bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Learning curves in minimally invasive pancreatic surgery: a systematic review
Authors: Fung Gayle , Sha Menazir , Kunduzi Basir , Froghi Farid , Rehman Saad , Froghi Saied 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
The learning curve of new surgical procedures has implications for the education, evaluation and subsequent adoption. There is currently no standardised surgical training for those willing to make their first attempts at minimally invasive pancreatic surgery. This study aims to ascertain the learning curve in minimally invasive pancreatic surgery.

Methods
A systematic search of PubMed, Embase and Web of Science was performed up to March 2021. Studies investigating the number of cases needed to achieve author-declared competency in minimally invasive pancreatic surgery were included.

Results
In total, 31 original studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria with 2682 patient outcomes being analysed. From these studies, the median learning curve for distal pancreatectomy was reported to have been achieved in 17 cases (10–30) and 23.5 cases (7–40) for laparoscopic and robotic approach respectively. The median learning curve for pancreaticoduodenectomy was reported to have been achieved at 30 cases (4–60) and 36.5 cases (20–80) for a laparoscopic and robotic approach respectively. Mean operative times and estimated blood loss improved in all four surgical procedural groups. Heterogeneity was demonstrated when factoring in the level of surgeon’s experience and patient’s demographic.

Conclusions
There is currently no gold standard in the evaluation of a learning curve. As a result, derivations are difficult to utilise clinically. Existing literature can serve as a guide for current trainees. More work needs to be done to standardise learning curve assessment in a patient-centred manner.
Distance Bounds for High Dimensional Consistent Digital Rays and 2-D Partially-Consistent Digital Rays
Authors: Chiu Man-Kwun , Korman Matias , Suderland Martin , Tokuyama Takeshi 
Published: March 2022

AbstractWe consider the problem of digitalizing Euclidean segments. Specifically, we look for a constructive method to connect any two points in $$\mathbb {Z}^d$$

Z

d

. The construction must be consistent (that is, satisfy the natural extension of the Euclidean axioms) while resembling them as much as possible. Previous work has shown asymptotically tight results in two dimensions with $$\varTheta (\log N)$$

Θ
(
log
N
)

error, where resemblance between segments is measured with the Hausdorff distance, and N is the $$L_1$$

L
1

distance between the two points. This construction was considered tight because of a $$\varOmega (\log N)$$

Ω
(
log
N
)

lower bound that applies to any consistent construction in $$\mathbb {Z}^2$$

Z

2

. In this paper we observe that the lower bound does not directly extend to higher dimensions. We give an alternative argument showing that any consistent construction in d dimensions must have $$\varOmega (\log ^{1/(d-1)}\!N)$$

Ω
(

log

1
/
(
d
-
1
)

N
)

error. We tie the error of a consistent construction in high dimensions to the error of similar weak constructions in two dimensions (constructions for which some points need not satisfy all the axioms). This not only opens the possibility for having constructions with $$o(\log N)$$

o
(
log
N
)

error in high dimensions, but also opens up an interesting line of research in the tradeoff between the number of axiom violations and the error of the construction. A side result, that we find of independent interest, is the introduction of the bichromatic discrepancy: a natural extension of the concept of discrepancy of a set of points. In this paper, we define this concept and extend known results to the chromatic setting.
Employment status and diabetic outpatient appointment non-attendance in middle to senior working generation with type 2 diabetes: the Japan diabetes outcome intervention trial-2 large‑scale trial 005 (J-DOIT2-LT005)
Authors: Nakayama Izumi , Goto Atsushi , Hayashino Yasuaki , Suzuki Hikari , Yamazaki Katsuya , Izumi Kazuo , Noda Mitsuhiko 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Aims
Workplace demands, support, and relationships differ according to employment status (e.g., employment that is full-time, part-time, or self-employed) and may lead to unequal opportunities to keep diabetic appointments. We investigated the association between employment status and outpatient diabetic appointment non-attendance among working-age adults with type 2 diabetes.

