bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Variations in surgical spending within hospital systems for complex cancer surgery
Authors: Diaz Adrian , Chhabra Karan R. , Dimick Justin B. , Nathan Hari 
Published: November 2020

BackgroundApproximately 70% of hospitals today are part of larger health systems. Proponents of hospital consolidation tout its potential to reduce health spending and improve outcomes, but to the authors' knowledge the available evidence has suggested that this promise is unrealized. Variations in costs and outcomes within systems may highlight opportunities for collaborative quality improvement and practice standardization. To assess this potential, the authors sought to measure variations in episode spending within and across hospital systems among Medicare beneficiaries undergoing complex cancer surgery.MethodsUsing 100% Medicare claims data, the authors identified fee‐for‐service Medicare patients who were undergoing elective pancreatectomy, lung resection, or colectomy for cancer from 2014 through 2016. Risk‐adjusted, price‐standardized payments for the surgical episode from admission through 30 days after discharge were calculated. The authors then assessed the reliability‐adjusted variations at the hospital and system levels.ResultsAverage episode payments varied nearly as much within hospital systems for pancreatectomy ($1946 between the lowest and highest spending systems; 95% CI, $1910‐$1972), lung resection ($625 between the lowest and highest spending systems; 95% CI, $621‐$630), and colectomy ($813 between the lowest and highest spending systems; 95% CI, $809‐$817) as they did between the lowest and highest spending hospitals (pancreatectomy: $2034; lung resection: $1789; and colectomy: $770). For pancreatectomy, this variation was driven by index hospitalization spending whereas both index hospitalization and postacute care use drove variations for lung resection and colectomy.ConclusionsIn this analysis of Medicare patients undergoing complex cancer surgery, wide variations in surgical episode spending were noted both within and across hospital systems. System leaders may seek to better understand variations in practices among their hospitals to standardize care and reduce variations in outcomes, use, and costs.
CRAC: An automatic assistant compiler of checkpoint/restart for OpenCL program
Authors: Chen Genlang , Zhang Jiajian , Zhu Zufang , Wang Hao , Jiang Hai , Pang Chaoyi 
Published: November 2020

SummaryNowadays, people use multiple devices to meet the growing requirement for computing. With the application of multicard computing, fault tolerance, load balance, and resource sharing have been the hot issues and the checkpoint/restart (CPR) mechanism is critical in a preemptive system. This article proposes a CPR framework including the automatic compiler (CRAC) to achieve a feasible CPR system, especially for graphics processing unit applications on heterogeneous devices in OpenCL programs. By offering the positions of the CPR in source code, CRAC inserts primitives into programs and invokes the runtime support modules for final results. A comprehensive example and experiments have demonstrated the feasibility and effectiveness of proposed framework.
Differential Effects of Clopidogrel With or Without Aspirin on Platelet Reactivity and Coagulation Activation: A Randomized Trial in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Traby Ludwig , Kollars Marietta , Kaider Alexandra , Siller‐Matula Jolanta Maria , Steinbrecher Oskar , Wolzt Michael , Kyrle Paul Alexander , Eichinger Sabine 
Published: November 2020

Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is standard in acute coronary syndrome but confers a bleeding risk. To compare effects of clopidogrel single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT) with clopidogrel‐based DAPT on hemostatic system activation we conducted a randomized clinical trial in 44 volunteers (clopidogrel (d1: 600 mg, d2‐6: 150 mg) ± aspirin (100 mg)). Multiple electrode aggregometry‐adenosine diphosphate (MEA‐ADP) and MEA‐arachidonic acid (MEA‐AA) triggered aggregometry, vasodilator‐stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP), beta thromboglobulin, p‐selectin, thromboxane B2, d‐Dimer, prothrombin fragment 1.2 (f1.2), and a phospholipid‐dependent clotting time were measured in venous blood. Changes are described by mean differences (Δmean (95% confidence interval (CI)) or geometric mean ratios (95% CI)). DAPT and SAPT comparably and significantly decreased MEA‐ADP at 2 hours (−60% vs. −63%; P = 0.35, Δmean −4.9, 95% CI −15.4 to 5.5). At 24 hours (−59% vs. −47%, P = 0.04, Δmean −11.1, 95% CI −21.7 to −0.4]) and 8 days (−61% vs. −53%, P = 0.04, Δmean −11.3, 95% CI −22.0 to −0.6). Both treatments significantly reduced VASP and MEA‐AA after 2 hours and 8 days. DAPT inhibited MEA‐AA significantly stronger at 2 hours (−77% vs. −30%; P < 0.0001, Δmean −39.6, 95% CI −54.2 to −25.0), at 24 hours (−80% vs. −27%, P < 0.0001, Δmean −47.8, 95% CI −62.3 to −33.3), and 8 days (−79% vs. −27%, P < 0.0001, Δmean −48.9, 95% CI −62.5 to −35.4). Neither treatment significantly influenced beta thromboglobulin or p‐selectin. DAPT abolished and SAPT reduced thromboxane B2 after 24 hours and 8 days. The d‐Dimer was reduced by DAPT (0.94, 95% CI 0.89–1.00, P = 0.04) at 2 hours but not after 24 hours and 8 days. SAPT did not decrease d‐Dimer. Neither treatment affected f1.2. DAPT and SAPT comparably affect platelet and coagulation activation in venous blood.
The impact of board cultural diversity on a firm's commitment toward the sustainability issues of emerging countries: The mediating effect of a CSR committee
Authors: Martínez‐Ferrero Jennifer , Lozano M. Belén , Vivas Miguel 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThis study attempts to improve the understanding of how factors related to the board of directors in emerging countries from America determine a firm's sustainability performance. This paper examines the effect of board cultural diversity and the mediating effect of the existence of a corporate social responsibility (CSR) committee. To test our objectives, we carried out a sample analysis on data gathered between 2012 and 2018 from a group of firms located in Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Mexico. The results suggest that board cultural diversity promotes a firm's commitment toward sustainability issues and leads to higher social and environmental performance. Moreover, the results show the mediating effect of the existence of a CSR committee, where a positive impact on sustainability performance appears to be linked to board cultural diversity.
The link between female representation in the boards of directors and corporate social responsibility: Evidence from B corps
Authors: Ardito Lorenzo , Dangelico Rosa Maria , Messeni Petruzzelli Antonio 
Published: November 2020

AbstractPrior studies have examined the link between female representation in the boards of directors (BoD) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). However, these studies have underestimated the multidimensional nature of CSR, whereby CSR comprises different dimensions, and organizations engage in CSR activities in various degrees, thus leading to potentially contrasting performance respect to such different dimensions. Therefore, this study aims at (a) elucidating the varying mechanisms underlying the effects of the presence of women on BoD and several dimensions of CSR performance and (b) testing these effects considering multiple CSR performance measures (i.e., environmental performance, employees' well‐being, customers' management, community engagement, and ethical governance). To do so, we propose a set of hypotheses based on upper echelon and social role theories that are tested on a sample of European and US certified Benefit Corporations (B Corps). Results reveal that female representation in the BoD is not beneficial for each specific CSR dimension, albeit it is beneficial at an aggregate level. Specifically, it is positively associated with customers' management and community engagement, negatively related to environmental performance and employees' well‐being, and not significantly associated with ethical governance.
Heterogeneous Organocatalysts for the Reduction of Carbon Dioxide with Silanes
Authors: Pramudita Ria Ayu , Motokura Ken 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe utilization of carbon dioxide (CO2) as feedstock for chemical industries is gaining interest as a sustainable alternative to nonrenewable fossil resources. However, CO2 reduction is necessary to increase its energy content. Hydrosilane is a potential reducing agent that exhibits excellent reactivity under ambient conditions. CO2 hydrosilylation yields versatile products such as silylformate and methoxysilane, whereas formamides and N‐methylated products are obtained in the presence of amines. In these transformations, organocatalysts are considered as the more sustainable choice of catalyst. In particular, heterogeneous organocatalysts featuring precisely designed active sites offer higher efficiency due to their recyclability. Herein, an overview is presented of the current development of basic organocatalysts immobilized on various supports for application in the chemical reduction of CO2 with hydrosilanes, and the potential active species parameters that might affect the catalytic activity are identified.
