bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multiple paternity in the invasive spotted lanternfly (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae)
Authors: Belouard Nadège , Behm Jocelyn E 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
In biological invasions, multiple paternity can preserve genetic diversity over time and space and contribute to invasion success. Therefore, knowledge on the mating system of invasive species is essential to develop adequate management practices to mitigate their impact on ecosystems. The spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula (White, 1845), is an invasive pest that has colonized more than 10 eastern US states in less than 10 yr. Multiple paternity may contribute to its success, but little is known about spotted lanternfly’s mating system. We explored the mating system using mated females and female–egg mass pairs sampled in the field. First, we assessed the existence of multiple mating by counting the number of spermatophores in the genital tract of all females. Second, we searched for genetic evidence for multiple paternity within egg masses by genotyping the female–egg mass pairs at 7 microsatellite loci. Third, we assessed whether multiple mating was correlated with female traits and distance from the introduction site. One to 3 spermatophores per female were found during dissections, confirming the existence of polyandrous female spotted lanternfly. We found genetic evidence for a minimum of 2 fathers in 4 egg masses associated with polyandrous females, validating multiple paternity in spotted lanternfly. Multiple paternity was associated with egg mass size, and multiple paternity was highest in populations closest to the original introduction site and decreased toward the invasion front. Multiple paternity may contribute to the invasion success of spotted lanternfly, and control efforts should consider the mating system and the implications of its spatial patterns.
Aortic valve visualization and pressurization device: a novel device for intraoperative evaluation of aortic valve repair procedures
Authors: Arabkhani Bardia , Sandker Stefan C , Braun Jerry , Hjortnaes Jesper , van Brakel Thomas J , Koolbergen Dave R , Klautz Robert J M , Hazekamp Mark G 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Aortic valve repair procedures are technically challenging, and current intraoperative evaluation methods often fail to predict the final echocardiographic result. We have developed a novel intraoperative aortic valve visualization and pressurization (AVP) device, enabling valve inspection under physiological conditions, and measuring aortic valve insufficiency (AI) during cardioplegic arrest.

METHODS
The AVP device is attached to the (neo)aorta, after any type of aortic valve repair, while the heart is arrested. The root is pressurized (60–80 mmHg) using a saline solution and an endoscope is introduced. The valve is inspected, and the amount of valvular leakage is measured. Postoperative ‘gold standard’ transesophageal echocardiogram measurements of AI are performed and compared against regurgitation volume measured.

RESULTS
In 24 patients undergoing valve-sparing root replacement, the AVP device was used. In 22 patients, postoperative echocardiographic AI was ≤ grade 1. The median leakage was 90 ml/min, IQR 60–120 ml/min. In 3 patients, additional adjustments after visual inspection was performed. In 2 patients, with complex anatomy, the valve was replaced. In one, after evaluation with the device, there was undesirable result visually and residual AI of 330 ml/min, and in another, 260 ml/min residual AI was measured and valve restriction on visual inspection.

