bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anisotropic tomography of the East Japan subduction zone: influence of inversion algorithms
Authors: Jia Ruo , Zhao Dapeng 
Published: May 2023

SUMMARY
An important element of seismic tomography is the inversion process. In this work, we use P-wave arrival times of local earthquakes recorded at onshore and offshore seismic stations in East Japan to investigate the influence of two well-known inversion algorithms (LSQR and L-BFGS-B) on anisotropic tomography. Our synthetic tests show that a large damping parameter in the LSQR algorithm can lead to a stable and fast convergence, but it can result in many small value disturbances. The L-BFGS-B algorithm, which has second-order convergence, could converge fast to the optimal solution without damping regularization, but an inappropriate bound on the unknown parameters makes them hard to be recovered fully and causes strong trade-off between isotropic velocity and azimuthal anisotropy. If appropriate control parameters are adopted, the two inversion algorithms lead to almost the same results, though the L-BFGS-B provides a more efficient convergence and leads to a slightly better fit to the data than LSQR does. The two algorithms are applied to investigate the 3-D P-wave velocity (Vp) structure and azimuthal anisotropy of the East Japan subduction zone. Our results show that high-Vp anomalies and trench-normal fast-velocity directions (FVDs) exist in the forearc crust beneath the Pacific Ocean off South Hokkaido, which may reflect a cold and hydrated forearc crust with aligned microcracks or fractures. Significant low-Vp anomalies and trench-parallel FVDs exist at 40–80 km depths beneath Hokkaido, reflecting a water-rich mantle wedge with aligned B-type olivine. In the subducting Pacific slab, strong anisotropy with trench-parallel FVDs is revealed, reflecting localized horizontal bending of the slab.
The estimated effect of season and vitamin D in the first trimester on pubertal timing in girls and boys: a cohort study and an instrumental variable analysis
Authors: Gaml-Sørensen Anne , Brix Nis , Ernst Andreas , Lunddorf Lea Lykke Harrits , Lindh Christian , Toft Gunnar , Henriksen Tine Brink , Arah Onyebuchi A , Ramlau-Hansen Cecilia Høst 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

Background
Season of birth has been associated with age at menarche. Maternal vitamin D levels in pregnancy may explain this effect. We investigated whether the season of first trimester or maternal 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D3] levels were associated with pubertal timing in children.

Methods
We conducted a follow-up study of 15 819 children born in 2000–03 from the Puberty Cohort, nested in the Danish National Birth Cohort (DNBC). Mean differences in attaining numerous pubertal markers, including a combined estimate for the average age at attaining all pubertal markers, were estimated for low (November–April) relative to high (May–October) sunshine exposure season in the first trimester using multivariable interval-censored regression models. Moreover, we conducted a two-sample instrumental variable analysis using season as an instrument for maternal first-trimester 25(OH)D3 plasma levels obtained from a non-overlapping subset (n = 827) in the DNBC.

Results
For the combined estimate, girls and boys of mothers who had their first trimester during November–April had earlier pubertal timing than girls and boys of mothers whose first trimester occurred during May–October: –1.0 months (95% CI: –1.7 to –0.3) and –0.7 months (95% CI: –1.4 to –0.1), respectively. In the instrumental variable analysis, girls and boys also had earlier pubertal timing: respectively, –1.3 months (95% CI: –2.1 to –0.4) and –1.0 months (95% CI: –1.8 to –0.2) per SD (22 nmol/L) decrease in 25(OH)D3.

Conclusions
Both first pregnancy trimester during November–April and lower 25(OH)D3 were associated with earlier pubertal timing in girls and boys.
Clinical pharmacists’ participation in ward rounds in hospitals: responses from a national survey
Authors: Babu Dona , Rowett Debra , Lim Renly , Marotti Sally , Wisdom Alice , Ellett Lisa Kalisch 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

Objectives
The inclusion of clinical pharmacists in ward rounds (WRs) can reduce adverse drug events, improve communication and enable collaborative decision-making. The aim of this study is to investigate the level of and factors that influence WR participation by clinical pharmacists in Australia.

