bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pre-operative endoscopic balloon dilatation and its impact on outcome of laparoscopic Heller cardiomyotomy for patients with achalasia: does the frequency and interval matter?
Authors: El-Magd El-Sayed Abou , Elgeidie Ahmed , Elmahdy Youssif , Abbas Amr , Elyamany Mohamed Abdellatif , Abulazm Ibrahem Lotfy 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
Many surgeons believe that pre-operative balloon dilatation makes laparoscopic myotomy more difficult in achalasia patients. Herein, we wanted to see if prior pneumatic balloon dilatation led to worse outcomes after laparoscopic myotomy. We also assessed if the frequency of dilatations and the time interval between the last one and the surgical myotomy could affect these outcomes.

Methods
The data of 460 patients was reviewed. They were divided into two groups: the balloon dilation (BD) group (102 patients) and the non-balloon dilatation (non-BD) group (358 patients).

Results
Although pre-operative parameters and surgical experience were comparable between the two groups, the incidence of mucosal perforation, operative time, and intraoperative blood loss significantly increased in the BD group. The same group also showed a significant delay in oral intake and an increased hospitalization period. At a median follow-up of 4 years, the incidence of post-operative reflux increased in the BD group, while patient satisfaction decreased. Patients with multiple previous dilatations showed a significant increase in operative time, blood loss, perforation incidence, hospitalization period, delayed oral intake, and reflux esophogitis compared to single-dilatation patients. When compared to long-interval cases, patients with short intervals had a higher incidence of mucosal perforation and a longer hospitalization period.

Conclusion
Pre-operative balloon dilatation has a significant negative impact on laparoscopic myotomy short and long term outcomes. It is associated with a significant increase in operative time, blood loss, mucosal injury, hospitalization period, and incidence of reflux symptoms. More poor outcomes are encountered in patients with multiple previous dilatations and who have a short time interval between the last dilatation and the myotomy.
Gremlin-1 in pregnancy and postpartum: relation to the fatty liver index, markers of bone health, glucose metabolism and gestational diabetes mellitus status
Authors: Deischinger Carola , Bastian Magdalena , Leitner Karoline , Bancher-Todesca Dagmar , Kiss Herbert , Baumgartner-Parzer Sabina , Kautzky-Willer Alexandra , Harreiter Jürgen 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Introduction
Gremlin-1 is a peptide that functions as an antagonist to bone morphogenic proteins and is overexpressed in obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Gremlin-1 has not yet been investigated in pregnancy, pregnancy-related insulin resistance or gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Patients and methods
Gremlin-1 levels were measured throughout the pregnancy of 58 women at high risk for GDM at the Medical University of Vienna. Furthermore, an oral glucose tolerance test, fasting insulin, fasting glucose, sex hormones, blood lipids, liver and renal parameters, and markers of bone development were evaluated at two points during pregnancy (< 20 weeks of gestation (GW), GW 24–28) and 12–14 weeks postpartum.

Results
Gremlin-1 levels decreased from < 20 GW (mean = 9.2 pg/ml, SD = 8.4 pg/ml) to GW 24–28 (mean = 6.7 pg/ml, SD = 5.7 pg/ml, p = 0.033) and increased again postpartum, albeit not significantly (mean = 10.7 pg/ml, SD = 13.1 pg/ml, p = 0.339). During pregnancy, Gremlin-1 levels correlated negatively with osteocalcin and procollagen type I aminoterminal propeptide (P1NP), markers of bone health. Concerning glucose metabolism, Gremlin-1 levels were inversely related to the Insulinogenic Index at GW < 20. However, Gremlin-1 levels were not significantly different between women with normal glucose tolerance and GDM during pregnancy. Postpartum, Gremlin-1 was associated with the fatty liver index, osteocalcin levels, diastolic blood pressure and weight.

Conclusion
Gremlin-1 levels decreased significantly during pregnancy. The biomarker is not related to GDM status, but correlates negatively with the Insulinogenic Index, an index related to beta cell function.
Trial Registry Number ACTRN12616000924459.
Manufacturing of cellulose-based nano- and submicronparticles via different precipitation methods
Authors: Reimer Martin , Eckel Felix , Rothammer Maximilian , Van Opdenbosch Daniel , Zollfrank Cordt 
Published: July 2023

