bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The isotropic organization of DEM structure and extraction of valley lines using hexagonal grid
Authors: Wang Lu , Ai Tinghua , Shen Yilang , Li Jingzhong 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe automatic extraction of valley lines (VLs) from digital elevation models (DEMs) has had a long history in the GIS and hydrology fields. The quality of the extracted results relies on the geometrical shape, spatial tessellation, and placement of the grids in the DEM structure. The traditional DEM structure consists of square grids with an eight‐neighborhood relationship, where there is an inconsistent distance measurement between orthogonal neighborhoods and diagonal neighborhoods. The directional difference results in the extracted VLs by the D8 algorithm not guaranteeing isotropy characteristics. Alternatively, hexagonal grids have been proved to be advantageous over square grids due to their consistent connectivity, isotropy of local neighborhoods, higher symmetry, increased compactness, and more. Considering the merits above, this study develops an approach to VL extraction from DEMs based on hexagonal grids. First, the pre‐process phase contains the depression filling, flow direction calculation, and flow accumulation calculation based on the six‐neighborhood relationship. Then, the flow arcs are connected, followed by estimating the flow direction. Finally, the connected paths are organized into a tree structure. To explore the effectiveness of hexagonal grids, comparative experiments are implemented against traditional DEMs with square grids using three sample regions. By analyzing the results between these two grid structures via visual and quantitative comparison, we conclude that the hexagonal grid structure has an outstanding ability in maintaining the location accuracy and bending characteristics of extracted valley networks. That is to say, the DEM‐derived VLs based on hexagonal grids have better spatial agreement with mapped river systems and lower shape diversion under the same resolution representation. Therefore, the DEMs with hexagonal grids can extract finer valley networks with the same data volume relative to traditional DEM.
Activation of endogenous protein phosphatase 1 enhances the calcium sensitivity of the ryanodine receptor type 2 in murine ventricular cardiomyocytes
Authors: Potenza Duilio Michele , Janicek Radoslav , Fernandez‐Tenorio Miguel , Niggli Ernst 
Published: January 2020

Key points
Increased protein phosphatase 1 (PP‐1) activity has been found in end stage human heart failure.
Although PP‐1 has been extensively studied, a detailed understanding of its role in the excitation–contraction coupling mechanism, in normal and diseased hearts, remains elusive.
The present study investigates the functional effect of the PP‐1 activity on local Ca2+ release events in ventricular cardiomyocytes, by using an activating peptide (PDP3) for the stimulation of the endogenous PP‐1 protein.
We report that acute de‐phosphorylation may increase the sensitivity of RyR2 channels to Ca2+ in situ, and that the RyR2‐serine2808 phosphorylation site may mediate such a process.
Our approach unmasks the functional importance of PP‐1 in the regulation of RyR2 activity, suggesting a potential role in the generation of a pathophysiological sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ leak in the diseased heart.
AbstractChanges in cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2) phosphorylation are considered to be important regulatory and disease related post‐translational protein modifications. The extent of RyR2 phosphorylation is mainly determined by the balance of the activities of protein kinases and phosphatases, respectively. Increased protein phosphatase‐1 (PP‐1) activity has been observed in heart failure, although the regulatory role of this enzyme on intracellular Ca2+ handling remains poorly understood. To determine the physiological and pathophysiological significance of increased PP‐1 activity, we investigated how the PP‐1 catalytic subunit (PP‐1c) alters Ca2+ sparks in permeabilized cardiomyocytes and we also applied a PP‐1‐disrupting peptide (PDP3) to specifically activate endogenous PP‐1, including the one anchored on the RyR2 macromolecular complex. We compared wild‐type and transgenic mice in which the usually highly phosphorylated site RyR2‐S2808 has been ablated to investigate its involvement in RyR2 modulation (S2808A+/+). In wild‐type myocytes, PP‐1 increased Ca2+ spark frequency by two‐fold, followed by depletion of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ store. Similarly, PDP3 transiently increased spark frequency and decreased sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ load. RyR2 Ca2+ sensitivity, which was assessed by Ca2+ spark recovery analysis, was increased in the presence of PDP3 compared to a negative control peptide. S2808A+/+ cardiomyocytes did not respond to both PP‐1c and PDP3 treatment. Our results suggest an increased Ca2+ sensitivity of RyR2 upon de‐phosphorylation by PP‐1. Furthermore, we have confirmed the S2808 site as a target for PP‐1 and as a potential link between RyR2s modulation and the cellular response.
Cretaceous-Paleocene transition along a rocky carbonate shore: Implications for the Cretaceous-Paleocene boundary event in shallow platform environments and correlation to the deep sea
Authors: Sanders* Diethard , Keller Gerta , Schlagintweit Felix , Studeny† Martin 
Published: January 2020

