bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimal surgical approaches for esophageal epiphrenic diverticulum: literature review and our experience
Authors: Sato Yuta , Tanaka Yoshihiro , Ohno Shinya , Endo Masahide , Okumura Naoki , Takahashi Takao , Matsuhashi Nobuhisa 
Published: February 2023

AbstractEsophageal epiphrenic diverticulum is a rare condition usually secondary to a primary esophageal motility disorder. Although epiphrenic diverticulum may be treated by thoracoscopic and laparoscopic management, the optimal surgical approach have not been established. We successfully treated a left epiphrenic diverticulum along with achalasia and paraesophageal hernia by a planned combination of thoracoscopic and laparoscopic procedures aided by preoperative simulation using three-dimensional imaging. We reviewed a series of 17 reports on esophageal epiphrenic diverticulum that required either planned or unplanned unexpected transthoracic surgery. The main reasons for requiring a transthoracic approach were adhesions, site and size of the diverticulum, and length of the diverticulum neck. Unplanned procedure changes were required in 12 of the 114 cases for a conversion rate of 10.5%. Diverticulectomy, myotomy, and fundoplication were the most common surgical treatments administered at 42.6%. Based on literature review and our experience, we have developed a flowchart to identify the characteristics of epiphrenic diverticulum cases that require a transthoracic approach. This flowchart can help to determine therapeutic strategies and the optimal surgical approach to esophageal epiphrenic diverticulum treatment and may reduce unplanned changes in the surgery.
Opportunities to tackle antibiotic resistance development in the aquatic environment through the Water Framework Directive
Authors: Ågerstrand Marlene , Josefsson Henrik , Wernersson Ann-Sofie , Larsson D. G. Joakim 
Published: February 2023

AbstractAntibiotics are critical components of modern health care. Protecting their efficacy through managing the rise in antibiotic resistance is therefore a global concern. It is not known to what extent environmental pollution from antibiotics contributes to the development of resistance, but encountered concentrations are frequently above concentrations predicted to select for resistance. Hence, measures are needed to manage risks. Here, we analyse if the indirect health risks from antibiotics in the aquatic environment can be considered in the context of the EU Water Framework Directive and the setting of environmental quality standards (EQS). By scrutinising current legislation, we conclude that it is possible to take the indirect health risks from antimicrobial resistance into account when deriving EQS for substances with antibiotic activity. We base this on the following conclusions: (1) human health concerns can be the main driver when setting an EQS, (2) an EQS can be based on data not specified in the guidance document, and (3) there are no restrictions against establishing EQS using data on antimicrobial resistance properties. In addition, since antimicrobial resistance travel across borders, we see strong reasons to prioritise setting these EQS on the EU level over the national level. Even though there is no agreed-upon method for how to develop EQS protective against resistance selection, there are several suggestions available in the literature and a couple of examples of regulatory initiatives. Also, addressing antimicrobial resistance through the Water Framework Directive can act as a driving force for other applicable legislation where such risks are not considered. We end by providing a set of recommendations for the European Commission and the Members States' future work on addressing aquatic pollution and antimicrobial resistance.
Quantum density peak clustering
Authors: Magano Duarte , Buffoni Lorenzo , Omar Yasser 
Published: February 2023

