bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interoperability among hospitals treating populations that have been marginalized
Authors: Everson Jordan , Patel Vaishali , Bazemore Andrew W. , Phillips Robert L. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractObjectiveTo test whether differences in hospital interoperability are related to the extent to which hospitals treat groups that have been economically and socially marginalized.Data Sources and Study SettingData on 2393 non‐federal acute care hospitals in the United States from the American Hospital Association Information Technology Supplement fielded in 2021, the 2019 Medicare Cost Report, and the 2019 Social Deprivation Index.Study DesignCross‐sectional analysis.Data Collection/Extraction MethodsWe identified five proxy measures related to marginalization and assessed the relationship between those measures and the likelihood that hospitals engaged in all four domains of interoperable information exchange and participated in national interoperability networks in cross‐sectional analysis.Principal FindingsIn unadjusted analysis, hospitals that treated patients from zip codes with high social deprivation were 33% less likely to engage in interoperable exchange (Relative Risk = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.58–0.76) and 24% less likely to participate in a national network than all other hospitals (RR = 0.76; 95% CI: 0.66–0.87). Critical Access Hospitals (CAH) were 24 percent less likely to engage in interoperable exchange (RR = 0.76; 95% CI: 0.69–0.83) but not less likely to participate in a national network (RR = 0.97; 95% CI: 0.88–1.06). No difference was detected for 2 measures (high Disproportionate Share Hospital percentage and Medicaid case mix) while 1 was associated with a greater likelihood to engage (high uncompensated care burden).The association between social deprivation and interoperable exchange persisted in an analysis examining metropolitan and rural areas separately and in adjusted analyses accounting for hospital characteristics.ConclusionsHospitals that treat patients from areas with high social deprivation were less likely to engage in interoperable exchange than other hospitals, but other measures were not associated with lower interoperability. The use of area deprivation data may be important to monitor and address hospital clinical data interoperability disparities to avoid related health care disparities.
Beyond the “inverse relationship”: Area mismeasurement may affect actual productivity, not just how we understand it
Authors: Burke William J. , Morgan Stephen N. , Namonje Thelma , Muyanga Milu , Mason Nicole M. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractMeasurement error in agricultural field area and productivity data for developing countries is widely acknowledged, but there is a shortage of evidence on what this implies, especially for farmers. By comparing self‐reported to global positioning system measurements, we investigate area measurement errors using a nationally representative dataset of Zambian smallholder maize plots. We examine the implications for researchers’ understanding of productivity, but also how actual productivity may be affected. We find land area tends to be overstated on smaller fields and understated on larger fields. Correcting measurement error strengthens evidence of an inverse relationship between field size and productivity. Input use patterns indicate farmers believe the inaccurately reported area figures, suggesting measurement errors affect input choices and thus actual productivity. Improving farmer understanding of area measurements could improve productivity. Improving the accuracy of area data will improve researchers’ understanding of productivity.
Sex differences in cerebral blood flow among adolescents with bipolar disorder
Authors: Mitchell Rachel H. B. , Grigorian Anahit , Robertson Andrew , Toma Simina , Luciw Nicholas J. , Karthikeyan Sudhir , Mutsaerts Henri J. M. M. , Fiksenbaum Lisa , Metcalfe Arron W. S. , MacIntosh Bradley J. , Goldstein Benjamin I. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBackgroundAbnormalities in cerebral blood flow (CBF) are common in bipolar disorder (BD). Despite known differences in CBF between healthy adolescent males and females, sex differences in CBF among adolescents with BD have never been studied.ObjectiveTo examine sex differences in CBF among adolescents with BD versus healthy controls (HC).MethodsCBF images were acquired using arterial spin labeling (ASL) perfusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 123 adolescents (72 BD: 30M, 42F; 51 HC: 22M, 29F) matched for age (13–20 years). Whole brain voxel‐wise analysis was performed in a general linear model with sex and diagnosis as fixed factors, sex–diagnosis interaction effect, and age as a covariate. We tested for main effects of sex, diagnosis, and their interaction. Results were thresholded at cluster forming p = 0.0125, with posthoc Bonferroni correction (p = 0.05/4 groups).ResultsA main effect of diagnosis (BD > HC) was observed in the superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF), underlying the left precentral gyrus (F =10.24 (3), p < 0.0001). A main effect of sex (F > M) on CBF was detected in the precuneus/posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), left frontal and occipital poles, left thalamus, left SLF, and right inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF). No regions demonstrated a significant sex‐by‐diagnosis interaction. Exploratory pairwise testing in regions with a main effect of sex revealed greater CBF in females with BD versus HC in the precuneus/PCC (F = 7.1 (3), p < 0.01).ConclusionGreater CBF in female adolescents with BD versus HC in the precuneus/PCC may reflect the role of this region in the neurobiological sex differences of adolescent‐onset BD. Larger studies targeting underlying mechanisms, such as mitochondrial dysfunction or oxidative stress, are warranted.
The evolution of the COVID‐19 pandemic in paediatric patients with sickle cell disease: From Alpha to Omicron
Authors: Martin Olufunke Y. , Margulies Stefanie , Speller‐Brown Barbara , Majumdar Suvankar , Darbari Deepika S. , Campbell Andrew D. 
Published: May 2023

