bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fibrosis‐4 Index as an Independent Predictor of Mortality and Liver‐Related Outcomes in NAFLD
Authors: Vieira Barbosa Joana , Milligan Scott , Frick Andrew , Broestl Jeremy , Younossi Zobair , Afdhal Nezam H. , Lai Michelle 
Published: December 2021

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide, and its prevalence continues to rise. Fibrosis‐4 index (FIB‐4) has been shown to be a prognostic marker of liver‐related outcomes in patients with NAFLD. We analyzed data from TriNetX global federated research network, combining data on 30 million patients. Patients were categorized into three diagnostic groups: NAFLD, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and at risk of NASH. Primary outcome was all‐cause mortality, and secondary outcomes included progression to NASH, development of cirrhosis, end‐stage liver disease, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and liver transplantation. A total of 442,277 subjects (1.5% of the cohort) were assessed, and 81,108 were retained for analysis. Median follow‐up was 34.8 months (interquartile range 12.2). FIB‐4 was < 1.3 in 52.3% patients and ≥ 2.67 in 11.4% patients. In multivariate analysis, FIB‐4 ≥ 2.67 was significantly and independently associated with all‐cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 2.49, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.20‐2.82, P < 0.001) as well as with progression to NASH (HR 5.78, 95% CI 4.72‐7.07, P < 0.001), cirrhosis (HR 2.04, 95% CI 1.86‐2.24, P < 0.001), end‐stage liver disease (HR 1.86, 95% CI 1.68‐2.05, P < 0.001), HCC (HR 3.66, 95% CI 2.71‐4.94, P < 0.001), and liver transplantation (HR 7.98, 95% CI 4.62‐13.79, P < 0.001). Conclusion: In a real‐world nationwide database, FIB‐4 ≥ 2.67 was a strong predictor of both all‐cause mortality and liver‐related adverse outcomes independently of the baseline diagnostic group and common risk factors. Our findings indicate that FIB‐4 could play a role as a risk‐stratification tool for a population health approach. Significant underdiagnosis of both NAFLD/NASH and NASH cirrhosis in electronic medical records was observed.
Artificial intelligence‐based correlation: Process side heat transfer coefficient for helical coils in stirred tank reactors
Authors: Moholkar Chaitanya D. , Vala Shivam V. , Mathpati Channamallikarjun S. , Joshi Aniruddha J. , Vitankar Vivek S. , Joshi Jyeshtharaj B. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractStirred tank reactor systems often employ jackets/limpets, single/multiple internal coils for heat transfer. Internal coils are used for heat removal in the case of exothermic reaction systems. The desired heat transfer area can be accurately estimated based on the overall heat transfer coefficient (HTC) considering the process side, utility side, and wall conduction resistance. For estimation of process side HTC, a large number of empirical/semi‐empirical correlations are available in the published literature. These correlations account for impeller Reynolds number, fluid Prandtl number, viscosity ratio, dimensionless geometric factors, and so forth. However, all the factors over the entire range of industrial operation do not get covered in a single study, hence the predictions may involve significant errors for industrial cases. The advanced artificial intelligence‐based techniques can provide unified correlation based on the experimental data set extracted from various investigations and the predictions can be accurate and reliable. In the present work, three techniques random forests (RF), artificial neural networks with Bayesian optimization (ANN‐BO), and support vector regression with grid search optimization (SVR‐GS) have been used with a data set of 1297 points with R2 values of 0.995, 0.972, 0.990 on the training data set and 0.962, 0.945, 0.905 respectively on the testing data set. Furthermore, the statistical measures show that RF provides a better fit as compared with other AI models, so RF is used for parametric sensitivity analysis. The permutation feature importance shows that the agitation speed, impeller dimensions, and positioning has a significant impact on the HTC.
How do children answer questions from a physically present humanoid robot?
