bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Correlation between remnant thyroid gland I-131 uptake and serum thyroglobulin levels: can we rely on I-131 whole body scans?
Authors: Hwang Sang Hyun , Jo KwanHyeong , Cha Jongtae , Kang Chun Goo , Wang Jiyoung , Cho Hojin , Kang Won Jun , Cho Arthur 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
I-131 treatment (RAI) decision relies heavily on serum thyroglobulin (Tg) levels, as higher Tg levels are assumed to be correlated with higher I-131 uptake. Tg elevation, negative iodine scintigraphy (TENIS) definition is becoming more clinically relevant as alternative treatment methods are available. This study examined the correlation between Tg levels with I-131 uptake in remnant thyroid gland to evaluate the reliability of serum Tg levels in predicting I-131 uptake.

Methods
From March 2012 to July 2019, 281 papillary thyroid cancer patients treated with 150 mCi RAI were retrospectively enrolled. Early (2nd day) and Delayed (7th day) post-RAI whole-body scan (WBS) neck counts were correlated with clinical and pathologic findings. Patients with normal neck ultrasound and undetectable level of serum Tg (< 0.2 ng/mL) and thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) (< 10 IU/mL) were defined as ablation success within 2 years after I-131 ablation.

Results
Thyroid gland weight, tumor size and thyroiditis were independent factors of preoperative serum Tg levels. Serum off-Tg levels correlated with Early and Delayed WBS neck counts, and thyroiditis pathology contributed to lower neck counts in both Early and Delayed WBSs. In multivariable analysis, Delayed WBS neck count, serum off-Tg and off-TgAb were significant factors for predicting ablation success.

Conclusion
I-131 uptake and retention in remnant thyroid gland correlates with serum off-Tg levels, thyroiditis, and ablation success in thyroid cancer patients receiving high-dose I-131 therapy. Semi-quantitative I-131 analysis with Early and Delayed WBSs provides additional information in evaluating ablation success, with the potential application for metastasis treatment response evaluation.
Is it feasible to nest a Trial within a Cohort Study (TwiCS) to evaluate an early years parenting programme? A Born in Bradford’s Better Start study protocol
Authors: Mooney Kate E. , Welch Charlie , Crossley Kirsty , Bywater Tracey , Wright John , Dickerson Josie , Blower Sarah 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
Evaluating the effectiveness of early years parenting interventions provides evidence to improve the development and wellbeing of children. This protocol paper describes a study to explore the feasibility of evaluating the Incredible Years Toddler early life intervention programme, which is offered to parents of 1–3-year-olds via the Better Start Bradford programme.
The study aims to use a Trial within a Cohort Study (TwiCS) design that randomly selects individuals participating in a cohort to be offered an intervention. The TwiCS information and consent process is person-centred and aims to replicate real-world practice whereby only those who are offered the intervention are given information about the intervention.
The cohort is the Born in Bradford’s Better Start (BiBBS) cohort, an interventional birth cohort recruiting expectant parents in three areas of Bradford, UK. The study will assess the feasibility of TwiCS procedures, staged consent, and intervention take-up.

Methods
We will conduct a feasibility TwiCS to test study procedures. We aim to establish the following: (1) whether TwiCS methodology can be implemented to create control and intervention arms, whilst documenting any incidences of contamination within the cohort; (2) whether satisfactory rates of intervention uptake are achieved among participants allocated to the intervention; and (3) whether satisfactory rates of retention of participants in the intervention can be achieved. A Red Amber Green (RAG) rating system has been applied to support the feasibility assessment of each objective: to be rated red (not achieved), amber (partly achieved), and green (achieved).
Eligible participants in the BiBBS cohort will be individually randomised 1:1 to the intervention or control arms, with stratification by child age (1 or 2 years old at the time of randomisation) and ethnicity (White British, South Asian, or other). BiBBS researchers will seek consent from participants randomised to the intervention to pass their contact details onto Incredible Years’ delivery agents.