Methods
An online administered, anonymous survey of clinical pharmacists in Australia was conducted. The survey was open to pharmacists aged ≥18 years, who had worked in an Australian hospital in a clinical role in the previous two weeks. It was distributed via The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia and on pharmacist-specific social media threads. Survey questions related to the extent of WR participation and factors that influence WR participation. Cross-tabulation analysis was conducted to determine whether there was an association between WR participation and factors that influence WR participation.

Key findings
Ninety-nine responses were included. The level of WR participation by clinical pharmacists in Australian hospitals was low, with only 26/67 (39%) pharmacists who had a WR in their clinical unit actually attending the WR in the previous 2 weeks. Factors that influenced WR participation included having recognition of the role of the clinical pharmacist within the WR team, support from pharmacy management and the broader interprofessional team, and having adequate time and expectation from pharmacy management and colleagues to participate in WRs.

Conclusions
This study highlights the need for ongoing interventions such as restructuring workflows and increasing the awareness of the role of a clinical pharmacist in WR to increase participation of pharmacists in this interprofessional activity.
Leveraging the lymphohematopoietic graft-versus-host reaction (LGVHR) to achieve allograft tolerance and restore self tolerance with minimal toxicity
Authors: Sykes Megan 
Published: May 2023

Summary
Mixed allogeneic chimerism has considerable potential to advance the achievement of immune tolerance to alloantigens for transplantation and the restoration of self-tolerance in patients with autoimmune disease. In this article, I review evidence that graft-versus-host (GVH) alloreactivity without graft-vs-host disease (GVHD), termed a lymphohematopoietic graft-vs-host reaction (LGVHR), can promote the induction of mixed chimerism with minimal toxicity. LGVHR was originally shown to occur in an animal model when non-tolerant donor lymphocytes were administered to mixed chimeras in the absence of inflammatory stimuli and was found to mediate powerful graft-vs-leukemia/lymphoma effects without GVHD. Recent large animal studies suggest a role for LGVHR in promoting durable mixed chimerism and the demonstration that LGVHR promotes chimerism in human intestinal allograft recipients has led to a pilot study aiming to achieve durable mixed chimerism.
Clinical, contextual and hospital-level factors associated with escalation and de-escalation of empiric Gram-negative antibiotics among US inpatients
Authors: Baghdadi Jonathan D , Goodman Katherine E , Magder Laurence S , Heil Emily L , Claeys Kimberly , Bork Jacqueline , Harris Anthony D 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

Background
Empiric Gram-negative antibiotics are frequently changed in response to new information. To inform antibiotic stewardship, we sought to identify predictors of antibiotic changes using information knowable before microbiological test results.

Methods
We performed a retrospective cohort study. Survival-time models were used to evaluate clinical factors associated with antibiotic escalation and de-escalation (defined as an increase or decrease, respectively, in the spectrum or number of Gram-negative antibiotics within 5 days of initiation). Spectrum was categorized as narrow, broad, extended or protected. Tjur’s D statistic was used to estimate the discriminatory power of groups of variables.

Results
In 2019, 2 751 969 patients received empiric Gram-negative antibiotics at 920 study hospitals. Antibiotic escalation occurred in 6.5%, and 49.2% underwent de-escalation; 8.8% were changed to an equivalent regimen. Escalation was more likely when empiric antibiotics were narrow-spectrum (HR 19.0 relative to protected; 95% CI: 17.9–20.1), broad-spectrum (HR 10.3; 95% CI: 9.78–10.9) or extended-spectrum (HR 3.49; 95% CI: 3.30–3.69). Patients with sepsis present on admission (HR 1.94; 95% CI: 1.91–1.96) and urinary tract infection present on admission (HR 1.36; 95% CI: 1.35–1.38) were more likely to undergo antibiotic escalation than patients without these syndromes. De-escalation was more likely with combination therapy (HR 2.62 per additional agent; 95% CI: 2.61–2.63) or narrow-spectrum empiric antibiotics (HR 1.67 relative to protected; 95% CI: 1.65–1.69). Choice of empiric regimen accounted for 51% and 74% of the explained variation in antibiotic escalation and de-escalation, respectively.

