bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An Optimal Interpolation–Based Snow Data Assimilation for NOAA’s Unified Forecast System (UFS)
Authors: Gichamo Tseganeh Z. , Draper Clara S. 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Within the National Weather Service’s Unified Forecast System (UFS), snow depth and snow cover observations are assimilated once daily using a rule-based method designed to correct for gross errors. While this approach improved the forecasts over its predecessors, it is now quite outdated and is likely to result in suboptimal analysis. We have then implemented and evaluated a snow data assimilation using the 2D optimal interpolation (OI) method, which accounts for model and observation errors and their spatial correlations as a function of distances between the observations and model grid cells. The performance of the OI was evaluated by assimilating daily snow depth observations from the Global Historical Climatology Network (GHCN) and the Interactive Multisensor Snow and Ice Mapping System (IMS) snow cover data into the UFS, from October 2019 to March 2020. Compared to the control analysis, which is very similar to the method currently in operational use, the OI improves the forecast snow depth and snow cover. For instance, the unbiased snow depth root-mean-squared error (ubRMSE) was reduced by 45 mm and the snow cover hit rate increased by 4%. This leads to modest improvements to globally averaged near-surface temperature (an average reduction of 0.23 K in temperature bias), with significant local improvements in some regions (much of Asia, the central United States). The reduction in near-surface temperature error was primarily caused by improved snow cover fraction from the data assimilation. Based on these results, the OI DA is currently being transitioned into operational use for the UFS.

Significance Statement
Weather and climate forecasting systems rely on accurate modeling of the evolution of atmospheric, oceanic, and land processes. In addition, model forecasts are substantially improved by continuous incorporation of observations to models, through a process called data assimilation. In this work, we upgraded the snow data assimilation used in the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) global weather prediction system. Compared to the method currently in operational use, the new snow data assimilation improves both the forecasted snow quantity and near-surface air temperatures over snowy regions. Based on the positive results obtained in the experiments presented here, the new snow data assimilation method is being implemented in the NWS operational forecast system.
Clinical Predictors of Coronary Artery Ectasia
Authors: Gahlan Preeti , Gupta Deebanshu , Mutha Samkit , Shah Sanjay , Patel Tejas 
Published: September 2022

Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is defined as abnormal dilation of a coronary artery ≥1.5 times the normal segment. We aimed to determine the prevalence and clinical predictors of CAE. This was a prospective analysis performed on 6465 patients undergoing coronary angiography. Patients were divided based on the presence or absence of CAE and compared for angiographic characteristics and clinical risk factors. The prevalence of CAE was 7%, CAE associated with coronary artery stenosis was 5.4%, and isolated CAE was 1.6%. The mean age of presentation in CAE patients was 60 years, with male predominance (83.8%) and stable angina was the most common presentation. The left anterior descending artery (LAD) (51.7%) was the most commonly involved vessel, with diffuse ectasia more commonly seen in right coronary artery and discrete ectasia in LAD. Type 4 CAE was the most common type (92.4%). Hypertension, diabetes, smoking, dyslipidemia, and obesity were found in 62.4%, 35.3%, 45.3%, 54.9%, and 23.3%, respectively in CAE patients, with significant association with smoking (Odds Ratio = 3.06). The prevalence of CAE was 7% and was frequently associated with atherosclerotic coronary disease. Smoking was a significant predisposing factor for CAE.
Generative Dissensus in a Youth-Led Coalition-Building Enterprise
Authors: Wright William Terrell , Hadley Heidi Lyn , Ervin Jennifer , Overton Lemell , Burke Kevin J. 
Published: September 2022

