bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Self-report of chronic diseases in old-aged individuals: extent of agreement with general practitioner medical records in the German AugUR study
Authors: Steinkirchner Anna B , Zimmermann Martina E , Donhauser Ferdinand J , Dietl Alexander , Brandl Caroline , Koller Michael , Loss Julika , Heid Iris M , Stark Klaus J 
Published: August 2022

BackgroundTo estimate prevalence and incidence of diseases through self-reports in observational studies, it is important to understand the accuracy of participant reports. We aimed to quantify the agreement of self-reported and general practitioner-reported diseases in an old-aged population and to identify socio-demographic determinants of agreement.MethodsThis analysis was conducted as part of the AugUR study (n=2449), a prospective population-based cohort study in individuals aged 70–95 years, including 2321 participants with consent to contact physicians. Self-reported chronic diseases of participants were compared with medical data provided by their respective general practitioners (n=589, response rate=25.4%). We derived overall agreement, over-reporting/under-reporting, and Cohen’s kappa and used logistic regression to evaluate the dependency of agreement on participants’ sociodemographic characteristics.ResultsAmong the 589 participants (53.1% women), 96.9% reported at least one of the evaluated chronic diseases. Overall agreement was >80% for hypertension, diabetes, myocardial infarction, stroke, cancer, asthma, bronchitis/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and rheumatoid arthritis, but lower for heart failure, kidney disease and arthrosis. Cohen’s kappa was highest for diabetes and cancer and lowest for heart failure, musculoskeletal, kidney and lung diseases. Sex was the primary determinant of agreement on stroke, kidney disease, cancer and rheumatoid arthritis. Agreement for myocardial infarction and stroke was most compromised by older age and for cancer by lower educational level.ConclusionSelf-reports may be an effective tool to assess diabetes and cancer in observational studies in the old and very old aged. In contrast, self-reports on heart failure, musculoskeletal, kidney or lung diseases may be substantially imprecise.
Chemical priming of natural killer cells with branched polyethylenimine for cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Choi Seung Hee , Kim Hye Jin , Park Joo Dong , Ko Eun-Su , Lee Minwook , Lee Dae-Keum , Choi Jin-Ho , Jang Hye Jung , Kim Isaac , Jung Hae-Yun , Park Keun-Hong , Park Kyung-Soon 
Published: August 2022

BackgroundDue to their powerful immune surveillance activity and ability to kill and clear cancer cells, natural killer (NK) cells are an emerging anticancer immunotherapeutic agent. Therefore, there is much interest in developing efficient technologies that further enhance the therapeutic antitumor efficacy of NK cells.MethodsTo produce chemically primed NK cells, we screened polymers with various electric charges and examined their ability to enhance the cytotoxicity of NK cells. The effect of primary amine and electric charges of 25 kDa branched polyethylenimine (25KbPEI) was investigated by fluorination of the chemical. The role of 25KbPEI in determining the major priming mechanism was investigated in terms of calcium influx into NK cells. In vivo therapeutic efficacy of chemically primed NK cells was evaluated against solid tumor mouse model of triple negative breast and ovarian cancers.ResultsChem_NK that was produced by the priming activity of 25KbPEI showed potent antitumor activity to various cancer cells. Chem_NK showed an activated phenotype, which manifests as increased expression of activating/adhesion/chemokine receptors and perforin accumulation, leading to enhanced migration ability and antitumor activity. Chem_NK display potent therapeutic efficacy against in vivo mouse model of triple negative breast and ovarian cancers. Fluorination of the primary amine group reduces the activity of 25KbPEI to prime NK cells, indicating that the cationic charge on the chemical plays a critical role in NK cell activation. A major priming mechanism was 25KbPEI-mediated calcium influx into NK cells, which occurred mainly via the Ca2+-permeable non-selective cation channel transient receptor potential melastatin 2.ConclusionsNK cells can be chemically primed with 25KbPEI to express potent antitumor activity as well as enhanced migration ability. Because PEI is a biocompatible and Food and Drug Administration-approved chemical for biomedical use, these results suggest a cost-effective and simple method of producing therapeutic NK cells.
Higher- and lower-load resistance exercise training induce load-specific local muscle endurance changes in young women: a randomised trial
Authors: Fliss Matthew D. , Stevenson Jordan , Mardan-Dezfouli Sobhan , Li Donna C.W. , Mitchell Cameron J. 
Published: August 2022

