bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Electronic health records systems and hospital clinical performance: a study of nationwide hospital data
Authors: Yuan Neal , Dudley R Adams , Boscardin W John , Lin Grace A 
Published: May 2019

Abstract

Objective
Electronic health records (EHRs) were expected to yield numerous benefits. However, early studies found mixed evidence of this. We sought to determine whether widespread adoption of modern EHRs in the US has improved clinical care.

Methods
We studied hospitals reporting performance measures from 2008–2015 in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Hospital Compare database that also reported having an EHR in the American Hospital Association 2015 IT supplement. Using interrupted time-series analysis, we examined the association of EHR implementation, EHR vendor, and Meaningful Use status with 11 process measures and 30-day hospital readmission and mortality rates for heart failure, pneumonia, and acute myocardial infarction.

Results
A total of 1246 hospitals contributed 8222 hospital-years. Compared to hospitals without EHRs, hospitals with EHRs had significant improvements over time on 5 of 11 process measures. There were no substantial differences in readmission or mortality rates. Hospitals with CPSI EHR systems performed worse on several process and outcome measures. Otherwise, we found no substantial improvements in process measures or condition-specific outcomes by duration of EHR use, EHR vendor, or a hospital’s Meaningful Use Stage 1 or Stage 2 status.

Conclusion
In this national study of hospitals with modern EHRs, EHR use was associated with better process of care measure performance but did not improve condition-specific readmission or mortality rates regardless of duration of EHR use, vendor choice, or Meaningful Use status. Further research is required to understand why EHRs have yet to improve standard outcome measures and how to better realize the potential benefits of EHR systems.
Longitudinal Clinical Trial Recruitment and Retention Challenges in the Burn Population: Lessons Learned From a Trial Examining a Novel Intervention for Chronic Neuropathic Symptoms
Authors: Ohrtman Emily A , Zaninotto Ana Luiza , Carvalho Sandra , Shie Vivian L , Leite Jorge , Ianni Corinne Rose , Kazis Lewis E , Zafonte Ross , Ryan Colleen M , Schneider Jeffrey C , Fregni Felipe 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
Long-term trials are key to understanding chronic symptoms such as pain and itch. However, challenges such as high attrition rates and poor recruitment are common when conducting research. The aim of this work was to explore these issues within a long-term randomized control trial using transcranial direct current stimulation to treat pain and itch. This parallel double blinded, placebo-controlled randomized trial was comprised of 15 transcranial direct current stimulation visits and 7 follow-up visits. Participants were over the age of 18, had a burn injury that occurred at least 3 weeks before enrollment, and reported having pain and/or itch that was moderate to severe in intensity. A total of 31 subjects were randomized into either an active or sham transcranial direct current stimulation groups. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of age, race, education, baseline depression, or anxiety. The median dropout time was at visit 19 (visit 16 [SE = 1.98] for the sham group and visit 19 [SE = 1.98] for the active group). Analysis showed no differences in the dropout rate between groups [χ2(1) = 0.003, P = .954]. The dropout rate was 46.7% for the sham group and 43.8% for the active group. Overall, 45.2% of the subjects dropped out of the trial. Long-term clinical trials are an essential part of evaluating interventions for symptoms such as chronic pain and itch. However, as seen in this trial, long-term studies in the burn population often face recruitment and adherence challenges.
Field and Laboratory Studies of Resistance to Bt Corn by Western Corn Rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
Authors: Shrestha Ram B , Gassmann Aaron J 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
Western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), has developed resistance to transgenic corn that produces the insecticidal toxin Cry3Bb1 derived from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bacillales: Bacillaceae) (Bt), with cross-resistance extending to corn with Bt toxins mCry3A and eCry3.1Ab. Additionally, some populations of western corn rootworm have evolved resistance to Cry34/35Ab1 corn. We conducted a 2-yr field and laboratory study that included three field locations: 1) Bt-susceptible population, 2) field with a recent history of Cry3Bb1 resistance, and 3) field with a long-term history of Cry3Bb1 resistance. The population with recently evolved Cry3Bb1 resistance showed resistance to Cry3Bb1 corn in both laboratory bioassays and field evaluations; by contrast, the population with a long-term history of Cry3Bb1 resistance showed resistance, in both laboratory and field experiments to Cry3Bb1 corn and corn with a pyramid of mCry3A plus eCry3.1Ab corn. Field-based evaluations also showed that the field population with a long-term history of Cry3Bb1 resistance imposed higher root injury to Cry3Bb1 corn and the pyramid of mCry3A plus eCry3.1Ab compared with the susceptible control. The results of this study are discussed in the context of developing strategies to manage western corn rootworm in areas where populations have evolved resistance to Cry3Bb1 corn.
Subsidies for Illegal Activities?—Reframing IUU Fishing from the Law Enforcement Perspective
Authors: Lee Jaemin 
Published: May 2019

