bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development and validation of apparent diffusion coefficient histogram-based nomogram for predicting malignant transformation of sinonasal inverted papilloma
Authors: Qi Meng , Xia Zhipeng , Zhang Fang , Sha Yan , Ren Jiliang 
Published: February 2023

Objectives: To develop and validate a nomogram based on whole-tumour histograms of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps for predicting malignant transformation (MT) in sinonasal inverted papilloma (IP). Methods: This retrospective study included 209 sinonasal IPs with and without MT, which were assigned into a primary cohort (n = 140) and a validation cohort (n = 69). Eight ADC histogram features were extracted from the whole-tumour region of interest. Morphological MRI features and ADC histogram parameters were compared between the two groups (with and without MT). Stepwise logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors and to construct models. The predictive performances of variables and models were assessed using the area under the curve (AUC). The optimal model was presented as a nomogram, and its calibration was assessed. Results: Four morphological features and seven ADC histogram parameters showed significant differences between the two groups in both cohorts (all p < 0.05). Maximum diameter, loss of convoluted cerebriform pattern, ADC10th and ADCSkewness were identified as independent predictors to construct the nomogram. The nomogram showed significantly better performance than the morphological model in both the primary (AUC, 0.96 vs 0.88; p = 0.006) and validation (AUC, 0.96 vs 0.88; p = 0.015) cohorts. The nomogram showed good calibration in both cohorts. Decision curve analysis demonstrated that the nomogram is clinically useful. Conclusions: The developed nomogram, which incorporates morphological MRI features and ADC histogram parameters, can be conveniently used to facilitate the pre-operative prediction of MT in IPs.
Developing an African medical and health professions student regional elective exchange program: approaches and lessons learned
Authors: Nawagi Faith , Iacone Anna , Seeling Justin , Mukherjee Snigdha 
Published: February 2023

Background:Given the significant gap in International Medical Elective (IME) opportunities for African health professions students, the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates and the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (ECFMG|FAIMER) launched an African regional elective exchange program through the Global Educational Exchange in Medicine and the Health Professions (GEMx) in 2016. This paper provides an overview of the development of the GEMx program, the pillars of implementation, and lessons learned.Methods:The authors conducted a longitudinal qualitative study utilizing in-depth interviews with institutional leaders, program leaders, and faculty, participant observation through symposia, strategic planning meetings, staff meetings, and document review of the annual progress reports, strategic plans, and newsletter articles, abstracts, and concept notes. Common categories were identified and incorporated into a matrix to create themes. Data were analyzed using the manifest content approach guided by a literature review.Results:The key pillars for implementation of the GEMx Africa regional elective exchange program included: the commitment from African training institutional networks and their member institutions that enabled electives to be offered, the GEMx Charter (multilateral agreement) that enabled reciprocity and diversity of elective opportunities, GEMx web-based application system that enabled the centralization of the application process and real-time feedback on acceptance, GEMx Africa Regional Coordination Center in Kampala, Uganda that lead the development and implementation in Africa, and ECFMG mini-grants that helped defray elective costs.Conclusions:Through the development of multilateral partnerships across the continent, the GEMx regional elective exchange program contributed towards bridging a long-existing gap of inadequate opportunities for African health professions students to enhance their global exposure and strengthen their knowledge and skills..
High-Speed Internet, Financial Technology, and Banking
Authors: D’Andrea Angelo , Limodio Nicola 
Published: February 2023

Exploiting the staggered arrival of fiber-optic submarine cables, we show that high-speed internet promotes the role of banks and credit in Africa. Variation within country and across multicountry bank networks indicates that high-speed internet induced a 22% expansion in credit supply. We investigate the role of plummeting telecommunication costs in promoting the bank adoption of new financial technologies and study a specific technology used in the interbank market, the real-time gross settlement system (RTGS). We find that upon connecting to high-speed internet, banks adopt the RTGS more extensively, reduce inside liquidity, and increase interbank transactions and lending. We also observe that high-speed internet particularly strengthens firms in countries with weak preexisting interbank markets. This paper was accepted by David Sraer, finance. Funding: This work was supported by a Private Enterprise Development in Low Income Countries (PEDL) of the Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR) grant and Università Bocconi. Supplemental Material: The data files and online appendix are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.4703 .
Theory of Photo-Induced Second-Harmonic Generation Caused by Phase Transition in Defects System in Silica Glass
Authors: Dianov E.M. , Sokolov V.O. , Sulimov V.B. 
Published: February 2023