CONCLUSIONS
The novel AVP device enables intraoperative evaluation of the valve under physiological conditions, while still on arrested heart, and allows for targeted adjustments. The AVP device can be an important aid for intraoperative evaluation of the aortic valve, during valve repair and valve-sparing procedures, thereby making the operative result more predictable and the operation more efficient.
Efficacy and complications of inoperable malignant distal biliary obstruction treatment by metallic stents: fully covered or uncovered?
Authors: Gu Jiangning , Guo Xiaoyi , Sun Yong , Fan Bin , Li Haoran , Luo Ting , Luo Haifeng , Liu Jiao , Gao Feng , Gao Yuan , Tan Guang , Liu Xiaoming , Yang Zhuo 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Obstructive jaundice caused by malignant distal biliary obstruction is a common clinical symptom in patients with inoperable biliary–pancreatic cancer. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-guided stent implantation is an effective treatment for obstructive jaundice. Internal stent drainage is more physiologic and associated with a better quality of life than external stent drainage methods such as percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage or percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage. Self-expanding metallic stents, which may be covered and uncovered, are commonly used. However, some uncertainties remain regarding the selection of metallic stents, including drainage patency time, clinical effect, stent migration, and post-operative complications such as pancreatitis, bleeding, and cholecystitis. This review aims to summarize the current progress and controversies surrounding the use of covered or uncovered metallic stents in inoperable common biliary obstruction via ERCP.
Post-COVID trends in hospital financial performance: updated data from California paint an improved but challenging picture for hospitals and commercially insured patients
Authors: Melnick Glenn , Maerki Susan 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic caused major disruptions to the operation and financing of US acute care hospitals. Previous research has documented early effects of the COVID pandemic on hospital financial performance. This paper updates the literature with current data on utilization and financial performance for a large sample of California hospitals covering the period 2017 through the end of 2022 and the first quarter of 2023. The data show that, while hospital overall utilization has largely returned to pre-COVID levels, patient mix has changed and financial performance still lags. Hospital net income margins remain below pre-COVID levels which could trigger price increases to commercially insured patients to offset continuing post-COVID financial shortfalls.
Promoting health in the digital environment: health policy experts’ responses to on-demand delivery in Aotearoa New Zealand
Authors: McKerchar Christina , Bidwell Susan , Curl Angela , Pocock Tessa , Cowie Matt , Miles Hannah , Crossin Rose 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Services offering on-demand delivery of unhealthy commodities, such as fast food, alcohol and smoking/vaping products have proliferated in recent years. It is well known that the built environment can be health promoting or harmful to health, but there has been less consideration of the digital environment. Increased availability and accessibility of these commodities may be associated with increased consumption, with harmful public health implications. Policy regulating the supply of these commodities was developed before the introduction of on-demand services and has not kept pace with the digital environment. This paper reports on semi-structured interviews with health policy experts on the health harms of the uptake in on-demand delivery of food, alcohol and smoking/vaping products, along with their views on policies that might mitigate these harms. We interviewed 14 policy experts from central and local government agencies and ministries, health authorities, non-Government Organisations (NGOs) and university research positions in Aotearoa New Zealand using a purposive sampling strategy. Participants concerns over the health harms from on-demand services encompassed three broad themes—the expansion of access to and availability of unhealthy commodities, the inadequacy of existing restrictions and regulations in the digital environment and the expansion of personalized marketing and promotional platforms for unhealthy commodities. Health policy experts’ proposals to mitigate harms included: limiting access and availability, updating regulations and boosting enforcement and limiting promotion and marketing. Collectively, these findings and proposals can inform future research and public health policy decisions to address harms posed by on-demand delivery of unhealthy commodities.
Modular Gelfand Pairs and Multiplicity-Free Representations
Authors: Zhang Robin 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Over algebraically closed fields of arbitrary characteristic, we prove a general multiplicity-freeness theorem for finitely-generated modules with commutative endomorphism rings. Using more lenient versions of projectivity and injectivity for modules, this gives a generalization of Gelfand’s criterion on the commutativity of Hecke algebras for Gelfand pairs and multiplicity-free triples. For representations of finite and profinite groups, Gelfand pairs over the complex numbers are therefore also Gelfand pairs over the algebraic closure of any finite field. Applications include the uniqueness of Whittaker models of Gelfand–Graev representations in arbitrary characteristic and the uniqueness of modular trilinear forms on irreducible representations of quaternion division algebras over local fields.
National point-prevalence survey of healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial use: UK-PAS/UKHSA joint call to action for all paediatric services
Authors: Channon-Wells Samuel , Elmes Jocelyn , Muller-Pebody Berit , McGarrity Orlagh , Chappell Faye , Drysdale Simon B , Ashiru-Oredope Diane , Patel Sanjay , Demirjian Alicia 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
The negative impact of high antimicrobial use (AMU), antimicrobial resistance and healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) on children is concerning. However, a lack of available paediatric data makes it challenging to design and implement interventions that would improve health outcomes in this population, and impedes efforts to secure additional resources. The upcoming 2023 national point-prevalence survey of HCAIs and AMU in hospitals, led by the UK Health Security Agency, is an opportunity to collect valuable information, which will enable healthcare providers and policy makers to optimize antimicrobial stewardship and infection prevention practices in all populations, including children. These data will facilitate benchmarking and sharing of best practice, internally, nationally and internationally. This is a joint call to action asking all healthcare professionals—particularly in paediatrics—to nominate a lead for their institution and participate in this survey, to ensure appropriate paediatric representation, and help protect children from these growing threats.
Observations of the association by early-juvenile western rock lobsterPanulirus cygnuswith seagrass assemblages (Decapoda: Achelata: Palinuridae)
Authors: Oh Daphne , Langlois Tim J , Brooker Michael A , Salinas Hugo , How Jason R , de Lestang Simon N 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe fishery of the western rock lobster, Panulirus cygnusGeorge, 1962, is Australia’s most valuable wild-caught single-species fishery. Recruitment in some regions of the fishery was observed to be significantly lower than expected after the 2010/2011 West Australian marine heatwave that caused extensive disturbance of dominant coastal habitats. This event generated interest in the study of the factors influencing survival and recruitment of post-larval benthic P. cygnus after settlement. The habitat associations of the highly cryptic post-settlement early-juveniles were previously unknown, with only anecdotal observations of individuals within limestone crevices in nearshore habitats. Our study used early-juveniles derived from ongoing monitoring of puerulus settlement to examine their habitat association mechanism in mesocosm experiments. Comparison of common nearshore habitat assemblages (bare sand, limestone crevices, and seagrasses (Posidonia and Amphibolis) at varying seagrass densities) found that most early-juveniles associated strongly with Amphibolis assemblages at high stem densities (~2,100 stems m–2). A shift in association between Amphibolis fronds and stems at high stem density to Amphibolis-shaded sand and leaf debris at low stem density indicated active habitat selection by early-juveniles. Habitat choices were tested with the scents of prey items and habitat types within Amphibolis assemblages using Y-maze bioassays. No significant olfactory choices were found, suggesting that habitat associations may be driven by multiple cues. Our study provides new laboratory-based insights into the habitat association of early-juvenile P. cygnus and suggests changes in seagrass assemblage identity and density are likely to be important. Further experimentation is needed to define the cues driving these patterns. The impact of habitat change on recruitment in this important fishery remains unknown and should be an objective of future research.
Computational design towards energy efficient optimization in overconstrained robotic limbs
Authors: Gu Yuping , Wang Ziqian , Feng Shihao , Sun Haoran , Lu Haibo , Pan Jia , Wan Fang , Song Chaoyang 
Published: August 2023