SummaryWe compare the impact of SARS‐CoV‐2 variants on healthcare utilization and clinical presentation in paediatric patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). One hundred and ninety‐one unique patients with SCD and positive SARS‐CoV‐2 polymerase chain reactions were identified between March 2020 and January 2022. Hospitalizations, which accounted for 42% (N = 81) of cases, were highest during the Delta dominant era (48%) and lowest during Omicron (36%) (p = 0.285). The most common SCD‐related complication was vaso‐occlusive pain (37%, N = 71), which accounted for 51% of all hospital admissions (N = 41), and acute chest was highest in the Alpha variant era (N = 15). Overall, COVID‐19 remained mild in clinical severity within most paediatric SCD patients.
Learning to Transfer In‐Hand Manipulations Using a Greedy Shape Curriculum
Authors: Zhang Yunbo , Clegg Alexander , Ha Sehoon , Turk Greg , Ye Yuting 
Published: May 2023

AbstractIn‐hand object manipulation is challenging to simulate due to complex contact dynamics, non‐repetitive finger gaits, and the need to indirectly control unactuated objects. Further adapting a successful manipulation skill to new objects with different shapes and physical properties is a similarly challenging problem. In this work, we show that natural and robust in‐hand manipulation of simple objects in a dynamic simulation can be learned from a high quality motion capture example via deep reinforcement learning with careful designs of the imitation learning problem. We apply our approach on both single‐handed and two‐handed dexterous manipulations of diverse object shapes and motions. We then demonstrate further adaptation of the example motion to a more complex shape through curriculum learning on intermediate shapes morphed between the source and target object. While a naive curriculum of progressive morphs often falls short, we propose a simple greedy curriculum search algorithm that can successfully apply to a range of objects such as a teapot, bunny, bottle, train, and elephant.
Parallel Transformation of Bounding Volume Hierarchies into Oriented Bounding Box Trees
Authors: Vitsas N. , Evangelou I. , Papaioannou G. , Gkaravelis A. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractOriented bounding box (OBB) hierarchies can be used instead of hierarchies based on axis‐aligned bounding boxes (AABB), providing tighter fitting to the underlying geometric structures and resulting in improved interference tests, such as ray‐geometry intersections. In this paper, we present a method for the fast, parallel transformation of an existing bounding volume hierarchy (BVH), based on AABBs, into a hierarchy based on oriented bounding boxes. To this end, we parallelise a high‐quality OBB extraction algorithm from the literature to operate as a standalone OBB estimator and further extend it to efficiently build an OBB hierarchy in a bottom up manner. This agglomerative approach allows for fast parallel execution and the formation of arbitrary, high‐quality OBBs in bounding volume hierarchies. The method is fully implemented on the GPU and extensively evaluated with ray intersections.
Interactive design of 2D car profiles with aerodynamic feedback
Authors: Rosset Nicolas , Cordonnier Guillaume , Duvigneau Regis , Bousseau Adrien 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe design of car shapes requires a delicate balance between aesthetic and performance. While fluid simulation provides the means to evaluate the aerodynamic performance of a given shape, its computational cost hinders its usage during the early explorative phases of design, when aesthetic is decided upon. We present an interactive system to assist designers in creating aerodynamic car profiles. Our system relies on a neural surrogate model to predict fluid flow around car shapes, providing fluid visualization and shape optimization feedback to designers as soon as they sketch a car profile. Compared to prior work that focused on time‐averaged fluid flows, we describe how to train our model on instantaneous, synchronized observations extracted from multiple pre‐computed simulations, such that we can visualize and optimize for dynamic flow features, such as vortices. Furthermore, we architectured our model to support gradient‐based shape optimization within a learned latent space of car profiles. In addition to regularizing the optimization process, this latent space and an associated encoder‐decoder allows us to input and output car profiles in a bitmap form, without any explicit parameterization of the car boundary. Finally, we designed our model to support pointwise queries of fluid properties around car shapes, allowing us to adapt computational cost to application needs. As an illustration, we only query our model along streamlines for flow visualization, we query it in the vicinity of the car for drag optimization, and we query it behind the car for vortex attenuation.
Low‐water‐soluble reactive dyes for application in ultrafine polyamide/polyurethane synthetic leather
Authors: Li Dexiang , Ma Wei , Tang Bingtao , Zhang Shufen 
Published: May 2023

