bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The liver frailty index is a predictor of healthcare utilization after liver transplantation in older adults
Authors: Wang Melinda , Shui Amy M. , Ruck Jessica , King Elizabeth , Rahimi Robert , Kappus Matthew , Volk Michael L. , Ganger Daniel R. , Ladner Daniela P. , Duarte‐Rojo Andres , Huang Chiung‐Yu , Verna Elizabeth C. , Lai Jennifer C. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundOlder adults have higher healthcare utilization after liver transplantation (LT), yet objective risk stratification tools in this population are lacking. We evaluated the Liver Frailty Index (LFI) as one potential tool.MethodsAmbulatory LT candidates ≥65 years without hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who underwent LT from 1/2012 to 6/2022 at 8 U.S. centers were included. Estimates of the difference in median using quantile regression were used to assess the adjusted association between LFI and hospitalized days within 90 days post‐LT.ResultsOf 131 LT recipients, median (interquartile range [IQR]) (1st‐3rd quartiles) age was 68 years (66‐70); median pre‐LT MELD‐Na was 19 (15‐24). Median LFI was 4.1 (3.6‐4.7); 27% were frail (LFI≥4.5). Median hospitalized days within 90 days post‐LT was 11 (7‐20). Compared with non‐frail patients, frail patients were hospitalized for a median of 5 days longer post‐LT (95% CI .30‐9.7, p = .04). Each .5 unit increase in pre‐LT LFI was associated with an increase of 1.16 days (95%CI .42‐2.69, p = .02) in hospitalized days post‐LT.ConclusionAmong older adults undergoing LT, frailty was associated with more hospitalized days within 90 days after LT. The LFI can identify older adults who might benefit from pre‐LT or early post‐LT programs which may reduce post‐LT healthcare utilization, such as early rehabilitation or post‐hospital discharge programs.
Evaluation of early skin cancer detection in Germany with cancer registry data – challenges, solutions and current trends
Authors: Hübner Joachim , Baltus Hannah , Eisemann Nora , Rohr Maren , Schumann Laura , Augustin Jobst , Hagenström Kristina , Wolf Sandra , Garbe Claudia , Augustin Matthias , Katalinic Alexander 
Published: December 2023

SummaryBackground And AimsThe evidence for the benefit of the skin cancer screening introduced in Germany in 2008 is weak. We investigate to what extent data from the German epidemiological cancer registries are suitable to contribute to the evaluation of skin cancer screening and report these evaluation results.Material And MethodsSkin cancer‐related cancer registry data from 1999–2019 were described in terms of completeness and comprehensiveness. Regional pools with data of different validity were defined, missing data were multiply imputed where appropriate, and temporal trends were analyzed. In addition, data from the cause of death statistics were used.ResultsReliable estimates of completeness are only available for malignant melanoma (ICD‐10: C43). Based on a regional data pool covering approximately 21% of the German population, melanoma‐related incidence can be validly described since 2005. Sufficient information for multiple imputation is available for T‐stage and localization. The trend analyses show incidence changes that can be expected in the short term in the temporal context of the introduction of early detection, which changes into a long‐lasting high incidence. The rate of advanced stages does not decrease significantly. From 2014 onwards, the melanoma mortality rate, which had been rising until then, decreases.ConclusionsAdequately selected and processed cancer registry data are suitable for population‐based evaluation of skin cancer screening. An explanation of the persistently high incidence level is not possible based on the cancer registry data. Overdiagnosis or an increase in the background incidence can be considered. The benefit of skin cancer screening remains open.
