bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Establishment of a feline glycated hemoglobin reference interval for a novel dried‐blood‐spot assay and the effects of anemia on assay results
Authors: Mott Jocelyn , Dolan Jacqueline K. , Gilor Chen , Gilor Shir 
Published: July 2023

AbstractBackgroundGlycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) reflects long‐term (months) glycemic control and has been previously investigated as a monitoring and diagnostic tool in diabetic cats. However, a standardized, reliable, and globally available test and reference intervals (RIs) have not been established. A novel dried‐blood‐spot card system (A1Care, Baycom Diagnostics) allows for easy collection and evaluation of HbA1c levels in feline patients.ObjectiveWe aimed to establish an RI for HbA1c values in healthy adult cats using the A1Care (Baycom Diagnostics) dried‐blood‐spot card system.MethodsForty‐one healthy client‐owned adult cats were enrolled in this study. The RI for HbA1c was calculated according to the recommendation of the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology.ResultsThe A1Care HbA1c RI for cats was determined to be 1.9%‐3.1%. In healthy cats, A1Care HbA1c values were positively correlated with age (Spearman rho = 0.4 [95% CI 0.1 to 0.6],P = 0.01). In 50% of anemic cats, the A1Care HbA1c value was above 3.1%. There was a weak negative correlation between the A1Care HbA1c value and PCV (Spearman rho = −0.4 [95% CI −0.6 to −0.1]).ConclusionsThis study established an RI for HbA1c in healthy adult cats similar to previously reported RIs. Future clinical studies are necessary to substantiate that this RI can differentiate diabetic from nondiabetic cats. Further long‐term clinical studies will be valuable to determine if HbA1c values can be used as a screening test for prediabetes in cats.
Metric decomposability theorems on sets of integers
Authors: Bienvenu Pierre‐Yves 
Published: July 2023

AbstractA set is called additively decomposable (resp., asymptotically additively decomposable) if there exist sets of cardinality at least two each such that (resp., is finite). If none of these properties hold, the set is called totally primitive. We define ‐decomposability analogously with subsets of . Wirsing showed that almost all subsets of are totally primitive. In this paper, in the spirit of Wirsing, we study decomposability from a probabilistic viewpoint. First, we show that almost all symmetric subsets of are ‐decomposable. Then we show that almost all small perturbations of the set of primes yield a totally primitive set. Further, this last result still holds when the set of primes is replaced by the set of sums of two squares, which is by definition decomposable.
Lower limb hyperthermia augments functional hyperaemia during small muscle mass exercise similarly in trained elderly and young humans
Authors: Koch Esteves Nuno , Khir Ashraf W. , González‐Alonso José 
Published: July 2023

AbstractHeat and exercise therapies are recommended to improve vascular health across the lifespan. However, the haemodynamic effects of hyperthermia, exercise and their combination are inconsistent in young and elderly people. Here we investigated the acute effects of local‐limb hyperthermia and exercise on limb haemodynamics in nine healthy, trained elderly (69 ± 5 years) and 10 young (26 ± 7 years) adults, hypothesising that the combination of local hyperthermia and exercise interact to increase leg perfusion, albeit to a lesser extent in the elderly. Participants underwent 90 min of single whole‐leg heating, with the contralateral leg remaining as control, followed by 10 min of low‐intensity incremental single‐leg knee‐extensor exercise with both the heated and control legs. Temperature profiles and leg haemodynamics at the femoral and popliteal arteries were measured. In both groups, heating increased whole‐leg skin temperature and blood flow by 9.5 ± 1.2°C and 0.7 ± 0.2 L min−1 (>3‐fold), respectively (P < 0.0001). Blood flow in the heated leg remained 0.7 ± 0.6 and 1.0 ± 0.8 L min−1 higher during exercise at 6 and 12 W, respectively (P < 0.0001). However, there were no differences in limb haemodynamics between cohorts, other than the elderly group exhibiting a 16 ± 6% larger arterial diameter and a 51 ± 6% lower blood velocity following heating (P < 0.0001). In conclusion, local hyperthermia‐induced limb hyperperfusion and/or small muscle mass exercise hyperaemia are preserved in trained older people despite evident age‐related structural and functional alterations in their leg conduit arteries.
Supplemental Material: cdem: A macOS program for discrete element modeling of tectonic structures
Authors: Cardozo Nestor , Hardy Stuart 
Published: July 2023

