bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Iodine intake in the Swiss population 100 years after the introduction of iodised salt: a cross-sectional national study in children and pregnant women
Authors: Fischer Lena , Andersson Maria , Braegger Christian , Herter-Aeberli Isabelle ,   Swiss Iodine Study Collaborators
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Purpose
The Swiss voluntary salt iodisation programme has successfully prevented iodine deficiency for 100 years, but dietary habits are changing and today only one-third of processed foods contain iodised salt. We aimed to monitor the current iodine status in children and pregnant women.

Methods
We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional study in children (6–12 years) and pregnant women and measured the urinary iodine concentration (UIC) in spot urine samples. We estimated the iodine intake using UIC and urinary creatinine concentration (UCC) and determined the prevalence of intakes below the average requirement (AR) using the SPADE method. We measured dried blood spot (DBS) thyroglobulin (Tg), TSH and total T4 in pregnant women.

Results
The median UIC was 127 μg/L (bootstrapped 95% CI 119, 140, n = 362) in children and 97 μg/L (bootstrapped 95% CI 90, 106, n = 473) in pregnant women. The estimated prevalence of inadequate iodine intake (< 65 μg/day) was 5.4% (bootstrapped 95% CI 0.0, 14.6) in children. Half (47%) of the women consumed iodine-containing multivitamin and mineral supplements (≥ 150 μg/day). Compared to non-users, users had higher median UIC (129 vs. 81 μg/L, P < 0.001), lower prevalence of inadequacy (< 160 μg/day; 0.2 vs. 31%) and lower DBS-Tg (23 vs. 29 μg/L, P < 0.001). All women were euthyroid.

Conclusions
The Swiss diet and current salt fortification provides adequate iodine intake in children, but not in all pregnant women. Iodine supplements cover the dietary gap in pregnancy but are not universally consumed. Therefore, improved use of iodised salt in processed foods is desired to ensure adequate iodine intake in all population groups.
This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT04524013.
APP-based treatment of urgency and mixed urinary incontinence in women: factors associated with long-term satisfaction
Authors: Wadensten Towe , Nyström Emma , Sjöström Malin , Lindam Anna , Samuelsson Eva 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Purpose
App-based treatment of urgency (UUI) and mixed (MUI) urinary incontinence has proved to be effective. To further improve treatment, it will be beneficial to analyze baseline and treatment-related factors that are associated with satisfaction.

Methods
A secondary analysis was conducted of data from a randomized controlled trial (RCT) assessing an app for UUI or MUI treatment, encompassing 98 women for whom there was long-term treatment satisfaction data. All participants completed a short-term (15 weeks) and a long-term (15 months) follow-up questionnaire after being given access to treatment. The outcome was a 3-item question on current treatment satisfaction at the long-term follow-up. Factors potentially associated with the outcome were analyzed using the chi-square test, Student’s t test or logistic regression.

Results
At the long-term follow-up, 58% of the women were satisfied with the treatment. The most important baseline variable associated with satisfaction was incontinence-related quality of life (International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire (ICIQ) − Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Quality of Life Module) (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.58–0.97). Short-term follow-up variables associated with long-term treatment satisfaction were improvement in the ability to endure urgency (OR 4.33, 95% CI 1.43–13.12), and confidence in pelvic floor contraction ability (OR 2.67, 95% CI 1.04–6.82).

Conclusion
App-based treatment for UUI and MUI may be an alternative first-line treatment that is satisfactory to many women over the long-term. Furthermore, short-term treatment that focuses on improving the ability to endure urgency, and confidence in pelvic floor contraction ability, can also be recommended for long-term satisfaction.
Customer profiling, segmentation, and sales prediction using AI in direct marketing
Authors: Kasem Mahmoud SalahEldin , Hamada Mohamed , Taj-Eddin Islam 
Published: December 2023

