bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of piezoelectric shockwave lithotripsy with 2‐ and 8‐mm focus sizes on stone disintegration and renal injury
Authors: Noureldin Yasser A. , Abdel Halim Walid A. , Elnahif Ezzat , El Shaer Alaa , Shaher Hussein , Abdel Fattah Ahmed Abou Elezz , Hashem Abdelwahab , El‐Dakhakhny Amr S. , Zahran Ahmed A. , El Hamshary Salah A. 
Published: May 2023

ObjectivesTo compare the efficacy and safety of shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) using a narrow focus or wide focus for renal stones.Patients and MethodsA double‐blind randomised trial included adult patients with a solitary radio‐opaque renal pelvic stone of 1–2 cm. Patients were randomised into two groups: narrow‐focus (2 mm) SWL and wide‐focus (8 mm) SWL. The stone‐free rate (SFR) and presence of complications such as haematuria, fever, pain, and peri‐renal haematoma were evaluated. Pre‐ and postoperative urinary markers (neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin [NGAL] and kidney injury molecule 1 [KIM‐1]) concentrations were compared to assess renal injury.ResultsA total of 135 patients were recruited for this study. The SFR after the first SWL session was 79.2% and 69.1% in narrow‐ and wide‐focus groups, respectively. There was a comparable rise in the median 2‐h NGAL concentration in both groups (P = 0.62). However, the rise in the median (interquartile range [IQR]) 2‐h KIM‐1 concentration was significantly higher in the narrow‐focus group at 4.9 (4.6, 5.8) ng/mL compared with the wide‐focus group at 4.4 (3.2, 5.7) ng/mL (P = 0.02). Nevertheless, the 3‐day NGAL and KIM‐1 urinary marker concentrations were significantly improved (P = 0.263 and P = 0.963, respectively). The overall SFR after three sessions was 86.6% and 86.8% in the narrow‐ and wide‐focus groups, respectively (P = 0.77). Both groups were comparable for complications, apart from the median pain score and the percentage of high‐grade haematuria, which were significantly higher in the narrow‐focus group (P < 0.001 and P = 0.03, respectively).ConclusionNarrow‐ and wide‐focus SWL were associated with comparable outcomes and re‐treatment rates. However, narrow‐focus SWL was associated with significantly higher morbidity in terms of pain and haematuria.
A sequential exploratory diagnostic model using a Pólya‐gamma data augmentation strategy
Authors: Jimenez Auburn , Balamuta James Joseph , Culpepper Steven Andrew 
Published: May 2023

AbstractCognitive diagnostic models provide a framework for classifying individuals into latent proficiency classes, also known as attribute profiles. Recent research has examined the implementation of a Pólya‐gamma data augmentation strategy binary response model using logistic item response functions within a Bayesian Gibbs sampling procedure. In this paper, we propose a sequential exploratory diagnostic model for ordinal response data using a logit‐link parameterization at the category level and extend the Pólya‐gamma data augmentation strategy to ordinal response processes. A Gibbs sampling procedure is presented for efficient Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) estimation methods. We provide results from a Monte Carlo study for model performance and present an application of the model.
Preschoolers search longer when there is more information to be gained
Authors: Ruggeri Azzurra , Stanciu Oana , Pelz Madeline , Gopnik Alison , Schulz Eric 
Published: May 2023

AbstractWhat drives children to explore and learn when external rewards are uncertain or absent? Across three studies, we tested whether information gain itself acts as an internal reward and suffices to motivate children's actions. We measured 24–56‐month‐olds' persistence in a game where they had to search for an object (animal or toy), which they never find, hidden behind a series of doors, manipulating the degree of uncertainty about which specific object was hidden. We found that children were more persistent in their search when there was higher uncertainty, and therefore, more information to be gained with each action, highlighting the importance of research on artificial intelligence to invest in curiosity‐driven algorithms.Research Highlights
Across three studies, we tested whether information gain itself acts as an internal reward and suffices to motivate preschoolers' actions.
We measured preschoolers' persistence when searching for an object behind a series of doors, manipulating the uncertainty about which specific object was hidden.
We found that preschoolers were more persistent when there was higher uncertainty, and therefore, more information to be gained with each action.
Our results highlight the importance of research on artificial intelligence to invest in curiosity‐driven algorithms.
The precarious power of a strongly worded letter: Political correspondence, Lutheran theology, and civic participation
Authors: Bateza Anthony 
Published: May 2023