The effect of resistance training with higher- and lower-loads on muscle mass and strength has been extensively studied, while changes in muscle endurance have received less attention. This trial aimed to assess the effect of training load on absolute muscle endurance (AME) and relative muscle endurance (RME). Sixteen untrained women (22.7 ± 3.3 yr: mean ± SD) had one arm and leg randomly assigned to train with higher loads (HL; 80–90% 1RM), and the contralateral limbs trained with lower loads (LL; 30–50% 1RM) thrice weekly to volitional fatigue for 10 weeks. Heavy and light load AME and RME, strength, and muscle mass were assessed pre- and post-training. Strength increased more in the HL compared to LL leg ( P < 0.01), but similar increases in strength were observed between upper body conditions ( P = 0.46). Lower body heavy and light load AME improved in both conditions, but HL training induced a larger improvement in heavy load AME (HL: 9.3 ± 4.3 vs. LL: 7.5 ± 7.1 repetitions, time × limb P < 0.01) and LL training induced a larger improvement in light load AME (LL: 24.7 ± 22.2 vs. HL: 15.2 ± 16.7 repetitions, time × limb P = 0.04). In the upper body, HL and LL training induced similar increases in both heavy (time × limb P = 0.99), and light load (time × limb P = 0.16) AME. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry showed no change in leg fat-and-bone-free mass (FBFM) for either condition, and an increase in only LL arm FBFM. AME improved in a manner specific to the training loads used. ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04547972).
Numerical Study on Seismic Response of Offshore Wind Turbine Monopile in Multi-Layered Soil Profile of Arabian Sea
Authors: Iqbal Kamran , Xu Chengshun , Han Yingcai , Motalleb Qaytmas Abdul , Ijaz Nauman , Dou Pengfei 
Published: August 2022

The seismic performance of monopiled offshore wind turbine (OWT) structures was evaluated numerically. The aim was to analyze offshore wind farm sites on complicated layered seabed with high seismicity. Following pile soil analysis (PISA) model, three-dimensional (3D) numerical evaluations were undertaken for two separate locations under two independent seismic events. The effects of pile diameter, depth, site impact owing to transverse soil layering, uni-directional and multi-directional seismic loading and seismic acceleration magnitude are presented. Dynamic impedance depth variation and site response analysis via lateral displacement, lateral soil response and Fourier response amplitude are explored in frequency and time domain. In a seismic zone with stratified soil, pile diameter has a greater influence. Variations in soil profile affect wind turbine performance and seismic sensitivity. This research will give a strong platform for later studies to recommend a safe wind farm site based on simulation results.
1- AND 2-BACK TASK PERFORMANCES AND EVENT-RELATED POTENTIAL PATTERNS OF PAROUS AND NULLIPAROUS FEMALES
Authors: YI JEONG-HAN , JUNG JIN-JU , KIM YE-JIN , LEE JE-HYEOP , KIM KYU-BEOM , CHOI MI-HYUN , KIM HYUNG-SIK , CHUNG SOON-CHEOL , KIM HYUNG-SIK , PARK HYUN-KYUNG , KIM HYUN-JUN 
Published: August 2022

This study analyzes the change in working memory capacity between parous and nulliparous groups by studying the changes in event-related potential (ERP) patterns during 1- and 2-back tasks. A total of 50 women participated in the study: 27 belonging to the parous group (mean age: 33.1 ± 3.0 years) and 23 belonging to the nulliparous group (mean age: 30.8 ± 2.3 years). The parous group included women who had given birth within three years, while the nulliparous group included women who had not given birth. To compare the working memory capacity of the two groups, 1- and 2-back tasks were presented and the accuracy rate (%) and reaction times (ms) were extracted. While the subjects were performing their tasks, electroencephalograms were used to measure ERP patterns. The ERP patterns from Fz (midline frontal), Cz (midline central) and Pz (midline posterior), which are highly associated with working memory tasks, were analyzed. From the ERP patterns, N100, P300, P300 peak-to-peak (P300 p_p), P600 and P600 peak-to-peak (P600 p_p) components were extracted. The results showed no significant differences in working memory capacity (accuracy rate and reaction time) and ERP components between the two groups. These findings indicated that childbirth experience has no significant effect on working memory capacity.
TEST–RETEST RELIABILITY OF POSTURAL SWAY MEASURES DURING STATIC STANDING BALANCE PERFORMANCE IN HEALTHY ELDERLY ADULTS
Authors: KWON YU-RI , EOM GWANG-MOON , KIM JI-WON 
Published: August 2022