<p>Includes cdem simulations for Figures 1–12. Notes from author: These are files with .cdem extension containing the parameters and settings for each simulation. In addition, Table 2 specifies the general settings that must be set for each simulation via the Preferences panel (Fig. 3). Please note that after opening any of these files in cdem, you will need to Initialize it and Run it to recreate the results. Use a powerful computer with as many cores as possible. </p>
Prevalence of myopia among children and adolescents aged 6–16 during COVID-19 pandemic: a large-scale cross-sectional study in Tianjin, China
Authors: Li Tongtong , Wei Ruihua , Du Bei , Wu Qi , Yan Jing , Meng Xiangda , Liu Yuanyuan , Yang Qiang , Kee Chea-Su , Huang Guowei , Yan Hua 
Published: July 2023

PurposeThis study aimed to determine the prevalence of myopia among children and adolescents aged 6–16 years during COVID-19 pandemic in Tianjin, China.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study using data from the Tianjin Child and Adolescent Research of Eye between March and June in 2021. A total of 909 835 children and adolescents aged 6–16 years from 1348 primary and secondary schools in Tianjin, China were recruited. Prevalence of myopia with 95% CIs was described in different regions, sexes and ages. The regions-standardised prevalence rate and chain growth rate of myopia in different ages were described the characteristics of myopia.ResultsA total of 864 828 participants (95.05% participation rate) were included in the analysis. The age range was 6–16 with a mean age of 11.50±2.79 years. The overall prevalence of myopia was 54.71% (95% CI 54.60% to 54.81%). The prevalence of myopia was 57.58% (95% CI 57.43% to 57.73%) for girls and 52.05% (95% CI 51.91% to 52.20%) for boys. Students living in the six central districts had the highest prevalence of moderate myopia (19.09% (95% CI 19.01% to 19.17%)) and high myopia (5.43% (95% CI 5.39% to 5.48%)). The regions-standardised prevalence of myopia was increased by age and the highest chain growth rate of myopia was up to 47.99% at 8 years.ConclusionsThe prevalence of myopia in Tianjin is high during COVID-19 pandemic. The progression of myopia started to increase dramatically at 8 years, and the increasing slowed down at 14 years. For policy-makers, intervention in the lower age groups may be important to control myopia progression.
Does a corticosteroid injection plus exercise or exercise alone add to the effect of patient advice and a heel cup for patients with plantar fasciopathy? A randomised clinical trial
Authors: Riel Henrik , Vicenzino Bill , Olesen Jens Lykkegaard , Bach Jensen Martin , Ehlers Lars Holger , Rathleff Michael Skovdal 
Published: July 2023

ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of patient advice plus heel cup alone (PA) versus PA and lower limb exercise (PAX) versus PAX plus corticosteroid injection (PAXI) to improve self-reported pain in patients with plantar fasciopathy.MethodsWe recruited 180 adults with plantar fasciopathy confirmed by ultrasonography for this prospectively registered three-armed, randomised, single-blinded superiority trial. Patients were randomly allocated to PA (n=62), PA plus self-dosed lower limb heavy–slow resistance training consisting of heel raises (PAX) (n=59), or PAX plus an ultrasound-guided injection of 1 mL triamcinolone 20 mg/mL (PAXI) (n=59). The primary outcome was changed in the pain domain of the Foot Health Status Questionnaire (ranging from 0 ‘worst’ to 100 ‘best’) from baseline to the 12-week follow-up. The minimal important difference in the pain domain is 14.1 points. The outcome was collected at baseline and at 4, 12, 26, and 52 weeks.ResultsThe primary analysis found a statistically significant difference between PA and PAXI after 12 weeks favouring PAXI (adjusted mean difference: −9.1 (95% CI −16.8 to −1.3; p=0.023)) and over 52 weeks (adjusted mean difference: −5.2 (95% CI −10.4 to −0.1; p=0.045)). At no follow-up did the mean difference between groups exceed the pre-specified minimal important difference. No statistically significant difference was found between PAX and PAXI or between PA and PAX at any time.ConclusionNo clinically relevant between-group differences were found after 12 weeks. The results indicate that combining a corticosteroid injection with exercise is not superior to exercise or no exercise.Trial registration numberNCT03804008.
Emergency department staff views of NHS 111 First: qualitative interview study in England
Authors: MacLellan Jennifer , Turnbull Joanne , Prichard Jane , Pope Catherine 
Published: July 2023