Discussion
This feasibility study will inform the utility of the TwiCs approach within an experimental birth cohort to evaluate interventions for infants, toddlers, and their families.

Trial registration
The study was prospectively registered on ISRCTN (ISRCTN16150114).
The impact of monetary policy interventions on banking sector stocks: an empirical investigation of the COVID-19 crisis
Authors: O’Donnell Niall , Shannon Darren , Sheehan Barry 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe enduring impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the financial sector is undeniable, persisting far beyond the eventual waning of the pandemic. This research examines central bank interventions during the pandemic, using a quantitative event study approach over a five-day window to analyse the impact of 188 monetary policy announcements on banking stocks in China, the U.S., and Europe. Our results demonstrate how monetary policy announcements targeting different economic mechanisms have produced a diverse market reaction throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Namely, cuts in interest rates and the maintenance of a low interest rate environment by the Federal Reserve resulted in negative abnormal returns in the U.S.A., while short-term announcements surrounding intra-day credit and liquidity provisions boosted banking sector stock prices. In Europe, a muted reaction by the banking sector was observed, with negative abnormal returns observed in response to the ECB’s 2% inflation objectives. Finally, banking stocks in China responded strongly and positively to foreign currency and exchange-related announcements by the People’s Bank of China. The results and insights from this analysis can thus inform preparations made by policymakers, governments, and financial market stakeholders in the event of future waves of COVID-19, or further extreme societal disruptions.
Portfolio assessment among upper-intermediate learners: effects on learners’ willingness to communicate, grit tendencies, and motivation
Authors: Ahmed AbdelAl Ibrahim Khaled , Rakhshani Yasha 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIn the current research, the impacts of portfolio assessment (PA) on the grit tendencies, motivation, and willingness to communicate (WTC) of Saudi Arabian EFL learners were examined. The population of this study was fifty-eight EFL learners who were assigned to two groups in order to accomplish this purpose. Following that, both groups were given the WTC, grit tendencies, and motivation pre-tests to gauge the participants' proficiency in the dependent variables. After that, the students in the control group received the instruction without the use of PA, while the experimental group (EG) received treatment utilizing PA. Following the treatment, the two groups completed the WTC, grit tendencies, and motivation post-tests. The results revealed differences between the two groups' post-test scores, with the EG performing better. These findings imply that teachers can exploit portfolios to provide their students with relevant content that will help them improve their language proficiency.
Involving people with lived experience of homelessness in palliative and end of life care research: key considerations from experts in the field
Authors: Crooks Jodie , Flemming Kate , Shulman Caroline , Casey Emma , Hudson Briony 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
Co-production of research aims to include people with lived experience of a phenomena throughout the research process. People experiencing homelessness often experience advance ill-health at a young age, yet access palliative care services at a disparately low rate to the level of palliative care need. The voices of people experiencing homelessness are infrequently heard throughout palliative care research, despite the complexities and intricacies of the area.

Aim
To explore the experiences of experts in the field to identify key context considerations for involving people with lived experience of homelessness in palliative and end of life care research.

Methods
Qualitative study comprising two data collection streams: interviews with professionals with experience of involving people experiencing homelessness in their work, and focus groups with people with lived experience (PWLE) of homelessness. Data were analysed using iterative, reflexive thematic analysis. Patient and Public Involvement contributors gave feedback on themes.

Results
A total of 27 participants took part in semi-structured interviews (N = 16; professionals) or focus groups (N = 11; PWLE homelessness). Key considerations of involving people experiencing homelessness in palliative and end of life care research were developed into four key themes: complexity of lived experience of homelessness; representation of homelessness within experts by experience; professionalising lived experience; and methods for involvement.

