bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Prospective Trial: Handsfree Thermoregulated Bipolar Radiofrequency for Face and Neck Contouring
Authors: Dayan Erez , Chapas Anne , Marte Joseph , Chia Christopher , Theodorou Spero 
Published: March 2022

Background:
The use of radiofrequency in aesthetic surgery has evolved significantly since it was first introduced in the early 2000s. Nonexcisional correction of the lower one-third of the face and neck has long been a challenging problem. The purpose of this prospective study was to assess the safety and efficacy of the first handsfree thermoregulated bipolar radiofrequency device for face and neck contouring.

Methods:
This prospective multicenter (New York, Nevada) IRB-approved study evaluated healthy candidates who desired noninvasive correction of their lower face and neck laxity. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate safety and soft tissue remodeling pretreatment and at 1-, 3-, and 6-months post last treatment. Assessment was made using blinded evaluators, 3D photographic analysis (Quantificare, France), and volumetric measurements. Investigator and subject assessments were obtained using a 0-4 point Likert scale.

Results:
A total of 34 patients completed both the cheek and chin applicator treatment series. Average age of patients was 38 (STD 3.4), BMI 27 (STD 2.2), average Baker Face & Neck classification 2.6 (STD 1.1), and average Fitzpatrick type 2.4 (STD 1.2). Mean treatment time was 41 min (STD 3.5) with a temperature of 42°C–43°C. Patient discomfort data were statistically very low based on t-test analysis. Satisfaction metrics measured at 1- and 3-month follow-up demonstrated a significant change in subject skin appearance, subject overall satisfaction, and investigator improvement perception. More patients were satisfied at the 3-month follow-up compared with the 1-month follow-up for all three measures. Volumetric data demonstrated an average change of −3.2 cm3 (STD ±1.2 cm3) per side for the cheek applicator and −4.1 (STD ±2.3) for the submental applicator. Of note there were cases where volume increases were noted that were believed to be related to soft tissue contraction.

Conclusions:
This is the first prospective study to evaluate a handsfree thermoregulated bipolar radiofrequency device for face and neck contouring. This device demonstrates a significant advance in the control and delivery of radiofrequency for aesthetic purposes. With a favorable safety and comfort profile, this device is able to concentrate thermal energy consistently at a depth that allows for fibroseptal network tightening to improve lower third of face and submental soft tissue contraction.
Outcomes in Patients with Mild COVID-19 Treated With Casirivimab and Imdevimab or Bamlanivimab—A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort Study in the Bronx
Authors: Balasubramanian Prasanth , Berto Cesar Gabriel , Hassan Elaine , Valentine Nancy , De Vos Gabriele , Coyle Christina , Sydney Elana 
Published: March 2022

Background
Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) presents as a mild infection in up to 84% of cases out of which 10% progress to more severe disease requiring hospitalization and 33% to 69% progress to long haulers. The real-world data on the use of anti–severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 spike neutralizing monoclonal antibodies, namely casirivimab and imdevimab, as well as bamlanivimab for mild Covid-19 is limited.

Methods
We conducted a retrospective cohort study on patients who received casirivimab and imdevimab or bamlanivimab for the treatment of mild Covid-19.

Results
Three hundred forty patients were included in the study with the mean age of the cohort 54.7 ± 17.5 years, and 36.5% of them were men. Thirty-day outcomes revealed that 300 (88.2%) patients were followed up to 30 days, out of which 243 patients (71.5%) were asymptomatic at 30 days, 57 patients (16.7%) had symptoms at 30 days out of which 9 patients (2.6%) had an ED visit or were admitted because of the worsening of Covid-19 in 30 days and 3 patients (0.9%) died.

Conclusions
Our study suggests that early infusion with monoclonal antibodies may decrease the development of long haulers. Further studies with randomized-controlled trials are needed to understand more about monoclonal antibodies in the prevention of long-term sequelae especially in the setting of ongoing viral mutations.
Breakthrough Penile Mucormycosis in a Patient With Acute Myelogenous Leukemia on Posaconazole Prophylaxis
Authors: Sazdar Shayan , Meyer Amy , Braudis Kara , Regunath Hariharan , Rojas-Moreno Christian 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
In patients with acute myelogenous leukemia, posaconazole prophylaxis has been shown to prevent deep invasive fungal infections, including mucormycosis. In the present case, posaconazole prophylaxis was initiated in a 58-year-old man undergoing induction chemotherapy for acute myelogenous leukemia. Three weeks after initiating chemotherapy, he developed a tender violaceous macule on the shaft of his penis. The initial differential included fixed drug eruption versus pyoderma gangrenosum. However, punch biopsy ultimately showed mucormycosis, and cultures grew Rhizopus species, despite therapeutic posaconazole trough. He was treated with intravenous amphotericin B and required right orchiectomy, penectomy, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Oral posaconazole was reinstituted after completion of amphotericin B course, and at 4 months follow-up, his penectomy site was fully healed. As demonstrated by the present case, not all mucormycoses are prevented by posaconazole prophylaxis. A high index of suspicion and early biopsy for prompt diagnosis are of critical importance in improving outcomes.
Attitudes Toward Safety and Teamwork: Benchmarking Australian Surgeons and Nurses
Authors: Boag-Hodgson Christine , Duong Annie , Bagley Louella 
Published: March 2022