Methods
This was a secondary analysis of a cluster-randomized trial (the Japan diabetes outcome intervention trial 2 large-scale trial). The analysis included 2010 trial participants (40–65 years old) with type 2 diabetes who were regularly followed by primary care physicians (PCPs). The outcome measure was the first non-attendance (defined as a failure to visit a PCP within 2 months of the original appointment) during the one-year follow-up. The association between baseline employment status and non-attendance was examined using Cox proportional hazard model in men and women.

Results
During the 1279 and 789 person-year follow-up periods, 90 men and 34 women, respectively, experienced their first appointment non-attendance. Among men, self-employed participants had a higher risk of non-attendance compared with full-time employees (adjusted HR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.15, 2.95). The trial intervention (attendance promotion) was associated with a significantly reduced risk of non-attendance among self-employed participants (HR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.26, 0.99). Among women, a significant association between employment status and non-attendance was not observed.

Conclusions
Self-employed men with type 2 diabetes had a twofold increased risk of non-attendance than did full-time employees. Our study suggests that self-employed men with type 2 diabetes should be targeted for interventions promoting appointment adherence.
Diurnal variations of rainfall affected by complex topography based on high-density observation in Chongqing over southwest China
Authors: Li Qiang , Zheng Yongguang , Zhou Guobing , Zhu Yan , Liu Chao , Liu Yan 
Published: March 2022

AbstractLocated in the eastern edge of the Sichuan Basin (SCB) in the southwest China, Chongqing is a mountainous region with typical complex topographic features. Using the hourly rainfall observation data of high-density 1686 meteorological stations in Chongqing during warm season from 2009 to 2016, we investigated the diurnal characteristics of precipitation affected by complex topography. The complex mountainous terrain has a significant impact on diurnal variations and distinct regional features of rainfall amount, frequency, and intensity. The stations located in the higher complex mountainous areas have greater rainfall amount, frequency, and intensity than those in the lower surrounding areas. In addition, the detailed characteristics of the rainfall amount and frequency in the four study regions further show that the rainfall amount and frequency significantly increase with the rise of elevation, especially in the area that terrain height sharply increases along the mountain extending direction. The diurnal variation of the rainfall amount is characterized by a bimodal structure with a dominant early-morning peak occurring at approximately 0700 LST (23 UTC) and a weaker secondary late-afternoon peak at approximately 1600 LST (08 UTC), while the rainfall frequency has a single early-morning peak. The terrain height has a significant impact on the proportions of the early-morning rainfall. With the elevation increasing in the four study regions, the proportions of rainfall amount (frequency) that occurs during early-morning period decrease.
A novel parvovirus (family Parvoviridae) in a freshwater fish, zander (Sander lucioperca)
Authors: Reuter Gábor , Boros Ákos , Mátics Róbert , Altan Eda , Delwart Eric , Pankovics Péter 
Published: March 2022