Evaluation of skin cancer screening in Germany – Spatiotemporal associations between skin cancer screening and skin cancer mortality based on ambulatory claims data
Authors: Wolf Sandra , Augustin Matthias , Hagenström Kristina , Garbe Claudia , Baltus Hannah , Eisemann Nora , Hübner Joachim , Katalinic Alexander , Augustin Jobst 
Published: December 2023

SummaryBackgroundThere are regional differences in skin cancer screening uptake in Germany. So far, it is unclear whether a high uptake of screening services leads to a reduction in mortality. This article presents study results on the investigation of spatiotemporal associations between skin cancer screening and mortality. The methods used are discussed regarding their suitability.Material and methodsThe basis is ambulatory claims data on the utilization of early skin cancer detection as well as data on skin cancer mortality from the cause‐of‐death statistics of the years 2011–2015 at county level in Germany. In addition to a descriptive evaluation, spatiotemporal cluster analyses and regression models were used to investigate the relationship between the uptake of early detection and mortality. In addition to age, adjustments were also made for other selected socio‐economic and socio‐graphical variables.ResultsThe descriptive results show striking spatial patterns of skin cancer screening and mortality. Cluster analyses identified regions with significantly higher and lower cases of early detection and skin cancer mortality. The spatiotemporal regression analyses show no clear association. Only early detection by a dermatologist, adjusted for age, shows an association with mortality.ConclusionsNo clear association between early skin cancer detection and mortality can be derived from the results. However, the study design used with a spatiotemporal cluster and regression analysis has shown that these methods allow in‐depth statements about the relationship between early skin cancer detection and mortality.
Evaluation der Hautkrebsfrüherkennung in Deutschland – Raumzeitliche Assoziationen zwischen Hautkrebsfrüherkennung und Hautkrebsmortalität auf Grundlage ambulanter Abrechnungsdaten
Authors: Wolf Sandra , Augustin Matthias , Hagenström Kristina , Garbe Claudia , Baltus Hannah , Eisemann Nora , Hübner Joachim , Katalinic Alexander , Augustin Jobst 
Published: December 2023

ZusammenfassungHintergrundEs bestehen regionale Unterschiede in der Hautkrebsfrüherkennungsinanspruchnahme in Deutschland. Bislang ist ungeklärt, ob eine hohe Inanspruchnahme von Früherkennungsleistungen zu einer Senkung der Mortalität führt. Dieser Beitrag präsentiert Studienergebnisse zur Untersuchung raumzeitlicher Assoziationen von Hautkrebsfrüherkennung und Mortalität. Die angewendeten Methoden werden hinsichtlich ihrer Eignung diskutiert.Material und MethodikGrundlage sind ambulante Abrechnungsdaten zur Inanspruchnahme von Hautkrebsfrüherkennung sowie Daten zur Hautkrebsmortalität aus der Todesursachenstatistik der Jahre 2011–2015 auf Ebene der Kreise und kreisfreien Städte in Deutschland. Neben einer deskriptiven Auswertung wurden raumzeitliche Clusteranalysen und Regressionsmodelle angewendet, um den Zusammenhang zwischen der Inanspruchnahme von Früherkennung und Mortalität zu untersuchen. Dabei wurde neben Alter auch nach weiteren ausgewählten sozioökonomischen und ‐grafischen Variablen adjustiert.ErgebnisseDie deskriptiven Ergebnisse zeigen markante räumliche Muster der Hautkrebsfrüherkennung und Mortalität. Mittels Clusteranalysen konnten Regionen mit signifikant höheren und niedrigeren Fällen an Früherkennung und Hautkrebsmortalität identifiziert werden. Die raumzeitlichen Regressionsanalysen zeigen keine eindeutige Assoziation. Lediglich die Früherkennung beim Dermatologen, adjustiert nach Alter, zeigt eine Assoziation mit Mortalität.DiskussionAus den Ergebnissen lässt sich kein eindeutiger Zusammenhang zwischen Hautkrebsfrüherkennung und ‐mortalität ableiten. Das verwendete Studiendesign mit einer raumzeitlichen Cluster‐ und Regressionsanalyse hat jedoch gezeigt, dass diese Methoden vertiefte Aussagen über den Zusammenhang von Hautkrebsfrüherkennung und ‐mortalität ermöglichen.
