bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association between vertebral cross-sectional area and lumbar disc displacement – a population-based study
Authors: Ollila Laura , Oura Petteri , Karppinen Jaro , Niinimäki Jaakko , Junno Juho-Antti 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Vertebral dimensions may constitute a potential risk factor for degenerative changes in the spine. Previous studies have found a positive association between vertebral height and both type 2 Modic changes and intervertebral disc height loss. Also, vertebral endplate size has been associated with disc degeneration. However, only a few studies have investigated the association between vertebral dimensions and lumbar disc displacement (LDD). This study aimed to investigate the association between vertebral cross-sectional area (CSA) and LDD among the general middle-aged Finnish population. We hypothesized that larger vertebral CSA is associated with LDD.

Materials and methods
The study was conducted by using data from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 (NFBC1966). At the age of 46, a subpopulation of NFBC1966 underwent clinical examinations including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (n = 1249). MRI scans were used to measure L4 CSA and evaluate the presence of LDD (bulge, protrusion, and extrusion/sequestration) in the adjacent discs. The association between L4 CSA and LDD was analysed using logistic regression, with adjustment for sex, education, body mass index, leisure-time physical activity, smoking, diet, and L4 height.

Results
Larger L4 CSA was associated with LDD; an increase of 1 cm2 in vertebral CSA elevated the odds of LDD relative to no LDD by 10% (adjusted odds ratio 1.10, 95% CI 1.01–1.19). The association was similar among either sex.

Conclusions
Larger L4 vertebral CSA was associated with LDD in our study sample. Even though smaller vertebral size exposes our vertebrae to osteoporotic fractures, it simultaneously seems to protect us from LDD.
Incidence and presentation of vestibular schwannoma: a 3-year cohort registry study
Authors: Fernández-Méndez Rocio , Wan Yizhou , Axon Patrick , Joannides Alexis 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
Vestibular schwannoma (VS) is the most common benign tumour arising in the lateral skull base. Reported incidence rates of VS vary across geographical locations and over time. There is scarce updated evidence over the past decade on the epidemiology and mode of presentation of VS.

Objective
To describe the epidemiology and mode of presentation of VS in the East of England between 2013 and 2016.

Methods
A retrospective epidemiological analysis of data from a national VS registry and electronic patient records was conducted, including all newly diagnosed adult patients in a UK tertiary referral centre, between April 1st, 2013, and March 31st, 2016.

Results
There were 391 new cases identified resulting in an overall mean incidence of 2.2 VS cases per 100,000 person-year. The incidence rate for all patients in the <40 age group ranged between 0.3 and 0.7 per 100,000 person-year, increasing to a range of 5.7 to 6.1 per 100,000 person-year in the 60–69 age group. The top three combinations of symptoms on presentation per patient were hearing loss and tinnitus (97, 24.8%), hearing loss alone (79, 20.2%) and hearing loss, tinnitus, and balance symptoms (61, 15.6%). The median duration of symptoms was 12 months, with a wide range from 1.4 to 300 months. Age was negatively correlated with tumour size (r = -0.14 [-0.24 to -0.04], p=0.01) and positively correlated with symptom duration (r = 0.16 [0.03–0.29], p=0.02).

Conclusions
The incidence of vestibular schwannoma has increased compared to previous studies in the UK and is similar to incidence rates reported in other countries during the past decade. It peaks in the seventh decade of life, mainly because of an increase in the diagnosis of small tumours with a long duration of audio-vestibular symptoms in older patients, compared to earlier studies.
Prevalence and adverse consequences of delayed diagnosis and misdiagnosis in thrombotic antiphospholipid syndrome. An observational cohort study and a review of the literature
Authors: Ruffatti Amelia , Tonello Marta , Calligaro Antonia , Del Ross Teresa , Favaro Maria , Zen Margherita , Hoxha Ariela , Alaibac Mauro 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Obiectives
This study aims to prospectively evaluate the frequency and adverse consequences of diagnostic delay and misdiagnosis in a cohort of patients with thrombotic antiphospholipid syndrome (TAPS). In addition, a systematic review of the literature concerning the diagnostic delay and misdiagnosis of TAPS was carried out.