ABSTRACT
Fisheries subsidies norms and discussions at present are based on the subsidy framework under the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures. This approach is pertinent vis-à-vis various types of governmental subsidies provided to fisheries industries. It, however, fails to tackle illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, one of the core targets of the fisheries subsidies norms, because few governments ‘subsidize’ illegal activities such as IUU. As far as IUU fishing is concerned, the real challenge is not about subsidies but about how to enforce domestic laws and regulations to punish owners, operators, and fishermen engaged in such illegal activities. Future discussion of fisheries subsidies norms regarding IUU should reflect the law enforcement aspect in addition to the present subsidy aspect.
Efficacy of Novaluron + Pyriproxyfen (Tekko Pro) Insect Growth Regulators Against Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae), Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, and Rhipicephalus sanguineus
Authors: Showler Allan T , Donahue William A , Harlien Jessica L , Donahue Michael W , Vinson Bret E , Thomas Donald B 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
Ixodids are globally distributed pests that transmit many disease agents. Increasing resistance to conventional acaricides raises the need for alternative tactics. Novaluron and pyriproxyfen are insect growth regulators (IGRs) that have variable potencies against acarines. We conducted in vitro and in vivo experiments to assess novaluron + pyriproxyfen (marketed as Tekko Pro) against four ixodid species. Laboratory assays on the brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille) (Ixodida: Ixodidae), and the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (L.) (Ixodida: Ixodidae), reduced metabolic activity in larvae and nymphs. Concentrations of novaluron + pyriproxyfen dried on filter paper impeded molting of larval R. sanguineus (less effective against nymphs). Molting A. americanum larvae were reduced by >95% using 4 and 8 µg/cm2 eliminated molting; nymphal molting was reduced but not halted even at 16 µg/cm2. On calves, novaluron + pyriproxyfen stopped larval A. americanum metabolic function 1 d post-treatment and larvae did not molt. When larvae were released 30 d after treatment, metabolic activity was reduced by 95% and molting was reduced by 94%. Southern cattle fever tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Canestrini) (Ixodida: Ixodidae), larvae released 1 d after treatment on calves were 99% prevented from reaching adulthood. The treatment did not interfere with larval development when larvae were released 52 d after treatment. The cattle fever tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus (Say) (Ixodida: Ixodidae), failed to reach adulthood when larvae were released on calves a day after treatment (residual activity was not assessed for R. annulatus). These IGRs, and possibly others, offer an alternative to conventional acaricides for ixodid control on cattle.
Indemnity for a lost chance
Authors: Stern Rafael Bassi , Kadane Joseph Born 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
Civil liability for a lost chance occurs when a tortious action changes the probabilities of the outcomes that can be obtained by the victim. In such situations, the most commonly referenced rule of quantification is that of proportional damages. Based on this rule, the literature has proposed several formulae for quantifying damages. However, these formulae have limited applicability. For instance, they are inappropriate when the victim’s chance has more than two possible outcomes or when the victim can make a choice which would influence her outcomes. Also, the formulae have seldom been derived from legal principles, which makes it hard to choose among them when they disagree. Instead of discussing specific formulae, we propose a principled approach to quantifying damages in lost chances. We present several qualitative legal questions regarding how to quantify damages and show that the answers lead to precise and general rules for damage quantification. These rules generalize the formulae that were previously proposed. Furthermore, our approach separates legal considerations from the quantitative issues involved in damage quantification.
Prebiotics may reduce serum concentrations of C-reactive protein and ghrelin in overweight and obese adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: da Silva Borges Dayanne , Fernandes Ricardo , Thives Mello Arthur , da Silva Fontoura Ethiene , Soares dos Santos Adair Roberto , Santos de Moraes Trindade Erasmo Benicio 
Published: May 2019