Conclusions
Empiric Gram-negative antibiotics are frequently de-escalated early in hospitalization, whereas escalation is infrequent. Changes are primarily driven by choice of empiric therapy and presence of infectious syndromes.
DSPE-PEG polymer enhanced berberine absorption specifically in the small intestine of rats through paracellular passway
Authors: Gao Yang , Sun Jianmei , Wang Shucong , Huxiao Lisong , Xu Yali , Zhang Hailong 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

Objectives
This study focuses on investigating the potential impact of DSPE-PEG polymers on intestinal absorption and related mechanism of berberine in rats.

Methods
Effect of DSPE-PEG polymer on intestinal absorption of berberine was investigated with an in situ closed-loop method in rats. To confirm the safety of DSPE-PEG polymer, morphological observation of rat intestine and measurement of biological markers in the intestinal perfusion of rats was performed. Underling mechanism behind promoting action of DSPE-PEG polymer was explored from its impact on the P-gp function and tight junction using in vitro diffusion chamber system, Caco-2 monolayer cells and western blot.

Key findings
DSPE-PEG polymer demonstrated significant enhancement action on the berberine absorption in rats without any obvious membrane toxicity. DSPE-PEG polymer (1.0%, w/v) induced the most significant promoting effect on berberine absorption specifically in the small intestine of rats. Results of mechanistic studies revealed that DSPE-PEG polymer might not regulate intestinal P-gp function, but significantly down-regulated the expression of tight junction-related proteins, which accordingly led to loosening the tight junctions of intestinal epithelium cells, and consequently increased paracellular absorption of berberine in rats.

Conclusions
DSPE-PEG polymer, as an excellent absorption enhancer, seems very promising in increasing oral bioavailability of berberine.
Evaluation of in vivo and ex vivo pre-treated bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells with resveratrol in streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetic rats
Authors: Khalil S G , Younis N N , Shaheen M A , Hammad S K , Elswefy S E 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

Objectives
To compare the therapeutic potential of rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) preconditioned ex-vivo with resveratrol (MCR) and BM-MSCs isolated from resveratrol-pre-treated rats (MTR) in type-1 diabetic rats.

Methods
Type-1 diabetes was induced by a single streptozotocin injection (50 mg/kg; ip) in 24 rats. Following the confirmation of T1DM, diabetic rats were randomly divided into four groups: diabetic control (DC), diabetic rats treated with insulin subcutaneous (7.5 IU/kg/day), diabetic rats treated with MCR cells (3 × 106cells/rat, intravenous) and diabetic rats treated with MTR cells (3 × 106cells/rat, intravenous). Rats were sacrificed 4 weeks following cellular transplantation.

Key findings
Untreated diabetic rats suffered from pancreatic cell damage, had high blood glucose levels, increased apoptotic, fibrosis, and oxidative stress markers and decreased survival and pancreatic regeneration parameters. Both MSCs preconditioned ex-vivo with RES and MSCs isolated from rats pre-treated with RES homed successfully in injured pancreas and showed therapeutic potential in the treatment of STZ-induced T1DM. MCR cells showed better efficiency than MTR cells.

