bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Trends in the Utilization of Surgical Modalities for the Treatment of Drug-Resistant Epilepsy: A Comprehensive 10-Year Analysis Using the National Inpatient Sample
Authors: Ghaith Abdul Karim , El-Hajj Victor Gabriel , Sanchez-Garavito Jesus E. , Zamanian Cameron , Ghanem Marc , Bon-Nieves Antonio , Chen Baibing , Drees Cornelia N. , Miller David , Parker Jonathon J. , Almeida Joao Paulo , Elmi-Terander Adrian , Tatum William , Middlebrooks Erik H. , Bydon Mohamad , Van-Gompel Jamie J. , Lundstrom Brian N. , Grewal Sanjeet S. 
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
Epilepsy is considered one of the most prevalent and severe chronic neurological disorders worldwide. Our study aims to analyze the national trends in different treatment modalities for individuals with drug-resistant epilepsy and investigate the outcomes associated with these procedural trends in the United States.

METHODS:
Using the National Inpatient Sample database from 2010 to 2020, patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy who underwent laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT), open surgical resection, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), or responsive neurostimulation (RNS) were identified. Trend analysis was performed using piecewise joinpoint regression. Propensity score matching was used to compare outcomes between 10 years prepandemic before 2020 and the first peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

RESULTS:
This study analyzed a total of 33 969 patients with a diagnosis of drug-resistant epilepsy, with 3343 patients receiving surgical resection (78%), VNS (8.21%), RNS (8%), and LITT (6%). Between 2010 and 2020, there was an increase in the use of invasive electroencephalography monitoring for seizure zone localization (P = .003). There was an increase in the use of LITT and RNS (P < .001), while the use of surgical resection and VNS decreased over time (P < .001). Most of these patients (89%) were treated during the pre-COVID pandemic era (2010-2019), while a minority (11%) underwent treatment during the COVID pandemic (2020). After propensity score matching, the rate of pulmonary complications, postprocedural hematoma formation, and mortality were slightly higher during the pandemic compared with the prepandemic period (P = .045, P = .033, and P = .026, respectively).

CONCLUSION:
This study indicates a relative decrease in the use of surgical resections, as a treatment for drug-resistant focal epilepsy. By contrast, newer, minimally invasive surgical approaches including LITT and RNS showed gradual increases in usage.
Efficacy and Safety of Carmustine Wafer Implantation After Ventricular Opening in Glioblastomas, Isocitrate Dehydrogenase-Wildtype, in Adults
Authors: Roux Alexandre , Elia Angela , Aboubakr Oumaima , Moiraghi Alessandro , Simboli Giorgia Antonia , Tauziede-Espariat Arnault , Dezamis Edouard , Parraga Eduardo , Benevello Chiara , Fathallah Houssem , Chretien Fabrice , Oppenheim Catherine , Zanello Marc , Pallud Johan 
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
We assessed the impact of ventricular opening on postoperative complications and survival of carmustine wafer implantation during surgery of newly diagnosed supratentorial glioblastomas, isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-wildtype in adults.

METHODS:
We performed an observational, retrospective, single-center cohort study at a tertiary surgical neuro-oncological center between January 2006 and December 2021.

RESULTS:
One hundred ninety-four patients who benefited from a first-line surgical resection with carmustine wafer implantation were included. Seventy patients (36.1%) had a ventricular opening. We showed that ventricular opening (1) did not increase overall postoperative complication rates (P = .201); (2) did not worsen the early postoperative Karnofsky Performance Status score (P = .068); (3) did not increase the time interval from surgery to adjuvant oncological treatment (P = .458); (4) did not affect the completion of the standard radiochemotherapy protocol (P = .164); (5) did not affect progression-free survival (P = .059); and (6) did not affect overall survival (P = .142).