To describe inducing of non-zero macroscopic second-order susceptibility in a centro-symmetric media such as the glass we suppose that a pump wave excites electrons from certain "donor" states in the middle of the v-SiO2forbidden gap to defect states near the conduction band edge and the conformation of each defect changes significantly owing to pseudo-Jahn-Teller effect with a certain number of electrons placed in the proper state of the defect. Our cluster calculation performed by MNDO method proves the pseudo-effect to occur in Ge and Al atom substituted for the Si one and in =Ge-O-Ge= diatomic center with a certain defect state occupied by two electrons or by one election, respectively. The relaxed conformation of the defects is stable since their spontaneous decay is forbidden. We suppose that a phase transition occurs owing to cooperative pseudo-Jahn-Teller effect in the system of defects created in the glass by the pump wave, that it is described by a vector order parameter

η
→

and that it is caused by small relaxation of each of the defects with non-zero polarizability bω. Under these assumptions macroscopic second-order susceptibility is proved to be

χ

ijk

(
2
)

=

χ

(
2
)

(

η
i

δ

jk

+

η
j

δ

ik

+

η
k

δ

ij

)

where

χ

(
2
)

≡
n

b
ω

δ
R
/
R
,

δ
R
/
R

being mean relative atomic displacement in relaxed defect, n being defects concentration. Bloembergen's relations [1] are valid for

χ

ijk

(
2
)

since

χ

xxy

(
2
)

=

χ

xyx

(
2
)

=

χ

yxx

(
2
)

=

χ

(
2
)

′

η
y

,

χ

yyy

(
2
)

=
3

χ

(
2
)

η
y

. So the results of [2] are explained by our theory and therefore those do not prove the SH generation to be caused by strong electrostatic field induced in the glass by the pump wave, as supposed in [2]. Our computer simulation of the defects results in δR/R ~ 0.1. The defect polarizability may be estimated as bω~ (νd)3(ηω)-2with d being mean value of dipole matrix element in the defect, ν being number of the defect states. Since νd ~ le, one finds for wavelength ~ 1 μm: νd ~ 5·10-18CGS and bω~ 10-28CGS . Assuming the mene order parameter to be η ~ 0.1 one obtains χ(2)~ 10-30CGS ~ 10-12CGS for n ~ 1018cm-3in good agreement with experimental data (see review in [3]).
Passive waveguide couplers by ion exchange
Authors: Hussell C. P. , Zhenguang H. , Srivastava R. , Ramaswamy R. 
Published: February 2023

We present results on the design and fabrication of 3-dB single-mode cross-couplers in Ag+ – Na+ ion-exchanged BK7 glass. The normal mode propagation method was used to determine the characteristics of a graded-index slab waveguide structure which simulates the effective index profile of our channel waveguide devices. The results indicate that the adiabatic condition

(

Δ
β
≫

0.43
θ

γ
¯

)

originally stated by Burns and Milton1 for step index slab waveguide devices is practically unchanged for graded-index devices such as ours. This criterion was used to design a cross-coupler incorporating an angle of ~0.1°. Several couplers were fabricated on each BK7 substrate using asymmetric-symmetric 2×2 couplers by performing ion exchange for 12 h at 340°C in an AgNO3 + NaNO3 melt. The measured results demonstrate a 50:50 power split ratio when either input waveguide is excited. Furthermore, the device is fiber compatible, polarization independent, and relatively wavelength insensitive. Losses as low as 2.5 dB in 50-mm long devices are easily achieved. We are currently investigating how to minimize the device length by incorporating bends. This consideration is necessary if these devices are to be incorporated in larger integrated optic devices such as the 4×4 coupler.
The relationship between radiation dose and bevacizumab-related imaging abnormality in patients with brain tumors: A voxel-wise normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) analysis
Authors: Salans Mia , Houri Jordan , Karunamuni Roshan , Hopper Austin , Delfanti Rachel , Seibert Tyler M. , Bahrami Naeim , Sharifzadeh Yasamin , McDonald Carrie , Dale Anders , Moiseenko Vitali , Farid Nikdokht , Hattangadi-Gluth Jona A. 
Published: February 2023

Purpose
Bevacizumab-related imaging abnormality (BRIA), appearing as areas of restricted diffusion on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and representing atypical coagulative necrosis pathologically, has been observed in patients with brain tumors receiving radiotherapy and bevacizumab. We investigated the role of cumulative radiation dose in BRIA development in a voxel-wise analysis.

