bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Complex nonlinear neural network prediction with IOWA layer
Authors: Hussain Walayat , Merigó Jóse M. , Gil-Lafuente Jaime , Gao Honghao 
Published: February 2023

AbstractNeural network methods are widely used in business problems for prediction, clustering, and risk management to improving customer satisfaction and business outcome. The ability of a neural network to learn complex nonlinear relationship is due to its architecture that uses weight parameters to transform input data within the hidden layers. Such methods perform well in many situations where the ordering of inputs is simple. However, for a complex reordering of a decision-maker, the process is not enough to get an optimal prediction result. Moreover, existing machine learning algorithms cannot reduce computational complexity by reducing data size without losing any information. This paper proposes an induced ordered weighted averaging (IOWA) operator for the artificial neural network IOWA-ANN. The operator reorders the data according to the order-inducing variable. The proposed sorting mechanism in the neural network can handle a complex nonlinear relationship of a dataset, which results in reduced computational complexities. The proposed approach deals with the complexity of the neuron, collects the data and allows a degree of customisation of the structure. The application further extended to IGOWA and Quasi-IOWA operators. We present a numerical example in a financial decision-making process to demonstrate the approach's effectiveness in handling complex situations. This paper opens a new research area for various complex nonlinear predictions where the dataset is big enough, such as cloud QoS and IoT sensors data. The approach can be used with different machine learning, neural networks or hybrid fuzzy neural methods with other extensions of the OWA operator.
Associations between symptoms with healthcare utilization and death in advanced cancer patients
Authors: Farrell Megan M. , Jiang Cherry , Moss Gabriel , Daly Barbara , Weinstein Elizabeth , Kemmann Matthew , Gupta Mona , Lee Richard T. 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Introduction
There is limited data about assessments that are associated with increased utilization of medical services among advanced oncology patients (AOPs). We aimed to identify factors related to healthcare utilization and death in AOP.

Methods
AOPs at a comprehensive cancer center were enrolled in a Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation program. Participants completed the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–General (FACT-G) scale. We examined factors associated with palliative care (PC), acute care (AC), emergency room (ER), hospital admissions (HA), and death.

Results
In all, 817 AOPs were included in these analyses with a median age of 69. They were generally female (58.7%), white (61.4%), stage IV (51.6%), and represented common cancers (31.5% GI, 25.2% thoracic, 14.3% gynecologic). ESAS pain, anxiety, and total score were related to more PC visits (B=0.31, 95% CI [0.21, 0.40], p<0.001; B=0.24 [0.12, 0.36], p<0.001; and B=0.038 [0.02, 0.06], p=0.001, respectively). Total FACT-G score and physical subscale were related to total PC visits (B=−0.021 [−0.037, −0.006], p=0.008 and B=−0.181 [−0.246, −0.117], p<0.001, respectively). Lower FACT-G social subscale scores were related to more ER visits (B=−0.03 [−0.53, −0.004], p=0.024), while increased tiredness was associated with fewer AC visits (B=−0.039 [−0.073, −0.006], p=0.023). Higher total ESAS scores were related to death within 30 days (OR=0.87 [0.76, 0.98], p=0.027).

Conclusions
The ESAS and FACT-G assessments were linked to PC and AC visits and death. These assessments may be useful for identifying AOPs that would benefit from routine PC.
Blended online learning for oncologists to improve skills in shared decision making about palliative chemotherapy: a pre-posttest evaluation
Authors: Bos-van den Hoek D. W. , van Laarhoven H. W. M. , Ali R. , Bakker S. D. , Goosens A. , Hendriks M. P. , Pepels M. J. A. E. , Tange D. , de Vos F. Y. F. L. , van de Wouw A. J. , Smets E. M. A. , Henselmans I. 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Purpose
To improve shared decision making (SDM) with advanced cancer patients, communication skills training for oncologists is needed. The purpose was to examine the effects of a blended online learning (i.e. e-learning and online training session) for oncologists about SDM in palliative oncological care and to compare this blended format with a more extensive, fully in-person face-to-face training format.

