelts (Löwenstein Medical Technology GmbH, Hamburg, Germany) by wearing the device and also breathing in and out of a Spirobag. From this, it was possible to estimate the coefficient factors for determining VT based on thoracic and abdominal measures. Subsequently, the study included 55 patients with OHS, who were divided into two groups: opium dependent and non-users. They were then admitted to the sleep lab for a single night of polysomnography (PSG). VT was estimated and then compared between groups.

Results
In total, there were 24 patients in the opium group and 31 in the non-user control group. All PSG variables were analyzed with independent-sample t-tests and an analysis of covariance was used to adjust for potential confounding variables. The following confounding variables were adjusted: sex, smoking, body mass index, and hypertension. VT values were not significantly different between groups (opium: 772 ± 125.4; non-user: 774 ± 95). Average oxygen saturation values were significantly lower in opium-dependent patients (opium: 86.1 ± 5.5; non-user: 89.1 ± 4.1). All other variables from PSG including chest and abdominal circumference were not significantly different between groups.

Conclusion
OHS patients with opium dependency showed similar VT levels when compared to non-users with OHS. Due to the rarity of the sample, it was difficult to gather exactly matched pairs. Therefore, it is possible that with a more closely related sample, we might be able to see a difference in VT between groups.
Recent Advances in Pediatric Medulloblastoma
Authors: Jackson Kasey , Packer Roger J 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Purpose of Review
Review recent advances in the understanding of pediatric medulloblastoma including etiology, biology, radiology, and management of pediatric medulloblastoma.

Recent Findings
The classic four subgroups have been reclassified and further subdivided based on new molecular findings. Research is revealing the cell origins of the different subtypes of medulloblastoma. There has been continued personalization of management based on molecular parameters.

Summary
While many advances have been made in the knowledge base of this most common malignant pediatric brain tumor, there has not yet been translation into more effective therapies to prolong survival in all subgroups with the possible exception of children with group 3 disease. Quality of life remains a major challenge for long-term survivors.
Stratifin (SFN) Regulates Cervical Cancer Cell Proliferation, Apoptosis, and Cytoskeletal Remodeling and Metastasis Progression Through LIMK2/Cofilin Signaling
Authors: Du Naiyi , Li Daojuan , Zhao Wei , Liu Yakun 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe aberrant expression of Stratifin (SFN) is intricately associated with the initiation and progression of numerous tumors. This study aims to investigate whether SFN regulates the metastasis of cervical cancer cells through the LIMK2/Cofilin signaling pathway. In this study, we compared the expression of SFN in normal cervical tissues and cervical carcinoma tissues. We established SFN overexpression and SFN silencing cellular models to assess the invasive and migratory capabilities of cervical cancer cells using transwell and scratch assays. YO-PRO-1/PI and EdU staining were employed to evaluate apoptotic and proliferative capacities, while Actin-Tracker Green-488 was utilized to investigate cytoskeletal remodeling. The expression levels of SFN, LIMK2, p-LIMK2, Cofilin, and p-Cofilin were examined through Western blotting and immunofluorescence. Our findings revealed elevated expression of SFN in cervical squamous cell carcinoma tissues. SFN overexpression was observed to enhance invasion and migration of cervical cancer cells, induce cytoskeletal remodeling, facilitate cell proliferation, and suppress apoptosis. Furthermore, SFN overexpression upregulated the expression levels of LIMK2, p-LIMK2, Cofilin, and p-Cofilin. Conversely, silencing SFN exerted opposite effects. SFN plays an important role in the diagnosis of cervical cancer. SFN can regulate cervical cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, cytoskeletal remodeling and metastasis through LIMK2/Cofilin signaling.
Molecular Mechanisms Associated with Neurodegeneration of Neurotropic Viral Infection
Authors: Wongchitrat Prapimpun , Chanmee Theerawut , Govitrapong Piyarat 
Published: November 2023