ABSTRACT
The Cretaceous-Paleocene (K/P) boundary intervals are rarely preserved in successions of shallow-water limestones. Here, we describe a shallow rocky shore on the active orogenic wedge of the eastern Alps (Austria) fringed by a carbonate platform that was largely cannibalized by erosion. We compared this succession with similar nearshore environments globally, as well as the deep sea, to gain a better understanding of the environmental response to the K/P boundary transition. In the eastern Alps, Cretaceous and Paleocene lithofacies across the K/P boundary transition are separated by a hardground that formed during subaerial exposure and that terminates Upper Maastrichtian limestone with planktic foraminiferal assemblages deposited at neritic depth during zone CF3 (ca. 66.500 Ma). Above the hardground, there are beachrocks with early Danian zone P1a(1) assemblages, which indicate the hardground spans about ~600 k.y. of nondeposition and/or erosion. During the early Danian, the marine transgressive fringe fluctuated between “shoreface to emersion” environments, depositing limestones rich in bryozoans, rhynchonellids, coralline algae, and rare planktic foraminifera along with abraded, bored, and/or encrusted clasts eroded from older rocks. Repeated short subaerial exposure is marked by vadose diagenesis and hardgrounds, including an ~1.5 m.y. interval between magnetochrons C29n to C28n and planktic foraminiferal zones P1b to P1c(2).
Comparison with platform carbonate sequences from Croatia, Oman, Madagascar, Belize, and Guatemala, as well as nearshore siliciclastic environments of southern Tunisia, Texas, and Argentina, across the K/P boundary transition revealed surprisingly similar deposition and erosion patterns, with the latter correlative with sea-level falls and repeated subaerial exposure forming hardgrounds. Comparison with deep-sea depositional patterns revealed coeval but shorter intervals of erosion. This pattern shows a uniform response to the K/P boundary transition linked to climate and sea-level changes, whether in shallow nearshore or deep-sea environments, with climate change tied to Deccan volcanism in magnetochrons C29r-C29n.
Understanding thermogenic degassing in large igneous provinces: Inferences from the geological and statistical characteristics of breccia pipes in the western parts of the Karoo Basin
Authors: Svensen Henrik H. , Hammer Øyvind , Chevallier Luc , Jerram Dougal A. , Silkoset Petter , Polteau Stephane , Planke Sverre 
Published: January 2020

ABSTRACT
Fluid release structures resulting from the interaction of igneous intrusions with sedimentary basins form an important part of the evolution of large igneous provinces. Hydrothermal breccia pipes formed in the Karoo Basin in South Africa during emplacement of igneous sills in the Karoo large igneous province represent one of the best-exposed expressions of such venting structures. Earlier work has shown that degassing of thermogenic CO2 and CH4 through the breccia pipes may have contributed to the Early Jurassic environmental changes. Here, we present the first detailed analysis of the distribution of breccia pipes in the western parts of the Karoo Basin. We mapped 431 pipes in a 650 km2 area using outcrop data. The pipes are rooted in contact aureoles around four sills emplaced in organic-rich Ecca Group shale, and thermal modeling of sill cooling and contact metamorphism gives a maximum temperature of 675 °C near the sill contacts, sufficient to convert a significant fraction of the organic carbon to gas. Model estimates indicate that metamorphism in the 650 km2 area generated 75–88 Gt of CO2, depending on actual sill thicknesses and emplacement levels. When further up-scaled, an area of 7400–8700 km2 (i.e., less than 2% of the area in the Karoo Basin intruded by sills) would be required to generate 1000 Gt of CO2. In order to characterize the degassing pipes, their geographical positions and diameters were analyzed using several point-pattern methods. The results showed that the pipes (1) have diameters in the 11–177 m range (average 44 m), (2) are spaced with an average nearest-neighbor distance of 452 m, and (3) are overall randomly spaced but with weak overdispersion at very small scales (&lt;50 m) and weak clusters at larger scales (400–3000 m). In contrast to studies of volcanic pipe spacing, this study on breccia pipes does not indicate that the pipe spacing is controlled by any large-scale geophysical parameters such as crustal or basin thicknesses. Conclusions point to the pipes being formed following sill emplacement and pressure increase in the low-permeability organic-rich shale, followed by rapid carbon degassing, emphasizing their important role in the Early Jurassic climate change and oceanic anoxic event.
Antibiotic prescribing without documented indication in ambulatory care clinics: national cross sectional study
Authors: Ray Michael J , Tallman Gregory B , Bearden David T , Elman Miriam R , McGregor Jessina C 
Published: January 2020