AbstractClustering algorithms are of fundamental importance when dealing with large unstructured datasets and discovering new patterns and correlations therein, with applications ranging from scientific research to medical imaging and marketing analysis. In this work, we introduce a quantum version of the density peak clustering algorithm, built upon a quantum routine for minimum finding. We prove a quantum speedup for a decision version of density peak clustering depending on the structure of the dataset. Specifically, the speedup is dependent on the heights of the trees of the induced graph of nearest-highers, i.e. the graph of connections to the nearest elements with higher density. We discuss this condition, showing that our algorithm is particularly suitable for high-dimensional datasets. Finally, we benchmark our proposal with a toy problem on a real quantum device.
Axial compressive behavior of GFRP-timber-reinforced concrete composite columns
Authors: Zhang Fubin , Luo Hu , Xiao Jianzhuang , Singh Amardeep , Xu Jing , Fang Hai 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThis paper investigated the compressive behavior of a novel glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP)-timber-reinforced concrete composite column (GTRC column), which consisted of reinforced concrete with an outer GFRP laminate and a paulownia timber core. The axial compression tests were performed on 13 specimens to validate the effects of various timber core diameters, slenderness ratios, and GFRP laminate layers/angles on the mechanical behaviors. Test results indicated that with the increase in the timber core diameter, the ductility and energy dissipation ability of the composite column increased by 52.6% and 21.6%, respectively, whereas the ultimate load-bearing capacity and initial stiffness showed a slight decrease. In addition, the GFRP laminate considerably improved the ultimate load-bearing capacity, stiffness, ductility and energy dissipation capability by 212.1%, 26.6%, 64.3% and 3820%, accordingly. Moreover, considering the influence of timber core diameter, an ultimate load-bearing capacity adjustment coefficient was proposed. Finally, a formula was established based on the force equilibrium and superposition for predicting the axial bearing capacity of the GTRC columns.
Shoreline modelling on timescales of days to decades
Authors: Hunt Emily , Davidson Mark , Steele Edward C. C. , Amies Jessica D. , Scott Timothy , Russell Paul 
Published: February 2023

AbstractClimate change is resulting in global changes to sea level and wave climates, which in many locations significantly increase the probability of erosion, flooding and damage to coastal infrastructure and ecosystems. Therefore, there is a pressing societal need to be able to forecast the morphological evolution of our coastlines over a broad range of timescales, spanning days-to-decades, facilitating more focused, appropriate and cost-effective management interventions and data-informed planning to support the development of coastal environments. A wide range of modelling approaches have been used with varying degrees of success to assess both the detailed morphological evolution and/or simplified indicators of coastal erosion/accretion. This paper presents an overview of these modelling approaches, covering the full range of the complexity spectrum and summarising the advantages and disadvantages of each method. A focus is given to reduced-complexity modelling approaches, including models based on equilibrium concepts, which have emerged as a particularly promising methodology for the prediction of coastal change over multi-decadal timescales. The advantages of stable, computationally-efficient, reduced-complexity models must be balanced against the requirement for good generality and skill in diverse and complex coastal settings. Significant obstacles are also identified, limiting the generic application of models at regional and global scales. Challenges include the accurate long-term prediction of model forcing time-series in a changing climate, and accounting for processes that can largely be ignored in the shorter term but increase in importance in the long term. Further complications include coastal complexities, such as the accurate assessment of the impacts of headland bypassing. Additional complexities include complex structures and geology, mixed grain size, limited sediment supply, sources and sinks. It is concluded that with present computational resources, data availability limitations and process knowledge gaps, reduced-complexity modelling approaches currently offer the most promising solution to modelling shoreline evolution on daily-to-decadal timescales.
COVID-19 vaccination and venous thromboembolism risk in older veterans
Authors: Elkin Peter L. , Brown Steven H. , Resendez Skyler , McCray Wilmon , Resnick Melissa , Hall Kendria , Franklin Gillian , Connors Jean M. , Cushman Mary 
Published: February 2023

Abstract

Introduction
It is important for SARS-CoV-2 vaccine providers, vaccine recipients, and those not yet vaccinated to be well informed about vaccine side effects. We sought to estimate the risk of post-vaccination venous thromboembolism (VTE) to meet this need.

Methods
We conducted a retrospective cohort study to quantify excess VTE risk associated with SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in US veterans age 45 and older using data from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Surveillance Tool. The vaccinated cohort received at least one dose of a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine at least 60 days prior to 3/06/22 (N = 855,686). The control group was those not vaccinated (N = 321,676). All patients were COVID-19 tested at least once before vaccination with a negative test. The main outcome was VTE documented by ICD10-CM codes.