Conclusions
Involvement of people with lived experience of homelessness is important in developing palliative care research. This paper begins to outline some contextual considerations for promoting involvement in a complex and intricate field of research.
Diagnostic value of FDG PET-CT in differentiating lung adenocarcinoma from squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Maman Adem , Çiğdem Sadık , Kaya İdris , Demirtaş Rabia , Ceylan Onur , Özmen Sevilay 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The combination of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET) and computed tomography (CT) has a major impact on the diagnosis, staging, treatment planning and follow-up of lung cancer patients. The maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) is an easily performed and most widely used semi-quantitative index for the analysis of FDG PET images and estimation of metabolic activity. This study aimed to investigate the role of PET/CT in differentiating adenocarcinoma (ADC), the most common lung cancer, from squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) by comparing FDG uptake measured as SUVmax.

Results
Between 2019 and 2022, 76 patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) at the Department of Pathology, Atatürk University Faculty of Medicine, with histopathologic evidence of adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma, underwent retrospective analysis using PET/CT scanning to measure PET parameters of the lesions and compare them with histopathology. Among 76 NSCLC patients included in the study, 43 (57%) were histopathologically diagnosed as ADC and 33 (43%) as SCC. SUVmax, SUVmean, metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) values of lesions in patients with SCC were statistically significantly higher than those in patients with ADC (p values 0.007, 0.009, 0.003 and 0.04, respectively).

Conclusions
Lung SCC has higher metabolic uptake values than ADC, and PET/CT can be used to differentiate them.
ChatGPT in psychiatry: promises and pitfalls
Authors: Wong Rebecca Shin-Yee 
Published: January 2024