AbstractUltrafine polyamide/polyurethane synthetic leather (UP/PSL), with a highly natural leather‐like appearance and touch, is widely used in many leather commodities. Generally, acid dyes, which are mostly used for dyeing UP/PSL, exhibit poor colour fastness. While, reactive dyes are well‐known for their good colour fastness. However, reactive dyes are not used to dye UP/PSL because they are water‐soluble and cannot stain the polyurethane (PU) in UP/PSL. In this study, five low water‐soluble reactive dyes with good affinity for both polyamide (PA) and PU were synthesised and characterised using ultraviolet‐visible and infrared spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. All low‐water‐soluble reactive dyes were monoazo dyes with only one sulfonic group and two different functional groups. The reactive dyes were used to dye UP/PSL at 98°C and fixed at 90°C with 7‐azatridecane‐1,13‐diamine as a crosslinking agent. For comparison, Eriofast Red‐2B (ER‐2B) was used to dye UP/PSL using a special dyeing procedure. ER‐2B showed severe issues related to low utilisation and uneven dyeing, whereas the five low water‐soluble reactive dyes exhibited better performance than ER‐2B. Both the exhaustion and fixation of dyes 1 and 4 exceeded 90.0% when the dosage was less than 3.0% owf (on weight of fabric). In addition, they exhibited good levelling. The washing fastness of the five reactive dyes was excellent and higher than grade 4. The dry rubbing fastness was higher than grade 3‐4. Therefore, UP/PSL can be satisfactorily dyed using the reactive dyes with a solubility of less than 1.0 g/L and meet the requirements of daily life applications.
Dynamics of cognitive predictors during reading acquisition in a sample of children overrepresented for dyslexia risk
Authors: Blockmans Lauren , Kievit Rogier , Wouters Jan , Ghesquière Pol , Vandermosten Maaike 
Published: May 2023