Context: Rooted in the principles of Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR), this article explores how a team of youth community activists extended their coalition virtually to produce a bill of demands for structural social change in their city and its surrounding county. Focus of Study: Our inquiry focuses on how the youth’s dialectic goal of arriving at consensus (through debate fiercely, and intentionally, tied to the country’s own internal reckonings) loomed, uncomfortably at times, over the dialogic process of inviting youth from across the city to share experiences, exchange ideas, and build relationships. Setting: The youth’s coalitional work extended outward from the Yamacraw Center, a community literacy center and social justice organization based in a historic coastal city in the southern United States. Participants: The primary team, reported on here, was made up of eight youth researchers and two adult allies/co-researchers responsible for supporting youth as they engaged in YPAR. Research Design: Our study is a reflexive thematic analysis of the interplay between youth during 11 planning and organizing sessions. Data Collection: The data collected for this study are video digital Google Hangout meetings recorded over a five-month period. Findings: Our findings consider key strategies youth exhibited in coming together to hear one another, triage priorities, and carefully attend to the ways they needed to craft their arguments to be taken seriously. Conclusions: We highlight the importance of process in building youth capacity, detail discursive moves youth made to maintain critical momentum, and situate the project within a larger ethos that recognizes the immanent value of cultivating youth capacity to engage in fierce and humanizing exchanges with their peers in pursuit of collective progress.
Assessment of malaria prevalence in Boset District, East Shawa Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia: a retrospective study
Authors: Chala Bayissa , Tilaye Tigist 
Published: September 2022

Objective In this study, we aimed to assess the epidemiological profile and associated risk factors of malaria in Boset District using clinical records from the Boset District Health Office Central Surveillance Unit, East Shawa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. Methods This health facility-based retrospective cross-sectional study included clinical malaria data for 5 years (2016–2020) recorded at all public and private health facilities in the district. Results The present study revealed an overall malaria slide positivity rate of 12.4% (21,059/169,986), ranging from 23.3% to 5.3% during 2016–2020 in Boset District. Malaria cases were recorded in all age groups, but individuals aged 15 years and above accounted for a higher (56.2%) average proportion of malaria cases. Concerning the relative proportion of malaria parasite species, Plasmodium falciparum was slightly predominant (58%) over P. vivax (42%). Conclusion The present study revealed a declining trend in malaria cases over the 5-year study period in Boset District. Scaling up the available malaria prevention strategies and control measures is recommended to achieve malaria pre-elimination.
Marked Increase in Amphetamine-Related Emergency Department Visits and Inpatient Admissions in Toronto, Canada, 2014–2021
Authors: Tardelli Vitor S. , Johnstone Samantha , Xu Bin , Kim Soyeon , K. Kim Helena , Gratzer David , George Tony P. , Le Foll Bernard , Castle David J. 
Published: September 2022

Background We report emergency department and inpatient amphetamine-related trends focusing on co-occurring substance use and psychiatric diagnoses at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, the largest mental health teaching hospital in Canada. Methods We describe yearly trends in amphetamine-related Centre for Addiction and Mental Health emergency department visits and inpatient admissions out of all emergency department visits and inpatient admissions between 2014 and 2021, along with proportions of concurrent substance-related admissions and mental/psychotic disorders emergency department visits and inpatient admissions among amphetamine-related contacts; joinpoint regression analyses assessed changes in amphetamine-related emergency department visits and inpatient admissions. Results Amphetamine-related emergency department visits rose from 1.5% in 2014 to 8.3% in 2021, with a peak of 9.9% in 2020. Amphetamine-related inpatient admissions rose from 2.0% to 8.8% in 2021, with a peak of 8.9% in 2020. Significant increasing trends in the percentage of amphetamine-related emergency department visits happened especially between the second and the fourth quarter of 2014 (quarterly percent change =  + 71.4, P <0.01). Similarly, the percentage of amphetamine-related inpatient admissions increased mostly between the second quarter of 2014 and the third quarter of 2015 (quarterly percent change  =  + 32.6, P <0.01). The proportion of concurrent opioid-related contacts among amphetamine-related emergency department visits and inpatient admission increased markedly between 2014 and 2021; psychotic disorders in amphetamine-related inpatient admissions more than doubled from 2015 to 2021. Discussion Prevalence of amphetamine use, mostly from methamphetamine, has been increasing in Toronto as have co-occurring psychiatric disorders and opioid use. Our findings highlight the need for increases in accessible efficacious treatments for complex populations with polysubstance use and co-occurring disorders.
Hepatic Fat Quantification With Novel Ultrasound Based Techniques: A Diagnostic Performance Study Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging Proton Density Fat Fraction as Reference Standard
Authors: Şendur Halit Nahit , Özdemir Kalkan Doğa , Cerit Mahi Nur , Kalkan Gökalp , Şendur Aylin Billur , Özhan Oktar Suna 
Published: September 2022

