bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reformulation for the Solution of the Dynamic Response of Co-Axial Segmented Beams
Authors: Segalman Daniel J. , Khasawneh Firas A. 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Stepped beams constitute an important class of engineering structures whose vibration response has been widely studied. Many of the existing methods for studying stepped beams manifest serious numerical difficulties as the number of segments or the frequency of excitation increase. In this article, we focus on the transfer matrix method (TMM), which provides a simple and elegant formulation for multistep beams. The main idea in the TMM is to model each step in the beam as a uniform element whose vibration configurations are spanned by the segment’s local eigenfunctions. Utilizing these local expressions, the boundary conditions at the ends of the multistep beam as well as the continuity and compatibility conditions across each step are used to obtain the nonlinear eigenvalue problem. Also, and perhaps more importantly, we provide a reformulation for multistep Euler–Bernoulli beams that avoids much of the numerical singularity problems that have plagued most of the earlier efforts. When this reformulation is extended to multisegment Timoshenko beams, the numerical difficulties appear to be mitigated, but not solved.
Competitive Racing in Virtual Cycling—Is It Possible, Realistic, and Fair?
Authors: Bjärehed Jonas , Bjärehed Marlene 
Published: September 2022

Competitive racing through virtual cycling has established itself as an entirely new discipline within cycling. This study explores what equipment racers use and examines important power metrics for racing. Data were collected from three different races from the current ranking of the most highly regulated and professionally organized race series on the virtual cycling platform Zwift. Power output data from 116 race participants, over five power durations (5 s–20 min), and two separate power measuring sources were collected and analyzed using the Bland–Altman method. The findings indicate that the physiological efforts of these races are comparable to those found in traditional competitive cycling. Furthermore, findings also support that the equipment typically used produces similar power outputs with good agreement between different power meters for most measurement points. Finally, the implications of these results for the status of virtual racing are discussed.
Management of pneumothorax in neonatal retrieval: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Halibullah Ikhwan , Hammond Fiona , Hodgson Kate , Duffy Natalie , Stewart Michael , Sett Arun 
Published: September 2022

BackgroundManagement of pneumothorax in neonates requiring retrieval poses unique challenges, including decision to insert an intercostal catheter (ICC). We aimed to report the proportion and characteristics of neonates transported with and without ICC insertion and the incidence of deterioration in neonates transported with pneumothorax.MethodsA retrospective cohort study of neonates transported with pneumothorax between 2016 and 2020 in Victoria, Australia. Univariate analysis was performed on patient and clinical characteristics, followed by multivariate analysis to identify risks independently associated with ICC insertion.Results174 neonates were included. Mean (SD) gestational age (GA) was 37.5 (2.8) weeks. Eighty-two neonates (47%) had ICC inserted. On multivariate analysis, risk factors independently associated with ICC insertion were mechanical ventilation (MV) preceding retrieval team arrival (OR 12, 95% CI 3.1 to 46.6, p<0.001) and radiographical mediastinal shift (MS) (OR 6.2, 95% CI 2.4 to 16.2, p<0.001). Increasing GA is negatively associated with ICC insertion (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.5 to 0.8, p<0.001). No significant difference in incidence of deterioration between the ICC group and the no-ICC group was observed (8.5% vs 5.4%, p=0.55). Ninety-five neonates were treated with needle aspiration (NA); 40 (42%) subsequently avoided ICC insertion. Twelve (13%) neonates transported without ICC had insertion within 24 hours following transport.ConclusionMany neonates with pneumothorax are transported without ICC, with low incidence of deterioration and ICC insertion within 24 hours after transport. More than a third of neonates managed with NA avoided ICC insertion. The likelihood of ICC insertion is increased by lower GA, MV prior to retrieval team arrival and radiographical MS.
The human toll and humanitarian crisis of the Russia-Ukraine war: the first 162 days
Authors: Haque Ubydul , Naeem Amna , Wang Shanshan , Espinoza Juan , Holovanova Irina , Gutor Taras , Bazyka Dimitry , Galindo Rebeca , Sharma Sadikshya , Kaidashev Igor P , Chumachenko Dmytro , Linnikov Svyatoslav , Annan Esther , Lubinda Jailos , Korol Natalya , Bazyka Kostyantyn , Zhyvotovska Liliia , Zimenkovsky Andriy , Nguyen Uyen-Sa D T 
Published: September 2022

