bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A phenomenological–hermeneutic study exploring caring responsibility for a chronically ill, older parent with frailty
Authors: Andersen Helle Elisabeth , Hoeck Bente , Nielsen Dorthe Susanne , Ryg Jesper , Delmar Charlotte 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAimTo provide lifeworld insights into experiences of adult children with caring responsibility for an 80+‐year‐old chronically ill parent with frailty.BackgroundInformal care is common in Nordic welfare countries; however, little is known about adult children's experience of caring responsibility in this setting.DesignA phenomenological–hermeneutic study based on Reflective Lifeworld Research.MethodsDiaries and semi‐structured interviews with 12 adult children.ResultsCaring responsibility is identified as “a condition of life, filled with uncertainty.” Three constituents contribute to this phenomenon: (a) balancing love, duty and reciprocity; (b) being the parent's advocate and manager; and (c) experiencing concerns and bodily strain.ConclusionAdult children work hard to provide care and enhance the well‐being of their parent. Heidegger's concept ‘Fürsorge’ may help us understand how by showing how caring responsibility means balancing different roles vis‐à‐vis the parent, one's own life and the health and social systems. Caring responsibility changes the relationship between parent and child.
Balancing contradictory requirements in homecare nursing—A discourse analysis
Authors: Fjørtoft Ann‐Kristin , Oksholm Trine , Førland Oddvar , Delmar Charlotte , Alvsvåg Herdis 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAimTo explore prevailing discourses on nursing competence in homecare nursing to boost understanding of practice within this field.DesignA qualitative study with a social constructivist perspective.MethodsSix focus‐group interviews with homecare nurses in six different municipalities in Norway. Adapting a critical discourse analysis, data were linguistically, thematically and contextually analysed in the light of theories on competence, institutional logic and discourses.ResultsThe analysis found homecare nursing to be a diverse and contradictory practice with ever‐increasing work tasks. Presented as binary oppositions, we identified the following prevailing discourses: individualized care versus organizing work; everyday‐life care versus medical follow‐up; and following rules versus using professional discretion. The binary oppositions represent contradictory requirements that homecare nurses strive to balance. The findings indicate that medical follow‐up and organizational work have become more dominant in homecare nursing, leaving less time and attention paid to relational and everyday‐life care.
The shadow economy and sustainable development: The role of financial development
Authors: Gharleghi Behrooz , Jahanshahi Asghar Afshar 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThis paper provides fresh evidence concerning the threshold relationship between the shadow economy and financial development. Shadow economy is quoted as an obstacle to sustainable development and therefore the role of financial development is examined in this paper to tackle the issue of shadow economy. It is based on panel data of 29 developed and developing countries over the period of 1975–2015 and use of panel threshold model. Three proxies for financial development—liquid liabilities, private credit to deposit money banks, and stock market capitalisation—were utilised to obtain the threshold value of US$33,600 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita. This threshold helps to determine the impact of financial development on the size of the shadow economy. Empirical results suggest that above this threshold, financial development significantly contributes to the reduction in size of the shadow economy while it has no impact for countries that have per capita income below this threshold. This implies that, countries with lower per capita income (below $33,600) should implement policies to improve accessibility to finance and credit market which leads to a sufficiently higher per capita income that in turn allows for a reduction in the size of the shadow economy.
The influence of nutrition on clinical outcomes in children with cancer
Authors: Barr Ronald D. , Stevens Michael C.G. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAdequate and appropriate nutrition is essential for growth and development in children; all put at risk in those with cancer. Overnutrition and undernutrition at diagnosis raise the risk of increased morbidity and mortality during therapy and beyond. All treatment modalities can jeopardize nutritional status with potentially adverse effects on clinical outcomes. Accurate assessment of nutritional status and nutrient balance is essential, with remedial interventions delivered promptly when required. Children with cancer in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) are especially disadvantaged with concomitant challenges in the provision of nutritional support. Cost‐effective advances in the form of ready‐to‐use therapeutic foods (RUTF) may offer solutions. Studies in LMICs have defined a critical role for the gut microbiome in the causation of undernutrition in children and have demonstrated a beneficial effect of selected RUTF in redressing the imbalanced microbiota and improving nutritional status. Challenges in high‐income countries relate both to concerns about the potential disadvantage of preexisting obesity in those newly diagnosed and to undernutrition identified at diagnosis and during treatment. Much remains to be understood but the prospects are bright for offsetting malnutrition in children with cancer, resulting in enhanced opportunity for healthy survival.
