bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Using PICRUSt2 to explore the functional potential of bacterial community in alfalfa silage harvested at different growth stages
Authors: Wang Siran , Wang Yuxin , Liu Haopeng , Li Xinbao , Zhao Jie , Dong Zhihao , Li Junfeng , Kaka Niaz Ali , Nazar Mudasir , Shao Tao 
Published: December 2022

AbstractBackgroundThis study evaluated the effects of growth stage and storage time on fermentation characteristics, bacterial communities and their functionality in alfalfa (Medicago sativaL.) silage. Alfalfa was harvested at initial flowering (10–20% bloom, AL1) and full flowering (> 80% bloom, AL2) stages, respectively. The harvested alfalfa was ensiled in 15 L plastic silos. Triplicate silos were sampled after 1, 3, 7, 15, 30 and 60 days of ensiling, respectively. Fermentation products were analyzed on each sampling day. The bacterial communities and their functional potential after 3 and 60 days were analyzed by high-throughput sequencing technique and PICRUSt2 method.ResultsAL2 had better fermentation quality than AL1 with lower pH, ammonia nitrogen and butyric acid concentrations and higher lactic acid concentrations on day 60. AL2 had higher abundances ofWeissellaandLactobacillusafter 3 days, and lower abundances ofEnterobacterand Enterobacteriaceae on day 60 compared to AL1. In metabolic pathway analysis, ensiling promoted the carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism, and inhibited the signal transduction and membrane transport. In enzyme analysis, AL2 had lower abundances of nitrite reductase (NADH) and ornithine decarboxylase than AL1 on day 60. In phenotype analysis, AL2 had higher proportions of facultatively anaerobic and lower proportions of anaerobic, potentially pathogenic and gram negative than AL1 on day 60.ConclusionsHigh throughput sequencing technique combined with PICRUSt2 can be successfully used to describe the changes of bacterial communities and their functionality in silage. This approach can improve our understanding of the silage microbiology to further regulate the fermentation products.Graphical Abstract
A simple co-precipitation sorbent-based preconcentration method for the analysis of fungicides in water and juice samples by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array detection
Authors: Santaladchaiyakit Yanawath , Sirijan Anuchit , Wongchalee Methaporn , Phurimsak Chayakom , Baoulan Areebhorn , Gamonchuang Jirasak , Boontongto Tittaya , Vichapong Jitlada , Burakham Rodjana , Srijaranai Supalax 
Published: December 2022

AbstractA magnesium hydroxide co-precipitation sorbent-based method in the presence of an anionic surfactant (e.g., sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate) and high-performance liquid chromatography were used to preconcentrate and analyze fungicides in water and apple juice samples. The preconcentration procedure can be accomplished in a single step based on the co-precipitation of target fungicides and magnesium chloride in the presence of surfactant in a sodium hydroxide solution (pH 11) and a white precipitate gel was simply obtained after centrifugation. The property of precipitate phase was subsequently characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffractometry. Under the optimum conditions, the developed method exhibited good sensitivity, with an enrichment factor of 11–18 and limits of detection of approximately 1–5 μg/L for water samples and 7–10 μg/L for apple juices. High reproducibility was achieved with a relative standard deviation of less than 11%, and a good recovery range of 72% to 120% was also obtained. The proposed method was shown to be a simple preconcentration procedure for concentrating fungicides in the samples investigated.
Estimating heat tolerance of buds in southeastern US trees in fire-prone forests
Authors: McClure Adam B. , Coates T. Adam , Hiers J. Kevin , Seiler John R. , O’Brien Joseph J. , Hoffman Chad M. 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Background
Traits of mature trees, such as bark thickness and texture, have been documented to promote resistance or resilience to heating in fire-prone forests. These traits often assist managers as they plan and promote prescribed fire management to accomplish specific land management objectives. Species are often grouped together as pyrophobes or pyrophytes as a result of these features. Nonetheless, little is known about species-specific traits of other structures, such as bud diameter, length, mass, moisture content, and surface area, that might be related to heat tolerance. Many prescribed fires are utilized in the eastern United States to control regeneration of less desired species, which could apply a more mechanistic understanding of energy doses that result in topkilling mid-story stems. In this study, we investigated potential relationships between terminal bud mortality from lateral branches of midstory stems and species-specific bud features of six eastern US deciduous trees. Characterized at maturity as either pyrophytes or pyrophobes, each was exposed to different heat dosages in a laboratory setting.