Methods
A one-group pre-posttest design was adopted. Before (T0) and after (T2) training, participants conducted simulated consultations (SPAs) and surveys; after the e-learning (T1), an additional survey was filled out. The primary outcome was observed SDM (OPTION12 and 4SDM). Secondary outcomes included observed SDM per stage, SPA duration and decision made as well as oncologists’ self-reported knowledge, clinical behavioural intentions, satisfaction with the communication and evaluation of the training. Additionally, outcomes of the blended learning were compared with those of the face-to-face training cohort. Analyses were conducted in SPSS by linear mixed models.

Results
Oncologists (n = 17) showed significantly higher SDM scores after the blended online learning. The individual stages of SDM and the number of times the decision was postponed as well as oncologists’ beliefs about capabilities, knowledge and satisfaction increased after the blended learning. Consultation duration was unchanged. The training was evaluated as satisfactory. When compared with the face-to-face training, the blended learning effects were smaller.

Conclusion
Blended online SDM training for oncologists was effective. However, the effects were smaller compared to face-to-face training. The availability of different training formats provides opportunities for tailoring training to the wishes and needs of learners.
Residual motion of different posterior instrumentation and interbody fusion constructs
Authors: Burkhard Marco D. , Spirig José M. , Wanivenhaus Florian , Cornaz Frédéric , Fasser Marie-Rosa , Widmer Jonas , Farshad Mazda 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Purpose
To elucidate residual motion of cortical screw (CS) and pedicle screw (PS) constructs with unilateral posterior lumbar interbody fusion (ul-PLIF), bilateral PLIF (bl-PLIF), facet-sparing transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (fs-TLIF), and facet-resecting TLIF (fr-TLIF).

Methods
A total of 35 human cadaver lumbar segments were instrumented with PS (n = 18) and CS (n = 17). Range of motion (ROM) and relative ROM changes were recorded in flexion/extension (FE), lateral bending (LB), axial rotation (AR), lateral shear (LS), anterior shear (AS), and axial compression (AC) in five instrumentational states: without interbody fusion (wo-IF), ul-PLIF, bl-PLIF, fs-TLIF, and fr-TLIF.

Results
Whereas FE, LB, AR, and AC noticeably differed between the instrumentational states, AS and LS were less prominently affected. Compared to wo-IF, ul-PLIF caused a significant increase in ROM with PS (FE + 42%, LB + 24%, AR + 34%, and AC + 77%), however, such changes were non-significant with CS. ROM was similar between wo-IF and all other interbody fusion techniques. Insertion of a second PLIF (bl-PLIF) significantly decreased ROM with CS (FE -17%, LB -26%, AR -20%, AC -51%) and PS (FE − 23%, LB − 14%, AR − 20%, AC − 45%,). Facet removal in TLIF significantly increased ROM with CS (FE + 6%, LB + 9%, AR + 17%, AC of + 23%) and PS (FE + 7%, AR + 12%, AC + 13%).

Conclusion
bl-PLIF and TLIF show similarly low residual motion in both PS and CS constructs, but ul-PLIF results in increased motion. The fs-TLIF technique is able to further decrease motion compared to fr-TLIF in both the CS and PS constructs.
Clinical evaluation of vertebral body replacement of carbon fiber–reinforced polyetheretherketone in patients with tumor manifestation of the thoracic and lumbar spine
Authors: Schwendner Maximilian , Ille Sebastian , Kirschke Jan S. , Bernhardt Denise , Combs Stephanie E. , Meyer Bernhard , Krieg Sandro M. 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Radiolucent anterior and posterior implants by carbon fiber–reinforced polyetheretherketone (CFR PEEK) aim to improve treatment of primary and secondary tumors of the spine during the last years. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical and radiological outcomes after dorsoventral instrumentation using a CFR PEEK implant in a cohort of patients representing clinical reality.

Methods
A total of 25 patients with tumor manifestation of the thoracic and lumbar spine underwent vertebral body replacement (VBR) using an expandable CFR PEEK implant between January 2021 and January 2022. Patient outcome, complications, and radiographic follow-up were analyzed.