AbstractContextBiochemical markers correlate positively with the development and severity of obesity, depression, and anxiety, and can be modulated by changes in intestinal microbiota composition.ObjectiveA systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to determine the effects of prebiotics or synbiotics on blood biomarkers of obesity, depression, and anxiety (including: ACTH [adrenocorticotropic hormone], cortisol, leptin, ghrelin, TSH [thyroid-stimulating hormone], PTH [parathyroid hormone], vitamin D, BDNF [brain-derived neurotrophic factor], and PCR [polymerase chain reaction]) in individuals with overweight or obesity.Data SourcesMEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and CENTRAL databases were searched, along with the reference lists of included articles. Authors were contacted for unpublished data.Study SelectionRCT in individuals with overweight or obesity, supplemented with prebiotics or synbiotics, assessing any of the outcomes of interest.Data ExtractionData were extracted independently by three researchers.ResultsThirteen studies were identified up to March 7, 2018. Regarding outcomes, 1 study assessed leptin, 4 studies assessed ghrelin, and 10 studies assessed CRP (C-reactive protein). Meta-analysis showed reduction in serum concentrations of ghrelin (−37.17 pg/mL; 95%CI = −69.62, −4.73; P = 0.025) and CRP (SMD [standardized mean difference] = −0.31; 95%CI = −0.58, −0.04; P = 0.027) after supplementation of inulin-type fructans.ConclusionsPrebiotics may help regulate blood concentrations of ghrelin and CRP in overweight or obese individuals.
Does Physician Leadership Influence Followers’ Hand Hygiene Compliance?
Authors: Shim Jeong-yun , Park Suyeon , Kim Gil Eun , Jeong Yeon Su , Kim Jin Hwa , Lee Eunyoung , Lee Eun Jung , Kim Tae Hyong , Park Se Yoon 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine factors influencing the hand hygiene compliance of a physician. We found a strong correlation between a leader’s (staff member’s or fellow’s) and a follower’s (resident’s) hand hygiene compliance. Followers’ appropriate hand hygiene compliance was significantly associated with the compliance of the leader (P = .01).
Sexually differential gene expressions in poplar roots in response to nitrogen deficiency
Authors: Song Haifeng , Cai Zeyu , Liao Jun , Tang Duoteng , Zhang Sheng 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
Nitrogen (N) is a key nutrient impacting plant growth and physiological processes. However, the supply of N is often not sufficient to meet the requirements of trees in many terrestrial ecosystems. Because of differences in production costs, male and female plants have evolved different stress resistance strategies for N limitation. However, little is known about differential gene expression according to sex in poplars responding to N limitation. To explore sex-related constitutive defenses, Populus cathayana Rehder transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolic analyses were performed on the roots of male and female Populus cathayana. We detected 16,816 proteins and 37,286 transcripts, with 2797 overlapping proteins and mRNAs in the roots. In combination with the identification of 90 metabolites, we found that N deficiency greatly altered gene expression related to N metabolism as well as carbohydrate metabolism, secondary metabolism and stress-related processes in both sexes. Nitrogen-deficient P. cathayana females exhibited greater root biomass and less inhibition of citric acid production and glycolysis as well as higher secondary metabolic activity and abscisic acid contents than N-deficient P. cathayana males. Interestingly, males presented a better osmotic adjustment ability and higher expression of resistance genes, suggesting that P. cathayana males exhibit a better stress tolerance ability and can invest fewer resources in defense compared with females. Therefore, our study provides new molecular evidence that P. cathayana males and females adopt different resistance strategies to cope with N deficiency in their roots.
POLARIS: path of least action analysis on energy landscapes
Authors: Seitz Evan , Frank Joachim 
Published: May 2019