Methods
Patients (n = 18) with BRIA were identified. All had high-grade gliomas or brain metastases treated with radiotherapy and bevacizumab. Areas of BRIA were segmented semi-automatically on diffusion-weighted MRI with apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) images. To avoid confounding by possible tumor, hypoperfusion was confirmed with perfusion imaging. ADC images and radiation dose maps were co-registered to a high-resolution T1-weighted MRI and registration accuracy was verified. Voxel-wise normal tissue complication probability analyses were performed using a logistic model analyzing the relationship between cumulative voxel equivalent total dose in 2 Gy fractions (EQD2) and BRIA development at each voxel. Confidence intervals for regression model predictions were estimated with bootstrapping.

Results
Among 18 patients, 39 brain tumors were treated. Patients received a median of 4.5 cycles of bevacizumab and 1–4 radiation courses prior to BRIA appearance. Most (64%) treated tumors overlapped with areas of BRIA. The median proportion of each BRIA region of interest volume overlapping with tumor was 98%. We found a dose-dependent association between cumulative voxel EQD2 and the relative probability of BRIA (β0 = -5.1, β1 = 0.03 Gy-1, γ = 1.3).

Conclusions
BRIA is likely a radiation dose-dependent phenomenon in patients with brain tumors receiving bevacizumab and radiotherapy. The combination of radiation effects and tumor microenvironmental factors in potentiating BRIA in this population should be further investigated.
Association between the proportion of laparoscopic approaches for digestive surgeries and the incidence of consequent surgical site infections, 2009–2019: A retrospective observational study based on national surveillance data in Japan
Authors: Kajihara Toshiki , Yahara Koji , Hirabayashi Aki , Hosaka Yumiko , Kitamura Norikazu , Sugai Motoyuki , Shibayama Keigo 
Published: February 2023

Background
Surgical site infections (SSIs) are among the most common healthcare-associated infections. Laparoscopy is increasingly being used in various surgical procedures. However, no study has examined the association between the proportion of laparoscopic procedures and the incidence of SSIs in digestive surgery using nationwide surveillance data.

Methods
We retrospectively investigated national SSI surveillance data from the Japan Nosocomial Infections Surveillance between 2009 and 2019. The annual trend of the SSI rate and the proportion of laparoscopic procedures were assessed, focusing on five major digestive surgeries. This was based on data from 109,544 (appendix surgery), 206,459 (gallbladder surgery), 60,225 (small bowel surgery), 363,677 (colon surgery), and 134,695 (rectal surgery) procedures. The effect of a 10% increase in the proportion of laparoscopic procedures on the reduction of the SSI rate was estimated using mixed-effect logistic regression.

Findings
The average SSI rate of the five digestive surgeries decreased from 11.8% in 2009 to 8.1% in 2019. The proportion of laparoscopic procedures in each of the five digestive surgeries increased continuously (p<0.001). The SSI rate for laparoscopic procedures was always lower than that for open procedures. The results were consistent between all and core hospitals participating in the surveillance. The odds ratios of the 10% increase in the proportion of laparoscopic procedures for five digestive surgeries were always <0.950 (p<0.001).

Conclusion
An increase in the proportion of laparoscopic procedures was associated with a reduction in the SSI rate in digestive surgeries.
Recovery and prognostic values of myocardial strain in acute anterior and non-anterior wall myocardial infarction
Authors: Wang Jiali , Kong Ying , Xi Jianning , Zhang Min , Lu Yuan , Hu Chunfeng , Xu Kai 
Published: February 2023

Background
To assess the recovery and prognostic values of myocardial strain using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)- feature tracking (FT) in acute anterior and non-anterior wall myocardial infarction.

Methods
103 reperfused patients after STEMI who underwent CMR at about 4 days (baseline) and 4 months (follow-up) were included, including 48 and 55 patients with anterior wall myocardial infarction (AWMI) and non-anterior wall myocardial infarction(NAWMI). CMR-FT analysis was performed using cine images to measure LV global radial, circumferential, and longitudinal peak strains (GRS, GCS, and GLS, respectively). Infarct size (IS) and microvascular obstruction (MVO) were estimated by late-gadolinium enhancement imaging. The primary clinical endpoint was the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) after infarction.

Results
Patients with AWMI had higher IS, higher MVO, lower ejection fraction, and more significantly impaired CMR-FT strain values than patients with NAWMI (all p<0.05). Global strain significantly improved at 4 months (all p<0.01), especial in NAWMI. GLS was an independent predictor (odds ratio = 2.08, 95% confidence interval = 1.032–4.227, p = 0.04] even after adjustment for IS and MVO. The optimal cutoff of GLS was -7.9%, with sensitivity and specificity were 73.3% and 75.0%, respectively. In receiver operating characteristic analysis, IS remained the strongest predictor (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.83, p<0.01), followed by MVO (AUC = 0.81, p<0.01) and GLS (AUC = 0.78, p<0.01).