AbstractLegged robots are constantly evolving, and energy efficiency is a major driving factor in their design. However, combining mechanism efficiency and trajectory planning can be challenging. This work proposes a computational optimization framework for optimizing leg design during basic walking while maximizing energy efficiency. We generalize the robotic limb design as a four-bar linkage-based design pool and optimize the leg using an evolutionary algorithm. The leg configuration and design parameters are optimized based on user-defined objective functions. Our framework was validated by comparing it to measured data on our prototype quadruped robot for forward trotting. The Bennett robotic leg was advantageous for omni-directional locomotion with enhanced energy efficiency.
Mediating social support through sensor-based technologies for children’s health behavior change
Authors: Baldwin Joshua , Lee Joomi , Tate Allan D , Okitondo Christian D , Johnsen Kyle , Schmidt Michael D , Rathbun Stephen , Novotny Eric , Ahn Sun Joo (Grace) 
Published: August 2023

AbstractSensor-based technologies (SBTs) allow users to track biometric data and feature interactions that foster social support. The social support from SBTs can increase intrinsic motivation to engage in and sustain positive health behaviors. Guided by technological affordances and self-determination theory, this study tested the long-term efficacy of an ecosystem of SBTs to strengthen social support for children’s behavior change, children’s perceived relatedness, and positive physical activity (PA) attitudes. This ecosystem integrated Fitbits tracking each child’s PA, kiosks with virtual agents that synced with Fitbit data, and a messaging system for parents and children. Afterschool programs (N = 19) were randomly set with this ecosystem or a Fitbit with a computer for 6 months. Results suggested that parents of girls provided more social support to children via the ecosystem than parents of boys. Children’s perceived support from the virtual agent was positively associated with perceived relatedness and PA attitudes over time.
Identification of sex-specific markers based on gene expression in adult Colorado potato beetles
Authors: Warcup Kirsten , Torson Alex S , Yocum George D 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
The Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is an economically important pest insect of potatoes. Understanding how the mechanisms driving its invasiveness vary between sexes will be critical for developing modern control methods. However, the currently available methods for sexing adult Colorado potato beetles are either inefficient or unsuitable for projects that require RNA as an input, like those measuring gene expression. Therefore, the development of simple molecular tools that are tailored to these studies is important. In this study, we used publicly available RNA-seq data to select 5 candidate genes for sex-specific markers in adult Colorado potato beetles. We confirmed that our 5 marker candidates exhibit a sex-specific expression pattern and can be used as PCR markers for sex determination. This method of sex detection will allow researchers to distinguish the sex of the individual with a simple PCR reaction using cDNA as the template and assign sex to RNA-seq samples post hoc.
Outcomes of lung oligometastasis in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Takeda Tsuyoshi , Sasaki Takashi , Ichinose Junji , Inoue Yosuke , Okamoto Takeshi , Mie Takafumi , Furukawa Takaaki , Kasuga Akiyoshi , Oba Atsushi , Matsuura Yosuke , Nakao Masayuki , Ozaka Masato , Mun Mingyon , Takahashi Yu , Sasahira Naoki 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Objective
Pancreatic cancer with lung oligometastasis may have favourable overall survival. The aim of this study was to evaluate outcomes of pancreatic cancer with lung oligometastases including both synchronous and metachronous metastases.

Methods
Consecutive pancreatic cancer patients with lung metastasis treated at our institution between February 2015 and December 2021 were identified from our prospectively maintained database. Clinical characteristics and outcomes were compared and analysed according to the extent of lung metastases. Predictors for overall survival were analysed using the Cox proportional hazards model.