Preparation of Trace Fe2P Modified N,P Co‐doped Carbon Materials and their Application to Hydrogen Peroxide Detection
Authors: Zhang Haiyan , Zhang Yaqing , Liu Sen 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe determination of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) based on electrochemical sensors is highly attractive in the fields of environmental monitoring and biosensing, however development of non‐precious metal‐based electrocatalysts with high performances remains challenging. Here, a new non‐enzymatic H2O2 sensor has been reported by using Fe2P modified N,P co‐doped carbon (Fe2P/NP‐C) materials as sensing materials. Fe2P/NP‐C materials were synthesized by pyrolysis of polydopamine coating Fe‐based coordination polymer nanoparticles, which were obtained by direct mixing FeCl3 and sodium hexametaphosphate at room temperature. The electrochemical tests display that Fe2P/NP‐C‐based non‐enzymatic H2O2 sensor exhibited detection limit of 60 μM and linear range from 0.1 mM to 1 mM, respectively. This work presents a new avenue to design of non‐precious metal‐based electrocatalysts for chemical sensing and biosensing applications.
Enzymatic production of xylooligosaccharide from date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) seed
Authors: Ataei Davoud , hamidi‐Esfahani Zohreh , Ahmadi‐Gavlighi Hassan 
Published: November 2020

AbstractDate palm (phonix dactylifera L.) is an important tropical fruit growing in central and southern regions of Iran. Date seed is composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, that make it an excellent candidate for xylooligosaccharide (XOS) production. In this study, two different protocols are used for the extraction of hemicellulose from date seeds. In the first protocol, hemicellulose (xylan1) was extracted by 2.25 M alkaline solution at room temperature for 24 hr. In the second protocol, date seed was treated with LCHTA (low concentration, 0.1 M, high temperature, 80°C, alkaline solution) for 3 hr, and thereafter, hemicellulose (xylan2) was extracted by 2.25 M alkaline solution at room temperature for 24 hr. The carbohydrate units of xylan1 and xylan2 were qualified and quantified by HPAEC‐ PAD. Side groups of xylan1 and xylan2 were detected by FTIR. In the next step, xylan1 and xylan2 were exposed to two commercial endoxylanases namely veron 191 and pentopan mono BG. Temperature, pH, time, and enzyme dosage of hydrolyzation were optimized to maximize XOS and minimize xylose. The results showed that the enzymes successfully hydrolyzed xylan2 and produced XOS, but cannot hydrolyze xylan1. Pentopan mono BG and veron 191 produced the highest amount of XOS after 4 (1.17 mmol/g) and 6 hr (1.13 mmol/g) of incubation, respectively. Conversion factors of xylan2 to XOS for pentopan mono BG and veron were 0.41 and 0.36, respectively. This study presence the possible prebiotic properties of date seed XOS and its application in functional foods.
Machine learning models to predict length of stay and discharge destination in complex head and neck surgery
Authors: Goshtasbi Khodayar , Yasaka Tyler M. , Zandi‐Toghani Mehdi , Djalilian Hamid R. , Armstrong William B. , Tjoa Tjoson , Haidar Yarah M. , Abouzari Mehdi 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundThis study develops machine learning (ML) algorithms that use preoperative‐only features to predict discharge‐to‐nonhome‐facility (DNHF) and length‐of‐stay (LOS) following complex head and neck surgeries.MethodsPatients undergoing laryngectomy or composite tissue excision followed by free tissue transfer were extracted from the 2005 to 2017 NSQIP database.ResultsAmong the 2786 included patients, DNHF and mean LOS were 421 (15.1%) and 11.7 ± 8.8 days. Four classification models for predicting DNHF with high specificities (range, 0.80‐0.84) were developed. The generalized linear and gradient boosting machine models performed best with receiver operating characteristic (ROC), accuracy, and negative predictive value (NPV) of 0.72‐0.73, 0.75‐0.76, and 0.88‐0.89. Four regression models for predicting LOS in days were developed, where all performed similarly with mean absolute error and root mean‐squared errors of 3.95‐3.98 and 5.14‐5.16. Both models were developed into an encrypted web‐based interface: https://uci-ent.shinyapps.io/head-neck/.ConclusionNovel and proof‐of‐concept ML models to predict DNHF and LOS were developed and published as web‐based interfaces.