Authors: Okanda Mako , Taniguchi Kosuke 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe present study investigated whether Japanese 3‐, 4‐, and 5‐year‐old children exhibit a yes bias to questions from a physically present humanoid robot, Nao. The robot asked the children yes‐no questions about familiar and unfamiliar objects. To both types of questions, the 3‐year‐old children exhibited a yes bias while the 5‐year‐old children exhibited a nay‐saying bias to questions about unfamiliar objects. The 4‐year‐old children did not exhibit any response biases. These results were not dramatically different from children's response tendencies toward humans reported in previous studies. The results demonstrate that as children might not spontaneously discriminate a real humanoid robot from humans in social situations, they do not hesitate to answer its questions. Robot usage in education and childcare is discussed.
The effect of colchicine on mortality outcome and duration of hospital stay in patients with COVID‐19: A meta‐analysis of randomized trials
Authors: Kow Chia Siang , Lee Learn‐Han , Ramachandram Dinesh Sangarran , Hasan Syed Shahzad , Ming Long Chiau , Goh Hui Poh 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundOveractivation of the NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome can lead to severe illness in patients with coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19). The NLRP3 inhibitor, colchicine, therefore, appears to be promising for the treatment of COVID‐19.AimsWe aimed to perform a meta‐analysis of randomized trials investigating the effect of colchicine in patients with COVID‐19.Materials & MethodsWe systematically searched electronic databases and clinical trial registries (up to October 17, 2021) for eligible studies. The outcomes of interest were all‐cause mortality and duration of hospital stay. Meta‐analysis with the random‐effects model was used to estimate the pooled odds ratio (OR) of mortality and 95% confidence interval (CI). The pooled standardized mean difference of duration of hospital stay with 95% CI between colchicine users and non‐colchicine users was estimated using Cohen's d index.ResultsThe meta‐analyses revealed no significant difference in the odds of mortality (pooled OR = 0.76; 95% CI: 0.53–1.07), but a significant reduction in the duration of hospital stay with the use of colchicine (pooled standardized mean difference = −0.59; 95% CI: −1.06 to −0.13).Discussion and ConclusionThe ability of colchicine to reduce the length of stay in hospitalized patients with COVID‐19 is consistent with its potential to prevent clinical deterioration via inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome. Nevertheless, such beneficial effects of colchicine did not translate into mortality benefits in patients with COVID‐19.
Applications of nanogenerators for biomedical engineering and healthcare systems
Authors: Wang Wanli , Pang Jinbo , Su Jie , Li Fujiang , Li Qiang , Wang Xiaoxiong , Wang Jingang , Ibarlucea Bergoi , Liu Xiaoyan , Li Yufen , Zhou Weijia , Wang Kai , Han Qingfang , Liu Lei , Zang Ruohan , Rümmeli Mark H. , Li Yang , Liu Hong , Hu Han , Cuniberti Gianaurelio 
Published: December 2021

The dream of human beings for long living has stimulated the rapid development of biomedical and healthcare equipment. However, conventional biomedical and healthcare devices have shortcomings such as short service life, large equipment size, and high potential safety hazards. Indeed, the power supply for conventional implantable device remains predominantly batteries. The emerging nanogenerators, which harvest micro/nanomechanical energy and thermal energy from human beings and convert into electrical energy, provide an ideal solution for self‐powering of biomedical devices. The combination of nanogenerators and biomedicine has been accelerating the development of self‐powered biomedical equipment. This article first introduces the operating principle of nanogenerators and then reviews the progress of nanogenerators in biomedical applications, including power supply, smart sensing, and effective treatment. Besides, the microbial disinfection and biodegradation performances of nanogenerators have been updated. Next, the protection devices have been discussed such as face mask with air filtering function together with real‐time monitoring of human health from the respiration and heat emission. Besides, the nanogenerator devices have been categorized by the types of mechanical energy from human beings, such as the body movement, tissue and organ activities, energy from chemical reactions, and gravitational potential energy. Eventually, the challenges and future opportunities in the applications of nanogenerators are delivered in the conclusive remarks.image