CONCLUSION:
In this study, ventricular opening during first-line surgical resection did not affect the survival and postoperative complications after use of carmustine wafer implantation in adult patients with a newly diagnosed supratentorial glioblastoma, IDH-wildtype. This warrants a prospective and multicentric study to clearly assess the impact of the ventricular opening after carmustine wafer implantation in glioblastoma, IDH-wildtype.
Frailty as a Predictor of Postoperative Morbidity and Mortality in Patients Aged 80 Years and Older Undergoing Instrumented Fusion
Authors: Moniz-Garcia Diogo , Odeh Nour , Genel Oktay , Montaser Alaa , Sousa-Pinto Bernardo , De Biase Gaetano , Otamendi-Lopez Andrea , Nottmeier Eric , Bydon Mohamad , McClendon Jamal , Buchanan Ian A. , Pirris Stephen , Abode-Iyamah Kingsley , Chen Selby 
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
Degenerative spine disease is a leading cause of disability, with increasing prevalence in the older patients. While age has been identified as an independent predictor of outcomes, its predictive value is limited for similar older patients. Here, we aimed to determine the most predictive frailty score of adverse events in patients aged 80 and older undergoing instrumented lumbar fusion.

METHODS:
We proceeded with a multisite (3 tertiary academic centers) retrospective review including patients undergoing instrumented fusion aged 80 and older from January 2010 to present. A composite end point encompassing 30-day return to operating room, readmission, and mortality was created. We estimated the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for frailty scores (Modified Frailty Index-5 [MFI-5], Modified Frailty Index-11 [MFI-11], and Charlson Comorbidity Index [CCI]) in relation to that composite score. In addition, we estimated the association between each score and the composite end point by means of logistic regression.

RESULTS:
A total of 153 patients with an average age of 85 years at the time of surgery were included. We observed a 30-day readmission rate of 11.1%, reoperation of 3.9%, and mortality of 0.6%. The overall rate of the composite end point at 30 days was 25 (15.1%). The AUC for MFI-5 was 0.597 (0.501-0.693), for MFI-11 was 0.620 (0.518-0.723), and for CCI was 0.564 (0.453-0.675). The association between the scores and composite end point did not reach statistical significance for MFI-5 (odds ratio [OR] = 1.45 [0.98-2.15], P = .061) and CCI (OR = 1.13 [0.97-1.31], P = .113) but was statistically significant for MFI-11 (OR = 1.46 [1.07-2.00], P = .018).

CONCLUSION:
This is the largest study comparing frailty index scores in octogenarians undergoing instrumented lumbar fusion. Our findings suggest that while MFI-11 score correlated with adverse events, the predictive ability of existing scores remains limited, highlighting the need for better approaches to identify select patients at age extremes.
The Temporoparietal Fascia Flap Transposition Technique for Ventral Skull Base Reconstruction: Anatomic Analysis and Surgical Application
Authors: Xu Yuanzhi , Asmaro Karam , Mohyeldin Ahmed , Nunez Maximiliano Alberto , Mao Ying , Cohen-Gadol Aaron A. , Nayak Jayakar , Fernandez-Miranda Juan C. 
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
The temporoparietal fascia (TPF) flap is an alternative for revision endoscopic skull base reconstruction in the absence of the nasoseptal flap, and we aimed to investigate the anatomy and surgical application of TPF flap transposition in endoscopic endonasal surgery.

METHODS:
Six lightly embalmed postmortem human heads and 30 computed tomography angiography imaging scans were used to analyze the anatomic features of the TPF flap transposition technique. Three cases selected from a 512 endoscopic endonasal cases database were presented for the clinical application of the TPF flap.

RESULTS:
The TPF flap, composed by the deepest 3 scalp layers (galea aponeurotica, loose areolar connective tissue, and pericranium), can be harvested and then transposed through the infratemporal-maxillary-pterygoid tunnel to the ventral skull base. The superficial temporal artery as its feeding artery, gives frontal and parietal branches with similar diameter (1.5 ± 0.3 mm) at its bifurcation. The typical bifurcation was present in 50 sides (83.3%), with single (frontal) branch in 5 sides (8.3%), single (parietal) branch in 2 sides (3.3%), and multiple branches (>2) in 3 sides (5%). The transposed TPF flap was divided into 3 parts according to its anatomic location: (1) infratemporal part with an area of 19.5 ± 2.5 cm2, (2) maxillary part with an area of 23.7 ± 2.8 cm2, and (3) skull base part with an area of 44.2 ± 4 cm2. Compared with the nasoseptal flap, nasal floor flap, inferior turbinate flap, and extended septal flap, the coverage area of the skull base part of the TPF flap was significantly larger than any of them (P < .0001).