Elevation of Proinflammatory Cytokine HMGB1 in the Synovial Fluid of Patients With Legg‐Calvé‐Perthes Disease and Correlation With IL‐6
Authors: Kamiya Nobuhiro , Kim Harry KW 
Published: November 2020

ABSTRACTLegg‐Calvé‐Perthes disease (LCPD) is a childhood ischemic osteonecrosis (ON) of the femoral head associated with the elevation of proinflammatory cytokine interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) in the synovial fluid. Currently, there is no effective medical therapy for patients with LCPD. In animal models of ischemic ON, articular chondrocytes produce IL‐6 in response to ischemic ON induction and IL‐6 receptor blockade improves bone healing. High‐mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a damage‐associated molecular pattern released from dying cells. In addition, extracellular HMGB1 protein is a well‐known proinflammatory cytokine elevated in the synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study was to investigate IL‐6–related proinflammatory cytokines, including HMGB1, in the synovial fluid of patients with LCPD. Our working hypothesis was that HMGB1, produced by articular chondrocytes following ischemic ON, plays an important role in IL‐6 upregulation. Here, HMGB1 protein levels were significantly higher in the synovial fluid of patients with LCPD by threefold compared with controls (p < 0.05), and were highly correlated with IL‐6 levels (Pearson correlation coefficient 0.94, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.87). In the mouse model of ischemic ON, both HMGB1 gene expression and protein levels were elevated in the articular cartilage. In vitro studies revealed a significant elevation of HMGB1 and IL‐6 proteins in the supernatants of human chondrocytes exposed to hypoxic and oxidative stresses. Overexpressed HMGB1 protein in the supernatants of chondrocytes synergistically increased IL‐6 protein. Silencing HMGB1 RNA in human chondrocytes significantly repressed inteleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) gene expression, but not IL‐6. Further, both IL‐1β and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) protein levels in the synovial fluid of patients with LCPD were significantly correlated with IL‐6 protein levels. Taken together, these results suggest that proinflammatory cytokines, HMGB1, tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), and IL‐1β, are significantly involved with IL‐6 in the pathogenesis of LCPD. This study is clinically relevant because the availability of multiple therapeutic targets may improve the development of therapeutic strategy for LCPD. © 2020 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
The role of directors with multiple board seats and earnings quality: A Singapore context
Authors: Chee KhanLiang Dylan , Tham Yeut Hong 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThis article explores whether multiple directorships has an influence on earnings management for Singaporean publicly listed firms. This article attempts to determine whether boards with multiple directorships are effective monitors and able deterrents of earnings management activities. Drawing on resource dependence theory, the results suggest that directors with multiple board seats will be able to tap on external resources for information, skills, and financial resources using their board connectedness. Data analysis is based on publicly listed firms on Singapore Stock Exchange (SSE) with a final pooled sample of 1,404 firm‐year observations from 2015 to 2018. Findings of this study show that with a higher level of multiple directorships, there is a significant negative relationship with the level of earnings management, where earnings management is measured by Dechow et al. (The Accounting Review, 1995, 70, 193–225) Modified Jones model and the Kothari et al. (Journal of Accounting and Economics, 2005, 39, 163–197) performance‐adjusted model. We also find that firms in Singapore that have a higher number of multiple directorships on its board, will have a lower level of tolerance on income‐increasing earnings manipulation. Notable secondary findings of this study include a significant negative relationship between the proportion of female directors on the board with the level of earnings management (income‐increasing manipulations). Additionally, it is found that the engagement of Big Four auditors has no significant relationship with the level of earnings management in the context of Singaporean firms. This study has significant implications and contributions to the theoretical applications and policy reforms, specifically pertaining to the Singapore Code of Corporate Governance on the issue of multiple directorships.