Methods
Patient enrollment occurred between 1999 and 2022. The study group was formed by TAPS patients whose diagnosis was delayed and those who were misdiagnosed. The control group was made up of patients who were timely and correctly diagnosed with TAPS.

Results
The literature review showed 42 misdiagnosed patients, 27 of them were in one retrospective cohort study and 15 in 13 case reports. One hundred sixty-one out of 189 patients (85.2%) received a timely, correct diagnosis of TAPS; 28 (14.8%) did not. The number of patients with diagnostic issues was significantly higher for the first period (1999–2010), and the number of patients with a correct diagnosis was significantly higher for the second one (2011–2022). When the clinical and laboratory characteristics of the patients with delayed diagnosis were compared with those with misdiagnosis, there was a significantly higher number of severe adverse consequences characterized by permanent disability or death in the latter group. The two most common types of misdiagnoses were systemic lupus erythematosus (6 cases, 46.1%) and cardiovascular diseases (4 cases, 30.8%).

Conclusions
The study demonstrates that although knowledge about TAPS has improved over time, diagnostic delays and errors remains to be addressed as they are strongly associated to adverse consequences.

Key Points•Although knowledge of thrombotic antiphospholipid syndrome has improved over time, it is still limited.•Diagnostic delay and misdiagnosis are still an important issue that remains to be addressed as they are strongly associated to adverse consequences.•The three more frequent misdiagnoses are multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus and cardiovascular diseases.
Robotic abdominoperineal resection, posterior vaginectomy and abdomino-lithotomy sacrectomy: technical considerations and case vignette
Authors: Kearsey C. C. , Mathur M. , Sutton P. A. , Selvasekar C. R. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractWhen working with patients who have locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) the ability to undertake minimally invasive procedures becomes more challenging but no less important for patient outcomes. We performed a minimally invasive approach to surgery for LARC invading the posterior vagina and sacrum. The patient was a 75-year-old lady who presented with a locally advanced rectal tumour staged T4N2 with invasion into the posterior wall of the vagina and coccyx/distal sacrum. We introduce a robotic abdominoperineal resection, posterior vaginectomy and abdomino-lithotomy sacrectomy using a purely perineal approach with no robotic adjuncts or intracorporal techniques. Final histology showed moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma invading the vagina and sacrum, ypT4b N0 TRG2 R0 and the patient entered surgical follow-up with no immediate intra- or postoperative complications. A literature review shows the need for more minimally invasive techniques when relating to major pelvic surgery and the benefits of a purely perineal approach include less expensive resource use, fewer training requirements and the ability to utilise this technique in centres that are not robotically equipped.
Green economy with efficient public incentives
Authors: Galeotti Marcello , Vannucci Emanuele 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThere is a widespread interest among institutions and economic agents for a reduction of the environmental impact of the production system. An important role seems to be played by the ability of public institutions to push the transition toward a green economy also through the application of fiscal policies that envisage a system of rewards and penalties, respectively, for those companies which adopt green strategies and those which do not. It is clear that readjusting older production systems to new pollution regulations can lead in the short term to profitability reductions for the companies implementing them, even though it is possible to assume increases in profitability over medium-long time horizons. One possible approach to this issue is the classical econometric one, which analyzes the effect of different parameters of multivariate models, that influence the level of pollution due to production systems with different propensity for environmental protection. Optimal control models have been also considered with control variables relating to the technologies of production systems and public incentive policies for the green economy: see for example (Tan et al. in J Syst Sci Inf 9(1):61–73, 2021). In recent years, many scholars have studied the relationship between environmental regulation and enterprise technological innovation using evolutionary games, involving mainly economic incentives and fiscal strategies (see see Suyong et al. in Appl Math Comput 355(15):343–355, 2019; Zhang and Li in Appl Math Model 63:577–590, 2018). In our article, we propose a dynamical model where the public administration uses pollution penalties as a control variable in order to push a production sector toward better performances concerning two targets, pollution level and profitability. To this end, we consider the effects of competitiveness among firms and technology innovation.
A new plastic flow theoretical model and verification for non-dense metals
Authors: Qiao Dan , Yang Bao , Jiang Zhenyu , Zhou Licheng , Liu Zejia , Liu Yiping , Tang Liqun 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe mechanical behavior and constitutive equations of isotropic non-dense metals, such as metal foams, porous metals, and lattice metals, have been extensively studied, but the subsequent yield surfaces depicted by different theoretical models are somewhat controversial and have not been fully validated in the whole permissible loading space. Based on two accepted assumptions for isotropic non-dense metals, we proposed a new plastic flow theoretical model. In order to verify its rationality, we established two mesoscopic models with different initial relative densities and different meso-structures. Then, the large amount of numerical simulation experimental data was established, which covers enough multiaxial loadings in the permissible principle-strain space. Our model solves some of the controversies in current models and adapts the equivalent stress, equivalent strain, and constitutive equations seamlessly to deformation from non-dense to dense state. Numerical results from two mesoscopic models show the relations between equivalent stress and plastic strain in our theoretical model have better consistency under all multiaxial loadings than those in some known models. We checked the topology of subsequent yield surfaces in the plastic principle-strain space and the results turn out the subsequent yield surfaces are not self-similar. The large amount of numerical test data not only well validates our theoretical model but also will be beneficial to the mechanical study of non-dense metals under multiaxial loadings.
Investigating the Interplay Between Matrix Compliance and Passaging History on Chondrogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Encapsulated Within Alginate-Gelatin Hybrid Hydrogels
Authors: Orabi Mohamad , Ghosh Gargi 
Published: July 2023

AbstractMesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are used widely in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine because of their ease of isolation and their pluripotency. The low survival and retention rate of MSCs at the target site upon implantation can be addressed via encapsulation within hydrogels capable of directing their fate. In this study, the interplay between matrix mechanics and the passage number of MSCs on their chondrogenic differentiation was assessed. Human bone marrow-derived MSCs between passages 4 and 6 were encapsulated within alginate-gelatin hybrid gels. The stiffness of the gels was varied by varying alginate concentrations while maintaining the concentration of gelatin and consequently, the cell adhesion sites, constant. The study revealed that within 4.8 kPa gels, GAG deposition was higher by P4 MSCs compared to P6 MSCs. However, an opposite trend was observed with collagen type 2 deposition. Further, we observed enhanced chondrogenic differentiation upon encapsulation of MSCs within 6.7 kPa hydrogel irrespective of passaging history. However, the effect of matrix compliance was more prominent in the case of higher passaged MSCs suggesting that matrix stiffness can help rescue the reduced differentiation capability of these cells.
On-surface Ullmann coupling of halo-derivatives of arenes: Monte Carlo simulations for tetracene
Authors: Lisiecki Jakub , Szabelski Paweł 
Published: July 2023

AbstractOn-surface synthesis of C–C covalent low-dimensional nanomaterials is a promising method of obtaining structures with tailored and novel physicochemical and electric properties. In this contribution, the Monte Carlo simulation approach was proposed to predict the topology of metal–organic (MO) intermediates formed in the Ullmann homocoupling of halogenated isomers of tetracene. The coarse-grained model of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) haloderivatives and divalent copper adatoms on a metallic crystal surface (111) was used, where locations of substituents in the molecules were encoded as active centres with directional C–Cu interactions. The computations were performed for various structural isomers of tetracene, from disubstituted to tetrasubstituted units. As a result, diverse superstructures were obtained, such as dimers, trimers, and other oligomers, chains and ladders, and metal–organic (MO) networks, both chiral and achiral. Additionally, for the prochiral linkers, simulations of the racemic mixtures were performed. Our study provided useful insight into the influence of substituents’ position and the carbon backbone’s size on the topology of the modelled precursor architectures.
The adsorption studies of phenol derivatives on halloysite-carbon adsorbents by inverse liquid chromatography
Authors: Frydel Laura , Słomkiewicz Piotr M. , Szczepanik Beata 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe adsorption of chloroxylenol and chlorophene on halloysite-carbon composites was investigated in batch and flow systems. The synthesis of halloysite-carbon composites through two different methods was performed with microcrystalline cellulose as carbon precursor. The obtained halloysite-carbon composites were characterized by SEM/EDS analysis, the low-temperature nitrogen adsorption/desorption methods, and infrared spectrometry (FT-IR). The SEM/EDS analysis and FT-IR spectra confirmed the presence of carbon on the surface of the halloysite. On the basis of the measurement results in the batch system, the two composites with the best adsorption properties for both adsorbates were chosen for measuring the flow system (using the inverse liquid chromatography). Removal efficiency was equal to 92.26 and 81.36%. It was obtained for chloroxylenol on HNT-m 800 and HNT-Zn 500, respectively. For chlorophene, the removal efficiency had the value of 78.79 and 77.87% on HNT-m 800 and HNT-Zn 800, respectively. Adsorption parameters of chloroxylenol and chlorophene were determined with inverse liquid chromatography methods: the adsorption equilibrium constants were determined with the peak division method and the adsorption capacity of the adsorbents was determined with the breakthrough curve method. Maximum adsorption capacity for the adsorption of chloroxylenol on HNT-m 800 was 5.48 mg·g−1 and on HNT-Zn 500 its value was 2.77 mg·g−1. For the adsorption of chlorophene on HNT-m 800 the value was 4.44 mg·g−1 and on HNT-Zn 800–2.5 mg·g−1. Halloysite-carbon composites can be successfully used as effective adsorbents for removing chloroxylenol and chlorophene from solutions in the flow system.