BackgroundNHS 111 is a phone and online urgent care triage and assessment system that aims to reduce UK ED demand. In 2020, 111 First was introduced to triage patients before entry to the ED and to offer direct booking for patients needing ED or urgent care into same-day arrival time slots. 111 First continues to be used post pandemic, but concerns about patient safety, delays or inequities in accessing care have been voiced. This paper examines ED and urgent care centre (UCC) staff experiences of NHS 111 First.MethodSemistructured telephone interviews were conducted with ED/UCC practitioners across England between October 2020 and July 2021 as part of a larger multimethod study examining the impact of NHS 111 online. We purposively recruited from areas with high need/demand likely to be using NHS 111 services. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded inductively by the primary researcher. We coded all items to capture experiences of 111 First within the full project coding tree and from this constructed two explanatory themes which were refined by the wider research team.ResultsWe recruited 27 participants (10 nurses, 9 doctors and 8 administrator/managers) working in ED/UCCs serving areas with high deprivation and mixed sociodemographic profiles. Participants reported local triage/streaming systems predating 111 First continued to operate so that, despite prebooked arrival slots at the ED, all attendances were funnelled into a single queue. This was described by participants as a source of frustration for staff and patients. Interviewees perceived remote algorithm-based assessments as less robust than in-person assessments which drew on more nuanced clinical expertise.DiscussionWhile remote preassessment of patients before they present at ED is attractive, existing triage and streaming systems based on acuity, and staff views about the superiority of clinical acumen, are likely to remain barriers to the effective use of 111 First as a demand management strategy.
Ciliated foregut cysts involving the hepatopancreaticobiliary system: a clinicopathological evaluation with focus on atypical features
Authors: Navale Pooja , Glickman Jonathan , Nasser Imad , Shia Jinru , Vyas Monika 
Published: July 2023

AimsForegut cystic malformations are rare developmental abnormalities, which may involve the hepatopancreaticobiliary tract (HPBT). These cysts are composed of inner ciliated epithelium; subepithelial connective tissue layer; smooth muscle layer; and an outer fibrous layer. While radiopathologic findings are often diagnostic, atypical location and histologic features can pose a diagnostic challenge. We aimed to study ciliated foregut cysts (CFCs) in the HPBT, assess their clinicopathological features with a focus on atypical features.MethodsWe collected cases of CFCs involving the HPBT from three large academic medical centres. H&E-stained slides and immunohistochemical stains (where available) were reviewed for each case. Relevant demographic, clinical and pathological information was collected from the medical records.Results21 cases were identified. The median age was 53 years (range, 3–78 years). 17 cysts were identified within the liver (segment 4 was the most common location, n=10) and 4 in the pancreas. Cysts were mostly identified incidentally (n=13), abdominal pain was a common symptom (n=5). Cyst size ranged from 0.7 to 17.0 cm (median, 2.5 cm). Radiological findings were available in 17 cases. Cilia were identified in all cases. 19 of 21 cases demonstrated the presence of a smooth muscle layer (thickness, <0.1 mm to 3.0 mm). Three cases showed gastric metaplasia, while one case revealed additional low-grade dysplasia, with features similar to intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct.ConclusionsWe highlight clinicopathological features of CFCs in the HPBT. The histomorphology is usually straightforward; however, unusual location and atypical features can pose a diagnostic challenge.
Autonomy is not a sufficient basis for analysing the choice for medical assistance in dying in unjust conditions: in favour of a dignity-based approach
Authors: DiDanieli Maria 
Published: July 2023

In their paper titledChoosing death in unjust conditions: hope, autonomy and harm reduction,Wiebe and Mullin argue against the stance of diminished autonomy in chronically ill, disabled patients living in unjust sociopolitical environments who pursue medical assistance in dying (MAiD). They suggest that it would be paternalistic to deny these people this choice and conclude that MAiD should actually be seen as a form of harm reduction for them.This response to their article argues that basing discussions surrounding this important topic on a single bioethical concept does not address the needs of this cohort and is restrictively siloed. The discussion should include considerations of human rights and the need for legislative reforms to address social conditions, in addition to traditional bioethical principles. Work in this area needs to become interdisciplinary and collaborative as well as integrate input from the patients themselves. The concept of the dignity of these patients, in its broadest sense, needs to be infused into the discussion in order to optimise the exploration for solutions for this cohort.The stance of MAiD as harm reduction, in this context, does not meet the definition of harm reduction, nor does it represent a commitment to the best interests of these patients.
Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring and spinal cord stimulator implantation
Authors: Goel Vasudha , Kaizer Alexander M , Jain Sejal , Darrow David , Shankar Hariharan 
Published: July 2023

IntroductionSpinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the most dreaded complications after spinal cord stimulation (SCS) implantation surgery. As a result, intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) has been proposed to avoid accidental damage to nervous structures under anesthesia and confirm positioning for optimal stimulation. Our study uses a large administrative claims database to determine the 30-day risk of SCI after SCS implantation.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study used the IBM MarketScan Commercial and Medicare Supplemental Databases from 2016 to 2019. Adult patients undergoing SCS surgical procedures with at least 90 days of follow-up, IONM use, the type of sedation used during the procedure, and subsequent SCI were identified using administrative codes. In addition, logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between various risk factors and subsequent SCI.ResultsA total of 9676 patients underwent SCS surgery (64.7% percutaneous implants) during the study period. Nine hundred and forty-four (9.75%) patients underwent SCS implantation with IONM. Conscious sedation, Monitored Anesthesia Care anesthesia, and general anesthesia were used in patients with 0.9%, 60.2%, and 28.6%, respectively. Eighty-one (0.8%) patients developed SCI within 30 days after SCS implant surgery. The SCI rate was higher in the group that underwent IONM (2% vs 0.7%, p value <0.001) during the implantation procedure, reflecting the underlying risk. After adjustment for other factors, the OR of SCI is 2.39 (95% CI: 1.33 to 4.14, p value=0.002) times higher for those with IONM than those without IONM.ConclusionsIncreased SCI risk among patients with IONM likely reflects higher baseline risk, and further research is needed for risk mitigation.
Cooled radiofrequency ablation versus standard medical management for chronic sacroiliac joint pain: a multicenter, randomized comparative effectiveness study
Authors: Cohen Steven P , Kapural Leonardo , Kohan Lynn , Li Sean , Hurley Robert W , Vallejo Richard , Eshraghi Yashar , Dinakar Pradeep , Durbhakula Shravani , Beall Douglas P , Desai Mehul J , Reece David , Christiansen Sandy , Chang Min Ho , Carinci Adam J , DePalma Michael 
Published: July 2023

IntroductionLow back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide, with sacroiliac joint pain comprising up to 30% of cases of axial lower back pain. Conservative therapies provide only modest relief. Although placebo-controlled trials show efficacy for sacral lateral branch cooled radiofrequency ablation, there are no comparative effectiveness studies.MethodsIn this randomized, multicenter comparative effectiveness study, 210 patients with clinically suspected sacroiliac joint pain who obtained short-term benefit from diagnostic sacroiliac joint injections and prognostic lateral branch blocks were randomly assigned to receive cooled radiofrequency ablation of the L5 dorsal ramus and S1–S3 lateral branches or standard medical management consisting of pharmacotherapy, injections and integrative therapies. The primary outcome measure was mean reduction in low back pain score on a 0–10 Numeric Rating Scale at 3 months. Secondary outcomes included measures of quality of life and function.Results3 months post-treatment, the mean Numeric Rating Scale pain score for the cooled radiofrequency ablation group was 3.8±2.4 (mean reduction 2.5±2.5) compared with 5.9±1.7 (mean reduction 0.4±1.7) in the standard medical management group (p<0.0001). 52.3% of subjects in the cooled radiofrequency ablation group experienced>2 points or 30% pain relief and were deemed responders versus 4.3% of standard medical management patients (p<0.0001). Comparable improvements favoring cooled radiofrequency ablation were noted in Oswestry Disability Index score (mean 29.7±15.2 vs 41.5+13.6; p<0.0001) and quality of life (mean EuroQoL-5 score 0.68±0.22 vs 0.47±0.29; p<0.0001).ConclusionsIn patients with sacroiliac joint pain, cooled radiofrequency ablation provided statistically superior improvements across the spectrum of patient outcomes compared with standard medical management.Trial registration numberNCT03601949.
Ice accumulation at a water intake: a case study on the Mille-Iles River, Québec
Authors: Ghobrial Tadros , Pierre Amandine , Boyd Sean , Loewen Mark 
Published: July 2023