AbstractFacing political decisions involving local issues or systemic injustice, we sometimes decide to write a letter. Opinion pieces in the town newspaper, online posts about current events, and letters sent to elected officials all share the presumption that putting words on a page can make the political community a better place. This article examines these practices and the reasoning that supports them by connecting Martin Luther's theology of good works with insights from political theory and current debates about civic participation. Luther claims that good works are needed to discipline the body and serve the neighbor in love. This theological framework is offered as a guide for assessing the value and functions of political correspondence. It contends that writing letters serves to discipline individual and collective political bodies, developing needed skills for sharing and receiving the claims we make while resisting temptations that pull us towards indifference, cynicism, or self‐righteous assurance. Letters should be seen as invitations of service and neighbor love that display our competence and commitment to others. Letter writing, as a good work, is risky in that the goodness of our labors remains an open question. The analysis here offers guidance for assessing our better and worse reasons for political postings, whether on the church door or elsewhere.
Influence of hypertension on systolic and diastolic left ventricular function including segmental strain and strain rate
Authors: Kornev Mikhail , Caglayan Hatice Akay , Kudryavtsev Alexander V. , Malyutina Sofia , Ryabikov Andrew , Schirmer Henrik , Rösner Assami 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBackgroundLeft ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic functions are important cardiovascular risk predictors in patients with hypertension. However, data on segmental, layer‐specific strain, and diastolic strain rates in these patients are limited. The aim of this study was to investigate segmental two‐dimensional strain rate imaging (SRI)‐derived parameters to characterize LV systolic and diastolic function in hypertensive individuals compared with that in normotensive individuals.MethodsThe study sample comprised 1194 participants from the population‐based Know Your Heart study in Arkhangelsk and Novosibirsk, Russia, and 1013 individuals from the Seventh Tromsø Study in Norway. The study population was divided into four subgroups: (A) healthy individuals with normal blood pressure (BP), (B) individuals on antihypertensive medication with normal BP, (C) individuals with systolic BP 140–159 mmHg and/or diastolic BP > 90 mm HG, and (D) individuals with systolic BP ≥160 mmHg. In addition to conventional echocardiographic parameters, global and segmental layer‐specific strains and strain rates in early diastole and atrial contraction (SR E, SR A) were extracted. The strain and SR (S/SR) analysis included only segments without strain curve artifacts.ResultsWith increasing BP, the systolic and diastolic global and segmental S/SR gradually decreased. SR E, a marker of impaired relaxation, showed the most distinctive differences between the groups. In normotensive controls and the three hypertension groups, all segmental parameters displayed apico‐basal gradients, with the lowest S/SR in the basal septal and highest in apical segments. Only SR A did not differ between the segmental groups but increased gradually with increasing BP. End‐systolic strain showed incremental epi‐towards endocardial gradients, irrespective of the study group.ConclusionArterial hypertension reduces global and segmental systolic and diastolic left ventricular S/SR parameters. Impaired relaxation determined by SR E is the dominant factor of diastolic dysfunction, whereas end‐diastolic compliance (by SR A) does not seem to be influenced by different degrees of hypertension. Segmental strain, SR E and SR A provide new insights into the LV cardio mechanics in hypertensive hearts.
Warming promotes non‐native invasive ants while inhibiting native ant communities
Authors: Merchlinsky Alex , Frankson Paul T. , Gitzen Robert , Lepczyk Christopher A. , Mohan Jacqueline E. , Warren Robert J. 
Published: May 2023

Abstract1. Non‐native species may be the cause of native species declines or an effect of habitat degradations that promote the former and damage the latter. Social insects are extraordinarily successful organisms, and non‐native social insects, such as ants, often are very successful invaders of novel habitats.2. The red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) and the Asian needle ant (Brachyponera chinensis) are widespread non‐native invaders in the eastern United States that bring ecological, economic and social impacts, but their putative effects on native ant communities may be concomitant with habitat degradation rather than inherent in their invasion.3. Given this gap in understanding, our goal was to examine how experimental warming influenced native and non‐native ant communities. Specifically, we hypothesised that (a) non‐native ant abundance and species richness will increase in warmed plots and that (b) warming‐induced increases in the non‐native ant populations will correspond with decreases in native ant abundance and species richness.4. To test these hypotheses, we used three levels of experimental forest edge soil warming (warming targeted at +0, +3, and +5°C above ambient soil temperature) in a mixed deciduous forest in the Georgia (USA) Piedmont. We used repeated pitfall trapping to investigate how the experimental warming influenced the composition of native and non‐native ant communities with a focus on how warming combined with S. invicta and B. chinensis invasion impacted native ant communities.5. Our results suggest that experimental warming promoted the non‐native invasive ants, particularly S. invicta and B. chinensis. We also found that B. chinensis somewhat inhibited native ant communities, but not because of warming. The warmed environment benefited both non‐native invasive ants at the expense of native ants but, given that B. chinensis negatively impacted the native ants with far fewer workers than S. invicta, B. chinensis may pose a greater threat to native ant communities than S. invicta in a warmer world.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for individuals at risk for psychosis or with a first psychotic episode: A qualitative study on patients' perspectives
Authors: Bouws Jara , Henrard Ann , de Koning Mariken , Schirmbeck Frederike , van Ghesel Grothe Sophia , van Aubel Evelyne , Reininghaus Ulrich , de Haan Lieuwe , Myin‐Germeys Inez 
Published: May 2023