AbstractIn this study, a novel parvovirus (zander/M5/2015/HUN, OK236393) was detected in faecal specimens from a fish – zander or pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) – and genetically characterized using viral metagenomics and PCR methods. The NS1 and VP1 proteins of zander/M5/2015/HUN share <30% aa sequence identity, respectively, with the corresponding proteins of known members of the family Parvoviridae. Out of 62 faecal specimens collected from 13 freshwater fish species, three (4.8%) samples were positive by PCR for the novel parvovirus – all from zander. This is the second parvovirus detected in fish – after the disease-causing tilapia parvovirus of the subfamily Hamaparvovirinae – and it potentially represents a novel genus in the subfamily Parvovirinae.
Previously undocumented relationship between spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias and juvenile Atlantic horse mackerel Trachurus trachurus revealed by stereo-BRUV
Authors: Ovegård Mikael , Högvall Johanna , Ovegård Maria , Wikström Andreas , Wennhage Håkan 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThis study revealed a previously undocumented association between a teleost and a shark. Atlantic horse mackerel Trachurus trachurus were observed following spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias during 3 consecutive years (2018–2020) on off-shore banks in Kattegat (57°N; 11°E, Sweden). The observations were made by the use of stereo-BRUV (baited remote underwater stereo-video systems). Our findings provide additional information about relationships between sharks and teleosts and suggest that stereo-BRUV can add to the ecological knowledge gained from the commonly deployed trawl surveys in temperate waters such as the Kattegat. With the increasing use of BRUVs in areas where the method has rarely been used before, such as higher latitudes or deeper water, observations as the one described here will likely increase. We urge the growing community of BRUVvers to make use of the methods full potential and to share not only estimations of abundance of different species but also observations of species associations and behaviors. These observations are important for better understanding of the interaction between species and could be important knowledge for targeted management measures.
The use of lectures: effective pedagogy or seeds scattered on the wind?
Authors: Loughlin Colin , Lindberg-Sand Åsa 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThis case study of large-class teaching at a UK university focuses on the place of large-scale lectures in academics’ approaches to teaching, their use by students in their studies, and their relationship to institutional quality assurance policies. The case is a second-year module comprised of 180 students, and it includes two-hour lectures as the primary mode of teaching. The data is drawn from a range of sources including observations, interviews, focus groups, institutional documentation, and a student survey. Observations revealed largely transmissive lectures with little student interaction. The analytic framework of constructive alignment and outcome-based education is used to examine the promoted educational values and the practice experienced by students. The results are further explored in relation to two texts celebrating 50 years since publication: Donald Bligh’s What’s the Use of Lectures and Benson Snyder’s The Hidden Curriculum, Both highlight the dissonance of espoused approaches to teaching, and the realities of large-class environments. While the institutional literature foregrounds student-centred, ‘active learning’ approaches, the teacher-centred practice observed would have been very familiar to Bligh and Snyder; the principles of constructive alignment were visible only at the policy level. The implicit reward mechanisms of the hidden curriculum ensure that the majority of students succeed and are satisfied with the educational offering. The students who attended the lectures appeared to enjoy them and indicated that the primary benefits are the structure offered by live lectures and the support of the peer networks which develop as a result of attendance.
Behavioral gender differences across Pre-School Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Tofani Marco , Scarcella Lucia , Galeoto Giovanni , Giovannone Federica , Sogos Carla 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThere is increasing literature showing that the presentation of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) could be different according to the sex of the patient. Through the analysis of the Autism Diagnostic Interview Revised interview results of a study group consisting of 56 preschool children diagnosed with ASD potential differences in the presentation of ASD were searched. Variables investigated were verbal abilities, the presence/absence of unusual sensory interests, as well as of echolalia. The results showed significant differences between gender in restricted and repetitive behavior (p < 0.01), in particular for those children who have no unusual sensory interest (p < 0.05) and with minimal verbal ability (p < 0.05). The findings contribute providing evidences on phenotypical differences in preschool children with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Emission of volatile organic compounds by plants on the floor of boreal and mid-latitude forests
Authors: Isidorov Valery A. , Pirożnikow Ewa , Spirina Viktoria L. , Vasyanin Alexander N. , Kulakova Svetlana A. , Abdulmanova Irina F. , Zaitsev Andrei A. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe forests of the boreal and mid-latitude zones of the Northern Hemisphere are the largest source of reactive volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which have an important impact on the processes occurring in the atmospheric boundary layer. However, the composition of biogenic emissions from them remains incompletely characterized, as evidenced by the significant excess OH radical concentrations predicted by models in comparison with those observed under the forest canopy. The missing OH sink in the models may be related to the fact that they do not take into account the emission of highly reactive VOCs by vegetation on the forest floor. In this work, we report the results of laboratory determinations of the composition of VOCs emitted by representatives of different groups of plants that form the living soil cover (LSC) in the forests of the boreal and mid-latitude zones: bryophytes, small shrubs, herbaceous plants, and ferns. In the chromatograms of volatile emissions of all 11 studied plant species, 254 compounds with carbon atoms ranging in number from two to 20 were registered. All plants were characterized by the emission of terpenes, accounting for 112 compounds, and the second largest group (35 substances) was formed by carbonyl compounds. Both groups of compounds are characterized by high reactivity and are easily included in the processes of gas-phase oxidation with the participation of radicals HO, NO3 and ozone. These data indicate the importance of a thorough study of the so far disregarded source of VOCs, that is, the LSC in forests.
Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Adenosine Deaminase Severe Combined Immunodeficiency—Improved Outcomes in the Modern Era
Authors: Ghimenton Elisabetta , Flinn Aisling , Lum Su Han , Leahy Timothy R. , Nademi Zohreh , Owens Stephen , Williams Eleri , Flood Terrence , Hambleton Sophie , Slatter Mary , Gennery Andrew R. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Current treatment for adenosine deaminase (ADA)-deficient severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) includes enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), or ex vivo corrected autologous hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy. Historic data show HSCT survival is superior using unconditioned matched sibling and family compared to matched unrelated and haploidentical donors. Recent improvement in HSCT outcomes prompted us to retrospectively examine HSCT survival and long-term graft function in ADA-SCID transplanted at our center. Thirty-three ADA-deficient patients received HSCT between 1989 and 2020, with follow-up data to January 2021. Chemotherapy conditioning regimens were defined as myeloablative (MAC—busulfan/cyclophosphamide), reduced-toxicity myeloablative (RT-MAC—treosulfan-based, since 2007), or no conditioning. Serotherapy used included alemtuzumab (with or without other conditioning agents) or antithymocyte globulin (ATG). ERT was introduced routinely in 2010 until commencement of conditioning. Median age at HSCT was 3.2 (0.8–99.8) months. Twenty-one (63.6%) received stem cells from unrelated or haploidentical donors. Seventeen (51.5%) received chemotherapy conditioning and 16 (48.5%) received alemtuzumab. Median follow-up was 7.5 (0.8–25.0) years. Overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) at 8 years were 90.9% (95% CI: 79.7–100.0%) and 79% (55–91%), respectively. OS after 2007 (n = 21) was 100% vs 75% before 2007 (n = 12) (p = 0.02). Three (9.1%) died after HSCT: two from multiorgan failure and one from unexplained encephalopathy. There were no deaths after 2007, among those who received ERT and treosulfan-based conditioning pre-HSCT. Ten (30.3%) developed acute GvDH (3 grade II, 2 grade III); no chronic GvHD was observed. In the modern era, conditioned HSCT with MUD has a favorable outcome for ADA-deficient patients.
The Effect of a Mandatory Play Break on Subsequent Gambling Behavior among British Online Casino Players: A Large-Scale Real-World Study
Authors: Auer Michael , Griffiths Mark D. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractIn recent years, various novel responsible gambling (RG) tools have been implemented to aid harm-minimization. One such RG tool has been the implementation of enforced mandatory play breaks. Despite many responsible gambling operators using mandatory play breaks, only three previous studies have examined their efficacy and the findings were mixed. Therefore, the present investigation was a large-scale real-world study which was designed to see whether a 60-minute mandatory play break influenced subsequent depositing and wagering. The authors were given access to 27 days of player data prior to the introduction of a mandatory play break and 27 days of player data after the mandatory play break was introduced. The study comprised British online gamblers from Skillonnet (a European online gambling operator). Between July 23 and September 15 (2021), 2,021 players deposited at least ten times or more on a calendar day, at least once. The 2,201 players generated 2,994 corresponding events (i.e., the depositing of money at least 10 times in one day). The percentage of players who stopped depositing money as a consequence of the mandatory play break rose from 27% to 68% on the day of a play break. Moreover, the percentage of players who stopped wagering as a consequence of the mandatory play break rose from 0.1% to 45% on the day of a play break. The findings of the present study demonstrated that a 60-minute mandatory play break impacts players’ depositing and wagering immediately after the play break. This means that a mandatory hour-long play break in an online casino setting appears to prevent overspending during a short period of time. The effects of a 60-minute mandatory break on the next day’s behavior were inconclusive.
Photoluminescence properties of silk–carbon quantum dots composites
Authors: Colusso Elena , Cicerchia Luca , Rigon Michele , Gomes Vincent , Martucci Alessandro 
Published: March 2022