Results
Vaccinated persons had a VTE rate of 1.3755 (CI: 1.3752–1.3758) per thousand, which was 0.1 percent over the baseline rate of 1.3741 (CI: 1.3738–1.3744) per thousand in the unvaccinated patients, or 1.4 excess cases per 1,000,000. All vaccine types showed a minimal increased rate of VTE (rate of VTE per 1000 was 1.3761 (CI: 1.3754–1.3768) for Janssen; 1.3757 (CI: 1.3754–1.3761) for Pfizer, and for Moderna, the rate was 1.3757 (CI: 1.3748–1.3877)). The tiny differences in rates comparing either Janssen or Pfizer vaccine to Moderna were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Adjusting for age, sex, BMI, 2-year Elixhauser score, and race, the vaccinated group had a minimally higher relative risk of VTE as compared to controls (1.0009927 CI: 1.007673–1.0012181; p < 0.001).

Conclusion
The results provide reassurance that there is only a trivial increased risk of VTE with the current US SARS-CoV-2 vaccines used in veterans older than age 45. This risk is significantly less than VTE risk among hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The risk-benefit ratio favors vaccination, given the VTE rate, mortality, and morbidity associated with COVID-19 infection.
Impairment or difference? The case of Theory of Mind abilities and pragmatic competence in the Autism Spectrum
Authors: Marocchini Eleonora 
Published: February 2023

AbstractPsycholinguistic research on pragmatics in the neurotypical population has increasingly framed pragmatic competence and related cognitive skills in terms of individual differences, co-constructed discourse, and meaning negotiation. However, research on pragmatics in the Autism Spectrum has risen from a wide and biased view of autistic communication as fundamentally compromised and autistic pragmatic abilities as impaired. Mostly due to the impactful theory of a deficit in Theory of Mind, early research on autistic communication presumed a unitary pragmatic impairment, only to find that several pragmatic abilities seem to be “preserved.” However, the interpretation of these findings usually takes an ableist turn, as most studies subsequently suggest that surface-level performance should not be interpreted as competence, but rather as a result of “compensatory” strategies. The raising number of contributions from autistic academics and participatory research enriched the field with new perspectives focusing on differences rather than impairments and drawing hypotheses on communication difficulties between neurotypes rather than within a specific neurotype. However, such contributions are hardly ever cited in the most prominent works. In conclusion, the field would benefit from a higher level of citation of autistic-led research and from an epistemological perspective shift within the mostly neurotypical academic community.
‘Aspire, persevere and indulge not’: new wealth and gentry society in Wales, c. 1760–1840
Authors: Rees Lowri Ann 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThis article examines the various ways new wealth infiltrated the Welsh gentry during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, considering the behaviours and actions of new men, together with the processes they followed to assimilate into the world of the old families. This study emphasises a level of openness of landed society to new arrivals able to comport themselves according to the expectations of the existing social elite. It demonstrates that acquiring land and property, which served as a visible display of their wealth, was only one strategy deployed by new wealth to secure gentry status. Other approaches included building country houses, consuming fashionable goods, undertaking public duties, political representation, drawing on culture and living heritage by projecting an image of ancient lineage (Welsh gentry understanding of Welshness was heavily reliant on lineage) through name-changing, adopting coats of arms and family mottos.
Challenging a dogma: left ventriculotomy can be used safely in children
Authors: Alpat Safak , Sabuncu Timucin , Aydin Ahmet , Peker Recep Oktay , Guvener Murat , Dogan Riza , Yilmaz Mustafa 
Published: February 2023