AbstractObjectivesTo identify the frequency with which antibiotics are prescribed in the
absence of a documented indication in the ambulatory care setting, to
quantify the potential effect on assessments of appropriateness of
antibiotics, and to understand patient, provider, and visit level
characteristics associated with antibiotic prescribing without a documented
indication.DesignCross sectional study.Setting2015 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey.Participants28 332 sample visits representing 990.9 million ambulatory care visits
nationwide.Main outcome measuresOverall antibiotic prescribing and whether each antibiotic prescription was
accompanied by appropriate, inappropriate, or no documented indication as
identified through ICD-9-CM (international classification of diseases, 9th
revision, clinical modification) codes. Survey weighted multivariable
logistic regression was used to evaluate potential risk factors for receipt
of an antibiotic prescription without a documented indication.ResultsAntibiotics were prescribed during 13.2% (95% confidence interval 11.6% to
13.7%) of the estimated 990.8 million ambulatory care visits in 2015.
According to the criteria, 57% (52% to 62%) of the 130.5 million
prescriptions were for appropriate indications, 25% (21% to 29%) were
inappropriate, and 18% (15% to 22%) had no documented indication. This
corresponds to an estimated 24 million prescriptions without a documented
indication. Being an adult male, spending more time with the provider, and
seeing a non-primary care specialist were significantly positively
associated with antibiotic prescribing without an indication. Sulfonamides
and urinary anti-infective agents were the antibiotic classes most likely to
be prescribed without documentation.ConclusionsThis nationally representative study of ambulatory visits identified a large
number of prescriptions for antibiotics without a documented indication.
Antibiotic prescribing in the absence of a documented indication may
severely bias national estimates of appropriate antibiotic use in this
setting. This study identified a wide range of factors associated with
antibiotic prescribing without a documented indication, which may be useful
in directing initiatives aimed at supporting better documentation.
Impact of Feed the Future initiative on nutrition in children aged less than 5 years in sub-Saharan Africa: difference-in-differences analysis
Authors: Ryckman Theresa , Robinson Margaret , Pedersen Courtney , Bhattacharya Jay , Bendavid Eran 
Published: January 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of the US government’s Feed the Future initiative on
nutrition outcomes in children younger than 5 years in sub-Saharan
Africa.DesignDifference-in-differences quasi-experimental approach.SettingHouseholds in 33 low and lower middle income countries in sub-Saharan
Africa.Population883 309 children aged less than 5 years with weight, height, and age recorded
in 118 surveys conducted in 33 countries between 2000 and 2017: 388 052
children were from Feed the Future countries and 495 257 were from non-Feed
the Future countries.Main outcome measuresA difference-in-differences approach was used to compare outcomes among
children in intervention countries after implementation of the initiative
with children before its introduction and children in non-intervention
countries, controlling for relevant covariates, time invariant national
differences, and time trends. The primary outcome was stunting (height for
age >2 standard deviations below a reference median), a key indicator of
undernutrition in children. Secondary outcomes were wasting (low weight for
height) and underweight (low weight for age).ResultsAcross all years and countries, 38.3% of children in the study sample were
stunted, 8.9% showed wasting, and 21.3% were underweight. In the first six
years of Feed the Future’s implementation, children in 12 countries with the
initiative exhibited a 3.9 percentage point (95% confidence interval 2.4 to
5.5) greater decline in stunting, a 1.1 percentage point (0.1 to 2.1)
greater decline in wasting, and a 2.8 percentage point (1.6 to 4.0) greater