CONCLUSION:
The TPF flap technique is an effective alternative for endoscopic endonasal skull base reconstruction. The TPF flap could successfully cover large skull base defects through the infratemporal-maxillary-pterygoid tunnel.
Pyrethroid resistance and gene expression profile of a new resistant An. gambiae colony from Uganda reveals multiple resistance mechanisms and overexpression of Glutathione-S-Transferases linked to survival of PBO-pyrethroid combination
Authors: Oruni Ambrose , Lynd Amy , Njoroge Harun , Onyige Ismail , van’t Hof Arjen E. , Matovu Enock , Donnelly Martin J. 
Published: January 2024

Background: The effectiveness of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) are being threatened by growing resistance to pyrethroids. To restore their efficacy, a synergist, piperonyl butoxide (PBO) which inhibits cytochrome P450s has been incorporated into pyrethroid treated nets. A trial of PBO-LLINs was conducted in Uganda from 2017 and we attempted to characterize mechanisms of resistance that could impact intervention efficacy. Methods: We established an Anopheles gambiae s.s colony in 2018 using female mosquitoes collected from Busia district in eastern Uganda. We first assessed the phenotypic resistance profile of this colony using WHO tube and net assays using a deltamethrin dose-response approach. The Busia colony was screened for known resistance markers and RT-qPCR targeting 15 genes previously associated with insecticide resistance was performed. Results: The Busia colony had very high resistance to deltamethrin, permethrin and DDT. In addition, the colony had moderate resistance to alpha-cypermethrin and lambda-cyhalothrin but were fully susceptible to bendiocarb and fenitrothion. Exposure to PBO in combination with permethrin and deltamethrin resulted in higher mortality rates in both net and tube assays, with a higher mortality observed in net assays than tube assays. The kdr marker, Vgsc-995S was at very high frequency (91.7-98.9%) whilst the metabolic markers Coeae1d and Cyp4j5-L43F were at very low (1.3% - 11.5%) and moderate (39.5% - 44.7%) frequencies respectively. Our analysis showed that gene expression pattern in mosquitoes exposed to deltamethrin, permethrin or DDT only were similar in comparison to the susceptible strain and there was significant overexpression of cytochrome P450s, glutathione-s-transferases (GSTs) and carboxyl esterases (COEs). However, mosquitoes exposed to both PBO and pyrethroid strikingly and significantly only overexpressed closely related GSTs compared to unexposed mosquitoes while major cytochrome P450s were underexpressed. Conclusions: The high levels of pyrethroid resistance observed in Busia appears associated with a wide range of metabolic gene families.
Thermal stress coupling mechanism during nanosecond impulse delay for the synergistic study of continuous-nanosecond combined laser removal of the rubber layer on a concrete surface
Authors: Liu Yubo , Cai Jixing , Mao Hongtao , Wang Yunpeng , Zhang Baijie , Jin Le 
Published: January 2024

Based on the principle of laser ablation and elastic vibration effect, a model of continuous nanosecond combined laser removal of rubber marks on a concrete surface was established. The model can explain the evolution of temperature, stress, and removal depth on time and laser energy density during laser cleaning. The results show that the theoretical adsorption force between the rubber layer and the concrete base is approximately 3.88×10−9N. The continuous laser cleaning threshold is 561.31J/cm2. In the combined laser, the continuous laser is 534.41J/cm2, and the nanosecond laser is 0.35J/cm2. As the delay time between the 2 ns laser beams increases, the maximum peak in the temperature curve gradually decreases. The optimal cleaning delay was obtained as Δt=0.65S. The peak temperature at the characteristic position (0 µm, 0 µm) is 592.13 K, which is lower than the vaporization temperature of the rubber layer. The thermal stress values generated at this characteristic position exceed the adsorption stress values, indicating that the elastic removal mechanism is the main removal mechanism at the junction between the rubber layer and the concrete substrate.
Dynamic pressure surface deformation measurement based on a chromatic confocal sensor: erratum
Authors: Zhao Bin , Li Junyi , Mao Xiaoxiao , Sun Fei , Gao Xiumin 
Published: January 2024

This erratum corrects errors in Fig. 4 of the original paper, Appl. Opt. 62, 1467 (2023)APOPAI0003-693510.1364/AO.482808.
Adjoint-based optimization of dielectric coatings for refractory metals to achieve broadband spectral reflection
Authors: Balazadeh Koucheh Amin , Kecebas Muhammed Ali , Sendur Kursat 
Published: January 2024

