bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prognostic value of post-operative serum procalcitonin in gastric adenocarcinoma patients undergoing radical gastrectomy: propensity score matching analysis of extended cohort from a prospective bi-center study
Authors: Xiao Hua , Huang Yongzhou , Zhang Peng , Zhou Huijun , Liu Dian , Luo Jia 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Background
The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive value of procalcitonin (PCT) on post-operative day (POD) 3 and 5 for the prognosis of gastric adenocarcinoma (GA) patients who underwent radical gastrectomy surgery in extended cohort from a prospective bi-center study.

Methods
Consecutive GA patients who received surgery in the Hunan Cancer Hospital were enrolled as the training cohort, and those from Wuhan Union Hospital were included as external validation cohort. The optimal cutoff concentration of PCT for overall survival (OS) in the training cohort was determined by X-tile. The independent predictive factors for OS were identified using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Furthermore, the predictive value of elevated PCT was clarified in the validation cohort and propensity score matched cohort, respectively.

Results
The optimal cutoff concentrations of PCT for OS were 0.67 ng/mL at POD 3 and 0.39 ng/mL at POD 5 in the training cohort (n = 906). Patients with higher PCT concentrations (≥ 0.39 ng/mL) at POD 5 had a significantly worse prognosis whether developing post-operative infections or not. Moreover, a synergistic influence was confirmed in those with elevated PCT concentration and infections. Multivariate analyses confirmed that PCT concentration ≥ 0.39 ng/mL at POD 5 was significantly associated with poorer survival in training cohort (HR: 1.422, 95% CI 1.041–1.943, P = 0.027), validation cohort (n = 297, HR: 2.136, 95% CI 1.073–4.252, P = 0.031) and matched cohort (n = 901, HR: 1.454, 95% CI 1.104–1.914, P = 0.008), separately.

Conclusions
PCT concentration ≥ 0.39 ng/mL at POD 5 was a reliable predictor for poorer prognosis in GA patients undergoing radical gastrectomy.
A Deep Learning Image Reconstruction Algorithm for Improving Image Quality and Hepatic Lesion Detectability in Abdominal Dual-Energy Computed Tomography: Preliminary Results
Authors: Chu Bingqian , Gan Lu , Shen Yi , Song Jian , Liu Ling , Li Jianying , Liu Bin 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThis study aimed to compare the performance of deep learning image reconstruction (DLIR) and adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction-Veo (ASIR-V) in improving image quality and diagnostic performance using virtual monochromatic spectral images in abdominal dual-energy computed tomography (DECT). Sixty-two patients [mean age ± standard deviation (SD): 56 years ± 13; 30 men] who underwent abdominal DECT were prospectively included in this study. The 70-keV DECT images in the portal phase were reconstructed at 5-mm and 1.25-mm slice thicknesses with 40% ASIR-V (ASIR-V40%) and at 1.25-mm slice with deep learning image reconstruction at medium (DLIR-M) and high (DLIR-H) levels and then compared. Computed tomography (CT) attenuation, SD values, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were measured in the liver, spleen, erector spinae, and intramuscular fat. The lesions in each reconstruction group at 1.25-mm slice thickness were counted. The image quality and diagnostic confidence were subjectively evaluated by two radiologists using a 5-point scale. For the 1.25-mm images, DLIR-M and DLIR-H had lower SD, higher SNR and CNR, and better subjective image quality compared with ASIR-V40%; DLIR-H performed the best (allPvalues < 0.001). Furthermore, the 1.25-mm DLIR-H images had similar SD, SNR, and CNR values as the 5-mm ASIR-V40% images (allP > 0.05). Three image groups had similar lesion detection rates, but DLIR groups exhibited higher confidence in diagnosing lesions. Compared with ASIR-V40% at 70 keV, 70-keV DECT with DLIR-H further reduced image noise and improved image quality. Additionally, it improved diagnostic confidence while ensuring a consistent lesion detection rate of liver lesions.
Airborne hydrophilic microplastics in cloud water at high altitudes and their role in cloud formation
Authors: Wang Yize , Okochi Hiroshi , Tani Yuto , Hayami Hiroshi , Minami Yukiya , Katsumi Naoya , Takeuchi Masaki , Sorimachi Atsuyuki , Fujii Yusuke , Kajino Mizuo , Adachi Kouji , Ishihara Yasuhiro , Iwamoto Yoko , Niida Yasuhiro 
Published: August 2023