AbstractAimThe aim of this qualitative study is to explore patients' perspectives on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for early stages of psychosis. Therefore, we interviewed participants of the INTERACT study, that quantitatively investigated Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in Daily Life (ACT‐DL) in combination with treatment as usual, for early stages of psychosis, comparing it to treatment as usual.MethodsWithin 6 months after finishing ACT‐DL, we conducted semi‐structured, individual interviews with 19 participants. All interviews were audio‐recorded and transcribed. Thematic analysis was used for coding and analysis.ResultsTwo overarching themes were formed: ‘the meaning of ACT’ and ‘what to improve’. Considering the first, participants generally understood and connected with the meaning of ACT, noticing more awareness and acceptance of their thoughts and feelings, and living more in line with their personal values. The second theme included comments on the protocol not being personal or psychosis specific enough and some elements of ACT being too difficult to understand when having active psychotic symptoms.ConclusionsThis study suggests that ACT is an acceptable and promising new form of treatment for early stages of psychosis, and it provides relevant information to further develop ACT for this group.
In‐stream population structuring of Lake Sturgeon in Northern Manitoba, Canada
Authors: Nelson Patrick A. , Gosselin Thierry , McDougall Craig A. , Bernatchez Louis 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe Lake Sturgeon is a long‐lived, late‐maturing fish that declined significantly in abundance over the past 150 years. Since the 1990s, stocking has been used to recover numerous Lake Sturgeon populations across North America. Ill‐informed genetic mixing among populations can have unintended negative consequences, so a genotype‐by‐sequencing (GBS) study was undertaken to help guide the stocking strategy for Lake Sturgeon on the 653‐km‐long Nelson River, Manitoba. Tissue samples collected from 416 adults captured from 12 locations along the Nelson River, and from the Hayes and Churchill rivers that also empty into Hudson Bay, were sequenced using Illumina technology. A bioinformatics pipeline yielded 5637 high‐quality filtered markers. Genetic differentiation (overall meanFSTof 0.028; a range of means: 0–0.16) revealed spatial structuring among and within rivers. Two populations were found in the upper Nelson River, two more in the middle Nelson, and one in the lower Nelson. Discriminant analysis of principal components revealed first‐generation migrants and a general lack of effective dispersal, which raises questions about historical versus contemporary influence. Lake Sturgeon stocking in northern Manitoba should avoid mixing among rivers and among Nelson River sections.
Efficacy and safety of biological agents for pemphigoid: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Lin Zhipeng , Zhao Yixin , Li Feng , Li Jinzhuo , Huang Xianqiong 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBiologic agents (also termed biologics) have become an important adjuvant‐targeted treatment option in autoimmune blistering disease. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of newly licensed biologics for the management of pemphigoid using a meta‐analysis. PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library for studies involving pemphigoid patients treated with biological agents (rituximab, dupilumab, omalizumab, or mepolizumab) were searched. The pooled risk ratio (RR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to assess the short‐term efficacy, adverse event (AE), relapse, and long‐term survival. A total of seven studies involving 296 patients were identified. The pooled RRs for short‐term effectiveness, AE, relapse, and long‐term survival rate in patients treated with biological agents versus systemic corticosteroids were 1.37 (95% CI 0.95–1.97; I2 = 82%; P = 0.09), 0.54 (95% CI 0.39–0.73; I2 = 13%; P = 0.005), 1.36 (95% CI 0.95–1.96; I2 = 16.8%; P = 0.19), and 1.08 (95% CI 0.95–1.21; I2 = 48.1%; P = 0.53), respectively. Meta‐regression and subgroup analysis revealed that the RRs of efficacy were 2.10 (95% CI 1.61–2.75; I2 = 0%; P < 0.00001) for rituximab and 2.07 (95% CI 1.61–2.67; I2 = 0%; P < 0.00001) for sample size greater than 30. Compared with conventional therapy, biologics treatment was significantly associated with fewer adverse events (P < 0.05), but no significant differences were found for efficacy and relapse (P > 0.05). The findings demonstrate that a biologics‐containing regimen could minimize the occurrence of AEs and might display a comparable efficacy and recurrence to that of receiving systemic corticosteroids.
Evaluation of needling‐induced autoinoculation in the management of genital warts
Authors: El‐fakkar Nehal M. Z. , El‐Khateeb Ekramy A. , Gamal Nourhan 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBackgroundGenital warts caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) are one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. Long latency, lesions' multiplicity, high recurrence rate, and the tendency to malignant transformation are essential challenges during management. Traditional treatment modalities are known to be lesion‐directed while intralesional immunotherapy was introduced to act beyond individual lesions and to confront the previous challenges through injection of known antigens, such as measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, to stimulate the immune system against HPV. Needling‐induced autoinoculation is also considred as an immunotherapeutic procedure that does not include the injection of antigens. We evaluated the efficacy of needling‐induced autoinoculation in the management of genital warts.MethodsFifty patients with multiple recurrent (≥4) genital warts were divided into two equal groups. One group was subjected to needling‐induced autoinoculation and the other was subjected to intralesional MMR injection every 2 weeks for a maximum of three sessions. Follow‐up was done for 8 weeks after the last session.ResultsBoth needling and MMR showed statistically significant therapeutic outcome. Needling showed significant improvement with regard to the number (P = 0.000) and size (P = 0.003) of lesions. In parallel, MMR showed significant improvement with regard to the number (P = 0.001) and size (P = 0.021) of lesions. There was no statistically significant difference between both treatments outcomes in regard to number (P = 0.860) and size (P = 0.929) of lesions.ConclusionsBoth needling and MMR are effective immunotherapeutic modalities in management of genital warts. Needling‐induced autoinoculation, being more safe and inexpensive, may be considered as a competing choice.
Morphology of myeloproliferative neoplasms
Authors: Ng Zi Yun , Fuller Kathryn A. , Mazza‐Parton Allegra , Erber Wendy N. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractMyeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) are a group of clonal haematological malignancies first described by Dameshek in 1957. The Philadelphia‐negative MPN that will be described are polycythaemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythaemia (ET), pre‐fibrotic myelofibrosis and primary myelofibrosis (PMF). The blood and bone marrow morphology are essential in diagnosis, for WHO classification, establishing a baseline, monitoring response to treatment and identifying changes that may indicate disease progression. The blood film changes may be in any of the cellular elements. The key bone marrow features are architecture and cellularity, relative complement of individual cell types, reticulin content and bony structure. Megakaryocytes are the most abnormal cell and key to classification, as their number, location, size and cytology are all disease‐defining. Reticulin content and grade are integral to assignment of the diagnosis of myelofibrosis. Even with careful assessment of all these features, not all cases fit neatly into the diagnostic entities; there is frequent overlap reflecting the biological disease continuum rather than distinct entities. Notwithstanding this, an accurate morphologic diagnosis in MPN is crucial due to the significant differences in prognosis between different subtypes and the availability of different therapies in the era of novel agents. The distinction between “reactive” and MPN is also not always straightforward and caution needs to be exercised given the prevalence of “triple negative” MPN. Here we describe the morphology of MPN including comments on changes with disease evolution and with treatment.
Career stage‐specific predictors of reflective ability among clinical nurses
Authors: Nishimoto Akiko , Fukada Mika , Okuda Reiko , Tanimura Chika 
Published: May 2023