Refractory metals, which include niobium, tantalum, molybdenum, and tungsten, are critical components in applications in extreme environments due to their attractive thermomechanical properties. However, their low reflectivity below 1500 nm has prompted researchers to focus on increasing their reflection at shorter wavelengths. In this study, we applied an adjoint-based optimization technique to improve the spectral reflectivity of refractory metals in the broadband spectrum (300–3000 nm). An optimized periodic multilayer consisting of SiO2/TiO2 is selected as a starting point for the process. Then, the adjoint-based method is implemented to enhance the reflection of the surfaces. This approach involves an iterative procedure that guarantees improvement in every iteration. In every iteration, both the direct and adjoint solutions of Maxwell’s equations are computed to predict the scattering characteristics of a particular microstructure on a surface and measure its effectiveness. The results of our study indicate that the final designs not only increase reflectivity to over 90% but also have thermomechanical benefits that make them suitable for use in harsh environments. We also explored the effect of initial geometry on the results. Overall, our study shows that the adjoint-based optimization technique is an effective method for creating high-performing broadband reflectors with refractory metal substrates coated with dielectric multilayers.
Regional variation and temporal trends in transcatheter and surgical aortic valve replacement in Switzerland: A population-based small area analysis
Authors: Schenker Carla , Wertli Maria M. , Räber Lorenz , Haynes Alan G. , Chiolero Arnaud , Rodondi Nicolas , Panczak Radoslaw , Aujesky Drahomir 
Published: January 2024

Background
Aortic valve stenosis (AS) is the most common valvular heart disease and if severe, is treated with either transcatheter (TAVR) or surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). We assessed temporal trends and regional variation of these interventions in Switzerland and examined potential determinants of geographic variation.

Methods
We conducted a population-based analysis using patient discharge data from all Swiss public and private acute care hospitals from 2013 to 2018. We generated hospital service areas (HSAs) based on patient flows for TAVR. We calculated age-standardized mean procedure rates and variation indices (extremal quotient [EQ] and systematic component of variation [SCV]). Using multilevel regression, we calculated the influence of calendar year and regional demographics, socioeconomic factors (language, insurance status), burden of disease, and number of cardiologists/cardiovascular surgeons on geographic variation.

Results
Overall, 8074 TAVR and 11,825 SAVR procedures were performed in 8 HSAs from 2013 to 2018. Whereas the age-/sex-standardized rate of TAVR increased from 12 to 22 procedures/100,000 persons, the SAVR rate decreased from 33 to 24 procedures during this period. After full adjustment, the predicted TAVR and SAVR rates varied from 12 to 22 and 20 to 35 per 100,000 persons across HSAs, respectively. The regional procedure variation was low to moderate over time, with a low overall variation in TAVR (EQ 1.9, SCV 3.9) and SAVR (EQ 1.6, SCV 2.2). In multilevel regression, TAVR rates increased annually by 10% and SAVR rates decreased by 5%. Determinants of higher TAVR rates were older age, male sex, living in a German speaking area, and higher burden of disease. A higher proportion of (semi)private insurance was also associated with higher TAVR and lower SAVR rates. After full adjustment, 10.6% of the variance in TAVR and 18.4% of the variance in SAVR remained unexplained. Most variance in TAVR and SAVR rates was explained by language region and insurance status.

Conclusion
The geographic variation in TAVR and SAVR rates was low to moderate across Swiss regions and largely explained by differences in regional demographics and socioeconomic factors. The use of TAVR increased at the expense of SAVR over time.
Cost and utilization analysis of concurrent versus staged testicular prosthesis implantation for radical orchiectomy
Authors: Nguyen Vi , Walia Arman , Horns Joshua J. , Paudel Niraj , Bagrodia Aditya , Patel Darshan P. , Hsieh Tung-Chin , Hotaling James M. 
Published: January 2024

Purpose
American Urological Association guidelines recommend testicular prosthesis discussion prior to orchiectomy. Utilization may be low. We compared outcomes and care utilization between concurrent implant (CI) and staged implant (SI) insertion after radical orchiectomy.

Materials & methods
The MarketScan Commercial claims database (2008–2017) was queried for men ages >18 years who underwent radical orchiectomy for testicular mass, stratified as orchiectomy with no implant, CI, or SI. 90-day outcomes included rate of reoperation, readmission, emergency department (ED) presentation, and outpatient visits. Regression models provided rate ratio comparison.

