bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Costs and Trends in Utilization of Low-value Services Among Older Adults With Commercial Insurance or Medicare Advantage
Authors: Carter Elizabeth A. , Morin Pamela E. , Lind Keith D. 
Published: September 2017

Background:
Overutilization of low-value services (unnecessary or minimally beneficial tests or procedures) has been cited as a large contributor to the high costs of health care in the United States.

Objectives:
To analyze trends in utilization of low-value services from 2009 to 2014 among commercial and Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollees 50 and older.

Research Design:
A retrospective analysis of deidentified claims obtained from the OptumLab Data Warehouse.

Subjects:
Adults 50 and older enrolled in commercial plans and adults 65 and older enrolled in MA plans between 2009 and 2014.

Measures:
Costs and utilization of 16 low-value services in the following categories: cancer screening, imaging, and invasive procedures.

Results:
The most commonly performed low-value service was imaging of the head for syncope, at rates of 33%–39% in commercial enrollees and 45% in MA enrollees. The least common service was peripheral artery stenting (<1%) in commercial enrollees, and laminectomy (0.15% in 2009) and renal artery stenting in MA enrollees (0.07% in 2014). Renal artery stenting decreased by roughly 75% over the study period, the largest decrease in utilization, with ∼$30 million and $10 million in reduced spending for commercial and MA plans and enrollees, respectively. Spending on these services in 2014 totaled $317.6 million for commercial and $100.8 million for MA health plans.

Conclusions:
Clinicians, researchers, and policymakers should strive to reach consensus on methods for more reliably and accurately identifying low-value service utilization. Greater consistency would facilitate monitoring use of low-value services and changing clinical practice patterns over time.
Rituximab Experience in Patients With Long-standing Systemic Sclerosis–Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
Authors: Sari Alper , Guven Denizcan , Armagan Berkan , Erden Abdulsamet , Kalyoncu Umut , Karadag Omer , Apras Bilgen Sule , Ertenli Ihsan , Kiraz Sedat , Akdogan Ali 
Published: September 2017

Objectives
The objective of this study was to report the experience with rituximab treatment in a case series of patients with long-standing systemic sclerosis–associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD).

Methods
We reviewed the charts of 197 SSc patients. Fourteen patients who received rituximab for SSc-ILD participated in this analysis. Pulmonary function tests, high-resolution thorax computed tomography and modified Rodnan skin scores were evaluated at baseline and end of the follow-up.

Results
Median age was 53.2 years (interquartile range, 46.8–55.5 years), and median disease duration was 9.1 years (interquartile range, 5.1–13.6 years). At the end of median follow-up (15 months), although the median forced vital capacity value increased compared with baseline, the change was not statistically significant (52.5 vs. 58.0, P = 0.065). Forced vital capacity was improved in 4 patients and stabilized in 10 patients. High-resolution computed tomography was stable in 7 patients and worsened in 3 patients. Modified Rodnan skin scores remained stable at the end of follow-up (8.0 vs. 6.0, P = 0.6).