Objectives
This study aimed to investigate the safety attitudes of surgeons and nurses working in Australian operating rooms and establish a baseline of their general safety attitudes, as well as to compare the safety attitudes of surgeons and nurses working in operating room settings.

Methods
A modified version of the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire (Operating Room version) was distributed to operating room personnel across Australia via their relative colleges and unions. A total of 261 surgeons and registered nurses completed the online survey.

Results
An above-average safety focus was reported, with participants tending to be more positive on all subscales of the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire (Operating Room version) than reported by previous studies, which measured those working in intensive care units, ambulatory settings, and operating rooms. Participants had the most positive attitudes toward Teamwork Climate and Job Satisfaction, and the least positive attitudes toward Perceptions of Management and Work Conditions. There were some occupational differences in attitudes toward the various aspects of safety, with surgeons having more positive attitudes toward all aspects of safety except in relation to stress recognition, compared with nurses.

Conclusions
This study provides a baseline of general safety attitudes for Australian surgeons and nurses against which the effectiveness of future interventions can be interpreted. The occupational differences found in this study support the notion that safety interventions should be occupationally tailored. Interventions should target individual professional groups, taking into account the specific differences within each occupation to maximize their impact and effectiveness.
Validating the Brain Injury Guidelines: Results of an American Association for the Surgery of Trauma prospective multi-institutional trial
Authors: Joseph Bellal , Obaid Omar , Dultz Linda , Black George , Campbell Marc , Berndtson Allison E. , Costantini Todd , Kerwin Andrew , Skarupa David , Burruss Sigrid , Delgado Lauren , Gomez Mario , Mederos Dalier R. , Winfield Robert , Cullinane Daniel ,   the AAST BIG Multi-institutional Study Group
Published: March 2022

INTRODUCTION
Brain Injury Guidelines (BIG) was developed to effectively use health care resources including repeat head computed tomography (RHCT) scan and neurosurgical consultation in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. The aim of this study was to prospectively validate BIG at a multi-institutional level.

METHODS
This is a prospective, observational, multi-institutional trial across nine Levels I and II trauma centers. Adult (16 years or older) blunt TBI patients with a positive initial head computed tomography (CT) scan were identified and categorized into BIG 1, 2, and 3 based on their neurologic examination, alcohol intoxication, antiplatelet/anticoagulant use, and head CT scan findings. The primary outcome was neurosurgical intervention. The secondary outcomes were neurologic worsening, RHCT progression, postdischarge emergency department visit, and 30-day readmission.

RESULTS
A total of 2,432 patients met the inclusion criteria, of which 2,033 had no missing information and were categorized into BIG 1 (301 [14.8%]), BIG 2 (295 [14.5%]), and BIG 3 (1,437 [70.7%]). In BIG 1, no patient worsened clinically, 4 of 301 patients (1.3%) had progression on RHCT with no change in management, and none required neurosurgical intervention. In BIG 2, 2 of 295 patients (0.7%) worsened clinically, and 21 of 295 patients (7.1%) had progression on RHCT. Overall, 7 of 295 patients (2.4%) would have required upgrade from BIG 2 to 3 because of neurologic examination worsening or progression on RHCT, but no patient required neurosurgical intervention. There were no TBI-related postdischarge emergency department visits or 30-day readmissions in BIG 1 and 2 patients. All patients who required neurosurgical intervention were BIG 3 (280 of 1,437 patients [19.5%]). Agreement between assigned and final BIG categories was excellent (κ = 99%). In this cohort, implementing BIG would have decreased CT scan utilization and neurosurgical consultation by 29% overall, with a 100% reduction in BIG 1 patients and a 98% reduction in BIG 2 patients.

CONCLUSION
Brain Injury Guidelines is safe and defines the management of TBI patients by trauma and acute care surgeons without the routine need for RHCT and neurosurgical consultation.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Therapeutic/Care Management; Level III.
High-Frequency Oscillations in Tumor-Related Epilepsy
Authors: Bushara Omar , Zhou Guangyu , Sharma Arjun , Zelano Christina , Schuele Stephan U. , Tate Matthew C. , Gavvala Jay R. , Templer Jessica W. 
Published: March 2022

Introduction:
To define the patient characteristics, tumor characteristics, and clinical course of patients with primary brain tumors with high-frequency oscillations (HFOs) recorded on electrocorticography. Furthermore, we evaluated whether the presence of HFOs portends a greater risk of postoperative tumor-related epilepsy and whether the resection of HFO-generating tissue reduces likelihood of postoperative tumor-related epilepsy.

