bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Outcomes of internal biliary diversion using cholecystocolostomy for patients with severe Alagille syndrome
Authors: Durgin Jonathan M , Crum Robert , Kim Heung Bae , Cuenca Alex G 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Alagille syndrome (AGS) is a disorder that leads to increased serum cholesterol and bile acids, which can result in debilitating xanthomas and pruritus. External biliary drainage and transplantation are effective treatments for AGS. Internal biliary diversion with Roux-en-Y cholecystocolostomy has been described for other biliary conditions, but not AGS. Three patients with severe pruritus due to AGS underwent Roux-en-Y cholecystocolostomy for internal biliary drainage. Retrospective analysis compared preoperative and post-operative lab values and symptom scores (0, none–4, severe). Three patients underwent cholecystocolostomy. All patients had at least three diagnostic criteria for AGS. Mean preoperative pruritus score was 3.33 (range, 2–4) and mean post-operative score was 1. Mean preoperative xanthoma score was 1.33 (range, 0–4) and post-operative score was 1 at 2-month follow-up. Roux-en-Y cholecystocolostomy can be considered for AGS, which is refractory to medical management. This procedure accomplishes internal biliary diversion without significant physiologic derangements.
Changes in Subjective Measures of Cognitive Function in Older Adults From the Initiation Through 12 Months After the Receipt of Chemotherapy
Authors: Utne Inger , Stokke Kjersti , Ritchie Christine , Løyland Borghild , Grov Ellen Karine , Rasmussen Hege Lund , Lindemann Kristina , Paul Steven M. , Torstveit Ann Helen , Miaskowski Christine 
Published: July 2022

Background
Cognitive impairment has a negative impact on older patients with cancer.

Objectives
The aim of this study was to evaluate for interindividual differences in 2 subjective measures of cognitive function in older patients (n = 112), as well as determine which demographic, clinical, and symptom characteristics, and levels of physical function, were associated with initial levels and with the trajectory of each of these 2 measures.

Methods
Cognitive function was assessed using the cognitive function scale from the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 and the Attentional Function Index at the initiation of chemotherapy and at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after its initiation. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to assess for interindividual differences in and characteristics associated with initial levels and changes in cognitive function.

Results
Characteristics associated with decreases in Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 scores at the initiation of chemotherapy were longer time since the cancer diagnosis and higher depression scores. Characteristics associated with poorer Attentional Function Index scores at enrollment were lower levels of education and higher depression scores. No characteristics were associated with worse trajectories of either cognitive function measure.

Conclusion
Some older patients undergoing chemotherapy experience decrements in cognitive function.

Implications for Practice
Our findings suggest that clinicians need to assess for depressive symptoms in older patients before the initiation of chemotherapy. Evidence-based interventions (eg, cognitive stimulation, increased physical activity) can be recommended to maintain and increase cognitive function in older oncology patients.
Chyle Leak After Pancreatoduodenectomy
Authors: Augustinus Simone , Latenstein Anouk E.J. , Bonsing Bert A. , Busch Olivier R. , Groot Koerkamp Bas , de Hingh Ignace H.J.T. , de Meijer Vincent E. , Molenaar I. Quintus , van Santvoort Hjalmar C. , de Vos-Geelen Judith , van Eijck Casper H. , Besselink Marc G. ,   on behalf of the Dutch Pancreatic Cancer Group
Published: July 2022

Objective:
The aim of this study was to assess the clinical impact and risk factors of chyle leak (CL).

Background:
In 2017, the International Study Group for Pancreatic Surgery (ISGPS) published the consensus definition of CL. Multicenter series validating this definition are lacking and previous studies investigating risk factors have used different definitions and showed heterogeneous results.

Methods:
This observational cohort study included all consecutive patients after pancreatoduodenectomy in all 19 centers in the mandatory nationwide Dutch Pancreatic Cancer Audit (2017–2019). The primary endpoint was CL (ISGPS grade B/C). Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed.

Results:
Overall, 2159 patients after pancreatoduodenectomy were included. The rate of CL was 7.0% (n=152), including 6.9% (n=150) grade B and 0.1% (n=2) grade C. CL was independently associated with a prolonged hospital stay [odds ratio (OR)=2.84, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.85–4.36, P<0.001] but not with mortality (OR=0.3, 95% CI: 0.0–2.3, P=0.244). In multivariable analyses, independent predictors for CL were vascular resection (OR=2.1, 95% CI: 1.4–3.2, P<0.001) and open surgery (OR=3.5, 95% CI: 1.7–7.2, P=0.001). The number of resected lymph nodes and aortocaval lymph node sampling were not identified as predictors in multivariable analysis.