Parental experiences in end‐of‐life decision‐making in allogeneic pediatric stem cell transplantation
Authors: Mekelenkamp Hilda , Lankester Arjan C. , Bierings Marc B. , Smiers Frans J.W. , de Vries Martine C. , Kars Marijke C. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackgroundIn pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), the end‐of‐life (EOL) phase and the loss of the child is often characterized by a sudden deterioration of the child following a period of intensive curative treatment. This demands a fast transition for parents. Therefore, an understanding of the parents’ perspective on decision‐making in such a complex situation is needed. This study aims to gain insight in parental experiences in EOL decision‐making in allogeneic pediatric HSCT.MethodsA qualitative descriptive study was performed among parents of eight families. Data were thematically analyzed.ResultsAll parents were aware of their child's deterioration. Six families were confronted with a rapid deterioration, while two families experienced a gradual realization that their child would not survive. Parental EOL decision‐making in pediatric HSCT shows a reflective perspective on the meaning of parenthood in EOL decision‐making. Two central themes were identified: “survival‐oriented decision‐making” and “struggling with doubts in hindsight.” Six subthemes within the first theme described the parents’ goal of doing everything to achieve survival.DiscussionParents experienced EOL decision‐making mainly as a process guided by health care professionals (HCPs) based on the child's condition and treatment possibilities. The decision‐making is characterized by following opportunities and focusing on hope for cure. In hindsight parents experienced doubts about treatment steps and their child's suffering. HCPs can strengthen the parental role by an early integration of palliative care, providing timely support to parents in the process of imminent loss. Advance care planning can be used to support communication processes, defining preferences for future care.
A new biology of cell penetrating peptides
Authors: Howl John , Jones Sarah 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAs pharmacokinetic modifiers, cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) have proven utility for the delivery of otherwise impermeable cargoes into the discrete intracellular compartments of eukaryotic cells. Methods for the molecular optimisation of CPP sequences can significantly increase the performance of novel vectors matched to a specific delivery function. Moreover, the ‘information rich’ composition and inherent molecular flexibility of many CPPs can also facilitate their interaction with intracellular proteins and other cellular structures. This proteomimetic property of CPPs has been exploited in the design of bioportides, bioactive CPPs that regulate cellular functions often by binding relatively flat PPI interfaces to achieve a dominant negative action. This new biology of CPPs is rapidly gathering momentum through the design and synthesis of a bewildering variety of peptides that may be, in whole or part, linear, helical, cyclic and/or chimeric in nature. A particular emphasis of contemporary CPP‐centred drug discovery is the unmet medical need of cancer, though the biomedical scope of bioportide applications is impressively broad including cellular signalling and reprogramming. We are hopeful that one or more of the fascinating studies described herein will translate into the clinic to establish bioportide technologies as a viable option for drug discovery.
Radiomics in radiotherapy: Applications and future challenges
Authors: Qiu Qingtao , Duan Jinghao , Yin Yong 
Published: March 2020

AbstractRadiomics has the potential to personalize patient treatment by using medical images that are already being acquired in clinical practice. Recently, with the development of computational and imaging technology, radiotherapy has brought unlimited opportunities driven by radiomics in individual cancer treatment and precision medicine care. This article reviews the advances in the application of radiomics in lung cancer, head and neck cancer, and other cancer sites. Additionally, we comment on the future challenges of radiomic research.
Sliding mode observers for a class of linear parameter varying systems
Authors: Chen L. , Edwards C. , Alwi H. 
Published: March 2020

SummaryIn this paper, a new framework for the synthesis of a class of sliding mode observers for affine linear parameter varying (LPV) systems is proposed. The sliding mode observer is synthesized by selecting the design freedom via linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Posing the problem from a small gain perspective allows existing numerical techniques from the literature to be used for the purpose of synthesizing the observer gains. In particular, the framework allows affine parameter‐dependent Lyapunov functions to be considered for analyzing the stability of the state estimation error dynamics, to help reduce design conservatism. Initially a variable structure observer formulation is proposed, but by imposing further constraints on the LMIs, a stable sliding mode is introduced, which can force and maintain the output estimation error to be zero in finite time. The efficacy of the scheme is demonstrated using an LPV model of the short period dynamics of an aircraft and demonstrates simultaneous asymptotic estimation of the states and disturbances.
Prediction of Kumaraswamy distribution in constant‐stress model based on type‐I hybrid censored data
Authors: Fawzy Mohamad A. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractIn this work, a particular problem of Bayesian prediction concerning future observation from Kumaraswamy distribution under constant‐stress partially accelerated life test is treated. Type‐I hybrid censored data of the observed data are utilized. One‐ and two‐sample Bayesian prediction intervals for an unobserved future sample from Kumaraswamy distribution are settled. Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) procedure is used to get Bayesian predictive intervals. Lastly, simulation study and a numerical example are given to illustrate the consequences of the research.