Little is known about the reliability of postural sway measures in healthy elderly adults. Moreover, there is no standardized balance test protocols such as an efficient number of repeated measurements for older people. Therefore, we investigated test-retest reliability of center of pressure (COP) variables during static balance performance in elderly adults. Twenty-five elderly adults (15 elderly men and 10 elderly women) were asked to perform quiet standing balance test on a self-developed force platform. COP-based variables, i.e., COP mean distance, sway area, mean velocity, mean frequency, maximum frequency, and maximum power amplitude were derived from the COP data. For the test-retest reliability of each COP-based variable, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was assessed in two-trials and three-trials of balance test. Mean velocity showed the highest ICC values in all directions (ICC = 0.832–0.922). Frequency domain variables presented lower reliability than time domain variables. Additionally, elderly adults did not affect the number of repeated measurements in most postural balance variables. These results suggest that time domain variables are more reliable variables than frequency domain variable and that balance test of two trials might be rather effective for elderly adults. These findings can be used to develop an optimal protocol of static balance test and select postural balance variables for elderly adults.
Zoophily and nectar-robbing by sunbirds in Gardenia latifolia Ait. (Rubiaceae)
Authors: A.J. Solomon Raju  , S. Sravan Kumar  , L. Kala Grace  , K. Punny  , Raliengoane Tebese Peter , K. Prathyusha  
Published: August 2022

Gardenia latifolia is a semi-deciduous tree species which blooms during the dry season. Its flowers are hermaphroditic, strongly fragrant, nectariferous, and specialized with a narrow corolla tube and concealed deep seated nectar. Thrips act as resident pollinators while bats and carpenter bees act as non-resident pollinators. Sunbirds act as nectar robbers and have no role in pollination. The flowers are milky white and fragrant on days 1 and 2; they cease fragrance and change color to golden yellow on day 3. Bats visit newly open, day 1 fragrant flowers for pollen collection while thrips use day 1 and day 2 flowers. Carpenter bees and sunbirds visit only day 2 flowers. The flower visiting activity of all these foragers indicates that they do not visit non-fragrant, golden yellow colored flowers although they possess nectar. Fruit is an indehiscent berry with seeds placed in pulp inside; the birds are the most likely seed dispersal agents when they break the pericarp and feed on the fruit pulp.
Opportunistic sighting of a Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus Linnaeus, 1758 in Lakshadweep Archipelago
Authors: Manokaran Kamalakannan  , C.N. Abdul Raheem  , Dhriti Banerjee  , N. Marimuthu  
Published: August 2022

The Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus is the world’s largest toothed whale and the only living species of the genus, Physeter. We report an opportunistic sighting of a sperm whale with photographs from one of the recent protected areas (Pitti Islet) of Lakshadweep archipelago.
Quantifying Improved Outcomes, Cost Savings, and Hospital Volume Changes From Optimized Emergency Stroke Transport
Authors: Paydarfar Daniel A. , Holodinsky Jessalyn K. , Abbas Huda , Field Thalia S. , Zhou Lily W. , Kamal Noreen 
Published: August 2022

Background:
A previously published conditional probability model optimizes prehospital emergency transport protocols for patients with suspected large-vessel occlusion by recommending the transport strategy, drip-and-ship or mothership, that results in a higher probability of an excellent outcome. In this study, we create generalized models to quantify the change in annual hospital patient volume, the expected annual increase in the number of patients with an excellent outcome, and the annual cost savings to a single-payer healthcare system resulting from these optimized transport protocols.