Conclusions:
In this nationwide analysis, the rate of ISGPS grade B/C CL after pancreatoduodenectomy was 7.0%. Although CL is associated with a prolonged hospital stay, the clinical impact is relatively minor in the vast majority (>98%) of patients. Vascular resection and open surgery are predictors of CL.
The Measurement Reliability of Complications and Patient Satisfaction After Common Surgical Procedures
Authors: Howard Ryan , Thumma Jyothi , Englesbe Michael 
Published: July 2022

Objective:
To evaluate the reliability of surgeon outcomes.

Background:
Surgeons’ outcomes are now widely used in public reporting and value-based reimbursement, but the reliability of these measures continues to raise concerns.

Methods:
We performed a retrospective study of surgeons performing cholecystectomy, colectomy, and hernia repair on adult patients between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2020. Outcomes were risk-adjusted rates of complications and high patient satisfaction. We estimated the reliability of each outcome, its relationship with case volume, and the number of surgeons who reached an acceptable level of reliability (≥0.70).

Results:
A total of 23,533 patients with a mean age of 56.8 (16.2) years and 10,191 (43.3%) females underwent operations by 333 surgeons. Risk-adjusted complication rate was 2.5% [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.2%–2.8%] and risk-adjusted high satisfaction rate was 79.9% (95% CI: 78.7%–81.0%). The reliability of the complication rate was 0.27 (95% CI: 0.25–0.29) and the reliability of the high satisfaction rate was 0.53 (95% CI: 0.50–0.55). Reliability increased with case volume; however, only 5 (1.5%) surgeons performed enough cases to reach acceptable reliability for their complication rate, while 86 (25.8%) surgeons reached acceptable reliability for their patient satisfaction rate. After adjustment for reliability, the range of complication rates decreased 29-fold from 0% to 14.3% to 2.4% to 2.9%, and the range of patient satisfaction decreased 2.6-fold from 25.3% to 100.0% to 64.9% to 92.4%.

Conclusions:
Among surgeons performing common operations, complications and patient satisfaction had relatively low reliability. Although reliability increased with volume, most surgeons had insufficient case volume to achieve acceptable reliability of their outcomes. As such, these measures likely offer little to no meaningful information to inform decision-making.
Recent advances in digital health interventions for substance use disorders
Authors: Boumparis Nikolaos , Schaub Michael P. 
Published: July 2022

Purpose of review
The purpose of this review is to provide an update of the recently published randomized controlled trials in the field of digital health interventions for substance use disorders.

Recent findings
Over the past 2 years, five cannabis-specific and seven polysubstance-focused randomized controlled trials were published. No studies were found that focused on opioid or psychostimulant use disorders. Most studies examined feasibility but were underpowered to assess effectiveness. Given the optimistic results of the studies in regards to feasibility more fully powered trials should be conducted. In addition, the literature is in need for an increased focus on comorbidity and outcome standardization.

Summary
Although the number of studies targeting new target groups, technologies and new delivery settings has increased – future studies should consider the identified gaps and suggestions to further strengthen the evidence of digital interventions targeting substance use disorders.
From pre- to post-big bang: an (almost) self-dual cosmological history
Authors: Gasperini M. 
Published: July 2022

We present a short introduction to a non-standard cosmological scenario motivated by the duality symmetries of string theory, in which the big bang singularity is replaced with a ‘big bounce’ at high but finite curvature. The bouncing epoch is prepared by a long (possibly infinitely extended) phase of cosmic evolution, starting from an initial state asymptotically approaching the string perturbative vacuum.
This article is part of the theme issue ‘The future of mathematical cosmology, Volume 2’.
On space–time structure and the Universe: some issues of concept and principle
Authors: Dadhich Naresh 
Published: July 2022

In this discourse, we would like to discuss some issues of concept and principle in the context of the following three aspects. One, how

Λ

arises as a constant of space–time structure on the same footing as the velocity of light. These are the two constants innate to space–time without reference to any force or dynamics whatsoever, and are interwoven in the geometry of ‘free’ homogeneous space–time. Two, how does the vacuum energy gravitate? Could its gravitational interaction in principle be included in general relativity or a new theory of quantum space–time/gravity would be required? Finally, we would like to raise the fundamental question: How does the Universe physically expand? Since there does not lie anything outside into which it can expand, instead it has to expand on its own—maybe by creating new space–time out of nothing at each instant and at every location! Thus not only was the Universe created at some instant in the past marking the beginning in the Big Bang, it is in fact being created continuously at each epoch as it expands. We thus need quantum theory of space–time/gravity for fully understanding the working of the Universe.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘The future of mathematical cosmology, Volume 2’.
Adaptive Unscented Kalman Filter for Neuronal State and Parameter Estimation
Authors: Azzalini Loïc J. , Crompton David , D’Eleuterio Gabriele M. T. , Skinner Frances , Lankarany Milad 
Published: July 2022