Conclusions
The pre-conditioning of BM-MSCs with resveratrol may be a promising therapeutic possibility in T1DM. Resveratrol-preconditioned BM-MSCs encouraged effects almost comparable to that of exogenous insulin with the advantages of cured pancreas and restored islets not attained by insulin.
Development of a deep learning-based error detection system without error dose maps in the patient-specific quality assurance of volumetric modulated arc therapy
Authors: Kimura Yuto , Kadoya Noriyuki , Oku Yohei , Jingu Keiichi 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
To detect errors in patient-specific quality assurance (QA) for volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), we proposed an error detection method based on dose distribution analysis using unsupervised deep learning approach and analyzed 161 prostate VMAT beams measured with a cylindrical detector. For performing error simulation, in addition to error-free dose distribution, dose distributions containing nine types of error, including multileaf collimator (MLC) positional errors, gantry rotation errors, radiation output errors and phantom setup errors, were generated. Only error-free data were employed for the model training, and error-free and error data were employed for the tests. As a deep learning model, the variational autoencoder (VAE) was adopted. The anomaly of test data was quantified by calculating Mahalanobis distance based on the feature vectors acquired from a trained encoder. Based on this anomaly, test data were classified as ‘error-free’ or ‘any-error.’ For comparison with conventional approaches, gamma (γ)-analysis was performed, and supervised learning convolutional neural network (S-CNN) was constructed. Receiver operating characteristic curves were obtained to evaluate their performance with the area under the curve (AUC). For all error types, except systematic MLC positional and radiation output errors, the performance of the methods was in the order of S-CNN ˃ VAE-based ˃ γ-analysis (only S-CNN required error data for model training). For example, in random MLC positional error simulation, the AUC of our method, S-CNN and γ-analysis were 0.699, 0.921 and 0.669, respectively. Our results showed that the VAE-based method has the potential to detect errors in patient-specific VMAT QA.
Solitary infantile myofibromatosis of the petrous bone: a diagnostic pitfall in uncommon location illustrated by a case report
Authors: El Ouazzani Hafsa , Azzam Imane , Benyahya Zainab , Chehrastane Rachida , Oujilal Abdelilah , Zouaidia Fouad , Cherradi Nadia 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Infantile myofibromatosis (IM) is the most common fibrous disorder of infancy and early childhood. Solitary intracranial involvement is rare and often unrecognized. This makes its early diagnosis and adequate management difficult. The majority of lesions are localized to the skull or dura with variable intracranial extension. Herein, we report a misdiagnosed and aggressive presentation of a solitary IM of the petrous bone. Our aim is to discuss histopathological differential diagnoses and management difficulties.
Breast hibernoma in a male patient: a rare case report and review of the literature
Authors: Hanna Sam , Davis Arie , Diab Jason , Clement Zackariah 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Hibernomas are uncommon, benign, lipomatous tumours of brown fat. Although hibernomas may arise from any region where brown fat exists, common locations include thigh, shoulder, back and neck. We report a rare finding of a breast hibernoma in a 43-year-old male. The patient was managed surgically with an excision of the breast mass. This report will outline the pathology and clinical findings of breast hibernomas and review of the literature.
Solitary mesenteric fibromatosis in a male patient: clinical case report
Authors: David Aulestia José , Piedra Jorge , Guachilema Ribadeneira Alex , Remache Veronica , Vasconez Carla , Arias Grace 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Mesenteric fibromatosis is a rare tumor that grows slowly and asymptomatically and is more frequent among men. The risk factors described in the literature may not be present in all cases. The clinical presentation is variable and depends on the localization of the tumor and the involvement of surrounding structures. Imaging studies such as abdominal computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are the preferred methods for the diagnosis of this tumor. However, a definitive diagnosis is made based on histopathology and immunohistochemistry results. Surgical resection remains the preferred option for the treatment of mesenteric fibromatosis. This report presents a clinical case of mesenteric fibromatosis in a male patient who presented with partial abdominal obstruction and the absence of risk factors for mesenteric fibromatosis.
Complete median nerve axonotmesis as a late postoperative complication in distal radius fracture
Authors: Barrera-Ochoa Sergi , Prieto Meré Jose Antonio 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Locked volar plate fixation is currently the gold-standard treatment for distal radius fractures. Although volar plating is considered as a reasonably safe treatment option for distal radial fractures, several complications can be observed, such as median nerve injury. We present an 84-year-old male with an intra-articular comminuted fracture of the left distal radius that presented as a late postoperative complication a complete axonotmesis of the median nerve due to screw migration of a locked volar plate. An electromyography was performed confirming complete median nerve axonotmesis, and with proximal stimulation, a Martin–Gruber anastomosis in the proximal forearm was discovered.
Network analysis of a northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) maternity colony in a suburban forest patch
Authors: Gorman Katherine M , Barr Elaine L , Nocera Tomás , Ford W Mark 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Many bat species are highly social, forming groups of conspecifics, particularly during the maternity season. In temperate North America, these social groups are typically comprised of closely related individuals or individuals that share some common trait (i.e. reproductive state or shared hibernacula from the previous winter). In the summer, when bats use forests for day-roosts, these social groups often demonstrate nonrandom patterns of periodically associating in common roosts and disassociating using different roosts as a ‘fission–fusion society’. As cave hibernating bat species in North America continue to decline due to the impacts of White-nose Syndrome, opportunities to describe these dynamics are becoming rare. Unfortunately, these patterns often are still poorly documented, yet understanding these behaviors is critical for species-specific habitat conservation and management. In our study, we tracked female northern long-eared bats (Myotis septentrionalis) to their day-roosts in a small, suburban forest fragment in coastal New York, USA, in the summers of 2018 and 2019. We confirmed that the bats shared roost sites and, using network analyses, analyzed social dynamics and space use. In contrast to previous research on this imperiled species in large, unfragmented core forests, we found a more dense, connected roost network that concentrated around forest patch edges. Unusual for this species, primary roosts were anthropogenic structures. Our findings suggest that northern long-eared bats can utilize small forest patches and that incorporation of specific types of anthropogenic roosts might be an effective strategy for long-term conservation in more urbanized landscapes where forest management actions to enhance day-roosting conditions are impractical and the risk of stochastic loss of roosts is high.
Healthcare Decision Making for Children in Singapore: The Missing Chapter in Comparison with English Law
Authors: Chua Hillary 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
In medical practice, Singaporean paediatricians regularly encounter ethical dilemmas concerning the medical treatment of children and adolescents. While such disputes tend to be resolved out of court, it is useful to understand the legal framework for decision making in hard cases. Unlike in England and Wales where there is an abundance of litigation in this area and the law is well established, Singapore has a dearth of case law and a few discrete statutes regarding consent to medical treatment by children. Local legal resources on this subject are limited, and the differences between Singaporean and English law are not always made clear in medical guidance. Therefore, this article provides a comparative roadmap and seeks to answer key questions in Singaporean law on healthcare decision making for children, such as: Who can make decisions on their behalf? When can children give or refuse consent to treatment on their own? What is the threshold for judicial intervention in disputes concerning children’s medical care? How should ‘best interests’ be determined? This article identifies gaps and proposes ways that Singaporean law can develop by drawing inspiration from English judgments while making adaptations to the local context. It outlines situations when it is appropriate for the courts to decide cases concerning children’s medical treatment, notwithstanding the preference for alternative dispute resolution in Singapore.
Extreme evaporation of planets in hot thermally unstable protoplanetary discs: the case of FU Ori
Authors: Nayakshin Sergei , Owen James E , Elbakyan Vardan 
Published: May 2023