Results
A consecutive series aged 65.8 ± 14.7 (27.6–91.2) years were treated at 37 vertebrae of tumor manifestation, including two cases (8.0%) of primary tumor as well as 23 cases (92.0%) of spinal metastases. Overall, 26 cages covering a median of 1 level (1–4) were implanted. Duration of surgery was 134 ± 104 (65–576) min, with a blood loss of 792 ± 785 (100–4000) ml. No intraoperative cage revision was required. Surgical complications were reported in three (12.0%) cases including hemothorax in two cases (one intraoperative, one postoperative) and atrophic wound healing disorder in one case. In two cases (8.0%), revision surgery was performed (fracture of the adjacent tumorous vertebrae, progressive construct failure regarding cage subsidence). No implant failure was observed.

Conclusion
VBR using CFR PEEK cages represents a legitimate surgical strategy which opens a variety of improvements—especially in patients in need of postoperative radiotherapy of the spine and MRI-based follow-up examinations.
Favorable long-term health-related quality of life after surgery for lumbar disc herniation in young adult patients
Authors: Roiha Miika , Marjamaa Johan , Siironen Jari , Koskinen Seppo , Koski-Palkén Anniina 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background
Lumbar disc herniation is often managed conservatively; nevertheless, surgical intervention can be required. Majority of patients experience a drastic relief of symptoms after surgery, but previous studies have reported that their health-related quality of life remains inferior compared to the general population for several years. There may be a major cumulative loss of health-related quality of life for young patients as they have long expected life ahead of them.

Methods
A total of 526 eligible adult patients under the age of 40 underwent surgery for lumbar disc herniation from 1990 to 2005. Patients’ baseline characteristics were acquired by chart review to confirm eligibility to the study. Follow-up quality of life data was acquired by sending patients EQ-5D questionnaire at median 18 years after index surgery, and those 316 patients responding to the questionnaire (60%) were included in the study. Propensity score matching was utilized to match every study patient with two general population sample participants from a large Finnish population health study. Primary objective was to compare the quality of life to that of the control population. Secondary objective was to explore which patient characteristics lead to inferior outcome.

Results
The mean EQ-index for the patient cohort was 0.86, while it was 0.84 for the age and gender–matched general population sample (difference 0.02, 95% CI − 0.0004 to 0.049). Within the patient cohort, an increasing number of lifetime lumbar surgeries was associated with progressively deteriorating EQ-index scores (p = 0.049) and longer duration of symptoms prior to the surgery correlated with lower score (p = 0.013).

Conclusion
Patients who underwent surgery for lumbar disc herniation nearly two decades ago reported quality of life comparable to the age and gender–matched general population. However, patients who had undergone numerous lumbar surgeries had significantly worse outcome. Therefore, possible ways to prevent cumulation of lumbar surgeries could improve long-term health-related quality of life.
Human spinal cord tissue is an underutilised resource in degenerative cervical myelopathy: findings from a systematic review of human autopsies
Authors: Dohle Esmee , Beardall Sophie , Chang Aina , Mena Karla P. Corral , Jovanović Luka , Nath Upamanyu , Lee Keng Siang , Smith Alexandria H. , Thirunavukarasu Arun J. , Touzet Alvaro Yanez , Norton Emma Jane , Mowforth Oliver D. , Kotter Mark R. N. , Davies Benjamin M. 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Study design
Systematic review.

Background
Although degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is the most prevalent spinal cord condition worldwide, the pathophysiology remains poorly understood. Our objective was to evaluate existing histological findings of DCM on cadaveric human spinal cord tissue and explore their consistency with animal models.

Methods
MEDLINE and Embase were systematically searched (CRD42021281462) for primary research reporting on histological findings of DCM in human cadaveric spinal cord tissue. Data was extracted using a piloted proforma. Risk of bias was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools. Findings were compared to a systematic review of animal models (Ahkter et al. 2020 Front Neurosci 14).