AbstractData assimilation techniques for state and parameter estimation are frequently applied in the context of computational neuroscience. In this work, we show how an adaptive variant of the unscented Kalman filter (UKF) performs on the tracking of a conductance-based neuron model. Unlike standard recursive filter implementations, the robust adaptive unscented Kalman filter (RAUKF) jointly estimates the states and parameters of the neuronal model while adjusting noise covariance matrices online based on innovation and residual information. We benchmark the adaptive filter’s performance against existing nonlinear Kalman filters and explore the sensitivity of the filter parameters to the system being modelled. To evaluate the robustness of the proposed solution, we simulate practical settings that challenge tracking performance, such as a model mismatch and measurement faults. Compared to standard variants of the Kalman filter the adaptive variant implemented here is more accurate and robust to faults.
Assessment of Human Expertise in First-Person Shooter Games
Authors: Donovan Ian , Saul Marcia A. , DeSimone Kevin , Listman Jennifer B. , Mackey Wayne E. , Heeger David J. 
Published: July 2022

ABSTRACTContrary to traditional professional sports, there are few standardized metrics in professional esports (competitive multiplayer video games) for assessing a player’s skill and ability. To begin to address this, we assessed the performance of professional-level players in Aim Lab™, a first-person shooter training and assessment game, within two separate target-shooting tasks. These tasks differed primarily in the relative incentive for fast and imprecise shots versus slow and precise shots. Each player’s motor acuity was measured by characterizing the speed-accuracy trade-off in shot behavior: shot frequency and shot spatial error (distance from center of a target). We also characterized the fine-grained kinematics of players’ mouse movements. Our findings demonstrate that: 1) movement kinematics depended on task demands; and 2) individual differences in motor acuity were significantly correlated with both kinematics and the number of movements needed to hit a target. We demonstrate the importance of transforming from orientation in the virtual environment to centimeters on the mouse pad, as well as accounting for differences in mouse sensitivity across players, for characterizing human performance in first-person shooter games. This approach to measuring motor acuity has widespread application not only in esports assessment and training, but also in basic (motor psychophysics) and clinical (gamified rehabilitation) research.
The decline of COVID-19 severity and lethality over two years of pandemic
Authors: Marziano Valentina , Guzzetta Giorgio , Menegale Francesco , Sacco Chiara , Petrone Daniele , Urdiales Alberto Mateo , Del Manso Martina , Bella Antonino , Fabiani Massimo , Vescio Maria Fenicia , Riccardo Flavia , Poletti Piero , Manica Mattia , Zardini Agnese , d’Andrea Valeria , Trentini Filippo , Stefanelli Paola , Rezza Giovanni , Palamara Anna Teresa , Brusaferro Silvio , Ajelli Marco , Pezzotti Patrizio , Merler Stefano 
Published: July 2022

AbstractUndernotification of SARS-CoV-2 infections has been a major obstacle to the tracking of critical quantities such as infection attack rates and the probability of severe and lethal outcomes. We use a model of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and vaccination informed by epidemiological and genomic surveillance data to estimate the number of daily infections occurred in Italy in the first two years of pandemic. We estimate that the attack rate of ancestral lineages, Alpha, and Delta were in a similar range (10-17%, range of 95% CI: 7-23%), while that of Omicron until February 20, 2022, was remarkably higher (51%, 95%CI: 33-70%). The combined effect of vaccination, immunity from natural infection, change in variant features, and improved patient management massively reduced the probabilities of hospitalization, admission to intensive care, and death given infection, with 20 to 40-fold reductions during the period of dominance of Omicron compared to the initial acute phase.
Visualizing the stochastic gating of Na+/H+ antiporters in single native bacteria
Authors: Li Yaohua , Li Haoran , Gao Jia , Niu Ben , Wang Huan , Wang Wei 
Published: July 2022