Results
Bud diameter, length, mass, moisture content, and surface area differed by species. Bud percent mortality at the first heat flux density (0.255–0.891MJm−2) was highest for two pyrophobes, chestnut oak (Quercus montana Willd.) and scarlet oak (Quercus coccinea Münchh). For the second heat flux density (1.275–1.485MJm−2), bud percent mortality was highest for these species and red maple (Acer rubrum L.). Principal component analysis suggested that bud surface area and length differentiated species. Red maple, chestnut oak, and scarlet oak produced clusters of buds, which may explain their more pronounced bud mortality. Yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.) was also present in that cluster, suggesting that its unique bud architecture of pre-emergent leaves may have elicited responses most similar to those of the clustered buds.

Conclusions
Contrary to expectations, lateral buds of species regarded as pyrophytes at maturity displayed some of the highest values of bud percent mortality when heated at two heat flux densities generated in a laboratory. Their responses may be related to clustering of their lateral buds. Testing of additional species using these methods in a laboratory setting, and perhaps additional methodologies in the field, is warranted.
Which is a better management for vocal fold cyst: cold knife or laser resection?
Authors: Khafagy Ahmed G. , Askoura Anas , Kassamy Hany , Abdelgoad Ahmed A. 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Background
The objective of the study is to compare the conventional microlaryngeal surgery and the CO2 laser in the treatment of cysts of vocal folds, regarding the postoperative quality of voice.
This study was conducted on 53 cases with vocal fold cysts. The cases were randomly allocated into two groups: group 1 (27 cases) was operated by the conventional technique, and group 2 (26 cases) was operated with CO2 laser microlaryngeal operation. At 3-month postoperative, evaluation was done by stroboscopic evaluation of vocal folds, grade of hoarseness, roughness, breathiness, asthenia, and strain (GRBAS) scale and Arabic version of Voice Handicap Index (VHI).

Results
The stroboscope assessment revealed that glottic closure was complete, symmetrical motion, the reappearance of the mucosal wave, normal amplitude, and periodicity in all patients. There is insignificantly different between either group as regards the postoperative scores on VHI and GRBAS scale.

Conclusion
There is insignificantly different when comparing laser to conventional microlaryngeal surgery for excision of vocal fold cysts regarding the quality of voice.
A mass budget and box model of global plastics cycling, degradation and dispersal in the land-ocean-atmosphere system
Authors: Sonke Jeroen E. , Koenig Alkuin M. , Yakovenko Nadiia , Hagelskjær Oskar , Margenat Henar , Hansson Sophia V. , De Vleeschouwer Francois , Magand Olivier , Le Roux Gael , Thomas Jennie L. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractSince 1950 humans have introduced 8300 teragrams (Tg, 1012 g, millions of metric tons) of plastic polymers into the Earth’s surface environment. Accounting for the dispersal and fate of produced plastics and fragmented microplastics in the environment has been challenging. Recent studies have fueled debate on the global river budget for plastic transport to oceans, the sinking and beaching of marine plastics and the emission and deposition of atmospheric microplastics. Here we define a global plastics cycle and budget, and develop a box model of plastics cycling, including the fragmentation and transport of large and small microplastics (LMP, SMP) within coupled terrestrial, oceanic and atmospheric reservoirs. We force the model with historical plastics production and waste data, and explore how macroplastics, LMP and SMP propagate through the reservoirs from 1950 to 2015 and beyond. We find that considerable amounts of plastics reside most likely in the deep ocean (82 Tg), in shelf sediments (116 Tg), on beaches (1.8 Tg) and, as a result of marine emissions, in the remote terrestrial surface pool (28 Tg). Business as usual or maximum feasible reduction and discard scenarios show similar, 4-fold increases in atmospheric and aquatic ecosystem SMP exposure by 2050, because future plastics mobilization is controlled by releases from the large terrestrial discarded plastics reservoir (3500 Tg). Zero-release from 2025 onwards illustrates recovery of P and LMP reservoirs on centennial time scales, while SMP continue to cycle in air, soil, and surface ocean for millennia. Limiting dramatic future dispersal of plastics requires, in addition to reducing use and waste, remediation of the large terrestrial legacy plastics pool.
Training Hematologists/Oncologists for the Academic-Community Hybrid: Creating a Fellowship Framework for the Future
Authors: Roberts Daniel A. , Faig Jennifer , Bodio-Downey Kelly , Shpilsky Jason , Leahy Kathleen , Wischhusen Jonathan , Giordano Sara , Acharya Utkarsh , Drews Reed , Dougherty David , Lathan Christopher , Rangachari Deepa 
Published: December 2022