AbstractIn this paper, we report silk fibroin (SF) and carbon quantum dots (CQDs) nanocomposites obtained through a facile solution casting approach. The optical properties of the nanocomposites have been characterised by UV–vis absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Crosslinking of SF and chemical interactions with the CQDs have been investigated by FTIR spectroscopy. In addition, water stability and degradability of the prepared composites have been investigated in terms of mass loss, important for applications in a real scenario. We observed that for a concentration of CQDs above 1%wt aggregation of nanoparticles occurs, affecting the photoluminescence of the material. The results show that the best composition in terms of photoluminescence intensity and water stability is 0.5%wt CQDs.
Association of gene polymorphisms with body weight changes in prediabetic patients
Authors: Valeeva Farida V. , Medvedeva Mariya S. , Khasanova Kamilya B. , Valeeva Elena V. , Kiseleva Tatyana A. , Egorova Emiliya S. , Pickering Craig , Ahmetov Ildus I. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Recent research has demonstrated that Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) risk is influenced by a number of common polymorphisms, including MC4R rs17782313, PPARG rs1801282, and TCF7L2 rs7903146. Knowledge of the association between these single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and body weight changes in different forms of prediabetes treatment is still limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of polymorphisms within the MC4R, PPARG, and TCF7L2 genes on the risk of carbohydrate metabolism disorders and body composition changes in overweight or obese patients with early carbohydrate metabolism disorders.

