bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Counting the Weighs: Growth Velocity Tables for Preterm Infants
Authors: Keller Jacqueline A. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractConsistent methods are needed to calculate and report postnatal growth of the preterm infant. Growth charts are valuable resources to visually monitor growth trends over time. This article includes growth velocity tables, with numerical data, intended to complement existing resources and provide clinicians with a quantitative method to assess and report weekly changes in growth. Tables were constructed using the 50th percentile dataset for the Fenton 2013 Growth Charts to estimate fetal growth rates. This dataset is based on preterm infant birth measures rather than postnatal growth; therefore, the intended use of these resources is to promote a consistent method for reporting how a preterm infant is growing. Consistent methods to calculate and report current growth can contribute more reliable data for research and further insight to postnatal growth associated with the best possible health outcomes for future preterm infants.
Beyond the professionalized nongovernmental organization: Life‐history narratives of grassroots philanthropic leaders in Africa
Authors: Appe Susan 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThis research examines everyday people as grassroots philanthropic leaders in development aid in Africa. The article balances two objectives. First is to provide a counter narrative to the broad frames that traditionally drive research on nonprofit organizations and development aid, which have tended to center more on the professionalized nongovernmental organization and traditional North–South aid models. Second, I situate grassroots philanthropic leaders within the broader landscape of people engaging in development aid. I use life‐history narratives of leaders to illuminate the diminishing barriers to being a philanthropist, capture motivating and relational dimensions in grassroots philanthropic leadership, as well as provide evidence of African philanthropy and further engagement of diaspora through small voluntary organizations. The findings espouse the everyday, relational practices of grassroots philanthropic leaders in development aid but do not entirely divorce these leaders and their initiatives from the overarching goals of development.
A local hybrid kernel meshless method for numerical solutions of two‐dimensional fractional cable equation in neuronal dynamics
Authors: Oruç Ömer 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThis study deals with obtaining numerical solutions of two‐dimensional (2D) fractional cable equation in neuronal dynamics by using a recently introduced meshless method. In solution process at first stage, time derivatives that are appeared in the considered problem are discretized by using finite difference method. Then a meshless method based on hybridization of Gaussian and cubic kernels is developed in local fashion. The problem is solved both on regular and irregular domians. L∞ and RMS error norms are calculated and compared with other numerical methods in literature as well as exact solutions. Also, obtained condition numbers are monitored. Numerical simulations show that local hybrid kernel meshless method is a thriving method for solving 2D fractional cable equation on regular and irregular domians.
Exponential collocation methods based on continuous finite element approximations for efficiently solving the cubic Schrödinger equation
Authors: Wang Bin , Wu Xinyuan 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIn this paper we derive and analyze new exponential collocation methods to efficiently solve the cubic Schrödinger Cauchy problem on a d‐dimensional torus. The novel methods are formulated based on continuous time finite element approximations in a generalized function space. Energy preservation is a key feature of the cubic Schrödinger equation. It is proved that the novel methods can be of arbitrarily high order which exactly or approximately preserve the continuous energy of the original continuous system. The existence and uniqueness, regularity, and convergence of the new methods are studied in detail. Two practical exponential collocation methods are constructed, and three illustrative numerical experiments are included. The numerical results show the remarkable accuracy and efficiency of the new methods in comparison with existing numerical methods in the literature.
A possible case of dystocia due to foetal macrosomia at Shuanghuaishu site (3500–2900 BCE), Henan, China
Authors: Zhou Yawei , Zhang Ai , Garvie‐Lok Sandra , Gu Wanfa , Xin Yingjun 
Published: July 2020