Methods:
We calculated the expected number of patients with suspected large-vessel occlusion transported by ambulance over a 1-year period in a region of interest, using the annual stroke incidence rate and a large-vessel occlusion screening tool. Assuming transport to the closest hospital is the baseline transport policy across the region (drip-and-ship), we determined the change in annual hospital patient volume from implementing optimized transport protocols. We also calculated the resulting annual increase in the number of patients with an excellent outcome (modified Rankin Score of 0–1 at 90 days) and associated cost savings to a single-payer healthcare system. We then performed a case study applying these generalized models to the stroke system serving the Greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley Area, BC, Canada.

Results:
In the Greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley Area, there was an annual increase of 36 patients with an excellent outcome, translating to an annual cost savings of CA$2 182 824 to the British Columbia healthcare system. We also studied how these results change depending on our assumptions of treatment times at the regional stroke centers.

Conclusions:
Our framework quantifies the impact of optimized emergency stroke transport protocols on hospital volume, outcomes, and cost savings to a single-payer healthcare system. When applied to a specific region of interest, these models can help inform health policies concerning emergency transport of patients with suspected large-vessel occlusion.
Digital Transformation and Risk Differentiation in the Banking Industry: Evidence from Chinese Commercial Banks
Authors: Cao Xinran , Han Boyu , Huang Yiping , Xie Xuanli 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
This paper studies the impact of digital transformation on the ex post risk differentiation of large and small banks, measured by nonperforming loan (NPL) ratios. It uses the Digital Transformation Index of Commercial Banks compiled by the Institute of Digital Finance of Peking University, which contains data on three dimensions—cognition, organization and products—for 97 banks from 2011 to 2018. The three main findings are: (1) the digital transformation of cognition and organization only affects the NPL ratio through the digital transformation of products; (2) the digital transformation of products only increases the NPL ratio of small banks, but not large banks; and (3) the reason for the above results is that, in fulfillment of the mandatory requirement of lending to the micro-, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), digital transformation makes it easier for large banks to discount commercial bills held by MSMEs, thereby pushing small banks to extend corporate loans to MSMEs, which have higher risks.
International Collaboration and Research Organization Performance: Evidence from China
Authors: Geng Hui , Wu Yanrui , Shi Xing 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
International collaboration is considered to exert a positive effect on research performance. However, the impact of international collaboration on the performance of research institutions is under-documented. This paper fills the void in the literature by utilizing InCites data of 1,067 Chinese research organizations. The main results show that international collaboration promotes the performance of research organizations in general, but the effect varies according to the types of institutions. The organizations in less-developed regions are more affected by international collaborations than those in developed regions. The empirical results also demonstrate that the United States is the most important scientific collaborator of China.
Macroeconomic Impacts of  Global Demographic Change: The Case of Australia
Authors: Liu Weifeng Larry , McKibbin Warwick 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
The world will experience dramatic demographic change over this century. This paper examines the impacts of the global demographic change on the Australian economy at both aggregate and sectoral levels in a global multi-region and multi-sector general equilibrium model. Using a detailed structural model, we simulate demographic shocks of six regions in the world economy as well as Australia's own demographic shock to investigate their impacts on Australian macroeconomic conditions, economic structure, and trade patterns. The results suggest that demographic change in different regions of the world economy will have different impacts on sectors in Australia depending on trade patterns between Australia and other regions. The energy, mining, and durable manufacturing sectors in Australia are the most affected. Demographic change in China, Japan, and Korea has significant negative impacts on Australia, but partly offsetting these shocks are positive demographic shocks from emerging Asia. The overall impact of the rest of the world on Australian GDP is quantitatively negligible, but the impacts on the real interest rate and trade balances are significant. Global demographic change increases Australian real interest rates in the next two decades on the assumption that emerging countries can access global capital markets and take advantage of their demographic dividends.
Adults Aged ≥50 Years Reached by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s HIV Testing Programs in the United States and US Dependent Areas, 2019
Authors: Marano-Lee Mariette , Williams Weston , Huang Taoying , Uhl Gary 
Published: August 2022