Conclusion
CMR-FT-derived global myocardial strains significantly improved over time, especial in NAWMI. GLS measurement independently predicted the occurrence of medium-term MACE.
Alpha-Gal Sensitization in a US Screening Population Is Not Associated With a Decreased Meat Intake or Gastrointestinal Symptoms
Authors: McGill Sarah K. , Commins Scott P. , Peery Anne F. , Galanko Joseph , Keku Temitope O. , Shaheen Nicholas J. , Anderson Chelsea , Sandler Robert S. 
Published: February 2023

INTRODUCTION:
Patients with alpha-gal syndrome, a delayed reaction to mammalian meat, can present with isolated gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. We aimed to estimate the frequency of alpha-gal sensitization in a Southeastern US population and determine the association between sensitization and mammalian product dietary intake or GI symptoms.

METHODS:
We performed a cross-sectional study of participants who underwent a screening colonoscopy at our center between 2013 and 2015. We quantified serum alpha-gal immunoglobulin E antibodies in participants who were prospectively enrolled at screening colonoscopy and compared diet intake and lower GI symptoms reported in standardized questionnaires among those with elevated versus no alpha-gal IgE antibodies.

RESULTS:
Alpha-gal IgE antibodies were common—31.4% of screening colonoscopy participants (127 of 404) had elevated serum alpha-gal IgE >0.1 kU/L. Alpha-gal–sensitized participants endorsed similar rates of abdominal pain compared with those without alpha-gal antibodies (33% vs 38%, adjusted odds ratio 0.9, 95% confidence interval 0.7–1.3). Mammalian meat consumption did not differ based on alpha-gal sensitization status (average 1.43 servings/d in sensitized subjects vs 1.50 in alpha-gal IgE–negative subjects, P = 0.9). Alpha-gal–sensitized participants with levels ≥10 (n = 21) were overrepresented in the lowest quartiles of mammalian meat consumption, but not among those with GI symptoms in general. Participants with high alpha-gal antibody levels >2 kU/L (n = 45) or ≥10 U/L (n = 21) did not have a reduced mean daily mammalian meat intake compared with seronegative people.

DISCUSSION:
Elevated alpha-gal IgE antibodies were common and not associated with a reduced mammalian meat intake, abdominal pain, or diarrhea. Seropositivity did not predict symptomatic alpha-gal sensitization in this general screening population. Other host factors likely contribute to the phenotypic expression of alpha-gal syndrome.
DAVRANIŞSAL FİNANS EĞİLİMLERİ İLE KİTLE FONLAMA YATIRIM KARARLARI VE TEKRAR YATIRIM YAPMA NİYETİ ARASINDAKİ İLİŞKİNİN İNCELENMESİ: AMPİRİK BİR UYGULAMA
Authors: TİRYAKİOĞLU Muhammed Ali , KOY Ayben 
Published: February 2023

Davranışsal finansın son otuz yıldaki yükselişi finans ve ekonomi çevrelerinde hissedilmiş ve eldeki belirli
uygulamalar ile araştırmacıların insan davranışlarının rasyonel veya irrasyonel yönlerinin sonuçlarını değerlendirilmiştir.
Bununla birlikte de, bireys 1el piyasa katılımcılarının psikolojik durumu ve bu durumun likit piyasalardaki
fiyatları nasıl belirlediği hakkında teoriler ortaya çıkmıştır. Finans alanının modern anlayışı, psikolojik
olduğu kadar rasyonel yaklaşımlara da dayanmayı gerektirir. Çalışmada davranışsal finans eğilimleri ile kitle
fonlama yatırım kararları ve tekrar yatırım yapma niyeti arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesi amaçlanmaktadır. Bu
kapsamda anket yöntemi ile elde edilen veriler IBM SPSS Statistics 24.00 programı kullanılarak analiz edilmiştir.
Analiz sonuçlarına göre; Davranışsal finans eğilimleri ile kitle fonlama yatırım kararları arasında anlamlı bir
ilişki vardır. Ayrıca kitle fonlama platformların 2a üyelik süresine göre tekrar yatırım yapma niyet puanları arasında
anlamlı bir farklılık vardır.
Upregulation of SPINK2 in acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Gezer Sümbül , Emrence Zeliha , Elverdi Tuğrul , Ar Muhlis Cem , Salman Yaylaz Burcu , Paçal Ferda , Ünüvar Ayşegül , Sarıman Melda , Eşkazan Ahmet Emre , Karaman Serap , Salihoğlu Ayşe , Karakaş Zeynep , Abacı Neslihan , Sırma-Ekmekci Sema 
Published: February 2023

Abstract

Objectives
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a highly heterogeneous disease. Although patients can be classified into risk groups based on their genetic changes, the prognosis of disease within these categories varies widely. This situation raises the need to search for new molecular markers related to AML. Serine peptidase inhibitor Kazal type 2 (SPINK2) has recently been reported to be upregulated in AML and associated with poor outcomes by meta-analysis and in a limited number of AML patients.