AbstractChildbirth was a significant factor in ancient female mortality, but relatively few cases of death in childbirth have been reported in the bioarchaeological literature due to challenges of recovery and interpretation. Here, we report a possible case of dystocia from the late Neolithic (3500–2900 BCE) settlement of Shuanghuaishu site (Gongyi City, Henan Province, China). An adult female skeleton was discovered in an inhumation burial with the remains of a foetus in the pelvis. The top of the foetal skull has exited the pelvic outlet, but most of the head remains in the pelvic cavity. The face is oriented away from the mother's spine, indicating that the foetus was in persistent occipitoposterior position. In modern deliveries, this atypical positioning is associated with complications including prolonged labour and excessive maternal bleeding. Long bone measurements indicate that the foetus was large compared with full‐term modern infants. This may indicate foetal macrosomia, which is also associated with prolonged and difficult labour. These indicators suggest that this was a case of dystocia, with the large size and positioning of the foetus leading to obstructed labour and the death of both mother and infant. The presence of some cranial remains outside the pelvic outlet could represent either partial delivery of the head or partial post mortem delivery (coffin birth). This paper provides an example of the interpretive challenges facing researchers investigating reproductive mortality in ancient China and in other past societies.
Language Matters: Patients’ Preferred Terms for Discussing Obesity and Disordered Eating with Health Care Providers After Bariatric Surgery
Authors: Ivezaj Valentina , Lydecker Janet A. , Grilo Carlos M. 
Published: July 2020

ObjectivePatients who seek or undergo bariatric surgery are likely to experience pervasive societal biases regarding weight and eating behaviors in the health care system. This cross‐sectional study examined patient preferences for desired weight‐ and eating‐related terms for health care providers among individuals with loss‐of‐control eating after bariatric surgery.MethodsA total of 114 of 140 adults who underwent bariatric surgery approximately 1.5 years prior and were in the follow‐up stage of a controlled treatment trial testing behavioral treatments completed language preference measures.ResultsOf the 11 terms used to describe weight, only 2 were viewed neutrally, weight and BMI. All other terms, including obesity, were rated negatively, and many were rated extremely negatively. Fatness was the least desirable term. Of the 18 terms used to describe loss‐of‐control eating, one (“ate until uncomfortably full”) was rated positively, and several were rated neutrally. On average, none of the weight or loss‐of‐control eating terms was rated as “desirable” or “very desirable.” Analyses revealed few gender and racial differences in language preferences.ConclusionsMany weight‐related and loss‐of‐control eating terms are viewed as undesirable. Health care providers should begin with neutrally rated terms and ask patients about their language preferences when speaking with individuals before/after bariatric surgery to improve patient‐centered care and reduce perceived weight bias.
Stable impulsive zone model predictive control for type 1 diabetic patients based on a long‐term model
Authors: González Alejandro H. , Rivadeneira Pablo S. , Ferramosca Antonio , Magdelaine Nicolas , Moog Claude H. 
Published: July 2020

SummaryIn this work, the problem of regulating blood glucose (glycemia) in type I diabetic patients is studied by means of an impulsive zone model predictive control (iZMPC), which bases its predictions on a novel long‐term glucose‐insulin model. Taking advantage of the impulsive version of the model—which features real‐life properties of diabetes patients that some other popular models do not—the given control guarantees the stability under moderate‐to‐severe plant‐model mismatch and disturbances. Long‐term scenarios—including meals and physiological parameter variations—are simulated and the results are satisfactory as every hyperglycemic and hypoglycemic episodes are suitably controlled.
Reporting and variability of constructing medication treatment episodes in pharmacoepidemiology studies: A methodologic systematic review using the case study of DPP‐4 inhibitors and cardiovascular outcomes
Authors: Weisman Alanna , King Lauren K. , Mamdani Muhammad 
Published: July 2020