Objectives: Older adults represent nearly half of people living with HIV in the United States. The objective of this analysis was to describe HIV testing, demographic characteristics, and risks of adults aged ≥50 years (older adults) reached in 2019 by HIV testing programs funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Methods: We collected data from 101 CDC-funded community-based organizations and 61 health departments. All funding recipients submitted deidentified program service data for 2019 through a secure online CDC-supported system. We used multivariable robust Poisson regression to assess the association between demographic and risk characteristics and the proportion of tests that resulted in a new diagnosis. We also assessed the proportion of people who received a positive test result, were linked to HIV medical care, and were interviewed for partner services. Results: During 2019, among 2 452 507 CDC-funded HIV tests provided in the United States, 412 164 (16.8%) were provided to older adults. Among the 1059 (0.26% positivity) older adults with newly diagnosed HIV infection for whom we had data, 582 (68.4%) were linked to HIV medical care within 30 days of diagnosis and 494 (72.1%) were interviewed for partner services. Among the 2858 older adults with previously diagnosed HIV infection, 1321 (46.2%) reported not being in HIV medical care at the time of the test; of those with linkage data, 425 (49.9%) were linked to HIV medical care within 30 days of testing HIV positive. Conclusions: More rapid disease progression and higher morbidity and mortality rates among older adults suggest that services are needed to ensure early diagnosis, rapid linkage, and interview for partner services.
The implementation of artificial intelligence significantly reduces door-in-door-out times in a primary care center prior to transfer
Authors: Hassan Ameer E. , Ringheanu Victor M. , Tekle Wondwossen G. 
Published: August 2022

Introduction Viz LVO artificial intelligence (AI) software utilizes AI-powered large vessel occlusion (LVO) detection technology which automatically identifies suspected LVO through CT angiogram (CTA) imaging and alerts on-call stroke teams. This analysis was performed to determine whether AI software can reduce the door-in-door-out (DIDO) time interval within the primary care center (PSC) prior to transfer to the comprehensive care center (CSC). Methods We compared the DIDO time interval for all LVO transfer patients from a single-spoke PSC to our CSC prior to (February 2017 to November 2018) and after (November 2018 to June 2020) incorporating AI. Using a stroke database at a CSC, demographics, DIDO time at PSC, modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 90-days, mortality rate at discharge, length of stay (LOS), and intracranial hemorrhage rates were examined. Results There were a total of 63 patients during the study period (average age 69.99 ± 13.72, 55.56% female). We analyzed 28 patients pre-AI (average age 71.64 ± 12.28, 46.4% female), and 35 patients post-AI (average age 68.67 ± 14.88, 62.9% female). After implementing the AI software, the mean DIDO time interval within the PSC significantly improved by 102.3 min (226.7 versus 124.4 min; p = 0.0374). Conclusion The incorporation of the AI software was associated with a significant improvement in DIDO times within the PSC as well as CTA to door-out time in the PSC. More extensive studies are warranted to expand on the ability of AI technology to improve transfer times and outcomes for LVO patients.
Management of WEB device migration and mal-position in endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms
Authors: Gravino Gilbert , Masri Souhyb , Chandran Arun , Puthuran Mani 
Published: August 2022

With increasing advances in technology, the breadth of aneurysms that are treatable via an endovascular approach has increased. Wide necked aneurysms remain difficult to treat but the emergence of dedicated intrasaccular flow disruption devices such as the Woven EndoBridge (WEB, Micorvention) has increasingly seen previously ruptured and unruptured wide necked aneurysms successfully embolised and secured from the circulation using a single device. We are reporting two cases of WEB device treatment from the earliest experience with this device at our institution. These were complicated by partial extrusion in one case and remote migration of the WEB device in another case. Our initial cases highlight the importance of case selection and the need for accurate WEB sizing which are paramount to ensure complete occlusion of the aneurysm without complications of dislocation or extrusion into the parent vessel. Since then, we have performed over 170 cases with the WEB device. We also present a comprehensive review of the limited literature available on the management of mal-positioned and dislocated WEB devices. This allows us to reflect on how to avoid these complications and the different management options at the disposal of the neuro-interventionalist once such a complication has already occured. Rescue devices and manoeuvres that we reflect on include microcatheter manipulation, alligator retrieval device, stent retrievers, microsnares, aspiration, and stenting. Ultimately, each case needs to be individually evaluated and the best strategy selected depends on the context and specific circumstances.