AbstractLiteracy acquisition is a complex process with genetic and environmental factors influencing cognitive and neural processes associated with reading. Previous research identified factors that predict word reading fluency (WRF), including phonological awareness (PA), rapid automatized naming (RAN), and speech‐in‐noise perception (SPIN). Recent theoretical accounts suggest dynamic interactions between these factors and reading, but direct investigations of such dynamics are lacking. Here, we investigated the dynamic effect of phonological processing and speech perception on WRF. More specifically, we evaluated the dynamic influence of PA, RAN, and SPIN measured in kindergarten (the year prior to formal reading instruction), first grade (the first year of formal reading instruction) and second grade on WRF in second and third grade. We also assessed the effect of an indirect proxy of family risk for reading difficulties using a parental questionnaire (Adult Reading History Questionnaire, ARHQ). We applied path modeling in a longitudinal sample of 162 Dutch‐speaking children of whom the majority was selected to have an increased family and/or cognitive risk for dyslexia. We showed that parental ARHQ had a significant effect on WRF, RAN and SPIN, but unexpectedly not on PA. We also found effects of RAN and PA directly on WRF that were limited to first and second grade respectively, in contrast to previous research reporting pre‐reading PA effects and prolonged RAN effects throughout reading acquisition. Our study provides important new insights into early prediction of later word reading abilities and into the optimal time window to target a specific reading‐related subskill during intervention.
Stabilization of kidney function and reduction in heart failure events with sodium‐glucose co‐transporter 2 inhibitors: A meta‐analysis and meta‐regression analysis
Authors: Keidai Yamato , Yoshiji Satoshi , Hasebe Masashi , Minamino Hiroto , Murakami Takaaki , Tanaka Daisuke , Fujita Yoshihito , Inagaki Nobuya 
Published: May 2023

AbstractAimsSodium‐glucose co‐transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors reduce the risk of heart failure (HF) events regardless of diabetes status. However, factors associated with their efficacy in HF reduction remain unknown. This study aims to identify clinically relevant markers for the efficacy of SGLT2 inhibitors in HF risk reduction.Materials and methodsWe searched PubMed/MEDLINE and EMBASE for randomized placebo‐controlled trials of SGLT2 inhibitors reporting a composite of HF hospitalization or cardiovascular death in participants with or without type 2 diabetes published until 28 February 2023. Random‐effects meta‐analysis and mixed‐effects meta‐regression were conducted to evaluate the association between the outcomes and clinical variables, including changes in glycated haemoglobin, body weight, systolic blood pressure, haematocrit and overall/chronic estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) slope.ResultsThirteen trials with 90 413 participants were included. SGLT2 inhibitors reduced the hazard ratio of the composite of HF hospitalization or cardiovascular death (hazard ratio 0.77; 95% confidence interval, 0.74‐0.81; p < .0001). In meta‐regression analysis, chronic eGFR slope (eGFR change after the initial dip) was significantly associated with the composite outcome (p = .017), and each 1 ml/min/1.73 m2/year improvement in chronic eGFR slope led to a 14% reduction in the composite outcome. By contrast, changes in the other parameters showed no significant associations.ConclusionsImprovement in chronic eGFR slope, which reflects the stabilization of kidney function, is significantly associated with the efficacy of the SGLT2 inhibitor in HF, highlighting the cardiorenal axis role in the beneficial effects on HF. The chronic eGFR slope can be a surrogate marker of the effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on HF reduction.
Performance appraisal and employee commitment: The mediating role of job satisfaction
Authors: Pepple Dennis Gabriel , Ambilichu Charles Anyeng 
Published: May 2023

AbstractCommitment is essential for employees to establish and maintain a long‐lasting employer–employee relationship, hence the call for more research to investigate its antecedents. The purpose of our study was to empirically investigate the relationship between performance appraisal and employee commitment. Analysis of survey data drawn from academics across the UK Higher Education Institutions found a positive relationship between performance appraisal and employee commitment, explained through the mediation of job satisfaction. The study is novel as it extends performance appraisal and employee commitment theorization by highlighting how job satisfaction mediates both constructs differently at intrinsic and extrinsic levels. Practically, our study provides insights that will support the development of performance appraisal systems that influence job satisfaction and commitment of academics.
Overexpression and potential roles of midkine via regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor A in psoriasis
Authors: Li Lin , Shucheng Huidi , Fu Lixin , Pei Baoqiang , Xu Wen , Jiang Xian 
Published: May 2023