AbstractMicroplastic pollution is occurring in most ecosystem, yet their presence in high altitude clouds and their influence on cloud formation and climate change are poorly known. Here we analyzed microplastics in cloud water sampled at the summits of Japan mountains at 1300–3776 m altitude by attenuated total reflection imaging and micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. We observed nine microplastics including polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polymethyl methacrylate, polyamide 6, polycarbonate, ethylene–propylene copolymer or polyethylene–polypropylene alloy, polyurethane, and epoxy resin. Microplastic were fragmented, with mean concentrations ranging from 6.7 to 13.9 pieces per liter, and with Feret diameters ranging from 7.1 to 94.6 μm. Microplastics bearing hydrophilic groups such as carbonyl and/or hydroxyl groups were abundant, suggesting that they might have acted as condensation nuclei of cloud ice and water. Overall, our finding suggest that high-altitude microplastics cloud influence cloud formation and, in turn, might modify the climate.
Optimal bi-planar gradient coil configurations for diamond nitrogen-vacancy based diffusion-weighted NMR experiments
Authors: Amrein Philipp , Bruckmaier Fleming , Jia Feng , Bucher Dominik B. , Zaitsev Maxim , Littin Sebastian 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Introduction
Diffusion weighting in optically detected magnetic resonance experiments involving diamond nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers can provide valuable microstructural information. Bi-planar gradient coils employed for diffusion weighting afford excellent spatial access, essential for integrating the NV-NMR components. Nevertheless, owing to the polar tilt of roughly $$55^{\circ }$$

55
∘

of the diamond NV center, the primary magnetic field direction must be taken into account accordingly.

Methods
To determine the most effective bi-planar gradient coil configurations, we conducted an investigation into the impact of various factors, including the square side length, surface separation, and surface orientation. This was accomplished by generating over 500 bi-planar surface configurations using automated methods.

Results
We successfully generated and evaluated coil layouts in terms of sensitivity and field accuracy. Interestingly, inclined bi-planar orientations close to the NV–NMR setup’s requirement, showed higher sensitivity for the transverse gradient channels than horizontal or vertical orientations. We fabricated a suitable solution as a three-channel bi-planar double-layered PCB system and experimentally validated the sensitivities at $$28.7 \mathrm mT/m/A$$

28.7
m
T
/
m
/
A

and $$26.8 \mathrm mT/m/A$$

26.8
m
T
/
m
/
A

for the transverse $$G_{x}$$

G
x

and $$G_{y}$$

G
y

gradients, and $$26 \mathrm mT/m/A$$

26
m
T
/
m
/
A

for the $$G_{z}$$

G
z

gradient.

Discussion
We found that the chosen relative bi-planar tilt of $$35^{\circ }$$

35
∘

represents a reasonable compromise in terms of overall performance and allows for easier coil implementation with a straight, horizontal alignment within the overall experimental setup.
A coarse-graining account of individuality: how the emergence of individuals represents a summary of lower-level evolutionary processes
Authors: Bourrat Pierrick 
Published: August 2023

AbstractExplaining the emergence of individuality in the process of evolution remains a challenge; it faces the difficulty of characterizing adequately what ‘emergence’ amounts to. Here, I present a pragmatic account of individuality in which I take up this challenge. Following this account, individuals that emerge from an evolutionary transition in individuality are coarse-grained entities: entities that are summaries of lower-level evolutionary processes. Although this account may prima facie appear to ultimately rely on epistemic considerations, I show that it can be used to vindicate the emergence of individuals in a quasi-ontological sense. To this end, I discuss a recent account of evolutionary transitions in individuality proposed by Godfrey-Smith and Kerr (Brit J Philos Sci 64(1):205–222, 2013) where a transition occurs through several stages, each with an accompanying model. I focus on the final stage where higher-level entities are ascribed a separate fitness parameter, while they were not in the previous stages. In light of my account, I provide some justification for why such a change in parameters is necessary and cannot be dismissed as merely epistemic.
Metallothionein expression in the central nervous system in response to chronic heavy metal exposure: possible neuroprotective mechanism
Authors: Navarro-Sempere A. , Martínez-Peinado P. , Rodrigues A. S. , Garcia P. V. , Camarinho R. , Grindlay G. , Gras L. , García M. , Segovia Y. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractIt has been reported that volcanoes release several tonnes of mercury per year among other heavy metals through eruptions, fumaroles, or diffuse soil degassing. Since a high percentage of the world's population lives in the vicinity of an active volcano, the aim of this study is to evaluate the accumulation of these metals in the central nervous system and the presence of cellular mechanisms of heavy metal detoxification such as metallothioneins. To carry out this study, wild mice (Mus musculus) chronically exposed to an active volcanic environment were captured in Furnas village (Azores, Portugal) and compared with those trapped in a reference area (Rabo de Peixe, Azores, Portugal). On the one hand, the heavy metal load has been evaluated by analyzing brain and cerebellum using ICP-MS and a mercury analyzer and on the other hand, the presence of metallothionein 2A has been studied by immunofluorescence assays. Our results show a higher load of metals such as mercury, cadmium and lead in the central nervous system of exposed mice compared to non-exposed individuals and, in addition, a higher immunoreactivity for metallothionein 2A in different areas of the cerebrum and cerebellum indicating a possible neuroprotection process.
Explaining the Surge of the Populist Radical Right: A Time-Series Analysis of the Effects of Immigration and the Economy in Norway
Authors: Haugsgjerd Atle , Bergh Johannes 
Published: August 2023