BackgroundWe examined the human toll and subsequent humanitarian crisis resulting from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which began on 24 February 2022.MethodWe extracted and analysed data resulting from Russian military attacks on Ukrainians between 24 February and 4 August 2022. The data tracked direct deaths and injuries, damage to healthcare infrastructure and the impact on health, the destruction of residences, infrastructure, communication systems, and utility services – all of which disrupted the lives of Ukrainians.ResultsAs of 4 August 2022, 5552 civilians were killed outright and 8513 injured in Ukraine as a result of Russian attacks. Local officials estimate as many as 24 328 people were also killed in mass atrocities, with Mariupol being the largest (n=22 000) such example. Aside from wide swaths of homes, schools, roads, and bridges destroyed, hospitals and health facilities from 21 cities across Ukraine came under attack. The disruption to water, gas, electricity, and internet services also extended to affect supplies of medications and other supplies owing to destroyed facilities or production that ceased due to the war. The data also show that Ukraine saw an increase in cases of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and Coronavirus (COVID-19).ConclusionsThe 2022 Russia-Ukraine War not only resulted in deaths and injuries but also impacted the lives and safety of Ukrainians through destruction of healthcare facilities and disrupted delivery of healthcare and supplies. The war is an ongoing humanitarian crisis given the continuing destruction of infrastructure and services that directly impact the well-being of human lives. The devastation, trauma and human cost of war will impact generations of Ukrainians to come.
Association between menstrual cycle length and covid-19 vaccination: global, retrospective cohort study of prospectively collected data
Authors: Edelman Alison , Boniface Emily R , Male Victoria , Cameron Sharon T , Benhar Eleonora , Han Leo , Matteson Kristen A , Van Lamsweerde Agathe , Pearson Jack T , Darney Blair G 
Published: September 2022

ObjectivesTo identify whether covid-19 vaccines are associated with menstrual changes in order to address concerns about menstrual cycle disruptions after covid-19 vaccination.DesignGlobal, retrospective cohort study of prospectively collected data.SettingInternational users of the menstrual cycle tracking application, Natural Cycles.Participants19 622 individuals aged 18-45 years with cycle lengths of 24-38 days and consecutive data for at least three cycles before and one cycle after covid (vaccinated group; n=14 936), and those with at least four consecutive cycles over a similar time period (unvaccinated group; n=4686).Main outcome measuresThe mean change within individuals was assessed by vaccination group for cycle and menses length (mean of three cycles before vaccination to the cycles after first and second dose of vaccine and the subsequent cycle). Mixed effects models were used to estimate the adjusted difference in change in cycle and menses length between the vaccinated and unvaccinated.ResultsMost people (n=15 713; 80.08%) were younger than 35 years, from the UK (n=6222; 31.71%), US and Canada (28.59%), or Europe (33.55%). Two thirds (9929 (66.48%) of 14 936) of the vaccinated cohort received the Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2) covid-19 vaccine, 17.46% (n=2608) received Moderna (mRNA-1273), 9.06% (n=1353) received Oxford-AstraZeneca (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19), and 1.89% (n=283) received Johnson & Johnson (Ad26.COV2.S). Individuals who were vaccinated had a less than one day adjusted increase in the length of their first and second vaccine cycles, compared with individuals who were not vaccinated (0.71 day increase (99.3% confidence interval 0.47 to 0.96) for first dose; 0.56 day increase (0.28 to 0.84) for second dose). The adjusted difference was larger in people who received two doses in a cycle (3.70 days increase (2.98 to 4.42)). One cycle after vaccination, cycle length was similar to before the vaccine in individuals who received one dose per cycle (0.02 day change (99.3% confidence interval −0.10 to 0.14), but not yet for individuals who received two doses per cycle (0.85 day change (99.3% confidence interval 0.24 to 1.46)) compared with unvaccinated individuals. Changes in cycle length did not differ by the vaccine’s mechanism of action (mRNA, adenovirus vector, or inactivated virus). Menses length was unaffected by vaccination.ConclusionsCovid-19 vaccination is associated with a small and likely to be temporary change in menstrual cycle length but no change in menses length.
Access to medical care and its association with physical injury in adolescents: a cross-national analysis
Authors: Pagnotta Valerie F. , King Nathan , Donnelly Peter D. , Thompson Wendy , Walsh Sophie D. , Molcho Michal , Ng Kwok , Malinowska-Cieślik Marta , Pickett William 
Published: September 2022

