bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exploring Ensemble Forecast Sensitivity to Observations for a Convective-Scale Data Assimilation System over the Dallas–Fort Worth Testbed
Authors: Gasperoni Nicholas A. , Wang Xuguang , Brewster Keith A. , Carr Frederick H. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Forecast sensitivity to observation (FSO) methods have become increasingly popular over the past two decades, providing the ability to quantify the impacts of various observing systems on forecasts without having to conduct costly data denial experiments. While adjoint- and ensemble-based FSO are employed in many global operational systems, their use for regional convection-allowing data assimilation (DA) and forecast systems have not been fully examined. In this study, ensemble FSO (EFSO) is explored for high-frequency convective-scale DA for a severe weather case study over the Dallas–Fort Worth testbed. This testbed, originally established by the Collaborative Adaptive Sensing of the Atmosphere (CASA) project, aims to improve high-resolution DA systems by assimilating a variety of existing state and regional mesoscale observing systems to fill gaps of conventional observing networks. This study utilizes EFSO to estimate relative impacts of nonconventional surface observations against conventional observations, and further incorporates assimilated radar observations into EFSO. Results show that, when applying advected localization and a neighborhood upscale averaging technique, EFSO estimates remain correlated and skillful with the actual error reduction of all assimilated observations for the duration of 2-h forecasts. The ability for EFSO to verify against other metrics (surface T, u, υ, q) beside energy norms is also demonstrated, emphasizing that EFSO can be used to evaluate impacts of specific parts of the forecast system rather than integrated quantities. Partitioned EFSO revealed that while conventional and radar observations contributed to most of the total energy, nonconventional observations contributed a significant percentage (up to 25%) of the total impact to surface thermodynamic fields.
Analysis of Preoperative Risk Factors for Early Recurrence in Patients After Hepatic Resection for Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Akaoka Munetoshi , Haruki Koichiro , Furukawa Kenei , Tsunematsu Masashi , Ishizaki Shunta , Okui Norimitsu , Shirai Yoshihiro , Yanagaki Mitsuru , Onda Shinji , Ikegami Toru 
Published: January 2024

Background Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) has a poor prognosis even after curative-intent hepatic resection due to a high recurrence rate. The aim of this study was to investigate preoperative risk factors for early recurrence after surgery for ICC, which may help to identify patients who need preoperative chemotherapy. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 51 patients who had undergone primary surgery for ICC. We investigated the association of preoperative clinical variables with recurrence within 1 year after resection for ICC. We then created a high-risk ICC score using the identified preoperative factors and investigated the association of the score with disease-free and overall survival. Results Recurrence within 1 year after surgery for ICC was significantly associated with poor overall survival ( P < .01). In the multivariate analysis, preoperative tumor size > 5 cm ( P = .03) and elevated C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio (CAR) ( P = .04) were significantly associated with recurrence within 1 year after surgery. A high-risk ICC score of 2 was associated with poor disease-free survival ( P < .01) and overall survival ( P = .02) compared with a score of 0 or 1. Conclusions Our high-risk ICC score, combining preoperative tumor size and CAR, can be an indicator of early recurrence and poor survival in patients after hepatic resection for ICC. Our findings may provide better preoperative risk stratification of patients with ICC, and the high-risk ICC patients may benefit from preoperative therapy.
Prediction of 30-Day Morbidity and Mortality After Conversion of Sleeve Gastrectomy to Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: Use of an Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Scott Adam W. , Amateau Stuart K. , Leslie Daniel B. , Ikramuddin Sayeed , Wise Eric S. 
Published: January 2024