Methods:
This was a retrospective study of 35 patients undergoing awake craniotomy for tumor resection, all of whom underwent intraoperative electrocorticography. Electrocorticography data were reviewed to assess the presence of HFOs and determine their contact locations. The data were analyzed to determine whether HFO-generating tissue was included in the resection and relationship to postoperative seizure outcome.

Results:
Seventeen patients (48.5%) were found to have HFOs. Very few patients (4 of 35, 11.4%) had sharp waves. Patients with and without HFOs did not significantly differ in demographics, presentation, tumor characteristics, or tumor molecular genetics. A history of seizures prior to resection was not associated with the presence of HFOs (P = 0.62), although when patients had seizures during the same hospitalization as the resection, HFOs were more likely to be present (P = 0.045). Extent of HFO resection was not associated with the likelihood of postoperative seizure freedom.

Conclusions:
Approximately half (48.5%) of patients undergoing resection for a primary brain tumor had HFOs. Although HFO resection was not shown to lead to improved seizure freedom, this study was limited by a small sample size, and further investigation into HFO resection and patient outcomes in this population is warranted.
Alternative business finance: insights from selected informal savings groups in Uganda
Authors: Abaho Ernest , Mindra Rachel , Agasha Ester , Balunywa Aminah 
Published: March 2022

PurposeThe study examined the nature of the operation of informal savings groups. Emphasis was on their composition, the mode of financial transactions and sharing of financial proceeds, the impact of the savings and members loaning on the members' financial and business growth, and the perception of the members on the benefits of the savings. The study also profiled the significant challenges encountered by the groups.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopted an exploratory research design. The point of saturation was achieved after 15 members of informal savings groups were interviewed. Data were analyzed using content analysis techniques with the aid of NVivo version 10 software, and verbatim tests were used to explain the emergent themes.FindingsThe findings indicate that informal savings groups are accessible, sustainable and inclusive financing alternatives for low-income earners. Group sizes range from 250 to 3 members. As a sign of commitment, a form of identification is required to join the group. Findings also indicate that group leaders are elected, and their term of service could be renewable. It was discovered that members join mainly to save in financial terms, and they have benefited both monetary and socially. The biggest challenge these groups face is that members default.Practical implicationsThe study provides evidence that informal financial service providers are an effective alternative to business financing that leverage existing social structures that are predominant in Uganda.Originality/valueThe study provides a benchmark for understanding the dynamics, capabilities and challenges impeding the survival and growth of informal savings groups as critical components in Uganda's financial system.
Unwrapping the nexus between the off-grid system and its impact on the islands and remote villages of Ghana
Authors: Bannor Richard Kwasi , Amfo Bismark , Sarquah Khadija , Oppong-Kyeremeh Helena , Kyire Samuel Kwabena Chaa 
Published: March 2022

Purpose
This study aims to focus on the nexus between off-grid systems and impacts on islands and remote villages in Ghana by investigating the sources and cost of energy, willingness to pay for electricity and impacts of off-grid energy on the local economy, education, health, social activities, the environment and migration.

Design/methodology/approach
Data were obtained from 110 households; heterogeneous impact analysis of off-grid technologies, average treatment effect by inverse probability weights (IPW) and inverse probability weighted regression adjustment (IPWRA) models were used to analyse the data.

Findings
The sources of energy are gas, kerosene, wood fuel and dry-cell battery. All households in communities with neither electricity nor off-grid system were willing to pay for electricity. Households without off-grid systems (US$8.1) were willing to pay higher amounts per month for electricity. The off-grid technologies improve the local economy, social activities, security, the environment, education and health as well as reduce out-migration.

Originality/value
Most of the literature on mini-grid/off-grid systems have been from the engineering and the technical perspective, with a few on the socioeconomic impacts of the systems and consumer engagements. Besides, methods including descriptive statistics, energy technology sustainability framework and qualitative analysis were used in these studies. Nevertheless, the authors used a more rigorous method of the doubly robust inverse probability weighted regression adjustment model and a heterogeneous method to model the impact analysis of off-grid systems.
Incubation mound building by the Australian megapode (malleefowl, Leipoa ocellata) creates novel, resource‐rich patches in a semi‐arid woodland
Authors: Neilly Heather , Cale Peter , Eldridge David J. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Desert ecosystems are characterised by a patchy distribution of resources. Nutrient sinks associated with landscape modulators (trees) differ markedly from the resource‐poor interpatch matrix. Fauna can also act as landscape modulators, modifying patch dynamics by redistributing resources via ‘ecosystem engineering’. In semi‐arid woodlands, malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata: Megapodiidae) reconfigure surface characteristics by scavenging leaf litter to construct large incubation mounds. The extent to which this movement of resources creates a novel patch and alters extant patches is largely unknown. Ecosystem engineering effects by megapodes have been little studied, but are potentially great, particularly in drylands, where mammalian engineers are known to enhance ecosystem function and drive restoration.