AbstractPurposeIn pharmacoepidemiologic studies, estimating medication adherence, persistence, and exposure patterns is critical. Constructing medication treatment episodes from prescription claims data involves assumptions related to grace period, carry‐over, and lag effect, but there are no guidelines for these assumptions. We evaluated reporting and variability of these parameters in pharmacoepidemiology studies, using a case study of antihyperglycemic medications and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).MethodsWe conducted a systemic review using MEDLINE and EMBASE for studies published prior to January 2, 2020 comparing the risk of MACE between dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP‐4) inhibitors and active comparators. We extracted study characteristics and results, including grace period, carry‐over, and lag effect. Risk of bias was assessed by the Newcastle‐Ottawa scale, and assessments for prevalent user, immortal time, time lag, and time window biases.ResultsA total of 14/1850 studies identified were included. Grace period was not reported in 5 (35.7%) studies and ranged from 0 days to 180 days when reported. Carry‐over was not reported in 10 studies (71.4%). Lag effect was not reported in nine (71.4%) studies and ranged from 0 days to 180 days when reported. No studies conducted sensitivity analyses examining the effects of these assumptions on study findings. Predominant biases were inadequate follow‐up time, comparability of cohorts, prevalent use, and lag time bias.ConclusionsUse of grace period, carry‐over, and lag effect were poorly reported and highly variable. Future pharmacoepidemiology studies should improve reporting, justify ranges for these parameters, and conduct sensitivity analyses to evaluate effects of these assumptions.
Oxygen saturation to fraction of inspired oxygen ratio in preterm infants on routine parenteral nutrition with conventional or fish oil containing lipid emulsions
Authors: Correani Alessio , Dell'Orto Valentina , Nobile Stefano , Antognoli Luca , Marchionni Paolo , Giretti Ilaria , Monachesi Chiara , Rondina Clementina , Palazzi Maria Laura , Biagetti Chiara , D'Ascenzo Rita , Pompilio Adriana , Simonato Manuela , Cogo Paola , Burattini Ilaria , Carnielli Virgilio P. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIntroductionThe benefits of intravenous (IV) fish oil (FO), as a source of n‐3 long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, on lung growth in preterm infants, remain controversial.AimTo evaluate if IV FO improves lung growth in small preterm infants on routine parenteral nutrition (PN).Materials and MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed prospectively collected data of preterm infants with a birth weight <1250 g who received routine PN from birth. We compared patients who received FO containing IV lipid emulsions with infants who received conventional emulsions (CNTR). The oxygen saturation (SpO2) to a fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) ratio (SFR) at 36 weeks (W) of gestation was chosen as the primary outcome variable to assess lung growth.ResultsFour hundred and seventy‐seven infants were studied: 240 received IV FO and 237 CNTR. While exposure to antenatal glucocorticoids was higher in IV FO group than in CNTR (95 vs 90%, P = .04), there were no differences in birth data, enteral and parenteral nutrition intakes, ventilator supports and drug therapies. The incidence of the most common complications of prematurity at 36 W was not different (bronchopulmonary dysplasia was 27 vs 21% in IV FO vs CNTR infants, P = .1). Weight gain from birth to 36 W was marginally, but significantly, higher (+0.5 g/kg/d, P = .03) in IV FO group vs CNTR. SFR increased from 32 W to 36 W in all study patients (P < .001). IV FO infants had significantly lower SpO2 from 33 W to 35 W (P < .001) and lower (worse) SFR at 36 W (432 ± 57 vs 444 ± 51, P = .026) compared to CNTR.ConclusionContrary to our hypothesis, the use of FO containing IV lipid emulsions for the routine PN of the preterm infant did not improve lung growth compared to the infants who received conventional IV lipid emulsions.
l‐Citrulline treatment alters the structure of the pulmonary circulation in hypoxic newborn pigs
Authors: McClellan Eric B. , Wang Zhengming , Albertine Kurt H. , Kaplowitz Mark R. , Zhang Yongmei , Fike Candice D. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundDysregulated nitric oxide (NO) signaling contributes to chronic hypoxia (CH)‐induced pulmonary hypertension (PH). NO signaling is improved and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) is reduced in CH piglets treated with the l‐arginine‐NO precursor,
l‐citrulline. We hypothesized that
l‐citrulline might cause structural changes in the pulmonary circulation that would contribute to the reduction in PVR and that the
l‐citrulline‐induced structural changes would be accompanied by alterations in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling.MethodsWe evaluated small pulmonary arterial (PA) wall thickness, lung capillary density, and protein abundances of VEGF, VEGFR2, and phospho (p)‐VEGFR2 in PA and peripheral lung samples of piglets raised in the lab in CH (10%‐12% O2) from the day of life (DOL) 2 until DOL 11 to 12 or raised in room air (normoxia) by the vendor and studied on arrival to the lab on DOL 11 to 12. Some CH piglets were treated with oral
l‐citrulline (1‐1.5 g/kg/d) starting on the third day of hypoxia.ResultsPA wall thickness was 32% less and lung capillary formation was nearly doubled in l‐citrulline treated than untreated CH piglets. Both of these
l‐citrulline‐induced structural changes in the pulmonary circulation were accompanied by altered amounts of VEGF protein but not by altered amounts of either VEGFR2 or p‐VEGFR2 proteins.ConclusionsAlterations in the structure of the pulmonary circulation in CH piglets by l‐citrulline are unlikely to be mediated by overall VEGF signaling. Nonetheless,
l‐citrulline‐ induced structural changes should reduce PVR and thereby contribute to the amelioration of CH‐induced PH.
Experimental Study on Spray Characteristics of ADN/Water Based Gel Propellant with Impinging Jet Injectors
Authors: Wang Feng‐Shan , Chen Jun , Zhang Tao , Guan Hao‐Sen , Li Hong‐Meng 
Published: July 2020