Conclusions
The improvement or stabilization of pulmonary disease was observed in most SSc patients with longer disease duration and worse pulmonary function. Rituximab might be useful in this patient group who is resistant to conventional immunosuppressive treatments.
An Enrichment Strategy Yields Seven Novel Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms Associated With Mortality and Altered Th17 Responses Following Blunt Trauma
Authors: Schimunek Lukas , Namas Rami A. , Yin Jinling , Liu Dongmei , Barclay Derek , el-Dehaibi Fayten , Abboud Andrew , Lindberg Haley , Zamora Ruben , Billiar Timothy R. , Vodovotz Yoram 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACT
Trauma is the leading cause of death worldwide for individuals under the age of 55. Interpatient genomic differences, in the form of candidate single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), have been associated previously with adverse outcomes after trauma. However, the utility of these SNPs to predict outcomes based on a meaningful endpoint such as survival is as yet undefined. We hypothesized that specific SNP haplotypes could segregate trauma survivors from non-survivors. Genomic DNA samples were obtained from 453 blunt trauma patients, for whom complete daily clinical and biomarker data were available for 397. Of these, 13 patients were non-survivors and the remaining 384 were survivors. All 397 DNA samples were amplified, fragmented, and examined for 551,839 SNPs using the Illumina Infinium CoreExome-24 v1.1 BeadChip (Illumina). To enrich for likely important SNPs, we initially compared SNPs of the 13 non-survivors versus 13 matched survivors, who were matched algorithmically for injury severity score (ISS), age, and gender ratio. This initial enrichment yielded 126 SNPs; a further comparison to the haplotypes of the remaining 371 survivors yielded a final total of 7 SNPs that distinguished survivors from non-survivors. Furthermore, severely injured survivors with the same seven SNPs as non-survivor exhibited distinct inflammatory responses from similarly injured survivors without those SNPs, and specifically had evidence of altered Th17 cell phenotypes based on computational modeling. These studies suggest an interaction among genetic polymorphism, injury severity, and initial inflammatory responses in driving trauma outcomes.
Microvesicle Subsets in Sepsis Due to Community Acquired Pneumonia Compared to Faecal Peritonitis
Authors: Lashin Hazem M.S. , Nadkarni Suchita , Oggero Silvia , Jones Hefin R. , Knight Julian C. , Hinds Charles J. , Perretti Mauro 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACT

Rationale:
Microvesicles (MV) act as a nonsoluble means of intercellular communication, with effector roles in disease pathogenesis and potentially as biomarkers. Previously, we reported that neutrophil MV expressing alpha-2-macroglobulin (A2MG) are protective in experimental sepsis and associate with survival in a small cohort of patients with sepsis due to community acquired pneumonia (CAP).

Objectives:
To characterize MV profiles in sepsis due to CAP or fecal peritonitis (FP) and determine their relation to outcome. To investigate the effects of novel sepsis treatments (granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interferon-ϒ (IFN-γ)) on MV production and functions in vitro.

Methods:
Flow cytometry analysis of MV identified the cell of origin and the proportion of A2MG expression in the plasma of patients with sepsis secondary to CAP (n = 60) or FP (n = 40) and compared with healthy volunteers (HV, n = 10). The association between MV subsets and outcome was examined. The ability of GM-CSF and IFN-γ on A2MG+ve MV production from whole blood was examined together with the assessment of their effect on neutrophil and endothelial functions.

Results:
Circulating cell-derived and A2MG+ve MV were higher in CAP compared with FP and HV. A2MG+ve MV were higher in survivors of CAP, but not in FP. GM-CSF and IFN-γ enhanced A2MG+ve MV production, with these MV eliciting pathogen clearance in vitro.

Conclusions:
Plasma MV profiles vary according to the source of infection. A2MG+ve MV are associated with survival in CAP but not FP. We propose specific MV subsets as novel biomarkers in sepsis and potential effector for some of the actions of experimental therapeutic interventions.
Mini-review: Perfluorocarbons, Oxygen Transport, and Microcirculation in Low Flow States: in Vivo and in Vitro Studies
Authors: Torres Filho Ivo P. 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACTThein vivostudy of microvascular oxygen transport requires accurate and challenging measurements of several mass transfer parameters. Although recommended, blood flow and oxygenation are typically not measured in many studies where treatments for ischemia are tested. Therefore, the aim of this communication is to briefly review cardinal aspects of oxygen transport, and the effects of perfluorocarbon (PFC) treatment on blood flow and oxygenation based mostly on studies performed in our laboratory. As physiologically relevant events in oxygen transport take place at the microvascular level, we implemented the phosphorescence quenching technique coupled with noninvasive intravital videomicroscopy for quantitative evaluation of these eventsin vivo. Rodent experimental models and various approaches have been used to induce ischemia, including hemorrhage, micro- and macroembolism, and microvessel occlusion. Measurements show decrease in microvascular blood flow as well as intravascular and tissue oxygen partial pressure (PO2) after these procedures. To minimize or reverse the effects of ischemia and hypoxia, artificial oxygen carriers such as different PFCs were tested. Well-defined endpoints such as blood flow and tissue PO2were measured because they have significant effect on tissue survival and outcome. In several cases, enhancement of flow and oxygenation could be demonstrated. Similar results were foundin vitro: PFC emulsion mixed with blood (from healthy donors and sickle cell disease patients) enhanced oxygen transport. In summary, PFCs may provide beneficial effects in these models by mechanisms at the microvascular level including facilitated diffusion and bubble reabsorption leading to improved blood flow and oxygenation.
Bridging the gap: from massive stars to supernovae
Authors: Maund Justyn R. , Crowther Paul A. , Janka Hans-Thomas , Langer Norbert 
Published: September 2017