PURPOSE: Conventional hematology/oncology fellowship training is designed to foster careers in academic practice through intensive exposure to clinical and laboratory research. Even so, a notable proportion of graduating fellows opt to pursue a clinically focused career outside the realm of academic medicine. Given the corresponding shortage of oncologists in nonurban and rural settings, improving the representation of hematologists/oncologists in the community setting is a national priority. METHODS: We reviewed current national challenges and changing models of cancer care delivery in the context of the traditional academic training model along with trends in practice patterns for recent hematology/oncology graduates. We defined the Academic-Community hybrid (ACH) and how it supports the evolution in contemporary models of cancer care. We then drew on the authors’ experiences to formulate an innovative goal-concordant training paradigm for fellows seeking careers in the ACH model. RESULTS: The ACH hematology/oncology fellowship training pathway emphasizes and optimizes professional development domains including clinical care, patient safety and quality improvement, business and operations, cancer care equity and community access, healthy policy and alignment with professional organizations, and medical education. CONCLUSION: This novel hematology/oncology training model provides a paradigm for optimizing preparedness for practice in an increasingly complex cancer care delivery environment while addressing workforce shortages and health disparities.
State-Dependent Estimation of Delay Distributions in Fork-Join Networks
Authors: Carmeli Nitzan , Yom-Tov Galit B. , Boxma Onno J. 
Published: December 2022

Problem definition: Delay announcements have become an essential tool in service system operations: They influence customer behavior and network efficiency. Most current delay announcement methods are designed for relatively simple environments with a single service station or stations in tandem. However, complex service systems, such as healthcare systems, often have fork-join (FJ) structures. Such systems usually suffer from long delays as a result of both resource scarcity and process synchronization, even when queues are fairly short. These systems may thus require more accurate delay estimation techniques than currently available. Methodology/results: We analyze a network comprising a single-server queue followed by a two-station FJ structure using a recursive construction of the Laplace–Stieltjes transform of the joint delay distribution, conditioning on customers’ movements in the network. Delay estimations are made at the time of arrival to the first station. Using data from an emergency department, we examine the accuracy and the robustness of the proposed approach, explore different model structures, and draw insights regarding the conditions under which the FJ structure should be explicitly modeled. We provide evidence that the proposed methodology is better than other commonly used queueing theory estimators such as last-to-enter-service (which is based on snapshot-principle arguments) and queue length, and we replicate previous results showing that the most accurate estimations are obtained when using our model result as a feature in state-of-the-art machine learning estimation methods. Managerial implications: Our results allow management to implement individual, real-time, state-dependent delay announcements in complex FJ networks. We also provide rules of thumb with which one could decide whether to use a model with an explicit FJ structure or to reduce it to a simpler model requiring less computational effort. Funding: This work was supported by the Dutch Research Council (NWO) Gravitation Programme NETWORKS [Grant 024.002.003], the Israel Ministry of Science and Technology [Grant 880011], and the Israel Science Foundation [Grant 1955/15]. Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/msom.2022.1167 .
Coaxial dual-core dispersion compensation photonic crystal fiber with wavelength-tunable ultrahigh negative dispersion
Authors: Shao Wanting , Liang Huan , Ma Fuxiao , Shi Weihua 
Published: December 2022