Results
A totoal of 171 patients were included (oligometastasis/polymetastasis/multi-organ metastasis: 34/50/87). Patients with oligometastases were more likely to undergo surgical resection (41% vs. 0% vs. 2%) and showed a longer median overall survival (41.3 vs. 17.6 vs. 13.1 months) compared with those with other types of metastases. Oligometastasis (hazard ratio, 0.43; 95% confidence interval, 0.24–0.76; P = 0.004) was identified as an independent factor predicting favourable overall survival in patients with lung-only metastasis. Disease status (synchronous vs. metachronous) was not associated with survival in patients with oligometastasis (29.4 vs. 41.3 months, P = 0.527) and polymetastasis (17.9 vs. 16.7 months, P = 0.545). Selected patients who underwent surgical resection showed a median overall survival of 52.7 months.

Conclusions
Patients with lung oligometastases presented a favourable prognosis. Surgical resection in selected patients was associated with a long median overall survival.
Efficacy and safety of dose-dense neoadjuvant chemotherapy with nab-paclitaxel followed by epirubicin and cyclophosphamide for operable breast cancer
Authors: Matsumoto Akiko , Jinno Hiromitsu , Naruse Saki , Isono Yuka , Maeda Yuka , Sato Ayana , Yamada Miki , Ikeda Tatsuhiko , Sasajima Yuko 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Objective
Dose-dense chemotherapy has shown a better prognosis than standard interval chemotherapy in adjuvant settings for high-risk breast cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of dose-dense nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel followed by dose-dense epirubicin and cyclophosphamide as neoadjuvant chemotherapy for human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2)-negative operable breast cancer.

Methods
Patients with histologically confirmed stage I–III HER2-negative breast cancer were enrolled in this study. Patients received nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (260 mg/m2) followed by epirubicin (90 mg/m2) and cyclophosphamide (600 mg/m2) every 2 weeks with pegfilgrastim. The primary endpoint was the pathological complete response rate. Patients also underwent prophylactic management for peripheral neuropathy, which involved a combination of cryotherapy, compression therapy using elastic stockings and medications including goshajinkigan.

Results
Among the 55 patients enrolled in this study, 13 (23.6%) achieved pathological complete response, of whom 10/26 (38.5%) patients had triple-negative disease and 3/29 (10.3%) had luminal disease. The objective response was observed in 46 (83.6%) patients. Of the 36 patients who were initially planned for mastectomy, 11 (30.6%) underwent breast-conserving surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The most common grade 3–4 adverse events were myalgia (14.5%), fatigue (12.7%) and elevated transaminase levels (9.1%). No patients experienced febrile neutropenia. Eight (14.5%) patients discontinued treatments due to adverse events.

Conclusions
Neoadjuvant dose-dense biweekly nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel followed by dose-dense epirubicin and cyclophosphamide was effective, especially in patients with triple-negative disease, and feasible with pegfilgrastim support.
Privacy Protection, At What Cost? Exploring the Regulatory Resistance to Data Technology in Auto Insurance
Authors: Ben-Shahar Omri 
Published: August 2023

AbstractRegulatory and sociological resistance to new market-driven technologies, particularly to those that rely on collection and analysis of personal data, is prevalent even in cases where the technology creates large social value and saves lives. This article is a case study of such tragic technology resistance, focusing on tracking devices in cars which allow auto insurers to monitor how policyholders drive and adjust the premiums accordingly. Growing empirical work reveals that such “usage-based insurance” induces safer driving, reducing fatal accidents by almost one third, and resulting in more affordable and fair premiums. Yet, California prohibits this technology and other states limit its effectiveness, largely in the interest of privacy protection. The article evaluates the justifications fueling the restrictive regulation vis-à-vis the loss of lives resulting from this regulation. It concludes that the social benefits of the tracking technology dramatically outweigh the privacy and related costs.
Two-way dynamic factor models for high-dimensional matrix-valued time series
Authors: Yuan Chaofeng , Gao Zhigen , He Xuming , Huang Wei , Guo Jianhua 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
In this article, we introduce a two-way dynamic factor model (2w-DFM) for high-dimensional matrix-valued time series and study some of the basic theoretical properties in terms of identifiability and estimation accuracy. The proposed model aims to capture separable and low-dimensional effects of row and column attributes and their correlations across rows, columns, and time points. Complementary to other dynamic factor models for high-dimensional data, the 2w-DFM inherits the dimension-reduction feature of factor models but assumes additive row and column factors for easier interpretability. We provide conditions to ensure model identifiability and consider a quasi-likelihood based two-step method for parameter estimation. Under an asymptotic regime where the size of the data matrices as well as the length of the time series increase, we establish that the estimators achieve the optimal rate of convergence and are asymptotically normal. The asymptotic properties are reaffirmed empirically through simulation studies. An application to air quality data in Chinese cities is given to illustrate the merit of the 2w-DFM.