Median-adaptive portfolios: a minimum criteria approach to asset allocation
Authors: Kyriazi Foteini , Tarani Sophia , Thomakos Dimitrios D. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractWe propose a new class of adaptive portfolios for asset allocation, based on a one-parameter variation of the equally weighted portfolio and the use of the median-ranked asset. Our methodological contribution offers a simple way of performing, static or optimized, allocation of assets in portfolios of any dimension, thus easily circumventing the “curse of dimensionality”. Our results show that, even for a static selection of the parameter that defines our allocation, we obtain improved performance compared to the equally weighted benchmark in all the standard metrics. For the case of an optimized selection of the parameter we offer results from minimum variance optimization, that do require the estimation of the covariance matrix, but our approach can easily be adapted to other kinds of portfolio objective functions. This new class of portfolios can easily be added to, as a complement or substitute, to any existing portfolio allocation method.
Adaptive enhancement design of triply periodic minimal surface lattice structure based on non-uniform stress distribution
Authors: Zhang Yijin , Liu Bin , Peng Fei , Jia Heran , Zhao Zeang , Duan Shengyu , Wang Panding , Lei Hongshuai 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe Schwarz primitive triply periodic minimal surface (P-type TPMS) lattice structures are widely used. However, these lattice structures have weak load-bearing capacity compared with other cellular structures. In this paper, an adaptive enhancement design method based on the non-uniform stress distribution in structures with uniform thickness is proposed to design the P-type TPMS lattice structures with higher mechanical properties. Two types of structures are designed by adjusting the adaptive thickness distribution in the TPMS. One keeps the same relative density, and the other keeps the same of non-enhanced region thickness. Compared with the uniform lattice structure, the elastic modulus for the structure with the same relative density increases by more than 17%, and the yield strength increases by more than 10.2%. Three kinds of TPMS lattice structures are fabricated by laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) with 316L stainless steel to verify the proposed enhanced design. The manufacture-induced geometric deviation between the as-design and as-printed models is measured by micro X-ray computed tomography (µ-CT) scans. The quasi-static compression experimental results of P-type TPMS lattice structures show that the reinforced structures have stronger elastic moduli, ultimate strengths, and energy absorption capabilities than the homogeneous P-TPMS lattice structure.
Using network analysis to study and manage human-mediated dispersal of exotic species