Results
The search yielded 4127 unique records. After abstract and full-text screening, 19 were included in the final analysis, reporting on 150 autopsies (71% male) with an average age at death of 67.3 years. All findings were based on haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. The most commonly reported grey matter findings included neuronal loss and cavity formation. The most commonly reported white matter finding was demyelination. Axon loss, gliosis, necrosis and Schwann cell proliferation were also reported. Findings were consistent amongst cervical spondylotic myelopathy and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. Cavitation was notably more prevalent in human autopsies compared to animal models.

Conclusion
Few human spinal cord tissue studies have been performed. Neuronal loss, demyelination and cavitation were common findings. Investigating the biological basis of DCM is a critical research priority. Human spinal cord specimen may be an underutilised but complimentary approach.
Urinary excretion of asymmetric (ADMA) and symmetric (SDMA) dimethylarginine is positively related to nitric oxide level in tissues of normotensive and hypertensive rats
Authors: Szlęzak Dominika , Ufnal Marcin , Drapała Adrian , Samborowska Emilia , Wróbel Maria 
Published: February 2023

AbstractNitric oxide (NO) is one of the gaseous transmitters which play a very important role in the regulation of the circulatory system. Decreased NO availability is associated with hypertension, cardiovascular and kidney diseases. Endogenous NO is generated enzymatically by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) depending on the availability of the substrate, cofactors, or presence/absence of inhibitors, such as asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA). The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential relationship between NO level in rat tissues (heart and kidneys) and the concentrations of endogenous metabolites related to NO in plasma and urine. The experiment was carried out with 16- and 60-week-old male Wistar Kyoto (WKY) and age-matched male Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHR). NO level in tissue homogenates was determined by the colorimetric method. RT-qPCR was used to verify the expression of the eNOS (endothelial NOS) gene. Plasma and urine concentrations of arginine, ornithine, citrulline, and dimethylarginines were examined by the UPLC-MS/MS method. 16-week-old WKY rats had the highest tissue NO and plasma citrulline levels. Furthermore, 16-week-old WKY rats showed higher urinary excretion of ADMA/SDMA compared to other experimental groups, however, plasma concentrations of arginine, ADMA, and SDMA were comparable between the groups. In conclusion, our research shows that hypertension and aging decrease tissue NO levels and are associated with reduced urinary excretion of NOS inhibitors, i.e., ADMA and SDMA.
In silico prediction of potential inhibitors for SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant using molecular docking and dynamics simulation-based drug repurposing
Authors: Mohamed Eslam A. R. , Abdel-Rahman Islam M. , Zaki Magdi E. A. , Al-Khdhairawi Ahmad , Abdelhamid Mahmoud M. , Alqaisi Ahmad M. , Rahim Lyana binti Abd , Abu-Hussein Bilal , El-Sheikh Azza A. K. , Abdelwahab Sayed F. , Hassan Heba Ali 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background
In November 2021, variant B.1.1.529 of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) and designated Omicron. Omicron is characterized by a high number of mutations, thirty-two in total, making it more transmissible than the original virus. More than half of those mutations were found in the receptor-binding domain (RBD) that directly interacts with human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). This study aimed to discover potent drugs against Omicron, which were previously repurposed for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). All repurposed anti-COVID-19 drugs were compiled from previous studies and tested against the RBD of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron.

Methods
As a preliminary step, a molecular docking study was performed to investigate the potency of seventy-one compounds from four classes of inhibitors. The molecular characteristics of the best-performing five compounds were predicted by estimating the drug-likeness and drug score. Molecular dynamics simulations (MD) over 100 ns were performed to inspect the relative stability of the best compound within the Omicron receptor-binding site.

Results
The current findings point out the crucial roles of Q493R, G496S, Q498R, N501Y, and Y505H in the RBD region of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron. Raltegravir, hesperidin, pyronaridine, and difloxacin achieved the highest drug scores compared with the other compounds in the four classes, with values of 81%, 57%, 18%, and 71%, respectively. The calculated results showed that raltegravir and hesperidin had high binding affinities and stabilities to Omicron with ΔGbinding of − 75.7304 ± 0.98324 and − 42.693536 ± 0.979056 kJ/mol, respectively. Further clinical studies should be performed for the two best compounds from this study.