The blockage of water intakes by ice is recurrent in northern rivers during winter. Previous field studies have monitored field conditions leading to ice blockage and provided a review of mitigations methods. However, to improve the efficacy of these measures, the mechanisms that create the blockage need to be locally measured. For this purpose, a field campaign was implemented to monitor a water intake on the Mille-Iles River at Terrebonne, Quebec, during the winter of 2020–2021. Results from this study showed that ice accumulation on the trash rack had an average growth rate of 1.35 cm/h and reached a maximum thickness of 24 cm. The release rate of these trash rack accumulation events was on average 1.8 cm/h, which is 30% faster than the deposition rate. A minimum cumulative degree minutes of supercooling of 4.5 °C.min was required for the start of a trash-rack ice-accumulation event.
Higher-order curvature operators in causal set quantum gravity
Authors: de Brito Gustavo P. , Eichhorn Astrid , Pfeiffer Christopher 
Published: July 2023

AbstractWe construct higher-order curvature invariants in causal set quantum gravity. The motivation for this work is twofold: First, to characterize causal sets, discrete operators that encode geometric information on the emergent spacetime manifold, e.g., its curvature invariants, are indispensable. Second, to make contact with the asymptotic-safety approach to quantum gravity in Lorentzian signature and find a second-order phase transition in the phase diagram for causal sets, going beyond the discrete analog of the Einstein–Hilbert action may be critical. Therefore, we generalize the discrete d’Alembertian, which encodes the Ricci scalar, to higher orders. We prove that curvature invariants of the form $$R^{2} -2 \Box R$$

R
2

-
2
□
R

(and similar invariants at higher powers of derivatives) arise in the continuum limit.
Radiological risk assessment method for the interim storage of radioactive materials
Authors: Kaissas Ioannis , Hourdakis Costas J. , Mitrakos Dimitris 
Published: July 2023

AbstractSafe storage of radioactive materials is based on three universal radiation protection principles. Justification, optimization and dose limits are applicable to the risk assessment, acknowledging the hazards in each procedure of delivery, usage, storage and disposal of radioactive materials. Failure Modes and Effects Analysis method (FMEA) is developed for the risk evaluation of common practices. In this work FMEA is exploited for the radiological risk assessment in practices using radioactive materials. In addition, the radiological hazard of fire is studied, in order to classify its severity for different examples of radioactive materials inventories. The severity of the hazard, the likelihood and the detectability of its occurrence are exploited for classifying the associated risk. Appropriate measures that should be taken for the emergency preparedness and response are taken into account in order to reduce the Risk Priority Number (RPN). Scenarios of external exposure, skin contamination and inhalation are investigated, in order to calculate the received doses, for workers and members of the public. The outcomes of the analysis indicate low or medium severity of the risks for most of the examined practices, especially under the implementation of the appropriate measures, like: controlled access of the facilities, records keeping for delivery, usage, storage and disposal of radioactive materials; presence of fire detectors and extinguishers; and removal of flammable materials from the vicinity of the radioactive materials.
In situ
Pb–Pb garnet geochronology as a tool for investigating polymetamorphism: a case for Paleoarchean lateral tectonic thickening
Authors: Cutts K. A. , Lana C. , Stevens G. , Buick I. S. 
Published: July 2023

Abstract

The Barberton Granite–Greenstone Belt remains a key location in the debate concerning the nature of Archean tectonic processes. Much work has focused on deciphering the tectonic significance of the
c.
3.23 Ga metamorphism, as this has been correlated with lower geothermal gradient conditions potentially indicating Archean subduction. However, several studies also found evidence of an earlier, 3.45 Ga metamorphic episode, overprinted by the 3.23 Ga event. Here we apply
in situ
Pb–Pb dating and
P–T
modelling to a large (3 cm diameter) garnet crystal, allowing for the direct dating of the metamorphic conditions obtained from the garnet. The garnet core produced an isochron age of 3435 ± 45 Ma, corresponding to an increase in
P
and
T
evolution reaching peak conditions of at least 7 kbar and 700°C. Analyses obtained from the garnet rim give an isochron age of 3245 ± 41 Ma, corresponding to
P–T
conditions reaching 8–9 kbar and 700°C. The preservation of two moderate- to high-pressure events occurring 200 million years apart is consistent with lateral tectonic processes producing crustal thickening at 3.2 Ga and may also be a viable process for the earlier event.