Don't throw the associative baby out with the Bayesian bathwater: Children are more associative when reasoning retrospectively under information processing demands
Authors: Benton Deon T. , Kamper David , Beaton Rebecca M. , Sobel David M. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractCausal reasoning is a fundamental cognitive ability that enables individuals to learn about the complex interactions in the world around them. However, the mechanisms that underpin causal reasoning are not well understood. For example, it remains unresolved whether children's causal inferences are best explained by Bayesian inference or associative learning. The two experiments and computational models reported here were designed to examine whether 5‐ and 6‐year‐olds will retrospectively reevaluate objects—that is, adjust their beliefs about the causal status of some objects presented at an earlier point in time based on the observed causal status of other objects presented at a later point in time—when asked to reason about 3 and 4 objects and under varying degrees of information processing demands. Additionally, the experiments and models were designed to determine whether children's retrospective reevaluations were best explained by associative learning, Bayesian inference, or some combination of both. The results indicated that participants retrospectively reevaluated causal inferences under minimal information‐processing demands (Experiment 1) but failed to do so under greater information processing demands (Experiment 2) and that their performance was better captured by an associative learning mechanism, with less support for descriptions that rely on Bayesian inference.Research Highlights
Five‐ and 6‐year‐old children engage in retrospective reevaluation under minimal information‐processing demands (Experiment 1).
Five‐ and 6‐year‐old children do not engage in retrospective reevaluation under more extensive information‐processing demands (Experiment 2).
Across both experiments, children's retrospective reevaluations were better explained by a simple associative learning model, with only minimal support for a simple Bayesian model.
These data contribute to our understanding of the cognitive mechanisms by which children make causal judgements.
First report of phyllode rust on Acacia crassicarpa outside its native range
Authors: Wingfield Michael J. , Marincowitz Seonju , Barnes Irene , Tarigan Marthin , Solís Myriam , Durán Alvaro , Pham Nam Q. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractAcacia crassicarpa is a tropical tree species native to Australia, West Papua and Papua New Guinea, which has been widely used to establish plantations in the lowland humid tropics of Sumatra and Kalimantan. These trees, able to grow on sites having relatively poor nutrition, have been relatively free of serious disease problems. A rust disease infecting the phyllodes of A. crassicarpa has recently been encountered in plantations in various areas of Indonesia and Malaysia where they are not native. In this study, the rust was collected and identified as Endoraecium violae‐faustiae using DNA sequence analysis based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the rDNA. This is the first record of the rust outside its native range. Damage at present appears to be relatively mild but the pathogen could become important in the future.
Development of pore structure and related driving factors following land‐use change by dual‐scale x‐ray tomography
Authors: Yu Xiuling , Qi Dongmei , Lu Shenggao 
Published: December 2023

AbstractLand‐use conversion has a great impact on soil pore structure. However, the variation of pore structure and the related driving factors following land‐use conversion are still in need of further interpretation. In this study, the pore structure of millimetric intact aggregates as well as centimetric undisturbed soil cores collected from paddy fields (PF) and vegetable fields converted from paddy fields for 5 years (VF‐5), 13 years (VF‐13), and 20 years (VF‐20) was quantified by dual‐scale x‐ray tomography. Results revealed that the pore structure at the aggregate and soil core scales responded differently after the paddy fields were converted to vegetable fields. Imaged porosity and pore connectivity of aggregates increased slightly following land‐use conversion. Those properties increased significantly within soil cores. Compared with the paddy field aggregates, the porosity of elongated pores with larger diameters markedly increased in vegetable field aggregates, suggesting an enhancement in the accessibility of air, water, and nutrients. At the soil core scale, the alteration of pore structure was mainly attributed to the shift of the soil environment, the change of tillage operation, and the plantation of different crops. The shift of rice to vegetable plantation significantly altered the length and tortuosity of the intermediate branch pores. Importantly, the land‐use change created a more drainable pore structure due to the significant increase of pore connectivity at the soil core scale, which is suitable for vegetable plantations. These findings are crucial for evaluating and interpreting the microscale pore structure change following land‐use conversion.
Discovery of a new population of the endangered giant water bug Kirkaldyia deyrolli (Heteroptera: Belostomatidae) in Kyushu and evaluation of their genetic structure
Authors: Suzuki Tomoya , Ichiyanagi Hidetaka , Ohba Shin‐ya 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe giant water bug Kirkaldyia deyrolli is one of the most well‐known endangered aquatic insects in Japan. The population of this species in Kyushu, one of the four major islands of the Japanese Archipelago, is extremely limited. In the present study, we identified a new population of K. deyrolli and undertook population genetic structure analyses based on genome‐wide nuclear DNA single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). We collected samples using a nonlethal sampling method and obtained 59,279 SNPs. The results of our study confirm that sufficient SNP data for population genetic structure analysis can be obtained through nonlethal sampling. We determined that the newly identified population is genetically differentiated from a previously identified population on Kyushu. Therefore, this population is considered highly important for the conservation of K. deyrolli in Kyushu.