Methods
We analyzed SPINK2 mRNA expression in 62 patients (45 adult and 17 pediatric) with AML and 11 cell lines using quantitative Real-Time PCR (qRT-PCR). SPINK2 protein level was determined using ELISA in cell lines.

Results
We found that the expression of SPINK2 mRNA and protein levels in AML cell lines (HL60 and NB4) have increased compared to other cell lines (K562, Jurkat and NALM6, MCF7, HeLa, HUVEC, hFOB, 293T, U87). SPINK2 mRNA expression was upregulated in patients with AML compared to controls (p=0.004) and significantly lower in t(8;21)-positive patients compared to negative patients (p=0.0006).

Conclusions
Our results suggest that SPINK2 serves an important role in AML development. Further studies are needed to evaluate SPINK2 expression in AML patients with t(8.21) and investigate to clarify its prognostic value in various subgroups of AML.
Periodic and quasi-periodic solutions of a four-dimensional singular differential system describing the motion of vortices
Authors: Liang Zaitao , Li Shengjun , Li Xin 
Published: February 2023

AbstractIn this article, we consider a four-dimensional singular differential system that can describe the dynamics of configurations bearing a small number of vortices in atomic Bose-Einstein condensates. On the basis of the topological degree theory and some analysis methods, we prove that such a system has two distinct families of periodic solutions and two distinct families of quasi-periodic solutions. Some results in the literature are generalized and improved.
Pre-analytical considerations in the development of a prototype SARS-CoV-2 antigen ARCHITECT automated immunoassay
Authors: Hemken Philip M. , Israeli Eitan , Taylor Russell , Jacobson Chris , Datwyler Maria , Geissler Rene , Hadji Abbas , Jeanblanc Nicolette , Pandya Kinnari , Marcinkus Marilee , Piktel Ryan , Bogdan M. Felicia , Rodgers Mary , Anderson Mark , Ziemann Robert , Tieman Bryan C. , Hawksworth David , Moore Jeffrey , Otis Kathy S. , Marohnic Christopher C. , Corby Josie , Tu Bailin , Lin Zhihong , Kar Alak , Hartnett James , Strobel Carolyn , Gregory Svetoslava , Rae Tracey , Muerhoff A. Scott , Brophy Susan , Hackett John R. , Daghfal David , Faron Matthew L. , Cruz Amorina , Mohr Phaedre , Sokoll Lori , Davis Gerard J. 
Published: February 2023

Abstract

Objectives
To evaluate pre-analytical challenges related to high-volume central laboratory SARS-CoV-2 antigen testing with a prototype qualitative SARS-CoV-2 antigen immunoassay run on the automated Abbott ARCHITECT instrument.

Methods
Contrived positive and negative specimens and de-identified nasal and nasopharyngeal specimens in transport media were used to evaluate specimen and reagent on-board stability, assay analytical performance and interference, and clinical performance.

Results
TCID50/mL values were similar for specimens in various transport media. Inactivated positive clinical specimens and viral lysate (USA-WA1/2020) were positive on the prototype immunoassay. Within-laboratory imprecision was ≤0.10 SD (<1.00 S/C) with a ≤10% CV (≥1.00 S/C). Assay reagents were stable on board the instrument for 14 days. No high-dose hook effect was observed with a SARS-CoV-2 stock of Ct 13.0 (RLU>1.0 × 106). No interference was observed from mucin, whole blood, 12 drugs, and more than 20 cross-reactants. While specimen stability was limited at room temperature for specimens with or without viral inactivation, a single freeze/thaw cycle or long-term storage (>30 days) at −20 °C did not adversely impact specimen stability or assay performance. Specificity of the prototype SARS-CoV-2 antigen immunoassay was ≥98.5% and sensitivity was ≥89.5% across two ARCHITECT instruments. Assay sensitivity was inversely correlated with Ct and was similar to that reported for the Roche Elecsys® SARS-CoV-2 Ag immunoassay.

Conclusions
The prototype SARS-CoV-2 antigen ARCHITECT immunoassay is sensitive and specific for detection of SARS-CoV-2 in nasal and nasopharyngeal specimens. Endogenous proteases in mucus may degrade the target antigen, which limits specimen storage and transport times and complicates assay workflow.