AbstractIn the current business environment, where the customer is the primary focus, effective communication between marketing and senior management is vital for success. Effective customer profiling is a cornerstone of strategic decision-making for digital start-ups seeking sustainable growth and customer satisfaction. This research investigates the clustering of customers based on recency, frequency, and monetary (RFM) analysis and employs validation metrics to derive optimal clusters. The K-means clustering algorithm, coupled with the Elbow method, Silhouette coefficient, and Gap Statistics method, facilitates the identification of distinct customer segments. The study unveils three primary clusters with unique characteristics: new customers (Cluster A), best customers (Cluster B), and intermittent customers (Cluster C). For platform-based Edutech start-ups, Cluster A underscores the importance of tailored learning content and support, Cluster B emphasizes personalized incentives, and Cluster C suggests re-engagement strategies. By understanding and addressing the diverse needs of these clusters, digital start-ups can forge enduring connections, optimize customer engagement, and fuel sustainable business growth.
Clinical outcomes of zirconia implants: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mohseni Parvin , Soufi Ahmad , Chrcanovic Bruno Ramos 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Purpose
To assess the clinical outcomes of zirconia dental implants based on an updated systematic literature review.

Methods
An electronic search was performed in three databases, last updated in June 2023, supplemented by hand searching. The eligibility criteria were clinical studies reporting patients rehabilitated with zirconia implants. The cumulative survival rate (CSR) of implants was calculated. A meta-analysis for marginal bone loss (MBL) under different follow-up times and a meta-regression assessing the relationship between mean MBL and follow-up were done.

Results
Twenty-five studies were included (4017 implants, 2083 patients). Seven studies had follow-up longer than 60 months. 172 implants failed, after a mean of 12.0 ± 16.1 months (min–max 0.3–86.0), of which 47 early failures, and 26 due to implant fracture, the majority in narrow-diameter implants. The 10-year CSR was 95.1%. Implants with coronal part prepared by drills presented statistically significant lower survival than non-prepared implants (p < 0.001). Two-piece implants presented lower survival than one-piece implants (p = 0.017). Implants discontinued from the market presented lower survival than the commercially available ones (p < 0.001). The difference in survival was not significant between implants in maxilla and mandible (p = 0.637). The mean MBL fluctuated between 0.632 and 2.060 mm over long periods of observation (up until 132 months). There was an estimated MBL increase of 0.005 mm per additional month of follow-up.

Conclusion
Zirconia implants present high 10-year CSR and short-term low MBL.
The review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022342055).

Clinical relevance
The clinical outcomes observed for zirconia dental implants are very promising, although these have not yet been extensively studied as titanium alloy implants.
Node and edge dual-masked self-supervised graph representation
Authors: Tang Peng , Xie Cheng , Duan Haoran 
Published: December 2023

AbstractSelf-supervised graph representation learning has been widely used in many intelligent applications since labeled information can hardly be found in these data environments. Currently, masking and reconstruction-based (MR-based) methods lead the state-of-the-art records in the self-supervised graph representation field. However, existing MR-based methods did not fully consider both the deep-level node and structure information which might decrease the final performance of the graph representation. To this end, this paper proposes a node and edge dual-masked self-supervised graph representation model to consider both node and structure information. First, a dual masking model is proposed to perform node masking and edge masking on the original graph at the same time to generate two masking graphs. Second, a graph encoder is designed to encode the two generated masking graphs. Then, two reconstruction decoders are designed to reconstruct the nodes and edges according to the masking graphs. At last, the reconstructed nodes and edges are compared with the original nodes and edges to calculate the loss values without using the labeled information. The proposed method is validated on a total of 14 datasets for graph node classification tasks and graph classification tasks. The experimental results show that the method is effective in self-supervised graph representation. The code is available at: https://github.com/TangPeng0627/Node-and-Edge-Dual-Mask.
Association of abnormalities in electrocardiography and ultrasonic echocardiography with the occurrence of cardiovascular disease in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease
Authors: Hirabayashi Ken , Fujii Hideki , Kono Keiji , Yamatani Satoshi , Shimizu Mao , Watanabe Kentaro , Sakamoto Kazuo , Goto Shunsuke , Nishi Shinichi 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background
In patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) increases with disease progression. CVD screening tests in those with CKD were researched to determine whether abnormalities observed in electrocardiography (ECG) and ultrasonic echocardiography (UCG) were risk factors associated with the development of CVD.