AbstractAimsTo identify career stage‐specific factors that influence reflective ability in clinical nurses and the relative strength of these effects.DesignExploratory cross‐sectional study.MethodsBetween August and September 2019, nursing professionals working at general hospitals (n = 1169) completed a questionnaire on reflective ability and its suspected influencing factors. Participants were grouped by career stage as defined by years of nursing experience. Each factor's predictive strength regarding different dimensions of reflective ability was analysed separately in each group via stepwise multiple regression.ResultsReflective ability was significantly influenced by support for personal growth from superiors and seniors among first‐year participants and professional identity formation among those in their second or later years. Furthermore, it was significantly influenced by self‐confidence in nursing practice in years 4–5, effort to improve knowledge and skills in years 6–9 and role model presence in years 10–19.ConclusionCareer stage‐specific predictors of reflective ability were related to nurses' environment and changes in the roles expected of them. Support measures aimed at improving this capacity should emphasize factors characteristic of the career stage(s) of nursing professionals.Implications for the Profession and/or Patient CareIdentifying the influencing factors of nurses' reflective ability can improve the same, deepen nurses' views on nursing, help them develop an intentional nursing practice and contribute to the improvement of the quality of nursing practice.ImpactThis study is the first to identify career stage‐specific predictors of reflective ability in clinical nurses and the relative strength of their effects. Reflective ability was affected by growth support from superiors and seniors in first‐year nurses and formation of nursing identity in second‐year nurses. Additionally, nurses' environment and various roles affected their reflective ability. Hospitals should build an appropriate environment for nurses and develop the concept of ‘oneself as a nurse’ among nurses.Patient or Public ContributionThis study was conducted with the approval of an ethical review committee that included general citizens. Furthermore, the research results were reviewed by general citizens prior to dissemination, and we received their opinions as to whether the writing was sufficiently clear and whether the information required by the audience was included. We improved the content to be disseminated based on relevant opinions provided.