Predictive value of lymphocyte‐to‐monocyte ratio in critically Ill patients with atrial fibrillation: A propensity score matching analysis
Authors: Yu Yue , Wang Suyu , Wang Pei , Xu Qiumeng , Zhang Yufeng , Xiao Jian , Xue Xiaofei , Yang Qian , Xi Wang , Wang Junnan , Huang Renhong , Liu Meiyun , Wang Zhinong 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundInflammation plays a key role in the initiation and progression of atrial fibrillation (AF). Lymphocyte‐to‐monocyte ratio (LMR) has been proved to be a reliable predictor of many inflammation‐associated diseases, but little data are available on the relationship between LMR and AF. We aimed to evaluate the predictive value of LMR in predicting all‐cause mortality among AF patients.MethodsData of patients diagnosed with AF were retrieved from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care‐III (MIMIC‐III) database. X‐tile analysis was used to calculate the optimal cutoff value for LMR. The Cox regression model was used to assess the association of LMR and 28‐day, 90‐day, and 1‐year mortality. Additionally, a propensity score matching (PSM) method was performed to minimize the impact of potential confounders.ResultsA total of 3567 patients hospitalized with AF were enrolled in this study. The X‐tile software indicated that the optimal cutoff value of LMR was 2.67. A total of 1127 pairs were generated, and all the covariates were well balanced after PSM. The Cox proportional‐hazards model showed that patients with the low LMR (≤2.67) had a higher 1‐year all‐cause mortality than those with the high LMR (>2.67) in the study cohort before PSM (HR = 1.640, 95% CI: 1.437–1.872, p < 0.001) and after PSM (HR = 1.279, 95% CI: 1.094–1.495, p = 0.002). The multivariable Cox regression analysis for 28‐day and 90‐day mortality yielded similar results.ConclusionsThe lower LMR (≤2.67) was associated with a higher risk of 28‐day, 90‐day, and 1‐year all‐cause mortality, which might serve as an independent predictor in AF patients.
An Empirical Analysis of Japan's Drug Development Lag Behind the United States
Authors: Nakamura Hiroshi , Wakutsu Naohiko , Murayama Satoshi , Suzuki Takeshi 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe “drug lag” (ie, the approval lag for new drugs) hinders patients’ access to innovative new medicines. The drug lag was heavily debated in Japan from the late 2000s to the early 2010s. It consists of “development lag” (ie, the submission date lag for new drug applications) and “review lag” (ie, the difference in review periods). As the 2 lags have different causes and display significantly different recent trends in Japan, we focus on the development lag—in contrast with most previous literature—between Japan and the United States, based on a database we created for all new drugs from 2008 to 2018 using publicly available data sources. First, we found that Japan's development lag relative to the United States did not shrink in terms of the overall distribution rather than the median, which was the focus of most prior studies. Second, we examined the factors (product characteristics) that significantly affected the development lag and found that products that underwent multiregional clinical trials and those that were certified as “breakthrough therapies” in the United States had significantly shorter development lags with high robustness, whereas products receiving price premiums did not. Finally, we discussed the policy implications of these results. For instance, innovative new drugs that are presumed to receive price premiums require enhanced policy support for early application from the initial stages of clinical trials. It is also essential to promote information sharing regarding evaluations by foreign reviewing authorities for efficient use in the home country.
Diagnostic rate of autism spectrum disorder in a high‐survival cohort of children born very preterm: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Nagai Yukiyo , Mizutani Yuko , Nomura Kayo , Uemura Osamu , Saitoh Shinji , Iwata Osuke 
Published: December 2021

AbstractTo investigate the diagnostic rate of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in a high‐survival cohort of very preterm children, 77 infants born very preterm (<32 weeks of gestation) were assessed at age 4–6 years old using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, 2nd edition (ADOS‐2) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM‐5). Sixteen children (20.8%) were classified as both DSM‐5‐positive ASD and ADOS‐2‐identified “autism,” which were defined as confirmed ASD in this study. Our result suggests that the prevalence of ASD in very preterm children might be much higher than reported in previous studies when all children were individually evaluated. Further studies in a large sample are required to clarify the true risk of ASD in preterm birth.