AbstractADN/water‐based gel propellant is a new high‐energy, green, non‐toxic propellant, so it has good application prospects in the future aerospace industry. In order to study the spray characteristics of ADN/water‐based gel propellant, two‐strand impinging nozzles were used to carry out experiments. The spray images were observed by high‐speed photography, and the effects of different injection pressure, nozzle diameter, and impact angle on spray configuration, spray cone angle and breakup length of liquid film were studied. The results show that the breakup length of liquid film decreased with the increase in injection pressure and impact angle, and increased with the increase in nozzle diameter. The spray cone angle increased with the increase in injection pressure, nozzle diameter, and impact angle. And the effects of spray pressure and nozzle diameter on spray process were obvious. The distribution of propellant spray in space was clarified under these conditions and it would provide reference data for the structural design of the combustion chamber of the engine.
Optimal decision‐making in oncology development programs based on probability of success for phase III utilizing phase II/III data on response and overall survival
Authors: Götte Heiko , Xiong Junyuan , Kirchner Marietta , Demirtas Hakan , Kieser Meinhard 
Published: July 2020

SummaryIn clinical development, there is a trade‐off between investment and level of confidence in the potential of the drug before going into phase III. Reduced investment requires the use of short‐term endpoints. On new compounds, only limited information about the relationship between treatment effects of short‐ and long‐term endpoints is usually available. Therefore, decision‐making solely based on short‐term endpoints does not seem desirable. Our goal is to plan an efficient development program, which uses short‐ and long‐term endpoints data for decision‐making. We found that with limited prior information and restrictions on maximum sample size, decision‐making after phase II cannot be substantially improved. We follow the concept of a “phase 2+” design where after a go‐to‐phase‐III‐decision, further follow‐up data from phase II are employed to make interim decisions on phase III. The program will be stopped early when additional phase II and/or available phase III data lead to a low probability of success (PoS). We utilize information from a multi‐categorical short‐term endpoint (response status) and a long‐term endpoint (overall survival (OS)) to determine the PoS in phase III with OS as the primary endpoint. Optimal combinations of decision boundaries and time points are demonstrated in a simulation study. Our results show that the proposed second look using additional follow‐up data from phase II/III improves PoS estimates compared to the first look, especially when prior data about the control arm is available. The proposed planning strategy allows a customized compromise between the quality of decision‐making and program duration.
An assessment of GNSS radio occultation data produced by Spire
Authors: E. Bowler Neill 
Published: July 2020