AbstractNanoprecipitation is one of the most popular methods for producing polymer nanoparticles. However, the reported results show a large variability. In order to provide a first-hand comparative study, we prepared cellulose-based nanoparticles via different nanoprecipitation methods. Here, the influence of the coagulating solvents acetone, N,N-dimethylacetamide and tetrahydrofuran on the size and shape of the particles via precipitation using dialysis was investigated. The influence of temperature and concentration was determined by dropwise addition of the coagulation medium. Then, via rapid solvent shifting, particles were prepared from cellulose acetates with different molecular masses and the cellulose acetate propionate and cellulose acetate butyrate derivatives in the concentration range of 1–20 mg mL− 1. Thereby, it was possible to prepare spherical particles in the range from 43 to 158 nm. Furthermore, the impact of the molecular weight of these derivatives on the obtained particle size distributions was determined. It is possible to obtain pure regenerated cellulose particles in the nanometer range by a deacetylation of the derivatives. In addition, the findings were used to directly convert cellulose from a DMAc/LiCl solvent system into regenerated cellulose nanoparticles with a size of 10 ± 3 nm.
Graphical abstract
Derivative shape estimations with resolved overlapped peaks and reduced noise for time signals encoded by NMR spectroscopy with and without water suppression
Authors: Belkić Dževad , Belkić Karen 
Published: July 2023

AbstractDerivative estimation in magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) possesses several attractive features. It has the ability to enhance the inaccessible spectral details when time signals encoded by MRS are analyzed by nonderivative shape estimators. These unfolded subtle spectral features can be diagnostically relevant in differentiating between healthy and diseased tissues. Within the realm of shape estimators, the prerequisite for the success of MRS in the clinic is reliance upon accurate derivative signal processing. However, derivative processing of encoded time signals can be very challenging. The reason is that such spectra may suffer from severe numerical instabilities since even small perturbations (noise) in the input data could produce large errors in the predicted output data. Nevertheless, it is presently demonstrated that this obstacle can be surmounted by an adaptive optimization. The benefit is simultaneously increased resolution and reduced noise in quantitatively interpretable lineshapes. The illustrative spectra are reconstructed from time signals encoded by proton MRS with and without water suppression.
DLR–KMS correspondence on lattice spin systems
Authors: Drago N. , van de Ven C. J. F. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe Dobrushin–Lanford–Ruelle condition (Dobrushin in Theory Prob Appl 17:582–600, 1970. https://doi.org/10.1137/1115049; Lanford and Ruelle in Commun Math Phys 13:194–215, 1969. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01645487) and the classical Kubo–Martin–Schwinger (KMS) condition (Gallavotti and Verboven in Nuov Cim B 28:274–286, 1975. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02722820) are considered in the context of classical lattice systems. In particular, we prove that these conditions are equivalent for the case of a lattice spin system with values in a compact symplectic manifold by showing that infinite-volume Gibbs states are in bijection with KMS states.
Promoting intrapreneurial behavior in banking: the role of high-performance work systems, knowledge management processes, and supervisor support
Authors: Revuelto-Taboada Lorenzo , Portalanza-Chavarría Alexandra , Cedeño-Alejandro Fernando 
Published: July 2023

AbstractIntrapreneurship is one of the keys to survival and competitiveness for service companies in knowledge-intensive sectors such as banking. This paper analyzes the role of high-performance work systems, knowledge management processes, and supervisor support in promoting intrapreneurial behavior. The results indicate that the relationship of high-performance work systems and intrapreneurial behavior is positive and significant. However, this relationship is mediated by knowledge management processes. Supervisor support moderates the relationships between high-performance work systems and intrapreneurial behavior and between high-performance work systems and knowledge management processes. However, this moderating effect is contrary to the expected effect for the second of these relationships. These findings offer guidance for practitioners to promote intrapreneurship in service sectors, where human-related service innovations, which are central to intrapreneurship, strongly affect customer satisfaction.
The Impact of Amine-Functionalised Iron Oxide Nanoparticles on the Menaquinone-7 Isomer Profile and Production of the Bioactive Isomer
Authors: Lal Neha , Seifan Mostafa , Ebrahiminezhad Alireza , Berenjian Aydin 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe K family of vitamins includes a collection of molecules with different pharmacokinetic characteristics. Menaquinone-7 (MK-7) has the finest properties and is the most therapeutically beneficial due to its long plasma half-life and outstanding extrahepatic bioavailability. MK-7 exhibits cis–trans isomerism, and merely the all-trans form is biologically efficacious. Therefore, the remedial value of MK-7 end products is exclusively governed by the quantity of all-trans MK-7. Consumers favour fermentation for the production of MK-7; however, it involves several challenges. The low MK-7 yield and extensive downstream processing requirements increase production costs, resulting in an expensive final product that is not universally available. Bacterial cell immobilisation with iron oxide nanoparticles (IONs) can potentially address the limitations of MK-7 fermentation. Uncoated IONs tend to have low stability and can adversely affect cell viability; thus, amine-functionalised IONs, owing to their increased physicochemical stability and biocompatibility, are a favourable alternative. Nonetheless, employing biocompatible IONs for this purpose is only advantageous if the bioactive MK-7 isomer is obtained in the most significant fraction, exploring which formed the aim of this investigation. Two amine-functionalised IONs, namely 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES)-coated IONs (IONs@APTES) and L-Lysine (L-Lys)-coated IONs (L-Lys@IONs), were synthesised and characterised, and their impact on various parameters was evaluated. IONs@APTES were superior, and the optimal concentration (300 $$\upmu$$
μ
g/mL) increased all-trans MK-7 production and improved its yield relative to the untreated cells by 2.3- and 3.1-fold, respectively. The outcomes of this study present an opportunity to develop an innovative and effective fermentation method that enhances the production of bioactive MK-7.
Bucking the Trend: South African Jewry and Their Turn Toward Religion
Authors: Beider Nadia , Fachler David 
Published: July 2023