Methods
This study included 604 patients with CKD G4 and G5, for whom both ECG and UCG were performed. They were divided into four groups: those without ECG- and UCG-indicated abnormalities (group A, n = 333), with only ECG abnormalities (group B, n = 106), with only UCG abnormalities (group C, n = 75), and with both ECG and UCG abnormalities (group D, n = 90). Multivariate analysis using Cox regression analysis of the occurrence of CVD was performed during a follow-up period.

Results
During the observation period, 124 patients had clinical events. Among them, 45 patients (13.5%) were in Group A, 25 patients (23.6%) in Group B, 19 patients (25.3%) in Group C, and 35 patients (38.9%) in Group D, respectively. CVD event occurrence was highest in Group D. The results of the multivariate analysis also showed that the CVD event rates were significantly higher in Group C (HR: 2.96, P = < .001) and D (HR: 4.22, P < .001) than in Group A.

Conclusion
In patients with advanced CKD, there was a significant correlation of ECG and UCG abnormalities with CVD events. Additionally, those having both types of abnormalities may have a higher risk of coronary artery disease than other groups.
Changes in cardiovascular risk factors for diabetes among young versus older English adult populations
Authors: Basit Khalid Abdul , Ng Fat Linda , Gregg Edward W. 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background
To examine the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors among young, middle-aged and older adults with and without diabetes.

Method
Among 23,501 participants of pooled nationally representative Health Survey for England years 2003, 2006, 2011 and 2017 (new sample was interviewed each year), CVD risk-factors associated with diabetes versus non-diabetes among young (18-54y), middle (55-74y) and older (≥ 75y) adults were assessed. Models were adjusted for age, sex, locality, ethnicity, qualification, survey year, cardiovascular disease, raised blood pressure, dyslipidaemia, combined obesity, current smoking, and excessive drinking.

Results
11.9% of adults had diabetes: prevalence was 5.3% in aged 18-54y, 18.1% in aged 55-74y, and 29.1% in older adults. Diabetes prevalence was higher in 2017 than 2003 in each age-group. After adjustments for confounding variables, significant predictors of diabetes among young were CVD history, raised BP, dyslipidaemia, combined obesity, and survey year 2006. Effect of dyslipidaemia in young adults on the risk of diabetes was stronger in more recent years 2006 (Odds Ratio =3.87), 2011 (3.04) and 2017 (3.42) as compared with 2003. Among middle age, CVD history, raised BP, dyslipidaemia, combined obesity and survey years 2006 and 2011 were significant predictors of diabetes whereas in older populations only dyslipidaemia, combined obesity and survey year 2011 showed strong association with risk of diabetes. Irrespective of age, smoking and excessive drinking were not significantly associated with diabetes.