ABSTRACTFree-energy landscapes are a powerful tool for analyzing dynamical processes - capable of providing a complete mapping of a system’s configurations in state space while articulating its energetics topologically in the form of sprawling hills and valleys. Within this mapping, the path of least action can be derived - representing the most probable sequence of transitions taken between any two states in the landscape. In this article, POLARIS (Path of Least Action Recursive Survey) is presented as a dynamic, global approach that efficiently automates the discovery of the least action path on 2D energy landscapes. Important built-in features of this program include plotting of landscape trajectories and transition state theory diagrams, generation of text files with least action coordinates and respective energies, and bifurcation analysis tools that provide downstream versatility for comparing most probable paths and reaction rates.
Adding noise to Markov cohort models
Authors: Iskandar Rowan 
Published: May 2019

AbstractFollowing its introduction over thirty years ago, the Markov state-transition cohort model has been used extensively to model population trajectories over time in decision modeling and cost-effectiveness studies. We recently showed that a cohort model represents the average of a continuous-time stochastic process on a multidimensional integer lattice governed by a master equation (ME), which represents the time-evolution of the probability function of a integer-valued random vector. From this theoretical connection, this study introduces an alternative modeling method, stochastic differential equation (SDE), which captures not only the mean behavior but also the variance. We first derive the continuous approximation to the master equation by relaxing integrality constraint of the state space in the form of Fokker Planck equation (FPE), which represents the time-evolution of the probability function of a real-valued random vector. Instead of working with the FPE, the SDE method constitutes time-evolution of the random vector of population counts. We derive the SDE from first principles and describe an algorithm to construct an SDE and solve the SDE via simulation for use in practice. We show the applications of SDE in two case studies. The first example demonstrates that the population trajectories, the mean and the variance, from the SDE and other commonly-used methods match. The second examples shows that users can readily apply the SDE method in their existing works without the need for additional inputs. In addition, in both examples, the SDE is superior to microsimulation in terms of computational speed. In summary, the SDE provides an alternative modeling framework and is less computationally expensive that microsimulation for a typical modeling problem in decision analyses.
Comparison of two individual-based model simulators for HIV epidemiology in a population with HSV-2 using as case study Yaoundé-Cameroon, 1980-2005
Authors: Hendrickx Diana M , Sousa João Dinis , Libin Pieter J.K. , Delva Wim , Liesenborgs Jori , Hens Niel , Müller Viktor , Vandamme Anne-Mieke 
Published: May 2019

ABSTRACTModel comparisons have been widely used to guide intervention strategies to control infectious diseases. Agreement between different models is crucial for providing robust evidence for policy-makers because differences in model properties can influence their predictions. In this study, we compared models implemented by two individual-based model simulators for HIV epidemiology in a population with Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). For each model simulator, we constructed four models, starting from a simplified basic model and stepwise including more model complexity. For the resulting eight models, the predictions of the impact of behavioural interventions on the HIV epidemic in Yaoundé (Cameroon) were compared. The results show that differences in model assumptions and model complexity can influence the size of the predicted impact of the intervention, as well as the predicted qualitative behaviour of the HIV epidemic after the intervention. Moreover, two models that agree in their predictions of the HIV epidemic in the absence of intervention can have different outputs when predicting the impact of interventions. Without additional data, it is impossible to determine which of these two models is the most reliable. These findings highlight the importance of making more data available for the calibration and validation of epidemiological models.
Centromere-proximal meiotic crossovers inDrosophila melanogasterare suppressed by both highly-repetitive heterochromatin and the centromere effect
Authors: Hartmann Michaelyn , Umbanhowar James , Sekelsky Jeff 
Published: May 2019