Methods and results
From 327 patients, a subgroup of 81 prediabetic female patients (48.7 ± 14.8 years) of Eastern European descent participated in a 3-month study comprised of diet therapy or diet therapy accompanied with metformin treatment. Bioelectrical impedance analysis and genotyping of MC4R rs17782313, PPARG rs1801282, and TCF7L2 rs7903146 polymorphisms were performed. The MC4R CC and TCF7L2 TT genotypes were associated with increased risk of T2D (OR = 1.46, p = 0.05 and OR = 2.47, p = 0.006, respectively). PPARG CC homozygotes experienced increased weight loss; however, no additional improvements were experienced with the addition of metformin. MC4R TT homozygotes who took metformin alongside dietary intervention experienced increased weight loss and reductions in fat mass (p < 0.05).

Conclusions
We have shown that the obesity-protective alleles (MC4R T and PPARG C) were positively associated with weight loss efficiency. Furthermore, we confirmed the previous association of the MC4R C and TCF7L2 T alleles with T2D risk.
Playful teasing and the emergence of pretence
Authors: Reddy Vasudevi , Williams Emma , Costall Alan 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe study of the emergence of pretend play in developmental psychology has generally been restricted to analyses of children’s play with toys and everyday objects. The widely accepted criteria for establishing pretence are the child’s manipulation of object identities, attributes or existence. In this paper we argue that there is another arena for pretending—playful pretend teasing—which arises earlier than pretend play with objects and is therefore potentially relevant for understanding the more general emergence of pretence. We present examples of playful pretend teasing in infancy before and around the end of the first year, involving pretend communicative gestures, mis-labelling and almost non-compliance with prohibitions. We argue that the roots of pretence not only lie earlier in human infancy than generally acknowledged, but also are rooted in playful emotional exchanges in which people recognise and respond to violations of communicative gestures and agreements.