Results
8803 patients (8564 no implant, 190 CI, 49 SI; 2.7% implant rate) were identified with no difference in age, Charlson Comorbidity Index, insurance plan, additional cancer treatment, or metastasis. Median perioperative cost at orchiectomy (+/- implant) for no implant, CI, and SI were $5682 (3648–8554), $7823 (5403–10973), and $5380 (4130–10521), respectively (p<0.001). Median perioperative cost for SI at implantation was $8180 (4920–14591) for a total cost (orchiectomy + implant) of $13650 (5380 + 8180). CI patients were more likely to have follow-up (p = 0.006) with more visits (p = 0.030) compared to the SI group post-implantation but had similar follow-up (p = 0.065) and less visits (p = 0.025) compared to the SI patients’ post-orchiectomy period. Overall explant rates were 4.7% for CI and 14.3% for SI (p = 0.04) with a median time to explant of 166 (IQR: 135–210) and 40 days (IQR: 9.5–141.5; p = 0.06). Median cost of removal was $2060 (IQR: 967–2880).

Conclusions
CI placement has less total perioperative cost, lower explant rate, and similar postoperative utilization to SI.
An Ivory Writing Tablet from Poggio Civitate (Murlo)
Authors: Tuck Anthony , Wallace Rex , Camman Brooke , Weber Mackenzie 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Four non-joining fragments of an ivory object were recovered in the vicinity of Poggio Civitate’s OC2/Workshop, an industrial structure associated with the community’s intermediate phase of development (c. 650–600 BCE). The ivory fragments preserve elements of a similar decorative design—an incised guilloche pattern—indicating that they were constituents of the same object. One fragment (PC20080011) preserves a corner of the object. Inside the decorative border, a squared recessed area of between 1 mm and 2 mm is visible, which suggests that these ivory fragments are pieces of a writing tablet similar in shape and size to the one recovered from Marsiliana d’Albegna. This paper explores the archaeological context of the find and the tablet’s implications for literacy and recordkeeping at Poggio Civitate.
Debt Bondage in Late Period Egypt (8th – 5th Century BC)
Authors: Karev Ella 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
This paper argues, in contrast to some previous scholarship, that debt bondage was not practiced in Egypt’s Late Period (c. 8th–5th centuries BC). The phenomena of self-sales into slavery and the inclusion of children in lists of security in loan contracts have been offered as evidence of debt bondage in past studies: in the former, arguing that self-sales were a means to satisfy debts; in the latter, that seizure of children into bondage was precipitated by default on a debt. But there is no evidence for these manifestations of debt bondage in practice. In an examination of all relevant self-sales and loan contracts of the period, it can be shown that in no case was a person seized for security or in distraint, and that self-sales did not occur specifically as a result of debtor default. In practice, creditors likely pursued punitive measures such as fine or high interest rather than the potentially expensive and troublesome seizure of debtors. The conditional clauses regarding seizure or distraint reflected in loan documents must thus be regarded as notional rather than actionable, more representative of the social rather than financial capital at stake when one defaulted on a debt. Excluding debt bondage from the Egyptian socio-economic landscape of the period opens the discussion to the implications for social practice, family life, and credit systems.
Different lump k-soliton solutions to (2+1)-dimensional KdV system using Hirota binary Bell polynomials
Authors: Wu Xingxing , Manafian Jalil , Singh Gurpreet , Eslami Baharak , Aldurayhim Abdullah , Mohammad Ali khalil Noor Alhuda , Alawadi Ahmed 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
In this article, the (2+1)-dimensional KdV equation by Hirota’s bilinear scheme is studied. Besides, the binary bell polynomials and then the bilinear form is created. In addition, an interaction lump with

k

k

-soliton solutions of the addressed system with known coefficients is presented. With the assistance of the stated methodology, a cloaked form of an analytical solution is discovered in expressions of lump-soliton rational functions with a few lovable parameters. Solutions to this study’s problems are identified specifically as belonging to the lump-one, two, three, and four soliton solutions. By defining the specific advantages of the epitomized parameters by the depiction of figures and by interpreting the physical occurrences are established acceptable soliton arrangements and dealt with the physical importance of the obtained arrangements. Finally, under certain conditions, the physical behavior of solutions is analyzed by using the mentioned method. Moreover, the graphs with high resolutions including three-dimensional plots, density plots, and two-dimensional plots to determine a deep understanding of plotted solutions that will arise in the applied mathematics and nonlinear physics are employed.