Purpose: To assess the diagnostic performances of novel Tissue attenuation imaging (TAI) and Tissue scatter distribution imaging (TSI) tools in quantification of liver fat content using magnetic resonance imaging proton density fat fraction (MRI PDFF) as reference standard. Methods: Eighty consecutive patients with known or suspected non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) who volunteered to participate in the study comprised the study cohort. All patients underwent MRI PDFF scan and quantitative ultrasound (QUS) imaging using TAI and TSI tools. The cutoff values of ≥5%, ≥16.3% and ≥21.7% on MRI PDFF were used for mild, moderate and severe steatosis, respectively. Area under the Receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curves were used to assess the diagnostic performance of TAI and TSI in detecting different grades of hepatic steatosis. Results: The AUROCs of TAI and TSI tools in detecting hepatosteatosis (MRI PDFF ≥5%), were 0.95 [95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.91–0.99] ( P < 0.001) and 0.96 (95% CI: 0.93–0.99) ( P < 0.001), respectively. In distinguishing between different grades of steatosis, the values of 0.75, 0.86 and 0.96 dB/cm/MHz have 88%, 88% and 100% sensitivity, respectively, for TAI tool; and the values of 92.44, 96.64 and 99.45 have 90%, 92% and 91.7% sensitivity, respectively, for TSI tool. Conclusion: TAI and TSI tools accurately quantify liver fat content and can be used for the assessment and grading of hepatosteatosis in patients with known or suspected NAFLD.
Octreotide Dosing in the Medical Management of Chyle Leak Following Otolaryngologic, Thoracic, and Trauma Surgery: A 9-Year Evaluation
Authors: Strama Kelly L. , Rice Timothy D. , Ruff Jacob P. , Carter Kristen E. , Ernst Neil E. , Kuebel Dalton J. , Droege Molly E. 
Published: September 2022

Background: Chyle leak is a rare complication following otolaryngologic, thoracic, and trauma surgery wherein the thoracic duct is transected. Case reports and small case series describe octreotide for the medical management of chyle leak, but limited data exist to determine the ideal dose. Objective: To evaluate octreotide dosing in patients with acute chyle leak. Methods: This retrospective, single center, cohort study evaluated adult patients admitted to the otolaryngology, cardiothoracic, and trauma surgery teams over a 9-year period. Patients diagnosed with a chyle leak who received octreotide were eligible for inclusion. Groups were defined as successful medical management or failure requiring definitive surgery. The primary endpoint was daily octreotide dose between groups. Results: Forty-seven patients were included with 29 (61.7%) admitted to the otolaryngology service and 44 (93.6%) with surgical complication as the chyle leak cause. Thirty-two (68.1%) patients had successful medical management while 15 (31.9%) patients failed and required surgical intervention. There was no difference in median daily octreotide dose (250 [IQR, 170-288] µg vs 253 [IQR, 200-282] µg, P = .9). Octreotide weight-based dose, treatment duration, and route of administration were similar between groups. Daily drain output and complete bowel rest were significantly higher in the failure group. Daily drain output was identified as an independent risk factor for failure. Conclusion: Octreotide dose was similar in patients with and without successful medical management of chyle leak. Future studies are needed to determine optimal octreotide dosing and elucidate the relationship between octreotide, drain output, and surgical intervention need.
An audit of structure-based medical acupuncture by a single provider in patients with musculoskeletal pain using PROMIS scores as the outcome
Authors: Tang Chi-Tsai , Sookochoff Michael , Rhea Lee , Carrier Jonathan , Prather Heidi , Guan Ling 
Published: September 2022