BackgroundStrong variations in injury rates have been documented cross-nationally. Historically, these have been attributed to contextual determinants, both social and physical. We explored an alternative, yet understudied, explanation for variations in adolescent injury reporting—that varying access to medical care is, in part, responsible for cross-national differences.MethodsAge-specific and gender-specific rates of medically treated injury (any, serious, by type) were estimated by country using the 2013/2014 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study (n=209 223). Available indicators of access to medical care included: (1) the Healthcare Access and Quality Index (HAQ; 39 countries); (2) the Universal Health Service Coverage Index (UHC; 37 countries) and (3) hospitals per 100 000 (30 countries) then physicians per 100 000 (36 countries). Ecological analyses were used to relate injury rates and indicators of access to medical care, and the proportion of between-country variation in reported injuries attributable to each indicator.ResultsAdolescent injury risks were substantial and varied by country and sociodemographically. There was little correlation observed between national level injury rates and the HAQ and UHC indices, but modest associations between serious injury and physicians and hospitals per 100 000. Individual indicators explained up to 9.1% of the total intercountry variation in medically treated injuries and 24.6% of the variation in serious injuries.ConclusionsCross-national variations in reported adolescent serious injury may, in part, be attributable to national differences in access to healthcare services. Interpretation of cross-national patterns of injury and their potential aetiology should therefore consider access to medical care as a plausible explanation.
Evaluating the role for regional analgesia in children with spina bifida: a retrospective observational study comparing the efficacy of regional versus systemic analgesia protocols following major urological surgery
Authors: Moore Robert P , Burjek Nicholas E , Brockel Megan A , Strine Andrew C , Acks Austin , Boxley Peter J , Chidambaran Vidya , Vricella Gino J , Chu David I , Sankaran-Raval Marie , Zee Rebecca S , Cladis Franklyn P , Chaudhry Rajeev , O’Reilly-Shah Vikas N , Ahn Jennifer J , Rove Kyle O 
Published: September 2022

IntroductionRegional techniques are a key component of multimodal analgesia and help decrease opioid use perioperatively, but some techniques may not be suitable for all patients, such as those with spina bifida. We hypothesized peripheral regional catheters would reduce postoperative opioid use compared with no regional analgesia without increasing pain scores in pediatric patients with spina bifida undergoing major urological surgery.MethodsA retrospective review of a multicenter database established for the study of enhanced recovery after surgery was performed of patients from 2009 to 2021 who underwent bladder augmentation or creation of catheterizable channels. Patients without spina bifida and those receiving epidural analgesia were excluded. Opioids were converted into morphine equivalents and normalized to patient weight.Results158 patients with pediatric spina bifida from 7 centers were included, including 87 with and 71 without regional catheters. There were no differences in baseline patient factors. Anesthesia setup increased from median 40 min (IQR 34–51) for no regional to 64 min (IQR 40–97) for regional catheters (p<0.01). The regional catheter group had lower median intraoperative opioid usage (0.24 vs 0.80 mg/kg morphine equivalents, p<0.01) as well as lower in-hospital postoperative opioid usage (0.05 vs 0.23 mg/kg/day morphine equivalents, p<0.01). Pain scores were not higher in the regional catheters group.DiscussionContinuous regional analgesia following major urological surgery in children with spina bifida was associated with a 70% intraoperative and 78% postoperative reduction in opioids without higher pain scores. This approach should be considered for similar surgical interventions in this population.Trial registration numberNCT03245242.
Human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) is a novel biomarker for fibrosis in IgG4-related disease and can predict poor prognosis
Authors: Yan Songxin , Peng Yu , Wu Ziyan , Lu Hui , Mo Shengwei , Chen Xianlong , Huang Yuan , Li Xiaomeng , Zhang Wen , Li Yongzhe 
Published: September 2022

ObjectivesIgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is an immune-mediated fibroinflammatory disorder with heterogeneous manifestations. This study aimed to investigate the utility of human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) as a potential clinical biomarker of fibrosis in IgG4-RD.MethodsPlasma HE4 levels were estimated in 136 patients with IgG4-RD and 73 healthy individuals (controls) by electrochemical luminescence. HE4 expression levels and the degree of fibrosis in pancreatic tissues from 15 patients with IgG4-RD and 10 controls were compared using immunohistochemistry and Masson trichrome staining. Correlation between HE4 levels and laboratory parameters was determined, and the efficacy of HE4 as a biomarker of fibrosis and prognosis in IgG4-RD was also evaluated.ResultsPlasma HE4 levels were significantly higher in patients with IgG4-RD compared with controls. Optimal HE4 cut-off value for identifying patients with IgG4-RD was determined to be 50.8 pmol/L with an AUC (area under curve) of 0.791. HE4 levels were positively correlated with diverse laboratory parameters, and indicators of organ function impairment. Additionally, HE4 was highly expressed in the affected organs in patients with IgG4-RD and its plasma levels were closely correlated with degree of fibrosis, indicating the utility of HE4 in assessing internal organ damage and fibrosis. Further analysis showed that patients in the HE4 high expression group had poor prognosis.ConclusionsOur results demonstrate that HE4 can be used as a biomarker for IgG4-RD as it is correlated with diverse baseline clinical features, internal organ damage and degree of fibrosis in affected organs, and can predict poor prognosis.
Non-compliant packaging and illicit smokeless tobacco in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan: findings of a pack analysis
Authors: Abdullah S M , Huque Rumana , Siddiqi Kamran , Kanaan Mona , Huque Samina , Ullah Safat , Garg Suneela , Singh Mongjam Meghachandra , Deshmukh Chetana , Borle Amod L , Iqbal Romaina , Mazhar Laraib , Parascandola Mark , Mehrotra Ravi , Croucher Ray , Khan Zohaib 
Published: September 2022

IntroductionIllicit smokeless tobacco (ST) trade has seldom been documented despite ST use in at least 127 countries across the world. Based on non-compliance with packaging regulations, we report the proportion of illicit ST products from samples on sale in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan where 85% of global ST users reside.MethodsWe purchased unique ST products from tobacco sellers in two purposively selected administrative areas (division/district) in each of the three countries. The criteria to determine illicit ST products were based on country-specific legal requirements for ST packaging and labelling. These requirements included: ‘market retail price disclosure’, ‘sale statement disclosure’, ‘pictorial health warning (PHW) pertinence’, ‘appropriate textual health warning’ and ‘using misleading descriptors (MDs)’. Non-compliance with even one of the legal requirements was considered to render the ST product illicit.ResultsAlmost all ST products bought in Bangladesh and India were non-compliant with the local packaging requirements and hence potentially illicit, all products in Pakistan lacked desirable features. The most common feature missing was health warnings: 84% packs in Bangladesh, 93% in India, and 100% in Pakistan either did not have PHW or their sizes were too small. In Bangladesh, 61% packs carried MDs. In India and Pakistan, the proportions of such packs were 32% and 42%, respectively.ConclusionsWeak and poorly enforced ST control policies may be slowing the progress of tobacco control in South Asia. Standardised regulations are required for packaging and labelling ST. Improving compliance and reducing sale of cheap illicit products may require business licensing and market surveillance.
(In)equivalence of metric-affine and metric effective field theories
Authors: Pradisi Gianfranco , Salvio Alberto 
Published: September 2022