decline in underweight levels compared with children in 21 countries without
the initiative and compared with trends in undernutrition before Feed the
Future was launched. These decreases translate to around two million fewer
stunted and underweight children aged less than 5 years and around a half
million fewer children with wasting. For context, about 22 million children
were stunted, 11 million children were underweight, and four million
children were wasted in the Feed the Future countries at baseline.ConclusionsFeed the Future’s activities were closely linked to notable improvements in
stunting and underweight levels and moderate improvements in wasting in
children younger than 5 years. These findings highlight the effectiveness of
this large, country tailored initiative focused on agriculture and food
security and have important implications for the future of this and other
nutrition interventions worldwide.
“Asset exchange”—interactions between patient groups and pharmaceutical industry: Australian qualitative study
Authors: Parker Lisa , Fabbri Alice , Grundy Quinn , Mintzes Barbara , Bero Lisa 
Published: January 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo understand and report on the nature of patient group interactions with the
pharmaceutical industry from the perspective of patient group
representatives by exploring the range of attitudes towards pharmaceutical
industry sponsorship and how, why, and when interactions occur.DesignEmpirical qualitative interview study informed by ethics theory.SettingAustralian patient groups.Participants27 participants from 23 Australian patient groups that represented diverse
levels of financial engagement with the pharmaceutical industry. Groups were
focused on general health consumer issues or disease specific topics, and
had regional or national jurisdictions.AnalysisAnalytic techniques were informed by grounded theory. Interview transcripts
were coded into data driven categories. Findings were organised into new
conceptual categories to describe and explain the data, and were supported
by quotes.ResultsA range of attitudes towards pharmaceutical industry sponsorship were
identified that are presented as four different types of relationship
between patient groups and the pharmaceutical industry. The dominant
relationship type was of a successful business partnership, and participants
described close working relationships with industry personnel. These
participants acknowledged a potential for adverse industry influence, but
expressed confidence in existing strategies for avoiding industry influence.
Other participants described unsatisfactory or undeveloped relationships,
and some participants (all from general health consumer groups) presented
their groups’ missions as incompatible with the pharmaceutical industry
because of fundamentally opposing interests. Participants reported that
interactions between their patient group and pharmaceutical companies were
more common when companies had new drugs of potential interest to group
members. Patient groups that accepted industry funding engaged in exchanges
of “assets” with companies. Groups received money, information, and advice
in exchange for providing companies with marketing, relationship building
opportunities with key opinion leaders, coordinated lobbying with companies
about drug access and subsidy, assisting companies with clinical trial
recruitment, and enhancing company credibility.ConclusionsAn understanding of the range of views patient groups have about
pharmaceutical company sponsorship will be useful for groups that seek to
identify and manage any ethical concerns about these relationships. Patient
groups that receive pharmaceutical industry money should anticipate they
might be asked for specific assets in return. Selective industry funding of
groups where active product marketing opportunities exist might skew the
patient group sector’s activity towards pharmaceutical industry interests
and allow industry to exert proxy influence over advocacy and subsequent
health policy.
Planned earlier delivery for late pre-eclampsia may be better for mothers
Authors: Cook Rob , Lyon-Maris Johnny , Davidson Peter 
Published: January 2020