A coaxial dual-core wavelength-tunable dispersion compensation photonic crystal fiber (WT-DC-PCF) is designed in this paper. The tunable range of 1512–1587 nm with an ultrahigh negative dispersion of

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at 1550 nm has been obtained simultaneously by filling the temperature-sensitive material into the air holes of the WT-DC-PCF. The full width at half-maximum is up to 12.4 nm, and a low confinement loss is always maintained. In addition, the phase-matching wavelength is basically linear with the temperature, which can be accurately adjusted to 1550 nm. Therefore, the proposed WT-DC-PCF is able to be used in achieving complete dispersion compensation in communication systems.
Population heterogeneity in Plasmodium vivax relapse risk
Authors: Stadler Eva , Cromer Deborah , Mehra Somya , Adekunle Adeshina I. , Flegg Jennifer A. , Anstey Nicholas M. , Watson James A. , Chu Cindy S. , Mueller Ivo , Robinson Leanne J. , Schlub Timothy E. , Davenport Miles P. , Khoury David S. 
Published: December 2022

A key characteristic of Plasmodium vivax parasites is their ability to adopt a latent liver-stage form called hypnozoites, able to cause relapse of infection months or years after a primary infection. Relapses of infection through hypnozoite activation are a major contributor to blood-stage infections in P vivax endemic regions and are thought to be influenced by factors such as febrile infections which may cause temporary changes in hypnozoite activation leading to ‘temporal heterogeneity’ in reactivation risk. In addition, immunity and variation in exposure to infection may be longer-term characteristics of individuals that lead to ‘population heterogeneity’ in hypnozoite activation. We analyze data on risk of P vivax in two previously published data sets from Papua New Guinea and the Thailand-Myanmar border region. Modeling different mechanisms of reactivation risk, we find strong evidence for population heterogeneity, with 30% of patients having almost 70% of all P vivax infections. Model fitting and data analysis indicates that individual variation in relapse risk is a primary source of heterogeneity of P vivax risk of recurrences.
Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01640574, NCT01074905, NCT02143934.
Utility of carotid ultrasound on prediction of 1-year mortality in emergency department patients with neurological deficits: A 10-year population-based cohort study
Authors: Chen Chi-Hsin , Sung Chih-Wei , Jeng Jiann-Shing , Fan Cheng-Yi , Chang Jia-How , Chen Jiun-Wei , Tang Sung-Chun , Huang Edward Pei-Chuan 
Published: December 2022

Background
This study aimed to investigate the association between the carotid ultrasound results and 1-yr mortality of patients with neurological deficits in the emergency department (ED).

Methods
This study included patients with neurological symptoms who presented to the ED between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2018, and underwent sonographic imaging of the bilateral carotid bulb, common carotid artery (CCA), internal carotid artery (ICA), and external carotid arteries. A stenosis degree of >50% was defined as significant carotid stenosis. Carotid plaque score (CPS) was calculated by adding the score of stenosis severity of all segments. The association between carotid ultrasound results and 1-yr mortality was investigated using the Cox regression model.

Results
The analysis included 7,961 patients (median age: 69 yr; men: 58.7%). Among them, 247 (3.1%) passed away from cardiovascular (CV)-related causes, and 746 (9.4%) died within a year. The mortality group presented with more significant carotid stenosis of the carotid bulb, CCA, or ICA and had a higher median CPS. A higher CPS was associated with a greater 1-yr all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03–1.13; p = 0.001; log-rank p < 0.001) and CV-related mortality (aHR = 1.13; 95% CI = 1.04–1.22; p = 0.002, log-rank p < 0.001). Significant stenosis of either carotid artery segment did not result in a higher risk of 1-yr mortality.