Finishing technique effect on strength of zirconia‐reinforced lithium silicate ceramic
Authors: Benalcazar‐Jalkh Ernesto Byron , Cunha Verena Souza , Bergamo Edmara Tatiely Pedroso , Alves Larissa Marcia Martins , de Monteiro‐Sousa Raphaelle Santos , Campos Tiago Moreira Bastos , Tanaka Ricardo , Marcolino Giovana de Assis , Souza Felipe Machado de , Bonfante Estevam Augusto 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of two finishing techniques, glazing or polishing, in comparison with the as‐cut condition, on the biaxial‐flexural‐strength (BFS) of a zirconia‐reinforced lithium silicate ceramic (ZLS). Cylinders were milled from CAD/CAM blocks and sliced to obtain disc‐shaped specimens (ISO6872:2015). Polished and glazed specimens were processed following the manufacturer's instructions. Thirty‐three specimens were obtained for each condition and microstructural and BFS/fractographic characterizations were performed. BFS and roughness data were analyzed using Weibull statistics and ANOVA one‐way with Tukey post‐hoc test, respectively. While a rougher surface was observed for as‐cut specimens, smoother surfaces were observed for polished and glazed ZLS at microscopical evaluation and confirmed through surface‐roughness evaluation. X‐ray spectra depicted a glass phase for all groups and characteristic metasilicate, lithium disilicate, and lithium phosphate peaks for the as‐cut and polished specimens. Glazed specimens showed higher characteristic strength than polished and as‐cut specimens, which did not differ significantly. While higher Weibull‐modulus was observed for the polished than for the as‐cut specimens, no statistically significant differences were noted between glazed and polished, and between glazed and as‐cut specimens. ZLS presents higher strength when glazed, and polishing increases the structural reliability of the material relative to the as‐cut condition. Both finishing techniques reduced surface roughness similarly.
Optical effects of graphene addition on adhesives for orthodontic lingual retainers
Authors: Liu Shiyao , El‐Angbawi Ahmed , Ji Ruidong , Rosa Vinicius , Silikas Nick 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe objective of this study was to determine the effects on the colour of adding increasing concentrations of graphene to orthodontic fixed retainer adhesives and to evaluate changes in optical transmission during light curing and the resultant degree of conversion. Two different types of adhesives commonly used for fixed retainers were investigated: A packable composite (Transbond) and a flowable composite (Transbond Supreme). Graphene was added to the adhesives in three different concentrations (0.01, 0.05, and 0.1 wt%). Adhesives without graphene addition were set as control groups. A Minolta colourimeter was used to measure the colour and translucency parameters. Irradiance transmitted during curing was quantified using MARC Light Collector. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy was used to record degree of conversion. Data were statistically analysed with the Student's t‐test and one‐way ANOVA with Tukey's tests (α = 0.05). The findings showed that incorporating graphene darkened the adhesive colour significantly and reduced translucency. As the graphene concentration reached 0.1 wt%, samples became opaque; yet, no adverse effect on degree of conversion was observed. The addition of graphene reduces optical transmission of lingual retainer adhesives; the effect increases with graphene concentration.