ABSTRACT
Disc accretion rate onto low mass protostar FU Ori suddenly increased hundreds of times 85 yr ago and remains elevated to this day. We show that the sum of historic and recent observations challenges existing FU Ori models. We build a theory of a new process, Extreme Evaporation (EE) of young gas giant planets in discs with midplane temperatures of ≳ 30 000 K. Such temperatures are reached in the inner 0.1 AU during thermal instability bursts. In our 1D time-dependent code the disc and an embedded planet interact through gravity, heat, and mass exchange. We use disc viscosity constrained by simulations and observations of dwarf novae instabilities, and we constrain planet properties with a stellar evolution code. We show that dusty gas giants born in the outer self-gravitating disc reach the innermost disc in a ∼O(104) yr with radius of ∼10RJ. We show that their EE rates are $\gtrsim 10^{-5} {\rm {\rm M}_{\odot }}$ yr−1; if this exceeds the background disc accretion activity then the system enters a planet-sourced mode. Like a stellar secondary in mass-transferring binaries, the planet becomes the dominant source of matter for the star, albeit for ∼O(100) yr. We find that a ∼6 Jupiter mass planet evaporating in a disc fed at a time-averaged rate of $\sim 10^{-6} {\rm {\rm M}_{\odot }}$ yr−1 appears to explain all that we currently know about FU Ori accretion outburst. More massive planets and/or planets in older less massive discs do not experience EE process. Future FUOR modelling may constrain planet internal structure and evolution of the earliest discs.