bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Unveiling the Hidden Discrepancies Between Medicare Physician Reimbursement Rates and Inflation Across Different Surgical Specialties
Authors: Stoffel Victoria , Camacho Justin M. , Heeb Connor , Cui Saishi , Shim Jalene Y. , Pacella Salvatore J. , Gosman Amanda A. , Reid Chris M. 
Published: May 2024

Objective
This study aimed to analyze the trends of Medicare physician reimbursement from 2011 to 2021 and compare the rates across different surgical specialties.

Background
Knowledge of Medicare is essential because of its significant contribution in physician reimbursements. Previous studies across surgical specialties have demonstrated that Medicare, despite keeping up with inflation in some areas, has remained flat when accounting for physician reimbursement.

Study Design
The Physician/Supplier Procedure Summary data for the calendar year 2021 were queried to extract the top 50% of Current Procedural Terminology codes based on case volume. The Physician Fee Schedule look-up tool was accessed, and the physician reimbursement fee was abstracted. Weighted mean reimbursement was adjusted for inflation. Growth rate and compound annual growth rate were calculated. Projection of future inflation and reimbursement rates were also calculated using the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Results
After adjusting for inflation, the weighted mean reimbursement across surgical specialties decreased by −22.5%. The largest reimbursement decrease was within the field of general surgery (−33.3%), followed by otolaryngology (−31.5%), vascular surgery (−23.3%), and plastic surgery (−22.8%). There was a significant decrease in median case volume across all specialties between 2011 and 2021 (P < 0.001).

Conclusions
This study demonstrated that, when adjusted for inflation, over the study period, there has been a consistent decrease in reimbursement for all specialties analyzed. Awareness of the current downward trends in Medicare physician reimbursement should be a priority for all surgeons, as means of advocating for compensation and to maintain surgical care feasible and accessible to all patients.
Modern Trends in Nasal Bone Fractures and the Effect of Social Distancing
Authors: Hoerter Jacob E. , Huynh Pauline P. , Doshi Abhishek , McKinnon Louis , Liang Jonathan 
Published: May 2024

Objectives:
To assess differences in demographics, incidence, and cause of nasal bone fractures (NBFs) between pre–coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and COVID-19 eras.

Methods:
The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System was queried for adult NBF. Two sample t tests and Wald χ2 tests were used to identify changes across the 2012 to 2019 period and 2020 to 2021 period (age, sex, race, location, disposition, and product).

Results:
There was a total of 523,259 (95% CI: 445,082–601,436) emergency department (ED)–treated adult NBFs in the United States. There was a greater incidence of NBF during COVID-19 (61,621 annual cases; 95% CI: 61,572–61,669) compared with pre–COVID-19 (50,773 annual cases; 95% CI: 50,195–51,351; P < 0.01). Fewer patients with NBF were discharged after ED evaluation during COVID-19 (79.46%; 95% CI: 74.45%–83.70%) compared with before (84.41%; 95% CI: 82.36%–86.28%; P = 0.049, t test). During COVID-19, there was a decrease in sport-associated NBFs, such as basketball [2.36% (95% CI: 1.71%–3.27%) versus 5.21% (95% CI: 4.20%–6.45%), P < 0.01] and baseball [1.18% (95% CI: 0.82%–1.69%) versus 2.22% (95% CI: 1.80%–2.74%), P<0.01], but an increase in fall (66.34% versus 75.02%), alcohol (7.04% versus 12.89%), and drug-associated (0.47% versus 5.70%) NBFs (all P < 0.001).

Conclusion:
A greater incidence of NBFs has been observed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic without significant changes in sex or race. Nasal bone fractures during COVID-19 were less likely to be related to sports or discharged from the ED and more likely to be associated with drugs and alcohol. Changes in sociobehavioral patterns during these unprecedented times may account for post–COVID-19 NBF etiologic drift.