AbstractPopulist radical right parties have become major forces in most Western democracies. Previous research has provided conflicting evidence on whether their electoral support can be explained by two structural developments: economic decline and increased immigration. Using time-series regression and almost 30 years of aggregated monthly polling data, we perform a novel test of the effects of economic decline and immigration on aggregate support for the Norwegian Progress Party. We find that the most beneficial time-periods for this party seem to be those of rising immigration and a booming economy. However, our findings also suggest that the effect of rising immigration is halted when the party holds government office. Thus, voter mobilization based on anti-immigration messages may represent a challenge for the Norwegian Progress Party and potentially other such parties going forward as they may become victims of their own success.
Healing Schools: A Framework for Joining Trauma-Informed Care, Restorative Justice, and Multicultural Education for Whole School Reform
Authors: Parameswaran Uma Dorn , Molloy Jennifer , Kuttner Paul 
Published: August 2023

AbstractTrauma-informed Care (TIC), Restorative Justice (RJ), and Multicultural Education (MCE) are three approaches to school reform widely being discussed and promoted within schools. The authors of this paper, representing the fields of psychology, social work, and education, present an integrated framework that acknowledges the commonalities these three models share, as well as the ways that they complement one another by focusing our attention on different aspects of urban education. We argue that the concept of healing offers a powerful heuristic for systemic school reform — a guide for rethinking how we address pedagogical, disciplinary, curricular, and policy decisions. We are calling for the creation of “healing schools,” arguing that, 1) Schools can play a valuable role in promoting healing and well-being among the students and families with whom they engage and 2) Many of our urban schools themselves need healing because they have become systems of toxic environments for adults and youth alike. To address the need for healing in schools, we present a framework promoting four key values: relationships, safety, belonging, and agency. These values are embedded within an ecological perspective, exploring how they manifest at the internal, student, school, and community/society levels.
Quantifying the impacts of an invasive weed on habitat quality and prey availability for tiger snakes (Notechis scutatus) in urban wetlands
Authors: Cornelis Jari , von Takach Brenton , Cooper Christine E. , Vos Jordan , Bateman Philip W. , Lettoof Damian C. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractInvasive plants are a threat to natural ecosystems worldwide, with urban wetlands being some of the most susceptible and highly modified environments of all. The tiger snake (Notechis scutatus) is a top predator that persists in urban wetlands of south-western Australia, many of which have been degraded by introduced kikuyu grass (Cenchrus clandestinus). To evaluate the potential impact of kikuyu grass on habitat quality for tiger snakes we quantified the structural features of habitats within wetlands degraded by kikuyu grass and compared them to wetlands with native vegetation. We also examined tiger snake prey availability, assessed predation risk for juvenile snakes using clay models, and measured the thermal quality of the vegetation. Proliferation of kikuyu grass has reduced habitat structural heterogeneity by reducing available bare ground and increasing vegetation density. This homogenisation of habitat structure had little effect on the predation risk for juveniles or the thermal properties of tiger snake shelter sites; however, one key prey species, the motorbike frog, had significantly lower abundance in the most impacted habitat. Habitat types with more structural complexity also offered tiger snakes more stable thermal regimes and lower predation risk. These findings indicate that the current extent of kikuyu grass invasion offers overall similar habitat quality for tiger snakes to native vegetation and may contribute to their persistence in urban wetlands; however, both tiger snakes and their anuran prey may benefit from increased habitat structural complexity.
Typology of Mental Health Peer Support Work Components: Systematised Review and Expert Consultation
Authors: Kotera Yasuhiro , Newby Christopher , Charles Ashleigh , Ng Fiona , Watson Emma , Davidson Larry , Nixdorf Rebecca , Bradstreet Simon , Brophy Lisa , Brasier Catherine , Simpson Alan , Gillard Steve , Puschner Bernd , Kidd Sean A. , Mahlke Candelaria , Sutton Alex J. , Gray Laura J. , Smith Ellesha A. , Ashmore Alison , Pomberth Scott , Slade Mike 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe employment of mental health peer support (PS) is recommended in national and international mental health policy, and widely implemented across many countries. The key components of PS remain to be identified. This study aimed to develop a typology of components involved in one-to-one PS for adults in mental health services. A systematised review was performed to establish a preliminary long list of candidate components, followed by expert consultation (n = 21) to refine the list. Forty-two publications were full-text reviewed, comprising 26 trial reports, nine training manuals, and seven change model papers. Two hundred forty-two candidate components were identified, which were thematically synthesised to 16 components and eight sub-components, categorised into four themes: recruitment, preparation, practice, and PS worker wellbeing. Our typology can inform reflection and planning of PS practice, and allow more rigorous and synthesised studies, such as component network meta-analyses, to characterise the impact of each component and their interactions.
Mpox on Reddit: a Thematic Analysis of Online Posts on Mpox on a Social Media Platform among Key Populations
Authors: Hong Chenglin 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe 2022–2023 mpox outbreak has disproportionately impacted gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM). The US CDC recommended individuals to explore safer sexual practices that minimize the potential risk of exposure and also strongly encouraged for eligible individuals to prioritize vaccination. This study aimed to analyze social media data related to mpox on Reddit since the mpox outbreak and identify themes associated with the impact on social behaviors and social processes among targeted population. Publicly available data were collected from the social media Reddit. We extracted the summarized mpox-related posts since the beginning of May 2022 from popular subreddits that were popular among GBMSM. We thematically analyzed the content to identify the overall themes related to the GBMSM’s responses to the outbreak. There is an overall increase in the number of daily mpox-related posts, with three upticks in late May, late July, and early August 2022, which may correspond to the dates that the first mpox case was identified in the USA, the WHO declared a global public health emergency, and the US Department of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency. Four themes were identified: (1) changes in sexual behaviors and social activities; (2) mpox vaccine attitude, uptake, and hesitancy; (3) perceived and experienced stigma and homophobia, and mental distress; and (4) online information-seeking and mutual aid and support. GBMSM changed their sexual behaviors and social activities to mitigate their exposure to the virus during this outbreak and actively sought and shared information about mpox vaccination in their respective settings, while some were hesitant due to concerns about side effects and potential effectiveness. Perceived and experienced stigma and discrimination on gay- and same sex-identify have impacted GBMSM’s mental health. Interventions to promote the mpox vaccine must address the historical medical mistrust and vaccine hesitancy among GBMSM.
How Employment Generates Social Integration: Trends Towards Disintegration and Over-Integration in the Hyper-Work Society
Authors: Grimm Natalie , Hense Andrea , Vogel Berthold 
Published: August 2023

