The Automatic Detection of Dataset Names in Scientific Articles

We study the task of recognizing named datasets in scientific articles as a Named Entity Recognition (NER) problem. Noticing that available annotated datasets were not adequate for our goals, we annotated 6000 sentences extracted from four major AI conferences, with roughly half of them containing one or more named datasets. A distinguishing feature of this set is the many sentences using enumerations, conjunctions and ellipses, resulting in long BI+ tag sequences. On all measures, the SciBERT NER tagger performed best and most robustly. Our baseline rule based tagger performed remarkably well and better than several state-of-the-art methods. The gold standard dataset, with links and offsets from each sentence to the (open access available) articles together with the annotation guidelines and all code used in the experiments, is available on GitHub

Is surgical subspecialization associated with hand grip strength and manual dexterity?:A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare hand grip strength (HGS) and manual dexterity of academic, subspecialized surgeons. METHODS: A single-center cross-sectional study was performed among 61 surgeons. HGS was analysed with a hand dynamometer and manual dexterity was extensively analysed with a Purdue Pegboard Test. Correlations between HGS and manual dexterity and specific characteristics of the surgeons were analysed using Pearson's correlation coefficient (r). RESULTS: HGS and manual dexterity were comparable between surgeons from different specialities. HGS was positively correlated with male gender (r = 0.59, p < 0.001) and hand glove size (r = 0.61, p < 0.001), whereas manual dexterity was negatively correlated with male gender (r = −0.35, p = 0.006), age (r = −0.39, = 0.002), and hand glove size (r = −0.46, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical subspecialization was not correlated with HGS or manual dexterity. Male surgeons have greater HGS, whereas female surgeons have better manual dexterity. Manual dexterity is also correlated with age, showing better scores for younger surgeons

Impact of coding risk variant <i>IFNGR2 </i>on the B cell-intrinsic IFN-γ signaling pathway in multiple sclerosis

B cells of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) are more responsive to IFN-γ, corresponding to their brain-homing potential. We studied how a coding single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in IFNGR2 (rs9808753) co-operates with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection as MS risk factors to affect the IFN-γ signaling pathway in human B cells. In both cell lines and primary cells, EBV infection positively associated with IFN-γ receptor expression and STAT1 phosphorylation. The IFNGR2 risk SNP selectively promoted downstream signaling via STAT1, particularly in transitional B cells. Altogether, EBV and the IFNGR2 risk SNP independently amplify IFN-γ signaling, potentially driving B cells to enter the MS brain.</p

Prolonged hypothermic machine perfusion enables daytime liver transplantation - an IDEAL stage 2 prospective clinical trial

Background: Liver transplantation is traditionally performed around the clock to minimize organ ischemic time. However, the prospect of prolonging preservation times holds the potential to streamline logistics and transform liver transplantation into a semi-elective procedure, reducing the need for nighttime surgeries. Dual hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion (DHOPE) of donor livers for 1–2 h mitigates ischemia-reperfusion injury and improves transplant outcomes. Preclinical studies have shown that DHOPE can safely extend the preservation of donor livers for up to 24 h. Methods: We conducted an IDEAL stage 2 prospective clinical trial comparing prolonged (≥4 h) DHOPE to conventional (1–2 h) DHOPE for brain-dead donor livers, enabling transplantation the following morning. Liver allocation to each group was based on donor hepatectomy end times. The primary safety endpoint was a composite of all serious adverse events (SAE) within 30 days after transplantation. The primary feasibility endpoint was defined as the number of patients assigned and successfully receiving a prolonged DHOPE-perfused liver graft. Trial registration at: WHO International Clinical Trial Registry Platform, number NL8740. Findings: Between November 1, 2020 and July 16, 2022, 24 patients were enrolled. The median preservation time was 14.5 h (interquartile range [IQR], 13.9–15.5) for the prolonged group (n = 12) and 7.9 h (IQR, 7.6–8.6) for the control group (n = 12; p = 0.01). In each group, three patients (25%; 95% CI 3.9–46%, p = 1) experienced a SAE. Markers of ischemia-reperfusion injury and oxidative stress in both perfusate and recipients were consistently low and showed no notable discrepancies between the two groups. All patients assigned to either the prolonged group or control group successfully received a liver graft perfused with either prolonged DHOPE or control DHOPE, respectively. Interpretation: This first-in-human clinical trial demonstrates the safety and feasibility of DHOPE in prolonging the preservation time of donor livers to enable daytime transplantation. The ability to extend the preservation window to up to 20 h using hypothermic oxygenated machine preservation at a 10 °C temperature has the potential to reshape the landscape of liver transplantation. Funding: University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands.</p

BEATVIC, a body-oriented resilience training with elements of kickboxing for individuals with a psychotic disorder:study protocol of a multi-center RCT

Background: Individuals with a psychotic disorder are at an increased risk of becoming victim of a crime or other forms of aggression. Research has revealed several possible risk factors (e.g. impaired social cognition, aggression regulation problems, assertiveness, self-stigma, self-esteem) for victimization in patients with a psychotic disorder. To address these risk factors and prevent victimization, we developed a body-oriented resilience training with elements of kickboxing: BEATVIC. The present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. Methods/Design: Seven mental health institutions in the Netherlands will participate in this study. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the BEATVIC training or the control condition: social activation. Follow-ups are at 6, 18 and 30 months. Short term effects on risk factors for victimization will be examined, since these are direct targets of the intervention and are thought to be mediators of victimization, the primary outcome of the intervention. The effect on victimization will be investigated at follow-up. In a subgroup of patients, fMRI scans will be made before and after the intervention period in order to assess potential neural changes associated with the effects of the training. Discussion: This study is the first to examine the effectiveness of an intervention targeted at victimization in psychosis. Methodological issues of the study are addressed in the discussion of this paper