Conclusion
Young adults with diabetes have higher odds of having cardiovascular risk factors, with dyslipidaemia being the strongest risk factor. Early and specific intervention among young adults would delay CVD outcomes.
Dietary alpha-lipoic acid boosts growth, immune-antioxidant traits, behavior, and transcriptomes of antioxidant, apoptosis, and immune-related genes to combat cold stress in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
Authors: Behairy Amany , Ghetas Hanan A. , Abd-Allah Noura A. , El-Houseiny Walaa , Arisha Ahmed H. , Metwally Mohamed M. M. , Elshafey Basma A. , Al-Sagheer Adham A. , Mohamed Engy M. M. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractWater temperature is a major environmental factor affecting fish activity, physiology, behavior, and growth. Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) has garnered much attention lately as an aqua feed supplement because of its antioxidant effects. Thus, this study aimed to assess the effect of dietary ALA on performance, hematological and immunological indices, behavior and oxidative stress, apoptosis, and genetic inflammation in Oreochromis niloticus following 60 days of cold stress. Two hundred forty fish were divided into four groups (15 fish/replicate, N = 60 fish/group). The control (CNT) and ALA groups were reared at 25 °C and fed a basal diet without any supplementation or a basal diet containing 600 mg ALA/kg diet, respectively. The cold water-stressed group (CWS) and ALA + CWS groups were reared at 18 °C and fed basal and basal diets containing ALA, respectively. The results revealed that dietary ALA supplementation significantly improved feed utilization and growth in fish. ALA also mitigated CWS-induced microcytic hypochromic anemia and hyperlipidemia. Moreover, ALA supplementation considerably enhanced the antioxidant status and boosted intestinal α amylase, lipase, protease, and serum acetylcholinesterase activity of CWS-exposed fish. Besides, ALA supplementation significantly reversed CWS-induced upregulation of proinflammatory genes, pro-apoptotic genes, heat shock protein, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen or downregulation of superoxide dismutase and catalase gene expressions in liver and spleen tissues. Furthermore, ALA supplementation reduced CWS-induced histopathological alterations in fish liver, spleen, and intestine. We can conclude that ALA (600 mg/kg diet) could be recommended as an aqua feed supplement to boost growth, antioxidant capacity, and immunity and attenuate inflammatory and apoptotic reactions of fish reared under CWS-induced.
Left ventricular fibrosis in arrhythmic mitral valve prolapse: quantification and comparison of semi-automated techniques assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance
Authors: Cecere Annagrazia , Cipriani Alberto , De Lazzari Manuel , Graziano Francesca , Brunetti Giulia , De Conti Giorgio , Motta Raffaella , Ravagnin Alberto , Lorenzoni Giulia , Gregori Dario , Basso Cristina , Tona Francesco , Lee Yoo Jin , Delling Francesca Nesta , Iliceto Sabino , Marra Martina Perazzolo 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Left ventricular (LV) fibrosis has a key role in arrhythmogenesis in patients with mitral valve prolapse (MVP). Cardiac magnetic resonance identifies LV fibrosis by using late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) technique. LGE assessment and quantification in patients with MVP lacks of standardization protocols.

Methods
66 MVP patients with normal systolic function and without significant regurgitation were enrolled. Semi-automated gray-scale thresholding techniques using full width at half maximum (FWHM) and 2, 3 and 5 standard deviation (SD) above the remote myocardium were used and compared with the visual assessment, considered as the gold standard.

Results
LGE was identified in 41 MVP patients (62%) and quantified. The mean quantity of LGE visually assessed was 2.40 ± 1.07% or 1.40 ± 0.82 g. With FWHM, LGE resulted 3.56 ± 1.23% or 1.99 ± 1.13 g. Using thresholding, the mean LGE quantity was 9.2 ± 3.1% or 4.82 ± 2.28 g for 2-SD, 5.72 ± 1.75% or 3.06 ± 1.47 g for 3-SD and 2.36 ± 0.99% or 1.29 ± 0.79 g for 5-SD. The 5-SD measurement in percentage demonstrated a good correlation with LGE quantification visually assessed (2.40 ± 1.07 vs. 2.363 ± 0.9909, p = 0.543). When compared with the gold standard, the 5-SD threshold quantification, both in percentage and in grams, revealed the least intra-observer (respectively, ICC: 0.976 and 0.966) and inter-observer variability (respectively ICC: 0.948 and 0.935).

Conclusion
The 5-SD gray-scale threshold technique in percentage revealed the best correlation with the visual assessment and an optimal reproducibility in MVP patient.
Kola’s Kingdom: The Territory of Abasa (Western Somaliland) during the Medieval Period
Authors: de Torres Rodríguez Jorge 
Published: December 2023

AbstractDuring the thirteenth to sixteenth centuries, the territory of western Somaliland was integrated into a series of Muslim states which controlled large areas of the southeastern Horn of Africa. One of the ways this control manifested itself was in the emergence of a network of permanent settlements on the westernmost side of Somaliland and the neighboring Ethiopian region. Although 20 of these sites have been identified so far, our information about most of them is fragmentary at best. This paper presents a comprehensive study of the material, architectural and territorial context of three of these medieval sites: Abasa (Darbiyah Kola), Hasadinle, and Iskudarka. This paper analyzes the information they provide us for understanding some of the key themes of the history of the region, such as the strategies of state control, the process of Islamization, the relationships between nomads and urban dwellers, and the material expressions of hierarchization and social inequality.
One-Dimensional Subspaces of the $$SL(n,\mathbb {R})$$ Chiral Equations
Authors: Sarmiento-Alvarado I. A. , Wiederhold Petra , Matos Tonatiuh 
Published: December 2023