AbstractUsing an analytical framework that further develops Jahoda’s ideas and distinguishes between two manifest and five latent mechanisms for the production of employment-based social integration, three research questions are examined: How does employment generate social integration in German welfare capitalism? How have these employment-based integration mechanisms changed in the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the German Democratic Republic (GDR) since the Second World War? What dangers to social integration can be identified because of these changes? The manifest mechanisms establish socio-economic integration directly via employment or indirectly through de-commodifying welfare state interventions. The latent mechanisms ensure that social relationships can be formed by providing a time structure, extending social contacts, enabling participation in collective goals, offering collective identities and activating people. We analyse different social orders at the macro-level (labour and social legislation), meso-level (company structures, industrial relations, work environments) and micro-level (employment relationships, household models, action orientations, subjective identifications) of society to identify conditions that promote or endanger social integration. On the one hand, the danger of over-integration (reflected in the term “hyper-work society”), which arises from generalising employment-related performance and exploitation criteria, erects integration barriers for other forms of social integration beyond employment because alternative premises for organising one’s life are devalued by predominantly adopting capitalist criteria of social recognition. On the other hand, the binding power of employment and the integrative power of workplaces are weakened by disintegrative trends such as insecure employment, blurring organisational boundaries, as well as fragmentation of employment and social relations, jeopardising social integration through employment.
The Philosophy of Anti-Dumping as the Affirmation of Life
Authors: Gare Arran 
Published: August 2023

AbstractMichael Marder in Dump Philosophy claims that that there has been so much dumping with modern civilization that we now live in a dump, with those parts of our environment not contaminated by dumping, now rare. The growth of the dump is portrayed as the triumph of nihilism, predicted by Nietzsche as the outcome of life denying Neoplatonist metaphysics. Marder’s proposed solution, characterized as “undumping”, is to accept the dump and to promote reinterpretations and informal communities within the dump. It is argued here that Marder provides great insight into our current situation and its causes; however, his proposed solution is too weak. To respond to the situation described, it is argued, it is necessary to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy dumping, or more broadly, healthy and unhealthy participation in nature. To make this distinction, it is necessary see humans as ecosystems and components of ecosystems, including the global ecosystem, as these have been characterized by anti-reductionist ecologists. Ecosystems can be healthy or unhealthy. Dumping and dumps should be identified as problematic outputs when they damage the health of ecosystems. The products of human activity not destined to be consumed or used for further productive activity, can then be identified and judged according to whether they augment or damage ecosystems’ health. Dumping should be severely restricted. This should be associated with making a commitment to life and its value, and living to augment life, developing the social and economic forms and institutions that facilitate living in this way.