Conclusions
We comprehensively investigated the utility of carotid ultrasound parameters on predicting mortality in this 10-yr population-based cohort, which included over 7,000 patients with acute neurological deficits presented to the ED. The result showed that CPS could be used as risk stratification tools for 1-yr all-cause and CV mortality.
Family caregivers’ perspectives on the acceptability of four interventions proposed for rural transitional care: A multi-method study
Authors: Fox Mary T. , Butler Jeffrey I. , Sidani Souraya , Alzghoul Manal M. , Skinner Mark , Amell Travis , Ferguson-Paré Mary 
Published: December 2022

Background
There is a critical need for hospital-to-home transitional care interventions to prepare family caregivers for patients’ post-discharge care in rural communities. Four evidence-based interventions (named discharge planning, treatments, warning signs, and physical activity) have the potential to meet this need but family caregivers’ perspectives on the acceptability of the interventions have not been examined. This gap is significant because unacceptable interventions are unlikely to be used or used as designed, thereby undermining outcome achievement. Accordingly, this study examined the perceived acceptability of the four interventions to rural family caregivers.

Materials and methods
A multi-method descriptive design was used. The quantitative method entailed the administration of an established scale to assess the interventions’ perceived acceptability to family caregivers. The qualitative method involved semi-structured interviews to explore family caregivers’ perceived acceptability of the interventions in greater depth, including acceptable and unacceptable aspects, in the context of their own transitional care experience. Participants were the family caregivers of a relative who had been discharged home in a rural community from an acute care hospital in Ontario, Canada.

Results
The purposive sample included 16 participants who were mostly middle-aged women (n = 14; 87.5%) caring for a parent (n = 9; 56.3%) at high risk for hospital readmission. The mean scores on the acceptability measure were 3 or higher for all interventions, indicating that, on average, the four interventions were perceived as acceptable. In terms of acceptable aspects, four themes were identified: the interventions: 1) involve family caregivers and proactively prepare them for discharge, 2) provide clear, written, and detailed guidance, 3) place the onus on healthcare providers to initiate communication, and 4) ensure post-discharge follow-up. In terms of unacceptable aspects, one theme was identified: the physical activity intervention would be challenging to implement.

Discussion
The findings support implementing the four interventions in practice throughout the hospital-to-home transition. Healthcare providers should assess family caregivers’ comfort in participating in the physical activity intervention and tailor their role accordingly.
Non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia in critically ill patients
Authors: Yu Byunghyuk , Ko Ryoung-Eun , Yoo Keesang , Gil Eunmi , Choi Kyoung-Jin , Park Chi-Min 
Published: December 2022

Background
Non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI) is a life-threatening acute condition that has an overall in-hospital mortality rate of up to 75%. Critically ill patients are often admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) due to shock, and these patients are frequently at risk of developing NOMI. The objective of this study was to determine the clinical features of critically ill patients with NOMI and evaluate the risk factors for in-hospital mortality among these patients.

Methods
We reviewed the electronic medical records of 7,346 patients who underwent abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography during their ICU stay at Samsung Medical Center (Seoul, Korea) between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2019. After reviewing each patient’s computed tomography (CT) scans, 60 patients were diagnosed with NOMI and included in this analysis. The patients were divided into survivor (n = 23) and non-survivor (n = 37) groups according to the in-hospital mortality.

Results
The overall sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score for the included patients upon admission to the ICU was 8.6 ± 3.1, and medical ICU admissions were most common (66.7%) among the patients. The SOFA score upon admission to the ICU was higher for the non-survivors than for the survivors (9.4 vs. 7.4; p = 0.017). Non-survivors were more often observed in the medical ICU admissions (39.1% vs. 83.8%) than in the surgical ICU admissions (47.8% vs. 10.8%) or the cardiac ICU admissions (13.0% vs. 5.4%). Laboratory test results, abdominal CT findings, and the use of vasopressors and inotropes did not differ between the two groups. In a multivariable analysis, SOFA scores >8 upon admission to the ICU (odds ratio [OR] 4.51; 95% 1.12–18.13; p = 0.034), patients admitted to the ICU with medical problems (OR 7.99; 95% 1.73–36.94; p = 0.008), and abdominal pain (OR 4.26; 95% 1.05–17.35; p = 0.043) were significant prognostic predictors for in-hospital mortality.

Conclusions
The SOFA score >8 upon admission to the ICU, admission to the ICU for medical problems, and abdominal pain at diagnosis are associated with increased mortality among patients with NOMI.