Graphical Abstract
Food systems in the face of climate change: reviewing the state of research in South Pacific Islands
Authors: Trudinger Hannah , Crimp Steven , Friedman Rachel S. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractFood security, in the context of a rapidly changing climate, is one of the most prominent global challenges facing human societies today. Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, while facing additional stress from globalisation and increased supply chain disruption. This review aims to document our understanding of food system vulnerability to climate change in the region, and identify the existing studies that could inform policy and decision-making. The review also serves to discern the dominant focal areas of research, as well as where gaps exist for emerging research.Using keyword searches on the web, scholarly databases, and targeted organisational websites, we identified 104 studies published from 2010 to 2022 that looked at the impacts of climate change on some aspect of the food system in at least one PICT. We found that the majority of empirical research on climate impacts on food systems in PICTs focused on the biophysical components of food production rather than the complex interactions between the socio-economic and biophysical factors that make up food systems. An incomplete understanding of the impacts from climate change could result in maladaptation and an undermining of food system resilience.
Density of states for fast embedding node-attributed graphs
Authors: Zhao Lingxiao , Sawlani Saurabh , Akoglu Leman 
Published: February 2023

AbstractGiven a node-attributed graph, how can we efficiently represent it with few numerical features that expressively reflect its topology and attribute information? We propose A-DOGE, for attributed DOS-based graph embedding, based on density of states (DOS, a.k.a. spectral density) to tackle this problem. A-DOGE is designed to fulfill a long desiderata of desirable characteristics. Most notably, it capitalizes on efficient approximation algorithms for DOS, that we extend to blend in node labels and attributes for the first time, making it fast and scalable for large attributed graphs and graph databases. Being based on the entire eigenspectrum of a graph, A-DOGE can capture structural and attribute properties at multiple (“glocal”) scales. Moreover, it is unsupervised (i.e., agnostic to any specific objective) and lends itself to various interpretations, which makes it suitable for exploratory graph mining tasks. Finally, it processes each graph independent of others, making it amenable for streaming settings as well as parallelization. Through extensive experiments, we show the efficacy and efficiency of A-DOGE on exploratory graph analysis and graph classification tasks, where it significantly outperforms unsupervised baselines and achieves competitive performance with modern supervised GNNs, while achieving the best trade-off between accuracy and runtime.
Health care professionals’ experiences of dealing with cancer cachexia
Authors: Ellis Jodie , Petersen Michelle , Chang Sungwon , Ingham Gemma , Martin Peter , Morgan Nicola , Vaughan Vanessa , Brown Linda , Currow David C. , Razmovski-Naumovski Valentina 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background
Cancer cachexia (CC) is a debilitating syndrome severely impacting patients’ quality of life and survivorship. We aimed to investigate the health care professionals’ (HCPs’) experiences of dealing with CC.

Methods
Survey questions entailed definitions and guidelines, importance of CC management, clinician confidence and involvement, screening and assessment, interventions, psychosocial and food aspects. The online survey was disseminated through Australian and New Zealand palliative care, oncology, allied health and nursing organisations. Frequencies were reported using descriptive statistics accounting for response rates. Associations were examined between variables using Fisher’s exact and Pearson’s chi-square tests.

Results
Over 90% of the respondents (n = 192) were medical doctors or nurses. Over 85% of the respondents were not aware of any guidelines, with 83% considering ≥ 10% weight loss from baseline indicative of CC. CC management was considered important by 77% of HCPs, and 55% indicated that it was part of their clinical role to assess and treat CC. In contrast, 56% of respondents were not confident about managing CC, and 93% believed formal training in CC would benefit their clinical practice. Although formal screening tools were generally not used (79%), 75% of respondents asked patients about specific symptoms. Antiemetics (80%) and nutritional counselling (86%) were most prescribed or recommended interventions, respectively.

Conclusion
This study underlines the deficiencies in knowledge and training of CC which has implications for patients’ function, well-being and survival. HCP training and a structured approach to CC management is advocated for optimal and continued patient care.