Level of Evidence:
Level II—retrospective cohort study.
A typology of family caregiving for older immigrants: perspectives from care receivers and care providers
Authors: Hierofani Patricia Yocie , van Riemsdijk Micheline 
Published: May 2024

Purpose
As populations are ageing and the global average life expectancy is rising, the provision of care for older people is an increasingly salient issue. This paper aims to focus on family-provided care for older immigrants, examining how older immigrants and care providers experience and construct family caregiving.

Design/methodology/approach
Based on interviews with care recipients, family care providers, municipal staff and representatives for migrant organisations in Sweden, this study presents a typology of family caregiving for older immigrants.

Findings
The authors found three caregiving types, namely, solely family-provided care and a combination of family care and public care (predominantly one or the other). The decision to select family-provided or publicly-funded care depends on personal and institutional factors.

Originality/value
The paper makes three empirical contributions to the literature on care provision for older immigrants. Firstly, this study provides insights into the structural and personal factors that shape care-giving arrangements for older immigrants. Secondly, this study examines the perspectives of care recipients and care providers on family-provided care. Care expectations differ between both groups and sometimes result in intergenerational disagreement. Thirdly, in terms of institutional support, this study finds that the Swedish state’s notion of individual needs does not match the needs of immigrant elderly and their caregivers. The paper places the care types in a broader discussion about eldercare provision in the Swedish welfare state, which has experienced a decline in publicly funded care services and an increase in family caregiving in the past 30 years. In addition, it addresses questions of dignified ageing from a minority perspective.
The impact of artificial intelligence on economic development
Authors: Trabelsi Mohamed Ali 
Published: May 2024

PurposeThis paper reviews recent research on the expected economic effects of developing artificial intelligence (AI) through a survey of the latest publications, in particular papers and reports issued by academics, consulting companies and think tanks.Design/methodology/approachOur paper represents a point of view on AI and its impact on the global economy. It represents a descriptive analysis of the AI phenomenon.FindingsAI represents a driver of productivity and economic growth. It can increase efficiency and significantly improve the decision-making process by analyzing large amounts of data, yet at the same time it creates equally serious risks of job market polarization, rising inequality, structural unemployment and the emergence of new undesirable industrial structures.Practical implicationsThis paper presents itself as a building block for further research by introducing the two main factors in the production function (Cobb-Douglas): labor and capital. Indeed, Zeira (1998) and Aghion, Jones and Jones (2017) suggested that AI can stimulate growth by replacing labor, which is a limited resource, with capital, an unlimited resource, both for the production of goods, services and ideas.Originality/valueOur study contributes to the previous literature and presents a descriptive analysis of the impact of AI on technological development, economic growth and employment.
Organisational growth and decline in Indonesian Islamic banks
Authors: Bahrul Ilmi Muhammad , Mohamad Muslim Har Sani , Mohd. Shariff Ros Aniza 
Published: May 2024

Purpose
This study aims to investigate the growth of Indonesian Islamic banks and explores organisational growth determinants from different perspectives, namely, organisational climate, intellectual capital (IC) and organisational service orientation. The study also attempts to develop a model to measure the growth of Islamic banks and uncovers the root causes of the stagnancy in Indonesian Islamic banking.

Design/methodology/approach
The study used survey questionnaires distributed to Islamic bank managers, who were considered representative experts in the field of Islamic banking. The data collected were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 21.0), and two analyses were performed with different strategies to build the regression model, namely, multiple linear regression and automatic linear regression.

Findings
The study found that IC significantly affected Islamic banks’ growth in Indonesia; however, organisational climate and service orientation did not predict such growth. Concerning service orientation as a mediating model, climate or IC had no indirect effect on growth.

Research limitations/implications
This study’s results contribute to fill the gap by analysing the growth of Islamic banks. Hence, the study results will be especially practical and helpful for Islamic bank managers and policymakers to help develop mechanisms for Islamic banks in Indonesia.