AbstractChatGPT has become a hot topic of discussion since its release in November 2022. The number of publications on the potential applications of ChatGPT in various fields is on the rise. However, viewpoints on the use of ChatGPT in psychiatry are lacking. This article aims to address this gap by examining the promises and pitfalls of using ChatGPT in psychiatric practice. While ChatGPT offers several opportunities, further research is warranted, as the use of chatbots like ChatGPT raises various technical and ethical concerns. Some practical ways of addressing the challenges for the use of ChatGPT in psychiatry are also discussed.
Using witness trees as pyro-indicators to depict past fire environments across the eastern United States
Authors: Nowacki Gregory J. , Thomas-Van Gundy Melissa A. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractUnderstanding past fire environments is vitally important for applying silvicultural treatments, which often include prescribed burning to restore fire-dependent ecosystems. We have developed a novel method by which witness trees can be used as pyro-indicators to map past fire environments. The stepwise process first involves partitioning witness trees into two classes, pyrophobic and pyrophilic, based on their known ecophysiological traits. Pyrophilic percentages are then calculated at survey corners by dividing the number of pyrophilic trees by the total number of trees. Next, statistical spatial interpolation is applied to this point-based data set to produce a continuous response surface of pyrophilic percentages. The resultant maps capture gradients of fire importance across the pre-European-settlement landscape, which can be coupled with historic fire regime maps, thus providing additional information for better understanding and explaining past fire environments. We have applied this technique to various available witness-tree databases across the eastern United States. This paper serves as a compendium of our collective work to date.
Landscape controls on fuel moisture variability in fire-prone heathland and peatland landscapes
Authors: Little Kerryn , Graham Laura J , Flannigan Mike , Belcher Claire M , Kettridge Nicholas 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBackgroundCross-landscape fuel moisture content is highly variable but not considered in existing fire danger assessments. Capturing fuel moisture complexity and its associated controls is critical for understanding wildfire behavior and danger in emerging fire-prone environments that are influenced by local heterogeneity. This is particularly true for temperate heathland and peatland landscapes that exhibit spatial differences in the vulnerability of their globally important carbon stores to wildfire. Here we quantified the range of variability in the live and dead fuel moisture ofCalluna vulgarisacross a temperate fire-prone landscape through an intensive fuel moisture sampling campaign conducted in the North Yorkshire Moors, UK. We also evaluated the landscape (soil texture, canopy age, aspect, and slope) and micrometeorological (temperature, relative humidity, vapor pressure deficit, and windspeed) drivers of landscape fuel moisture variability for temperate heathlands and peatlands for the first time.ResultsWe observed high cross-landscape fuel moisture variation, which created a spatial discontinuity in the availability of live fuels for wildfire spread (fuel moisture < 65%) and vulnerability of the organic layer to smoldering combustion (fuel moisture < 250%). This heterogeneity was most important in spring, which is also the peak wildfire season in these temperate ecosystems. Landscape and micrometeorological factors explained up to 72% of spatial fuel moisture variation and were season- and fuel-layer-dependent. Landscape factors predominantly controlled spatial fuel moisture content beyond modifying local micrometeorology. Accounting for direct landscape–fuel moisture relationships could improve fuel moisture estimates, as existing estimates derived solely from micrometeorological observations will exclude the underlying influence of landscape characteristics. We hypothesize that differences in soil texture, canopy age, and aspect play important roles across the fuel layers examined, with the main differences in processes arising between live, dead, and surface/ground fuels. We also highlight the critical role of fuel phenology in assessing landscape fuel moisture variations in temperate environments.ConclusionsUnderstanding the mechanisms driving fuel moisture variability opens opportunities to develop locally robust fuel models for input into wildfire danger rating systems, adding versatility to wildfire danger assessments as a management tool.
One-year outcomes of anterior–posterior vs. anterior-lateral method of cardioversion for atrial fibrillation: a tertiary center experience
Authors: Rashid Sarim , Salahuddin Syed Ahmed , Sajid Fatima , Shah Syed Yasir , Malik Jahanzeb , Khan Saifullah 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis retrospective cohort study aimed to compare the one-year outcomes of anterior–posterior (AP) and anterior—lateral (AL) methods of cardioversion for atrial fibrillation (AF). A total of 2168 patients were included, with 1125 patients in the AP cardioversion group (Group 1) and 1043 patients in the AL cardioversion group (Group 2). Baseline characteristics, primary and secondary outcomes, safety outcomes, and logistic regression predictors of sinus rhythm were analyzed. The results showed comparable rates of maintaining sinus rhythm at the one-year follow-up between the two groups (65.8% in Group 1 vs. 65.7% in Group 2, p = 0.042). There were no significant differences in the incidence of AF recurrence or safety outcomes between the groups. Logistic regression analysis identified the duration of AF and the presence of coronary artery disease as significant predictors of sinus rhythm maintenance. Additionally, the use of the AL method was associated with a higher likelihood of AF recurrence compared to the AP method (p = 0.043). These findings suggest that both the AP and AL methods of cardioversion are effective in achieving and maintaining sinus rhythm in AF patients. The duration of AF and the presence of coronary artery disease should be considered when selecting the cardioversion approach. These results contribute to the understanding of optimal treatment strategies for AF and support personalized management decisions based on individual patient characteristics.
Glutathione peroxidase LtGPX3 contributes to oxidative stress tolerance, virulence, and plant defense suppression in the peach gummosis fungus Lasiodiplodia theobromae
Authors: Zhang He , Shen Xingyi , Shen Wanqi , Zhang Dongmei , Huang Xue , Zhu Kaijie , Liu Junwei , Li Guohuai 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe notorious woody plant-degrading pathogen Lasiodiplodia theobromae is a major causal agent of peach gummosis, one of the prevalent and devastating trunk diseases to peach production; however, its pathogenesis is largely unknown. Our previous study showed that L. theobromae LtGPX3, which encodes a glutathione peroxidase resembling yeast GPX3/HYR1-like, was constantly and dramatically upregulated at the infectious stages. Here, we functionally characterized LtGPX3 using the CRISPR-Cas9-aided split marker approach. The ΔLtgpx3 deletion mutants displayed increased sensitivity to the osmotic stress agent KCl and less sensitivity to the cell wall-damaging agent calcofluor white. Exogenous oxidants highly induced the expression of LtGPX3, and the ΔLtgpx3 mutants displayed increased sensitivity to ROS-generating oxidants. Pathogenicity assays revealed that ΔLtgpx3 mutants showed compromised virulence in peach shoots, which was partially restored when peach shoots were pretreated with an NADPH oxidase inhibitor before inoculation. Moreover, ROS levels were strongly boosted, and transcripts of plant defense-related genes were highly induced in the ΔLtgpx3 mutants-infected peach shoots compared with the wild-type-inoculated. Overall, our results showed the essential roles of LtGPX3 in the oxidative stress response and tolerance and pathological functions in L. theobromae. These findings deepen our understanding of the survival strategies of the woody plant-degrading pathogen L. theobromae and provide new insights into developing new strategies for peach gummosis disease control.
An improved 27-point frequency-domain elastic-wave average-derivative method with applications to a moving point source
Authors: Wang Hao , Chen Jing-Bo 
Published: January 2024