AbstractMidkine plays a critical role in angiogenesis by regulating the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signalling pathway, which is known to be associated with psoriasis pathogenesis. However, research on midkine‐psoriasis relationship remains limited. The objective of this study was to detect midkine expression in psoriasis and investigate its potential role in the disease. Midkine expression was measured using immunohistochemistry and ELISA. Effects of midkine on HaCaT cell proliferation, VEGF‐A production and signalling pathways were assessed using CCK8, RT‐PCR and WB. Scratch and in vitro tube formation tests were used to evaluate the effects of HaCaT‐cell‐activated midkine on the migration and tube formation of human dermal microvascular endothelial cells. Murine psoriasiform models were injected with midkine recombinant protein and midkine monoclonal antibody to investigate skin lesions, tissue sections and dermal microvessel density. Levels of midkine significantly increased in both lesions and serum of patients with psoriasis. Serum expression of midkine decreased after treatment and a positive correlation was found between midkine and disease severity. Midkine promoted HaCaT cell proliferation and VEGF‐A production. The Notch2/HES1/JAK2‐STAT5A pathway expression increased after midkine treatment of HaCaT cells. The supernatant of HaCaT cells treated with midkine promoted HMEC‐1 migration and angiogenesis in vitro. Recombinant midkine protein exacerbated psoriasiform lesions with increased expressions of VEGF‐A and microvessel density, while midkine monoclonal antibody alleviated psoriasis lesions. Midkine may have a significant impact on psoriasis angiogenesis by regulating VEGF‐A expression through the Notch2/HES1/JAK2‐STAT5A pathway, highlighting a potential therapeutic target for psoriasis treatment.
Functional characteristics of Moringa oleifera supplemented cookies and their ameliorative effect on the lipid profile of hyperlipidaemic patients
Authors: Ilyas Madiha , Rana Faraz Ali , Rabail Roshina , Bhatty Nighat , Aadil Rana Muhammad 
Published: May 2023

SummaryRaised cholesterol levels can alleviate the risk of cardiovascular diseases and stroke and are responsible for one‐third of all ischemic heart diseases worldwide. Moringa oleifera (MO) plant has gained nutraceutical prominence; therefore, its lipid‐lowering potential was investigated by its incorporation (leaves MOL, seeds MOS and leaves + seeds MOLS) into cookies. These cookies were then analysed for nutritional, physicochemical and clinical properties. The sensory properties received overall higher acceptability scores of 15% and 25% in MOL followed by MOS and MOLS cookies. Clinical investigations in hyperlipidaemic patients revealed significant reductions in total cholesterol (7.56% and 5.56%), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (6.59% and 5.03%) and triglycerides (6.75% and 4.76%) in MOL and MOLS. While a significant increase in the high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (10.66%, 5.88% and 9.15%) in all three groups was observed, with a more pronounced raise in MOL Cookies. Furthermore, serum biochemistry (AST, ALT, ALP, urea and Creatinine) values remain within normal range revealing the safety for utilisation. The overall results indicated that MO possesses a positive effect on the lipid profile, therefore, can be a part of diet‐based therapy for the attenuation of chronic diseases.
Ulcerated skin evaluation by electrical impedance measurements
Authors: Kawałkiewicz Weronika , Majewska Anna , Janus‐Kubiak Marta , Marcinkowska‐Gapińska Anna , Urbaniak‐Olejnik Marta , Hojan‐Jezierska Dorota , Kubisz Leszek 
Published: May 2023

AbstractIn the presented study, the transdermal results from the areas surrounding the ulcerated skin areas were compared with those obtained from healthy skin tissue. The analysis of electrical parameters, such as the slope of the Nyquist plot, min. IM, min. RE, min. f, Imagine part index, Phase index, Real part index, and Magnitude index were conducted. Electrical parameters have been measured in the group without lower leg ulceration and in the group with lower leg ulcers. On the basis of the statistical analysis, it was determined that these parameters may be effective in the evaluation of the skin. In fact, the skin surrounding the ulceration was characterised by different values of electrical parameters as compared with healthy skin tissue. A statistically significant difference was found in the electrical parameters obtained for the healthy leg skin and the skin surrounding the ulceration. This study was to investigate the applicability of electrical parameters in the evaluation of the skin in lower leg ulcers. The electrical parameters can be used as an effective tool in assessing the condition of the skin, both healthy and surrounding the ulcerations. The most useful parameters in assessing skin condition using electrical parameters include min. IM, min. RE, min. f, Imagine part index, Phase index, and Magnitude index.