Retracted: Bladder cancer‐associated transcript 2 contributes to nephroblastoma progression
Authors: Zhu Jie , Zhu Zhenwei , Cai Peng , Gu Zhicheng , Wang Jian 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundNephroblastoma is a common pediatric kidney tumor. Existing evidence has indicated that long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) may be associated with tumorigenesis such as nephroblastoma. However, the contribution of lncRNA bladder cancer‐associated transcript 2 (BLACAT2) to tumorigenesis and the postoperative nephroblastoma prognosis remains unknown.MethodsIn total, 50 pairs of patient nephroblastoma and corresponding adjacent non‐tumorous tissues were analyzed for BLACAT2 expression. The underlying roles of BLACAT2 in nephroblastoma cells were also investigated. The BLACAT2 level was detected in four nephroblastoma cell lines and normal cell line NGC‐407 using a quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. The potential influence of BLACAT2 on nephroblastoma cells was explored based on RNA interference technology in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, the microRNA targeted by BLACAT2 and its target gene were predicted and verified.ResultsBLACAT2 silencing suppressed cell proliferation, colony formation and tumor growth in vivo and promoted cell apoptosis in vitro. Furthermore, BLACAT2 could directly bind to miR‐504‐3p, thereby decreasing miR‐504‐3p expression. In addition, the impact of miR‐504‐3p on proliferation, colony formation and nephroblastoma cell apoptosis was reversed by BLACAT2. Wnt11 was identified as a target of miR‐504‐3p.ConclusionsThe present study revealed that a novel BLACAT2/miR‐504‐3p/Wnt11 axis is associated with nephroblastoma, where BLACAT2 is able to sponge miR‐504‐3p to down‐regulate Wnt11.
The average size of a connected vertex set of a graph—Explicit formulas and open problems
Authors: Vince Andrew 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAlthough connectivity is a basic concept in graph theory, the enumeration of connected subgraphs of a graph has only recently received attention. The topic of this paper is the average order of a connected induced subgraph of a graph. This generalizes, to graphs in general, the average order of a subtree of a tree. For various infinite families of graphs, we investigate the asymptotic behavior of the proportion of vertices in an induced connected subgraph of average order. For ladders and circular ladders, an explicit closed formula is derived for the average order of a connected induced subgraph in terms of the classic Pell numbers. These formulas imply that, asymptotically, 3/4 of the vertices of a ladder or circular ladder, on average, are present in a connected induced subgraph. Results on such infinite families motivate an assortment of open problems.
Raman studies on the specific adsorption of BPE with PbI2
Authors: Zhu Lin , Ma Hao , Song Wei , Wang He , Li Peng , Ma Chao , Wu Jiawei , Guo Lin , Zhao Bing 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIntercalation, the insertion of guest atomic and molecular entities into the architecture of a crystal, is an efficient route for generating new materials with novel properties. However, the detailed analysis of their new structure and properties is of great importance, which are still insufficient. Here, 1,2‐bis(4‐pyridyl)ethylene (BPE) intercalated PbI2 (BIP) has been investigated by Raman spectroscopy together with correlated studies of scanning electron microscope (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) absorption spectrum, and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS). The Raman spectrum of intercalated compound discloses new lines at 83, 222, and 234 cm−1 with remarkable displacement of the bands at 1001, 1200, 1603, and 1640 cm−1, indicating a formation of a new crystal and the chemical interaction between the nitrogen atom of guest molecules with PbI2 host material. XRD confirmed the intercalation of guest molecules into a host matrix through the appearance of diffraction lines at lower angles that are corresponding to the enlarged unit cell in c axis. Furthermore, we also found that the PbI2 can specifically adsorb of BPE molecules, which was confirmed by an adsorption experiment revealed by adsorption capacity toward BPE is higher than 2,2‐bipyridine and 4,4‐bipyridine, suggesting the good adsorptive selectivity toward BPE by PbI2 film. This work further demonstrated our mechanism on enhanced Raman spectroscopy on PbI2. It is believed that this unusual discovery not only enables PbI2 to be a specific adsorbent, which also provides a new advance toward a better understanding of structure about PbI2.