Background: To assess whether structure-based medical acupuncture (SMA) can improve Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) scores in patients presenting with musculoskeletal pain. Methods: An audit was conducted of all patients presenting with musculoskeletal pain treated by a single provider with SMA in 2017. Inclusion criteria included a pre-treatment and at least one post-treatment PROMIS score. Patient demographics and previous treatments tried were recorded. Documented events other than acupuncture that were thought to interfere with PROMIS scores were recorded, and no further scores were used after these events. A maximum of nine visits after the initial visit were used. The PROMIS domains assessed included anxiety, depression, pain interference and physical function. Results: Seventy-two patients who had been treated with SMA met the inclusion criteria. Sixty-five of the patients (90%) had chronic pain. For their presenting complaint, 59 (82%) had previously sought treatment from another non-operative provider, 60 (83%) had tried physical therapy, and 20 (28%) had even had surgery. Despite this, SMA appeared to be able to significantly improve PROMIS anxiety at visits 1–3 and PROMIS depression at visit 3. After just one treatment, minimal clinically important differences (MCID) were reached in 32%–44% of patients for PROMIS anxiety, 17%–36% for PROMIS depression, 28%–29% for PROMIS physical function, and 21%–36% for PROMIS pain interference, based on low and high cut-offs of a range of quoted MCID values. Conclusion: In a difficult patient population with musculoskeletal pain, SMA is a technique that can likely be used to improve PROMIS anxiety and depression, although no firm conclusions can be drawn from this uncontrolled clinical audit. Of note, MCIDs were sometimes obtained even after just one treatment.
Regional Extra-Corporeal Circulation to Protect Transplanted Kidney and Pancreas from Ischemia during Vascular Reconstruction
Authors: Faidutti Bernard , Bednarkiewicz Marek , Morel Philippe , Kalangos Afksendyios , Christenson Jan T. 
Published: September 2022

The development of severe aorto-ilio-femoral atherosclerotic disease in a patient with a previous double transplantation, kidney and pancreas, is a major surgical challenge. The transplanted organs have to be protected from extensive ischemia during the vascular reconstructive procedure and achieve optimal revascularization. The surgical management of a complex case where regional extra-corporeal circulation was used to protect transplanted pancreas and kidney during aorto-bifemoral vascular grafting in a 39 yr old diabetic patient is described. Regional femoro-femoral extra-corporeal circulation with an oxygenator is a safe technique that allows time for the proximal revascularization, minimizes the warm organ ischemia time and results in preservation of organ function.
Skull Base Resection with Cervical-To-Petrous Carotid Artery Bypass to Facilitate Repair of Distal Internal Carotid Artery Lesions
Authors: Eliason Jonathan L. , Netterville James L. , Guzman Raul J. , Passman Marc A. , Naslund Thomas C. 
Published: September 2022

Purpose: To demonstrate a direct operative approach to vascular lesions of the internal carotid artery (1CA) at the level of the skull base. Methods: Between January 1993 and October 1999, five patients underwent lateral skull base resection with cervical-to-petrous carotid artery saphenous vein bypass for repair of distal 1CA lesions. This report describes operative methods, morbidity, graft patency, and long-term outcome with this experience. Results: Of the five patients with skull base ICA lesions, all had aneurysmal disease. Three were atherosclerotic and two were dysplastic. Preoperative neurologic symptoms including transient ischemic attacks (2) and Horner's syndrome with vascular headaches (1) were completely resolved after operation. Preoperative dysphagia (2) was resolved in one patient and clinically improved in the other. Postoperative complications included transient paresis in the cranial nerve (CN) VII distribution, as well as permanent loss of the eustachian tube and chorda tympani nerve in all five patients. One patient had lasting paresis in the CN XI distribution as well as a mild stroke resulting in arm weakness. No residual arm weakness was detected at one year. There were no graft occlusions by duplex ultrasound at 45.8 months mean objective follow-up, and no ipsilateral stroke or mortality at 51.2 months mean clinical follow-up. Conclusions: Saphenous vein bypass from the cervical-to-petrous ICA is technically feasible and provides a valuable reconstruction option for patients with skull base ICA lesions.
Combined Coronary Artery Bypass and Carotid Endarterectomy: Long-Term Results
Authors: Char Daniel , Cuadra Salvador , Ricotta John , Bilfinge Thomas , Giron Fabio , McLarty Allison , Krukenkamp Irvin , Saltman Adam , Seifert Frank 
Published: September 2022