Short‐term effects of COVID‐19 lockdown on foreign direct investment: Evidence from Ecuadorian firms
Authors: Camino‐Mogro Segundo , Armijos Mary 
Published: December 2021

AbstractWe exploit the exogenous variation that comes from the COVID‐19 and the subsequent lockdown in Ecuador. We estimate a regression discontinuity in time (RDiT) design using official administrative FDI data from January to May 2020. We observe an overall large decrease in FDI inflows. We assess differences across FDI sources and find stronger effects coming from capital increases compared with new firm constitutions. In addition, we find that the negative effects are mostly from inflows coming from North and South American investments. We also assess whether partial reopening of activities positively affects FDI. We do not find any significant effect.
A new era of microfinance: The digital microcredit and its impact on poverty
Authors: Kandie Daniel , Islam Khan Jahirul 
Published: December 2021

AbstractInstant and low‐cost access to digital microcredit attracts millions of borrowers. Using household panel data, we study the impacts of digital microcredit on poverty in Kenya and compare the impact with traditional microcredit. We employ difference‐in‐differences and propensity score matching methods and find significant negative impacts of digital loans on poverty but do not find any significant impacts of the traditional microcredit on poverty. Results indicate that relatively better‐off households have access to digital loans compared to traditional microcredit. We emphasize the policy on regulation and behavioural tools that might help to reduce the welfare‐deteriorating impact of digital microcredit.
Clinical status, biochemical profile and management of a single cohort of patients with arginase deficiency
Authors: Keshavan Nandaki , Wood Michelle , Alderson Lucy M. , Cortina‐Borja Mario , Skeath Rachel , McSweeney Mel , Dixon Marjorie , Cleary Maureen A. , Footitt Emma , Batzios Spyros 
Published: December 2021

AbstractArginase deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive urea cycle disorder (UCD) caused by mutations in the ARG1 gene encoding arginase that catalyses the hydrolysis of arginine to ornithine and urea. Patients have hyperargininaemia and progressive neurological impairment but generally suffer fewer metabolic decompensations compared to other UCDs. The objective is to describe the clinical features, biochemical profile, neuroradiological findings and experience of managing children with arginase deficiency. Twenty‐year retrospective review of patient medical records at a single metabolic centre was performed. Six patients from three unrelated families were identified. Mean age at first symptom was 3.3 (1.5–9.0) years, while mean age at diagnosis was 8.8 (0.16–15.92) years. Four patients developed spastic diplegia and two of six with spastic quadriplegia with classical features including hyperreflexia, clonus and toe walking. This resulted in gait abnormalities that have been monitored using the GAITRite system and required Achilles tendon release in five children. Generalised tonic‐clonic seizures and/or absences were present in three of six children and were controlled with anticonvulsants. All patients had moderate learning difficulties. Neuroimaging showed cerebral/cerebellar atrophy in four patients and basal ganglia abnormalities in two. Arginine levels were universally elevated throughout follow‐up despite protein restriction, essential amino acid supplementation and ammonia scavengers, and neurological outcome was generally poor. Two patients died following severe metabolic decompensation in adolescence. Children with arginase deficiency continue to present a management challenge of what appears to be an inexorable course of neurocognitive impairment. Further insight into disease mechanisms may provide insight into novel treatment strategies.
Factors affecting bighorn sheep activity at water developments in southwestern Arizona
Authors: Terry Patrick J. , Alvidrez Aaron C. , Black Christian W. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractDetermining the efficacy of artificial water developments for desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis mexicana) populations is an important conservation concern as projected climatic changes pose potentially severe effects to the species in the southwestern United States. We monitored daily visitation frequencies and temporal activity patterns of bighorn sheep at 20 water developments on the Barry M. Goldwater Range‐East in Arizona, USA, from January 2015 to December 2018. We evaluated the effects of weather, landscape, and interspecific presence on these data using zero‐inflated modeling and temporal activity analysis. Approximately 95% of visits by sheep occurred during summer primarily in response to relatively high temperatures and low precipitation. Conversely, sheep were nearly absent from developments during non‐summer when vegetative moisture was relatively high, especially if temperature was low and precipitation high. The frequency of visits by bighorn sheep increased when interspecifics were present owing to high use of water developments by all species during summer. Bighorn sheep altered their temporal activity to avoid the high activity periods of predators and competitors in all seasons. Water developments with terrain offering antipredator protection also had greater frequencies of visits, but these features did not affect the probability of absence. Overall, our study indicates that water developments provide hydration and thermoregulatory relief to bighorn sheep during the hot and water‐limited conditions of summer and sites lacking adequate antipredator terrain limit water development efficaciousness. We also find that temporal partition by sheep potentially reduces fitness during summer and recommend further analysis based on motion‐sensitive cameras to explore this topic.