Quick and Efficient Thermal Stability Enhancement of Micro‐Phase Separated Structure Formed from ABA Triblock Copolymers by Photo Cross‐Linking Approach
Authors: Kawarazaki Isamu , Hayashi Mikihiro , Yamamoto Katsuhiro , Takasu Akinori 
Published: March 2020

AbstractWe here report quick and efficient enhancement of the thermal stability of triblock copolymer‐based bulk morphologies by utilizing photo cross‐linking, which aims for widening the application range of block copolymer‐based materials. First, we synthesized ABA triblock copolymer bearing photo cross‐linkable groups (i. e., benzophenone groups) in the end blocks via two step atom transfer radical polymerizations (ATRP) and subsequent esterification reaction. UV‐light was irradiated for the annealed bulk films at room temperature, and the photo cross‐linking completely progressed within several minutes. Small angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) and the model fitting analysis revealed that the original cylinder morphology of the neat sample was nicely preserved after the photo cross‐linking, which enables investigation of intrinsic effects of domain cross‐linking. The temperature ramp SAXS measurements demonstrated the photo cross‐linked cylinder structure remained up to the temperature (∼320 °C) much higher than the disordering temperature (∼240 °C) of the neat uncross‐linked structure.
Facile Synthesis of CuMgFe Layered Double Hydroxides for Efficient Catalytic Phenol Hydroxylation under Mild Conditions
Authors: Shen Jiecan , Liang Jinhua , Fu Xiaomin , Jiang Yong , Yan Shichang , He Haiming , Ren Xiaoqian 
Published: March 2020

AbstractA series of CuMgFe layered double hydroxides (denoted as X/CuMgFe–LDHs) with different Cu contents were synthesized by co‐precipitation as catalysts for phenol hydroxylation under mild conditions. The as‐prepared samples were analyzed by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy (ICP‐ES), N2 adsorption–desorption, Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), thermogravimetric differential scanning calorimetry (TG‐DSC), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and hydrogen temperature‐programmed reduction (H2‐TPR) to investigate the morphologies and physicochemical properties. As presented by the characterization results, introducing a certain amount of copper not only increased the amount of active metal centers but also formed more oxygen vacancies and lattice oxygen to promote electron transport between the double layers in LDHs. However, the excess copper would significantly disrupt the X/CuMgFe–LDH framework, declining the activity. Therefore, the 20/CuMgFe–LDH sample presented the best catalytic performance among all the catalysts in terms of activity, which was correlated with the layered structure, low‐temperature reducibility, oxygen species and low Cu+/Cu2+ and Fe2+/Fe3+ ratios. The catalyst could maintain good stability even after recycling for five times. Finally, a possible mechanism for phenol hydroxylation via Cu+–OV–Fe2+ and Cu2+–O–Fe3+ redox cycles on CuMgFe–LDHs was proposed.
Technology readiness levels: Shortcomings and improvement opportunities
Authors: Olechowski Alison L. , Eppinger Steven D. , Joglekar Nitin , Tomaschek Katharina 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe technology readiness level (TRL) scale was developed at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the 1970s as a standardized technology maturity assessment tool for use in complex system development. Today, TRL assessments are used to make multimillion‐dollar decisions at NASA and beyond, yet anecdotal evidence suggests that there are challenges associated with TRL use in practice. In this paper, we systematically uncover the practitioners' view, first via 19 interviews with employees from seven organizations. We identify 15 challenges of TRL implementations in three categories: system complexity, planning and review, and validity of assessment. Next, we prioritize these challenges via a survey of TRL practitioners, using a best‐worst choice experiment. Finally, we identify best practices and proposed extensions to address the challenges. We find that system complexity challenges are most critical to TRL users, despite being addressed in the literature. We posit that addressing these opportunities could result in substantial improvements to decision processes and outcomes in complex engineering projects.
The impact of the Belt and Road Initiative on the expansion of China's higher education in overseas markets along the route
Authors: Gong Siyi , Huo Weiwei , Wu Maoguo , Huang Yi , Gong Jingya , Wang Ding 
Published: March 2020

AbstractDue to the differences in economic and social conditions among the Belt‐and‐Road (B&R) countries, resources exchange might bring significant effect on companies and organizations in these countries. In recent years, vigorously developing university education and attracting more outstanding international students have become important means for “B&R” countries to expand education market and enhance international influence. However, there is limited research discussing the impact of “B&R” on the internationalization of higher education. Taking the sponsoring country (China) of the “B&R” strategy as an example, this article explores the impact of this strategy on Chinese universities' expansion in the education market, and further analyzes the important relevant factors from the perspectives of international competitiveness. The findings show that the B&R Initiative has a significant impact on the expansion of Chinese universities in overseas markets along the route. Furthermore, we have found “push” factors related to China's macro and micro environments, and “pull” factors associated with countries along the B&R route.