Almost since the beginning, massive stars and their resultant supernovae have played a crucial role in the Universe. These objects produce tremendous amounts of energy and new, heavy elements that enrich galaxies, encourage new stars to form and sculpt the shapes of galaxies that we see today. The end of millions of years of massive star evolution and the beginning of hundreds or thousands of years of supernova evolution are separated by a matter of a few seconds, in which some of the most extreme physics found in the Universe causes the explosive and terminal disruption of the star. Key questions remain unanswered in both the studies of how massive stars evolve and the behaviour of supernovae, and it appears the solutions may not lie on just one side of the explosion or the other or in just the domain of the stellar evolution or the supernova astrophysics communities. The need to view massive star evolution and supernovae as continuous phases in a single narrative motivated the Theo Murphy international scientific meeting ‘Bridging the gap: from massive stars to supernovae’ at Chicheley Hall, UK, in June 2016, with the specific purpose of simultaneously addressing the scientific connections between theoretical and observational studies of massive stars and their supernovae, through engaging astronomers from both communities.
This article is part of the themed issue ‘Bridging the gap: from massive stars to supernovae’.
Preliminary results of models to predict areas in the Americas with increased likelihood of Zika virus transmission in 2017
Authors:   The ZIKAVAT Collaboration, Asher Jason , Barker Christopher , Chen Grace , Cummings Derek , Chinazzi Matteo , Daniel-Wayman Shelby , Fischer Marc , Ferguson Neil , Follman Dean , Elizabeth Halloran M. , Johansson Michael , Kugeler Kiersten , Kwan Jennifer , Lessler Justin , Longini Ira M. , Merler Stefano , Monaghan Andrew , y Piontti Ana Pastore , Perkins Alex , Rebecca Prevots D. , Reiner Robert , Rossi Luca , Rodriguez-Barraquer Isabel , Siraj Amir S. , Sun Kaiyuan , Vespignani Alessandro , Zhang Qian 
Published: September 2017