The studyChappell LC, Brocklehurst P, Green ME, et al. Planned early delivery or expectant management for late preterm pre-eclampsia (PHOENIX): a randomised controlled trial. Lancet 2019;394:1181-90.This project was funded by the NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme (project number 12/25/03).To read the full NIHR Signal, go to: https://discover.dc.nihr.ac.uk/content/signal-000838/mothers-benefit-from-a-planned-earlier-delivery-for-late-pre-eclampsia
Post-discharge acute care and outcomes following readmission reduction initiatives: national retrospective cohort study of Medicare beneficiaries in the United States
Authors: Khera Rohan , Wang Yongfei , Bernheim Susannah M , Lin Zhenqiu , Krumholz Harlan M 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Objectives
To determine whether patients discharged after hospital admissions for conditions covered by national readmission programs who received care in emergency departments or observation units but were not readmitted within 30 days had an increased risk of death and to evaluate temporal trends in post-discharge acute care utilization in inpatient units, emergency departments, and observation units for these patients.

Design
Retrospective cohort study.

Setting
Medicare claims data for 2008-16 in the United States.

Participants
Patients aged 65 or older admitted to hospital with heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, or pneumonia—conditions included in the US Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program.

Main outcome measures
Post-discharge 30 day mortality according to patients’ 30 day acute care utilization; acute care utilization in inpatient and observation units and the emergency department during the 30 day and 31-90 day post-discharge period.

Results
3 772 924 hospital admissions for heart failure, 1 570 113 for acute myocardial infarction, and 3 131 162 for pneumonia occurred. The overall post-discharge 30 day mortality was 8.7% for heart failure, 7.3% for acute myocardial infarction, and 8.4% for pneumonia. Risk adjusted mortality increased annually by 0.05% (95% confidence interval 0.02% to 0.08%) for heart failure, decreased by 0.06% (−0.09% to −0.04%) for acute myocardial infarction, and did not significantly change for pneumonia. Specifically, mortality increased for patients with heart failure who did not utilize any post-discharge acute care, increasing at a rate of 0.08% (0.05% to 0.12%) per year, exceeding the overall absolute annual increase in post-discharge mortality in heart failure, without an increase in mortality in observation units or the emergency department. Concurrent with a reduction in 30 day readmission rates, stays for observation and visits to the emergency department increased across all three conditions during and beyond the 30 day post-discharge period. Overall 30 day post-acute care utilization did not change significantly.

Conclusions
The only condition with increasing mortality through the study period was heart failure; the increase preceded the policy and was not present among patients who received emergency department or observation unit care without admission to hospital. During this period, the overall acute care utilization in the 30 days after discharge significantly decreased for heart failure and pneumonia, but not for acute myocardial infarction.
Therapeutic efficacy and safety of initial triple combination of metformin, sitagliptin, and lobeglitazone in drug-naïve patients with type 2 diabetes: initial triple study
Authors: Lim Soo , Ku Eu Jeong , Lee Seo Young , Lee Ji Hyun , Lee Jie-Eun , Kim Kyoung Min , Davies Melanie J 
Published: January 2020

ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy and safety of an initial triple therapy using metformin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) inhibitor, and thiazolidinedione with a stepwise approach using sulfonylurea and metformin in new-onset, drug-naïve patients with type 2 diabetes.Research design and methodsAmong drug-naïve patients with 9.0%–12.0% glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) but no hyperglycemic symptoms, 100 subjects who started triple medications (metformin 1000 mg/day, sitagliptin 100 mg/day, and lobeglitazone 0.5 mg/day) were selected as an initial triple therapy group. Age and body mass index-matched subjects (n=100) who started glimepiride (≥2 mg/day with uptitration) and metformin (≥1000 mg/day with uptitration) were selected as a conventional therapy group. We investigated changes in HbA1c level, dynamic indexes for insulin sensitivity and β-cell function, and hypoglycemia.ResultsAfter 12 months of treatment, HbA1c levels decreased significantly in both groups: from 10.7%±1.0% to 6.7%±1.3% in the triple group, and from 10.5%±1.0% to 7.3%±1.2% in the conventional therapy group. At 12 months, achievement of the HbA1c target (<7.0%) was higher in the triple group than in the conventional group (70% vs 52%, p<0.01). Dynamic indexes related to β-cell function and insulin sensitivity improved, and albuminuria reduced significantly only in the triple group. Hypoglycemia was more common in the conventional group.ConclusionsInitial triple combination therapy with the DPP4 inhibitor, metformin, and thiazolidinedione showed a higher achievement of the target HbA1c goal with a lower risk of hypoglycemia, better restoration of β-cell function, and multiple metabolic benefits, implying durable glycemic control. This strategy may be useful for patients presenting with type 2 diabetes and high HbA1c levels.