AbstractOver recent years there has been increasing interest from commercial companies to produce observations of the atmosphere using GNSS‐RO (Global Navigation Satellite System – Radio Occultation) techniques. One such company, Spire, has achieved this by launching a large number of cubesats that operate in a constellation to observe the atmosphere. Over a period of 18 months, these data have been assessed in comparison to current GNSS‐RO data. The differences between the observations and a short‐range forecast (the innovations) indicate that the data are closely comparable to currently operational GNSS‐RO data below 30 km. Above this height, the data are noisier than current satellites. Below 30 km the data often have a smaller standard deviation than other observations, which can be achieved by using increased vertical smoothing. Although the vertical correlation length‐scales for Spire data are larger than for the current data, they do not seem excessively large. Given the good performance of the innovation statistics for the Spire data, impact trials were run in the Met Office's NWP system. Tests were run assimilating data from the current observational network, and with no GNSS‐RO data, adding data from Spire in various proportions, and replacing the data from the Metop‐C satellite with data from Spire. It was found that there is a substantial forecast benefit from assimilating Spire data. In accordance with previous work, the forecast impact of increasing the data volume is roughly proportional to the logarithm of the total amount of GNSS‐RO data assimilated. Theoretical arguments suggest a different relationship with the number of observations, but these do not fit the results well.
Belief rule‐based dependence assessment method under interval uncertainty
Authors: Zhang An , Gao Fei , Yang Mi , Bi Wenhao 
Published: July 2020

AbstractHuman reliability analysis (HRA) is of great significance for probabilistic risk assessment, and the technique for human error rate prediction (THERP) has been widely applied to assess the dependence among HRA. However, uncertainties in analyst's judgment and experts' knowledge, especially interval uncertainty in analyst's judgment, have been ignored by existing methods. To this end, the belief rule‐based system is employed to model uncertainties in experts' knowledge in this paper, and the interval belief distribution is used to model interval uncertainty in analyst's judgment. Then, a new belief rule‐based dependence assessment method is proposed, and two case studies are used to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method could not only model uncertainty using belief rules and interval belief distributions, but also provide a novel and effective way for human reliability analysis.
Informality costs: Informal entrepreneurship and innovation in emerging economies
Authors: Bu Juan , Cuervo‐Cazurra Alvaro 
Published: July 2020

AbstractResearch SummaryWe analyze the impact of informal entrepreneurship on innovation in emerging markets. Building on agency and imprinting theories, we introduce the concept of informality costs, that is, the higher agency costs from adverse selection and moral hazard problems caused by a firm's informal creation. These informality costs become imprinted and affect internal agency relationships among employees and managers and external agency relationships with suppliers and distributors, constraining the firms' incentives and ability to innovate even after formalization. As a result, informally created firms engage more in imitative and less in innovative new product development. We further propose that changes in ownership and the innovation environment alter the persistence of informality costs. Specifically, foreign firm and business group ownership reduces the persistence of informality costs and results in more innovativeness, while state ownership heightens informality costs and leads to less innovativeness. Moreover, improvements in national innovation systems decrease informality costs, strengthening the innovativeness of informally created firms.Managerial SummaryWe study how the informal creation of new ventures in emerging economies affects their innovation after they become formal firms. We propose that informally created new ventures suffer from informality costs established as a result of being informal at the beginning of their lives that reduce their incentives and ability to innovate. As a result, these firms tend to introduce new products that are imitative rather than innovative. We also propose that changes in the firm's ownership and in the national innovation system alter the persistence of informality costs and their impact on innovation. First, informally created new ventures acquired by foreign firms or private business groups have reduced informality costs and innovate more, while those acquired by the state have enhanced informality costs and imitate more. Second, national innovation system improvements reduce informality costs and support innovativeness.