Purpose: We determined late survival, freedom from late stroke, and freedom from late cardiac events in patients treated by combined coronary artery bypass and carotid endarterectomy (CAB/CEA). Methods: All patients who underwent CAB/CEA in our institution between January 1994 and December 1999 were identified. Follow-up data were obtained from office records and telephone interviews. Endpoints included death from any cause, stroke, and non-fatal cardiac events (MI. CHF, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with stenting, redo CAB). Data were expressed in life table format. Results: Over a 6-yr period 154 patients had combined CAB/CEA with a 3.9% postoperative stroke rate. Six patients (3.9%) died, leaving 148 patients for follow-up. Average follow-up was 38±23 months (range: 1–82 months). During the follow-up period two patients (1.4%) had late strokes and 17 patients (11%) had late non-fatal cardiac events. The late mortality rate was 13% (19 patients). Of the late mortalities, four were related to cardiac disease and one to stroke. Using Kaplan—Meier analysis, the 5-yr survival probability was 80±4.3%. The freedom from late ipsilateral neurologic events was 98±1.3% at 5 yr. The freedom from late cardiac events was 82±4.6% at 5 yr. Conclusions: The large majority of patients with combined coronary and carotid artery disease can be expected to live for greater than 5 yr. Therefore, these patients should be considered candidates for prophylactic CEA for stroke prevention, even when their carotid lesions are asymptomatic. Successful CAB/CEA provides good long-term survival and freedom from late cardiac events, as well as excellent freedom from late stroke. Further reduction in perioperative events will make this operative approach even more attractive in patients with combined disease.
The Role of Intraoperative Digital Subtraction Angiography for Quality Control of Standard Carotid Endarterectomy Using Patch Angioplasty
Authors: Woelfle K. D. , Bruijnen H. , Neu J. , Campbell P. , Wack C. , Loeprecht H. 
Published: September 2022

The absence of technical defects is considered to be of great importance during carotid endarterectomy (CEA). In this context, both safe surgical technique and intraoperative quality control may be a fundamental part of the operative procedure. We have therefore undertaken a prospective study to evaluate the possible benefits of completion angiography in standard CEA using patch angioplasty. The objectives were three-fold: (1) to identify the incidence of defects requiring prompt revision; (2) to assess the perioperative stroke rate as well as the number of residual stenosis after 6 weeks in angiographically controlled patients and (3) to compare these results with a control group. From 1 January to 30 September 1999 111 patients with 115 consecutive CEAs which had completion angiography (Group A) were prospectively entered into this study. The results in group A were compared with a series of again 111 patients (Group B) which had 116 CEAs without intraoperative quality control between January and September in the year before. Surgical technique was identical in both groups. In general, risk factors were distributed evenly among both group with the exception that in group A were significantly more high-grade ipsilateral ICA stenoses while group B had more patients with diabetes and ipsilateral CT-defects. In group A, angiographic irregularities prompted us to immediate re-exploration in five patients (dilatation of severe ICA spasm 1; re-exploration of distal ICA occlusion 1; reopening of occluded ECA 3). With a 30 day mortality of 0% each perioperative stroke rate was comparable with 3/115 in group A and 3/116 in group B ( P = 1.0). 2/3 patients with neurological deficits in group A had early postoperative carotid thrombosis — in spite of a normal completion study. Duplex examination after 6 weeks revealed one asymptomatic ICA occlusion in each group. The incidence of residual stenosis (≥50%) was not significantly different being 3.7% in group A and 3.2% in group B ( P= 0.85). When applying a safe and simple operative technique for CEA, the incidence of abnormalities warranting immediate correction appears to be a rare event and, therefore, the necessity for obligatory quality control may be questionable. On the other hand, completion DSA allows a simple documentation of the adequacy of the surgical procedure.
Can Cerebral Vasoreactivity Predict Cerebral Tolerance to Carotid Clamping during Carotid Endarterectomy?
Authors: Lucertini G. , Cariati P. , Ermirio D. , Viacava A. , Misuri A. , Grana A. , Belardi P. 
Published: September 2022

Cerebral vasoreactivity (CVR) was evaluated as a preoperative test in predicting cerebral tolerance to carotid clamping. A consecutive series of 115 carotid endarterectomy (CEA) cases were studied. Before surgical operation CVR was evaluated, by measuring the mean velocity of the middle cerebral artery (mv-MCA) using transcranial Doppler (TCD) at the basal condition and 20 min after intravenous administration of acetazolamide (1 g). CEA was performed under general anesthesia. TCD was used during surgery to evaluate mv-MCA and to calculate mv-MCA clamping/mv-MCA pre-clamping x100 ratio (mv-MCA%), which was used as the parameter to validate CVR. CVR did not correlate with mv-MCA% ( r = 0.22). There was no significant difference ( P= 0.09) between mean values of the non shunted subgroup and the shunted one. CVR does not seem to be suitable for evaluating cerebral tolerance to carotid clamping.