AbstractAcross the Jewish world religious polarization is gaining momentum. At the secular end of the spectrum people are switching away from religion while at the religious pole fertility levels are high. This trend is evident among South African Jewry; data from the 2019 Jewish Community Survey of South Africa (N = 4193) show that the community is becoming polarized, and the traditional center ground is collapsing. However, unlike many other Jewish communities today, switching toward more religious subgroups than the one in which one was raised is more common in South Africa than switching away from them. This tendency is most pronounced among people born in the 1960s and 1970s. A similar trend characterizes South African non-Jews. We argue that coming of age in a period of profound political and social instability explains the increased likelihood of switching toward religion. The effect is more marked among Jews due to distinct communal characteristics and history that provided the optimal conditions for switching towards a more religious lifestyle. This paper highlights the necessity of examining internal processes that are unique to the Jewish community alongside broader developments to improve our understanding of religious polarization among Jews.
Choice of desired family size among young women in Zambia: what matters?
Authors: Phiri Million , Shasha Liness , Musonda Emmanuel , Muhanga Mikidadi , Lemba Musonda 
Published: July 2023

AbstractIn many developing countries, population expansion and high fertility rates have been of concern to individuals, society, and governments. Zambia is one of the countries in sub-Saharan Africa, which has been experiencing high fertility for more than four decades since it attained independence. Understanding of factors associated with desired family size, especially amongst young women, is important because their future reproductive behaviour has the potential to influence the country’s course of fertility. Therefore, this study was conducted to examine the determinants of family size choice among young women in Zambia. The study analysed data extracted from repeated cross-sectional surveys conducted in 2007, 2013 and 2018. The analysis was done on a pooled weighted sample of 15,528 young women aged 15–24 years. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine factors associated with the desired family size of young women. All analyses were conducted using Stata software version 17 and considered complex survey design. The prevalence of young women who had the desire of at least 4 children has been considerably high in Zambia, at 63.2%. Young women in the age group 20–24 were found to have higher odds (AOR = 1.31; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.66) of desiring at least 4 children compared to those aged 15–19. Women living in the rural areas were (AOR = 1.41; 95% CI: 1.10, 1.79) more likely to desire at least 4 children compared to their counterparts living in urban areas. Age of a young woman, place of residence, level of education, household wealth status, number of living children, and exposure to mass-media family planning messages were significantly associated with desire of at least 4 children. The desire for a large family size remains a social concern for reducing fertility in Zambia. This is because the proportion of young women who desire a large family size has been consistently high. Increasing access to education and sexual reproductive health information to young women especially to those in rural areas is key to changing their reproductive behaviour.
Focused ultrasound heating in brain tissue/skull phantoms with 1 MHz single-element transducer
Authors: Antoniou Anastasia , Evripidou Nikolas , Damianou Christakis 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to provide insights on the practicality of using single-element transducers for transcranial Focused Ultrasound (tFUS) thermal applications.

Methods
FUS sonications were performed through skull phantoms embedding agar-based tissue mimicking gels using a 1 MHz single-element spherically focused transducer. The skull phantoms were 3D printed with Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) and Resin thermoplastics having the exact skull bone geometry of a healthy volunteer. The temperature field distribution during and after heating was monitored in a 3 T Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner using MR thermometry. The effect of the skull’s thickness on intracranial heating was investigated.

Results
A single FUS sonication at focal acoustic intensities close to 1580 W/cm2 for 60 s in free field heated up the agar phantom to ablative temperatures reaching about 90 °C (baseline of 37 °C). The ABS skull strongly blocked the ultrasonic waves, resulting in zero temperature increase within the phantom. Considerable heating was achieved through the Resin skull, but it remained at hyperthermia levels. Conversely, tFUS through a 1 mm Resin skull showed enhanced ultrasonic penetration and heating, with the focal temperature reaching 70 °C.