Background Conversion of sleeve gastrectomy to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is indicated primarily for unsatisfactory weight loss or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This study aimed to use a comprehensive database to define predictors of 30-day reoperation, readmission, reintervention, or mortality. An artificial neural network (ANN) was employed to optimize prediction of the composite endpoint (occurrence of 1+ morbid event). Methods Areview of 8895 patients who underwent conversion for weight-related or GERD-related indications was performed using the 2021 MBSAQIP national dataset. Demographics, comorbidities, laboratory values, and other factors were assessed for bivariate and subsequent multivariable associations with the composite endpoint ( P ≤ .05). Factors considered in the multivariable model were imputed into a three-node ANN with 20% randomly withheld for internal validation, to optimize predictive accuracy. Models were compared using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results 39% underwent conversion for weight considerations and 61% for GERD. Rates of 30-day reoperation, readmission, reintervention, mortality, and the composite endpoint were 3.0%, 7.1%, 2.1%, .1%, and 9.1%, respectively. Of the nine factors associated with the composite endpoint on bivariate analysis, only non-white race ( P < .001; odds ratio 1.4), lower body-mass index ( P < .001; odds ratio .22), and therapeutic anticoagulation ( P = .001; odds ratio 2.0) remained significant upon multivariable analysis. Areas under ROC curves for the multivariable regression, ANN training, and validation sets were .587, .601, and .604, respectively. Discussion Identification of risk factors for morbidity after conversion offers critical information to improve patient selection and manage postoperative expectations. ANN models, with appropriate clinical integration, may optimize prediction of morbidity.
Missing the Mark: Evaluating the Validity of the Ventral Hernia Screen in Detecting Recurrence
Authors: Talwar Ankoor A. , McGraw J. Reed , Thrippleton Sheri , Broach Robyn B. , Heniford B. Todd , Fischer John P. 
Published: January 2024

Purpose Hernia recurrence is a primary metric in evaluating the success of ventral hernia repair (VHR). Current screening methods for hernia recurrence, including the validated Ventral Hernia Screening (VHS) questionnaire, have not yet been critically evaluated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of the VHS for hernia recurrence. Methods This is a retrospective cohort study of adult patients who underwent primary VHR utilizing poly-4-hydroxybutyrate mesh at a single-institution from January 2016 to December 2021 who completed at least one VHS during their postoperative follow-up. All patients who screened positive underwent follow-up diagnostic computed tomography or physical examination for confirmation of hernia recurrence. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were assessed for each item and the VHS as a whole. Results A total of 68 patients who completed 119 VHS questionnaires were included. The median time to VHS administration was 3.6 years (range .8-6.3 years). The VHS tool had a sensitivity of 40.0%, specificity of 71.1%, PPV of 5.7%, and NPV of 96.4%. Individual items of the VHS also produced poor screening effects, with sensitivities between 20 and 40%, specificities between 79 and 97%, PPVs between 4 and 25%, and NPVs from 95 to 97%. Conclusion The VHS was a poor positive predictive tool for hernia recurrence, with both a low PPV and sensitivity. Many patients may be unaware of when they truly have hernia recurrence in the long term. More rigorous tools need to be developed to monitor recurrence following VHR.
Bone Anchor Fixation in the Repair of Blunt Traumatic Abdominal Wall Hernias: A Western Trauma Association Multicenter Study
Authors: Harrell Kevin N. , Grimes Arthur D , Gill Harkanwar , Reynolds Jessica K. , Ueland Walker R. , Sciarretta Jason D. , Todd Samual R. , Trust Marc D. , Ngoue Marielle , Thomas Bradley W. , Ayuso Sullivan A. , LaRiccia Aimee , Spalding Chance M. , Collins Michael J. , Collier Bryan R. , Karam Basil S. , de Moya Marc A. , Lieser Mark J. , Chipko John M. , Haan James M. , Lightwine Kelly L. , Cullinane Daniel C. , Falank Carolyne R. , Phillips Ryan C. , Kemp Michael T. , Alam Hasan B. , Udekwu Pascal O. , Sanin Gloria D. , Hildreth Amy N. , Biffl Walter L. , Schaffer Kathryn B. , Marshall Gary , Muttalib Omaer , Nahmias Jeffry , Shahi Niti , Moulton Steven L. , Maxwell Robert A. 
Published: January 2024