AbstractNumerous Zika virus vaccines are being developed. However, identifying sites to evaluate the efficacy of a Zika virus vaccine is challenging due to the general decrease in Zika virus activity. We compare results from three different modeling approaches to estimate areas that may have increased relative risk of Zika virus transmission during 2017. The analysis focused on eight priority countries (i.e., Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, and Peru). The models projected low incidence rates during 2017 for all locations in the priority countries but identified several subnational areas that may have increased relative risk of Zika virus transmission in 2017. Given the projected low incidence of disease, the total number of participants, number of study sites, or duration of study follow-up may need to be increased to meet the efficacy study endpoints.
Convergent mutations and single nucleotide variants in mitochondrial genomes of modern humans and Neanderthals
Authors: Ferreira Renata C. , Rodrigues Camila R. , Broach James R. , Briones Marcelo R. S. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractGenetic contributions of Neanderthals to the modern human genome have been evidenced by comparison of present-day human genomes with paleogenomes suggesting that the Neanderthal introgression is higher in Asians and Europeans and lower in Africans. Neanderthal signatures in extant human genomes are attributed to intercrosses between Neanderthals and archaic Anatomically Modern Humans (AMH). Although Neanderthal signatures are well documented in the nuclear genome, it has been proposed that there is no contribution of Neanderthal mitochondrial DNA to contemporary human genomes. Here we show that modern human mitochondrial genomes contain potential 66 Neanderthal signatures, or Neanderthal single nucleotide variants (N-SNVs) being 36 in coding regions of which 7 are nonsynonymous. Also, 7 N-SNVs are associated with traits such as cycling vomiting syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and 2 N-SNVs are associated with intelligence quotient. Based on recombination tests, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and the complete absence of these N-SNVs in 41 archaic AMH mitogenomes we conclude that convergent evolution due to homoplasy and not recombination, explains the presence of N-SNVs in present-day human mitogenomes.
Modified penetrance of coding variants bycis-regulatory variation shapes human traits
Authors: Castel Stephane E. , Cervera Alejandra , Mohammadi Pejman , Aguet François , Reverter Ferran , Wolman Aaron , Guigo Roderic , Iossifov Ivan , Vasileva Ana , Lappalainen Tuuli 
Published: September 2017

SummaryCoding variants represent many of the strongest associations between genotype and phenotype, however they exhibit inter-individual differences in effect, known as variable penetrance. In this work, we study howcis-regulatory variation modifies the penetrance of coding variants in their target gene. Using functional genomic and genetic data from GTEx, we observed that in the general population, purifying selection has depleted haplotype combinations that lead to higher penetrance of pathogenic coding variants. Conversely, in cancer and autism patients, we observed an enrichment of haplotype combinations that lead to higher penetrance of pathogenic coding variants in disease implicated genes, which provides direct evidence that regulatory haplotype configuration of causal coding variants affects disease risk. Finally, we experimentally demonstrated that a regulatory variant can modify the penetrance of a coding variant by introducing a Mendelian SNP using CRISPR/Cas9 on distinct expression haplotypes and using the transcriptome as a phenotypic readout. Our results demonstrate that joint effects of regulatory and coding variants are an important part of the genetic architecture of human traits, and contribute to modified penetrance of disease-causing variants.
Genetic interactions between the chromosome axis-associated protein Hop1 and homologous recombination determinants inSchizosaccharomyces pombe
Authors: Brown Simon David , Jarosinska Olga Dorota , Lorenz Alexander 
Published: September 2017

AbstractHop1 is a component of the meiosis-specific chromosome axis and belongs to the evolutionarily conserved family of HORMA domain proteins. Hop1 and its orthologs in higher eukaryotes are a major factor in promoting double-strand DNA break formation and inter-homolog recombination. In budding yeast and mammals they are also involved in a meiotic checkpoint kinase cascade monitoring the completion of double-strand DNA break repair. We used the fission yeast,Schizosaccharomyces pombe, which lacks a canonical synaptonemal complex to test whether Hop1 has a role beyond supporting the generation of double-strand DNA breaks and facilitating inter-homolog recombination events. We determined how mutants of homologous recombination factors genetically interact withhop1, studied the role(s) of the HORMA domain of Hop1, and characterized a bio-informatically predicted interactor of Hop1, Aho1 (SPAC688.03c). Our observations indicate that in fission yeast, Hop1 does require its HORMA domain to support wild-type levels of meiotic recombination and localization to meiotic chromatin. Furthermore, we show thathop1Δonly weakly interacts genetically with mutants of homologous recombination factors, and in fission yeast likely has no major role beyond break formation and promoting inter-homolog events. We speculate that after the evolutionary loss of the synaptonemal complex, Hop1 likely has become less important for modulating recombination outcome during meiosis in fission yeast, and that this led to a concurrent rewiring of genetic pathways controlling meiotic recombination.
Learning analytics in higher education: an analysis of case studies
Authors: Wong Billy Tak Ming 
Published: September 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a systematic review of the mounting research work on learning analytics.