Upscaling dryland carbon and water fluxes with artificial neural networks of optical, thermal, and microwave satellite remote sensing

Earth's drylands are home to more than two billion people, provide key ecosystem services, and exert a large influence on the trends and variability in Earth's carbon cycle. However, modeling dryland carbon and water fluxes with remote sensing suffers from unique challenges not typically encountered in mesic systems, particularly in capturing soil moisture stress. Here, we develop and evaluate an approach for the joint modeling of dryland gross primary production (GPP), net ecosystem exchange (NEE), and evapotranspiration (ET) in the western United States (US) using a suite of AmeriFlux eddy covariance sites spanning major functional types and aridity regimes. We use artificial neural networks (ANNs) to predict dryland ecosystem fluxes by fusing optical vegetation indices, multitemporal thermal observations, and microwave soil moisture and temperature retrievals from the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) sensor. Our new dryland ANN (DrylANNd) carbon and water flux model explains more than 70 % of monthly variance in GPP and ET, improving upon existing MODIS GPP and ET estimates at most dryland eddy covariance sites. DrylANNd predictions of NEE were considerably worse than its predictions of GPP and ET likely because soil and plant respiratory processes are largely invisible to satellite sensors. Optical vegetation indices, particularly the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and near-infrared reflectance of vegetation (NIRv), were generally the most important variables contributing to model skill. However, daytime and nighttime land surface temperatures and SMAP soil moisture and soil temperature also contributed to model skill, with SMAP especially improving model predictions of shrubland, grassland, and savanna fluxes and land surface temperatures improving predictions in evergreen needleleaf forests. Our results show that a combination of optical vegetation indices and thermal infrared and microwave observations can substantially improve estimates of carbon and water fluxes in drylands, potentially providing the means to better monitor vegetation function and ecosystem services in these important regions that are undergoing rapid hydroclimatic change.</p

Proportions of the aesthetic African-Caribbean face : idealized ratios, comparison with the golden proportion and perceptions of attractiveness

Abstract Background In the absence of clear guidelines for facial aesthetic surgery, most surgeons rely on expert intuitive judgement when planning aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. One of the most famous theories regarding “ideal” facial proportions is that of the golden proportion. However, there are conflicting opinions as to whether it can be used to assess facial attractiveness. The aim of this investigation was to assess facial ratios of professional black models and to compare the ratios with the golden proportion. Methods Forty photographs of male and female professional black models were collected. Observers were asked to assign a score from 1 to 10 (1 = not very attractive, 10 = very attractive). A total of 287 responses were analysed for grading behaviour according to various demographic factors by two groups of observers. The best graded photographs were compared with the least well-graded photographs to identify any differences in their facial ratios. The models’ facial ratios were calculated and compared with the golden proportion. Results Differences in grading behaviour were observed amongst the two assessment groups. Only one out of the 12 facial ratios was not significantly different from the golden proportion. Conclusions Only one facial ratio was observed to be similar to the golden proportion in professional model facial photographs. No correlation was found between facial ratios in professional black models with the golden proportion. It is proposed that an individualistic treatment for each ratio is a rather better method to guide future practice

Impact of Complications After Pancreatoduodenectomy on Mortality, Organ Failure, Hospital Stay, and Readmission Analysis of a Nationwide Audit:Analysis of a Nationwide Audit

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the impact of individual complications on mortality, organ failure, hospital stay, and readmission after pancreatoduodenectomy. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: An initial complication may provoke a sequence of adverse events potentially leading to mortality after pancreatoduodenectomy. This study was conducted to aid prioritization of quality improvement initiatives. METHODS: Data from consecutive patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy (2014-2017) were extracted from the Dutch Pancreatic Cancer Audit. Population attributable fractions (PAF) were calculated for the association of each complication (ie, postoperative pancreatic fistula, postpancreatectomy hemorrhage, bile leakage, delayed gastric emptying, wound infection, and pneumonia) with each unfavorable outcome [ie, in-hospital mortality, organ failure, prolonged hospital stay (>75th percentile), and unplanned readmission), whereas adjusting for confounders and other complications. The PAF represents the proportion of an outcome that could be prevented if a complication would be eliminated completely. RESULTS: Overall, 2620 patients were analyzed. In-hospital mortality occurred in 95 patients (3.6%), organ failure in 198 patients (7.6%), and readmission in 427 patients (16.2%). Postoperative pancreatic fistula and postpancreatectomy hemorrhage had the greatest independent impact on mortality [PAF 25.7% (95% CI 13.4-37.9) and 32.8% (21.9-43.8), respectively] and organ failure [PAF 21.8% (95% CI 12.9-30.6) and 22.1% (15.0-29.1), respectively]. Delayed gastric emptying had the greatest independent impact on prolonged hospital stay [PAF 27.6% (95% CI 23.5-31.8)]. The impact of individual complications on unplanned readmission was smaller than 11%. CONCLUSION: Interventions focusing on postoperative pancreatic fistula and postpancreatectomy hemorrhage may have the greatest impact on in-hospital mortality and organ failure. To prevent prolonged hospital stay, initiatives should in addition focus on delayed gastric emptying