Originality/value
By combining the aspects of organisational climate, IC and service orientation from earlier studies and categorising them by organisational growth, together with a comprehensive literature review, the study proposes a model specific to Islamic banks. It also offers new insight and discussion for determining organisational growth in Indonesian Islamic banks.
Using dialogic reading and direct instruction of emotion words to increase emotion vocabulary knowledge in the preschool classroom
Authors: Kogan Ann-Marie 
Published: May 2024

PurposeThis research addresses a need in early childhood education for evidence-based teaching strategies that build emotional self-regulation skills in young children. The intervention assessed in this study focused on increasing the emotion vocabulary of preschool-aged students.Design/methodology/approachThis mixed-methods, quasi-experimental study evaluated the impact a dialogic reading approach combined with direct instruction of emotion words during a shared book-reading activity had on students' emotion vocabulary knowledge. The study was conducted in a licensed daycare center in a suburb of Chicago, Illinois, with ten four- and five-year-old students. Pre- and post-session surveys assessed the intervention's impact on the students' receptive and expressive vocabulary knowledge, and observation notes captured the students' responses to the intervention activities.FindingsThe results showed significant increases with small to medium effect sizes between the students’ pre- and post-session survey scores for both receptive and expressive emotion vocabulary knowledge, a strong positive correlation between the level of student engagement during the intervention and their emotion vocabulary assessment scores, and the impact other variables had on the intervention’s effectiveness.Practical implicationsThis research provides information on a culturally adaptable and quickly learned teaching strategy that could be used to build emotional self-regulation skills in the early childhood classroom.Originality/valueThis research uniquely applies this intervention as a universal strategy with preschool-aged children.
An integrated low-cost automatic pipetting used in nucleic acid detection PCR instrument and clinical detection
Authors: Lin Chengxiong , Wu Wenming 
Published: May 2024

Purpose
This paper aims to introduce a custom-designed integrated nucleic acid detection polymerase chain reaction (PCR) instrument for clinical detection applications.

Design/methodology/approach
The PCR instrument can make rapid, sensitive, low-cost and quantitative molecular diagnosis compared with the current routine test flow from the pipette, series reagent to RT-PCR by manual manipulation. By integrating the multichannel automatic pipetting module, heat amplification module and real-time fluorescence detection module for the first time, the custom-designed integrated nucleic acid detection PCR instrument can achieve sample collection, subpackage, mixing, extracting, measuring and result presentation.

Findings
The multichannel automatic pipetting module was assembled with an accuracy of 0.4% (2 microliters) for accuracy measurement. Besides, the accuracy and sensitivity of nucleic acid using integrated low-cost nucleic acid detection PCR instruments were checked with COV-2019 virus (staining method) and African swine fever virus (probe method) under different concentrations.

Practical implications
Because of its high cost, complex system and bulky laboratory settings, including sample subpackage, mixing, extracting, measuring and finally result in presentation, the current nucleic acid detection system is not suitable for field operation and disease diagnosis in remote areas. The group independently designed and assembled an integrated low-cost multichannel nucleic acid detection PCR instrument, including a multichannel automatic pipetting module, a heat amplification module and a real-time fluorescence detection module.

Originality/value
The above equipment showed better reliability compared with commercial qPCR. These results can lay the foundation for functional, fast and low-cost PCR equipment for trace measurements.
Something to chew on: assessing what students want from campus dining services
Authors: Nanu Luana , Rahman Imran , Traynor Mark , Cain Lisa 
Published: May 2024

Purpose
This exploratory study aims to integrate both quantitative and qualitative methods to examine the influence of contemporary university dining attributes and practices on student patronage.

Design/methodology/approach
First, a review of the extant literature on-campus dining in universities was conducted. Second, innovative practices of on-campus dining facilities of a large public university were identified. Finally, student perceptions of those practices were examined using a mixed method approach.

Findings
The review of literature uncovered 49 articles across 35 years on key topics such as food waste, healthy eating, and service evaluation. From site tours and interviews with related personnel, 40 innovative on-campus dining practices were identified.

Research limitations/implications
Importance ratings revealed cleanliness of the environment, fresh fruit and vegetables, and digitally enabled ordering, as the top three highest rated practices. Factor analysis unveiled six factors that students find important: food diversity, good standards, innovativeness, quick options, menu variety, and fish and seafood. The thematic analysis further revealed four overarching themes (convenience, familiarity, food offerings, and value) and 13 subthemes which complemented the quantitative results.