Design/methodology/approach
This study collects and summarizes information on the use of learning analytics. It identifies how learning analytics has been used in the higher education sector, and the expected benefits for higher education institutions. Empirical research and case studies on learning analytics were collected, and the details of the studies were categorized, including their objectives, approaches, and major outcomes.

Findings
The results show the benefits of learning analytics, which help institutions to utilize available data effectively in decision making. Learning analytics can facilitate evaluation of the effectiveness of pedagogies and instructional designs for improvement, and help to monitor closely students’ learning and persistence, predict students’ performance, detect undesirable learning behaviours and emotional states, and identify students at risk, for taking prompt follow-up action and providing proper assistance to students. It can also provide students with insightful data about their learning characteristics and patterns, which can make their learning experiences more personal and engaging, and promote their reflection and improvement.

Originality/value
Despite being increasingly adopted in higher education, the existing literature on learning analytics has focussed mainly on conventional face-to-face institutions, and has yet to adequately address the context of open and distance education. The findings of this study enable educational organizations and academics, especially those in open and distance institutions, to keep abreast of this emerging field and have a foundation for further exploration of this area.
The potential and challenges of MOOCs in Pakistan: a perspective of students and faculty
Authors: Ahmed Syed Saad , Khan Essa , Faisal Muhammad , Khan Sara 
Published: September 2017

Purpose
The birth of massive open online courses (MOOCs) has instantly drawn the attention of scholars, academicians and learners. Millions of participants are learning through this freely accessible model of education. The purpose of this paper is to review the development of MOOCs, its characteristics and to explore its potential and challenges in Pakistan particularly.

Design/methodology/approach
The data were collected through interviews and focus group, and the respondents had completed at least one MOOC offering. This research used content and thematic analysis with the triangulation of methods and sources.

Findings
The finding of this study reflects that MOOCs are inspiring great number of learners in Pakistan despite of factors impeding the surge of e-learning. MOOCs in regional languages with better electricity and internet connectivity could be very useful for the rural areas’ people but it requires extra ordinary interest from government and academicians.

Research limitations/implications
This is an exploratory qualitative study highlighting the potential and challenges of MOOCs from the perspective of faculty and students. However, it does not incorporate the views of university officials. Similar study could consider university officials and university owner as respondents. In addition, future studies could also investigate the factors inhibiting completion of MOOCs.

Originality/value
Despite of the sharp rise of published literature on MOOCs, there is less contribution from the developing countries. This research enables us to develop better understanding of the potential and challenges of MOOCs in the social context of Pakistan.
A multi-objective evolutionary algorithm-based soft computing model for educational data mining
Authors: Tan Choo Jun , Lim Ting Yee , Bong Chin Wei , Liew Teik Kooi 
Published: September 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose a soft computing model based on multi-objective evolutionary algorithm (MOEA), namely, modified micro genetic algorithm (MmGA) coupled with a decision tree (DT)-based classifier, in classifying and optimising the students’ online interaction activities as classifier of student achievement. Subsequently, the results are transformed into useful information that may help educator in designing better learning instructions geared towards higher student achievement.

Design/methodology/approach
A soft computing model based on MOEA is proposed. It is tested on benchmark data pertaining to student activities and achievement obtained from the University of California at Irvine machine learning repository. Additional, a real-world case study in a distance learning institution, namely, Wawasan Open University in Malaysia has been conducted. The case study involves a total of 46 courses collected over 24 consecutive weeks with students across the entire regions in Malaysia and worldwide.

Findings
The proposed model obtains high classification accuracy rates at reduced number of features used. These results are transformed into useful information for the educational institution in our case study in an effort to improve student achievement. Whether benchmark or real-world case study, the proposed model successfully reduced the number features used by at least 48 per cent while achieving higher classification accuracy.

Originality/value
A soft computing model based on MOEA, namely, MmGA coupled with a DT-based classifier, in handling educational data is proposed.