AbstractObjective:We aimed to discuss our unit’s experience performing left ventriculotomies on children.Methods:Between 2000 and 2022, we identified paediatric patients who required left ventriculotomy. Relevant information was gathered retrospectively.Results:There were eight patients who underwent surgical procedure including left ventriculotomy. The range of weight and age was between 4.5 and 50 kg and 5 months to 17 years, respectively. Left ventriculotomy was primarily performed for the excision of cardiac masses in all but one who had pseudoaneurysm repair. There were no deaths that occurred early or late. Pre-operative and post-operative ejection fractions and fractional shortening values were comparable. There was no arrhythmia detected post-operatively.Conclusions:We conclude that an apical left ventriculotomy does not compromise the function of the left ventricle, even in young infants. In selected patients, it may be used safely for surgical access to the left ventricle.
Describing our experience with the effects of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children with COVID-19 on the cardiovascular system
Authors: Shehab Norane , English Robert F. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractCardiac involvement with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children can include coronary artery abnormalities, ventricular dysfunction, conduction abnormalities, arrhythmias, pericarditis, and myocarditis. We report the cardiac findings in 34 patients with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children admitted to a single institution. We looked at patient age, sex, brain natriuretic peptide levels, troponin levels, ejection fraction, presence of pericardial effusion, valvular changes, need for inotropic agents, and electrocardiogram findings. Our data showed that elevated brain natriuretic peptide did not predict troponin elevation and vice versa. Additionally, troponin rise was not a reliable marker for decreased left ventricular ejection fraction. All changes tracked were proven to be transient and resolved after initiating steroids, Intravenous immune globulin (IVIG), and occasionally anakinra.
Exploring the Solar Wind‐Planetary Interaction at Mars: Implication for Magnetic Reconnection
Authors: Bowers Charles F. , DiBraccio Gina A. , Slavin James A. , Gruesbeck Jacob R. , Weber Tristan , Xu Shaosui , Romanelli Norberto , Harada Yuki 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe Martian crustal magnetic anomalies present a varied, asymmetric obstacle to the imposing draped interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) and solar wind plasma. Magnetic reconnection, a ubiquitous plasma phenomenon responsible for transferring energy and changing magnetic field topology, has been observed throughout the Martian magnetosphere. More specifically, reconnection can occur as a result of the interaction between crustal fields and the IMF, however, the global implications and changes to the overall magnetospheric structure of Mars have yet to be fully understood. Here, we present an analysis to determine these global implications by investigating external conditions that favor reconnection with the underlying crustal anomalies at Mars. To do so, we plot a map of the crustal anomalies' strength and orientation compiled from magnetic field data collected throughout the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) mission. Then, we create “shear maps” which calculate and plot the angle of shear between the crustal fields and a chosen external field orientation. From there we define a “shear index” to quantify the susceptibility of a region to undergo reconnection based on a given overlaid, external field orientation and the resulting shear map for that region. We demonstrate that the shear analysis technique augments analysis of local reconnection events and suggests southward IMF conditions should favor dayside magnetic reconnection on a more global scale at Mars.
Age‐Independent Oceanic Plate Thickness and Asthenosphere Melting From SS Precursor Imaging
Authors: Sun Shuyang , Zhou Ying 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe Earth's asthenosphere is a mechanically weak layer characterized by low seismic velocity and high attenuation. The nature of this layer has been strongly debated. In this study, we process 12 years of seismic data recorded at the global seismological network stations to investigate SS waves reflected at the upper and lower boundaries of this layer in global oceanic regions. We observe strong reflections from both the top and the bottom of the asthenosphere, dispersive across all major oceans. The average depths of the two discontinuities are 120 and 255 km, respectively. The SS waves reflected at the lithosphere and asthenosphere boundary are characterized by anomalously large amplitudes, which require a ∼12.5% reduction in seismic velocity across the interface. This large velocity drop can not be explained by a thermal cooling model but indicates 1.5%–2% localized melt in the oceanic asthenosphere. The depths of the two discontinuities show large variations, indicating that the asthenosphere is far from a homogeneous layer but likely associated with strong and heterogeneous small‐scale convection in the oceanic mantle. The average depths of the two boundaries are largely constant across different age bands. In contrast to the half‐space cooling model, this observation supports the existence of a constant‐thickness plate in oceanic regions with a complex and heterogeneous origin.
Effect of Marine and Land Convection on Wet Scavenging of Ozone Precursors Observed During a SEAC4RS Case Study
Authors: Cuchiara G. C. , Fried A. , Barth M. C. , Bela M. M. , Homeyer C. R. , Walega J. , Weibring P. , Richter D. , Woods S. , Beyersdorf A. , Bui T. V. , Dean‐Day J. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractConvective clouds are important for both the vertical redistribution of tropospheric trace gases and the removal, via microphysical scavenging, of soluble trace gas precursors of ozone. We investigate wet scavenging of formaldehyde (CH2O), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and methyl hydrogen peroxide (CH3OOH) in quasi‐marine and land convective storms over Texas, USA observed on 18 September 2013 during the 2013 SEAC4RS campaign. Cloud‐resolving simulations using the Weather Research and Forecasting model with Chemistry (WRF‐Chem) were performed to understand the effect of entrainment, scavenging efficiency (SE), and ice physics processes on these trace gases with varying solubility. While marine and land convection can have distinctly different microphysical properties, we did not find significant differences in the SEs of CH2O, H2O2, or CH3OOH. The SEs of 44%–53% for CH2O and 85%–90% for H2O2 are consistent with our previous studies from SEAC4RS and the 2012 DC3 field experiment storms. Using WRF‐Chem simulations, the ice retention factor (rf) for CH2O was determined to be 0.5–0.9, which is higher than found in previous studies. We show that the CH2O rf is higher in airmass and multicell storms than in severe storms and hypothesize that ice shattering may affect CH2O rf values. The CH3OOH SEs (39%–73%) were higher than expected from Henry's Law equilibrium. While recent studies suggest that CH3OOH measurements have interference due to methane diol, we find that this interference cannot fully explain the higher‐than‐expected CH3OOH SEs determined here and during DC3, suggesting further research is needed to understand CH3OOH vertical redistribution.
Vertical‐Wind‐Induced Cloud Opacity Variation in Low Latitudes Simulated by a Venus GCM
Authors: Karyu Hiroki , Kuroda Takeshi , Itoh Kazunari , Nitta Akira , Ikeda Kohei , Yamamoto Masaru , Sugimoto Norihiko , Terada Naoki , Kasaba Yasumasa , Takahashi Masaaki , Hartogh Paul 
Published: February 2023

