bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Associations between future health expectations and patient satisfaction after lumbar spine surgery: a longitudinal observational study of 9929 lumbar spine surgery procedures
Authors: Joelson Anders , Szigethy Lilla , Wildeman Peter , Sigmundsson Freyr Gauti , Karlsson Jan 
Published: September 2023

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the associations between general health expectations and patient satisfaction with treatment for the two common spine surgery procedures diskectomy for lumbar disk herniation (LDH) and decompression for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS).DesignRegister study with prospectively collected preoperative and 1-year postoperative data.SettingNational outcome data from Swespine, the national Swedish spine register.ParticipantsA total of 9929 patients, aged between 20 and 85 years, who were self-reported non-smokers, and were operated between 2007 and 2016 for one-level LSS without degenerative spondylolisthesis, or one-level LDH, were identified in the national Swedish spine register (Swespine). We used SF-36 items 11c and 11d to assess future health expectations and present health perceptions. Satisfaction with treatment was assessed using the Swespine satisfaction item.InterventionsOne-level diskectomy for LDH or one-level decompression for LSS.Primary outcome measuresSatisfaction with treatment.ResultsFor LSS, the year 1 satisfaction ratio among patients with negative future health expectations preoperatively was 60% (95% CI 58% to 63%), while it was 75% (95% CI 73% to 76%) for patients with positive future health expectations preoperatively. The corresponding numbers for LDH were 73% (95% CI 71% to 75%) and 84% (95% CI 83% to 85%), respectively.ConclusionsPatients operated for the common lumbar spine diseases LSS or LDH, with negative future general health expectations, were significantly less satisfied with treatment than patients with positive expectations with regard to future general health. These findings are important for patients, and for the surgeons who counsel them, when surgery is a treatment option for LSS or LDH.
Implementation of a quality management system in a liver transplant programme
Authors: López-Púa Yolanda , Navasa Miquel , Trilla Antoni , Colmenero Jordi , García Raquel , López Eva , Durà Anna , Guash Ana , Ríos José 
Published: September 2023

BackgroundThe management of liver transplantation has become a complex process involving different healthcare professionals. Teamwork, standardisation and definition of the best practices are essential for success, patient satisfaction and society’s favourable perception of transplantation programmes.ISO 9001:2015 certification provides the necessary elements to help implement a quality management system (QMS) to ensure that patient care is performed with the highest guarantees of clinical quality and safety. The aim of this study is to describe the steps, strengths and limitations in the implementation of a QMS in a liver transplant programme (LTP).Project management methodThis included analysing the starting point, setting up a working group, training, defining the scope of certification, preparing documentation, and conducting an internal and external audit, which culminated in the ISO 9001 quality certification award. The scope of QMS includes all the processes of LTP, from referral of candidates to long-term follow-up after transplantation.ResultsThe project was structured in seven phases that took place between 2008 and 2011. The implementation of QMS led to the generation of all the necessary documentation to meet the requirements of the standard, including internal and legal requirements related to the transplant activity. The establishment of indicators to measure the effectiveness of processes, risk management and the identification of incidents allows us to implement measures devoted to avoiding the deficiencies and to meet the established objectives.ConclusionISO 9001:2015 certification has contributed to the adaptation of a new quality and safety culture focused on the patient. All activities are protocolised, everything is recorded, measured, and verified, and all steps are taken as planned. Work is carried out in terms of continuous improvement. This has led to less variability in daily clinical practice and a better understanding of work dynamics.
Questioning our presumptions about the presumption of capacity
Authors: Astrachan Isabel Marie , Ruck Keene Alexander , Kim Scott Y H 
Published: September 2023