Authors: Runghen Rogini , Llopis-Belenguer Cristina , McNeill Mark R. , Dalla Riva Giulio V. , Stouffer Daniel B. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractHuman-mediated dispersal is a major contributor of biological invasions. To reduce impacts induced by the introduction and spread of exotic species, biosecurity interventions are put into place. These interventions often rely on risk-assessment procedures, whereby biosecurity practitioners (which includes researchers, stakeholders such as national park managers, and all other decision makers who determine when and how to protect biodiversity) attempt to preemptively identify and predict which exotic species could potentially become a threat to natural ecosystems. In theory, extensive field and experimental studies would be required to accurately and precisely determine the risks of biological invasion of a species or group of species. However, due to a lack of resources or knowledge, such critical studies are limited. As a result, biosecurity practitioners rarely have a full picture of the extent to which the exotic species has and will spread at the time of decision making. Hence, they instead opt for preventive measures such as identifying and managing potential target exotic species which are likely to be invasive or dispersal pathways through which exotic species are likely to be introduced and spread. As most of the uncertainties pertaining to biosecurity interventions lie in the resolution of data made available to practitioners at the time of decision making, we first present some of the different types of information which are readily available during the risk-assessment procedure. We then highlight how one could exploit these different resolutions of data during the risk-assessment procedure using network analysis to better understand human-mediated dispersal of exotic species. By doing so, our paper puts forward what network analysis has to offer practitioners in the context of biosecurity interventions.
Enhancing semi-aquatic species representativeness beyond protected areas: dragonflies in networks of conservation corridors
Authors: van Schalkwyk J. , Kietzka G. J. , Pryke J. S. , Gaigher R. , Samways M. J. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractComplementarity is crucial when prioritizing sites for biodiversity conservation. Networks of conservation corridors (CCs) can contribute to regional representativeness by complementing biodiversity features included in existing protected areas (PAs). We ask whether criteria important for CC management and design are effective at prioritizing complementary sites, and how the consideration of species represented in PAs influence criteria performance. We focused on species turnover of generalist and specialist dragonflies across 88 riverine sites. Criteria assessed included site-level estimates of dragonfly species richness, estimates of local habitat quality and corridor width. Measures of local habitat quality were based on either dragonfly indicator species or proportion of alien vegetation. Results showed that CCs complement dragonfly diversity in PAs by contributing unrepresented generalist species. Of the criteria, corridor width was the most efficient at prioritizing complementary sites, while prioritization based on dragonfly indicator species or species richness underperformed. When aiming to prioritize CC sites that also complement sites situated in established PAs, wide corridors with low levels of alien vegetation should be favoured.
The Ethics of Entrepreneurship: A Millian Approach
Authors: Cordasco Carlo Ludovico 
Published: July 2023

AbstractWhat is morally valuable—if anything at all—in entrepreneurship? Existing normative takes can be broadly categorized as belonging to two main views: a backward and a forward-looking approach. The former sees entrepreneurial activity as a permissible emergent product of individuals’ interactions within the boundaries of people’s existing rights; the latter looks at entrepreneurship in the broader context of market processes and emphasizes its role in generating Pareto-improvements in social welfare. In this paper, I suggest that certain instances of entrepreneurship can be intrinsically valuable when they constitute Millian Experiments in Living, that is when entrepreneurial ventures are the expression of an entrepreneur’s conception of the good. Engaging in entrepreneurial activity which reflects one’s conception of the good helps individuals in cultivating their individuality and originality by means of subjecting their normative beliefs to empirical scrutiny, thus allowing one to confirm, revise, or refine them.