AbstractViral infections of the central nervous system (CNS) cause variable outcomes from acute to severe neurological sequelae with increased morbidity and mortality. Viral neuroinvasion directly or indirectly induces encephalitis via dysregulation of the immune response and contributes to the alteration of neuronal function and the degeneration of neuronal cells. This review provides an overview of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of virus-induced neurodegeneration. Neurotropic viral infections influence many aspects of neuronal dysfunction, including promoting chronic inflammation, inducing cellular oxidative stress, impairing mitophagy, encountering mitochondrial dynamics, enhancing metabolic rewiring, altering neurotransmitter systems, and inducing misfolded and aggregated pathological proteins associated with neurodegenerative diseases. These pathogenetic mechanisms create a multidimensional injury of the brain that leads to specific neuronal and brain dysfunction. The understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the neurophathogenesis associated with neurodegeneration of viral infection may emphasize the strategies for prevention, protection, and treatment of virus infection of the CNS.
Remnants of a Young Monogenetic Volcanic Field and the Fragile Balance of Anthropogenic Interaction
Authors: Foote April , Handley Heather , Németh Károly 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe rapid development of Auckland City in New Zealand from an initial rural settlement to a global urban hub produced a characteristic footprint on the Auckland Volcanic Field (AVF). This process was facilitated by increased anthropogenic activity that has resulted in the deterioration and destruction of many volcanic landforms and caused severe archaeological, cultural, geological and educational losses in an alarmingly short timescale. The AVF has 53 volcanic centres, and of these, 17% are classified as intact, 28% are partially intact, 30% are partially destroyed, and 25% are destroyed (including 13% that have no trace left). Based on surface area, approximately 40% of volcanic deposits in the AVF have been lost. The most common causes for impacts are public land use, quarrying and urban development. Regardless, there is significant potential to be found in the balance between the losses and gains of anthropogenic impacts on volcanic landforms. In the AVF and worldwide, geological studies have often been assisted by the presence of outcrops created by quarrying, mining, transport infrastructure and other modifications of volcanic landforms. Areas of significant volcanic geoheritage worldwide are often linked with these impacted volcanoes, and the information gained from these geoheritage areas assists in the management of geodiversity and geoeducation. Several volcanic centres are currently at risk of further destruction in the near future (Crater Hill, Waitomokia, Maugataketake, Kohuroa, Three Kings, St Heliers and McLaughlins Mt) and should be prioritised for any possible research before it is too late. We propose that a geological assessment should be a requirement before and, if possible, during any land development on or near a volcanic landform. Allowing access to scientists through the course of development in areas with volcanic landforms would, in turn, aid public and governing bodies in decision-making for the future of the city and its volcanoes in terms of increased knowledge of volcanic mechanisms of the AVF and awareness of the potential associated hazards.
Flood Vulnerability Assessment Across Alaknanda River Basin using GIS-based Combined Analysis of Geomorphometric Approach and MCDM-AHP
Authors: Rautela Kuldeep Singh , Kumar Dilip , Goutham Raveej Gandhi B.G. Bandaru , Kumar Ajay , Dubey Amit Kumar 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Floods are one of the most devastating natural disasters, causing land destruction, economic loss, and massive disruptions to humans. The present study was conducted in the Alaknanda river basin with medium to high drainage density and stream frequency. The flood vulnerable zones (FVZ) are identified using geomorphometric analysis, and flood vulnerability zones are identified through analytical hierarchy processes (AHPs). Three factors, such as linear, relief, and aerial, have been used in the geomorphometric analysis of the Alaknanda basin. The weights were assigned on a scale of 1 for flood-induced factors such as slope (0.386), rainfall (0.192), drainage density (0.129), LULC (0.096), geology (0.077), soil (0.064), and DEM (0.055) have been determined using 7×7 decision matrix of multi-criteria decision making- analytical hierarchy processes (MCDM-AHP) model accounting for their varying importance from high to low priorities. A consistency ratio (CR) of 0.083 (less than 0.1) signifies the acceptance of the weights derived in the case. The high shape index, form factor, and rotundity factor indicate the basin allows quick drainage of surface runoff with a lesser time of concentration; as a result, sharp peaks of the hydrograph will be obtained at the outlet of the basin. However, most of the basin area is under the moderate vulnerability category, while the entire river banks along the valley are the most vulnerable. Additionally, a small-scale sociological study indicates that for a population that resides close to highly susceptible locations, temporary relocation is the most common strategy.
The Acute Orbit: Preseptal (Periorbital) cellulitis, subperiosteal
abscess and orbital cellulitis due to sinusitis
Authors: Moloney J. R. , Badham N. J. , McRae A. 
Published: November 2023

Preseptal (periorbital) cellulitis, subperiosteal abscess and orbital
cellulitis are conditions which are still frequently seen in ENT, Ophthalmic
and Paediatric practice. They are parts of the spectrum of the disease
processes seen in the acutely inflamed orbit. The clinician should try and
establish which of the three conditions the patient has, as both
subperiosteal abscess and orbital cellulitis are more serious conditions
than preseptal cellulitis.
There is still much confusion in the literature over the terms
‘periorbital cellulitis’ and ‘orbital cellulitis', and the terms are often
used interchangeably. This makes an analysis of the literature with regard
to the features of the conditions difficult. The introduction of the term
‘the acute orbit’ might possibly lead to less confusion ifitisusedto cover
all inflammatory processes in the orbit. Descriptions, definitions and
classifications of orbital inflammations have been given by many authors in
the literature. There are many causes of the acute orbit, but sinusitis
remains the commonest cause.