AbstractIn a geometrical approach to gravity the metric and the (gravitational) connection can be independent and one deals with metric-affine theories. We construct the most general action of metric-affine effective field theories, including a generic matter sector, where the connection does not carry additional dynamical fields. Among other things, this helps in identifying the complement set of effective field theories where there are other dynamical fields, which can have an interesting phenomenology. Within the latter set, we study in detail a vast class where the Holst invariant (the contraction of the curvature with the Levi-Civita antisymmetric tensor) is a dynamical pseudoscalar. In the Einstein–Cartan case (where the connection is metric compatible and fermions can be introduced) we also comment on the possible phenomenological role of dynamical dark photons from torsion and compute interactions of the above-mentioned pseudoscalar with a generic matter sector and the metric. Finally, we show that in an arbitrary realistic metric-affine theory featuring a generic matter sector the equivalence principle always emerges at low energies without the need to postulate it.
Structural setting of the Ischia resurgent caldera (southern Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy) by integrated 3D gravity inversion and geological models
Authors: Marotta Enrica , Berrino Giovanna , de Vita Sandro , Di Vito Mauro , Camacho Antonio G. 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
The structural setting of the Ischia resurgent caldera and its magmatic system has been investigated by a joint interpretation of a 3D inversion of previously collected gravimetric data and all the available geological, geophysical and petrological data.
Starting from the available Bouguer gravity map of the Neapolitan volcanic area and a previous 2.5D modelling, a selection of on land and offshore gravity data has been used to perform a 3D inversion, adapting and merging the basic ideas of two already tested methods, used to detect isolated bodies and layered discontinuities respectively.
The base of the map is a set of gravity values, covering the whole Neapolitan volcanic area and the Gulf of Naples, which results from the union of 862 offshore and about 2000 on land extant gravity data, made uniform and re-analysed.
The final model proposed here allows us to outline a very detailed and well-constrained structural setting of the crustal sector beneath Ischia. In particular, the 3D gravity inversion allowed us to outline a body with negative density contrast under Mt Epomeo, interpreted as the resurgent block, and to describe the magmatic system underneath it as a complex system of intrusions, rather than a uniformly distributed laccolithic body.
Race Differences in Patient-Reported Symptoms during Chemotherapy among Women with Early-Stage Hormone Receptor–Positive Breast Cancer
Authors: Hu Xin , Kaplan Cameron M. , Martin Michelle Y. , Walker Mark S. , Stepanski Edward , Schwartzberg Lee S. , Vidal Gregory A. , Graetz Ilana 
Published: September 2022

AbstractBackground:Symptom burden differences may contribute to racial disparities in breast cancer survival. We compared symptom changes from before to during chemotherapy among women with breast cancer.Methods:This observational study followed a cohort of Black and White women diagnosed with Stage I–III, hormone receptor–positive breast cancer from a large cancer center in 2007 to 2015, and reported symptoms before and during chemotherapy. We identified patients who experienced a one-standard deviation (SD) increase in symptom burden after starting chemotherapy using four validated composite scores (General Physical Symptoms, Treatment Side Effects, Acute Distress, and Despair). Kitagawa–Blinder–Oaxaca decomposition was used to quantify race differences in symptom changes explained by baseline characteristics (sociodemographic, baseline scores, cancer stage) and first-line chemotherapy regimens.Results:Among 1,273 patients, Black women (n = 405, 31.8%) were more likely to report one-SD increase in General Physical Symptoms (55.6% vs. 48.2%, P = 0.015), Treatment Side Effects (74.0% vs. 63.4%, P &lt; 0.001), and Acute Distress (27.4% vs. 20.0%, P = 0.010) than White women. Baseline characteristics and first-line chemotherapy regimens explained a large and significant proportion of the difference in Acute Distress changes (93.7%, P = 0.001), but not General Physical Symptoms (25.7%, P = 0.25) or Treatment Side Effects (16.4%, P = 0.28).Conclusions:Black women with early-stage breast cancer were more likely to experience significant increases in physical and psychological symptom burden during chemotherapy. Most of the difference in physical symptom changes remained unexplained by baseline characteristics, which suggests inadequate symptom management among Black women.Impact:Future studies should identify strategies to improve symptom management among Black women and reduce differences in symptom burden.See related commentary by Rosenzweig and Mazanec, p. 157