AbstractCrossovers are essential in meiosis of most organisms to ensure the proper segregation of chromosomes. The lack or improper placement of crossovers can result in nondisjunction and aneuploidy in progeny. Crossovers near the centromere can cause nondisjunction; centromere-proximal crossovers are suppressed by what is termed the centromere effect, but the mechanism is unknown. Here, we investigate contributions to centromere-proximal crossover suppression inDrosophila melanogaster. We mapped a large number of centromere-proximal crossovers and find that crossovers are essentially absent from the highly-repetitive (HR)-heterochromatin surrounding the centromere but occur at a low frequency within the less-repetitive (LR)-heterochromatic region and adjacent euchromatin. Previous research suggested that flies that lack the Bloom syndrome helicase (Blm) lose meiotic of crossover patterning, including the centromere effect. Mapping of centromere-proximal crossovers inBlmmutants reveals that the suppression within the HR-heterochromatin is intact, but the centromere effect is lost. We conclude that centromere-proximal crossovers are suppressed by two separable mechanisms: the HR-heterochromatin effect, which completely suppresses crossovers in the HR-heterochromatin, and the centromere effect, which suppresses crossovers with a dissipating effect with distance from the centromere.
Association analysis of loci implied in “buffering” epistasis
Authors: Legarra Andrés , Vitezica Zulma G. , Naval-Sánchez Marina , Henshall John , Raidan Fernanda , Li Yutao , Meyer Karin , Hudson Nicholas J. , Porto-Neto Laercio R. , Reverter Antonio 
Published: May 2019

ABSTRACTThe existence of buffering mechanisms is an emerging property of biological networks, and this results in the possible existence of “buffering” loci, that would allow buildup of robustness through evolution. So far, there are no explicit methods to find loci implied in buffering mechanisms. However, buffering can be seen as interaction with genetic background. Here we develop this idea into a tractable model for quantitative genetics, in which the buffering effect of one locus with many other loci is condensed into a single (statistical) effect, multiplicative on the total (statistical) additive genetic effect. This allows easier interpretation of the results, and it also simplifies the problem of detecting epistasis from quadratic to linear in the number of loci. Armed with this formulation, we construct a linear model for genome-wide association studies that estimates, and declares significance, of multiplicative epistatic effects at single loci. The model has the form of a variance components, norm reaction model and likelihood ratio tests are used for significance. This model is a generalization and explanation of previous ones. We then test our model using bovine data: Brahman and Tropical Composite animals, phenotyped for body weight at yearling and genotyped up to ∼770,000 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNP). After association analysis and based on False Discovery Rate rules, we find a number of loci with buffering action in one, the other, or both breeds; these loci do not have significant statistical additive effect. Most of these loci have been reported in previous studies, either with an additive effect, or as footprints of selection. We identify epistatic SNPs present in or near genes encoding for proteins that are functionally enriched for peptide activity and transcription factors reported in the context of signatures of selection in multi-breed cattle population studies. These include loci known to be associated with coat color, fertility and adaptation to tropical environments. In these populations we found loci that have a non-significant statistical additive effect but a significant epistatic effect. We argue that the discovery and study of loci associated with buffering effects allows attacking the difficult problems, among others, of release of maintenance variance in artificial and natural selection, of quick adaptation to the environment, and of opposite signs of marker effects in different backgrounds. We conclude that our method and our results generate promising new perspectives for research in evolutionary and quantitative genetics based on the study of loci that buffer effect of other loci.