Originality/value
In addition to shedding post-pandemic light on students’ dining needs, it highlights the paucity of theory used to support extant studies and suggests a novel theoretical underpinning.
Financial sector development and renewable energy consumption nexus: Evidence from global dynamic panel threshold analysis
Authors: Majeed Muhammad Tariq , Hussain Zubia 
Published: May 2024

AbstractDecarbonizing economies requires an energy transition from conventional energy resources to renewable and clean energy resources. However, this transition largely depends upon the availability of huge investments to manage high start‐up costs and operational infrastructure. In this respect, the financial sector can play a vital role. This study explores the financial sector's role in renewable energy consumption utilizing a comprehensive measure of financial sector development constituting both financial institutions and financial markets. Moreover, the study utilizes an advanced econometric technique “dynamic panel threshold model” on panel data of 165 countries ranging from 1980 to 2019. The empirical analysis reveals the presence of a threshold value of 0.191, 0.196, and 0.008 for the overall financial development index, financial institutions index, and financial market index, respectively. This finding confirms the presence of a U‐shaped curve between financial sector development and renewable energy consumption, validating the existence of the financial Kuznets curve. Thus, initially, financial sector development results in lower renewable energy consumption while after reaching the threshold level it boosts renewable energy consumption. Furthermore, the study also shows the statistically significant role of economic growth, trade openness, and inflation in explaining renewable energy usage. The obtained outcomes suggest a pressing necessity to improve both financial institutions and markets to surpass the threshold levels of financial sector performance within the financial sector, thus supporting a rise in renewable energy consumption.
Cellular senescence is a double‐edged sword in regulating aged immune responses to influenza
Authors: Torrance Blake L. , Cadar Andreia N. , Panier Hunter A. , Martin Dominique E. , Lorenzo Erica C. , Jellison Evan R. , Bartley Jenna M. , Haynes Laura 
Published: May 2024

AbstractClearance of senescent cells has demonstrated therapeutic potential in the context of chronic age‐related diseases. Little is known, however, how clearing senescent cells affects the ability to respond to an acute infection and form quality immunological memory. We aimed to probe the effects of clearing senescent cells in aged mice on the immune response to influenza (flu) infection. We utilized a p16 trimodality reporter mouse model (p16‐3MR) to allow for identification and selective clearance of p16‐expressing cells upon administration of ganciclovir (GCV). While p16‐expressing cells may exacerbate dysfunctional responses to a primary infection, our data suggest they may play a role in fostering memory cell generation. We demonstrate that although clearance of p16‐expressing cells enhanced viral clearance, this also severely limited antibody production in the lungs of flu‐infected aged mice. 30 days later, there were fewer flu‐specific CD8 memory T cells and lower levels of flu‐specific antibodies in the lungs of GCV‐treated mice. Furthermore, GCV‐treated mice were unable to mount an optimal memory response and demonstrated increased viral load following heterosubtypic challenge. These results suggest that targeting senescent cells may potentiate primary responses while limiting the ability to form durable and protective immune memory with age.
Longitudinal outcomes of obeticholic acid therapy in ursodiol‐nonresponsive primary biliary cholangitis: Stratifying the impact of add‐on fibrates in real‐world practice
Authors: Gómez E. , Montero J. L. , Molina E. , García‐Buey L. , Casado M. , Fuentes J. , Simón M. A. , Díaz‐González A. , Jorquera F. , Morillas R. M. , Presa J. , Berenguer M. , Conde M. I. , Olveira A. , Macedo G. , Garrido I. , Hernández‐Guerra M. , Olivas I. , Rodríguez‐Tajes S. , Londoño M. , Sousa J. M. , Ampuero J. , Romero‐González E. , González‐Padilla Sh. , Escudero‐García D. , Carvalho A. , Santos A. , Gutiérrez M. L. , Pérez‐Fernández E. , Aburruza L. , Uriz J. , Gomes D. , Santos L. , Martínez‐González J. , Albillos A. , Fernández‐Rodríguez C. M. 
Published: May 2024

SummaryBackgroundSuboptimal response to ursodeoxycholic acid occurs in 40% of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) patients, affecting survival. Achieving a deep response (normalisation of alkaline phosphatase [ALP] and bilirubin ≤0.6 upper limit of normal) improves survival. Yet, the long‐term effectiveness of second‐line treatments remains uncertain.AimsTo evaluate the long‐term effectiveness of obeticholic acid (OCA) ± fibrates. Focusing on biochemical response (ALP ≤1.67 times the upper limit of normal, with a decrease of at least 15% from baseline and normal bilirubin levels), normalisation of ALP, deep response and biochemical remission (deep response plus aminotransferase normalisation).MethodsWe conducted a longitudinal, observational, multicentre study involving ursodeoxyccholic acid non‐responsive PBC patients (Paris‐II criteria) from Spain and Portugal who received OCA ± fibrates.ResultsOf 255 patients, median follow‐up was 35.1 months (IQR: 20.2–53). The biochemical response in the whole cohort was 47.2%, 61.4% and 68.6% at 12, 24 and 36 months. GLOBE‐PBC and 5‐year UK‐PBC scores improved (p < 0.001). Triple therapy (ursodeoxycholic acid plus OCA plus fibrates) had significantly higher response rates than dual therapy (p = 0.001), including ALP normalisation, deep response and biochemical remission (p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, triple therapy remained independently associated with biochemical response (p = 0.024), alkaline phosphatase normalisation, deep response and biochemical remission (p < 0.001). Adverse effects occurred in 41.2% of cases, leading to 18.8% discontinuing OCA. Out of 55 patients with cirrhosis, 12 developed decompensation. All with baseline portal hypertension.ConclusionTriple therapy was superior in achieving therapeutic goals in UDCA‐nonresponsive PBC. Decompensation was linked to pre‐existing portal hypertension.
Risk factors of bleeding during rectal cancer surgery in obese patients in Japan
Authors: Ishiyama Yasuhiro , Hirano Yasumitsu , Shiozawa Manabu , Otsuji Eigo , Natsume Soichiro , Akagi Tomonori , Nakajima Kentaro , Kagawa Yoshinori , Ohnuma Shinobu , Saito Shuji , Inomata Masafumi , Yamamoto Seiichiro , Sakai Yoshiharu , Watanabe Masahiko , Naitoh Takeshi ,   the Japan Society of Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery
Published: May 2024

AbstractBackgroundAccording to several clinical trials for patients with rectal cancer, laparoscopic surgery significantly reduces intraoperative complications and bleeding compared with laparotomy and demonstrated comparable long‐term results. However, obesity is considered one of the risk factors for increased surgical difficulty, including complication rate, prolonged operation time, and bleeding.MethodsPatients with clinical pathological stage II/III rectal cancer and a body mass index of ≥25 kg/m2 who underwent laparotomy or laparoscopic surgery between January 2009 and December 2013 at 51 institutions participating in the Japan Society of Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery were included. These patients were divided into major bleeding (>500 mL) group and minor bleeding (≤500 mL) group. The risk factors of major bleeding were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses.ResultsThis study included 517 patients, of which 74 (19.9%) experienced major bleeding. Patient characteristics did not significantly differ between the two groups. The major bleeding group had a longer operative time (p < 0.001) and a larger tumor size than the minor bleeding group (p = 0.011). In the univariate analysis, age >65 years, laparotomy, operative time >300 min, and multivisceral resection were significantly associated with intraoperative massive bleeding. In the multivariate analysis, age >65 years (odds ratio [OR], 2.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13–4.82), laparotomy (OR, 20.82; 95% CI, 11.56–39.75), operative time >300 min (OR, 5.39; 95% CI, 1.67–132), and multivisceral resection (OR, 10.72; 95% CI, 2.47–64.0) showed to be risk factors for massive bleeding.ConclusionAge >65 years, laparotomy, operative time >300 min, and multivisceral resection were risk factors for massive bleeding during rectal cancer surgery in patients with obesity.