Background Blunt traumatic abdominal wall hernias (TAWHs) are rare but require a variety of operative techniques to repair including bone anchor fixation (BAF) when tissue tears off bony structures. This study aimed to provide a descriptive analysis of BAF technique for blunt TAWH repair. Bone anchor fixation and no BAF repairs were compared, hypothesizing increased hernia recurrence with BAF repair. Methods A secondary analysis of the WTA blunt TAWH multicenter study was performed including all patients who underwent repair of their TAWH. Patients with BAF were compared to those with no BAF with bivariate analyses. Results 176 patients underwent repair of their TAWH with 41 (23.3%) undergoing BAF. 26 (63.4%) patients had tissue fixed to bone, with 7 of those reinforced with mesh. The remaining 15 (36.6%) patients had bridging mesh anchored to bone. The BAF group had a similar age, sex, body mass index, and injury severity score compared to the no BAF group. The time to repair (1 vs 1 days, P = .158), rate of hernia recurrence (9.8% vs 12.7%, P = .786), and surgical site infection (SSI) (12.5% vs 15.6%, P = .823) were all similar between cohorts. Conclusions This largest series to date found nearly one-quarter of TAWH repairs required BAF. Bone anchor fixation repairs had a similar rate of hernia recurrence and SSI compared to no BAF repairs, suggesting this is a reasonable option for repair of TAWH. However, future prospective studies are needed to compare specific BAF techniques and evaluate long-term outcomes including patient-centered outcomes such as pain and quality of life.
A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Wittmann Patch-Assisted Abdominal Closure Compared to Planned Ventral Hernia in Management of the Open Abdomen
Authors: Abosena Wael , Tedesco Alexandra , Han Sam M. , Bugaev Nikolay , Hojman Horacio M. , Johnson Benjamin P. , Kim Woon C. , Bawazeer Mohammed , Bloom Joshua A. 
Published: January 2024

Background Inability to achieve primary fascial closure after damage control laparotomy is a frequently encountered problem by acute care and trauma surgeons. This study aims to compare the cost-effectiveness of Wittmann patch-assisted closure to the planned ventral hernia closure. Methods A literature review was performed to determine the probabilities and outcomes for Wittmann patch-assisted primary closure and planned ventral hernia closure techniques. Average utility scores were obtained by a patient-administered survey for the following: rate of successful surgeries (uncomplicated abdominal wall closure), surgical site infection, wound dehiscence, abdominal hernia and enterocutaneous fistula. A visual analogue scale (VAS) was utilized to assess the survey responses and then converted to quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). Total cost for each strategy was calculated using Medicare billing codes. A decision tree was generated with rollback and incremental cost-utility ratio (ICUR) analyses. Sensitivity analyses were performed to account for uncertainty. Results Wittmann patch-assisted closure was associated with higher clinical effectiveness of 19.43 QALYs compared to planned ventral hernia repair (19.38), with a relative cost reduction of US$7777. Rollback analysis supported Wittmann patch-assisted closure as the more cost-effective strategy. The resulting negative ICUR of −156,679.77 favored Wittmann patch-assisted closure. Monte Carlo analysis demonstrated a confidence of 96.8% that Wittmann patch-assisted closure was cost-effective. Conclusions This study demonstrates using the Wittmann patch-assisted closure strategy as a more cost-efficient management of the open abdomen compared to the planned ventral hernia approach.
The Effectiveness of Salvage Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Following Combined Steroid Therapy for Refractory Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Authors: Lee Jung Woo , Kim Hwabin , Kong Soo-Keun , Kim Jia , Choi Sung-Won , Oh Se-Joon 
Published: January 2024

Objective: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is an accepted treatment option for sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), but it is still recommended in combination with corticosteroids. We investigated the efficacy of salvage HBOT in refractory SSNHL that does not respond to corticosteroid combination therapy. Methods: Eighty-four patients were included, who had unilateral SSNHL with an improvement of pure-tone average (PTA) less than 10 dB after using intratympanic plus systemic corticosteroids (combined therapy) as the initial therapy. The control group (n = 66) received no further treatment, and the HBOT group (n = 18) received additional treatment with HBOT (10 sessions in total with 2.5 atmospheres absolute for 1 hour). Results: No differences in PTA or WDS were found between the 2 groups. However, the mean hearing gain in the HBOT group (16.8 ± 4.49 dB) was significantly higher than that in the control group (4.45 ± 1.03 dB) ( P = .015). The proportion of patients with hearing recovery (hearing gain of 10 dB or more) after treatment was significantly higher in HBOT group (38.9%) than in the control group (10.6%). Conclusions: In patients with refractory SSNHL after steroid combined therapy, salvage HBOT showed a significant effect on hearing gain and recovery rate.
Inefficiency Analysis of Tax Efforts in Special Category States of India: Evidence from a Stochastic Frontier Model
Authors: Malik Mohd Yousuf , Raza Kulsoom , Ansari Samia 
Published: January 2024