AbstractNa+/H+ antiporters are the major secondary transporters that regulate pH and sodium homeostasis by enabling transmembrane exchanges of Na+ with H+ in opposite directions, both are essential cations. Although their crystal structures and functions have been well characterized1-3, the transport dynamics of Na+/H+ antiporters during action in living cells remained largely unexplored. Herein, intermittent blinking of the spontaneous bioluminescence from single native bioluminescent bacteria, P. phosphoreum, was reported, investigated and attributed to the stochastic gating of Na+/H+ antiporters between the active and inactive conformations. Each gating event caused the rapid depolarization and recovery of membrane potential within several seconds, accompanying with the intermittent bioluminescence blinking due to the transient inhibitions on the activity of respiratory chain. Temperature-dependent measurements further revealed that the conformational change was thermodynamically driven with an activation energy barrier of 20.3 kJ/mol. While the stochastic gating of ion channels has been well understood for decades4,5, this study uncovered the stochastic gating dynamics of Na+/H+ antiporters, another major pathway for ion transmembrane transports, in single native bacteria without any genetic engineering or chemical labeling. It also opened the door for P. phosphoreum to serve as new model bacteria for reporting the physiological and metabolic status with spontaneous bioluminescence emission.
Efficient End-to-end Learning for Cell Segmentation with Machine Generated Incomplete Annotations
Authors: Shrestha Prem , Kuang Nicholas , Yu Ji 
Published: July 2022

AbstractAutomated cell segmentation from optical microscopy images is usually the first step in the pipeline of single-cell analysis. Recently, deep-learning based algorithms have shown superior performances for the cell segmentation tasks. However, a disadvantage of deep-learning is the requirement for a large amount of fully-annotated training data, which is costly to generate. Weakly-supervised and self-supervised learning is an active research area, but often the model accuracy is inversely correlated with the amount of annotation information provided. Here we focus on a specific subtype of incomplete annotations, which can be generated programmably from experimental data, thus allowing for more annotation information content without sacrificing the annotation speed. We designed a new model architecture for end-to-end training using such incomplete annotations. We benchmarked our method on a variety of publicly available dataset, covering both fluorescence and bright-field imaging modality. We additionally tested our method on a microscopy dataset generated by us, using machine generated annotations. The results demonstrated that our model trained under weak-supervision can achieve segmentation accuracy competitive to, and in some cases surpassing, state-of-the-art models trained under full supervision. Therefore, our method can be a practical alternative to the established full-supervision methods.
Cross-level effects of union practices on extra-role behaviors: the mediating role of industrial relations climate, union commitment and union instrumentality
Authors: Yang Liqian , Zhang Qian , Gong Hao , Cheng Yanyuan 
Published: July 2022

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between union practices and two types of employees’ extra-role behaviors, namely, union citizenship behavior (UCB) and employee voice (EV), and the mechanisms that mediate this relationship.Design/methodology/approachUsing matched data from 46 union leaders and 279 union members of 33 workplaces in China, this study utilized multilevel structural equation modeling to test the cross-level influences of union practices on employees’ extra-role behaviors and the mediation effects.FindingsThe results show that (1) union practices have a positive impact on employees’ UCB and EV, and (2) union practices increase UCB and EV through the improvement of industrial relations (IR) climate at the workplace level, as well as union commitment (UC) and union instrumentality (UI) at the individual level.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the authors collected data from multi-sources (i.e. union leaders and members), the cross-sectional data of this study limited the ability to make casual inferences.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature by providing theoretical explanation and empirical evidence to illustrate the role of union practices in increasing the extra-role behaviors of employees (i.e. UCB and EV). This is of particular importance in elaborating the effectiveness of enterprise unions under the recent reforms in China. In addition, the authors also unpacked the antecedents of extra-role behaviors in the union context by investigating how IR climate, UC and UI mediate the relationship between union practices and extra-role behaviors of employees.
Institutional investors, political connections and stock recommendations from sell-side analysts: the case of Malaysia
Authors: Qasem Ameen , Wan-Hussin Wan Nordin , Ghaleb Belal Ali Abdulraheem , Bamahros Hasan Mohamad 
Published: July 2022

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate the interplay between institutional investors' ownership (IIO), politically connected firms (POC) and sell-side analysts' stock recommendations (ASR).Design/methodology/approachThis study employs ordinary least square (OLS) regression to test the hypotheses. The sample comprises 280 Malaysian public listed companies (PLC) and encompasses the 2008–2013 time frame (a total of 735 observations).FindingsThe results show a significant and positive link between IIO and ASR. In addition, a negative association is found between POC and ASR. Moreover, the POC weakens the positive relationship between the IIO and ASR.Research limitations/implicationsOne important implication of this study is that political involvement in corporate decisions is a prominent characteristic of the Malaysian market, which can significantly affect the information environment and analysts' reactions.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study provide useful empirical guidance to the regulators in evaluating the efficacy of recent regulatory initiatives. Investors may also gain useful insights from this study, specifically in recognising the crucial monitoring role played by institutional investors and how politically patronised firms are viewed unfavourably by equity analysts.Originality/valueThis study is one of the first to examine the joint influence of IIO and POC, on ASR.