We measured vegetation, ground cover and soil chemistry at malleefowl mounds and four extant microsites (trees and open areas close to, and far from, mounds) and predicted that: (1) malleefowl mounds would represent enriched, yet novel, microsites; (2) the characteristics of tree and open patches close to the mounds would differ from those away from the mounds, because of the diminishing intensity of disturbance; and (3) effects at tree and open patches close to the mound would be shorter term, compared to the more substantial high‐resource patch formation occurring at the mound, but we expected all effects would diminish with time since malleefowl activity.

We found that: (1) malleefowl mounds were novel microsites with soil chemistry more similar to tree‐modulated patches, and groundcover and vegetation variables more similar to the open, interpatch matrix; (2) effects extended to tree and open patches near the mound, but most effects were short lived; and (3) some novel mound attributes (e.g. soil pH, phosphorus, nitrogen, carbon) were greater at mounds, irrespective of their age, while less plant cover and richness on young mounds dissipated with age.

Synthesis. Mound‐building megapodes can modulate the distribution of locally derived resources and create a novel microsite. Engineering effects can enhance spatial heterogeneity and ecosystem function over broad spatial and temporal scales, and may assist with ecological restoration, particularly in depauperate, arid systems.
Spectroscopic evidence of fluorescence by 1,8‐diazafluoren‐9‐one aggregates—A prospective new ultrasensitive method for fingerprint trace detection
Authors: Lewkowicz Aneta , Kantor Małgorzata , Zalewski Wojciech , Bojarski Piotr , Mońka Michał 
Published: March 2022

AbstractFriction ridge analysis would not have been one of the most recognized branches of forensics without molecular spectroscopy. The phenomenon of fluorescence is used on daily basis to develop latent fingerprints and to enhance those that are visible. The idea behind the research was to discover selected spectroscopic properties of 1,8‐diazafluoren‐9‐one (DFO) in various environments. This fluorescent compound has been routinely used for decades to develop latent fingerprints due to its numerous advantages, but to this day, it has not been well‐understood. Analysis of absorption, fluorescence, and excitation spectra of DFO in ethanol at high dye concentration allowed identification of aggregates in the excited state. A significant influence of the dye concentration on the fluorescence spectra and on the fluorescence excitation spectra was found. In particular, dye‐host aggregation was found to be much stronger in a polar solvent. DFO aggregates are strongly fluorescent in ethanol, as can be seen from the steady‐state emission spectra. The impact of excitation wavelength on the effect of fingerprint detection is presented. A new reaction medium has been proposed, ethanol, which is nontoxic in relation to the currently used one, methanol. The existence in this medium of DFO aggregates in the excited state, which significantly influences the identification of amino acids present in fingerprint traces, was observed, emitting in a wide spectral range (green light).
The changing radiation oncology landscape in New Zealand
Authors: James Melissa , Munro Philip L , Adams Gerard , Keogh Sandra ,   FRANZCR FRO Economics and Workforce Committee
Published: March 2022

AbstractIntroductionThis paper outlines the New Zealand (NZ) responses to the biennial facilities surveys of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR), Faculty of Radiation Oncology (FRO) from 2011 to 2019.MethodsThe facilities survey is conducted by the FRO Economics and Workforce Committee (FROEWC) and focuses on equipment, treatment activities and staffing.ResultsThe number of facilities increased by two to 10, both in the private sector. The total number of linear accelerators (linacs) increased by four; one in public and three in private. The majority of linacs were over 8 years old (62.5%). Treatment courses have increased by 19% and fraction numbers by 13.7%. Courses per linac have remained relatively constant. There was growth in IMRT, orthovoltage, high dose rate brachytherapy and paediatric treatments. There was a slow increase in number of radiation oncologists and trainees. The number of radiation therapists was unchanged with a 20% increase in treatment courses per radiation therapist. Physicist numbers have increased but 61.4% of physicists are overseas‐trained and vacancies persist.ConclusionThe survey results indicate a rapidly changing radiation oncology landscape in NZ between 2011 and 2019. The challenges of increases in cancer numbers, treatment courses and complexity of treatments and a need to focus on quality standards against a set of minimal increase in machine numbers, ageing machines, static or slowly increasing staffing numbers and heavy reliance on overseas staffing require a national review of radiation oncology services to ensure a sustainable future.