Exploration seismology based on moving sources such as high-speed trains has attracted increasingly great attention. It is an important task to perform near-surface seismic imaging and inversion using moving sources. In this context, an accurate and efficient forward-modeling engine for moving sources is crucial. We initially consider a single moving point source. To implement the numerical simulation in terms of a moving point source, two aspects need to be considered: (1) the numerical discretization strategy of the seismic-wave equation and (2) the discrete representation of the moving point source. For the 3D heterogeneous elastic-wave equation, we develop an improved frequency-domain average-derivative numerical method (ADM) by introducing the weighted average of four sets of grid points for the mass-acceleration term. Due to the numerical discretization template, the continuously moving point source is discretized as a series of fixed sources located at different grid points and excited at different times. The corresponding discrete representation of spatio-temporal variation is given by modifying the right-hand side of the resulting linear system of equations. A numerical experiment in a 3D homogeneous half-space model validates the higher computational accuracy of the improved ADM and the feasibility of the numerical simulation scheme for a moving point source. Furthermore, we test the performance of the moving-point-source numerical simulation scheme in the 3D heterogeneous overthrust model. The successful implementation of the 3D frequency-domain numerical simulation for a moving point source establishes a foundation for subsequent practical applications of moving sources in seismic imaging to be performed in the future.
Psychological Distress, Emergency Room Utilization, and Mortality Risk Among US Adults With History of Prostate Cancer
Authors: Jiang Changchuan , Xing Jiazhang , Sanders Alexandra , Chidester Kaitlin , Shi Molin , Perimbeti Stuthi , Deng Lei , Chatta Gurkamal S. , Gopalakrishnan Dharmesh 
Published: January 2024

PURPOSE Adults with a history of prostate cancer experience several physical and mental stressors. However, limited information is available about the prevalence of psychological distress in this population and its association with clinical outcomes in a nationally representative sample. METHODS We identified adults with history of prostate cancer from a nationally representative cohort (2000-2018 US National Health Interview Survey) and its linked mortality files through December 31, 2019. The six-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6) was used to assess psychological distress. The associations between psychological distress severity, emergency room (ER) usage, and mortality risk were estimated using multivariable logistic and Cox proportional hazards models, which were both adjusted for age, survey year, race/ethnicity, region, education, health insurance, comorbidities, functional limitations, and time since cancer diagnosis. RESULTS Among the 3,451 adults with history of prostate cancer surveyed, 96 (2.4%), 434 (11.3%), and 2,921 (86.3%) reported severe, moderate, or low/no mental distress, respectively. During the 12 months preceding the survey, 812 (22.8%) adults with history of prostate cancer visited the ER. After a median follow-up of 81 months, 937 (25.5%) deaths occurred. Compared with participants with low/no mental distress, those with severe mental distress reported the highest utilization of the ER (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.57 [95% CI, 1.51 to 4.37]) and exhibited the highest all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.83 [95% CI, 1.29 to 2.60]), followed by those with moderate mental distress (ER use aOR, 1.76 [95% CI, 1.29 to 2.42]; all-cause mortality aHR, 1.22 [95% CI, 0.92 to 1.62]). CONCLUSION Among US adults with history of prostate cancer, psychological distress was associated with increased ER use and mortality risk. Notably, severe psychological distress was correlated with the highest rates of ER visits and mortality risk. However, given the retrospective nature of this study, uncontrolled confounding variables need to be considered when interpreting the findings.