The current article examines the tax efforts of India’s main mountainous states that have been accorded special category status by the National Development Council. These states have been under persistent budgetary pressure and are partially reliant on central funds in the form of grants in ‘aid’ and other central transfers. The present article employs the Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) model to assess ‘tax effort’ of special category states. The model results implied that ‘tax effort’ rises with increase in the share of secondary sector, revenue expenditure and road infrastructure. Further, the level of debt lowers ‘tax effort’, whereas the introduction of FRBM and Goods and Service Tax Regime (GST) has raised the inefficiency in own tax mobilization. On the basis of tax effort index, computed through John Drew (JLMS) methodology, this study also indicates that Assam, Uttarakhand, and Jammu and Kashmir are in a far better position in tax efforts score compared to the north eastern special category states. JEL Codes: H2, H21, H22, H71
Surveillance for Unexplained Deaths of Possible Infectious Etiologies During the COVID-19 Pandemic—Minnesota, 2020-2021
Authors: Firestone Melanie J. , Thorell Linnea , Kollmann Leslie , Fess Lydia , Ciessau Greta , Strain Anna K. , Danila Richard , Lynfield Ruth , Holzbauer Stacy ,   the UNEX Surveillance Team
Published: January 2024

Objectives: Surveillance systems for unexplained deaths that might have an infectious etiology are rare. We examined the Minnesota Department of Health Unexplained Deaths and Critical Illnesses of Possible Infectious Etiology and Medical Examiner Infectious Deaths (UNEX/MED-X) surveillance system,—a system that expanded postmortem surveillance for infectious diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic by leveraging standard (medical examiner [ME]) and expanded (mortuary) surveillance to identify COVID-19–related deaths. Methods: MEs, coroners, or morticians collected postmortem swabs from decedents with an infectious prodrome or with SARS-CoV-2 exposure before death but with no known recent infectious disease testing. The Minnesota Department of Health Public Health Laboratory used nucleic acid amplification, viral culture, and standard algorithms to test specimens collected postmortem for SARS-CoV-2, influenza virus, and other infectious pathogens. We reviewed UNEX/MED-X data from March 2, 2020, through December 31, 2021, and characterized decedents by location of swab collection (ie, ME or mortuary). Results: From March 2, 2020, through December 31, 2021, the UNEX/MED-X surveillance system received samples from 182 decedents from mortuaries and 955 decedents from MEs. Mortuary decedents were older than ME decedents (median age, 78 vs 46 y). Seventy-three mortuary decedents (40.1%) and 197 ME decedents (20.6%) had SARS-CoV-2 detections. The UNEX/MED-X system identified 212 COVID-19–related deaths, representing 2.0% of total COVID-19–related deaths in Minnesota. Eighty-nine decedents (42.0%) were from racial and ethnic minority populations, representing 6.1% more COVID-19–related deaths among people from racial and ethnic minority populations than would have been detected without this surveillance system. Practice Implications: Expanded and standard UNEX/MED-X surveillance builds capacity and flexibility for responding to emerging public health threats. Similar programs should be considered elsewhere as resources allow.
Push-Through Myringoplasty Versus External Auditory Canal Flap Tympanoplasty for Chronic Marginal Perforations
Authors: Sun Junzhi , Lou Zihan , Lou Zhengcai , Chen Zhengnong 
Published: January 2024