AbstractIn this work we find solutions of the ($$n+2$$

n
+
2

)-dimensional Einstein Field Equations (EFE) with n commuting Killing vectors in vacuum. In the presence of n Killing vectors, the EFE can be separated into blocks of equations. The main part can be summarized in the chiral equation $$\ (\alpha g_{, \bar{z}} g^{-1})_{, z} + \ (\alpha g_{, z} g^{-1})_{, \bar{z}} = 0$$

(
α

g

,

z

¯

g

-
1

)

,
z

+

(
α

g

,
z

g

-
1

)

,

z

¯

=
0

with $$ g\in SL(n,\mathbb {R})$$

g
∈
S
L
(
n
,
R
)

. The other block reduces to the differential equation $$\, (\ln f \alpha ^{1-1/n})_{, z} = 1/2 \, \alpha \,{\textrm{tr}}( g_{, z} g^{-1})^2$$

(
ln
f

α

1
-
1
/
n

)

,
z

=
1
/
2

α

tr

(

g

,
z

g

-
1

)

2

and its complex conjugate. We use the ansatz $$g = g(\xi ) $$

g
=
g
(
ξ
)

, where $$\xi $$
ξ
satisfies a generalized Laplace equation, so the chiral equation reduces to a matrix equation that can be solved using algebraic methods, turning the problem of obtaining exact solutions for these complicated differential equations into an algebraic problem. The different EFE solutions can be chosen with desired physical properties in a simple way.
Electrochemical perspective on the applicability of electroosmosis for clay consolidation
Authors: Sugiyama Yuri , Hashimoto Nagate , Couture Cyrille , Takano Daiki 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
There are three main electrochemical factors affecting the electroosmotic flow in clay soil: the voltage loss at the clay/electrode interface, the type of current carriers in the soil, and the ion composition change in the clay due to voltage application. Appropriate evaluation of these factors is important to cost effectively implement electroosmosis for in situ soil consolidation projects. In this study, three different experimental systems were developed and used to investigate electrochemical reactions occurring in reconstituted and natural marine clay during electroosmotic consolidation. The results of polarization tests show that the voltage loss at the clay/electrode interface is different depending on the combination of the clay material and electrode material. The results of electroosmotic element test also show that electroosmotic dehydration does not increase if large current–voltage value is applied and that an optimal current–voltage value for causing electroosmosis depends on the cohesive soil composition. If the clay contains a lot of oxidizable ions, such as sodium, these ions affect electrophoresis and chemical reactions that occur in the soil. Therefore, the optimal configuration to apply electric current also differs depending on the clay. The results of laboratory-scale electroosmotic dehydration tests, arranged in a realistic in situ layout, are performed to study the relationship between soil dehydration, consolidation, and surface crack generation.

Graphical abstract
Navigating the Transition to Adulthood: Insights from Caregivers of Autistic Individuals
Authors: Wolpe Samara M. , Johnson Amanda R. , Kim Sunny 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
With many teens having to transition from a mainly educational system of support to a set of health and social service systems (Shattuck et al. in Autism Res Treat https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/924182, 2017), there is a critical need to advance research and support services in the area of autism and transition to aid autistic* individuals and their families. This study aims to learn more about the experiences of caregivers of autistic young adults, their experiences navigating the transition process post-graduation, and what realistic steps could be undertaken by high schools, vocational schools, colleges, Regional Centers, and places of employment to ease this transition. Ten semi-structured interviews were conducted with caregivers of autistic young adults over the age of 18 focused on their experiences helping their children navigate the transition to adulthood. Using an iterative and inductive coding approach, three overarching themes were uncovered with twelve subthemes. The three major themes recurring in caregiver interviews were their experiences with navigating service receipt, exploring the landscape of opportunities available for their children, and the parent experiences specific to their role in their child’s transition into adulthood. Findings from this study provide a chance for stakeholders to learn from the lived experiences of caregivers navigating the frustration and confusion pertaining to transition for their autistic adult child due to the highly prohibitive access to service receipt, experiencing significant financial burdens, finding a niche for their children that fits their needs, desires, and talents, and managing their well-being.