The added value of real options analysis for climate change adaptation
Authors: Wreford Anita , Dittrich Ruth , van der Pol Thomas D. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractClimate change adaptation investment decisions can be made more efficiently if uncertainty and new information are considered in their economic appraisal. Real options analysis (ROA) is a robust decision‐making tool that allows for the incorporation of both uncertainty and new information. In this opinion article, we argue that ROA is a valuable tool, providing the analysis is designed to reflect the real‐world characteristics of the decision context. We highlight the differences between traditional risk‐based ROA, and scenario‐based ROA, and discuss the relative merits of the approaches from the perspective of their assumptions and use of climate information. We also emphasize the need for increased co‐development of ROA design and applications with end‐users. Given the large climate uncertainties for long‐term adaptation planning, we suggest that an emerging strand of scenario‐based ROA methods offers ways to help identify and conditionally value flexibility without aggregating values into precise expected values across states of the world.This article is categorized under:Climate Economics > Iterative Risk‐Management Policy Portfolios
Evaluation of Cottontail Pellets Collected in Suboptimal Conditions for DNA Analysis
Authors: Whipps Christopher M. , Cheeseman Amanda E. , Lindsay K. Alice , Cohen Jonathan B. 
Published: March 2020

ABSTRACTOccupancy monitoring of the New England cottontail (Sylvilagus transitionalis) relies on collections of fecal pellets made following a snowfall, and subsequent genetic screening to distinguish New England cottontail pellets from those of the eastern cottontail (S. floridanus) and snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus). In years when snowy conditions are not common, less frequent sampling may result in data gaps at long‐term monitoring sites, and jeopardize ongoing field research projects that rely on genetic data from fecal pellets. Such conditions occurred in the lower Hudson Valley, New York, USA, in the winter of 2015–2016, during which we collected pellets from the ground to evaluate performance of genetic testing relative to pellet quality. Pellets were categorized on overall appearance of degradation, assigned a pellet quality score, and then genetically analyzed to identify species using mitochondrial DNA. The pellets identified as being from New England cottontail were further evaluated targeting nuclear microsatellite DNA to obtain a multilocus genotype to identify individual rabbits. Species identification was possible for 89% of the highest quality pellets from the ground, and 68% in the most degraded pellets. A complete multilocus genotype was obtained in 79% of the least degraded pellets, but only 14% of the most degraded pellets. Certain genetic loci strongly influenced this success rate, with some performing better than others. Pellets collected from snow were still most reliable with 100% identified to species, and >97% of New England cottontail with a complete multilocus genotype. Thus, if researchers are genotyping rabbit pellets for applications such as abundance estimations, only the higher quality pellets from the ground or those collected from snow will likely be useful. For occupancy monitoring, a wider range of pellets may be acceptable for species identification, with the understanding that there is a tradeoff with pellet quality and successful DNA analysis. These results indicate that sampling from the ground and qualitative assessment of pellet quality using our categorization scheme is a viable method for New England cottontail monitoring in years with less snow. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.
Self-perceived Fracture Risk in the Global Longitudinal Study of Osteoporosis in Women: Its Correlates and Relationship with Bone Microarchitecture
Authors: Litwic A. E. , Westbury L. D. , Carter S. , Ward K. A. , Cooper C. , Dennison E. M. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe purpose of this study is to examine correlates of self-perceived fracture risk (SPR) and relationships between SPR and subsequent bone density and microarchitecture in the UK arm of the Global Longitudinal Study of Osteoporosis in Women. 3912 women completed baseline questionnaires detailing medical history and SPR; 492 underwent HRpQCT scans of the radius and tibia and DXA scans of total body, hip, femoral neck and lumbar spine a median of 7.5 years later. Correlates of SPR were examined and a cluster analysis of potential predictors of SPR performed. SPR in relation to HRpQCT and aBMD parameters was examined using linear regression with and without adjustment for anthropometric, demographic and lifestyle covariates. Mean (SD) baseline age was 69.0 (9.0) years; 56.6% reported a similar SPR; 28.6% lower SPR; 14.9% higher SPR compared to women of similar age. In mutually-adjusted analysis, higher SPR was associated (p < 0.05) with: lower physical activity and educational attainment; use of anti–osteoporosis medications (AOM) and calcium supplements; greater number of falls in the previous year; history of fracture since aged 45; family history of hip fracture; and increased comorbidity. Higher SPR, history of fracture, and use of AOM, calcium and vitamin D clustered together. Even after adjustments that included AOM use, higher SPR was associated with: lower radial trabecular volumetric density and number, and higher trabecular separation; lower tibial cortical area and trabecular volumetric density; and lower aBMD at the femoral neck. Despite greater AOM use, women with higher baseline SPR had poorer subsequent bone health.