All contemporary frameworks of mental capacity stipulate that we must begin from the presumption that an adult has capacity. This presumption is crucial, as it manifests respect for autonomy and guards against prejudice and paternalism on the part of the evaluator.Given its ubiquity, we might presume that we all understand the presumption’s meaning and application in the same way. Evidence demonstrates that this is not the case and that this has led to harm in vulnerable persons. There is thus strong reason to question our presumptions about the presumption of capacity.We distinguish between two main ways of understanding and applying the presumption of capacity, and advocate for the one that we argue mitigates risk of harm. Our proposed interpretation offers many advantages in that it is consonant with actual practice of capacity evaluations, precludes confused and abusive avoidance of needed evaluations, and preserves the respect for autonomy motivating the presumption in the first place.
Water-circulating probes significantly modify lesion length and axon damage in cooled radiofrequency ablations when compared with similar-sized standard radiofrequency probes in rats
Authors: Cobbs Alyssa , Alas Guillermo , Yadav Ruchi , Mayeux Jacques , Eckmann Maxim S , Provenzano David Anthony , English Arthur W , Washington Alencia , Wang Ruoya 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionPreclinical research demonstrated water-cooled radiofrequency (CRF) ablations have a significant impact on structural and functional changes compared to standard radiofrequency (SRF) ablations. Clinical procedures utilizing RF to treat chronic pain conditions also show sustained functional outcomes. We hypothesize that the design of the RF probes plays an important role in interventional procedure success, but it remains unclear which specific design features.MethodsRF ablations were performed in male Lewis rats (n=51) using multiple-sized probes for CRF (17 Ga/2 mm and 17Ga/4 mm) and SRF (22Ga/5 mm, 18Ga/10 mm and 16Ga/10 mm) to evaluate generator energy output, lesion length, axon damage by histology and nerve function analysis via electromyography. To exclude probe design variables beyond size and remain objective, we tested cooled probes with and without water circulation, which resulted in the CRF probe performing like an SRF probe.ResultsConsistent with our previous findings in smaller probes, CRF large probes delivered more energy (p<0.01) and generated multiple zones of thermal damage in sciatic nerves. When the water-circulating feature was turned off, however, energy output (p<0.001) and lesion length (p<0.05) was significantly reduced. CRF probes with the water circulation also featured significantly more axonal disruption, than larger sized SRF probes (p<0.0001).ConclusionsOverall, this data confirms that CRF’s water-circulating technology has a greater impact on energy deposition, lesion length and axon damage compared with SRF ablations. Moreover, results suggest that the structural differences between RF modalities cannot be solely attributed to probe size, and it may shed light on its differences in clinical outcomes.
Environmental impact on critical responses of lightweight cellular concrete subbase flexible pavements
Authors: Oyeyi Abimbola Grace , Al-Bayati Hanaa Khaleel Alwan , Ni Frank Mi-Way , Tighe Susan 
Published: September 2023

Previous analytical studies have demonstrated that low-density lightweight cellular concrete (LCC) subbase pavements can support up to 20 times more traffic loads than unbound granular subbase pavements while protecting the pavement subgrade from adverse freeze–thaw effects in cold regions. This study examines the possibility of providing better-performing pavements on the field through the construction, instrumentation, and monitoring of flexible pavement sections incorporating three LCC densities (400, 475, and 600 kg/m³) as subbase material compared with unbound granular material in Canada. The effects of daily and seasonal temperatures on pavement critical responses to stress and strains were evaluated. The findings showed that these LCC pavements reduced asphalt concrete tensile strain by over two times compared with unbound granular pavements, and that strain increased with a daily temperature increase. Daily subgrade pressure (stress) change was reduced by up to 68%. The study concluded that longer life pavements could be achieved with LCC subbase thicknesses ≥250 mm.
Matter accretion onto the magnetically charged Euler–Heisenberg black hole with scalar hair
Authors: Rehman H. , Abbas G. , Zhu Tao , Mustafa G. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThis paper deals with astrophysical accretion onto the magnetically charged Euler–Heisenberg black holes with scalar hair. We examine the accretion process of a variety of perfect fluids, including polytropic and isothermal fluids of the ultra-stiff, ultra-relativistic, and sub-relativistic forms, when fluid is accreting in the vicinity of the black hole. By using the Hamiltonian dynamical approach, we can find the sonic or critical points numerically for the various types of fluids that are accreting onto the black hole. Furthermore, for several types of fluids, the solution is provided in closed form, expressing phase diagram curves. We compute the mass accretion rate of a magnetically charged Euler–Heisenberg black hole with scalar hair. We observe that the maximum accretion rate is attained for small values of the black hole parameters. We may be able to understand the physical mechanism of accretion onto black holes using the outcomes of this investigation.
Properties of color-flavor locked matter in a quasiparticle model
Authors: Chu Peng-Cheng , Cao Qian , Liu He , Li Xiao-Hua , Ju Min , Wu Xu-Hao , Zhou Ying 
Published: September 2023

AbstractWe investigate the thermodynamical properties of color-flavor locked (CFL) quark matter at zero temperature, finite temperature, and strong magnetic field by using quasiparticle model. We find that considering CFL quark phase can significantly change the equation of state (EOS) as well as the properties of quark matter in quark stars (QSs) at finite temperature or under magnetic field within quasiparticle model. In particular, our results have shown that we can provide the large QSs within CFL quark phase from quasiparticle model by satisfying both the upper limit of $$\Lambda _{1.4}<800$$