Minerals in gastroliths and foods consumed by band‐tailed pigeons
Authors: Sanders Todd A. , Braun Clait E. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBand‐tailed pigeons (Patagioenas fasciata) congregate at and use mineral sites (mineralized water or soil) primarily within the breeding range of the Pacific Coast band‐tailed pigeon (P. f. monilis), but the Interior band‐tailed pigeon (P. f. fasciata) generally does not exhibit this behavior. Differences in supplemental minerals used between subspecies could be explained by differences in the diet (grit and foods) of these birds between their regional ranges. We necropsied 1,169 band‐tailed pigeons and sampled 35 primary foods of band‐tailed pigeons in the United States range of the Interior (AZ, CO, NM, and UT) and Pacific Coast (CA, OR, and WA) band‐tailed pigeons to evaluate regional differences in mineral and moisture in gastroliths and food items, and the association of grit with food items consumed. Grit and food types consumed by pigeons were similar between subspecies, but grit amount varied with foods consumed and food items varied with season and region in association with plant distribution and phenology. Gastroliths contained small amounts (≤3.3% each) of calcium, sodium, and potassium and were smooth and polished, indicating relatively long‐term retention and use primarily in food abrasion. Foods universally contained low amounts of sodium (0–328 ppm), moderate calcium (100–7,250 ppm), and high potassium (4,400–22,600 ppm), but varied somewhat with food type (e.g., acorns, berries, cultivated grains, pine seeds). Moisture and mineral content of grit consumed and foods used by Interior and Pacific Coast band‐tailed pigeons did not differ between their regional ranges in explaining differential use of supplemental mineral sites. Band‐tailed pigeon's use of supplemental sodium may not be necessary for survival and reproduction because Interior pigeons rarely use supplemental mineral sites unlike Pacific Coast pigeons despite similarities in moisture and mineral content of grit and foods consumed. Band‐tailed pigeons are able to concentrate sodium and calcium in crop milk to meet the nutritional needs of hatchlings despite a diet low in sodium and calcium.
Theoretical study on the kinetics and thermodynamics of H‐atom abstractions from tetramethylsilane‐related species
Authors: Zhu Shan , Zhou Chong‐Wen 
Published: December 2021

AbstractTheoretical kinetics and thermochemistry investigations on the H‐atom abstraction reactions by H and O atoms and OH and HO2 radicals from Si−C−O‐containing species such as Si(CH3)4, Si(CH3)3(OH), Si(CH3)2(OH)2, and Si(CH3)(OH)3 have been carried out in this work. The geometry, vibrational frequencies, and hindrance potential for each species are calculated at the B3LYP/6‐31G(2df,p) level of theory with the single‐point energies calculated at the G4 level of theory. The composite methods G3 and G4 are utilized to derive enthalpies of formation at 0 K by the atomization reaction methodology. ΔHf(298 K), S(298 K), and Cp(T) are calculated by using the statistical thermodynamics method. Conventional transition state theory is used over a wide temperature range (298.15−2000 K) for H‐atom abstraction reactions by H, O, and HO2 radicals from the species mentioned above, and variational transition state theory is used for H‐atom abstraction reactions by the OH radical. The kinetic and thermodynamic parameters based on high‐level theoretical calculations are compared with the literature data. Reactivity comparison between the similar hydrocarbons and silicon‐organic compounds for H‐atom abstractions is explored. A large difference exists between these two different systems when H‐atom abstractions are on hydroxyl sites.