AbstractVenusian cloud structure and variation are strongly linked to atmospheric dynamics. Past near‐infrared measurements have found cloud variation such as zonal‐wavenumber‐1 cloud marking and cloud discontinuity. However, their formation mechanism is still not well understood. To investigate the Venusian cloud structure and its variation, we have developed a Venus GCM incorporating cloud condensation, evaporation, sedimentation, and simple atmospheric chemistry to represent the H2SO4 cycle. The GCM takes into account cloud particles with radii of 0.3, 1.0, 1.26, and 3.13 μm (Modes 1, 2, 2', and 3, respectively) based on past in situ observations. The simulated latitudinal trends of the cloud top and bottom structures are qualitatively consistent with past observations. Zonally averaged cloud mass loading was the largest and smallest in low and middle latitudes, respectively, and maintained by a mechanism similar to that of past 2‐D numerical studies. At the equator, the column integrated optical depth at 1 μm varied between 33 and 50, which is in good agreement with past observations. This variation consists of two types of cloud mass loading changes between 46 and 52 km. One is a rapid small‐scale variation induced by gravity waves. The other is a quasi‐periodic zonal‐wavenumber‐1 variation coupled with an equatorial Kelvin wave, which is similar to the observed cloud marking. Our results showed that the vertical wind associated with the Kelvin wave is essential for maintaining the quasi‐periodic variation, along with the condensation/evaporation by the temperature variation. The vertical‐wind‐induced cloud generation also suggests a relationship to the cloud discontinuity.