Conclusions
The ABS skull demonstrated poorer performance in terms of tFUS compared to the Resin skull owing to its higher ultrasonic attenuation and porosity. The thin Resin phantom of 1 mm thickness provided an efficient acoustic window for delivering tFUS and heating up deep phantom areas. The results of such studies could be particularly useful for accelerating the establishment of a wider range of tFUS applications.
Meaning and Structure of Mathematical Connections in the Classroom
Authors: de Gamboa Genaro , Badillo Edelmira , Font Vicenç 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe making of mathematical connections in the classroom plays a dual role. While many studies highlight the importance of connections for the learning of mathematics, others inform of students’ difficulties associated with the making of connections. This study aims to characterise the mathematical connections that arise in habitual classroom practice, using an inductive approach, in the context of introducing integers with pupils aged 12–13. Results show that connections emerge as networks of links resulting from interactions between the teacher and the students. We present a definition of connection, a detailed characterisation of their internal structure as networks of links and a global characterisation which takes into account the role of the connection in the context in which it takes place. The complementarity of the two characterizations allows us to coordinate, from a classroom perspective, existing specific classification proposals for connections with a broader notion of connection used by relevant curricular guidelines. Factors that may determine the complexity of connections and may be related with students’ difficulties when dealing with connections in the classroom are also discussed.
Chronic exposure to warm temperature causes low sperm abundance and quality in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Gandara Ana Caroline P. , Drummond-Barbosa Daniela 
Published: July 2023

AbstractTemperature influences male fertility across organisms; however, how suboptimal temperatures affect adult spermatogenesis remains understudied. In a recent study onDrosophila melanogasteroogenesis, we observed a drastic reduction in the fertility of adult males exposed to warm temperature (29 °C). Here, we show that males become infertile at 29 °C because of low sperm abundance and quality. The low sperm abundance at 29 °C does not stem from reduced germline stem cell or spermatid numbers, as those numbers remain comparable between 29 °C and control 25 °C. Notably, males at cold 18 °C and 29 °C had similarly increased frequencies of spermatid elongation and individualization defects which, considering the high sperm abundance and male fertility measured at 18 °C, indicate that spermatogenesis has a high tolerance for elongation and individualization defects. Interestingly, the abundance of sperm at 29 °C decreases abruptly and with no evidence of apoptosis as they transition into the seminal vesicle near the end of spermatogenesis, pointing to sperm elimination through an unknown mechanism. Finally, sperm from males at 29 °C fertilize eggs less efficiently and do not support embryos past the first stage of embryogenesis, indicating that poor sperm quality is an additional cause of male infertility at 29 °C.
Study of the reverse transition in pipe flow
Authors: Yokoo Hikaru , Yamamoto Mizuki , Matsumoto Takumi , Yamada Takahiro , Kanda Takeshi 
Published: July 2023

AbstractIn the reverse transition in pipe flow, turbulent flow changes to less disturbed laminar flow. The entropy of the flow appears to decrease. This study examined the reverse transition experimentally and theoretically using entropy change and momentum balance models, not in terms of disturbance in the flow. The reverse transition was accomplished by decreasing the Reynolds number. The transitions approximately correlated with local Reynolds numbers. The initial Reynolds number of the transition became larger, and the pressure at low Reynolds numbers was greater than in ordinary pipe flow. These behaviours were caused by turbulent flow in the pipe undergoing a reverse transition. We showed that the entropy did not decrease in the reverse transition by including the entropy due to friction in the development region.
Centralized monitoring of a cost efficient PLC‐SCADA based islanded microgrid considering dispatch techniques
Authors: Melo Jeimmy Johana Romero , Ishraque Md. Fatin , Shafiullah G. M. , Shezan Sk. A. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractCurrently, the generation of energy relies primarily on the usage of harmful fossil fuels all over the world. New technologies, on the other hand, have enabled renewable energy resources to have a reduced environmental effect, greater long‐term sustainability, and, in some cases, to be cheaper than fossil fuels. Microgrids that use renewable resources can deliver low‐cost clean electricity while also improving local resiliency. They do, however, have certain issues in terms of regulating internal frequency and voltage within a microgrid, which is hampered by the intermittent nature of renewable sources. An islanded Microgrid for San Andres, Colombia has been designed for 24.57 kW peak load composed of a PV‐wind‐storage system by considering dispatch strategy based control in Homer Pro and assessed utilizing Simulink/MATLAB. Lastly, a PLC‐SCADA system along a HMI (Human‐Machine Interface) in C# was created to monitor the Microgrid in real‐time and produce an alarm as the microgrid elements are not operating within their ideal range of operational. The data from HMI is automatically uploaded to a cloud database. This work incorporates the dispatch control based techno‐economic design, assessment and a complete supervisory control strategy for an optimum microgrid.