Objective: We compared the operation times, graft success rates, and hearing gains between push-through (PT) myringoplasty and external auditory canal (EAC) flap tympanoplasty in patients with chronic marginal perforations. Materials and Methods: A total of 77 patients with chronic marginal perforations were randomly allocated to endoscopic perichondrium-cartilage myringoplasty with raising of the EAC flaps (n = 39) and PT technique (n = 38) groups. The graft outcomes, mean operation times, and postoperative complications were compared 6 months after operation. Results: The graft success rate was 97.4% (38/39) in the EAC group and 81.6% (31/38) in the PT group; the difference was significant ( P = .056). The mean operation time was 40.7 ± 10.4 min in the EAC group and 42.4 ± 8.3 min in the PT group ( P = .741). In the EAC group, the mean pre- and postoperative air-bone gap (ABG)s were 29.3 (range: 28.4 ± 8.6) and 12.1 (range: 11.8 ± 2.4) dB ( P < .01), respectively; the respective values were 29.5 (range: 29.1 ± 5.4) and 12.6 (range: 12.0 ± 1.3) dB ( P < .01) in the PT group. No significant group difference was observed in the pre- ( P = .794) or postoperative ( P = .689) ABG values or mean ABG gain (16.7 ± 5.3 vs 17.1 ± 7.7 dB; P = .526). In addition, graft medialization occurred in 7.9% patients in the PT group. However, graft lateralization, significant blunting, deteriorative sensorineural hearing loss, vertigo, or tinnitus were not encountered in either group. No taste change was reported and no inclusion cholesteatoma was seen in the EAC group. Conclusion: Endoscopic perichondrium-cartilage myringoplasty with raising of an EAC flap is useful and minimally invasive to repair chronic marginal perforations; the technique is simple, has a high graft success rate in comparison to the PT technique.
Evaluation of usability, adherence, and clinical efficacy of therapeutic footwear in persons with diabetes at moderate to high risk of diabetic foot ulcers: A multicenter prospective study
Authors: López-Moral Mateo , Molines-Barroso Raúl J , Altonaga-Calvo Borja J , Carrascosa-Romero Elena , Cecilia-Matilla Almudena , Dòria-Cervós Montserrat , García-Martínez María T , Ortiz-Nistal Adrian , Palma-Bravo Anabel , Pereira-Losada Navor , Rivera-San Martin Gabriel , Samaniego-Muñoz Jordi , Villares-Tobajas Marcos , Lázaro-Martínez José Luis 
Published: January 2024

Objective To evaluate therapeutic footwear expectations and usability of individuals with diabetes and foot complications. Design A prospective multicenter study was conducted on participants with a high risk of developing a diabetic foot ulcer. Setting Participants were enrolled in 11 different specialized diabetic foot units in Spain between March 2022 and June 2023. Subjects Patients with diabetes at moderate to high risk of foot ulceration receiving first therapeutic footwear prescription. Interventions All the patients included in the research were prescribed with their first pair of therapeutic footwear. Main measures Primary outcome measures were MOS-pre and MOS-post questionnaires evaluating use and usability of prescribed therapeutic footwear. Secondary outcome measures aimed to evaluate footwear clinical efficacy as ulceration rate and self-reported perceived walking distance per day. Results The use of therapeutic footwear exceeded the patient's pre-provision prediction of their anticipated use in 94% of people ( n = 126). Based on the visual analogic satisfaction scale, the median satisfaction of daily wearing their therapeutic footwear was 7 points, Interquartile Range (IQR) [5–8.25]. During the follow-up period, 39 participants (29.1%) experienced diabetic foot ulcer. Perceived walking distance participants reported an improvement in their perceived walking ability during various daily life activities. Conclusions Diabetes patients at moderate to high risk of diabetic foot ulcer improved their perception of walking ability after therapeutic footwear prescription. Adherence to the therapeutic footwear prescription resulted in less ulcerations.
A multicenter study of cervical cancer using quantitative diffusion-weighted imaging
Authors: Wang Xue , Ye Zhijun , Li Shujian , Yan Zhihan , Cheng Jingliang , Ning Gang , Hou Zujun 
Published: January 2024

Background Parameters from diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) have been increasingly used as imaging biomarkers for the diagnosis and monitoring of treatment responses in cancer. The consistency of DWI measurements across different centers remains uncertain, which limits the widespread use of quantitative DWI in clinical settings. Purpose To investigate the consistency of quantitative metrics derived from DWI between different scanners in a multicenter clinical setting. Material and Methods A total of 193 patients with cervical cancer from four scanners (MRI1, MRI2, MRI3, and MRI4) at three centers were included in this retrospective study. DWI data were processed using the mono-exponential and intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) model, yielding the following parameters: apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC); true diffusion coefficient (D); pseudo-diffusion coefficient (D*); perfusion fraction (f); and the product of f and D* (fD*). Various parameters of cervical cancer obtained from different scanners were compared. Results The parameters D and ADC derived from MRI1 and MRI2 were significantly different from those derived from MRI3 or MRI4 ( P <0.01 for all comparisons). However, there was no significant difference in cervical cancer perfusion parameters (D* and fD*) between the different scanners ( P >0.05). The P values of comparisons of all DWI parameters (D, D*, fD*, and ADC) between MRI3 and MRI4 (same vendor in different centers) for cervical cancer were all >0.05, except for f ( P = 0.05). Conclusion Scanners of the same model by the same vendor can yield close measurements of the ADC and IVIM parameters. The perfusion parameters showed higher consistency among the different scanners.