Population genetic insights into establishment, adaptation, and dispersal of the invasive quagga mussel across perialpine lakes
Authors: Haltiner Linda , Spaak Piet , Dennis Stuart R. , Feulner Philine G. D. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractHuman activities have facilitated the invasion of freshwater ecosystems by various organisms. Especially, invasive bivalves such as the quagga mussels, Dreissena bugensis, have the potential to alter ecosystem function as they heavily affect the food web. Quagga mussels occur in high abundance, have a high filtration rate, quickly spread within and between waterbodies via pelagic larvae, and colonize various substrates. They have invaded various waterbodies across the Northern Hemisphere. In Central Europe, they have invaded multiple large and deep perialpine lakes with first recordings in Lake Geneva in 2015 and 2016 in Lake Constance. In the deep perialpine lakes, quagga mussels quickly colonized the littoral zone but are also abundant deeper (>80 m), where they are often thinner and brighter shelled. We analysed 675 quagga mussels using ddRAD sequencing to gain in‐depth insights into the genetic population structure of quagga mussels across Central European lakes and across various sites and depth habitats in Lake Constance. We revealed substantial genetic differentiation amongst quagga mussel populations from three unconnected lakes, and all populations showed high genetic diversity and effective population size. In Lake Constance, we detected no genetic differentiation amongst quagga mussels sampled across different sites and depth habitats. We also did not identify any convincing candidate loci evidential for adaptation along a depth gradient and a transplant experiment showed no indications of local adaptation to living in the deep based on investigating growth and survival. Hence, the shallow‐water and the deep‐water morphotypes seem to be a result of phenotypic plasticity rather than local adaptation to depth. In conclusion, our ddRAD approach revealed insight into the establishment of genetically distinct quagga mussel populations in three perialpine lakes and suggests that phenotypic plasticity and life history traits (broadcast spawner with high fecundity and dispersing pelagic larvae) facilitate the fast spread and colonization of various depth habitats by the quagga mussel.
The current state of undergraduate medical Spanish: Results of a national survey
Authors: Miller De Rutté Alyssia M. , Kentengian Isabel María , Pérez María E. , Ortega Pilar 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThis study investigated the following research question: What is the landscape of medical Spanish offerings in undergraduate, 4‐year universities in US states with large Spanish‐speaking populations? Forty‐four percent of institutions responded to the survey, which explored institutional characteristics, medical Spanish programs and individual courses, and instructors. Nonrespondent institutions' web sites were manually searched. The findings revealed that 43% of institutions offer medical Spanish programming. Based on results from the study, recommendations for undergraduate medical Spanish programming include starting with learners who have at least an intermediate level of Spanish language proficiency, recruiting students studying health professions, focusing on linguistic and intercultural competence, incorporating topics that impact health, developing a series of medical Spanish courses, expanding medical Spanish teaching and research positions, and collaborating across disciplines. The results emphasize the importance of continued research on medical Spanish and development to better prepare healthcare professionals to provide linguistically appropriate and culturally relevant healthcare to the growing Spanish‐speaking population.
When rivers run dry: Perennial pools as ecological refuges for freshwater mussels during drought
Authors: Cushway Kiara C. , Schwalb Astrid N. 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

As the intensity and frequency of drought and drying events are predicted to increase globally with climate warming and increasing human water usage, there is an urgent need to understand what kind of habitats may serve as refuges for organisms to withstand adverse effects. When flows decrease in rivers, disconnected pools may provide critical habitat for survival of aquatic organisms such as freshwater mussels, a highly imperilled group for which drought and dewatering pose a major threat.

The objective of this study was to (1) examine whether pools serve as ecological refuges for freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionidae) in drought‐stricken streams by surveying mussel distribution in an intermittent section (i.e., a section that regularly goes dry) of the San Saba River, Texas, and (2) examine the habitat characteristics that influence whether a pool functions as a refuge.

We found that pool dimensions, thermal conditions, past dryness (number of years a pool was dry between 2004 and 2020), underlying geology, and aquatic and riparian vegetation influence the abundance and species richness of freshwater mussels in pools that may serve as important refuges for mussels to avoid desiccation and lethal high temperatures. Despite this, abundances and richness of mussels were low at all sites.

Our results suggest that pools that retain water during drought conditions (i.e., perennial pools) may serve as ecological refuges for globally imperilled organisms such as freshwater mussels on shorter timescales (e.g., days to years). Protection and prioritisation of maintaining suitable conditions in refuge pools may help mussels persist as drought and drying issues become more pervasive in aquatic ecosystems. However, if there is a limited number of isolated pools that only allow the survival of a small number of mussels, then these pools cannot prevent overall declines of mussels in drying rivers. Better management of surface water and groundwater in anthropogenically impacted systems could ensure the flowing conditions that are needed to protect mussels in the face of climate change.