Λ

1.4

<
800

for the low-spin priors of 1.4 solar mass pulsars from GW170817 and the new estimates of the mass-radius region from PSR J0740 + 6620, PSR J0030 + 0451, HESS J1731-347, and 4U 1702-429, which cannot be obtained by considering the QSs with SQM within quasiparticle model.
Prognostic Impact of Prephase Treatment Prior to First-Line Treatment in DLBCL: A Population-Based Registry Study
Authors: Levy Anthony , Defossez Gautier , Delwail Vincent , Guidez Stéphanie , Chaubard Sammara , Nunes Gomes Christopher , Cailly Laura , Letailleur Valentin , Machet Antoine , Leleu Xavier , Ingrand Pierre , Systchenko Thomas 
Published: September 2023

Introduction. Prephase treatment (PP) is recommended in diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCL) to decrease therapy-related toxicities and to avoid tumour lysis syndrome. Data in the real world are limited, and no study has evaluated the impact on overall survival. We aimed to evaluate overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and grade III-IV toxicities during the first cycle according to PP. Methods and Materials. All DLBCL diagnosed between 2014 and 2017 and aged between 18 and 80 years were identified by the Poitou-Charentes General Cancer Registry (France). PP was defined as any treatment prior to first-line, excluding anthracycline and/or Rituximab. We performed propensity score matching (PSM) to control characteristics at diagnosis, reduce bias, and approximate a randomized trial. Results. Three hundred and forty patients received first-line treatment in 17 hospital centers: 126 (37%) with prephase and 214 (63%) without prephase (NPP). After PSM, 97 patients remained in each group without significant difference in characteristics at diagnosis; matched PP patients had a 2-year OS of 71% (vs. 77%,

P

= 0.32), a 2-year PFS of 61% (vs. 74%,

P

= 0.12), and 26% grade III-IV toxicities (vs. 27%,

P

= 0.75). No tumour lysis syndrome was reported. PP nonsignificantly decreases grade III-IV toxicities for patients with high tumour load (

P

= 0.82) or elderly patients (

P

= 0.81). Conclusion. PP treatment does not affect survival nor does it reduce therapy-related toxicities even for patients with high tumour load or elderly patients. Further studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of PP.
Evidence of rTMS for Motor or Cognitive Stroke Recovery: Hype or Hope?
Authors: Hofmeijer Jeannette , Ham Florien , Kwakkel Gert 
Published: September 2023

BACKGROUND:
Evidence of efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for stroke recovery is hampered by an unexplained variability of reported effect sizes and an insufficient understanding of mechanisms of action. We aimed to (1) briefly summarize evidence of efficacy, (2) identify critical factors to explain the reported variation in effects, and (3) provide mechanism-based recommendations for future trials.

METHODS:
We performed a systematic review of the literature according to Cochrane and PRISMA Protocols. We included trials with ≥10 patients per treatment group. We classified outcome measures according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health. Meta-analysis was done when at least 3 trials were reported on the same construct. In case of significant summary effect sizes with significant heterogeneity, we used sensitivity analyses to test for correlations and differences between found individual effect sizes and possible effect modifiers such as patient-, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation-, and trial characteristics.

RESULTS:
We included 57 articles (N=2595). Funnel plots showed no publication bias. We found significant effect sizes at the level of body function (upper limb synergies, muscle strength, language functioning, global cognitive functioning, visual/spatial inattention) with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation within or beyond 3 months after stroke. We also found significant effect sizes at the level of activities. We found no subgroup differences or significant correlations between individual summary effect sizes and any tested possible effect modifier.

CONCLUSIONS:
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation holds the potential to benefit a range of motor and cognitive outcomes after stroke, but the evidence of efficacy is challenged by unexplained heterogeneity across many small sampled trials. We propose large trials with the collection of individual patient data on baseline severity and brain network integrity with sufficiently powered subgroup analyses, as well as protocolized time-locked training of the target behavior. Additional neurophysiological and biomechanical data may help in understanding mechanisms and identifying biomarkers of treatment efficacy.

REGISTRATION:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: CRD42022300330.
Prediction of Stroke Outcome in Mice Based on Noninvasive MRI and Behavioral Testing
Authors: Knab Felix , Koch Stefan Paul , Major Sebastian , Farr Tracy D. , Mueller Susanne , Euskirchen Philipp , Eggers Moritz , Kuffner Melanie T.C. , Walter Josefine , Berchtold Daniel , Knauss Samuel , Dreier Jens P. , Meisel Andreas , Endres Matthias , Dirnagl Ulrich , Wenger Nikolaus , Hoffmann Christian J. , Boehm-Sturm Philipp , Harms Christoph 
Published: September 2023

BACKGROUND:
Prediction of poststroke outcome using the degree of subacute deficit or magnetic resonance imaging is well studied in humans. While mice are the most commonly used animals in preclinical stroke research, systematic analysis of outcome predictors is lacking.

METHODS:
We intended to incorporate heterogeneity into our retrospective study to broaden the applicability of our findings and prediction tools. We therefore analyzed the effect of 30, 45, and 60 minutes of arterial occlusion on the variance of stroke volumes. Next, we built a heterogeneous cohort of 215 mice using data from 15 studies that included 45 minutes of middle cerebral artery occlusion and various genotypes. Motor function was measured using a modified protocol for the staircase test of skilled reaching. Phases of subacute and residual deficit were defined. Magnetic resonance images of stroke lesions were coregistered on the Allen Mouse Brain Atlas to characterize stroke topology. Different random forest prediction models that either used motor-functional deficit or imaging parameters were generated for the subacute and residual deficits.

RESULTS:
Variance of stroke volumes was increased by 45 minutes of arterial occlusion compared with 60 minutes. The inclusion of various genotypes enhanced heterogeneity further. We detected both a subacute and residual motor-functional deficit after stroke in mice and different recovery trajectories could be observed. In mice with small cortical lesions, lesion volume was the best predictor of the subacute deficit. The residual deficit could be predicted most accurately by the degree of the subacute deficit. When using imaging parameters for the prediction of the residual deficit, including information about the lesion topology increased prediction accuracy. A subset of anatomic regions within the ischemic lesion had particular impact on the prediction of long-term outcomes. Prediction accuracy depended on the degree of functional impairment.

CONCLUSIONS:
For the first time, we developed and validated a robust tool for the prediction of functional outcomes after experimental stroke in mice using a large and genetically heterogeneous cohort. These results are discussed in light of study design and imaging limitations. In the future, using outcome prediction can improve the design of preclinical studies and guide intervention decisions.
Improving Multitask Retrieval by Promoting Task Specialization
Authors: Zhang Wenzheng , Xiong Chenyan , Stratos Karl , Overwijk Arnold 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
In multitask retrieval, a single retriever is trained to retrieve relevant contexts for multiple tasks. Despite its practical appeal, naive multitask retrieval lags behind task-specific retrieval, in which a separate retriever is trained for each task. We show that it is possible to train a multitask retriever that outperforms task-specific retrievers by promoting task specialization. The main ingredients are: (1) a better choice of pretrained model—one that is explicitly optimized for multitasking—along with compatible prompting, and (2) a novel adaptive learning method that encourages each parameter to specialize in a particular task. The resulting multitask retriever is highly performant on the KILT benchmark. Upon analysis, we find that the model indeed learns parameters that are more task-specialized compared to naive multitasking without prompting or adaptive learning.1
Seeding of Supercooled Low Stratus Clouds with a UAV to Study Microphysical Ice Processes: An Introduction to the CLOUDLAB Project
Authors: Henneberger Jan , Ramelli Fabiola , Spirig Robert , Omanovic Nadja , Miller Anna J. , Fuchs Christopher , Zhang Huiying , Bühl Johannes , Hervo Maxime , Kanji Zamin A. , Ohneiser Kevin , Radenz Martin , Rösch Michael , Seifert Patric , Lohmann Ulrike 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Ice formation and growth processes play a crucial role in the evolution of cloud systems and the formation of precipitation. However, the initial formation and growth of ice crystals are challenging to study in the real atmosphere resulting in uncertainties in weather forecasts and climate projections. The CLOUDLAB project tackles this problem by using supercooled stratus clouds as a natural laboratory for targeted glaciogenic cloud seeding to advance the understanding of ice processes: Ice nucleating particles are injected from an uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) into supercooled stratus clouds to induce ice crystal formation and subsequent growth processes. Microphysical changes induced by seeding are measured 3–15 min downstream of the seeding location using in situ and ground-based remote sensing instrumentation. The novel application of seeding with a multirotor UAV combined with the persistent nature of stratus clouds enables repeated seeding experiments under similar and well-constrained initial conditions. This article describes the scientific goals, experimental design, and first results of CLOUDLAB. First, the seeding plume is characterized by using measurements of a UAV equipped with an optical particle counter. Second, the seeding-induced microphysical changes observed by cloud radars and a tethered balloon system are presented. The seeding signatures were detected by regions of increased radar reflectivity (>−20 dBZ), which were 10–20 dBZ higher than the natural background. Simultaneously, high concentrations of seeding particles and ice crystals (up to 2,000 L−1) were observed. A cloud seeding case was simulated with the numerical weather model ICON to contextualize the findings.